Chapter Text
Jamestown Base, Moon, April 23rd, 2043 C.E.
Moon radio: “Gooooood Morning, Jamestown! I’m Samantha James, your host of channel 19.73 FM. And what a beautiful morning it is here near the Arago crater. It is 8 A.M here on the moon. To all you kids down on Earth working on a moon project, we currently have a Waxing Gibbous phase for your viewing pleasure. If you're hoping for a full moon, I am sorry to disappoint you. You will have to take it up with the astrophysicists."
Samantha James: “And before we get started with our usual program. I’d first like to start the day with a bit of music. So here is an earthling classic, ‘Fly Me to the Moon’, by Frank Sinatra.”
As the soothing music starts to play on the speakers, Samantha deeply stretches from her chair. She uses little force to push herself up with the help of the low gravity of the moon. Her mag-boots clicking in place. She went over to the three-inch thick window and basked in her view.
The view of the lunar surface, with the added view of Earth, made her job all the sweeter. Her main job as the Astrobotanist on the station allowed her ample time to herself. Well, “self” could be used lightly since it was more ordered by NASA than anything. To give the people of Earth something to listen to, her radio show was given the green light.
Tap tap “Enjoying yourself?”
She looked at the door leading to her ‘lab/radio studio’ to see a man leaning on the frame. Giving him a shrug, “Why wouldn’t I? Best seat in the house. Except for the Command Center, Captain.” She noticed his left arm was behind his back.
Captain Matthew just chuckles, “You could say that, but I’d rather be in here with the lettuce. Besides, I’ve got something for you. Proof of your labor.” From behind was a box of freshly made donuts, or what the box had inscribed in Sharpie, ‘Moonnuts’. “The wheat you grew worked extremely well; there is more being made for the rest of the crew. We figured you should be the first to try them.”
Eagerly, she egged him over to the spare chair. The ‘Moonnuts’ were still warm enough to fog the glass protecting them from the vacuum. The ‘Moonnuts’ were the best thing Samantha had had in a very long time. Thankfully, fresh coffee had been shipped to them from the last shuttle. NASA originally said it was a waste of resources, but gave in once enough protests came from the NASA crew. Even the EU and BRICS crews wanted coffee. So each administration split the costs, reluctantly.
The two of them ate and talked for a good bit. Mainly about their work, family, and random things going on around the station. They were on the last two ‘Moonnuts’ when the call came over the speakers.
“Captains to the command center!”
“Priority One!”
“Captains to the command center!”
A Priority One alert, the crew of the Jamestown, the Diana, and the Chang’e practiced such an alert for worst-case scenarios. Such as a reactor meltdown. But no warning lights were going off, which was strange. The communal mess hall for the three bases was designated as the safe zone for the non-mission-critical crew to congregate in case of such alerts.
Confusion spread through the language barrier like a stone through water. Questions were raised, but none were answered. That was until a young Brazilian mechanic looked out the window. First one, then two, then four, then nine, then twenty, until the entire safe-zone occupants' eyes became glued to what was happening out in space.
A ship of unknown origin floated in their view, lights flickering, engines a light blue. A hole that could be the size of a football field was leaking atmosphere, some kind of liquid, and what appeared to be humanoid shapes from its hull. They watched as it slowly turned to reveal five more ships, bolts of light flashing towards one another. Slowly, they hurled towards Earth.
Journal entry: February 25th, 5661 C.E.
I have decided to write a journal during the journey to Coruscant, the Capital planet of the Galactic Republic. Mainly because I have a few hours to kill. To jog my memory, I’ve decided to write down everything I remember from the past few millennia. To my history teacher, the former Mistress of Cortow, Miss Shelnew. If you ever read this journal, I hope I make you proud.
In a galaxy so vast and full of life, it's hard to imagine our planet not being found early on in our civilization. Especially when we wanted to be found, but during the time known to historians called “The years of blood”. We as a species changed, in our minds, our hearts, and in our very souls. We changed.
During the early to mid twenty-first century, then called Earth, was going through what's known as the Troubles. Yes, the name is copied from the time during the British occupation of then Northern Ireland. It was deemed fitting to name this era of history after it.
Global economic collapse, political turmoil, the rise of fascism, misinformation, hyper-inflation, corporate greed, and the climate crisis. Any one of those and more were happening all at once. Global poverty was in the double digits, alliances that had held since the Second World War collapsed in front of our eyes. Nations thought ‘too big to fail’, and slowly did.
But what started as a sliver of hope, a signal, a speck. A speck that turned into three. Skipping throughout the solar system like a rock on water. Till finally landing on our front door, turning into a nightmare. Five damaged ships: ‘The Indomitable’, ‘The Pariah’, and ‘The Monarch’ of the Eternal Empire. ‘The Imperial Fury’ of the Sith, ‘The Ambition’ and ‘The Peace’ of the Republic. Locked in fierce combat, they had made incalculable jumps across the stars. We were lucky they didn’t jump through our planet. But with being so heavily damaged, Earth's gravity pulled them down onto our home.
‘The Peace’ came first; it was so badly damaged that it got caught in Luna's orbit. The other five crashed relatively close to major areas. The Indomitable, the Eternal Empire's main battleship for its sector. From her records, she had just enough power to push herself to the middle of the “Strait of Gibraltar”. Effectively cutting the Mediterranean off from the Atlantic. Her steel was stained with friction and steamed the ocean. I’m gonna just use EE for the ships.
The Pariah, an EE Support Cruiser that broke in two pieces in the atmosphere. Kinda like the Titanic. The front half crashed on Tioman Island, Malaysia. Nearly skipping back into the ocean. The back half crashed and was buried in a botanical garden of Mount Gede, Indonesia. If I remember correctly, in the final year of the war, the volcano erupted from some fuel leakage.
The Monarch, an EE Battlecruiser, actually managed to land peacefully off the coast of Midway. I do use that word VERY lightly here. The ship turned into a floating fortress.
The Imperial Fury, her crimson steel blended in with the forest fires of the Appalachian mountains. Many coal towns had been crushed by the crash, while others would have wished for such a merciful fate. For what came from the hull made the fiery pits of hell a godsend.
The Ambition is still the most elegant vessel I have ever seen. She crashed in the harsh winter forests of Finland. Her engines became the foundation of our modern fleet. And the center of the naval academy.
From these five ships, we met the galaxy as it had been for generations. Bloody. Later, we learned their names at the cost of Men, Women, and children. We learned.
The Eternal Empire, with its authoritarian fist, crushed the Spanish Navy with its turbolasers. They were there just scouting, to rescue what survivors remained. To give her crew humanity's warm embrace, and those bastards boiled it alive. An hour later, their fighters knocked Spain out by turning the air bases into molten slag. Ten thousand Skytrooper droids were unleashed on densely populated areas to distract the military.
The Knights of Zakuul were sent in; two hundred took Madrid. Slaughtering parliament, displaying the corpses from the walls. They skinned the prime minister alive. The footage still haunts me to this day. The names of the victims were carved into the stone walls of the former parliament building. Their crimson color glowed in the night. “The Madrid Slaughter,” it was named, the museum holds the armor of those Knights of Zakuul. Each helm has a bullet hole the size of an acorn.
Because of this atrocity put on full display, Article Five of the NATO alliance was authorized. Well, what was left of the alliance anyway? It took the combined effort of the United Nations Security Council to get not just one group of nations, but all to come to the table and figure out the next course of action. Next course of action… HA! The U.N. was a bureaucratic mess, even before the Troubles, but it took the right amount of bloodshed to get the ball actually to move.
The former states of West Virginia and Kentucky still have scars from the Sith’s occupation. I saw on the news recently that a Clarmiction, a worm-like species that can tunnel in the ground, is nice to people. Had dug too deep and discovered a Sith temple long forgotten. The bones of the slaves who were forced to carve their pillars lay everywhere. The brands are still etched into the bones.
The monster/captain of The Imperial Fury, I believe his name was Darth Paenboden. Or something similarly stupid, had claimed Earth to be his planetary fortress. The Imperial Fury had held around ten divisions of imperial infantry. With the assortment of armor divisions, walkers, and tanks. War droids, the Mark ones and twos, made up the bulk of their forces. Each town and city became a mini-fortress. Their fighters owned the skies, for a time.
I say “for a time” not as an exaggeration. It’s still funny to watch the broadcasts from that Gran Sith Lord. Declaring the Human Race his subjects for the pleasure of the Sith Empire. The fucker sounded like Mussolini with a lisp. Because of that broadcast, the flames of war were stoked in the country he just so happened to crash in.
Instead of doing the stereotypical, Hollywood-esque speech to the world and the Sith invaders. A simple message was sent out to the world, one that to this day is etched in the halls of planetary capitals. In the dead language of fallen empires. “Si hodie moriar, cum fratribus sororibusque meis huius mundi sit. Una pugnemus. Fortiores et callidiores quam antea emergamus. Non solum supervivamus, sed etiam floreamus. Ad mare nigrum perveniamus. Mare inter astra.” (If I die today, let it be with my brothers and sisters of this world. Let us fight together. Let us come out stronger and smarter than before. Let us not just survive, let us thrive. Let us reach into the black sea. A Sea Among Stars.)
President Jasmin Jones died three days later from the Sith Lord's blade. A memorial was built in her honor on the Potomac River.
The Republic, or The Old Republic as it's referred to now, I think. Only deployed troopers, battle droids, and fighters to defend The Ambition. A major portion of the Finnish military just so happened to be nearby because of skirmishes on the Finland-Russian border. In a way, this utter shitshow in our history stopped Nuclear Armageddon.
The Jedi who were in command both surrendered to the Finnish military as a show of peace, Master Malick Vair, a Bothan. And his former master, Master Pearl Bounksay, a blue female Mikkian. Leaving some Commander in charge, actually, most of the troopers were human.
Both Jedi Masters explained what happened, which I am not putting here since it would make this journal into a whole novel of information. The basics are this: The Eternal Empire pops out of nowhere and starts wrecking the place. First, the Republic, then the Sith. They were sent to some planet on the border of the ‘Unknown Region’ to defend a major system. The Sith got there first to claim it.
Sith Lord three-eyes McGee thought they were there to claim his prize and attacked. Leaving both to end up being attacked by the Eternal Empire. A three-way battle commences.
Their explanation as to how they ended up in Earth's system is kinda funny. The droids that operated on the bridges started to talk to each other. And forged transmissions from their high commands. Causing a chase only comparable to Tom and Jerry. Randomized jumps throughout the Unknown Region landed them on our doorstep.
For five years, we fought; every ocean, every continent had some form of fighting. Many nations took advantage of the crisis to form alliances with the invaders to gain an edge. Once the fighting was done with Earth victorious, those who did were tried in the newly formed Terran Republic and hanged.
The Jedi, along with what was the equivalent of an ambassador, offered us a seat in the Republic. It sounds like a good deal, but with all that had happened in those five years, it was a hard thing to sell. Of course, we had been given time to think about the offer.
If I remember correctly, the mission was codenamed “Unforgivable” something. Everyone, the Jedi, troopers, staff, everyone was executed in some form. It wasn’t out of hatred, mind you; every Terran is taught at a young age that what happened to them was not out of hatred, but out of self-preservation.
We, at the time, a small planet with no real spacefaring technology, just took out small portions of two major factions at the start of a galactic war. And hours from then, the whole galaxy was about to know. It was a difficult choice, and the men and women knew this fact. To commit murder on brothers and sisters in arms, friends and comrades. For some lovers, it was just truly unforgivable.
For two hundred years, the op was sealed behind so much red tape that not even major world leaders when it happened knew that it happened. It was reported as remnants of the Knights of Zakuul and Sith Warriors. But by the time the real answers were revealed to the public, it didn’t matter; enough time had passed to just say “Damn, that sucks”.
That and once the transmission links had become fully functional, we as a species were now able to see how the galaxy as a whole was faring since the galactic war had started. As to why it took two hundred years to get our version of the holonet up and running. It was surprisingly difficult to both reengineer it and make sure that it couldn’t be tracked back home. What we saw should have surprised us, but all it did was disappoint us.
We watched for thirty-six hundred years. Slavery, Corruption, MegaCorporate monopolies, and a system of governance slowly becoming ineffective take hold. Too fat and bloated with years of ineffective change. Viewing galactic history unfolding in front of our very eyes. We waited in the shadows, collecting information, technology, and organisms.
It wasn't kidnapping if the ‘sentient being’ was already dead. A spaceship here and there. Mainly those that got lost in the Unknown Region. With massive sections of it being so barren, it was easy to conquer and add to our well. I don’t want to call us an empire, but the only other thing I can think of is our official name: Federation of Terra.
The scientists found that all the species collected all had in common the little creatures in their bloodstreams. When we dug into the logs of a science ship, we found that they actually were called “Midi-clorian’s”. The same ones, those ancient egg heads found in the enemy on various levels on the battlefield. Something that everyone had on some level in the galaxy. We thought it was just a fluke that we, Terrans, are excluded. No matter, I do not need to go into details. This is just a journal after all.
Actually, I’ll go into a little detail, just a little. It was confirmed to be a major evolutionary trait. Proven by, well,l a funny thing, they tried to use the blood of the Jedi to make some super serum. Never worked.
The more we found out about the wider galaxy, the more votes the side of ‘Stealth’ would get, which makes sense. No point in interacting with those who may do us harm. All of this changed when that damned Hyperspace lane searcher jumped into one of our ‘few’ colony systems, such a primitive mode of transport. Well, that’s what we told them anyway. It was a mixed species ship and they…
I have no more time to put into this; we just arrived at Courusant.
- James Niles
The Galactic Republic, Courusant, 2 weeks before the Galactic Civil War.
The Senate chamber of the Republic has stood for millennia. The halls of democracy are always booming with bureaucracy. But due to recent events with the Trade Federation and banking clans blockading multiple outer rim planets. Said planets have joined the Separatist Coalition that has been growing in the Senate for several years.
Chancellor Palpatine has given the floor to the Trade Federation, and all the while hiding a grin with his masterful plans for war.
”Senator Amidala! You accuse us of breaking galactic laws every cycle. But I say to you that we, the Trade Federation, have done no such thing. You are a liar!” The Neimoidian hollered across the chamber at the young Naboo senator. His golden eyes bulged with satisfaction. He felt the Federation's anonymity was secure. And why shouldn't he? For over two hundred years, it has, why not today?
”Senator, like I have stated. I have undeniable PROOF that you are!” Senator Amidala took a drive that had been given to her by a blockade runner from an outer rim planet called ‘Belladoon’ in the Myto Sector. And placed it in the projection slot for all to see.
They all watched as the center of the chamber lit up with a bright blue hologram. To Ambassador Niles' eyes, it was primitive, and it hurt to look at.
”Those frog-looking guys sound stereotypical Asian. Like from old Earth movies that made fun of them.” An aide whispered into James’s ear.
“What?”
”Yeah, you know, from the 20th Century.”
“Ah, I can see what you mean. Probably just a coincidence with their vocal cords,” James kept his eyes on the debate at hand. He, the aides, and three guards that accompanied him wore handmade, tailored fit suits from only the best material the Capital System of the Federation could produce.
Fine Neptunian silk, dyed a deep ocean blue for the three-piece suits. Shined bronze buttons from the rings of Saturn. Burgundy dress shoes crafted from fresh leather from the Napoleon province on Mars. Both the undershirts and timepieces were crafted by Terra's finest. For those in the three-piece suits, a pine green tie woven in silk from Luna.
The Senator from Naboo personally invited them to the planet in hopes of them joining the wider galaxy. Her sleek ship stood out like a sore thumb in front of the capital city of SD-2536, the official name being Ithaca. It took some convincing on her end to get them to at least come to Courisant.
For the past few days, she had also personally shown the delegation of the FT (Federation of Terra) the history and culture of the Galactic Republic. Which just really turned into a few dozen trips to museums, meeting senators. And Chancellor Palpatine. The man gave James a strange vibe, as if there was just something about the guy that was off.
The last group they met was from the Jedi Council. A small, green, goblin-looking guy named Jedi Master Yoda. And for some reason talks backward, which makes no sense since the FT has documented that his species doesn’t do that normally. But was kind and very curious about the delegation. And Jedi Master Mace Windu seemed friendly enough.
For exactly two days, the delegation was given its own Repulsorpod. A slow, floating platform for those who wish to debate. Primitive vehicle, but simple enough for its use. James thought as he watched Senator Amadallas move into another location to dictate over the holograph.
”As you can see, and from what I have stated before. You have blockaded this planet for no reason other than for more credits. Under galactic law, you must be fined, and your ships to leave the system in thirty days.” She was satisfied; she had the evidence and enough backing to push it through. Next, was not in her cards that she had stacked.
”Ambassador James, of the Federation of Terra. What do you, as an outsider, think the Trade Federation's actions should be handled?” The Chancellor's voice echoed through the chamber. All eyes are now on James and the delegation. Unwillingly, the floating pod brought them to the center between the two senators. Putting them center stage in this showdown.
”Well, with all due respect, I don’t think we really have a say on this matter. We’re just here to watch.” James watched for the man's reaction, but he showed none.
”Nonsense, myself and the senators are quite curious about you and want your opinion. To see how you will fare in our Republic.” The old man japed. Murmurs echoed around the chamber; clearly, this wasn’t normal. The Naboo senator showed some surprise at the comment. Such things were supposed to be done behind closed doors.
James mentally rolled his eyes, ”Fine, in our Federation, we have no MegaCorporations, such as the Trade Federation. We heavily regulate such things from happening. When a company almost reaches such a level, we break it up into smaller ones and put a two-hundred-year restraint on them from being bought out. We have seen their ways and what they do to blockaded planets. We never let that happen.”
“As to what should happen if it were up to us. Break their monopoly. Senator Amedalla told us of her planet’s previous encounter with them. And all the Senate did was send a delegation. Then the Trade Federation tried to have them both killed. So I say again, break the monopoly.”
This brought shockwaves throughout the chamber. The senator from the Trade Federation was too angry to speak. Sure, the idea has been passed around in private, but this was the first time this idea was brought to the table. The Trade Federation usually found the source of the idea and ‘stopped it’ before it could hatch. But most thought it was too extreme, since the blockades happened to outer rim worlds.
Only a few, such as Senator Amedalla, would bring it to the floor. But it would usually be ignored. But not today, today the FT was here and just gave the Senator’s proposal enough of a push to get it passed.
The moment the Senate was dismissed for the day, James was bombarded with questions from the media. Mainly on account of the Chancellor's words. The mixed messaging was adding pressure. If the FT is to join the Galactic Republic.
When they first arrived on this city planet, James had told everyone. Including the Jedi delegation that who were only here to observe and think on how to move forward. The original plan that James was given went as follows: Observe, collect, and then discuss some small trade agreements in private. Nothing more, nothing less. And the Chancellor just threw a wrench into that plan.
Office of the Chancellor, Coruscant
Palpatine waited in his office for Senator Amidala and the Ambassador of this so-called “Federation of Terra”. So bland, so, so boring. Being from the unknown region of the galaxy left too many unknowns for his liking. From the information that had been given to him, a lot seemed to be left out. Like pieces of a puzzle missing. The datapad mainly showed the basic history of the planet, culture, wildlife, and some technology. Basic planetary defenses, orbital platforms, and a few heavy cruisers.
These Terrans seem to be underdefended to speak so boldly. No matter, I can have some spies there in a few weeks if all goes well. He thought to himself as the guard outside knocked and let him know his appointment had arrived. “Please, send them in.”
He watched as the two were let in. He stood calmly and greeted them both. The Ambassador held his hand out to shake his. It was strange, not the act of shaking, but to do so with him. A chancellor should be bowed to, as is tradition dating back to the beginning of The Republic. He gestured to the four plush chairs in front of his desk. When he sat his hand went to a button on his chair to call some refreshments for his guests.
“I hope I was not being so rash in my presumption of your… Intentions on the visit to the Capital these past few days.” Chancellor Palpatine said with an apologetic tone accompanied with a slight smile. It seems almost real to James, it was just slightly difficult to accept from the display that happened hours ago.
“I can only presume that our intentions were, as we say, ‘Lost in translation’. If you understand my meaning. I was just sent here to mediate for my government on simple trade deals and access to the wider galaxy to conduct business.”
“Ah yes, I believe I understand your meaning. I do hope I did not put a bad impression of the Galactic Republic to you, or the Federation of Terra as a whole.” The Chancellor said, still showing that smile.
“Not at all.” James' gaze never faltered, “We just wish to take things slow.” He studied the man in front of him in his galant robes. Wrinkles that have seen many senators, dignitaries, and ambassadors like James. A man built on the battle of politics.
“If I may ask,” Senator Amidala, or as she told James to call her ‘Senator Padmé’ or just Padmé began, “why take things slow? You said it yourself that your people thought that you were alone in the galaxy. Being so isolated would make any civilization crave the chance to interact with a whole galaxy. And being in the Outer-Rim of the Unknown Region, the Federation will now have access to so many things that your people may lack and need.”
In a normal situation, if what James had told her was true. It would be the most logical choice. But this wasn’t one of those situations.
“We have our reason. Another way of putting it would be this: ‘The problems not about the distance, It’s what lies in between’. With our home system and colonies being so far from the major planets. What if we become too reliant on the Republic, and something happens?”
“Pirate warlords, or an invading army. Or those Hutt Gangsters get some ideas to claim our systems for themselves. The Republic seems to have little control of the Outer-Rim, letting them roam free. They control systems in your territory, such as Tatooine from what I read. It's like the Wild West of old Earth. Lawless. We can’t risk that.”
The Chancellor pondered for a moment, it seemed his point had gotten through. “The Senate could give you political backing with neighboring systems to help you for such endeavors. As for the Hutts, to actually decide on such a course of action. Senator Amidala and myself could petition a vote for The Senate to negotiate the problem. The Jedi Council also may be able to assist.” Padmé nodded her head in agreement.
“Just negotiate?” James questioned, it came off with slight rudeness. But the Chancellor's solution seemed half-assed. “With all due respect, Chancellor. To us, if the Hutts decided such action would be considered an Act of War. And we would have no choice but to call arms. From what I have learned about The Galactic Republic, you have no standing Military. Of any kind. Would The Republic come to our aid?”
It seemed to James that he struck a nerve in the Chancellor. Nothing outrageous, but just a subtle eye twitch. Before he could reply, the door leading further into the Chancellor’s suite opened, revealing a silver protocol droid holding a tray of drinks and a pitcher. Three glasses of spring colored liquid that were floating. Each bounced with the droid's step.
They watched in silence as the droid placed the pitcher on the desk, and oriented the floating classes in front of them. The room remained silent as the droid bowed and scurried out the room. The servos filling James' ears.
James raised a brow and gestured to the still floating glass before him. “What's this?”
“This Ambassador is Emerald Wine. It is made from Emerald Grapes from Naboo. One of the finest wines available in the Galactic Republic. I believed this meeting would call for such a… Luxurious beverage. I would have thought the Senator would have offered it to you during your very first meeting. Am I wrong?” The Chancellor said with a smile as he gracefully carried the glass to his lips and drank.
Padmé took the glass and swirled the emerald liquid. “I only have it for special holidays or events on Naboo. It didn’t cross my mind.” She smiled as a memory passed through her mind with those words and then drank.
“I must decline. I don’t drink on the job, Chancellor.” James said, pushing the glass slightly away. The man seemed more surprised at his actions than anything else. I guess no one has ever declined you, eh Palpatine?
He took another sip, “Now now James. Don’t think of this as work. Think of it as a night out with soon to be friends. Please, I insisted." and spoke as he pushed the glass back to him.
James looked to Padmé, “Why not? Let's see where the night goes.” and then shrugged.
Well, I did act rude to him. Calling out like a thousand years of ‘relative’ peace because of the ‘Ruusan Reformation’, Sighing, he took the glass and drank. The wine wasn't bad, it tasted like a sweeter wine made from energon flowers. “Sure, why not?”
Three hours of “Negotiations” later.
Several drinks of Emerald Wine really pack a punch. Thankfully, James was what would be considered a frat-bro during his college days at Mars University and developed quite a tolerance. Padmé on the other stopped at two.
Chancellor Palpatine seemed to be taken by its effects as well. Red faced, he said his good-byes and hoped to see them again for the signing of the trade deals over the next few days. He watched as the group made their way to the elevator and left.
Once at the hover pads, James said his good-byes to the Senator and went to the provided transport to the hotel. Nearly tripping over his own feed, he had to be guided with one arm from his aid, Jennifer. When situated, the speeder left.
“Are we”, James belched into a fist, “clear of the locals?”
“Yes, sir. We’re good.”
“Ugh, finally. Hand me one of those syringes” He watched as she grabbed a blue syringe willed with neon purple liquid. Then taking the needle he sticks it into his neck and injects it. His neck begins to crack, and the veins turn purple as the substance makes its way through the body. Then the symptoms of the alcohol vanish.
Chancellor Palpatine watched from his Private Office window as the Federation of Terrans speeder left. The symptoms from the wine were child's play to remove from his body with the Force. Having to up his body heat made his face redness annoyed him after. Felt like a bug had crawled on his face.
He channeled his will into the Force to reach James. To mend his mind into giving terms more favorable to The Senate and him during their next meeting. Setting a path for the Federation to join The Republic.
But something was amiss, he was able to locate the speeder easily. Just the occupants were blank. The speeder's occupants were just black as night, their outlines were visible in his mind, just that there was nothing for him to take a hold of. A void in the Force as black as a black hole in space. He saw their mouths move, but no sound came. Lifting his hand, he reached for James with all his strength.
Beep Beep
Beep Beep
The Nano Internal Computer (NIC) in James' arm rang a warning. Sending a pulse through his nerves. The Force Protection/Detection System (FPDS) actually worked outside of lab tests. It uses Synthetic Midi-clorian’s as a type of buoy system to detect the Force being used. The manufacturing process of the Synthetic Midi-clorian’s was discovered in thirty-forty eight. An abandoned research facility working on the process had been discovered deep in Unknown Regions, once belonging to the Eternal Empire.
His left forearm pulsed a crimson red under his sleeve. Instinctively, he pulled it down to reveal the information. “Well well well. Guess the President was right to be concerned.” James said with a smirk. Jennifer turned her forearm, activating her NIC. Her all clear was customized to green. The guards with him were set to the standard blue. Only he was being targeted with the Force.
Captain Ramirez, the head of James' security detail, looked at his forearm frowning. “Does your NIC say where it's coming from, Sir? I’m not getting a bearing on it.”
“No point.”
“Sir?”
“In that report from the Naboo blockade it said a Sith Lord was killed. I thought it was just a fluke when I read the original action report on Ithaca. Like a Zabrak found a Sith artifact and was driven by the Force to learn the darkside. But the fact that it took this long for the safeguards to sound off says otherwise.”
“So, the Sith are still around?”
“Yep, and who's trying to get me is a Sith Lord most likely. I have some ideas as to where it's coming from. Let's give them a shocking wake up call.” James presses a button on his forearm, making the light turn a flashing yellow.
BZZT
“AAHHHH!” Pain shot through Palpatine's body, causing him to fall into a nearby chair. Shocked. I was shocked through the Force? This should not be possible. No, it is impossible. No Sith or Jedi has the ability to do such a thing. This made his blood boil over. He, a Sith Lord, was just shocked by a forceless species from an upstart civilization. He would not let this stand.
The silver protocol droid came in to see the commotion. Worried for his master's well being. As the door closed behind the droid, his master twisted to him from a chair and reached a menacing hand out. Easily, Palpatine crushed the protocol droid into a ball. And flung it into the walls in a fit of rage.
“No one makes a fool of me!” Crash
“Not the Jedi!” Crash
“Not the Senate!” Crash
“No one!” Crash