Author's Note: This is my first story, so please review. I prefer constructive criticism over

remarks like "Great!" or "Sucks!", but they're still fine ;) I read lots, but I have to admit

that I hardly ever read fictional texts, so my writing style might not be particularly refined.

Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy this piece of fan fiction nevertheless.

Important: This is not supposed to be a mere Episode III AU fic. The first chapters set the

stage, and the characters we are all familiar with will appear quite frequently but that

doesn't mean that this story is about Anakin (yet I am convinced that fans of him, Obi-Wan or

Padmé will like what I have in store for them).

Most characters, events and venues belong to George Lucas. A few of the lines are slightly

altered lines taken from Episode III.

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

Telepathic communication

The road not taken

Chapter 1 - The Seed has been Sown

"What have I done?" Shadows. Red walls. A face, a ghostly mask.

"A Sith Lord?" Impossible.

"...to save Padmé..." Pain, hidden for a long time, finally released.

"Rise, Lord Vader" No reluctance. Satisfaction.

"Save me? From what?" The voice was high-pitched.

"Killing younglings..."

"Your new Empire?" Numbing disappointment.

"You're going down a path I cannot follow!"

"He's the father, isn't he? I'm so sorry."

"I hate you!" Genuine hatred.

"I failed him." A blur of agony.

"After all, isn't he the Chosen One?" Delusion.

And then darkness took over again.

-----

Drenched in sweat, she awoke. Every fibre of her body was aching. Her thoughts were swirling

around, fragmented, like debris from an explosion. Heart racing, she moved her limbs

cautiously, as if she was lying on shards of glass. When her feet touched the cold tiles, a

shudder went through her whole body. She walked to the sink. A little cold water running over her

wrists would help her feel better, help her shake off the agonizing feeling the dream had given

her. Casually, she stretched out her hand, using the force to summon her weapon. The sensation

of feeling the cool metal on her skin has a soothing effect. The light radiating from her sabre

drenched the room in yellow, which made her skin appear deathly pale. 'I look like a

Rattataki', she thought. The elaborate tattooed markings on her chin and cheeks distinguished

her from members of that race, though.

She had started having visions from time to time shortly after being brought to the temple as an infant.

Normally, they never repeated themselves. However, his one had. Only few of them had come to

pass, but whether the images she'd seen manifested themselves in reality couldn't be predicted.

This was an aspect that had always terrified her.

The gruesome pictures were beginning to fade from her mind, allowing her to meditate.

'It mustn't become true. I...I will not allow it.' Had the glimpses of the future always been as horrific, as tantalizing?

In the beginning, they had been innocent, sometimes startling, but never

nightmares about to become true. When her life was turned upside-down by...by events that she

dare not remember, something had changed, during these darkest hours of her life - she had

changed, in a way she couldn't accept. Her comlink hummed to life.

"Master Juunthar?" "Could you procure a means of transport? I need to leave for Coruscant

immediately." "Yes, ma'am. I'll will contact you as soon as the ship is ready."

-----

The Jedi temple was gleaming in the bright sunlight. It was home to so many people - whose

lives might end soon? Was it a matter of months? Days? Or possibly hours? Radha Juunthar didn't know the answer.

Walking down a corridor in the mighty building, she allowed her thoughts to wander. She heard footsteps behind her.

A familiar presence. With a smile on her lips, she turned around. "Master Windu. It's a pleasure to see you again."

"Indeed. How long has it been?" "Almost two years." "I assume you have successfully finished your mission in the Tredan system?"

"Yes. I was just about to prepare a report for the council." "A meeting has been scheduled for noon. I am on my way there."

"May I accompany you?" "Of course." He sighed. "There will be at least

some good news to discuss for a change." Their eyes met. "We're at war after all. There are

always setbacks." "I hope your arrival is a good sign. Your abilities as a general might give

us an edge over our enemies." The female Jedi laughed mirthlessly. "I hope so too." Secretly,

she wished this excruciatingly light-hearted conversation would be over soon.

They entered the council chamber together. Juunthar acknowledged the other masters with a deep

bow. She doubted that her mission report would do much to elevate the spirits of those present,

as it had nothing to do with the war. When the slender Mirialan had finished relating the

events that had taken place on Tredan-E, Master Yoda addressed her. "Glad to hear of your

success, we are. Someone with your experience is needed. Expected to lead a division of clones

you are. Go to the Outer Rim you will, after Master Kenobi's return from the Utapau system."

"Yes, Master Yoda. I will get ready immediately." "Good. It is settled then. You're dismissed."

The woman waited outside for the meeting to end.

"Master Skywalker! May I have a word?" "Sure. What is it?" "It truly is an extraordinary feat

for one so young to be on the Council. I was quite astounded when I learned that you had been

appointed..." Skywalker seemed to suppress a snort. "But I am not a master." His remark had

taken the Mirialan aback. "Well, I'm a confident that you'll soon be granted the rank of

master. Besides, since when do titles matter?" The young man smirked. "Now I am the one who's

surprised. Is it possible that you're really this humble about your own rank?" "Certainly. By

the way, what did you do you earn this honour?" 'He doesn't seem to consider it an honour.

Alienation nests deeply in his soul already.' Skywalker sighed. "I'm Palpatine's

representative." 'This isn't good. Not at all.' "The Chancellor?!" The Knight looked away,

stung. 'Now she doesn't trust me either. The Order is becoming more and more corrupted. Even

her, who's spent so much time away from the Temple...'

"Excuse me, Master Juunthar, I need to see somebody." "I understand." His abrupt departure. His

hurt expression at the mention of Palpatine. She gazed after Skywalker as he disappeared in the

distance. None of this spelled hope. The seed had already been sown.