"You must ask the Jedi Council to speak with Chancellor Palpatine," Padme asked, frustrated. "Don't involve me in this," I responded. The Senate had begun debating a bill that would eliminate government oversight on the Banking Clan's activities to fund the war.

Padme, Zander, and I walked the long rounded hallway where all the Senate meetings would take place. "A peaceful solution is the only way out of this morass of war." Padme began to argue again.

"That's not my role, Padme." I sighed. I wanted to help her, and I was always on board with her suggestions, but recently I have been under fire with Master Windu. I wanted to be a better Jedi, and I had to respect the rules they set in order... to an extent.

"Why not? Why isn't it your role? Aren't we Jedi Knights? Isn't it our duty to speak our minds to advise the Chancellor?" Zander asked. He walked a little quicker, moving to be right beside Padme. He was right.

I cleared my throat, thinking of a response that was acceptable enough for him to understand. "Uh, I suggest you teach my young Padawan a thing or two about politics, Padme," I commented, handing the discussion over to Padme's hand.

"After today's debate, I was hoping he learned a great deal." Padme smiled.

"Truthfully, I don't understand any of it. I know the Separatists are evil, but all anyone argued about was asking deregulation, interest rates, and, well, almost nothing about why we're fighting in the first place." Zander said, a tint of confusion and understanding laid under his tongue.

"War's complicated, Zander. But let me simplify it. The Separatists believe the Republic is corrupt, but they're wrong, and we have to restore order." I chipped in, coming to a halt. I stood in front of the two of them. I only understood politics to an extent, and this was the best answer I could give Zander at the moment without him spiraling into chaos.

"Maybe talking to the Jedi Council isn't the role for you after all. Thanks for your help." Padme crossed her arms. Not my role? "Come on, Zander." She added, shoving my shoulder as she continued to walk.

"Fine, I'll help you." I sighed. I gave in, I never liked to be underestimated, and when someone said I can't do something, I was more intrigued to do it, which was a bad habit I tend to have.

We walked towards Padme's office; the sun made her room become a dark pink; it was beautiful. "If only I could talk to Senator Bonteri." Padme sighed dramatically, making me roll my eyes.

"Who's he?" Zander asked. He sat on top of her office desk, messing around with the objects that lay on top of it. "He is a she and is a senator in the Confederacy of Independent Systems," I replied. Yup, Padme's "friend" was part of the Separatists; I watched Zanders facial expression become shocked. He immediately dropped the objects in his hands back onto the desk.

"Your friend is a Separatist? One of Dooku's pawns?" Zander asked.

I smirked, watching their little conversation unfold. "The Separatists used to be part of the Republic. I was close with many of the senators who left. I may not agree with them, but they're more than pawns." She replied. Damn, she always knew the right things to say, which only made me sigh.

"They were your friends also, especially as kids." Padme shot her words in my direction, making my hands rise up into defense mode.

"If you think negotiating is the right thing to do, let's talk to her." He suggested.

I chuckled under my breath, "The Senates made it illegal. They say official meetings would only legitimize the Separatists." I responded. Padme's eyes looked into mine evilly, annoyed I kept ruining any chance Zander would agree.

"Well, Master Amidala and I hold what we call aggressive negotiations all the time. It's a shame you can't hold more peaceful talks when you want." Zander hopped from her desk; I had become successful in changing his mind.

Until Padme had a brilliant plan in mind. "You're both Jedi. Which gives you both a special clearance and Jedi are allowed to travel to neutral worlds like Mandalore, where we could then board a cargo ship to a Separatist system."

My brows furrowed themselves; she had resorted into something I would have never suspected. "Are you suggesting we use our status as Jedi to smuggle you behind enemy lines?" I was not clear about her plan and its entirety. My sister was a goodie two shoes and did everything by the book. To have her come to this conclusion was surprising and thrilling, and I loved both things.

"It's just that you both could get us through to meet with her, and I haven't seen her or her family in so long." She shuttered a few times, trying to cover up for her requests. I smirked in response, "Relax. I'll help you. Besides, I love a little danger." I touted.

"You know, you're much like Master Skywalker, crazy and devoted. It's no wonder you get along so well." Padme said, rolling her eyes.

"Huh. Of course. So where are we heading?" I stuttered; my mouth had become so dry, not expecting his name to be brought into our conversation.

"Raxus." She responded. She gathered her usual bags, directing her servants to start an undercover cargo ship, Zander and I would have to navigate in. The worst that could happen would be getting caught, and the consequences would be disastrous for Padme, and that is something I didn't want to happen.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Raxus was a planet that was mainly in the fall season. The leaves and grass were orange, as were the horizon and mountains. It was beautiful but unfortunately was run by the Separatists. All three of us were dressed in undercover servant rags that were hideous.

When the doors of the cargo ship had opened, we were greeted by the stupid roger roger droids. "Move along, please. Move along." One of them had harshly directed. Some of the seppie droids had asked other civilians for their identification, but luckily Padme's friend had saved us.

"Hello, old friends." Senator Bonteri cheered. She had light brown hair that stopped midway to her jawline. Her wardrobe was soft and subtle and not over extravagant. "Zander, this is Mina Bonteri. She was Padme's mentor and an old friend of mine when we were growing up on Naboo." I smiled weakly, trying to act as if I was happy to be on Dooku's ground.

"You're a Separatist?" Zander blurted out.

"Well, of course, my dear. What were you expecting? Now, come. I have a transport waiting."

Bonteri began to walk, leading us to a small transport ship that would direct us to her home. I sensed Zander was a bit nervous being around so many seppies, and I was too. It was not normal to be around them, especially without having to commit some aggressive negotiations.

Though, Bonteri's home was beautiful. It was large and seemed to be at least three stories. It was painted white on the outside, and the trees and grass made it look more appealing. For a Separatist senator, she had taste, but that was all I could say or hold my tongue on.

"Lux, come down here and help our guests with their luggage, please." The boy slid from the top of the stairs to where our feet stood. He was dressed in an elegant grey suit that was highly formal. He seemed to be a bit younger than I was, maybe two years, and was almost about the same as Zander, but older.

"May I?" Lux offered. He bent down a slight bit, his hand touching the front of my palm before I shook it off in an instance. "I can handle it." I sneered. To my side stood Zander, who only chuckled. I didn't want a seppie to handle and carry my own things. It was a miracle Padme even brought me to this planet.

Entering her home was the same as arriving. It was mainly all bright and extravagant. Plants were in every corner of the rooms, and it was all neatly tightened up. "He's grown so much, Mina," Padme mumbled.

She was staring outside at the young boy sitting at the top of the stairs in the backyard. "Time won't stop even if we are at war. And I'm afraid these events are shaping his young life. I remember when Y/n and Lux would run around the yard, though you were much older than him." Bonteri commented. Their eyes gazed in my direction, chuckling under their breaths as they drank their white wine.

I, on the other hand, had no recollection of ever playing around with Lux. His face wasn't familiar at all. "With all due respect, as a Separatist, didn't you create this war?" I asked. Padme bit her lower lip, "Y/n!" she yelled harshly.

"It's all right. That's a very polarized point of view, my dear. Would it surprise you to know that many people you call Separatists feel the same way about the Republic and the Jedi? Lux's father was like that." She spoke in a calming voice, her body moving in my direction. How could she be so calm about this?

"Perhaps," I mumbled under my breath. I knew some thought the Jedi as soldiers instead of peacekeepers, but It truly felt I was doing the best I could. "You know, a year ago next week, Lux's father was setting up a base on Aargonar when clones attacked. My husband fought bravely in self-defense but was killed." She pitted her story.

I couldn't help but reason and feel sympathy. After all, I wasn't a killer, and I never intended to be one. I had a heart, and I felt the energy that had driven from her body, pain, and sadness. "Excuse me. I think I'll go get some air." I mumbled again. The awkward tension in the room had driven me out into the back yard gasping.

The Bonteri's back yard was large and beautiful. There were white roses following along the steps. I carefully followed it down, not wanting Lux to hear my footsteps though he did. "You're a Jedi, aren't you?" He asked.

I reached the last step, placing my foot on the concrete. "Yes. Why do you ask?" I turned around, forcing a deep fake smile. "Before the war, I was always told Jedi were good." He articulated. So what are we evil now?

"What about now? Are we like Dooku?" I sneered. Lux jumped from the edge of the stairs walking down a few steps before reaching the last. "I don't know anymore. There are a lot of terrible things happening, a lot of killing. And now my friends are saying the Jedi are to blame." his voice pondered. He was confused.

"I'm the first Jedi you've ever met, aren't I?" I asked, tilting my head.

"Well, um... yes," he mumbled so quietly. "Look at me. I'm not so bad, am I?" I elaborated. I crossed my arms, and his eyes wandered my body for a moment. There was a slight pause. "No, not bad at all," he answered in a low voice. "Ugh. well, it seems boys are the same whether they're Republic or Separatist." I rolled my eyes in annoyance. He was the same as Clovis, always looking for more. No one compared to Anakin and Lux well, he was younger than I was and more childish in my case. I continued strolling away from the young boy.

"Wait. How many Separatists have you met?" he quickly paced in my direction. "What?" I was confused.

"Well, I mean, you think we're all the bad guys. But how many of us have you actually met? And droids don't count." He added.

My mind wandered to Dooku's face. "Well, other than military officers like Grievous and Ventress, there's Dooku. Though I must say, you and your mother are the first." I answered.

"Well, look at me. Am I so bad?" He paced up and stood in front of my body, inches away.

"I've seen better." I sneered, walking towards the stairs again.