December 3rd, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
The cell was dark, too dark for anyone to see clearly. It was unforgivingly cold, making Mia huddle into herself as she paced rabidly. The floors and three of the walls surrounding her were hard stone walls. The fourth wall was made up of metal bars, too thick to wrap her hand around and too narrowly spaced for her to reach her arm all the way through. It smelt damp and musky, like they were underground. She didn't know if she was in the palace or the underground catacombs she'd heard about, they blindfolded her when they moved her from the moving cart—cage was a more accurate term really—to her cell. She knew she was forty feet or more from the nearest door and her cell was ten by seven feet so it was safe to guess that there were at least three cells to her right and maybe more to her left that she couldn't see. She wondered if there were other prisoners. It made sense. She wondered if they were talking or trying to talk to her specifically. She couldn't hear. She couldn't feel the Force either. She hated that, being forced out of the world she knew, barred off from it.
December 3rd, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
Obi-wan and Anakin charged into the throne room, not noticing that the guards hadn't bothered to stop them. King Sar'viena sat on his throne, sipping wine with a disinterested expression as he eyed the two Jedi before him. He expected this response. Behind him stood the Prince, a gloomy, irritated expression taking over his features.
"What are the charges?" Obi-wan spoke first, motioning for Anakin to let him take care of this.
"The charges?" King Sar'viena spoke, sounding like he'd forgotten all about the events minutes before.
"You sentenced her to death!" Obi-wan shouted, starting to lose his patience, "Under what charges did you decide death was a punishment suited for a fifteen year old girl?!"
Prince Sar'vetel stepped forward, "She refused my marriage proposal." He stated simply.
"Your what?" Anakin growled, eyes narrowed.
"I proposed to her, she refused," The Prince repeated himself, eyeing Anakin.
"In our Kingdom, for anyone to refuse marriage to royalty, let alone the Crown Prince, is a crime punishable by death," King Sar'viena explained.
"That's ridiculous," Obi-wan stated, not quite believing it, "How is that considered a crime? She's not even from your planet, she does not follow the traditions of your people, she follows the traditions of the Jedi and the laws of Coruscant. You cannot charge her with this."
"She is a guest in my kingdom, in my palace, and as such she is expected to abide by the rules of my kingdom." The King stated calmly.
"You knew she would refuse," Obi-wan murmured, remembering the conversation he'd overheard between the King and his son earlier in the day. "You knew she would refuse a request like that and you allowed it to happen anyway."
"My son was kind enough her offer her the chance to be his queen, a high honor to nobility, let alone a human like her," King Sar'viena spoke, his voice beginning to rise in his fading patience, "The charges stand and if you continue to revolt against my reign you may join her."
Anakin stepped forward, his hand twitching towards his lightsaber as he prepared to take matters into his own hands. Obi-wan gripped his shoulder firmly, hold him back with a steely look in his eyes. Turning, he dragged Anakin out.
December 3rd, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
Anakin glared at Obi-wan as he shut the door to his room. Now that they had privacy he was ready to lay it into Obi-wan.
"How can you just stand there calmly when her life is in danger?!" Anakin shouted.
"I'm not calm!" Obi-wan shouted back, his jaw tight and his face red. "But getting ourselves thrown in jail will not help her."
"Then we'll break her out of prison," Anakin decided.
"If we do that might cause even more trouble for her. We need to talk to the council, get them to rally to the senate to have her return to Coruscant to face her charges," Obi-wan stated, spitting out the word like it was vile. "If we can get them to put the motion into action we can save her."
"And if we fail?" Anakin challenged.
"Then we'll try your idea," Obi-wan decided. "We won't let Mia die."
December 3rd, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
She'd spent the last hour, or what felt like an hour, pacing along her cell, her mind whirling. She knew Obi-wan and Anakin were going to do everything to save her. Obi-wan would, undoubtedly, seek out this King and try to reason with him and have her released. If that didn't work, Obi-wan might plea with the Jedi Council or the Republic Senate to have them intervene. Anakin, of course, would jump straight to escape plans.
Maybe they'd break into her cell at night and take her away from this planet on their ship.
They might wait until her execution date, three days from now. It might be more strategically advantageous that way but she really didn't want to spend the full three days in this cell.
What if they couldn't save her in time.
Mia curled up in the corner, her eyes watering. She was scared, truly scared. She didn't want to die. Wincing against the chill of the stone walls, she put her hands into her pockets. Eyebrows furrowing, Mia pulled them back out, looking in the darkness at the round little lumps in her hand. She recognized the subtly bumpy texture. How had they ended up in her pocket? She didn't remember dropping them in there when they arrested her and she wasn't sure how they managed to stay there when all she'd been thinking about was the insanity of the situation. Mind whirling, she counted them, seven little berries. Putting them back in her pocket, she zipped it up, keeping them secure in there.
December 3rd, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
"The situation has turned dire," Obi-wan spoke, looking between the council members, "We need you to go to the senate and convince them to force the Ha'yar clan into allowing her to stand trial on Coruscant."
"I agree," Mace Windu was the first to speak, "If we can get her to stand trial here the charges will be dropped immediately."
"Whatever we do, we cannot allow them to execute her," Master Kit Fisto added.
"We'll speak to the Chancellor and get him to call an emergency meeting of the senate and push the petition in motion," Master Windu decided.
"Concerned, I am," Master Yoda spoke up, "Behind this, I sense much darkness."
Obi-wan paused, "You mentioned at the mission briefing that you had your reservations," He pointed out.
"Proved wrong, I hoped to be," He explained, "Foolish, that was."
"I think we should also speak to the more compassionate members of the senate," Master Plo Koon added, "They can help spearhead this motion."
"I'll arrange for a meeting with the Chancelor immediately," Master Windu added. "We'll update you tonight."
"Thank you," Obi-wan thanked them, bowing.
When the transmission cut out, Anakin stepped out from behind the shadows, "Do you think they can really pull this off?"
"They'll have too," Obi-wan murmured. "We don't have any other option."
December 3rd, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
Mia looked around before gripping the fabric around the hem of her shirt. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she ripped it. Reaching into her pocket, she wrapped the berries in it. Turning, Mia pulled out a loose stone in the wall and placed the hidden berries inside. She didn't want to risk losing them somehow—squashing them in her sleep, the guards searching her pockets. In a little more than two days she was supposed to face her execution and as much as she hoped Obi-wan and Anakin would have a plan, she needed to make sure she had a backup plan ready.
December 3rd, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
Under the hazy starless skies of Coruscant, three shadows met under the cover of the Senate Dome as speeders and citizens travelled past. The world went on nosily as the three whispered among themselves.
Senator Bail Organa shifted his gaze between the two Jedi, "And you're saying you want the Senate elect to have her stand trial on Coruscant."
"But three days, has she left." Yoda sighed, lowering his head.
Master Kit Fisto looked to Senator Organa, "We need you to make sure the Senate elects in favor of bringing her back to Coruscant," He requested.
The senator sighed and bowed his head for a moment in thought. "Three days, that's not much time for the senate to come to a decision, let alone enough to get the forms filled out for that particular planet's requirements." He thought out loud.
"And what would be the specific requirements for Salloo T4?" Master Fisto inquired.
"In the Salloo system all requests from the senate must go through the capital Salloo Macro and their own government will determine whether they will release the Padawan," Senator Organa explained thoughtfully. "Salloo Macro is, however, very against the presence of outside governments."
Yoda's ears dipped down sadly.
"Fortunately, they are far more civilized than most of the planets within its system, and they will find the charges and punishment set up by the King as barbaric." Bail Organa added, hoping to ease their concerns. "And they come to a decision quickly, they won't waste time."
"If you don't mind me asking, what is the name of her Master?" He inquired.
"Obi-wan Kenobi," Master Fisto answered.
Bail Organa nodded, "I very clearly remember him being on good terms with the Queen Amidala, perhaps she can influence the senator of Naboo to help out," He mentioned.
"Thank you, Senator," Yoda spoke softly.
"Oh, anything for a Master Jedi," Senator Organa spoke cheerfully. "So, I'll bid you goodnight and start making a few calls."
Master Yoda and Kit Fisto bowed and turned to leave.
December 4th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
He ran through the crowd, pushing strangers away as he ran forward to the stage. He saw her wide grey eyes stare up the rope, watering as she bit her lip hard. The King stood behind her, spitting out garbage about her charges and her sentence while guards gripped her thin arms so hard it looked like they'd break. Tears slipped down Mia's eyes, running down her cheeks and sliding down her neck as they poured out. He shouted her name, trying to make her just look at him. He'd save her, he'd save her. He hard to.
Anakin tripped, sliding to the ground. Standing, he rushed forward again, determined to reach her in time. His heart stopped, seeing her lying on the ground. Her hair, messy and knotted, hid her face. He shouted her name.
Anakin woke with a start to a dimly lit room, Obi-wan standing over him with a tired, concerned expression, his hand placed reassuringly on his shoulder. Gasping, Anakin shrugged off Obi-wan, looking away.
"I know," Obi-wan murmured sympathetically, "I know."
Breathing heavily still, Anakin blinked back the tears he could feel building up. He didn't want to cry, not when she was still alive and there was a chance to save her.
"I keep having these nightmares," Anakin gasped out, looking away.
Obi-wan's eyebrows furrowed in surprise, "I wasn't the only one?" He clarified.
Anakin shook his head, "Mia had them too," He murmured, "From the first night we got the assignment."
Obi-wan sighed, "This isn't good," He murmured.
"Well no shit!" Anakin exclaimed irritably.
Obi-wan sighed again understandingly. "What were her nightmares like?" He asked after a moment.
Anakin shrugged tiredly, "I wouldn't know, she never really wanted to talk about them," He whispered, "All I know is how spooked she looked afterwards."
Obi-wan nodded again, looking away, "And yours?" He asked after a moment.
Anakin swallowed thickly, "She always died in them," He whispered, looking away.
Sitting back down, Obi-wan looked over the old blueprints of the underground catacombs, "I think if we have to intervene ourselves, we should wait until she's out in the open and take her," He whispered.
"Well, hate to break it to you, I just had that dream and it…" He trailed off bitterly.
"We'll get lost under there, we don't even know if she's hidden somewhere in the palace or underground," Obi-wan pointed out.
"Well you know what, we'll figure it out and we'll save her that way," Anakin argued.
Obi-wan pinched the bridge of his nose, "I promise you, I won't let anything happen to her," He insisted to Anakin, his eyes steely.
December 4th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
Mia paced along her cell, her fingers running through her long hair as she sucked in deep breaths. She didn't know how long the berries would kick in. She could eat them in the cell when the guards took her and appear dead before she reached the town square. What would happen to her then? They clearly didn't care what happened to her. Would they even tell Obi-wan or Anakin right away? If she ate them when she was in front of the crowd, however, they might not kick in before she was hung. She didn't know what to do. She didn't want to screw it up.
Sliding down the stone wall, she felt tears slip down her cheeks. Suddenly Mia saw movement in the corner of her vision. A rat scurried along the stone floors of her cell, searching food. Struck with an idea. Mia took the small package she'd hidden the berries in and took out one. Taking in a deep breath, she tossed one at the rat. Heart hammering, she watched as the rat nibbled on the berry.
One… two… three… four… five… six…
The rat fell on its side, not breathing, or not breathing as far as she could tell. With baited breath, she watched it carefully for any signs of life.
The minutes seemed to stretch on for hours and the longer the rat went without any signs of life, the more tears began to slip down her cheeks. Hand clamped against her mouth, she tried not to sob.
Without warning, the rat got up and scurried away from here. Taking a deep breath, she smiled with hope.
December 4th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
A senate meeting had been called late in the afternoon. After much debate of any fallout with the Salloo Macro government and the likelihood of Mia being released into their custody, a sounding vote had been called in her favor. The Jedi Council had been called in to fill out the forms for her release.
December 4th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
Mia found herself pacing in her cell again, a new question repeating itself in her head. She couldn't count exactly how long the rat had remained in its catatonic state. She'd been told each berry had a lasting effect for an hour before seemingly sudden revival. If she took more than one berry, which she'd have to do for Obi-wan to have time to take her off the planet, how long before she woke up.
What if they lasted a lot longer than five or six hours? What if the more she took, the longer the effect lasted? Like the way ice cubes would fuse together and take longer to melt. What if they took her to Coruscant and place her in the funeral pire, burning. Would she wake up during the burning?
She cried, heart racing with panicked thoughts.
It wasn't fair. All her life the Jedi told her that there was honor in returning to the Force after death. There was no honor in death. There was pain and moments left unlived and family members left angry and hurt and longing for just a second longer if it meant they could say goodbye. Tears slipped past as she realized that if she truly died, she wouldn't get to say goodbye to Anakin and Obi-wan.
There was an untold fear when one was left to confront their imminent death. Every moment was its own personal Hell.
December 4th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
The inside of their ship was dark, and a little cold. Anakin fidgeted as Obi-wan made contact with the Jedi Council. They both prayed that there would be good news. The comm. link beeped and in a moment three Council members were standing before them. Masters Yoda, Windu and Fisto looked between Obi-wan and Anakin. Anakin held his breath, unable to tell if it would be good news or bad news. Obi-wan gave him a reassuring look, certain the Council would have a solution.
"Agreed, the Senate has. Put into motion, young Mia's appeal is," Master Yoda spoke finally.
Obi-wan and Anakin breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"There's more though," Master Windu warned them.
The two glanced between them. They got the Senate on their side. What more could there be?
"Senator Organa of Alderaan has warned us that it could be days before the government of Salloo Macro makes a decision," Master Fisto explained.
"She doesn't have that long," Obi-wan argued. "We have but a day and a half to save her!"
Master Windu nodded. "If they cannot reach a decision in time, you are to intervene with whatever means necessary," He instructed Obi-wan. "We won't allow her to die."
"Yes Masters," Obi-wan agreed, bowing, "Thank you."
"Updated, we will keep you," Yoda concluded before the transmission cut.
Anakin slumped against the wall of the ship, not sure how relieved he could be when Mia was still in a cell. He couldn't imagine what she was going through. His life had been in danger, and he had to face those situations as they came, but nobody had every sentenced him to death by execution.
"Well, we're on our own," Anakin muttered, tired.
"Not necessarily," Obi-wan commented, deep in thought.
Anakin laughed but it was dry and bitter and it left his throat raw, "We only have to disable twenty armed guards in a crowd of civilians and run off with a prisoner without any backup," He argued.
"Well, not entirely without backup," Obi-wan stated, "The second we have Mia, she'll be fighting on our side."
Anakin nodded slowly. "Right," He murmured, "We might want to get our hands on her lightsaber."
Obi-wan nodded in agreement, "Any ideas?" He inquired.
Anakin nodded, "Identify where it is and steal it," He decided.
"Well, as highly detailed as that sounds, I worry that when we steal it, King Sar'viena will arrest us for treason and we'll be standing beside her." Obi-wan pondered, "Perhaps in the hours right before her… execution."
He struggled with that word. He couldn't deal with the idea that he might fail and lose her.
December 4th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
Mia smiled as she heard soft, melodic singing. The voice was foreign to her, as was the song but it was so warm. It reminded her of warm afternoons in meadows and soft, green grass. She felt fingers brush through her hair as the smell of smoked honey biscuits drifted through the air. Light floated through the air as though it was sentient. It was so strangely peaceful.
Her eyes opened. The hard stone floor pressed into her back and hips and the damp cold soaked into her clothes and skin. She couldn't see the ceiling above, it was so dark. Only small glimpses of candlelight would pass through this empty place. Tears slipped down the sides of her face, into her hair, as she took in the sudden, jarring change. The dream was so warm and kind and she would give anything to go back and escape her predicament. Her stomach rumbled with hunger. The guards tossed her a stale roll from time to time, dinner. They gave prisoners scraps while the King sat in his palace, eating ten courses for every meal, so much of it going untouched.
She wanted so bad to escape this reality.
Sitting up, Mia gently touched the crevice she'd hidden the berries in. When they came for her, whenever that was, she needed to be ready.
When the guards came, she would push the berries into her mouth straight away. She knew they'd tie her hands together first, she didn't know if they'd be tied in front or behind her. She wouldn't chew until she saw the crowd. Those few seconds wouldn't take long and she had time. From what she'd observed of the King, he would make a long, lengthy speech about her treason. That would be more than enough time for them to kick in.
December 4th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
Obi-wan stood outside in the shadows, the cool night air chilling his skin. He watched carefully for nearby guards or citizens passing by. Up above Anakin was scaling the side the castle, swearing colorfully through the bond he and Obi-wan shared. He supposed Anakin hadn't anticipated the great challenges of climbing up the side of a stone wall when he volunteered. Perhaps the best person to attempt this was the person they were doing this for. Mia, for reasons he did not understand, has always held a great love for climbing and reaching high places.
Well, you were right, Anakin mentioned through the bond.
It's there? Obi-wan checked.
Yes and, quite honestly, I think I might end up committing actual treason, Anakin added, buckets of sarcasm pouring through the bond. He's keeping Mia's lightsaber in a glass case in the center of his bedroom like it's a trophy.
Obi-wan sighed. Now we just need to think of a way we can steal it and be back in time for tomorrow's events without the King noticing.
That's not going to be easy, Anakin commented as he began to climb down.
Sighing, Obi-wan didn't say any more, not wanting to distract Anakin while he climbed down the side of the castle.
"Well, I had a brilliant idea," Anakin spoke up just before he jumped down the last ten feet of his climb. Landing soundly, he smiled at Obi-wan's curious expression. "I placed a bug inside King Sar'viena's room."
"Well done," Obi-wan complimented him. "Though, if you don't mind me asking, where exactly did you get your hands on a listening device?"
Anakin smiled innocently, "Oh, I just happened to find it on this ship today."
Obi-wan frowned, realizing that was the only answer he was going to get. "Well, regardless of what you really intended it for, I'm quite thankful you brought it."
"You really should hold back on that statement when you find out what I really intended it for," Anakin muttered before looking up at Obi-wan with a grim smile. "So, back inside to plot?"
"So it would seem," Obi-wan agreed.
December 4th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
Anakin frowned as he listened to the heavy snoring of the King as night passed slowly. He had anticipated overhearing some conversation between the King and his guard, some small hint that would lead him to Mia. He hadn't anticipated something so boring from a person who had no hesitation when sentencing a fifteen year old girl to death.
He wondered what was going through her mind right now.
Was she planning some sort of escape? She would, she'd pace and carefully consider all her options.
Was she asleep maybe? Dreaming something extraordinary and beautiful in the ways that only her mind could? Or was she in the middle of a nightmare?
He didn't like to think of that. She'd had a nightmare here and there over the years and he was always the first person she turned to. Mia had told him, every now and again, that being next to him made her feel safe.
Anakin felt as though he'd failed her in that moment. He'd failed to protect her, unable to keep her safe. She was alone in some dark hole, cold and scared, trying to hold out hope.
December 4th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
She laughed as they weaved around the crowd at the gala, a celebration for the Chancellor's birthday—though for the life of her, she couldn't remember which one. Anakin grinned as his fingers grasped her hand, pulling her outside onto the veranda. Paper lanterns hung from strings above their head, a soft glowing light warming the distant night. She'd never been on Naboo before but she'd head so many stories about it from Anakin and Obi-wan. It was more stunning that anything she could have pictured before.
From outside she could still hear the slow melody from inside the ballroom as dignitaries and guests danced slowly.
Smiling, Mia looked out at the ocean in the distance, admiring the way the bright glow of the moon bounced off of the ripples in the current.
Anakin's hand squeezed hers. She glanced back at him, smiling warmly.
"I don't normally like diplomatic missions but I really enjoy it here," Mia murmured softly.
The music changed to something softer. Anakin took her other hand in his and placed it on his shoulder. Raising her right hand, he carefully led her in a dance, their movements slow. As they circled around on the veranda to the pace of the gentle music, Mia smiled. Suddenly Anakin pulled her in closer. There was little space between them and she could feel the steady brush of his breath along her hairline.
"I don't think we've ever danced like this." She whispered.
"We haven't," Anakin whispered back as the music grew quiet. "I'm not sure when we'll get to dance like this again."
Her eyebrows furrowed as the glow of the lanterns above dimmed. Suddenly they exploded with sparks and a sinister laugh echoed through the darkness.
Her eyes jolted open as her heart pounded in her ears. Her chest ached painfully before she realized where she was, remembered her fate. How much time did she have left? A day? She wasn't even certain if it was night or day outside this prison.
Sighing as her stomach grumbled with pain again, she looked towards the cell bars, surprised to see a roll of bread laying on the ground. Getting up, her legs shaking a little, Mia walked towards what was possibly her last meal here. She grimaced as she noticed the tail of the rat poking out from the side. It twitched for a moment.
She sighed again in defeat, realizing the rat she'd probably poisoned had come back and gotten to her dinner first.
Sitting down on the floor again, Mia curled her knees to her chest and dipped her head so they rested on her knees. It was safe to assume that, at this point, they'd chosen to wait until her execution to save her.
December 5th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
The first thing he remembered when he woke up was that today she was supposed to be executed. Three days after being sentenced. Three days to sit and wait for her impending death. It made him angry in ways he couldn't remember experiencing before. Sitting up with a scowl, Anakin glared out the window. Down below, in the town square, soldiers were setting up a wooden platform. Standing in front of the window, he counted all the possible exits out of the square, wanting to know the best way to get out of the city and to their ship. They would have to move very quickly through the city and, more likely than not, fight multiple assailants along the way.
Which made him wonder exactly what state Mia would be in when they rescued her. It wasn't hard to imagine that they'd be stingy over giving food to prisoners. It seemed to be a universal on more primitive planets to deprive prisoners of food. At least on more civilized planets there was a code for how much a prisoner was fed, despite the quality of the food being less than appetizing.
He should prepare for the reality that she wouldn't be in great fighting shape. Sighing, he stood up and left his room.
December 5th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
Mia stared at the stone wall ahead, her knees pressed to her chest as she slumped against the wall on her right. Her blood sugar was too low, her body had probably begun to go into starvation mode as the hours stretched between her last meal and now. That wasn't even accounting for the dehydration. Maybe the Svelk didn't have to worry about dehydration like humans did.
Suddenly there was a surge of light from behind the bars. Eyes squinting at the change of light, she glanced at a Svelk dressed in simple robes. Around his neck hung a pendant of three metal circles that stretched out, one after the other. It was joined together by three simple, thin metal bars. She recognized this as the symbol of their religion.
She must be getting close to her execution date.
That thought resonated within her mind, desolate and hopeless.
When had she become so hopeless? Even with hope grasped in her fingers, she lacked it.
The Svelk was talking, his lips moving minimally. Standing slowly, she shakily approached him.
"I am here to… your last wish…"
"You want to know what my dying wish is?" She questioned, irritated.
He nodded. "It is tradition."
"Tradition got me in here in the first place," She muttered.
Her eyes were accusative, staring at him as the fire of the torch in his hands reflected off every pigment in her eyes.
Her eyes widened with a realization.
"I know my last wish," She whispered.
"Speak Child."
"I wish to have my funeral on my home planet of Coruscant. I want them to wait a full rotation before they have my funeral," She spoke quietly, "I want you tell Master Obi-wan my last wish. Can you do that for me?"
He nodded, "It shall be done," He promised before leaving, taking with him the burning torch, leaving her in the darkness.
Left along in the darkness of his cell, she returned to the loose stone where she'd hidden away the berries and tucked it into her pocket. It wouldn't be long now.
December 5th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
Anakin stood still on the crate as Svelk began to gather in the town square, the hood of his cloak pulled over his head. To his left he could sense Obi-wan shifting through the crowd, looking for some sort of cart or method of transportation he could "borrow" when they rescued Mia.
Perhaps you could try to look a little less conspicuous, Master.
The suggestion carried with it a sarcastic tone that would, on any other occasion, lead to a long-suffering sigh or groan from Obi-wan.
You're standing on a crate in the middle of a crowd, Obi-wan pointed out.
Given the height difference of the Svelk and my need for sight on the square, I don't quite see your point.
But, no seriously, you need to appear as if you're not going to steal the first cart you see, Anakin stated. Act like you're on your way somewhere important.
You say this as if you have personal experience.
He probably would have smirked at Obi-wan's sarcastic retort but this was not the day for such things. He wondered how much longer he'd have to wait. Her execution was set for noon and as much as he dreaded seeing them paint her as a criminal and try to kill her, there was a part of him that wished for it to begin so that he could save her and end this madness.
December 5th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
The berries sat in her open palms as she took deep, calming breaths. The anxiety of this was making her stomach turn and knot into itself. Mia hoped she wouldn't throw up, she really didn't want to throw up. She supposed by this point, despite all that she had hoped, her berries were her only hope at this point. Obi-wan and Anakin would have to watch her die, or appear to die. That would terrify them, devastate them. Knowing Anakin as well as she did, she knew his first response to that would be anger and then depression. Obi-wan would be upset, even angry but he'd push it back, swallow it whole, so that he could continue on. He'd comfort Anakin. She hoped he would.
They didn't deserve to go through that, even if it only lasted a few hours.
Suddenly light flashed in the corner of her eye. Turning, she watched the two guards as they began opening her cell. Shoving the berries into her mouth before they could see them, she stood slowly.
They were rough, pushing her to the wall as they tied her hands behind her back. She hadn't been wrong in her assumptions. Clenching her jaw so that she didn't accidentally pierce the skin of the berries, she allowed them to drag her out of her cell. She passed three cells on her way out, one of them was empty. The remaining two contained a prisoner in rags, ribs visible and skin the color of ash, no hint of their naturally blue skin. They looked up at her as she passed, their eyes hallow. It scared her. She hoped for her sake that her eyes didn't mirror theirs.
They took her up a series of stairs, walking so fast it was hard for her to keep up. Her head felt fuzzy and focusing on maintaining her balance was hard. Suddenly a bright light shined above her, burning her eyes with its intensity. The stone under her feet became wood and as her eyes began to adjust to the light, she saw the crowd ahead of her.
It spanned across the square as they all stood over each other to gawk at her.
Why had so many gathered to watch her die?
Cold hands grasped her neck as the warm metal band around her neck, the Force-suppression collar, was removed. The wave of warmth she felt from the Force overwhelmed her for a moment as she tried to regain her balance with it.
"Jedi Knight Mialera Rosslyn," King Sar'viena spoke, his voice booming across the town square.
Suddenly she sensed him standing in the crowd, the hood of his cloak pulled over his head. She met his gaze steadily.
There was so much she wanted to say right now, to assure him she was going to be okay.
She didn't have that luxury.
She started chewing.
Anakin pushed through the crowd, trying to reach her. Pushing Svelk aside, he tried to keep her gaze. He would get to her in time, he was determined to.
Mia gasped as her vision began to blur, and her dizziness overtake her as she began to sway in the grasp of her guards.
Anakin…
She suddenly fell, slipping out of the hands of the guards as she collapsed on the stage.
"No!" Anakin shouted, pushing farther.
The guards crouched down next to her, shaking her shoulder as they tried to wake her again. Obi-wan ran onto the stage, pushing past the guards standing at King Sar'viena's side. Anakin climbed onto the stage, shoving the guards to the side as he knelt next to her.
"Mia, Mia can you hear me?" Anakin called out as he pressed his fingers to her neck, checking for her pulse.
"Mia!" He called when he realized he couldn't feel it.
Obi-wan crouched down next to him, hovering over her face as he tried to determine if she was still breathing.
"She's not breathing!" Obi-wan declared as rolled her so she was on her back rather than her side.
"Come on Mia!" Anakin begged as Obi-wan began compressions.
There was a murmuring in the crowd as they watched all this happen. The King stood in shock, watching Obi-wan and Anakin crouch next to her, trying to save her still. Finally Obi-wan noticed the way her lips had turned purple, her face ashen. Already she was growing cold.
"Anakin, she's gone," Obi-wan murmured, pulling away.
"She can't be!" Anakin insisted, cradling her head in his hands.
"The young Jedi has passed."
The person who said this was a monk of the temple of the Svelk. He hung his head low, his hands forming a circle as he begun to pray.
Anakin felt a stray tear slip down his cheek as he turned away in shame. He had failed to save her.
"Would you like to hear her last wish?" The monk inquired, standing over Obi-wan.
"What?" Obi-wan questioned, confused.
Had Mia made one last request?
Kneeling down next to the Jedi, the monk whispered in Obi-wan's ear. Anakin watched as Obi-wan's eyes widened in shock.
"We must return her to the ship," Obi-wan muttered once he'd regain his composure. "Anakin, I need you to take her to the ship now."
Anakin's eyebrows furrowed together in confusion but he chose not to question the request, there was something in Obi-wan's tone that told him not to argue. Silently, Anakin scooped Mia up in his arms and stood up. She was so light in his arms. The crowd separated as he stepped off the stage, making a clear path for him to leave.
December 5th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
Anakin waited in the ship for Obi-wan to return, silent. His back was pressed against the door to the sick bay, where Mia rested, dead. He'd skipped past anger and gone straight to distraught. How did it happen? What was what he couldn't figure out. She was standing there, steady and alive and the next thing he knew she was dead. Nobody had hurt her yet, there wasn't even a weapon. How could she have died? She was only fifteen, she didn't have any health problems, she couldn't have died.
She did though, and he was helpless to stop it. He'd failed before he'd even tried.
He heard footsteps heading up the ramp to the ship. Sighing, Anakin stood up. Obi-wan stepped aboard the ship and took in the grim sight of his Padawan.
"I think this one time I'll pilot the ship," Obi-wan decided, noticing Anakin's red, puffy eyes and his drained expression. "First, though, I'd like to see Mia."
Stepping past his young Padawan, Obi-wan stepped inside the sick bay. It was more of a closet than a room, containing one cot, a chair and a hoard of monitors and displays. Mia rested on the cot, motionless. Swallowing thickly, Obi-wan stepped closer to her. Reaching out, he ran his fingers through her hair. It was tangled and dirty from her time in the dark cell. He stared at the purple stain on her lips, disturbed. Reaching into a drawer, he pulled out a cotton swab and a test tube. Gently, he opened her mouth just enough to take a sample. He didn't want to think it but, given her last wish, he had to wonder if she'd been poisoned. Dropping the thin cotton swab in the test tube, he placed a cap over it and placed it back in the drawer.
"Mia, what did they do to you?" Obi-wan whispered.
Taking her cold hands, which rested at her sides, he held them in his. All those signs he'd dutifully learned so he teach her to communicate, and she'd always been so eager to learn them. She would pick them up so quickly, unable to get enough. He so fondly remembered the way she'd follow him all over the Temple, happily discovering new nooks and crannies, new little places she could get into. She'd been in his life for nearly thirteen years and in all that time it never occurred to him that he'd lose her so soon.
A tear slipped past, rolling down his cheeks until it fell and landed on her fingers.
Looking away before he begun to lose himself, Obi-wan gently placed her hands so that they rested over her stomach. It was so easy to imagine she was just sleeping peacefully, taking a little catnap before they returned to Coruscant.
Turning, he left the sick bay and made his way to the cockpit.
December 5th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
She smiled at the way the sun warmed her cheeks. She could the sound of water trickling down a creek, feel the soft grass pressed into her skin, smell the aroma of the wild flowers around her. Gentle hands ran through her hair, carefully combing through it. Mia smiled at the soft humming of a melody she'd never heard before. Opening her eyes, she stared up at the owner of the familiar voice. The woman smiled at her with such warmth and love, her light blue eyes more stunning than the skies above. Her long blond hair brushed against Mia's cheeks as she sang.
She didn't know how she knew, but she knew who this woman was.
"Momma?" Mia whispered, smiling softly.
"My darling daughter, you're more beautiful than I could imagine," Saru murmured, smiling wider than thought possible.
Sitting up more, Mia pulled her mom into a tight hug. "I miss you," She whispered.
"I know, I miss you too," She spoke, "More than anything, I miss you."
Mia rested her on her mother's shoulders, her arms gently wrapped around her waist. Saru pressed her cheek to her daughter's head, holding her close.
"I'm so proud of you, you know that?" Saru whispered, smoothing the stray hairs away from Mia's face. "Everything you do, it makes me so proud. You're strong and independent in ways I wish I could be."
Mia smiled warmly as she looked up at her mother, amazed by this moment. It seemed so impossible somehow and she couldn't remember why. She didn't really remember where they were or how they got here. Maybe that didn't matter, this moment was so perfect. How could anything else matter?
December 5th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
Anakin sat in the chair next to her bed, staring blankly at the wall. He couldn't bring himself to look at her, to see her and know how terribly he'd failed her. He couldn't bring himself to leave her either, these were his last hours with her. When they arrived at the Temple she'd be taken away, prepared for her funeral. Sucking in a deep breath, he watched her still, peaceful expression. Her eyes her closed, locking away the stunning grey eyes that would look at him in love, crinkle with happiness and laughter, well up with tears when the world was unkind. Her hands rested over her stomach, gently overlapping each other. They always appeared so soft and small from a distance but if he'd just turn her palm over, he could trace the rough calluses from hours and hours of lightsaber training.
It was funny, when he first arrived at the Temple she wanted nothing to do with him. The teacher had chosen her to guide him around the Temple on his first day of class. At first she barely said a word to him and he couldn't imagine why. Slowly, though, she began to like him. She'd decided he wasn't so bad. It wasn't until he'd been living at the Temple for a few weeks that he'd learned why she'd been so distanced from him in the first place. Obi-wan had promised to train her when he became knighted. Then he took Anakin on as an apprentice and broke that promise to Mia. It was understandable then why she'd have preferred to never speak to him in the beginning.
She was his very best friend though, and he loved her with all his heart.
How could he have failed her like this?
Sighing, he took her hands in his. His thumb trailed over the knuckles of her left hand.
He'd give anything for her to wake up right now, look at him in concern when she saw his expression and ask him why he was so upset.
December 5th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
She couldn't figure out why she felt so cold when not too long ago she'd felt so warm. Something cold and hard pressed into her back and all around her she could hear the whirling of machines. Her muscles were stiff, refusing to move and her chest felt tight. The air smelled sterile and dry. Mia couldn't remember how she'd gotten there, only that a moment ago she'd been sitting in a meadow with someone familiar. It was hard to breathe with her chest so tight and her eyes wouldn't open.
Someone sniffled, taking a deep breath. "I'm so sorry I couldn't save you," Anakin whispered.
Anakin?
Her heart ached to just hold him, to feel safe in his arms. She'd wanted that for so long. Taking in another shallow breath, Mia tried to open her eyes, to twitch her toes or her fingers. With each failed attempt, her body began to feel like a prison, unyielding to her need to just open her eyes.
He had her hands in his, his breath brushing against her knuckles.
She felt so light headed and it was hard to remember why she felt so sick, why she couldn't move. Just opening her eyes was a challenge. Taking another breath, she tried to twitch her right thumb. It moved, she thought it did at least. With each breath she focused her efforts on opening her eyes and moving her fingers. Slowly her chest began to relax, not as tight as it had been before. Warmth was beginning to spread through her body, working from her chest to her limbs and back again. The mental fog was beginning to thin, clearing away slowly. Mia wondered faintly if all this was because she was drugged. That seemed like the only reasonable explanation at least. How had she been drugged?
The bitter sweet taste, the soft bumpiness of their surface. As those memories began to resurface, she realized what she'd done.
Taking another deep breath, she tried to open her eyes again. The stiffness in her muscles was beginning to fade away but still she lacked the energy to move much.
Her eyes cracked open. Anakin sat with her hands in his, his elbows propped on her frigid cot as he leaned forward with his eyes shut. There was something about his pale skin and his rigid, unmoving position that made her want to hold him close because something deep within her realized she'd caused that pain.
Her thumb twitched again as she tried to speak but her throat was dry and no words could be made. He dipped his head down in response as if he'd noticed but refused to believe it, to hope that maybe she wasn't dead after all. In one jerky movement, she rubbed her thumb along a rough circle along the surface of his hand.
His blue eyes snapped open as he looked at her in surprise. "M-Mia," Anakin mustered up, taking a shaky breath.
"Hey," She whispered, her voice raspy and croaked.
"You're, you're alive," He whispered, a hopeful smile beginning to form.
"I faked my death," She rasped out, squeezing his hand weakly.
Anakin smiled wider, "You sound terrible," He mumbled bluntly, looking so relieved.
"I never said it was fun," Mia whispered, attempting to sit up.
As she faltered, almost falling back onto the cot again, Anakin held her up. In a second he was on the cot and he'd somehow maneuvered her so that she was pinned to his chest while her legs rested over his. Resting her head heavily on his shoulder, she tried to look up at him. There was a wide, brilliant smile splitting his face and if she wasn't mistaken, his eyes had begun to water with happiness.
"You didn't have a pulse," He realized, shocked and slightly alarmed. "How did you face not having a pulse?"
"Salloo T4 has this berry, it sort of acts as a temporary poison," Mia mumbled, "It slows the heartrate and breathing drastically so that you appear dead. It lasts a few hours."
"How the hell did you get your hands on it?" Anakin questioned, shocked.
"I was in the fields were it grew, I guess it was a weed of some sort, when they arrested me." Mia explained slowly, "I guess some of it got caught in my pockets."
Anakin pressed a kiss to her forehead, undeniably happy that she was here with him now. Then he noticed the way she was shivering, possibly from the cold. Reaching over, he grabbed a few blankets out from the cupboard next to him and wrapped them around Mia to keep her warm.
December 5th, Four Years Post Galactic Empire
Obi-wan's eyebrows furrowed together in confusion as he sensed something odd coming from the back of the ship. Sighing, he checked the approximate time of arrival to Coruscant. They'd been in hyperspace for nearly five hours, in less than an hour they'd arrive at the capital. Pressing autopilot on, he left the cockpit. It was strange, but he could swear he sensed Mia in the back of the ship. That couldn't be however, Mia had died five hours ago on Salloo T4. Reaching the medical bay, he was alarmed by how much stronger her Force presence became.
Opening the door, he was surprised by what he saw. Mia sat, wrapped in several blankets, in Anakin's arms. Her eyes flickered his way in surprise as she smiled slowly.
"Mia," Obi-wan started, at a loss for words.
"Obi-wan," She croaked out, smiling wider.
"She's not dead," Anakin stated, figuring it'd be easier if he eased Obi-wan into it. "She faked her death with a berry that acts like a temporary poison. It made it appear like she didn't have a pulse and that she wasn't breathing."
"How in the Force did you get your hands on such a thing?" Obi-wan questioned, shocked.
Mia smiled slightly, "Luck. I happened to be standing where they grew when they arrested me."
Obi-wan nodded slowly, taking it all in. "Then how do you feel?"
"Like I woke up from a five hour coma," Mia answered bluntly, looking exhausted. "I just need some rest, lots of water and some food."
"Well, we'll be at Coruscant in less than an hour," Obi-wan stated as he left. "I think an immediate trip to the healing ward is in order."
Mia sighed and glanced at Anakin, sensing that would inevitably be her first stop on Coruscant.
"Get some rest," Obi-wan suggested.
"Okay," She mumbled in agreement.
When the door closed behind him, Mia looked up at Anakin with a soft smile. Pressing another kiss to her forehead, Anakin thanked the Force that Mia had been so clever, so lucky. He hated to imagine a world where he had truly failed in saving her. He'd never forgive himself for failing her like that. Mia smiled, closing her eyes slightly as she rested in Anakin's warm embrace.
December 6th, Six Years Before Galactic Empire
A long, cloaked figure stood in the shadows, a blue light casting a glow on his silhouette. The room was empty, even the guards had been ordered outside. The comm. in his hand blinked, beeping quietly. Reaching forward, he set it down on the table and turned it on. An image of a man hidden behind a cloak appeared, the blue light of his hologram lighting the dark room. His hood was pulled over his face until the only thing left of him was his hooked nose and his sinister smile.
"King Sar'viena, report in," He requested, a slight snarl in his tone.
"My Lord, it has been done," King Sar'viena spoke, kneeling. "The young Jedi has died and is being returned to Coruscant for her funeral. Now please, send your supplies so we may fight our righteous war."
Darth Sidious scowled, "Your lies do not serve you," He warned, "The child still lives."
"No my Lord, that cannot be," King Sar'viena insisted, "The girl fell dead at her execution."
The scowl worsened. "Then tricked you have been, deceived by a foolish girl." He stated, "She has returned to Coruscant alive and well and is resting within the Jedi Temple."
"Your failure is disgraceful and shall not be tolerated," Darth Sidious stated.
"My Lord, I did everything you asked!" King Sar'viena insisted.
"And still you fail," Darth Sidious growled out. "I have no use for you. Your supplies have been sent but this war shall not be fought by you."
King Sar'viena opened his mouth to argue that there was no one else to fight this war. A stain of red bloomed out from his chest as a sword was pushed through his back, between his ribs, piercing his lung and heart until it stabbed out. The King gasped as blood quickly filled his lung, pain spreading like fire before he became numb. The sword was pulled out and King Sar'viena dropped to the ground, dead and soaked in his own blood. Prince Sar'vetel bowed to Darth Sidious.
"My Lord, I am your faithful servant, allow me to finish what my father could not," The young prince, now king, requested.
"I have no use for you in this task," Darth Sidious decided. "It has come to my attention that a poisonous berry grows in your fields and that it leads to a false death."
Sar'vetel's eyes widened in realization.
"You are to cultivate it and send it to me," Darth Sidious stated. "Fight your war but grow for me the tools to fight mine."
"As you wish, my Lord," Sar'vetel agreed, bowing.
And there you have it. Please leave me a review, they make my day every time!