The Chandrilan sky was a sluggish river of speeders, weaving between the towering spires of Hanna City like threads in a tangled web. The setting sun bled across the horizon, staining the skyscrapers in hues of molten copper and turning the Senate Building's polished surface into a fractured mirror of fire.
Inside, Chancellor Vin Horne sat behind his obsidian desk, his piercing eyes fixed on the four visitors before him. The office was vast, its vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate murals depicting Republic history—scenes of rebellion, hope, and hard-won peace. Shelves lined the walls, filled with ancient artifacts and delicate sculptures, remnants of civilizations long past.
Across the room, two blue-clad Senate Guards stood sentinel at the door, their imposing figures draped in floor-length capes, their faces obscured behind polished helmets that reflected the dim light.
"I fear this issue will only deepen the divide," Horne remarked.
Senator Lieda Mothma, a woman of regal bearing with soft features and silver-streaked auburn hair, met his gaze evenly. Her robes, white with intricate gold embroidery, shimmered faintly in the light, a blend of elegance and authority. "It is unavoidable," she replied. "The Jedi's involvement is necessary. Without them, we risk losing more than political allies—we risk losing entire systems to chaos."
Horne exhaled through his nose, leaning back in his chair. "And yet, their presence could fracture the New Republic. Not everyone views them as saviors."
Senator Montar Waldar, a towering figure with broad shoulders and a neatly trimmed beard, rumbled his agreement. "Half the Senate fears this is a return to the old ways—the very thing we fought to move beyond."
A slow, deliberate blink from Senator Jesmi Bon, the Gungan representative, signaled her deep contemplation. Her reddish skin was etched with fine lines of wisdom. "Mesa trust Rey Skywalker," she said firmly.
Horne massaged his temples. "Skywalker isn't the problem. It's Solo."
"You mean Kylo Ren," Waldar stated. "Changing his name doesn't erase his crimes. The blood on his hands—"
Lieda's fingers curled into a fist, her knuckles whitening. "We are not here to litigate the past," she interjected. "There aren't enough security forces to protect the Core Worlds, let alone the Outer Rim. If we don't act decisively, we won't have a Republic left to argue over."
Before Horne could respond, a hologram flickered to life on his desk—a pale-faced aide. "Senator Connix has arrived, sir."
"Send her in." The image dissolved, and Horne rose, the others following suit as the door slid open.
Senator Connix strode in, her pale-blue robes flowing like water. Behind her loomed Captain Sarthus, his expression grim, his posture rigid.
Bon stepped forward, her eyes studying Kaydel with warmth. "Wesa all smilen ta see yousa safe," Bon said.
"Thank you, Senator Bon." Kaydel hesitated, then forged ahead, her words slicing through the tension in the room like a blade. "Do we know who was behind the attack?"
The room stilled. Lieda exhaled slowly, her breath a quiet sigh. "No. The assassin escaped."
Kaydel's gaze locked onto the Chancellor. "I believe Mar Corrik was behind it."
A ripple of shock passed through the Senators. Waldar's brow furrowed, Takkoo's large Rodian eyes widened, and even Horne's composure faltered for a moment, his lips parting in surprise.
Senator Nacond Takkoo shook his head, his antennae twitching. "It's no secret that Corrik opposes the Jedi joining our security force," he said, "but we have no reason to believe he would try to assassinate a Senator."
"We can't be certain," Lieda said. "But the fact remains—you're still in danger."
"Senator Connix," Horne said, clasping his hands behind his back, "I propose we invite the Jedi here to ensure your safety while you're on Chandrila." He met her gaze squarely.
Takkoo stiffened. "I don't think it would be wise to—"
"Not Solo. Or Skywalker," Horne interrupted, raising a hand. He paused, then offered a faint smile "Finn."
Lieda nodded. "A Resistance General. That would be the least divisive choice."
Kaydel's shoulders relaxed slightly, though the tension in her chest lingered. She nodded in agreement.
"It's settled then," Horne declared.
Without another word, Kaydel turned and strode from the room, Captain Sarthus falling into step behind her, his boots echoing against the polished floor.
The expansive hallway of the capital building stretched before them, its gleaming surfaces reflecting the soft glow of overhead lights. Kaydel's mind replayed the attack—the whine of blaster fire, the acrid stench of scorched metal.
"Kaydel."
Lieda's voice, warm as Chandrila's sun, cut through her thoughts. Kaydel turned, finding the older woman's face etched with concern, her eyes searching.
"Lieda," Kaydel acknowledged, forcing her fists to unclench.
Lieda's gaze flicked to Daro, then back to Kaydel. "Are you all right?"
"They missed," Kaydel replied.
Lieda's brow furrowed. "The Path of the Open Hand?"
Kaydel gave a slight nod, her jaw tightening.
"Horne still insists they're a fringe group. That their violence is… isolated," Lieda said.
"And the bombing on Corellia? The poisoned water supply on Ryloth?" Kaydel's voice rose, echoing off the vaulted ceilings. Two passing aides glanced at her as they hurried past. She lowered her tone, leaning in. "This isn't isolated."
Lieda exhaled. "The centrists are using The Path's rhetoric to block Jedi involvement. They claim we're 'inviting sorcery into governance.'"
"Rey saved us all from the Final Order. And now we're debating whether they're acceptable allies?" Kaydel's anger flared, her voice sharp.
"I know," Lieda said, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. "And so do many others. But the centrists are exploiting people's fears, and the Chancellor is letting them. It's politics, Kaydel. It's never simple."
Kaydel looked away, her gaze drifting to the towering windows that lined the hallway. The city outside was a sea of lights. "We can't let them win," she said finally. "If we don't stand with the Jedi, if we let The Path dictate the future, then everything we've fought for will be for nothing."
Lieda smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Rest first. You're no use to anyone exhausted." She squeezed Kaydel's shoulder, her touch lingering for a moment before she turned to leave.
—
The hum of the building's systems was the only sound that accompanied Kaydel and Daro as they made their way to her private quarters. Daro followed a step behind, his eyes scanning every passerby. Behind them, the rest of the security team fanned out, establishing a perimeter in the hallway. The faint echo of their footsteps faded as the door to Kaydel's quarters slid shut, sealing them in silence.
The room was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the cold, formal halls of the Senate building. Soft light emanated from the fixtures overhead, casting a gentle glow over the space. BB-56 greeted them with an excited series of beeps and whistles, her domed head swiveling between Kaydel and Daro.
Kaydel managed a tired smile. "Hey, Beebee," she murmured, patting the droid's head. BB-56 chirped in response.
Daro lingered by the doorway. "What is it?" he asked.
Kaydel exhaled deeply, the weight of the day pressing down on her shoulders. "Why does the Chancellor want Finn to come here?"
Daro's eyes narrowed. "You think he has ill intentions?"
"I don't know," she said, meeting his gaze. "The Path is growing bolder. If we don't do something, they'll tear everything apart."
Daro studied her for a long moment, his silence heavy. Then, impulsively, Kaydel stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Her lips brushed his, gentle but firm, her hand resting on his chest.
When she pulled away, Daro smirked. "I thought we agreed not to do that here," he said.
Kaydel's smile was fleeting.
He gave a subtle nod, then stepped back. "I'll be right outside." He turned and disappeared through the door.
Kaydel waited for the door to seal behind him, then turned to BB-56, who was watching her with tilted curiosity. "Beebee," she said, "I need you to transmit a message to Rey."
—
The Millennium Falcon's engines hummed softly as Rey and Ben settled into the cockpit. The adrenaline of their battle had faded, leaving behind only the quiet hum of the ship and the creak of durasteel settling. Rey sank into the pilot's seat, rolling her shoulders to ease the lingering tension.
Outside the viewport, the jungle of Akiva stretched endlessly, its emerald canopy swaying in the humid breeze like a living, breathing thing. Then she noticed it—the comm panel blinking insistently, a single red light cutting through the dim cockpit like a warning.
She flicked the switch. "See-Threepio, what is it?"
The droid's voice crackled through the speakers, his tone as anxious as ever. "Mistress Rey, I have an urgent message from Senator Connix! She insisted it was of the utmost importance!"
Rey glanced at Ben, who had already taken the co-pilot's seat beside her. His dark eyes met hers, steady, but she could feel a shift in him.
"Patch it through," she said.
The comm hissed and Kaydel's voice filled the cockpit. "Rey, I'm safe for now, but there's been an assassination attempt." She paused, taking a deep breath. "The Path of the Open Hand… they're escalating things. The Senate is divided. I don't know who I can trust. I need your help."
The message ended abruptly, leaving the cockpit in silence.
She stood abruptly, her boots thudding against the deck as she paced the narrow space. The air felt suddenly thicker, charged with a tension that made it hard to breathe. "They're attacking Senators now," she said, her temper rising. "My friend."
Ben leaned back in his seat, his arms crossed over his chest. "They're extremists, violence was inevitable."
Rey turned. "She's in danger because of me. Every time she speaks up for us, The Path threatens her."
His gaze softened slightly. "You did the right thing. You always do."
She exhaled sharply and dropped back into the pilot's seat, running a hand over her hair. The jungle outside blurred as she stared, unseeing, her mind racing. "We need to get back to the temple," she said finally. "Regroup. Figure out our next move."
Ben nodded. "Let's go."