The Clone found himself once more in the uncomfortable situation of being the object of close examination by those in power. He felt as though he were being punished for something, though this was hardly the case at all.

The Na'tave Majesty, Meisheb, had heard much of The Clone's exploits on her world. She had spoken to many Jedi and senators, heard many tales. She had actually taken special interest in The Clone when they had first met, when he had refused to deny what he knew to be true, even under penalty of execution. His honesty, loyalty and courage were notable to her, and she had asked about him at every opportunity since that day.

Her reasons were, of course, her own. Na'taves were cat-like, and therefor intensely reserved, keeping their thoughts very much to themselves. As a white Na'tave, Meisheb stood out as wrathful, though her time as a ruler had proven that she was also fair and very careful at whom her fury was directed. She was a reasonable creature, with the good sense to know that a little inconvenience was preferable to outright slavery and/or utter extinction.

It was she who had made the agreement to let the Republic mine the ore of her world. And now it was she who recommended that they leave, before rogue sects of Aakaria decided to take matters into their own hands. That had already happened once, and she would not permit it to happen again.

She knew that her people could not fight off the Separatists alone, that they needed Republic troops. And she knew that she must keep political channels open and friendly accomplish this end. Thus, she did the less than obvious thing: she told the Republic to pull out.

But she also requested a meeting with a senator to discuss the situation. This had been agreed to, as had her rather unusual request that the senator be accompanied by a clone. And not just any clone. Jac specifically.

The senator, Padmé Amidala was seated across from Meisheb, Jac standing behind her. It was evident that Her Majesty was looking past Padmé, and making careful visual examination of The Clone, who did his best not to shift under her piercing indigo gaze.

When Padmé ceased speaking, Meisheb turned her eyes on the senator. The Na'tave Majesty kept her face carefully neutral, the delicate features of her white face conveying gravity and dignity in equal measures. There was a period of silence before she spoke.

"You recall that on your last visit, the former Majesty, Forsooth was overthrown?,"

"Yes, I do," Padmé remembered all too well.

If not for Jac's warning and Meisheb's persistence in seeking the truth, both she and another senator would have most likely lost their lives.

"I did not kill him then because there were many who would seek to avenge his death," Meisheb said quietly "and because I haven't the stomach to tear the throat of an elder,"

"I understand," Padmé told her when she paused for a thoughtful moment.

"My decision was, perhaps, the wrong one," Meisheb went on as though Padmé hadn't spoken "due to his political connections, I was unable to keep Forsooth incarcerated. He was released recently, and I fear that he will attempt to regain his former glory,"

"You must know that we cannot interfere in the internal matters of your people," Padmé said carefully.

"You misjudge me, Senator Amidala. I do not seek your aid, but something far more important,"

"Oh?,"

"Forsooth is a proud Na'tave. He is not evil, though it must seem that way to you. He wants only to protect his people. Yet the time may come when he manages to destroy me and those who stand with me. The time will come when the Separatists, realizing you are gone, may return. If that happens, our people stand no chance. For the sake of his people, Forsooth will be forced to request Republic aid,"

Here she paused again, her eyes flicking to look at Jac, who stood impassive, yet listening carefully to every word, even though much of it was beyond him as it was deeply mired in politics.

"You may be disinclined to answer his call, but I plead with you now to help our people. He would not turn on you a second time, not seeing what he has. I do not want my people to suffer for his mistakes. Or for mine,"

"Yet you ask troops to withdraw now, knowing that the Separatists will return if they pull out?,"

"My people do not understand that they are here for our protection. And people are quick to forget. Though to you and I the Separatist occupation of Aakaria was not long ago, to the general populace it has been a lifetime. They turn their anger at their political impotence, and rage of their wounded pride on your troops. I would not ask you to defend such people as would kill their protectors,"

Meisheb paused again, blinking slowly. There was graceful element to even so simple an action, and when her eyes opened again, she was once more looking at Jac. Before she spoke again, she returned her gaze to Padmé.

"I realize this request is out of the ordinary, and that there are many worlds which require aid. But surely you understand my reasons. I love my people, Senator, more than they will ever know or believe. Right now, they seem to believe I despise them and want to make their lives difficult,"

"Politics has a way of clouding the truth,"

"That is why I requested your clone trooper to come,"

"I don't understand,"

Jac didn't either. He did his best not to look surprised.

"I have called for a meeting this afternoon. There will be many people there, people from a number of villages, who have the trust and respect of the people. They will not hear me, for I stand to gain much from securing their favor. They will not listen to you, for your own carefully chosen words would betray you as a diplomat. But I feel that an appeal must be made, to try and get the people to understand the danger. It would be easier for all concerned if Republic troops could remain here, secure in the knowledge that the Na'tave people would not attack them. Easier than trying to get you to return when the Separatist army takes hold,"

"If it pleases Your Majesty, I don't follow," Jac spoke for the first time, obviously hesitant.

"I want you, Jac, to speak to my people. You who have seen our planet, our people, and our enemy first hand. You who cannot be swayed by threats, and who have nothing to gain personally from our allegiance. You, Jac, are the only chance we have of averting the devastation of being taken over by the Separatist regime a second time,"

"I'm no public speaker," Jac told her uneasily "I wouldn't know what to say,"

"You must say only what you believe. If you are honest with them, I'm sure my people will hear you,"

"I must speak with the senate about this," Padmé said "this is very unusual,"

"I understand. In the meantime, I have arranged rooms for yourself and Jac. Come," she nodded graciously, arising from her seat effortlessly "I will show you to them,"

Jac had, almost literally, been all over the globe. He'd seen much of Aakaria, from burning desert to freezing caves to temperate rain forests. He'd fought alongside the Na'taves, and against them as well. He'd met much of the planet's wildlife, and somehow managed to impress Her Majesty. The one thing he had never seen was the hospitality of the Na'taves.

As a ground troop, he was used to sleeping in the dirt with his helmet for a pillow. The fact was, he'd probably be more comfortable there than here. The so-called room was actually split into three by beaded curtains. A bathroom, bedroom and main room. The last was equipped with a sofa on one side, table and chairs on the other. Guests were clearly intended to stay here long enough to take sleep, meals, visitors and full-on baths.

Clones were not renowned for their cleanliness, primarily because the opportunity to bathe rarely presented itself. Jac did take the time to bathe, but avoided the large tub in favor of the shower. The tub seemed big enough to swim in and was lined with flower petals and scented candles. Jac wondered vaguely what those were good for. He also failed to use the temperature controls for the shower, taking the water in its natural state. It was entirely possible he didn't know he could do otherwise.

For lack of anything better to do, he spent some time cleaning and checking his equipment. After taking the time to test the water (he did this before his shower as well), he filled his canteen. Who knew when he would next have ready access to water?.

Having done all this, he wasn't sure what to do next.

He wandered into the bedroom (the bed was about the size of a bantha, he decided), choosing the couch positioned at the foot of the bed over the bed itself. The couch was similar to the cot he'd had during his training, though softer.

Like most clones, Jac's response to free time was to replenish his supplies, clean his gear and nap. These were luxuries to clones, who seldom had time for any of that in the field. They maintained their equipment, but couldn't be super thorough about it. Not like when they had time to kill.

As he drifted off to sleep, Jac wondered what the senate would have to say about Meisheb's proposal. He wondered also what he could say to the Na'taves if he were called upon to speak.

Jac was awakened a couple of hours later by someone at the door. Unaccustomed as he was to having a room of his own, or having anyone knock on the door, it took him a number of seconds to realize that he was meant to answer.

"Come in," he could have opened the door, but preferred to maintain his distance from it, lest the one visiting prove to be unfriendly.

Even first thing on waking up, his thoughts were focused single-mindedly on survival.

The door slid aside to reveal a small, fluffy gray Na'tave with very black whiskers. Not even fully grown, this one, but dressed in a kind of uniform nevertheless.

"Her Majesty requests that you dine with her this evening," the kitten said, her over-sized paw-like hands working nervously.

She worked as an attendant for Meisheb. Having lost both her parents, it was the only way she could support herself. Being distantly related to Bailesh had brought her plight to Meisheb's attention. Still possessed of soft kitten fur, she was intimidated and enthralled by her adult peers, and downright terrified of the strange people of the Republic.

"And senator Amidala?," Jac asked hopefully.

If she were to appear as well, that made life much less complicated for him. If he were asked to appear alone, he must try to weigh the pros and cons and decide if it would be best for him to accept or decline. His own wishes he thought nothing at all of, for it was his desire to remain here and avoid any potential breach of protocol.

"Her ladyship," common Na'taves referred to virtually all female foreigners as such "says she feels ill, and is unable to attend,"

"I must speak with her," Jac said "if she has no objection, then I'll come,"

"As you say," the kitten bent her head politely "I shall accompany you to her door,"

Jac reflexively picked up his helmet and rifle, carrying the former under his arm and the latter in his right hand. The kitten's pale green eyes widened at sight of the weapon and she stepped well back. Jac thought it odd that his gun should inspire such fear when carried in the nonthreatening manner he now held it in, one handed and with muzzle pointed down.

Little did he know that the kitten understood only that this was a weapon. She knew not how it worked, as such weapons had not been a part of her formal education up to this point.

Down the hall, Jac knocked at Padmé's door. She opened it and Jac related what he'd been told to her. He secretly hoped she would object, as then he would have grounds to decline. But she did nothing of the kind, confirming that she did indeed feel poorly, she was not acclimated to the climate.

It was with quiet resignation that Jac turned to the kitten and allowed her to lead him to the dining hall of Meisheb, which was virtually deserted save for the serving staff.

"Greetings," Meisheb said gesturing to a place at her side "be seated, please. I had hoped to speak with you alone. I am only sorry it is at cost of Senator Amidala's health,"