AN: For those who want Palps dead, I promise his death will be satisfying, I'm just enjoying screwing him over with shit he didn't do, because multi-universe karma is a bitch. Also, do you peeps want more romance? Because this story is quickly opening itself up to it.
Chapter 25 - The Duchess Satine
Ahsoka Tano didn't know much about politics, and having been raised a proper Jedi, she didn't have an overtly positive view of them.
But as far as politicians went, Senator Padme Amidala and Bail Organa were pretty great.
Since his name had been cleared, Master Kenobi had returned to wearing Jedi robes and shaved off his beard.
Seeing him like this, she understood why his Ben Neeson alias had worked for so long, even though his hair was still red, he was nearly unrecognizable.
"So what's the mission?" she asked, her Master having introduced her to the two Senators before leading her back into the Senate building, Senators Amidala and Organa having gone on ahead to lunch.
"Not a mission per se," Master Kenobi said, "Just a lunch meeting and I wanted to see if we could invit- there she is." He dodged around a few people, leaving Ahsoka to hurry after him.
"Duchess Satine," he called.
The blonde woman with ornate headdress to rival Amidala's turned, her expression going from frosty to welcoming as she saw them, "Obi-Wan Kenobi, it's been too long."
They stopped before her, and Ahsoka bowed with her Master to the Duchess as the Mandalorian guards, with helmets that might as well have been headdresses stood at attention.
Master Kenobi rose, an equally warm smile on his lips. "That it has. And may I introduce you to my Padawan, Ahsoka Tano. Ahsoka, this is Duchess Satine Kryze."
The Duchess curtsied, "It is a pleasure, Padawan."
Ahsoka bowed back, "It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Duchess."
I was wondering if you might like to join us in accompanying us to lunch with Senators Organa and Amidala."
"I would be honoured," she said, taking his proffered arm, Ahsoka falling into step beside them.
"So how have things been on Mandalore, Duchess?"
Satine sighed, "With the rumours of galactic war starting up between disbelievers in the Republic fought with armies of clones and droids, they could be better."
"Yes, I always thought the Jedi stayed out of politics because it could foster corruption within the Order. Now I see it because no one bothers to listen to us if we cared to involve ours."
Satine gave him a look that put Ahsoka's nerves on end, "The Jedi speak against war but not against fighting."
Master Kenobi shook his head slightly, "Yes, and how has 'not fighting' been going for Mandalore, Duchess Kryze?"
She scowled at him, "Mandalore has been extremely prosperous in recent years."
"Your planet was certainly blessed in resources and location," he said diplomatically, but Ahsoka caught on to his tone and the implied double meaning to his words, or at least she thought she did.
Master Kenobi wasn't agreeing with Satine even if his words were agreeable.
Or at least that's what Ahsoka thought. Why did my Master have to be involved in politics?
Master Kenobi half turned his head toward her and she worried that he had heard that thought.
Satine saved her by saying in an almost haughty voice, "Yes, we are fortunate."
Ahsoka was grateful that they said no more as they sat down in a shuttle that took them to a raised building which had outdoor dining. The day was nice and Ahsoka was doing her best to smother her restlessness.
Some of her tension eased when she saw Rey sitting beside Master Dooku at a table with Senators Amidala and Organa.
Master Kenobi pulled out a chair beside Master Dooku for Satine and Ahsoka snagged the open seat between Rey and Senator Organa, leaving Master Kenobi between the Duchess and Amidala.
"Ah, the Duchess of Mandalore," Master Dooku greeted, "this is a treat."
Satine stiffened, and Ahsoka was certain there was bad blood between them, as she answered coolly, "Count Dooku."
He smirked before bringing a glass of water to his lips that was a work of art in and of itself with its deep blues and metallic swirls. At a guess, Ahsoka would say he was enjoying irritating the other planet leader.
Master Dooku was one of the strangest Masters in the Order.
Greetings were exchanged between them all and Rey handed Ahsoka a menu.
Ahsoka had of course been out to eat before, but never to a place so fancy nor where the menu options weren't in the Basic script.
Rey flipped a page for her, and pointed to the entree section, and said quietly but not in a whisper, "Just look at the ingredients and don't worry about the cost, Dooku is treating us."
Ahsoka nodded, feeling completely out of her element as the others exchanged small talk. The ingredients luckily were in Basic and she ordered something that was almost all red meat.
It wasn't that the Temple didn't accommodate her diet, but she was almost certain that what she ordered would remain in her memory for years to come.
As a general rule, Ahsoka enjoyed talking, far more than meditative silences encouraged at the temple, but 'small talk' she discovered was a special type of uselessness. She fought to pay as much attention as Master Kenobi was to the discussion.
Rey she noticed was paying more attention to their surroundings than anything at the table.
"So your hair is permanently red now?" Satine asked.
Kenobi sighed, "I have Dorme to thank for that."
"It kept you alive," Padme said smugly, "besides, it suits you."
Her Master quirked an eyebrow, "I'm not sure if that is a compliment, Amidala."
"Well, you look better without the beard," Satine said boldly. "It is good to be able to see your face again."
"I don't know," Padme mused in a playful tone, "I thought the beard was rather handsome."
Ahsoka noted the colour in Obi-Wan's cheeks as Rey rejoined the conversation with a laugh, "Obi-Wan is adorable no matter the fashion he chooses."
He gave her an exasperated look as Senator Organa and Master Dooku chuckled.
Padme began to look between Satine and Kenobi, and said, "You know Rey, I've seen pictures of Palpatine's mother, you do resemble her a bit around the eyes, but you really do look like you are a relative of Obi-Wan and the Duchess. If they ever had a daughter, I'd imagine she would look like you."
"The beauty of being a Jedi is I don't have to worry about it much," Rey said easily, "Though I think Rey Kenobi has a pleasant ring to it."
"You certainly have quite the heritage," Master Dooku remarked, his dark gaze sharp on her yet his thoughts seeming to be far away.
Ahsoka's eyes widened, "Wait, you mean you're actually related?"
Rey shrugged, "According to the healers, but weirdly, the Duchess and Obi-Wan came back as my maternal grandparents."
"But that's impossible," Ahsoka pointed.
"We're aware," Master Kenobi said. "Speaking of which, how did your Mandos respond when they heard you were related, Rey, assuming you told them?"
Rey grinned, "They seemed more determined to convert me than ever. Maas had me keep the armour, a useful disguise if I ever need one."
One of the guards who had nearly blended into the background, although Ahsoka had never lost track of him, started, "Master Maas gave you Mandalorian armour, for nothing?"
She nodded, and Satine said, "You should know, young Padawan, that the trade of Mandalorian weaponry is prohibited."
Rey frowned at her, "We didn't trade, it was a gift. And just so you're aware Duchess, your new laws are making you vastly unpopular."
Ahsoka saw her Master flinch and Dooku hide a smirk behind his glass.
Rey was not good at politics. Which was kind of funny considering her father had just been elected as High Chancellor last week.
"Death Watch is a terrorist organization," Satine said.
Rey scowled, "My friends are not Death Watch, they are Mandalorians."
"I'm a Mandalorian."
"Says the woman who seems dead set on destroying their history and way of life."
"Warmongering is not a way of life!" Satine said, voice rising, "The cycle of violence does not end with bloodshed. Violence begets violence."
"Self-defense is not a crime, protecting others from violence is not a crime, and as far as I'm aware, being a core world does not prevent you from the dangers of unrest and crime."
"That is why education-"
"No people are wholly good nor wholly bad, no matter their education although I will not deny that stable education helps. But it is better to prepare for the worst than leave yourself knowingly vulnerable. Which is a cruel thing to force upon your people who have historically been great warriors. Especially given the current state of the galaxy and that your planet is located at a nexus of supply routes."
Ahsoka's eyes widened a tad and she glanced at Master Kenobi who caught her gaze and gave her an approving smile.
That comment he had made when they first met with Satine, about her planet being rich with resources, it had been a warning and an inquiry.
One that Duchess Satine seemed to want people to forget about, "Mandalore is being brought into a time of peace-"
"Yes, peace on the backs of years of hardwon conflict. I'm not advocating you stir your people up into a war frenzy, but don't cripple your own military," Rey said.
Satine's jaw tightened, "Historically, many of the wars they fought in were against the Jedi."
Rey grinned, "Yeah, except you want the same thing as the Jedi Order, and fighting together we are damn near unstoppable."
The Duchess shook her head, "You don't know what you're talking about, being a relative of mine does not mean you understand our culture."
"Ba'jur, beskar'gam, Ara'nov, aliit, Mando'a bal Mand'alor- Anvencuyan mhi," Rey said in a language Ahsoka did not know.
The Mandalorians seemed to recognize it though, and Ahsoka had to ask, "What does that mean?"
Satine translated for her:
"Education and armour,
Self-defence, our tribe,
Our language, our leader-
All help us survive.
"It is the Mandalorian Code of Honour and does not mean that Padawan Palpatine understands the words she speaks."
Rey answered in a smooth flurry of words that Ahsoka noted had Satine's gaping at her.
"What did you say?" Ahsoka asked.
"I said," she answered, "that just because I am not a Mandalorian in truth does not mean my words are wrong."
Satine glanced at Master Kenobi, "They really are trying to convert her, aren't they?"
"Is Chakraborty a man of note?" Master Dooku asked, even as Master Kenobi nodded in answer to Satine.
"Mandalorian Chakraborty is an acclaimed bounty hunter and a close friend of Master Maas who is one of our planet's finest metal smiths. They are not leaders of any fractions, but they are well known and well liked."
"Unlike you who has been having an increasing number of death threats," Master Kenobi remarked, speaking more boldly Ahsoka thought then he would have if Rey had not dug in on her so hard already.
Satine glared at him, "I am not alone in my views, Obi-Wan."
"No, but as your friend, I am allowed to be worried about your safety," he said.
Master Dooku went on, "Especially as the tensions of war rise. I asked Obi-Wan to make the request for you to join us, young Duchess, because I had hoped the group of us might be able to impress upon you the danger you are placing not just yourself but your people in. You may very well be able to avoid civil war, but if war breaks out within the large Republic, Mandalore will become a primary target."
"Your concern is touching-" she began but it was Senator Amidala who cut her off.
"We aren't asking you to change your beliefs, Duchess Satine, we are asking you to consider that those who stand against your government may soon gain more support and weight behind them from outside influences than any of us could handle."
Master Kenobi put a hand on Satine's hand where it was fisted on the table, "If you need help, Satine, politically, from me, or the larger Jedi Order, now is the time to ask. Anything we do not can be done without great violence."
"I have Death Watch handled," she asserted.
"That's not what we heard," Rey contradicted.
Master Dooku sighed, "It is my experience that Death Watch is never handled."
"Yes," Satine hissed, "and you, personally, a part of the cause for that."
"I was fooled, Duchess, and I am not a man easily played. Death Watch either bought out or tricked the Senate, then was able to deceive the Jedi Order. No one at this table will blame you for having difficulties-"
"I've heard quite enough your opinions this day," Satine said, starting to rise, but Master Kenobi caught her arm with a light touch.
She froze, even though she could have pulled away easily, "Alright, Satine, we've said our peace, we just wanted you to hear us out. Please, finish lunch with us."
Senator Organa said, "On the topic of nonviolence, Alderaan is having troubles with the Trade Federation. The recent election of the new Chancellor has not gone in our favour."
Senator Amidala stabbed a bit of vegetable off her plate, "That two faced bastard, at least we know who our enemies are, if he had risen to this position from Naboo rather than Telos then his interests with the Trading Federation would have been under the table."
Ahsoka herself was chipping away at her own meal. It was much better than she thought it would be. Not quite like the food she had had on her homeworld, but really, really, good.
"I am not sure if blatant corruption is preferable," Master Dooku observed. "Up until now, the Jedi has kept enough pressure on the Senate to keep both the production of droids and clones down."
"The production of clones," Rey repeated in the same tone Amidala had used to speak of the Chancellor and the Trading Federation, "to speak of sentients in the same breath as droids feels wrong."
"It is wrong," Satine agreed adamantly.
Master Kenobi said gently to Satine, "If Mandalore doesn't declare itself a neutral system then your voice against the Kamino cloners would mean more, especially as the template they are using is off of a Mandalorian bounty hunter."
"Jango Fett is a free citizen," she answered, "I could not have forbidden him to do this off-world. I can, however, bar him and his clones from Mandalore."
"And how will that help?" Master Dooku asked, "We need your voice in the Senate, Duchess, keeping your citizens from re-entering their homeworld will only build further resentment against you and your supporters."
"The clones are soldiers."
"They are people, just as the majority of your people are warriors."
"What I find scary is that they picked a template of a man who is known to have killed Jedi," Senator Amidala said.
They all looked at her, and Dooku said, "Hego Damask had the clones spawned to sure up the Jedi's defences. As Rey said, if Mandalorian warriors and Jedi Knights fought together, we would be nearly unstoppable."
"I don't know," Senator Organa said, eyes wary, "How comfortable are you, Master Dooku, with the genetic choice?"
Ahsoka watched the proud Jedi Master think it through, "I think Jango Fett is one of a kind, his life experiences and upbringing cannot be duplicated in a lab. However, his characteristics combined with the obedience the Kimonos bred into the clones would make them an extremely loyal group of individuals."
"But loyal to whom?" Ahsoka asked.
They all turned to her, and she fought not to sink into her seat.
She was saved by one of Amidala's handmaidens stepping forward to whisper in her ear. The Senator said, "We have to get back to the Senate building."
"Have fun," Rey said.
"Oh, you're coming with us," Master Dooku said, "Qui-Gon gave you to me for the rest of the day, Mace wants to see if you can pick out any Force users in the Senate building."
"Joy," Rey said sarcastically.
Ahsoka couldn't help but smile, Rey might not have been her Master, but being Kenobi's apprentice meant that she was going to get to know who the initiates in the creches called 'Master Yoda's crazy staff wielding butterfly.'
Padme fought to squash the sliver of jealousy that had arisen when Obi-Wan had touched Satine's hand then arm.
She was getting married to Palo for Force's sake, and she knew Obi-Wan didn't see her that way.
Even if they were at odds, Padme could still see that Obi-Wan still cared deeply for Satine. More deeply, Padme had no doubts, then his feelings for her.
Obi-Wan Kenobi had over the last four years been nothing but professional, even if she had begun to adore him a bit more each day, not least of when the man was bouncing Sola's child on his knee when he came to stay with Padme at her family estate.
She had thought she had gotten past these feelings, her less than platonic relationship with Palo playing no small part in that.
But it was one thing to have Obi-Wan at her side as the Jedi monkish guard, it was quite another thing to see the noble Knight express familiarity with another woman, knowing that if he wanted to pursue a relationship with her, he could.
The Jedi's break from tradition of non-marriage had not changed the Order drastically, but it had, for lack of better description, changed how some the Republic citizens treated the Jedi. That the Jedi had acknowledged unions made them more relatable. As of now, there were five children born from Jedi who had been publically married, all five were being raised at the Temple, even the child who was not a Force sensitive.
Obi-Wan had explained to her that younglings were not so powerful in the Force that a non-Force sensitive child would feel at odds, despite not having the potential to become a Jedi Knight the child was destined to be transferred into one of the Jedi corps, of which there were many branches and strong community bonds.
The fact of the matter was, the Jedi took care of their own. The corps were not as flashy, not as well known or recognized by the larger republic, but just as respected and cared for as the Knights were by the Order.
Obi-Wan had explained while the Jedi Knights, as warriors needed to have stricter codes of conduct, the Knights were just the face of the Order and the safe harbour, the corps were their body and heart. A thing they did not publicize as to keep them from being targeted. The Jedi Knights, after all, had an innumerable amount of enemies, and the power to handle.
"Padme, are you alright?" Obi-Wan asked, startling her from her thoughts.
She smiled as they walked through the crowd of Senators slowly re-entering the building, "Yes, I'm fine. Just lost in thought."
His bright eyes sparkled at her, "I'm glad you decided to take a honeymoon after the wedding. You deserve the break."
She stiffened, guilt washing over her. She was being unfair to her fiance. She cared for him, lusted after him, but she knew who she would have rather been engaged to. "It is only the first week of recess."
He gave her a look, "Don't feel guilty about taking time for yourself, Queenie."
She winced, it was a gentle reminder that he could sense her feelings. Good thing, as observant as Obi-Wan was, he could still misinterpret the source of those feelings, "Of course, Master Jedi."
"Master?" Ahsoka asked.
He turned to meet the gaze of his spirited new charge, "Yes, Padawan?"
"How long do Senate meetings usually last?"
Obi-Wan smiled at her but as he was about to answer a familiar voice called out, "Rey Palpatine, how fortuitous that we meet, my daughter."
Obi-Wan's smile disappeared as if it had never existed and Ahsoka looked almost frightened as he moved in front of both his Padawan and Padme.
Ahsoka looked as if she was about to ask what was wrong but Padme touched her shoulder, shaking her head at the young Jedi.
Dooku stepped up to Rey's side and angled his body in a subtle but ready defence position in front of Satine.
It was very unlikely that High Chancellor Sheev Palpatine would attack them physically, especially in public.
But then there were other types of hurt that he could cause them that he was more than willing and capable of inflicting on them.
Rey's posture was impeccable as she said, "I am a Jedi, your genetic donation is of no consequence."
There was a smattering of laughter through the crowd as Senators stopped to witness the Chancellor confront his Jedi daughter.
Some wanted gossip, others wanted something to use against the newly named leader of the Senate.
"Come now, I know that the Jedi disapprove of family, but surely you haven't let their edicts turn you against me."
Was he serious? Padme wondered, Why does he act like he doesn't know what he did to her? Or does he think she was too young to remember?
If that was his game, then he had already lost.
Not that Padme should have worried much, Rey was more than equipped to handle him.
"The Jedi do not own me, Chancellor, I am free to leave whenever I wish. The thing is, I don't wish to leave. Now, if you will excuse me," she turned her back on him and walked toward Ahsoka, Dooku stayed where he was but Obi-Wan moved to her side.
"Perhaps the Jedi have left you with no reason to leave," Sheev said, using that reasonable voice Padme had once trusted too well once, "You have nothing, no family, no home, no means to make a living for yourself without them you are dependent."
Rey froze, then turning on a heel to face Sheev who in all his finery had come closer.
Padme had never seen such a dark expression on this kind woman's face. Rey was either happy or mediating, rarely anything in the middle. But something Sheev had said, had struck a nerve.
Padme was pretty sure it was because the idea of having nothing and being dependent, which was rich coming from the man who had sold her into slavery and hidden her mother from her.
But that was just a wild guess.
"I have nothing?" Rey asked, her voice dangerous.
Padme wasn't the only one who had to suppress a shiver.
"But I can offer you everything. I can offer you my legacy, all that I have will be as yours, as my only child you deserve all the galaxy has to offer. You deserve a home. And I can offer you what the Jedi can only ape, a true family."
Padme saw that there were those in the crowd who were moved by his words, by the sincerity of a father trying to reconnect with his only child, as well as the resentment some held about the often overly secretive Jedi.
But Padme knew that Jedi were pissed, and though she was no Force sensitive, even she could feel the breeze coming off Rey.
"Family? You know nothing of family," her every word getting lower.
"Rey, please, just give me-"
"You stole everything from me!" she shouted, her emotions finally breaking her control.
Padme looked to Obi-Wan who shook his head slightly, his way of saying they weren't in any danger.
"I had a family," Rey said, "I had a loving mother and a father I thought I could trust, but you-" she broke off swallowing the words, her emotions.
"What lies have the Jedi used to steal you from me?" Sheev asked.
It was the wrong thing to say.
"Steal me? You sold me into slavery!" she shouted.
A murmur rose in the crowd, sweeping backwards in a rising and falling wave as Rey's words were repeated and passed back through the crowd of Senators, committee members, guards, news anchors, and interested citizens, and in its wake was left a silence broken only by passing traffic.
That wave of silence was the sound of Chancellor Sheev Palpatine's career dying.
Newly elected as he was, he would be allowed to finish his term but this was a story he would never be able to overcome, any self respecting representative would take the word of a Jedi over a politician. Slavery was illegal in the Republic, and thanks to efforts over the last few years, perfectly enforceable. Rey had no reason to lie, and it was well known that she had saved her father's life at nearly the cost of her own. Sheev, however, would have every reason to lie…
Padme had to give him points for his acting, he looked as if he had just been kneed in the tender bits as he squawked, "What?"
Rey who seemed more enraged by his confusion, "You. Sold. Me. And I earned my freedom -on my own. I worked in the desert for years, fighting for any scrap of knowledge I could use for a future I had no promises of having. Because I had nothing, I was alone and I had no one and you. You never came back!"
"Rey, I didn't-" the man started, trying desperately to buy time to salvage this situation. But he knew as well as Padme did, as well as Bail, Dooku, Obi-Wan, Satine, and every other member of the Galactic Senate and Jedi Order knew that there was no salvaging this.
"And you dare, come to me now when I finally have everything I have ever dreamed of? I have a family, I have friends, love, I have a people and a purpose." She took a breath, "I am a Jedi, the Order is my family, and I serve the Force, not because I have no choice, not for wealth, or status, or power, but because it is my calling. I am who I want to be."
Padme wanted to reach out, but Ahsoka beat her to it, taking Rey's hand as Obi-Wan took her other hand. The slight tremor in the ground that had been nearly imperceivable released and the breeze died down.
Dooku stepped in front of them, "The High Jedi Council has issued a restraining order against you, Sheev Palpatine. And Chancellor or no, I will personally arrest you if you attempt any further contact with Padawan Palpatine again."
For a moment, Padme saw beneath Sheev's mask. For half a blink, she saw the monster beneath before his expression smoothed over and he shook his head sadly, "I did not do this. You have lied to her."
Padawan Ahsoka let go of Rey's hand and stepped around Dooku to say, "The Jedi are not a cult, we are a people and agents of the Force. Rey is with us because she wants to be with us."
Dooku put a hand on the young Togruta's shoulder.
Padme saw the sneer Sheev swallowed, as he abruptly turned and walked into the building. Admitting a lost cause.
"Rey," Padme said softly, touching her arm, "are you alright?"
Rey looked at her, face full of emotions, and she shook her head, "This is why I'm not a knight yet, I thought… I thought I had gotten over this."
She looked so lost, and Padme couldn't help but pull her into a hug even though she knew this whole thing was being recorded. Obi-Wan hugged both of them.
"There is no shame in struggling with this, Rey," Obi-Wan said softly so only she and Padme could hear.
Rey pulled back from them looking terribly lost, "I'm… I'm going to go back to the Temple."
Satine reached out a hand to Rey before letting it fall back to her side, yet she said in Mandalorian, "Gar taldin ni jaonyc; gar sa buir, ori'wadaasla."
The lost look left Rey's eyes and she bowed. Satine curtsied in return, Padme knew the curtsy was to save herself from the headache that would ensue from the shifting weight of the headdress if she dipped her head forward in a bow.
At her words, Rey appeared to regain herself. And seeing the tension ease from Rey, Padme found that she finally understood why Obi-Wan had once fallen in love with Duchess Satine Kryze.
Ahsoka asked, "What did she say?" Watching the retreating backs of the Mandalorian guard who followed their Duchess inside.
"It's a Mandalorian saying, though in my case it would be mother or teacher," Rey turned a bright smile on the young Padawan, "What the Duchess Satine said was, 'Nobody cares who your father was, only the father you'll be.'"
KEYNote: I can't thank those of you who have been reviewing enough, I know this is far from my most popular story but it is the one I enjoy writing the most and we are not even halfway through! And it is thanks to y'all that I have adjusted the plot to accommodate Mandos :D
AN: I am currently writing the next chapter that I am trying to finish tonight for tomorrow, so all reviews on content and characters are super welcome.