For my purposes, Qui-Gon Jinn was an ideal Master. He saw no need to be tied to Jedi Council policies… or any sort of basic ethics, for that matter. As long as I was following the "will of the Living Force," he essentially made no attempt to control my behavior. And he was an excellent instructor in Force powers and swordsmanship.
But as an ambassador? I couldn't imagine why you'd sent Qui-Gon into any situation you didn't expect would eventually involve cutting your way out of. I was starting to understand this wasn't unusual among Jedi, either. They really were very much like Earth's medieval knights, in that the main skill they brought to the table was the implicit threat of force. That could occasionally also use mind control.
With the Republic having been sending out the Jedi as psychic thugs for centuries, I was starting to understand how the galaxy had ended up with Darth Vader. The eventual use of Anakin Skywalker (by whom? I couldn't remember) as a galactic bully was really just an extension of the existing process.
Okay, so obviously Vader was willing to carry out atrocities that no Jedi Knight or Master would consider. But the systems of control were set up well in advance of him, even if he was the first to so egregiously abuse them.
These thoughts passed through my head in great rapidity as Qui-Gon addressed a holo of Chancellor Valorum in the audience room of the Queen of Naboo. The queen herself (ruler of the human colonists, not the far more numerous and native Gungans) attended to the call, as did numerous handmaidens (decoys, I knew) and an older advisor.
"You're certain an invasion is imminent?" the Chancellor pressed.
"Our most recent message from the fleet in orbit promised exactly that, should we not voluntarily submit," the Queen said, her elaborate outfit ensuring that barely any visible expression accompanied the strong emotional outpourings I felt from her.
"We saw more than enough evidence of troop deployment ships in orbit," my Master agreed. "They have a droid army here. There is no question what they intend."
"Ah, I see." I could sense no emotion from the holo, although I knew powerful Masters like Yoda or Windu could do so. "This must be taken to the Senate at once. Queen Amidala, would you -"
"Excuse me, Chancellor. Your majesty." I could feel my Master's irritation as I stepped between the holo and the throne. I waited just a moment to see if anyone would voice their objection.
"Chancellor, do you remember my request when we met to carry out this mission?"
"Of course, mister Kenobi."
"And would you not agree that the conditions I specified have been met?"
I felt grudging agreement from Qui-Gon even as the holo responded. "... yes. They have, in fact."
"Then, Chancellor, are you willing to appoint the committee and send them immediately?"
He looked flustered. "I would, of course, but finding agreeable personnel - "
"That has been seen to. Please contact Master Adi Gallia. She has agreed to accompany the committee. Eight qualified judicial observers from differing planets, including Bool Durd of Nemoidia. They have all been briefed and are standing by for your authorization. Will they have it, sir?"
"Of… of course." The Chancellor looked at something nearby that we couldn't see. "But again, Queen Amidala, I must ask you to make haste in personally presenting your plight to the Senate. It can be very difficult to get a consensus on any issue, and someone speaking with the full authority of Naboo might make the difference."
"Chancellor, you have my thanks for your help, but it may not be possible for me to leave my people if they will soon face direct attack. We are peaceful; we are not equipped to combat such a massive force as we see mounted before us." Despite the stiffness in her tone, Amidala's pronouncement was undeniably regal.
"Which is why you need the Republic to intervene. My apologies, but I am needed elsewhere. My wishes for your safety." The image collapsed on itself and was gone.
"Is this why you have been neglecting your training, young Padawan?" my Master murmured. "Playing at galactic politics?"
"Not entirely master. The peggats took a lot more time, in fact."
"The what?"
"You'll see," I whispered.
"... going into hiding elsewhere while my people are in danger!" the Queen finished responding to her adviser.
The holo flickered on, showing the upper body of a Nabooan secretary. "Your majesty, Captain Dofine of the Federation Trade Fleet demands to speak with you directly."
"A calculated insult," the adviser replied. "We know Viceroy Gunray himself is with the fleet. You should agree to speak only with him."
"That is no longer the case, I'm afraid," Qui-Gon added, gaining the attention of the court. He managed not to look toward me, for which I was grateful. "The Viceroy and his lieutenant were killed, in the same incident that prompted us to escape to the surface." He nodded toward the secretary's image. "Captain Dofine may very well be the ranking man in orbit."
"I will certainly wish to hear more of these… negotiations… very soon," the Queen replied. "Put him through."
The image of a Nemoidian, younger and smaller than those we encountered in the meeting room and with a far less impressive hat, appeared in place of the secretary.
"Captain Dofine, this is Queen Amidala of Naboo," she began without hesitation. "We protest your unlawful blockade in the strongest terms, and demand you leave our sovereign space immediately."
"You are in no position to be making demands, your majesty," the captain replied, his voice gurgling deeply. "But I will now make one of my own. You have a pair of human assassins in your midst, masquerading as ambassadors. You will turn Silmar Rillion and Aka Labeth over to us at once. Failure to do so will be seen as your tacit acceptance of their heinous crimes - and will be seen as an act of war against the Trade Federation."
The holo collapsed as quickly as it started, and all Nabooan eyes in the room turned to my Master, who turned to me.
Representatives of the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic had, without apparent provocation, killed the Viceroy of the Trade Federation under flag of truce.
I had given the droid army a legitimate reason to invade.