Star Wars: Heir of the Force
Episode 1: Chapter 2
***I own no part of anything Star Wars related***
***HotF***
Padme Amidala had hope. Against all odds, against everything that had been thrown at her and those who had journeyed with her they had finally reached Coruscant. Now she stood on a floating platform, Senator Palpatine nearby giving her confidence, and began to plead her case.
Surely the Senate would intervene, would force the Trade Federation to leave Naboo, would punish them for the crimes they had committed.
"I object, there is no proof!"
She fought the urge to scream at the Neimoidian. No proof!? Her planet had been invaded, her citizens were enslaved and starving yet they claim there was no proof?
"The Congress of Malastare concurs with the honorable delegation from the Trade Federation. A commission must be appointed."
The Chancellor seemed ready to overrule once more, when he was taken aside by his aides, giving her advisor time to whisper in her ear about the man's failing strength, about the bureaucracy controlling the Republic.
She didn't want to believe, didn't want to think that the one who had believed in her and her plight more than anyone else, who had sent two Jedi Knights to investigate the situation would…
"The point is conceded…"
Her hope shattered. A commission would take weeks, even months to assemble and then send delegates.
Delegates which could be bought and bribed.
Rage coursed through her veins and sent her heart into overdrive. This would not stand, and if they would not help her then she damn well wouldn't let them fail anyone else. "I will not defer. I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee! If this body is not capable of action, I suggest new leadership is needed. I move for a vote of no confidence."
***HotF***
"An invasion? I was informed that the Senate did not agree on this."
The aged Jedi Master frowned, to him the Jedi were servants of The Force and the galaxy at large, not the Senate. His apprentice immediately stepped forward, once again unable to 'read the room' as it were.
"I assure you Master Windu the Trade Federation did, in fact, launch an invasion. We snuck aboard the landing crafts and saw the troops occupying the capital."
Mace leaned back in his chair, a look of superiority that Qui-Gon despised so much flashing across his face, "Your task was not to ascertain or make that decision for the Senate. You were to investigate the treaty and aide the Queen in establishing a fair settlement."
"The negotiations never took place, either with representatives from the Trade Federation or between them and the Naboo. There is something else going on here, surely you all must see it. The choice of invasion makes no sense."
Yoda hummed in contemplation, "Clouded, the situation has become. Meditate upon this we shall."
"Return with the Queen," The dark-skinned Jedi commanded, "continue your mission as directed. We will keep you informed about what the Senate decides."
***HotF***
The ship touched down in a small enclosure just outside of a city, the pilot yelling to his crew to begin unloading their stock while he contacted his source. In all the commotion and excitement none noticed a small boy slip out from one of the smuggling compartments, down the ramp, and off towards the nearby buildings.
Nearby streets were being patrolled by battle droids, homes were being ransacked while the mechanical soldiers looked for contraband, and barricades were being setup to control the flow of citizens. Normally such efforts would have dissuaded and even prevented young individuals from moving about, but Anakin wasn't a normal child.
He was one with The Force.
His senses expanded far past the material form of his body, allowing him to see beyond what anyone else could, hear past what was possible, and feel what could normally not be felt. The boy's body, in turn, reacted effortlessly to any trial. He moved silently through hallways, ran up the walls of buildings, and leapt across rooftops as easily as another might walk down a paved road.
The Chosen One had been guided here, not just to Naboo but this place, he just wasn't sure why. Just as he was prepared to make his way across the opposing alleyway via rooftop a sound seemed to call out to him. Twisting in midair the child slid down the opposing wall, landing flawlessly behind a container which shielded him from sight.
Peeking out from around the corner the sandy-haired boy noticed a young girl sitting on the ground, head pressed onto her knees as she trembled and cried. His heart reached out to her, feeling her intention and mind without thought and saw into her suffering. Her parents had been hurt and taken away by the scary robots. She had been thrown to the ground, watching as they were dragged off. She was scared, hungry, and alone.
He couldn't yet do much about two of the three, but the last problem…
"Hey, you can have these."
She looked up, fear in her eyes for a moment before she noticed another child in front of her, one holding out a bag that was full of food. Slowly, she reached out, and after another nod of encouragement, took the object.
"Th-thank you…"
His smile gave her one in return.
Now he understood, he wasn't here to fight, wasn't here to wage a war for land or politics, he had been guided to this planet to prevent suffering, to help the innocent, to save lives.
***HotF***
Padme stared out of the window in her senatorial apartment, watching as countless citizens went about their daily lives, none even the wiser, or perhaps uncaring, about the plight of her own people. There were rumors already circulating that her own senator would have a large advantage in the pursuit of the office of Chancellor.
Perhaps he would even emerge victorious, but it wouldn't matter, not in the short-term, not when those depending upon her most needed it most. Innocent people were starving, dying, and she was stuck halfway across the galaxy waiting on bureaucrats to make decisions on how to act.
Her other hope for returning to Coruscant, if the Senate had truly failed as some of her advisors speculated it might, was to pray for the Jedi to intervene. Surely they would step in and resolve the situation, they were the 'guardians of peace' after all, and this was about as horrific of an event as she could imagine. An entire planet had been enslaved, innocent civilians were being killed and starving, this was the exact sort of situation that the Jedi were supposed to prevent.
Or so she had thought.
Instead, the two Jedi had returned with the excuse that the council had ordered their continuing protection of her, but that no further action was being taken until the Senate made their decision.
Had the Republic truly fallen so far that their own protectors were more concerned with politics than innocent lives? When had the Jedi, the mythical protectors she had always heard stories about as a child, become the enforcers of the Senators and their will?
It was another proverbial nail in the coffin, another blow against the hopes she had to rescue her people.
Now what? Two Jedi alone would not be enough to free a planet, even without the callous comment that the Master had made concerning their role of being her protection, not fighting a war for her people. She understood their situation, that two could not hope to overpower an entire army, but it didn't mean he had to be so blunt about it, that he couldn't have at least been just a tad more sensitive to her situation.
"Yoosa worried?" A familiar voice inquired, startling the Queen for a moment, though she did not show it, instead replying with a nod.
Jar Jar walked up to her, staring out the window from her side. "Yoosa thinkin, yoosa people gonna die?"
"They are already dying, and I am stuck here... helpless."
His shoulders sagged and he fell silent for some time, "Gungans die too huh?"
"I hope not." She truly didn't, despite only being Queen of the Naboo she felt responsible for all life on the planet, not just her own citizens. The Gungans, though certainly not on the best of terms, were likely suffering because of her own decisions as well.
Just another failure from a teenager pretending to understand how to run a planet.
"Weesa not going down without a fight." The lanky creature boasted, "Gungans have a grand army... that is why yousa no likin us meesa think."
Yes, a grand army, but it wouldn't matter. Even if the Gungans could destroy every single droid in the Trade Federation army they would just bring another, and another, and another. Even if they inflicted minor casualties the mechanical monsters would triumph in a war of attrition. The only way they would even be able to win would be capturing their leader.
And there was no hope of not only luring out the Viceroy, but also removing his guards... Padme's thoughts ground to a halt. What if they could though? Bring out the King on the Chessboard by playing to his ego, and then distract his pawns with the other pieces?
Capture one piece and end a war.
Yes, that could work, it had to work, not just for the Naboo but the Gungans as well. It was the only way they could free both of their people and save as many innocent lives as possible.
"Jar Jar... I need your help."
***HotF***
Anakin stepped through the barrier into one of the massive underwater globes that appeared to have been abandoned recently, a frown marring his young face. This was obviously one of the major Gungan cities, and yet they were not here.
Even more frustrating was the lack of guidance from The Force, the only words he had received being that of speaking to the natives of the planet. It was clearly a trial for him to undertake, and yet there was so much on the line that he wished for a clearer answer, for a more obvious, 'go here and do this to save lives' rather than 'here are a few cryptic clues, make of them what you will but don't spend too much time on it because people are still starving.'
Perhaps this was a different sort of lesson? A preparation for other tasks to come in the looming years. He had been warned of a storm brewing on the horizon and had been instructed that he would likely play a key role in it.
The boy let out a sigh as he shook his head, "Yeah yeah I know... freewill and choosing my own path..." Those were two concepts that had been drilled into his training time and time again, and he both understood and agreed with them. It still didn't make the situation any less frustrating.
***HotF***
Two darkened forms walked down the secret paths of Coruscant, both cloaked in darkness, both in robe and in power.
"What is thy bidding, my Master?"
"My plans are continuing as I have foreseen. The Queen is powerless, and my own influence grows by the day. Soon she will have no option but to sign the treaty or appear as a failure to the galaxy itself. You will deal with any further intrusion into our plans. I am sending you to Naboo in order to take control of the situation. Clearly the Viceroy can barely handle invading a peaceful world and dealing with two Jedi much less keeping control."
Maul nodded, "And what of the Jedi?"
"As I told my puppets, the former Chancellor should never have brought them into the conflict. If they return kill them and dispose of the remains so to create doubt as to their end. The more confusion consuming the council the better."
The Sith Apprentice allowed his mouth to twist into a small grin, "Of course my Master, I will ensure that the cowards do as you have commanded and remove any threats to your plans."
Sidious nodded, and dismissed the younger man with a gesture, only to stop him a few steps later, "This is the first step in our plan for galactic conquest, do not fail me."
***HotF***
After closing, and locking, the door behind him Qui-Gon Jinn pressed a few buttons on a nearby control console before taking a seat on one of the cushions. Flickering to life, the large screen revealed static for a few moments before an older man's face appeared, confused at first, before softening into a warm smile.
"Qui-Gon, how are you my former apprentice?"
"I am…" Jinn paused for a moment, before letting out a tense breath, "discouraged, my master. Every mission, every day I feel the Jedi slipping more and more from the path I was taught to follow. We spend more and more time worrying about what the Senate will approve of, more time debating and planning than observing the living Force and those who sustain it."
Dooku nodded in understanding, it had been these very reasons that had caused his own departure from the order. When he had made his announcement, it was followed by a private meeting with his former apprentice, one in which he explained in more detail everything that had led up to his decision.
Undoubtedly that had been one of the catalysts for the conversation now. Yoda, a mentor to both of the men, seemed to grow more and more reserved with each passing year, allowing the council and order to be run by others. He too began to simply follow the words of the Senate, wanting to avoid confrontation wherever it may brew. This, in turn, mean that his former master was one of the few Qui-Gon felt comfortable with speaking to regarding such matters. He knew, deep down, that the council did not approve of his actions or mentalities. He knew that other Jedi had even begun to bring politics into the temple, seeking to earn praise or authority over their fellow knights and masters.
Jinn had neither the desire nor the inclination for such meaningless things.
"Your current mission," Dooku noted wisely, "is testing your faith even more than usual." It hadn't even been remotely close to a question, but a statement of absolute certainty. The older master knew his former apprentice better than anyone else did, of that he was certain.
Sure enough the younger master gave another nod, "It is, we are trying to help those who desperately need it, with lives on the line, but the order…"
That meant the council as far as both were concerned.
"They hesitate." he continued, "Master Windu is more concerned with how the Senate is viewing the situation rather than what it truly is, and the others simply nod in agreement."
A scowl formed on the elder's face, there had always been animosity between himself and the dark-skinned Jedi. Both held a large amount of pride in their own capabilities, both had been trained by Yoda, and both held a large amount of respect and sway over their colleagues. A small part of him, one that he would never admit to, had been hesitant to leave the order, seeing it as 'allowing' the other master to 'win'.
"I am unsure as to my path, and that which I should lead my own padawan down. Do I encourage him to break ties with the order, to endanger his future as a Jedi for the sake of others or to follow along and think of those he can save in the future?"
Returning to the conversation at hand, Dooku sat back in his own chair. It was not a simple question to answer, and either choice would likely have deep consequences for both the man he regarded as a son, and the one he thought of as a potential grandchild. "Despite my own guidance you have not turned out as I have hm?"
Jinn slowly shook his head, confirming that they were progressing down the same path of understanding.
"Then what you must focus on are your own thoughts and feelings, not on your apprentice's. He will forge his own path and although he will certainly be influenced by you, he must make his own choices in the end. The best outcome for him is to determine what you see as the best option, to follow your instincts and the will of The Force."
Nodding slowly in understanding Qui-Gon made his choice, "Thank you master, I hope to speak with you soon. May The Force be with you."
"And you as well."
***HotF***
"I agree completely, the Senate has lost much of its influence and power in the previous decades. Corruption is at an all-time high while strength of leadership at a low. Change needs to be made and I hope I can count on you to join me in being a part of it."
The handful of Senators seated in his office gave nods of agreement before rising and leaving to make their own connections and preparations. Once gone, the mask worn by Sheev Palpatine dropped, replaced by a sneer of anger and disgust. "Stupid mindless sheep…" he muttered, before bringing up information on the latest polls. His own popularity was up, and with the current 'crisis' on his home world giving him a definitive edge he would likely continue to rise all the way to the office of Supreme Chancellor.
Now all he needed was for his plans to continue, and for a certain ignorant brat to do as she was told rather than taking matters into her own hands.
It had been mere hours prior that Queen Amidala had decided to return to Naboo to fight back against the Trade Federation.
"Stupid child…" he growled, "can't she understand that despite her own meddling this outcome was the best possible? Having her here helps me far more than her signing any useless treaty or being killed and turned into a martyr."
Worse, with her return the Jedi would go with her, potentially revealing Maul's presence earlier than expected. He could always order his apprentice to return, but it would be a pointless gesture. Soon the two Jedi would be dead, and either the treaty signed, or the Queen replaced by someone more manipulable.
With the rest of the Jedi sitting in their temple fretting he would continue growing his power in ways they could not understand. They too, were like sheep, following the will of the Senate without even realizing how bound they had become. Soon enough they would understand. The crisis on Naboo would be the first acts in splitting the galaxy in two, and when all hope seemed lost he would come forward with a solution of peace and security.
It would be an empire, a Sith empire, that would give the citizens what they needed. The bounty hunter had already been chosen for the basis of the clone army, and with it he would bring control over the government and the countless planets.
"Soon the Sith will rule once more."
***HotF***
Boss Nass paced to-and-fro, ignoring the worried glances and whispers of his inner circle. Not only had mechanical invaders taken control of the surface, but had come for their hidden cities as well, much as the two intruders had foretold.
Luckily, his agents had informed him before the armies had arrived, and Otoh Gunga was devoid of life before the first mechanical weapon even pierced the surface of their lake. Now they were camped among the statues of their Gods, the Sacred Place that had long since protected and guided them in times of great need.
His people needed a sign, needed the Gods to show them the way, to help them now, when they so desperately needed it most. His Gungans were discouraged, forced from their homes and pursued by an army that did not need rest nor food. He closed his eyes once more to give a silent prayer, only to jump in shock as a voice echoed through the area.
Eyes snapping open the Gungan turned to the source, a small blonde human sitting on a rock, a child that had not been there a moment ago. There was a pleasant smile on his face, one of innocent joy and laughter and despite the situation the older individual found himself smiling as well.
"Boss Nass?" he repeated, earning a nod from the larger Gungan, and scowls from the others who began to gesture for nearby guards to remove the boy. "I have heard the prayers of your people and have come to help you in these troubling times."
A soft laugh echoed from the leader, who held out a hand, stopping the soldiers from advancing, "And how do yousa thinkin about doin theesa?"
"Gather your troops and march to the great plains. There the enemy will gather, from the cities, away from their defenses and allowing the Naboo to be freed as well."
"Naboo? They think they so smartiea, they think their brains so big! They speak like weesa below them, like weesa not good like them. Why should we…"
Anakin extended his arm, causing the guards to move forward instinctively, only for his hand to open and a sphere filled with bright colors to form from it. "Look for yourself" he suggested, "and see the fate of those you live alongside." The orb abruptly changed, displaying images of families being torn apart, of droids executing unarmed civilians, of children being starved and beaten.
The Gungan council could see the change in their leader, knew that these pictures would change his mind and endanger their own people, and made to intervene, "Boss yousa shouldn't…"
But he had heard enough of their complaints and whines, enough of their refusals to act unless it benefited them. "SILENCE!" He roared, tears forming in his eyes and slowly making their way down his face. His own children and died at a young age and it had left a hole in his heart that had truly never been filled. "Bring da armies, weesa marching to war!"
***HotF***
A/N: I forgot how much Tatooine and the part before that took up of Phantom Menace.
Also, I know that the council meeting didn't go that way, but I feel it is kind of the same stupidity. In canon Qui-Gon encountered a lightsaber wielding potential Sith Lord, barely managed to escape, and the Jedi are just like "Yeah you'll be fine just go back and handle that."