It's barely been a couple of months since Maridun, I looked up what the planet was called, and now the 345th is being sent to the frigid moon of Orto Plutonia. Luke says it's my turn with the cold planet, and his turn for shore leave. He is right, but I wish he wasn't. The 345th isn't the only legion going though. The 212th and the 501st have been sent along with us. But Ahsoka had to stay on Coruscant because she hasn't been completing her homework.
It's an investigative mission, so at least it'll be interesting. I am excited to meet the Pantoran senator, she's only about a year older than me. That's the real reason amu (amu - mom) said I was coming, because she can be a little shy. And since I'm closer to her age, I might help her relax and get a little more confident.
I can feel the chill even through my thick coat, and the walls of the LAAT. I hate this planet already, it's too cold. It doesn't take long to get down to the surface, not that I'm surprised by that. We land right in front of the Republic base too.
"And this is the planet's tropical zone!" ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan says.
"It's not Tatooine, that's for sure."
"Captain Kya! Captain Rex!" amu (amu - mom) yells, "Have your men survey the area. Place as many sensor beacons as you can before dark."
"Right away, General. Unload that gear! Let's move!" ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Kya says.
Being in the back, I hear Goldenrod, his actual name is See-Threepio, but I call him Goldenrod. He belongs to aunt Padmé, and he annoys the heck out of me. But I do agree with him on this.
"Why would the Republic want an outpost way out here?" Artoo, uncle Anakin's R2 unit, beeps a reply. "The Chairman of — oh!— Orto Plutonia requested it? But why?"
I look ahead, and realize that I've fallen behind. So I jog to catch up with amu (amu - mom), ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan, and uncle Anakin. While we survey the area, someone shouts from the right,
"Generals Kenobi."
"Chairman Cho, Senator Chuchi, I suggest you wait here until we can secure the area," amu (amu - mom) says, while leading us over to them.
"I respect your judgment, General Kenobi, but I will go where I choose. This is sovereign Pantora territory."
I speak up, "I thought this planet was uninhabited, and therefore it's not aligned."
Chairman Cho sneers at me and says, "Our moon of Pantora is the only civilization in this system. I'm the one who asked the Senate to protect this planet. This wasteland belongs to us."
Amu (amu - mom) sends reassurance over our bond while ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan speaks up, "With all due respect, Chairman, this is for the Senate to decide, not us."
"Ah, but the Jedi report to the Senate, which is Senator Chuchi of Pantora."
"Technically speaking, Master Jedi, the Chairman is correct. Since the planet is uninhabited,
the moon of Pantora reserves the right to continue as its protectorate.
"Point taken, Senator," amu (amu - mom) says, "Leeda, stay here with the Senator and the droids while we secure the base."
"Yes, master."
Amu (amu -mom), ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan, uncle Anakin, and Chairman Cho leave us, and go into the base. A gust of wind blows into my hood which makes me shiver. Senator Chuchi smiles a little, and says,
"You're not used to the cold, are you, Master Jedi?"
"No, Senator, I'm from a desert planet. And I'm not a master yet, not even a knight. So you can call me Leeda if you like."
She nods, and I tug my coat a little closer. Just then, Goldenrod and Artoo come up to me and ask,
"Might we go inside, Padawan Leeda? Artoo would like to get out of the cold."
"We'll go inside as soon as Master Ileema and Master Obi-Wan signal that it's safe."
When amu (amu - mom) , ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan, and uncle Anakin leave for a droid base on the ice ridge, the rest of us go inside. Before amu (amu -mom) left, she placed me on guard duty for the Senator. I'm pretty sure that's just so we have no choice but to be near each other and at least talk to each other a little. And it was so I can observe her and the Chairman.
Amu (amu - mom) said it seemed as though he strong-armed her. And she wants me to find out for sure.
"I want the weapons system back online and the shields operational," Chairman Cho orders.
"There's no telling what the Separatists have planned."
Senator Chuchi turns from watching out the window, and says, "Chairman, what makes you so certain the Separatists are behind this attack?"
"Look around, Senator. Isn't this carnage proof enough?"
She walks toward him, and I follow her. "I know, but there are no dead droids here, no blast marks. The clones' injuries were not consistent with what…"
"So, you're an expert on war now, are you, Senator?"
"No, Chairman. No, I only…"
"Let me tell you something, Senator. I have led our people since before you were born. I've seen a hundred planets rise and fall through force of arms." He comes down from the platform and steps in front of her. They walk together. "If it's not the Separatists out there, then it's a malevolent and aggressive enemy nonetheless, and I will not let whoever it is jeopardize the security of the people of Pantora."
"But if the other Jedi discover that the Separatists aren't behind this, then perhaps there is
a peaceful resolution."
"Senator, I am willing to fight and die for my people. It's time to ask yourself if you are brave enough to do the same."
He walks out of the room, and Senator Chuchi goes back over to the window. When we get back over to the window, I say,
"He's wrong, you know. Fighting isn't always the answer."
She turns to face me and says, "You sound like an idealist."
I give her a smile. "It's also the Jedi way. Yeah, sometimes you do have to take up arms to defend against attack. But other times, there's no need for fighting. And you were right, nothing here is consistent with Separatist battlefields."
"I suppose you would know what they're like. You're out on the frontlines everyday."
"Not everyday, exactly, Senator. But I've seen my share of battle."
She nods, then asks, "How old are you, exactly?"
"My fifteenth birthday was a couple of months ago."
She nods. "You're braver than I am."
"There are different types of bravery. And truthfully, I'm terrified every time. I'm only what people call brave because I have to be, and I have no choice if I want to keep my men alive. When I can."
"That's more than most."
I get a ding on my wrist comm. It's from buir (buir -dad), he went with amu (amu - mom), ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan, and uncle Anakin to the droid base. The same wreckage was there, and the droids were investigating the southern canyon. So amu (amu - mom), ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan, and uncle Anakin have gone to investigate.
It's after dark, and after buir (buir - dad) and the others have come back from the droid base when amu (amu - mom), ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan, and uncle Anakin come back. I've been waiting with Senator Chuchi in the hangar to see what they've found. When they come in, I hop down off of the box I was sitting on, and follow Senator Chuchi.
"Glad you made it back, Generals. It's getting nasty out there."
"You don't know the half of it," uncle Anakin says.
"What did you find?" Chairman Cho demands.
"It seems we've stumbled onto an inhabited planet," ba'vodu Obi-Wan says.
"Impossible. Our explorers have spent much time here over the long history of Pantora. No one lives here. They're trespassers.
Amu (amu - mom) starts, "With respect, Chairman Cho, these creatures, the Talz, aren't advanced enough to master space travel. I think they may have been here longer than Pantora."
"Whoever they are, they belong to us. This whole system belongs to us."
I purse my lips and attempt to release my anger into the Force.
"Your Majesty, if there are life forms here, then the Senate must decide jurisdiction," Senator Chuchi says, which makes me smile.
"They are savages. Look at what they've done. They've slaughtered your troops."
"They only want to be left alone. The droids attacked them, and I'm afraid our outpost got caught in the middle," amu (amu - mom) says.
"They must be subdued. They're dangerous. Commander Logan, Captain Rex, prepare your troops for battle."
"We promised their chief there would be no retaliation," amu says.
"We've arranged a meeting between their high council and you and the Senator. They want peace," ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan says.
"We can't send troopers. They'll think we lied," uncle Anakin finishes.
"These creatures are little more than animals. You can't lie to an animal. They can't be trusted."
"But, Your Majesty…"
"No! It is obvious these creatures are not covered by the Convention of Civilized Systems.
The Jedi Council has no say in the matter."
"If the Jedi are able to communicate with them, their status is in doubt."
"Do you stand against your Chairman, Senator?"
"Of course not, Your Majesty," she says, quickly looking down.
"If we are going to meet with Thi-Sen and his council at the arranged time, we will have to leave now," amu (amu - mom) says.
The Chairman walks around with his two guards as the men of the 501st, 212th, and 345th get everything ready to go. I take Senator Chuchi to somewhere out of the way. I get the feeling that she is more than a little intimated by the Chairman.
"Standing up for the Talz was brave, Senator. Not everyone would have done that," I say with a small shake of my head.
"I was only saying the truth."
"Not everyone would have done that," I repeat, a small grimace on my face.
"It didn't do much," she says with a shrug.
After a moment of silence, I say, "Why do you let Chairman Cho intimidate you so much?"
She looks startled at my question. Not because I spoke, but because of the nature of my question. Senator Chuchi relaxes after a moment though.
"I'm not. But he's well respected leader, and has been leading Pantora for longer than I've been alive. I respect him, and I respect his judgement."
I tilt my head to the side slightly. "I understand why you wouldn't be honest with me, but gedet'ye — please — be honest with yourself. Is that really what you think?"
Senator Chuchi is quiet. And soon enough, it's time to head out. This is the first time I've gotten to ride one of these bikes so I'm really excited. Amu (amu - mom) and buir (buir - dad) remind me to stick close to Senator Chuchi though. I do have to keep up being her bodyguard and all. Not that I don't like it, I'm quite happy to be guarding her instead of the Chairman. I would lose my temper within five minutes with him.
We head out, and make our way out to where amu (amu - mom), ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan, and uncle Anakin negotiated for the leader of the Talz, Thi-Sen, and Chairman Cho and Senator Chuchi to talk.
When we get there, almost as soon as we dismount the bikes, Chairman Cho orders,
"Captain! Put your men on that ice ridge. We will attack as soon as the savages arrive."
Ah, the joke would be on him then. I've sensed lifeforms following us for a ways now. My guess is that those lifeforms that I sense are the Talz.
"There will be no attack, Chairman," ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan says.
"You will do as I command! This planet is under my jurisdiction!"
"Nothing is under your control, Chairman. The Talz are already here," ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan continues.
"Their scouts have been following us for some time," uncle Anakin says.
"It seems Thi-Sen doesn't trust you any more than you trust him," amu (amu - mom) says, as the three of them walk forward. When I hear growling and roars, my hand goes instinctively to my lightsaber.
And the next thing I know, there are white creatures rising from the snow. These, must be the Talz. When Senator Chuchi walks forward, I follow her, along with Goldenrod.
I yell behind me as I walk, and it feels so weird to call buir (buir - dad) and my ba'vodu'e (ba'vodu'e - uncles) by their names. "Logan, Kya, Rex, tell the men to stand down. Stay here, and don't do anything to provoke them."
"Yes, commander," all three of them say in unison.
To help with my nerves, I start humming one of the Mandalorian songs that buir (buir - dad) taught me under my breath. Vode An. (Vode An - Brothers All)
We follow amu (amu - mom), ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan, and uncle Anakin into the droid base hangar where an older looking Talz is standing.
"Your Highness," amu (amu - mom) says.
"We have returned, as promised," uncle Anakin says.
Goldenrod starts talking to the Talz leader, I have no idea what they're saying. I might know a few languages, but I don't know this one. The closest language I've heard to it is Shyriiwook, and I'm still not fluent in that.
"These savages have no rights here," Chairman Cho mutters. I only hear it because I'm standing right behind Senator Chuchi.
"Chieftain Thi-Sen welcomes you to his home and hopes you come in peace. He wishes to be good neighbors, but he does not wish you to remain on his planet," Goldenrod translates.
"Listen, droid, translate everything I say, and exactly as I say it," Chairman Cho says.
Senator Chuchi looks like she's trying to decide, and glances at me, I nudge her toward Goldenrod and the Chairman with a nod. She steps forward, and says,
"Would you like me to represent Pantora in this matter?"
"Not on your life, Senator. There will be no diplomacy this time." He shoves her down and out of the way, and knocks Goldenrod out of the way. Then points a threatening finger at Thi-Sen. "Listen here, you savage. This world belongs to the moon of Pantora, and as the Supreme Chairman and Exalted Ruler of Pantora, you will not command me to leave this planet, or do anything else."
Senator Chuchi gets in front of him and says,
"Your Majesty, we can't!
He pushes her aside and turns to Goldenrod. "Droid! Tell him."
"Oh, dear."
Ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan comes forward and speaks up. "I recommend a less confrontational discussion. The Talz are easily provoked."
"That didn't go over very well," I mutter. I haven't been speaking as much as usual, partially because I haven't been around amu (amu - mom) and buir (buir - dad) as much, but also because if I do, I may lose my temper on Chairman Cho.
"Chairman, I promised the Talz that we would leave them in peace," amu (amu - mom) says.
"This is now an internal affair of Pantora."
Goldenrod speaks up with a translation. "The great Thi-Sen, 'Son of Suns,' asks again that you leave, or it will mean war."
"Then war it is."
"No," I breathe, as my eyes widen for a moment, and I fee the swirls of the Force's anger swirling through my mind in time with my own. The Force resides in every living thing, being, plant, everything. It is in us, and in the galaxy around us. War means death, and the desecration of everything around us.
The ground tinged with blood of fallen warriors, and littered the bodies of those same fallen. The Force is almost like a living being, when everything that it is in is destroyed, the Force swirls with sadness, and anger. And there is no peace.
After Goldenrod translates what the Chairman said, the Talz leave. After they brush past the Chairman and his guards, they all three turn around and leave the hangar of the droid base.
When we're back at the Republic base, after a few minutes of amu (amu - mom) and ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan trying in vain to convince the Chairman not to go to war, we all head outside.
"Troopers, mount up and follow me," he orders.
"What's up, General?" ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Rex asks.
"You're going to have to stay with the Chairman until we can work things out. Protect him at all costs," uncle Anakin says.
Ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Rex relays the message to buir (buir - dad) and ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Kya, by saying, "Mount up! We're moving out!"
I speak up, and say to Senator Chuchi, "Senator, you know a preemptive strike is illegal. Isn't there anything you can do to stop it?"
"I'm afraid not. He has proclaimed this conflict an internal affair."
"You could petition the Jedi Council for an intervention," I say. I think amu (amu - mom), ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan, and uncle Anakin are letting me talk to her because she's more comfortable with me. And because I'm her age, so I might be able to inspire her to do something.
"You mean without his authorization?"
"There must be someone on your moon who could approve it."
"The Speaker of the Assembly. He has the power."
I grin, and turn to amu (amu - mom). "Let's get back to the base. The storm is letting up. Maybe we can get a transmission through."
We follow Senator Chuchi into the base, and uncle Anakin and I work on the controls to be able to send a message out in the storm. It takes a bit of tinkering, but eventually we get it up and running. When we do, Senator Chuchi calls the Pantoran Speaker of the Assembly.
When she tells him of the problem, he nods and stops the transmission. Promising to urge the Assembly to a quick decision. In the hope that they approve, we go ahead and order LAATs prepped and ready to go. So when he comms back, that's where Senator Chuchi, amu (amu - mom), uncle Anakin, and I are.
"The Assembly has decided that the actions of Chairman Cho are out of order. Senator Chuchi, you're given the authority to negotiate a peaceful settlement between the sovereign planet of Pantora and the Talz."
"It is decided, then," ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan says.
The doors to our LAAT close, and uncle Anakin says,
"Pilot, let's get moving."
We take off, and are on our way.
While flying, amu (amu - mom) asks, "Senator, now that you have the authority, how do you plan on making peace with the Talz?"
"Actually, Master Jedi, since you are far more experienced, I was hoping you could negotiate
on Pantora's behalf."
Instead of amu (amu - mom) or ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Obi-Wan speaking up, I beat them to it. "I'm afraid that's not possible, Senator. For any of us."
"But I don't understand. The Jedi serve the Senate. I must order you…"
I give her a smile. "Senator, it is your people the Talz are at war with. If the violence is to stop,
it is you who must represent your people. Only you can bring peace between Pantora and the Talz."
At my statement, it takes her a moment, but her lips press together and a determined look appears on her face. She nods, and I give her a smile. Jate (jate - good), she will will do it. And I have no doubt she will succeed.
We land on the edge of cliff, just as the Talz are approaching the men. We walk out of the LAAT, and I follow behind and to the right of Senator Chuchi.
"Good to see you, sirs," buir (buir - dad) says.
"Are you okay, Logan?" amu (amu - mom) asks. I can hear the underlying worry in her voice.
"It's just a scratch."
"What's going on?" I ask.
"We're in quite a mess, commander. Eleven dead, the rest wounded, including the Chairman."
Senator Chuchi kneels down to him.
"Chairman, can you hear me?"
"Senator. Good." He places his hand on her shoulder. "You must avenge me. As my final command as Chairman of Pantora, I order you to destroy the Talz."
"I'm afraid I cannot do that, Chairman." She removes his hand from her shoulder. "The Pantoran Assembly has called you out of order. I am to negotiate peace."
"No. Impossible! Peace? Never! I died for our people." He slumps back against the bike, dead.
I step up to her and say, "Senator, now is the time."
She takes his hat off and stands up. She walks forward and grabs one of the Talz's spears out of the ground. When she keeps walking forward, I follow her. She isn't the only one who has to atone for something. It was Jedi who brought Chairman Cho to the Talz, and so a Jedi must ask their forgiveness.
"Protocol droid, come with me," she says.
"Threepio, get going," uncle Anakin says.
"Yes, Master Ani."
All three of us walk over to the Talz. Ba'vodu (ba'vodu - uncle) Kya tries to stop me from going, but I brush his hand off and shake my head. Walking after Senator Chuchi. I set my shoulders back and take a deep breath.
When we reach Thi-Sen, who has ridden up to us and dismounted, Senator Chuchi says,
"Droid, translate for me."
"Yes, Mistress."
She raises the spear above her head, then sticks it hard into the ground.
"To die for one's people is a great sacrifice." She places Chairman Cho's hat on the spear. "To live for one's people, an even greater sacrifice." Goldenrod translates. "I choose to live for my people. What do you choose?"
After a moment, and after Thi-Sen sticks his spear across the one Senator Chuchi placed, Goldenrod says,
"He chooses to live as well."
"We will leave Orto Plutonia under the watchful eyes of the Talz from this day forth, and recognize your sovereignty as a free and equal people."
The bow to each other, and as she walks back, I take a deep breath, and say,
"Threepio, wait."
"Padawan Leeda?"
"I need you to translate for me." He nods, and Thi-Sen faces me. "It was the Jedi who brought Chairman Cho to speak with you." Goldenrod translates, a little reluctantly. "But I, and the other Jedi, have no wish to have a quarrel with the Talz." Goldenrod translates again, this time less hesitantly. "I ask that you forgive the Jedi for the deaths of your people, and for the blood spilt today. For truly, we meant none."
He growls a reply and Goldenrod translates to me.
"He says that while the Jedi truly had no reason to ask forgiveness, it tells him that the Jedi are good people because you would do so. And he will grant you your request, the Talz and the Jedi have no quarrel."
"Vor'e. Thank you, Chieftain." (Vor'e - thank you)
Goldenrod translates that, and Thi-Sen starts to bow to me. And I return it. When he rises, I do as well. I watch as he mounts his creature, then turn and walk back.
Ileema Kenobi's POV
I watch as Senator Chuchi walks back to us after peace has been made between the Pantorans and the Talz, but Leeda doesn't follow her. For a moment, I am confused. Then the wind whirls the snow away, and I can see her.
She and Threepio are talking to Thi-Sen. I believe I can guess what she is doing, and it makes a feeling of pride swell in my chest. Leeda is still reckless, and still her, but she has changed, in a good way, since she, Luke, Ahsoka, Anakin, and Aayla were stranded on Maridun.
Leeda has become more mature in the way she thinks of war and peace now. Even though it saddens me, her knowledge of this makes me proud. Leeda is far from perfect, but she is growing to be a wonderful Jedi, even when she can't see it.
I see Thi-Sen bow to her, and her bow back. Senator Chuchi speaks up, asking,
"What is she doing?"
I smile, and turn to the Senator. "She is being a Jedi. A true Jedi."
I have a feeling that she is asking for forgiveness for bringing Chairman Cho and war to the Talz. She is ensuring that there is no lasting anger from the Talz to the Jedi. In doing so, she is ensuring peace.
When she comes back, and Obi-Wan is telling Senator Chuchi to make the peace last, I tell Leeda,
"You did well today. I'm proud of you."
"Thank you, amu (amu - mom). But it was the right thing to do, regardless of anything."
I give her a wide smile. "It was, but you still did it, Leeda'ika (Leeda'ika - nickname for Leeda). So you have earned a new bead for your braid. This one is a peacemaker bead. I'll put it in when we get back to the ship."
Leeda Skywalker's POV
While I'm still processing my surprise from amu (amu - mom) telling me of her decision to give me a peacemaker bead in my braid, Senator Chuchi comes over to me.
"Thank you, Leeda."
I snap out of my daze, and say, "For what?"
"If it weren't for you convincing me, I never would have gone against Chairman Cho. You were right when you said he intimidated me. Thank you."
"You're welcome, Senator." She gives me a datachip. "What is this?"
"My comm code. And please, Leeda, my name is Riyo. It's much better when my friends don't call me Senator."
I give her a grin. "I'm glad to be your friend. But when I get you into crazy situations, all I ask is that you forgive me."
She laughs. "I think I can do that."
"Arrogance diminishes wisdom." -Unknown