Sup everyone, it has been a while - sorry.
But thanks to Lucius Walker this chapter has been made available. Hope you all enjoy it.
Also, check out my other Star Wars fic that didn't get to many people because of the problems this site experienced, it is titled 'In the Shadows of the Galaxy' you can see it on my page, you all will see it.
Have a nice evening and I hope you guys will leave a review down below - Enjoy.
22 BBY - Coruscant
A Naboo Royal Cruiser with an escort of N-1 Starfighters had just come out of hyperspace, arriving at the planet of Coruscant.
The J-type Diplomatic Barge was on its intended mission of bringing the planet's Senator to attend an important vote that the Galactic Senate was about to hold - with Naboo's senator being one of the most vocal opponents of it and making her one of the most targeted politicians in the galaxy.
The ships entered Coruscant's orbit. Today was a special day, when misty clouds appeared in the sky, causing them to pilot carefully. After what seemed to be an hour, the Naboo N-1 starfighters had successfully escorted the main ship to its landing pad, the end of a long, tiring journey.
An escort of men waited for the silver ship, where they ignored the other starfighters joining in on the side.
Coming out of the first starfighters was one Gregar Typho, one of the highest-ranking officers in the Naboo Security Force.
A familiar astromech had popped out from the ship with a female pilot, who was still wearing her helmet.
"We made it." Typho finally allowed himself to breathe as the female pilot approached him before turning to the cruiser.
The ramp slid open, allowing the senator and her bodyguards to leave.
"I guess I was wrong," Typho said, turning his face to the other pilot. "There was no danger at all."
*BOOM!*
A massive explosion engulfed the ship and its occupants, with the guards who had disembarked before the senator also being caught in the blast. Typho and the other pilot landed on their backs as they were blasted a few meters from the site.
Once the explosion was over, the female pilot saw the bodies scattered across the landing platform, she and Captain Typho quickly ran to the victims, with the female pilot going for the senator whose white dress was left with only burn patterns and blood.
"Cordé."
Only she wasn't the senator, with the female pilot removing her headgear and revealing to be Padme Amidala herself, now on her knees over her handmaiden companion who was now only moments away from death.
"My Lady…I'm so sorry….I failed you, senator…"
"No…"
That was the last thing Cordé the handmaiden could hear before she was gone, dying in front of the guilt-stricken Senator Amidala.
"My Lady," Typho warned her while holding his blaster out for protection, "you're still in danger here."
Slowly standing back up, Padme's eyes were still focused on the corpse of Cordé, the guilt began to eat her from the inside.
"I shouldn't have come back."
"This vote is very important," Typho reasoned with her. "You did your duty, Cordé did hers. Now come."
The eyepatched captain began to walk but saw the senator still not moving. "Senator Amidala, please."
With much reluctance, Padme went along and exited the landing platform with the astromech following up from behind. They all did their best to ignore the first responders arriving at the scene of the crime.
Later
The Galactic Senate
The Chancellor of the Galactic Republic was amongst the members of the Jedi Council in the political chamber. Much talk was about the latest development of a recent bill that was undergoing the democratic process. That bill was the Military Creation Act - a bill that, if voted on, would spur the Republic to prepare itself with an army for the Separatist Crisis they were facing. The bill already has its fair share of supporters and its opponents. Time was needed to finally decide - something they didn't have much of.
"I don't know how long I can hold the vote, my friends," Chancellor Palpatine addressed the numerous Jedi who were present in his office. "More and more star systems are joining the Separatists."
"If they do break away…"
"I will not let this Republic that stood for a thousand years be split in two," Palpatine told them with commitment. "My negotiations will not fail."
"If they do, you must realize there aren't enough Jedi to protect the Republic," Windu addressed the Chancellor. "We're keepers of the peace, not soldiers."
"Master Yoda."
The small Grand Master of the Jedi turned from his fellow Jedi towards the Chancellor.
Palpatine spared no words asking, "Do you think it will really come to war?"
"Hmmm, the Dark Side clouds everything," Yoda worded carefully, unable to provide a clear answer while looking through the Force. "Impossible to see, the future is."
Then a holograph appeared on Chancellor Palpatine's desk, showing it to be one of his underlings, a Rodian, speaking to him in his native tongue.
"My Excellency, the Loyalist Delegation has arrived."
"Good, good to know." Palpatine acknowledged, "Any news on Senator Jiraiya?"
"My apologies, your Excellency, he has not arrived, nor with the delegation - should I allow them in?"
Palpatine gave a short but frowning look at the holograph, almost irritated, but he nodded with a response.
"Send them in, and try contacting the senator please." The holograph disappeared with one of the Jedi breaking his silence.
"Something on your mind, Chancellor Palpatine?" It was Master Plo Koon himself who first asked. "Does this have something to do with Senator Jiraiya's absence?"
"Oh, nothing serious, Master Plo Koon. Just politics, that is all," Palpatine gave a short response before standing up from behind his desk. "We will discuss this matter later."
It was then that the Loyalist Delegation stepped in, among them being Senator Padme Amidala herself, albeit in different clothing and shaken up.
"Terrible, your tragedy is," Yoda spoke somberly. "A relief, seeing you well is."
Padme did not hesitate to ask: "Do you have any idea who's behind this attack?"
"Our intelligence points to disgruntled spice miners on Naboo," Windu stood to tell the senator but wasn't finished. "However, we are waiting from our other sources for more information."
"I think that Count Dooku is behind this."
"He is a political idealist," Ki-Adi-Mundi said in calm protest, "not a murderer."
"You know my lady, Count Dooku was once a Jedi," Windu added, not believing it. "He couldn't assassinate anyone. It is not in his character."
"I will have to disagree with you on that, Master Windu," Padme politely disagreed. "With what he has allowed not even a year ago, I would not be surprised."
The Jedi did not need to figure out what Senator Amidala was referring to, and it didn't take long for one of them to respond, it was the Mirialan female Jedi Master Luminara Unduli.
"You are referring to the Zygerrian-Terran conflict, are you not?"
"That I am, and the enemies he made himself, enemies like myself, I will say that the thought of an attempt on my life did not escape me," Padme stated to the Jedi as she went further. "So no, I am not mistaken, Master Jedi. I firmly believe that Count Dooku is responsible for this attempted assassination."
The other Jedi looked at one another in discomfort, finding no fallacy in her logic.
"Agreed upon, your assessment I am," Yoda nodded slowly. "In grave danger, for certain, you are, senator."
"Master Jedi." This time it was Chancellor Palpatine who spoke, standing near the window as he stared into the distance. "May I suggest the senator be placed under the protection of your graces?"
Senator Bail Organa stood up. "You really think that's a wise decision under these stressful times?"
"Chancellor, if I may comment I do not feel-"
"-that the situation is that serious? Unfortunately, Miss Amidala, I'm afraid it is," Palpatine interrupted his former apprentice before he continued. "I realize all too well that additional security might be disruptive for you, but perhaps it'll put you more at ease if it's someone you are familiar with…someone like an old friend like Master Kenobi."
The prospect of Senator Amidala being given a security detail by the Jedi Order was something the young Padme initially wanted to refuse, and hoped even they'd decline, but…
"That's possible," Windu nodded to that suggestion. "He has just returned from a border dispute on Ansion."
Padme then turned towards her former mentor, who, despite now being the Chancellor, was giving her a pleading look.
"Do it for me, M'Lady, please. The thought of losing you is unbearable."
Hearing that, Padme sighed as she conceded to this extra security.
"I will have Obi-Wan report to you immediately, M'Lady," Windu assured her.
"Thank you, Master Windu." Padme thanked him, watching the Jedi slowly making their way out of the chamber, returning to the Temple as they were now allowing the Loyalist Delegation to speak with the Chancellor right before the next session of the Galactic Senate would take place.
The moment the Jedi left, it was then that Palpatine resumed sitting back behind his desk with the senators taking their seats right where the Jedi Masters sat previously.
"Let us get to work, my friends, there is much to be discussed," Palpatine spoke to his fellow politicians, then asked, "I believe we are missing someone: the young senator of Pantora."
"Senator Riyo Chuchi had different priorities, Chancellor," Senator Organa told him. "You should not be worried."
"Of course I should not be worried, she's proven herself in the Terran Sector," Palpatine spoke in respect, but asked out of curiosity, "But what has happened that caused her to miss this vote?"
Padme was the one to respond in the name of her colleague and friend.
"A situation she herself wants to fix by peaceful means."
(Tatooine)
A long distance away from the borders of law and order, a freighter ship had just entered the orbit of the desert planet, with its intended end being a certain port city that was the most populated, and the de-facto capital of the planet that was firmly under the control of the Hutts:
Mos Espa.
…
Once the Botajef Freighter-Liner ship had landed outside the spaceport settlement, the passengers were seen in the hundreds making their way towards the entrance of the town on foot. Among the arrivals were individuals wearing dark-brown cloaks over their heads to conceal their identities, with neither of them not being the average traveler or criminal, nor even desperate refugees.
"Are you certain they are here, Lord Jiraiya?"
"That I am, Lady Chuchi."
It was the two senators of the Galactic Republic, the young Riyo Chuchi of Pantora who was accompanying Jiraiya, who had initially wanted to come to Tatooine on his own but had to change plans.
"I do not want to doubt the credibility of your sources, but I cannot wonder but to ask why here of all places?"
"That's precisely why they are here, my lady," Jiraiya explained to her while making their way into the settlement. "It is outside the Republic's jurisdiction, let alone the Separatists, and you will be given protection if you pay tribute to the Hutts on this planet even with a high bounty on your head."
The two senators in disguise continued to walk through the large town with no attention being paid to them, to their luck as the usual life in this city kept on focusing on their own business, the duo was not attracting anybody's attention-
"Look out!"
The two disguised senators stopped as a couple of speeders went past them, among them was one noticeable.
A Gian heavy patrol speeder, a commonly used repulsor lift used by the Naboo Guard was seen bypassing them with a couple of armed men on it who wore disguises over their bodies and heads, some wearing masks, and also carrying slugthrower weaponry.
They went through the street, Jiraiya took a closer look and knew something he told his younger colleague.
"Yep, they are here. You saw those weapons?"
"Yeah, slugthrowers, weapons from Earth…" the Pantoran senator muttered, startled by their open presence. "Does this mean that he's here?"
"Yes, and not just him alone."
An unknown third voice interrupted the two-way conversation and they both turned around to see another person covered in a brown cloak. It was the Twi'lek Jedi Knight Aayla Secura.
"Jedi Master Secura," Chuchi bowed her head lightly to the Knight in respect. "I am delighted to see you again."
Aayla smiled and returned the bow, "Likewise, Senator Chuchi, I am glad you are in good health." She turned her gaze to the male senator, with her expression turning more serious.
"Senator Jiraiya."
"Jedi Knight Secura," Jiraiya greeted politely, having learned the hard way the last time he attempted to sleep with her. "I'm guessing you found his location."
"I did. Please follow me." Aayla turned around and led the way through the busy Mos Espa market, blending into the crowd of unsuspecting locals.
As they were making their way through, Jiraiya had long noticed that some eyes were watching them from a distance, and they weren't the ones belonging to the local goons.
Like from a rooftop where a duo of men were seen standing there, observing the group of three, with one seen pulling out a communicative device, seemingly alarming someone.
Jiraiya turned his head back. "He knows we're here?"
"Yes, his men already spotted me a few rotations ago," Aayla responded to the white-haired Sannin's question. She added, "They just observe, nothing serious."
A smirk emerged on Jiraiya's face, a small token of pride.
"Naruto's spy network? I'm impressed. Rudimentary, but still impressive."
…
It took the trio a while before they entered a large building, with Aayla leading them inside as she lowered the cloak from her head.
"We're here."
When they entered, it was a large cantina that was filled with perhaps hundreds of patrons who were kept busy with the numerous gambling tables, drinks, songs, dance, and other activities that satisfied the customers with the right amount of credits.
"Welcome to the Sanctuary."
A Twi'lek woman in a white dress approached the three. Given that she was followed by a few guards, she looked to be the one in charge of this establishment.
Jiraiya couldn't help but smile at the Twi'lek, his face flush as he spoke.
"Well, helloooo~"
"Ah, Jedi Knight Secura, you returned," the hostess smiled as she introduced herself to the two newcomers. "Beg me pardon, I am Madam Garsa Fwip – I am the owner of The Sanctuary."
"A pleasure to meet you, madam," Riyo Chuchi said politely, "My name is-"
"Oh please, Senator Chuchi, no need for introductions, I know who you are and your fellow senator Jiraiya," Madam Garsa said, calming the young Pantoran. "And do not worry about anybody talking – believe me you are not the first member of the Galactic Senate to walk into my establishment."
Jiraiya couldn't help but look at a couple of Twi'lek girls walking past him, commenting without thinking.
"And she won't be the last one neith-"
"Senator Jiraiya, focus," Aayla told the perverted senator before she turned back to her fellow Twi'lek, whom she then asked with a stern tone. "We are here to talk to him, is he here?"
"Oh? You are here to talk to Naruto Uzumaki?"
Almost as if on cue, everyone in the cantina fell silent. The music stopped playing, laughter was snuffed out like a candle, and even the dice stopped moving. Jiraiya tensed, wondering if he'd have to fight his way out again.
Garsa, on the other hand, merely let out a chuckle and made a small motion that reignited the atmosphere.
"He is here, of course. He rented out some private quarters within my building to not be disturbed."
"Is it possible that we can talk to him?" Chuchi asked.
The way the Pantoran reacted made Garsa smile. "Of course, but…"
Aayla narrowed her eyes. "But what?"
"Such hostilities, those are not needed," Garsa said with both her hands up in a gesture of peace, turning to the young senator and continuing to speak, "I wanted to say you can see him, but he is preoccupied."
"Preoccupied?"
…
It was a dark room, with only one rudimentary lightbulb seen hanging and flickering. It was one of those rooms in the Sanctuary where, if you paid enough credits, shady business deals could be executed.
However, no business was being conducted today. In that room was a single cushion, where Naruto Uzumaki sat, quietly meditating.
His blond hair, which had grown a bit, was covered by a big brown cloak that concealed all of his body. It did little to hide his face, where a scar remained as a remembrance of the war he fought in the Terran system.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?"
In front of him was a holotransceiver, a familiar face of Ibarra Joseph erected in a glowing hologram.
"Yes, it has been decided by a vote that you are the best choice as the Field Commander of the Ölüm Partisans."
The young soldier grimaced at this.
"You do know that I'm not even eighteen, right? Are you sure it's the best decision to appoint me as the leader of an entire organization?"
"Naruto, you have the credentials of a leader, all of it established in the previous war and other commanders agree on it, from Kessel to DC, nobody can say you haven't earned it."
"And Tarik agrees on it?"
"He is the one who suggested it."
"...How is he doing?"
"You know he's still fighting, only now a fight in the courts - with those charges put on him he's unable to leave his hometown let alone his country."
"He still lives in his hometown Hurriya?"
"Since he's garnered lots of support from his country, he's allowed to move around within his hometown under strict conditions. It's essentially temporary house arrest while waiting for his trial. It's funny, really; those Republic and Separatist putas somehow managed to make this man a war hero nobody wants to give up."
It was true, that while many of the senior leadership and senior commanders of the Ölüm Partisans were being held in custody for several charges the Republic and Separatists put on them, ranging from anything from conspiracy to terrorism, none of them were extradited to these intergalactic courts. The actions of the Ölüm volunteers were enough for any country that had a presence they would be protected in more ways than just one.
"Are you up to this? Willing to accept this position?"
Naruto took a moment and decided once he was convinced of the arguments, which did not take long as he could understand Tarik's confidence in him.
Naruto took a moment to think it over before he let out a sigh.
"I accept."
"That's good to hear. You'll be working with Hera Syndulla then. She will contact you soon."
*KNOCK!* *KNOCK!*
The two stiffened as somebody knocked on the metal door.
"You got visitors," the guard outside the room grunted. "Want me to let them in?"
"Just a minute!" Naruto turned back to the holographic form. "Thank you, Joseph. I need to go now."
"Of course, may the Force be with you."
The transmission ended, leaving Naruto there by himself in the dark until he snapped his fingers, turning the lights on as he called out: "Let them in."
The door opened, and the guard who stood in front of the entrance stepped aside, allowing the visitors to enter – with one familiar face earning a smile.
"Good to see you still breathing, brat."
"Likewise," Naruto remarked back. "And for once you come in with good company."
"I always come in with good company–"
"Without paying them up front."
A stifled laugh threatened to escape the two blue-skinned women, with Senator Chuchi holding a hand over her mouth while Aayla giggled.
Jiraiya's eyebrow twitched at that, but he returned the smile. "I'll give you that one, brat. Good one."
Smiling, the blond stood up from his seat bowed respectfully to the three visitors, and then offered his hospitality.
"How about I treat you all for some lunch? I'm buying."
Coruscant
Jedi Temple
The Jedi Temple's High Council was speaking amongst each other. Part of the great discussion was a holographic figure of one of their own who had just entered the meeting.
"Master Quinlan Vos, are you sure about these developments?" Master Plo Koon asked.
"I am completely convinced by my sources, Master Plo – these three names are the ones who have been brought up multiple times: Hera Syndulla, Tayuya, and Naruto Uzumaki." The holographic image of Vos was weak, flickering and cutting in and out frequently, but the audio held firm. "Due to the trials of the current leadership on planet Earth, these three have been entrusted by several factions within Ölüm to continue building up infrastructure and bases of operations."
This information came as no surprise to the Jedi Council, who continued to listen to the facts as they presumed with more to-be-answered questions.
"And this is agreed on, why?" Master Shaak Ti asked. "What reasons do the senior commanders have to promote young Uzumaki to a new rank in leadership?"
"Well, that is hard to know because the main guy named Tarik Karim has just been given his conditions that included restricted contact outside his town. Given he is soon to face his trial. Like many others on Earth."
"Vos's transmission nearly winked out of existence, but it went back to normal after a moment.
"As for the promoted leadership, I can say the three appointed leaders are part of settling tensions down within the Ölüm Partisans, especially with the case of Tayuya who's from the more hardliners."
This latest revelation got even some of the Jedi Masters to look confused, looking at one another before someone asked the question.
Looks were exchanged among the council members, with concern being the main presence in the room, this development was the latest to add to their list of unknowns that needed to be known.
"Your former apprentice Aayla Secura has located Uzumaki on Tatooine. Do you know that, Master Vos?"
"That I know, and not from her I should add," Vos responded to the council members. "My contacts in Mos Espa told me he was in Mos Espa with enough men to take over the entire settlement."
"Location on the other two commanders, you know?" Yoda asked, "Contact them, we must."
"As far as my sources can tell, they are constantly moving around the galaxy. Something about not leaving a trail behind, that's all the information I have for now."
"Thank you, Master Vos, you may continue your work," Windu said to the man. "May the Force be with you."
Vos's holographic image disintegrated with the transmission ending, leaving the Jedi Masters to be left alone to think about what to do now.
Before opinions could be voiced, the council turned to the Grand Master, who was in deep thought about these developments.
"Master?"
Yoda let out a groan as he spoke. "Darkness, I see. Hatred, I sense. Come here in secrecy, Uzumaki must."
And with that, Yoda wearily fell onto his knees.
Tatooine
While music kept playing in the background a few Twi'lek girls were seen bringing trays of food and drinks across the floor, with one of the girls seen bringing a large order to a table at the far end of the Sanctuary, areas reserved for the VIP's who paid an extra credit.
Here is where Naruto sat with the two senators alongside the Jedi Knight Aayla Secura. The cloaked senators were being served food and drinks as they were busy discussing topics.
*Cough!* *Cough!*
Before the drinks could be refilled, Chuchu briefly choked on her drink as she was given surprising news.
"Excuse me…I might've heard it wrong," the Pantoran senator wheezed as she asked again. "How many did you say?"
"Just less than ten thousand," Naruto repeated casually while accepting his tray of food from the Twi'lek servant to whom he gave some credits. "That's what this month's numbers of recruits are, as far as I'm being told."
"Ten thousand members each month…that's nearly a hundred thousand in a year."
"Around that figure, if I may add," Naruto corrected and went further. "Besides, not all are active members at the moment. Many are put in reserve with that many volunteers coming to us after the war ended."
Those figures were surprising to hear to Aayla; those numbers were about how many Jedi there were in the Order now.
"It's funny in a way," Naruto began with a chuckle. "While the Republic is struggling to build up an army, the group they branded as terrorists is attracting thousands across the galaxy, either wanting or supporting us directly or indirectly."
Jiraiya kept a calm look while observing his student.
*Beep!-Beep!-Beep!*
Aayla's comms suddenly went off, and she saw that it was coming from the Jedi Temple. She stood up to excuse herself. "Pardon me, but me and Senator Chuchi need to go for a moment."
"Oh yes, please pardon our intrusion," Riyo said, bowing to him as she followed the blue Twi'lek to go find a quiet place to communicate.
This left the two men, the Sannin and his former apprentice, alone at the table. It was Jiraiya who spoke first.
"You've grown, Naruto."
Naruto stopped eating and put down his utensil.
"That's what war does to you, sensei," Naruto replied slowly, but he then gave a genuine smile. "But I am glad to see you too, Pervy Sage."
"Still with the nicknames, but I'll let it pass for now," Jiraiya said before he complimented. "By the way, you managed to work on your deception skills, excellent."
"Deception as in?"
"Only one hundred thousand, which is true if you only count the main forces that are active across the galaxy," the Toad Sage leaned up forward with his head. "But my sources say otherwise, so tell me between you and me – how many in reality?"
The atmosphere grew louder for a moment as someone in the gambling hall just made the jackpot.
"...I say we might have slightly bigger numbers, around half a million – but not exactly all are trained," Naruto admitted while giving the rough numbers. "One hundred thousand are trained and ready but we got perhaps around four hundred thousand volunteers, informants, supply people, anything you can name who are affiliated with Ölüm across the Galaxy."
"That's still a lot of people, Naruto."
"Yeah, but it's not enough, especially with an enemy as strong as the Zygerrian Empire," Naruto said to his master. "Where we are outnumbered and outgunned, we try to outsmart them and keep our heads low."
"Even in a place like Tatooine? Where the slave markets are?"
"So long we pay credits to Jabba, the Hutts leave us alone," Naruto told him as he further explained. "For every member of my group that resides on Tatooine, I pay a high amount of credit to the Hutts and we enjoy protection for the time being."
"Even when Jabba himself is involved in the slave trade?" Jiraiya asked slowly.
"...It's not a pleasant deal, but we can't afford to butt heads with the Hutt Clan for now," Naruto replied with a sigh.
"Who are the types of people who are among your ranks?..."
"...People who like to see the Zygerrians put back in their place," Naruto said, not saying much as he only added to it. "Not a lot of people were happy with the truce last year, not when many lost their whole families to them…"
In short, many recruits resulted from the victories won by Ölüm, but also from the actions of the Zygerrians, who had destroyed large parts of the Terran planet, leaving many survivors with a desire for justice, the kind of justice that did not lie in the courts.
"Excuse me…"
The two turned to the two ladies who had suddenly returned in a hurry, both Aayla and Riyo were fixated on Naruto.
"Something wrong, ladies?"
"We are being called back to Coruscant. It's an emergency," Riyo told them, turning to the Jedi Knight. "And we also have an urgent message from the Jedi Council."
Naruto raised an eyebrow as he turned to Aayla.
"Naruto, the Council wishes to speak to you in person on Coruscant."
"...When do we leave?"
To Coruscant!
Later everyone.