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Prologue
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Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Newest Part
Two figures in the characteristic long robes of the Jedi mounted the ramp to the Republic Vessel Pax Corusca. The taller of the two asked his companion, "What is it that troubles you, Padawan?"
The smaller figure turned towards the larger, his hood slipping a little to reveal a still-boyish face and the long narrow braid of a Padawan Learner. "I do not understand what it is that the Trade Federation wants from the people of Naboo, Master."
"What do you know of Naboo, Obi-Wan?"
"Only what I have learned in my research since we were assigned this mission," the younger Jedi said. "That they are a largely peaceful people, with a great deal of influence in the Senate in spite of the fact that they have joined the Republic comparatively recently."
"Keep in mind, my young apprentice," said the other, pulling his hood back as they entered their state room to reveal long brown hair and sharp Corellian features, "That that 'comparatively recent' entry into the Republic is still several hundred years in the past."
"Of course, Master. I only meant that they seem to have nearly as much influence as, for instance, the Ithorians - and the Ithorians have been a member race of the Republic nearly since it was founded."
"Go on," encouraged the older Jedi, putting his few possessions away.
"They export luxury goods. There is a sort of tree there, the minaashi oak, that is prized for its color and strength. It is considered a mark of distinction and wealth to have, for instance, a minaashi oak desk, or similar furniture. They have very talented craftsmen and are considered quite fashionable for their dress and architectural styles."
"Do they have any interesting technologies?" asked the older Jedi, sounding thoughtful.
Obi-Wan smiled. This was one of his Master's favorite techniques for teaching academic subjects - to pretend he'd either forgotten or not known something he knew perfectly well. It had taken Obi-Wan some time to realize this, of course - and it had taken him even longer to realize that Qui-Gon Jinn was not likely to correct him until and unless it became necessary. He would more likely prod gently around the question, approaching it from different angles, until his student would realize he had been wrong, and find the correct information on his own. It was an old game, but one that Obi-Wan found comforting and enjoyable. "They are not really very technologically advanced. Of course, they were not admitted as full members of the Republic until such time as they had developed their own hyperdrive technology, but there was nothing particularly innovative about their drive systems. They -"
Qui-Gon looked surprised. "Wouldn't you say that hyperdrive is a fairly advanced technology?"
"Of course, Master," Obi-Wan smiled again. "I simply meant that their development of hyperdrive technology closely paralleled that of most sentient species."
"Very well - but keep in mind that a less-advanced society is in no way a lesser people."
Obi-Wan took the reproof with only mild discomfort. "Yes, Master."
"Was there anything else of note in their technology?"
"Oh, yes, Master. As I was - to look at it one way, that is - they have refined their ship designs over the past few hundred years, since they developed interstellar travel capabilities, focusing on aestheticism and functionality over development of new systems. Their shield technology is similar - there is nothing particularly advanced about their shield systems, in fact much of it is a few years out of date - but these slightly out-dated systems operate as efficiently and powerfully as any other in Republic space, and better than most. In fact, they have sometimes incorporate shield generators in their artworks, creating quite an interesting effect."
"Why do you suppose it is that they stay behind the leading edge in technological innovation?"
"It seems to me that philosophically, they place a high standard on tradition and history, Master. In their society, historians are valued highly, and all students in their schools are taught history throughout their educational careers. They seek to... no, that's not quite right. While they have the capability of developing and designing leading-edge technologies, they prefer to use a system with which they are familiar, refining it until it is nearly perfect."
"Those seem like reasonable hypotheses," Qui-Gon said, leading his apprentice to the ship's observation deck. "In many societies that value history," he said thoughtfully, "The society's elders are also venerated to some degree. Is that the case with Naboo?"
"It doesn't seem so, at least not to the extent that some races do. There is no ancestor worship, for one."
"I see. They have an elected monarchy, don't they?"
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan said. His distaste for politics, and things political, did not quite match his Master's, but it was close. "It is a rare political system, and it seems to combine the worst of democracy with the worst of monarchy."
"Oh?" Qui-Gon asked. "What makes you say that, my young apprentice?"
"In a democracy, the idea is that all are equal, yes?"
"Ideally, yes."
"To elect a 'Queen' would seem to elevate one person above all others."
"And this is the worst that democracy has to offer?"
"I understand, Master. Forgive my use of hyperbole. I find their political system a bit odd, is all."
"I agree, it is a strange one. At any rate, you say that they do value their elders. How old is the current Queen?"
"Yes, I see. She is sixteen, I believe."
"You are correct." Qui-Gon's hawk-like eyes turned to regard him. "And would she be the youngest Queen they have elected? She seems possessed of an enormous amount of charm and personal magnetism. Are these qualities what earned her the highest office on her planet?"
Obi-Wan didn't know what exactly his master was getting at. "I don't actually know, Master, but I would guess that she is in fact not the youngest person elected to that office. And my understanding of electoral systems is insufficient to guess what qualities are considered worthy for a leader in such a system."
"Why would you guess she is not the youngest?"
"Frankly, Master, because of the way you asked the question."
Qui-Gon barked a laugh. "Very good, Padawan. Not the lesson I meant to impart, but still a valuable one."
Obi-Wan smiled. "May I ask what you did mean to impart?"
"That they are fully as complicated a race as any in the Republic, no less so than the Corellians or the Alderaanians. Why is it that they have so much influence in the Senate?"
"As you observed, Master, the current Queen, and many of her predecessors, have been possessed of great personal charisma and charm. From what I recall in my research, many of them have gone on to become Senators."
"True. The past twenty years or so, in particular, seems to have been very good for them."
"I hadn't noticed a particular upswing in the past few decades, Master."
"That's quite all right, Obi-Wan. I know your distaste for politics. Getting back to you original question, then," Qui-Gon said. "Why do you think that the Federation is interested in Naboo?"
Obi-Wan ran through the things they had discussed in his mind. The technology of the Naboo people was insufficiently advanced for the Federation to want to steal it - and if they had wanted to, Obi-Wan had no doubt that no one would have been the wiser until much later - and what he knew of the Naboonian Queen was that she was unlikely to meekly acquiesce to the seeming bully tactics of the Federation. Then he remembered something else from his research. "They control most of the shipping in that region of the galaxy, don't they?"
Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow, waiting.
"They wish to complete a monopoly. Simple greed! Of course," Obi-Wan said.
"Remember Okhma's Razor, my young friend. 'The simplest explanation, however unlikely, is probably true.'" He put a paternal hand on the younger Jedi's shoulder and excused himself for a few hours of meditation. "It is also possible that they want a discount on minaashi oak desks."
Obi-Wan stared. His Master's sense of humor never failed to surprise him. Dryer than Tatooine at midday, he thought to himself.
"I recommend you try some Naboonian cuisine," Qui-Gon said in parting. "Some of it is quite tasty, and the chef on board the Pax is from Naboo."
Obi-Wan turned to look out the big observation window just as the ship made the jump to hyperspace.
