Arc 15Naboo and the Rise of Palpatine

The Trade Federation invaded Naboo, but Queen Amidala’s alliance with the Gungans and the Jedi’s battle against Darth Maul brought the occupation to an end. Palpatine became Chancellor as Tang Xiao consolidated the Fourth Civilization’s power and Francis Underwood emerged as his political rival.

  • Phineas Valorum sent Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi to Naboo as unofficial envoys, but Nute Gunray launched the invasion and occupied Theed while Xiao Guanghua joined the assault.
  • Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi escaped the Trade Federation flagship with Queen Amidala, and they landed on Tatooine, where Anakin Skywalker helped them find a replacement hyperspace engine.
  • Sifo-Dyas agreed to arrange a secret Clone Army, while Palpatine persuaded Queen Amidala to call for a vote of no confidence that led to Valorum’s impeachment.
  • Darth Sidious killed Darth Pregas after a struggle, and Sheev Palpatine won the Chancellor election with Francis Underwood’s unexpected support.
  • Queen Amidala allied with Rugor Nass and the Gungans, while Qui-Gon Jinn died fighting Darth Maul, Obi-Wan Kenobi killed Maul, and Anakin Skywalker destroyed the droid control ship, ending the invasion.
  • Tang Xiao defeated Edra Kestis, took control of Damask Holdings Group after Hego Damask II’s death, reorganized his leadership, and ordered the Fourth Civilization to prepare for war with the Republic.
  • Count Dooku left the Jedi Order after Qui-Gon Jinn’s death, while Palpatine welcomed the Gungans into the Republic and attended Qui-Gon’s funeral on Naboo.
  • The Republic released Nute Gunray, Rune Haako, and Xiao Guanghua after its hearing stalled, and Francis Underwood gathered Outer Rim senators against Palpatine as Glosse Shelbia invited Gunray to the Revelation-class cruiser’s maiden flight.
Chapters 355–379 Vol. 4 Read

Ch. 355Battle of Naboo (V)

Phineas Valorum secretly enlisted Master Windu to send Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi to Naboo as unofficial envoys. When the Jedi arrived, Darth Sidious ordered Nute Gunray to invade the planet and kill them, leaving the envoys in danger aboard the Trade Federation flagship.

  • Phineas Valorum asked Master Windu to intervene on Naboo, and Windu agreed to send Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi as unofficial envoys.
  • Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi reached Naboo and saw the Trade Federation's fleet and battle droids surrounding the planet.
  • Nute Gunray panicked when he learned the envoys were Jedi Knights and sent TC-14 to receive them while he contacted Darth Sidious.
  • Darth Sidious ordered Nute Gunray to deploy the droid army, occupy Naboo, and kill the Jedi, claiming they had no official authority.

Ch. 356Battle of Naboo (VI)

The Trade Federation launched its invasion of Naboo as Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi fought their way through the flagship. Xiao Guanghua joined the landing force bound for Theed, while Queen Amidala ordered Naboo’s forces not to resist and prepared to protect her people and resources.

  • Nute Gunray released nerve gas and sent B-1 battle droids after Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, who fought them off and escaped Destroyer droids through the flagship’s ventilation ducts.
  • Queen Amidala warned Nute Gunray that the Republic would judge the Trade Federation, but he denied wrongdoing and ordered the invasion to continue.
  • Xiao Guanghua reached the bridge, learned that the invasion of Naboo’s cities had begun, and boarded a C-9979 landing craft bound for Theed.
  • Trade Federation landing craft descended on Naboo’s twelve major cities, and electronic interference cut off communications across the planet.
  • Queen Amidala ordered the local forces not to resist, told Panaka to hide elite troops, and directed Bibble to move Naboo’s valuable stockpiles.

Ch. 357The Eye of the Storm

Darth Pregas arranged for Darth Malthael to travel secretly to Coruscant while preparing to advance their plans. At a private meeting, Hego Damask II and Master Dooku persuaded Sifo-Dyas to secretly commission three million Clone Troopers from Kamino, backed by Damask Holdings Group.

  • Darth Sidious told Darth Pregas that the Trade Federation was occupying Naboo and promised that he would become Chancellor and appoint Pregas Co-Chancellor.
  • Darth Pregas summoned Darth Malthael to Coruscant and ordered him to arrive secretly and wait for further instructions.
  • Hego Damask II met Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas and Jedi Master Dooku at a private club and argued that the Republic needed an army as war approached.
  • Master Dooku urged Sifo-Dyas to take responsibility for arranging the army, and Sifo-Dyas agreed to act as the Jedi Order's envoy.
  • Hego told Sifo-Dyas to approach Lama Su at Chancellor Phineas Valorum's political gathering and promised Damask Holdings Group's financial backing.
  • Sifo-Dyas resolved to secretly order Kamino to manufacture three million Clone Troopers for the Galactic Republic.

Ch. 358Spiraling Out of Control

Darth Malthael watched the political gathering on Coruscant while Darth Tenebrus discussed Darth Pregas and urged him to prepare. At the gathering, Master Dias refused to authorize the Clone Army project, while the Trade Federation occupied Theed City and captured Queen Amidala without the Jedi intervening.

  • Darth Malthael arrived on Coruscant and watched reports of Supreme Chancellor Phineas Valorum's political gathering on the HoloNet.
  • Darth Tenebrus told Darth Malthael that he could not kill Darth Pregas directly but could use other means, and warned him to remain prepared.
  • Francis Underwood spoke with Claire Underwood about political influence and watched Sheev Palpatine at the gathering.
  • Hego Damask II pressed Master Dias to authorize the Clone Army project, but Master Dias refused, and Hego and Lama Su left him alone.
  • The Trade Federation's droid army entered Theed City, captured Queen Amidala in the Royal Palace, and encountered no resistance as the two Jedi Knights failed to appear.

Ch. 359Battle of Naboo (VII)

After Queen Amidala escaped Naboo with Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Sidious sent Darth Maul to help the Trade Federation recapture her. The fugitives reached Tatooine, where they encountered Caladanians allied with the Trade Federation.

  • Darth Sidious learned that Nute Gunray had lost Queen Amidala and ordered him to find her and make her sign the surrender treaty.
  • Darth Sidious introduced Darth Maul as his apprentice and tasked him with finding Amidala and killing the two Jedi Knights.
  • Nute Gunray ordered the Trade Federation fleet to scatter and search nearby star systems while leaving its flagship to control the battle droids on Naboo.
  • Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi brought Amidala's damaged ship to Tatooine, choosing Mos Espa Port as a place to hide and seek repairs.
  • Qui-Gon Jinn recognized Caladanians from Titan Security's Fourth Group patrolling Mos Espa Port, and he warned Obi-Wan to avoid them.

Ch. 360Fate's Encounter

Qui-Gon Jinn and Padmé searched Mos Espa for a Nubia T-14 hyperspace engine and met Anakin, who offered a broken T-12 engine that could serve as a replacement. At Anakin’s home, Padmé encouraged his dream of racing while Qui-Gon watched him gravely.

  • Qui-Gon Jinn led Padmé and Jar Jar Binks through Mos Espa to search the scrap market for a hyperspace engine, but they found no T-14.
  • Anakin approached the group and offered to take them to his home, where his robot partner Johnson warned against trusting outsiders.
  • Qui-Gon Jinn, Padmé, and Jar Jar followed Anakin and Johnson out of the city after Qui-Gon noticed Johnson was a modified Fourth Group bodyguard robot.
  • Anakin explained that he had found a broken Nubia T-12 hyperspace engine that could be used on their ship, and introduced his mother and the protocol droid C-3PO.
  • Padmé learned about Anakin’s dream of becoming a speeder racer and encouraged him, while Qui-Gon Jinn watched Anakin with a grave expression.

Ch. 361Chosen One

Qui-Gon discovered that Anakin’s Chlamydiae density exceeded the instrument’s limit and discussed taking him to become a Jedi, while Johnson agreed to care for Shmi if Anakin left. In Coruscant, Darth Pregas ordered Darth Sidious to send Darth Maul after the Jedi and Queen of Naboo, accepting that the Sith would be revealed.

  • Anakin admitted he could not repair the Nubia T-12 engine, but offered to combine parts from it and Qui-Gon’s ship’s engine.
  • Qui-Gon sent Anakin’s blood sample to Obi-Wan, who reported that its Chlamydiae density exceeded twenty thousand.
  • Johnson told Qui-Gon that Titan Security had tried to reclaim him and that he had killed a mercenary to stay with Anakin.
  • Qui-Gon told Johnson that Anakin could become a Jedi and asked him and C-3PO to care for Shmi if Anakin left.
  • Darth Sidious told Darth Pregas that the Queen of Naboo was on Tatooine with two Jedi, and Darth Pregas ordered him to send Darth Maul to kill them and retrieve the Queen.

Ch. 362Coruscant Upheaval

Tang Xiao watched events on Naboo unfold while remaining on Coruscant, where Queen Amidala arrived and discussed removing Chancellor Phineas Valorum. Darth Sidious reported Anakin Skywalker’s presence to Darth Pregas, who recognized him as the Chosen One and reacted to his age.

  • Darth Sidious sent Darth Maul toward Tatooine to attack the Jedi Knights.
  • Tang Xiao learned that Xiao Guanghua had entered Theed City with the Trade Federation army and ordered him to leave immediately.
  • Queen Amidala escaped Naboo with Qui-Gon Jinn and came to Coruscant, where Phineas Valorum and Senator Palpatine received her.
  • Palpatine urged Queen Amidala to support a vote of no confidence against Valorum, but she objected that Valorum had supported Naboo.
  • Darth Sidious told Darth Pregas that Anakin Skywalker was on Coruscant, and Pregas identified him as the Chosen One and recalled what had happened ten years earlier.

Ch. 363Pregas's Fear

Darth Pregas feared that the Chosen One’s birth was the Force’s answer to his failed attempt to create life, and he resolved to make Anakin Skywalker his Sith servant. Meanwhile, Sheev Palpatine accused the Republic Senate of causing Naboo’s suffering, striking Supreme Chancellor Phineas Valorum with a political blow.

  • Ten years earlier, Darth Pregas and Darth Sidious tried to create a Force-born Chosen One, but their laboratory experiment failed when the tank exploded.
  • Darth Pregas feared the Chosen One had appeared as the Force’s answer to his blasphemy and ordered Darth Maul to kill Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice.
  • Hego Damask II went to the Queen’s residence seeking Anakin Skywalker, but learned that Anakin had left to meet the Jedi; he used the Force to make the staff forget his visit.
  • At a special Senate session on Naboo, Sheev Palpatine blamed the Republic’s taxes on the Outer Rim Free Trade Zone for the Trade Federation’s oppression of Naboo.
  • Supreme Chancellor Phineas Valorum realized Palpatine’s accusation was a devastating attack against him.

Ch. 364Chancellor Steps Down

Queen Amidala’s appeal led the Galactic Senate to begin impeachment proceedings against Chancellor Phineas Valorum, while Sifo-Dias decided to sign the Clone Army agreement. Valorum then asked Dias to pursue Neimoidian spice smugglers on Felucia and named the candidates for the next chancellor.

  • Lott Dod denied the Trade Federation’s invasion of Naboo, while Queen Amidala testified that Naboo had been attacked and rejected the Senate’s proposal for an investigative commission.
  • Senator Ainlee Tim and Francis Underwood supported the commission, and Queen Amidala called for a no-confidence vote and impeachment proceedings against Phineas Valorum.
  • Phineas Valorum learned that more than seventy percent of the votes opposed him and accepted that he would soon leave office.
  • Sifo-Dias told Master Dooku he would sign the Clone Army agreement and sent word of his decision to Hego Damask II and Lama Su.
  • Phineas Valorum asked Sifo-Dias to investigate Neimoidians smuggling spice on Felucia and said he would vote for Sheev Palpatine in the coming chancellor election.

Ch. 365Death of the Dark Lord (Part 1)

After Phineas Valorum’s impeachment, Sheev Palpatine maneuvered toward the Chancellorship while Darth Pregas foresaw Anakin Skywalker’s future and plotted with Darth Malthael. Hego Damask II publicly backed Palpatine, but a hidden figure watched their gathering as rival Sith schemes converged.

  • Phineas Valorum was impeached, and Sheev Palpatine, Bail Antillis, and Ainlee Tim emerged as candidates to replace him.
  • Queen Amidala left Coruscant for Naboo with Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker accompanying her.
  • Darth Pregas foresaw Anakin as a future figure of the Dark Side and summoned Darth Malthael to wait near the Taldani Spire Building.
  • Darth Malthael learned from Darth Tenebrus that the Proto-Body implanted in Pregas had been reactivated.
  • Hego Damask II publicly supported Sheev Palpatine, then hosted him at the Taldani Spire Building, where the two secretly regarded each other as enemies.
  • A cloaked figure watched Palpatine and Pregas from atop the spire.

Ch. 366Death of the Dark Lord (Part 2)

Darth Sidious tried to kill Darth Pregas, but Pregas survived and nearly defeated him. Sidious then revealed that medical droid 11-4D had poisoned Pregas, leaving his master collapsing as the chapter ended.

  • Darth Sidious short-circuited Darth Pregas's breathing mask with Force lightning and confessed that he had manipulated his master's plans and resented his treatment.
  • Darth Pregas revealed he could breathe through a temporary respirator, destroyed Sidious's hand with the reverse effect of Life Force, and knocked him down with a vase.
  • Darth Pregas explained that a loss of his ability to perceive fate on Hypori had made him reconsider the dangers around him, and he moved to cripple Sidious rather than kill him.
  • Darth Pregas began losing strength and collapsed to one knee as Sidious revealed that medical droid 11-4D had injected neurotoxin into his mask.

Ch. 367Death of the Dark Lord (Part 2)

Darth Pregas fought Darth Sidious while neurotoxin weakened him, and Darth Malthael chose to send Darth Tenebrus into the Taldani Spire Building. Tenebrus’s attack left Pregas drained just as Sidious struck him with lightning.

  • Darth Pregas and Darth Sidious clashed with Force lightning as Pregas struggled against the neurotoxin in his breathing mask.
  • Darth Sidious claimed he had bought off the Echani Sun Guards, while Pregas insisted High Captain Thull Ulan was loyal to him and gunfire erupted outside.
  • Darth Malthael weighed whether to intervene, then ordered Darth Tenebrus to kill Pregas rather than risk losing everything.
  • Darth Tenebrus agreed and flew toward the Taldani Spire Building as fighting spread inside.
  • Darth Tenebrus lunged at Pregas, whose returning foresight warned him of death as his Force drained away.
  • Darth Sidious seized the opening and unleashed a concentrated lightning strike at Pregas.

Ch. 368Master Pregas, Forever

Darth Sidious confirmed Darth Pregas’s death and sensed another Sith Lord near a launch tower, while arranging to conceal Pregas’s murder. The Galactic Republic’s Chancellor election began on Coruscant, where Bail Antillis’s reform speech drew little support.

  • Darth Sidious shattered Pregas’s corpse after sensing sorrow in the Dark Side, then learned from Newt Gunray that the Naboo invasion had failed and Darth Maul was dead.
  • Darth Sidious sensed another Sith Lord near a launch tower and suspected Pregas had left a final move behind.
  • Echani Sun Guards told Palpatine that Tor Ulan had escaped after the guards dealt with Pregas’s stubborn followers.
  • Palpatine ordered the Sun Guards to clean up Pregas’s body and said he had chosen a place for its final resting place.
  • The Galactic Senate began electing a new Chancellor, and Bail Antillis’s call for reforms won little support beyond a few Mid Rim planets.

Ch. 369Counterattack in the Senate

During the Galactic Republic leadership vote, Orn Free Taa split the Rim Faction and rallied senators behind Sheev Palpatine, leaving Ainlee Tim in disarray. Francis Underwood then unexpectedly challenged Palpatine, using damaging information to disrupt his momentum and steady the fractured opposition.

  • Bail Antillis, Ainlee Tim, and Sheev Palpatine presented their governing platforms before the senators voted.
  • Ainlee Tim gained thirty percent support while Bail Antillis received less than ten percent and Sheev Palpatine received around twenty percent.
  • Orn Free Taa backed Sheev Palpatine, prompting many Rim Faction senators to abandon Ainlee Tim and splitting the faction.
  • Francis Underwood told Claire Underwood he wanted to become one of the people shaping political deals, then announced his challenge to Palpatine's candidacy.
  • Francis attacked Palpatine with damaging information, and the shaken Rim Faction senators regained their resolve as the situation stabilized.

Ch. 370Battlefield Without Gunpowder

Francis Underwood used Palpatine’s past failures and his own political maneuvering to weaken Palpatine’s position before supporting his election as Chancellor. Palpatine won overwhelmingly, then unsuccessfully tried to recruit Francis as Vice Chancellor, leaving their rivalry poised to continue.

  • Francis accused Palpatine of being unfit to lead and then declared that he would never run for Chancellor if his allegations were cleared.
  • Francis defended his right to speak and publicly endorsed Palpatine, prompting Senator Tim to withdraw and support Palpatine as well.
  • Palpatine revealed corruption evidence against Tim, but the delayed disclosure had little impact after Tim had withdrawn.
  • Palpatine suspected Francis was connected to the mysterious Sith Lord and considered killing him, but dismissed assassination as too risky.
  • Palpatine won the Chancellor election with 69 percent of the vote while the Rim Faction Senators abstained.
  • Palpatine proposed Francis for Vice Chancellor, but Francis declined, and the two exchanged polite words that concealed their mutual hostility.

Ch. 371Battle of Naboo (VIII)

Queen Amidala allied with the Gungans and launched a desperate plan to retake Naboo, while Xiao Guanghua commanded the Trade Federation droids against them. The battle spread across Theed and Naboo’s orbit, where Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi faced Darth Maul and Anakin Skywalker’s fighter unexpectedly joined the attack on the droid control ship.

  • Queen Amidala asked Rugor Nass to ally with Naboo’s humans, and he agreed to send Gungan troops against the Trade Federation.
  • Queen Amidala, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Rugor Nass planned a diversion at Theed while teams targeted Nute Gunray, the landing pads, and the droid control ship.
  • Rugor Nass sent one hundred thousand Gungans toward Theed, and Xiao Guanghua took command of the Trade Federation’s first wave and routed them with tanks and transports.
  • Queen Amidala and the resistance captured Nute Gunray and Rune Haako in the royal palace but became trapped by arriving droids.
  • Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi confronted Darth Maul as Naboo pilots seized N-1 starfighters and attacked the droid control ship in orbit.
  • Anakin Skywalker and R2-D2 accidentally activated another N-1 starfighter, which flew toward the droid control ship on autopilot.

Ch. 372Battle of Naboo (Final)

Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi fought Darth Maul in Theed City while Anakin Skywalker destroyed the Trade Federation’s command ship from the cockpit of an N-1 starfighter. With the droids shut down, the Gungan army surrounded Xiao Guanghua, who realized too late that Tang Xiao had warned him to stay away from the battle.

  • Darth Maul lured Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi into the power plant, separated them with laser barriers, and killed Qui-Gon Jinn.
  • Obi-Wan Kenobi pulled Qui-Gon Jinn’s Lightsaber to himself and cut Darth Maul in two, sending him into the power plant shaft.
  • Anakin Skywalker piloted an N-1 starfighter into the Luukri-Hok-class freighter and destroyed its energy core with two Proton Torpedoes, killing Doltay Dofine.
  • The freighter’s destruction shut down the Trade Federation droids, ending Xiao Guanghua’s encirclement of the Gungan army.
  • Xiao Guanghua tried to flee with his T-850 bodyguards, but the Gungans destroyed them and surrounded him beneath a tree.

Ch. 373New Toy

After Palpatine announced the Republic’s victory on Naboo, Tang Xiao punished Xiao Guanghua and traveled to Bal'demnic to confront Edra Kestis. He defeated her Lightsaber and saw that her Kyber Crystal had become streaked with red, while Edra accused him of corrupting her.

  • Palpatine announced the Trade Federation’s defeat on Naboo and declared that Naboo would be his first destination as Chancellor.
  • Tang Xiao berated Xiao Guanghua for being captured, stripped him of his Army General position, and ordered Baron Helmut Zemo to convene the Fourth Civilization Supreme Power Summit.
  • Tang Xiao flew the Sith Infiltrator to Bal'demnic and used the Force to shatter the boulder sealing the mine entrance.
  • Tang Xiao fought Edra Kestis, whose blood-red eyes and ferocious attacks revealed her growing madness.
  • Edra’s Lightsaber broke, exposing a Kyber Crystal streaked with red, and Tang Xiao subdued her with pain through the Force after she accused him of corrupting her.

Ch. 374A New Class

Tang Xiao returned from Korriban with Darth Tenebrus’s body and brought Edra Kestis to the Fourth Civilization’s power summit. Before the summit began, he demoted Xiao Guanghua and introduced Xian Hui and Cheng Shitao as new army leaders.

  • Tang Xiao defeated Darth Pregas, tormented Edra Kestis, and took her aboard the ship with him.
  • Tang Xiao placed Darth Tenebrus’s body in a Bacta tank and enabled him to communicate through a terminal, promising to share Pregas’s research.
  • Tang Xiao ordered Edra to accompany him to the power summit, then checked the newly unlocked Legendary Class and noted two candidates he needed.
  • Tang Xiao entered the summit with Edra and announced that Xiao Guanghua had been demoted for serious disciplinary violations.
  • Xian Hui and Cheng Shitao reported for duty as the new Army General and Army Lieutenant General.

Ch. 375New Power (Part 1)

Tang Xiao introduced Army General Xian Hui and Nuclear General Cheng Shitao as new Deputy Commanders of the Army, then announced that he had taken control of Damask Holdings Group after Hego Damask II's death. Semir was honored with Tang Xiao's surname as the chapter ended with the Fourth Civilization preparing to expand its power.

  • Army General Xian Hui and Nuclear General Cheng Shitao entered and were welcomed by Tang Xiao as the Army's new Deputy Commanders.
  • Tang Xiao introduced Semir Tonis to the assembled officials.
  • Tang Xiao revealed that Hego Damask II had died and that Damask Holdings Group was now under his control.
  • Tang Xiao credited Semir with planning the takeover for three years and said the group's resources would free the Fourth Civilization from its constraints.
  • Tang Xiao granted Semir his surname, making him Semir Tang, and Semir praised Tang Xiao for predicting Hego's death.

Ch. 376A New Power (Part 2)

Tang Xiao reviewed Damask Holdings Group’s assets and financial problems, appointed new leaders for several companies, and ordered the Fourth Civilization to prepare for war against the Galactic Republic. The chapter ended with full-scale war preparations beginning.

  • Semir Tang explained that the Fourth Civilization had taken control of Damask Holdings Group after Hego’s death and described its companies, mines, and Ragnarok-class Titan warship project.
  • Semir Tang warned that the group faced a severe deficit and proposed selling bad assets to attract rivals while he consolidated control.
  • Tang Xiao revealed that Semir held delegated authority over Damask Holdings Group under a secret identification system designed to conceal the Governor’s identity.
  • Tang Xiao appointed Glosse Shelbia and Xu Yan as chairmen of Fourth Group and United Mining Group, and introduced Kent Walters as Hiigaran Aerospace Group’s new executive director.
  • Tang Xiao announced that the Fourth Civilization would prepare to fight the Galactic Republic and ordered full-scale war preparations to begin.

Ch. 377Parting Ways

Dooku confronted the Jedi High Council over Qui-Gon Jinn’s death and the Order’s decisions, then left the Jedi Order and returned to Serenno as Count Dooku. On Naboo, humans and Gungans formed an alliance, the Gungans joined the Republic, and Qui-Gon was mourned at a funeral.

  • Dooku demanded that Mace Windu explain why Qui-Gon Jinn had died after being sent to Naboo with too little support.
  • Windu defended the Jedi Order’s decisions, while Yoda urged Dooku to control his anger and seek the root of the problem.
  • Dooku declared that he was leaving the Jedi Order, surrendered his lightsaber, and said he would return to Serenno as Count Dooku.
  • Dooku formally inherited his family’s title, and the Jedi Order later honored him among the Lost Twenty.
  • Chancellor Sheev Palpatine and Jedi leaders visited Naboo, where Queen Amidala and Ruu-ger Nass announced an alliance between humans and Gungans.
  • Palpatine welcomed the Gungans into the Republic and presented Ruu-ger Nass with the Nebula Trophy before leaders gathered for Qui-Gon Jinn’s funeral.

Ch. 378Reckoning with the Defeated

The Galactic Senate debated the trials and sanctions following the Trade Federation’s invasion of Naboo, while Chancellor Sheev Palpatine cast Outer Rim supporters of the Trade Federation as corrupt. As Outer Rim senators grew isolated, Francis Underwood of Dawn Star Planet stepped forward.

  • Sheev Palpatine demanded war-crimes charges and heavy compensation for Nute Gunray, Rune Haako, and Xiao Guanghua, but the hearing stalled amid arguments over Naboo’s treaty and Xiao Guanghua’s role.
  • Rosana Goodes denied that Xiao Guanghua had commanded the droid army, provoking Jar Jar Binks, and the Republic released the three men after their detention period expired.
  • Xiao Guanghua left Coruscant aboard Nute Gunray’s ship, while Sheev Palpatine proposed sweeping sanctions against the Trade Federation and Fourth Group.
  • Lott Dod and Rosana Goodes remained in the Senate to contest the sanctions as Sheev Palpatine accused pro-Trade Federation senators of corruption.
  • Ainlee Tim and other Outer Rim senators recognized their growing isolation, and Francis Underwood of Dawn Star Planet stepped forward.

Ch. 379The Last Few Matters of the Year (Part 1)

Francis Underwood built support among Outer Rim senators by challenging Palpatine over policies that harmed the region, while Palpatine struggled to counter him without disrupting his own plans. After Darth Sidious berated Newt Gunray over the Trade Federation’s defeat at Naboo, Gunray sought Glosse Shelbia’s help and agreed to attend the launch of a Fourth Group cruiser and order ships.

  • Francis Underwood used Palpatine’s treatment of the Outer Rim to attract senators, with Ainlee Tim leading those who aligned themselves with him.
  • Francis repeatedly challenged Palpatine in public, while Palpatine resented him but could not easily stop him.
  • Darth Sidious berated Newt Gunray for losing the Battle of Naboo and threatened his usefulness, then ended their call without explaining how he would help.
  • Newt Gunray contacted Glosse Shelbia, who dismissed the Republic’s ability to threaten the Fourth Group and urged him to speak with Francis Underwood.
  • Glosse invited Gunray to the maiden flight of the Revelation-class light cruiser, and Gunray agreed to attend and order fifty ships.
Arc 15 of 118