Thank you to the 14 people who reviewed the last chapter. You guys are great and here is chapter 31, which will follow "Voyage of Temptation". I hope you like it and, as always, reviews are much appreciated.
Chapter 31
The Coronet was a luxurious spaceliner that Duchess Satine of Mandalore used as her personal yacht. It was over two hundred meters in height with elegant halls and stately cabins at its tops and cargo holds and utilitarian crew quarters in its long ventral spine. Despite Satine's dedication to peace, Obi-Wan knew that the spaceliner was equipped with both ion and laser cannons. The interior of the spaceliner was elaborately decorated making the ship more a flying palace than a spaceship.
Obi-Wan examined the clone troopers that would be joining him, Jenica and Anakin onboard the Coronet as he finished briefing them on their assignment while onboard the spaceliner. "The safety of the duchess is of the utmost importance. Death Watch will stop at nothing to prevent her from pleading her case before the Senate," he finished. "And, while you're on board, I want you to look for anything suspicious that may link to both the Separatists and Death Watch. Even if you don't think something you see is that suspicious, tell me about it. I do not want to take any chances. Understood?"
"Yes sir," the clone troopers replied saluting.
"Artoo, make sure to use your scanners to look for any suspicious droid activity as well," Anakin ordered glancing at his astromech droid who beeped in response.
"Let's move," Captain Rex said before he began issuing orders to the clones.
Obi-Wan's comlink beeped at that moment and he pulled it. "Kenobi here," he said into it.
"The Duchess requests you and your companions presence in the dining hall," the Mandalorian said.
"All right. We will be right there." Obi-Wan put his comlink away.
"Where are we going, Master?" Jenica asked glancing at me.
"The dining hall to meet with Duchess Satine," Obi-Wan replied keeping the tension out of his voice. Like last time, he was a bit tense but that was only because Satine was much too stubborn for her own good and refused to accept that she might have to be involved in the war even if she doesn't want to be.
Anakin examined him. "You seem tense, master," he said as the three of them began walking toward the turbolift that would take them to the elegant halls on the top floor of the spaceliner.
"I'm fine, Anakin," Obi-Wan replied erasing the tension from his voice as he stepped into the turbolift with his former apprentice and current apprentice just behind him.
Anakin opened his mouth but decided against asking whatever question had popped into his mind. He turned his gaze to the turbolift doors as it continued its silent journey upward. Obi-Wan followed his gaze hoping Anakin wouldn't ask him what he had asked him the first time around.
"You don't seem fine, Master," Anakin said dashing Obi-Wan's hopes that he would let it go. "Why are you so tense?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Obi-Wan protested.
"Where you and Satine close, master?"
"We are friends, Anakin, nothing more," Obi-Wan said calmly. It was true for him but he knew that Satine liked him; she had the first time around and Jenica confirmed that she felt the same way this time around.
"Out of curiosity, does Siri know about Satine?"
"Yes she does. She knows Satine's a friend," Obi-Wan said before he glanced at his former apprentice. "Is this questioning going anywhere, Anakin?"
"No not really," Anakin said flicking his eyes briefly to Jenica and Obi-Wan knew that if Jenica hadn't been there then Anakin probably would have teased him relentlessly.
Thank the Force for small miracles, Obi-Wan thought ruefully.
The turbolift continued its silent journey upward before it came to a stop and the doors slide open revealing a small turbolift lobby. Obi-Wan walked out of the turbolift with Anakin and Jenica just behind him; the three of them made their way across the lobby and into the duchess's makeshift throne room. They walked in time to hear Satine say "War is intolerable. We have been deceived into thinking that we must be a part of it. I say the moment we committed to fighting, we already lost."
Tal Merrik frowned. "Excuse me, your Grace. Does this mean you think we should oppose this war on a humanitarian basis?" he asked.
Satine narrowed her eyes. "I am going to oppose it as a front of life itself. As the designated regent of fifteen hundred systems, I speak for thousands of worlds that urge me to remain neutral in this war."
Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes. Satine had said the same thing last time and he certainly didn't want to get into another argument with the duchess so he thought quickly about how to change what happened last time. He decided to start with what he started with last time; that didn't seem like a bad start.
"Some would argue that a strong defense is a swift and decisive offense though," Obi-Wan commented walking into the room with Anakin and Jenica just behind him.
Satine glanced at him. "You are quite the general now, Master Kenobi," she said calmly.
"Forgive me for interrupting, your Highness," Obi-Wan said politely. "I didn't mean any disrespect."
"Really? Senators, I presume you are acquainted with the collection of half-truths and hyperbole known as Obi-Wan Kenobi?" Satine said.
Obi-Wan inclined his head to the senators. "You are too kind, Duchess," he said calmly.
"You're right," Satine said. "I am."
"You have already met my Padawan, Jenica Narek, Duchess. Allow me to introduce my fellow Jedi Anakin Skywalker," Obi-Wan said gesturing to Anakin who inclined his head in greeting as he walked to Obi-Wan's side.
"Your servant, my lady," Anakin replied.
"I remember a time when Jedi were not generals but peacekeepers," said Satine.
Yes so do I. If only things could go back to those days, Obi-Wan thought.
"We are protectors, your Highness. Yours at the moment," Anakin said before Obi-Wan could respond. "We fight for peace."
"What an amusing contradiction," Satine said with a snort.
"Forgive me for interrupting, master, duchess," Jenica said suddenly glancing at Satine. "But we are only trying to protect you from the Death Watch and the Separatists who don't share your neutral point of view."
Obi-Wan glanced at his apprentice; that was what he had been about to say. "Jenica is right, Duchess," he said.
"I asked for no such thing," Satine protested.
"Yes I know but the majority of your court did," Obi-Wan replied.
Satine's eyes narrowed even more. "I do not remember you to be one to hide behind excuses," she said.
"I don't remember you as one to shrink from responsibilities, Duchess," Obi-Wan said. It seemed that the conversation between him and Satine was going very much like it had the first time around, Obi-Wan realized. Was this yet another thing he couldn't change? Obi-Wan didn't know but it seemed likely.
"I am certain we can all agree," Senator Orn Free Taa said walking over to break up the conversation, "that Duchess Satine and General Kenobi have proven there are two sides to every dilemma."
"Indeed," Merrik agreed.
"Now, in regards to the Senate vote, we think…" Taa began.
"I think a multitude makes discord not good counsel," Satine interrupted.
"Right again, my lady," Taa said.
Obi-Wan sighed. Satine is favoring her own side of the dilemma again, he thought glancing at Anakin who was also observing the group. "There may be two sides to every dilemma," he said softly, "but I wish she wouldn't favor her own side."
Artoo Deetoo rolled through the cargo hold of the Coronet his lights shining on everything as he scanned the area for anything that may be out of the ordinary, suspicious droid activity as his master called it. He was rolling around the cargo hold with a clone called Redeye and another one called Mixer still scanning the area.
"I'll check out the south corner," Redeye said.
"Careful over there. It's dark," Mixer said.
"Very funny, Mixer," Redeye said before he made his way toward the south corner.
Artoo shone his light toward Redeye before returning his attention to the crates that filled the hold. Artoo rolled after Redeye and the two of them ended up running into each other. Redeye stepped back before retracting his blaster and sighing. "Stop messing around. That's not funny," Redeye retorted.
Artoo beeped in response and rolled past Redeye to continue examining the area just in time to hear Redeye mutter "droids."
Artoo rolled out of earshot so he did not hear the assassin probe droid's attack on Redeye.
"The only defense the Republic has against the Separatists is a military presence, Duchess," Obi-Wan said calmly.
Satine whirled around to glare at him. "Even extremists can be reasoned with," she retorted.
Obi-Wan decided against getting into another argument with Satine. "Perhaps but they have done nothing to suggest they can be reasoned with, Duchess."
"The Republic still should have tried to reason with them."
"And how exactly are we supposed to do that? They couldn't exactly hear us over their droids' blasterfire," Obi-Wan retorted getting as irritated with Satine as he had the first time around.
"The sarcasm of a soldier," Satine retorted walking over to stand face to face with Obi-Wan.
"The delusions of a dreamer," Obi-Wan replied irritably.
"Duchess, Master Jedi. It's been a long trip. I think we can all use a little rest and refreshment," Merrik said.
Obi-Wan made a point to keep an eye on Merrik. He could easily recall what happened last time; the assassin probes, Vizsla's attack, the standoff. This time, it wouldn't go like last time. Obi-Wan wasn't about to let Merrik get away with what happened last time and he didn't exactly have to kill Merrik. Incapacitate him, yes, but not kill him.
"Here, here," Taa said. "Now let us put politics aside until after dinner."
Satine was still glaring at Obi-Wan but Obi-Wan had already gotten his anger under control. "Fine," Satine said coolly brushing past Obi-Wan and leaving the makeshift throne room.
Not even a few minutes later, the Coronet shuddered before disappearing into hyperspace.
"You and Satine have a history," Anakin commented walking alongside Obi-Wan down the elaborately decorated corridor of the Coronet. Jenica was walking just behind them examining the corridor curiously.
"It was an extended mission when I was younger," Obi-Wan said. "Master Qui-Gon and I spent some time on Mandalore. We were protecting the Duchess from insurgents who threatened her world."
The three of them entered the turbolift and the doors slid closed behind them. "They sent bounty hunters after us," Obi-Wan went on. "We were on the run constantly. We were unsure of what the next day would bring."
"Sounds romantic."
Obi-Wan glared at his former apprentice while Jenica stifled a chuckle.
Artoo rolled down the corridor within the cargo hold scanning the area. The little blue droid continued to roll forward but stopped when his light landed on the helmet of one of the clone troopers. He let out a sad woo and went back to examining the area looking for what happened to the clone trooper.
Artoo whirled around when he heard a noise above his head and rolled away only to crash into Rex and Cody.
"A civil war killed most of Satine's people," Obi-Wan was saying as he, Anakin and Jenica left the turbolift and started walking down another elaborately decorated corridor. "That was the main reason why she has an aversion to violence. When she returned home, she took on the task of rebuilding her world below."
"You didn't stay to help her, master?" Jenica asked curiously.
Anakin examined his former master while he waited for Obi-Wan to respond as he had been thinking the same thing.
"That would have been problematic," Obi-Wan said as the three of them neared their quarters. They walked into them and Obi-Wan sat down in the chair beside the desk while Anakin and Jenica stood at the entrance to the room as the door closed behind them.
"My duties to the Jedi demanded that I be elsewhere," Obi-Wan added.
"Demanded?" Anakin echoed. "But it's obvious you had feelings for her back then. Didn't that affect your decision at all?"
Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes. "It did but I only ever saw Satine as a very good friend. Nothing more," he said. "Besides, I live by the Jedi Code."
"Of course," Anakin said. "As Master Yoda says, a Jedi must not form attachments."
Obi-Wan shrugged. "As I said before, Anakin, I only ever saw Satine as a very good friend."
"So you never liked her as more than a friend, master?" Jenica asked.
Obi-Wan shook his head. "No, I never did," he replied just as his comlink beeped. He activated it. "Yes Captain."
"General, something's wrong with Skywalker's astromech. Scared him real good," Rex's voice sounded over the comlink. "We've also lost contact with two of my men."
Obi-Wan stood up. "All right, I'm on my way to assist you," he said.
"I'll go, master," Anakin said. "If there's something dangerous out there then the clones and I can handle it."
"All right, Anakin. Jenica, you stay here with me," said Obi-Wan.
"Yes master," Jenica replied and Anakin inclined his head to Obi-Wan before walking out of the room.
Jenica followed her master as he led the way into the dining hall to join Satine and the other senators. They were already seated around the table with their guards posted at intervals around the room.
"I beg your pardon, Senators," Obi-Wan said calmly. "Our men are investigating a situation below decks. I would like to respectfully ask for you to wait here until it is settled."
Jenica glanced at the gathered group to see them glancing at each other clearing wondering what the situation was. She narrowed her eyes when she looked at Senator Merrik; she didn't know why but she didn't trust him. She glanced at her master. Master, I don't know why but I don't trust Senator Merrik, she sent through the Force.
Why do you say that? Obi-Wan asked through the Force.
I don't know. It's just a feeling, Jenica replied.
Keep it in mind, Jenica. The Force is trying to tell you something so don't ignore it, Obi-Wan replied.
Yes master.
"All right, what's the problem? I'm missing dinner," Anakin said stepping into the cargo hold to join his men.
"We're not sure, sir. There's still no sign of Mixer and Redeye," Cody replied.
Anakin held up a hand before glancing at the astromech droid that rolled to a stop in front of him. "What's the matter, buddy?"
'Something's not right. And I don't know what,' Artoo beeped and whistled.
"I know, I know. But I'm here now. Use your scanners. See if anything is out of place."
Artoo beeped in response, activated his scanners and rolled away. Anakin followed him with Rex, Cody and the other clones just behind him. They made their way deeper into the cargo hold following Artoo's lead. He led the way to an empty crate on its side some ways into the hold.
"What do we have here?" Cody asked.
"Looks like the contents of this box are missing," said Rex.
"Or it got up and walked away," Anakin murmured before glancing at Rex and Cody. "All right, fan out. Separate squads. I'll contact Obi-Wan."
The clones started to separate while Anakin activated his comlink to contact his former master.
Obi-Wan was seated beside Jenica across the table from Satine when his comlink beeped. He activated it without glancing at it as he was expecting the call. "Please excuse me," Obi-Wan said pushing his seat back before getting to his feet. "Stay here, Jenica."
"Yes master," Jenica replied.
Obi-Wan stepped away from the table. "What did you find, Anakin?" he asked.
"There's a large open container and the contents are missing," Anakin's voice replied. "And I still have two men unaccounted for."
Like last time, Obi-Wan thought with a grimace. "Keep things quiet, Anakin. I'll stay with the Senators. And be prepared for anything. There's no telling of what could be in that container," he said.
"All right, master," Anakin replied.
Anakin disconnected the transmission before turning his azure gaze to Artoo who beeped and began to roll away. "What's up? Did you find something?" he asked following Artoo as the little blue astromech droid rolled away. He rolled away down the corridor toward the back of the room.
He frowned when he saw someone stepping out of the shadows and he recognized it as Redeye. "Where have you been, Redye? We've been worried about you," he said eyes narrowed because something didn't feel right.
He ignited his lightsaber just as an assassin probe droid appeared out of the shadows and tossed Redeye's limp body at Anakin. Anakin dodged out of the way before swinging his blade to slice through the legs of the assassin probe droid when it charged at him. It crashed into the crates before fell to the ground but it picked up some of the crates and tossed them at Anakin.
Anakin dodged out of the way but the assassin probe droid knocking him to the ground. The probe droid leapt at him but fell back to the ground when a series of blasterfire slammed into it. It was sent flying to the ground as the clones continued to fire at the droid.
At that moment, Anakin turned around just in time to see another assassin probe droid scurry toward the turbolift. "The lift," he called.
The assassin probe droid pried the doors to the turbolift open and scurried its way upward as Anakin and the clones dashed toward it. However, the assassin droid managed to avoid them as it hurried upward toward the topmost levels of the Coronet.
Anakin, scowling, activated his comlink. "Obi-Wan, there are assassin probes down here. One of them made it up the lift. I'll hold the rest of them down here," he said into the comlink before turning his attention to the clones.
Obi-Wan grimaced; he had known it was coming of course. He glanced at the senators. "Secure the lifts now," he ordered unhooking his lightsaber from his belt before igniting it and he saw Jenica ignite her own blue blade.
The assassin droid entered the hall and attacked the Mandalorian guard as well as Obi-Wan. Dodging out of the way, Obi-Wan glanced at Jenica. "Stay near Satine," he called.
"Yes master," Jenica replied dashing back to stand at Satine's side as the assassin droid fought its way deeper into the dining hall. The assassin probe leapt onto the table but Obi-Wan, expecting that, dashed to the head of the table before sending his lightsaber spinning out in a saber throw that sliced through its legs and came back into his hand. When it crashed to the ground, he stabbed it in the head.
Without pausing, Obi-Wan's blade sliced through the top of the assassin probe through the first wave of the smaller probes as they climbed out of their host's head. Satine pulled out her deactivator and fired it at the probes who escaped Obi-Wan's blade and surged forward. Jenica also swung her blade to slice through the smaller probes.
Obi-Wan decided against commenting on the deactivator that Satine was firing at the remaining probe droids; he already knew why Satine had it so there was no point in pointing it out. Between him, Satine and Jenica, they managed to destroy the remaining probe droids within minutes.
"Get behind me," Anakin called as the little assassin probe droids attacked. His blade flashed as it sliced through little droid after little droid. The clones fired at the droids but already one of the clones was down. Artoo rolled around using his shocker to deactivate the droids that got too close to him.
Before long, the little droids were destroyed. Anakin, relieved, deactivated his blade before glancing at the remaining clones. "Good work men," he said before he glanced at Artoo and smiled. "You too, buddy."
Artoo beeped happily in response.
"An assassin droid. How did that monster end up in the hold?" Rex wondered aloud.
"The question is; who smuggled them onboard?" Anakin said eyes narrowed.
Obi-Wan picked up one of the small droids before examining it. Just like last time, he thought flicking a glance to Merrik but keeping it to where the senator wouldn't notice the look. "Just like that swarm of venom-mites on Draboon," he murmured absently.
"I'll never forget that. I still have the scar," Satine said.
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "I distinctly remember carrying you to safety, Duchess," he said.
"I meant the scar I got after you fell and dropped me," Satine replied.
"Oh yes." Obi-Wan had forgotten that he had accidentally dropped Satine when they were attacked by the swarm of venom-mites.
Anakin examined the protocol droid that was seated in front of him. He had found it while they were in the hold and he figured that the droid might have some answers for him. "We're looking for the droid that services the cargo bay," Anakin said.
"Ah yes sir. Are all of those things dead?" the protocol droid asked getting up and walking away.
"That's what I'm trying to find out," Anakin replied struggling to keep the frustration out of his voice. He took a deep breath before releasing his frustration into the Force; his determination to make Obi-Wan and his mother proud of him and be the best Jedi Knight in the Order was the only thing that helped him to control his anger and frustration.
"You're in charge of the cargo manifest right?" Anakin asked the droid.
"Uh yes," the protocol droid replied pressing a button on the console he had come to. "I have it right here."
"Where did they come from?" This time, Anakin was unable to hide the impatience from his voice. He really had to work on his patience or lack thereof as his former master always pointed out.
"It is right here on the manifest," the droid said and Anakin took the datapad to examine the manifest. He growled irritated when he discovered there wasn't a name as to who shipped the assassin droids.
"There's no name to say who shipped it," he protested.
"No sir. Just the Senate stamp. Always accepted for transport here on the Coronet," the protocol droid replied.
Anakin sighed inwardly; he doubted it would have been that easy but it would have been nice.
Obi-Wan watched as Anakin stepped into the dining hall before handing him the manifest. He really didn't have to look at it because he already knew it didn't have the name of who shipped the probes. He already knew of who did it but he needed proof to prove his suspicions.
"One of our four distinguished senators appears to be a traitor," Anakin said.
Obi-Wan nodded absently. "I sense it too," he murmured before he used the Force to grab the lone probe droid that had survived his, Jenica's and Satine's attack. He didn't even glance at it because he remembered that was where it would be; he also heard it. "Looks like one of our little visitors survived," he commented holding the probe droid in midair as it struggled against the Force's grip.
"I have an idea. Return to the hold and destroy the last assassin droid. I'll expose the traitor," Obi-Wan added handing the manifest back to Anakin who nodded and left the dining hall.
"What are you going to do master?" Jenica asked examining the probe droid.
Obi-Wan smiled faintly. "You'll see," he replied.
Later, as Satine and the senators retook their seats around the table, Obi-Wan gestured for Jenica to take her spot between Satine and Merrik. He would have preferred to not get caught in a standoff between him, Satine and the traitor so he decided he would take steps to prevent that from happening.
If he could, that is.
"Duchess, you are not eating," Taa said glancing at Satine who was picking at her food.
"I have no appetite," she murmured.
"Beggin your pardon, you must keep up your strength," Taa said.
"He's right, Duchess," Jenica said softy.
"By all means, be my guest Senator, Master Jedi," Satine replied.
"If you insist," Taa said as Obi-Wan walked forward carrying the platter with the assassin droid resting on it.
"Ah dessert, excellent," Taa said.
"This might prove too much for the legendary appetite of Orn Fee Taa," Obi-Wan replied calmly before he removed the cloth over the platter.
"Ah, it probably won't agree with me anyway," Taa said eyeing the droid as it attempted to attack him.
"I have a theory," Obi-Wan began. "I think that our little friend will attack the duchess and anyone who defends her. Well, everyone but the traitor who programmed it."
Taa shrunk from it. "Take it away," he exclaimed.
"Obi-Wan, this brand of questioning borders on torture," Satine protested.
"I assure you, Duchess, everything in under control. I am trying to expose a bigger threat," Obi-Wan said sending a warning nudge to his apprentice.
Be prepared to defend the duchess, he said through their master/apprentice bond.
Yes master, Jenica responded lightsaber in hand but unlit as she sat between Satine and Merrik.
Obi-Wan made his way from one senator to the next and he could see the worried look in Merrik's eyes. Just like last time, he was trying not to draw attention to himself. He came to Merrik's side and the assassin droid stilled. "It seems to like you, Senator Merrik," he said calmly. "Well, Senator?"
"Really, General Kenobi. You're quite clever," Merrik said knocking the platter out of Obi-Wan's hand and the assassin droid was sent flying.
"Jenica!" Obi-Wan called sharply.
"On it, master," Jenica called ignited her blade and slashing toward the assassin droid slicing it in half when it ran toward Satine. She then took up a protective position in front of Satine while Obi-Wan ignited his blade and pointed it at Merrik who looked startled although he held his blaster in his hand and he scowled angrily.
"It looks like your ploy didn't work, Senator," Obi-Wan said pointing his blade at Merrik who backed away blaster held in his hand.
He activated his comlink. "Anakin, we've discovered that Tal Merrik is the traitor. Jenica and I have him pinned in the dining hall," he said circling to cut off Merrik's escape route and Jenica moved slightly in the opposite direction but still near Satine.
"Nice to know, master, but we have our own problems," Anakin's voice replied.
"Rex? Cody? Have you found anything yet?" Anakin asked the two clones after he disconnected the transmission with Obi-Wan.
"Nothing yet, sir," Cody replied before there was a moment's pause. "Wait a minute." A shout of surprise sounded over the comlink and Anakin ignited his lightsaber before dashing toward where Cody and Rex were located with Artoo rolling behind him.
When he reached the two clones, he sliced through the ones attacking Cody while Artoo used his shocker to deactivate the one that was clinging to Rex.
"Thanks little guy," Rex said.
"Well, we found the little ones. But what about the mother?" Anakin said lowering his blade.
"We haven't found it yet, sir," Cody replied.
Naturally, that's when the last assassin probe droid decided to attack. Anakin ignited his lightsaber as the assassin probe droid leapt at them. Cody and Rex pulled out their blasters and began firing at the droid scrambling to their feet as they did so. Anakin dodged out of the way to avoid the crates the droid decided fit to toss at them and Rex and Cody quickly followed suit.
Anakin dashed forward before slicing through the assassin droid's legs and Rex and Cody quickly followed suit with a barrage of blasterfire that knocked the droid down. Anakin leapt on top of the droid before stabbing it.
"That takes care of that," he said. "Artoo, are there anymore out there?"
Artoo beeped a negative.
"All right. Let's do one last search of the cargo hold and then go help General Kenobi."
"You, Senator Merrik, are under arrest," Obi-Wan stated calmly pointing his blade at Merrik while Jenica remained where she was standing beside the duchess.
Merrik sneered before holding up a detonator in his free hand. "I've rigged the engines to explode. If you come one step closer, if you attack then I will detonate the bombs," he snapped.
"That would kill you too," Jenica protested.
"I can escape because you cannot attack without risking the lives of everyone onboard the Coronet."
Merrik held up the detonator before glancing at Obi-Wan, Satine and Jenica. The other senators were gathered behind the duchess and the two Jedi. "This is an interesting turnabout," he admitted before he pointed his blaster at Satine and fired. Jenica blocked the blaster bolt before using the Force to rip the blaster from Merrik's hand.
Satine took it from Jenica before the Padawan could say anything and pointed it at Merrik. "I will not let you destroy the Coronet," she said firmly.
Merrik laughed. "What are you going to do? If you shoot me, you'll brand yourself a hypocrite to every pacifist idea you hold dear. And you, Kenobi, you're no stranger to violence. You'd be hailed as a hero by everyone on the ship. Well, almost everyone."
Obi-Wan didn't bother on glancing at Satine as he narrowed his eyes.
"Come on then. Who will strike first and brand themselves a cold-blooded killer?"
"Who said anything about killing you, Senator?" Obi-Wan asked calmly before he swung his lightsaber and Merrik screeched in agony when Obi-Wan's blade sliced through his wrist sending his hand and the detonator flying to the ground. Obi-Wan caught the detonator with the Force before Force pushing Merrik to the ground.
At that moment, Anakin, Rex and Cody stepped into the dining hall. Rex and Cody dashed toward Merrik before hoisting him up to his feet. Merrik shot a pain-filled shocked look at Obi-Wan as if he couldn't believe Obi-Wan had actually attacked him like that.
"Obi-Wan…" Satine whispered eyes wide with shock.
Obi-Wan glanced at the duchess. "I wouldn't kill him," he said, "but I was not going to risk the lives of everyone onboard this ship. This was the only way to keep him alive and save everyone's life at the same time."
As well as prevent Anakin from killing Merrik like he had the first time around.
Satine just stared at him.
"I did what I had to do, Satine."
"What happened here?" Anakin asked curiously.
"Merrik threatened to explode the ship so I stopped him from doing that without killing him," Obi-Wan replied.
"Obi-Wan, can I talk to you?" Satine asked falling into step beside Obi-Wan a couple of days later as the Coronet glided quietly through space toward the city-planet of Coruscant. Merrik was being watched by the remaining clones while Anakin and Jenica were walking just behind Obi-Wan and Satine.
"Very well, Satine," Obi-Wan replied.
Satine was silent for a long moment. "I understand why you did what you did even if I don't like it," she said. "And there's something I'd like to tell you, something I've wanted to tell you since you rescued me all those years ago."
Obi-Wan kept his gaze fixed on the corridor in front of him not meeting the duchess's eyes as he knew what the duchess was about to tell him. It was the same exact thing she had told him last time; last time, he had tried to let her down gently because he only saw her as a friend and he ended up hurting her. This time, he was hoping she wouldn't bring it up so he wouldn't hurt her. He may not love her the way she loved him but he did consider her a close friend.
"I love you, Obi-Wan," Satine said quietly. "From the moment you saved my life all those years ago."
Obi-Wan stopped walking. "Go on ahead, Anakin, Jenica," he said glancing at his former apprentice and current apprentice.
Anakin narrowed his eyes but nodded and he and Jenica walked past them before heading toward the hangar bay. Obi-Wan turned his gray-blue eyes to Satine who was gazing at him expectantly. "I am afraid that I do not love you the way you love me, Satine," he said softly. "I don't know how to say this without hurting you but I just don't feel the way about you that you do about me."
Satine looked surprised and for a long moment she was silent. Then she looked down. "I understand," she said softly and Obi-Wan winced when he heard the hurt in the duchess's voice.
So much for not hurting her like he did last time.
She shook her head before glancing up at Obi-Wan. "I just wanted you to know the truth, Obi-Wan, even if you don't feel the same way," she said. She leaned forward before gently kissing Obi-Wan on the cheek and walked past him toward the hangar bay.
"So what did you and Satine talk about?" Anakin asked.
"None of your business," Obi-Wan retorted.
"Hey, there's no need to get testy. I was just wondering," Anakin said before he led the way out of the Coronet with the clones and Merrik just behind him. Obi-Wan and Jenica walked out of the ship next with Satine and the rest of the Senators just behind them.
Supreme Chancellor Palpatine met them and Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the man who would turn Anakin to the dark side and become ruler of the known galaxy if Obi-Wan failed in his quest to save the future. He wouldn't fail, he told himself, and Palpatine would not win as he had last time.
"Job well done, Master Kenobi," Palpatine said calmly.
"Thank you, Chancellor," Obi-Wan replied keeping his voice neutral.
Anakin inclined his head in greeting to Palpatine as well.
Satine joined Palpatine before glancing at Obi-Wan. "How ironic to meet again only to find we're on opposing sides," she said.
"The needs of your people are all that matter. They couldn't be in better hands with you as their leader."
"Kind words indeed from a mindful and committed Jedi." Satine smiled suddenly and added, "And yet…?" She broke off.
Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows. "What?"
"I'm not so sure about the beard," she replied smirking.
"What's wrong with it?"
"It hides too much of your handsome face." Without another word, she turned around and walked away.
Anakin grinned and chuckled. "What was that about?" he asked. "And you better not let a certain someone know about that."
Obi-Wan felt his cheeks redden.
Anakin laughed outright before glancing at Satine. "Very remarkable," he said.
"She is indeed. You'd better not tell Siri about this, Anakin."
Anakin grinned again. "My lips are sealed," he replied.
A/n what do you think?
Blaze: and that was the twelve page chapter 31
Darth: that's cool. The standoff went differently
Blaze: yeah. I didn't like the standoff the first time
Siri: and what's this? Why is Satine flirting with my Obi? (Ignites lightsaber)
Obi-Wan: I thought you said you weren't going to tell her, Anakin!
Anakin: I didn't!
Siri: I read the chapter
Obi-Wan: blast
Siri: Obi-Wan's mine (kisses Obi-Wan)
Anakin: Obi-Wan and Siri sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G
Obi-Wan and Siri: (glare at Anakin)
Blaze: (laughs) the next chapter shall cover "Duchess of Mandalore" with some Siriwan tossed into the mix. Please review and I will post the next chapter as soon as I possibly can but I doubt it'll be anytime soon