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Post #757096

Author
CWBorne
Parent topic
CWBorne’s Prequel Treatment Omnibus Thread (Current Work: Revisions & Edits)
Link to post in topic
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/757096/action/topic#757096
Date created
12-Mar-2015, 9:42 PM

**Can’t actually believe I’m being this productive. Would typically wait to have written more, but I genuinely like the character stuff in this one and am curious to see how it comes across. Will provide the action climax to act II in the next update. Also made a slight addition to the previous section; just a shout out of sorts to particular droid duo that pays off later. Thanks again you guys for your interest and especially your feedback. Without further ado, more of Episode II: **

Wipe to the shelter hours later as Anakin and Carima are laying down on a pair of makeshift beds right next to each other. The light inside is dim as various others are also getting rest, though a few people softly working can be seen in far parts of the room. The stress is taking its toll on Anakin’s face as he seems more worn out than ever. Nivir looks at him, slight worry in her eyes, and tells him that even Jedi have to sleep eventually.

With faux-reflection he replies “Maybe not, there might be some secret aspect of the Force I haven’t learned about that can let me avoid sleep who knows how long.” She replies in mock horror “A power that gives you the ability to stay awake and keep talking for days on end? Gotta be that dark side you told me about.” The two smile at each other and he grips her hand warmly. She gets serious and asks why he can’t sleep.

Nik rubs his hand over his face and tells her he knew things here would be bad and having seen Mandalorian occupation, he had an idea of how terrible life could get for people in this kind of situation.  However he just keeps thinking about the how exactly the decision process went when they decided to simply desert these people and what kind of calculations the high ranking leaders did to determine just how long the resistance fighting and dying on their own was acceptable.

She shrugs and says this kind of conflict makes people make tough decisions and they both know none of the top brass want to leave people behind. She adds that the latter wants to win the war as badly as he does. His eyes look away from her and he states that they want to win it their style; safe, remote, and with the risk on everybody but them. He briefly closes his eyes and laments that all he can offer the soldiers here is what kind of dangerous mission they’d prefer to have their lives threatened by.

Almost to himself more than her, Anakin says there’s gotta be a better way than this; some system that would at least never leave people in this kind of danger. Nivir asks if really wants to try and remake the government in the middle of a war. Skywalker’s face turns melancholy as he gives his answer. “I want to go home, hug Beru, have Owen slap me on the back, and say he’d be glad to have me visit anytime. Fixing the Republic just struck me as a little more realistic right now.”

Carima strokes his face gently and tells him not to do this to himself, reminding him that people need him in the here and now. She mentions there’s a platoon that’s gonna look to him to lead them tomorrow, look to the man who walked them into heart of enemy territory and kept them in one piece. She says they trust him completely with their lives, and she knows this because she trusts him with hers, and a few broken ships aside, he’s always come through.

Touched by that Nik gives her a warm kiss on the mouth. “You know, you were on to something  about a vacation. We get out of here, we’re going somewhere nice. Find the finest vacation suite this side of Alderaan, kick the newlyweds out, and just enjoy ourselves.” Carima raises an eyebrow and says flatly “If this is your idea of a proposal Skywalker, your timing and technique could use a little work.”

Its Anakin’s turn to stroke her cheek as he tells her that while he’s sorry he dragged her into another mess he is glad she’s here with him. Carima blushes slightly before saying that have to get some rest. She kisses him on the forehead before they both close their eyes and try to sleep.

<span style=“white-space: pre;”></span>At a long table with various screens sits Nellith, studying the displays carefully. Obi-Wan walks in and says he’s made no significant gains yet, in spite of talking to half the crew and trying to sense anything from them with Force. She responds that she’s gotten reports from the Senator and her droid, but neither have reported anything significant yet either. Kenobi asks to look at that their information to see if there’s something that stands out and she silently invites him to do so.

After sitting down, Obi-Wan looks briefly at her while the latter reads some of the reports. Without looking at him she says he still thinks she’s wrong about what to do with the Jedi. Kenobi’s expression doesn’t change, but he states he believes that her decision is misguided even if her concerns are understandable. Surprisingly enough, a bitter smile comes across her face and she finally meets his gaze. “You can’t even begin to understand my concerns. Not many Jedi can.”

Ben sits back in his chair, subtly noticing that she’s at last opening up. “So this isn’t just about sending unprepared farmers and engineers into battle is it?” She replies that its about threats, one’s even more dangerous than what they’re dealing with here. Obi-Wan states that he’s at a loss to think of things worse than a power like the Coalition. She shakes her head in mild disappointment opining how easily young Jedi forget their history especially its more unfortunate periods.  Kenobi asks what she means.

She stares at him more intently than ever. “Battles are phenomena are best studied and remembered my young friend. Especially ones with the fallen.” Ben blinks a few times, just beginning to grasp what she’s getting at. “Your victory over the Dark Jedi.” She tells him that triumph was one piece of an event who’s images have never gone away no matter how much she wanted them to. Noticing that the younger Knight isn’t letting himself ask the question, she nonetheless gives him the answer. “I turned, Sir Kenobi.”

Obi-Wan can’t even speak, but she continues. Her expression recalling painful memories she says it was for a time during the conflict, and that desperate to hold back their foes, she fell into the dark side. “I did things that no being should do, disgraced the Republic, and forsook everything I was so that the people I was certain were evil would be destroyed. And they were.”

Nellith gets briefly lost in her thoughts, lifting up and looking down on the lightsaber hanging from her neck. Ben eventually regains his composure, and a voice just above a whisper, says that she came back. While strained Korusya offers an actual warm smile and describes that her comrades somehow pulled her back, even when at the time her own mind was poisoning her against them. “They said it was the will of the Force, but sometimes I wonder if it was just luck.”

Sounding drained, she explains that while wars can bring out the best in Jedi, wars like those and ones like these drive the best of them to twisted places. “One bad rain falls and it can bring down everything.” If she goes along with Kenobi’s plan, some of their kind will become one with the Force, which she can in her heart accept. But some will go to someplace worse, and it won’t just be Jedi who feel the pain of that fall. “What will a Republic victory mean if its protectors have become worse than the enemy they just helped slew?”

Kenobi stands up, his hands almost shaking as he takes in this revelation. He defiantly brings up that he has seen their kind endure what the Clone Wars have dealt and come out stronger. Specifically he mentions that Anakin has been wounded deeply by the scope of this war and yet there’s no other man he’d  swear the commitment of more than him. Nellith remains sitting and flatly says “Not all Jedi are as impregnable as your apprentice.”

Ben implores her to have hope about their collective ability, going on about that the connection to one another, to the living Force, is one only strengthened when they work side by side with the good of the Republic in all their minds. “I believe in us, the people out there do, and I think you do as well. The Force is our guide, let us follow it where it leads us.”

<span style=“white-space: pre;”></span>Korusya’s has a mixed expression, clearly considering the man’s words. Before she can respond, 81 and Organa walk in, both a bit hurried. The droid tells them that they haven’t had any luck, and that they suspect their target might have changed their strategy in subverting the ship, but they do have a plan. Darelda lays out that some games of sabbac have taught her that when you can’t guess a bluff, you make them show their cards, suggesting they engage the Mandalorians, and give the traitor what they think is the ultimate opportunity to undermine them in battle, and catch them in the act.

While HX explains its a risky move, he declares its better for them to go into battle prepared than be caught surprised when the saboteur inevitably strikes again. Obi-Wan glances at the older Jedi, awaiting her answer. Nellith frowns, but asks if the deflector shield has been shored up with 81 replying it has. She’s silent for a moment again, before she walks onto the bridge with the others following her. Korusya tells the one at the communication station to send out a small signal to the lead Mandalorian ship.

The Jedi in question briefly hesitates at the order before obeying and preparing to send it out. Darelda sighs and says she hopes luck’s on there side. Nellith and Ben share a look before the former speaks. “Just the Force this time Senator. But as allies go, I’d have no other.”