8 mercenary 2 (1/2)
High Orbit
corrusant
Arriving at Coruscant was achieved with a fighter that was loaned to me. My craft exited hyperspace in the outskirts of the star system containing the Republic's capital world. Call me paranoid but I preferred to take it nice and slowly instead jumping near Coruscant – I blame my paranoia about that. The few times I've visited that world in the past weren't fun. Most of them were covert insertion in order to clean up one mess or another, or cause trouble for the Republic.
Besides, jumping blindly in the space around Coruscant wasn't the best idea even for a Force Adept. Everywhere around the capital world of the Republic was usually cramped with both military and civilian traffic, which was even worse during a hot war.
So I jumped in the outer system in a region that felt safe. A Venator was patrolling the local space hailed and scanned my ship. The comm officer directed me to one of the defense stations orbiting the capital world of the Republic. I was instructed to refuel there and wait for Senator Amidala's transport. He also gave me the coordinates for a military staging area in high orbit of Coruscant, where I was to meet Padme some time later.
After I landed on a Golan I station, my Torrent was checked up by a group of clone engineers while a pair of droids refueled it. I chatted up a bit with the technicians while they were going over my craft. As expected they knew a lot of rumors but nothing I thought was credible. Most of it was speculation about a Republic fleet that was resupplying nearby and where it would be going once that was done.
I was out of the cockpit to stretch my legs a bit while looking over the various small craft and transports landed in the dock. They had teams of engineers scurrying all over them. I turned to the entrance, where through the soft bluish glow of the force field containing the atmosphere I could see Coruscant. To tell you the truth, despite having seen the planted from orbit multiple time, the city world still looked incredible. The sight was made even more awe-inspiring because the station was holding orbit over the dark side of the world. The surface was blazing with countless lights in spreading in starburst patterns from various cities and country sized industrial zones.
I wondered how many trillions made their homes upon the world strewn bellow me.
If looks were anything to go by, Coruscant was a fitting place for the seat of the government that ruled most of the galaxy. It was too bad that the Republic was barely functioning house of cards.
=RK=
Amidala decided to be a pain in the ass from the moment we spoke on the comm.
”This is a peacekeeping mission. Diplomacy is needed, not some more warmongering. I don't want any accidents! We aren't going there to provoke the Rodian government or attack them! I want you on your best behavior, is that clear?!” The Senator snapped waspishly at me the moment we had established connection.
Gee. I didn't make a good first impression, did I? Where do I start?!
In my experience there were very few problems that could not be made to go away by attacking them and employing overwhelming firepower – preferably from orbit. That usually did the trick. I wondered if Amidala was pissed at me personally or I was just a convenient target for her vitriol after being overruled by Palpatine about needing a babysitter. Before leaving the Negotiator and heading here I heard Kenobi mentioning something about the Chancellor threatening to stick her with at least a platoon of clones if she persisted with her suicidal stunts. Or perhaps it was an Acclamator with a full complement of fighters and ground troops because she got in enough trouble to warrant such a response...
”Senator Amidala, this little exercise was not my idea. I'll do anything in my power to fulfill my contract which is to keep you in one piece and bring you back here alive. If that means ruffling some feathers, then so be it. Please do not forget that I am not under your command. Now, if you've finished unloading your grievances with whoever decided that I am the best man to be your bodyguard onto me, are you ready to depart? I was informed that you wished to visit an old family friend on Rodia ASAP. Is that correct?” I spoke in deceptively calm voice.
The last Republic Senator with such an attitude I spoke to died screaming, the wanker.
”Yes I've known senator Farr since I was a child. His world is in crisis and his people are starving.”
”Said world is in a middle of a war zone in the Outer Rim. To be honest, Senator, in order to guarantee your safety I'll need a bloody fleet but that is something you apparently refused. Most unwise in my opinion. Eh, it's your life. Shall we head to our destination?”
=RK=
Planet Rodia
Outer Rim
I was glad that I had to spend the last couple of days strapped in the cockpit of the Torrent. The alternative – being stuck in one small ship with Jar-Jar Binks, wasn't something I wanted to think about. I would have snapped and murdered everyone on board by the end of the first day.
At least it was a quiet trip because Amidala choose not to speak with me beyond the bare necessary for coordinating our course.
We exited hyperspace near the gravity well of Rodia. It was a green lush world covered by multitude of small islands and huge swamps. Almost as bad as Dagobah in that respect but at least it had some high tech cities and industry. Not to mention it wasn't a pocket death-world. Nevertheless, it was definitely somewhere that I wouldn't spent any time longer than strictly necessary by choice. While we were descending from orbit I felt a small tremor in the Force. It was a warning. As if I did not know that we were heading for some kind of trap after his Sithinesss arranged this field trip. It was not like I could accuse the Chancellor of being Sith without proof. By the Force, even if I had some kind of evidence the Jedi Council may well dismiss it as a fabrication because of what I am, and that wasn't taking into an account all the contingency plans Sidious should have in case his true identity is discovered.
The Senator's Nubian transport and my fighter arrived at a group of facilities (or were those the local towns?), that were covered by domes made of some sort of crystal. A sliding doors opened to admit our craft. I landed to the right of Amidala's ship and popped open the canopy of my fighter. To my pleasant surprise not only it was not too humid under the dome but Padme left the transport alone! She had the good sense to let goldenrod and the gungan on the ship.
However, I would have take points for not having a guard or two, or at least waiting for me to disembark – she could have been shot or something before I could leave the cockpit.
Amidala, who was wearing white blouse and pants had a purple hooded cloak hugging her shoulders, gave me a small nod and we departed. I took a position to her right and we followed the Rodian who was sent as our guide. The inside of the building looked like it was made of stone. It was a curious blend of old and high tech look that was pleasant to look at.
We were led to a courtyard surrounding a tower made from yellow metal. The Senator we met there and Padme exchanged greetings in Rodian which passed over my head. That was not a language I knew. After few pleasantries that you'd expect when someone meets an old family friend, the politicians got straight to business.
”You are talking about a friendship I could not see, Padme.” said Ferr as we were walking around the tower.
I drew on the Force and used it to expand my senses. Let me tell you, I didn't particularly like what I felt.
”Where was the Republic when our ships were decimated?! Where is it while my people are starving? We were left out here alone! Isolated without help from anyone!” The local senator was quite agitated. I could feel his anger, fear and shame all combined with increasing amount of nervousness.
”The vote was slowed down but I can assure you, uncle Comm, you will receive the food soon!” Padme tried to calm down the Rodian.