Star Wars: Chuchi's Plight

Chapter 1: The Beginning

 Watching your friend get prosecuted for murdering innocent people and bombing sacred buildings is not the best way to spend your day. Ahsoka Tano was one of the most sincere and dedicated people I've ever met in all of my days as a senator. She was one of the Order's best padawans, which was surprising seeing as she had the most destructive and reckless master. But I guess she picked up a few of Anakin Skywalker's best qualities; his gumption and determination.

When I saw her in the courtroom on the day of her trial, however, she was a different person. Her fun, radiant glow had been replaced with a shallow look of mistrust and fear. All of her friends had given up on her, and she knew it. Here she was, stripped of her rank as a padawan, with very little evidence to prove her innocence and an aggressive and biased prosecutor. At the last minute, however, Master Skywalker barged in with the most surprising of people: Barriss Offee.

Barriss was the padawan of Master Luminara Unduli, one of the Jedi Order's most respected members. She admitted to the crime and explained her opinions on the corruption of the Order. I looked over at Ahsoka, only to see what I had expected. That last little bit of faith she had in her friends had diminished. After Barriss was convicted and sentenced to a life in prison, Ahsoka was invited back into the Jedi Order. After much thought she turned the offer down.

Three days after the trial, I was sitting at my desk in the Senate building working on a speech when I received a message from Ahsoka. I answered it of course, eager to speak her and see if she was alright.

"Senator Chuchi, is now a good time?" Her voice sounded joyful, but not as ebullient as I remember.

"Of course, Ahsoka! It's so wonderful to hear your voice again," I smiled to myself. "I'm just working on senatorial things. You know, working on speeches and what not. But that's not important. Ahsoka, how are you doing?"

"I'm alright. It's actually really strange not having anything to do all day. The council gave me a small pension so I could support myself for the next month or so, but I don't have a job," She paused. "And it's not like I have any skills for trade. Heck, I spent all my life levitating objects and deflecting lasers with lightsabers."

"That's not the worst childhood, trust me. I had a friend back on Pantora... wait, I've got it! You need a job, right? You can come get a job on my homeworld, Pantora! I have a lot of connections and I could find something that suits your fancy."

"Really Riyo, you would do that for me?" She seemed surprised.

"Of course! How about you come over to my apartment tonight and we can discuss it over dinner. It would be so really quite nice to see you again." I giggled and smiled, hoping my happiness would convey through my comlink.

"Okay! I'll be there tonight. I went out and bought myself a 'diplomatic' dress. I hope you like it."

"I can't wait to see it. In the meantime, if you need anything just let me know."

"Will do! See you tonight.

"Ok. Goodbye."

I ended the call and looked around the room. I hadn't spent time with a real friend in a long time. Being a senator meant meeting after meeting after meeting, with no real time for socializing. I chose to run for senator because I wanted to make a difference and inspire the people of Pantora. For a long time, Pantora was just a neutral world in the Senate. We simply joined the republic for aid and minor representation. But when the Clone Wars arrived at our front door on Orto Plutonia, Pantora started to get some attention in the Senate. Then with the kidnapping and recovery of Chairman Papanoida's daughters and the blockade by the Trade Federation, Pantora was recognized across the galaxy as a strong nation with the ability to negotiate themselves out of difficult situations. That's the kind of reputation I wanted Pantora to have: strong and able.