Chapter Thirty-Three
Mira

You were speaking with your commander, Commander Wolffe, and you were happy to have your mind off Anakin for the moment. You loved Anakin and had agreed to marry him, but seeing Obi-Wan's heartbroken expression during that difficult situation hurt you more than you were willing to admit.

The emotions you were experiencing were complex and conflicting. On one hand, you were happy and content with your relationship with Anakin, the man you loved and had committed to spend your life with. But on the other hand, witnessing Obi-Wan's anguish over the situation was deeply affecting you, stirring up feelings of guilt, empathy, and an underlying sense of unease.

The weight of the decision you had made, to marry Anakin, was becoming increasingly evident as you confronted the impact it was having on those around you, particularly your close friend and mentor, Obi-Wan. You could see the pain etched on his face, the sorrow in his eyes, and it resonated within you, causing you to question your choices, even if just momentarily.

The conversation with Commander Wolffe provided a brief respite from the turmoil in your mind, allowing you to momentarily escape the emotional turmoil you were experiencing. But the reprieve was fleeting, as the memory of Obi-Wan's heartbroken expression continued to linger, a constant reminder of the complexities and consequences of the path you had chosen.

Commander Wolffe turned his head towards you, his piercing gaze locking onto your eyes as he posed the direct question, "You with me, Commander?" His tone was firm, yet tinged with a hint of concern, reflecting his deep investment in ensuring you remained focused and engaged.

You responded with a reassuring smile, the corners of your lips turning upwards as you confidently replied, "Yes, yes, don't worry." Your voice was steady, conveying a sense of control and composure, even as the turmoil of your inner thoughts threatened to disrupt your outward demeanor.

The exchange between you and Wolffe was a fleeting moment of clarity amidst the emotional maelstrom you were navigating. The trust and respect evident in Wolffe's words and actions provided a much-needed anchor, grounding you in the present and reminding you of the duties and responsibilities that demanded your full attention.

Your smile, though genuine, also hinted at an underlying desire to push aside the complex emotions that had been weighing heavily on your mind. It was a momentary respite, a chance to compartmentalize the personal struggles and focus on the task at hand, as you and Wolffe continued to work together with the unwavering professionalism that had defined your partnership.

The interaction served as a brief but vital reprieve, allowing you to regain your composure and reaffirm your commitment to your role and your fellow commanders. Yet, the lingering effects of the emotional turmoil remained, simmering just beneath the surface, ready to resurface at the slightest provocation.

Wolffe then shook his head and laid a hand on your shoulder, saying, "General, you can't hide anything from me, you know that."

At Wolffe's gentle but firm words, you let out a heavy sigh. The weight of your unspoken emotions was becoming increasingly apparent, even to your trusted commander.

Wolffe's gesture, the placing of his hand on your shoulder, conveyed a sense of understanding and concern. It was a simple but powerful action, a physical manifestation of the bond and trust that had been forged between the two of you through the trials of battle and the complexities of your shared experiences.

His words, "General, you can't hide anything from me, you know that," carried a tone of both empathy and a subtle challenge. Wolffe was well aware of the turmoil that lurked beneath your composed exterior, and he was offering you the opportunity to open up, to let down your guard and confide in him.

Your sigh, a release of the tension and the strain that had been building within you, spoke volumes. It was a tacit acknowledgment of Wolffe's perceptiveness and your own inability to fully conceal the emotional turmoil that was consuming you.

In that moment, the dynamic between you and Wolffe shifted. The commander-subordinate relationship was momentarily overshadowed by a deeper, more personal connection – one forged through shared experiences and a mutual understanding of the burdens that often come with positions of leadership and responsibility.

Wolffe's unwavering support and his willingness to peel back the layers of your carefully constructed facade offered you a rare opportunity to find solace and guidance in the midst of your internal struggle. The choice now lay with you – whether to embrace this moment of vulnerability and confide in your trusted companion, or to once again don the mantle of composure and soldier on.

You responded to Wolffe's perceptive observation with a reassuring smile, telling him, "Don't worry, Wolffe, it's just something with Obi-Wan and Anakin, but it's nothing, just Jedi stuff."

Your words were tinged with a lightness and a hint of dismissiveness, as if you were trying to downplay the significance of the internal turmoil that had been weighing on you. The smile you offered Wolffe was an attempt to convey a sense of control and composure, even as the emotional undercurrents continued to swirl beneath the surface.

By characterizing the issue as "just Jedi stuff," you were endeavoring to minimize the personal nature of the struggle, to present it as something routine or even mundane. This suggestion that it was "nothing" was likely a defense mechanism, a way to avoid delving into the deeper complexities of the situation and the profound impact it was having on you.

However, Wolffe's keen insight and understanding of you as a person meant that he was unlikely to be easily dissuaded. He could sense the underlying tension and the unspoken emotions that you were trying to conceal, even as you sought to downplay the significance of the matter.

In this moment, you were walking a fine line – wanting to maintain a sense of control and professionalism, while also acknowledging the need to confide in your trusted commander and confidant. The smile you offered Wolffe was a silent plea, a request for understanding and discretion, even as you struggled to articulate the true depth of your inner turmoil.

Ultimately, Wolffe's response would be crucial in determining whether you would find the courage to open up and share the true nature of your struggles, or whether you would continue to shoulder the burden alone, hiding behind the facade of "just Jedi stuff."

I let out a weary sigh as Wolffe addressed me, "General..." But before he could continue, our moment was interrupted by the arrival of General Plo Koon.

"There you two are," Plo Koon announced, his tone urgent. "Let's go, we don't have much time to get those pirates."

I nodded in acknowledgment, my expression resolute, and together with Wolffe, I made my way towards my Jedi fighter, our steps purposeful and our minds now firmly focused on the task at hand.

As I approached the sleek, powerful craft, I felt the familiar sense of anticipation and readiness that came with the prospect of battle. Quickly, I strapped myself into the cockpit, my hands moving with practiced efficiency as I went through the pre-flight checks.

With a low hum, the engines roared to life, and I guided the fighter out of the hangar and into the vast expanse of space. The stars streaked by as I accelerated, my gaze fixed ahead, my senses heightened and my focus unwavering.

In this moment, the turmoil that had been weighing on my mind seemed to fade into the background, replaced by a singular determination to confront the threat and carry out my duty. The weight of my responsibilities as a Jedi and a commander had once again taken precedence, pushing aside the personal struggles that had threatened to consume me.

As I soared towards my objective, I knew that the time for reflection and introspection would come later. For now, my attention was solely dedicated to the mission at hand, my skills and training honed to perfection as I prepared to engage the enemy and protect the innocent.