Ep V: Chapter 7

The first time that Enthea saw the Jedi Temple, it awed her. Now she enters the majestic structure in much the same mindset as a janitor enters his supply closet.

Although she is feeling much better after a night with that Rodian bar girl. Maybe it was the extra athleticism required by her anatomy that made it so satisfying. Enthea is still sore but in a good way.

She serenely rides up to the high levels and arrives in the round audience chamber right on time, finding about two-thirds of the council present.

“Good morning, Enthea,” Mace Windu says with his usual seriousness. Beside him are Master Yoda, Plo Koon, Adi Gallia, and the others. She’s disappointed to see that Shaak Ti isn’t here.

“Masters.” Enthea bows politely and hides her hands in her sleeves.

“Good work on Jakku,” Master Windu says. “Those sales records allowed Republic forces to intercept five large shipments of arms.”

“Where were they going?” Now that Enthea isn’t all pent up, she’s much more interested in what’s happening. The situation with the Separatists is only getting worse.

“Geonosis,” Adi Gallia says darkly. “Plo Koon will go there shortly to investigate.”

“I can do it,” Enthea volunteers. She’s never been to Geonosis.

“A different task, we have for you,” Master Yoda says. “Much trust, you have earned, Enthea Ro.”

“Although it doesn’t feel like it, the Republic does have allies,” Master Windu explains. “One of these is Scora Waldas. She’s been helping us from the beginning. She’s a developer from here on Coruscant. Separatist proxies approached her for contacts and contractors. She did business with them initially but went straight to the Senate when she made the connection. We weren’t able to turn that into a major intelligence coup, but we did learn about their intent. Droid manufacturing. Shipyards. The things that they wanted to build paint a picture of their plans. That information was valuable, and she didn’t stop there. For a time, she even continued to work with them, feeding us what information she could at some risk to herself.”

“A hero of the Republic,” Enthea says.

“Instrumental, Scora Waldas has been,” Master Yoda confirms. “Owe her much, does the Senate.”

“Waldas is a well-known and…” Master Windu hesitates. “…Charismatic figure. She serves as an example to other holdouts against the Separatists. Her faith in the Republic is influential. Consequently, there’s a concern that the Separatist leaders will try to make an example of her. She has limited strategic significance now that’s moved away these dealings, but hurting her publicly will strengthen Separatist efforts to turn powerful private citizens.”

“To be married soon, Scora Waldas is,” Yoda adds.

“Yes. To a relatively minor Royal from Alderon. Alderon has been another steadfast bastion against the spread of Separatist influence.”

“You think the two of them are too tempting of a target,” Enthea says. “An Alderon Royal and a high profile holdout. You think the Separatists will go after them.”