An Emergency Meeting of the Council of Neutral Systems
Sundari Palace, Mandalore
💫
"How could this happen?"
"How could it not happen?"
"Tyran was civil, kind, generous—"
"And too soft for his own good."
"Mind the way you speak. He was a member of this council and a friend."
"He's dead. It doesn't matter anymore."
"What matters is that we have to act before the Republic or the Separatists do. Either one of them could swoop in at any time and take Sorgan for themselves."
"They'll do anything for profit."
"None of them are trustworthy."
"Surely the Jedi are more trustworthy than Dooku."
"I disagree."
The neutral council members occupying the chairs in front of Satine's grand throne cut back and forth at one another, desperate to be heard with not much to say at all. Satine resided on her throne as typical, listening to them, analyzing each with sharp blue eyes. She wanted a full scope of the situation before she inserted any sort of input, although that was until—
"I wouldn't say it's a coincidence that the moment a Jedi shows up on the crummy planet of Sorgan that Vallis ends up dead. She probably did it herself. I've heard of that one."
"Silence." Satine snapped, harsher than she intended. Her voice echoed around the room.
"You certainly can't be defending a Jedi, Duchess, are you?" the council member gaped at the regal presence.
"The Jedi are friends of mine, of ours. They have come to our aid many times." Satine rose from her throne, the back of her chair glowing orange. Her eyes pierced into the council member who sat stiffly in his seat. He shrank slightly, looking away. Satine carried on, walking between them. "Sorgan is a vibrant planet, with much to offer our galaxy. But they have been scorned and mistreated..." her eyes softened as she thought of her sister.
A mix of two, Sorgonian and Mandalorian. The skin of Sorgan but the heart of a Mandalorian.
"Tyran Vallis, and his wife Amari, are- were trying to fix that." she shook her head. "We must support her now, as it seems she will carry on in her husband's footsteps. And we—" she glared back at the council member she initially interrupted. "Will not assume nefarious involvement from a Jedi who has aided our cause countless time. I will not stand for it."
He offered a sheepish nod.
Satine called for a break then, storming out from the throne room to the balcony beyond. The drop-off of the large palace patio overlooked the domed city that stretched out in an urban maze. Artificially crafted stalactite buildings hung from above as others rose from the ground, intertwining in an organized, tight fit pattern.
Satine rested her hands on the balcony railing, noting that her guards were positioned routinely within close proximity. A sigh broke from her lips as she relaxed to her elbows, her eyes on the ground beneath the balcony that descended to the shadows of the lower levels of the city. People dotted the walkways, their chatter floating up to meet her.
YOU ARE READING
Afterglow II | The Clone Wars
Fanfictionbook 2 although the Clone War is drawing to a close, there is still a war within the Jedi of many secrets. The Order has shaped her ethics, but that which is forbidden is her inner compass. She is a warrior, a sister, a friend, a lover. Ultimately...
