Back on Coruscant late in the evening, Hanuck reported his findings to the Chancellor.
"So, the terrorist was killed before you could bring him into custody?" Valorum asked.





"I am afraid so Chancellor." Hanuck said, "The wound appeared at first to have been a lightsabre wound, but then it could have been a force blade, used by miners in the area. So identifying the weapon will be difficult. Especially as Geonosian’s always seal after any wound, thus, I can’t tell if the wound sealed due to heat or nature"




"However, for now the immediate threat is over." Hanuck went on to say, "Although I will have to look into whoever killed Griger."





"But, the Aluga Front has been neutralised." Master Windu said in the dimly lit light, "And from that we can conclude that we have more time to deal with the legislation at hand."





"At least now we have time to open an sub-committee to assess the advantages and disadvantages of allowing the corporations to arm themselves." Valorum said.





"Chancellor, this is incredible!" Lott Dod shouted, "Just because one terrorist is killed, doesn't mean the urgency of this legislation is diluted. We need that army, for our survival."





"I fear that the Senator is right Chancellor, we must not get complacent that the situation will ease." Senator Palpatine said, "We must stay committed, and the urgency now is more than it was before."





Later that evening, Viceroy Gunray spoke once again with the dark Lord, Darth Sidious.
"My Lord, it has come to my attention that Chancellor Valorum wishes to revise the proposal to allow us to arm ourselves, before it goes to the Senate?"





"Is this true?" Gunray asked, knowing that Sidious had an ear in the Senate. "If so, my lord, what would we do, we would loose any protection that we might gain out of this piece of legislation? Besides, the terrorists will not stop just because the Aluga Front has been destroyed?!"





"Viceroy, you will attend a special meeting with Chancellor Valorum later this week." Sidious rasped, "And when you do, I shall arrange for a little demonstration, to scare the Chancellor into passing the full piece of legislation...watch and learn Viceroy..."





Darth Sidious spoke to another of his agents, a freedom fighter known only as Darl.
"I know your family suffered as a result of the slave labour employed by the Federation." Sidious rasped.
"Quite, my entire family were exploited as was my home world by the powers of commerce." Darl spat.





"But, my ideology against the Federation?" Darl quizzed, "What does this have to do with the Chancellor?" Why must he be threatened?"





"Chancellor Valorum only serves to uphold the commercial corporations." Sidious rasped, "I'm sure that a stab at him would be what your movement craves...but remember we serve not to kill the Chancellor, but to frighten him..."





As usual, the Senate district was bustling with activity, especially in the plaza below the Senate Hall.
Today, the Viceroy of the Trade Federation was in attendance, to have an important and pivotal meeting with the Supreme Chancellor.





"Viceory." Chancellor Valorum greeted, "Was your trip pleasant enough?"
"Eh, yes of course." Nute Gunray said in his usual Neimoidian tone, "Now, what about this little agreement we are meant to come to?"






"Well Viceroy." Valorum said, "Perhaps we could talk about it on our way to my State offices. Once we get there, my staff have laid on a treat of a lunch for you."





Standing in the crowded plaza, Jedi Master Hanuck stood, he knew as well as the Jedi council that if the terrorist organisation consisted of more than just the Aluga Front, they would present themselves today. It would be a wasted opportunity not to. Hanuck was accompanied by Master Adi Gallia, a personnal friend of the Chancellor.





"I presume that a committee has resolved the issue as sound that the Trade Federation requires the legal use of a defence force?" Nute Gunray said to the Chancellor.





"My assessment of the situation has told me that the terrorist threat may have ceased." Valorum said, "However, this does not mean that a force is in order, but now that the Aluga Front have been taken care of, maybe a considerably smaller force."





"Chancellor, this is outrageous!" Lott Dod snapped, "You of all people now the risk presented by this scum that call themselves freedom fighters."





"Senator, with respect, I am trying to talk to your good Viceroy." Valorum said with calm confidence, "We shall take into account every aspect of the debate before passing final judgement to allow the Senate to vote on the issue, and that means including taxation as a viable option."





Standing in the group of senators behind the Chancellor, Senator Palpatine listened intently to the conversation between the Trade Viceroy and the Chancellor.




But, after a while, the usually committed patient Senator decided it was time to leave...turning, Palpatine moved through the crowd back towards the apartment block, 500 Galactica.





Standing in the crowds of public, Darl the assassin, recruited by Darth Sidious moved silently, he nodded to a comrade across the plaza.





The comrade, a Devonian nodded back in return.





Master Hanuck twitched, a tremour in the force, a sudden darkness. He turned around, just as Senator Palpatine walked past the Jedi pair and towards the Senate building.
Hanuck turned back to the crowds and muttered, "I sense something, something's not right here."





"And can the Trade Federation count on your support Chancellor?" Nute Gunray asked, "I gather that this taxation rubbish was your idea though?"





"Viceroy, an that taxation motion was put forward by a Senator, and of course, I am sure that on the day of the congress vote, you shall have all the information you should need." Valorum said with tiring patience.





Darl moved closer to the Chancellor, who was just up ahead, flanked by Senate guards as they moved down the main streetway.




"I don't understand Chancellor." Gunray said, "Never, Never has a Chancellor of the Republic failed to act immediately upon acts of terrorism. You have the judicial department to hand."
"There are many Senators in my inner circle that do not believe in treating violence with violent, namely my good friend, Senator Palpatine." Valorum said with a sigh.





Darl un-holstered his blaster pistol, as he moved ever closer.




He was in spitting distance of the Chancellor. Remembering what Sidious had instructed, fire a shot, not to hit the Chancellor, but to scare him.




A blaster shot, fired by Darl skimmed past the panic striken Chancellor's head. The Senate Guards burst into action, flanking their Chancellor.




Hanuck spun to look in the direction of the shot.




Darl fled the scene, his hired comrade would now take the punishment. Darl had hired the mercenary to act as a diversion, knowing that the Devonian would get caught. Darl hadn't even revealed his name to the Devonian, so all was safe.




Nute Gunray and Rune Haako exchanged worried glances. They knew exactly who was behind this. Lord Sidious, who had told them to expect a demonstration at their meeting with Chancellor Valorum.





The second assassin leapt forward, gun ready to fire, but the Senate guards had already provided the Chancellor with a protective ring.





Jedi Master Hanuck ran towards the Second gunman, who had stepped out into the open, making himself visible.





Adi Gallia stood beside the shaken Chancellor.
"Are you hurt in any way?" Master Gallia spoke slowly.
"No...no." Valorum took a deep breath, "Merely shaken."




Hanuck ran between the crowds of frightened on-lookers.





The gunman ran, sprinted towards the speeder port just beyond the Senate district market square.





Understanding the situation, a would be hero slammed his body in the way of the gunman.
"Stop there mate." Said the heroic citizen.





Before he could flee, the Jedi was upon him, Hanuck raised his lightsabre high, as the gunman raised his blaster pistol.





But Hanuck slashed down on the gunman's wrist, stopping him from firing the pistol.




Hanuck wrestled the Devonian before locking him between the blade of the lightsabre and the Jedi's chest.
"You are under arrest." Hanuck snarled at the would be assassin.


END OF CHAPTER 3

Hi guys, I used to post solely on Rebelscum, but am branching out now to post everywhere.

You guys are new to my photonovels, so  shall start at the beginning with chaoter 1;










The dark world of Semola, a grim world in the dark reaches of the outer rim.
Home to fugitives from Republican Justice, terrorists, outlaws, and villainy. A perfect hiding place for any criminal.
Also, the home to a band of Geonosian terrorists, known as the Aluga Front.






Led by a Charismatic Geonosian, named Griger Handel, an aristocratic idealist, heralding from the worker colony on Geonosis, his people had been enslaved by the large Corporations of the Trading Companies. Griger, having led his people to a revolution, which failed, now contented himself with terrorism.





In recent years, the Aluga Front had been contacted frequently by a mysterious Dark Lord.
"Is he ready?" Griger asked his Lieutenant, who checked the hologram projector, and bowed, meaning an affirmitive.





"Again you come before us my Lord?" Griger asked, "And of what service can the Aluga Front offer this time?"
"I believe that you have an enemy in the form of the Trade Federation?" Sidious asked matter of factly.






"The Aluga Front commits itself to ending the Capitalist nature of the Republic...and thus, we begin with the destruction of the corporations, such as the Trade Federation." Griger replied grandly. “We advocate a state by which corporations and the capitalist structure have no power, a state where the people hold power.”






"An idea that we both share." Sidious rasped, "However, I am in need of your services."
"By which you mean an attack on the Federation?" Griger asked.
"Exactly." Sidious replied, "I truly understand your cause, which is why I will ask this of you."





"A Federation cargo ship, the  Revenue will be docking on the moon of Coruscant, carrying shipments of luxury items for the Senate, while your workers go hungry." Sidious rasped. "A truly angering notion I trust?"





"Swine’s...Pigs!" Griger snarled. "What would you have us do my Lord?"
"A little attack might be in order..." Sidious rasped, "To show the Republic that your Front means business. Carry out an attack so large and grand that it will send ripples throughout the Republic for years to come.”






On board the Federation cruiser, the Revenue, the Neimoidian crew prepared to begin unloading the cargo shipments to deploy the boats to the Senate district of Coruscant.




"Captain." The Neimoidian crewmember turned to the ship's Captain, an esteemed neimoidian, Captain Lagard. "There is suspicious movement in the main cargo holds."





"What do you mean?" Lagard asked, "Intruders? It can't be...we've only just arrived."






At that moment, two Geonosian militants, members of the Aluga Front burst in, wielding heavy weaponry, both shouting curses and vile words. There aggressive waving of their weapons seemed to suggest that they wanted the neimoidians to leave the controls of the ship.





"What in the space lanes is this?" Lagard yelped, jumping backwards to the bridge windows.
"This is  outrageous!" Lagard shouted, hoping that his words would send the terrorists away. “Incredible?!”





The terrorists blasted away at the Neimoidian guards that were stationed on the bridge.





The Geonosians hearded the Neimoidian crew into the centre of the bridge.
"P...P...please, have mercy!" Lagard trembled in terror.





Griger Handel entered the bridge, "Captain, we are using your ship as a stadging ground for our little demonstration to the Republic."







"Meaning?!" Lagard asked in fear. "May I remind you that this ship is under Republican law, and acts of violence are illegal acts!"
The Geonosians laughed.






"Meaning Captain..." Griger said, "That we are intending to destroy you, and gut your ship clean."
"W...what?" Lagard spat in horror.
"Sorry...old habits." Griger nodded.







Griger turned to his Lieutenant, "Place the detonator."





The small detonator was placed. The Geonosian laughed, while the neimoidians trembled.





Griger stood behind Captain Lagard, "This is for the workers."
"Workers?!" Lagard spat. "You commit terrorism for the workers?!"






With that, the geonosians ran from the bridge, all laughing and cheering.






The Neimoidians didn't wish to wait for the detonator to explode, so they too bolted for the door.





But then the bridge exploded, sending the crew flying against the wall.







The terrorists had hit their target...the federation cruiser exploded as the fuel lines below the bridge ignited. The Aluga Front had made their point…and escaped to tell the tale.





CORUSCANT: GALACTIC CAPITAL.

The Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray arrives for a special meeting with the Federation's Senator Lott Dod.
However, prior to their meeting, Gunray is greeted by Supreme Chancellor Valorum.





"Viceory." The esteemed aristocratic Chancellor greeted. "We have heard the terrible news, concerning the acts of terrorism in the outer rim-"




"And what do you intend to do about it?" Gunray demanded, his red eyes glowing with fury, "This is the third ship we have lost in as many months Chancellor!"





"With respect Viceroy, we understand the situation, but it is impossible to reason with these terrorists." Valroum said, "Concessions will have to be made."




Senator Lott Dod cut in at this point, "This is incredible? All we asked from the Chancellor months ago was a commission to allow us to construct our own defence force...battle droids! And now, we must make concessions to protect ourselves?"






"I assure you." Senator Micjak, a liberal pacifist, cut into the conevrsation, "That my sector will oppose any such bill to arm the large corporations. This is a step to building private armies for the sake of the force!"






"And you shall have your time to make your decision in the Senate when it comes to vote." Valorum turned to the disgruntled Senator.




"And I can assure you Chancellor that without a droid defence force, we and many other corporations will suffer, and what bids ill for the corporations bids ill for the Republic." Gunray muttered, his bottom lip sticking forward, "The economic and social stability of the Republic is based on the backs of Corporations."





"We shall do all we can Viceroy." Valorum said, "I have commissioned an investigation with the Jedi Council. But in the meantime, would you take my offer of further protection while on Coruscant?"





"No." Gunray snapped, "My head of Security, Tey Tippeto deals with such matters."
Gunray gestrued to the heavy guard beside him.





At that moment, two Jedi masters approached, Mace Windu and Master Tarr Hanuck.





"Viceroy," Mace Windu greeted, "May I just say that we are committed to locating these terrorists and bringing them to justice."






"I do not share your charismatic optimism." Gunray sneered, "But with an army of our own, we would be able to have crushed this threat years ago."





"An Army will not be needed Viceroy." Master Hanuck said, "I am leading the investigation, and I promise the threat will soon be removed."





Without saying goodbye, The Viceroy turned and left, flanked by Tey Tippeto, the loyal bodyguard.





Valroum turned the Vice Chancellor Mas Amedda, "Arrange a special session of the Senate to here this motion."
"Yes Chancellor."





"Chancellor, a word if you please?" Senator Palpatine, calm, collected, intelligent, profoundly liberal spoke.





"Ah, Palpatine." Valorum nodded, "What a terrible terrible mess we are in. Terrorist attacks, yet no where to act?"
"If I may say so excellency." Palpatine said, "Maybe a bill to allow the Federation to arm itself might be in order?"





"But Senator, how will we hold this army accountable?" Valorum asked, "It would be impossible.
"Yes it would Chancellor, if they were not accountable." Palpatine said, "But if we were the place taxation on the Federation, we could reign them in, maybe a taxation of the free trade routes for instance?"





"Senator, your intelligence in this field never ceases to amaze me. Why, you could suggest this in Senate?" Valorum said.
"No Chancellor, a motion like this, would carry more weight if it were to be introduced to the senate by your good self." Palpatine smiled.
"Selfless aren't you Senator?" Valorum patted his friend on the arm.

END OF CHAPTER ONE[/img]