THE PROFITABLE PROVIDER, NABOO ORBIT
Count Nayron sat on the vast bridge of his cargo-hauler, having a meeting with the other main officers in his fleet. The holographic images off Lo-Ama-Foyor, Kekkol and an ugnaught were arranged in a semi-circle infront of him.
"If any vessel tries to push through our blockade, we have legal rights to open fire and if necessary destroy that vessel" Nayron said to his fellow senior officers. "Just make sure they have been warned first and that you fire a warning-shot. The monarch will not be pleased if Naboo slips through our fingers because we did not pay attention to the law. We must not give the Senate any reason to interfere. Naboo must stand on her own if we are to annex her and bring her into the fold."
A small group of non-neimoidians entered the bridge at this point and Nayron decided to end the briefing.
"You have your orders, I expect you to know what to do." Nayron then deactivated the transmission and turned his chair to face the newcomers to the bridge. "Commanders, welcome to the Naboo system" he said and got out of the chair.
"When do we attack?" a viscious looking kaleesh said, recognizable by the purple skin and the tusks extending down either side of his jaw to portude beyond his chin. Head and shoulders wrapped in cloth, a reminder of the creatures arid homeworld, his chest riddled with medals and his hand resting against the distruptor-blade carried in his belt. Everything about the creature screamed warrior.
Nayron held up a hand to calm the mercenary-captain. "I am confident it will not come to that. Our presence will frighten the Naboo into submission."
"Weaklings" a red-skinned nikto said, commanding a full company of nikto mercenaries on the payroll of the Trade Federation.
A massive wookie let out a series of howls and growls and made a fist with his cybernetic right arm, his cybernetic eye glowing red with the lust for battle.
"Gormbacc is right" the kaleesh mercenary-captain said, moving his heavy cape away from his sword and placed his arms on his back as he studied the planet beyond the view-ports of the bridge. "They are defending their home, not some distant colony. They will not yield so easily. And one of the queens closest advisors, Baron Sio, is a veteran of the battle of Whills. He will not accept surrender."
"How do you know?" Nayron wondered, the neimoidian having never heard of this baron.
"Because" the kaleesh snarled, "I fought with him during that conflict. He will not yield."
"Statistically improbable" said a command-droid as it approached the gathering of mercenary-captains. "We have brought a force that has the capability of overrunning the planet in a single day. The Naboo commanders will undoubtedly realize this and will understand that resistance is futile. This planet will fall without a single casuality on either side."
"Commander OOM-9 is correct" Count Nayron nodded. "They wouldn't dare oppose us. It would mean their destruction."
A gamorrean warrior squeeled and oinked furiously and held up its blaster-cannon that had replaced its left arm.
"Captain Ugluk" Nayron said sternly, "you will kill nabooans on my command alone, understood?"
"Believe what you will, neimoidian" the kaleesh said, "but the gamorrean will get his wish fullfilled soon enough."
"Captain Grievous" Nayron turned to the kaleesh mercenary, "I assure you that we have the situation under control."
The kaleesh mercenary, going by the name of Captain Sheelal Grievous, was obviously not convinced. "We will see."
CITY OF DULAC, THE RIVERLANDS, NABOO
Dash Rendar was kneeling next to Leebo as the droid was conducting minor repairs to the ships lateral controls, the red-headed corellian eating a tula-apple as he did.
"We will have to replace this when we return to Tatooine" the droid informed.
Dash simply nodded. "Yeah, figured as much" he said and took another bite of the apple. "How much will it cost us, you think?"
"I estimate between five and seven hundred dataries."
Dash groaned and muttered, taking yet another bite of the apple. "No place we can go and get a better deal?"
"In the Outer Rim, sir?" Leebo inquired.
"Yeah" Dash nodded. "I aint paying for fuel just to head for civilization."
"Perish the thought, sir" the maintainence-droid said surly. "Kalyss is known for its low prices."
"Yeah, and also for its parts exploding half the time. No thanks" the corellian smuggler said.
"Hey, Dash" Eadan said and stuck his head through the door. "Something's going on outside."
"Like what?"
"Don't know" the nautilan said, "but the natives are spooked."
The crew of Outrider stepped outside and quickly noted that the nabooans were indeed spooked as Eadan had put it. For some reason, much of their attention was directed at the skies, even though Dash could not figure out why. People stood in groups and seemed worried and serious, women hurried home with their children. Teenagers stood with magnoculars aimed at the skies up on rooftops.
The nautilan spat a gob of spit on the ground. "I have a bad feeling about this."
"What the hell is going on here?" Dash thought out loud. "Wait here" he then said and headed for a neighbouring ship, crewed by mainly chiss. "Hey, anyone know what's going on?" the corellian captain asked as he approached the crewmembers of the neighbouring vessel.
"Yeah" one of the blueskinned and red-eyed chiss said, removing a stim-spike from his mouth. "The no good stinking Trade Federation just placed a blockade on this damned watery rock."
Dash pulled his hand through his hair out of frustration. "A blockade?!" he said and released a deep sigh. "Son of a.."
Dash hurried back to his own crew and the Outrider.
"What's going on?" Eadan asked as his captain came jogging back.
"We're leaving" Dash said and ran past the other two and up the ramp.
"What?" Eadan simply remained where he stood. "What do you mean?"
The nautilan hurried after and found Dash by the controls, well underway in starting up the ship and preparing it for take off.
"Dash, what the hell is going on?" Eadan demanded.
"We're taking off" Dash informed. "The Federation is placing the planet under a blockade and I for one don't intend to get stuck here."
Eadan cursed in his native language and quickly found his place in the co-pilots seat. Within moments, the Outrider took off from the ground and angled for the skies before its main engines came to life with a mighty roar that sent the small corellian freighter hurtling towards the clouds. It did not take many minutes before they exited Naboos atmosphere and were spaceborn.
"Federation cruiser" Eadan said and pointed at a Lucrehulk-class cargo-hauler off in the distance.
"I saw it" Dash said, "we have another one at point two-eight."
Eadan spotted the second ship through the view-ports of the cock-pit, right where Dash had said it would be.
"Fighters coming in!" Dash growled moments before four Naboo N2 fightercraft shot past Outrider from behind, turning back, doubling back past one another, before shooting past the small freighter dangerously close.
"That guy had blue eyes!" Eadan said as a Naboo fighter swept past the Outriders cockpit.
"Civilian freighter YT-2400 Outrider, respond" a female voice sounded over the com-system.
Dash pushed the button to the com-system. "This is Outrider, who is this?"
"This is Captain Remora of 2nd Fighter Wing of House Veruna. Please return to the surface, no ships are allowed to leave the planet at this moment."
"Yeah, well, we have a shipment and a deadline" Dash replied.
"And I have my orders" the female voice said. "Turn back now, captain, or we will be forced to open fire. And believe me, captain, the Trade Federation most deffinately will open fire aswell."
"Copy that, Fighter Wing" Dash said and cut transmission.
"So?" Eadan wondered. "Now what?"
Dash slumped into his pilots seat and sighed with frustration. "She's right" he then said, "we wont get past the Federation. We're heading back."
"You realize we could get stuck here for a very long time?" Eadan pointed out.
"Oh, I know" Dash groaned. "Trust me, I know."
Suddenly, half a dozen green blasterbolts shot past the cockpit.
"Seriously!" Dash growled. "Let me atleast have time to turn the damned ship before you open fire at us!"
Outrider turned around and was escorted back towards Naboo by the four N2 fightercraft.
CITY OF THEED, NABOO
A shuttle of the Trade Federation flew in over the amazing landscape with its course set on Theed and the palace of House Amidala. In the palace court, the baroness and her closest advisors sat in wait, along with members of other noble houses that acted as advisors to the baroness in her position as queen. The large doors opened and allowed an impressive Federation retinue to enter the marble-floor of the Amidalan court, a squad of neimoidian soldiers in strict formation marching infront of two representatives of the Trade Federation, who in turn were followed by two full squads of armed securitydroids. A nabooan valet announced the guests.
"Count Lo-Ama-Foyor and Count Glu Nayron of the Trade Federation, here on behalf of Viceroy Nute Gunray of Cato Neimoidia and the Purse Worlds, Trade Monarch of the Trade Federation."
"Your highness" Count Nayron said and the neimoidian offered the queen the slightest of bows.
"State your purpose here, count" Queen Amidala said from her throne, her voice sharp and to the point, and despite her young years - recently only turning twenty years of age - her posture and voice demanded respect.
Count Nayron straightened his back and studied the young queen, seated as she was behind the eight handmaidens that always accompanied her. "I am here to offer you the chance to avoid further conflict by presenting to you a treaty, signed by Viceroy Gunray himself." The neimoidian count held out a datapad that was retrieved by Baron Sio of Lauros. "I suggest you sign it."
"We will see" Queen Amidala replied, not without sarcasm.
Baron Olivar Sio, who had retrieved the datapad, took a moment to read what it had to say. What he read made him red in the face with anger. "Are you out of your mind?!" he said in disbelief. Baron Sio then turned to his queen and explained briefly what she was being offered to sign. "The viceroy offers Naboo to join the Trade Federation, leaving its elected monarch as regent in name, with all real governing powers moved to a Federation Governor, appointed by the Trade Federation Directorate." He then quoted the datapad as he read aloud from it, "To ensure stability, the Trade Federation will leave a garrison on Naboo of sufficient size and capability to make sure all aspects of society are kept safe."
"A most generous offer" Count Lo-Ama-Foyor cut in. "I suggest you sign it."
"My lords" Amidala said and gained everyones attention. "I can not agree to these terms, as I'm sure you can understand. The matter of joining the Trade Federation under these circumstances is unacceptable, and further more, I will never, under no circumstance, allow Federation troops to occupy Naboo. Nor have a Federation beaurocrat govern over my people and steal this planets resources."
Count Nayron chuckled with amusement. "My lady, this is not that kind of negotiation. You will accept these terms and sign the treaty, simply because it will spare your people a great deal of grief. A great deal, my lady."
"I believe we are done here" Queen Amidala coldly stated.
The neimoidian and cerean lords bowed and then the two of them, along with their retinue of Federation troops, left the court to return to their shuttle and head back to orbit and rejoin the blockade.
"Absurd" Baron Sio sneered as the doors to the court closed behind the Federation party.
Baron Gelda of the city of Dulac was worried. "Perhaps, but signing that document would ensure peace and would save our people alot of hardship."
The Steward of House Palpatine shook his head, troubled over the situation. "They leave little room for diplomacy or negotiation. First they demand our moons and our lucrative spice-mines. Now they demand our entire planet. And this fleet in orbit? What purpose does it serve?"
"To scare us" Baron Sio frowned. "Is that what we are reduced to? Frightened children cowering in the face of bullies?"
Baron Gelda grew tired of Sio's reluctance. "You would sooner see Naboo burn than have peace?"
"I would have her be free" Baron Sio argued. "Something your father understood, baron."
Before Baron Gelda had a chance to respond, the queen cut them both off. "Enough!" she harsly ordered. "This bickering is pointless. Now, open the channel to senator Palpatines office."
In the middle of the court a holographic projection of senator Palpatine appeared, the aging man resting against the cane that was his trademark.
"My queen" Palpatine said and offered a respectful bow.
"Senator" Queen Amidala said with a smile. "Any news from Coruscant?"
"I am happy to report, your majesty, that Chancellor Valorum was furious at the news of our terrible situation and took it upon himself to journey to Cato Neimoidia and confront Viceroy Gunray."
"How does the neimoidian senator respond to all of this?" Baroness Veruna wondered.
The image of senator Palpatine shook his head. "Senator Dod is adamant in his claims that the Trade Federation has broken no law and that this blockade is completely legal."
"What help can we expect from the Republic?" Amidala then asked.
"Hard to say, your majesty" Palpatine regretfully informed his sovereign. "The news are so fresh not many have yet had time to react or respond to it. It still needs to be officially confirmed by the Senate that this blockade does indeed exist."
"Baron Palpatine" Baron Gelda said as he adressed the holographic image of the Naboo senator, "we were just now presented with a treaty where the Federation offers to include Naboo as a member, in order to end this blockade."
"Unthinkable!" Baron Sio voiced his opinion aloud.
"Most troubling" the senator admitted. "If the blockade is indeed deemed legal, then the Federation could cut us off from the rest of the galaxy until they are satisfied that what ever demands they place upon us are met."
"I will never yield" Queen Amidala said, her voice cold and dark. "This is our home and I will not be forced to hand it over, along with my people, to become a pawn in the service of the Federation."
"My queen" the Steward of House Amidala said, "is it not dangerous to deny so strongly any chance for a mutual agreement?"
"I must agree with your sister, your highness" senator Palpatine admitted. "For diplomacy to work, all sides must be prepared to sit down and discuss and negotiate. I suggest you offer the Federation a counter-proposal. It would at the very least buy us time to gather allies in the Senate."
"Prudent advice, your majesty" the senators brother added.
"Very well" the queen said, almost reluctantly. "Diplomacy will be allowed to run its course."