AN: I'm sorry for my absence, but as I suspected, the season 2 premiere of Star Wars: Rebels, featuring a few old faces, brought my muse back to this story. I'm also sorry for the rather boring chapter, but I had to get a few things out of the way. There should be lots of Wolffe in the next chapter.

None so deaf as those that will not hear. None so blind as those that will not see. –Matthew Henry

Chapter 4

The journey from Coruscant to Castell went smoothly for Kieria. She slept for a few hours in her sparse room at the Temple and then departed early in the morning, before the sun had even begun to reflect off the myriad panes of the skyscrapers. Once again piloting her dark blue starfighter, the trip into orbit to dock with a hyperspace ring was simple, and her fingers easily keyed in the coordinates for Castell. The ship slipped out of realspace with hardly any discomfort, and she reflected on her assignment. She was glad to be traveling again.

The blonde Jedi had brought a datapad loaded with all the notes and reports on Roche she could find in the Temple archives, everything from climate to shipping laws to culture, and she spent many hours of the hyperspace journey perusing the information, wanting to be as prepared as possible. When that was complete, Kieria set the datapad aside and settled into meditation. The Council had pressed upon her the importance of this mission, and she would need to be as attuned to the Force as possible to help her focus.

Before she knew it, the alarm indicating it was time to exit hyperspace began to beep, and opening her eyes Kieria leaned forward and eased the controls back, the blue glow of hyperspace fading as the starfighter dropped back into the dark of realspace.

The Triumphant was already waiting at their rendezvous point, so far out in Castell's orbit that the planet was barely visible against the backdrop of stars. The cruiser's hanger bay doors were already open and ready for her fighter. Over the comm channel came the familiar voice that all the clones shared, and at hearing it an unexpected shiver ran down her spine before she caught herself, as it elicited memories of her name being said in ecstasy. She didn't give the memories time to solidify and distract her, however, drawing on all of her discipline. Kieria replied to confirm her identity, her voice as steady as ever. Piloting the starfighter delicately into the hanger bay, she bit her lower lip. She knew that wasn't Wolffe, subtly, their voices were different, yet it was so similar... That reaction from her body had not been expected, especially after five months. She would have to be very careful that Master Koon not pick up on any thoughts, because there was nothing between them. Kieria hadn't contacted Wolffe in any way since their mission to Aleen, and she had no intentions to repeat that mission, so it was best that no one know anything of it.

Upon docking her starfighter and powering it down, Kieria climbed out and jumped down easily off the fighter's wing, where a helmeted clone informed her that Master Koon was expecting her on the bridge as he started refueling her fighter. With a nod, the Jedi turned for the turbolift to the bridge. As she walked, the great hanger bay doors overhead slowly slid closed, and she had barely reached the lift before she felt the deck beneath her feet lurch subtly in the way it did when jumping to hyperspace.

When the doors to the bridge slid open, she was proved correct as there was no longer a view of realspace stars out the view ports. Plo Koon was standing in the middle of the bridge, near the front when she entered and she walked sedately across the bridge towards him, absentmindedly eyeing the clones around her. All of these were out of armor, wearing gray uniforms instead. She knew she was unconsciously looking for Wolffe, though she didn't see him. The Kel Dor turned to face her when she was almost to him, and Kieria offered him a smile.

"Hello, Kieria. Welcome to the Triumphant," Master Koon greeted her, his tone pleasant even though she couldn't see his face under the mask.

She gave a short bow. "Greetings, Master Koon. Did I keep you waiting long?"

"Not at all," he replied, and gestured for her to turn and walk back to the bridge console with him.

"Is there any new information about the mission?" Kieria asked, clasping her hands behind her back to keep them from fidgeting.

"No," Plo Koon answered, tapping some commands into the console in front of them. "Representative An'Gulan has safely returned, but they are awaiting the Republic delegation before any meetings commence. It would be wise to get you there as soon as possible; hence our quick departure back to hyperspace. Currently we will arrive in Roche space in six hours."

"I agree," Kieria replied. "I found some more files in the Archives which I read on the way here. The Roche are diplomats. They prefer to be neutral and to have control over themselves. They won't meet with anyone until all parties have arrived."

"War changes many things," was the Kel Dor's only answer, his tone slightly warning. "We should not keep them waiting."

"Had I been allowed to travel straight to Roche in a starfighter," the blonde Jedi started slowly, "I would be there already, possibly even before Representative An'Gulan."

"We know you do not approve, but the clones are necessary," Koon replied, finally turning his head to look at her. "Having them posted to the Prime Minister and anything else you deem worthy will show Roche that we take their security seriously, and that the Republic considers them important. You will be too busy investigating to adequately protect anyone."

Deciding to change the subject, Kieria moved on. "Has a squad been selected or do I get to choose?"

"I have assigned Commander Wolffe to you, since your work together on Aleen was a success," Plo Koon informed her. Kieria felt her breath catch at his name but she used every ounce of her discipline to push her mind past any thoughts of Wolffe and to focus on the mission. "I have left the selection of which squad to him."

"Does your commander understand that the smaller the squad, the better? We don't want the Roche to think they are being invaded."

"Commander Wolffe has been briefed on the mission. He understands its purpose," Plo Koon said confidently, and Kieria realized it was an uphill battle, with nothing left for her to do but tactfully withdraw.

"If there is nothing else, Master Koon, may I retire to quarters? I would like to meditate some more before we arrive." The Kel Dor nodded his large head and she stepped back to bow to him, and then turned and walked back across the bridge to the turbolift.

XXXXX

The LAAT/i transport bucked and shook as it descended into Roche's atmosphere. According to the Jedi, it was a stormy time of year on Roche at the moment. Inside the ship it was dead quiet, except for the creaking of the ship as it shook and a faint whine from the wind whistling past. Six clones stood in two neat rows inside, one hand above their heads as they held onto the handholds hanging from the ceiling. Six clones was less than Wolffe wanted with him, but General Koon had told him to bring as few as he needed, and knowing Kieria's opinions on clones as well, Wolffe had agreed. And he was proud that Plo Koon had trusted him to select the squad himself. The General's only input was to suggest to Wolffe that he bring a Sergeant, someone to manage the troopers so he could focus solely on watching Irrden. The fact that General Koon thought the other Jedi merited so much watching made Wolffe uneasy, but he had already decided to bring a Sergeant anyway.

Kieria stood slightly to the right in front of the clones, seemingly keeping her balance easily. Probably something to do with the Force. He found himself studying her, taking in the ways she had changed since Aleen. On the desert world, Kieria had worn clothes more suited to that climate, leaving more of her skin exposed than was covered. Now she was dressed once more in the traditional beige and brown Jedi robes, except that she had also added gauntlets like so many Jedi had recently. Her hair, tightly tied up on Aleen, was now hanging long and loose. The only part of her that moved was her robes, swinging slightly with the motion of the ship. The heavy lengths of cloth flowed from her shoulders, hiding the slender curves of her ribs and waist and the graceful angles of her long legs. Wolffe could still picture them clearly, however, though he firmly turned his mind from that train of thought before his armor became uncomfortably tight. It was never going to be repeated, no matter how much he wished it could be, so there was no reason to think about it.

"So...tell me again what we're doing here, if there are no Seppie clankers to fight?"

The voice from the internal comm in his ear made Wolffe realize he was staring at Kieria and he hastily pulled his gaze away and turned to look at Boost just as Sinker started to answer.

"Stow it, Boost," the sergeant said sternly. "We're here because we have a job to do."

"Yeah, well, it should be someone else's job. We weren't bred for peace talks."

"Boost-!"

"You heard the Sergeant, secure the chatter," Wolffe cut across Sinker and put an end to the grumbling. Keeping a firm hold on the grip, he nonetheless spun around to look over his men. Kieria, not privy to the helmet chatter, did not miss Wolffe's abrupt turn and looked over her shoulder at them herself. "There may be no clankers here yet, but if we can keep it that way, then we won't have to lose any brothers on this battlefield too. Now stay sharp, we don't know what we're going to find when we land," he ordered firmly, swinging back to face forward and giving Kieria a sharp, reassuring nod as he did so. The Jedi cast her gaze over the troopers one more time and then turned her eyes forward again.

XXXXX

Kieria stepped out of the larty gracefully when the blast doors finally opened, striding purposefully away. She schooled her stride to contain confidence and just a touch of urgency as she crossed the landing platform to the Roche woman she recognized as Representative An'Gulan and the two security guards waiting behind her. It wouldn't do to appear too rushed or too casual. The storm was not raging so strongly here. A stiff breeze tugged her robes to one side, along with her hair, and Kieria felt the light sting of rain drops on her face, but she didn't falter as she stopped before An'Gulan and bent at the waist in a polite bow.

"Representative An'Gulan, it is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance," she said as she straightened, noting that the Representative had dropped into a curtsy in unison.

"And it is my pleasure to meet you, Master Irrden," the Roche woman answered in her clipped accent. Her black hair was pinned tightly back so that the wind could not tangle it. Her equally black eyes flickered behind Kieria, taking in the two lines of clones, her expression schooled perfectly stoic but Kieria could sense her unease. "Please, let us get out of this dreadful weather," the woman said, waving her arm wide in a gesture for Kieria to walk beside her. Together, the two women passed between the Roche guards, who pivoted and fell in line right behind them, leaving the clones to trail behind the guards.

It was a very short walk to the safety of the doorway, and An'Gulan continued as soon as the door closed behind them. It was easier to speak without the whipping wind. "I was not aware that the Republic would be sending clones before the meeting had even begun," the black haired woman said delicately, but her surprise and dislike were still obvious as she led the way down one wide gray hallway. The Roche were a short people, and to Kieria, the ceiling seemed uncomfortably close. All the rooms and hallways were reinforced with large bulwarks that stood out nearly a meter from the wall, spaced an even twenty feet down the hall. Large enough for a man to hide behind, possibly two. The Roche were a practical people; they had built the government tower to be defensible. There were very few windows.

"My troops are here only as added security measures, Representative, for yourself and your Prime Minister. We all greatly hope that the situation will not turn to war," Kieria answered adroitly, as they turned a corner into a short hallway ending in a wide door. "But considering the nature of the Separtist threats towards your Prime Minister, it is only wise to be prudent."

"Which we have, Master Irrden. Prime Minister Et'Dallenian's guard has been doubled, and our security precautions tightened. We would rather rely on our own forces to protect him, than those of an outsider." The Representative's voice was soft, yet somehow Kieria had no problem hearing her. The tiny woman had the force of will of a Wookie.

"With all due respect, Representative, we mean no disrespect to your people. But given the nature of these threats and how quickly the Separtists have gained a foothold here, it seems likely that there is a traitor, or splinter cell in your midst. Please, until I finish my investigation, take advantage of my offer. Your Prime Minister is too important to lose."

The Representative stopped just outside the door's sensors and turned to face her firmly, her perfect political mask slipping away to reveal fatigue and a great deal of anxiety. "Yes, he is, Master Jedi, which is why those who guard him have had thorough background checks and have served us loyally for years. I myself inspected them, and I don't have time right now to look over more records. Your clones are not needed, and I fear their presence at this upcoming meeting would be disruptive." From down another hallway, two more security guards appeared around the corner. "Please, dismiss them and I will have them assigned barracks for the duration of their stay."

That was when Kieria felt it: paranoia was wrapped around this planet like a cloak. There was a splinter cell, and An'Gulan knew about. Kieria dropped into a low bow again, knowing when to retreat from a battle. "As you wish, Representative An'Gulan. However, may I suggest instead that they be assigned to your security captain, and deployed where he feels they are most needed? And I must insist that my commander be allowed to stay with me."

"Of course," the Roche woman said pleasantly, mask in place once again, and then nodded to a security guard beside the door, who waved a hand over the door sensor. It slid open as An'Gulan began to walk forward again, entering a low, circular room with a large table in the middle that was clearly some sort of meeting or conference room. Kieria turned her head and waved her hand quickly in a signal to Wolffe, who gave a short nod as he directed the rest of the clone troopers to follow their escort before he followed on her heels into the room. At the head of the table, opposite the door and in a grander chair, sat the Prime Minister of Roche, distinguishable by the inky black hair and eyes all the natives shared. To the immediate right was clearly the Separatist party, as two battle droids flanked his seat. The two of them appeared to be arguing, but stopped when Et'Dallenian raised his hands, face displaying clear relief in seeing An'Gulan and curiosity towards Kieria and Wolffe.

"Prime Minister Et'Dallenian, General Rhew," Representative An'Gulan started, nodding to each man in turn. "May I present our Jedi representative?" she finished, gesturing to Kieria with one graceful hand.

Kieria stepped forward and then bowed from the waist. "I am Jedi Knight Kieria Irrden—" she paused as the Force whispered a warning to her. She could not just ignore Wolffe's presence, or introduce him as just a number. Those droids, beside the Separtist general, undoubtedly only had numbers. Right now, herself and Wolffe were the only faces representing the Republic here, and she couldn't make one of them just numbers. They had to be different from the Separtists. "And this is Commander Wolffe", she added, changing what she had originally planned to say. Her pause had been too short for anyone to notice. She felt a start of surprise pass through the clone behind her.

An'Gulan walked around the table to take a seat directly beside the Prime Minister, leaving Kieria to sit facing the Separtist General, Wolffe taking up station right behind her. And they spent the next four hours in such positions.

AN: Yes, I'm sorry, it's boring, but I needed just a little bit of setting. Also I hadn't planned on including any other canon clones, but I've discovered I'm not very good at clone names, so I borrowed them. I hope they aren't too much out of character. I don't feel that this story will be too much longer than it's prequel (probably 2 more chapters?). Next chapter should have all the action you could want, and I promise there will be kisses. ;)