EIDOLON | A. SKYWALKER

UNO

        Unrest had spread across the Galactic Senate like wildfire. Maintaining diplomacy across the galaxy became challenging with the growing Separatist movement. The threat of war was imminent.

        Lady Adhara Kryze must return to Coruscant to fulfill her duties as Marchioness of Mandalore. To protect her homeland from possible impending danger. All in the company with long-time ally Senator Padmé Amidala of Naboo. The crucial vote of creating a Grand Army of the Republic awaits the delegates.

        It was a rare type of day on the capital planet. A kind of day where the soaring building disappeared into low-hanging clouds above.

        Three Naboo fighters landed on the platform, and a pilot popped out of each ship. Captain Typho, the Senator's head of security, approached the two other pilots. They watched the chrome starship touchdown at the other end of the platform.

"We made it,"  Typho sighed in relief. "I guess I was wrong; there was no danger after all."

        As if on cue, there was a blinding flash of light. An explosion rocked the platform, knocking the three pilots off their feet. Alarms echoed across the metropolis.

        Picking themselves off the ground, the pilots rushed to the ship's ruins. Through the smoke, they find where Senator Amidala and Lady Adhara lie, dying. 

        One ran to the Marchioness's aid. "Versé," she whispered.

        The pilot removed their helmet to reveal the real Adhara Kryze. She pulled the woman into her arms; Versé looked back up at her, eyes half shut.

"I'm sorry, M'Lady," Versé strained as she took her final breaths.

"No!" Adhara exclaimed. A wave of dread washed over her.

'I shouldn't have come back.'

        Adhara lowered Versé to the ground with care but stayed knelt by her side. The bodyguard's head cradled in her hands. Tears pooled in the Marchioness's dark auburn eyes. She hadn't known Versé well; still, she hung her head in shame as she watched over her.

        The Marchioness's loyal red astromech C1-RCA ejected herself from the starfighter. Circa rolled to her side and beeped insistently at the woman. Hesitantly she rose from the ground, but her eyes never left Versé.

        Adhara was only broken from her trance by Typho's urgent commands begging them to leave.

        But even as the smoke burned her nostrils and stung her eyes, all she could see was Versé.

----

        Within the hour, Padmé and Adhara headed for the Senate Rotunda. The Marchioness had changed into her signature blue senatorial dress. Beskar detailings on the shoulders held the flowing cape sleeves in place.

        She was still shaken to her core from the attack. Her thoughts dwelled on Versé. But, despite herself, she plastered on a stoic expression.

"My noble colleagues," Padmé interrupted, "I concur with the Supreme Chancellor. At all costs, we do not want war!"

        For a moment, everything went still.

        Then came a burst of applause.

"It is with great surprise and joy that the chair recognizes the Senator from Naboo, Padmé Amidala, and the Marchioness of Mandalore, Adhara Kryze," Palpatine delighted.

        Padmé recounted how seven people were ruthlessly murdered less than an hour ago. She and Adhara may have been the targets, but the Act was the real target. They had helped lead the opposition to build an army. Adhara from the Pacifist Faction and Padmé from the Loyalists. But there was someone who would stop at nothing to see it pass.