Chapter 43: The Invitation
Preparations Arc, Part 9/9: Cerberus Revealed
Time skip – Year 967 RR (aka, 33BBY few months before Naboo Blockade at the start of 32BBY)
(a/n No known specific date for Naboo Blockade, only the year 32BBY. Time skip is from 36BBY to 33 BBY = over 3 years' Time skip)
Ava pov:
I was with all the Jedi Council Members, and Master Qui-Gon as we watched what unfolded before us.
Chanceller Valorum and the entire Senate, even Dutchess Satine was here, though she looked to be in a sorry state ever since Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi's death that day. Everyone was here to witness what was happening in person.
Cerberus had gained a great deal of reputation over the past three years, there haven't been many sightings of Zer0 aka Adrian Hawke since my last encounter with him on Mustafar.
But now he had come out of the shadows and revealed that he was The Illusive Man, and the true Head of Cerberus all along. He had kept his identity a secret for all this time.
And now his grand reveal had shocked the Galaxy.
Mon Mothma: "This will not stand! You have no reason to encroach on the territory of other worlds unprovoked without cause."
Senator after Senator began arguing and challenging against a holographic projection of Adrian Hawke. Even if The Illusive Man aka him, had a seat in the Senate, he would have been arrested by the Republic and the entire Jedi Order the moment he would have landed on Coruscant, which is why he wasn't here in person.
Adrian: "You are accusing me of the siege of various worlds, and yet where is your proof? I have made alliances with these worlds, and we have come together and have declared to defect from the Republic!"
The murmurs of nearly every Senator present gasped when they heard this.
But just then, one of the platforms had hovered forward and caught the attention of the entire Senate, a Munn from the Banking Clan, and Senator Palpatine had a weird expression on their faces. It was one of concern and worry?
I could probably guess the reason for that.
The individual that was on the platform was the Sephi King Alaric, and the ruler of the world Thustra.
He had the loyalty and the territory of the Alk'Lellish, Boordii, Cvtaen, Geedon, Ptera, Reegian, Thustra, Tierfon and the Tocan Systems among many more.
Alaric was a beloved and well-respected king of both his people and those he rules over.
Master Yoda showed a face of concern when Alaric had come forward.
(a/n Alaric and Yoda were close friends for 200 years. Alaric forced Yoda to kill him by accidentally deflecting a Blaster Bolt in order to cause a massive uprising of all his subjects to view the Republic as enemies and would rally behind his death and support the CIS during the Clone Wars (Legends))
Alaric: "What Mr.Hawke says is true. I have chosen to give him my support on my own volition."
Windu: "Is what he saying true?"
I turned to look at Master Yoda and Windu, and so too did all the Jedi around us.
Yoda: "Lie, he would not. Know him very well, the King of Thustra, I do."
The talks continued for a while, eventually Onaconda Farr, the Senator of Rodia, had also announced that they withdraw from the Galactic Republic and joined Cerberus' growing faction.
(a/n Onaconda Farr is the "Uncle Ono" that Padme calls)
The new reresentitive and Queen of Nabboo, who looked quite young to me, had showed a surprised and shocked face for but a moment, but I did notice that the Handmaiden wasn't able to hide it so well and looked like she would shout aloud.
I ignored it and focused back to the meeting.
Adrian: "We all have decided to defect from the Republic as we realise the failures it brings. Cerberus has been able to help the unfortunate worlds that are enslaved such as the Twi'leks of Ryloth, those who cannot defend themselves like the Togruta of Shili, and many more in need. I helped them all with what I had, I provide protection, security, medical and humanitarian aid. While the Republic had failed to help these worlds, despite there not being a single large-scale conflict since nearly a thousand years ago. And yet look at the state of the Galaxy! Peace? Can you call what is happening in the Galaxy "Peace and Prosperity"? No. and so anyone who wishes to join Cerberus are welcomed to. But we will no longer help any world still apart of the Republic."
Chanceller Valorum: "This is treachery against the Republic and will not stand!"
Adrian: "If that is what you think? Then I invite you to come to the Homeworld and Main Headquarters of Cerberus, and where I am currently residing. Come to Xixis, and I will wait for your armies. If you defeat me, then Cerberus and all its assets will belong to the Republic and the Senate to do with as they please. But from this day forth…
We all waited for the next words to leave the mouth of one of the most powerful and influential people throughout the Galaxy…
Adrian: "I hereby announce my ambition and goals! I wish to bring TRUE PEACE to this divided Galaxy! Let this be known! As my Declaration of War!"
After a millennium of peace…battle will soon engulf the Galaxy unless Hawke and Cerberus is stopped.
Unless the Republic can display their power and superiority, war may once again emerge throughout the Galaxy.
What followed was utter and complete chaos in the Senate.
A majority didn't want to fight Cerberus after all the things they were known for.
The Galaxy was just as dependent and reliant on Cerberus as it was with the Trade Federation. The necessity on Cerberus' and the things they produce has ensured that a great many worlds that were not independent could not go to against Cerberus, else they would suffer the price for it and would receive no help from them.
And so, before the meeting had begun, more than 72 Solar Systems had already joined Cerberus, and that number had increased well past a few hundred by the time the Senate talks had ended.
The Rodian, Twi'lek, Togruta, Sephi, Arkanian, Rattataki, Cathar, Pantoran, Zeltron, Zabrak, Mirialan, Miraluka, Bothan, Voss, Theelin, Nautolan, Echani, Humans and many more races had joined Cerberus today.
…
In the days that followed, I along with the Jedi Order had mobilised along with the Republic army, or what there was left of it, and made our way to Xixis to deal with Cerberus before they plunge the Galaxy into an period of war and death.
…
As this was all happening, the chaos that Adrian had caused with his grand reveal across the Galaxy and his war declaration, had weakened Abeloth's prison, The Maw, once more.
She had tried to escape but yet again she was stopped by The Son and The Daughter in their Spirit Forms as the Fanged God and Winged Goddess.
But Abeloth had achieved what she had wanted to accomplish.
It was not for her to escape, but to obtain a puppet that she knew Adrian would need to face one day. And so, she had used her power of both sides of the Force to empower this individual, strengthening them, changing them into someone that would counter everything Adrian had at his disposal.
That something which Adrian would need to obtain if he is to cement his rule in its entirety.
The Dark Saber.
And its current bearer, Abeloth's new puppet…
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To be Continued….Chapter 44: Storm over Xixis ------ Reunion Arc, Part 1: The Arrival