Mission aboard the Saak'ak

The **Mission aboard the *Saak'ak*** was the first conflict that arose during the Invasion of Naboo. After the Trade Federation placed a blockade across the planet Naboo, using *Lucrehulk*-class LH-3210 cargo freighters as part of their attempt to resolve the disputed taxation of outlying star systems. The Congress of the Galactic Republic began to panic, leaping into action to try and reach a diplomatic solution to the conflict, while in secret, Supreme Chancellor Valorum sent two jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn and his padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi to reach the *Saak'ak* flagship of the Trade Federation and negotiate a peaceful resolution to the blockade, allowing trade to commence in the system.

## Prelude

#### Previous: ...

##### Sidious' Great Plan

Darth Sidious orchestrated the events that would lead to the Invasion of Naboo. Wishing to take control of the galaxy as Supreme Chancellor, Darth Sidious used his connections to gain control of the Trade Federation. Using his personality as Senator Palpatine, Sidious manipulated Supreme Chancellor Valorum to pass a proposal that allowed Free Trade Zones to be taxed. This gave Sidious to excuse he needed to order the blockade of Naboo, using the guise that the Trade Federation was protesting the proposal.

##### Political Dispute

The Trade Federation proceeded to protest against the dispute, creating a blockade of the planet Naboo in the Mid Rim, ending trade to the planet, thus endangering everyone on the planet. The Congress of the Republic began to panic, struggling to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Supreme Chancellor Finish Valorum sent jedi Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi in secret to reach the Trade Federation flagship, *Saak'ak*, hoping to make clear a set of demands for the Viceroy Nute Gunray.

## Recount

#### The Jedi Arrive

   The jedi Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi were piloted to the *Saak'ak* aboard the *Radiant VII*, piloted by Captain Maoi Madakor and Antidar Williams. Qui-Gon informed Captain Madakor to tell the Trade Federation they wished to board immediately, a request that was graciously granted by Nute Gunray, not wanting raise suspicions. Upon their arrival aboard the *Saak'ak* the jedi were met by TC-14, who led them to a conference room to await negotiations. Once left alone, Obi-Wan revealed that he had a bad feeling about something elusive within the ship.

Upon learning that the ambassadors sent by the Supreme Chancellor are jedi, Nute Gunray and Daultay Dofine began to panic, sending out word to Darth Sidious for orders on how to proceed. While they conferred with Sidious, they sent TC-14 back to the jedi to stall them. Lord Sidious answered a call from the Federation, speaking to them through a holoprojector to learn that the jedi were present at the blockade. Dofine would speak to the Sith, saying that the blockade was over and that they dare not challenge the jedi. Lord Sidious would demand he never see Daultay Dofine again, ordering the Viceroy to kill the jedi immediately. Worried about the presence of the jedi, Sidious accelerates his plans, ordering Nute Gunray to begin landing troops on the planet below to begin the Capture of Theed.

#### Attack on the Jedi

The attack on the Jedi begins, shooting at and destroying the *Radiant VII*, killing both Captain Madakor and Antidar Williams before they had a chance to raise shields. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were both alerted to the danger after the explosion of the *Radiant VII*, igniting their lightsabers and beginning their operation to escape the ship. The Federation attempted to lock the jedi in their negotiation room, flooding it with dioxis gas. The jedi were able to deactivate their sabers, holding their breath while they awaited a means of escape. A small contingent of B1-Battle Droids approached the negotiation room, ordered to execute the jedi in case they survived the dioxis attack and destroy anything left of the bodies. Upon opening the door, the droids were cut down by the jedi lightsabers. Having escaped the droids, the jedi began to navigate the ship, searching for the bridge to question the Viceroy.

Nute Gunray and Rune Haako lock themselves aboard the bridge, terrified that they would not survive the encounter with the jedi. The jedi find the bridge, fighting off the guard battle droids. Qui-Gon begins to cut through the door, urging Nute Gunray to utilize the blast doors to further encase them in the bridge. Qui-Gon would continue to burn through the blast doors using his lightsaber, further terrifying the neimodians within. Eventually, Qui-Gon is forced to abandon his efforts to cut through the door, forced to aid Obi-Wan in defending against a pair of droidekas. The Jedi flee the droidekas, beginning their escape of the ship.

#### The Escape

The jedi escape into the ventilation shafts, altering their course to find a method of escaping the ship. They emerge back into the ship in a hangar bay, discovering the invasion army of battle droids. Qui-Gon states that they must warn the Naboo and Chancellor Valorum, letting the Republic know of the Federations plan. The jedi devised a plan to stowaway aboard separate ships, letting the invasion army take them down to the planet Naboo.

## Aftermath

#### Next: Capture of Theed

Immediately after the jedi's escape, Queen Amidala of Naboo began to call the Trade Federation, asking after the ambassador negotiations, claiming that the Federation had gone too far this time. Nute Gunray lied, playing ignorance and unaware of any ambassadors sent by the Chancellor. Worried that they may suspect an attack, Nute Gunray determined that they must work fast to disrupt communication on the planet.

## Event Chronology

* Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan reach the *Saak'ak*, hoping to make peace with the Trade Federation.
* Darth Sidious orders the jedi be executed, accelerating his plans and preparing to land his armies on Naboo.
* Nute Gunray attacks the jedi, who successfully evade the attempt.
* The jedi discover the Invasion army, stowing away to be taken down to the planet.

## Appearances

1. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace