Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
I got a review from someone saying they were excited for this one. I hope I do it justice.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 28- Voyage of Temptation
In the bowels of the Coronet, Obi Wan, Anakin, and Colonel Peretz are standing before their men. The ships has just slipped out of Mandalore's atmosphere, and is making its way away from the planet to prepare its hyperspace jump. In the meantime, not wanting to take any chances with Satine's safety, the two Jedi and the Israeli are instructing their men on what to do.
"You know your marching orders. The safety of the Duchess Satine is of utmost importance. The Death Watch will stop at nothing to assassinate her before she pleads her case to the Senate," Obi Wan says.
"The Death Watch may be backed by the Separatists. So stay sharp. R2, use your scanners to probe for any suspicious droid activity," Anakin says.
"Anything else, sir?" Rex asks.
"No, that'll be all," Obi Wan says. The clones and Israeli commandos nods and begin separating to begin their patrols.
As they do, Obi Wan's commlink starts beeping. Obi Wan taps it and asks, "Yes?"
"The Duchess and her retinue request your presence," one of the ship's crew says over the commlink.
"Very well," Obi Wan says before he, Anakin, and Peretz make their way onto the elevator and start the ride up.
As the elevator makes its way up, Anakin says, "I sense some anxiety from you about the duchess. She couldn't be in safer hands."
"Yes, I know," Obi Wan says.
"Then why…?" Anakin starts to ask, but trails off.
"Never mind. It's all in the past," Obi Wan says.
"Oh, so you're close to her?" Anakin asks.
"I knew her. A long time ago," Obi Wan responds, a little defensively.
Up in the lounge, or throne room depending on your perspective, Satine, resting on a large couch, says to the Senators gathered, "War is intolerable! We have been deceived into thinking that we must be a part of it! I say the moment we committed to fighting, we already lost."
Senator Merrick, taking a drink from a passing droid, asks, "Excuse me, Your Grace. Are you suggesting that we oppose the war on humanitarian grounds?"
"I'm going to oppose it as an affront to life itself. As the designated regent of 1,500 systems, I speak for thousands of worlds that have urged me to allow them to remain neutral in this war," Satine says.
Right then, the doors into the room open, and Obi wan walks in while saying, "Yet some might argue that the strongest defense is a quick and decisive offense."
"You are quite the general now, aren't you Master Kenobi?" Satine asks rhetorically.
"Forgive me for interrupting, Your Highness. I meant no disrespect," Obi Wan says.
"Really?" Satine asks before addressing the Senators, "Senators, I presume you are acquainted with the collection of half-truths and hyperbole known as Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"Your Highness is too kind," Obi Wan answers a little awkwardly, making Peretz smirk a bit.
"You're right. I am," Satine says.
Clearly hoping to change the subject, Obi Wan says, "Allow me to introduce my fellow Jedi, Anakin Skywalker."
Anakin steps forward, bows, and says, "Your servant, My Lady."
"I remember a time when Jedi were not generals, but peacekeepers," Satine says.
"We are protectors, highness. Yours at the moment. We fight for peace," Anakin says.
"What an amusing contradiction," Satine says with a slight laugh.
"What Master Skywalker means is that we are acting at the behest of Your Highness to protect you from the Death Watch and the Separatists who don't share your neutral point of view," Obi Wan says.
"I asked for no such thing!" Satine replies.
"That may be so, but a majority of your court did," Obi Wan responds.
"I do not remember you as one to hide behind excuses," Satine says after a moment of quiet.
"I do not remember you as one to shrink from responsibilities," Obi Wan retorts.
Senator Orn Fre Taa steps in to de-escalate the situation. "I am certain we all agree. Duchess Satine and General Kenobi have proven there are two sides to every dilemma," he says.
"Indeed," Senator Merrick adds.
"Now, in regards to the Senate vote, we think-," Senator Taa begins.
Satine cuts him off. "I think a multitude makes discord, got good counsel," she says.
"Right again, My Lady," Senator Taa says.
"There may be two sides to every dilemma, but the Duchess only favors hers," Obi Wan says a little quietly to Anakin and Peretz.
Meanwhile, down in the hold, the clones and Israelis are contuing their patrols. Two clones, Redeye and Mixer, and an Israeli named Benjamin Agmon, are briefly walking together.
"I'll check out the south quadrant," Redeye says.
"Careful over there. It's dark," Mixer says.
"Yeah, very funny Mixer," Redeye responds.
"Let's be a little more professional, soldiers," Agmon says before walking on. Redeye heads towards the south quadrant, while Mixer heads the other way.
Redeye walks among the towering boxes. As he is walking, he hears something and stops, looking around for what it could be. As he keeps looking around, he hears something next to him and spins around, holding up his blaster, only to see who it's R2, who lets out a droid chuckle.
"Ugh. Stop messing around. That's not funny," Redeye says. R2 lets out a few noises before moving on.
"Ugh. Droids," Redeye says as he turns around. He just has time to see a droid of some kind in front of him before he feels something piercing his neck, and he knows no more.
Up in the lounge, Obi Wan and Satine are still debating. "A Republic military presence is the only sure defense against the Separatists," Obi Wan says.
"Even extremists can be reasoned with," Satine says as she stands up.
Obi Wan walks towards her couch as he says, a little hotly, "Perhaps, if one can be heard over the clanking of their battle droids."
Satine scoffs as she steps off the couch and says, "The sarcasm of a soldier."
"The delusion of a dreamer," Obi Wan shoots back as they come face to face, glaring at each other.
Senator Merrick speaks up to try and defuse the tension, "Duchess, Master Jedi. It's been a long trip. I think we could all use a little rest and refreshment."
Anakin and Peretz are watching the proceedings with amusement as they hold glasses of drink.
"Hear, hear. Now, let us put politics aside until after dinner," Senator Taa says.
"Fine!" Satine and Obi Wan say simultaneously, and Satine pushes past Obi Wan and walks out of the room as the Coronet finally makes its jump to hyperspace.
Down in the cargo hold, Mixer gets on his commlink and says, "My side's secure. What do you got, Redeye?" When he doesn't get a response, he asks, "Redeye, do you copy?"
There's suddenly a squeak, and a blaster drops to the ground in front of him. Mixer bends down and picks it up.
Suddenly, he feels something behind him. He turns around, only for a droid to reach down and grab him with its long claws. Mixer's screams echo around the immediate surroundings before they're silenced.
Up above decks, Obi Wan, Anakin, and Peretz are walking through the halls, heading towards their quest quarters. As they walk, Anakin says to Obi Wan, "You and Satine have a history."
"An extended mission when I was younger. Master Qui-Gon and I spent a year on Mandalore, protecting the duchess from insurgents who had threatened her world," Obi Wan explains.
They step into an elevator, and Obi Wan continues his explanation. "They sent bounty hunters after us. We were always on the run, living hand-to-mouth, never sure what the next day would bring."
"Sounds romantic," Anakin says. Obi Wan gives him a "Really?" expression while Peretz smirks, trying to hold back a laugh.
Down in the cargo gold, R2 is still patrolling. As he comes around a corner, he shines his light down and sees a clone helmet lying abandoned on the ground.
R2 looks around a bit, then turns around and starts rolling away quickly, beeping all the way, until he runs into Rex and Cody, who look down at the droid, wondering what's going on.
Up above decks, Obi Wan, Anakin, and Peretz walk towards their quarters, as Obi Wan says, "A civil war killed most of Satine's people, hence her aversion to violence. When she returned, she took on the difficult task of rebuilding her world alone."
"You didn't stay to help her?" Anakin asks.
"That would have been problematic," Obi Wan says.
They walk into their quarters, and Obi Wan sits down as he says, "My duty as a Jedi demanded I be elsewhere."
"Demanded? But, it's obvious you had feelings for her. Surely that would affect your decision," Anakin says.
"Oh, it did. I live by the Jedi code," Obi Wan says.
"Of course. As Master Yoda says, 'A Jedi must not form attachments'," Anakin says.
"I will admit, I don't really understand your Jedi code and the reasons behind everything. But I think that part is total BS. Romantic relationships could really break you if they end or your lover dies, I'll admit that, but sometimes they can be a great boost. At times in my service, my wife has been all that's seen me through dark times," Peretz says.
Obi Wan and Anakin just look at Peretz, not sure how to respond. Suddenly, Obi Wan's commlink beeps. He lifts it up and says, "Yes, Captain?"
"General, something's wrong with Skywalker's astromech. Scared him real good, sir. I've also lost contact with two of my men," Rex responds.
"I'm on my way down to assist you," Obi Wan says as he stands up.
"Peretz and I will go, Master. If there's something dangerous down there, the clones and we can handle it," Anakin says dismissively, and he and Peretz walk out of the room. A moment later, Obi Wan walks out too and heads up towards the dining hall.
As he walks in, he sees Satine and the Senators already sitting down to dinner. "Pardon me, Senators. Our men are investigating a situation below decks. I respectfully ask you to remain here until it is settled," he says to Satine and the Senators.
Down in the cargo hold, the elevator doors open, and Anakin and Peretz walk out, looking at the assembled clones and Israelis. Anakin says, "Alright, what's the problem, men? We're missing dinner."
"Not sure yet, sir. But I still have no contact with Mixer and Redeye," Rex says.
R2 beeps a few times. Anakin looks at the droid and asks, "What's the matter buddy?"
R2 beeps a bit more, and Anakin says, "I know. I know, but I'm here now. Use your scanners. See if something's up."
R2 then deploys his scanner, and everyone follows the droid. They head around a corner, and see a large open box. "Well. Looks like the contents of this box are missing," Cody says.
"Or it got up and walked away," Anakin says in a low voice before turning around to face the clones and Israelis and says, "Alright. Fan out. Separate squads. I'll contact Obi Wan." Cody takes two clones and heads off in one direction, while Rex takes the other two clones and heads in another direction. The Israelis head off in a third direction.
Meanwhile, Anakin activates his commlink. After a moment, Obi Wan picks up and asks, "Anakin, have you found anything?"
"There's a large open container and the contents are missing. And I still have two men unaccounted for," Anakin replies.
"That's not good. Keep things quiet. I'll stay with the Senators," Obi Wan responds
"Got it," Anakin says. As he lowers his wrist, R2 lets out a few beeps and starts rolling away. Anakin wondering what's up, asks, "What's up, buddy?"
R2, Anakin, and Peretz round a corner. Anakin looks ahead, and sees Redeye slowly appearing out of the darkness ahead.
"Oh, Redeye. Where have you been? You've had us all worried," Anakin says.
However, Redeye doesn't respond, and he doesn't seem to be moving normally. "Redeye?" Anakin asks, but gets no response. Redeye is still moving unusually, and now they see something behind him.
Anakin and Peretz both narrow their eyes, and simultaneously ignite their lightsabers. A moment later, Redeye comes flying at them, and they duck under his body, which flies over them and hits a crate.
As they straighten back up, a spider-like droid crawls over several crates, facing them. It makes everal noises before lifting its front two limb and rushing towards them. The two jump aside, and Anakin cuts off its front two limbs.
The droid recovers itself and uses two more claws to grab crates and throw them at Anakin, knocking him back. Peretz then lunges forward and cuts off more of the droid's limbs with his lightsaber. But, before he can finish off the droid, the clones and Israelis arrive on the scene, and a volley of blaster fire "kills" the droid.
Suddenly, noises from behind them draw their attention, and they see a second droid at the lift doors.
"The lift!" Anakin cries. But it's too late, as the droid pries open the doors and starts making its way up the lift.
Anakin rushes up to the lift before calling into his commlink, "Obi Wan, there's assassin probes down here. One made it up the lift. Peretz and I will try to hold the others here."
Up in the banquet room, Obi Wan has heard the transmission. He turns to Satine's guards and says, "Quickly. Secure the lifts." He then draws and ignites his lightsaber.
A moment later, the assassin droid pries open the doors to the banquet hall. A guard tries to stop the droid, but the droid disarms him and throws him aside, knocking over Obi Wan and a second guard in the process.
"Ah! Help!" Senator Taa cries as the droid leaps onto the table and starts moving down the table towards Satine and the Senators.
Obi Wan quickly reignites his lightsaber, leaping ahead of the droid and cutting off it's front two limbs, momentarily causing the droid to lose balance. Landing in front of it, Obi Wan drives his saber right into the middle of its main "eye", destroying the droid.
Down in the cargo hold, Anakin says to the clones and Israelis, "There might be one more. Let's split up and find it."
"Watch it!" Cody says in alarm.
Anakin and Peretz turn around, and see a number of tiny, four legged spider like droids popping out of the holes in the head of the droid they just destroyed. Anakin and Peretz reignite their lightsabers, while the clones and Israelis raise their blaster.
At the same time, up in the banquet hall, as the assassin droid falls off the table, it also begins releasing the smaller droids. Senator Taa cries out in panic and runs away as the small army of tiny droids scuttles across the floor towards them.
In the cargo hold, the clones and Israelis are blasting away randomly into the midst of the droids. "Agh! They're everywhere!" Rex says.
"Get behind me!" Anakin says, cutting droid after droid with his lightsaber. Peretz is also using his lightsaber, but is also using a blaster pistol.
One clone gets overrun by the little droids. He tries to sweep them off, but the droids manage to get under his armor.
R2 now enters the fight, using an attachment that is deployed from his head to discharge bolts of electricity, disabling any droids within a small impact radius.
Up in the banquet hall, as Obi Wan continues to use his lightsaber to destroy the droids, Satine, who is standing beside him, pulls out what looks like a tiny gun and fires it, discharging a burst of energy that fries any droid within a certain radius.
"Do you always carry a deactivator?" Obi Wan asks as the two spin around each other.
After firing another shot from her deactivator, Satine responds, "Just because I'm a pacifist doesn't mean I won't defend myself."
"Now you sound like a Jedi," Obi Wan as he cuts several more droids apart.
Satine fires one more shot from the deactivator, disabling the final droid. The rest of the Senators and a few of their droids are scattered around the room, all luckily still unscathed.
Down in the cargo hold, Anakin, Peretz and their men have mopped up the last droids. "Good work, men," Anakin says before turning to R2 and saying, "You too, buddy." R2 beeps a few times in response.
"Ugh. Assassin droid. How did that monster end up in the hold?" Rex asks.
"Question is, who smuggled him onboard?" Anakin asks.
Up in the banquet hall, Obi Wan bends down and picks up one of the tiny droids. As he straightens up and looks at it, he says to Satine, "Just like that swarm of venom-mites on Draboon, remember?"
"How could I forget? I still have the scar," Satine responds.
"Pardon me, Duchess. But I distinctly remember carrying you to safety," Obi Wan says.
"I meant the scar I got after you fell and dropped me," Satine says.
"Oh, yes," Obi Wan says, a little embarrassed.
Down in the cargo hold, Anakin and Peretz have been searching for the droid that oversees the cargo bay. Finally, they find him.
"I'm looking for the droid that services the cargo bay," Anakin says.
The droid stands up, and walks over to a crate as it says, "Uh, yes sir. Are all those creatures dead?"
"That's what we're trying to find out. You are in charge of the cargo manifest, correct?" Peretz asks.
The droid begins tapping a tablet like device as it says, "Uh, yes. I have it right here."
"Well, where did they come from?" Anakin demands.
The droid walks up to Anakin, handing the device to him as he says, "It is right here on the manifest."
Anakin looks down at the device and reads aloud in a low voice, "For immediate delivery to Coruscant, one container marked medical supplies." He then lowers the device and says loudly to the droid, "There is no name on this chart! There is no indication of who shipped it!"
"No, sir. Just the Senate stamp always accepted for transport here aboard the Coronet," the droid responds.
Anakin and Peretz are quiet for a moment before Peretz says, "Well, well. Seems we have traitor on our hands."
"I agree. We'd better tell Obi Wan," Anakin says.
Anakin and Peretz make their way up to the banquet hall, where Obi Wan meets them at the door. Anakin hands the device to Obi Wan to read before saying, "One of our four distinguished Senators appears to be a traitor."
"I sense it too," Obi Wan says as he turns around and fixes his gaze on something. Anakin and Peretz follow his line of sight, and see one of the tiny droids is still active and moving.
"Looks like one of our little visitors is still alive. I have an idea how to expose the turncoat. Return to the hull of the ship. Destroy the last assassin droids. I'll find out which of the Senators is the traitor," Obi Wan says. Anakin and Peretz nod and leave the banquet hall.
A few minutes later, Satine and the Senators have gotten reseated around the table, and the meal has resumed. Senator Taa looks at her and says, "Duchess, you are not eating."
"I have no appetite," Satine responds.
"Begging your pardon. You must keep up your strength," Taa says.
"By all means, be my guest, Senator," Satine replies.
"If you insist," Taa says.
Taa then turns around as Obi Wan approaches, holding something covered by a cloth. "Ah, desert! Excellent!" Senator Taa says excitedly.
"This morsel might prove too much even for the legendary appetite of Orn Free Taa," Obi Wan says. He then whips the cover off, revealing a class desert contained that instead has the final tiny droid under it. "Enjoy," Obi Wan says.
Senator Taa gasps, then says, "Ah, on second though, it wouldn't agree with me."
Obi Wan looks around the table and says, "My theory is that our little friend will attack the Duchess and anyone who defends her. Everyone, that is, except the traitor who programmed it."
The droid throws itself against the glass in the direction of Senator Taa. Again, Taa gasps, and cries, "Ah! Take it away!"
"Obi Wan! This line of questioning borders on torture!" Satine protests.
Obi Wan slowly walks around the table, the droid still throwing itself against the glass to try and attack, now targeting the Rhodian Senator. "Oh, I assure our pacifist Duchess that everything is under control. I'm trying to expose a bigger threat," Obi Wan says.
He pauses for a moment between Senator Kin Robb and the Rhodian, then slowly moves on while saying, "Interesting. The droid displays unusual hostility towards the honorable Kin Robb." He passes, Satine, causing the droid to start lunging with greater abandon.
He then comes around Satine's chair and approaches Senator Merrick. As he does, the droid calms down, causing Obi Wan to say, "But it seems to like you, Senator Merrick. Well, Prince?"
Merrick is quiet for a moment, turning his head away. "Really, General Kenobi. You're quite clever!" As he finishes, he lunges forward and knocks the tray out of Obi Wan's hand, freeing the droid.
The droid lands on the table. After spinning around to face Satine, the droid begins scuttling down the table towards Satine. As it leaps at her, Obi Wan steps in and smacks it with a frying pan, sending it flying at a protocol droid. The droid gets inside the protocol droid and shuts it down before climbing out. Obi Wan activates his lightsaber, and a moment later, the droid leaps onto the neck of the Rhodian Senator. The Senator starts scrambling to try and get it off, but Obi Wan swings his lightsaber and cuts in two.
As Obi Wan is focusing on helping the Senator, Merrick comes up Satine and grabs her, causing her headdress to fall off. Merrick points his blaster towards her and says, "You're coming with me."
Obi Wan looks and glances around, and sees Merrick backing out of the banquet hall with Satine.
Obi Wan quickly races after him, but as he gets out, he sees that Merrick has already disappeared. As Obi Wan races down a hallway, trying to find Merrick, he raises his commlink and says, "Anakin! Peretz! Tal Merrick is the traitor! And he's taken Satine hostage!"
Down in the cargo hold, Anakin responds, "Copy that, but I've got problems of my own right now." He and Peretz slowly walk among the crates, their lightsabers ignited and held out in front of them at the ready.
As they move through the crates, Anakin gets on his commlink and asks, "Cody, Rex, have you found anything?"
"All quiet over here, sir," Cody says as he and Rex move slowly among the crates, blasters at the ready.
However, just a few seconds later, Cody glances down and sees an abandoned clone helmet. "Wait a minute…" he says before reaching down and picking up the helmet. He looks it over quickly, then turns it so he can look inside.
Immediately, one of the tiny droids, hidden inside the helmet, lunges out and lands on Cody's helmet. Cody falls backward against a crate, accidently firing his blaster.
Not far away, Anakin and Peretz hear it and race towards the sound, R2 following close behind.
As they come around the corner, they see several of the tiny droids trying to get under Cody and Rex's armor. Anakin quickly cuts two of them in half, and R2 fires a bolt of electricity at the third, disabling it.
"Thanks, little guy," Rex says to R2.
"Well, we found some of the little ones. Where's the big one?" Peretz asks.
"Haven't seen it," Cody says.
Suddenly, the big assassin droid appears out of nowhere and slams into Rex, knocking him flying back. The droid scuttles over, raises two of its claws, and tries to stab them downwards, but Rex manages to grab the claws, then bring his feet up and kick the droid off of him.
Rex quickly pulls out one of his blaster pistols and starts firing. The droid starts scuttling up the wall to try and get away. However, Anakin easily throws his lightsaber, cutting off about half of the droid's limbs and causing it to fall back to the ground. Not taking any chance, Rex runs up with his two blaster pistols, jumps on the droid's head, and fires into the holes on its head, destroying both the mother droid and the smaller droids.
Seeing that the last assassin droid is destroyed, Anakin, Peretz, and their men hurry to the lifts and head up. Once they get to the upper floors, Anakin and Peretz dispatch men to the escape pods while they hurry to find Obi Wan.
It doesn't take long before the two round a corner and see Obi Wan coming down the hallway towards them.
"Did you find them?" Obi Wan asks Anakin.
"No, but we stationed clones and Matkal at every escape pod," Anakin says.
"Merrick will try to signal his allies for help. We have to find him," Obi Wan says urgently before breaking into a run again, with Anakin and Peretz following him close behind.
As the three get into a lift and start heading further up, Anakin asks, "This may not be the right time to ask this, but were you and Satine ever-?"
Obi Wan cuts him off and says in irritation, "I don't see how that has any bearing on the situation at hand!" He then turns away from Anakin.
As they get out of the lift and head around a corner, they hear the sounds of three loud impacts against the hull.
Alarms begin to go off as the 4 clones that had assisted downstairs, plus 4 more clones that had been stationed in the upper levels, and the 4 Israeli commandos run past Obi Wan, Anakin, and Peretz.
"I'll take care of this, Obi Wan. You? Go find your girlfriend," Anakin says before he takes off after the clones and Israelis.
"Right," Obi Wan says before realizing what Anakin said. "No, Anakin, she's not my-!" he calls after Anakin, but gives up and just turns away.
"I'll search the lower few levels. You head for the bridge," Peretz says before he races off. Obi Wan just sighs a bit before hurrying to find a lift.
Elsewhere on the level, the clones, Israelis, and several of Satine's guards are fighting against a number of B2 super battle droids that somehow managed to get on board. One of the clones has already been shot and killed, but the rest are still firing away. The Israelis are doing slightly better, hitting the battle droids more than the clones are.
Up at the bridge, Obi Wan finally gets there and races through the doors, igniting his lightsaber. Near the control panel, Merrick is standing, still holding Satine.
"Come in, Kenobi. You're expected," Merrick says.
"Tal Merrick, you are under arrest. Release the duchess," Obi Wan says, pointing his saber at Merrick.
"Hmm. I took the precaution of wiring the ship's engines to explode. I press this remote, and we all die," Merrick says.
"Obi, if you have any respect for me, you will not take such risks with so many people's lives at stake," Satine says.
"Satine…" Obi Wan says, almost in protest.
Merrick slowly makes his way around Obi Wan. "Don't," Obi Wan says to Merrick, warning him not to try anything. Merrick slowly backs out and down the hall, with Obi Wan slowly following him, waiting for the slightest opportunity to strike.
Back with the clones and Israelis, the fight is still raging. Two clones are now dead, and one of the Israelis has been wounded. However, a number of the droids have been shot down.
Finally, Anakin leaps out of a side hall, igniting his lightsaber and beginning to cut down the droids. Before long, he's cut down all but three, and he takes care of the last three with a wave of Force energy. Looking around quickly to make sure there's no more droids, Anakin hurries off.
As Anakin is looking for Obi Wan, Obi Wan and Merrick are approaching the ships that delivered the B2 droids to the Coronet.
"This is Merrick. Stand by to disengage," Merrick says into his commlink.
"Obi Wan, it looks like I may never see you again. I don't know quite how to say this, but, I've loved you, from the moment you came to my aid, all those years ago," Satine says as she looks intently at Obi Wan.
"I don't believe this," Merrick says in exasperation.
Feeling very awkward, Obi Wan says awkwardly, "Satine, this is hardly the time or place for…" However, he trails off as she sees the look Satine is giving him.
Obi Wan is quiet for a few moments, then says, "Alright. Had you said the word, I would have left the Jedi Order."
"That is touching. Truly it is. But it's making me sick, and we really must be going," Merrick says in irritation.
Satine turns her head around to look at Merrick and says, "You have the romantic soul of a slug, Merrick!" She then stops on his foot, causing him to let out a cry of pain and loosen his grip on her. She gets out of his grip, grabs his blaster, and takes a few steps away from him, aiming the blaster at him. "And slugs are so often trod upon!" she adds.
"Interesting turnabout, but even if I do not deliver the duchess alive, I still win. The second I'm away, I'll hit the remote, and blow the Coronet to bits," Merrick says.
"I will not allow that!" Satine declares.
"What will you do? If you shoot me, you prove yourself a hypocrite to every pacifist ideal you hold dear," Merrick says with contempt. He then turns to Obi Wan and says, "You, Kenobi. You are no stranger to violence. You'd be hailed as a hero by everyone on this ship." He then smirks and chuckles before adding, "Almost everyone."
Obi Wan and Satine glance at each other. Merrick smirks, spreading his arms, and saying, "Come on then. Who will strike first and brand themselves a cold bloo-"
A loud bang suddenly cuts Merrick off. A moment later, a bloody spurt shoots out from his chest, right where his heart is, and he collapses, revealing Peretz standing a few meters behind him, with his Jericho pistol still raised. Satine throws her blaster away a second later.
"Ugh. These guys who give these bad guy monologues really get on my nerves," Peretz says as he holsters his pistol.
Obi Wan and Satine just stare at Peretz for a moment. Satine then looks at Obi Wan and says softly, "Obi-Wan, I…"
Right then, three of the four Sayeret Matkal commandos come running up behind Peretz, and Lieutenant Agmon says, "Colonel Peretz, all of the battle droids that boarded the ship have been destroyed. Lieutenant Ivry got hit in his arm, but he's gonna be okay."
"Good work, men," Peretz says.
Satine takes a deep breath and then says, "I must get back to the business of diplomacy."
"As you say, Duchess," Obi Wan says before saying to himself, "Some other time."
Obi Wan and Peretz find Anakin, and together they dispose of the remains of the droids, and undo the tampering Merrick did with the engines.
The rest of the voyage is uneventful, and the ship soon arrives at Coruscant.
As the ship docks down on the planet, Chancellor Palpatine and some of his guards are waiting for them.
Obi Wan and Anakin approach Palpatine. "A job well done, Master Jedi," Palpatine says.
"Thank you, Chancellor," Obi Wan says.
"Your Excellency," Anakin says. They then step aside, allowing the Senators to greet Palpatine, who directs them to a shuttle waiting to take them to the Senate building.
Peretz walks up to Anakin and Obi Wan, a few moments before Satine walks over to them. Anakin and Peretz step back to give Obi Wan and Satine some space.
"How ironic to meet again, only to find we're on opposing sides," Satine says.
"The needs of your people are all that matter. They couldn't be in better hands with you to guide their future," Obi Wan says.
"Kind words indeed from a mindful and committed Jedi. And yet…" Satine says, trailing off thoughtfully.
"What?" Obi Wan asks.
"I'm still not sure about the beard," Satine says, reaching up to run her fingers over Obi Wan's beard.
"Why? What's wrong with it?" Obi Wan asks.
"It hides too much of your handsome face," Satine says with a slight smile before turning and following the Senators and Chancellor to the shuttle.
Anakin and Peretz walk back up to Obi Wan, both grinning. "What was that all about?" Anakin asks with a chuckle.
The three are quiet before Peretz says, "Satine is quite a remarkable woman."
"She is indeed," Obi Wan says as they watch Satine step onto the shuttle, and watch it fly off.
And, I'll end there.
I hope you liked this chapter. Hope you liked that I switched up who killed Merrick in this.
Next chapter will be up either Friday or Saturday. Until then, please leave a review, and stay tuned!