Here's another chapter for your enjoyment!

Last time: Maul received a mission from Sidious.

Now: The senate remembers the late Duchess.

Chapter 4- In Memoriam

Word spread fast through Coruscant and the Republic of the Duchess' passing. One day after Obi-Wan had returned from Mandalore, it was announced that there would be a memorial ceremony held at the Senate in honor of her the following evening. Obi-Wan knew it was because he had debriefed the Council about his unsanctioned mission and they informed him that they would have to pass along the information to the Chancellor. As much as Obi-Wan didn't really want the Chancellor to know, he knew that if the Council didn't tell him, someone would sooner or later. Thankfully, the Council was wise enough to not give the Chancellor every detail of her passing like the presence of Darth Maul. They had told him it was Death Watch Commandos that had seized control of the planet.

However, when the Chancellor made the announcement that he wanted to hold a memorial at the Senate building, it made Obi-Wan's stomach turn. Satine and Palpatine always butted heads. Satine really disliked the man, but still had respect for him in some capacity. She was never vocal about her dislike toward him to anyone. Anyone but Obi-Wan. So hearing Palpatine say that he was going to hold a memorial almost felt like an insult and that he might use this as an opportunity to smear her good name. But Obi-Wan stopped himself after that thought. The Chancellor was not a cruel man. He would still honor her memory with respect. Obi-Wan was letting his imagination run ramped as he was still recovering from her loss, so his emotions were not exactly in check. However, no one, not even Sasha, heard his thoughts on the memorial. Those stayed locked up in his head like the dark thoughts he experienced on Mandalore.

The day of the memorial came too quickly for his liking. Master Yoda and the Jedi Council thought it best that they go to pay their respects as well as those who were considered friends of the Duchess. That meant that it wouldn't just be Obi-Wan and the Council with thousands of mourning senators. This meant that Sasha, Anakin, Ahsoka, Jac, and Cayden would all be there too for moral support. The kind of support he needed at the moment.

They all arrived on two separate gunships and gathered inside the quiet corridors of the senate. It was still busy as Senators, Representatives, visiting Ambassadors, and many other political types were moving through the corridors. They all kept quiet or talked in soft murmurs. The eerie quietness of the building actually sent a chill down Obi-Wan's spine. It wasn't ever loud in the Senate building, but it was at least loud enough that one couldn't possibly hear a data stylus drop. This was almost quieter than the Jedi Archives. The quiet also made Obi-Wan realize how much of an impact Satine really had on everyone. If her death could silence the Republic Senate, she truly was a person of high respect.

Obi-Wan and Sasha were invited to join Senator Bail Organa in his pod, which they kindly obliged. Meanwhile, Anakin and Ahsoka joined Senator Padme Amidala in her viewing pod as the remaining stragglers took their seats in their pods or stood in the open walkways looking into the large chamber. Padme and Anakin sat together in the center of the pod from what Obi-Wan could see from a pod over. Ahsoka, Jar Jar Binks, Captain Typho, and Padme's aid sat on the edges of the pod. Obi-Wan and Sasha did the same in Bail's. Obi-Wan then turned his attention to the center as Palpatine, Mas Amedda, and one other stood on the Chancellors platform in the middle of the Senate as it slowly rose up from its loading chamber below. As it rose, the senate quieted down then a hologram appeared of Satine that was large enough to fill the whole chamber. Obi-Wan's heart thudded against his chest as he stared at the holographic image.

"Senators, Representatives, Jedi, and people of the Republic," Palpatine's voice boomed as he started the memorial service. "Today we gather here, not to discuss the war, but to mourn the loss of a strong leader. Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore." A soft clap started then quickly faded. "As many of you know, Duchess Satine was the leader of the Neutral Systems Council as well as Mandalore. Even though she was not a part of the Republic, she was a welcomed guest here on Coruscant. She also made many friends and allies in the Republic who like me are saddened by her sudden loss." He paused almost for dramatic effect. "For those of you that are not aware, Mandalore was suddenly taken over by the Death Watch. They had somehow put together a devious plan that included many crime families and overthrew the Duchess." Obi-Wan clenched his hands into fists in his lap. "She was killed trying to defend her people and her home."

A series of murmurs, gentle sobs, and angered grumbles were heard after Palpatine said that. He then continued. "My friends, it was troubling to receive such news. But on this day, we honor her memory and her legacy. I have asked Senator Amidala, who was close with the Duchess, to say a few words."

Palpatine took a seat on his platform. Padme rose from her seat, activated the pod, and maneuvered it out into the open chamber. She cleared her throat before raising her chin to meet her fellow Senators gaze.

"Duchess Satine and I have only known each other since my time as a Senator. And she was one of dearest friends," Padme said with emotion in her voice. "Satine was so kind and caring toward her people. She would always greet them with a smile and was fair to everyone she met. I visited with her at one point during the war. While I was there, I helped her save the children of Mandalore who had fallen ill. Watching her do everything she could to protect the children inspired me. That was just Satine in general. A pure inspiration to everyone she spoke to. She was never afraid to let anyone know how she felt. She stood for what was right and stood by her beliefs with such passion." Padme paused for a brief moment. "She will be dearly missed. She is dearly missed. She was a beacon of hope and light. Hearing that she is gone…" Padme placed a hand to her mouth, her composed Senator mask slipping. "It is devastating." Padme then looked to the hologram. "Good-bye, Duchess. Good-bye my old friend. May the force be with you."

A round of applause filled the chamber as Padme moved the pod back into its place and then resumed her seat. For the next hour, many others wanted to say a few words about Satine. Senator Chuchi praised Satine and her bravery. Bail recounted a tale of one of her most recent visits to the Capitol and how she was always such a wonderful person to have a conversation with. Even Master Yoda gave a few words in honor of her passing. But once the speeches were given, the memorial came to an end. Everyone started to filter out of the main chamber and back into the halls of the senate. Obi-Wan, however, remained behind in Bail's pod. Bail had already left and Sasha had risen from her seat beside Obi-Wan when she came to a halt near the entrance to the pod.

"Master?" Sasha spoke up for the first time since they left the temple.

Obi-Wan raised his gaze to meet hers. He had been staring at the giant hologram of Satine that still filled the chamber. It flickered away just as Sasha spoke.

"I'll be right there," Obi-Wan said softly. "I just would like a moment alone."

Sasha nodded. She then came over and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. She gave it a gentle squeeze before turning and leaving him alone in the pod. Soon, the entire main senate chamber was empty. Or at least appeared to be empty. There still might have been a few stragglers in the higher level pods that Obi-Wan could not see from the pod he was in. But he was still alone. He rose from his seat and walked over to the pod controls. He activated the holoprojector that was built into it. The hologram of Satine was still plugged into the main system so he could still access it from the pod. He stared at her hologram as he slowly took a seat in the center chairs behind him. He then reached into his belt and produced the engagement ring he had given her.

After he had changed from the Mandalorian armor, he had hid the ring in a box that was in his nightstand. There were also a few other things in that box from Satine, but the ring was what mattered most as it was a symbol of their love. When today came, he pulled it out as he felt like he needed it with him during her memorial. So throughout the service, he had wished to pull it out and hold it in his hands. But with Sasha and Bail being there made it hard for him to do that. So now was a good a time as any to finally hold it.

He sat there in silence for a long moment before he finally spoke up, but only loud enough that the hologram could hear if it was a real hologram.

"Satine…" Obi-Wan started. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry about everything. I failed in protecting you. I knew I should have arrived in a better ship than the Twilight. We would have actually succeed in our escape. We wouldn't have been shot down so easily. Or been captured by Maul. And the fact I couldn't sense Maul's presence? Ugh…" He ran a hand over his face. "I would have brought Anakin or Sasha for backup had I known he was going to be there. So that way they could have gotten you out of there safely while I dealt with Maul." His voice trailed off for a moment. "But I was blind. I was reckless. And it got you killed." His eyes started to brim with tears. "I should have killed him on Naboo. Or that village. Or the ship. Or on Florrum. Or even on Mandalore. I should not have let him win. I…I…" His voice trailed off as he pressed a hand to his eyes as the tears fell.

He was quiet for a moment while he cried. "I lost Qui-Gon. I lost Adi… I lost you to that monster. I cannot lose anyone else to him. I won't lose anyone else to him." He opened his closed hand and looked at the ring. "I really did love you, Satine. You were my whole universe. I would have left the order for you. I was ready to marry you for force sake. I wasn't ready to say good-bye to you." He looked back to the hologram. "I miss you, my dear. I love you. Rest well in the force." Using the force, Obi-Wan switched off her hologram. Obi-Wan then rested back against the seat, tears flowing as he stared off into the distance.

Sasha had left to give her Master space. She was standing in the corridor talking with Anakin, Ahsoka, Bail, and Padme as she waited for Obi-Wan. At some point, Master Windu and Master Yoda arrived to say that it was time to return to the temple. So Sasha went to go retrieve her Master. When she had gotten there, she stood at the entrance to the pod and listened to what he was saying. His voice was just loud enough for her to pick up on his private conversation with Satine's hologram. However, she only caught the tail end of it all.

She heard, "I really did love you, Satine. You were my whole universe. I would have left the order for you. I was ready to marry you for force sake. I wasn't ready to say good-bye to you." He looked back to the hologram. "I miss you, my dear. I love you. Rest well in the force."

Sasha pressed a hand to her mouth as she felt her tears rise up. Hearing her Master admit his feelings toward Satine, broke her heart. She knew they had a thing for each other. That they cared for each other. But hearing Obi-Wan Kenobi say the words "I love you" and "I was ready to marry you" made her heart thud painfully. He wanted to marry Satine. He was so in love with her he wanted to a life with her. Did that mean having children? Growing old together? Sasha almost couldn't believe it as Jedi were never meant to have those things with another being. But it was something she had considered with Cayden. She just never told him that.

"What is it, Sasha?" Obi-Wan's voice broke her train of thought.

He wasn't looking at her, but she knew he could sense she was there. She wiped her face and slowly approached.

"The gunships are getting ready to leave," Sasha said. "I told the others that I would come inform you."

Obi-Wan sighed then stood from his seat. Sasha noticed as he put something away in his belt. Something that shined softly in the light. She couldn't make out what it was, but almost wanted to guess a ring. He then turned to face her. He didn't say anything until he was right next to her. He placed a hand to her shoulder.

"Thank you, Sasha," Obi-Wan said softly.

There was a genuineness to his tone. She guessed he wasn't thanking her for telling him it was time to go. She guessed he was thanking her for being there for him and giving him the time he needed. She smiled softly up to him. He removed his hand and together they left the senate.

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