THALIA
Thalia sat patiently on the couch, with one leg tucked underneath her as she faced Obi-Wan who was sitting opposite her in a similar position.
"So, I lied earlier." She said, watching the Padawan pull out a small, circular device, no larger than a coin from a brown leather pouch. When she spoke he looked up at her in confusion. "What are midichlorians?"
"They're a microscopic lifeform that resides in all living cells." He began to explain and he gestured for Thalia to hold out her hand. "And we are at symbiance with them. Without midichlorians life could not exist and we would have no knowledge of the force." He continued and held onto her fingers with one hand, and with the other pressed the small device into her palm. She felt I quick sting before Obi-Wan removed the device and pressed his thumb against the incision.
The hand that had gripped her fingers was removed and Thalia noted that her skin felt significantly cooler without his warm hand around hers.
"So, do the Jedi know how many midichlorians they have?" Thalia asked.
"We don't know they exact number, but they give us a range in their thousands." He explained. "For example, someone who isn't force sensitive would have a range of around two thousand, but someone who is force sensitive could be up to ten thousand."
"What's the highest a Jedi's ever had?" Thalia asked as he let go of her palm and inserted the disk into a reader.
"Master Yoda has a count of around eighteen thousand, which is the highest in recorded history." Obi-Wan replied and Thalia nodded, impressed.
Obi-Wan opened his mouth as if to say something, but closed it quickly as his brow furrowed and he stared intently at the screen.
"What is it?" Thalia asked.
"Nothing, I was trying to find the right setting." Obi-Wan replied and Thalia frowned. That was such a lie.
"Thank you for your willingness to do this." He said quickly, getting to his feet and making for the door.
"You can repay me by letting me teach you how to lie properly." She replied and looked over her shoulder at the Padawan who paused in the doorway and glanced at her, before disappearing round the corner.
. . .
"Members of the Senate. Let us begin the vote to determine the Republic's intervention on Troska." Chancellor Velorum addressed the court.
"I move that Troska be protected because of it's weak state of self-defense. It is an important world and must be protected at all costs." One of the Senators from that morning began. "As the Princess stated, there is too much at risk on Troska for it not to be protected." He finished and Thalia decided that now was the time to plead her case.
"Senators, if I may address the Senate." She began, moving her pod out into the middle of the chambers. All eyes were on her, including the Jedi hovering in the doorways. "The best protection for Troska is Troska. As the Senator said, I stated that Troska has too much at risk to be held by either side." She specified.
"The Republic was created to stand up against the Sith because you believed that what they are doing is wrong. How is the case for Troska any different? To discount fighting does not equal weakness. Everyone has the right to choose and it is everyone's right to have their choices heard and respected. Just as the Republic believes, it is our duty to do what is right. Troska will not be a part of the Confederacy. Troska will not become a part of the Republic. We will not be a part of this war!" Thalia finished and there was a moment of silence before the Senate Chambers erupted into applause and roars of support.
"Order! Order. The vote will now commence." The Councilman boomed. "All in favour of occupation?"
"Aye!" Shouts echoed down from the chambers.
"Those not in favour?" He called.
"Nay!" The sound reverberated around the room. There was no doubt about the result.
"The 'nays' have it. Troska will remain a neutral system." The Councilman boomed and the senate applauded.
As the senate disbanded, Thalia wandered out into the hallway, feeling slightly dazed by the experience. She spotted Obi-Wan standing beside Qui-Gonn who was speaking with Master Windu. She caught Obi-Wan's eye and he grinned, which made her beam from ear to ear as well.
"Congratulations, your highness." He said before looking meaningfully at his master.
"Yes, congratulations are definitely in order." Qui-Gonn said. "And I must apologise for the fact that you had to do this in the first place. It was not my intention in bringing you here, to force your hand. The Chancellor seems to have gotten a little… excited." He chose his word carefully.
"Well, since it's now officially in the records, we shouldn't have to do this again any time soon." Thalia replied, grateful for his apology.