Star Wars: The Untold Stories

Chapter 20 - Betrayel Is A Bitter Medicine

Sar had arrived on the home planet of the Geonosians and had already infiltrated the large palace where he suspected the meeting between the Separatists and their soon to be allies would be taking place. He used the Force to mask the sound of his steps as he slinked his way through the large hallways.

Sar figured that the area most heavily patrolled by guards was likely to be his destination so he followed the various hovering guards towards their destination. He knew that the Masters probably didn't have this in mind when they had allowed him to scout ahead but Sar was still shaken from the killing of Jango and needed something to occupy his mind for the time being.

When he sensed an intense presence of guards Sar quickly Force jumped onto some wiring that hung from the ceiling managing to avoid detection from the group of guards that soon turned the corner.

When Sar was sure he was in the clear he continued on his towards his destination.

It was clear that he was in the right place considering the fact that he had spotted guards from the banking clans along with the familiar presence of the Trade Federation who had both voiced their support for the Separatist movement.

Sneaking into the large meeting room was easy for the well-trained Jedi-Knight and he quickly got into a position above the large circular table in the middle of the room. Various figures were sitting around the table, some Sar recognized, namely Nute Gunray.

Yet his attention was immediately drawn to the aged figure who sat at what looked like the seat of honor.

The former Jedi Master Dooku.

Sar´s face immediately switched into a grim expression. It would seem he had been too quick in reprimanding the Senator about her accusation of the retired Jedi.

Sar hoped that this was some sort of trick but the distinct power the man radiated could only come from one who had mastered the ways of the Force.

Pulling out a recording device from his robe Sar began recording the meeting. He would be able to use the recording to discover the identities of the various people attending the meeting when he returned to the Temple.

It was just when he began the recording that the slimy voice of Gunray echoed out in the large meeting room.

"I will not sign a single thing until Padme Amidala´s head is on a silver plate in front of me!"

Sar could not say he was surprised about Gunray´s outburst. He had done little to hide his hatred and disdain for the young Senator ever since she, with the help of Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, had destroyed his blockade of Naboo all those years ago.

"Be at ease Viceroy, my friend in the Senate have already given me her location she will be dead soon enough," The voice who answered him was of course Dooku. Sar could feel the echos of power from every word he spoke, though he also sensed the distinct presence of the Dark Side. "The matter of the treaty must be handled immediately with the combination of our army the Jedi and the Republic will have no choice but to meet our demands."

Sar felt a cold chill run up his spine. This was not good.

It would seem that Gunray and the others were satisfied with Dooku´s little speech because after a short time of conversing with one of their aids or guards present they all turned and lifted their hands in the air.

"Nute Gunray of the Trade Federation will back you, Count Dooku."

"Passel Argente of the Corporate Alliance agrees to these terms."

"San Hill of the InterGalatic Banking Clan sees this endeavor as a lucrative one."

"%"&!/ (!/"#¤/(! #" "!¤ #"!#¤ (Shu Mai of the Commerce Guild will support this deal)."

"Wat Tambor of the Techno Union - #static# - supports this treaty."

"Click, Click, ClickClickClick (Poggle and the people of Geonosis will honor the treaty."

"Both I, Po Nudo and my Friend Tikkes will support the decision of the table."

When all the members present had each given their consent they all lowered their hands and silence once again returned to the room. Sar did not know it yet but he was currently staring at the nine members of the Separatist Council.

It would seem that Dooku was pleased with the reply as a thin smile grazed his previously stony face and he lifted himself from his seat while keeping his palms on top of the table.

"A wise decision my friends. Then let us end this meeting here we have preparations to make."

The way Dooku had said the last part had been especially foreboding and had Sar remained in the room he would probably have become even more worried, fortunately, or unfortunately Sar had already left the room and was on his way back to his ship.

As Sar exited the large palace and was greeted with the red sands of Genosis he began thinking of what he had just learned. Dooku was apparently a traitor and the mastermind behind the attempted assassination of Padme, there was a traitor in the Republic, and he had just formed a war council consisting of the wealthiest men in the galaxy.

The thoughts kept spinning through his head and he was starting to feel like they were all being played. Everything had just fallen into place setting up the perfect circ.u.mstances for all-out war.

Sar felt like the previously solid foundation he had stood on was slowly crumbling and turning into sand. It was hard to not be affected by the rapid way that this conflict had escalated to the point that Sar knew war would be unavoidable.

The Republic would vote for an army and the Chancellor would be granted emergency powers. Sar was by no means well-informed when it came to politics but even he could predict how the vote would turn out.

Closing his eyes as he continued running he calmed himself down and repressed all the feelings of doubt that had begun to spring up. He would achieve nothing by losing himself in paranoia and regret. Dooku had revealed that he had already learned of the Senator's location and had sent someone else to kill her.

That was where Sar's focus had to be at the current moment.

He arrived at his ship in the narrow ravine where had left it wasting no time in contacting Master Windu and Yoda. It did not take long for a transparent image of the bald Jedi Master to spring up in front of him.

While Sar wondered briefly where Master Yoda was, but he quickly determined that he did not have time for such frivolous questions.

"Master Windu, I need to speak with Skywalker and Amidala I have reason to believe that they are in grave danger." Sar quickly began explaining before Windu even had a chance to open his mouth.

"Danger? What did you learn Sar?" Windu asked with a worried frown.

Sar just shook his head.

"I'm sorry Master but I really don't have time to explain I need to speak with them right away."

The reason to why Sar could not just contact them himself was that in the event he was captured the enemy would not be able to use the footprints a hologram left to trace it back to the Senator. Therefore only Windu and Yoda who were currently at the temple had a way to contact them.

"Very well, I'm sending through the signal now." Windu did as Sar requested when he realized that time was of the essence.

Windu's image was soon replaced by that of a familiar figure.

"Master Sar, I hear you have some news about the man who wants me dead." Amidala's voice was calm on the outside but Sar could hear that she was hiding something but he didn't have time to interrogate her right now.

"Senator, you and Anakin are in danger the enemy has learned of your location and his heading towards you this very moment." Sar quickly explained but looked puzzled at the expression that slowly began spreading on the Senator's face.

"Um, you see, Master Sar I do not believe that will be a problem," The holographic Padme sheepishly looked at the floor. "Considering the small detail that we are currently not on Naboo."

Hearing the last part of the sentence made Sar enter a state of eerie calmness as he asked in a monotone voice.

"You're both not on Naboo?"

"No, we're not on Naboo." Padme was a bit perturbed by Sar's sudden shift in the mood but did not let it show on her face.

"I see, and may I then ask where you two find yourselves?" Sar continued in the same tone of voice.

"Well...Tatooine." Learning that finally made Sar's mask snap.

"Why the hell are you on Tatooine!?," He was just about to go on a rant when he noticed something, or rather he didn't notice something. "Wait a se- Senator where is Skywalker?"

Sar was stressed and to be honest a little angry though his emotions were well under control some of his irritation still slipped through.

"Well, he isn't here." Padme offered with a wry grin.

"Yeah I can see that but he is near you rig-," Sar didn't even need to finish his sentence the look on Padme's face was answer enough. "Amidala. Where. Is. Anakin." While Sar had started out a little annoyed he was now downright disturbed by Anakin's disappearance.

Probably sensing this Padme was quick to answer.

"He went to get his mother."

There was a solid five seconds silence before a shout rang out inside the c.o.c.kpit of the ship.

"HE DID WHAT!?!"

It may have been the first time that Anakin Skywalker managed to set off Sar Landala but it certainly wouldn't be the last.

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