Author's Note:
I don't own Star Wars. Disney/Lucasfilm does. I make no money from this fic, but I do gain a whole lot of personal satisfaction!
Thanks, George, for your amazing galaxy!
"I agree. Adviser C'nnem is a fool," confirmed General Rantu of the Star Destroyer Judgement, "And our Governor is weak, else he'd have quashed this traitorous fool's theater and placed the Naboo back under our boot where they belong. Their Emperor is not going to protect them anymore."
"The assault groups," General Rantu continued, "you suggested will be sent down, and the fools, Peluch C'nnem and Sian Baemek, will be taken during the assault on Theed. They will be delivered into your hands, so you can make a proper example of the failures when we join your fleet."
"Have your strike team take Pooja Naberrie as well. With her a captive, we may be able to draw the Jedi and his rebel friends close enough to kill them as they attempt to rescue her. Based on the recordings we've seen, and the intelligence we've gathered, they are very close. She very well might be a love interest for the Jedi if rumors can be believed."
"It would be especially advantageous if your team kills the rebel fools along the unusual route they have planned," suggested Admiral Nalan.
"Of course, all battle groups should be prepared to kill these high priority targets, but all should be ready to dispose of them if possible. Remember, want them to disappear."
"Understood sir," General Rantu said.
"Good. I look forward to the addition of your loyal Imperials to the fleet. Together we will see our Empire return to it's proper place of strength and respect."
"Han," Ryoo called, walking to the table where he enjoyed his morning meal.
"Yes?"
Ryoo sat beside him. "Have you seen Luke and Leia?"
"They're going over some last minute security measures with the Queen and her guard."
"Shouldn't you be there as well?" Ryoo asked.
"They'll tell me what I need to know when they get back. What's up?"
"You're our babysitter for the time being, I suppose?" Ryoo asked, closing her eyes and fighting back the chill of fear that trickled down her spine.
"After what happened at Varykino, you can't blame us for being a little protective, can you?"
"No," Ryoo sighed. "And I'm grateful for it. That's actually part of the reason I wanted to talk to them. I don't feel safe anymore. I know you are used to running at the drop of a hat. I know you know how to mobilize and run quickly."
Han put down his fork and gazed at her, concern in his eyes. "You want an escape plan?" he guessed.
Ryoo nodded. "What Luke has shown me is the first type of self defense I've ever been exposed to, and it terrifies me that my family and I are so vulnerable."
"If I knew we had a way to run if we needed to," continued Ryoo, "and a place to run to, I'd feel better. I think, anyway."
Han nodded. "I don't blame you. Things get a little crazy, and now that your sister is knee deep in all this, being extra careful isn't a bad idea." He grinned lopsidedly at her. "You came to the right guy. Let's start by getting you an anonymously registered ship and a list of supplies."
Ryoo smiled gratefully. "You're a really great guy, Han."
"I know," he agreed, with a wink. The former smuggler began crafting a finely tuned escape plan for his soon-to-be in laws. If they ever needed to smuggle themselves away from danger, Han determined he would give them every trick he knew. Hell, he'd probably make up a few new ones. They were family after all.
"Since the Separatist cut our communications during the original Federation blockade, we have long known that keeping open and clear communications are vital to our safety."
The Queen looked around the blue glow that showed her security tech was working as required before she continued.
"We have a small fleet of communication probes camouflaged to blend into the darkness of space and fitted with small hyper drive engines. "
Should our communications be cut for any reason," the Queen continued, "these droids will record what is happening in short intervals near the location of any ships in our orbit, or any fire fights on the surface. They record in groups so as to maximize the chance that at least one will be able to make it away from our system to a location where transmissions can safely be sent. Each transmission will also begin with the message that the Naboo System has lost communications, and is under attack. The holorecordings will follow these notifications as well as requests for assistance.
"I hope we don't need this system, my Queen," Luke said, "But it seems it would be effective. I have assurances that the Alliance has plans to secure communications should they go down as well."
"I am grateful to hear this, Master Jedi," the Queen said, looking up from her pacing.
"I am concerned, however, if we are attacked by tie fighters from that Star Destroyer overshadowing us. It is supposedly merely the transport provided by the Governor to Adviser C'nnem, but it and it's fighters could cause great harm to our world should they decide diplomacy is no longer palatable to them. I have ships, and we can attempt to defend ourselves, but."
"Mon Mothra already has a crew of ships ready to assist us. I can send the scramble codes to your emergency beacons. Some of the Alliance's best will come if called, and you can always claim Alliance interference as your excuse if they are needed."
"I thank you for you help," the Queen said, relief clear in her voice.
"And we thank you, Queen Setalla." Leia returned.
"I am concerned our people will be too frightened to vote. Rumors abound that polling places will be attacked by the People's Protectorate."
The Queen sighed, "I will have armed security at every location, but I have not been able to stop the attacks against our people. We need all of our people's voices to count. It is our way. It must be preserved."
She sighed. "I have capable pilots who could engage the Imperials should they attack us, but I fear sending them would further convince our people that their votes do not matter, for if I attack, I have chosen to side against the Empire without my people's consent."
"We may have a way around that as well," Luke said. "If it is needed, Han will find a way to let you know what we have in mind."
The Queen nodded, her shoulders lowering and her breaths slowing as a bit more tension trailed away from her. "Have you prepared your presentation, Princess Leia?"
"I have," Leia confirmed.
"I would ask to be sent a copy, Princess. Rumors abound that an attack will occur. I would send the written version of your speech out as an assurance that your case is presented to our people regardless of any outside interference, seeking to silence you . I will also load it to be broadcast from any emergency beacons if they are engaged."
"I will send it to you, when I return to my quarters, Queen Setalla."
The Queen nodded her dismissal, a grateful smile on her face.
"Master Jedi Skywalker, Princess Leia," she called as Leia nodded in return and Luke bowed before both could turn to leave.
"Yes?" Luke answered.
"I heard of the destruction of your clothing and personal effects at the attack on Varykino. I wish to assure you replacements are being prepared for you even as we speak."
"You really don't have to, My Queen," Luke assured her. "Other than a few changes of clothes and routine travel necessities, it wasn't much."
"Perhaps, but I wish to restore what you have lost. I ask you to not deny me this request."
"Of course not, My Queen."
"And Princess Leia, I understand your wedding gown was destroyed as well. I would like replace it."
Leia smiled and nodded. "I would be honored."
"Until after the final debate then," the Queen said.
"Until then," Leia agreed, and then followed Luke away from throne room.
"See 'em, Lando?" whispered Hobbs. "Yeah. The sensor's keyed to that compound in that gas they used at the first attack."
"Glad the Alliance was able to talk you into coming back to us so soon after you waltzed through the doors of your mine of Bespin into a hero's parade. Your knowledge of gas sensing tech came in handy."
"Yeah. Well, my friends are down here. And," Lando added with a smirk, "I'm two thirds of the way toward winning a pricey Old Republic vintage of Trewnal Ruby Red. If things go the way we are worried they will, you better believe Han is going to pay up."
Hobbs chuckled. "Remind me never to wager with you."
Lando grinned as lowered his sleeve over the sensor and communicator strapped to his wrist.
"Do you think they are in groups like us? Or singles?"
"Probably in groups. Means we need to create a disturbance."
"Plan Rowdy it is then,"
"Just in time. Here comes the main attraction," Hobbs said, nodding toward the delegations approaching their sections of the stage.
"I'm sending the signal to the other groups now," Lando said tapping a few icons on his wrist.
"You're the pickpocket this time," said Hobbs.
"Hey! I look too classy to be a pick pocket," said Lando.
Hobbs snorted. "Well, I guess you're a high class pickpocket."
"As long as we have that part straight," Lando said with a grin. "I'm game."
"We are almost ready," Handmaid Bavanu announced to Luke as the Imperials and Sian Baemek approached the podium. "The guards have noticed disturbances in the crowd, and are spreading out to investigate it. Several sharp shooters are on rooftops ready to react if needed."
"Good," Luke said. "Be ready, Bavanu," he whispered to low for anyone else to hear. "Something's stirring."
Handmaid Bavanu paled but nodded.
A beacon lit, a chime sounded, and the Queen, her decoy rather, strode forward . She began the call for attention when shouts were heard from different sectors of the crowd.
"Hey, he just stole your wallet! I saw him do it!" shouted Hobbs as he pointed to Lando who was suspiciously backing away from the group Lando's earlier readings showed hiding a container of gas and a cache of weapons.
"What?" a man yelped as several others jumped back in surprise.
"You've got some nerve accusing an innocent citizen!" shouted Lando as security rushed toward them.
More people backed away from the scene only to circle around, fascinated by this unexpected drama playing before them. In segments all through the crowd, several other areas began to separate in exactly the same manner, security speeding to each section with great haste.
"Guards see to those disturbances now!" the Queen's decoy ordered.
A few gas bombs did manage to explode, but many of People's Protectorate infiltration cells soon found themselves entangled in the manufactured mini-crises the different groups of Alliance infiltrators created.
As a result, a partial smokescreen shot up in very few sections and seemed to blend in with the much less violent and much more entertaining dramas within the crowd.
"My people," called Queen Setella's decoy. "Follow the beacons," she gestured to floating droids shining several trails away from Theed's main square. Each path projecting arrows leading away from the site of the open air debate, "in a calm an orderly fashion. My guards and security are in and among the crowd. They will protect you. Exit quickly and quietly, my people."
Shots rang out as masked figures barreled from the edges of the thinning smoke and the retreating crowd.
"Destroy them!" shouted one masked form wearing the symbol of the People's Protectorate.
"You will be removed!" shouted another wearing the same symbol.
Guards circled around the stage and a shield exploded in blue light, surrounding the delegates.
"We have you! There is no escape!" shouted one guardsman dressed as a Noobian citizen. "Our delegates are protected by a shield none of your blasters or explosives can breech."
Other guards, some in common clothing and others in uniform surrounded the group. The security teams were also marching those caught up in the Alliance created disturbances toward the stage, even as the rest of the crowd was filing away from the main square.
"I didn't have anything to do with this!" argued Lando. His was one of the many prisoner bands being herded forward toward the authorities. "That thief stole the other guy's wallet. I was just trying to be a good citizen."
"You were the one accused of stealing a wallet," said the guard with a frown.
Hobbs rolled his eyes at Lando. "Amateur," he muttered.
"And why were you found with smoke bombs, explosives, and weaponry if you are merely good citizens?"
Luke bowed to the Queen's decoy. Just below their platform, the guards were confiscating and loading smoke bombs, thermal detonators, and a deadly cache of weapons into a nearby open air transport cart.
"You should look closely, and question carefully those who claim to be here only as good citizens, Queen Setalla. My senses tell me it is important." He cut his eyes to the right, catching the gaze of Handmaid Bavanu, who nodded, but only enough so Luke alone would see it.
The handmaid tapped the queen's cloak twice. Something to most around her would seem an innocent swinging of the hand, but the Queen immediately responded.
"Guards, bring all who have previously claimed to be acting as "good citizens" to me. I shall instruct them personally what I think of their definition of citizenship," she said her voice hard.
The struggling "citizens" were brought forward. By now half of the crowd was safely out of the main square in front of Theed.
"There's Lando," whispered Leia to Han.
"Yeah and Boyyan's in the third group over there." Han whispered.
"Good. I think having some back up here may be exactly what we need," Leia murmured with a nervous glance at the storm troopers and the enraged Adviser Peluch C'nnem.
"The People's Protectorate and Peluch C'nnem's plan have failed," General Rantu stated. "Do any of you doubt the necessity of what we must do next?" The three Captains standing before him shook their heads. "We agree with your assessment and actions, General," Captain Hirnec said.
"Cut communications at once, and begin your assaults," he ordered. The three captains, two of them in flight suits, saluted and strode to their battle stations.
"Wow, when I suggested we get together and watch Luke's latest speech for kicks," Fixer said, grabbing some crisps from the bowl. "I didn't expect such a show!"
"Or for it to end before it started," Camie groused.
"Oh, look at how nicely Wormy bows for the Queen," chuckled Tank Sunber.
"I wish we could hear what he's saying, but the recording droid isn't close enough," Ree Darklighter said.
"Probably can't get through the defensive shields around the group." Fixer guessed, popping another steaming crisp in his mouth.
Suddenly the projection went black. "What?" exclaimed Windy.
"Reconnect, Ree," Deak said, leaning forward.
"I'm trying," Ree said, tapping at the controls. She looked up after a moment at her friends and neighbors. "It looks like communications have been cut."
"Oh, man, that doesn't sound good," said Deak.
"Hope, Luke's as good a Jedi as we've heard. I have a feeling he's going to need it." Fixer said with a grimace.
As the band of "concerned citizens" were lined up and cuffed on the stage, the Queen approached.
"I don't know who you are, but" she began but was cut off by the scream of Tie Fighters soaring over head. The crowd still only halfway out of the city square began to scream and run as torpedos began raining down around toward them.
"No! Shouted the Queen as the leader, a Tie Intercepter, fired several torpedos into the shield surrounding the Queen and her delegates causing it to flash and crumble in a wave of fiery heat."
"Get the Queen to safety!" Shouted the guards.
"I'll go with these prisoners," shouted Han. "Come on!"
"You have committed treason against the Empire, and now you will have but the first taste of the price you will pay. Merely entertaining discussion of leaving the your rightful leaders has doomed you all," shouted the voice, booming from the lead Tie Fighter. Following his annoucement, laser fire began to rain down on the people running from the city and toward cover.
"No!" shouted Luke as he drew on the Force, grabbing the undetonated smoke bombs and sening them soaring above the fleeing people. When he had them high enough, he used the Force to detonate the bombs. Smoke billowed out, screening the people from their attackers. Luke leapt down from the platform. Using the Force he activated and slammed the same thermal detonators confiscated from the the People's Protectorate attack cells into the passing Tie Fighters. He leapt down into the main square as a dozen Tie Fighters erupted into balls of flame overhead.
Leia breathed deeply and tried to calm herself as she saw Han running into the palace with the bound Alliance agents. She hoped fiercely that the contingency plan they'd set up earlier worked.
Luke sprinted across the main square, his lightsaber held high. Fire from exploding Tie Fighters lit the sky like so many airborne funeral pyres. Leia was grateful to see that her brother avoided the rain of shrapnel fire from the destroyed Tie Fighters as well as he avoided flying paper balls only a few days ago.
The Queen's decoy, most of the Naboo Council Representatives, Peluch C'nnem and his Imperials were all rushing into the palace. Pooja raced over to her cousin. "Come on, Leia! We have to take cover."
Leia looked at the scene before her then back to Pooja. "Go. I'm going to help Luke."
"Are you crazy?" asked Pooja. The scream of Ion engines overhead drove both women under the cover of a nearby columned overhang.
Leia reached both hands toward the transport cart filled with weapons. Luke had emptied it of explosives and smoke bombs with only the aid of the Force.
Now, Leia drew on the Force, and two high powered blasters flew into her hands."
"Maybe, I am crazy," Leia said, as Pooja gaped. "But I think it's time for this Jibrate seed to become what it was always meant to be."
"Leia, you could die!" shouted Pooja, tears streaking down her face. "I just got you back, Cousin."
"Go! Take care of the others," she said. "I can do this," meeting her eyes, she added, "I have to try."
Pooja nodded, a grim look on her face as she ducked in past several guards motioning wildly for both of them to follow them.
Leia raced to the stairs where an urgent beeping caught her attention. "Mistress Leia, Threepio called from his hiding place in the shadow of the data hub Artoo was plugged into.
"Artoo has transmitted a call for help and sent it with the first emergency beacons that have left the system. He suggests we hide within the palace."
"I'm going to help, Luke." Leia said, ducking out from behind a column, and racing down the stairs. Security forces led evacuation of the panicked fleeing citizens to safety.
She shot up at the Tie Fighters as they soared above her for a second pass through the skies of Theed, both her blasters blazing, but it was too far and her blasts too low powered to reach them.
"A little help would be nice," she groused, thinking of Obi Wan's promise.
"Use the Force. Allow it to guide your actions," she heard Obi Wan's voice in her mind.
Leia ducked further behind the shadow of a Tie's bent flight panel angling up from the cracked cobblestones of Theed's main square.
Taking a deep breath she drew the Force through her. Three Tie Fighters were racing in her direction. She stepped into the light and fired a barrage of blasts before her eyes even opened completely. Her blasts hit midway up nearby observation tower that loomed ten meters higher than the low flying Tie Fighters. A cable exploded in the narrow support of the tower and it cracked falling into the nearest Imperial ship. The Tie lost one wing panel and slammed into another. Both exploded so violently, they took out the fighter soaring in formation beside them causing it to burst into flames as well.
A Tie Group flying just behind them had to veer up directly toward the sun to avoid being consumed by these flames.
Leia, a blaster clenched in both fists, sensed rather than saw those same three fighters head toward her as she raced for the cover of the nearest building.
Leia ducked and leapt as shots sizzled past her using the Force guide her movements. "I liked doing this better when I was dodging paper balls," she gritted out as she dove into the shadow of a partially collapsed building bordering Theed's main square.
Blaster fire concentrated on the building knocking large sections tumbling down, but not before Leia reached the still standing and stable exit to the building.
Leia ducked out into the shadowed alley this mostly in tact wall still formed with the building beside it as her attackers circled around to attack her once more. This time the Tie Fighters flew much closer to the streets.
Leia fought to release her panic and fear once more. As she drew on the Force, she sensed, then saw the glint of one of the Queen's recording drones. Glancing down at her blasters, her brows lowered, she frowned in thought.
"You can use the Force to send things just as you brought those blasters to yourself. Allow the Force to guide you," Obi Wan encouraged.
Leia, dropping her blasters, nodded. Closing her eyes even as the tight formation of Ties screamed toward her, she reached out toward the probe and pulled it directly into the path of the center Ties engine.
The blast from the explosion sent one Tie spinning wildly up and into a nearby fighter knocking it to crash, skidding into the main square before it exploded sending cut stone and burning metal everywhere. The other tie lost half his wing panel, and soared up his engines smoking before both burned out.
Leia gasped as the damaged fighter slammed to the surface, crumpling and sparking, in a great marble fountain in the intersection of this first set of roads into Theed's sprawling city.
Water soared up, only to splash down a moment later, soaking the sparking wires. The sparks flared out as a scream ripped from within the wreckage. It stopped as suddenly as it started.
Leia gaped at the sight, her breathing shallow.
"In here," a man motioned to Leia from a nearby door. "Before more notice you."
Leia nodded. She used the Force to call her blasters to he hands as she ducked in the shelter the man offered her.
"How did you do that?" asked a small girl, as the man slammed the door and barred it shut.
Leia blinked back at the lights still dancing before her eyes. "I used the Force," she said in wonder as she looked down at the blasters in her hand.
Blasts of Ties firing burst just outside the door.
"Give her some space, Daughter," the man said gently taking the girl by the hand. "She's been through a great deal."
"We have a root cellar, please take cover with us," invited a woman as the father was gently guiding his daughter back down the steps.
"Thank you," Leia began.
Blasts of Ties firing burst just outside the door once again lifted her from her shocked state. "But I have to get back out there," she told herself as much as she told to the family. "Stay hidden and safe. The Alliance is going to help you."
"Wait!" shouted the man as Leia unbarred the door and raced out.
Luke pushed and knocked falling debris away from the fleeing people, his arms moving as though conducting some strange invisible symphony. He thrust stone and shrapnel back toward the Tie Fighters, the Force brilliant to his senses, as he guided each improvised missile. Some ships were damaged others thrown off their targets and others destroyed entirely.
He sensed Leia's presence first before he saw Leia step out from a nearby alley.
Luke dove for cover under an overturned speeder, and gasped in as shock as Leia's Force presence blazed in his senses.
"I don't believe what I'm seeing," said Camie. "Luke just sent bombs into those Tie Fighters. He took out a dozen ties with the Force."
"He really is a Jedi," whispered Windy.
"Is that the Princess running out into the open?" asked Fixer.
"Aaah!" groaned everyone as the transmission died again.
Ree furiously tapped at the controls. "Come on Naboo System! Have a few more of those recording satellite thingys sent off. The whole galaxy is watching. Come on!"
The screen lit up again and Princess Leia stepped out onto a street and shot away from three Tie Fighters approaching her.
"What is she doing?" asked Tank.
"She not even aiming toward," began Camie.
"Look," said Ree, as moments a spindly tower support shattered and only seconds later later all three ties blazed like a tiny second sun in the Naboo sky.
"Whoa!" all said, in unison. Then all lapsed into shocked quiet as the recording shifted to another droid's feed showing Luke waving his arms and sending chunks of buildings and rubble soaring away like flitter gnats, some colliding with tie fighters and others falling away harmlessly.
"I don't believe it," Fixer muttered. "I seeing it, and I still don't believe it."
Han raced up, jamming a tube against the Lando's binders. He broke free and knocked aside a guard, wrestling blaster away from him. Moments later, Han and Lando were facing the queen's guards, and pointing their blasters at the three guards aiming their blasters at the prisoners.
"You could shoot us, but these 'good citizens' here are my buddies from the Alliance. Now we're going to go steal a bunch of your ship from your hangers to blow those Ties out of the skies. Wanna try to stop us?"
The Leiutentent grinned, lowering his weapon. "It seems you caught us off guard, and we couldn't stop you."
"Knew you were the reasonable sort," Han said, a crooked grin on his face as Lando released the others.
Han saluted back toward the guards as the Alliance agents ran to hangers.
"Hurry, Milady," Panaka said, reaching to pull Pooja behind him.
"Where is the Princess?" shouted Handmaid Bavanu as she raced along with the rest of the Ambassador's delegation, both Imperial and Noobian.
"She is fighting the invaders," Pooja said, tears in her eyes. "She is fighting for us. Just as Padme once did."
Bavanu grabbed Pooja's hand, her eyes bright. "She is truly a princess worthy of our Queen Amidala's memory."
The roar of the Millennium Falcon caught everyone's attention as it streaked past the wide windows, a fleet of Noobian fighters racing in formation around it.
"What?" cried the Queen's decoy. "I did not authorize our forces to attack."
"My Queen," crackled a voice from her Lieutenant's communicator.
"Yes," answered Captain Nuwaad as they raced down wide stairs.
"General Solo released the captives who were Alliance infiltrators. They overpowered us and were heading for our hangers."
Bavanu lowered her head to hide her grin within shadow of her handmaid's cowl.
Author's Note:
LittleLlamaGirl's Inner Monologue-Hmmm. I haven't posted an evil cliffy in a long, long time. It used to be lots of fun. Maybe I'll just cut this chapter here! (Laughing maniacally and rubbing hands together in delight) The power! THE ABSOLUTE POWER!
