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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.
—
Tatooine
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.
—
Naboo
Theed Royal Palace
"...if we spoke face-to-face," and he finished, suddenly in the same room as the queen.
Padme flinched, pressing herself into the seat. She activated the force field generator, and her hand stood over the hidden compartment where a blaster was ready. Her handmaidens were less conspicuous. They immediately surrounded the Sorcerer, creating a wall between her and one of the most dangerous people in the galaxy.
"Sorry about that. Didn't mean to startle anyone," he excused, an amused smile gracing his lips. He slowly raised his hands to the side, waiting. "I can raise my hands if that will make you feel safer."
"There is no need," Padme said. One look at her handmaidens had them standing down and returning to their places. "I simply did not consider that the extent of your portals would be this great."
"Understandable," he said, lowering his hands. "You were saying weapons? What kind?"
With a jerk of the Queen's head, one of the handmaidens handed him a datapad. "We have a large inventory of turbo laser cannons seized from the scuttled ships of the Trade Federation. Corvettes and star fighters in addition, as well as equipment for ground troops."
"There is a chance we might be able to acquire nineteen Hutt Security Cruisers in good condition. The one we salvaged didn't have top-of-the-line armaments." The ships were decades old, as were the weapons welded onto their hulls. They had undergone repairs before the attack, but they needed a good, long stay in a yard.
"And we don't have the ships to mount them on. They could be of more use to you than us," she said.
"I assume you would have some terms to arm us freely?" he asked, handing the datapad back.
"I would be the greatest liar in the galaxy to say I understand what hardships your people saw when they were enslaved. What I understand is," she suddenly clenched her mechanical hand, and a flash of a hidden urge passed through her eyes, "the desire for revenge you must have."
Whatever the story behind that arm was, the Queen must be itching to pay it back.
"True."
"I would ask for restraint. Punish them, but only through courts so the galaxy would see you as people fighting for their freedom. Killing prisoners or enemies trying to surrender would create a negative image," she said. The manner of Jabba the Hutt's death had given the Sorcerer a less than pleasant reputation.
She didn't want it to be worse. The Hutt deserved a lifetime in prison for his crimes, not to be simply absolved of it by a violent death.
"Your concerns and requests are understandable. Why should I care about the rest of the galaxy, though? The Outer Rims existed without the Republic's influence for centuries. I am sure we can continue to do the same once the Hutts are gone," he said. In truth, it was the bitter part of him speaking. The Republic, with its glamorous reputation and self-proclaimed civilized attitude, hadn't deigned to get their hands dirty enough to stop the Hutts.
Why should he care what they think when he could sever the Outer Rim from the rest of the galaxy?
She raised a single eyebrow. "Exist? Certainly. Create a working, stable government to unify the Outer Rim, manage the trade routes, and handle defense without the necessary industry and financial institutions of the Core Worlds?" She shook her head. "Unlikely. Not unless your abilities can solve these issues."
He raised a finger, searching for a point to rebuke, but the more he thought, the more he realized she was correct. "Yeah, I am going to have to find someone to handle the political parts of these agreements."
Because if he had to play nice with the Republic or any one of its institutions, he would probably lash out.
"You seem capable enough," she said. It was mostly to avoid discouraging him. The Outer Rim needed a politically savvy leader to prosper once the soldier before her freed the region.
Anakin shrugged. Neither he nor his master was adept in politics. "I only know how to fight. It's the people of Freedom First that handle everything else."
"Very well," she huffed. Her handmaidens glanced at her for a moment. "As soon as we reach an agreement, we can send the weapons. With your portals, we won't have to worry about smuggling them."
The range of his portals would mean the Republic wouldn't suspect anything as long as his presence on Naboo was a secret.
"We have a deal then, Your Majesty."
"Please, call me Padme," she offered. She didn't know why, but something told her he understood.
"Anakin," he introduced himself with a slight downward tilt of his head, "a pleasure."
—
He sent Corlen to handle the talks. As the most senior and experienced member, he was the closest personnel they had to an ambassador. He had used the portals before, but appearing on a completely different planet with a single step was awe-inspiring. The negotiations were quick.
Queen Amidala was extremely understanding of their state. Her terms were on the moral side, as they had discussed. No executing the prisoners and concrete applications of the rule of law—excluding wartime necessities—were the main points. Beyond the military aid, Naboo would be open to sell them weapons at cost and render assistance in creating a functional government.
All points that they were sorely lacking.
While Corlen had his work cut out for him, so did Anakin, on a completely different part of the galaxy.
—
Kalee
Kaleela
When he stepped out of the portal, there were hundreds of Kaleesh waiting, all armed to the teeth. There was a standoff. He watched them and they watched him.
Then, they moved.
The Kaleesh snapped their legs together and raised their weapons high. The uniform sound was as if boulders were shattering. The guard force stood still, only their robes swishing in the wind. A line parted away suddenly, like a well-greased droid parts, letting a single Kaleesh pass through.
"Welcome, Sorcerer of Tatooine," he said, taking the mask off. The dark slitted pupils were watching him, the yellow sclera as stern as the military formation around him. There was a pleased smile on the Kaleesh's face. He held his arm out, waiting.
Anakin took it. "Thank you, Supreme Warlord of Kalee."
"Come, let's speak in private," he said, putting the mask back on. Anakin walked forward, closing the portal behind him. The guards created a wall of living flesh around them. They marched as one, each step shaking the city.
He was led to the largest building in the city. It was no different from a fortress. Thick walls, guards everywhere, and dozens of weapon encampments spread out evenly. Every Kaleesh inside saluted him. Children with their parents and elderly who had a difficult time standing up, regardless of rank, age, and title, showed their deepest respect in the only way they knew.
They entered a small room, where a small table with refreshments awaited them.
"I wanted to speak to you first before the tribe chiefs gathered," he said, filling a metal cup with water.
"It is not much, but please, eat and drink to your heart's content," Qymaen offered. Anakin took the cup, drinking slowly. The cold liquid washed the heat off his throat. He let out a satisfied ahh, putting the cup down.
"I am from Tatooine. Clear water is a luxury to us," he said. Even with the reservoirs he had discovered, the water shortage wasn't going away anytime soon.
"What you did for us is…" He turned around, looking out the window towards the clear skies he never thought he would see. "Words can't express it."
He twisted sharply, long, quick steps taking him right in front of Anakin's face. "We are and always will be grateful, yet I can't help but ask, why?'"
He matched the Warlord's intense gaze, and the Kaleesh backed off, satisfied.
"We are similar. You, even as outclassed as you were, defeated the Yam'rii. Only for them to deceive the Republic and reduce your world to a dustball."
"What I did, I did because I understand where you are coming from," he said, pulling the collar of his shirt, exposing the small scar on his collarbone.
Qymaen nodded, knowing that exposing his scar must have meant a great deal to the Sorcerer. Just as it did for a Kaleesh to reveal their face. "You don't want anything from us?"
He still wanted to hear it.
"I alone don't have the power to restore a planet. The artifact I used has strict conditions. Only if your desire is pure and virtuous can its power be manifested. If I desired to leverage this, then your planet wouldn't have been healed," he explained. The details, along with the necessary proof, would take too much time to reveal.
"An interesting artifact."
"It is."
Qymaen reached for the large, green fruit on the tray, taking a small bite. "Tribe chiefs think that creating an alliance between our peoples is natural. Yet I think differently," he said after eating his bite.
"Different how?"
"An alliance would be an insult to your efforts. I would call you and the people of Tatooine brothers if you would have it," Qymaen said, his arm stretched again.
Anakin tilted his head slightly to the right. An alliance would be welcome, but to be brothers? He wasn't certain what it would entail. If someone with Qymaen's brutality was offering it, he wanted to know more.
"Before that, I have a question. The rumors say that your war against the Yam'rii became more brutal each day. It gave you quite the fearsome reputation. What was the reason behind it?" What had made the honorable warlord who had fought for freedom into Grievous?
He was silent at first. He reached around his neck, pulling out a dark metal chain. There was a locket at the end, but he didn't see what it contained. "Have you ever loved a woman enough to give your life for her?" Qymaen's voice was devoid of all the warmth the restoration of his home had brought.
He hung his head in respect. "No."
"Then I pray you will never feel the pain her death would bring. It changes your soul in irreversible ways."
He didn't know what to say. He certainly hadn't fallen in love yet. Apologizing was showing pity, and condolences meant nothing. The Supreme Warlord would not appreciate either. So he kept silent.
He decided to change the subject.
"We actually made an interesting ally. In return for arming us, they want our campaign to be a war for our freedom and not a drive for revenge. When the day for payback comes, we can't afford to simply butcher the Yam'rii."
He didn't name Naboo or its queen. Hatred paled to describe what the Kaleesh felt towards the Republic. He couldn't reveal that particular knowledge until he was sure the response wouldn't be violent.
Exactly like what Qymaen was doing.
The Warlord slammed his fist on the table, eyes livid. "You would have us show mercy to them?" His voice was louder than the footsteps of his guards marching in perfect order. The hatred in it was more than a match for the spirit fragments of the dead Sith warrior he encountered years ago.
"I would have us humiliate the Yam'rii and the Republic and run their reputations to the ground. Destroying the Yam'rii would make them martyrs. Revealing the truth would turn them to pariahs," he offered, unfazed.
"After all, they can't suffer if they are dead."
Qymaen slowly moved back, taking his seat. "You are wise for your age."
"I have an excellent teacher."
"One last thing," he said, holding his arm out, "is my brother's name Grievous or Qymaen?" It was the moment he would have to choose who to be.
"Bah, so be it. I am Qymaen," he grumbled, taking the hood off. "Let Grievous be a memory in the past, just as the ruins of Kalee were."
The Cloak of Levitation felt his intentions. It receded back, exposing his face to an outsider for the first time.
"Anakin Skywalker, a student of the Mystic Arts," he said, squeezing his arm.
Qymaen chuckled. "To think such a youthful face would worry the galaxy so much."
—
The tribe chiefs were all too delighted with the Supreme Warlord's idea. They swore that the people of Tatooine were their brothers from now on till the end of time. Anakin repeated the vows as the representative and the unofficial leader of his world.
The celebration they wanted to hold, small in size only because they lacked the resources, was the perfect time to bring the Kaleesh members to their homeworld.
He took part in it, enjoying the atmosphere. It was a first for him to celebrate an occasion like this on such a green world. The next morning, it was business once more. The Kaleesh didn't have fleets or arms to spare. They had, however, experienced commanders and warriors.
Ones that were very willing to leave for Tatooine to fight for their brothers.
—
Tatooine
Fort Freedom
When he returned to the command center, Corlen greeted him, thinking nothing of the Kaleesh warriors pouring out of the portal. Anakin had taken a sizable group back to Kalee.
His shock grew quickly as there seemed to be no end to them.
"Sir, what is happening?" he asked. Seeing so many Kaleesh warriors in one place usually meant someone was going to die. Even their presence was foreboding.
He gestured at the warrior standing at the front. "The Kaleesh and the people of Tatooine are brothers now. They came to support our war against the Hutts."
"This many?" he asked, feeling his head spin. The sea of people beyond the portal had no end he could see.
"Believe me, I had to convince the majority to stay behind. These are rookie numbers." He had taken only a set number of warriors from each tribe for fairness. No tribe wanted to be left out, not when it concerned their brother.
"Well, let's hope our friends have enough weapons to arm everyone here," he said with a lopsided grin. He handed him a datapad, detailing the agreement between Naboo and Tatooine.
Very soon, their war would be on more than even terms.
"Also, this is the queen's observer," Corlen said, gesturing to the woman waiting at the side of the room. She walked over, and it was clear to him she was Force-sensitive.
"Asajj Ventress, at your service," she introduced herself in a lazy voice, removing her hood. Her demeanor appeared uncaring, but her blue eyes were taking in every detail. He didn't know what her species was, but she was dangerous.
At least by the standards of this galaxy.
—
In the next chapter:
"We make quite an interesting crew, don't we?" Ventress' voice drawled, her eyes sweeping around the room.
The Sorcerer of Tatooine, the Supreme Warlord of Kaleesh, an agent of the Queen of Naboo, a former smuggler, and a rebel are all sitting around the same table. It sounded like the start of a joke.
Whether it would be a good or a bad one remained to be seen.
"Before anything else, where exactly is our mysterious ally from?" Qymaen asked, eyes on Ventress. She carried twin vibroblades, and there was something familiar in her stance.
Too familiar.
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