CORELLIAN EMBASSY, CORUSCANT

"The rumor is that the quarren are planning an armed revolt against the mon cal, supported by the Trade Federation."

Garm Bel Iblis, senator of Corellia, stroked his chin as he listened to the senator of Alderaan, as did the senators of Naboo and Bothawui, all with equal interest and concern.

Bail Organa looked each of the senators present in the eye as he continued. "The quarren have convinced the Aquatic League to support the Federation, concerning Naboo. The League, however, are unaware that the quarren, in return for their loyalty, will split the League with Federation aid and take over using military force."

Palpatine was not convinced. "That is an aweful gamble. There are too many uncertainties. I find it hard to believe."

"Well, Borsk?" Bel Iblis aimed the question at the bothan senator. "Is there anything to this? We can discuss payment at a later time."

The bothan gave it a brief moment of thought. "The League, along with almost all major guilds, are inclined to support the Federation. It is to their benefit, simply put. I see no reason why the quarren should play a key part in such a plot. They are simply insignificant in the grand scheme of things."

"That was not my question" the corellian pointed out.

"The quarren have stockpiled weapons, large quantities, for some time" Borsk Fey'lya admitted. "They are obviously preparring for another attempt to overthrow the mon cal regime. But why that should be linked with the Federation invading Naboo, and gaining support in the Senate; I fail to see it."

Organa was next to speak. "If we deliver this information to the League, it could sway them to support us, if we can make a strong enough case that the Federation does indeed support the quarren."

"Can we make such a case?" Palpatine wondered, looking at each of the senators in turn. "Can we prove it? What evidence do we have?"

"Borsk can provide us with what we need" Garm Bel Iblis said, turning to the bothan senator.

"I can make no guarantees" the bothan replied. "Bothawui is currently dealing with some internal issues, I'm afraid. Many clans fear it will escalate. Most of our spies are being recalled to serve clan interests."

"Anything you can provide us with, old friend" Bel Iblis said. "If we gain the support of the League, we gain the support of the vice-chancellor."

Palpatine shook his head. "If we are wrong, we will be ridiculed. And that will weaken our chances of gaining supporters from other systems. If we are to go through with this, we need evidence, we need proof. Only then can we move forward with this."

Borsk Fey'lya merely nodded. "I will see what I can do."

TERRAFORMING DISTRICT, CORUSCANT

The massive atmospheric generators covered the entire region of the the plantwide city in clouds, pumping out breathable air in astounding quantities in order to keep the planet habitable. The blanket of clouds lay thick, like a dense fog that was thicker than anything imaginable. On a catwalk, two figures stood and discussed, covered in robes and hoods. Their bodyguards were out of sight, but not far off, making sure no one was listening in on the conversation.

"Not to worry" Xizor told the bothan joining him on the catwalk. "I will speak with the vice-chancellor about this."

Borsk offered the falleen a brief glance. "He listens to your council? If so, I am impressed; I had no idea."

Xizor allowed for a fraction of a smile. "Unfortunately, that is not the case. But I have my ways, senator. I have my ways."

Borsk Fey'lya leaned with both hands against the railing of the catwalk, looking out into the dense clouds surrounding them both. "This is a risky enterprise, Xizor" he then said. "My people are aware of the hutts involvement. And now there are rumors about the quarren being allies of the Federation. The Federation has been rash when it concerns Naboo; two jedi are missing and a planet is invaded. Dooku's plan is falling apart."

"Are you having second thoughts?" Xizor wondered, an eyebrow raised as the reptilian eyed the bothan.

"Aren't you?" Borsk asked the fallen prince to his face. "Do not try and convince me otherwise, my lord. You have plans to betray Dooku and Sidious. Don't deny it."

Xizor actually smiled, quite visciously at that. "I had plans, yes. But it was not until Sidious decided to recruit you that I actually felt the need to take action. You see, I knew that you would plot to overthrow Sidious as soon as you were included. You bothans, you just can't help yourselves, can you."

"So we have a common enemy then" Borsk said with a stern face. "Darth Sidious, and his lieutenant, Dooku Serenno. And we are both plotting against them."

"What do you offer?" Xizor inquired, quite casually.

"I will make you vice-chancellor" Borsk said, placing his arms behind his back as he turned in full to face the falleen senator. "In return, we install the chancellor that Bothawui is most comfortable with."

"And what of Sidious?"

Borsks eyes narrowed somewhat. "You already have a plan to kill him, correct?"

"True" Xizor admitted and nodded. "When the time is prudent."

"Well then" Borsk said. "Then we will just have to wait for the prudent moment, wont we?"

PERSONAL SKYHOOK OF SENATOR PALPATINE, CORUSCANT

In the stratosphere of the planet, hovering in silence, the skyhooks was a refuge for the wealthy and influential. Some were nothing more than casinos, others were recreations of someones homeworld, or the most sophisticated spa imagined. There were as many variants as there was skyhooks, as the saying went. Baron Sheev Palpatine of House Palpatine, senator of Naboo, stood leaning against his cane and studied the planet below; the surface completely covered by a massive city of immense proportions. Coruscant, the core of galactic power, the heart of the Republic; a wretched hive of scum and villainy.

He turned and headed for a secluded chamber, the door sliding shut behind him. Here, surrounded by screens and holographic displays, he studied the events he had sat in motion. The Trade Federation had invaded Naboo, it was only a matter of time before that fool of a queen would be captured and forced to sign the treaty that would allow the Federation to annex the planet. It would be a scandal, a scandal big enough to ruin Chancellor Valorum, that weakminded fool that Palpatine had made sure got voted into office for this very purpose; to be voted out of office.

In the following election, the hutts would support the Federation. The deal with Corellia had secured their vote, and with them, a hundred worlds loyal to Nal Hutta. Bothawui was self-evident, as the bothans had a unique position of being supplyers of the truth, or at least, the truth they saw fit to share. The Corporate Alliance, with their connections reaching a thousand systems, and tens of thousands of worlds, had the ability to bribe and corrupt officials at every level of government. Not to mention the influence provided by Black Sun through Prince Xizor, the senator of Falleen.

The stage was truly set. Naboo was about to be conquered and Valorum would be thrown aside as a consequence. And in the following election, the Federation, with all their support, would name Palpatine as a candidate to hold the highest office. Dooku would see to that; the neimoidians would not dare go against him. And then Palpatine would not only be nominated, he would win the election, he would become Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic.

The Federation would be rewarded for their loyalty. Palpatine would ensure that the quarren would be allowed a senator of their own and they would join the Federation. Hostilities would mount between the Aquatic League and the Trade Federation, until the Aquatic League would crumble as the waterbreathing aquatics would depart from the League and leave the amphibians on their own. Palpatine would appear a puppet and a fool, being played by the Federation and other interests. And that would be the time for him to act; with thousands upon thousands of new senators, all greatful to him for giving all sentient lifeforms a seat in the senate, Palpatine would have enough supporters to pass legislations that would cripple the guilds, that would wreck havoc on banks and corporations. There would be turmoil and the guilds would all turn against him, and against the Republic and the worlds loyal to Palpatine. And in the shadows, Darth Ahranus, his apprentice, would gather all of the chancellors enemies around him, speak to them with words that would fuel their hatred for Palpatine and the senate, and in the end convince them to go to war. A war that would herald the destruction of the Jedi Order.

The jedi would not stop him. It was mearly a minor setback with Dookus former apprentice interfering with the Naboo blockade; not enough to have an impact on the overall plan. In the end, the jedi would be destroyed; every last one of them. Palpatine sighed, a deep sigh, as he thought upon it all. Over eight centuries had past since the battle of Korriban and Darth Revans last stand at the Citadell of Exar Kun. Palpatine knew the story well enough, having heard it from his master a hundred times. The Jedi Order, together with what remained of the Massassi monks and the Knights of Ren, joined the assault on Korriban with the forces of the Confederacy of Independant Planets; a confederacy created to withstand the might of the Sith Empire, a confederacy that after the wars was reshaped into the Republic. Now, almost a millennia later, the Sith would have their revenge, and he would see it come true. The jedi would be destroyed and the Republic brought to ruin, and in the end, he, Darth Sidious, would bring true order and stability to the galaxy. At last, the Sith would have their revenge.

MOS ESPA, TATOOINE

Kitster and Anakin worked on the swoop as Qui-Gon kept out of the way, occasionaly helping out by handing over a tool that the boys needed or a part that required installment. Beru had returned early that morning as soon as the storm had settled, having found shelter for the night in town, at least according to her. As Qui-Gon had suspected, the boys sister had shown no signs of being in touch with the Force.

"So are there any large-profit swoop races around these parts?" Qui-Gon inquired.

"Oh yeah." Kitster was the one to reply, "Boonta Eve is coming up, and the Hutts always have a huge swoop race up at Bestine."

"Boonta eve?" Qui-Gon said. "A hutt holiday if Im not mistaken."

"Correct" Anakin said while tightening sockets around powercables. "Jabba always hosts a swoop race on Boonta Eve. Fifty swoops. The most to have ever finished was eight pilots and that was over twenty years ago. The race with the least deaths on Tatooine was a hundred years ago and only twelve pilots died. If you win you earn enough duggats that you never have to work for the rest of your life. Well... On Tatooine atleast."

Qui-Gon nodded as he listened. "Jabba? The hutt overlord of the planet I take it?"

Kitster looked up from what he was doing. "You've never heard of Jabba the Hutt?"

Qui-Gon had to shake his head. "I have met many hutts, but never this Jabba. What clan is he part of?"

"He is the head of clan Desilijic" Anakin explained. "Very important back on Nal Hutta."

"Without a doubt" Qui-Gon said. "Most hutts are." He studied the boys as they tinkered and improved on the construction of the swoop. He then closed his eyes and focused, allowed his mind to reach into the Force and allowed the Force to flow through him. Opening his eyes again, he turned to Anakin. "Anakin, is this swoop ready to fly?"

"Sure" Anakin said. "Just trying to fix the stabilizers so I can take turns at top speed."

"Would you mind borrowing me your swoop?"

Both Anakin and Kitster forgot what they were doing and looked up at the old man, confusion practically glowing in their faces.

XXX XXX

Watto chuckled when he recognized Qui-Gon returning to his shop. "You again? Changed your mind about buying my slave? Not Anakin, of course."

"No" Qui-Gon said. "However, I do have a deal. A business proposal."

"A deal?" the toydarian sounded a bit suspicious. "What sort of deal?"

Qui-Gon casually began strolling about in the store. "I have acquired a swoop in a game of chance, its previous owner boasted it was the fastest swoop in the sector."

Watto nodded. "Aaaah, now we can talk trade. A swoop is a good item."

"Not to trade" Qui-Gon corrected the toydarian. "I intend to have it race on Boonta Eve, up in Bestine. Problem is, I don't have a pilot."

Watto growled when he realized where the conversation was heading. "And you want my Anakin to fly your swoop? Are you out of your mind? A swoop race is no place for humans, especially human pups."

"Some would argue that pod-racing is no place for humans either" Qui-Gon pointed out. "Atleast hear me out. Maybe you will get interested?"

"Fine" Watto muttered. "Let's hear it."

Qui-Gon only smiled. "I supply the swoop, you supply the pilot. If we win, you keep the winnings and the swoop and I keep the boy. If we lose, you keep the swoop. And the boy of course."

"The swoop?!" Watto protested. "If he crashes there wont be much left of the swoop to salvage, never mind the boy. What do you take me for? Some fool nerf-herder?!"

"Tell you what" Qui-Gon said, "If the boy crashes, I will pay you an equal amount to that of the victory winnings. Go talk to the rodian shopkeeper over by the dockingbays, he will tell you I have the credits for it. Or the gems rather."

"No small fortune" Watto muttered. "If you have that much cash, why not hire a proper pilot for your swoop? Anchorhead is full of them."

"Everyone in Mos Espa talks about your pilot" Qui-Gon explained. "The best pod-racer on Tatooine, that's what they all say. Why wouldn't I want him to fly my swoop?"

Watto gave it some thought. Anakain did have skill, of that there was no doubt. "Alright" he eventually said, "I'll talk to Heegra and if he says you are rich, then we have a deal."

"Excellent" Qui-Gon smiled.

"You better be rich, off-worlder" the toydarian continued, "the entrance-fee is quite steep."

"Don't you worry about that, my blue friend" Qui-Gon said and the two shook hands.