(Distant Galaxy)

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

Star Wars

Episode I

The Phantom Menace

Turmoil has engulfed the Galactic Republic. The taxation of trade routes to outlying star systems is in dispute.

Hoping to resolve the matter with a blockade of deadly battleships, the greedy Trade Federation has stopped all shipping to the small planet of Naboo.

While the congress of the Republic endlessly debates this alarming chain of events, the Supreme Chancellor has secretly dispatched two Jedi Knights, the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy, to settle the conflict...

(32 BBY - Naboo)

In space near the sovereign system of Naboo, a Republic space cruiser called Radiant VII headed toward the planet. Up ahead, a large blockade of Trade Federation Battleships surrounded the planet, preventing any ships from entering or leaving. The pilots of Radiant VII, Captain Maoi Madakor, and Lieutenant Antidar Williams, were transporting two Jedi Knights of the Republic to the Trade Federation Battleship, Saak'ak, in order to meet with Viceroy Nute Gunray and resolve the conflict. The two Jedi stood in the cockpit with the two captains, wearing brown robes and had their hoods up to hide their identities.

Jedi 1: Captain.

Maoi: Yes sir?

Jedi 1: Tell them we wish to board at once.

Maoi presses some buttons on the controls of the ship and contacts the Viceroy, who was a male Neimoidian appeared on a monitor above them in the cockpit.

Maoi: With all due respect, the ambassadors for the supreme chancellor wish to board immediately.

Nute Gunray: Yes, of course. As you know, our blockade is perfectly legal. And we'd be happy to receive the ambassadors.

The Radiant VII was granted safe passage to the Saak'ak and the ship continued on it's flight path. The Saa'ak was one of many Lucrehulk-class battleships that orbited the planet of Naboo. However, this was the flagship of the blockade. The Radiant VII arrives in the hangar bay of the battleship where several OOM battle droids and a few Vulture droid starfighters in ground mode watched the ship land. The two Jedi Knights exit the ship and were greeted by a silver, feminine protocol droid named TC-14, who served Nute Gunray.

TC-14: I'm TC-14 at your service. This way, please.

TC-14 leads the two Jedi Knights through the halls of the ship to a conference room.

TC-14: We are greatly honored by your visit, Ambassadors. Make yourselves comfortable. My master will be with you shortly.

Having said that, TC-14 leaves the room. Once the droid was gone, the two Jedi pull their hoods back, revealing themselves to be Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, and his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Qui-Gon Jinn was a male human Jedi, who was a wise and well-respected member of the Jedi Order. He had a light skin complexion, blue eyes, long brown hair, a mustache on his upper lip, and a beard lining his jaw.

He wore white Jedi attire underneath his brown robes and tall brown boots.

Wise and powerful, Jinn was a Jedi who lived in the moment. He had somewhat of a philosophy centered around the Living Force, and strived to follow the will of the Force. He had an empathetic, compassionate nature for all life forms, no matter how pitiful they were, which was actually his greatest strength.

Obi-Wan was also a male human Jedi and Qui-gon's apprentice. He had a fair skin complexion, gray-blue eyes, and short auburn hair with a padawan braid on the right side of his head.

Like his master, Obi-Wan wore white Jedi attire, brown robes, and brown boots.

Steadfast, selfless, modest, and headstrong, Obi-Wan was dedicated to his role as a Jedi Knight and loyal to the Jedi Order and his master. Yet despite his humble, soft-spoken demeanor, he possessed a dry sense of humor and a sarcastic wit.

Obi-Wan: I have a bad feeling about this.

Qui-Gon: I don't sense anything.

Obi-Wan: It's not about the mission, Master. It's something... elsewhere, elusive.

Qui-Gon: Don't center on your anxieties, Obi-Wan. Keep your concentration here and now, where it belongs.

Obi-Wan: But Master Yoda said I should be mindful of the future.

Qui-Gon: But not at the expense of the moment. Be mindful of the Living Force, my young Padawan.

Obi-Wan: Yes, Master.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan walk up to the window of the room, looking toward the planet of Naboo.

Obi-Wan: How do you think this trade viceroy will deal with the chancellor's demands?

Qui-Gon: These Federation types are cowards. The negotiations will be short.

Elsewhere on the ship, Devon found himself onboard the Saa'ak. Devon looks around, then looks at himself, noticing that his appearance had changed. He had reverted back into his fifteen-year-old body.

He now wore a black, short-sleeved jacket that he kept unzipped with grey pockets. The hood, sleeves and jacket have a dull grey lining. Underneath, he wears a skintight, black tank top with a V-neck style collar with his Kingdom Hearts chain necklace around his neck. His armored gauntlets had been replaced with his black wristbands, leaving his hands bare. On his right-middle finger was his Celestial Ring.

On his lower body, Devon wore his dark blue jeans with a black belt around his waist, held together by a silver buckle. His pants were tucked into his shoes. Devon's shoes were now mainly black and grey with silver lining, black soles, a grey tongue, and silver belt-straps holding them closed.

Devon: Huh. My clothes have changed. Guess it must be the Inheritor's magic.

Devon feels his wristbands and taps his right-shoe on the back and front twice. Right away, Devon notices that Sora and Riku are not with him.

Devon: I guess Sora and Riku must've gotten sent to different worlds. I remember we were back on Destiny Islands and we opened the keyhole to the sleeping worlds.

The young teen glances around at the metal hallway he is in.

Devon: But where am I?

Devon walks through the long halls of the freighter, glancing around at his surroundings. He soon came up to a nearby window on his left and looked out through the glass. He saw the planet of Naboo down below, but he also saw several Trade Federation ships orbiting around the planet which left him concerned.

Devon: Judging by the view of spaceships, it looks like I'm on some sort of space station. But what's going on? Why are those ships surrounding the planet?

Devon continued down the hallway until he encountered two OOM battle droids, who immediately aimed their E-5 blaster rifles at the young teen. One of the droids had gold markings on it's heads and torso. This droid was a command battle droid, designated as OWO-1. The other droid was a security battle droid, which had magenta markings on their heads and torso.

Devon: Whoa!

OWO-1: Halt! Stay where you are.

Security droid: Hands up!

Devon: (held up his hands in surrender) Okay. Okay. They're up.

OWO-1: Who are you? Identify yourself.

Devon: My name is Devon. I'm a Keyblade Wielder.

The two droids look at each other. Although he couldn't see it in their horizontally split black eyes, Devon could tell that they seemed confused.

OWO-1: Keyblade Wielder? That doesn't compute.

Security droid: What should we do?

OWO-1: Escort him to the conference room with the ambassadors. I'll notify the Viceroy.

Security droid: Roger, roger!

The security droid walks up to Devon and pokes him in the chest with it's blaster rifle.

Security droid: Move!

With his hands still up, Devon turns around and began walking down the hallway while the security droid walked behind him. While they head down the hallway, OWO-1 heads the other way to deliver the report of Devon's strange arrival to the Viceroy.

Devon and the security droid approach the door which led to the conference room where Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were still waiting inside. The doors open up on their approach as they enter. The two Jedi turn around upon seeing the doors open, expecting it to be the Viceroy. But instead, it was Devon, who had the droid's blaster rifle to his back.

Security droid: (poking it's rifle in Devon's back) Inside now.

Devon: Okay. Alright.

Having completed it's task, the security droid leaves the room and returns to it's patrol. Devon lowers his hands and lets out a relieved sigh.

Devon: Well, that's one way to start an adventure.

Devon looks infront of him and saw the two Jedi staring at him.

Devon: Oh, hello.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stared at Devon with curious expressions. They thought they were the only visitors on the Saa'ak. But now here was a young teen standing before them. He didn't appear to be a Jedi of any sort as they saw no lightsaber on his belt. He was something different.

Qui-Gon: Greetings, young one. Who are you?

Devon places his right-hand on his chest, introducing himself to the two Jedi.

Devon: Sorry for that. My name is Devon. I'm a Keyblade Wielder. Soon to be a Keyblade Master.

Qui-Gon stared at the young teen, studying him intentively. He could feel an incredible aura radiating from Devon through the Force. It was calm and soothing, yet very strong. Qui-Gon felt a great abundance of courage, gentle kindness, and pure light within the young teen's heart. Judging by what he could see through the Force, Qui-Gon felt that Devon was someone that could truly be trusted.

Qui-Gon: It's a pleasure to meet you, Devon. I'm Qui-Gon Jinn, Jedi Master. 

Qui-Gon gestures his right-hand to Obi-wan on his left.

Qui-Gon: This is Obi-Wan Kenobi, my young Jedi Padawan.

Obi-Wan bows to Devon respectively and he bows back.

Qui-Gon: Now, can you tell us why you're here?

Devon: I'm not entirely sure myself. I guess I got kinda lost.

Qui-Gon stroked his beard with his right-hand.

Qui-Gon: Perhaps. Or maybe it could be the will of the Force has guided you here.

Devon: The Force?

Qui-Gon: The Force is a metaphysical ubiquitous power that Jedi like Obi-Wan and myself can use. It's a mystic energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together. The Force is viewed in many aspects such as the Unifying Force and the Living Force.

Devon: The Force, huh? Sounds interesting.

Obi-Wan: What did you say you were, Devon?

Devon: A Keyblade Wielder.

Devon holds out his right-hand and summons his trusted Keyblade: Soul Calibur in a flash of light in his hand. Seeing the Keyblade appear in Devon's hand took Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan by surprise. Qui-Gon had heard tales about powerful Keyblade Wielders, who could wield the Force like the Jedi, but so far he hadn't seen any in his time as a Jedi Master.

Qui-Gon: (examining Devon's Keyblade) So, that's a Keyblade.

Obi-Wan: Incredible. But how can you wield such a weapon?

Devon: The Keyblade chooses it's wielder. I was chosen by this Keyblade to uphold peace and justice throughout the worlds I visit. Through this Keyblade, I was gifted many powers and abilities. I am very skilled in using the Keyblade that I have saved many worlds more than once.

Qui-Gon: Not many Keyblade Wielders have been seen or heard for billions of generations.

Obi-Wan: I thought they were just myths.

Obi-Wan: No, my young Padawan. The Keyblade Wielders of yore were very real. Master Yoda had met many wielders of the Keyblade in his time. They are just as old as the Force itself.

Devon: I'm curious. How do you know about the Keyblade?

Qui-Gon: The Force teaches us many things. The Jedi came to learn about the Keyblade and it's wielders through the Force. And as it appears, you're the most recent Keyblade Wielder to travel into our galaxy.

Qui-Gon looked at Devon and felt that he was exceptionally strong in the Force.

Qui-Gon: The Light Side of the Force is strong within you, Devon.

Devon: The Force is with me? But how? I'm a Keyblade Wielder. Isn't the Force a Jedi's power?

Qui-Gon: The essence of the Force flows through all living things. Although you may not be a Jedi, I can sense it's presence runs very deep within you. It's been said that Keyblade Wielders were also capable of wielding the Force like us Jedi and were exceptionally skilled. You possess a wide variety of gifts and abilities, yet you probably don't realize it.

Devon: Well, I'm sure if I train enough, I just might be able to tap into the Force.

Obi-Wan: You are not from around here, are you?

Devon: (nodded) You're right. I'm not of this world. I come from a world known as Destiny Islands. A place that is very peaceful within the Realm of Light.

Qui-Gon: You must've come very far from your home for us to meet like this.

Devon: You could say that.

Obi-Wan: Seeing as how you were escorted into the room by the battle droid like that, it looks like you're not with the Trade Federation.

Devon: The Trade Federation? What is that? Is it some sort of name to an organization?

Qui-Gon: The Trade Federation is a very powerful commerce guild, but it is also a trade cartel, megacorporation, and a lobbying group with immense influence.

Devon: So the Trade Federation is a commercial trade group. But there's something I don't get.

Devon walks over to the window and looks out towards the planet of Naboo, gazing out at the blockade.

Devon: Why are they here? Why are there dozens of ships surrounding the planet? Do they got something against the people down there?

Obi-Wan: The Federation dominate entire star systems and all major trade routes. They do this with their own private military. Like the droid that escorted you in here. All so they could gain power in the Republic.

Qui-Gon: That is why we are here. We're to meet with Viceroy Nute Gunray and resolve the trade dispute of the Naboo system.

Devon: Naboo?

Devon looks out at the window, gazing at the said planet.

Devon: I guess that's the name of the planet.

Obi-Wan: Now we are just waiting to be summoned.

Devon: That would explain all the ships out there around the planet.

A determined look appears on Devon's face and he turns to the Jedi, willing to lend his aid to the distressed planet.

Devon: I want to help.

Qui-Gon: And I believe you can. I believe our meeting is not a coincidence. Nothing happens by mistake. It is more than likely the Force called you here to aid us and those down on the planet. Tell us more about yourself, Devon.

Devon smiles and nods his head.

In the bridge of the Saa'ak, TC-14 met with her master, the Viceroy Nute Gunray to tell him more about the ambassadors. Nute Gunray was accompanied by Rune Haako, who was a settlement officer of the Trade Federation, as well as a lieutenant to the Viceroy, and Daultay Dofine, who was the captain of the Saa'ak. Also on the bridge were several cyborg Neimoidians, acting as crew for the capital ship. These Neimoidians included Tey How, the pilot, Jull Dremon, the chief gunner, and Sil Unch, the comm officer. They had a few OOM pilot battle droids on the bridge with them to help operate the large ship with piloting and engineering tasks.

Gunray: What? What did you say?

TC-14: The ambassadors are Jedi Knights I believe.

Gunray and Dofine turned to each other.

Dofine: I knew it. They're here to force a settlement.

In that moment, OWO-1 enters the bridge and gives it's report to Viceroy.

OWO-1: Sir, we found a stowaway onboard the ship. I believe he said he was a Keyblade Wielder.

All the Neimoidians on the bridge immediately turned in their seats and looked towards the droid in alarm. Gunray, Haako, and Dofine stared at the droid in shock and disbelief. There was a Keyblade Wielder onboard their ship? How did they not know about this? The Neimoidians had always believed that Keyblade Wielders were nothing but legend. How could one still exist?

Gunray: That's impossible! The Keyblade Wielders were believed to be myths! I thought they no longer existed!

Dofine: This is not good! A Keyblade Wielder is just as powerful as the Jedi themselves! Perhaps more!

Gunray: With a Keyblade Wielder and the Jedi working together, our plans are bound to fail! (Turns to Dofine) Distract them! I will contact Lord Sidious!

Dofine: Are you brain-dead?! I'm not going in there with two Jedi and a Keyblade Wielder! (Turns to TC-14) Send the droid.

TC-14 walks into the conference room with a silver plate that had three small silver cups filled with drinks. TC-14 took Devon's appearance by surprise, but nevertheless she served them drinks.

Obi-Wan: Is it in their nature to make us wait this long?

Qui-Gon: No. I sense an unusual amount of fear for something as trivial as this trade dispute.

The three heroes kindly accept the drinks from the protocol droid as they patiently wait for the Viceroy.

Unknown to Devon and the two Jedi Knights, the Trade Federation was in league with the mysterious Darth Sidious, who was a Dark Lord of the Sith, a sworn enemy of the Jedi.

Nute Gunray, Daultay Dofine, and Rune Haako contacted Darth Sidious via holoprojector, having a blue hologram of himself appear before them.

Darth Sidious: What is it?

Dofine: This scheme of yours has failed, Lord Sidious. The blockade is finished. We dare not go against these Jedi or the Keyblade Wielder.

Darth Sidious: Viceroy, I don't want this stunted slime in my sight again.

Dofine walks away upon Darth Sidious' request.

Darth Sidious: This turn of events is unfortunate. We must accelerate our plans. Begin landing your troops.

Gunray: My lord, isn't that illegal?

Darth Sidious: I will make it legal.

Gunray: And what about the Keyblade Wielder?

???: THAT IS SIMPLE...

In that moment, a hologram of Lord Thanatos appears next to Darth Sidious' hologram. The Viceroy was surprised by the appearance of the Dark Keyblade Master. Although Nute Gunray was fearful of Darth Sidious, he was much more afraid of Lord Thanatos' tremendous power.

Gunray: M-m-my L-Lord Thanatos!

Lord Thanatos: NUTE GUNRAY. AS I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE, YOU HAVE A KEYBLADE WIELDER ABOARD YOUR VESSEL. YOU ARE TO CAPTURE HIM AND BRING HIM TO US.

Gunray: C-capture him?! But my lord... h-how can we expect to-

Lord Thanatos glares at the Viceroy with his glowing red eyes as they shine brightly through the hologram, although the red color couldn't be seen through the blue of the hologram.

Lord Thanatos: SILENCE, VICEROY!

Gunray jumped in fright at Lord Thanatos' raised voice. Even all the Neimoidians in the bridge were scared at the sound of the Dark Keyblade Master's voice.

Lord Thanatos: WE WILL NOT TOLERATE MISERABLE EXCUSES! YOU WILL CAPTURE THE BOY AND BRING HIM TO US! WE DON'T CARE HOW THE TASK IS DONE, BUT OUR PLANS REQUIRE THAT THE KEYBLADE WIELDER BE DELIVERED TO US... ALIVE AND UNHARMED.

Gunray: Of-of course, my lord. And what of the Jedi?

Darth Sidious: The chancellor should never have brought them into this. Kill them immediately.

Gunray: (bowing to them) Yes. Yes, my lords. As you wish.

The holograms of Darth Sidious and Lord Thanatos fade away and disappear.

The Radiant VII was sitting nice and quiet in the hangar bay until Antidar Williams notices something was wrong.

Antidar: Captain, look!

Maoi and Anditar notice that the hangar's defense turret was aimed directly toward them.

Maoi: Shields up!

The two pilots hastily try to bring up the ship's deflector shields, but it was too late. The hangar's defense turret fires a single blaster shot, which was more than enough to destroy the entire ship and kill both crew members onboard.

In the conference room, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan burst out from their seats drawing their lightsabers. Devon also burst from his seat and summoned his Keyblade. They heard the loud explosion from the hangar bay and were fairly alarmed.

Devon: What was that?

Suddenly, the room began to flood with Dioxis gas, which poured in through vents in the room.

Dioxis was a potent toxic green-white gas that was deadly to most carbon-based lifeforms. However, Devon, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan were able to withstand the gas.

Qui-Gon: Dioxis.

Devon de-summoned his Keyblade while Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan shut off their lightsabers.

A group of OOM security battle droids walk down the hallway, approaching the door to the conference room, while OWO-1 stood by the door. The droids soon stop as a hologram of Nute Gunray appeared infront of them.

Gunray: They must be dead by now. Destroy what's left of them.

The hologram fades and disappears. OWO-1 presses some buttons for the door controls to the left of the doorway and he joins the rest of his squad. The doors to the conference room opens up, revealing a thick cloud wall of Dioxis gas that had flooded the room. All the droids held up their blasters and stood at the ready, expecting something to come out from the thick wall of gas. TC-14 walks out of the room, emerging through the gas, passing the security droids.

TC-14: Oh! Excuse me.

OWO-1 looks over at one of the security droids on it's right and orders it to move in.

OWO-1: Check it out, corporal. We'll cover you.

Security droid: Roger, roger.

The said droid approaches the door with it's blaster rifle ready. But before it could enter the gas-filled room, three bright lights glowed through the gas, startling the droids. One was green while the other two were blue. The colored lights belonged to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's lightsabers and Devon's crystal Keyblade.

OWO-1: Uh oh! Blast them!

The droids fire their blasters, but the three heroes deflect the red blaster bolts away with their weapons. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan deflect two blaster bolts back at OWO-1 and a security droid, taking them both out of commission. Then, the trio move out of the gas, swinging their weapons at the security droids.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan cut through the security droids with ease using their lightsabers, mostly slicing them in half from the torso with horizontal, vertical, and diagonal slashes, cutting off their heads, and their arms, leaving scorch marks. Devon's Keyblade for some reason also had the same effect on the droids.

Obi-Wan slices one droid in half across the torso with a with a left-uppercut slash, then bisects another droid with right slash.

Qui-Gon swings his lightsaber at a droid on his right, cutting off it's head. Another droid fires it's blaster at him, but the Jedi Master holds his lightsaber up and deflects the bolt back at the droid. Twirling his lightsaber in his right-hand, Qui-Gon cuts down a droid behind him on his right, then strikes down another droid infront of him with a reverse roundhouse slash.

Devon swings Soul Calibur down on a droid infront of him, slicing it in half from the head down with an overhead strike. Targeting the next droid on his left, he spins around and delivers a reverse roundhouse slash to the droid, splitting it in half from the torso. Another droid on his right fires it's blaster at the young teen, but he spins Soul Calibur infront of his face, deflecting the first shot, then holds the crystal Keyblade up, sending the second shot back at the droid.

In the bridge, Nute Gunray and Rune Haako were watching the droids through a large screen, when the video becomes static. The two Neimoidians quickly turn around and look towards Tey How.

Gunray: What is going on down there?

Tey How turns around, looking towards her two superiors.

Tey How: We lost the transmission, sir!

Back in the hallway, the Keyblade Wielder and two Jedi were still fighting the security droids.

Devon slices off the head of a security droid with a left slash while Qui-Gon stood alongside him, cutting down another droid with a downward slash.

Obi-Wan slices a security droid vertically in half with his lightsaber. Then, he turns to his right and thrusts his right-hand forward at three security droids, pushing them back across the hallway using the Force.

Nute Gunray and Rune walk through the bridge, deeply worried about the approaching Jedi and Keyblade Wielder.

Haako: Have you ever encountered a Jedi Knight or a Keyblade Wielder before, sir?

Gunray: Well, no. But I don't-Seal off the bridge!

Tey How: Yes, sir!

Haako: That won't be enough, sir.

Gunray: (pointing at Tey How) I want Droidekas up here at once!

Gunray and Haako look toward the door leading into the outside hallway. The doors to the bridge of the ship closes as two security droids stood outside standing guard.

Haako: We will not survive this.

Devon, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan fight their way through more droids and reach the bridge, but discover that the door was closed. Devon and Obi-Wan deal with the last of the droids while Qui-Gon lunges his green lightsaber through the door and pulls it around in a circle, trying to create an opening.

Devon swings Soul Calibur with an underhand uppercut slash, slicing a security droid infront of him in half. He then destroys another droid with a right slash across the torso, and another with a left-downward slash.

Obi-Wan cuts off the head of a droid with a left slash, then turns his lightsaber over and stabs a droid behind him.

On the opposite side of the door, Gunray notices Qui-Gon's lightsaber cutting through the door.

Gunray: Close the blast doors!

Two more sets of doors close in Qui-Gon's lightsaber, reinforcing the doorway.

Gunray: That will hold them.

One security droid charges toward the trio, firing it's blaster rifle at them, but Obi-Wan deflects the blaster bolts back at the droid, destroying it. Qui-Gon takes his lightsaber and lunges it at the door again, plunging the glowing blade deep into the door.

Even though the door was reinforced by the two extra set of doors, Qui-Gon's lightsaber was still cutting through, but it was a slow process.

Haako: (gasp pointing at the doors) They are still cutting through!

Gunray: This is impossible!

Soon, the door was becoming enflamed. Chunks of the door began falling apart from the lightsaber's super-heated plasma.

Haako: Where are those Droidekas?!

Before they could cut through the door, three Droidekas rolled toward them.

Obi-Wan: Master! Destroyers!

Qui-Gon pulls out his lightsaber and turns to face the new threat.

The Droidekas stopped only a few meters infront of the trio, unfolded into their upright firing stance, and opened fire, shooting their twin blaster cannons. Their shield generators protected them from close combat which meant Devon and the two Jedi could not get close enough to damage them. All they could do was deflect their blaster bolts.

Obi-Wan: They have shield generators!

Qui-Gon: It's a standoff. Let's go!

Devon: Right! 

Using a boost of speed, Devon, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan dash over to the left and move out of the way. The three Droidekas turned around and pursued the three heroes as sprint down the hallway, shooting their twin blaster cannons at them. Unfortunately, their movement was slow, so they could not move very fast to catch up with them.

On the other side of the door, Gunray and Haako watch through a holoprojector of the Droidekas pursuing the trio.

Haako: They're no match for Droidekas.

Tey How: Sir! (Gunray and Haako turn to him) They've gone up the ventilation shaft!

After escaping the Droidekas, Devon, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan jump down from the ventilation system and land in the hangar bay behind a stack of large crates. They move forward and peer around the sides in-between the crates, watching as an army of B1 Battle Droids all assembled infront of several large vehicles such as C-9979 landing craft, Multi-Troop Transports (MTTs), Armored Assault Tanks (AATs), Platoon Attack craft, and Single Trooper Aerial Platforms (STAPs), preparing for their trip down to the planet.

Qui-Gon: Battle droids.

Devon: A whole lot of them.

Obi-Wan: It's an invasion army.

Qui-Gon: This is an odd play for the Trade Federation. We've got to warn the Naboo and contact Chancellor Valorum. Let's split up. Stow aboard separate ships and meet down on the planet.

Devon: (nodded) Got it.

Obi-Wan: You were right about one thing, Master. (Qui-Gon and Devon look towards him) The negotiations were short.

In the bridge, the Saa'ak recieved an incoming transmission from the planet, which Tey How informs the Viceroy and his lieutenant.

Tey How: Sir, a transmission from the planet.

Gunray and Haako turned their attention toward a holoprojector and saw Queen Amidala appear on the screen.

Queen Amidala was as her name stated the Queen of Naboo. In the screen, she wore a red robe that was decorated with symbols. Her face was painted white and she wore an elegant headdress.

Haako: It's Queen Amidala herself.

Gunray: At last we are getting results. Again, you come before us, Your Highness.

Queen Amidala: You'll not be so pleased when you hear what I have to say, Viceroy. Your trade boycott of our planet has ended.

Gunray and Haako share glances with each other, then turn back toward the screen.

Gunray: I was not aware of such failure.

Queen Amidala: I have word that the chancellor's ambassadors are with you now, and that you have been commanded to reach settlement.

Gunray: I know nothing about any ambassadors. You must be mistaken.

Queen Amidala: Beware, Viceroy. The Federation has gone too far this time.

Gunray: We would never do anything without the approval of the senate. You assume too much.

Queen Amidala: We'll see.

The transmission soon ends as Queen Amidala's image ripples away from the screen.

Haako: She's right. The senate will never

Gunray: It's too late now.

Haako: Do you think she suspects an attack?

Gunray: I don't know. But we must move quickly to disrupt all communications down there.

Down on the planet Naboo, in the capital city of Theed, Queen Amidala sat in the throne room inside the Theed Royal Palace. With her was her chief advisor, Governor Sio Bibble, who was head of the Royal Advisory Council, Captain Quarsh Panaka, who was Head of the Royal Naboo Security Forces for Queen Amidala's protection, and a few of her council members and handmaidens. They were all in the throne room, talking with Senator Palpatine of the Galactic Republic, who appeared on a hologram through a holoprojector on a desk infront of Queen Amidala.

Palpatine: Negotiations haven't started because the ambassadors aren't there? How could that be true? I had assurances from the chancellor his ambassadors did arrive.

Suddenly, the hologram of Senator Palpatine broke apart with his voice becoming garbled and distorted.

Palpatine: It must-handiwork-negotiate-ambassadors-nobody would-

Soon, Palpatine's hologram disappears and the communications were cut off.

Queen Amidala: Senator Palpatine. What's happening?

Captain Panaka: (looks at a bodyguard) Check the transmission generators.

Sio Bibble: A communication disruption can only mean one thing: invasion.

Queen Amidala: The Federation would not dare go that far.

Captain Panaka: The senate would revoke their trade franchise, and they'd be finished.

Queen Amidala: We must continue to rely on negotiation.

Sio Bibble: Negotiation? We've lost all communications. And where are the chancellor's ambassadors?

Captain Panaka: This is a dangerous situation, Your Highness. Our security volunteers will be no match against a battle hardened Federation army.

Queen Amidala looks over at Panaka with a calm, yet fearless expression.

Queen Amidala: I will not condone a course of action that will lead us to war.

As a responsible ruler of Naboo, Queen Amidala did what was best for her people. She would never put those who believed in her in harm's way. Even if she could, they were badly outnumbered and outgunned by the Trade Federation's droid army. 

But little did Queen Amidala know that the invasion of their planet was already underway. Their troubles were only just beginning. Whether she wanted it or not, war was already on their planet's doorstep. And there would be no escaping the conflict that was to come.

Chapter 3 ended.