As we were savoring the tranquil atmosphere, my comm suddenly started beeping, interrupting the peaceful silence. Groaning, I shifted back into my human form, watching as Fives and Echo politely turned away to give me privacy. I snapped my fingers, using the Force to dry myself before pressing the comm on my arm.


"There you are, Nyx! I was getting worried," Anakin's concerned voice echoed through the comm.


I sighed, trying to hide the slight annoyance in my voice. "Anakin, I'm fine. I'm with Fives and Echo."


"Oh, that's good. I just wanted to make sure you were safe. You know how much I care about you, right?" Anakin asked earnestly.


A small smile played on my lips, touched by his genuine concern. "Yes, Anakin, I know. Thank you for looking out for me. We're just enjoying the night sky on the beach. I'll be back at the barracks soon."


"Alright, Nyx. Have a good time, and let me know if you need anything," Anakin replied before ending the transmission.


I turned back to Fives and Echo, who were now looking at me with curiosity. "It was Anakin, wasn't it?" Echo asked, his tone a mixture of amusement and mild annoyance.


Nodding, I rolled my eyes. "Yes, it was. He was just checking in on me."


Fives chuckled, shaking his head. "He's got it bad for you, Commander. You better watch out."


Laughing, I stood up and started to gather my discarded clothing. "I know, Fives. I'll handle him. Now, let's get back to the barracks before he decides to come looking for me."

We left the beach, our bodies sore yet content from our pleasurable escapade. Both Fives and Echo had their arms wrapped around my shoulders as we made our way back to the barracks. Upon our arrival, their brothers gave us suspicious and surprised looks. Captain Rex approached us, his hands on his hips, a mixture of concern and relief on his face.

"Fives, Echo, there you two are! You were gone almost all last night," Rex said, his tone a blend of worry and scolding.


I gently untangled myself from the two clingy troopers, stepping forward to give Rex a reassuring hug. He hesitantly placed his hands on my back as I leaned into the embrace.


"They were with me, Captain. They're safe. I'll always keep your men safe; trust me," I murmured, offering him a comforting smile as I pulled away. Bowing my head in respect, I then slipped past Rex, leaving the poor captain flustered and unsure of how to react.


Fives and Echo shot Rex a knowing look, but said nothing, following me to our quarters. It was clear that the three of us shared a secret, one that we would keep from the others, preserving the special bond we had created under the starry Coruscant sky.

As I arrived at my quarters, I was greeted by the unexpected sight of Anakin and Obi-Wan."You're to come with us to Mandalore," Obi-Wan stated, his tone matter-of-fact.

Bidding farewell to Fives and Echo, I ushered them off to the fresher to shower. I turned to Obi-Wan, knowing I needed to freshen up as well. "Can I take the fresher first, Master? Me, Fives, and Echo were on the beach."

Obi-Wan crossed his arms, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Yes, we heard it."

I gave him a sharp look, my cheeks flushing slightly at the implication. "Very well, Master." With as much dignity as I could muster, I made my way to the fresher, feeling both Anakin's and Obi-Wan's eyes on me.

Once inside, I allowed myself a moment of respite, leaning against the door as I processed the whirlwind of events that had unfolded. It seemed that my secret tryst with Fives and Echo had not gone unnoticed, but I couldn't bring myself to feel regret.

The hot water cascaded over my body, washing away the remnants of our beachside escapade. Sand and sweat sluiced off my skin, and I took care to rinse my intimate areas thoroughly. As the water ran clear, I stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my damp hair.


I decided not to use my magic too much in human form, knowing that it drained me. Instead, I dried myself with the towel, enjoying the simplicity of the mundane task.


Once dry, I dressed in my Jedi robes, feeling the familiar weight of the fabric against my skin. Taking a deep breath, I left the fresher, ready to face whatever challenges Mandalore had in store for us.


Anakin and Obi-Wan were waiting for me when I emerged. Anakin wore an unreadable expression, but I could see the curiosity burning in his eyes. Obi-Wan, on the other hand, looked as stoic as ever, though I knew he had a keen sense for the Force and could probably sense the lingering traces of my night with Fives and Echo.


"Are you ready, Nyx?" Obi-Wan asked, his voice steady and professional.

I nodded, following Anakin and Obi-Wan as we made our way to the shuttle bay. As we walked, Anakin leaned in close to me, his voice barely audible above the hum of activity in the halls.


"Why didn't you invite me?" he whispered, his tone a mixture of disappointment and mischief.
I gasped quietly, before jabbing him in the side with my elbow. "Oh, shut it, Anakin. You've already gotten your fill," I retorted, keeping my voice low.


Anakin snorted, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Clearly not."


I shot him a warning glare, but couldn't quite suppress the smirk that tugged at the corners of my mouth. His playful competitiveness always managed to disarm me, no matter how hard I tried to maintain my composure.


Obi-Wan, walking ahead of us, seemed oblivious to our exchange, his focus fixed on the mission ahead. I, however, couldn't help but wonder if the dynamic between Anakin, Fives, Echo, and myself would complicate things once we arrived on Mandalore.

As we reached the shuttle, I noticed that the leaders of both Anakin and Obi-Wan's respective clone trooper squads were present. Rex, typically quite reserved around me, seemed to be avoiding my gaze.


Well, that's new, I mused internally, noting the change in Rex's behavior. Though he had always been a bit shy around me, his protective nature had been unwavering. I couldn't help but wonder if news of my night with Fives and Echo had reached him, and if it had caused him to feel uncomfortable.


Despite Rex's odd behavior, the rest of the clones greeted us with their usual stoicism and professionalism. We boarded the shuttle, and I took my seat beside Anakin and Obi-Wan, forcing myself to focus on the mission at hand.


"So, what can we expect on Mandalore?" I asked, breaking the silence as the shuttle lifted off and set course for the distant planet.


Obi-Wan, ever the strategist, was the first to speak. "Mandalore is a world divided. While the planet's leaders have declared neutrality in the war, a faction known as Death Watch has been stirring up trouble."
Sighing, I offered my thoughts. "I think there might be something different this time," I said, my words drawing a curious look from Obi-Wan.


"What makes you think that?" he asked, his interest piqued.


"Just the Force telling me something," I shrugged, my expression thoughtful. "But we'll see when we arrive."


As I pondered the mysterious feeling, Ahsoka Tano entered the shuttle and took a seat across from me. I greeted her with a warm smile. "You're with us this time?" I inquired, pleasantly surprised by her presence.


Ahsoka nodded, her montrals bobbing slightly. "Yeah, I'm here to teach some Mandalorian younglings about the galaxy," she explained, excitement evident in her voice.


The shuttle continued its journey through hyperspace, the hum of the engines filling the cabin. I leaned back in my seat, my mind wandering to the days ahead. Mandalore was known for its warrior culture and political intrigue—it would be interesting to see how Ahsoka's teachings would be received.


And, of course, there was still the lingering mystery of the Force's subtle whispers.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥Our shuttle touched down on Mandalore, and we were greeted by the familiar voice of Satine Kryze, Duchess of Mandalore, as she stood on the landing platform.

"Master Jedi, you're here," she said, her voice carrying both relief and concern. She waved us on, and we were quickly escorted to a waiting speeder.

Once we were en route to our destination, Satine filled us in on the situation. "There are some deals on the black market that worry me," she explained, her face etched with worry. "Some of us think it's the Death Watch, while others are not so sure."

I exchanged a glance with Obi-Wan and Anakin, sensing the unease in Satine's voice. "What kind of deals are we talking about?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Satine hesitated for a moment before answering. "Weapons, mostly. Highly advanced, Mandalorian-made weaponry that should never have left our planet."

The speeder raced through the bustling cityscape, the hum of its engine punctuating the silence that had fallen over our group.

One of the guards accompanying us spoke up, breaking the tense silence that had settled over our group. "Duchess, the doctor of our medical facility asked you to bring the Jedi with you to his place."

Satine's brow furrowed as she considered this new information. "Oh, is that so?" she asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice. Shrugging, she decided to go with the flow. "Well then, to the facility we go."

The speeder adjusted its course, heading toward the medical facility in question. As we drew closer, I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. The Force hummed around me, a subtle warning that danger may lurk in our midst.

Obi-Wan, ever the level-headed strategist, turned to Satine. "Do you know this doctor? Can he be trusted?"

Satine nodded, her expression firm. "Yes, I know him. Dr. Caden Voss has served Mandalore faithfully for years. I trust him implicitly."

Her words did little to ease the nagging sense of unease that gripped me.

Noticing my growing tension, Anakin took hold of my hand and leaned in close to whisper in my ear. "Whatever happens, stay near us, okay? Don't go wandering off on your own."

His words, though soft, carried a seriousness that made me realize he, too, had picked up on the undercurrent of danger. I nodded in agreement, squeezing his hand in response.

"Understood," I murmured, my eyes scanning our surroundings as we neared the medical facility. The looming structure seemed to cast a shadow over our group, a sense of foreboding hanging in the air.

Obi-Wan's sharp gaze swept over the area, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his lightsaber. "Be on your guard," he said quietly, his words carrying an air of authority.

Satine exchanged glances with the guards accompanying us, a silent understanding passing between them. Together, we exited the speeder and approached the facility, our footsteps echoing through the empty streets.

A tall, older man with graying hair approached us. His status as Mandalore's prime minister was evident by the medals adorning his chest. Satine, ever the composed leader, stepped forward to address him.

"Prime Minister Almec, what are you doing here?" Satine asked, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

The prime minister's gaze swept over our group, lingering for a moment longer than necessary on me before responding. "Duchess Satine, I was informed of the Jedi's arrival and thought it best to meet you here personally."

Something about his demeanor set off alarm bells in my head. I glanced at Anakin and Obi-Wan, who both seemed to share my wariness.

Satine, however, remained composed, her expression giving nothing away. "Very well. The doctor requested our presence. Would you care to join us?"

Prime Minister Almec nodded, a tight smile on his lips. "Of course. It would be my pleasure."

Together, we entered the medical facility, the sterile white walls closing in around us. The air hung heavy with a sense of foreboding, as if the very building knew that something was amiss

As we stepped into the medical facility, Dr. Caden Voss met us, his hands clasped before him. Despite his outwardly calm demeanor, I sensed worry in his gaze.

"Duchess, it's the children," he said, his voice heavy with concern. "They began to show symptoms of sickness."

He gestured to the many children scattered throughout the room, some slumped against the walls while others lay in beds, writhing and coughing. The sight was heartbreaking, and a sense of urgency filled the air.

Satine's face paled as she took in the scene before her. "What kind of sickness is it, Doctor?" she asked, her voice tinged with fear.

Dr. Voss shook his head, his brow furrowed. "We're not sure. It came on suddenly, and we haven't been able to identify the cause. The symptoms are severe, and we're struggling to treat it."

Anakin stepped forward, his eyes scanning the room. "Have you isolated the sick children from the healthy ones?" he asked, his tone sharp.

The doctor nodded. "Yes, we've quarantined the affected children in this wing."

I hummed softly, releasing Anakin's hand—a connection he hadn't broken since our speeder ride. Obi-Wan, sensing my shift in demeanor, called out to me, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Nyx?"

Prime Minister Almec's voice cut in, his worry evident. "What is she doing?" he demanded.

None of them answered him. Instead, they watched as I closed my eyes, my hands extending outward. Electricity sparked over the walls, causing some of the lamps to flicker and die out.The doctor, alarmed by my sudden display of power, shouted, "Stop her! She's going to hurt the kids!"

Despite the doctor's plea, none of my companions moved to stop me. They trusted me, even if they didn't fully understand my actions.

I reached out with my senses, my connection to the Force allowing me to feel the sickness permeating the air. The children's suffering tugged at my heartstrings, but I knew I had to remain focused.

Mustering my strength, I channeled the Force into the room, directing it towards the afflicted children.

One of the children yelped as the Force entered his body. I grasped at the sickness like a leech, siphoning it from his blood, from his very soul. Soon, more of the kids began to cry out, not in pain, but in surprise. The doctors around us stumbled back, gaping at the spectacle unfolding before them.

The electricity coalesced, forming a giant, beast-like creature with horns of pure energy reaching towards the roof. Its eyes glowed the color of a red sun, its gaze fixing on us. I opened my own eyes, letting my hands fall to my sides as I stepped toward the beast. It lowered its head, touching its snout to my forehead.

"Oh, you traitorous bug," I snarled, my voice thick with disgust as I turned around, my eyes now glowing the same crimson hue as the creature's.

Prime Minister Almec clutched at his throat, his eyes wide with fear. Satine stared at me in disbelief, her voice trembling as she asked, "Almec, what's happening?"

Anakin, his voice steady despite the chaos, answered, "It's Nyx. She's doing this."

The doctor, his voice tinged with fear, demanded, "Well, what is she doing?"

No one answered him. Instead, their attention was fixed on me as I continued to strangle Prime Minister Almec. Obi-Wan, his voice calm yet urgent, called out to me, "Nyx, please stop. You're killing him. This is not the Jedi way."

My grip on Almec's throat tightened for a moment, my anger flaring, but then I hesitated. Obi-Wan's words echoed in my mind, reminding me of my duty as a Jedi and the values I had sworn to uphold.

I glanced at Satine, her face a mask of shock and concern, and the sick children, who were now looking at me with a mixture of awe and fear. Finally, my gaze settled on Anakin, his blue eyes locked on mine.

Reluctantly, I released my hold on Almec, letting him collapse to the ground, gasping for air. The creature of electricity dissipated, the lights flickering back to life as the room fell silent.

I sighed, closing my eyes and shaking my head in frustration. "Sorry, Master," I said quietly, offering an apology for my rash actions. Turning to Satine, I spoke again, my voice soft and contrite. "I'm sorry, Duchess."

Unable to face their scrutiny any longer, I barged past them, determined to find solace in healing the children and uncovering the truth behind their illness.

Obi-Wan watched me leave, concern etched on his face. Satine, still reeling from the events that had just transpired, turned to him.

"What just happened, Obi-Wan?" she asked, her voice shaky.

Obi-Wan sighed, his gaze following my retreating form. "The Force can be unpredictable at times, Duchess. Nyx has a powerful connection to it, but sometimes her emotions can cloud her judgment."

Anakin, standing beside them, frowned. "There's more to it than that. She sensed something about Almec, something that made her react so strongly."

Prime Minister Almec, now being tended to by the doctor, coughed weakly as he tried to speak. "I... don't know what happened. She... she choked me." He shook his head, still shaken by the experience.

The doctor, helping Almec to his feet, advised him, "You should rest, sir. A Force choking... it'll take time for you to recover."

Satine watched the exchange, her expression a mix of worry and confusion. "This doesn't make sense. Nyx is a Jedi, sworn to protect and defend, not harm."

Obi-Wan nodded in agreement. "You're right, Satine. Which is why we need to find out what caused her to react so strongly. There must be a reason behind her actions."

Anakin, his eyes fixed on the door through which I had disappeared, spoke softly. "I'll go talk to her. Maybe I can help her make sense of what happened."

Without waiting for a response, Anakin quickly left the room in pursuit of me, leaving Satine and Obi-Wan to ponder the implications of what had just transpired.