THE BARONY OF THEED, THE MARSHES, NABOO

The city of Theed was located along steep cliffs where the rivers of the Riverlands turned into spectacular waterfalls that crashed down into the great basin that was the barony proper. The basin created a natural bowl that collected most of the water from the Riverlands, creating an immense marshland of bogs and swamps before allowing excess water to escape through the shallow deltas that connected with the oceans.

The city itself was a thing of beauty were it was located along the cliffside, surrounded by rivers and waterfalls, forrests and wetlands. It was pitoresque and breathtaking, a truly tranquil place. Ancestral home of the noble household of Amidala, the city was also currently serving as the planets capitol, as the baroness of House Amidala had been elected monarch by her peers upon the death of the planets previous ruler. This despite her young age of merely twenty years.

In the palace of House Amidala, the baroness and queen, Padmé Amidala, was recieving an emissary from the Trade Federation to discuss the recent clash of interest between Naboo and the members of the powerful guild. The cerean ambassador, speaking on behalf of the Trade Federation, made his case before the young queen and her council of advisors.

"It is the view of the Trade Federations Parlament of Commerce that Naboo has knowingly taken action to undermine the economy of the Federations members. As such, Republic law allows the Federation to secure its financial situation against further hostilities."

Queen Amidala, situated on her throne, her features hidden behind a majestic wig, intricate make-up to hide her contures and eyes covered by a thin veil, was cold as stone as she listened to the ambassador. Between the queen and the ambassador sat eight women, dressed in elaborate gowns of black and gold, faces hidden behind veils and intricate headpieces.

The cerean acting as ambassador on behalf of the Federation straightened his back somewhat as he presented the offer from his lord and master. "The Trade Monarch suggests the following deal to ensure stability for both Naboo and the Federation; Naboo surrenders all claims to its moons and allows the Trade Federation full ownership."

"Absurd!" Baron Olivar Sio growled. The aging noble, hair and beard white and gray, sneered. "Our moons are essential to our trade. Our export of spice is key for our survival. If we surrender the moons, we doom our people to poverty."

"I agree" Baroness Veruna said in support of Baron Sio, the woman a few years younger. "It is quite clear that the Trade Federation is asking of us to accept a deal that we can never, in good consience, consider."

The Steward of House Palpatine nodded in agreement and turned to his queen. "Your highness, I must advice you to not accept such a deal. We should inform my brother of this so that he can bring this situation before the chancellor. Chancellor Valorum will support us."

The cerean ambassador sighed and shook his head. "The situation is simple. Naboo put forward the vote on taxation of trade-routes, and your senator made sure that the Senate would support it. Naboo has taken deliberate action against the interests of the Trade Federation which gives the Federation legal rights to protect its economic situation. The easiest way to resolve this, is if Naboo compensates the Federation by surrendering its moons and their spice-production to the Federation."

"Ambassador Lo-Ama-Foyor" the queens voice was deep, cold and unpersonal. "The Trade Federation is correct in its analasys. Naboo has taken direct action against the interests of the Federation, but also against the Corporate Alliance, the Commerce Guild and the Industrial Union, the Mining Guild and many more. The new taxes on the major trade-routes will make it more profitable to conduct trade locally, which will increase trade for Naboo and systems like Geonosis, Dantooine, Toydaria, Alderaan, Malastere, Kashyyyk and many, many more. And Naboo will not make any excuses for its actions. And Naboo will certainly not surrender its spice-production to the Trade Federation, simply because the Federation feels it has been misstreated by a legal vote in the Senate that the Federation was unable to avoid with its usual bribes."

The ambassador took on a most sombre look as he placed his hands on his back. "Your majesty has clearly listened to poor council. If Naboo is not willing to compensate the Trade Federation, as a show of good will, then the Federation has no other choice than to interperate Naboos actions as intentional and hostile; leaving the Federation no other choice than to protect its economical situation with appropriate force."

Baron Sio almost lot his temper completely. "The Protection Act?! You are talking about the Protection Act?! You compare Naboo with pirates?! How dare you?!"

Lo-Ama-Foyor was as serious as he ever could be. "The Trade Federation will protect its economical interests within the fullest extent of the law. We will use the appropriate amount of force required and we will deploy the firepower necessary to ensure the finances of our members."

"Ambassador" Queen Amidala said with dark eyes, "I believe this audience has come to an end. You are excused."

The cerean bowed. "Majesty" he said and then turned and left the court.

As soon as the ambassador had left and the doors had shut behind him, Baron Sio turned to his queen. "Your highness" the baron from the Flatlands said, "we must contact Baron Palpatine immediately and have him bring this issue before the chancellor. The Federation has gone too far this time."

"I heartily agree" the Steward of House Palpatine nodded. "Only my brother can help us now."

Baroness Veruna hit the armrest of her chair out of frustration and anger. "Scoundrels! Comparing us to pirates and marauders? The Federation are nothing but filth!"

Baron Gelda, lord of the barony of Dulac and the Riverlands, was less agitated than the others. "Perhaps we should consider this offer? At least sit down and discuss a treaty?"

"Never!" Baroness Veruna roared in utter defiance.

"I am with the barony of Veru" Baron Sio said with a stern tone of voice. "The barony of Lauros and the Flatlands will never submit to such threats."

"But a treaty could prove to be favorable to both parties" Baron Gelda pointed out strongly. "More over, it would secure peace and stability for our people."

"It would do nothing but make slaves out all of Naboo!" Baron Sio said and rejected the very idea of a treaty.

"I believe Baron Gelda could have a point" the Steward of House Amidala said, much to the surprise of everyone present.

The queen turned to face her younger sister, the steward of their House. "Lady Sola, we will discuss this later."

Sola Amidala, merely seventeen years old, turned into a giant frown. "My queen, I merely wanted to point out..."

"Enough, Lady Sola!" Queen Amidala said sharply. "You and I will discuss this at a later time."

"Yes, your majesty" the queens younger sister said and fell silent.

"Lord Cosin" the queen then said and turned to the steward of House Palpatine, "please do make contact with your brother. I believe we need to make the chancellor aware of this situation."

The Steward of House Palpatine bowed before his regent. "As you command, your highness."

XXX XXX

Ambassador Lo-Ama-Foyor walked out onto the landingplatform where his shuttle stood waiting. Once onboard, he sat down by the ships com-station and within seconds a holographic projection of a neimoidian official appeared before him.

"Yes, ambassador?" the neimoidian said, "What news from Naboo?"

"As expected, lord Nayron" the cerean said. "The offer was rejected. You may continue as planned."

The neimoidian nodded and grinned. "Head for orbit, ambassador. We shall arrive within twelve hours."

XXX XXX

From the windows of the royal court, Queen Amidala watched as the Trade Federation ambassadors shuttle headed for orbit. Her attention was drawn elsewhere, as she could see her sister discussing with Baron Gelda in the gardens of the palace down below. She sighed and closed her eyes, she hated arguing with her sister, yet somehow it always seemed to end that way no matter what.

"She always was headstrong."

The queen turned to look over her shoulder at the woman who approached her, twice the queens age.

"Baroness Naberrié" the queen said with a soft smile.

"Just like your father" Baroness Naberrié added and smiled at her firstborn daughter.

Queen Amidala found a seat on a bench by one of the windows. "Lady Jobal, please join me."

"Of course, your majesty" the older of the two women said and sat down next to the ruler of Naboo.

"Sola wants me to discuss terms and sign a treaty with the Federation" Amidala said. "It could secure peace for us all. A treaty with the Federation could possibly increase our trade, but we would be turned into simple pawns unable to decide our own fate. We would have no control over our own resources."

"Your father, during all his years as a senator, had nothing good to say about the Trade Federation" Baroness Naberrié pointed out. "As you said, perhaps we would gain trade, but what would we lose?"

"Our entire spice-production" Amidala said with a sigh. "We would lose our one valuable resource. And with it, our independance."

"Your father would certainly not have agreed on such terms" the elder baroness said.

"Nor I, mother" the queen said. "I will never agree to it."

"You make me so proud, little spark" Baroness Naberrié smiled and placed a hand on her daughters shoulder. "If only your father could see you now."

The queen smiled at her mother. "In the name of my father, Baron Ruwee Amidala, I will not yield to the Trade Federation."

NABOO ORBIT

The Trade Federation cargo-hauler, Currency Delight,hovered in silence in high orbit around the astonishing planet, the green continents and blue oceans a most pleasant view from the bridge of the Lucrehulk-class freighter.

Sales Count Lo-Ama-Foyor of the Trade Federation studied the spectacular planet and the clouds moving across it through its atmosphere. A twi'lek female entered the bridge and her revealing dresscode, appearing both mercenary and pleasure-girl all at once, attracted the attention of all the cerean crewmembers as she walked on over to the ambassador.

"Lieutenant" Lo-Ama-Foyor said as the mercenary approached him. "Are all charges set?"

"Every last one" the twi'lek said. "Give the word and we will detonate every single comm-relay on this planet and its moons."

"Very good" the ambassador said.

"Count Lo-Ama-Foyor" the ships captain, another cerean, said, standing as he did over by the ships scanners. "Count Nayron has arrived."

Exiting hyperspace was twenty-seven Lucrehulk-class cargo-haulers of the Trade Federation and almost immediately the ships began to spread out to envelop the planet of Naboo, launching swarms of hundreds of fightercraft to patrol the planets orbit within moments of arrival.

Onboard the command-ship of the Federation fleet, The Profitable Provider, crewed by neimoidians and commanded by Sales Count Nayron, the count himself stood next to the captain and watched a holographic display of the fleet deploying around the planet. The count soon spotted another ship about to leave the system and pointed at its small icon on the holographic map.

"That transport must not be allowed to escape" the count said and the captain walked away to deal with the situation.

XXX XXX

The naboo transport, Soul of the Hylands, was heading for the gap between two of the massive Federation cargo-haulers, squadrons of fighters could be seen patrolling space all around. Out of nowhere, six Vulture-class fighter-droids shot past the transport dangerously close, forcing the crew on the bridge to duck out of instinct.

"What the hell is going on?" the co-pilot growled.

"Captain" the pilot said and turned to her senior officer. "The Federation vessel True Bargain is hailing us."

"Let them through" the captain said and made sure his uniform was in good order.

Before the captain a holographic display of a pacithhip, sitting in a chair of his own, appeared, the smug creature stroking his tusks as one might twirl a mustasch.

"This is naboo transport Soul of the Hylands and I am Captain Olgarié, flying cargo on behalf of House Veruna. How can I assisst?"

"Captain" the pacithhip said and its long trunk moved as it spoke, "I am Supervisor Kekkol, and I'm afraid I will have to incist that you turn around and return to the planet."

"Return?" Captain Olgarié said, not truly understanding. "What is going on?"

"This is a legal blockade of the planet Naboo" Supervisor Kekkol informed, the smug grin on his face made his entire being ooze with arrogance. "In accordance with Republic law, the Trade Federation has now stopped all shipping to and from the planet."

"Surely we can..."

Captain Olgarié was not allowed to finish his sentance.

"Turn around now" the pacithhip said, "or we will be forced to open fire."

Olgarié could not believe what was happening. "Sir, we are flying cargo on behalf of House Veruna and..."

The entire ship shook as two round from a heavy blaster-cannon struck the ships shields and warning-lights started blinking all across the bridge of the Soul of the Hylands.

"You have been warned" Supervisor Kekkol said and cut transmission.

The pilot turned to look at her senior officer. "Captain?" she said with worry in her eyes.

"Turn the ship around" Olgarié said. "Take us back to Naboo."

CITY OF THEED, NABOO

Queen Amidala entered the court in haste, followed by the eight handmaidens dressed in black and gold, and joined the many people already gathered there. Several holograms were active and hovered in midair, displaying information about the current blockade and the ships involved, the patrolling fightercraft as well as Naboos own forces.

"What is going on?!" the queen demanded as she headed for the main hologram where her senior advisors had gathered.

"My queen" Captain Panaka of the Household Guard of House Amidala, holding his officers hat under his arm, turned to face his mistress. "A fleet of Federation transports has arrived and have deployed in high orbit. Currently, two thousand Federation fighters have been released and are patrolling high orbit together with the transports."

"What is the meaning of this?" Amidala inquired.

Baron Sio of the barony of Lauros had turned into a frown of bitter contempt. "The Trade Federation are making good on their threats, your highness. The Protection Act allows them to stop all trade with Naboo and that is what they intend to do. Bloody cowards!"

Baroness Veruna took her eyes from the holograms for a moment to adress her regent. "Your majesty, the barony of Veru has deployed its fighters in low orbit to protect our sovereignity and your throne. We are ready."

"Rash" Baron Gelda said, studying the number of icons depicting Federation vessels. "You are too rash, my lady. The presence of your fighters could very well result in an unwanted conflict."

"Our pilots are worth two or three of their fighters" Baron Sio claimed as he started to pace about. "If there are to be hostilities, then the Federation will be to blame."

"Even so" Captain Panaka said, "we are not capable of handling a confrontation. We have not the means of defeating a fleet of that size."

"Then we must negotiate" Lady Sola said, the queens younger sister sounding determined. "We may not like it, but that is our only option."

"Baroness Veruna" Amidala eventually said, "keep your fighters patrolling low orbit. I will not appear weak before the Federation. And send an invitation to the Federation commander... Inform him, or her, that I am willing to discuss terms."