The Shadow of the Jedi

17. Shadow Of Deception : An Angel Revelation

Padme POV:

The news that Corellia, one of our important worlds close to Coruscant, had been attacked and that the separatists had captured many CR70 corvettes during the fighting startled me. The majority of Senate members had lost the principles of the republic, putting the Senate at risk due to the shift in strategy. Calm. That ideal is withering more and more as the battle goes on, so I have to make sure it endures.

Due to my close friend and ally Onaconda Farr, this mission that the Chancellor personally assigned to me to negotiate peace with Rodia is incredibly vital and delicate; yet, there have been murmurs that Darth Mirage is interested in Rodia. As a result, the Jedi have assigned a special Jedi to meet me on Rodia since they are hesitant to take any chances with my safety.

As we approached Rodia, Palpatine was giving us a briefing, and Jar was also present in his capacity as a representative. Our ship nearly lost stability due to Jar Jar's miscalculation and carelessness, nearly forcing us to travel to a star.

When my ship docked in one of Rodia's hangar bays, a cloaked man came to greet us. Before I even moved to exit the hangar bay, I told Jar Jar to stay close to the ship beside C3P0 as a ruse to make sure Jar Jar stays close to the ship in order to avoid causing issues, as the Jedi identified himself as Quinlon Vos and showed me the way.

We were accompanied by one of Uncle Ono's staff as he took me to meet my friend, who was standing next to a garden. My friend and I gave each other a pleasant hug and greeted each other after a long time, but right away he became serious and explained that the republic is failing its people since Rodia is starving.

As he also escorted me, insisting that we would have been treated as guests towards the dining area, I informed him that the senate would hear him as the vote was postponed, as I was certain that Rodia would receive his food. But as soon as we reach the dining area, he informs me that he has made a choice for the sake of his people, and upon entering the door, he stands across the dining table.

Darth Mirage.

My Jedi escort went on the defensive as soon as he saw him coming, drawing his lightsaber, and Darth Mirage did not even have to fight to get his hands on it when armoured soldiers suddenly materialised behind us, pointing their weapons. Quinlon's lightsaber was being examined by Darth Mirage.

"It would be an honour if you would join us." As he directed us towards the table for us to remain seated, the guards escorted us inside the room. "Uncle Ono, what have you done? You sided with the separatists!" As Uncle Ono was silent as I was lashing out towards him on why he joined with Darth Mirage, he then half-heartedly responded to me by saying, "I did not join the Separatists; I joined the Brotherhood. Their farming technology was able to feed my people without any discussion; therefore, I have decided to join them in exchange for this."

Darth Mirage compelled me to sit in one of the room's chairs while he proposed a unique and unusual treaty. He proposes that, since it is the people's decision, Rodia and the brotherhood just exchange food and supplies and refrain from engaging in military occupations in other situations. The brotherhood will appoint a delegate to oversee Rodia's growth; because the brotherhood seeks unity, it is not up to the individual to determine who to join.

As I argue that the republic will assist and the senate will hear Uncle Ono's voice in the current troubles in Rodia, Darth Mirage informs me, "Then where are they?" "Where are their supplies?" As he motions towards Uncle Ono, "The Republic's ideals are slowly dying as the war merely reveals the Senate's incompetence." I was ready to object to how he perceives the Senate, but he raised his hand to allow him to continue.

"The republic supports anti-slavery, yet why have the outer rim worlds, Hutts, and primarily the Zygerrians still used slaves? What changes have a signature made? Nothing." What has this to do with the current situation in the Republic?