TRTSS1: The Warrior of Stars! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 7
With this latest assassination attempt, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine has deemed it necessary that Kasumi would be much safer on Naboo. To that end, Usagi, Ami and Anakin would escort her back to her homeworld. Meanwhile, thanks to the dart that the bounty hunter Jango Fett had used to silence Kasumi's would-be assassin, Kenobi and Ranma were assigned the task of tracking the elusive Fett…
"I understand Ranma being in charge earlier, but why are YOU in charge now?" Anakin complained.
"Because I have more experience in this sort of thing, after Ranma, than YOU do, Ani," Usagi says, as she takes out a carrot from "pocket space".
"Humph!"
"Well, I don't know WHY I can't come home with you all," Hoshi says.
"We don't want to arouse suspicion," says Kenobi. "As far as everyone is concerned, Senator Amidala is returning home for a private wedding ceremony, with her as Minister Lady T'Pol's 'bridesmaid'."
"Which is actually happening," Usagi says. "Wow, I can't believe T'Pol is getting married."
"Considering the fact that Ranma has clearly moved on, what do you expect?" Hoshi says.
"Regardless, no one would think to know the truth of the matter."
"We understand the plan, Master Kenobi, but is it necessary to leave at this time?" Kasumi asked.
"Unfortunately, this is on orders from the chancellor, as supported by the Jedi Council."
Kasumi merely sighs in reply.
"But what about the vote on the Senate?" Typho asked.
"I am leaving Representative Binks to 'mind the store', so to speak," Kasumi says with a sigh. She then turns to Jar-Jar.
"Now, I expect you to make all of Naboo proud, okay?" Kasumi says with a gentle smile.
"You-sa will be proud of me, My Lady," Jar-Jar says with a smile.
"Then I expect ALL of you to make the proper preparations, while I pack my things."
And with that, the room clears, save for Usagi, Ami and Anakin.
"Well, at least we all get to hang out," Usagi says, as she feeds Tho-Ohki.
"'Hanging out' is the LAST thing I want to do," Kasumi says with a gentle admonishment. "I should be here…ready to cast my vote on this Separatist matter. It IS, after all, my responsibility to insure that Naboo has a say in this matter."
"Well, it's OUR responsibility to protect you, Senator," Anakin says.
"You seem happy about this," Ami comments.
"Master Jinn has been hesitant in giving me more responsibilities," Anakin says, as he paces back and forth. "Thanks to the Chancellor, now I have more."
"The Chancellor seems to have your 'back'."
"That's because he believes in me…and guides me when Master Jinn cannot."
"Ani, I think you and the Chancellor have been WAY to close," Usagi says.
Anakin frowns.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean what I said. Ani, as Jedi, we're supposed to seek guidance WITHIN the Jedi Order, not rely upon the advice of outsiders…particularly politicians. That's how you end up getting confused."
"Well, I'm NOT confused about my relationship with the Chancellor. And I think you should respect my choice of friends on this matter."
Kasumi observes this exchange. Since first joining the Galactic Senate, Kasumi has been quietly trying to discover WHO was behind the events that led the Trade Federation. Originally, her desire was to insure that Viceroy Nute Gunray and his ilk never again attempt to dominate the galactic trade routes. However, over time, her support for such a move was met with ever increasing resistance to her ideas. As a result, Kasumi began to investigate quietly behind the scenes, and thus came to a startling conclusion: there was a mysterious 'phantom menace'…a menace that was manipulating members of the senate into bogging the government into procedures. Unfortunately, the rise of Count Dooku of Serenno has complicated matters. Kasumi believed Dooku when he said that the Galactic Senate was slowly become non-responsive to the needs of the member worlds. She disagreed with Dooku of the need to create a movement against the established order, since she saw herself as a reformer…
"What do you think?" Usagi says to Kasumi.
"I agree with Anakin, actually," Kasumi says.
"You do?"
"Chancellor Palpatine has been a loyal friend of Naboo, and an able administrator of the Galactic Republic. Therefore…Anakin has made a worthy choice of friends."
"Humph."
"Thank you, Senator," Anakin says with a smile. He turns to the astromech droid R2-D2. "At least SOMEONE supports me."
The droid chirps and beeps in reply.
"Well, if nothing else, we should leave soon," Ami says.
THACK!
"I am packed," Kasumi says. "What is next?"
"What's next is up to Tho-Ohki," Usagi says. "Tho-Ohki?"
"Mew!" the cabbit says enthusiastically, as he performs a back flip…and disappears in mid-flip.
BLIP!
WHOOM!
A moment later, Tho-Ohki, now in ship mode, hovered somewhat close to the Senator of Naboo's quarters.
"All aboard!' Usagi yells enthusiastically. "Next stop: Naboo."
FLASH!
Aboard Tho-Ohki, Usagi took controls.
"Now, sit tight and buckle up; we're in for a BUMPY ride."
"If you don't know how to fly-?" Kasumi began.
"I CAN fly. I just like saying stuff.
"Huh."
And with that, Tho-Ohki takes off for Naboo.
…
"Hello, kiddies!" Ranma says, as he and Obi-Wan enters one of the practice rooms. They had just returned from the Jedi Temple Library, after learning that the "killer dart" was created using technology from the world known as "Camino". Unfortunately, that world was nowhere listed in the universal database. Thus, improvisation was called for…
"Hi, Padawan Saotome!" the younglings replied in unison.
"Are you going to teach us martial arts today, Padawan Saotome?" says one of the younglings.
"Not to day, kiddo," Ranma replied. "I got work to do. However…have you guys been practicing the stuff I taught ya last time?"
"I have!" says another youngling.
"Good, because when I get back, I'm going to be testing ya."
"Neat-o!"
"Greetings, Master Kenobi…and padawan of mine," Master Yoda says. "Help you, how I may?"
"Master Yoda, we learned that the killer of the assassin is connected to the people of Camino," Kenobi says. "However, Camino is not listed in the library's data banks."
"A mystery, this is," Yoda says. Yoda was teaching the younglings how to use the Force to sense and deflect objects blindly.
"Come around, children. A mystery, we must solve…"
Using a holographic star-field, Yoda gave a brief lesson on astrophysics. In one part of the lesson, Yoda points out a key anomaly…
"Affected by an unknown gravitational field, this area is," Yoda says, as he points out an empty space.
"And that means that someone is purposely hiding a planet," Ranma says.
"Belabor the obvious, you are."
"Ha, ha. Very funny…"
"Then that is where we are going," Kenobi says. "Thank you, Master Yoda."
"Thanks for your help, sensei," Ranma says with a bow.
…
After Usagi and her companions arrived on Naboo, they immediately went to attend a special meeting between Queen Jamilla and her Advisory…
"…And so that is the present situation," Kasumi says, as she completed her report. "If an army is commissioned, it might be used as an excuse for member-worlds to side with the Trade Federation and the Commerce Guild."
"I see," Jamilla replied somberly. Like all monarchs of Naboo, Jamilla wore elaborate garb to denote her station. She then turns her head to the governor.
"What are our present options?"
"Considering the fact that Viceroy Nute Gunray still has power within the Trade Federation, we should continue strengthening our 'self-defense' forces…in spite of how unpopular our move to do so has been," Sio Bibble says.
"But how can we militarize our own security forces, if we are against the Republic from doing the same?" Kasumi asks. "I recommend that we restore our original stance of not having a ' standing army' on Naboo."
"Duly noted," Jamilla says. "For now, we shall table the manner until we receive word of the status of the vote."
After the meeting…
"Hey, T'Pol," Usagi says with a hug. "Congratulations."
"Thank you, Usagi," T'Pol says, as she somberly accepted the hug. "And I must say, you look…stunning."
T'Pol had grown out her hair, and wore the dress of one of Naboo's elite, especially since she was the Minister of Science and Technology.
"Your husband-to-be is one lucky guy."
"I thank you," T'Pol replied. "So…how is Ranma?"
"He's doing fine, I guess," Usagi says, as she and T'Pol walks down the hallway of the Grand Hall of Theed (the capital of Naboo). "He's on a mission with Master Kenobi on who tried to kill your 'cousin-to-be'."
"Anything else?"
"Oh, he apologizes for not being here, but he wanted me to give you something for him."
"And that is…"
"Ah-ah-no. Tonight, we'll have your 'bachelorette's party', and then tomorrow, after your wedding ceremony, I'll give it to you at your reception."
"I will be looking forward to that."
And with that, everyone prepares to travel to the Naberrie Estate, which was a small island on a pristine lake a few hours away from the capital.
…
Two star fighters with ring-attachment—called "Jedi Starfighters"—exit hyperspace. One was red, while the other was blue.
"It looks like we found the missing planet, 'R4'," Kenobi says, as he powers down from hyperspace.
The astromech droid 'R4-P17' chirps and beeps in reply.
Kenobi taps into his secured communications link.
CHIRP!
"Ranma, do you copy?" Kenobi says.
"I read you loud and clear, Master Kenobi," Ranma replied. "Me and 'R3' are waiting for action."
The astromech droid 'R3-WD40' chirps its response.
"See?"
"Well, we should investigate the situation FIRST before getting into fights, Ranma."
"Hey, I'm not Anakin, you know."
"I know, which is why Master Yoda recommended you to accompany me on this mission."
Soon, the cabin compartment of both fighters dislodges high above the planet Camino, and begin their descent to the watery world below…
…
"God, I hate the rain, Ranma-onna says, as she wipes the water from her brow.
Kenobi looks at his friend. Very few people knew of Ranma-onna's Jusenkyo curse. However, given the fact there are several sentient species in the Lucas Galaxy that are androgynous, asexual or transsexual, Ranma-onna's ability to assume a female guise is not seen as a big deal.
"Such is the trial and tribulations of a Jedi's life," Kenobi smiles jokingly.
"If that's the case, I should quit while I'm ahead-"
"Welcome to Tipoca, Master Jedi," says the chief representative of the Camino. The female had a dolphin-like quality to her, in spite of her elongated appearance. "The prime minister is expecting you."
Kenobi and Ranma-onna both turn to look at each other in wonder…especially since their arrival was not announced.
"Really?" Ranma-onna says.
"Yes," says the representative. "We were worried that Master Sifo-Dyas would not return to Camino to retrieve your final product."
"Then we shall…speak with the Prime Minister," Kenobi says, before he and Ranma-onna goes on to meet Prime Minister Lama Su.
…
Meanwhile, the bachelorette's party is well under way…making Anakin uncomfortable in the process, even AFTER having a male stripper present was cancelled. As a result, Anakin decided to go outside and hang out with the astromech droid "R2-D2".
"I tell you, R2," Anakin says, as he stares out into the lake. "I really wished that I could have gone with Ranma and Master Kenobi…"
R2-D2 chirps and beeps his reply.
"Ani?" says a familiar voice.
Anakin turns to see Kasumi standing in front of the doo way to her family's house.
"Oh, hello, My Lady," Anakin says, as he straightens up. "I apologize for leaving abruptly-"
"Don't worry about it," Kasumi says. "The type of parties that Usagi tends to like…is not for me."
"I don't think her parties are for ANYONE," Anakin says.
Silence.
"Ani, may I…hang out with you for a bit? Being out here…gives me a bit of peace of mind.
Anakin smiles.
"I would like that."
And with that, senator and Jedi padawan stare out into the deep blue of the lake below.
…
"As you can see, we have made the finest soldiers ever created…as per your specifications," says the male Prime Minister, as he, the Camino representative and the two Jedi see thousands upon thousands of clones being processed.
"And you are saying that all these clones…were grown from one man?" Kenobi says.
"Yes, for the most part," the prime minister says. "Mister Jango Fett has proven to be a fine 'donor'."
"Feh," Ranma-onna scoffed. "If you wanted a 'fine donor', you should have come to ME."
"Really now?" the Prime Minister says with apt interests. "If you look over THERE, you might find something of interest."
"Where-?"
PLUCK!
"Hey!" Ranma-onna says, as she felt her hair being pulled.
"My apologies for being mistaken. Now, if you desire, I can introduce you to meet Mister Fett."
"Yes, I would like that," Kenobi says.
A few minutes later, the representative introduces the Jedi to a boy with curly hair within a residential suite.
"Boba, can you retrieve your father?" the representative says.
"Sure," the boy says, before running off to find his father.
"And you say that the boy is a non-perfected clone?" Kenobi says, as he sees the boy run off.
"Yes."
"Probably was hard up for a date or something," Ranma-onna says, as she notices the familiar armor of Jango Fett.
A minute later, a handsome, swarthy man enters the room. He appeared to have just taken a shower.
"Master Jedi, this is Jango Fett," the representative says.
"Hello," Jango says evenly.
"I will leave you all to talk," the representative says. "Now, if you may excuse me…"
Once the representative leaves, Kenobi and Ranma-onna turn their full attention to their query."
"Hello, Mister Fett," Kenobi began. "I would like to have word with you…"
Tbc.