Chapter 2: Child Of The Force.
"We have been able to link our navigation computer to their star charts captain, meaning we can now successfully warp to any destination in this galaxy."
"Excellent news. ETA to destination?" Admiral Decker asked as he looked over some reports on a data pad in his ready room.
"If we want for all three ships to get there at the same time, then at least thirty eight hours. The Nova could get there in four, but the Kentucky and Vanguard's deflectors aren't as powerful or efficient as ours." His helm officer replied.
"Then perhaps we should kill two birds with one stone... inform the captains of Kentucky and Vanguard to meet me in my ready room." Decker ordered, having thought of something.
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After discussing his idea, the captains of the other ships agreed to it, understanding the urgency of the situation. "Helm, you have your orders. Activate the Slipstream drive."
A large circular vortex formed in front of the USS Nova, warping space to form a tunnel that the ship was then seemingly 'sucked' into.
The stars outside his window stretched before disappearing, being replaced by a dark blue tunnel of warped 'cracking' light that constantly rotated and glowed.
Now that they were under way, Decker made his way to the conference room and took a seat at the table once he was there.
Their guests seemed enthralled with the view outside the conference window.
"Never been inside a Quantum Slipstream before?" Decker asked once he was sat down.
"No, I've never even heard of such a technology." Queen Amidala replied.
"Its a recent discovery we've improved upon in the last decade, most ships of our fleet are outfitted with them. But that's a story for another time." Ambassador Decker explained.
"Due to the importance of your situation. I am giving the Jedi 24 hours to investigate the planet while we continue on to Coruscant, I cannot in good conscience leave the people of Naboo to possibly suffer longer just because of a 'force' mission." Admiral Decker explained.
"Which is why I assume you requested that Obi Wan and Qui Gon stay with the other ships?" Queen Amidala smiled.
"Yes. The Kentucky and Vanguard will stay with them for the allotted time and then meet us at Coruscant a few days later."
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(Akira Class: USS Kentucky, shuttle bay)
"I hope the use of transporters wasn't in any way uncomfortable?" Captain Richard Nolan assumd.
"No, it was a most unusual way to travel... bu we appreciate any and all help you give us to complete our mission." Qui Gon replied respectfully.
Obi Wan resisted the urge to shudder. Being transported was unlike anything he had ever experienced.One moment he was on the Nova, the next he was on the Kentucky.
He wasn't cut off from the force at all, and felt every cell in his body as it disappeared on the nova's transporter pad and then reappeared on the Kentucky. It wasn't painful at all, it was just...almost impossible to describe.
He doubt any non force sensitive would understand, as they wouldn't have felt what he and his master had.
"You'll have to tell me what you mean by that later. Anyway, this is Ensign Richards, he will be your shuttle pilot for the allotted time that Admiral Decker has given you." Captain Noman stated, gesturing to a young coffee skinned male officer with short brown hair.
"That is a nice looking ship you have." Obi Wan said kindly, looking over the vessel that was in front of them.
He disliked flying, but that didn't mean he couldn't appreciate a vehicle's looks.
"Thanks, although technically its not mine. this is a type 14 shuttlecraft. Kind of our all the round vessel used for maintenance flights, on planet missions and more. She's more than up to the task of taking you to Tatooine and back." Ensign Richards replied with a smile.
"Impressive." Qui Gon hummed, noting the Impressive curves and sleek design of the ship.
"Well then, follow me if you'd please." Ensign Richards gestured to the shuttle.
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After landing in the spaceport, Ensign Richards had opted to stay behind and guard the ship from any criminals or those who wished to steal and or salvage the ship.
Obi Wan volunteered to stay and help the young man.
And so Qui Gon, Jar Jar and the two S31 Officers exited the shuttle, leaving Obi Wan and the ensign behind. As soon as they had gone over the horizon, a blue force field appeared over the exit doors.
Surprised, the Jedi Padawan turned to see the Ensign typing away on one of the consoles. "I'm sorry but what is that?" Obi Wan asked upon seeing the semi transparent field.
It was similar to technology he had seen on other space faring vessels in the galaxy.
"Hmm? Oh the scanners are picking up a sandstorm so the computer has erected a protective force field. It will still let oxygen in but the sand, bacteria and heat will remain outside so we will be perfectly safe." The shuttle pilot told him, having looked up from his console to see what Obi Wan was worried about.
"So this force field works on planets?" Obi wan assumed, impressed once again by Starfleet technology.
"Oh not just planets but in space too, if an airlock or hangar door is damaged or needs maintenance then we activate force field emitters and its safe to work. We also have emergency bulkhead emitters that come online after an attack or hull breach, that way the ship stays airtight and our officers are safe. It efficient and less time and energy consuming than say, evacuating a whole hangar or area of the ship." The shuttle pilot replied with a shrug, turning back to continue his work.
"What are you doing now?" Obi Wan asked after a few minutes.
"I'm conducting thorough scans, as a scientist and explorer it's my duty to find out anything I can about everything I come across. Scanning a planet from space is one thing, but getting detailed readings on the surface is another, in a few minutes I'll be getting a sample of the sand outside." Ensign Richards replied, gesturing to a small glass cylinder on the side.
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Upon walking through the entrance to Mos Eisley, Qui Gon Wasnt surprised to see a wealthy amount of different species walking about. Trandoshans, Zabrak, Twileks, humans and many, many more.
"What are all these columns?" one of the S31 officers asked, gesturing to the eight foot tall metal devices that had antennas and a cylindrical design.
"Most parts of this area are made up by moisture farmers, those are the moisture evaporators that said farmers use not to mention the indigenous tribes and scavengers." Qui Gon explained, having been to many planets and was thus used to seeing such equipment.
The S31 Officers kept their eyes up, looking everyone and everything over.They were the security detail after all, and while they had been given orders to find out what they could about Tatooine, their main objective was still to keep Qui Gon and Jar Jar safe.
"We must be careful, spaceports like this one are common for those who want to hide and remain hidden." The Jedi added as they walked under a large banner.
"Like ussir.." Jar Jar muttered, averting his eyes from a group of tall thugs who were eying him like a piece of meat.
One of the S31 officers stood closer to the gungan, glaring at the thugs with a look that said 'what do you think you're looking at?', causing them to scoff but look away.
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"What have you found, Lord Maul?"
"Two of the unknown ships have made their way to the Hutt controlled planet of Tatooine, however Queen Amidala is not here, I believe she is still on her way to Coruscant." Maul reported.
"Explain." Sidious urged his apprentice, his annoyance seeping through the force.
"When I located them, I saw the lead ship enter a different kind of FTL, one unfamiliar to us. I am unable to ascertain the technological status of the remaining ships as all of my scans are being deflected, I meditated using the force but once I began to reach out towards the vessels I became... troubled." Maul replied, averting his eyes as he felt his master narrow his eyes at him.
"Troubled?" Sidious hummed.
"Yes master... there are no doubt hundreds of people on these ships, but they have no signature in the force. I know they are there, and that they are alive but there seems to be a... void. like the Force cannot fully reach them. I tried to reach a mind on the ship but was unable to, I then felt a presence pluck my presence from them and brush it aside." The young Zabrak explained.
"Continue to the planet, search on foot for the Jedi ambassadors. They would not leave her alone for no good reason, if you are correct, then I should expect her arrival. These... interlopers have forced me to move up our plans, Do not fail me Lord Maul, find out what the Jedi are so interested in." Sidious replied, cutting off the transmission there and then
"Yes...my master." Maul muttered once he was alone.
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"A dark presence you say?" Captain Richard blinked.
"Yes sir, It was unlike anything I had ever felt before. Almost animalistic but very powerful, My instincts told me to push it off its target and so I did so, it is now gone. But I thought it best to let security and you know right away." A young blonde officer explained.
"Thank you... you have been most helpful." The Captain replied, dismissing her with a gesture.
The officer nodded before leaving the room, heading back to perform her duties on the ship.
"Hail the Nova." Captain Noman ordered.
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'Queen Amidala' leaned forward. "What troubles you Captain?" she asked. She and her handmaidens had been invited to talk with the captain and his wife in his ready room while the landing party was on Tatooine, they had discussed naboo's rich history and ways they could utilise those who knew of it in the senate to empathise with the current situation.
Then Captain Decker's security chief and Communications Officer had entered the room, both of them whispered in Decker's ear and then left.
"Lieutenant Marilla of the USS Kentucky is a betazoid. Her species has very strong mental abilities such as telepathy, empathy and a few other less intensive powers. If what she has felt is true then the landing party might be in danger. Excuse me." He replied, getting up from his chair to return to the bridge, he had to inform the Kentucky and Vanguard to remain vigilant and keep an eye out for any threats.
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"We'll try one of these smaller shops, the Force is certainly guiding me to someone around here..." Qui Gon said. It had been a few hours, with the group having searched many despicable places, including a few clubs and bars, only to be met with nothing but disappointment.
It seemed that whatever or whoever Qui Gon was looking for was nowhere to be found.
That was until, they entered this small store on the side of the street. There was very little foot traffic to the area, with only a few droids and lightly dressed humans walking about their business.
A small chime notified the owner that somewhere had entered the store, and a small dark blue male Toydarian jumped into the air and flapped over to greet his potential customers.
"Good day to you my friend, what are you looking for?" he asked, his voice gravelly and tone overly friendly.
Deciding to stick to their cover story, which was looking for parts for the Naboo Queen's ship. Qui Gon replied: "We need parts for a J type, 327 Nubian?"
"Ahh yes, Nubian, we have lots of that!" The short male creature chuckled, gesturing for them to follow him deeper into the building.
"Boy, get in here now!" He yelled out, his voice losing the friendly tone for a moment as he did so.
A small blonde human ran in through the back, his crystal blue eyes wide and his face covered in dust and sand. "I was cleaning the fan switches." He replied as the Toydarian asked him where he had been.
"Well watch the store while I attend to these people." The same Toydarian ordered.
"Anyway, let's go out back and see if we can get what you need." The flying creature then said, turning to face Qui Gon while putting the smile back on its face.
The young human boy sighed and climbed onto the store table, glad to get a rest but annoyed that once again there was no water left for him on the table.
'Watto and his promises..' He thought with disdain. After a few minutes of Jar Jar and the s31 officers walking around the storefront, the young boy decided to ask something that has been on his mind.
"You are a Soldier, aren't you" The S31 officer he was facing raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?" he asked.
"The way you carry yourself, you and your buddie's eyes are constantly alert." Anakin replied.
"Good observation young one, now what about yourself, You're a slave, aren't you?" the officer deduced.
"My name is Anakin, and I'm a person." The boy scowled in reply, blue eyes narrowed.
He was incredibly defensive and had surprisingly changed moods quite quickly.
"My apologies" The officer winced. "I meant no offense."
Anakin rolled his eyes. They all say that..
(End of chapter two) Hope you are all enjoying so far, I look forward to your reviews and thoughts!