Ahsoka and I headed down the corridor toward the turbolift. The Corellian ship as many as four decks. The bridge was located on the third, while the wardroom was on the second, so my Padawan and I were the first to step out.
Once we reached the rather spacious compartment—about sixty-five feet long and fifty wide—we took seats beside each other in chairs secured around a large oval table. At its center stood a holographic projector, and the table itself could function both as a regular dining table and as a tactical display, albeit with significantly reduced capabilities.
I leaned back in my chair with relief. It seemed ridiculous—I had been on my feet for barely half an hour, yet I already felt tired. Hutts take Quinlan Vos and his blasted lightning…
Ahsoka, who undoubtedly sensed everything through our bond, placed her palm gently on my shoulder and asked with concern,
"Master, are you feeling unwell?"
"Well… it could be better. Don't worry… Blin!"
I barely stopped myself from banging my head against the table. Idiot.
"Sorry. How about you? You took a hit too, after all."
The Togruta smiled.
"Compared to you—it was nothing," she said, lifting her chin proudly. "I almost managed to put up a proper Barrier!"
"Almost doesn't count!"
"Oh yes it does!"
"Oh no it doesn't!"
"Argh, Master! Are you teasing me?" she huffed, puffing up indignantly. I burst out laughing at the sight.
"All right, you win—you almost managed to create a Force Barrier. But that's no reason to get cocky and slack off on your training." I reached out and lightly flicked her on the nose.
"I know," Ahsoka nodded her head.
Some time passed while we waited to be connected to Coruscant. At our request, one of the corvette's crew members brought us a tray with glasses and juice. We might be well-trained Jedi, for Force's sake, but Tatooine is a true Sahara. Sure, the ship's climate control systems were running, but outside…
A couple of minutes later, holograms of the Council members appeared before us. This time, almost the entire Council was present—Adi Gallia was the only one absent. Instead, Palpatine was there. Naturally. Political decisions fell within his jurisdiction. The ship's projector obligingly rendered their images in the empty chairs, creating the impression of full presence and lending the conversation greater weight—one might even say, more life.
"Honored Council," we greeted the assembled beings together with Ahsoka — after all, we hadn't managed to offer greetings back at the palace, and etiquette must be observed."Chancellor," I added with a separate nod to Palpatine.
Silence lingered for a few seconds.
"Knight Vikt," Shaak Ti leaned forward, "forgive my curiosity, but… what happened to your face? At first I thought it was interference in the transmission, but now my doubts have been dispelled."
I absently rubbed my cheek.
"I believe it would be best if we begin at the beginning…"
I started giving a brief account of events but was almost immediately interrupted by Mace Windu.
"How did you know that Jabba's son was being held on Teth?"
"It was fairly logical," I shrugged. "The planet suited the purpose in every respect: its remoteness from populated regions—right on the edge of Hutt Space, which minimizes inconvenient questions; the presence of several nearby hyperspace routes…"
"How did you learn that Ziro the Hutt was involved in the kidnapping?" Palpatine inquired.
Now this was where I had truly slipped up with my foreknowledge, leaving myself no room to maneuver… Though I could have pretended I'd taken the head of that protocol droid who had been Ventress's spy… Well, no use swinging fists after the fight is over. And so… I tapped my finger against my temple.
"I saw it. Though that, too, can be explained through the simplest logic…"
Since no one pressed further, I continued my account until I reached the moment of the assault on the Temple. There, I paused and mentally asked Ahsoka to take over. The Togruta spoke with enthusiasm — though tempered, for she understood this was no time for jokes — and began to recount the assault itself, as well as the events that followed. In particular, she recounted the duel with Ventress.
"Why did you not continue the fight with Ventress?" Obi-Wan asked, resting his chin on his fist.
The girl did not falter.
"That was not our objective, Master."
Her answer left Kenobi momentarily at a loss. Not giving him time to recover—the fewer questions they ask, the better for us—I picked up the thread of the narrative.
When I reached the moment of our encounter with Vos, I paused and handed the floor to Snips. To be honest, I recalled that part with reluctance. The memories were too… tangible.
As the Togruta began describing our battle, the Masters visibly tensed. Palpatine… too, showed interest, steepling his fingers. As she laid out the events, the Masters interjected with clarifying questions…
"...Quinlan used Force lightning?" Saesee Tiin grimaced. "No doubt Count Dooku taught him that trick. I warned that this whole infiltration business would end badly…"
"...You used a Force Barrier?" Even Piell let out a skeptical snort. Open disbelief rang clearly in the Lannik's voice.
"And yet, she used it," I returned Piell's smirk…
Ahsoka was nearly at the end of her account when she was abruptly interrupted.
"Quinlan Vos is dead?"
"Yes. When I regained consciousness, I found that my Master and he were lying dead…"
"Ahsoka," Plo Koon's hologram flickered with static—he was likely far from Coruscant. "It seems you misspoke. Your Master…"
"He was dead! His heart wasn't beating!" the girl burst out. I quickly moved to calm her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"My Padawan did not misspeak—I was dead. Fortunately, Ahsoka managed to restart my heart and get me back to the ship, where I was placed in a bacta tank."
"Was it necessary to kill him?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked.
"Yes," I answered firmly. "I had an opportunity, and I took it. There was no other way. Otherwise… he would have killed me first, and then my Padawan."
"Mikore?" Master Ti's voice trembled slightly. "How long did Quinlan… use the lightning on you?"
"I don't know," I replied honestly. "Maybe thirty seconds. Maybe two minutes. I wasn't looking at my watch at the time. As for the marks on my face—and not only my face—they're from the lightning."
Shaak Ti and Yoda exchanged glances. A lull settled over the meeting—we had told everything, and the Masters were digesting what they had heard.
"I believe we should move to the matter at hand," Palpatine seized the pause. "Jedi Knight Mikore Vikt… a great responsibility rests upon you. Undoubtedly, Lord Jabba will keep his word and conclude the treaty with the Republic. However… the terms of that treaty must be as advantageous to us as possible. Therefore, you must devote all your efforts to this task. My secretary will prepare a brief for you, containing everything you need to know."
Palpatine smiled benevolently.
"Thank you, Chancellor," I said, bracing my hands on the table. "First of all, I insist on the immediate transfer of the arrested Ziro to Tatooine…"
"He is a criminal, and the Republic will judge him!" Windu cut in sharply.
"Technically, he is a citizen of another state," I replied in the most bureaucratic tone I could manage—the Korun was beginning to grate on me. "And the crime was committed against one of that state's rulers…"
"They are criminals—" Windu began again, but was interrupted by Yoda's grumble.
"Hmmm… A reason there must be for such a decision, m-m?"
"You are correct, Grand Master. This is one of Jabba's conditions. Without it, the negotiations will be in jeopardy."
Palpatine turned to Yoda.
"I believe we should grant this request. After such a gesture from the Republic, Jabba will be more inclined to cooperate."
"But, Chancellor," the Korun stubbornly pressed on, "the Republic—"
However, Palpatine was unmoved.
"We must do whatever is necessary to conclude this treaty… Mikore, Ahsoka," he addressed us unexpectedly by name, "the Republic stands in your debt. You carried out your duty as Jedi despite the dangers, quite literally sparing no effort—even risking your lives. The Order should be proud of you."
After the Chancellor's lofty speech, a brief silence followed, which Kenobi then broke.
"When will the negotiations begin?"
"Tomorrow."
"Then we will have time to send you your instructions. I believe that concludes our discussion?" The Masters and the Chancellor nodded silently.
The holograms began to fade, leaving us alone.
Ahsoka reached for the pitcher and filled her glass, draining it in one go.
"Whew. Master, that was pretty intense. But… interesting," she drawled.
"Well done, Snips. You didn't falter. So… I'm proud of you."
The girl pulled a funny face.
"Well, of course! I am none other than Ahsoka Tano!"