In The Shadows Book 1: Jedi Uprising
Disclaimer: Star Wars belongs to George Lucas and so do all his characters. Any characters created by Jude Watson and Dave Wolverton belong to them + any characters I created belong to me.
I am making no money off of this and I hope you enjoy this exciting adventure.
Author note 1: I would like to thank my three beta readers for the time and energy they put in to check my fic over and offer advice. I also would like to thank those who supported me in the writing of this first episode.
Author note 2: If you would like to be pmed when there are updates and/or for future episode updates then please let me know so that I can add you to my list.
Author note 3/bond/ means talking through bond. Italics mean dreams, visions, and/or thoughts.
What if the Sith won the Great Sith war?
Sidious and Maul bowed their heads, then slowly lifted them and looked toward Darth Bane. They stood up, straight and erect, and waited patiently.
What if the blockade was the doing of the Jedi?
"Master Jedi," Nute Gunray began. "Queen Misika wishes to speak to you."
What if the Sith got to the Chosen One first?
Maul returned with a gleeful crooked smile. "The boy has a midi-chlorian count over twenty thousand." /Master, is it possible that he is the Chosen One/
What if……
/Release the destroyer droids./
"Who are you?" Anakin demanded suspiciously as he held the spoon ready to defend himself.
"It's the only way to do this." Garen answered calmly.
"I am Nemiraa, apprentice to Darth Milter. I have heard some interesting things about you," she told him.
Qui-Gon chuckled. "Your padawan is growing up and you won't be able to keep him out of trouble forever."
"I am your padawan no longer. You may address me as Darth Redav," Obi-Wan replied coldly.
Maul cackled softly and looked at the anguished stricken padawan. "One down, one more to go. Prepare to die, Jedi, and follow your Master."
In The Shadows Book 1: Jedi Uprising
Should they resist—destroy them.
Dramatis personae
Jedi:
Yoda - Jedi Master. Head of the Jedi Council.
Dooku - Jedi Master. Former Master to Qui-Gon and former padawan to Yoda.
Renton R'lya - Jedi Master. Garen's Master.
Qui-Gon Jinn - Jedi Master. Obi-Wan's Master.
Xanatos Crion Ortinc - Jedi Knight. Bruck's Master. Former padawan of Qui-Gon.
Obi-Wan Kenobi - Jedi padawan. Qui-Gon's padawan.
Garen Muln - Jedi padawan. Renton R'lya's padawan.
Bruck Chun - Jedi Padawan. Xanatos' padawan.
Kenshin - Jedi initiate.
Sith:
Darth Bane - Sith Master. Head of the Sith council.
Darth Sidious - Maul's Master.
Darth Maul - Sidious' apprentice.
Darth Cralash - Sith Master. Sits on the Sith Council. (Human male)
Nemiraa - Apprentice to Darth Milter.
Darth Milter - Sith Master. Sits on the Sith Council. Master of Nemiraa
Darth Runder - Sith Master. Sits on the Sith Council. (Human male)
Darth Secrenosh - Sith Master. Sits on the Sith Council. (Human male)
Darth Meltric - Sith Master. Sits on the Sith Council. (Human male)
Darth Meshan - Sith Master. Sits on the Sith Council. (Human male)
Darth Mishane - Sith Master. Sits on the Sith Council. (Human female)
Darth Ronok - Sith Master. Sits on the Sith Council. (Human male)
Darth Ribeous - Sith Master. Sits on the Sith Council. (Human male)
Darth Milter - Sith Master Sits. on the Sith Council. (Human male)
Darth Fraunel - Sith Master Sits. on the Sith Council. (Human female)
Darth Torsine - Dead Sith Master
Other:
Queen Misika - Queen of Naboo.
Sio Bibble - Governor.
Nute Gunray - Viceroy of the Trade Federation.
Panaka - Chief of security.
Queen Amidala - Future Queen of Naboo
Sabe - Queen Amidala's handmaiden.
Watto - Owner of Shmi and Anakin
Shmi Skywalker - Anakin's mother
Anakin Skywalker - Shmi's son.
Jar Jar Binks - General and the Jedis' contact.
Boss Nass - Leader of the Gungans.
Places:
Coruscant - Capital planet. Inner rim planet.
Naboo - In the outer rim.
Theed - Capital of Naboo.
Geonosis - Planet in the outer rim.
Otoh Gunga - Gungan city
Tatooine - In the Outer Rim.
Mos Espa - A town of Tatooine.
Chapter 1
Striding into the council room, Darth Sidious and Darth Maul took their place in the middle of the semicircle of eleven council members. Darth Bane sat in the middle of the semicircle of councilors. On the Head of the Council's right Maul recognized Darth Cralash, Darth Runder, Darth Secrenosh, Darth Meltric, and Darth Meshan. On Darth Bane's left: Darth Mishane, Darth Ronok, Darth Ribeous, Darth Milter, and Darth Fraunel.
The room was dimly lit with no windows and only a skylight, to let light into the room. The council members sat in hard, black, elaborately carved seats. Eleven blood red, lit candles were behind the chairs, above every member's head creating a sinister feeling in the room. Two greenish candles that held some kind of red tint were on both sides of the large door. The walls were made of stone, and the ceiling and floor were carved, in black marble.
The Sith Temple was the tallest building on Coruscant with the chamber as the peak. Each council member wore long black cloaks and tunics, with all the edges on the cloak and tunics lined with dark red. Their hoods covered their faces so no one could see their expressions. Maul took a glance at their lightsabers that were hooked on the arms of the chairs, within easy reach should an enemy be suicidal enough to attempt an attack, or a lower Sith to be stupid enough to return after a failure. Maul shifted his feet in discomfort as the seconds dragged by.
Sidious and Maul bowed their heads, then slowly lifted them and looked toward Darth Bane. They stood up, straight and erect, and waited patiently.
"The Trade Federation have blockaded Naboo in an attempt to rebel against our regime. This outrage will not be tolerated," Darth Milter stated in his usual gruff manner Maul noted.
"You and your apprentice are to infiltrate the main control ship and arrest the Viceroy. Should they resist—destroy them. Complete this task quickly and kill anyone who gets in your way," Darth Meltric continued.
"You are to bring the Viceroy to us. We shall deal with them severely, making an example of them to all who may attempt to oppose us," Darth Mishane added.
"May the Darkness of the Force serve you well," Darth Bane finished.
Darth Sidious and Darth Maul clenched their hands into fists and crossed them in front of their chests, bowed to the council and left the room with a dark purpose.
The Shadow Venger streaked through space to the blockade until it reached the Viceroy's main ship. "This is the Shadow Venger," Darth Sidious began as the image of a Neimoidian appeared before him. "We are here by the will of the Sith Council. You are to allow us to board and take us to the viceroy immediately," Darth Sidious commanded, menace dripping from each syllable.
The viceroy's aide, Teruk Gliamb, gulped and looked away for a second. "The Sith demand to board at once, Viceroy," he said nervously, attempting to gain even a small measure of calmness
Nute Gunray stayed quiet for a moment before ordering, "Let them come aboard," before walking to a private part of the bridge.
The aide turned back to the view screen. "We will open the ship bay door at once," he assured them, trembling with fear.
Darth Sidious gave a low growl and switched the transmission off with a furious click.
"This will be too easy," Maul said derisively, looking at his Master out of the corner of his eye.
"Hmph. I expected even a little resistance from them. They must have realized what a mistake they made when they formed a blockade around Naboo. These…beasts are too stupid to be anything but pathetic," Darth Sidious said, an undercurrent of disgust in his voice.
"We will crush them easily if they try to resist, Master."
"That we will, my apprentice. That we will." Twin, malicious smiles crept up the two Siths' faces as the ship flew into the landing bay.
A few minutes later Darth Sidious and Darth Maul stepped off the ship's ramp, into the hangar bay. "There is no one in sight, Master." The hanger bay was an average size and held boxes of supplies that lined the walls. Two other ships were docked inside the hanger where small droids were busily working. One of the ships had a silver hose and pump plugged into its fuel canister and was in the process of being pumped with fuel. A small group of workers were off on one side labeling and catering the supplies to the proper storage compartments, not caring that a ship had just landed.
"The fools think they can hide." Darth Sidious snorted in distaste. "Well they won't remain hidden for long." Giving a low growl, the two Sith began to walk swiftly toward the exit of the bay.
As they walked, two human males walked into the hanger bay and approached them. "We are here to escort you to the viceroy," the older man told them.
/He is very rude Master; shall I slice him into pieces/
/Not yet…first he will lead us to the viceroy. Then, my apprentice, you may do what you wish with him./
The four walked through a maze of hallways and soon entered a large, bare room. "Is this the Viceroy's idea of a joke?" Maul demanded when he saw that the Viceroy was not in the room. The Sith glared at the two men that had turned around, and were now looking them in the eye.
"You will take us to the viceroy—NOW!" Darth Sidious shouted, but the two men stood their ground and did not move, not even slightly cowed by the anger in the Sith Master's voice.
/Master, we should kill these men and find the Viceroy ourselves/
Before Darth Sidious could answer his apprentice, the tall man spoke. "I don't believe we have introduced ourselves. My name is Qui-Gon Jinn and this is Xanatos." He indicated the dark-haired, younger man that stood beside him.
/Now he introduces himself and his companion./ Darth Maul snorted through his Master/apprentice bond. His Master remained silent. /Master/ he queried as he felt the anger radiating from Sidious, directed toward Qui-Gon and Xanatos. /What is it Master/
/They are Jedi./
/But I thought they were extinct/
/Not any more, it seems, but that can be easily remedied./
Qui-Gon and Xanatos took a quick glance at each other and nodded their heads. Sidious and Maul ignited their lightsabers, as two lightsabers sprang into Qui-Gon and Xanatos' hands from behind a box next to a wall. "Die Jedi!" Sidious cried angrily, and struck the first blow.
Qui-Gon parried and knocked the vicious slash away from his body with his own lightsaber, letting the Force flow through him. Sidious swung his lightsaber at Qui-Gon's feet while Maul attacked the younger Jedi furiously, not letting Xanatos get a chance to attack and kept him on the defensive.
Qui-Gon jumped and flipped over the Sith's back and swung at his back. Sidious swung around, blocking the blow that would have bisected him in two.
The sound of lightsabers clashing echoed in the chamber as the Jedi battled the Sith. Back and forth they fought, never changing opponents as they passed by each other.
As the battle continued the Sith were unaware that someone was watching the battle.
Obi-wan watched the battle on the hidden security camera from the bridge as he patiently waited for his Master's orders.
/Padawan/
/Yes, Master/
/Release the destroyer droids./
/Master, can I just come and help you instead/
/Padawan, we are not going to kill them. You know that is not part of the plan./ Qui-Gon reprimanded him.
/I know but---/
/Just release the droids./ Qui-Gon sent gently.
/Yes Master, they should be there in less than five minutes./ Obi-Wan replied in submission.
/Good, see you in a little while./ With that said Qui-Gon began to concentrate fully on the duel.
The destroyer droids rolled down the corridor and into the room the Jedi were in, their arrival distracting Xanatos for a split-second causing Maul's lightsaber to graze his shoulder. That was too close, Xanatos thought to himself as he rolled away from Maul's downward slash and ran up under a beam designated for the next part of the plan and jumped.
Qui-Gon delivered a powerful stroke at Sidious causing the Sith to stumble backwards against the wall and, avoiding a swing from an irritated Maul, jumped up to an overhead beam.
Sidious was just about to go after him when he heard the sound of the destroyer droids coming up behind him. Sidious mumbled harsh words about the Jedi and then called for Maul. /We must leave/ He called through their bond just as the droids opened fire.
Maul glared up at the beam behind which the Jedi he had been fighting had sought refuge. "Do you think you can honestly hide up there?" He sneered in disgust. He was about to jump up to the beam but stopped when he spotted the destroyer droids out of the corner of his eye. Growling in rage, Maul ran at the older Jedi who had just Force pushed his Master and swung his blade at the Jedi. The tall Jedi avoided him and joined his companion near the top of the ceiling.
Sidious recovered from his impact on the wall just in time to begin blocking blasterbolts. As he blocked each shot, Sidious counted ten destroyer droids.
"There are too many of them!" Maul yelled as he felt a bolt whiz past his ear. "When I get my hands on those Jedi---"
"Obviously, we must leave and inform the council about the return of the Jedi." Sidious shot back, interrupting Maul. With a burst of speed they ran past the destroyer droids and back to their ship. Maul winced as a bolt grazed his leg, with each blaster bolt that was fired at him his anger grew. "I will rip those filthy, cowardly Jedi apart, piece by piece!" He swore to his Master as they ran down the corridor.
"So will I, my apprentice, so will I." Reaching their ship, they boarded and left to meet with the Sith Council.
Qui-Gon and Xanatos lowered themselves back down to the floor with the Force and relaxed. "They were stronger then I suspected they would be," Xanatos remarked as he held his right hand against the grazed part of his left shoulder.
Qui-Gon shook his head. "Do you remember nothing I have taught you?" he asked a little harshly, the battle catching up with him. "The Sith are not to be underestimated."
Xanatos hung his head, his cheeks burning. "I'm sorry, Master. I should have held your teachings closer."
Qui-Gon smiled and put his hand on Xanatos' uninjured shoulder. "You were a good padawan, Xanatos. I know that regardless if you forget what I have taught you and instead follow what you think is right, you will learn from your mistakes and continue to grow in knowledge and understanding."
Xanatos looked up at Qui-Gon and smiled. "Thank you, Master Qui-Gon, for having faith in me."
Qui-Gon began to reply when his comlink beeped. "Yes," Qui-Gon said into the comlink's speaking end.
"Master Jedi," Nute Gunray began. "Queen Misika wishes to speak to you."
"We will be right there," Qui-Gon replied and turned off the comlink. "We had best be moving." Xanatos nodded once in agreement and followed Qui-Gon to the command center.
Obi-Wan looked up from his workstation as he sensed Qui-Gon and Xanatos enter the command center. Obi-Wan stood before his Master, bowing his head in respect and murmured, "Master. Knight Crion."
Glancing around and failing to see his former Master, Qui-Gon asked, "Where is Master Dooku?"
"Master Dooku chased the Sith ship into hyperspace and reported that he will be returning to the Mountain Temple," Qui-Gon's current padawan reported dutifully.
Qui-Gon nodded his head in understanding. "Good; everything is going as planned. Xanatos—take care of your shoulder. We will wait for your return before contacting Master Yoda." Xanatos nodded in acknowledgement and left to tend to his injury.
Obi-Wan followed his Master to the viewscreen where the image of Queen Misika in her ceremonial robes sitting on her throne appeared. Three handmaidens, all whom wore crimson robes with hoods covering their faces, surrounded her. Her face looked serene but a little haggard.
"Jedi, your presence here is understandable, and we thank you for your efforts to assist," she said in a commanding voice without preamble. "However, for the safety of my people, I ask you to withdraw."
"I understand your concern in this matter," Qui-Gon began but any further comment was cut off as the ruler of the Naboo continued.
"Then you understand why I am telling you to leave our system."
"Yes, we—"
"Then you will leave now?" Queen Misika asked, as if to reassure herself.
Obi-Wan gave a small frown. /Master, do you think she suspects/
/I hope not; I have an idea./ "Your Highness, I assure you that we won't stay longer then necess--" again, he was cut off before he finished.
"You have one hour to leave our planet." With one last look, that Obi-Wan suspected—rather irrelevantly—he would have seen often as a child had he grown up with his mother, she ended the transmission.
Obi-Wan shook his head, not looking at his Master. "This is not going as planned," he remarked. "She agreed to let us work here, on Naboo, as long as the protection of her people and herself was guaranteed. Why would she back out now unless she knows that the Sith were here?"
Qui-Gon turned to look at his padawan. "They have been under the control of the Sith for so long that they mistrust many—even those who offer aid." He paused, as he thought a bit. "It is understandable that Queen Misika acts cautiously; however, at times, being too cautious can be dangerous. She will do what she believes is best for her people."
Obi-Wan nodded his head as he absorbed this information. "I understand."
Qui-Gon gave him a smile. "Good." He turned to look out the viewport and said, as an afterthought, "You will make a fine Jedi Knight someday."
Xanatos came back into the command center and walked up to where Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stood. "How did the communication with Queen Misika go?"
Qui-Gon turned to look at Xanatos. "She wishes us to leave."
Xanatos pressed his lips together in a tight line, knowing that if they didn't do something to ease the Queen's discomfort, the carefully made plan would fail. Together, the three Jedi walked into a private room and turned on a graphic communication line with Master Yoda.
The image of Yoda appeared in front of them and they gave a small bow of respect. "Report," Yoda commanded them.
"Master Yoda," Xanatos began. "Master Qui-Gon and I faced off the Sith and let them escape. Master Dooku went after them and made sure that they went into hyperspace."
Qui-Gon continued, "The plan is going smoothly. However…, Queen Misika is beginning to have doubts and wishes us to leave the system."
Yoda twitched his ears and looked thoughtfully at each of them. "Expected, this was. Back up plan, we have. Padawan Kenobi—made contact with General Binks, have you?"
"Yes, Master Yoda, I have." Obi-Wan responded quickly.
"Go to the planet you three will, and meet with General Binks in the swamp, you shall. Obi-Wan, the meeting place, arrange with him. To Geonosis and await further instructions, you shall tell Viceroy Gunray to go. May the Force be with you," he finished and closed the line.
"I shall arrange the meeting with General Binks," Obi-Wan said quietly.
Qui-Gon nodded his head distractedly for his padawan's benefit. "We will be along shortly," he replied, sensing that Xanatos was disturbed about something.
Obi-Wan bowed. "Yes, Master," he murmured, then left.
When they were alone Qui-Gon went to stand in front of Xanatos. "What is it?"
Xanatos looked at his former Master, his brow creased in thought. "I'm not sure," he said, hesitation making his voice soft. "I feel as if something dark is going to happen—something elusive."
Qui-Gon laid a hand on Xanatos' shoulder. "Whatever it is, the Force will reveal it to us. Remember, keep your concentration…"
"…here and now where it belongs," Xanatos finished with a crooked smile.
Qui-Gon smiled at Xanatos. "We should join Obi-Wan before he begins to worry."
Xanatos, feeling more settled, followed Qui-Gon out of the room.
The Shadow Venger blasted off into hyperspace, leaving the Jedi starfighter behind in a white streak. "The council will not be pleased," Maul remarked as he looked at his fuming Master who was sitting in the pilot's seat.
Sidious did not say a word as he made contact with the Sith council. The eleven Sith council members appeared on the viewscreen and Sidious and Maul bowed their heads in respect, waiting. "Give us your report," Darth Mishane commanded.
"Masters, the mission failed," Sidious began.
Darth Bane's temper shot up horrendously as he glared at the two, causing Sidious to lose his courage for a moment and swallow. "FAILED!" Darth Bane roared. "Sith never fail in a mission! Explain yourselves quickly before I decide to wash my hands of you!"
Sidious pushed his momentary fear aside and stood his ground as he explained. "We encountered two Jedi," he began.
"JEDI," Meshan sneered. "The Jedi have been extinct for a millennia!"
Maul gave a grunt. "You mean they should have been extinct for a millennia," he stated impudently.
Meshan looked like he was ready to explode at Maul's remark.
"Also," Maul continued. "My Master neglected to mention that we were chased by another Jedi as well."
/That is enough, Maul/ Sidious reprimanded his apprentice through their bond.
"Sidious, restrain your apprentice, before his mouth gets him killed." Darth Bane commanded the other Master, glaring at the offending apprentice.
Maul fell silent and lowered his head as he felt his Master's displeasure through their bond.
Seeing that Maul was properly—if temporarily—silenced, Darth Bane continued. "This turn of events is unexpected but will soon be remedied. Darth Sidious, you and your apprentice are to head for Tatooine to investigate a disturbance in the Force. If you encounter any Jedi eliminate them! Once you find the source of the disturbance report back to us. Should you fail us again it will be for the last time!" Darth Bane finished sharply.
"As you wish, Masters," Sidious responded as the Sith Council cut the transmission.
Sidious turned to look at his apprentice who was still mulling over the reprimand his Master had given him. "Be sure you learn this lesson well," the Master told his apprentice around a snarl as he looked back to the console and set a course to Tatooine.
