mercenary (2)

High Orbit

corrusant

Arriving at Coruscant was achieved with a fighter that was loaned to me. My craft exited hyperspace in the outskirts of the star system containing the Republic's capital world. Call me paranoid but I preferred to take it nice and slowly instead jumping near Coruscant – I blame my paranoia about that. The few times I've visited that world in the past weren't fun. Most of them were covert insertion in order to clean up one mess or another, or cause trouble for the Republic.

Besides, jumping blindly in the space around Coruscant wasn't the best idea even for a Force Adept. Everywhere around the capital world of the Republic was usually cramped with both military and civilian traffic, which was even worse during a hot war.

So I jumped in the outer system in a region that felt safe. A Venator was patrolling the local space hailed and scanned my ship. The comm officer directed me to one of the defense stations orbiting the capital world of the Republic. I was instructed to refuel there and wait for Senator Amidala's transport. He also gave me the coordinates for a military staging area in high orbit of Coruscant, where I was to meet Padme some time later.

After I landed on a Golan I station, my Torrent was checked up by a group of clone engineers while a pair of droids refueled it. I chatted up a bit with the technicians while they were going over my craft. As expected they knew a lot of rumors but nothing I thought was credible. Most of it was speculation about a Republic fleet that was resupplying nearby and where it would be going once that was done.

I was out of the cockpit to stretch my legs a bit while looking over the various small craft and transports landed in the dock. They had teams of engineers scurrying all over them. I turned to the entrance, where through the soft bluish glow of the force field containing the atmosphere I could see Coruscant. To tell you the truth, despite having seen the planted from orbit multiple time, the city world still looked incredible. The sight was made even more awe-inspiring because the station was holding orbit over the dark side of the world. The surface was blazing with countless lights in spreading in starburst patterns from various cities and country sized industrial zones.

I wondered how many trillions made their homes upon the world strewn bellow me.

If looks were anything to go by, Coruscant was a fitting place for the seat of the government that ruled most of the galaxy. It was too bad that the Republic was barely functioning house of cards.

=RK=

Amidala decided to be a pain in the ass from the moment we spoke on the comm.

"This is a peacekeeping mission. Diplomacy is needed, not some more warmongering. I don't want any accidents! We aren't going there to provoke the Rodian government or attack them! I want you on your best behavior, is that clear?!" The Senator snapped waspishly at me the moment we had established connection.

Gee. I didn't make a good first impression, did I? Where do I start?!

In my experience there were very few problems that could not be made to go away by attacking them and employing overwhelming firepower – preferably from orbit. That usually did the trick. I wondered if Amidala was pissed at me personally or I was just a convenient target for her vitriol after being overruled by Palpatine about needing a babysitter. Before leaving the Negotiator and heading here I heard Kenobi mentioning something about the Chancellor threatening to stick her with at least a platoon of clones if she persisted with her suicidal stunts. Or perhaps it was an Acclamator with a full complement of fighters and ground troops because she got in enough trouble to warrant such a response...

"Senator Amidala, this little exercise was not my idea. I'll do anything in my power to fulfill my contract which is to keep you in one piece and bring you back here alive. If that means ruffling some feathers, then so be it. Please do not forget that I am not under your command. Now, if you've finished unloading your grievances with whoever decided that I am the best man to be your bodyguard onto me, are you ready to depart? I was informed that you wished to visit an old family friend on Rodia ASAP. Is that correct?" I spoke in deceptively calm voice.

The last Republic Senator with such an attitude I spoke to died screaming, the wanker.

"Yes I've known senator Farr since I was a child. His world is in crisis and his people are starving."

"Said world is in a middle of a war zone in the Outer Rim. To be honest, Senator, in order to guarantee your safety I'll need a bloody fleet but that is something you apparently refused. Most unwise in my opinion. Eh, it's your life. Shall we head to our destination?"

=RK=

Planet Rodia

Outer Rim

I was glad that I had to spend the last couple of days strapped in the cockpit of the Torrent. The alternative – being stuck in one small ship with Jar-Jar Binks, wasn't something I wanted to think about. I would have snapped and murdered everyone on board by the end of the first day.

At least it was a quiet trip because Amidala choose not to speak with me beyond the bare necessary for coordinating our course.

We exited hyperspace near the gravity well of Rodia. It was a green lush world covered by multitude of small islands and huge swamps. Almost as bad as Dagobah in that respect but at least it had some high tech cities and industry. Not to mention it wasn't a pocket death-world. Nevertheless, it was definitely somewhere that I wouldn't spent any time longer than strictly necessary by choice. While we were descending from orbit I felt a small tremor in the Force. It was a warning. As if I did not know that we were heading for some kind of trap after his Sithinesss arranged this field trip. It was not like I could accuse the Chancellor of being Sith without proof. By the Force, even if I had some kind of evidence the Jedi Council may well dismiss it as a fabrication because of what I am, and that wasn't taking into an account all the contingency plans Sidious should have in case his true identity is discovered.

The Senator's Nubian transport and my fighter arrived at a group of facilities (or were those the local towns?), that were covered by domes made of some sort of crystal. A sliding doors opened to admit our craft. I landed to the right of Amidala's ship and popped open the canopy of my fighter. To my pleasant surprise not only it was not too humid under the dome but Padme left the transport alone! She had the good sense to let goldenrod and the gungan on the ship.

However, I would have take points for not having a guard or two, or at least waiting for me to disembark – she could have been shot or something before I could leave the cockpit.

Amidala, who was wearing white blouse and pants had a purple hooded cloak hugging her shoulders, gave me a small nod and we departed. I took a position to her right and we followed the Rodian who was sent as our guide. The inside of the building looked like it was made of stone. It was a curious blend of old and high tech look that was pleasant to look at.

We were led to a courtyard surrounding a tower made from yellow metal. The Senator we met there and Padme exchanged greetings in Rodian which passed over my head. That was not a language I knew. After few pleasantries that you'd expect when someone meets an old family friend, the politicians got straight to business.

"You are talking about a friendship I could not see, Padme." said Ferr as we were walking around the tower.

I drew on the Force and used it to expand my senses. Let me tell you, I didn't particularly like what I felt.

"Where was the Republic when our ships were decimated?! Where is it while my people are starving? We were left out here alone! Isolated without help from anyone!" The local senator was quite agitated. I could feel his anger, fear and shame all combined with increasing amount of nervousness.

"The vote was slowed down but I can assure you, uncle Comm, you will receive the food soon!" Padme tried to calm down the Rodian.

So Palpy was back to his old tricks in the senate. Business as usual. Sometimes I wonder why no one tried and succeeded in overhauling the way the Republic was run. Then the obvious answer came unbidden – the member systems liked the Republic just as it was – somewhat useful, but not too strong or effective so they could conduct their business in relative peace.

"I'm sorry. It is too late." Ferr shook his head.

Ah, he was ready to spring the trap, wasn't he?

"Oh, you will be, Senator Ferr. Do you think that the welcoming committee is strong enough?" I spoke for the first time since landing.

"Veil! You will not threaten a Republic Senator!" Amidala snapped at me.

Damn it, the woman was oblivious. Small surprise she got into so much trouble.

"I am not. You are no longer with the Republic, are you, Ferr.?" The Rodian blanched at the menace contained in my voice.

He glared at me and returned his attention towards Amidala.

"I am sorry, dear. Nute Gunray, the leader of the Separatist promised us generous help. In the end I must do what is best for my people." he said while looking sad. There were waves of remorse suddenly washing over me coming from the wretched being.

Huh. He actually didn't want to betray Padme, though I couldn't say the same about his feelings about the Republic. I was almost sure that he won't be losing any sleep over the latter.

Ferr proceeded to tell us how good the Neimodean's help had been so far. Certainly much more than the distant Republic could have done considering the strategic situation. In the end, Rodia was a small world which wasn't too important when there was a galaxy spanning war raging all around us. Truth to be told, in this case I could honesty say that both sides were right. From their point of view. Ferr, was doing his duty to his people. It was too bad – for him – that today his decisions made him my enemy.

"I did what I had to. For my people's sake." The Rodian sounded apologetic and I sensed he meant it.

"It doesn't really matter. This is a mistake that you may even live to regret." I smiled under my mask. I could hear the clanking of metal feet moving our way as well as sense the droids approaching us.

My primary problem was that we were in too open a place. If I engaged here it was likely that Amidala would be hit. It was time to improvise. I removed a personal shield mounted into an armband and placed it on Padme's right arm.

"Hey! What do you think you are doing?!" Amidala exclaimed.

I ignored her and activated the defensive screen which snapped to life and enveloped her snugly. A bit of radiation poisoning was preferable than being blasted to pieces.

Instead of grabbing her and running away, like most bodyguard would have done, I waited. The Force whispered to me that doing so would be for the best. What little I remembered from the episode of the Clone Wars that dealt with the events that were unfolding around me meant that we needed to bide our time. An opportunity awaited that way.

We were surrounded by twenty B-1's and a couple of Super Battle droids. Most of them were pointing their weapons my way. I just grinned and gathered the Force around me. I just knew that it would be any time now…

The traitorous Rodian retrieved a palm sized disc from his robes. It was a holocomm. Over it appeared a blue hologram of an ugly (as if there was any other kind) Neimoidian who was wearing garish clothes.

"Viceroy. That's unexpected." Amidala sounded surprisingly calm, though her emotions revealed the truth – she was torn between anger, fear and feeling betrayed.

"You won't get away this time. We made a deal with your friend and you are an important part of it. Your henchman won't help you either!" Gunray announced gleefully.

"I am sorry my dear. I had no choice in the matter." Ferr lowered his gaze.

"You are making a mistake! There is always an alternative!" Padme pleaded.

"Take her away." Ferr ordered without daring to look at Amidala.

A pair of B-1's grabbed Padme's arms and started dragging her away.

"That was a wise decision. I will be there within the hour to bring the promised supplies and collect the senator." sneered the Neimoidian. He looked at me. "Kill the spare." The overgrown toad ordered before cutting off the connection.

I laughed. I hoped that Gunray would arrive as scheduled.

"I'm sorry." The Rodian senator muttered and looked at the droids.

"You heard the Viceroy. Kill him." Ferr pointed at me.

"Do you really think they're up to the task?" I chuckled.

"Roger, Roger!" answered the droids and opened fire.