"When I was deployed to Sanghelios there was this little Sangheili boy, their civil war had torn apart the town he was from, I was there on a humanitarian mission and reached out with a bag of beef jerky I had smuggled from the ship, he took it and his mother seemed very hostile at first but I think in the end they all got that we were here to help and not for vengeance."
"Why would you help them, even after everything you mentioned that happened to your family?"
"Because I wouldn't stoop down to the level of the Covenant."
—Response from Fmr Staff Sergeant Rhodey Forester to Interstellar Satellite Public Affairs Network, 17th of May 2564
Location: UTSC Song of the East
December 11th 2577
Queen Padme Amidala
With a shake, the Autumn Class Heavy Cruiser, Song of the East exited slipspace, the large garden world of Naboo filling the sight of Queen Amidala. Her homeworld, under a terrible blockade by the Trade Federation, all for the simple reason of taxation.
Her escape from the world was assisted by the presence of 2 Jedi and a few stragglers of her loyal Royal Guard. After the ad-hoc groups perilous journey Padme expected the Republic to help Naboo and liberate it's people from its struggles.
Naboo after all was an important system. So guess how much of a shock she was in for when her call for help was outright ignored if not completely rejected by the Galactic Senate. She had called a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum in response, but in the end she left the building feeling empty handed.
At least until the so-called Terran's arrived. They were a new species, or rather civilization considering they were also human, however many speculated they were galactic outsiders due to their ships and weird method to do FTL travel.
But none of that mattered to the young Queen when they offered their help to liberate her world from the brutal Trade Federation blockade. If the Republic couldn't take the reigns of its own constituents than Padme was more than content to get help from elsewhere.
"Captain, I am assured that you can liberate our world from the Federation, how will you do that with one ship?" Padme asked, stepping forward towards the captain
"I assure you, your royal majesty, the East is the best marksman in the Andromedan Command, we will secure the planet by the end of the day," Captain Nuygen Benson boasted, his smile assuring the young Queen.
Padme returned it in kind. The Terrans had been more helpful to her and her people than the Republic, providing humanitarian assistance when the crisis first erupted and now, in secret of course, promised to provide military intervention.
"Please excuse me Captain but isn't that rather ambitious? To take a planet back in a day is rather rare, much more so with the military prowess of the Trade Federation," came the reply from one of the Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, the experienced force user standing near his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, each flanked by guards which Padme learned were named 'marines'.
"Master Jedi, respectfully to be a pessimist and a military man is a recipe for disaster, besides I would love to see the Republic try their hand at creating a military other than a rag-tag group of stuck up nobles," Benson simply replied, his tone blank, absent of any hostilities. Though he didn't trust the Jedi in general, he was willing to work with them if it meant the liberation of a planet under corporate rule.
"Honorable Captain, we are getting a hail from the flagship, ID indicates its the Vuutun Palaa," an avatar of a human male in what seemed to be a version of the Terran's officer uniform, only much older with all the buttons she could spot.
Padme had learned from the Captain that this was a so called Artificial Intelligence, it wasn't far off from that of a droid brain and Padme could understand such concepts
"Put 'em on, lets see what the hell they want," Captain Benson boomed, turning towards the large screen positioned just above the bridge windows.
Just seconds later the face of a neimoidian popped on the screen.
"I am Daultay Dofine of the Trade Federation defense fleet." the Neimoidian captain replied, "and I am ordering you to turn your vessel around and head back to your own system. Naboo is under our control and you have no business being here."
Padme straightened her dress out and puffed out her chest. "It is my duty as the head monarch of Naboo to protect the Naboo people which I hereby denounce your actions and order you to leave."
"How arrogant of you! You are one ship against a full fleet!" the Neomodian captain replied, borderline screeching as Padme saw Captain Benson scoff.
"We will see soon enough Captain, cease transmission!"
With that the comm link faltered as silence fell across the bridge.
"Sir, I got a positive target lock for tracks 1002 and 1003," one of the weapons officers stated as Benson shifted his face firm as Padme and the rest of the Naboo delegation held their bated breath.
"Then fire at will!"
In the blink of an eye, the Song of the East's front end erupted, he so called 'Magnetic Accelerator Cannon' Battery slinging 2 900 ton shells crashing into 2 Lucrehulk Class Battleships at 4% the speed of light (or so Padme had been told by the Captain), the slugs ripping through their shields and bisecting them into expanding debris fields.
Padme looked on, her eyes widened in shock as with each passing minute another Trade Federation Battleship was destroyed.
"Sir! Counting 7 kills, sensors indicate we have an open corridor straight to Theed," one of the sensor officers exclaimed as Captain Benson turned on his heel to Padme.
"Well your highness I believe this is where we split, I'll provide you my Marine contingent to guard you on your journey, reinforcements from Andromeda Command report they'll be here within an hour."
Padme nodded, still in awe at the sheer devastation wrought by the Song of the East in mere moments. The Trade Federation's blockade, which had held her planet in a stranglehold, was now fractured, its most powerful warships reduced to nothing more than drifting wreckage. The bridge of the ship remained silent for a brief moment, the weight of what had just transpired settling in. Even the Jedi seemed impressed, though Qui-Gon merely folded his arms, his face unreadable.
Before Padme could respond, a new voice interjected—a voice that made Captain Benson's brow furrow in visible discomfort.
"Excuse me, sir Captain sir! Messa say, da Naboo no just fight with da blasters and da big booms, oh no! Da Grand Army of da Gungans, wessa ready to fight too! Wessa gonna help smash da droid army on da ground, yessa!"
All eyes turned toward Jar Jar Binks, who had stepped forward excitedly, gesturing wildly with his long arms. The Gungan's large, amphibious eyes blinked eagerly as he awaited a response.
Captain Benson stared at him for a moment, clearly at a loss for words. His fingers tapped idly against his belt as if he were trying to process what had just been said. "I—uh… what?"
Padme suppressed a small smile, stepping in to clarify. "Captain, the Gungan Grand Army is prepared to engage the droid forces on the surface. They are well-trained warriors, and their numbers will give us the advantage we need to retake the planet."
Benson blinked, still eyeing Jar Jar warily. "Right. Sure. An army of, uh, Gungans?" He turned slightly, lowering his voice. "Are they always this… articulate?"
Qui-Gon, ever composed, merely smiled. "Jar Jar speaks for his people, and he speaks the truth. The Gungans are a formidable force."
Jar Jar nodded enthusiastically. "Yessa! Wessa gots big boomas, big shieldy things! Wessa gonna trick da droids into a biiiiig fight, then BOOM! No more clankers!"
Benson exhaled sharply, shaking his head in disbelief before turning to Padme. "Your Highness, I'm gonna be honest with you—this is a lot to take in." He ran a hand down his face before straightening. "But if your people have an army, and they're ready to fight, then I won't say no to reinforcements. My Marines will focus on securing Theed and taking out any high-value targets." He turned toward one of his officers. "Coordinate with their commanders. Make sure we're not stepping on each other's toes down there."
The officer nodded and moved to relay the information. Meanwhile, Padme stepped forward. "The battle for Naboo is just beginning. But today, we take back our world."
Benson smirked. "Damn right." He turned to his crew. "Alright, tell the Colonel to gear up! We're deploying in five!"
As the preparations began, Jar Jar sidled up next to Obi-Wan and nudged him lightly with his elbow. "Yousa see? Wessa gonna be heroes!"
Obi-Wan sighed, rubbing his temple. "Let's focus on winning the battle first, Jar Jar."
With that, the war for Naboo was set in motion.
Location: Pelican-214, Theed
December 11th 2577
Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi
The whirring of the so-called Pelican was loud within its drop bay, the massive dropship entering the atmosphere and was making a beeline towards Theed.
Obi-Wan had only been with the so-called Terrans for a day or 2 and already he was fascinated by their weapons, their armor, more so their culture as the 'Marines' bantered in the dropship.
The 'Terrans,' were unlike any military force he had ever encountered. Their weapons were crude yet efficient, and their armor was both practical and resilient. And yet, what fascinated him most was their camaraderie.
"So, Jedi, what's it like having a laser sword?" one of the Marines, a burly man with a shaved head and a deep scar across his cheek, called out over the engine noise. The nameplate on his armor read 'Holt.'
Obi-Wan arched an eyebrow, glancing at Qui-Gon before responding. "It's a lightsaber. And it is an extension of the Force, not merely a weapon."
Holt chuckled. "Right, the Force. Still getting used to that. You mean to tell me you can just wave your hand and make people do whatever you want?"
Qui-Gon smirked slightly but remained quiet, allowing his Padawan to answer.
"There is more to it than that," Obi-Wan replied evenly. "It is about harmony, balance, and—"
"Mind tricks," another Marine, a younger man with red hair and a cocky grin, interjected. His tag read 'Richards.' "Yeah, I read the reports. You Jedi can mess with people's heads. Bet that comes in handy on the dating scene."
A chorus of laughter erupted among the Marines, even as their Sergeant, a grizzled veteran named DeSoto, shook his head. "Can it, Richards. Don't make me shove you out the back."
Qui-Gon let out a low chuckle, giving Obi-Wan a knowing look before turning his attention to the Sergeant. "Sergeant DeSoto, how long until we reach the palace?"
"ETA two minutes," DeSoto answered, gripping an overhead handle as the Pelican rocked. "We've got boots on the ground already, but the Trade Federation is dug in deep. Those tin cans of theirs aren't gonna roll over easily. We'll drop you in near the palace entrance. You'll have to fight your way through."
Obi-Wan tightened his grip on his lightsaber hilt. "Understood."
A deep tremor ran through the Pelican as it banked hard, anti-air fire lighting up the sky outside. Theed was burning. Explosions rattled the city streets below as UTSC forces engaged Trade Federation battle droids, the sounds of plasma fire and gunfire merging into a chaotic symphony of war.
The bay door hissed open, revealing the battlefield below. Blaster bolts crisscrossed the courtyard, Marines taking cover behind fallen pillars and debris, exchanging fire with droids perched atop the palace steps.
"Move! Move! Move!" DeSoto barked, leaping from the Pelican as it hovered just above the ground.
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon followed, their boots hitting the stone walkway as they ignited their sabers. The blue and green blades hummed, deflecting incoming blaster bolts as they advanced with the Marines. Holt unloaded his rifle into a group of droids, Richards lobbed a grenade, and the squad pushed forward, their training and precision evident.
Qui-Gon raised a hand, sending a trio of droids flying back with the Force. Obi-Wan cut through another, its mechanical body clattering to the ground in pieces.
DeSoto signaled them forward. "Jedi, palace doors are up ahead! We'll cover you!"
Nodding, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan sprinted ahead, deflecting shots as they reached the massive entrance. The doors creaked open, revealing a long corridor bathed in eerie silence. The sounds of battle outside faded as they stepped inside, the air thick with tension.
Then, a dark presence filled the room.
The air grew heavy, and a figure emerged from the shadows. Cloaked in black, his face marked by red and black tattoos, two yellow eyes glowed with deadly intent. He stepped forward, and with a snap-hiss, a crimson blade ignited in his hand. Then another. A double-bladed lightsaber.
A Sith Lord.
"Holy shit," one of the marines muttered.
The Sith warrior tilted his head slightly, the hint of a smirk on his lips as he twirled his weapon. The hum of his saber filled the corridor, its red glow casting menacing shadows against the stone walls.
Obi-Wan's grip tightened on his hilt. Beside him, Qui-Gon's expression was calm but resolute. "We will handle this."
The young Queen of Naboo nodded. "We'll take the long way."
With that the Royal Guard and the Marines jogged off towards a different corridor.
The Sith said nothing. He simply raised his weapon and took a ready stance. Obi-Wan also raised his saber along with Qui-Gon.
The Duel of the Fates was upon them.
[12 December 2577]
(MODIFIED 15 March 2587)
United Terran Systems Command (UTSC) AAR
FWD TO: ONI HIGHCOM
Subject: Liberation of Naboo & Emergence of Hostile Force-User Entity
Summary of Operation
Operation Codename: Dawnfire
Primary Objective: Liberation of Naboo from Trade Federation occupation
Secondary Objective: Elimination of hostile orbital and ground forces
The UTSC Song of the East successfully executed a precision strike against the Trade Federation blockade, neutralizing seven enemy capital ships within the first engagement window. This created a corridor for Marine-led ground forces to deploy into Theed. Joint operations with the Naboo Royal Guard and indigenous Gungan forces resulted in the successful eradication of all remaining battle droid forces. Queen Amidala's government has been reinstated, and Naboo is considered fully liberated.
However, significant concerns have arisen regarding the presence of a Sith operative—an advanced melee combatant wielding an energy-based weapon comparable to UTSC energy swords.
During the palace assault, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, engaged a hostile force-user designated as Darth Maul. The enemy wielded a dual-bladed plasma weapon, displayed enhanced combat reflexes, and exhibited Force-enhanced capabilities beyond standard Jedi profiles.
Padawan Kenobi survived the engagement, though he suffered moderate injuries. Notably, the Jedi identified Maul as a "Sith," an entity long thought to be extinct.
2. ONI Analysis – Potential Implications
The presence of a Sith warrior suggests that additional hostile force-users may be operating in the Andromedan Colonies or beyond. Intelligence from Jedi sources claims these individuals follow a doctrine opposed to the Jedi Order and could pose a severe existential threat if organized.
Recommendations:
-ONI to increase intelligence-gathering operations within Andromedan space [APPROVED]
-Dedicated black ops teams to assess potential Sith resurgence [APPROVED]
-Collaboration with the Jedi Order for counter-Sith warfare doctrine development [DENIED]
However, increased ONI oversight will be required moving forward. The emergence of force-user hostiles with unknown organizational structure and objectives presents a significant strategic risk. Further reports to follow as intelligence is gathered.
Filed by:
Captain Nguyen Benson SN: 22771-29983 NB, UTSC Song of the East