Niobe was perched on an overlook. Below, workers milled about the fuel refineries. Niobe lept down, using the force to soften her landing. She crept into a back area, shielding herself from the few around her.
"If the Republic has access to your fuel, you will remain under their control," a man said. "The strict taxes and regulations will weigh you down. You shouldn't have to suffer like this. Join us."
"How can we leave the Republic?" A woman said. "They control everything. This alliance you created is pathetic and tiny. You have nothing."
"We have weapons," he said.
The room went silent. Niobe crept into a vent and crawled to find a view that looked inside the room.
"Is that a threat?" She asked.
"Your system is surrounded," he said. "Did you think we would come all this way to leave empty-handed?"
"I didn't think you'd be here at all!" She said.
Niobe observed the number in the room. The man and women had two servants each behind them. Aside from them, there were two others among them. Niobes hand crept to the blade on her belt.
"All we ask is that you say no of the republic wants more shipments," he said.
"And I said I won't do that," she said. "My faith lies in the Republic. You may have given up, turned tail like a coward, but I believe in democracy."
The man's face hardened.
"Very well," he said.
Niobe took this opportunity. She dove out of the vent. She took down the servants, blocking the man's exit. He jerked around.
"Jedi?" He asked.
Niobe held her ignited blade at her side.
"Leave," Niobe said. "This system is under the protection of the Republic and the Jedi order."
The man hesitated. He looked to the fallen servants, their heads laying not far from their bodies.
"I have an army at the ready," he said.
"So do I," Niobe said. "Who do you think will when? Robots or skilled Jedi Knights?"
He remained silent.
"If you are willing to take that bet, I honor your choice. Know that I will wait, excitedly so, to wipe you from the galaxy."
"Rather dark for a Jedi," he said.
"I'm a bit of a rebel," she said. "Go ahead, make my day."
"Fine," he said. "We will leave."
The man stormed from the room. The woman released a breath she had been holding.
"Thank you, Master Jedi," she said.
Niobe bowed her head.
"I am only a Jedi Knight, not master," Niobe said. "You honor me with your assumption."
The woman laughed. Niobe decided the lie would be more reassuring than the truth. Her rank was almost equal to a knight either way. Yoda was the only one keeping her a Padawan.
"You could have fooled me," she said.
"I fear they will return," Niobe said. "They did not have your system surrounded, but they did have a battleship. They will show again with more soldiers. I will inform the Chancellor and the Order. We will send help."
The woman nodded.
"Do you have soldiers here?" Niobe asked.
"Yes," she said. "Not enough, but we have them."
Niobe began to ask to see her preparations before the ground shook beneath them.
"I was wrong," Niobe said.
Niobe righted herself.
"Call your soldiers," Niobe said. "We are in for a fight. I will radio my ship."
The woman nodded before shouting an order to the others in the room. Niobe grabbed her com-link.
"Typho," Niobe said. "I am under attack. Alert the order. Send them my coordinates. Keep the Senator safe."
Niobe tucked the device into her belt and headed out of the room. She placed her blade on her belt as she ran through the hall. She dodged shrieking Malestarians, heading for the closest exit.
As she breached the building, soldiers stopped her.
"I am Jedi Knight Niobe," she said. "I am here to assist you."
The soldiers looked at one another before nodding and leading her to a commander. The commander saluted Niobe.
"A small droid army has been sent to the surface of Malastare. They are only on this side of the planet's surface. I have sent groups out to take the front and sides of their attack," the commander said.
Niobe nodded. She looked ahead. The droid army was larger than she expected.
"We need troops ready to take the rear," Niobe said. "Lead them in and slowly pick off from the sides. They are not big enough to notice immediately, but they are big enough to require this technique."
The commander nodded and spoke into a comm-link. Niobe knew this battle would last longer than either were prepared for. The droid army would be sent to Malastare while they took on the troops left behind. Niobe hoped Typho received her signal.
She tucked the comm-link into her belt, ignited her blade on both sides, and charged forward.
OOOOOO
Jedi Knight Aayla had an ever-growing soft spot for Padawan Niobe, if she could be called that. Niobe had fought with Aayla on many occasions, saving Aayla's life on far more than she would want to admit too. Aayla wanted to be closer to Niobe.
There was something between them. Something neither could confess. When their hands hung too close together, there was a spark. Lightning charging through each other's skin.
When Aayla learned of Niobe's mission to Malastare, her heart plummeted. She almost flew to Malastare herself.
Niobe was gone for days, without transmission.
Padme contacted Yoda three days after receiving a signal of distress from Niobe. Master Windu was enraged. The Chancellor endangered Niobe's life.
The Malastare fuel miners were siding with the Republic. Niobe's actions saved the Republic from possible disaster. However, the droid army had decided to attack.
Jedi were sent with an army of Republic soldiers to Malastare. The conflict lasted longer than Aayla would have preferred.
Aayla cried when Niobe stepped into view from the Naboo ship. Mace held Aayla back. He knew of the Jedi's feelings towards the Padawan. He wanted to protect them.
Niobe was bruised and limping, but she was alive. Typho and Padme stood at Niobe's side, helping her walk.
"Welcome back, padawan," Mace said.
Niobe paused. She gave him a weak smile.
"Get down to the medical bay," Mace said. "Master Yoda will visit you once you are settled."
Niobe bowed to Mace. Her body hurt too much to speak. Padme and Typho assisted her the remaining way to the medical bay.
"You'll alert me if you need anything," Padme said.
Niobe nodded at the Senator's order. Padme had been furious when she heard what had occurred. Typho tipped his head to Niobe and followed Padme out of the room. Behind them, Yoda entered.
"Alive you are my young Padawan," Yoda said.
Niobe grimaced, but nodded. Yoda chuckled and took a seat by her bed.
"Brave, important work did you," he said.
Niobes eyes watered. Yoda wacked Niobe with his stick.
"Stupid you were!" He said.
Niobe hissed, retracting her limbs from the attack.
"Lost you, could have," Yoda said. "Inconsiderate!"
Niobe continued dodging Yoda's cane.
"But," Yoda said.
He lowered the cane and met Niobe's gaze.
"Selfless, you were," he said. "Actions of a Knight."
Niobe's brow rose.
"Preparations we will make," Yoda said. "Jedi Knight, you will be."
Yoda hopped down from his seat. He bowed to Niobe and hobbled out of the room. Niobe sat back on her pillow. She was dumbstruck. After the pain and misery she had faced, she never expected to receive a warm welcome. She had been uncertain she would even make her way back. Niobe waved her hand at the cieling turning the lights off and closing the blinds. She sat in the isolation for a moment. The Jedi released the anguish she had been hiding.