I N W H I C H . . .
Jedi padawan Sylvie Kryze and Qui-Gon Jinn meet two force sensitive slaves who's future choices turn the galaxy upside down.
-Full description inside-
[DISCONTINUED]
It was turning light on the part of the planet that they descended on. The terrain was rough and rocky. Spikes jutted out of the ground, turning a brownish red in the rising sun. Following the tracker, both Jedi Knights flew their fighters above large metal pods with blue lights. The terrain here was flattened and more sandy. "There's an unusual concentration of Federation ships here," Obi-Wan remarked.
"Geonosis prides itself on being a strictly Separatist planet... I'd say they were here for trade, but with the number of ships here... It's more than that. The Federation might not be as neutral as it claims," Sylvie said, thinking aloud. The two parked their fighters on rocky ledges covered in red sand. 'Anakin and Alina would hate this place' Sylvie thought, slightly amused as she exited the fighter.
They made sure to keep them a reasonable distance away so if one fighter was found, they wouldn't find the other at the same time. She followed Obi-Wan, stretching out with the force to locate him.
She eventually caught up with her friend as they reached a place with tall rocky spires scattered around. The two Jedi knights stood in front of a large, gaping, and ominous entrance in one of the tallest spires. Briefly exchanging looks, the two entered the spire. Shadows obscured their vision, but neither dared turn on their lightsaber, using the force to be their eyes instead.
They took a turn and entered a wide chamber. It was intricately designed and, admittedly, quite gorgeous. If it weren't for the mission at hand, she would have surely stopped to examine the carvings. Sunlight poured in through windows high above and an open ceiling. The two of them continued on, Sylvie pausing briefly when the sound of metal screeching reached her ears. She made her way to the edge of the railing beside Obi-Wan, a frown decorating her face at the sight of the battle droids.
There were rows upon rows of them being created. With a long look at the battle droids, she turned away, following the other Jedi Knight down a small flight of stairs. Sylvie froze once she heard voices, proceeding even more cautiously than before. "We must persuade the Commerce Guild and the Corporate Alliance to sign the treaty." She recognised that voice: Count Dooku. She's spoken to him a few times when he was still a Jedi knight.
"What about the Senator from Naboo? Is she dead yet? I'm not signing your treaty unless I have her head on my desk," Nute Gunray said. As they passed the two hidden Jedi Knights, Sylvie got a good look at them and had to stifle a small gasp. Amongst the gathered Separatists stood a half Twi'lek half-Zabrak with light skin and blue eyes. A lightsaber rested at his hip. Hatro Yoran.
Alina's master. He'd been on a mission when he lost contact. She always assumed he'd run into some trouble on the mission, never considering that he was a traitor. Then again... he had been very distant in the past few months. She was broken out of her thoughts by Obi-Wan, who tugged on her sleeve, pulling her into a shadowy corner. "I am a man of my word, Viceroy," Dooku said. "With these new battle droids we've built for you, you'll have the finest army in the galaxy." Another Neimoidian said.
The two Jedi knights moved out of the shadows once the Separatists passed. Sylvie made sure her presence in the force was hidden as she followed after the Separatists. The two Jedi knights hid themselves on the ceiling, listening in on the Count's words. Sylvie looked around at the gathered people, identifying them. "I am quite convinced that ten thousand more systems will rally to our cause with your support, gentlemen," he said.
"What you are proposing could be construed as treason" Shu Mai, president of the Commerce Guild, said. "The Techno Union army-" Wat Tambor's next words were cut off when his translator began to malfunction, but he quickly fixed it. "-is at your disposal, Count," he said. "The Banking Clan will sign your treaty," San Hill said.
"Good, very good." Dooku said, "Our friends from the Trade Federation have pledged their support, and when their battle droids are combined with yours, we shall have an army greater than any in the galaxy. The Jedi will be overwhelmed. The Republic will agree to any demands we make." Sylvie didn't fail to notice how the Count's words about the droid army were almost like an echo of sorts for the Kaminoans and the clone army.
Of course, it could be nothing. Both could have just been boasting about their own armies by calling them the greatest armies in the galaxy, and yet it unsettled her. One thing she was certain of, however, was that the republic needed to be alerted. As soon as possible.
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"The transmitter is working, but we're not receiving a return signal," Obi-Wan said, peering down at the small dish. "R4, can you boost the power?" He asked the astromech. R4 beeped, he couldn't. "We'll have to try something else, Coruscant's too far" Sylvie said, shaking her head. Obi-Wan climbed into his fighter "Maybe we can contact Anakin on Naboo, It's much closer" he said as she shifted the signal to reach Naboo
"Anakin, Anakin do you copy? This is Obi-Wan Kenobi. Anakin?" No response "He's not on Naboo" the Jedi knight said with a frown. A frown formed on Sylvie's face as well. Not on Naboo? He had direct orders to remain there. "I'm going to try and widen the range" Obi-Wan said. "I do hope nothing has happened to him"
Sylvie climbed onto the fighter's wing to see the computer. "That's Anakin's tracking signal alright but it's coming from Tatooine... What in the blazes is he doing there?" Sylvie moved away to allow him to exit the fighter. "Their mother" she murmured, realisation dawning on her.
"What?" Obi-Wan asked. "Anakin and Alina have both been having nightmares about their mother, Anakin's tracking signal comes from Tatooine the same day Alina disappears" She climbed into the fighter, searching for Alina's fighter's signal and sure enough it was on Tatooine.
"We'll need to deal with them later. We haven't much time" Obi-Wan said as she climbed back out of his fighter. "Anakin, Alina do you copy? This is Obi-Wan Kenobi and Sylvie Kryze. Our long range transmitters have been knocked out. Retransmit this message to Coruscant" he said before explaining everything that they had overheard, unaware of the tragedy that had occurred on the sandy pilot.
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