Chapter 34: The Veil Begins to Lift

33. The Veil Begins to Lift

Emerging from the high tower of the Jedi Temple, Obi-Wan Kenobi caught up with Qui-Gon Jinn, who was marching ahead with purpose. "Master, are we just going to leave this matter hanging without any answers? Investigate through the Republic's Department of Commercial Management? By the time they remember this even exists, I'll probably be ninety years old."

"You heard them; that was the decision of the High Council," Qui-Gon said, shaking his head as he continued walking.

As they passed a room, they saw a tall, elderly man with white hair and a beard speaking into a holocomm to someone wearing ornate robes. Sensing they were being watched, the old man flicked his finger, and the door closed automatically.

"That's Master Dooku. It looks like he's speaking with Senator Palpatine. Their relationship has been quite close lately," Obi-Wan sighed.

"Ever since that battle in the Mandalore system ten years ago, my Master has gradually lost faith in the Jedi Order. He is now more inclined to resolve issues through political means; it is not strange that he and Senator Palpatine are close," Qui-Gon said.

"Alright, but what about the situation in the Endor system? Are we really just going to ignore it?" Obi-Wan asked.

"We will investigate it ourselves." Qui-Gon Jinn boarded the ship and immediately set a course for the administrative district of Coruscant.

Seeing his master's actions, Obi-Wan smiled and said, "Does this mean you've also begun to distrust the High Council?"

"It is not that I distrust them, but rather that so much is happening in the Galactic Republic right now that they lack the executive capacity to be everywhere at once." Qui-Gon Jinn pointed to the co-pilot's seat. "But that capacity—we possess."

...

"...That is how it is, Senator," Master Dooku said calmly to the holographic projection of Senator Palpatine in the room.

"Well, a group of people in a massive civilian vessel are conducting colonization activities on the planet Endor, and they even took out the bounty hunters you sent," Palpatine smiled. "Very well, it seems the matter is indeed noteworthy, but it truly shouldn't be something we need to concern ourselves with. Perhaps in two hundred years, Endor will become a member of the Republic."

"With all due respect, Senator. Endor is located in the remote Outer Rim; even if a sovereign planet were to rise there, the Republic's administration would be unable to reach it," Master Dooku said, shaking his head.

"And that is exactly the direction we are working toward, Master Dooku. Turning the Galactic Republic into a better, more powerful nation. A powerful nation capable of enforcing orders and mobilizing every resource in the galaxy with a single word. On that day, we shall be omnipotent," Palpatine said, spreading his arms with visionary fervor.

"You are a good man, an exceptional politician, Senator Palpatine. But I must remind you, in this decaying Galactic Republic, people like you find it difficult to live long," Dooku said in a low voice.

"Even if I were assassinated tomorrow, I would be dying on the right path. My death will guide those who follow. The Republic needs people like me to die," Palpatine said solemnly.

Dooku took a deep breath and bowed. "The existence of someone like you proves the Republic can still be saved. Thank you, Senator Palpatine."

Palpatine returned the gesture. "It is my duty, Master Dooku."

After closing the communication, Palpatine left the Galactic Senate Building and returned to his modest residence. He shed the ornate robes that represented his status as a Senator, put on a simple gray cloth cloak, and pulled the hood over his face. After confirming no one was watching, he departed via a secret, hidden skiff through a concealed passage.

In a dark and complex corner of the lower levels of Coruscant's industrial zone, Palpatine stepped off the skiff and pulled out a unique communicator to make a call. A fierce-looking woman with tattoos on her face appeared in the hologram. Seeing Palpatine, she let out a low growl. "You elusive bastard, you've finally decided to contact me!"

"You'd better hope my mood is as good next time as it is today. Your Nebula Front is entirely under my control!" Palpatine's voice turned dark and raspy, sounding like the snarl of an old, wounded beast.

The woman's temple twitched, clearly suppressing her rage. She lowered her head and said, "Speak. What is our target?"

"The Rimma Trade Route. In 47 standard hours, a Trade Federation merchant convoy will be passing through this location to resupply minerals. Hijack the shipment and deliver it to the planet Kalinda. Someone will help you process the goods," Palpatine said in a low tone.

"How will the payment be made?"

"I will have a specialist launder the money, and you will receive half—two million credits. As for the other two million, that is a separate task: you are to send that money to my agent in my name through a bank trust fund."

"As long as we get the money, that's a small matter. Tell me, who is the recipient of this credit?"

"The current Speaker of the Galactic Senate, Finis Valorum," Palpatine spat out the shocking name in that sickeningly distorted voice.

"Hahahaha, very interesting. We accept this mission."

...

Outer space near the Dawn Planet, lower deck of the mothership.

The solemn sound of military bugles rang out, echoing over the empty deck.

There was no military band; the bugle calls were played directly by the central AI, yet it did not diminish the tragic and heroic atmosphere of the scene.

Tang Xiao stood at the front in a crisp military uniform, maintaining a salute as he looked ahead. Qi Jian, Clement, and other high-ranking officials of the Fourth Civilization stood in the second row, also maintaining a salute.

Before them, one hundred marines were lined up on both sides, their assault rifles fitted with bayonets held high toward the sky. In the center, forty-two metal coffins were arranged neatly, each etched with the emblem of the Fourth Civilization.

This was a newly designed emblem: the main body was a shape of the galaxy with only four cantilevered arms, with two longswords representing military might and authority crossed behind it. Above was the text "4TH." and below was "Scourge," representing the Fourth Civilization—or the Fourth Calamity.

These forty-two coffins held the 34 fighter pilots and 8 transport crew members who had fallen during the recent bounty hunter raid. These were the first warriors of the Fourth Civilization to die after arriving in the *Star Wars* world, and everyone present understood that they would certainly not be the last.

Tang Xiao took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "They were the best warriors, the best pilots. I believe that if they had been given an equal chance, every single one of them could have easily killed the attacking bounty hunters. But they didn't have... they could only pilot outdated fighters."

His tone gradually rose. "But even so, they did not retreat for a single moment! Knowing full well that their weapons could not pierce the enemy's shields, knowing full well that a single shot from the enemy's laser cannons would destroy them, they did not retreat! Because every one of them knew that they were the guardians... the guardians of the final spark of our Fourth Civilization!"

[Easter Egg Image 1: Galactic Republic Senator, Sheev Palpatine]