Anakin looked back at Karan. "They got one of them. A Knight Kenobi. Now I say good on him, but still, assassination hit on the leader of a foreign power. No news on his two accomplices."
No surprise there, given what Padme had told him. Of course the Hutts would be looking for another Jedi who looked like the man in front of him, not some no name mechanic. Still.
"Accomplices?" he said. Padme had said she had been rescued by two Jedi. Who was this extra person?
"Yeah, this Kenobi had a couple of minions. One, the guy, was a Jedi, probably a secret assassin, since they denied anyone like that being one, which is what you would do of course. Some people joked that the description and holo profile looked like me. Don't see it myself. I'm better looking." said Anakin with a grin.
Karan rather doubted that. Padme's abortive reunion indicated otherwise. Still.
"And the other person?" Karan said.
"Some woman, probably a mercenary. Good looking.. Not local, Cass didn't recognise her. Must of been paid a lot to do a hit on Jabba." said Anakin.
Karan wondered if he should have an intricate map drawn up detailing exactly who knew who and how. Where would this mystery women fit in?
Where do I? The treacherous thought caught him by surprise.
"Yeah, where exactly do you fit into all this?" said Anakin pointedly.
"Me?" said a surprised Karan.
"Yeah, you. What's your angle?" said Anakin.
"My, angle? I want my world to remain free. Keeping Padme sane helps that." Karan said. That was the truth, right?
Anakin stared at Karan for a moment.
"You tell yourself that. From where I am, your boss isn't the only one doing the noble suffering. Take it from me, life's too short. Don't be a fool." said Anakin before leaving.
Karan sat down wondering at the strange insight delivered by the pilot. No, not an insight in the normal sense. If Anakin was anything like his counterpart then he had likely plucked that conclusion straight from Karan's own mind. Did he feel something more for them? Karan searched his feelings. Anakin was right, damn it. He was involved. When had that happened?
The day Borric and Laina had carried her back to their hideout. That was when, he realised. He stood up and began to pace. This was, terrible. Not to mention utterly unethical. He was a terrible person, totally manipulative...
"Karan." came Padme's voice breaking him out of his funk. She was standing in the doorway. "Found you. Have you got a moment?"
Karan regarded her. As usual, Padme looked, tired. As if the responsibility for a growing number of systems weighed physically upon her. She just wants someone to talk to. Someone she sees as a confidant and friend. Which he was not. Not honestly.
"Sure." he said.
Padme sat down and rubbed her temples, "Three days Karan. It has taken three days just to name ourselves." She held up a hand, "I know, names and symbols are important. I just wish it was not so exhausting. No, you were no help at all! Not you Karan, Artura."
"What did you suggest Artura?" said Karan.
Abruptly the posture of the woman shifted. Artura straightened, giving the impression that nothing could cow her.
"The Empire. I can see you like it squire. Imagine yourself in black and red at my side. Also, once we have expanded more we can add Galactic to the title. I'll even abolish slavery, just for you two." she said.
Had anyone else suggested such a blatent appeal to authoritarian rule Karan would of been appalled. Artura however made it appealing, attractive even. A treacherous part of his mind could see it. He would look good, and he could be at her side forever. He could help her subject... No.
Karan shook his head, "Tempting, but not what was settled on I think." he began.
Artura sighed, "No. Padme and, and that woman have settled on a weak alliance. Committees, councils, fair and equal representation." she snarled. Artura then picked up Karan's hands and stared into his eyes. "She listens to you, explain how she is throwing all my, our power away and making us weak. You agree with me, don't you?"
Karan hesitated. He had grown up thinking he was fully capable of resisting a popular, charismatic dictator. Of course, that was when said hypothetical dictator was a middle aged Human, Rodian or Mon Cal. He was certainly able of telling any Hutt where to stick their demands as well. Artura however. She was authoritative, used to command and, it worked. Her being an attractive, young woman was mere icing on the cake. Karan found himself believing her and wanting to obey. It was all too easy. Just surrender your will to someone greater and trust them. Be swept along with the great and powerful warrior queen of legend. He gazed into her eyes. Obey me. Follow me. Love me.
"Well?" said Artura.
Karan stared deeper. Artura's seeming confidence was a brittle mask, something she could hide behind. He wondered what the real Artura was like, stripped of all the bravado she wore like her armour suit. Also there was Padme to consider. Karan wasn't too sure how it all worked but he thought he could feel her squirming and panicking at even this rather chaste contact. He released her hands.
"I would like to hear about Padme's proposal, from her." he said.
Watching Artura hand back control was like some vampiric process as Padme slumped, then held up her shaking hands to examine them. I am sorry, thought Karan. I shouldn't have done it. It's just...
"I, I know Karan. It's not your fault. Artura is, hard to resist. It's my fault." said Padme.
"Tell me about your proposal." said Karan in an attempt to distract Padme from despair.
Padme looked away briefly before turning back to him. "It wasn't my idea, not exactly. I just channelled my other self. The Confederacy of Independent Systems was her idea. As usual it was the right choice. After a bit of talking I got everyone onboard. You're looking at it's leader." she said.
"Congratulations." said Karan.
"Thank you. That means a lot from you. But, I don't know. The other Confederacy looks too much like a cult of personality. Is that who I really am? A despot? At least Artura's honest about it all." said Padme worriedly.
"Then remind yourself of that. You are not Artura. You are not even your other self. This Confederacy, our government can be different. Make different choices." said Karan.
Padme looked away. "I don't want to though. They both got him after all. What do I have? Nothing!"
You have me came the treacherous thought.
Padme's head rose to face him again, "You? You don't even compare to him. Is that what you have been doing? Thinking I'ld accept you as some consolation prize?" she hissed and stood up. "Out of pity? Know this Karan. I will never love you. I, I hate you. I hate you! Get out of my sight." she screamed, pointing at the door.
Ashamed, Karan beat a hasty retreat.
Padme stared at the now closed door still shaking with rage. How dare he look at her that way! How dare he think of her like that! Who did he think he was?
'My second favourite squire.' came Artura's voice in her head.
The interruption broke the moment.
'I thought he was third favourite.' she replied.
'He's gone up in my opinion. Not many can stand up to me. I like that. Also, he's got a nice bum. Oh go on. Admit it. Close our mouth.'
Padme closed her mouth.
'He does not...'
'He does. Actually, being part of our growing militia has filled him out quite nicely. It's a very pert bum.'
'It, I haven't looked.'
'Liar. You're me, remember? If I have looked, that means you have.'
'Okay, okay. I've looked.'
'And.'
'And what? He was acting like a therapist, all as an excuse to get me in bed with him. That's...'
'Crafty? Clever? Shows he's interested?'
'Do the words betrayal of trust or abuse of power mean anything to you?'
'No. Not really. Anyway I think you're being unfair to our squire. Put yourself in his shoes, since his pants are not an option at the moment.'
'Artura!'
'What? Think Padme. Okay, our squire has turned me down at every turn. Ever think on that? He cares about what you think. Also he seems to hold these weird modern notions of propriety. You lot lie to yourselves, a lot. He was probably just as confused as you are.'
'And I screamed at him. What do I do? I've ruined everything.'
''Hardly. If he cares then he will forgive you.'
'And if he doesn't?'
"Not likely. In that unlikely event then he'll be back. Words don't drive that type off. Say. How about we find out?'
'What are you talking about? How?'
'Use your head girl. You have already been reading his mind, not that you noticed. Here, let me show you how.'
Obi-Wan knelt in his cell and tried to meditate. However today serenity eluded him as his failure seemed prominent in his mind.
"In time, all things pass they do." came the voice.
Obi-Wan opened his eyes. In front of him was a diminutive green alien.
"Yoda!" he said in surprise. He had heard the ancient being had finally retired. What was he doing here?
"A Jedi never retires. Only the pace, changes it does. Now Obi-Wan. Troubled, you are?" said Yoda.
Obi-Wan bowed his head. "Yes, Master Yoda. My failure, it weighs heavily upon me." he confessed.
The small being walked about Obi-Wan regarding him. "Hmm. Hmm. Yes. See that I do." said Yoda.
"I have trouble remembering her now." said Obi-Wan.
"Good, good." said Yoda.
"Good? Master Yoda, I failed her. I left her on Tatooine! She is a slave suffering things I cannot even imagine. And you say that's good?" said Obi-Wan.
"The fault, all yours was it?" asked Yoda.
"Yes!"
"I see. Enforce misery and slavery across the Zone, do you? The casual brutality and mistreatment of sophonts across the Rim, your doing is?"
"No. That's not the point" protested Obi-Wan.
In response Yoda hit him gently with his walking stick. "No, that is the point. Yes, failed you did. Terrible and tragic it was. Dwell on it however, you should not. A path to the Dark Side it is. Consume you it would. So, to fade from memory, to forgive you as others have, a good thing that is." said Yoda.
Obi-Wan looked back at the Master. He sighed. "I, I know all that. But I cannot forgive myself."
Yoda looked at him, "So, young Jedi. To whom go must you?"
Obi-Wan shook his head, "I need to speak to her."
Yoda continued his stare, "So, why are you waiting here. Visit the temple think she will?"
"I can't leave! I'm under house arrest. No one knows where those assassins took her when they escaped." he said.
"No one? Hmm. Obi-Wan I feel it is time you met an ally of mine. Powerful it is, yes, yes. Show you where to go it shall." said Yoda and held out a hand.
Obi-Wan took it and rose before following.
At the Starport Anakin hummed to himself as he checked the power feeds on his fighter. The new parts from Carrinos had significantly increased the engine output and performance if everything could get to the right place safe enough. Tinkering with engines was what he loved more than anything else. Well, almost anything. He paused, turned and smiled at the sole exception.
"How do you do that?" said Cassandra as he hugged her.
"Do what?" Anakin said, kissing her.
"Lot's of things. You always know where I am. You know what I am thinking." began Cassandra before Anakin silenced her with another kiss.
"Hey, that's love. It's perfectly normal." he breathed as they separated slightly.
Then, abruptly he was throwing both of them to the ground. A blaster shot rang out with an impact explosion close behind them. Anakin risked a look, spotting a Rodian in synth mesh slowly taking aim for a second shot. He drew his blaster and fired. The bolt hit the assailant between the eyes and they fell back. After checking for accomplices Anakin and Cassandra moved over to where the body was. Cassandra knelt and searched the body quickly finding several small discs. She activated one and a small holo of Anakin appeared.
"That's not me." protested Anakin at the likeness.
"Looks awful lot like you." said Cassandra. She activated the other disc, it revealed the Exchalali leader.
"Oh hells. Sound the alarm!" yelled Anakin as they began running for the cruiser.