Scars of Mustafar (COMPLETED 1/14/09)

[Elessar]

The flood of finished chapters has spoiled me... more I plead, more!

[Sean Mulligan]

Vader calling Yoda senile is like the pot calling the kettle black. He is clearly off his rocker. What promises did the Jedi fail to keep and what did Anakin mean about Obiwan trying to assasinate him. He is delusional.

[Darth Fanboy]

I'm reading this and noticing the Dark Lord references. They kickass. Are we going to see the lack of Vader's prescence in dealing with the Murkana lot impact the story as a whole? or are they insignificant on the grand scale?

I can say that they will make appearances later on, along with other Jedi that evaded Order 66. Some of the Jedi in "Purge" as well as other Force using loose ends throughout the galaxy.

Vader calling Yoda senile is like the pot calling the kettle black. He is clearly off his rocker. What promises did the Jedi fail to keep and what did Anakin mean about Obiwan trying to assasinate him. He is delusional.

Of course he's delusional, he's been corrupted by the Dark Side and gone from mere Jedi Knight to one of the most powerful men in the galaxy. Along with that he has aspirations to one day rule himself, although for now he needs Sidious to help. Anakin feels that the Jedi did not show the same faith in him as he did in the Jedi, and felt betrayed at the end when the Jedi Council started doing things he felt were not part of the Jedi Code. The Jedi Council asking him to spy on the Chancellor's office, Mace Windu wanting to kill rather than arrest Palpatine, and Obi Wan Kenobi going to Mustafar to kill him all sent him over the edge.

In fact, if you look at things from a legal perspective, Mace Windu did attempt to assassinate the legitimately elected ruler of the Republic, and Obi Wan traveled to Mustafar with the specific purpose of killing a General of the Republic (although he was a Jedi he was not included in order #66).

[Darth Fanboy]

Chapter 9: Order 67

"Meesa officially protest! Weesa Gungans no do anything wrong!" Jar Jar was almost screaming the words as the squad of white armored clone troopers entered the Naboo consulate. Jar Jar Binks, Representative of the Gungans in the Senate, was currently the acting Senator of Naboo as Padme Amidala was on indefinite leave.

"By orders of the Senate Representative Binks." came the reply in the all familiar clone voice. "You are under arrest for crimes of sedition relating to the protests on Naboo." The clone troopers raised their DC-15 rifles, keeping a safe distance from the dim witted but exceptionally strong Gungan.

"But meesa only try to get help in Senate forsa my people! Gungans not do anything against the law! Yousa speak to Boss Nass heesa clear everyting up!" Jar Jar was now backing around his modest desk within the consulate, just outside of the office used by Senator Amidala.

"The Gungan leader has been convicted of Treason as well and has already been detained." More soldiers filled the hallway, bent on preventing any interference.

Jar Jar's head scanned across the room from left to right. "Then meesa surrender! Meesa request to be taken for trial on Naboo!"

"Since you are a Senator the jurisdiction belongs to the Federal Government, Senatorial Treason carries a minimum life sentence. An Imperial Tribunal has already convicted you in absence."

"Meesa was never told about no trial!" Jar Jar started opening drawers, praying that a blaster, or perhaps a thermal detonator was somewhere nearby. He found nothing except for a small ceremonial blade given to him after the Battle of Naboo. Then the idea flashed in his head. "Wait! Messa want to talk to General Skywalker! Heesa close personal friend!"

The clones paused, this situation had not been covered in the mission briefing. Suddenly, a Holotransmitter began beeping on Jar Jar's desk, the beleaguered Gungan pressed the button, hoping for an explanation to this mess, or perhaps even a way out. The gnarled and robed visage of Emperor Palpatine. "Chance....errr...Emperor Palpyteen! Youssa can essplain to the...."

Jar Jar's pleas were cut off as the Emperor turned to the Commander in the room. "Why haven't you dealt with him yet Commander?"

"Your highness, the subject has not yet surrendered, we are proceeding with the arrest but the Senator has demanded to appeal to General Skywalker." The reply was emotionless, crisp, flawlessy worded. Jar Jar knew there was no escape out of this one. If only Qui Gon, Or Obi Wan, or Ani would come through that door and save him as they had so many times before.

"Your orders come from me Commander, not from General Skywalker. Kill the Gungan and dispose of him and his effects." The transmission ended and Jar Jar's jaw dropped aghast. This time none of his friends would save him, not even Chancellor Palpatine, who had even admitted to Jar Jar in private when nobody else was around that he had owed Jar Jar a great deal for his support during the outbreak of the Clone Wars. The betrayal was one he had never expected, and as the clone troopers raised their rifles to fire, he was beginning to wonder to himself if maybe he had been used...


Mas Amedda sat in the customized Mon Calamari Ja’Kuzzi, a large heated bath, in his apartment flanked by a pair of Twi'lek dancing girls whose services he had purchased the night before. Life was good, a lot better than it had ever been under Valorum, whose incessant attention to the rules of office were as stifling as his own personality. At first, he had thought Palpatine would be no different, but the good Chancellor had been quite lax in his regulation of certain rules of office. Including rules about the use of taxpayer funds to fund the lifestyles of high ranking advisors. In fact, Palpatine himself had given his unspoken support for 'skimming the cream' so to speak, using the powers of his office and an excess of wartime funds to make incredibly opulent purchases. With the power and influence of the Chancellor's office and now the Emperor's throne behind him, the blue skinned Chagrian would be immune from prosecution for all time. To top all of that off, his position within the Empire had become even more important when he was named Grand Vizier of the Empire, much to the annoyance of his bureaucratic cohort Sate Pestage, Imperial Chief Auditor. Both men had competed for Palpatine's favor over the last ten years, and Mas Amedda had bested Pestage time and time again.

So it came to his great surprise when Pestage, flanked by troopers, burst into his residence armed to the teeth, rummaging through his belongings without permission. He hadn't even managed to get out of the spa and into his robes before they had already begun to carry away several expensive antiquities he had purchased, using public funds of course.

"What is the meaning of this Pestage?" His voice boomed. "How dare you charge into the home of the Imperial Grand Vizier like that! You will answer to the Emperor for this I guarantee it!"


Pestage's beady human eyes narrowed at the former Vice Chair and a nasty serpent's grin overcame his face. "The Emperor..." He snickered. "...has ordered this 'investigation' himself. Your office has been under scrutiny for some time. With the threat of the separatists isolated to the fringes of the galaxy we can now focus on more internal matters."

"Lies." Mas Amedda spat. "This is just another one of your tricks to discredit me in front of his majesty. What else could it be?" Amedda stepped closer towards Pestage when a pair of clones immediately flanked Pestage, aiming blasters in Amedda's face and warning him to step back.

"If it was a lie, then why are these troopers assigned to me old friend? I'm afraid the Emperor has found you to be of little use to the New Order. Your time with us has come to an end." Pestage rubbed his hands together and his sneer resembled that of a serpent.

Mas Amedda chuffed loudly, a Chagrian expression showing disdain. "Palpatine would be a fool to have me stand trial! I know enough to bring his entire government down around him! He should be begging me to keep quiet!" Amedda began waving his arms and baring his teeth in fury, causing another pair of troopers to step in front of Pestage and level their guns. Pestage held his hand in the air, keeping the clones from blocking his line of sight, laughing with that irritating laugh befitting a rodent.

"A trial? You still don't quite get it do you Amedda? I'm not here as head Auditor, I’m here as the Grand Vizier of the Empire. Here to remove my predecessor from office and to inform him of his impending execution." Pestage turned to the nearest clone trooper. "Kill him, kill the Twi'leks and any other potential witnesses."

Amedda took a more submissive stance and held his hands in front of his face, "Wait! Pestage it doesn't have to be this way, we can make a deal! You soldiers! I'll pay you, don't kill me! You're making a mistake, I'll give you a fortune!"

Unfortunately for the former Vice Chair, the Kaminoans had made sure to instill a steep sense of loyalty into their creations. Not even the largest sum would sway one of their clones from completing a mission. Mas Amedda continued to plead until the clones opened fire, shooting him and his companions into pieces.


Within his chambers on Coruscant, a pair of red robed Royal guards carried away the lifeless corpse of Sly Moore on the orders of their master. With the Umbaran aide dead there were fewer non humans left in Palpatine's inner circle, and none left that were not fully devoted to the new order. Moore had gone right to Palpatine's office upon hearing of Mas Amedda's death, along with the deaths of several other Senators she had courted personally during the Clone Wars. Now several other of her courted Senators had been bearing down on her as to why they were now being prosecuted by the government they themselves had propped up. Moore had gone to Palpatine asking for help, saving the Emperor's agents time in having to track her down.

In order to defeat the Jedi, Emperor Palpatine had enacted Order 66. When issued, the Order directed all of the clone soldiers serving under Jedi Commanders to turn against the Jedi, and for all of the forces within the Grand Army of the Republic to seek out and destroy any Jedi they would come across. Order 67 was a similar operation, but with different targets.. With the Jedi defeated and his political enemies curtailed Palpatine was now the most powerful man in the galaxy, and no longer did he require many of the underlings who he had used to consolidate his power and wrest control away from the tangled non-functioning mess that was the Senate. Using his loyal forces, anyone who knew secrets of Palpatine‘s origin and anyone who aligned themselves with dissenting movements was now an enemy of the Empire. Only the truly loyal servants, those dedicated to the New Order and to the Emperor would be spared. It was those servants who carried out Order 67.

From the view of his office high above Coruscant, Palpatine tracked the progress of his schemes as they neared completion. Those left from Valorum's old regime had finally been excised permanently, bribed Senators who were no longer useful were removed and killed now that the regional Governors were finally in place, and an old pain in the neck from Naboo had finally been tied up as should have been done years ago. The days of the Senate were now numbered, once Tarkin's group finished the construction of the new battle station he would no longer need the Senate to act as his proxy. His word alone would govern the galaxy.


The capital city of Chandrila, Hanna, had become a very paranoid place, as Mon Mothma continued to brazenly travel the line between dissenting opinion and outright treason. She had spent as little time on Coruscant as possible, and instead preferred to spend time on Chandrila, where she and several other like-minded senators began forming the foundations to their rebellion. This came at a time where her popularity on the planet was waning slightly, as citizens of the Core Worlds began to embrace the Emperor’s New Order, and its icon General Anakin Skywalker

She had counted on Bail Organa's help, despite being two different personalities they were of a common mind when it came to the tyranny of the Empire. She had hoped that he would agree that something had to be done soon, and was confident that if Bail had fully supported her and pressured Senator Bel Iblis more that he would have been inclined to join the cause, and bring with him soldiers and ships vital to fighting a revolution. After their falling out, she had fully expected to never speak with him again, especially after cutting deals with Lot Dod, former envoy of the Trade Federation, and others formerly aligned with the CIS.

So when a hyperspace capable fighter transmitting an Alderaanian IFF code, painted in the colors of the Alderaanian Defense Force, entered the system, there was cause for surprise. Ground Control has relayed the encrypted message from Alderaanian General "Ben Cody" and made sure that the Senator Mothma was informed.

"This is General Ben Cody of the Alderaanian Defense Force. I request an audience with Senator Mothma, there is a political situation on Alderaan I must discuss."

Obi Wan finished transmitting his message. He had drawn on the Force to guide his words, attempting to intrigue the Chandrilans enough to at the very least entertain his message. As he grew adjusted to his current condition, he found that he could still feel the Force and draw on it. Whether he would do so as easily or as powerfully as he could before was in question and would take time to answer, but there was no doubt in his mind anymore of whether or not the Force was still with him.

It took a few complete orbits under close scrutiny from a trio of V-19 Torrent fighters before Obi Wan was granted landing clearance at the Hanna spaceport. Although the Belbullab-22 he was flying combined with his force-enhanced piloting skill was more than a match for the outdated Torrents, he was more than grateful to land without incident.

Upon landing several members of the Chandrilan guard provided an armed escort, something that Obi Wan was becoming gradually used to no matter what. There was a lot of uncertainty these days, and even those who protested war felt much safer with a cadre of loyal weapons protecting them. Many of the guards were unnerved by Obi Wan's appearance, not that they knew who he was or who he had been, but the mechanical appearance of Ben Cody was unsettling, especially in a culture that frowned upon cybernetic enhancements such as that of the core worlds.

They continued walking until entering a modest conference room with a long table, seated at the table were several figures Obi Wan could recognize as Galactic Senators. Mostly former Loyalists who had supported the Republic after Geonosis who initially supported Palpatine but later confronted them as his power grew beyond that of his office. Chi Eekway, Terr Taneel, Fang Zar, Male Dee were among them, but seated in between those four was none other than Mon Mothma herself. A human woman who radiated confidence and determination, a woman who would do whatever it took in order to accomplish her goals. Obi Wan was grateful that she was on the side of democracy, and not of the Empire. She was finishing a short speech when Obi Wan caught her attention. She had been briefed of his impending arrival and had decided that she would speak to this man personally, Obi Wan wasn't entirely sure why but he considered himself fortunate that she did so.

"If you'll excuse me Senators I have to attend to a matter of business. Remember, we cannot allow our subgroups to know of one another just yet. Their independence will be vital as we begin to grow in strength. Senator Dod has already delivered the first few cargoes and we can begin distributing the battle droids within a few weeks once our shipping infrastructure is up. I thank you all for your attendance."

The Senators began to file out of the room, nervous at the outsider from Alderaan witnessing their act of sedition yet assured by Mon Mothma's apparent indifference to the unknown visitor. Mon Mothma stood and faced Kenobi, unaware that she had met him before during his days as a Jedi Knight.

"General...Cody is it? I find it very interesting that the supposed head of the Alderaanian Defense Force would arrive at this time, flying what appears to be a captured Separatist starfighter. Tell me, what did Bail think he could accomplish by sending you?"

Obi Wan held up his hand and spoke. "I assure you Senator my timing was a coincidence, and that Senator Organa did not send me. This is a mission of my own accord."

"Oh? What sort of mission would a member of a Planetary Defense Force have in an entirely different system and without the knowledge of the government he is sworn to serve?" Mon Mothma’s matronly appearance and outer demeanor hid the qualities that made her an effective leader. She was ready to get to the point and she was telling Obi Wan without speaking it outright that he had best be straightforward.

He wouldn‘t disappoint. "It has come to my attention that you and Senator Organa have had a falling out over your decision to go ahead and begin planning an underground rebel alliance."

"I would expect a high ranking official from Alderaan to know that, that isn't anything new."

"I've come to let you know that Alderaan is preparing to disarm and disband the Alderaanian Defense Forces. All of the weapons of the Alderaanian Defense Forces and Alderaanian Navy aside from what is necessary for the defense of Alderaan itself is being exiled into unknown space as a show of support and goodwill towards the Empire"

Mon Mothma seated herself. Although this was in new information it did not come as a surprise, Bail had become a coward as of late and the majority of Alderaan was as pacifist as a population could be. Discarding their weapons would show the Empire how little of a threat they could be while at the same time pander to the whims of the pacifist elite. A shrewd move by Bail to stay in power she assumed. Then the mysterious General Cody said something that caught her attention.

"I have recalibrated the slave circuits aboard the three ships so that they will be abandoned in an uncharted system known only to myself.” That was only a little white lie. It was one of several uncharted systems known only to members of the Jedi Council in case of emergency. “I will give you the coordinates of this system on one condition."

Mon Mothma placed her elbows on the table and clasped her hands, looking at this mysterious mechanized individual and trying to read his motives. "What would that be General?" She asked. Obi Wan held out his left arm, a small compartment opened up from within it, and from it he removed a lightsaber. He clipped it to his belt and spoke.

"Allow me to join your resistance."



Across the galaxy, the survivors of the Jedi Purge attempted to find their way in the new galaxy. Although many had survived thanks to various circumstances, many more had been killed. The Jedi Order once numbering over ten thousand, were now fewer than a hundred. Of those survivors, almost all had spent most of their entire lives within the temple walls. Masters who had lost Padawans ended their own lives out of shame. Padawans who had lost Masters abandoned their teachings to start a new life with their meager abilities, with some even falling to the Dark Side.

Imperial Inquisitors had discovered several Jedi attempting to rejoin the families they had been taken from long ago. The Jedi Temple records were Imperial hands however, and every one of these Jedi were captured and killed, sometimes with the help of their own relatives. As former Padawans hid in their cousins’ basements, as Jedi Knights hid in sisters’ attics, as children hid in their parent’s basements, they were betrayed by those they trusted.

Other Jedi were betrayed by friends they had made in the past. Bounty Hunters, mercenaries, and pirates with Jedi connections exploited them for profit. The Empire paid top credits for every one of them. There were fewer and fewer places for Jedi to hide with every passing day.

The galaxy was still a big place though. Jedi who had abandoned the order when the war began remained safely hidden. Those Jedi Generals who were skilled enough to beat back the attempts on their life were fighting with insurgencies.

Then there were the Jedi survivors who had other intentions in mind, with the Empire’s attentions focused elsewhere and without any sort of opportunity for legitimate aggression the Empire had been unable to move towards Kashyyk, already Jedi were gathering deep beneath the forest, under the great shadows of the wroshyr trees. A gathering that would not go unnoticed for long.

[Sean Mulligan]

I'm reading this and noticing the Dark Lord references. They kickass. Are we going to see the lack of Vader's prescence in dealing with the Murkana lot impact the story as a whole? or are they insignificant on the grand scale?

I can say that they will make appearances later on, along with other Jedi that evaded Order 66. Some of the Jedi in "Purge" as well as other Force using loose ends throughout the galaxy.

Vader calling Yoda senile is like the pot calling the kettle black. He is clearly off his rocker. What promises did the Jedi fail to keep and what did Anakin mean about Obiwan trying to assasinate him. He is delusional.

Of course he's delusional, he's been corrupted by the Dark Side and gone from mere Jedi Knight to one of the most powerful men in the galaxy. Along with that he has aspirations to one day rule himself, although for now he needs Sidious to help. Anakin feels that the Jedi did not show the same faith in him as he did in the Jedi, and felt betrayed at the end when the Jedi Council started doing things he felt were not part of the Jedi Code. The Jedi Council asking him to spy on the Chancellor's office, Mace Windu wanting to kill rather than arrest Palpatine, and Obi Wan Kenobi going to Mustafar to kill him all sent him over the edge.

In fact, if you look at things from a legal perspective, Mace Windu did attempt to assassinate the legitimately elected ruler of the Republic, and Obi Wan traveled to Mustafar with the specific purpose of killing a General of the Republic (although he was a Jedi he was not included in order #66).

To be fair to the Jedi the spying on the Chancellor was legitimate. They thought that the Chancellor might be being controlled by the Sith so that spying on him was a reasonable and justified . From a certain point of view Anakin should have been happy to try and protect his friend the Chancellor from being controlled by the Sith. Even if it wasn't legitimate Anakin's proclamation that such spying would be treason is a bit of a stretch. Also, Mace Windu was making a legitimate arrest of someone who was found be in league with the enemy during time of war and lethal force was justified because Palpatine had just killed several Jedia Masters by himself. It is not like Palpatine was defenseless like he pretended to be. Also, Obiwan only acted in self defense.

[Darth Fanboy]

To be fair to the Jedi the spying on the Chancellor was legitimate They thought that the Chancellor might be being controlled by the Sith so that spying on him was a reasonable and justified.

You're looking at it from a movies point of view. Of course we know this as fans, but try and examine this situation how observers will look at this from within the Star Wars galaxy that don't have the knowledge we have. Also look at it from Anakin's point of view. He was asked to spy on someone he trusted, and he watched as MAce Windu was prepared to execute an opponent that ha dalready surrendered.

From a certain point of view Anakin should have been happy to try and protect his friend the Chancellor from being controlled by the Sith. Even if it wasn't legitimate Anakin's proclamation that such spying would be treason is a bit of a stretch.

Obi Wan attempts to use this logic in the RoTS novelization IIRC, but it fails.

Also, Mace Windu was making a legitimate arrest of someone who was found be in league with the enemy during time of war and lethal force was justified because Palpatine had just killed several Jedia Masters by himself. It is not like Palpatine was defenseless like he pretended to be.

Again, we know, and Mace Windu knows that Palpatine is basically screwing with everyone. But do the Jedi seek any sort of warrant before going to the Chancellor's office? Are any government officials informed? No they are not. The Jedi are acting with total autonomy and that allows the perception to build. Yes Palpatine kills three Jedi Masters, even if we disregard the fact that the public is unaware of that we must still consider that Mace Windu had him unarmed and begging for mercy at the end of his blade. Where in the Republic laws or the Jedi code does it say that a Jedi can murder an unarmed prisoner. As foul and corrupt as it was the Republic still had a legal system, one that the Jedi made no attempt to abide by. I am not disagreeing with your personal evaluations of the correct course of actions, but trying to show in-universe reactions while exploring the reasons for Anakin's fall from grace.

Also, Obiwan only acted in self defense.

Here is where you're wrong. Obi Wan went to Mustafar with the sole purpose of killing Anakin in mind. He hid aboard Padme's ship and he was the first one to reach for his lightsaber when he battled Anakin. Remember Yoda's quote, "Destroy the Sith, we must."

[Darth Fanboy]

Chapter 10: Allegiances

Mon Mothma looked at Obi Wan, and activated a small button on a nearby console. Without warning a pair of Super Battle Droids emerged from hidden wall panels, an additional security measure installed by Lott Dod's technicians, the Battle Droids were integrated into the walls and disguised as inner circuitry and sound proofing equipment.

Obi Wan sensed the danger, his reactions took a split second long to catch up but still managed to have his blade ignited in a defensive stance before either droid managed a shot. Obi Wan had never enjoyed war but something about the blue of his blade was reassuring to him. It helped him maintain his focus and control his altered feel for the Force.

There were only two droids but they had him pinned in the middle of an enclosed space, the longer this confrontation lasted the greater the chance that a stray blaster bolt would hit either Obi Wan or Mon Mothma. Obi Wan decided to end the conflict fast, calling on his telekinesis he hurled his blade with great speed perpendicular to the droids blaster fire. The length of the blade managed to cut into the droids armor at the torso and the droid fell to the floor. In a split second Obi Wan turned and used the Force again, pushing the droid under the door of the chamber it had emerged from and then unlocking the door mechanism, crushing it. Obi Wan turned again, half expecting another attacker, only to see Mon Mothma calmly calling in for guards to come and remove the debris.

"Is this how you treat all your guests?" He replied, his mechanical breathing and synthesized voice making it sound as if he expended no effort.

Mon Mothma smiled and clasped her. "Perhaps when I'm older and wiser I will fully regret this Master Jedi. Unfortunately there aren't many Jedi left these days. So when an unknown being with a masked appearance starts wielding a lightsaber asking me to employ him in treason, I expect a little proof. Surely you understand?"

Kenobi nodded simply to play nice. He didn't understand, he would never understand. If the people fighting the good fight in the galaxy began falling to the same levels of paranoia and anger of those oppressing them, then perhaps this wasn't a galaxy worth liberating. Obi Wan deactivated his saber and pushed that thought out of his mind. He would always be a Jedi, and even in these dark times he would stay true to the Jedi Code.

"Hopefully you won't require any more...demonstrations." Obi Wan quipped as he reclaimed his lightsaber from the debris.

"This was suitably impressive, again I apologize, however I cannot afford to have to deal with charlatans at this stage. We're too vulnerable at the moment, even with the generous contributions of the various Senators who risk everything. Those Senators who realize, as I do, that the events we ourselves set into motion all those years ago have made the Senate irrelevant, eventually the Senate will be disbanded and we'll be forced out into the open lest we allow the Empire to maintain their grip on our homes and liberties."

There was something about Mon Mothma that struck Obi Wan as unquestionably genuine, something that managed past his general distrust of politicians. Before the war if he would have overheard a wealthy Senator speaking about concern for individual liberties he would have scoffed at it, the powerful and wealthy always had liberty. Perhaps that was why he came to Chandrila though, to find out whether or not the next war would be fought by patriots, or bankrolled by those who sought more power like the Separatists before them. Perhaps this had been a demonstration for Obi Wan also.

"General Cody was it?" Mon Mothma asked.

"An alias, there are certain figures in the Empire who believe I am dead at the moment and I would rather it stay that way." Obi Wan was not one for distorting the truth, but he wasn’t above the omission of details as a way of keeping secrets. "For now Ben Cody will suffice."

"I can't say that I blame you General Cody, Bail proved more shrewd than I thought. Even the Bothans who ran your background check for me were inclined to believe the files they managed to access."

The two walked out of the room and into one of the grand foyers of the Chandrilan capital before stepping into a garden outside. "Jamming equipment and other anti surveillance devices are disguised in the foliage, it is safe here.” Mon Mothma pointed at a large fern. Obi Wan examined it in the force and sensed within the living organism small gaps as thin as the leaves that had to be some sort of technology. They stopped at a small table located within the center of the garden, the area that was most accommodating to visitors as well the most secured.

“General Cody before I put you in any kind of position within this organization, I need your total assurance that you can function with former Separatists. You may even end up serving with beings you fought against. I also need a guarantee that you will not object to using Droid forces in the upcoming conflict."

"You have the word of a Jedi, which I would hope even in times like this would mean something."

Mon Mothma smiled. "If you believe the news coming from Coruscant, then no, but then again I haven't believed anything Coruscant says for a while now."

Mon Mothma turned and stepped away for a few moments, looking up at the endless blue sky as if waiting for it to give her a response. Before long she turned to Obi Wan and smiled.

"General Cody, Welcome to the Rebel Alliance."



Oovo IV had a reputation throughout the galaxy for two different reasons. If one were to ask a member of the planetary board of tourism they would be most likely to discuss the championship podraces held. Because of the planet's low gravity, the events grew quite exciting as racers of different species compete for some of the highest prizes on the professional circuit. However, if one were to ask one of the galaxy's less reputable denizens, you would learn of the fortresses that make up the planetary prison complex.

The prison was one of several maximum-security detention facilities throughout the Republic, possessing an entire ward reserved for the most notorious of criminals. Rumored to be so tight with their security that not even The Hutts or Black Sun could operate on the inside. Oovo IV was the largest prison bloc in the Empire and the Republic that predated it, ironically many of the inmates had been brought to justice by the Jedi that were now enemies of the state. Soon newer facilities under construction by the Empire in the Despayre and Kessel systems would dwarf Oovo IV, even when those facilities would be built Oovo would still hold the distinction of having the most diverse number of specialized holding blocs in the galaxy. Hutts, Wookies, Quarren, and at one point in the prison's past it was used to hold Mandalorians. One wing in particular though was quite notable. The official name was Block TK421, unofficially it was known as "The Black Hole".

The Hole, as was the term used between guards, was a specially designed cellblock for the most violent prisoners and lethal beings. Rumor had it that it was designed specially by Jedi Architects. It seemed little different from the standard maximum-security isolation wing, but this part of the facility had a long history of interring Force Users. This created havoc in normal prisons as the dark side inmates had a tendency to create chaos amongst the general population even when in solitary confinement. Fallen Jedi who had killed in anger but spared out of mercy, Force Sensitive Non-Jedi attempting to gain power, even the occasional con artist who had a limited ability to read thoughts were deemed dangerous and would sometimes have to be killed in order to maintain order.

Only non-combat droids and armed guards were stationed in the wing. Armed droids had been considered too risky in Republic prisons even before the Clone War. The guards were of species naturally resistant to the Force and personnel specially conditioned to resist Force techniques.

In the hundred years prior to the Clone Wars there had been very few prisoners who qualified for The Hole, in fact the last one had died prior to the Stark Hyperspace conflict. The warden had converted part of the wing into a disciplinary holding area. Then the Clone Wars came, and Oovo IV once again held a prisoner strong in the Force, allowing the facility to be used as it was intended.

After an incident on the planet Devaron involving the murder of that world’s Senator, a Jedi Knight by the name of Aayla Secura had fought against the renowned Jedi Hunter Aurra Sing. Sing had been responsible for the murder of many Jedi, but Secura managed to defeat her and bring her to justice, justice that included a life sentence in the prison on Oovo IV. Within her cell, she sat alone constantly plotting her escape. No materials were available to her to scavenge any sort of useful weapon, and even if she managed to escape into the hallway the passage would flood with a mixture of paralyzing gases before she could get far.

The lights that lined the hallways fizzled slightly, every day during the local midnight the power to secondary systems would sputter slightly as the guards began their prison wide deep scan of the entire facility. At this time of night, it was most efficient to use the power hungry equipment that ensured the status of every inmate, but for Aurra it was the only way she had of keeping track of the days. Her meals were brought to her with irregularity so that she could not plan an escape around a certain time.

She looked up at the light; sometimes the soft glow was the only thing that kept her from truly going mad. Fenn Booda, the warden, had promised her preferential treatment in exchange for information regarding the Separatists. But before Booda had got around to any serious interrogation the war was already in it's twilight following the death of Count Dooku. The Republic had little need for information on the whereabouts of a dead man.

Minutes later, the lights flickered again. Aurra looked up, thinking to herself of how odd that was. It had been the first break in the monotony of her sentence. Even something as trivial as that was cause for consideration as the lights flickered again. Aurra's senses spoke to her, telling her that something was actually amiss. A normal person would have simply guessed something was wrong with the lights, but a normal person didn't have the insights of the Force to aid them.

Moments later, the faint sounds of blaster fire could be heard down the hall. Whatever was going on it was happening just down the long corridor on the side of the large blast doors and through the gauntlet of energy barriers that sealed it. Suddenly the barriers themselves began to flicker, until they fully dissipated. Suddenly, the only thing that separated Aurra Sing from freedom, and whatever was taking place in the prison, was a half-meter thick slab of transparisteel with a blast resistant transparisteel door. In desperation she applied the Force to the door, pressing all of her strength against it.

During her training as a youngling in the Jedi Temple every one of the teachers tried to impress in the students that size did not matter. Obviously none of them had ever actually compared lifting pebbles to knocking down a prison cell door. She bore down with everything she had, her body straining as more energy flowed through her. Her hatred of the Jedi fueled her, hatred towards the Dark Woman, and that Twi'lek that had imprisoned her in the Hole. If the Clone Wars hadn't yet claimed them, then she would.

The joints on the door finally began to give way, and Aurra pressed harder. But the pain was too great even with her added rage fueling her powers, causing her to collapse, but not before she managed to break several parts of the doors internal security mechanisms. Aurra cursed at herself, her failure would be her undoing. Within seconds the gas mix would begin flowing, and she was still trapped in her cell. She tore a shred off of her sleeve and put over her mouth, hoping to filter and delay some of the poisons as much as possible while using the Force to create any kind of resistance she could.

Smoke began to fill the room, but through the haze Aurra could make out a pair of red lights, possibly guardsmen coming to secure her cell. But the lights looked wrong, they were too long and narrow; they almost looked like lightsaber blades. Aurra nearly burst out laughing when she thought that, and she wasn't sure if the gas was entirely responsible. But the lights drew closer and suddenly Aurra realized that they could be nothing other than lightsabers, twin blades with a crimson hue.

She couldn't entirely recognize the bald woman who held the blades, but she recognized the look of a predator when she saw it. Fierce eyes narrowed in a determined gaze, a stance indicating that she was ready to strike down anyone who appeared hostile. From the darkness seeping from her it was obvious she wasn't a Jedi. Aurra wondered if she had come to kill her, perhaps seeking vengeance of a master she had killed long before. The irony was not lost on her as she tried to stand and face this new threat. But the bald woman did not approach her, instead she reached into a pocket and produced a small rebreather, Aurra recognized it as something a fair number of Jedi carried. Aurra didn't hesitate to ask who the woman was or how she possessed a Jedi rebreather. She lunged for it, put it in her mouth, and breathed the oxygen into her lungs as the rebreather's filters removed the toxins from the air around her. The captor switched off one of her lightsabers and tossed the deactivated hilt over to Aurra as well. Unable to talk and use the rebreather at the same time, she spoke to Aurra through the Force.

"Aurra Sing I presume. Don't even try and double cross me, I have gone to great expense to get you out of here but I will not be killed as easily like those Jedi Sheep. Understand?"

Aurra nodded and returned the favor. "The same goes for you...whoever you are."

Even with the rebreather in her mouth the predator smiled. "The name is Asajj Ventress, and we have much to discuss."

The Dark Jedi Femme Fatales worked together, methodically carving their way through the prison as the guards fought valiantly to contain them while at the same time quelling the near riot that was brewing in the cells. They managed to battle their way out of the prison itself and into one of the nearby facilities accommodating the prison shuttles and escort starfighters. Aurra was about to break for a grounded V-Wing fighter, but Ventress waved her off.

"You'll never make it out of the atmosphere, they've rigged every Shuttle to explode by remote in case of a breakout."

Aurra turned and angrily replied. "Do you have any other kriffing way off of this rock?"

At that moment a contingent of guards and clone troopers burst into the room spraying suppressive automatic fire, forcing the two women behind cover. From her crouched position behind a starfighter, Ventress shouted, "I've made arrangements, but we have to hurry before it’s discovered.” Combining their force talents, and taking advantage of the low gravity of Oovo they lifted a fighter from the ground and literally tossed it, scattering the pursuing clones across the hangar bay. Again drawing upon the Force they fled from the hangar at great speed to an outdoor landing bay where Aurra saw an incredibly odd looking fighter just touching down and landing, one she could only recognize from accounts and descriptions. It was distinctively Geonosian in design, but different from the narrow starfighters that had become familiar to people watching holographic accounts of the war.

In fact, this was similar to the sloop used by Count Dooku himself, an incredibly rare ship. Aurra and her benefactor climbed into the craft and settled in near the FA-4 pilot droid, who launched as soon as they were aboard. Fighters were scrambled, but not in time as the sloop deployed its unique solar sail and vanished into hyperspace.



The Star Destroyer carrying Anakin and Yoda arrived in Courscant space less than a day after departing. They were now aboard a shuttle headed right for the very airbase where Anakin had landed the crippled CIS flagship Invisible Hand , their route took them near the former site of the Jedi Temple, which was now a cordoned off area of wreckage monitored by clones and intelligence personnel who sifted through every bit of wreckage by hand. The Emperor had ordered the thorough destruction of everything, and the ruins had to be searched lest anything managed to survive. Yoda resisted the urge to look upon the rubble that had been his home for hundreds of years, and where he had fought to deactivate the beacon in an act that saved the lives of many Jedi. Throughout the entire journey Anakin had said nothing, not even the boasting Yoda would have expected in this situation. Yoda hadn't said anything either, as he readied his mind for the trial to come. As they began their final approach though Anakin did speak.

"Have you ever heard of the tragedy of 'Darth Plageuis the Wise' Master Yoda?" Anakin asked, with an emotionless but hardened gaze unlike his former self.

"Unfamiliar with it I am."

"I thought you might say that, it is the story of a powerful Sith Lord who gained the ability to influence life itself, so that he could save people from dying."

Anakin turned to Yoda, looking down at the shackled Jedi. "He was stronger than death, he could keep people he cared about from dying. Soon I will have that power as well."

Yoda finally began making the connections, and began developing a picture of how Anakin Skywalker had been corrupted. The premonitions Anakin had asked about after the Battle of Coruscant, the almost brazen desire for power Anakin had displayed during those final days after being appointed to the council, and the revelation to the galaxy that Padme Amidala, now revealed as Padme Amidala Skywalker, was pregnant. All this time the Chosen One had been living a double life, one of selflessness and one of attachment. A stronger recipe for the Dark Side there wasn't, a Jedi of great skill bound and determined to protect the ones they loved at all costs. Yoda had seen it before, for some Jedi, the price of turning to the Dark Side was nothing compared to protecting their loved ones or seeking out vengeance.

"Promised you were, this power, by Palpatine were you?"

Anakin finally faced Yoda, gritting his teeth and scowling. "Whenever I looked to the Jedi teachings for answers all I received were more questions. My new master has given me answers, not just how to save people from death, but how to restore order to the galaxy the Jedi have coddled for so long."

It was a disappointing thing for Yoda to hear. Anakin had embraced the quick and easy path out of a false necessity. Jedi were not supposed to be given answers, but to use their own wisdom to discover them on their own. Yoda had no intention of debating philosophy with Anakin at this point. "Nothing I can say to you there is, that would convince you, of turning from this path?"

Anakin ignored the question, instead asking one of his own. "Tell me, do the Jedi have a way of conquering death?"

"A way all Jedi have. In the Jedi code it is. There is no death, there is only the Force."

Anakin slammed his metallic fist against the wall of the craft with a loud bang against the metal. There were many things he wanted to shout at the top of his lungs. He regained his composure, and with an icy stare directly at Yoda he spoke. “It’s babble like that which left the Jedi vulnerable! Its outdated adherence to an ancient code that no longer applies in this galaxy! That is why the Empire now controls the galaxy!”

Anakin pulled his fist away from the wall, revealing a dent where his fist and the Dark Side of the Force had impacted. It would have crushed a living beings skull flat. "For your sake, you had better cling to your teachings as hard as you can when you have this discussion on Coruscant." Anakin ended his sentence just as the shuttle touched down on the duracrete runway. As they stepped out of the shuttle, Yoda took a long look at the sky, hoping that it wouldn't be too long before he saw it again.

[Darth Fanboy]

Chapter 11: Unlikely Partnerships

"Your highness, General Cody is nowhere to be found." came the almost nervous voice from the other end of the comlink.

Bail shook his head, almost dumbstruck at Obi Wan's departure. "Have you checked the hangar? He did say he was going to inspect the maintenance on his fighter last I spoke to him."

A short pause followed by an even more jittery reply. "General Cody checked out his fighter and left the hangar some time last night." There was another short pause. "Planetary sensor logs show a craft matching his specifications exiting into hyperspace sometime in the early morning hours."

Bail hung his head, Its not that he needed Obi Wan to be present at the Another Chance ceremony, but the strict pacifist bloc in the planetary government would have appreciated it if the new chief of system defense, a man they had barely even heard of, would have been present to mark the occasion. To them this represented the Alderaanian Navy’s scorn at having their military hardware taken away from them.

With the Another Chance taking off with most of Alderaan's weapons the Defense Forces were being reduced into spaceport security and planetary shield operation. Even monitoring of system traffic was being transferred to civilian law enforcement agencies. While Bail had approved of many of these reforms he did not entirely approve of the timing. The pacifists were counting on the Empire to provide much of their planet's security, but at the same time growing more vocal against the Empire's policies. They did not realize that they could not have it both ways.

It was these kinds of situations when all else failed that the wisdom of a Jedi Master was necessary, but wherever Obi Wan was he obviously did not want to be found.


Obi Wan found himself in the middle of a conflict once again, only this time he was playing the role of revolutionary. The current flagship for the fledgling Rebel Fleet was one of the few remaining Providence-class cruisers. Obi Wan was given overall command of the ship and its contingent of soldiers and battle droids. He had not been aboard for even a day before having to brief his commanders about their first mission.

"In two days the Another Chance, along with her three escort ships, will depart the Alderaan System at approximately 1900 hours Galactic Standard. The first jump is largely ceremonial, a short micro jump out of the planet's system close enough to the planet for everyone to get a suitable view from the skyhook stations. Alderaan selected Dantooine as the secondary jump point due to its proximity to the outer rim, and beyond it the edge of the galaxy itself where the ships would be doomed to the obscurity of empty space. Rather than destroy this equipment, the ships have all been outfitted with remote recall transmitters on the remote chance that the equipment is ever needed once again. One of the few concessions Bail Organa was able to coax from the hardliner pacifists. But the real jump will be made here, at the Aowi system."

Obi Wan, in his guise as General Cody, was addressing several key political and military leaders of the newfound Rebellion. He stood next to a detailed holographic display charting the path at The Alderaanian War Frigate and its escorts were going to take to unexplored space, along with their cache of weapons.

From the seating area, a hand came up, a Gotal whose rank insignia indicated he had served in an officer's position with the Separatists. "Why is it that the jump coordinates were changed from a secure and simple jump to something as risky as an uncharted system?”

"A good question," Obi Wan could feel the Gotal's senses attempting to reveal anything they could about him. Gotals were known for their ability to read emotions and discern truth, and a man such as Obi Wan hidden beneath a mask and synthesized voice was difficult enough to begin with. "Alderaan is currently loyal, but they would prefer that the weapons be handed over to no one at all, even the Empire. There are also people within the soon to be decommissioned Alderaanian Navy would rather see their ships go to a good cause than sit idle.

The Gotal nodded his head and accepted Obi Wan's explanation, that the empathic Gotal acknowledged him assuaged the others around him and bolstered their confidence in Obi Wan, still under the guise of General Ben Cody. He had chosen for the time being to keep his lightsaber concealed for now and from the looks of things he felt he had made the right choice. Mon Mothma’s proxies recruited a considerable amount of former Separatists to fight against the Empire.

Obi Wan now understood the frustrations Bail had felt, but accepted them for the time being. These were not the same Separatists he had fought against such as Count Dooku, but rather the soldiers that truly believed that they had to fight for their freedom from the Republic, innocent beings manipulated by beings such as Nute Gunray, Wat Tambor, Passel Argente, and others.

Obi Wan had fought hard to prove to preserve the side he thought represented freedom and triumphed, but was horrified later on when he found out he had been fighting and advancing the cause of the Sith. Silently he thought to his self, "Now the true patriots of the galaxy are aligned. There won't be anymore confusion as to which side I should be battling." Obi Wan continued the briefing, making sure to let the people serving below him have a chance to give their input, and after a few hours they had their plan hammered out.

Upon entering the Aowi system, the Another Chance would begin to make another controlled hyperspace jump towards the spiral arms of the galaxy under the control of the navigational computer. In order to further the secrecy of the ships' location the hyperspace jump would be partially programmed by a randomizing factor in the computer, which would then be double-checked with star charts to ensure safety. Obi Wan’s skills had been insufficient to remove the programming and prevent the tertiary jump without anyone noticing, but he was able to implement a delay of thirty minutes, as long as he could manage without tripping any red flags in the computer.

Obi Wan's task force would jump into the system and a shuttlecraft would immediately head over to the Another Chance and begin altering the coordinates in the navigational computer free of interference. When that part of the mission commenced the Rebels sole Droid Control Trip would begin deploying droid fighters and keep a close watch, especially on the hyperspace vectors coming from the nearby Imperial staging area of Muunilist. They didn't expect any trouble, but in these days expectations were a liability as much as anything else.

Just as he was leaving the briefing room, a B1 battle droid walked up to Obi Wan, Obi Wan almost instictively went for his lightsaber but managed to restrain himself. "Sir," the droid said, in a mechanical tone not much different from his own. "New Intelligence from Oovo IV." Obi Wan read over the reports, much more detailed versions of what had managed to make the heavily censored holonet news broadcasts. A dark feeling grew in his stomach as he read the details...



Within his chambers on Coruscant, Darth Sidious examined a short list of names, short yet infamous to those who fought on the side of the Republic. Sev'rance Tann, Sora Bulq, and Tol Skorr just to name a few. Darth Tyranus, though merely the Apprentice in the Order of the Sith, utilized a number of Dark Side adepts to further the chaos in the galaxy. These apprentices, powerful as they were, were nothing but disposable pawns to him. Sidious knew that if any of these dark adepts had been allowed to survive they would pose as much of a threat as any Jedi to the power of the New Order. While it was perfectly acceptable within the Rule of Two to use acolytes and other Force using minions, Dooku’s vision of a Sith Army flew in the face of Sidious’ teachings. Another reason that Darth Tyranus’ reign as a Sith Lord would be a pitifully short one

Dooku had also done a terrible job of cleaning up after his messes, and his handling of the cadre of Dark Jedi under his command was terribly inept. Too many promising warriors had been killed to soon and others had not been killed soon enough. Sidious' eyes narrowed as he opened two data files on two particular subjects that fell into the second category. Asajj Ventress and Aurra Sing, the only two of the names on the list that were not confirmed dead. If Dooku were still alive Sidious would have killed him anyways for his incompetence in failing to deal with them. But soon it would make no difference, the last of Dooku's pawns would soon be dead, and in such a way that serve the Sith despite a record littered with defeats.

Sidious rose to enact his plans when a message indicator lit up on his private channel, it was Vader, fresh from his mission on Tatooine, Sidious used activated the holoprojector. In the background behind him, a variety of military craft were coming and going, meaning that Anakin was still at the spaceport.

"General Skywalker," security was not absolute on the other end of the terminal. "I am pleased by the reports of your success."

"Master, my success was far greater than we could have hoped for. Jabba the Hutt has been dealt with and the remaining Hutt Lords will soon fall in line when word reaches Nal Hutta. I have also captured an important fugitive that will advance our efforts to eradicate the Jedi Order permanently."

Sidious maintained a calm demeanor, but within his mind he cackled, the news he had been awaiting was finally about to be delivered. The image shifted towards a shackled Yoda, who was currently standing still, his shoulders hunched and his head hung low as a trio of clone troopers trained their blasters on him.

"He surrendered without a fight Master, he is as broken as his Temple." Anakin's voice was full of anger, which pleased Sidious greatly. Dooku would have been filled with a false pride at this capture, while Anakin was able to truly focus his hate. The hate would make him powerful, and when he finally learned to embrace his anger he would grow even more powerful. Sidious looked at the Jedi Master whom he had defeated in the Senate Chambers and began laughing, the schemes and designs in his mind replaced with thoughts of the incredible pain he would inflict on his nemesis. For years he had been cold and methodical in enacting his vengeance, in the last days of the Republic though the Dark Side had called to him, clamoring for pain and suffering, calling on Sidious to fuel the blackness of his heart and revel in it.

"Do not delay General, have him turned over to my guardsmen and personally escort him to my office. I will deal with him from there."

"Yes my master."

Sidious turned from the projector and let out a maniacal laugh as he summoned his guards to him, deep within the underbelly of Coruscant, where Sifo Dyas and Jedi before him had been made to suffer. So too would Yoda. There was no doubt that Lord Vader would return to his family, and in order for his transformation to be complete he could not be allowed to stay with them for long.


Padme rested; sitting upright with her children nestled in her arms as a droid servant brought in a holoprojector.

"A transmission from General Skywalker my lady." the droid said.

Padme's eyes lit up, though the smile and warmth that she used to wear when seeing Anakin no longer came to her, she still desperately wanted to see him. Ever since the children had been born he had been away from her, being sent around the galaxy in the name of this New Order. The doctors had promised her that soon she would be able to take the children and return home, and not a moment too soon.

"Padme..." Anakin was obviously lost for words, as she looked upon his face she could see something in his eyes that gave away his mental fatigue. The darkness that had covered his face on Mustafar was still there, and the light she felt in her heart for him was fading. But she could still feel it, there wasn't anyone else that could save him right now, it was her duty to try, both as his wife and as the mother to her children.

"Ani, I miss you."

"I have missed you too, I am due for a meeting with Emperor Palpatine in but a few moments, when that is done I promise I will come to your side."

Padme felt tears well up in her eyes. "You will? Is that a promise?"

Anakin nodded. "It is, and I will stay by your side, and with our children, for a long rest." Anakin took a breath; the darkness within him was pushed back slightly. "I'm tired Padme, I'm sorry..."

"Don't be sorry Anakin, the doctors say I'll be able to go home soon, then we can all go to Naboo."

"I have responsibilities here." Anakin's excuse sounded weak, as if even he didn't believe it.

"You haven't stopped fighting ever since Geonosis, Anakin, no one can fight forever even if they're fighting for what they believe in."

Anakin looked shaken, his robotic hand opened and closed almost uncontrollably. Finally, his head turned, as he tended to do whenever he felt ashamed. "I will see you soon my love." The transmission ended as he turned away. As soon as it did Luke began crying, a soft gentle cry that subsided slightly as Padme pulled him closer to her. Leia cuddled up against her closer as well. The infant twins soon fell asleep, with Padme drifting off not long afterwards.


"Dooku was always fond of these sort of antiques." Ventress mused out loud as her fingers caressed over the exterior of Dooku's Solar Sail vessel. "Even though he had been a Jedi for so many years, he had never been able to escape the pompousness associated with aristocracy. He cherished his possessions almost as much as he cherished himself. It's no wonder he chose to forsake the Jedi." As Aurra Sing watched Ventress looked up, almost wistfully, at the roof of the large cave she now called home.

They had fled to Bpfassh, not far from where Ventress escaped from Republic custody after her defeat on Boz Pity. It was in this small out of the way area that Dooku and Ventress had established a small hidden enclave for themselves and Dooku's other disciples as the Clone Wars raged on, by keeping this outpost secret they had a place to fall back to when secrecy was necessary or to hide away prisoners when no other place would do. Bpfassh was also ideal because few Jedi dared travel there after Bpfasshi Dark Jedi turned against the order many years past. The bloody conflicts waged between them and the Jedi had led to a general distrust of Jedi in general by the natives of the planet.

"Dooku was a narcissist, I gathered as much when I met him, so what does this have to do with me?" Aurra Sing gritted her teeth and kept her hand close to the lightsaber Ventress had given her on Oovo IV. She had never liked taking orders when money wasn't at stake and she had never liked being out of control of the situation, currently Aurra wasn’t in control or in position to profit at the moment.

"It has everything and nothing to do with you Aurra Sing. Have you heard of what has become of the Jedi order from your prison cell?"

Aurra's voice became louder as she grew impatient. "I was stuck in that hole! How was I supposed to hear anything?"

If the aggressive posture Aurra was taking bothered Ventress, Asajj didn't let on. "Then you might be pleased to know that the Jedi have been all but wiped out."

Shock exploded across Aurra's face. She had never thought it possible, she could grasp the deaths of many Jedi, and even members on the council, but the entire Jedi Order being wiped out was nothing short of impossibility to her. She was only able to stammer out one word. "How?"

"Apparently our Jedi friends turned on the beloved Chancellor Palpatine shortly after he declared himself Emperor, the Jedi were wiped out by the clone army, and one of their own. The famed General Skywalker. Now that is where you and I come into play."

Aurra was losing control of the situation again just as she had begun to assert herself. In all of her experiences with the Jedi she had never faced Skywalker before, how was it then that Ventress was connecting her to him then?"

"Shortly after my last battle with Skywalker and Kenobi, " As Ventress spoke the name of Anakin's mentor she became filled with anger, so much that Aurra could feel it through the Force. "I came here and I was done fighting. Count Dooku had betrayed me on Boz Pity and I wanted nothing more to do with him. I took his Solar Sailer and came here, when I heard over the holonet that he had been killed I managed to assume several small hidden fortunes of his and I was on the verge of living in deep obscurity for the rest of my days. Until recently, when my true master contacted me."

"Your true master?" Aurra asked.

"Dooku was a brilliant strategist and powerful warrior, but even he lacked the power and desire to conquer the galaxy. My true master, the true Dark Lord of the Sith, is the one responsible for the Separatists, and for the entire war. He told me that if I killed Skywalker then I could take his place and become a Sith at last.

Aurra tensed at the mention of the Sith. Even though she had embraced the Dark Side, she did not want to cross paths with the Sith Lords, dealing with a Sith usually meant ending up as fodder for one of their plots. Dooku was evidence enough of that. It was too late now though, she was now tied to a Sith even more powerful than Dooku and there was no other alternative but to obey at this point.

Ventress continued. "I was ashamed to tell Lord Sidious that I was unable to defeat Skywalker, that his powers were beyond mine. But it did not take him long to provide me with your location and your imprisonment status. He told me that Skywalker must be eliminated and that you would be of great assistance in this matter."

Ventress walked towards Aurra Sing and ignited her lightsaber blade; Aurra activated hers and matched Ventress strike. As the two locked blades and exchanged vicious glances at each other Ventress smiled.

"He was right, you do have a hunter's instinct." Ventress disengaged her blade and propelled herself backwards with the Force, smiling. "With your help, and with the Dark Side of the Force. You and I will kill Anakin Skywalker and the Jedi will be extinct for all time!"

Aurra had never taken on a job for free, but she was drawn into this now. Not only did she owe Ventress, but also the opportunity she was being presented with was too great to pass up. She had sensed no deception from Ventress in the Force, and her hatred of the Jedi was as strong as it had ever been after Aayla Secura had defeated her and severed her Anzati implant.

Ventress clipped the hilt of her blade to her belt. "Will you help me?"

Aurra did the same, and after a brief pause she met Ventress’ gaze with ice- cold eyes. "I will."

[Darth Fanboy]

Chapter 12: Uninhibited Anger


Obi Wan entered through the doors and received an enthusiastic salute from his crew. Dealing with the escaped Dark Jedi would have to wait indefinitely, Obi Wan was sorely tempted to take his ship and hunt down Ventress and Sing, but he was committed to this operation. He only had a few scant hours to go over his command ship and review the strength of his task force. It was a motley assortment than what he was used to. His own flagship would be the Providence -class ship known as the Battlehymn . The ship was one of the last to make it out of the Separatist shipyards and it pleased Obi Wan that he was commanding a vessel that wasn't tainted with the blood of his former comrades. Accompanying him was the Droid Control Ship Master Control , The Ccorellian corvette Slashcat , and a pair of unnamed Carrack cruisers temporarily designated Alpha and Beta that were covered gaudy paint jobs that looked as if they were second hand pirate vessels.

The only thing about this force that had Obi Wan worried was the lack of heavy guns. But the nature of this mission was such that if they did come into combat the last thing they would want to be doing is sticking around for a fight, and if everything did go according to plan then they would be leaving with nine instead of five ships.

One of the men, dressed like infantry and carrying a very large sidearm at his hip, charged up to Obi Wan. At first it appeared as if the man was looking for a fight, but through the Force Obi Wan could tell this man's actions weren't hostile.

"Hey!" The man yelled, obviously showing a great disregard for rank. "C'mere let's talk." He put his arm around Obi Wan's shoulder in a manner that directed the two back out of the bridge and into the corridor.

"Is there something I can do for you..." Obi Wan asked, looking for any sort of insignia to identify the man.

"Typical higher ups, you don't even know who's serving under you! If you didn't have that lightsaber clipped to your belt I'd be seriously thinking about cracking your metal skull! I'm the captain of this here rig, Captain Slayke at your service."

The name rang a bell in Obi Wan's head, a briefing from several months ago shortly after returning from a solo assignment he'd been given by the council. While he had been gone Anakin had attained his Knighthood by assisting Jedi Master Nejaa Halcyon in defeating the Droid Armies on Praesitlyn. One of the items in that briefing involved a Captain Slayke who was the leader of a Pro-Republic militia that had bravely fought against the Separatists.

"Slayke? Zozridor Slayke?" Obi Wan asked.

"My reputation precedes me yet again!" Slayke boasted as he performed a heroic pose made more in jest than arrogance. Listen, I know you Jedi can be stiffs but I just wanted to let you know that'll fight for you as hard as I can, and the crew aboard this ship is going to do the same, not like what those bastard clones did.”

Slayke and his men had reorganized and with a bit of funding, public and private, he had managed to rebuild his forces to nearly three quarters of what they once were. Slayke had gained prestige and earend great respect from the Jedi Generals. After the successful battle of Praesitlyn along with Nejaa Halcyon, Slayke had served alongside of a half dozen other Jedi Generals, most notably along with Jedi Master Kal Qangzi.

Master Qangzi had been granted command over a clone army that was involved in heavy fighting on the Aqualish home world of Ando, where the Aqualish had been constructing several droid foundries that if functional would have flooded the Core Worlds with droid armies. Knowing he would need every soldier he could get, Qnagzi incorporated Slayke's forces into his own and the Clone Army was able to crush all resistance.

"I don't what it was that happened, but it was late at night back at the encampment. Kal was holding court in the prefab mess hall telling stories of how he and a couple of his friends used to bust smugglers along the Kessel Run. I wasn't there myself," Slayke ground his teeth and looked down as if trying to force the painful memory out of his mind. "I was over at the hangar where we had been landing the shuttles. But one of my men came running over to me that night. Apparently an entire legion of clones burst into the mess hall, blasters firing. They didn't stop until Kal and all of my men were little more than shredded sacks of meat. Then the rest of my men were attacked, and about twenty of us managed to escape on the Plooroid Balkin."

Obi Wan put his hand on Slayke's shoulder. He vividly remembered the attempt on his life at Utapau, and the battles in the Jedi Temple at Coruscant. Slayke went on further to explain how he had later found out of the Imperial cover up. Apparently Master Qangzi and Slayke were guilty of collaborating with the Aqualish rulers to betray the clone army to allow the Separatist droid factories to become operational. Slayke himself was now a fugitive, and Imperial Moffs had placed a bounty of over ten thousand credits on his head. Obi Wan could sympathize, both of these men had pledged their lives to a cause that deceived and betrayed them, nearly taking their lives in the process.

"Captain Slayke, there's nothing you could have done. I assure you that I would want nobody else at the helm of this ship right now. I am sure Master Qangzi was proud to serve with you, as Master Halcyon was after Praesitlyn."

Slayke seemed overwhelmed for a moment, and then his expression changed immediately as he regained his composure. "Hah! Never though I'd have to have a Jedi stiff cheer me up! You're all right, just remember that we're all counting on you for this mission though."

Obi Wan nodded, then considered a question. "Captain Slayke..."

"You have orders for me already? If I had know that I would have..."

"No, no, I don't have any orders Captain." Obi Wan assured him. "I just wanted to ask you what it was like serving with Anakin Skywalker on Praesitlyn."

Slayke grumbled for a moment. "I should have busted his jaw when I had the chance, he was a great soldier and a smart kid, but after what he's done to my Republic I owe him a good beating. I'll bet underneath that calm robot Jedi facade you have going on you'd like to give him a good pounding too eh?"

Obi Wan sighed, but his respirator didn't catch the sound. "More than you could possibly know."

Both men headed back to the bridge, where Obi Wan would begin the official mission countdown and finalize his battle plans with the captains of his task force.



The Crimson Guardsmen along with Anakin took their prisoner along the prescribed route through 500 Imperial. To the discreet elevator that led down below the works, and into the lair of the Sith were Darth Sidious awaited.

"Master Yoda, we meet again." Sidious cackled, but Yoda did not even bother to reply, or meet his gaze. "Did you think you could hide until that excruciatingly long lifespan of yours ended?" Sidious drew closer to Yoda, and motioned to his guards to take him into the next room. The stench of death flooded Yoda's nostrils and even Anakin was taken aback.

"This room has seen the death of many a Jedi Master. Some were even taken right off the streets of Coruscant itself, but never a Master of your own stature.” Palpatine’s gruesome visage hovered over his captive before turning to his apprentice. “Lord Vader, bind him to the chair."

Anakin looked over at his Master and nodded his head, Yoda shut his eyes as Anakin picked him up from the ground and slammed him onto the durasteel table, which still had the dried blood of Sifo Dyas on it. Yoda was then shackled to the chair, and he resisted against his bindings to test their strength. Nothing he couldn't break out of with the Force at his side.

"Don't let the shackles fool you Master Yoda, I have a far more permanent way of ensuring your subjugation. Guards, leave us."

The Crimson Guards left the room, now it was only the two Sith and their prisoner. Yoda was beside himself with shock, Palpatine trusted Skywalker with absolute certainty now. From under his robes Palpatine pulled a small object that appeared to be made of some kind of leather, and lined with pins. Sidious placed the object over Yoda’s face, the leather stretched and the pins dug into Yoda’s skin, piercing the musculature of his face. Anakin recognized from Obi Wan’s debriefing of his captivity as a Sith torture mask. “I do hope it fits, Phaellus Chuff was not a very willing participant in having this fitted. At least, not until his head was removed. Yoda’s eyes bulged out as far as they could at the revelation that the mask he now wore was fitted over the decapitated head of a man who had aided him in the past.

Before Yoda could make even a basic attempt to calm himself and prepare his body Sidious raised his hands to the air and the familiar sound of his Force lightning scorched the air a split second before connecting. Yoda bit into his lip and resisted but couldn’t suppress a scream.

"You see my apprentice, the manifest rage of the Dark Side is more than just an instrument of murder. Can you feel it now? Train your thoughts on Yoda."

Sidious attacked Yoda again and Anakin could sense Yoda's presence slipping away. But despite the enormous pain that was obviously being inflicted. Yoda was not dead, or even unconscious. The Dark Side called out to Palpatine as he intensified his attack, craving the suffering and pain and imposing those cravings onto the Dark Master. For years Palpatine had enacted the revenge of the Sith through quiet manipulations and strategic maneuvering.

When the time had finally come to destroy the Jedi the bulk of the work had been quick, efficient, thorough, and undeniably effective. But that effectiveness had done little to satisfy the craving for vengeance that ached in Palpatine's black heart. In order to satisfy the hunger for pain within him, he was willing to keep Yoda alive as his prisoner, so that he would never again know another day without suffering.

"You are keeping him alive somehow. You're doing more than just attacking him." Anakin interjected

"Good, Good Lord Vader, you are realizing to nature of the power that I promised. Only with the strength of the Dark Side is one able to influence the life force of a being. To prevent them from dying."

Sidious blasted Yoda again, as he used his lightning Anakin could sense the different powers at work. The incarnate anger was focused into lightning to brutally attack Yoda's body. The other power, which Anakin could tell was taking up much more of his concentration, was in forcing Yoda's cells to resist the attack. Leaving no damage to the body but causing an immeasurable amount of pain. Sidious continued this in various bursts for nearly a half an hour. With each second that passed Yoda howled through swollen vocal chords, his resolve wavered and he nearly screamed out to beg for mercy. Before that happened, Sidious stopped.

The Sith Master walked over to the table where Yoda desperately inhaled air into his lungs, the taste of each breath was noxious and foul but nevertheless it fueled him. Sidious stood next to Yoda and placed his hands over his body.

"Now Lord Vader, watch as I show you the only way to break a Jedi. By taking from him the very thing that justifies his existence!"

Yoda was in too much pain to fight back, the torture mask had robbed him of his ability to focus on the Force. If he knew what Palpatine was about to do he would have tried, and if he had known what kind of unspeakable tortures the Emperor had in mind for him he may not have gone along with Qui Gon's plan after all.

Palpatine stood over Yoda, and slowly but surely began severing his connection to the force.

"The ability to cut off the Force to another was a Jedi technique from long ago." Palpatine explained to Anakin with a strained voice. "It was abandoned because the effects were not entirely permanent, if the subject is powerful enough they may be able to once again feel the Force with retraining. As what happened to Darth Revan over four thousand years ago."

Palpatine was visibly taxing himself as the glowing essence of Yoda rose from his body and dissipated slowly into the air. Inside his body, the midichlorians, the small organisms that were an indicator of a being's force potential, died as their conduit to the Force was cut off. The pain of the Sith Lightning had been sharp and brutal but this was a much different ache, a solemn dull pain that was robbing Yoda's powers while destroying his perception and consciousness.

Palpatine didn't seem to be faring much better, but he would be able to recover. Yoda opened his eyes and watched, as Anakin stood there, unmoving and silent and scariest of all learning from his new Master's teachings. After several more minutes Sidious finally stopped. Yoda could feel that a part of his strength had been taken away from him, but not completely. Yoda mustered what part of the Force he could and attempted t omend his body and psyche as best he could while Darth Sidious turned to his apprentice, weary but unharmed.

"The process is incomplete for now Lord Vader," Sidious said to his apprentice. But it is of no concern, I will continue again tomorrow. I do hope you have learned something from this."

"I have my master, I will contemplate this further tonight."

"Remember though Lord Vader, pain is not the only weapon of the Sith. The dark side is fed by anger, passion, suffering, and fear. Of those four things perhaps the most important one to cultivate is fear."

"But Master, A true Sith has no fear."

"It is the fear of others, your opponents, your enemies, those that are weaker than you. That is the fear you must take control of. It is where many apprentices have failed, but where you will succeed Lord Vader. The Sith are the masters of the Dark Side, no matter who you face always remember that their fear is your weapon. Once you have mastered that then no one will ever defeat you."

Sidious and Vader walked out of the chamber, leaving the unconscious Yoda alone temporarily. "He will be a tough one to break," remarked Sidious "but his prolonged agony will be the perfect end to his considerably long and considerably charmed life. For now though I have a new task that requires your personal attention.

Anakin felt as if he had taken a blaster bolt to his chest. "Master, I was hoping..."

"Yes yes I know, you haven't spent much time with your family since the birth of your children. However this assignment is directly related to their well being." Sidious stopped as Anakin stopped with him. "I take it you remember a Dark Jedi by the name of Asajj Ventress?"

Anakin crushed his mechanical fist and the Dark Side rushed to him. Sidious smiled at the display of anger. "It has been reported that she was the mastermind behind Aurra Sing's escape from the Oovo IV military prison. Intelligence indicates that she used a solar sailer not unlike the one Count Dooku used to escape from Geonosis." Another unimportant line but one that Sidious knew would get a rise out of Vader, and it did. When it came to his apprentice there were two things that he knew would immediately draw an angry response: commentary regarding his wife, and the battle that took his hand.

They had battled before with Anakin nearly killing her on Yavin IV and encountering her again on the Gungan colony of Oh’ma Dun. Shortly after returning from the Battle of Rendili, Anakin had encountered Asajj Ventress on Coruscant. Ventress had been there to assassinate the rogue Jedi Quinlan Vos but instead discovered Anakin's secret marriage. She threatened Padme's life and the two dueled, with Anakin sending her into the abyss of Coruscant. She had survived somehow and was in the process of being cybernetically restored by Count Dooku when Anakin had fought her and nearly killed her again in a ferocious battle on Boz Pity that had nearly seen Ventress, Grievous, and Count Dooku fallen on the same day.

Anakin was put off slightly at the news, he had thought Ventress dead for good at Boz Pity. "I will hunt her down and kill her master." he said in a grim voice.

His utter seriousness was met though with deflecting laughter from Palpatine.

"I have no doubt in my mind Lord Vader, but I have already saved you the trouble. Ventress and Sing are in the Alderaan system. General Skywalker is due to attend the demilitarization ceremony as the official Imperial Representative. They are there for the express purpose of killing you."

Anakin began to ask a question, and then stopped. He had wanted to ask how it was that Ventress knew where Anakin was to be in advance, but there was only one possible solution. His master had orchestrated the entire Clone Wars, he had manipulated countless soldiers and planets including powerful men such as Count Dooku and even the Jedi Council. He had also proven with Dooku that he wasn't above using his apprentices as bait either. It didn't matter, Obi Wan had used Anakin in the same manner several times before and Anakin preferred a combat situation rather than the ivory tower “behind the scenes” dueling that was Lord Sidious' specialty. Sidious examined his apprentice for any sort of objection but found none.

"I will destroy them both master, it would be my pleasure." Darth Vader said as he finally relaxed his fist.

"Then there is no need for further discussion. A shuttle will be waiting to take you to Alderaan in about twelve hours. You may spend a short time with your family but see to it that you arrive at the shuttle promptly. When you reach Alderaan, I will contact you with their exact location."

Vader bowed to Sidious and then immediately made his way towards the lift that would take him back up to the city, and to his family. The Emperor summoned his guards once again to his side.

"See to it that the Jedi is fully sedated," Palpatine handed the lead guardsman a small datapad. "Have the medical droids set up an intravenous flow triggered to his neural responses. Then while he's unconscious fit him with a slave chip." That was an order he couldn't give in front of Anakin, who was vehemently against the same devices that had enslaved him as a child.

Sidious laughed again. It had taken many years, and for the first time he felt completely and utterly victorious. But there was still work to be done in preserving that victory. He made his way back to his office flanked by a pair of his guards. There was one last transmission he had to make, one that could only be made by Darth Sidious. Soon Lord Vader’s transformation would be complete and a pair of Dooku’s loose ends would be tied up for good.


“Master Tholme, it is good to see you again.”

“It has been a long time Master Shryne, I see you’ve managed to uncover a fair number of our order. Were you all stationed on Murkhana?” The former member of the Jedi Council asked.

“Not quite, Master Chatak and Padawan Starstone were, but the others we found adrift in space with the help of a band of freelancers, whose captain just so happens to be my mother. Fortunately the Imperial garrison on Jaguada wasn’t informed of our whereabouts and we were able to use an old Separatist hyperwave transceiver without incident. We managed to sneak past the Empire and arrive here after slicing the Jedi temple database hoping to find Master Yoda. It was mostly my young Padawan’s idea.” Shryne was always one to give credit where credit was due.

General Roan Shryne was the commander of the Republic forces on Murkhana and was the only Jedi General who had been spared thanks in part due to the refusal of clone troopers to obey Order 66. He and his Jedi companions had escaped Murkhana and rescued several other Jedi fleeing from the Empire. Upon arriving at Kashyykk they had been permitted to search some of the surrounding areas that had been abandoned by the clones following the defeat of the Separatists. It seemed to be a miracle that they had found Jedi Masters Tholme, Tra’Saa, and Quinlan Vos, all hidden in a densely forested area not far from the Wawatt archipelago. After some short introductions and a sharing of stories, Shryne had brought the others up to date on the current political situation as best as he could.

“Yoda’s not dead,” the low and disgruntled voice of Quinlan Vos spoke. “At least, he did not die during the attack of the clones. I wish I could say the same for Master Luminara.”

“But you are alive Quinlan, which is very good considering the extent of your injuries.” The soothing female voice belonged to Tra’Saa. The fact that all of us Jedi have managed to gather is nothing short of extraordinary. It shouldn’t be happening at all.”

“But it is happening,” Tholme interjected. He was possibly the most senior Jedi left alive and he knew that the other Jedi would be looking to him for leadership, even Tra’Saa.

“Quinlan, Roan, I hate to do this to you but I am still not healthy enough to go out on a mission. But you two should work well together. With Quinlans stealth and tracking abilities and Roan’s ability to sense the Force in other beings, you two are the perfect choice.”

The two Jedi Masters had never even met before, but the exchanged knowing glances knowing that they may die at each other’s side. Tholme allowed them a second before continuing.

“There’s one other Jedi Master that may have survived whose help we will need. Her name is Shadday. If there are any other Jedi left in the galaxy she has already started to gather them. She is impatient, and may act on her own too soon, but if you tell her that I need her help she should join with you.”

Bol Chatak, silent up until this point, folded her arms and spoke. “Kashyykk will not be safe for long. When word gets out that surviving Jedi are coming here the Empire will use it as an excuse to take over Kashyykk. We need a new rendezvous point, someplace safer where we wont be putting anyone in danger.

“Agreed,” Tra’Saa nodded. “Perhaps we can rendezvous at one of the unused Jedi Academies.”

“Dantooine and Ilum are both compromised.” Tholme noted, "We can relocate to Telos for the time being but there is still a chance we might be discovered."

Quinlan was still skeptical about the plan. "And what if Telos has already been compromised. We don't know how much Skywalker knows, if he or any other Imperial has gone through the archives enough then Telos is already a death trap.

"There is Jedi knowledge that exists outside of the archives. There is an old temple on Telos beneath the polar ice caps that Jedi have used as a sanctuary for thousands of years. It will be secure for now."

"The Drunk Dancer, our ship in orbit, can give you passage to Telos. But I don't know how Master Vos and I are going to get around."

"I can take care of that Master Shryne," Quinlan said with a smirk on his face. "there's a Devaronian here on Kashyykk with a ship we can use. He's the one that saved me from the clones."

Tholme stood, absently rubing the cybernetic grafts on his leg. "Then it's settled, tomorrow at dawn we begin the process of restoring the Jedi Order."


Author's Notes:

I finished with the rewrites and i'm ready to work on the new content! If you check out the end of Chapter 12 you'll notice some entirely new material made possible by other EU sources that helped me get over a year long case of writer's block. I'm very glad I returned to this fic, comments and criticisms from a year ago helped me greatly, so be sure to leave any you might have currently as well!

Part the Second:

I decided not to go with the Dexter Jettster/Coruscant route at this point, I might even edit it out entirely. Further review has made me rethink a couple of plot points. Those concerned with the potential presence of Villie needn't worry that he will become overly important.

[Sidewinder]

Considering Dexter's role in the plans of the Jedi from 'Dark Lord', I have to wonder if they're in contact with Ben Cody/Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Overall, the revisions to scenes featuring the main cast are welcome, closing the plot holes in the original. I'm still sceptical over whether or not Quinlan Vos and the others can have a meaningful role in the story, instead of having pointless cameos as pin cushions for Anakin's lightsaber.

[Darth Fanboy]

Considering Dexter's role in the plans of the Jedi from 'Dark Lord', I have to wonder if they're in contact with Ben Cody/Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Overall, the revisions to scenes featuring the main cast are welcome, closing the plot holes in the original. I'm still sceptical over whether or not Quinlan Vos and the others can have a meaningful role in the story, instead of having pointless cameos as pin cushions for Anakin's lightsaber.

I promise that the group headed by Tholme will be as meaningful as possible. Them survivng the Purge was a bummer to me but I can at least use that to help me close the gaps I needed to take the story where I want it to go.


Edit:

Well, I changed the ending slightly. The angle I was going for having them all go to Coruscant was rather rushed on my part and I decided to fix it.
Also, for more info on post RoTS Dexter Jettster, youd have to take a peek at the "Last of the Jedi" series of books. I have a ten year old brother, so I have an excuse for buying them.

[Darth Fanboy]

Small updates to Chapters 3, 4, and 12. I'll be posting a few things in the writer's guild that may involve future spoilers but if you're up for more in depth discussions than simple feedback please check it out.

[Darth Fanboy]

Chapter 13: Dark Currents

Anakin was now known across the entire galaxy as both “The Hero Without Fear” and as the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Armed Forces. But none of Anakin’s prestige nor his reputation would be able to spare him of his next task, telling Padme that he had to leave Coruscant yet again for another undisclosed amount of time. Since the birth of the twins, Anakin had spent two or three hours with his family before heading off to invade Enarc, and subjugate Hutt Space via his conquest of Tatooine. The Hutts were all too eager to rescind overall control of their systems to the Empire, without a sufficient battle fleet or a powerful ally to offset Imperial dominance they had little choice.

Now Anakin had less than half a day to spend with his family before being sent off again to another fight. Anakin might have been tempted to ignore the request, but this assignment had too much personal meaning to it all. Asajj Ventress had already threatened Padme’s life once, now that he was a father were born she would be a threat to his children as well. Her enlisting of known Jedi killer Aurra Sing added to this threat. Ironic how the fall of the Jedi meant that these two dark butchers would finally receive the punishment they deserved.

The fact that his master had arranged the trap using him as the bait was not lost on him, but it wasn’t of any concern to Anakin, his strength had increased significantly since the last time he battled Ventress, and Aayla Secura had managed to beat Aurra Sing on her own. Anakin caught himself several times actually looking forward to the battle. Although he would still have to serve as the diplomatic representative on Alderaan for the Another Chance ceremony and that thought bored him to no end.

From the complex where Palpatine had kept Yoda, it was an hour or so by skycab to Amidala’s new residence. Anakin had arrived in just under fifteen minutes with the help of the same commandeered speeder he had used to pursue the shape shifting bounty hunter who had nearly assassinated Padme. It was another gift from Palpatine, though how he had managed to obtain that exact speeder he wasn’t sure. Since the birth of the twins and the execution of the Representative Jar Jar Binks for treason, Naboo had chosen to elect a new Senator. That Senator now resided in the suite where Anakin and Padme had shared so many nights together, but Palpatine had secured them a luxurious estate near the ruined Jedi Temple, a reward for Anakin’s service. Although whether the reward was the estate or the breathtaking view of Anakin’s own destructive battle in the temple Anakin wasn’t sure.

Anakin arrived expecting to see a small army of droids performing household tasks but found the residence almost completely free of automated attendants save for a small floating recorder droid, an Industrial Automations Private Oral Data droid, commonly known as an I-POD, to be exact. Anakin had followed the sound of music up a staircase and into the room that had been set up for the children, with a pair of cribs dominating the center of the room. The I-POD was playing a soft melody Anakin recognized as a Naboo nature hymn. Padme had fond memories of them growing up as a child and it was obvious that Luke and Leia enjoyed them also as they were quite content in their mother’s arms.

A weary Padme Amidala looked up at her husband. Too weak to do anything else, she simply smiled in a way that let Anakin know it was his turn to hold the children. Taking a seat next to her, he brought the children over to him with the Force, levitating them gently so as not to disturb them. Leia remained fast asleep but Luke’s eyes opened slightly and he caught a quick glance at his father, who was smiling at him proudly, before his weary infant eyes closed again.

Padme leaned back in her chair and looked back over at Anakin, who was rocking slightly in the repulsor-rocker opposite the one she was seated in. This was her husband, a Lord of the Sith responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Jedi and Jedi younglings, the leader of the most feared army in galactic history, a loving father whose heart melted at the sight of his kids. Now that he was home, the healing could begin, and that was when she could start making things right, she couldn’t do it without him.

They sat together in a blissful silence for another fifteen minutes before Anakin laid the children to rest in their cribs. It was then that the happy moment was shattered.

“I have to leave again.” Anakin said with no trace of emotion in his voice/

Padme was too stunned for tears. “So soon? But you’re only just returning from your last two missions!”

Anakin shrugged his shoulders. “Is this any different from when I was stuck out in the Outer Rim sieges? With no end in sight, droids swarming all around me, and people dying everywhere I look?” He turned away, restraining his words. Memories of his temper on Mustafar came back to him, how he had used the Force and attacked her in a fit of anger. He banished those thoughts from his mind. It was Obi Wan’s fault, but now he was gone and it would never happen again.

Padme immediately regretted pressing further. She felt guily because while Anakin had been stuck on the Outer Rim she had lived a life of luxury; naively thinking that what she had been doing was part of the fight also and she feared that she had pushed Anakin further away.

But instead of him leaving, or lashing out, he had turned to her and embraced her, pulling her close to him. “It’s all right my love. You do need me here and the twins need me here, but the Empire needs me on Alderaan. If I don’t go I fear what might happen.”

“Why fear?” Padme asked, her own fear turning into curiosity. Anakin had been willing to throw away everything before and now suddenly official responsibilities had priority. She suspected Palpatine had something to do with it but dared not accuse him of anything in front of Anakin without proof.

Anakin thought for a moment before speaking again. “This stays between us.” Padme nodded her consent silently, relieved that he could still trust her implicitly. “Officially I am the representative of the Empire at the ceremony that will decommission the last ships of the Alderaanian navy. Unofficially, I am going to deal with a pair of assassins that are out for my head.”

Padme gasped, frightened at the danger he was knowingly walking into. There was one question she had to ask that was gnawing at her so much that she risked asking it. “Jedi assassins?”

Anakin’s head cocked slightly in an attempt to decipher why she had asked, but he quickly dismissed it. “No, worse actually. A bounty hunter named Aurra Sing, who knows the Dark Side of the Force, escaped from imprisonment. Rumor has it that her benefactor was none other than Asajj Ventress.”

“Ventress? But I thought you said that you killed her?”

“I’ve killed her three different times, and unlike Count Dooku and the clone of his that I dealt with years ago, it was her on every occasion. This time though will be much different.” Anakin’s voice dropped lower, and he seemed to become slightly more distant. “I won’t be held back now, and you and the children will be safe. Ventress will pay for threatening us.”

Padme remembered the story of how Ventress had discovered their relationship by stealing a holographic message she had recorded for Anakin, and how he had battled her on Coruscant after his brief return following the Battle of Rendili. She knew her husband, he wouldn’t stop until he felt that she was safe and that probably meant he wouldn’t stop until Asajj Ventress was dead. But Padme was also tired of the constant worrying and waiting, and she knew that she was doing herself a disservice by allowing herself to despair so much. Instead, she decided to do something she had always done for Anakin before.

She was going to believe in him.

“Ok, Anakin. I understand.”

That had thrown Anakin off visibly. He was definitely surprised at Padme’s reaction, almost as much as she was.

“I understand because you’re doing what you’ve always done. You’re doing what you think is right and there’s no way anyone can stop you. But I want you to make me a promise and I want you to keep it.”

His heartbeat quickened, and he held her hand. “Anything you want. Just name it.”

A pause, and then Padme was finally able to speak through a steady yet calm stream of tears. “Just come home soon.”

The galaxy’s most famous couple leaned into each other for a passionate kiss, their first since the day Anakin had killed Count Dooku. For but a few brief moments they were back at the lake on Naboo, and the entire universe around them was at peace.



The kiss went unseen save for one very concerned individual. Palpatine had given Anakin the estate but not before lining every room in the opulent house with the most advanced surveillance technology available, even more advanced than what was in current use by Imperial intelligence field agents. The image of Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala embracing caused Sidious to lash out with the Force, destroying the terminal in front of him.

”That woman will ruin my plans for Lord Vader yet. I will have to move quicker than anticipated.”

It was of great importance, but little concern. For the plan to kill Padme Amidala was already in place, just waiting to be implemented. It would require yet another disposable asset of his though, that and the cooperation of Lord Vader himself.



Obi Wan’s fleet was less than a day away from the Another Chance recovery mission and already he was starting to feel like a general again. The preliminary planning had taken place in some of Mon Mothma’s secure compounds on Chandrila, but the actual staging area for the mission was the planet Toprawa. There was a miniscule Imperial presence in the area and the system’s inhabitants had no love of the Empire. They had a long history of supporting the Republic, especially the Jedi, but that respect had dwindled in the past hundred or years as corruption and perceived decadence created distrust of the Senate. Had the Toprawans possessed the resources of a system such as Corellia, they would have declared themselves independent many years prior to the Clone Wars.

It was the ideal location, and they had sufficient manpower and firepower for the task at hand. But spare parts and programming equipment necessary for the function of the droid starfighters was still in transit along hidden Neimoidian hyperspace routes when it should have already arrive. To make matters worse. Captain Zozridor Slayke had been involved in a verbal dispute with the Aqualish captain of one of the Carrack cruisers when the two beings had recognized each other from a particularly bloody conflict on Ando. Obi Wan had successfully mediated that conflict, but internal disputes were increasing in frequency as frustrations began to mount, one of the key problems when fighting an underground war.

“So now this Skakoan cyborg son-of-a-mynock is telling me that they can’t even get a simple shipment of proton torpedoes through because of ‘Increased Imperial Activity’ in his sector. You believe that General? I told him he could go kark himself. I know guys who used to haul ten times that much contraband with smaller ships across both Republic and Separatist lines! This is what happens when you put a bunch of Techno Union paper pushers in place of a real Quartermaster! We had a guy like that in Freedom’s Sons who did an amazing job on Praesitlyn, but not half as good as the guy Nejaa, err… Master Halcyon brought in. Best damn Quartermaster I’ve ever seen, went by the name of Mess Boulanger. Bastard clones got him on Ando, but I’m telling you if old Mess were here instead of these sithspawned seps…”

“I get the picture Captain Slayke, I can sympathize. However, if we’re going to succeed to restoring the Republic, we’re going to have to cooperate with people that we might have been shooting at months, even weeks ago.

Obi Wan had taken to listening to Slayke’s reminiscent monologues every now and then. The man was quite popular amongst the lower level soldiers in his command regardless of past affiliation and he had hoped that by keeping confidence in Slayke it would help boost morale. Sometimes though it pained Obi Wan to have to deal with Slayke’s grandstanding, and his obvious disdain for former Separatists. Fortunately for Obi Wan, Slayke had a built in respect for the Jedi though after serving along side of them through dozens of battles, on the ground and in space.
“I'm sorry General, it’s just so frustrating sitting around and waiting while the kriffing Empire does whatever it wants.”

“I understand Captain. This is one of the few times you’ll ever hear me say this but perhaps you could learn a little bit from the Neimoidians.”

Slayke’s mixed expression of confusion and disgust was nearly comical, but Obi Wan knew he had better have a good explanation. “Granted they’re as cowardly as a protocol droid but they spend their downtime before a fight doing one thing, they prepare themselves for the battle ahead so that when the battle is over they’ll have a better chance of coming home.”

“If they were real soldiers they wouldn’t fear dying. Don’t you Jedi have a saying about death?”

“There is no death. There is only the Force.” Obi Wan repeated almost instantly, the way he had been trained to do when he was an apprentice learning at the feet of Master Yoda. “You’re right. There is no reason to fear death, but let me as you this Captain. If we go into battle and you get yourself killed because of some manufactured need to release your pent up aggressions, what does that accomplish? You die for a noble cause but you didn’t do anything to advance it.”

Slayke hung his head in thought; Obi Wan wondered if this was the first time he had ever been told anything like that before. “It’s going to be hard to learn to cooperate with the Neimoidians, or the Skakoans, or the Muunilisti, or the Koorivar or whomever else fought with Count Dooku. But right now these species are being persecuted within the Empire and it won’t be long now before more steps against them are taken. They have put their faith in us by joining this alliance and we will honor both our commitment and our allies, just as you and Nejaa did.”

Obviously moved and at a loss for words Slayke simply saluted his General again. Obi Wan returned the salute as Slayke’s communicator was going off. He pulled the small device from his pocket and put it to his ear, Obi Wan couldn’t hear the conversation, but judging by his subordinate’s reaction it was good news.

“Yes! I don’t believe this! Turns out there’s a few disgruntled former members of the Banking Clan’s “loan enforcement division” with an extra load of torpedoes that we’re going to be getting within the next couple of hour. Them bald headed bean counters at the IBC decided to disband their department as a show of support for the Empire and these guys didn’t take kindly to losing their jobs. There should be enough for all of the fighters we need to load plus a handful of Hailfire droids. Never thought I’d be so happy to see any of those rolling through my front door.”

“Nice to know that even in times like these the Force still works in mysterious ways.” Obi Wan said, paraphrasing an old Jedi catchphrase. “You had better go deal with those shipments then Captain, we’ll be leaving soon. Remember what I told you though.

Slayke grumbled slightly under his breath but still managed a cocky smile as he looked back over his shoulder.

“Do I have to General?” Knowing full well what the response would be.
Obi Wan laughed. “Consider it an order.”

Roan Shryne and Quinlan Vos were both passengers aboard the Inferno, courtesy of the bounty hunter Vilmarh Grahk, better known in some circles as Villie. The two Jedi had never met before, and their careers had been much different. But they managed to get along well, and they found that they operated in similar manners. Each of them had significant connections and experience within the galactic underworld in many different regions. Each of them had their issues with the Jedi Order as well, yet still found theirs to be a worthy cause.

“So you turned down a job with acquisitions? I'm surprised, not too many Jedi ever turn down such an offer.”

“I'm surprised that so many Jedi would so readily accept such an assignment. I still get this gut wrenching feeling every time I think about it, and it’s only gotten worse since meeting my birth mother. It would have been especially awkward for you if the Order came around to you after the war wondering if they could sign Korto up.

Roan Shryne was probably one of three or four people left alive in the galaxy that could have gotten away with saying that to Quinlan’s face without suffering some form of injury. The political situation had gone from bad to worse at the worst possible time for the Kiffar Jedi. “I see what you mean.”

“Hey Jedi!” The heavily accented voice was Villie’s. “Inferno now entering Trigalis system. I still not know why Jedi would want to go there, mostly smugglers and vermin hanging around.”

“You mean beings like you?” Shryne quipped, eliciting a chuckle from Quinlan.

“Yes, like me, which is why you not really want to go there. Besides, much nicer on Borleias, southern hemisphere in summer right now you know, best resorts in the inner systems, many yum yums in skimpy outfits too ya?”

Villie was met with a pair of blank stares indicating that his attempt at humor had failed miserably. “Fine, fine, Villie would rather not get sunburned anyways. Still, I wonder what fugitive Jedi would be doing in New Coronet. After Jedi Kenobi bust up Xist’s stronghold the city be even less friendly than before, especially for Jedi.”

“That’s exactly why I’d expect to find Master Shadday there,” Shryne said. “Unless she has some suicidal ulterior motive then she’ll go wherever the Empire isn’t and wherever anyone wouldn’t expect to find Jedi. Before the Republic took Boz Pity, Master Secura had sent out a small note regarding Kenobi’s operation there. If I received it, then I'm sure Shadday received a similar briefing.”

Unknown to Shryne and Villie, the mention of the now deceased Master Aayla Secura tore through Quinlan like a knife, he kept his anguish hidden from his expression, but Shryne could have sworn he had heard Vos mutter something under his breath.

“Hokay, no more explanation needed. Just remember that not too many people in New Coronet like Villie, not many Devaronian females either. Better not spend long there.” Villie grumbled as the Inferno skimmed over the skies towards th New Coronet spaceport.

“We wont have to,” Shryne said with his eyes closed and a serene expression over his face. “I sense a presence in the Force, several of them.” He turned and looked towards Vos, “There are Jedi down there.”

Villie looked over at Shryne, who had moved over to look out at the planet through the main viewport, seemingly trying to pick out where to land in the city.

“How he know that?” Villie asked.

“Master Shryne is sort of a Jedi Kath Hound.” Vos explained in a low voice. “He can detect Force users better than anyone else in the Jedi Order.”

“Well why not anyone say so? If that is case then Villie no longer worried about this being a wild ibbot chase ya? Hokay, hokay, no more time for small talk is time to land the ship.”


With the Empire firmly in control of the galaxy and his New Order already entrenching itself deeply on Coruscant, Darth Sidious found it much easier to move about the world to his various strongholds. Already his office had begun requisitioning funds and properties within the capital, which would soon be rechristened Imperial Center by his own decree. No longer would he be forced to head deep underground into the works, utilizing improvised dungeons and storerooms. Now he could forward his schemes unquestioned and with the full might of his office behind him.

Since ascending to his throne and suffering his “disfigurement”, Darth Sidious could also avoid and deny his appearance to the endless throngs of Senators seeking an audience. That had been one of the biggest and most immediate benefits of the reorganization of the former Republic. Catering to those Senators regardless of their affiliation had been a test of even Sidious’ vast patience.

His shuttle took him to a little used platform high in the city skyline to the official Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center. Construction of this building had been slated for Jedi and clone troopers who would want to have their bodies restored to maximum functionality after the Clone Wars. But since Order 66 and the continuation of hostilities with the CIS Remnants, Palpatine had appropriated for his personal use to pursue some of his more sinister pet projects.

One of these projects he had hastily organized after it had become obvious that Darth Vader’s power was growing too fast to be kept fully under control and that his wife had become an obstacle to his Sith training. The Rule of Two prevented him from harboring another apprentice, but it did allow for Dark Side Adepts provided that they would eventually be disposed. Nor did it prevent him from pitting potential apprentices against each other either. One of Sidious’ personal assets had sat out most of the war on Coruscant after being taken out of commission early on. Before Sidious’ order to dispose of the incapacitated being had been carried out though, he reneged it, instead finding one last use.

Moving through the corridors past several unused surgical centers he came upon a more private room that was geared towards neural reconstruction. The medical had said that his charge showed no physical signs of trauma, and that there was nothing they could do. But the droids lacked the Force, and the specific knowledge of the subject’s condition.

The subject was in a healing trace, one far deeper than those used by the Jedi. While the subject remained in such a trace they would aware of their surroundings with the Force but unable to interact and sustained by extremely slowed life functions and the Force. The trace was so deep that it took another being powerful in the Force and with knowledge of the technique to awaken the user. Sith had used it for thousands of years to feign death, but the effect of this particular force technique drove users mad with isolation if they remained in isolation for too long.

Invisible tendrils of the force, saturated with the dark side reached into the subject’s mind and slowly but surely reactivated those parts of the central nervous system closed off. During the procedure, he was reminded of his lecture to Anakin in the opera house.

“The Dark Side is a path to many abilities some would consider unnatural.

The subject’s eyes opened for the first time in years, and even the dim lights of the surgical center were painful. But the time had come to be re awakened as the Dark Lord had promised all those years ago.

“We are successful my lord.” The voice spoke for the first time in years.

Sidious nodded. “You have served me well, Darth Cynyst, far better than that fool Tyranus. Thanks in part to your efforts the Jedi have been crushed and order is being restored to the galaxy. But there is still one more task you must complete before I can make you my apprentice.”

Darth Cynyst contemplated her master’s words. “Then there is a third after all.”

“By killing Tyranus, he rightfully took his place. However, you will have your chance to take Lord Vader’s place at my side.”

Cynyst clenched a fist, after sacrificing everything for the opportunity to become a Sith Lord and risking a potentially fatal encounter with the former apprentice Count Dooku, another had risen to take the prize instead.

“Who is this unworthy pawn my Lord, that I might crush him and claim what is mine.” Cynyst said, the Dark Side augmenting the threat with a venomous edge.

“He is known as Darth Vader, though should you attempt to discern his true identity I can guarantee that not only will I deny you the opportunity to become my apprentice, but I will also deny you a quick and painless death as well.”

Cynyst nodded, Lord Sidious never made idle threats. Satisfied with his potential apprentice’s obedience, he gave his order. “The Jedi may have been scattered but some of them are attempting to gather in secret. Divided they are of no concern but should they attempt to establish a hidden Jedi Order it would prove a dangerous threat to us.”

“I shall go then and disperse this gathering then my Master. The Jedi will be nothing more than fugitives across the spiral arms of the galaxy. I have craved the opportunity ever since my hibernation.”

Sidious gave one of his toothy smiles, revealing part of his gruesome features. “Your patience after all this time shall be rewarded. But we will allow the Jedi to gather for the time being. Tholme is a fool to believe that he can rebuild without my knowledge. He believes himself to be a great master of stealth and hiding, and his arrogance will doom him and anyone foolish enough to follow him. However your public identity will be enough to draw him out into the open. Wait here until I call upon you, and be sure to catch up current events. I have provided the necessary data to the computer terminal in this room as well as a legitimate cover story to explain your resurgence.”

“Yes my Master, I only have one question.” Cynyst waited until Lord Sidious nodded his approval before asking. “What was the fate of my former master?”

“Your concern about his fate is touching. Perhaps you feel some remorse at having betrayed him to entre my service?” Sidious enjoyed asking questions like these as a way of testing his follower’s intellect and loyalty.

“I only seek to satisfy my curiosity my Lord, in the end he could only be an obstacle to your plans for the galaxy. An obstacle I would gladly remove should it remain.

Sidious pondered his answer, hoping to cultivate the desired effect. “Your master was killed on the eve of the war’s end, by none other than Darth Vader. That was how he ascended to become my new apprentice and I will say nothing more. If for some reason you feel slighted at not having the chance to dispose of him yourself, then you can confront Lord Vader about it after you complete your next assignment. Then, and only then will you be given the chance to prove yourself once and for all”

Darth Cynyst bowed, “Your generosity is unmatched my lord. I humbly await your commands.”

Minutes later, Sidious was again in his shuttle traversing the air over Coruscant. As soon as his agents on New Coronet contacted him, he could put the wheels of Amidala’s death into motion.

[Stuart Mackey]

I demand more.

[Darth Fanboy]

I demand more.

And more you shall have. Chapter 15 is going along swimmingly as well.

[Darth Fanboy]

Chapter 14: Games of Chance

“So far we’ve received confirmations from almost every invited government; however there have been some notable exceptions. Chandrila, Mon Calamari, and Kestos Minor have all declined to attend, their official refusals were all quite polite but when I personally contacted their governments I was treated as if I had insulted their family members. Sern Prime won’t even bother to respond and all attempts to contact Senator Zar have been futile.”

Bail Organa massaged his aching forehead. He was busy finalizing the preparations for the Another Chance ceremony in his office within the The briefing given to him by Raymus Antilles, commander of the Tantive IV and brother in law of Queen Breha, was disappointing but not unexpected.

“It appears that Mon Mothma’s recent disliking of me has grown beyond personal. Their refusal to attend only singles them out further to the Empire. Speaking of which, has there been any word from the Imperial Representative? Will Sate Pestage be attending?”

Antilles handed a small datapad to Bail. “Look for yourself; we received this message less than an hour ago from the Emperor’s office himself. It appears that Supreme Commander Skywalker will be the Imperial delegate.”

Bail hadn’t expected that particular bit of information. “Why would they send him? According to the holonet there are still Separatist holdouts all over the Outer Rim, not to mention the fact that the man’s wife just gave birth to twins.” Antilles remained silent, but even Bail admitted that it was plainly obvious that the presence of Anakin Skywalker on Alderaan was upsetting him; he took a moment and caught his breath. “Do you think he suspects anything? If Skywalker knows that we saved the life of Obi Wan Kenobi we, not to mention all of Alderaan, are in incredible danger.”

“Not a chance,” Raymus said, “Nobody knows of Master Kenobi’s operation and disappearance other than the operating physicians, Master Yoda, and us. We’ve already circulated reports than General Ben Cody has resigned his commission out of disgust and has retired from active duty, so if anyone comes looking for either individual they will find nothing here.”

Bail clasped his hands behind his back and turned to a nearby window, looking out towards the sky hoping for any sort of answer. “I think we should see that those doctors are out of the city for the duration of the festivities. Contact the chief surgeon over at Galactic Polysapient and see if those physicians wouldn’t mind an impromptu holiday at the hot springs in Crevasse City.”

“I will see what I can do. The director and I go way back. Is there anything else I need to take care of for Skywalker’s arrival?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary, make sure the Repub…” Bail caught himself. “…Imperial embassy liaison is fully informed and let them know we’ll be happy to lend them anything they might need. When his ship arrives in orbit let me know personally so that I can meet him.”

“But sir, aren’t you concerned that doing so might make it appear that the government is catering to the Empire? Won’t meeting with the Supreme Commander of the military stir some animosity with the pacifist bloc?”

Bail turned back towards Antilles. “It can’t be avoided. If I take the time to play planetary politics now I’ll be putting a lot of lives in danger. I know I’ll be putting House Organa’s and House Antilles’ credibility at risk, but if it means that I can keep Alderaan safe from the Empire I’ll do so time and again.”

“I understand, and I’m sure Breha understands also.”

The two men shook hands and made their separate ways. While Raymus Antilles had officials business to take care of, Bail Organa needed some time alone to think.

“By the black stars, of all the people Palpatine could send, why does it have to be Skywalker?


An old saying in galactic politics expresses the notion that since pacifist governments don’t possesses great military support, they would instead build the government so big so that their existence would be the justification for a bureaucracy to keep them in power. Alderaan’s planetary government did little to dissuade that stereotype.

Prior to the Clone Wars Alderaan had maintained an “open atmosphere” policy for incoming and departing craft. The only role of government was to ensure that economic laws were upheld and to prevent against allowing diseases to spread to the rest of their planet, this all took place within the spaceports of the major cities though. Traditionally this had been the role of Alderaan’s Defense Forces. When war broke out the ADF expanded their powers, with the permission of the government, to allow for the armed defense of the Alderaan system and for the purpose of inspecting suspicious starships in space.

When the war ended and the Empire was born the strict pacifist hardliners pushed for a disbanding of Alderaan’s military altogether, and eventually several new civilian branches of government were organized. In time for the Another Chance ceremony, the Alderaanian Defense Force had already ceded their control of the planetary traffic control to a civilian agency. The newly established Alderaanian Planetary Access Control promised that they would work with regional and city enforcement agencies to provide the most stalwart watch over their world.

But these new watchmen had not the trained eye, the necessary experience, nor the same vigilance as the soldiers they replaced. Those factors, combined with an impressive array of stealth equipment, allowed Asajj Ventress’ ship to easily arrive on Alderaan safely, docking in a deregulated spaceport that relied on private employees. A few paid fees later and both Asajj Ventress and Aurra Sing were on their way to Relada, a small suburb of the capital city of Aldera.

They had been provided a safehouse by none other than Darth Sidious himself, who had provided them with a reservation at a modest inn near the city center. What the two didn’t know was that Darth Sidious was Emperor Palpatine, or that the reservations were made by agents of the Imperial Security Bureau.

Upon arriving at their suite Ventress unpacked an item that was part of Count Dooku’s collection, a mechno chair. The customized device held within it a hypercomm transceiver capable of reaching almost anywhere in the galaxy with a clear signal. It had been designed for the leaders of the Separatist Council, and it was how Sidious had managed to locate the errant Dark Acolyte after her disappearance from Republic custody. She keyed in a frequency, and before long the transparent blue image of Darth Sidious appeared before her. Ventress bowed, folding her arm under her chest and speaking in a humble voice.

“My lord, we have arrived on Alderaan as you commanded. We only wait for Skywalker to arrive so that we might tear him apart.”

“Your time will come soon. But the two of you are not enough to defeat Skywalker; even since the death of Lord Tyranus he has continued to grow more powerful.”

Ventress clenched the hand of her folded arm into a fist, drawing blood from her palm with her fingernails.

“Skywalker is a walking hypocrisy. His failure to kill me and his service to the Jedi makes him weak. When the time comes he will die.” Ventress growled. In the background, Aurra Sing stood out of sight, herself angry at Sidious’ comments that their combined strength would not be enough.

“Relax young one,” Sidious said, “You will not fail. I am sending my new apprentice, Darth Vader, to assist you. He will arrive in Relada on the eve before the ceremony. Lord knows of your presence, he will seek you out when it is the right moment.”

Ventress wanted to lash back, to draw her blade and cut through the image in front of her but wisely chose not to. She had suffered greatly at the hands of Count Dooku; she could only imagine what Sidious was capable of. “I hear and obey, my master.”

“Good, then I will hear nothing more of it. When the task is finished you and the bounty hunter will be allowed to deal with Lord Vader however you see fit. That is, if you still wish to become a Sith.”

The transmission ended and Asajj rose to her feet. Sing could tell through the Force that Asajj felt insulted, but that she was satisfied with the outcome. Not one to take risks, Aurra came up from behind Asajj and pointed a blaster at her ersatz partner’s head. “Is that what this is all about? You killing everyone in your path on your way to becoming a Sith? I wonder, when we have finished would you betray me as easily as you would this Lord Vader?”

“Only if you should give me reason to do so, I saw how easily Count Dooku betrayed his minions. He was an aristocratic coward without honor who was little better than the Jedi he claimed to despise. When Skywalker is dead you will be free to go, I will handle Vader as I see fit and that will be the end of our relationship.”

Placated, Aurra tossed the blaster aside but maintained her poise and reached for her newly constructed lightsaber. But Ventress never even reached for her dual blades as she moved out onto the balcony of their room and looked to the early evening sky. Soon the sun would set, and night would begin. Ventress felt it would make the perfect background for the death of her hated rival.


“I'm starting to think that your abilities are a little overrated Roan.”

The Jedi excursion into New Coronet had led them through a slew of nasty cantinas and questionable establishments unlike anything either of the two Jedi had ever seen. The trail Shryne and been following in the Force emptied into a deserted section of the city. The area’s automated services, including sewage and power, had cut out after years of neglect. Even the more hardened thugs and criminals in New Coronet avoided it, and many of the buildings were overgrown with various fauna.

The building Quinlan Vos and Roan Shryne had been abandoned even longer than most; even the insides were saturated with plant life. The abundance of life had made it more difficult to seek out the Force presences left by Jedi.

“If you’re so frustrated why don’t you check it out for yourself, you’re the Kiffar.”

Shryne was referring to Quinlan’s psychometric abilities, which gave him the ability to mentally read objects, it was present in all Kiffar but Quinlan’s abilities were enhanced by the Force. He crouched to one knee and placed his open palm on the ground, as he closed his eyes he began having a vision. There was only dim light, but he could make out the silhouettes of at least three beings. The three continued moving through the shadows and into the next chamber.

“You’re right, somebody came through here recently. I couldn’t tell exactly who it was though,” Quinlan said, his eyes opening and sight returning to him gradually.

“Here’s a clue.” Came a low and unsettling voice from the darkness behind Quinlan. Before he could react a powerful fist tore its way through the air and collided with his head, knocking him to the floor.

“QUINLAN!” Shryne yelled as his lightsaber came to life. Using the Force he propelled himself towards the now visible alien. It was a large blue hulk of a being at least a full head taller than either he or Quinlan Vos. In the split second before Shryne’s blade could reach his target the alien moved with surprising agility and sidestepped. Shryne recovered and adopted a defensive stance with his lightsaber, only to be shocked when his opponent ignited a double bladed green lightsaber.

Immediately Shryne knew that he had found one of the wayward Jedi and ceased his attack, but that didn’t mean the fight was over as the large blue Jedi charged forward. The bright green flashes weapon nearly blinded Shryne, who also struggled to match the raw power of the attacks. Shryne tried to use his agility to his advantage, but the confined room was hampering his efforts to evade and he found himself backed into a corner.

His opponent charged and Shryne braced himself for the pain when he saw the attacker tumble sideways. Another green blade appeared and its light revealed Quinlan Vos, who had just delivered a devastating kick to the unknown Jedi’s midsection.

“Oh good. I thought you were going to sleep through the entire fight.” Shryne quipped sarcastically.

Quinlan raised his blade and cocked his head slightly. “Well I was going to let you handle it, but as usual it’s Quinlan to the rescue.”

“I’ll remember that the next time you get blindsided and your head bounces off the duracrete.”

The three Jedi stood at the ready, with Quinlan and Shryne slowly circling and trying to find a flaw in their enemy’s defense. Before either of them could take the offensive however, another voice brought an end to the battle. The three fighters turned to see a petite human woman enter the chamber, adorned in flowing white robes with short and braided hair.

“It’s all right Master Farr, I recognize these two men and they’re on our side. If I may suggest that we deactivate the lightsabers please, they will be bound to attract unwanted attention.”
Quinlan clipped his lightsaber back to his belt and gave a small bow. “I recognize you from Tholme’s description. It is good to meet you at last Master Shadday.”

“Actually Master Vos, we have met before, but since it was before your bout of amnesia I'm willing to forgive you.” Shadday smiled and returned Quinlan’s bow. “Tell me Master Vos, how was it you were able to track us down?”

Quinlan simply pointed over at Shryne, who stepped forward and bowed his head slightly as well. “Master Roan Shryne at your service.”

“Ah of course. You know I spent a few years working in acquisitions and there was still at least one or two old masters that couldn’t understand why you turned down the job.”

Shryne’s expression soured, but Shadday was quick to reassure him. “I wouldn’t let it get to you. Every day I had to spend following up on hospital reports and midiclorian counts I wished I could get out of it. Unfortunately he only way I could do so gracefully was to agree to accept a commission as a General in the Grand Army. But that is a story for another time, come, I will introduce you to the others.”

Shadday held up her arm to point the way, and the four Jedi filed out of the room in silence.


Obi Wan remembered the last time he had been on the bridge of a Trade Federation capital ship, during the battle with General Grievous aboard the deteriorating Invisible Hand . Now Obi Wan sat in the same location where Grievous would have sat aboard his former flagship, carrying out the deaths of billions from high above. Obi Wan looked down at his body, the irony not lost on him that now he was the half mechanical leader of an insurrection against the legitimate government of the galaxy.

The time for idle thoughts was past him though as his task force emerged from hyperspace in the uncharted Aowi system. Obi Wan activated the switch allowing him to transmit orders to the ships under his command.

“Deploy all droid fighters, divide by half squadrons and initiate recon pattern theta. Keep the Vultures closer to the ships and have the Tri Fighters cover our z-axis. At the first sign of any Imperial ships, even if it’s just a patrol ship, we retreat. You’re all under orders not to engage unless any of your lives are actually threatened.”

Slayke shouted over his shoulder as he stood behind the navigation console. “Give ‘em hell general. Say, you sure seem to know what you want to do with them toy fighters.”

“I flew against enough of them to know how useful they can be.”

Slayke opened his mouth to say something again but Obi Wan was able to cut him off. “Save it for another time captain, we have business to take care of. You can ask me more about my part in the war over a couple of drinks afterwards.

“But how did you know what I was going to, oh yeah, Jedi. Sorry sir, I forgot about the whole mind…trick…thing.”

Obi Wan nodded and Slayke returned to his current task of monitoring the situation and keeping an eye out for any new developments. Although it would have been customary for Obi Wan to remain on the bridge, there was a nagging sensation Obi Wan felt in the Force and he needed some time alone to sort it out. HE felt confident in leaving Slayke in charge until things began to pan out. It was obvious that the former militiaman knew how to run the bridge of a starship and Obi Wan was going to let him do just that.

“Captain Slayke you have the bridge. If anything happens I’ll be in the briefing room, be sure to contact me immediately should you pick up anything noteworthy on sensors.”


Slayke saluted and claimed Obi Wan’s seat as soon as the cybernetic Jedi had left the room. Obi Wan made his way towards the briefing room, knowing that he would be of little help until the time for action actually came about. Until then he could either make his bridge crew uneasy by sitting idly on the bridge, or he could use some of the down time to clear his head and be better prepared for the upcoming operation. As Obi Wan cleared his head and immersed himself in the Force, he improved his understanding of his condition. His ability to use the Force had not been diminished, and the damage to his body remained physical. He learned that his feel of the Force had been numbed. His power was undiminished, but his feel of the Force was not as strong, it had taken some work but Obi Wan had adapted to his new body and learned to compensate by refining his control.

As the Force drew to him, he began to have visions, most of them of the present. He could see the engineers working in the decks below him maintaining the great ship’s engines, he could smell food being cooked in the galley for those crewmen not on active duty, he could hear the bridge crew and Captain Slayke conversing back and forth as new readings came in and the task force finished its deployment.

Soon his thoughts began to wander to the past, to battles that had been fought by a much different man than he. The fiery end he nearly met on Mustafar, just as victory was in his grasp. The sound thrashing he had taken on Geonosis and the helplessness he felt as his Padawan was utterly beaten by Count Dooku, a beating that cost him a limb and helped steer him on the path towards darkness. The costly victory he had won on Naboo, the day his Master was killed by a Sith. Qui Gon Jinn was not the last Jedi nor the last friend of Obi Wan’s that would fall victim to the Sith, but his death still brought pain to his heart. Every day Obi Wan looked to Qui Gon’s wisdom for guidance, and some days he thought he could even hear the words of his old Master as if he were standing next to him.

"You've turned into a great leader Obi Wan, you should have more confidence in yourself."

Obi Wan felt incredibly strange, that time he could have sworn that he had actually heard Qui Gon’s voice, and not just a vision of the past.

"Focus Obi Wan, tune your mind and open yourself to the living Force."

“Master Jinn?” Obi Wan said aloud. ”That was more than just a vision.” He thought to himself. Obi Wan still felt compelled to listen though, and as he released his anchor to consciousness and allowed the Force to flow freely to him, the image of Qui Gon Jinn slowly began to materialize near him.

“Are you surprised to see me? Reach out with your feelings should you have any doubts.”

Obi Wan did have his doubts, but as a Jedi he had seen so many strange and inexplicable things throughout the galaxy he also found it very difficult not to believe. Reaching out with the Force, he sensed what seemed like a beacon of light right in front of him, and from within that beacon was the presence of Qui Gon Jinn. While it lacked that physical feel that would normally be emanating from a living being, there was no doubt to Obi Wan that it could only be his old Master.

Obi Wan had been a senior member of the Jedi Council and a teacher for a number of years. But once again, in the presence of the man who had trained him, he felt like a student again.

“I told you that you would become a great Jedi, and you should know that you have far exceeded what anyone could have expected from you.” Qui Gon said, his ethereal form moving closer to Obi Wan.

Obi Wan relaxed slightly, he was surprised that he could actually hear Qui Gons voice just as he remembered it from all those years ago. But that realization puzzled him slightly.

“It is good to see you again Master, but I'm not sure I understand.”

“You wish to know why your sensory equipment can detect me?”

Obi Wan nodded and Qui Gon raised his arms slightly, stretching them out. “Do not let your eyes deceive you Obi Wan, what you are interacting with is most certainly real, but that does not mean it exists.”

The words were well spoken, and Obi Wan started to understand. “You’re speaking to me directly through the Force, I only perceive you through the equipment because that is how my mind is interpreting you.”

“Qui Gon nodded with a smile, as he had always done when answering Yes to a question. “For the time being I can interact with beings so long as they have a strong connection to the Force.”

“For the time being?” Obi Wan asked, concerned.

“The secret to immortality, and to maintain one’s conscious self after death is not beyond the scope of the power of a Jedi Master. One day I will be able to show you how to achieve it.” The spectre of Quin Gon paused briefly and hung his head solemnly. “But to interact with the material plane of existence from where I am is but a temporary privilege. I can only guide you for as long as the Force allows, maintaining my presence any longer would be unnatural. The Force has a task for you Obi Wan, possibly greater than any task that any Jedi has ever undertaken.”

Obi Wan was beside himself, during his life he had constantly been in situations where things had gone from bad to worse, and just when it seemed one crisis was ending another one was brewing.

“Forgive me Master, I'm not doubting you. But are you speaking of the rebellion itself, or do you mean the rebuilding of the Jedi Order?”

“Ultimately I am speaking of neither, although those two goals might be sought in pursuit of the larger one. Tell me, do you remember what I told you about the nature of the Force?”

Obi Wan thought hard, back to some of his earliest memories upon earning the title of Padawan.


“The Force is the binding energy of the entire universe, it provides the universe with balance. What we consider the Light Side of the Force is that part of the Force which seeks to create balance with the primal and instinctual side of the universe, also known as the Dark Side.”

Qui Gon’s stood with his hands folded within the sleeves of his robes, assessing the responses of his Padawan, behind him were the great windows of the Temple providing a scenic view of the Coruscant skyline. “And why is this balance between Light and Dark important?” He asked

“The universe is inherently balanced, but life is inherently skewed towards the Dark Side of the Force. The overwhelming desire to survive is driven by the self. Although this desire is necessary for life it can have a negative influence on the world around it. The Light Side of the Force counters these desires by doing what it can to preserve life by creating order and harmony.” Obi Wan recited perfectly from his Master’s previous lectures.

Qui Gon looked down at Obi Wan, a look of disapproval on his face. “One day, Padawan, you will be faced with the meaning to the answer of the question. When the time comes I hope you can take this lesson to heart. The difference between knowledge and wisdom can’t be learned by simply remembering what you have been taught, but by gaining a fundamental understanding of the issue at hand and expanding on it.”


The memory was clear and vivid, and Obi Wan took a split second before realizing that he was an adult again, and confined within a life-preserving suit. “I remember Master. Palpatine has upset the balance of the Force.”
Qui Gon smiled again, beaming with pride. “You have remembered your lessons well indeed, you’re one of the few Jedi Council members I have ever met that still holds their teachers in such high respect.”

Obi Wan smirked behind his mask, “A maverick until the end.” he thought to himself. If Qui Gon had sensed that particular thought, he didn’t show it as he continued.

“The Sith conquering the galaxy is not a new concept by any means, but the way Palpatine has done it has shaken the fragile balance of the Force. The longer the balance goes without being restored, the harder and longer it will take to restore it. It would happen eventually, but until that day the galaxy will suffer. Dark times will fall upon every living thing under Sith rule. Anakin was supposed to be the one to restore that balance, but something has gone terribly wrong. I cannot explain any further, but this imbalance is the direct cause of your pain, and will be the cause of pain on a much greater scale.”

Obi Wans response was in his “matter-of-fact” voice, the one he had used so often when coming to solutions. “Then there is only one thing left that I can do Master, I swear on my life as a Jedi that I will restore balance to the Force.”

Qui Gon smiled and placed his hand on Obi Wan’s shoulder. It was not there, but Obi Wan swore he could feel it. “I know you will honor your commitment, and I know you will strive harder knowing fully what needs to be done.”

“Thank you Master Jinn, I am grateful for your wisdom. I will do whatever it takes, you have my word.”

“Beware Obi Wan, the Sith have always been skilled at manipulating people into making sacrifices. You may find yourself many times in a position where you or someone you know is willing to die for what they believe is right, but all they do is further the Sith cause. Do not make any such sacrifice until you know that such an act will have meaning in the end.” Qui Gon turned and walked away, stepping slowly.

“Master, wait, there is one other thing I must know.” Obi Wan said, his words reaching out through the air to prevent Qui Gon from leaving. Qui Gon did not turn around, but merely turned his head to the side as if to listen closer.
“Was Anakin…Is Anakin still the Chosen One?”

Qui Gon’s head hung low, and he turned his head from Obi Wan’s direction, facing directly away.

“Anakin…should have been, as I said something has gone wrong. He may still yet be the one to restore balance but the prophecy is now in doubt. There is one other prophecy though you might be interested in hearing.”

Without warning Qui Gon’s ghost began to fade, and Obi Wan‘s perception of him was fading with it. As he vanished Qui Gon spoke of the other prophecy.

“There is an ancient saying smongst the Whills. Those who look to the Sky, know that the Sun is higher and brighter…”

As mysteriously as he appeared, Qui Gon was gone. And Obi Wan was left beside himself force dto ponder the meaning of his master’s teachings. Some time had passed, and Obi Wan felt that he should head back towards the bridge, driven by a newfound urge to oversee the operation personally.

[Sean Mulligan]

Ventress must be very stupid if she cannot figure out that Anakin is Darth Vader being that he is the only Jedi who serves the Empire.

[Darth Fanboy]

Ventress must be very stupid if she cannot figure out that Anakin is Darth Vader being that he is the only Jedi who serves the Empire.

Two things:

-Nobody knows Anakin is a Sith except for Yoda, Obi Wan, Sidious, and Bail Organa, to a lesser extent Amidala knows but she doesn't know just how far he has actually fallen.

-Why should Ventress automaticlaly assume Anakin = Vader in this scenario? Palpatine/Dooku have had a number of Force wielding assets before that weren't necessairly Jedi, she doesn't know Anakin has actually become his apprentice. You and other readers have the benefit of knowledge that very few people in this timeline actually have. Then there is one other fact, *SPOILER*Anakin is not the only Jedi who serves the Empire, but we'll address that later.

[Sean Mulligan]

Ventress must be very stupid if she cannot figure out that Anakin is Darth Vader being that he is the only Jedi who serves the Empire.

Two things:

-Nobody knows Anakin is a Sith except for Yoda, Obi Wan, Sidious, and Bail Organa, to a lesser extent Amidala knows but she doesn't know just how far he has actually fallen.

-Why should Ventress automaticlaly assume Anakin = Vader in this scenario? Palpatine/Dooku have had a number of Force wielding assets before that weren't necessairly Jedi, she doesn't know Anakin has actually become his apprentice. You and other readers have the benefit of knowledge that very few people in this timeline actually have. Then there is one other fact, *SPOILER*Anakin is not the only Jedi who serves the Empire, but we'll address that later.

*Spoiler* Is it Jerec from the Valley of the Jedia?

[Darth Fanboy]

[rant] No it's not Jerec, I hate Jerec, I will probably have Jerec end up as a a pincushion for Anakin later in the series [/rant]

Seriously though, no it's not Jerec. Something that will be much more unexpected.

[GeneralTacticus]

If memory serves, Jerec didn't sign up with the Empire until later on anyway. He spent the Clone Wars searching the Unknown Regions for information on ancient cultures, and didn't return until some unspecified time after the establishment of the Empire.

[Edward Yee]

I'm going to look seeing Ventress' reaction when -- or rather, if -- she puts two and two together...

Good rest of the chaoter, btw, despite the omission in the most recent chapter of Mothma other than a mention by Bail, Anakin in person, Amidala, etc., since you're covering multiple and separate individuals. I will admit that your change in perspectives is (still) giving me a good understanding of how things are proceeding.

[Darth Fanboy]

Chapter 15: Breaking Point

Although Bail Organa had tried his best, the Alderaanian media eventually received word that Anakin Skywalker would be arriving on the eve of the Another Chance ceremony as the official representative of the Galactic Empire. Speculation as to the source of the leak ranged from gossiping Palace guards all the way to high ranking Imperial Officials such as Sate Pestage. It didn’t matter; the reaction was the same either way.

Massive crowds numbering in the tens of thousands flooded the route between the main Aldera spaceport and the Royal Residence. The Defense Force could not adequately protect the route and were forced to bring in reserves drawn on local law enforcement, this had proved incredibly embarrassing to the recently downsized Defense Forces, and the Imperialist minority in the planetary government would later use the insufficient number of troops in support of a measure that would put an Imperial Garrison on Alderaan.

In the late evening the light of the sun was slowly being replaced by city lights. When the Theta class shuttle used by high ranking members of the Imperial government landed the massive crowd became frantic. It was divided almost evenly between fans of the famed General Skywalker, and anti-war protestors outraged by the reorganization of the former Republic.

Anakin emerged from the shuttle flanked by several troopers from the 501st Legion, which had been directly assigned to the General and given the nickname “Skywalker’s Fist.” Led by one of the most decorated Clone Commanders, also known as Appo, they were among the most recognizable elements of the Empire’s ground forces, especially after their legion had entered the Jedi Temple and emerged victorious.

“General,” Appo said, Anakin’s most recent military rank remained his current honorific, “Senator Organa’s caravan will arrive in a few moments and the crowd is growing restless. It might be best if we wait inside the shuttle, let me call for some more troops to secure the route.”

Anakin shook his head dismissively. “I appreciate your concern Commander, but this crowd does not concern me. More troops would only incite them even more.”

“Right sir, sorry sir.” Appo said in the all-familiar voice of Jango Fett.

“Do not apologize,” Anakin turned his head towards the commander. “I respect your insights, and I want you and your men to respect me without fear.” The former Jedi chuckled a bit. “Let’s save the motivational fear for incompetent fleet and intelligence officers now shall we?”

That roused a small laugh from Appo himself, which lasted shortly until the trooper was hit in the head by a rock, which harmlessly bounced off of his helmet but definitely caught his attention as he started swearing.

“What the kriff?”

Suddenly stones and other debris were coming from multiple directions and fighting began to break out between the mixed factions of the crowd. One dangerous and jagged piece of debris went flying right at Anakin’s head as his back was turned.

In the blink of an eye Anakin had drawn his lightsaber and spun one hundred eighty degrees, deflecting the rock away in an incredibly fluid motion that left onlookers stunned. With the few troopers accompanying Anakin dispersed and the Alderaanian guards desperately trying to maintain order, one man leaped over a roped off barrier, drawing a hand blaster from his robes and pointing it directly at Anakin.

“I don’t care who you are! You’re nothing more than one of Palpatine’s puppets! Down with the Empire!”

The man had somehow managed to get hold of a Blastech DLT-13. It was an older model currently out of service in any armed forces but widely in use by many private security forces across the galaxy. Heavily prized on the black market for their stopping power, most beings wouldn’t have a chance surviving an up close barrage without specialized armor or shielding. The unknown assailant pulled the trigger and a rapid burst of shots flew towards Anakin.

The crimson blade flashed brilliantly as Anakin’s arm moved with astonishing speed. Every one of the blaster bolts had been deflected harmlessly away from the crowd, except for the last one, which was, reflected right back at the attacker, catching him in the midsection. The attacker died painfully as the effects of the blaster cooked his internal organs and lit his robes on fire, creating a putrid smell that caused onlookers downwind to back away.

The crowd was now silenced save for sporadic cheers of approval from those who celebrated Anakin’s arrival. Many of the anti war protestors were shocked, and disgusted at the act of violence committed supposedly on their behalf. Those sections of the crowd began to partially disperse, what few that remained were far more docile than they had been when the shuttle landed. A pair of clone troopers carried the body away just as the first elements of the Senatorial convoy began to arrive. With the arrival of the Senator, who was also the planet’s Prince Consort, more guards were surround the area where the incident had took place, but by then it was too late to prevent anything.

Before he got out of his speeder, Bail cursed under his breath. “The media is going to have a field day with this, and our planet plays itself further into Palpatine’s hands.” He stepped out of the speeder and before he could react he was greeted with a very angry looking Anakin Skywalker, who was still clutching his deactivated lightsaber in his right hand. Bail held back his fear long enough, only slightly comforted by the fact that he knew Anakin could not kill him outright. Not while Bail Organa still appeared to be loyal to the New Order, and not while he was a friend to his beloved wife. “Master Skywalker, allow me to…”

“That title is no longer appropriate Senator, or did you require a closer look at the temple the night we were all betrayed by the Jedi Order?”

Bail’s anxiety grew, the clones had indeed reported him to their superiors and it was likely that Skywalker knew that Bail was witness to the murder of a Jedi Padawan, gunned down by clone troopers on a platform outside the burning Jedi Temple.

“Your explanations do not concern me Senator, what does concern me is the fact that your security forces failed to prevent an assault on my troopers and I.”

Bail was now completely intimidated, and Anakin knew it. Still, he used every reserve of courage he had to keep himself from losing his composure. “I do apologize General Skywalker. We’ve recently been forced to decrease the size of our ground based defense forces as well as the Alderaanian fleet. If we had been notified of your arrival sooner, we could have had more security in place.”

Anakin glared at Bail menacingly. “If I were you Senator I would quit making excuses for your planet and start making sure that everything goes according to your agenda tomorrow. I promise you that if your guards cannot keep the crowds in line for the ceremony I will personally oversee the construction of a garrison in this city.”

Bail was shocked at Anakin’s reply, and he was even more shocked when he found himself arguing with him. “You can’t do that! Palpatine would never allow it! What would Amidala say?”

Anakin did not move even one inch, but somehow Bail felt his neck in a terrible vice and the flow of oxygen to his lungs ceased. He wanted to reach his hands to his throat but he could not, they were locked to his sides as if he had been bound in chains.

“Do not mention her name!” Anakin threatened. “If it hadn’t been for people like you…” Anakin’s voice trailed off, and his grip on Bail relaxed until finally the Senator could breathe again. Anakin clipped his lightsaber to his belt and warned Bail. “Do not underestimate my resolve Senator; your position is far weaker than you would think. The Empire has brought the peace and order that your former sycophants on this planet have craved. If you want to remain in a position where you think you might be able to do good I suggest that you honor your commitment to the Empire by going over your security plans meticulously, or should I contact Coruscant and inform them that you are being less than cooperative?”

“No…that will not be necessary, I assure you that security will be stepped up tomorrow.” Bail stammered out.

“Good. When you have finished with your revisions see to it that Commander Appo has a chance to review them. He was struck by one of the protestors and I'm sure if there are any flaws he will be able to correct them, don’t worry about recalling additional soldiers to the capital though, I have more troops coming in from my Star Destroyer that will be more than happy to do the job once they found out that their brethren were pelted by rocks.”

Bail wanted to argue desperately, but he no longer could. Anakin had made it perfectly clear that he would have his way and nothing anyone on Alderaan would be able to stop him, there was no time to take it up in the Senate and anyone that might have supported his cause had followed Mon Mothma in alienating him. Bail Organa stood alone. There was only one thing that reassured him, the fact that Obi Wan Kenobi had left Alderaan for parts unknown, and that Anakin would not find him.


Less than an hour later Anakin was comfortably within the Imperial Embassy, with soldiers of the 501st guarding the perimeter and the sensors on the Star Destroyer in orbit monitoring the entire building carefully. The ornate interior of the embassy had been stripped of the old décor that prominently featured the insignia and colors of the Republic and were still in the midst of being replaced with proper Imperial furnishings.

Anakin’s suite was at the top floor with a balcony that had an amazing view of the Palace complex; in the distance Anakin could actually see the spaceport, and the late traffic that still poured through the city’s sky despite the late hour. It was still much different than Coruscant; it reminded him more of Theed. As they always had before, thoughts of Naboo always led back to Padme, and Anakin felt the emptiness inside of him for the first time since he had set foot on the planet.

Almost on cue came the chirping sound from the holonet projector inside. He walked in through the balcony gate and into the main living area of the suite, activating the projector display in the middle of the table at the center of the room. As the image came into focus, the image of Palpatine stood life sized before him. Within the security of the suite, and with the protection of some of the best Imperial holo-encryption, they could speak not as Skywalker and Palpatine, but as Sidious and Vader. “Greetings, my Master.” Vader said as he bowed on one knee.

“Arise Lord Vader.” The image of Sidious motioned.

“Yes my Master.” Vader rose to his feet and his tension eased slightly, he was not used to such displays of humility.

“I hear your reception on Alderaan was met with some difficulty my friend.”

“Nothing that I couldn’t handle Master,” Vader said, “Senator Organa is still desperate to try and convince you that he is as loyal as he claims to be.”

Sidious clasped his hands together, an expression Vader recognized as one of satisfaction/ “As well he should. Organa’s partners in treason have abandoned him completely; he has no other alternative but to give in. Soon Alderaan will be firm within our grasp and will no longer be able to rise against us. After all, it is far better to possess rather than destroy, wouldn’t you agree Lord Vader?”

Vader did not miss the subtle reference to his wife, but chose to ignore it; even Sidious wouldn’t dare and move against Padme. He was still growing stronger by the day and as soon as he had the knowledge he needed he would rise up against Palpatine, maybe even offering him a chance to abdicate out of respect for all he had done.

“I concur Master. But politics and traitorous senators are not why I am here.”

Sidious smiled. “Of course, I can sense the hatred within you. Asajj Ventress and Aurra Sing are hiding out in one of the city suburbs, under assumed identities. I am transmitting their aliases and their location to you. You may dispense of them at your convenience. ” The order was given with Sidious knowing full well that Vader would pursue the assignment as soon as the transmission was over.

“It is my most fervent wish.” Vader said, his eyes possessing a sinister yellow glow.

“Then do what must be done Lord Vader, eliminate this threat and preserve the New Order.”

The transmission faded, and Anakin immediately began opening the files Palpatine had sent him and transferred them to a data card. When he had finished, he made his way out of his suite and outside where a pair Imperial military speeders lay dormant. After informing Appo of his temporary absence and ordering him not to reveal that fact to anyone who asked, Anakin sped off towards the suburbs, his rage feeding the Dark Side.


“I decided to come to New Coronet after our conclave on Kessel was discovered. The Empire moved much quicker than I expected.” Shadday explained. They had finally navigated the maze of darkened rooms and hallways using only the Force and now came upon the dim light of a glow-lamp in a windowless room. Inside were five other Jedi who had escaped with Shadday and Jastus Farr from Kessel.

“I am surprised. All seven of you managed to escape.” Roan said, impressed at his comrades survivability.

“Unfortunately we numbered eight on Kessel, Master Kofi Aranna was killed as we made our escape,” Jastus Farr said, his deep voice mournful as he spoke. “He suffered from terrible grief when the Clone Troopers betrayed us the first time. He was on Saleucami, with Master Plo Koon.”

Shryne and Vos were still a little puzzled; they had not known Master Aranna well or anything about his background. Shadday elaborated. “He was Padawan to Master Koon, but that was not the only reason for his distress. His first Padawan, who had just been elevated to Knighthood, was killed along with his current Padawan in the same betrayal. His last hours were full of sadness; we can only hope that he has found peace with the Force.”

That had explained it. The bond between teacher and student was a very deep one within the Jedi Order. That type of shock was not an everyday occurrence; even throughout the war no Jedi had suffered that kind of loss since Geonosis. Of those few Jedi that had suffered a similar loss at Geonosis, many refused to accept the order to return to Coruscant and become Jedi, some fell to the Dark Side.

Shryne himself had lost both his former Master and his Padawan in the arena, and he did his best to hold back his own feelings. “I know, what it must have been like.” He said, offering his sympathies.

Shadday put a hand on his shoulder. “His sacrifice was not in vain though. He managed to die while causing a massive cave in deep within the mines. The Empire may never even discover the body. As a result we managed to escape here. I read the reports of Master Kenobi and Master Secura’s mission here and noted that it could be an excellent place to go into hiding.”

The other Jedi were now more closely gathered around. Shadday introduced them. Master Roblio Darte, who lost his eye while leading his troops on Parcelus Minor. Sia Lan Wezz, a Knight who had only recently achieved that rank. Master Ma’kis’ Shaalas, a member of the Nikto species, Master Bultar Swan, who had fought in the arena on Geonosis and served with distinction throughout the war,. Master Tsui Choi, a small alien about the same size as Yoda and an Ataro master as well.

“…and you’ve already met Master Farr and I. Now the question is, why are you two here? Sneaking around in the shadows is unbefitting a pair of Jedi Masters.” Shadday asked.

“These are desperate times; we’ve had to work just as hard as you to stay in secret.” Shryne countered.

Quinlan pulled a small recording device from his belt, “Tholme thought you might be doubtful of us, considering my reputation and your unfamiliarity with Master Shryne we can’t really blame you either.” Quinlan tossed the recorder over to Bultar Swan, who was standing next to Shadday. As she caught it, her finger triggered the play function, and the image of Tholme sprung to life.

“To Whom It May Concern, this is Master Tholme. There is an encryption seal at the bottom of this device with an encryption seal used only by the Jedi Council.

Hopefully the two Masters acting as couriers for this message have survived their journey and delivered this to you in good health. Our group is small in number yet strong in will. We have established a sanctum at the Jedi ruins on Telos. Any and all members of the Jedi Order are welcome to join us.”

The wayward Jedi looked at each other, their hopes lifted by this sudden opportunity. Before discussion could begin Quinlan cut them off.

“Wait, there’s more.” Quinlan motioned towards the recorder with his hand as the voice of Tholme continued speaking.

“Should this message reach Master Shadday, it is imperative that I speak with her immediately regarding one of our contingency plans. Let her know that now is the time for Operation Exile.”

The message ended, Shadday took the recording from Master Swan and examined it as if she had been looking for it for some time.

“Regardless of what my colleagues decide,” She said. “I must travel to Telos.”

Tsui Choi moved beside Shadday, and placed a small hand on her back. “We all will, the Jedi will stand together even if we are the last of our order.” Tsui Choi’s words were met with agreement from the other Masters.

Shryne clapped his hands together; their mission had been a success. “Excellent. One question though Master Vos, how are we all going to fit on Grahk’s ship?”

Shadday dismissed that notion almost immediately. “That should not be a concern, I have a ship of my own that can accommodate all of us. It’s an old YT-1300, it doesn’t have much firepower and it has the same parts it did when it came off the line but it’s serviceable. I'm currently berthed in docking bay 49 at what passes for the New Coronet spaceport.”

“Sounds good,” Shryne spoke up and looked over to Quinlan. “You want to ride with them or with Villie?”

“You tag along with them,” Quinlan replied. “I’ll go on ahead and make sure everything’s clear, I’ve got this nagging sensation like we need to get out of here soon. When I reach the spaceport I’ll give you the clear sign and you can make your way through the city.”

It didn’t take long for Quinlan to get going, after the Jedi had exchanged parting gestures he had began making his way out of the abandoned complex and towards New Coronet, that terrible feeling growing bigger by the moment, gnawing at the back of his mind.


Amidala pushed the hover-stroller leisurely through the gardens at her new family’s new residence, which had been given the unofficial nickname “Skywalker Ranch” by local residents. The estate was sizeable even by Coruscant standards. Senator Viento had purchased the property and constructed the mansion itself late in his first term of office when it became apparent that he was going to win re-election, something he would do time and again despite allegations of corruption and money laundering. It had been ironic when he was assassinated, revealed to have given government secrets to the Confederacy of Independent Systems.

A protocol droid, purchased by Anakin before his mission to Alderaan and intended to replace C-3P0, soon came up behind her, emitting a small chime to announce its’ presence. Although it looked similar, it was far less obnoxious than the high-strung C-3P0 and rarely spoke. However, Padme had grown to prefer the unique quirks of her former assistant.

“My Lady, forgive my intrusion but there is a transmission for you on the holocomm. It is urgent.” The droid said, it was the same voice, but much more calm and in a slightly lower tone.

Padme stopped pushing the stroller and walked around to the other side, looking down at her children and lowering her head down to play with them. Ever since her being ousted from her Senatorial position she had been inundated with media requests for interviews, as well as social calls from some of Coruscant’s elite hoping to be able to attach their reputations to the famed Skywalkers. “Unless it’s an emergency please take a message and apologize for me. I'm with the children right now and I’d rather not be disturbed.”

The droid did not even flinch, and wasted little time replying. “Milady, the transmission is from Emperor Palpatine.”

The Emperor was on a short list of people that could demand her attention like that. When she had been replaced in the Senate, Palpatine (through Sate Pestage) had offered to allow her to reclaim her position, saying that he could make it happen regardless of the Queen’s decision on Naboo. Amidala had declined, believing that it was inn Naboo’s best interest if they governed their own affairs. Besides, she was quickly learning how demanding raising a pair of twins could be, even with a small army of droids maintaining the house and assisting with daily tasks. But Palpatine had made the first gesture, it would be rude of her to not respond to his call, not to mention it might be dangerous.

She dismissed those thoughts from her mind, even after everything that had happened she still remembered Palpatine as a good leader and a trusted advisor, and he was also Anakin’s friend. Her head began to throb and a buzzing sound filled her ears.

She was back in the Senate Convocation Chamber.

”We have become an empire in fact; let us become an Empire in name as well! We are the first Galactic Empire!”

She was back in her old apartment, on the eve of the war’s end.

“The war was never the Republic against the Separatists. It was Palpatine against the Jedi. We lost.

She was back on Mustafar.

Don’t you see? We’ll be heroes. The whole galaxy will love us, and we will rule. Together.”

The moment had seemed like an eternity, but less than a minute had passed when she finally regained her focus.

“My lady?” The protocol droid asked, confused by his owner’s lack of a response.

Her head much clearer, she nodded her head. “I will be there momentarily.”


Palpatine was not accustomed to waiting, and it was the rare moment when he was forced to wait on others. However, his course of actions depended on Amidala’s willingness to cooperate, and he exercised restraint. It did not diminish his desire to have her removed though, and the thought of finally cutting Lord Vader’s last ties to his Jedi past pleased him.

After a few brief minutes Padme’s holo-image finally appeared, her visage unchanged by war or childbirth.

“Greetings your Majesty, to what do I owe the honor?”

He admired her political tact and skill, despite being one of his most vocal opponents when he was Supreme Chancellor, she still set aside the differences and deferred to his new role. He could sense no deceit from her in the Force either, for whatever reasons she had decided to abandon her political quests. She was still naïve though, and still predictable, those qualities would make the job much easier.

“Lady Amidala, excuse me, Lady Skywalker…” the error on his part had been intentional, a subtle reminder of his connection to Anakin, and to her past as well. “You know that you owe honor to no one, especially another politician.”

“I would hardly call you just another politician, Majesty. But then again I am no longer a politician.”

“But you could be again. The Empire needs skilled representatives such as yourself to help preserve the peace of the New Order.”

Palpatine noticed Amidala repress something, probably a derogatory comment that she was aching to let loose but to disciplined to allow it. “I’ve already declined your offer to reclaim my position as Senator.”

Palpatine leaned forward into the projector unit, speaking softer, in the kindly old voice that had been one of his trademarks on Naboo. “Forgive me my Lady, but that’s not what I am about to offer you.”

Amidala’s expression widened into that of controlled surprise, Palpatine used the moment of silence to continue. “A person of your stature is far too important to waste as a mere Senator, likewise your reputation is well known across the entire galaxy. I am offering you a position, as the official Ambassador to the Imperial Senate. Not to just one world, or one sector, but to every member world of the Empire.”

Amidala broke eye contact and her gaze wandered off to the side, more than likely to look at her children. It had been a calculated risk offering a prominent position to an idealist like Padme Amidala, someone who could cause upheaval when the ideological differences between her and Palpatine finally came to a head. But even Palpatine had been surprised when she had wasted little time to give him an answer.

“I accept…on one condition.” She said nervously, absently biting her lip.

She was unreadable save for her anxious feelings, even in the Force. “Of course, I didn’t anticipate the offer in itself to be enticing enough, what are your terms?”

“All I want is for Anakin to come home, and when he does I want your promise that he will be allowed to remain home until he returns on his own volition.”

The Dark Lord of the Sith, hidden behind his guise as rule of the galaxy, leaned backwards so that only his toothy grin was visible in the dim light. “Consider it done.”

Authors Note:

The chapter starts with some good action, i'm trying to deliver the anticipated bouts as soon as possible but I have something planned for the next chapter that should partially whet some appetites. AS usual feedback is appreciated and I hope I can work on 16 as quickly as i've managed 15. This one was done fast but I had the benefit of a written outline to guide my work and there is still material left over for 16. ~DF

[Pax Britannia]

Excellent as always!

[Sidewinder]

I like the new chapter, especially Bail Organa's attempt to deal with Palpatine's political intrigue. But I have to wonder: who the fuck is Cynyst? I couldn't find anything on him on Wikipedia. Is he Yoda's former padawan? (Obi-Wan couldn't have been Cynyst's master.)