ADVISORY: The following chapter contains sensitive material relating to: Murder, trauma, verbally and mentally abusive relationships. Remember to practice self care before, during, and after reading.
Chapter: 115 The Calm Before the Storm
"Life is, at every level, taken for granted. For the normalcy we have all come to know...the dreams we've aspired for...the people we love...can be wiped out in the blink of an eye."
Outer Rim in blazes! As General Grievous launches his final offensive against countless worlds, Republic reinforcements are stretched thin. From Mygeeto, to Felucia, and the distant world of Yerbana, Jedi Generals desperately fight to hold the line. As the Jedi Council presses more of its members into service, the Senate moves forward with Chancellor Palpatine's chain code initiative. The identification system seeks to provide total oversight and prevent the most heinous of crimes. Especially those perpetrated in the heart of the Republic...
No amount of sunshine could do Coruscant's industrial sector justice. With the amount of smog puffing through the skylanes, it was a miracle that there wasn't a collision every ten minutes. Yet there hadn't been a single effort to improve exhaust outputs. Not a word in the Senate to cut emissions of any kind. And if there had been any voice, it had likely been drowned out by some senator's profitable rant. Like so many things in Coruscant, the pollution was just another thing no one cared about. Just another reason for disgust to creep in to Lieutenant Tan Divo's hardened resolve. Several police speeders lined the entrance to a maintenance tunnel as he stared into the hazy clouds overhead. To him, the pollution was no different than every drug bust or murder committed in the city. Everyone liked to talk about it. Politicians adored crying about all of the above on the HoloNet if it meant securing votes. But when it came to something actually being done...that task always came down to the few. People who were willing to stand up. Risk their lives even...if it meant seeing truth and justice done.
Early mornings had always been easy for Divo. He'd preferred to clock his investigating hours before sunrise, and before the rest of the city needed him. It also allowed him to be prepared for Coruscant's unpredictable nature. In a sleepless city with restless denizens, Divo had to have the upper hand wherever he could. He glanced over at one of the tunnel's maintenance workers. While Gran were often known for their boldness, this three-eyed fellow was still shaken up from his discovery. Still, Divo didn't take the witness' expression to heart. With death stick sales on the rise, every hallucinating citizen was calling in their findings. A pair of police droids were keeping the Gran calm while one of their organic counterparts emerged from the tunnel. Divo raised a curious brow...expecting the best, but always preparing for something gut-wrenching.
"Inspector," the officer greeted.
"What've we got, Toya?" he asked.
"Looks like the Gran was telling the truth," she explained. "There is a body down here. GU-13's extracting as we speak."
Divo took a deep breath before following Officer Toya into the tunnel. Brief glimpses of sunlight illuminated their path while the echo of boots filled the air. Ever a vigilant and dutiful police droid, GU-13 stood over a set of rails. His pale photoreceptors served as personal searchlights while he directed a pair of smaller forensic droids. "Stand back please," he computed as Divo and Toya obliged. Bracing themselves, they watched as the forensic droids emerged from a water silo beyond the railing. The pumping station's murky waters yielded a limp and decomposing body for the droids to set down.
"Let's get some more light over here," Divo ordered as the forensic droids activated their headlamps. "Nice work, GU."
"Dank farrik," Toya murmured while observing the corpse. "What the hell happened down here?"
"That is an excellent question," Divo replied and knelt before the body. GU-13 scanned the subject from head to toe as Divo took notes on his datapad.
"Twi'lek female," GU said. "Significant tissue bloating. Facial putrefaction. Deceased for approximately two days."
Divo stared at the woman's lifeless face. He deduced that her skin had once been a vibrant, bright white. Her time submerged had discolored her body and caused dark splotches to form across her neck and cheek. Her eyes were but soulless remnants of a life once lived. Vacuous, dark voids still seeking a future that would never be. "See if you can still run facial recognition," Divo told the droid. "Run it through our databases."
"This doesn't make any sense," Officer Toya said. "What's she doing this far out in the industrial sect? I'm no station manager, but I doubt a casual jacket like that is part of maintenance's uniform."
"The questions just keep adding up," Divo declared. "Someone wanted this young lady dead. But Coruscant has a sewer and dark alley around every corner. Murders are being committed across the undercity even as we speak. So why this silo, why now, and why her?" Divo stepped out of the tunnel and approached the witness. The Gran's snout wrinkled in astonishment as he quickly started babbling.
"Y-...you found the body, right? See! I'm not crazy!" he bleated.
"Mr...Jumgrub is it?" Divo queried.
"That's right," the Gran quickly nodded.
"Tell me what happened exactly."
Jumgrub's teeth began to grind as he recounted his morning. "I'd come in to assess the silos," he said. "In accordance with protocol, I checked over each unit and noticed an obstruction in one of the filters. I figured some gunk had built up down there and activated the silo lights. That was when I saw the body. Or at least her silhouette beneath the surface." The Gran shook his head in disgust. "Poor lady," he muttered. "Who would do something like this?"
The intuitive Divo stepped closer to the Gran. His welcoming presence was replaced by one of fear as he said, "I was hoping you could provide an answer. Do civilians often squat in these tunnels?"
"No," Jumgrub insisted. "In fact, I don't even know how anyone would get access this high up without a speeder."
Divo squinted with intrigue. I wish Quinlan Vos was still operating in this sector, he thought. That Jedi's psychometry would help us track down this murderer in no time. "GU-13," Divo beckoned as the droid clanked beside him. "When you're done with facial recognition, let's pay air traffic control a visit. If someone was here, skylane cameras ought to have footage of them." Divo straightened his collar and nodded to the worker. "Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Jumgrub. Rest assured. While crime doesn't sleep in this city, neither do we. And this killer will be brought to justice."
"I don't know how you do it, Hans." Anna Dellian groused. While her early morning rant was personally therapeutic, it irked the temple lounge's other occupants. Some Jedi merely rolled their eyes as others kept to their snacks and datapads. "Staying cooped up in this temple for months on end without an assignment."
Hans sank into his chair and kept blankly staring out the window. "I keep myself occupied with...training," he insisted.
"Then I give you props," Anna replied and dropped into the seat beside him. "It feels like I've barely been here and I'm already getting restless. At least I'm supposed to get my assignment today."
"Good for you," Hans mumbled while leaning into his palm. Anna scoffed at his snarky response, irking him further. "What?" he groaned. "You want a pat on the back?"
Anna huffed at him and sulked. "What is your kriffing problem?" she whispered.
"Hmmm I don't know. Maybe the overwhelming fact that my childhood friend is dead." Gone was the snark from Hans' darkening tone. He shot Anna a glare, and part of her resolve faltered. Having just recently learned of Rapunzel's demise herself, she was still coming to terms with it.
"Hans," Anna muttered. "I didn't mean to be inconsiderate. I miss her too. If it wasn't for Rapunzel, I'd never have healed from my trauma."
"You miss her," Hans murmured. "You think because she helped you through something, that makes you two best friends. Anna, I actually knew Rapunzel. Back from when were still learning saber forms. That's nice that she helped you, but this isn't about what you went through. It's about her, and how much I miss her."
Anna furrowed her brows and sank back in frustration. "I'm not making this about me, Hans. All I was saying was that-"
"You know what?" Hans snapped and rose from his seat. "It's too early and I'm too tired for this. I need a drink." Having completely shut down Anna's side of the conversation, Hans stumbled towards the lounge's amenities. A tabletop service droid rotated in response to Hans' presence. It spun its nozzles as he placed a cup beneath the meiloorun symbol. The droid's clacking appendages sounded similar to another, ear-splitting bang. Hans briefly shuddered, as images of Rapunzel's frozen body clanging to the floor sounded. He tried to shake off the thoughts and focused on the magenta-colored fluid pouring into his cup.
What would've normally been a refreshing sight suddenly had Hans' heart sinking. Watching the juice ripple across the cup's surface warped him back to the previous night. It was as though he'd never left, imagining the surging sounds of silo water.
"Please." He could still hear Celenia begging from the water."Hans don't do this. Please-" Like Rapunzel, Celenia was but another image burnt into Hans' mind. As he picked up his juice and went in for a sip, he found himself clenching up. For when Hans peered down at the cup, he glimpsed his own reflection in the dark beverage. Looking further into it, he visualized Celenia in the ice cubes. Her face was as horrified as it was desperate, clawing her way towards nonexistent freedom. The grim sight had Hans hurriedly setting his cup down.
The sharp clack sent juice spilling over his hand as Anna peered over. "Hans?" she worried. "You okay over there?"
He swallowed hard, drowning his anxieties like the woman who'd prompted them. "Fine," he croaked. His heart raced all over again when a comlink rang behind him.
"Kriff," Anna blurted. "I gotta take this. It's probably my assignment." She rushed out of the lounge as Hans recomposed himself.
Without any judgmental gazes on him, the knight was able to steady his breaths. He plucked a napkin from the dispenser and scrubbed his hand free of spilled, dark juice. As he did so, a sudden buzz came from his utility belt. Furrowing his brows, Hans unclipped his communicator and discreetly read over its display. Recognizing Gaston's code number had Hans' nervously hunching forward. He was practically burying his nose in the communicator while nervously reading over the message.
Complications on Aren. Time to make our move.
Hans' palms grew sweaty. There was a weakness in his knees as a heaviness took hold over his arms. Even as his thumbs stiffened, he managed to type a message back.
Need more time. What's going on?
Gaston's response was swift and unfeeling.
We don't have more time. Get over here. Take what you can because this is it.
Noticing that his lover was still outside, Hans questioned Gaston.
And Anna?
Waiting for a response was daunting and caused Hans to repeatedly tap his foot. Relief came over him when a message finally buzzed through.
Either she's all in or she's out. See you by tomorrow. This can't wait.
Gaston's code faded as his transmission went offline. With the connection down, Hans was left to think over the messages. What the hell happened out there? he asked himself. Complicated? Did Rapunzel unfreeze? Does he need me to talk to her? Are we taking over Aren? Is this the part where we become the 'gods' Gaston spoke of? Returning the device to his belt, Hans focused on the lounge's entrance. He could faintly make out Anna's conversation and leaned in for a better listen. Any attempt to do so was quickly drowned out by the sounds of an incoming news bulletin.
Irked, Hans glared at the pair of Jedi nearest to the wall-mounted datascreen. "Would you turn that crap-" was all he could scold before observing the bulletin. "-down?" The Jedi ignored his remarks as he joined them for a closer look. Overhead footage zoomed in on a blocked off, familiar tunnel.
"A startling discovery in Coruscant's Jen-Buk District this morning," a gruff anchor reported. "The body of a Twi'lek woman was found submerged in one of the pumping silos. While authorities have yet to release details regarding the ongoing investigation, facial forensics have proven true." Hans' blood ran cold as his victim's ID profile flashed across the screen. "Police droids have identified the woman as twenty-six-year-old Celenia Nabela. A performer at the Dazzle-Daze Club in Coruscant's Uscru District. Evidence has determined that the cause of death was, in fact, drowning. But authorities are not ruling anything out as they continue their investigation. If anyone has information regarding Celenia, they are encouraged to contact the Coruscant Security Force as soon as possible."
"As if this war wasn't terrible enough," a Rodian Jedi lamented. "We can't even stop the death rates in our own city."
"There was obviously some form of foul play involved," his human partner considered. "What would an undercity performer be doing out in the Industrial District?"
Every mention of the case had Hans' heart beating faster. "How about we let the authorities handle it?" he snapped, prompting the Jedi to leer at him. "What?" Hans growled. "We have an entire war to focus on. Plenty there to keep us busy. People die everyday." Despite his bold jeer, panic was clawing at Hans from within. He imagined a forensic droid finding anything from a strand of his hair to a single fingerprint on a wall he'd accidentally touched. He'd been so careful under the cover of rainfall, relying on the Force to end Celenia and remove the datafile fragments. Still he feared it wasn't enough. The lounge spun with his heightened anxieties as Anna came speeding back into the room.
"Welp," she huffed. "I'm not a mall cop! So that's good news. That call was from the Coruscant Guard. They're putting the boys and I on bodyguard duty for Senator-"
"It doesn't matter," Hans muttered.
"Wait, what?"
Hans ushered Anna out of the lounge. She didn't need Force senses to see the overwhelming nerves written all over his face. They'd dashed off to find secluded places of passion before, but this was different. Hans had news, and none of it seemed reassuring to Anna. Leading her out on to a verandah, Hans made sure they weren't followed. Under the cover of passing skylane traffic, he leaned close and finally spoke.
"We need to leave," he said.
"What are you talking about?" Anna asked. "Where?"
"It-..." Hans swallowed the venomous words practically seeping from his lips. "Look, it doesn't matter. I can explain more but we need to go now. Far...far away from here."
"I just got an assignment."
"Leave it," Hans intoned. Noticing the aggression in his words, he dropped his volume to a whisper. "Anna, you said you don't know how I do it. Staying here while everyone else furthers their futures. I don't even know. I've barely kept my sanity through it all but I'm tired. And I...I love you. And because I love you, I don't want to see that happen to you. It doesn't matter what they assigned you to, you'll never leave Coruscant and you'll be miserable."
Anna simpered. "I appreciate you looking out for me, Hans. I love you too, but don't you think you're taking this a bit too far? I'll clearly prove myself and they'll have to let me back on the frontlines before this war is over."
Hans frustratedly pursed his lips. "You're still not getting me. Listen...we need to go. Go go. We can have a future together and leave all of this behind. Open your eyes. This war is never gonna end. This is our chance to have the life we want together."
Anna took a step back. "You're serious, aren't you?" she realized, much to his frustration. "This is so sudden, Hans. Especially for you. What's got you like this?"
"I'm just...fed up," Hans assured. "I'm tired of living a lie. And since Rapunzel's death, I haven't been the same. The Order has nothing but monotony and broken promises in store for us. And the Republic is no different. We're still just numbers to them, Anna. Don't throw away your greater purpose. Run away with me. Let's get the hell out of here and you let me focus on the rest." Hans' heart thundered in his chest as Anna remained silent. All he had to do was convince her to go with him. He could finesse the Aren details later. At least that's what he kept telling himself. "Come on," he urged through gritted teeth.
"Hans," Anna sighed. "I love you too...but-" Hans' grin wobbled. "Let's face it. Whether they see it or not, the Republic's hopeless without us. There's still a lot of good to be done here. But when this war ends-"
"It's not gonna end," Hans growled. "Open your eyes, Anna. Don't stay trapped in the cycle."
"Just let me finish this assignment," Anna persisted. "I'll see how it goes and if it can get us back in the game. If not, then I'll reconsider-" In that instant, Hans reached for her wrist. His grip had a desperate tightness to it as he stared her down. "Hans?"
"Anna," he asserted. His voice clear, yet barely stable. "If you actually love me, you'll do as I say and leave with me now. Don't be stupid."
With a fierce twist, Anna pulled herself free of his grip and narrowed her eyes. "I'm getting real tired of having my affections for you tested," she whispered sharply. "Not once have I ever asked you to prove how you feel about me. I just believe you."
Hans angrily pinched the bridge of his nose. "But this is different, Anna."
"No it isn't," she insisted. "And you don't always have to be in control of everything. If you actually love me, you'd be happy that I'm at least being assigned something that could get me back in the war." She shook her head over his prolonged silence. "Just...forget it. Look, I have a job to do. And I know if our roles were reversed, I sure as hell would understand."
"Anna," Hans hardly called out as she stomped back in to the temple. As the heat of their conversation faded, he was left with the bubbling tensions within. Celenia's investigation and Gaston's call confirmed that he'd be forced to leave the Order. And with Anna choosing her assignment over him, there went any hope of taking her into Gaston's plan. That was if she'd even go along with it. The more Hans considered his position, the more he realized that he'd only just lost. Rapunzel...Celenia...now Anna. All people he could've created entirely new paths with, yet had chosen himself over. The cacophony of skylane traffic was worsening as Hans clawed at his hair. Furious and torn by his circumstances, he kicked a vase off of the verandah.
Coruscant's underworld portals were either a person's doom or salvation. You were either heading deep into the undercity because you didn't have a choice, or you went in looking for something. For offworlders, Coruscant's darkest corners still offered slivers of potential opportunity. Level 1313's reputation alone would've had the average spacer on edge. And on the opposite side of the spectrum, those dwelling in its shadowy slums adored preying on unwary newcomers. However, no one in their right mind was going to mess with a trio of Mandalorians. Even if they were cloaked in bulky garbs, their beskar helmets were easily visible beneath their hoods. Though their T-shaped visors seemed dull and unfeeling, they were buzzing and full of life from within. Each helmet was constantly scanning and feeding information to the wearer. And it was for these reasons that Mulan never felt underprepared.
Even though she was alongside two superiors, she hated being away from her loyal brothers and sisters. To know that she'd, in a sense, abandoned Mandalore for the sake of saving it. She understood how important it was to gather allies for the coming fight, but only wished she could've stayed to fight the entire time. Every idle moment had her itching to return to Mandalore and help liberate her people from Maul's oppression. "Not much further now," Lady Bo-Katan said. The vibrant blue streaks on her armor were medicine to the slum's dark hues.
"Ma'am," Ursa spoke up and glanced at Mulan. "Are you sure about this?"
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," Bo-Katan answered. "This philosophy served me once before and it'll do so again."
"But even if this is the Jedi you're looking for-" Ursa continued. "-getting the Republic involved could make tensions worse for Mandalore."
"We need more troops," Bo-Katan persisted. "The Republic is our only hope. The Jedi have had it out for Maul since he put himself back on the grid. If we mark the target-"
"They'll take him down for us," Mulan answered.
"Exactly," Bo-Katan affirmed. She led her fellow Nite Owls to the outer ring of 1313's portal. Acting as a massive wind tunnel, ships were constantly cycling through as the Mandalorians held their ground. "The hangar's just below us," she said. "Stay on me. We all know this has to be done." Bo-Katan took one last glance at Mulan and Ursa. "For Mandalore," she decreed and leapt into the portal.
"For Mandalore," Ursa and Mulan reiterated before leaping after her. Together, the trio activated their jetpacks and soared down to an extended landing platform. Thanks to the raucous noise of speeders and freighters, the platform's occupants didn't even hear them landing.
Bo-Katan raised a fist, bringing Ursa and Mulan to a halt. The trio observed a separate group entirely. Two young humans were conversing with a calm and collected Togruta. "Jedi or not," one of them told her. "I consider you my friend."
Without wasting a moment, Bo-Katan announced her presence. "Isn't this sweet," she said. The youths turned, perplexed at the first sight of Mandalorians. However, Ahsoka Tano was no stranger to their armor. "Making friends?"
"Trace," Ahsoka warned while interposing herself between both groups. "Rafa...Back away."
"So-" Bo-Katan said while removing her helmet. "-you remember me." There was a tiredness to her eyes fighting to crack through her resolve. "Don't worry. Death Watch is gone. And now, you and I have a common enemy." She activated a holoprojector, and a Zabrak's image had Ahsoka squinting.
"Maul," the Togruta answered.
"I need your help," Bo-Katan said. "Once we're underway I will explain everything. You have five minutes to decide." As Ahsoka returned to Trace and Rafa, Bo-Katan made her way back to her own. Placing her helmet back on, she felt most at home. "Now we wait," she sighed.
"Let's hope it wasn't all for nothing," Ursa lamented.
"If it comes down to it-" Bo-Katan murmured. "We will attack Mandalore without the Republic's help. We cannot allow Maul to slip back into the shadows when he's just left himself vulnerable."
Mulan's head perked up as Ahsoka approached. "Ma'am," she whispered.
Bo-Katan turned back over as the Togruta stood tall. With a deep breath and steady heart, Ahsoka declared, "I'm in."
Despite being relocated from the frontlines, Anna was happy to be back in uniform. To don her plastoid armor and crimson command kama brought a sense of pride to her heart. Especially in the heart of Coruscant. While she and the Deathchasers would hate to hear what other citizens probably had to say to them, at least those in the Upper City were proud. There was practically a fanfare among citizens as Anna's squad approached the Senate Building. They were even stopped for the occasional "Thank you for your service" handshakes along the way.
"You know-" Blazer professed during their march. "Maybe this isn't so bad. It's actually refreshing to hear that people don't entirely hate us."
"I have to agree, sarge," said Sparx. "After that mess on Yalbec Prime-"
"Do any of us even deserve a handshake after Yalbec Prime?" Speedy scoffed.
"Hey," Anna blurted, glancing over her shoulder. "We did what we had to do, Speeds. And while terrible, please don't let it discount all of the good we have done for this Republic. That handshake represents our wins just as much as our losses." While it wasn't enough to fully heal, Anna's words did bring comfort to Speedy. Enough to have him faintly smiling beneath his helmet anyway.
"I suppose we should consider ourselves lucky," Sparx admitted. "In spite of Watcher's frustrations over us, being bodyguards is an admirable position."
"Speaking of which-" Blazer jested. "-care to fill us in, sister?"
Anna nodded while leading her team up the senatorial stairs. "Committees have formed for a public convention in Walroy Plaza tomorrow. Multiple speakers will be addressing the chancellor's new policy on chain codes and why they should be abolished."
"They want them gone and they haven't even come in to existence yet," Blazer chuckled.
"Politics in a nutshell," Anna jested. "But either way, we've been assigned as the personal bodyguards to Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila. A member of the Loyalist Committee, Senator Mothma has been opposing the chain codes since their first proposal. Some authorities believe it's that very viewpoint that led to her nearly being assassinated over a month ago. We're here to make sure things don't get that close again."
"I'm grateful for this opportunity," Speedy assured. "But I feel like assassinating a senator is a one-time attempt. Once someone fails, security gets upped to unfathomable proportions. Someone would have to be an idiot to go through us and try to silence Senator Mothma."
"While I agree," Blazer admitted. "Don't underestimate what scumbags will throw at us."
"Just look at how many people have tried to kill Senator Amidala," Anna joked. "But if anyone tries anything, let them kriff around and find out." As they marched past the offices and approached the senatorial suites, Anna took a deep breath. "Alright Deathchasers," she whispered. "Let's do this. Serious faces. Look professional."
"General," Sparx mumbled. "The three of us are helmeted. You're the only one who has to look professional."
Anna pursed her lips as the realization dawned upon her. "Huh...good point."
"Wanna know how many times I've made faces at people during meetings?" Speedy chuckled.
"Yeah," Anna worried only to stop herself. "Actually, no...don't answer that. Because now I'm already overthinking if any of you are currently making faces at me."
"I don't know...are we?" Blazer teased as Anna rolled her eyes. "You'll never know." Speedy had to fight to contain his laughter as they stepped into the edifice.
Upon entering, their armored appearances were met by a host of senators donning intricate tunics and dresses. Each had their own plans scheduled for the day, but would take time to either admire or gawk at the Deathchasers. Following the instructions from her morning call, Anna led her squad to the nearest elevator and ascended to the uppermost level. From there, they found themselves approaching the doors to a luxurious suite. The likes of which was flanked by two ancestral statues. Each sculpted into a docile swan, these figures beckoned guests towards a silvery set of doors. Anna gave the corresponding panel a ring, prompting a silk-gloved hand to press the doors open for them. While the rest of this uniformed body slinked away, the Deathchasers were welcomed into a pristine lounge. Polished floors were a testament to the flawlessness of its occupants. Or at least the perfection they hoped to achieve. Complex, Chandrilan paintings lined the walls and served as echoes to the planet's past. A simple shuffling had Anna and her team turning back towards the door, where a finely dressed man had just closed them in. His glistening, bronze robes appeared as light as a feather...but were likely more expensive than an entire airspeeder. His small, dark eyes shifted across each clone before resting on Anna. Sheer judgment dwelled all across his quivering, clean-shaven face...even as he forced a grin.
"Dearest," he beckoned. "The grunts are here." His remark made Anna's eye twitch, but she chose to bite her tongue. If this assignment was her way back into the war, the last thing she wanted to do was screw it up.
"Just a moment, Perrin!" a woman's voice echoed from down the hall. She sounded as irritated with him as he was with the squad's presence.
Impatient, Perrin trailed off from the Deathchasers and fetched a datapad from the nearby countertop. "Wait here," he told Anna without even making eye contact. Swiping through HoloNet articles, he ventured into his study to lounge about.
"A nice, warm welcome." Blazer snarked.
"Shhh," Anna scolded while frustratedly tapping her foot. As they waited in the lounge, she took the time to observe the surrounding paintings. While several depicted Chandrilan explorers journeying across the sea on solar-powered hoverlifts, one canvas caught Anna's eye. Contrary to its complex counterparts, this piece had a singular subject. A bird, no bigger than the stones it was perched upon, was situated alongside an evening coastline. Although its beak was unique and star-tipped, what stood out most to Anna was its elaborate plumage. Light and dark greens meshed together to form its huddled, healthy appearance. The bird's bright, black eye gazed beyond the painting and appeared to stare at Anna herself. She focused on the painting so intensely, that she didn't even hear the heeled footsteps closing in from down the hall.
"Do you like it?" a woman asked. Her soft-spoken, earnest voice pulled Anna out of her fixation as she craned her neck towards the source. Senator Mon Mothma stood before her squad with a welcoming grin on her face. She donned a sky blue dress, whose pale hem was reminiscent of Chandrila's majestic shores. And like the gentle waves themselves, the fabric flowed and swished across the tiling. Mon stood alongside Anna and admired the painting as well. "It's one of my favorites," she said. "The artwork as much as the creature. On Chandrila, Bulabirds represent serenity and resilience. They can give off the appearance of being incredibly docile and dainty things...all while their hearts are stronger than most. In many ways, they live a game so many of us play."
"Why does anyone have to play a game?" Anna countered. "Why not just be real from the start?"
"Then it wouldn't be called politics, unfortunately." Mon coaxed a chuckle out of the young Dellian and offered a respectful nod. "Master Jedi," she greeted. "I'd like to thank you and your squad for coming."
"Happy to be here," she assured. "And you can call me Anna. This is Sergeant Blazer, Lieutenant Sparx, and Speedy."
"The honor is mine," Mon insisted and took it upon herself to shake each person's hand. "Feel free to help yourselves to anything you need during your stay with us."
"Anything?" Perrin snarked from his study. "They get all of our time and now our food too?"
Mon forced a smile, shaking off his remark. "My husband is still...adjusting to this predicament."
"I see that," Anna murmured. "Well my boys and I will set up a perimeter. We'll keep your place locked down while you're here and accompany you to any functions leading up to tomorrow. Then we'll be escorting you and your husband to the plaza for-" Anna's comments made Perrin snort. "Something...funny?" she questioned.
Mon sighed. "You all must be thirsty," she said and motioned for them to join her in the kitchen. Stepping away from the lounge, the Deathchasers found themselves captivated by a plasteel paradise. Custom-shaped cabinets looked like pale, oblong pods. The likes of which encircled a gleaming island, where a protocol droid was on standby. Its personalized, silverly plating was meant to match the rest of the home's aesthetic. "Some tea, please," she kindly told the droid as it got to brewing. "Chandrilan tea rejuvenates the body, and is said to cleanse negativity from beyond as much as within." As they waited on their beverages, Mon took a moment to truly observe the Deathchasers. "Pardon," she said. "But might I see your faces? I wish to know the men who are protecting me as they truly are."
The Deathchasers looked to Anna as she gave a final nod of permission. And at her command, each trooper removed their helmet. Mon tilted her head and squinted her eyes, focusing on each man's unique features. Anything from Blazer's scarred and bearded face, to Speedy's clean buzzcut. Sparx's neatly groomed swoop of hair and clean-shaven face would've had anyone mistaking him for a Chandrilan nobleman...that was if millions of clones didn't share his face.
"Thank you," Mon said. "It's often so easy for members of the Senate to make decisions on this war without truly thinking about those involved. To see living, breathing faces beyond your valiant helmets." Mon focused on the scar across Blazer's face. "And too many times do we forget-" She glanced at Speedy's cybernetic legs. "-how much is being sacrificed if this war doesn't come to an end soon."
"With all due respect, senator." Blazer spoke up. "It's refreshing to hear someone in your position say that."
"All the more reason for me to attend tomorrow's assembly," Mon affirmed. "As I'm sure you've deduced from his...commentary...Perrin will not be joining us tomorrow. My husband actually favors the chain code policy, of which he is entitled to do so. I, on the other hand, am also entitled to oppose it. Which is why tomorrow presents a unique opportunity. It is a chance for myself and others to have our voices heard not by our peers in the Senate...but by the people we swore to serve. The public needs to know what's at stake, even if someone tried to kill me for it." Anna raised her brows at Mon's remark. "It's clear that Senator Ranassa was murdered and I almost so because of this policy. In fact, the attempt on my life actually worked in favor of pushing for chain code votes. If the chancellor's plan succeeds, every Republic citizen will be required to register private information under a designated number. And with his emergency powers-"
The protocol droid returned, setting cups of tea for Mon and her bodyguards. "What exactly is that about?" Anna queried.
"If our Senate isn't cautious-" Mon warned. "Chancellor Palpatine will be passing laws into effect without any senatorial approval. This is due to the wartime emergency powers that have been granted to him. The likes of which he should properly give up at the conclusion of this war. Especially since those powers have allowed him to stay in office long after his term has ended."
"All the more reason to end the Clone War swiftly," Speedy suggested.
"Easier said than done," Sparx mumbled.
"Correct," Anna replied only to grimace, for her drink was much to warm to gulp down. "But I have to give you credit, senator. They tried to put a laser in you and you're still here calling out issues."
"Don't mistake my actions for foolhardy boldness," Mon assured. "I haven't known sleep since the incident. I hear the crackle of blasterfire every time someone slams a cabinet, or I smell Senator Ranassa's wounds at the slightest whiff of something burning. And while my fellow senators laud me for my 'unfazed return' to politics, I promise you that I am anything but fine. That I look over my shoulder when things get too quiet and that sitting in skylane traffic makes my stomach churn. Knowing that the killer remains at large haunts me to this day. Like a dull headache constantly shifting across my head, waiting for the moment to burrow itself deeper. And I feel those repercussions when I can hardly stomach food or awaken from another nightmare." Mon sipped her drink as memories of the shooting flickered from within. Swallowing hard, she cleared her throat proudly and raised her head. "But still I speak. Because someone has to. Even if you are terrified from within and that pain brings you to sickness...Speak. Because you only truly lose when you refuse to use your voice."
"I'll drink to that," Speedy jested. "The speaking out part. Not the...whole...being traumatized thing."
"While this isn't my typical beverage-" Anna admitted. "Thanks for the hot tea, Senator Mothma."
Mon raised her cup to them before sipping again. "It's the least I can do for having a Jedi and her elite force as security. Make no mistake, my friends. No matter how small a movement may seem today, everything will change tomorrow."
One might've thought that an intruder had ransacked Hans Westgard's room. Instead, the knight himself was hurriedly packing his own bag. He'd created a pulse-pounding time window and didn't even give himself a chance to fold clothing. The setting sun was like a fiery hourglass, snuffing out any hopeful light in his life as he raced to exit the room. "Kriffing hell," he whispered sharply while stumbling down the carpeted corridors. Clutching his bag as one would a child, he scrambled to flee with the least amount of eyes on him. But even as he thought he'd departed undetected, a Pau'an temple guard observed him from the shadows.
Under his amount of pressure, Hans felt like the temple had never been so massive. Every hallway seemed to stretch on forever. His trip to the hangar felt eternal as he replayed his plans to take a speeder and escape to the nearest spaceport. Once there, he thought over stealing a spacer's vessel and leaving no traces of his departure behind. Hans was so preoccupied with his daunting escape plan, that hearing Mattias call out to him prompted an impulsive...and embarassing gasp.
"Hans Westgard," Mattias called out in a jovial tone. "What's got you packed and hustling so late?"
Hans struggled to find his footing. Hunched over and clinging to his belongings, he turned back and faced Mattias. "I-...erhm...well. I can't really say."
"Oh?" Mattias mumbled. "Well that's quite a-" The elder Jedi paused, noticing how out of sorts Hans appeared. "Are you...alright?"
"Me?" Hans blurted. "Oh I'm just...pft. Just tired is all."
Mattias raised a suspicious brow. "Hans," he asserted. "You don't have to cover up around me, young man. Talk to me. What's troubling you?"
Hans looked into Mattias' dark, sentimental eyes. The master wanted nothing more than to help him, no matter how grim his situation seemed. As Mattias stared intently, Hans ultimately sighed. "I'm-..." he gulped. "Nervous. You see...the council's just given me my first assignment in what feels like an eternity. I'm needed offworld, and I'm just terrified over whether or not I can handle this responsibility."
Hans was initially perplexed by Mattias' sudden chuckles. "Well first of all, nervousness is good for a man in your shoes. It means you care about your assignment. You want to get this right, no matter what it is." He rested a kind hand on Hans' heavy shoulder. "I know you've always been hard on yourself," Mattias said. "I know that plans haven't always gone your way. But you've always managed. Because you've been brighter and stronger than you've ever let yourself believe."
"You-" Hans choked before clearing his throat. "You don't know a thing about who I am. About what I believe."
"But I do," Mattias persisted. "I know you're a fighter, Hans. And while you think the Force has abandoned you, I promise that it hasn't. It is ever-flowing and will never leave your side. If nothing else, just remember what this new assignment of yours stands for." Mattias faintly smiled and concluded, "Another chance. A chance to leave your failures behind and learn from them. You are powerful, Hans. And in time the Jedi Council...and everyone here, will see it too. But the only way anyone will see these qualities in you-" Mattias prodded Hans' chest with his pointer finger. "-is if you see yourself in a brighter light first."
Hans simpered and wriggled his way out of Mattias' benevolent grip. "Thanks, Dad," he jested and continued on his way. Hans dropped his smile as he faced the adjacent corridor. In another life, he thought to himself. Who would I have become if Mattias had been my master? Let alone my father?
Slipping past the rest of Jedi security was easy. It was a further testament to how little of a threat 'Hans Westgard' was among his fellow Jedi peers. Making his way to the temple hangar, he approached an automated terminal and touched the screen. Selecting his departure options, Hans picked the signature airspeeder he'd used for many a venture since. Linked with the corresponding controls, the circular platform beside him suddenly started rotating. As a secondary platform dropped from above, Hans could finally be reunited with his favorite vehicle. He only wished the circumstances were different, for it was likely the last time he'd see such a magnificent airspeeder.
Savoring the sounds of its roaring engine, Hans accelerated out of the hangar. He harbored more sentiment for the vehicle at his controls than the temple he'd grown up in since childhood. Speeding his way to the spaceport, he bypassed multiple skylanes, maneuvering through angry drivers and ignoring their horns. A second bag shifted in the backseat, initially making Hans' heart sink. He glanced at it through the rearview mirror and was quick to realize that Celenia's belongings were still stashed with him. He got an even better look at her duffle bag when a series of flashing lights illuminated his rear windows. Police sirens blared from a pursuing cruiser as Hans started slowing down.
"Kriff," Hans whispered and brought his speeder to the nearest platform. Instead of approaching a lower-level sidewalk, he chose a secluded area in the event that things went awry. After landing, Hans unbuckled his seatbelt but kept a taut grip on the wheel. The police cruiser hovered in from behind, taking its dreadful time so Hans could sweat it out. Officer Toya emerged from the driver's seat and marched up to his window. She motioned for him to lower it and he slowly obliged. "What-" Hans coughed up the rest of his words. "-what can I do for you, officer?"
"You can explain why you're flying recklessly through my district," Toya scolded. "Master Jedi, no rank exempts you from abiding by our city's laws." Upon hearing 'Master Jedi'...Toya's passenger stepped out to join the conversation. Hans' breaths shortened as Inspector Tan Divo emerged for a closer look. It didn't matter how much Toya was lecturing him. Hans' nervous eyes kept darting between the approaching inspector and Celenia's bag in the backseat. "Hey," Toya barked to snap Hans back to attention. "Do you hear what I'm saying?"
"Uh-...yeah," Hans uttered. "It's that-" Anger festered within and the Jedi straightened his posture. "I'm on assignment," he affirmed. "And it doesn't-" His tone shook as Divo leaned against his window. "Matter...what...you tell me?"
"Well well well," the inspector remarked. "Westgard. Long time no see. Surprised the Order has you back on the streets."
Hans steadied himself, trying not to draw too much attention to the backseat. "You'll find that I'm full of surprises," he quipped.
"I don't suppose they've got you investigating the Industrial Sect murder?" Divo questioned.
Hans forced a smile even though it felt like his heart could burst. "Which one?" he scoffed. "At the rate people are dying in this city, it's hard to keep track anymore."
Divo didn't humor his jest. "They wouldn't assign this case to you," he said. "Because you're treating the dead here like numbers on a monthly statistic. The young lady we found this morning was another poor soul, who'd likely fallen victim to some scumbag in the shadows. But we'll bring them to light."
Hans' grin widened as he patted the inspector's hand. "I'm sure you will," he encouraged. "I'd help you look, but the council's sending me offworld."
"Where to?" Divo asked, firing his question off quicker than a blaster bolt.
Hans froze up, pressing his tongue to his cheek while glaring up at Divo. Neither man blinked as Hans swiftly recovered from his frown. "Classified," the Jedi answered. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go. Unless you have any other words for me."
"Slow your speeder down," Divo asserted.
Hans exaggerated a salute and sealed his window. As his airspeeder took off to rejoin a skylane, the police were left to ponder over their encounter. "Inspector," Officer Toya beckoned. "I thought the Jedi Temple had their own hangar."
"That they do, Toya," Divo replied. "That they do."
"So if that Jedi is assigned offworld, why's he taking an airspeeder anywhere?"
Divo hummed in thought while jotting notes in his datapad. "Nice catch, Toya. Good detective work." He activated his comlink and placed a call back to the CSF station. "GU," Divo reported in. "What's your status?"
"Air traffic control downloads complete," the police droid responded. "It will be a long night, but I will be meticulously scanning through hours of industrial camera feed. Second by second...pixel by pixel."
"I couldn't have asked for a more diligent droid," Divo admired.
"Are you kriffing kidding me?" a burly Sullustan blabbed. His raging words were barely audible over the screeching engines of ships passing overhead. "Do you have any idea how many credits I already funneled into this damn spaceport?" His jowls flopped as he lunged towards a service counter. There might as well have been a corpse on the receiving end of the glass. With squinted eyes and a frizzled blonde bob, the young woman hardly blinked. Her five-day work week consisted of people yelling at her over fuel and landing price increases. For the Sullustan spacer, it was time to verbally destroy this spaceport attendant. For the spaceport attendant...it was just another night shift.
"Sir," she huffed.
"This is outrageous!"
"Sir..."
"Every time I come back here, you up your prices!"
"Sir..."
"What?" the Sullustan growled.
"On our HoloNet site, all docking prices are listed in advance. Nothing is ever meant to catch anyone off guard."
"That's abuse! I'd like to speak to your supervisor."
"She's already on the way since approximately-" The attendant checked her chronometer. "-two minutes ago when you asked before."
"Well I want her now! I have deliveries to make!"
"Sir..."
"And the longer I wait, my ship-"
"Sir..."
"WHAT?" The Sullustan roared.
Forever unmoved by his outbursts, the attendant simply leaned over the counter and gestured behind him. "What ship?"
Flabbergasted, the spacer spun so quickly that he'd nearly fallen over. "What the?" he grumbled. His bulbous, inky eyes widened beyond their natural state as he observed an empty platform. "How the-...but the-...Where's my ship!"
In that instant, a fine-suited and glowering Twi'lek arrived. Her scarlet skin was as fierce as her glower as she said, "You wanted to speak to a supervisor?" The Sullustan was too shocked over his missing ship to speak. "Well?"
The Sullustan's bulky freighter had soared out of Coruscant's atmosphere long before its owner could comprehend what had happened...nor who had commandeered it. Hans steadied himself at the controls, leaning back and breathing a sigh of relief as he made the jump to hyperspace. The older vessel's outdated systems had Hans raising a suspicious brow. Although positioned furthest from the cockpit, the hyperdrive emitted a concerning set of rumbles that were powerful enough to rattle Hans' seat.
"Kriffing hell," he mumbled before frustratedly sitting upright. Glaring at the dashboard, Hans scoffed at a holoimage of the Sullustan's nuclear family. Feeling like their blissful, flabby smiles were mocking him, Hans slammed his fist on the projector. While the metallic device brought a satisfying crunch to his ears, the remaining fragments scraped his fingers until he winced. Flustered at his throbbing and reddening hand, Hans patched in to the ship's communication system. "Here's hoping you work," he groused.
To his gratitude, the freighter's systems were able to get a frequency out to his former master. The primary holoprojector activated, displaying Gaston's face like a phantom at hyperspace's center. "Took you long enough," his old mentor griped.
"I'm on my way, aren't I?" Hans grumbled.
"But never soon enough," Gaston admonished. "Still...I suppose it's something that you at least followed through with for once. How's it feel? Leaving it all behind. The Order?"
"Since when do you care?" Hans murmured.
"I take it the Dellian girl didn't join?" Gaston jested, prompting Hans to sneer.
"She is none of your concern!" the knight snapped as Gaston shook his head.
Unmoved, Gaston merely shrugged. "You'll get over her," he said. "Believe it or not, it's best that she isn't involved with what's to come."
Gaston's final remark had Hans crossing his arms. "Which is?"
Gaston's silence was deafening amid the swirling void of lightspeed. "Control over Aren has gotten...more complicated than we first anticipated. We thought you and Rapunzel would be the last Jedi to ever stick your noses in this planet's affairs."
Grasping at Gaston's clues, Hans swallowed hard. Realizing why Anna shouldn't be involved, he spoke up. "Don't tell me-"
"A prisoner checkpoint was hit," Gaston explained while pulling up a secondary holoimage. Hans tensed up as Elsa's figure came into view. "Now I haven't kept up with Republic politics, but I highly doubt the elder Dellian has Republic approval to be here."
"Is she insane?" Hans uttered in disbelief, observing the image of Elsa swinging her saber.
"It doesn't matter," Gaston scolded. "She is nothing more than another obstacle hindering us from surviving the fallout that is to come. If Elsa Dellian brings the Republic's war to Aren, everything we're seeking to build will be lost. She must be dealt with...permanently."
"So what?" Hans blurted. "We trap and freeze Elsa too? Add her to the carbon freezing rack for your collection?"
Gaston chuckled. "Don't be so naive, Hans. Donma couldn't bring herself to part from her apprentice so easily. That is why she insisted for Rapunzel be taken alive. But Elsa? None of us hold any attachment to the Order's lapdog."
"Then we-"
"Oh Hans," Gaston brayed. "We this...We that. Do you think I summoned you for some sort of team-up? To recreate or regain some connection you ever thought we had? You have yet to prove your worth to me and I have my hands full with the duke." Hans sank back into his seat, caring little for the rattling as he focused on Gaston. "You're starting to show me what you're made of, Hans. But are you truly worthy? All that's left now is for you to kill Elsa...and bring back order." Hans knew what Gaston was going to say, and still the words pierced through his resolve. "Life is one big fight for power. But seeing as you left everything behind to join us...I know you understand. See you soon."
Gaston's transmission ended, leaving Hans to sit in silence. He unclipped Steadfast and stared down at its hilt. His grim reflection shifted across the lightsaber's golden hilt. He'd been so frantic as of late, that his mind hadn't been given the chance to catch up with him. But as he finally looked at his own distorted reflection, the voices of those he'd ended came back to haunt him. It was as if Celenia and his father were looming over his shoulders, hissing in his ears. Their collective, ghastly whispers sent a shiver down his back as the pains of his past caught up with him.
"You won't get away with this," the voices taunted...warned from within.
Taking a deep breath, Hans rejected his reflection. Clipping his lightsaber and staring into lightspeed's vortex, Hans chose to answer his demons. "I already have."
Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading this week's chapter of "The Frozen Force." It is always a pleasure to entertain you on this ongoing adventure, and I'll see you next Friday November 25th for the start of a FIVE SEGMENT Season Finale! We're approaching the end, my friends. See you soon for Chapter: 116 - The Beginning of the End (Part I).
Long Live Imagination and May the Force be with You,
~ Michael Gavilán