Back for another update, as we finally get a bit of an action scene followed by some character stuff. I know two months is hardly fast, but given my previous long gaps in posts, I hope its a sign of quicker things to come. Thanks again for the feedback and your continued interest in the story. And now, Act 2 of Broken Forces kicks off:
Cut to the green sky planet from the opening scene, were much of the remaining Republic encampment is gone or is in the midst of being taken apart. Various smaller black and spherical construction droids hover around, disassembling structures and transporting the walls and ceilings of the outpost buildings.
As the sun sets, the same humanoid Jedi from before walks along what’s left of the small camp. She speaks into her communicator, confirming her plan to stay one last night before departing with the rest of her troops tomorrow. The voice on the other doesn’t see the need, but she replies that its orders directly from the commander himself, and that she can’t begrudge the higher ups trying to cover their bases.
Once the conversation’s over she starts heading towards her bunk area only to suddenly stop in her tracks. She takes in a deep breath and looks around, sensing something’s off. She slowly inches her way towards the corner of one of remaining buildings. After readying herself she slowly peeks around, expecting to see something, only to spot nothing. Calmer, but still alert she turns back around, only to come face to face with one of the hovering construction droids.
Initially confused, she asks what it wants, with the machine saying it requires information about the deconstruction plan. She replies that all the relevant data’s been uploaded and that it can contact the engineering core if necessary. It again states that it needs specific information about the project and to come with it to the area for clarification. She’s unconvinced and states if its that critical to tell her what the issue is now. The droid lets out a string of complicated technical jargon to explain the need for her to travel with it. She seemingly does not sense the small hovering object behind her readying a blast.
Quickly enough however she pulls out her lightsaber and deflects it it back at it, destroying the machine’s attempt at an attack. The original droid attempts an attack of its own but only manages to blast her communicator before she cuts the bot in two. With digital communication no longer an option she starts to run, soon yelling out to anyone who can here that she was attacked, only for her to quickly be confronted by a contingent of construction droids, all facing her and armed with weapons beyond just simple tools.
She feints readying her lightsaber for combat only to in fact use the Force to throw various nearby small supply crates at the machines, damaging a few. Distraction achieved she runs off, heading between the standing constructions as the remaining droids stalk after her. After getting some distance, she stops at a delivery skiff, quickly cutting it into smaller pieces. With clear strain on her face she hurls each one into separate directions as the different groups of droids check the source of noise when they land. She deactivates her lightsamber and runs off in the opposite angle away from them.
Soon enough she sees an emptied one story building and leaps through an opened window. Panting hard on the ground, she rolls over and tries to collect herself, listening to see if she’s been followed. After a beat, she crawls over to the wall and pulls out a necklace from under her shirt; staring at it. Its an old Jedi symbol attached to a simple chain. The subtle reverence she has when looking at tells far more than words can.
The silence doesn’t last however as she faintly hears a buzz not too far away, and as she raises her head, she spots the would be mob of droids surrounding the building. There’s no way out now. For a moment, the reality of the situation hits her, but she calms herself, gripping her necklace one last time before letting out only one whispered sentence. “Be well Mistress Nellith”. She activates her lightsaber and jumps through the nearby window. Weapon readied the last thing scene is her charging at the multitude of enemies.
Cut to a large windowed hall on Coruscant at night where Carima sits and looks over the cityscape. A nearby skyscraper projects a gigantic three dimensional holographic program, at the moment displaying a stream of news reports about the war. Someone walks up to her and asks if the nearby seat’s taken. Nivir looks up and is delightfully surprised to see Darelda. Before she can initiate a hug, Organa tells her to not get up, and sits down so they can casually embrace.
The Senator says she was surprised that Carima isn’t resting back at her place, and the latter responds that she’s stayed cooped up in there long enough and that she needed to get out. Darelda is slightly impressed and can’t believe she convinced Anakin and asks where he is. Nivir tells her that he said he was on his way. “No doubt to lecture my ear off about overexerting myself and dazzling me with all the facts about pregnancy he’s commuted to memory.” Darelda says there is a matter with both of them she wanted to discuss.
The other woman is intrigued at that, however Organa first wants to again offer her congratulations and best wishes about the baby. Before she can continue, she notices reports about the war across the street on the screen and adds that it’ll be a child lucky enough to grow up when the war is just history to them, not the news. Nivir agrees with the sentiment with a small smile. “Answering endless questions and telling war stories about their dad, that’s gonna be something.”
Now curious, Carima inquires if Darelda’s thought about having any kids herself and the Senator admits her mixed feelings on the matter. Her and Bail always had to put their duties first before anything else. Now that those are almost finished, they don’t know if its too late or how they would even take to being parents. Nivir places her hand on hers and notes that any woman who worked that hard for so little thanks to help both Alderaan and the Republic would be a hell of a mother. Organa appreciates the warm words and thanks her. Carima can’t help but smirk.
“Plus I’m pretty sure there’s a babysitting subroutine I can put in 81’s programming somewhere.”
Both women chuckle at that and that’s the sight Anakin comes across when he finally arrives. He shakes the Senator hand and sits down next to Carima. Darelda asks him if he’s felt anything off in the room. He’s a bit surprised by the question but after a moment answers that he senses no threat or danger as far as he can tell. After subtly scanning the large room herself and seeing it largely deserted except for the three of them she concludes that its safe.
In a low voice she describes the fears of possible Mandalorian infiltration high up in the Republic to the two of them and mentions that she’s launching a secret investigation into the matter herself. Nivir is noticeably shaken by the news, while Nik can only nod, agreeing that given the attack at the President’s speech, its an idea that does make sense. As she goes on, images of both Llaland and Palpatine appear on the news, unnoticed by the three of them. Darelda adds that she’ll need get information quickly as the closer the invasion of Mandalore happens, the higher the chances of another attack.
He asks if she wants any of his intel and she responds its his direct help she wants in the investigation. Skywalker has no response as at first and Carima looks him, unsure of how he’ll answer. While he still thinks of how to respond Darelda states that there’s very virtually no one she can completely trust with this. Moreover with Kenobi as part of the invasion plans, Anakin is the one officer whom she knows is both uncompromised and capable of sensing the kind of hidden threat involved, especially if there are more cloned Jedi involved.
The senator looks at the other woman and adds that given the potential risk to anyone involved, she wasn’t going to ask him to do it without letting Carima know about the dangers as well and she’ll understand if he can’t accept. There’s an uncomfortable silence as both women wait to see what he’ll say. After no expression for several seconds, he eventually he nods and says he’ll do it. Nivir immediately objects and says Nik can’t put his on the life on the line again.”
For the first time in the film, he takes a commanding tone with Carima, saying if all this is true then all their lives are on the line and that anyone can be a target, them included. His eyes turn ever so briefly cold when he speaks about not letting the Coalition win here when the Republic’s so close to victory. “We root this out now, who knows how many people will be saved.”
Organa asks that he’s sure about doing this and he confirms, stating with a deep frown that his only condition is that Carima gets the best and most secure transportation to another Republic base as soon as possible. That’s a bridge too far for her and she makes it clear she is not leaving Coruscant. She immediately shuts down his protests, pointing out that the best facilities are here and that she’s not going to be away from him this close to the birth of the baby. “You can protect us better than anyone, I know it.”
Skywalker is deeply torn by the situation with his instincts pulling him in two different directions. Its Darelda that comes to his rescue, saying that there’s enough loyal guards and soldiers both of them trust to keep Nivir safe and that there are emergency medical transports on standby for her if the need arises. While neither Anakin nor Carima are at all happy, they quietly accept the compromise and Organa says she’ll start making arrangements immediately.
She stands up and begins to walk off, before looking back at them, regret and sympathy apparent in her voice. “I”m sorry about this.” The pairing doesn’t even need to look at each other to express their shared response, voiced by Nik.
“We know.”