*A/N: Hello boys, girls and everyone in between. Since 2020 was absolute garbage, I present the fic that nobody asked for, lol. I remember jotting down information about Obitine after my first TCW watch a few years ago. I then shelved it immediately, and quickly considered it as one of those fics I'd never get around to. When I did a re-watch at the beginning of last year, I briefly flirted with the idea once more before reminding myself that I have a WIP Community fic that I planned 4+ years ago. After a long break, I finally fell out of a funk and began writing again, but this was the only story I enjoyed working on. Because of the vagueness of their referenced story, I did take some creative liberties (I mean, it's Star Wars, what else are you supposed to do?), fusing both Canon and Legends elements later on in the story. I will acknowledge them in the Author's Note for reference.

Master and Apprentice: Princess Fanry of Pijal was their subject to protect, but was implicated in violence, acknowledging the possibility of corruption in one's allies. (Great book. I definitely recommend.)

I really enjoyed the dynamic between Obi-wan and Satine, so I wanted to provide their introduction, elaborating on the progression of their relationship. This fic is finished at 11 chapters long. As per my ususal scheduling, I will post Monday, Wednesday and Friday while I edit and finalize each chapter. I hope you enjoy. Please R&R it means more than you know. Thanks -Nikki

Obi-wan straightened his robe and exhaled deeply, letting his periphery wander against the cerulean swirl of hyperspace ahead, while Master Jinn confirmed their arrival time with the captain. The young Padawan couldn't deny the building anticipation in his stomach over their new mission. They would touch down in Sundari on Mandalore within the hour and Obi-wan struggled to contain his excitement.

It wasn't as though this was his first mission outside of Coruscant, it was merely the most noteworthy setting they had been assigned thus far. He admonished himself for the thought; just as he had never expected to find such adventure and intrigue on Pijal, he knew how little the setting spoke for the mission, beyond the significance of environment.

As the good student he was, Obi-wan was more than familiar with the tension surrounding the relationship between Mandalorians and Jedi; something he had learned many years prior as an Initiate in the Temple. Even now, he devoured their mission dossier; not only to fulfill his duty, but to glean any information possible of the world they would soon inhabit, though these weren't his only motives.

The apprentice was truly thankful for the growing bond he and his master had begun to share and Obi-wan was determined to further build Master Jinn's esteem for him. It didn't seem too difficult given their posting. According to the Council, the new leader of Mandalore was facing opposition in the form of a terrorist group that threatened her rule. It seemed a simple enough mission, but Obi-wan remembered thinking something very similar at the start of his Pijal mission and he had certainly learned a great deal from that adventure. He couldn't help but think he might be a bit suspicious of this new leader, if only to prove that he had learned an important lesson during that unpredictable assignment.

Master Jinn slowly approached Obi-wan and despite the latter's growing eagerness, he could still sense a quiet contemplation from the former. "Captain Kino says we should be coming out of hyperspace fairly soon."

His eyes were warm, yet hesitant and it garnered his padawan's full attention. "What is it, Master?'

Finally, he met the gaze of his student and exhaled deeply. "I trust you have familiarized yourself with Mandalorian history and its current status in the Republic." Obi-wan nodded. "Good; now that will help a great deal with understanding how we will be received." There was a tension in his voice, and it surprised his apprentice that he could sense it so easily. "However, it will not be enough to make our transition into this system seamless. Jedi are not heroes in the eyes of a Mandalorian." He sighed. "In some ways, I consider this our upper-hand. Nothing will be expected of us; more often than not, we will be seen as a hindrance to the current investigation."

"How can we be hindrances to the capture of criminals they have yet to identify?"

A smile peeked its way through his master's eyes and Obi-wan was relieved to see that his question was not only appreciated, but also shared. "A fair point to make, my padawan, but not one that will be tolerated by our welcoming party." He turned to look at the wide viewport that spanned the full diameter of the bridge, as if he could see Mandalore on the other side of those contorted, blue hues. "We may not have much assistance in our investigation, so we must watch closely and consult with the Force for those who may be swayed by our dedication to this mission. Due to the escalation, as far as methods of attack go, I fear the opposition has only just begun to seek retribution for their grievances."

"I'm not sure I understand, Master."

"It started off small; sabotaging political events to undermine the Duchess's authority, then a temporary transport of hers was tampered with, as of now, there have been three thwarted kidnapping attempts." Qui-Gon stroked his chin. "I'm not completely ready to rule out the involvement of a foreign party, but as events stand, this appears to be a domestic threat of insurgency that we're facing." The political climate of Mandalore was as hospitable as their literal one and it made the Jedi Master almost entirely sure that only Mandalorians were responsible. "With the Duchess's ambition to pave the New Mandalorian Age, it seems her opposition has decided to illustrate with their own idea of political discourse."

"Terrorism is not political discourse."

"Not to us, of course." Qui-Gon nodded. "But do not forget the Mandalorian ways of old. Violence, war, terrorism, all have been as commonplace in their political arena as debate is in ours. They do not follow the same rules, understandings or goals that the Jedi and indeed, a great deal of the Republic, do."

"Then why have we been sent here, Master?"

Master Jinn sighed and Obi-wan could see that he too, was anxious to begin their new mission, though their connotations seemed in contradiction of one another. "This assignment is of the utmost importance; not only because of Mandalore's significant standing in the galaxy, but also because of the current political path on which they are headed. The New Mandalorian way would renounce the warrior ways from long ago and instead usher in a time of peace and pacifism, which would mean a great deal, not only to the Council, but also to the Republic."

"What about Mandalore?"

Qui-Gon hid a smirk to notice his padawan's inquiry perfectly mirroring his own intentional omittance. It was already quite obvious how Mandalore was handling merely the proposition of peace, yet that made the master even more sure that the call for order, deserved more attention than the demand for conflict. "It would be for the better of their people, even if they cannot see that yet."

Obi-wan marinated on just what his master meant by that. It seemed as if they were going on this mission against the expressed wishes of their charges. "So, we must expect heavy resistance?" He gathered.

"From enemies and allies alike." Qui-Gon said with a nod. "But we must not let this deter or discourage us in our work."

"How are we to be successful if we are facing opposition on all sides?"

Qui-Gon lifted his brow as he thought. "With patience and dedication. A mission of this stature is likely to keep us busy for months at the very least. We must simply be mindful and observant enough to give our Duchess her conspiratorial tormentors and hope that it will enlighten and educate those who would still seek to label us as adversaries. I believe, young Obi, that this assignment is pivotal, not only to galactic politics, or to the people of Mandalore, but to the very Force itself. And that is why you so keenly sense my unease." He finished with a pointed glance.

Though Obi-wan had made no attempt to point out his master's apprehension, he felt as if he had been caught peeking in on his privacy. Of course, there was no invasion in simply listening to the Force and sensing the highly tuned frequencies of the sentient beings around him; in fact, it was considered one of the most indispensable lessons for a Jedi to learn and the First Pillar they were subsequently introduced to, yet he couldn't deny the slightest amount of guilt he felt. "I'm merely trying to follow your lead, Master. I want to comprehend the entirety of just what this mission will entail."

Qui-Gon smirked at the logic and quickly shook off the look of compunction on his apprentice's face. "You do well to remain faithful to your earliest trainings. It is a skill you will no doubt need to rely on heavily in the months to come." He stood straighter and continued. "The Force will be a better gauge for our true allies than any introductions we undergo. With unfettered focus and true reliance on the Force, I have no doubt that we will provide the Duchess with the identity of her traitors."

Obi-wan couldn't admit that he was slightly swayed by his master's tension. It was a great mission they were on, but that didn't just speak for the location or the situation, but also the stakes. It suddenly became incumbent upon him how easily their assignment could alter the political relationship between Mandalore and the Republic. He swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to erase any doubt from his mind. Master Jinn was not one to carelessly acknowledge his own anxieties, if not in the service of helping his padawan understand the true gravity of the endeavor they had been appointed.

His Master didn't seem plagued by his silence as he quickly turned his attention to the transparisteel viewport. "It seems we've arrived." Not even a second after he spoke, the blue swirls vanished around them, signaling their introduction to the beige, seemingly lifeless planet of Mandalore. The older man turned his gaze back to Obi-wan, filling his voice with confidence. "We would do well to remember the weight of this task we have been given and should do our utmost to be deserving of such responsibility."

Obi-wan nodded. "Yes, Master."

"Good, now it seems we have a politician to greet." The whimsical humor in his voice caused Obi-wan to crack a smile.

Upon entrance into the domed city of Sundari, Obi-wan thought to chide himself for his original assumption of the barren world. For within the dry and vast wasteland, there lay the concentrated and electric capital. It was bright, almost blooming and colorful with large transparisteel buildings towering to nearly the top of the protective dome. It seemed they thrived well enough in their small corner and though the sight could never compare to the image of Coruscant, forever centered in his mind, it was still beyond what he envisioned.

They were quickly ushered from their transport into the Sundari Royal Palace. In no time at all, they were herded into the Grand Salon, which Obi-wan immediately noticed to be the Throne Room, for the vast emptiness, save for the impressive throne that seemed to serve as the sole furnishing.

The sound of rhythmic, decisive steps began to echo through the hall and the padawan allowed his senses to meld into the Force. He felt for the approaching steps, beyond sound or words; he stood still and listened for any threat or hostility. Though he felt no danger looming ahead, he could clearly sense anger, almost righteous in its fury and it surprised him how the Force seemed entirely unmoved, as if the peril coming towards them was unencumbered by the Dark Side. Yet the rage was so palpable, Obi-wan couldn't help but tense under its weight. Still, the Force seemed to welcome the approaching embodiment of ire in a way that made Obi-wan feel as if he was being precariously dangled over an endless chasm, while a comforting voice promised that he would land safely, if only he would release his desperate hold.

Three Mandalorians entered and instantly his eyes fell on her. Though there were two females in the trio, he knew the Duchess in a fraction of a second. A woman with short brown hair stood beside her, walking no more than two steps behind, while a muscular older blonde male walked on her other side in perfect sync.

The Duchess was the vision of regality in her striking green gown; she appeared young, no doubt near his own age, yet she held herself as if much older. Most of her long blonde hair was twisted and adorned in an ornate headdress with a few golden tendrils curling beside her fair countenance.

Embedded in the Mandalorian features she paraded proudly with a superior tilt of her chin; observant crystal orbs devoured the world around her. Utterly distracted in analyzing her graceful entrance and her indescribable poise, Obi-wan had forgotten the resentment he had sensed a minute before. When his gaze finally fell upon her captivating blue eyes, the Padawan realized that the menacing temper was emanating from the Duchess herself.

Those eyes barely regarded him and he was almost thankful, for they were a sharp, piercing sapphire that seemed stained in scrutiny. He wondered if those edges were ever filed down, if such pointed eyes could ever be soft?

Her first words made him quickly answer his own inquiry. "So, this is the Republic's solution to an issue in which they were never invited?"

Obi-wan wanted to recoil at her bluntness that overstepped rudeness. His wise and patient master seemed entirely unperturbed by her sour disposition. "Greetings, Duchess Satine. I am Master Qui-Gon Jinn and this is my padawan, Obi-wan Kenobi. I understand that you are displeased with our presence." It seemed an understatement to his apprentice whose wary eyes stayed fixed upon their inhospitable hostess.

"Master Jinn, I wasn't given the opportunity to be; if I had been, it wouldn't be as palpable as it is to you now. This is not about being displeased or upset," She stepped closer and turned to face the master, needing to lift her gaze as she spoke, her temperament and tone left unawed by the commanding presence and grand stature of her subject. "It is about being silenced on an internal matter. The Republic's careless actions and unnecessary involvement threatens to garner a great deal of attention and mock my reign before it has even begun."

Obi-wan's gaze narrowed. In his past missions beside his master, he wondered if he had ever encountered anyone quite so self-important? She was undoubtedly a sight to be seen, with her soft features and sharp eyes. It made him want to immediately suspect her, if only to explain her unagreeable constitution.

His master nodded, his expression genuine and sympathetic as he regarded her. "I understand your concerns, Duchess and I know your people are capable of catching your culprits and settling this issue; of that, I have no doubt. They're Mandalorians, after all." He lifted his head and lightened the tone of his voice. "The Republic merely believes our involvement might speed up the process," The Duchess opened her mouth, ready to interject, but he purposefully continued. "And insure we stop any escalation of violence." She closed her mouth and allowed him to finish. "We are here to help get this opposition under control and hopefully restore some peace of mind as you continue with your political duties. Within a few days' time, you won't notice us as more than two additional guards."

The sovereign sighed; the furrow of her fair brow fading though her voice managed to keep some of its edge. "I appreciate your acknowledgment of my position and the subsequent situation it has cast me into, Master Jinn, so I think you'll understand my need for complete transparency with one another. I am willing to indulge the Republic in their need to 'offer assistance'," The words sounded insincere to the padawan. "In hopes of minimalizing damage." She sighed. "However, it is paramount that your identities as Jedi are kept entirely quiet, beyond a few, key exceptions. I'm sure you can understand why." Qui-Gon nodded.

"How ever are we to manage that?" Obi-wan couldn't help but ask, unable to admit that some part of him wanted to ruffle the precise and uncompromising Duchess.

She looked him over with those sharp eyes of hers and he refused to cower under the irritation in her gaze, standing as straight as he could manage. "Beyond the obvious need for much less conspicuous wardrobe," Obi-wan felt a sting from her gaze as if she had to actively swallow a sneer at the sight of their beige robes. "You will be introduced as emissaries sent by the Republic."

There was a kernel of deception in her truth, and it made the padawan even more wary of this woman. Before he could allow impulse to open his mouth again, Master Jinn spoke up. "I see no harm in shrouding our identity with a vague truth."

Slowly, she turned her antagonistic stare away from the padawan. Her vexation almost muted as she looked upon the master again. "I hope you will also interpret from this blunt exchange that I don't need you to flatter my people or myself; though I can appreciate your efficient practice of dissolving tension." She sighed, looking over her new guards.

Her eyes fell back on the younger of the two men, the one who had spoken impudently. She figured her expectations would be better met by the daunting presence of Master Jinn than his seemingly undisciplined padawan. "As I'm sure you've been told, this decision was brought to my attention just before your departure of Coruscant, therefore I have previously established engagements to tend to."

She gestured to the older, blonde male whose face was adorned with a short beard. Dressed in a monochromatic blue uniform, his only deviation in color being the steel tags he wore around his neck. "This is Zeke Dinul; he is my Chief of Staff and will be able to answer any questions you may have of my schedule and our security detail." She exhaled, her hands smoothing down the front of her unwrinkled, emerald gown. "I have a couple of hours free in the morning tomorrow; we can meet in the dining room to cover any other concerns or inquiries you might have. Good evening, gentlemen." She bowed her head for the briefest of seconds before making a rushed, yet somehow, dignified exit.

Obi-wan watched her leave, almost uneasy for the mission that lay before them. He figured someone so barbed seemed quite likely to be an unending source of potential suspects, seeing how she greeted her newly arrived allies; clearly, it was their privileged introduction. He forced himself to re-focus on his master's lead.

Qui-Gon approached Zeke, who seemed almost hesitant, looking over the two. "Should we not begin our duties immediately; especially if she is headed to an official meeting?"

Zeke shook his head. "She won't be in any danger; well, not of that sort, at least." Qui-Gon waited for him to further explain. "She's headed to her office to have a discussion with some family."

"Oh," Qui-Gon's eyes widened. "I believed her to perhaps have been on her way to a political debate."

Zeke nodded, humor in his eyes. "You could definitely say that."

"I don't understand." The master looked to Obi-wan before turning his attention back to the chief of staff. "Does Clan Kryze not support her claim to authority?"

He shook his head. "Initially, it was quite the contrary. After the loss of her father, I figure they mistook her desire for change as a thirst for leadership. Once they realized she was still 'stuck on pacifism' they wanted to rescind support; though it seems they've opted to switch gears and attempt to persuade her down a more traditional political path." He rolled his mud-brown eyes. "I figured the lot of them to be smart enough to abandon a lost cause, but it seems we are all mistaken."

"Do you think them suspects?" Qui-Gon asked, his focus more attuned to the man's reaction than his answer.

Zeke's eyes widened in utter surprise, though a question seemed to linger in them. "I should hope not, though one cannot say much good for the effect this disagreement has done to their familial bond." He shook his head. "Still, I'd like to think better of them than that. And I can promise you that the Duchess most certainly does; therefore, she'll find such an accusation much harder to shrug off than I will." It was a warning not to provoke her on such a matter without proof and Qui-Gon understood.

Though it was difficult for the Jedi Master to comprehend the connection of family, having been raised at the Temple, he had been educated enough on the topic to understand that most beings felt bonded to their biological kin. He nodded. "Then it seems we are beginning fresh." He shared a look with his padawan, and he felt reminded by their earlier discussion on the ship; this meant starting at square one.

The chief of staff and the Duchess's handmaiden, Pietra relayed their subject's schedule while giving an efficient tour of the palace, before showing the Jedi to their quarters.

Obi-wan wasn't necessarily dragging his feet the next morning, but he couldn't deny that his initial excitement for their mission had deflated upon meeting their new, sharp-spoken and downright unwilling ward. It was only through his devout morning meditation that he could center himself back to the task at hand. It was not his place to question the Council, and certainly not the Force itself; it offered him the comfort to realize that in this moment he was exactly where he was meant to be. That knowledge alone was enough to persuade him to ignore the gnawing irritation he had felt in the Duchess's presence. After all, he didn't need to think highly of her to save her life; if that was a necessary requirement, he was sure all politicians would be without the slightest security detail.

Still, he sourly pulled at his new stifling clothing. The navy blue, monochromatic uniforms felt awkward and indescribably uncomfortable in comparison with the free-flowing robes he had been wearing his whole life. The pants were starchy and restrictive, but nowhere near as tight as the lighter blue shirt and vest, which caused him the smallest bit of anxiety should the need arise to use his lightsaber.

He had hoped to find his master similarly hindered by this new wardrobe but was disappointed to notice that although the older man did not care for the clothing, he verbalized no complaints. Qui-Gon Jinn led the way to their morning meeting with Duchess Satine and Obi-wan followed dutifully, determined to stay as impassive as was his usual nature in such matters.

The dining room was spacious, and the Duchess sat at the head of the table, quietly eating breakfast; her blonde hair was braided in a wreath that resembled a halo with small sapphire jewels interwoven to dangle ever-so-slightly against her forehead. The slightest lift of her head caused the gems to move just barely, catching the light from the chandelier above in a way that forced Obi-wan's stoic focus to stutter briefly. "Master Jinn, Padawan Kenobi," She gestured to the two seats at her left, a covered plate before each one. "Please sit. I hope the food is to your liking."

Her tone seemed more amicable than their first meeting and the young padawan couldn't help but be surprised by the realization that even with her curt and less than cordial introduction, she had actually paid enough attention to catch his name. He followed his master, who, thankfully, took the spot closest to the Duchess, allowing Obi-wan the distance he preferred. Even though she wasn't as sour as before, he wasn't sure he could entirely fault the original tension as merely a bad first impression.

"I trust your rooms are adequate?" She began awkwardly.

Qui-Gon gave her a soft smirk. "On the contrary, Duchess, they are far beyond what any Jedi would consider adequate. Our humblest thanks for your grand hospitality."

She watched him with narrowed eyes, though they seemed to convey no displeasure. To Obi-wan it looked as if she was trying to sort out whether his master was blandishing her yet again or if his sentiments were genuine. The young padawan knew it to be the latter as Qui-Gon Jinn was not one for false flattery; Obi also understood his words to be true for the Jedi life was not one of luxury, but pure necessity; if it was enough to survive on, it was well beyond adequate. The Duchess quickly seemed to realize it, her head bobbing in a quick nod. "I'm glad to hear it. I know there is little to be said for Mandalorian hospitality."

Qui-Gon smiled. "It is certainly not the primary contributor that has solidified Mandalorian reputation, no."

She chewed on a bite of yellow fruit before speaking. "I think you mean Mandalorian notoriety." Satine saturated the word with tension, determined for her guests to fully understand just how she viewed their ways of the past. The master simply nodded, and she felt appeased by his mild-mannered acquiescence, though she appreciated it. "I'm seeking to change that going forward, which is why I feel as if I've been cast into a rather difficult predicament." For good measure she looked over to the padawan; his blue eyes locked on hers and she sensed unease, though who bore it, she wasn't quite sure, so she quickly looked back to the older male. "This threat originally began as no more than a mild nuisance, which is why I chose to ignore it. My commitment to my people, to Mandalore as a whole, is unwavering, so I know that my dedication speaks for itself, which is why I never worried after my own reputation. To truly make a stand for pacificism, I must constantly swallow any sense of vengeance towards injustice, so I didn't find gossip or even sabotage all that demanding to stomach, but once the intimidation grew to a point of peril, I began to realize that it would be irresponsible of me to disregard it and possibly jeopardize any traction the New Mandalorian movement has made thus far. I cannot risk the future of my people because I wish to avoid conflict. However, though I am not expecting to entirely forego confrontation, I am not willing to abandon my own beliefs. I would like to apprehend these culprits safely and see peaceful justice prevail."

"I assure you our goals completely align in this matter." Qui-Gon's voice was unchanged in its steadily smooth resonance. Obi-wan knew his master to be entirely sincere, yet still, he wondered if they would be so lucky to see this matter resolved without violence to some degree.

The Duchess watched them both before nodding as she finished eating. She gestured for the Jedi to eat and could see the master's hesitance, so she offered to recount every known movement from the opposition while they ate their breakfast. Reluctantly, they agreed.

Qui-Gon was quick to finish his meal, eager to question the Duchess on the specifics of her attempted capture. "So, am I correct in understanding that you were briefly in their custody during this latest effort?"

She nodded. "Yes, though not for long. Zeke," She smirked, a cheerful affection grazing her eyes and quickly catching the padawan's attention. "Chief of Staff Dinul was vigilant and able to pull me from their speeders, not a moment too soon, I might add."

"And the culprits were able to escape?" Obi-wan asked, unable to identify the reason for the slightest accusation in his edged tone.

Satine locked eyes with the young man, as if a knee-jerk reaction to the somewhat incriminating cadence of his voice. She swallowed her irritation and kept her voice level. "Yes, they were. Dinul grabbed me in the fraction of a second and they quickly fled the moment they lost hold of me. I'm sure they believed themselves successful until they suddenly weren't, as it all happened so quickly. I cannot impress upon you, Padawan Kenobi," She was relieved to turn her attention back to the older man. "Master Jinn, just how incredibly grateful and lucky I am to have such trustworthy, prudent and dependable beings assigned to my safe-keeping, which is why my mood spoiled at thought that the Republic would think them incapable of seeing this investigation through. It is no small feat to safeguard a political figure, especially one that awakens such acrimony during this uncertain age."

"I understand how deeply you respect your staff, though well-placed as your esteem is, I can't help but think how equally advantageous it would be for all of us if we do not spread their efforts too thin. You still need protection and at this juncture, I hardly think it wise to divert your most trusted guards away from your side, which is why the Council believed our presence necessary." He drank from his glass of water, his stern eyes pointedly stealing a glance at Obi-wan, as if to acknowledge that he noticed his padawan's provoking tone. "If you do not mind, Duchess, I would like to ask you a few questions about your capture?"

"No, of course not." She nodded, channeling all her focus into vividly remembering what had occurred the week prior.

"Were you able to get a good look at any of your captors?"

She shook her head. "No, they were entirely covered." She huffed, her eyes far off in recollection. "So, I can't say much with absolute certainty beyond the fact all three of them were bipeds, one was humanoid from the sound of their vocal presentation, though they didn't speak Basic."

Qui-Gon nodded. "Were you able to identify the language they spoke?"

Shaking her head, she seemed to ruminate on her description. "No, but it was spoken slowly, almost in a lethargic sort of cadence with an emphasis on the drawn-out pronunciation of vowels."

Obi-wan watched her closely, noting the focus in her gaze as her level voice recalled without the slightest trace of fear. From his periphery, he could see his master scanning through his translation function on his commlink. "But you weren't afraid?" He hadn't even felt the words forming before they erupted from his throat like an accusation.

Satine's sharp gaze met him head on, and she couldn't help but feel as if the younger man believed her the culprit somehow; it seemed such a feat, kidnapping oneself. She wasn't sure if she should be insulted or flattered that he might imagine her capable. "No, Padawan Kenobi, I wasn't."

"Because of their incompetence?" He could feel his master's eyes on him, but his attention didn't waver from the Duchess. It was as if curiosity propelled him to understand what made this young woman so fearless.

"Quite the contrary, actually. They seemed beyond competent, merely unlucky."

"Then why were you not afraid?"

Satine glanced over at the elder of the two, completely perplexed by the line of questioning she was receiving from the padawan. "Because I trusted in the passion and determination of my own people beyond the apathy of my would-be captors."

The smallest detail caught Obi-wan's attention. It seemed more than unusual for anyone to call their kidnapper's apathetic, but after hearing her descriptive recollection, he knew better than to believe her the least bit confused during the occurrence. "Hired help?" He asked his master without the slightest lift of his brow.

Qui-Gon nodded and turned his gaze back to the Duchess as he selected a language from his translator. "Did they speak like this?"

He pressed a button, and a short sentence was uttered. Obi-wan could quickly identify the dialect, though he was nowhere near capable of interpreting the recording of Huttese.

"Yes." She nodded, eyes intently on the master, before she turned back to Obi-wan. "That's how they sounded."

"It seems your kidnappers were speaking Huttese." Qui-Gon clarified with a subtle lilt in his voice, as if the realization did little to quell his own countless unspoken questions.

Her alabaster brow contorted in confusion. "I am fairly certain I know what a Hutt looks like, besides, the Hutts and I have no quarrel."

"Of course not, Duchess. I don't believe the Hutts are our culprits; however, Huttese is a very common language amongst Bounty Hunters." It no longer surprised him now that he knew how often the Hutt Clan would hire from the Guild, though the prevalence of Mandalorian Bounty Hunters did not go unnoticed by the master, causing him to wonder how she had not encountered the language before then. "If they were competent but apathetic while still stubborn enough to keep pursuing your capture, I would wager they are merely paid lackeys."

"You don't sound altogether pleased." She noticed, despite what she perceived to be some semblance of a break-through.

"It does not answer our biggest question of who seeks to prematurely end your rule and depending on their dedication to the code, questioning them might prove ultimately pointless."

She sat back in her chair and sighed. "I must admit my surprise. I did not think the infamous Jedi would be so quick to concede in this matter. Though I'm not entirely sure what I expected."

"We don't concede!" There was enough fire in Obi-wan's voice to garner Master Jinn's attention. The padawan's senses seemed to quickly return as he swallowed his offense at such a possibility; his eyes briefly darted back to his mentor.

Qui-Gon replied directly to the Duchess. "Concession is not in a Jedi's nature; we merely have encountered an unforeseen obstacle. However, I'm thoroughly optimistic, considering that in less than one rotation we've learned a notable amount regarding those that threaten your rule, Duchess."

Satine couldn't help but be comforted by the certainty that the older male exuded. She let her eyes slip to the younger of the two. He seemed impulsive and irritable, causing her the slightest bit of unease, though she refused to let it show across her regally serene and intentionally still features.

Her inability to express her concern made no difference as Obi-wan could keenly sense it in the air between them. It caused the padawan to turn his full focus on the Duchess as he scrutinized her for the faintest crack in her façade.

"Then what is your first move, Master Jinn?"

"To continue our immersion into Sundari as part of your security detail and further investigate until we've discovered your culprits."

Soon after, Duchess Satine took leave for a meeting with her cabinet; the two Jedi following not far behind. Obi-wan slowed his pace, waiting for his teacher. "What is it, Master?" Though the pensive expression seemed to claim permanent residence on Qui-Gon Jinn's face, Obi-wan could interpret the difference this time, as if the older man was ruminating on an unpleasant thought.

Qui-Gon sighed. "The involvement of bounty hunters as hired force has brought me to two separate, disproportionately distressing outcomes." His voice tapered off.

Obi-wan did his best to rein in his impatience. "Which are?"

"Either the Duchess's ultimate enemies are well-financed off-worlders, most likely seeking to plunge Mandalore back into chaos or they are merely that desperate to keep their identities hidden from such acts for fear that they might be recognized," He exhaled bleakly. "By the Duchess herself." He shook his head. "I fear the latter." He looked back at Obi-wan. "That the Duchess's opposition might be someone she currently considers an ally."