Star Wars 2.0

Episode 5: Rise of the Clones

Chapter 3

The pale blue image of the ghostly figure floated before Puv Nogo, King of the Neimoidian Hegemony, and now Chancellor of the Separatist Alliance. Nogo wielded great power, but he kept secret from his allies where that power truly stemmed from. This shadowy puppet master had never led him wrong. Every piece of advice he provided led to a growth in his power, as though he was slicing it out of a pie for his own consumption.

The mysterious silhouette was now telling him to spread his forces further into the vast reaches of the galaxy; increasing their presence across the Outer Rim. "But my lord, our forces are already spread very thin."

"Do you doubt me?" came the deep, rumbling voice of the holographic figure.

"No, my lord. We are simply concerned that we may not have enough forces to hold against the Jedi."

"The Republic is spread more thin than you. Their Jedi are limited in how many worlds they can defend. Your droids can spread to thousands more worlds than they can even contest."

Nogo saw the logic and understood. They would lose many droids on the worlds where they fought the Republic, but they could always be rebuilt. And their home worlds were more than well defended. And also... "We will use the worlds we conquer to build more droids, and come out stronger than before."

"Precisely," the shadowy figure said, smiling. For the first time, Nogo could see his teeth.

"Very good, my lord," King Nogo said, bowing slightly. "The Republic and their Jedi allies will not know what to do."

"Skywalker, you will be escorting Ambassador Amidala to the Brodax System and will serve as her bodyguard during her stay there. She will be working on trying to get the Tempus Legion to join the rebellion, and the Separatists might send agents to stop her." It was Jedi Master Tosho Shiro's order, and Anakin would have to follow the command to the letter, but he wasn't happy about it. Although he would finally be going on a mission out of the shadow of his friend and now master Obi-Wan, it was one that would be away from the action. He would merely be the traveling companion of a politician. His skills would not be put to good use.

But although Anakin felt comfortable talking back to Obi-Wan, it did not feel right for him to do so with anyone on the Jedi Council, especially Tosho Shiro. So he swallowed his pride, bowed, and left.

He and Obi-Wan found each other not far from where they would be parting in their separate directions. "To be honest, I wish you were coming with us," Obi-Wan admitted. "Our forces are being spread far too widely and we could use every Jedi we can get."

"It's a waste to have me going to the opposite end of the galaxy," Anakin said.

"I wouldn't go that far," Obi-Wan interrupted. "If Amidala can convince the Tempus Legion to ally with the Republic, that will add a great deal of manpower and weaponry to our arsenal."

"I've never been to any of their planets," Anakin said.

"They are truly ahead of the curve in terms of technology and equipment. But... morally they can be questionable."

"How so?" Anakin asked.

"A number of ways. You'll see. Just keep your own opinions to yourself and allow the ambassador to do the work."

"Right." They were both silent for a time. Then, before Obi-Wan could walk away, Anakin asked, "Was it the jump out the window?"

"What?"

"Was that the reason they didn't promote me to Jedi Knight. And why I'm going on a babysitting mission?"

"It's not babysitting, it's import..." Obi-Wan stopped himself, realizing that he was splitting hairs. "Partially..."

"We would've lost them otherwise," Anakin insisted.

"The council believes you're too impulsive. It's not that one chase. In general, they're not certain whether to trust you or if you'll fly off the handle. I think they're hoping this slows you down a little."

"It'll be slow all right," Anakin said restlessly.

"The other reason you were chosen was because the ambassador asked for you herself."

"Oh, super. Now I'll be on a bodyguard list."

"She remembered your honesty in her palace. That was important to her."

"Who is this ambassador?"

"Her Royal Highness, Queen Padme Amidala," Obi-Wan told him.

Anakin fell silent, though he tried to find words of response to cover his surprise.

"She saw me fight in a battle. But she heard your words, and she requested you. It gives you some perspective."

"I suppose I will have to make do," Anakin said.

"Be polite to her," Obi-Wan said. "She will answer back to the Jedi Council about your time with her. She already trusts you, otherwise she wouldn't have asked for you by name. And this is a critical time for you. It's the first time you're jumping out of the nest alone."

"Does that make you my mama bird?" Anakin said with a sly smile.

"I'll be happy to be done feeding you. Here she comes."

A train of advisors and servants followed a royally adorned lady whose face was covered by a mask of white makeup and flashy decor. Her hair was laced into a web of braids behind her head, matching the high collars of her wardrobe. Her head remained steady as she was walking, as though floating. Her gaze landed on the two Jedi. "General Kenobi," she said as if merely acknowledging his presence. "And this must be our escort."

Anakin bowed shallowly with a slight grudge. "Anakin Skywalker, at your ser..."

"Yes, I remember your name. You spoke out of place at my palace. Know that I will not stand for being interrupted in my negotiations with the Tempus Legion. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Come then, it is time to board." Queen Amidala began toward their ship's docking bay and her train followed.

Anakin remained standing for a moment, dumbfounded. He turned to Obi-Wan, who simply shrugged, and headed toward his departing flight.

Supply crates were loading onto Owen's ship one after the other in a trail; each carried by a pair of slaves. He shifted uncomfortably as he watched them work, and he thanked them as they laid them down. A few of them eyed him strangely for his politeness as that was not what one did with a slave. This made him tense even further.

The last slave that finished made a comment as she was leaving: "Your engine is going to blow."

"Excuse me?" Owen said, suddenly offended.

"Your counter thruster coil needs replacing," the young woman said. She was about Owen's age, maybe a little older. "You have the panel off, so you were obviously looking at it. Probably thought it was fine. But it's not."

"It'll be enough to get me to Malfos," Owen said testily.

The slave winced slightly and nodded, remembering her place and the beatings she often got for speaking up. And she walked down the platform out of the ship.

After she was gone, Owen said timidly, "Thanks."

Owen's still-unnamed HWK-290 had entered the atmosphere of Malfos. Owen was holding the controls tight during the usual shakeup of reentry. All was going as expected; bumpy, but on course.

Then a pop from the back of the ship, accompanied by a single large bump, as though Owen had run over something, and the ship shook wilder still. He had to grasp the handle harder, keeping it along a straight line. He checked the instruments. Made sure he remained within the lines of the landing route. The HWK-290 drifted first to one side of the box, then the other. Through gritted teeth, Owen pulled it back to the center each time.

He was coming in too fast to the landing platform. He didn't try to slow it until he was uncomfortably close. Owen figured that if the ship was going to fall apart, it was best he get as close to the ground as he could before it did. He then kicked in full reverse thrusters. His body lurched forward into the seat straps so tightly it felt like they'd rip his arms off. But he still held the steering column in place.

The ship slowed enough to land. The maneuvering thrusters kicked in and adjusted the HWK to be parallel with the ground. It then lowered toward the platform. Just a few feet from landing, the next shoe dropped and another crack sounded from the back of the vessel. The entire hulk fell the rest of the way to the plastament flooring. He was low enough for it to not be fatal, but it wouldn't have been if he hadn't rushed to the ground as he had.

By the time he was done on the planet, just about everything he made on the trip was spent on repairs.

To be continued…