Star Wars Invasion: Episode I, Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

Although the planet Ossus was the primary home of the New Jedi Order, the Galactic Alliance had allowed them to set up academies and enclaves on worlds such as Dantooine, which was once home to a Jedi enclave three thousand years ago. Each academy or enclave was usually overseen and instructed by the Jedi watchman of the planet's sector. In Dantooine's case, it was watched over by Jedi Master Stak Bar'la, a Bothan who had lived most of his life on Dantooine.

As the Adventurer entered Dantooine's atmosphere and began its descent towards the new Jedi enclave, Anakin could see dozens of Jedi Padawans and initiates training in the courtyards below, training lightsabers flashing everywhere.

A voice suddenly crackled through the ship's comlink. "Alliance freighter 6697, you are cleared to land in Docking Bay 52."

"Copy that," Arek replied as he flew the ship towards the designated hangar. Awaiting them, Anakin could see, was a tall Rodian Jedi Knight, accompanied by a young Ithorian whom he presumed was the Rodian's Padawan. 

Once the Adventurer had landed, the boarding ramp lowered and the four Jedi walked down to be greeted by the Rodian.

"Ah, hello, Master Sadoon," the Jedi Knight said, a small smile appearing on his snout-like mouth. "It's good to see you."

A smile hidden by Sadoon's breath-mask creased the Kel Dor's face. "Likewise, Kelbis Narik. Likewise."

The two of them laughed as former teacher and student embraced and patted each other on the back. 

"It's been too long," Kelbis said as they broke apart. "I haven't seen you since after the Battle of Coruscant."

Sadoon chuckled. "Time is unpredictable. Sometimes it moves too fast or it drags on slowly."

Kelbis shook his head, still smiling. "I'll still never get the hang of your philosophical analogies."

"Obviously not, since I don't see how that was philosophical."

The Rodian Jedi simply laughed. "Anyway, what brings you here to Dantooine?"

"A transmission was received here on Mon Cala," Sadoon replied. "From what we could decipher, it came from Toah Jarsan."

Kelbis' bulbous eyes widened. "Toah? But...he's been missing for nine years. If he was here on Dantooine, surely he would have made himself known!"

"Well, the message originally came from Dromund Kaas," Kyle Katarn said. "But it was also detected here and on other worlds as well."

Kelbis scratched his chin. "How peculiar. Well, I hope you find out what is going on. Jaka and I are needed at the council. Farewell."

As Kelbis and his Padawan left, Anakin sensed Arek, Commander Naar, and the other troopers approach from behind, while C-3PO was blocked from exiting. 

"So where do we start?" Naar asked.

Sadoon took a few minutes to observe their surroundings. The new Dantooine Jedi Enclave was built not far from the old one, its ruins having been left untouched so to preserve the memories of those who had fallen during the Jedi Civil War. Remembering that Toah had left in order to explore more of that time period, which his father Aron had lived in, Anakin had a good guess on what Sadoon was thinking.

"We shall go to the ruins of the old Jedi Enclave," the Kel Dor Jedi Master finally said. "I have a good feeling that we will find our answers there."

Kyle made a noise that sounded either like a laugh or a snort. "Okay, but don't start complaining if you start to get a bad feeling."

"If I do, I will simply blame it on you."

As they began to leave the hangar, Anakin noticed with amusement that Kyle was muttering words no one would expect a wise Jedi Master to say.

*  *  *

For what seemed like hours, Grand Moff Verradun stared silently at the holographic figure of Aidel Saxan, who waited patiently for his response to her favor.

Finally, he found his voice and spoke. "So what you're suggesting, governor...is that we should betray our trust with the Galactic Alliance."

"No," Saxan replied. "At least, not exactly. All I need you to do is blockade the Alliance's shipyards at Fondor and Kuat. I have recently overheard Senators Treen and Jia plotting to have Chief Omas be kicked out of office and establish themselves as joint Chiefs of State."

Verradun eyed the Corellian governor skeptically. "Are you sure the Senate won't take this the wrong way and declare war on us?"

"I'll see to it that they won't," Saxan said. "Please, do as I ask. You won't need to cause any casualties, just...prevent the factories from creating a fleet for their own needs."

Verradun glanced from the hologram to the other Moffs before saying, "Very well. But allow me to ask you one last thing."

"Certainly."

The Grand Moff narrowed his dark eyes. "Why are you asking us to do this instead of warning Omas or the Defense Force?"

The governor with a small, deceptive smile. "Because I trust you, Verradun."

With that, the hologram vanished, leaving Verradun to stare at the empty space where it had been. The Moffs sitting before him exchanged glances until one of them finally spoke.

"Well then," Moff Teron muttered, the tone of his voice slightly betraying his eagerness. "Shall I task a fleet to the Kuat and Fondor systems?"

Verradun hesitated a moment before speaking. "Yes. Send Seventh Fleet to Kuat- and Kuat only- and have them shut down production at the shipyards temporarily. And tell them to avoid hostile action unless...necessary."

Teron nodded, clearly resisting a smirk. "As you wish."

As the Moffs got up from their seats and turned to leave, Verradun suddenly found it hard to resist the urge of shooting Teron in the back.

*  *  *

Aidel Saxan smiled to herself as she ended the connection with Verradun. Her ploy was starting out perfectly. If she knew Cal Omas well, he would take the blockades at Kuat and Fondor as a sign of the Imperial Remnant trying to take over. Given enough time, the two factions would disobey the treaty signed nine years ago and war would break out.

And if Coruscant remained in the Remnant's grasp, the Galactic Senate would have no choice but to stay on Corellia. Unless Thrackan Sal-Solo's influence convinced them first...

"You certainly are persuasive, aren't you?"

Aidel cast an aside glance at the only other person in the office with her. "You know Corellians," she replied. "We never stop until we get what we want."

"Really?" the other person asked. "I never got that impression from other Corellians."

"Perhaps they're not trying hard enough," Aidel said. "I suppose I'm just speaking for myself."

"Either way, you have been a great asset, Governor Saxan."

Aidel smiled. "It's all for the good of the galaxy, is it not?"

The being chuckled darkly. "So I've been told."

As the cloaked figure began to head out of the room, he turned to Aidel one last time.

"In case you are still wondering that your actions mean to the Plan, I shall say only this: 'The seeds of the future lie buried in the past.'"

Beneath the being's hood, Aidel could see a wide grim.

"Paraphrased, of course."

And with that the being vanished through the door and into the shadows, in no more than a blink of an eye.