Chapter 237: Coruscant
Even if Qui-Gon hadn't come, nothing unexpected would have happened.
"The annoying enemies have been dealt with, but there's one more thing, Jedi Master, that I hope to get your help with," Raven said. "We want to go to Coruscant. Would you be willing to give us a ride?"
"OF COURSE.. I mean, yes, please join us," Padmé Amidala said before Qui-Gon could speak.
She'd already witnessed the power of Raven's group twice. If she could secure their help, they'd definitely reach Coruscant safely. At that point, even if they didn't get the Republic's support, seeking help from these people might still allow them to defeat the Trade Federation and rescue their people.
Qui-Gon hesitated.
This group was too mysterious, their power beyond anything he'd heard about. The Force itself seemed to bend around them in ways he couldn't read.
But then he considered: Raven's group was terrifyingly strong. If they truly intended harm, they wouldn't need such elaborate pretenses. And then there was Anakin, the boy's Force presence blazed like a sun, impossible to ignore. He finally nodded and also agreed to Raven's request.
Thus, Raven and the others boarded Qui-Gon's starship, heading together to the Republic's capital.
The moment they activated the hyperdrive and left Tatooine, a black spaceship appeared. After the dark vessel landed, two Sith warriors in black armor emerged. They searched briefly, found that Qui-Gon's party had already departed, then hurriedly returned to their ship to give chase.
The starship's speed was impressive. A few days later, they arrived at Coruscant.
The Emperor stood by the starship's window, gazing out at the vast starry expanse and contemplating his next moves.
"Perhaps we should help that child ascend to the position of ruler. When the Empire is strong enough and its influence reaches this far, we can use him to ally this universe and the Imperium. This way, we can avoid war while still completing the Imperium's expansion."
During this time, with Raven's assistance, the Emperor had gained a thorough understanding of the situation in this universe.
After the Corellians invented the hyperdrive, various races quickly mastered this faster-than-light travel technology. They used it to establish trade routes, engage in commerce, and facilitate communication.
Against this backdrop, the concept of a multi-species Republic emerged, where numerous races coexisted and prospered together. Coruscant was chosen as the capital, and thus began its long reign.
"Are you talking about Anakin?" Raven nodded. "Training him is indeed feasible. This universe greatly reveres the Force, and Anakin possesses an unimaginable amount of it. He's an excellent choice."
"Do you have any good training methods for the Force?" the Emperor asked.
"Very simple. I'll read the data from the Jedi Temple and organize an efficient training regimen. Anakin's engineering talent is also exceptional. Why not have him learn from The One? When the time comes, giving him access to All Spark technology will count as accumulating political capital."
"A sound suggestion," The One agreed. "Perhaps we can create a new race, Force Transformers."
Everyone spoke in turn, casually deciding the future fate of this universe.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the starship, Anakin, the future ruler of the Galactic Empire or Republic, was playing with Padmé.
An unknown emotion planted seeds in both children's hearts. In the future, given the right opportunity, those seeds would take root and flourish.
Coruscant
The spaceship slowly descended toward Coruscant, capital of the Republic.
After tens of thousands of years of civilization, the planet's surface was entirely covered by cities and urban sprawl. Skyscrapers soared into the clouds yet remained shrouded in darkness.
In the sky, endless streams of anti-gravity traffic flowed back and forth. Even in the deep night, Coruscant remained vibrant, radiant, and bustling, a prosperous city that never slept.
The natural landscapes —forests, mountains, rivers, and lakes — had long been replaced by a sprawling urban transportation network and endless towers. These magnificent structures reached up to the edge of the atmosphere and extended deep into the planetary crust.
Coruscant's air and water had specialized filtration and conversion systems that continuously recycled them.
When Padme's new party reached Coruscant, both Chancellor Palpatine and Jedi Master Yoda of the Jedi Council came in person to greet them.
"We will find a way to gain support for Naboo," Chancellor Palpatine promised Padmé. His voice carried that same soothing reassurance he always offered, the voice of a concerned mentor, a protector of Naboo's interests.
Meanwhile, Jedi Master Yoda learned of Raven's group and Anakin from Qui-Gon.
"This child, to the Jedi Temple for guidance, should be entrusted," Yoda said, his ancient eyes studying the boy. "Proper direction his talent must receive, benefit all beings, only then can it."
Yoda sensed the Force within Anakin as well. A maelstrom of power, barely contained. If the boy fell to the dark side, a terrible disaster for the galaxy it would be.
"Sorry, but I'll be teaching him," Raven refused without hesitation. "His future achievements are unimaginable. If he's given to you, he'll only become an ordinary Jedi."
Anakin's original destiny no longer mattered. Under the schemes of the Emperor, The One, Raven, and the others, Anakin would become the Republic's ruler and the universe's guide.
He would represent this universe, the Human Empire, and the Transformers Universe in signing mutual assistance agreements.
If they were to leave this little, poor, innocent boy in the hands of these old-fashioned Jedi, it would not only bury Anakin's talent but might also lead the child astray due to the Temple's inflexibility and prejudice.
"Child, your choice what is?" Yoda turned his gaze to young Anakin, watching him with eyes that had seen centuries pass. Sensing he could not persuade Raven, he would let the boy speak his heart.
"I..I'll listen to Mister Raven," Anakin said firmly.
It was Raven who brought him and his mother out of Tatooine. Along the way, Raven had taught him how to use the power within himself, along with mysterious mechanical knowledge.
He could feel Raven's genuine kindness toward him.
The Jedi Master claimed the Temple wanted to accept him, but underneath the words was something else, something that felt like they thought he was dangerous. He somewhat felt as if Master Yoda wanted Anakin to stay in the Jedi sanctuary because it was safer for everyone else, not because it was what was best for him.
Anakin's refusal made Jedi Master Yoda sigh. The sound carried the weight of long years. But he did not give up.
"The best place for you, the Jedi Temple is, child," Yoda said. His voice remained gentle but firm, the voice of one who had trained thousands. "Understand what you refuse today, you may not, but realize it, one day you will. Too late by then it will be, with no chance for remedy. Very powerful, the Force within you is. How to control it properly, only the Jedi Temple can teach you."
"No," Anakin shook his head. "I trust Mister Raven more, and I prefer being with him. He wouldn't lie to me."
Anakin's eyes were full of trust for Raven. He'd never had a friend like Master Raven in his life. So far, the only one willing to share good food with him was Mister Raven.
Raven folded his wings and landed on young Anakin's shoulder.
"Jedi Master Yoda, this universe isn't the only place where people know how to use the Force. And even if someone possesses the Force, they don't necessarily have to become Jedi Knights. Anakin's talent is excellent, and in the future, he'll become someone truly outstanding."
"To be honest, instead of worrying about this child, you should take time to think about the future of the Jedi Knights. The Force is balanced; darkness and light coexist. Once it loses balance, it brings chaos and death."
Yoda's ears drooped slightly. Centuries of wisdom told him the bird spoke a truth he had long sensed, the Force was out of balance, shadows gathering.
But change the Jedi would not, not quickly enough. Seeing that both Raven and Anakin were resolute with no signs of budging, he could only give up.
He left with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, returning to the Jedi Temple.
Qui-Gon walked in silence beside his former Master, troubled. When they'd gone to Naboo, they'd encountered enemies suspected to be Sith warriors, the first in a millennium. The Jedi Council needed to know about this. They needed to respond.
But his thoughts kept drifting back to the boy, to Raven's words about balance. The Force had brought him to Anakin for a reason. Of that, he was certain.
Raven and his group followed Queen Padmé to the Republic Congress.
The dome of the Senate Hall rose to a height of 100 meters, magnificent and grand. Many hovering vehicles and shuttles came and went. This was the Republic's power center. Any decision made here determined the fate of countless beings.
When Raven's group arrived, Speaker of the Congress Valorum was already waiting.
"It's a pleasure to see you, Queen Amidala." Valorum shook Padmé's hand in friendship. His smile was genuine, but there was weariness behind his eyes, the exhaustion of a man fighting a losing battle against corruption.
"I'm equally pleased, Speaker Valorum," Padmé replied. Despite her youth, she carried herself with practiced grace, every inch the queen.
"I deeply sympathize with Naboo's tragic plight and immediately convened a special meeting to hear opinions from all representatives." Valorum's expression grew troubled.
"However, the Trade Federation has also sent representatives. They're skilled at cultivating relationships and have gained support from many senators. For you, the situation isn't optimistic."
Hearing his words, worry crossed Padmé's face. "The Trade Federation maliciously launched a war, dispatched droid forces to occupy my homeland, and massacred my people. Such a heinous event can't even gain support? Are we just going to let those criminals run rampant?"
"I'm very sorry," Valorum shook his head, helpless. His political power was crumbling; he could feel it slipping through his fingers with each passing day. "But here, it's not about justice, only interests and politics. Let the Senate convene. I'll do my best to help you and get them to pass a bill sanctioning the Trade Federation."
Padmé sighed softly and nodded. "Thank you for your help, Speaker."
Valorum left to prepare for the special meeting.
Palpatine, who had remained silent, walked over to Queen Padmé. When he spoke, his voice carried disappointment, the tone of a man saddened by the state of his beloved Republic.
"The Republic has changed. Those senators are all greedy good-for-nothings who don't care about the people's interests at all." He paused, letting the words sink in. "With all due respect, Queen Padme, the Senate cannot stop the Trade Federation's invasion."
"Speaker Valorum is still trying," Padmé said. She wanted to believe in the Republic, in its institutions.
Palpatine's expression shifted, just a flicker of something cold beneath the surface, gone before it could be named. "Valorum doesn't have much real power. Those corrupt officials have already sidelined him, and the senators don't obey him. He can't do anything, nor is he able to change anything."
Padmé looked confused, troubled. "Then what should we do?"
"The first option is to hold an election and choose a stronger Speaker to suppress those greedy individuals and uphold justice." Palpatine's voice remained measured, reasonable. "The second option is to petition the courts, but the Republic's judicial process is cumbersome. Until a final verdict is issued and enforced, Naboo will have to remain under Alliance rule."
His words painted a picture: a path forward. A solution that seemed to be in Naboo's best interests.
Seeing Padmé fall into thought, Palpatine didn't press but left, giving her time to consider. He had planted the seed. Now he would let it grow.
"No matter where you are, there's always a power struggle," Raven complained while eating fries.
He could see right through Palpatine's little schemes. He also knew the man's true identity. No secret could be hidden from Raven.
This universe wasn't the place where only Jedi Knights knew how to use the Force. Sith warriors also knew how to unleash their own power.
[End of Chapter]
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