Chapter 1814: Chapter 1229: Waiting for the Prey
“…And then, the Trade Federation’s fleet was completely destroyed.”
Standing in the center of the Jedi Council, Qui-Gon Jinn spoke in a low voice.
“In just an instant, the Trade Federation didn’t even have time to resist. I suspect they might not have realized what happened, as the entire fleet was turned to debris.”
“…………..”
Upon hearing Qui-Gon Jinn’s description, the Jedi Knights present exchanged serious glances.
“And what happened next?”
“Then that mysterious fleet left, and I don’t know where it went.”
“What did Queen Amidala say?”
“She said she was unaware of it. She has been waiting for the Council’s mediation, and the Trade Federation completely cut off Naboo’s communications, so she couldn’t contact other forces.”
“…Let’s watch the footage again.”
As one of the Jedi Knights spoke, the previous footage soon appeared again in the void, showing the Trade Federation fleet that heavily blocked Naboo, followed by the mysterious fleet and the voice that appeared on the public channel.
“Despicable Alien Rascals, how dare you threaten Humans, it is unwise! In the name of the Tribunal, I declare here that any Alien Species threatening Humans will be utterly destroyed—fire all ships!”
Soon after, everything in front was engulfed by gunfire, and the footage paused as well.
“The Tribunal.”
A bald black Jedi Knight frowned, pondering for a moment.
“I’ve never heard that name before.”
“Neither have I.”
Sitting next to the black man, a hunched green-skinned dwarf shook his head, then squinted.
“However, this reminds me of something that happened long ago…Do you remember the Goddess’s Royal Guard?”
“…………Of course.”
Upon hearing this, the Jedi Knights all became solemn.
Since the founding of the Galactic Republic, several crises have occurred, and the most severe one was the holy war of the Goddess’s Royal Guard. Initially, it was a religious belief, mainly held by Humans who worshipped a Goddess and adhered to Human supremacy. Afterward, a family that worshipped the Goddess ascended to the position of the Galactic Senate president, turning the Galactic Republic into a theocratic dynasty centered on Humans over the next millennium.
During this period, the Goddess’s Royal Guard used various means to eliminate dissent, especially among Alien Races, either suppressing them or finding various reasons to launch military campaigns to conquer or annihilate them. During that time, the relationship between Humans and Alien Races was extremely hostile.
Eventually, the Jedi Order, along with the Republic Navy, launched a coup to overthrow this thousand-year rule, with the Jedi Master serving as the speaker. After another thousand years, the relationship between Humans and Alien Races gradually restored, and the Jedi Order returned the position of speaker and resumed its duties.
“Master Yoda, do you think the mysterious fleet comes from the Goddess’s Royal Guard?”
“Quite possibly.”
The green-skinned dwarf nodded, though not entirely sure.
“I’m merely guessing, but it’s not necessarily correct, as the methods of both seem somewhat different…”
The Goddess’s Royal Guard believed in Human supremacy, insisting that Humans must govern and lead the other races in the Galactic Republic.
However, this Tribunal… appears even more radical.
“This matter must be investigated in secret.”
Thinking of this, the green-skinned dwarf spoke up.
“It must not spread, lest it causes panic.”
Hearing the green-skinned dwarf’s words, the others nodded and looked back at Qui-Gon Jinn.
“Then, Master Qui-Gon Jinn, please continue to investigate this matter with your apprentice, and you must uncover the origin of this mysterious fleet and… what exactly they intend to do!”
“Yes.”
Qui-Gon Jinn nodded, but soon he looked seriously at everyone again.
“But, I believe we must proceed with caution; the other side… is very powerful.”
“Powerful?”
“Indeed.”
As he spoke, Qui-Gon Jinn extended his hand to press on his chest, looking serious. Just recalling the feeling back then made it hard for him to breathe.
“When this fleet appeared, I could feel an incomparable, powerful Force, burning like a flame, almost consuming everything around, turning everything into dust. Such terrifying, destruction-laden Force aura, I’ve never felt before. Whoever they may be, I think they will become a major enemy for us Jedi Knights.”
“…………”
After hearing Qui-Gon Jinn’s remarks, the green-skinned dwarf and the black Jedi shared a glance, their expressions growing even more grave.
It seems this matter is far more troublesome than they imagined.
Just as the Jedi Council began to take action regarding this issue, the instigator, Duanmu Huai, was… well, lounging on the sofa doing nothing.
“What should we do now, Mr. Duanmu?”
“We don’t need to do anything.”
Facing Mary’s inquiry, Duanmu Huai waved his hand.
“Find a place and wait for people to take the bait.”
“Wait for people to take the bait?”
Hearing Duanmu Huai’s response, Naruse Mio seemed a bit puzzled.
“Didn’t we come here to eliminate those aliens? Why do we need to wait for people to take the bait?”
“Haha, you guys don’t understand this.”
At this moment, Anya chuckled, stood up, and spoke to everyone.
“According to Miss Acotte and Miss Lumiere’s investigation, there are hundreds of alien races in this star territory, far more than on the side of the Divine Fort Council! Indeed, we could tackle them one by one, but at this rate, when will it ever end?”
“Hundreds of races? That many…”
Hearing Anya’s answer, Banriya sitting next to Naruse Mio widened his eyes in surprise, even in the Devil World, there don’t seem to be that many races.
“That’s right, so if we engage in direct combat, even if we win, it would consume a lot of time and energy. Therefore, I think waiting with a strategy is the best approach, which is why I suggested Mr. Knight do this.”
“But what rabbit are we supposed to wait for exactly?”
Zhenjiling curiously asked.
“It’s simple, there are humans in this star territory, and since there are so many races, it means humans will surely be threatened by other races, right? Among them, there must be members of the Radical Faction; perhaps they couldn’t do anything before, but our appearance provides them with a variable. I think once they learn about us, they’ll definitely find a way to reach out to us, and by then, the problem will be easier to solve.”
“So Miss Ann, you mean letting the people in this star territory solve the problem for us?”
Mary understood, and Anya nodded.
“Yes, exactly. We are outsiders, unfamiliar with the people and places here. However, as outsiders, we are also a sudden variable within this star territory, and we openly support humans, opposing other races. In this situation, I think there will certainly be changes within the opposing side, and by then we can use their resources to dive in.”
“But… what if we are being used?”
Greiya expressed concern about this.
“Let them use us if they want.”
Duanmu Huai patted Ogis’s little head in his embrace and yawned.
“When the time comes, we’ll see who’s using whom. I refuse to believe, given this civilization’s capabilities, they can outsmart the Tribunal?”
Duanmu Huai sneered at this, as he had seen the data Lumiaire acquired from infiltrating their network about the Galactic Republic’s capabilities. Simply put, their weaponry is just a pile of scrap copper and rotten iron. Their standard weapon is actually a flashlight…? This thing wouldn’t even break our defense!
As for those hyped-up Jedi Knights, they aren’t impressive either. Duanmu Huai checked them out; these Jedi are just wielding a lightsaber for show, nothing extraordinary. What surprised him even more was that all these Jedi don’t wear armor—they’re unarmored!
A true invitation to death.
Although the lightsaber appears to deflect laser attacks, if I lob a bomb over, wouldn’t you die anyway? Without armor, just grazing you would turn you into minced meat!
And this is supposed to be the Guardian of the Galactic Republic? They’re weak as glass cannons, totally unimpressive. Has this star territory even fought a real war before? It feels like child’s play… These Jedi have mediocre speed, weak strength, and no protection; their defenses can be breached with casual attacks, even a handgun could be deadly.
And they’ve been guardians of the Galactic Republic for thousands of years?
Looks like it’s just a bunch of amateurs pecking at each other here.
“But even if someone wants to contact us, how can they? Did you leave them a phone number, Mr. Duanmu?”
Mary muttered her query, and as if to answer her remark, Acotte walked in.
“Uncle, we’ve already found a suitable planet.”
“Oh?”
Duanmu Huai opened his eyes and sat upright.
“Where?”
“Tatooine, a desert planet on the border, and also a refuge for many fugitives within the Galactic Republic. It’s not under Galactic Senate jurisdiction and rarely monitored.”
“Then let’s go there.”
Duanmu Huai decisively made his decision.
“We’ll stay there and see if any rabbit comes our way!”
“Yes!”