Chapter Thirty-Eight
Mira

I was with Padmé and Anakin as other senators began to enter the chamber. Anakin discreetly ducked under a nearby table, but he didn't seem to mind the sudden change in plans.

"Ah, Master Jedi!" Senator Mon Mothma called out with a warm smile as she stepped forward. I returned her greeting, my lips curving into a welcoming smile despite the sudden influx of people.

"Greetings!" I replied, trying to maintain a light-hearted tone. Anakin peeked out from his hiding spot, a playful glint in his eyes as he assessed the situation, clearly enjoying the unexpected turn of events. I followed Padmé as she gracefully navigated through the chamber, glancing back at Anakin. He gave me a subtle nod, signaling that he would remain hidden for now. I couldn't help but smile at his playful antics.

As I walked further into the room, a strange mix of anticipation and trepidation washed over me. I was about to step into a pivotal moment of my life, and the weight of it pressed down on me. The senators were gathered in clusters, engaged in hushed conversations, and I knew that every eye would soon be upon me.

Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself of the importance of this gathering. My heart raced, but I was determined to stand tall. This was a chance to make a difference, to speak for those who couldn't. With Padmé by my side and Anakin watching over me, I felt a flicker of courage ignite within. I was ready to face whatever came next.

-
Author

The sun hung low over the Senate landing zone, casting long shadows across the polished durasteel surface. Cad Bane and his crew of bounty hunters approached, their silhouettes cutting a menacing figure against the twilight sky. Droids equipped with blasters flanked them, their servos whirring softly as they advanced.

As they stepped closer, a squad of Senate Commandos stood ready, their expressions grim. The commandos were not pleased with the unauthorized arrival of the notorious bounty hunters. With weapons drawn, they stepped forward, demanding, "Halt! You are in a restricted area. Surrender now!"

Cad Bane, unfazed, tipped his wide-brimmed hat slightly and smirked. "I reckon you'll want to think twice before making this a mess, boys."

Before the commandos could respond, a single blaster shot rang out, echoing ominously in the still air. Three commandos fell, their bodies hitting the ground with a dull thud, precision sniped from a hidden vantage point. The chaos erupted as Aurra Sing emerged from the shadows, her rifle still smoking, eyes cold and calculating. The remaining commandos glanced at each other in shock, their focus momentarily broken.

Seizing the opportunity, Bane's crew sprang into action. The remaining commandos fought valiantly, but they were quickly overwhelmed. The bounty hunters moved with practiced efficiency, exploiting every weakness, their own weapons blazing as they engaged in close combat.

Among the confusion, one of the droid enforcers, programmed with deceptive efficiency, approached the nearest security terminal. With a series of rapid inputs, it manipulated the surveillance feeds, convincing the security forces that the Senate Commando squad had dealt with a group of protesters who had been demonstrating against the ongoing war. The deception worked flawlessly; the security personnel, misled, stood down.

With the commandos temporarily distracted, the droid donned one of the commandos' uniforms, completing the ruse. It stepped out of the fray, blending in with the chaos, while Aurra and the rest of the bounty hunters regrouped on the landing platform.

As the last echoes of blaster fire faded, the group gathered together, a formidable presence on the landing pad. Cad Bane surveyed the scene, a satisfied grin creeping across his face as he adjusted his holster. "Now, let's get to work," he declared, eyeing the Senate building looming in the distance.

- 

Mira

I stood with Padmé and Pelias, addressing Senator Orngana, when suddenly, a shot rang out. Fear surged through me as I turned around, the darkness of the situation creeping into the room. A bounty hunter, with blue skin and a top hat, stepped into the chamber, a smirk stretching across his face. His glowing red eyes shone with malice as he surveyed us.

"Listen up!" he called out, his voice dripping with confidence. "If you want to keep your heads, I suggest you gather in a circle and hand over all your communication devices. And if any of you have weapons, hand those over too."

A chill ran down my spine at his menacing tone, and I could see the alarm spreading across Padmé's and Pelias's faces. The tension in the room was palpable, and I knew we had to act quickly before panic set in.

I gripped my lightsaber tightly, the cool metal reassuring against my palm, while my communication device lay useless in my pocket. I couldn't afford to part with my saber; it was my lifeline in this dangerous situation. Relinquishing it would be tantamount to signing my own death warrant.

As I scanned the dimly lit room, my heart raced. A bounty hunter stepped forward—a girl with striking blue skin and a predatory gleam in her eyes, her presence crackling with a dark energy. She was a force to be reckoned with, and I could feel the tension in the air thickening around us.

"Hand over your weapon too," she commanded, her voice smooth yet dripping with menace.

A surge of defiance coursed through me. "Never," I hissed, my grip tightening around the hilt of my lightsaber.

Her laughter echoed off the walls, a chilling sound that sent shivers down my spine. With a swift motion, she pointed her blaster directly at my head, the barrel gleaming ominously in the flickering light.

"Mira," Padmé whispered urgently, her voice trembling as fear etched itself across her features. I could see the dread pooling in her eyes, reflecting the seriousness of our predicament.

The bounty hunter tilted her head, her smirk widening as she savored my fear. "Mira? Hmm, you aren't Queen Mira of Lothal, are you?"

I glared at her, feeling a rush of adrenaline surge through me. "If I were, what would you do?" I shot back, trying to mask my trepidation with bravado.

She leaned closer, her confidence palpable. "Hey boss, we got what we came for," she called out casually to her comrades, her tone dismissive, as if the chaos surrounding us was merely a minor inconvenience.

In that moment, I felt the weight of my decision pressing down on me like an anchor. The fate of everyone around me hung in the balance, and I knew I had to act quickly. My heart raced, each beat echoing the urgency of our dire situation.

The lead bounty hunter, whom I recognized as the renowned Cad Bane, stepped forward, a confident smirk playing on his lips. His blue skin contrasted sharply with the shadows of the dimly lit room, and his signature wide-brimmed hat cast a menacing shadow over his eyes.

"Ah," he drawled, his voice smooth like molten metal, as he cupped my chin with his forefinger, an unsettling gesture that sent a shiver down my spine. "Yes, Queen Mira. We've heard about you. One of our clients would want you, you know, for a pretty penny."

His words dripped with condescension, and the implication hung in the air like a fog. I could feel the tension in the room thickening as the other bounty hunters shifted restlessly, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. Bane's reputation preceded him; he was not just a bounty hunter but a cunning strategist, feared throughout the galaxy for his ruthlessness and efficiency.

As he leaned in closer, I caught a whiff of smoke and metal, the scents mingling into a potent reminder of the danger that surrounded me. "I suggest you think carefully about your next move, Mira. Handing yourself over could save you a great deal of trouble," he continued, his smirk widening, revealing teeth that gleamed unnaturally in the low light.

My heart raced, the adrenaline coursing through my veins as I struggled to maintain my composure. This was a man who thrived on intimidation, and I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me flinch.

"Do you really think I'd let you take me without a fight?" I retorted, my voice steady despite the fear bubbling beneath the surface. The other bounty hunters chuckled, their amusement sharp and cruel, but I could sense their leader's impatience.

Bane chuckled darkly, his gaze unwavering. "A fight? Oh, I do love a good fight, but I prefer to win without unnecessary bloodshed." He stepped back, his hands gesturing to the rest of his crew, who fanned out, effectively boxing us in. "You see, Queen Mira, it's much easier to negotiate when you're not splattered across the floor."

With every word he spoke, I felt the weight of the situation pressing down on me. There was no escaping this confrontation; I had to outsmart him if I wanted to protect myself and everyone around me.

I met Padmé's gaze, her eyes reflecting both fear and determination. With a sharp nod, she indicated her trust in me, even amidst the chaos surrounding us. I could feel the weight of her faith resting on my shoulders as I steadied myself for the confrontation ahead.

"Alright, Bane," I said, my voice firm despite the tremors of uncertainty within. I extended my hands, palms up, to indicate my willingness to comply. "I'll come with you, but on one condition."

Cad Bane raised an eyebrow, intrigued, his infamous hat casting a shadow over his features. He leaned back slightly, arms crossed, an amused smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Oh? And what might that be, Queen Mira?"

I took a deep breath, gathering my resolve. "If you spare the lives of every senator here, I will go with you willingly—without cutting off anyone's head, including mine."

The room fell silent, the tension palpable as the other bounty hunters exchanged glances, unsure of how their leader would react. I could feel the weight of their expectation bearing down on me, but I pushed through the anxiety. This was my chance to negotiate, to buy time and protect those around me.

Cad Bane studied me for a long moment, his piercing red eyes glinting with both malice and interest. He chuckled softly, a low sound that reverberated in the quiet. "You think you can make demands of me? That's a bold move, Queen Mira. But I appreciate your spirit."

I could see the gears turning in his mind, calculating the risks and rewards of my proposition. His reputation for ruthlessness was known across the galaxy, and yet, here I was, daring to challenge him.

"I'll spare the senators," he finally replied, his tone laced with mockery. "But only if you promise not to make a fuss. One wrong move, and I might change my mind."

I nodded, determination coursing through me. "Agreed. Just remember, I won't go quietly into the night. You'll have to deal with me, Cad Bane. I won't be an easy prize."

The bounty hunter's smirk widened, revealing the sharp edges of his cunning nature. "I wouldn't have it any other way," he said, gesturing for his crew to step back slightly, an acknowledgment of my bravery—and perhaps a hint of respect.

As I prepared to follow him, I shot a glance at Padmé, her expression a mix of relief and concern. This was only the beginning of a treacherous path, but I was ready to face whatever awaited us.