Chapter Nine

The screams of innocent civilians overpowered the normal hum of Coruscant. The Zillo Beast's escape from the lab had already caused the deaths of many people, and resulted in the destruction of a few buildings. The Jedi Council had dispatched Obi-Wan and Master Windu to oversee the delivery of tanks to a predicted destination of the Zillo Beast as it clambered its way over buildings. Obi-Wan's stomach swooped as the shuttle cruiser banked to the left. Master Windu appeared as steadfast as ever; he held up a holotransmitter as Master Yoda's hologram flickered into view.

"Desperately needed, the tanks are," said Yoda.

"We're almost at the loading dock, Master Yoda," said Windu.

"Dire the situation has become," said Yoda, shaking his head. "Before more lives are lost, quickly we must act."

Obi-Wan dipped his head. The transmission ended, and the shuttle circled over the loading dock, where other ships picked up tanks and carried them off. In the back of his mind, the tether that bounded him to Vespera through the Force tugged. He pinched his brow. On Vespera's end of the tether, the Force flared with red danger. Vespera's Force-signature darkened with an ugly, greenish-yellow, and Obi-Wan felt her fear.

Despite the tightening of his chest, Obi-Wan blocked Vespera out. He needed to focus on the task at hand, which happened to involve capturing or killing a giant reptilian beast wreaking destruction all over Coruscant.

"It seems to be headed for the Senate building," Mace said.

Obi-Wan furrowed his brow. "It's almost as if it has an agenda."

The corners of Mace's mouth dropped. "That would not surprise me. This is an intelligent beast."

"Sirs! We're landing!" shouted the pilot.

Obi-Wan tensed as the cruiser touched down and the bay doors slid open. Together, Obi-Wan and Mace exited as the tanks around them waited for their signal.

Into his comlink, Mace said, "All tanks, acquire solution and prepare to fire on my order."

Master Yoda hobbled toward them; Aayla Secura followed close behind him. "Hold your fire. In the beast's clutches, the Chancellor is."

"Anakin might be with him, along with Senator Amidala," Obi-Wan said, his stomach tensing. Anakin could handle himself, but Senator Amidala might not be so lucky with the Zillo Beast.

"If the beast falls, at risk their lives shall be." Yoda's big green eyes met Obi-Wan's, and Obi-Wan sensed the concern permeating from the Jedi Grandmaster.

"We need to come up with an alternative solution," said Mace.

"Anakin will know to get the Chancellor and Senator Amidala to safety," said Obi-Wan.

Captain Rex approached them. "Sir, looks like the general's up to something."

He handed Mace a pair of binoculars. Mace squinted through them. "What is Skywalker doing?"

Mace passed the binoculars to Obi-Wan. They tinted everything green, but provided a closer view of the ship in the Zillo Beast's clutches. Inside, Anakin had his lightsaber out, and seemed to be cutting through the floor. The Chancellor and Senator Amidala were not the only ones with Anakin. Obi-Wan's heart dropped. Vespera.

"It appears to be one of Anakin's improvised plans," said Obi-Wan lightly.

"How can it be a plan if it's improvised?" Mace countered.

"Not to worry. Just catch them when they fall." Obi-Wan trusted Anakin would get the others to safety. He'd never failed before.

"A lot of the general's plans involve falling," noted Rex.

A smirk toyed at the corner of Obi-Wan's mouth.

"Distract the beast we shall, to give Skywalker more time," said Yoda. He and Aayla took off.

The ship in the beast's clutches fell into two halves, thanks to Anakin's improvised plan. Five figures fell out one half—Obi-Wan swore he glimpsed Vespera's golden hair—while a few more stayed within the ship. The front half of the ship slid down the curved side of the Senate building. Obi-Wan and Mace charged forward.

"Catch it!" Obi-Wan threw up his hands wrinkled his nose as he concentrated on the Force to slow the ship's descent. Mace assisted, and soon, the ship slowed to a stop. Obi-Wan relaxed his muscles, but the tightness in his chest merely coiled sharply as the figures who fell out of the ship—Anakin, Padme, Vespera, Artoo, and Threepio—struggled to stop sliding down the side of the building.

"Come on," ordered Mace. Obi-Wan ran to board one of the cruisers. The ship lifted and circled the Zillo Beast. Wind roared through the open bay door. Obi-Wan tightened his grip on the handle. "All pilots, open fire!"

The ships circling the Zillo Beast's head fired on it, but the blue blasts merely bounced off the beast's scales. The tanks opened fire, too. Distracted, the beast roared at them, giving the Chancellor a bit of time to join Anakin, Padme, and Vespera on a flat landing of the building. They sprinted away, but the beast quickly returned its attention toward them. Yoda and Aayla hopped off the beast and joined Anakin and the others in a dead sprint as the beast lumbered toward them.

"Use the gas bombs!" The Chancellor's voice sounded desperate over the comms.

"Copy that," said one of the pilots. "Bombs away!"

The Zillo Beast opened its mouth and screeched. Two gas bombs shot directly into its open maw. It coughed, but before it could recover, more gas bombs exploded around it. Sickly green clouds nearly obscured the beast—and the people nearest to it could no longer be seen—and Obi-Wan wished the clouds were thick enough to completely hide the beast. Watching its cries weaken and its movements slow tore at Obi-Wan's heartstrings. The poor creature never had a chance. The Zillo Beast's eyes looked toward the ships in a way that appeared almost pleading. Obi-Wan's lips parted and his stomach hurt for the creature as it swayed, succumbing to the poisonous gas until it collapsed. It no longer moved.

By the time the beast's body had been rolled away, and the Chancellor, Anakin, Padme, Vespera, Aayla, and Yoda had been picked up and brought to ground-level, and Obi-Wan and Mace landed with them, early morning light brightened the sky. Through their tether, Obi-Wan felt a wall of grief building like a lump in his throat from Vespera's side. When she thought no one was looking, she wiped away tears with the back of her hand. Something in Obi-Wan's chest softened toward her.

"It's a tragedy that the Zillo Beast paid with its life for our mistakes," said Anakin. His fists clenched by his sides, and he bowed his head. Padme rested a hand over her heart. Vespera ducked her head, and Obi-Wan felt a fresh wave of sorrow from her.

Chancellor Palpatine's eyes drooped. "I will make certain that sacrifice was not made in vain."

Obi-Wan sighed as the heaviness the entire group felt tinged the morning with greyness. He turned with the other Jedi, falling in step with Vespera, who hung behind the group as if afraid to be seen by Masters Yoda and Windu.

"Master Kenobi," Vespera greeted quietly.

"Queen Vespera," Obi-Wan returned. "I did not expect to find you here on Coruscant, and in the middle of all this trouble."

"You're really surprised? I'm a magnet for trouble and danger." A hint of amusement dusted the sorrow in Vespera's voice. Obi-Wan's lips quirked.

"Of course, how silly of me to forget."

Vespera's footsteps slowed. "Actually, I'm here because Separatists landed on my planet."

Obi-Wan stopped in his tracks. "What? Are you certain?"

Vespera's mouth twisted with a small smile. "Count Dooku was gracious enough to send someone named Asajj Ventress to lead droids on our planet in a demonstration of the Separatists' power in an effort to convince Azyrion to leave our alliance with the Republic."

Obi-Wan's stomach twisted. "Ventress?"

"You sound like you know her."

"We've had our run-ins," Obi-Wan allowed. "But you're a neutral system—"

"Callan suspects that someone on the council invited the Separatists without our knowledge. It seems someone wants Azyrion dragged in this war. I'm sure they hope I'll die in the crossfires. A tragic consequence of war." Vespera smiled bitterly.

Obi-Wan stroked his beard. "You were meeting with the Chancellor when all of this happened, weren't you?"

Vespera nodded, and her shoulders slumped. "And I'm not sure it was going well."

Obi-Wan folded his arms. He had a million questions for her—well, not quite a million—but now was certainly not the time. "Can we talk later?"

Vespera tensed, and her side of their bond immediately hardened with solid walls. "I don't know…"

Obi-Wan leaned closer. "If you don't want to talk to the Jedi Council, at least let's talk privately."

Vespera looked hesitant, but nodded. "Alright." She linked her comm to his. "I'll send you my address."

Obi-Wan straightened as Master Yoda hobbled toward them. "Ready to depart, we are. Back to the Jedi Temple, we should go."

Vespera turned her face away, as if that would hide who she was to Master Yoda.

Yoda's eyes lightened with amusement. "Good see you it is, Queen Vespera. A long time, it's been."

Vespera flushed. "Master Yoda… It's good to see you, too."

"Embarrassed to see me, are you?"

Vespera's eyes stretched a little. "No, of course not—"

Master Windu walked over. "What's taking so long—" He stopped and folded his arms. "I had a feeling we'd be seeing you, though I never expected it to be in the middle of so much chaos."

Master Yoda chuckled. "Hmm, forget her youth, Master Windu? Much like Skywalker, she was."

"Yes, always getting into trouble," Windu said, though his eyes twinkled.

"Hey!" Anakin protested from a few feet away.

"Recall Kenobi and Stellavis getting into trouble as Padawans, I do," said Yoda.

"Now that's a story I want to hear," said Anakin, joining them.

Obi-Wan sensed Vespera's unease. "Er, perhaps another time. The queen was just telling me that she has an important meeting with the Chancellor that she needs to reschedule."

"Yes," said Vespera, sounding as if she were out of breath, "I must get going. It was good to see all of you. Truly."

With a dip of her head, Vespera left them to catch up with Padme, who was boarding a shuttle back to the Senate building. Obi-Wan reached with the Force, but met a cold wall on Vespera's end. Whatever she felt, she did not want him prying.

An hour later, Obi-Wan stood at the door of Vespera's temporary apartment. A handmaiden answered the door.

"You must be Master Kenobi," she said. "Come in."

The temporary apartments were reserved for visiting rulers and senators. It was pre-decorated with luxurious sofas, curtains, and decorative pieces that had no other purpose than to look nice. Nice, but staged, and lacking personality.

Obi-Wan sat upon one of the white sofas and waited for Vespera. After a moment, Vespera entered, dressed a bit more casually than usual, with her hair in a loose braid. She sat across from Obi-Wan, looking tight-lipped and tense. The handmaiden reentered, carrying a tray of tea. She set it down on the table in between the two sofas.

Vespera offered the handmaiden a pained smile. "Thank you, Neve."

"If you need anything else, I'll be in the next room." The handmaiden bowed her head and left them alone.

"How did it go with the Chancellor?" Obi-Wan queried.

Vespera huffed. "The Chancellor says that I have to meet with Duchess Satine, as Azyrion is part of the Council of Neutral Systems. If I want the Republic's aid, I first need to meet with her to avoid breaching any treaties."

Obi-Wan frowned. "Satine's a good woman. I'm sure she'll agree to let you get any help you need."

"I'm acquainted with Satine," Vespera replied, "I'm not worried about that."

"What are you worried about?"

Vespera rubbed her palms. "The bureaucracy… It might cost my people their lives. The Separatists are peaceful now, but…"

"Yes, the fact that they've landed on your planet under the guise of peace is disconcerting." Obi-Wan stroked his beard. "You said Ventress was leading them?"

"Yes. A while ago, Count Dooku showed up for discussions. He basically advertised the Separatists the entire time. Apparently, Azyrion has something they want, though what, I'm not sure."

Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows. "You never mentioned that."

"I told Padme." Vespera shrugged softly. "Someone on my council invited him."

"You don't know who?"

Vespera laughed humorlessly. "All of them hate me and want me dead. If Azyrion is dragged into this war, it would be very easy for something tragic to happen to me and they could just blame it on the war."

"I know you and your council disagree, and they're not the most pleasant sort, but would they really want you dead?"

"Padme and I found a clause in my marriage contract with Callan. If I die before producing a male heir, then Callan becomes the ruling monarch, no council needed. The throne wouldn't go to any remaining blood relatives of mine."

"Are there any blood relatives?" Obi-Wan queried. Vespera's face drained of color, and her fear rippled through their Force bond, as well as the overwhelming desire to protect someone… Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "Could it be Callan, then?"

"I don't think so," Vespera said, and the fear ebbed away. "He was just as shocked as I was when Ventress showed up. He covered for me so that I could come to Coruscant and plead for the Republic's aid."

Obi-Wan leaned forward. "I'm needed to investigate something on Mandalore in a few days. You should come with me and talk to Satine."

"No, I must get back, but I appreciate the offer," Vespera said, and her shoulders tensed once more. Obi-Wan sensed that he had trespassed into sensitive terrain for Vespera. "Was there something else you wanted to discuss?"

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "I didn't think it needed elaboration. Master Plo said you formed a strong Force bond—"

Vespera's look cut him off. "You told Master Plo?"

Obi-Wan leaned back and raised his hands. "I respected your wishes. I didn't tell the Council; I only hinted at some things with Master Plo. What is your aversion to the Jedi? I thought you'd be a bit friendlier, considering you left the Order on good terms."

Vespera's posture stiffened again, and Obi-Wan braced himself for a sharp retort. Then, Vespera sagged and she looked exhausted. "I know."

Instead of elaborating, Vespera stood and stepped out onto the balcony. Obi-Wan followed her. The blue and purple lights of Coruscant illuminated them, and the blue neon seemed to deepen the contours of Vespera's face. She leaned with her forearms resting on the railing. "I have nothing against the Jedi."

Obi-Wan frowned. "Then why are you so adverse to seeking the Council's help?"

Vespera gripped the railing and leaned back a little. The lighter parts of her hair reflected the Coruscanti lights. It was rather dreamy to look upon. "I can't help but feel I've done something wrong. I don't understand why the Force has connected us, but I have a talent for making Force bonds, but I didn't mean to do this, and I don't think it was me—"

"Vez, you haven't done anything wrong. From what I've read, Force bonds often occur as a result of a moment of peril. I caught you, and both of our guards were down, we were reaching out in the Force, and latched onto each other."

Vespera scrunched her nose. "It sounds so clinical when you put it like that."

"I don't know if that's what happened, but it's a possible explanation."

Lowering her head, Vespera murmured, "Would the Council even know how this happened?"

"Personally, I don't think the way the Force bond formed matters. The fact is that we are connected, and now we have to figure out what to do with it."

"Do with it? We don't even know what it means or the full extent of it!" Another wave of anxiety surged from Vespera's end of their bond.

Obi-Wan softened. "Why can't you face the Jedi?"

Vespera met his gaze, looking strained. "Can I trust you, Obi-Wan?"

"Yes. We're friends, aren't we?"

She scowled. "Don't friends usually know more about each other? We're acquaintances at best."

Obi-Wan smirked. "Are you always so difficult?"

Vespera hummed and looked away. One corner of her mouth slanted downward more than the other as she pressed her lips into a subdued smile. She sighed as she gazed at the Coruscanti skyline to avoid meeting Obi-Wan's gaze. "I'm afraid to face the Jedi."

Obi-Wan restrained himself from saying that he knew that already. "We wouldn't give away your secret to Azyrion—"

"That's not what I'm worried about," Vespera said, turning her back to the skyline. "I've been asleep for the past few years. Now, I'm awake. I haven't felt the Force like this in years, and I'm getting worse at hiding it. Leaving the Jedi Order has always haunted me, and I'm afraid of going back. I'm scared that the shame will eat me alive, that I'll regret leaving all over again, that I'll want to return to the Jedi even though I know I can't."

Oh. Oh. Obi-Wan's heart clenched as Vespera's eyes filled with tears. It wasn't fear of the Jedi, but of herself. "I can't imagine what any of this feels like."

Vespera looked at him, and the tear tracks on her cheeks cut through him. If he could ease her pain, he would. "I'm not ready to face the Jedi yet."

"You're facing me."

"That's different."

"I'm on the Council. How is it different?"

Vespera gestured vaguely at Obi-Wan's body. "You're you."

A snort escaped Obi-Wan's mouth. "Should I be offended by that?"

Vespera smiled. "Maybe a little."

Obi-Wan returned the gesture, and then sobered. "We can try to figure this out on our own for now. But facing the Jedi Order isn't something you can avoid forever, Vez."

Vespera held his gaze. Her hazel eyes shimmered with green. Obi-Wan swallowed a lump in his throat. He'd almost forgotten how pretty she was. Almost.

"I know. Thank you for respecting my wishes. It means more than you know." She squeezed his arm and drifted off the balcony. Sharing a strong Force bond with Vespera definitely wasn't the worst thing happening in his life.

A short little chapter with plenty of Obi-Wan/Vespera interaction! What did you guys think?

(Again, thank everyone who has supported this story! Please continue to do so!)