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Hidden in the shadows for far too long, the mysterious Sith prepare to usher in a new era of Sith rule during this time of weakness in the galaxy.
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Meeting with his apprentice, Darth Sidious explains that Chancellor Valorum has dispatched two Jedi to settle the dispute on Naboo, and he has little confidence in Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray’s ability to prevent the Jedi from reaching Naboo’s Queen Amidala. If the Jedi get to the planet’s surface they will attempt to escort the Queen to Coruscant to plead her planet’s case before the Galactic Senate.
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As the two prepare to make contact with the Viceroy, Darth Maul tells his master he is eager to face the Jedi.
“Good,” Darth Sidious says. “Viceroy Gunray is a coward. It is likely he will not have the situation under control, therefore my young apprentice, your thirst for Jedi blood may be quenched sooner than anticipated,” the Dark Lord explains.
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Meanwhile on Naboo, Jedi Master Qui Gon Jinn and Padawan Obi Wan Kenobi have narrowly made it past the Trade Federation’s blockade…
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…after the Jedi infiltrate the palace, the droid army occupying the capital city of Theed are no match for the Jedi…
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…as they escort Queen Amidala to her starship and escape the planet to bring her case before the Galactic Senate!
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In the days following Queen Amidala’s escape, several small underground resistance cells form around the capital of Theed, including a small group led by Rykrof Enloe.
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Hoping to hold out until the Queen returns with help from the Republic, Rykrof knows the chances of survival are slim with such small numbers compared to the size of the droid army.
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Although the circumstances appear to be very different, he is all too aware of what the Federation did to the Abridon system. Even if the young Queen is able to reach Coruscant safely, it may be a long time before the Republic acts on the invasion.
“Form a defensive position here,” Rykrof orders his men. “We’re on our own until help arrives.”
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Back at Theed, several Vulture Droids patrol the skies over the conquered city.
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Inside the safety of the palace, Viceroy Nute Gunray and Rune Haako prepare to meet with their master, Darth Sidious.
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“Queen Amidala has indeed arrived on Coruscant. But she is too late, the Senate is too inept to act on the invasion in time,” the Dark Lord says.
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Meanwhile, back on Coruscant, Queen Amidala has pleaded her case before the Senate but is stunned that it will not act on the invasion without sending a commission to the planet first.
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The crisis, however has landed a golden opportunity for Senator Palpatine to become a favorable candidate for the newly vacated office of Supreme Chancellor.
Worried about her people, Queen Amidala shows little interest in Palpatine’s political intentions.
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The Queen soon decides she can wait no longer for Republic aid, and chooses to return home to Naboo to face the challenge of freeing her planet without military support. Fortunately, the Jedi are granted permission to escort her.
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The Nemoidian leaders on Naboo soon learn of the Queen’s intentions are are stunned she is returning. To make matters worse, they have learned from Darth Sidious that he is sending his apprentice, Darth Maul, to join them.
Fearing Queen Amidala will attempt to rally any pockets of resistance and combine their strength before attacking the palace, Gunray chooses to act now on a group of Naboo soldiers rumored to be hiding west of the palace.
“Send a battalion of droids to crush the rumored resistance group in the western marsh,” he trembles.
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Soon after, Queen Amidala and the Jedi return to Naboo and rally what forces they can find before meeting with the leader of the native Gungans, Boss Nass.
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They form an unlikely alliance, and Boss Nass agrees to send his army towards the city to draw the bulk of the Federation’s army away from the palace, which may allow for Amidala and the Jedi to capture the Viceroy, ending the conflict.
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Meanwhile Rykrof informs his men of the Queen’s plan.
“We’ve been ordered to hold out here as a group of droids is already approaching our position and we need to keep them away from the city,” he explains. “When they come at us, they will come fast and hard.”
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Suddenly a laser blast rips through the chest of one of the civilian militia volunteers!
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“Droids!” Rykrof yells. “Fire at will!”
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Rykrof’s small band immediately finds themselves fighting for their very lives.
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On the plains near the palace, the Gungan army meets the bulk of the droid force head on…
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…but inside the palace, Queen Amidala and the Jedi strike force swiftly begin to take the upper hand on the droid army as their starfighters escape the main hangar to attack the droid control ship above the planet!
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While the Battle Droids have a numerical advantage over their enemy, they lack the independent thinking capacity of their human attackers and struggle to defend the palace.
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And with the Jedi on their side, the Naboo continue to tear through the droid defenses.
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But the Jedi are then confronted by Darth Maul, who pulls them away from the main battle.
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With his double-bladed lightsaber, Maul is equal to the two Jedi, who are unprepared for his powers. Both Jedi are amazed by his mastery of the Force and soon realize they may not come out of this conflict alive.
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The rest of the battle continues however, as Queen Amidala’s priority is to find and capture the Viceroy, as she knows the chances of her starfighters destroying the Federation Cruiser are unlikely.
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Back in the marsh, Rykrof finds himself in a struggle to survive and prepares to call for his men to retreat.
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But suddenly the attacking droids begin to collapse…
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“What happened, Sir?” asks one of the survivors.
“The droids… they’ve been deactivated!” Rykrof exclaims.
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“Someone must have destroyed the droid control ship!”
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Back at the palace, Rykrof learns that well known Jedi Qui Gon Jinn is among the many casualities, but his killer was defeated.
After meeting Jedi Padawan Obi Wan Kenobi, Rykrof is introduced to Anakin Skywalker, who Obi Wan claims is the real hero after destroying the Federation cruiser.
“It’s a pleasure to meet such a brave young boy,” Rykrof says in admiration. “But a boy of your age is much to young to be fighting in a warzone.”
“And too old to be training to be a Jedi,” Obi Wan thinks to himself.
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Before the Trade Federation leaders are escorted out of the palace, Rykrof considers interrogating the Nemoidian cowards, who refuse to speak with him about their reasons for the invasion.
“Let this be a lesson to all of you,” Rykrof tells them, “your greed is nothing compared to the will of the people.”
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Rykrof then finds himself full of an endless pool of questions, as he wonders what the Federation could have really gained from any of this, and fears this whole debacle with Abridon and Naboo could be the start of a chain of events that will impact the galaxy more than anyone can foresee.
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Following a Freedom Celebration in the city of Theed, Rykrof returns to Coruscant to return to his service as a Peace Officer.
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Upon his arrival, he is shocked to be approached by newly elected Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, who fails to mention the events of Naboo or Abridon.
“Welcome back Officer Enloe,” Palpatine says with a warm smile. “I have heard much about you. We are looking forward to having you back in our efforts to counter the terrorist attacks here on Coruscant by the Badoo Corba.”
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Later, in a dark chamber, Darth Sidious smiles as he views a holo image of a great former Jedi Master, who has left the Jedi Order in search of ultimate power…
TO BE CONTINUED…
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