Chapter 1
A figure, shrouded in darkness, traced the edges of reality with a touch that felt both ancient and electric.
Whispers of forgotten power brushed against the fabric of existence. Shadows danced, revealing nothing but the faintest glimmer of an enigma too immense to comprehend, too haunting to ignore.
The figure looked down in their hand, red energy beginning to flourish.
Red energy vibrated from the figure's hand.
"Time has changed..."
The figure looked.
"Significantly..."
Another figure in the shadow moving down corridors and bringing
"More changes are to come."
The same figure standing beyond flames, with friends foes...
"The One..."
The blast in their hand turned red.
"The Supreme Force Bearer..."
The red energy intensified.
"Let us see who perseveres."
An army of contrasting species, determined.
"And who dies."
Hutts slaughtered.
"The galaxy is fractured but not yet shattered..."
The figure laughed, and in a flash of white light, was gone.
Nute Gunray wouldn't admit to his fellows that he was anxious. He hadn't felt like this since he crawled himself out of the dump that was Nemoidia. He was the Viceroy of the Trade Federation, a position that many desired for years.
The Trade Federation had been something that many Neimoidians were loyal to a fault. The Federation's opponents in the Galactic Senate were pressing the Chancellor to slow the trade organization. The old fool had responded by calling for the disbandment of the Free Trade Zones, albeit authorizing additional defensive allowances. Following the incident on Eriadu, the Republic passed legislation calling for the taxation of trade routes to outlying star systems. The reason for this was two-fold; it would serve to weaken the growing Federation and would bring back funds for the failing Republic. Like all others, he had been offended and paranoid about what this could mean in the near future.
The Republic continued to press down among them, making the Federation realize that if something doesn't change soon, the Federation could collapse in on itself. The Eternal Galactic Dominion hadn't been much of an assistance. More or less, there was a mutual dislike between him and the Supreme Leader in general. If anything else the Empress planned for the Trade Federation's failures to boost their own followers.
Nute wouldn't consider himself a sympathetic person. After all, why would their other entities and organizations care if the Federation wasn't being targeted? Yet, many corporations such as the Techno Union and the Interstellar Commerce Guild have also felt the pressure from the Republic before they joined the Dominion and thus they were close allies Gunray still had.
While many would think allying themselves with the ancient enemy of the Jedi would be disastrous, Nute had rather taken the gamble rather than submitting to the outrage demands of the Republic. Sidious accepted them back after their first betrayal and had outright been a miracle, reassuring them that they would have a special role in the near future, and that his assistance would be paramount in helping them sustain their funds.
In the past few years, laws have been altered to their desire. Ironically, those were the same laws that Gunray would either cheer on or despise.
Whoever Sidious really was, he had been extremely powerful politically speaking. The funny thing about the whole situation was that he was acting from the public's eye, right under the Jedi's scope, and playing them all for fools.
Gunray actually had a hard time not to laugh at that reminder. He would be the one joining him in his ascendancy soon enough.
He looked at their secret allies. They would be helpful for the coming events.
Tey How's voice broke him out of further musings. "Sir, a transmission from the planet."
The white, impassive, stone-faced form of Queen Amidala appeared before them, her hands on top of the sides of her chair. Although the woman didn't show it as some may have, anger was present in her eyes.
"It is Queen Amidala herself!" Rune Haako exclaimed.
Nute bit down a response along the lines of "Thanks, I hadn't noticed" and said instead in pride. "At last, we are getting results." He looked at the Queen. "Again, you come before us, your highness. We are very pleased."
The Queen responded in an impassive tone. "You will not be so pleased when you hear what I have to say, Viceroy. We know not why the Eternal Galactic Dominion would come after us, but this attack will not last!"
Now, he had to hold back a sneer. How dare this insolent little brat? She would enjoy the cell he had organized for her.
"I am an entrepreneur as you will say," he responded simply.
"I have word that the Chancellor is planning to send ambassadors, and that you'll be commanded to reach a settlement," the Queen replied coldly.
"I know nothing of any ambassadors. You are mistaken." he responded pridefully, fighting back the urge to roll his eyes.
"Beware, Viceroy. The Federation and Dominion have gone too far, this time." The Queen snapped. If eyes could kill, he would have been on the floor, screaming as he was burned from the inside.
"We will stay within our place of both of our laws, your highness." Nute replied, unable to keep the sarcasm out of his tone.
The Queen responded sharply. "We'll see." The transmission ended abruptly.
Rune spoke behind him, having been a vocal opposition of supporting the Sith for some time. "She's right. The Senate will never―"
Nute interjected. "It's too late now!"
"Do you think she suspects an attack?"
Nute frowned. "I don't know, but we must move quickly to disrupt all communications down there!" He slumped into his seat yet again.
Yet that hadn't been the end of it, for at that moment the lights went dim.
Looking out the viewport, Nute saw a giant ship closing in on them with state-of-the-art weaponry. A Corvette of some sort?
"Someone's hacking into our transmissions!" Tre shouted to the Viceroy, causing his eyes to go wide.
Another figure appeared in front of all of them.
Nute froze up as the armored figure of High General Ann Gella of the Eternal Galactic Dominion appeared, wearing the symbol of the Dominion proudly on her chest plate. For a former slave, she was quite intimidating.
"Viceroy Gunray, the Empress want to know what possessed you to blockade a peaceful world," the woman had become recognizable as Supreme Leader Vader's right hand woman.
"We have no ill will here," Nute spoke, feeling a chill shooting up his spine. Even he knew not to fire on a ship the Supreme Leader was on without guaranteed protection.
"While you have initially agreed to join the Dominion, it would seem you have other dealers you cooperate with now, Neimoidian." the woman responded coldly. "Your attack could be viewed as a gesture of war."
Nute knew at that moment he was kriffed. Talking to the Sith would have to suffice after this. "I have no idea..."
"Do you take the Empress and Supreme Leader for a fool, Gunray? Need I remind you who the Empress of the Outer Rim is? Have you grown too ambitious?" Gella continued sharply. "This attack ends now."
But that would be unacceptable...
In under a second, Nute chose Sidious over the Dominion. He would not risk this Trade Federation falling apart due to some misplaced point of fear.
One of his secret allies came forward, causing Gunray to take several steps aside. Her brown hair fell around her, and she was light-skinned, a grin dashing across her lips.
"Ah, High General."
The woman seemed shock for a moment before her eyes narrowed. "Chacar Staogb, still up to no good I see. The Dominion will have you and your fractions head for this."
She chuckled. "That's no longer necessary. The fractions that came over to my righteous cause have formed up in the Sovereign Shadow Legion. I'm afraid you won't be capturing our Trade Federation friends here, General, and trust and believe we will finally put you down. Your Dominion's days are numbered!" She laughed. "Keep that attitude when you're very dead. Fire on that ship."
They looked at Gunray who nodded through much hesitation and did so, but the weaponry only bounced off of the Corvette helplessly.
Gella smirked. "You still are short sighted." She turned on the Neimoidian. "You will regret this, Gunray," she snapped. "You forget we are not like the Republic, and you agreed to oblige by our rules many years back. Any threat to this Dominion would be dealt with. We will see what Naboo has to say about this. No matter where you go, Neimoidian, you will not be able to hide from us."
Nute sat there in silence. The Republic and the Dominion have been on tense grounds as it was, and the Trade Federation may have increased that.
They could see the form of the Corvette landing on Naboo and decided to disregard it for the time being. After all, he'd arrived without a fleet-that meant that the Supreme Leader either didn't took them seriously enough or there were others waiting for them.
"What have you done?!" Gunray shouted.
The determined woman smirked. "What I had to. We gotta spice things up a bit around here."
"Contact Sidious immediately!" He barked.
Sheev Palpatine marched to the Chancellor's office, putting on a fronted look of despair. As expected, word spreaded quickly throughout the Senate. This Eternal Galactic Dominion pushed his time table back. It was slightly irritating to continue to deal with Valorum, but ultimately a small price to pay.
Those days would soon be over.
The time have come for their rise to power. When the Trade Federation cut communication with him, Sidious had set implements in place to keep Valorum's term going while planning in the background and increasing in his own political power whenever he wasn't busy whispering poison in the back of his mind. It had gotten to the point where he no longer required the invasion of Naboo. It was just a matter of when he chose to claim that seat.
It was going to happen when Sidious felt like everything was in order in tip-top shape. However, the Trade Federation wasn't satisfied with the Dominion's law. The restrictions they offered being just as outrageous as the Republic endeavored them to return to his services.
And Valorum still being in office did have its merits. It was hilarious for Valorum to heed all of his suggestions, including a bill that exceeded his term, but Senator Palpatine played the role of neutrality well. In reality, Valorum's brain was easily manipulated by the Force to the point where the Jedi couldn't even tell the man's shift from a few years back.
Speaking of his "old friend", Sidious would be seeing him again. He had taken a moment to school his expression, ensure his Mask was in place, before falling perfectly into it.
"Chancellor, Jedi of the esteem Council!" Sheev shouted, putting much effort to make sure his voice came out in a near squeal. "We have to do somethin-"
"We know about the invasion, Senator, and we are contemplating under careful terms," Jedi Master Shaak Ti replied. "We have been monitoring this Dominion for some time."
"Those bloody animals are a threat that has to be removed from my planet immediately!" Sheev snarled, now putting up the pose of justifiable anger.
"Sheev-" he sighed.
"Are you just going to sit idly by and allow my world to be twisted into something inconceivable?!"
"Any other missions would have required two Jedi," Master Windu said flatly, looking down in thought. "Since the Trade Federation has a known history of communicating with the Dominion, we don't know if they're acting alone. The Dominion and Republic are not allies. We have to bring Gunray in for questioning."
Sidious sent a slight probe to Valorum whose mind was as always easily corruptible. "I recommend my old friend, Master Qui-Gon Jinn."
"We can send four Jedi. Padawan Olin is in recovery from his last mission, but Master Gallia has been monitoring the Trade Federation for some time," Jedi Master Saesee Tiin added flatly. Out of all the Jedi, he had been the extremist one who believed that a war with this Dominion was inevitable.
"While I have no doubt in your abilities, Master Jedi, we will send any optional Judicials to Naboo to arrest Gunray and our representatives to speak with the Dominion should this raise complications," he pointed out.
Sanu Sauro's feelings about that were made crystal clear by his expression.
Plo Koon put his hand on Tiin's shoulder to calm the tension in his body. "We cannot jump to conclusions and presume this attack is premeditated from the Dominion."
"It would explain things," Tiin replied flatly, looking at the Kel Dor. He was still a Jedi through and through. "But I agree, old friend. I will center my mind."
Sidious allowed himself to express remorse through his Force mask, his face wrecking up in despair. "I feel I must apologize for my behavior, Master Jedi."
"Understandable, your distress is, senator," Master Yoda said, looking up to him with a slight smile of reassurance. "Not ignore, the homeworld of Naboo will be. Masters Jinn and Gallia are two of our best. Their former Padawans, Kenobi and Tachi could also go alongside their old Masters as they are each available."
Inwardly, Sidious frowned. Kenobi and Tachi could easily be disposed of, but Jinn and Gallia together would present a thorn. And Jinn needed to go. The man have survived prior assassination attempts. Too many of them no doubt due to Kenobi at his old Master side. Even afterwards, Jinn participated less and less with galactic affairs.
On the other hand, this could give him a chance to toy with the Jedi and Senate further. Along with his good old "friend" who a few years ago discovered the flaws of the Jedi to be too much for him to avoid and leave the Order to become his apprentice, Jinn's death would finally push him over the edge and ceased his constant attempts to talk his old Padawan over to his side.
"Are you sure that will be a good idea, Master Yoda? Kenobi and Tachi's relationship precedes Jedi standards." Oppo Rancisis replied.
"They have been ignoring each other long enough. Very likely, there is nothing left." Master Windu pointed out. "We needn't worry that something would go wrong with their Masters supervisions."
"Sheev, take a break. I'll contact you if there are any updates." Valorum assured.
"Yes, old friend," Sheev seemingly accepted defeat and left.
The Jedi would be much more on the bandwagon than before Vader's emergence because they viewed him as a threat, but they needed to prove it to the face of the galaxy. To his own, ever since that man appeared, Sidious had poured himself into his Holocrons, allowing his powers to rise tenfold whenever he didn't have duties to attend to. At this point in time, the Republic was not strong enough for the Dominion, at least unofficially.
Sidious made a decision. He would allow the ramifications of this to occur, all the while using the invasion as a reason to become Chancellor. Perhaps throwing the Trade Federation into the gundark nests would be the wise alternative. At that point, he could become Chancellor regardless.
Ah, the simple choices of life...
"I apologize for my lack of communication, my friend," Sidious said in a distressed tone, "but the Jedi and Chancellor believe you are acting as a pawn of the Eternal Galactic Dominion. Currently, there is a task force en route to apprehend and bring you back to Coruscant for a trial."
Nute's body goes rigid. Kriff everything was turning into a disaster today, and he was already beginning to seriously regret working with the Sith.
"HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?! YOU PROMISE ME-" Nute exclaimed, already having been tense after his recent meeting with the High General.
Sidious kept calm despite what Nute was about to unleash on him, interrupting softly. "I promise you the betterment of the Trade Federation, my old friend, and I will not fail you."
Nute breathed out, his muscles becoming less tense. "Very well."
Chacar Staogb chuckled. "Tell him, Viceroy, of the current obstacle or obstacles we have at hands."
He glared at her briefly, before his eyes moved to Sidious. "Supreme Leader Vader has arrived. They are moving to Naboo to explain the affair to the Queen."
The Sith Lord was apparently unbothered.
"That is unexpected, but the situation is not lost to us. Remain on board. The time schedule has come. Invade. The Supreme Leader taking you into custody would be equally disastrous."
Nute shivered at that thought.
"Focus your ion cannons on half of Naboo beyond Theed. Remain on the bridge. When your forces give her no other option than to sign the treaty, the attack would be legalized, and the Dominion would also be blamed You'll leave that to me."
Nute had a moment to be hesitant. After all, killing inhabitants on the planet didn't sit entirely well with some part of him.
But being a businessman required sacrifices.
Nute nodded gratefully. "I owe you my thanks, old friend."
The Sith had been an amazing friend to him and provided him with opportunities whereas many others failed.
"Staogb, I do hope your allies would be able to take care of them."
"Yes, my Lord." The woman bowed, even knowing not to tick off the Sith Lord too much.
The transmission ended.
He nodded to his fellows who gave the command to the droids who immediately descended on the planet. Their mission would be providing a distraction if anything else.
Meanwhile, Nute allowed himself to relax in the nearby comfortable chair. After all, they have been here for hours now.
In only a few hours, the Republic light assault cruisers appeared out of the black sky. Their weapons were already trained on the Trade Federation flagship, and Nute didn't need to be a genius to know they were prepared to open fire.
When the comms connected, Nute heard a sharp voice from the other side. "I am Lieutenant Gilad Pellaeon of the Judicial Force. Viceroy Nute Gunray, Supreme Chancellor Valorum has served us with an arrest warrant. Comply peacefully or we will come on board with force." the man said from the other side in a military like professionalism that was commendable.
Nute smirked, his confidence re-emerging. "We do not recognize the cause of this arrest, Lieutenant, so we will not submit to your jurisdiction."
"Very well."
The comms deactivated.
As violent blaster shots ripped out of their turrets, the Republic cruisers were able to maintained.
"Small shuttle in the hanger!" Tre shouted up to him, her eyes wide with concern.
The shuttle landed, firing at the turbolaser turret before it could have spelt doom for all on board.
Looking at the camera, Nute saw four Jedi - four of them?! - coming on board with a regiment of Judicials, weapons in hands.
One of the droids fired a rocket launcher at the ship, and the Jedi launched away just in time, the shuttle exploding, where the last remaining of the Judicials had been standing aside, ending their lives instantly.
The four Jedi had unfortunately been left unharmed if only shaken. The female Jedi with the blue lightsaber took out the battle droid responsible with a singular sweep. Clearing through, they ran down through the corridors, chopping down all the threats in sight.
Oh boy this day was proving to be already a headache!
"Concentrate all units on the Jedi! Don't allow them to make it to the bridge!" Nute shouted. As soon as they remove the Jedi, they could bury their bodies.
The enemy cruisers maintained fire, and Nute had to admit throughout watching the display while outdated and under modified, they were quite good.
Hopefully, the damn Jedi could just allow themselves to die.
Arthur's note: More ripple effects are going to come in the next few chapters. I had fun writing this one. The last story was more angsty. This story is more of actiony with all type of creative freedom.
I originally intended to make this the same as before, but the Jedi and Republic are beyond paranoid about the Eternal Galactic Dominion. The Trade Federation joined the Dominion predictably to try to use Vader and Shmi as much "as he did" to Sidious. That went as well as you expected. Lol
May the Force be with you all always.