Either I never updated these chapters, or I deleted them in order to replace them with better content. Here they are now! Improved content? Yes! ... but by how much is up for you, dear reader, to determine.
Disclaimer: ... yeah... skipping...
They had just settled down in the plush transport that they had gotten into back at the estate before being whisked off. The other houses were attending the ball at the mansion of the House of Organa, located closer to the mountains. Finara was driving, partitioned off by a clear, blaster-proof screen from the main travel compartment, where the padawan sat facing Marana Kiln. Sides that rose just short of their necks surrounded the other three sides of the seating area.
The older woman wore a traditional Alderaanian ball gown, dark blue in color, tight around the chest and waist to flow down and out just around her feet. A small collar flared out around her neck, dipping low enough to barely see the beginning of her collarbone, and the sleeves were just loose enough to hang from the wrists in a sloping manner. The decorative design of the Alderaanian flower, the ladalum, appeared to have been painted from her collarbone down to her waist in a deep green, the insignia of her house inscribed on the shoulders of the sleeves. A few rings, half outrageous jewels and the other half smooth and varied expensive metals, adorned her fingers. Unsurprisingly, the madam of the House of Kiln was certainly dressed to impress tonight.
They had only been sitting for perhaps a couple minutes, and already Ani was panicking. Using the Jedi technique of moving meditation, she was able to halt any frantic movements before they could give her away, working to focus on the conversation soon to be at hand. Heart pounding, she watched her stepmother closely. The sooner she gave her response, the sooner she could survive this… excursion, and get back to the war, leaving her bad memories of this place behind. She almost took one of the anti-anxiety pills from the bottle she had found in the refresher, but her Master had apparently found and removed it almost immediately. She hadn't found it again since then. Sneaky, smart Master. Even though she knew that her reliance on pills was a bad thing, it was still instinctual, no matter how much the mind healers and her master worked to help her find the strength to break free. It was a good thing Master Luminara had been teaching her to rely on certain, unchangeable truths of the Force to remember in times like these, but then again having those pills would be just as effective.
"I thank you for the protection, young Jedi." Kiln began with a polite smile. "I am pleased that the progress you have made on that chip has almost been completed, and the presence of the Jedi and clones will soon no longer be needed. Now, I know that the request I made of you was sprung in a short amount of time with almost no warning, and yet, regrettably, a response must be given for such an important request. After all, it involves tradition, and tradition is the foundation of Alderaan and its peaceful existence. What is your answer?" Remember meditation mantra 1: The Forceis the solid foundation of all of life, which includes our mental state, she thought Therefore, with my reliance upon the Force, as taught to me by Master, I can achieve mental peace necessary to make it through this. She would have to thank her master for the treatments and practices she had undergone. All of it was becoming extremely helpful here. Ani inhaled deeply before delivering the statement, as her master had helped her prepare just a couple hours earlier.
"Madam Kiln, I thank you for your promptness in bringing this matter to my Master's and my attention. Unfortunately, I cannot accept your request as of this moment. I am a Jedi, first and foremost, and due to the circumstances of the Clone Wars currently raging across the galaxy, I am needed to fight on the front. The information you revealed to us that we finished decrypting was useful and helpful, and we thank you for taking the risk in doing so. However, to grant your request and remain behind to assume the duties of my clan while the Clone Wars rage on would be requiring me to abandon my duty to answer the call to serve, as all Jedi must." Marana Kiln nodded, calm and not looking surprised in the least. Ani privately wondered if she ever was surprised at anything.
"I understand. I will thus file the request away until the Clone Wars finish, and at that time I will bring the request back to the Jedi's and your attention then."
"If you feel that is the desirable course of action," Ani returned. "However, given that the Jedi Order's numbers have thinned due to the war and shall likely continue to do so, upon surviving the war I will have earned the mantle of Jedi Knight and shall be expected to continue in their traditions. Their claim on me will undoubtedly outweigh any claim you make of me."
"Interesting, although I do not share that opinion." Marana Kiln leaned back against the plush seat of the transport, still calm and smiling pleasantly. "However, we will see what the outcome will be then." Ani sensed confidence and pride behind those words, but when trying to push further she came up against a blank wall.
Padawan Laminara had a bad feeling about what lay hidden behind that wall, something that she could not sense or detect.
"This is our finished work." Captain Skee passed the datapad to Jedi Master Luminara. "The folders are named for the different parts of the Separatists' plans and locations, and are ordered from most recent to least recent, judging by the date of when the plans were expected to be in effect."
"I see." Using the tips of her fingers, she swiped down the list, pausing to tap on the folders to see a detailed description of the items tagged within its contents. She specifically chose the plans she would be able to corroborate with Republic Intelligence, as well as was able to check out plans that had been for operations that she had personally fought against. At least a quarter of the list could be verified, and another quarter that she knew she could independently verify. There were several recent folders of plans and deliberations at the top that were dated before and after today. One folder especially needed to be communicated quickly.
"Did you inform Republic Intelligence of these?" she asked the captain, scrolling back up to indicate the selected folders.
"We're trying, General, but communication has been sketchy and unreliable. That being said, we're unsure if the communications even made it through."
"Reroute from through here to the command cruisers above us," Luminara commanded. "We'll inform them first, and leave it to them to inform those in intelligence. They'll get better reception than we will for longer, and it will likely be better encrypted."
"Yes, General."
Senator Bail Organa chanced a moment to look out over the entire ballroom before immediately returning to greeting the guests trickling in. Even after the Sith Wars, the political system of houses, noble heads, and queen rule continued undisturbed. Despite the occasional assassination attempt or attacks, almost having doubled since the Clone Wars (usually purposes of intimidation), everything over the thousands-of-years period remained stable, peaceful. How many worlds could say that about their governmental structure? Peace was not easily achieved these days, though a common byword because of the Clone Wars, and that caused him to wonder if peace would ever come back to the galaxy. With the way the war was stretching out, year after year now, that would probably not happen. Even if – when – the war ended, grievances would be revisited, arguments reviewed, and planets potentially erupting into volatile areas. That was better than all-out war, though, and without clones or droids peace could be made more easily achieved. He smiled at the three women that were approaching him.
"Ah, Madam Marana Kiln, what a pleasure!" Bail Organa bowed pleasantly to the woman across from him, who curtseyed back. "I'm glad you were able to make it tonight. I know several who have been eagerly awaiting your arrival."
"I'm sure they are as eager to see me as I am them," the noblewoman responded, smiling demurely. "I know my work in aiding the refugees and elsewhere has made me many friends."
"I'm sure." He then noticed a young girl standing to her right and slightly behind, in a beautiful blue dress and blond hair. "Ah! Officially presenting your heir, then?"
"Correct. This is Ani Kiln." The young woman looked from the woman to meet his eyes, and smiled briefly. The eyes were most definitely complemented by the dress. She would be a beauty when she grew up.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Senator Organa," she said, performing a small bow.
"Please," he said, making a small bow in her direction. "Call me Bail, and the pleasure is all mine." He looked back in Marana Kiln's direction, still smiling. "I'm glad you've finally been blessed and received your heir back after her unfortunate disappearance earlier."
"I'm afraid it was due to the illness again. Being the daughter of my late husband and his former wife, I'm sure something in her blood has made her susceptible to the sickness." He pretended to not notice the accented word. Regardless of personal feelings, protocol and bloodlines were being followed as required, and at this stage he would not be asking too many questions. It was good to see her heir visible, and at this stage "She was gone longer than anticipated. However, I'm glad she made her way back."
"Truly," Bail responded, the smile never leaving his face. "Although I know I don't have to remind you of the procedures she and you will have to go through now in order to make it official."
"Of course not." The woman appeared kind in her smiles, but the girl slightly forced in hers. He chalked it up to nervousness, and being in the same room with so many politically powerful and connected people. He was surprised that no one had yet seen her presence and come up to initiate contact. Given this recent return since her disappearance, her sudden reappearance would certainly spark interest. Hopefully, the authorities had been notified. "I will contact you soon about which day and time works to officially set that up."
"I will look forward to that," he assured her. "Meanwhile, I should get back to greeting the other guests here at my ball. I will talk to you later, Marana."
"Yes, Senator." She turned to look at the girl, and then gestured with a flick of her hand. "Come along, Ani. There are so many people I must introduce you to!"
They disappeared into the crowd. Senator Organa frowned thoughtfully for a moment; it was curious enough that she would come with her heir, but so suddenly after a recent disappearance? Also, there was no attention drawn to her, which was not uncommon for the connected and the elite. Their actions were so normally covered by the media that they would take any action they could take to avoid being covered. Despite being an average-sized house, not even comparable to the House Organa's size, they were still known well enough to garner a decent amount of attention. He had been surprised when he found out about the disappearance, but the media did not. Only upon her request had he not told anyone else, and that had been come from sympathy. His own wife being sick so often, he understood the complications it brought to the lives of all involved. He turned and saw his wife, the Queen Breha, beaming in his direction, quickly traversing the floor to reach him. He put his smile back on, a little more warmly this time, and all thoughts of the noblewoman and her heir left his mind. Stranger things had happened to other houses, and while somewhat noteworthy, this wasn't completely unusual.
Attempting to reach the cruisers was taking a little longer than usual, but Luminara wasn't concerned. It usually took a little while when there was atmospheric disturbance approaching, in this case a storm brewing up, a gift from the natural forces hailing from the opposite side of the planet. Storms on Alderaan usually held more turmoil in the atmosphere than in the heavy rains that hit her plains and forests, causing surges of electricity that interfered with all equipment drawing on the electricity. The result was spotty communication. She reached out with her end of the bond and sensed her padawan was okay. Bored, nervous, but otherwise okay. It probably wouldn't be a good idea to disturb her now.
Finally, the hologram shimmered on, clear and free from disturbance. She felt relieved.
"General Ti, I have urgent news."
Ani grew uncomfortable as she was introduced to the various beings who were the heads of their individual houses. Their stares lasted too long, implied too many questions for her to answer, and the conversations always turned to what had she been up to? She could always answer, "On the battlefield doing actual work actually protecting your politically whining for peace back home," but she wasn't supposed to. Instead, she politely smiled while giving an appropriate non-answer. Thank you, Master, for dragging me along to those long, boring Senate meetings. Having heard so many meaningless platitudes and vague answers being given by politicians, she was prepared to deal with this. It didn't mean she was any less uncomfortable being here.
"Ah, Lady Kiln!" An elderly couple approached them, causing the current head of (Chianar, she thought, given how much she and her stepmother had discussed the plight of the exiles). This couple had a couple young men along with them. "It is so good to see you!"
"Likewise, Lady Ulgo! It is good to see you both were able to make it. I trust the brewing storms did not trouble you too much?"
"Not at all," the elderly man, Lord Ulgo presumably, stated as his wife moved off to his right. A thin man in a tattered military jacket, medals adorning both breasts on his jacket, he stood proudly, and the young men obviously were following his lead. "The weather has been forecasted to not last long at all, so by the time we are done here, our return will be noticeably dry."
"I see." Madam Kiln gestured to the two young men standing behind him, still in their military stance. "Haven't you sent those off to war yet?"
"Oh, Alek and Trask V?" He made a crisp military turn sideways, then stepping back slightly to allow their party to have an obviously better view of both. A medal adorned Alek's jacket, while Trask V's was completely blank. "Alek has been in service to the Republic for a year. He is on shore leave right now, after having earned that medal for his actions on Balmorra. He will be going back soon, and as an admiral!" The young man's face nodded, turning slightly pink at the praise behind that remark. "Trask V here has just graduated from the Academy and will shortly be entering the service. I'm sure he will soon catch up to his brother. The pair of them will soon be known as the finest military officers to ever serve the Republic!"
"I'm sure," Marana said, her smile dimming only by a little bit. "However, aren't there enough clones to fulfill that role? Isn't that what they were bred for?" So it began. Ani wondered that it hadn't occurred sooner.
"Ha!" The man snorted. "More like there aren't enough Jedi to fill the role. Small wonder, given that they're dying off at a rate similar to the clones. They should be more aggressively recruiting."
"Grandfather," Alek, a towering young man and blond-haired, began, "the Jedi have devoted as many resources as they could towards the war. They have worked on killing and eliminating the Sith leaders and their dark acolytes, but unfortunately the dark-siders are skilled enough to kill many of the Jedi that are sent after them."
"The Jedi aren't conquerors, though, Alek." Trask, despite being a couple inches shorter than his twin, bore entirely the same blond-haired, blue-eyed, pale complexion. The way he was looking at his twin seemed to be almost challenging. As his twin, wasn't he already supposed to be on the battlefield too? She was almost interested enough to wonder why. "They aren't prepared the win the kriffing war." Any protest that was stirring in her mind was immediately buried. Ani knew she couldn't afford to speak up and out about this. Glancing quickly at the faces of the women she was surrounded with, she knew quickly that they agreed with his thoughts. Be glad you can think and talk like this, she thought sourly. It's because of the blood wespill on your behalf that you can play Monday night armchair quarterback.
"They wanted a quick end to the war, just as anyone else did," Alek quickly responded, smiling down at his twin. "Just wait, brother, till you're out on the battlefield. The Jedi may seem aloof and weak to you now, but they know their kriffin' stuff. Just wait!" Perhaps there was a bit of rivalry between the brothers, Ani saw.
"Please, boys," Lady Ulgo said with a strained smile. "Control your language here, please."
"Apologies, grandmother," both responded in unison, inclining their heads in her direction.
"Still," Lord Ulgo pressed on, "it's not as though you have no value on the battlefield. Let me tell you some of what I've heard of my grandson's exploits." The polite smile never wavered on her face, yet Ani could have sworn her stepmother was as bored by the prospect as she was. Turning back to face again the young men, she settled herself in for a long, boring night.
"I forgot something in the speeder, Finara. Don't worry; you don't need to come with me," Marana Kiln told Finara, who nodded politely and raised an eyebrow. In response to the unspoken question, Marana, lowering her voice so as not to be heard by the padawan, said, "Yes. Keep an eye on her. It won't be long." Keeping the smile plastered on her face, effusing warmth and kindness, she made her way, greeting fellow nobles and house patriarchs, matriarchs, and their aides until she reached the outer set of doors. She made her way to the speeder, acting as if she had left behind a purse that she just had to have on her.
She did. She would need it, for various reasons. Her purse would be important tonight. She walked alongside the speeder, stopped, looked to the right, and then to the left. It was clear, now, and quiet in this section of the parking area. She hit the button on the fob with a key attached; it released the invisible force field that protected the interior from probing hands. Upon doing that, she bent over the front passenger door and reached down underneath the seat. Thankfully Finara was so good at following instructions.
"Well?" The air shimmered in the corner of her eye, and she detected the distinct hum of a force shield deactivating as more of the image became unveiled in the dim evening light. Soon, a dark yet slender armored figure was standing next to her. Face covered in a Mandalorian helmet, all armor was coated in a dark paint. No gloss, no shine, no notice. Best undercover operative she could ask for, and assassin if need be. Hopefully, it wouldn't come to that. "You need to move into position now. I'll do my part." The other inclined her head in acknowledgment, but remained silent. As anticipated.
"Remember to stick to the first plan. Any changes, I have the other comm," she moved the finger with the bright red jewel decked upon it. "I'll code it as usual. Be prepared, as we talked about. Then again, I know from your other… dealings you'll be ready." Despite the helmet over the other's face, she – with her woman's intuition – detected a grin.
The night was still young, and there was much to accomplish.
Ani scanned the room surreptiously, slipping a glass from the table to sip gingerly at its contents. It did nothing to settle her stomach. Instead she nearly gagged on it as it began the road to her stomach. She had tasted various forms of alcohol before, but this was nothing similar to the tart yet fruity wines imported to Coruscant or the strong yet tasteless drinks in the levels below Coruscant. This had a different flavor, strong scent of something sweet, with the sweetness lingering in her mouth while the alcohol rolled down her throat.
"It's mead," Finara said, appearing at her side, taking the glass from her hand. Ani internally groaned; she thought she had lost her shadow, at least temporarily. "I doubt the lady of the house would appreciate you getting drunk at such a formal occasion." She set the glass back upon the table, took the Padawan's elbow, and gently steered her back toward the teeming mass of people.
"It's not getting drunk," Ani said in a low tone, "it's making this circle of hell easier to interact with. Besides, as a Jedi interacting with politicians and in political gatherings on a consistent basis, I have tasted various alcoholic beverages before. I'm sure you had similar experience as Lady Kiln's aide."
"Perhaps," Finara allowed, looking off to the left, "but right now you are playing a critical role and cannot be diverted from it."
"Yeah, a role that I clearly said I never wanted to play, and never should be playing, yet that's what I'm doing to apparently satisfy the other nobles that my stepmother is working with!"
"I believe that you're forgetting the people that your stepmother has been charged with their care."
"They're not my people!" Ani said through gritted teeth. "I gave all that up when I left with the Jedi."
"Are you so sure?" Finara turned to face her, one eyebrow raised as if in a challenge. "Remember, you were born here, raised for the first close to four years of your life. This planet, this sector to be specific is your home, your place of birth and raising. You have ties here, regardless of whether or not you care to acknowledge them. And you were young when your father decided for you to leave with the Jedi. Things can change."
"As a Jedi, I can have no ties to my home planet, for that could lead to favoritism in future missions as well as potentially bad decisions and consequences." Like the one that has lead up to now, she thought. Yoda was wrong; no, Iwas wrong. I should've never come back. What was with her implication at the end? "Things can change"? No they couldn't, especially since her official guardian that had presided over her going to the Temple was now dead. Now with the war, and with the likely situation that faced the Jedi at the end of the war, her leaving the Jedi was as likely as nerfs flying over Alderaan's mountains. Whatever political demands might be attempted to be placed on her would surely be preempted by her current ties to the Jedi. They had to be.
"Yet you could choose to be someone other than a Jedi, someone who does as much good as a Jedi does." Finara's eyes bore into her own. She remembered the conversation she had had with Finara earlier about choices for the good of all. It was hard to convince someone already so enraptured with their own worldview, with their own ideas and philosophies to the point that they acted on them without fully considering the consequences. Here was a prime example. At least she knew now not to waste any more of her time. This wouldn't be her problem anymore once they were done here. Ani jerked her attention back as Finara continued. "Lady Kiln has done so much for the good of her people, for the good of all Alderaan. Would it not be for the best for you to follow in her footsteps?"
"I have gifts, Finara, gifts given to me by the Force," Ani said, taking a glance around and checking her facial mask. So far no one cared to appear to notice their conversation, and her look of having a slightly concerning conversation with the head servant of the household was deemed to be of little importance to listen in on. She sensed that was the case. "I was given to the Jedi because my gifts were evident, even from a young age. Those gifts have been developed as I am in service to both the Force and to the Republic, and as of now, those gifts are needed desperately by the Republic in this time of war. I cannot be so selfish as to abandon my post for such a trivial political matter."
"I see." Finara's voice remained solid and neutral, like a good servant, before turning away to scan the room, seemingly for the return of her lady. Ani, for the most part, was thankful that she had remained coherent and classy throughout making her points. Listening to politician-ese day in and day out with her master guiding and teaching her provided most of the groundwork for laying out her refusal and her reasons for doing so. Master will be so proud of me, she thought contentedly, before cringing at the thought of being a Jedi working with politicians almost constantly, like her master did. Well, she doesn't have to know just how well I have done, otherwise I'm sure to never hear the end of it.
"Are you sure?" Shaak Ti's face looked pinched in concern. "I mean, one of the cruisers could stay behind and –"
"No," Luminara Unduli cut in. "This strike will happen soon, and it will be quick, and it will take a good chunk of our troops where they are most needed. Both of you are needed to reinforce them immediately. Remember, don't broadcast your presence, and don't reveal even to our own forces until it becomes necessary. The Ithorians and their support are critical to maintain."
"Understood. I will leave behind a Republic transport, let you keep Captain Skee, Commander Gree, and their present commands and take the men from the other companies back up before leaving. We will be heading down soon."
"Of course. Master Unduli out." The hologram winked once before vanishing, and Luminara looked to Captain Skee. "Get the men together and begin packing what you haven't already. Tell them to be quick. It won't be long before the transport reaches our location."
"Yes, General."
"I would enjoy a walk, take in the air for a little while," Marana said upon returning to the ballroom area. She smiled full wattage at a couple coming up on her left, clasped hands, and murmured something that Ani couldn't catch. However, the couple looked over in her direction to smile and give greetings, which she returned graciously. After the couple left, she turned back to Finara and Ani. "Of course you need to accompany me outside, Ani, as you are my Jedi protector."
"Apparently that's not the only job description you have for me," Ani muttered, keeping a straight face. Marana locked eyes with her, and Ani sensed a wave of frustration roll off of her. Did she trust the woman? No. Would she trust her? Duh, never. Would she at least hear her out? Yes, because she could do that much. "Don't worry, I'll still accompany you."
"Thank you." The lady turned to walk calmly and gracefully out of the crowded room, toward the terrace leading to the extensive gardens in back. Various flower scents had been wafting in slowly all evening, but the cool breeze that had just begun flowing in made them that much stronger. By now, Ani was much more inclined to the smell of fresh flowers to the stifling, almost choking congregation of various perfumes that many of the noblemen and women were wearing. A breath of fresh air would help relieve the growing headache behind her temples, of which the perfume was only one of such problems.
Upon reaching the start of the terrace, Marana Kiln and Finara arranged themselves beside and behind Ani, respectively, with such ease and quickness that she almost hadn't caught it. Ani forced down her unease, starting down the steps and into the gardens alongside Kiln. Likely this was going to lead to politically accepted browbeating, where Lady Kiln would try to trick or trap her into saying anything other than she had when in the speeder. She would be on her guard.
"So, Ani," Marana began. "How have you been enjoying your return to your home planet?"
What you call enjoying I call an experience worse than the front lines and my brutal treatment, Ani wanted to say. Instead, understanding how to play at this game, she responded, "It has not been a horrible experience, Lady Kiln, but understand that I will be returning to the front lines soon. The peace and tranquility to be found here is remarkable though I've not long to enjoy it."
"Ah." She then lapsed into silence, which lasted to the rosebushes. The path appeared to wind deep into the garden and its stages of flowers, bushes, aesthetically pleasing shrubs, and finally trees. Considering Alderaan's reluctance to do anything that would cut into its remarkable forests, efforts would be made to plant around them, not uproot in order to plant. The creativity that became of it (as well as loopholes) in some of the more elaborate gardens, like this one, was astounding. It couldn't really be noticed from the ground level, but when looking down from above one would notice a certain pattern emerge, a pattern taking on the shape of various wildlife, the head of the noble house, or something else that was astoundingly breathtaking. The garden back at the estate of House Kiln took on the shape of the head of the ladalum flower. Here, it was the insignia of the Republic, which made sense, considering that the head of the house was the current Senator for the Republic.
"I'm sure that you have realized that, in your time here, what a great privilege it would be for you to take on the legacy handed down to you by birth," Marana started again, now upon the delicately cut shrubs. The flowers behind them, Ani detected the scent change to recently trimmed shrubs and wood. Admittedly, out of the entire trip here, the scents were the best part. She had forgotten how the planet smelled, and it was a good change from the scents of blasterfire, metal, and blood from the frontlines. If she could she would replace this awkward mess of a conversation with that. She had been wrong; there were some good things in returning. "I have done well to preserve your father's legacy, and I would like to see it continue onto you. "
"Like, or prefer?" Ani responded, a hint of sarcastic anger in her voice.
"I know that the Jedi give their successors the best education possible in politics, the sciences, and of course a moral background to control their power for the good of the Republic," Marana continued, ignoring Ani's remark. "You will have had a better education than anyone even here on Alderaan. You are more than equipped for this job, and even if you were not directed by blood to inherit this position I would still desire one such as you to take my place."
"I already said no," Ani reiterated firmly. "I will not do so. I am needed by the Galactic Republic currently to fight against the Separatists. Even when the war is done, I will be expected to carry on the traditions of the Jedi. I cannot selfishly remain here, regardless of who it's for."
"It will be for the benefit of the people of your sector," Marana explained patiently. "What more selfless goal could there be?"
"How about being out there to protect the galaxy?" Ani exclaimed. "Innocent beings die and worlds conquered by two known Sith and who knows how many of their acolytes. They need to be protected."
"The claims the Separatists make have won many planets over to their side," Marana observed.
"Yet we either win those planets back or at least force them into neutrality when they see how badly they've been manipulated." Ani felt her temper rising, and fought to quell it. Marana Kiln wanted a rise out of her, but she would avoid letting that happen. More was accomplished with a calm attitude than an angry one.
"Perhaps, but when has war really accomplished anything?" Ani snorted, and thanked the Force her master wasn't here. She'd have lectured her on that snort, just to begin the list.
"Well, since we're standing on Alderaan, I'd have to say war accomplished keeping the political and social order in place for another thousand or so years, and – wait," Ani stopped suddenly, raising one hand. Her eyes narrowed, and her lips thinned in concentration. "Quiet. I hear something."
"Well, we are almost to the trees," Marana Kiln began before Ani cut her off.
"No, not that. I hear – I sense someone is following us."
"That would be correct." Ani whirled around while calling both lightsabers to her hands from their respective hiding places. There, now stepping from the shadow of the forest, was a bounty hunter. The armor looked dark enough for camouflage, and no face could be seen so until she could see the helmet she wouldn't know the type. Either way, she could guess what the bounty hunter had come for. She stepped out to cover both women and ignited the lightsabers.
"You will leave these two alone, and you will not be hurt," the padawan said carefully. She sensed fear emanating from the two. Despite her personal quarrel with Marana Kiln, it was her job to protect her, and she would do it.
"One of them has something I want, and I will get it. You don't have to get involved, but if you do, there will be consequences."
"I'll risk it," Ani laughed, holding her right arm in front of her with the lightsaber sloping downwards while the other posited a diagonal slash before the two women behind her. "It's not like I had anything better to focus on." A blaster appeared like lightning in the bounty hunter's hand, and shots immediately began flashing their way to the padawan. With practice and ease that comes with long practice, Ani deflected the bolts even faster, taking a step forward with every deflection.
Upon every bolt being deflected, the padawan was now close enough to the bounty hunter to slice the blaster out of grip and onto the grass as a twisted, useless hunk of metal. Both lightsabers pointed toward the bounty hunter's throat, Ani's grip being steady. That, despite being simple, had been the most fun she'd had this entire trip. Now, to capture her, bring her in, and ask her why had it been so easy, too easy? It was strange.
"Surrender." The bounty hunter's hands were raising high into the air, and the helmet gleamed silently in the glow of the lightsabers. It was a Mandalorian helmet, which made her even more wary. Mandalorians were hired mercenaries, trained killers, and they hated Jedi. Why was she here, and why hadn't she approached her earlier? Plus, why was she being so easy to capture? "Now, hold still while I bind you." She deactivated both lightsabers and reached down to her boot. "You will answer all questions asked by my master and I, or things will go unfortunately wrong for you. Fortunately, I always come prepared –"
'"Which you will not require, young one," a voice said behind her. Ani was about to turn around when she felt a sharp prick on her neck. The world began to spin and grow hazy. She managed to turn to see Lady Kiln and Finara standing there, where they were supposed to be, and – wait, were they smiling?
"You need to rest now, young one. You need to stop fighting us," another voice said. Her senses were now so blurred that she couldn't tell who was saying what. All that she could do was try to fight it, but she was so sleepy, and she hadn't slept well the entire time…
The bounty hunter watched with cool detachment, as did the other two women, the padawan struggle, fall, and with that downward pull by gravity sink into unconsciousness. With practiced ease, her employer tossed the syringe away onto the ground and deliberately crushed it with her foot near the girl's face.
"Fortunately, she's easier to sedate due to the lack of sleep she's been suffering from. Now we can proceed. Is the bunker ready?" Marana Kiln asked.
"Yes."
"Take her there." With ease, the bounty hunter knelt, collected the figure into her arms, and as she rose hoisted her over her shoulder. She saw the politician gesture for Finara to begin running back, and upon reaching Bail Organa would tell him the true story in frantic, yet hushed tones. It would do more harm than good to begin a panic over Marana Kiln's missing heir. All was following their plan.
"Should I begin the sessions upon arrival?"
"No." Marana's tone was soft, yet commanding. "I want to be there when you begin. However, ensure that she cannot escape. All security measures must be taken."
"Yes, ma'am." She fired up the boosters on her jetpack. It would be a lengthy fly back, but it had to be done. Once she lay a false trail, she would then proceed to the bunker. Her employer would take a while on her end to keep them off her trail as well.
"Good." Satisfaction was evident on the middle-aged lady's face. "Time for a bit of persuasive reasoning."
Luminara saw the transport off, with Commander Gree on one side and Captain Skee on the other. The technological implements and devices were being taken with the clone troopers returning to the main fleet body. A small Republic transport was being left in orbit for their travel back to Coruscant, and as soon as the leaving transport docked in one of the above cruisers, they would leave for Ithor. Absolute silence was necessary in order to surprise and turn the attack against the Separatists, which meant that she, the clones here and on the ships, and maybe certain Republic Intelligence agents would know about their movements. To preemptively prevent the Separatists from taking over a planet clearly in support of the Republic would raise opinions in their favor, something which they desperately needed.
"The captain of the transport going to be left behind will leave a channel open for constant communication," Gree said, hands clasped behind his back, still dressed in his civvies, and still maintaining a military posture. Well, this was the first time he'd been outside and not working in days. He likely felt disappointed he wouldn't be there for the likely adrenaline-rushing and exciting surprise counter attack, but she required his services here.
"Good. Have him contact us upon the leaving of the command ships, Commander."
"Yes, General." She then detected something change on her padawan's end of the bond. Given the current, dull state of affairs, she could delve deeper, opening her end of the bond to investigate. She focused on her padawan's end of the bond, sensing not just a change of emotion, but a change of tempo. Stray thoughts began to form the story. Her padawan was excited; apparently someone had tried to capture Marana Kiln and was being exceedingly easy to apprehend. Normally Luminara would be relieved, but something sounded off about that.
Whatever ploy her padawan encountered could be a trap. She reached in deeper. Otherwise everything was okay – wait, now her padawan's end was muted, thoughts slowing down. Surprise, a hint of anger, and then she was asleep. Rather, the bond was acting as though Ani was asleep. She barely had time to consider that before the other end of the bond became fuzzy, muted, and harder to hang on to, which was not what happened to the end of a bond when the person was asleep. Part of her began to panic; was her padawan dying? Shoving her emotions aside, she concentrated hard. No, not dying. More like unconscious, probably drugged, seeming muted so only the fact that she yet lived could be discovered. Otherwise, the thoughts, the energy, almost the entire essence of her padawan seemed to have disappeared behind a dark grey veil. Something went wrong while at the ball, and she would soon discover what it was. After that came finding her padawan, and after that came her satisfying version of payback.
Luminara Unduli returned to her body, and opened her eyes. Both clones were looking at her strangely. Commander Gree was telling Skee that he had seen Jedi meditate before, but that this was somehow, some way different, before cutting it off upon hearing:
"What just happened?"
"To you or to the cruisers above?" Commander Gree asked, concerned, as Captain Skee looked curious.
"The cruisers," she said, looking sharply from one to the other. "What just happened with them? Have they left yet?"
"General," Commander Gree began, "they left approximately two standard minutes ago." She resisted the urge to shout something… inappropriate. It figured that the moment anything relatively suspicious happened that their temporary backup would no longer be present to back them up. Oh, now would be the appropriate time to just let it all out, but she couldn't and wouldn't, not here and not in front of her command, no matter that it was just the three of them there. She had little manpower, couldn't fully act in her capacity as a Jedi, and couldn't contact Coruscant for help at the risk of endangering the surprise counter attack.
Finding and rescuing her padawan had just become that much more difficult.