THE RADIANT VII, NABOO ORBIT

The Radiant VII was a Consular-class cruiser of the Old Republic and as it left hyperspace it immediately set course for the planet of Naboo, clearly visible in the distance. Upon approach, the Jedi Knight, Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, joined the crew on the small bridge of the vessel.

The captain of The Radiant VII turned to face the two jedi. "Scanners have detected the twentyeight Trade Federation cargo-haulers in orbit of the planet" she reported. "Lucrehulk-class as reported earlier, heavily armed and shielded to protect against pirates and raiders."

"And more than capable of standing in as battleships during a crisis" Obi-Wan commented.

Qui-Gon Jinn focused on the Force, focused on how it moved and flowed. It made him uneasy and cautious. "Take us in, captain" he finally said, taking a deep breath.

"At once" the captain said and turned to her controls. "Trade Federation fleet, this is The Radiant Seven flying on behalf of the Republic Senate, carrying the chancellors ambassadors. We ask permission to come aboard for negotiations."

On the bridges main screen a neimoidian officer appeared. "This is Count Nayron of the Trade Federation Commerce Fleet. The republic ambassadors are welcome to dock with our command-ship, Profitable Provider. We are activating our beacon now."

"Thank you. Over and out."

PROFITABLE PROVIDER, NABOO ORBIT

Count Nayron followed the Republic vessel on the large screens, found on the bridge of the Profitable Provider, as it approached the dockingbay located on the spherical command-section of the ship, located in the center of the circular main hull of the impressive cargo-hauler. The command-droid known as OOM-9 walked up to the neimoidian count and made a salute.

"Sir, all preparations have been concluded."

"Good work, commander" Nayron said. "As soon as the jedi are onboard, we proceed as planned."

"Affirmative, sir."

Watching a security-feed overlooking the hangarbay, Captain Grievious watched as The Radiant VII entered the large hangar and settled down on its landing-gear. Arms folded over his back, the kaleesh mercenary-captain was not comfortable with the new orders; they seemed too hasty and without the backing of proper planing. His fellow mercenary-captain, Gormbacc the Wookie, casually walked over to the kaleesh and joined him by the video-feed and uttered a low growl followed by a cautious snarl.

Captain Grievious nodded in agreement. "I do not like it either. I am not in the habit of underestimating Jedi."

XXX XXX

Following a silver-plated protocol-droid through the corridors of the Profitable Provider, the two jedi and R4, their astromech-droid, were taken to a conference-room and were informed that the ranking official of the Trade Federation in the system, Count Glu Nayron, would soon join them for diplomatic discussions. The protocol-droid then left them on their own, leaving some drinks on the table before stepping out of the room.

Qui-Gon walked over to the viewport at the end of the room, looking at the huge planet of green and blue that was Naboo. "I sense a disturbance in the Force" the older jedi then said and turned to his padawan.

Obi-Wan nodded in agreement. "I sense it also, master."

Qui-Gon moved around the conference-room, cautiously eying every corner and detail of the architecture as if expecting each detail being a listening-device or booby-trap. "Be wary, I fear there is much more to this blockade than a simple dispute over a tax-vote in the senate."

XXX XXX

The command-crew of The Radiant VII sat uneasy on the bridge, looking out into the giant hangarbays of the Federation vessel, uncomfortable about the whole situation. As the door to the rest of the ship slid open behind them, they all turned to look upon the unannounced guests. Armed security-droids moved in and took aim, cold sensors locking on to each and everyone of the crew. The captain threw herself at the ships communications-unit just as blasterbolts filled the cockpit.

XXX XXX

The two jedi sat by the table and drank some water as they waited for the Trade Federation to send a representative. Obi-Wan, the young padawan and apprentice under Qui-Gon Jinn, was growing impatient; annoyed even.

"Patience, Obi-Wan" Qui-Gon urged. "We can not rush the universe, only trust in the Force to guide us during our travels."

Obi-Wan took some deep breaths to ease his emotions. "Yes, master."

Suddenly their comlinks came to life. "Master Qui-Gon, we are under attack!" Both jedi recognized the voice of the captain who had brought them here from Coruscant.

Qui-Gon quickly picked up his comlink and tried to re-establish contact with their ship. But there was no response. Both jedi got out of their chairs and freed their lightsabres from their belts, but while Obi-Wan stood ready to activate his, Qui-Gon was more relaxed, his swordarm low by his thigh.

"You were right, master" Obi-Wan stated. "The Trade Federation would never dare to attack us without good reason. There is more behind this than we know."

"Calm yourself, padawan. Focus on the here and now."

"Yes, master."

XXX XXX

Command-droid OOM-9 stepped onto the bridge of The Radiant VII and found the entire crew shot dead, their bodies guarded by half a dozen B1 security-droids. The command-droid recorded and documented the scene and registered that the operation had been a success, when a security-droid with an extra advanced backpack, and extra antennas on its head, entered the bridge.

"Commander, the ship is secured. All crew have been executed. All droids have been captured and are waiting for data-extraction."

"Good work, lieutenant. Deactivate the ships hyperdrive. Clear away the bodies. Move the droids and begin data-extraction" the command-droid ordered.

"At once, commander."

XXX XXX

Three squads of twelve security-droids each linked up outside the conference-room holding the two jedi and their astromech-droid. The three neimoidian officers leading the droids had their pistols ready as they prepared to open the doorway. The ranking officer informed the bridge that they were ready to attack via his comlink.

Count Nayron walked over to Captain Grievous who was overseeing the invasion-plans of Naboo on a holographic map depicting the planets surface.

"Captain, we are ready to attack the jedi" Nayron informed.

The kaleesh nodded as the point of no return had come. "Send in the droids... and begin the invasion."

XXX XXX

In the conference-room, what appeared as yellow fog began to flow in through the airvents. Qui-Gon recognized the paralyzing gas instantly.

"Dioxis!"

The two jedi both pulled out an unfolding gasmask each from their utility-belts and attached it over their faces, covering mouth and nose.

"Now, young padawan!" Qui-Gon said and then activated his lightsaber, its bright green blade of energy coming to life, and the following second Obi-Wan Kenobis blue blade ignited aswell.

Outside, the security-droids formed up to breach the door. The officers took up position and nodded at each other. The ranking officer then gave the order. The security-droids opened the door and rushed in into the thick fog of the deadly dioxis gas, blasters ready and tracking for targets. Qui-Gons lightsaber came flying out of the gas, spinning as it went and cut down half a dozen droids. As the green lighsaber returned to its owner, Obi-Wan Kenobi came flying out of the gas-cloud, striking down another half a dozen security-droids in one fluent motion.

Qui-Gon emerged from the fog in the wake of his apprentice, using the Force to throw one security-droid into two others, crushing all three in the process. Obi-Wan deflected incoming blasterbolts, managing to deflect several back at the droids and destroying or crippling a handfull of them. Qui-Gon cut down four of the security-droids in a maneuver that resembled a beautiful dance and finished it by throwing one of the neimoidian officers into the bulkhead with a powerful push using the Force. In a few short seconds, the two jedi had struck down all three squads of security-droids and incapacitated their neimoidian officers.

Obi-Wan took a moment to catch his breath. "What now, master? Escape and inform the High Council?"

Qui-Gon closed his eyes and listened to the ebb and flood of the Force. "No" he eventually said. "We will trust the Force to guide us. I sense that if we capture Count Nayron, we can save millions of lives, not just on Naboo. We will go to the bridge. R4, you will head for the Republic cruiser and hook up to its communications-systems and try to inform Coruscant."

NABOO ORBIT

The Trade Federation fleet in orbit over Naboo released dozens upon dozens of squadrons of fightercraft on the order of Count Nayron. Instantly, the thousands of fighters, appearing as a dense cloud of vapor from a distance, arranged themselves in battle-formation and headed for the planets atmosphere; a mixture of Vulture-class interceptor-droids and Y-wing fighter-bombers. One fighter being light, agile and fast, the other heavily armoured with strong shields and lots of firepower.

A wing of three N2 naboo fighters on patrol spotted the massive formation of enemy fightercraft heading for their homeworld. But before the wing-commander could establish contact with the surface, the three naboo fighters were overrun by Federation fighter-droids and shot down in a hail of blasterbolts.

THEED CITY, NABOO

The city of Theed was currently serving as the capitol of Naboo, seeing that its most influential noble house had been voted to hold the position of regent during the last election, held at the death of the previous monarch. An astonishingly beautiful place of total tranquility, the city radiated with peace and harmony. Sadly, in the palace of House Amidala things were not as tranquil.

"Some thirty-thousand fighters have been released into low orbit!" Captain Panaka informed as he turned away from the console to adress the nobility present in the royal court.

"They are only trying to frighten us" Baron Gelda said, the man one of sixteen nobles sitting in the planets Royal Council. "The Federation knows that the punishment will be severe should they actually attack. The Republic will not allow it."

Baron Sio was not so sure however. "The state of the Republic offers me little comfort. All reports we have recieved from senator Palpatine tells only of corruption and greed. And the moment we actually manage to have a vote in the senate, to ensure some form of justice and fairness, then the Trade Federation takes up arms against us. With such little regard for law and order, why wouldn't the Federation attack?"

"They wouldn't dare" Baron Louka said. "It would be unheard of!"

Baron Sio turned to the young woman sitting in the courts throne. "My queen, I beg you. Travel to Coruscant and join with senator Palpatine; he needs your help. Together, the two of you could persuade the Senate to take action against the Trade Federation."

Queen Amidala, merely twenty years of age and Baroness of House Amidala of Theed, was more than concerned where she sat in her throne. Her elaborate gown and headdress a testament to her wealth and position. Her eyes told more of her state of mind than words ever could.

"My fate will be that of my people" she replied sharply to the council-members. "My place is here, not a thousand parsecs away. Now, either offer advice on how we should respond to these fightercraft or leave at once."

The nobles present all glanced at oneanother with sighs. Eventually, Captain Panaka of the Household Guard of House Amidala broke the uneasy silence.

"It would be bad to invite the Federation to attack" the captain said. "If we launch our own fighters, we risk drawing the Federation into a fight. But we should have our pilots on alert and activate energy-shields around our cities, just in case."

Baron Gelda of the city of Dulac did not seem convinced. "The more action we take, the greater the risk of giving the Federation a reason to actually attack us. As long as we remain calm the Republic will come to our assistance. We can not risk giving the Federation the slightest reason to launch a lawfull attack."

Baron Sio sighed and shook his head at the reasoning. "The Trade Federation doesn't need us to find a reason to invade." The old barons eyes were alit with stubborn wisdom. "If they want to attack they will, and when they do, only the Senate can help us. Palpatine has made it abundantly clear that our allies are afraid. Afraid they will suffer our fate if they go against the Federation in the senate. We need to stand up to them, make our voice heard, show the Republic that we are not afraid. Palpatine needs our help."

"No!" Queen Amidala snapped. "I will not abandon my people! Captain Panaka, ready our fighters and activate all city-defenses. I will not surrender Naboo to the Federation and I will defend my home at any cost."

Captain Panaka recieved news from one of his officers who came up to him and whispered in his ear. The veteran captain turned grim. "My queen" he finally said. "We have lost all contact outside of Naboo. It appears as if the Trade Federation has destroyed all our long-range communication-relays."

Baron Louka turned pale. "What does it mean?"

Baron Sio knew, only too well, as he moved over to a window and turned his gaze upon an ominous sky and dark clouds. He explained it all in one word. "Invasion."

INVASION OF NABOO

The thousands of Federation fighters abandoned orbit and entered the atmosphere of Naboo, as dozens of troop-carriers left the Federation cargo-haulers and headed for the planet. The large cargo-haulers themselves opened fire at the planets surface, striking vital strategic targets and obliterating them, such as bridges and comm-relays, powerplants and defensive installations.

Naboo fighters scrambled, joining in formation over the cities of their homeworld and as soon as the first Federation fighter-squadrons entered atmosphere, the naboo pilots hurried to intercept the invaders. As both sides clashed, the skies were overcrowded by fightercraft and blasterbolts that it was almost impossible to avoid a collision or getting hit. Soon, hundreds of burning wrecks were falling out of the skies and crashing towards the surface.