30Chapter One, A Funny Thing Happened On Our Way To The. . . . .
32 BBY
The inky blackness of space is silent, as a red Republic Consular-class space cruiser streaks through space towards an impenetrable net of formidable battleships that surround the peaceful planet of Naboo.
On board are two Ambassadors to the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic. Jedi, sent to negotiate a settlement and end the blockade.
"Captain." A quiet yet strong voice calls.
"Yes sir?" The woman responds.
"Tell them we wish to board at once."
A view screen on the bridge of the Republic ship flickers to life.
"With all due respect. The Ambassadors to the Supreme Chancellor wish to board immediately." She transits towards the imposing lead battleship.
"Yes of course. As you know our blockade is perfectly, legal. And We would be happy to receive the Ambassadors." Replied unpleasant looking Neimoidian Viceroy.
The cruiser begins a dive toward the hanger of the the Viceroy's flagship Saak'ak. While the cruiser itself was not a small ship, she was dwarfed by the massive Lucrehulk-class ship.
The cruiser enters the hanger and gently sets down as dozens of various battle droids look on.
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A silver protocol droid, that had introduced itself a TC-14, lead the two hooded figures that stepped off the Republic ship into a dim conference room.
"We are greatly honored by your visit Ambassadors. Make yourselves comfortable. My masters will be with you shortly." The feminine droid said before walking out of the room.
It was only then the two figures pulled back their hoods and revealed their faces. The taller of the two was a powerful looking man, with long partially tied back hair with wisps of gray streaking through it, and eyes like a hawk. The shorter of the pair was but a boy of fourteen standard years. A padawan braid hung from behind his left ear. He looked uncertain at the moment.
"I have a bad feeling about this." The Padawan said.
"You say that far to often my young Padawan. I don't sense anything." Qui-Gon Jinn replied.
"It's not about the mission Master. It's something... elsewhere... elusive." the Padawan explained with a pensive frown.
"Don't center on your anxieties Obi-wan. Keep you concentration here and now."
"But Master Yoda said I should be mindful of the future." Obi-wan countered.
"Not at the expense of the moment. be mindful of the living Force Young Padawan."
"Yes Master." Obi-wan said with a nod as they walked slowly towards the large windows of the room that gave them a view of the planet below as Qui-gon quietly thought about his apprentice.
Obi-wan was a powerful, diligent and talented student of the force. At only fourteen, near fifteen standard years, Obi-wan had already distinguished himself among his peers. He was a talented and powerful Force user. Beyond that of may Knights. His skills with a lightsaber were impressive, and could already duel his Master to stalemate. Something only Mace Windu was able to do. There were a few disagreements between Master and student, as Obi-Wan tended to be head strong at times, but with an immovable sense of duty to the Jedi Order and the Republic.
Obi-wan had thus far been trained by the best in the Order. His former Master Dooku, taught him the deadly elegance of Form II saber combat, while Master Yoda and Qui-gon had tutored him in Form IV. Ataru. Obi-wan was skilled in these two forms, yet felt the need to one day master Form III. Soresu. The most defensive style. With these three forms and his immense power, he was able to duel his master on equal terms. Oh yes, Master Qui-gon was very proud of his padawan.
"How do you think this trade Viceroy will deal with the Chancellor's demands?" Asked the young learner.
"These Federation types are cowards. The negotiations will be short." Qui-Gon replied with confidence as he gazed out the window with a slight sense of sorrow at seeing the blockade of such a beautiful world.
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On the bridge. Two very fearful Neimoidians stood before a silver protocol droid.
"What?! What did you say?!" A startled Viceroy exclaimed.
"The Ambassadors are Jedi Knight's I believe." Reported TC-14 to the Viceroy on the bridge.
" I knew it. They're here to force a settlement." Interjected Daultay Dofine, Captain of the Saak'ak.
"Distract them. I will contact Lord Sidious." Ordered the Viceroy.
"Are you brain-dead? I'm not going in there with two Jedi." Came the slightly horrified reply of the Captain. "Send the droid." He added.
One could swear the two men had just poodooed in their stately robes.
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"Is it in there nature to make us wait this long?"
"No. I sense an unusual amount of fear for something as trivial as this trade dispute." The Jedi Master replies as he pick his drink off the tray the TC-14 brought with her.
Qui-Gon begins to feel the stirrings of worry for the first time since being assigned this mission.
'Perhaps my Padawan was right about this... what ever he sensed.' He thinks to himself as he takes a sip from his cup. 'Oh yes. There is definitely something much bigger going on here than just a trade dispute'
Qui-gon also felt a sense that something, or perhaps, some one on the planet would effect his padawan like none other. It brought mild dread, but also a sense of relief. Perhaps he would soon get to the bottom of those visions he and master Yoda saw in the Orbs ten years ago. Master Yoda stressed that it was imperative that the two be allowed to meet when the time came.
When asked about the rule of no attachment, Master Yoda merely smile and and answered "What the Council does not know, cannot hurt them."
Obi-wan of course had no memory of that. Being so young, one doesn't retain many memories of early life.
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On the bridge, before the Viceroy, a figure in blue laser flickers into existence as a signal from an unknown source is received.
"This game of yours have failed Lord Sidious. The blockade is finished. We dare not go against the Jedi." Dofine says to the image in a worried voice.
"Viceroy. I don't want this stunted slime in my sight again." Commanded Sidious in an irritated manner.
Dofine wisely held his tongue, and he shuffled away with his head down.
"This turn of events in unfortunate. We must accelerate our plans. Begin landing your troops." Sidious continued once Dofine was no longer visible in the holo-viewer.
"But my Lord... is that... legal?" Asked Viceroy Gunray and a hesitant voice.
"I will MAKE it legal." replied Sidious.
"Y..yes my Lord. As you wish." Gunray said as the image of the Dark Lord flickers out.
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In the hanger, on board the Republic cruiser a pilot and co-pilot are going through pre- flight check lists as a blaster turret descends from the ceiling. The Co-pilot was the first to see it.
"Captain!" he exclaimed. To which she quickly looks up and sees the turret swivel it's deadly blasters toward them.
"Shields U..." Is all she has time to say before her life was violently cut short by a turbo-laser blast to the bridge at point blank range.
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Lightsabers lanced out in deadly sweeps as droid after droid was cut down. The Jedi had fought their way to the bridge and were now poised to to confront the Viceroy. Young Kenobi showed his skill with his Indigo Blue blade by covering his master's back from droid blaster fire as he began to cut through the dura-steel door that separated them from their goal.
They were soon forced to retreat when two Droidikas arrived and began relentlessly firing on the Jedi.
Jumping from a high vent into the main cargo hold, and ducking behind a stack of containers, they saw numerous landing craft being loading with droid transports and armored assult tanks.
"It's an invasion army." Observed the young apprentice.
"This is an odd play for the Trade Federation. We must warn the Naboo, and contact Chancellor Valorum. Let's split up. Stow aboard seperate ships, and meet down on the surface." Commanded the Master Jedi.
"Well you were right about one thing Master... The negotiations were short." Obi-wan quipped with a smile.
Qui-gon rolled his eyes in response. 'Always the wise-crack this boy' he thought.
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A/N: Edited Chapter One. If anyone has any ideas to how I can possibly make this chapter better, let me know and I will honestly consider it. :-)