BOTHAWUI

The Corona-class frigate, The Gambit, entered orbit around the planet and the saucer-shaped vessel joined hundreds of other ships in a holding pattern above the planets atmosphere. A miniature version of the larger ship left its hangarbays, located at the center of its belly and protected by a forcefield, and the shuttlecraft headed for the bothan homeworld.

Escorted in towards the planets capitol, the city of Drev'starn, by four bothan Z-95 Headhunter starfighters, the shuttle eventually landed in its appointed dockingbay and was greeted by three dozen armed guards. As the captain of The Gambit disembarked his shuttlecraft, he was nothing but a wide smile as he spotted the bothan delegate in command of the security-forces deployed to greet him to the planet.

"Marshal Gral'vun" Hondo Ohnaka grinned, the weequay holding out his arms for an embrace.

But the bothan marshal would not have it, as he aimed his own pistol at the notorious captain. "That is far enough, Hondo. Why have you come here?"

Hondo shook his head and held his hands up to show he was not hostile. "I only wanted to talk to the Secretary of clan Avun. I have some juicy information for her, if she is willing to pay for it."

"We know" the marshal said. "All of Bothawui knows. Your transmission wasn't encrypted, so now every bothan in the system knows you are here to sell information to clan Avun."

Hondo merely chuckled, his hands ever in the air. "Well... I figured it would boost my profits if I created a market for my merchandize. I bet the other six-hundred and seven clans on Bothawui would all love to pay a handsome price for the information I possess" the weequay grinned and then slowly retrieved the data-tape from his innerpocket and held it up in clear sight.

"And now everyone knows how to get the information" the marshal said and nodded.

"Precisely" Hondo said with a smirk. "So, my suggestion is this; clan Avun buys the data-tape from me before someone else does, or, before someone steals it from me."

"Name your price, pirate" marshal Gurn Gral'vun snarled.

"Sixty duggats."

The bothan marshal was not pleased by the offer. "Thirty" he countered.

"Half?" Hondo burst into laughter. "Very well, old friend, I will play your game. Fifty duggats."

"Forty."

"Forty-five."

"Agreed" the bothan said and returned his blaster it its holster.

"Always a pleasure dealing with you bothans" Hondo grinned wide and not without a hint of arrogance.

XXX XXX

The senior members of clan Avun sat in session, the chamber dark lit as they watched a holographic recording of a meeting between several Hutts. And not just any Hutts, but the very top of clan Desilijic's hierarchy, the leaders of one of Nal Huttas most powerful families.

"Could it be fake?"

"All tests of the recording indicates it is a copy of an original."

"So clan Durgiljiic wants the support of clan Desilijic to convince the other Hutt families in supporting a Trade Federation candidate as Supreme Chancellor? Interesting. Could the blockade of Naboo be part of such a plot?"

"Forcing Valorum out of office? It is not unthinkable, should he fail in his attempts at solving the issue through diplomacy."

"So the Federation are trying to secure support, as they forsee a vote of no confidence to remove Valorum from his office. Is this to the benefit of Bothawui? Or clan Avun?"

"Bothawui should en devour to make sure that the next chancellor is one we control, rather than the Federation, or anyone else for that matter. We should not stop the Trade Federation in their plans, but exploit their efforts instead and steal the prize from under their noses."

"And risk Borsk Fey'lya to rule the Republic? To rule us all? Risk becoming slaves under the rule of clan Alya?"

"No. A bothan will not become chancellor, that would only tear the clans apart. And clan Alya knows this. We must make sure that a trusted ally is elected, one that Bothawui can control through our mutual senator."

"So we bring this before the Clan Council?"

"Aye."

"Aye."

The senior members of clan Avun all agreed; they would make this plot known to all the bothan clans in order to set in motion a plot to wait for the Trade Federation to remove Supreme Chancellor Valorum from office, and then install a puppet loyal to Bothawui to replace the present chancellor. Thereby exploiting the plans of the Trade Federation for the benefit of Bothawui.

YGGDRAL, REPUBLIC PRISON WORLD

Alanda Barro and Ephrem Karalga watched the dysmal planet come into view beyond the viewport, a gray and bleak world, surrounded by defense-platforms and turret-satellites. Jedi Master Even Piell, a grim looking Lannik with one eye missing and replaced with a viscious scar, walked over to the two teenagers whos minds were heavily weighed down with despair.

"Five million convicts live down there" the short jedi said, being no taller than four feet. "They survive as best they can; some farm, others hunt. Most have settled down, formed families, have left their criminal life behind. Many however, still hold on to the life that doomed them to spend the rest of their existance on this world."

Ephrem glanced at the jedi master, but Alanda did not take her eyes from the planet. Not because she took any interest in it, but rather because her mind was void, save but one longing; to hold her child one more time.

Even Piell placed his hands on his back and studied the planet. "The Republic has sent these people to live their lives here, away from society, unable to continue their criminal activities. But they are still the Republics responsibility. They have formed families down there, they have children. And they require law and order. That is where you come in, Rejections. As Law Enforcers you will make sure that violence is kept to a minimum, you will uphold the peace and you will ensure stability. And you will do so until you die." Jedi Master Piell turned to face the two young teenagers, "Rejection Alanda Barro, enter the pod. Everything you need is inside. On the surface, you will meet up with Chief Enforcer Hoyt Bosco and he will take you under his wing."

Alanda reacted to what the lannik had told her. "I am going down there alone?"

Piell nodded. "Rejection Ephrem Karalga is needed elsewhere, on Gar Melkor."

The two former padawan-learners locked eyes, desperately trying to find a solution to their predicament by reading eachothers faces.

"No" Alanda said. "No, I will not leave Ephrem on his own."

"The decision has been made" Piell said with a frown. "You will comply, Rejection. For the good of the Republic."

"I don't care about the Republic!" the young woman yelled. "Do you hear me?! I don't care!"

"Your opinion on this matter does not concern me" the grim-looking lannik said with a frown and then extended his will through the Force and moved the girl through the air towards the pod.

Alanda screamed and fought with all her strength, but it could not brake her free. Eventually, she had been moved into the pod and the airlock closed behind her. Ephrem ran up to the shut doorway and the two youngsters found eachother face to face on either side of the small viewport of the airlock.

"I will find you!" Alanda shouted, barely audible through the airlock. "I will find you, Ephrem!"

Both burst into tears and Ephrem placed his hand against the viewport. "I love you."

Jedi Master Even Piell grunted. "It is time" he said, almost with a growl and pressed the required set of keys to launch the pod through the use of the Force.

The pod left the ship, jettisoned much like an escape-pod, both Alanda and Ephrem pressing themselves up against the viewports as the distance between them grew by several miles with each second. Ephrem eventually leaned his forheard against the viewport and clenched his fists out of sorrow and frustration. In the pod, Alanda fell to the floor, her face covered in tears.

CORUSCANT

A CSS-1 Corellian Star Shuttle, supported by four Carrack-class light cruisers as escort, all of them painted in the red and white of the Old Republic, exited hyperspace and entered orbit of the planet whos surface was covered by one single giant city. Six V-wing fighters linked up with the CSS-1 in orbit and escorted the vessel as it entered atmosphere, making their way past the traffic-lanes and transport-routes until they arrived at the Republic Senate building. The CSS-1 settled on a dockingplatform and its passengers soon enough disembarked. It was none other than Supreme Chancellor Valorum and his closest advisors, protected by a dozen members of the Red Guard. It was clear that the chancellor and his retinue were troubled by their serious faces.

XXX XXX

Chancellor Valorum entered with determined strides his personal office where invited officials already were waiting. "Forgive me for being late" Valorum said sincerely as he instantly headed for his chair behind his massive desk. "I hope I have not offended anyone."

"Not at all" Grand Master Yoda of the Jedi Order assured the chancellor. "Easily offended, we are not."

"What news from Cato Neimoidia?" Senator Palpatine of Naboo inquired. "What has the Trade Federation to say for themselves?"

Chancellor Valorum sighed and leaned back into his chair. "I had long talks with Viceroy Gunray and he refuses to end the blockade of Naboo" Valorum said. "The Trade Federation are using their right to defend their economic interests with the use of weapons and are not budging."

"Absurd!" Senator Palpatine burst out, striking the floor with the bottom-end of his cane in frustration. "The Protection Act is ment to allow cargoships to carry weapons to defend against pirates, not invade planets!"

The senator of Kinyen was next to cut in. "I must point out that the Trade Federation has not invaded any planet" the female Gran said. "They are, however, as of yet conducting a legal blockade to protect their economic interests."

But Palpatine did not agree. "They are trying to force the senate to lower taxes on the major trade-routes by bullying smaller worlds into submission! It is an outrage!"

"Senators, please" the chancellor said and then turned to the Jedi. "Master Yoda, the situation is quite sensitive. We need it resolved as soon as possible. The members of the Trade Federation seem determined to force the senate to lower taxes along the key trade-routes, by any means necessary. I was hoping that the Jedi Order might have a solution to the problem."

Yoda stroked his chin and gave it some thought. "Exploit the wording of the Protection Act, guilds often do, to get their way using weapons. Hard to make the Federation see things in a different light."

Depa Billaba, representing the Mystic disciplin as Grand Master on the Jedi High Council, nodded in agreement with Yoda. "I fear the Jedi can not do anything at the moment, not until there is proof that the Trade Federation has commited an act of war against this planet they are blockading."

"It is not a blockade. It is a siege, pure and simple!" Palpatine said, barely able to hold back his very agitated mindset.

"Senator Palpatine" Chancellor Valorum adressed the elderly senator directly. "It is an economic blockade, denying Naboo any form of trade with the rest of the galaxy. It is not an invasion. And the senate has yet determined if it is legal or not. That said, I would love nothing more than to see Naboo free from this terrible ordeal."

"Sworn to uphold justice, the Jedi are" Yoda said. "Gladly, we will assist."

THE JEDI TEMPLE, CORUSCANT

The holographic image of the planet Naboo depicted a world of blue and green, a beautiful gem in the midst of space. Grand Master Yoda sighed and shook his head as he turned from the image floating in midair to face the two Jedi he had summoned to join him for a briefing.

"This is a very agressive move, even for the Trade Federation" the older of the two summoned Jedi said as he took his eyes from the hologram and looked at Yoda. "Had it been the Hutts, I would not have been surprised. But now... I find it troubling."

Yoda mearly grunted. "Agree I do, Jedi Qui-Gon. Disturbs the Force this event does."

The Jedi Knights young padawan was next to speak. "Why blockade such a small and unimportant planet as Naboo? It is not vital for trade or industry. It has hardly any export at all."

Master Windu deactivated the holographic projection. "Last month" Windu began, "the senate voted on a motion to increase taxes along the major trade-routes throughout the Republic. In the end, taxes were raised because of a slim majority vote. This is now affecting all the major organisations and guilds shipping goods along the main trade-routes of the galaxy."

"The Trade Federation being one such organisation" Qui-Gon pointed out to his padawan.

"Large guilds, by these taxes, hurt are" Yoda said, "but trade between smaller worlds, promoted is."

Windu continued. "Senator Palpatine was key in making sure that the senate voted in favour of the raised taxes. And Senator Palpatine represents Naboo in the senate. So now, the Trade Federation are using holes in the Protection Act to justify stopping all shipping to and from Naboo. As they see it, Naboo took active action against the Federations economic interests, which in turn allows them to protect those interests with the use of firearms and an appropriate amount of force, in accordance with Republic law."

Yoda nodded at the description of the situation. "Fears Chancellor Valorum does, that such hostility smaller worlds would frighten, like Naboo, to never against the Federation and its allies, speak out. Military retaliation dreading."

"So the Jedi Order has agreed to observe the situation first hand?" Qui-Gon then said.

Windu nodded slowly. "Indeed. Observe so that the Federation does not step out of line or hide anything from us, or the senate."

Obi-Wan found it all puzzling. "But why us? Surely something like this could just as easily be handled by a commitee of the senate."

Yoda grunted. "Our help, Chancellor Valorum has asked for. To his mind, not to be trusted, politicians are."

"I don't blame him" Obi-Wan muttered.

Qui-Gon gave it some thought. "We will go to Naboo and see what the Trade Federation might be planning. Something tells me there is more to this than we have discovered so far."

XXX XXX

Master Windu accompanied Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi out on the platform where a shuttle stood waiting to bring Qui-Gon and his apprentice into orbit. Around them, the planetwide city of Coruscant expanded in every direction, reaching as far as the horizon where ever you looked.

"Any news about Grand Master Sifo-Dyas?" Qui-Gon inquired as they made their way further out on the platform.

"No" Windu admitted. "Nothing. The High Council have sent Jedi Satele Shan to investigate."

Obi-Wan found it puzzling. "Surely he is alright? He is a grand master after all."

"There is always something more powerful. No-one is omnipotent" Qui-Gon tutored his apprentice.

Windu agreed and nooded as they reached the shuttle. "The Dark Side clouds much" he commented, "We must remain vigilant. Be careful, Qui-Gon. Something casts a shadow over the events surrounding Naboo." Windu sighed, "Something familiar" he then admitted.

Mace Windu was not sure, but for some reason, the current situation reminded him of the events that escalated into the battle of Whills. As a young jedi, Windu had foiled a plot to throw the Republic into war against the Zygerrian empire, a war that had been avoided through a direct assault on the mercenaries hired to stage the war itself.

"I promise" Qui-Gon said with a smile and woke the Temple Master from his thoughts.

"May the Force be with you" Windu said as the two other jedi boarded their shuttle.

"And with you" Qui-Gon said as the ramp closed behind him and sealed the shuttle shut.

The shuttle took off and left the Jedi Temple behind as it headed for orbit. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan adjusted their traditional robes as they sat down and made themselves comfortable onboard.

"What do you think Grand Master Sifo-Dyas is doing, master?" Obi-Wan asked Qui-Gon. "Do you really think he could be in trouble?"

The elder jedi closed his eyes and relaxed. "Keep your concentration on the here and now where it belongs, young padawan."

Obi-Wan nodded and tried not to concern himself with the mystery of the missing grand master; it was not easy, for to the mind of the young apprentice it was much more exciting to solve the mystery of a missing grand master, rather than talking to corrupt merchants and nobles in the Outer Rim. He sighed and cleared his mind of wayward thoughts, and instead, he looked out through the viewport of the shuttle as they left atmosphere. Obi-Wan inspected the Consular-class starship waiting to take the padawan and his master to the Outer Rim, and the planet of Naboo.