Chapter 9
Time will tell when things will come into place, obstacles will come to distract your vision, enemies will want to see your downfall, others will want conquer your position, but in the end, ambition and drive will bring it into fruition.
Darth Plagueis' Lab, Mygeeto
"Are you sure he won't escape my Lord?"
"He has no reason to." Darth Plagueis said, looking through the one way glass.
Plagueis and his assistant stood on the other side of the one way glass as they observed Maul meditating with a shock collar on his neck. "He has a shock device on his neck, even if he tried, he won't get far."
"Might I ask...what the purpose of this experiment is?" Dr. Tekra asked.
"Be quiet and watch." Plagueis simply said.
The two waited as they watched the Zabrak go from making slight movements to complete and utter stillness.
"Activate the remote combat droids." Plagueis commanded.
As he was told, Dr. Tekra activated the remote droids within the testing chamber. The remote droids closed in on their immobile target, activating their ion cannons. In a split second, Maul swiftly opened his eyes and jumped to his feet, igniting his lightsaber. With a flurry of ion blasts, the Zabrak managed to block every shot while destroying each droid in the process.
Plagueis stood stiff, analyzing his apprentice's skill and sensing the flow of power within him. "Hm, increase the room gravity." Dr.Tekra nodded and slightly adjusted the nob on the control device.
Maul, standing tall with his chest puffed out in victory, suddenly fell on his face as he felt gravity pushing down on his back. Struggling to get up, Maul becomes frustrated as his anger continues to build further within him.
"My Lord-"
"Silence, just watch." Plagueis interjected.
Maul's pure strength continued to fail him as his arms got weaker and weaker with each push. Out of anger, Maul tapped into the dark side and let out a warrior's cry as he pushes himself to his feet.
"Resilience." Plagueis simply said; "Turn it off."
As Tekra adjusted the device back to its normal setting, Maul stood tall, looking through the one way glass at his faceless spectators.
Plagueis then turned toward the hallway, making his way out as he said; "Put him back to sleep."
"As you wish my lord." Tekra said as he activated the shock collar. With one long shock, Maul fell on his back, knocked out in pain.
Rodia
In the swamp infested waters of the planet; Rodia, lays it's capital city of Equator City. The capital houses a grand castle-like building, surrounded by a force field that houses it's honorable representative known as Ordeno Farr.
"I think this will be best for Republic and Rodia." Bail Antilles said.
"Well, I don't usually support...Core Faction elitists." Senator Ordeno replied; "But, since the Rim Faction failed to live up to expectations, I'm willing to consider supporting your campaign."
"I can assure you that your support won't go to waste." Bail Antilles said.
"I hope so, the grievances of the Rodian people are on my back and they expect me to make the right decision." Ordeno said, leaning forward onto his desk.
"And so you have." Bail said, standing up, extending his hand.
"But I do have one question for you Senator Antilles." Ordeno said, standing up himself. "Can assure liberation for my people?"
Bail gave a look of confusion; "What do you mean?"
"Your opponent preaches against corruption, which mainly is targeted towards your Faction."
"He's right, that's why I publicly have disassociated myself from that corrupt faction." Bail replied, extending his hand once again. "I work for the people now."
Ordeno Farr analyzed his negotiator and after a few minutes, extended his hand to shake Bail's as a sign of agreement. "I hope your able to fulfill your promise, if you win."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure the Rodian people are taken care of."
The two Senators give their goodbyes as Bail Antilles makes his exit with his security guards following behind him.
Bail tapped on his ear as he heard; "You did well senator."
"If it weren't for your guidance, I don't think that meeting would've gone well." Bail signed.
"Those are great words, especially coming from you Senator."
"No really, I would've-"
A sudden buzzing noise that came from the pocket of Bail's robe, interrupted the senator mid-sentence. Bail picked up the transmitter from his pocket, activating the call. What stood before his face was the hologram of Chancellor Valorum in his royal robes.
"Chancellor, I'm pleasently surprised to receive a call from you."
Valorum stood still with no facial expression as he said; "Senator Bail Antilles, this a Senate Order issued to you by myself, your presiding Judge. To appear before the Senate in defense of your violation of Section 48, Act. 212 of Republic Law."
"Violation?" Antilles said in confusion.
"Failure to comply with result in immediate imprisonment and removal from electoral candidacy." Valorum continued.
"Finis, what is this?" Antilles asked.
"You are expected to appear tomorrow morning in the Main Senate Building on the planet of Coruscant." Valorum said. "If you fail to receive this message, please contact my secretary for more information, farewell."
As the hologram disapated, Antilles stood confused, thinking about what he had done for the past week. He cycled through his mind until, he thought about the event he had earlier in the week. "Oh no." He said to himself.
"Did speech have anything to with this?" he muttered. Antilles then quickly adjusted himself and turned toward his security as he said; "When we get to the ship, contact Heigo Damask for me, I need to speak to him urgently."
"As you wish Senator." They said in unison.
