"Holding the bilateral fold…..loop….tuck….suture…." The words blurred. Adrina tossed the data pad to the side and scrubbed her face with a groan. She leaned back in bed. How many times had she reread that single line in the latest edition of Alderaan Journal of Medicine? At least a dozen and yet she had no clue what was being looped, tucked, or sutured.
Anakin had escorted her to the Halls of Healing - casting glances her way as subtly as he could manage the entire way. Master Che, however, immediately shooed Adrina away, just as she had Maelle minutes before. So, Adrina had retreated to her chamber to catch up on the reading she was dreadfully behind on, but her brain wandered everywhere except where it was meant to focus.
She really should meditate on her distracting and troublesome emotions, but weariness settled in her bones. Meditation would have to wait until she regenerated the energy to deal with the unpleasantness of dissecting her mental state.
Adrina's eyes snapped to her door moments before the bell chimed. Obi-Wan. She waved the door open and Obi-Wan stepped inside. He smiled that smile that, of late, did funny things to her intestines. His smile dimmed, brow furrowing. "Are you alright? I sense much anxiety from you."
Adrina waved his concern away with false bravado. "Only a mountain of journals to catch up on before I leave in the morning with the Clone Youth Brigade training program. You know how it is. And this business with Mandalore…"
"Ah, yes. That is why I'm here. The Supreme Chancellor called for a special session. I'm headed there now; I thought you might wish to accompany me. I'd be glad of your company."
"I do, yes, thank you." She glanced around him. "Where's Ahsoka?"
"Sparring with Anakin."
Their arrangement was an odd one, Adrina mused. In the strictest sense, Ahsoka was Obi-Wan's apprentice. In practice, however, Obi-Wan allowed Anakin to retain many of his old responsibilities. Under their joint tutelage, Ahsoka would no doubt grow into a confident, wise Jedi, if perhaps unorthodox.
And perhaps the Jedi Order needed more unorthodoxy.
Adrina waited until their speeder left the Temple hanger and any listening ears before she asked the question pressing on her mind. "How are you, Obi-Wan? Your assignment couldn't have been easy for you."
Obi-Wan's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "I was happy to follow the will of the Council."
Adrina raised an eyebrow.
"It…" Obi-Wan sighed. He shook his head. "I am processing."
Adrina's gaze drifted to passing speeders as she cast about for an appropriate response. It was a sentiment she understood too well.
"You needn't add me to your list of worries, Addy. I am alright."
Adrina blinked, heart flip-flopping.
She could have sworn his cheeks tinged pink. "Forgive me - Adrina," he corrected.
"No, no," she hastened to say. "It's alright. I….I like it." Addy.
"Oh, I nearly forgot." Obi-Wan opened the pouch on his belt and held out the contents for her - a single blueblossom flower. Adrina stared at the flower nestled in the palm of his hand. "It's a little late, but I believe I promised you a flower after those worms. Blueblossom is your favorite, as I recall." He grimaced. "I'm afraid it's a little crushed."
"It's perfect," Adrina whispered, accepting the flower with flushed cheeks. "Thank you."
Goodness, but wasn't her behavior just like the heroine in one of those romance novels she had read before the war. Preposterous.
Adrina froze.
No.
No.
Impossible.
Preposterous.
Ridiculous.
And yet, it would explain so many things.
She loved Obi-Wan.
She loved Obi-Wan, her dearest friend, in a way she had no right to love him. True, she had always held him in high esteem. He was kind, compassionate, fiercely intelligent, staunchly loyal, patient, humble, witty, charming…. And true, he was undoubtedly the most handsome man of her acquaintance. Only a fool wouldn't love him. But there were many wonderful and handsome men in the galaxy.
But none like Obi-Wan, a traitorous voice whispered in her ear.
When had her feelings shifted from merely friendly to…more? It all happened so gradually, Adrina couldn't pinpoint the exact moment.
She supposed it didn't matter. She loved him regardless.
Adrina buried her nose in the flower, hoping to disguise anything her face might give away. What was she to do with this revelation?
Nothing.
She was a Jedi.
And Obi-Wan loved Satine.
The only thing to do was to pretend nothing had changed.
0
Obi-Wan and Adrina stepped into the shadowed alcove as opening remarks concluded and the new business of Mandalore introduced, Chancellor Palpatine labeling the Death Watch as a significant deadly threat.
"That seems to be a stretch," Adrina murmured. "The Death Watch is only interested in Mandalore, not galactic conquest."
Obi-Wan shot her a look.
Adrina rubbed her nose. The hundreds of beings occupying the cavernous Senate floor produced a distinctive and not quite pleasant aroma.
Duchess Satine piloted her repulsorpod forward. "Mandalore is making great strides to find all the leaders of this terrorist organization. They are not powerful enough to destabilize Mandalore's government. We will resolve this without conflict. If the Republic becomes involved in our affairs, it will only lead to further violence. Thus, I reassert Mandalore's position of neutrality."
"The talk of an idealist," Mas Amedda sneered.
"No," Duchess Satine shook her head. "The words of a pacifist and of a people who have chosen nonviolent action."
A pretty speech, Adrina acknowledged, but she feared Duchess Satine chose her strategy poorly. Few in the Senate cared about escalating violence, especially in the midst of a galactic war. In fact, Adrina could name several senators who would directly benefit from more armed conflict.
"You may have chosen nonviolence, but was not a member of your own council and representative of your own homeworld a member of the Death Watch without your knowledge, Duchess? While in custody, Tal Merrik has been quite vocal about the strength of the Death Watch and its ties to the Separatists. And, indeed, just this morning this message from Deputy Minister Jerec of Mandalore was delivered to my staff. I believe we will all find it most illuminating."
Mas Amedda activated the holdisc, projecting the hologram into the middle of the Senate. "Death Watch is far stronger than we once thought. If we are to combat them effectively, we must have Republic assistance. Instead, this government acts out of pride and rejects the help of the Jedi. The Duchess Satine will ultimately cause our defeat. Make no mistake, Republic intervention is absolutely necessary."
Adrina closed her eyes. That message sealed Mandalore's fate. Already senators shouted pleas for intervention. The deputy minister hit all of the right points, appealing to the Senate's vanity and pride.
"It's not true!" Duchess Satine exclaimed. "This isn't right. Deputy Minister Jerrec is an honorable man; he would never commit such lies to the record. Something here isn't right. I wish to speak to him immediately." But based on the sound of the senator's clamoring, the damage was done.
Chancellor Palpatine sighed. "I'm afraid Deputy Minister Jerrec perished this morning in a Death Watch bombing on Kalevala." He lifted his chin to speak to the entire Senate. "Let us ensure that his death was not in vain. Let us commit our military might to defending the Mandalorian people."
"Defending?" Duchess Satine snapped. "You mean to occupy our home and trample on our right to self-determination."
"We mean to save your people."
"You will turn our planet into a military target which will bring the war to us. Mandalore must remain a neutral system!"
Palpatine ignored her protestations. "The vote will commence next session."
And with that, he concluded the special session. Senators broke into small groups, their whispers drowning out Duchess Satine's continued protests.
"Something isn't right," Adrina murmured. "Everything is too convenient."
"I'm afraid you are right," Obi-Wan said heavily.
Their eyes followed Duchess Satine as she docked her repulsorpod and marched from the Senate floor, head high and shoulders square. "What do you think she'll do now?" Adrina asked.
Obi-Wan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Knowing the Duchess, she will attempt to strong arm the entire Senate into submission."
Adrina grimaced. Duchess Satine's anger and indignation was understandable, but navigating the Senate required finesse and careful planning. It required friends - friends that would not be made if she barged through shouting righteous anger.
Obi-Wan tilted his head to the door. Adrina nodded.
They nodded politely to the familiar faces they passed in the hallways, following Duchess Satine at a distance before finally stepping out of the Senate building. The warm Coruscant sun reflected off the nearby statue and into Adrina's eyes. She squinted against the brightness, but breathed the open air a little easier.
They caught Duchess Satine as she neared her speeder.
"Duchess!" Obi-Wan called out. "Satine, wait."
Adrina's heart squeezed when Duchess Satine turned, hand still clasped behind her back. Duchess Satine's anger was plain to see. Adrina remained a step behind, allowing Obi-Wan to approach his old friend. She worked to ignore the tightening of her chest.
"I heard what happened in the Senate," he said.
A muscle worked in Satine's jaw, but she sighed. "Your concern is…touching, but I'll be alright."
"I am concerned. We are friends, are we not?"
Duchess Satine hesitated."Yes. Friends; nothing more."
Whatever was - or was not - between Obi-Wan and Duchess Satine, she at least clearly still harbored warm feelings. Adrina looked away, heart seizing. She really ought to meditate and get a better handle on herself. This nasty discomfort - this slithering, festering something - could serve no good. She had a right to feel concern for Obi-Wan, as her friend. After all, this business forced Obi-Wan to confront difficult emotions. It forced her to confront her own emotions. She shouldn't care if Duchess Satine still loved Obi-Wan. She shouldn't care if Duchess Satine's eyes lingered too long, too fondly on him. But Adrina did care. She cared very much, despite the irrationality of it. Even if Obi-Wan returned Duchess Satine's fond feelings, he clearly made the decision to abide by his commitment to the Order, just as had Adrina.
Obi-Wan is my friend, Adrina reminded herself. No matter what else, he can only ever be a friend.
Adrina nearly recoiled at the burst of sadness at the thought.
Obi-Wan's voice broke through the befuddling, invading fog in Adrina's mind. "The Senate is a treacherous place. Satine, as your friend, I urge you to not make decisions in this state of mind."
Duchess Satine's warm tone cooled. "And what state of mind would that be, precisely?"
"Any person would be hysterical, but-"
"Hysterical?" Duchess Satine exclaimed. "The Republic is attempting to force its will upon innocent people! Frankly, I'm surprised you're not hysterical! Perhaps if more citizens became hysterical they'd be more inclined to speak up when the Republic tramples on their rights."
Obi-Wan persisted. "Delicacy is needed when navigating the barbed negotiations in the Senate. Rushing in would be foolhardy."
"Ironic words from a man who spends his days running hither and yon, wielding his lightsaber with deadly force as if on a crusade! Why should I listen to someone who relies so frequently upon violence? In my opinion, you're the one who's foolhardy!"
Well, then!
Adrina stepped between Obi-Wan and Duchess Satine. She raised her hand. "That's quite enough, Duchess. You are angry, and rightfully so, but do not vent your anger upon one of the very few friends you have on Coruscant. If you don't have the good sense to see that Obi-Wan is one of the most honorable men alive, you don't have half the good sense I thought you possessed. If you refuse to treat an old friend with respect, freely slinging insults, then you have no hope of succeeding in the Senate. Parading around on your high horse, demeaning anyone who has ever used violence - even to protect an innocent - you will utterly fail. Pull your anger in line and focus."
Obi-Wan touched her arm. "It's alright, Adrina."
Duchess Satine surprised her by answering, cutting off Adrina's retort. "No, Obi-Wan, she is correct. I apologize for speaking in anger."
Adrina raised an eyebrow. She took particular notice of Duchess Satine's word choice. Duchess Satine stood by her accusations. Adrina bit her tongue, clenching her fists in the folds of her skirt.
"If you will excuse me," Duchess Satine said. She inclined her head and pivoted on her heel.
Adrina watched Obi-Wan sigh, shoulders slumping, as Duchess Satine marched away. His hand dropped limply to his side. His eyes swung to her, deflated. Adrina mustered a weak smile.
"That's not…. That's not how I meant it."
"I know," she said softly.
"She is….infuriatingly stubborn."
"Well, as they say, it takes one to know one." Adrina offered a gentle smile. Slowly, they began the trek back to their own speeder. "She is right about one thing, though. The Senate is overreaching."
"Perhaps," Obi-Wan argued, "but without the Republic, Mandalore will fall. Surely you see that! I understand her reluctance, but they need our help."
Adrina held up a hand. "Peace, my friend. We both only want what is best and right." Obi-Wan scrubbed his face. "Duchess Satine is not wrong to protest Republic occupation, which is exactly what Republic aid would be. Republic intervention would only legitimize the Death Watch, but most importantly, Mandalore still has its right to autonomy and self-determination. That necessitates allowing them to make their own decisions, even if you feel they are wrong. Even if it means Mandalore falls. People must be free to make their own decisions."
"If the Republic stands idly by, the Separatists will take over Mandalore. They are already trying to assassinate Duchess Satine. She is trying, but the Death Watch is out of her control. You and I both know that the Separatists will play the Death Watch like a fiddle. Extremists cannot be reasoned with, no matter how much Satine might wish it."
"The Separatists are a threat," Adrina agreed. "And Mandalore is probably in grave danger. But Republic involvement won't help with that. Besides, we are already stretched too thin." She lowered her voice, glancing back at the Senate building behind them. "The Senate does not need more power." Obi-Wan opened his mouth to argue, but Adrina persisted. "I do not want Mandalore to fall to the Separatists, Obi-Wan. But it is not our place to decide what Mandalore does, nor should the Senate be allowed to trample on the rights of citizens as it is so wont to do of late." She glanced around and lowered her voice further. "You see, as well as I do, that the Senate is overreaching. I know you do. They are too eager to snatch power. We are becoming the very thing we are trying to defeat and it's dragging the Order along with it."
They came to a halt in front of their own speeder.
"Adrina…" Obi-Wan stroked his beard.
She snatched her hand back from reaching to touch his arm. The last thing her emotional state needed was physical contact with him. "Neither of us want Mandalore to fall," Adrina said softly. "We both want to defeat the Separatists. But not at the expense of what is right."
Obi-Wan sighed. "I know. I know you are right, but I cannot give Mandalore - any system - up to the Separatists easily."
"I know."
"How did we get here, Addy? How did things become so bad?"
"The trouble is…." Adrina swallowed hard. Thoughts long ruminating in her heart tumbled out of her. "The trouble is, we've made a series of decisions, each seemingly our only reasonable option, and only now do we see we've lost the way and worse, are being led into a trap we cannot see nor hope to avoid. Worse still, many citizens recognize this while many Jedi remain arrogant or in denial. Have you heard the rumors that the Jedi created the war to gain more power over the Republic? We're so aloof from the citizens that it seems believable!"
"I know, and it worries me. But if we stop fighting, the Sith will win."
"If we don't, they still may."
"Do you think we should surrender? Give up altogether?"
Adrina sighed. "No, I don't think that. I'm saying the Jedi never should have been involved. I'm saying we thought we did what was best, but we were wrong. We have dug our own grave. It's only a matter of time. I'm saying… I'm saying we are being swept down a path we can neither leave or remain on without causing more harm."
"And if not surrendering turns out to be another seemingly good decision that turns out to be the wrong one?"
Adrina was quiet for a moment. "It may very well be. I feel as though we are being manipulated every step of the way, no matter how much we might fight it. Everything that is happening is by a design not of our own making. I've read the histories," Adrina murmured, staring out at the bustling traffic above. "The Order was once a beacon of light in the darkness. Now… Now we sit in our hallowed halls, ruminating on the meaning of life, or scurrying to carry out the will of an undeniably corrupt Senate. We have all become complacent, too swept up in politics that we've lost sight of our mission. We've become nothing more than a puppet on a string, and we've lost the faith and respect of the people. I don't blame them. Obi-Wan, we've lost our way. We look past the plight of thousands - like the slaves on Tatooine and the dozens of other planets - to curry favor with a monster. We save his son while we condemn untold scores to perish under his thumb."
"We needed the hyperspace lanes," Obi-Wan said.
Adrina scoffed. "Yes, we did. But this degeneration has been festering for years, Obi-Wan, and you know it. You've commented on it before, the arrogance of many Jedi. Perhaps this war could have been prevented, but that time passed long ago." Her eyes swung to Obi-Wan. "The Order has lost its way."
Obi-Wan sighed. "We are not what we once were," he acknowledged slowly. "And I don't know how to correct it."
Adrina was quiet for a long moment. "Can it be corrected?"
Obi-Wan exhaled. "I have to believe that it can be. What is the alternative?"
"You're right, of course," Adrina murmured. She mustered a smile and squared her shoulders. "We should return to the Temple. There are a few tasks I must complete before Anakin and I leave in the morning."
"Ah, yes. The training mission. You'll be careful, won't you?" He said as they entered the speeder. "I have a bad feeling about the mission."
"It'll be careful," she promised with an eye roll. It was a training mission; how eventful could it be?
0
The Coruscant skyline illuminated the meditation chamber. Obi-Wan stood at the large window, hands clasped behind his back, staring out at the endless bustle.
What a strange turn of events, to find that the woman he once loved still harbored feelings, and yet…he did not. There was no sorrow, no regret, accompanying the revelation. He cared for her, as a friend, as he likely always would. He respected her - a sentiment Obi-Wan doubted was truly reciprocated, based on every recent interaction. He tried to let the sting of her barbs roll off his back; the stress piled on her shoulders was immense, but still - it hurt.
Anakin, bless him, had done his best to be diplomatic when faced with Satine's derision - Padmé's influence, no doubt. Adrina, however, felt no such compunction. The fire in Adrina's eyes when she defended him…
The door whispered open, interrupting Obi-Wan's musings.
"How was the Senate hearing?" Ahsoka flopped onto the cushion.
"Interesting," he said, turning. "A recording of the Deputy Minister condemning Duchess Satine's government certainly riled up the senators. I'm afraid Mandalore will be dragged into the war, despite Duchess Satine's views."
"Master Skywalker said she's an impressive lady."
Obi-Wan managed a small smile. "That she is."
Ahsoka scratched the back of her head. "That's why I'm here, actually."
"Oh?"
"Here." Ahsoka held up her comlink. A holo of Satine's startled face floated above it. "There was a shooting downtown. Security believes she killed a man."
"Satine would never!"
Ahsoka shrugged. "Well, she's on the run. Mas Amedda himself has demanded she turn herself in." A foul plot was afoot, without a doubt.
As if sensing their conversation, a hologram of Satine's appeared at the console behind him. "Obi-Wan, are you there?" Satine whispered into her comlink. Wherever she was, she appeared unharmed, if frightened.
"Where are you?"
"I need your help."
"Oh, good, I've been dying to get back out there," Ahsoka interjected, leaping up. "Where are you?"
Satine's eyes darted to Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan winced. "Please excuse my padawan, who is the soul of discretion." He leveled Ahsoka with a significant glance.
Ahsoka nodded and mimed zipping her lips.
"I'll send you my location," Satine said. "I need to meet with you. I hardly need to tell you it's urgent. But you must believe me; I did not kill Davu!"
Obi-Wan sighed. "I believe you. Send me your coordinates; I'll be there as quickly as I can."
Satine nodded once and then ended the transmission.
Ahsoka bounced on the balls of her feet. "I'm coming with you, Master Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You left me behind when you went to Mandalore and I missed all the fun! This will be a good experience! I'm a padawan learner - let me learn."
"Alright," Obi-Wan relented. "But not a word. You follow my lead - actually follow, not the reckless daring-do that Anakin calls following."
Ahsoka saluted with a grin. "You got it, Master."
"Come on."
0
Like the rest of the planet, Coruscant Park never slept, even at night. Couples milled about between individuals cutting through the park to rush to work, while others lurked in shadows to complete shady transactions. The delicious aroma of smoking meat wafted over from a corner booth.
Beside him, Ahsoka adjusted her hood. "There she is," Ahsoka murmured. Obi-Wan followed his padawan's line of sight to a bench where, surely enough, Satine perched with her maroon cloak obscuring all features.
"Ahsoka, you-"
"Stay here and keep watch. Way ahead of you, Master." Ahsoka drifted to the artificial pond nearby and feigned interest in the fountain. She was a good padawan, Obi-Wan couldn't deny it.
Obi-Wan avoided the passing security droid's vision and sat on the bench behind Satine, careful to keep his back to her. "I am glad you weren't hurt."
"I am glad you came," Satine murmured.
"Satine, you must turn yourself in."
"I need you to get this into the proper hands." Satine slid a data disc to him. Obi-Wan slipped it into his utility belt. "This proves the message the Senate heard was doctored. Davu-" Her voice broke. "My good friend died ensuring the truth was exposed."
Obi-Wan frowned. "Satine, if he was killed because of this disc, you are aware of what this means, aren't you?"
"Yes." Satine exhaled. "It proves what I already suspected: that whoever doctored the recording is likely in the government itself."
Systemic corruption was no surprise, but in light of his last conversation with Adrina, guilt pricked him. What did it say of him that in the wake of the revelation that a member of the government, perhaps even within the Senate itself, was actively working to further the war and even frame Satine for murder, that he only felt resignation? What did it say that he had expected this corruption? What did it say that the Jedi Order played to the whims of a known corrupt body?
"If you set foot inside the Senate, they'll take you and confiscate the recording before anyone can see it."
"I know. That is why you now possess the recording. You must take the disc to Padmé."
"Where will you be while I'm in the Senate? If they find you before…"
"They won't," she assured him. "I'm going to surrender to them."
"What?" A passerby glanced at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan took a breath and lowered his voice. "What are you thinking?"
"You will need a distraction. I won't risk them searching you simply because we are…."
Obi-Wan cleared his throat and supplied the word when she floundered for a description. "Friends, as we will only ever be." The timing, he knew, was poor, and oddly he sensed his comment hurt her, but she murmured her agreement. "I will go now. Be on your guard."
"I should say the same to you," Satine sighed.
Obi-Wan waited nearly a full minute after Satine left to stand. Ahsoka materialized at his side. "We are going to the Senate to deliver Satine's evidence."
0
Not only did the disc prove the recording previously played in the Senate had been faked, it showed a glowing report of Satine's government and urged Mandalore to stand strong, without Republic assistance. Obi-Wan sensed the mood in the Senate shift and, further prompted by a passionate speech from Padmé, the Senate voted to recall the troops ordered to Mandalore.
Satine returned to Mandalore without incident and without a word to Obi-Wan.