Throughout her time at the temple, Leilani had never found herself in serious trouble. Master Yaddle had made sure of that, especially after dealing with Dooku's mischievous antics. Dooku had been the temple's biggest troublemaker as a child, and perhaps even more so as a teenager. Both Master Yaddle and Yoda often recounted stories of his escapades with fondness in their voices. Now, with the police hot on her trail, Leilani understood why such strict measures had been put in place. Every step she took seemed to be monitored by clones or droids, with probes deployed for the sole purpose of locating her—the Countess of Serenno.

She tightened her cloak over her head, using one hand to keep it in place while she pushed the captured bounty hunter through the crowded streets; as he seemed to accept that there was no escaping her grasp. She steered him into a narrow alleyway on the lower levels of the capital planet, seeking a place to hide from anyone who might be searching for her. The hall she found was shadowy and off the main paths, a perfect spot to catch her breath and consider her next move.

"Come," she said, giving the bounty hunter a nudge as she noticed a comm booth at the end of the alley.

"That one?" Hardeen asked, eyeing it sceptically.

She sighed. "Do you see any other comm booths around?" she replied. "I need to get in touch with someone."

"Sure, if your idea of communication is a shout into the void," Hardeen quipped dryly.

Leilani shrugged. "At least if they find us, I can use you as bait and make a run for it."

He seemingly chose to remain silent as she dragged him inside the booth and keyed in a privacy code. The transparisteel went opaque as a stone as she waited for the person to respond, but after no projection appeared even after a minute, she tapped her fingers aggressively into the pod.

"Dammit, Ani," she shook her head.

"Maybe he's avoiding you," Hardeen remarked with a smirk. "Can't say I blame him."

Leilani shot him a quick glance. "Don't worry, Hardeen, I'll make sure you remain connected—probably with my boot."

As Hardeen silenced himself once again, she worked on the tiny keypad, pushing in another clearance code and hoping that it would work. Force forbid, she hadn't used it for years, nor asked to see if it was unchanged, yet with little to no option, and even less trust in anyone but them; she had to reach out. Perhaps, he would chide her, but would never turn on her.

The booth darkened again, as a hand-sized image shimmered into existence above the small holodisk; a man with strawberry blonde hair and and with a clear, steadily intelligent gaze from his aquamarine eyes. "Leilani," he said, concern in his voice. "Where are you? Mas Amedda has demanded you turn yourself in."

"I know," she sighed, taking another glance at the bounty hunter beside her. "I don't have time to explain right now, but I need your help. Meet me near Dex's if you can, please."

Obi-Wan crossed his arms and sighed softly. "I'm on my way."

She hardly got a chance to say goodbye, as he broke the transmission and the booth's transparisteel became clear; then, she stepped out of it; scanning through the alleyway once again—however, there was no probe or droid in sight. She let out a weary breath, grabbing onto the coat of the man; pushing him forward to be on their way. They walked out onto the busting streets navigating through the flow of people, trying not to be underfoot; or be far too suspicious; even when they met up with a group of clones, Leilani pulled her hood tightly over her head, as they passed them. It was far from ideal, running or jumping over the crates just to avoid and run faster than the droids could; so she pulled up, throwing Hardeen up to another rooftop—and while he let out a surprised scream, she jumped up, landing lightly next to him.

Hardeen snickered. "Don't do that again."

"You're a prisoner, remember?" Leilani retorted. "I could throw you in a cell anytime, or just hand you over to the people who hired you. I doubt they'd be pleased with your lack of results." She quickened her pace, keeping a close watch on him. "Also, knowing my brother—assuming he was the one who hired you—he might just... well, you know."

"You wouldn't," Hardeen shrugged off the suggestion.

"Oh, I don't have to. But he definitely would," Leilani said with a frown. "So, let's be clear—I do what I want."

Hardeen grimaced, but instead of firing back, he focused on his footing, cautious not to stumble off the rooftops. Leilani maintained a steady distance, her steps deliberate as they made their way to the Diner's level, its neon sign soon coming into view.

"Can you jump down, or do I need to—"

"I'll jump," he replied, cutting her off abruptly.

Leilani shook her head in amusement at his quick reaction. She jumped down after him, careful not to snag her longer cloak as she landed on a crate; also making sure the Serennian crest on the other cloak under it didn't get exposed to prying eyes as she followed him to the street below.

She eyed the surroundings carefully; only then did she move towards the nearest bench, pressing Hardeen down and sitting down next to him. Her hand moved to her hood, securing it once again over her head; and waited for Obi-Wan to appear—and she didn't need to stay there for long. Minutes later, another hooded figure stepped onto the street; the brown Jedi cloak evident to the trained eye. He glanced to the side, before walking ahead and spotting Leilani, sitting down next to her, while keeping up a calm facade.

"Seeing you alright...well, it's a relief," he said, sitting on the side to not cause undue suspicion. "You should turn yourself in, we've both sworn loyalty to the Republic and the Jedi Order, I am sure that they—"

Leilani let her lips twitch slightly. "Neither of us is breaking their oath, Obi-Wan. I do intend to turn myself in, but I can't do it now; I need time to get evidence from my contact. By the morning I should have proof about how Jenza's holomessage was forged; all I need to do it to release some funds from our old accounts. The only thing is, all the clearance codes are in Dooku's apartment, where I can't get alone."

Obi-Wan sighed, careful not to turn around or face her directly. "What's your plan?"

She smiled softly, somewhat grateful for how easily Obi-Wan agreed to her unconventional request, despite knowing that he despised breaking rules. The irony wasn't lost on her, but this mission was no longer about her or him—it was about the millions of people who depended on her to keep their homes safe. She meticulously outlined the details of her plan, explaining the layout of Dooku's apartment and identifying the best angles for their advantage. She expected the police to be swarming the area, anticipating her arrival, so they had to proceed with caution. Obi-Wan would serve as the distraction, while Leilani was to slip into the building to retrieve the disk. The only complication was... the dead weight in the form of the bounty hunter.

"Why do we need him again?" Obi-Wan asked as they approached the upper levels near their old apartment.

Leilani shrugged. "Precaution. He gives me leverage against my brother. Plus, he's a decent shot," she explained simply.

The bounty hunter narrowed his eyes, as he followed the two of them closely, choosing, once again, not to say a word.

The building that housed Dooku's old apartment was once a stunning example of Coruscant's high society, its sleek lines and gleaming facade a testament to the luxury that once flourished there. Now, though, the penthouse had a slightly tarnished edge. Some of the transparisteel panels were clouded, and the chrome fittings had lost their lustre. Leilani felt a twinge of unease as they ascended the final set of stairs leading to the apartment. It wasn't just the shadow of her brother that made her apprehensive—it was the realisation that this place held the weight of betrayal and hidden agendas. Obi-Wan glanced at her, sensing the discomfort in her stance. He knew the risks they were taking, and he could feel her trepidation.

The bounty hunter followed a few steps behind, his eyes darting around cautiously, aware that danger could lurk in any corner.

Leilani pushed into the penthouse's entrance, her hand brushing against the smooth surface of the door. This used to be her brother's sanctuary, the place where they shared fleeting moments of family, but now it felt more like a hollow shell.

Leilani paused, holding back as Obi-Wan stepped forward. He moved with caution, his senses attuned to the subtle shifts in the Force that indicated potential threats.

The corridor leading into the apartment was dimly lit, with occasional flickers from faulty lighting strips. Obi-Wan scanned the area, his steps almost silent, while Leilani kept her distance, waiting for the right moment to move. The faint hum of machinery and distant city sounds filled the air, punctuated by the occasional crackle of static from an unseen intercom. As Obi-Wan rounded a corner, he spotted a Coruscant guard stationed near the entrance to the main living area. The guard was busy checking a datapad, paying little attention to his surroundings. Obi-Wan cleared his throat, drawing his attention. He began speaking in a low, authoritative voice, engaging in a seemingly casual conversation about building security.

While he was distracted, Leilani and Hardeen slipped into the corridor, the first moving with practised stealth, pushing the latter inside. She kept to the shadows, her cloak blending with the dark surroundings as she edged toward the opposite side of the room. The corridor opened into a larger space with multiple doors leading off to different parts of the penthouse. She took a deep breath, ensuring her footsteps made no sound and the bounty hunter stayed at her heel, as she carefully moved toward her target—Dooku's study, where the codes she needed were likely stored. Obi-Wan continued to talk, his voice maintaining an air of calm confidence as he subtly guided the officer further down the corridor. This gave Leilani the cover she needed to advance without attracting attention. She took one last glance back at Obi-Wan, who nodded almost imperceptibly, reassuring her that he had everything under control.

Leilani returned her focus to the task at hand, carefully approaching the door to Dooku's study. She pressed her ear against the smooth surface, listening for any sign of movement inside. Hearing nothing, she carefully reached out with the Force, testing the lock. With a gentle push, the door slid open, revealing the dimly lit interior of the study. She stepped inside, the room bathed in shadows cast by the soft glow of the holoscreens lining the walls. The air was thick with the scent of old books and faint traces of incense. Leilani moved swiftly and silently, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of the data disk she needed. She knew she didn't have much time before the guard outside grew suspicious and Obi-Wan's distraction wore thin.

Finally, she spotted it—a small, nondescript datapad lying on the desk in the far corner of the room. With a sense of urgency, she crossed the room and picked it up, her fingers trembling slightly as she activated the device. A series of security protocols flashed across the screen, prompting her to use the clearance codes she needed to access Dooku's files.

Leilani cursed under her breath, realising she hadn't anticipated this level of encryption. She glanced back at Hardeen, who stood by the door, his expression unreadable. "Do you have any idea how to crack this?" she asked.

Hardeen raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Oh, you mean you didn't bring your trusty 'Decrypting the Impossible' handbook?" he quipped, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Leilani shot him a withering glare. "Very funny," she retorted. "But unless you've got a better idea or you want to be left in the care of that guard, I suggest you start working on that decryption."

Hardeen chuckled, his smirk widening into a grin. "Ah, always the optimist, aren't you?" he replied, his voice laced with amusement. "But don't worry, Princess—I've got a few tricks up my sleeve yet."

For once, she was the one deciding to keep quiet.

Leilani's eyes widened, her hand hovering over her lightsaber, as the door opened once more after a sudden, brief movement—but she quickly calmed down, as she saw Obi-Wan stepping through. "Easy," he said, eyeing her hand. "He is out, not suspecting a thing."

Leilani nodded. "Perfect. Now we only need to crack the codes and—"

"I'm working on it, Princess," Hardeen interjected with a touch of frustration, prompting Obi-Wan to furrow his brows in confusion.

"I beg your pardon?"

Once more, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside.

"Hurry," Leilani chided, instead of letting an unnecessary conflict bloom.

"We need to leave," Obi-Wan whispered urgently, as the source of the echoing footsteps drew nearer to the door.

"One more—"

One step closer.

Leilani shook her head. "We need to go. Now."

The person was standing right on the other side of the door, clear as a crystal as they all held their breath; both Leilani and Obi-Wan turned towards the door.

"Just a— it's done," Hardeen breathed out.

Leilani blinked, her gaze flickering toward the window, recognising it as their only means of escape from the room. Obi-Wan followed her gaze, nodding briefly in comprehension, fully grasping her intent— and even as Hardeen protested against the idea, they carefully opened it just as they heard the guards open the door. Leilani and Obi-Wan wasted no time as they leapt out of the window, their cloaks billowing behind them as they plummeted towards the street below. The wind rushed past their ears, drowning out any sound of pursuit as they descended rapidly.

Hardeen hesitated for a moment, his gaze darting between the open window and the guards entering the room. With a resigned sigh, he followed their lead, jumping out just as the guards turned towards the window.

The trio landed on the central alley; with both Leilani and Obi-Wan adjusting on their cloaks as Hardeen jumped in between them. "You owe me," the bounty hunter snickered.

Obi-Wan looked at him questioningly, as Leilani answered instead. "Perhaps I'll let you run instead of throwing you into the jail, of course."

They have stayed off the trail of the authorities, hiding in the most obvious places, both pushing around Hardeen as a tooka doll; they were both annoyed with his company, even though he did prove to be useful— as any bounty hunter would— they didn't think much of it. So they have carried on, always on the run and never stopping until the first rays of the prime sun. There wasn't much of a conversation, but glances and gestures instead; each one from Hardeen representing another insult; while the ones from Leilani and Obi-Wan were rather an impatient wisecrack.

With a sense of reluctance, Leilani parted ways with the two men, hoping they wouldn't be at each other's throats by the time she returned from Luthen. She dashed off, clutching the data stick tightly, eager to obtain the evidence.

As promised, Kleya awaited her at the door, holding a wrapped disk in her hand. As they exchanged information, a weight lifted from Leilani's shoulders.

"Release him," she said through the comm device, raising her wrist to activate it.

The line crackled with a response from the other end. "Pardon?"

"Release him. I have what I came for. Meet me near the Senate building," she repeated, cutting off the communication. She could only trust that Obi-Wan understood. Besides, she held no grudge against the bounty hunter and was confident that Hardeen would face ample consequences from her brother.

With her hood drawn tightly around her face, she dashed through the deserted streets, her vision obscured but determined. In her haste, she collided with a Nikto unloading cargo, his shouts fading behind her as she pressed on. Twenty minutes later, she arrived at the Senate building, spotting Obi-Wan in her periphery. With a relieved sigh, she lowered her hood, clutching the disk tightly in one hand behind her back, and putting up the other as she approached the guards at the front gate.

"I believe that you are looking for me," she said, assuming their attention.

Obi-Wan proceeded cautiously, using one of the statues as cover while he assessed the situation. Three Senate guards closed in on the woman, and she subtly gestured with the disk behind her back. As the distraction took effect and the guards turned their attention to her, she released the disk. With precision, Obi-Wan reached out through the Force, subtly guiding the disk into his waiting hand just before it hit the durasteel floor.

Leilani watched as the three men raised their blasters, deftly removing her lightsaber from her belt. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan slipped in behind them unnoticed. He glanced back at Leilani with meagre concern in his aquamarine eyes, as the door slid open, and she calmly nodded, maintaining her composure.

So he did the same and nodded back; understanding his duty.

"The occupation of Serenno will bring about a new level of security for the Republic and aid in our ongoing battle against corruption. Our primary objective remains to capture Count Dooku to end this war," the Chancellor declared as Obi-Wan hurried back to the main corridor, determined to find Padmé Amidala. Spotting her Senate pod, he made his way inside.

Padmé glanced at him, puzzled, but as he waved the disk, understanding dawned. "Leilani sent this. It should serve as sufficient proof against the occupation," he murmured, keeping his voice low.

She nodded, activating the pod. "Supreme Chancellor," she began, gesturing for Obi-Wan to take a seat behind her. "There has been a development regarding Serenno's neutrality."

Chancellor Palpatine exchanged a glance with the Chargrian beside him. "The chair acknowledges the Senator from Naboo," he declared.

Padmé raised her hand, holding up the disk as she spoke. "I believe this should cast a new light on the so-called evidence presented earlier," she remarked, inserting the disk into the pod's reader.

The hologram appeared yet again in the Senate chamber, the blue hues quickly taking over the light of the place. Jenza's form was soon cleared, as the holopresence floated over their pods. "The actions of Count Dooku have taken us in one of our darkest times, to acknowledge it would be to invite panic onto our streets and homes. His influence is far stronger than we once thought, but we can change it. With time, the remaining of the people shall realise his errors and opt for a stronger democracy; but we must have the temerity to stand strong in the name of our nation. And if we are to do so, we must reject any Republic assistance, before it will plunge our planet into a civil war. Instead, the people shall act; not out of pride, but safety and democracy. Intervention by the Republic will inflame the opposition, and we cannot let that happen, this is why we must reject help from the outside. We must listen to Countess Leilani; as I am sure, she will succeed me with grace and will restore the peace."

Obi-Wan couldn't help but smile as the woman uttered her final words, feeling a sense of satisfaction that he had been able to help Leilani. There was an unmistakable trust evident in her tone, a trust akin to that of a sister who harboured no doubt that the new Countess would ultimately prevail. Glancing across the Chamber as the Senators voiced their opinions, he breathed a sigh of relief as the vote concluded with a majority 'no' verdict. Expressing his gratitude to Padmé, they then followed the Chancellor into his office, soon joined by Anakin.

"Thankfully, with the revelation of this new information, the occupation of Serenno is no longer necessary," the Chancellor declared as he approached Padmé, gesturing ahead with one hand. They remained in close proximity, with Obi-Wan and Anakin flanking the woman on either side, their hands clasped behind their backs.

She smiled slightly. "The person to thank is Countess Leilani," she said. "She found the proof."

"I require no thanks," her voice came from the direction of the door, causing all of them to pivot towards her. Anakin smirked visibly, while Obi-Wan couldn't hide a proud and amused smile as he gazed at Leilani.

Padmé stepped to greet her. "Leilani," she said. "The Senate held an emergency session, and the Republic forces have been ordered to stand down—"

"Allow me to offer the most sincere apology on behalf of the entire Republic," added the Chancellor. "You are the most loyal servant, and we are all grateful."

"Indeed, grateful," emphasised Mas Amedda, prompting Leilani to offer a nod in his direction.

Flattery seldom paved her way, yet instead of mentally recoiling from the man's words, she chose to accept them, striving to believe in their sincerity.

"Chancellor, if you and Mas Amedda could join me for a moment," Padmé interjected, breaking the silence, and gestured toward the door. "We have some logistics to discuss to ratify the Senate's decision."

Palpatine nodded and took a step forward, allowing Padmé and the Speaker to follow suit. Anakin trailed after them, briefly resting his robotic hand on Leilani's shoulder as they exchanged a fleeting smile. Obi-Wan, too, moved to follow the politicians, but he was halted by Leilani's arm, which she placed in front of his chest.

"But for you, this would've happened," Leilani told him, as he stopped his movement and looked at her.

His expression softened. "No, it was your unshakeable faith in your sister and your determination that brought this result."

"Still," he murmured, lightly shaking her head. "With my brother trying to get me killed, and with someone orchestrating this... who could've done this?"

"I'm not sure," he replied. "But it seems that things are changing, and the line between friend and foe is blurred, now more than ever." He lingered on his reflections, intertwining his fingers behind his back once more; Leilani mirrored his gesture, gently clasping her hands in front of her body as they turned around. For a fleeting moment, they stood in quiet communion, their gazes drawn outward, lost in contemplation through the transparisteel's pane.