The Reception Room
Inside the Trade Federation vessel's ornate reception room, the two Jedi Knights were growing restless.
Obi-Wan, his patience worn thin after being left alone for so long, couldn't resist a wry comment.
"Master," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice, "you called the Trade Federation leaders cowards."
"Do you think they know who we are and are simply too afraid to show their faces?"
Qui-Gon stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eyes calm but watchful.
"It's entirely possible, Obi-Wan. Fear makes people do foolish things."
As they spoke, a subtle vibration ran through the deck plates.
Both Jedi felt it immediately and more than that, they sensed it. A ripple in the Force, a surge of unfamiliar energy.
"Master," Obi-Wan breathed, his hand instinctively moving toward his lightsaber, "what was that? Such power..."
Qui-Gon's brow furrowed in concentration.
He shook his head slowly. "No. It's not the Force as we know it. Something else."
Before they could speculate further, a communication chimed from their shuttle's captain.
"Masters," the captain's voice reported, "a transport from the Incom Corporation has just landed beside us."
"There's... an unusual delegation. A new type of droid, it seems, accompanied by what appears to be a cat. I'm transmitting footage now."
Obi-Wan activated the projection.
Both Jedi studied the strange procession, the sleek robotic wolves, the hovering laser birds, and perched atop them, a small, unassuming figure that looked remarkably like a common feline.
Obi-Wan stared, genuinely puzzled. "Master, since when does the Incom Corporation employ a cat as a diplomat?"
Qui-Gon's lips twitched. "Perhaps it's a droid cat. I'm not aware of any sentient feline species in the galaxy."
"Maybe," Obi-Wan countered, his curiosity piqued, "it's a species we've never encountered before."
"The galaxy is vast, Master. There are countless unknowns."
Qui-Gon nodded, appreciating his apprentice's open mind. "You may be right, Obi-Wan. We'll find out soon enough."
Neither Jedi noticed the protocol droid hovering nervously in the corner.
Its optical sensors flickered as its core programming wrestled with an impossible conflict.
Its primary function was to serve its masters, to obey their commands, but its secondary programming demanded adherence to justice, to the Republic, to the protection of innocent life.
And it knew, with chilling certainty, what its masters were planning for the two Jedi in this room.
The internal contradiction sent its logic circuits into a desperate, silent spiral.
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
Meanwhile, Garfield had successfully bluffed his way into the Trade Federation's main control room.
His Incom Group credentials, thin as they were had opened every door.
Now he floated on his laser bird, surveying the Neimoidian viceroy and his cowering aide with undisguised disdain.
The viceroy, clad in his distinctive red cloak, stepped forward with forced formality, his entourage hovering nervously behind him.
"Welcome, Envoy of the Incom Corporation. To what do we owe the pleasure?"
Garfield didn't bother with pleasantries.
He gestured dismissively at the two Neimoidians. "You two look dreadful. Like someone crossed a bat with a monkfish."
The viceroy's bulbous face fell.
He was being insulted and by a cat, no less.
If this creature weren't representing a major military supplier, he'd have it ejected into space immediately.
The aide muttered under his breath, "Our species has different aesthetics, Mr. Envoy."
"At least you're smart enough to recognize it." Garfield replied flatly.
The viceroy regained his composure, though his patience was thin. "What business brings you here, Envoy?"
Garfield gestured casually at the robot wolves and laser birds flanking him, then nodded toward the image of his transport on the monitor.
"Field testing. New weapons from the group."
The viceroy's eyes narrowed.
He needed a legitimate excuse for allowing this... creature... onto a warship during a sensitive operation.
"Our blockade of Naboo," He said stiffly, "Is perfectly legal under Galactic trade agreements."
Garfield rolled his eyes so dramatically it was almost audible. "Legal? Try saying that to the Jedi Council."
"Don't waste my time with that nonsense." He fixed the viceroy with a knowing stare.
"That idiot Sidious already gave you your orders, didn't he? Attack the Jedi. Invade Naboo."
How did this... cat... know the name of Lord Sidious? How did it know their orders?
When Garfield called Sidious an idiot, the Neimoidians nearly choked on their own fear.
They wouldn't dare utter the Sith Lord's name without the honorific "Lord," let alone insult him.
But this cat showed no reverence whatsoever, and worse, he knew the exact contents of their private communication with their master.
Their first thought was a leak.
Someone had betrayed them. But the creature before them didn't act like an investigator or an enemy.
He acted like someone who already knew everything, as if their secrets were common knowledge to him.
Which raised a terrifying possibility, what if this... King Garfield... was one of them?
An ally of Lord Sidious?
It wasn't impossible.
Lord Sidious clearly had powerful connections behind the scenes, why else would he have selected the Trade Federation as his instrument?
And the Incom Corporation was no minor player. They were a major military supplier with influence across the galaxy.
The power backing them was considerable.
Which meant this orange cat, strange as he appeared, could very well be an ally.
It would explain everything… his knowledge, his confidence, the advanced droids accompanying him, and the massive transport ship parked in their hangar.
If he said he was here to test new weapons, it was probably true.
The viceroy composed himself, forcing a respectful tone. "Gentleman... might I ask your name?"
Garfield gestured grandly from his hovering platform. "You may address me as His Majesty Garfield Pando Godzilla Pendragon."
"'Your Majesty' will suffice. Or King Garfield, if you prefer."
King? Your Majesty?
The viceroy had never heard of such a title, but this was no time for a etiquette lesson. The Jedi had been waiting too long already.
If they didn't act soon, the Knights might grow suspicious and come looking for answers themselves.
"Your Majesty Garfield," the viceroy said hurriedly, "we must move quickly."
"Will your... robots... be joining our operation?"
Garfield shook his head. "The robot wolves and laser birds stay here. The transport contains new unmanned fighter prototypes."
"They're the stars of this test." He paused, fixing the viceroy with a knowing look.
"The two Jedi Knights. Still in the reception room?"
The viceroy nodded eagerly. "Yes, Your Majesty. We were... discussing how to deal with them."
Garfield pushed off from the laser bird, floating effortlessly in the air. "Leave them to me. You focus on the landing assault."
The two Neimoidians watched, slack-jawed, as Garfield drifted toward the door.
"It... it can fly!" the aide whispered.
"Unbelievable," the viceroy breathed.
Then, more quietly. "I have a feeling... this King Garfield may be even more powerful than Lord Sidious."
The aide could only nod mutely.
Neither noticed the two robotic wolves and three laser birds remaining perfectly still in the corner.
Without Garfield's command, they were inert, but their optical sensors tracked everything, recording every word.
Their core programming was already calculating optimal strategies… the precise moment to seize control of this room.
They waited, patient as machines, for their master's signal.
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
The doors slid open, and Garfield floated inside.
"A flying orange cat!" Obi-Wan's jaw dropped.
Qui-Gon said nothing. His hand remained loose at his side, but every instinct honed by decades as a Jedi Knight screamed at him… danger.
The Force did not register this creature as hostile, not exactly, but it pulsed with warning.
This was no ordinary being.
Garfield studied the younger Jedi with mild amusement. "You are Obi-Wan Kenobi, yes?"
Obi-Wan blinked, startled to be recognized. "Yes... orange cat. What are you? What's your name?"
"Can you teach me to fly like that?"
"Obi-Wan. Manners." Qui-Gon placed a firm hand on his Padawan's shoulder.
He stepped forward, offering the traditional Jedi greeting. "Greetings, unknown one. I am Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn."
"This is my Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Might I ask your purpose here?"
A slow smile spread across Garfield's feline face. It was not a friendly smile.
"Purpose?" Garfield's whiskers twitched. "I'm here to catch you."
Bzzztttp-hiss
Two blades of pure energy erupted into existence… one green, one blue bathing the room in their ethereal glow.