Star Wars
The Old Republic
Whispers of War
Its 27 BTC, and for over two hundred years the Republic has been at peace without a known challenger. The Sith have been in exile for two centuries, while the Republic and the Jedi Order have long since recovered the Jedi Civil War.
Yet the Republic has grown somewhat ignorant in its sense of safety and superiority. Systems mostly along the outer rim once again are beginning to question the strong hold of the Republic.
One of these planets, Telos, is still suffering after two hundred years of lacking the funds for the planet's recovery project. Yet now much more suitable for life, a lot of the planet is inhabitable. The locals are angry and have called in a meeting to be arranged on Citadel Station with key representatives of the Republic on future ties.
Along with four senates, two Jedi, a master and apprentice accompany the voyage.
Chapter 1
A lovely scene of death
The planet of Telos was now within view of the Republic Cruiser "Sage", as they called it, as the ship spat out of hyperspace. The planet was large, and had a thick yellow atmosphere which seemed to mask the terrain below its covers. Despite the deadly and threatening clouds, there was a certain kind of peace about the planet, such as stories untold. The planet seemed to have its own scars and history with battle. Sadly, just looking at the planet from a distance was enough proof that it did not miss its share of battles. Yet with the threatening lure of the planet, Citadel Station was visible, large and hovering around the edge of the atmosphere.
The station was extremely large, and stretched almost across half of the planet. It seemed if the station was trying to wrap itself as a case around the large sphere. Construction could still be seen taking place around the edges of the station as the Sage began to decent to take port.
"Tell me again master, why is it that we must accompany the senators if Telos hates Jedi?" The question came from the young women next to the window in their compartment. Her hair was shiny black, her eyes just as dark. She wore robes of grey, and stood staring at her master, emitting her beauty. Her self confidence shined out for a good distance. She stood tall, erect, as if ready for anything.
"It's not that they hate us Mona," began the other figure in the room, a tall, purple Twi'Leak robed in brown. She sat at the opposite end of the room, her eyes closed as if in a trance. "It's just they hold the Jedi responsible for what happened to their planet."
"So, in other words, they blame us?" replied Mona immediately, in more of a sour tone.
"Well, they have good cause. It was the arrogance of the Jedi Teachings that brought along the Civil War. Then again, it was the Sith that targeted their planet, and the Jedi that kept it from total destruction. But you know all this Mona. It would be most unwise to let go of the knowledge you received from your training. History is the future. Remember that my Padawan."
"That still didn't answer my question though, master." This time the Jedi opened her eyes at Mona.
"Well I thought it would be obvious to one such as yourself...no?" She asked, keeping a staring gaze at Mona. "Well then, it is always a nice reminder as to why they should like to favor us than the Sith. We just be present and polite, and keep our image in their favor."
Mona nodded, and returned her gaze out towards the window. "It's A lovely scene of death, isn't it master. It makes me loath the Sith more. Why is the Republic so effortless to see the outer rim falling as the doing of the Empire?"
"The Republic will deny anything that is a probable cause to challenge them until it comes knocking on their doorstep."
"And of the order? I know Master Kantuu is strong against the idea the Sith still exist in power somewhere."
"indeed, and do not repeat this to the council unless you must, but fools they are. There are only three of us Masters who are alert, and none of us are as high as Master Kantuu. They think because they cannot feel the dark side of the galaxy, that it is not there. We have been wrong before about this. It is not the ways of our teachings to ignore it."
"I believe your wisdom master, and you have my full trust that I will not go Babbling to the council on how much of cowards they are."
"I would advise you not to call them cowards." She asserted to Mona. "Fools they may be, but cowards they are not."
"yes, sorry master." Replied Mona, "But I mean, the dark side is not how it is normally felt, but what if it has taken a different form within the Force?"
"That is exactly our thoughts, well the ones who believe the Sith are rising. We can feel an unknown Force, but cannot locate it, and it is too weak to determine how large it is, but it is there. But enough talk for now, it's time to walk among Citadel Station!"
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"We were glad you could arrive, Senators and guest, please this way, the Chancellor is waiting." The droid at the docking station welcomed them, and turned into the main hall. They entered the hall to a large space lobby. "The Chancellor is in his meeting room just down the next hall to the right, thank you, and enjoy your visit."
The senators walked ahead of the group as the Jedi tailed behind. Their chatter was heard by the Chancellor's guards as they approached the end of the hall way. The guards signaled for the company to enter the room, as they walked in themselves. The room was in the shape of a large oval, with crimson colors draped all over the walls. Near the end of the room sat the Chancellor, he was seated at his desk, the wall behind him a window giving a wide look out at Citadel Station and the planet's surface below. The yellow glow of the atmosphere seemed to interact with the red walls to produce an eerie glow about the room. Around the desk were six chairs, in a half circle facing the Chancellor?
The Chancellor stood as the senators and the Jedi entered the room. The glow from the walls gave the Chancellor a humble, charmed look, despite the harsh gaze he was wearing. Almost more of a tone of sadness then stern, as if he felt incredible pain. Yet all the while the young man welcomed the visitors into his room as if they were old friends. He slipped a smile and beckoned them in, before running his hand through his short blonde hair as if straitening it out.
"Please friends, come in. Take a seat. Can I offer you anything to drink before we come in?" The Chancellor greeted.
"Perhaps a drink wouldn't hurt Chancellor Nuilo, however we are on official business." Replied one of the senators.
"Of course it is Senator Melado. But is it not on business I am conducting?" He forced a grin, and began to serve the empty glasses. "It is a pleasure to be in your company again, Senator Grudiecha. Of course we welcome you here as well, Senator Lipheusa, Senator Markus. And of your Jedi friends, Master Jaedu, and..." The Chancellor hovered for a name.
"Mona Saxrithium, your highness." Mona responded, bowing her head.
"A pleasure." Responded Nuilo.
"She is my apprentice, and a very wise Jedi you will find." Added Jaedu.
"Of course." Nuilo smiled once more. "You will find regardless of what the people of Telos may think of you, the Jedi are always welcomed here among us. They seemed to have forgotten about who it was that stopped the Sith onslaught. Instead they blame the ones in power. Typical of course. And that note is why I brought you here today." The Chancellor walked back to his chair after handing out the drinks, and resumed his place as sitting. The company was all seated as well, some beginning on their drinks.
"Thank you master," Mona whispered. "Though I don't know if wise was the right word." Jaedu smiled.
"No, maybe determined...but wise none the less." she whispered back, as if a tease. Jaedu then continued in a serious tone. "However, keep an open mind of this chancellor, he may be young, but he is very mindful."
"It is a happy site that you are all well, however, we must discuss the urging matter at hand. Many telosains are angered at the fact that republic funding for the reconstruction project has been dramatically declining for the last five decades. The original funds where low enough to begin to anger Telosains, but we stuck to it. Now the funds are so low, we can barley operate some of our machinery." The Chancellor gave a glance around the room before continuing. "Now I know the Republic has the funds, they are just overlooking our needs with their own."
"It is not their own when other more important funds are in order, Chancellor." Senator Lipheusa responded. He was a round plump man, with a short red goatee. "Now I'm not trying to assert that your causes are not important, but there are other galactic problems which do need caring for. Planets that need the funding to help from being destroyed, rather than rebuilding."
"Not to be offensive Senator, but has the Republic not been decreasing the funds over time? I am sorry Senators, but I must stand my ground. I was voted in to my position promising to address this planets problems, the main one being the Republics lack of acknowledging our needs. You know that this means that they will want to break away from the republic. And we are not the only ones." The Chancellor paused and leaned back in his chair, crossing his hands. His look was a grim one, casting it at the Senators. Mona noticed that he had not once looked at the Jedi since their introduction.
"We are aware of your planets needs, and some of us do fight for it, yet…" began Melado.
"Yet?" asked the Chancellor.
"Yet, you must realize, there are other issues in the galaxy. Funding for a dead system is not the top priority…"
"Dead?" Asked the Chancellor curtly. "I advise you Chancellor, look out the window behind me, and tell me what you see. This space station is the dead planet you speak of! These people are all refugees from a event that happened over two hundred years ago. A event, I might add, that the republic was involved in. And if you cannot even help one of your own after using and destroying us, then I think there is no reason Telosains will want to align with the Republic. You do realize that we are not the only ones you are allowing to drift away here in the outer rim…Kamino, Nar Shadaa, even the mining facilities of Geonosis are falling out of the Republic. If you are wanting to keep are alliance, then you will be making our reconstruction project on the top of your list."
"Your words will be recited to the Senate. Our decision will be made there. We do not want to lose Telos, but some will not hold up to the funding very well." Replied Melado.
"Shall we depart back to your ship?" asked the Chancellor. The company stood up and began to walk out into the hallway. This time the guards followed since the Chancellor was now in the group. The Senators and the Chancellors were now talking and laughing as if old buddies, and once again, the Jedi strode some paces behind.
"What do you think master? Is he to be trusted?" asked Mona. Jaedu answered still looking ahead.
"Mona, no politician is to be trusted, but he speaks true words. The people of Telos are only refugees, hiding above their once loved planet. It is not a cause of rebuilding a planet, it is more of rebuilding homes that have been lost for centuries."
"Yes, I agree, but I'm not sure if the Senate will…" Mona paused. Something was not right. There was anger rippling all around. "Master!"
"I Sense it too, its and ambush…hurry, you protect the chancellor, I seek these marauders out before…"
A loud blast sounded as two of the guards were thrown back with a pile of debris and fire. The Chancellor and Senators were knocked to the ground. Civilians began to run and scream, along with the sound of blasters being fired through the smoke. One blaster shot hit Melado in the chest, as he gasped and fell over. A man dressed in crimson and silver walked out of the smoke and pointed his blaster at the chancellor, not seeing the Jedi run at him. There was a flash of yellow, and the assassin dropped his gun, as Mona pulled her lightsaber out of his chest. Her blade shined yellow, enhancing the battle tone in her face.
There was more than one assassin, as several of the same outfitted men extruded from residential cellblocks firing at the Jedi standing by the Chancellor. Mona blocked most of the bolts with a few movements of her lightsaber, then picked up a piece of debris with the force and threw it at one. He was knocked back several feet. Jaedu was already on top of the remaining assassins, her lightsabers of orange and green slashing through the attackers. Mona helped the Chancellor to his feet, and started at the man she had knocked unconscious. Jaedu holstered her weapons and walked over to the Chancellor to make sure he was okay. The remaining guard joined Mona at the unconscious assassin's feet, as well did the Senators and the Chancellor.
"Damn Rithur Clan." Said the Chancellor.
"You know who did this?" Exclaimed Mona.
"Of course I do, these men have been trying to kill me ever sense I came into power. Because I support the republic. They are an underground organization, have their heads full with ending the Republic. I guess they didn't expect that we would have Jedi's in our company."
"I'm sorry your highness, but I think we ought to get you to safety." Requested Jaedu.
"Yes, it does sound like a good idea. We are once again in your debt Jedi." The Chancellor said. The Chancellors guard's back up arrived, and escorted the chancellor back to his chambers. Meanwhile, the Senators and Jedi began to hurry to their ship. They arrived back at the shuttle bay, and made it back into their ships without another incident. The ship lifted and began to exit the Telosains atmosphere.
"Master?" Mona asked her master, still lying on her bed in her ships quarters.
"Mona?"
"Why is it where ever we go, we happen to find a assassination or a coup attempt?" Mona joked. Jaedu chuckled.
"I don't know Mona, maybe it's our luck. Yet we must get to Corucant and tell the Council of these happenings."
"Even if they are fools?"
"Even if they are fools. There are some that will listen. I do not believe this to be just some random assassination attempt. There is always something fueling the fire. Without anything to feed off of, it would die. Therefore I must seek guidance in this matter."
"What ever you get yourself into master, I will right there to assist you."
"I know Mona, you are a good friend."
"As are you, you have been ever since I lost my mother. I was young and you took me in." The both of them smiled, Mona beginning to drift into sleep. The ship began to rattle as it entered Hyperspace, heading towards the center of the Republic.
Note from the author: Of course this is a working progress, so chapter 2 will be out shortly. Please feel free to rate. Let me know how I'm doing too! This story is based off the history of knights of the old republic and follows into the beginning of the Great War. (knights of the old republic is approximately 280 -300 years before this…and is a total of around 3,000 years before the rise of Lord Vader.) Thanks for reading, I'll be posting soon! :D