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Anakin Skywalker is on the path to become one of the greatest figures on the galactic scene. If you want to read an original story of greatness, you can check my story, Arrival : Ruptures. Comments, likes and reviews are appreciated. Here are the links for : AO3, Spacebattles, Royal Road and Webnovel.
—
Coruscant
Jedi Temple
"Even with this proof, I still find it impossible to believe what I am seeing," Mace said, taking in every second of the footage. A planet of dust and mud was transformed to a paradise in seconds.
All the damage the Kaleesh had done to their home planet was gone as if it never happened.
"To restore a planet like Kalee within the blink of an eye… it certainly baffles the mind," Saesee joined. The great disturbance in the Force, more akin to a supernova of life and purity coming into existence, had knocked out hundreds of Jedi unconscious with pure bliss.
Even Yoda was affected. The Grand Master found himself blinded by a sensory overload, unable to feel anything through the force for hours.
Adi brought her hands together, letting the fingertips touch. "What I don't understand is the reason. Why would the Sorcerer help them in this manner?" Someone who was fighting against the tyranny and brutality of the Hutts should have no reason to help the aggressive and barbaric denizens of Kalee in this manner.
"To gain allies," Oppo answered her question. "The Kaleesh, from his perspective, would make great allies against the Hutts." They were aggressive and formidable warriors. Regardless of the Kaleesh' nature, the bargaining chip he had was massive.
"Yet why didn't he restore Tatooine too? Shouldn't his home take priority?" Windu asked. Tatooine was slightly better than Kalee. It was only because the planet still saw trade and had moisture farms. Why would he restore a foreign world before transforming his own planet?
"While legends exist among the natives of Tatooine that the planet was once a lush paradise, there is no proof of it in any part of recorded history," Master Rancissis said. His knowledge on the Outer Rim was lacking until a few weeks ago. He was quick to rectify it, learning all he could.
Which included legends of Tatooine to find clues to answer the Sorcerer's existence.
"If he simply didn't regrow vegetation and bring extinct animals back to life, then the options it leaves are even more unbelievable." Sasee said, his words falling more and more silent towards the end.
Terraforming a planet was difficult. If the Sorcerer simply didn't use his abilities to resurrect the dead biosphere, then he either reversed the damage or rewrote the reality. He didn't wish to consider either option.
Yoda, who has been listening to the Council so far, tapped his cane on the floor, earning their attention. "Receptive to Master Plo Koon's questions, the Sorcerer has been. Task him to find out more; we should."
—
Tatooine
Fort Freedom
"Who are they?" he whispered to Corlen, leaning closer. It was unlikely that the Kaleesh would be able to send a delegation so quickly.
He had barely recuperated from the use of the intensive spell.
"Kaleesh that were freed and joined our movement. They came here to thank you."
His eyes hardened beneath the hood. "Who enslaved them?"
"A Yam'rii. We have him in prison in Mos Espa."
He opened a portal to the makeshift prison. "Bring him here."
Corlen nodded, activating his comlink to relay the orders.
One of the Kaleesh approached. They were all dressed in body covering robes, as well as the signature painted bone masks the Kaleesh were known for.
His hand slowly reached to his face, removing the mask, exposing his visage. The rest of the Kaleesh stood around him, blocking anyone else from seeing the warrior's face. "I am Vraesk jai Toral. We have heard that our home has been restored."
Anakin, in the short time he had spent on learning about the Kaleesh, knew the importance of the bone masks. Removing one before an outsider was a sign of great respect and trust. That he would do this showed how they saw him.
"It has been."
"How can we ever repay you?" Vraesk asked with a warm tone. There was a glint in his eyes, almost child-like.
Anakin shook his head, feeling a smile grow on his face, even as tired as he was. "I didn't do it for personal gain. Your people defeated the Yam'rii, only to be screwed over by the Republic. I simply lent a helping hand for the people that fought the same cause as us."
"The Jedi are here. It won't end well if the Kaleesh see them."
"No, it's exactly what we need. Let them in and we can have the Yam'rii confess to the truth."
Corlen activated his comlink again before he turned to him. "Do you have something to force him to speak truthfully?"
Anakin smirked, looking at the floor where the trap door was. "Yeah. It's called a rancor."
"The Jedi wouldn't accept a confession given under duress, would they?" he asked. They were all uptight and lawful. Forcing the Yam'rii to speak with the threat of being a snack for the rancor wouldn't be accepted by them.
The answer came from the source. "No, we wouldn't," Obi-Wan said, having only heard the final part of the conversation.
Anakin regarded them for a moment before speaking. "Master Jedi."
The Kaleesh members saw red upon hearing the cursed words. Anakin saw the attempted attack coming, as did the Jedi. Before it could take place, however, Anakin materialized a mandala between the two parties.
"Enough," his voice echoed, loud and clear, silencing the room. "There will be no violence here."
Out of respect for him, the Kaleesh members stood down. They moved to the side, glaring at the Jedi, their tensed bodies ready to leap at a moment's notice.
"It appears the Kaleesh delegation reached here before us," Plo Koon commented. Kenobi and Vos stood on his right, acting as a barrier.
Anakin leaned on his fist, his smirk visible. "Delegation?"
The wrinkly skin above the Kel Dor's eyes curled upwards. "Yes? Aren't they?"
"No. They were enslaved by a Yam'rii. We freed them, same as many others, and they joined us."
The Jedi Master nodded. "Actions of an individual cannot be attributed to an entire species."
Anakin shrugged. He was correct in his comment. There were plenty of evil individuals that did not represent their entire species.
The bug that was brought through the portal wasn't among them. He turned to him, realizing it was the first time he ever saw a Yam'rii. He looked like an oversized praying mantis, an insect from his master's homeworld.
"Do you know who I am?" he asked, a knife-sharp tone seeping into his voice. How cathartic it would be to kill the bug here if only he didn't need him alive.
The Yam'rii clicked his mandibles twice. "Yes."
"How did you come to possess Kaleesh slaves?" he asked, glancing at the seething soldiers.
The bug looked at the Jedi, recognition in his beady eyes. "I bought them from pirates."
The group of Kaleesh bristled, hurling insults and threats of violence against the bug. Anakin stopped them, chuckling. The bug realized they were Jedi and refused to reveal the truth.
"Well, if you are going to lie, I have the means to extract the truth from you," he said, reaching for the controls of the trap door.
Quinlan took a step forward, his gaze hardening. "Perhaps we could assist so this proceeding could be impartial?"
He wasn't about to watch a Yam'rii be fed to a rancor, even if he was a slaver.
Anakin pulled his hand back. This would be a good opportunity to witness what the Jedi could do firsthand. "By all means, Master Jedi."
Plo Koon raised his open palm towards the Yam'rii. Anakin felt the Force move. He leaned closer, trying to glean more. "You will tell me where you bought the Kaleesh," he ordered. The Yam'rii's mandibles slacked, his eyes going hazy.
"From the homeworld, Huk," he said in a blank tone, as if he were not aware of what he was saying.
The Jedi had somehow weakened the bug's mind with the Force. The order must sound like a divine command to him.
"What?" Plo Koon said. The distraction almost broke the hold he had on the Yam'rii's mind, but he re-established it. "You will tell me from where," he continued.
The Kaleesh were buzzing with anticipation. The Jedi, however, were frozen in shock.
"They were sold after we conquered their planet," the bug replied in the same blank tone. Plo Koon dropped his hand. The slaver shook his head, looking confused.
Anakin clapped slowly. "That was convenient." Mystic arts that could extract the truth were numerous. Ones that could make a public display were non-existent. If he could learn this nifty trick, using it along with magic could open new doors.
"Master Plo Koon, that would mean…" Kenobi said, unable to finish his sentence. The war between the Kaleesh and the Yam'rii was finished seven years ago with the Republic's interference. All that time, the Kaleesh were sanctioned to the point of breaking. If they weren't the aggressors, then this was the gravest tragedy the Galactic Republic had created in living memory.
"A grave injustice has been done. We need to inform the Council immediately," Plo Koon said, his words carrying a heavy and solemn air. He gave a quick bow and left, his compatriots in tow.
"And I didn't even have to bring the rancor out," he muttered to himself, watching the Jedi leave. Whether something would come out of it or not, he didn't know. What he knew, however, was that the Yam'rii could not stop him.
They would pay one way or another.
"Take him away," he said, glancing at the bug one last time. The troops dragged him through the portal. He closed it, sent the Kaleesh to their stations, and considered what to do next.
Corlen leaned closer, speaking in a rushed tone. "Someone wants to speak to you. She says her patron can offer us weapons for our cause."
He raised a brow. Now that was surprising. "In return for what?" What could this person want? The Mystic Arts were certainly one since Tatooine did not possess any natural resources worth mentioning.
He shook his head. "She didn't say. She only requested a private meeting and promised to make it worth our time."
"No harm in hearing her out then," he said with an airy tone, getting up.
—
Without even uttering a word, he opened a portal, gesturing at the woman hidden by the robes to follow him. Her attendants stood back, allowing her to leave without a protest. The portal led to the outskirts of Mos Espa, right into one of the mansions that was burned down in fighting.
"Let's talk," he said with a bright voice, eyes smiling, summoning a large umbrella, two chairs, a small table, tea, and snacks.
She took a step back, watching the teapot fill the cup, but eventually sat down. "May I start by congratulating you on your victories?"
"Not mine alone, but certainly."
"I know your time is valuable, so I shall get straight to the matter. My mistress has always been against slavery. Previously, she didn't have the means to take any decisive action. With your cause rising against the Hutts and their tyrannical order, she sees an opportunity."
"Who might your mistress be?" A wealthy philanthropist? A woman playing the warrior? Or merely someone who wanted to sell weapons?
She reached into her robe, laying a holoprojector on the table. An image of a woman, dressed in a fancy black and brown robe with silver, intricate rings around the middle of her upper arm, appeared. There was another silver piece on her chest, decorated with gems, though the most attention-drawing part was her hair.
Her warm brown locks were braided into two circles on each side of her head. Decorated with more silver accessories, especially a triangle on her forehead, she created a lovely aura.
Her brown eyes, on the other hand, could match the Icy Tendrils of Ikhtalon.
She raised her left hand, a silver prosthetic hand peeking out of her sleeve, laying it across her chest. "An honor to meet you, Sorcerer of Tatooine. I am Padme Amidala, the elected Queen of Naboo."
"Well, this, I didn't expect," he admitted with a mischievous smile. Naboo already sent them ships filled with humanitarian aid, such as food, water, and medicine. Weapons, though, were strictly against their peaceful intentions.
Her cold visage did not shift at his teasing tone. "I understand how surprising it might be for a member of the Republic to promise you aid in arms. Hence the secrecy."
"Why help us, though?" he asked, taking a sip of the iced tea. "I am sure there are many more rulers who detest slavery. I didn't receive an offer like this from anyone else." Sure, there were letters congratulating him, offering their sincerest words against the evils of slavery, but that was all.
She nodded, both eyes closing for a brief moment. "I doubt any of them have ever visited Tatooine."
The tea cup stopped halfway to his lips. He put it on the table, suddenly more curious. "You have?"
"It was six years ago, during the invasion of Naboo by the Trade Federation. Our hyperdrive was damaged, and we landed on Tatooine to seek parts. The Toydarian we bargained with complained about losing his slaves," she said.
Anakin sighed. He hadn't thought about the Toydarian ever since the day he had killed him. Now, in this moment, that bastard's presence had somehow come up. "Watto," he spat out unintentionally, losing control of his emotions.
Padme's head slowly tilted to the side at the reaction. "Yes, I believe that was the name."
Anakin's laughter started small at first before it quickly grew, echoing inside the broken mansion. He quickly forced it down, considering the possibilities.
"What is so amusing?" she asked. The mysterious sorcerer obviously knew the Toydarian. From the looks of it, it wasn't with positive feelings.
"Nothing. Forgive me," he said, waving his hand dismissively.
"When I witnessed the true scope of what was happening in the Outer Rim, I reached out to the Senate. I submitted a proposal to take actions against slavery," she said, looking away for a second.
Anakin snorted. He knew the outlook of the people on the Outer Rim was biased against the Senate. He, however, learned enough to know what the truth was. Her proposal to the Senate was the same as nicely asking Hutts to ban slavery.
A waste of time.
"It was not even worth their time," she said, pouring what he was thinking into words.
"I suppose I knew it was futile. They didn't even bother helping Naboo; why would they help the Outer Rim as a whole?" she asked, more to herself than Anakin.
"I decided that more than words would be necessary to prevent what had happened during the invasion. I reach out to you to give your movement all the aid that I can. Because I don't expect the Republic to do anything worthwhile."
He smiled. He had assisted the Kaleesh because they were suffering. Now, the Queen of Naboo was lending them aid because she understood. At least to a degree. "You decided to take the matters into your own hands."
"Indeed. What do you say?" Padme asked, expectant.
He reached for the holoprojector.
—
In the next chapter:
He changed the settings, and the projection appeared in a wider radius, covering the queen as well as the room she was in.
"What are you doing?" Padme asked, watching the Sorcerer work.
"Nothing, I just thought it would be better…" Anakin said, stepping through the portal.
"...if we spoke face-to-face," and he finished, suddenly in the same room as the queen.
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