Obi-Wan slid open the door to the cockpit and stepped inside quietly, catching the door before it clicked shut. The room was silent except for the occasional beep of the computers. The control was set on autopilot, and the apprentice moved closer to take a look at what the coordinates were set for.

They were set for the platform that the Queen's ship was originally supposed to land on…a couple of days ago. Yes, by now Obi-Wan was sure that the Chancellor, Senator, and the majority of the Senate would be looking for Her Majesty by now. He needed to send a message to the Senator…after he saw his friend, of course.

Moving his gaze to the corner of the room, he saw the sleeping form of Melisandra. His heart went out to his friend, who had led a rough life. Her family was torn apart, she was forced to leave her home on the sixth moon of Yavin, and she was turned away from the Jedi Order even though she showed more potential than the majority of the Jedi (all because she was too old). However, she still held her head high. That was one of the qualities that he admired greatly; that she was still able to make the best out of the situation presented.

"You know, if you want to come in you can…"

He jumped back slightly as she rolled over and faced him. She straightened herself out, massaging out a couple of cramps that had developed over her nap. Her blue eyes met his as he stepped forward. "Come on…sit…" she said, motioning to a chair that was next to her. She got up and went over to the control panel, quickly checking to see if everything was all right. Her friend sat down to where she had indicated.

"We really appreciate what you're doing for us," he said in order to break the silence. "Where were you when you got the message?"

"That's not important," she said while sitting down next to her friend. "It's really no big deal. I don't have any bounties as of right now. It doesn't mean that I won't get notified about some, but as of right now I just have my ship and the open galaxy. Feel free to help yourselves to what's on the ship. I generally don't have that much – just enough for myself and one or two extra people. Everyone's more than welcome to have what they want."

He nodded, making a mental note to pass on the word. "So how have you been since you left Coruscant last time?"

"Surviving. I'm still here."

"It still blows my mind when I realize that you're a bounty hunter. You just don't seem like one. You don't have the mannerisms of one."

"Technically we should not be the type of friends that we are," she said with a sigh. "Bounty hunters are not supposed to be friends with Jedi…and vice versa."

"I know…" She glanced out the window with a wistful look in her eyes. "There are times that I wish that I still had my life on Yavin VI. I don't want to do this for the rest of my life; I know that if something goes wrong, I would never be able to successfully say good-bye to those I care about. I would be on the run for the rest of my life…"

"That's understandable. Sometimes I wonder if Qui-Gon wants to find a reason to get the Jedi after you. He does not see in you what I see in you…"

"I don't know why…" There was a slightly awkward pause.

"Have you sent a message to your people on Coruscant? I would expect them to be concerned about the Queen's safety right now."

"I had better do that before I get tied up. Master told me to do the same thing." He stood up slowly.

"Go do it, then. You can always come and visit me later." With that, she saw her friend smile and then leave the room. She got up and walked over to the pilot's chair, sitting in it and beginning to do some necessary maintenance checks.

About 5 minutes later, she got an incoming call from an unknown location. The signature was scrambled enough to the point that she couldn't figure out where it was from. However, after she pulled it up she realized who it was.

"It can't be…"

"Aye. Meli, it's me. Bane." Indeed it wasa close family friend, Amabane (or Bane for short). He had been forced by her uncle to help in the overthrow of her father…and the removal of her from the succession line.

"How did you get this connection?"

"Meli, I haven't got much time. All will reveal itself in due time. What I need to know now from you is how you would feel if your throne would be restored to you."

"What are you talking about?" She dropped her voice down to a whisper and manipulated the Force enough to make the door to the cockpit lock.

"Your uncle has used his power to just advance his wishes; he has not taken into consideration the well being of the people. There has been talk of a revolution, but it probably could not happen unless we had someone to take the throne if we are successful at removing him."

"And you would like me to be that person…"

"My friend, you deserve this more than anyone. You're a natural born leader. You can do this – I have no doubts in you. If you say that you will take back what is rightfully yours, I will pass the word along to the leaders of this movement. We will not rest until you are on the throne."

The bounty hunter sighed, gazing at the hologram of her longtime friend. "Bane, you have no idea how long I have wanted to hear someone say that. You have no idea."

"So you will do it?"

"Yes," she said nodding. "I will."

A look of happiness swept over his face. "You have no idea how happy you will make the leaders. Meli, we have some insiders in on this too. We are not going to fail."

All of a sudden, she heard a knock from his connection. "Must go." Without waiting for a response, he cut the transmission.

She didn't even think twice about the choice she made; she felt confident that this is what she was meant to do. She turned back to the task that she was doing before the transmission came in. They were due to arrive on Coruscant within the next day and she was going to use this time to make any necessary repairs for her ship; any that were needed at all.