To ALL my readers: After long last, we have reached the end of the story. My thanks to everyone for your support, encouragement and suggestions. I couldn't have done it without you. A special thanks goes out to my wonderful beta reader Geo3. Her wonderful insights and help has made this story one that I am very proud of. My thanks also to my past betas who helped get the Naboo Chronicles up and off the ground. I wouldn't be at this point today without their help either.

Again, i will forgo individual comments so that I can let you know about a couple of things. First, as many of you have asked, I am happy to tell you now that there will be another story in the series. However, I am currently in the process of doing a 're-tooling' of the Naboo Chronicles, which I hope to have the revised chapters posted in the next few weeks. I am adding a few extra scenes throughout that story so for those interested, I'll post a message on that thread once it is up and going. As for the new story, I will also post a message here when I am about to start it. I am planning to begin it around the first weeks of August and hopefully maintain the same posting schedule.

Now, without further ado...

Lub dub

Lub dub

Jango Fett could hear nothing but his rapid heartbeat, slamming forcefully within his chest. It even eclipsed the whining howl of the hyperdrive aboard Slave I as he continued to push it beyond the safety limits. He was alive only out of sheer will. The Jedi he fought aboard Ord's ill-fated gunship had nearly been his end. Jango had had close calls many times previously, but somehow this time was different.

He was afraid.

One more mistake and he would have made Boba an orphan.

Firing his gaze down on the scanner display, he allowed himself a moment to relax. He had finally reached hypercom range. Quickly, Jango flipped open the com and entered his private descrambler code. He already anticipated the worse as several tension filled moments passed as he waiting his son to answer. Jango had failed Lord Valkin by not gaining the knowledge of the clones. Still, the man was dead and there was nothing he could do to change that.

Jango could not live with failing Boba as well.

He didn't want to look out of his cockpit. He knew that a legion of Jedi starships would appear and stop him from reaching his son. Jango didn't fear for himself. He wasn't afraid to die. What terrified him though was leaving his son to face this cruel galaxy alone. Jango knew that horror first hand.

"Dad?"

"Boba," he abruptly greeted the bluish two-foot facsimile of his son. "Are you alone?"

"Yeah, Dad. What's wrong?"

"Pack our things," Jango ordered. "Be ready to leave once I get there."

"Why?" Boba eyed him worriedly. "What's happened?"

"Too much," he replied.

Boba looked about. "When will you be here?"

Glancing over at the navicomputer, Jango answered. "Two hours."

"I'll be ready."

He dipped his head. "I know you will be." Before Jango signed off, he added. "And son."

"Yeah, Dad?"

"Tell no one of our plans," Jango instructed. "Also make sure you erase the com logs."

"Sure," he answered distracted.

Jango clenched his jaw. "Son, nobody can learn where we've going. Be sure you do it!"

"Okay, okay." Boba said in annoyance. "Where are we going?"

"Dxun."

Boba dramatically rolled his eyes. "Dad," he whined. "I hate it there. There's nothing fun to do."

"It's time you learn more about your heritage," Jango chastised. "It is an honor for our people to set foot there."

"Oh, alright." The boy relented. "I need go then."

"I love you, son." He said, his features lightening.

"Me too, Dad. See you soon!"

The day had come.

Padmé stood silently by her throne as the full members of the Royal Court entered in throne room. There was a nervous buzz of anticipation in the air. Most had not seen her since the funeral. There were rumors circulating that she had fallen ill and that the government was trying to hide her grave condition. The people were beginning to fear that they might lose another one of their heroes.

Padmé knew that the time had come to make her decision known.

When the last representative found his place, Amidala nodded towards Versé who shouted, "The Royal Court of her Majesty, Queen Amidala of the Naboo is now in session."

"I appreciate the quick response to Governor Bibble's call to session." She paused and looked at familiar faces that occupied the nearly overfilled room. "I know there have been numerous concerns about me in the past few days and I wanted to address those, as well as a few other concerns." Padmé then walked around her large desk, ambling to the middle of the room. "First of all, I am not sick, contrary to the sensationalized reports on the Holonews. According to the healers, I expect to live for at least seventy years."

A smattering of laughter filled the throne room, lightening the mood. Even she felt not as burdened by their response. "That said though, today is an end of sorts. After consulting with my advisors, as well as Governor Bibble…I have decided that my time…"

At that instant, a young officer burst through the doors. General Panaka thundered to his feet as several of the handmaidens raced to prevent him from reaching the Queen. She watched him intently as several members of the Royal Court, as well as her handmaidens surrounded him.

"What is the meaning of this?" Panaka growled.

The young man, who looked no more than eighteen standard years old, panted in response. "I'm…I'm sorry, sir. But I had to tell her Majesty."

Concerned, Padmé moved closer to him. Her heart was suddenly racing in anticipation. "Tell me what?"

Taking a few breaths as he righted himself, the officer responded, "The Trade Federation, Your Majesty. Their entire starfleet has entered our sector!"

Shouts and screams broke out. The handmaidens tried to restore order, but the court members were in a panic. Padmé moved away from the room's center and back to her throne. Hitting a panel on her desk, she activated a mic that would amplify her voice. "Silence!"

Only a few seconds elapsed before order was restored. Looking at the officer, she then asked, "Has the Trade Federation declared their intentions?"

The officer nodded affirmatively. "They intend to finish off what the Mandalorians started, Your Majesty."

Another smattering of voices filled the air, but this time they were whispers. Padmé remained silent. It seemed that fate had something else entirely in mind for her. There would be no quiet retirement in the mountains. She would not be allowed to live in peace.

There was only one thing left to do.

"General Panaka, Marshall Olié, please prepare your troops," Amidala softly ordered. "Also, inform Boss Nass of the situation, and that we respectfully request the Gungan people for any available aid they can spare."

The crowd again burst in discussion as each member of the Royal Court voiced their concerns in disarray. Amidala, standing in front of her throne, resolutely declared, "If it's war they want, then it's war we shall give them!"

Padmé

A bright light

Darkness

The world swirled about him. He suddenly became aware of himself once more. A dull ache filled his head while he tried to open his eyes. His skin itched as he felt blades of grass poking from underneath. Anakin rubbed his eyes and sat up. In the clear, blue sky was a bright sun that nearly blinded him. Stretching his arching limbs, Anakin slowly made his way onto his feet. Able to use his eyes again, he saw kilometer after kilometer of open meadow with the sound of water crashing nearby. There were numerous flowering plants and rolling hills, which reminded him of Naboo. He couldn't help smiling at the serene beauty of his new surroundings.

It was quite breathtaking.

He would have been at peace if he knew where he was.

The stomps of galloping animals broke his reverie. Anakin looked about, but saw nothing. When he attempted to search the Force, he then spotted several humans riding animals in his direction. Taking a few steps closer, Anakin decided that it would better to keep his presence hidden. The rules of this new place of existence may be quite different. He didn't want to cause problems because of simple ignorance.

He moved behind a nearby hill where he could get a better glimpse. The creatures the men rode were unlike any he had ever seen. Stranger still, they wore outfits that he had once viewed in a museum in Theed. Upon closer inspection, each man had blasters on one side with a vibroblade attached to the other. To Anakin, both weapons looked more like display pieces than anything lethal.

Where in the blazes was he?

"King Kwilaan," addressed one of the men.

A short, thinly built man turned around. "Yes, lieutenant?"

"I swore there was something here."

"Span around. If there are any Gungans, we will find them."

The others saluted. "Yes, sir."

Anakin crept about, trying to get closer, when he felt the ground tremble. Spinning his head about, he saw a pack of Gungans atop of kaadus, storming in his direction. One of the nearby humans shouted, "There they are."

"Leave none alive!"

Anakin's mind reeled. In an instant, he saw the men flash by him en route to kill their adversaries. He didn't know what had happened in his absence or how things had changed, but Anakin was not about to allow Amidala's truce with the Gungans to be destroyed.

This was madness.

It had to be some mistake.

Using the Force, he sprung into the air and vaulted in the short space between the warring factions. Anakin unclipped his lightsaber and brought it to life. Both sides stopped in their tracks and grumbled amongst themselves.

"Stop!" he ordered

"Jedai are bombad," cried one of the Gungans.

"He mighta be a Sith Lord!" Gungan suggested. "Kill 'im, now!"

Glancing over at the humans he heard them say, "How much is the bounty now for bringing in a live Jedi?"

The King evilly grinned. "Enough to feed our people for a month. Seize him!"

Both sides gave their battle cries and rushed at him.

Dismayed and bewildered, Anakin raised his weapon, ready to defend himself. What in all that was holy had he gotten himself into? Noticing the determined expressions of his opponents, he knew that this was, unfortunately, not going to end civilly.

"Oh, not good."

The adventure shall continue…