AN: I need feedback on how well this works and if it needs a rewrite.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed or Star Wars. They belong to their respective copyright owners. This story is not created with commercial aim. I make no money from it.
Phase 5 : The Naboo Affair
=RK=
Part 10
Audience chamber
Royal Palace
Theed
Naboo
For fifteen minutes utter chaos reigned. Naboo's Royal Security closed ranks around the Queen and my own escort butted their way through the raging mass of politicians, CEOs and advisers to fall into a protective ring around Tarkin and me. I spent that time tuning out the madness surrounding us and thought about my chief minion's stunt.
It was pure madness unrivalled its sheer insane audacity. It was an impossible, suicidal mission that nevertheless appealed to my warrior heart. Charging in against impossible odds and damn the consequences? How many Sith got themselves killed that way again?
The risk was insane. I should be kicking Tarkin back down to a regular crew member, arranging a meeting with a shrink for him, perhaps both.
Just the political complications if this went through were mind-blowing. The military ones – honestly pulling the operations needed to make such an alliance anything but a cautionary footnote in history were going to be perhaps the greatest challenge I've faced as a commander. Everything I've learned over decades as a Sith told me that I should be choking Tarkin for being a bloody idiot. At the same time I couldn't help it but appreciated the crooked deranged mind that could have born such an idea. I had my suspicions about what he would say if he got the chance to explain this alliance of his. Honestly, there weren't many options that had a prayer in hell of working.
After Kamino I think that I owed Tarkin at least hearing his proposal in full. Then I could go old fashioned Sith on his ass if I didn't like what I heard. I might still do it even if he had a remotely workable plan in mind because I would be the one facing the music if we lived to get back to Coruscant.
"ENOUGH!" I roared with a Force enhanced voice. My shout thundered around the chamber and everyone froze when I let a tiny bit of my presence be felt. Light leached off from the space surrounding me and if anyone had any trouble believing that I was very much a Sith, those doubts were dispelled as I glared at them with yellow shining eyes. "If this is the pride of the Mid Rim, I wonder why I should risk the ships and crews entrusted to me in order to protect you all." I hissed. My patience had very firm limits when dealing with politicians and those imbeciles managed to reach them. It was a very good think I didn't intent to crown myself as an Emperor otherwise the reign of terror I would unleash just to rid myself of the idiots currently running most of the galaxy would be spoken in hushed whispers for the next ten thousand years. "I wish to hear admiral Tarkin's proposition in full before deciding if he's one of the most brilliant men I've had the honour to meet or simply a raging madman." My voice snapped across the suddenly subdued chamber.
People looked uneasy at each other as their breath escaped their lips in wisps of vapour. I reigned in the Dark Side around me and a bit of warmth came back into the chamber. The lights shone brighter too as there were no more barely controlled Dark Side energies absorbing their radiance.
"Thank you, sir." Tarkin flashed me a polite smile and turned to look at the gathered worthies. "My propositions is simple. We will pool our resources, committing everything we've got left. That combined with the presence of a Republic armada in orbit of Naboo gives us the only chance we're likely to get to have a say in what happens to us here on the Rim. I can't promise you certain victory. Logistics is the harshest of mistresses. We might win every battle for as long as our supplies hold but that would be for naught once we run out of them. However, Eriadu and the worlds on the Outer Rim and in the Western Quadrant standing behind us when combined with everything you have left and the Republic assets in this system are just enough to give us a chance!"
"To become traitors!" Someone shouted.
"To prevent more worlds falling to the Separatists. To liberate some or perhaps all of your homes. To have a united voice in the Senate that couldn't be ignored!" Tarkin ignored the jab.
"You and the Sith told us that the logistics simply won't work!" A CEO of Heth grumbled. "I know enough to agree with that sentiment! What you're proposing is a both political and possibly literal suicide!"
"Under normal circumstances that might be true." Tarkin allowed. "The situation is far from normal. I don't speak about the usual, reasonable level of support that is expected by the Republic. If we are to stand a chance, I propose a full commitment. Every single hyperspace capable vessel. Every crew-member. Fully committing your industries to supporting the war effort so we could keep the Separatists as far away from our worlds as possible!" Tarkin smiled crookedly.
More shouts of disbelief followed and even my baleful glare was slow in silencing them.
"It's madness right? There would be nothing left if we do that... So what? That's the choice all of us have right now! Either we all commit ourselves and our worlds in full or we're left to the mercy of the Separatists. The Republic fleet currently at Naboo would be on its way to the Core by this time tomorrow at the latest in that case. This is the choice that I can give you. To fight not for a distant Republic currently cooped up into the Core but for your homes. For the Mid Rim just as my own people would fight to keep the enemy away from our own part of the Outer Rim. However, doing just that won't be enough and we all know it. The Separatists are monsters. They proved it again and again here on Naboo. Simply standing by ourselves and resisting alone is a sure way to the grave or slavery in all but name for no gain! Together we stand a chance, no matter how slim." Tarkin turned to face me and jabbed a finger at my chest. "Look at him. General Delkatar Veil, Dark Lord of the Sith. A monster who terrifies most of you. As he should. His credentials are war. His resume – a list of shattered fleets stretching from Ryloth to Geonosis, Gerrenthum, Eriadu and today above this very world. With his military leadership, together we can achieve the impossible."
This time the exclamation were of pure incredulity.
"Everything?" I spoke and my voice rang with the Force. "Full support not the old games that crippled the war effort since day one?" I let my own incredulity creep into my tone. "If that incredible claim comes to pass then there's a chance." I agreed. "There might be enough ships to be pressed into our logistics train across the Western Quadrant and here in the Mid Rim to make such a bold proposal somewhat feasible. Could there be such a support even if enough of you agree to a full alliance here, today?" I asked lacing my voice with enough disbelief that even an idiot would notice it. "Because anything less would prompt me to continue with my original plan and leave."
Anything else would make staying here for the campaign needed to secure the region a glorified suicide though we would hurt the Separatists before our supplies ran dry.
"I'll hear no more of this madness!" Zurch snapped. "Are you all traitors?!" He sneered. "This... this insanity is nothing less than another Separatist movement in the making! The Republic would never let it slide!"
I couldn't believe my ears. His outburst actually silenced the angry shouts that met my declaration. The angry and resentful mood shifted. The anger grew and the target changed from Tarkin and me to the Republic as a whole and Zurch himself.
"Really?" The Hegemon asked in a deceptively light tone. "I find myself in agreement. The Republic would have a dim view of such an alliance as the one admiral Tarkin proposes. That's actually a reason to give his idea a consideration given the situation. The Republic..." He trailed off. "How many of you believe that the only reason they have a whole armada here on Naboo was because Sheev Palpatine was local? This was the Chancellor's homewolrd and that was the primary reason why the Republic deemed it important. Let's be honest for once!" He smiled in amusement. "The reason why most of us are here was to garner goodwill with Palpatine by aiding in the protection of his homeworld. Don't deny it! Not here and now, when we all know the truth! I'm an autocrat and can afford to actually tell the truth from time to time." He jested.
"What's your point, Mario?" A long suffered voice asked.
"We gathered here in the first place to form an informal alliance with Naboo. We all hoped that the Republic would move the heavens themselves in order to keep this world secure and thus give us a chance to state our cases and beg for help by whoever ended up in charge. A good world from our dearest host could have gone a long way in ensuring that. We all know how that turned out. The Chancellor is dead. There's no reason to believe that whoever was elected to replace him don't give a damn about what happens out here on the Rim. There hasn't been a single transmission from Coruscant for weeks now! We are on our own and now have to decide what to do. That's all I'm saying."
"Then why should we fight for a Republic that abandoned us?"
"Tarkin proposes that we fight for ourselves!"
"Nice sentiment. He admits that his reasons to propose the alliance are selfish!"
"So? Do you expect anything less? We're all selfish doing our best for our worlds or ourselves. That's no reason to dismiss his proposal."
"I want to hear more details."
"Me too."
"Kriff this, I won't hear any more of this lunacy!"
"I agree!"
"Coward!"
"Your Majesty, may I propose that you clear the chamber of everyone but the various leaders and ambassadors. They might actually make a decision without so much distraction and I need their decision soon. It is irrelevant that this isn't how alliances and diplomacy are supposed to be conducted." I snapped at the ever increasing volume of chatter.
"That's a capital idea, general. I beseech most of our guests to retreat to the gardens and relieve a bit of their stress." The Queen smiled beautifully at the gathered crowd. She wasn't thrilled at the circus happening in front of her throne.
Now there was a tiny chance that this herd of crazy people might actually do something productive. I wondered should I support Tarkin's plan or tank it and make my way back home to Mandalore and then Coruscant.
=RK=
Part 11
Audience chamber
Royal Palace
Theed
Naboo
Getting the chamber emptied of the hangers-on took some time and not so careful prodding by the Queen's guards, but finally we were alone with the important people.
"Before this train-wreck in the making can go on, please someone give me a good reason why should I commit my forces to this idea of yours, Tarkin. I understand, if it works it's going to be good for this part of the Mid and Outer Rim. Not so much for the Republic or Mandalore." I stated pointedly. "Tarkin's plan does have potential, no matter how slim. It still doesn't tell me why I should risk everything to aid you and your people. We all know that the Senate would be content to leave you to your fate and when the Republic is finally ready to come back, you'll be judged on your actions while out of contact. You all know how that would go." I shrugged. "Why should I care? More than half of you believe me to be an unrepentant monster out for personal gain and most of the rest aren't too sure."
"I can speak only for Eriadu and our current allies. If the opportunity presented itself I was authorized to offer the following: financial and material support for rebuilding Mandalore or establishing a new capital world and primary industrial hub if the damage is too severe to fix in a reasonable amount of time. We'll provide low interest loans both to the Mandalorian government and selected corporations designate by it. We'll give you what you need to make the Mandalorians the leading power in your sector of space, no questions asked." Tarkin admitted. "Further, we'll lend you political support within the Senate."
Damn, he has been busy when I wasn't looking. That heart to heart conversation between us just became a priority.
"I like the sound of that. If the Mid Rim powers can offer the same trade concessions and loans I'll take your idea under the strongest consideration... if you can get to an agreement tonight. Time's running out for us all. One way or another I'll need to get my fleets moving tomorrow evening at the latest. Minor repairs and distribution of supplies will be done by then. The only question is if we'll be heading back towards the Core or if we'll try to do what we can here in the Rim. So make up your minds one way or another." I looked at the politicians expectantly.
Tarkin... What am I going to do with him? What he just offered was everything Mandalore sorely needed and currently could only get from the Republic. To sweeten the pot – if I wanted to get what Eriadu and company was offering, I would need to secure he Mid Rim and then a corridor towards the eastern part of the galaxy.
Kriffing logistics! With almost two full sector fleets gathered here I had the forces to go wild. Battle Meditation could make up for the lack of training together but the supply situation... My thoughts drifted to Tarkin's stunt at Darknell. Could we capture enough supplies to fuel our war-machine? Perhaps... The one such instance I could recall on a large scale was back from my homeworld. It took incredible amounts of luck, it could have gone terribly wrong at a lot of points but it actually worked until it didn't...
Could I decline such an offer? I would need all the help I could get to build Mandalore as a galactic power and coming home with something even more useful than a list of glorious victories would be great, vital even.
I paid attention to the arguing people again. It would all be a moot point unless these fools actually agreed to the proposal and backed it with deeds not only words and that was a remote chance. No matter. I would think of a rough plan of action while the circus was ongoing. Who knew, I might get to make my luck again.
=RK=
There was two more hours of arguing, which I ignored while busy examining a map of this region of the galaxy or reviewing situation reports from all around Naboo. My reinforcements had the Separatists forces in Theed pinned down and it was only a matter of time before the locals and GAR units within the city wiped them out. My minions and Rex managed to reach that battleship's reactor and there was no real danger of the thing blowing us all into orbit. Two whole regiments were fighting their way through the ship to clear it out of the enemy.
Outside Theed the situation was stabilizing thanks to four Acclamators providing close air support along with whole wings of fighters and bombers. The friendly casualties after the battleship landed were extreme but there was no longer any danger from additional enemy units reaching the capital.
Securing the rest of the planet would take time, however if we could keep the Separatist from receiving reinforcements for the next month or two it would be a done deal without having to suffer too many casualties. That however looked more and more unlikely. The politicians continued to argue and were unable to agree on even a basic alliance meant only to oppose the Separatist with everything they had. In that case why the hell would I risk myself and my people to help them? Bloody idiots. Perhaps that was for the better. I needed to go relieve Mandalore and then to Coruscant. I needed to see Bo with my own eyes, to hold her...
The decision got made for us all, in a way that I didn't see coming. The Force stirred and the anticipation that was my constant companion since I arrived at Naboo spiked. One of the Royal Guards stiffened, then went to the Queen and whispered something to her. She frowned and nodded before fiddling with a pannel expertly hidden in the armrests of her throne.
"It appears that we might be getting a message from Coruscant after all. Certainly not in a way we expected."
A hologram came to life above us and the face was that of a familiar Twi'lek. Shadowfeed? The kriff?
"This is Ryloth Resa on Shadowfeed, free people of the galaxy! Today we have a special treat to you courtesy to our rivals on Coruscant!" The Twi'lek woman beamed cheerfully at the camera. "For almost a month now, a Dead Man's Switch set off by the death of the Sith Lord Sheev Palpatine has been releasing the Senate's dirty little secrets all across the Core. With the Holonet across most of the galaxy not working properly because of the Republic's scorched earth policy, we at Shadowfeed decided that you need to see the truth for yourselves. Worry not, we'll show untampered recordings of every little misdeed and their proofs committed by the despicable Republic Senate. For those of you who worry that our glorious Confederate forces had sacked Coruscant because of the persistent silence coming from the Republic government..." Resa smiled impishly, "the truth is actually worse for any delusional Republic loyalist out there. There's a war going on, yet the Senate in their infinite wisdom has been unable to elect a new Chancellor over the past month. You heard that right, gentle beings!"
I rubbed my temples. I had the unpleasant feeling that for once the Separatist propaganda wasn't full of shit. The politicians who remained mostly agreed too – their discontent muttering and quiet curses soon filled in the chamber. When the supposed recorded transmissions from Coruscant began, there were enough indications that this might actually be genuine for us to pay attention.
Ti was paying attention too and I could clearly feel her horror at the situation. The Republic going to hell without my direct intervention all because the Jedi jumped the gun? That was a horrifying revelation to my passenger.
"Huh. This part's true. I know for a fact pops bribed the three of them." The Hegemon looked thoughtful. "I'm pretty sure my intelligence people were still bribing that Rodian."
"At least a grain of truth then." The Queen's frown deepened.
"You know the Senate better than I do. If this is correct and such revelations has been going on for the past month... Can the Republic continue to function? Can the Senate reach the needed majority to elect a new Chancellor?"
"What's that about the Clones going rogue?" The Prime Minister interrupted. He was giving wary looks to my bodyguards.
"Not an issue. Every Jedi we encountered or knew of in the area are either dead, under arrest or cleared of any connections with the coup." Boomer answered. "Can I speak freely, sir?" He asked.
"Do go on." I hadn't really thought about the effect Order 66 might have on the Clones. If they wanted to go hunt Jedi? More power to them. I only hoped that Windu lived long enough so we could meet again. I owed him a galaxy worth of pain and I intended to deliver.
"If there were Jedi within reach, the nature of our training would demand that we go after them. The contingency orders are absolute and only an elected Chancellor can countermand them. As far as any of us know, there are only three Jedi left in this sector of space. They were apprehended as per Order 66 then cleared of wrongdoing by general Veil so that's not an issue. However, if we learned of other Jedi..." Boomer sighed. "Most of us would have to go after them and execute Order 66. Anyone attempting to interfere would be considered as traitor and treated accordingly."
Incredulous silence met Boomer's words.
"Joy. I take it neither the Jedi, nor GAR High Command did their homework properly when they accepted the Clone Army? No questions asked? Yet, I didn't ask enough questions too so I'm not one to judge." I grumbled. The worst thing – what Boomer told me made absolute sense. The Clone's primary purpose was to purge the Jedi when the time came. Of course they would be indoctrinated to follow up on Order 66 no matter what.
"This changes things. If this is true, the Senate and Republic has been paralysed for the past month." Tarkin groaned.
"The GAR too. It will be at least couple of weeks before the new recruits are fully ready for deployment and they will be green." I added. "There won't be any help coming from the core for the time being. It would take the GAR months at the very least to fight its way here and that's if the GAR can regain control of the Clones in the Core. With Jedi likely going to ground all over the place, it's going to be a complete mess." If that broadcast wasn't full of Bantha fodder, yet Boomer's words made it awfully plausible. "Besides, the primary target of the navy and army won't be relieving the Mid Rim. They will be throwing everything they have at Fondor once the Core is more or less secure."
Kriff the Force cursed Jedi and whatever hell spawned them!
"Well this seals it. The Republic won't be riding to the rescue any time soon. What are we going to do? We have few realistic choices – either suck it up and submit to the Separatists, go with Tarkin's creative idea, try our luck with neutrality, we all know how useful that's going to be, or resist on our own and get crushed for no gain at all." The Hegemon shrugged. "Look at the bright side. If this scheme works, it's going to give us what we came here for in the first place."
"How so? It will simply mean our annihilation." A CEO grumbled.
"Perhaps. The same is true if we rely on the Separatists' good intentions." An ambassador snorted. "If general Veil can kick the enemy out from this part of the Mid Rim it would help not only us but the Republic as a whole. That has to be worth something."
"Let's talk terms. What does full cooperation means? How would we recover even if this madness pans out?" Another Heth guild-master rumbled. "We do have credits to burn and raw resources to offer."
"We'll be one of the primary targets after Naboo falls." Rintone's ambassador intoned quietly. "My government had made it's mind up some time ago. We'll fight. You have our support, general. Make good use of it. We would however require additional resources for our shipbuilding programs."
"We can do something about that." A Heth CEO nodded.
"Rugosta's in."
"It's not like Nuralee has a choice. The Separatists don't appreciate us seeing them for what they are and standing against them. We're behind you, general." Senator Divinian intoned.
Huh. They were actually agreeing on an alliance. This certainly blind-sided me. Of course, now there was the "little" issue of following up on the agreements their mouths were writing. I might actually have to go on with this insanity. Kriff it all.
Just like that instead of arguing the merits and dangers of Tarkin's proposal everyone was discussing terms and what benefits they could bribe, threaten or extort of everyone else.
I had to actually figure out how to prosecute a campaign across multiple sectors of space on a shoestring logistics at best. I had to keep in mind that at least a few of those bastards were going to sell us out to the separatists and plan accordingly. Lucky me.
How the kriff did I get myself in this mess?