Sol System
Earth
Paris
Palais de la Concorde
"The fact of the matter, Senator is that you made no attempt at negotiations, you and your Jedi bodyguard were caught infiltrating the Geonosian home world and your bodyguard killed over a dozen Geonosians before you were caught." The Tellerite Councilor stated. "You may claim it was to rescue a friend and prevent a war but there was no attempt at any of that until you were caught and even then you tried to exercise Republic authority on a non-aligned world."
"I had to try. Count Dooku was plotting with Viceroy Gunray to murder me." Padme protested. "I admit, I did against the wishes and advice of Admiral Kirk, but I did on the moral grounds to prevent a war from breaking out."
"Interesting you claim that it was moral to rescue a friend in the clutches of the people you admit sought your death, Senator." Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan stepped up. "But it is not morals we are discussing here, Senator. We are speaking of your actions that have caused many of us to have pause in accepting Naboo's petition for membership into the Federation, a petition which you completely supported."
"Ambassador," Padme muttered as Sarek stepped out of the assembly and approached her.
"Ten years, we have worked to establish diplomatic relations with your planet, your Republic and your galaxy. We have met your fellow Senators who welcomed us, we explored the far regions of your space and we have worked to help settle disputes on many worlds." Sarak stated. "And in the last few weeks, there has been questionable actions on your part and the Republic. I speak of the Clone Army that was supposedly made in secret and for your Republic to use. Our investigations conclude it was around the time of end of the Naboo war that this army was commissioned and for the next ten years, an entire army was grown, a fleet was built, and many weapons were produced in that time. It could be argued that your Republic was every bit as ready to start a war as the Confederacy of Independent Systems was."
"I was not aware of the clone army being made on Kamino and I was the leader of the opposition against commissioning an army." Padme argued.
"Of that, we are aware. Just as we are aware that a Jedi was the one who approached the Kaminoans, commissioned them to build the army. You are aware that the Federation prohibits the use of genetic engineering outside of medical purposes, including cloning. The fact the Republic so readily accepted an army without attempting their negotiations is alarming." Sarak stated. "Alarming enough that many are calling for us to close our embassies in your galaxy, even break off public relations on the grounds that the Republic has been secretly building up an army long before the Separatist crises even began. You must see how this appears from our point of view, Senator."
"I do but I state again, I did not know of the Clone Army, and I am arguing in the Senate that continuing the war will only lead to more destruction but Ambassador, I can't accept that your reasons for blocking Naboo's entry is because I was expected to sit back and do nothing. We had a moral obligation to try and prevent the war from starting." Padme argued.
"By infiltrating, killing, making demands that they would not be obligated to accept, and then bringing an army of Jedi to their literal doorstep?" Sarek questioned to which Padme balked in complete shock. "I remember our conversation back on Coruscant, Senator. As I stated then, you focused on finding your attacker's identity, risking your own life and the lives of your closest workers rather than trusting them to handle the matter. Moral obligations are one matter, Senator, risking everyone else's safety is another and you risked the Federation becoming part of these Clone Wars with your actions. Naboo joining the Federation means that Naboo must also respect our laws and must consider how your actions affect your world and the rest of us when making such dangerous decisions."
"Mr. Ambassador, Senator, with all respect. I believe now is the time to vote." The President cut in. "Should Naboo's entry into the Federation be denied or should we consider an alternative method?"
"Mr. President, if I may, I wish to offer an alternative." Sarek stated.
The President nodded. "You may."
"Given the mysterious nature of the clone army being made over the span of a decade, the Republic allowing the use of clones to fight instead of attempt diplomacy, the logical decision would be to investigate further to ensure the Federation and the rest of our galaxy is not endangered by the Clone Wars. I propose that Naboo's entry into the Federation be put on hold until such time that the Republic and the Confederacy are willing to negotiate." Sarak offered.
The President seemed to consider Sarak's advice before looking out across the rest of the assembly. "All those in favor with Ambassador Sarek, say 'aye'."
The majority of the assembly voted in favor of Sarek's proposal.
"Very well, until such time that the Republic and Confederacy are willing to resort to diplomacy over fighting, we will reconsider Naboo's entry into the United Federation of Planets. Trade agreements previously made will remain in place." The President stated, ending today's assembly.
Padme looked upset as she turned around and left the great hall.
The Reliant's phasers reached out and touched the engine section of the Enterprise. Luckly, thanks to the quick thinking of Lieutenant Thrawn, the shields came on just in time, blunting the surprise attack. Still, the ship shook from the attack and it was aimed right at the main energizers.
"Damage report!" Kirk called out through the shuddering, red lights and klaxons signaling red alert.
"Shields came up in time, sir." Scotty replied. "The main energizers were the main target but we were still hit badly."
"Divert auxiliary power to shields." Kirk replied. "Lieutenant Thrawn, lock phasers and return fire."
Thrawn did so, having already locked phasers and immediately fired. Phaser beams reached out and touched the Reliant, aiming at the same location they had tried to hit on the Enterprise. It was clear that the first attack had been aimed at the main energizers and the warp drive to deprive the Enterprise of its main power and would have likely planned a secondary attack on auxiliary control. The phasers hit Reliant's shield, protecting the warp drive.
"Their shields are holding." Spock reported.
A photon torpedo was fired from the rear end of the Reliant which the Enterprise's shields managed to block but the ship shuttered and shook.
Kirk gripped the armrests of his chair. "How bad is it?"
"We're holding, Admiral but the hit on the warp drive deprived us of full power." Spock replied.
"Scotty?" Kirk asked the intercom.
"We're holding on, sir. I can get you auxiliary power in a few minutes."
"We don't have a few minutes…" Kirk then looked at the screen, seeing Reliant turning to face them. "Lieutenant Saavik, bring me up data for Reliant's command console."
"Reliant's command?" Saavik questioned just before the ship shuddered again.
"Hurry!" Kirk turned to Thrawn. "Lieutenant Thrawn, lock phasers on Reliant's engines but hold firing until I say so. And make sure it's only enough power to disable. I want to know who is on that ship and why they're firing."
Thrawn glanced at Kirk, wondering what he was thinking as Spock turned to Kirk. "The prefix code?"
"It's our only shot without this getting too bloody." Kirk replied.
The prefix code…Thrawn's eyes widened as he realized what the Admiral was up to. Before taking the Kobayashi Maru scenario at the academy, Thrawn had made it a point to study how Federation starships, especially the Enterprise actually worked, and he discovered that each ship's commanding console had a prefix code. The code in question was to prevent an enemy ship from hacking into their systems and disabling their weapons and systems.
It could also work in reverse if a Federation ship had been hijacked.
Kirk was planning on using that same code to order Reliant to disable weapons and shields.
"Aye sir." Thrawn nodded and immediately followed out his command, locking phasers on Reliant's engine section.
"I don't understand." Saavik stated.
"The prefix code is 16309." Spock stated. "All commands from each Starship bridge are relayed electronically; each ship has its own prefix combination code..."
"... to prevent an enemy from doing just what we're attempting; using our console to tap in a message, an order to lower Reliant's damn shields and power down weapons." Kirk continued as the ship shuddered.
"Assuming the combination has not been changed." Spock stated.
"We'll soon find out." Kirk replied. "Do it."
Saavik inputted the code and Spock transmitted.
USS Reliant
Bridge
Joachin looked at the tactical console and saw the shields dropping and the phaser control was shutting down. "Sir, our shields are dropping, and the weapons are shutting down."
Khan paled, glancing Joachin. "Raise the shields!"
Joachin tried, banging the console in frustration. "I can't!"
Khan looked down at the console, realizing Kirk must have somehow remotely disabled their weapons and shields. "Where's the override? The override?!"
USS Enterprise
Bridge
"Their shields and weapons are down." Spock reported.
"Mr. Thrawn, fire." Kirk ordered.
Thrawn did so, watching as the ship's phasers hit the rear end of the Reliant, striking near the warp core and disabling the weapon systems.
"Uhura, hail them." Kirk ordered. "I want to know who is on that ship."
"Aye sir."
All eyes turned to the screen. After momentary visual confusion, Khan's face appeared, looking angry but also impressed.
As for Kirk, he was dumbfounded upon seeing that face. "Khan!"
"Who?" Saavik asked.
"You still remember, Admiral. I cannot help but be touched." Khan admitted. "Of course, I remember you."
"What is the meaning of this attack?" Kirk questioned. "Where is the crew of the Reliant?"
"Surely, I have made my meaning plain. I mean to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I intended to deprive your ship of power and then deprive you of your life." Khan admitted with a smile but then frowned. "Of course it seems you were quicker to react than I was, Admiral."
Kirk kept himself from glancing at Thrawn, knowing if it not been for the Chiss' quick thinking, they would have suffered the heavy damage Khan had meant to inflict. "Revenge, Khan? For what? For leaving you a planet to call your own? That was more merciful than I should have been, given you attempted to steal my ship after I awoke you when you and your people would have eventually died in space."
Khan said in false cheer before narrowing his eyes. "Yes, the world you attempted to leave me on. The eagle you attempted to cage forever. You say left me and my people in our garden of Eden but in reality you left us to suffer! Did you bother to check the tectonic stability of our neighboring planets?"
Kirk frowned. "What do you mean, Khan?"
"Ceti Alpa VI, the moon of our lovely planet exploded six months are you marooned us, Kirk. The shock had shifted the orbit of planet and debris had fallen everywhere, essentially affecting our sense of time by giving us two years to your one and our paradise was reduced to a living hell." He pointed at Kirk. "Only my genetically engineered intellect allowed us to survive but many of us still died…" There was now pain in Khan's eyes. "Including my beloved wife…your former crew member, Admiral. Lieutenant Robin Givers who accepted exile with me after she betrayed me to save your life."
Kirk was now staring in shock at the screen. "Khan, I didn't…I didn't know. If I had, I would have never-"
"But you did and once you marooned us you never bothered to check on our progress. Why would you? After all, we, a mere band of criminals couldn't possibly be worth watching to the mighty James T. Kirk."
"Khan, if it's me you want then we can settle things face to face." Kirk stated. "You've damaged us, but your weapons and shields are down now. Surrender now and you'll spare yourself and your people more pain."
"Yes, I admit I underestimated you again, Kirk." Khan admitted. "I can only guess there is a failsafe on your ships in case they are taken over by another group. Bravo, Admiral, bravo. But we were not done here."
"Khan-"
"Make no mistake, Kirk. You have won this round, but I know there is enough damage to your ship you can't pursue us." Khan smiled dangerously. "We will meet again and next time only one of us will walk away alive."
The screen faded to show Reliant turning away, moving off at best possible speed.
"What's our engine status?" Kirk questioned.
"Not good, Admiral." Spock admitted from his station. "Though our shields came up in time, Reliant's weapons were focused on our impulse and warp drive. At best our speed will only match theirs."
Sulu sighed in relief. "Sir, you did it."
Kirk whirled at Sulu with an angered look on his face. "I did nothing…except get caught with my britches down. I must be senile." He looked at Saavik. "Mr. Saavik, you just keep right on quoting regulations."
He then looked at Thrawn "And Mr. Thrawn, regarding you activating the shields before I gave the order…" Thrawn just stared back. "Thank you. You've more than likely saved a great number of lives."
Thrawn nodded as Kirk turned away. "Meantime, let's find out what the hell is going on and see how bad we've been-"
The turbo doors whoosh open as Kirk reached them. Scotty stood there, tears streaming down his face as he held the body of Midshipman Preston. Both of them were covered in blood. Uhara gasped in horror, Saavik almost lost control of her Vulcan discipline to repeat Uhura's actions, Spock closed his eyes in silent mourning and Thrawn stood up, folding his arms and bowing his head respectively.
Scotty swayed into Kirk's arms as the others rushed forward.
Skyriver Galaxy
Inner Rim
Senate Building
Chancellor's Office
"I understand the Federation's position, but I offer my deepest apologies, Senator. Perhaps I can speak with them on your behalf." Palpatine said sympathetically to the holographic form of Padme who was contacting him from literally another universe.
"Thank you, Chancellor. The Federation and Starfleet are open to continuing trade agreements with Naboo while the other planets vying for membership are still pending." Padme stated, looking solemn.
It appeared that the meeting with the Federation Council had tired her out. Not that Palpatine could blame her all that much given his own duties.
"Will you be returning back to Coruscant?" Palpatine asked.
"Yes. A ship will be ready soon. I would have preferred the Enterprise, but they are on a training mission at the moment." Padme answered. "I will have to explain what happened to the Queen of course before I return."
"Of course." Palpatine said before ending the call.
While the war between the Republic and the Separatists had only begun Sidious knew that outside of making sure their worlds were safe most worlds did not care about the war as it did not affect them which made it all the easier for him to manipulate them and making the Jedi all the more pathetic for choosing to fight for them. Only the Gungans and the Wookies have ever shown a willingness to stand with their allies while the Twi'leks fought to protect their planet but demanded that the Republic Army left once their planet was liberated. He still remembered the unclassified reports of a superpower known as the Dominion, led by shapeshifting aliens that had been encountered by the Enterprise.
Though they had come to establish ties with the Republic ultimately, they wanted to ensure that the Clone Wars did not spill into their galaxy, which was fine with Palpatine as he didn't want the Federation interfering at this early stage of the war. It even helped that they found the use of clones questionable, to say the least. The Milky Way Galaxy had figuratively spoken poked the hornet's nest and causing the Republic to fracture more from the inside as groups continued to argue about the rights of the clones or insulting the visitors for being naïve and saying that they had no right to criticize the Republic for doing what must be done.
He didn't know whether to be thankful or annoyed but so as long as they were causing distractions, he had more room and time to work with what he had. Given what he knew of the technology of the trio of major powers in the Milky Way Galaxy they had advanced deflector shields that could deflect both energy and projectile weaponry. If Sidious ever planned to take the Milky Way or at least eliminate it as a threat he would need to know everything about it, including a way for his ships to travel through the new galaxy.
As soon as he had a justifiable excuse, he contacted Republic Siener Systems and ordered them to work on new engine and shield designs which sadly would be slow at first given they only had basic knowledge on the technology used by the Milky Way and he knew his apprentice had ordered the shipyards in the CIS to do the same. Over the years, the designers at Kuat and several other shipbuilding yards had worked tirelessly to design new ships capable of matching Starfleet ships all the while preparing for the Clone Wars. Progress had been slow, but that was to be expected given that Starfleet had technologies no one believed could ever exist such as the transporters, showing them to be highly advanced and innovative.
As much as he disliked slow progress and failure, he was a patient man and knew he had plenty of time to study and adapt. The Venator class Star Destroyer had been in the design stages for years before the war had even begun and even then, new ideas would be added ensuring it would have new and more powerful turbolaser laser batteries, stronger shields, improved hyperdrive, and an improved power plant with additional smaller reactors to give extra power to the weapons and shields. In addition to that he ordered new ships capable of fighting Milky Way ships to be constructed at the secret base on Centax-2 under the personal supervision of Admiral Tarkin who had been promoted for his services.
Sidious would be patient, bide his time and watch this new galaxy carefully before he made his next move.
He would not be stopped.
Not by the Jedi.
Not by the United Federation.
Not by anyone.