Unexpected

chapter fifteen: backup

"As you can see, any sort of corruption—especially when in league with the Separatists—can and will lead to the end of everything you hold dear." Elara explains. "If you don't work together to squeeze the venom from the serpents within your own home, you may not have a place to call home for much longer."

Elara's testimony and experience in suffering at the hands of the Separatists seems to touch the hearts of the Mandalorian council. The officials soon offer up any information or suspicions they have regarding the corruption in their government. After a finger is pointed in the Prime Minister's direction, the man becomes outraged and impatient.

"The solution to this is simple! Mandalore has become too weak to defend itself. The Duchess refuses to take action in our people's best interest." The Prime Minister argues.

"Everything I do is in the interest of our people." Satine states.

The Prime Minister scoffs. "You can't even protect them from mere rebels. How do you plan to stand against the Separatist army?"

"It will not come to that. Mandalore is a neutral planet, we have no reason to involve ourselves in a war." The Duchess reminds him along with the other officials.

The Prime Minister shakes his head. "I didn't want it to come to this, but you leave me no choice." He grits his teeth. "If Mandalore is to prosper once more, we mustn't deny ourselves of our true nature." The windows around them shatter as the Mandalorian soldiers fly into the room.

Elara falls into a state of panic as she grabs her pistol. As if on cue, the clone troopers run into the room, guns blazing. They pull the attention of the Mandalorians to themselves as the Duchess leads the officials to safety with Elara covering their backs.

"Don't let them escape!" The Prime Minister shouts, causing a few of the jetpack wearing bucket-heads to turn towards Elara.

The group of officials run through the building and to a safe room. Each of them file in one by one as Elara holds off the approaching Mandalorians. Her hands shake as she shoots her pistol, never landing a clean shot, but doing enough to keep them away.

"Elara!" Padmé shouts over the blasting. Elara turns her head to see that they're all in the safe room and clenches her jaw as she closes the door to lock herself—and anyone else—out.

The sound of a blast causes her heart to drop, but she never feels the burning impact of the laser. She turns back towards the fighting to find the familiar body of armor marked with a blue handprint and a wave of relief washes over her.

"They're retreating!" A voice shouts from behind Echo.

"The Prime Minister." Elara gasps.

"You mean this geezer?" Fives asks as he pushes the handcuffed man in front of him. "He's not going anywhere."

Elara sighs in relief as she turns back to the door of the safe room. "Senator, the coast is clear." She speaks through the door, which then quickly opens.

Duchess Satine steps forward to address the former Prime Minister, announcing his arrest before having her personal security detail take custody of him.

"Once again, my people and I owe you a great thanks." Satine turns towards Padmé, who nods in return. "I will see to it myself that this traitor is locked away for the rest of his days." She says, excusing herself to escort the man to their high-security prison.

"Troopers." Padmé speaks. The men stand at attention as they face her. "You all showed valiant efforts today. If not for your outstanding skills, the planet of Mandalore would still be in a great crisis." She continues. "I'm sure that your captain will be pleased to hear of your success."