So Much For Shore Leave

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The shuttle carrying Kalira Sionous landed smoothly and the exit ramp was already lowering when Anakin, Ahsoka, and I began to walk toward the arriving party. My stomach was still in knots from my interaction with the Captain just a few seconds ago and my heart pounded so loud in my head that I could hardly focus on anything else. It wasn't until we saw the first few sets of feet coming down onto the ramp that the three of us halted where we stood. Two armed bodyguards, followed by a tall, slender man with neatly combed hair and a sophisticated-looking suit were the first few people to emerge from the ship. The tall man clutched a data pad at his side and appeared to be speaking into his earpiece. I sensed tension within him, but who wouldn't be on edge given the circumstances?

"If I had to guess..." I leaned over and whispered to Ahsoka "I'd say that man would be her manager."

"I'm telling you this is an outrage!" The man grew louder and more frustrated, now shouting at whoever was on the other end of the line. "We were told we had to wait until the dead of night to land, and then they send us out here in the middle of nowhere, with no celebration, no fanfare, no greeting party, nothing! It is an insult to the Lady Sionous and everything she upholds, and it will not stand!"

"Gee, ya think?" Ahsoka whispered back to me while the man continued to tear into the person on the phone. It was then that I looked back to the ramp and finally saw her.

Trailed by two handmaidens, Kalira Sionous seemed to glide down the ramp before us. She was adorned in an elegant, flowing white gown with a sheer shawl draped upon her head, and her hair was tucked away within the white fabric. I had always known she was beautiful, but the vids did not do her justice. She was only human, but there was a sort-of angelic glow that radiated from her. She looked over to where Anakin, Ahsoka, and I were standing, and began to approach.

"Good evening, Master Jedis. Thank you all for being here. I understand you will be in charge of my safety while I'm here on Coruscant." She gave a warm smile and exchanged pleasantries beginning with Anakin, then Ahsoka. When her eyes landed on mine, they widened for an instant, as if she had recognized something. "And what is your name Lady Jedi?" she asked. Her handmaidens' gaze both turned to me as well.

"I-I..." I started but was having a hard time getting the words out. How could I have fought in countless battles, come face to face with Sith lords and certain death multiple times, and this is what causes me to freeze?

"She is General Shaara Lin," Anakin cut in, "She and I lead the 501st Legion together." I exhaled. I would have to thank him for saving my life later.

Snapping out of my star-struck stupor, I gave a short bow. "It is an honor, Miss Sionous." I looked back up to her. "My apologies, you see, I admire your work. Not only your music but all everything you do to help those in need. I just hold the utmost respect for you."

She smiled. "The honor is mine, General Lin. I am always happy to meet a fan, and to have the respect of a Jedi Knight such as yourself..." she sighed "It truly warms my heart." She stepped back, addressing the three of us now. "You will have to forgive Charles, my handler." She motioned over in the direction of the man who was now red in the face, still screaming on the phone.

Charles? I thought. What an odd name...

"He doesn't handle it well when his plans are forced to change. You see, we only just learned about the additional security measures to be taken when we came out of hyperspace. I understand the separatists have made a threat on my life?"

"That's correct, Miss Sionous—" I started.

"Please," She cut me off, giving me a kind smile. "I ask that you call me Kalira."

"Uhm...yes, Kalira," I responded. It felt strange to be on a first-name basis with someone of her stature, but I certainly appreciated the need to drop the formalities. "We believe they will try to strike while you're here on Coruscant, which is why we had to arrange this...unconventional arrival. The less anyone knows of your whereabouts, the better."

She nodded. "I completely understand. We are at your mercy while we are here. I'll try to make sure Charles doesn't make your jobs too difficult. He can be a bit...eccentric."

"WE MIGHT AS WELL FORGET THE WHOLE ITINERARY!!" He screamed, causing all of us to look over in his direction. He threw the datapad onto the ground and began stomping on it. Just when I thought the tantrum was over, he pulled his earpiece off and crushed it in his hand. He then stormed off down the landing pad, followed by two, extremely confused Coruscant guard members.

"My apologies..." Kalira stated a hint of exasperation in her voice.

"Honestly," Anakin began, "it might be a good thing he doesn't have the phone. You know, for security reasons."

Kalira let out a chuckle, and the tension eased a bit. Ahsoka and I joined in the light-hearted moment, sharing a laugh.

"Agreed, General Skywalker. However, I do hope that we are still able to throw the ball." She looked back at him, hopeful.

"Ball?!" I asked, not realizing it was out loud before the question had already left my lips. "What ball?!