Chapter Text
“What’s the news?” Lorian turned to Kira Pax.
“The Jedi who fought on the planet’s surface should be arriving any minute now. He’ll be able to provide the Chancellor and the Council with the details.”
“I heard,” Keida Pollock lowered her voice, “that this Jedi fought on that planet for more than forty days, and that there are over five thousand wounded aboard the ship he arrived on.”
“Where did you get that information?”
“Our branch on Coruscant received large special order for a bacta shipment. I was informed barely half an hour ago.”
“Do you think we can use this… incident?”
“Undoubtedly. You’ve seen the panic on Coruscant—not just among the people, but among the senators as well. I believe we can push through another proposal on this wave.”
“What is it about?”
Dorian Tess explained:
“We propose introducing another emergency amendment to the Constitution… whatever its number is—yes, one hundred twenty-one, besh. It is meant to improve the Republic’s resilience against Separatist attacks and eliminate the problem of local jurisdiction in areas where fighting takes place far from the Core. That would allow not only local resources to be used in the battles, but also forces from other systems. At present, the armies and fleets of Republic-aligned planets operate on a largely voluntary basis: they follow orders—or they don’t. This amendment would bring planetary self-defense forces, militias, and fleets under a single command. That would immediately provide up to forty thousand various military vessels and as many as ten billion soldiers. Such reserves would be extremely useful right now, especially since the CIS continues to expand its production of battle droids.”
“When do you plan to submit this bill for consideration?”
“Most likely at the next session—that is, today. It will be the most opportune moment.”
At that moment, Lorian noticed new arrivals in the office. She immediately recognized Plo Koon, a member of the Jedi High Council. But the other two… So this must be the very Jedi. Hmm, he seems rather young. Indeed, the man appeared no older than twenty-five, and his companion—a Togruta—was barely more than a child. A student… a Padawan, yes.
For a brief second, she caught the Jedi’s gaze and was surprised: it did not match his appearance. Fatigue and a certain absent-mindedness were clearly visible. Over the course of her long political career, Lorian had become adept at reading emotions.
“Honorable Council, Chancellor. Senators.”
“Knight Vikt. We are glad to see you,” Shaak Ti replied.
The Jedi inclined his head in silence and began to speak. His report was somewhat dry, but Lorian found herself wishing he would shorten it even further. Many of the details that the knight reported were worth omitting, and she was especially unsettled by the… yes, the indifference with which he delivered them. However, the Jedi himself didn't seem to care much about that...
When he finished, silence lingered in the room for several long moments.
“This is a terrible tragedy,” Ki-Adi-Mundi concluded.
“Nevertheless, the threat of the Separatists gaining access to the planet’s minerals has been temporarily eliminated. We should thank General Vikt for that,” Chancellor Palpatine said, pretended to be very pleased with this outcome.
“Knight Vikt,” Obi-Wan Kenobi’s hologram frowned. “Are you certain the Padawans are dead?”
“Yes, Master. I saw it,” the Jedi emphasized the word.
“Knight Vikt,” Bail Organa stepped forward, “you mentioned that you destroyed the mines on the planet. Were the workers evacuated beforehand?”
“Of course… no. We didn’t have time for that.”
“But that’s inhumane! There were thousands of workers there!”
“Everything was within acceptable parameters,” Vikt cut him off.
“I condemn such actions, General,” Organa said coldly, “and I find it disturbing to hear such words from a Jedi—especially considering that you left the planet, abandoning troops loyal to the Republic there…”
Vikt’s apprentice, a small Togruta, stepped forward.
“Those traitors… because of them, almost all the Padawans died! The Master barely managed to save two!”
“I can’t disagree with Ahsoka,” the Jedi added, narrowing his eyes as he looked intently at the Alderaanian. “The Republic supplied them with weapons and provisions, yet I saw no meaningful assistance in return.”
“General Vikt, your accusations are unfounded,” Organa replied sharply. “The loyalists of Jabiim remained faithful to the Republic even in the direst circumstances, and it was your duty to aid them—”
“How dare you!” the Togruta interrupted again. “We fought and died there, while you… sit here and dare to condemn our actions! You… fools!”
“Knight Vikt!” Organa’s nostrils flared menacingly. “You should teach your student some manners. I will not tolerate being insulted by some insignificant littl—!…. hr-r-gr!”
Lorian gasped in amazement.
A moment ago, the Jedi had been standing calmly beside his padawan, and in the next instant, he was beside Organa. His left hand closed around the Alderaanian’s throat and lifted him off the floor. Only then did Lorian realize what had unsettled her earlier: instead of a natural hand, he had a prosthetic. Even so, the strength behind it was terrifying.
“What did you say, ublyudok?” the Jedi snarled. “I will not allow some degenerate to insult my padawan!”
Organa was already choking, clutching the metal wrist with both hands, desperately trying—and failing—to break free. Everyone in the room—senators and Jedi alike—froze in shock, unable to move or speak.
Amidala cried out in panic:
“Security!”
Two Senate Guards, clad in armor black as a starless night, standing at the entrance, took a step toward the Jedi—and then stopped immediately. The small Togruta stood behind him, her hand resting meaningfully on the hilt of her lightsaber. The tension in the room thickened to a breaking point.
In the suffocating silence, Shaak Ti slowly approached the Jedi.
“Mikor, don’t do something you’ll regret later,” she said gently, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“You’re right, Master,” the Jedi said at last, releasing Organa.
The senator collapsed to the floor, and Amidala immediately rushed to his side to help him up.
The Jedi, meanwhile, looked at the assembled senators.
“Need I remind you who caused this tragedy?” he said quietly. “Do you think the Jedi are to blame? Or the people of Jabiim? No. This is the result of your incompetent politics. In a way, I even understand Alto Stratus—he was the only one who truly fought for his people. You're just talking nonsense, doing nothing real... Ha, ‘Loyalist Committee!’ Defenders of democracy… are you serious? While we are fighting and dying by the dozens, by the hundreds—no, by the thousands—to protect your fucking democracy, you are putting a spoke in our wheel, sabotage laws, block military procurement, and demand negotiations with the enemy. The ‘Loyalist Committee’… perhaps ‘Traitor Committee’ would be more accurate?”
The Jedi exhaled heavily. The silence that followed was broken by his low, controlled voice.
“Chancellor Palpatine, I apologize for this… incident.”
Like everyone else, Lorian involuntarily turned her gaze toward Palpatine.