Mid Rim
Hutt Space
Y'Toub System
Nal Hutta
Nal Hutta was the capital of the Hutt Empire and the center of politics in Hutt space. The planet was ruled by the oldest Hutt families, known as the Clans of the Ancients who watched over the activities of both Nal Hutta and Nar Shadda from their homes. It was once known as Evocar and home to the Evocii until they were forced off their home by the Hutts and were either relocated to Nar Shadda or enslaved by the Hutts who destroyed every bit of culture they had left. Though the Republic was allowed into Hutt space by Jabba they were not allies of the Hutts who had worked to figure out what to do about the holo-diary left by Ziro the Hutt who was found dead on the planet Teth at the grave of his father, that was delivered to both the Republic and the Separatists who were screaming for justice.
A portal appeared above Nal Hutta and out came several ships that settled into orbit before making their presence known.
Gardulla the Hutt's Palace
Hutt Council Chamber
The four heads of the Hutt Council had been discussing what to do now that copies of Ziro the Hutt's holo-diary had been delivered to both the Republic and the Separatists. Jabba must have sold them out and now that everyone knew many people were clearing out of Hutt space as word of a potential attack on Hutt Space spread like wildfire. They didn't know why Jabba would reveal the diary but it was possible he was offered a deal for a lighter sentence in exchange for handing the diary over but it didn't matter.
Their business was in danger and they had to find a way to contain the situation. However their discussion ended when a loud explosion shook the palace. It was not the last. The entire palace continued to shake while those outside could see green beams of light coming down from the sky, meaning someone was attacking. Five minutes later the bombing ended and green pillars of light appeared on the main platform, fading and revealing strange creatures followed by even stranger looking droids that shot at anyone they saw as they marched towards the entrance.
The Hutts spotted the creatures who resembled nothing they had ever seen before.
One of the Hutts spoke up and the protocol droid translated. "We demand to know who you are and why you have broken into our home."
One of the creatures answered, by shooting the droid with a disruptor, burning a hole through its torso. That quickly spurred the guards to try and fight back but the creatures and their droids killed them with a single shot as they attacked anything that tried to fight and even aimed their weapons on the Hutts that tried to flee.
Needless to say things were about to change in Hutt space forever.
Milky Way Galaxy
Alpha Quadrant
Earth
When Ahsoka agreed to learn from Benjamin Sisko about how the Force worked in the Milky Way she didn't expect him to take her to what he called a baseball diamond. He took the time to explain what baseball was, a famous Terran sport.
"So what exactly am I supposed to learn here?" Ahsoka asked.
"Well, for one thing you should not expect any kind of code similar to your Jedi Order here." Sisko answered as he walked across the field. "There is no Light Side or Dark Side in this universe. The Prophets, the Q, and anyone else like them have a specific set of guidelines that are different and in some ways hard to comprehend. The Prophets live in the Bajoran Wormhole, almost never appearing to the Bajorans who prey to them for guidance but they can reach out through artifacts in the many temples on Bajor. The Q live in an entirely different dimension where they have no true physical forms but if a mortal enters the Continuum it would appear in a way their mind would comprehend. Now let's see if I can show you this universe's understanding of the Force." He held out a small white ball. "Try and catch it."
Ahsoka would have asked why he is asking to catch a ball but Sisko already threw it and she tried to catch. It should have been easy but she missed and the ball flew past her. She should have been able to easily catch it but she missed.
"Strike One." Sisko held out another ball. "Don't worry. We're just starting."
He threw it again and Ahsoka held out her hand to catch it but just as her fingers touched it the ball slipped away and fell onto the ground.
"Strike Two." Sisko chuckled.
"Something's up…" Ahsoka walked over the ball and picked it up. "I should have been able to catch both of them. Is there some sort of secret with this game?"
"Oh no." Sisko laughed. "There's no secret involved, Miss Tano. I think it has something to do with the fact that there are no medi-chlorians in the Milky Way. I'm sure you noticed the difference when you came here."
Ahsoka nodded. "Yeah…The Force feels quiet here."
"Or perhaps it simply communicates differently here. It was easy in your galaxy because medi-chlorians existed inside basically all life but here we don't have that. It's easier to communicate in your galaxy because medi-chlorians existed in every living being there. Here, it's only down to a handful which explains why it feels quiet." Sisko produced another ball. "Third time. Perhaps this is the charm. Don't focus trying to commune with the Force. Simply focus on the ball."
He threw it and Ahsoka stepped back, following Sisko's advice to not try to sense where the ball was going and holding out her hand and she caught the ball. She stared down at the white ball, feeling different.
"You feel it, don't you?" Sisko asked.
"Yeah, what is it?" Ahsoka asked.
"Well, the best way to explain is that you've been trained to utilize this Force in only one manner that has worked for centuries. Only here it works differently now and the way you've been taught doesn't work as well. It's like you have relearn it all over again." Sisko explained as he walked over. "It may surprise you to know that humanity has been experimenting with the same powers you Jedi and the Sith use so easily for centuries now. Only we call it Extra Sensory Perception or ESP to shorten it. Species like the Vulcans and Betazoids have abilities like telepathy and perhaps even more but that is because their brains more complex, not because of the medi-chlorians found in you galaxy."
"So, you can only be a Force sensitive because of how smart you become?" Ahsoka asked.
Sisko laughed. "Well that is a factor but it takes more than being smart and there would be lot more people with psionic abilities if that was the case. Humanity has been evolving for millions of years and we are just beginning to tap into this potential. This is basically how the Force works in this universe, a form of evolution both chaotic and complex. Now here's a little trick." Sisko held up the ball in front of Ahsoka. "Just simply touch it."
Ahsoka looked at Sisko for a second and slowly held out her hand, touching the ball. She gasped as her vision expanded, zooming into the ball and see the very matter it was made of.
She pulled her hand back, gasping in shock as she looked at the ball. "What was that?"
"What you saw was the matter the ball is made of at the subatomic level." Sisko explained. "This is rare but it is possible if you can develop your powers enough. A few have even learned how to alter matter at the sub-atomic level but it is dangerous if not controlled properly. But there is more to the mere matter the object is made of. Allow me to show you."
He rested one hand on Ahsoka's shoulder, and her vision began to focus on the ball again, piercing right down into the subatomic realm where matter and atoms were incomprehensible. She began to see shapes which had no place in a normal universe, blossoming masses of something she could not begin to name in an endless sea of chaotic sensations and perceptions. It continued to change as she delved deeper, showing her new patterns and realms until things began to take on a more…orderly form. She began to see veins of light with pulsating spheres travelling between one another, forming an intricate web that stretched off into a vast abyss.
And then her vision focused on one of the nexuses where these lights met. For a moment she was blinded by pure light…and then she saw stars, galaxies…an infinite expanse.
"It's…a whole world." Ahsoka whispered.
"A subatomic realm that cannot be comprehended or perceived by even the strongest Sith or Jedi in your world." Sisko nodded. "A collection of infinite universes within our own. And within each is another infinite number of realms that cannot be discovered, some so deep that even I could not show them to you where the laws of reality as you or I are aware do not exist, where life develops in ways that are beyond imagination. And each of these universes, while inaccessible to most, provide more power to the reality which they are connected to than any number of reactors your civilization has built across millions of worlds. It is this power that many beings are able to access and manipulate. And it is what you can make use of when you stop looking at a ball like it is simply a ball." He held up a perfect copy of the baseball which he had tossed at her. "And open your mind to what lays beyond the limits of your vision."
Ahsoka looked at the ball as the universe around them vanished, returning to the baseball diamond back on Earth. "That was amazing…I'm not sure the Jedi Council would believe such a thing exists without you showing it to them."
"Then congratulations. You've learned something before your Council." Sisko smiled. "I think is all for the moment. I just helped broadan your mind and that will be enough to make you think it over. Right now, I believe you have a whole day to spend in Paris with…the politicians."
Ahsoka raised an eyebrow as Sisko chuckled and vanished. She could say this much about Sisko, he had a sense of humor that her master would love. She stared down at the baseball he had left her and thought over what he showed her.
'A whole world in the palm of my hand…' Ahsoka thought as she tossed the ball up a couple times and caught it. 'I will be thinking about this for a while.'
The Milky Way Alliance has become more active in the Skyriver Galaxy following contact with a colony of Togruta asking for protection from slavers. This action has caused a great reaction as many more worlds that all wish to remain out of the Clone Wars are considering asking for protection that the Milky Way would be hard pressed to provide due to how stretched they are becoming. There is still much to be done in the Milky Way but at the same time the people asking for aid cannot simply be ignored. And there is also the matter of threats like the Borg on the horizon, waiting to make their next move.
Expansion Region
Kiros system
Kiros
The taskforce assigned to Kiros remained for the last week as they helped with the colonists who been in desperate need of food and supplies since it was left alone with no one to help them. The Milky Way taskforce had been assigning doctors to aid with the sick and wounded Togruta colonists. It was a small taskforce, numbering a total twelve Milky Way ships from the Federation, Klingon, and Romulan factions but they were all supplied enough to help the people on the surface. The reason the ships remained was because there had been a tip from the Republic and the Confederacy intelligence agencies that the Zygerians were mounting an attack on the colony, aiming to enslave the population.
That tip was proven to be true when over a dozen ships in various shapes and sizes emerged from hyperspace.
The klaxons on the bridge of the Jenova as the sensors detected the incoming fleet as Denola sat in her command chair. "Battle stations! Identify!"
"I am reading over twenty ships approaching. Most are cruiser or scout ship class but I also detect transports and a dreadnaught class approaching." Her Reman science officer, Corlung reported.
"Admiral, the Seraphinite reports all defense satellites are on line."
Denola nodded. "Has the colony's shield been activated?"
"Yes, Admiral." The console beeped, earning Corlung's attention. "They are launching fighters. And they are broadcasing demands. They want us to power down and surrender since this system and everyone in are now property of the Zygerian Slave Empire."
"Order our warbirds to begin attack formation and coordinate with the Klingons. Inform Captain Creed to hold position with the Federation portion. It's time we show the Zygerians what we think of slavers." Denola grinned coldly. "Cloak and full power to weapons."
The Jenova cloaked along with the Klingon and Romulan warbirds as they approached the Zygerians who continued their course towards the planet. That was their first mistake as the second their fighters came into range Federation and Klingon satellites targeted them and destroyed them under a barrage of phaser and disruptor fire that tore through the hull of the fighters like tissue paper. Their next mistake was thinking that the enemy could not attack while cloaked. The Jenova slipped behind them and targeted the largest cruiser, locking its fifty disruptor banks and twenty seven photon torpedo bays before Denola gave the order.
"Fire."
The Zygerian flagship was peppered with disruptor fire and photon torpedoes that tore through the hull, passing through the deflector shields until the reactor went critical and exploded. The destruction of the flagship from an unknown enemy sent panic through the fleet which left them open to attack as the Klingon and Romulan warbirds decloaked and fired on them, cracking their hulls apart and exposing many of crews to the vacuum of space. The Federation ships were next as the Seraphinite began a strafing run on the broken fleet, targeting weapons and engines and disabling them with a few well placed shots. The Jenova deployed cloaked mines that caught the Zygerian transports with tractor beams, keeping them from landing or leaving and effectively removing them as a threat.
To the Milky Way Alliance it was not a battle.
It was a rout.
The few ships that managed to fire their turbo-lasers found themselves hitting nothing as the enemy ships were simply too fast.
"Contact the taskforce and tell them I want as many survivors beamed into cells on our ships. I want to know as much as I can about this Zygerian Slave Empire…" Denola's eyes became sharp and cold. "As I believe they have just provoked a war with us."
The Zygerians had no idea of the giant they had awoken.
Actually it was likely more than one giant.
The United Federation of Planets, the Klingon Empire, and the Romulan Republic all had one thing in common.
They detested slavers.
Inner Rim
Coruscant
Orbit
"The cowardly slavers known as the Zygerians have declared war against the Empire! They dare to declare Klingons their property but they have failed! They attempted to take the ones the Empire promised to protect by force only to die to in disgrace! This cowardly attack will not stand!" Chancellor J'mpec stated over the Holo-net. "As of now the Klingon Empire declares on the Zygerians and we vow to destroy their slave empire! The Romulan Republic has agreed to aid the Empire in this battle and the Federation supports our decision. Our fleet have mobilized and as we speak approach the Zygerian home world. People of this galaxy, you shall bear witness to those who dare trifle with the might of Empire and those like the Zygerians shall learn to fear us!"
Thousands of Klingons in both galaxies cheered as their Chancellor's speech ended, emboldened by his words and ready to take arms. The broadcast had originated from the Klingon flagship, Bortasqu as it waited in orbit while surrounded by Klingon and Romulan warships with a few Federation ships for its master to give the word.
The word had been given.
Just as the speech ended the Klingon/Romulan taskforce entered hyperspace.
Zygeria
Queen Miraj Scintel's Palace
Queen Miraj Scintel snarled at the broadcasted speech of the Klingon. Who was he to dare to challenge the might of the Zygerian Empire? Only the Jedi had succeeded and they could not stop the rise of the Zygerian civilization again. These outsiders had no right to dictate what happened in the galaxy.
The strong ruled the weak.
It was a way of life and one that the Zygerian people had embraced.
"Prepare the fleets! We will show these Klingons the folly of challenging us!" The Queen shouted as she stood up.
"Yes my Queen." Her aide bowed and left to carry out her orders.
()
In orbit of its home planet the Zygerian fleet waited to meet the ones who dared challenge and they did not have to wait long. The Klingon/Romulan fleet excited hyperspace, the Bortasqu leading the fleet.
"Full power to disruptors and ready all torpedoes!" Koren barked. "Close to point blank range!"
The massive ship moved forward, coming into firing range of the Zygerian fleet in less than minute but its shields held against the turbo-laser barrage.
"Zygerian ships in range. Sensors detect multiple transports carrying multiple life forms." Her Gorn weapons officer reported.
"Deploy the cloaked tractor beam mines to stop them. The enslaved will have their vengeance." Koren replied, an eager predatory grin spreading across her face. "Begin the attack! Rip their hearts out!"
The massive Klingon ship fired, disruptor beams and pulses firing along with photon torpedoes followed by the rest of the fleet. A mixture of plasma, quantum, and photon torpedoes shot towards the fleet at a speed too great for the enemy to stop and slammed into the Zygerian ships, turning them into miniature stars that lit up the sky of Zygeria for all to see.
"Split the fleet and block all hyperspace routes so they cannot escape. Approach the planet from all sides. No one leaves!"
The Zygerian survivors watched in horror as the Klingons led the attack, swatting aside anything that stood in their way as if they were annoying insects that tried to poke the skin of a dragon. The Klingons were relentless as they attacked anything that was not armed or carrying slaves and destroyed them without a trace of mercy.
The mighty Zygerian fleet that has stood ready to protect the home of its mighty empire had been broken so quickly it was hard to comprehend.
It was in that moment that only now the survivors had realized what they had done in foolishly awakening the giants that had come to crush them.
"Assume orbit and prepare to beam down to the city. Track down all the ships in this systems and disable any ships that possibly hold slaves and burn the rest. We will crush these Zygerians in their own home!" Koren stood up, sheathing her dagger and readying her disruptor. "I want to look these cowards in the eye as we slice their throats. Q'apla!"
The Klingons on the bridge responded as one. "Q'apla!"
Today was a good day to die.
Zygeria
Capital City
Queen Miraj Scintel's eyes widened as the sound of weapons fire was heard outside. She raced out onto the balcony and gasped as she saw pillars of light that solidified into Klingons, lizards that she would know as Gorn, and many Klingon brought their pet targs with them. The Klingons fell upon the surprised Zygerians, attacking with disruptors, daggers, and swords that became stained with blood. The Gorn were slow but were strong and they proved it as one picked up two Zygerians who tried to bind it with their whips and slammed them both into the ground, shattering their skulls on impact.
More than one Zygerian found himself attacked by a targ that attacked their prey, tasting fresh meat as they clawed and bit away at their prey. Federation and Romulan officers beamed down, some moving to help the Klingons and others were helping the thousands of slaves that Zygerians had locked up in their city.
SLAM!
Miraj Scintel spun around, gasping in horror as a Klingon woman knocked down the doors to her throne room and walked towards her with a scary grin.
"You are the Queen of the Zygerians?" The woman pointed at her.
Miraj Scintel's breath stopped but she glared at the woman. "How dare you enter my throne room and ask me such a question! I am Queen Miraj Scintel of the Zygerian Empire!"
The Klingon laughed. "Good, good. I was afraid you would be a coward and hide away. Perhaps you will be worthy of a glorious death."
"Glorious death? What nonsense do you speak?" Miraj Scintel demanded.
"Is it not obvious?!" The Klingon threw her head back and laughed. "We come here, seeking glorious combat on you who would dare to think any Klingon would submit to you! Now we are here to test that claim. Today is a good day to die indeed!"
The woman was mad. How could anyone speak such ludicrous?
"You are mad!" Miraj Scintel said.
"Perhaps, but I am also one who believes in honor. So…" The Klingon pointed her disruptor at the Queen. "Do you have a weapon?"
"What?"
"I see. So no." The Klingon put her disruptor away and clenched her hands into fists. "We will settle like true warriors."
She was truly mad. Did she really expect the Queen of the great Zygerian Slave Empire to fight her like a barbarian?
"I am Koren and I hope you will provide a challenge." Koren grinned as she slowly approached Miraj Scintel who stepped back.
"Step back. Do not touch me!" Miraj Scintel growled as she stepped further back.
Koren frowned. "Do you accept my challenge?"
"Challenge?! I will not be made to fight like some lowly commoner! You and your entire race will pay dearly for coming here and daring to destroy the glory of our slave empire!" Miraj Scintel shouted, pointing at Koren. "We are the great slavers! We force the weak to obey the strong as it is the way of the universe! You and your people are barbarians who do not deserve to live!"
Koren scowled as she turned around. "Disappointing. I came for a challenge but now all I see is a coward. And cowards do not deserve an honorable death."
"What?" Miraj Scintel barked.
"You and your pathetic platitudes bore me now. I will go and find someone more worthy to battle." Koren said as she turned towards the door.
Miraj Scintel looked to her throne and rushed to it, opening the arm chair that revealed a blaster.
She picked it up and pointed it at Koren. "Do not turn your back on me you-"
Koren spun around, pulling out her disruptor and fired a single pulse that hit Miraj Scintel in the chest, burning a whole through her chest. Miraj Scintel's eyes shot wide as she registered the hit before falling over onto the floor.
"Such scum is not even worth the attention of animals." Koren spat as she walked out of the dead Queen's throne room.
At the end of the day the Zygerian home world had been conquered and it sent a clear message as the Separatist fleet sent to offer aide arrived just as the Klingons declared themselves the victors. Thousands of slaves were liberated, their hopes of being freed having come true in a way no one had truly expected. The Zygerian Empire had been crushed under the foot of the Klingons who carried out their promise, leaving only the survivors of the broken civilization to watch as their dreams of a new slave empire burned before their eyes. The taskforce left the Zygerian world, its decimated fleet floating around the planet and its people left to pick up the pieces, carrying thousands of refuges back to the Kiros system.
Word of what happened at Zygeria would spread and the Skyriver Galaxy would remember what would happen if someone was foolish enough to provoke the force of the Milky Way Galaxy. Needless to say a great many worlds would look to the Milky Way for help against their own pirate problems.
It didn't end there though.
The Klingons had found a wealth of information regarding slave trades that had cooperated with the Zygerians and begun a crackdown on their partners. The Klingon Empire made a vow to destroy the slave empire and they would see it through right down to the last prisoner. No one truly mourned the destruction of the Zygerian empire, seeing them as a blight on the galaxy and many worlds would come to support the Klingon Empire as it began tracking down anyone associated with the Zygerians.
Their support only grew more as the Republic Senate received a holo-diary that detailed the crimes committed by the Hutt families and called for an invasion of Hutt space that happened to endorse slave trade and was loosely associated with the Zygerians.
Serenno
Count Dooku's Castle
"The Zygerian Empire thought it could demand the freedom of those under the protection of the Empire and chose to challenge us for them. Our great warriors proved to be too strong for them and we broke their backs. But this is not the end as we have discovered the locations of slave guilds that have colluded with these cowards and I declare that they shall join their cowardly allies in the fiery pits of Grethor!" Chancellor J'mpec announced. "Until every last name in our databanks is found the Klingon Empire will not rest until this galaxy is cleansed of their filth!"
Count Dooku watched with intrigue at the multiple reports of the Klingons tracking down and destroying major pirate bases that had been connected with the Zygerians. There was also the fact that the senates of both sides were advocating an invasion of Hutt space on account of the holo-diary that had been delivered to both senates. A copy of the holo-diary had been sent to the senate on Raxus and it showed a number of crimes committed on many Separatist aligned worlds. With the senate screaming for action, the Council learning that the Hutts had stolen some of their merchandise and the Republic mobilizing for an attack on Hutt space with the Klingons it seemed the best way to salvage this was to launch an invasion of Hutt space as well before the Republic took all those worlds and gained the upper hand.
He had even heard of an attack on Nal Hutta and the deaths of the Great Hutt Council which would throw the Hutt Empire into complete turmoil and leave wide open to an invasion. Jabba would be recognized as the single head of the Hutt Empire but it would matter little in the end as the lists of crimes included crimes committed by Jabba as well. It would be easy to remove him as a threat and take control of Hutt space or at least as much of it before the Republic launched their own invasion in the name of justice.
With that in mind Dooku contacted the Council and General Grievous, watching as the blue holographic images appeared before him. "Councilmembers and General, I have received word of a Republic invasion of Hutt space in light of a holo-diary being delivered to the senate on Raxus in light of the Klingon/Slaver conflict. I have also been hearing of many of Separatist aligned worlds advocating for justice against the Hutts for crimes committed against us."
"Yes, Count Dooku. The holo-diary contained details of a dozen crimes committed in our space, including many against many worlds allied with us." The Chairman of the Banking Clan spoke. "Naturally many of us are displeased about it."
"Displeased? It is outrageous that the Hutts could steal and plunder from us and think they could get away with it! We must show them the folly of thinking they can steal from us without consequence!" Nute Gunray exclaimed, sounding angry but of course given his greed no one was truly surprised.
"Given the fact that the Hutts control vital hyperspace routes and worlds with many resources it would be foolish to allow all of Hutt space to fall into Republic hands. Therefore I am authorizing an invasion of Hutt space. I will speak with the Klingon representative at the embassy on Raxus and inform him of our plans to 'join' with them to exact justice against the Hutts." Dooku said, making sure his wording was perfectly. "Grievous, I am putting you in charge of spearheading the operation. Take as many worlds as you can and if you come across any Republic fleets without any Klingons present you have my permission to engage them. I do not want the Klingons provoked in fighting against us."
"Yes, Count." Grievous nodded.
"And what is the latest news on the Fabricator?" Dooku looked at the Skakoan minister.
"We are dispatching cargo ships to planets like Lotho Minor to collect all the necessary parts and supplies needed. The Fabricator will be fully operational in a standard rotation."
"I will be there."
"As you wish, Count Dooku."
"And you, Gizor Delso." Dooku turned to the last image, a Geonosian who had taken over for Poggle the Lesser who was in Republic custody.
The Geonosian made a series of clicks in its language that Dooku understood. "I am in the process of creating a new type of infanty battle droid that will be more powerful even than our Magnaguards and Droidekas. The secret factory on Mustafar is finished and will be capable of producing over millions of battle droids a day."
"Good." Dooku nodded. "When will it be ready?"
"If I may suggest, perhaps it can be the first creation of Fabricator. It is less risky than the droid foundries that could come under attack at any moment. The Fabricator, given the right parts and resources could assemble it if it passes all expectations." Delso suggested.
Dooku thought it over before agreeing. "It will be done. Bring the schematics to Skako Minor at once. In the meantime I would suggest you all prepare for the meeting with the Milky Way Representatives regarding the discussion of the Borg."
"Yes, Count Dooku."
The transmissions ended and Dooku looked out the window, showing the valley surrounding his castle.
'We live in truly interesting times.'
The Klingon war on the Zygerians was unexpected and even though they would have been useful Dooku was not sorry in the slightest to see their civilization brought down. It would only make them easier to subjugate in the future. And with the invasions of Hutt space commencing this is an opportunity to link Separatist territories together which will only prolong the war. In fact it gave Dooku the perfect excuse to begin an attack on a certain planet.
He looked at the holographic map of the galaxy, zeroing in on the planet he was thinking of: Florumm.
He had already sent Grievous to take revenge on Asajj Ventress and the Nightsisters of Dathomir. Why not continue with the pirate Hondo for daring to hold him for ransom?
Inner Rim
Coruscant
Jedi Temple
"The Klingons have eliminated another pirate base this morning at Makem Te. Even if they make a mess they are certainly becoming seen as the new men of the people." Obi-Wan commented as he walked down the hall with Anakin.
"I think it's good that they are doing this. The less pirates and slavers there are the less people have to fear." Anakin stated, actually pleased by what the Klingons are doing.
"It's still a distraction. They are causing a lot of noise from the public. People either complaining that the Senate is not doing enough to help them or they are mad that the Klingons are able to go wherever they want." Obi-Wan pointed out.
"They don't understand. With the Zygerian Slave Empire in ruins thousands of people don't have to worry about being enslaved. Is it wrong that the Klingons are doing what we should have done? Tracking down pirates and freeing slaves?" Anakin asked.
Obi-Wan stopped and faced Anakin. "What are you saying, Anakin?"
"I'm just saying the war has caused us to neglect our original duties as peacekeepers." Anakin explained. "It has given pirates free reign and the Chancellor supports the Klingons in this matter."
"Perhaps but the Senate is screaming for an invasion of Hutt space because that holo-diary that mysteriously appeared." Obi-Wan rubbed his chin. "It's too strange."
"What do you mean?"
"The Klingons declare war on the Zygerians and a holo-diary, one that I believe belonged to Ziro the Hutt for leverage on the Hutt Council suddenly appears. The Senate now votes on an invasion of Hutt space right as the Chancellor plans an alliance against the Borg. This all feels like a set up, just to expand the war." Obi-Wan explained.
"Maybe but even you have to agree that the Hutts have gotten away with their crimes for too long. Personally I believe they should have been tried and arrested long ago." Anakin shrugged.
"A war with the Hutts while we are still fighting the Separatists and preparing to invade the Borg at their stronghold in the Maw? That would cause a massive amount of bloodshed." Obi-Wan said, not liking where Anakin was going.
"And what else can we do, Master? If we refuse we lose whatever faith and support the people still have for us." Anakin said. "We're not doing this for the sake of fighting but we can't stand down in light of all the evidence we've been given."
"Evidence that suddenly appeared. Don't you fear that an invasion of Hutt space is exactly like whoever gave the Senate the holo-diary wants?" Obi-Wan asked. "We could be being manipulated."
Anakin stopped to consider that. "Who would do that? Who would gain anything from an invasion of Hutt space aside from the thousands of people who have suffered because of them?"
"We need to be careful about this, Anakin. If we go too far then we will lose whatever faith the people still have for us and we will have lost the war." Obi-Wan sighed as he continued walking with Anakin.
These were dark times indeed.