Kahn and company arrived near a small hut on the outskirts of Kaadara, nestled beside a calm blue lake. The sunlight reflected off the water, painting silver ripples across the grass. The hut itself was humble — a thatched roof, rough wooden frame, and a small garden patch outside. Peaceful. Almost too peaceful.
Kahn parked the hover vehicle, but kept the engine running, just in case.
"Senator, wait here with your guard," Kahn said, glancing back over his shoulder. "Let me go check to make sure it's safe."
Palpatine gave a polite nod. "Very well, my young friend. Be careful. I'd hate for something unpleasant to happen before we even begin."
Kahn stepped out, boots crunching softly against the damp ground. The air smelled of wet wood and lake water. As he approached the hut, he noticed fresh, wet footprints leading from the water to the door. Someone had been here recently.
He knocked. "Hello? Is anyone home?"
Silence.
He knocked again, louder this time. "We're not here to hurt you. I'm a Jedi—just want to talk."
Still nothing.
Kahn frowned and turned toward Palpatine. "Senator, I don't think anyone's home. I also don't sense anyone inside."
Palpatine stepped from the vehicle, the hood of his robes fluttering in the wind. "Then let us look around. Perhaps we might find ourselves a clue."
They began to search the area. Kahn checked behind the hut and found tools neatly arranged, a fishing pole resting against the wall. Whoever lived here wasn't gone long.
Then Kahn spotted something—a pair of wooden cellar doors set into the ground behind the hut. "Senator, I think there's something down here. I'll check it out. If anything happens up here, call out."
Palpatine nodded, folding his hands. "Of course. I'll continue looking. Don't stray too far."
Kahn took a breath, stretched out his senses, and pulled the doors open with the Force. The old hinges groaned. A wave of cold, damp air drifted up from below.
He descended slowly, lighting his path with his lightsaber. The glow filled the small space with eerie shadows. Crates, jars, and fishing nets lined the walls—ordinary things.
Then he heard it.
A soft thud. Something falling over.
Kahn spun, raising his saber toward the sound. A figure sat bound to a chair—a Gungan, gagged and shaking.
Kahn lowered his weapon slightly and hurried over. "Are you alright?" He pulled the gag from the Gungan's mouth.
"Mesa… mesa thankful for yousa help!" the Gungan gasped. "Mesa was attacken by bad people!"
Kahn crouched beside him. "Who are you? Are you the contact helping the Naboo people communicate with the Gungans?"
"Ah, where are mesas manners. Mesa is called Zef Fun." The Gungan managed a nervous grin. "Mesa indeed is the contacten. If mesa may ask, who is yousa?"
"I'm Kahn Kage, a Jedi. We came looking for you. Let me get you out of those restraints."
Kahn sliced through the ropes with careful precision, extinguishing his saber. "Can you tell me what happened?"
Zef rubbed his wrists. "Mesa will tell. Mesa was comen home after a long day. Mesa thought mesa see friends—other Gungans—but they were not friends. They say mesa must stop talking peace with Naboo humans. Mesa didn't believe them, until mesa saw Wuk Kiwn."
Kahn's brow furrowed. "Who is Wuk Kiwn? Their leader?"
Before Zef could respond, the sound of blaster fire erupted above.
Kahn's instincts flared. "Stay here!" He sprinted up the stairs, lightsaber igniting mid-run.
Outside, chaos. Four Gungans in a hovering speeder fired wildly at Palpatine, who took cover behind the hut's wooden supports. His guard lay lifeless beside him.
"Senator, stay down!" Kahn shouted, deflecting a flurry of blaster bolts. Sparks flew as light carved through the air.
"Be careful, my friend!" Palpatine called out, voice calm despite the danger.
The attackers shouted in their tongue, enraged. As one bolt ricocheted off Kahn's blade, it struck a Gungan square in the chest. The body fell limp from the speeder.
The others roared in fury. "Yousa killed mesa friend!"
Their blasters fired even faster, reckless and furious. Kahn pressed forward, his movements sharp and fluid, each motion guided by the Force. He deflected another shot, closing the gap, slashing through one weapon arm and knocking the attacker aside.
Another bolt was turned back toward the shooter—dead before he hit the ground.
The last one panicked, dropping his rifle and scrambling away. Kahn reached out, grabbed him with the Force, and flung him into a tree—knocking him unconscious.
Silence followed, broken only by Kahn's heavy breathing and the hum of his saber. He deactivated it slowly, staring at the fallen bodies. The weight of what he'd done pressed hard on his chest.
Palpatine emerged from behind cover, brushing off his robes. "Thank you, my friend. You saved my life."
Kahn looked to the ground. "Where's your guard?"
Palpatine's expression turned somber. "Unfortunately… he was killed by the Gungans. He served with honor."
"I'm sorry," Kahn said quietly. "I should've gotten here sooner."
"It's quite alright." Palpatine's tone was smooth, reassuring. "You did what you could. The galaxy is rarely kind to those who do their duty."
A rustling came from behind the hut. Zef peeked out nervously, his long ears twitching.
Palpatine's gaze shifted toward him. "And who might this be?"
Kahn raised a hand quickly. "He's not with them, Senator. He's the one we came to find—the contact who's been helping bridge peace between the Gungans and Naboo."
Palpatine nodded slowly, eyes narrowing just a bit. "Ah… I see. Then perhaps he's more important than we realized."
Kahn exhaled, glancing between the bodies, the senator, and the shaken Gungan. "We should take him somewhere safe. This isn't over yet."
Palpatine smiled faintly. "No, my young friend. I believe it's only just beginning."
[Palpatine's Vessel]
The soft hum of the ship's engines filled the cabin as stars streaked past the viewport. Kahn sat across from Senator Palpatine, while Zef Fun rested on a padded seat nearby, wrapped in a blanket. The Gungan looked shaken but grateful—his long ears drooping slightly as he sipped from a cup of water.
The mood aboard the private vessel was tense but quiet. Kahn kept his hands folded, his thoughts heavy. The events at the hut still echoed in his mind—the sound of blaster fire, the flash of his saber, the moment life faded from an enemy's eyes.
Palpatine broke the silence first, his tone smooth as always. "You've been through quite an ordeal, young Kage. But we must focus on what lies ahead. If we can understand who this Wuk Kiwn truly is, we may yet prevent a war."
Kahn nodded and turned toward Zef. "Zef, who exactly is this Wuk Kiwn? You said he was dangerous, but what else do you know about him?"
Zef took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly. "Wuk Kiwn… mesa no like speaken his name. He once was a strong Gungan warrior, proud and smart, but cruel. Many years ago, the Gungan council banished him for hisen ideas of war with the Naboo. Wuk sayen that the humans treaten us like dirt, that mesa people must strike first or be crushed."
The Gungan's large eyes lowered to the floor. "When the council refused, Wuk Kiwn threatened to destroy them all. He took those that followed him and vanished into the swamps. Mesa never thought he would return—let alone with new weapons and warriors."
Kahn leaned back in thought. "So the raid on the Valley of Vane was just the beginning… an appetizer before the true attack." He looked toward Palpatine. "Senator, we should warn the Naboo government at once. Maybe even request aid from the Republic or the Jedi Temple. If we act quickly, we might prevent more bloodshed."
Palpatine laced his fingers, expression calm yet calculating. "We will inform the Queen of what we've learned. But involving the Republic…" He shook his head. "That may not be wise, my young friend."
Kahn frowned slightly. "Why not, Senator? Surely the Republic would help. The Jedi could deploy Masters to stop this before it escalates. It could save countless lives."
Palpatine smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in it. "I understand your idealism, truly I do. But this is a matter between the Naboo and their native kin. The Republic Senate is… slow. Endless debates, committees, delays. By the time they act, the damage will already be done."
Kahn absorbed the words, his idealism struggling against logic. "Then… at least allow me to contact my Master. He'll know what to do."
"Of course," Palpatine said smoothly. "It is only right that you keep your Order informed."
Zef, still uneasy, raised his head. "Mesa hope yousa won't blame all Gungans for this. Most of mesa people wish only to live quiet, honest lifes. Wuk Kiwn's followers… they no represent us."
Palpatine inclined his head in a show of sympathy. "Of course, my friend. But someone must be held accountable for these acts. If we capture Wuk Kiwn, perhaps your people can begin to heal—and rebuild trust with the Naboo."
Zef nodded gravely. "Mesa will help any way mesa can. Mesa owe yousa that much."
Kahn rose and crossed the cabin to the ship's communications console. He keyed in the frequency for Coruscant and waited. The holo-projector flickered to life, and soon, the calm, dignified face of Jedi Master Dooku appeared in shimmering blue light.
"Master," Kahn began, "I have something urgent to report."
Dooku inclined his head slightly. "Go ahead, my Padawan. What has happened?"
Kahn took a steadying breath. "The conflict on Naboo has worsened. There's a Gungan rebel group forming under a leader named Wuk Kiwn. They're planning something big—possibly an attack on the Naboo government itself. We found a Gungan named Zef Fun. He was nearly killed for trying to help maintain peace between the two sides."
Dooku stroked his beard in thought. "A Gungan rebel cell seeking to overthrow the Naboo government…" He sighed, the faintest edge of concern in his tone. "This is more serious than I expected. You've done well to uncover this much."
Kahn's holographic figure bowed slightly. "What should we do, Master?"
"This is no longer a simple assignment for a Padawan," Dooku said firmly. "I will inform the Jedi Council immediately. Once I have their approval, I will make my way to Naboo myself. Until then, you are to stay vigilant, and do not take unnecessary risks."
Kahn nodded. "I'll try to stay safe, Master. But I won't stand by if people are in danger. The Naboo need our help."
A faint, proud smile touched Dooku's lips. "I know you won't, my Padawan. You have a good heart—just remember to temper it with wisdom. May the Force be with you, Kahn."
"And with you, Master."
The hologram faded.
Kahn stared at the empty space for a long moment, feeling the weight of what was coming. A war was brewing on Naboo's horizon—and somehow, he knew this was only the beginning.
Palpatine's voice broke the silence, calm and measured. "It seems the galaxy is moving faster than any of us expected. But do not worry, my young friend. Together, we'll find a way to bring peace to Naboo."
Kahn turned to him, nodding firmly. "For the people's sake… we have to."
Palpatine's lips curved into a thin smile as the ship continued through the stars.