The Force Wills - Chapter 119

My hologram shimmered into existence, letting my senses expand into the galactic holotank planning room within the Temple’s communication center.

Anakin and Mace Windu’s holos appeared next to me, whilst the rest of the Jedi Council stood arrayed around the holotank.

Both Anakin and I were practically blasting a disgruntled anger and disapproval towards every member of the Council from our inner masks, keeping our outward mask showing pursed lips and not meeting any of our superior’s eyes.

Mace Windu had finally come clean about Obi-Wan’s faked death and infiltration, a mere day before we were due to arrive on Naboo. The layers of deception we were wading through was something we had no choice but to accept.

Master Koon tapped the holotank controls and a giant holo of the Royal Palace of Theed and the surrounding environs were displayed.

Ghostly lines emerged, snaking through the palace, stopping at various points; reception areas, VIP quarters, kitchen, media interview locations and eventually reaching the Royal exterior arena - where the Naboo held most national festivals and funerals - the very place where Qui-Gon Jinn had been traditionally cremated.

“We’ve mapped the chancellor’s entire itinerary down to the second,” Windu began the briefing. “We’ll know where he is at all times from the moment we touch down on Naboo.”

“What local security is in place?” Koon asked.

“The RNSF had been deployed in double strength from their usual disposition around the palace.” Windu gestured with his hand, managing to manipulate the holo controls through the Force. I inwardly chuckled at seeing him able to do the feat of Remote Alter via holo from thousands of light years. Not wanting a mere padawan to upstage you, eh? “Snipers on all main vantage points from the palace and others on the roofs surrounding the palace.”

The positions in question were highlighted, even showing their zones of coverage.

“The stage area itself will be sealed off with a modulated shield for the duration of the event,” Windu continued.

“It looks secure at first glance,” Anakin frowned at the holo. “Though only from an overt perspective. The Separatists will have to infiltrate to achieve anything.”

“The RNSF has stepped up security measures in that respect as well,” Windu nodded, manipulating the holo to show a ghostly pulsing dome that flashed with periodic color.
“Scanners have been deployed in the palace and they will be watching for life signs where there shouldn’t be. The Naboo guard also has hand held scanners that they will use at random, matching against a database of citizens and authorized personnel.”

“Only so far, will the Naboo tolerate, the invasion of privacy,” Yoda said, looking at everyone in turn. “Rely we must, on Obi-Wan’s intervention among the team of hunters.”

“Obi-Wan’s last communication was weeks ago, just after he arrived on Serrenno. We must assume that the electronic security around him is too tight to risk even an encrypted transmission. Hopefully, that will ease when he arrives on Naboo.”

“He will do his part,” Anakin asserted. “Let’s make sure we do ours.”

He stepped off the holofield scanner and his image winked out, his footsteps echoing in the Resolute’s communication room, before the door hissed open.

My internal amusement was enough that I let it slip to my outer mask. Anakin had just given the entire council the Jedi equivalent of a double middle-finger by just leaving like that. I could see quite a few council members openly showing their disapproval and even bristling at the disrespect. 

I turned around to rightfully join my master in the gesture-

“Padawan Tano,” Yoda’s voice stopped me.

“Yes, master?” I turned and only faced him sideways, giving him a side-eye.

“Apologize I do, for the deception.”

“Is that apology from you personally or the Council?”

Yoda narrowed his large eyes thoughtfully at me, “From both, it is.”

I scanned the faces of the council and found only stoic, neutral expressions in return, except for Master Koon - who slightly bowed his head to me.

“Speaking for myself, apology accepted,” I nodded. “I sincerely hope this council will make similar amends to the rest of the Order, when news of Master Kenobi’s survival is made public and especially to my own sovereign, Duchess Satine.”

I could feel my statement resounding through the spirits of the council, especially Ki-Adi Mundi, Eeth Koth and Tiin. Mundi especially looked ready to launch into me about protocol, respect and all the usual ivory tower complaints.

“Every amendment possible, with Duchess Satine, this Council will make,” Yoda declared sternly, his gaze sweeping over everyone. “Value I do, the Mandalorian alliance. Long is our history in blood shed on both sides. Destroying this precious bridge, happen it will not, under my leadership.”

“Then I will advise the Duchess of your sincerity and encourage her to accept,” I turned and bowed properly to Yoda. “I also hope that when Master Kenobi is openly among us again, that he will be given all necessary support. I have no doubt he’s had to do some questionable deeds to retain his cover. Deeds that would challenge any Jedi and push them to the Dark Side.”

Mundi scoffed openly this time, but before he could say anything, Yoda tapped his gimer stick three times.

“Trust in Master Kenobi, I do. If help is needed, given, it will be.”

I bowed again and stepped off of the scanner plate.

My perception of the communication center vanished and I was once again on the Resolute, and walking out into the corridor.

From there it was just a single turbolift ride away from the main bridge.

“Commander Tano,” Yularen greeted me, standing up from the command chair.

“Admiral, is everything still alright this morning?” I asked as I took the seat, my hands reaching into the multitude of holoscreens hovering in front of me.

“Yes, commander. Scouts still report green in the Enarc system. No sign of enemy activity, covert or overt.”

Palpatine’s official transport was a 60 meter hyperdrive capable starship from Kuat that was especially commissioned for the role of the chancellorship. It had a squat body with a forward flat nose that I could see had the design language of what would become the future Lambda class shuttle. This was called a Herald-class and it was one of a kind so far, aiming to eventually corner the VIP transport market. It was currently landed within the Resolute and safely locked down.

Palpatine had so far remained within the Herald for the entire trip - not that it wasn’t unreasonable, when that ship had every luxury of Coruscant squeezed into its hull, including full diplomatic functions. It also had a miniature version of Palpatine’s office, allowing him to continue running the Republic from it.

My eyes turned to the two Venators who were escorting Resolute - the Tempest and Avenger. 

Both were shipyard fresh, but with veteran clone crews and had been built with all the improvements and technologies pioneered on Resolute from the ground up.

Palpatine clearly wanted nothing to happen on the journey toward Naboo. Even if there was no way the CIS could get a fleet through the southern battlespaces to reach us. Our hyperspace course had left the Corellian Run at New Cov, turning south on the Duros Space Run hyperlane, actually taking a slightly longer route towards Naboo.

In the end, we would blast past Naboo by a few hundred light years, stopping at Enarc, before heading galactic north to approach from the south.

In that moment, I stopped all my instinctive reactions cold when my prescience screamed a probability line shifting and heading my way like a crashing starship.

I forced myself to keep swiping through holo status reports from various Resolute department heads and routine reports from the captains of the escorting Venators.

The first overt clue to what was coming was when I heard the main bridge bulkhead doors opening and through my montrals felt five individuals enter. Admiral Yularen stiffened, turned around immediately and gave a salute.

I pretended to bring up a holo from a small cam feed mounted on the rear facing of the command chair, before I abruptly swung it around to face my new visitor on the bridge.

I quickly jumped to my feet and also saluted.

“No, no, that’s all right, commander,” Palpatine smiled, flanked on either side by two Red Guards. He gestured for me to resume my seat. “I’ve never actually been on the bridge of one of our mighty Venators whilst one was underway. Only at shipyards.” 

My butt carefully met the seat again.

“If you have any questions, excellency. Please feel free to ask,” I invited him, pushing away the holos hovering in the way.

He nodded with the ever present subtle smile and walked closer to stand to the right of the chair, forcing me to turn it around to face towards the main bridge transparisteel viewports to keep him in sight.

“I’m given to understand that you have worked with Lira Wessex to help improve the ship?”

“Correct, excellency. As lessons were learned in the war, I reached out to her and directly gave suggestions with supporting empirical evidence, which she took back to the design groups at Kuat.”

“That is certainly to be commended, commander. I hope that she and Kuat are crediting you with these improvements?”

“Certainly where something new has been developed, our names are on it, chancellor,” I confirmed.

“Good,” he nodded, staring out into the infinite tunnel of hyperspace. “Forgive my observation, but it seems you have quite the passion for starships.”

I could only tilt my head in agreement, “I do, excellency. They are what binds the galaxy together, much like the Force. Without them, the light of civilization would be much dimmer and smaller. They bring wealth and commerce to the most distant of worlds. They also project power and bring the force of destructive change to bear against our enemies or the promise of salvation for our allies. In doing so, they become symbols and enter the public consciousness.”

Which is precisely why Palpatine would order the Venator to be scrapped from the Imperial Navy the instant it was formed out of the GAR.

“How beautifully put,” he smiled wanly. “It seems a pity that when this war ends your passion and talents will find… less expression.”

“In an ideal galaxy, we wouldn’t need ships like this, excellency. However, the days of the so-called High Republic are over. The galaxy has recovered at last from the tumultuous post-Ruusan era. Pirates and megacorps can now afford to fly around in vessels that can dominate the orbitals of any planet that doesn’t have a comparable home navy. The rise of the CIS has given an example to the galaxy that a peer power can arise when many worlds band together and go their own way, if they are unhappy with the Republic.”

Palpatine turned his head and looked at me with a complicated expression that I’d almost call a pleasant surprise. “You see it, don’t you, commander?”

I carefully nodded, “That if we aren’t careful in this war, the galaxy could fracture irrevocably, which would be a disaster.”

“Would you help me stop that, Commander Tano?”

I leaned back and tented my fingers, “That I would, excellency.”

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“Go,” Obi-Wan ordered into the comlink.

Derrown floated slowly down from his position in the ceiling of the warehouse.

One of his tentacles grabbed a naboo worker around the neck, choking off any possibility of the man screaming, before the parwan’s grapple hook pulled them both up and out of sight.

At the same moment, Embo demonstrated that his armored hat was more than just passive protection, when he expertly flung it to slam into the face of another worker. Knocking the man down immediately, letting the hunter easily close range and with three quick punches and a twisting grip later, broke the worker’s neck.

Kiera dropped behind another worker with her own grapple vambrace lowering her down, easily grabbing the man behind the neck, where she choked him into a quick death.

Twazzi jumped and fluidly moved through the stacked shelving to land on the last worker’s shoulders, driving him to the floor where a simple flex of her thick muscular thighs ended any possibility of an alarm being raised.

With the coast clear, Obi-Wan pushed open the warehouse door and proceeded inside.

Dooku entered last and let Obi-Wan close the main door.

“We now have our temporary staging area,” Obi-Wan declared to the other hunters, who approached and gathered around a speeder.

“This is it, my friends,” Dooku began, folding his hands behind his back. “The day of reckoning for the Republic. I have it from a very reliable source that all elements of our planning are in place. Execute your roles as flawlessly as you’ve been managing in your training and you will all be immortalized in history. Not to mention, rewarded with enough credits that you will never have to work again. I will let Hardeen take it from here.”

“So far, we’ve only been training in general terms, now we come to the specifics.” Obi-Wan pulled off the backpack he had been wearing and started handing out ocular HUDs that fitted like a circlet over the head of each hunter. “These HUDs will guide you precisely every step of the way and the timing required for each of your roles.”

“I understand security in this division of roles,” Kiera hissed, fitting the HUD circlet. “But what if something goes wrong? What’s the bigger picture?”

“If you’re as clever as your accomplishments imply, you should’ve been able to figure that out,” Obi-Wan sneered. “If something goes wrong to that degree, then the plan falls apart and you might as well kill yourself. As far as overall roles, Derrown will be on shield breaker duty. Kiera, you will be guarding and flying our transport. Embo and Twazzi will take on the role of Senate guards protecting the chancellor. I will be coordinating and overseeing you from my sniper perch. Once we have the chancellor, your HUDs will lead you to the rendezvous point. Any questions? ”

The hunters looked at each other in silence.

“Good. Next you will need these.” He handed out six disc shaped objects with emitters glowing in blue on each. “These are Sinrich holo matrix disguises. They work against eyes and scanners. They even have active translation circuitry, so Derrown and Embo won’t have to worry about landing in a conversation with someone. Do keep it brief if you have to speak to someone.”

Derrown slapped the disc to his chest and his form was instantly swallowed by a perfect projection of a Red Guard, then it changed into the blue armored form of a Senate Commando.

“You have two forms to choose from. Your HUD will advise on which to use depending on where you are. Derrown, do watch your tentacles poking through the disguise. Embo, you’ll have to leave your hat behind.”

The kyuzo pulled off his heavy solid steel hat, then slapped on his holo disguise.

“If I lose it, then you’ll pay,” said the hunter in rasping yet fluent Basic.

Obi-Wan ignored the threat, “When you leave there’ll be no communication with the rest of the team. The Republic will be scanning every frequency there is for suspicious signals. The best our HUDs can do are short encrypted text messages from me. Understood?”

Everyone nodded.

“Good. Now get your disguises on and get to your positions.”

“Nicely done, Hardeen,” said Dooku as the hunters walked off towards the warehouse entrance.

“Congratulations are for when the job is done,” said Obi-Wan flatly.

“Quite, but you’ve done well to forge them into a loose team at least. That said, make sure each of them sticks to the plan.”

Obi-Wan tapped the side of his Mandalorian helmet, its own upgraded HUD displaying a small point of view feed from each hunter. The Republic and the RNSF couldn’t watch every broadcast in a city the size of Theed. The data feed he was using was actually bandwidth disguised within the channel of a children’s entertainment network. Dooku had found the idea ingenious and amusing.

“Oh, I will.”

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It was nice to be back.

Naboo was as beautiful from orbit and in the sky as always.

Anakin had taken the liberty to pilot the Herald and declare it ‘adequate’ in terms of safety and performance. It had enough active ECM and decoys to outfit an entire fighter squadron, with dedicated droid intelligences to manage everything. I wished anyone luck in gaining a missile lock and even if they did, it would be hell for a missile to navigate its way through the EM hell that the ship could project.

Even so, we weren’t resting on our laurels and I had ordered the entire Wraith Squadron to escort us down to Theed.

Soon the Herald was nearing the edge of the city and the Naboo Royal palace perched on the plateau edge with thundering waterfalls came into view.

Anakin easily guided the ship straight into the Royal hangars, where four full squadrons of latest model Naboo Royal N1-B starfighters were perched in their overhead cradles. 

The ship thumped as it settled on its landing struts and Anakin began post flight checklists.

“Think we can squeeze in a flight on those beauties, master?” I pointed to the fighters.

“I’ll see what Senator Amidala can manage,” he said with a small smile.

Just from looking at them I could see that the Theed Royal Engineering Corps had outdone themselves, changing the design for the evolving threat environment of the war. The engine nacelles were slightly larger, definitely translating to improved accelerations. I knew the old N1 could push themselves to 3750Gs, meaning the N1-B had to be pushing beyond 4000.

It had two torpedo launchers like the old one, but from the lower bulk of the fighter I could tell that they had much larger magazines and could definitely fit larger anti-capital two stage torpedoes.

I blinked as I spotted another bulge further after on the underside of the fighter.

“They managed to fit an integral hyperdrive in them,” I said with delight.

Anakin looked up and squinted his eyes through the forward viewport, “Impressive. That must be an entirely new drive to fit in that limited space. Not going to be long range though, not unless they have drop tank attachments.”

I nodded, “But it definitely lets the Naboo project power across the entire sector now. It means that if the Eriadu front falls and the CIS pushes us back to Darknell, that the RNSF will be able to join the fight there.”

“We won’t let it come to that,” he said firmly.

Palpatine, Mas Amedda with the Red Guard, Mace Windu, Anakin and myself emerged from the short embarkation ramp of the Herald.

Waiting for us was Padme, Queen Neeyutnee, Minister Sio Bibble and Senator Bail Organa with their own respective aides, entourages and security.

Palpatine took the lead and bowed his head respectfully to Neeyutnee.

“Greetings, your majesty.”

“Greetings, chancellor,” the young queen smiled, her elaborate makeup perfectly holding together. “I am relieved to see your journey to Naboo was uneventful. Welcome home.”

“Yes, it is good to be back,” Palpatine visibly breathed in the air through his nose, as if savoring the smell of home, even though he was in a sterile Royal military hangar. “Although as you can see the amount of security that has accompanied me is… what was that interesting term you used, Commander Tano?”

“Overkill, excellency,” I let my eyes twinkle with amusement.

“Overkill, yes.”

“With all due respect, chancellor. Where your safety is concerned, there is no such thing as… overkill,” Windu flashed me a raised eyebrow.

“So you keep insisting, Master Jedi,” said Palpatine dismissively. “Between the Red Guard, Anakin, Ahsoka and yourself, I’m as protected as a sentient can be in this galaxy. Now, I grow tired of discussing it. There is a long day ahead of us and I wish to relax among the sights and sounds of home while I’m here.”

Palpatine walked off with Amedda, whilst the rest of the politicians and bodyguards fell in step.

“Anakin, Ahsoka,” Padme had hung back to join us. She was looking smouldering as always; her brown hair tamed into a partial bun, with an elaborate circular headdress that looked like two angel wings keeping the ensemble together. Her dress was an imperial purple number that hugged all the right spots and gave an outward flare at her hips. “Welcome to the festival.”

“I’m looking forward to this festival, it’ll be my first opportunity for one,” I said with a smile as we emerged into an elegant palace corridor from the hangar.

The palace itself had extra decorations in place hanging from the ceilings and walls, with all sorts of scrolling holograms proclaiming the festival.

“There will be a large crowd, meaning it will make it much easier for Dooku to hide among them,” Anakin pointed out. “The best opportunity for an ambush will be during the ceremony itself in the arena outside the palace.”

“Are you certain that an attack is imminent?” Padme asked with a frown, clearly disliking the notion that such an important festival to the Naboo was going to be disrupted.

“I’m afraid so. That’s why Ahsoka will be assigned to you as bodyguard. If there’s trouble, she’ll get you, the queen and the rest of your staff to safety or defend you if needed.”

“And you?” she asked with a knowing glint in her eye.

“Hopefully, I’ll be where I always am.”

“Saving the day, as usual, master,” I teased with a grin.

Anakin harrumphed in annoyance and hurried forward to the front of the chancellor’s procession.

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If there was one thing about the holomatrix disguises that Obi-Wan quickly learned, is that they didn’t like you moving your limbs too quickly.

The small computer inside was extremely impressive for its size and performance. It was clear that Sinrich’s primary breakthrough had been to tinker and downscale the control computer, whilst keeping the resolution high. Then he had integrated an ECM module powerful enough to actively hijack any incoming scanner.

It was a marvel and now effectively in the hands of the CIS.

The only upside of the entire situation was that Dooku would also want to keep the technology close to his chest and not hand it out to the entire CIS. Nevertheless, Obi-Wan couldn’t help but imagine the nightmare scenario of what an entire droid commando squad equipped with the Sinrich disguise holomatrix could achieve.

A look at the feeds from the other hunters showed that they had all successfully infiltrated into the Theed palace, just as Obi-Wan had.

He had passed numerous RNSF patrols who had not batted an eye at a lone Senate commando carrying a case that could clearly hold a disassembled rifle, walking through the upper levels of the palace. It spoke of either complacency or poor assumptions on the part of whoever was in charge of them, especially if they had been forewarned of a possible attack. He knew Panaka was competent, but that didn’t translate to sufficient levels of paranoia in the rank and file RNSF to frustrate infiltrators using the latest tech.

Obi-Wan stopped beside the door to his perch for the entire operation.

Beyond was a palace balcony that commanded a breathtaking view of the plateau that Theed was situated on. Crucially, it also looked out on the Royal ceremonial arena at a distance of just under two hundred meters in a straight shot.

It was already a sniper’s nest for two members of the RNSF, who were perched here and settled for the long haul until the evening’s festivities.

He looked up and down the deserted corridor behind him, also probing outwards with the Force.

Nobody was within immediate sight and the visual sensors in the corridor wouldn’t have an angle on what he was about to do.

He carefully pulled out a dart gun from his case, keeping it hidden at his side and double checked the loadout.

Two quick knocks on the glass door caught the two RNSF snipers' attention.

Both turned to look at him with suspicion, hands resting on the handgrips of their blasters, but relaxed immediately when they saw him.

The spotter stood and opened the terrace door. “Yes sir?”

“Just doing the rounds and checking overlooks, lieutenant.”

“Understood, sir. We’re all-”

Obi-Wan fired from the hip twice in a blur of motion.

The tranq darts caught the spotter in the neck, whilst the prone RNSF sniper, who had not been wearing his helmet to make it more comfortable to stare into the scope, was hit in the right side of his upper neck.

Both men instantly fainted into unconsciousness, but crucially their heart rates were generally unaffected and kept stable.

In this case, the general sensor watch kept over the palace had saved these men’s lives. All RNSF personnel’s lifesigns were monitored and if anyone died, the alarm would’ve been raised. A blaster discharge would’ve also been detected, even at stun setting, so it necessitated the use of compressed air dart guns.

Obi-Wan quickly caught the spotter before he could properly fall and dragged the man down, out of sight. He quickly waved another scanner over the form of the spotter and with a few adjustments his holomatrix changed into the mirror image of the unfortunate RNSF soldier.

It took a bit of quick rearranging, but soon enough Obi-Wan had taken the place of the RNSF sniper, and arranged the unconscious spotter to look like he was staring through his macrobinoculars. The original sniper was uncomfortably bunched up in a corner.

Now as far as anyone looking at general sensors were concerned, there were three human lifesigns here, two RNSF and a Senate commando’s tag signatures.

He settled the long stock of the sleek Naboo rifle into his shoulder and changed its lethal plasma charge cell, for a more conventional cell that would only fire a stun shot.

Finally, he grabbed the RNSF sniper’s comlink, slapped it on his own and ran a program that would clone the signal and encryption. A few adjustments later and he could also hear every RNSF communication on the net meant for all the sniper nests and general security.

Dooku had managed to gain every detail of the credentials and ID of the sniper he had replaced. He knew the man was called Zalth Tal, who answered to the current callsign of Pikobi-4 on the com net. His helmet’s vocorder had a simulation of Tal’s voice programmed into it, meaning he could perfectly imitate it for the periodic twenty minute check-ins.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath, eyed the open case nearby with all his equipment and began tapping on his comlink.

It was time for the first layer of deception.

He pushed his left eye into range of the sniper scope, and began scanning the entire field of fire available to him.

He marked where the other sniper posts were along the outer walls of the palace, before scanning right and finding the Royal ceremonial arena.

Even just looking at the circular outdoor amphitheater brought back the memories.

He could still see and smell the memory of Master Qui-Gon’s burning pyre as if it had happened yesterday. It was now almost twelve years since that fateful fight with Maul in the bowels of the palace’s plasma energy network.

“Obi-Wan? Thank the Force you’re alive,” hissed Mace Windu over the encrypted com.

He felt a spike of irritation shooting down his spine. Ahsoka had warned him about how plainly the Jedi Order in general ‘sucked’ when it came to clandestine activities. Mace had just proven it by using an easily identifiable name over an encrypted channel.

‘First rule of communicating secretly, don’t assume your encryption will keep the enemy at bay. Always assume the enemy is possibly listening,’ she had said in Mortis.

“Yes, I’ve certainly experienced better days,” Obi-Wan said shortly. “I’m here in Theed.”

“So Dooku’s plan is still on.”

“Correct.”

“How are they planning to attack the chancellor?”

Now for the next layer of deception. “Two of the bounty hunters are disguised as Senate commandos, another as a getaway driver for a cloaked shuttle. There’s also a parwan hunter that can pass through the arena’s shield. I am on overwatch in one of the RNSF sniper nests. My job is to immobilize the chancellor with a long range stun blast and then target the other sniper perches, creating a sufficient gap in coverage.”

“So the attack is going to take place in the middle of the ceremony?”

“Yes. They’ll be infiltrating the security zone and their disguises can be switched, but they only have a limited number of verified disguises to fall back on. You’ll need to double, even triple check credentials and identity. The Sinrich holomatrices are very good, but their weakness is physical searches.”

“That’s going to take time, not to mention there’s no way we can overly delay some of the dignitaries, nor physically search them.”

“Sorry, my friend, you’re just going to have to do your best. I can be your eyes and tell you what will happen when. Dooku has put me in charge of the mission, so that’s our major advantage. At this point, it’ll be a matter of making sure that none of the hunters manage to escape with the chancellor.”

A warning beeped from his comlink. “Our frequency is being hunted down, good luck.”

Obi-Wan cut the link and took a deep breath, resuming his scan of the arena.

Now Dooku had conventional confirmation that ‘Hardeen’ was actually not Hardeen. Now he could begin laying out his actual trap for Palpatine.

Dooku had actually known all along, all thanks to Palpatine passing on the Jedi Council’s infiltration gambit to him. He might not have known who specifically, at first, but that had soon changed on the journey to Naboo.

Obi-Wan had to hand it to the old count, he was a supreme actor when he wanted to be.

He reached into the Force, pinging the Bond with Anakin.

‘Yes, Obi-Wan?’

‘The stage has been set, Anakin. I hope you’re ready.’

‘I am. Maybe your team of bounty hunters might give me a challenge.’

‘They’re good, but they’re not Jedi, Anakin. Dooku is here on Naboo, as was foreseen.’

‘I’ll be ready for him as well. I’ve not been sitting idle, Obi-Wan. I might not have Ahsoka beside me for this one, but we’ve trained with that in mind.’

‘Force be with you, Anakin.’

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The sun creeped behind the distant mountains and the early evening arrived.

For all that Theed was a city that housed millions of naboo, they had long ago mastered how to light their surroundings without spilling it everywhere into the sky. The stars therefore created a marvelous tapestry over our heads that displayed this part of the galaxy in all its glory.

I stood on the floor of the amphitheater, near the lowest level of seating where Padme, Queen Neyutnee and Bail Organa would be seated.

The various less important VIPs and members of the public were already assembled and seated, a generally excited din of anticipation and conversation was in the air. Other nearby towers with a view of the Royal amphitheatre were filled to the brim with the general public. Even so, there just wasn’t enough seating to house everyone, so the Naboo had constructed vast floating tiered platforms that could each seat nearly a thousand people.

Twenty of these hung in the airspace around the palace, spaced equidistantly from each other but also close enough that people wouldn’t have to use macrobinoculars to see.

I gave Anakin, who was standing on the other side of the tiered seating a look.

‘Master, have you sensed any of them yet?’

‘They’re blending their emotions really well. Between both Dooku and Obi-Wan’s instruction, not to mention the high spirits of everyone surrounding us, it’ll take a small miracle to spot them with empathy.’

It was rather frustrating and clever of the opposition. My eyes ranged right to left, pausing over each animated face in the amphitheater. Even technometry was of limited use, given that everyone had some form of device on their person that had a wireless connection to the local Holonet. Everyone wanted to immortalize the moment of Chancellor Palpatine’s first Festival of Light since his ascension into the office. It also didn’t help that I had no idea what specifically to look for. Almost everyone walked around with a holo emitter as part of their comlinks, which were in active scanning modes to record the occasion.

It was turning the civilian EM spectrum bands into an outright mess that left me with a headache trying to parse it all.

Cheers and the beginning of a general applause marked the appearance of Prince Organa and Minister Bibble leading the procession, followed by Queen Neeyutnee. Both clone and Senate commandos surrounded them as on the ground security.

Padme followed behind her queen and a few meters later Mas Amedda carried his traditional elegant long staff, marking the office of Vice Chair of the Senate.

Finally, the stately Palpatine emerged, flanked by only two Red Guards.

He had his typical genteel smile on his face, not acknowledging the applause as most leaders in his position would, projecting a serene humble aura.

My eyes were on the crowd, trying to feel any odd or intent emotion once Palpatine was in full view, but there was just too much emotion flying around. Battle Meditation could perhaps narrow things down somewhat, but I’d have to blanket everyone in the amphitheatre and there was just no way I wanted to touch the dozens of politicians, not to mention Palpatine’s soul with that skill.

The one thing that I was utilizing to the fullest though, was prescience.

This entire trip, Palpatine being out of the Shroud blanketing Coruscant was a preciously rare opportunity and I would’ve been a fool to waste it.

Even as he sat down at this seat, a part of my mind was exploring probability lines regarding him.

His own foresight wouldn’t pick up on it simply because in terms of the vastness of space-time, we were both figuratively blind, using a multi-limbed cane and our hands to feel out the future. The chances of our canes hitting each other was vastly small. Bendu’s instruction had also given me enough control to make that eventuality even smaller.

It was quite amazing how much it took for Palpatine to actually shed his fair outward persona.

In one probability line, I had arranged for a dramatic reveal of his alter ego with all the evidence I had. Between me and Anakin, his Red Guard were all knocked out, the clones neutralized by using one of their programmed orders, we had both lightsabers poised at his neck and he still kept his fair mask through it all, confident that he still had everything under control.

Only when I literally began inching my sabers forward with intent to chop his head off did he bring out his stupidly expensive phrik aurodium alloy lightsaber to defend himself. Not to mention Force Lightning that was practically a Force Storm targeting everyone in the amphitheatre.

Even Dooku took the opportunity to go on a massacre through the palace. It only ended when Mace Windu managed to finally kill Palpatine, battering through his defenses with liberal usage of his Shatterpoint ability.

What only the Jedi saw, was Sidious’ body erupting with a titanic geyser of liberated energy, corrupted by the Dark Side that speared into the sky. The Dark Lord’s final contingency sent his spirit and power to be reborn at a specifically aimed Dark Side Nexus, somewhere in the galactic core, where clones of his body were waiting for him to possess.

Dooku escaped on his cloaked shuttle and made best speed back to CIS space. Leaving a headless Republic in its wake, a massacre witnessed and broadcasted across the galaxy. Bail Organa, Padme, Amedda and numerous other VIPs were dead.

That was a probability line I firmly stopped exploring as in any way viable, but it was nice to get confirmation that Palpatine had the Force Storm ability.

I would really have to consult Kina Ha on what the Old Republic Jedi did to counter the Force Storms the ancient Sith Sorcerers called down on their heads. Those things could practically be army killers in the right hands.

In the actual present, Anakin scanned the crowd one last time as Palpatine sat down before tapping his comlink.

The shield burst into life, snaking visibly over the Royal amphitheatre before properly solidifying in a brief blue hue before tuning itself and vanishing from the visible spectrum.    

Anakin met Palpatine’s eyes and gestured towards the central podium.

The chancellor nodded in thanks and stood, walking regally towards it.

Once there, he smiled at the surrounding crowd, acutely aware of how many eyes were watching, not just in person, but across the planet and even the galaxy.

That was another of his objectives with the entire plot; undermining the image of not just the Jedi, but the GAR and every protective Republic agency. All to lay yet another foundation for which to found the New Order.

My own efforts with Corusca Online were bearing fruit in blunting the attack by Palpatine’s media patsies. CSO had by now fully spread throughout the Core Worlds, and was steadily spreading beyond as my company grew in exponentially explosive fashion. Poor Hermione was being run ragged in employing more people and delegating responsibilities with the expanding network. Yet, while it was stemming the tide of public opinion, it could only do so much, especially given that it hadn’t reached the saturation levels of social media I remembered from my past life.

That would take at least ten to fifteen years. I would soon have to be more personally active in fighting the war for the hearts and minds of the Republic.

“It is an honor to be here on this momentous occasion,” Palpatine began, the PA system enhancing his voice and echoing through the massive volume around the palace. “The pride I feel for this planet cannot be put into words. 847 years ago, Naboo joined the Republic. Tonight, we celebrate that union.”

Applause erupted from the crowds     

“I look around at this glorious city and it wasn’t all that long ago that this place was a plasma mine, surrounded by a frontier town. Naboo has since grown and entered a new age, living more in harmony with the planet. But, as we chart a bold course for the future, let us never forget our past!”

He turned around raising his arms into the sky at the exact moment as the first fireworks began shooting into the air.

It was quite breathtaking. An amalgamation of traditional chemical fireworks, small holographic drones hovering camouflaged in the air, working together to project a giant hologram of the Republic symbol, colored in light blue and lurid purple. 

The thump of multiple fireworks rumbled through the air, but my montrals was were quite thankful for the theater shield blunting the concussion entirely.

There was the traditional starburst effect aplenty, but when you had the general tech level of the Corusca galaxy, you could go much further than just ballistic rocketry and ancient chemistry. All manner of patterns began being drawn in the air by the long burning fireworks propelled by small repulsors, in almost every color imaginable, even those not visible to the human eye. The Naboo pyrotechs naturally favored colors to human eyes, but they threw in a few flourishes for the offworld audience.

“Skywalker!”

I was already moving moments before Mace Windu called for support.

The Darksaber and my green blade burst to life as I stepped protectively in front of Padme and Neeyutnee.

I felt the Force flex as both Windu and Anakin reached out towards the north side of the theatre, where the shield generator itself was, both blurring with speed.

I spotted a Senate commando somehow reaching through the shield, his form flickering as the holographic disguise struggled to stay coherent. He threw something and just as quickly retreated.

Anakin and Windu had both tried to grab whatever it was with the Force, but it exploded and did just enough damage to wreck the generator.

With most people looking up into the sky in awe at the fireworks, the sudden reappearance of the shield bubble, which then began fizzling out and retreating was the first clue they had that something was wrong.

I whirled around, extinguishing my blades, “Everyone on your feet, move!” I snapped, reaching out with the Force to push my words directly into their heads.

Padme, Neeyutnee, Bibble and Organa were rather surprised to find themselves already standing somehow and in the precious few moments it took them to understand that an attack was happening, they began moving towards the amphitheatre exit as I guided them.

I felt a few Red Guard and a handful of Senate commandos sprint towards Palpatine, practically bowling the man over to get him on the ground to put a wall of bodies between him and any potential sniper.

An orange blaster shot lanced over the amphitheatre aiming for something on the edge, but I could spare no more concentration in that direction as I focused on getting my own VIPs away to safety.

‘It’s up to you now, Skyguy.’

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Anakin vaulted over the balcony edge and onto the staircase that snaked around the base of the amphitheatre.

The parwan managed to avoid the first lightsaber swipe by mere centimeters, letting their head deflate to abruptly fall to the staircase surface. 

They pushed off the air itself with the tentacles to gain more distance, drawing dual blasters with fairly impressive reflexes and speed.

It was no match for Anakin and he attacked with even greater speed, swiping through both blasters and cutting them in half, leaving the parwan hunter with only the handles in his long spindly hands.

The hunter’s lower leg tentacles snapped forward, trying to bodily envelop Anakin from below.

Anakin’s Force Push erupted forward without warning in defense and shot the lighter-than-air parwan backward at an upward angle.

The hunter shot through the air in an uncontrolled tumble, covering a few hundred meters in moments.

The parwan was now completely off the edge of the plateau and gravity was slowly claiming him down the fall of hundreds of meters. 

The hunter lit a jetpack propelling himself quickly to escape but Anakin put him out of his mind as he empowered his own movements, jumped and blurred to the central podium.

‘Ana… kin!’ he heard Obi-Wan’s pained call.

Something had clearly gone wrong.

He felt clearly that Obi-Wan had been injured and a quick look at the distant vantage point where his undercover master had been, showed only choking smoke rising into the air.

In the center of the theater, was now a clearly unconscious Mace Windu. To his left, was two Senate commandos helping Palpatine into an evacuation speeder

On the other side, a Senate commando was carrying another of his clearly injured comrades to another speeder.

‘It will be a shell game, Skyguy,’ Ahsoka had said. ‘You will only have the time for one choice.’

He could feel his anger soar, knowing that even though they were playing a long game against the enemy, that he was still at the end of the day, a dejarik piece on the board and Ahsoka was the player, pushing him forward.

Kriff this.

He gestured to both speeders on either side of him and closed his hands into fists.

Their drivers floored the accelerators, but were very surprised when they went nowhere.

The hulls of the vehicles began crumpling inward, the rear mounted engines twisted on their mounts and sparked as they died.

Anakin grit his teeth and pulled inward with his hands and the Force.

The wrecked speeders hovered into the amphitheater under his power.

The disguised hunters tried to escape, jumping out, only to be slapped in the face with an indirect Force Push, keeping them seated.

He pulled his left hand down, slamming the wrecked speeder onto the hard stone floor, whilst gently guiding the other one with the two commandos to land.

Anakin stepped forward with his lightsaber pointed inches from ‘Palpatine’’s face.

“Drop the disguise, now,” he said in a low threatening tone.

The three disguised hunters, split between the two speeders, raised blasters, hoping that at least once side would be able to penetrate his defenses.

They tried to pull the triggers, only to find their weapons being crushed around their hands, breaking bones.

“Arrghgh!” came the screams of pain.

“I’ll not ask again. Drop the disguises!”

Anakin could feel the fear, pain and astonishment from all three.

Many knew the Jedi had certain extraordinary powers and used the lightsaber. Most tended to forget that a Jedi was more than just a wielder of an energy blade of extreme cutting power. It was the rare occasion that one unleashed such a demonstration of the potential strength of the Force in telekinesis openly.

“All… right, all… right!” gasped the hunter disguised as Palpatine, cradling their crushed hand.

Their forms shimmered and were revealed.

Palpatine was replaced with a tall female frenk, whilst the commando in the driver seat was replaced with a kyuzo.

The right speeder’s driver was actually a wincing weequay, whilst the actual Palpatine was revealed to have been the ‘injured’ commando, who was also pretending to be unconscious in the backseat.

Anakin hurried forward and felt the chancellor’s neck.

He brandished his saber’s tip near the weequay’s eye, “What did you dose him with?”

“Con… contact gas, he’ll wake in two hours, I swear!” she said frantically.

Anakin slapped his comlink, “This is General Skywalker, all suspects are apprehended. I need a medical team and full security detail at my location, now!”

He looked up at the smoke pouring out of the side of the palace.

‘Obi-Wan?!’

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A/N: Underneath the underneath, to borrow a phrase, doesn't even begin to cover it ;-) Hope you had fun reading and enjoy the weekend. Stay awesome, folks.