Betrayed by two of her most trusted allies, Duchess Satine was now travelling to Coruscant to plead her innocence to the Senate, and hopefully convince them that a destructive splinter group, Death Watch, does not represent the entire Mandalore government. But Count Dooku and the Separatists were perhaps just as stubborn as the duchess.

Count Dooku spoke to some Death Watch soldiers over a holo-transmission, including their leader, Governor Vizsla.

"With your Death Watch army in place," said Dooku. "now all we need to do is sit and wait."

"But for how long?" asked Vizsla. "My men are anxious to fight, and we are down one dark saber."

"Considering the plot we've just set in motion, I assure you, the Republic will oblige you the fight you're looking for. First, send a Death Watch assassin to Coruscant. The Duchess of Mandalore must die."

But, Death Watch didn't know someone was watching them from afar. Someone who immediately reported to Prime Minister Almec, who said their fate now was in the hands of their beloved duchess.

Meanwhile, a meeting was held at the Senate building with Chancellor Palpatine presiding.

"It grieves me to say it," said the Chancellor. "but Death Watch is not a significant, deadly threat."

Duchess Satine moved her platform forward to take her turn to speak.

"Mandalore is making great strides to find the leaders of this terrorist movement." she explained. "They are not powerful enough to destabilize our government. We will resolve this without conflict. If the Republic gets involved in our affairs, it will only lead to further violence. Thus, I shall reassert our position of neutrality."

"Talk of an idealist." said Mas Amedda.

"No, those are the words of a pacifist and a people who have chosen nonviolent action."

"That may be so, Duchess." said Palpatine. "However, this message was delivered to my staff just this morning. I think you shall find it most illuminating."

Mas Amedda placed a disk into the console and pressed play. There then came the hologram of a man

"The actions by our government have taken us into a period of civil war. To acknowledge it would be to invite panic in the streets." said the man.

Padme, who was with her daughter Gabby, moved her platform up closer to Satine's.

"Duchess, do you know this man?" Padme asked.

"Yes. Deputy Minister Jerec." said Satine. "He's a dear friend."

"It is more than mere possibility," said Deputy Jerec's hologram. "more than eventuality. It is here."

"Stop!" Satine ordered, and the hologram was paused. "Deputy Minister Jerec is an honorable man. He would never commit such lies to the record. The Mandalorian government holds no secret from its people."

"If only that were true," said the Chancellor.

Gabby scrunched her nose at the Chancellor's comment.

"Death Watch is far stronger than we once thought." said Jerec. "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."

"It's not true. It's not true!" said Satine.

"The Duchess Satine will ultimately cause our defeat. Make no mistake."

Obi-Wan Kenobi watched from higher up, thinking to himself, and worried about his new girlfriend.

"Republic intervention is absolutely necessary." said Jerec before the hologram was finally deactivated.

"This isn't right. Something here isn't right." said Satine. "I wish to speak to Jerec immediately."

"Sadly, Deputy Minister Jerec perished this morning." said the Chancellor. "In a Death Watch bombing on Kalevala."

Satine was shocked and devastated by this revelation, but a certain little girl thought there was no way that was a coincidence. Jerec has a hologram of him saying all those things about Mandalore needing Republic assistance and going against the Duchess' beliefs and wishes delivered that morning, and dies that same morning in a Death Watch bombing?

"Let us ensure that his death was not in vain." the Chancellor continued. "Let us commit our military might to defending the Mandalorian people."

"Defending?" said the duchess with disbelief clear in her voice. "You mean to occupy our home. You would trample 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."

"The vote shall commence in the next session." the Chancellor declared.

After everyone was dismissed, Obi-Wan boarded Peppermint and had her run to catch up with the Duchess.

"Duchess! Satine, wait." Obi-Wan said, getting his horse to stop. He got down and grabbed the Duchess' arm, which made her guards hold up their weapons, which spooked Peppermint.

"I just heard what happened in the Senate." said Obi-Wan.

"You're sweet to be concerned," said the duchess. "but I promise I'll be alright."

"I am concerned. We are together, are we not?" said Obi-Wan, taking his girlfriend's hands into his own.

"Yes, of course."

"Satine, as your boyfriend, I don't think you should make any decisions in this state of mind."

"This state of mind?" said Satine, sounding offended. "And what state of mind would that be, precisely?"

"I think what my rider means is you seem really distressed, and should take a little time to settle your nerves." Peppermint said. "It's like after eating too much sugar."

"What I'm saying is," said Obi-Wan. "any person would be hysterical by now, but-"

"Hysterical?" said Satine angrily. "The Republic is attempting to force its will upon innocent people."

"I only meant that-"

"I'm surprised you're not hysterical. Perhaps if more citizens got hysterical, they'd be more inclined to speak up when the Republic tramples on their rights."

"Rushing in like this, it's..."

"It's like a sugar rush. It feels all fine and such until you crash." Peppermint said.

"Peppermint, hush." said Obi-Wan. "It's foolhardy."

Satine faced Obi-Wan again and said, "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 so frequently relies on violence? In my opinion, you're the one who's foolhardy."

"Duchess, I'm pretty sure he doesn't like relying on violence any more than you do." Peppermint said. "Obi-Wan wants to help you too. You guys love each other, and you're letting this deal with the Senate get to you."

Satine just left without another word.

Obi-Wan sighed, then took Peppermint by her rein and walked them both away.

Meanwhile, Duchess Satine was riding away on her escort speeder, when the vehicle suddenly malfunctioned.

"What's happening?" Satine asked.

"It's the navigation system," said the driver, whose name was Aramis. He told the guards to get the duchess out of the vehicle right away.

Then, Aramis saw a platform close ahead and said he'd try to get closer.

"No, stop! Aramis!" Satine exclaimed.

They sped closer to the platform, and Aramis shouted for Satine and the guards to jump. The passengers all landed safely on the platform... but Aramis and the speeder crashed into the wall nearby with an explosion, to Satine's horror.

Satine later went to speak with the Chancellor, who said no charges would be filed.

"What do you mean no charges are to be filed?" said Satine in outrage. "None at all? Someone tried to kill me. The controls on my speeder were compromised."

"Sadly, my dear," said the Chancellor. "there is no proof anyone tampered with anything. I'm afraid it might've been just an accident."

"An accident? And it just happened to coincide with me defending my home world?"

"I agree with Satine," said Mas Amedda.

"Well, finally."

"It proves what I've been saying all along. Death Watch is out of control. The Republic must step in and help."

"No, I didn't mean-"

"You can't keep them reined in, obviously. So we will."

But Satine was more outraged than ever.

"This is patently offensive." she said angrily. "You can't do this."

"Unfortunately, it's up to the Senate now." said Palpatine. "I'm sure they'll make a reasoned and thoughtful decision."

Obi-Wan stood in the hall of the Senate building with Peppermint, who was holding a little bouquet of white lilies in her mouth that Gabby grew. She thought maybe Satine would feel better if her boyfriend gave her flowers.

"Trust me," said Peppermint, handing Obi-Wan the flowers. "Ninety-eight percent of the time, flowers are a surefire way to cheer someone up."

"And the other two percent?" Obi-Wan asked.

"They turn out to have allergies." Peppermint looked down the hall. "And there's your lady now. Go get her with that Obi-Wan Kenobi charm."

Obi-Wan rushed over to catch up to his girlfriend.

"Satine, I just heard about your accident."

"Those two are... This government will... Ugh!" Satine said, definitely sounding upset.

"Satine, tell me what happened." Obi-Wan said, taking his girlfriend's arm.

"Ugh, I'm fine." said Satine. "I wasn't hurt. I didn't want to worry you."

"Well, I'm afraid, on that count, you've failed spectacularly. Look what happened."

"Look what happened? This attack proves I've upset someone. I must be on the right track."

"This attack proves your enemies are here even on Coruscant." Obi-Wan said. "You're not going to let Republic authorities handle this, are you? You're not backing down."

"Republic authorities? Certainly not." Satine started to walk away. "I'm on my way to the Ministry of Intelligence right now to meet my contact."

Obi-Wan put his free hand on Satine's shoulder and got her to look him in the eyes.

"Don't you see? You need your friends with you, not held at arm's length." said Obi-Wan. "In your quest to be self-reliant, have you decided to cut your friends and loved ones out of your life?"

"I... I don't know." said Satine, looking down.

Obi-Wan then looked over Satine's shoulder to see Padme and Gabby standing close by, both looking concerned.

"Senator, Princess, what is it?" Obi-Wan said.

"The Senate completed its vote." said Padme.

"They decided in favor of occ-up-ation." Gabby said, trying to pronounce the last word correctly.

"When did this happen?" asked Satine. "The vote was supposed to be tomorrow."

"It was during your meeting with the Chancellor."

"After the accident, they made their decision faster." Gabby added.

"Republic forces are set to leave for Mandalore at sunrise tomorrow." said Padme.

"You see?" said Satine, looking back at her boyfriend. "I was right before."

Satine left before Obi-Wan even had a chance to give her the flowers. She stopped and looked back to say, "Counting on the Republic is a mistake." And with that, she left.

Carousella looked at the duchess, then at Obi-Wan with the lilies.

"Trouble in paradise?" Carousella asked.

"What gave you that idea?" Obi-Wan asked.

The lilies seemed to droop as Obi-Wan's sadness and worry became clear.

Later that night, Satine's friend Davu Golec walked down the streets of the city on Coruscant and met a figure in a red hood in an alleyway.

"I don't have much time." said Davu. "They're following me."

The duchess and prime minister walked farther down their path to talk.

"You've put yourself in great danger." said Satine. "I will never forget it."

"This is worth it," said Davu, holding up a data disk.

Satine held the disk in her hands with great surprise.

"Where did you get this?"

"Buried deep in the evidence facility at the ministry. It was not easy to find, believe me."

But neither of them knew that a Mandalorian sniper was right nearby, waiting to shoot.

"You were right," said Davu. "Someone faked the evidence. The recording presented to the Senate was not the full recording, but this disc is. You must show the Senate."

Suddenly, Davu was shot right in his heart by the sniper. He died instantly, and collapsed to the ground, to Satine's dismay.

The sniper attempted to shoot Satine as well while she took out something to defend herself, but a flying police droid came in, reporting a shooting in sector GL-5. And there were a few lookie-loos who arrived at the scene of the crime. The police immediately accused Satine of the murder as soon as they saw the tiny gun she held in her hand.

"Hands where we can see them," said a cop droid. "You are coming with us."

"I didn't kill him." said Satine, who then took off running.

Clone troopers were alerted that Satine was on the run as well, and the real shooter kept trying to shoot Satine, but was unsuccessful.

Satine ran as fast as she could, passing through crowded areas, and shooting a flying droid that crashed into the cop droids and clones and made all of them fall down on top off each other.

Satine then headed into another alley and took off in a speeder she found, heading for section IG-44. But, she managed to escape the eyes of the cops .

Meanwhile, Governor Vizsla received a holo-message that Satine escaped again, but they took out an informant, whom the shooter was uncertain if he successfully delivered something to her, but it looked like a handoff.

"Find her." Vizsla instructed. "Whatever she's carrying may compromise our plan.

Count Dooku stood on his ship and knelt before a holo-transmission of Darth Sidious.

"My Lord, everything is going as you instructed." said Dooku.

"Death Watch is prepared to fight?" asked Sidious.

"Yes. The people have been worked into such a frenzy that when the Republic does arrive, the Death Watch will be considered heroes."

"Excellent. The Republic occupation force is loading their ships and will arrive on time, if the Duchess Satine does not get in the way."

"The Duchess Satine will not be in the way much longer." Dooku promised. "One of the Death Watch assassins is taking care of her."

Sidious gave a mischievous grin from underneath his hood.

Clones and police began asking people around town if they'd spotted Satine.

Obi-Wan, meanwhile, was looking outside one of the windows in his room at the Jedi Temple, while Peppermint was sleeping close by. Suddenly, he received a holo-transmission from none other than his girlfriend Satine.

"Obi-Wan, are you there?"

"Satine, where are you?" Obi-Wan asked worriedly. "Mas Amedda had demanded you turn yourself in."

"I know. Listen to me. Obi-Wan. I need your help."

"Peppermint. Wake up." Obi-Wan gently patted his unicorn on her shoulder to wake her up.

"Hmm?" Peppermint opened her eyes tiredly and yawned.

Obi-Wan arrived in a public area, wearing his Jedi cloak, while Peppermint stood farther away in a wine-colored cloak to avoid drawing attention to them.

Obi-Wan sensed his girlfriend's presence and found her sitting on a bench in her red cloak.

"Nice disguise." he whispered.

Satine ducked and pulled her hood down further, and Obi-Wan stood still as the cops walked by.

Once the cops were far enough, Obi-Wan took a seat beside Satine.

"Seeing you alright, it's..." said Obi-Wan. "Well, it's a relief. You should turn yourself in. We've both sworn loyalty to the Republic."

"Believe me, neither one of us is breaking our oath." said Satine, carefully sliding the disc to Obi-Wan. "And this will prove it. I need you to get it into the proper hands."

"But the Republic guards are hunting you, which means..."

"Whoever doctored this recording is likely in the government itself."

"If you set foot inside the Senate, they'll take you."

"And the disc will be destroyed before anyone can see it," said Satine. "which is why you must take the disc to Padme."

Satine and Obi-Wan stood up together. Peppermint made sure she followed close by, but not too close. Meanwhile, the same sniper was still aiming for Satine. But she walked behind something before the sniper even had the chance to properly aim and pull the trigger. That left them with no choice but to follow.

Satine and Obi-Wan walked together through another alley.

"Where will you be while I'm in the Senate?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Yeah, what if they find you?" Peppermint asked.

"They won't." said Satine. "I'm going to surrender to them."

Obi-Wan stopped and turned around in shock. "What?"

"You'll need a distraction to enter the Senate freely. I can't risk them searching you because you and I are a couple."

"I'm a Jedi. They wouldn't dare."

"I don't know. With the changes in the Code, their perspective on you might've changed too." Peppermint pointed out.

"Your equine is correct, my dear." said Satine. "Things are changing."

Peppermint's ears suddenly shot up as she started to sense something dark.

That was when a little bomb was dropped into the alley. Obi-Wan immediately Force-pushed his girlfriend and horse away before running just as the bomb exploded. Then in came the Mandalorian sniper, who tried to get to the Duchess.

Obi-Wan took out his lightsaber and fought the soldier, who fought back and flipped Obi-Wan into another wall outside the alley. Peppermint gave the sniper a kick harder than a donkey's, giving Satine time to pick up Obi-Wan's lightsaber and throw it to him.

Obi-Wan used the Force to throw the sniper against a wall, and then against a billboard, but the assassin activated their jetpack and took off.

"Coward." said Peppermint.

Obi-Wan and Satine took the assassin's disappearance as their cue to get out of there. Luckily, they had a unicorn for fast transportation.

At the Senate building, there were two guards standing by some stairs, when they heard a female voice say, "Excuse me."

The guards looked to see Satine arriving before them with her hands raised.

"I believe you are looking for me." said Satine.

Obi-Wan and Peppermint quietly rushed into the building while the duchess was being apprehended.

The occupation of Mandalore will usher in a new level of security for the Republic and its fight against corruption." Chancellor Palpatine declared. "If there are no objections-"

"Supreme Chancellor," said Padme, moving her platform down with Obi-Wan and C3-PO accompanying her, as her daughter was sent home and put to bed.

"There has been a development in the case for Mandalore's neutrality." said the Naboo Senator.

"The chair recognizes the Senator from Naboo." The chancellor announced. He did not look pleased by any of what was going on.

"I think this should cast a new light on the so-called evidence we saw earlier." Padme said, plugging in the disk.

A hologram of Deputy Minister Jerec was pulled up once more.

"The actions by our government have taken us into a period of civil war. To acknowledge it would be to invite panic in the streets. Death Watch is far stronger than we once thought. But we have been training for this. We can stop them. But if we are to combat them effectively, we must have the temerity to stand strong in the name of peace. And if we are to do so, we must reject any Republic assistance. Instead, this government will act. It acts not out of pride but for safety. Intervention by the Republic will inflame the opposition. And this is why our government rejects the help of the Jedi. We must listen to The Duchess Satine. If we do not, we will ultimately cause our defeat.

Meanwhile, Death Watch was far from happy about what was happening.

Vizsla went to confront Dooku over the holo-transmission.

"Unacceptable!" said Vizsla angrily. He pointed accusingly at Dooku's hologram. "You promised us we would reclaim Mandalore from these weak-willed cowards. I will order my men to attack."

"And if you do," said Dooku. "you'll hold the planet for perhaps a day. Without the backing of my forces or your people, your revolution will be over before it begins. A neophyte such as you wouldn't know these things, but I do. I have other ways to accomplish our goals."

Obi-Wan stood in the Chancellor's office with the Skywalker family as they were approached by the chancellor himself.

"Thankfully, with the revelation of this new information," said the Chancellor. "the occupation of Mandalore is no longer necessary."

"The person to thank is Duchess Satine." said Padme. "She found the proof."

"I require no thanks." said a familiar voice, and in came Duchess Satine.

"Satine," Padme greeted. "The Senate held an emergency session, and Republic forces have been ordered to stand down."

"Allow me to offer a most sincere apology on behalf of the entire Republic." said the Chancellor. "You are a most loyal servant, and we are all grateful."

"Yes, grateful." said Mas Amedda.

"Chancellor, if you and Mas Amedda would join me for a moment," said Padme. "we have some logistics to discuss. in order to ratify the Senate's decision."

Anakin picked Gabby up and carried her as he followed the politicians out of the room.

Obi-Wan was about to leave as well, until Satine stopped him.

"But for you, this wouldn't have happened." said Satine.

"No, it was your unshakable faith in your people." said Obi-Wan. "and your determination that brought about this result."

"I appreciate that. But still, who is behind all of this? Who tampered with that recording? Who tried to convict me of murder and throw me in jail?"

"I'm not sure. But as you said yourself, things are changing. And sometimes the line between friend and for is blurred, now more than ever." Obi-Wan took Satine's hand. "But I do know one thing that will never change. And that is my love for you."

"Obi..." sighed Satine.

The Jedi and Duchess embraced each other, not caring who walked by and saw them. All they cared about was being together right then and there, and they would embrace every moment they could. And the couple sealed that promise with a heartfelt kiss.