"I was programmed to handle hard situations, Sir."
"Yes, but he was quite close to you, wasn't he? Did he say anything? Every piece of information he possessed could help us win the war. Isn't that what you want?" The Chancellor watches me closely...
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Day 744 SK Destination: Coruscant Jedi Temple 2200 hours
It's raining.
I stand out in it, letting it drip down my back and soak my clothes. Small drops fall against my eyelids as I keep my face tilted toward the sky. The ones that miss me fall on the world around me, creating a steady white noise. Images flash in my mind.
Sinker's face, before the explosion. Red spreading across General Plo's tunic. Montann, promising I'll be okay.
One beat.
Two beats.
One beat.
I can hear Wolffe approach behind me, stopping in the doorway to pet Peg. "I thought you hated the rain."
I open my eyes. "I do."
"Then what are you doing out here?"
"Hiding."
He stands by my side. "You can't hide forever."
"I know." My eyes fall. I hate how quiet my voice is. "I miss them, Wolffe."
I leave to join the Coruscant Guard in a few days, when my wounds will be mostly healed. But at least Montann is safe here at the temple, given a second chance by the Jedi. Wolffe will be assigned to a new mission soon, with new troops.
He's quiet as Peg comes up on my left, nudging my hand with his head. I scratch him between the ears and grip Wolffe's hand firmly. His other one is broken in a sling at his side. He broke it trying to save me.
Trying to save me, because he couldn't save his brothers.
