"Good morning, Healer Adrina," Maelle greeted quietly.
"Good morning, Maelle." Adrina looked up from her breakfast. She frowned. "Are you feeling alright?" Maelle's blond curls - usually kept in a neat braid - hung loose around her neck and her pale skin accentuated the dark circles under her green eyes.
Maelle sat down across from Adrina with her cup of juice. She ducked her head and hitched her shoulder. She cleared her throat. Glancing nervously up at Adrina, Maelle admitted, "The nightmares haven't gotten better," she passed her cup between her hands. "I still…. every night… it's like….. It's like I'm there again."
Adrina briefly touched Maelle's arm. "I understand, Maelle. In time they will pass, but I know that doesn't ease the pain now."
Maelle nodded mutely.
"Drink, if you can't stomach food," Adrina instructed softly. "You will need your strength."
Maelle dutifully took a sip of her juice.
"Healer Skywalker," Admiral Yularen's voice crackled over her comlink.
Adrina held up her comlink with a wry grin. "Yes, Admiral?"
"Please report to the Bridge immediately."
Adrina and Maelle exchanged glances, quickly rising. "On our way."
Hushed discussion petered out when Adrina and Maelle approached the huddled mass at the front of the Bridge. Admiral Yularen, Anakin, Ahsoka, Obi-Wan, and Captain Rex circled the holoprojector. Adrina did not care for the men's grim expressions.
"We've received orders from Master Yoda," Obi-Wan explained with folded arms.
"Trade Federation droids were found on Naboo again ," Anakin interrupted Obi-Wan, voice taut. "There is some sort of secret Separatist laboratory."
Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "Hm, yes. As I was saying," he raised his eyebrow at Anakin. "The Queen has requested Anakin and I's assistance in resolving the issue."
"Do we know what they are studying or manufacturing at this laboratory?" Adrina queried.
"A virus, apparently," Obi-Wan said. "The droid they captured yielded little information."
"Some of the virus leaked out, according to the droid," Anakin growled.
"We don't know where, yet," Obi-Wan anticipated Adrina's question. "They suspect the laboratory is located in the Eastern Swamp, but there is no confirmed location or known victims."
"I would like to accompany you to the laboratory." Adrina glanced at Anakin. "If this is the lab manufacturing the resurgence of the Blue Shadow Virus, I want to ensure the safe handling of materials and data collection." A thorough search of Lianna had not yielded any location manufacturing the Blue Shadow Virus, nor had subsequent raids of Separatist laboratories. The Council and Senate were growing understandably tense the longer the source of the new strain went undiscovered.
"We will need your expertise regardless," Obi-Wan acknowledged. "Anakin, Ahsoka, and I will meet with the Queen and Senator Amidala in Theed. Captain Rex, Adrina, we'll alert you when we know the location of the lab."
"Yes, sir," Captain Rex grunted.
"We'll be ready."
0
Sooner than expected, Captain Rex's gruff voice crackled over Adrina's comlink: Senator Amidala located the lab. Exhaling, Adrina thanked Rex.
Adrina gestured to Maelle. "Time to go."
Blanching slightly, Maelle nodded.
"It'll be alright," Adrina assured her quietly as they hastened to the hanger. She could not blame her assistant for her trepidation around troop transports. Maelle's anxiety was easing, after two prior uses, and Adrina was proud of the young woman's courage.
Maelle's smile wavered. "The heart disagrees with the mind at the most inconvenient times, doesn't it?"
"It does indeed."
Captain Rex met the women in front of the troop transports. He hopped in the last transport and offered Adrina and Maelle his hand. "Something went wrong," Rex said as he helped Adrina up. "General Skywalker sounded tense."
Adrina winced. "Well, whatever it is, we're prepared."
Maelle hesitated, her hand on the transport door.
"You coming?" Rex jutted his hand out.
Maelle shook herself and held her head high. "Yeah, sorry."
Adrina sent Maelle a reassuring smile as the transport lifted off the ground. Maelle clutched the handle bar with white knuckles, but admirably maintained her composure.
Adrina sensed Anakin and Obi-Wan's distress as her transport moved into the hangar. When the transport door opened and Padmé was nowhere to be seen, the reason for Anakin's distress became abundantly clear. Maelle bolted out of the transport.
Anakin visibly relaxed when Adrina hopped outt. "Adrina, good, you're here."
"What is the situation?"
"No time to explain," Anakin said.
"Assistant Amon will assist the Queen with preparing for a virus outbreak," Adrina said with a confident smile towards Maelle.
"They'll need it, little good that it'll do," Anakin grunted. "Let's go."
Adrina tossed Obi-Wan his PPE and jumped into Anakin's transport.
"Does the name Doctor Nuvo Vindi sound familiar to you?" Anakin asked as the transport lifted into the air, his voice rising above the noise of the vehicle.
Adrina frowned. "No. Is he coming with us?"
"Oh, he'll be there," Anakin growled. "But he's not coming with us."
Adrina arched an eyebrow.
"He was the senior medic for the Perma families. He disappeared ten years ago and now has resurfaced - apparently working for the Separatists. He appears to be the mastermind behind the resurrection of the Blue Shadow Virus."
"Lovely man," Adrina muttered. "It is confirmed, then? The Separatists are reviving the Blue Shadow Virus?"
"It appears so."
She feared it was the case. "What else do we know?"
"Senator Amidala located the lab," Anakin said grimly. "But she's gone missing - with Jar Jar." He pressed his lips into a thin line and clenched his fists. Adrina grimaced. Jar Jar would not help any situation. "Ahsoka is on her way to their last known location. Vindi is preparing to bomb each key star system with the virus," Anakin scowled. "One bomb for each system."
She sighed. "This is what I was afraid of," Adrina said. "A galaxy-wide plague. He's modified the virus."
"Modified?" Anakin frowned. "How do you know?"
Adrina shrugged. "I don't know ; that is what I suspect. The Blue Shadow Virus is traditionally water-borne. There are more efficient - faster, at least - ways to deliver a water-bourne virus to a population than a bomb. It's not what I would do, at least, with a water-bourne virus. Not unless I modified it."
"You think he has made it airborne?"
"There is a reasonable chance of it, yes. It is exceedingly dangerous in any case."
Anakin cursed under his breath. Adrina knew he was thinking of Padmé.
"We will proceed with caution," Adrina adopted her most soothing tone, "And keep our heads. If we do that, we can rescue Padmé and save the galaxy from another plague."
"Once the facility is secured, your mission is to collect all information possible."
"Naturally," Adrina concurred. "With any luck, he may have information on other Separatist projects."
"Let's not start a galaxy-wide pandemic," Anakin muttered, "or destroy Naboo."
Adrina laid a hand on Anakin's arm. "We will do what we can," she said quietly. "Our best is all we can do. Remember, Senator Amidala is combat trained. She has proven she can hold her own."
"I know," Anakin sighed. But he seemed unconvinced.
"Arriving at the drop zone," the pilot called back.
Wind slammed into Adrina as the transport doors opened. Anakin bounced lightly on his feet, unclipping his lightsaber. Troopers connected their belaying lines. Adrina frowned. "Surely you're not jumping without a cable, Ani."
Anakin's answering grin held no humor.
Adrina sighed. She had never jumped from that height before - she never had cause.
"Stay behind me," Anakin instructed before launching himself from the transport.
Stomach churning, Adrina rubbed her face. "Here goes nothing," Adrina muttered.
Her heart plummeted faster than her body. Her PPE protected her face and hands from the sting of the wind, but it would not protect her from a gruesome death should she fail to land properly. The ground rose quickly to meet her - far faster than she had anticipated.
Drawing up her legs, Adrina prepared to plummet through the open hatch. Unlike her brother who had landed gracefully on his feet with lightsaber expertly swinging, Adrina grunted when her feet touched ground, losing her balance and tumbling gracelessly forward.
"You alright there, Rina?" The wry humor in Anakin's voice softened his focused expression.
"Just dandy," Adrina grunted, hauling herself to her feet. She glanced down the empty hallway. "At least Ahsoka is providing an excellent distraction."
"Let's hope it stays that way. Stay behind me," Anakin ordered. "Keep up."
Troopers filled the hallway and they began moving quickly through the facility. Adrina paid special attention to the layout.
They rounded a corner. A large bulkhead at the end of the hallway blocked their path. Behind it, Adrina sensed the familiar lifeforms they searched for and one unfamiliar lifeform. "Together," Anakin said.
Anakin and Adrina thrust their lightsaber blades into the bulkhead, slicing through thick metal. Anakin kicked the metal through and they burst into the room. Padmé and JarJar Binks sat restrained to a post; electrocurrent amplifiers studded the ceiling above them. A gangly alien in PPE stood nearby at a console.
"Take another step and your friends die," the alien threatened. He pulled a leaver and electricity jolted into Padmé and JarJar.
Anakin growled, coiling to pounce at their pained shrieks.
"Drop your weapons," Vindi ordered above the screams.
The troopers raised their blasters, but Anakin held up his hand. "Wait," he bit out. Padmé and JarJar's screams continued. "Do what he says."
Their weapons clattered to the ground and they reluctantly raised their hands in the air. The electricity ended and Padmé and JarJar slumped forward. Adrina did not sense any permanent damage, but a thorough analysis would be required once their safety was assured.
Super battle droids advanced on the Jedi and troopers and herded them into the corner.
"I realize I won't be able to hold you for long," Vindi said as he loaded a blue vial into a protective carrier. Doubtless it was a vial of the Blue Shadow Virus. "So I am offering you a choice."
"Fine with me," Anakin snapped. "As long as one of the options is killing you."
"How about capture me... or save your friends?" Vindi taunted. He immediately pulled the lever again - electricity surging back into his chained captives - and ran away.
"No!" Anakin rolled forward, calling his lightsaber to him.
Adrina ducked under a battle droid's blaster and rushed towards Padmé and JarJar. Reaching out with the Force, she raised the lever back. cutting off the electric current. Padmé and JarJar breathed a sigh of relief. Behind Adrina, troopers tackled droids to the ground and Anakin made quick work of the rest.
"Thank you," Padmé murmured.
Anakin ran up to his wife.
"Go," Adrina shoved him away. "I have them; don't let Vindi get away!"
Anakin hesitated, eyes resting heavily on his wife, before bolting after the doctor.
Adrina assisted Padmé and Jar Jar to their feet.
"Come on," Padmé grunted. "We have to secure this facility. We can't let any of the virus escape."
Adrina called her lightsaber to her hand as Padmé retrieved her blaster. "Ahsoka is rounding up the droids; Obi-Wan is handling the bombs."
"Let's go," Padmé said.
They raced down the corridor towards the sounds of Anakin's shouts. Adrina skittered to a halt at the junction, glancing down the hall, while Padmé, JarJar, and the troopers continued after Anakin. Padmé slowed when she sensed Adrina lag behind, but Adrina waved her ahead. She could have sworn she saw the doorway at the end of the hallway slide shut. Light from her teal blade provided further illumination as she crept towards the door.
The doors parted. Adrina held her blade higher and cautiously stepped into the room. Rows of plants filled the spacious room. Sensing no humanoid presence in the room, Adrina studied the nearest plant. A vaguely pleasant aroma wafted up from the blue leaves. She suspected the scent might have been stronger if she removed her helmet, but she was hardly going to remove her PPE in a room of foreign plants within a deadly laboratory.
Adrina moved up and down the rows of plants, each identical to the next. She paused at the workbench in the midst of the plants. The back of her neck tingled. Muscles tensing, Adrina took a step backwards and crouched down to peer under the bench. The small optic sensors of a LEP servant droid stared back at Adrina. It clutched a metal sphere closer to its body and retreated further into the shadows.
A bomb.
Adrina inched closer. Shrieking, the droid lunged forward, attempting to blast past Adrina. Her arm shot out, grabbing the droid around its neck. She fumbled for the deactivation button, finally stumbling upon it. She deftly caught the bomb as it dropped from the droid's clutches.
"I've got a stray bomb in the south corridor," Adrina said into her comlink. "It appears to be active."
"On my way," a trooper acknowledged.
"Don't drop it," Anakin's voice chimed in. Adrina rolled her eyes. "I've got Doctor Vindi. Obi-Wan, let's get this sleemo back to Theed."
Obi-Wan added, "Captain Rex has bomb control well in hand. I'll meet you at the landing platform. Adrina, would it be beneficial for Maelle to join you?"
Adrina considered momentarily. "I believe it would. Thank you." She continued to eye the bomb in her right hand. She grimaced.
She instinctively tensed when the doors hissed open. Two troopers rushed in, followed by Padmé.
"Here." Her shoulders relaxed when the trooper calmly retrieved the bomb. It was diffused in seconds.
"Do you recognize these plants?" Padmé asked, dragging her eyes across the rows as she slowly moved closer to Adrina.
Adrina shook her head.
"If Jar Jar were here, I'm sure he'd be trying to sample them," Padmé commented wryly. "It's a good thing I sent him back to Theed with An… General Skywalker." No doubt a wise decision. Lovable though he could be, Jar Jar hardly belonged in any situation requiring delicacy and critical thinking.
"We have a problem," the trooper said grimly. "The virus is missing from this one." All attention snapped to him. "Where did you find this?"
Adrina gestured to the droid. "The droid had it. He was hiding under this bench."
"Perhaps Doctor Vindi has the vial?" Padmé suggested. "I'll contact General Skywalker."
It was possible that Vindi had it, Adrina supposed. After all, he had put a vial in his protective case before his attempted escape. But what were the odds that vial was the one missing from the bomb? Fairly slim, Adrina decided grimly.
"Very good, Senator," the trooper said. "We'll continue securing the facility. We'll be on the lookout for it. Just in case."
"Thank you." Adrina pursed her lips as the doors closed behind the troopers, leaving the two women alone. Adrina turned away from Padmé and focused on detailing her findings on her Pad.
"We need to talk." Determination laced Padmé's statement.
"I have nothing to say to you." That wasn't true. There were plenty of things Adrina greatly desired to say - but none that would be kind or productive and were therefore best kept to herself.
"Please," Padmé softly pleaded.
Adrina sent Padmé a reproachful look. "This is hardly the time, Senator."
"There is no other time," Padmé persisted. "If we don't talk now, when will we?"
Adrina pointedly kept her eyes on her work. "Do you mean that we should talk or that I should listen? I seem to recall our last conversation not ending well for me."
Padmé stepped closer. "And I am truly sorry about that." Earnest eyes pleaded with Adrina. "I never meant to drive a wedge between you and Ani."
With forced calm, Adrina lowered the pad and looked at the other woman. "You are a smart woman, Senator, and perceptive. I don't know what you told Anakin, but anyone who knows anything about Anakin could have predicted his reaction. What did you expect?"
Padmé winced. "I just told him that you knew of our relationship," she explained, gesturing helplessly with her hands. "He immediately assumed that you were...pleased…. and when I did not confirm that…. Anakin inferred the rest. I did not give him details."
"And I'm sure you did everything in your power to calm him down and help him see reason," Adrina muttered. Sarcasm dripped from her voice. She turned down another row, searching for an accessible computer terminal.
Padmé drew herself up with a sharp frown. She hastened after Adrina. "I did, actually," Padmé sniffed. "I may have been unhappy with you and disagreed with your opinion, but I have a sister myself. And I love her dearly. If I thought she was making a mistake, I would say something. She would do the same for me - as you did for Anakin. But I would never wish to harm that relationship - or yours. Anakin…" Padmé frowned, searching for the words. "I respect your relationship with Anakin. I would never intentionally sabotage it. I encouraged him to speak to you, to work it out. He said he did, but-"
Adrina sighed. She turned to face Padmé. "Get to the point, Senator. I have work to do."
Padmé frowned. "I wanted to apologize for the part I had to play in your argument with Anakin. I had hoped we could be...friends."
Adrina closed her eyes. She shook her head. "What do you want me to say, Senator?" she asked quietly. "That I was wrong? That I support your secret marriage?" Adrina scoffed and turned back to the computer. "I'd sooner cut my tongue out and eat it for dinner."
Padmé's eyes narrowed and her cheeks flushed.
"For some unfathomable reason," Adrina continued, "you persuaded Anakin to remain in the Order. He was on the verge of righting this awful farce and you -" Adrina cut herself off, hearing her rising tone. She took a moment to collect herself before continuing. "I expected different from you." She expected better.
Padmé folded her arms and looked away. "I serve the Republic, above all else. I may have decided to marry too hastily, persuaded by the prospect of never seeing Anakin again, but…." Padmé shook her head. "The Republic needs Anakin. And neither divorce or separation would sever our feelings. At least this way I am not a distraction to him."
Adrina's eyes pierced Padmé. "You will always be a distraction, Senator Amidala. That is the nature of romantic relationships."
"But at least together I can bring him comfort. Peace," Padmé insisted. "It would destroy him if I left. Besides, the war will not last long."
"You should have thought of that earlier."
Padmé huffed, annoyed at Adrina's quiet censure. "Well, what would you have done?" Padmé challenged.
"Walked away." Adrina threw up her hands.. "Not gotten myself in the mess in the first place. And if I had, I would have supported him leaving the Order, as is only honorable. If you are a victim, you made yourself one. You will find no sympathy from me. You knew of Anakin's vow prior to your marriage. You knew you would not divorce him. You knew you were acting impulsively. You made the choice anyway. You are hardly the first person to marry a soldier heading to war, nor will you be the last, but you continue to compound your offenses without shame."
Padmé pursed her lips. "I-"
"Love him." Adrina waved her hand. "Yes, I know. Love is used far too often to excuse bad behavior."
"You're very harsh," Padmé frowned.
Adrina shrugged, entirely unbothered. "Why did you do it?" Adrina asked after a moment's pause. "Why did you marry him? Your relationship with a man you hardly know is built on a foundation of willful ignorance and lies, but you seek approval."
Padmé sighed. "Not that it matters, but I did reject Ani at first - for the very objections you have voiced. But…"
Adrina arched an eyebrow.
"But," Padmé forged ahead. "When we awaited execution-"
Adrina started. "When you what ? When did that happen?"
Padmé frowned. "Anakin didn't tell you?"
Adrina crossed her arms. "I believe you will find that Anakin prefers to confide in Chancellor Palpatine of late."
Padmé hesitated. "So you don't know what happened on Geonosis?"
"Beyond the scope of the battle, no."
"I'm sure he just didn't want to worry you." Padmé's mollifying tone did not have the intended effect.
"Continue with your story," Adrina said sourly. She should have asked how Anakin and Padmé ended up on Geonosis. For that she blamed herself.
"Well, um," Padmé frowned. "Obi-Wan followed the bounty hunter hired to kill me to Geonosis. While on Tatooine, we received a transmission from Obi-Wan that showed him being captured." Adrina's eyes widened. "We went to rescue him, but were similarly caught and sentenced to death. And while Anakin and I were chained together, waiting to be taken into the arena for public execution, I realized-" Her voice broke. She cleared her throat.
Something twisted painfully in her chest at the thought of Obi-Wan and Anakin facing execution. "You realized you loved him," Adrina finished softly. "I suppose this explains your sorry appearance at the Temple. I should have inquired. I'm sorry."
Padmé nodded. "And then after the battle, I knew war was inevitable. Considering how narrowly Anakin survived the first battle… I suppose I was afraid that I would never see him again." She looked at Adrina hopelessly. "I had always wanted a family, you know. Just like in a picture book, like my sister Sola. I thought… Well, this might be my one chance at a sliver of my childhood dream. And Anakin sees me as a person, not an object to be used. He doesn't care about the political power I wield. Do you know how rare that is?"
Adrina regarded Padmé. Surrounded by intrigue and companions only friendly as long as she held value to them, the life of a senator must be a lonely one. Healthy romantic relationships in such a setting would be an impossible task. Adrina supposed she understood why Padmé married Anakin, despite its imprudence. But her actions after baffled and irritated Adrina.
"I do not hate you," Adrina said finally. She shook her head. "I do think you acted rashly and selfishly - both of you. And one day I'm afraid you will both pay the price for that selfishness." She feared the power Padmé held over Anakin and his obsession with her. Leara's lifeless eyes flashed in her mind. "Your actions make it difficult to like you. But I do not wish you ill."
"Anakin is as much a willing participant as I am."
Adrina agreed. "Undoubtedly. But it takes two people to form a marriage. You had the power to rebuff him. You didn't. And you persuaded him to remain in the Order when I had nearly convinced him to do the honorable thing. No, Anakin is equally culpable here, but you are not the victim you are trying to paint yourself to be."
"I am not tr-"
"Then why are we having this conversation?"
Padmé pressed her lips into a thin line. "So that's it then."
"I am not your enemy," Adrina sighed. "I could even set my objections to the prudence of your marriage aside - it's not my life, after all - but not while Anakin remains in the Order."
Padmé regarded her carefully. "You would support Anakin leaving the Order."
Adrina threw her hands in the air. "Have you not been listening to a word I've said?" Adrina snapped.
"Healer Adrina," Maelle's voice cut through the tension.
Adrina held up her comlink, making pointed eye contact with Padmé. "I'll meet you at the landing pad."
She left Padmé behind without a second glance.
0
With Anakin and Maelle's arrival, Padmé made herself scarce. Adrina shoved the encounter from her thoughts. She could stew over their conversation later, in privacy. For now, she had work to do.
"I wonder what else they're working on," Maelle commented absently. She meticulously cataloged the workspace in front of her.
"Nothing good, I'm sure."
"It just makes it harder."
Adrina paused. Maelle's statement was so quiet Adrina knew she wasn't meant to hear it, but she couldn't help asking, "What do you mean?"
Maelle bit her lip. "Nothing. I didn't mean anything."
Adrina studied Maelle for a long moment. The younger woman flushed under scrutiny. R2-D2 chirped as he rolled into the room. "When you're finished there, you can take a look at the LEP droid. I'm due to check in with the Council."
Maelle nodded hastily, eagerly moving to the small droid. Moving towards the data port in the corner to allow Maelle a modicum of space in the small room, Adrina gestured for R2 to connect and open communication with the Jedi Council. R2's scomp link extended. After a few moments, the shimmering blue form of Master Windu's hologram appeared.
Adrina bowed and greeted him.
"Master Kenobi tells me that Doctor Vindi is cooperating," Windu said. Adrina didn't conceal her surprise. "Vindi apparently developed an anti-dote to the virus."
"That's excellent news." It made sense. Working with deadly viruses inherently had risks; he would want to be able to safeguard himself, at least until his work was complete. It would also protect himself from treachery should the Separatists decide to give him a taste of his own work after his usefulness ended. "Has he mentioned other Separatist projects?"
Windu shook his head. "He appears to be singularly focused on the Blue Shadow Virus."
Adrina pursed her lips. "I suppose that isn't surprising. Are you receiving the data from this laboratory yet?"
"We are," Windu confirmed. "Master Che and Master Vox are combing through it as we speak."
Some of the tension in Adrina's shoulders eased.
Windu inclined his head. "Finish your work there," Windu instructed. "There is trouble brewing in the Ryloth system."
"We are nearly finished here. I believe Anakin is briefing Naboo security. We should be done here in an hour - two, at most," Adrina said. "There's still one vial missing that we know of."
"Not anymore," Maelle called. She held up a vial. "This little guy had it."
"Excellent." Windu turned back to Adrina. "May the Force be with you."