Afterglow | The Clone Wars

Loyalty

Dakota understood the senate and their decision, but also she didn't, despite devoting much time to meditate over it.

Hours passed with her emerald eyes closed, floating two feet above the ground, contemplating within the depths of her mind the compromised speeder, the onslaught of sudden votes, Padmé's disappointment in delivering the news. Satine walking away from her, as if this was entirely her fault.

As a Jedi, this issue shouldn't concern her to this degree. External affairs, as Mace said, are not hers to take upon. Although they fit like an old, worn cardigan. The Mandalore System is where Dakota was from. Even though as a child she left her home to become a Jedi, its still held a place in the framework of her being.

The Duchess and her fight to keep Mandalore out of this conflict meant something. It's a righteous endeavor. Unfortunately, there was nothing that Dakota could do to aid her in that. Her hands are officially, legally tied.

On her wrist, the communication link began to blink, signaling that someone was trying to make contact. Her eyes slowly opened, restoring herself to the present. She tapped the button on her wrist, slowly lowering back to the ground as Master Yoda appeared in holographic form.

"Master" she nodded respectfully.

"Master Ky," The Jedi Master greeted, green eyes blinking knowingly. "Tomorrow, to Mandalore you will go. Along with a handful of your soldiers. Aid with the stopping of Death Watch, you will." He told her. Dakota looked away from the hologram, the urge to protest was on the tip of her tongue.

She'd protest just about anyone and anything, but not Master Yoda, she knew far better than that. Her eyes drifted, brows furrowing. "Yes Master, I'll— I'll go inform my men." she told him.

Yoda sensed the hesitation. "Disagree with this order, do you?"

"No Master," she said quickly, looking back at the master. "We'll set off for Sundari at first light." She then clicked off the hologram, sighing heavily as her shoulders hunched forward. She covered her face— frustrated, then drew her hands back through her hair.

Master Yoda watched as her holographic figure vanished from the table, leaving him and Master Mace Windu in the war room back at the Temple. They shared a glance with each other.

"Uncertainty, I sense in Ky."

"Indeed." Mace agreed. "She has not enjoyed this assignment." He crossed his arms. "She initially refused to be the duchess's escort when I first assigned her with the task."

"The cause of her reluctance, do you know?" Yoda wondered, his small, green hands resting on the ball of his staff.

A young, emotionless girl crossed Mace's mind. Cold beyond her years, weathered and worn before her life had even truly began. She crossed a landing platform, nothing but a satchel in hand, leaving a tall, lavish home in her wake. Her feet carried her to a transport ship where a tall, impenetrable Jedi Master stood waiting for her.