Chapter 4
Nute Gunray stands in silence at the center of the palace throne room in the Naboo capital city of Theed and listens patiently as Governor Sio Bibble protests the Trade Federation's presence. Rune Haako stands at his side. Both wear their Federation robes of office and inscrutable expressions. Two dozen battle droids hold the Naboo occupants of the room at gunpoint. The city fell shortly after sunrise. There had been little resistance; the Naboo are a peaceful people. The Trade Federation invasion had come as a surprise, and the droid army was inside the gates of the city before any substantial defense could be mounted. What few weapons there were had been confiscated and the Naboo removed to detention camps. Battle droids are combing the city even now to put an end to any lingering resistance.
Gunray resists a smile. Apparently, the Queen had believed right up to the end that negotiations would prevail and the Senate would provide the people of Naboo with protection.
"It is bad enough, Viceroy, that you dare to disrupt transmissions between the Queen and Senator Palpatine while he is attempting to argue our cause before the Republic Senate, bad enough that you pretend that this blockade is a lawful action, but landing an entire army on our planet and occupying our cities is too outrageous for words."
Sio Bibble is a tall, balding man with a sharply pointed beard and an even sharper tongue. He holds the floor just at the moment, but Gunray is getting tire of listening to him. He glances at the other captives. Captain Panaka, the Queen's head of security, and four of the Queen's personal guards stood to one side, stripped of their weapons and helpless. Panaka is stone-faced and hard-eyed as he watches the Neimoidians. He is a big, powerfully built man with a dark, smooth face and quick eyes. The Neimoidian did not like the way those eyes are fix on him.
The Queen sits upon her throne, surrounded by her handmaidens. She is serene and aloof, detached from everything as if what is taking place had no effect on her, could not touch her in any way. She wears black, her white-painted face in sharp contrast to the black-feathered headdress that wraps and frames it. A gold chain lays across her regal brow and the red beauty mark split her lower lip.
She is consider beautiful, Gunray been told, but he have no sense of human beauty and by Neimoidian standards, she is simply colorless and small-featured.
What interests him is her youth. She is barely out of girlhood, certainly not a full-grown woman, and yet the people of Naboo had chosen her as their Queen. This isn't one of those monarchies where blood determined right of rule and dynasties prevailed. The Naboo chooses the wisest among them as their ruler by popular acclaim, and Queen Amidala governs at the sufferance of her people. Why they would choose someone so young and naive is a mystery to him. From his point of view, it certainly hadn't served them well in this instance.
Governor Sio Bibble's voice echoes through the cavernous chamber, rising to the high, vaulted ceiling, bouncing off the smooth, sunlit walls. Theed is an opulent, prosperous city and the throne room reflects its history of success.
"Viceroy, I ask you point-blank." Sio Bibble is concluding his oration. "How do you intend to explain this invasion to the Senate?"
The Neimoidian's flat, reptilian countenance manages a small flicker of humor. "The Naboo and the Trade Federation will forge a treaty that will legitimize our occupation of Theed. I have been assured that such a treaty, once produced, will be quickly ratified by the Senate."
"A treaty?" the governor exclaims in astonishment. "In the face of this completely unlawful action?"
Amidala rises from her throne and steps forward, surrounded by her cloaked and hooded handmaidens. Her eyes are sharp with anger. "I will not cooperate."
Nute Gunray exchanges a quick glance with Rune Haako. "Now, now, Your Highness," he purrs. "Don't be too hasty with your pronouncements. You are not going to like what we have in store for your people. In time, their suffering will persuade you to see our point of view."
He turns away. "Enough talk." He beckons. "Commander?" Battle droid OOM-9 steps forward, narrow metal snout lowering slightly in response. "Process them," the viceroy orders.
OOM-9 signals for one of his sergeants to take over, metallic voice directing that the prisoners be taken to Camp Four. The battle droids herd the Queen, her handmaidens, Governor Bibble, Captain Panaka, and the Naboo guards from the room.
Nute Gunray's slit reddish-orange eyes follow them out, then shifts back to Haako and the room. He feels a deep sense of satisfaction take hold. Everything is going exactly as it should.
The sergeant and a dozen battle droids move the prisoners along the polish stone halls of the Theed palace and outside to where a series of terraced steps led downward through statuary and buttress work to a broad plaza. The plaza is filled with Federation tanks and battle droids and is empty of Naboo citizens. The tanks are 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 have the look of foraging beetles as they edges about the plaza's perimeter.
Beyond, the buildings of Theed stretch away toward the horizon, a vast sprawl of high stone walls, gilde domes, peak towers, and sculpt archways. Sunlight bathes the gleaning edifices, their architecture in counterpoint to the lush greenness of the planet. The rush of waterfalls and a bubble of fountains forms a soft, distant backdrop to the strange silence created by the absence of the populace.
The prisoners are taken across the plaza past the Trade Federation machines of war. No one spoke. Even Governor Bibble has gone silent, his gray-bearded head lower in dark contemplation.
They depart the plaza and turns down a broad avenue that led to the outskirts of the city and the newly constructed Trade Federation detention camps. STAPs hums overhead, shadows flitting off the walls of the buildings, metal shells gleaming as they darts away.
The droids just turn their prisoners down a quiet byway when their sergeant, who is leading the procession, bring them to an abrupt halt.
The handmaidens look. The guards look. The fake and real queen look. Almost, out of nowhere, a hooded figure emerges, a black hood raise over their head which conceals his appearance, a strange mask covering his lower part of his face. Their armor seems uncomfortable and damage but it doesn't appear to be holding them back, but it doesn't appear to successfully restrain the person who wears it, cerulean eyes staring intently.
"I'm afraid the Queen and her entire Entourage is coming with me," his voice booms, chills suddenly filling the hanger and causing the organics within the room to shiver almost naturally though there is a slight hiss in his voice.
The droid sergeant suddenly seems to remember where he was and what he is doing. He gestures to his soldiers. "Clear him away!"
Four of the battle droids move to obey. They just shift their weapons into firing position when the strange Jedi activates their lightsaber; a crimson one, and cut them into pieces in under half a second. As the shatter droids collapse, what they presume as the Jedi moves quickly to dispatch the others. Laser bolts are block, weapons are knock aside, and the remaining droids are reduce to scrap metal.
The sergeant turns to flee, but the Jedi outstretches his hand, grasping the droid in mid-air before clenching his fist and the droid crushes up into little pieces.
Swiftly, the Naboo soldiers move to recover the fallen weapons, keeping a cautionary view on the exceptional being. He is intimidating, his physical form larger than all of them.
The strange being approaches, deactivating his lightsaber and clipping it onto his belt.
"It is an honor to meet you, your royal highness," he states in greeting. He always had a close acquaintanceship with the handmaidens and treated most of them like the 501st, most notably this one. He cringes slightly at his voice still sounding like it did on the second Death Star, like a snake hiss wheeze, sounding weaker during the era of the Empire which, in all honesty, makes him feel less intimidating than those times.
For under a second, his eyes linger on Padmé in anguish before staring away, reminding himself she is no longer his angel and that he lost her in his pride. He mustn't unintentionally alert them yet that he knows who the real Queen was.
"The honor is all mine..." the fake queen begins.
"Vader. My name is Darth Vader, but my preference is simply Vader." He declares, keeping his senses up so if the Jedi choose to attack him, he would be ready to counter. "For the moment, we should move quickly to a less populated area to speak in privacy, your Highness."
The group moves to the nearby abandoned courtyard, and Vader could catch Padmé eyeing him with caution. She likely wishes she could speak up to question him but she knows the risks blowing her cover so Sabé would have to for her.
"Your skills are quite impressive. Did the Republic send you, Master Jedi? Are you the Jedi Ambassador that came here to negotiate with the Trade Federation?" Captain Panaka inquires while keeping one hand on his weapon. His presence continuously had that effect on those who did not know him, especially at the beginning of the Empire.
"No," Vader replies. "I have no affiliation with the Republic nor the Jedi Order. My reasoning and motives are for my own. But for now, we must relocate you back to your Republic."
"How do we know you are not a threat?" Panaka inquires, eyes lingering on him suspiciously.
"Because I have saved the Queen and her entire entourage, and the more time you waste here with interrogating me, Captain, the more innocents die," Vader proclaims. "Or you could just remain behind here and I can escort them to Coruscant." There is an extra weight to his words.
Panaka offers no response so Vader took the initiative.
Vader motions for the group to follow him, and although they shouldn't trust him, it is obvious he is not on the side of the Trade Federation or the Queen would have been already dead.
"Captain, keep the Queen safe and wait until I return. Something must be done." Vader commands.
And with that, Vader is off. The entourage waits patiently for what felt like hours as a worry feeling fills their guts. Despite being arm, there are more battle droids in this palace that will be able to overwhelm them without leadership.
Footsteps are suddenly hear, and they all aim their guns in the direction. Two men stands directly in their way, both wearing loose robes over belted tunics, the taller with his hair worn long, the shorter with his cut to a thin braided pigtail. Their arms hangs loosely at their sides, but they did not have the look of men who are unprepared.
For a moment, each group stares at the other in silence. Then the narrow face of a Gungan peeks out from behind the two robed figures, eyes wide and frighten.
Qui-Gon Jinn steps forward. "Are you Queen Amidala of the Naboo?" he asks the young woman in the feathered headdress.
The Queen hesitates. "Who are you?"
"Ambassadors from the Supreme Chancellor." The Jedi Master inclines his head slightly. "We seek an audience with you, Your Highness."
"The Queen and her entire entourage are with me," a voice spoke up, surprising all in the scene as one didn't have to be Force Sensitive to notice the tension suddenly forming in the atmosphere as they turn to see their mysterious ally. There is a strange something on his holster now that is clouded by his cloak, something that is unseeable. "Don't stand in my way, Jedi."
"Ambassadors, this is Darth Vader," the fake Queen greets the former Sith Lord, indicating her hand to Vader.
Qui-Gon narrows his eyes at the former Sith while Kenobi fixated him with a glare. Most notably, their hands are edging down towards their lightsabers, prepare to attack at moment's notice, but they didn't as they wanted the Sith to strike first.
"Why should we entrust you with the Queen and her entourage... my Lord?" Obi-Wan inquires, wanting to see if he can spite who they believe is a Sith.
"Spare me the titles," he responds, "to you, I am obviously Sith, but if I so wish, your lives would be claimed and the Queen would have signed the treaty or been dead. I maintain no aggression to the Jedi as long as you linger out of my way," Vader announces, walking carelessly and rudely past the Jedi Master and Padawan, showing both Force Users that their presences did not concern him. "Now, are you going to attack me, Jedi, or shall we evacuate before more battle droids arrive? Manifestly, I am not an ally to the Trade Federation. You are supposed to be peacekeepers. Assuredly, you wouldn't attack one for sharing different beliefs."
"Your kind have been killing the Jedi for thousands of years before they were purged!" Obi-Wan shouts angrily.
"My kind, Jedi, but am I to blame for things my ancestors do. Must a child be blamed for the crimes of a parent?" Vader counters.
They offer no response to that, for as much as they distaste it, they know he is correct. Still, unquestionably, this Sith would be the one behind this. He can just act as a rescuer to the Queen to receive the position of power. But there is little to no proof of that. If the Jedi does indeed pull an arrest, the Senate would dismiss the case since the lack of evidence and the Naboo will not be exactly pleased with someone who is saving their entourage be arrested. Additionally, they cannot dispatch him as the Naboo would not be pleased if they discovered the Jedi kill who they may very well view as a savior by now. Besides, his aura is beyond powerful so they may not only lose but their lives would be claim.
"Sith commit crimes. Like murder, or manufacturing fraudulent wars to consolidate power. Committing crimes and conquering people is part of your charter as an organization, and the Dark Side is defined as using the Force to perform acts of unnecessary cruelty for personal gain or spite." Qui-Gon counters, scowling at his back. "Such an organization will not change over thousands of years."
"Do not assume you know everything, Jedi," Vader responds brusquely, the Force itself adding extra magnetism to his words. "While other Siths maintain their own aspirations, I for one possess intentions to save this broken galaxy."
Surprise comes across Qui-Gon's face as he can sense the truth in his words. While light side Sith occurred in ancient times, they apparently disappeared during the Cold Wars, all of them being purged. Is it possible a few manage to escape and continue their legacy?
It is simply impossible for the Jedi and Sith to coexist, if the Jedi allow the Sith to still be evil, they are being evil by allowing evil to survive. The Sith will just attempt to destroy the Jedi in the end. The Republic can maintain its security from the Sith with its own military to ensure they don't betray them in the process.
"We should work this out later," Qui-Gon finally yields, furrowing his brows as he stares at Vader and then Obi-Wan, planting his hand on the Jedi Padawan's shoulder to prevent conflict and to prevent him from causing further argument.
"Your negotiations seem to have failed, Ambassador," Sio Bibble observes with a snort.
"The negotiations never took place." Qui-Gon keeps his eyes direct toward the Queen. Her painted face shows nothing. "Your Highness," he continues, "we must make contact with the Republic."
"We can't," Captain Panaka volunteers, stepping forward. "They've knocked out all our communications."
An alarm is being given from somewhere close, and there is the sound of running. Qui-Gon glances toward the street where the battle droids lay.
Before he could have asked, Vader takes the initiative. "Do you possess indispensable transports, Captain? He asks, crossing his arms across his chest.
The Naboo captain nods, quick to see what the Sith intend to do. "In the main hangar. This way."
He led the little group to the end of the alleyway, where they crossed to other passageways and backstreets, encountering no one. They move quickly and silently through the growing sound of alarms and the wicked buzz of STAPs. To their credit, the Naboo did not resist Vader's leadership nor dare to question his appearance. With Panaka and his men newly arm, the Naboo Queen and her companions had a sense of being in control of their own destiny once more and seemed more than ready to take a chance on their rescuers. For some reason, a substantial being such as Darth Vader leading them is more of a comforting thought since none would rather have him opposing them. The battle droids possess fewer odds than they did mere hours ago.
It did not take them long to reach their destination. A series of connected buildings dominate one end of a broad causeway, each one dome and cavernous, the central structures ward by arch entrances and low, flat-walled outbuildings. Battle droids are station everywhere, weapons hold at the ready, but Captain Panaka is able to find an unguarded approach down a narrow corridor between adjoining buildings.
At a side door to the main hangar, Panaka bring the group to a halt. After a quick glance over his shoulder for droids, he unlocks and nudges open the hangar door. With Qui-Gon Jinn press close, he peers inside. A handful of Naboo ships are group at the center of the hangar, sleek gleaming transports, their noses point toward a wide opening in the far wall. Battle droids guards each, position across the entire floor of the hangar to cut off any unseen approach.
Panaka points to a long, low ship on the far side of the hangar with swept-back wings and powerful Headon-5 engines. "The Queen's personal transport," he whispers to the Jedi Master.
Qui-Gon nods. A J-type 327 Nubian. In the distance, the alarms continue to sound their steady wail. "That one will do," he said.
Panaka scans the hangar interior. "The battle droids. There are too many of them."
The Jedi eases back from the door. "That won't be a problem." He faces the Queen. "Your Highness. Under the circumstances, I suggest you come to Coruscant with us."
Vader prompts to remain silent and instead stands besides the fake Queen and her handmaidens. They were willing to protect him when he was younger and he is now willing to should they be spotted and a stray bullet comes for them. The handmaidens lives are more important to him than the guards, and the Jedi can defend themselves. Only Padmé would be the one who he would view as more important than the handmaidens.
The young woman shakes her head, the feathers on her headdress rustling softly. Her white-painted face is calm and her gaze steady. "Thank you, Ambassador, but my place is here with my people."
"I don't think so," Qui-Gon responds, locking eyes. "The Trade Federation has other plans. They will kill you if you stay."
Sio Bibble pushes to the Queen's side. "They wouldn't dare!"
"They need her to sign a treaty to make this invasion of theirs legal!" Captain Panaka points out. "They can't afford to kill her!"
"Just like they could not afford to imprison or kill millions of innocent natives on this planet," Vader speaks up at last. "Don't underestimate the Trade Federation."
The Queen looks from face to face, the barest flicker of uncertainty showing in her eyes.
"The situation here is not what it seems," Qui-Gon presses. "There is something else going on, Your Highness. There is no logic to the Federation's actions. My instincts tell me they will destroy you."
A shadow of real alarm crosses Sio Bibble's face as the Jedi Master finished. His strong features melts slightly. "Your Highness," he said slowly. "Perhaps you should reconsider. Our only hope is for the Senate to take our side in this matter. Senator Palpatine will need your help."
No one sees Vader clenching his hands up into fists at the last part.
Captain Panaka is having none of it. "Getting past their blockade is impossible, Your Highness-even if we were to get off the planet! An escape attempt is too dangerous-"
Vader corrects, "Nothing is impossible with the Force."
"Your Highness, I will stay here and do what I can," Sio Bibble declares, shaking his head at Panaka. "They will have to retain the Council of Governors in order to maintain some semblance of order. But you must leave-"
Queen Amidala brings up her hand sharply to silence the debate. Turning from her governor and head of security and the Jedi as well, she looks suddenly to her handmaidens, who are presse close about her. "Either choice presents great risk to all of us..." she says softly, looking from face to face.
Qui-Gon watches the exchange, puzzle. What is the Queen seeking?
The handmaidens glances at one another, faces barely visible within the confines of red and gold hooded robes. All are silent.
Finally, one spoke. "We are brave, Your Highness," Padmé said firmly.
Through the Force, Vader could sense Sabé's satisfaction at being able to be in charge of Padmé. The handmaidens had always quipped with one another. What is worse is that they always bantered and pranked with Skywalker. Combined, they are worse, Padmé and Sabé, especially.
Alarms continue to sound. "If you are to leave, Your Highness, it must be now," Qui-Gon urges.
Fake Queen Amidala straightens and nods. "So be it. I will plead our case before the Senate." She glances at Sio Bibble. "Be careful, Governor."
She takes the governor's hand briefly, then beckons to three of her handmaidens. Those not chosen begin to cry softly. Fake Amidala embraces them and whispers words of encouragement. Captain Panaka selects two of the four guards to stay behind with Sio Bibble.
Vader knows the feelings between Yané and Saché's romantic affection shall begin to swell on this occupation. After her service as a handmaiden ended, when Padmé steps down from being queen, Yané bought a large house where she intended to take in children who had been displaced by the Occupation. Mariek Panaka had cousins living near the house, whom she volunteered to help Yané with getting the house furnished before she moved in. Saché, with whom she had a very close, romantic relationship would also live in the house with her. Sometime after Padmé began work as a Republic senator, Yané began to foster a set of twins. Additionally, when Padmé stepped down, Saché ran for a seat in the Planetary Legislative Assembly and won. She moved into the house that Yané bought and worked closely with Sio Bibble, who was a friend and mentor to her. She also stayed in touch with Padmé and the other handmaidens. Sometime after Padmé became a Senator, Saché invited her and all of the handmaidens to a dinner party she hosted in the southwest hall in the Naboo royal palace. Only Yané was unable to attend, as she was home taking care of the twins.
Vader didn't have the heart to destroy that relationship. If they do not remain behind on Naboo, their feelings shall not swell. In reality, most of the people in this room deserve happier endings... all except him of course as he had destroyed that honor in having a good life. Child murderer. Butcher of the galaxy. All the titles everyone described him in his time as Dark Lord.
Vader tears out a datapad and hands it over to Sabé. "I had managed to hacked into their key points, their locations, and their plots with Naboo's database."
"How did you do that?" A handmaiden asks, eyes raise in curiosity. The one who asks is Rabé.
"Their intelligence is overly flawed at best. For example, B1 battle droids are less intelligent because they doesn't need to be smart, nor were they designed to be. As a matter of fact, they are originally designed to be coordinated by a Droid Control Ship which would coordinate and direct their strategy, fire patterns, and overall tactical movement." He replies, tipping his head at Qui-Gon Jinn.
The Jedi Master nods, almost as if they are communicating without any means of talking.
The Jedi and the former Sith moves through the side door and into the hangar, leading the way for Jar Jar and the Naboo. "Stay close," Qui-Gon admonishes softly over his shoulder.
Captain Panaka moves next to him, face intense. "We need a pilot for the vessel." He points to where a group of Naboo are being held captive in a corner of the hangar by a squad of battle droids. The insignia on their uniforms indicates a mix of guards, mechanics, and pilots. "There."
"I'll take care of it," Obi-Wan declares, and veers toward the Naboo captives.
'And he said I was reckless! Humph! Where does the idiot believe I get it from?!' Vader couldn't help but rage skittishly in his inner thoughts, remembering all of the times the same man reprimanded him whenever he went headfirst into battle without hesitation.
Without a word, Vader's outward response is a mere tilt of his head, offering no argument with Obi-Wan in perpetuating his plan, though the old man didn't see it. He has an assignment to do and would not quip to his former Master in the other timeline. Besides, he has no plans to form any friendship of any sort with Obi-Wan or Qui-Gon; he would protect them if he must but wish to maintain a distant relationship with them. Their bond must always remain reserved in order for their protection.
Vader, Qui-Gon, and the rest continue on, striding boldly across the hangar floor, moving directly toward the Queen's vessel, ignoring the battle droids who move to intercept them.
Qui-Gon takes note of the fact that the boarding ramp to the transport is lower. More battle droids are closing on them, curious without yet being alarmed. "Don't stop for anything," he warns the Queen, and he reaches beneath his cloak for the lightsaber.
They are barely twenty meters from the Queen's transport when the nearest of the battle droids challenges them, guns drawn but not aim threateningly.
One b1 battle droid commander approaches the former Sith, a squadron of battle droids behind their commander. Vader knows that the droids are meant to be disposable, that they are useless tools just like General Grievous, but still, their outdated designs irritates him. At least General Grievous was a respective warlord before the Jedi was able to analyze him, able to kill mere Masters during the beginning of the war, able to lead battalions of droids. He knows that Dooku and Sidious had to damage Grievous further in order for Grievous not to single-handedly end the war in a week.
Otherwise, Ahsoka and many others would have died at the beginning of her involvement with him during the war.
"Where are you going and who's authorized you taking these prisoners?" it asks in its blank, metallic voice.
There is no indication that Vader would move.
There is no indication that Vader would proceed on an onslaught.
He didn't stiffen, he didn't give any reaction of any type that conveys wariness that most warriors would before attacking. Even the handmaidens or guards who trained endlessly couldn't see anything; they were trained to see blasters being pulled from miles away but not this. Even the Queen who is experienced enough in spotting with sharp eyes could not see this instantaneous attack. Not even the Jedi Master who stands beside him saw him.
A red plasma sprout from his hand. They didn't even realize he had his blasted cylinder lightsaber hilt in his gloved hand.
This is a mere waste of time. And due to his time as a veteran, he knows this would only result in combat.
The droid's head is ejected from its humanoid shoulders in under a second and detach on the ground. The other droids soon face the wrath of the living brute and are dispatch instantaneously. Vader is far more powerful than these insignificant battle droids and the ineptitude of the Trade Federation only adds more to his triumph.
Qui-Gon follows suit, activating his lightsaber as well, and begins dispatching the droids that Vader is utterly disregarding.
More of the battle droids rush to stop the former Sith and Jedi, who stood alone against them as their charges boarded the Nubian vessel. Captain Panaka and the Naboo guards form a protective screen for the Queen and her handmaidens as they hurry up the ramp. Jar Jar Binks clambers after, holding on to his head with his long arms. Laser bolts lance through the hangar from all directions, and new alarms blare wildly.
On the far side of the hangar, Obi-Wan Kenobi launches himself at the battle droids holding the Naboo pilots hostage, cutting into them with ferocious determination. Qui-Gon watches his progress, long hair flying out as he withstood yet another rush from the battle droids attempting to reclaim the Queen's transport, blocking their laser bolts as he fought to hold the boarding ramp. Obi-Wan is running toward him now, a handful of the Naboo in tow. Explosions rises all around them, deadly laser fire burning into metal and flesh. Several of the Naboo went down, but the battle droids are unable to slow the Jedi.
Given who they assume as Sith cutting the battle droids in different forms similar to a Jedi or Sith warlord, it is fairly easy for them to keep watch over the Naboo and to deflect the ever few shots that are sent their directions.
Vader outstretches his hand and tightens it up into a fist, bringing a battalion before him and quickly dispatching them in what the bystanders would see as a red beam.
Qui-Gon backs quickly up the loading ramp and into the transport's dimly lit interior.
In a single rhythm of his saber, Vader ran his crimson lightsaber through four battle droids before flicking his hand and crates flew at a platoon, crushing them immediately. He had little care for how much damage is done to the hanger; this is war, a couple of millions dollars is insignificant next to how many Naboolians' lives were claim. None is able to evade him.
Kenobi Force Pushes five droids against the wall, them destroying upon impact. Positioning himself into an Ataru form, Obi-Wan lunges towards a batch of the battle droids, hacking away at them endlessly. Admittedly, it is an odd scene for Vader since he is so use to his brother utilizing the Soresu form, even after all of these years. Ataru never suit him best. He would have to make a mental note to assure he transit his form on a later date.
Vader is a juggernaut, cutting through battalions rapidly, his lightsaber driven by a startling calm but barbarian movements. Whereas Anakin Skywalker would have been eager and arrogant and outright cocky, Vader had witness underestimating odds beforehand; the Phoenix Cell escaping him and the Devastation of Kashyyyk being evidence of that.
The Headon-5 engines are firing even before the Jedi Master reach the main cabin and flung himself into a chair. Laser fire hammers at the sides of the sleek craft, but it is already beginning to move forward. The pilot sits hunches forward over the controls, his weathered face intense, a sheen of sweat beading his forehead, hands steady on the controls.
"Hold on," he said.
Reinforcements are storming down to the hangers, and Vader continues to mow down the battle droids in the hanger, a demonstration of a brute all together.
The Jedi Padawan races onboard, seeing their Sith ally can handle this, deactivating his lightsaber.
Shortly, two battle droids remain, firing at Vader and prompting him to raise his hand, throwing the blaster bolts to the side. A singular flick of his lightsaber disengages the left battle droid, and as the last battle droid fires, he simply deactivates his lightsaber, plants his lightsaber on his belt, and outstretch his hand, removes his leather, and blue tentacles of lightning suddenly retract from his left hand. The droid suddenly yelp in what is undoubtedly machinery's agony as Vader's blue tentacles of lightning pierces through the battle droid. The droid begins to disintegrate and is black charrs in under seconds.
Through the Force, he can sense shock from the passengers on the Nubian, and admittedly, he too is taken aback. He had known being one with the Force had granted him much power; the power that has been stripped from him when he'd lost to Obi-Wan on Mustafar. As a result of having artificial arms, Vader would never be able to conjure Sith lightning-nor be invulnerable to it and other such abilities. The second school, or focus, the Body, encompasses those abilities that draw from the living Force. They emanate from one own cell and affect the physical structures of others. For this reason, any cyborg limb or enhancement will hinder one ability to conjure the effects of the Body.
Vader was physically incapable of using it due to the lack of organic limbs. Moreover, he had taught such abilities to Galen by Sith Holocrons. Those lessons most likely rub off of him. Theoretically, the Force itself has welcomed its protege the attributes due to being one who truly touched different and unique sides of the Force. Vader isn't conclusive of that sentiment but it is the preeminent theory he could come up with at that moment.
Elegantly fixing his cape which fallen out of place and over his chest piece, Vader hides his arms inwards and steps on board, the ramp closing behind him, the cloak concealing his hilt. He immediately catch the deadpanned faces of Kenobi and Jinn. He'd forgotten how limited the Jedi trained their students in the way of the Force as they believe going so far as even studying the dark leads down the path of the dark side.
"H-how?"
Vader smirks, wishing he could see his brother's face from the great beyond, but for now, Obi-Wan of this time will suffice. Well, Obi-Wan always said he is exasperating.
If Vader does say so himself, he honestly is.
"I have touched the light side and the dark side, Jedi. Your Council refuses to allow for one to touch the dark side and shuns it, resulting in them failing themselves. The nerve of your Council claiming they know the true meaning of the Force astonishes me." Vader thunders composedly, actually hoping for a meeting with the Jedi Council. Their arrogance holds no bounds. The only one who shall be spare so far of his berating wrath at least at the moment is Qui-Gon Jinn. "Now step aside. We have other resolutions to be trivial with. And when you do contact your Jedi Council, tell them I shall grant an audience on the condition that I am not to be restrained."
"You-" Obi-Wan opens his mouth to argue but stop himself, "is willing to answer questions of the Jedi Council willingly?"
"Correct," Vader responds, grinning at the surprise expression across both Jedi's faces. "It's time for any misunderstandings to be amended. Knowing your Council, they wish to arrest me."
Obi-Wan scowls at his apprentice from another time. "The dark side is a poison. It will corrupt all of its wielders."
"Says you, cryptic Jedi," Vader replies, rolling his eyes. He'd always teased his brother by calling him beyond cryptic back in the afterlife. It is a hobby after all.
"I am hardly cryptic," Obi-Wan replies grimly.
Vader hums.
The Nubian shot through the hangar doors, ripping past battle droids and laser fire, lifting away from the city of Theed into the blue, sunlit sky. The planet of Naboo is left behind in seconds, the ship rising into the darkness of space, arcing toward a suddenly visible cluster of Trade Federation battleships blocking its way.
"Ric Olic," the other announces with a quick glance up at the Jedi. "Thanks for helping out back there."
Qui-Gon nods. "Better save your thanks until we deal with what's up here."
The pilot gives him a rakish grin. "Copy that. What do we do about these big boys? Our communications are still jammed."
"We're past the point of talking. Just keep the ship on course." Qui-Gon turns to Obi-Wan. "Make sure everyone is settled safely in place." His eyes move to where Jar Jar Binks is already up and poking about.
The younger Jedi moves quickly to take the Gungan in hand, propelling him forcibly through the main cabin door and into the entryway beyond. Ignoring Jar Jar's protests, he glances about for somewhere to stash the bothersome creature. Catching sight of a low, cramping sentry with the words Astromech droids letters above, he releases the retaining latch and shoves the Gungan inside.
"Stay here," he directs with a meaningful look. "And keep out of trouble."
Jar Jar Binks watches the door close behind him, then glanced around. A line of five R2 astromech droids stands against one wall, short, dome-topped, all-purpose mechanics painted different colors, their lights off, their engines quiet. Five identical units, each stout body positioned between two sturdy restraint arms, they gave no indication of being aware of him. The Gungan ambles along in front of them, waiting to be noticed.
'Maybe they weren't activated,' he thought. 'Maybe they aren't even alive.'
"Heydey ho, yous," he tries, hands gesturing. "Tis a long trip somewheres, hey?"
No response. Jar Jar taps the closest R2 unit, a bright red droid, on the head. The tap makes a hollow sound, and the head pops up a notch from the cylindrical body.
"Whoa!" Jar Jar said, surprise.
He glances around, wondering why the Jedi had put him down here when everyone else is up there.
'Nothing much to do down here,' he thought disconsolately. 'Nothing much happening.'
Curious, he grips the red droid's head and lifts gently. "Dis opens?" he whispers. He lifts some more. Something caught. He yanks hard. "Dis... ooops!"
The head lifts right out of its seating. Springs and wires pops out in a tangle mess. Jar Jar quickly jams the red droid's head back into place, easing his three-fingered hands away cautiously.
"Oh, oh, oh," Jar Jar murmurs, glancing about to make sure no one had seen, hugging himself worriedly.
He moves down the line of droids, still looking for something to occupy his time. He didn't want to be in this room, but he doesn't think he should try to leave, either. The younger Jedi, the one who had stuck him in here, didn't like him much as it is. The Jedi would like him a whole lot less if he caught Jar Jar sneaking out of this room.
Explosions sounded close by the transport. Cannon fire. The ship rocks in response to a series of near misses. Jar Jar looks about wildly, suddenly not liking where he was at all. Then the running lights begin to flicker, and the transport shook violently. Jar Jar moans, and crouches down in a corner. More explosions sounds, and the craft is buffeted from side to side.
"We doomed," the frightened Gungan mutters. "Tis bad'. business, dis."
Abruptly the ship begin to spin as if caught in a whirlpool. Jar Jar cries out, fastening his arms about a strut to keep from being thrown against the walls. The lights in the compartment all came on, and the droids are abruptly activated. One by one, they begins to whir and beep. Release from their restraints, they rolls out of their racks toward an airlock at one end of the compartment-all but the red R2, who rolls directly into a wall and fell over, more parts tumbling out.
The R2 unit painted blue pauses as it motor by its red counterpart, then charges past Jar Jar, giving out a loud screech that caused the Gungan to jerk away in fright.
One after another, the four R2 units enters the airlock lift and are suck up toward the top of the ship.
Left behind in the storage compartment with the droid he had unwittingly sabotage, Jar Jar Binks moans in despair.
Vader knows that none of the R2 units would secede past his R2. R2 is very loyal and courageous, and though he is not designed for combat, he is not afraid to fight when the situation demanded it. When forced into combat, R2 held his own by using his wide variety of mechanical features to serve as weapons, such as using oil to blind his opponents or make them slip, shocking them with his shock prod, tying them up in a cable, or simply bashing into them.
Despite tempted to help the crew, he had known they must crash on Tatooine. His younger self must be trained in the ways of the Jedi, but differently; by Jinn, not Kenobi.
He makes a mental note that he will assist them shortly when he feels there is enough damage to this ship.
Besides, a childish part of Vader wants to see how his younger self talking as he could only remember blabbering away at his angel.
Obi-Wan Kenobi re-enters the transport's cockpit when explosions begin to buffet the ship. He can see a huge Trade Federation battleship looming ahead through the viewport, cannons firing. The Queen's transport is rock so violently by the blasts that it is thrown from its trajectory. Ric Olie's glove hands are lock onto the steering grips, fighting to bring the slender craft back into line.
Vader approaches the cockpit, his composer in a calm state, almost as calm as the Jedi. Qui-Gon is admittedly surprised at how calm he is, due to the Sith being the ones who usually acted on their arrogance and impatience in recent history.
"We should abort, sir!" the pilot shouts at Vader, who is braced at his side, eyes fixed on the battleship. "Our deflector shields can't withstand much more of this!"
"Remain on course," the former Sith orders calmly.
Jinn glances down at the controls. "Do you have a cloaking device?" The Jedi Master asks.
"This is not a warship!" Captain Panaka snaps, looking angry and betrayed. "We have no weapons, Ambassador! We're a nonviolent people, which is why the Trade Federation was brave enough to attack us in the first place!"
A series of explosions jars the Nubian, and the lights on the control panel flickers weakly. An alarm sounds, shrill and angry. The transport shudders, its power drive stalling momentarily in a high-pitched whine.
"No weapons," Qui-Gon Jinn breathes. Obi-Wan is next to him, feeling the weight of the other's gaze as it shifts to find him, steady and unwavering. One hand settles on Ric Olie's shoulder.
"The Trade Federation utilizes Pulser tracking for its armaments. Rotate the ship. It will make it laborious for them to get an interpretation on us." Vader adds exactly what's on Qui-Gon's mind though in a much different speech pattern. It is obvious he is experienced in these types of life-threatening situations.
The pilot nods, flips a series of levers, and puts the Nubian into a slow spin. Ahead, the battleship fills the viewport, then lost focus. The Queen's transport accelerates, racing toward the enemy craft, whipping past towers and gunports, bays and stabilizers, speeding down an alleyway of jagged metal protrusions and cannon fire. A laser bolt hammers into them, causing sparks and smoke to explode from one panel, sending the ship reeling. For a brief moment, they are tumbling out of control. Then Ric Olie pulls back hard on the controls, and the hull of the battleship recedes.
"Something's wrong," the pilot announces quietly, fighting the steering, feeling the ship shudder beneath. "Shields are down!"
They continue to spin, to hug the cavernous shell of the Trade Federation battleship, so close that the larger guns were rendered useless and only the smaller could chance firing at them. But without shields, even a glancing hit could be disastrous.
"Sending out the repair crew!" Olie shouts, and flips a lever.
On the viewscreen, an airlock snap open, and one by one a series of astromech droids pops out of the hatch and onto the transport's hull. The transport straightens and levels out, and the spinning stopped. The droids motors swiftly across the hull, seeking out the damage as Ric Olie hugs the battleship's shadow in an effort to protect them.
But now there is a new threat. Unable to bring the weapons of their warship to bear in an effective manner, the Trade Federation command dispatches a squad of starfighters. Small, sleek, robot attack ships, they consists of twin compartments attached to a rounded, swept-back head. As they roar out of the battleship bays, their compartments opens into long slits that exposes their laser guns. Down the length of the mother ship they tore, seeking out the Queen's transport. Fast and maneuverable, they have no trouble working close to the battleship's hull. In seconds, they are on top of the transport, weapons firing. Ric Olie struggles to find cover and gain speed. Two of the R2 units are blow away, one on a direct hit, the second when its hold on the transport hull is shatter.
On the viewscreen, the blue R2 unit can be seen working furiously to connect a series of wires exposed by a damaged hull plate. Laser fire lances all around it, but it continue its effort without stopping. The fourth droid, working close by, disappears in a cloud of shattered metal and brilliant fire.
Now only the blue unit remain, still busy amid the onslaught of Trade Federation starfighters. Behind him, Vader stares out the starport that is racked with explosions, closing his eyes and reaching into battle meditation.
Battle meditation is the ability to use the Force to coordinate allies and even entire fleets of ships, allowing them to perform at maximum efficiency, acting as a single entity with the ability to counter every enemy move quickly and effectively. Though ideal for meditating large-scale conflicts, battle meditation is also effective when employed for the benefit of one's comrades in small skirmishes, attacks, and duels. It can also be appropriate to simultaneously demoralize the opponents, reducing their combat effectiveness. Battle meditation is use to influence armies and fleets to win battles and even wars.
While he was Emperor, Palpatine actually used a persistent form of battle meditation that stretched the galaxy. His forces were so effective because he was giving them all enhanced abilities. However, when he died at Endor, his forces fell apart and reverted to ensign level abilities because they had lost their contact with Sidious.
He boosts the morale of the pilot, those who were fighting back, the handmaidens, Padmé, and even the Jedi. More droids ships are being blasted out of the sky or obliterated on the spot. The ones who are doing it aren't even certain how they receive a sudden boost in morality, but they didn't question it.
Something changes on the cockpit display, and Ric Olie gives a shout of approval. "The shields are up! That little droid did it!" He jams the thrusters all the way forward, and the transport rocketed away from both the battleship and the starfighters, leaving the Trade Federation blockade and the planet of Naboo behind.
The lone R2 unit turns and motors back into the airlock and disappears from view.
At those words, Vader opens his eyes and allows the meditation that he had influenced over all on board to cease and allows them to handle the rest.
Obi-Wan approaches his Master, disturb. "Master, I suddenly felt the Sith's Force Presence against my own."
"I have reason to believe he used Battle Meditation." Qui-Gon answers. He had used the ability himself before, but Vader's own is much more powerful than his. "A dutiful ability for certain."
When they were well away from any Trade Federation presence, Ric Olie makes a thorough check of the controls, assessing their damage, trying to determine what was needed. Obi-Wan sits next to him in the copilot's seat, lending help. Qui-Gon and Captain Panaka stands behind them, awaiting their report. The Queen and the rest of the Naboo had been secured in other chambers.
Ric Olie shakes his head doubtfully. "We can't go far. The hyperdrive is leaking."
Qui-Gon Jinn nods. "We'll have to land somewhere to make repairs to the ship. What's out there?"
Ric Olie punches in a star chart, and they hunch over the monitor, studying it.
"Here, Master," Obi-Wan said, his sharp eyes picking out the only choice that made any sense. "Tatooine. It's small, poor, and out of the way. It attracts little attention. The Trade Federation has no presence there."
"How can you be sure?" Captain Panaka asks quickly.
Qui-Gon glances at him. "It's controlled by the Hutts."
Panaka started in alarm. "The Hutts?"
"It's risky," Obi-Wan agrees, "but there's no reasonable alternative."
Captain Panaka is not convinced. "You can't take Her Royal Highness there! The Hutts are gangsters and slavers! If they discovered who she was-"
"It would be no different than if we landed on a planet in a system controlled by the Trade Federation," Qui-Gon interrupts, "except the Hutts aren't looking for the Queen, which gives us an advantage."
The Queen's head of security starts to say something more, then thought better of it. He takes a deep breath instead, frustration etched on his smooth, dark face, and turn away.
Qui-Gon Jinn taps Ric Olic on the shoulder. "Set course for Tatooine."
Panaka glares at Jinn for a moment before turning and storming off, undoubtedly to inform the Queen of these revelations.
Jinn sighs before following closely behind.
Aboard the Queen's transport, the Jedi stood with Captain Panaka and the remaining R2 unit as the captain gave his report to the Queen on the events surrounding their escape through the Trade Federation blockade. Sabé sits surrounded by her three handmaidens, white face framed by the black headdress, dark eyes steady, listening as the captain concluded.
"We are lucky to have this one in our service, Your Highness." Panaka glances down at the blue-domed astromech droid. "It is an extremely well put together little droid. Without a doubt, it saved the ship back there, not to mention our lives."
Sabé nods, eyes shifting to the droid. "It is to be commended. What is its number?"
The little blue droid, lights blinking on and off as it processes the conversation, gave a series of small beeps and tweets. Captain Panaka reaches down and scrapes a large smudge off the droid's metal shell, then straightens.
"Artoo-Detoo, Your Highness."
Sabé leans forward, and a slender white hand came out to touch the droid's domed casing. She had always love droids. "Thank you, Artoo-Detoo. You have proven both loyal and brave." She glances over her shoulder. "Padmé."
One of her handmaidens, the real Queen, come forward. Qui-Gon Jinn, listening to the exchange with half an ear as he considers the problems that lay ahead on Tatooine, notices it is the young woman who had supported the Queen's decision to escape from Naboo. He frowns. Except, it hadn't been exactly like that...
"See to the cleaning up of this little droid." The fake Queen is speaking to the girl, a smirk on her lips. Qui-Gon can sense there is a connection between the fake Queen and her fake handmaiden. "It deserves our gratitude." She turns back to Panaka. "Please continue with your report, Captain."
Panaka glances uncomfortably at the Jedi Knights. "Your Highness, we are heading for a remote planet called Tatooine." He pauses, unwilling to speak further on the matter.
"It is a system far beyond the reach of the Trade Federation." Qui-Gon steps into the gap smoothly. "Once there, we will be able to make needed repairs to the ship, then to travel on to Coruscant and complete our journey."
"Your Highness," Captain Panaka said quickly, regaining his thoughts on the matter. "Tatooine is very dangerous. It's controlled by the Hutts. The Hutts are gangsters and slavers. I do not agree with the Jedi on their decision to land there."
The Queen looks at Qui-Gon. The Jedi did not waver. "You must trust my judgment, Your Highness."
"Must I?" Sabé asks quietly. She shifts her gaze to her handmaidens, ending with Padmé. The girl has not moved from the Queen's side but seems to remember suddenly she had been given a task to complete. She nods briefly to the Queen and moved to take R2-D2 in hand. Sabé looks back at Qui-Gon Jinn. "We are in your hands," she advises, and the matter is settled.
As the humans disembark, Sabé couldn't help but wonder who Vader is. She had read much into the history of the Jedi and he is immensely aggressive for a Jedi.
She stares at Padawan-what was his name again? Right! Right! Obi-Wan Kenobi!
"Padawan," the fake Queen calls out, provoking Kenobi in stopping and approaching the middle of the Queen's Chambers. "What do you think of Darth Vader?"
"I view him as a potential threat that should be watched closely." Kenobi declares, his voice cool.
"I see," the Queen replies somewhat darkly, at odds rather if she should heed the Padawan's warning or if she should trust the mysterious individual. She had read much into the Jedi in ancient history and knew that they had once had an enemy that threatens the Order to near extinction on multiple occasions.
"Thank you for your moment of time, Padawan Kenobi." she dismisses after a minute.
Nodding, the Jedi Padawan walks out, leaving Sabé to frown and place her hand on her chin in deep thought. While certainly quiet and careless of anyone else, Vader saved their lives, and apparently managed to acquire control of half of the Trade Federation's battlefronts.
She sighs slightly before turning to one of her handmaidens. She knows that it is not right to cast her own judgment onto him before hearing him out. He had placed his life at risk back on Naboo so they could be able to escape and continues to serve the people of the Naboo loyally.
"Summon Vader..."
In a remote conference room on the Trade Federation's flagship, Nute Gunray and Rune Haako sits side by side at a long table, staring nervously at a hologram of Darth Sidious positioned at the table's head. The hologram shimmers with the movements of the Sith Lord's dark cloak, a patchwork of small nuances that the Neimoidians found themselves unable to read.
The Sith Lord had not been summoned. The Neimoidians would have been happy if he had chosen not to communicate with them at all this day. But in keeping with the way he always seemed to sense when things were not going right, he had appeared on his own. Demanding a report on the progress of the invasion, he had settled back to listen to Nute Gunray's narrative and had said nothing since.
"We control all the cities in the northern and western part of the Naboo territory," the viceroy is relating, "and we are searching for any other settlements where resistance-"
"Yes, yes," Darth Sidious interrupts suddenly, his soft voice vaguely impatient. "You've done well. Now, then. Destroy all their high-ranking officials. Do so quietly, but be thorough." He paused. "What of Queen Amidala? Has she signed the treaty?"
Nute Gunray takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "She has disappeared, my lord. There was an escape-"
"An escape?" The Sith Lord spoke the words in a low hiss.
"One Naboo cruiser got past the blockade-"
"How did she escape, Viceroy?"
Nute Gunray looks at Rune Haako for help, but his counterpart is paralyzed with fear. "The Jedi, my lord. They found their way to her, overpowered her guards..."
Darth Sidious stirs within his robes like a big cat, shadows glimmering within the confines of his concealing hood. "Viceroy, find her! I want that treaty signed!"
"My lord, we have been unable to locate the ship she escaped on," the Neimoidian admits, wishing he could sink into the floor right then and there.
"Viceroy!"
"Once it got by us, we tried to give pursuit, but it managed to elude us! Now it's out of our range-"
A wave of one robed arm cut him short. "Not for a Sith, it isn't," the other whispers.
Something shimmers in the background of the hologram, and a figure emerges from the darkness behind Darth Sidious. Nute Gunray froze. It is a second Sith Lord. But whereas Darth Sidious was a vague and shadowy presence, this new Sith is truly terrifying to look upon. His face is a mask of jagged red and black patterns, the design etched into his skin, and his skull is hairless and studded with a crown of short, hook horns. Gleaming yellow eyes fixate on the Neimoidians, breaking past their defenses, stripping them bare, and dismissing them as insignificant and foolish.
"Viceroy," Darth Sidious spoke softly in the sudden silence, "this is my apprentice, Lord Maul. He will find your lost ship."
Nute Gunray inclines his head slightly in acknowledgment, averting his eyes from the frightening presence. "Yes, my lord."
The hologram shimmers and disappears, leaving the conference room empty of sound. The Neimoidians sits without moving, without even looking at each other, reptilian eyes fix, on the space the hologram had occupied.
"This is getting out of hand," Nute Gunray ventures finally, his voice high and tight, thinking that their plans for sabotaging the trade-routes tax did not contemplate risking their lives in the process.
Rune Haako manages a quick nod. "We should not have made this bargain. What will happen when the Jedi become aware that we are doing business with these Sith Lords?"
Nute Gunray, his hands clasp tightly before him, did not care to venture an answer.