Padme had surprised Harry by dragging him along to meet with Yoda, Sirius, Chewbacca and the droids the very next day. Harry had thought it would be months before she next brought it up.
The five beings were split three to two. Sirius, R2-D2 and Chewbacca were all for taking action. C-3PO was concerned for his master's safety and by his very nature, counselled negotiation.
"Dangerous." Yoda sighed sadly. "Not just for you but for galaxy. Stealth, magic, powerful tools, but… Jedi have been here before."
"But you do not counsel against it, Master Yoda?" Padme pushed gently.
The Jedi Master looked at her sternly. "Yoda, says fight! Says free slaves." His expression softened to one of almost mourning. "Jedi Master says speak. Plead with Hutts."
"And both Jedi and Yoda have seen that both methods can fail and that sometimes, one is needed to bring about the other." Sirius told his old friend.
Yoda just nodded, his eyes downcast. "Hutts will not talk. Convince them you must, then they will talk."
"Convince them enough and they'll jump straight to begging." Sirius smirked.
"Master Chewbacca asks if you have started any plans or have an idea where to start." C-3PO translated for the wookie.
"The top." Harry shrugged. "I figure that if I started going after the lower levels of the Hutt's organizations then they would just start hiding better.
"If I start by taking out the Hutts then I can replace them."
"You make it sound so simple." Sirius chuckled.
"A good plan is a simple one. But it doesn't make implementing it any easier." Padme stated. She turned to Harry. "You do realise that the Hutts as a species are very difficult to kill?"
"I don't want to kill them!" Harry was slightly offended. "I was just going to capture them and send them back to their home planet. Maybe ask the droid army to set up a blockade so they can't leave."
"Pup, do you know what a Hutt is?" Sirius asked incredulously. "A giant slug that is more than seven feet tall, ten feet long, a hide so thick it can survive a blaster shot and has an immune system so stubborn that some of them treat poisons like exotic drinks."
"But they are all just as weak to magic as everyone else in this galaxy… right?"
Sirius and Yoda look to each other.
"Never tested it, have we." Yoda admitted. "But how would magic you use?"
"I made a cap into a dog, a stone into gold. Why not turn the Hutts into something easy to contain… like a rock?"
In the time that Sirius had broken out of Azkaban and learnt the truth about how Harry had been treated, he had often cursed himself for not being there. He also cursed Crouch, Bagnold, Dumbledore, the Dursleys and many others.
Including Snape. Well… mostly Snape.
But seeing that innocent look on his Godson's face as he laid out his overly simplistic plan made him make plans to have his holocron worked on so it would survive the many millennia till they reached the time of Harry's birth and make the galaxy spanning trip to Earth.
Then he'd be able to express his ire more literally and to those who earned it.
Queen Amidala had made a personal request to Grand Master Jedi Yoda. She needed a Jedi of some experience to help her close friend, The Emperor, train for… 'unusual situations'.
Things had snowballed slightly after that as Chewbacca requested permission to call in some friends from home and Yoda suggested asking the Gungans for aid.
That last one was met with a strained acceptance from the Queen and her advisors, but they weren't going to argue with Master Yoda.
Not for long at least.
It was a week later that three beings walked off the passenger transport at the Theed Space Port. Two were a surprise to Harry and one was a shock to Yoda.
"Dooku, surprised I am." The old Jedi admitted as he floated on his little seat. Next to him a Jedi practice droid floated as it projected the mobile Sirius. "Saddened. Turmoil I feel in you. Come has your time." Yoda said sadly.
Dooku was dressed in rich black clothes with a cape. He stepped forward and knelt, his weapon presented to his former master. "I have tendered my resignation to the Council, but I insisted on surrendering my lightsabre only to you."
Yoda gently lifted the long handled weapon and examined it fondly. "Served you well, this has. Saved your life and mine. Saved the lives of many."
"It has failed to save more and taken the lives of countless." Dooku said solemnly.
"And just how many of that last group didn't choose to face you as you defended the light?" Sirius challenged.
"One." Yoda answered. "My lightsabre, the blame should carry. Tainted with the same darkness it was. Judged as needed we were.
"We need not dwell."
"A Jedi without a sword is… a disservice to the Force." Sirius commented with a casual air.
"I am no Jedi, Sir." Dooku declared as he stood. "I have left the Order and cast aside my vows."
"Think that all a Jedi is? Hmm?" Yoda glared at his former Padawan. "Thousands of years have Jedi existed. Long before the Council, the Order… the Code.
"Many Jedi out there. Serving the Force. Never heard of the Order, have they. But greet them I would, as family." Yoda declared with stubbornness.
Yoda thrust the deactivated weapon at Dooku sideways. "Take it. The Force flows through this weapon. Let it serve you as you served the Force."
"Leave the Order… not the Jedi." Harry said softly.
Dooku looked at the young man, the one who had warned him of the destination at the end of his previous path. The one who seemed to have a penchant for helping others even if he didn't realise it.
Just like a Jedi.
Dooku took the weapon, his weapon, and replaced it on his belt and gave a slight bow to Yoda before turning to Harry. "I heard you needed aid with training and planning, though the reason for this training was not explained, I felt the Force guiding me to Naboo. I have another mission that may serve as training, if you are interested."
Harry's expression hardened. "We'll head to the Ghost immediately to discuss it."
"Surprised to see you." Yoda spoke to the other two that had come with Dooku. "Expected your former Master, Knight Kenobi."
Obi-Wan stepped forward with Barriss and bowed. "My Master's current Padawan is still learning other aspects of the Force. I have experience and my Padawan could use a little more… 'practical application'." He said with a small smile as Barriss blushed.
Harry led Dooku to the bridge of The Ghost as soon as they arrived at the palace. Chewbacca, Sirius and Yoda followed whilst Obi-Wan took Barriss to pay their respects to the Queen.
"Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos and his Padawan, Aayla Secura have gone missing." Dooku said without preamble. "I asked the Council to send a team to investigate but they refused. It was the final reason for resigning."
"Missing, you say?" Yoda frowned. "Last seen they were, where?"
"Tatooine. I have spoken with Master Jinn and Knight Kenobi but neither recalls any sign of them whilst they were there. I have tracked their flight plans and they were there at the same time as you."
"Do you have a picture?" Harry asked.
"May I?" Dooku gestured to the computer console.
Harry nodded. He was soon staring at a holographic projection of what appeared to be a male human and a female Twi'lek.
"Definitely didn't see any blue people other than Watto." Harry confirmed. "We can show these to the others who were with us on Tatooine and see if they did."
"What purpose they had, on Tatooine?" Yoda asked.
"They were investigating a drug smuggling ring."
Yoda and Dooku stared at each other.
"Return to Coruscant, I must." The Grand Master eventually spoke with disgust. "Change things must if Jedi to survive."
"If the Order is to survive." Dooku corrected.
Yoda paused and then nodded.
"I should come too." Harry piped in. "If the missing people were on Tatooine when we were then they may have encountered Darth Maul. I need to have another chat with him."
Padme was, as Harry feared, not pleased he was leaving again so soon. But instead of making Harry feel horrible by glaring at him and giving him the silent treatment, she spent as much time as she could with him before he left and secured promises he would be safe and call every day.
She had to relent a bit when Harry pointed out he couldn't keep either of those promises, but that he would definitely try. She had employed her own additional method of ensuring her boyfriend's return by having all the training simulations and volunteers sent to Theed.
This meant that there were Gungan and Wookies setting up camp in the nearby forest.
Obi-Wan had to take Barriss for more meditation when the young Padawan became frustrated at having to get back on the ship after only arriving hours before.
They travelled on the Ghost, but, unknown to anyone but R2-D2, they were shadowed by a droid ship… just in case.
They arrived at Coruscant and landed immediately at the Jedi Temple. Padme had insisted that Harry make use of the embassy suites whilst he was there though and asked him to check in with the new ambassador for Naboo.
"Master Yoda, we have arranged for the prisoners to be moved to the interrogation rooms." Mace Windu informed them as they touched down. He gave a slightly concerned look at Dooku, especially on seeing the lightsabre on the man's belt.
"Together?!" Harry asked frantically. "You moved three powerful and bad people at the same time and to a closer proximity?"
"They are well guarded." Mace frowned.
"Oh god… back home we would call this a 'recipe for disaster'."
"Harry, we know what we are doing-"
"You didn't even know they existed until a few months ago!" Harry was walking to the entrance to the temple at a quick pace.
"We have learnt much since then!" Mace countered irritably as he kept pace with the young wizard.
"Obi-Wan, go to Younglings, ensure they are safe." Yoda ordered.
Chewbacca peeled off with the young knight and his charge, his bowcaster in hand.
"R2, find a terminal and hack in. Monitor everything you can." Sirius gave his own instructions. "Go with him 3PO."
Minutes later they arrived at the holding cells only to find Darth Plagueis calmly accepting the lightsabre of one of the Jedi guards outside the cell.
The other two cells seemed secure with their prisoners and guards.
Harry sent out a Confundus charm followed up by a stunner. Two more stunners dropped the guards.
Harry stopped, bent at his waist and breathing deeply.
"What was it you'd learnt, Jedi Windu?" Sirius asked bitingly.
Yoda summoned the lightsabres as he floated closer. The sounds of footsteps sounded down the corridor as reinforcements sent by Obi-Wan arrived.
"Harry, stun the other two Sith please." Dooku requested.
"How could this happen?" Windu was confused and angry. "Traitors amongst our own."
"Mace! Calm yourself and look closer." Dooku said sternly. "The lightsabres all belong to the guards. A traitor would have brought a spare for Plagueis.
"They are victims, not collaborators."
"It wouldn't hurt to be sure, though." Sirius warned. "I'd put them in separate cells until Harry can talk to them."
"Maul and Palpatine are out. I also obliviated them of the last hour or so." Harry announced as he re-joined them.
"Obliviated?" Sirius queried.
"Just in case." Harry shrugged.
"In case of what?! Merlin! Harry, you might need more of a vacation if you are getting as paranoid as old Mad-Eye."
"As long as I don't get as ugly."
"At least you still have a sense of humour."
It was an hour later and Harry had all he needed to know. "Palpatine is behind it all. Apparently he wanted Jedi Vos so he could turn him. I don't know what has happened to them but I know where to start.
"We need to talk to Senator Chom Frey Kaa. He is pretty much doing the leg work for Palpatine."
"Grave news is this." Yoda said solemnly. "Deep roots the Dark Side has made."
"Harry, did you have any idea where they might have headed after Tatooine?" Sirius asked.
"No, I only know that the drug they were smuggling can cause amnesia… so, if they've already been dosed, they might not know who they are."
"Hmm, I have an idea that might see quicker results than trying to teach them who they were." Dooku mused. "Their current amnesia is caused by a chemical effect… would Harry's magic override that effect if he 'Obliviated' them back to before they were dosed?"
"Find them first, we must." Yoda declared with an impatient huff.
"We do not have the resources to mount a rescue mission." Windu informed them. "So many of our number have fallen over the past year and we are being stretched thin."
"And you are certain that your 'resources' are being sent where they are truly needed?" Dooku challenged icily.
"To the best of our knowledge, Dooku." Windu said tiredly. "We are mortal and fallible. Something you clearly know and understand."
"But you fail to try and correct your mistakes! Twice now I have been involved with Jedi affairs where you refused to investigate. If it weren't for Harry then Komari and the others would be dead to us.
"Did you know that the Governor of Galidraan sold Jango Fett into slavery? No? Not only did the man trick us into acting as his death soldiers, he turned the only survivor into a slave."
"We are aware." Windu confessed.
"THEN WHY HAVEN'T YOU DONE SOMETHING?" Dooku roared as he shot to his feet.
"Calm yourself, Dooku." Yoda said quietly but sternly. "Do not let your emotions rule you."
"Why haven't you done anything?" Harry asked curiously. "Why hasn't the Republic as a whole?"
"We are Jedi." Windu explained calmly. "We do not seek conflict. We aid those who need us and we defend those we can."
"And the Republic?"
"Warned, we were. Valorum, blamed Jedi." Yoda admitted. "At fault, Jedi were. Foolish, naive… dumb. Told us not to go back. Jedi would only make things worse."
"And here I thought the Jedi Order was autonomous." Dooku sneered. He closed his eyes and tried to regain his focus as he saw the worried frown that Harry was sending his way.
"Yoda, I know it's been a while since you and I were gallivanting, but… what the hell?" Sirius asked in confusion. "The Jedi never worked for governments, the Republic is definitely bigger after all these years, but, like you say: 'Size matters, not'."
"A committee."
Everyone turned to look at the Head of the Jedi Order as he sat there looking disgusted.
"Mace?" Dooku asked.
"We've become an organisation run by a committee." He expounded. "When I was a Padawan, Master Yoda would take me wherever the Force led us. Occasionally we received a request from the Council to attend to a specific mission."
Dooku nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, when I was Master Yoda's Padawan, the Council served as more of a… supply and logistics unit. If we needed a ship we contacted them.
"They also acted as the hub for exchanging intelligence."
There was a snort from a floating orb followed by the clanging of wood on metal. It was ignored.
"All this happened in what? A decade?" Harry asked doubtfully.
"No, it has been a long time coming." Dooku sighed. "It happened slowly enough that we never noticed."
"Well, we still need to find the missing Jedi. Investigating any other missing Jedi would be good too." Sirius commandeered their attention. "I recommend out-sourcing the investigations until the Jedi Council has put itself in its place.
"I know of two former Jedi who could start." He gave a pointed look to Dooku.
"No." Mace said firmly. "Dooku has left the Order. It-"
"All members of the Order are Jedi. But not all Jedi are members of the Order."
Dooku chuckled at the statement from the young wizard. "A quite succinct paraphrasing of Master Yoda's reasons for not accepting my lightsabre."
"It would still require the approval of the Council." Mace shook his head.
"Hey, Harry, you hear about that Twi'lek and the Kiffar that went missing?" Sirius asked in a horrible display of 'acting'. "They've gone and done got nicked!"
"Really?!" Harry sat forward and did a slightly better performance. "What'd they do?"
"Get this, they was bobbies. Some one sent them on a case to shut down a drug deal and they got ratted on!"
"Blimey! Bet the bobbies are in a right tizzy."
"Nah, they're still fighting over who gets to stamp the bloody paperwork!" Sirius laughed loudly and badly for few seconds. "Guess it's a good thing the bobbies are the only ones who can handle this. Be bad news for 'nappers if someone else heard about it and pulled their todger out."
Both young wizard and deceased holocron dropped their 'act' and looked at the head of the order glibly.
Sirius decided to twist the knife completely. "We're saying that doing the right thing isn't a restricted activity and doesn't need a bloody red stamp."
The journey back to Naboo was a bit frustrating for Harry. He kept forgetting why he needed to travel to Coruscant. He would ask himself why he didn't just use the communications… then he would remember that he had needed to use legilimency on the Sith.
Still, he wasn't happy as he wasn't sure that it was worth the two-day trip.
Chewbacca would remind him that if he hadn't gone then they would have no leads on the missing Jedi. As it was, Dooku was working with a droid ship to trace various leads. Senator Chom Frey Kaa had been weak willed and easily caved when confronted by Dooku.
Harry was very happy to be back on Naboo. He still struggled with the hug from Padme, but he very much enjoyed her smile and holding her hand.
Padme had insisted that Harry move back into the palace and the family rooms. Yoda had no objections but preferred to stay on the ship with Chewbacca.
Harry often felt lonely in the rooms without R2-D2 and C-3PO around.
Yoda varied his training to different times of day. Sirius had to remind his old friend that Harry was not a Jedi Padawan and was entitled to free time and personal pursuits. Such as spending time with his girlfriend.
"Has there been any word from Count Dooku?" Padme asked conversationally as she handed him a small tub of food.
They were sat at their picnic spot, enjoying one of the last few days of Naboo's summertime.
"Nothing more on the master. He is sending the Padawan here for me to try the memory spell on."
Padawan Aayla Secura had been found by Dooku's team. He had returned to his home planet and taken up his hereditary role of Count. He had then used his new and extensive resources, combined with the droid army and Trade Federation, to start tracking down the Master and Padawan.
Secura was being held by her uncle and used for entertainment. She was a blue skinned Twi'lek and, as Padme had explained, their species were regarded as little more than slaves and entertainment, especially the women. The fact that it was a Twi'lek that was doing it to his own people was going to do nothing for their reputation.
That didn't even begin to touch on the fact that she was family to her slaver.
"I'm glad he didn't send her to the Jedi Temple. Then you would have had to leave again." Padme pouted teasingly.
"I might have to go soon." Harry grimaced. "You saw the letter from Chancellor Valorum."
"You don't have to go. Just your envoy. You just need to find someone trustworthy."
"Like who? The droids don't know how to pick someone and I haven't been to any of the Federation planets to meet possible candidates."
"You could always send C-3PO."
The fact that Padme refused to look at him told Harry even she didn't think that was responsible.
"What about you? Naboo still has to make a decision about staying in the Republic." Harry challenged.
Padme looked very grumpy as she sat back down, abandoning her rummage through the picnic basket.
"The decision is mine." She admitted. "I was elected to make these decisions. Our government isn't like what you described. We don't have lots of politicians who debate and then vote a majority on every issue.
"On Naboo, the noble families nominate candidates and then elect by majority. But they are electing a monarch. Someone who has the final say in all things.
"So… a decision to leave the Republic falls to me. I have to make the right decision for my entire planet and hope that my successor will respect that decision."
"And you don't know what to decide? Can't Governor Bibble help? Why not talk to Chief Tarrful?"
"I have been speaking to various people Harry." She clearly found the subject tiresome. "From my point of view, the Republic has failed to live up to its responsibilities. It also seems clear that they have no desire or intention of changing.
"The… difficulty I am struggling with is trying to figure out if my feelings for you are influencing my decisions. I am worried that I am not being impartial."
Harry scratched his head, slightly confused. "Why would that matter? I haven't said what you should do. I don't even have an opinion." He shrugged.
Padme turned so she was facing Harry directly, she sat on her knees. "Harry, I can't just take Naboo out of the Republic. We would never survive on our own.
"We'd need to accept the invitation to join your empire."
"It's not my empire!" Harry said frustratedly. "Technically it's R2's. I just… stand there."
"Harry, please focus on the issue." Padme begged. "The Empire is the only way we could get decent representation with other planets and systems.
"If we tried to approach Republic planets for trade, they would insist we go through the Republic itself. Considering we would have just left them, they are likely to be petty and make us wade through more paperwork than is necessary.
"The Empire controls the Trade Federation, that makes them one of the biggest resources in the galaxy. When you withdrew them from the Republic you caused major panic as previous trade agreements all became void and new ones needed to be negotiated."
"Oh."
"Oh?"
Harry looked sheepish. "That explains why C-3PO kept handing me documents that needed my approval as The Emperor."
Padme was suddenly very worried. "You did read before approving, didn't you?"
"Of course!" Harry said indignantly. "Well… I had 3PO read them to me… I didn't want to get something wrong as my Galactic Basic isn't very good."
Padme sighed in relief. "So you didn't approve all of them?"
"Most. One was from some git asking to trade droids for twi'leks."
"Disgusting." Padme spat. "I'm glad you didn't accept that."
"Oh, I did." Harry calmly assured her.
He enjoyed the look of horror creeping onto her face. "How else was I going to get the slaves back to their families without resorting to bloodshed."
"But now he has access to a droid army!"
"Only if he considers dust to be his enemy." Harry chuckled. "The droids don't have weapons and are programmed for cleaning and maintenance."
"Oh Harry… you are going to wind up with so many assassination contracts on you." She bemoaned.
Harry's training progressed well. He could use the sword and shield proficiently. He'd never beat a Sith or Jedi in a sabre battle, but he'd be able to hold them off long enough to use magic or get help.
He now had a simple exo-skeleton that he wore under his clothes. It wouldn't do anything against a blaster bolt but it was made from Phrik and would stop a lightsabre from removing limbs.
His skill in sneaking was what made Sirius the proudest. It made him bemoan that he, James and Remus hadn't been able to coach his godson on pranks for Hogwarts.
Harry's ability to sneak past Force sensitive individuals was enhanced by various techniques that R2 and the wookies taught him for dealing with technology.
Harry was gradually learning what the major components were in the galaxy's technology. The wookies had worked with Sirius to develop techniques that allowed Harry to disable sensors and trick them by simply transfiguring parts.
It made the various scenarios that the various teams of wookies and gungans put him through, easy to bypass. So much so that they had to arrange standalone events where he was placed in a makeshift ring with a Jedi, wookie, gungan or human and told to defend himself.
Otherwise he would never get any combat experience.
Harry's skill in sneaking had gained him what Sirius and Padme referred to fondly as: His nemesis.
Barriss Offee had not liked the fact that someone could elude the Force and skate past her. She was constantly demanding Harry retake the tests so she could try and beat him.
Fortunately, she didn't take her frustration with the issue out on Harry. The two got on well and when they weren't competing against each other.
Obi-Wan watched the pair carefully. He was toeing the line a bit as often he would see Barriss was far too emotional, be it with anger or happiness. But her interactions with Harry made her more confident and goaded her into using more physical methods, which was the purpose of travelling to Naboo to work with Harry.
The one thing Harry couldn't excel at was escaping his new role as Emperor. He had spoken with everyone from R2 to Chief Tarrful and they all agreed that Harry couldn't appoint anyone from the Trade Federation as his representative. There was simply no way to tell who to trust.
Harry made a request for the Jedi to send someone to meet with potential candidates and vet them. He received the cold shoulder from Padme when Yoda told them that Qui-Gon and Anakin had been assigned. But only for an hour.
Still, the situation between the Empire and the Republic and the People of Naboo and the Republic needed to be resolved. A droid flag ship arrived at Naboo to ferry Harry, Padme and their entourages to Coruscant. The Queen's personal ship and The Ghost would follow.
Things became a little tense when the patchwork fleet arrived at Coruscant. They barely managed to get in the system.
"Unidentified ships, come to an immediate stop and transmit your ID and intentions."
"Are you sure they're talking to us?" Harry asked the droid, Lee as he stood on the bridge with the others.
"It's not a broadcast to anyone listening, Harry." Sirius explained. "The transmission is encoded and directed straight to our ships."
"But… wouldn't that mean they have our ID?"
Sirius just nodded.
"So it's a mistake?" Harry asked hopefully.
"It is likely a high-handed intimidation tactic to put us on the defensive and give them an opportunity to board us and intimidate us personally." Padme scowled. Sabe was currently dressed as the Queen.
"Board us?"
"Standard Coruscant Orbital Security Procedure is to board and inspect all unidentified ships before determining if they are allowed to enter orbit." Lee explained.
"Let me handle this, Harry." Sirius said firmly as he headed to the communication console.
Harry just gave Lee a shrug and a nod as the droid looked to him to make sure it was ok.
"Coruscant Orbital Security, this is the Flagship of the Empire of magic. Please be aware that you are not broadcasting your warning and are sending it directly to this ship."
"Unidentified ship, your ID is not recognised. You will come to a complete stop and prepare to be boarded."
"Yeah, listen you little shit;" Harry's eyes widened at the sudden change from 'respectfully correctful' to 'I'm gonna tan your hide'. "You are clearly lying because you are using our ID to open one-to-one communications. That can only happen if you have our ID.
"Be aware that this is being recorded. If you send anyone to try and illegally board our fleet… they won't be coming home."
With that, Sirius cut the communication.
"Don't we need them to… I don't know, tell us where to land? Aren't there flight plans and things to prevent crashes?" Harry asked worriedly.
"Nah, it's all done by droids and AIs." Sirius assured him. "We will just stay on course and deal with any boarders like they were pirates."
"Master Yoda, perhaps if we contacted the Jedi Council, they might be able to smooth things over and prevent an unnecessary space battle." Obi-Wan suggested from the side where he stood patiently with Barriss.
"Contact them, you will." Yoda nodded, leaving the young knight to step up to the task.
"Any chance we will be able to land before-"
"Alert! Six ships on intercept course." One of the droids on the bridge interrupted Harry.
"Maybe we should just leave." Harry offered. He wanted nothing more than to turn his back on Coruscant and never return.
"Harry, we need to confront these people." Padme urged. "If they are willing to do these despicable acts, it won't be long before they start sending their assassins to our home planets."
Harry looked to Yoda.
"Come, the darkness will. On your terms, you must face it."
Harry looked at the view screen where the six ships were shown. They were frigates, maybe two thirds the size of the Queen's ship. "How much damage can they do to this ship?"
Chancellor Valorum was attempting to be calm and collected as he sat in his office, alone. In truth, he was a bundle of nerves and agitation.
He was waiting on a report from the Republic Judicial Force about the confrontation with the Naboo and Trade Federation ships in orbit. He had caved to pressure and ordered them challenged and boarded. He wanted the Queen, the Emperor and their people searched and he certainly wanted the Emperor de-masked.
It wasn't just pressure from other delegates of the senate, he was also angry about how he was being treated by Amidala and the Emperor. Calling him nothing more than a 'bureaucrat'.
He jumped at the alert on his door before he acknowledged those waiting.
Several men in uniform entered and took positions at the door whilst one sat in a chair opposite the Chancellor.
"Report." Valorum ordered.
"The situation has become… complicated." The senior officer grimaced. "The Federation ship refused orders and, as per your orders, we opened fire.
"They did nothing. They simply sat there and absorbed our weapon's fire until a second federation ship arrived. At this point the first ship departed without the accompanying ships of Naboo."
"Are you telling me that your ships were unable to even slightly damage the Federation ship?" Valorum demanded.
"No sir. They sustained clear damage. But not enough to force a surrender. They simply left when the new ship arrived."
"How many of our ships did we lose."
"None. They never fired on our ships." The officer reported.
"They allowed you to fire on them and they did not retaliate?" He asked in disbelief.
"So it appears."
"And the Naboo ships?"
"We did not engage them and they did not react to our assault on the Federation ship."
Valorum sat back, confused. "What is the current situation up there?"
"With the departure of the first ship and the arrival of the new one, I have ordered my ships to withdraw from firing range and await further orders."
Valorum didn't like that. It reeked of cowardice and indecisiveness. "You will order your ships to reissue their commands. If the Federation and Naboo ships fail to comply then you will destroy the Naboo ships.
"I trust that will be a less trying task for your men?" He mocked snidely.
"Yes sir." The officer stood and left, not waiting for a dismissal.
"Valorum! Explain yourself!"
The Chancellor jumped as several senators barged into his office. Considering one was a wookie, he could see why they weren't stopped by security.
He'd still have them fired.
What surprised him more was the masked man and the girl in elaborate make-up. How had they managed to get to the surface when their ships were under fire?
"Why have you ordered the Judicial Force to fire on the ships belonging to Naboo and the Empire of Magic?" Senator Mon Mothma demanded angrily. "Her Majesty's ship was destroyed and it was only the actions of the Emperor that prevented her people being killed as a result!
"Are you trying to throw the Republic into a war?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about, Senator." Valorum stood to match her glare. "As far as I am aware the Judicial Force has not been ordered to Naboo or the Empire's planets."
"Don't try and be coy, Valorum." She spat. "You know full well that Republic ships are, even now, firing on the Emperor's ships… you were the one who sent the invitation!"
"The only altercation I am aware of is that of unknown vessels entering our orbit and refusing to declare themselves or submit for boarding and inspection." He sneered.
"Ships that bear the distinct profile of Her Majesty's cruiser and the Empire's droid ships." Senator Organa joined his colleague. "Don't lie to us further, Chancellor. The Judicial Force made the mistake of not broadcasting their demands but instead sending it direct to the Empire and Naboo ships… using their registered ID codes."
Valorum froze. He did not know that. Still… "Hmph. In that case I can only assume that those members of the Judicial Force have gone rogue." He said dismissively. "Be assured I will have them stand down and arrested, pending an investigation."
"I wouldn't concern yourself, Chancellor." Queen Amidala stepped forward regally. "We have contacted the Jedi for aid. As we speak they are attempting to apprehend the 'rogue' members of the Judicial Force. I am sure they will carry out a full interrogation."
That was bad. "This is not a matter for the Jedi. It is the responsibility of the Judicial Force and this office."
"Both have failed in their responsibility." She responded placidly. "We have worked with our peers to call for an emergency session of the Senate to investigate the events of the day."
At that moment Mace Windu stepped into the room with Yoda and several other Jedi.
"The Jedi will secure your computers and files until the hearing this evening." She informed him.
Valorum had blustered and raged as the Jedi led him from his office, but none of the Judicial Force or his personal security stepped up to help him.
They weren't dumb enough to tangle with a Jedi.
The Judicial Force immediately backed off as Harry had had R2 broadcast their little meeting to the ships attacking his. Harry had the Neimoidians immediately begin putting through the paperwork to have the Republic pay for a new ship for Her Majesty as well as an apology.
This led them to the senate chambers. The pointless bureaucratic preamble was extended by an hour as the Vice-Chair had to be sworn in and the absence of the Chancellor explained.
Harry was in full Emperor mode with a silver C-3PO, newly designated I-8AP next to him.
Sirius was banned from naming anything ever again.
Having withdrawn the Trade Federation from the Republic Senate, Harry was now in a guest pod. Yoda and Mace were in a separate guest pod.
Emergency procedures had been initiated to address the serious matter of the Chancellor being arrested.
The Vice Chair was a Chagrian male named Mas Amedda. He had blue skin, no hair, two long spikes protruding from his head and two from a large bulge around his neck.
"I have called the Jedi here to explain their actions in detaining the Chancellor. The so-called 'Emperor' here will also answer for his actions in attacking the Republic Judicial Force during their routine patrols."
Harry noticed that Padme looked absolutely outraged, as did her allies in the senate. Their pods lit up immediately, demanding to be recognised.
The Jedi remained impassive.
The senators were ignored as the Vice Chair had the Jedi moved to the centre.
"Jedi Yoda-"
"Grand Master Jedi Yoda." Came the wizened old interruption.
Mace was glaring at the Vice Chair.
"Yes, of course." Mas said dismissively. "Explain to this august body why you have kidnapped the Chancellor."
"No."
"Are you refusing to cooperate? I will have you and your entire order arrested-"
"Vice Chair, you are attempting to interfere in matters of law enforcement." Mace Windu said firmly. "You do not have the authority to question the Jedi, issue arrest warrants or threaten The Order.
"We came here as a courtesy, because you asked. If all you wish from us is information on an ongoing investigation then I believe we are done here and we will return to our duties."
Surprising Mas Amedda, the guest pod containing the Emperor of Magic moved out. Something it should not have been able to do without his initiating it.
"I was invited to Coruscant by your Chancellor to meet with the senate." Harry said calmly. "Considering I was attacked on entering the system, it was clearly a trap.
"Considering how you have now summoned me to answer your demands, I believe I will also take my leave. If you wish to move through the Empire's territory then I suggest you send a negotiator. Until then, all trade with the Republic is prohibited."
The senate exploded in outrage.
Amedda was angrily calling for order as the two guest pods departed.
It was ten minutes later that the senate calmed. Amedda angrily moved the pod for Naboo forward, causing the Queen to raise an eyebrow at the rather rude action.
"You are exceeding yourself Mas Amedda." The Queen said sternly.
"Enough of this foolishness. You will call back the Emperor immediately!"
"Hardly. We are only in attendance to tender the resignation of Naboo from the Republic. The destruction of my ship and the blatant attempt to assassinate us has removed any doubts about this move.
"If you wish to trade with the People of Naboo, you will do so through the Empire of Magic.
"Now, you will return us so we may depart."
"Absolutely not! You will answer for-" Mas Amedda was interrupted by a very angry roar.
That's when the Chagrain noticed the large wookie standing at the back of the Naboo pod. And looking quite murderous.
There was a tense silence before the unnoticed astro-mech piped up and the pod began to move back to its dock.