Star Wars Retold

   CHAPTER 18: THE BATTLE OF NABOO I    Lake Paagal, Naboo    26:5:7945 CRC The Millennium Falcon's emergency lights blink red in the dark water of Lake Paagal as the freighter settles into the murky depths. The swamp water swallows at Paril's boots as he follows the Jedi Masters through the murky shallows. Quinlan Vos stumbles as his foot finds no solid ground, plunging knee-deep into the brackish water. The psychic impressions from the crash site flood his mind unbidden—fear, desperation, the dying scream of the Falcon's engines. He presses a hand to his temple, trying to block out the overlapping echoes of panic left by the droid pilots who had targeted them. Mace Windu wades through the swamp water with steady focus, his boots sinking into the soft mud that lines the lake's edge. The distant roar of battle grows stronger as they move away from the crash site, blaster fire painting the horizon with brief, violent flashes. Quinlan Vos follows, his movemen...

CHAPTER 17: THE GUNGAN DEADLINE Theed Palace - Theed, Naboo 26:5:7945 CRC The Palace hums with the low thrum of its environmental systems, a sound that vibrates through the polished stone floor. Senator Palpatine enters the chamber, Qui‑Gon Jinn at his side, his eyes immediately finding Anakin. They have just concluded a secure communication with the Jedi Order on Coruscant. The boy's face brightens, then crumples as the Senator approaches. "Anakin," Palpatine says, his voice soft with what sounds like genuine relief. "I have news. Your mother has been found." The words hit like a physical blow. Anakin's small frame trembles as he looks up at the Senator, his breathing becoming shallow and rapid. "She's—she's alive?" "Yes," Palpatine confirms, placing a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder. "A patrol found her near the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. She's exhausted and dehydrated, but she's safe and receiving medical atte...