Liyu Church took a deep breath of Lantilles' fresh air, her usual smile on her face, but her heart felt heavy.
She was from Pantora, a moon orbiting the icy planet Otto-Plutonia, located in the southern outer ring of the galaxy, near the Wild Space.
Though the environment was harsh, it carried all the memories of the Pantorans. Their ancestors had settled there to escape war, gradually adapting to the swampy, frigid climate.
Pantora's cities were distinctive, with towering spires and domes intertwining.
The government was a parliamentary republic, modeled after the Galactic Republic's power structure. The highest ruler was elected as Speaker of the Council but could be impeached by the Council at any time.
Church had longed to enter politics since childhood, supported by her parents, both politicians.
At sixteen, she became a member of the Pantoran Council, pushing through several popular bills.
Three years ago, at seventeen, she was appointed Pantora's representative in the Galactic Senate, responsible for affairs in the Sujimmis Sector.
Her dream had been realized in an unexpected way, but reality proved far crueler than she had imagined.
The other planets in the Sujimmis Sector offered little support. The residents of Arzok III were apathetic about politics, Maruh Mining Planet served as a haven for fringe elements, and Kurazak was a pirate stronghold.
Pantora itself was weak. Its so-called "military" was merely a guard unit that doubled as police, ceremonial guard, and combat force, equipped with only a few dozen light blaster cannon speeder bikes and thirty Shortsword fighters. The planet's remoteness from trade routes, lack of rich mineral deposits, and uninviting climate made it difficult to attract tourists, leaving its budget perpetually strained.
The only thing that earned Pantora respect was the Blo'ku Fruit, a crop cultivated with the assistance of Jedi agronomists.
This short, frost-resistant tree could even bloom and bear fruit under a blanket of snow. Its juicy, red-pink fruits were the primary food source for Pantorans and their most lucrative export commodity, a monopoly.
Nowhere else in the galaxy could the Blo'ku Fruit be grown.
For three centuries, Blo'ku Fruit had dominated the premium fruit market, becoming a staple on the tables of many aristocrats and bringing a modest income to Pantora.
Thinking of the Blo'ku Fruit from her homeland, a warm smile flickered across Church's lips, but it was quickly replaced by the weight of reality.
Church had gone to extraordinary lengths to secure the opportunity to accompany Amidala to London, hoping to draw more attention to Pantora's plight.
Her gaze drifted to the Jedi standing by the boarding ramp, and her thoughts wandered.
She had once idolized Amidala, the Naboo woman who had led her planet through crises, established a foothold in the Senate, and wielded tremendous influence.
But now, she felt disappointed. Amidala could have used her relationship with the Speaker to push through more legislation favorable to democracy, yet she had chosen to oppose the Speaker and align herself with the opposition.
"Perhaps this time, the Jedi will take notice of Pantora," Church thought. This journey seemed like an excellent opportunity.
Despite the persistent rumors, the Jedi Order remained a formidable force. If they could gain their attention, perhaps Pantora's situation could improve.
She took a deep breath, joined the delegation, and stepped onto the boarding ramp of the *Dingyuan*. She couldn't shake the feeling of being watched—by the Jedi Knight responsible for security, no less.
He looked quite young, clad in steel-blue armor. Beside him stood a Togruta apprentice, her eyes sparkling with curiosity about this mission.
*That must be his apprentice,* Church thought.
The forward cabin of the shuttle had been converted into a makeshift meeting space, with a wide table large enough for all the Senators to sit around. The viewports offered a glimpse of the star stream during the hyperspace jump.
As soon as Amidala and Organa settled in, they began discussing the key points of the negotiations: how to persuade the London government to remain neutral, and how to counter the Separatists' overtures. Their tone was serious and focused.
Church and the other Senators listened quietly, occasionally interjecting their own thoughts.
Soon, the Jedi Knight entered the cabin, holding a data pad.
"The ship has entered hyperspace. We should arrive at London in four hours," Solo said calmly. He sat down on the long sofa in the corner, immersed in the documents on his data pad, seemingly detached from the political discussions around him.
Church hesitated briefly, then moved to a seat closer to him.
Noticing the movement, Solo looked up and fixed his gaze on her. "You're Senator Liyu Church of Pantora, aren't you?"
"Yes! How do you know about my home planet?" Church's eyes widened in surprise. Pantora was a remote satellite, rarely visited by outsiders.
"I've heard a little about it," Solo said, closing his data pad. His tone softened. "How is the situation on Pantora now?"
"Not good," Church replied, her eyes darkening as her fingers unconsciously tightened. "After the war broke out, the Republic couldn't spare the resources to protect distant regions. Pirates and criminal gangs began operating more frequently. Pantora doesn't have enough defensive forces, and my repeated pleas to the Senate for aid have been met only with dismissive 'resource constraints.' I couldn't even meet with the Jedi Council. I had hoped the Warrior Order might assist Pantora, given the ongoing threat of Separatist invasion."
She recalled the cold reception she'd received during each plea for help, her voice filled with resentment and frustration.
"Perhaps I can help you."
Solo spoke the words almost involuntarily, as if guided by some unseen force. By the time he realized what he'd said, he saw a bright flame ignite in Church's eyes.
"Would you report this to the Council?" Hope flickered in Church's gaze.
Solo considered for a moment, then followed the guidance of the Force. "Even without the support of the Warrior Order, I have the means to resolve Pantora's problems."
His response exceeded Church's expectations, leaving her momentarily speechless.
Just then, Amidala finished her discussion with Organa and approached, overhearing the conversation. She interjected, "Warrior Victor, I've noticed clone troopers carrying weapons on board. Our mission is for peaceful negotiations. Won't having armed soldiers involved offend the London government?"
"Negotiations can quickly turn into a trap," Solo said, spreading his hands in a gesture of honesty. "London's stance is already wavering. If they side with the Separatists, we'll need armed protection."
"Do you believe the negotiations will fail?" Amidala frowned, her voice tinged with indignation. "Any problem can be resolved peacefully. Armed forces only escalate conflicts!"
Church and the other Senators fell silent, their attention focused on the two. This debate over "peace and force" perfectly reflected the Republic's current dilemma.
"You can tell that to the people whose homes were destroyed by battle droids," Solo retorted, his tone turning frosty, without an inch of concession. "Don't forget, you voted against creating the Clone Army. If the Republic truly had no defense, we would have been dismantled by the Separatists long ago."
"We have the Jedi Order!" Amidala countered hastily.
"Ten thousand Jedi against billions of battle droids?" Solo's tone carried a hint of mockery. "Do you really think Geonosis is the only robot production base? The Techno Union's manufacturing capacity could arm the entire galaxy, and they're now allies of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Even more ironically, the Senate is still constantly obstructing military funding. Without ships or weapons, what do we have to fight the Separatists with?"
"Diplomacy and democracy will prove their strength," Organa added, his voice confident as he approached.
Solo looked at the two of them, a skeptical smile playing on his lips. "It's truly fascinating to hear a former Queen of Naboo and an Alderaan noble discuss 'democracy'."
"What do you mean by that?" Amidala asked, startled by his sudden reference to their backgrounds.
"Nothing, just stating the facts." Solo stood up and bowed slightly in farewell. "My apologies, but I have duties to attend to. I must take my leave now."
With that, he turned and left the chamber, leaving the Senators to exchange bewildered glances.
Church watched his retreating figure, her mind filled with confusion.
This Jedi was nothing like the "gentle and enduring" warrior she'd imagined. His blunt, even sharp, words carried an undeniable logic that made her feel "he's right."
Please Support me by becoming my patreon member and get 10+ chapters.
[email protected]/Ajal69
change @ with a
Thank You to Those who joined my Patreon