A/N: Whew! 2500 words...a lot longer than I intended. But hey enjoy!
Chapter 4
Of Admirals and Conspiracies
The Resolute dropped out of hyperspace 100,000 kilometers from Starbase 82. Skywalker was again impressed by the size of the station. Captain Keller stood with him on the bridge of the Resolute. "Five miles high, with the top two or three miles dedicated to ship docking ports. In addition it's absolutely armed to the teeth. A single volley from this thing's phasers could eviscerate any modern ship including the Resolute. It can fires dozens of torpedoes at a time as well."
"It would take quite a fleet to destroy this thing." said Skywalker.
"Starfleet has plans to move at small outpost to the mouth of the rift at first then build it up into a full-sized starbase."
"General Skywalker, we've received docking clearance from Starbase 82." said a clone crewmen.
"Very well, begin docking procedures."
Keller tapped his combadge. "Keller to Agamemnon, detach from the Resolute and begin our own docking procedures."
"Aye sir."
"Sir, additional message from Starbase 82. They say that an Admiral Paris arrived just before we did and is waiting in a conference room."
"Inform their Admiral that I'm on my way."
Skywalker nodded to Keller who again tapped his combadge. "Keller to Agamemnon, lock onto General Skywalker and myself and beam us to the conference room where Admiral Paris is waiting."
"Understood, standby."
The two men disappeared off the bridge of the Resolute and reappeared in the Conference room with a large viewport of the interior docking bay. Skywalker could see the Resolute and Agamemnon going through the massive space doors. Then he saw worker bees swarm towards his ship and hoped they would do a good job of repairing his ship. He saw the Admiral and bowed in the traditional Jedi manner.
"General Skywalker, I am Admiral Owen Paris. I'm here to discuss possible cessation of hostilities between your Republic and the Separatists."
"I understand Admiral, I too hope we can end the war quickly."
"Please have a seat."
"I've read your report Captain. Again I mention the Prime Directive. If the CIS agree to third-party talks then we'll proceed."
"The hard part will be getting the CIS to agree. They will mostly likely attempt to capture any ship you send to them. Just to gain transporter technology. If the CIS got their hands on that or replicator technology the war would be over in months, they wouldn't need to strip-mine planets to make battle droids."
"I understand, any ship we send their way will have orders to jump to warp at the first sign of trouble." replied Paris
"When I return to my galaxy I will have to discuss it with my Chancellor. It would probably help if the Agamemnon were to come along." said Skywalker
"I've instructed my chief engineer to build and install a hyperdrive on the Agamemnon, using the one from the shuttle he used to pick you up. He believes we can match the speed of the Resolute and keep the ship from falling apart if we boost power to structural integrity and inertial dampers."
Skywalker was about to continue when Starbase control came over the comm. "General Skywalker, this is Starbase control, we're having trouble docking your ship, we'd like permission to install a compatible airlock in a non-critical location. It will require burning into the hull however."
"Permission granted, though you might be able to connect the docking collar with one of the port or starboard hangers."
"Thank you General control out."
"I've instructed the Starbase engineers to restore your systems to its normal state, we won't be installing any of our technology until there is a treaty between us that doesn't anger the CIS."
"Perhaps with negotiations, the Separatists will rejoin the Republic." said Skywalker
"Indeed that is our hope as well...In addition to the peace efforts I believe we have other things to discuss...Computer seal this room and deactivate all recording devices." replied Captain Keller
Admiral Paris gave the Captain a typical 'this better be good' look. It wasn't everyday and mere Captain could lock an Admiral into a conference room.
Room sealed, recording disabled.
"Admiral, my tactical officer did some digging in the Republic database they gave us. She found troubling but circumstantial evidence that the Chancellor of the Republic is behind the war and may be controlling both factions."
"How is that possible?" asked Paris
"There were some intercepted CIS transmissions in our database which the Republic hasn't been able to crack, one was almost ten years old. Around the time the Trade Federation blockaded the peaceful world of Naboo." said Skywalker
"However my tactical and communications officer was able to crack it. Here is part of that
transmission." said Keller
There was static at first but then it resolved into voices. "..turn of events is unfortunate. Begin landing your troops." then another voice responded. "My lord...is that...legal?" first voice replied"I will make it legal!"
"Who is this person?" asked Paris
"We believe it is Darth Sidious. The one Count Dooku claims is controlling the Senate. From other encrypted transmissions he's also controlling the CIS as well. But that's not the whole story...this is where it gets disturbing and our evidence circumstantial."
Keller played another audio clip. "I love democracy...I love the Republic...the power you give me, I will lay down when this crisis has abated."
"That was Chancellor Palpatine. Right after the Senate voted to give him emergency powers. In effect they made him a dictator with limits." said Skywalker.
"All we have against him right now is a comparison between his voice and that of Darth Sidious. The computer analyzed both recordings and came up with a 95% match." said Keller
"You're saying that Palpatine and this Darth Sidious are one and the same?"
"Almost certainly. If we were completely certain we could go to the Jedi Council and they could arrest the Chancellor. Sir, I know this is almost certainly a blatant violation of the Prime Directive, but if Palpatine is also Darth Sidious he would win either way and could conceivably take over the Republic. If the Republic lost he would be the mysterious leader who lead CIS forces to victory. If the Republic won, he would be hailed as a hero. It's a win win either way for him sir." Said Keller
"What would he do if he were to lead the Republic to victory?" Asked Paris
"Probably order the Clone army to execute order 66. Which tells them to execute their Jedi officers on sight without question." Said Keller
"The Jedi are spread just as thinly as the Army itself, they would be massacred. Shot in the back and betrayed." Skywalker pointed out.
"I see...Let me guess, you want permission to hack his private files hoping to find real evidence."
"Yes sir." replied Keller candidly.
The Admiral took a deep breath and sighed heavily. "So our choices are to interfere in another government to prevent not only a coup but a massacre of a religious group or to sit and do nothing while Palpatine consolidates his power through one faction or another."
"If he wins with the Republic and destroys the Jedi he could establish an Empire and probably come after the Federation." said Skywalker
"That's possible, and he'll have one heck of a fight on his hands if he comes through the rift with intent to invade us." said Keller
"Admiral, it seems our best choice is to help the Jedi arrest the Chancellor. With the CISs main leader gone we'll only have to worry about General Grievous, Asajj Ventress and Count Dooku. Without Sidious telling them where the Republic will strike next they could win the war in a few months. That's assuming they don't agree to third party talks."
"Hmmmmm, very well. Talk with the Jedi first, in secret. Invite them up to your ship for a tour or something. But make sure Palpatine doesn't know we know what he is. I'll order the installation of hyperdrives in an additional twenty starships, including the Enterprise. Those twenty ships will escort the Resolute to Coruscant for negotiations. I'll have Picard order a ship to attempt contact with the Separatists as well. Perhaps we can get the peace process going." said the Admiral
"On behalf of the Republic I thank you Admiral." replied Skywalker
"It'll take about three days to fully repair your ship. So feel free to enjoy the station and extend shore leave to your men as well." replied the Admiral.
"Thank you."
The doors unsealed and Anakin began to walk the station visiting the various restaurants and even took time to visit a holosuite. He was amazed at the detail. But his musings were interrupted by base control again. "General Skywalker you have an incoming transmission from Captain Picard of the Enterprise."
"Put him through." the Captain appeared on a comm panel on the wall. "Captain, what can I do for you?"
"General, another Republic ship has come through the rift. The commander claims to know you. His name is-"
"Obi-wan Kenobi?"
"Yes...how did you-"
"I figured he'd come looking for me sooner or later. May I speak with him?"
Kenobi suddenly walked onto the screen and stood next to Picard.
"I'm right here Anakin. These are some interesting people you've found."
"Indeed...Master...it is urgent that I speak with you. Please come to Starbase 82 as soon as possible." replied Anakin.
"I understand, it will be sometime. Our charts of this area are...non-existent."
"Captain? can you-"
"Yes, we'll transfer our star charts to Kenobi's ship immediately."
Picard smiled, this time he finished Skywalker's sentence.
"Very good."
A day later Kenobi's ship, the Liberty arrived near Starbase 82. It was granted clearance to dock and Anakin met Kenobi at the airlock with Admiral Paris and Captain Keller. As the door opened Obi-Wan came forward and bowed traditionally. Anakin, Paris and Keller returned the bow of respect.
"Master Obi-Wan, may I present Captain John Keller U.S.S. Agamemnon, and Admiral Owen Paris, Starfleet Command."
"Pleased to meet you. I see your ship is nearly repaired Anakin."
"Yes, their engineers are quite skilled. They should be done within a day or two. But that's not what you're here for. Admiral?"
"We've uncovered troubling evidence concerning your Chancellor. But we must discuss it in private." said Paris
"Of course. Lead the way."
Admiral Paris led the three men to the same conference room and again sealed the doors. They recounted the evidence against Palpatine to Obi-Wan and gave him their choices. Obi-Wan was shocked but somehow...not surprised.
"The CIS have been one step ahead so far in this war. Even the attacks that Palpatine has ordered personally have been met with overwhelming force. Our forces are spread dangerously thin trying to defend to many places at once. If Palpatine is the same man as Darth Sidious then we must arrest and remove him from power. Perhaps then without Sidious controlling the CIS as well, they will be amiable to peace talks. But from what I've seen of your technology they just might attack you instead."
"If they do attack the Federation, we will respond with necessary force but we can't assist the Republic directly."
"Admiral, the CIS doesn't have a foothold in our territory right now. If they attack us and we beat them back, they might try again, which will drain ships they could be using against the Republic. At the same time the Republic will be able to go on the offensive and end the war rather quickly. By keeping the CIS occupied trying to take the rift, we'd be justified in assisting the Republic because we're defending our territory. And as an added bonus, the ships the CIS spends trying to take the rift drains resources and ships allowing the Republic to gain momentum and end the war faster." said Keller
Paris thought for a moment then nodded in agreement. "I'll authorize a small fleet to escort you and Skywalker back to Republic space and for Captain Keller to show the Jedi the evidence we've shown you. If you can remove him by political means so much the better, that way the people don't get the idea of the Jedi trying to take over. As I recall that's one of the propaganda lines the CIS has out. Perhaps when the war is over we can negotiate a more permanent agreement."
"Thank you Admiral, you may have just saved the Republic and the Jedi Order." said Obi-Wan
"I'd also like to discuss the tactics and capabilities of the CIS forces. Who are their commanders? How do they fight?"
"Admiral, my tactical officer Lt. Adams has been reviewing the data on the CIS gathered by the Republic. It might be useful to have her in this discussion as well." said Keller
"Very well. We'll take a break and reconvene here in an hour. Captain, locate your tactical officer and get her in here."
"Aye sir."
"As for you, General Kenobi, please feel free to enjoy the station."
"Thank you Admiral."
The men parted ways but Anakin remained with Kenobi. "Would you like something to eat master? They have a wide variety of food available."
"Yes I could do with a meal. I've been eating too many field rations of late."
Anakin led Kenobi to a human restaurant named 'Chilis'. Afterwards they browsed the stores and shops in the lower decks of the starbase, then returned to the conference room where Paris, Keller and Adams were waiting for them.
"Gentlemen thank you for coming. Lt. Adams, your report please."
"Sir, most of the capital ships in the Republic galaxy are much larger than our own. Some are a few kilometers long. Based on the tactics of the CIS seen so far I suggest we adapt our fleet compliment to counter large-numbers of fighters and order ships to stay mobile, full impulse should give our ships enough maneuverability but one or more salvos from a turbolaser battery will deplete the shields of smaller ships. I also recommend installing the 'point-defense' mode software into the phaser systems. They proved effective when we rescued the Resolute. Additionally, we could use tricobalt torpedoes to thin out the fighter ranks as they are unshielded. We won't have to worry about friendly fire either, all Republic fighter classes have shield generators." she said
"Do we know why their fighters are unshielded? It seems like a tactical error."
"Their usual fighters are called Vulture droids. They are unmanned and usually deployed by the hundreds to overwhelm a target. A typical cruiser could launch several hundred within seconds. They can also be carried on the outer hull. There are a few other classes, a heavy fighter and some bomber classes as well those should be priority targets for point defenses. It might be worth it Admiral, if the CIS ever came through the rift to fire off a few low-yield tricobalt warheads at the ships. It wouldn't hurt the capital ships but it would thin out their fighter ranks. And we don't know what would happen if we detonated a high-yield tricobalt warhead so close to the rift, it could cause the rift to destabilize and/or collapse. Which would trap any ships on either side." she continued.
"In short Admiral, the best way to combat the CIS is to hit hard, hit fast and move faster."
"I understand. I'll forward this information to Starfleet command and to Picard. We'll put it to good use."
"Thank you sir."
