The Story of forgotten Jedi Owen Sun
Chapter 9: Deceit on Nubia
The Jedi Council chambers sat atop the High Council Tower, one of five spires built onto the kilometer high ziggurat building that was the Jedi Temple. Master Arca and his Apprentice Owen Sun slowly made their way into the Council chambers; Owen had seen the Council only once before so he was more than a little nervous but on this occasion every Council member was in attendance which meant that this meeting was important indeed. Around the circular chambers sat 12 of the most brilliant minds in the order, the Jedi Council. Master Yoda, Master Mace Windu, Master Ki-Adi-Mundi, Master Plo Koon, Master Saesee Tiin, Master Yarael Poof, Master Even Piell, Master Eeth Koth, Master Adi Gallia, Master Oppo Rancisis, Master Depa Billaba, and finally resembling the wise Yoda Master Yaddle. Owen looked on in awe of them, he couldn't help wonder in the back of his mind if maybe one day he would get the chance to join the ranks of the legendary Jedi Council, but to be on the Council one had to be among the best of the Jedi and have years of wisdom and experience something that would take time for Owen. Not just these fundamentals however, it required the utmost patience and discipline, his brash Master was proof of this. Arca was wise and skilled no doubt with knowledge and experience beyond his years but he didn't have the patience to sit on the Council, Arca was a Jedi of action, perhaps one day when his age finally caught up with him he would but not yet. Owen quickly refocused himself and stood quietly next to Arca.
"You summoned us Masters" began Arca.
"Yes, thought hard we did sending you on this mission but little choice we have" greeted Yoda.
"Mission Master Yoda?" questioned Arca.
"Correct, heard of the troubles on Naboo we all have, Qui-Gon and young Obi-Wan will deal with but troubles elsewhere there have been" answered Yoda.
"We recently sent a group of Republic Inspectors to Nubia to look over the newer Trade Federation facility on the planet but they have not returned" explained Windu.
"Too long it has been, the worst we fear has happened" concerned Yoda.
"Nubia, but don't the Nubians restrict off-world manufacturing on the planet?" questioned Arca.
"They do, but political loopholes in the Senate for the Trade Federation have seeded them onto the world" clarified Mundi.
"Hm more corruption in the Senate I sense" added Yoda.
"The Administrator of the facility, Finis Sedros, has told us that no Inspectors made it to his facility" informed the long necked Quermian Poof.
"We sense deception in him" stated Mundi.
"So its evidently simple, we need you to go to Nubia and inspect the Trade Federation facility, while in process find out what you can about the missing Republic Inspectors and just what exactly the Trade Federation is up to" ordered Windu.
"The Nubian Design Collective has agreed to assist us in any way if need be, remember this" added Koth.
"Much unclear about this mission but trust the Force you must to guide your actions" Yoda cautioned.
"We will do as the Council commands and leave immediately" agreed Arca.
"If there's nothing else?" wondered Arca.
"One last thing, there is much unclear about this task we have given you, are you sure that your young Apprentice is ready for whatever is to come?" asked Mundi.
"Well why don't you ask him yourself?" replied the brash Arca.
"Well young Sun, do you believe you're ready?" asked Mundi.
"Yes Masters I am, I will not let you down" stated Owen with his young self-assurance.
"Hmm much confidence I sense in you, skilled you are but not much knowledge of the Force you have be sure to listen to Master Arca you will" examined Yoda.
"And this is no gang and pirate run to Nar Shaddaa, the Trade Federation are a different sort, watch yourself" cautioned Windu.
"We will be ever vigilant for any danger that is to come" assured Arca.
"Very well, contact us of what you find on Nubia" replied Mundi.
The other Masters nodded in approval. "May the Force be with you" stated Windu.
"May the Force be with you" replied Arca and Owen.
With that Arca and Owen left the chambers descending in the turbolift to the hanger and into their Jedi Starship.
"Do you really think the young Apprentice is ready?" questioned Windu.
"Um he is very skilled but also very young but believe the boy is ready I do" replied Yoda.
"Well in time we shall see if you are right Master Yoda" stated Mundi.
Several minutes later in space.
Master Arca and his Apprentice Owen Sun have already begun to make their way to Nubia, it was a short distance from really any planet in the Core or the Outer Rim as Nubia was located just on the edge of the Core Worlds. Approaching the tan planet the mountainous region was where they would find the large Trade Federation facility just recently built on Nubia to the distaste of the Nubian Design Collective, it was built by the interstellar company mainly for the bronzium.
"We're coming in Master, receiving docking codes" updated Owen.
"Got them" acquired Arca.
"Wait a minute, Master there is a message coming from the planet" informed Owen.
"Put it through" ordered Arca.
"Punching it through" Owen obeyed.
"Ah Jedi Master Arca, the Republic sent word you were coming, I'm just surprised you're here so early" greeted Finis Sedros over the comm.
"We're here to inspect your corporation's new facility Administrator" notified Arca.
"Yes of course, proceed to docking platform C-17 and I'll be right with you" instructed the dubious sounding Sedros.
The message ended with a crackle. "Do you think we can trust him Master?" asked Owen.
"We'll have to be on our guard, take us in" issued Arca.
"Yes Master" replied Owen taking the ship into the atmosphere.
It was strange but deep down inside he could feel that something wasn't right here; regardless Owen did as his Master instructed and docked the ship onto the platform. Both Jedi made their way out of the starship, a protocol droid greeted them on the platform.
"Follow me please" motioned the droid.
The protocol droid led them through the facility, everything from droids, ships, vehicles and weapons were being manufactured on a large scale. They finally met with the head of the facility Administrator Sedros; they were a little surprised that Sedros was Human and not Neimoidian, as was customary with the Trade Federation.
"Surprised aren't you, not many believed that a Human could run this Neimoidian facility" greeted Sedros in his grey Trade Federation uniform and cap.
"My gift for efficiency and organization gave me this post, even the Viceroy himself couldn't deny me that" continued Finis Sedros with the shiny F from his Trade Federation logo glimmering off his uniform.
"Master Arca I believe and who might this be?" wondered the Administrator.
"This is my Apprentice Owen Sun" replied Arca.
"Forgive me but we were told that we might find the Republic Inspectors that went missing here" queried Owen.
"As I told your Jedi friends no Inspectors ever made it to me" answered Sedros.
Owen sensed much was unclear about the facility, almost as if the Trade Federation was trying to hide something but he followed his Masters lead as Administrator Sedros led them through the facility.
As the inspection tour continued several hours passed quickly, it appeared nothing was wrong on Nubia with the Trade Federations facility.
"As you can see Master Arca the facility is up to date with the new Galactic Republic standards and if you follow me this way you can complete your inspection" concluded Finis Sedros.
"It appears as if the Trade Federation isn't hiding anything Master, although I do feel a disturbance here" cautioned Owen quietly.
"I sense it too my Apprentice, be on your guard" stated Arca.
"Finally here we have a brilliant new design of armor plating for our ships and droids, bronzium as it's called" explained Sedros.
They stepped into a square room where the armor covered the walls, ceiling and floor. "This is very impressive" caressed Arca.
"It is just a prototype but were hoping to put it into production soon, almost indestructible" described Sedros.
As Arca and Owen inspected the room more closely Sedros quickly stepped back and the door swooshed shut behind them, a piece of bronzium then slid into place where the door was.
"What's happening Master?" asked Owen in panic.
"It's a trap he lured us in here!" sensed Arca.
"What do we do?" wondered Owen.
"Mind your surroundings and remember your training" coached Arca.
"Quickly if we tr-" Arca was cut off by the speaker coming to life in the room.
"Foolish Jedi, ha-ha just as the Inspectors did you have stumbled into my trap" Sedros chuckled.
"Administrator you will release us now or else!" demanded Arca.
"Or else what Jedi, you're trapped in there and as for you lightsabers well lets get those dangerous things away from you shall we" replied Sedros activating the rooms magnetizing system.
Arca and Owens lightsabers were abruptly ripped from their belts and went through a panel in the ceiling. Administrator Sedros quickly closed the panel and prepared to enact the final stage of his plan.
"Alright Jedi, now it's time to end this spectacle" said Sedros.
The room suddenly started to collapse on itself as it became smaller and smaller trying to squash Arca and Owen, with no weapons Arca had to think of something fast or they would be crushed and killed…