A/N: I really feel to be in a good flow right now, but I cannot bank on it: I ought to be consistent. So, two things related to Eriadu. A lot is my own original setting and background. There wasn't any monarchy in Eriadu in canon, as far as I can remember, at least not in recent generations. So there is a slight modification to add flavour to setting for this plot. Secondly, the names in canon of people from Eriadu are quite anglicised such as 'Wilhuff Tarkin', but I have decided to give them these unique names. I'm not sure which real world culture they come close to; that's an interesting research I might do.
Sereveten Voax, very hurriedly, almost sprinted through the forest towards the only monarchical fortress.
I should not have done this, he thought. I should have come absolutely alone. I should not have brought people. But deep down, Councillor Voax knew that he may not be able to get back his daughter through talk and negotiation. Therefore, I have brought mercenaries. I needed to have options.
"Councillor, Sir!" Said an un-uniformed mercenary. These were officers personally loyal to him; Voax did not trust the corrupt City Watch.
As if chiding a disobedient and reckless child, the officer said, "Are you of your mind, sir? You cannot be rushing into an enemy camp like this. You have brought us for a reason. Be careful!"
Voax did not even absorb this. His mind was filled with both anxiety and terror. The calm and collected politician, who would give to his planet and the galaxy an aura of professional and seasoned diplomacy had one weakness: Nara, his only daughter and his only child. I will get her back, he thought. The terror came from the reality of the political change… where the home planet seemed to be ebbing away from the hands of liberty and democracy: the values he had fiercely established within the post monarchical planet and advocated at the galaxy at all. The terror was that the changed planet would make holding his child to safety difficult. And the terror was rational.
Voax and four mercenaries had reached to an opening of the forest where they could spot the fortress.
However, they found themselves at gunpoint.
"Drop your weapons, immediately!" said the head-mercenary, Temas.
"You drop yours!" was the threatening response he got; the threat would very well be substantiated.
"Wait!" A large protruding man rushed through the band. "It's Councillor Voax!" Jor said enthusiastically.
The blasters were lowered immediately. The mercenaries however did not yet lower their own.
"Councillor," said another man. "We're trying to rescue you daughter. We've sent our best team forward into the caste."
Voax took this in. She can be saved, he thought, jubilantly
But what if these fighters engage in a battle and they do not win? What would happen to Nara then? His anxiety returned.
His worry was answered. Jor said, "Do not worry, Councillor. The two fighters we sent are invincible." They did not disclose the premise behind the assurance: that Ahsoka and Anakin were Jedi.
"Councillor Voax." Temas said serenely. "We must infiltrate ourselves."
"No! No!" Voax exclaimed. "I will talk to the Sons of the Chancellor cultists… Tas Alav… if it is a ransom, I will pay. I should not have brought you."
"This isn't a ransom, sir," Temas replied. "This is a trap to eliminate you and your political position. Our only chance is a swift tactical strike to extract the child and neutralise the aggressors."
"No." Said Voax, finally finding his determination, and stressing authority as much as he could. "This group has already sent a team inside. I will go, unarmed, to talk to Alav myself."
The mercenary considered this. "Then, I, alone will go with you and I will be armed. I will not take no for an answer, sir."