A/N: Hello, there everyone! So, time for my first actual story on ff.n, and it will be none other than an in depth tale of a Star Wars AU. Now this story is un-beta'd, and will likely be updated sporadically; however, I hope you will join me for the ride. As a last note, bare in mind that this AU will require some ignoring of butterflies (and the aid of the almighty Alien Space Bats) to get to the start point, although I will be incorporating some into the story, and I hope not to have to ignore too many as I, like many people, find that frustrating (I'm looking at you S.M. Stirling).
This will be a long series, and I plan to cover a timeline stretching all 6 (soon to be 7) films.
Disclaimer: While the AU is mine, the characters, setting, brand, etc... Are not mine, but instead belong to Disney and (nominally) George Lucas and his affiliates
EPISODE I: THE ETHEREAL THREAT
Turmoil has engulfed the INTERSTELLAR COMMONWEALTH. The representation of ideologically radical outlying STAR SYSTEMS is in dispute.
Hoping to resolve the matter with a blockade of DEADLY BATTLESHIPS, the conservative DOMINION OF ALDERAAN has stopped all commerce to the newly represented planet of MANDALORE.
While the INTERSTELLAR DELEGATION of the Commonwealth endlessly debates this alarming chain of events, the ARCH PREMIER has secretly dispatched two SITH CHEVALIERS, the guardians of FREEDOM and SELF-DETERMINATION in the galaxy, to settle the conflict...
|-o-|
"Sir, I am unsure of this. Should the Delegation find out that we invaded without their consent, the reperc-"
"I shall deal with any possible repercussions. We must stand strong, my friend. The Force is guiding us to bring peace and stability. That can never be achieved with rogue states such as Mandalore running the government."
"...I understand. I will not fail."
"May the Force be with you, old friend."
"And you as well." The button pressed with excessive force, Prince Bail Organa terminated the transmission, only to slam his fist onto the console of the holoprojector. "Damn it...I pray he's right," came Bail's quiet mutter.
In their years together, Pentor Rieekan had not seen the Viceroy so torn; always had the man been one of conviction, one who took action with resolute belief, right or wrong. Pentor cleared his throat, almost afraid to ask the question required. "Your highness? What should I tell the men?"
Turning towards the admiral, Bail hesitated for a brief moment. "Inform the men," he began, pausing to sigh, "to prepare for an invasion within the next few days. It is time for Alderaan to save the Commonwealth."
|-o-|
"My lord, why were Sith sent to settle an issue of commerce?" the young human quietly asked as he lay awake in his bunk. The Tenebrosity VII was an agile vessel, but not one designed for comfort. How he ached for the Stronghold upon Coruscant, it's beds actually filled with stuffing rather than the starchy, cardboard-like substance his poor spine was pressed against.
"It is more than that, my apprentice," replied the (formerly) meditating older man on the floor. A large set of heavy durasteel components was laid out before him, and with one more deep breath, Lord Qui-gon Jinn of the Sith, better known as Darth Niisen, finished infusing his armor. "Mandalore's integration as a voting member of the Commonwealth was not a popular decision, and it has sparked the want for other tributary systems to petition for representation. If Mandalore can be put into submission, it will halt those petitions, and those that go through will be much easier for older systems to influence and control."
"Control? But the Commonwealth is about choice and free will," countered the apprentice, turning in his bunk, brow furrowed in confusion.
"Politics very rarely follows the tenets of either sides of the force, Obi-wan. But that is why we are going; it is the duty of a Sith to ensure freedom for all."
A frown etches itself upon Obi-wan's face and he looked back up toward the ceiling. 'We'll be meeting with Alderaan's fleet soon enough,' his mind told him. And for some reason, that only gave him a bad feeling. Channeling his worry, Obi-wan felt it and his frustration melt into a deep well of power in his soul.
Though he could not see it, his master smiled. 'At least the boy is finally learning embrace his emotions. Far too often does he dispel them,' the Sith Lord thought to himself, before rising to climb into his own bunk.
|-o-|
Fire. Death. Sorrow. Pain. Beauty. Power. Suffering. Rage. Rage. Rage.
With a gasp, the young boy's eyes snapped open. Sweat beaded his skin, and his chest rose erratically, but he dared not sit up. Not with the Gamorrean brute that prowled the floor of the slave pens, ready to beat anyone violating the sleep period back into unconsciousness.
The rising fear in the boy's throat was swallowed, and instead he shut his eyes, trying to get to sleep. Thoughts of his mother's warm embrace filled his mind, and would have, on most nights, calmed him. But his mother's smile began to clash with her beaten face, and her laugh with last gasps for air. Sleep then proved unobtainable, and he was made to stare straight at the ceiling. And once again, Anakin Skywalker cursed Gardulla the Hutt with all his heart.
|-o-|
Padmé breathed heavily as she ran over the barren landscape. The wind whipped her hair, and the sweat of her palms nearly made her grip on her blaster rifle falter. Nearly, but it was enough for her teacher to sigh in frustration.
"Paddy! That's enough. 'Mandalore the Stabilizer' will have destabilize my brain matter if his ward gets killed by Alderaanians because I ran her ragged," the aged warrior growled, only half joking.
"I'm fine Tor! Run the drones again!" the girl panted out in response.
Tor Vizla shook his head. "Like I said, Jango would be very angry with me if you wind up too tired to fight when those posh bastards send down their invasion force. Hell, Satine gets worried enough about our training exercises when there aren't warships in orbit."
"Satine worries too much. Run it again! We don't even know of they're really here to do anything but blockade."
"Paddy. You really believe all those ships up there are only here to block trade? Here I thought Satine was teaching you proper diplomacy and tactics. Besides, you can't trust the Organas. Queen Breha sold out her whole House, and everyone knows she defers to Bail on nearly every issue. At least when House Antilles ran things, Alderaan was willing to hear your case before looking down at you. Now it's nothing but 'tradition this', 'Commonwealth values that', and plenty of passive aggressive threats of war."
"You've only ranted about them fifty times before this, Tor."
"Exactly! Maybe eventually you'll listen. Now c'mon, it's time to head in."
"...One more time?"
"You really were meant to be a Mandalorian, Padmé," he said with a grin, the training drones already booting back up.
Short, I know, but I suppose I wanted to do a teaser for now. Thoughts? At all interested? Do you want to know more? Please Review and/or Comment!