Chapter 71: The Phantom Menace Episode VI

[Van Personal Apartment, Coruscant, Galactic City]

(Van: POV)

Lying in the bed of my apartment I held Yennali close to my chest.

The two of us having just finished going at it for a fifth time.

We had to make up for all these months apart after all.

While we snuggled I thought about various things.

Namely my upcoming return to Naboo and the aftermath of the actions I took there.

First off, I know after Naboo I will leave the order.

Since I know they will not let me stay after I reveal some of the things I have kept secret from them.

So I might as well leave on my own terms.

Secondly, there is Maul.

I mean I know I have to stop him, but I'm not sure about killing him.

Not because I give a shit about the Zabrak, but because I hope to build an alliance with the Nightsisters of Dathomir in the future.

However their leader is mother Talzin, Maul's mommy and if she ever learns I killed her son, then she will turn her Nightsisters and magic on me, which I do not want.

So yeah, with him I am at a bit of a dilemma.

Finally there's the Sera thing.

I really don't want to touch that, but it has to be done.

For if not I sense great strife will happen in the future between Yennali, Sera, and I which could end our friendship permanently, and that is something I don't want.

Because Sera is my friend and I care for her.

Just not in the way she might want.

And as for if that could ever be a possibility, well I'm not sure.

Since its not as if polygamy is illegal in the Star Wars universe.

Many species and cultures practice it here.

But if you ever asked me if I wanted to form some sort of harem, then I'd have to get back to you on that.

'The more matters I resolve the more complications arise.' I thought.

Sighing after I did.

"What seems to be troubling you, Van?" Yennali asked me.

"Many things." I replied.

"Like Sera's crush on you?" She asked.

*disc srtaching sound*

My eyes going wide in utter shocked I looked at Yennali. "So, you noticed?" I asked.

"Yeah, I did." She replied. "She tried her best to hide it, but she just couldn't hide it well enough."

"And, what do you think we should do about it?" I asked her.

"Let's save that discussion for after you get back from Naboo. Since you are returning there, right?"

Like Yennali didn't already know the answer to her own question.

"I am." I replied. "And I'll definitely leave the order afterwards." I revealed. "Also, I love you too." I told her.

"Mhm. So many truths in one go." Yennali mused.

"Well, that's just the kind of guy I am." I replied.

"I know." Yennali said.

She then touched our Force-bond and used it to send quite the lewd images into my head.

Then before I could stop her she slipped under the covers and began making those images she sent me into reality.

So in kind I did the same to her.

The two of us just just focusing on each other for the rest of the night.

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The following morning I got word from Qui-Gon and the others they were getting ready to depart for Naboo.

So while I watched over Shimi I had HK make preparations for our own departure.

I also let her spend some time with Anakin, where he revealed to me, just like I suspected, the council would not take him into the order and allow him to be trained.

The fools.

That's why I feel no guilt in my decision to leave the order.

I'll also be more than happy to welcome Anakin into my New Jedi Order.

Moving on.

Before I knew it all of us were heading back to Naboo.

Bringing Shimi and Anakin with us.

Which I know seems a bit crazy, and a decision I questioned of Qui-Gon's in the film, but I would rather have the mother-son pair with me than anywhere on Coruscant where Sidious and Plagueis are hanging around.

Speaking of, I hope those two bastard try and kill each other soon like in the original story.

Because that would make my life so much easier.

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[Naboo System, Naboo]

Our two ships initiating landing procedures, having snuck past the Trade Federation presence still in space, I prepared to head out.

Wearing my Jedi battle armor, which I made myself.

Having taken inspiration from Revans' armor.

[Image Here]

Looking at myself in the mirror I nodded. "Looks good." I mused.

Once I did I strapped my two lightsabers, yes I crafted another one, onto my utility belt.

I then equipped my two vibroblades, checked all the pouches on my utility belt to make sure the explosives I carried with me were in them, and also made sure all the systems on my right gauntlet were operating normally.

They were.

My preparations complete I headed out of the Milano to meet up with the others.

Everyone, except for HK-47 who is loaded up with firepower, staring right at me when I arrived.

Anakin looking at me with stars in his eyes. "So cool!" He mused.

"Thank you Anakin." I told him.

"Knight Sunrider, are you wearing armor? I didn't know Jedi did that." Padme spoke.

"In the days of the Old Republic the Jedi wore armor into battle practically all the time. They only stopped doing so in the last few centuries due to the Ruusan Reformation's." I explained.

"And yet here you are breaking the Reformation's and wearing armor." Obi-Wan spoke. Giving me a disapproving look.

Which I couldn't give two Bantha dung's about.

"I am. For we are about to head into battle and I would like to have something protecting my vital areas instead of leaving them exposed wearing only Jedi robes." I replied. "Speaking of, what's the plan?"

"We will fight our way into the royal palace, capture Vicetoy Gunray, and then force him to call of this invasion and unlawful occupation." Padme's stand-in spoke.

"Great. Us and what army? No seriously. Becasue there is an army of battle droids between us and Gunray. Plus even if we do get into the royal palace Gunray can just have his droids come save him, or order them fo execute your people unless you release him." I spoke.

"He wouldn't dare, not with all the attention that those holofeed's have brought to the situation on Naboo to the galaxy at large." Panaka spoke.

"Are you really willing to bet the lives of your people on that captain Panaka?" I asked him.

The man moved to say something, but then immediately closed his mouth.

"Then what are we going to do?" Padme asked.

"Well first we need more than those of us here to have any chance of capturing Gunray." I spoke.

"What about the Gungan's?" Padme suggested, turning her gaze towards Jar Jar.

"Oh ha, misa don't know bout that. Remember misa waz banished." Jar Jar said.

"Please Jar Jar, can we at least try to get their aid?" Padme asked the Gungan.

"Oh. Okee. For misa friends, misa will try speakin witha otha Gungan's to aid us in battle." Jar Jar said.

"Right good. The Gungan's will certainly be a big help. And along with my allies we can definitely bring this invasion to a close." I said.

"Wait, you're allies?" Qui-Gon asked.

Then as soon as he did they arrived.

Coming out of the trees I saw Cohl and the Dominicus contingent he brought with him to Naboo.

I also noted a few faces I didn't know.

Though I did recognize some.

Like the Feeorin pirate Nym.

Along with the mercenary and pilot, Vana Sage.

Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and the queen's guard drew their weapons the moment Cohl and the others showed up.

Ignoring them I walked up to Cohl and we did a manly handshake.

"Good to see you. I see you made some friends." I said to Cohl.

"Yeah, members of the Naboo Resistance against the Trade Federation." Cohl explained.

"Wait, you know these people Van?" Qui-Gon asked.

Turning to him I gave a curt nod. "Yeah, I do. But save any questions for after we've kicked the Federation off Naboo. Right now we need to move. Let's go people." I said.

Then no one questioning me, thankfully, we all moved out.

The final battle for Naboo fast approaching.