THALIA

"It grieves me to say it, but these Troskan soldiers have become a significant, deadly threat to the Republic." Chancellor Palpatine began as he addressed the full Republic Senate. "Some in this room are concerned that the Troskan government isn't doing enough to combat this threat, leading to the question of the planet's possible decision to join the Separatists."

"Members of the Senate." Thalia called, moving her pod into the middle of the chambers. "Those who attacked your Republic outpost are a group of extremists. They call themselves Class Five and while they fight for peace, they go about it in a way that does not represent Troska. I recently visited the moon where they are congregating and with the help of General Kenobi and General Skywalker, was able to uncover a plot they aimed to set in motion. We are now in the process of getting them under control. They will not be a threat to either the Separatists or Republic for much longer, I can assure you."

"And what is this plot?" A senator asked, his pod sliding into Thalia's peripheral vision. She recognised him as Senator Dichi.

"A plot to overthrow the Troskan government and gain control of the council of neutral systems." Thalia replied, deciding not to mention the Separatists involvement if she could avoid it.

"If they are merely a splinter group, how could they have the power to do such a thing?" Dichi countered. Thalia paused. What would they say if she told them about Dooku's aid? She didn't feel prepared to counter all the accusations that would surely be thrown her way. She didn't have the answers because she herself didn't know. It had only been thirty-six hours since they'd left Helwater and that wasn't nearly enough time for Thalia to come up with reassuring answering to every possible question.

"Perhaps, the Republic needs to get involved, seeing as Troska can barely handle a group of extremists." Dichi said slyly, taking Thalia's pause as a reluctance to admit to Troska's inadequacy.

"Class Five is our responsibility, and we will deal with them accordingly." She replied steadily.

"Well, my dear, clearly you can't handle it." Another voice came from her other side and a long-necked Kaminoan loomed into view. "A Republic occupation, just to get this group under control, could be just what your government needs to get moving. After all, it was a Republic outpost that was attacked, which makes it Republic business just as much as it does yours."

"Troska has a fine army, and we are more than capable of handling our threats ourselves. If the Republic gets involved the Separatists will see it as a move against them. There cannot be war on Troska, not if you don't want your own war prolonged for years to come."

"You think you hold the balance of the universe in your hands because of those crystals, don't you?" The Kaminoan asked, disgust dripping from every word. A murmur rippled through the Senate, it seemed many of them agreed with the Senator's suggestion.

"Do I not?" Thalia spat, but only loudly enough for the senator to hear.

"Senators, I call for a vote for a Republic occupation on Troska." The Kaminoan cried over the muttering crowd. At her announcement, the mutters turned into cries of support.

"It is illegal. Without the approval of the Troskan government, your occupation will be an invasion, an act of war." Thalia declared above the shouts.

"Then go and join your Separatists." Senator Dichi said slyly as the Senate roared.

"Unfortunately, your highness. It's up to the Senate to decide." Chancellor Palpatine said, and Thalia shook her head in disbelief. They couldn't do this. Surely, they wouldn't! "The vote will commence in tomorrow's session."

As the rest of the Senate began moving their pods back into their docks, Thalia glowered at Chancellor Palpatine. He was muttering something to Mas Ammeda who was eyeing the retreating back of Senator Dichi. As his small eyes floated around the room, they landed on Thalia watching them closely.

Mas Ammeda said something quickly to Palpatine, who immediately looked over his shoulder to meet Thalia's gaze. After a pause, the Chancellor raised his hands in a sympathetic gesture and offered a small smile. Something in the force shifted then. Palpatine's mouth may have been smiling but his eyes certainly were not. There was something sinister in them, which Thalia had a feeling went far beyond the occupation of Troska. Without so much as returning the smile, she turned her pod and made her way out of the Senate Chambers, trying to shake the ominous feeling that had settled over her.

"Thalia!" A shout came from ahead of her as she walked into the wide, round corridor.

Waiting by the opposite wall was Padme Amidala. She was wearing a floor-length, purple robe and her hair was pulled back into an elaborate cone entwined with gold. She looked so much older than the Queen she'd met fifteen years ago. Padme had only been eighteen, six years younger than Thalia, but they shared an unbreakable bond that had lasted all these years. Thalia had only seen her a few times since the war had begun, but it was always like no time had passed between them.

"Padme!" Thalia grinned, hurrying over to her friend to embrace her. "It's so good to see you."

"Likewise." Padme smiled, but it soon faltered. "Are you alright? I'm sorry for what happened in there."

"I…just…don't understand how people can confuse forced occupation with offered help. They have no right to come anywhere near Troska." Thalia sighed, her hands falling from Padme's shoulders to hang limply at her sides.

"Don't give up, Thalia." Padme assured her. "We'll work something out. This isn't the first time I've argued down the entire Senate."

"I do not find than hard to believe." Thalia smiled gratefully. Having a friend who understood the workings of politics would be something Thalia would never take for granted.

As Padme smiled at her friend, her gaze drifted past the Queen and her smiled grew.

"Master Kenobi." She greeted, and Thalia turned to see Obi-Wan hovering a respectful distance from the pair. He was wearing a clean set of robes after their adventures on Helwater, and the long sleeves of his sweeping, brown cloak was neatly folded across his chest.

"Senator, Your Highness. I do hope I'm not interrupting." He said in his perfectly polite, Obi-Wan way.

"Not at all." Padme smiled and then glanced sideways at Thalia. "I'm sure you didn't come all this way to speak to me. Thalia, why don't you come round tonight. We'll work out what to do, I promise."

Obi-Wan waited until Padme had said her farewells before approaching Thalia, who had her hands clasped in front of her. She watched his expression change from one of pleasant smiles to sharp concern, his eyebrows pinching together.

"Thalia, I watched the Senate meeting." He began and Thalia's expression crumbled with disappointment.

"They can't do that." She stated simply. "If they do, it will be an invasion."

"Thalia…" Obi-Wan sighed but she didn't even let him begin the next word.

"No, I'm sorry. There is no universe where any of this is legal." Thalia fired, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. "I won't have it."

"I understand." Obi-Wan said, raising a hand to stop Thalia's tirade of accusations. He sighed deeply before bringing his hand up to rub across his heard. "I'm…on your side." He finally said.

He was about to say more when a group of senators strolled past them, and he seemed to think twice about voicing his thought in public. He gestured for them to move further down the corridor and placed his hand on Thalia's back, gently pushing her forwards to walk with him. When she fell into step beside him, his hand fell away and together, they walked in silence until they came upon a small alcove and again, Obi-Wan directed Thalia into the small space.

"I'm on your side, Thalia." He said again in a voice, barely above a whisper. "The Chancellor should never have allowed the senate to fall to rancour so easily. There have been other, recent instances where Palpatine has made questionable decisions."

"Is this the Jedi Council speaking or you?" Thalia asked warrily, worried that Obi-Wan was on the verge of saying something he'd later regret.

"Both." He replied without a moment's hesitation. "Thalia, the Chancellor was wrong." His eyes darted between the two of hers almost frantically. There was clearly something on his mind that he was wrestling with.

"Obi-Wan." Thalia said softly, placing a comforting hand on his arm, just above his elbow. Her fingers wrapped around his bicep and squeezed slightly in an attempt to reassure him. "What is it?"

"Why didn't you tell the senate that Class Five was backed by the separatists?" He asked.

Thalia stepped back in surprise, but her heal caught the wall behind her, stopping her suddenly. She frowned at his question. That was not what was gnawing at him.

"After how quickly they jumped down my throat do you really think mentioning the Separatist's involvement would have acted in my favour?" She asked, thinking that her answer really should've gone without saying. "They'll only say I was withholding evidence and protecting the Separatist alliance."

"That's a very interesting piece of information." A voice said from out in the corridor and Thalia's head whipped sideways to see Senator Dichi leaning against the far wall, innocently inspecting one of his fingernails.

"I wonder what the senate would have to say if they knew what I now know." He said in his slimy voice.

Thalia clenched her teeth together, not trusting herself to speak. With the best scowl she could muster, she brushed past Obi-Wan and cast a furious glare at the Senator before marching down the corridor.

"You should be careful, Master Jedi." She heard him say to Obi-Wan behind her. "Conspiring with enemies of the Republic could be seen as…detrimental to the Jedi Council."

If Obi-Wan replied, she didn't hear him.