Chapter 3
Queen Amidala felt nauseous walking beside Nute Gunray, the man who lead the Trade Federation as its Viceroy and the man who ordered for Naboo's invasion. The Neimoidian himself looking smug as he lead the Nabooian Leadership down the steps of the throne room into the main hall while they were corralled by a group of battledroids.
"How will you explain this invasion to the Senate?" Questioned Governor Bibble beside her as the Royal procession was escorted further through the palace.
"The Queen and I will sign a treaty to legitimize our occupation here." Responded the Viceroy without a moment of hesitation, she noticed his gaze turn towards her. "I have...assurances that it will be ratified by the Senate."
"I will not cooperate." Queen Amidala shot back in defiance, but Gunray was undeterred, his grin still held firm.
"Now now your Highness, in time the suffering of your people will persuade you into seeing this from our point of view."
The threat hung in the air for a moment causing a moment of weakness to flash across her face. Naboo would suffer if she did not sign this treaty, this army of droids did not require vast amounts of supplies to survive and with the Trade Federation taking control they could cease the shipments of vital supplies around the planet. Yet signing this treaty and bowing to a corporation would only pave the way for the Federation to continue their legal invasions.
"Commander." Called Gunray gesturing to a droid whose head plate was yellow colored signifying its rank. "Process them."
The droid gave a quick nod, it then pointed towards another battle droid, the one that stood in front of her. "Captain take them to Camp Four."
"Rodger, Rodger." It replied monotonously, as it began heading towards this Camp Four, the other droids that surrounded them following behind, causing the group to move along while a few Naboo Security Personal in the back were shoved by the droids blaster barrels forcing them to keep moving.
Queen Amidala had no choice but to follow, a growing pit of anger towards the Republic and their failure to send aid to Naboo in time.
Where was the delegation that was meant to stop this?
"There's always a bigger fish." Commented Qui-Gon Jinn as he watched the large sea monster that had been pursuing their craft be clamped tightly by the jaws of a much larger creature before it was torn in two. In front of him sat his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi who was currently gripping onto the controls as he attempted to navigate through the depths of Naboo's ocean.
"Messa ready to go back now!" Shouted their new Gungan companion, Jar-Jar Binks in the passenger seat.
His pleas were ignored as their craft continued on its course though they needed to get out of the open before the creature that saved them decided that it was still hungry.
"Head into that alcove over there." Qui-Gon gestured with his finger and Obi-Wan nodded giving the controls a push giving the now sputtering engine acceleration.
"Where wessa going?" Asked Jar-Jar looking back at him.
"Don't worry." He answered. "The Force will guide us."
Qui-Gon watched as the exiled Gungan rolled his head. "Ohhh maxy big the Force." Jar-Jar turned his head to an unamused Obi-Wan. "Well that smells stink breath-"
The blearing alarm coming from the craft pulled the three's attention from directions to the sound of the ship's engine and power systems shutting down slowly. Obi-Wan got to work instantly as he lowered the control panel and already began to reactivate the power by hot-wiring it.
"Wessa gunna die in here!" Cried Jar-Jar throwing his hands into his face as he began moaning.
"Relax we're not in danger yet." Replied the Jedi Master as he watched his Padawan work.
"What yet!?" Shouted the Gungan looking back at him. "Monsters out there! Leaking in here and no power!" He waved his fingers at Obi-Wan and then outside to the now dark abyss of the sea. "When do youssa think wessa in trouble?"
The sound of electricity sparking made itself heard.
"Power's back." Said Obi-Wan with a smile as the ship sprang back to life and the headlights shining...
...into the eyes of a now awakened sea creature.
Qui-Gon muttered a Mandalorian curse in his head.
This aquatic beast stared at them for a lazy moment before it's body lit up with bight blue colored bio-luminescence and it released a terrible roar that made the foundations of their craft rumble.
Jar-Jar screamed flailing his body around in his seat, while Obi-Wan snapped into action as he once again maneuvering the craft away from another set of giant jaws.
Qui-Gon could only put his faith in his Padawan's skills as he used the force to calm down their Gungan guide.
Kylo Ren's careful progress had lead him through the outskirts into the inner city where droid patrols were growing in number from the continuous flow of transports. He was working on instinct as he moved through the small alleyways, with the force he could sense the terror of the Naboo people as droids stormed into their homes and marched them out of the city.
Yet as his senses drifted outward he felt two new powers in the force, both radiating with light.
Jedi...
They were quickly approaching but were still a long distance away from him.
Kylo needed to double his pace before the Jedi caught up to him, he needed a ship in those hangers, but just as he was about to run across an open street into another alleyway his helmet picked up the sound of blasters being readied. Mentally growling at his lack of situational awareness, he turned his head to face the newest set of droids only to see these ones hadn't been a random patrol but a group eight red stripped droids escorting prisoners.
A familiar yet diluted feeling in the force distracted Kylo from focusing as his head drifted to the beings surrounded by droids. One of them was stirring the sensation in the force that he had to start smothering in order to focus. His eyes landed on the woman in the front of the formation, she was royalty from the regalia the Queen of Naboo if his assumptions were correct and if he was in the past then this proud woman was his Grandmother and more importantly she would be the one better suited than he of the palace's layout making it increasingly easier to get to the hangar and off this planet.
In an instant his hand shot out as he reached out with the force sending the two droids standing at the front flying backwards into the nearby architecture. The other six stepped forward and began opening fire with their blasters, but none of their shots could find their mark. Kylo Ren continued to hold out his hand at the droids and every blaster bolt that came close to hitting the displaced Supreme Leader just swiveled around his form into the street and buildings behind him. In an simple gesture of closing his fingers into a fist the remaining droids seized up and then their frames began twisting and breaking as they were being slowly made into mangled balls of scrap that floated in the air for mere moments before Kylo released them, causing the balls to quickly shatter into mechanical pieces as the unseen force dissipated.
Padme could hardly believe her eyes at what she had just witnessed, a being in all black had made quick work of their battle droid escorts in seconds. She noticed that the Naboo Guard that had been escorted with them was hesitant to move, even Captain Panaka's eyes were widened in fear at the sight. Padme had barely any experience with the Jedi and their ways but the way this being carried themself did not reflect anything similar to the Jedi.
When it turned to face them, she saw the front of it's mask. She saw the silver plating lined around the soulless visor that felt like it was peering into her very being, there were marks around the mask too from old blaster bolt scorch marks and dents from physical trauma.
"This is a rescue." It stated. The voice was deep and synthesized due to the mask but it was unmistakably male. "Now grab their weapons and I will escort you to the nearest hangar."
The Guards quickly responded to the man's order as they grabbed the destroyed battle droid blasters, though Captain Panaka looked to 'Queen Amidala' before looking back to the man in black.
"Before we go with you I need to know what your intentions are with her Ladyship." The Captain asked.
"My intentions are the same as everyone's here." He gestured to one of the nearby Federation drop ships that was taking off back to space. "To get off this world before the Trade Federation locks down every ship on the planet." The Masked man replied.
Panaka hardly looked convinced but before he could say anything else Queen Amidala stepped forward.
"Very good." She began. "If this is truly a rescue like you say then we will need your help getting to my ship in the palace's hangar. Once we get there we will need to liberate our pilots so we can get off world, and with your..." She paused looking to the broken droids. "...abilities you would be a welcome ally."
Padme was amazed by Sabé's ability to keep herself together in the face of something that could end all of them so quickly. Still neither of them could break their cover now, everyone here had to ensure Padme got to Coruscant before her people were killed in droves by the Trade Federation blockade.
"Let us go then." He gestured for the guards that had picked up the blasters, including Captain Panaka. "Lead the way, I'll deal with anything that tries to stop us."
A quick nod was all the Captain did before leading the group back to the palace.
CHAPTER END.
A/N: Hey all sorry for the year hiatus of this story! With COVID-19 hitting the world and everything happening I had a lot more to worry about than updatingthis.
A lot still going on in life but I am going to have more time to write than before. Still updates are going to be slow but I hope all of you will continueto enjoy this story and provide helpful feedbackthat will increase the quality of this story.
Stay safe!