Leia
Jedi Temple
The Jedi Temple was massive and enormous in the eyes to Leia. She's explored many of the levels throughout the Temple but still relied on the Force to find her way around. The ten year old girl was on her own that day. After she finished lightsaber practice with the younglings with Master Yoda, she went to lunch, and then decided to take a stroll throughout the majority of the Temple. The youngling walked through the tall corridors of the Temple, with towering windows letting in the beaming Coruscant sunlight. Leia appreciated her life living at the Temple, but ever since she returned from the Battle of Rutha-Navarch, she felt like something was missing. She felt as if she had purpose, even though a young girl, as if just her presence was useful. She loved the intensity of the battle, the excitement of traveling through space, watching massive battles ensue. However, once stepping foot on Coruscant, that rush disappeared. Many of her friends found Masters, Luke was off training with Obi wan, or on some mission around the Galaxy, and she was stuck here.
"Lone wolf, feel like you do, hmm?" spoke a familiar voice. Leia looked over her shoulder and noticed Yoda approaching her, walking with his wooden cane. She was taller than the ancient Jedi Master, but had the utmost respect for him,
"I was just taking a walk throughout the Temple, Master Yoda."
"Hmm, but out of touch in class today seemed you. Sense something wrong there is. Of the matter, what is?" asked the Grand Master, placing both of his hands on the top of his cane, pressing his lips.
"I feel like I've been left behind. I feel like I should have a master by now." said Leia, worriedly.
"Understand, I do… young one. Open your heart, you must, yes. Have hope, you must, yes… Pay attention to your peers, do not. Different, each Jedi is, and their story. Come to you and choose you as their padawan, I foresee a strong Jedi will."
"Really? I do hope so, Master Yoda."
"Remain calm about this, you must be." said the Grand Master, and he went on his way. Leia reflected on the words from the wise Jedi Master, and looked outside the nearby window to the Coruscant cityscape.
Prime Minister Guthrad
"Kovunko cannot be trusted with the largest fleet in our Navy. He lost too many ships at Rutharox." spoke up a male Twi'lek at the oval-like table with many other military officials. Prime Minister Guthrad sat at the head of the table, listening to the debate between the Twi'lek and Ithorian; Kovunko.
"Those ships are fragile as glass!" grumbled Kovunko through his translator, "If we were to build more durable warships, those fishes from Mon Cala would've crashed into Rutharox."
"If we are to make any more progress in absorbing territory, we cannot have Kovunko as second in command." replied the green Twi'lek, snarling with his sharp teeth.
"At ease, General Ortona." said Prime Minister Guthrad, "Admiral Kovunko has proved his worth and value in the Syndicate, he deserves to be second in command. We may have lost ships at Rutha-Navarch, but we have surely won the battle. Our viral missiles have made it to the planet… a reported six billion are infected with the disease. Nine hundred thousand have died because of it. These numbers will scare the Republic into a state of mind as they had in the Clone Wars." Guthrad looked around at all of the alien faces, with the exception of two human men at the other end of the table. The room was darkly lit, with the main light over the Prime Minister's head, "We are on schedule, gentlemen. I received word from our intelligence that Senator Ducau Zaoku proposed the idea of a more powerful, smaller, legislative body that will aide in the Chancellor's decision-making. Now, do any of you know why Ducau Zaoku has become our top enemy?" asked the Prime Minister, standing up from her chair. She began pacing around the bluish conference room with her hands behind her back. All of the Generals, and even the Admiral, were quiet.
"Ma'am," spoke a hardened voice, one human male with graying hair and crow's feet near his eyes, "for what Senator Zaoku is proposing will give the Republic more traction in law-making." Guthrad stopped and stared at the man, for she was on the other side of the table by the time he finished speaking,
"Wrong!" some of the men were startled, and Guthrad became more stern, "Zaoku is a symbol of hope for the Republic. He's become their savior… and he must be taken out of the game. I want a team of specialists to assassinate him as soon as possible. He's become a driving force for positive change in the Republic, and if we are to fulfill our duties… we must rattle, shake, and destroy that hope. Our superiors are watching, gentlemen…" The Prime Minister walked back to her seat and stood behind the chair, grasping it, "Our larger target will be Rodia and Denon. We shall mount an attack, distract the Republic, and assassinate Ducau Zaoku."
Galactic Senate
It has been another full week since Ducau Zaoku proposed the creation of the Inner Council, and the Senate was divided on whether to create it or not. Once again, the body of delegates were in a gridlock. Zaoku spent hours debating with various senators throughout the week, and wasn't getting anywhere.
"This Inner Council represents an oligarchy! What I see before me is a proposal that will limit the voices of our citizens." said the Kaminoan senator; Khen Su.
"What you want is to smother the voices of the Republic, since so many corporations have seats in this very building. This is what the Syndicate wants. They want to divide us and see to it that our government is in a constant gridlock."
"This has been the way of the Republic for centuries. You yourself will not be able to change it." replied the skinny Khen Su.
"There is your mistake, Senator Su." smiled Ducau, "You dwell on the past like many other corporate senators. You are afraid of losing money… of losing power. If we are to be progressive, we cannot dwell on the past, for we are facing more dire situations. The Gundao Syndicate has caused the quarantine of one of the most prosperous Outer Rim planets. Rutharox is dead. If you do not wish to act now, Kamino could be next. Eighteen billion people's lives are ruined, with almost half of them being infected with this biological weapon…"
Rodia
The jungle planet glowed like a gem in the dark space of the Mid Rim, near the border to the Outer Rim. The planet once had a small fleet of Republic ships to protect it from Separatists, but ever since the Clone Wars ended and the Syndicate rose, all ships were moved to the Core and Inner Rim.
The planet was mostly green, with bright blue oceans, and swirling white clouds that gave life to the world. Rodia was a tranquil world, with its people devoted to the Republic and the defense of peace. But that tranquility became disturbed, as three Raiderstark class Light Destroyers of the Syndicate Navy came out of hyperspace. The three needle-like ships slowly approached the large planet, commenced their targeting systems, and perfectly aligned with the center of the planet.
An Aqualish alien walked across the command bridge of the central warship, staring out at the jungle planet.
"Captain, the missiles are ready for launch." announced a Quarren technician at a piloting station within the crew.
"Fire when ready." ordered the Aqualish captain in his gurgling alien language. The sounds of computers beeping and the energy being diverted to the main cannons hummed throughout the bridge of the ship.
All three of the Syndicate ships' forward missile tubes angled to aim in slightly different directions. The missiles were fired with loud booms from the three ships, all scattered in different directions… flying towards Rodia.
The domed cities of Rodia were quiet and serene, with many citizens throughout the streets, speeders racing across the sky, and ships coming and leaving its ports. Alarms began to blare from the tallest skyscrapers, and many looked up to the sky. There was a flash within the clouds, and with the blink of an eye… multiple missiles broke through the clear dome and crashed into the city and some skyscrapers. Black gas spewed from the missiles' compartments, spreading like wildfire into the streets and through an open windows or doors of buildings. Screams and shrieks echoed throughout the city as countless Rodians and other beings were consumed by the gas, and consequently turned into cannibalistic monsters.
Denon
Night had fallen over the purplish planet of Denon, a massive planetary metropolis that resembled Coruscant. The vast cityscape, however, was not dark at all. The countless skyscrapers and buildings gave light to the planet, lighting up streets and alleys all together. The nightlife was interrupted, with the sounds of gasps and shrieks as missiles came falling through the sky… raining down from the Raiderstark Light Destroyers in space. The missiles cascaded all over the planet, detonating and spreading the dark gas. It began to consume the people, every inhabitant, each creature, slipping through the open doors and windows… changing everything. Men, women, children of all species and races were estranged and turned by the gas. And as the gas disappeared, the infected began roaming the streets and buildings… killing and eating anything that ran… anything that moved… anyone.
Office of the Chancellor
The entire Jedi Council was present in the Chancellor's office. Ducau Zaoku was there, along with many other notable senators; Bail Organa, Khen Su of Kamino, Vitaro Kandan of Naboo, Orn Free Ta of Ryloth, Riyo Chuchi of Pantora, and more. Chancellor Karsguard walked to her desk and sat down with distraught. Mace Windu, Yoda, Ducau Zaoku, and Bail Organa sat in the four chairs in front of the Chancellor's desk. There was alertness, tension, and fear amongst the senators, as well as silence. Mace broke the silence,
"This has become more than a small threat, Chancellor. The Syndicate is an enemy and a risk to our way of living. If we continue to sit here, they will continue to attack us… and kill tens of billions more."
"I do not want to resort to war, Master Jedi. We've worked so hard to keep the Republic so well." said Tamara Karsguard, shaking her head.
"I agree with Master Windu," stated Ducau, "if we continue to sit back and do nothing, the Syndicate will become even stronger. They are playing with our emotions. I fear that war is the only solution right now. If we don't fight back, countless star systems will lose faith in the Republic and who knows what they will do."
"For once I second that." added the Kaminoan, Khen Su, "We can't let systems lose faith in the Republic, secede, and form another separatist alliance."
"Sooner or later they will be on our doorstep, and the Republic will have no way in battling this technology." said Mace Windu.
"Our military has been shrunk, and it will take far too long to rebuild it again." said Tamara, "And the Senate will never agree to do so again. The rapid militarization nearly bankrupted the Republic." there was a worried silence amongst the people present. No one knew exactly what to say… they weren't sure that their words be enough to do anything. Except for one man, a former Chancellor who united billions from around the Galaxy,
"The Inner Council." everyone looked at Senator Zaoku, "Chancellor… this is the time to prove that we are capable of adapting to change." Khen Su was about to form a rebuttal and Zaoku could anticipate it through the Force, "Quiet, Su. You know damn well that the Republic will collapse if we don't form this Council." the Jedi's eyes were widened as he stared at the black eyed Kaminoan. Khen Su crossed his arms and sighed,
"Fine. I'll speak to my colleagues to consider approving the formation of the Inner Council." Chancellor Karsguard didn't say anything, and Mace Windu stood up,
"It is final then. Senator Zaoku will propose the Inner Council once more for a vote in the next Senate session. It is time we take action on these terrorists."
Everyone began leaving the Chancellor's office, with Zaoku and Khen Su being the last out. At the turbolift door, Su stopped Zaoku and whispered to him,
"I'm onto you, Zaoku."
"What?"
"I see how you're manipulating the Chancellor. Don't pretend that you aren't using her as your third term. You saw how Palpatine relied on the Force, and it led to his downfall." snickered Senator Su. Ducau pointed his finger at Su's face,
"Don't you dare tell me such blasphemy. Palpatine was an evil Sith Lord who killed countless people in his rise to power. I am trying to save the Republic… unlike you who is just sitting here; waiting for our destruction. Just to prove a point!"
Sith Temple
Navarchos
"Archduke Poggle the Lesser, to what do I owe this pleasure?" smiled the silver haired President of the Sith Order, walking up to the hologram of the Geonosian leader in her office. Poggle chirped and clicked in his alien language, and the President understood his words,
"I need to contact Ducau Zaoku. All forms of communication from my planet to the Core has been severed. Would you do the honor in doing me this favor?"
"Now why would I help a Separatist leader?" asked Dorna Vakara, with a smirk and tilt of her head.
"Now why would I be asking a Sith? We are both not what we claim anymore, President Vakara. This is extremely important, and I know you are a trustworthy person." said Poggle.
"Senator Zaoku has been extremely busy regarding the Syndicate Crisis, Archduke. I don't know if I'll be able to reach him, especially how a neighboring planet of mine is under quarantine by the order of the Galactic Supreme Court." replied Vakara.
"There's a reason why the Syndicate didn't attack your planet… and you know very well that it wasn't luck." said the Archduke, placing his hands on his wooden cane.
"Alright… what exactly do you want?" asked Vakara, crossing her arms.
"I need to speak with Senator Zaoku personally…"
"Just tell me or I'll cut off the transmissions, Archduke. I am quite busy running the second largest Force-sensitive Order in the Galaxy." exhaled the President, and Poggle held out his hand… there was a hologram projector, and it projected a red sphere. "What is that?" asked Vakara.
"Plans to the ultimate super-weapon that might stand a chance against what we have in stored for the future."