YGGDRAL
Hoyts vehicle came to a halt, and as he climbed out, his fellow enforcers dismounted. They stood in disbelief as they witnessed the burning ruins of Kartarj. Bodies lay scattered everywhere, men, women and children. Nothing had been left alive or intact. The enforcers, striken by chock, did not know what to do.
Suddenly, Alanda took off, running as if possessed through the remains of the settlement. She ran for all her worth until she reached the small homestead where she had been offered a room. Seeing the entire family dead on the ground, Alanda came to a halt and fell to her knees, screaming out of frustration, despair and grief. Tears flowed from her eyes and she struck the dirt with her fist as hard as she could. Slowly she crawled over to the family and placed a hand on the youngest of the children, a little girl now unrecognisable. Alanda channelled all the grief of losing her own child into the sight of the dead girl before her, allowing a torrent of sorrow and anguish to build and build until she cried out against the skies above her; a cry of utter madness.
CATO NEIMOIDA
Theon Uras, jedi master of the Ranger disciplin, climbed the rocky bottom of a massive canyon. A small stream poured between the rocks and boulders, and dry bushes dotted the scene sporadically. The weequay jedi knelt and studied the ground and the rocks. Trusting his instincts, the jedi reached in under a rock in the cold stream and shortly after fished out a small breathing-apparatus. One of standard issue among the jedi. Retrieving a comlink from his belt, Theon activated the device.
"I have found a breathing-filter, jedi issue" the weequay reported. "A jedi was here."
More than a mile overhead, Mace Windu was walking along the narrow walkways of the lower reaches of the city of Zarra, inspecting strange burns along walls and pillars, railings and floor.
"I have found signs of what appears to be a lightsaber used in a battle" Windu replied over the comlink. He stopped by a railing and took a peek down at the canyon below. "And if I'm not mistaken, I am right above you, master Theon."
Theon nodded as he glanced up at the impressive city connecting both sides of the valley through the classic neimoidian archway bridge-design. "We should compare this filters code with our files, so we may know which jedi was here."
"Something tells me that we allready know who" Windu said and turned away from the railing, and the valley below, to inspect the all too clear signs of a lightsaber having struck the buildings.
XXX XXX
Deputy Viceroy Hectla Larengo, second in command of the Trade Federation, sat in her regal chair in her personal court. Key members of the Federation sat in various discussions up on the balconys, talking matters both trivial and important over a glas of expensive alcohol or spikes of addictive spice.
Larengo, besides acting as the Federations Deputy Viceroy, was also the representative of her homeworld of Sullust to the Federations parliament. Having reached the position she now enjoyed, in an organisation as treacherous as the Trade Federation, was a blunt indication of her ruthless and deceptive intellect. Now, it was about to be tested against one of the galaxys most renowned beings.
Slowly crossing the impressive court was a small automated chair, transporting a dignitary of the greatest esteem; grand master Yoda of the Jedi Order himself. Hectla adjusted her robes of office and gestured at her servants to remove themselves. Up on the balconys, silence slowly spread as more and more people realized who was about to adress the Deputy.
"Master Yoda, I can not begin to express the truly immense honor it is to have you visit my court" the Deputy began. "The stories of your courage, your wisdom, your council, your clarity are legendary and a lesson to us all."
"What lesson would that be?" Yoda asked as the automated chair came to a halt.
"That we all should en-devour to make the galaxy a better place" Hectla smiled.
"What is best, illusive is" Yoda said and chuckled. "Better is one thing for Mandalore, one thing for Bothawui and what best is for Nal Hutta ruins Sullust." Yoda merely nodded at his own words as he rested against his elaborate cane of adamantium and platinum. "The lesson is, Deputy Viceroy, to peace ensure throughout the Republic" Yoda said and nodded some more, "Yes."
"A noble en-devour, master jedi" Hectla said and bowed out of respect.
"Come I have, for a reason" Yoda then said. "Here, on Cato Neimoidia, a jedi has died."
Yoda now gained the entire courts attention.
"Surely" Hectla said a bit hesitantly, "if that was the case, we would have known about it."
Yoda narrowed his eyes as he studied the Deputy, reaching out into the mystical energies of the Force with his mind to see the unseen. Eventually, he grunted with a nod.
"Yes, known you should have" the grand master of the Consulars then said. "Why you do not, an interesting question is."
"I assure you, master jedi" the sullustan female up on the throne said, "the Trade Federation would never take action against the Jedi Order. We are members of the Old Republic and are thankfull for the protection offered by the Jedi. If indeed a jedi has died here, then the Trade Federation pledges to support the jedi in any way possible."
"Hold you to that, I will."
XXX XXX
The jedi had rejoined aboard the Bastilla and compared their findings, their thoughts and their suspicions.
"The droids have identified the breathing-filter as beloning to grand master Sifo-Dyas. They also say they found traces of blood on it, the blood of a Kadas'sa'Nikto" the weequay ranger said.
Windu found it troubling indeed. "There were clear signs of a battle, among the lower sections of the city, where a lightsaber had been used. Either grand master Sifo-Dyas was wounded and went into hiding, or he was killed and the body disposed of. Either way, I sense a conspiracy unfolding."
Yoda grunted with a nod, as he so often did. "Transcripts of flight-records I have seen" he added to the discussion, "and of Arren Fu there is no sign. It appears that vanished he has."
"More likely disposed of" Theon muttered. "The trail ends here and we don't know why."
Grand master Yoda rested both hands against his cane as he gave it all a great deal of through. "What know we as of yet? Master Windu a vision has had of a plot to the Jedi destroy. Sifo-Dyas vanishes does, as he seeks stolen crystals of Korriban; by Black Sun, payed for. Skywalker a vision of the Sith and the Midichlorian has, or suspect we do. What does it mean?"
"Grand master Sifo-Dyas dies here on Cato Neimoidia, the central system of the Trade Federation" Mace Windu added, "just as the Trade Federation attacks and invades Naboo."
Theon was next to speak. "So the Trade Federation is the enemy we seek?"
"Dangerous to confront, they are" Yoda grunted. "Much power they hold. To challenge the Federation, to war could lead. Careful we must be, so that peace, prevail will."
"If the Federation is behind the death of Sifo-Dyas, a grand master of the Jedi Order" Theon thought aloud, "they are planning something big. Why else take such a tremendous risk as attacking the Jedi Order?"
"If they did take such a risk" Windu added, "they would not do it without support. Not without allies. We are facing a greater conspiracy here."
Yoda grunted. "Find out we must. The Rangers, to focus on this, priority must have."
INFINATE WEALTH, TRADE FEDERATION CRUISER
The Federation luxuary-yacht, the Infinate Wealth, was travelling through hyperspace towards its destination of Naboo. Onboard, it carried none other that Nute Gunray, the viceroy of the neimoidian Purse Worlds and the elected Trade Monarch of the Trade Federation. Currently, the viceroy was recieving a holographic transmission from Cato Neimoidia and the Deputy Viceroy.
"Yes, viceroy; Yoda himself. You assured us that this was a simple conquest of Naboo, nothing more. Now the jedi believe that one of their own has died on Cato Neimoidia. That is not what we agreed upon, Gunray."
"You accuse me of killing a jedi, Hectla?" Nute Gunray replied harshly. "I don't know why the jedi would send Yoda to Zarra, but I assure you that it has nothing to do with the Federation. Until I return from Naboo, I trust that you will make sure that the jedi do not upset our plans, nor frighten our members to withdraw their support of our invasion in the senate."
"Of course, viceroy" Hectla said assuringly. "I am taking an aweful risk, Gunray. This better work."
The transmission was ended and Lord Commerce Rune Haako, one of five individuals in charge of the vast merchant-fleets of the Trade Federation, was a sneer as he almost spat as he spoke.
"A sniveling coward!" Haako frowned. "Had the jedi any proof they would have acted on it."
"I agree" Gunray said. "But I will not hold it against Hectla that she was intimidated by the presence of Yoda at this delicate time."
"She was wise to be fearful" a voice said, and the holographic emitters projected the fullsize image of Dooku Serenno.
"I trust you heard it all?" Gunray asked as he turned to Dookus hologram.
"I did" Dooku said. "And I am not concerned. As the Lord Commerce said, had Yoda possessed any proof he would have acted by now."
"What about this dead jedi they mentioned?" Haako directed the question at Dooku. "Is there any truth to it?"
Dooku was a face of stone. "Do not concern yourself with such matters. It is best if you know as little as possible about the covert missions required to ensure the success of this undertaking."
"So it's true?!" Haako burst out. "You had a jedi killed on Cato Neimoidia?!"
"It was required" Dooku simply replied. "Had he been allowed to unveil our plans and what he knew, then we all would have been on trial for treason against the Old Republic. That is something I am not willing to see come true."
"Your commitment to our cause is commendable, Count Dooku" the viceroy said and offered the former jedi a bow out of respect.
Dooku returned the gesture. "When senator Palpatine of Naboo becomes the next chancellor, once Valorum is gone, then you will see that all my actions has had purpose."
"You are a loyal friend, count" the viceroy said.
Dooku seemed little affected by the praise. "Once you reach Naboo, make sure to get that treaty signed. Once that is done, my contacts in the senate will be prepared to act against Valorum, and pave the way for senator Palpatine."
The transmission ended and the vision of count Dooku faded into nothing.
"I do not trust this former jedi" Haako said.
"He has kept his word so far" the viceroy pointed out.
But it did little to ease the Lord Commerce. "Have you ever known a jedi to commit murder?" he then asked his viceroy. "The murder of another jedi no less! I tell you, we should not have made this bargain."
"Dooku's plan will make Cato Neimoidia the most powerful planet in the galaxy for centuries to come" Nute Gunray said as he reached over for a drink. "When Palpatine becomes chancellor, with Lot Dod at his side as vice-chancellor, the Republic will be nothing more than my pawn. That, my friend, is worth the death of any jedi."
Haako was not so sure. "And all we need to do is to listen to Dooku's advice?"
"A small price to pay, Lord Commerce" Gunray said as he leaned into his chair with a drink in hand. "A small price to pay, so that I may rule the galaxy."
KRAMALG
Jedi knight Satele Shan and her padawan, Kayo Kai Kahn, stood and watched the twisted and charred remains of Sifo-Dyas corvette, destroyed in a tibanna-gas explosion, an accident that had consumed the entire dockingbay. As it happened, Arthan Gom had unfortunately visited the dockingbay at the time of the explosion. Local authorities had found no evidence of foul play and ruled the incident an unfortunate accident.
"Black Sun is cleaning up" Kayo said, clearly not sharing the local authorities assessment of the events leading up to the current scene in the dockingbay.
"There must be more leads to follow." Satale knelt by the rubble and studied the devastation as if a clue might appear by chance. "Black Sun payed a large sum of money to have Sandahar smuggle those crystals off Korriban. Sandahar sold such a crystal to Artham and the chevin then contacted grand master Sifo-Dyas." Satele got back on her feet and rested her hands against her hips. "Where did the other crystals go?"
"Sandahar delivered them to Guri Repliqa" Kayo said.
"And what did she do with them?" Satele said in turn, sharing her throughts out loud.
"Moved them for Black Sun" Kayo answered. "But it is impossible to know to where, or even which ship she used. There are too many options."
"You are a Ranger, Kayo" Satele then said, turning to face her padawan, "what does your instincts tell you? Who would know what Black Sun has done with those crystals?"
"Their enemies?" Kayo sounded as if answering a trick question almost.
Satele liked that answer. "Then let's find them."
CITY OF DULAC, NABOO
Propaganda urging the citizens of Naboo to cooperate with the Trade Federation seemed to be on display on every street of Dulac, the Federations banners symbolically positioned next to the banners of House Gelda. Guards of House Gelda, supported by Federation security-droids and soldiers, checked papers and identification on people wandering the streets at night, and those that could not comply were arrested on the spot.
Two figures were hiding in an alley, hooded and cloaked and dressed as the common fishermen found throughout the Riverlands. Baron Olivar Sio and Baroness Jobal Naberrié remained in the shadows, avoiding contact with the patrols of droids and troops. As it happened, the two nobles in disguise watched as House Gelda guardsmen returned to the city-barracks.
Sio, having retrieved a comlink from an innerpocket, moved the device slowly to his mouth. "Gelda guards are going to bed. Only droids out from now on."
"Copy that" Sola Amidala replied over her own comlink, hidden away inside of a cramped compartment that only allowed a flat on your back, or belly, position. "Veruna, you're up."
"Get ready" Baroness Veruna said over the comlink and then returned it to its place in her belt.
The baroness of Vero, atop her stolen STAP, flew out from her hidingplace in the forest and followed the river towards the city, joined by four fishingboats that had been refitted with two or three blastercannons each.
"Give them hell!" Veruna shouted at her troops.
Increasing throttle, the small unit of gunboats opened fire at a lookout-tower on the outskirts of the city, their blastercannons doing short work of the structure. The attack was sudden and brief, and after only a volley or two did Veruna give the order to retreat. Behind them they left a burning lookout-tower. Within seconds had Federation troops reacted and taken up pursuit, while House Geldas own guardsmen hurried to get out of bed and into uniform and gear.
Out on the river, a squadron of STAPs took chase and opened fire at the gunboats, who returned fire as best they could. Suddenly, a large submersible broke the surface of the river behind the Federation speeders and took chase as well. Top-hatches slid open, and soon enough, nabooan guardsmen were gunning down the Federation droids from behind.
"House Narmele to the rescue!" a high ranking officer shouted from the submersible vehicle as several STAPs broke apart in flames and crashed into the river.
Back in the city, Sio noticed how squads of House Gelda troops were leaving the barracks in an awefull hurry. "Now, Sola!" he said over the comlink. "Now!"
Sola Amidala, together with Lieutenant Typho, wearing a makeshift eyepatch to cover a severe wound gained during the escape from Theed, climbed out of the secret compartment underneath the wagon that had been strategically placed opposite of the barracks entrance hours before. Both freed a grenade each, activated it and threw it through the open gates to the barracks. Before anyone knew what was going on, the two were running like possessed as two major explosions errupted in quick succession within the confines of the barracks.
Running down alleyways, they soon spotted their ride out of town as Sio and Solas mother sat waiting in a speeder, the baron behind the controls and baroness Naberrié armed with a blaster. But Sola and Typho found themselves cut off as Federation droids opened fire upon them all. Typho pushed Sola into cover, and both began returning fire at the security-droids situated on the rooftops. As reinforcements closed in, baron Sio saw no other option than to move on without Sola and Typho.
"What are you doing?!" Baroness Naberrié shouted, realizing her daughter was being left behind.
"If we stay we're all dead!" Sio roared. "I will not let this rebellion die in its infancy!"
"Damn you, Olivar! Damn you!" Jobal Naberrié cursed the baron and then proceeded in covering their escape with her blaster.
Lieutenant Typho and Sola Amidala were within seconds supressed, with no chance of returning fire at the enemy. Realizing they would soon be surrounded and overrun, they weighed their options.
"Follow me!" Typho said and continued to blast a hole in a nearby wall, allowing the two to escape their tight spot.
They ran as fast as they could down streets and alleys, and all around them troops from House Gelda and the Trade Federation were out looking for them. Escaping the city of Dulac seemed more and more like an impossible task.
Outside the city, by some miles margin, the various detachments of the strikeforce linked up. The troops on the gunboats and in the submersible were feeling confident and pleased about their raid; more than a dozen droids has been shot down during their diversion, without a single nabooan casualty. A success by any standards.
As baron Sio drove up to the others, he and baroness Naberrié were greated by baroness Veruna, along with the steward of House Palpatine and the captain of House Narmele's guardsmen.
"Lady Sola?" the steward of House Palpatine inquired. "Where is she?"
"They were cut off" Sio said, torn apart as he was. "We had to leave them."
"Leave them?" Veruna said, unable to believe it, and took her STAP above the trees to get a clear view of the city. Dulac was swarming with the beams and dots of searchlights from towers and speeders, STAPs and troops on patrol.
"We must go back and get them" captain Goldarynn of House Narmele urged and looked for support among the others.
"No" Jobal Naberrié said, her voice cold and her eyes void of emotion. "Going back now is a death-sentence for us all. We need to go before they find us."
Lord Cosin Palpatine, steward of the noble house of Palpatine, felt empty inside. "As you wish, my lady" he said and turned to inform the troops.