A/N: Well Harvest is over so that means it's time to haul grain. Here, have this.
Reviews and criticism are always welcome.
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
I was sort of excited. I loved seeing new and exciting places, but traveling to those new and exciting places took a fair amount of time. Space is big. I am sure there is some fancy hyperdrive in the lore I am forgetting about. To be honest, I probably couldn't build it anyway. Tal'or forced me to fix a broken speeder once, and perform basic maintenance, such as replacing parts. That was really it for my technical expertise. When something breaks, replace it. Oh, that and lightsaber construction. I was actually good at that.
Master Tyvokka called a briefing when we were about a few hours from arrival. He introduced us to Senator Valorum and his escort of senate guard. Valorum was a decent guy from the sound of it. I knew he would one day be Chancellor, and be ousted in the Naboo Crisis. Provided I didn't fuck up the Sith's plans so much I threw the timeline out of whack.
Valorum told us about how the negotiations were between the Trade Federation who had been having a jolly good time in the Free Trade Zone established in the Outer Rim. They were designed by the Republic to allow business to flourish and the region to become more civilized.
So Megacorps like the Trade Feds flocked to the region to harvest resources for dimes on the dollar, ship the raw materials to the Mid Rim for processing and sell those materials for hyperinflated prices back to the Outer Rim. Yadda yadda, short sighted business decisions, and Megacorps suck. Enough of the boring stuff. This would be the start of the rift that would snowball into the Clone Wars.
Enter our supposed Heroes, the Stark Combine. A group of pirates, smugglers, and ne'er do wells that rallied together to strike Trade Federation ships and steal the goods heading to the Outer Rim. They would then sell those goods to planets that desperately needed them at much lower prices undercutting the Trade Feds and still making a shabyaihi'l (shitload) of creds.
It had gotten so bad the Trade Feds asked the Senate to intervene and they sent us. I hated this part of being a Jedi. I didn't like being the muscle for the Senate. However, I would at least have to pretend to be if I ever wanted to get on the Council and affect some sort of change in the order. Youngling steps for now though.
The Old Wookie then went on about the importance of the meeting and his suspicions at the true cause of the Bacta Crisis. Oh yeah, the Bacta Crisis as the media had dubbed it. Apparently one of the major processing centers on Thyferra was where pretty much all bacta plants were grown and processed. They could only grow there apparently or something. So this caused the price of bacta to skyrocket and caused a massive shortage of the smelly miracle goo. This was the reason the Republic, and us Jedi were brought to the table at all. They didn't want the Stark Combine to steal ships of the bacta that were heading toward the core. Priorities Right? Tyvokka cited that he had sent Knight Tholme and his padawan Quinlan Vos to investigate a factory on Thyferra for wrong doings.
Everyone could also sense the underlying ire he had for Master Qui-gon. Qui-gon's ways were something that rankled the old Jedi's values. He only brought Qui-Gon on this trip to attempt to change his views. I knew of course Qui-gon was on to something. I just wasn't sure if he found the true path yet. So I would have to wait to question him on the matter a few years down the road. I could always look for it myself, but I needed to learn a lot more before I could even attempt something like that.
In the meantime I wanted to meet Qui-gon's padawan. I slowly walked past the Jedi present including Adi Gallia. I had heard the Tholothian was good friends with the Senator and here at his personal request. And there Obi-wan stood patiently waiting for his master. He was one of the most famous fictional characters in my old life, standing there in the flesh. It was pretty surreal. After we were dismissed by the Old Wookie, I approached to introduce myself. "Padawan Kenobi, correct?"
He turned to see me. "Oh, Knight Unduli."
"Please, call me Luminara."
"And you can call me Obi-wan." He bowed slightly and I returned the gesture.
"Alright then Obi-wan. If I may ask, what do you make of this mission?"
"It feels like a fool's errand if I am honest. If it was not something as crucial as bacta on the line, I doubt we would even be here."
"Yeah, I figure about the same. Let us hope Master Tyvokka and Valorum can find a compromise." I wish I remembered what went on at this event. It could be just a footnote and everything went well or it was another orchestration of the Enemy. Most likely the latter or a byproduct of.
"Knight Luminara," I turned and bowed slightly to Master Qui-gon. He had a somber look on his face.
"My condolences for your Master's passing. Tal'or was a good friend. If a bit strange. His obsession with the criminal underworld was something I found odd, but despite never getting along due our conflicting viewpoints, we were still good friends."
"He often spoke of you. Though mostly as a cautionary tale for how not to act as a Jedi." I admitted.
Qui-gon chuckled. "That sounds like him. I should also congratulate you on your recent Knighthood. Quite an achievement for one so young."
"Thank you Master. I was wondering if you or Obi-Wan wouldn't mind a bit of sparring. I haven't been able to do much more than meditate while on the voyage." Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon hopefully.
Qui-gon gave a nod to Obi-wan. "Perhaps on the trip back. Obi-wan with me." Qui-gon gave me a look. I could sense him trying to figure me out. I did my best to give off an aura that I had no real qualms about his ways. If anything I agreed with them. He nodded and left. Obi-wan said his farewells as well before following his mentor.
"Knight Unduli." I turned to see Knight Plo-Koon. I did my best to squash my excitement at seeing the tall Kel-Dor and gave a small bow to the more senior Knight.
"Knight Plo-koon."
He returned the gesture. "I have been looking to meet you for some time. I was on a mission when I heard of Master Tal'or's Death. I wanted to offer my condolences." Jeez Tal'or really did know everyone.
"Thank you, Knight Plo-Koon. I appreciate it. Master Tal'or was a great Master and I was honored to have been his Padawan learner."
Plo gave a solemn nod and asked. "Is this your first negotiation?" He asked.
"No, but I mostly let Tal'or do the talking. It was a minor dispute on Dantooine between farmers. Tal'or offered his services as an impartial voice."
"He didn't let you handle a small dispute." Plo questioned.
I nodded. "Before a real decision could be made, he left to go talk with the governor in Koonda and left me holding the bag."
Plo chuckled, "That certainly sounds like him. Did you solve the dispute?"
"I like to think so. I haven't checked back there in a while though." I elaborated. "It was over a big fancy rock that sat on the border of their property lines. Both wanted it for the front lawn of their individual estates. It was also known as a local landmark of sorts."
"An interesting conundrum." Plo thought and put his hand on his mask in thought. "I would have convinced them both to leave it and each find a decorative rock from elsewhere on the planet. Also they would have needed to seed the small patch of land upon which it stood to prevent future generations from having the same argument."
"Uhhh," That was a good and simple idea. Plo looked at me with the Kel-Dor approximation of a raised eyebrow.
"I may have sawed the rock in half with my lightsaber." I admitted.
Plo was silent for a moment before chuckling, "Rash, but that is one way to solve the issue."
I blushed, "Their bickering got to me. Tal'or was not amused either."
Plo nodded and looked at the Chronometer on the wall, then over to Master Tyvokka. "Perhaps you should stay close to me during the negotiations. You might learn a thing or two."
I nodded my head, accepting the invitation. "I would be honored."
Plo returned the gesture and left to go speak with Master Tyvokka. I returned to my cabin to meditate briefly.
I had to clear my head. I ended the meditation a few minutes before we were due to dock to check my kit. All the tools and standard gear were up to date. I gave my lightsaber a quick glance. I lifted my hand palm up. The lightsaber floated up and pulled it apart with the Force. The parts floated up to my eyes for inspection. I checked for cracks or malformations in the construction. It was fine.
I quickly checked the activation switches. I had a separate on and off switch and a double phase knob allowing me to extend or shorten the blade. I had all the controls on the inside of the saber to prevent it from being used by non-force sensitives. I was going to install a hidden slide plate with an emergency switch in case I was weakened by force exhaustion or a non-force sensitive ally needed to use it. For now I only could activate it internally with the Force.
The parts floated back together and locked effortlessly. I felt the weight in my hand. The durasteel was good, but I needed something better, something tougher. Just a feeling I had since Galidraan.
The Chronometer chimed and it wasn't long before we docked and met the Trade Federation reps on the Space Station above the planet of Trioken. The place was fancy but looked like it was thrown together on short notice to appear all dressed up. That di'kut Senator Gunray was also there. However neimoidian aid with Gunray did look familiar. He was a bit more portly and wore one of those big disc shaped top hats. It appeared he had recognized me as well .
He looked over while speaking with Master Tyvokka. "Oh, it's you." He brushed past the Jedi Master and his personal battle droid escort. I recognized him now. He was that big shot Trade Fed that Master Tal'or and I helped rescue from the pirates… and that karking Terantatek. Small Galaxy.
"You were on that pirate station." I recalled.
"Ah, you remember me. Halg Chut is the name. I never got to thank you for saving my life. Here." He placed a fancy looking credit chit in my hands.
"Jedi, do not accept gifts for aid rendered. Especially Credits." Tyvokka growled at the Trade Federation Exec. The Wookie looked at me. I reluctantly attempted to hand them back.
The Nemioidan looked offended and rebuffed me as he spoke directly to the Old Wookie. "Then consider it part of the Trade Federation's terms in the negotiations. Besides, these are better than credits. This is Trade Federation Stock."
I was glad to see he had such confidence in the Trade Federation's stock. I would pry sell it off, once I got back home. He seemed happy to return the favor for his rescue and had a more joyful presence for the rest of the day. He was actually quite amicable. Really Gunray's opposite in many ways. I remember learning in the Temple that the Trade Federation started off rather noblely. Perhaps if even unknowingly Chut was keeping that spirit alive.
Nute Gunray scoffed, and muttered to himself. "Waste of good stock giving it to a Jedi." he motioned for us to follow.
Plo-Koon moved to his former Master's side and they sat down together at the negotiation table. Master Qui-Gon also sat while Obi-Wan stood behind him. Adi Gallia sat beside Valorum. They were chatting it up like the old friends they were to pass time. There wasn't a seat for me as the Masters present all had their own so I stood. While we waited, Chut was talking quite animatedly with Tyvokka and Qui-gon. Plo was meditating so I decided to wonder about the room, gazing out the window. Just taking in the stars. Then the Pirates arrived. The Stark Combine. I moved back to stand behind Master Plo when I sensed the Stark Combine representatives about to enter.
Iaco Stark was a lean redhead, who wore some fancy yellow trench coat, with a black shirt and pants. He flashed a smile before sitting. He absolutely oozed charisma. He and his cronies sat down at the huge conference table. His cronies were a variety of species.
"Let's skip pleasantries and get to the heart of matter." Tyvokka said having little patience for small talk.
Do you ever have a feeling that you know things are about to go bad and then are still surprised when things go bad? Yeah well… I shouldn't have been surprised by what happened next.
Iaco smirked. "Why not. After all, Gunray just sent a signal to Senator Tarkin and his fancy new Republic fleet." We all looked at Gunray.
"I did not! I would never do such a thing." he lied nervously and we didn't even need the Force to sense it.
Iaco's entire retinue drew weapons. Iaco stood and began to monologue. "Seeing as the good faith of this meeting has been broken if there was any to begin with. I piggybacked a virus onto Senator Tarkin's fleet. Yes he did manage to get one put together behind the Senate's back. This virus is quite nasty. It will miscalculate hyperspace coordinates sending many ships into stars and black holes. Only a mere fraction will arrive and be met with…"
He stopped next to the massive transparisteel windows, and with a flourish of his trench coat, he snapped his fingers. Scores of ships of various sizes and shapes seemed to jump in on command. I will admit I was tempted to clap, were it not for the fact he just sent many men and women of the Republic to their deaths.
Valorum's voice rang out, "You'll never get away with this Stark. Capturing me will only bring on the Republic's ire."
"Oh, no, will they send another fleet so my virus can tear it apart all over again.?" He said in mock fear. "No, I got the Galactic Republic in the palm of my hands. Even so, taking a few important hostages never hurt, especially Jedi."
Tyvokka roared, flipping the massive conference table on its side and hell broke loose.
A/N: So this little war is quite the kerfuffle. This might be a two or three part arc before all is said and done. Then I got to take a break and do some actual story outlining instead of riding by the seat of my pants.