Tatooine
He watched the fleet from the empty bridge with arms at his back.
Most of the ships were repurposed to be war assets, not built as one in the first place. The cruisers, Action VI transports with brand new turbo lasers welded on the hulls, were the backbone of their fleet. Their fighter complement, coming to just three hundred, mostly the ones from Naboo with what they managed to loot from other sources, would be their strategic strike force.
Once all space opposition was gone, the transports would disgorge fifty thousand troops. He would also open a portal straight to Kalee, bringing thousands more.
Their target was the capital of Nal Hutta, Bilbousa, and ultimately, the Hutt Council. Nar Shaddaa, the ecumenopolis moon of the planet, would be blockaded until forces could afford to take it.
The Hutt Council took priority.
“How are you feeling, brother?” Qymaen asked, his boots clanking on the floor in a perfect beat until he stood next to him.
“Ready.”
“The Hutts have brought every pirate, mercenary, slaver outfit, and filth of the galaxy they could. Even after everything, this won’t be an easy battle,” he said. The slugs were bleeding wealth at an increasing rate to save their empire.
It was futile.
He grinned and brought his hand forward. “I have a spell I never had the chance to try.” It would be an excellent opening salvo from their side.
“After Nal Hutta and Nar Shaddaa, the remaining Hutts will run. They will most likely flee to the Republic,” Qymaen said. The analysts, for whatever they amounted to, didn’t need to work hard to know. The Hutts had collaborators and worlds where they hid a portion of their wealth for emergencies.
Once their empire was shattered, the ones outside Nal Hutta would no doubt try to escape.
“Speaking of the Republic, the senator wants to speak to you both,” Ventress said. Even as Padme Amidala’s term ended and all the technically illegal weapon shipments were finished, Ventress visited for important matters.
Such as this battle.
Anakin went through the familiar motions, opening a portal to the new senator’s living room in her apartment in Coruscant.
“Sorcerer, Marshall,” she greeted, stepping through. Given the hidden Sith lord’s influence in the Senate, she couldn’t trust long-range comms. The chance of discovery was not worth the trouble.
Not when Anakin’s abilities made life so convenient.
“Senator,” they said at the same time.
“There is an issue. It has been long spoken that the Hutts had friends in the Senate. I am inclined to believe it's true because they are about to pass a resolution that will lead to military action against you.”
Qymaen slammed his fist on the metal panel, growling. The Hutt Council would disperse soon. The military operation had to happen now, or they would lose the opportunity to take as many Hutts as prisoners as possible.
“I am fighting against it with several other senators. We were hoping to keep it in a stalemate, but there was a recent change. Beyond the senators that colluded with the Hutts, those that enjoyed the lawlessness of the Outer Rim without directly contacting the Hutts have joined them. It does appear that the motion will pass,” she said.
The situation was unexpected. The mentioned senators were considering cozying to Freedom First. Any support they could provide now would return tenfold in the future.
“Which is why I am going to cause some trouble to delay it. Hopefully long enough for you to take Nal Hutta,” she said.
The young queen in her would balk at the thought she would sabotage the Senate to prevent a law. The loss of so many had taught her that sometimes, more extreme measures had to be taken.
“Don’t put yourself at risk. We’ll handle it,” Anakin said. Supporting Freedom First as the Queen of Naboo was relatively safe. Sabotaging the Senate was asking for trouble.
She shook her head, lips tightening. “I am afraid not taking that risk will be worse.”
“What exactly are you going to do?” he asked.
“The Senate has a protocol for attacks. If that alarm is triggered, all systems are automatically locked and the Senate cannot pass a motion. I’ll need your help of course,” she said, handing Anakin a datastick.
He took it, putting it in one of his many pockets. “Sounds dangerous, but will it even work long enough for us to take the planet?”
“There will be an investigation period, and the Senate will not gather for a few days until everyone is assured there is no attack. I don’t know if I can get you more time,” she said. She would do this regardless of what her allies wished.
“We’ll be quick,” Anakin promised.
“Then I wish you good luck,” Padme said. Anakin opened the portal back, sending her through.
—
Coruscant
The Senate Chamber
“The Sorcerer is a threat to all. What will stop him from blocking another hyperspace lane over a perceived insult? Because he is displeased with a planet?” Ask Aak said, his voice echoing in the chamber. Malastare did have under-the-table dealings with the Hutts. Even the Trade Federation was not spared from the eldritch ways of the Sorcerer.
They too could be a target.
Padme pressed the button to request permission to speak. Once it was greenlit, her platform floated forward. “There is no indication that he will act because of personal grievances. Neimoidia was blockaded because they sold weapons to the Hutts, which is illegal under Republic law.”
Ever since the Triellus Trade Route and then the ones leading to Neimoidia were blocked by Anakin, Ask Aak's words were repeated many, many times by hundreds of senators. They were afraid of the power the Sorcerer held.
It was understandable but the reaction to it was not.
She already heard rumours that the most prominent researchers on hyperspace were tasked for a possible solution to a hyperlane blockade. Fear was widespread and she revelled how the corrupt members of the Senate scrambled to act.
“Your dislike of the Trade Federation is well known, Senator Amidala,” Aak said, all three eyes blinking. The newest senator was too influential for his liking. She refused to play by the rules, could not be cowed, and his investigators could find nothing to use against her.
The left side of her lip curled upwards as she glanced at her left. “It does not change the fact that their seat is the one suspended, not mine.” Until the fines were paid and the Trade Federation brought the ones responsible forward—which meant scapegoats—their seats in the Senate were suspended.
Aak looked away.
“Senators, Chancellor,” she turned to Palpatine. “There is no logical reason for us to act against the Sorcerer. He has not acted against any world that hasn’t colluded with the Hutts. Given his movement could create a stable government in the Outer Rim, even if we don’t support it, we should at the least not interfere. I can’t think of anything that would be more to our advantage,” she said.
She was wondering whether it was a good idea to go to the trouble calling for a no-confidence vote to oust Valorum. Palpatine, for all that he was a Nabooian, proved to be less than helpful. Gunray had walked out without even a slap on the wrist.
He was, for all his claims of supporting Tatooine’s uprising, unable to sway any opinions.
Bail Organa, one of her senior senators and a recent friend, came forward. “Senator Amidala is correct. We should be celebrating the fall of the Hutts, not trying to prevent it.”
“No one is trying to prevent the fall of the Hutts. However, we can’t ignore the power vacuum and the chaos their fall will bring,” Orn Free Taa said. She wasn’t sure if it was her eyes playing a trick on her, but his platform did appear to be slower than the rest.
“Then we should definitely support Freedom First to ensure the region quickly stabilizes,” she pressed on.
“I believe all sides have been heard. All that is left is to cast our votes,” the Chancellor said, his grandfatherly visage cracking. He finally managed to get those fools in line after a series of blackmails and bribes.
He would see if the sorcerer was strong enough to stop the entire Republic.
He raised his finger, etching on the button to vote when the button went dark. Alarms blared, and red lights flashed across the entire chamber. The doors closed, trapping the entirety of the Senate inside, with no means to vote.
It did not take long for the squabbling animals to fall into chaos. Any other day, he would have basked in the distress of the Senators. Not when it was not perpetrated by him.
Now when it was going against his plans.
He glanced at Mas Ameda, a silent command for him to solve this mess. He contacted the Senate Guard in the meantime. “Captain Jayfon, what is the meaning of this alarm?”
“Chancellor, our systems were triggered on the basis of a biological attack. We are investigating now.”
He blinked. How could that happen without his knowledge? “A biological attack? How is that possible?”
“Unknown. The Jedi order and medical specialists are on their way. The Senate chambers are not affected, so it is best for you to stay there.”
—
Padme thanked her lucky stars she had the mind to record her orientation day in the Senate building. She had visited the cafeteria, the break rooms, the security arrangements, and every other critical location in the Senate building.
The alarm itself was triggered in two ways. Either the sensors detected an anomaly, such as a biological agent that should not be in the atmosphere of the Senate or directly from the security room or the second one would leave leads behind. The first option, however, could be passed off as a sensor malfunction.
—
He floated in the air duct, carrying Artoo towards the nearest sensor with a mandala beneath him. Padmé's datastick had detailed visuals of everything. He simply appeared in the men’s toilet through a portal. Due to the sensitive nature of the work in the Senate, there weren’t many security cameras inside.
Mostly at the entrance.
With the senators inside the chambers, debating endlessly, he only had the clueless guards to deal with. He almost felt like laughing at how simple it was to infiltrate one of the most important places in the galaxy.
“There it is,” he said, floating Artoo closer to the sensor node. Four scanners arrayed on the interior of the duct created a chokepoint, scanning every single air particle. They were all connected to the same system, a precaution to detect how much any possible disturbance in the system spread.
Artoo’s tools extended, probing and prodding the scanners. He accessed the internal circuitry, bypassing the safety measures. The maintenance port granted the droid the chance to load the virus that would distort the entire sensor grid, giving out false readings.
A single beep told him it was done.
“Come on, buddy, let’s get out of here,” he said, floating backwards with the droid.
He could hear the alarms as the return portal closed behind him.
—
The Senate Chambers
The blue imbecile had finally managed to silence the senators.
“Dear senators,” he began, feeling his skin crawl, “Captain Jayfon assures me we are safe. Whether an attack or an accident, I believe this situation will be resolved quickly,” he said through the speaker.
He had to play the benevolent leader for now.
“Due to the security measures in place, we will not be able to vote. I believe it is for the best if we adjourn this session as soon as the medical teams finish their tasks.”
—
By the time the sun was setting, Padme left the Senate Building amid the heavy security. She spied several Jedi guarding the perimeter along with the Senate Guard and Coruscant security.
“Senator,” her guard said, quickly falling in line next to her.
“Asajj. Any issues while I was inside?” she asked. The plan had gone smoothly so far. Only the investigation could pose a problem. Not that they could ever hope to trail it to her.
“None.”
“Senator Amidala,” a familiar voice, suave and smooth but more mature than the last time she had heard it, called out to her. An auburn-haired man in brown Jedi robes walked up to her. She smiled, recognizing her savior.
Not the brown-haired young man with a golden streak in his hair, though.
“Obi-Wan. Wonderful to see you again,” she said.
“You as well. I hope you are alright despite the scare.”
“It is certainly more eventful than I expected from a senatorial life, but I’ll manage.”
“That is gratifying to hear. Allow me to introduce my padawan, Ferus Olin.”
“Senator.”
“Padawan Olin.”
“This is Asajj Ventress, my bodyguard.”
“A pleasure, Master Jedis,” Ventress said with a small incline of her head, hiding her scowl.
Obi-Wan noticed it but chose to smile. “The pleasure’s all mine.”
“So far the investigation shows it to be a sensor malfunction that spread to the entire system,” he said, stroking his stubble. The rumors of sabotage to scare the Senate had quickly spread.
“I have a feeling you think there is more to it,” she said, hearing the doubt in his tone. She was grateful to the Jedi but couldn’t be certain he wouldn’t reveal her involvement.
Provided he could actually figure something out.
“Am I that transparent?”
“Yes.”
“A single sensor node malfunctioning is understandable. But the entire grid?” he shook his head. “The manufacturer and the maintenance teams are convinced it should not happen.”
“I am certain if there is something to uncover, the Jedi will be able to find it,” she said. Since there was nothing to encounter, she wished them good luck.
“We are glad for your confidence in us,” Ferus said, laying a hand over his heart, bowing. It felt different to actually meet a politician his master said was one of the rare good ones.
“If I may ask, were you a learner in the Temple, Miss Ventress?” Obi-Wan asked, sensing Ventress’ dislike of him in the Force. It extended to Ferus as well. Since they had never met, it wasn’t personal.
He believed it was against the Jedi Order.
She was also Force-sensitive and wouldn’t be the first initiate to leave after no Jedi master would accept her.
Ventress squeezed her hands beneath her robes, lest she go for her lightsabers. “Perceptive, aren’t you? But no, I was not.”
“Then you were trained by a Jedi master on the path,” Obi-Wan said. It was rare, but Jedi masters traveling the galaxy took Force-sensitives as Padawans. They were usually brought to the temple, though.
“Yes.”
“Why weren’t you brought to the Temple?” Olin blurted out.
Ventress narrowed her eyes. “Given your order saw fit to abandon him on that wretched planet, how would I be?”
“Your master, what was his name?” Obi-Wan asked. He knew the Jedi Order wouldn’t abandon any of its members.
“Ky Narec. Provided you even remember him,” she said, the last part falling silent.
“Senator, we should move before the reporters cause a traffic jam,” Ventress suggested. It was a valid concern as well since those vultures would be on them soon.
Padme nodded. Ventress still needed to work on her feelings towards the Jedi. “Of course. Obi-Wan, Padawan Olin, may the Force be with you.”
“You as well.”