![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/wot1t9uyp0911.png?resize=800%2C384&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
WHAT!?\u00a0 There’s an Afternoon FIC!!<\/span><\/p>\n Yep! Finally it’s finished!! *shifty look* What?<\/span><\/p>\n Yes there is a sequel planned.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Obi-Wan sat on the bench, in the now official ‘Dragon Room’ enjoying the peace and quiet.\u00a0 He was thankful for the calm, it had been hard fought for, and desperately needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “What are you thinking about?”\u00a0 Kote asked from his place next to his Mate.\u00a0 “You’ve been meditating for over an hour.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Just thinking about how we got here.”\u00a0 Obi-Wan smiled over at him, then leaned sideways to rest against him.\u00a0 “I was wondering what was worse: the battle with Papaltine or the one with the Senate.”<\/span><\/p>\n “I’m pretty sure the Guard has been having way too much fun reminding particular Senators that their vote counts, and how it would be in their best interest to vote Yes for Citizenship and Rights for Clones and Dragons.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Kote was so proud of Fox.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The amount of audio and video recordings was astounding.\u00a0 It said a lot that they got most of their material just walking the halls because most of the Senators didn’t acknowledge their presence or treat them as humans.<\/span><\/p>\n “I’m sure Quinlan and Anakin’s antics aren’t helping.”\u00a0 Seeing the two work together had almost sent him straight to the Mind Healers.\u00a0 Those two were never meant to find a common ground, Obi-Wan had spent most of Anakin’s Apprenticeship making sure they didn’t, the chaos one brought was bad enough, with both \u2026 well he was glad he didn’t have to deal with it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “I think for the first time in history, Fox is enjoying watching General Vos and Skywalker’s antics.”\u00a0 Kote wrapped his arm around his Mate, holding him close.\u00a0 “Senator Drago has been suddenly called back to his home planet.\u00a0 It would seem that his proud acknowledgement of Dragon Hunting got his family into a lot of trouble with the local government.\u00a0 The Prime Minister was horrified at the announcement and wanted to ensure the Republic that his people believed in the rights for all.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Obi-Wan snorted softly.\u00a0 “The Berk people have an old history with Dragons, in the time of the Sith and Jedi war, they were Hunters.\u00a0 Good ones.\u00a0 Most of the Dragons lost during that time were because of them.\u00a0 It was known never to go into that sector.\u00a0 Then one day, Master Jinn and I were sent to their planet for the Coronation of the King. \u00a0 They have a dual system, a Monarchy with a Democratic Senate and Prime Minister that is elected.”<\/span><\/p>\n “The Council sent a Dragon to a known Dragon Hunting planet?”\u00a0 Kote tensed, he was going to have word with the Council.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It wasn’t just the Senate that was going through some growing pains but also the Council.\u00a0 The Council had declared the clones protected citizens under the Jedi Order, and at the moment those who were not on a Mission, either humanitarian or clean up from some Seppie hold outs, were finding a place in the Temple.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After Mace had come clean about the fact Ponds was truly his Mate, he had been working more with his vod <\/em>on how to handle the Dragons, and now the Council. \u00a0 They had both become adjunct members to give an outsider point of view, to help the Jedi not get so wrapped up within their own institution that they miss problems, like Sith Lords.<\/span><\/p>\n “You don’t need to yell at the Council.”\u00a0 Obi-Wan gave his Mate a knowing side-eye.\u00a0 “It was a few years after Melida\/Daan<\/em>, it was likely more of a test for Qui-Gon than me.”\u00a0 He shrugged lightly, remembering his old Master fretting the entire trip there, making sure Obi-Wan knew not to talk about Dragons, hint about Dragons, say the word Dragon.\u00a0 “Ironically, during the mission, I was following a suspect and ended up coming across a Dragon.\u00a0 The two of us stared at each other for a few moments, then he transformed back into human form, and it was the King’s son. \u00a0 We’re still friends to this day, ironically it is one of the places I can hide for a few days as a Dragon.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Did the senator know about you?”\u00a0 Kote was wondering if he should send Waxer and Boil out for a Hunt, those were the two leading up the new ‘Dragon Protection Unit’.<\/span><\/p>\n “Not likely, as he kept that little fact hidden from those who voted him into the position.”\u00a0 Obi-Wan gave him a half smile.\u00a0 “The King called me personally to make sure I was safe, and offered sanctuary if the Jedi Council or Senate did anything stupid.\u00a0 Then assured that Senator Drogo was being called back, to answer some very personal questions.”<\/span><\/p>\n Kote pulled out a datapad and wrote down some notes, and sent them onto Ponds.\u00a0 He was compiling a list of planets that harbor Dragons and have colonies on them, and those that are hostile to Dragons.\u00a0 Fox gleefully was sending information to both of them, overloading their comms, of information he found lurking even deeper in the former Chancellor’s records.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Skywalker’s not subtle questions about Dragons had led Palpatine to discover that Kenobi was one, and had put a bounty on the General’s head, hinting to certain Hunters that he was a Dragon.\u00a0 Kote had wondered if he could raise the bastard from the dead just to kill him again.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ponds made Chancellor shaped targets.<\/span><\/p>\n Fox cackled, stealing a few hundred for his men.<\/span><\/p>\n Kote grinned wickedly, then exhausted himself on the firing range.<\/span><\/p>\n Ponds informed him that Mace had taken a few to the Dragon Room, transformed, and destroyed them with a child like glee.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “How are you handling the whole Dragon situation?”\u00a0 Kote asked his vod.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “I was, am, pissed he didn’t tell me sooner.”\u00a0 Ponds stood from his seat, and stalked to the kitchen.\u00a0 “He had years to tell me, and I had to find out in the middle of battle. Not just any battle, but one where he was taking on a Sith Dragon!”\u00a0 There was some banging, then cursing until he came back with a bottle of Correllian Brandy and some expensive chocolates.\u00a0 “Have some.\u00a0 Bastard deserves to have his stash raided.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Kote had tasted Correllian Brandy, Obi-Wan always had a bottle stashed.\u00a0 He tapped into it mostly after dealing with Senators, but he had never tried the sweets.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “I was annoyed that he hadn’t told me, but understood their need to wait for us to find ourselves.”\u00a0 Ponds slumped into the chair with a heavy sigh.\u00a0 “Then he told me that he pulled further back when I was almost killed by those Bounty Hunters, you know the ones who were using Boba.\u00a0 He could barely look me in the face when he told me how close he came to going dark to save me, it was terrifying and humbling. \u00a0 It was that moment I understood how far the Dragon would go to protect their Mate, and I’m not ashamed to admit we both ended up on the floor crying.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Kote moved to sit next to his vod. “It’s scary as hell being connected to not just the Jetii but these powerful creatures.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “How do we do this, Kote?” Ponds looked at him like a wide eyed cadet.\u00a0 “How do we protect them?\u00a0 How do we make sure they don’t destroy a planet because someone tries to hurt us?”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “We remind them they are Jetii.”\u00a0 He took a deep breath focusing his thoughts.\u00a0 He had wondered the same thing, after watching the General plow through the Seppies Army.\u00a0 “And we stay by their side, as their equals, and we take out any demagolka that wants to hunt our Mates.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Ponds laid his head on his ori’vode’s shoulder.\u00a0 “I’m so glad you’re in this mess with me.\u00a0 Mace explained now that we’re Mated, that death is the only thing that will seperate us and Dragons have such long lives.\u00a0 No one knows for sure how old Yoda is!\u00a0 I couldn’t do this alone.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Kote pulled him close, holding his brother tightly.\u00a0 He hadn’t wanted to think about losing his vode, that at one point he would be the last one standing. \u00a0 Now he would have at least one vod with him, it was still going to hurt to be the only ones left, but at least they wouldn’t be alone.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “I love our vode.”\u00a0 He closed his eyes to hold back his own tears.\u00a0 They got through a war he hadn’t expected to live through.\u00a0 He didn’t want to think about a time when he would lose Rex.\u00a0 “I’ll do anything to protect them, but what I feel for Obi-Wan, what I’ll do for him\u2026”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Ponds sat back up and wiped away his own tears.\u00a0 “I never thought I would feel such a strong connection to someone who wasn’t a vod. \u00a0 The Dragon is beautiful, deadly, playful, pain in the shebs, and overwhelming.\u00a0 You and me, Kote, we’re in this for the long haul.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “It’s like we joined some club.”\u00a0 He laughed light, then reached for the glasses and handed one to Ponds.\u00a0 “Dragon Mate’s Club.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Ponds laughed, then downed the drink.\u00a0 “I was thinking of repainting my armour.\u00a0 Kinda like yours but with more purple.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “I think Windu would uncharacteristically lose his composure in public.” \u00a0 The two laughed, then spent the next few hours complaining and planning how to deal with Dragons who don’t play enough and all to self-sacrificing.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “Ponds made Chancellor shape targets\u2026”\u00a0 He chuckled at the wicked smile that suddenly appeared.\u00a0 “General Windu, from what I’ve heard, had fun tearing them to shreds.”<\/span><\/p>\n Obi-Wan stripped out of his clothes in record time, and was in full Tooka mode before Kote could admire all the bare skin.\u00a0 “Give them to me!!”<\/span><\/p>\n He unashamedly recorded the Tooka shredding the targets with his claws then throwing them in the air, like confetti, as he pounced on them when they landed back on the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n ***<\/span><\/p>\n “Excuse me?”\u00a0 Kote stared at Block for at least a few seconds.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “It would seem that when the clones were purchased it came with all the gear.”\u00a0 He still wasn’t exactly sure how the Kaminos had ordered all the ships plus the equipment and no one noticed.\u00a0 But then the financials that Count Dooku had provided answered some of those questions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Grand Admiral Jacen sat down behind his new desk, as he was now officially the highest ranking officer in the GAR.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He had sent a nasty message to General Kenobi for orchestrating that particular promotion.\u00a0 The Jedi, sent back a case of high end Corellian Whiskey, and a lifetime of Season Tickets to the theatre.\u00a0 Stage had messaged him a few days ago, to let him know he had his first acting gig.\u00a0 Garrett mysteriously picked up Season Tickets and was becoming a theatre fan.\u00a0 “As in theory the Jedi paid for the clones, they get all the gear. \u00a0 Since the vod<\/em> \u2026 is that okay for me to call you that?”<\/span><\/p>\n Kote took a seat across from him in shock.\u00a0 “It’s better than what we’ve been called by a variety of Senators and news sources.”<\/span><\/p>\n Jacen bit back the growl.\u00a0 “Congrats on your citizenship and rights.\u00a0 Which is a sad thing for me to say, but I hope you understand the intention behind it.”<\/span><\/p>\n “You have always been kind to us.”\u00a0 He gave him a small smile.\u00a0 “And thank you.\u00a0 It said a lot about the Senate that they were ready to give us Citizenship, yet deny it to the Dragons.”<\/span><\/p>\n Block had stood in the Senate building watching in horror as the Senators debated to allow the Clones their rights, but the Dragons should still be considered a threat. \u00a0 He had glanced at his new second, Admiral Wullf Yularen. “They do realize the Clones will just take over.”\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Wullf had shaken his head in disgust.\u00a0 “I heard that Commander Cody has set up a Dragon Protection Squad.\u00a0 At the moment it’s a mix of 212th, 501st, and 91st.\u00a0 All of them are crazy, and have they met Skywalker? I’ve worked with the Jedi for years and he’s not sane.\u00a0 And he is protective of his Master.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “During the first year of the war, I accepted the fact that if anything was to go wrong.\u00a0 The 212th would mutiny and take over the <\/em>Negotiator, likely to protect General Kenobi.\u00a0 I’m going with the theory that these idiots have no idea the hell they are about to unleash.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “Oh I think they are going to learn.”\u00a0 Wullf nodded towards the main entrances into the Senate arena, all of them were filled with Clones, fully armed. \u00a0 Their armour was painted in a variety of colors, not just 212th Gold or 501st Blue, but he could see signs of the Wolffe pack, elements of the 91st, and the Croscuont Red mixed in.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n The Senatorial Pod for Naboo moved to the center of the arena, with Commander Cody, flanked once again with Captain Rex and Commander Fox.\u00a0 “Chancellor Mon Mothma.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “Commander.”\u00a0 She kept her calm, having noticed the situation instantly.\u00a0 If she didn’t tread lightly, her hope for a peaceful solution was going to go up in flames, literally.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “I wish to address the Senate.”\u00a0 His bucket tucked under the arm.\u00a0 The armour was clean, polished, the painted Dragon clear to everyone.\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “You have the floor.”\u00a0 She waved her hand out towards the full Senate.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “Senators.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n It was a voice Block recognized instantly, the one that could always be heard across battlefields.\u00a0 The one everyone listened to, not even his men ignored it during those few times they were in the middle of the battle with the clones.\u00a0 He glanced out towards the Senators, noticing that a few were paying attention, while others were noticing the new guards.\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “The last time I addressed this cesspool of corruption.\u00a0 I gave a warning.\u00a0 The Vod would protect the Jedi and Dragons.” \u00a0 He paused, giving everyone enough time to realize he was armed, and deadly serious.\u00a0 “If this Senate declares the Dragons to be hunted, we will have no choice but to do everything in our power to protect them.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “You can’t do that.”\u00a0 One yelled, followed by others.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Kote snorted.\u00a0 “I already have.”\u00a0 And without further ado, he moved the Pod back to its original section, put on his bucket, stalked out, and didn’t look back.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n The guards stayed at their posts, as the Chancellor called for a vote.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “Well at least they came to their senses.”\u00a0 Kote gave him a knowing look.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What the Admiral didn’t know about was the data stream that went out to more than one Senator from Commander Fox.\u00a0 A simple note stating certain information would be available on the main holo-net within seconds after the vote, reminding them how much their vote mattered.<\/span><\/p>\n Yet, even then it was barely a majority.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He knew they were going to have to put extra guards on the Dragons, his Mate was going to hate every moment of it, but there was no way he was going to let some wannabe Hunter touch his ridduur<\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Boil and Waxer had touched down on Stewjon<\/em>, working with the government and heads of the Dragon Clans. \u00a0 Both had been adopted into Clan Kenobi, and last he heard they were actually working with Dooku, who was working with Jetii <\/em>Archivist Nu on cataloging all the information Serrano had on Dragons and documenting their history.<\/span><\/p>\n Gree had informed him that Yoda was planning on heading back to Dagobah<\/em> for a few years, to stay in Dragon form.\u00a0 Finally take the time to heal from his loss.\u00a0 He was setting up a group of men to rotate through the planet, to watch over the large Dragon. \u00a0 The planet was one large swamp, and would be good training grounds for shinies.\u00a0 His fellow Commander was slightly too giddy about living on the planet which had an abundance of species to study.<\/span><\/p>\n “As I was saying, the ships, weapons, equipment all belong to the Jedi and Clones.\u00a0 As the highest ranking officer of the GAR, I would like to negotiate to have at least a few of them left for us to use.\u00a0 Plus I’m authorized, well I actually wrote up the budget and had Senator Ryo put it through the Senate to get the Clones back pay, but I wanted to offer any of the vod<\/em> opportunities to stay in the GAR, accepting their rank and position.”\u00a0 He took a deep breath.\u00a0 “I wanted to talk to you first, because we all know they will follow your lead.”<\/span><\/p>\n Kote read over the databad Block had handed over, and was impressed with the conditions for employment, plus pay.\u00a0 There were many of the vod <\/em>who would be interested in staying, though not all wanted anything more to do with war, they were still soldiers.\u00a0 “I’ll talk this over with a few of the vod<\/em>, and then we can set up a system for those who do want to stay.”<\/span><\/p>\n “I would also ask that you recommend who would be good as a Marshal Commander, as I am fairly confident you’ll be retiring from the GAR.”\u00a0 He slid another datapad across the desk.\u00a0 “I personally wrote these up, and took on at least three Senators to make sure this was approved.”\u00a0 Leaning back in his seat, he couldn’t help the self satisfied grin. “I made sure they understood I had no problem bringing in Skywalker, Commander Fox, or General Kenobi.”<\/span><\/p>\n Kote stared at the terms and more importantly the figure.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “Compensation pay, with hazard pay.\u00a0 Plus retirement benefits.”\u00a0 Block smiled brightly.\u00a0 “Honestly, you deserve more as I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for your skill set, but it was what I could get.”<\/span><\/p>\n He counted the digits, calculating in his head the pay rate, and whistled low.\u00a0 “This is a pleasant surprise, maybe I can take Obi-Wan to dinner now.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “I heard there is a great tea shop a few levels down.” \u00a0 Jacen chuckled, giving him a wink.\u00a0 “I also would like to personally hand over the Negotiator <\/em>to you, it’s been decommissioned from the GAR, which technically means stripped of it’s cargo and weapons.\u00a0 It would seem I misplaced some paperwork, specifically the orders to strip the starship.\u00a0 This job has been stressful and they still haven’t got me a secretary so you know how things slip through the cracks.”<\/span><\/p>\n Kote chuckled lightly.\u00a0 “I’m going to guess there’s a few starships with the same lost paperwork?”<\/span><\/p>\n Jacen slid another datapad over to the Commander.\u00a0 “These are the ones that will be retired, and handed over to their former Generals and Commanders. \u00a0 The second list is smaller ships that are in the process of being transferred to the Jedi, how they get used or distributed is up to them.\u00a0 The third list is the ships the GAR will be keeping in commission, as they were built after the war started and property of the GAR.”<\/span><\/p>\n Kote noticed the older Destroyers were on the first list, a lot of the smaller exploration ships were on the 2nd, and the larger Super Destroyers were on the last.\u00a0 It was more than anyone would have even hoped for, considering none of them had actually contemplated the ships and weapons. \u00a0 A quick scan had him noticing that armour, and weapons already distributed would be staying with the clones, and the last thing on the datapad was an early proposition to set up a training facility, a list of vod<\/em> as possible trainers.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “I would’ve asked you about training, but I figured you will be focused fully on the Dragon issue.\u00a0 Most of the Commanders actually turned me down, retiring to work with their Jedi or at the Temple.\u00a0 It was Master Ti that suggested Alpha-17, I wanted to run that by you.”<\/span><\/p>\n “He’s an asshole but will be fair to any shinies who sign up.”\u00a0 Kote wasn’t surprised the Commanders turned it down.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Wolffe had set up a protection squad for the Jetii<\/em> that were going back out into the field for diplomatic and humanitarian missions.\u00a0 Bly wasn’t shy about working hand in hand with General Ayla, and she wasn’t hiding their relationship. \u00a0 Vos was so proud of his Padawan for bucking the system.\u00a0 Fox had even handed over the Guard to Stone who had cried, asking what he had ever done to deserve his brother’s hatred.\u00a0 Fox then took over as the Head of Security for the Temple, a position that didn’t actually exist, but that hadn’t stopped him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n ‘Kote I know what these people really think of the Jetii and us, they need guards.\u00a0 Why do you think I convinced Wolffe to set up his new protection squad, the same reason you set up the Dragon one.\u00a0 This place needs to be protected, the people in it, and if there was one thing that came out of this nightmare, I’m really good at paperwork, and stabbing politicians in the back.’<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n He wanted to ask if his new post had anything to do with Quinlan Vos, but decided not to find out how good his brother was at stabbing.<\/span><\/p>\n “Admiral.”\u00a0 Kote stood up and held out his hand.\u00a0 “I thank you for the work you’ve been doing, despite the pain it must be.\u00a0 If you ever need help, you have my comm.”<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s been a pleasure Commander.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Kote.”\u00a0 He gave him a small smile.<\/span><\/p>\n “Then it’s just Jacen.”\u00a0 He gripped Kote’s arm, and gave him a quick bow.\u00a0 Maybe, just maybe now that the war was over, they all could move on, find some peace, get some sleep, and make the universe a better place.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And find new friendships along the way.<\/span><\/p>\n ***<\/span><\/p>\n “Has anyone seen Obi-Wan?”\u00a0 Mace stalked into the clones section of the Temple.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Jedi had lost more than they wanted to admit, and there were too many empty areas.\u00a0 It had been Ponds idea to let the vod<\/em> who wanted to work within the Temple to build their own area. \u00a0 The clones would feel more comfortable being with their brothers, yet allowing them to have their own individual space, to decorate and use for their needs, that wasn’t some sterile grey or white room.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Council agreed, and handed over the west end of the Temple. \u00a0 It was still a work in progress, but so far they had built common rooms, a mess hall letting a few of the clones who discovered cooking, to unleash their creativity. \u00a0 Plus there were individual rooms, doubles, and larger sleeping areas.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He stepped into the common room, which was open to the Temple, only a few had access to the private sections.\u00a0 His focus landed on members of the 212th.\u00a0 “I’ve commed him, and he’s either buried under some datapads or ignoring me.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Sir.”\u00a0 Wooley gave him a quick wave.\u00a0 “The Commander brought home some new tea last night\u2026”<\/span><\/p>\n “Kriffin’ Dragon instincts.”\u00a0 Muttering as he turned and stalked towards his fellow Jedi’s room.\u00a0 He didn’t care what they were doing, he had a crisis and Obi-Wan needed to fix it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A few moments later, he overrode the security and stepped into the room.\u00a0 “I really don’t care if you’re naked!\u00a0 I’ve raised your scaly tooka shebs<\/em>, and Mated to Ponds so it’s not like I haven’t seen it before.”\u00a0 He stood in the bedroom door, one eyebrow somewhere above his non-existent hairline.\u00a0 “So not all clones are created equal.”<\/span><\/p>\n Obi-Wan tossed the blankets to cover his Mate, while he climbed out of the bed gave Mace a rude gesture and headed for the washroom.\u00a0 Kote gave him a death glare, then tossed the blankets aside, got out of the bed, put on a pair of pants, and strolled out to the kitchen.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “Would you like some caf?”\u00a0 The tone was friendly, yet dripped with disdain.<\/span><\/p>\n Mace was pretty sure the only thing keeping him alive was his connection to Ponds.\u00a0 “Sure, make it strong. It’s been a morning.”\u00a0 He ended up choking down an extra strong caf that made his eyes water slightly.\u00a0 “I heard you’ve officially retired.”<\/span><\/p>\n “From the GAR, yes.”\u00a0 He gave General Windu credit for at least taking two sips before putting the cup down.\u00a0 He figured that was enough punishment and fixed a second, one less strained in used motor oil.\u00a0 “I’ll be working with my fellow Commanders on shoring up security at the Temple, plus implementing protection for Jedi and the Dragons.”<\/span><\/p>\n “I thank you for that.” Mace gave him a nod, taking the fresh cup, this time savoring the caf.\u00a0 “Knowing for the first time that our species will be recognized as more than a bowl of soup, is a relief.\u00a0 I know it won’t stop the hunting and many planets will likely enact laws to forbid Dragons, but it’s a start.\u00a0 And I know it was your persuasive speech to the Senate, and Fox’s impressive blackmail skills that changed that vote.”<\/span><\/p>\n “I learned from the best.”\u00a0 He smiled over at his Mate who stalked into the kitchen straight to the freshly brewed tea that Kote had brought home the night before.\u00a0 He handed over the hot drink, ignoring the noises Obi-Wan was making.\u00a0 “So the reason you barged in here?”<\/span><\/p>\n