NationStates Jolt Archive

Chommel Sector, Planet Naboo, Republic sector Naval yard 001

With a flash a fleet of Dreadnought class cruser exited hyperspace within close proximity to the Station. The fleet consisted of ten Crusers, as well as their Eta-2 escort fighters. Rendili StarDrives had bought the production rights to this ship, along with several others before moving on to absorb other major companies in the Rendili system. These companies had merged together to form Rendili Galactic, as company capable of providing products from simple powercells to Intergalactic battleships.

As the lead ships of the fleet, Galactic's pride, approached the Station its side docking port opened. Dreadnoughts had not originaly been designed to carry ships, but with some simple modifications its cargo bay could be converted to carry a small group of fighters, especialy those as compact as the Eta-2. As the doors opened hree ships left, two fo them the advaced Eta-2 fighter, but the third was special. It was a Republic Transport dating back three thoudand years. Its hull still bore the its name, though this had been restored, like the rest of the ship, by the best mechanics and artisans that Rendili Galactic had to offer. The Name plate read "Ebon Hawk". This millenum old ship had been bought by the President of Rendili StarDrives befoe the Merge, to act as both his personal transport and part of his collection of historical Republic objects. The ship was his pride and joy, and he relished the times when he was able to travel the universe in it, just as the famed Jedi Revan had.

Silently the Ebon Hawk drifted into the Stations docking bay, its modern navi computer following the docking beaconthe station was emitting. As the transport and its escorts landed President James Orian grew exited, after all deals like this rarely came along, and when they did they were always good for business. Silently the boarding ramp lowered and James stepped out into the station, to be greeted by his hosts.

Ten metres from the foot of the boarding ramp stood a Jedi, clad in highly polished ARC armour and a black hooded robe. A Krayt dragon tooth lightsaber hung visibly at his side. At the sides of the vast landing bay stood hundreds of clonetroopers and several light scout walkers, both to impress the President and to make it perfectly clear that this visit was of paramount importance.

The Jedi approached President Orian and lowered his hood. With the shadows cleared from his face, it was evident he was human. The Jedi spoke to the president, with a Coruscanti accent.

"Welcome to this facility, president. It's an honour to have such a distinguished guest in our midst, an honour only increased by your mode of transport. A fine ship, the Ebon Hawk. It has truly aged well. If you'd like to follow me?"

The Jedi made something of a point not to reveal his name during the short walk to the conference room, but kept up polite small-talk, pointing out the ship-building going on at the facility through the transparisteel windows, giving the President some feedback on the new Victory-class Star Destroyers. When they arrived at the conference room a few minutes later, the Jedi motioned for the President to sit on a large chair at the end of a solid black table.

James smiled as the Jedi mentioned his ship. The ships importance in history was usualy missed, in fact, most people thought it was simply a custom built transport, instead of a relic from an older time. I think I'm going to like working with this Jedi thought James.

When they arrived at the conference room James sat down in the chair offered to him by the unknown Jedi. When they were both seated James looked across the table and said "Now Master Jedi, what is it that you wised to talk to me about? It must be something of great importance to wish to speak with the CEO of Rendili Galactic. I must thank you by the way for your request for more Victory class destroyer, our shareholders were very happy when they found out that they had gained even more wealth...as was I."

"The matter I have summoned you to discuss is one of the greatest importance for the Republic and for the Chommell Sector. It is also a matter requiring great secrecy."

The Jedi sat down at a chair on the other side of the table, and pressed one of a bank of buttons built in to the surface. A holographic projection of the Chommell Sector sprang to life, with the 36 Republican systems standing out in a bright blue colour. Various systems around the sector appeared red, with fleets, both red and blue visible amongst the systems.

"The forces under Jedi command are slowly but surely pushing the Seperatists back. They've lost six systems over the last year alone, with two more poised to fall over the next eight standard months. This is excellent, but it is also costly. We've lost ten Star Destroyers this standard year, one lost to an unknown pirate faction that we're infrequently skirmishing with at the edges of the Thyonus system and its neighbours. This in itself isn't too bad, rates of reinforcement and the products of our own shipyards are just about making replacement rates, but there's no way we can expand at the current rate od loss. No way, unless we can privately contract a large shipbuilding firm such as yourself. Over the next several months, and years, we are going to need enough Victory-class Star Destroyers and support ships to hold roughly 40 star systems indefinately."

The Jedi turned off the hologram, and turned to the President.

"If you're willing to discuss this contract, and be discreet about it, I will be your contact. I am Jedi Master Kodo Saat... The real one. Not that insectoid decoy that's been bugging the sector governors... Pun very much intended."

James shifted in his seat before replying "While my company will happily produce such a fleet for you I must ask, why the secrecy? After all, the ships would be part of the Republic navy, their is no need to keep them secret."

Master Saat didn't move a muscle as the President asked his question.

"For some time my agents have suspected that there is a spy in the Republic hierarchy. If this is true, then if we went through the usual Senate appropriation committees the Seperatists would know about the new fleet, and prepare themselves accordingly. By keeping this contract a secret, we ensure that when the new ships hit the front lines, the Seperatists will be just as suprised as our Republic friends... Though much less pleasantly. It's a matter of saving lives, president. I'm sure you can understand. Of course, your silence would be very valuable, in a tangible sense."

"Well then...I see no problem with keeping the fleet secret...I can use the new shipyards that the company have established in the Rishi maze to keep them secret from the majority of the senate, though the supreem chancelor will have to be told, though I'm sure you can deal with that. Once I have the Chancelors stamp of approvle then we can begin construction" Said James, lounging back in his chair.

Saat tapped his armoured fingers on the tabletop, a frown on his face.

"On this matter... If we tell the Chancellor... He's not a strong man, President. A bumbling, kindly old man driven to popularity by a pleasant image and the support of Senators like Bail Organa and Padme Naberrie. He would tell someone. They would tell somebody else... Surely you could see your way to accepting the contract without his involvement?"

The last three words were imbued by the power of the The Force, the words lent supernatural authority and gravity. Master Saat smiled briefly.

James smiled for a brief second before replying "Yes...I suppose your right, ok, I will begin construction of the fleet immediatly, though I will rely on you to make sure that no one finds out about it. Now, is that everythig, or are there any other things you wish to talk to me about?"

"For the moment, President, I have nothing pressing to speak of beyond what I have already requested, and I and the men under my command thank you for accepting this contract. In the coming months, I will have a lot to tell you, a lot to ask and a great deal to offer you, but for now, I have a war to fight, and an Apprentice to train. It's been a pleasure speaking with you."

Saat stood up and gestured to a pair of clone marines stationed at the door.

"Please escort the President to his ship."

James smiled as he got up to follow the escort troopers, but before he left he turned back to the table and said "Oh, and Master Saat, Next time you put forward and argument, please don't attempt to use The Force to force my decision, I am not the as weak minded as you obviously think I am, good day". Then smiling, he headed back to the Ebon Hawk.

Saat did his best not to be bothered by the President's resistance, but frankly, as a Jedi Master he'd expected nothing less than success.

"I'll keep that in mind."