The senators were gathered in the main compartment of the ship. Though all their faces appeared composed, Riyo could sense the shared heaviness in the air. Everyone was disheartened — everyone except, perhaps, Amidala and Organa. Yes, their mission had ended in failure, but Amidala seemed utterly unfazed; nor did she appear concerned that their escort had been gravely injured. Even then, she had limited herselfto a brief visit to inquire about the Jedi's condition. At that moment, however, Chuchi couldn't shake the impression that Senator Amidala didn't just not care — she almost wanted the Jedi dead.
That suspicion only deepened after overhearing a fragment of conversation between Amidala and Organa as she passed their cabin — the door wasn't completely shut, but it was enough.
"...We need to make the most of this incident. If we present it correctly, we can seriously undermine the people's trust in the Separatists — and in the Chancellor, who's getting far too cozy with the Jedi."
"As soon as we return to Coruscant, I intend to voice my dissatisfaction to the Council regarding this... Jedi's actions. His recklessness jeopardizedour peace negotiations," Amidala said sharply.
"I agree," Bail Organa replied. "He acted very strangely, even dangerously, risking all our lives. I've worked with members of the Order for some time, and this Vikt's behavior is unlike anything I've seen before."
Barely hearing someone's footsteps, Chuchi immediately slipped back into her own cabin.
How can they...? she thought, seething with disbelief. That Jedi had risked his life to save them — and instead of gratitude, he received veiled threats and condemnation. Yes, his actions had been harsh, perhaps even brutal, but undeniably effective.
Of course, she was not so naive anymore, and she remembered her mother's words: "Politicians are not guided by feelings, they are guided by interests." Riyo had always known that. But until now, she had still believed it was possible to do the right thing.
For the first time, she began to wonder if she had chosen the right side.
***
A tall Kel Dor walked briskly down one of the corridors in the Twelfth Sector headquarters. His distinctive mask and protective goggles made him instantly recognizable, and the lightsaber hilt hanging from his belt left no doubt about his allegiance.
Plo Koon was a Jedi Master and had been on the council for over fifteen years. Born on Dorin into a family long attuned to the Force, many of his relatives had belonged to the ancient Baran Do Order. Following in his uncle's footsteps, Plo Koon had been brought to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant as a child to be trained in the ways of the Force. Like all Kel Dor, however, he was forced to wear a breathing mask in Coruscant's oxygen-rich atmosphere.
As he made his way through the building, the Master could sense the ripple of agitation among the personnel. The holographic recording of the recent duel between a Jedi and a Sith had already spread through the facility. The Jedi Council had instructed him to prepare for the arrival of a corvette carrying a delegation of senators to be transported to Coruscant — and a wounded Jedi. And also... Ahsoka Tano.
He remembered the day he had found her. During a mission many years ago, when he first became a Master, he had discovered a small Togruta child, barely two years old, sensitive to the Force. He had brought her to the Temple so she could be trained, and ever since, he had quietly watched over her progress. Ahsoka had always seen him as something of a guardian figure, and her delight whenever they met had never faded.
When Plo Koon reached the office he sought, he stepped inside. Several officers were clustered around a holovisor, discussing the ill-fated duel. Standing nearby were Jedi Master Luminara Unduli and her Padawan, Barriss Offee.
Luminara, a Mirialan from the planet Mirial, had the deep blue eyes of her people and a delicate tattoo — an intricate chain of black diamondsrunning from her lower lip to her chin. Her padawan, Barriss Offee, was also of the Myrialan race. Luminara was known as an exceptional duelist and was as agile as grass in the wind. "Her lightsaber skills are impressive. In combat, her movements are focused and precise, flowing from one to another. All Jedi are my brothers and sisters, but only with a few, like Luminara Unduli, does one find such intuitive harmony." That was often said in the Temple about the Myrialan woman's skills. Barriss, for her part, was gifted in the healing arts. Luminara nurtured her padawan's abilities with patience, guiding her without imposing her own path. As far as Plo Kun knew, Barriss, although she had turned sixteen and had already been a Padawan for four years, she had yet to assemble her own lightsaber.
"Master Plo," Luminara greeted with a courteous nod. Barriss offered a respectful bow. "I believe I know why you're here."
"Yes, Master Luminara," Plo Koon replied. "Jedi Mikore Vikt requires your Padawan's assistance."
"Then we mustn't delay. It seems we don't have much time to prepare. Barriss, you heard that?"
"Yes, Master. I'll head to the medical ward immediately to prepare the operating room — and to meditate." Barriss nodded and quickly departed.
"Do you think she can handle it?" the Kel Dor asked quietly, turning his gaze back to the holoscreen, which still played highlights of the duel.
"I don't know, Master," Luminara admitted. "The Jedi's injuries are severe... I'm surprised he survived at all."
"Then we'd better hurry," Plo Koon said. "We need to meet the ship — and Ahsoka will clearly need someone's support right now."
"Ahsoka?"
"Oh, I didn't mention — this Jedi has a Padawan. Ahsoka Tano. I was the one who brought her to the Temple."
"I see," Luminara said with a faint smile. "Then I'm curious to see what kind of padawan such a Jedi has."
The two Masters heading together toward the speeder bay.