"Chief Engineer's Velea's log... well I guess I'm not technically chief engineer, since I'm the only engineer and Jaden is the captain, wait I guess that would make me chief engineer... hehe great! Let's start again."
"Chief Engineer's log, I've managed to bring the matrix chamber in the warp core online, the only thing that's missing now is the Kyber Crystal, once we have that it's smooth sailing straight out of the known galaxy."
"Can you imagine it? The unknown regions... all that space no one's ever seen, no charts, no maps, just stars and worlds waiting for us. If we wanted, we could even go past the galaxy itself, though there's probably nothing out there but emptiness. Still... the idea of it gives me chills."
"And wild space! We could chart it, really map it, places where no one has even dared to try. Whole sectors that no one has touched. Just think of what we could find."
"But... the gala is coming up, and I can't shake this feeling in my stomach. Like something's waiting to go wrong. I'm scared of losing them. Jaden, Zule, Scout... any of them. The thought makes me sick."
"Sometimes I wonder if I should just tell Jaden to forget it all, just... take the ship and go. I'd give up everything I ever wanted if it meant keeping this, keeping them. Because honestly, I'm already living the dream."
"But Jaden hasn't failed us yet. He always finds a way. I trust him. I always have."
"End log."
Jaden sat at the desk in the captains ready room, a small room off the cockpit that had a terminal and a desk inside, similar to an office. Though Jaden found that he only came inside here to do one thing. "Computer, replay last message..."
*Replaying Last Audio Log*
"Chief Engineer's Velea's log... well I guess I'm not technically chief engineer, since I'm the only engineer and Jaden is the captain, wait I guess that would make me engineer... hehe great! Let's start again."
"Chief Engineer's log, I've managed to bring the matrix chamber in the warp core online, the only thing that's missing now is the Kyber Crystal, once we have that it's smooth sailing straight out of the known galaxy."
"Can you imagine it? The unknown regions—"
*Tssh*
The door to his ready room opened. Jaden quickly ended the message and looked up to see Master Fay walking inside. Probably the worst person who could've walked inside. He didn't know much about her species, but he did know those ears weren't just for show. She probably heard what he was doing before she'd even approached the door.
"Jaden," she said simply, settling into the chair opposite his desk.
"Fay," he replied, keeping his tone neutral. "Can I help you with something?"
"We've crossed into the Mid Rim," she informed him calmly. "We'll be arriving at Coruscant soon."
Jaden gave a single nod. "Thank you."
Fay's eyes lingered on him, unreadable, before she asked, "How do you feel about going back?"
"I feel fine," Jaden lied smoothly.
Fay paused, studying him for a long moment. "I only want to help you," she said softly. "But I can't do that if you aren't honest with me."
Jaden said nothing, keepinh himself composed.
"Is this about Rakata Prime?" she asked.
He managed not to flinch, though her words struck dead center. After a long silence, Jaden exhaled and reached into the desk, pulling out the cracked Holocron of Satele Shan. He set it down between them, the fractured crystal gleaming faintly.
"I was so sure we could get to the planet."
Fay's lips curved into a sad smile. "The disruptor field surrounding that system is no small obstacle. You shouldn't feel guilty for being unable to break through it."
Jaden's eyes dropped to the Holocron. "I promised I'd fix her... I know the technology to restore her is there, on Rakata Prime. I just thought I'd have more time. Leaving the Unknown Regions without fixing her... it feels like I've failed."
"You haven't failed," Fay said gently. "Sometimes the best thing to do is step back. Distance gives clarity, and clarity often leads to the solution you couldn't see before."
Jaden let out another long sigh, fingers brushing the cracked surface of the Holocron. "Maybe... maybe you're right."
Jaden sighed as he continued to trace his thumb along the jagged edge of the broken Holocron before he set it back down on the desk. His eyes lingered on it for a moment longer before shifting up to Fay. "When we get back to Coruscant... I don't want to get pulled into their war," he admitted. "I've spent too long out here trying to escape all of that."
Fay leaned back slightly, her expression as calm as ever. "You don't have to. No one can force you into the conflict unless you let them. The galaxy has a way of pulling people into its struggles, yes, but choice is still yours."
Jaden frowned, not entirely convinced. "You say that, but you know how the Council is. And the Senate. They'll see me and assume I've come back to take sides."
"Then let them assume," Fay replied gently. "What matters is where you stand. And you're not obligated to anyone but those you care for." She tilted her head slightly. "Still... being back on Coruscant isn't only about the war. There are people there who would want to see you. People who helped you when you needed it."
"Padmé," Jaden murmured.
"And the Jedi," Fay added softly. "While they do have their flawsI believe they have good intentions. Many of them knew they'd be risking almost certain death when confronting Darth Nihilus, yet they went anyway. There were also the Jedi masters who spoke for you at your trial."
Jaden nodded. "I don't have the best experience with them, and while I don't agree with what they do with the Padawans I know they have good intentions."
There was a quiet pause before Jaden spoke again. "But what about Vaylin? She's not going to be allowed to just walk around Coruscant. We've kept her hidden from the Senate, but the moment they see her, they'll try to arrest her. You know they will."
Fay inclined her head. "I don't imagine we will spend long on Coruscant."
"What makes you say that?" Jaden asked, frowning.
"I'm not sure. Just a feeling, I suppose." Her lips curved into a small grin.
Jaden sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I just hope I don't have to fight."
Fay reached across the desk and rested her hand on his. "Jaden," she said softly.
He looked up at her.
"It's okay to be afraid."
"What makes you think I'm afraid?" His voice was calm, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease.
"Because I feel as though I've come to know you," Fay replied. "The reason you're afraid is because you know that if you see people suffering or in need of help, you won't be able to stand and watch. And I know that you're afraid of fighting because it may mean losing one of the people you care about... just like you lost her."
Jaden said nothing.
"You have a good heart, Jaden," Fay continued. "And I don't want you to deny that for the sake of our safety. We can all take care of ourselves. And we all support you."
She rose gracefully from her seat, her hand slipping away from his. "Think about it. We have a few days before we leave."
With that, she turned and left the ready room, the door hissing shut behind her.
Jaden leaned back in his chair, staring at the door where Fay had exited. The conversation lingered in his mind, but he pushed it aside for now. Meditation might help clear his thoughts. He closed his eyes, drawing in a slow breath to center himself. He had been constantly training ever since the incident with Darth Nihilus; Master Fay had been instructing all of them and helping them improve where it was needed.
She had told him that while he had the raw power surpassing most Masters, that didn't equate to ability. From her estimates he was at Jedi Knight level if taking into account his lightsaber skill and his control. Of course that was only a rough estimate, not including his other 'unique abilities'.
Before he could settle into the rhythm of his mediation, the door hissed open again. Jaden opened his eyes, wondering if anyone on this ship knew about the intercom mounted on the outside for visitors to announce themselves. Zule stepped inside, crossing her arms in that familiar stern way of hers, though her gaze flicked away briefly as the door hissed shut behind her.
"Jaden," she said in a firm voice, though it did crack slightly. "There is something I wish to speak with you about."
He straightened up, noting the way her cheeks darkened slightly. "About what? Is everything okay?" He asked.
She moved closer to the desk, but stopped short, her fingers tapping against her cybernetic arm. "It's... not easy to say."
Jaden tilted his head, curiosity piqued. "Come on, Zule. We've been through too much for you to hold back now. What's on your mind?"
She exhaled sharply, her eyes meeting his with a mix of frustration and reluctance. "Aubrie told me about what happened on that adrift Chiss ship. In the engine room."
Jaden paused, the memory flashing back of him having sex with Aubrie. "She did? And?"
Zule's jaw tightened. "You initiated it with her. In a situation like that. But you've never done that with me, even when we've been in similar situations... I just wanted to ask if there was a particular reason for that."
He saw it then, the spark in her eyes, the way her posture stiffened. Jealousy. A smile tugged at his lips as realization hit. He stood up from the desk, rounding it slowly to approach her. "Jealous, Zule?" he said, teasing her. "I didn't think you'd care about something like that."
She uncrossed her arms, her face flushing deeper. "I'm not, don't misunderstand me. It's just... inconsistent. Why her and not me, I was under the impression that regardless of the circumstances we would both be treated equally."
He stepped closer, close enough to feel the warmth from her body. "Maybe because you always act so stern. Like you don't want it unless I push." His hand reached out, fingers brushing her arm.
She didn't pull away, but her breath quickened. "That's not—"
"Or maybe," he interrupted, his smile widening, "you've been waiting for me to take the lead like that."
He leaned in, his lips grazing her ear. "Admit it. You're jealous because you want me to do the same to you."
Her hands clenched at her sides, but she didn't deny it. "Fine. Maybe I am. Is that a problem!?"
That was all he needed. He grabbed her waist with both hands, pulling her against him hard. Their mouths met in a crush, lips pressing, tongues sliding together as he backed her toward the desk. She responded with force, her cybernetic hand gripping his shoulder, fingers digging in through his shirt.
He broke the kiss to spin her around, bending her over the desk. Her palms slapped down on the surface for support. He yanked her pants down, exposing her legs and ass, then freed himself from his own clothing. Without pause, he positioned himself and thrust into her from behind.
She gasped, her body arching as he started moving, hips slamming against hers. Her arms braced harder against the desk, the metal creaking slightly under the pressure. He reached around, one hand sliding under her shirt to cup her breast, fingers pinching the nipple while the other hand gripped her hip to pull her back into each thrust. Zule pushed back against him, meeting his rhythm, her breaths coming in sharp bursts. He increased the pace, pounding into her, the desk shifting with each impact. She moaned, her head dropping forward, hair falling over her face.
He tangled his fingers in her hair, pulling her head back to expose her neck. His teeth grazed her skin there, biting down as he drove deeper. Her body tightened around him, muscles clenching with the building tension. Sweat slicked their skin where they connected. He released her hair to slap her ass, the sound echoing in the small room, then did it again harder. She cried out, her legs trembling, but she ground back against him, urging more.
He flipped her onto her back on the desk, spreading her legs wide. Items scattered to the floor as he reentered her, thrusting with full force. Her breasts bounced with each movement, shirt pushed up to expose them. She wrapped her legs around his waist, heels digging into his back to pull him in. Her hand reached down between them, fingers rubbing her clit in quick circles. He watched, thrusting harder, his hands pinning her thighs open. Her body shuddered, walls contracting around him as she came.
He followed soon after, burying himself deep as he released inside her, hips jerking with the pulses. They stayed locked like that for a moment, breaths heavy, before he pulled out and helped her sit up. Zule straightened her clothes, her face still flushed, but a small, hidden smile played on her lips as she avoided his gaze.
Jaden leaned back against the desk, watching as Zule straightened her clothes, her fingers still trembling slightly from the aftershocks. He crossed his arms, a smirk playing on his lips. "So, was that fair? Did I make up it?"
Zule tried to compose herself, smoothing down her shirt and avoiding his eyes, though her flushed cheeks betrayed her. She cleared her throat "It was... adequate," she replied, finally meeting his gaze with a stern look that didn't quite hide the satisfaction in her eyes. "But consider this a warning, I expect the same treatment as Aubrie from now on."
He chuckled, pushing off the desk to stand closer, his hand brushing her arm lightly. "The same treatment, huh? So I should go slow and soft next time?"
Zule's face deepened in color as she glanced away, her facade cracking just a bit. "Maybe not exactly the same," she muttered, before she straightened up and shot him a challenging look. "You know what I like. Don't make me spell it out!" Zule adjusted her belt one last time, her stern expression returning as she glanced back at him. "Don't get too smug about this."
She turned and strode out of the ready room, the door hissing shut behind her, leaving Jaden with a soft smile curving his lips at her retreating form. He straightened his own clothes, smoothing out the wrinkles, then reached for the cracked Holocron on the desk. His fingers lingered on its fractured surface for a moment, tracing the jagged lines before he slid it back into the drawer.
Jaden stepped out of the ready room, the door sealing with a quiet whoosh, and made his way down the corridor toward the lower decks. On the way, he spotted Vaylin in the hall fiddling with a small medical device, something she got from the Chiss ship. She gave him a quick nod as he passed, her path leading her down the ladder toward the engine room.
He continued on, descending into the engine room himself. His gaze settled on Scout, who was bent over a console, tools in hand, working alongside SD8.
Jaden approached, leaning against a nearby panel. "How's it looking down here?"
Scout glanced back over her shoulder, wiping a streak of grease from her cheek with the back of her hand. "Not great, Jaden. We've got structural fatigue in the port stabilizer, the coolant lines are leaking again, and the auxiliary power relay is on its last legs. That's not even touching the sensor array, we need new calibration modules or we'll be flying blind in dense traffic."
She straightened up, pulling up a holographic list on the console. "Replacement parts alone: 3,000 credits for the stabilizers, 6,000 for the coolant system, another 1,200 for the relay and sensors. Total's pushing 10,000 easy. And that's if we find a dealer who doesn't gouge us on Coruscant. Our funds? We're scraping the bottom of the barrel, we have maybe 5,000 left."
Jaden rubbed his chin, eyes scanning the list. "We could sell off some of the stuff we picked up in the Unknown Regions. That Rakatan tech fragment, or the crystal shards from the black hole planet. Should fetch a good price from the right buyer."
Scout nodded, but her expression remained skeptical. "We could, yeah. But selling that stuff takes time. These repairs are time-sensitive; if the relay goes while we're in atmosphere, we're looking at a full systems cascade. We can't afford delays."
Jaden sighed he knew she was right, the weight of it settling on his shoulders as he stared at the flickering console readouts. At that moment, SD8 turned its head with a smooth whine. "If I may interject, Master Jaden," the droid said, "one must consider the virtues of prudence. Perhaps a temporary patch on the relay could suffice until funds are secured. I daresay I've assisted in such improvisations before, and they have proven most efficacious in a pinch."
Jaden gave the droid a nod. "Appreciate the input, SD. I'll think it over and get back to you both soon."
He moved past them to the warp core, the chamber's faint blue glow illuminating his face. Though he'd taught Scout the basics of maintaining it, he'd built the thing himself. He knew every weld, every circuit pathway like the back of his hand. Crouching down, he ran diagnostics through the control panel, fingers dancing over the keys as readouts scrolled by. Energy flow was stable, but he spotted micro-fractures in the secondary containment field and a slight imbalance in the crystal interface nodes—nothing that would blow them out of the sky today, but issues that could snowball if ignored.
Satisfied for now, he stood and turned to Scout. "Keep an eye on it. Report any fluctuations right away; don't wait for it to get critical."
She saluted with a grin. "Aye aye, Captain. Will do."
Jaden climbed the ladder back upstairs. As he reached the main level, his comms unit crackled to life. "Jaden, this is Aubrie. You're needed in the cockpit."
"On my way," he replied, quickening his pace to the cockpit.
Aubrie looked up from her station as he entered. "We're approaching Coruscant now."
Jaden nodded, sliding into the pilot's seat. "Take us out of warp."
Her hands moved over the controls, and the ship shuddered as the stars stretched back into points, the massive urban sprawl of Coruscant filling the viewport. Almost immediately, the comms lit up with an incoming hail. "Unidentified vessel, this is Republic Security. State your designation and purpose."
Jaden keyed the response. "This is the Vengeance, Captain Jaden Shan speaking. Security clearance Alpha-7-Theta, authorization code 4921-Bravo."
There was a brief pause as they verified. "Clearance confirmed, Captain Shan. You're cleared for atmospheric entry. Proceed to designated landing zone."
"Acknowledged," Jaden said, easing the controls forward. The ship dipped into the planet's atmosphere, engines whining as they navigated the dense traffic streams, weaving between speeders and freighters. He guided them lower, toward the upper levels of the Senate District, until Padmé's private apartment platform came into view.
With a final adjustment, he set the ship down smoothly, the landing gear extending as they touched down. Jaden powered down the last of the ship's systems, the cockpit falling into a quiet hum as the group prepared to disembark. He glanced back at Vaylin, who lingered near the doorway with a resigned expression. "Stay put," he told her gently. "You're still wanted here, last thing we need is Republic security swarming the place."
She nodded, crossing her arms. "I'll hold down the fort. Just don't take too long."
With that, Jaden led the way down the ramp, followed by Zule, Scout, Aubrie, and Master Fay. Jaden scanned the area, expecting Padmé to be there ready to welcome them since she would've got a message they were coming. But the platform was empty, save for a few protocol droids and maintenance staff milling about near the apartment entrance. No sign of Padmé or her handmaidens.
Zule frowned as she adjusted her stance. "Where is she? shouldn't she be expecting us."
Scout scratched her head, looking around. "Yeah, this is weird. Maybe she's running late?"
Aubrie tilted her head, her expression puzzled, while Fay remained calm, her eyes sweeping the area thoughtfully.
They approached one of the staff members who was overseeing a droid polishing the platform edge. "Excuse me," Jaden said. "We're here to see Senator Amidala. She should be expecting us."
The attendant blinked, glancing at a datapad. "I'm sorry, sir. The Senator isn't here at the moment. We weren't informed of any visitors."
The group exchanged confused glances. Zule stepped forward. "Do you know where she went? Or when she'll be back?"
The attendant shook his head. "No details were left with us. She doesn't always share her schedule for security reasons."
Fay spoke up. "Perhaps she's off-world. As Senator of Naboo, she makes frequent trips back to her home planet or to allied systems."
But another staff member nearby, overhearing, chimed in as she passed with a tray of supplies. "No, ma'am. The Senator was here this morning. She had no plans to leave the planet today that I'm aware of. Her shuttle's still in the hangar."
That debunked Fay's suggestion, leaving them all more puzzled. Aubrie crossed her arms. "Perhaps she's still at the Senate building. Sessions can run long, especially with the war dragging on."
"Perhaps," Jaden echoed, rubbing his chin. He turned back to the first attendant. "Do you know where Sabé is? One of her handmaidens."
The attendant checked his datapad again. "Sabé is off-world on Naboo, sir. She's been there for the past week on assignment."
Jaden sighed, frustration creeping in. He didn't really want to wait around for her; he'd been counting on Padmé's connections to help with the ship's repairs—maybe pull some strings for parts or credits without drawing too much attention.
"I'll go check the Senate building," he decided. "You guys wait here, keep Vaylin company, and see if Padmé returns in the meantime."
The others nodded in agreement. Scout gave a thumbs-up. "We'll hold the line, Cap."
Zule shot him a stern look that softened at the edges. "Be careful. Coruscant's not the safest place for you, even now people will likely still come after you."
Aubrie smiled faintly. "Yeah, don't get into more trouble."
But Master Fay inclined her head. "I'll be visiting the Jedi Temple while you're gone. If you don't have any luck at the Senate, I can inquire about Padmé there."
Jaden nodded. "Good idea. Thanks, Fay."
He said his goodbyes, then he activated his comms unit, hailing a transport service. A sleek air taxi arrived within minutes. Jaden boarded, inputting the coordinates for the Senate building, and the vehicle lifted off, weaving into the streams of Coruscant traffic.
The journey was short but dizzying, the taxi dodging between massive skyscrapers and speeder lanes until the dome of the came into view.
The transport set down on a public landing pad nearby, and Jaden paid the fare before heading to the main entrance, where Republic guards stood. He approached confidently, but the lead guard held up a hand, scanning him with a security wand. "State your business."
"I'm here to see Senator Padmé Amidala," Jaden said. "Captain Jaden Shan."
The guard checked a holographic manifest. "No record of that. You don't have clearance for entry. This is a restricted area."
Jaden leaned in a slight frown on his face. "Look, I'm a friend of hers. Just comm her office, tell her Jaden's here. She'll vouch for me."
The second guard stepped forward. "No clearance, no entry. Leave now, or we'll make you."
Frustration boiled up in Jaden's chest, his hand instinctively twitching toward his lightsaber hilt at his belt. The guards noticed, tensing, their blasters shifting in their grips. Things were on the verge of escalating into blows when a familiar voice echoed from behind him.
"Jaden?"
Jaden turned, his irritation fading into surprise. "Bail?"
Bail Organa stood there, dressed in his senatorial robes, a warm smile on his face as he approached with a small group of assistants trailing behind him, datapads in hand. Bail extended a hand, clasping Jaden's forearm in greeting. "It's been too long, my friend. How have you been?"
Jaden returned the grip, managing a smile. "I've been well, mostly. Keeping clear of the mess here. And you?"
Bail chuckled wryly. "The politics are as exhausting as ever, endless debates, alliances shifting like sand. But I'm good, all things considered. Family's well, too." He glanced at the guards, then back to Jaden. "What brings you here? Causing trouble already?"
Jaden nodded toward the entrance. "Trying to get in to find Padmé, but apparently I don't have the clearance."
Bail waved a hand dismissively. "Nonsense. He's with me," he told the guards firmly, flashing his senatorial identity card. The lead guard hesitated but scanned it, then stepped aside with a nod.
"Apologies, Senator. Proceed."
Bail gestured for Jaden to follow as they entered the grand halls of the Senate building, the assistants peeling off to handle other tasks. "Come on, let's find her."
They stepped through the grand arched doors into the Senate building's vast interior. Bail led the way, his assistants having dispersed to their tasks, while Jaden walked beside him, scanning the corridors for any sign of Padmé. As they navigated the passages toward the central directories, Bail glanced at Jaden with genuine curiosity. "So, what have you been up to these last four months? Last I heard, you'd vanished into the Unknown Regions. Must have been quite the adventure."
Jaden nodded, a faint smile crossing his face as memories surfaced. "It was. We charted unmapped sectors, encountered spacial anomalies that could've ripped the ship apart. Found an ancient Rakatan outpost. Ran into some hostile species too; had a skirmish with these energy-based entities that fed on ship power. Barely escaped by overloading our shields to mimic their frequency. And then there was the derelict Chiss vessel... but I don't really wanna talk about that."
Bail's eyes widened slightly. "Sounds perilous. Glad you made it back in one piece. The galaxy could use more explorers like you."
They reached a secure terminal station in a alcove off the main rotunda, a sleek console with biometric scanners and holographic interfaces. Bail keyed in his credentials, the screen lighting up with access granted. "Every senator who enters the building gets their clearance pinged upon arrival and departure," he explained. "It's a security measure, tracks movements in case of emergencies or threats."
He input Padmé's name and affiliation, the system processing with a soft chime. The results displayed: Senator Padmé Amidala had entered that morning but left the building hours ago, with no re-entry logged.
Jaden frowned, leaning in to study the readout. "That's strange. Where could she have gone without logging back in?"
Bail stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Padmé had a meeting with the Chancellor today, something about new security measures he's implementing on Naboo to counter Separatist incursions. She wouldn't miss that; she's been vocal about protecting her homeworld. Perhaps the Chancellor knows where she went afterward."
Jaden crossed his arms. "Would we even be allowed to see the Chancellor?."
Bail chuckled, clapping Jaden on the shoulder as they turned toward the executive lifts. "He and I are friends. I'll get us in."
They ascended to the upper levels, the lift gliding smoothly past layers of offices until it opened onto the Chancellor's suite. Bail approached the reception desk, where an assistant droid sat interfacing with multiple holoscreens."Good afternoon," Bail said smoothly. "Please let the Chancellor know that Senator Organa is here with a guest, Captain Jaden Shan. We need a quick word."
The droid's photoreceptors flickered as it relayed the message through an internal comm. After a brief pause, it nodded. "The Chancellor will see you now."
They were ushered through ornate double doors into the Chancellor's office, a spacious chamber with beautiful views of Coruscant's skyline, and a massive desk. Chancellor Palpatine rose from his seat, his eyes lighting with recognition. "Bail, my friend," Palpatine said warmly, extending a hand to shake Bail's. "Always a pleasure." His gaze shifted to Jaden, surprise flickering across his aged features. "And Jaden... this is unexpected."
Jaden shook the offered hand, a strange tingle racing down his spine at the contact, like a subtle electric current, unsettling and gone in an instant. He masked his discomfort with a nod. "Chancellor."
Palpatine released the grip, his smile benevolent. "I'm happy to see you well, young man. The Republic owes you its undying respect for what you did. Exposing Collan Eislo as the monster he was... that was no small feat. And then saving the ship from exploding... we all owe you a debt that can never be fully repaid."
"It wasn't me," Jaden commented quietly.
Palpatine tilted his head. "I'm sorry?"
"It wasn't me who saved the ship. It was my Chief Engineer, Velea. She was the one who stabilized the core and got everyone out alive."
The Chancellor paused, then inclined his head apologetically. "Ah, of course. My mistake, forgive an old man's memory. Her heroism is noted as well." He gestured for them to sit in the plush chairs opposite his desk, steering the conversation forward swiftly. "Now, how can I help you gentlemen today?"
Bail leaned forward. "We're looking for Senator Amidala. She had a meeting with you earlier about the Naboo security measures. Do you know where she went after that?"
Palpatine's expression turned inquisitive. "Why do you ask such a question?"
Jaden met his gaze steadily. "It's for me. I have some urgent business with her."
The Chancellor hesitated for a moment, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully, before he moved to sit behind his desk, sinking into the high-backed chair with a sigh. "As you're not a member of the Republic military or the Jedi Order, I shouldn't be sharing this. But you've proven yourself an ally time and again, Captain Shan." He folded his hands on the desk. "The war is not going well. The Separatists have cut us off from key Outer Rim territories by seizing control of vital hyperspace lanes. In response, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker were dispatched on a critical mission to negotiate a treaty with Jabba the Hutt. If successful, Republic forces could utilize his smuggling routes, trading lanes that bypass the blockades. It would give us a significant strategic advantage."
Jaden raised his brows, intrigued despite himself. "As interesting as this is, how does it involve Padmé?"
Palpatine leaned back, his voice dropping to a grave tone. "The Separatists caught wind of the plan and have manipulated Jabba into believing that Anakin Skywalker has kidnapped his son, Rotta, with intent to kill him. Padmé, ever the diplomat, took it upon herself to salvage the treaty."
"She's gone to speak with Jabba's uncle, Ziro the Hutt, in hopes of uncovering the truth and swaying him to our side. That is all I am aware of."
(AN: Here he are fellas, we are in the clone wars movie. I had to make a choice between whether to have Jaden. Be there on Teth for Anakin and Ahsoka or to help Padmè and the Padmè one just felt like the better decision. But then I realised that I can do whatever the fuck I want, screw the timeline, we are going off canon wooooooo. Anyway by that I mean that the timings for things happening is not going to be the same. Padmè will be kidnapped around the same time that Anakin arrives on Teth to rescue Rotta. This way we get the best of both worlds. Anyway hope you enjoyed the chapter)
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