The nurses and med droids rushed from the room and left Anakin with Padme alone here.

"I am glad to see you alive, Ani." Padme smiled.

"Me too." Anakin replied without any expression on his face.

"Did you…"

"Yes. Palpatine is dead."

Padme hide her face in her hands. "But…what will happen now?" she asked.

"We will rule the galaxy. Together."

She looked up. Her eyes were even bigger than usual. "What?"

Anakin played her back the record of Palpatine's speech.

"You forced him to say that?" she asked.

Anakin nodded. "Yes, because I didn't want galaxy to fall into hands of Palpatine's followers."

Padme sighed. "Well. Maybe it was the only option."

"I haven't seen any other."

"So…when are you going to report it to Senate?"

„As soon as I can. But I want you to be in at it."

„That's nice from you, Ani."She smiled tiredly. „Come more closely."

He came to her and kneeled at her bed. She leant forward and kissed him lightly.

"You will not have to kneel down in front of anyone. No bowing. No more." She whispered and palmed his hair.

He didn't react anyhow and that tossed her.

"Are you okay, dear?" she asked.

"Yes." He responded coldly. "Are you able to walk?"

She shook her hand. "Not now. Maybe tomorrow."

He stood up, bent down, kissed her on forehead and took the liberty to smile a little.

"I'll wait."

Anakin stood on the Emperor's platform in the Senate Rotunda. Padme stood a little behind, dressed in simple white dress. Palpatine's aides, Mas Amedda, Sate Pestage, Sly Moore and Armand Isard stood round him.

Senate accepted the Anakin's declaration as Emperor only with mild protests, mostly from loyalists, Padme's friends. The others were too feared to say something against him.

Padme was concerned about it. Ani was a good man; he was just bluffed by Palpatine.

Maybe they don't know it. Ani is kind, honest, he's not evil. They just don't know it, she told to herself.

Anakin was wearing a black suit and a hood. He looked much more adult. Emperor Vader. The most powerful man in the whole Empire. Her Ani.

Anakin glanced back at her. The shadows under his eyes showed how hard the last days were for him. He had to deny everything he was.

"I love you," she whispered and smiled.

"I love you, too." He answered, then turned back.

Mas Amedda finished his speech.

"Salute to the new Emperor!" he exclaimed. "Hail to the Emperor!"

"Hail to Emperor Vader!" everyone shouted. "Long live the Emperor!"

Anakin stood and received it disinterested. Padme was blushing so much that her head looked like a big ripe cherry.

When the room quieted down, Anakin raised his hand.

"And hail to the Empress Amidala!" he shouted.

While of confused silence.

"Hail to the Empress Amidala!" Anakin repeated louder.

Mas Amedda pushed Padme to Anakin's side.

"Hail to Empress Amidala! Long live Empress Amidala!"

Padme stood with surprise, her eyes widened, she looked at clapping senators. They clapped to her. She raised her hand; like she did in the times she was a Queen of Naboo and waved. Little polite smile, light tilt of head. She recollected her old knowledge of royal etiquette slowly. Anakin watched her with pleasure in his face.

Empress Amidala. Padme realized that she likes the sound of it. Empress Amidala.

Anakin was sitting on the throne. He was really enjoying the reality that he can. He spent almost all his day in it. He was speaking to ambassadors and senators from planets that sworn their loyalty to his rule.

He looked at the man and woman in front of him. The man was Pretto Kaas, the senator from Ryloth, and the woman was his right hand, Disha Pella. Anakin, in spite of himself, admired Pella's beauty. Her skin was deeply mauve and eyes shiny blue. She looked perfect in her silver and gold clothes.

"We want to utter a total support, which our government wants to afford to you." Kaas said.

"I will be grateful for it, senator Kaas." Anakin replied formally, his eyes still staring on Pella.

Pella blushed and started to stroke her lekku.

Anakin looked quickly on Kaas. "Ryloth is really an important planet and I am glad that it is supporting my government." He said.

"Thank you for your time, Your Majesty."

"I am always free for you, senator Kaas."

Kaas and Pella bowed and leaved the room.

Anakin turned to Sate Pestage.

"Find me something about the woman, Disha Pella." He commanded.

"Can I ask you why, Your Majesty?" Pestage asked stiffly.

"No, you can't. Just do it."

Pestage pressed his lips. "As you wish, my emperor."

Anakin smiled. "Very well. That's exactly what I want."

Door opened and Solard entered.

"Your majesty? An envoy from Dantooine just arrived." He said.

Anakin sighed. "Okay. Let him in, Solard."

Solard vanished in the hall. When he appeared again, he had a woman with him.

"Narusse Rhea, the ambassador from Dantooine." Solard introduced her.

Rhea went straight to him and kneeled. "It's a big pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty." She said.

"The same to you, Ambassador Rhea."

Rhea looked up carefully. She had big dark eyes. "I am here to represent the government of Dantooine." Her hand disappeared for a moment under her cloak, then she drew out a small black box. "This is a gift for you, your majesty. From a wishing people of Dantooine."

Anakin snapped his fingers. Sate Pestage came and took it over.

"Give it to Isard. Let him check it." he ordered quietly.

Rhea smiled. "Smart move, my emperor, but you needn't bother with it. It's a bomb. It will blow up everything in a circle of three miles if you try to open it."

Anakin raised his brows. "Do I have to understand it like attempt to kill me?"

"No, your majesty, you have to take it as a test if our new emperor is not trustful idiot." She said.

Anakin smiled. "Well, I see that inhabitants of Dantooine are not a bunch of morons."

"Certainly not. Or maybe just government of the Palanci Kingdom is not."

"Why they send you? Are you the most useless person?"

"I was a volunteer." Rhea replied.

Anakin didn't ask her why. He saw it's not the best idea. "So, now, when you know I am not just a trustful idiot?"

"We want you to know that Dantooine is wholly loyal to your Empire. We vow a full support to your rule, Emperor Vader."

"I accept your loyalty with thanks. I hope our cooperation will work well, Ambassador Rhea."

Rhea stood up. She was clothed in cloak bordered with golden needlework. She had long red hair and an arrogant expression on her face. She looked almost like Dooku in younger female version. But she was pretty.

Anakin winked. He parted with Rhea and refused other visitors. He was tired and he wanted to see Padme. Something was annoying him.

Anakin sat in front of Padme. She was carrying one of the twins, Leia.

"I think Pestage and other Palpatine's buddies don't want me to be Emperor. It's easy to see that they prefer one of them to sit on the throne."

"I have seen it, too." Padme said. She palmed Leia's head and kissed it.

"What should we do?"

She looked at him and shrugged her shoulders. "I actually don't know."

"I think I have one idea, but I don't know if it's the best thing."

"Yes?"

"Assassinate them."

Padme's eyes widened. "Ani! How could you even think about that?"

His face looked cold. "I thought it's the only safe thing I can do."

"But…you are planning to kill them!"

"I know." He replied. He was fed up with Padme's childish stance.

"But…that's bad, Ani!"

Anakin set his teeth. "I know. But it's a right thing." He said, stood up and went to the door. "I have something to do."

"But, Ani!"

He slammed a door behind him.

"You don't understand real politics." He hissed.

Anakin sat backswept in his chair in former Palpatine's office. The officer in uniform in front of him looked a bit nervous.

"I have reports, sir."

"What reports?"

Officer was concentrated on his hands. "The squad that was tracking Master Shaak Ti lost her."

He straightened up. "Where?"

"On Maridun, sir. They searched everywhere. She's gone."

"How?"

"They don't know, sir. She landed with her starfighter. They shot it to pieces, but there were no marks that she was in. Then they searched for her, but haven't found her."

Anakin lent forward and propped his hand against the desk. "Well…" he said slowly. "Find me commander CT-4065. I want him and his squad prepared tomorrow morning in the docks. They will accompany me to Maridun. I will search for her by myself."

"The best assassins I know?" Tarkin said with surprise. „Why?"

"Even emperor has his enemies." Anakin replied strictly.

"Asajj Ventress." Tarkin said with small smile.

Anakin lashed his hand. "Yes, Ventress was good. She was a great assassin, but she's gone and no one knows where."

"I am not much proficient in these things."

Anakin laughed. "Do you think I am? I was a Jedi, Tarkin."

"I know."

"So you don't know any else?"

Tarkin shook his head. "Sorry, but no."

"Don't know someone with contacts in these quarters?"

"Jabba Hutt."

Anakin laughed again. "You are not trying to help me, do you?"

"I am a soldier, Skywalker. Not politician."

"So politicians know assassins?"

"The good ones do."

Anakin smiled. "I think I know who I can ask."

"You wanted to see me, my Emperor?" Narusse Rhea asked when she entered the room.

"Yes, Ambassador Rhea. Sit down." He pointed at chair in front of his desk.

Rhea sat down, while still watching him attentively.

"So… one of my good friends once told me that the highest politics is all about murders, corruption and thieving."

"He had really sceptic look on world." Rhea replied.

Anakin smiled. "Maybe. One of my friends also told me that the good politicians know well even the...underworld, shall we say?"

Rhea grinned. "You have a really strange sort of friends, my emperor."

"I think that you are a good politician."

She raised her eyebrows. "Can I know the reason why you called me, Your Majesty?"

"I need a good assassin. For the welfare of Empire, of course."

Rhea smiled. "Yes. Of course."

"So? Do you know any?"

"Sure."

"So you have a database of assassins?"Anakin asked.

"Yes." Rhea responded. She was playing with control of big holoprojector in the middle of the room.

Anakin sat in the armchair. "I'm waiting."

"I'm so sorry, your imperial highness, but I have a problems with data compatibility."

He started to be unquiet when Rhea finally opened the file.

"So, meet my number one." She smiled.

A Zabrak male with a tattooed face appeared. The black markings on his face looked like veining of the butterfly's wings.

"This is Arson Rissus. Zabrak assassin from Dathomir. He was outcast by the tribe of Nightbrothers. He's a fair sharpshooter. Good in killing on the long distance."

"Nightbrother?"

"Yes. Want him?"

Anakin rubbed his chin. He hasn't shaved himself from Mustafar. "Maybe. Show me the other ones."

She touched the control. This was human male, thin-bodied, pale and with goddamn much well-developed muscles on hands.

"Number two. Colich Brask. It is rumoured that he's from an honourable family. The sure is that he's a pet of Jabba the Hutt. I think he's from Corellia. Can kill a man in minute without a sound."

"I like this one."

"Well, do you want me to contact him?"

Anakin smiled. "Yes." This was exactly what he wanted. He didn't want to send former Palaptine's people or even put himself into that. The fact that she proposed that she will do it by herself made the things easier. He liked that woman.

She smiled. "Your wish is my command, my lord. I will be your hand in that." She touched the control a few times. "So, do you want to see the others?"

"Yes, I need three more."

She raised her brows. "Three?"

"Yes. Do you have any problems with that?"

"Of course not, your majesty." She said with a bowed head.

"Well. So, show me the other ones."

"Indeed." A few taps on the control pad... "Number three..."

"Minute."

"Yeah?"

"How many people by the stars you have on your list?"

She blushed. "Wait a minute; I'll have a look...twenty-three."

"Are you using all of these contacts?"

"Of course not, I have them just because I want to know the best in the business."

"Twenty-three people?"

"Well, I took some of these contacts just to have them."

"Okay. Go on."

"So, Number three...Aurra Sing."

Anakin languidly browsed through the files Rhea gave to him.

He read the last page of the file he had now and threw it on the desk. He rubbed his eyes tiredly and sighed. Padme had some diplomatic session. She performed her pose as empress with singular grace.

He swept the files with his hand. It was files of assassins Rhea hired for him. They were four.

Colich Brask, Aurra Sing, Donci Farha, Peemca.

He knew just the second one, Number Three, Aurra Sing. She was well-known enemy of the Jedi order. And she even tried to kill Padme once. But she was good and there was no place for personal spite.

Solard went into the room.

"Your Majesty?"

"Yes, Solard?"

"Her imperial highness, empress Amidala, wants to see you."

"At my place or do I have to go to her?"

"She's waiting in the ante-room."

Anakin swayed his arm. "Stupid! She can enter anytime! She's your lady!"

Solard blushed and bowed stiffly. "Of course, my lord. I'm really sorry, my lord. I'll let her in at once, your majesty."

Anakin rolled his eyes and rested. "Just go away." He said quietly. He was a bit ashamed he's venting his frustration on him.

Officer bowed again and disappeared in the door. A little while afterwards, Padme entered.

She was beautiful in black and silver dress. She didn't look as tired as Anakin did.

"Hello, dear," She said.

"Hi, Padme." He responded with his eyes closed.

She sat in front of him. "You look tired."

"I am tired."

"Something bad happened?"

He sighed. "No, not at all, but I haven't slept much lately."

"I am so sorry for you."

He smiled. "You don't have to be." [And it will not help me at all.] He breathed out slowly and finally opened his eyes. He lent forward. "So, you needed something?"

"I had a call. From Lani Re Kha, the Queen Mother of Hapes Consortium."

"Hapes Consortium?"

"Didn't hear about it?"

"Oh no, of course I did, but I thought it is isolated, that they don't even establish commercial ties. Why did she call you?"

Padme tittered. "Well, it looked like she didn't call me at all. She still wanted to speak to you."

"To me?"

"Yes. She didn't take notice to the fact I am a diplomatist here. No offence."

"I didn't see it like offence."

She smiled. "Maybe that's your problem. In diplomacy, you have to see almost everything like offence."

"And in high politics, you can't look on everyone like on your friend."

Her smile vanished away. "You mean that assassinations?" she swayed her hand. "No, I don't want to know anything about it. Just don't speak about it and maybe I can take it."

"I think you have to take it."

"Hmm."

"So, what else about our hapan royal friend? What did you speak about?"

"Just about unimportant things. Like that they have noticed that your rule has much more support the Palpatine's. She said that she's not much surprised, but refused to tell me why."

"Maybe she likes me."

"Oh, you really believe yourself, do you, honey?" she said like she is speaking to a little kid.

"That was really nasty, Padme!" he smiled.

She repeated his smile. "I'm sorry, but I still have some work and I forgot to tell you the main point: She wants you to call her as early as you can." She said and stood up.

He stood up, too. "I think I'll visit kids, first."

"Breha is baby-sitting them. I'll call her that you'll come."

"That would be great."

They left the room together. They finally felt like pair once again.

"Breha Organa, right?" Anakin asked when he entered the room.

Breha Organa was sitting on the chair next to cots. Now she stood up and bowed becomingly.

"Yes, my lord."

Anakin smiled. "Oh, no, you don't have to bow in front of me, Madame Organa. You are a family friend."

She righted herself. "That's nice from you to say that, Your Majesty."

"I think lord Vader would be more fitting, Madame Organa."

"Okay, lord Vader. No needless familiarities, right?"

"Yes."

"Padme said you'll come to visit the tots, but they are sleeping right now."

"No matter. Just wanted to see them."

She stepped aside and Anakin came forward and lent to Luke.

"I am sure you will be a great Jedi or a great sith once." He whispered and palmed his head. "But you have to understand one: You can never escape your fate. We have a destiny. We can't deny it."

He straightened up. He tried. And failed.

Then he bended to Leia.

"You have such a beautiful name, do you know? You will be still my angel, Leia. Like your mother. You are so much like her. Once you will be a beautiful woman. Jedi or diplomat, tyrant or sith, who cares? You will be great in anything you are predestined for. I love you, my honey."

Breha stood aside and tried not to hear anything Vader is telling to the sleeping infants. But she still heard the words sith, fate and tyrant. [That doesn't sound good,] she told herself.

Anakin stepped aside and looked at his kids. They were cute when sleeping. He smiled a little. He turned to Breha.

"I have some work. See you later, Madame Organa."

"See you later, lord Vader."

Anakin turned, his black cloak twirled and he walked quickly to the door. When he reached the exit, he turned his head to Breha.

"And, Madame Organa?"

"Yes, lord Vader?"

"Don't tell Padme about our deal, right?"

Breha raised her eyebrows. "Of course, lord Vader, though I don't see anything bad on it."

Anakin smiled unhappily. "Padme will."

Tall woman, long, tressed hair red like tomatoes, emerald green eyes, very pale skin, nicely shaped lips and practical sea green dress with golden belt.

That was Lani Re Kha.

Anakin wasn't amazed. It looked like Lani Re is a bit disappointed 'cause of that.

"Good evening, your Highness." He said with a slight bow.

"Good evening. I suppose I am speaking to Lord Vader, the supreme Emperor of the Galactic Empire?"

"Nicely said. And you're right. I am Lord Vader."

"Well."

"And you are Lani Re Kha, the Queen Mother of Hapes Consortium, right?"

"Myself."

"I heard you and Empress Amidala had some difficulties with communication."

"Really?"

"Yes, she said you wanted to speak to me and not to her."

Lani Re smiled. It was a beautiful smile, but it looked like Vader hasn't notice. "Oh, this was just a misunderstanding. She just couldn't take that I want to speak to someone who is really...important here."

"She is important. She's my second half. The more pleasant and peaceful one."

"I am sure you don't need any."

"You would be surprised."

Lani Re moved her lips. "Maybe. However, now, when I can finally speak to the Emperor himself, we can discuss the cause why we broke our isolation for this moment and tried to establish some connections between our territories."

"What connections?"

"I think we can start with opening our borders to your merchants for a start."

"Well, I think this can be useful for both sides, but, if I can ask you, why?"

"Though Empress Amidala doesn't know about it, she's related with high members of Hapan Royal Court. And we still had good relations with her. I have to say, that I am sure you will be more open to requests and needs of your inferiors. And to advices of your allies, what a Hapes Consortium wants to become."

"What a glamorous speech, your Highness."

"Do you agree?"

"Yes, I think this can do no harm to my Empire."

"Well. As we want to open the connections, I think we have a right to know what happening in centre of things, on Coruscant."

"Of course. Do you want me to contact you regularly?"

Lani Re smiled. "Though I would be grateful to see you more frequently, Lord Vader, I meant if you will agree with emission of an envoy from Hapes to Coruscant, who will hand me information about events on Coruscant."

Anakin glanced back at Padme, which Lani Re didn't see. Her eyes were narrow, she chewed over every possible consequences. She raked her complicated hairdo with her hand, sighed quietly and nodded.

"I agree, my Queen." he said to Lani Re.

"Well. Very well. The envoy will arrive in next three weeks."

"Then we will await him and prepare for his admission."

"So, see you later, Lord Vader."

"I am looking forward to our next meetings."

Slim stature of Lani Re Kha disappeared.

Anakin breathed out and turned to Padme.

"So? What do you think about it?"

"That you were smart when you asked me to come and stand by."

He smiled. "Thanks. But what do you think about Kha? Do you know what her purposes are?"

She waited a while till she answered. "Maybe. It's sure she wants to know all the events at first hand, not out of focus. Of course she doesn't want to know the version of things that make a good man from you."

"That's not something unforeseen."

"Of course not. But I still don't know why she suddenly cancelled the isolation. The story she told you is unlike and I don't know anything about my Hapan relative and trust me, this is something I would know^."

"But if it's not true, why she did it?"

She rubbed her hair again and started to play with pearled tear hung on her diadem. "I don't know. Maybe she thinks she can manipulate with you somehow. Perhaps via this envoy." She looked straight into his eyes. "Beware of him, Ani, and perhaps nothing will happen."

"Okay. I will follow your advice, Padme." He came to her and hugged her. She sank into bends of his tunic.

"I am so, so tired, Ani."

"I know. We will stop this madness for now."

Padme left the room while still in his arms. She felt that Anakin is still someone she can prop against.

"Obi-Wan wasn't right."

"What?"

"Obi-Wan wasn't right. You can still come up on the light."

Anakin didn't respond. He wasn't strong enough to tell that he doesn't want to come back into the light side.

Author's note:

To the reviews: Thanks for the remark about my English, I'll try to do something with it.

Another one's here. Hoped you liked it, guys. I'll welcome some critique. And one note: If you think you know what will succeed, you're wrong. ] Don't know what to add. Wait the new update soon!

Next time: Hunt on Shaak Ti!

Peace, love and Sith,

Darth Moya ^^