"Why does it feel like we are travel to a warzone, and not the Senate's medical facilities Master?" Padawan Redo's voice echoing in the quiet and tense airspeeder as his Master flies them and Callera to the Medcenter.

"You should know by now Padawan, that medcenters are just another warzone." Healer Ky'sa answers her Padawan.

'I know Master, but you and Jedi Bladesinger are acting like it is an execution, and not checking up on injured people.

Callera bites back a sigh as she remembers Ky'sa's evaluation of her student, 'observant, kind, and the subtlety of a drunken Gamorean.' A good healer but not someone Ky'sa felt could walk a Sentinel's path and had kept that part of her skillset out of her training of the young man.

Interjecting into the conversation between Master and Padawan Callera speaks, "It's because we are interviewing subjects of a Sith attack, Padawan Rendo. They have now been exposed to Force wielders at their worst and that will set them on edge even when dealing with 'noble Jedi'. Add in that no one likes talking about trauma's they have suffered, and this will be difficult all the way around."

"But there is more than that is there not?" Rendo's voice curiously insistent.

"If Senator Palpatine is present, I'm going to have to ask him some very uncomfortable questions. When Maul attacked, every target was precise. The Supreme Chancellor for involving the Jedi, the Queen and her entourage for escaping him," Callera's voice hitches slightly, "and Anakin to spite me. The only anomalous victim, is the Senator."

"Could he have just been collateral damage?"

"Possible but unlikely my Padawan." Ky'sa rejoins the conversation, "I watched the security holos, Maul intentionally deflected three bolts at three targets. No more no less. As Jedi Bladesinger stated, the motive for targeting Senator Palpatine is unclear. Based on his actions during this crisis, he was fairly impotent in his attempts to resolve the crisis. While the Queen, the Supreme Chancellor, and Jedi Bladesinger actually corrected the issue."

"So why deflect at the boy rather than Jedi Bladesinger?"

"Cruelty" Callera and Ky'sa answer at the same time before Ky'sa nods to let Callera speak.

"Cruelty and control." Callera's voice slightly hollow, "Maul wanted me to suffer before he killed me. He wanted me to be powerless to stop him from killing Anakin. He wanted me wallowing in despair and sloppy so he could slowly take me apart. He wanted me unthinking so I would follow him to a battlefield of his choosing. Everything done had a purpose; advance the agenda of him and his Master."

Rendo nods slightly in understanding, "And so because of that, you need to ask a politician about their secrets to figure out what part of the Sith agenda his injury helped."

"Indeed, my Padawan, your insight serves you well." Ky'sa's voice tinged with pride.

"But why would Jedi Bladesinger be the one to ask those questions? Would not a Master or Council Member be a better choice?"

"In normal times you would be right, and it would be seen as respectful to give a Senator that level of Jedi interaction in this matter. However, these are not normal times and Jedi Bladesinger has more insight and background knowledge to know what to ask." Ky'sa's voice steady as she guides the airspeeder into the medcenter's speeder bay.

"And if the Sith still have agents paying attention to the Queen and the Senator, having me involved shows that they haven't broken me. As long as I keep my emotions in check, I can project the image of an implacable hunter that they have to deal with." Callera's voice grim as the others in the craft feel her closing down slightly in the Force.

"You actually want them to attack you?" Rendo's disbelief echoing in the powering down vehicle.

"Yes and no. I do not want to die, but if I can get them to spin plots and expend resources trying to deal with me…" Callera trails off and Ky'sa stays silent to let her Padawan fill in the gap

"You give the Order more chances to catch the Sith. You are making yourself bait, but what about if you die? Will that cripple the investigation?"

"Only slow it down Padawan Rendo. Your Master is here so the Order has another in the know, and there are several Jedi who know other pieces and are running down those leads. I might be making myself a focal point for the Sith, but I am doing my best to ensure the Order will have as many avenues as possible to chase down even if I fall." Callera opens the airspeeder door and steps out to allow Rendo out from behind her. "But no words of that now, Padawan Rendo. Focus on the physical injuries and some of the mental injuries of the victims and be willing to stand up to us if you feel we are coming down too hard on them for the sake of their healing." The group starts walking towards the door.

"Let your Master and I focus on probing about the attack. But I will warn you now, I will be poking at Senator Palpatine. Be prepared to sense and hear outrage from him, do not interrupt me if that is all you feel from him."

"I understand Jedi Bladesinger."

"Good," Turning slightly to Ky'sa before she continues, "this is technically your show as a healer. You can pull the plug at any moment if you feel the event is straining or hurting anyone who was injured in the event, including me. Do not be afraid to call me out in there."

Ky'sa nods, "I will."

"Showtime."

The few minutes it took for clearance to the Queen's room and the walk were filled with quiet tension. The two Naboo Security members at the door stiffen to attention, Callera's old minder Malthus on duty.

"Hello, Lieutenant Malthus," Callera nods her head in greeting, "I wish we were reuniting under better circumstances."

"Agreed Jedi Bladesinger." His smile wide but not meeting his eyes.

"How is the Queen?"

"Frustrated. Being basically bed-bound between dunks in bacta tanks, docs say she can use a hoverchair now, but she really wants to be up and moving."

"I can understand that, is the Senator with her now?"

"Yes, when he found out you wanted to ask the Queen something and talk to him about the attack, he was very insistent about wanting to meet you too."

'Sithspit. Now to dance with the most dangerous viper in the galaxy.' "Can you announce our party?"

He nods. "One moment." Flicking his commlink on. "Captain Panaka, the Jedi party is here." A few seconds roll by.

*Send them in, Lieutenant.* Malthus presses a button for the doors to slide open.

"Thank you." Callera nods again in thanks as the three Force wielders make their way into the room.

The sterile suite of beds for the Queen and her Handmaidens feels far colder to Callera than many hospitals and clinics she's visited, but considering the sight of Sidious sitting at Padme's bed quietly talking to the young woman, twists Callera's stomach and chills her blood. "Greetings, your highness," bowing slightly to the queen, and then looks towards her handmaidens, "and ladies of her court. I've brought with me Healer Ky'sa and her Padawan, Rendo to take a look at your injuries to make sure the attack did not leave any Force related surprises when he attacked you."

Looking at Palpatine, "The Order doesn't believe the attacker would be able to twist a blaster bolt to cause more harm than normal but would be willing to extend the scan to you as well."

The man who would kill them all gives her a genial smile and taps where he was shot, "My doctors have informed me that nothing vital was hit, and a bacta patch every few days after my initial dip in a tank will eliminate the chance of scaring. Some physical therapy and I will be fine," He looks over to Ky'sa and Rendo, "but I do thank you and the Order as a whole for your offer."

Staring back at Callera, "I was told you have some questions for me?"

"I do indeed Senator."

"May I inquire what they are about?"

"They are about your recent activities. We know enough about the attacker that everyone he struck at in the speederbay, was attacked for a reason. The Chancellor for sending the Jedi to Naboo, the Queen," Callera motions towards Padme, "for her escape and ending the blockade," Callera's grief tinging her voice, "and Anakin to punish me and make me reckless enough for him to kill."

Taking a breath to steady herself, Callera continues, "The targeting of you does not make sense with what we know."

"Could it have been because I was lobbying the Chancellor for assistance?"

"Possibly," Callera concedes, "but then that blaster bolt would have taken your face or your heart. Three blaster bolts, two kills, one injury."

"What do you think questioning me would provide?"

"A reason for just the wounding rather than killing you, maybe someone you were in contact was connected to the Trade Federation attack and directed the attacker to only wound you because you are still a useful Senator for their goals despite the resolution of the attack on Naboo. Maybe one of the meetings you should have had since your wounding needed to be pushed back for the attacker's gain."

Palpatine's eyes narrow shrewdly, "Do you think that I had something to do with this?" His voice tense and controlled.

"I don't think," 'I know,' "that you had anything to do with the attack, Senator." Callera raises her hands palms outward trying to placate the man, "I am sorry if my words have come across accusatory towards you. The attacker's profile is one of an intentional predator no wasted movement or action Senator."

"So, you hope to find that reason, and use that to find out who helped him unintentionally or not."

"Correct Senator."

Palpatine closes his eyes, his body sagging. "I am sorry as well Jedi Bladesinger, you are just trying to do your job and investigate all options to make sure the threat has ended. I will have my secretary send over my calendar for the last eight weeks and the next four. I would hate to think that anyone I met with was responsible for the Chancellor's death or the near-crippling of my Queen."

Ky'sa takes the moment to interject, "I have the Queen's statement and I don't think a prolonged back and forth between the two of you will be beneficial to the investigation or the health of either of you at this time."

Callera turns and nods, "Of course Healer Ky'sa." Looking back at the Senator, "I hope you heal well and do not let this attack color your perception of all Force wielders."

"I will not, Jedi Bladesinger. The Jedi have done much for the Republic and it would be impossible to forget their contributions to the galaxy." The doom of them all nods to Callera before shuffling off to leave the room.

Moving to sit next to Padme, Callera gently takes the young woman's left hand in hers. Feeling all the microfractures that still exist with her body, Maul got her good. Possibly Maul and Sidious if he had helped his apprentice. "I am sorry your highness."

"For what?"

"I did not think that Maul would be so willing to lash out so publicly."

"You could not have predicted this Callera."

"I know your Highness, but that does not mean I do not feel like I should have. Jedi feel guilt and blame just like everyone else." Callera's lips turn into a self-deprecating smile.

"They said you had a question for me."

"I am planning on holding a wake for Shmi Skywalker," The statement stuns the non-Jedi in the room, "and I wish to invite you and your staff to attend."

"Can it wait a few more days? Corde is still in intensive care and I do not wish to leave her in the hospital alone."

"Your loyalty does you credit your Highness. We've waited this long because you deserved to be a part of it as well. We can wait a few more days."