Chapter 26
Voyage of Temptation
Aboard the Coronet as it flew through hyperspace, Leo was sitting on a bench on one of the Cornets skydecks reading the Book of Mandalore that Vizsla had given him, already half way through it he suddenly got his comlink on his wrist to beep "Rusty, Master Kenobi and Skywalker want us on security detail for the Duchess." Ahsoka said.
"I'll be right there." He said walking back to his room to leave the book and as he came out Ahsoka was already waiting "Thought you needed sleep?" She asked him.
Leo shrugged at her "Couldn't, too tired to sleep."
She only rolled her eyes as they headed to the dining room, eventually Leo and Ahsoka were later attending the seven delegates who had accompanied the Duchess of Mandalore aboard her private yacht. The delegates were joined by Prince Tal Merrik and Senators Orn Free Taa, Onaconda Farr, and Kin Robb, with a few others. Standing guard at the door as the Duchess spoke was Ahsoka and Leo.
"You get enough sleep?" Ahsoka asked him.
"A few hours, much better." He whispered listening to the Duchess.
"The Senate cannot bully us into joining this ridiculous war." The Duchess declared from a lofty bed sized seat at the end of her throne room. It had a giant green pillow for her to lay on as she was fanned by two service droids and protected by two of her Royal Guard "Duchess doesn't care much for the war huh?" Ahsoka whispered to him.
He leaned in "Or for Master Kenobi either."
"What will become of Democracy if we do not stand fast in the face of such blatant threats and abuse of power." She said to the audience around her.
That's when then Senator Kin Robb spoke up "But Duchess, as this war persists we must do something?"
"I do, we oppose it lest we subject more innocent lives to its horrors take these two Padawans for example." The Duchess gestured to Leo and Ahsoka "uh oh." Ahsoka grumbled.
"Padawans, step forward." The Duchess ordered and they obeyed.
The Duchess continued to speak "Among the innumerable atrocities we have sent children to the battlefield due to our failures."
"Duchess surely you cannot blame us all for this situation?" Prince Merrak said as the Duchess turned to him "I do, regardless of the religious dogma of the Jedi children should not be soldiers."
Leo and Ahsoka both shared an awkward glance before the last person they expected came to their defense "Duchess if I may be so bold?" Senator Ta said approaching her throne.
The Duchess gave a wave of her hand so he could speak, Senator Ta held up his hand with the other behind his back "I would not dismiss the deeds of these two brave Jedi so easily, why it was not that long ago my own people suffered at the hands of this war." He said, bowing his head giving a moment of silence for the dead. Leo watched the fat twi'lek raise his head "It was through the sacrifice of many brave heroes, and through no small effort of their own that my people are free to this day and continue to fight for that freedom."
Ta turned around "Padawan Ahsoka Tano, where even her own Master failed to break the Separatist Blockade defeated an entire armada of Separatist ships with only one cruiser and fought on to let hope shine through our skies without fear of Vulture droids." Ta said before turning to Leo.
"And who could forget the heroism of Leo Rock." Ta said turning around "It may seem hard to believe, but that brave young man was able to tame the fiercest of Ryloth beast the mighty Doashim, with it he led the charge across the plasma bridge to free out Capital and scaled the great tower itself to save a kidnapped girl from a nefarious Sith Lord." Ta said before he came around and put his sauce fingered hands on both Padawans shoulders.
"Yet they amazed me still when the infamous Bounty Hunter Cad Bane took myself and some of the Senators here hostage, these two Jedi were ready to defend the Republic as their order has done for a thousand years." Senator Ta said squeezing their shoulders.
The Duchess looked at the two of them, Ahsoka smiled up at her showing the praise as well received and the right earned. But Leo's face glazed over as if he were ashamed to hear such things.
"I've heard of such exploits, but let us ask what their Masters think, Padawans if you will summon General Kenobi to us." She asked.
Down below Obi-Wan and Anakin were briefing clone troopers on the situation at hand. There were over a dozen clones gathered in front of the Jedi with Rex the highest ranking clone in the room, the room they were in was the cargo room surrounded by large boxes on shelves of metal stretching over them.
"You know your Marching orders"Obi-Wan said. "The safety of the duchess satine Is of the utmost importance, the death watch will stop at nothing to assassinate her before she pleads her case to the senate."
"The Deathwatch may be backed by the separatists, so stay sharp."Anakin said beside his master as the clones all listened intently.
Anakin looked at R2-D2, his trusty astromech droid. "Artoo, use your scanners to probe for any suspicious droid Activity?"
Artoo beeped in a negative tone "Anything else, sir?" Rex asked.
"No, that will be all."Obi-Wan replied dismissing the soldiers, as they were free the clone troopers walked away.
Obi-Wan answered his comlink beeping, "Yes?"Obi-Wan asked as Anakin listened just in case "Master, the duchess and her retinue requests your presence" Leo reported.
"Very well." Obi-Wan replied sound exhausted at the idea before he turned to enter the nearby elevator with Anakin "I sense some anxiety from you about the duchess."Anakin said as the elevator started to rise up through the Cornet.
"She couldn't be in safer hands, Leo and Ahsoka are with her." Anakin added trying to ease Obi-Wan's fears. .
"Yes, I know."Obi-Wan said stroking his beard as he usually did but this time it was more frantic like a scratch to an itch that wouldn't go away.
"Then why..."Anakin started "Nevermind, It's all in the past." Obi-Wan said stopping him fro pushing the issue.
"Oh, so you're close to her?"Anakin asked with a smirk "I knew her, a long time ago." Obi-Wan snapped with a hard glare. His old master's frantic and off balance gave Anakin small smirk on Anakin's face with growing amusement.
Meanwhile back in the cargo bay, two clone troopers were walking through the tall halls of crates making sure the sector was secure "All secure here Mixer." One of them said.
"Let's move on to the next Sector, Redeye." Mixer suggested once they were out of sight an eerie whirring came from one of the crates revealing to be a spider droid, an assassin model.
As Obi-Wan and Anakin arrived on the Duchess's level, they approached the guarded door to her audience hall to see the Duchess talking on in the name of peace as Leo and Ahsoka listened with the rest of the Senators who were being served drinks "War is intolerable!" Satine stares."We have been deceived into thinking that we must be a part of it. I say the moment we committed to fighting, we already lost." She said.
"Excuse me, your grace, are you suggesting we oppose the war on Humanitarian grounds?" Merrik asked, taking a drink from a tray.
"I'm going to oppose it as an affront to life itself." Satine said confidently "As the designated regent of 1,500 systems, I speak for thousands of worlds that have urged me to allow them to stay neutral in this war." She proclaimed for all to say as Anakin stopped just short of the Padawans "How are you two holding up?" He asked.
Ahsoka sighed "I'll take Temple guard duty over this." Ahsoka whinnied "Copy that." Leo said beside her as Obi-Wan walked straight past them.
"And yet some might argue that the strongest defense is a swift and decisive offense."Obi-Wan stated getting the rooms attention.
Rather then Satine's usual retort or snide remark she softly smiled seeing him "You are quite the general, now aren't you, Master Kenobi?" Satine asked.
"Forgive me for interrupting, your highness." Obi-Wan firmly said bowing. "I meant no disrespect."
"Really?" Satine asked with a pause giving Leo a sense there was more to come. "Senators, I presume you are acquainted with the collection of half-truths and hyperbole known as Obi-wan Kenobi?"
Again Obi-Wan bowed to the senators and delegates before him before rising "Your highness is too kind."Obi-Wan admitted.
"You're right, I am."Satine said twisting her word, Anakin cocked his head along with the Ahsoka who leaned over to Leo "This just got interesting…" she said.
"Allow me to introduce my fellow jedi Anakin Skywalker and you've already acquainted yourself with his Padawan learner Ahsoka Tanpo."Obi-Wan said.
"Your servant, my lady."Anakin said coming up beside Obi-Wan.
"I remember a time when jedi we're not generals, but peacekeepers,"Satine admitted.
"We are protectors, your majesty, yours at the moment." Anakin explained "We're fighting for peace." He added adamantly.
"What an amusing contradiction." Satine said as the robot maid gave her a drink now.
"What my fellow Jedi means is that we are acting at the behest of your highness to protect you from the Deathwatch and the Separatists, who don't share your neutral point of view." Obi-Wan stated as he stepped forward getting a bit closer.
The Duchess took a sip of wine before her head whipped towards him like a viper "I asked for no such thing." Satine hissed.
"That may be so, but a majority of your court did." Obi-Wan said gesturing around the venue A few of the Senators looked at each other.
"I do not remember you as one to hide behind excuses."Satine said putting her drink down and coming down from her pillow heading straight for Obi-Wan "I do not remember you as one to shrink from responsibilities."Obi-Wan stated as the other jedi watched wide eyed. "Okay this is way better than staying at the temple." Ahsoka said
"I am certain we all agree."Senator Taa said, going, between them. "Duchess Satine and General Kenobi have proven there are two sides to every dilemma."
"Indeed."Merrik said amused just as much as the Padawans and former Padawa.
"Now, in regard to the senate Vote, we think-" Senator Taa started "I think a multitude makes discord, not good counsel." Satine interrupted brazenly turning back to her throne.
"Right again, my lady." Senator Taa said up to her.
It was hard to tell who was more agitated the Duchess or the man she was focusing her anger towards "There may be two sides to every dilemma, but the duchess only favors hers." Obi-Wan grumbled looking at Anakin and the two padawans as he walked back to them.
Down below in the cargo hold Red Eye, Mixer and Artoo looked around the next sector with their eyes peeled for anything. Artoo abruptly stopped and beeped up at the two clones while flashing a light down the south quadrant "I'll check out the south Quadrant." Red Eye said over to his brother.
"Careful over there, it's dark," Mixer warned, giving a spooky voice to try an unnerve the clone.
"Yeah, very funny, mixer." Red Eye said more irritated then afraid as he walked away.
But when he was a few feet away, he saw Artoo who just beeped at him and rolled away. "Droids." Red Eye muttered having spent his whole life fighting them, he kept searching the cargo hold when suddenly the whatever was in the crate that had opened pounced out of the shadows killing him, the first of many victims for its mission.
Meanwhile in the Duchess's atrium the heated conversation was starting to spark up into a fiery argument between the Duchess and Obi-Wan. "A republic military presence is the only sure defense against the Separatists."Obi-Wan said determined to convince the Duchess.
"Even extremists can be reasoned with." Satine added as she stood up almost yelling it..
"Perhaps, if one can be heard over the clanking of their battle droids." Obi-Wan said sarcastically with a sharp glare, the Duchess Satine rolled her eyes before approaching him putting her drink down again. Leo's eyes got wide "My money's on the Duchess." Anakin whispered.
"The sarcasm of a soldier." She accused.
"The delusion of a dreamer."Obi-Wan objected, the two adults glared at each other like school children bickering over some recess argument. .
"Duchess, Master Jedi, It's been a long trip." Prince Merrik stated "I think we could all use a little rest and refreshment."
Senator Ta also chimed in "Hear, hear, now let us put politics aside until after dinner."
"Fine!"Obi-Wan and Satine replied at the same moment, then the Duchess suddenly pushed Obi-Wan away as she went out of the room that had gone absolutely silent.
Beneath their feet another storm was brewing, Mixer was looking around and saw no threats. "Myside's secure, what have you got, Red Eye?" He asked his brother but all he got in response was static.
"Red Eye, you copy?" Mixer asked, his new answer was static but an eerie whirring sound and started screaming as the assassin probe caught him on the head.
Above them as the Duchess's entourage made their way to the dining room, Anakin and Obi-Wan trailed behind them with their two padawans. The hallways of the cornet were just as extravagant as its exterior, royal crimson carpeted floors with blue tinted porcelain walls around them adorned with the Duchess's governments regalia "You and Satine have a history?"Anakin asked.
"An extended mission, when I was younger."Obi-Wan replied "Master Qui-Gon and I spent a year on Mandalore protecting the duchess from insurgents who had threatened her world."
"Wow." Ahsoka said smiling next to Leo who was his usual quiet self, they broke off from the main group and started to head to an elevator before going inside. The two masters stopped "Stay with the Duchess, we will be with you shortly." Obi-Wan ordered them "Of course Master." Leo replied.
Once they were in a more private setting Obi-wan continued the conversation with Anakin. .
"They sent bounty hunters after us."Obi-Wan said remembering as it were yesterday "We were always on the run, living hand-to-mouth, never sure what the next day would bring."
"Sounds romantic."Anakin commented, all that gave him was an a sarcastic look from Obi-Wan, when they then came out of the elevator to the next level the two men made their way to their own private quarters.
"A civil war killed most of Satine's people, hence her aversion to violence, when she returned, she took Rebuilding her world alone."Obi-Wan said to his close friend.
This caught Anakin off as it didn't sound much like his Master to just leave someone in need "You didn't stay to help her?" He asked.
"That would have been problematic."Obi-Wan confessed, as they walked into their private room before he continued Obi-Wan used the force to bring a chair to sit on. "My duty as a jedi demanded I be elsewhere."Obi-Wan said.
"Demanded?"Anakin asked. "But it's obvious you had feelings for her, surely that would affect your decision."
"Oh, it did."Obi-Wan sighed looking up at the young Jedi. "I live by the jedi code."
"Of course as Master Yoda says, 'A jedi must not form attachments'."Anakin quoted. Obi-Wan nodded in agreement bowing his head as old feelings were rising to the surface "Yes… but he usually leaves out the undercurrent of remorse." Before they could continue the conversation his comlink started beeping.
"Yes, Captain?" Obi-Wan asked looking at it glad to have a distraction.
"General, something's wrong with Skywalker's astromech." Rex said. "Scared him a real good, sir, I've also lost contact with two of my men."
"I'm on my way down to assist you." Obi-Wan replied standing up.
"I'll go, master." Anakin said stopping him "If there's something dangerous down there, the clones and I can handle it."
The Cornets Dining Room matched the overall decors of the rest of the ship, it's only difference was a grand table with seats for all on each side, the Duchess sitting at its head and on the far end both Padawans sitting across from one another closet to the door. Behind the Duchess was a large port side window showing the blue swirling vortex of hye space for a scenic view while serviced droids brought out food. The smells of the delicacies of 1,500 tickled the noses of the padwans and one Senator in particular.
"Deep-fried nuna legs." Senator Taa remarked, licking his lips. "Mmm, delicious."
As the food was set on each table Leo pushed the droids away before they could put any food down or pour him wine "Not eating Padawan Rock?" Prince Merrik asked him from across the table "I've lost my appetite."
"Well politics can tend to do that am I right?" He joked earning him some much very needed laughter in the room.
Even Satine smiled "Indeed it is, Prince Merrik, Padawans if I may what is your opinion on the subject of the war?"
"Opinion?" Ahsoka asked not liking where this was going, she gave a look to Leo who was silent "Yes, surely as the Jedi are fighting a war you must have some thought on it."
"Well its simple really…" Ahsoka said as Leo rolled his eyes knowing where this was going "The Separatists have to be stopped, their marching over every world they find if someone doesn't do it we're all in trouble." She said.
"If only it were that simple, do you know why the Separatists alliance formed?" Satine asked her.
Ahsoka gave her a vacant look "Because Count Dooku and people like Nute Gunray created a droid army," Ahsoka said as Leo kicked her in the foot and whispered "shutup."
"Many dear and close friends who joined the Separatists would say the Droid Army was necessary to stop the corruption of the Republic from spreading to their systems." Satine lecture before the door opened and Obi-Wan walked into save them from the Duchess once again.
"I beg your pardon, Senators." He said politely. "Our men are investigating a situation below decks, I respectfully ask you to wait here until it is settled."
The Duchess and Obi-Wan immediately locked eyes "General Kenobi, please sit and join us we're just discussing the war with your padawans."
"Oh?" Obi-Wan asked looking at the padawans as a droid brought up a chair for him to sit in, it was placed opposite of Satine on the far end of the table. The safest for everyone when those two were furthest apart.
The Duchess nodded "Yes, Padawan Tano seems to share your viewpoint that the Separatists must be fought on the battlefield not with words, yet your own Padawan is unusually silent while you are so vocal." The Duchess said looking to Leo, Obi-Wan did too along with the rest of the table to hear him speak.
Leo didn't want to talk bout opened his opened his mouth regardless "If your asking my opinion on the war and the politics around, I don't have an answer Duchess everyday I see more and learn more but one thing I've learned to be true is that when don't stand and fight for what we believe in we've already lost."
"But is fighting the best option?" She asked, looking at Obi-Wan expecting to hear an answer like Obi-Wans "... no." Leo replied.
His remark earned him a vigil of intrigued glances and looks none more than the Duchess "So you disagree with your Master?" "I never said that." Leo said directly to the Duchess's question.
Bellow the dinning hall and debates of politics, Anakin exited the elevator into the cargo hold to see the clones had all gathered around Artoo who was shaking like a frightened dog "All right, men what's the problem, I'm missing dinner?" Anakin said crossing his arms.
"We're not sure yet, sir, but there's still no sign of Mixer and Redeye." Cody answered next to Rex whilst Artoo beeped nervously.
"What's the matter, buddy?"Anakin asked, looking concerned at his droid Artoo beeped a response rapidly trying to explain.
"I know, I know."Anakin replied trying to calm the freight ended droid. "But I'm here now, use your scanners to see if something's out of place." Later Artoo lead Anakin and the clone troopers to a large box that was open and empty.
"Well, what've we here?" Rex asked. "Looks like the contents of this box are missing." Another clone said looking inside.
"Or it got up and walked away." Anakin suggested turning to the clones. "All right, fan out, separate squads, I'll contact Obi-Wan."
Upstairs the Duchess continued to poke at Leo's ever evasive answers "But you just said that fighting wasn't the best option? She asked him, Leo gripped the armrest of his chair tightly "But it's the only option right now, if not for the Jedi and the Clones the leaders of the Separatist Army would have already conquered the Galaxy."
"If perhaps the Jedi and Clones weren't so eager for their days of glory in the Old Republic there would be no need for armies." The Duchess said as Obi-Wan's comlink was beeping.
"Please excuse me, Ahsoka." He said as he stood up from his seat and walked to the corner of the room, Ahsoka followed him as Leo continued to hold the Duchess's attention.
"Anakin, what have you found?"
"There's a large open container and the contents are missing and I still have two men unaccounted for."Anakin reported.
"That's not good."Obi-Wan said."Keep things quiet, the padawans and I will stay with the senators."
"Got it."Anakin replied.
Back at the table the Duchess had seemed to unnerve Leo before he gave a smirk and looked at his empty plate "Something amusing Padawan Rock, perhaps a crude joke your Master taught you?" She asked, looking at Obi-Wan as he and Ahsoka rejoined the group.
"Nothing of the sort Duchess, tell me have you been to Ryloth recently?" He asked, raising his head, cracking his knuckles under the desk looking to Senator Ta "I haven't had the pleasure." The Duchess said.
"Senator Ta, how many of your people were slaughtered when they went to surrender… peacefully?" Leo asked looking back at the Duchess, Senator Ta who had his face half stuffed swallowed "Uh ah… well… we were unable to determine a final count but the numbers are hard to imagine." Ta said not wanting to talk about it.
Duchess Satine could feel the man's pain in his words "My sympathies Senator Ta your people have suffered a great injustice."
Leo kept his glare on the Duchess "Injustice?" Leo said "Try a damnation, those that survived were enslaved driven from their homes, their culture taken by Wat Tambor's greed and those like General Syndulla's men deserve more than your sympathy Duchess." Leo said his voice starting to rise.
"Padawan, that's enough." Obi-Wan said beside him, Leo was about to say more but he dutifully obeyed his master.
Obi-Wan leaned forward "I have to agree with my padawan, the war on Ryloth caused a great suffering for the Twi'leks, there we saw a loss of life and destruction we hadn't dreamed and it would have continued if not for Republic intervention."
"And what about occupation?" The Duchess asked "There is no such occupation, the Jedi and Clone troopers are welcome on Ryloth under the command of Cham Syndulla." Senator Ta said looking at Leo and Obi-Wan.
Below the decks, Artoo started beeping to his owner. "What's up? Did you find something?"Anakin asked.
Artoo led Anakin to another part and they found Redeye coming out of the shadows "There you are, Red Eye, where have you been?"Anakin asked "You've had us all worried."
Red Eye didn't reply and Anakin noticed that something was amiss his legs were limp like he was being held up like a puppet or a distraction. "Red Eye?"Anakin asked and then activated his lightsaber. Suddenly Anakin spotted the glowing red eyes of an assassin droid, it through Redeyes corpse at them and charged the jedi and clones. Anakin slashed one the spider probe's leg as Rex and the Clone Troopers came and started firing at it. It jumped from side to side on the cargo bay shelves before they were able to shoot it down. But then Anakin spotted another Assassin Probe heading to the lift.
"The lift!" He warned the clones, just before they could stop it, the Assassin Probe headed straight to the next level of the dinning room.
In the Dining Room, all three of the Jedi "Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, Leo, there's assassin probes down here."Anakin stated."One made it up the lift."
"We'll try to hold the others here."Obi-Wan replied all three jedi took out their lightsabers as two of Satines royal guards ran to the door when it burst open with the assassin droid coming at it. It was a gigantic spider like machine with glowing red eyes targeting the jedi, it took out Satine's two bodyguards like they were nothing. Then went on the table to approach Satine and the guests, but Obi-Wan and the two padawans immediately went at it, both Leo and Ahsoka cut off its leg as Obi-Wan jumped onto its head driving his lightsaber through it and destroyed its central core.
Bellow the decks the clones and Anakin were looking over the droid "There might be one left."Anakin said. "Let's spread out and find it."
"Watch it!"Cody warned when he saw the droid open ups it head and suddenly hundreds of smaller four legged assassin probes came out of the larger ones. They had orb bodies with red eyes and four legs scurrying around the floor. Anakin activated his lightsaber, while the clone troopers took out their blasters to take them down. They swarmed over any clone to close to the horde of probe droids.
In the Dining Room they were suffering from the small assassin probes coming out of the larger probe, Obi-Wan and the two padawans activated their lightsabers to attack them. The senators and delegates ran behind the three jedi as Satine reached into her robe taking out a small deactivator pistol to destroy some of them.
"They're everywhere!" Leo growled, slashing a few and watching his steps, Obi-Wan and Satine were back to back. Ahsoka did the same cutting the jumping ones up and cutting them in half.
"Do you always carry a deactivator?" Obi-Wan asked. "Just because I'm a pacifist doesn't I mean I won't defend myself." Satine stated.
"Now you sound like a jedi."Obi-Wan said as she blasted the spider droids like they were real insects. When all of them were either sliced or deactivated, none of the Senators weren't unharmed.
Bellow the party Anakin, Artoo and the Clone Troopers had finished up with the rest of the Assassin Probes."Good work, men." Anakin said and looked at Artoo. "You too, buddy." Artoo beeped gleefully at the praise.
"Assassin droids?" Rex muttered. "How did that monster end up In the hold?"
"Question is, who smuggled him on board?" Anakin admitted.
In the Dining Room the matinee droids were cleaning up the droids as Obi-Wan put his lightsaber away "Just like that swarm of venom-mites on draboon, remember?" Obi-Wan asked her. "How could i forget?" Satine replied "I still have the scar."
"Begging your pardon, duchess."Obi-Wan responded hands behind his back "I distinctly remember carrying you to safety."
"I meant the scar, I got after you fell and dropped me." Satine admitted with a smile.
"Oh yes."Obi-Wan said bashfully "Master Kenobi, I'd like to go join Master Skywalker in the cargo hold?" Ahsoka asked "Of course, send him up when they've secured everything." Obi-Wan ordered.
Bellow the levels of the Cornet Anakin was talking with a protocol droid who was sitting peacefully in a corner "I'm looking for the droid that services the cargo bay."He asked it, the protocol was a CP unit with gray paint wearing an open circle fleet sigil on its chest with blue eyes.
"Uh, yes sir, are all those creatures dead?"the protocol droid asked him getting up and wobbling over to the manifest. "That's what I'm trying to find out."Anakin asked him annoyed.
"You're in charge of the cargo manifest, right?" Anakin asked him "Uh, yes." the protocol device said taking a manifest device list. "I have it right here."
"Well, where did they come from?" Anakin demanded as he took the manifest.
"It is right here on the manifest." the protocol droid answered.
"For immediate delivery to Coruscant: one container marked 'medical supplies." Anakin said. "There's no name on this chart; there is no indication of who shipped it." He asked him.
"No, sir, just the senate stamp is always accepted for transport here aboard the coronet." the protocol droid said as Ahsoka came down into the lift "Everything alright Master?" Ahsoka asked him.
He tossed the manifest back into the droid "For now, how about Obi-Wan and his girlfriend?"
"Sadly both are alive." She said sarcastically.
Afterwards in the Dining Room, Anakin met up with Obi-Wan and Leo, the Jedi Knight handed the manifest to Obi-Wan. "One of our five distinguished senators appears to be a traitor." Anakin stated.
"I sense it too." Obi-Wan said looking at the manifest "Well, how are we going to find out who it is?" Leo asked him if they then noticed one of the small probes were alive.
"It looks like one of our little visitors is still alive." Anakin commented, "I have an idea how to expose the turncoat." Obi-Wan said before he looked at Anakin "You and Ahsoka return to the cargo hold, make sure the ship is clear of any more surprises. "Leo be on guard."
The boy nodded "Yes Master."
Later the Senators sat on their seats again, Senator Ta had started to heat once again, stuffing his face with food with the others, while the Duchess had lost her appetite. Leo was standing by the door, hands over his chest, "Duchess, you are not eating." Senator Ta said.
"I have no appetite."Satine replied.
"Begging your pardon, you must keep up your strength." Senator Ta said.
"By all means, be my guest, senator." Satine answered to him "If you insist."Senator Taa answered.
The door opened and Obi-Wan walked into the room holding a container covered in a dark pink napkin. Leo looked at it curious "Ah, dessert! Excellent!" Senator Ta said in excitement as Obi-Wan looked at his Padawan winking.
"This morsel might prove too much even for the legendary appetite of orn free taa, enjoy."Obi-Wan said, removing the napkin to reveal the small probe trapped behind a vase of glass.
"On second thought, it wouldn't agree with me." Taa said nervously as the probe droid smashed and hit at the glass but was too weak to even leave a scratch.
"My theory is our little friend will attack the duchess and anyone who defends her. anyone, that is, except the traitor who programmed it." Obi-Wan admitted, Leo smiled seeing the probe droid was a trick, one that made Leo smile.
"Take it away, please!" Ta begged waving his hand "Obi-Wan, this line of questioning borders on torture!" Satine said angrily. "I only seek to discover the true threat." Obi-Wan passed the small probe that attempts to attack Senators Orn Free Taa, Onaconda Farr, Kin Robb and Persephone Callas still banging at the glass
"Interesting." Obi-Wan commented." The droid displays unusual hostility toward the honorable Kin Robb but it seems to like you, Senator Merrik." Leo Reached for his lightsaber
"Really, General Kenobi, you are quite clever." Merrik replied before he threw the container and let the small probe free, which caused Obi-Wan and Leo to activate their lightsabers. In the commotion grabbed Merrik Satine hostage putting a blaster against her cheek, when Leo came running up the traitor reached into his robe and through down a thermal detonator.
"Bomb!" Leo snapped but when it blew instead of explosion came a giant cloud of white smoke that when cleared revealed Merrik and the Duchess gone.
"Anakin, Ahsoka Tal Merrik are the traitors and he's taken Satine hostage."Obi-Wan said in his comlink as Tal Merrik held the two Jedi back with the Duchess as a shield.
Below the decks, "Copy that, but we've got Problems of my own right now."Anakin and she held their lightsabers out to protect themselves as they walked around.
"Guys you found anything?" Ahsoka asked in her head set.
"All quiet over here, sir."Rex replied.
They then heard blaster shooting and they ran to see small probes attacking Rex and Cody Artoo electrified the small probes saving Rex from getting killed.
"Thanks, little guy."Rex said.
"Well, we found the little ones."Anakin answered."What about the mother?" Ahsoka I queried.
"Haven't seen it."Rex replied, suddenly The Assassin probe appeared behind him grabbing Rex by his armor. But Anakin and Ahsoka quickly responded cutting its arms that were holding Rex and making it flee. "After it." Anakin ordered making them give chase.
Meanwhile upstairs Merrik had made his way to the cockpit, where he shot the crew at point blank range forcing Satine to watch
"Monster! You're a horrid monster!"Satine growled "Get used to it."Merrik replied.
When the ships guards secured the dinning room, Anakin and Obi-Wan saw the other two jedi coming out from the elevator lift.
"Merrik?" Obi-wan asked.
"No, but we've stationed Troopers at every escape pod." Told him confidently "Merrik will try to signal his allies for help. "Obi-Wan said "We have to find him."
Then the four jedi started running and into the lift. "This may not be the time to ask, but were you and Satine..."Anakin asked cause it might be there last.
"I don't see how that has any bearing on the situation at hand."Obi-Wan said sharply.
Smirks grew on Anakin and the two padawans faces while on the bridge Prince Merrik pulled the ship out of hyperspace and started to contact someone on the ships computer, before the holographic image of Pre Vizsla appeared to Satine's horror.
"Deathwatch command." Vizsla stated, "Tal merrik here."Merrik answered.
"Senator Merrik." Vizsla said. "Have you completed your mission?"
"Yes sir, I have the duchess, but I'll Need help getting her away." He said squeezing his arm around the woman's neck.
"Very good."Vizsla stated "Reinforcements are on their way."
Outside the ships four Separatist droid pods flew out of hyperspace straight toward the stranded cornet piercing its haul like ticks only instead of sucking things out they pushed them in and in the Hallways. Clone troopers passed the four Jedi as they heard something break into the Coronet shaking it like a tower in an earthquake.
"Boarding, pods we got boarding pods." The Jedi's comlink s heard followed by blaster fire erupting throughout the ship.
"We'll take care of this." Anakin explained and looked at Obi-Wan.
"Obi-Wan, you? Go find your girlfriend.
Then the Jedi Knight and Ferus ran off.
"Right— Uh, no, Anakin, she's not my-" Obi-Wan didn't finish the sentence as Leo looked at him "Lets just hurry." Obi-Wan said leading Leo to the bridge where they found the remains of the crew and Merrik latest treachery. And where they saw Merrik holding Satine as hostage, the blue and white lightsabers turned on followed by Merrik raising his blaster to the Duchess.
"Come in, Kenobi."Merrik said. "You're expected."
"Tal Merrik, you are under arrest." Obi-Wan admitted "Release the duchess."
"I took the precaution of wiring the ship's engines to explode." Merrik said "I press this remote and we all die." Merrik said, holding up a device in his hand belonging to the arm around Satines neck.
"Obi, if you have any respect for me, you will not take such risks with so many people's lives at stake." Satine begged.
"Satine...don't." Obi-Wan warned, across the ship Anakin and Ahsoka were fighting the droids with the clones as Merrik took Satine away as Obi-Wan's sight back into the hallway forcing the two jedi to keep their distance with their lightsabers ready.
Down below Anakin, Ahsioja and the Clones were fighting off the battle droids with Satine's bodyguards holding their own.
"And here I thought this trip would be burning." Ahsoka said taking over behind two pillars across from Anakin when a group of droidikas rolled up "Couldn't agree more snips!"Anakin replied as he leaped and took out another battle droid and used the force to blast the droidikas away. "Take care of these snips, I'm off to help Obi-Wan." Anakin said jumping over the heads of the remaining battle droids.
Back with the Duchess, Merrik had gotten all the way to one of the droid drop ships skewered in the side of the ship and beeped his comlink to signal the pilot.
"This is Merrik."He said "Stand by to disengage, say farewell, Duchess."
"Obi-wan, it looks like I may never see you again."Satine stated sadly. "I don't know quite how to say this, but i've loved you from the moment you came to my aid all those years ago." Leo's jaw almost hit the floor and even Merrik was a bit shocked
"I don't believe this."Merrik muttered, rolling his eyes at the absurdity.
"Satine, this is hardly the time or place for..."Obi-Wan said almost sounding embarrassed but Satine eyes said it all.
"All right…" Obi-Wan said in defeat. "Had you said the word, I would have left the Jedi Order." Leo looked at Obi-Wan amazed at the confession and it was all broken by Merck "That is touching, truly, it is."Merrik said and then frowned."But it's making me sick and we really must be going."
"You have the romantic soul of a slug, Merrik."Satine said angrily and stepped on his foot.
"Ow!" Merrik growled.
She then stole his blaster and pointed at him "And slugs are so often trod upon." Satine retorted as Merrik wasn't even afraid raising his head "Interesting turnabout, but even if I do not deliver the duchess alive to the Separatists, I still win." Merrik replied and took out the remote. "The second I'm away, I'll hit the remote and blow the coronet to bits."
"I will not allow that." Satine said pointing the blaster at him..
"What will you do? If you shoot me, you prove yourself a hypocrite to every pacifist ideal you hold dear." Merrik said and looked at the Jedi.
"And you, Kenobi, you are no stranger to violence, you and the boy will be hailed as heroes by everyone on this ship, almost everyone."
The Duchess and the two Jedi looked at each other, Nadia noticed something from behind the traitor and smirked.
"I wouldn't be sure about that Merrik." She admitted.
"Come on, then." Merrik said sarcastically. "Strike me first and brand yourself, a cold-blooded killer or the teacher of one."
When out of nowhere Anakin appeared to stab Merrik through with his lightsaber and catch the detonator before it could hit the floor. Safe from the danger Satine threw the blaster away and it hit the floor.
"Anakin..."Obi-Wan said scolding as Leo let out a sigh of relief.
"What? He was going to blow up the ship." Anakin reminded with a smile as he deactivated his lightsaber when the Duchess approached him.
"Obi-wan, I..."Satine said but before she could even get a word in Ahsoka and ther est of the clones ran up "General Skywalker, the last of the droids have been defeated, sir."Cody reported.
"Very good, Cody." Anakin said as he noticed Obi-Wan was more focused not the Duchess then the men, "Uh Cody, Rex sweep the ship for any more surprised Merrik had for us, Leo Ahsoka come with me." Anakin said hurrying them out of the hallway giving Satine and Obi-Wan some space. Only for all three of them to peek around the corner to see what would happen.
The two padawans and Knight watched bugged eyed "Is this spying?" Ahsoka asked him "Think of it as spiritual support." Anakin said.
"I must get back to the business of diplomacy."Satine suddenly said cutting off the moment and walking down the hallway back the way she came without Obi-Wan."As you say, duchess."Obi-Wan replied. "Some other time."
CORUSCANT
Upper City Landing Pad
After a long and dangerous voyage The Coronet finally arrived and landed on Coruscant's upper city landing pads where an escort ship was already waiting. It certainly drew a few heads as it came in with four droid drop ship pods stabbed in its haul. In addition the Supreme Chancellor was already outside and waiting with a posy of Senators and Representatives to welcome the Duchess and a squad of Senate Commandos for extra security as the four jedi were coming off the ship, the Chancellor greeted them by "A job well done, Master jedi."Palpatine remarked.
"Thank you, Chancellor."Obi-Wan replied with Leo.
"Your excellency."Anakin said as he and Ahsoka bowed before they departed seeing the Duchess approaching them.
Satine walked up to Obi-Wan."How ironic to meet again, only to find we're on opposing sides." She said, sounding almost sad.
"The needs of your people are all that matter."Obi-Wan stated to her "They couldn't be in a better hands with you to guide their future."
"Kind words indeed from a mindful and committed Jedi and yet..."Satine said and trailed off drawing Obi-Wan closer. "What?"Obi-Wan asked.
"I'm still not sure about the beard."Satine complimented, stroking his face.
"Why? What's wrong with it?" Obi-Wan asked. "It hides too much of your handsome face."Satine answered with a soft smile then looked to Leo.
She smiled this time not like she had before "Padawan Rock, I belive I owe you an apology."
"For what?" Leo asked "For assuming your Master had sown the same stubbornness in you that he has, I know see thats not such a bad thing after all, I have no doubt with his aid you'll become a fine Jedi Knight."
Leo looked up at Obi-Wan who only smiled at Satines playfulness "Thank you your highness, I owe you one a well." Leo bowed "What for?"
"I didn't show you the proper respect in the dining room please forgive my insolence." Satine suddenly got an idea "Sometimes a bit of insolence is good, to remind us that the first rule of democracy is respecting another's opinion." She said leaning over then and smiling at Obi-Wan before she kissed Leo on the cheek "For your bravery." she then walked away to head to a small ship.
Anakin, Artoo and the two padawans walked up to Obi-Wan. "What was that all about?" Anakin asked with a small laugh as Leo still had some of the Duchess's lipstick on his cheek, when Ahsoka saw it she snorted at how it made him look.
"She's a very remarkable woman, master." Leo said kindly.
"She is indeed." Obi-Wan agreed glaring down at him "Now where were we oh yes, your hair I'm sure we can fit you in at a late appointment." Obi-Wan said, starting to push Leo over to another transport "Master, can we talk about this?" Leo asked him.
"Oh no, with all that 'bravery' you showed today you deserve a reward." Obi-Wan said squeezing Leo's shoulder "I'm thinking a bowl cut, or perhaps that old style with the Mohawk and strands of hair hanging down over your ears doesn't that sound nice?" Obi-Wan said obviously getting back at Leo for the stolen kiss. Ahsoka and Anakin watched hilariously as Leo was taken away like a man about to be put to death over a haircut.
Alright, time to for the finale
