Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
Chapter Three: The Passage of Time
The Jedi temple, calm, beautiful and as always a sight to behold. The temple is already busy with activity; younglings are beginning to attend their classes, the masters in the temple are meditating or preparing to head out on a mission, and the padawan's are with their masters beginning their training. The walls that have housed the Jedi for so long have changed very little over the passage of time but its residents had each changed over the many generations.
One person that has changed a great deal is Obi-Wan Kenobi; now twenty-five standard years old, he is amongst the brightest of the order. Obi-Wan was knighted at the age of twenty: becoming one of the orders youngest knights but most seasoned Jedi. From going on missions to teaching younglings Obi-Wan is a shining example of what a Jedi should be. He has focused on his training to gain a greater understanding in the force. In his intense training Obi-Wan has grown stronger than most of his fellow Jedi; some say he is as wise as Yoda but as fearsome a warrior as Master Windu.
Many of the Order expect that in a few years time Obi-Wan will be inducted within the Jedi Council; being one of the youngest to join the council. Many masters on the council expect the Obi-Wan will eventually take his masters place as Grand Master of the order. Of course it will be quiet some time before the young knight comes to take on such responsibility.
-Break
The Jedi council is again in session; Master Yoda has called the council to session, hours ago the Chancellor contacted the Jedi Order requesting their assistance. One of the republics many star systems has been threatened and it seems that the Jedi order is needed to reestablish peace.
The council consists of Yoda, Mace Windu, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Plo Koon, Saesee Tiin, Even Piell, Yarael Poof, Oppo Rancisis, Yaddle, Eeth Koth, Adi Gallia, Depa Billaba, and Qui-Gon Jinn. They are amongst the best of the order; surpassing many of their colleges, but always trying to help the order strengthen.
"Uhm, urgent mater to discuss we have" said Yoda as he looked at all the gathered masters.
"Chancellor Valorum must be very distressed if he called for our aid in such a hasty manner" said Master Ki-Adi-Mundi as he looked at his fellow masters.
"Master Windu, please tell us of Naboo" said Yoda as he turned to look at the other Jedi.
"Of course Master Yoda" replied master Windu, "The planet of Naboo has long since been known for its plasma energy trade. They made dealings with the Trade Federation; traditionally Naboo held an aversion to off world trading but they agreed to have the Trade Federation buy their plasma at fixed prices. However, the Trade Federation took advantage of Naboo and sold their plasma at greatly marked up prices, selling the people of Naboo short. The people of Naboo found out the Trade Federations dealings and protested; in response the Trade Federation has responded with a military blockade of the planet".
"This could very well turn into war and cause conflict within the Republic Senate" said Ki-Adi-Mundi.
"What can we do?" asked Plo Koon
"The senate asked for aid; they wish for Jedi to make peace" said Master Yoda.
"I think we should send two Jedi to help oversee peace talks; the only question is who" said Jedi Master Saesee Tiin.
"I believe we should send Knight Kenobi; he is one of the most capable knights in the order, and he has dealt with situations like this before" said Master Windu calmly.
"Uhm, old padawan can see past the cloud of the darkside: who else do we send?" questioned Master Yoda.
"Shaak Ti" said Master Tiin, "we have been evaluating her in order to join the council. Perhaps this situation can aid us in making such an important decision".
"The two of them have worked together before" said Master Windu, "they can resolve this situation quickly and without bloodshed".
"Than decided it is, the two shall go". With that said Yoda put a close to the meeting and went to find the two knights.
-Break
Obi-Wan is calmly meditating in the temple gardens; his deep concentration causing various flower pots to float around him as he himself levitates in a seated position. Despite his clam presence the young knight is full of turmoil; he has felt a shift in the force, he feel's as if something will change. As he places himself and everything down he hears the familiar sound of his master approach him.
"Hello master" greeted Obi-Wan as he stud up and faced his master.
"Hhun, always in tune with the force. Always searching within the force".
"Everything changes master; I simply try to stay informed and who and what has changed but I can assume you've come to talk about something other than my meditation".
"Yes, know of Naboo you do".
"Yes" said Obi-Wan hesitantly, "I felt a shift in the force".
"Go to Naboo then; careful and mindful both should be the dark side lingers" said Master Yoda as he began to leave.
"Who will accompany me?"
"Shaak Ti, hurry you should, waiting she is"
'Wonderful'thought Obi-Wan, 'to go on a mission with a woman that doesn't hold me in the highest regards'
-Break
Obi-Wan wasted no time in getting ready for his mission; he and his partner embarked on their mission as soon as they could, Shaak Ti is less than thrilled to see him though. The two have worked together in the past but for some reason there is tension in-between them. Before they left they meet with Naboo's senator Palpatine and obtained a Republic cruiser to take them to the planet. The very instance that Obi-Wan meet the senator he could feel a hidden darkness; it was small, well hidden and powerful but for know he would focus on the present and worry about Palpatine in the future.
"You seemed troubled Obi-Wan" said Shaak Ti as she and Obi-Wan headed towards the Republic cruiser's cockpit.
"It is senator Palpatine, he has a darkness that I can feel but it is so well hidden to all those around him".
"I cannot deny that the man is hiding something but we can't judge the man if he has done nothing for us to judge him" said Shaak Ti as they entered the cockpit.
"Sir, we were about to page you" said the captain off the ship as he looked up at Obi-Wan and Shaak Ti from his seat.
"Thank you captain but what's our status?" asked Obi-wan
"Look for yourself" said the co-pilot from next over.
Shaak Ti and Obi-wan looked out off the cockpit window and see the trade federation's flag ships; armed with weapons, shields, and communication arrays, the ship is an impressive display of power. Undoubtedly the Trade Federation has used these ships to intimidate and conquer the people of Naboo: a people who have no formal military.
"What do you want us to do sir?" asked the captain
"Tell them we wish to board them immediately" answered Shaak Ti.
The captain wordlessly did as he was told; it took a few minutes to reach the Trade Federations head flagship, and on the view screen Obi-wan and Shaak Ti could see a Neimoidian man; it is Nute Gunray. Obi-wan recognizes the man from the few times he has been to the Republic debate floor.
"Ah, we were not expecting company" said Nute Gunray calmly.
"With all due respect for the Trade Federation, the ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor wish to board immediately" said the captain seriously.
"Yes, yes, of course …. Ahhh….. as you know our blockade is perfectly legal, and we'd be happy to receive the ambassadors….. Happy too" said Gunray shakily, "Please come through the south hanger".
The captain boarded the massive flagship; as soon as Obi-Wan and Shaak Ti set foot on the ship they were greeted by a protocol droid. The droid escorted the two to a conference room inside the flagship; Obi-wan could feel the unseen danger he is in but for now he will remain calm and let things unfold. The two Jedi sit patiently observing the planet of Naboo through a large window in the room; Obi-wan stands in front of it staring down at the lush and beautiful planet, feeling the force pulse through the life of the planet.
"I sense a greater power at work here" said Obi-wan as he looks down at the planet.
As Obi-wan and Shaak Ti sit in the conference room Nute Gunray is in the main piloting bay with his battle droids. He is waiting for the protocol droid he sent to go greet the newcomers to return. The droid walked through the doors and towards Gunray; who is pacing back and forth.
"Well who are the ambassadors?" questioned Gunray as he continued paced the floor.
"I believe the ambassadors are Jedi" said the droid, "My overall senses picket up a faint trace of energy, and I saw their lightsabers are the source".
"This is not good they've come to force an agreement" said another Neimoidian.
"Don't worry, we will handle this: flood the room with poison gas and send the droids to finish the job" ordered Gunray panicked.
"And what of him?" asked the other Neimoidian.
"I will tell lord Sidious about this, I have no doubt he will approve about the course of action I've decided to take". Gunray leaves the piloting room with his droids behind him.
As the two Jedi wait an hours time has passed; Shaak Ti has remained calm and let her senses extend all around her, but Obi-wan has simply continued to stare outside the large window in the waiting room. It looks as if he is simply standing there but Shaak Ti could feel Obi-wan submerging himself within the force.
"Shaak Ti take a deep breath" ordered Obi-Wan as he rushed to the rooms doors; the only exit.
Shaak Ti as Obi-Wan said, he pointed at the vents in the room which pouring green smoke into the room; both Jedi look around the room, in one corner there is a pet bird which was alive until a few minutes ago. The room is being filled with killer nerve gas: if in hailed it kills within seconds.
Outside of the room seven battle droids are waiting with an active hologram of Nute Gunray. The droids are armed with flame throwers and blasters; weapons used to burn through dense forest and other obstacles, and weapons meant to kill.
"They should be dead by now; burn the bodies, leave no trace of them and bring me the lightsabers" said Gunray as his hologram flickered away.
The battle droids opened the doors and a cloud of green poisonous smoke billowed out of the room, the droids ready there weapons and walk inside but before they could even reach the center of the room a green blade cleared through the smoke and cut down almost all the droids except one.
"What in the blazes is going on" said Nute trough a communicator.
"Sir, the Jedi are ali…" before the droid could finish Shaak Ti destroyed the droid; her blue lightsaber cutting it in half.
"Well you were right the negotiations were short" said Shaak Ti.
"This is a risky move by the Federation; we must go to Naboo and reach the Chancellor, we cannot face all the droids in this ship and we can't afford to head off into the unknown of the ships" said Obi-Wan calmly.
"We should take the escape pods but we must be cautious". Shaak Ti began to run down the hall and Obi-Wan was not far behind; the two would separate for now but regroup on the planet surface.
-Break
It was easy enough to break through the blockade and land on Naboo; Obi-Wan used what little computer skills he has to cloak his escape pod and land on the planet safely. Shaak Ti landed in a swamp; were in Obi-Wan was already waiting for her. They had had little time to search the area; a mere twenty minutes after they landed ships started to land in there area.
The ships are here to most likely start the full invasion of Naboo and hunt down Obi-Wan and Shaak Ti. The ships have already begun to unleash waves of federation battle droids; armed with tanks, fusion weapons, and explosives the droids are beginning their march to the cities of Naboo. The droids are also armed with aquatic search materials and weaponry; it seemed that this invasion force is going to fight a war on two fronts, in the water and on land.
The tanks and droids are already beginning to clear a path trough the forest; they are cutting down trees and using their tanks to plow through the trees. As the droids left the swamp they did not notice a small blue light that flashed from behind a tree. Obi-Wan looked from behind said tree, careful not to draw the attention of the last droids that passed by.
"You must teach me how to do that one day" said Shaak Ti as she looked down at Obi-Wan from a high tree branch.
"You can thank Xanatos; I learned that move from when I faced him". Obi-Wan is heading into the forest being silent as to not draw the attention of anyone or anything.
The two Jedi moved swiftly and quietly despite the commotion; the forest animals in the area are in an uproar, they are all fleeing from the droids and their weapons. Shaak Ti and Obi-Wan remain silent; they can feel the force crying out as the balance of the swamp and forest life is being thrown out of balance. A group of animals is rushing past the two Jedi; stopping the two dead in their tracks.
"Help, pleasea help me" yelled a strange human like creature as it ran towards Obi-wan and Shaak Ti.
The creature ran and hid behind Obi-Wan as a large tank came into view and ran over a few trees.
"Don't worry it's what were here for". Obi-Wan grabbed one of the creature's arms and moved out of the way before the tank ran over them; Obi-wan turned and saw how the tank simply kept going and paid them no mind.
"Are you alright?" asked Shaak Ti.
"Oyie, mooie-mooie, luv yous" said the creature as it began to hug both Obi-wan and Shaak Ti with all of its strength.
Obi-Wan laughed and patted the creature on the back. "Please stop, we were more than happy to help". Obi-Wan managed to brake free from the creatures hold as did Shaak Ti who seemed a bit uncomfortable with the contact.
"Tell us who are you?" asked Obi-Wan.
"Mesa yous loyal servant" said the creature as it bowed to both Obi-Wan and Shaak Ti.
"That's not necessary" said Shaak Ti as she smiled at the creature.
"Oh boot tis! Tis demunded byda guds. Tis a life debett, tis. Messa called Jaja Binkss" said the creature happily.
"Jar Jar is it; I will never call anyone my servant but maybe I can call you a friend". Obi-Wan outstretched his hand to shake Jar Jar's; the beginning of a strange friendship.
-Break
Theed the capital city of Naboo is a beautiful place; the very embodiment of Naboo's culture this place stands as a symbol for the people of the planet. It is a center of trade and life but sadly it is empty: the Trade Federation and its many battle droids have taken over the city; royals are now hostages and the people of Theed are scatter, hiding all over the city.
Queen Amidala is in her palace surrounded by her government council and her four loyal hand maidens. The guards that usually protected her are in a corner of the room held at gunpoint by many droids. The Queen looked calm; waiting for her people's tormentor to enter and make his demands. As expected Nute Gunray and many droids walk into the room; with more weapons than needed, intimidation to keep the people at bay.
"Hello your majesty" said Nute sarcastically.
"You won't get away with this" said an elderly man as he stood and faced Nute Gunray.
"Sit down Sio Bibble: you, the council and the queen can do nothing to stop the trade federation" said Nute happily.
Sio Bibble sat down but Nute could still see the defiance in the elderly mans eyes.
"… How will you explain this invasion to the Senate?" Bibble glared at Nute thinking that he'd caught the man off guard.
"Naboo and the Trade Federation will make a treaty that will legitimize our occupation here. I've been assured it will be ratified by the Senate" said Nute enjoying the sight of Sio's eyes going wide in surprise.
"I will not co-operate" said Queen Amidala while looking calmly at Nute.
"Now, now, Queen Amidala I know you will not like what is destined to happen but when your people begin to suffer and the ones in hiding are killed I'm sure you will open your mind to negotiations" said Nute calmly as he motioned for his lead battle droid to come forward.
"Yes sir" asked the droid.
"Take them to be processed". With that said Nute turned away and looked out the window.
The battle droids did as they were told and they gathered all of the prisoners. Queen Amidala, the handmaidens, and the council are being escorted out of the palace and into its courtyard; they are on their way to a concentration camp were they will see the people of Theed being imprisoned or worse.
As the group walks towards the camp above them on a building Obi-Wan, Shaak Ti and Jar Jar are watching. In order to reach Theed safely the three had to make there way through the Gungan city; Jar Jar's home, the one he was banished from. They had an in-counter with the leader of the city but they convinced him to let them go. It wasn't easy but the three had made it out of the Gungan city and into Theed safely.
Obi-Wan and Shaak Ti wait patiently; the tanks and droids are leaving the courtyard and most of the droids are gone all who remain are the queen, her fellow nobles, guards, and the droids guarding them.
"We will drop down and take them by surprise" said Shaak Ti as she looked down bellow.
"Jar Jar, stay here" said Obi-wan as he reach for his lightsaber.
Obi-Wan carefully walks across a walkway as the queen passes and he quickly jumps down. Shaak Ti is close behind and the two quickly dispatch the droids; Shaak Ti cuts two droids in half while Obi-Wan levitates a pair of the droids in the air and crushes them to pieces. The two dispatch the remaining droids and when all is done they face the queen and her followers. Most are stunned by the sudden appearance of the two Jedi but the Queen hides her surprise well.
"Are you well your Highness?" asked Obi-Wan. Looking her over to see if she was injured at all.
"I'm fine" said the queen quietly.
"We were sent by the Chancellor" said Shaak Ti, "the senate has gotten word of your planets troubles".
"They told us you never came" said a tall man in a uniform.
"The Trade Federation tried to kill us but we made it here: please let us find a safe place and then we can discuss the situation" said Obi-Wan as he looked around.
"I'm Captain Panaka; if you want to know what's going on then let me tell you" said the man defensively as he stood next to the queen.
"Let me guess communications are jammed" said Shaak Ti feeling the captain's hesitance.
"Yes" said a young girl dressed in heavy robes.
"Do you have transports?" asked Obi-Wan.
"Yes in the main hanger. This way" said Captain Panaka.
The group began running down an alleyway as they began to quicken their pace they here the alarms go off. They make it to the hanger with little difficulty but sadly their only way of escaping is being guarded by battle droids.
"This will prove difficult" said Shaak Ti as she looks at the droids.
"Leave them to me" said Obi-Wan as he walked away from the group and rounded the corner.
Blaster fire could be heard inside of the hanger; by the amount of noise being made anyone could tell the droids were in a panic they could be head firing at all parts of the hanger. After a few minutes the amount of blaster fire dropped to a minimum and then it stopped completely. The hanger doors opened wide revealing Obi-Wan.
"What did you do?" asked one of the handmaidens in awe as she looked at the droids that were now broken and smashed into pieces.
"A tale for another time". Obi-Wan put his lightsaber.
"Come we must leave" said Shaak Ti as she guided everyone deeper into the hanger in search of a suitable ship.
It was deiced that the Queens cruiser would be taken; it is the only ship with the speed needed to break past the Trade Federations ships. Obi-Wan, Shaak Ti, the Queen, her handmaidens, Captain Panaka, and two pilots board the ship; unfortunately the others cannot come, they must stay behind and go into hiding.
End Chapter Three
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