Negotiations Will Be Short
It didn't take long for the Trade Federation to fortify their blockade around the planet Naboo. Already they have stunted supply runs to the planet and were putting pressure on the queen to appeal to their terms and sign their treaty, granting them sole rights to the control of the planet and its resources. Already, the situation seemed dire that word of Ambassadors from Coruscant were on their way to discuss peaceful negotiations.
Viceroy Nute Gunray watched the planet and couldn't help but feel satisfied by the situation. Once the situation was all over and he gained control over the planet, the people of Naboo will have no one to blame but their own Chancellor Palpatine. He forced Gunray's hand when he made a play that cost the Trade Federation an alliance with the Delcontrian faction, so now they will make a play that will cost that fool his entire world.
Despite this feeling of empowerment, he still felt small twinge of nervousness when he thought about how this would have never been possible if not for the Federation's newest, and most powerful, client.
His right hand, Rune Haako walked up and joined him in staring down at the planet. "Do you believe Queen Amidala will adhere to our demands?" Rune asked curiously.
"If she values the welfare of her people, then she will accept that it is pointless to resist." Gunray said with confidence.
"That is, if we follow his plan, correct?" Rune asked with his amphibian-like eyes narrowing slightly.
Gunray wasn't surprised by the doubt he heard in his colleague's voice, as he has openly stated his mistrust in their newest partner, but it was too late to back out of the deal. "Without him, we couldn't have made this play. Supreme control of the planet is within our grasp, and I am not backing down now."
Another Neimoidian walked up to Nute Gunray and addressed him with a troubled expression. "Sir, our scanners have picked up that a ship will be exiting hyperspace soon."
Haako was confused at this piece of information. "If it's the Ambassadors that the Chancellor said would be arriving, they are earlier than expected." He said in a troubled tone.
"Let's just wait and see, but be on guard." Nute Gunray ordered, which they all followed. If the plan was to go off without a hitch, then there can be no surprises.
/
Meanwhile, Shayera and Katar relaced in their co-pilot seats on board their ship as they just aimless watched through the bridge window of hyperspace passing them by. Katar was busy giving his mace a nice polish, while Shayera just smiled as they looked through the window.
"You know, while our ship is getting refueled on Naboo, we should maybe go see the sights." Shayera offered as she looked at her husband. "I hear the skies are just beautiful and I would love to soar through them."
"Now that would be an interesting day, Shayera, you know that we can't." Katar denied as he looked behind to glance in the direction of where their prisoner was located. "The longer we delay to deliver our esteemed guest to Thanagar, the more of a chance it gives him to escape. I'd rather not run the risk of letting him loose on Naboo."
Shayera sighed at that, as she understood what he meant, but it was still a little frustrating. "We haven't been off world for fun since our honeymoon." Shayera gave her husband a sly look as they recalled that time. "You remember, don't you? That trip we took to Mimban, the tropical rain that poured over our wings as we soared, the beautiful landscapes..."
"The constant fight for survival against the Circarpousian Water Snakes?" Katar finished with a smirk. "My dear, your idea of a romantic get away is always filled with risks and dangers that lead to violence in some shape or form."
"Well, that's why you love me so much." Shayera said with a coy smile.
"That I do, Shayera. That I do." Katar said with a loving smile as he held his wife's hand. A beeping was heard from the control console and he pressed a few buttons. "We should be coming up on Naboo in 3...2...1."
The Thanegarian ship soon exited out of hyperspace and the two officers were instantly greeted with a sight that put them on edge. Over the planet of Naboo they saw six or seven Lucrehulk-class battleships, standard issues for the Trade Federation.
"Is that...the Trade Federation?" Shayera asked in a troubled tone.
"What in the galaxy are they doing here?" Katar asked with his tone becoming deadly serious. "This number of ships orbiting one planet usually results to one conclusion."
"Invasion." Shayera said seriously.
Back at the capital ship that Nute Gunray was on, he and Rune Haako were looking at a holo-image of the ship that just came out of hyperspace, and needless to say, they were not happy.
"The ship is a Thanegarian-class shuttle." Rune Haako said with a troubled tone as he looked at Gunray. "Do you think they are the Ambassadors the Chancellor sent?"
"The Chancellor would never send those brutes to negotiate. All they care about is bashing and breaking things with their Nth-metal weapons." Gunray said in frustration as he looked towards his communications officer. "Hail that ship. Find out what they are doing here."
Katar and Shayera flew at a steady pace towards the planet, watching those Trade Federation with a careful gaze, wondering if they would make a move or not. Being battle-hardened warriors, they could smell trouble planets away, and right now the stench of danger fouled the void of space. The Trade Federation may try to give off the vibe of respectable business men, but they knew what they were really all about; power and control.
Shayera noticed a flashing light on the console and spoke up. "The capital ship is hailing us." Shayera said.
"Good, maybe we'll get some actual answers." Katar said as he pressed a button and a small hologram of the Viceroy himself appeared. Katar didn't outwardly show it, but inside he was groaning in discomfort, as he knew fully well and heard many more rumors about the slimy, cowardly, yet ambitious the Viceroy of the Trade Federation. Still though, it was best to be as civil as he could be. "Viceroy Nute Gunray, it is a pleasure to meet you at this time."
"Thank you, Thanegarian, though I can't help but wonder what you are doing here at this hour." Gunray said in an equal civil tone.
"We were on a mission to apprehend a criminal and bring him to Thanegar to face our ruling council's justice for his crimes. We completed our task, but before we can return home we need to refuel our shuttle to make the journey." Katar explained simply before glancing out the viewing window and looking at all the battleships. "I've got to say, I wasn't expecting what looks like an invasion force hovering over a peaceful planet like Naboo."
"Oh, I assure that this is no invasion and what we are doing is legal. This blockade is strictly being used for our protection while the queen and I discuss trade route business." Gunray said in a calm tone while then giving a welcoming gesture. "Your mission must have taken a lot out of you, and I'm sure you want to get back to Thanegar so that justice may be served. We'd be happy for you to dock onto one of our ships and refuel your shuttle so that you may be on your way."
Katar knew this supposed "kind gesture" all too well. He's seen it with plenty of mercenaries, bandits, and bounty hunters where they may act friendly, but it's only a front for when they just want to hide their true intentions.
"That's a very generous offer Viceroy, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline." Katar said as he and his wife gave a light smile to each other. "You see, my partner has been itching to see the sights of Naboo and soar above it's beautiful skies. I think we'll refuel on the planet and take in the lovely scenery."
"Are you certain? You have a dangerous criminal apprehended on your ship, do you not?" Gunray said as he tried to get them to see things the way he wanted. "Our battle droids will stand guard over him as you take the time to refuel your ship. I can even offer a nice sum of credits as compensation for your delay back home."
'Now's there's a bribe if I've ever heard one.' Shayera thought to herself, before speaking next. "I'm sorry, Viceroy, but we have to insist on setting on planet side. I'm sure the Naboo royal guard and keep our prisoner secured while the ship gets refueled."
While outwardly he seemed calm, on the inside, however, Gunray was feeling more and more irritated by the incorporative nature of these two. "Yes, of course." Gunray said with a slightly strained smile. "Then, by all means, enjoy your time on Naboo." With that said, the transmission cut off.
"How much do you want to bet that they're not going to take this lying down?" Katar asked with a raised eyebrow.
"My love, that's a sucker's bet." Shayera said with a smirk.
Speaking of, after he ended the transmission, Nute Gunray was visibly shaking with frustration as he failed in persuading the Thanegarians into boarding their ship. Once they land on that planet, they will no doubt cause trouble for them and could mess up this entire operation. He's going to have to take care of this little problem if his plan was to succeed.
The Viceroy looked towards on of his men to give out the order. "Launch a squadron of Droid fighters. Make sure they do not reach that planet alive." Gunray ordered, earning a nod from his follower.
It didn't take long for over a dozen Vulture droid starfighters to fly out of the flagship hanger bay, and made a beeline straight towards the Thanegarian ship. They soon began raining fire upon the ship, but its shield held strong.
"Taking evasive maneuvers!" Katar exclaimed as he moved the ship out of the way and tried to avoid that blaster shots from the droid fighters. A few shots did nick at them, but nothing their shields couldn't hold.
"I'll hop on the guns!" Shayera said as she got up from the co-pilot seat and went to the back where a gunner station extended. This new gunner seat just so happened to be close to Carl Sand's cell.
The ship jerked around a bot, which stirred him from his sleep. "Hey, what's going on out there?" Sands demanded to know.
"Just some meteorites. Nothing to worry about." Shayera said casually as she got into the gunner's seat.
Just then blaster fire was heard, causing the ship to jerk really hard, which sent Sands tumbling and hit the wall. "Meteorites my ass! That was blaster fire!"
"Just think of it as your last bit of excitement before you spend the rest of your life in prison." Shayera said before she started returning fire.
"You should've left me with the Hutts!" Sands exclaimed as he braced himself. "At least there it was safe!"
The ship did a barrel role to avoid further blaster fire from the Vulture droids, and thanks to the returning fire form the gun on top, it managed to take out a few of them. Things were getting more complicated, however, when even more droid fighters started pouring out of the central Trade Federation ship. Three of them came up on their front, causing Katar to growl in annoyance, before he made a hard right turn to avoid collision. This gave Shayera the chance to shoot them down, but there was still more coming.
When the shuttle came close to open of the command ships, the turrets of the larger ship started blasting at them, causing them to retreat back into open space where the Vulture droids were waiting for them.
Katar looked at the ships monitoring systems briefly and frowned at what he saw. "Shields aren't going to last much longer!"
A Vulture droid zoomed in and managed to get a lock on the Thanegarian shuttle's turret, but instead of using usual blaster fire, it launched a proton torpedo. The projectile soared through the vacuum of space, before it finally hit its target, destroying the turret and knocking the ship off course.
"Ah!" Shayera screamed as the gunner's seat short-circuited and went dead. Seeing that there was nothing she could do, she returned back to the co-pilot seat up front. "Gunner systems are down."
"And so are our shields." Katar said in frustration. Looking through the viewing window, Katar managed to see a gap within the Trade Federation blockade, which just might be their salvation. "I think I can get past the blockade, but it's going to get a bit dicey."
"It's more than just dicey; it's suicide." Shayera said with a critical tone.
"True, but when has that ever stopped us." Katar said with a smirk, which Shayera returned.
The ship made a sharp turn and headed straight towards the gap in the blockade, while still being pursued by the Vulture droid fighters. They did a few maneuvers and barrel rolls to avoid getting shot at, but it was getting a little too close for comfort.
Their luck finally ran out when one blast managed to take out one of the wings of the ship, crusading it to spin out of control. Still, they managed to get through the gap in the blockade and made it into Naboo's atmosphere, causing flames to surround it as it continued to plummet.
When they finally got through the planet's atmosphere, the ship plummeted right in the middle of a forest. The ship slid along the ground, scaring a few of the wildlife, knocking down the trees in its path, and leaving behind a huge trench along the way. After a few minutes of this, the ship slowly started to come to a halt, before it laid completely still.
And inside the ship's cockpit, both Thanegarian pilots laid in their seats completely unconscious.
Back in the Trade Federation command ship, Nute Gunray witnessed the entire thing and growled in annoyance at the outcome, before calming himself down. "It appears we have another task ahead of us during the upcoming invasion."
"Surely they could not have survived the crash." Rune Haako theorized.
"We cannot leave anything to chance." Gunray said sternly. "Once the invasion of Naboo begins, we will send in a battalion of Battle Droids to investigate where their ship has crashed. Whether it's by the crash or our forces, by the end they will be dead."
"Well, at least that is one problem dealt with." Haako said with relief.
Turning towards members of his crew, the Viceroy barked out more orders. "Send out a squad to clear the debris from the battle. We cannot let the ambassadors to know of this altercation."
With their orders given, the rest of the crew began to make sure everything was all set for when the mysterious ambassadors from Coruscant were to arrive. Gunray looked back down onto the planet, once again feeling that sense of satisfaction, knowing that all this planning was coming through to fruition. That is, if their Sith benefactor comes through with his part of the plan.
/
Doctor Tilar was tense, in fact, everyone on Naboo was tense. Word quickly spread that the Trade Federation had set up a blockade around the planet, with no rhyme or reason, as far as anyone can tell. He didn't receive much detail from his friend, Captain Panaka, but if he finds out anymore information, he'll let him know.
Despite the tension going on throughout the planet, Tilar managed to distract himself by focusing more on his research; specifically, the Miraclo formula. For so long he had tried perfecting the formula, and now here he was close to completing the experiment. The Sarkhai home world was full of predators, so scientists were constantly thinking of new ways to protect their people from those creatures. With the Miraclo formula, they can now fight back up close and personal. The formula may only last for about one hour, but one hour can mean the difference between life and death.
The work was long, tedious, and took up many years of his life, but he's finally managed to get it done, but with only four files to show. Well, technically three now since he used one of them for the rodent. He at least now knows the correct amount of chemicals needed to replicate it flawlessly, so next time he should be able to make plenty of Miraclo.
He then heard a beeping sound in his lab coat and pulled out a holo-disc. He pressed the button on the side to reveal the holographic form of Panaka, who held a worried look on his face. "Tilar, things aren't looking so good."
"Has the Trade Federation made contact?" Tilar asked curiously.
"They have, and despite the queens efforts they are refusing to relieve their blockade around the planet. The price for their trade negations are just to high for the people to take." Panaka said with his troubled look still present.
"Those damn vultures." Tilar said with a sigh. "So what is going to be done? It's been nearly a day since their blockade surrounded us."
"Not that long ago, Queen Amidala has received word from Senator Palpatine that they have sent Ambassadors to discuss terms with the Trade Federation. They should be there soon." Panaka said.
"That's good to hear." Tilar said with relief. "Hopefully this nightmare will be over."
"Me to, my friend. Me to." Panaka said before the hologram shut off.
Tilar sighed as he went back to work to keep his mind distracted by all of this. He couldn't help but get this gut feeling that something is going to come from all of this. Something that'll shake things up further than anyone can see coming.
/
More time has passed since the small skirmish with the Thanegarian shuttle, and things have quieted down from above Naboo. Now, all that was left was just to wait for the ambassadors to arrive. The wait wasn't too long, as coming out of hyperspace was a small Republic shuttle that made its way towards the capital ship. On the bridge of the shuttle, the captain at the pilot seat looked back to see one of the ambassadors, who wore a hood and robes to cover himself.
"Captain." The hooded figure said.
"Yes, sir?" The female captain responded.
"Tell them we wish to board at once." The hooded figure said.
The captain nodded as she hailed the Trade Federation flagship and revealed Nute Gunray on the screen above. "With all due respect, the ambassadors fro the Supreme Chancellor wish to board immediately."
"Yes, of course." Gunray said in a courteous tone. "As you know, our blockade is perfectly legal, and we'd be happy to receive the ambassadors."
With permission granted to them, the Republic cruiser made it's way into the hanger deck of the capital ship. It was filled with many Battle and Vulture droids, as they gazed upon the cruiser as it landed.
The two hooded ambassadors exited the cruiser and were led throughout the halls, so they could get to the meeting room. One of the doors they walked through revealed a silver Protocol droid as it greeted them.
"I'm TC-14, at your service. This way, please." The droid greeted as it directed them through the hall until they eventually made it to the meeting room with a table and empty chairs yet to be filled. "We are gratefully honored by your visit, ambassadors. Pleased make yourself comfortable, my master will be with you shortly." With that said, the protocol droid left the room.
The ambassadors were left alone as they lowered the hoods from their cloaks to reveal their faces. Both of them were human, with one being an older man with a with a beard and long hair that was starting to grey out a bit, and the other was younger man that looked close to about mid-twenties with short hair, but had a long braid on the side of his head.
What the Trade Federation haven't figured out yet, was that these were no ordinary ambassadors, but members of the Jedi Order. The older man was Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, and the younger man was his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Obi-Wan said with uneasy look on his face.
"I don't sense anything." Qui-Gon noted.
"It's not about the mission, Master. It's something...elsewhere. Elusive." Kenobi added as he couldn't shake these unease he felt the moment he arrived. "For the last couple of days I know that you and many other Jedi have felt some...distortion within the Force."
Qui-Gon couldn't argue with his Padawan on that. For the last couple of days now, he and all the other Jedi Masters have felt some form of...how would one decribe it...an awakening, of some sorts within the Force. It's as if the the Force shifted uneasily for a brief moment, and then returned silent as if nothing ever happened.
"Yes, I did feel it, but we must not center on our anxieties Obi-Wan. We must focus it on the here and now, where it belongs." Qui-Gon said.
"But Master Yoda said I should be mindful of the future." Obi-Wan said in confusion.
"But not in the expense of the moment. Be mindful of the living Force, young Padawan." Qui-Gon said wisely.
"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan said with a nod in understanding, as now was not the best time to be foreboding on what may or may not be transpiring within the Force. They were on a mission, and as Jedi they must complete it. "How do you think this Trade Viceroy will deal with Chancellor's demands?"
"These Federation types are cowards." Qui-Gon said in a calm, yet stern tone, before looking at his Padawan with an almost amused expression. "The negotiations will be with you shortly."
/
Meanwhile, back on the bridge of the ship, TC-14 has just delivered the news to Nute Gunray and Captain Doltay Dofine about the ambassadors, but one part of the news greatly troubled them.
"What?" Gunray asked in alarm. "What did you say?"
"The ambassadors are Jedi Knights, I believe." TC-14 answered.
First the Thannegarians, and we have Jedi." Doltay said in frustration as he looked at the Viceroy. "They're obviously here to force a settlement."
Gunray still held a strong face as he gave his orders. "Distract them. I will contact Lord Sidious." Gunray said.
"Are you brain dead?!" Doltay exclaimed in fear. "I'm not going in there with two Jedi." He then gained an idea as he looked back towards the protocol droid. "Send the droid."
/
Back within the meeting room, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon sat at the table and continued to wait for the Viceroy to arrive. Now, being trained Jedi, they were taught pretty hard about the values of patience, but even Obi-Wan was starting to feel his limits as they continued to wait for their host to arrive.
The protocol droid returned with some refreshments, but even that didn't lament the unease the Padawan was feeling. "Is it in their nature to make us wait this long?" Obi-Wan asked his master.
"No." Qui-Gon answered immediately as he took some drinks form the tray the protocol droid was carrying. "I sense an unusual amount of fear for something as so trivial as a trace dispute."
The Master and Padawan duo gave each other an uneasy look as they don't need the Force to tell them that something strange was going on here.
/
Gunray and Doltay shared an uneasy look as they made the call to their benefactor for this plan. While it would be just a hologram, it wouldn't matter, as one can't help but feel fear whenever they were in his presence, no matter what form it was.
Soon the holoform of Lord Sidious appeared in front of the two, his black robes and hood concealing every inch of his body, except for the lower half of his face. Despite that, he still carried a presence that instilled fear in your very heart itself.
"What is it?" Sidious asked.
"This scheme of yours has failed, Lord Sidious." Doltay said in a slight nervous tone. "The blockade is finished. We dare not go against these Jedi."
Despite not seeing his eyes, they could tell that Sidious was giving a dangerous glare that would run their blood ice cold, before speaking to Gunray. "Viceroy, I don't want this stunted slime in my sight again." Sidious said, causing the Namoedian captain to look down in fear and walk off, before he truly risks his life in the Sith's presence. "This turn of events is unfortunate. We must accelerate our plans. Begin landing your troops."
This was a surprise order, as Gunrtay knew that this course of action could have many complications. "My lord, is that legal?" Gunray asked in an uneasy tone.
"I will make it legal." Sidious said sternly, leaving no room for argument on the matter.
Gunray nodded, not wanting to get on the Sith's bad side, and wanting to stay alive. Sill, there was one more complication that needed to be taken care of. "And...the Jedi?"
"The Chancellor should have never brought them into this." Sidious said as his shadowed look became angered. "Kill them immediately!"
Gunray gave a bow to his Sith benefactor. "Yes. Yes, my lord. As you wish." Gunray said as he tried to keep his composure.
/
Things quickly did a turn as in the hanger, majority of the Battle droids and Vulture droids made a quick exit just as soon as a turret popped out and aimed right at the Republic shuttle.
One of the crew members of the ship saw this and gained a look of alarm. "Captain, look!" The crew member exclaimed.
The Captain looked in shock as she tried to raise the shields. "Shields...!" It was too late, as the turret fired upon the ship and it was destroyed in a fiery explosion, killing the entire crew on that shuttle.
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan heard the sound of the explosion and instantly activated their lightsabers, causing the droid to rob it's tray and cups. The two Jedi were on high alert as they hen heard a hissing sound coming from the room and noticed that the doors were now sealed shut. They looked around and noticed a gas coming from one of the air vents and was filling the room very quickly.
"Dioxins." Qui-Gon informed his Padawan about the poisonous gas, causing both of them to inhale and hold their breaths.
Outside of the sealed room, a squad of Battle droids marched up to the door, before a hologram of Gunray appeared in front of them. "They must be dead by now. Destroy what's left of them."
The commanding Battle droid with yellow accents along his metal body nodded, as he pressed a button on the controls, causing the doors to open. Every droid peered inside, but the entire room was coated in the poisonous gas, blinding them from whatever was in there.
The only movement came when the protocol droid walked out, tray and cups still in hand, and casually walked past them. "Excuse me." The protocol droid said casually as he left.
"Check it out, Corporal. We'll cover you." The commanding Battle said to another one.
"Roger Roger." The second Battle droid said as it was about to march on in. Everyone was then put on high alert as, through the thick cloud of gas, they could see the igniting of lightsabers, causing every Battle droid to raise their blasters.
"Uh oh! Blast them!" The Battle droid commander exclaimed, as they then began firing at the Jedi.
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan easily deflected the blaster fire right back at a couple of the Battle Droids. They then leapt out of the gas cloud and started slicing the opposing droids with ease. They deflected multiple blaster bolts and sent them back at the droids who fired, and Obi-Wan even used the force to send a few Battle Droids flying right into the wall, shattering them to pieces.
Back at the bridge, Gunray and his crew haven't heard anything from the droid squad they sent after he gave his orders. They heard the sound of blaster fire for a moment, but then the feed cut off.
"What is going on down there?!" Gunray demanded.
"We've lost the transmission, sir." One of his crew members said.
"Have you ever encountered a Jedi Knight before?" Haako asked.
"Well, no, but I..." Gunray stuttered a bit, but tried to steal himself. "Seal off the bridge!"
"That won't be enough, sir." Haako argued.
"I want Droidekas up here at once!" Gunray exclaimed.
The two Namoedians looked on as the door to the bridge began to seal shut, but Rune Haako still looked on with worry. "We will not survive this."
Sure enough, it didn't take long for the two Jedi to make their to the bridge doors, quickly dispatching any Battle droid that got in their way. Qui-Gon used his lightsaber to attempt to cut a circle into the sealed door, with Obi-Wan keeping guard and dispatching any droids that got too close.
Seeing the green lightsaber cutting its way through the door, Gunray had a look of fear as he gave another order. "Close the blast door!" Gunray ordered. Soon a second set of doors closed behind the bridge doors, which made Qui-Gon pause. This made Gunray regain his look of confidence. "That will hold them."
Qui-Gon wasn't deterred, however, as he just plunged his lightsaber right into the center of the doors in an attempt to cut through it. Seeing the heating metal at the center, the confidence with all those on the bridge started to fade.
"They are still coming through." Rune Haako pointed out in fear.
That fear was shared by the Viceroy. "This is impossible!" Gunray exclaimed, seeking the metal of the door start to break and melt off due to the heat of the lightsaber.
"Where are those Droidekas?!" Haako demanded.
Just outside the doors, Obi-Wan paused when he heard something coming down the hallway, and it was coming in fast. He looked and saw two different kind of droids that were rolling down the hall towards them, coming in pretty fast.
"Master, destroyers!" Obi-Wan called out in alarm, which made Qui-Gon stop his advances on the door and backed his Padawan up. The rolling droids halted and unfurled themselves, before they became coated in a ray shield bubble and started firing upon the Jedi. The Master and Padawan duo deflected their blaster fire right back at them, but it was useless as their shields protected them. "They have shield generators!"
Seeing as how neither them or the droids were gaining any kind ground, Qui-Gon decided that now was time for a tactical retreat. "It's a standoff. Let's go!" Qui-Gon exclaimed as the two of them used the Force to dash out of the way and run down the halls at great speeds. The Droidekas shut off their shieds and gave chase, constantly firing upon them.
Watching all this from the viewing screens, Gunray and Haako regained their confidence as they watched the Jedi retreat. "They are no match for Droidekas." Haako said.
"Sir." The communications officer said, gaining their attention. "They've gone up the ventilation shaft."
/
After going up the ventilation shaft to escape from the Droidekas, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan quietly jumped down into what appeared to be a cargo hold. The two of them stealthily hid behind a couple of large containers and peaked around to see something that surprised them. It was almost an entire battalion of Battle droids, and they were being loaded into holding tanks and drop ships.
"Battle droids." Qui-Gon said with a grimace.
"It's an invasion force." Obi-Wan said in a troubled tone.
"This is an odd play for the Trade Federation. We've got to warn the Naboo and contact Chancellor Valorum." Qui-Gon said as he eyed a couple of the shuttles. "Let's split up. Stow aboard separate ships and meet back up on the planet's surface."
"You were right about one thing, Master." Obi-Wan said, which made Qui-Gon look at him inquisitively. Obi-Wan looked at his teacher of many years and couldn't help but give a humorous smile. "The negotiates were short."
/
IIIIIIIIIIIIII'M BAAAAAAAACK!
Everyone, I would like to apologize for being gone for so long and not answering any PMs or updating anything lately, but these last few months have been a little rough for my health. I've had to see several doctors and make so many appointments, but I am back now and my health has greatly improved.
So, in order to celebrate me coming back, I've decided to update this fine little gem since I've been enjoying the latest episodes of the Bad Batch and feeling excited for the new season of The Mandalorian. Now, this one was a pretty fun one to write, as were are now getting into the events of Phantom Menace, but, you know, it's also pretty tough at the same time as the first prequel movie is...well, less than to be desired, but I intend to make it as fun as I can.
Honestly, the fun parts is just writing my version of Justice Society members and integrating them into the Star Wars universe. I honestly can't wait to get into the events of the Clone Wars show, but we've got a ways to go before we get into that.
Now, the next story I'm going to work on is gonna be a Wattpad centric story that I haven't worked on in awhile, and then I'll do a centric story, and then I'll do one that's on both platforms. It's a good way to make sure all my story gets some love and attention.
That's all I have to say, everyone; I'm really glad that I'm back, and I can't wait to continue my stories. Until then stay healthy, stay safe, I'll see you all next time!