Eye Of The Needle (Star Wars)

Chapter 35: A Diplomatic Mission

Koltav's eyes lit up. "Storm."

Koltav gave me a smile, which I returned. Master Windu cleared his throat, snapping me back to reality. "...Er, I mean...your excellency, what brings you here?"

"I've asked the Jedi for help to join me on a diplomatic mission." Koltav explained.

I raised an eyebrow. "A diplomatic mission?"

"Yes, the Diktat here has asked to be escorted to the neutral planet Manaan. However they do not allow Jedi on their planet." Master Mundi explained.

"So you want me to go undercover?" I suggested.

"Precisely." Master Fisto said with a nod.

"Don't worry, Storm. His excellency here has informed us that he has a plan." Kina assured me with a small smirk.

My palms began to sweat upon seeing Kina's face. There was something she knew that she wasn't telling me, and knowing me she definitely wouldn't tell me. Koltav spoke up before I could say anything. "I'll let you in on everything on the way to Manaan."

"Very well, settled it is." Master Yoda confirmed. "To Manaan, you and the Diktat, will go."

•••
"And what exactly is this diplomatic mission?" I inquired as I made the jump to hyperspace.

Koltav sat right beside me in the cockpit. Areria wasn't joining us this time, which she was moody about. But I know Areria will forget about it within a week.

"Well, you are my bodyguard, however the people of Manaan will not allow Jedi onto their planet." Koltav explained. "So I came up with a plan, and it involves you pretending to be my wife."

My eyes widened as I turned over to look at him. "What?"

He wore a sheepish smile. "I thought that was the best plan so no one would suspect a thing. Besides I'd love for you to be my wife, even if it's for a little while."

I returned his smile as I placed a hand over his. "And I'd love for you to be my husband, even if it's just for this mission."

Koltav's smile widened at my words. He then placed a hand on my cheek before leaning in. However before our lips could meet, we heard a beep followed by a whistle. I mentally groaned, remembering that R3 was with us. We both reluctantly pulled away as R3 made his way towards me. He let out a whistle, teasing me with what he just saw.

"I think your circuits are malfunctioning, R3. Nothing happened, right?" I replied as I glanced over at Koltav.

Koltav nodded vigorously. "Yeah! Storm's right."

R3 let out a few beeps, saying yeah right. I mentally sighed. This is going to be one long mission. Once we arrived on Manaan, I had changed into a traditional Corellian dress. It was a long emerald green dress with Corellian symbols all over the dress in gold, a necklace with a Corellian love stone, and a small black overcoat over the dress. Koltav wore an outfit similar to mine, and together we both wore matching rings. We landed in the hangars located in the heart of the city. Ahto City was the capital city of Manaan, and it was the only city in the planet that was above the water. The huge capital city floated up, no doubt using a buoyancy system. The entire city was shell-shaped and the foundation of the city descended into the surrounding oceans.

Once we walked out, we were greeted by a Selkath in a bronze dress with white armor around the chest. This Selkath had blue grayish skin, black eyes, head-tendrils, and by the mouth, the Selkath had two cephalic lobes. Behind this Selkath, there were several other Selkaths with armor and vibroblades. No doubt they were guards, which meant this Selkath was one of the chief justices of the Ahto High Court. While we were on the ship, I searched up all intel on the Selkath and their home planet.