Chapter 41 - Raxus
DISCLAIMER: We (unfortunately) do not own Star Wars. :P
Author's Note: Thank you, loldelegate! :)
~ Amina Gila
Anakin wishes his time on Coruscant would be over already, because he's only growing increasingly restless. He should be out there fighting, not trapped here, but that's Obi-Wan's choice.
It's given him more time to spend at the Senate, though, which is how he finds himself meeting Padme again, for the first time in months.
"We need to find a peaceful solution to this," Padme is saying, pacing back and forth. "If you could speak with Palpatine –"
"There is nothing Palpatine can do," Ahsoka cuts her off, "The Senate won't cooperate."
"If he actually showed an interest in settling the conflict through negotiation, that may change," she shoots back.
Anakin shifts uncomfortably. This is – he does not like being around during arguments. "Couldn't anyone propose a peaceful solution?" he interjects hesitantly.
"Yes, but as I said, it doesn't work," Ahsoka replies. She's been on Coruscant more lately, too. He's had much more time than usual to spend with her, and it's... it's easier to be around her without remembering Mortis, but he can't trust her the way he used to anymore. He doesn't like it, but he can't just forget what happened there. Though she wasn't in her right mind, true, he doesn't know when that could change again.
Padme sighs. "If only I could talk to Senator Bonteri," she muses.
"Why can't you?" Anakin asks uncertainly. He doesn't know what he thinks of Padme, but he... likes her. She's a mentor in a lot of ways, maybe like a much older sister, he doesn't really know. He can't label it, but he's learned far more about politics than he even cares to know every time he's around her.
"Because she's a Separatist now."
What? "You're friends with a Separatist?"
"She used to be a Republic Senator, before she left," Padme explains.
"Then can't you talk to her?"
"No. Negotiating with the Separatists has been made illegal, because it's considered recognizing them as a movement."
Anakin frowns. "Then how is there any chance of a peaceful resolution?"
"There's not," Padme replies, "Not unless we do something about it."
Ahsoka has that thoughtful look on her face, that she gets whenever she's up to something. (Something that she usually tries to convince Anakin to join, that gets them both in trouble.) "If you think talking to her would help, maybe we can try to work something out."
"I have an idea," Padme perks up. "I'm not allowed to travel to Separatist space, but as Jedi, you would have the clearance. We could go to a neutral world like Mandalore, then board a ship to Raxus."
That's... a brilliant idea, but it's illegal. "Against Republic law?" Anakin objects. He knows rules are important, even if he doesn't always agree with them. Obi-Wan drilled that into him, and... because of life before he came to the Temple, he's always known that. Even if his memories of that time are faded now, some things never fade.
"Technically, we aren't breaking Republic law. Only Padme is," Ahsoka points out, as though that's supposed to make him feel better. She has that gleam in her eyes, though, and he knows neither of them will want to back down from this. "I think we might be onto something. Just give me a little time to think about it."
"Thank you," Padme says, gratefully, "I haven't seen her or her family for a long time. And maybe this could help end the war."
"So, Anakin, do you want to come?" Ahsoka asks.
He swallows hard. This is the kind of thing he's expected to report to the Council on. "I don't know."
"Just think about it," she urges, "This will end the war. It's something we should be doing, even if the Council won't approve."
He... doesn't know what to say to that. He can't think that they know better than the whole Council, but... "Besides, do you really want to stay trapped at the Temple?" she adds.
No, he doesn't, except... If he's caught, who knows how long he's going to be grounded here? Or maybe he'll be taken back to the fronts to avoid it from happening again. He just doesn't... much want to get into trouble over it again, especially when he doesn't know if it's right. But they could end the war. Isn't it worth a shot? Maybe just this once, Ahsoka has a point. Maybe. He only hopes he isn't making a serious mistake.
**w**
Padme's idea gave Ahsoka her own idea, and now she can't let it go. "We talked once about secretly speaking with Dooku to negotiate an end to the war," Ahsoka comments.
"Yes, we did," Palpatine agrees.
"I have an idea, she explains, "If you... agree. I could go to Raxus secretly. I could... meet him there."
Palpatine paces over to the window, looking thoughtful. "It may work, if he is there," he muses, "But I don't believe the Republic Senate would be as accepting, if word got out, and as of now, you are still under the Council's jurisdiction."
Ahsoka deflates a little. "I know, but I'll be careful. I think it's a risk worth taking."
"If you are willing, my dear," Palpatine replies, "I want this to end as much as you do."
"Padme suggested it," Ahsoka admits, "She... wants to go. She thinks one of her Separatist friends may help be willing to put a bill in the Separatist Senate for peace. I think it's worth trying."
He turns away again, staring out across the city. "Perhaps," he agrees, "I question if either Senate would truly cooperate with this long-term, but if you want to go... you must take care."
He seems a little more hesitant than normal, but given that it could cause a huge scandal against him because of stupid politics, Ahsoka supposes she can understand that. "I understand, Your Excellency. We will be careful."
"Please do," he requests, "I could not imagine anything happening to you or Senator Amidala."
"I'll take care of her," Ahsoka promises. And Anakin will be there for backup in case anything goes wrong. But she's not too worried about it. She has a good feeling about it this time... Although she can't shake the feeling that things in the war may still only get worse. Maybe that's why, in the end, she's getting so desperate to do something, so she can at least say that she tried.
**w**
"When did you meet Bonteri?" Ahsoka asks, as the three of them sit in the civilian transport ship. Anakin keeps his hood pulled low over his head, trying not to attract attention to any of them. They're in enemy territory now, and they'd be in trouble from both sides if anyone catches them. He can only hope Obi-Wan will be a little too busy on the fronts to try calling him or something. It shouldn't be a problem, but he can't stop thinking about all the things that could go wrong, because he agreed to this... possibly foolish plan in the first place. Maybe. Padme should know what she's doing, but...
"She was one of the first Senators I met, after coming to the Senate," Padme explains.
"When did she join the Separatists?" he asks, trying to distract himself.
"I believe she always had questions like that," Padme muses, "She always seemed to have questions of how the Republic ran. I think I may have overheard her speaking with Dooku once."
His eyes widen the slightest bit. "Really?"
"She was speaking to a man. I didn't see or hear clearly, but I... didn't have a good feeling about it, for whatever reason."
"A Force feeling," Ahsoka comments.
"How could I feel something with the Force?" Padme asks, slightly amused.
"Even non-Force sensitives can sometimes sense things, if they are in tune with it," Anakin offers.
"Hmm," she murmurs, casting a swift glance around them again, "Maybe, then. Either way, we were... good friends. She'll be happy to see me."
Anakin certainly hopes so. He's not certain he can trust this Senator, though, even if Padme does. He does trust Padme's judgment, however – there must be something about this person that Padme looks up to, or at least there was at one point in time.
The transport finally arrives, and they step off into the throngs of people moving about, the same way they do in Republic space. Anakin doesn't know why he almost expected something different. He doesn't agree with what the Separatists are doing, but he knows that doesn't make all the people bad. The Republic does have flaws, and he can understand why someone might want to be away from that – even if the way they're going about it is totally wrong.
It's just strange to be seeing Separatist civilians here, instead of droids.
Or instead of the occasional ones who will throw things at them when they're passing through civilized areas.
Then again, sometimes Republic civilians do that, too, protesting the war.
As though that's supposed to change something.
As though the Jedi and clones want to be fighting anymore than they do. It never ceases to upset him, when people treat the clones like that, as though any of this is somehow their fault.
An older woman is waiting nearby, and Padme hurries over to her. "Hello, old friend," the woman greets. She looks... just like any other potential Republic Senator.
"Anakin, Ahsoka, this is Mina Bonteri," Padme introduces.
"So, you're a Separatist?" Ahsoka asks, seeming slightly intrigued, though Anakin thinks she's as on the fence about this as he is.
"Of course. What were you expecting?" she asks.
Honestly, Anakin has no idea. But this feels... strange. Being in enemy territory. It feels like he can't let his guard down for even a moment.
"Mina, these are Anakin and Ahsoka, my... friends."
Mina is eyeing Ahsoka with interest and maybe a touch of wariness now. "Ahsoka Tano?" she asks, "The... Republic general?"
"Yes," Padme confirms, "But don't worry. She... would like a peaceful solution as much as I do."
Mina nods, but that hint of wariness doesn't leave her eyes. Not that Anakin can blame her. He wouldn't want to invite Grievous into his living room either, even if he was... supposedly for peace and his best friend's friend.
"So, you're both Jedi?" Mina asks.
Anakin nods.
"Well, if you're a friend of Padme, you're welcome to come," she promises surprisingly warmly, and they head for her house. Anakin lets the two of them make small talk with each other, gaze wandering about the city.
A teenage boy who looks only a little older than Anakin stands at the bottom of the stairs to the house, eyeing them speculatively when they arrive.
"Lux, come help our guests with the luggage," Mina calls.
He doesn't seem happy at their presence, but he does as he's told, coming to collect their things. Anakin really, really wishes he had his lightsaber with him. Being here has him constantly on edge.
"He's grown so much, Mina," Padme comments, watching Lux out the window.
"Time won't stop, even if we are at war," Mina agrees, "And I'm afraid these events are shaping his young life."
"It's affecting all children, especially the ones fighting and being killed in it," Ahsoka cuts in. Which are primarily on the Republic side, Anakin knows is unspoken.
"Ahsoka," Padme says sharply.
"It's all right," Mina assures, "I know many on the Republic side are being hurt just as much as our side. Many here wonder how the Republic could have purchased an army, especially of soldiers so young."
"Without them, the Republic would have had no army when the Separatists attacked," Ahsoka points out.
"You know, on the Separatist's side, there are many who blame the Republic for the start of the war."
"How?" Anakin objects, frowning.
"It was the Jedi who first invaded Geonosis," she reminds.
"They were going to execute my master," Anakin argues, "And Ahsoka and Senator Amidala." Although, he knows Mina has a point. The Republic did technically attack first, even if he doesn't see what else they could have done. Surely the Council would have weighed all the options. Right?
"We didn't come here to argue about this," Padme interjects, "I wanted to discuss a way we can bring an end to this."
"Of course," Mina agrees. "Why don't I get some refreshments for you all?"
"What happened to your husband?" Padme asks.
Mina stills, turning to look at her. "Almost a year ago, he was setting up a base on Aargonar when clones attacked. My husband fought bravely in self-defense but was killed."
Anakin swallows hard, exchanging a glance with Ahsoka. He knows things like that happen on both sides, but it's different actually meeting someone who was hurt by the Republic. (By him, by default.)
"I'll... be outside," Anakin offers, slipping out. There's little input he could really have in their discussion, anyway.
"I'll come with you," Ahsoka decides, following him.
Lux locks up when they walk down the stairs in silence. "You're Jedi, aren't you?"
"Yes," Anakin confirms. And the Jedi are by default behind this boy's father's death. "Why?"
"Before the war, I was always told the Jedi were good," Lux comments, hurrying to catch up as they walk down the path around the house.
"And now you hear the opposite?" Ahsoka asks, appraisingly.
"I don't know anymore. There's a lot of terrible things happening, a lot of killing. Now my friends are saying the Jedi are to blame," Lux replies.
So many people blame the Jedi for what happened, it seems. Even Ahsoka, to a point, just not in the same way. That's not... They're doing what they can, aren't they? But would everyone be questioning it if there was no truth to it? It feels wrong to even think that, especially because criticizing the Council is criticizing Obi-Wan, by default, but...
"I wouldn't say any one group is strictly to blame in starting it," Ahsoka responds, "But everyone is responsible if they let it continue."
"As Jedi, what do you do to end the war?" He sounds doubtful.
"We fight. The war will end if we win," Ahsoka points out.
"And what would happen to the Separatists, if the Republic won?" Lux counters, "We'd be forced back into the Republic, and my mother always says they're so corrupt."
"Are the Separatists different?" Anakin asks.
"Of course, we are," he retorts, "There's actually democracy here."
"Do you think your Senate would be inclined to vote for peace?" Ahsoka asks.
"If there was a chance, maybe," he replies, "I don't think there will be unless the Republic recognizes the Separatists as a legitimate movement."
"We want peace, too," Anakin speaks up, "But no one... talks. We're here to see if we can do something about it."
"By orders of the Jedi Council?" Lux asks, eyes widening.
"It was our... private decision," Ahsoka replies, "So speak of it to no one."
"My mother told me already," he assures. It's strange to be talking to a Separatist like this. But Anakin finds it's... interesting to actually see their human side. They do have reasons for their opinions – he already knew that – but it's different to see it.
**w**
Padme knows how risky being here is, but if it ends the war, it's worth it. It's finally in reach, and all she can hope now is that the Republic Senate will cooperate. On that, Ahsoka does have good points.
She keeps her hood up, as before, when they head to the Separatist Senate building. It's far smaller than the Republic's, which Padme can't help but think probably lets them make much faster decisions – assuming Dooku doesn't have his own ways of manipulating everything to his favor. He must keep them under control and following him somehow, though.
It's not like she can blame them for losing faith in the Republic, even if she knows it can still be fixed. Sometimes, she's just... tired though. The arguing in the Senate is ceaseless and it doesn't really seem to get anywhere.
She keeps those thoughts mostly to herself as they find a good position to watch the proceedings. Hopefully, no cameras here will pick up on her or Ahsoka's identities. That would be bad. Anakin is less likely to be noticed, seeing that he's just a padawan.
"Can you handle this alone?" Ahsoka asks in a low voice, leaning closer.
"Yes, why?" Padme queries, frowning.
"I'm... just thinking about looking around," she replies.
"Here?" Anakin demands, almost incredulously.
"You never know when information might come in useful," Ahsoka says, smirking for a moment.
"We're here to bring peace, Ahsoka. Not start hostilities," Padme chides. What is she even thinking? Suddenly, Padme almost wishes she'd only brought Anakin here. She doesn't know the boy well, but he wouldn't do anything stupid that might escalate the war instead. She knows Ahsoka far better, but there's a part of her that can't trust her anymore. Not when it comes to the war.
"No one will spot me," Ahsoka promises.
"But what are you doing?" Anakin asks, clearly unhappy.
"Dooku's here. Who knows what else might be here that could prove to our advantage? I don't really know what I'm looking for but just... a feeling." She shrugs slightly. "I'll be back before you leave. You know how Senate meetings go. Besides, I think we could blend in better apart from each other."
"Fine, but don't do anything dangerous," Padme warns.
"This whole mission is dangerous," Ahsoka shoots back, before she turns away, slipping off into the crowd.
Anakin's eyes follow her, an obvious frown on his usually surprisingly controlled face. "I don't like this," he murmurs quietly.
Padme touches the boy's arm. "I don't like it either. She's too reckless."
Anakin shakes his head slightly. "There's something she's not saying, and this... isn't safe. Dooku is here. Not just in a hologram."
Padme's eyes turn past him, back to where the Count himself stands at the front of the Senate. It's unsettling to see him in person, after Geonosis. "He can't sense us, can he?"
"I'm shielding," Anakin replies, "But he's a Sith. I don't know."
That's not good. But they've come this far, and if Dooku sensed something, surely he would've already acted on it. "If he suspected something, I imagine he would have already tried to locate us," Padme points out.
"He may not want to create a commotion," Anakin objects.
"I don't believe he would think a Jedi foolish enough to come right to Raxus," Padme offers, "And even if he suspected, it would be hard to find us." So long as Ahsoka doesn't go and do anything stupid. Anakin is far easier to handle.
The Senate meeting follows the same procedure as Republic Senate meetings, once Mina puts the bill on the floor. "How many lives on both sides have to end before we see the futility? Surely there's room in the galaxy for Confederate and Republic planets to coexist. I move that we immediately open peace negotiations with Chancellor Palpatine on Coruscant."
Exclamations run through the room, and Dooku motions for silence, calling for a vote. And maybe in moments like this, she can see why so many people respect him. He comes across as a good leader, and he helps fight on the front lines. She can definitely see it, even if she'll never agree.
Padme watches with bated breath as the votes are cast. This could determine the fate of everything.
"The ayes have it," Dooku observes, when they finish, and Padme lets out a breath she didn't remember holding. Anakin shoots her a genuine smile.
It's settled, then.
The Separatists are going to ask for peace. There's a chance. Now all Padme needs to do is make sure it goes through, in every way she can.
"Should we find Ahsoka?" Anakin whispers, scanning the room.
Padme nods. "This session is over for now. Hopefully she's close by."
Mina will take them back to her home, once she's done at the Senate, and they'll be leaving on the flight out of here this evening. She wishes she could spend more time with her, but that won't happen until the fighting stops.
But first they need to find Ahsoka, and wherever she went, they can't seem to find her anywhere.
**w**
Dooku implied he'd be interested in this before. Ahsoka can only hope that's still true, as she silently slips through the Senate, to somewhere near where Dooku will come out. She can only hope this isn't a disastrous mistake.
She's hovering close by, hood pulled over her head when the Senate meeting is let out, and Dooku himself soon steps into the hall.
Her heart is pounding, but she refuses to let any of her fear show as she moves closer. She's come this far; she won't back down now even if a part of thinks it might be better. "Dooku," Ahsoka greets smoothly, keeping her voice low so no one else nearby will hear.
He pauses, turning to face her, surprise only briefly flitting across his face. "General Tano, I thought I sensed you here."
"We discussed having another meeting," she replies, tone clipped, "And I'm here."
"Convenient that it is at the same time one of the Senators unexpectedly called for peace," he muses.
"That's what you claimed to want," Ahsoka replies.
"And it is," he agrees, "But I doubt if any offer of peace from this side will truly go anywhere. You must suspect this, too, or you would not be here. Unless you are behind Bonteri's bill?"
She can't outright lie, if they're going to... work together. Not that she trusts Dooku, and she knows the feelings are mutual, but still. "I may have spoken with her, but it was her choice. Seeing as this is what you want, I can't imagine you have a problem with it. The Republic laws have made it difficult to negotiate normally."
"It has," he agrees mildly. She wishes he'd actually show some emotion or interest or something, because it's so hard to tell what he's thinking.
She draws in a deep breath. "In case the peace negotiations fail, I would like to see if there's anything we can do together."
"We can discuss this elsewhere," he decides, gesturing for her to follow. Being here mostly defenseless, knowing how downhill things could go is not something she likes, but it will be worth it if they can work something out. If Dooku doesn't turn on her.
They head to his office, and she and he start discussing it. There's many political details involved, some of which Ahsoka's already gone over with Palpatine, but she'll have to go back and forth more. It's more complicated than even she considered, and she's not willing to sign off on anything that may be important to the Republic when she hasn't spoken with Palpatine about it yet.
Her and Dooku won't have many other opportunities to keep discussing this again, though, so they try to come up with something.
Dooku does seem... interested in the deal, she thinks, so that's a start.
It's far from complete, though, and it's been enough hours that Ahsoka knows she needs to be getting back to the others.
"Maybe we can... find a place to meet in the future," she proposes, uncertainly.
"Perhaps. But that will be for you. I have no way of locating you."
Ahsoka nods. "I'll find a way, then, after I speak with the Chancellor. Or maybe this... peace deal will actually go somewhere."
"Perhaps," Dooku agrees, and even though it sounds sincere, something about the way he says gives Ahsoka the distinct feeling that there's something off about this.
Well, she already knows that, but she knows what it would mean if Dooku exposed her here. Not that he'd have anything to gain by that, but it's still a possibility.
So, for all their sakes, she hopes the peace deal with the Republic and the Separatists can actually be settled in the open.
Final Notes: If you want to join our Discord to receive updates or just hang out, here's the invite link, and please delete the spaces! :) discord . gg / nqSxuz2
You can find us on tumblr at fanfictasia (which is our more serious blog which does have controversial posts on it; I won't be offended if you choose to block it, promise), and disastertriowriting (which is our fun blog with crack posts or incorrect SW quotes; we also advertise our SW gift exchanges on there)
And! We have a YT channel for tributes! Please delete the spaces in the link. :D youtube channel / UC_g1M5rSCxJUzQCRS29B6pA
Finally, if you're interested, you can submit a SW gift fic request via the following form (delete the spaces): forms . gle / rmXWtRomMMaULuPa6