Need of Defense

The first thing that bothered Panaka and Valad was the fact that Naboo took on a stupid neo-pacifistic stance. They wouldn't want to start a war, and they didn't have their own military force. They only had the Royal Security Forces which did just that, provide security for the people like a police force. They were nothing close to a military even with their itty-bitty fighters.

The rest of the galaxy knew this. Especially the Trade Federation which was still assuming they wouldn't be able to defend themselves against an invasion force without the aid of the Republic Judiciary forces.

Valad, with less than three weeks had to rectify this. Panaka didn't have the necessary connections, other than his time in the service of the Republic Military. He was quite sure he wouldn't hire mercenaries to do the job.

Valad also didn't want to explain the appearance of a sudden force of soldiers showing up out of thin air either. The last thing he needed was the appearance of an entire Naboo Military. So in turn he could use his system to purchase a planetary defense cannon. Hitting each of those Droid Control ships from the Trade Federation would take a bit of work though. He'd have to keep it hidden until they left their last one there only to maintain order.

He doubted however that the Queen would budge. She was against anything that could cause a war or conflict with the known galaxy. They were known as a 'peaceful' people, though there was hardly any peace between them and the Gungans since humans settled the world.

Xenophobic Zealots the Naboo were, pompous and self-centered. Very few of the noble houses were honorable. Before Sheev Palpatine and his father, the Palpatine house was honorable, even fought against conspiracies to wipe out the Gungan populations. Only after his father did they become corrupt and dangerous.

"Your Highness, Sio Bibble, Hela Brandes, Hugo Eckener, Lufta Shif, Graf Zapalo, Horace Vancil, Ruto Graven, Kyu Tane and Ebenn Q3 Baobab. I have come to you with a proposition pertaining to planetary defense."

Valad addressed the people present in the throne room. Their eyes all on him, Padmé Amidala however seemed to have a visible frown on her face.

"Lord Katsure, I will not thrust my people into a matter which may bring us into a time of war. We are not a militant people." Padmé stated with her confident voice, seeming to be immediately against any form of planetary scale defense being formed. "We are a free, peaceful, people."

"You have accomplished a large amount of achievements since your four month rule has begun, Your Highness." Valad's face turned stern. She had been given the credit of having the criminal Borvo eliminated, whether she liked it or not. She had erased a large amount of damage from the past reign. "Your Highness, there will be retribution upon the Galaxy for the actions of the Republic's Bureaucracy, and I feel that we will not be able to handle a threat to our people, without the aid of the Republic."

Padmé despite being a renown politician could barely find a way to retort. The Security of the Royal Forces wasn't guaranteed should a large body choose to blockade them or worse, invade.

"You have my full confidence in your rule, your highness." Valad stated as he saw her pause, his eyes going towards the long standing Governor of Naboo. The governor seemed torn between the two of them.

Naboo had never really had a long standing military force, their security had always been enough. Though it was true, if they were to be blockaded, the people would starve. They would have no choice but to plunder their own natural resources for food. Especially the treacherous oceans that lead to the core of the world.

"I propose planetary Ion Cannons and City-class defense shields. I'll be able to set them up in Theed within a week." Valad stated, it sounded like he already had it all planned and ready to go. The idea that he hadn't waited for the yes or no from the Queen seemed to make some of the Advisory Board cross, especially Padmé herself.

Truthfully he was just going to use his system to buy vouchers, but with this he would have made a small dent in his fortune from the Hutt's funds. Good thing he knew of other places in the Galaxy to steal from, mainly Hutt Franchises which brought in trillions of credits through laundering.

He could literally build his own Empire on that funding, his hopes almost burst out of his chest.

"And who do you propose pay for these Defenses? We do not hav–" Sio Bibble waas cut off as Valad raised his hand lightly, waving partially to show he was the one paying for the defenses.

"I shall create Naboo's Hidden Self-Defense Force," Hearing the name they all stared at him. He was going to make a secretive defense force with his own funds? A city shield to defend against bombardment. Planetary defense cannons to return fire against invaders. He was capable of getting all of this? He was just a noble from an extinct house, just how was he going to do this?

Drawing his saber from his sleeve, some of the advisors took a step back seeing a Jedi's weapon in the hand of the Queens Guardian.

Igniting the blade, they saw an ice blue semi-solid glowing blade which gave off a freezing aura. the Security Officer and his Apprentice who were closest to him, almost shivered by the immediate drop in temperature around him.

He held the weapon by his abdomen, pointed in the air and only inches from his face. His other hand closed behind his back.

"Your Highness," his voice sounded a bit deeper, the tone similar to Qui Gon Jin's, "You must trust my Judgement. For there are forces that wish to destroy you." He held a disciplined expression that appeared almost enlightened.

The lightsaber was a tool of intimidation, but it was also a tool to help others. In this case, he was showing that he was willing to put himself on the line to protect the Queen. If this were a metal blade, it would have reflected both their faces upon its shiny surface.

The Queen, Padmé Amidala simply stared at him in contemplation. Many of her advisors were stumped. They were clearly impressed by the display, but the militant posture he was using didn't sit well with some of them.

In Panaka's eyes reflected the icy cold blade, yet he remained silent. He was one to agree with Valad with the planetary defense. While his queen didn't want an army, he would be satisfied with more planetary defenses, even if they were to be hidden. The question was however, why was Valad so interested in creating a defense now of all times?

One of the problems that came along with this was Sio Bibble. While he was torn, he was one to stand against any form of Violence. Having more weapons at the Naboo's disposal stood against what he faithfully and loathingly stood against.

This was noted as he watched Sio Bibble lean over and whisper into the Queens ear. He was intelligent, outgoing. He was a man of words, but not a man of action.

That's when Padmé spoke up, Valad already knew what she was going to say. "This Self Defense Platform must be controlled by the Naboo Royal Security Forces, otherwise I will not pass this decree."

Sio Bibble believed that should Valad have control over the weapons, he'd be able to pull a Coup against the Queen. Even though he could easily pair himself with the Queen of Naboo, it was unlikely that he would try to pull a Coup. He already had a fair amount of influence over the people and the Advisory board itself. Was it because of that, that they feared him?

Valad's face darkened slightly, "As you wish, your Highness." He disengaged his saber and slipped it back up his sleeve. He then turned to Panaka and bowed his head slightly. "Then it shall be in your hands, Quarsh Panaka."

Valad's tone had sounded respectful and his actions polite, however he doubted that the self-defense forces would work efficiently in the hands of the Security Forces.

Would they use their trump card during the beginning of the Blockade? Or would they wait until they returned with the Jedi after escaping the first time?