With a last, lingering look—equal parts dare and dismissal—Morgan turned . She stepped inside the Defender corvette, the ramp still open.
Qui-Gon Jinn bowed his head to the Jedi Masters, "Master Yoda, with your permission, I'd like to continue my duty—to guard the Queen of Naboo and… the mysterious dark warrior we encountered on Tatooine."
Yoda's ears twitched, gaze settling deep and thoughtful. "Discover the truth of this dark warrior, you shall. Capture him, if you can, Qui-Gon—to unravel the shadow of a Sith, perhaps…"
Before anyone else could answer, hurried footsteps echoed across the landing pad. Senator Palpatine appeared, breathless and panting, his robe disheveled.
Windu arched a brow, voice edged with concern. "Senator Palpatine—you seem in quite a hurry. What's happened?"
Palpatine straightened, regaining his composure. "Greetings, Jedi Masters. However, may I ask—where are Jin-Woo and Queen Amidala?"
Obi-Wan, already near the corvette, replied, "Almost ready to depart, Senator. The Queen's boarding now."
Palpatine's tone sharpened, his eyes glinting with urgency. "I have a solution to this crisis. Please, can you convince Jin-Woo to stop—"
He was cut off as the Defender's engines roared to life, the ship's systems already flaring in preparation for launch.
Anakin hurried aboard, followed by the Daughter—her ethereal form shimmering as she slipped into the shadows of the corvette.
Windu watched the scene, jaw tense. "Master Yoda, should I follow Qui-Gon or not?"
Yoda shook his head, his voice final. "No. Clash with Jin-Woo now, you must not. Complicate things, it will."
With that, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stepped inside, joining the others. The ramp hissed and began to close, sealing the group within.
Yoda lifted his hand in silent blessing. "Qui-Gon… may the Force be with you."
Qui-Gon nodded once, already moving inside as the ramp sealed shut with a final, echoing thud.
The Defender-class corvette lifted from the pad, engines burning bright. leaving behind masters, senators.
Inside the meeting room of the corvette, the tension gave way to a moment of uneasy levity.
Obi-Wan broke the silence first, looking pointedly at Padmé. "So, Padmé, any other secrets you'd like to share with us? Besides the fact that you're Queen Amidala disguised as a handmaiden?"
Sabe stepped forward, her tone gentle but firm. "Don't blame her. I'm the one who suggested we switch places in the first place."
Padmé smiled, gratitude flickering in her eyes. "Thank you, Sabe."
She turned her focus to Jin-Woo, voice steady. "Now, Jin-Woo—what's the plan?"
Jin-Woo leaned back in his chair, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Hmm? Me? But I'm not the brains of this operation. I'm just a humble merchant, remember?"
Qui-Gon chuckled, then fixed Jin-Woo with a half-serious look. "Says the man who hid his abilities from us—and pulled off a stunt that nearly shattered the Republic. I'd appreciate it if you didn't try anything like that again in the near future."
Jin-Woo's eyes narrowed, the playful edge vanishing. He looked at Padmé, voice cool and pointed.
"Padmé, that depends on how you want to handle this. Do you want it one-sided—take all the benefits for yourself? Or do you want to play the Queen Amidala card, stay the 'normal' ruler… and be ready to get bullied again as soon as you blink?"
Morgan arched a brow, her voice both teasing and admonishing. "Jin-Woo, that's not how you talk to a lady."
Jin-Woo ,meeting Padmé's eyes directly. "I'm not joking, and I'm not being forceful. It's your choice, Padmé. Either way, your position as the victor is already secure. The only difference is this: my first suggestion will make your enemies despair so completely, they'll probably kill themselves before they even think of attacking you in the future."
Obi-Wan scowled, arms folding. "Jin-Woo, must you be so cruel to anyone who crosses your path? We're still civilized people. The Republic still exists. What you're suggesting could pave the way for tyranny."
Jin-Woo's reply came without hesitation, his gaze flicking between them all, eyes cold.
"Oh, I'm cruel? That's rich—coming from a Jedi. The Trade Federation made their decision too, remember? They gave no quarter to Naboo's citizens. Not a single one. So what's wrong with returning the favor?"
Jin-woo leaned forward, . "You'd rather watch your friends die than let your enemies pay the price? That's your 'civilization?' That's the Jedi way? Sounds to me like you're just addicted to losing. Maybe that's your problem—always so desperate to look noble, you forget what it means to actually protect someone."
"Maybe it's time you Jedi stopped playing at sainthood—and started acting like you actually want to win."
Padmé started to interject, "Jin-Woo, I think—"
But before she could finish, Talon barged into the meeting room, , Elena Daru at her side. The twins' energy cut straight through the tension. Talon planted her fists on the table, eyes bright with expectation.
"Jin-Woo, do you have any role for me in this plan of yours?" she demanded.
Jin-Woo gave a quick, sidelong grin. "Well, let's skip Padmé's choice for a moment, since the mysterious attacker—the 'dark warrior'—I already have the complete info on him."
Qui-Gon's brows furrowed, his tone edged with surprise. "You already have it? Since when?"
Jin-Woo shrugged, half-truth, half-mischief in his tone. "Just now. Actually, I have a lot of sources."
Jin-woo flicked on his holopad, projecting a clear image and a dossier for all to see.
"This one's name is Darth Maul. He wields a double-bladed saber and is a master of Juyo and Ataru. When you fought him on Tatooine, Qui-Gon, he was holding back. If Maul had taken you seriously, you'd probably be dead."
Qui-Gon took that in with quiet gravity, only nodding once.
Jin-Woo's gaze then shifted to Talon, a glimmer of challenge in his eyes. "After Qui-Gon is defeated, Maul is yours. If you want to prove something—since you and Rey seem to have that habit—consider this your chance."
Obi-Wan bristled, speaking up. "Master Qui-Gon and I will defeat this Darth Maul. You underestimate Jedi strength too much, Jin-Woo."
Jin-Woo smirked, not backing down. "You might, Obi-Wan. But not Qui-Gon. After all, you already know why, don't you, Qui-Gon?"
Qui-Gon looked at his apprentice, then down at his own hands , voice tinged with reluctant honesty. "My Ataru form is slowing down. I can't keep up like I used to. Looks like I've finally aged enough to feel it."
But then he squared his shoulders, confidence returning. "But I still have experience. I've overcome many battles before—facing threats alongside my own master, Dooku. If he were here, he'd vouch for me against this mysterious attacker."
Jin-Woo's lips curled in faint amusement. "I've met Dooku a few times. He's a Force traveler now, resigned from the Jedi Order because, like most, he was tired of listening to a failed Senate. I've already recognized, his way of thinking. In this situation, he'd say, 'A Sith Lord is not to be trifled with. And I will not be there to protect you.'"
Qui-Gon Being sarcastic . "You've encountered him enough to know his speech patterns? Tell me, is he well—or did you traumatize him like you did the Senate back on Coruscant?"
Jin-Woo shrugged, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Even as a madman, I don't just attack people on sight. He's well. And yes, he knows what you know about me."
Qui-Gon's gaze sharpened. So my master Dooku knows Jin-Woo's secret identity… the Armored Man, hero of the galaxy… "That's great. More people know about you, Jin-Woo. Not that it'll make things easier."
Obi-Wan stepped in, brow furrowing. "Hold on—what information are you and Jin-Woo keeping from me, Master?"
Qui-Gon gave his best innocent look. "Nothing, Obi-Wan. Nothing at all. But if word ever gets out, people will be… catatonic."
Padmé caught the undercurrent, forcing a small, awkward smile. If the truth got out—that Jin-Woo and the Armored Man are one and the same—the entire galaxy would lose its mind. The Senate believes the Armored Man is the one hero who can stand against Jin-Woo .
Padmé turned her gaze to Jin-Woo, resolve steeling in her eyes. "I choose the first option. However, we need to tone down how it ends—at least don't plunder them like tyrants."
Jin-Woo went quiet, glancing at Morgan, one eyebrow twitching with a hint of irritation.
Morgan, lips curling in a sly smile, sent a teasing thought across their telepathic link. I think you really need a peaceful life. You love all-out war a little too much, That's why I recommended to Padmé how to handle you—just in case you start getting ruthless again. Besides, she picked the first option; you should be pleased. Still, we'll need to show some restraint. And don't forget—Padmé's heart should be won, not conquered.
Jin-Woo met Padmé's gaze, shadows fading from his eyes, and exhaled. "All right, Padmé. So… we don't kill the Viceroy, huh?"
Padmé nodded, her voice soft but unwavering. "At least let them stand trial in the Republic Senate later. Justice, not vengeance."
Before anyone could answer, Panaka interjected, concern sharpening his tone. "Before our imaginations run wild, Your Majesty, there are still many battle droids occupying Naboo."
Padmé chuckled softly, a knowing look in her eyes. "Panaka, you might not know—or haven't checked the current situation on Naboo. Jin-Woo, if you would, please tell them."
Jin-Woo switched on his holopad, casting a flickering holo-image across the room. The surface of Naboo was now cloaked in roiling shadow, entire cities smothered under a supernatural darkness.
Padmé gestured to the image, her voice almost playful. "I don't know how Jin-Woo did that. But right now, the Trade Federation is trapped . They're desperately trying to escape. This battle… was already won before it began."
Jin-Woo lit a cigarette, smoke curling lazily around his head. "Panaka, tell the pilot to land at Theed main hangar. I'll handle the rest."
Panaka just nodded, his old instincts yielding to new realities.
Qui-Gon regarded Jin-Woo with quiet intensity. "Jin-Woo… can you tell me honestly—are you an Immortal Sith Masters , walking a path of redemption?"
Jin-Woo exhaled smoke, a smile flickering. "I use Sith and Jedi techniques, sure. But those aren't my real powers. Better to show you in action once we touch down. I'm tired of hiding."
He rolled his neck, a quiet crack echoing through the compartment—knowing full well that his ten million shadow army was coiled beneath his will, Grand Marshal Bellion at the head. One gesture, and they would flood the star system itself, an ocean of living night.
Morgan felt it—the hunger, the pulse of command, the deep connection that bound Monarch to Monarch. She smiled, her own aura shimmering with anticipation.
"What about Cato Neimoidia, Jin-Woo?" Morgan asked, voice edged with dark excitement. "Should I pay them a visit now? After all, you alone are more than enough to repel this invasion."
Jin-Woo shook his head, a sly glint in his eyes. "You stay with me. I want to test the quality of what we've produced."
Then, telepathically—his voice in her mind, sharp and cold: If Plagueis is on Cato Neimoidia, you've got the green light. Kill, plunder, consume—do as you see fit. Collateral damage is acceptable. Go wild. Have fun.
Morgan's only response was a silent, delighted smile.
The Defender-class corvette began its descent.