Chapter Two:
The Invasion of Naboo
Opening crawl:
IT IS A TIME OF CHAOS. A MYSTERIOUS NEW SITH EMPIRE HAS BLOCKADED THE SMALL YET STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT PLANET OF NABOO, THE NEWEST PLANET TO JOIN THE DECLINING GALACTIC REPUBLIC, AND HAS MESSAGED THE REPUBLIC SENATE DEMANDING BATTLE.
AFTER THE REPUBLIC FLEET MOBILIZED AND GATHERED AT CORELLIA FROM ACROSS THE REPUBLIC SPACE IN THE WAKE OF THIS ALARMING CHAIN OF EVENTS, THE SENATE OF THE REPUBLIC HAS DISPATCHED FOUR JEDI KNIGHTS, THE GUARDIANS OF PEACE AND JUSTICE IN THE GALAXY, TO ASCERTAIN THE FACTS OF THE BLOCKADERS IS OF SITH, THE ANCIENT ENEMY OF THE JEDI, ORIGINS OR ARE JUST PIRATES USING THE LONG EXTINCT SITH NAME TO BULLY THE REPUBLIC SENATE INTO SENDING THEIR DEFENDERS NEEDLESSLY INTO BATTLE.
MEANWHILE, THE PEOPLE OF NABOO ARE STARVING AS THE BLOCKADING FLEET BOMBARDS SILOS IN AN ATTEMPT TO HASTEN THE RESPONSE FLEET'S ARRIVAL WITH THE ENTIRE JEDI ORDER...
Orbit of Naboo, Consular-Class Space Cruiser R.S.S. Radiant VII, Cockpit, 62 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
The tiny Republic Space Cruiser, its red color the symbol of ambassadorial neutrality, knifed through the inky blackness towards the emerald green bright planet of Naboo and the massive cluster of Imperial fleet of ships that encircled it while periodically taking volleys at the local Naboo silos leaving six-meter-deep craters and four-eight bodies of unfortunate Naboo. The Imperial warships varied in size and shape with several thousand resembled blocky fortresses while others resembled massive armored wedge-shaped vessels. Even the command bridge varied in position. Armaments bristled from every port and bay on the Imperial ships identified as Lucrehulk-class Droid Control Ships and Lucrehulk-class Battleships, while the larger vessels, identified as Harrower-class Dreadnoughts, Defender-class Dreadnoughts, Executor-class Dreadnoughts, Eclipse-class Dreadnoughts, Emperor-class Dreadnoughts, Galaxy-class Dreadnoughts, Domination-class Dreadnoughts, and Consular-class Battlecruisers, had a more professional placed armaments, and Imperial Starfighters patrolled the area between the Imperial ships like gnats. The more traditionally shaped Republic Cruiser, with its tri-engines, flat body, and squared-off cockpit, looked insignificant in the shadow of the Imperial fleet of ships, but it continued towards them, undeterred.
The Cruiser's Captain and copilot sat side by side at the forward console, hands moving swiftly over the controls as they steered closer to the Harrower-class Dreadnought with the Imperial leader's insignia, the wheel with eleven spokes, emblazoned on the portside of its bridge, the N.S.I.S.S. Dark Hand. There was a nervous energy to their movements that was unmistakable. From time to time, they would glance uneasily at each other—and over their shoulders at the figure who stood in the shadows behind.
On the viewscreen in front of them, captured from his position on the bridge of theN.S.I.S.S. Dark Hand was the cloaked and hooded man they assumed was the Sith Emperor of this faction of Sith. His face, while it was shrouded by his hood, was staring out at them expectantly. The Emperor wore form-fit armor of a kind unknown to the wider galaxy. His discontentment clear in his posture with a gloved hand on each side of his waist.
"Captain."
The Cruiser's Captain was startled by the sudden break in the silence nonetheless turned in her seat to acknowledge the figure that had been up until now silent as a tomb of the ancient Sith Lords on Korriban. "Yes, Madam?"
"Tell them we wish to board at once."
The voice was as calm as the sea before a storm hits, yet the anger was there nonetheless and it was freighting to behold.
"Yes, Madam," said the Captain, giving the copilot a covert glance, which the copilot returned. The Captain faced the Emperor on the screen. "With all due respect, Mr. Emperor, the Ambassadors for the Republic Senate have requested that they be allowed to board immediately."
The Emperor slowly nodded his head. "Yes, yes, Captain, of course. We would be happy to receive the Jedi Ambassadors at their convenience. Happy to. And to prove it to you, we will provide a Starfighter Escort in the form of Ion Wing, one of our most elite Starfighter units."
Immediately, a full Wing of Star Defender-Class Starfighters swarmed the tiny Republic Cruiser with their four extra wings closed to show the Empire's goodwill towards them. "We'll take you in, Master Jedi." said Ion Wing's Leader with such respect toward the four Jedi on board that one would've thought that they had been friends their whole lives instead of a few seconds. The screen went dark and the ship-to-fighter com-unit went silent. The Captain hesitated, cautiously glancing back at the figure behind her. "Madam?"
"Proceed, Captain," said Helena Starforge.
The Jedi Master watched silently as the Imperial Command Ship loomed before them, filling the viewport with its massive, gleaming bulk. At 1.88 meters in height, Helena was a very tall, powerfully built woman with prominent, lean features, most noticeable was the lightsaber-shaped scar on her forehead. Her brown hair was worn long and tied back in a long ponytail that reached from her head to just barely touching her shoulder blades. She wore a dark gray hooded robe with matching tunic and pants that were neither loose-fitting nor comfortable, a sash binding them at her waist where her paired unique golden-colored lightsabers hung just out of view, but within easy reach.
Helena's sharp Navy-blue eyes fixed on the Imperial Flagship as if to see what lay within. The Republic's Age of Peace and Plenty that had started over a thousand years ago when the Sith had been defeated had come to a screeching end when this Sith Faction, which had appeared out of nowhere to strike at the Hutts and the Bothans and the Mandalorians while at the same time threatening other Star Systems with harsh punishments if they were caught supporting the Hutt Remnant and the Bothan Resistance and the Mandalorian Resistance, had started the blockade of Naboo. Clearly, this Sith Empire has been building up its Armed Forces for quite some time now for they had Interdictor Technology that was unlike anything seen by the Republic or the Jedi in quite a long time, in fact, the Sith Dreadnoughts and Battlecruisers and Battleships and Droid Control Ships were all very uniformly in that each had very large fighter complement onboard. This, coupled with the novel Imperial Interdictor Technology which could drain one's hyperdrive very quickly, was revolutionary as the Empire could overwhelm any enemy with sheer numbers alone even if that enemy initially has better tactics and strategies to the Imperial Fleet Commanders. It bothered and fascinated Helena that she still couldn't figure out how this Sith Empire had survived the Seventh Battle of Ruusan when the Sith were declared extinct.
She shifted her weight as the Cruiser moved slowly into the forked prow of the Imperial Flagship towards a hanger bay. Tractor beams took hold, guiding the Cruiser inside where magnetic clamps locked the ship in place. The Blockade had been in effect now for over a Standard Galactic month. The Republic Fleet was still mobilizing at Corella while the team of four Jedi currently en route to the blockade were tasked with investigating the Blockaders' origins and claims to be a Sith organization. It was a bold move. In theory, the Republic has always had a navy that could respond to crises like this, however, these days the Republic Navy was largely demilitarized with small anti-pirate fleets roaming the civilized galaxy. The Fleet amassed at Corellia consisted of the newly designed three Republic-class Star Destroyers (at 1,600 meters in length, the class was meant to be the mainstay battleship), three Ventor-class Star Destroyers (at 1,137 meters in length and a large fighters complement, the class was meant to be a hybrid battleship-starfighter carrier), fifty MC80 Liberty Type Star Cruiser (at 1,500 meters in length, ships of this type were meant to be fleet carriers), five MC80 Home One Type Star Cruiser (at 1,400 meters in length, the ships of this type were meant as fleet carriers but in emergency situations, it could act as a command ships), three Victory-class Star Destroyers (at 900 meters in length, the class was meant to be a heavy cruiser in support of larger ships) as well as the one hundred Hammerhead-class Cruisers (at 315 meters in length, the vintage class was meant to support ships) and fifty Republic Light Assault Cruisers (at 115 meters in length, ships of this type were meant to be fast attack crafts) as well as fifty CR-90 Corvettes and CR-70 Corvettes (at 150 meters and 120 meters respectively, ships of these two classes were meant to be used as blockade runners). The Imperial Armada in orbit above Naboo by contrast was a virtual wall of sleek gray with practically one billion turbolasers and other anti-ship general defenses. Imperial Naval Doctrine and Imperial Army Doctrine seemed to balance each other out, while Imperial Starfighter Doctrine seemed to encourage swarming an enemy with sheer numbers while also encouraging them to help defend their mothership at all cost.
The forty-year-old Jedi Master signed deeply. While none of this was her concern, she could not ignore the implications if they failed here.
Helena almost jumped out of her skin when a hand on her shoulder which caused her to turn to find her companions in this grand venture arriving on the bridge of the cruiser: Qui-Gon Jinn, Helena's Padawan, Sheltay Retrac, and lastly, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon's own Padawan.
At 1.93 meters in height, Qui-Gon was a tall, powerfully built man with prominent, leonine features, and at sixty years old, he was a good-looking man if you ask Helena. His beard and mustache were closely cropped and his hair was worn long and tied back. He wore a tunic, pants, and hooded robe were typically loose-fitting and comfortable, a sash binding them at his waist where his emerald green bladed lightsaber hung just out of view, but within easy reach. At 2 meters in height, Sheltay was a tall slender, light-skinned yet powerful in the Force woman, and at eighteen years old, she was fit. Her hair was long and black and tied up in a bun with a tightly braided pigtail that hung over her right shoulder. Her eyes were a light brown color. She wore a tunic, pants, and hooded robes that were tight-fitting, a sash binding them at her waist where her golden-orange bladed lightsaber hung just out of view but within easy reach. At 1.79 meters in height, Obi-Wan was six centimeters shorter than Helena, and much slower than her in all areas of their order. His smooth, boyish face suggested an immaturity that had been long since shed. He wore the same type of clothes as his own Master. His light brown hair was cut in the style of a Padawan Learner, short and even, save for the tightly braided pigtail that hung over his right shoulder.
"Are we to broad?" Sheltay asked her Master softly.
Helena nodded. "The Emperor of this Empire will meet with us."
Helena and Qui-Gon were each looking out the viewport at the interior of the Imperial Flagship when Qui-Gon spoke up. "Why Naboo, do you think, my friends? Why blockade this particular planet, when there are so many to choose from, larger and more likely to feel the effects of such an action?"
Obi-Wan said nothing nor did any of the other two Jedi. Naboo was indeed an odd choice for an action of this sort, a planet at the edge of the civilized galaxy, not particularly important in the grand scheme of thing. Its ruler, Queen Sola Naberrie Amidala of House Naberrie Amidala, was something of an unknown. New to the throne, she had only been Queen a year before the blockade began. She was young, but it was rumored she was prodigiously talented and extremely well trained in the military art as well as self-defense arts. It was said she could hold her own with anyone in a political arena. It was said she could be circumspect or bold when necessary and was wise beyond her years.
The Jedi had been shown a hologram of Queen Naberrie Amidala before they left Coruscant. The Queen favored theatrical paint and ornate dress, cloaking herself in trappings and makeup that disguised her true appearance while lending her an aura of splendor and beauty. She was a chameleon of sorts, masking herself to the world at large and finding companionship almost exclusively with a cadre of handmaidens who were always with her.
Qui-Gon hesitated a few moments longer, thinking the matter through, then said to his companions, "Come, let's be off."
The four Jedi passed downward through the bowels of the ship to the main hatch, waited for the light to turn green, and released the locking bar so that the ramp could lower. Raising their hoods to help conceal their faces, they stepped out into the light of the hanger bay.
Orbit of Naboo, Harrower-class Dreadnaught N.S.I.S.S. Dark Hand, deck 93, antechamber outside of Hanger 5, 62 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
A young, shy Human New Sith Acolyte named Michaele Prince was waiting in the antechamber to Hanger 5 to escort the four Jedi to their meeting with the Emperor. She led them down a hallway to a turbolift that took them to deck 101, the deck on which the Bridge and the empty Conference Room that their meeting was scheduled to take place resided, and motioned them inside.
Orbit of Naboo, Harrower-class Dreadnaught N.S.I.S.S. Dark Hand, deck 101, Main Conference Room, 62 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
"I hope your honored sirs and madams will be comfortable here." The Acolyte said to the four Jedi ambassadors. "My Lord Emperor will be with you shortly."
The girl turned and went out, closing the door softly behind herself. Both Qui-Gon and Helena watched her go, glanced briefly at the exotic, birdlike creatures caged near the door, then moved to join Obi-Wan and Sheltay at the broad window that looked out through the maze of Imperial warships to where the lush green sphere of Naboo hung resplendent against the dark skies.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Obi-Wan said after a moment's contemplation of the planet.
Qui-Gon nodded his head. "I do too, my young Padawan, but don't center on your anxieties, Obi-Wan. Keep your concentration on the here and now, where it belongs."
"Master Yoda said we should be mindful of the future—"
"But not at the expense of the present." Qui-Gon and Helena both waited until their respective apprentices were both looking at them. "Be mindful of the living Force our young Padawans."
To their credit, Obi-Wan and Sheltay managed small smiles at their respective Jedi Masters. "Yes, Masters." They both said at the same time before they each looked at the viewport again, eyes distant. This time it was Obi-Wan who spoke. "How do you think the Emperor will deal with the senate's demands for evidence of the existence of their Empire?" he asked both Masters.
Qui-Gon answer by giving an easy shrug. "These people fear him. He must be quite powerful to keep them in line. The exchange of information will be short."
Orbit of Naboo, Harrower-class Dreadnaught N.S.I.S.S. Dark Hand, deck 101, Bridge, 62 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
On the Bridge of the Harrower-class Dreadnaught N.S.I.S.S. Dark Hand, the Emperor, Empress Justice, Empress Honor, and Darth Wrath stood staring in shock at the Acolyte they had sent to look after the Republic Senate's ambassadors.
"What did you say?" Darth Wrath hissed furiously.
The poor Acolyte shook like a leaf in a strong wind under the look that one of the highest-ranking and most powerful authority within the New Sith Empire was giving her. "The Ambassadors are here for evidence of our Glorious Empire's existence. It seems like the Senate does not believe in our existence." She was obviously expecting to be killed for saying that again but all she got was deep belly laughter from the Emperor that was contagious to both of his wives and even some of nearby officers and crewmembers started laughing along with him.
Wrath wheeled on her Master in dismay. He had just won the bet that she, Darth Hoth, and Darth Baras II had made with him at the last New Sith High Dark Council meeting that they had had before the blockade had begun in full and he was laughing at her expense? She could never understand that man.
When he finally calmed down from his laughing fit, his face turned serious, and kills Acolyte Michaele Prince with his lightsaber. "Admiral!"
Admiral Peers stepped forward and bowed towards the Emperor respectfully. "Yes, My Lord Emperor?"
With a swirl of gray on black hooded robes, the Emperor turned his head towards the Admiral in question. "This slow turn of events is unfortunate, but not fatal to our coming war against the Republic. We must accelerate our Invasion plans, my friend. Begin landing our troops. At once."
Admiral Peers smirked evilly. "It will be done, My Lord Emperor."
When the Admiral was gone to oversee the Invasion protocols, the Emperor spoke to the three New Sith High Dark Council in a tone that sent shivers of cold hard fear running up and down their collective backs. "Lady Wrath, I'm placing you in charge of the Occupation Forces of Naboo. Be mindful of the threats of rebellion, Apprentice. Do not fail me in this operation or I might have to find a replacement New Sith Apprentice."
But those who know him personally know that he wouldn't follow through with his threat but kept quiet to not throw off the element of surprise of a secret operation that the Emperor and the crew of the Harrower-class Dreadnaught N.S.I.S.S. Dark Hand were going to take part in. You see, the Blockade of Naboo was a test of the Republic's willingness to come to the aid of its Member Worlds and the crew of the Harrower-class Dreadnaught N.S.I.S.S. Dark Hand that were higher than captaincy of each division onboard the massive eighteen-kilometer-long Dreadnaught know that the ship itself had a high-grade experimental cloaking device in the massive ship's main engineering area on decks 10-16.
"I will not fail you, My Master." Darth Wrath bowed her head respectfully towards her Master. "And what of the Jedi?"
The Emperor seemed to grow darker within his robes, his face lowering further into shadow as he turned his head towards Empress Justice and Empress Honor. "The Republic Senate should have sent the entire Jedi Order when they had the chance, not this paltry strike force to gather the intelligence that proves without a shadow of a doubt that we exist. Kill their Cruiser's crew and arrest the four Jedi for espionage now. Immediately."
"Yes, My Lord Emperor," they both said as they left the Bridge to kill and arrest their unsuspecting guests themselves, unlike some people who would rather send in battle droids and/or clone troopers if they have either one of these two.
Orbit of Naboo, Harrower-class Dreadnaught N.S.I.S.S. Dark Hand, deck 101, main conference room, 62 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
In the conference room in which they had been left, the four Jedi sat staring at each other across the long table that dominates the room.
"Is it customary for Sith to make their guests wait this long?" Obi-Wan asked of the two masters.
Before either master could respond, the door opened to admit a pair of women who once may have been human twin sisters but one of them had been turned into an Imperial pink-skinned Twi'lek Slave Dancer woman while the other had been turned into an Imperial Chiss Gunnery Ensign. It was the Imperial Chiss Gunnery Ensign who spoke up. "I'm afraid that you won't be able to find out the answer to that question, Master Jedi. I am Victoria Graystar, Republic Security Bureau Agent, and this used to be my twin sister, Nikki. Never mind the outfits we were undercover until one day three months ago when we were somehow got caught by the New Sith Inquisitors and turned in these things."
Nikki glared at Victoria with ill-concealed hate but took out of her slave outfit a Holobook that filled with the Republic badly needed evidence of the New Sith Empire's existence including the history and origins of the New Sith Empire as well as an overview of their tactics and strategies of their military units. The New Sith Empire had a New Sith Imperial Holonet spread across New Sith Imperial Space which provides planetary systems under its banner with news reports from the front lines as well as information on the New Sith Imperial Fleets, the New Sith Imperial Army Garrisons on New Sith Imperial planets and the New Sith Imperial Starfighter Groups. The information on the Holobook was a gold mine of intelligence for the Republic who have been at a loss not knowing their enemy's strengths and weaknesses and would have lost precious time trying to come up with the necessary intelligence on their New Sith Imperial Foes by the time that the Republic came up with the information, the New Sith Imperial Occupation and Subjugation of Naboo would've become permanent and Naboo would've eventually incorporated into the New Sith Empire as an Imperial Member World. Qui-Gon nodded and took the data device off of Nikki. "We'd best be off this ship before the Empire catches us."
Nikki nodded at him and left with Victoria through a trapdoor hidden in the floor of the room that led to the main Engineering Decks' escape pod bay. The four Jedi left the room through the same trapdoor with only moments to spare as the two Empresses arrived just after the trapdoor closed shut behind Obi-Wan who was the last of the four Jedi out.
Empress Justice smiled a thin-lipped smile at her dark blue almost black-haired Mandalorian New Sith companion. "It seems that our job here is finished. Doesn't it, Anastasia?"
Empress Honor just smiled back at her brown-haired Naboo New Sith companion in response and activated an organic tracking device embedded deep within Nikki's Left Lekku which in turn transmitted directly their private Meditation Chambers in their private quarters which only Admirals, Moffs, Grand Moffs, Members of the New Sith Imperial Parliament on the Imperial Capital World of Raxus Secundus, Generals and other New Sith High Dark Councilmember could access without being killed. The two Empresses left the conference room having accomplished their real goal of to a certain degree in helping the Republic.
Orbit of Naboo, Harrower-class Dreadnaught N.S.I.S.S. Dark Hand, deck 101, Bridge, 62 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
The Bridge of the Harrower-class Dreadnaught N.S.I.S.S. Dark Hand was a beehive of activity with massagers running back and forth amongst a constant sea of controllers studying their tracking screens, monitoring the ingresses and egresses of bombers bombing the Imperial Landing Site to make it easier to offload their Invasion forces from the landing craft. Codes were being sent and received, orders were given, diagrams plotted, entire sectors. It was an operation involving over a thousand tiny ships, and everything was proceeding with maximum efficiency until klaxons blared throughout the Dreadnaught, reverberating off its metal skin.
"What in the Name of the Force is going on down there?" Admiral Peers shouted to be heard over the klaxons that continued to blare.
"Someone just launched an escape pod from the main engineering decks." A frightened Imperial Twi'lek Gunnery Commander named Jason Syndulla, the grandfather of the infamous Twi'lek High General Hera Syndulla of the Republic-in-Exile's Phoenix Army who was currently an eight-year-old Jedi Youngling at Jedi Temple on Coruscant. The reason he was frightened of this knowledge was because he knew that Nikki had taken the data device and had let her take it and now, he was going to be executed for that crime, but it was not the plan of the New Sith Emperor nor his council of advisors to execute him.
"Admiral," said an Imperial female Chiss Communications Commander named Mikki, "a transmission from the planet's capital city of Theed."
The holographic viewscreen to the side of the bridge flickered to life, and a woman enthroned on the Royal Throne in the Royal Throne Room at the Royal Palace of Theed. She was young, beautiful, and serene. An applied beauty mask of deepest crimson split her lower lip, and a golden headdress framed her powdery-white face. She stared out at the bridge crew from the hologram as if she was so far above and beyond them as to be unapproachable.
"It's Queen Naberrie-Amidala herself," the Emperor whispered as he rose from his Imperial Throne at the front of the bridge.
Admiral Peers nodded his head, moving to the side to make room for the Emperor. "At last, we're getting results," he whispered back.
The Emperor moved to where he could be seen by the Queen. Cloaked in her ceremonial robes, Naberrie-Amidala was surrounded by six handmaidens, all of them cloaked and hooded in crimson. Her gaze was steady and direct as it took in the Emperor's cloaked and hooded countenance.
"The New Sith Empire is pleased that have finally chosen to grace us with your presence, Your Highness," he said smoothly.
"You will not be so pleased when you hear what I have to say, Pirate," she said flatly, ignoring his use of the name of the faction of Sith in favor of calling them all pirates as most people seemed to believe the Sith to be extinct, a mistake that had cost many a planetary leader their lives. "Your trade boycott is coming to an end."
The Emperor laughed, a remorseless laugh that seemed to send quakes of fear up and down the eighteen-year-old Queen's spine. "Perhaps you are referring to your pitiful Republic Fleet massing at Corellia, Your Highness." The Queen reeled back for a moment before steadying herself. The Emperor went on. "I assure you, Your Highness, we are quite safe from your friends in the Republic Fleet."
The Queen seemed to feel increasingly raw. "Your overconfidence is your weakness, Pirate."
"Your faith in the Republic Fleet is yours." The Emperor began to smile; but then his mouth turned down, his voice growing outraged. "Everything that has transpired thus far has done so according to my design. Your planet will be invaded, your people will be enslaved, and the Republic shall know true fear once more as we, the New Sith Empire, wipe them world by world, system by system until the Galactic Republic is wiped from the face of the Galaxy once and for all."
Fear became evident on the young Queen's face. "We will see," she replies before ending the transmission.
The Emperor's smile became almost evil in form. "Yes, we will see," he said before leaving with his wives to conquer the planet of Naboo in the name of the New Sith Empire.
Orbit of Naboo, Harrower-class Dreadnaught N.S.I.S.S. Dark Hand, deck 93, Hanger 1, 62 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
In Hanger 1, there was an intensity of movement that hadn't been there before as the New Sith Imperial Invasion Army moved on to Gallofree Yards Heavy Transports for the regular Imperial Clone Troopers and C-9979 Landing ships via Multi-Troop Transports (MTTs), Armored Assault Tanks (ATTs), Single Trooper Aerial Platforms (STAPs) and Imperial Troop Carriers for the regular Imperial Battle Droids, Imperial NR-N99 Persuader-Type Droid Enforcers, Imperial Heavy All Terrain Anti-Vehicle/Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Building Laser Artillery units (at sixty meters in height and length (including the thirty meters length of the gun barrel), the Heavy All Terrain Anti-Vehicle/Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Building Laser Artillery (or simply Heavy Artillery) has been the mainstay of the Imperial Army's Artillery since its initiation at the Invasion of Naboo. A single Heavy Artillery requires a crew of three Battle Droid Pilots/Imperial Clone Tank Gunners to operate. It is heavily armed: its thirty meters gun barrel can fire anything from Proton Torpedo Barrage Shells to Ion Barrage Shells for up to fifty kilometers) and Imperial IG-227 Hailfire-Class Droid Tanks. Imperial Battle Droid and Imperial Clone Officers rode on a specially designed craft of their own choosing be it an extremely comfy ATT or a STAP. The fourteen New Sith High Dark Councilmembers got to ride on personalized Wrath-class Imperial Transports/Interceptors (Wrath-class Transports/Interceptors were commonly utilized by the members of New Sith High Dark Council as their bases of operations throughout important missions on which they were assigned. To this end, the interior includes a large communications room with a holoprojector, as well as cabins for the ship's crew, and a conference room. The bridge is located in the center at the front of the ship. It featured numerous computer panels as well as seats for the pilot and co-pilot, all overlooked by the commanding officer's seat in the center of the bridge. The weaponry of the Wrath-class Transport/Interceptor was fourteen high-powered laser cannons and sixteen missile tubes to inflict a large amount of damage in a short time along with military-grade shielding in order to survive space battles and starfighter combat situations. The Wrath-class Transport/Interceptor can also be easily upgradable for a variety of situations whether it is to destroy an enemy shuttle or to stripping the weaponry of the larger Republic warships in order to lessen damage for the Imperial forces) or personalized Star Interceptor-Class Starfighters if they were so inclined to do so.
All activities stopped with the two hundred thousand Imperial Clone Trooper regardless of rank and Imperial Battle Droids regardless of rank snapping to attention with a momentous clap that sounded not unlike far-off thunder as the Supreme Gray Ruler and every one of the fourteen New Sith High Dark Councilmembers and their Imperial Bodyguards squad of fifty-six Imperial B-3 Battle Droids entered the Hanger. Each of the Gray Over Lords of the New Sith boarded their Wrath-class Imperial Transports/Interceptors along with four B-3 Battle Droids each, the Supreme Gray Ruler of the entire New Sith Empire being the first one to board his Wrath-class Imperial Transport/Interceptor and Darth Hoth being the very last one to board her Wrath-class Imperial Transport/Interceptor.
After the New Sith High Dark Councilmembers had boarded their Wrath-class Imperial Transports/Interceptors, the loading of the transports took on a new intensity as Imperial Clone Troopers rushed to get their boots on the planet's surface and B-1 and rare B-2 Battle Droid hurried to the MTTs and Imperial Troop Carriers.
Once the troop of the invasion force board the Harrower-class Dreadnaught N.S.I.S.S. Dark Hand had boarded their respective transports, the MTTs, STAPs, Imperial Troop Carriers, and AATs moved to their assigned C-9979 Landing ships while the Gallofree Yards Heavy Transports lifted off the hanger deck and awaited the go-ahead from Admiral Peers on the Bridge of the Harrower-class Dreadnaught N.S.I.S.S. Dark Hand.
Orbit of Naboo, Harrower-class Dreadnaught N.S.I.S.S. Dark Hand, deck 101, Bridge, 362 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
On the Bridge of the Harrower-class Dreadnaught N.S.I.S.S. Dark Hand, Admiral Peer stood in front of the wide double-thick bay window that faced towards the Planet of Naboo. "Give the go-ahead signal," he said to his aide who stood just behind him with a datapad in hand.
"Yes sir," with that single and simple exchange of words, the Invasion Forces of the New Sith Empire left their motherships for the planet surface below them.
Naboo, Imperial landing site, 62 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
As the massive, high, seasoned, and battle-hardened Imperial Army's Invasion Force set out to make ready for battle with the tiny, inexperienced and insignificant Grand Army of the Naboo, the four Jedi, and two Republic Agents watched from the cover of the tree-line with a nervous apprehension akin to fear. They had to warn both the Naboo and the Republic, but couldn't simply Force Run to Theed without winding the two Republic Agents.
So reluctantly, on the four Jedi part, they had decided to disguise themselves as Imperial Clone Troopers if they could get their hands some Imperial Clone Armor or if they could strip some off of six Imperial Clone Troopers that is, but if they couldn't find any Clone Armor or strip some of anyone of the Imperial Clone Troopers, they would be forced to tail the Invasion Army at a distance. None of the three options were favorable to their six-person team. For one, the Jedi were not fond of the first two ideas as they would have to take off their Lightsabers. For another, each idea would take a lot of time to complete in full.
"If we are to do this," Obi-Wan said while glancing up at all the Imperial Air Assents be it the countless Star Interceptor-Class Starfighters, STAP, or the blockade in orbit which could shatter their location leaving nothing but bones where they had been, "we'll need to do it soon or we will be blasted into oblivion."
"Agreed," Qui-Gon said, "I would've suggested that, Obi-Wan, without the mention of being blasted into oblivion, my young Padawan Learner."
"Sorry, Master," Obi-Wan said before looking around at the clearing that had been made by the Imperial Hyena-class Bombers, "I wonder what happened to the Locals on this planet."
"Lousy Imps," Nikki said in a low voice that one had to lean in closer than they already were, "the Emperor ordered the Gungans wipe out about a day into the siege of this planet. Imperial bombers and Star Interceptor-Class Starfighters strafed and bombed the Gungan villages and underwater cities to hell and back."
Helena and Sheltay turned slightly green around the gills at the idea of the New Sith Emperor ordering the extinction of a whole species, which was a hoax created using the Force by the New Sith High Dark Councilmembers to make themselves seem like monsters, although they soon stiffened up as two darts impacted each one woman in the neck, one was filled with the purple liquid-like solution known as the Alienization Virus, which is a manmade virus that turns any naturally born non-Force-Sensitive human unfortunate enough to inhale it into a random alien species with no two being the same or in this case, in its liquid-like state, in which a naturally born Force-Sensitive human gets injected with it and turns into a random alien species with no two being the same. The other dart implanted an organic inhibitor chips and an anti-friendly fire beacon into their brain and strong elbow respectively. Sheltay started growing small but still growing dark pink Twi'lek lekku from the base of the back of her skull. Helena started growing small but still growing dark brown Zabrak horns from her head.
Qui-Gon and the other three of their little squad took no notice of their companion's slight expressions as the squad of six members moved towards the supply depot that the Imperial Clone Troopers were busy setting up at the rear of the Invasion Army. It took little time at all to secure six spare and full-body Imperial Clone Trooper phase three armor. Imperial Clone Trooper phase three armor was intended for Imperial Special Forces Clone Trooper units and had openings in the base of the back of the helmet for Twi'lek Imperial Clone Troopers to put their lekku through or women with long hair issues to put their hair through in tight braids, a T-Visor plate which had among other things an enhanced breath filter that allowed for comfortable breathing in dust-filled or poisonous environments, a utility belt which included a grappling hook, spare blaster gas canisters and power cells, a pack of six explosive charges, and a backpack for storing survival gear and first aid kits. After the four Jedi of their little squad had reluctantly put the Lightsabers wrapped up inside their Jedi Outer Robes which in turn were placed in their respective backpacks, the two men went to get dressed in their armor within the tree-line while the four women of their squad went to get dressed in their armor in a fresher as women, in general, do not like to get dressed in the presence of men that are not their husbands.
When they were already, the six-member squad went out to where the main army was assembling for the next phase of the Invasion of Naboo: The Sacking/Fall of Theed.
With the Invasion Army assembled around the Imperial Forward Command Center (IFCC), the Emperor and his New Sith High Dark Council started the five-hour-long march on Theed.
Naboo, Great Grass Plain, south of Theed, Imperial Invasion Army Frontline, 3262 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
After a grueling march to Theed, the Imperial Invasion Army was nearing Theed when the order to halt came from the Emperor and the New Sith High Dark Councilmembers. The Imperial Army attacking Theed outnumbered the defending Grand Army of the Naboo a thousand to one with B-1 Battle Droids, B-2 Battle Droids, Droidekas, and other droid models being deployed from their MTTs and Imperial Troop Carriers alongside the Imperial Clones Troopers in the neighborhood of fifteen million in each department of the Invasion Army. Theed was defended by the entirety of thirty thousand forcefully conscripted soldiers of the Grand Army of the Naboo.
The Emperor sneered at the Naboo Defenders. "Fear. The city is rank with it. Let us ease their pain. Release the bioweapon!" he said to Darth Wrath who smirked and ordered the Heavy Artillery to fire until the enemy couldn't straight in Huttese no less.
The bioweapon shells were loaded into the fifty Heavy Artillery and unleased a purple cloud of gas onto the entire city. At first, nothing happened. Then the screams of pain and horror started up as the civilians and soldiers began to sprout various alien characteristics like Twi'lek lekku and Zabrak horns.
Even the Royal Palace was immersed with the screams of pain and horror coming from it. Eventually, the purple cloud of the Alienization Virus's gaseous form grew so thick that the people couldn't see what was going on in front of them, and by the time it despised, it was too late mount a defense as the Imperials steamrolled on in like a pack of drunk gundarts.
With all resistance crushed into nonexistence, the Imperial Invasion force poured into Theed to confiscate any and all weapons that the Grand Army of the Naboo might have had on their person. The Imperials moved their forces to destroy the Naboo Flash Speeders and Gin Speeder to keep them from being used by resistance forces that managed to spring up on the planet to attempted an overthrow of their regime. Not that the rebellious Naboo could've stood a chance against the Occupation forces but it was better safe than sorry.
Meanwhile, Qui-Gon and his small squad of Jedi and Republic Agents started looking for a deserted side street to ditch their armor and think up a plan to get the Queen off-planet to ensure the Republic know what the hell was going on out here on distant mid and outer rim planets alike. Most of the streets were filled with patrol squads checking each and every house for any possible resistant cells that might spring up within Theed itself as the New Sith Empire did not like having to fight resistant cells that could band together to overthrow the Imperial friendly regime that was to be left on the planet to keep the planet under control.
It took some doing but our squad of heroes managed to find a deserted side street that was near enough to the Palace Plaza that they could keep track of the Imperials unseen by anyone but those who know where to look.
Naboo, Theed, deserted side street, 62 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
Qui-Gon pulled his helmet which signaled the others on his squad to do the same. Immediately, he noticed the alien characteristics sported by the two Jedi who just this morning had been human. Sheltay was now a dark pink Twi'lek with black markings tattooed along her lekku and around her eyes, her eye had gone from a light brown color to a dark purple color, her ears were now ear cones and her hands and feet now sported sharp claw-like nails from her fingernails and toes which were covered by her armored gloves and high heeled boots one of which contained a false heel which hid a crimson kyber crystal. Helena was now a dark brown skin colored Zabrak with her six horn being the same color, her Zabrak facial tattoos being a maze of red and black patterns that ran the length and breadth of her face, her eyes had gone from a sharp Navy-blue color to a dark purple color and her hair had gone from a brown color to a dark red color.
The other three members of their little squad stared at their now Twi'lek and Zabrak companions who were starting to get uncomfortable with all the staring and started to put their helmets back on when Qui-Gon slapped Obi-Wan hard around the back of the head causing him to whine like a mistreated four-month-old youngling, "What was that for, Master?"
Helena and Sheltay both giggled while shaking their heads at the idea of a fully grown man like Obi-Wan whining like a mistreated four-month-old youngling. Victoria outright laughed at him while Nikki just smirked fondly at her twin sister acting like a teenaged girl instead of the fully grown Chiss woman that she currently is. Obi-Wan glared at all three of his Jedi companions and two Republic Agent companions as though they were traitors to him.
Any chance to come up with a plan went out the window when a ten-member Imperial Clone Trooper and Battle Droid Squad came upon them without their helmets on and a firefight broke out between the two forces by the end of which only one Imperial Clone Trooper remained and she immediately surrendered herself in exchange for transport off-world as she wished to defect from the Imperial Special Forces Legion of the New Sith Imperial Army which had committed several thousand atrocities against any who might resist against the Imperial Regime and were the Imperial Secret Police Force meant to arrest those who were against the Empire. One of the atrocities that she had been ordered to commit on the pain of court-martial was the shooting of a whole army's worth of civilians on Ryloth which was another hoax created using the Force by the New Sith High Dark Councilmembers to make themselves seem like monsters. The Jedi were rightly horrified by the tales of atrocities committed by their enemy in this conflict, but they agreed to let the Clone Trooper named Mira Bridger come with them.
Naboo, Theed, Royal Palace, Royal Throne Room, 62 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
The Emperor stood in silence at the center of the Royal Palace Throne Room and listened patiently and smugly as Governor Sio Bibble protested the Imperial presence on Naboo. Empresses Justice and Honor were on each side of him. All three of them wore their usual attire and inscrutable expressions on their faces which in the Emperor's case was unhooded to reveal a man in his early seventies with sky blue eyes, a strong Roman nose, broad shoulders, brown rats' nest of hair that was shoulder length and a neatly trimmed beard. A hundred Imperial Clone Troopers and B1 Battle Droids held the Naboo occupants of the Throne Room at blaster-point. The Naboo had now become a mix of Twi'leks, Chiss, Zabraks, Togrutas, Iktotchi, Devaronians, and the half a dozen other Near-Human Alien Species that populate the Galaxy.
The Emperor resisted a smile. Apparently, the Queen had believed right up to the end that the New Sith Empire was nothing more than a ragtag group of pirates who had managed to damage her beloved Orbital Station and then blockade the planet itself. That mistake had come with a price. The price she had paid for by becoming a Rutian Twi'lek.
"It is bad enough, Emperor, that this whole thing came about because of a perceived threat of war by the Queen and the New Sith Empire, bad enough that the Queen insisted on calling you to gloat that she believed that had won this little war between our two people when word reached our ears of the Republic assembling a fleet to relieve us of your blockade, but landing an entire army on our planet and occupying our capital city of Theed is too outrageous for words."
Sio Bibble was presently a tall Lethan Twi'lek with a sharp tongue. He held the floor just at the moment, but the Emperor was getting tired of listening to him. The man smelled of fear, delicacy amongst the Sith but he resisted the temptation to feast on it.
He glanced at the other captives. General Panaka, the Queen's chief of staff for the Grand Army of the Naboo, and nine of the Queen's personal guards stood to one side, stripped of their weapons and helpless. Panaka was stone-faced and hard-eyed as he watched the Gray Lord of the New Sith. He was now a big, powerfully built Zabrak male with black horns, a dark, smooth face, and gray-colored eyes. The Emperor did not like how the way those eyes were fixed on him.
The now Rutian Twi'lek Queen sat upon her throne, surrounded by her handmaidens. She was serene and aloof, detached from everything, as if what was taking place had no effect on her, could not touch her in any way. She wore a black gown, her red Twi'lek face framed by markings tattooed along her lekku and around her eyes, her eyes were now a dark purple color, her ear cones stuck out her head and her hands and feet now sported sharp claw-like nails from her fingernails and toes. A thin gold chain lay around her neck. She was beautiful to be sure, the Emperor thought to herself with an inward smirk, for a grandniece-in-law, he added to himself with a sideways inward smirk toward his Naboo Empress.
What interested him was her youth. She barely out of her teenage years, certainly not a full-grown Twi'lek woman, and yet after her mother's mysterious death, she became Queen of the Naboo. This was one of those monarchies where blood determined the right of rule and dynasties prevailed. The Naboo had been ruled by the Royal House of Naberrie-Amidala for more than one millennium, and they had prospered under wise Kings and Queens and had suffered under arrogant ones. Queen Sola Naberrie-Amidala of the planet Naboo was an only child of her parents Queen Jobal and King Ruwee. She had a three-year-old daughter who was currently cowering behind their mother's throne as she had become a purple-skinned Lethan Twi'lek, her purple Twi'lek faces framed by markings tattooed along her lekku and around her eyes, her eyes were a dark purple color, her ear cones stuck out her head and her hands and feet now sported sharp claw-like nails from her fingernails and toes. She also was a militarist Queen as she had been trained at the finest military academy that Naboo had to offer. Not that it helped the people in the end, as she had killed two Imperial Ambassadors that had been sent to convince Naboo to join the Empire peacefully.
Governor Sio Bibble's voice echoed through the cavernous chamber, rising to the high, vaulted ceiling, bouncing off the smooth, sunlit walls. Theed was the richest city on Naboo, and it has also been a city of elites and highborn while those who lived outside its gates tended to be the peasants and other low-born people. So much for the Republic and its promises of equality and justice for all.
"Emperor, I ask you point-blank." Sio Bibble was concluding his oration. "What is to be done now that you have our beautiful city?"
The Emperor's cold, expressionless countenance twisted to betray a small flicker of humor. "The Queen and her children will be tried in front of the Imperial Parliament on the Imperial Capital of Raxus Secundus for insulting and murdering the two Imperial Ambassadors that we sent to convince Naboo, and then she and her daughter will be enslaved. I have the assurances of the Leader of the Imperial Parliament that both of them will be treated with respect and decency before, during, and after the trial."
"A trial off-world?" the governor exclaimed in astonishment. "In the face of the completely unlawful action of using a bioweapon?"
Sola rose from her throne and stepped forward, surrounded by her cloaked and hooded handmaidens and her children. Her eyes bore into Empress Justice's and were sharp and hard with anger. "Great-aunt Padmé, is this your plan along? To steal my throne, you would have me ousted and tried before a lowborn court of law?"
Empress Justice laughed a cold and almost evil laugh. "Now, now, little bird," she purred. "Don't be too hasty with your stupid belief that I was always out for your throne. You are not going to like what we have in store for your people. In time, the suffering you will endure will seem like child's play compared to your own."
The Emperor turned smartly away from this conversation. "Enough talk." He beckoned. "Commander?" Battle droid OOM-654 stepped forward, narrow metal snout lowering in response. "Take them to the Hanger for transport to Raxus Secundus for the trial." The Gray Lord of the Sith ordered.
OOM-654 signaled for one of his sergeants to take over, metallic voice directing that the prisoners be taken to the Main Hanger. The B1 Battle Droids herded the Queen, her daughter, her handmaidens, Governor Bibble, General Panaka, and the Naboo guards from the room.
The Emperor and his two wives watched them leave the room for the last time. For they know what was about to happen was necessary to the eventual toppling of the Galactic Republic. But they know in their hearts that Jedi Healers would discover their little hoaxes not amusing in the least.
Naboo, Theed, Royal Palace Plaza, 62 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
The sergeant and a dozen B1 Battle Droids moved the prisoners along the polished stone halls of Theed Palace and outside to where a series of terraced steps led downward through statuary and buttress work to a broad plaza. The plaza was filled with ATTs and Imperial Clone and B1/B2 Battle Droid Squads and empty of Naboo citizens. The ATTs were squat, shovel-nosed vehicles with their main cannon mounted on a turret above and behind the cockpit and smaller blasters set low and to either side. They had the look of foraging beetles as they edged about the plaza's perimeter.
Beyond, the buildings of Theed stretched away toward the horizon, a vast sprawl high stone walls, gilded domes, peaked towers, and sculpted archways. Sunlight bathed gleaming edifices, their architecture in counterpoint to the lush greenness of this area of the planet. The rush of waterfalls and bubble of fountains formed a soft, distant backdrop to the strange silence created by the absence of the populace.
The prisoners were taken across the plaza past the Imperial machines of war. No one spoke. Even Governor Bibble had gone silent, his lekku topped head lowered in dark contemplation. They departed the plaza and turned down a narrow side street that led to the Main Hanger. STAPs hummed overhead, shadows flitting off the walls of the buildings, metal shells gleaming as they darted away.
Naboo, Theed, street leading to Theed Hanger, 62 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
The droids had just turned their prisoners down a quiet byway that intercepted the main street which led towards the main Hanger, which was oddly enough blocked by a mountain of Battle Droids, when a blaster bolt of an Imperial Sniper rifle hit their sergeant dead in the chest, bringing them to an abrupt halt.
Then two men and four women jump out from hiding directly in front and behind the droids while a fifth woman lined up another sniper shot with her long sniper rifle from behind a stone ledge off to one side. The droids looked down at their sergeant shunned by his quick demise. The four Jedi led a charge into the droid ranks while their three female companions took shots at the disorganized B1 Battle Droid squad whenever the opportunity presented itself to them.
Pretty soon, all twelve B1 Battle Droids plus one droid sergeant where laying on the street, dispatched by blaster bolts and lightsabers. Quickly, the Naboo soldiers helped the Jedi move Battle Droid bodies towards the already massive mountain of Droid bodies. The four Jedi, two Republic Agents and one defected Imperial Clone Special Forces Trooper quickly and silently herded the Royal entourage of Naboo soldiers, Handmaidens, Government Staff and the last members of the House of Naberrie-Amidala into an abandoned house off to the side of the main street which led to main Hanger.
Qui-Gon turned to face the nineteen-year-old Twi'lek Queen. "Your Highness, I am Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, and my companions are Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padawan Sheltay Retrac, Jedi Master Helena Starforge, Victoria Graystar, a Republic Security Bureau Agent, Nikki Graystar, an RSB Agent, and Mira Bridger, an Imperial Clone who defected to our side. We are here to get you off-world."
"I thank you, Master Jedi." General Panaka volunteered, stepping forward. "The Queen insulted the Imperial Leader by calling him a Pirate twice during a holocall after we received news of a sizeable Republic Fleet amassed at Corellia to break the blockade even though we told her not to anything until after the Republic Fleet arrives than we could've goaded but the Empire started landing troops over five-hours-ago. The situation is direr with the Empire's blitzkrieg on Theed, and we've lost all commutations outside of the Gates of Theed where we had been preparing to make a last stand right before they unleased their bioweapon on the city."
"The Empire's been preparing for many months now for this campaign," Mira said in a deadly calm voice. "They are prepared for any resistance that your people could put together and they have stockpiled all weapons of war including the Bioweapon that changes naturally born human into Aliens both psychologically and physically and a large number of proton torpedoes and proton bombs."
"They had hoped to take the Queen and Crown Princess Pooja XI to Raxus Secundus to stand trial for murdering and insulting two Imperial Ambassadors that came to convert us to join the Empire peacefully two weeks before the blockade began." General Panaka said while nodding his head at Mira in support of what she was saying which the Males Jedi to look at their now Alien Jedi companions with concern and compassion in their eyes. "Had we joined them; we would have had to recall Senator Palatine from the Senate to attain the Imperial Parliament on Raxus Secundus. As it stands, we need to get to Coruscant with the news of the invasion by Empire."
"Agreed," the Queen said while looking down at her three-year-old daughter who looked scared of leaving her homeplanet.
Without much delay, the group of Jedi, Republic Agents, an Imperial Clone Defector, Naboo soldiers, Naboo Royalty, and a Naboo Governor head to the main Hanger but not before the alarm was sounded so they had to move with haste so that they could escape from the Imperial occupied planet.
It didn't take them long to reach their destination. A series of connected dominated one end of a broad causeway, each one domed and cavernous, the central structures warded by arched entrances and low, flat walled outbuildings. Battle Droids and Imperial Clone Troopers were stationed everywhere, weapons held at the ready, but General Panaka was able to find a surprisingly unguarded approach down a narrow corridor between adjoining buildings.
Naboo, Theed, Theed Hanger, Hanger doorway, 62 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
At the main side door to the main Hanger, General Panaka brought the group to a halt. After a quick glance over his shoulder for Imperial Clone Troopers, Sith Lords, and/or Battle Droids, he unlocked nudged open the door. With Qui-Gon Jinn and Helena Starforge pressed close, he peered inside and gasped in shock and awe. More than three dozen Naboo ships were grouped at the center of the Hanger, sleek gleaming transports, their noses pointed towards a wide opening in the far wall but that wasn't what had shocked and awed Panaka. The room was filled to roof with the bodies of countless Imperial Clone Trooper, two none Councilmember Sith Lords, and countless B1/B2 Battle Droids, all with lightsaber blade wounds and blaster shots wounds.
Pushing aside his shock and awe at the carnage inside the main Hanger, Panaka pointed to a long, low ship on the far side of the main Hanger with swept-back wings and powerful Headon-5 engines. "The Royal Family's Yacht," he told the two Jedi Masters.
Qui-Gon nodded. A heavily modified J-type 327 Nubian. In the distance, the alarms continued to sound their steady wail. "We know," he said and nodded towards Sheltay Retrac, "We have Sheltay to thank for reminding us that we do have a way off-planet unless we wanted to start a guerrilla war all over the planet, we then freed all of the planetary government officials and Naboo Pilots that we could find and sent them abroad the ship various N-1 Royal Naboo Starfighters respectively while we went to get your group."
"Sheltay is one of the best Starfighter Pilots in the Jedi Order to date," Helena added to which Sheltay looked at her Master with pride in her heart at the fact that her Master thought she was one of the best Starfighter Pilots in their Order. "She could possibly outfly the entire Imperial Starfighter Corps without breaking a sweat, although she doesn't take orders kindly."
The Queen was intrigued by the Padawan who the group was ignoring, Obi-Wan Kenobi who was silent as a Sith Tomb on Korriban could be these days. She became even more intrigued by his muttered, "Here we go again." which meant that he was used to being ignored by his fellow Jedi.
"It's settled then," General Panaka said without a sideways glance at his Queen which she didn't mind at all, "it would be hard but not impossible to slip past the blockade if we don't have a good fighter screen to protect the ship from Imperial Gunners and Starfighter fire that will be waiting up there to pick off any fleeing ships."
"Then let's get a move on," Obi-Wan said in a nervous tone of voice as the sound of the alarm was joined by the sound of running footsteps coming towards their direction.
And so, the group ran into the Hanger posthaste with Sheltay running towards the last remaining Naboo Royal N-1 Starfighter (The Royal N-1 starfighter featured the best elements of Naboo design, being aesthetically sound and adhering to the Naboo's love for curves and aerodynamic shapes. A chromium finish on the front of the vehicle would gleam in the sunlight during parades and celebratory fly-bys. This chromium was purely decorative and reserved for starships serving the Royal House of Naboo. Once, the chromium was used to deflect rays from Naboo's sun, and all starships were fitted with it. The finish contrasted sharply with the rest of the N-1, which was yellow in color. The citizens of Naboo were dedicated to the defense of their ecologically sensitive world, and the N-1 was an example of this commitment. Its specialized engine system, twin J-type Nubian 221 sub-light pulse engines, ensured that fuel would burn hotter in order to reduce harmful emissions. An advanced cooling system that incorporated several heat sinks along the engine finials prevented overheating. The rear finial could be connected to special outlets in the Theed Hangar to recharge the craft and transmit important data, even coded mission profiles. The N-1's roles included reconnaissance/patrol missions, escort duty, system defense, and ceremonial functions. While its light, fast, and agile characteristics made it an ideal dogfighter, it was a poor ground-attack craft and it suffered in tight spaces, as these situations robbed it of all its advantages. However, it could still perform the tank-buster job in a pinch. In order to accompany the Queen's starship to Coruscant or other distant planets, each N-1 was equipped with a Nubian Monarc C-4 hyperdrive with a range of 1,000 light-years. The pilot was protected by advanced life support systems and deflector shields, aided by an astromech droid that would help the pilot with repairs and adjustments. The N-1 starfighter was also equipped with an advanced autopilot that could receive navigational information from hangar outlets or from Naboo flight control. In a crisis, the autopilot could bring the craft to the site of an emergency or pilot the ship home safely. The N-1's weapons were twin laser cannons and a full complement of 10 proton torpedoes. These were powerful enough to allow the N-1 to engage even the superior numbers of Vulture droids of the Imperial Droid Control Ships and the other Starfighters as was required right now) in the far corner of the Hanger, boarding it quickly through the ladder into the cockpit.
Naboo, Theed, Theed Hanger, Naboo Royal Starship, Cockpit, 62 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
The Headon-5 engines were firing even before Qui-Gon, Helena, Obi-Wan and General Panaka reached the cockpit and flung themselves into chairs. Laser fire was already starting to hammer at the sides of the sleek craft, but it was already activating its twin shield generators off to the sides and a little back from the Cockpit. The pilot sat hunched forward over the controls, her weathered face intense, a sheen of sweat beading her forehead, hands steady on the controls. "Hold on," she said.
The Nubian slowly itched forward, moving towards the main Hanger doors at far end of Hanger proper with the thirty-eight N-1 Starfighters lining up with the Nubian in closed escort formation.
"I'm Rhea Walker," the pilot said, "I never did thank you for getting the government officials and the other pilots out of our route to an Imperial prison camp on the very edge of the city."
"I'm Qui-Gon," Qui-Gon said, "and these are Obi-Wan Kenobi and Helena Starforge."
"Howdy, y'all have my thanks," Rhea Walker said but was cut off from saying anything more by General Panaka clearing his throat as if to remind the two of where they were. "All Squadrons, this is Noble One, report in."
"Roger, Noble One," said Alpha Leader, Joan Cutter, who then called on her flight elements to report in.
"Roger, Noble One," said Bravo Leader, Ric Olié, who then called on his flight elements to report in.
Naboo, Theed, Theed Hanger, Sheltay's (Delta Leader) Naboo Royal N-1 Starfighter, Cockpit, 62 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
"Roger, Noble One," said Sheltay as Delta Leader then over the fighter-to-fighter comm system she said to her flight elements, "All wings report in."
"Delta Two standing by," said Ro Fix.
"Delta Three standing by," said Pi Fin.
"Delta Four standing by," said Po Fix.
"Delta Five standing by," said Joanna Homes.
"Delta Six standing by," said Samantha Lows.
"Delta Seven standing by," said Michael McKnight.
"Delta Eight standing by," said Michael Lows.
"Delta Nine standing by," said Johnathan Homes.
"Delta Ten standing by," said Jack McKnight.
"Delta Eleven standing by," said Fox Row.
"Delta Twelve standing by," said Lo Fin.
Naboo, Theed, Theed Hanger, Naboo Royal Starship, Cockpit, 62 BBY, 40 BBG, 30 BBN, 30 BTN
"This is Alpha Leader to Noble One, all wings in my Squadron have reported in," said Joan Cutter.
"This is Bravo Leader to Noble One, all wings in my Squadron have reported in," said Ric Olié.
"This is Delta Leader to Noble One, all wings in my Squadron have reported in," said Sheltay Retrac.
"Acknowledged," said Rhea Walker then she said over the intercom system, "All Hands, Buckle up! It's going to be a bumpy ride."
The Nubian and its three Squadrons of escort N-1 Starfighters shot through the Hanger doors ripping past Imperial B1/B2 Battle Droids, Imperial Clone Troopers, and laser fire, lifting away from the city of Theed into the blue, sunlit sky. The Planet of Naboo was slowly left behind as the thirty-nine ships rising into the blackness of space circling around the planet proper in an effort to shake off any pursuing Imperial fighters before arching towards the suddenly visible cluster of New Sith Imperial Naval ships blocking its way.