Mission on Pijal

The **Mission on Pijal** was undertaken by Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi during the Republic Era. The Jedi were called to the planet by Rael Averross who for eight years had been living and working as lord-regent for Princess Fanry of Pijal as he requested additional aid from the Jedi during a tense time on the planet as terrorist attacks threatened an approaching Governance Treaty that would hand over immense control of the planet's resources to Czerka Corporation, a corrupt and cruel weapons manufacturing company that exercised the use of slaves and had existed on Pijal for centuries in close alliance with the planetary government. An arts performance group known as The Opposition began protesting peacefully against the signing of the treaty, as they had little representation in Pijal's government and did not want Czerka to have such a hold on Pijal.

Princess Fanry, the Crown Princess of Pijal who had led beside Rael Averross, also became distasteful towards Czerka, not because of their actions however but because the treaty would render her a relatively powerless leader of the planet. She began ordering loyal blackguards, elite members of the Pijal Royal Guard under the leadership of Captain Deren to attack Czerka stations and outposts, framing The Opposition for her attacks. Fanry became fixed on a future in which she freed Pijal from Czerka's control as a warrior queen with autonomous control over the planet.

As the attacks intensified as the signing of the Governance Treaty grew closer, Rael Averross called in for help from Qui-Gon Jinn specifically to help him end the attacks and safeguard the treaty. The mission came just after Qui-Gon had received an offer to join the Jedi Council, which had caused a rift between himself and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi. Together they came to Pijal were they almost immediately began an involvement in the events occurring on the planet. Ultimately they were able to reveal that the attacks were not a result of The Opposition, however were actually part of a larger plot on behalf of Fanry to keep ultimate control of the planet for herself.

## Prelude

##### Pijal History

Pijal had been cut off from the Galactic Republic for centuries thanks to the formation of the Byrnum Maw nearby that cut off transport throughout the system. The Monarchy became independent alongside Czerka Corporation that at some point (unknown if before or after the formation of the nebula) began operations on the planet that were mutually beneficial for the people of the planet Pijal that also allowed Czerka some use of the planet's resources to be used in Czerka's weapons manufacturing. Czerka became ingrained within the planets politics, with Sector Representatives for Czerka appearing in government meetings.

By the Republic Era, the Sector Rep for Czerka was Meritt Col who operated aboard the *Leverage* above Pijal. Meritt Col worked in the Pijal Government alongside Crown Princess Fanry and her lord-regent Rael Averross who by 40 BBY had been living and working on the planet for 8 years on a mission for the Jedi. In 40 BBY however, the Republic discovered that by placing a hyperspace anchor on both the planet Pijal and it's moon, a hyperspace corridor could be made through the nebula that would allow for the continuation of trading through the system. This would likely bring Pijal into a member world of the Galactic Republic. Additionally, on the day of Fanry's coronation, a Governance Treaty was planning to be signed that would permanently attach Czerka to Pijal's government in an irreversible way that enabled them access and immense control over a vast majority of the planet's resources.

Not wanting the cruel and corrupt organisation of Czerka to gain a strong foothold on Pijal or it's moon, a performance artist group known as The Opposition began peaceful protests and artful displays in direct challenge to Czerka. Similarly, Fanry did not want Czerka to remain on the planet, not because of their cruel methods, but because she wanted to retain complete control of the planet, becoming fixed on a future in which she freed Pijal from Czerka as a warrior queen. Fanry began using blackguards, an elite soldier division within the Pijal Royal Guards lead by Captain Deren, to commit terrorist attacks on Czerka facilities on both Pijal and it's moon, framing the attacks on The Opposition.

The attacks became increasingly more violent as the Governance Treaty approached, with The Opposition becoming a named threat to Pijal and it's future. Rael Averross, feeling that he could not help solve the situation from his place as a member of Pijal leadership, called on the Jedi, specifically requesting Qui-Gon Jinn to come to the planet to help safeguard the signing of the treaty and capture of The Opposition.

##### Qui-Gon & Obi-Wan, Master & Apprentice

In the days before being called to Pijal, Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi were called to the planet Teth on a mission for the Republic. During the mission they experienced trouble with their communication and teamwork, something that had only gotten worse throughout Obi-Wan's time as Qui-Gon's apprentice. This only got worse as Qui-Gon was offered a seat on the Jedi Council, planning to replace Poli Dapatian. He did not tell Obi-Wan, wanting time to think about the offer before accepting. The pair were called to Chancellor Kirames Kaj's office where they were given the mission to travel to Pijal. At the end of their briefing, Kaj congratulated Qui-Gon on his offer to join the Council, revealing the offer to Obi-Wan, who felt betrayed and abandoned by his masters decision to keep it a secret. The rift between them grew as they left the planet to go to Pijal. Just before he left, Qui-Gon spoke with Yoda, who suspected that there was more motivation that originally thought to Dooku's leaving the Jedi Order two years prior. Yoda requested that Qui-Gon speak with Rael about anything he could learn about Dooku post leaving the Order.

## Recount

Unlike himself, as they left for Pijal aboard a *Consular*-class cruiser, Obi-Wan avoided Qui-Gon by busying himself with the maintenance crew and engineers. Qui-Gon knew what he was doing a let him get away with it. Also unlike himself, Obi-Wan did not read the briefing for the mission, choosing instead to just get through the mission and then leave his master as they returned to Coruscant.

##### Attack on a Soulcraft

As they arrived in the system above Pijal, they observed *The Leverage*, the Czerka Corp ship that sat in orbit above Pijal. They also watched as a Soulcraft, a ship that was used by Pijal religious pilgrims to travel to orbit, was attacked by a plasma implosion device. The Jedi immediately leapt into action, entering spacesuits and exiting the airlock, pushing themselves across to the ship. Once on the ship, they used the force to push away the incendiary device. Qui-Gon had however noticed another device about to implode, something that would hurt both him and Obi-Wan. Before it detonated however, a ship flew past, piloted by Pax Maripher and Rahara Wick, who were in the system to hunt for kyber crystals on the moon. They destroyed the device and saved both the ship and the Jedi. They did not stick around however, fleeing back to the moon of Pijal immediately. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan boarded the Soulcraft as it was brought aboard the *Leverage* with a tractor beam. Once again, this attack was conducted by Fanry's forces and blamed on The Opposition.

##### Debrief

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan entered the *Leverage*, securing care for the individuals aboard the Soulcraft. It was here that Qui-Gon and Rael Averross reunited, and Rael met Obi-Wan for the first time. Rael expressed his worry for Pijal and Fanry in the face of such attacks. Obi-Wan left after a small conversation, leaving Qui-Gon alone with Rael. They spoke about Dooku and the current situation. Qui-Gon asked about Rael's comfort with Czerka, a corporation so obviously cruel in nature, especially in it's use of slaves despite it being outlawed by the Republic. Rael explained that he did not like Czerka's methods, however in his situation he needed to "play the game", especially as Czerka did have benefits to provide Pijal and Fanry.

The trio took a shuttle down to Pijal where they landed and entered the royal throne room, meeting Crown Princess Fanry, Meritt Col, Captain Deren and Minister Orth, all of which had different opinions about the new Jedi arrivals. The Jedi were debriefed on the situation on the planet and The Opposition.

##### Finding Pax & Rahara

After a night's sleep, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan spent their first day going to the moon. Qui-Gon Jinn kept their activity a secret to Obi-Wan, hoping he would figure out their play on his own. Qui-Gon instructed Obi-Wan to fly low across the planet in search of the ship that had flew past them during the attack on the Soulcraft. As they had flown past, Qui-Gon observed they had a sensor shield, something that hid them from radars. Qui-Gon hoped to find these individuals who obviously had no love for The Opposition, who flew an unmarked vessel, so that they could use their ship to search for the Opposition without alerting any hostile forces. Eventually the found a large cave that ave out signals that suggested the hidden ship could be inside. The Jedi ventured inside, finding Pax Maripher and Rahara Wick within the cave. They revealed themselves, learning that the pair was on the moon in an attempt to liberate a large source of kyber crystals that would be very valuable on the black market. Instead they had found an even rare gem known as kholon crystals. They both found Pax to be difficult, while Rahara was more cooperative with the Jedi, making it clear she had no loyalties or care for Czerka. The Jedi were able to secure the pair to agree to working with them and providing their ship so that the Jedi could survey the moon without detection. The Jedi returned to Pijal, making plans for Pax and Rahara to pick them up on Pijal so that any hostiles wouldn't see the Jedi approach on a known ship.

##### Assassination Attempt

That night after returning to the planet, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan attempted to sleep in their rooms. During his sleep, Qui-Gon witnessed a vision of chaos and potential death at the crowning ceremony of Fanry. The vision awoke him. Troubled by the realism and sense he got from the dream, Qui-Gon went to Rael's quarters where he found Rael with Selbie in his bed. After a small debate about the jedi code on celibacy, Qui-Gon spoke with Rael about his troubling vision. Rael noted that it was interesting that Qui-Gon seemed to be the subject of multiple visions and that a large moment was about to happen centered around Jinn. As their discussion came to a close, they heard a scream down the corridor. All 3 Jedi within the building leapt into action, running down the corridor to where they found Fanry outside her room with her close personal aide Cady. They found that the cause of the disturbance was that a slicer dart had come through the window in an attempt to kill Fanry. Not only was this meant to attack Fanry, but to threaten Rael, the slicer dart intended to remind Rael of the cause of the death of his late Padawan Nim Pianna. Rael became terrified by the idea of history repeating itself. Little did anyone know that Fanry had planned the attack herself, hoping to instill fear onto Averross. All the jedi began immediate interrogations surrounding the event of the assassination attempt. Rael was particularly strict with Captain Deren, who vowed never to allow his security to fail again.

##### Peaceful Protest

The next morning, a musical band played music outside Fanry's window in the morning, a part of the tradition in the name of Fanry's upcoming ceremony. Qui-Gon watched the music being played from his balcony, overlooking the musicians stood atop floating platforms that hovered above the ocean. Fanry was surrounded by an invisible shield for her security. In the midst of the performance, a black balloon began to rise from underneath the band, disrupting the music. Eventually it rose to float before Fanry's balcony view displaying the words "End Tyranny! End Czerka!". The protest was completely peaceful, and made Qui-Gon wonder why the Opposition would suddenly change tactics from an assassination attempt to a peaceful demonstration overnight.

##### Searching the Moon

Later in the day, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were taken aboard the *Meryx* by Paz and Rahara. They went up to the moon where they began their search of the planet for signs of the Opposition. It was on this day that Qui-Gon revealed to the pair what their objective actually was. During their search they were able to locate a signal that suggested an underground group of individuals that was 30 strong, with readings that spoke to the possibility that they were armed with weapons. Not wanting to begin a conflict just yet, the Jedi returned to the planet below the moon.

Upon returning to the palace on Pijal, Qui-Gon went with Rael to discuss the assassination attempt. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan was left with Fanry as she spent her evening with Minister Orth. Obi-Wan was pulled into a discussion about his lightsaber in which he began dismantling his saber hilt to show the inner workings of the lightsaber to Fanry, explaining how the weapon worked. Fanry asked questions about what would happen if a Jedi fought another Jedi in combat. Obi-Wan replied that that would never happen.

##### The Great Hunt

The following day the Great Hunt occured, a great Pijali tradition in which members of the Pijal government rid varactyls through the forest in hunting of a crab droid. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon joined in the event, riding their own varactyls. This marked the first time that Obi-Wan had ridden a live animal. He came to love it very quickly as the event began. Prior to the event, Fanry had ordered Cady to reprogram the droid so that it attacked Fanry in the midst of the event, hoping to further terrify Rael and push him into anger towards The Opposition. The hunt began and the group leapt into the hunt, searching for the droid. Obi-Wan was able to stay beside Fanry throughout, leaping over trenches that even his master struggled to cross. Fanry spotted the droid first, speeding towards it. The droid acted exactly as Cady had programmed it to, firing blaster shots at Fanry. Obi-Wan ignited his saber and immediately began racing towards the droid. Rael also did the same, instead going towards Fanry where he used his saber in defense of the princess, deflecting all the blaster shots. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were able to approach the droid without trouble as it focused intensely on Fanry. Qui-Gon swept out and struck the droids legs while Obi-Wan delivered the killing blow to the body of the droid, ending the skirmish.

Following the attack, Qui-Gon spoke with Rael. Together they agreed that the security was far too great for an outside member of the Opposition to have sabotaged the droid. They deduced that there must be traitor within the palace. While they did so, Captain Deren destroyed all evidence of Cady's tampering with the droid.

##### Returning to the Moon

While the Jedi were on the planet, Pax and Rahara had gone to Czerka, meeting with Meritt Col to sell their kholon crystals under the guise that they are kyber, hoping to have left the system before Czerka realized. After doing so, Qui-Gon returned with his padawan, beginning the return to the moon. They flew up to the Moon of Pijal, scouring the land for the same signal. They eventually found it. They brought the ship to hover above a group of hostiles, leaping from their ship and into the center of the group. They found themselves in a fight against 14 enemies clad in black armor with energy shields. They did not know that these enemies were the Blackguards of Princess Fanry. Both Jedi soon discovered that their lightsabers were not effective against the shields that surrounded each individual, causing them to bounce off. Unable to think why their lightsabers reacted so to the shields, Qui-Gon called for a retreat. Both Jedi began to flee from their attackers while the Meryx attempted to find a place to land and aid the Jedi escape. Obi-Wan was caught in a sinkhole while trying to escape pursuers. He held onto a thick vine to stop himself from falling. Qui-Gon heard the enemy soldiers call out that a sinkhole had appeared. He also sensed that his Padawan was in danger. He abandoned any attempt to fight back, deactivating his saber and using the force to simply dodge blaster fire, racing through the vines to reach his Padawan. He leapt to his stomach, grabbing onto the log that Obi-Wan clung to, pulling him to safety. Once they had both returned to solid ground away from the sink hole, they stood back to back, deflecting blaster fire from all around them. They realized they could only defend themselves for so long, however were saved from doing so as blaster fire began returning to the enemy soldiers, pushing them into a retreat into the forest. When the conflict was over, a voice called out for the Jedi to throw away their weapons. Qui-Gon refused, stating that he would not relinquish his weapons but would also not choose violence with their saviors. The new group revealed themselves, agreeing to a peaceful meeting in the clearing. Halin Azzuca revealed herself to Qui-Gon, introducing him to the Opposition, asking him why they were being framed.

Halin took the Jedi to a nearby cave that had mats and candles inside, being used by The Opposition for shelter. Here, Halin spoke to the Jedi that The Opposition was being framed for the actions of the Blackguards, however were unaware of what the Blackguards endgame plans or aspirations were. As Halin spoke about her side of the story, talking about how the protests the pulled had been prepared months in advance, and the violence had been nothing to do with them, and that the Opposition simply wanted representation in the government, something they would be rid of if the treaty was signed alongside facing a life under Czerka Corporation. The conversation was enough to convince the Jedi of their honesty, coming to see The Opposition as being framed. Qui-Gon vowed to speak with Rael about the treaty and the role that Czerka would play in the Pijal system once it was signed, feeling that Rael's protection over Fanry had blinded him to the pain caused by Czerka. Upon leaving the moon, the Jedi explained the mission and their experience with Rahara and Pax. Rahara was deeply troubled by the idea of the number of slaves that would fall into the hands of Czerka. She asked Qui-Gon why the Republic failed to act despite outlawing slavery. Qui-Gon had no good answer. She asked why the galaxy even had a Republic if it couldn't fight back against something as unjust as slavery. Qui-Gon had no good answer.

##### Tension with Rael

Upon returning to the palace, Qui-Gon spoke with Rael during a ceremony in the dome of the capital city. Rael failed to see how and why Qui-Gon was believing the story of Halin Azucca, still convinced that she was nothing but a terrorist. It sparked a heated exchange between them, during which Qui-Gon noted that it was Rael's anger and fear of protecting Fanry that was blinding him to the situation and opening his mind to the possibility Halin was telling the truth. Rael defended Czerka, saying that their authority provided Fanry with aid as she rose to become Queen, and that Czerka on Pijal was one of only many instances of slavery and cruel authority over a world so fighting them while they aided Fanry was illogical. Rael thought that being a Jedi stopped him from altering how Pijal had been run for centuries. Qui-Gon thought that as Lord-Regent, Rael's actions could surpass that of a Jedi investigator. Rael ended the conversation, leaving the argument by stating that he refused to back down. Qui-Gon went on to speak with his Padawan who had been examining the Pijal library for information to fact-check what Halin had told them. She was correct. Qui-Gon then contacted The Jedi Council, only able to speak to Yoda at the present moment. They spoke about needing to make changes to the treaty as to stop the spread of Czerka's injustice. Qui-Gon's resolve around stopping Czerka only increased as he spoke with Yoda. Yoda agreed that Chancellor Kaj would need to see the treaty, and would attempt to make changes.

##### Visions of the Future

While trying to sleep that night, Qui-Gon witnessed yet another vision of death and fear during the treaty ceremony in the Celestial Chalice. To verify that his dreams where truly visions, he set out into the night to the Chalice grounds. He walked inside, seeing that the room was exactly the same in his vision. He came to know that the Force was connected to him, and telling him that danger was to occur at the ceremony. With this as the second vision Qui-Gon suffered, the following morning and a banquet, Qui-Gon announced that he would not be attending the ceremony, and thus robbing Pijal of a Republic representative, causing the ceremony to not go ahead. Rael however challenged this, determined that the ceremony would happen with or without Qui-Gon.

Obi-Wan attempted to speak to Qui-Gon about his position and that it was suspiciously convenient how his opinion on the Pijal situation suddenly worked alongside his visions and that while he could morally object, he had the authority and the order to oversee the signing of the treaty, a mission given to them by Chancellor Kaj. Qui-Gon argued that while he had the authority to do so, he didn't have the right to oversee the signing of hundreds of lives to Czerka. Obi-Wan decided to break a large rule of the Jedi Order, going against his master to contact the Council for aid, speaking about how his master was putting faith in his visions. The Jedi Council was indecisive, debating ethics rather than the crisis at hand. They determined that they would do nothing, rather instead dictating what Obi-Wan would do himself.

##### Searching Czerka

The next day, Rahara and Pax returned once more to Pijal, where they met Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, once again transporting them to the moon, this time with the intent to search Czerka mining facilities with the hopes of learning about the blackguards. They did exactly this, landing nearby a Czerka mining facility, moving through the nearby ground on foot, armed this time with blasters that could penetrate the blackguard shields. They approached the facility, from where they were able to spot that the Czerka miners were throwing away the kohlen crystals, choosing instead to keep the other ores. This made the Jedi consider that Czerka was not responsible for the blackguards, sensing that the shields had been powered by kohlen. During their surveillance, the blackguards attacked the facility, shooting down a mining droid to announce their attack, before landing on the ground in 3 troop carriers. The Czerka facility went into shutdown as the blackguards opened fire on the installations and workers alike. Slaves were caught outside with nothing to protect them from the attack. The blackguards spotted the jedi, entering in a battle with the knights. Obi-Wan was able to use the force to enter an almost meditative space during the conflict, watching his master fight with serenity. Rahara observed the chaos from the *Meryx*. Knowing that there would be slaves caught in the crossfire, she decided to take the *Facet*, a small single fighter to fight alongside the Jedi. When she reached the facility, she flew at low heights that protected the slaves and allowed her to fire back at the blackguards. She was ultimately however shot down by a ground to air weapon strike. As this happened, Qui-Gon watched her crashland nearby. He felt responsible for bringing Pax and Rahara to the conflict and made it his job to rescue the individual within the crashed ship. Simultaneously, royal landing crafts similar to that of the blackguards began arriving at the scene. The blackguards began a full retreat, boarding their vessels and fleeing back into the sky. Czerka began it's evacuation procedures, sending out droidekas and security droids to load equipment and slavers onto shuttles. The droidekas attacked the jedi, stopping them from reaching Rahara while a security droid used facial recognition tech to note that she was a former Czerka property. The security droid took her into captivity once again, loading her onto an evacuation shuttle. As the conflict died down and royal palace ships landed, the jedi defeated the droidekas, going and failing to find Rahara. Captain Deren was convinced that the attack was a result of The Opposition. Pax went on foot to the scene of the skirmish, unable to fly in through the air traffic created by the royal and Czerka vessels. He learnt from Captain Deren that Rahara was likely taken back into Czerka captivity.

##### Preparing for the Ceremony

After the conflict fully ended, Rael confront Fanry in the palace during a special meeting with the Pijali jewelry who was presenting Fanry with various crowns for her to choose from. He asked her why she had sent royal ships to the conflict, to which she responded that she was aiding Qui-Gon. Rael retired himself to a recluse rooftop pathway. While there he was encountered by Qui-Gon, who had also gone to the rooftop path for solitude and meditation. Unable to do so, the pair chose to spar with their sabers. During which a conversation occured about their trust in the Jedi. Rael spoke about how loyalty to the Jedi mattered not if the prophecies were true and that a "Chosen One" would bring true balance one day. He said that there would be equal light and darkness in the galaxy, an effective "tie", so why did it matter. Qui-Gon rebutted that it does matter which side an individual chooses to stand, not because of the promise of winning a "cosmic duel", but to choose to sit within the light, because it was the light. Meanwhile on the moon, Obi-Wan aided Pax make repairs to the *Facet*. While Pax left for a moment to bring the *Meryx* back to the *Facet*, Obi-Wan was contacted by the Jedi Council on their conclusive decision about Qui-Gon. They informed Obi-Wan that he would be the new Republic representative instead of Qui-Gon, signing the treaty on behalf of the Galactic Republic. The Republic also demanded that the treaty effects would only be temporary, after a local year had passed Pijal was expected to bring about new effects that rid the planet of slavery.

Qui-Gon went to speak with Meritt Col about purchasing Rahara Wick, wishing to free her. Their conversation came to a close quickly however as it became clear that there was no money nor information that could allow Qui-Gon to effectively purchase Wick's freedom. He returned to the palace where he found that preparations for the ceremony were underway. He had believed that the ceremony was cancelled as a result of his vision and refusal to sign. When he returned to his quarters he learnt that Obi-Wan had spoken to the Council and replaced him as Republic representative. He asked Obi-Wan if he was naive enough to believed that Czerka would not bribe and manipulate the new treaty conditions to continue their hold over Pijal and slavery acts, asking also if Obi-Wan was happy to condemn the planet to Czerka.

Unable to purchase Rahara or stop the ceremony, Qui-Gon resolved himself to a rescue attempt on the *Leverage* to rescue Rahara Wick. He called Pax Maripher, calling for his aid. He agreed. Obi-Wan noticed that Qui-Gon was planning a rescue after asking for the *Leverage* schematics and seeing his master's name as the last listed viewer of the same schematics. Obi-Wan had been looking at the schematics for the same reason. He found his master at the docks where he told Qui-Gon to wait until the evening after the ceremony, both because he knew Czerka officials would be away from the *Leverage* while attending celebrations and because he would be able to aid his master. Qui-Gon was thankful that his Padawan had come to his aid in the rescue, deciding to attend the treaty ceremony only to provide his aid when he felt danger would present itself.

##### New Evidences

Meanwhile during the celebrations on Pijal in the city of Coronations Eve, the joy was interrupted as The Opposition entered the city, playing a large hologram of Halin Azucca announcing her surrender as a last resort to get the palace officials to listen to her side of the conflict. Halin presented herself to Rael Averross and Captain Deren in surrender. She was brought into Rael's office where she provided him with new evidence that she had found of a blackguard base on Pijal that she had hoped would exonerate The Opposition. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan joined a royal palace escort that went to the site, investigating the land to find it to be completely empty and yet fully stocked with weaponry. One small piece of information they uncovered was an astromech that had wired communications to Teth. They followed the communication to contact Thurible, who they had encountered on a mission on Teth prior to their mission to Pijal. They learnt from Thurible that they had been met by a government official speaking about selling a shield that was impervious to lightsabers. The jedi deduced that the blackguards may have been testing how much profit they could make by spreading out a new market for lightsaber impervious shields. Qui-Gon put an end to any whispers by informing Thurible that no such device existed. Once that call was over, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan became suspicious of Captain Deren, feeling that a lot of evidence pointed in his direction. Qui-Gon spoke to Obi-Wan that he had realized that Obi-Wan had been a rebellious youngling, so the Jedi Council had ensured that such a rebellious youngling become the apprentice of the only Jedi who couldn't follow orders. They bonded over their shared experience of rebellion in the face of the Council, and self independent thought.

##### Treaty Ceremony

The morning of the treaty signing, everyone had their own preparations. Fanry prepared herself to reveal her plot and finally break free from the Czerka stranglehold she felt she was in. Cady equipped Fanry with a personal shield made of kholon crystals. Obi-Wan attempted to scout the Celestial Chalice room in which the ceremony was taking place however was denied entry. He was denied entry with weaponry to another important area of the palace. He left his lightsaber outside while he scouted the location. As this happened, Deren's men opened Obi-Wan's saber and replaced the kyber crystal with a kohlon crysal, hoping it would render the saber useless while maintaining the same weight. Qui-Gon spent his time meditating to try and find inner peace prior to the outbreak of violence that he had foreseen. Rael dressed himself in clean clothes and shaved.

The ceremony began and Qui-Gon seated himself amongst the Pijali government officials. Obi-Wan entered the ceremony to music alongside the Skykeeper, the religious leader of Pijal, the jewelry and Cady. Fanry then entered alongside Captain Deren. Immediately the processions began as the Skykeeper presented Fanry with a religious sword of Pijal. Fanry vowed to protect the planet and it's interests. She then plunged the sword into the Skykeepers shoulder, beginning her plan. Simultaneously, Deren activated a shield that contained Fanry, Cady, Deren, Obi-Wan, the Skykeeper and the jeweler in the center of the room. Fanry used the opportunity to renounce Czerka and the treaty that plotted to remove her power. Rael immediately sprang into action alongside Qui-Gon, seeking to find loyal guards who could send aid. The audience split into halves, one half attempting the flee while the other stood still and watched as Fanry continued to reveal her plan. Qui-Gon tried and failed to enter the kholon shield that surrounded Fanry and his Padawan. Fanry revealed that she had stabbed the Skykeeper as a result of his taking bribes from Czerka. Meritt Col had been trying to escape the ceremony quietly, however was spotted by Fanry. Captain Deren shot at Meritt before she could escape, grazing her shoulder yet sparing her life. Deren then turned his gun on Obi-Wan, who had been prepared to sign the treaty and Fanry gave the order to execute the young Jedi. Obi-Wan ignited his saber, revealing it to be orange, powered by a kholon crystal. Obi-Wan deflected the oncoming shot, and sliced at and into Deren. Deren was not killed immediately, collapsing onto the floor where he slowly bled out. He did however survive. Royal troop carriers had flown into position above the Celestial Chalice where they opened the glass windows in the ceiling, lowering cables to Fanry and Cady. Fanry took her crown before escaping aboard one of the cables. After Fanry and Cady's escape, the shield came down, finally allowing Qui-Gon to reach his Padawan.

##### The Battle above Pijal

The Jedi, including Rael, all boarded a Corellian corvette, flying into space in pursuit of the *Righteous*, the royal flagship of Pijal that had only recently been named so. They determined that the blackguards were Fanry's soldiers as blackguard ships surrounded and boarded the blackguard ship. Obi-Wan also used the time to realize that his saber had been sabotaged with a kohlon crystal by Captain Deren's men. Meritt Col had likewise taken to the orbit where she boarded the *Leverage*. Fanry had become the absolute leader of Pijal and had in effect declared war on Czerka. Qui-Gon formed a plan in which he and Rael would go to the Righteous where they would attempt to negotiate or capture and arrest Fanry. Meanwhile Obi-Wan was to go with Pax Maripher who was approaching the orbit space to take the *Meryx* into the *Leverage* where they would stop Czerka from taking violent retaliation against Fanry. Obi-Wan and Pax were quickly successful in entering the *Leverage* ship, flying the *Meryx* into the airshaft where they exited one shuttle and entered the larger one. Obi-Wan however remained with the *Meryx*. Qui-Gon was able to secure a negotiation hologram with Fanry, who told Qui-Gon that there was no space for peaceful negotiation and that she preferred war. Pax was able to find Rahara within the pit of the *Leverage*. Together they began a slaver uprising within the ship, causing alarms to sound and battle to commence between the slaves onboard and the Czerka staff. Fanry continued to prepare to fire on the *Leverage* despite the slave lives that would be lost. In order to defend the escape route of the *Meryx*, Obi-Wan entered the cockpit of the *Facet*, piloting it through the corridors of the *Leverage* and shooting down security droids. Obi-Wan however quickly lost control of the *Facet*, having a terrifying experience in flying and nearly killing individuals within the corridors. Cady watched as Fanry was unwilling to relent in the face of destroying slave lives. Having aided Fanry in order to end slavery, Cady then began the second revolution of the day, putting her blaster to Fanry's head, refusing to lower it despite her Queen's orders. Fanry was overthrown by those aboard the bridge of the *Righteous*, which ended it's attack on the *Leverage* to spare the slaves. Qui-Gon then contacted Meritt Col to inform her of the overthrowing of Fanry. Col continued to state however that the slave uprising meant nothing and that all those aboard would remain slaves. At that moment, Obi-Wan flew into the bridge of the *Leverage*, crashing into the walls and ending his uncontrolled flight. Meritt and other Czerka staff had ducked for cover, however had come close to destruction at the hands of the *Facet's* crash. Obi-Wan appeared on the hologram to Qui-Gon, stating that he did not mean to do that however had shown up at the right time. With both Fanry and Meritt Col taken out of the picture, the conflict was resolved. The Jedi took control of both the Righteous and the Leverage, bringing them down the Pijal surface. When there, the slaves of Czerka exited the craft and were registered as refugees, no longer slaves.

##### Resolutions

Fanry was placed under house arrest where she was to remain until she was 18. She was replaced by a distant cousin, Lamia. Lamia's reign only lasted a few hours in which she signed a new treaty that had been altered by the Republic that set up a democratic assembly with ample lunar representation lead by a head of state, ending the Pijal monarchy. Orth was elected to become the first to fill this new role, becoming Govenor Orth. The treaty also abolished slavery within the system and freed any slaves brought into the system. The treaty also enabled the Pijal Hyperspace Corridor to be opened. Cady was promised to be sent to any school of her choosing. She elected to go to a school on Alderaan. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan spoke to Govenor Orth who considered their mission complete on Pijal with the new treaty signed. Rael Averross had no concrete next steps, however was unsure if the path of the Jedi was for him to continue. Qui-Gon said his goodbye's to Averross in his quarters. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan also said goodbye to Pax and Rahara, gifting them a Mustafar fire diamond, the diamond given to him during his romantic encounter on Felucia. With peace achieved on Pijal, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan returned to Coruscant.

## Aftermath

##### Next: ...

Qui-Gon was brought nearly immediately to the Jedi Council where they spoke about the offer to join the Council. Qui-Gon noted that he was confident that his visions on Pijal were the only reason the conflict had ended without bloodshed, and that he was supposed to misinterpret them. He wished to surrender to the force and submit to the ebb and flow of the force. He respectfully refused to join the Jedi Council. Following the choice, he found Obi-Wan in the gardens where he asked if Obi-Wan would want to continue their partnership. Obi-Wan chose to stay with Qui-Gon, stating that he wouldn't learn half as much with someone who agreed with him.

Dooku reached out to Averross, offering to deepen his understand of the force and gain further power with him on Serenno. Rael took time to think about it, however in a second conversation with Dooku, refused to go to Serenno to train with Dooku, wanting to return to Coruscant and the Jedi. He quoted Qui-Gon to Dooku, stating that he chose to stay within the light because it was the light.

Obi-Wan's flight on the Leverage left him with a long lasting fear of flying.

Qui-Gon's experiences on Pijal convinced him that the Jedi prophecies were true and that time of great change was upon the galaxy. He awaited the arrival of The Chosen One.

8 years later Qui-Gon was killed by the sith apprentice Darth Maul during the Battle of Naboo. During Qui-Gon's funeral, Obi-Wan thought back to the mission on Pijal, the mission where they had become friends and strong partners.

## Timeline of Event

* Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan launch an investigation into The Opposition, lead to believe they are responsible for bombings.
* Qui-Gon finds Rahara Wick and Pax Maripher, illegal gemstone traders, on the moon of Pijal during a search for The Opposition.
* Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon discover the corruption of Queen Fanry.
* Obi-Wan uses a kohlen crystal, allowing him to surpass Fanry's security.
* Obi-Wan gains a distaste for flying after nearly killing innocents after losing control of his ship during a battle between The Blackguards and Czerka Corp.
* Queen Fanry is arrested.