Chapter 16: Invasion of Naboo
Three months later, the Trade Federation blockade happened and Qui-Gon-Jinn and his padawan were sent to resolve the problem.
Qui-Gon-Jinn: Are you ready, padawan?
Obi-Wan-Kenobi: I'm ready, master. We need to remove the blockade right?
Qui-Gon-Jinn: Negotiation my padawan. We will negotiate with the Trade Federation.
Obi-Wan: Ok master.
Almost as soon as the cruiser dropped out of lightspeed, from the cockpit they had the view of an Emerald green planet ahead. It was called Naboo. Naboo was a fairly tranquil, peaceful planet fairly untouched in terms of industry as you would find on certain worlds—such as Kuat or Fondor that had enormous shipyards or a polluted world covered in factories, with most of its natural habitat destroyed like Vulpter in the Deep Core.
However, in this particular moment, there were several tubular-shaped ships orbiting the planet. The planet was under blockade.
As they drew closer, from the cockpit they could see the insignia of the Trade Federation. Behind the pilot and co-pilot, stood were two Jedi. Qui-Gon Jinn, a human male Jedi Master and his far younger padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Qui-Gon studied him for a few moments, in a single glance. Kenobi was in his mid-twenties still learning his craft. He wasn't yet a Jedi Knight, but he was close to being ready. Obi-Wan was one of the most promising young Jedi padawan that Qui-Gon had ever trained.
Qui-Gon turned his focus back on the large battleships of the Trade Federation. There was an incoming message, and on the hologram appeared the image of the Viceroy of the Trade Federation, Nute Gunray.
Qui-Gon: Captain tells them we wish to board at once.
Pilot: Yes sir.
He tapped a button on his console. 'With all due respect, the ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor request to board immediately.
Gunray nodded quickly, his golden eyes blinking. Yes, yes Captain, we would be happy to receive the ambassadors.
Without another word, the screen went blank. That was a very short conversation. The captain frowned.
'Proceed.' Qui-Gon said.
Qui-Gon turned back to looking at the Trade Federation ships once again, resuming his previous stare as the ship boarded the Lucrehulk entering the hangar bay. The Neimodians, which were the race that Nute Gunray was apart off, were business-minded. They weren't exactly the bravest in the galaxy compared to some races. It was an odd turn of events for them to now be squaring off against the Republic. Something had given them a bit of a push or found some new angle—especially that rumors had floated around that the Trade Federation was connected to the mysterious disappearance of two Jedi recently in Yarael Poof and his padawan. He can't imagine them being linked but something about the Neimoidians sudden change bothered him. He wondered what that was exactly. It didn't distract him from their mission. But there was something else that bothered him too.
'Why Naboo? Why out of all the planets in the Galaxy, blockade this planet, my young apprentice?' Qui-Gon said, directing that thought towards him.
Obi-Wan had been silently mostly up until now. He remained silent, his face frowning with thought.
Naboo was a strange choice, out of all the planets in the Galaxy, that the Trade Federation could have chosen instead to blockades such as Alderaan, Corellia or Thyferra, the latter being the home of where most of the Galaxy's bacta was produced.
Instead of waiting for a response, Qui-Gon said, 'Come on, let's go.'
They exited the bridge and made their way through the bowels of the ship towards the exit, raising their hoods to conceal their faces.
Stepping out into the light, they were greeted by a protocol droid that introduced itself as TC-14. TC-14 said that it was going to show them to the meeting room. Both Jedi followed, being led down a series of steel grey hallways and finally being shown a room to sit inside.
'Hope you will be comfortable honorable guests while I go fetch the master.' The droid left the room.
Once the door shut, Obi-Wan stared out in contemplation. He could see the planet of Naboo here, as well as some of the other Trade Federation battleships in view. Something felt odd but he couldn't place it.
'I have a bad feeling about this,' Obi-Wan said.
Qui-Gon shook his head in disagreement. 'I don't sense anything.'
'It's not about here, Master. It's something elsewhere. Elusive.' Obi-Wan said, trying to find the words.
Qui-Gon placed his hand on his shoulder. 'Don't center on your anxiety Obi-Wan. Keep your concentration on the here and now, where it belongs.'
'Master Yoda says I should be mindful of the future—'
'But not at the expense of the moment. Be mindful of the living Force, my young padawan.'
A brief smile flickered across Obi-Wan's face. 'Yes, master.' Then after a moment, he changed the subject, 'How do you think they will respond to the Chancellor?'
Qui-Gon shrugged. 'They are cowards; the negotiations will be short.'
On the bridge of the Trade Federation lucrehulk, Viceroy Nute Gunray and his lieutenant Define were stood in shock staring at TC-14. Around them were numerous droids, of the B1 series droid. There was also a third Neimoidian present, Rune Haako.
'What did you say?' Gunray hissed furiously, like some venomous snake.
The droid didn't respond to the staring eyes of the Neimoidian. 'The ambassadors are Jedi. I'm certain of that.'
'I knew it!' Define said. 'They're going to try and force us into a settlement.'
'Stay calm. To distract them, while I contact Lord Sidious.' Gunray said confidently.
Define gaped at him like he was mad. 'Are you stupid? I'm not going in there with two Jedi.'
Gunray nodded.
Within a few moments, the simmering holo-image of Darth Sidious appeared.
'What is it Viceroy?' A cold, impatient voice demanded.
'The Republic ambassadors are Jedi Knights.'
'Are you sure?' Sidious demanded.
Gunray found his voice suddenly very raw. 'They have been identified, Lord Sidious.'
Everything went a little bit silent for a few moments.
Define, however, couldn't seem to restrain himself, giving in to fear. 'This scheme of yours has failed. The blockade is—'
'Are you implying you'd rather back out now and rather go against me?' Sidious said. 'Viceroy?'
'Yes, my Lord?'
'I don't want this stunted piece of slime to pass within my sight again. Do you understand?'
'Yes my lord,' Gunray glanced at Define who was already making his way off the bridge.
'This is an unfortunate turn of events. Begin landing your troops immediately.'
Gunray glanced at Rune, then back at the hologram. 'Ah…is that legal?'
'I will make it legal.'
'Of course.' Gunray said. 'And the Jedi?'
'The Chancellor should have never brought them into this. Kill them immediately by any means.'
Gunray was about to speak but the hologram had already vanished. He was going to ask if it was possible. His troops had spotted two unidentified ships on one of their own factory worlds. One had been a republic cruiser—same as the one today. He had asked Darth Sidious about it and all he said was not to worry, the problem had been taken care of. He did wonder occasionally whether it was too much but then thought of the reward at the end.
Many minutes of silence had passed back in the conference room.
'Is this a Neimoidian custom that makes guests have to wait so long?' Obi-Wan said.
Qui-Gon was about to speak, but the doors opened again. Coming through the doorway, wasn't the Neimoidians but the same protocol droid carrying a tray of food and drinks placing them down carefully in front of each Jedi.
'I sense an unusual amount of maneuvering for something as trivial as this. I sense fear as well.'
Obi-wan was about to say something, but the words never got out.
There was a loud explosion somewhere, that spilled the drinks in the process. The two Jedi lept from their seats, drawing their lightsabers. Both of them igniting with a snap-hiss sound.
'What happened?' Obi-Wan asked.
'They've destroyed our ship.' Qui-Gon replied.
Before they could dwell on it any more, there was a low hissing sound that came from the vents near the doorway.
'Gas.' Qui-Gon remarked.
Just outside the conference room, a squad of spindly B1 battle droids appeared, armed.
'They must be dead. Make certain of it.' The hologram of Gunray said. Then the hologram fizzed out of existence.
On the bridge, both Neimoidians were watching with anxious fear. They saw TC-14 emerging from the conference room, babbling about something. There was gas pouring into the air.
In the next instant, seconds later the first Jedi appeared flashing a green lightsabre followed by the other Jedi. The one with the green lightsaber sent a pair of droids flying across the ground before cutting two of them down in quick succession. The Jedi with the blue blade slashed and sliced through droids.
Then alarms began to sound throughout the whole bridge.
'What is going on down there?' Gunray demanded.
'You've never encountered Jedi, have you?' Rune said, eyes bulging with fear.
'Well no….' Gunray started to reply. 'Seal off the bridge!'
The doors began to close. Followed by the blast doors.
'I want droidekas up here at once!' Gunray barked.
However, the Jedi were trying to cut through the doors with their weapons, melting steelcrete.
'They're still coming!' Rune shouted.
'Impossible.' Gunray hissed.
Qui-Gon was still trying to cut through the door when he heard the rolling sound of steel against steel coming up the corridor from where unseen.
'Master! Destroyer droids.' Obi-Wan called.
Moments later about three droidekas appeared pulling up about five paces away, and began to unfold, releasing tripods of spidery legs. Shields began to flicker around them protecting their bodies, making them a powerful adversary. They fired lasers at the Jedi.
Qui-Gon had long stopped cutting and rather got into stance deflecting lasers.
They both deflected as much as they could before fleeing.
Close to the battle, Tex was watching the fight inside the modified Ebon Hawk. The ship was a masterpiece and it didn't need any add-ons, but Tex decided to upgrade to another level so he can use it as his personal ship.
Right now, the ship was cloaked and it can't be detected by the Trade federation.
Tex brought with him five T-850 and 50 T-800. Normally, the ship wouldn't have been able to carry that many passages, but Tex doubled the size of the shop so that he could store more things in it.
Seeing the Jedi struggling, Tex decided to help them. He decided to take with him half of his terminators while the rest would stand close to them so they can help if necessary.
Just as he was about to jump, Tex felt a presence around the hangar area.
Using the force, he managed to find who the person was.
Meanwhile, Darth Maul suddenly stop. He looked around not knowing what he felt, but as he was about to continue, a voice was heard.
Tex: Well, well. What do we have here?
When he turned around, Darth Maul saw a human and twenty-five strange-looking droids.
Darth Maul: Who are you? And don't try to lie to me.
Tex: Harsh. Mate, you won't get a girl if you continue to have that attitude.
Darth Maul: I asked you a question. Answer it.
Tex: You don't need to shout. As for who I am, we'll let's just say that I'm your worst nightmare.
When he heard, Tex words, Darth Maul ignited his lightsaber. He was ready to fight Tex from the first second he found him.
Tex: Do we really have to fight? I get that you are a sith and all that bullshit, but can't we speak like two civilized men?
Without answering to Tex question, Darth Maul launched himself towards Tex's group.
Tex: Well that's a no.
Tex ignited his lightsaber as well. When the two lightsabers clashed, both men felt each other strength.
Tex was more powerful than Darth Maul, but he didn't want to kill the man. He knew the whole story about him and he didn't like it. So he decided to save Dathomir and all of the fallen night sisters and brothers. His first target would be Darth Maul.
Using his powers, Tex managed to switch off, Maul's lightsaber. When he saw that his lightsaber was off, Maul didn't know what to do, he knew that he would do and with a sad face, he closed his eyes waiting for his imminent death to come.
Half a second later he was still alive. Confused, but alive. When he opened his eyes, he saw Tex sitting in front of him waiting for him to say something.
Darth Maul: Why?
Tex: You aren't that evil, you know? You just need the right path. The Sith are stronger than a Jedi, that's true, but only to the Jedi order. As for me...I ain't a Jedi from that order. I'm Tex Fett, a grandmaster of the White Order.
Darth Maul: White Order?
Tex: I study a different path than all of the Jedi and sith paths known. We embrace the force, but we also control it.
Darth Maul: What would happen to me now?
Tex: Well, you can die as a sith and that would your life or you can die as a sith and live like a Knight of my order.Your choice.
Darth Maul: Darth Maul died here. From today onwards Maul will continue to live a new life.
Tex: Welcome to the White Order, apprentice.
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