OBI-WAN

The plan was in place. Today was the day Perxeus' accomplice would make his assassination attempt and Thalia was standing out in the open, in the center of the council chambers. She was speaking to her council about new safety measures for the people of Troska and Perxeus was sitting placidly in the front row.

Obi-Wan stood beside his Master next to Thalia's lectern and guards were stationed at each door. He scanned the room continuously, making sure his senses were constantly connected to the force around him.

"Don't rely on the obvious. Use your senses, see if anything's out of place." Qui-Gonn said quietly beside him.

Obi-Wan took a calming breath and closed his eyes. The voices in the chamber room fell away and he searched for any sounds and movement that didn't come from inside.

There was nothing in the room that was out of place. He took a step back and looked at the council chambers as a whole; the floor, the ceiling, the windows…the vents.

Obi-Wan's eyes flew open and looked up at the vents that circulated the entire circumference of the room where the wall met the celling. The vents had long, narrow slits along them and out of one, he spotted the end of a long, thin rifle pointing straight at the Princess.

"There!" Obi-Wan cried and ignited his lightsaber.

The next three seconds seemed to roll out in slow motion. The room fell silent and glared at the Jedi for his interruption. Thalia's voice died and she too glanced in Obi-Wan's direction, her face going white before she followed his gaze.

As soon as her eyes fell on the vents, time sped up again. The gun suddenly recoiled back and he threw out his hand towards Thalia, using the force to try and push her away from the blast.

He wasn't fast enough. She took the full brunt of the blast and was thrown backwards. Obi-Wan looked back at the vents and saw the shadow moving quickly around the room towards an exit he couldn't see.

Before they could disappear, he thrust out his hand and, using the force, dragged the assassin out of the vents.

He crashed to the ground in front of the council, and they screamed, scrambling away as quickly as they could. When the assassin looked up, Obi-Wan got a good look at his face. He had blue skin, large red eyes and had a black, wide brimmed hat strapped to the back of his suit.

"And who are you?" Qui-Gonn asked calmly. That was something his Apprentice never understood about his master. The world could be falling to pieces, yet he remained as calm as if he were looking out over the lakes of Naboo.

"Why don't you ask your Prime Minster?" The assassin said in a raspy voice as Troskan guards filled the room.

The crowd gasped at the sudden accusation; that their Prime Minister could be behind the attack.

Obi-Wan looked up to see Perxeus glance nervously around the room before making a dash for the door. However, he didn't get far before two guards grabbed him by the arms and pushed him to the floor.

"Arrest these men." Qui-Gonn ordered as Obi-Wan saw a doctor run past, towards the lectern where a crowd had gathered around the Princess. The crowd parted for the two Jedi and Obi-Wan crouched down beside Thalia.

She was lying on the ground, a burn mark scorched into her gown below her right shoulder. Even though tears streaked her face, she stayed quiet as a cloth was pressed against her shoulder.

"It's over." He said comfortingly and she managed a small, grateful smile.

"This place is no longer safe." Qui-Gonn said, crossing his arms as he watched the doctor tend to the Princess. Obi-Wan stood and joined him.

"What do suggest we do?" He asked.

"We should leave the planet. Take her somewhere safe." Qui-Gonn replied.

"Where?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I don't know." His master replied.