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As the morning daylight touches down upon the Jedi Temple…
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Yoda offers a few words to Sifo-Dyas and his young apprentice, Nouk Kii.
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“Leave your padawan behind you must, Sifo-Dyas,…
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…not ready is he” he says.
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As Nouk Kii protests, Sifo-Dyas agrees with Yoda…
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“Master Yoda is right Nouk, this diplomatic mission is not for you. Your time will come.”
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As the naval cruiser carrying the Jedi and the archaeologists to Dac departs…
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The business district of Coruscant is teeming with activity.
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Senator Gunray is hosting a group of powerful businessmen and politicians for an illegal secret meeting…
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…the goal of which is to secure the votes in the senate needed to authorize the creation of a TRADE FEDERATION, an alliance of corporate entities with the benefit of having a private army.
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The arms dealer Wat Tambor is there to present his Techno-Union’s newest weapon, for use in the Trade Federation’s security forces.
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As the Foreman unveils the formidable new droid…
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The prospective members of this Trade Federation delight in the idea of a powerful security force to insure their profits.
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Chairman Tambor boasts, “The Destroyer features a personal shield, impervious to small-arms blaster fire…
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…We have already delivered a set of prototypes to Cato Neimoidia, to provide heavy security for Senator Gunray’s trade ships.”
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Ready to resume business, Senator Gunray addresses the parties “And so gentlemen, we only need one more vote on the commerce committee to make our Federation a reality.”
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“Unfortunately there are those who oppose our right to defend our interests, our right to form an alliance,” warns Senator Gunray.
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“If we can not trust one another gentlemen, then how are we to do business together?” he continues, looking directly at the Arconan senator Zen Hobaz.
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As the Destroyer Droid powers up, Senator Gunray seethes “Some portend to be with us, but are in fact secretly undermining our efforts.”
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And as Gunray continues his tirade, the Destroyer strikes down Senator Hobaz…
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Leaving Senator Gunray to gloat over his body and continue “And this, dear associates, is what we do with our enemies…
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…and now, I am quite certain the Mon Cal senator from Dac will cast his vote in our favor and make our Trade Federation a reality, the Mon Cal are sorely in need of a security force…”
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Days later, as the naval cruiser makes its final approach into Dac…
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The principals discuss the procedures of the landing.
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As Admiral Mez and Captain Smeet coordinate the plans between the archaeologists and the Jedi…
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The consular ship prepares to enter Dac’s atmosphere.
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After the ship lands on a raised landing platform in the south polar region…
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the Jedi take marine transport to the under-ocean city…
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and make their way to the royal palace for their audience with Her Majesty, queen of the Mon Cal.
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As the Jedi are shown into the audience chamber by Her Majesty’s royal guards…
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Senator Reels and Governor De Melk offer greetings…
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And They introduce Queen Seiya, ruler of the crustacean Mon Cal for one hundred generations.
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As the highly evolved being emits her greeting with echoing tones from her ocean-connected habitat chamber…
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the sounds are translated by the protocol droid TC-12.
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“We bring greetings from the Jedi Temple, Your Majesty.” submits Master Dooku.
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Governor De Melk then introduces the arriving Quarren representatives, and begins the meeting.
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“It is obvious that the Quarren are intent on destroying the Mon Cal,” accuses the Governor.
“Our mineral ore exports have been disrupted, costing Her Majesty’s crown billions in Republic credits.”
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“We condemn these barbaric acts,” Quarren representative Breetai angrily fires back “It is the oppressive policies of this court that are responsible for fueling them!”
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“Outrageous!” Senator Reels screams back, “It is you, the Quarren leadership, who are arming them!”
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As the diplomats almost come to blows, Sifo-Dyas gets between them.
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Suddenly, the Queen emits a deafening sound that echoes in the chamber…
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As all parties turn toward the Queen, the protocol droid translates “Enough of this. We must restore order and resume commerce…
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…Master Jedi—we require your assistance in discovering the culprits behind these attacks.”
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As Master Dooku dutifully accepts Queen Seiya’s request, he turns to the Quarren representative to demand “We shall require your cooperation in learning the identities of the attackers as well.”
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“We shall do everything we can… but the illegal Mon Cal occupation of our waters makes it difficult to garner much sympathy from ordinary Quarren” sneers the representative.
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“We are not here to interfere in your politics, we only seek to help prevent further attacks against innocent civilians.” Master Dooku retorts.
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Queen Seiya, speaking through her interpreter, orders her officials to provide guidance for the Jedi to begin their investigation…
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…and warns the Quarren representatives that she will hold them personally responsible should the attacks turn out to have been facilitated by them.
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After the audience, Master Dooku tells Sifo-Dyas “We must make contact with the Council, inform them of the situation.”
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