The next few days became routine in the Temple, though Shmi went back to Queen Amidala in the day after Callera had made her lightsaber. The Queen had officially hired Shmi as an advisor on the Outer Rim and slavery, planning on the day her term ends to start working towards improving conditions in the Outer Rim so slavery could be abolished there.
Anakin got a little pouty at that, but between the basic education studies he was being forced to catch up on and basic physical education to make sure he was fit enough to work with his fellow younglings, he didn't have a lot of time to himself to mope.
Callera would help various Jedi put the boy through his paces during the day, offering encouragement and advice, but still letting the other Jedi take the lead. Trying to show Anakin that Callera respected the other Jedi for what they knew, and what they could teach the young man. As she told him one day, "Everyone has something teach you, even if it might not be the lessons they wish to impart."
Eventually, the time came for the Queen to depart. Callera and Anakin's presence was requested so the Queen could say goodbye to the duo. While the High Council was reluctant, Callera's argument that it would also allow Anakin to say goodbye to his mother and allow his attachment to start to change organically, it was allowed grudgingly.
When they got to airspeeder hanger in the Senate apartments, it was surprisingly full. The Supreme Chancellor had come to say goodbye, it had been his first chance since welcoming the Queen to Courscant to speak with her. Wishing to apologize for not being able to do more and thank her for giving the Trade Federation a warning and punishment they would never forget.
Senator Palpatine was there too, right next to the Chancellor with the Senatorial Guards around the two. While he kept up his genial image, the moment he saw Callera his eyes never left her, making her very uneasy. The Queen, her handmaidens, Jar Jar and Captain Panaka were already next to the airspeeder as the two Force users approached.
The Queen smiles warmly as the two approach, and both know its Padme under the makeup. "We want to thank the two of you for everything you've done for us during this crisis. Without your help, we do not know what would happen."
Callera bows and gives Anakin a look so he copies her bow, "It was our pleasure your highness. Thank you for taking Shmi Skywalker in and I hope her advice and counsel will help with your endeavours."
Padme looks at Anakin, "She has been a great help so far helping us understand the plights of those on the Outer Rim, we will help your mother as she helped us Anakin Skywalker. On that, you have our, no, my word." She tilts her head ever so slightly to the boy.
Callera nods to the Queen and then looks at Shmi off to the side. "I think its time for mother and son to have their goodbyes" Both women smiling at Anakin as Callera tilts her head towards Shmi causing Anakin to bolt off like a shot to his mother, wrapping her up in a hug.
"Be well your Highness." Bowing one last time to her, before giving Captain Panaka a nod of respect and acknowledgement she moves off. Standing alone apart and between all three groups able to witness them all.
And then her body locks up. Absolutely frozen. Can't speak, can't breathe. Feeling like all her muscles are being ground into her bones. Out of the corner of her eyes, she sees Palpatine, no Sidious' eyes, full of malice and scorn contrasting the smile. And she knows he wants her to watch helplessly as whatever happens next occurs.
Maul leaping over the waiting airspeeder and casually slamming the Queen's party into the side of speeder forcefuly enough the sound of breaking bones echoes through the chamber before the group collapses in a pile of bodies. Maul turns and starts his advance on the Supreme Chancellor. The Senate Guards start to open fire as Maul ignites both sides of his blade. Three shots, three deflections. The Chancellor and Palpatine drop as the deflections thread the guard to hit the protectees. The third being sent in a different direction.
Sidious' bind drops at that moment.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! MOOOOM!"
Looking over towards the Skywalkers, she sees Shmi's body on top of Anakin's. Maul had tried to kill the boy, but the love of a mother proved faster than a blaster bolt. And Callera goes cold.
Maul turns and smirks at her before running to again leap over the airspeeder and into the open air…
And slams into the airspeeder full force as it moves up to meet him… and then launches at speed towards a wall. Out of the corner of her eye she sees the Guards getting the Chancellor and Palpatine into a lift. The panicked expression on Palpatine's face as he clutches at his shoulder and chest scored by blaster fire, but his eyes…vicious satisfaction and curiosity.
The sickening crunch of the airspeeder meeting wall brings Calleras attention back to the matter at hand. Maul hobbling towards her drawing on his anger to remain standing, his left ankle crushed despite his attempt to not get flattened by the airspeeder.
"I will kill you Nightsister." Pulling his blade back towards him and settling into a stance.
"You will try, Maul." The sickly green energy of her bladesinging forming a two-meter long serpent staff as she spins it to point the blade at him. "You will try."
His ankle shattered and her whole body recovering from the punishment Sidious had levied on her. Neither fresh as they advance on each other. Amphistaff vs lightsaber the blows rain down. Strike, parry, block, hobbling leaps. It's vicious, dirty, and sloppy. The back of her calf clipped by his lightsaber when she kicked him. His right thigh sliced open from the nasty bladed tail of her weapon. He blocks the head of the staff to be surprised as it lunges forward and digs its fangs into his collarbone, numbness flowing into his left shoulder.
Another rapid exchange before Callera shoves Maul backwards, making space between them again. Heavy breathing and the wails of a lost little boy fill the hangar. Maul knows he's not leaving the hangar alive. She's done too much damage to him to escape. Kill her or break her. That's the choice he has. His hand lashes out towards Anakin and a sickening crack fills the room. Her weapon piercing his gut and sliding upwards at the same time. His eyes gloating as his skull splits.
He's won.
Callera lets the amphistaff fade from her hands and rushes towards Anakin. "no, no, no." His throat crushed, losing air. The panic in his eyes. "No, no, no." Trying to center herself even as dread panic fills her soul. "I'm here Anakin, I know you can't breathe, but I need you to relax, it's scary. I need your help to save you. Try and reach out with your feelings." Flickers of his connection with Force fighting against the panic, trying to send reassuring thoughts back as her hands wrap around his neck. Sending the Force outwards against his throat, his connection reaching out to meet her, flooding his throat from within pushing outwards. The Force mingling, soothing damaged throat muscles as the sounds of footsteps draw near.
"Just a little more Anakin, You can do it, you have the power, let my knowledge guide your instincts." The Force from within him, repairing his trachea." A Shuddering gasp escapes his body, air starts to flow, and darkness fills Callera's vision as she collapses.