Chapter 23-Engagement Reaction News Part 2

Author's Note-this will be the last chapter before I begin writing the events of AOTC into the story so this chapter will introduce and explain the Military Creation Act further and Nute Gunary's plot to kill Senator Amidala, thank you to everyone for their lovely reviews and I'm glad you're all enjoying the story. Here we go-

As the afternoon rolled in, the Senate was starting to adjourn for the day, Padme was heading back to her office with Sabe and Dorme when she was stopped by Bail Organa. He smiled down at her, "You did a wonderful job today in the Senate, Senator Amidala" he told her as Padme smiles up at him

"Thank you Senator Organa" she replies continuing on through the hallway. Bail walks alongside her, before he speaks up once more.

"Padme, have you heard of this new bill came in, called The Military Creation Act?" he asks her straight out. Padme stops and turns towards him, tilting her head at him

"The Military Creation Act?" she asks him shaking her head "I can't say I've heard of it, but I'm afraid with everything that has happened to me over the last few days, I've not been able to catch up on everything that's been coming through the Senate" she admits. Bail nods. He understood what she meant and thought she should know before the entire Senate did.

Knowing her office was a few meters away, Padme then goes on "Come with me to my office and you can inform me all about it there, in private" she suggests. Bail agrees. This was not quite the topic to be discussing within the halls of the Senate knowing there were those who would vote the Military Creation Act though.

Whilst at the same time, Anakin, Ahsoka, Obi Wan and Hannah returned to the Jedi Temple. Anakin decided to move down to the training rooms for some extra training, whilst Ahsoka retired to her room leaving Obi Wan and Hannah, alone to take a quiet walk around the temple.

They arrived at the room of a thousand fountains, taking a seat close to the cool, beautiful rushing waters. Hannah's mind was still on what Rabe had blurted out back at Dexter's Diner and how silent Obi Wan went. Who was this Satine? and just how much did Obi Wan care for her? She needed to know, for she didn't want to be in a relationship where her heart could be broken.

Once Hannah and Obi Wan took a seat on one of the benches, there was silence for a few more minutes before Hannah decides to break the silence. "Obi Wan" she speaks in a soft voice "What did Rabe mean about the blond girl by your side when you were on Corellia?" she asks straight out.

Obi Wan takes a deep breath trying to find the right words to respond with him before he answered her. "Hannah, you have to not let Rabe get to you, she's a jealous, reckless girl who is only out to destroy Padme's happiness and now she's coming after you, for backing Padme" he informs her as Hannah understands but still want to know

"I know that and I'm not going to let her get to me, but I just want to know who was she when I was under the impression it was just your family and some of your grandparent's friends that night" she admits. She then feels Obi Wan take one of her hands in his.

"Hannah, I want you to know that I love you and you mustn't believe that anything is going on between Satine and I" he begins to tell her. Hannah blinks, hearing Satine's name.

"Satine. Satine Kryze, from Mandalore?" she asks "You know her?" she adds as Obi Wan takes a deep breath

"Satine and I are friends, since we've been young teenagers. My grandparents and her guardian have been friends for years and one night, my grandparents were having a gala in which many of their friends and politicians attended, including Satine" he begins to recount "Unfortunately, unknown to any of us at the time, Satine was the target by rebel groups who hoped to seize control of the planet for themselves" he explains "My father and I were sent to protect her however even with the Jedi's protection, it didn't frightened the rebels which forced us to remain close to her" he admits as Hannah looked over at him, taking one hand in hers

"And you fell in love?" she asks, she simply wanted a straight answer as he lowered his head

"At first, there were feelings for each other and we did kiss on evening but shortly after our first kiss, her guardian forced her to stop encouraging her feelings for me, accusing the Jedi of trying to sway the future Duchess into joining the Republic and so we were forced to leave and Satine and I never saw each other again" he tells her as Hannah sighs

"Until now" she points out clearing her throat "And so, do you still love her?" she asks as Obi Wan held her close

"Once but I also love you and knowing how much both Satine and Siri hurt me, I couldn't do that to you" he tells her looking down at her as Hannah wrapped her arms around him

"You're special to me to me Obi Wan, always have been and I'll never hurt you" she assures him, she placed one hand on his cheek before he felt her soft gentle lips touch his in a tender, romantic kiss.

"They want to create an army for the Republic!?" Padme asks Bail in disbelief as he finished informing her about this new Military Creation Act. She couldn't believe what she was hearing "But what could we need an army for?" she asks "The Republic hasn't been at war in years back in the early days of the formation of the Republic" she explains. Bail nods

"Unfortunately, after Naboo was invaded and the Trade Federation emerged, some Senators have become fearful that their home planets could be targeted next. There are also rumours of Senators leaving the Republic" he reveals. Padme shook her head, unable to believe what she was hearing

"How...how...how..." she stutters "How can this be?" she asks "The Republic has the backing of the Jedi. They will protect us. Any Senator would be putting their own planet at risk of losing that protection if they left" she pointed out as Bail sighed, getting to his feet.

"That is why, I was hoping you could help me in voting down this Military Creation Act when it brought forth in the Senate in two days" he revealed. Padme blinked in shock

"Two days!?" she exclaims "That doesn't give us much time to prepare our statements" she confesses as he moves around the desk, placing his hands on her shoulders.

"I know, but Padme, I believe you can help bring down this Act. Since you helped save your home planet from the Trade Federation, there are some who will listen to you. If you opposed this bill, someone who's planet was invaded, you can help bring down this bill" he explains.

Padme looks up at him. She may not have been a Senator for as long as he was but she felt her confidence from within her growing just by knowing that this man, Senator Organa, believed in her! He wanted her to help him!

Padme nodded, then gave him a smile "Well, then Senator Organa, I will help you vote down this Military Creation Act" she promised "The Republic doesn't need another war to start" she added because if a war did happen, the Jedi would be called to fight and it would take Anakin from her. Bail smiled

"Thank you Padme. You are strong and confident. You will ensure peace reigns through the galaxy" he replied before she watched him exit her office leaving her to tidy up her workload before heading home.

Having finished a rather enjoyable practice fight in the training grounds, Anakin and Ahsoka headed through the long halls towards his family's quarters. He wiped the sweat from his forehead before he looked down at his young friend

"You're getting strong there Snips" he pointed out "Seems that every time I go out on a mission, you're keeping up your skills so you can be able to beat me" he teases hearing her laugh

"You just never know when I'll need to be around to save your life, Skyguy" she smirks "Like on Naboo" she hints as he rolls his eyes

"I did say to not leave the Senator's side and you didn't listen" he reminds her as Ahsoka grins

"Senator's side?" she asks confused "And here I thought you'd be saying Padme's name by now" she admits. She wouldn't let the teases and taunts with her friend go. It was their game and their fun. Anakin shakes his head grinning

"Well, if you hadn't disobeyed my order, things could have turned out much differently" he admits blocking another parry from her as she smiled

"And if I had, you might have ended up dead" she points out as Anakin shook his head

"Very funny" he only replies stepping back, lightsaber switched off. "I think that's enough training for one afternoon" he tells her. They headed out of the training room where they were met by Qui Gon.

"Ah, Anakin there you are" he speaks seeing them turn towards them. "I've contacted your brother and I was just coming to find you" he goes on as Anakin sighs.

"Here I was hoping I'd have the afternoon off" he smirks. Qui Gon shakes his head before Ahsoka looks over at Anakin. "I'll go get some rest" she says moving away as Qui Gon and Anakin started to walk down one of the hallways

"The council has a mission for both of you. It's not off world but down in the undercity. We've had reports of a supposed smuggling and slaver's ring happening down there. One Jedi team was already sent to investigate but they've failed to return" he informs him. Anakin nods

"So you want Obi Wan and I to go down there stop the smuggling ring and rescue the Jedi team?" he asks as Qui Gon places a hand on his son's shoulder just as another voice joined them.

"Who was the Jedi team?" they asked as Qui Gon and Anakin both turned to see Obi Wan standing there.

"Sorry I am late. I was held up in the downtown traffic" he explains as Anakin sniggers knowing his brother was trying to use that as an excuse instead of saying he was with Hannah. Qui Gon sighs. He knew his eldest son wasn't going to like what he was about to say.

"The Jedi team we sent was Siri and Serra" he reveals. Anakin tenses up. Serra was one of his close friends and Siri, well, she hadn't exactly being on the family's best side but she was still a Jedi. Qui Gon sensed his son's tension

"Obi Wan, you don't have to do the mission if you feel your emotions will cloud your judgement" he reminds him. Obi Wan straightens

"Father, I am a Jedi Knight now and what happened with Siri is in the past and I will complete this mission for the council" he replies smirking "Besides, who's going to keep Anakin in line if I'm not there" he teases. Anakin only rolls his eyes as Qui Gon simply laughs before watching his sons move away to prepare for their mission.

Not having left Courscant and evading security, Rabe, Ruwee and Palo met up at her apartment. All three were not pleased with the news of Padme's engagement.

"Padme is mine to marry and you have allowed her to break away from you and run off to become a Senator and marry who she loves!" Palo scoffs as Ruwee snaps back at him

"Don't yell at me boy, your father assured me that this situation would be over while Padme was still on Naboo after the battle and he failed!" he points out as Rabe twirls a finger around her glass rolling her eyes

"You two are pathetic" she tells them seeing them look over at her stunned as she gets to her feet. "All you care about is taking Padme from Naboo and marrying her" she explains "Don't you think that the second you do kidnap her, one of her maidens would signal the Jedi and Anakin would be in pursuit and have you both arrested before you leave the planet!" she tells them. Ruwee folds his arms across his chest

"And what would you have us do?" he asks. She smirks

"Strike when Anakin is no where around to be alerted. If he can't be alerted, he can't come after you and you are free to run off with Padme and I proclaim myself Senator" she insists. Palo then looked over at her

"And just how are we going to get to Padme?" he asks as Rabe had a thought.

"You'll need to get to her in between travelling from her office to her apartment. Knock out her driver and security and I'll handle the two handmaidens" she assures them. Ruwee eyed her curiously once more

"And just how do you know the Jedi won't be able to come after us?" he asks as Rabe grins

"I happen to know that Anakin and his brother will be in the undercity stopping some kind of smuggling mission" she assures them. "By the time they find out she's missing, she'll be offworld and I'll insist the committee make me Senator because since Padme has been Senator she has been a target and holo net gossip" she explains. Ruwee was hesitant to believe her knowing how in the past, something has always wrecked their plan and Palo already lost one arm.

"This is the last time, if this doesn't work consider this partnership over" he warns her.

The council wanted Anakin and Obi Wan in the undercity as soon as they were ready and so it didn't give Anakin time to contact Padme to explain he may be late tonight. So he sought out and entrusted Ahsoka with getting a message to her friend. Ahsoka was young but Anakin treated her like a little sister and knew she would get his message to Padme.

Anakin piloted the speeder through the traffic towards the undercity. Usually when they came to the undercity, it was for the nightclubs but this time it was official Jedi business and rescuing their friends. Anakin could sense his brother's uneasiness about seeing Siri and was the first to speak.

"Siri didn't force herself into this situation. She was probably trying to redeem herself to the council and asked to be put on this mission" Anakin pointed out "Remember when you and I tried to convince the council we could travel to ice planet Hoth and were trapped on the planet by wampas" he reminds him going on "Or when we fell into the nest of ..." Obi Wan then cut him off

"The gundarks do not count" he replies. He sighs "It's just that Siri shouldn't have thought she could undertake this mission. She probably caused Serra and herself to get captured" he scoffs adding "You should be more angry with her. Serra's your friend" he points out as Anakin sighs, looking for a place to park the speeder.

"Serra's strong and tough. We can't blame either one of them, but we will rescue them and stop this smuggling/slaver's ring" he tells him landing the speeder in an open space. They pulled their hoods up over their faces before getting out of the speeder. Obi Wan looked over at his brother.

"Serra and Siri were last seen coming out of the Outlander. The reports say that recently released criminals from the prison act as the scouts for the ringleaders so perhaps one of them confronted Serra and Siri" Anakin suggested as Obi Wan shook his head

"Perhaps their cover was blown, it wouldn't be the first time it's happened" he reminds him

Flashback

Obi Wan wanted his first mission with his father to go well and so he thought having Siri and her master Adi Gallia would help ensure the mission was a success. He and Siri was both thirteen years old now but Obi Wan promised his father his feelings for Siri would not affect the mission.

The mission was simple - to pretend to be a new family who had recently travelled from the Outer Rim to seek refuge amongst the planet and then stop a powerful crime lord. Obi Wan and Siri had to pretend to be siblings and Siri, headstrong and usually impatience, she didn't make it easy.

"Siri, please, we cannot affect the mission. If they catch us, the mission will be in jeopardy" Obi Wan reminds her as Siri smirks, placing a hand on his shoulder

"Master Gallia and Master Jinn are out there trying to get into the base and we don't know just exactly how many of the crime lord's followers could be spies" he reminds her as Siri turns him so that he was facing her,

"I'm sure one kiss won't affect the mission" she insists. She leans in closer towards him. At first, he pulled back but they were alone and no one was around and so he allowed her to kiss him.

Unfortunately, their presence on the planet made others suspicious and some chose that night to break into their quarters and caught the two young Jedi in a make out.

One chuckles "Well, well, this gives a new meaning to the term, sibling love" they pointed out startling Obi Wan and Siri. As the men edged into the room, they both wondered how they could explain themselves.

End of flashback

"You didn't talk to Siri for a week after you returned and Qui Gon ensured that master Gallia kept Siri in training and on missions" Anakin points out as Obi Wan shrugs

"I warned her and she still didn't listen and I can still see dad's face when they watched us being dragged before the crimelord" he admits. He was about to go on when he noticed two suspicious figures, hooded, going into a dark alley way.

"Let's not waste such an chance to check them out, perhaps they'll lead us to our targets" Anakin suggests as Obi Wan nods before they moved through the crowds towards the alleyway where the two figures had just entered.

When Ahsoka arrived at the Senate chamber, she had been informed by Padme's handmaiden Sabe that Padme was still in meetings and one more Senate meeting. Ahsoka knew she didn't have anything else to do and decided to wait for Padme to finish up her business, perhaps hang out with her at the apartment. She watched the many Senators and their aides move through the hallways. Ahsoka didn't see herself as a politician, she was better off as a protector and so, she couldn't help but notice a wary figure slipping through the crowds.

Though the force, Ahsoka sensed a familiar sense and even though she was a youngling, decided to ensure whatever she was sensing, didn't lead to danger for the Senators.

Lord Maul knelt before his master in the dark chamber. His master was appearing via blue hologram. The hologram appeared and flicked for a moment before he spoke in a cold voice.

"Lord Maul, our progress on Genosis is growing and more Senators have joined the Separatists. It is time to move on to the next stage of our plan" he informs him as Lord Maul slowly raises his head.

"What would you have me do, my master?" he asks as Darth Sidious smirks

"We need a host to create a clone army on the planet Kamino. Find a host and then we will start on stopping those loyalists against us" he informs him. Lord Maul smirks

"Yes, my master" he simply replies before the hologram flickers once more before blackness. Lord Maul then got to his feet and exited the chamber to carry out his master's new plan.

Next time: Ahsoka uncovers Palo and Ruwee's plot just as its implemented. Anakin and Obi Wan press on in their mission to rescue Siri and Serra with Obi Wan struggling with conflicting feelings for Siri and Lord Maul meets with Jango Fett about the creation of a clone army whilst Padme works with Bail Organa on defeating the Military Creation Act whilst preparing for her wedding to Anakin