Dark Wars: Season One: Republic Fall
Chapter 0 – Meeting the Two Faced Darkness
Disclaimer – I do not own anything Star Wars Related in this Fanfiction, I do however own the plot and my Original Characters, I hope that you enjoy this story.
21st August, 21 BBY, 4:00pm; Coruscant Sector: Coruscant - Galactic City, Senate District: Republic Executive Building - Entrance Hall
Anakin Skywalker stepped into the building with Ahsoka Tano close behind while remembering that he had to report to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine after the mission Felucia Medical Centre which was botched due to it being replaced by a Separatist Automated Vulture Droid Deployment Station, this had caused their T-6 Shuttle to be critically damaged and forced to land on the Planet below leaving them no means off world other than through the efforts of a group of Bounty Hunters that had been defending the Farmland of a group of Farmers, due to being shot down there had been no official report that was sent to the Chancellor therefore Anakin had offered to report what had happened directly.
"General Skywalker?" asked a Receptionist as he approached the desk.
"I'm here to give an official report to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine" announced Anakin as he stepped forwards and the Receptionist nodded as she looked over the files.
"The Chancellor is free for the next hour, he does have a guest however, therefore only one of you can go up to his Office" commented the Receptionist and Anakin gave an annoyed sigh before turning to Ahsoka.
"I'll go 'Snips', you go back to the Temple and I'll see you later, okay?" requested Anakin with an exasperated sigh as he made his way towards the Lifts.
4:30pm; Coruscant Sector: Coruscant - Galactic City, Senate District: Republic Executive Building - Chancellor's Office
Anakin stepped into Palpatine's Office and paused when he saw a young youth sitting in a chair next to Palpatine's desk, the youth's Blue/Green hair and Brown eyes only foreshadowed something mysterious about the youth, he was feminine while still looking manly and strong. He wore a Blue Shirt which revealed the youth's lower neck and central collar bone, the shirt had straps around the stomach and wrists, he had Purple Jeans on with Brown Shoes.
"Ah, Anakin, welcome" announced Palpatine suddenly causing Anakin to jump as he fell out of his daze while looking at the entrancing youth which Palpatine seemed to notice with a light smile "oh yes, that is my son, Proteus Lai"
"It is a pleasure to meet you, General Skywalker, you seem a bit tense...maybe its due to my own Darkside Aura in the Force?" asked Proteus calmly and Anakin looked over at Palpatine desperately.
"My Former Wife was Rosalyn Lai, daughter of Nightsister Queen Zalem and Sister of the Nightsister Ros Lai, he was trained by his mother in the Nightsister Arts and I saw no problem with this" announced Palpatine calmly as he walked over and sat behind his desk "your battle is against the Sith that lead the Separatists, until recently the Nightsisters were not a problem and ceased to be so after their Coup against Count Dooku and Asajj Ventress aboard the Devastation, therefore it would be best if my son were not to be considered you're enemy, Anakin"
"It is true" smiled Proteus as he looked calmly at the tense Anakin "though my teachings are those of the Nightsisters and therefore dabbles in the Darkside, my allegiance is to the Chancellor and the good of this Galaxy"
"Speaking of which, the 502nd Legion will be joining you're Forces when you leave tomorrow Anakin, Proteus will be joining you aboard your Command Ship so I expect you to get well acquainted with my son" added Palpatine calmly as he looked at paperwork on his desk "did you have anything to report Anakin?"
"Actually, I have a report to give in on the Felucia Medical Centre and I hoped that now that I have booked this hour we could talk for awhile, Mr Lai can stay and join in if he wishes" requested Anakin causing Palpatine to smile Proteus to grin.
"I wouldn't mind, Jedi Skywalker but only if you call me Proteus and in return I will call you Anakin, agreed?" asked Proteus and Anakin nodded once as he sat down.
"Also, I wanted to ask you Anakin how that regeneration treatment went, due to the war it took awhile for us to accumulate the resources on Kamino for it to be successful so I was wondering how it went in the long run" commented Palpatine and Anakin smiled as he sat facing the Chancellor.
"I found it surprising that the Cloning Facilities could have possibly grown me a biologically stronger hand and strengthened my own Body biography, I am grateful to you Chancellor, because of your efforts I'm as strong as a Droid but I have the qualities that make me human" answered Anakin whom was pleasantly happy "every now and then I feel a sting of pain from where the injury was but there is no permanent harm, just the memory of having an amputated arm and prosthetics, nothing more"
"I see, Proteus had his body enhanced also during the last month, he was such a strong lad like you prior to gaining your enhancements also and I so wished that he would continue to help my Family Line with his strength" commented Palpatine and Proteus smiled lightly at his father.
"Also, speaking of aid I was sent here to give you an official report on the Felucia Medical Centre which I can assume is long overdue, the Jedi and Fleet Command only realized that we had yet to give a report which will affect your commands when it comes to Felucia" announced Anakin and Palpatine raised an eyebrow slightly "Felucia has fallen to the Separatist Attack, though it was left unoccupied when we went to investigate, we confirmed that in place of the destroyed Medical Centre were countless Automated Vulture Droid Deployment Stations"
"Troubling" murmured Palpatine as he stood and turned so that he could look out of the viewpoint at the Imperial City "I would like both of your opinions on this"
"With all due respect, Chancellor, I say the problem hasn't been followed up by an enemy attack and therefore has become a unimportant sight of former enemy activity" announced Anakin however Proteus shook his head.
"Our spies say differently, very recently we confirmed that a Separatist Fleet has entered the System and has sent Landing Craft to the Surface, meanwhile we confirmed of a likewise problem" interjected Proteus as he sat forwards "while distracted last week by the Invasion of Felucia which seem that the Jedi were uninformed of, a Separatist Task Force attacked the Research Station in the Hell Sector, there they retrieved a Relic remains of a Mass Shadow Generator which accidentally activated and destroyed all but one Planet: the Graveyard World of Sheol"
"Then we can be assured that such a Deadly Weapon was destroyed?" asked Palpatine however Proteus shook his head.
"We can however confirm that the Core of the Mass Shadow Generator was intact after the reaction, Sheol was already swarming with the Darkside and the explosion caused all the Darkside Energy to become a Tear in the Force where Darkside Energy continues to gather, it is here that the Core fell to ground and it is also here where the Confederates have built their most powerful Fortress" continued Proteus "we can conclude that Count Dooku and his Darkside Acolytes with whatever Darkside Allies are gathering in that Sector, fashioning that one Planet into a Fortress World with the Debris Belt around it from the Explosion becoming an effective shield, it is also in a very strategically position"
"How so?" asked Anakin and Proteus smirked slightly.
"Any Darksider would know that the Sector is a powerful Gravitic Crossroad in Sith Space, it is also think in the Darkside and a pathway from the Outer Rim, giving a passage for the enemy further into the Core than we would like" explained Proteus and Anakin nodded in understanding.
"I am afraid that I have an Emergency Meeting with a group of Senators now, however before they arrive, I was hoping to know what my son is planning for this eve
Palpatine with a smile however Anakin said the one question they least expected.
"Are you asking me out on a date?" asked Anakin and Proteus chuckled lightly as he taped Anakin on the cheek.
"Now, if I were asking that I would have arrived here fashionably late, call this evening a date if you want but I don't mind either way" shrugged Proteus as he stood and walked towards the office doorway before looking over his shoulder at Anakin "you coming?"
"Y...yeah" announced Anakin as he zoomed up and chased after Proteus, much to Palpatine's humour.
6:00pm; Coruscant Sector: Coruscant - Manarai Mountains, Monument Plaza: Manarai Restaurant - Private Box
Anakin was still stunned at what Proteus had done when they had gone out for a meal as he didn't expect to go all the way to the Manarai Mountains nor go to the upscale restaurant called Manarai that was built into the highest peak: Umate, Anakin had heard rumours that the place was co-owned by Black Sun Leader: Prince Xizor, however these rumours were unproven and nor did Anakin care as he was welcomed with open arms because of the person he was with. How Proteus had gotten them into one of the most influential Restaurants on Coruscant was beyond Anakin's comprehension, but the man had succeeded at doing this with a smile wave of his hand without even a touch of the Force to their minds, Anakin just shrugged it off as the machinations of having a famous and powerful father like Supreme Chancellor Palpatine.
"Are you enjoying your time?" asked Proteus suddenly causing Anakin to look at him suddenly, Proteus hadn't been looking at him when he asked his question but rather he had been looking out the window at the Manarai Mountain Peaks.
"Yes, the Giant Ithorian Snail is specifically delicious" commented Anakin and Proteus smirked at his equal.
"I'm glad" added Proteus as he turned to his own dinner which he prodded around a bit.
Meanwhile; Hell Sector: Sheol - Sheol City, Sith Fortress: Throne Room
"For what reason were we called here" complained Nute Gunray as he sat on his hover chair with crossed arms "why have we relocated here and why are we gathered in this meeting?"
"I was wondering the same thing, the Hell Sector IS a Strategic gateway to the Core through being a Crossroad Sector in Sith Space that has enough Gravitic Force to pull Ships out of Lightspeed, this has been enhanced even more with the mess up that Kul Teska's Wife did in retrieving the Mass Shadow Generator's Core" growled General Grievous as he paced back and forth "I see no reason why we should have moved here this Early"
"Actually, Mari Teska planned everything out perfectly, you underestimate the strategic importance of coming here" interjected Admiral Trench calmly as the scarred Admiral tapped his pointer into his other hand while his extra pair of arms remained crossed, it seemed that the Separatist Admiral had survived another Flagship loss, though not as unharmed as the first time.
"The Darkside is also Strong here, for we Darkside Users, that is a bonus to the defences" commented Asajj Ventress as she stepped forwards.
"Regardless of your thoughts, we are here because Lord Sidious demanded it of us, now my Master will speak" announced Count Dooku as the Sith Lord turned to the side and kneeled at the Hologram Projector near him at the centre of the room activated revealing his hooded Master.
"I have called you to the planet Sheol, my loyal followers because it is the safest place near the Inner Rim to stage attacks against the Republic, I find that the war has been going too much against the Separatist cause which now has become unacceptable therefore you need to launch attacks into the Core itself to turn the tide" announced Darth Sidious over a holographic transmission "to that end I am sending my Shadow Hand, my personal Assassin and Acolyte whom is also trained in the Strategic and Tactical Field, he will support your attempts to damage the Republic directly. See to it that you all follow his commands and that you welcome his counsel Lord Tyranus, otherwise he shall be scheduled to execute you himself, is this understood?"
"Yes, my Master" agreed Dooku with a bowed head which the head of Sidious' hologram gave a pleased nod before fading away.
7:00pm; Coruscant Sector: Coruscant - Galactic City, Uscru Entertainment District: Galaxies Opera House - Palpatine's Private Box
"How do you find the play?" asked Proteus calmly as he sat back in his chair.
"I've heard of better" shrugged Anakin and Proteus smirked lightly as he nodded in agreement.
"If so, then we can retire for the evening, shall we go to your place or mine?" asked Proteus as he stood calmly "then again, you live at the Temple so I doubt there is a choice in the matter"
"I'm grateful for everything and all, but..." started Anakin however he was silenced by Proteus' lips on his own.
"No, I insist" dismissed Proteus calmly as he stood to his full height.
22nd August, 11:00am; Coruscant Sector: Coruscant - Galactic City, Senate District: 500 Republica - Proteus' Quarters: Proteus' Living Room
"Ah, Anakin, awake already?" asked Palpatine as he stepped into the Living Room causing the Jedi's Chosen One to jump "you look rather decent considering you're drunken evening"
"Proteus isn't that quick, he prefers to take things at a slow pace or so I would assume. But speaking of Proteus, know where he is?" asked Anakin as he came and sat down opposite the Supreme Chancellor.
"There was an interesting report on a Sith appearing for the enemy, Proteus went to Naval Command to accuracy discover the accuracy of these reports and prepare the 502nd Legion to head out, that is why I'm sending the Praetor along with the Tector II and the Redeemer"
Anakin was stunned by the information that Palpatine was sending Proteus to the frontline which Palpatine smiled, obviously it seemed that Anakin underestimated his son which was useful in the long run especially after everything that had gone on, for a Jedi underestimating anyone was fatal at the Chosen One would one day discovered if he wasn't cautious.
11:30am; Hell Sector: Sheol - Sheol City, Sith Fortress: Landing Pad 1
The Scimitar II settled down calmly on the landing Pad and Count Dooku ordered the lines of Battle Droids to move to an attention as the sleek Black Ship came to an elegant stop, the Airlock on the Ship pulled back immediately and a landing pad descended to the floor in which the occupant of the Space Transport could descend from with ease, General Grievous and Admiral Trench paced up behind Dooku where they took position either side of the Count to see their Guest. The Sith that walked down the Landing Pad was small and lithe which showed from the close amour he wore however the only bulky thing on his frame was his helmet which disguised his identity perfectly, despite the weakness that the Sith Lord have off he instead had a aura of power around him which silenced thoughts of weakness regardless where they may come from.
"Welcome, Shadow Hand" bowed Dooku as the Sith Shadow approached the Sith Lord with calm measured steps.
"Call me Darth Thiole" announced the Shadow Hand calmly as he introduced himself, a electric shock soared up Dooku's back when he recognised the ancient language that the word was retrieved from, it was an ancient pre-Republic word for 'Devil'.
"Welcome, Lord Thiole, we were told that you would have a plan for us to change the tide in this war" announced Trench as he stepped forwards, stroking his left chelicerae as he followed the group as they headed towards the Sith Citadel complex.
"I do have a plan, I have also judged that resources for this plan are relatively nearby and will leave very few blind spots in our ranks, our supply routes should be amply defended by our rate of attack" announced Darth Thiole as he walked alongside Dooku "you seem troubled, Count"
"What is you're purpose in the Sith Hierarchy?" questioned Dooku and Thiole sent out an aura of humour as he looked at the Count.
"You worry far too much, Dooku, a Shadow Hand is a title given to the second-in-command of the Sith monarch or Sith'ari" explained Thiole as he motioned for Dooku to continue forwards "we advise and protect the Sith Master, occasionally aiding weaker Apprentices to overtake their Master as seen through the Sith Arts and therefore allowing the Master to be succeeded by a superior heir, we Shadow Hands are the most know living longer than either the Master or the Apprentice"
"I see, would it be productive for you to help me rebel against my own Master?" questioned Dooku and Thiole smiled lightly.
"Maybe after the Clone Wars, now gentlemen, let us head inside and discuss the plans I have to win this phase of the war" announced Thiole as he motioned for Dooku and his loyal Commanders to step through "this way"
1:00pm; Hell Sector: Sheol - Sheol City, Sith Fortress: Throne Room
"That is what we must do" explained Thiole pointedly as he paced up and down the middle of the Throne Room "we must not only strike at the Core Worlds but also at their Leaders, some of the enemy want peace and that is why we should exterminate them as soon as possible, if we strike a peaceful bargain with the Republic the only thing it would do is allow the Republic to regain its power and bank its momentum up to this point"
"I understand" commented Grievous with a deep chuckle "we keep on the pressure, force them to negotiate in our advantage"
"Exactly, which is why I have rerouting all Non-necessary Separatist Forces towards the Hell Sector, before the mass of the Forces arrive we need to make the first move against the Republic" announced Thiole with a smirk under his helmet "first we have to clear the way, we need a Fleet to plough us a route of Victories through the Garos Sector to the Obroa-skai Sector off the usual Hyperspace Trade routes, however we expect that Obroa-skai will be heavily defended and/or reinforced once our intentions are made known, this has already been foreseen and so isn't that unexpected"
"Leave that to us" announced Trench and Thiole nodded.
"The New Republic has classified you as Killed in Action, therefore you will be useful in secretly furthering our advance in the area" agreed Thiole calmly "meanwhile Dooku is expected on the de jure Capital of the Separatists: Serenno, they will lead an attack in hopes of capturing the Capital and the Separatist Leaders, Dooku with come with me and Ventress as we lead a Defence Force to reinforce the Separatist Forces already gathered there"
"To draw the Republic's attention, what of my Forces?" asked Grievous and Thiole smirked darkly though none could see past his Mask.
"You are to attack the Shipyards at Bilbringi and Ord Mantell, what better ways than to bait a trap than with a bigger piece of bait, you will also take a pair of Darkside Acolytes with you to reinforce your success in those attacks" commanded Thiole with dismissive wave "but remember, your attacks need not do much damage to the Shipyards as much as grab the attention of the Republic, understood?"
"Yes, my Lord" answered Grievous with a bow.
Author's Note – And that is the end of the Prelude, can you guess who Thiole is? Or have you read my Other Stories regarding Thiole, try not to spoil it, if you would. If you would like me to continue, then Review!