Leilani had been groomed into the world of formalities, evening gowns, and high society by her brother. She vaguely recalled the lengthy lessons on how to sit and engage with government officials, how to conduct herself at formal events, and even the proper way to eat. Dooku took it upon himself to shape her mannerisms and wardrobe, offering no real explanation beyond the need for preparedness in case anything went awry. Those lessons proved invaluable during Senate galas and gatherings on Serenno, where her every move was scrutinised as though by Tatooine hyenas. Even the slightest misstep, like using the wrong fork, could be grounds for ridicule. Dooku made sure that never happened. He was the father figure she never had, effortlessly stepping into the role after rescuing her. He was the one person she could always count on, even from the farthest reaches of the galaxy. He'd drop everything, sever every tie, just to be by her side.

That was long ago.

His transformation might have begun the day he first saw the three-year-old girl—his sister, his kin—or perhaps it was when he realized that he cared deeply for both Qui-Gon and her. He wanted to create a better world for them, but somewhere along the way, in his efforts to change everything, he lost them both.

Leilani couldn't help but think about what he would say if he could see her now, standing in one of the Senate's repulsorpods, willing to go toe-to-toe with the Chancellor himself.

He would've been proud.

He was proud.

"We are threatening occupation over a planet which was supposed to remain neutral. My people have never asked to be in part of this war, nor would it be fair to push something against their will. The Serennian government and majority supports Count Dooku's claim and believe him to be the ruler who can bring peace and prosperity again," she said. "By forcing them to choose sides, we would risk another civil war, not only an abomination but a powerful strike against the Republic authority as a whole."

"As much as I tend to agree, a leader can define a whole planet, Countess," the Chancellor attempted to protest.

"Once again, I will have to disagree, Your Excellency. The only military presence residing over Serenno is a small blockade and the Count's private fleet, to prevent any conflict; and while he actively presides over the Confederacy Senate, he never once intended to bring Serenno closer to that or the war. He is cautiously keeping himself and the planet as two entirely different entities, for this exact reason. To prevent a war inside his walls," she argued, glancing through the crowd, before turning back towards the Chancellor. "One of my men died in an attempt on my life, yesterday evening, a strong coincidence of why I am standing right here. As a General, I've witnessed too many lives wasted in a war that should never have happened and so was his. The first of many if we decide to move against my planet. We are losing our moral compass, our principles, by allowing this conflict to drag on. Many planets and Republic systems are already suffering from endless military campaigns. What is it all for? The resources are drained, healthcare and education systems are collapsing under the strain. All for the sake of producing more clone soldiers and waging more battles. I do not wish the same fate to my planet, nor my people, and I am sure that neither does the Count."

Mas Amedda was visibly holding back a sneer. "Talk of an idealist."

"No, those are the words of a woman, who had no choice but to participate in the war, right on the first lines of the battlefield, and doesn't intend to drag her people into it."

Padmé Amidala, seated in a repulsorpod nearby, interjected with a calm but firm tone. "The Countess speaks not from idealism, but from an understanding of the consequences of war. We cannot ignore her insights on this matter."

Bail Organa added, "Plus, Countess Serenno raises valid concerns. We must consider the broader implications of our actions. Pushing Serenno into the conflict risks not only further destabilising the region but also alienating potential allies who value neutrality."

The Chancellor's facade of composure slipped slightly, betraying a hint of frustration. "I understand your perspectives, but we cannot afford to overlook the strategic advantages of bringing Serenno into the fold. Count Dooku's influence poses a significant threat to the Republic, and we must act decisively to neutralise it."

"We must not show weakness!"

Leilani stood her ground, straightening her posture once again. "I do not dispute the need to address Count Dooku's influence, but there are alternative approaches that do not involve military intervention. Diplomacy, negotiation, and respecting Serenno's sovereignty are all viable options."

"That may be so, Countess," the Chancellor said dismissively, waving away her point. "However this message was delivered to my staff this morning." He motioned to the Chargrian Vice-Chair, who leaned forward and pressed a few buttons to bring up the communication. "I think you shall find it most enlightening."

The hologram appeared the blue hues of it flicking in and out as the recorder droids went in circles around it. A female holopresence, with perspicable similarities to Leilani, was projected throughout the chamber—her long, dark hair barely hiding the Serennian crest on the exact cape Leilani was now wearing.

"The actions of Count Dooku have taken us in one of our darkest times, to acknowledge it, would be to invite panic onto the streets and our homes. Serenno's legacy has perished in his hands, and this government will finally be lost; it is more than mere possibility, or mere eventuality. It is here," the hologram transmitted, leaving Leilani to stare, trying to stay silent for her own sake. "The remaining government officials in favour of the Republic are not able to act on their own, nor are our people. The Count's influence is far stronger than we once thought, and if we are to combat it effectively, to restore the planet's affluence, we must seek the help of the Jedi and the Republic troops. Make no mistake; Republic intervention is absolutely necessary."

Leilani's heart tripped, and she couldn't seem to make her eye focus, as she stared up to the holoprojector in disbelief. "No, this can't be right," she voiced her thoughts. "My sister knew the consequences of an invasion. Surely, this is some kind of mistake." She hadn't meant to, but her voice came out sharper, colder, and with a harsher edge than usual.

"Sadly, we cannot ask Countess Jenza's of her views anymore, but let us ensure that her death was not in vain," the Chancellor said, opening his hands towards the mass, silently inviting the members to join. "Let us commit our military might to defending the Serennian people."

"Defending?!" Leilani asked, not being able to mask her emotions. "You mean to occupy their homes, making the planet a military target and therefore bringing war to them. You would cause an indirect eradication of my people."

"We mean to save your people."

"Like you have saved so many innocent people before in this galaxy," Leilani bit back.

Palpatine subtly shook his head, glazing through the Senate chamber. "The vote shall commence in the next session."

Privately, Leilani would have groaned in exasperation, but in public, she merely shrugged and narrowed her eyes as her Senate pod returned to its place. There was always an unwelcome surprise, and it seemed the Chancellor was perpetually one step ahead. No matter how her speech roused the Senate's cheers, the appearance of this new, questionable evidence erased all that momentum. At least, she was fairly certain it was fake.

"That went well," Anakin said with a hint of sarcasm as she stepped out of the pod. He, Ashoka and Obi-Wan were already there, having stood through the Senate session, the latter two worried for her after news of her accident—and perhaps even more so after her latest words in the assembly.

"It was an impressive speech, Master Serenno," commented the young Togruta, her words thoughtful as she tried to hide a smirk.

Leilani moved ahead, with the three following from either side. She shook her head lightly, acknowledging Ahsoka's compliment. "Thanks, little 'Soka. But it wasn't nearly enough. I never thought I'd be arguing against my own... sister."

Obi-Wan opened his mouth to respond, but Anakin jumped in first. "Do you think she was coerced into recording that message?"

"I'm on my way to find out," Leilani replied with a frustrated sigh. "I have an old contact who might be able to help uncover the truth."

"Or," Obi-Wan suggested cautiously, "perhaps you shouldn't make any decisions while you're in this state of mind."

Leilani stopped dead in her track, turning towards the man. "State of mind?! And what state of mind would that be precisely?"

Anakin and Ashoka went silent, as Obi-Wan stroked his hand through his beard, thinking about an answer. "What I am saying is," he intended to correct himself, but just couldn't find the right words. "Any person would be hysterical by—"

"Hysterical? The Republic is attempting to force its will upon innocent people, once again," she said, turning the other way.

"I only meant that—"

"Frankly, I am surprised that you are not hysterical and perhaps if more people were to get hysterical, we wouldn't be fighting a useless war, almost acting like slaves," she concluded, leaving a humble-mouthed Obi-Wan and dazed Anakin and Ashoka behind.

Anakin and his Padawan glanced at each other, both being cautious of the moment; only then did they look towards the older Jedi, from the corner of their eyes. Obi-Wan's eyes softened, yet his features were drawn by clear distress and concern. He only meant good as she cautioned Leilani; and could do nothing but stare after her departing form on the corridor.

To say Leilani was hurt or furious would be an understatement—she was raging as she stormed out of the Senate building, almost swearing at the wardrobe droid as she grabbed a cloak and yanked it over her head. Her anger wasn't directed at Obi-Wan per se, but after lashing out at him, she didn't feel much guilt either. She continued on her way, striding through the narrow streets, intent on reaching a specific shop almost a click away. After yesterday's incident, she was too cautious to call a driver, preferring to walk and breathe in Coruscant's grimy air, despite the risk. She hovered her hand over the lightsabre on her belt, being alert while taking every step; merely cautious, trying not to be conspicuous as the HoloNet still transmitted the recordings of the Senate debate. She was afraid to look at herself on the screens, as it was a mere shadow of herself, a puppet of the political game that was fabricated. On there, she appeared differently; and she didn't like it at all.

That is, until she arrived at a familiar gallery, located in one of the more upscale sectors. Greasy dust particles swirled in front of the neatly painted building; she could barely see the worn-out panel on the top of the transparisteel front; yet it still read the same words as years ago in aurebesh— Galactic Antiquities and Objects of Interest. She stood still in front of the door, briefly making eye-contact with the girl working inside, who almost rushed towards her.

"Kleya," she greeted as the door opened, a sense of urgency in her voice. "I should have called ahead, but I was merely walking around and thought to...visit you," she explained briefly as the tan-skinned girl stepped out to the landing pod.

"Nonsense, my lady," Kleya bowed, gesturing towards the entryway. "I'm sure that he will be overjoyed to see you." The tone was clear, the masking of the pleasantries as the girl looked towards Leilani. They were proficient, always keeping up the perfect facade of a shopkeeper and employee, hence why Leilani could trust them the most.

"Is he here—"

"Lady Serenno," came the voice of the man, as the doors closed behind Leilani's forms. A smile on his face, while wearing a blue silk robe over his clothes. The roots of his hair were already greying; yet his face never betraying anything but youth as he placed his palms together.

She couldn't help but return his smile. "I thought I would seek a gift, for a good friend; and wherever else would I go if not here."

"Ah," the man acknowledged.

"Perhaps something from Serenno, if you have; our culture used to be just as mysterious as fascinating," she added, giving him a meaningful look.

He nodded carefully. "I should have something, out in the back," he gestured. "Let us have a look."

She moved carefully through the aisles, mindful not to brush against any artefacts. Luthen was much the same as his gallery—unchanged but with an ever-growing skill at keeping his network intact. He was one of the few individuals who could topple an empire if it ever came to that. He led her through the folding screen to the mizzen chamber, where his smile quickly dissolved as he came to a halt.

"I should have warned you against the Senate, Leilani," he told her, dropping the shopkeeper's facade.

She sighed. "And I should have sought you out when I arrived, Luthen. I can't win this battle alone."

Luthen stepped closer to her. "No, not when the Chancellor himself is against you, nor when they forge an evidence."

"So they did forge it," Leilani whispered in disbelief.

"Of course they did," he shook his head slightly. "There hasn't been a weapon that wasn't used; you know the best. If, and again, if your sister has made a real an actual recording, they have manipulated it for their convenience. So much for their beloved democracy."

"Can you find out?" asked she.

Luthen nodded. "I can't change the world yet, but I might be able to change your people's fate for now."

"That's one step ahead, Luthen. You are building your network, been for years now, and there hasn't been one more powerful nor so subtle about it. The work that you do... either grows or it dies...yet rather...with time more and more people will seek your help just as I do now; and with the war only getting worse, we need to expect the worse scenarios and outcomes."

"We burn our decency for someone else's future and our life for a sunrise that we will never see," he said.

"Exactly. But we both know that it is worth it."

War and its challenges can build friendships but can also break those who allow it. However, there are some who stand firm, fighting the inevitable, even when they know it might cost them everything. This inner rebellion is driven by a deep-seated ego that finds neither reflection, nor recognition, nor the light of gratitude. The political tides shifted with the Chancellor's increasing power, setting a new plot into motion—something they had already strived to prevent. Yet, as individuals, they lacked the strength to combat it alone. Luthen was one of those rare souls, uninterested in grandiose rhetoric, living instead by his own truth, as to why his friendship and character were so valuable to Leilani too.

"I'll return in the morning, to finalise the purchase," said Leilani, as they stepped towards the door, sealing their agreement. "That is one magnificent sculpture, I simply must have."

"Of course, I will have Kleya wrap it up for you until then," Luthen smiled histrionically, as he opened the door of the gallery for her. "We will be waiting for you, Countess."

"Thank you, Luthen," she bowed slightly, the man returning the gesture as they departed ways.

She had a well-thought-out plan to prepare the necessary information for the Senate while Luthen and his network of spies worked to uncover where things had gone wrong. Although she couldn't afford to rely on just one approach, she hoped that Luthen would unearth something significant. At the same time, she was searching for another lead, thinking through the best course of action. As she pondered, she sensed another presence—someone else who could offer the assistance she needed, perhaps, if she would be able to catch him on the go.

She made her way through the bustling crowds, heading towards the city centre, where the bazaars were in full swing. The streets were packed with people darting back and forth, chattering about trivial matters, or lining up to buy unappetizing snacks from a Sullustan vendor on the right side of the street. She entered a dimly lit alley, bracing for the inevitable—a sudden attack. But instead of a gunshot, two figures emerged from the shadows. One jumped on her back while the other grabbed her arm, pinning it down. She opened her palms, intending to force remove the little Selkath from her sight, yet as the other mercenary on her back started to bite her neck, she had no choice but to abandon that thought.

Leilani winced as the mercenary's teeth sank into her neck, sending a jolt of pain through her body. She struggled to free herself, but the Snivvian on her arm held her tightly. She focused, trying to tap into the Force, but the pain made it difficult to concentrate. She kicked back with her heel, trying to hit the Selkath behind her, but he moved just in time, avoiding the blow. The alley was tight, filled with shadows and debris, making it hard to move freely, yet she needed to act quickly before more attackers showed up. Leilani twisted her wrist, attempting to loosen the Snivvian's grip, but his hold was like iron. He grunted as he tightened his hold, pulling her closer.

She felt Selkath's hot breath on her neck as he growled, preparing to bite down again. Leilani's fear turned to anger, her adrenaline surging. She thrust her elbow backward, catching him in the ribs. He stumbled but didn't let go. The Snivvian grinned, his teeth flashing in the dim light, as he pulled her arm down further, trying to bring her to her knees. Leilani closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She tapped into the Force, focusing all her energy on breaking free. The alley seemed to vibrate as she harnessed the Force, feeling it flow through her veins. She pushed upward, her body lifting slightly off the ground, her movements more fluid. The Snivvian's grip faltered, and the Selkath stepped back in shock.

But before she could act, a sudden shot rang out. It echoed through the narrow alley, and she felt the mercenary behind her collapse. She turned to see the Selkath lying on the ground, a blaster hole in his chest— while the Snivvian too loosened his grip all the way in surprise, letting her to finally break free.

"For the love of—" she almost allowed herself a curse, as she looked towards the containers on the closest rooftop, where the scope of the sniper's weapon glinted.

Finally, she ignited her sabre, preparing to deflect another shot; and jumped up to the bounty hunter; just when the robot police arrived.

"Hands up to where they are visible," one of the droids said.

"Drop the weapon," the other added.

"Finally," she said. "They attacked me, I'm sure that you can—," she moved forward, but the droid kept its blaster up and towards her.

"Drop the weapon," it repeated.

Leilani looked at the droid in disbelief. "Well, I don't have time for this," she remarked, shaking her head. Drawing upon the Force, she unleashed a powerful push, sending the droids tumbling backward. "Good talk, catch you later," she half-handedly saluted towards them, as she once again, reached into the Force, and jumped up to the nearest rooftop.

She scanned the platforms, each appearing identical at first glance, but in the far left corner, a flash of yellow caught her eye. The mysterious figure was sprinting across the docking bay, a sniper rifle slung over his shoulder. Leilani locked onto him and bolted, her movements a blur as she weaved through the cluttered platforms, knocking over crates and barrels that obstructed her path. She leapt onto a stack of cargo, gaining height, then dropped down onto the next level, where she had a clear line of sight on the fleeing sniper. He was heading for his speeder, but she was gaining ground quickly. The platforms shuddered beneath her footfalls as she pushed herself to run faster.

The sniper reached his speeder and fumbled to start it, but before he could power it up, Leilani hurled her lightsaber. It spun through the air with a high-pitched hum, striking the speeder's engine and sending sparks flying. The impact was precise, rendering the speeder inoperable. The man recoiled, stumbling backward as his getaway vehicle failed to start.

Leilani didn't slow down.

She continued to close the distance, her lightsaber returning to her hand as she prepared for the final confrontation. Her heart raced, adrenaline coursing through her veins, but her focus was razor-sharp. The man had been a step ahead earlier, but now he had nowhere to run.

"Who hired you?" she asked, threateningly holding her sabre close to the man's neck. The red marking on his forehead was evident, yet Leilani didn't remember reading about him in the archives. "And who are you?"

He remained silent.

Leilani pushed the sabre closer to him. "Very well. I am sure that a few years in prison will loosen your tongue." She picked up the man with the Force, standing with up while still holding the weapon close to him too. "Maybe you can earn some extra years too, for withholding information."

The man dropped low, aiming to sweep Leilani off her feet in a sudden move. However, she sensed his intentions and caught his arm, twisting it sharply and pinning it behind his back, the abrupt motion almost snapping the bone.

"Bad choice," she warned, deactivating her lightsaber and clipping it back onto her belt. Instead of striking him, she shoved him forward, intent on getting to a safer location.

He protested, pushing his feet up from the durasteel, trying to break free, yet seeing there was no use to, he opened his mouth. "Alright..., alright," he sighed.

"Oh? So now you can talk?" Leilani furrowed her brows mockingly. "Well then, tell me everything. Name first."

The bounty hunter snickered as they had stopped. "Rako Hardeen."

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Lils's corner;

Just wanted to say... May the 4th be with you all! < 3