Bostuco's Plan
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars; this is merely a fanfiction.
.
.
.
"The Beast Riders are threatening an uprising if we execute their leader," an Onderonian aide said, peering at a holo-reader. The young male aide was walking down the hallway of the Royal Palace, trying to keep up with Gazellia, who had a look of absolute smugness.
She could barely contain a smile. "Then we shall deal with them."
"Ugh ... as acting Queen, don't you think you should avoid unnecessary bloodshed?"
Gazellia's eyes flashed. "As acting Queen ... I alone will decide what is right for my people!"
The aide nervously fumbled with his holoreader, sidling back away from her. "Of course, Your Highness. I meant no disrespect. I ... overstepped."
Gazellia waved him off as she approached her chambers. "I do not wish to be disturbed."
"As you wish."
The doors to her bedchambers sidled open and she stepped through, leaving the nervous aide trembling outside her door.
.
.
.
Gazellia deposited some holodocuments on a nightstand, before she approached a small keypad on the side of her grey walls. She entered a number, and a secret door in the back of the room slid open. She crouched through, and the hidden door closed behind her.
She had had this secret chamber built when she first came to Onderon. Only the construction crew had known about it. Upon finishing it, she bought them celebratory drinks. Spiced ale. Unfortunately, the ale had been spiced with something more - poison.
The secret of this chamber died with those construction workers. She smiled at the memory.
The chamber was small and round, and the only thing inside of it was a small, white circular pad. Gazellia knelt down upon the pad, head bowed, and a figure in robes and a hood appeared.
"Everything is going according to plan, my Master." She spoke in reverence, as a true believer to a god. To her, he was a god. He had saved her from the shackles placed on her by her own people. Shown her the true nature of the Force. She would serve him without reservation. She was his - mind, body and soul.
The Master folded his arms. "The Beast Riders are on the verge of war?"
"They are arming as we speak. The framing of Korr Sunka and his impending execution was just the weight we needed to tip the scales. They are ready to break their truce with the people of Onderon. Onderon will have war."
"And as acting Queen, you will ensure that they are met with equal force?"
At this, Gazellia smiled. "As Commander of the Onderon military, I won't have a choice, will I?"
"And the Empire?"
"They will be forced to intervene." Gazellia could barely hide the ecstasy in her voice.
"Then we will make our move."
"Once the Empire begins to suppress this new civil war, what would you have me do?"
The Master gestured with his gloved arm. "Do everything necessary to ensure that the Onderon military and the Beast Riders turn against Imperial forces. Thin their numbers. I want the streets of Onderon littered with the bodies of stormtroopers. I want to walk on a sea of white armor when I arrive with my forces."
"You are bringing the Mandalorians?"
"Yes. What a surprise the Empire will receive. And when I leak disinformation that Korr Sunka was actually acting on behalf of the Empire to murder Moff Reeden ... the Beast Riders will lay down their arms against the Onderon forces. After all, one of their own betraying them ... in their eyes, he'll have deserved his execution. And they'll rally together against the Empire."
"But what of the Mandalorians?" Gazellia asked. "The Onderonians have always hated them. Won't they attack them on first sight?"
"I have considered that. The Mandalorian clans that have pledged their support to me understand that they will have some casualties. Once, however, they assist the Onderonians and the Beast Riders in driving the Empire off their planet, they will be seen as liberators. And of course, I will appeal to their memories of Canderous Ordo, who once aided in the Onderon civil war millennia ago."
Gazellia nodded. Her Master's plan was brilliant. Like all of his plans. "And what is to become of Onderon?"
The Master shrugged. "You may still rule it as you see fit. In truth, I care little for Onderon. It would be nothing to me, except for the symbol that it represents."
"I don't understand ..."
The Master sighed, as though explaining to a very small child. "During the Old Republic, Onderon was a symbol of stability - even though it had its quarrels with the Republic at times. It was still a bastion of Republic ideals. And of the Jedi. The Emperor has tapped into that, making it a symbol of Imperial might. The stability of Onderon symbolizes the stability that the Emperor claims to have brought to the galaxy. I intend to strike at that symbol, to show the galaxy that the Empire is not as invincible and secure as it appears."
"So ... this operation ... is to rally other systems to your cause?"
"Yes," The Master replied. "Once I reveal myself to the galaxy ... my coming-out-celebration, so to speak ... I'll be hailed as a hero. The hero who helped throw off Imperial tyranny from Onderon. Many systems who are bordering on open revolution anyway will join me."
"And what of the Rebellion?"
"What of it? So disorganized, unable to critically strike at the Empire in any meaningful way ... clinging to a blind Jedi, the last of his kind, as their only hope. The reality of my operation on Onderon will show that I alone have the power to challenge the Emperor. Those systems who might consider pledging support to the Rebels, will instead have a more viable option in me."
"Brilliant, my lord. I should not have doubted you."
"I shall want a report every hour on the hour until this operation is done, do you understand?"
"As you wish, my lord."
The hologram of The Master flickered, and then went out. Gazellia stood up, a determined look on her face.
She had work to do.
.
.
.
"How are we coming with the repairs?"
Kota leaned on the side of the ship as Juno and Wedge did repairs. Juno lay underneath with a hydrospanner, protective lenses over her eyes. Wedge was atop the ship, molding some broken pieces together. Proxy handed them respective tools.
Juno wiped some grease from her brow. "I don't know if I can get the Rogue Shadow to even take off. We took quite a beating on the way down, and I don't know if some of these parts can even be repaired."
Kota whistled as he turned his hip flask upside down. "And to matters worse - we're almost out of Tarisian ale."
Wedge paused and looked down at him blankly. "I think we've got bigger concerns, General."
"I can't think straight when I'm sober! I need some ale in me to figure out a way off this rock!"
"What concerns me more," Juno interjected, "is where's Starkiller? How come he hasn't responded to our transmissions?"
"Could his comlink be off?" inquired Wedge.
"Bah," Kota waved him off. "The kid knows better. He'll find his way to us eventually."
"It's been a day, General," Wedge groused.
"Perhaps we should start looking for him?" Juno suggested.
Kota threw his arms up in exasperation. "Sure, let's just start a safari through this jungle, with all the cannocks, and zakegs, and a half dozen other vicious predators!"
There was a moment of silence. Then ...
"How about knocking out two birds with one stone?" The voice came from a clearing a yard away. Juno slid out from under the ship, Wedge nearly slid off the port section, and Kota turned and faced the wrong direction.
"Kid?"
Starkiller emerged from the clearing, an older woman following him. Starkiller waved his arm around, indicating the entire jungle. "With all the wreckages of crashed ships, we could pull together some parts."
Kota, Wedge and Juno stood there dumbfounded. "How come we didn't think of that?" lamented Wedge.
Kota shrugged. "Like I said ... low ale supply."
Wedge surveyed the older woman cautiously. "And uh ... who's your friend?"
"This is Zarbina. She's a friend. Sort of."
Kota raised an eyebrow. "Sort of?"
Zarbina waved him away. "He's just grumpy because I attacked him in the forest. And drugged him."
Wedge, Kota and Juno were dumbfounded ... again. "Attacked?" gasped Juno.
"Drugged?" said Wedge.
"I'll explain later," Starkiller replied. "The important thing is, we need to get the Rogue Shadow airborne. And we need to get in contact with either Queen Ashti or Pooja Naberrie. Something big is about to happen on Onderon."
Kota nodded. "I figured. The Force energies surrounding Onderon are growing steadily darker by the second. I'm sure you've felt it, kid."
"I have," Starkiller concurred. "We need to move fast."
"I can show you where several ships have crashed," Zarbina announced. "There's a sight not too far from here. We can salvage what parts you need."
"Then what are we standing around here for?" Wedge asked. "Let's get going!"
"Indeed," said Zarbina. "Then we move to Onderon and I can confront my sister ... once and for all."
"Sister?" Kota inquired.
"I'll explain later," Starkiller laughed.
.
.
.
Pooja Naberrie walked along the hallway of the Onderon palace with General Bostuco, a fierce looking woman in a blue uniform with a white cape. General Bostuco's family had been Onderon military for generations. One of her ancestors had even fought for the Loyalists during the Onderon Civil War.
"Why Gazellia called this war meeting, I have no idea," General Bostuco was saying. "The Beast Riders are arming for a potential retaliation if they proceed with executing Korr Sunka. They nearly stormed the Sky Turret. We had to move Korr Sunka to the Palace's detention block along with Queen Ashti."
"And Korr Sunka has confessed to the murder," Pooja said. "But he's doing it to protect the Queen."
"The Queen will be found guilty regardless. Trust me, the executions won't end with Korr Sunka." Bostuco shook her head. "Of that you can be sure. And have you heard? The new Imperial Moff has just arrived to replace Reeden. Moff Zeeon."
"But if my suspicions are correct, and Gazellia was indeed behind the murder of Moff Reeden -."
"Shush! The Royal Advisor has spies everywhere. And didn't you notice -." Bostuco pointed up towards the ceilings. Pooja followed her finger noticed a tiny, black object.
"Is that ...?"
Bostuco nodded. "Microphones. Gazellia has them everywhere in the palace. There's hardly a place that hasn't been bugged."
Pooja shuddered. "So what do we -?"
Bostuco hushed her, then continued on in a whisper. ""We continue with our plan. In fact, those microphones can work to our advantage."
"I don't understand ..."
Bostuco chuckled, and she continued whispering. "All we need is a slicer to access the computer room, slice those microphones and reverse it. Instead of listening in on us, we can actually listen in on them. And even better - we can actually make announcements through the microphones. Turn them into intercoms."
"But I still don't understand ..."
"You think Gazellia only bugged the palace? How quaint. No, she'll have bugged the entire Yolahn Square."
"I think I'm beginning to see where you're going with this..."
Hushing her voice all the more Bustoco replied,"Those bugs are the key. We reverse them into microphones, and we can expose Gazellia to all of Iziz."
They reached the door of the throne room, where two Onderon royal guards stood. They parted for Bostuco, but when Pooja made to enter, they blocker her off. "I'm sorry, M'lady. Only authorized personnel."
Pooja scoffed, placing her hands on her hips. "Authorized personnel? I was sent here as a personal ambassador for the Queen of Naboo."
"I'm afraid the new Queen of Onderon does not recognize Naboo's authority here."
Bostuco glared at Pooja. "Senator ... remember what we talked about. Remember."
Pooja nodded. "Yes. Of course."
"I will speak with you after the meeting." Bostuco held out her hand for Pooja to shake it. Pooja grasped Bostuco's hand with her own, and slipped a small, black object into Bostuco's fingers. With a sleight of hand, Bostuco slid the object up her sleeve. She bowed to Pooja, then entered the throne room.
.
.
.
The throne room had been converted into a war room. A long table had been erected in the center, with holomaps of the city of Iziz floating above it. The table was lined with Onderon military. At the head sat Gazellia.
"Ah, General Bostuco," she said sweetly. "We were almost ready to begin without you. Please, have a seat."
Bostuco took a seat at the table. "I was unaware that we needed all the military commanders for something as simple as an execution. Surely we don't need the entire military to to suppress a possible uprising?"
"We can never be too careful in these times," Gazellia replied.
"But why not depend on the Imperial military? Surely a regiment of stormtroopers is all that is needed."
Gazellia cleared her throat impatiently. "Unlike our former Queen, I have little use for the Empire. We will tolerate their presence only to the extent that they do not interfere with Onderonian politics."
Bostuco leaned forward. "Yet ... I'm confused. If you have little use for the Empire, why execute a man for killing an Imperial official? Why go to all that trouble?"
"The impending execution of Korr Sunka is to be nothing more than an example to the common people. One day it might be an Imperial officer - the next day, one of us. We need to send a message to any other would-be assassins who might target Onderonian personnel."
"And what kind of a message does it send if the Beast Riders rise up, and there's bloodshed in the streets?"
"That is the point of this meeting," Gazellia purred. "If the Beast Riders do respond with violence, I want all of you in charge of protecting the citizens of Iziz. General Bostuco, I want your regiment stationed at Yolahn Square, where the execution will be held. As for the rest of you ..."
Bostuco sat in patient silence as Gazellia made strategic plans. Under the table she fingered the small, black device Pooja had slipped her. She had to make this count ...
Gazellia finished finalizing her war plans. She then stood up before them. "You are dismissed."
All the Onderonian officials left, except Bostuco. Gazellia seemed to notice, and cocked her head, smiling pleasantly. "Yes, General Bostuco?"
"Oh, ugh ... I was just wondering ... you say under your regime you'll little use for the Empire. How will the new Moff, Zeeon, react to that?"
Gazellia's smile grew wider. "Do not worry about Moff Zeeon. I assure you, soon enough he will have little power over us."
"Forgive me for being so bold - do you intend to take on the entire Empire? The entire Imperial navy?"
"Oh General ... things will be different soon. Do not concern yourself with such things yet. They will occur in due course."
Bostuco nodded, before kneeling before Gazellia. "Forgive me, Your Highness." She nearly choked on the words, but her acting seemed to go unnoticed by the old witch. "It is not my place to question you."
"You are forgiven. I reward loyalty. Show that loyalty to me tomorrow, and you will receive your reward."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Bostuco grasped the hem of Gazellia's robes, and kissed them.
"No need to grovel," Gazellia said. "Though your devotion impresses me. Perhaps a promotion will be in order. No, no, let us wait for tomorrow to see how you handle the situation."
Bostuco stood up. "Thank you, Your Highness." She turned and strode out the door.
Gazellia watched her, before turning and heading for a door on the other side of the throne room.
Oblivious to the small black device that was now attached to the hem of her robes...
.
.
.
Pooja waited in an alcove, arms folded. General Bostuco nodded. It was done. Now all they would have to do is wait.
.
.
.
Gazellia entered the secretive room in her private chambers and kneeled down on the circular pad. The holoimage of The Master appeared.
"Everything is ready. Tomorrow, Onderon will be in our hands."
"Good," The Master cooed. "Your military has been briefed?"
"They have."
"And Moff Zeeon has arrived?"
"Only this morning."
"Excellent. Several holo-editors of mine have been busy all week doctoring holoimages of Korr Sunka and Moff Zeeon."
Gazellia looked up. "Really?"
"Indeed. Once you show the doctored video of Moff Zeeon paying Korr Sunka to murder Moff Reeden ... the Beast Riders will turn against the one they believe truly responsible - Moff Zeeon."
"Ah, so it'll look to the public as though Moff Zeeon wanted Reeden out of the way to assume his job."
"Exactly. And Korr Sunka will be a martyr. Tomorrow, Onderon will be littered with the bodies of stormtroopers. And my Mandalorian shock troops will be invaluable in assisting the Beast Riders and your Onderonian military with the cleanup."
Gazellia smiled. She held up her hand, as though offering a toast with an invisible glass. "To our victory."
"My victory," The Master corrected. "You will have only one chance for success. The consequences of failure ... will be dire."
The Master disappeared, and Gazellia stood up to put the finishing touches on their gruesome plan.
.
.
.
On the other side of the Royal Palace ... in an alcove just off the Palace's museum - Pooja and Bostuco stood in stunned silence. Pooja held up a comlink ... a comlink that was connected to the bugged device that Bostuco had placed on Gazellia's dress.
.
.
.
It begins ...