Chapter Four

When night descended upon the planet, a sandstorm began. Course sand hit against the metal outside of the ship, making it dreadful to sleep. However, Everett managed to ignore the noise and fell into a restless sleep.

She sat up in a tree, one leg hanging off the branch while the other was pulled up to her chest. A newscaster was in her hand as she watched the elections closely. It was close between her and Bendar Kitros.

Closing her eyes, she sent a prayer up to the stars. She wanted to succeed, but she also didn't want a life in the public eye. A life spent under the tutelage of Sheev Palpatine.

Cheering came from inside the lake house, and she heard footsteps on the gravel path of the garden.
"Ette!" a cheerful voice called. "You did it! You won!" Her head popped up in surprise and she lost her balance, falling out of the tree.

The one who startled her, caught her, and smiled down at her. She didn't smile back. It wasn't the familiar brown eyes of Gregar. The one who had originally saved her. The one she loved. But these eyes were blue, radiating love.

Before she could say anything, the man before her disappeared, leaving her in the garden. She looked around and screamed as everything started burning, the sky full of smoke. Looking over she saw a woman on the ground unconscious, and she raced to the body.

Rolling the woman over, she blinked rapidly from a mixture of the smoke and of the surprise of the woman. She was pregnant. Everett needed to get her out of here. She looked up at the woman's face and cried out, seeing Padmé.

At the sound of a lightsaber ignition, Everett's head shot up, seeing a tall man, dressed entirely in black armor, His breathing modulated. He reached for her and her feet moved without her permission, dragging her towards him. She tried to scream again, but her voice was cut off when the man wrapped his hand around her throat. He squeezed and Everett started choking, gasping for air.

Everett bolted awake, stumbling out of the bunk she was sharing with Eirtaé. She covered her face in her hands, silent sobs shaking her body. She tried to reason with herself. It was just a dream. Dreams don't become reality.

She moved into the refresher, dressing herself for the day. There was no point in trying to fall back asleep despite the late hour. She stared at her reflection; pale green eyes stared back at her. If only Gregar was here. He would know how to comfort her. What to say to help her calm.

Making her way to the brig, she was surprised to see Obi-Wan wake and fiddling with his lightsaber.
"May I sit here?" she asked quietly. He looked up, nodding his head with a quick jerk.

Sitting across from him, she pulled out her data pad and started looking through everything she would need to know about Coruscant.
"Can't sleep?" Obi-Wan asked. She looked up from her data pad, shaking her head.
"I'm not good at it," she shrugged. "And you?"
"The same, my lady."
"Please, call me Moteé." He met her gaze, and she tried not to flinch at his blue eyes. They seemed oddly similar to the ones in her dream.
"I shall endeavor, my la—Moteé."

He seemed stressed, angered over something. She didn't want to pry… but she couldn't help it. He was several years older than herself, but he too was young.
"Has something upset you?" Obi-Wan shook his head.
"No, just differences of opinions."
"I understand."

The young Jedi seemed relieved that she didn't continue pressing him. He looked across the table at her data pad.
"Might I ask what you're working on?" She flushed slightly, hoping to make him think she was way out of her league with her work.
"I was working with Senator Alvera and the Queen asked me to finish writing something to bring before the Senate."
"I've heard about Senator Alvera, but not much... what can you tell me?"
"She's the youngest to ever be elected to senate," Everett said. "But between you and I, I don't believe she wants to be senator."
"Why not? She did run for election, correct?"

Everett shrugged, feeling vulnerable with question.
"I don't think she did so willingly."
"Ah… family pressure?"
"Possibly," Everett nodded. "But I can't really tell. People liked her though."
"Did you vote for her?"
"I wasn't allowed to vote; I'm meant to stay in the shadows."
"But if you could have?" Everett slowly shook her head.
"Probably not, I would have picked someone more experienced. But Senator Alvera is willing to do what is necessary."

The Jedi gave her a small smile.
"She seems nice." He stood, stretching. "I pray you get some rest, my lady."
"You as well, Kenobi."
He shook his head, "Please, call me Obi-Wan."

When Obi-Wan was gone, Everett slumped in her seat. She had gone too far. She had proved her weaknesses. When he finally learned who she was, he would know that she didn't have trust in herself. What kind of senator didn't have trust in themselves?

I know the doubting self-trend is kinda cliché, but Everett is only fourteen. I haven't met a single fourteen-year-old who has their life together enough to survive on their own, let alone help govern an entire planet. Hope you are enjoying!

-Amy Thorton

All Rights belong to Disney and Lucas Films.