The floating car he was sitting in was nothing like any vehicle Jake had ever rid in in his life. It was like the stuff you'd see in a sci film or video game, driving high in the air at the same level as some skyscrapers' peaks. The car, or rather a 'Speeder' as the two Jedi in the front seats called it was a complete contrast to the cars he had driven.
Instead of a steering wheel it had two joysticks connected to each other, no visible gearbox and the engines were outside at the back. Like most things here it was years ahead of anything produced back home, only he found at least Earth car manufactures gave their cars a good body design whereas some they had sped by looked like they were made by a child using lego blocks.
"How are you holding up Jake?" Ahsoka asked looking over her shoulder at him from the passenger front seat.
"It makes a change to get some fresh air, even if does feel like it's hitting you at a thousand miles an hour" The marine said feeling the high speed wind brush against him thanks to the lack of a roof.
"You were complaining you're stuck inside the Temple. Be glad the Council has finally permitted you to leave for the evening"
"I'm not complaining sir, it's a new experience that's all" He replied to Skywalker, peering over the edge of the flying car to the extreme height they were flying from the surface. It would be an acrophobics worst nightmare if they sat in his place. They must've been around four miles from the illuminated streets below, hundreds of other flying cars in all shapes and sizes whizzing in all directions. There were also a number of ships flying out toward space or landing at nearby ports, unloading or sending away whatever cargo was aboard.
"So Master, why is Padme inviting us all over? He heard Ahsoka question her Master over their destination.
"With the stress of the Senate and the daily debating with other senators, she wants to spend some free time away from all the hassle" The Jedi explained keeping his eyes on the space ahead.
"And why has she ask us to come over?" The youngster kept on quizzing Skywalker over the out of the blue invite.
"Do you consider Senator Amidala a good friend, Snips?" He asked her, turning his head for a second to her concentrating more on the Speeder's direction.
"Of course" Ahsoka replied without hesitation.
"Well she considers you one too"
"You care for her greatly, don't you Master?" Jake could of sworn he saw Skywalker flinch at her question.
"I've known her for a long time Ahsoka. Like Obi Wan she's a close friend of mine"
"Hey what about me?" She pouted, folding her arms looking offended.
"I suppose I could count you too" He smiled at her, both sharing a laugh as Jake remained silent through their banter. He personally didn't know why he was invited to some senator's home for a social gathering. He barely knew her and hanging around talking with high profile figures of their Republic wasn't really his cup of tea. All the same it was better than sitting on his arse having people whisper and stare at him like a new fairground attraction.
"Remember your manners Snips, you too Matthews" Skywalker warned them sternly, glancing an eye back towards him.
"Yes sir" The marine rolled his eyes, catching the alien teen dong the same at the useless piece of advice offered. The nightly breeze continued to brush against him, the air smelling different to that he had been inhaling all through his 24 years of existence. For a planet that lost it's natural landscape God knows how many years ago it was surprisingly clean, hardly a trace of some form of pollution filling his nostrils.
The rest of the journey was relatively quiet as they slowed down to an apartment at the top of a huge, curved building with an open floor. The car came to complete stop as Skywalker parked it in front of the place, hovering over by an open platform for them to disembark. Jake climbed out of the flying vehicle last letting the Jedi take the lead, along with the dome headed robot named R2D2 flying out the front compartment. He had already got off on the wrong foot with the three wheeled machine after referring it to a wheelie bin, and received an electric shock from the tin can for doing so.
He smoothed down his shirt and trousers to flat out any creases, double checking his sleeves were folded up correctly and neatly. Having left behind his webbing, helmet and pistol in his room he felt a little vulnerable in an alien environment but then again, bringing a gun to a friendly occasion wouldn't be a good impression. Shuffling over to them was a gold plated robot that looked loosely based on a human, holding out it's bent arms from it's frame.
"Ah, Master Ani. How good to see you again" It greeted them in sketchy posh English accent. Figures, He snorted to himself.
"3PO. Is everybody here?" The human Jedi asked the robot, looking over his shoulder for any other guests.
"Yes, Mistress Padme is currently speaking with Senators Bail Organa and Mon Mothma just upstairs" It pointed out it's arm to a small stairwell at the back of the room. It then turned and faced him, it's unblinking eyes staring over at him "Oh hello there, I am C-3PO human-cyborg relations. May I ask who you are?" It questioned him politely like a true butler.
"Uh, Corporal Jake Matthews" He answered it, unsure how to address the machine.
"How very nice to meet you sir, if you would just follow me" It turned around and shuffled away to lead them upstairs, it joints making electrical squeaks as it moved. Ahsoka shrugged to him when he raised a brow at the robot, following in step as they trailed behind the robot bringing them to meet their host.
Already he felt out of place by looking around the decor of the penthouse. Very clean marble flooring and thin pillars surrounded both sides of the open room with two angelic type statues standing over them by the entrance. If anything this felt more to him like walking through a recreational ancient Roman or Greek aristocrat's home. It wouldn't of been his choice of venue for a gathering with friends.
Once they were upstairs Jake saw three people, all human standing around in the middle of the room styled like a living room chatting to each other until they noticed their arrival.
"Anakin, Ahsoka I'm so happy you've came. You too Corporal" The Senator smiled warmly at them all as she walked over to them, the dome machine beeping up at her "You as well R2" she gently patted it's head.
"It's our pleasure my Lady" He watched Skywalker and Ahsoka bow to her respectfully "Having a break from the matters of war is greatly welcomed" The Jedi smiled down at her.
"Indeed Anakin. I trust your trip here was uneventful?"
"It was good, considering it was Master Skywalker driving" Ahsoka poked fun at her teacher, making the Senator giggle as the centre of the joke mockingly glared at the teen.
"What about you Corporal Matthews, how do find Coruscant on your journey here?"
"Nothing I'd ever expected to behold in all my life. It gives the phrase 'city life' a whole new meaning. I believe I have you to thank for convincing the Jedi Council to let me out for the night" Gazing around the room he found it to have more of a modern look compared to the open floor downstairs, only without so many decorations around the place.
"It's no problem. I can't imagine having to be stuck in one place for that length of time with so much to see all around you" From what he knew of politicians they always had the pretend look of interest on their faces, acting like they truly understood your dilemma but truth was they hardly cared. However this woman standing before him was different, a genuine and pleasant person to be standing and talking with.
"It can definitely drive you around the bend" The Senator raised a quizzical brow at the phrase so he quickly corrected himself "Uh crazy, ma'am"
"Please, call me Padme. 'Drive you around the bend', I like that" She smiled approvingly, thinking over the phrase.
"Excuse me Mistress Padme, there is a message for you" The same gold robot interrupted their conversation.
"Thank you 3PO. I see you have met our protocol droid"
"I speak over six million languages and programed for proper etiquette in all cultures" It proclaimed proudly, the bored and heard-it-all-before looks of the group were exchanged between them.
"Six million?!, Christ" He said in astonishment at so many. Suddenly an idea popped into his head. If English was spoken, maybe there were others languages from his world that other cultures may be using too "May I?" He asked Padme, indicating to the machine.
"By all means" She allowed him, everyone in the room now focusing on him waiting for what he had in mind. Clearing his throat he faced to test out his theory.
"Guten Tag, sind sie alle anderen Menschen, die diese Sprache sprechen?"
"I'm sorry sir, I do not understand the language you speak" It told him in an awkward tone, as it obviously hadn't heard German or anything similar to it before.
"Ok um. Kak ob etom yazyke , vozmozhno?"
"Again Corporal Jake Matthews, I don't understand the words you are speaking in"
"Alright last one. Nǐ zhīdào rúhé jiǎng pǔtōnghuà?" He asked it in the last foreign tongue he had learnt.
"No I'm sorry, my databanks can not interpret that language"
"Well it was worth a try" He shrugged, leaving the confused robot be and turning back to the others.
"What was that?" Ahsoka asked him, realising for the first time the intrigued looks from everyone else in the room.
"Sorry, I thought since we both speak the same there may of been other places around your Republic who might speak other languages on Earth too" Jake scratched his shoulder feeling a bit sheepish after getting carried away.
"No need to apologise Corporal. I've never heard those languages before, what were they?" Padme quizzed him next over his linguistic skills.
"German, Russian and Mandarin. It's a language used by the Chinese"
"And how did you come about learning them?" Another figure came in. Jake recognised him as the man he met with the Chancellor, Organa if he was correct, holding a glass of some kind of beverage in one hand as he came over. His attire was almost, if not the same as the first time he met him.
"My grandmother, my mum's mother, is Austrian. She taught me and my siblings German when we were younger. Russian and Mandarin I learnt in my last year of school. I was a lot better with the former when it came to the final exams" It was more of surprise to him to find he was good at learning other languages, a hidden talent as many would say.
"Senator Amidala mention your Earth has over two hundred nation states. It's astonishing to have so many crammed up into one world" Another woman entered into the conversation. She was dressed in a long sleeved white gown with a light armour plating looking cover on her torso, her auburn hair styled in a crop design and blue eyes staring at him waiting for a response. This must of been the Mon Mothma woman the butler bot was talking about downstairs.
"If you would excuse me for a moment" Padme pardoned herself, going down the room to a small metal table in the corner of the room Jake guessed was to find out what the message was.
"Around that number, yes" He catch glimpse of Skywalker walking over and joining the Senator "It not really a big deal for us. New countries every so often form, either from regions breaking away and declaring independence or nations voluntarily joining together"
"Can you name them all?" Ahsoka challenged him, her eyes goading him to do so.
"Listing all two hundred would be quite the challenge" The older bloke rubbed his beard with one hand thoughtfully. Jake gave a short nervous chuckle and scratched the back of his neck as the trio in front of him waited to see if would attempt it.
"I could but I don't want to spend the rest of the night sending you all off to sleep. Besides, I'll probably end up missing a fair few out"
"Perhaps naming ten then?" The woman proposed, handing him a drink from a nearby tray.
"Ok then um. The United Kingdom, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, China, Japan, Australia and India" He listed the first 10 off the top of his head.
"And five more" Ahsoka pressed him for more.
"Really kid?" He raised a brow at the contesting Jedi teenager, resisting the urge to sigh in front of the guests "Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Czech Republic and Brazil and I'm not saying any more"
"By the sounds of it, you wouldn't have a problem naming all of them" Organa told him, appearing to be impressed by how quick he could name each country.
"With respect as much as it would be nice to tell you of my world, I would like to know more of yours. If that's ok with you?" The marine asked them both politely, still holding onto the drink he had yet to taste.
"If you like. I must admit thanks to the war I haven't spent as much time on Chandrila as I'd like, but we all have to make sacrifices" The lady told them, a hint of sadness escaping in her voice.
Jake listening patiently as they told of each of their homeworld's recent events, landmarks and on the best time of year certain landscapes looked best in different seasons. Despite having a warm and welcoming reception from these people he still felt uncomfortable being around high members of this society. Though things had changed over the past century people from different classes didn't tend to mix, choosing to instead remain within their own.
He took a taste of the drink in his hand, seeing it looked near enough like champagne and smelt like it. Thing was the marine was not a fan of the stuff, quite frankly he hated it and much preferred having a nice cold pint of beer but not wanting to appear rude he drank it all the same. Gulping some of the beverage down he tried not to twist his face at the tasting of the drink which had the same taste as champagne, only with a slight sweet fruity tang to it.
"So Corporal, what can you tell us about your own nation state?" Organa quizzed him as he finished telling of the added extension for his world, Alderaan's capital city's university. It was also the first time he noticed Ahsoka was standing with them, talking with SKywalker and Padme on another part of the room.
"What would you like to know?" He remained sceptic, hoping they would ask like the Jedi Council had about details he would have to refuse to disclose.
"Judging by it's name it is a union of kingdoms of some sort. How many are there?"
"We're an island nation off the main European continental mainland made up of four countries. England of which I'm from and then there's Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, along with overseas territories and dependencies. We used to be a lot bigger a long time ago but things change" He explained briefly about his homeland.
"How so?"
"We had built an empire that spread out across all the continents. But the age of imperialism ended so we granted all our former colonies independence" Jake remembered his grandad telling him once how his own father wasn't happy with the decline of the empire. Maybe if he was born in that time he may of felt the same, however today the idea of self governing and sovereignty was sacred to all.
"Are you democratic?" Mothma asked him next.
"Yeah we're a constitutional monarchy. The Queen is our head of state and the Prime Minister does all the politics stuff" The more he had to answer these people's questions, the more Jake felt like a history teacher than a Royal Marine.
"Many of the systems within the Republic are the same, Alderaan itself is one. Maybe our people have more in common than we think. Perhaps if we ever come into contact with your fellow Earthers, they would make a great addition into the Republic"
"Don't you think that's a little premature Bail?" Padme called over to them "It would have to be up to his people to decide whether to be a part of the galactic community"
"Perhaps I had jumped the gun a little. My apologies Corporal, I hope my opinion hadn't come across as bullish"
"No sir, it's ok. If such an option would to ever be presented to our civilisation, it would be the biggest referendum in our history" Well those who are democratic, He thought on the few exceptions who didn't let their citizens vote on their next leader.
"There are many out here who could learn from your people's way of conducting a democracy" Padme sighed, dropping her eyes to the floor for a couple of seconds then brought them back up changing her frown to a smile "Lets try and enjoy the evening with politics seeping in and ruining it"
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Dooku sat meditating on the floor of his personal quarters aboard General Grievous' flagship the Invisible Hand, drawing in the power that was the Dark Side of the Force. Since word reached him of Laika's capture and imprisonment he had been angered by yet another incompetent follower's failure. Usually it wouldn't bother him, he would of just punish the acolyte to teach them a harsh lesson if they failed but this wasn't an option now. Her mission was an important one that could of possibly tipped the scale against the Jedi, and now it seemed the opportunity was gone. For now.
Obviously it was too early to have sent her out on a mission with such importance but now she was paying the price, a more softer price compared to what would have awaited her had she returned empty handed. It appears a pattern of disappointment was forming in training those that originate from that witch infested cesspool of a world, Dathomir.
A beeping from his desk close by indicated a transmission, knowing full well who was contacting him before he even pressed the holocom's button. Opening his eyes and standing up from the cold hard floor he went over to the desk pressing the button, kneeling instantly as the holo blue figure of his cloaked and hooded Master loomed over him.
"Master" He bowed before him.
"Lord Tyranus, I can not tell how gravely disappointed I am that you have failed to achieve what I have set out for you to complete" The steel laced sneering voice of Sidious spoke down to him. Even behind his hood and thousands of light years away, Dooku could feel his dark yellow eyes glare down on him.
"My apologies Master. The servant I sent to complete the mission was obviously not up to the task"
"A foolish mistake you will pay for, I assure you my apprentice" He said venomously "For now I have new plan. It is vital we apprehend and get the information we want to turn the tide against the Jedi"
"I understand Master" Dooku said in compliance.
"You better. For failure for this task will end in excruciating pain for you" Anger boiled in the Count's veins every time Sidious condescended and threatened him. How he would love to end the man's life, replace him as the true lord of the Sith. For now however he had to remain calm and wait for the right moment to strike.
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"Thank you all again for coming"
"It always good to take a break from politics once in awhile Padme. It's been a pleasure talking on things other than war and the Separatists" Organa shook her hand then climbed into the waiting Speeder car by the platform. Jake had lost track of time on how long they were socialising in the Senator's home until somebody actually checked the time. Not like he would know anyway the number digits they used were different to that he was used to.
After waving him off it was their time to go, the flying car they used flew over to open platform.
"Hey Snips, why don't you guys go on ahead. I have some things I need to discuss with Senator Amidala" Skywalker said to his Padawan, making Jake to turn back around to the Jedi pair with a curious glaze.
"Alright Master. See you soon Padme" She gave a respectful bow to the older woman.
"Goodbye Ahsoka" She smiled warmly at the youngster "Goodnight Corporal"
"Enjoy the rest of your evening Miss" The marine nodded to her, suppressing a knowing smile. He watched Ahsoka walked by him climbing into the driver's seat, pressing on a couple of buttons
"Uh kid, aren't you a little young to be driving?"
"Do you know how to drive one of these?" He shook his head. He knew how to drive a car but one that flew was a different matter "I do so come on"
"Ok this isn't weird or anything" He sat in the front passenger seat, finding it comical to be chauffeured by a 16 year old. They were soon underway flying back to the Temple, going past hundreds of over Speeders on the way.
The night sky was darker now, filled by the countless stars and four moons orbiting the planet. The skyscrapers were all lit up varying in brightness depending on the size of the building, the taller ones understandably shining brighter he guessed to avoid any collisions with incoming and outgoing ships.
On the way back he thought over the evening. Whilst hardly entertaining he did get a good insight on the few senators among thousands represented the massive wide Republic. The trio seemed like the good sort of politician, hard working into making sure the untold billions displaced and suffering from this conflict of theirs were able to survive or get lives back on track. It was a shame they didn't have a great deal like them back home.
"So what is Skywalker staying behind for?" He questioned the young driver.
"I don't know. Skyguy and Padme are close friends, they're probably exchanging the latest dirt on the goings on in the Council and the Senate"
"Uh huh, sure they are" He muttered, smirking to himself. All night suspicions played on the way between the Jedi and Senator from a world she called Naboo. There was no mistaking the looks he was giving her and vice versa and the fact they spent most of their time together. It didn't take a genius to work out they were more than friends.
"What?"
"Nothing. So where's the tinpot?" He glanced over at the slot missing it's machine occupant.
"Don't call him that" She scowled him over the name calling "R2 is staying behind with Anakin, he'll come back with him later I guess"
"Does he usually stay late at Padme's place?"
"Not that I'm aware of, why?" She replied back, steering the Speeder down the traffic lane.
"Oh nothing"
"Your obviously implying something Corporal, so spit it out before I make you" She grew impatient with his evasiveness.
"Well I get the impression they're going out with each other" Her face twisted into a confused expression "You know, dating?"
"What!?, no" She said in complete shock "It's forbidden for a Jedi to form those type of attachments. My Master may bend the rules now and again but he would never go that far" Ahsoka continued in defence for her mentor.
"Are you certain?"
"I don't want to hear it Matthews. I suggest you don't throw those sort of accusations around in the Temple, otherwise you'll get him into serious trouble" The anger he saw in her face clearly meant he had upset her.
"Ok Ahsoka, I may be mistaken it wouldn't be the first time" He said to calm the heated argument down. The rest of the journey was in silence, Jake realising he angered the alien teen over his assumption and thought it best to leave it at that.
The marine was sure he was right but continuing the speculation would of upset her further and he didn't want that. It seems if the couple were ever discovered a ridiculous punishment would be waiting for the Jedi Knight.