I don't own Star Wars or its characters, but Nadia Aomori and my other OCs I own only.
Enjoy!
Fire of the Rebellion
Chapter 8: A Deadly Secret Project
(18 BBY)
In a cathedral within Naboo, Ferus and Nadia were getting married.
Ferus wore a black suit with brown shoes.
Nadia wore a beautiful yellow dress with a big bow behind it. The dress was designed with a gold white spiky design in the middle and a skinny emerald green gem attached to it with some white shoulder pieces while a yellow collar was around her neck and wore white high heels on her feet. On her head she wore a small yellow hat with a daisy attached to it and her raven black hair was in a loose curly style.
The couple stood before Maxiron Agolerga, a Naboo holy man.
Those attending the wedding of the two Jedi Knights were Ruwee, Jobal, Sola, Darred, Ryoo and Pooja.
Even Lisa who was on Sola's lap.
The one year old silently gurgled as she looked at RG-G1 and T7-01.
"Dearly beloved, we gathered all here today to join together this man and this woman in matrimony."Maxiron stated."If there is anyone here who believe these two should not be married speak now or forever hold your peace."
All the guests remained silence which meant they approved of the marriage.
"Do you, Ferus Olin, take Nadia Horn to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health till death do you part?"Maxiron asked.
Ferus smiled and looked at Nadia lovingly.
"Yes."Ferus replied."Yes, I do."
"And do you, Nadia Horn, take Ferus Olin to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health till death do you part?"Maxiron asked.
Nadia's cheeks dusted pink as she smiled.
"I do."Nadia answered with a bright smile.
"Then by the power invested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife."Maxiron stated."You may kiss the bride."
Ferus and Nadia leaned into each other and shared a small passionate kiss as their relatives cheered at them.
(9 BBY)
Hanna City was a large city and the capital of Chandrila.
Built right on the expansive Silver Sea, the city's white, cliff-like structures, towering spires, and domed buildings met right against its pebbled beaches. The ocean provided the fishing industry to the city's business with a fishery and docks being located near Barbican Road.
The city streets were often bustling with crowds of people.
Speeder traffic near the central docking station was also common during midday.
Hanna City had hundreds of landing platforms, managed by Chandrila tower control, to accommodate the large population.
Outside, Hanna City laid beautiful landscapes of misty forests and windswept meadows which were all around the city and visible from some of the taller buildings.
There were also other seaside destinations such as Junari Point which was a few kilo-meters outside the city.
Through the balcony of a house, two figures (a boy and girl) rushed to see the sun rise at the Silver Sea.
The two figures were the nine year old twins; Zachary and Gwendolyn Olin.
The children of Ferus and Nadia Olin.
Zachary Olin was a pale skinned boy with raven black hair and hazel green eyes. He wore a pale blue short-sleeved shirt which was tied with a light brown cord along with grey trousers and leather boots.
Gwendolyn Olin was a pale skinned girl with long straight chestnut brown hair done into twin braids with red hairclips and crimson red eyes. She wore a pink long-sleeve sweater with cream white trousers and short navy blue flats.
A soft smile appeared on Zachary's face.
"The sun rise is pretty cool when you see it a sea area."Zachary praised.
Gwendolyn smirked at her older twin brother.
"You keep watching the sun set, Zack."Gwendolyn encouraged."I'll go wake up mum and dad."
Gwendolyn excitedly went back inside the house while Zachary rolled his eyes and looked back at the view in front of them.
Zachary and Gwendolyn were twins, but they were complete opposites of each other.
Zachary Olin was more proper, mature and usually quieter. His interests were reading, fencing and hunting.
As for Gwendolyn, she was more talkative, active, childish and had a bigger appetite than her older twin brother. She enjoyed martial arts, shopping and craved to go on adventures.
Though the twins had different interests, both were mischievous and intelligent kids.
Gwendolyn grinned excitedly as she arrived in her parents' bedroom.
Both Ferus and Nadia appeared to be still asleep.
Ferus wore a grey shirt with black trousers.
Nadia wore a muted indigo vest top with short white frills lining the hem. The vest was held by two pairs of straps that go over the shoulders. Her pyjama pants were dark grey. Her raven black hair was now cut at an angle leading to her chin and bangs were cut straight across the forehead.
Gwendolyn went over to Ferus and Nadia's bed.
"Mum! Dad!"Gwendolyn greeted happily."Time to wake up!"
Nadia groaned lightly as she turned to the right side of her bed while Ferus slept in the same position he was in.
"Can't believe it's already morning."Nadia muttered.
A smug smile appeared on Ferus' face while his eyes were still closed.
"Well, you said you wanted us to have a dinner date last night."Ferus complemented.
Gwendolyn frowned as she went over to Ferus and tapped his head, making him wake up.
"Ow!"Ferus groaned and rubbed his head before noticing Gwendolyn glaring at him."Hi, Gwen."
"Come on, mum and dad."Gwendolyn retorted."I don't want to end having late breakfast."
Nadia opened her ruby red eyes as she sat on the bed.
"Alright, sweetheart."Nadia answered casually."We're coming."
A bright expression appeared on Gwendolyn's face.
"Yay!"Gwendolyn cheered in delight.
Gwendolyn ran out of the bedroom as Ferus covered his mouth to yawn.
"Our daughter is definitely like you."Nadia sneered with an amused look.
"And our son has your personality, Dia."Ferus commented.
Nadia and Ferus then left the bedroom to join their two children in the dining room.
There was a white apron around Nadia as she prepared breakfast for her family.
Nadia prepared a tower of bantha-butter pancakes with wasaka berry sauce for Gwendolyn and three slices of green pearberry toast for Zachary.
Lastly, the raven haired woman prepared a gartro egg omelet which was a dish made from gartro eggs and jerba cheese for Ferus.
After removing her apron, Nadia went over to Ferus to give him a small kiss.
Both Zachary and Gwendolyn looked at their parents in disgust.
"Ew."Gwendolyn scowled."You guys are gross."
Nadia went to sit between her husband and their two children.
"Don't worry, Gwen."Nadia assured with a smirk."One day, you're gonna love somebody as much as I love your father."
"Never."Gwendolyn said with a frown."Boys are dumb."
Zachary glared at Gwendolyn.
"Are not!"Zachary snapped.
"Are so, Zack."Gwendolyn sneered.
"What Gwen means to say you will grow up into a fine young man one day, Zack."Ferus assured.
Gwendolyn glanced at Ferus.
"That's not what I meant, daddy."Gwendolyn chuckled.
Zachary folded his arms while frowning a bit.
"Don't worry, Zack."Nadia giggled lightly."You are still my cute little boy."
Zachary smiled. "Thanks, mum."
Nadia began eating the palmfruit yogurt from her glass cup as she thought of her and Ferus' lives living in Chandrila for the last nine years.
A couple of days after she and Ferus got married, the two of them left Naboo and found a safe place to live in Chandrila thanks to Senator Mon Mothma.
Despite helping the rising rebellion, both Nadia and Ferus were good parents to their two children.
Selected their nursery school and clothing, planned their outings and took them to school themselves as often as they can.
In other words, the Aomori-Olin family had been living as ordinary civilians.
Both Zachary and Gwendolyn were Force-Sensitives, but avoided showing signs to keep a low profile to people they didn't know.
From what they were told by their parents and Senator Mon Mothma, the Olin twins knew how dangerous the Empire was.
The Empire desired the creation of totalitarian order and utilised excessive force and violence to achieve their ends.
No one was ever safe.
Even those that were loyal to the fascist absolute monarchy.
Gwendolyn ate a bit more of bantha-butter pancakes before she looked at her parents.
"Hey, mum and dad?"Gwendolyn spoke up."When do you think will be best for me and Zack to start our Jedi training?"
Ferus ate a bite more of his gartro egg omelet.
"Gwen, not yet."Ferus stated."You and Zack are not yet ready."
Gwendolyn frowned in disapproval as Zachary took another bite of his green pearberry toast.
"But when are we ready then, dad?"Gwendolyn questioned."We want to help you and mum fight the Sith."
Nadia shook her head.
"The time will come before you even realise, Gwen."Nadia assured softly."But for now, you and Zachary must attend school here like all kids too. Your cousin Lisa will be heading off to the Apprentice Legislature in Coruscant today."
Zachary drank from his cup of blue milk.
"Doesn't Lisa want to be trained as a Jedi too, mum?"Zachary asked.
"Of course she does, Zack."Nadia agreed with a small smirk as she ate a bit more of her palmfruit yogurt."But she also attend to follow in her mother's footsteps as well. Believe it or not, your Aunt Padmé joined the Apprentice Legislature when she was eight years old."
Both Zachary and Gwendolyn became surprised at Nadia's declaration.
"Whoa…"Zachary and Gwendolyn said in unison.
Ferus became silent at the mention of his deceased older sister.
It had been now ten years since the Jedi Purge and Padmé's death.
But from the looks of it, the galaxy was suffering more from the Empire's wrath.
Even though they couldn't help everyone, he, Nadia and their allies attended to help those in need as much as they can.
Though he hoped deep down, more people will stand up against the Empire as the years past.
As the Naboo Royal Starship swooped lower, taking its place among the intricate ribbons of traffic that covered the planet, Lisa and her best friend, Dalné Andierre, looked at the view of Coruscant.
The bustle and brilliance of Coruscant overwhelmed nearly everyone who saw it for the first time.
Even the two girls who had grown up in noble families.
Lisa Naberrie was now a ten year old girl wearing a long soft blue dress with gold Naboo ornamentation. The sleeves were long white and puffy. On her feet were white boots that had dark blue bows and a blue interior that was folded over. Her dark blonde was pulled into thick twin-tails cascading down the back with a slight swirling style. The bangs were split at the corner and on either side of the head is a chin-length forelock.
Dalné Anzianni was a ten year old girl with long jet black wavy that had two soft orange bows tied on each side of the head and soft brown eyes. She wore a soft orange dress with a skinny line print and a band of dark grey around the top trim with lace. Print around the dress were black and gold star designs. A black bodice covered the navel with six gold buttons and a pair of skinny gold vertical lines at the center. A grey bell sleeve jacket made from the peplum fabric was worn over this with a thick dark grey cuff trim with white lace tulle. The white collar had two gold buttons on the neck to match the stars a cross hanging from the bottom on each side and tied around the neck was a black ribbon. Though her feet she wasn't shown, she had on orange brown boots.
She was the daughter of Sabé and Tonra Anzianni.
In Lisa's opinion, Coruscant looked its best at night, when it sparkled with trillions of blazing lights, just like a galactic core.
But it was daytime now, so the two girls were buffeted by the frenetic energy of countless small craft, the bustle of individual traffic through transparent aerial passageways between blocks and the ominous hulks of the tall buildings around them.
Lisa then glanced at Dalné.
"I'm glad we'll be serving in the Apprentice Legislature together."Lisa remarked kindly."Sharing the same pod, going over the same material. We'll have to cooperate almost every day."
A gentle smile appeared on Dalné's face.
"I feel the same way, Lisa."Dalné agreed.
As soon as the Naboo Royal Starship landed, Lisa and Dalné hurried to the Galactic Senate Building and through the winding corridors to find her pod in the chambers as the first fanfare played.
Applause began as the guest speaker took the dais.
It was a man Lisa had never met before but one she had heard a great deal about, but none of it good.
It was Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin.
He stood thin pale and sharp like a needle carved from bone.
"Welcome to the Apprentice Legislature."Grand Moff Tarkin declared."Every one of you will now begin the process of representing your planet to the Senate, and indeed, before the Emperor himself. We all live to serve this great Empire, to increase its strength and work for its preservation. This is where your service begins."
Lisa slightly frowned at Grand Moff Tarkin's declaration.
To her this sounded less like service, more like servility and that wasn't what the legislature was about.
The Imperial Senate was one of the few checks on Darth Sidious' power.
Not that Tarkin would admit it.
"Some may say that you are only young people, still children, practically and that you therefore have nothing to offer our Empire."Grand Moff Tarkin stated."Indeed, there were those in the Imperial Star fleet who were surprised to hear that I volunteered to speak at your assembly today. Those people are far too shortsighted."
Grand Moff Tarkin's hawklike gaze searched through the various pods.
Lisa wouldn't be surprised if he'd memorised all their faces by the end of his speech, if not before he even arrived.
"When I was still a student, then-Senator Palpatine took an interest in me. He provided invaluable guidance which shaped my path forward."Grand Moff Tarkin admitted."His example taught me to look for the best when they are young because the earlier we begin, the more influence our lessons will have. So know that you aren't merely practicing the form of government, deciding a few minor issues here and there. You're also proving what kinds of Imperial leaders you could someday be. Show us your potential and we will show you the way."
Everyone applauded as Grand Moff Tarkin came down from the dais.
Dalné clapped along with the rest, but Lisa didn't.
She pretended not to notice since it was safer for her best friend that way.
The reception afterward was relatively informal as such things went.
Food and drink set out on one of the high ledges overlooking a broad swath of the city.
Sunset had painted the horizon rosy pink and shafts of sunlight streamed between the craggy dark silhouettes of skyscrapers.
A few Rodian musicians played a jaunty tune as everyone milled around and mingled.
Of course the point was to meet people you hadn't talked to before.
Both Lisa and Dalné went to get a denta bean beverage from the buffet table.
The drink featured whilk milk and thalassa seeds as secondary ingredients. The resulting brew had a bitter flavour, smooth texture and was guaranteed to energise the individual who consumed it.
"Ryoo wasn't joking when she said this drink was bitter."Lisa chuckled slightly."I thought it would be sweet."
"It's not that bad if you drink a few more sips."Dalné replied.
Lisa noticed Avan Beruss, the son of Doman Beruss, the Senator who represented the Illodia sector, coming their way.
"You go chat with Avan, Dalné."Lisa insisted."I'll go introduce myself to royalty."
Dalné nodded before Lisa walked away to make her way to where Princess Leia was.
Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan had dark chocolate brown hair that was styled in a braided bun and warm brown eyes. She wore a stylish high-collared violet dress with matching purple flats.
Next to her was Winter.
Her adopted sister
Winter had platinum white hair that was braided and light blue eyes. She wore a lovely white dress with long sleeves.
Lisa bowed at the Alderaanian Princess and her companion.
"Hello, Princess Leia and Winter."Lisa greeted with a smile."I am Lisa Naberrie."
Winter smiled lightly at Lisa.
"Nice to meet you, Lisa."Winter remarked.
"Hi."Leia grumbled with a small wave.
From the sound of her voice, Lisa noticed Leia looked anything but happy.
"Something wrong, your highness?"Lisa asked.
"I am fine. But please just call me 'Leia', Lisa."Leia stated."I am a Princess, but outside Alderaan, titles are meaningless to me."
"Sure."Lisa answered with a nod."Okay."
Winter looked at Leia.
"Leia, you know father just wants you to attend the Apprentice Legislature so that you'll be ready to take his place in the Senate in the future."Winter reminded.
A scowl escaped from Leia's mouth before she folded her arms.
"A girl can only take so much primping and positioning, I know our father and aunts mean well, but I didn't ask to be the Princess of the Royal House of Alderaan."Leia complained."What worse we get a rancor of a nanny known as Madame Vesta. The headmistress of Alderaan Select Academy for Young Ladies who for some reason thinks 'real ladies' can walk with books over their heads."
Lisa became surprised at Leia's declaration while Winter simply covered her face.
"Must be hard being a royal princess."Lisa assumed.
"It's not all bad."Leia assured with a smirk."Believe it or not, I actually performed the Dance of the Twi'lek Slave Girl in front of a large audience at a dance performance at the Alderaan Select Academy for Young Ladies. I had no choice, but to express myself at any available opportunity night."
Lisa frowned and sweat dropped at Lisa's declaration.
"I find your lack of upper-class gentility disturbing."Lisa declared.
Winter simply chuckled at Lisa's respond.
Back in Chandrila, Nadia was in her apartment and getting changed while Ferus was helping Zachary and Gwendolyn with their school homework.
Even though she and Ferus were now parents, the two Jedi Knights were taking part on missions to aide the rebellion against the Empire.
Nadia wore a crimson red silk buttoned shirt, a gold necklace with a cross gem on it and dark grey leather pants with a belt and chain attached to them to tie it all together. She also wore black boots that offered her a little more coverage than the average high heel. On her hands were black gloves.
The raven haired woman was in the bedroom of her and Ferus, putting together the last pieces of a lightsaber rifle while speaking to Fulcrum.
"Don't fell for his shenanigans."Nadia warned while working on the lightsaber rifle held in her hands."Gall Trayvis may be an exiled Imperial senator and rebel sympathiser. But in reality, his an Imperial spy who uses his anti-Imperial transmissions to identify rebel sympathisers. Think of him as another of those filthy snakes that the Empire use to do more of their dirty work."
Nadia moved the screwdriver to the bottom part of the lightsaber rifle.
"In that case, I should warn the others about Senator Trayvis since his clearly dangerous."Fulcrum insisted.
"First warn our top three supporters. Senator Bail Organa, Senator Mon Mothma and Senator Garm Bel Iblis. It's because of them that our rebellion is so far growing even more."Nadia stated before smirking upon seeing she got the lightsaber rifle ready."But that doesn't mean we aren't doing our parts as well."
A slight chuckle escaped from Fulcrum's mouth.
"Right, Dia."Fulcrum responded."But please be careful. I don't want anything to happen to you and your family."
Nadia simply smiled as she glanced at the holo-image of Fulcrum's symbol.
"The same with you…Ahsoka."Nadia stated.
Then Fulcrum ended her contact with Nadia as RG-G1 beeped and went over to his companion.
"Yes, G-G."Nadia replied as she stood up and placed the lightsaber rifle underneath the bed."We'll be heading out now."
Nadia headed to the living room to join her husband and two children.
"Heading out again, hun?"Ferus assumed.
"Something has come up."Nadia admitted.
Both Zachary and Gwendolyn groaned in disappointment.
"That's the fifth time this month, mum."Gwendolyn pouted.
"Be careful, please."Zachary instructed with a hint of worry.
Nadia smirked before she planted a kiss on both Zachary and Gwendolyn's foreheads.
"I will be back for you two realise."Nadia assured."Make sure to behave and help out your father with anything."
"Yes, mum."Zachary and Gwendolyn answered in unison.
Ferus gave Nadia a small kiss on the lips.
"See you later, Dia."Ferus stated."I love you."
"I love you too."Nadia declared.
RG-G1 beeped goodbye to Ferus, Zachary and Gwendolyn before following Nadia out of the apartment.
Nadia and RG-G1 headed off into Hanna City as well as avoiding the stormtroopers that were lurking around.
Not longer after Darth Sidious made himself Emperor, he had the Imperial Senate to authorise the replacement of the Clone Army with conscripted Stormtroopers and the Senate approved the bill.
"Palpatine's secret to success: "You do the thing, I win. You do the opposite of the thing, I win even more more."Nadia muttered coldly under her breath."It ticks me off how his always many steps ahead of us."
Nadia and RG-G1 made their way to the Hanna City Spaceport.
Consisting of three 20-story hangar buildings on the western side of Hanna City's downtown, the cylindrical towers were a kilometer wide and were punctuated with the gapping maws of dozens of hangar bays. Each bay was equipped with tractor projectors which guided landing craft to a smooth landing. The spaceport could accommodate craft 600 meters long.
Operated by the Chandrilan Security Force, the Spaceport's security focused on preventing the introduction of harmful parasites which could be intentionally or unintentionally introduced to Chandrila from off world craft.
Nadia glanced at RG-G1.
"Docking Platform E-22."Nadia informed."There is a ship waiting."
RG-G1 let out a beep before he went away from Nadia.
Nadia made her way to the restroom of the ladies within the spaceport and headed inside it.
After seeing no one was around, the raven haired woman used a laser pen to open the ventilation duct above the wall before.
Nadia used her hands to remove the cover before easily slip herself into the ventilation duct before using the Force to carefully put it back to where it was.
As she quietly yet carefully slithered in the ventilation duct, Nadia lifted up her the sleeve on her right wrist to reveal a grey bracelet and pressed a blue button that showed a holo-image of Docking Platform E-22.
"Imperials officer around the docking platform?"Nadia murmured and then smirked."Not a problem."
After taking a couple of turns, Nadia arrived to the part of the ventilation duct which led to Docking Platform E-22.
Nadia placed a breathing mask on before she took out a tiny gun which unleashed knockout gas into the docking platform.
The imperial officers started to cough from the gas before collapsing into unconsciousness.
Nadia opened the ventilation duct before jumping down to deactivate her gun.
She made her way to the bay door from inside to let in RG-G1.
"Good job, G-G."Nadia praised.
Nadia then opened the outer bay door to the opposite landing bay.
RG-G1 beeped as he followed Nadia to the Action VI Transport.
Nadia pressed a few buttons to start the Action VI Transport before it took off from the landing bay of Docking Platform E-22.
As the Action VI Transport flew off from Hanna City, a small smile grew on Nadia's face as she thought of her family.
RG-G1 let out a beep.
"We'll come back."Nadia murmured.
The Action VI Transport flew off from Chandrila before jumping into hyperspace.
The first real session of the Apprentice Legislature began with introductions.
Lisa had never been more grateful that only forty worlds sent representatives these days.
If she'd been involved a generation ago, she wasn't sure she could've endured thousands of people naming their home worlds and a hobby.
She paid careful attention the entire time.
You never knew what detail might offer common ground or an interesting insight, but concentrating on this kind of minutiae for so long made her head hurt.
When she and Dalné reached the Naboo pod, Lisa didn't hesitate to speak next.
"My ambition is to end up in the Royal House of Learning which is a prestigious academy in Theed, the capital city of Naboo. It is noted across the galaxy as being one of the Chommell sector's highest rated institutes of higher learning."Lisa declared firmly."I also enjoy watching pod races. Yes, it's a dangerous racing sport and usually popular sport in the less-developed regions of the galaxy. But its the underground nature and almost gladiatorial propensity that gives me great excitement."
After Lisa, Dalné spoke next.
"When I grow up, I want to become an astronomer."Dalné declared."I like comparing different planets' traditional astrological charts to see if they agree on the influences exercised by various stars. The parallels are uncanny."
The lights moved away from the Naboo pod and headed over to the other pods.
With that Lisa sat down, hands clasped in her lap.
"That was a bit intense."Lisa declared.
"At least it's done."Dalné commented.
Lisa became more comfortable when they finally moved on to their first real order of business.
The lights went down as a holographic image coalesced in the center of the senatorial chamber.
It was four different star systems from disparate parts of the galaxy.
Then an automated voice spoke up.
"The issue: the Emperor will soon build a new academy of aeronautical engineering and design, but has not yet chosen a host planet."the automated voice complemented."The Apprentice Legislature shall weigh the worlds according to the criteria provided in your session notes, and make your recommendation for the site of the new school."
This was the kind of work the Apprentice Legislature undertook.
No security issues and relatively low importance, but with real-world consequences.
"You can't be serious!"One of the apprentices from Malastare scowled."Iloh is the only choice!"
"How can you say that?"Avan retorted."Iloh is a water world. There's hardly even space for a landing field! Harloff Minor is more suitable in every way."
"Except for the high levels of air traffic."Winter informed."At least with Iloh, the skies are free for test flights and experimental designs, including the ones that could be unstable."
More squabbling broke out until the moderator droid began to blink yellow.
The warning quieted people, but made them sullen too.
Lisa looked on in silence at everything what was happening around her.
"Everybody wants to win the first debate."Lisa thought with a small frown."The point of a negotiation is to make each party feel as though they've won."
Lisa took a deep breath before clearing her throat to earn the others' attention.
"If I might."Lisa declared in a firm tone."We're spending almost all of our time talking about three of the four worlds. Nobody's argued on behalf of Bonadan."
After a few seconds of silence, Avan spoke up.
"For good reason."Avan complemented.
A few murmured in the background.
Bonadan was the chief port world of the Corporate Sector and the primary world in the Bonadan system, boasting 10 gigantic spaceports. It was a strip-mined planet at the end of the Hydian Way. The densely populated planet housed many exotic species from around the galaxy.
Bonadanians found off-world were either from wealthy corporate families or those that had escaped the life of corporate servitude..
But it seemed the planet had little chance of improving its fortunes soon unless something important were to be built there.
For instance, a major new Imperial academy.
"I admit, Bonadan isn't the first planet that comes to mind."Lisa suggested.
Lisa gestured toward the hologram in a way that expanded Bonadan's system to fill more of the space.
The green and grey planet rotated before her.
"But it was included in this group of four."Lisa informed."That means the Emperor's open to doing something there again. The world has a chance to start over."
Leia shook her head.
"That's not really the question."Leia stated."We're supposed to choose the planet best for the school. Not the world that would benefit the most."
Lisa held out her arms, encompassing the entire apprentice chamber.
"After the past two hours, I think we all know none of these worlds is clearly better than the rest."Lisa complemented."They all have pros and cons, but they're evenly matched. Any of these planets would make a good home for the academy. So that frees us to consider which one would benefit the most. That's clearly Bonadan."
People remained quiet for a few moments until Avan shrugged in respond.
"Might as well spread the wealth."Avan admitted.
Not everyone agreed. but they got the votes needed to push it through.
With Bonadan chosen, everyone applauded and Lisa couldn't help feeling proud.
She'd found a way to do a good deed from the very heart of Palpatine's government.
That was how you could sometimes make the system work.
Dalné smiled at Lisa.
"Good job, Lisa."Dalné remarked.
"I know."Lisa agreed.
Milvayne was a terrestrial planet located in an intersecting portion of the Inner Rim Territories and the Interior regions at the coordinates L-8 on the Standard Galactic Grid.
Appearing green from above, much of Milvayne was covered in the expansive and crowded Milvayne City.
The upper levels of the city were riddled with towers and passages, and holographic view screens showing propaganda were displayed in midair.
Residents there visited cantinas, more wealthy individuals going to high-up cuisine places.
Below was the Milvayne's undercity or underworld which comprised of junk piles, slums and shantytowns.
Imperial bloat barges pumped foul out of the upper levels and into the underworld causing the area to become very polluted and foggy such that heatspex and breath masks were used by some.
Nadia and RG-G1 walked together in Milvayne City, both of them were in awe to see the big town riddled with holographic projections showing propaganda.
"We got propaganda all over! Lovely lawful Milvayne!"A broadcast declared."Proof how perfect a world can be when you let the Emperor in!"
Despite the boiling anger she had inside of her at hearing how 'great' the Empire was, Nadia prevented herself from rolling her eyes since she didn't want to catch the Imperials' eyes.
No matter what someone thought of the Emperor or the Empire, they always had to say good things about both of them.
Because saying a few words that were wrong would have you arrested for treason and sent to a life in prison.
Nadia became lost in her thoughts as she and RG-G1 walked together.
She was thinking about Anakin.
Not the frightening being that was born from his awful demise in Mustafar.
The raven haired woman remembered that Anakin was a slave with his mother Shmi Skywalker in Tatooine.
However, it confused her that her former friend was born without a father.
That seemed sort of strange in her point of view since a being can only be born with both a mother and a father.
Shmi wasn't a Force-Sensitive being and just an ordinary person.
Then how can Anakin had-
"Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith so powerful and so wise, he could use the Force to influence the midi-chlorians to create life."
Nadia felt a cold shiver roll down her spine upon remembering what Darth Sidious told her and Anakin in the Coruscant Opera House before the outbreak of Order 66.
With the Force, Darth Plagueis was able to manipulate the essence of life, a power Palpatine believed was directly tied to his inward sight.
The Muun Sith Lord could at a distance hold death at bay from his victims, save others from death and when his power was applied to the extreme, he could create new life from the midi-chlorians found in all lifeforms.
Nadia bit her lower lip a bit.
Could there possible be a connection between Darth Plagueis, the Force and Shmi Skywalker?
Nadia slowly shook her head upon realising what she was thinking made no sense.
"Or maybe Darth Plagueis didn't choose Shmi. He tried to conjure life, but the mid-ichlorians sensed darkness and rebelled and…they created Anakin."Nadia thought with an unsure expression."Perhaps, the Force chose for itself the final solution to the Sith, Jedi and the corrupted Republic problem. By manifesting itself into a being so utterly conflicted and incredibly powerful, the Force made all who dared underestimate its will, pay for their lack of understanding. Maybe Anakin Skywalker's existence was more of a reflection of the Galaxy's ignorance of the nature of the Force than he was the anointed Chosen One."
A sad frown appeared on Nadia's face.
"But now Anakin is a prisoner of the Dark Side, so it's up to his three children to bring balance to the Force and defeat the Sith in his place."Nadia thought before a stern expression grew on her face."The Sith always betray one another anyway. Darth Plagueis betrayed his master, Darth Tenebrous and he himself was betrayed by his own apprentice, Darth Sidious later on. Would Darth Vader do the same in the future?"
RG-G1 let out a few beeps, earning Nadia's attention.
"What is it, G-G?"Nadia questioned.
RG-G1 brought his little robotic hand that gestured his friend to look at the tower building close by.
"Oh, cool."Nadia murmured."We're here."
Nadia and RG-G1 made their way to the tower building, where a figure was waiting for them in the entrance.
The figure was a woman in her 40s with dark sandy brown wavy hair that was worn in a low bun with a single curled strand left loose from it. Her forelocks were curled and her bangs were split off-center, mostly brushed to the left. She had amethyst purple eyes and wore oval-shaped glasses. Around her neck was a black and gold choker. She wore a white blouse with ruffle accents and grey fabric on the chest, worn beneath a black vest held by gold straps. She also wore a short black pencil skirt, sheer black tights and black shoes.
It was Sierra Corak.
Nadia's step-mother and the mother of Hal Corak and Maybelline Horn.
"Sierra."Nadia chuckled in joy."It's really you."
Nadia hugged Sierra causing her to hug her back.
"Hello, Nadia. It's wonderful to see you again as well."Sierra declared and glanced at RG-G1."You as well, G-G."
RG-G1 beeped causing Sierra to stroke his head.
After bringing her guests to her apartment, Sierra began speaking to Nadia.
"How are Hal and Mai doing?"Sierra questioned.
"Doing great."Nadia assured with a small smirk."Last time I heard they were in Alderaan and I think you may be a grandmother now. I am actually married as well."
A surprised expression grew on Sierra's face.
"Oh my gosh."Sierra murmured."Really?"
"Yeah."Nadia chuckled in agreement before changing the subject."How did you end up here?"
"Senator Garm Bel Iblis sheltered me after Order 66 break out."Sierra exclaimed as she poured a cup of bantha chai."Once the Jedi Purge was over, he was able to establish a fake ID so that I can safely leave Corellia. Since then I've been keeping a low profile here in Milvayne City as a theatre manager."
"What about my Grandmother Valerie?"Nadia asked."Did she escape the purge?"
A look of grief appeared on Sierra's face.
"I'm very sorry, Nadia."Sierra apologised."But your grandmother sacrificed herself, so that I can escape from the Clones."
There was now utter silence at Sierra's apartment after Nadia heard what she was told.
Her parental grandmother and the only relative that she and Maybelline were fully related to was gone.
She couldn't believe it.
Nadia scoffed as she wiped away the tears that were trying to come out of her eyes.
"T-That was very brave of her to do."Nadia stated, struggling not to cry."She knew how important you were to my father and didn't like the idea of Hal and Mai losing their mother. She wanted to see me to be happily married and meet her great-grandchildren in the future. But instead-"
RG-G1 let out a sad yet soft beep as he went over to Nadia.
Sierra hugged Nadia as she gently stroked her raven black hair.
After a couple minutes of silently crying over losing her grandmother, Nadia silently accepted her loss and then went down to business with Sierra.
"Like all the Jedi back in Corellia, Valerie's sacrifice won't be in vain, Nadia."Sierra assured strongly."I promise."
Nadia simply nodded as she wiped away her tears before Sierra took out her laptop.
"Have you been hearing rumours that the Emperor is concerned about planets standing up against him?"Sierra questioned.
"I have been hearing that a lot in Coruscant."Nadia commented.
"The rumours are true."Sierra stated with a frown as she typed information in her laptop."From my connections, I've heard that the Emperor is planning to create by the name of Project Stardust."
Information appeared on Sierra's laptop.
"Project Stardust?"Nadia questioned.
"It's supposed to be the Order of the Sith's Ultimate Weapon."Sierra exclaimed."I learned that the idea was actually born in the mind of Raith Sienar, who had conceived of it as an Expeditionary Battle Planetoid, although he believed the design was impractical. He shared his idea with his friend Wilhuff Tarkin, who presented it to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, having been impressed enough about the design to champion it in spite of Sienar's doubts about its practicality."
Nadia frowned at hearing at the mention of the man that had Ahsoka arrested for the Jedi Temple's bombing and nearly executed for the crime she didn't even commit.
"Tarkin is in this wretched project?"Nadia scowled with an irritated look."Not a surprise since his a sadistic creep that has no qualms with killing anyone. Even his own men."
"Anyway, during the Battle of Geonosis, Archduke Poggle the Lesser, leader of the Geonosians, returned the top-secret designs to Count Dooku to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Jedi. Dooku took the designs back to Coruscant and gave them to Darth Sidious."Sierra admitted and handed Nadia a file."The Separatists then continued to build their super weapon in the Geonosis system."
Nadia opened the file to see a few papers that contained information on Project Stardust.
"After the beginning of the Great Jedi Purge, an assault was led on the planet Kashyyyk to enslave the native Wookiees for the Death Star's construction."Sierra continued."Various prison planets were also known to have their captives unwittingly construct various sections of the station. The Empire also had Mrlssi scientists working on some of the technology that would go into the station."
Nadia raised an eyebrow.
"What exactly is this Ultimate Weapon that the Empire is trying to create, Sierra?"Nadia asked.
"An abomination."Sierra declared with a glare."A gargantuan space station armed with a planet-destroying superlaser powered by kyber crystals."
A disturbed expression appeared on Nadia's face.
"Starting to see the real danger of this project."Nadia thought in fear.
RG-G1 let out a nervous beep.
Nadia brought her attention to Sierra.
"I'll make sure to warn General Rahm Kota about this."Nadia stated."Whatever the Empire plans for this battle station, it cannot bode well for the galaxy at large."
Sierra stood up and handed Nadia a small USB.
"This USB holds information about the Empire's secret project, Nadia."Sierra exclaimed."Take this with you. And who knows? Maybe we'll find out a way to destroy it."
Nadia nodded in agreement.
"Right."Nadia replied."May the Force be with you."
Sierra smiled. "You as well, Nadia Aomori."
After hugging her step-mother, Nadia left the tower building with RG-G1 to make their way back to their Action VI Transport that was hidden in a docking bay.
"The Force is viewed in many different aspects, including, but not limited to, the Light side of the Force, the Dark side of the Force, the Living Force, the Unifying Force, the Cosmic Force and the Physical Force. So it's neither good or evil."Nadia thought with a small frown."The light side of the Force is the facet aligned with compassion, selflessness, self-knowledge and enlightenment, healing, mercy and benevolence while the dark side of the Force is aligned with hatred, fear, covetousness, anger, aggression, jealousy and malevolence."
Nadia stopped walking causing RG-G1 to notice this.
"If so, then Anakin may have been conceived by the Force itself."Nadia thought.
RG-G1 beeped at Nadia.
"I'm okay, G-G."Nadia answered with a gentle smile."It's just I have to still get used to on losing Grandmother Valerie."
RG-G1 let out a sad beep before Nadia stroked his head.
"But I don't attend to lose hope. I have my own family to take care of now. They're my responsibility."Nadia stated firmly."No need to look back at a past that can't be changed."
RG-G1 let out a beep that meant he agreed with his companion before the two of them continued walking in the city.
See you later and have a wonderful day!