After making the call I returned to our Shmi's Hutt.
Apparently, she had gone ahead alongside Padme and Jar-jar, while Qui-Gon had spent way too much time explaining to Anakin why he couldn't take 3PO to Coruscant and that he didn't need to pack much as he wouldn't use it.
As I arrived Qui Gon and Anakin exited their House.
Anakin carried a simple backpack while Qui Gon carried nothing.
"Greetings, Qui Gon." I said as I approached.
"Greetings, Count Thalron. I thought you had gone ahead?" He asked.
"Had to make some calls and prepare some stuff for our travel to Coruscant. But I'm ready now." I said and looked at Anakin. Since he wasn't required to say goodbye to his mother yet he was happy.
"Is Coruscant big?" He asked.
"Coruscant is larger than Tatooine and the entire planet is one big city." I said and he got stars in his eyes.
We continued talking as we walked towards the ship.
Santo, Robb, and Jon followed us closely.
As we left the city I saw a small flying droid turn around and speed off. I guess Darth Maul was coming.
I made a few signs with my hands, signaling to Jon and Robb to be cautious and aware. They then repeated it to Santo quietly.
After a bit of time and being interrogated by Anakin, the ship came into view.
This time we decided not to run there as I didn't wanna bother. And why did they run before Maul arrived at all.
Soon enough, Robb said.
"Incoming speeder!" He shouted and I turned around. I was in my Mandalorian gear. I mostly used this gear or some other protection armament, but I knew he was coming so I took extra precautions.
"Santo! Shoot It down." I shouted and he "HRRRR'ed" in response before taking his bowcaster off his shoulder and shooting at his speeder.
It took 3 shots before he successfully shot down the speeder.
I grabbed Anakin in his shirt and pushed him back as Maul launched himself at me.
I took out my commando pistol and shot 2 shots, but he ignited his lightsaber and blocked them.
As he closed in Qui Gon appeared in front of us and blocked the double lightsaber.
I put Anakin down and told him.
"Run to the ship! Tell them to take off." I said and he nodded,
"Santo! With me, Robb and Jon help Qui Gon!" I shouted and they nodded.
Qui Gon was engaged in single combat with Maul as Jon and Robb came from behind and used their shock staff to slowly tire him.
Similar to how the Magna Droids helped Grievous.
However, Maul was still slowly getting the upper hand. Every time he got close to killing either Jon, Robb, or Qui Gon, me and Santo interfered shooting him.
The bowcaster was so powerful that he couldn't properly parry it and therefore had to jump back every time.
In the corner of my eyes, I saw the ship starting up.
However, my slip of concentration cost me as a laser bolt shot straight into my shoulder pad.
I sensed another shot coming and I activated my boot rocket, helping me evade the laser by flying into the air.
I looked around trying to find the sniper and soon enough I spotted him.
Lying over one of the sand dunes was 1 IG-86 Assassin droids.
Looking towards Santo I saw him engaged in a hand-to-hand fight with one of them. His electric knuckle bracers activated while the IG-86 was spinning his body around and utilizing his momentum to fight back.
I sped ahead towards the IG-86 Battle Droid while he continued to shoot lasers into the air, attempting to hit me.
My beskar had basically nullified the earlier assassination attempt but it still hurt as fuck.
Soon enough I reached the required range for my commando pistols to work optimally and I took them out and began firing.
I knew my rocket boots would only last for a few more minutes so I focused all my fire and released everything I had.
The sniper knew he couldn't take me and had therefore taken out 2 hand blasters and he was jumping around while aiming, trying to get a lucky shot or grab my feet when I went too close.
We fought like that for a minute until I decided to keep some rocket fuel in my spare and flew straight down towards the droid.
His droid brain obviously didn't expect such a reckless move and I flew straight into his head.
He was in the air having jumped to his max to get a better angle on me.
I flew downwards alongside him and as we got close to the ground I started my rocket boots, burning him and slowing my descent.
The IG-86 flew straight into the sand and dust rose quickly.
I sped out of the dust and stood a few meters from the dust. Ain't no way I'm being stupid enough to stand just at the edge of the dust cloud.
Soon enough he came out of the dust cloud, and I realized the immense impact of the crash. His 2 mid-range blasters on his back were destroyed alongside his sniper rifle.
It took out a smoke grenade and threw it at me as he ran towards me.
I activated my rocket boosters and flew backward while shooting with my Commando Pistols.
I shot 25 shots before I landed. And barely 5 hits due to his extremely resistant armor.
I holstered my Commando Pistols as I landed. The pistols obviously wouldn't work against his armor and his advanced tracking system allowed him to avoid any critical shots.
I took out my whip and activated it. I didn't bring my vibro-blade, which is regretted but I wouldn't want to lose our most prized possession in the hurried escape.
I activated my whip and sent it towards the IG-86, he was about 3 meters away and it was aimed at his midsection.
He slid down on the ground, barely evading the whip. After he passed under it he got up and sprinted towards me again.
Using my whip's momentum I rolled it over my head before sending it straight down at his head in a vertical line.
He tried to evade but my whip caught his left hand while trying to evade to the left.
As my whip tangled around his arm I pressed the max on the electric current and it immediately stopped his momentum.
He bent over on one knee as he was about to shut down. However, just before the IG-86 shut down he somehow disengaged the arm, making it fall off from the rest of his body. He now only had one arm.
"Holy shit." Was all I managed to say before he sprung up and sent his right arm straight into my stomach, sending me hurling 6 meters backward. The strength of this droid was insane.
I slid on the ground until I stopped in the upwards area of a dune. I barely managed to look up as the IG-86's right arm came into view, standing over me and pushing down on me.
It connected and I went unconscious.
…
I opened my eyes slightly, and they were blasted with a pure white light. It took me a few seconds until I managed to open my eyes and I slowly stood up.
Looking around me I realized I was lying down on a hospital bed. I guess this was the medical section.
I felt a slight weight on my right foot and looked down.
There laid a female, brown hairs and quite young. I realized immediately that it was Padme.
She noticed my motions and woke up.
As she saw me leaning up from the bed she threw herself at me, sending my ass straight back into position.
She looked up at me.
"Thank god you're awake!" She exclaimed and I could see the marks of tears. I suppose she cried last night.
"I thought you died after doing so much for us." She said and I smiled.
"I don't plan on dying yet." I said and the door then made a swooching sound, and Qui Gon came in.
"It seems you're awake, Count Thalron." He said and I nodded.
"Aye, what happened?" I asked.
"After you got knocked out cold the droid was carrying you away, either to take you to a gun to finish you off, or to kidnap you. However, Santo spotted you and overpowered his opponent. Shutting him down with his knuckles." Qui Gon said.
"He finished the already wounded IG-86, apparently it had little electricity left due to it overheating and dispersing in the air. He took it out with a bowcaster before retrieving you. Jon and Robb finally fled you up to the ship." He said and I nodded.
"And what about the lightsaber user?" I asked.
"Robb and Jon performed excellently allowing us to hold him back in time for the ship to pick us up. If you hadn't been there, I fear what would have happened. The IG-86s would cause immense problems if you didn't keep them occupied." He said and I nodded.
The medical droid then spoke up.
"I suggest you get some rest, you've been out for 2 days. Master." He said and I nodded,
"How far off to Coruscant?" I asked Qui Gon.
"We'll reach Coruscant in approximately 12 hours." Qui Gon said and I nodded.
I lay down as Padme got off me.
The medical droid then pushed them out and I began thinking.
Why were there 2 IG-86s there? I'm 100% sure that only Maul and a few probe droids followed Qui Gon and engaged him.
I suppose Palpatine took extra precautions due to me and my guard's position there. Or Maul.
And why didn't the IG-86 kill me? I doubt an IG-86 would miss my head while standing still, so I suppose they hit my shoulder on purpose.
Does that mean Palpatine doesn't want to kill me? Perhaps he wants me as an ally as my words mean a lot due to my control over bacta. And with me witnessing the Trade Federations blockade they would get more proof and therefore more sympathy votes.
However, before I went to sleep I took out my HoloComm and called Representative Davis.
"Representative Davis." I said after a few seconds of waiting for him to accept my call.
"Count Thalron!" He exclaimed as he saw me
"I have tried to contact you multiple times, but your Lord Commandant said you were out of reach." He said and I nodded.
"Aye, I was on Naboo when the Trade Federation launched an invasion. I barely escaped." I said as anger and shock spread through his face.
"Those mass-producing scum. How dare they offend us, the only Bacta producers." He exclaimed with anger.
"I agree, we must not let this go unpunished. I am heading to Coruscant now alongside the Queen of Naboo. We'll plead our case to the Senate. This is the time to gather allies." I said and he nodded.
"Due to the Trade Federation's action and our support, we can bring those afraid of the Trade Federation to our side." He said as he smiled, he truly is a political genius.
"Indeed. We'll also launch an attack on Naboo to remove the blockade, continue the poaching of senators even after we leave, and plead our case. And continue for a few days after." I said and he nodded.
"And send over a list of Militaristic strong planets. After our show of strength, we'll join amongst them and create a Military Alliance." I said and he smiled.
Due to the reformation, there are very few Military alliances, and they rarely include more than 4 planets. Usually, their max strength is about 10-20 warships, which means CR90s and DP20s and maybe 50-70 Starfighters.
Of course, there is the Military Focus Political Party, but in the end that's to reduce restrictions on naval crafts and military numbers while the Corporations get extra.
"Alright, prepare for our arrival. Which is in approximately 12 hours." I said and he nodded.
I then cut the transmission and went to sleep. The Political advantage of participating in this far outweighs the potential military loss.
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