Chapter 12: The Breaking Point

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The tension aboard the Trade Federation ship was palpable. As the Queen's ship approached the massive vessel, the atmosphere on board was thick with unspoken concerns. Sabine stood next to Queen Amidala, her eyes locked on the transmission feed. The message was clear: the negotiations would be held on the Trade Federation ship, and two Jedi Knights, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, would be facilitating them.

Ajax, who had been standing silently near the back of the room, adjusted his face mask, hiding all but his piercing eyes. His red dreadlocks/lekku were a stark contrast to the calm exterior he projected. Although his demeanor suggested detachment, Sabine noticed the subtle tension in his stance—a readiness for whatever might come.

"We must prepare," Queen Amidala said, her voice firm yet laced with the weight of responsibility. She glanced at Sabine, who nodded in agreement, and then at Ajax, who responded with a silent nod of understanding. The trio, along with the small royal entourage, moved toward the docking bay.

Moments later, the Queen's ship landed softly within the Trade Federation's docking bay. The mechanical sounds of the ship powering down echoed through the vast space, a reminder of the cold, sterile environment they had entered. The bay doors opened, revealing a darkened corridor leading into the heart of the Trade Federation's vessel.

As the group disembarked, they were greeted by the imposing presence of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. The two Jedi were calm, their presence reassuring amidst the uncertainty. Qui-Gon, with his composed demeanor and piercing gaze, stepped forward, bowing slightly in respect to the Queen.

"Your Highness," Qui-Gon greeted, his voice steady. "We are here to ensure these negotiations proceed smoothly."

"We appreciate your assistance, Master Jedi," Queen Amidala replied, her regal tone unwavering.

Obi-Wan, younger and slightly more tense than his master, stood to the side, scanning the area for potential threats. His eyes briefly met Ajax's, a silent acknowledgment passing between the two. There was something about Ajax that intrigued Obi-Wan—perhaps it was the controlled intensity in his gaze or the aura of danger that surrounded him.

Without further delay, the group proceeded through the ship's corridors, escorted by a pair of Trade Federation droids. The walls were cold, lined with machinery and dimly lit panels that gave the impression of a place designed for efficiency, not comfort. The sound of their footsteps echoed ominously as they made their way to the negotiation chamber.

The chamber itself was large and circular, with a long table at its center. Viceroy Nute Gunray and his associates were already seated, their expressions unreadable behind their masks. The atmosphere was thick with formality, a fragile peace held together by diplomatic necessity.

"Welcome, Your Highness," Nute Gunray greeted, though there was a noticeable edge to his voice. "We trust the journey was uneventful?"

Queen Amidala did not respond immediately, instead taking her seat at the table, with Sabine and Ajax standing behind her. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan positioned themselves strategically on either side of the Queen, their presence a silent warning to the Viceroy.

"The journey was fine, Viceroy," Queen Amidala replied, her tone polite but distant. "We are here to discuss the future of our planet, and I trust that these negotiations will lead to a peaceful resolution."

"Of course," Nute Gunray responded, though his tone suggested otherwise. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing behind his mask. "However, we must address the matter of... certain trade disputes that have arisen."

The conversation continued, the exchanges becoming increasingly tense as the Viceroy attempted to push Naboo into a corner with unreasonable demands. The Jedi remained calm, their expressions neutral, though it was clear that they were carefully monitoring the situation. Ajax, on the other hand, remained still, his senses attuned to the undercurrents of the room. He could feel the tension building, a storm on the horizon.

Sabine watched as the negotiations began to deteriorate. Her eyes flicked between the Queen and the Viceroy, then to Ajax, who stood silently behind them. There was something about the way he held himself that suggested he was ready for anything. She found herself wondering what it would be like to see him in action—a curiosity that was as unsettling as it was intriguing.

As the Viceroy made another unreasonable demand, Queen Amidala finally spoke, her voice cutting through the tension. "Viceroy, it is clear that you are not interested in a fair negotiation. I must insist that we bring this matter before the Senate."

The Viceroy's eyes narrowed, and for a brief moment, the room fell silent. Then, without warning, the doors to the chamber slammed shut, and a low humming sound began to fill the room. The Jedi immediately tensed, their hands moving to their lightsabers.

"We're under attack!" Obi-Wan shouted, igniting his lightsaber as the walls of the chamber began to retract, revealing a battalion of battle droids.

Ajax reacted instantly. In one fluid motion, he activated his cloaking technology, vanishing from sight. The room erupted into chaos as the droids opened fire, their blaster bolts ricocheting off the Jedi's lightsabers.

Sabine felt a surge of fear as the droids advanced, but she knew she had to stay calm. She moved closer to Queen Amidala, who was already being shielded by Qui-Gon. The Jedi were a blur of motion, deflecting blaster fire with incredible precision.

Ajax, now invisible, moved swiftly through the chaos. His wrist blades extended silently, and with surgical precision, he began to dismantle the droids one by one. The first droid never saw him coming; a quick slash through its central processor and it crumpled to the floor. The second and third droids followed in rapid succession, their parts scattering across the chamber floor.

The Viceroy and his associates, realizing that the negotiations had broken down completely, attempted to flee the chamber. But as they reached the exit, they were met by a wall of blaster fire from their own droids, who had turned their weapons on them in the confusion. The Viceroy's eyes widened in horror as he realized the situation was spiraling out of control.

Amidst the chaos, Ajax reappeared, his plasma caster now primed and aimed at the droids still standing. A series of rapid-fire shots took out the remaining droids, leaving the room littered with smoking metal.

"We need to get out of here," Qui-Gon said urgently, his eyes locking onto Queen Amidala. "This is no longer a negotiation—it's an ambush."

The Queen nodded, her expression resolute. "Agreed. We must return to Naboo and prepare for the worst."

Sabine, still shaken but determined, followed closely as they made their way out of the chamber. Ajax took the rear, ensuring that no one was following them. His senses were on high alert, ready for any further threats.

As they reached the docking bay, they could see the Queen's ship surrounded by more battle droids. The situation was dire, but the Jedi were undeterred. With a quick exchange of nods, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan charged forward, their lightsabers cutting through the droids with relentless efficiency.

Ajax, using his cloaking technology once more, flanked the droids from the side. His wrist blades flashed as he moved, slicing through metal with ease. The droids, unable to detect his presence, fell in rapid succession, their circuits fried by the precision of his attacks.

Within moments, the path to the ship was clear, and the group quickly boarded. As the ship lifted off, the docking bay doors slammed shut behind them, sealing off any chance of pursuit.

But the danger was far from over. As they ascended into the atmosphere, the ship's sensors detected incoming fire from Trade Federation starfighters. The ship rocked violently as it was hit, and alarms blared throughout the cabin.

"We're not going to make it!" Sabine shouted, gripping the armrest of her seat as the ship was rocked by another blast.

Ajax moved swiftly to the cockpit, where the pilot was struggling to keep the ship under control. "We need to outrun them," Ajax said, his voice calm despite the urgency of the situation. "Use the asteroid belt as cover."

The pilot nodded, diverting the ship's course toward a nearby asteroid field. The ship swerved and dipped, dodging incoming fire as it weaved through the treacherous field of rocks. The starfighters pursued relentlessly, but the Queen's ship was nimble, darting between asteroids with precision.

Ajax, still cloaked, moved to the rear of the ship, where he activated his plasma caster. Taking aim at the pursuing starfighters, he fired a series of shots, each one finding its mark. The starfighters exploded in a shower of debris, their remains scattered across the asteroid field.

"Good shooting," Obi-Wan said, his voice tight with concentration as he kept his focus on the ship's controls. "But we're not out of this yet."

The ship continued to weave through the asteroid field, narrowly avoiding collisions as it made its way toward Naboo. The tension in the cabin was palpable, but there was a sense of determination among the group. They knew that they had to return to Naboo, no matter the cost.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the ship broke free of the asteroid field and entered hyperspace. The stars elongated into streaks of light as the ship hurtled toward its destination.

In the silence that followed, Sabine let out a shaky breath, her heart still pounding in her chest. Sheglanced around the cabin, seeing the tension slowly melt from everyone's faces. The close call had shaken them, but they knew there was little time to dwell on it. Their next move would be crucial.

Ajax deactivated his cloaking technology, his form flickering back into view like a shadow stepping into the light. His expression was as unreadable as ever, but Sabine could sense the gravity of the situation weighing on him. She wanted to say something, to thank him for his quick thinking and bravery, but the words stuck in her throat.

Instead, it was Qui-Gon who spoke first. "We may have escaped the immediate threat, but the situation is dire. The Trade Federation's actions were clearly an act of aggression. We must get to Naboo and warn the people, and then make our way to Coruscant to inform the Senate."

Queen Amidala nodded in agreement. Her composure had returned, and she seemed even more determined than before. "Once we reach Naboo, I will contact the leaders of the Gungan city. We will need all the help we can get to defend our planet."

As the ship sped through hyperspace, the group took a moment to gather themselves. The journey back to Naboo felt longer than before, the weight of the impending battle heavy in the air.

Sabine finally found her voice and approached Ajax. "You were incredible back there. We might not have made it if it weren't for your quick thinking."

Ajax glanced at her, his gaze softened slightly. "Just doing what I had to. We've still got a long way to go."

Sabine nodded, feeling a sense of camaraderie growing between them. Though she still didn't fully understand Ajax or his past, she knew they were in this together now.

When they finally exited hyperspace, Naboo loomed before them, the planet's surface a mix of lush greenery and sparkling blue waters. But even from orbit, they could see the evidence of the Trade Federation's blockade—a line of starships hovering menacingly in the distance.

The ship's descent was swift, cutting through the atmosphere and heading directly toward Theed. The closer they got, the more evident it became that something was wrong. Smoke rose from the outskirts of the city, and the communications channels were filled with reports of battles and skirmishes breaking out across the planet.

They landed in a secluded area of the royal palace's hangar, hidden from prying eyes. The group disembarked quickly, making their way through the palace corridors with purpose. Queen Amidala was immediately flanked by her royal guards, who had been anxiously awaiting her return.

"What's the situation?" she demanded as they entered the war room, a chamber filled with holo-projectors and communication consoles.

"The Trade Federation has taken control of key points around the planet," one of the generals reported. "Their droid armies have advanced into the city, and we're barely holding them back."

Queen Amidala's expression hardened. "We need to reach the Gungans and unite our forces. It's our only chance."

As the Queen issued orders and the room buzzed with activity, Ajax and Sabine stayed close to her side. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were already making preparations to head to the Gungan city, determined to secure their alliance.

But as they began to move toward the exit, a message crackled through the ship's communication system—a distress call from one of Naboo's far-flung settlements. It was garbled, the sound of explosions and blaster fire in the background, but the voice that came through was unmistakable: "This is Captain Panaka! We're under heavy attack! We need immediate assistance!"

The Queen's eyes widened in alarm. "We can't lose another settlement," she said, her voice urgent. "But I must go to the Gungans—our entire defense depends on it."

"I'll go," Ajax said, stepping forward. "I can take a small team and hold them off until reinforcements arrive."

Qui-Gon nodded in agreement. "The Queen needs to secure the alliance. Ajax, your skills will be needed to protect the people."

"Be careful," Sabine added, her concern evident in her eyes.

Ajax gave her a reassuring look, then turned to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. "I'll need transport and a few fighters. We'll make sure Panaka holds the line."

Within minutes, Ajax had assembled a small team of soldiers, all of them eager to join the fight. They boarded a transport and took off toward the embattled settlement, the ship cutting through the air with precision.

As they neared the settlement, the scope of the devastation became clear. Buildings were ablaze, and droid forces were advancing through the streets, their blasters lighting up the night sky.

The transport landed on the outskirts, and Ajax and his team disembarked quickly, fanning out and moving into the fray. Ajax activated his cloaking technology once more, slipping into the shadows as he approached the droids.

With his vibroblade in hand, he systematically took down the nearest droids, moving silently through the chaos. The droids fell before they even knew what hit them, their circuits shorting out as the blade sliced through them with deadly precision.

The soldiers with him fought valiantly, holding the line as they pushed back against the overwhelming droid forces. Ajax used his wrist blades to great effect, slashing through the droids with rapid strikes that left no room for retaliation. His plasma caster roared to life, taking out clusters of droids with each shot, the blue energy leaving smoldering craters in its wake.

Despite the odds, the tide of battle began to turn. Ajax's presence inspired the soldiers, who fought with renewed vigor. The droids, sensing their numbers dwindling, began to retreat, but Ajax wasn't about to let them escape.

With a final burst of speed, he charged toward the retreating droids, his wrist blades flashing in the dim light. He cut through the last of them, leaving the battlefield strewn with the smoking remains of the droid army.

Breathing heavily, Ajax looked around at the aftermath. The settlement was in ruins, but they had managed to save the people. Captain Panaka approached him, a look of gratitude on his face.

"You saved us," Panaka said, clapping a hand on Ajax's shoulder. "We couldn't have held out much longer."

Ajax nodded, his expression unreadable as always. "The Queen's mission is too important to fail. We'll rebuild and keep fighting."

As the soldiers began to tend to the wounded and secure the area, Ajax took a moment to catch his breath. The battle had been fierce, but it wasn't over. He knew there was still much to do, and the true fight was yet to come.

When the transmission from the palace came through, it was Sabine's voice on the other end. "Ajax, we've secured the alliance with the Gungans. But we need you back here—something's happening, and we need all hands on deck."

Ajax didn't hesitate. "I'm on my way."

As he boarded the transport and it lifted off into the night sky, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was looming on the horizon—something far more dangerous than anything they had faced so far.

The transport sped back toward Theed, the lights of the city glowing faintly in the distance. Ajax knew that the coming hours would be crucial, and that the decisions made in the next few moments could shape the future of Naboo—and perhaps the entire galaxy.

And as they approached the city, he couldn't help but think of the battle yet to come, and the role he would play in it. The stakes had never been higher, and Ajax knew that he would need to be at his best if they were to survive the challenges that lay ahead.

As they landed back at the palace, Ajax stepped off the transport and was immediately greeted by Sabine. She looked relieved to see him, though her expression was still serious.

"We're running out of time," she said, her voice low. "The Jedi are ready to leave, and the Queen is gathering her things. We need to move quickly."

Ajax nodded, following Sabine as they made their way back into the palace. The sense of urgency was palpable, and Ajax could feel the weight of the coming battle pressing down on him.

But he was ready. He had fought countless battles before, and he would fight this one with the same determination and skill. As they prepared to leave, Ajax took one last look at the city of Theed, knowing that the fight for its survival was just beginning.

And as they boarded the ship to leave Naboo, he knew that the battle would be fought not just with blasters and blades, but with cunning, strategy, and resolve. The fate of Naboo—and perhaps the entire galaxy—rested on their shoulders.

And Ajax was ready to bear that weight.