Chapter 4: The Trap
Notes: All right, three shameless plugs coming up. First, go read Twinsabers! You'll find a lot of this stuff more enjoyable if you get both sides of the story. Also, go read One who Muses and Reincarnation, both Moulin Rouge fics that I need constructive criticisms on. All right, on with the ficcy!
Hotaru and Fae hit the ground running – literally. The ominous buzzing of droid STAPs drew closer, drowning out the high whine of laser fire as the Shield Dodger blasted its escape rout clear. Moments before, the two Jedi had braved a suicidal run through the Federation blockade in the little red ship, piloted by a slightly crazy Jedi master and her only slightly less crazy Padawan; now they faced a slew of battle druids gunning to kill them first and ask questions never.
"I'm guessing those negotiations went over pretty badly," Fae noted over the din as she ignited her emerald-green saber.
"Worse than we first suspected," Hotaru replied with grim humor as she switched on her own violet-hued blade.
There was little room for banter as the STAPs closed in. They flattened Naboo's plush long grass as they buzzed overhead, high-powered blaster cannons firing ceaselessly. Even with their energy sabers turned up to full intensity, the two Jedi felt painful, jarring vibrations with each blaster shot they blocked. The strange hovering contraptions were not only lethal, but speedy; there were enough of them to completely surround the two Jedi within moments.
The pair would have most likely been completely overwhelmed if not for a little outside assistance. One of the five STAPs exploded brilliantly as a high-energy beam from a hand-held blaster struck its front. The other four momentarily turned, distracted, and that was Hotaru's cue to fling her lightsaber in a glittering arc, slicing two of the STAPs in half. Then it was the work of only a moment for the two Jedi and their unknown aid to destroy the remaining two enemies.
As the last spectacular explosion faded from view, the mysterious rescuer approached. He was a man of medim build and unknown age – though his hair was stark white and his features were deeply lined, his eyes were sharp and clear and he had the posture of a youth. He sat astride what looked like a shaved tauntaun. "Hello," he called, waving his right had, still clutched around a heavy assault rifle. "You looked like you needed some help!"
"We're very grateful," Hotaru replied as she and Fae bowed respectfully.
"Lady Faemir told me you'd be coming, and that you needed safe passage into Theed."
Fae eyed the man, searching for any hints of bad intentions, but she found none. "Yes, we do."
"Well, it's short notice – Faemir only told me a few minutes before I came to help you – but seeing as she's one of my best customers, I'll help you out." He tilted his head to one side and smiled broadly. "Besides, 'd like to see these damn Federation-types get what's coming to them. They're bad for business!"
"How are we going to get into Theed?" Hotaru asked. "I'm sure they've set up scanners to detect unauthorized vehicles entering the city, and it'll take far too long to walk."
"Aye, their scanners pick up mechanics even all the way out here! However, we're gonna travel as fast as a speeder, straight into that city, and they won't even know it."
"How?"
The man gave a great laugh and patted the neck of his mount. "Why, we're gonna ride these beasts, of course!" He put two fingers to his lips and gave a long, sharp whistle, and two more shaven tauntauns ran over the ridge. Both were saddled and geared for travel.
"I've never ridden before," Hotaru said nervously, eyeing the two snorting creatures.
"It's easy," the man replied. "Aquel gave me orders to set you two up on her most gentle animals. I use these two boys for giving lessons to little kids, so you'll have no trouble commanding them."
"Are they fast enough?" Fae asked skeptically. "The ones I read abut on Hoth are pretty slow runners."
"These are the short-haired variety, a breed that evolved on warm-climate planets," the man replied. "They're much swifter than your long-hairs. These two are also boys, which makes them a bit speedier than the females."
"Well, if you say so," Hotaru sighed. First a mad dash through a deadly blockade, and now a trail ride on a tauntaun… when would it end? "We'd better get going then. Are you coming along, Mr…"
"Tayro," the man replied with a grin. "Herson Tayro. Of course I'm coming along. I want a piece of the action, too!"
Tayro helped the two Jedi onto their mounts and the trio set off for the heavily-guarded capital city of Theed. On the opposite side of the planet, two other Jedi and a gungan were heading directly for the same city…
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Jennria Jadarian walked quietly into the senate chamber and stood just inside the doorway, listening intently. She had pulled her drab brown hood over her black curls to better blend in with the surrounding stonework, effectively hiding herself from view. She watched two senators in particular with great intensity: the Naboo senator, Palpatine, and the Supreme Chancellor Valorum. She sized each man up, preparing how best to go about her task…
The time was not yet ripe for her to move on her instructions, but when that time came, Jenn knew she would be breaking the rules. She wasn't at all hesitant or fearful – fear was not an emotion that came easily to the newly-made knight. She just didn't want to get caught. Perhaps the Jedi council would forgive her when she explained what she had been trying to accomplish, but the Senate certainly would not, and she would never get her job done.
So the green-eyed knight watched and waited, like a hawkbat looking for the perfect opportunity to strike…
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The Seven were all assembled. As Hotaru and Fae corssed the grassland expanses towards the city of Theed, Aquel piloted Malarow, Aleena, Obsessive, and Blade towards the desert planet of Tatooine. Jennria was alone on Coruscant, setting into motion the political events that would have more of an impact on the galaxy than anything else that was yet to come.
And sleeping in the cells of a lonely little slave boy and a young queen in distress were the genes that would eventually create the galaxy's salvation…