Disclaimer: Characters are not the property of the author but of George Lucas.
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Chapter 8: Aggressive Negotiations
"What is being asked for is entirely unreasonable," said Planis Durit, head of the Kuati Royal families.
He was sitting in a conference room that over looked the Kuati Shipyards, the largest shipyards in the galaxy. He was seated at one end of a table with four other royal family members sitting on either side of him; and aides standing behind all of them. They were all dressed in fancy purple and gold robes and wore large amount of jewellery. At the other end of the table sat on Padme wearing a simple flat black robe with a hood that was current pulled off. Anakin stood behind her and to the right wearing a similar coloured tunic with its hood pulled up so that his eyes were shrouded by shadows. Padme calmly sat down the datapad she was holding.
"I fail to see what is so unreasonable, you are being adequately compensated," Padme said.
"That is not the problem," Planis explained, "The problem is that there is just no possible way that a ship of such size could be constructed that quickly."
"And why is that?" Padme asked.
"We don't have the man power," Planis replied, "While it is theoretically possible to put the ship together in the time frame you have given us. It is not possible with our current workforce."
Suddenly Planis stood up clutching at his throat and struggling for air as if an invisible hand were strangling the life out of him. All the members of the Kuati side stood up. Several of the aides drew blasters and levelled them at Padme. Anakin ignited his lightsaber and stepped forward, pulling his hood back. Padme remained seated her hand held in front of her as if she were crushing a grape. Planis' eyes rolled back into his head and his arms fell limp at his side. Padme dropped her hand and Planis collapsed to the ground.
"What was that for?" one of the Royal family members demanded.
"The wrong answer," Padme replied, "I have looked over your workforce numbers and it is quite possible to complete the construction of the ship in the allotted time. However, now our order has just been double and we require two ships. You will be compensated for the second ship with sufficient credits as well as a large number of slaves of whatever species you desire. Break these conditions and your entire shipyard will be destroyed. Do I make myself clear?"
"Your conditions are perfectly acceptable," one of the Kuati representatives answered.
Padme stood, "Then we have no further business," she said.
With that she turned and marched out of the room Anakin following closely behind.
"We don't have ability to destroy their shipyards," Anakin said as they were marching towards their shuttle.
"Perhaps," Padme replied, "But they believed that we could and that's all that matters. They weren't about to call my bluff after I made that show strength by killing Planis."
"This is why you're the brains and I'm just the brawn," Anakin said.
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Anakin and Padme were kneeling before the Emperor.
"What is the result of your latest mission?" Palpatine inquired.
"It was a complete success," Padme replied, "The Super Star Destroyers will be completed in 8 months. A shipment of two million Wookie slaves is being sent to Kuat to ensure the project is completed on time."
"Make it three million," Palpatine said, "Just to see if we can speed the process up."
"As you wish my lord," Padme replied.
"And for completing the mission successfully I have a gift for you both," Palpatine said.
He motioned with his hand and two of his red armoured imperial guards stepped forward each carrying a black case. Palpatine took the first case and stepped in front of a kneeling Anakin. He opened the case and removed a suit of light armour. He motioned for Anakin to remove his tunic. Anakin quickly stripped down to his undergarments. Palpatine handed the armour to Anakin who quickly put it on. It consisted of a lightweight black fabric tunic with a shiny silvery chest plate, shoulder and arm guards. The leggings were made of the same fabric with similar leg guards that ran from ankles up to the knees. There was also a pair of gauntlets made from a black leather. Lastly there was a black leather belt with a silver buckle in the shape of the imperial insignia. Palpatine then took the second case and opened it up removing another suit of armour. Padme took a cue and removed her robe so that she standing before Palpatine in just her underwear. Palpatine handed the armour to Padme who quickly put it on. The armour consisted of a body suit made of thin sheets of metal in manner that made it almost as flexible as fabric. There was a large imperial insignia engraved on the chest. There was a black hooded cloak with large silver shoulder guards. To finish it off there were a pair of gauntlets identical to Anakin's.
"My apprentices these are but a mere token of my appreciation for the tasks you have done, but there is still more work to be done," Palpatine said.
"Of course my master," Anakin replied, "What is thy bidding?"
"A rebel faction has begun to mass forces at the planet Kessel," Palpatine said, "I wish you to squash this rebellion; but I also wish that you return with one of the leaders for interrogation."
Anakin and Padme bowed together, "As you wish master," they said in unison.
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On board an N-class Nebula frigate Jordo met with Obi-wan Kenobi.
"Our intelligence tells us that our plan was successful," Jordo said, "It looks like Palpatine bought the bait. He's sending in an armada to wipe out the 'rebels' here at Kessel."
"This is good," Obi-wan said, "It means that our true strike force will be able to strike at Chandrillian and the Corellian systems. But we need to keep this force occupied enough so as to provide enough time for the strike force to complete it's mission successfully."
"Kessel may be a slaughter Master Kenobi." Jordo said.
"That's why it's only skeleton crews on the ships and many are fortified in the caves on the surface." Obi-wan explained, "If they attack you fight as long as possible and then flee to the fortifications down on the surface. Hopefully it will cripple their forces."
"I understand Master Kenobi," Jordo said, "Every man here will gladly give his life to help dethrone Palpatine."
"And that is why I feel this mission will succeed," Obi-wan said. "Now I shall relinquish command of the forces to you Jordo, while I go to join the strike force around Yavin 4."
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Well that sets up a very action packed chapter 9 so stick with the story and stick with the reviews, 'cause ba-da-da-da-da, I'm lovin' it.