BOTHAN EMBASSY, CORUSCANT

"Darth is the Dromund Kaasi word for ruler or royalty. For instance, the current regent of Dromund Kaas is Darth Esstran. And the Dromund Kaasi senator, as we all know, is Darth Kamat."

"Darth is of course also the title used by the Sith lords of the ancient Sith Empire."

Senator Borsk Fey'lya sat in silence as he listened to his advisors, watching holographic images hovering in midair, depicting what information that had been found as per the senators requests.

Sork San'lya, the senators most trusted advisor, continued. "The Sith lords did originate from Dromund Kaas, before they eventually settled and colonized Korriban, after having been forced away from Dromund Kaas by the Dromund Kassi people. After close to fifty years in exile the Sith lords returned, and Dromund Kaas became the first populated planet ever conquered by, the then emerging, Sith Empire."

"By the way you describe this Darth Sidious, the clothes, the mask, the ability to make use of the Force, we should consider the possibility that we are either dealing with a Sith lord, or someone impersonating one."

"If such is the case, then of course the next question is; how does a former jedi fit in?"

Borsk stroked his bothan goatee. "Dooku admitted that his life among the fringeworlds in the Outer Rim had changed his view on life. He is a changed man" the senator said and got out of his chair, walking over to an image of Dooku Serenno where he still was dressed in the garbs of the Jedi Order. "Shortly after Dooku disappeared, Viceroy Gunray became Trade Monarch of the Federation, did he not?"

"Gunray owes his position to Dooku? If so, Dooku most likely has dirt on the viceroy."

"And the other way around" it was pointed out. "Dirt collected by this Darth Sidious to keep them all in check and under his control."

Sork operated the keys and dials of a console and retrieved a wall of text, displayed on a holographic screen. "Close to a year after the jedi lost track of Dooku's whereabouts and his dealings, the fleet of pirates that had ravaged neimoidian shipping were destroyed at Kan Tarell."

"Kan Tarell?" the senator inquired.

"A small spaceport" Sork explained. "Utterly destroyed when a known pirate crashed during landing. The resulting explosion caused a chainreaction that detonated six other ships, and the end result was the total destruction of the entire spaceport. Fifty thousand casualties, men, women and children. The seven ships destroyed where suspected of being the marauders that had raided neimoidian merchants for many years."

"With the ships gone, and their crews dead" another advisor cut in, "neimoidian shipping got back on its feet, and soon enough, Viceroy Gunray could maneuver himself into a position to become elected Trade Monarch over the Federation. We have unconfirmed indications that it was the Sullustans who funded the pirates, to undermine their main rival within the Trade Federation."

Sork turned to his senator. "If Dooku was recruited by this Darth Sidious, it would have happened some time right before he vanished. And if Dooku is responsible for the tragedy at Kan Tarell, it could possibly indicate the starting point for his cooperation with Gunray and the neimoidians."

"Dooku helps Gunray gain power within the Federation by removing the pirates, and in return, Gunray helps Dooku removing Valorum?" one of the bothans thought aloud. "All so that Darth Sidious may exploit the situation at a later time?"

Borsk Fey'lya folded his arms over his chest, every studying the image of the former jedi. "We should not forget that this Darth Sidious might be nothing more than a smokescreen. For all we know, it could have been Dooku who manipulated the Force to strangle me."

"Using the sinister figure of a Sith lord to scare the Federation, possibly even impress them? And then use the same ploy on us."

"It certainly is a possibility" another bothan advisors said. "One far more plausible than a Sith lord suddenly emerging out of nowhere after a thousand years."

"It might not be as sudden as we think" one of the trusted advisors said. "After all, neimoidians are not recruited by the jedi. The jedi has no monastery on the Purse Worlds. If you want to hide from the jedi, and can provide duggats, then Cato Neimoidia is a good place for it."

Everyone acknowledged the fact. Neimoidians were brought into this world as larvae, living in groups of dozens of brothers and sisters. But within a few months time, only two or three would still be alive; the rest eaten by their surviving siblings. To the jedi mind and way of thought, such greedy instincts would corrupt anyone schooled in the ways of the Force and condemn such a person to the Dark Side. As such, neimoidians were kept out of the Jedi Order, and as one might expect, there was a fair bit of animosity between the neimoidians and the jedi because of it.

"In either case, how do we proceed? Should we inform the Senate, and the Jedi, we would become heroes and saviors and could exploit all the benefits that comes with such high praise."

"Yet" the senator cautiosly cut in, "no-one would ever trust us again. Who would do business with us after we stab the Federation in the back? Who would offer us deals after we castrate one of the most powerful guilds in the Republic?" Borsk Fey'lya shook his head. "No, we will not reveal what we know. Not yet. We will let this play out, find out what we can and be prepared. One day, Dooku will make his move, and when he does... That is the time for us to strike; just as the arrogant bastard thinks he has won."

THE STRATOSPHERE OF CORUSCANT

A skyhook was a high-altitude platform that offered the extremely wealthy a personal sanctuary from the stress and pollution of the city-wide planet that was Coruscant; the capitol of the Galactic Republic, more often known as the Old Republic. Many skyhooks were designed to replicate the owners homeworld, with fauna and flora. Others were pure pleasure establishments to hold extravagant parties, or were simple in design to allow a stress-free enviroment. A skyhook was taylored to suit the needs of the owner, to be a refuge, a place to escape reality, or in some cases, a sanctuary away from greed, corruption and lies and deceit.

Senator Xizor owned such a skyhook, hovering in a fixed position miles above the Falleen embassy. Its interior was a replica of his homeworld, Falleen, with plantlife and animals to complete the illusion. The massive dome provided a spectacular view of Coruscants horizon all around, not to mention the stars in the sky and the untold numbers of starships in transit to and from Coruscant. The senator himself stood with a glas of wine out on a large open area in the middle of the Falleen jungle, slabs of marble creating a small are free of vegitation. Statues of prominent forefathers lined the edge of the marbled floor together with benches, all cut from stone. Here, he found peace. Here, the falleen senator could clear his mind.

The slight electrical hum of holograms activating one by one had Xizor slowly turn and then sit down on the closest stonecut bench as each hologram solidified and became stable; the five images of five people seated were all familiar faces to Xizor, seeing as they were the senior members and the Board of Directors of the mighty and powerful Corporate Alliance. Xizor himself was a member, as the owner of the succesful Sizhran Transport Systems, a company that conducted trade and provided transportation all over the Core.

"Well, senator?" a well dressed male chiss said, his red eyes piercing. "Has it begun?"

"It has, Director Thror" Xizor replied, unimpressed by the chiss intimidating gaze. "The Trade Federation will invade Naboo in a matter of days."

Thror, speaking on behalf of Seinar Fleet Systems, nodded as he was pleased by the news. "Then Valorum will be removed from office sooner than later. Excellent."

Next to speak was the representative for Baktoid Industries, an arrogant female pa'lowick with arms and fingers heavily weighed down by gems and jewels. "The Trade Federation has placed a massive order for security-droids. Absolutely massive. One could suspect that they are preparing for a prolonged conflict" she added as a smug grin combined with a chuckle made her arrogance seem even more extreme.

"We have heard all of this before" the director of Kuat Drive Yards pointed out, bringing a somber point of view to the discussion. The aging human, easily recognized thanks to an eye replaced by a cybernetic one, turned to his fellow directors as he continued, "Darth Praag'Esh promised us a war. And as it was about to break out with the battle at Whills, the jedi put a stop to it. I urge caution, lest we be too rash and reveal ourselves to our enemies."

"I for one have more faith in Sidious, than his master" the only female human taking part in the meeting said. "It is easier to replace Valorum with a fool like Palpatine, than arrange war between the Republic and the Zygerrian Empire. This will succeed, I am sure of it."

"Speaking of which" Xizor cut in, sipped his glas of wine, placed it to the side and only after did he adress his prominent guests. "We have secured information that the senator of Ryloth is smuggling on behalf of the Pyke Syndicate. We will use this information to make the obese twi'lek realize that supporting Palpatine in the comming elections is the right thing to do. Senator Orn Free Taa undoubtedly provides many politicans with drugs and other filthy vices; through him we will secure many supporters, I guarantee."

Thror, Lord Director of Seinar Fleet Systems, smiled and displayed his perfect white teeth; a sharp contrast next to his dark blue skin and deep red eyes. "That should comfort your shareholders, Elena" he said and glanced mockingly at the human woman, "otherwise you will be hard pressed to sell your new T-65 starfighter."

"Oh, spare me, Thror" Elena snarled. "You have produced nothing to compare with the Z-95 and now we have created its heir. Trust me, it will change the future of the galaxy in the years to come."

The Fabricator General of Kuat Drive Yards growled. "This is not the time!" The mans cybernetic eye only added to his fierce frown. "The war has not yet begun, so let us first resolve the matter at hand; forcing Valorum out of office by having the Federation invading Naboo. If we achieve this, then I am willing to place greater trust in this Darth Sidious."

"Prudent caution, sir" Xizor said in response to the director of Kuat Drive Yards. "It would truly be ill adviced to believe this matter to be concluded simply by having the Federation placing troops on Naboo. We must be patient and vigilant if we are to force this conflict upon the Republic. Replacing Valorum with Palpatine is the first step. Then we must pit the Federation and the Aquatic League against one another. As that happens, as tension mounts, as paranoia sets in, then the guilds will come to us, one by one; they will buy our warships, our guns, our armour, our fighters, they will buy our battledroids. And then the war will be inevitable. Not even the jedi will be able to prevent it. And with the war, our profits will soar unto heights never seen before in the history of the galaxy. And we will be so very wealthy because of it."

"A compelling picture" the last of the Corporate Alliance great leaders said, a male human with sharp eyes, a dashing smile and mustasch ending in twirled points. "But like you said yourself, senator, we would do well to be patient and vigilant, and resolve this one step at a time."

They all turned to listen as the Executor Prime of the Corellian Engineering Corporation spoke. A man of few words, he was nontheless a man both respected, envied and feared. Jonash Bel Solo sal Berethron, some would say the most powerful man on all of Corellia, had through ruthless cunning and sly politics made the Corellian Engineering Corporation one of the Republics most succesful companies, and that achievement had earned him a place on the Board of Directors of the Corporate Alliance.

"We have the votes to install Palpatine as chancellor" Jonash Bel Solo said. "Let's start with that."

BARONY OF DULAC, THE RIVERLANDS, NABOO

The Outrider flew in towards the blue and green planet, a beautiful gem in the darkness of space. Entering atmosphere, the small freighter headed for the region known as the Riverlands and the city of Dulac. The city was located on three islands in the middle of a massive river that cut through the countryside and divided the forests. The city itself was an amazing spectacle of amber and pink stone, covered in vegetation that did not seem to impede on the nabooans way of life. The landingplatforms were located right next to the water and the Outrider spooked all maner of wildlife as it came in for a landing.

XXX XXX

Some hours later and Dash Rendar was enjoying a local beverage, sitting on the edge of the platform along the river, watching as Eadan enjoyed a proper swim in the clear waters. Leebo was over by the ship and conducted some minor repairs. Dash had always liked Naboo, it always seemed to sooth him and allow him a proper good nights rest. And Eadan clearly felt at home in the fresh rivers and lakes. Dash eventually noticed a group of men dressed in very official clothing coming towards them, so he called on Eadan to get out of the water.

"Captain Rendar?" a hunched and elderly man in the group said, the others tall and resolute guardsmen with blasters holstered.

"That's me" Dash said and drank of his beverage. "And you are?"

"Horric Felton, Steward of House Gelda" the old man said. "I believe you have a shipment for me?"

Dash drank some more before responding. "Not unless you have the goods I'm supposed to take with me to Tatooine."

"Of course" the man named Horric said and nodded. "Unfortunately, under the rule of our new monarch, our spice-production is more heavily regulated than before. Your cargo will arrive in two days, I'm afraid."

"Two days?" Dash said.

"An unfortunate reality these days" the steward sighed. "It has become increasingly harder to sell a few crates for personal profit. I fear the young queen is strongly opposed of illegal distribution of Naboo spice. The number of disgruntled spice-miners are increasing daily as a consequence. It is all very troubling to say the least."

Eadan chuckled. "Something tells me she is just waiting to get an offer, to get a cut of the profit."

"Alas" the elder steward of House Gelda said and shook his head, "the young queen is an idealist. Naive and foolish, as youth tends to be."

"Sounds terrible" Dash said and sounded quite uninterested. "Look, as soon as I get the spice, you get the baradium. Until then, your crate stays on my ship."

"A reasonable demand" Horric Felton said with a toothless smile. "I hope you will enjoy your stay here in Dulac until our business is concluded."

Dash finished his beverage and tossed the empty mug over his shoulder into the river. "No doubt."