Nathrrya sat meditating, her legs crossed, hands on her knees and eyes closed, levitating about a meter above the swampy ground. She didn't want to get her favourite and currently only outfit damp and dirty. The Sith hadn't done anything as straight forward as self levitation in a very long time. As she allowed the Force to flow through her, Nathrrya could sense that Padme had been successful in gaining the aide of the Gungan army and that Obi-Wan was on his way to retrieve her. She smirked. The padawan's reaction should be entertaining.

Nathrrya's eyes snapped open.

"Well, aren't we an obedient little apprentice." she mused. Sidious had sent his apprentice. The Jedi might not be able to sense him but attuned to the Dark Side as she was, Nathrrya had little trouble finding him in the Force. It also helped that he was truly terrible at shielding his presence from another Sith.

A cruel smile appeared on her lips. The Jedi knew where she was as she wanted them to know. However, Sidious' apprentice was completely oblivious to her presence and he'd remain that way until she was ready to strike. The woman frowned, she'd have to revise her battle plan slightly considering this development. Her plan had been to lead the fighter strike against the droid control ship. She supposed she still could but the Force was strongly discouraging her from doing so and as usual, it was being vague as to why.

Nathrrya always had a natural talent for manipulating and shielding her presence in the Force and detecting others. She'd used it to great effect on Korriban, so she appeared, even to the likes of Darth Baras, as an above average acolyte and not the full Sith she was. Given that she looked younger than her thirty-five years, Baras had fallen for the ruse. The only person who had known the truth had been Overseer Tremel but as he was an ally of House Palatine that was to be expected.

She had little success in detecting Sidious, though she knew he was out there, somewhere. He might be on Coruscant. She supposed he was as good as, if not a little better than herself at masking his presence. He wouldn't have been able to avoid the Jedi otherwise. She hoped that if she made herself enough of a nuisance then Sidious would slip up and reveal himself.

Nathrrya closed her eyes and went back to her meditation.


"Where is Nathrrya?" Padme asked as she couldn't see the older woman amongst them.

"She... left before we were ambushed by the Gungans." Qui-Gon replied. "Why? We do not know. She just disappeared."

"Do you think...?" the Queen asked worried.

Qui-Gon shook his head. "No, we can still sense her presence in the Force. If Nathrrya were planning anything nefarious then she would hide from us."

"She could do that?" Padme asked alarmed though she didn't fully understand.

The Jedi master nodded "Yes, Nathrrya is skilled enough to hide her presence if she wished to. However, she wants us to know where she is. I sent Obi-Wan to find her and retrieve her," he explained, "Whatever made Nathrrya vanish has passed and it's safe for her to return."

Padme frowned "What do you mean?"

"I believe Nathrrya's sudden disappearance may have had something to do with you humbling yourself before Boss Nass." The Jedi master stated.

"Oh..." the young woman seemed to deflate slightly.

"You did nothing wrong your highness for we know almost nothing of Nathrrya's past life, only what she has been willing to share," he said, "It would not surprise me if she had experienced something similar that would have left a negative impression on her." Little did the Jedi Master know how right he was in his assessment. "And as a Sith, Nathrrya feels emotions much more strongly..."

Padme began to understand "And if she did feel something negative then my negotiations could have gone badly?"

"Precisely your highness. Nathrrya left to insure you could do what you needed to do to secure the aide of the Gungans." Qui-Gon said, "Obi-Wan will find our wayward Sith."

Padme couldn't help herself she giggled at the thought of Nathrrya being called 'our wayward Sith.'


Obi-Wan found it easy to follow Nathrrya's presence in the Force through the swamp, even so it took him a good fifteen minutes to reach her. He wasn't certain what he'd find, as the closer he got the stronger the mixed emotions were encompassing the woman.

Well there's only one way to find out. The padawan thought as he took a breath and stepped around a tree and into a small clearing. There in the centre not more than ten feet away was Nathrrya, levitating about a meter above the swampy ground.

Obi-Wan looked surprised and impressed; levitation wasn't hard to do but to truly master it took a lot of practice or natural talent. He wasn't sure which he was seeing. Perhaps a little of both? The padawan frowned as he wasn't sure what to say or how to ask what he wanted to know, so he settled on just observing her.

Nathrrya opened her eyes and studied Obi-Wan for a few moments. "Come to check on me?" she asked at last, as she uncrossed her legs and stood, lowering herself to the ground.

The padawan smiled slightly, impressed by what he saw. "In a manner of speaking." he said taking a step closer. "Are you alright? What happened? When you vanished, we didn't know what to think," The concern and curiosity clear in his voice.

The woman sighed as she let her arms fall to her sides. "My past happened, or would have had I stayed." She bit her bottom lip as she ran a hand through her hair. "I had a premonition of Padme humbling herself before the Gungan chief. All I saw, though, was the throne room of the Eternal Emperor. Valkorion stood before me at the foot of his throne offering me power and privilege. All I had to do was submit to his will. For that reason, I disappeared."

"This story isn't going to end well, is it?" Obi-Wan asked clearly worried.

"No, it doesn't." Nathrrya confirmed. "Once I learned of the Emperor's true plans for the galaxy, I swore I'd never bend my knee to anyone ever again. So, I told Valkorion no.

He was ready to kill me just as he had Darth Marr, when his son Arcann attacked him giving me the chance to put my saber through Valkorion's back..." the woman seemed to hesitate a moment. "The man died in an explosion of force energy that must have knocked me out, I woke up three and a half thousand years later."

Obi-Wan nodded slowly. "But for you it's been how long since this happened?"

"About three weeks... a month at most." Nathrrya said looking thoughtful. "Rationally, I understood what Padme wanted to do and it made sense..."

"...But emotionally, it was too soon and something you had no desire to do, ever again. So, you fled to protect not only yourself but Padme as well." Finished Obi-Wan an understanding expression on his face.

"Something like that." Nathrrya said a sad smile on her lips. "We better get back to Qui-Gon or Force only knows what he'll be thinking if we take too long..." the woman let the implication hang in the air.

Obi-Wan grinned. "Oh? Would that be the 'Jedi/Sith' or the 'male/female' concerns of Qui-Gon?" he asked as Nathrrya came to stand next to him.

Nathrrya pretended to think about it for a few moments. "I'd say the latter more than the former. You did ask me out a date after all." She leaned in closer. "But being a Sith I can't deny there's a certain... thrill at the prospect of seducing a Jedi." The woman whispered in Obi-Wan's ear.

The young man shut his eyes and tried to suppress the shiver that ran through him. He heard the woman step closer and chuckle. Obi-Wan opened his eyes to find Nathrrya's face centimetres from his own, a seductive smirk on her lips. Before he realised what was happening, she closed the distance and kissed him lightly on the cheek "You really are too much fun to tease..."

Nathrrya then stepped back smiling. "Sorry Obi-Wan, but that was the most fun I've had in a long time." She said as she turned and headed back to the ruined temple.

The padawan let out a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding. Sighing in relief, he regained his composure and wondered if Nathrrya had been like this with her former lover, Malavai Quinn. As he began to follow her, he strongly suspected that the answer was yes.


Mace Windu and Yoda were having their regular meeting in the latter's quarters to discuss various happenings within the Jedi. However, this meeting was anything but regular.

"Uncertain the boy's future still is." Yoda said. "Trained he must be. Untrained, a greater danger he will be."

Mace nodded for he had come to much the same conclusion. "Anakin is a shatter point much like Nathrrya is." He pointed out.

Yoda was silent for a time as he considered his next words. "His future Dark Side master she may be. Uncertain it is, His Jedi Master should be. Special case is he."

Mace frowned as he leaned forward in his seat. "What do you mean old friend?"

Yoda smiled slightly. "Traditional Jedi teaching, Anakin should not take, to old he is, full of emotion he is. Unconventional training, he needs. His master understands this, they must."

Mace rubbed his chin in thought. "There are not many masters that would be suitable."

"Convince Nathrrya to join the Order I must," Yoda said.

Mace looked dumbfounded at Yoda's statement "She will never turn to the Light, as she's to set in her ways, though she seems to bare the Order no ill will. Nathrrya would be an ally at most."

Yoda nodded slowly "Turn her to the Light unneeded. More valuable Nathrrya as is. Too long have the Jedi been afraid of the Dark Side, shunned it we have. Understand it we do not. Nathrrya first Dark master of the Jedi order she should be."

Mace looked thoughtful as he understood what Yoda was trying to do. Nathrrya was an unknown that the Jedi Council could not control. "That will not be an easy task, old friend." he warned. "She will disagree with most rules and outright refuse others. She may even refuse to join the Order as she is too independent."

"Know this I do. Change the Jedi Order must." Yoda stated.


"Are you alright Nathrrya?" Padme asked. "I was worried when you disappeared the way you did."

The older woman smiled as reassuringly as she could. "I'm okay now. You were successful in getting the Gungans to help and that's what really matters."

Padme nodded letting the matter rest as it was obviously some Force related thing that she wouldn't understand. "Was it my imagination, but did Padawan Kenobi look a little flustered when he returned with you?"

Nathrrya grinned. "You noticed that did you? He's fun to tease. Let's just say I... flirted with him." Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

Padme folded her arms. "Are you sure that's all you did?" she might be young but she wasn't blind.

Nathrrya briefly looked in the direction of the two Jedi before returning her attention to the younger woman. "Well... I may have kissed him on the cheek..."

Padme covered her mouth with her hand to hide her gasp of shock.

"Oh, don't look so worried." the Sith lightly scolded. "In the time I've spent with Obi-Wan it's obvious to me he is a devout member of the Jedi Order. He is extremely loyal and has his sights on becoming a Jedi Knight. That is something I'm not interested in jeopardising for him, so I'm content with being his friend. Though, I'm not above giving him a little bit of grief every now and then."

Padme nodded looking thoughtful. "What happens if your harmless fun becomes something more... serious?" she asked curiously.

Nathrrya was taken by surprise and frowned. "In all honesty, I haven't thought that far ahead. I certainly wouldn't object to the idea. But the Jedi would have to get over their fear of emotional attachments and I can't see that happening anytime soon." she said taking Padme by the arm. "Now, Your Highness I believe you were going to show me where the secret passages are. I have a battle plan to finalise and not much time to do it in."


"What happened Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon asked concerned about Nathrrya's explanation of her sudden disappearance.

The padawan sighed. "Master, you must understand that from Nathrrya's perspective only a month at most has passed since the events that lead to her being frozen in carbonite. We were right master; she had a premonition of the Queen bowing before the Gungan Chief. It triggered some unpleasant memories of the moments just prior to Nathrrya being frozen. She could not bring herself to do such again, so she did the next best thing she could; she disappeared."

"Do you know what happened in her past?" The Jedi master wanted to know.

Obi-wan nodded. "I do but you would be better served asking Nathrrya yourself master for I do not really understand what she told me. I understand what it made her do but not fully the why." Nathrrya's words about the Emperor still unsettled him.

Qui-Gon nodded his understanding as he studied his apprentice. "Did she happen to flirt with you?"

The padawan chuckled. "Yes, she did, master. Nothing you need concern yourself about." Obi-Wan said even as he was sure he could still feel the tingle of the woman's lips. He knew Siri would do something... rash if she ever found out, so he prayed to the force she never did.

The lingering pink flush on Obi-Wan's face was evident to the Jedi Master. Qui-Gon made a mental note to approach the Sith woman later. It made him wonder what her true intentions towards his padawan where. Not that he believed that Nathrrya was trying to turn Obi-Wan in any way but the woman's flirtatious nature was of some concern.


Nute, Rune and Darth Maul were following a spider droid that was projecting a hologram of Darth Sidious as they walked the halls of the Theed Palace.

"We've sent out patrols. We've already located their starship in the swamp... It won't be long, My Lord." Nute informed the Dark Lord.

"This is an unexpected move for the Queen. It's too aggressive..." Sidious pondered, but something this other Sith might do... he glanced at his apprentice. "Lord Maul, be mindful."

"Yes, my Master." The Zabrak replied totally failing to keep his excitement for battle out of his voice.

"Be patient..." Sidious scolded. "Let them make the first move."


Near the edge of the swamp where it became rolling grassland, a Gungan sentry sat atop an ancient temple statue searching the landscape with a pair of electro-binoculars. Spotting something, the sentry looked down towards Obi-Wan near the base of the statue "Dayza comen!" he yelled.

The padawan nodded. "Good. They're here." Turning away from the statue, Obi-Wan made his way to where Padme, Qui-Gon and Nathrrya were discussing the battle plan with five Gungan Generals.

Boss Nass put an arm around Jar Jar. "Yousa doen grand. Jar Jar bringen da Naboo together." The Gungan chief said with pride.

"Oh, no, no, no..." Jar Jar shock his head not liking where this was going.

"So, wesa maken yousa Bombad General." The large Gungan informed him with a smile.

"General!?" Jar Jar exclaimed shocked. "Oh, no..." his eyes rolled back, and tongue flopped out of his mouth as the Gungan fainted to the roars of laughter from Boss Nass.

"At least the meeting should go smoothly now." Nathrrya observed dryly looking down at Jar Jar's inert from.

Captain Panaka arrived with four speeders and had with him about a dozen or so guards and pilots. They soon made their way to where everyone else was gathered.

"What is the situation?" Padme asked her chief protector.

"Almost everyone's in camps. A few hundred police and guards have formed an underground movement. I brought as many of the leaders as I could." Panaka explained gesturing to the men with him. "The Federation Army's also much larger than we thought, and much stronger. Your Highness, this is a battle I do not think we can win."

"Relax captain." Nathrrya said as she leaned on the planning table. "The battle is primarily a diversion. The Gungans must draw the bulk of the Droid Army away from Theed. We can then enter the city using the secret passages on the waterfall side that Padme told me about. Once we get to the main entrance..." She made eye contact with Panaka. "It will then be up to you, Captain, to create a diversion with whatever men you can muster, so that we can enter the palace and capture the Viceroy. Without the Viceroy, they will hopefully be lost and confused."

"What do you think, Master Jedi?" Padme asked.

Qui-Gon nodded slowly folding his arms across his chest as he did so. "The Viceroy will be well guarded."

"Agreed but the difficulty's getting into the throne room. Once we're inside, we shouldn't have a problem." Panaka said.

"There is a possibility that with this diversion many Gungans will be killed." Qui-Gon said.

"Most certainty Master Jinn." Nathrrya replied grimily for she was aware she was sending many Gungans to their deaths. It wasn't the first time she'd given such orders.

"Wesa ready to do are-sa part." Boss Nass stated thumping his chest in defiance.

Nathrrya sighed as she brought up a holo image. "Now for the real wrinkle in our plans, the droid control ship. I have a plan which should shut down the Droid Army. It involves sending what pilots we have to knock out the Droid control ship which is orbiting the planet." She looked around the assembled group. "However, getting past the ships ray shields is going to be the problem, as your star fighters lack the firepower necessary. That's not to say it can't be done but what I'm going to propose is very dangerous and could well be a one-way trip for whichever pilot attempts it."

Before Nathrrya could continue, R2-D2 made a series of beeps and whistles making everyone look at him.

The Sith chuckled at the antics of the astromech. "Don't worry Artoo I was just getting to your part of the plan."

"His part of the plan?" one of the pilots asked confused.

Nathrrya nodded. "Yes, what I propose is this, one of the fighters has Artoo as the droid when the control ship deploys its own fighters to counter the attack, the pilot of Artoo's fighter gives total control to the droid as his reaction and response times are much faster and more accurate than that of a normal human." She explained. "Artoo then flies the fighter at its maximum speed into the control ships hanger, let's loose with the fighter's guns setting off a chain reaction from the inside and gutting the control ship, hopefully getting out before the whole thing explodes."

An uneasy silence settled on the clearing at the woman's explanation.

"That's madness!" Ric Olie cried.

Nathrrya shrugged. "Maybe, but you lack fighters with heavy enough weapons to punch through the capital ship grade shields the control ship has. I had considered piloting one of the fighters myself. But shortly after we landed that no longer became an option."

"Why is that, if I may ask?" Padme spoke up.

Nathrrya held the younger woman's gaze. "I sensed the Sith apprentice I fought on Tatooine. He has much to learn about masking his force signature. It makes sense he'd be here, lying in wait for you Your Highness. Sidious had hoped to manipulate you and now that he can't he means to kill you. You're a loose end. What better way to announce the return of the Sith than to murder Queen Amidala and her Jedi protectors."

Everyone shuddered at the implication of Nathrrya's words.

The older woman placed a reassuring hand on Padme's shoulder. "The apprentice will not succeed, I promise you Padme, for I will face him. He will not see the sunset."

"We would be the better choice to face the apprentice, Nathrrya." Qui-Gon said sounding worried.

The woman snorted as she turned to face the man. "I doubt that Master Jinn, the Jedi haven't faced a Sith in almost a thousand years." Nathrrya's smile was predatory. "It's time Darth Avarice, Empire's Wrath, last Sith Lord of the ancient Sith Empire made her presence felt in the galaxy." Her eyes turned yellow briefly but the intent was clear.

Qui-Gon nodded as he let out a sigh, it was clear that Nathrrya's mind was made up. She saw the upcoming showdown with Sidious' apprentice as a matter of honour for her long dead empire and herself. He couldn't fault the woman for that.

Obi-Wan felt himself shudder at Nathrrya's Darth title. Only hours earlier he had to deal with a very playful and flirty woman. Standing before him now was a battle-hardened warrior, a stalwart defender of what she believed in.

"It's as good a plan as any." Obi-Wan said. "But the danger remains if the Viceroy should escape, he will return with another droid army."

"That is why we must not fail to get to the Viceroy. Everything depends on it." Padme replied.


In the Theed Palace throne room Nute, Rune, Darth Maul and the droid OOM-9 were talking to a hologram of Darth Sidious.

"The Queen is more foolish than I thought." Sidious remarked though he didn't think the Queen was behind this, not directly. He suspected the unknown Sith was working against him but what her goal on Naboo was, was still a mystery to him.

"We are sending all available troops to meet this army of hers assembling near the swamp. It appears to be made up of primitives. We do not expect much resistance." Nute inform the Dark Lord.

"I am increasing security at all the detention camps." The command droid OOM-9 said.

"I feel there is more to this, My Master. The two Jedi may be using the Queen for their own purposes." Maul pointed out as he folded his arms.

Sidious smirked for his apprentice was almost right. "The Jedi cannot become involved. They can only protect the Queen. Even Qui-Gon Jinn will not break that covenant... This will work to our advantage..." Deep down however Sidious had his doubts for there was a piece in play he could not control nor predict. The dark lord suspected that before the day was out he would need to start looking for a new apprentice for the opposing Sith would not allow Maul to live a second time.

"So, I have your approval to proceed then, My Lord?" the Viceroy asked.

Sidious nodded a cruel smile on his lips. "Proceed. Wipe them out... all of them."


As the Gungan Army began to from up on the grasslands of Naboo its makeup could easily be seen. There was infantry, warriors on foot; cavalry, warriors riding their Kaadu mounts and lastly ranged artillery in the form of Fambaas with catapults on their backs. Some Fambaas carried large shield generators mounted on their backs and it was these that would give the Gungans a chance against the Droid Army.

General Ceel signalled the Gungan Army to halt as he looked through his electro-binoculars at the ridge line several kilometres away. He watched numerous Federation tanks cresting the ridge, forming into a line along its length. Behind the tanks were the droid troop transports.

Ceel spent a few more moments observing the Federation battle line then he lowered his electro-binoculars. "Energise the shields!" the Gungan General bellowed.


Even with the bulk of the droid army drawn away by the diversionary attack, Theed's central plaza still had plenty of droids and a few tanks for the small strike force to deal with.

Padme followed by her handmaiden Eirtae then Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Nathrrya and lastly Artoo made their way stealthily toward the entrance to the main hanger. Following them were a group of twenty other Naboo, mostly pilots and several guards.

Near the hanger entrance the group stopped as Padme signalled with a small red laser light across the plaza to the second group led by Captain Panaka and Rabe. As they signalled back, Nathrrya took the opportunity to make her thoughts known.

"At least the walking scrap piles lack air support, that'd be a whole other level of annoying. The tanks are bad enough." She grinned seeing Panaka's group begin the attack at the far end of the plaza. "Now you'll see what a Sith is truly capable of." Nathrrya said giddy with anticipation as she dashed into the hanger followed closely by the Jedi, Padme and the rest of their group.


In the Palace throne room, Nute and Rune looked on in horror as they saw the plaza battle unfold on a large screen.

"I thought the battle was going to take place far from here... this is too close!" Nute exclaimed extremely worried.

Darth Maul growled. "I told you there was more to this... the Jedi are involved!" Only he wasn't looking at the Jedi on the screen. He was focused on the woman he'd faced on Tatooine. She wasn't hiding or holding back in the Force. It made Maul uneasy, for she was a beacon in the dark side that felt as strong as his master. If indeed he was facing another fully trained Sith and not some fallen Jedi then... he was in over his head. He'd been trained to fight Jedi not another Sith.

Nute looked at the Zabrak apprentice and glared. "Then just don't stand there... go deal with the Jedi! That's what you're here for isn't it?"

The Zabrak opened his mouth to say something then closed it. The Neimoidians weren't worth the effort. Maul spun on his heel and left the throne room. He had Jedi to kill.


Alarms sounded as Nathrrya, closely followed by the Jedi, Padme and her troops, rushed into the hanger. The battle droids present opened fire as the attacking forces sought cover. Nathrrya ignited her lightsabre and threw it in a graceful arc, as the violet blade spun through the air end over end. Decapitating at least three droids she also felled another three with head shots from her blaster.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were not idle as they had been deflecting blaster bolts aimed at Padme back into the offending battle droids, causing them to explode. The Sith looked up briefly and shook her head wondering if the Jedi would ever grow a pair and fight.


The Federation tanks began their bombardment of the Gungan energy shied which held strong, several minutes passed before the tanks stopped firing. The Gungan army let out a mighty cheer though they knew it isn't over yet.

The tanks moved back slightly, allowing the droid transports to move forward and unload their cargo. As the Gungans watched, row upon row of battle droids deployed from the transports and readied for combat. Atop a tank OOM-9 gave the order to advance.

Thousands of battle droids steadily marched towards the Gungan army. As the droids advanced, the Gungans powered up their weapons. They knew they needed to defend their shield generators against the horde of droids. As the two armies clashed OOM-9 continued to watch from a tank on the ridge overlooking the battle.


With her lightsabre returned to her, Nathrrya spotted a half dozen droids, that were preventing the pilots from getting to their fighters. The Sith force jumped and performed a back flip in mid air so that she landed directly behind the droids. Before the hapless droids knew what was happening they were cut in half by Nathrrya's violet blade.

Padme smiled and nodded her thanks as she turned to the pilots. "Get to your ships!"

The order given, the pilots and astromechs ran for the Naboo fighters. Among them R2-D2 and Ric Olie. "Come on Artoo let's go scrap that control ship."

The little droid beeped an affirmative as he was hoisted into Ric's fighter and the pilot hurriedly claimed the ladder into the cockpit. The fighters began to lift off the hanger floor and steadily flew out in twos and threes coming under fire from the few remaining droids. One of the fighters was shot down just as it exited the hanger.

Captain Panaka, Sabe, Rabe and their troops rushed into the hanger and helped overwhelm the last few remaining battle droids. The two groups joined up and took a rest while they considered their next move.

"My guess is the Viceroy is holed up in the throne room, my throne room." Padme said annoyed by the thought.

"I'm inclined to agree Your Highness." Qui-Gon replied.

As the Jedi and Padme were talking Nathrrya broke away from the group and walked towards the main exit to the hanger for she could sense Sidious' apprentice. She raised her hand and with a gesture, Nathrrya opened the hanger door revealing her quarry on the other side.

"And so, Sidious' apprentice makes his grand entrance." Nathrrya mocked as she eyed the Zabrak.

Maul growled, that wasn't a good sign if this unknown Sith knew who his master was. He let his cloak fall to the ground and raised the hilt of his lightsabre briefly offering it for inspection, activating one end then the other. Nathrrya just rolled her eyes at the display as she ignited her own lightsabre falling into her favoured opening stance, one the Jedi did not fully recognise.

"We'll handle this..." Qui-Gon began.

"No." Nathrrya countered as she pointed to a secondary exit. "Stay with the Queen." She smiled at the Zabrak but there was nothing friendly about it. "I'll deal with this... inconvenience." Her eyes turned yellow as she spoke.