We had arrived at **Lantilles** and landed at the spaceport when the delegation of senators appeared, leaving us no time for anything else.
However, given the new security measures ordered after recent Separatist raids in the sector, we ended up waiting longer than expected before departure.
That was when my senses brushed against something… unusual.
A presence.
Someone where they definitely should not have been.
I turned slowly toward the cargo access corridor of the corvette.
"Someone's aboard," I muttered.
From beside the ramp, **Ahsoka Tano** tilted her head.
"Besides us and the crew?" she asked.
"Besides us," I confirmed quietly.
I stepped into the corridor and moved silently, guided by the faint ripple in the Force.
The presence felt nervous. Curious. Not hostile.
Still… unauthorized.
I rounded the corner quickly.
A startled gasp answered me.
"Oh stars!"
A young woman jumped backward, nearly dropping the datapad she was holding.
For a moment we both froze.
She was unmistakably **Zeltron**—pink skin with a faint rosy glow. Her long **emerald-green hair** cascaded over one shoulder in soft waves. She wore an unusual outfit that blended civilian fashion with light tactical gear: reinforced boots, flexible armor plating over a fitted jacket, and a utility belt loaded with recording devices.
Her eyes were wide.
"You scared the kriff out of me!" she blurted.
I blinked, realizing how suddenly I must have appeared.
"…My apologies," I said, raising both hands slightly. "I didn't mean to startle you."
She looked me up and down.
"You're the Jedi escort," she said slowly.
"Correct."
"And you caught me sneaking onto a diplomatic vessel."
"That too."
For a second she looked like she might bolt.
Then she sighed and slumped slightly.
"Well… this is awkward."
"And illegal," I added.
She gave a sheepish grin.
"Technically."
I studied her through the Force.
Nervous. Excited. A little reckless… but not malicious.
"Name?" I asked.
"Visenya," she said. "Visenya Demaris."
She held up her datapad.
"Freelance journalist."
I folded my arms.
"You attempted to sneak aboard a Republic diplomatic ship carrying multiple senators."
"Yes."
"You realize that security would normally arrest you for that."
"Yes," she said again.
Then she added quietly:
"But I had to try."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
She hesitated before answering.
"Because stories like this shape the galaxy," she said. "And nobody tells them honestly anymore."
She gestured vaguely toward the Senate delegation outside.
"Peace talks, Separatists, political deals… the public deserves to know what's actually happening."
I considered that.
Then a small idea formed.
"Well," I said slowly, "you're not entirely wrong."
She blinked.
"…Wait."
I continued.
"Senate missions are usually accompanied by journalists. Officially."
"Right."
"So if someone were already here…"
Her eyes widened.
"You mean—"
"I mean," I interrupted calmly, "that if someone happened to mention the role of the Jedi escort in her reports… it would ensure the mission receives accurate coverage."
She stared at me for a moment.
"You want publicity?"
"Recognition," I corrected.
She looked amused.
"A Jedi who wants recognition?"
"I want accuracy."
She crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"That might be the strangest deal I've ever been offered."
Her expression suddenly shifted to concern.
"But if security catches me…"
"They won't," I said simply.
She studied my face for a moment.
Zeltrons were empathic species—I could feel her probing the emotional atmosphere around me.
After a moment she relaxed.
"Okay," she said.
"You feel… safe."
"That's usually the goal."
She extended a hand.
"Visenya Demaris."
I shook it.
"Dagon Marek."
"Well, Jedi Marek," she said with a grin, "looks like I just got the best story of my career."
---
About an hour later, a **massive Corellian Star Shuttle** descended in front of our corvette.
Ahsoka and I stood beside the gangway, waiting for the senators to finally grace us with their presence.
Unfortunately… they didn't keep us waiting long.
"Here they come," Ahsoka murmured.
The ramp of the shuttle lowered with a hiss of hydraulics.
The delegation emerged.
Hmm.
Politicians.
I had already seen **Padmé Amidala** once—on **Geonosis**—though we had never spoken.
Others I recognized from recordings of Senate sessions that my old Master, Nhon Arto, used to show me during lessons on galactic politics.
Some faces, however, were entirely new.
Amidala walked at the front of the group.
No one could deny she was beautiful—it was hardly surprising that **Anakin Skywalker** had fallen for her.
Still, her reputation as a fiercely idealistic democrat did little to improve my opinion.
A fanatic, in my view.
She approached with practiced diplomacy.
"Jedi Knight Marek," she said with a polite smile. "Thank you for overseeing our security."
I bowed slightly.
"Senator Amidala. The honor is mine."
She gestured to the others.
"Allow me to introduce my colleagues."
One by one the senators stepped forward.
Then came **Bail Organa**.
Tall. Dignified. Impeccably dressed.
He extended his hand warmly.
"Knight Marek. It's reassuring to know the Jedi Order is protecting this mission."
I shook his hand.
Yet something about him immediately stirred a feeling of…
Disgust.
Yes. That was the word.
The perfect smile. The smooth voice. The polished diplomacy.
It all felt rehearsed.
Insincere.
Still, I remained polite.
"Your safety is our priority, Senator."
Behind them came the rest of the delegation—Cosian, Human, Sivorian, Chagrian, and Frenk.
The group was accompanied by two of Amidala's handmaidens, Organa's personal secretary, and several protocol droids.
Among them I spotted a golden unit.
"Master Anakin would be delighted to see you again," it said cheerfully.
Ah.
**C-3PO**.
And then…
She stepped forward.
A small figure in elegant robes of **blue and gold**.
Her skin was **sky blue**, her hair a soft **violet**, and her eyes—
Golden.
When our eyes met, time seemed to slow.
It was only a moment.
But it felt endless.
I felt something… shift inside me.
This wasn't simple attraction.
I had liked girls before.
But this?
This felt deeper.
Stronger.
Dangerous.
She looked fragile—so fragile that an instinct rose in me to shield her from the entire galaxy.
It took real effort to keep my emotions under control.
I cleared my throat slightly.
"And you are?"
She smiled politely.
"Senator **Riyo Chuchi**, of Pantora."
Pantora.
Of course.
"Welcome aboard, Senator," I said.
But my thoughts were spiraling.
Was this… love?
It sounded absurd.
I had never had a serious relationship in my life. I wasn't particularly handsome or wealthy, and my personality wasn't exactly charming.
And technically… I was still a Jedi.
Attachments were forbidden.
But now…
Now everything felt different.
Two fates, perhaps.
One blue senator.
One pink Zeltron journalist hiding somewhere aboard my ship.
Of all places in the galaxy.
Damn.
This was complicated.
Shaking my head to clear the mess of thoughts, I turned toward the corridor.
"I'll inform the crew we're ready for departure," I said.
Then I headed for the bridge to begin the flight.