"Please believe me friends, I am as perplexed by these recent developments as you are," the Chancellor said. His translucent blue image wavered in the middle of the room, his back to Emily, as he addressed the Council members. "I have personally launched an inquiry to identify the source of this leaked information."
"Given this incident," Pei said, voice piercing the room, "the death of the captured scientist while in Republican custody, and the supposed accidental file corruption that wiped all of the collected evidence of Emily's abduction; only an imbecile would deny that there are greater powers at work behind all of this. We should make it a priority to investigate this matter ourselves."
Emily turned to look at Pei, who was standing directly beside her. Her large eyes were narrowed, and Emily could spot the tell-tale twitch of her upper faceflaps, indicating her annoyance. There were frowns of disapproval from the other Jedi around the room. Ben's spine seemed to tighten a fraction on Emily's other side, his posture becoming even more rigid. She had to admit though, he had an amazing poker face. She had no idea what he was thinking from his neutral expression. The hologram of the Chancellor slowly revolved to face the three of them, where they were stood near the doors of the High Council chamber.
"Master Pelri," the Chancellor said, his voice losing some of its warmth. "If you have evidence that runs contrary to the completed investigations by the Coruscanti Security Forces, then I would be most happy to have the cases reviewed. Otherwise, the initial findings still stand. The Gran scientist was killed by a fellow prisoner during a dispute, while he was awaiting trial. Such barbarities are sadly, not uncommon in these places. And the corruption of the data was found to be caused by the rather blunt-force overrides used to hack into the memory banks-"
"I was the one who hacked into the facilities memory banks," Pei said, interrupting him, "and let me assure you Chancellor, that those overrides did not cause the data to be wiped. Someone must have accessed the drives and manually deleted the files."
"While I have every confidence in your abilities, Master Pelri, even the most illustrious of the Jedi are not infallible to making mistakes."
"I can a-"
"Helping the matter, this is not," Master Yoda said, quickly interrupting whatever Pei was about to say. Which was probably for the best, given the scowl she was directing at the Chancellor. "How to proceed in the here and now, this is where our focus must lie."
"The wider public is now aware of Emily's existence," Mace Windu added. "The Temple communications hub is being flooded, as we speak, with requests from politicians, world leaders, artists, scientists and even the general public at large. This is not something that we were prepared to deal with."
"Not to mention the direct danger this has placed Emily in," Obi-Wan added.
"It is my proposal that we should look to act quickly and decisively, to help mitigate this disaster," the Chancellor replied. "The longer Emily remains hidden from the public eye; the more speculation and suspicion will build and circulate around her absence. Already I have heard unfortunate rumours that many believe the Jedi to be holding Emily against her will."
"If it wasn't for the people in this room, I'd be dead…or worse than dead," Emily said, speaking for the first time. Everyone turned to look at her. She could almost feel the intensity of Ben's gaze on her face. "I owe them more than I could ever hope to repay back. And not just for saving me, but for their kindness - and their patience. I'm afraid I haven't been the easiest person to deal with."
"An admirably eloquent and excessively modest admission," the Chancellor said, looking directly at her now with a gentle smile on his face. "Allow me to express my delight in finally being able to speak with you, milady. That you are here, in front of me now, after such a terrible ordeal, is a testament to your remarkable courage and tenacity. And - I have it on very good authority from young Skywalker - that you are held in the highest regard. Indeed, he has done nothing but sing your praises to me whenever we speak, and now I am beginning to understand why."
Emily noticed Ben straighten even more at the mention of Ani. If he kept it up, he'd likely snap his own spine from the tension. Ben had mentioned before, in off-hand comments, his apprehension about the Chancellors interest in Ani. As Emily had only ever met the man once before, and that was from behind a sheet of glass in an isolation chamber, when she could only say a few words in Basic, she didn't really think herself qualified to judge. Ani seemed to like him, and came back from their meetings happier and more confident in himself. Maybe it was good to have a friend outside of the Temple. Ben had Dex after all.
"I wouldn't read too much into it," Emily said. "I think Anakin likes me because he always gets my leftovers after a meal. He'd probably have even more glowing praise for the kitchen staff, if you asked him."
The Chancellor laughed. "I will keep that in mind. However, I'm afraid my point still stands." The Chancellors hologram turned again to address the Council. "While Emily is kept out of the public eye, only more speculation will flourish in her absence. It would be best now to nip it at the root, before it grows outwith our ability to manage."
"And what would you suggest?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked.
"I recommend that we move ahead with my previous suggestion of holding a formal reception; allowing a select number of delegates, scientists and reporters the chance to engage with Emily in a controlled environment - with the appropriate security in place, of course."
"Won't that just increase public interest in her?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Certainly, but in a way that we can dictate. It will allow the public to meet the real Emily, and not whatever creature they would otherwise concoct in their wild imaginings," the Chancellor said. "I am sure that when they see how remarkably similar Emily is to them, public interest will gradually wane. Such is the fickle nature of the electorate - though in this instance, it is to our advantage."
"For Emily, this choice it is to make," Master Yoda said. "Our support, regardless will be given."
"Would I be able to tell them about how much the Jedi have helped me?" Emily asked, chewing on her lip. Out of everything, the idea that people thought they were the bad guys in all of this, was something she couldn't stand. Not the possible danger to herself. Not having to put up with invasive questions or being treated like a living fossil. But the idea that after everything they had done to save her life, and to help her build a new one, that people out there were laying blame on them. No, she'd happily put up with whatever this 'reception' threw at her, if she could set the record straight. It was the very least she could do.
"Absolutely," the Chancellor said. "Indeed, it is my hope that you will help in the arrangement of this event. It would be a perfect opportunity to introduce some of the wonderful aspects of your culture. I have read much of what has been passed on to us from your Head Archivist, and everything from the history, stories and music of your world, is both intriguing and utterly engrossing. I am sure, once introduced to the wider public, all fascination with you personally, will be replaced instead with a keen appreciation of your cultures art."
"Or they'll just be disappointed," Emily said, smiling. "I'm afraid that, of all the people who could have landed here from my world, you wound up with the least impressive person imaginable."
"With such modesty, I doubt they'll be anything but utterly charmed," the Chancellor replied. "If we are in agreement? I will have my office contact your Temple to make arrangements. Now if you will excuse me, I'm afraid I have other matters I must now attend to."
The hologram winked out of the air, leaving the room in a hushed stillness. Emily wasn't sure if they were all meditating on their thoughts, as they often seemed to do when things went quiet, like there was a radio station that only they could tune into; or if they simply weren't sure what else to say. Ben was still tense at her side, and Emily was worried that he wasn't happy with her decision to agree to this event.
"I don't like this at all," Pei said. Emily was entirely unsurprised at that admission. Pei had been adamant that it was a bad idea from the start. Emily just hoped she wouldn't take the brunt of Pei's frustration. The woman was a verbal weapon of mass destruction when riled.
"I agree that there is more behind this than we have discovered so far. I think we should consider launching our own investigation," Mace Windu said. "Although I do agree with the Chancellor on the matter at hand. The best thing we can try to do is manage the fallout from this, and hope that with time, interest will wane."
"And what if it doesn't?" Ben asked. Emily looked up at him. He met her eyes briefly, before turning back to the Council. She could see a shadow of worry darkening the soft blue.
"Then we must trust to the Force to guide us," Windu replied. Ben did not look particularly comforted by that.
"In the meantime, help will be provided for the preparation of this reception. Obi-Wan, you and your apprentice will be responsible for organising the security. Should anything else be required, you can raise it either to the appropriate department or to the Council itself."
"May the Force be with you," Yoda said, in what Emily had learned to be the go-to phrase for a dismissal. Or as a goodbye. Or even one time as a, 'please stop bothering me'. It had a plethora of uses.
Ben and Pei bowed. Emily gave the Council members a little wave, because that always seemed to get a raised eyebrow from someone, which never ceased to amuse her. As they got in the turbolift, she could feel Pei and Ben exchanging silent glances with each other. Emily decided to break the silence first.
"Okay, on a scale of one to ten, just how pissed off with me are you both?"
There was no reply.
"Okay, that's pretty pissed, isn't it?" Emily said after a few seconds. Ben broke first, letting out a long sigh.
"We're not angry with you," he said, though he still wasn't quite meeting her eye. "But I don't think you fully appreciate what you'll be faced with. You're about to step into the world of Galactic politics - and let's just say that I feel safer in battle, than I do in the Senate."
"We're just going to need to get you prepared," Pei added. "The best armour in war, is knowledge."
Emily looked between their grim faces. Aw fuck, what had she gotten herself into?