A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
Turmoil has engulfed the Galactic Republic. The taxation of trade routes to outlaying 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...
...together with their most loyal friends.
Around the beautiful, green planet of Naboo, the huge armada of battleships was floating in outer space, while a small space cruiser slowly approached one of the big ships...
In the cockpit of the cruiser, the person sitting behind the captain spoke up: "Captain?"
The captain turned around. "Yes, sir?"
"Tell them we wish to board at once."
The captain nodded. "Yes, sir."
She turned around back to her console and spoke towards the viewing screen, on which the flickering image of Nute Gunray, the viceroy of the Trade Federation, was visible.
"With all due respect to the Trade Federation, the ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor wish to board immediately."
"Yes, yes, of course," the viceroy replied. "As you know, our blockade is perfectly legal, and we'd be happy to receive the ambassador."
Shortly after that, the space cruiser began to dock in the main bay of the battleship.
A silver protocol droid waited to greet the visitors that were coming out of the cruiser... two robed figures, and a pair of unusual animals that were following them on all fours.
"I'm TC-14, at your service!" the droid spoke up in a pleasant, female voice. "This way, please!"
Without saying any word, the two cloaked figures and their animal companions were lead through the ship. On their way, they saw many other droids, as well as several Neimoidians, the species that was controlling the Federation.
A spherical creature with a body made of metal hovered past them, the magnets on its hull keeping it afloat. "Magnemite!" it said while small, electric discharges were fizzling between its magnets. "Magnemite!" It slowly floated around the next corner.
TC-14 brought the visitors into a big conference hall, where a long table and many chairs were standing. "I hope you will be most comfortable here, honored sirs! My master will be with you shortly."
The droid bows before the two ambassadors before leaving the room. The automatic door closed behind her.
The two ambassadors took off their hoods, revealing a middle-aged Jedi Knight with long hair and a beard, while his young Padawan was barely twenty-five and had short, brown hair.
Their two Pokémon had jumped up on two of the chairs. While the sleek, elegant Espeon curled up on the seat, the thrilled Pikachu hopped up on the table. "Pika pika!"
Obi-Wan gave his Pokémon partner a short look, then he sighed. "I have a bad feeling about this..."
"I don't sense anything," his master, Qui-Gon Jinn replied.
"It's not about the mission, master," Obi-Wan said. "It's something... elsewhere... elusive..."
"Don't center on your anxiety, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon told his Padawan. "Keep your concentration now and here where it belongs."
"Master Yoda says I should be mindful of the future..." Obi-Wan pointed out.
"Espeon!" the lavender-furred Pokémon partner of his master said as she lifted her head. Mentally, she added: 'But not at the expense of the moment. Be mindful of the living Force, young Padawan!'
Pikachu grinned. "Pi, pikachu! Chu!" Of course, both Jedi were able to hear his thoughts perfectly, since he was, like all Pokémon, an intelligent creature.
'Ah, don't you get all nervous, Obi-Wan!' the electric rodent smirked. 'There's nothing we have to be afraid of. Have you seen the scrawny face of that viceroy? These Federation types are wimps! The negotiations will be short, I'm sure of it! And even if they plan something, the four of us can take on the whole lot of them!'
Espeon glared at the yellow-furred Pokémon. 'In case you haven't noticed, Jedi rarely gloat about their abilities. And the same should go for their partners!'
'Oh, shut it, you old bat...' Pikachu muttered. 'What's wrong with having a little fun?'
Espeon shook her head sadly. 'You are a sad sight, Pikachu... Master Qui-Gon, why do I have to put up with this little troublemaker?"
The Jedi smiled. "Well, we all have to put up with some troublemakers now and then," he said. "Why, I just have to remember the first time I met Obi-Wan..."
Obi-Wan sighed. "Please, Master, not those old stories again..."
Espeon huffed. 'Well, maybe some of our wisdom will rub off on them...' she mumbled. 'I still can't believe that an ELECTRIC Pokémon became the partner of a Jedi apprentice... I say it again, this is against all tradition!'
"I can't be the only Jedi who hasn't a Psychic type as his partner, can I?" Obi-Wan asked. "Wasn't there this story about a female Jedi Knight who always fought with her Blaziken?"
"Well, even if one or two of these old stories are true, it's still unusual, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon told him. "Normally, it's the mental abilities of the Psychic Pokémon that allows them to use the Force just like a Jedi Knight... I was certainly surprised when I learned the Pokémon you created a mental link with was a Pikachu."
Pikachu sat back on his haunches. "Pika!" 'Well, I always knew I was something special...'
Espeon rolled her eyes. 'Again with the gloating...' she grumbled.
Meanwhile, on the bridge of the Federation battleship, TC-14 was standing in front of Viceroy Gunray and the ship's captain, Daultray Dofine. A Persian was crouching to their feet, licking its paws.
"What? What did you say?" the viceroy asked in a shocked voice.
"The ambassadors are Jedi Knights, I believe," the protocol droid replied.
"I knew it," Dofine grumbled. "They were sent to force a settlement, eh? We're done for!"
"Stay calm!" Gunray told the agitated captain. "I'll wager the Senate isn't aware of the Supreme Chancellor's moves here. Go. Distract them until I can contact Lord Sideous."
"Are you brain dead?" Dofine gasped. "I'm not going in there with two Jedi! Send the droid."
TC-14 didn't really have feelings, but still a programmed routine of unease was spreading through her circuits when the two Neimodians looked at her.
Back in the conference room, the two Jedi and their companions were slowly becoming impatient.
"Is it their nature to let us wait so long?" Obi-Wan wondered.
"No," Qui-Gon said. "I sense an unusual amount of fear for something as trivial as this dispute."
Then, the door slid open, and TC-14 came back in, carrying a tray with food and drinks.
"Pika!" 'All right!' Pikachu cheered. 'I'm half starved!'
Espeon looked up at him in annoyance. 'Is that all you can do, eat?'
"Hey, give him a break," Obi-Wan smiled. "It has been some time since our last meal."
The Psychic Pokémon frowned. 'I can go days without having any food.'
"But if you decide to eat, you always eat like a Rapidash," Qui-Gon smiled.
Espeon gave her partner a hurt look and looked at the ceiling.
A dark, robed figure has appeared in the holo-transmitter in front of the viceroy and his consultants. The face of the man was shrouded by a hood, and only a pair of wrinkly hands came out of his robe.
"This scheme of yours has failed, Lord Sideous!" Dofine shouted. "The blockade is finished! We dare not go against these Jedi."
"You seem more worried about the Jedi than you are of me, Dofine," the dark being whispered. "I am amused... Viceroy, I don't want that stunted slime in my sight again. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my lord!" Gunray nodded and gave his captain a dark glare. Hastily, Dofine stepped back.
"This turn of events is unfortunate," the man called Lord Sideous said. "We must accelerate our plans, viceroy. Begin landing your troops!"
The viceroy was taken aback. "Aaahh... my lord... is that... legal?"
"I will make it legal," Sideous replied.
"And, the Jedi?" Gunray asked.
"The Chancellor should have never brought them into this. Kill them, immediately!"
The viceroy lowered his head. "Y-yes, my lord... as you wish."
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(Posted Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:27)
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