Stratus stared intently at the hologram of his cousin, which kept flickering with intermittent static.
"How's it going, Cordelia?"
"Could be better. The clankers couldn't finish off those bastards, but now all their units are inside the defense perimeter. We're concentrating our forces for the attack. The reinforcements sent by the guys from the CIS came in handy. We now have almost a million combat droids here, although there could've been more.
"I ordered some units to be deployed to other parts of the planet. It takes too long to move them across the surface.
"Anything coming up?"
"I think I've managed to track down that captain. I believe we can finally get this troublemaker."
"Yes, this Gillmunn has been getting on our nerves. Once he's dead, the malcontents will lose their leader — and their focal point."
***
Ventress strode quickly through the castle. Count Dooku had summoned her to assign a new mission, and she would soon learn what it was.
"Master."
"Asajj. You're right on time. We have a new task for you. You are going to Jabiim. Durge will accompany you."
"That psychopath?" Datomiri had heard the rumors about the mercenary hired by the Banking Clan, and none of them were pleasant.
"Yes. The Lord believes he will be useful in this battle. He has the necessary experience. In addition, you will have three million combat droids at your disposal, including heavy equipment and saboteurs. A little later, I will send a new batch of assassin droids designed specifically for the conditions of Jabiim.
"The Republic scum are going to attack this planet?"
"Yes. There are large reserves of minerals there, and the local ruler, Alto Stratus, fully supports us — so be polite to him. Your task is to kill the Jedi who will command the Republic troops on the planet."
"Yes, Master."
"Here is all the information you will need." Dooku tossed her a holodisk. "Familiarize yourself with it. In a few hours, you will depart with the first convoy."
Asajj bowed and left the Count's office…
Ventress skimmed the file without much interest — until something caught her eye. She blinked, focusing on a name.
Mikore Vikt.
Datomiri lips curled into an expectant smile. So we'll meet. I'll find you, bastard.
***
Today's Senate meeting was no different from the dozens that had come before it — the same empty talk and pointless delays. Amidala unnoticeably clenched her hands into fists—her loose-fitting robe allowed her to do so. That small gesture was the only display of emotion she allowed herself.
It had been a while since she and the Chancellor had insisted on sending Jedi and clone forces to Jabiim. Much had happened since that conversation in the Jedi Council.
First, she had endured an unpleasant discussion with her supporters — particularly Bail and Mon Mothma. After all, her actions, like her cooperation with Palpatine, were at odds with the policies pursued by the Loyalist Committee. Yet after a couple of days, Organa, having learned the details, concluded that all was not lost. He reasoned that forty thousand clones were not nearly enough to control the planet. "Most likely, their fate has already been sealed by the hasty decision of the Jedi Council, which means there is still a chance for a diplomatic solution."
Secondly, after a few days of negotiations, they agreed that at the next Senate meeting Bail would try to push through a diplomatic mission to Jabiim. But the bureaucracy of the Senate was so massive that Organa had only now managed to secure permission to deliver his full speech — two weeks later.
During that time, she had visited several worlds, meeting with planetary governments. The discussions had centered around problems growing like mushrooms after the rain: food shortages on some planets, the stream of refugees, emboldened pirates, and slave traders…
She had also managed to spend some time with Ani… He had accompanied her on her trip to Naboo. Those were four unforgettable days. But everything ends eventually, and now she sat listening attentively to Bail's speech. He had been speaking for over an hour, using all his eloquence to persuade the politicians to make the decision they desperately needed.
"...Dear Senators and Delegates! As a representative of the Loyalist Committee, I appeal to your common sense! Important issues cannot be solved simply by brute force! We ask you to support our proposal for a peaceful resolution to the conflict on Jabiim! We must send diplomats there — not additional troops! A war on Jabiim will be a filthy battle in which our forces will face both rebels and the Confederacy's droid army. I fear the Republic will suffer severe losses, and I sincerely hope this costly campaign can still be avoided through diplomatic action!"
Sparse applause rippled through the hall. Mas Amedda called for order. Then Chancellor Palpatine took the floor.
"Honorable Senator Organa! I would like to support your decision, but the situation is extraordinary. With the loss of Jabiim, the Republic has lost too much, and the recent victories of the Grand Army of the Republic may be lost. I hasten to inform you that the Jedi Order is preparing a major offensive on the planet in order to return it to the Republic and restore to its inhabitants the democracy and order that the usurper and separatist Alto Stratus has deprived them of! We cannot allow this demarche to escalate — not even at such a cost! The Republic is indivisible and indestructible, no matter what!"
The Senate applauded thunderously.
Amidala shook her head in despair.
The attempt has failed.
***
"How is she?" I asked the medical droid hovering beside the bed where Ahsoka lay.
"Her condition is stable. We operated on the wound and removed the fragment. A healing bandage has been applied, but the Togruta has lost a considerable amount of blood and she will need time to recover. Unfortunately, we do not have a supply of compatible blood. What we have is intended for clones. The medical frigate carried universal artificial blood, but it is currently unavailable. Therefore, the patient's recovery will take some time."
I thought for a moment.
"Is it possible to use my blood?"
"I'm afraid that's not possible. You belong to different biological species, although you are conditionally compatible…" the droid began, but I interrupted him. Something told me my idea was correct.
"Still, we should run some tests."
"But—"
"Don't argue with me. What is your purpose?"
"I am designed to provide medical assistance and—"
"Well, then do it. There are too many independent droids around here already, you see." I wasn't in the mood for arguments.
The droid pricked my hand with some kind of crap on its manipulator, then floated into the adjacent room.
I looked at Ahsoka again. She appeared much better now — aside from the oxygen mask covering her mouth and nose. From the outside, she looked as though she were merely asleep.
The droid returned.
"Sir, I do not understand why, but the analyzer shows compatibility. Most parameters match. Although the probability of such coincidence is less than ten percent."
"Maybe it's because we're Jedi?"
"It is possible, although I cannot calculate such a pattern. Unidentified parameters."
"You don't need to. Come on, prepare what's required."
"Right away." IM-6 nodded and flew to the storage bay. When he returned, he efficiently began working with his manipulators.
"General," the droid said, sounding hesitant. "I have something else to report. It concerns the injury."
"What else happened?.."
All the devices were already installed, and the process began. Soon, I watched my blood flow from my body through a transparent tube into Ahsoka's veins. My thoughts circled the droid's words. Hm. All right… that can wait — if it even matters.
Obeying some inner impulse, I placed my free hand on her forehead and sank into meditation.
***
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