Coruscant

Nearly a day had passed before the wounded and once proud crew of the Kalee Bastion had returned to republic space. The trip would have been sooner if given the fact that most of their equipment and ship systems had been damaged and left their crew to manage repairs on their drift back to the republic. To say that their crew was still proud was at least an understatement.

The ship had suffered numerous damages not too mention just how long it would probably take the thousands of engineers and technicians on Coruscant to even fix her. It wasn't just the ship that had taken the brunt however, most of the crew had been killed from the attack in the Rishi System, whether it was from fighting off boarders, being killed from explosions, or the unfortunate soldiers who died on the Ruusan Liberator morale was at an all time low. The only thing that coursed through every crew members mind was that they were glad that they made it home at last.

Speaking of the Ruusan Liberator it was a complete loss as it was seen by everyone as utterly destroyed as a trapped ship. The only report that Daival stated was the fact that the ship would sadly join the starship graveyard above Rishi. It certainly didn't help in boosting the men's morale that they had failed in their mission, but it mattered little until they finally looked over the death toll.

In total nearly two hundred of their personale had tragically died in the battle leaving them at nearly half reserve for both the crew of the corvette and Alpha company. Tejat seemed to be the most upset when it came to the losses since he was unconscious for nearly the entire attack, that was until they finally managed to enter the engineering section however.

There they found Master Azmo's radiated body.

When they managed to recover his body the crew had been even more distraught and heartbroken by seeing the dead jedi. That was futile compared to his Jedi companion who was seething with all types of emotions that even he couldn't control upon seeing his friend on the floor lifeless.

Xinthiss was merely silent the entire time that the doctors and crew searched and scanned Azmo for any sign of life. It was fruitless considering Xin already knew, the old jedi was one with the force and there was no bringing him back. He seemed angry at first when he saw Azmo in this state but soon that anger turned into sadness, that eventually morphed into just pure silence that made even Tejat and Daival worried.

Tejat looked at the broken, lifeless body of the older jedi and seemed both petrified and remorseful for him. The green oozes around his face and body was an obvious sign of the clear amount of radiation the man ingulfed when he repaired the core, but it was something that probably even he didn't realize would kill him. The duro however did something even he thought would not be possible for him.

Taking a few strides over to Xinthiss he slowly and carefully kneeled down next to the young man and stared at the body which was still being examined. The two barley said a word as they stared at the group before them, even Daival had failed too notice the void that Tejat had left open next to him.

"I understand that you were the one who saved me and the boys back there right?" Tejat spoke softly, and quietly while trying to sound respectful to Xinthiss it was clear that this conversation was going to be something.

"Yes." Xin replied drolly as he continued to stare intently at the body of Azmo, never once taking them off his corpse.

"They told me what you did, risking yourself to get me and the others out of that room despite you're injuries. Not to mention the command you took afterword." Tejat stated calmly while carefully positioning into a sitting position, but to Xin it looked as what he was about to say would be uncomfortable for him to say.

"I just wanted to say, Thank you." Tejat said turning his attention to the young jedi, who in response looked at the duro like he was crazy. In truth he may have already been crazy.

"Y-You're welcome I was just doing my duty." He said in barley a whisper as his gaze finally lifted from the corpse and seemed to finally way into what Tejat was saying.

The two didn't say much more as the group finally concluded their work around Azmo, but rather than just stand around they acted faster than the bystanders thought they would. Several of the doctors moved to the body and lifted it upon a hover stretcher before silently and politely taking the body away. To them it would just be one of hundreds of bodies lying dormant in their medical bays on board.

After taking in the total death count along with Azmo being found as well, the ship finally arrived back to the republic capital of Coruscant. The city seemed bustling with activity and life as the wounded and battered ship slowly descended towards the massive spiraling city below. For anyone that was probably not on board the ship would most likely look at the ship with no curiosity at all, just another ship that suffered from the warfront.

To it's crew and soldiers however it was a true relief when the ship finally docked back in it's original port. The ship also seemed to be happy when it finally docked as the ship's screeching and whirring came to a sudden halt with the only sounds being a soft hum from it's computers. Daival seemed to be the most happy when the crew finally arrived at the shuttles that would take them away from the nightmare of a ship for good, if they were being honest a few of them would retire then and there.

Xinthiss was a little more animate after the ship had docked mostly because after Azmo's body had been taken care of, he had more time to think and shake off the feeling of dread. Dread, it felt unnatural to him but he merely shook it off as he would soon be reunited with others that he loved. He hoped that would be enough to help him past this particular part in his journey.

When it was his time to get off the ship he did so without little hesitation, to say at the very least that he was anxious to get off the ship would be a very big understatement. He was far done with everything that had happened and was ready to just relax for a chance at his new home with Bonny. Hopefully as well Kellan would be returning as well at least he hoped he would and not die a horrible death, he already dealt with the death of too many people. He couldn't handle his best friend being dead either.

Upon entering the hangar he noticed the amount of people there was crowding the very large space. The crew was bustling into the shuttles and the engineers and technicians on Coruscant were hard at work getting the ship ready for repairs. As for Tejat and Daival they were busy conversing in the middle of the commotion clearly getting ready for them both to leave for a while, but when Xinthiss approached it seemed the conversation was more drastic than one might think.

"You are completely sure that is what you want to do my old friend?" Daival stated in complete shock as he glared at his duro compatriot. The duro however merely looked to the side for a moment, clearly in deep thought before returning a simple nod too his superior officer.

"Aye, I am completely sure." Tejat stated as he sighed tiredly, he seemed rather serious of whatever his choice in this matter was.

"I see." Daival said somberly until his attention focused on Xinthiss who was approaching them the entire time. "Ah my young Jedi friend I assume you will be leaving our presence shortly?"

"Yes I'll be going home to most likely recover until my next mission I suppose." Xin replied calmly and a lot more lively since their last talk, it truly seemed he was getting better since Azmo's death.

"Well don't take me for a blocker my ship is ready I merely wanted to say farewell and good luck to you both." Daival said cheerfully as he shook the two men's hands before the intercom announced for his shuttles departure. "Looks like that would it be it, time for me to go gentlemen, until next time." With one final salute the captain strolled off towards his awaiting shuttle, which from the look of it was bustling with different groups of people.

"He never shied from being one for anticipation, but honestly neither am I my shuttle will be launching soon as well." Tejat said as he watched Daival fade from their view, it was tiring really.

"So what was all that about?" Xin prodded clearly wanting to know just what Tejat was going to be doing next.

"Well after that fiasco of a mission and nearly all my men being killed in a trap, I've decided I'm tired of war and I'm going to retire once we're off this ship." Tejat seemed happy with this recollection the very thought of retiring sounded pleasing to him, even if it made Xinthiss completely shocked when he said it.

"Regardless I do think my time in service is over and while I may still have a deep hatred for the Jedi for abandoning me and my friends all those years ago I only have one thing to say to you, and that's the fact that you're alright in my book for a jedi at least." Tejat said in complete and utter respect, it seemed that he had finally loosened up to Xinthiss and even though it was shocking, it was also pleasing to hear as well.

"Thank you." Xin replied utterly speechless and riddled with shock, something that the snarky duro clearly was amused by. That was until the intercom boomed once again and announced that shuttle sixteen was leaving in three minutes. That particular shuttle was Xin's.

"I suppose that means this conversation will need to end soon, but still thank you again for helping us during this and I mean that, but don't worry about you're old jedi friend he'll be delivered to your order in one piece for him to be put to rest." Tejat said respectfully once again before turning and slowly beginning to walk away, but he suddenly turned and tossed something at Xin who caught it easily. When he inspected it he realized that it was a code cylinder or more or less a holo communicator number

"You ever need a cranky old Duro veteran to come to you're aide or to assist you in anything, well you'll know how to contact me." Tejat said with a snarky smile before respectfully saluting to his new Jedi friend. Before Xinthiss could respond the duro had already begun walking away yelling and barking at his soon to be former company, it would seem he was telling them the news.

However instead of keeping himself waiting Xin decided to move on to his shuttle and boarded it. Taking a seat near the middle of the ship he noticed the multiple amounts of people in the shuttle ready to just go home and rest, and if he was honest he was ready too. That was what lead to him thinking of how Bonny was doing at the senate tower, he bet that she was probably bored out of her mind.

Yet knowing her as well as he did, she probably wasn't bored at all with her job.

******

Bonny seemed to be anxious by the time she arrived at the senate building early in the day. Mostly because it would be her second day there, and it was also the inauguration for the next senator of Coruscant, Gayle Isis. It seemed that many were coming to the senate tower to see the event as well, but it didn't take a blind person to see the effect it was having on the guard. Nearly all of the senate guard were called upon to guard the proceeding and it's inhabitants, and it also meant that all jedi guards were stationed frantically around the tower as well.

The day almost seemed too perfect for Bonny's taste. She was sure she had a bad feeling around and about her and everyone else, but she felt as if though that feeling was more directed at Gayle then anyone else. It was well known that she wasn't the only candidate for the new title of senator. Many different well known crook's and corrupt senators had been in line to take the new position of senator, but none of them had the fruition nor the grit as Gayle did when it came to actually getting things done. It was one of the things that made Bonny respect the woman, she unlike anyone else wanted change in the republic and on Coruscant itself.

Yet it was because of this ideal that she was the subject of such criticism and hatred from so many. While it was true that Gayle had the support of the younger generations which made her very popular, it sadly meant that she had many who were also opposed to what she proposed and thought of. Knowingly there had already been meager attempts on the young woman's career to ensure she would not be elected, but it was unknown if these attempts were from her rivals or just those who didn't approve of her vision at all.

The investigation was undergoing as she and the others guarding the ceremony were told in advance. That fact did not ease her conscious as she prepared herself for the day, but she was more worried about what could happen more than anything. It wasn't as if though she didn't have faith in everyone guarding the ceremony, but yet she was still worried for her new friend.

Friend, that word seemed so strange to her when she spoke of Gayle. At the moment she felt as if though they were more like associates than they were actual friends, but knowing her with given time something could bloom between the two. It certainly took time between her and Kellan though now she knew that either of them didn't regret their friendship at all, and Xin helped in bolstering it as well if she was being honest with herself.

Regardless she was going today whether she wanted to or not. It was both to protect someone she respected, and for her duty as a jedi senate guard. That feeling however would sadly not go away as she did finish her duties at home before leaving for the senate, but she was unsure to follow that feeling or not. Time would only tell her really.

She looked around cautiously at the crowds of people in the senate waiting for the inauguration ceremony to begin, but if Bonny was being honest this felt more like Gayle was becoming chancellor from the audience she was getting. Not to mention how many guards were spread thin throughout the proceeding, but she knew better than most. This was just a trap with an elaborate setup, but she was unsure who it was for until she only thought of it being for Gayle. Fortunately the room was not the actual senate meeting chamber where getting actual protection to Gayle would be timeless and impossible in a situation, she was grateful for that at least.

Suddenly it seemed as if though the ceremony was beginning as the audience suddenly quieted down for the lead Vice chair to speak. It had suddenly become clear to Bonny that becoming the senator of Coruscant meant much more than just a comfy job, but it meant representing the capital of the galactic government itself. This was no longer a surprise as in why there was so many here now to witness this.

While the Vice chair spoke she decided to speak to one of the guard captains that she knew as Marlo. Unlike most of the guard, Marlo was duty bound and soul protected to carry out his duty to the letter it made respect well into Bonny when she met him. The respect however was mutual between both of them as they had found each other to be reliable in a situation, that was mostly because Marlo had dealt with one of the attempts to ruin Gayle's reputation and Bonny was a jedi.

"Marlo, Bonny you two are quite talkative for a situation such as this." Glina chimed in cheekily and amusingly. She respected both of them but was amused by the amount of times the two had talked over there course of being here today, but she supposed the young jedi had that affectionate charm with her.

"Sorry madam senator." Marlo replied and soon enough went back to guarding his senator. It was revealed to Bonny that Glina had no need of a jedi protector as she already had a bodyguard with her. A very capable bodyguard too boot as well.

Bonny had noticed the change in the air as the Vice chair finally stopped speaking and motioned for someone to come forward. It was almost like the entire audience was holding their breath as the person approached, but thankfully it was the lady in question today, Gayle.

When Bonny had seen Gayle she was stunned by the sheer beauty that was emanating from her as she had clearly dressed for this event. The woman was cladded in a shimmery white dress that brightened her out from the crowd. It was also evident that her makeup was done far subtly than anything Bonny could pull off. Her hair was also up in a lady-like bun that made her look even more beautiful and just added to the look even more. Bonny couldn't help but to smile at her as Gayle took her place before the Vice chair and the committee.

"She looks well prepared for today doesn't she?" Glina stated in complete awe to her friend, but it seemed her question was in open air for the other senators near her.

"Yes she does." One said.

"It suits her indeed." Another said.

"I would expect nothing less from someone about to become this planet's next senator." The final senator said as the rest continued to converse quietly.

Bonny listened as best as she could to the group, but it was clear that unlike most others these people respected and loved Gayle. They weren't the only ones it seemed, the entire senate booth in the room agreed as well.

Then suddenly that feeling returned.

This time it was stronger than she had ever felt before, but it didn't worry her at first until she felt it pull harder and harder by the minute. She was sensing something and that something was possibly here with evil intention's. This outburst and clear sign of distress didn't go unnoticed however as Marlo seemed concerned with his jedi compatriot.

"What is it?" He asked truly worried as if though life and death was in the balance, but it possibly was.

"A feeling in the force. Make sure that more protection is put around Gayle during the ceremony, I'm going to go have a look around." Bonny said almost like an order, but Marlo was smart enough to give her a court nod and then nudge her off to go. If Glina and the others had noticed that Bonny was gone then they wouldn't worry knowing full well she could take care of herself.

That was too be seen however as Bonny silently left the booth and entered the vast, and empty hallway on the other side of the door. She looked left, and then right before venturing down the left hallway too where her feeling was pulling her most. It almost felt worrying as it continued pulsating even more as walked.

After several minutes of walking she had almost given up completely and was ready to head back to her booth when she heard something. In one of the many rooms overlooking the vast ceremony room there were voices coming from it, and that concerned Bonny as no-one should be in any of these rooms at the moment. She slowly approached the door until she was right near it, but was so close that she could hear the voices within and what they were saying.

"Are we all set Drimitiv?" One of the voices spoke in clear basic, but if she wasn't mistaken the accent, and voice pattern made this person sound like a Rodian.

"Yeah, Yeah, Nor quit you're belly aching cause we're ready now." The other voice spoke in basic as well, but it was clear to her as well that this was a Zabrak speaking.

"Good." She heard the Rodian reply as she heard shuffling on the other side of the room, but then she heard something that made her skin crawl and her blood run cold. A blaster rifle was heard being clicked and loaded from inside.

"Stupid bitch, she took the title away from me after everything I blew trying to get it! Well after today she and everyone else she knows won't stand in my way again." The rodian said cheerfully as he loaded the blaster one last time before aiming the rifle towards his target, Gayle Isis. The rodian seemed to smile as he aimed the scope of the rifle dead center on to the woman's head, but he would never get the chance to fire it.

Once Bonny had heard the intentions behind these two men she had little doubt as what to do next. With a single move, her lightsaber flung into her hand and the door opened swiftly. It was the ignition of the saber that scared the two assassins, but their fear subsided once they stared at the green glow emanating from the saber. Within a moment one of the men fired at her only for the few blaster bolts to be deflected back towards him, but it didn't kill him rather it just knocked the blaster out of his hand.

"Who are you?!" Bonny demanded as she pointed the saber towards the two men. Neither of them answered as the screams from below could be heard, but thankfully it was just the crowd being horrified from the sounds of the shots. No-one was actually hurt from these two. Not yet at least.

When Bonny seemed to lower he guard for moment one of the men, the Zabrak so to speak rushed her and knocked her saber out of her hands. What ensued was a fist battle that ultimately Bonny unsurprisingly one by tossing the Zabrak at a wall. However when she turned to the Rodian she found that he was trying to continue his plot, but he never would. When he nearly almost got his kill he was interrupted by Bonny who kicked him away from the rifle, but not before lifting the rifle with the force and pushing it out the window.

The rodian barely gave her anytime to react as he rushed her throwing punches left and right. This fight unlike the last was more complicated as it was clear that the Rodian had more skill than his compatriot, but ultimately lost as well. When Bonny had the man on the floor staring up at her she thought she would be able to capture him, and yet she would not be able too. His zabrak friend had recovered and attacked her with a knife and managed to slash her arm leaving a large gash and damaging wound there.

"Gah!" Bonny screamed as the blade nearly cut into the bone. It was clear that she was not going to end this with them living after all. With one move she managed to pull her lightsaber towards her, igniting it with the force before it landed in her hand. The Zabrak however tried to stop her by stabbing her again, but was soon unable too as he was quickly impaled by Bonny's lightsaber. The green glow of the saber pierced his chest and throw his back before his eye's became weary and his body finally slumped. He was dead before he even hit the floor.

Weary and exhausted already she turned too where the Rodian was, but was shocked and mostly confused when she found that he was missing. It seems that during the final moments of the fight the Rodian had decided to abandon his friend and leave him for dead. Bonny was highly disappointed that she didn't manage to capture the clear leader of this attempt, but was happy none the less that she stopped the attempt.

******

It was clear later that all things were settled when she was called upon personally by the Vice chair and several others after the ceremony had been concluded shortly. She was weary as she stood before the group, but mostly because she was afraid that they were wasting time while the assassin was still out there plotting. However it was clear that the men and women before her had something to say as they merely waited for the rest of their fellows to arrive.

Bonny's attention went somewhere else as she stared at the now bloodied bandage on her right arm. It was no way healing fairly well, but with time it would at least that's what the doctors told her. She was even more thankful that she could still use it properly given the damage, but she supposed she had to thank the doctors on Coruscant for that too. The vice chair who she was informed was named Hector Raliex seemed to be worried about her injury as well, still he knew better than to worry and decided against it having full faith in the jedi in front of him.

The only thing that Bonny thought of when she saw the injury was how angry Xinthiss would be when they both returned home together. She knew very well how he could be and if the Zabrak who did this was still alive he would no doubt hunt him down until they were both just dust and bones. She smiled at the thought of how caring and protective her secret husband was and loved that side of him so much, but she quickly hid that smile when Hector turned back towards her suddenly.

"I and everyone here wanted to thank you personally Knight Vaile for stopping this shocking attempt on Senator Gayle's life." Hector spoke calmly and politely as he flippantly looked at each of his compatriots, but this was merely to get them to nod and agree with him of course.

"You said Senator? Which means the ceremony was conducted successfully?" Bonny asked softly.

"Indeed, but it was officiated and finished after the ceremony of course." Hector stated almost amusingly to the jedi.

"So what will be done now?" Bonny asked without trying not to pry too much, but she was anxious to know what they would be doing.

"Well given you're earlier statement on the name of the Rodian assassin we have confirmed that he is Zimtav Nor. We are not sure exactly what he was intending, but what we do know was that he manipulated and schemed his way to trying to get into office. Although no-one is sure why he conducted this attack fully or as to why he wanted into office, but rest assured we will have everyone looking for this man as we speak." Hector assured the jedi and the others in the room mostly, but to them all it was a relief that they were investigating this matter heavily.

"Then might I ask why you have called me here?" Bonny questioned it was clear by their intent that they didn't want too merely just inform her of what was currently going on. As usual she was right.

"Yes, we wanted to personally commend you for protecting the ceremony and stopping Nor and his associate. While we do not have the full powers and responsibilities of the jedi, the military, or the chancellor even we do want to commend you with our thanks and even less restrictions for you here at the senate and on Coruscant as well. Honestly if it were up to I and the others in this room we would give you a medal, but that is out of our jurisdiction so instead you will have to take our thanks and our appreciation for the highest regard." Hector stated with clear remorse for not giving the jedi a greater reward for her service, but it was still a considerable one as she had clearly gained favor with most of the high members of the Republic in the room.

"T-Thank you, all of you." Bonny stammered at first, but she quickly regained her posture and bowed before them.

"No thank you." The group said in unison as they returned the gesture in droves. The group didn't seem to disperse as Bonny had thought they would, clearly this session was not truly over.

"There is one last matter that we require an answer from you, if you are willing of course." Hector placated as he stood anxiously awaiting her response.

"And that would be?" Bonny asked confusion clearly ripe on her face.

"After this attempt it took little consideration for the entire senate to vote on a very particular subject. That subject was for us to petition to the Jedi order to give our new senator a personal bodyguard to ensure that she is not harmed during this investigation or by anyone else." Hector said truthfully and without any hint of lying. This matter was clearly very serious for them.

"So what does that have to do with me?" Bonny asked politely, but was too utterly curious too wait.

"The vote was approved and we are waiting for an answer from the order, but you were called into question because of Gayle herself. She personally requested you become her new bodyguard, but I and everyone else believe you would be suited better to assist her from you're current duties as a Senate guard. With that however we have had a breakthrough with the Jedi order and they have agreed with giving her a bodyguard..."

It was clear what he said next was going to be extravagant for the young woman.

"The order here on Coruscant also agreed with us on a recommendation so too speak. They wanted to know if there was anyone you personally knew from the order that could be selected for this task." Hector continued and waited soon after for the young jedi's shock to wear off before waiting for her reaction.

"I-I am honored to have that choice, but if you all would prefer would you mind giving me perhaps a week? To ensure that I could make a choice easier?" She implied hoping that they would accept her offer, but when she thought they would turn her down she was given a surprise when the members looked at each other before agreeing with her.

"That sounds rather reasonable, you will have a week then. If this matter is concluded then this session is over, but before you go master jedi." Hector addressed, but soon stopped Bonny before she could join the others in leaving the room.

"Yes?" She asked.

"I believe Senator Isis holds a high regard for you so much that she actually wishes to speak to you, but that is entirely up to you of course." Hector spoke quietly and respectfully.

This was a complete shock to Bonny who was utterly surprised to hear this. Perhaps it was best to actually talk to the woman to see how she was doing, but if she was going to be honest now? She thought that Gayle saw her more as a friend than anyone she had met before if she was going all this way to speak to her specifically.

"I will talk to her when I get the chance then." Bonny replied, nodding her head to the elder vice chair who without hesitation took out a keycard and a datapad which contained the Senators address location. Bonny took the two items silently and anxiously before stowing them in her pockets on her belt.

With that final matter concluded the two nodded too each other before they both left the room and parted ways. While today was probably hectic as is she highly didn't doubt that tomorrow would be any different. She was now going to need an answer for the senators and powers within the senate, but she also was going to have to keep Xin busy knowing that if he returned today she would have to deal with him worrying about her wound.

She was tired by the time she had returned home, but was surprised and happy to find that Xinthiss was home before she was. When he slowly turned and looked at her he noticed the happy and loving look she had on her face, but when he took a look at her arm he seemed concerned at the wound she wore.

"What the hell happened?" He asked, but he would never get his answer as Bonny launched herself into his arms raining kisses onto his face. This was something that clearly made both of them simply forget today's events and think on something that they both loved, which was each other. Though it was fleeting moment concerning whatever could happen tomorrow they both didn't mind as they continued their little love fest.

It would just be another day for them both anyway.