AN: Thanks so much for your reviews! I have something in mind for each of the episodes, This might be a little longer than 'The Shift', I actually can't say. You'll find that I tend to disregard most of what happens in the EU (or that I tend to pick and choose). Afterall, this is the Shift!verse AU, who's to say everything is going to play out in the same way? Sorry, there was more action in the prologue than in the actual first chapter... This is fillery (but you do get a look into the mind of this Darth Sidious...)
Cheers,
Eastonia
Chapter 1: Trouble on Coruscant.
The Nabooan Senatorial Landing Platform – Coruscant.
Several N-1 fighters touched down on the designated senatorial landing platform of Naboo. These were the senatorial escort. The Royal Nubian Starcruiser was next – its silvery exterior gleaming in the sunlight of Coruscant.
The pilots of the N-1 fighters disembarked from their planes and went to stand as honour guard for Senator Amidala. While this happened, two of the pilots split off from the main group – the insignias on their shoulders marking them as the heads of security for this political party.
A gold coloured protocol droid appeared next to the shorter head – it had followed that pilot aboard the N-1 fighter where an Astromech droid would normally be. As the Senator and the rest of the party, including bodyguards decended, the taller head removed his helmet. Revealing an earth-hued, eye-patched, curly haired man – the shorter one left their helmet on.
"We made it… I guess we were wrong."
He smiled
"The threat was just that. A threat. No base."
Under her disguise Padmé struggled to pull out the snippet of Japor hidden underneath her gauntlet. Her thoughts were frantic
[TYPHO! YOU'VE JINXED US!]
Before she could knock on wood, a blast echoed through the chambers of the 'cruiser. A shockwave threw the disguised Padmé and her head of security, Typho back as an inferno engulfed several members of their group – incinerating them on the spot. Those not outside the immediate death zone like Padmé and Typho were but at the same time were outside the 'fire zone', were hit by an incredible, but concentrated pressure wave. Debris flew everywhere as the 'cruiser was shattered into pieces.
Padmé tore off her helmet and raced to 'the Senator'.
"Cordé!"
Cordé coughed up a little blood – she had been inside the pressure wave area. Weakly she looked up at Padmé
"Milady… I'm so… sorry… I failed you… Senator."
She didn't need to be Force sensitive to see the limpness that overtook her Handmaiden's body as she passed into the afterlife.
"No… NO!"
Padmé screamed as she bent over the body – her anguish clear. Captain Typho knelt next to her and placed a hand on the shoulder of the 24 year old. Something in her spirit set and she stood up abruptly.
"Your sacrifice will not be in vain. Rest now loyal one, your service will be honoured and known in the Naboo."
Her brown eyes glistened with fire as she looked the captain in the eye
"Someone is going through a lot of trouble to keep me from leading the opposition against the Military Creation Act. I don't know who is doing this – but they can't keep me from it. Someone out there, or perhaps in here wants war."
"Come, you're still in danger here."
Threepio had activated his defence mode, creating a force-field around the Captain and the Senator. As they moved away quickly from the site of the assassination attempt, the head of security asked her
"Do you believe the Seperatists are behind this?"
"Them…"
She turned to face in the direction of the Senate building – picturing in her mind the man she had made no attempt to disguise her distrust of once she started her service as a Senator
"Or someone else."
Jedi Temple Hangar – Coruscant.
Anakin rolled his shoulders as he stepped down from the craft, trying to dislodge the cricks that came from long space travel. Times like this he wondered if the back holsters were truly the best place for his own ochre-hued 'sabers.
Obi-Wan caught his eye and the brothers grinned in mischief. A short period of further rest, one final debriefing and they would be able to return to Corellia – away from the stifled-ness in the Force this particular planet contained and back to the wilds of the planet they resided in for the past decade.
[You don't think Master Luminara would squeal do you?]
[She won't, I reminded her that she kept her impromptu vacation secret as well – Knights and Padawans have some leeway but she's…]
[A master! As such, that behaviour is unbecoming of one. Good job Obs!]
Master and Padawan chuckled under their breaths as they made their way into the Main Temple. Where the Main Temple were stately, organised spires and towers reaching into the Coruscanti sky; the Corellian Temple was sprawling disorganisation – yet organised in a more organic sense. The Main Temple was a mirror of the planet it was on. The Corellian Temple easily blended into the freer landscape.
One last debriefing, and they could leave.
The Senate – Coruscant.
Darth Sidious – no – Palpatine smirked inwardly. Hopefully the annoying pest of a former Queen was gone now. Ever since she had been instated to the senate a scant four years ago, she had been a thorn in his side. Not even the Jedi were suspicious of him – so why would one non Force-sensitive young woman be able to perceive what the Jedi Masters of the High Council couldn't? Which reminded him. Young Olin was getting too close to being engrained back into the light – he would not let over a decade's worth of work be flushed down the drain all because of an association with this, Skywalker and Kenobi. He didn't exactly know why, but while the Dark side showed him Ferus Olin as the Chosen One very clearly, the Tatooine men were dangerous.
He could sense that there used to be several shatterpoints around that Master-Padawan pair, especially after the Battle for Naboo around ten years ago. But after they moved to Corellia – unlike the Chosen One, Ferus Olin; even if they were strong in the Force, they were not worth the effort. He had to take the Chosen One out of Skywalker's sphere of influence. Or – even better, it was a little risky but the payout was even better. He could turn young Olin against the young Skywalker.
As more beings filed into the Senate building to take their places; Sidious – under the friendly mask of Palpatine that smiled at them – cringed at the non-humans. They were strange beings. Humans were the masters of this galaxy and they didn't seem to understand that. No matter. Soon and very soon he would be able to reap the rewards of the seeds he had sown. And when Ferus Olin, the kriffing Chosen One, was his apprentice – he would be the father of all that Dark in the galaxy. Of course he himself, as Darth Sidious would be the true power but the face of darkness would be his apprentice… That would be a good name for the young Olin. Darth Vader.
Everyone had seated, the representatives of Naboo were still missing.
Good, as they should be.
He opened the Senate, an expression of great sorrow schooled on his face
"My esteemed colleagues, excuse me... I have just received some tragic and disturbing news. Senator Amidala of the Naboo system has been assassinated!"
He looked around the grand chamber as the feeling of shock engulfed the room. Reason number one he couldn't just get rid of the annoying young woman. She was too loved. However she could serve use as a martyr…
"This grievous blow is especially personal to me. Before I became Chancellor, I served Amidala when she was Queen. She was a great leader who fought for justice, not only here in this honourable assembly, but also on her home planet. She was so loved she could have been elected Queen for life. She believed in public service, and she fervently believed in democracy. Her death is a great loss to us all... We will all mourn her as a relentless champion of freedom... and as a dear friend."
Palpatine let himself appear to be overcome by sorrow as he averted his eyes downwards and rested his brow upon his left hand. The silence was shattered by an eruption of noises. Everyone yelling for or against the Military Creation Act – exactly as he needed them to. He put in some weak protests about needing to strive for peace and not descend into war – which really was phish-posh, he needed the war to thin the number of Jedi.
Unfortunately, while the Dark found it fit to inform him of the role Padawan Thel-Tanis would play in the Chosen One's life, it didn't tell him of the possibility that Padmé Amidala could, and would survive the attempt on her life. He had made plans just in case anyway.
A very angry Senator Amidala stormed into the room and a great resounding cheer rose. She gave him a hard look
[She suspects me… But she has no evidence. And if she follows the trail, she'll only find my public apprentice – Count Dooku, Darth Tyrannus at the end.]
"It is with great surprise and joy that the chair recognises the Senator from Naboo, Padmé Amidala!"
Another look was sent his way before she began to speak
"My noble colleagues, I concur with the Supreme Chancellor's previous point. At all costs, we do not want war! Less than an hour ago, an assassination attempt was made against my life. One of my bodyguards and six others were ruthlessly and senselessly murdered. I was the target but, more importantly, I believe this security measure before you, was the target. I have led the opposition to build an army... but there is someone in this body who will stop at nothing to assure its passage..."
Again she sent a discrete look his way. No one else would see it apart from him and her. Maybe it was a mistake speaking for her all those years ago. Maybe he should have let her speak for herself – then he may have had an unknowing ally instead of a subtle opposition leader. But there were some voices standing against her words now.
"I warn you, if you vote to create this army, war will follow. I have experienced the misery of war first hand; I do not wish to experience it again… Wake up, Senators... you must wake up! If we offer the separatists violence, they can only show us violence in return! Many will lose their lives. All will lose their freedom. This decision could very well destroy the very foundation of our great Republic. I pray you, do not let fear push you into a disastrous decision. Vote down this security measure, which is nothing less than a declaration of war! Does anyone here want that? I cannot believe they do."
She looked around the Senate. Accusation clear in her expression as voices fought for and against the Act. Palpatine looked at the timekeeper and decided to end it for the day.
"Peace! Due to the lateness of the hour and the seriousness of this motion, we will take up these matters tomorrow. Until then, the Senate stands adjourned…"
[Thorns in my side, all of them. Amidala, Skywalker and Kenobi. They will cause me significant trouble if I cannot discretely get rid of them. Never mind. I shall martyr them, that way in death they'll work for my cause – unwillingly.]
Council Chambers, Jedi Temple – Coruscant.
The High Council returned from their meeting with the Chancellor. None of them were stupid. They all could see where the Republic was headed. War.
And the once Girl-Queen of the Naboo, Padmé Amidala, had again become a central player in the events that followed. Not that she wasn't a prominent player in the events that occurred in the previous decade – the information the Naboo could provide due to it's being so unassuming was excellent.
But she was also very stubborn. As much as the Council hated to admit it, Chancellor Palpatine was right, she would only agree to be protected if the Jedi were ones that she knew. In this case this meant that they had to call upon one unconventional Jar'Kai user, and an aggressive Soresu 'saberman.
No one could dispute that Padawan Skywalker and Knight Kenobi were firmly grounded in the Light. But the time spent on Corellia also meant they picked up many of the Corellians unconventional habits. One of which was 'bastardising' the primary seven lightsaber forms. Another was openly referring to each other as 'brother'.
In the centre of the chamber – the brothers stood, having finished their report of the Ansion situation.
They wouldn't like what the Council had to say next but as a collective group, they all agreed that if it did come to war, the High Council had to recall the two who ranked among the best Master-Padawan teams back to the Main Temple – for good.
"Another mission for you have we – as well as something else to discuss."
Spoke Master Yoda (they had determined that the Grandmaster would have the best chances of convincing the hard-headed duo),
The Padawan spoke first
"What is it… Oh. No."
Anakin correctly read the signals in the Force
"No Masters, I'm not ready for my Trials…"
He reached through their 'brother-bond', something they discovered provided near complete privacy – unlike the training bond which the High Council could potentially tap into
[BACK ME UP OBS!]
"I agree with my Padawan Masters, there is still more I can teach him."
"Around his age, knighted you were."
"I believe it was for me to determine when Anakin is ready for his Trials."
"Coddling him you are!"
"Forgive me Masters, but he's not coddling me, he is constantly pushing me."
"Being Knighted a great honour is."
Master and Padawan looked at each other. The younger smirked and the older raised a brow,
"With all due respect Council members, unless it is completely necessary for him to be Knighted, I'm going to let my Padawan decide when he's ready for his Trials."
"Qui Gon's defiance we sense in you, need that you do not."
"You've told us that before, the mission?"
Master Mace Windu looked at them
"Usually when we assign you back to back missions, you grumble – is there something you're not telling us?"
[Uh oh. Are we busted?]
[Don't think so, I'm sure Master Luminara didn't squeal.]
Obi-Wan looked at them one by one in the eye
"Anakin and I sense you want us to remain here after the completion of the mission…"
[Well, that's a lie.]
[You shush, you come up with something better under pressure.]
Master Yoda nodded
"Correct that is. Return to Corellia to retrieve your belongings after this mission you will. This Temple needs your capabilities more than the Temple on Corellia."
[Oh Sithspit. Obs, you sure you don't have foresight as a Force gift?]
[Yes…]
"We understand."
"Concerning your mission, heard of the assassination attempt this morning on Senator Amidala you have?"
The shock on the pair's face indicated they did not.
"Assigning you as additional protection we are. May the Force be with you."
The duo bowed and mumbled the reply as they left the Council chambers.
"Strange they are. Most Padawan's to leave their Master's shadow can't wait."
"But most Masters don't let their Padawan determine when they are ready either."
AN: So that's Chapter 1! Next will be Anakin's and Padmé's first meeting in ten years. I wonder how they will react - needless to say Obi-Wan is going to have a lot of blackmail on the two, and he will laugh at their expense.
