Chapter Ten: Misgivings
The journey to Onderon took a little over a week, even though it was in Inner Rim. They kept having to hyper-jump away from Separatists blockades constantly, only to decide to abandon the cruiser for a shuttle.
Cody couldn't say he felt comfortable taking the place of what he knew was supposed to be his general's - or...Master Kenobi now. Obi-Wan. Something.
Obi-Wan isn't here now, he thought, gripping the handles of the transport. His fingers ached from how tight he was holding it and he had a bit of a headache from how hard he was grinding his teeth.
Commander Tano was holding a datapad while they entered the tumultuous atmosphere, pressing herself against Rex while she squinted at the screen. Rex gave an affectionate eye-roll, though he stood his ground while the transport jostled and the clones around them made sure they were heading towards the landing zone.
General Skywalker glanced over, a small frown on his young face. "Hey Snips - we're gonna have to jump soon, you should put that away."
"Mmm hmm, yep."
"Ahsoka."
Commander Tano rolled her eyes, glancing up from the datapad and grinning, her carnivores gleaming in the dim light of the transport. Moving carefully enough to shove the datapad in Rex's supply bag, she exclaimed: "I was reading The Mando'a Media - Master Kenobi proposed to the Duchess Kryze. It's all over the tabloids. Rex - ya owe me twenty credits."
"Damn it."
The doors to the transport whooshed open, the humid air of Onderon's jungle hitting everyone. Sweat ran down Cody's back, but he wasn't sure what it was from. He swallowed hard, glancing away from while everyone began to talk over each other, excited for their former general.
Damn you Obi-Wan Kenobi.
One of his brothers - the pilot - cut through the chatter. "Coming up on the dropzone - this is Valkyrie 2929. We're coming up on the drop zone."
Everyone quieted, his team preparing to jump.
The planet surface was full of of trees. Cody steeled himself while the transport swung low. He knew the transport had to leave the planet fast - Separatists would be on their tail.
The hatch opened wider.
"Go Go Go Go!"
Rex was the first to take off, using his jetpack. His superiors were next, cloaks billowing out while they landed. He followed at a slightly slower rate, careful to be quiet.
It didn't take a Force sensitive being to know they were being watched.
In the dim light General Skywalker caught his eye and signed You take trees, I'll scout.
Cody gave a salute, easily swinging into a tree. He ignored the brief pat on the shoulder his brother gave when he passed by, focusing on moving through the trees.
There was a crunch in the jungle underfoot, far louder than what they had been hearing. Cody held up a hand, causing his brother and the commander to halt their movements in the trees.
General Skywalker stood still, his hand brushing near his lightsaber.
Out of the shadows, a woman on a Dalgo emerged. She looked fierce, but terribly, terribly young. "Stay where you are."
More foliage crunched. Dalgos surrounded the general from all sides. He really hoped these were friendly people. He didn't have the energy to kill right now.
General Skywalker lowered his hood, raising his hands in peace. "It's all right. We're friends."
"Jedi," the woman murmured.
Commander Tano droppped from the tree, straightening while she pulled back her hood. "I'm Commander Tano. We're here to help you take back your planet."
Relaxing, Cody glanced at his brother that was a few trees away and and they jumped to the forest floor, landing behind their general.
"My name is Steela," the woman on the Dalgo said. "I'll guide you to our secret base."
Marches were not something Cody was fond of, though this one was made easier by his brother beside him. They hung back, letting the Jedi talk among themselves. Onderon was beautiful, he had to admit that. If Bly was here he'd probably be taking pictures and getting picked on by General Secura.
The Dalgos were surrounded them, being led by their rebel owners.
Rex gave him a nudge when he overheard the rebels saying something about sending a rider ahead to warn the camp. His gaze was soft and sympathetic. "You doing okay?"
"Fine - why wouldn't I be?"
An eyebrow was raised at him. "How often have you and Kenobi fallen into bed to - "
"People are allowed to move on Rex."
Rex furrowed his brow, but before he could say anything the small party stilled. For a moment there was absolute silence until bushes were pushed aside...and then they stepped into the camp.
It wasn't a bad camp...but he'd seen better. Better hospital tents, better living places, cleaner and less gaunt faces. The buildings that were around them were like broken, crumbling monasteries. He wondered how long they had been destroyed.
The rebels pushed ahead of them, talking among themselves. Cody picked up the pace to speak to General Skywalker. "A bit rough around the edges, wouldn't you say sir?"
"That's why I brought Rex here."
Rex gave a shrug, glancing around. "They're not exactly what I would call shinies, sir, but I could work with them."
Then what's my purpose?
There was a shadow above him and the flapping of wings. He stood still, watching a man coax some creature to land.
The young man dismounted the creature swiftly, approaching their party. This person nearly beat Skywalker with his sad eyes and premature crowsfeet. "General Skywalker."
General Skywalker bowed. "At your service. This is Marshal Commander Cody, Commander Tano, and Captain Rex."
"We're looking forward to taking the fight to those scrappin' droids."
"Saw. Saw Gerrera."
Steela punched his arm. "He fashions himself as our leader though no one elected him."
General Skywalker folded his arms together. "Well, for now, we're in charge and...there is much to learn.
Satine could feel his eyes on her the entire time they were sitting down to dinner. She kept her body perfectly poised, the perfect guest of the governor of the Shukut moon. To the governor, she was dressed immodestly, by traditional standards. The neckline of her maroon dress was far to deep, showing enough of her cleavage to entice Obi-Wan. There was a slit in her dress, which was invisible until he helped her sit down. Nearly all of her leg and thigh was revealed, which made him swallow hard and sit in his own seat rather heavily.
Smirking, she tucked a heeled foot into his trouser leg and turned to shake her head at the server. The strains of pearls in her headpiece - a simple bun holder - clinked merrily. "No wine for me, thank you - or my fiancé."
Governor Orestes frowned, sitting down in his seat at the head of the table. He was a stout, black-haired man with an equally impressive beard, prone to switching alliances as often as he switched his clothes. Some figured it was because he was born with no claim to a clan and somehow became a governor through willpower and bribery.
"No wine Your Grace? Out of everything in your reputation you now deny your love of drink?"
Korkie - now old enough for wine - snorted into his goblet. He recovered himself quickly, though he did earn a look from her.
"Oh, do not blame her." Obi-Wan managed to keep his voice level while she ran a foot up and down his shin. This was the third moon they had been on today - he was a little surprised she was hinting what to do with their evening once they retired to the quarters they were given on Shutkut. "I am unfortunately predisposed with liver trouble. She is only not drinking to support me."
And because wine is something that is frowned upon when you're trying to get knocked up, Satine thought while she flashed an endearing smile at her fiancé before turning to the Governor. "Sir, I must again applaud what you have done with the agriculture here on Shutkut. The fields are beautiful, even those struggling. Knowing that the next generation will again experience the beauty of our system makes me so happy. It was so torn up during our fathers' war, if I may be a bit metaphorical."
Orestes gave an almost bashful smile, his rings clinking against his goblet when he picked it up. "Hopefully the next generation will not experience two horrific wars back to back and your children will enjoy it."
Satine gave a light laugh, one that was reserved for politicians. "Oh, don't scare my fiancé too much. Children are a ways away - focusing on strengthening Mandalore through our union will be enough of a responsibility for now."
Obi-Wan ran a hand underneath her dress, fingers resting on the inside of her thigh. She nudged him with her foot, only getting the smallest of smirks.
"Shame your generation, Prince Korkie, has had to endure the second war. It should have been easily remedied by now."
Satine watched her fiancé's shoulders tense, though it was only noticeable to her. She only glanced away when a servant droid offered pine-nut juice and gestured to hers and Obi-Wan's glasses.
Obi-Wan gave a small cough, directing the attention away from the prince. "Perhaps. But perhaps the Clone Wars is more than a war about differing ideologies."
"Isn't that all war is?" Orestes asked, leaning on the quilted tablecloth. "You point of view certainly is intriguing, Master Jedi. Could you elaborate, as someone who has been on the front lines?"
Satine kicked him in the shin, keeping her face neutral. She knew this could end badly - this was the first time the past four days someone had truly been attempting to start an argument with Obi-Wan.
"Certainly, Governor, though I will keep it short." Obi-Wan gave a wide smile, taking his hand from where it had been settled on her thigh and rolling the sleeves of his tunic upwards and revealing a few of his many scars while he spoke. Only one of his tattoos was just visible, poking out from the sleeves. "The Clone Wars represents a failure to listen. Those in the Republic failed to listen to the planets that did not take their concerns seriously, and the Confederation was formed in its place."
"A shame a war had to break out instead of negotiations being able to take place - ah, here comes dinner."
"Well negotiations for peace have been attempted, as you well know." Obi-Wan didn't react when a salad was placed before him. "They have failed - but a sue for peace has not been attempted by either sides - perhaps we all have a bit of Mandalorian in us?"
"Meaning?" Orestes asked, raising his eyebrows.
Satine prayed that her fiancé wouldn't say anything to terribly stupid, glancing at her amused nephew to keep a neutral face. The doors of the chandelier filled dining hall opened, revealing several servants with more platters of food.
"Well - we Jedi are a bit stubborn and protective of those we love for our own good. That we learned from the Mandalorians."
Orestes laughed and picked up his fork, about to dig into his salad. "It makes a person wonder why peace has not been able to be reached. It'd be so much simpler if the Republic could reunite and the rest of us in our small systems could stop experiencing their recession."
"Perhaps the Galaxy does not need one or two government governing every planet?" Korkie did not flinch when everyone glanced at him. He took a swig of his goblet before shrugging. "What? Statistically, one government ruling over thousands does not give voice to everyone. It's not possible."
"Are you suggesting the Separatists are right in waging war?" Obi-Wan asked, raising his eyebrows. "I have buried too many comrades to believe that is true."
"They shouldn't have waged war, Obi-Wan - but they should have at least been allowed to leave legally. Even among the Neutral Systems we have the option to leave without penalty - and our government, so to speak, is only to regulate trade and hyper-space lanes among us and other governments. Nothing more. I highly doubt my aunt would be so cruel to allow a war to break out because someone wanted to leave our organization."
The dining hall was silent save for the sounds of birds chirping outside and the rustle of leaves against the large windows.
"Well you certainly chose well with your heir Duchess," Orestes murmured when the silence became too much. "Your Highness, I was much surprised how you handled Ser Fett and his request to use arms against Death Watch when Her Grace was in the hospital."
"One can only use so much negotiation with clans like the Fett's." Korkie managed to keep his tone even while he held his fork full of leaves slightly above the bowl, waiting to take a bite. "But thank you. It was an honor to serve, even if it was for a few weeks."
Satine did not hide her proud smile, though to her fiancé could most definitely see the spark of sadness in her eyes. "I couldn't ask for anyone better - I'm glad I'm not the only one that agrees."
"I hope you are recovered from whatever ailed you Duchess - it was rather alarming, hearing you were in the hospital. That has not happened in quite some time."
Satine nodded, feeling her fiance's hand on her thigh. "Thank you Governor - it's never pleasant to be indisposed in any way. But I am sentient being just like everyone else - things happen, good and bad."
Orestes smiled, raising his glass. "Well even though the meal has already started - good wishes to you both. I wish your marriage well."
Out of the corner of her eye, Satine saw her nephew roll his eyes while he raised his goblet to his lips.
Satine retired to their apartments before he did - he had been feeling restless from the lack of training, and had gone for a walk around the grounds. It was a small but comfortable, like a studio flat more than an actual apartment. She ran a hand over the couch, smiling at the velvet feel while glancing around. The moon of Shutkut wasn't known for much, but it was known for their love of painting.
She spun around, looking at the several dozen paintings. The painting of what the Mandalorian system looked like from space was probably her favorite, hanging above the bed. Walking forward, she folded her arms about herself and studied it. She wondered if she had been to every moon in her system…or if everyone was okay.
The ache in her to know that her people were okay, fed, safe, educated, content...it was almost too much. She was to much of a realist to believe that everyone was content, that everyone had food on the table or could pay rent every month.
She would give away her personal fortune every month to pay for the injustices her people suffered, to make sure sects like Death Watch didn't gain even more of a hold, promising a wealth and future she knew they couldn't provide for their people.
But of course the Galaxy demanded she look a certain way…
"Stupid patriarchy," she muttered. "If I had my way I'd only wear the same ten things."
Shaking her head, she was reminded she was still wearing her headpiece and all the cosmetics she had painted on her face earlier. The 'fresher was a few paces from the bed, and she nearly tripped over their chest of belongings that had been brought from the Coronet.
It was a methodical routine she had when visiting a planet - unpin her hair and put it in a braid, take her cosmetics off and apply a moisturizer, and then finally shed whatever God awful contraption she had forced herself to wear that evening.
"What would happen if I just wore sweatpants and a baggy shirt to court?" she muttered while pulling the heels off and kicking them beside the chest. She opened it, easily locating her sleepwear and putting it on the bed. After a moment of searching she found Obi-Wan's and put it on the bed as well.
It didn't take her long to wipe the cosmetics off and undo her hair - she always packed light, even with her fiancé's extra clothes. Obi-Wan packed light too. If it was up to him, he would be wearing his Jedi robes and only his Jedi robes. She began to hum a tune while she moved about, something from her days from singing and thinking she was gonna be a pop singer or in a troupe, not the Duchess of Mandalore.
She smirked into the mirror when she dropped the last towelette into the wastebin, looking herself in the mirror. It wasn't often she looked at herself in the mirror - if she did, she'd usually start dissociating and eventually spiraling into a panic attack about how much she hated herself and her body and deny it breakfast the next morning - or vomit it up.
Shaking her head, she quickly wound her hair into a braid and left the 'fresher - only to realize that Obi-Wan was rummaging in the chest, probably for a change of clothes. He had shed all but his boxers, and looked quite cute with his disheveled hair. For a moment she let her eyes rove over him, from the tattoos on his arms to the scars on his chest and arms. An area below his left elbow was a little pink, and she realized there was a new tattoo there: a purple butterfly the size of a Republic credit. She wondered when he had slipped out to have it inked on - probably on one of their days touring.
"Ben."
He glanced up, eyes trailing a little over the dress before meeting her eyes. With a laugh she gestured at the bed, where his lounge clothes were laid out beside hers. A scarlet blush went across his cheeks.
"Thanks," he mumbled while reaching for them before stopping. "...or instead of getting ready for bed..."
Satine rolled her eyes as he grinned, debating whether to crawl over to him on the bed like in a cheesy Holo movie before walking to him and turning around. "You need to undo the bodice."
"There a bra under this?" Obi-Wan muttered while he pushed her braid aside and began to undo the laces of the bodice. She hummed in response, only to be tugged closer and feel his lips against her neck. The scratch of his beard was pleasant - she found she had missed it after the Festival of Light.
A few moments later, and she could feel the strings of the bodice be pulled out of the holes. A soft breath left her while Obi-Wan pushed the sleeves of the dress down her arms, then tugged her closer when the dress fell into a puddle on the floor, pressing her back into his front, hands smoothing over her breasts and down her sides.
"I have wanted to take that dress off all evening," he whispered while using two fingers to pull her lingerie down. When it hit the floor she kicked them away, along with her gown.
Satine reached behind and twined her fingers into his hair, rolling her head back against his chest while he reached between her legs. "I wonder what would happen if you fucked me on my throne."
A deep rumble left him, and his teeth scraped a new spot on her neck. "We should leave the public sex alone until your people like me."
"Mmm - gods right - " Had he not been supporting her while they stood, she probably would have collapsed. She was nowhere near an orgasm, but his fingers felt good. Twisting his hair tighter in her fingers, she pulled his mouth roughly to hers. "You should let me return the favor," she mumbled against his lips.
"I'm supposed to be the one impregnating you - and my pleasure is nothing compared to yours." A laugh left him while she shoved him gently, gently moving his fingers away and not-so-discreetly wiped them on his boxers.
"Pants off and on the bed hotshot." Satine giggled while he gave a salute and divulged the boxers, tugging her down ontop of him while he laid on his back. She took a moment to adjust herself, earning a groan while his head fell back into the pillows at the feel of her and he reflexively took hold of her hips.
Author's note: I love Obi-Wan and Satine so much. I love waiting to destroy them.
I will do the siege of Onderon, don't worry. I'll focus on it next chapter - with Cody being in place of Obi-Wan in this arc and time for angsty feels, mwahaha.
ii Digestive Reader ii
