Assassination
Criminals captured. Jedi ally Qymaen Jai SheelaI and Jedi Master Plo Koon successfully stopped the plot on Mace Windu's life, seemingly killing bounty hunter Aurra Sing in the process. Now, after many adventures alongside his new allies and friends, Qymaen has been summoned to the Jedi temple for his next mission.
A few months after capturing Boba Fett and his remaining bounty hunter ally, Bossk on Florrum and rescuing their remaining hostages, Qymaen had been summoned to the Council chamber, where Yoda and the other Jedi Masters congratulated him on a job well done in rescuing Admiral Killian and his remaining deck officer. "Welcome back, general Qymaen, in order, congratulations are." Yoda said with a friendly smile.
"Yes. Well done on helping to stop the attempted murder of our fellow Jedi and council member, my friend." Plo Koon said, now considering Qymaen a friend due to working alongside him in capturing Boba Fett.
This made Qymaen give a smile before Windu spoke. Now onto more pressing matters."
Master Yoda stated wisely. "Generals Cooper and Neyla will be heading to Balith to assist the local army in repelling Dooku's forces. A mission, the Council and I have for you General Sheelal, we do."
Qymaen would ask as he was intrigued by what sort of mission the Jedi Council had in mind for him, "What is the mission, Master Yoda?"
The small green skinned Jedi answered. "On Alderaan, Senator Amidala will be attending a conference regarding refugees of war. Acting as her bodyguard, you will."
Qymaen stated while being a bit disappointed that he would be acting as a bodyguard when his skills were more suited for battle. "With all due respect Master Yoda...a security escort is more of the Senate Guard's line of work."
The green skinned Jedi master replied while explaining his reasoning for sending Qymaen. "True...but our forces are spread thin across the galaxy, unfortunately. Sly and Neyla will be leaving for Balith shortly and the other council members, their own missions to attend to they have, including Shaak Ti and Ahsoka, who, on their own mission together they are. As such, the only 1 senator Amadela will trust with her life, you are."
Qymaen sighed softly, as he knew he didn't have that many options. "When does Senator Amidala and her security detail leave for Alderaan?"
Mace answered for Yoda. "Senator Amidala's personal ship leaves in approximately...fifteen minutes."
Before he exited the Jedi Council chamber, Yoda informed his friend of rather important information.n"Something else you should know, General Sheelal: an assassination attempt on the Senator during the conference, there will be. Protect Senator Amidala, you will." Qymaen answered with a solemn bow, as he knew what an important ally and friend Padme had towards the Jedi, especially Sly and Neyla...and because he had been having dreams about what his wise friend had just told him. "You and your Council have my word, Master Yoda. I will protect Senator Amidala with my life."
After being given his orders for the mission, Qymaen had headed over to Padme's office in the Senate Capitol, where she had been expecting him and welcomed the former Droid General onto her security detail before heading out to Alderaan. "General Qymaen, it's great to see you again."
"Greetings senator, I trust you've been informed of my assignment with you?" Qymaen asked politely.
"Of course. With the others on their own missions, you're the only one I can trust, especially if there's an assassin after me." Padme answered before they entered the ship and quickly got off the planet and into hyperspace. While on the trip, Padme offered Qymaen a friendly game of holographic chess, which he accepted to pass the time but wound up losing, as he'd never played before but was trying to learn. "Don't worry, general Qymaen, you'll learn to play in time. Someday, you might even beat me, Sly and Neyla." She said with a little chuckle.
"Perhaps, but I've been a warrior all my life, it's all I've ever known as well as the only thing I've ever been good at. And my ability to use the Force is still an adjustment to my new life. But my…allies and... friends have been helping me. But they always tell me that there are things about the Force that I must learn on my own, which if I'm being honest...scares even myself." Qymaen told the former queen now senator honestly.
"I've been there myself...a couple of times, to tell the truth. When I was queen of Naboo, I felt the same insecurities as you do. I mean, sure I had advisers but...it was ultimately up to me to run the entire Naboo system. And, to be honest, I was afraid at times." Padme admitted, having only told this to the few people she knew that she could trust.
"Really? You felt unsure? Cooper and Neyla often have told me that you are 1 of the most strongest beings in the universe, even without the Force or your fighting skills." Qymaen said with a smirk.
"Well, maybe now I am, but it was way before I even met them when they were children that I felt unsure. Back then, I never even believed that I could ever run an entire system, but as time passes, I learned to trust and believe in myself. I'm sure even Sly, Neyla and even Shaak Ti felt that way when they were younger. But I'm sure Master Yoda taught them to conquer their doubts and trust in themselves and the Force, just as they're teaching you right now in your new life."
"They have, and I guess I will have to personally thank Master Yoda for teaching them. It's only fair that I do, as without him, my... friends would never be who they are and, through them, he's taught me to be who I am now. I... guess he's been teaching me all this time and never knew it." Qymaen said with a rare smile that wasn't 1 of a warrior, but a being with a heart. "Would you... like another game...my friend?"
"Absolutely, general Qymaen."
"You can... call me by name when we're not on official business...Padme." Qymaen said, having found a new friend in the senator.
"Thanks... Qymaen. And I... know about your...relationship with master Shaak Ti. But don't worry, I've kept Sly and Neyla's a secret ever since they declared their love for each other, and I'll keep yours, too. You have my word." Padme said before shaking Qymaen's hand, making him they arrived on Alderaan, where Bail Organa had been waiting for their arrival, Qymaen informed Padme that he would be patrolling the perimeter of the conference building. "Senators, I will be patrolling the perimeter of the conference building. I know that there will be guards, but any smart assassin who knows how to do the job right will be in a place that no 1 would expect and without drawing any unwanted attention to him or herself."
"Of course, general Qymaen, master Yoda informed us of the assassination attempt on senator Amadela and I trust the judgement of the grandmaster. I informed captain Typho and the rest of the security here that you are to be in charge temporarily until Padme is safe." Bail said politely to the former Sith general, which Captain Typho agreed to, as master Yoda had informed them about the assassination attempt on Padme's life and knew Qymaen was merely searching the most logical areas for an assassin to hide without giving himself or herself away.
Later on
Padme was standing on a balcony, overlooking the beauty of the planet as Qymaen walked up to her. "It's beautiful, isn't it, Qymaen?"
"I must admit that it is. It's a rare thing to enjoy looking at a peaceful world without having to look over your shoulder or waiting for the next mission." Qymaen said with a smile, as he'd never really had a chance to enjoy a peaceful moment like this since he could remember.
"Perhaps you could bring Master Shaak Ti here sometime. She'd really love that." Padme said with a smile, thinking she could help Qymaen have more peaceful moments like this with Shaak Ti.
"Perhaps."
Later on in the conference room
While Qymaen was patrolling the perimeter, Padme was giving her speech to a number of other Senator's and politicians who wished to aid war refugees, hearing Padme talk about the losses of the battle to retake Naboo, losing Naboo soldiers and Gongins, losing Qui-Gon Jinn, and most importantly, the haunting experience that a 7 year old Neyla had to endure while seeing Qui-Gon die and killing Darth Maul. But while this was happening, everyone was completely unaware that an all too familiar female assassin was hiding in an air vent with a laser sniper rifle aimed directly at Padme's chest! After sensing that Padme was in danger, Qymaen had instinctively stepped in front of her and deflected the laser shot, which ended up hitting the ceiling!
After spotting Qymaen, the assassin, Aurra Sing glared hatefully at the sight of the former Sith and Droid General before swiftly covering her tracks and fleeing while Captain Typho and the Senate Guards started firing towards the air vent!
Later on the next day
While Padme was rehearsing her lines for her next speech in her temporary quarters...Aurra had silently climbed down from the vent and aimed her laser pistol at the back of her head...but was surprised as two lightsabers had activated. "Surprise...bounty hunter."
Aurra glared hatefully behind her. "Qymaen Jai Sheelal...you're like a recurring nightmare!"
Qymaen countered with a question. "How are you even still alive after Florrum? Plo Koon and I thoroughly searched the wreck and never found your body."
Aurra answered with a smug smile. "You can thank my ex, Hondo for that. He was kind enough to drag me away and have his crew nurse me to health after you Jedi scum rescued those two worthless hostages."
Padme asked as she didn't understand why the heartless assassin was after her. "But...why are you after me? Killing me won't stop the humanitarian act to help the victims caught in the war between the Republic and Separatists."
Aurra merely laughed while shaking her head. "Oh, honey...I don't personally care about your bleeding heart cause. I'm here only because my client wants you dead...and he promised to pay me handsomely for my efforts."
Qymaen stated while combining his lightsabers together into a saberstaff. He had upgraded his lightsabers to form into a double-bladed lightsaber due to becoming interested in Neyla's lightsaber. The tigress Jedi had even taught him how to deflect blaster bolts in case the situation called for it. "Well I'm afraid that won't happen anytime soon, Aurra...you're under arrest."
But instead of backing down, Aurra had naturally fired her laser pistols, which Qymaen easily and effortlessly deflected...before stepping away and the female assassin stared in complete shock...as Padme had drew out a stun pistol, rendering her unconscious! Before Captain Typho and the security detail took Aurra into custody...Qymaen would use the Force Probe technique to dwell into Aurra's mind and discover the identity of her client: Ziro the Hutt.
After they got back to the Republic capital and visited the purple Hurt, who Qymaen used Force Probe on to confirm that it was him, which worked and earned Ziro an extended sentence in jail.
There you go, my friends, the Assassination chapter is complete. Next is the ARC troopers episode, where Ahsoka will encounter a certain woman she has feelings for. Rate and review. See you soon, my friends.
