'ello, peoples of the earth!
I need to thank katierosefun, CaylithTheGolden, Lux's Sister (guest), and notneeded (guest) for reviewing last chapter. I'm sorry I forgot to thank the reviewers last chapter!
I also have to give a couple replies to the guest reviewers, as I cannot PM them to reply to reviews.
Lux's Sister: Did you somehow hack my tablet and read all my files? I'm starting to wonder if I should contact the FBI. O.O
notneeded: I'm afraid that, and I say this after conducting some extensive research, there isn't a way to incorporate the Delta Commando Squad into this story. I really am sorry. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the story!
All that said, I now present Chapter 4 of I Know Places! Hope y'all enjoy!
Cadena was clearly excited about the mission (which was understandable), but she wasn't the one who'd have to change her face, her name, or her complete identity. Oh, and she wasn't the one who'd have to maneuver the politics and intrigues of the Senate.
The objective sounded simple: get help for Humbarine.
Well, that was easier said than done in a world of power-hungry politicians who cared for nothing but themselves. And if Kira got caught, she'd be in huge trouble for impersonating a senator.
Why the Jedi couldn't simply send someone to Humbarine was beyond Kira. Did the Council really have to get the Senate's permission for everything?
Kira fumed inwardly about this issue on the way to the medbay, and Cadena finally sensed Kira's frustration. "Hey," she said, touching Kira's shoulder. "What's wrong?"
Kira sighed. "I hate this idea," she said.
Cadena raised an eyebrow. "Why? It's your first solo mission, Kira! You should be happy!"
"I'd be happier if it didn't involve me risking my neck for a politician."
Cadena frowned at this. "I thought that you wanted to help the people of Humbarine."
"I do." Kira turned to glare at the wall, which had done nothing to deserve it. "But I don't see why the Council can't just send someone to the planet to help. Instead, they have to send someone in place of Senator Breemu to don a fancy dress and act as their pawn in the senator's absence! Did I mention that I hate this idea?"
"Then why did you even accept the mission?" Cadena asked.
Kira stopped to look at her friend. "Because I do want to help Humbarine in any way I can, Cadena. And if this is the only way, well, then I really don't have a choice, do I?" She started walking again. "But that doesn't mean I have to like it."
Cadena shrugged, and the girls walked the rest of the way in silence.
In the infirmary, a Miralian healer and a medical droid were waiting for Kira. The healer smiled as she gestured for Kira to take a seat. "I assume you've been filled in on the details?"
"Yes, madame."
The door opened, and Obi-Wan stepped inside. "Sorry I'm late. The Council kept me behind."
"It's fine, Master Kenobi. You've arrived just in time," the healer said. "Padawan Narro, are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be. Let's get it over with," Kira said, leaning back in her seat.
Obi-Wan moved to stand next to the healer as the medical droid prepped the needle and stuck it in the side of Kira's neck. After the needle punctured her skin, she did her best to relax despite a slight buzzing in her head. However, when that buzzing turned into a splitting headache, she squinted her eyes shut to block it out. She reached for something solid to hold on to and vaguely heard the healer telling Cadena and Obi-Wan to hold her down. The pain seemed to take over her whole body. Someone started groaning, and Kira wanted to tell whoever it was to stop, for the sound was a terrible one to hear.
It wasn't until the pain died away as fast as it had begun that Kira realized she was the one groaning. Embarrassed, she immediately stopped and tried to catch her breath.
When the healer believed Kira had recovered, she grabbed a black wig off a table. "You'll need to wear this at all times," she explained as she tucked Kira's hair into a bun and fitted the wig over Kira's head. "You'll also wear a head covering most of the time, but you need to be very careful to not knock the wig crooked." She turned Kira to face Obi-Wan and Cadena. "What do you think?"
Cadena let out a low whistle. "The resemblance is uncanny," she said.
Obi-Wan nodded. Kira could sense a hint of anxiety in his Force signature.
The healer handed a small metal ball to Kira. "Now you just need to use that to make your voice Senator Breemu's."
Kira eyed the ball. "And how do I do that?"
"Well," Obi-Wan said, "you swallow it." Cadena giggled nervously.
Kira sighed. "I was afraid you'd say that." With that, she dropped what she now knew was a vocal emulator into her mouth and swallowed it. Then she tried speaking. "Well, this is new," she said in a voice much lower than her own. "Wait, this is - where'd you even get the recording?"
"The Senate debate from yesterday aired this afternoon on the Holonet. I simply got a recording of Senator Breemu's defense," said the healer.
"Oh. May I see a mirror?"
Thd healer retrieved a mirror from the table and handed it to Kira. The Padawan gasped aloud, staring at her reflection and fingering her new face. "I suppose there's a reason this technology isn't released to the public," she said.
"Oh, yes," Obi-Wan said, chuckling.
Kira handed the mirror back to the healer. "So now what?"
"Well, first I'll bring you and Cadena to the senator's apartment," said Obi-Wan, "and then I'll begin the search for the real senator. You, on the other hand, must begin preparing to defend Humbarine."
Kira exhaled. "Alright. Let's do it, then."
It wasn't hard for Kira to pretend she was dazed as Obi-Wan "returned" her to Senator Breemu's apartment, for she was quite busy zoning out and admiring the lovely decor in the building. Once they actually reached the apartment, pretending was even easier, especially when Obi-Wan told the guards she had "a slight case of amnesia, but she should recover soon." He covered for Cadena by telling the guards that she had helped the senator escape from their captors and as a reward had been given a place in the senator's staff.
The guards thanked Obi-Wan and, after asking if the kidnapper had been found, immediately rushed Kira to bed. Kira put her foot down about having Cadena dress her instead of the other handmaiden.
"No, no, no." Kira rifled through the closet for something comfortable to sleep in. "Ugh, no. NO."
Cadena reached in and pulled out a cotton nightgown with an ankle-length skirt. "I think this is the best you're gonna get," she said, holding out the gown to Kira.
Kira studied the nightgown. "Fine."
"What a diva," Cadena teased. Kira stuck out her tongue in response.
When Kira was dressed for bed, she looked around the apartment to find a place for Cadena to sleep. However, even when she found the quarters for handmaidens and off-duty guards, Cadena insisted on sleeping in Kira's room. "I can make myself a bed on the floor," she said.
Kira raised an eyebrow - really, this identity was going to take a while to adjust to. "Are you sure?" she asked Cadena. "The beds in the other quarters look pretty comfortable."
Cadena shook her head. "I don't need comfort. Besides, who else is going to stay the night to protect you?"
"My lightsaber."
Cadena laughed. "That's for dire emergencies, remember?"
Kira nodded reluctantly. "All right. To be honest, I think that room is too big for me anyway."
The two girls grabbed some blankets from a linen closet and took them back to Kira's room. Kira grabbed a pillow from her bed and helped Cadena make a bed on the floor. When finally they were finished, each girl climbed into her respective bed and tried to go to sleep.
"Cadena?" Kira whispered after a while.
"Mm?"
"Where'd you put my lightsaber?"
"In the drawer in your nightstand. It's locked."
Kira turned to look at the nightstand and saw a small lock keeping the contents of the drawer secure. She relaxed, knowing she could easily open it with the Force if necessary. "Cadena?"
"Yeah?"
"Good night."
"Good night, Senator."
The next morning, Kira was awake before the sun had arisen over Coruscant. She slipped out of bed, picked the most simple dress she could find from the wardrobe, and went to the refresher to change. She did all this quietly so she wouldn't wake Cadena or Senator Breemu's staff.
After brushing her wig and putting on the head covering, Kira headed out to the kitchenette and made herself some tea. She then poured it into a mug and carried it out to the balcony.
Many Jedi are waking up, she mused as she stared in the direction of the Temple. A faint yellow line colored the horizon behind the Temple and made the shadow of the five towers stand out. Master Kenobi was probably up all night looking for a lead on Senator Breemu. Ahsoka's probably sparring with Master Skywalker. Caleb... She smiled to herself. Who knows what sort of trouble he's stirring up?
"What are you grinning about?" said a familiar voice as she joined Kira on the balcony. Cadena, now dressed in the simple garb of the staff, was grinning herself.
"Nothing," Kira murmured. She sipped her tea. "I really hope Obi-Wan finds Senator Breemu soon."
"He will." Cadena put a hand on Kira's shoulder. "In the meantime, I hope you know what your approach to today's debate is going to be."
Kira felt a headache coming on. "Don't remind me," she said, shuddering. "I wish we could use...what does Master Skywalker call it? Aggressive negotiations? Yes, I wish we could use aggressive negotiations all the time."
"Oh, Kira." Cadena clicked her tongue. "What would Master Kenobi say if he saw you now?"
"He'd say-"
An explosion went off in the distance, interrupting Kira's sentence. The two girls whipped around to see a large cloud of smoke coming from the side of the Temple. Kira's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh, no," she breathed, heart racing.
Cadena looked as sick as Kira felt. "Tell me I'm hallucinating."
"If you are, we're having the exact same hallucination." Kira headed back inside and placed her mug on the table. "Where's the transmitter?"
Cadena raced inside after Kira. "That's really for emergencies, but I would say this qualifies."
"Of course it qualifies!" By now, Kira didn't care if she woke up the staff.
The head of security opened the door. "Is something wrong, m'lady?"
"Yes," Cadena answered before Kira could say a word. "There was a security breach at the Jedi Temple, and the senator asked me to contact the Council to see if she might be at risk."
The guard looked at Kira. "Is this correct?"
For the moment, Kira swallowed her pride. "Yes, sir."
"I'll order some more security. Humbarine forces are thin, but I'm sure they can spare a few more men." With that, the guard strode out into the hall.
Kira fought the urge to facepalm. "Great. That was the last thing I wanted." She started after the officer.
Cadena grabbed Kira's arm. "Leave it. We have just enough time to contact the Council."
The two girls went into the bedroom, and Kira locked the door behind them while Cadena pulled the transmitter from another locked drawer. She punched in the channel, and soon the girls faced a hologram of the Council.
Mace Windu spoke first. "What is it?"
Kira gulped. "We saw the explosion, Master Windu. What happened over there?"
"We're investigating now. It seems that the Temple has been bombed."
Kira didn't realize she was hyperventilating until Cadena put a hand on her shoulder and told her to breathe. "Is there anything we can do, Master?" she asked, ignoring Kira's glare.
"No." Obi-Wan answered this time. "You girls are doing fine so far. Kira, focus on the debate today. Your success may depend on it."
"Yes, Master."
"Good," said Mace. "We do have a lead on Senator Breemu's captor. He may be closer than we thought."
"That's good news," Kira offered.
"Yes," Obi-Wan agreed. "So far, the investigation is going better than we expected."
Cadena smiled weakly. "Well, we'll get going. Lots to do, you know." She laughed dryly. "May the Force be with you, Masters."
"May the Force be with you both," Obi-Wan replied before the call was terminated.
Kira sat down on the bed as Cadena locked the transmitter away again. "How could someone have bombed the Temple?" she asked, more to herself than to Cadena.
"I don't know." Cadena sat beside Kira. "But for now, I think the best we can do is focus on our mission."
"Maybe."
"Hey, I'm worried, too." Cadena put an arm around Kira. "Come on. You've got a long day ahead of you."
With that, Kira and Cadena stood up and walked out of the bedroom, not quite ready for their first day as Senator and handmaiden, but nonetheless prepared to act the parts.
You know, a long time ago, I mentioned in a story that it would be a long time before I wrote a story about Ahsoka leaving. It seems that time has come.
Kira: And you're getting creeped out because Lux's Sister seems to be one step ahead of you? You just basically told the readers what's gonna happen!
Me: Kira, the Temple has just been bombed. Everyone knows what happens after that.
Obi-Wan: I didn't know Senator Bonteri had a sister.
Me: I don't think he does, Obi-Wan. It's just a username.
Cadena: Yeah, Lux doesn't have a sister.
Kira: And how would you know?
Cadena: I know these things. ;)
Me: Alright! *claps hands together* Who wants to do the review notice?
Kira and Cadena: NOT IT!
Obi-Wan: ...
Me: *shrugs* Sorry, Kenobi. Looks like you're the loser today.
Obi-Wan: *sighs* If you liked it, hated it, or wanted to light it up and watch it burn, please review and let Amy know.
Me: Excellent! Thanks for reading, everybody! May the Force be with you all!