Star Wars fanfiction | My Dear Senator
Chapter 14 The sun is going down
It had been a month since Mon Motha’s gala. Kaelia usually came to Ren’s apartment as if it were her routine. If Kaelia doesn’t have any duties, she spends all day at his apartment. Ren often bought her some clothes. Kaelia realized she liked to adapt the clothes, so Ren bought her plain ones that she could adjust easily.
“What do you think?” Kaelia showed the dress she had just sewn flower patterns onto.
“I love the pink ones. You’ve improved your sewing skill.” He admired her. He sat next to her on the sofa. Kaelia stood up and put her dress back in her wardrobe. She walked back to him and hugged him from behind.
“What are you reading, honey?” She asked.
“A news. The war never stops.” He said.
“But I wish it was.” She replied without releasing the hug.
The sun was going down. Corusant sky was red with evening sunlight. They gazed at the sky. Ren kissed her hand, and Kaelia kissed his cheek back. Kaelia was sure that no one would know she was missing from the temple. She wasn’t an important jedi. No one paid attention to her. But here she had Ren who gave her his full attention.
“Wait …” Ren looked at his data pad. He frowned and looked shocked. “The republic cantonment on Bayuka was bombed. Many clones died, a jedi as well. The chancellor declared an emergency session. I have to go now.” Ren stood up and went to change his clothes.
“May I go with you?” Kaelia asked him. Although she still shocked by the news. She kept her expression steady and changed into an olive-green dress.
She saw him walking out of his room in dark green suit. Ren nodded at her, so she knew that he accepted that she would come with him. They hurried to the ship, and went to the senator building. They went straight to Ren’s repulsorpods. Kaelia sat down on a chair as Ren stood in front of her.
“Oh! Wait wait …I’m in time.” Jarek joined them at the last minute. He sat next to Kaelia. Ren stared at him and rolled his eyes, trying not to pay attention to him.
The chancellor started speaking. This attack was relevant to the republic. Clone troopers who were the Republic property, died. The Republic’s property was destroyed. Many planets started suspecting Bayuka for betraying the republic, hurting the civilians by the officers and many severe protests. The chancellor offered announcing Bayuka was in an emergency situation, and the republic would take control of Bayuka temporarily.
“You can’t do this. You’re infringing our sovereign. Bayuka government was not responsible for this attacking.” Amata argued.
“Your officers threaten your own people. You’re radicalism!” One of the senators said.
“Everyone, you misunderstood. Bayuka citizens are being threatened. We have a rights to protect ourselves.” Amata spoke. She is going to continue, but Ranee stopped her.
The meeting was ended by voting for taking over Bayuka next week. Ren rushed into Amata’s office. Kaelia and Jarek went with him. They also found Ranee, Maya, Cherrish, Imara and Hina. They looked upset.
“Senator Hiralis, may I interrupt you?” Ren said politely. Amata nodded. “I think it would benefit for Thysera if people were aware of the problem on Bayuka. And also, others. If they see what we’re facing, they will stop turning against us. The problem on Thysera maybe not severe as Bayuka, but I want my people to aware it may expand if we don’t do anything. And also, I don’t want you and your people think you’re alone.”
“But we need evidence. Now everyone thinks we are threatening our citizens, but they don’t know those citizens hurt others.” Maya said.
“Not all of them. Some of them are innocent.” Hina argued.
“Innocent? They protect the criminals. That is no different from being criminals.” Imara replied. “Also, everyone knows the people who are behind the attack are those people. Maybe it’s a mistake from beginning to let those people live with others.” She added.
“Everyone please…our people are threatened, and when we protect ourselves, they call us tyrants. But we can’t let those voices make us abandon our people.” Cherrish said.
“I will visit Bayuka and find some evidence that makes them trust us again.” Ren said.
“But how do you present us without making us racist?” Ranee asked. This made everyone concerned. Those people were Bayuka citizens too. If they present them as radicalism, people outside might think they discriminate.
“I will visit the victims. Clone, civilians, also people who left that culture. They will see how it keeps getting worse.” Ren said.
“Thank you, Ren. You don’t know how valuable your support is. You are not just a good senator. You’re a good man.” Amata thanks him sincerely. Tears came out from her eyes, and also Ranee, cherrish and Hina too. Ren smiled gently at them, and nodded to thank them.
“I have to go back tomorrow. You can come with me.” Ranee said. She looked at Ren and Kaelia.
“I will go with you too.” Kaelia said to Ren. “I won’t let you do it alone.” She added as she held his hand tightly.
“So, you two go to Bayuka? Oh, great… I volunteer.” Jarek raised his hand. Everyone looked at him with query. “I volunteer as temporary senator…emergency assistance.” He smiled and raised his thumbs up.
“Oh please…Jarek” Ren put his hand on his forehead. Kaelia chuckled. “Okay fine. Don’t do anything reckless, okay? And remember Thysera citizens’ faith depends on you.” Ren patted Jarek’s shoulder.
Kaelia and Ren left Amata’s office. They walked together along the hallway. “Ahh…won’t jedi scold you? I mean you go to Bayuka without permission.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m not that important. They won’t know I’m missing.” She said.
“Nice to meet you, senator Hayes and …” Padme said. Anakin was standing beside her. He looked at Kaelia with shocked expression.
“Kaelia Tann, nice to meet you too.” Kaelia greeted padme. She felt so lucky that she didn’t wear jedi robe because Padme had already recognized her as Ren’s partner. But Anakin was here! Absolutely they knew each other. Kaelia looked at Anakin with deadly sight liked she was going to kill him if he said something. Kaelia hurried to grab Ren’s hand and dragged him from Anakin and Padme. Ren saw unsettling on her face.
They went back to Ren’s apartment. Next morning, Kaelia and Ren were sitting on the table and eating the breakfast Ren made. Kaelia wore blue shirt and cream pants. She also tied her hair with a red ribbon. Ren wore white shirt and blue jacket on top of the shirt. Ren’s comlink made the noise. “Ranee’ve arrived” Ren said. He hurried to the door as Kaelia followed him. She grabbed her red jacket, and hid her lightsaber in it.
They’re on Ranee’s ship. The ship was flying to Bayuka. They could see stress on her face even she tried to hide her expression. Ren smiled at Ranee tenderly. “I will help you and your people any way I can.” He said. Ranee nodded to thanked him. That made Kaelia admired him. He didn’t only help others without hesitation, but he also cared and supported other feeling. She would never regret for loving him.
They arrived at Bayuka. Not the capital city, but the small and quiet town. It was different from the last time they came here. This city looked decayed and glum. “Be careful, and don’t talk or near civilians here.” Ranee warned them while they were getting off the ship.
“Don’t you come with us?” Kaelia asked Ranee.
“I shouldn’t appear here. I have to go now. Good luck, you two.” Ranee said. They nodded.
The ship flew away leaving them alone in an empty square. Kaelia wondered why Ranee was scared that much. They looked around. Many stores were abandoned, dry leafs were on the streets, the facilities weren’t repaired. Before the war, Bayuka was very civilized and prospered planet. But now, it might not.
Ren grabbed Kaelia’s hand, and led her to medical center. Many clones were there, and civilians too! They got injuries. Some of them had bandages on their face. Kaelia rushed to the boy whose face covered by bandages. She could see only his eyes. She smiled at the boy, and touched his shoulder. Ren followed her.
“Senator Hayes?” The boy asked.
“Yes, how do you know me, little one?” Ren asked him.
“I’ve seen you in the news. You saved Bayuka.” The boy answered.
“What’s going on? I thought the repubic cantonment was bombed? Why many civilians got injured like this?” Kaelia asked the mother.
“They were threatened.” She answered as she patted her son’s back. “They came and hurt us. Some of us left our homes. But we don’t know where to go.” She shook her head and cried.
“Can’t you call the police?” Kaelia asked her.
“They do nothing. Before the war, they arrested the criminal, but they were released because the officers were them. When the war started, many cases were abandoned. No one cares about us now” She still cried.
“I care about you, about all of you. Although I can’t solve the problems right now, but I can be your voice to make them see you if you permit to give me your voice.” He announced. They started recording the victims’ interviews. Lucky for them that they give their permission easily.
They left the medical center. It was night. They walked to the republic cantonment. They knew how it took their risks, but they had to find evidence of the criminals.
