Been taking too long on this, and while I wanted to waited till all of act II was finished, I figured some actual new stuff was due.
In the nebula the Mandalorians chase Kenobi and company, with Organa asking if intends to keep up this up, only for the Jedi to reply he won't have to, as another ship comes to their aid, doing some damage to Coalition ships and allowing Ben's ship to get out of their sight. The pilot, in an oddly flat tone, identifies himself as Dorgon. Obi-Wan makes a slightly confused face hearing the man speak, but follows him in.
Phakerem remains silent on her own ship, staring ahead, breathing heavily. She orders orders their ships into the nebula to find the Jedi, even if they have to check every sector inside.
Carima's ship enters Coruscant space and makes it through the various security checks, but right when landing (during night), the overzealous planetary security causes a soldier to activate the power pack his weapon (in spite of Anakin's orders to keep deactivated until off the ship). With that detected by security scanners, the ship is about to boarded until Nivir and Skywalker improvise a plan, with her setting the ship to hyperdrive into the atmosphere while jettisoning the spice cargo onto the planet.
The ship is destroyed by planetary defenses before it can hit light speed and the cargo is quickly inspected by surface security to reveal only lim spice and debris with no survivors. Camera pulls out to reveal Anakin and the others hiding, having jumped out of the cargo holder before it hit the ground. Skywalker quietly, but intensely berates the soldier for his mistake and states the officer can demonstrate he's not expendable by showing his worth on the rest of the mission. Skywalker slowly and stealthily moves the group away, saying finding the resistance must be done even faster now.
Kenobi follows their fellow ship to the large Jedi fleet, where ships of various types and sizes await. They dock with the largest vessel and are immediately greeted by Dorgon. He greets them nicely enough but Obi-Wan gives him a strange look, something bothering him about the young man. Ben mentions they're here as liaisons for Palpatine and Organa, and asks to see Nellith. The pilot replies that the Jedi Elder is meditating at present but offers to show them to their quarters.
In those quarters, Darelda finally inquires about Nellith. With some wistfulness in his eyes, he explains that she is one of the oldest living Jedi still active, and centuries ago was one its greatest Knights, Ben adds that reading about her instrumental role in defeating a group of fallen Jedi centuries ago was one of his favorite memories in his training as an apprentice. “There's history about great Jedi going back 10,000 years, and she even then she still stood out.”
While the Jedi is lost in his admiration, HX-81 points out Ben's descriptions are all in the past tense. Kenobi describes that after her victory over the fallen, she gave up her role as a Knight, withdrawing to semi-reclusion and becoming a Jedi master and philosopher. Organa is a bit confused, pointing out that's hardly an ill fate, and agrees, though he notes in an uncomfortable tone that some feel that the past few centuries the Republic could have used someone as good as she was. “We may have lost one hell of a protector, but I have no doubt the galaxy gained a great elder.”
81 inquires about how Korusya's going to respond to the Republic's plan, and he confesses he's not even sure the full extent of what role Nellith has served in the galactic conflict thus far. “There's a warrior and a great thinker; I don't just know which one's on this ship right now.”
On Coruscant, various squads of clone troops march in the city, as Anakin and company observe from the empty basement window of a newly constructed building. Carima points out their current luck. “Something to be said about the Coalition, they're quick to rebuild, but not too quick.” One of the soldiers informs the platoon that no alarm or search party has been summoned, so the authorities must still believe they're dead.
Skywalker is quick to respond that's irrelevant given that there's almost certainly a security recognition measure on the planet, one that they lack. “Anyone without the proper ID, internal or otherwise on this planet is as good as captured, and dead once an interrogation’s finished.” The same soldier as before brings up their limited intel and inquires how they're supposed to even find the resistance, let alone inform them of the sabotage plan.
At that Carima provides an answer. On a nearby crate, she puts out a holographic map of their location. She lays out that between their scanners and search parties, the Coalition's scoured the surface of the planet, and that even if the resistance avoided being initially found it couldn't afford to stay above ground given the scale of the surveillance. Anakin makes the obvious point; “So they're underground then, but where?”
Another soldier brings up the sewers surely have been checked by now. Nivir nods, but replies only the newer tunnels have. “There's tons of unused and redundant ones underground; some of them were caved in the last time the planet got attacked a few millennia ago, but there just too many for them to look for, even with the time they've had.” Skywalker's authoritarian face gives just the hint of an amused grin. “Let it never be said your Coruscant vacation obsession isn't without its informational benefits.” Carima smiles to herself at that.
A member of the platoon asks if the Coalition can't find them down there, how exactly will they? Anakin switches off the hologram and and gives a reply.”Some faith Lt. Commander, we'll find a way when we get there” Skywalker quickly surveys the scene outside the window and a prominent building in the distance get his attention, and Carima notices his anxious frown as he stares at it. She asks if everything's alright. “Yeah, just sensed something off. Let's go the sewer awaits.”
On Coruscant Crayde sits in his office as a member of the underground resistance is dragged in and restrained in a chair, where the Chancellor promises him his life if gives up the Republic soldiers most recent location. When the prisoner resists Draezin electrocutes him, until he finally gives in. When the location is given up, Crayde orders his execution anyway, displeased that the prisoner made him work for getting the information. A Mandalorian force is dispatched to go after the resistance.
Back in the nebula, on her vessel Phakerem stares out a window in her office. A subordinate of hers inquires about her orders. She coldly tells him to increase ship speed and keep every available officer nearby the moment they spot the Jedi. He asks what if they've left the nebula, and she turns around and explains that they're still here, and they won't waste their best chance to bring the Jedi down for anything.
Sitting in meditation is Kenobi, who looks up to speak to the just arrived Darelda. Obi-Wan asks how her meeting with Nellith went and Organa replies that while she didn't raise any objections, it was hard to get a read on what she really thought of the battle plan. Ben explains that its a common thing with older Jedi. “It seems the more they understand the galaxy, the less willing they are to give away that wisdom too freely.”
She notices something's bothering him. With a frown he details that there's something on this ship that feels wrong and that he can't quite sense what it is, but its unnatural, like a star in the sky that doesn't belong. He admits its not the dark side, or anything overtly dangerous, but that he can't shake off the feeling it doesn't belong here.
Organa tells him she's learned to trust his instincts and there's no one she would expect to stop a crisis in advance more than a ship full of Jedi. “I wish I could say the same for things back home.” He inquires about that and she tells him of her growing frustrations in the Senate, as she hoped the war would unite everyone, but everything's just gotten pettier and more partisan and she's noticed the growing disenchantment with citizens she's talked to.
“People didn't trust the institution, but at least they trusted their Senator. I'm not even sure they can do that anymore.” An aid comes into the room and tells Kenobi that Nellith will seem him now. He gives Organa a look and is lead to her chambers.
In a room adorned with various pieces of art from different worlds facing away from him is Korusya Nellith. A tall Chiss Jedi, dressed in in an aquamarine robe with various simple patterns, her head is slightly bowed forward. “I hope I haven't made you wait too long, Sir Kenobi.” With a polite smile, Obi-Wan replies that a Jedi learns patience. A small murmur comes from Nellith and she replies with a tired voice that learning it is easy. She turns around. “Keeping to it, that's the hard part.”
There's a wide shot of the two facing each other, with the contrast in both height and body language is very apparent. Kenobi is half formal, half casual, doing what he can to look respectful but relaxed in a room with a living legend. She's stiffer, looking formal from the neck down, but her face looks distant, with her eyes suggesting a much heavier burden than her posture would suggests. A small lightsaber hilt hangs from her necklace.
Ben, initially uncertain what to do with his hands, puts them behind his back formally and states its a great honor to meet such great Knight such as herself. Nellith can can only raise an eyebrow, her expression otherwise neutral. He's slightly surprised by her lack of response and tries again mentioning how the stories of her warrior days are legendary to all sorts of Jedi. She looks away briefly “I suppose that's the difference between story and reality, then.” He breaks the silence with a comment mentioning the various Jedi here have kept up well given the circumstances.
She shrugs, stating they've taken young sprouts, thrown them into the fire, asked them to survive, and still they figure out ways to do it. “So far, anyway.” Ben asks about the battle plans she was shown earlier. She says its risky strategically, dangerous to its participants, and easily capable of failing. After a pause she does confess (with clear reluctance) that given the war's going its also the best option the Republic has. Kenobi allows himself a wide smile with nod at that and points out the Jedi here need to be organized for ship combat if Coalition ships catch up with them.
Korusya bluntly mentions they've already had some previous close calls with the Mandalorians, yet the latter still hasn't been able to compensate for being outmatched in speed or the fact that they're flying blind. She adds that when the enemy gets sick of the chase they can strike, but until then they can keep them tied down with just evasion alone. Obi-Wan agrees, but is a bit taken aback at her brusque tone and says the more experience the Jedi can get against the Coalition's ships the better prepared they'll be for the next large scale battle.
At that she gets in close and her cool eyes betray a touch of sadness before she regains control and questions his statement about the next battle. Increasingly put off by the changing tone in the conversation, Ben tells her that even if the plan succeeds, there's too many holes in the front line the Republic needs to fill and there should be a way to move enough Jedi forward without weakening their support elsewhere. Her face is coldly blank and she looks him directly in the eye. “Forward to the front lines, then?”
He briefly breaks his gaze but soon responds that he'd prefer to avoid that, but circumstances may demand it if the Coaltion penetrates their lines too far. Korusya stares at him a few moments, steps a few paces away before sighing and looking at him again. Nellith's own emotions start to come out and she asks if he's really looked at the people on these ships. The younger Jedi doesn't understand the question and she clarifies.
“You and I remember learning battling remotes and piloting fighters are part of our training. Do you know they remember? Healing wounds, strengthening crops, building bridges. There are good Jedi here; the Force has been their ally in helping those all throughout the galaxy, and they know its their highest duty to serve the Republic. But they're not Knights and you want them to become warriors.”
Its now Kenobi's turn to get a bit stone faced, informing her he's not asking them to be and that he understands that generations have changed them as they've spread far and wide. He says that he respects that Jedi are many things now and he knows they're proud they've never had to pick up a lightsaber, but that can't win the war.
Nellith is skeptical of this and asks if he thinks their master feels that way? “He's in the far reaches of the Outer Rim because those with the Force without guidance need the most precious thing he could give them, the thing he gave me first and gave you last. Knowledge, sir Kenobi. What these people have gained and what he believes in more than anything.”
With his previous nervousness and awe at being around Korusya now gone, Obi-Wan candidly tells her that Yoda believes in that, but also believes that it's a Jedi's role to defend. “To defend themselves, their fellow Jedi, and the Republic as a whole.” Imploring her to understand he says a lot of people need guardians now more than ever and if they don't come together and hold back the Mandalorians like they once did, there may not be a Republic to serve.
Before she can respond, the ship is hit from the side, causing both of them to almost lose their balance. The two instantly know what happened, and on her communicator she asks how the Mandalorians found them. After a hurried pause the voice responds that its because their ship is sending out a signal. The two Jedi look at each other and rush for the bridge. On Phakerem's ship she's informed of the news and orders her forces to target their engines with the time they have. “Clipped wings will have to do for now.”
To be continued...