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─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

Ten years have passed, but the galaxy has become unbalanced for the last few years, with thousands of systems declaring their intentions to leave the Galactic Republic. It had left the Jedi more sparse than ever in previous years. Jedi Knights, Masters and padawans stretched to keep peace and order across the galaxy. But we were few in our numbers and could only achieve so much. That was because much more mature and dependable padawans like myself could do such missions independently. For example, I had been tasked with escorting Senator Amidala, or Padmé as I knew her, back to Coruscant. Given her previous position as Queen of Naboo, the current political climate made it potentially dangerous for her to travel without protection.

It was strange to stand in this hangar again after all these years. Yet this time, with no gunfire or fighting. It was a distant echo of a memory I could only hear as I briefly shut my eyes. Yet there was only a calmness in the air as pilots did pre-flight checks, plus the regular hustle and bustle in a flight hanger. It brought some ease after the other hostile places I had visited in the galaxy. But to be among people I know and dear friends brought a sense of relief from within, and I hope my mission will go smoothly.

Yet for the first time in years, I prayed for the comfort of my Jedi robes. But currently wore the stiff, sturdy yet restrictive fabrics and leather of a Naboo fighter pilot uniform. Leather that I had since gotten used to wearing as a belt and boots. The collar was high and stiff, having to roll my neck to loosen it a little, but it did little to relieve my discomfort. Adjusting the bottom of my leather tunic, I spot a figure dressed in traditional Jedi garb, their hood drawn over their head to conceal their face-a long thin fake dark brunette padawan braid peeking out with various coloured bands. The figure was a fighter pilot who had volunteered to be me. He stood beside that of Cordé dressed in all the finery like any politician from that of Naboo disguised as Padmé.

"Is me having a decoy necessary?" I called into question with a frown as I wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea.

"Nonsense, of course, it is," Padmé replied from beside me, wearing a uniform identical to mine as our decoys boarded the familiar shining Nubian ship. I glanced down and over at her with an even look.

"I have a sworn obligation to put my mission before my own life," I point out to her, "But not for someone's putting their own life on the line for me."

"Ambrose, they've agreed to risk their lives in the name of our Queen and their mission regardless. He's carrying out his duty just like you are carrying out yours," Padmé returned to me in a level and diplomatic tone.

I nodded and hummed as our decoys finally disappeared into the ship out of sight. I now can't help but frown a little. I was pulling on my gloves with gentle precision, my eyes never leaving the ship Padmé beside me, quietly doing the same. There was a heavy air to her silence, one that was hard for me to ignore. My Jedi training had gone a long way in ten years for me to notice when someone's emotional state was out of tune, "You didn't want me here, yet here I am."

She stopped fixing her gloves and sighed heavily before sharply tugging on her left glove and challenging, "It's not that I didn't want you here."

I deduce with ease, inclining my head, "You just didn't see the need in wanting protection."

"There's been no threats or attempts on my life thus far. I find it idiotic that I should require a guardian on a standard flight to Coruscant that I've made countless times and have arrived safely."

"Regardless, the political side of things isn't exactly stable right now. I know how your fondness for the Republic is well known. But others think you might cause more harm than good and might have a good reason to see you get hurt," I heed in warning, curling and flexing my fingers a little, "Something the Jedi Council don't want to happen," I turned to Padmé with a subtle smile, "Something I don't wish to happen either."

A warm yet welcoming silence now came between us, giving us a moment to consider the weight of the current situation. Both our lives up until now had been nothing but filled with danger. Also, a rarity to see one another and whenever that had been, it wasn't in the happiest of circumstances. Our chats had been amicable but brief whenever Padmé were on Coruscant for senate meetings. It was enough but essential for us both. In a vast galaxy, friendship is a valued currency even when it is teetering on the very edge of changing in an instant. Friendship is not something to be taken as trivial but to be cherished and looked after, just as one would care for their own life.

Padmé smiles and takes one of my hands.

"And that's why you also need protection. Ambrose, you're not just a peacekeeper of the galaxy to me; you're also a friend. I know your job is to protect others, but you deserve protection like anyone else in this galaxy," she insists, squeezing my hand.

I returned the gesture with an ever-growing smile. It was rare for a Jedi to be told they deserved protection when it was us who protected others. But it had warmed my very soul to hear it from a dear friend.

With a smile equal to that of mine, she stood back from me at arm's length, peering up at me as I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at my friend in curiosity as she gestured her hand at me from head to toe, "I have to say red is a rather fetching colour on you."

I chuckle reminding myself the trousers themselves are also red, and then playfully roll my eyes at her to a little friendly banter helped to lighten the air ever so slightly. On such missions, there wasn't much time to have a short moment of laughter, "I don't know why but every time I'm on Naboo, you insist on putting me in something I've never worn before."

She let out a small bout of giggles, a beaming smile upon her face, "Maybe because it's a tradition we have between us."

"Red is just as an unfamiliar colour to me now as green was when I didn't know what it first looked like," I admit to her, recalling the dazzling outfit I had last worn many years ago on Naboo, now meticulously folded away in my quarters back on Coruscant that since then had been untouched nor worn. It had been a bittersweet but joyous memory. A smile crept upon my face, and all my worries seemed to fade out of sight, "If I hadn't been accepted into the order, you would probably be consulting me on the latest galactic fashion."

"Well, as they say, a Jedi's intuition is never wrong," Padmé teases, leaning forwards as if it were some big secret. I shake my head and roll my eyes and tug at the collar of the tunic around my neck again; lifting my chin a little didn't help much to relieve my discomfort. Maybe it was because, by now, I had gotten used to the comfort of my Jedi robes; this, on the other hand, was restricting.

"That intuition is something we need to rely on!" Captain Typho called out as he approached us.

I sometimes found the man's confidence rather intimidating at times. Their shoulders squared when he walked, and his chin was almost in the air making his presence hard to ignore. His nickname 'Cyclops' was given after losing his eye in the Battle of Naboo. I knew he fought bravely. He wore an eye patch across his left eye. I had also learnt he had taken his uncle's mantle in becoming head of Naboo Royal Security Forces and had done a damn good job of it.

He slapped his hand upon my shoulder, followed by a few pats, "All I can say is that the Separatists aren't a friendly bunch. We need to be prepared for anything that happens. But having you tag along with us will be a great advantage. You must let us know when that Jedi intuition of yours starts to tingle."

I inclined my head in a most respectful nod that all Jedi have well-practised; it was a sign of confirmation and respect. Of our order and duty. Rising my head expression entirely subdued with confidence, the look of an experienced Jedi. My hands going to clasp behind my back with ease.

"I will not let any harm befall the Senator Captain," I vowed to him, "If my intuition beings to tingle, I'll be sure to let you know," I smirk a little, my eyes twinkling with mischief.

"And when it does, I'll be ready; you can be certain of that," my hand drifted to the pouch attached to my belt; within it, my lightsaber hilt was hidden out of sight to avoid suspicion it was something I had guarded with my life.

Typho and I shared a knowing look. I wasn't just ready to fight; I was prepared for anything. He nods slowly at me, only having been acquaintances, but our respect for one another was mutual. Our jobs had the same objective to keep other people or their charge safe. Right now, at this very moment, it was no different.

"Okay, let's get to the ships," I grabbed my helmet from the floor and yanked it onto my head, "We have no time to lose."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

Our return to Coruscant had been smooth and without any complications, but just as we descended, I couldn't help but feel on edge, my shoulders tensing up. The city had a dense blanket of clouds and fog which made things harder to see; even the early morning light had trouble shining through it. As I leaned forward out of my pilot's seat, an unsettling coldness travelled down the length of my spine and just stayed at its base.

"What a beautiful morning, huh? And a whole lot of fog after such a smooth flight," I hear Typho mentioning over the radio as I kept a watchful eye on the shadows of the other ships nearby as we now made our descent to that of the runway, its lights guiding us.

"Yes, Captain, but we still have yet to land, so just keep your eyes peeled," I cautioned.

"Why are you getting a tingling from the Force?"

"It's more of a chill going down my spine," I start engaging the landing sequence whilst gazing out at the dense fog, "The fog is a big problem. It'll be difficult to tell if anything or anyone is passing by us with such low visibility, so let's keep our guard until we get inside with the correct security detail."

"Understood, Skywalker."

Finally touching down, I pressed the required buttons as a droid brought a portable staircase to my ship. Suddenly I was aware of everything around me, from my breath to the tightness of the uniform's collar surrounding my neck and my squeaky leather gloves. That's when I feel a regular cold wash over me once again. I was anxious, so I rolled my shoulders and rotated my neck to rid myself of it. Heart beating away, I climbed out of the small cockpit and swiftly hopped down the stairs. I headed towards Padme's ship, from which she was already rising.

R2-D2 is not far behind, trilling away in binary. Her feet are now firmly on the ground. I motioned her forward as I quickly scanned the landing dock coming to stand by Typho, who removed his helmet.

"We made it," he now offered as the royal ship lowered its gangway and caught a glimpse of our decoys still disguised as us, "Maybe I was wrong. There's no danger after all."

But soon after he had spoken those dreaded words, suddenly all hell broke loose a shot of terror-filled adrenaline coursed through my body, tightening every muscle in. On instinct, my arms quickly wrapped around Padme's waist, pulling her into my chest as the Nubian ship exploded into a ball of heat and fired the sound blowing outward. We both got thrown hard to the ground as I shielded the Senator to the best of my ability. Hot and sharp debris poured down following another explosion. After everything had stopped a few moments later, I quickly crouched in defence and promptly took hold of my lightsaber, humming to life as I ignited the blue light that dimly shone through the smoke. The air is still dangerously thick, and the ground is still littered with flaming debris and still bodies.

Someone behind me scrabbled to their feet and instantly realised it was Padme who was running towards the flaming carcass of her ship.

"Padme!" I muffled a yell through my helmet, but my priority was keeping her safe. I dashed after her, checking for any further threats along the way lightsabre at hand.

Corde lay on the ground, clothes singed, hair burned, and face scratched. Something told me she didn't have long left to live. I stood over Padme protectively. The pilot had been closer to the blast, but I could no longer sense life in him. He was long gone. Half his face had gotten burnt along with my brown robe I had leant to him, now damaged beyond repair, smoking and covered in holes. I could almost see my face beneath the damage that had been done. It weighed heavily on me, practically dragging me into a pit of misery, taking a breath, I faced the situation head-on. Death is something a Jedi can't let linger as, by now, it had been something I used to greet like an old friend. It wasn't in my duty to, nor was it for me to grieve.

"My lady, you're still in danger here," Typho warned, manoeuvring her to stand again, his blaster ready, and I flanked the other side as we gazed through the dissipating smoke with caution.

"I shouldn't have returned," I hear Padme choke out.

Glancing over at my dear friend who was staring at Corde's dead body speaking candidly, I leaned forwards, "Padme, we will find out whoever did this," I assured as shaky breathe escaped her, "But we need to go now the danger has not yet passed so don't let Corde's or the fighter pilots sacrifice mean nothing."

With a curt nod, she turned away, and the three of us left the gruesome welcoming scene behind. A reminder of what a fragile state the galaxy was currently in. High stakes were being made, and tensions were now beyond frayed. It was those of us few who were trying to keep the peace that was waiting for the unavoidable and reaching its climax. Yet deep down to my core, I knew this hadn't been any isolated incident, not by a long shot. But a forewarning of far, much more danger to come.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

I had never visited the senatorial quarters that often. They were modest but plentiful, with a composed stillness to their surroundings. I usually would walk in measured strides with my head held high and act older than I should of. But there was none of that today as I moved with a confidence and poise of a Jedi. Ten years of Jedi training had done wonders for me, but those who didn't quite grasp Jedi traditions wouldn't have guessed I was still a padawan.

"Ambrose," Chancellor Palpatine greeted me upon entering his office. He looked a lot older from the last time I had seen him, hair now white, his complexion paler that it almost made him look ill. Wrinkles here and there, his face started to drop around his eyes, mouth and jaw. The man just looked tired; I could see it in his eyes.

Coming to a stop inside the doors, I respectfully bow my head to him, "Chancellor Palpatine," before turning to members of the Jedi Council, "Masters."

"Please come in, dear boy," the Chancellor ushers me in as he voiced his worry, "Your unexpected tragedy on the landing platform with Senator Amidala was a terrible ordeal. We are most curious to hear about it."
There wasn't much room to stand in the office because the Jedi Council room was far more generous in size. I approached his desk and stood to the right, where I could address the entire room. I now gaze in Master Windu's direction seeking permission to speak of my findings. After all, he was the one to whom I needed to report this back anyway.

He nodded in approval in doing so, I centred my shoulders and began to talk, "Before the incident occurred, there was nothing to indicate anything going wrong. The Senator had taken all precautions, and I travelled in disguise and had a protection detail for the entire journey. Our flight from Naboo had been uneventful, just as our arrival at Coruscant. It was only upon landing that Senator Amidala's ship was attacked. The entire crew got killed, including a handmaiden and a guard of one who took the guise of myself and the Senator."

"A disturbance you felt, my padawan?"

"Yes, Master, just moments before, I felt a small disturbance in Force. But I wasn't quick enough to react in the current situation."

"We are to believe that the attack might have been carried out by disgruntled spice miners from Naboo," Windu divulged, which had struck me as rather odd, and I couldn't help but look at him in confusion.

"Uh, spice miners, Master Windu?"

"There have been whispers that the working class of Naboo are not fond of how the current political issues are dealt with. Maybe they decided to take matters into their own hands and tried to replace the Senator with someone more worthy of their cause into office," Master Windu implied as I watched him leaning forward in his seat, eyebrows raised, "Do you think that might be possible?"

Pursing my lips, I pondered on it for a moment. I wasn't entirely familiar with the inner workings of Naboo; I didn't even know they had spice mines on the planet. But I knew what that had felt like working day in and day out only to gain nothing to feel no hope. Your sweat, blood and tears are only used or taken for granted. If things had gotten as bad as that for those spice miners, they probably just about had the last straw. To act out, they had to do something drastic.

"Well...it could be one possibility. When someone starts to feel like they're trapped, they need a way out. But the issue with this theory is how would spice miners of gotten access to the royal hanger and to the ship. The only way that could be done is if they had someone working on the inside," I suggested.

But this... this implied a more considerable danger yet to come, but something that needed to be proven true. I watched Windu press steepled fingers against his mouth, and my master's expression came over dark Master Plo, a hand to his face. Master Ki-Adi-Mundi a, let out a rather tense exhale, and the Chancellor squared his shoulders.

"Someone working on the inside, you suggest my padawan?" Yoda asked me in a low voice leaning forwards on his cane and inclining my head to him with a nod.

"If this theory is true then yes, I believe it could be a possibility," I agreed as my Master slowly nodded.

"If this a much more extensive plot, we will need time to expose it," Master Windu spoke up as he glanced over at the Chancellor, "Would it be possible for the vote to be postponed? Until we have found the answers?"

I watch Chancellor Palpatine turn to face all assembled with a dignified poise, "I don't know how long I can hold off this vote for my dear friends. More systems are beginning to join the Separatists."

"If they crack, that is to..." Windu began, only to get interrupted by the Chancellor.

"I'm not going to let a Republic that has stood for almost a thousand years break into two. I shall not fail on my negotiations," there was a calm confidence to his words, and he had remained composed throughout. A man I could tell who was promising a shielding his emotions from others that at this, I almost found it disturbing.

"If they do, you surely realise there won't be enough Jedi to protect the Republic. We are keepers of the peace, not soldiers," Windu heeded in a warning.

"Master Yoda..." I see the Chancellor raise his brows towards my Master, "Do you believe there will be a war?"

"Mm...the Dark Side clouds everything. Impossible to see the future is."

Before anything else could be discussed, a hologram of a Rodian appeared to live at Chancellor Palpatine's desk, "The Loyalist Committee has arrived, Your Honor," they went on to inform.

"Good. Please send them in," he bid slowly, raising to stand, noting that age had since stiffened his joints, "We will discuss more on this matter later."

The doors behind us come softly hissing open, and in came Padmè along with her Committee. She had since cleaned up, wearing Naboo's more traditional yet elaborate senatorial attire. She had a determined air and a no-nonsense expression upon her beautiful features. Bail Organa and Jar-Jar Binks were at her side along with her guard, ready to discuss matters.

"Senator Amidala," my aster greets as he slides off his chair, "Your tragedy on the landing platform is most terrible. Warms my heart it does to see you alive."

"All to the thanks of your Padawan, Master Yoda," she briefly glanced at me, "You should be proud of him."

"Responded; well, he did, my padawan. Happy too that he is safe also."

With pleasantries out the way, Padmé cut straight to the point and asked, "Do you know who could be behind the attack?"

"We believe intelligence points to that of dissatisfied spice miners on the moons of Naboo," Master Windu implied, taking a short step towards Padmé, who looked rather polite but sceptical.

"I think it's Count Dooku that's behind it."

"The man is a political idealist, not a murderous lunatic," Master Ki-Adi-Mundi added.

"My lady Count Dooku was once a Jedi. For him to assassinate anyone he couldn't, it simply isn't in his nature or character to do so," Master Windu told Padmé in a final yet considerate manner.

"But to be certain, in grave danger, Senator Amidala, you are," Yoda pointed to her with a clawed finger.

"Master Jedi..." the Chancellor spoke up again after a time Padmé had entered all of us turning our eyes upon him back facing us as he gazed out the windowed sky, now sunny beams of light glinting off buildings and speeders, "Can I suggest that the Senator be placed under the protection of your graces?"

"Do you think that's wise in such stressful times?" I see Senator Organa step forward, his velvet sleeve swaying as he carefully moves his hand, "It was difficult enough to allow someone to escort the Senator. Are there enough Jedi to spare, given the current situation?

"Chancellor, if I may speak, I don't think the situation..."

"Is that serious?" he ended, turning back away from the window to face us all, eyebrows raised, walking towards, "Oh, but I do, Senator. I realise all too well that additional security might be disruptive for you, but perhaps someone your familiar with," he was pressuring her he indeed was for this extra security. Still, first and foremost, Jedi aren't bodyguards.

"An old friend like Master Kenobi," now there was a name after all those ten years that suddenly made my heart skip a beat as it had back then. I felt the Chancellor looking at me as if he had heard it, his smile widening, "Now let this man have a well-deserved rest; he's been working a great deal as of late, so I hear."

At that moment, I caught a strange gleam in his eye as if he knew something I didn't. That a chill washed over me, and my hair stood on end. But out of respect, I smiled back, even if it was minimal.

"That's possible," I hear Windu agree, "He's just returned from a border dispute on Ansion."

"Do it for me, m'lady, please," the Chancellor pleads with her, "The thought of losing you... is unbearable."

I frowned. It was how he had said it, a sentiment that should be heartfelt for a Chancellor to show concern for Padmé. Yet it was how he did it, like some performance of how his face had looked. Glancing towards my Master, his eyes were also narrowed, both of us sharing a look and silent agreement that the conversation on a level had been strange.

"I'll have Obi-Wan report to you immediately, m'lady," Master Windu vows to Padmé.

"Thank you, Master Windu," she returned with a gentle smile.

Master Windu turned to me, breaking my contact with Master Yoda, "Padawan Skywalker, I'll have you report to Senator Amidala's apartment to brief Master Kenobi and what has happened thus far."

"Yes, Master," I agree with a nod.

No matter how hard I tried, excitement coursed through me. It had been ten...ten years since I had last seen Obi-Wan. Still, most of all, I couldn't wait to see my little brother again. Of course, I had proceeded well in trying to keep my emotions in check or sometimes to come undone altogether. However, it was just too difficult at that very moment to reign in the smile on my face. Finally, however, I get caught by Master Yoda's staring at me unquestionably quick to turn my lips back to a neutral manner and lift my head more as if to the right my wrong, yet all he did was hum and nod before taking his leave from the office.

I'm about to follow his leave with the rest of the congregation but get called back by Chancellor Palpatine, "Ambrose."

Not only had I stopped, but my Master did as well, brow furrowed once he turned back around and myself, hands clasped in front of me, "Yes, Chancellor?"

Smiling, he gestured towards a seat in front of his desk in a welcoming manner, "Could I speak with you for a moment," he looked to Yoda for permission seeing he hadn't left yet either, "That is if you require your padawans assistance, Master Yoda?"

I faced Yoda, looking at the Chancellor suspiciously, broad ears, his pointy ears perked up and considering how strange Palpatine had acted earlier, which we had both known. Besides that, many others could protect Padmé, like Typho and his bodyguards, which in all pretence were not but had to when it was required. The Chancellor had insisted it was Jedi when our numbers were spread thin enough as it was. My Master glanced at me briefly and nodded slowly in agreement. Our eyes stay connected as he leaves until turning away.

A silence filled the air once Yoda had gone and doors hissed closed. Palpatine gestured for me to sit with a smile and swished his arms in welcome, "Please sit, Ambrose."

The desk and chairs were on a raised platform covered in the same red carpeting as the rest of the room. I go up the two steps to the platform and sit in a middle chair. Palpatine now sat opposite behind his desk, looking at me quietly.

Now raising his hand and lifting a single finger, "I wish to commend you more properly on your actions today Skywalker."

"I was simply doing my duty Chancellor that is all," I returned with a smile and waved my hand, dismissing the praise.

He leaned forwards, face wrinkling, "But such courage deserves recognition, duty or not. So many wouldn't do what you did."

"I appreciate the flattery, Chancellor but Captain Typho deserves some recognition. He arranged the flight and kept a cool head under pressure," I tried to divert the conversation.

"Yes, of course, but am I to believe you shielded the Senator with just your body?"

Taken aback by his question, I blink. Our conversations had always been rife and flattery-something I never got used to, and it made me slightly uncomfortable. A compliment was and still is hard to come by where I had come from, neither with being a Jedi. It was what we did, putting our lives on the line for peace to balance the Force. Yet all he did was dish out compliment after compliment every time we met.

"Yes, Chancellor," I began slowly, "But we were far away enough from the blast; if I hadn't been there, she still would have escaped unharmed."
The smile Palpatine returned me was a slow but dangerous one.

"I suppose you'll be soon rid of your Padawan Learner soon enough," he hums, "You have progressed wonderfully after ten years. No longer the slave boy who came to Coruscant with sand-filled shoes. Now here you sit, an accomplished man talented as a master Jedi. You'll make a great asset, especially with the current state."

Sometimes the compliments just made my skin crawl, and I must force a smile when our eyes meet. But, oddly enough, I couldn't tear my eyes from his. Something there kept me locked in his gaze like a heavy steel hand pressing down. Now I managed to look away and bow my head quickly. Yet still felt his gaze upon me.

"Thank you, Chancellor," I raise my head, my expression becoming less soft and more neutral of Jedi, "I hate to ask, but will that be all? First, I must meet Master Kenobi and tell him of recent events."

"It has been quite such a long time has it not since you last saw your brother and Master Kenobi," he hummed and nodded lips tilted on one side before going on to chuckle to himself, "I bet you're looking quite forward to seeing him again," now with an airy laugh and wave of his hand sends me on my way, "Now, I won't keep you waiting to attend your duties! Don't want to put a dent in that reputation of yours."

Rising to stand I uttered my thanks and turned to leave his office. The conversation had made me uneasy as I roll my shoulders letting out a breath of relief. Yet I couldn't help but feel the Chancellors' eyes piercing into my very soul as the doors hissed shut behind me.