"Breaking news on Coruscant: Assassination Attempt on the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic!
Earlier this aftenoon, a unnamed bounty hunter attempted a murder on the esteemed Chancellor of our Galactic Republic. A missile was launched form the assilant directly outside the office of the Chancellors, confirmed to have been using a jetpack at the time, enfulging the room in flames. Thankfully, the Chancellor was in session with Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, who with his unnatural reflexes saved the Chancellor in time. And Senate security arrived to vacate the Chancellor and escort him to safety. Unfortuenately, the missile claimed the life of controversial Gungan, Representative Binks.
Security surround the Senate and Coruscant has increased by a significant percentage ever since the assassination attempt. An interview with neither Supreme Chancellor nor Jedi Knight Kenobi was possible. But Jedi Master Mace Windu, who arrived on the scene of the incident, had this to comment:
"These are trying times within the Republic. This attempted assassination proved that not everyone is satisfied with the progressive results the Senate is taking to ensure peace and prosperity to the galaxy at large. Rest assured, we shall find the Chancellor's attempted assilant and bring him to justice."
And we hold you to that, Master Jedi.
Coming next: The recent uprisings in the Mid Rim. A passing occurance, or perhaps a coincidence to this recent attack against our Republic?"
"We cannot assume this is a coincidence towards the signs of rebellion within the Mid Rim without circumstancial proof," Mace Windu said sternly towards his fellow councilors, "The galaxy has been at unrest ever since the Battle of Naboo."
Immediately after checking the state of the Chancellor and Knight Kenobi, Mace and Yoda issued an emergency council meeting to debate this sudden assassination attempt. Palpatine had returned to his apartment at 500 Republica, while Kenobi had just exited the chambers after giving out his report on the attack.
Jedi Master Plo Koon spoke next, contemplatively, "This attempt on the Chancellor informs us of many things. That someone would go so far without subtlety speaks volumes." The council nodded in agreement. Typically, more time to their liking, assassins would be more careful to attempt killing the supreme leader of the Republic. "Whoever wanted the Chancellor dead by this method, it almost speaks of an act of war."
Silence. Followed by a particular small Jedi humming thoughtfully, "Hmm... Troubling, this is." Master Yoda gazed around the stone and serious faces, his tone somber, "Find this attacker, we must. Question him, a priority, it is."
"I agree." Jedi Master Adi Gallia replied, leaning back against her seat coolly, "Whoever hired the Chancellor's assilant desired his death loudly and publicy. A message, perhaps, to the Republic that not even its leader is safe? Capturing this assassin might provide us with answers."
"Do we have any leads?" The Jedi Master, Kit Fisto, inquired next.
It was Saesee Tiin who answered the Nautolan, "Knight Kenobi provided a rather vague description; the attack fled just after launching the missile, but he was coated in silver armour. So we have a start there."
"But who should we assign to this mission?" Shaak Ti, the Togruta Jedi Master, asked, glancing around, "Many have departed to deal with the uprisings occuring in the Mid Rim."
Mace thought for a moment. Who indeed? The temple was scarce enough as is. This recent attacks against the Republic had been responded with many Jedi travelling outside Coruscant to quell the uprisings.
"Hmhmhmhmhmhm..." Many heads turned towards the chuckling of Master Yoda, who smiled vaguely, "An obvious answer, that should be, hmm? Two Jedi here, capable of investigating this crisis, we have."
"And who might they be, Master Yoda?" Plo Koon asked, yet the Korun already suspected the answer.
"Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his pupil, we shall send."
Of course.
But before Mace could express the flaws of that idea, it was Saesee Tiin who responded in agreement, "Yes, the Maverick and his unorthodox Padawan could fit into the Coruscant underworld without attracting too much attention, should the young boy be ready by now for such a dangerous mission."
"But it is not without risk," Shaak Ti pointed out calmly, "They still attract unwanted attention by their unusual behaviour. They act the least Jedi of the whole Order."
Kit Fisto grinned, "All the more reason to send them." He replied rather cheerfully, "The less Jedi-like, the better no? It'll make things more easier for them to seek out our assilant and deliver him to justice."
"Master Fisto brings a valid point," Plo Koon responded, steepling his fingers together, "Is the council in agreement."
At over half the room's occpants nods, Mace refrained from sighing, "Very well. We shall assign this mission to Master Jinn and Padawan Skywalker." Despite his own unnerved thoughts on the matter. Not that he didn't trust Qui-Gon, but the Jedi can use unorthodox tactics that could potentially make the Jedi reputation in the underworld worse than it already was.
"And what of the Chancellor's recent request to speak with Knight Kenobi?" Adi Gallia inquired, "Are we to approve that?"
"I do not see why not," Master Ki-Adi-Mundu said, "He most likely simply wishes to express gratitude to the Jedi who saved his life."
And yet, why in the name of the Force did Mace feel a shiver down his spine upon hearing that...?
It had been too long since she dreamed...
Her life so far had been nothing but hardships, and eventually pain and agony, so to sleep in content was an almost alien sensation to her; a thing she experienced so long ago. Long before the tortures. Long before the mission she snuck herself to participate in to please her master and the accursed Council. Long before Galidraan.
Galidraan...
...Dooku!
And just like that, the content dreams vanished, eyes popping open in shock and anger towards the man who was solely responsible for her endless pain. And now the cause for her imprisonment here, on Serenno no doubt. Oh yes, Komari knew all about her former teacher's departure from the Jedi, and good riddance, she had first thought.
But now, perhaps he should've stayed, and saved himself from her revenge much sooner.
"You're awake."
A woman's voice.
With a snarl, Komari whipped her head around on the bed to yell at her captor... Before snapping it shut at the kind warm eyes regarding her back, a woman she had never seen before, smiling gently and was addressing to the Dark Jedi's wounds. But Komari was no fool, even she could see the pain reflected in those soft brown eyes, gained from years of hardship herself.
Perhaps much more than her own...
"Please try not to move too much," The kind older woman said softly, applying the wet cloth to one of her old scars.
Not that I have much of a choice, Komari thought bitterly, tugging at the Force inhibitors binding her arms and legs to the bed. Of course, her old master would leave nothing to chance. Not that it'll save him. When she gets the chance she'll-
"I've seen that look before."
Komari's head snapped back towards the woman, "What?" She asked blankly, wondering where this lower lifeform was going with this pointless attempt for conversation.
With a soft smile, her medic continued, as if recalling something while wiping away the wounds. Komari barely flinched at the personal touch. "My son would always have that look of anger and frustration whenever Watto had demanded too much of him. Ani had such a hard life... I'm happy he has found a better purpose than slavery."
Slavery...?
The Dark Jedi frowned, "Who are you?" She demanded, and the aged woman met her stare with clear kind eyes, and Komari forced herself not to look away at such light staring into her own cold cruel orbs.
The older woman then smiled, "My name is Shmi Skywalker. What is yours?"
Dooku didn't tell her...?
"Your worst nightmare," Korami simply responded menacingly, taking advantage of this woman's poor ignorance. But she barely batted an eye, nodding before continuing tending to the wounds, to the former Jedi's slight irritation. "You're a slave then."
A statement, not a question.
But Skywalker only nodded, focusing on the wound, "Or was, I suppose. Count Dooku offered me employment, away from the previous life I have grown so use to. I am blessed." Komari snorted. Oh yes, blessed. An emotion the young woman had never experienced in her whole life, only once; when her master had chosen her as a Padawan.
But that was so long ago...
"Anger won't solve anything."
What? Cold eyes focused on Skywalker, who remained unfazed, smiling gently with a kind almost lecturing tone, "Cruelty and anger won't help you throughout life. Facing hardships can only be repelled by the caring you give in return, and the love you share."
Those eyes... Staring at her with such kindness and warmth. Like a mother regaridng a child fondly. And Komari couldn't stop herself looking away this time, having not felt so vulnerable since the Bando Gora took her. And...
But before she could respond or this kind woman could continue, the sound of the door to the medbay opened, prompting their gazes to look over. And what came in filled the leader of the Bando Gora wil disgust and hatred.
Yet, to her annoyance, Dooku only regarded her back casually, before addressing the slave, "Thank you, Miss Skywalker. I must speak with Komari here alone, if you would."
Nodding, the older woman packed up her things, smiling gently again at the trapped Dark Jedi, "I'll see you later, Komari."
As if either had the right to address her like that!
Dooku watched Skywalker depart, waiting for the door to close before looking back, appraising his hostage, "She has tended to you well, I see."
"I wasn't aware you bought slaves now, 'Master.'" Komari retorted, hoping to get a reaction out of the man she despised the most.
But he barely flinched, keeping that cool facade he worn even as her teacher, "Miss Skywalker is hardly a slave, my former pupil. Not anymore. But that is not what we're discussing today."
"I have nothing to say to you," The Dark Jedi spat, contempt leaking from her burning eyes and vemonous voice, "Other than my endless hatred for you. For what you did to me."
Dooku only smiled, "You always were quick to blame others. I see that hasn't changed." Yet before she could retort, the Count took a seat beside her bed, shaking his head calmly, "I admit, allowing you to be captured by the Bando Gora like that, I had blamed myself upon learning of it, long ago. Perhaps I still do... But intend to rectify that mistake, here and now."
Oh did he now?
"The only possible way to accomplish as such, Master, is to finish me while I'm trapped like this, here and now." Komari smiled crudely.
But Dooku only frowned, speaking in that tone the Dark Jedi recognized from her days as a student of the Force, "Do not forget, Komari, you swore your alligence to me after I had bested you on the moon of Bogden. We reached an agreement, and I shall see to it you honour your end of the bargain."
The woman only scowled, "And why should I trust you?"
"Because believe me when I say I have your best interests at heart." Komari snorted, and Dooku simply shrugged, "Believe what you wish. But I do truly regret what happened to you, and I know you might never forgive me for allowing this pain - this injustice - done to you. But this time, I will not let it conclude poorly again."
This time...?
"We face a threat greater than anything the galaxy has witnessed before, my young pupil," Dooku gestured rather dramatically, and Komari refrained from grinning at the gesture. He was always one for theatrics. "And I need your help, along with your underworld assets."
Seeing as how she had no choice...
"What do you require of me...?" Komari then asked coldly, daring the Count to ask too much of her.
But he only grinned lightly, "For now, a simple chat. We have much catching up to do, my old Padawan."