Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi stood still, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Before them, two mechanical dogs chassis gleamed, cat claws inexplicably protruding from where machine gun barrels should be… opened fire.
Rat-a-tat-tat-tat
In an instant, the main control room's battle droids were swept into sparking scrap.
Two sleek robot birds swooped through the air, weaving between consoles, seizing control of every remaining droid in the chamber.
One of them landed directly on the central control platform and began interfacing with the Trade Federation's systems.
The two robot dogs then herded the cowering group of Neimoidian commanders into a corner.
The Trade Federation leaders trembled, hands raised, their bulbous eyes wide with terror.
"Why?"
"Why is this happening?"
"This isn't how it was supposed to go!"
"He's our ally! An ally of Lord Sidious!"
"What is going on?!
"Lord Sidious! Help us!"
Garfield watched the chaos with evident satisfaction. With a casual flick of his paw, he snapped his fingers.
The golden restraints binding the two Jedi dissolved instantly. He tossed their lightsabers back to them.
"You both owe me a lightsaber," Garfield declared, his tone light but his eyes sharp.
"And Qui-Gon... you owe me your life."
"Wait," Obi-Wan protested, catching his weapon. "Why do I only owe a lightsaber while my Master owes a life?"
Garfield extended two claws. "This King grants your wish. Two lightsabers, then."
"How do you plan to repay that? Though I wouldn't recommend trying to take my life, I'm far more formidable than either of you."
Qui-Gon secured his lightsaber to his belt and cuffed his apprentice on the shoulder. "Insolent boy. Is a life so easily repaid?"
"I was just making an observation!" Obi-Wan rubbed his shoulder, looking genuinely wounded.
"There's no need to hit so hard, Master."
Qui-Gon sighed, long-suffering.
This was the burden of a master, to guide, to teach, and occasionally to apologize for one's overenthusiastic padawan.
"Master," one of the robot birds reported, landing before Garfield. "The fleet's firewall has been breached."
"Control systems are now yours. All communications are blocked."
Garfield nodded approvingly. "Excellent. Detain all Trade Federation leadership. Temporary imprisonment only."
"The landing forces on Naboo, once they disembark, have them hold position in the main city. No further action until I give the word."
"As you command, Master."
Qui-Gon watched the exchange with growing curiosity, studying the strange creature before him.
"Your Majesty King Garfield," he began carefully, "I must ask, what is your purpose in all of this? Why intervene?"
Garfield turned to the viewport, gesturing with a paw toward the verdant planet below. "Is it beautiful?"
Qui-Gon followed his gaze.
Naboo hung in the void like a polished jewel, green continents swirling with white clouds against deep blue oceans.
"Naboo is one of the most hospitable worlds in the galaxy. Exceptionally beautiful, yes."
"A pity such beauty could be destroyed." Garfield's voice carried unexpected weight.
"The Republic, for all its darkness and corruption, still maintains order."
"I came to capture a creature, one capable of unraveling this entire universe. Consider your liberation a fortunate side effect."
Qui-Gon studied him warily. "You're not working with Incom, then? The company that manufactured this vessel?"
Garfield shook his head. "That was a convenient fiction. I know nothing of your Incom."
"And you cannot comprehend the threat of the beast I hunt. She slipped away while I was occupied with other matters."
"If I don't retrieve her swiftly... this universe of yours has perhaps a few years. No more."
Obi-Wan's eyes widened, catching the implication immediately. "'This universe'? You're saying, you're not from here."
"You're an extragalactic being?"
Garfield's expression shifted from amusement to something far more serious. "Of course I'm not."
"Enough pleasantries, I'll explain simply. I've commandeered this useless Trade Federation fleet to rapidly build a power base."
"Something that allows me to search the galaxy without attracting attention. The beast I hunt could unmake everything you know. If I don't find her before she realizes the potential of this reality..." He trailed off, genuine worry clouding his features.
"Where are you, Pandora? Hiding somewhere I can't sense you."
Through the Force, both Jedi felt the truth of his concern. This wasn't deception.
Obi-Wan glanced at his master, troubled. Qui-Gon placed a steadying hand on his apprentice's shoulder.
"The Force maintains balance in all things, Obi-Wan."
"Where there is capacity for destruction, there is also capacity for creation. Like light and shadow, they define each other."
"I understand, Master."
Garfield observed their exchange with thinly veiled impatience.
"Heartwarming. But we have work to do. To prevent word reaching either this creature or the Sith, here's what will happen."
"You two will take a landing craft to Naboo. Find their Queen. Tell her nothing of what transpired here."
"Convince her to return to Coruscant. And while you're on the way there, locate a child of particular significance."
"Bring them back here. Then we'll give them a performance."
Qui-Gon nodded slowly, grasping the intent. "You want the Trade Federation to appear as if nothing has changed. Maintain the illusion for whoever is watching."
"Precisely. A war drama, as it were."
Obi-Wan frowned. "What if something goes wrong? We'd have no way to coordinate."
Garfield gestured toward the mechanical hounds. "You'll have constant contact through these. Now off you go."
"Stars, prepare for your close-ups." He paused, his voice dropping. "And one more thing. Don't report any of this to the Jedi Temple."
Obi-Wan's eyes went wide. "What? That's impossible. There are no traitors among the Jedi~"
"One grain of rice," Garfield interrupted, "can hide a single piece of vermin. The rice itself is not at fault. But that one piece..."
He held up a claw. "It requires water to separate it. You'll need to find a way to pour that water yourself."
"And know there is only one such piece. But the rat who placed it there? He is not so easily dealt with. Strike carelessly, and you'll find yourself bitten."
The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Qui-Gon felt the weight of them settle onto his shoulders.
He understood this was no simple rescue mission. This was the beginning of something far larger.
"We understand," he said quietly. "We'll do what must be done."
Garfield shook his head slowly. "No. Your role is simpler, and harder."
"You will draw them out. You will fall. And then..." His gaze shifted to Obi-Wan. "Then the responsibility becomes his."
"One in the light, one in shadow. Working in concert. That is how this is done and incidentally~" A hint of his earlier humor returned.
"That's how you'll repay your debts to this King."
Qui-Gon bowed his head, accepting.
Then, with a final look at the strange creature who had upended everything they thought they knew, he guided his apprentice toward the exit.
As the door closed behind them, Garfield turned his attention to the huddled Neimoidians in the corner.
They flinched as one under his gaze.
"So," he said, padding slowly toward them. "What do you imagine this King should do with you?"