Chapter 2 – The Dark Lord

It was long after morning as Ali walked from his and Camla's quarters to be met by his granddaughter, Ireni. She was the oldest of his adopted daughter, Sadie's children, being born just nine months after the war had ended. She had a good up-bringing and Ali was scared that if anything touched any of his grandchildren, their childhood would be ruined. He gave her a hug.

"How was your day?" he asked her.

"Good, yours?" she replied.

"Yes, it was fine, thank you," he replied, "The General of the Military is arriving soon, I think he wants his son to stay out of our political conversation, so I was meaning to ask you this for quite the while, can he talk to you for a little while?"

"Yes, of course, I like meeting new people from different places," she eagerly replied.

Ali stopped as one of the royal handmaidens walked by, "Excuse me, please could you take Princess Ireni back to her quarters?"

"Yes your highness," she replied.

"Thank you," replied Ali as he looked back at Ireni, "Goodbye Ireni."

She waved goodbye too as she made her way back to her quarters as Ali walked in the opposite direction. The palace was bustling with people. An old friend was coming to visit, politically and also because he wanted to. The General of the Republic Military, Hir Jondi. He took a quick detour via the dining hall, to check it was all in shape for his guests. As always, the staff who worked at the palace perfected every feature, they were very well trained to maintain the highest of standards.

Another old friend was arriving too, former Supreme Chancellor Jessike Skye and her husband Andy Skywalker. Ali rushed to the landing pad to stand by Camla as the ship descended and touched down as the landing pad opened and Jessike and Andy walked out.

"Good to see you again Jessike," Camla said.

"You too, your highness," she replied.

"When is General Jondi arriving?" Andy asked Ali.

"Soon, though there is something I need to talk to your wife about," Ali replied.

"Jessi?" Andy asked, "Skywalker needs to talk to you."

Jessike walked over to Ali as he said, "We need to talk, in private."

They both walked off the landing pad and into the palace.

"I contacted my son again," Ali told her.

"What did he say to you?" she told him.

"He is back, who you defeated on Mustafar," Ali told her, "Though that is impossible, he burnt in the lava itself."

"I don't understand, I-" Jessike said, "We'll keep a close eye on the nearby systems, for any movement of large fleets."

"I agree, now we must enjoy ourselves, we don't want to have a sad night out with General Jondi," Ali replied, "Good thinking my friend."

They walked off to join the others.

Deep in space, far from the Chrommel Sector in which Naboo was located, a group of rusting, old Imperial cruisers flew through the depths of darkness. They were lead by a 19 kilometre long Super Star Destroyer, Blood of Revan. On board was Grand Admiral Hik as he ordered his men about he gained a report from a spy drone which was lurking in the streets of Theed. As he and Captain Ikloaa stood in front of a holo-projector a dark, shadowy figure appeared. Their features were cloaked by a dark robe.

"My lord, our drones have located Skywalker and Skye on the planet Naboo, though I think targeting a smaller target like Naboo is an unwise tactic, we could always attack the Capital, we would gain more fear and influence," Hik suggested.

"I don't care about your ideas, that is the system, Skywalker is there, Skye is there, that is all that matters, prepare for lightspeed," the shadowy figure snarled in reply in a dark, sinister voice which gave Hik the creeps.

"But my lord, you don't-" Hik began before an invisible hand grabbed his through and choked him.

"I said I don't care, I do understand," he replied as he choked Hik as he fell to the floor, "Captain Ikloaa, you are in charge now, Grand Admiral Ikloaa."

"Thank you my lord," she replied as she turned away as the hologram flickered off to face a lieutenant and said, "Prepare the fleet for lightspeed."

The fleet snaked forwards as it rapidly jumped ahead into hyperspace, towards Naboo.