Chapter 12 – Mission


Qui-gon Jinn had heard it all in his life. From the very beginning, as a Jedi apprentice, then to a Jedi Master, and eventually to where he was now, in the service of his old master, Count Dooku. Together he and Dooku had been making things better, though secretly around the galaxy for the past few months, of course it had been made to work for the Chancellor, Palpatine, and they seemed to enjoy each others company. It was this that made them work together so well.

Of course, it was a strange relationship. Qui-gon was the ever aspiring and conniving ex-Jedi Master, and he was actually becoming wealthier in working with the Chancellor. As always though, he sought to aspire to greater deeds in life, and he was none the suspect of the working of his old master. Count Dooku, a man who had become disenheartened with the Jedi Order for the past ten years. It was true, they were failing, and falling into a degrading composure, and they were now but a shadow of what they had formerly been in the past. Yet what made Dooku special was that he was a Sith, and it seemed that Qui-gon was unaware of his relationship with the Sith Master, who was their employer.

It stumped Dooku though, that Qui-gon hadn't yet found out that the Sith, and what was even stranger was that Qui-gon and Palpatine had been having secret meetings for the past few weeks. All he had found out was that they were planning something, but what it was he didn't know.

Yet, in the end, Dooku was sure that Qui-gon knew more that he let on. But, it still didn't worry him though.

Together Qui-gon and Dooku walked through the arches of the narrow corridors of the senate offices, making their way to the private office of Palpatine. They had been summoned by him for a reason, and they had yet to find out why. They had both hidden their feelings from each other for a reason, and made sure that their minds could not be read at all. Though they may have been good friends, their relationship had strained itself, and there was high suspicion between them.

This was one of the only days within the senate that had been closed down for a while. Palpatine himself had requested that all senators and government take the day off, although they were operating on a skeleton crew of officials who kept the government going. But mostly, it was empty, and partly eyrie. They did seem to read each others thoughts on this, as they were both thinking it at the same time. There was something odd about the proposal of the Chancellor, mainly because you just don't let people off for one day. The government would never usually take a rest, but Palpatine had made sure that they did. And, as usual, the Jedi were non-complacent with what was happening, as they didn't think that it was suspicious at all. Just merely odd.

Breathing in slightly, Qui-gon motioned himself forward towards the lift, pressing the button and waiting silently. He turned and gazed at his master, and noticed how reserved that he was. Although he didn't show it, Dooku seemed on edge about something. Dooku complacently eyed him back, and as their eyes met, they understood that there was something that was going to happen. Qui-gon turned back towards the elevator all of a sudden, and stared at the buttons above the small dial, and saw that it was still a few floors above where they were. Once again he turned to his old master turned partner aimed a pointed look at him.

"What do you think this is about?" he asked at the older man turned to meet his gaze.

Dooku chuckled to himself, and returned his gaze back to the elevator doors before him. He sighed inwardly, in a silent fashion. "You would be better to know more than I, my friend." He strained that remark, making sure he understood that things had strained between them.

Qui-gon didn't answer, but merely refrained from answering. He knew what his partner was talking about. All of those secret meetings between him and Palpatine had partly left him out of the loop. Of course, both he and the Chancellor had said that they would not speak about what they were actually talking about, and apparently, all he would say to the older man was that everything would be revealed to him at the proper time.

In reality, at this moment, there was nothing that they really needed to talk about as they would soon know what was going to happen when they were in the meeting with Palpatine. It was all still strange to Qui-gon though, as it seemed that he had gotten into this position of power of sorts too easily. He was still trying to figure it out. He closed his eyes, trying to figure it all out.

He remembered his position with the Jedi Council, always arguing and contemplating the future, and how things should proceed. After his apparent loss of Anakin before the council, he had lost much of his prestige and power within the order, he had lost status, and everyone knew it. Yet, although he was sure that Anakin was the Chosen One of Jedi prophecy, they would never find out as Anakin was killed soon after when they returned him to Tatooine. Yet, in the end, his whole small settlement had been destroyed.

He could still remember the charred flesh of the victims, the smell of debris and death. There was more blood in that memory of his than there ever was in any of his other memories to date. And it was strange, that there were only a total of three survivors in the end, and all of them were from the Queens party, the Queen herself was found by Qui-gon, and Sabe and Captain Panaka had been found later on by the inquisition team sent there by the Chancellor.

Qui-gon had to flush those memories away quickly, shutting them within his inner mind. He winced in pain, and Dooku, next to him, noticed a small ripple envelope itself off of him, he quickly and steadily averted his eyes towards him. The aged man watched his old friends eyes shut profusely, as if in great pain. He thought that he should comfort him all of a sudden, but even as he motioned forwards to aid him, he was consumed by a more powerful Force ripple.

Clasping his hand towards his heart he doubled over in pain, kneeling on the ground. Next to him Qui-gon placed his hand on the metallic wall, forcing himself to hold himself up. There was a great amount of power within the ripple, so much that even a minor Force sensitive could have felt it. Both of them winced in pain, as the power swelled over them. Suddenly though, even as it began, it stopped. Qui-gon made his way over to his master, and cast a quick, curious glance into his eyes before picking him up.

Wherever that came from, it was more powerful than usual.


Within the Jedi Council Chambers, Yoda clutched his heart carefully, absorbing some of the power that came over him. Next to him, Mace Windu and some of the other council members fell to the ground, shaking and convulsing in pain. Whatever they were feeling, it was strong. Yoda remained complacent though, using his own Force power to try to steady himself. he sensed carefully though the Force, trying to find the source, yet before he could do so, it vanished as if it had never been there.

It stumped Yoda all of a sudden, for a Force power to suddenly appear and then disappear. It was strange, but it had happened before, just not this powerful. Whoever had it had to have complete control over their emotions, and their power. Complete control.

Yoda sighed to himself, he knew the darkness was deepening. The Dark Side of the Force was growing more powerful by the day, and was shrouding the power of the Jedi. He would have to admit that Qui-gon was right indeed, that the Sith had returned, but, whether or not he was correct about the boy was another thing. Indeed, his loss was felt, but there was something else though that didn't make sense of what had been happening. Before he could unravel what he was thinking he opened his eyes, and stared at Mace, who was seated next to him.

Their eyes met carefully before either one of them spoke. "Powerful it was," Yoda summarized. "Yet not meant to be it was."

Mace stared at him cocked eyed. "What was it master?" he aimed in a curious tone, knowing that Yoda was one of the most powerful Force users in the galaxy. If he couldn't figure it out, than no one could.

"Unknow what it is that I do not know," he pursed, his lips falling together. "Powerful it was indeed in the Force. Strong I am as well, but not that strong. Meditate on this I will."

Mace nodded in his direction. Silently he motioned for the others to leave the room, the council would have to be adjourned for the rest of the day until the source could be found.


Like the Jedi, Chancellor Palpatine felt the powerful Force ripple, making him stiffen in his seat. He became reserved all of a sudden, rotating his shoulders in a strange way. He swallowed in a slow manner, widening his senses to see if he could find the source of the intrusion within the Force. At the same time though he made sure that the Jedi didn't sense him. Sitting up straighter in his chair he faced three med seated before him, studying them in turn. The three other men seated in the room before him would have missed it unless they were Force sensitive, which Palpatine knew that two of them were.

Senator Jovial was a man of great importance. He had significant power, but was thought to be a man of differential prospect as all that he did rotated around finance. He owned many banks, and had many accounts imbedded with those rival corporations. Obviously he was here because he was going to be used to fund something, but what that was though was unknown.

The two other senators that Palpatine were speaking of were senators Decius Trialus and Phylus Traya, each a senator from Commenor and Balmorra respectively. The Chancellor stared at them carefully, sensing the depth that their power went, and making sure that they couldn't feel his dark aura. It was true that he didn't want to be found out by a couple of untrained Force sensitive senators from those planets as they would well be great allies, so he had to be sure that they couldn't sense anything of him at all.

As soon as he was done this, he stared at his desk, bringing his hands up to his face, and interlacing them in a connective way. He stared down at his desk upon doing so, and watched the paper before him. Both Trialus and Traya had been determined in the past week to allow a committee to go to Naboo to assess the damage that the Trade Federation had imposed upon the planet, of course they had to do this in a covert way as the Federation had a reputation, and certain allies in high circles.

He nodded his head to one side, and flicked through the paper again, reading through the lines. It mentioned many things about support for the Nubian people, as well as aide. Both of these senators present knew that since the Chancellor was from Naboo that he would most likely have to sign off from it. not only because it was his home, but as the Trade Federation had been imposed upon the planet for longer than had been expected, and yet, there was the problem of the Queen and her small party who were ambushed planet side on Tatooine. Many things had gone wrong in the past, and it seemed hard for anyone to understand the threat that this actually made.

The Chancellor sighed, and once more motioned his head to stare at the three pairs of eyes before him. Next to him Amedda stiffened, and nodded in a way that made the Chancellor understand what he needed to do. Licking his lips in anticipation he stared at Traya, as it was his proposal.

"So you propose to…enter into Nubian space under a flag of truce, and somehow get passed the Trade Federation blockade and help my planet." He paused momentarily and cocked his eyebrows in an amused way. "Is that what you are suggesting?"

This time it was Traya's turn to stiffen, but he did so with ease, and soon became composed in a clam way. Palpatine noted his dark hair and blue eyes. The Force sensitivity made him more the opponent that Palpatine needed, but it also made him the staunchest ally. Besides the Force sensitivity though, Phylus Traya was actually a deadly politician, and he had been able to force many influential senators from their posts, many of whom had committed suicide later, but he was well off from suspicion which made the Chancellor wonder what exactly he was involved in.

Beside him though was Decius Trialus, a man of great renowned and experience. It was true that he was a Zabrak, and his own cousin was the Jedi Master Agen Kolar. He had been fighting in politics for as long as Palpatine, and always got his way in the end. He had ascended to the seat of Commenor in such a strange fashion that many believed that it be luck. He was barely a known person within his own political structure, and in a way, as everyone else was mainly human on that planet; it was outstanding that he was able to defeat all of the opponents that were against him. He was an alien representing a mainly human world, and apart from that, the people somehow adored him. Palpatine was drawn away from this thought of the two main senators as the Traya spoke before him.

"Your worship," Traya began, shifting in his seat. "May I say that this is a necessary measure for the protection of the galaxy, either at you planet, or at large. You have been elected with a great sympathy vote, and besides this, yo8u have done nothing to liberate your planet from the Federation. I am stepping forward with an idea that may work."

"May?" Palpatine asked in an incredulous way.

"There are a few flaws," the man continued. "But it does ascertain victory."

"There are always going to be flaws, senator," the Chancellor replied in a cool tone. "As there mainly are in your plans." He felt Traya narrow his eyes in protest against that remark, but the Chancellor ignored it and continued as if nothing had happened. "But in this plan here, you seem to use the word support many times, more than any other word. Is it aid in food or weapons that you will support my planet in getting its freedom?"

Before Traya could reply, Trialus interrupted him, hoping to explain more clearly. "My Lord," he stated in a careful way that it made Palatine unnerving. "There are so many possible outcomes to this plan, but many have come to the conclusion that you are not up to what it takes to be a proper leader. Traya did say that we all voted for you as you have our sympathy, but you have scantly done anything to aid your people…"

Palpatine interrupted him, his eyes narrowed and nose screwed up. "I have done all that I can in my power, but the Federation has ceased to acknowledge my ascension to Chancellor. All of the delegations that I have sent to them have been for naught, they have all disappeared. I have sent aid to them many times, especially food and weapons, but what you purpose here," he slammed his fist down on the table, making the document flatter, "is to send a fleet of ships, both armed and transport, to deliver food, if by force, and to liberate my planet. I cannot allow this to happen."

"My lord, it is essential for our security."

"You are pretty far away from Naboo, Trialus" Palpatine sneered, "You have nothing to fear."

"But I am near enough to Cato Neimoida." He stated in an equal tone to the Chancellor. "As is Coruscant."

Palpatine reared in his chair, and inclined his gaze at the man. There was a suspicious glance in his eyes. "Are you suggesting that we may be invaded within time?"

"Naboo was…"

"The Federation would never dare go that far." Palpatine declared in a casual way. He seemed almost sure of himself. The other Chancellors seemed to notice this, but remained in an even stance as they aimed their looks at the Chancellor.

"We never thought that they would go this far with Naboo, but they have," Traya once more incurred in a silent, but pointed tone. He pointed towards the document before Palpatine. "All that we need is in the document. "It is true that we will go with armed ships to relieve Naboo, but its liberation will be essential. We have all heard stories of how the people are treated there, and as far as I am concerned the Trade Federation is evil. They need to be stopped before more planets succumb to their wrath. They have already made the first steps in a galactic domination. It is war!"

"I will not risk open war," Palpatine declared in a sternful manner. "We cannot afford the losses, and the Defense Fleet is merely of protective nature against enemies. By using this force against them, we will be left with no choice but open war."

"Open war is upon you Chancellor," a new voice entered suddenly, "whether you would risk it or not."

The three senators plus Amedda turned and stared at the incomers. Palpatine nodded in his chair as he saw Qui-gon standing in a calm but stern manner with his arms pressed against his hips. Behind him Dooku was leaning against the wall in a casual way, his arms folded and presented in a dutiful manner. The Chancellor breathed in and nodded his head for them to enter. They neared in a slow manner, making the three senators turn and face Palpatine.

Staring at them carefully Palpatine smiled. "That will be all for today gentlemen. We shall continue this discussion later. "

The three senators looked impassive at this, and knowing that the Chancellor had just made up his mind about the subject they carefully got up and bowed to him in turn, and then quietly left passed the two men who had entered the room. They didn't seem to care who they were, but nodded in their direction as they passed. The Jedi did come forward though and they sat in the vacant chairs, and smiled at their employer.

The three senators though evacuated the private residence of the Chancellor and made their way into the corridor. They traced their steps into the hallway and paused around a corner. Decius turned and stared at the other two behind him. "What just happened in there?" he seemed to be at a loss, as if in a careful contemplative state.

Jovial this time spoke up. "He is just being cautious." He motioned, continuing down the hallway. "He is just covering his tracks, making sure that he has covered all other options before he continues."

"No he's not." Traya entered into the conversation. "There is something more going on here. I would have enacted this process if it was my planet that was being invaded and taken over. It has been four months since Naboo was taken, and he has not done a thing about it. he is being too careful if you ark me, and too slow."

"It's the decisive moment," Jovial once more established. "He is just waiting for it. And four months is not a long time…"

"It is when you know that your people are starving and dying in concentration camps," Trialus stated in a detestable way. "And being executed in a rogue fashion. After all that had happened with the Queen, and his election, you would think that his move against the Trade Federation would have been sooner, and swifter."

"He is still adjusting to the job. Let him have his wait."

--

Dooku was pacing back and forth in the Chancellors office, and both Qui-gon and Palpatine were watching him carefully. As soon as the senators had left he had gotten into a argument about why he had been left out of the loop between the private discussion between Qui-gon and the Chancellor. But, as usual, he had been told that everything will be revealed in time, and thus he had been pacing for a while. It was then that Palpatine made Qui-gon leave the room, and he began to don his Sith status and rendering his cowl, he began his conversation with his apprentice, obscuring the facts on what was happening between the trio.

"It is none of your concern, Tyranus," Sidious spoke in a dark manner, making the other Sith Lord quake in his shoes. "What goes on between me and Qui-gon Jinn is of no concern with my apprentice."

"It concerns me as he is my partner, my lord," Dooku began, "and also as he is, or was once my apprentice."

"Enough Tyranus," Sidious ordered him suddenly, making the ex-Jedi's head bow down to the floor. "This bickering is pointless, I will not have it." he paused again and stared at his apprentice, in deep thought. "How was your mission?"

"A failure, my lord." Dooku pronounced carefully, making sure the message got across. He had faced the wrath of his master before, and knew that he would most likely be punished if he didn't succeed, or even to that, tell the truth.

"A failure?" Sidious echoed into a question. "How so?"

The Sith apprentice chocked all of a sudden, swallowing hard. "Gunray refused to admit me. I was told that the Sith Master had told him that he was to maintain this blockade indefinitely."

"I ordered no such thing." Sidious said sharply, making the walls shake slightly. He was angered beyond what was expected. The attack upon Naboo was only meant to secure his place into the Chancellorship; it was never about the trade disputes. It had been going on for longer than he had expected, he had not yet done a thing, and yet, he had also expected the Jedi to do something about it, but they hadn't even made a move.

"I know, my lord," Dooku explained. "But it is what he said." He could feel his masters anger and distaste rising. "He also claimed that it was through your apprentice that he was ordered to maintain this…attack."

"You ordered it!?" the Dark Lord moved forward in a careful manner. His words were hissing now. "You betrayed me. You ordered those attacks without my permission."

"No, my lord," Dooku quickly refrained, retreating back into a corner. He made his way to a seat and crouched carefully in it. "I ordered no such attack, I have only ordered what I have been told. And as far as I was aware I was the only Sith apprentice."

"You are," Sidious motioned. He breathed in quietly. This was getting out of hand. He knew above all that whoever had taken over command of the Federation fleet was masking himself as a Sith Lord, and since he had Gunray frightened he had to be Force sensitive. A dark Jedi perhaps? He thought suddenly. It wouldn't be surprising as Gunray was scared out of his wits. Besides this though, he had ordered that the Federation starve the population of Naboo, and use the Gunguns as slave labour, which, in a way, wasn't surprising.

He had heard the stories, of the massacres and killings. About the mass murders and all of the concentration camps. Supposedly the city of Theed itself was deserted. In the past four months he had done hardly anything to ease the sufferings of the people of Naboo. They were his people. They had elected him to the position of senator, and they had also elected him to command of the government in the first place. Besides this though, it was with their help that he had become Chancellor. It was all down to a sympathy vote.

"What shall I do, my lord?" Dooku asked, snapping Palpatine back to attention. The Chancellor stared back at the small man before him, and peered through the darkness of his cowl at the man's face.

"You will find out who this apparent Sith apprentice is," he said in a small hiss. "And you shall dispose of him. There can only ever be two. I have no interests in thorns in my side. They are merely a nuisance and must be taken out quickly."

"Yes, my master." Dooku silently motioned, nodding to his master.


That was a bit different wasn't it.

Please Review.