Mistaken Identity || Star Wars Fic

It was another beautiful day over Coruscant, with the sun shining and reflecting off the countless metal superstructures, creating a sea of shimmering light. Padmè leaned against the window, her gaze drifting over the speeders zipping along their designated routes. Coruscant had its appeal, but coming from Naboo, she couldn't shake the longing for the gentle rustling of trees in the wind, the fresh scent of rain. Here, the sky was mostly a grey canvas and the air, though filled with life, rarely carried the same natural vibrance. And when it did rain, the metallic smell in the air was almost unnerving, like blood rather than earth.

She sighed softly as she watched the worker droids take out the last of her belongings from the office she had spent so much time in. The nostalgia hit her more than she'd expected. She'd poured countless hours into her work here, and while it was difficult to know she may not come back here, she had to do this. She had become a Senator because she believed in the Republic, at least she believed in what it could be—what it should be. She truly believed in her heart that helping Jaden get the justice he deserved was the first steps in writing the wrongs that have been done. That if she managed this perhaps they still had time to turn back from the path they had all be set on.

Or perhaps it was all just a foolish girls dream.

She didn't know Jaden very well, having mostly communicated with Aubrie his Padawan—as she liked to call herself. From what she gathered, Jaden wasn't too concerned with the upcoming court proceedings. Instead, he spent most of his time at the hangar bay, buried in engineering textbooks from the Republic's vast database. Padmè envied his ability to dive into something with such focus, a carefree dedication she couldn't afford. The bags under her eyes were proof enough that her mind had other things on it.

For weeks, she'd been working with Aubrie and Master Leska to prepare for the pre-trial. This was where the fate of Jaden would be decided—whether he'd be kept in a containment cell or allowed some freedom within the boundaries of Coruscant. Padmè believed she had built a strong case, but she also knew how uncertain this whole process was. In a system this corrupt, nothing could be taken for granted. The chance that something could go wrong was all too real. She just had to hope she had done enough to secure his freedom—for now.

"How are you feeling?" a familiar voice asked from behind her.

Padmè turned and smiled as she saw her friend Bail Organa standing there. Despite his busy schedule, he had come to help her vacate her office. In his arms, he carried a box filled with her personal belongings, along with several data pads she didn't trust the droids to handle.

"I'm fine, my friend," she said, stepping closer and resting a hand lightly on his arm. "Thank you for being here."

Bail gave her a warm, sympathetic look. "I know how much this position meant to you. I can only hope they'll be wise enough to grant it back to you once this mess is over."

Padmè offered a small, reassuring smile. "Regardless of what happens, I'll have no regrets."

His smile deepened as he looked at her. "I know I've said this before... but I'm proud of you," he said sincerely. "Not many would risk their careers to do the right thing. Myself included, I'm ashamed to admit."

"Don't be ashamed of yourself," Padmè replied, giving his arm a gentle squeeze. "We all fight different battles for freedom. This one just happens to be mine."

Her gaze drifted to the box he carried. "Is this everything?" she asked, already sifting through the data pads. Each one contained critical details—witness statements, timelines, and what little data they had managed to uncover about Jaden. His past was a labyrinth of dead ends and missing records. Before he boarded the Defender, it was as though he hadn't existed. The only verifiable trace of him began at a Republic checkpoint—the same checkpoint where two Jedi had been found dead, and Jaden was discovered in their robes.

"Everything important," Bail confirmed. "The droids will bring the rest of your things to your personal residence."

"Good." Padmè's voice tightened as she set the data pads back in the box. "These can't risk being leaked." She knew she might be overreacting, but her instincts warned her otherwise. There had already been too many strange coincidences surrounding this case. Surely, though, even in these circumstances, they wouldn't stoop that low.

Before Bail could respond, an alert chimed softly, announcing someone at the door. Moments later, the doors slid open, and a man strode in as though he owned the room. Handsome and polished, he wore a finely tailored blue ensemble that accentuated his sharp features. His shoulder-length brown hair framed his face perfectly, and he wore a confident smile that only brightened as he made eye contact with her.

Collan Eislo. Heir to the Aratech Corporation and First Speaker of the Sovereigns—a committee of advisors tasked with refining and proposing new legislation to the Senate.

Padmè straightened and forced a polite smile, masking the flicker of irritation she felt at his sudden appearance. It wasn't that she hated him, but Collan embodied the detached nobility she often found frustrating. He had influence, wealth, and power—yet he rarely used any of it to improve the lives of those beneath him. Still, as much as his indifference grated on her, he was always charming and unfailingly polite, making it hard to dismiss him entirely.

"Senator Amidala," Collan greeted smoothly, his voice rich. "A pleasure to see you again. It's been far too long." Before she could reply, he closed the distance between them, taking her hand with a flourish and pressing a light kiss to her knuckle.

Taking her hand back—forcing herself not to snatch it—Padmè maintained her smile. "I'm afraid it's just Padmè Amidala now," she said, gesturing lightly to the nearly empty room. "I've been temporarily removed from office."

"So I've heard," Collan replied smoothly. His voice, always rich and velvety, was pleasant to the ear, yet it sent an unexplainable chill down her spine. "The Senate has certainly been in an uproar over this so-called 'False Jedi.'"

"An overreaction," Bail interjected, shifting the box in his arms, which drew Collan's attention for a moment. "One I hope they'll come to their senses about soon."

"I quite agree," Collan said with a sigh. "We're at war. Surely, there are more pressing matters to address than chasing ghosts and rumors."

Padmè nodded, though she carefully studied his expression. "May I ask what brings you here? As you can see, I'm hardly in a position to host." She gestured at the bare shelves and stacked crates with a faint smile.

Collan laughed politely before meeting her eyes—a gaze that lingered just a little too long for her comfort. "I came to offer my services, should you need them," he said, dipping his head in a slight bow.

Before Padmè could respond, Bail stepped in. "We appreciate the offer, but we have things well in hand," he said firmly.

For the briefest moment, displeasure flickered across Collan's face, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. "I believe I was asking Lady Amidala," he said, his voice still smooth but with an edge that hadn't been there before.

Padmè stepped forward, attempting to ease the sudden tension. "I'm grateful for the offer," she said, her tone even. "And I'll certainly let you know if I find myself in need of assistance."

Collan smiled again, though it didn't quite reach his eyes, and gave another small bow. "Of course, my lady. But do keep this in mind—your position has earned you enemies. You should be careful to take any allies you can find."

Something about the way he said it made another shiver crawl down her spine, but before she could respond, a sudden wave of nausea hit her. The room spun, and her stomach churned violently.

She wasn't alone in her distress. Bail nearly dropped the box he was holding, stumbling slightly as he braced himself against the edge of the desk.

"My lady, are you all right?" Collan asked. Somehow, he was suddenly much closer than she remembered, his eyes fixed intently on her.

Padmè struggled to steady herself, pressing a hand over her mouth to fight back the rising sickness. "No... it's fine," she said quickly, though her voice betrayed her uncertainty. "It's passing now. Just dizziness."

Bail nodded, though his face was pale, his own hand gripping the desk tightly. "Yes... that was most disconcerting," he said, clearly as shaken as she was.

Collan straightened, but the faintest trace of amusement tugged at the corners of his lips. "Well, do consider what I've said," he murmured, stepping back and tucking his hands neatly behind his back. "Everyone needs friends... especially on Coruscant."

With that, he turned and strode out of the office, his steps echoing faintly against the polished floor.

The door slid shut behind him, and Bail exhaled sharply. "That man has always given me a bad feeling," he muttered.

Padmè hesitated, her instinct to defend Collan battling with her own unease. "I don't want to judge him unfairly," she said slowly. "But... I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel the same."

"Let's hope that's all it is," Bail replied grimly, his gaze lingering on the door as though expecting Collan to walk back through it.

Padmè nodded, but her head still throbbed, and the unsettled feeling in her stomach hadn't entirely faded. She shook it off as best as she could. "Let's go. There's still a lot to do before the pre-trial." Bail gave a quick nod, shifting the box once more before leading the way out.

Padmè followed but paused in the doorway to glance back one last time at the office she was leaving behind. The walls were bare, the shelves empty. It no longer felt like her space. With a small sigh, she turned and walked out, the door closing behind her with a soft hiss.

___________________________

With her lightsaber drawn, Aubrie charged across the battlefield, deflecting blaster fire and cutting down droids and Jabiimi soldiers alike. Her breath came in ragged gasps, and the sting of her wounds began to push through the numbing haze she had spread across her body with the Force. The screams of the dying—both ally and enemy—echoed in her ears, and the thunderous detonations of explosions rattled her bones. She threw up an arm to shield her face as one of the AT-TEs erupted in a fiery blast, its shrapnel ripping through anyone caught nearby. Her heart pounded. She had to find Jaden. She couldn't leave him alone in this nightmare. She had to reach him!

Aubrie pushed forward, dodging falling debris and leaping over bodies as the battle raged around her. The ground trembled under her feet, splitting open into jagged chasms. She barely managed to jump across one as it widened behind her. Then, in the distance, she saw him. Jaden—locked in a brutal clash with the Sith warrior.

Her heart seized. He was losing.

"Master!"

She tried to call out, but no sound came. Her legs burned as she forced herself to run faster, but no matter how hard she pushed, the distance between them only seemed to grow. Her vision blurred with sweat and desperation.

Suddenly, the Sith moved—too fast. One moment he was in front of Jaden, the next he was behind him. Aubrie's breath caught as the crimson blade erupted through Jaden's chest.

"NOOOOOOO!"

Her scream ripped from her throat as Jaden crumpled to the ground. The earth beneath her feet shuddered again, cracks widening into a yawning abyss. Before she could react, the ground gave way, and she fell into the darkness.

...

Aubrie bolted upright with a scream.

Her chest heaved, her skin slick with sweat as she frantically looked around, struggling to make sense of her surroundings. It took several seconds before her eyes adjusted to the dim room, and reality began to sink in. She wasn't on Jabiim. She wasn't on the battlefield.

Her breath slowed, but the tremor in her hands didn't stop.

"It was only a nightmare..." she whispered, her voice hoarse.

But it didn't feel like just a nightmare. The visions haunted her too often for comfort, replaying over and over as though mocking her failure. She ran a trembling hand through her hair and forced herself to focus on the present. Jabiim was behind her. She couldn't let it consume her now.

Aubrie pushed the blankets aside and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Even though she knew Jaden was safe, the lingering unease from her nightmare left her with an urgent need to check on him. After changing out of her nightwear and slipping back into her robes, she left her quarters and began the short walk to Jaden's room.

She already knew he'd be awake. Ever since discovering his fascination with engineering, Jaden had barely slept, preferring instead to bury himself in datapads and schematics. Aubrie often teased him about it, but she couldn't deny how much she enjoyed seeing the way his eyes lit up whenever he talked about his ideas.

The thought of his smile made her pulse quicken, and she felt heat rise to her cheeks. She frowned and exhaled slowly, trying to push the feeling down the way she always did. Jaden was her master. She didn't want to act foolish around him—or worse, give him any reason to worry about her.

After regaining her composure, she crossed the final stretch of hallway and pressed the buzzer outside his door. Moments later, it slid open, and she stepped inside.

If the Force reflected one's mind, then Jaden's must have been a whirlwind. Calling his room messy was an understatement. Datapads and scraps of circuitry littered the floor, and in the center of the space stood a massive glass board covered in hastily scribbled equations and diagrams—none of which made any sense to Aubrie.

She scanned the room and froze when her eyes landed on the bed.

A flash of purple caught her attention—smooth skin, bare shoulders, and lekku resting against the pillow. Aubrie's heart clenched at the sight of the half-naked Twi'lek woman sprawled across Jaden's bed. She felt the Force pulse around her, rattling the datapads at her feet. Clenching her fists, she drew in a steadying breath and shoved the emotions back down where they belonged.

Her gaze snapped toward the far end of the room, where Jaden was sprawled upside-down on the sofa, completely oblivious. He held one datapad in his hands while levitating two others with the Force.

"Master?" Aubrie said, announcing her presence.

Jaden looked up and smiled before rolling off the sofa and landing on his feet. "Aubrie? Are you okay?" he asked, his expression softening. He must have felt the spike of emotion earlier.

Aubrie forced a smile, though it felt tight and unnatural. "I'm fine, Master." Her eyes flicked back toward the bed, betraying her discomfort. "Who's your... companion?"

Jaden followed her gaze and visibly stiffened. "Oh—uh—that's Velea. She's the ship's chief engineer. We've been working on some theories together." He rubbed the back of his neck and looked sheepish. "I thought she left hours ago."

Aubrie let out a soft breath, her smile easing a little. Only Jaden would get so caught up in his work that he'd forget someone's existence entirely.

"How's it going?" she asked, stepping further into the room. "Are you any closer yet?"

Jaden sighed and slumped back onto the sofa. "Not really. It's hard to make progress when no one else has made any for the last five thousand years."

She followed him and sat down beside him. "You'll figure it out," she said, her voice light and encouraging. "I know you will."

Jaden gave a small, tired laugh. "I don't know about that. We're arriving on Coruscant tomorrow, and once the pre-trial starts, I doubt I'll have much time—or freedom—for research."

Aubrie reached out and placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Don't say that," she said firmly. "Senator Amidala has been working nonstop to build a case for you. If we win the pre-trial, you'll be free to move around the city. You'll have time."

Jaden shrugged, his eyes darkening slightly. "I've only ever seen the worst in people, Aubrie. For most of my life, that's all I knew. And even now..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "It's hard to trust people from the upper levels. Laws designed to protect them kept people like me struggling just to survive."

Aubrie tilted her head and gave him a soft, understanding smile. "Not everyone is like that, Master. Sometimes the good in people is hidden, but it's there. If you give them a chance, they might surprise you—especially when it matters most."

Jaden met her gaze, and for a brief moment, Aubrie inched a little closer, hoping—just hoping—that he would do something. She could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin, her pulse quickening to match the rapid thrum of his heartbeat. It felt like the world had shrunk to just the two of them, and all the emotions she had fought so hard to bury crashed through the barrier she had built. Her stomach twisted, flipping upside down as her chest tightened with something she didn't want to name.

Then she felt it—his hand brushing her arm, the warmth of his touch radiating through her sleeve like a fire that threatened to consume her. It sent a shiver down her spine, one she wasn't sure she could suppress. Physically, it was electric. Emotionally... She had no words for it—no way to control it.

But before either of them could take another breath, a loud yawn pierced the fragile moment, shattering it completely.

They jerked apart as if burned, both retreating to safer distances. Aubrie felt her cheeks heat, and she struggled to mask the ache of sudden loss. Across the room, Velea sat up in Jaden's bed, one strap of her vest slipping off her shoulder as she rubbed her eyes.

"Did you balance the equation yet?" Velea asked groggily, stretching her arms above her head. The motion pushed her chest forward, and Aubrie looked away, suddenly all too aware of how little the Twi'lek was wearing.

Jaden, apparently oblivious, ran a hand through his hair. "Not yet. Nothing's working," he said with a sigh before rising from the sofa. Aubrie immediately felt the absence of his warmth beside her, a hollow emptiness settling in its place.

Aubrie forced herself to stand as well, smoothing her robes even though they didn't need it. She knew how this would go—Jaden was already falling back into research mode, his focus narrowing to equations and theories. He wouldn't even notice when she left.

"Good luck with the calculations," she said, her voice quieter than she intended.

"Thanks," Jaden replied absently, his eyes already scanning the datapads scattered across the floor.

Velea rolled her shoulders and scooted off the bed to join him, her earlier sleepiness already fading as she jumped into the conversation. Within seconds, they were deep in debate, their words tumbling over each other as they argued about particle distribution and energy fields.

Aubrie lingered for a heartbeat longer, but it was clear she'd already faded into the background. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she turned and crossed the room, stepping carefully around the datapads before slipping through the door.

As the door slid shut behind her, she exhaled a shaky breath and leaned back against the wall. Her hand drifted to her chest, resting over her pounding heart. Pushing off the wall, she started down the corridor toward her own quarters. Whatever this feeling was—this ache gnawing at her—she would deal with it the same way she always did. She would bury it deep, lock it away, and pretend it didn't exist.

She just hoped it wouldn't break free again.

————————————————————-

The day had finally arrived. They had just dropped out of hyperspace and were now in high orbit above Coruscant. Jaden knew this moment would come, even before he left Jabiim. It was either this or death—or becoming a criminal, likely dying later. It was strange how most of his choices in life seemed to lead down one of those paths. He sighed as he walked through the corridors. According to Admiral Novak, the Jedi Council had requested that Master Leska and the Padawans travel ahead of him to Coruscant and report back to the temple.

He wouldn't lie and say it didn't hurt. He had hoped to see them at least one more time, just in case this was the last time. But they all had their own duties, and he couldn't blame them for that. Still, walking alone to the hangar bay stirred up feelings of loneliness that he thought he had left behind long ago. Slapping his cheeks, he tried to shake off the sentiment. He had to be sharp now. He would be facing a different kind of danger on Coruscant—different from Jabiim, but no less deadly.

"Trust in the Force," he reminded himself. That's what Satele had advised him to do, and that's what he would do. There was no room for nerves now.

When Jaden reached the hangar bay, he stopped dead in his tracks. A pathway of people lined either side of him—Clones and Jabiimi alike—stretching all the way to the shuttle he was set to board. As he took a step forward, a Clone shouted, "General on deck!" The others quickly followed, saluting in unison. Even the Jabiimi did so.

Jaden moved forward, his path greeted by a chorus of voices calling out to him, wishing him well and good luck. His heart ached as he walked, but he forced himself to keep moving, to stay strong. He came to a stop when Lieutenant Lock stepped forward, removing his helmet and holding it under his arm. Jaden could see the distress in the man's eyes, but he stood at attention.

"We won't—I won't forget you, General. I hope we can meet again," Lock said, his voice thick with emotion before he saluted.

Jaden smiled and clasped arms with him. "At ease, my friend," he said, his voice firm yet warm. "If I ever need a sniper, I'll be sure to call you," he added with a grin.

Moving past Lock, he found himself face to face with more familiar faces. He smiled at Velea, though her angry expression only made him chuckle. She poked him sharply in the shoulder. "You better call me the moment you can, I'm not done with you yet," she said, her tone teasing.

Jaden laughed. "Wouldn't dream of it," he replied as he moved past her.

Next, he was nearly knocked off his feet by Scout, who threw herself at him in a tight hug. Behind her stood Zule and Master Leska, though it was only the latter who offered him a smile.

"Be careful, Jaden. We all hope to see you again soon," Master Leska said gently.

"I do as well," Jaden said, stroking Scout's hair.

"Both of you keep safe," he added, his gaze shifting to Scout and Zule. "If you ever need anything, contact me—if I'm still alive," he joked, earning a punch in the shoulder from Zule.

"I'll see you soon," Zule said, her face stern but the fear and sadness she tried to hide radiating off her. Of all of them, he worried most for Zule. He didn't know what the future held for her, but he hoped it would bring her peace.

Jaden then approached the last of the group before the ramp to the shuttle. He smiled when he saw Aubrie and opened his arms to her. She hugged him tightly. "I'll be with you every step of the way," she whispered, holding him close.

"I know you will," Jaden replied, resting his chin on her head.

When they finally pulled apart, Jaden looked down at her. "I need you to do something for me," he whispered.

"Anything," Aubrie said, gazing up at him with determination.

"I need you to look after SD-8 for a while. He has something important inside of him," he whispered, his voice heavy with the weight of what he was asking.

Aubrie nodded. "I'll collect him before I leave—with your ship," she said.

"Thank you," Jaden said with a soft smile as he cupped her face.

With a final smile, he turned toward the ramp, meeting the last person he would see before leaving. "I suppose it was you who put this little party together," Jaden said with a chuckle, looking at Admiral Novak.

"Aye, it's no less than you deserve," Novak said stiffly.

"Thank you for everything," Jaden said, shaking the man's hand. From the training he received when he first boarded his ship to crashing on Jabiim to save them all, Jaden owed so much to the man in front of him. He could only hope the Republic would recognize the kind of soldier they had in Novak—and not punish him.

"Thank you, Jaden," Novak said, his body still stiff with the weight of what he had to do. "Turn around," he ordered quietly.

Raising an eyebrow, Jaden did as he was told, looking back at the hangar filled with people. "Almost everyone in this room has been saved by you—either directly or indirectly," Novak said, resting a hand on Jaden's shoulder. "They wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."

"No matter what you think about yourself, there are over ten thousand people who would die for you. Never forget that," Novak added, his voice low but sincere.

Jaden felt his throat tighten, emotions threatening to overwhelm him. He turned away, unable to look at the faces of those he had saved. "It's time to go," he said, his voice strained.

"I'll be taking you down myself," Novak replied, his voice firm as he moved toward the ramp. The shuttle's doors closed behind them, and the ship lifted off, leaving the Defender behind as it made its way toward Coruscant.

(AN: So Jaden is finally on Coruscant and the Trial shall begin soon. But first I think a meeting with the Jedi Council is long overdue, what will they say, what will they do who knows, I certainly don't, maybe I won't even write it, maybe Jaden will destroy the world with his Darth Nihlus powers. Anyway enough of that. Hope you enjoyed the chapter.)

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