Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
A/N: Over 2,000 views, across 37 countries. I never would have guessed I'd score so high on one story. Thank you all so much for your continued support. And to Hawk's review, I hope this chapter clears a few things up. It's not going to be as long as my previous chapters, but regardless, please enjoy.
Also, Props to whoever caught the Overwatch reference from the previous chapter.
He didn't understand why he'd been called back to Coruscant. He was meant to keep a low profile, hidden away from the galaxy. Of course, his presence here unsettled the Inquisitors, of which there were only three left. It amused him that he'd succeeded in visibly scaring them. Not to mention that they couldn't even attempt to hide their fear of him.
"I'm curious what would motivate the Emperor into summoning us here." He wondered, breaking the silence and causing the three inquisitors to jolt.
"Lord Sidious must have a valid reason for it," argued the Third Brother, a Nikto.
"We must not question the ways of our master," countered the Second Sister, who was a pale skinned Iridonian Zabrak. "He will explain his actions only if and when he deems it necessary. You know this already, Third Brother."
The Fourth Sister, the only Human inquisitor, said nothing. She had always been intimidated by the others, as she was not only the Inquisitorius' only human member, but she was also the youngest at a mere 19 years old; she had been a mere child when the Empire rose. He had always pitied her; she seemed particularly concerned that she could die if she didn't meet the Emperor's expectations.
The doors opened, and Darth Sidious emerged. Immediately, the three inquisitors knelt down. Only the fourth individual, The Stalker, remained standing; he had no reason to fear the Emperor, nor did he feel obligated to submit.
"Rise, inquisitors." Sidious croaked. The Jedi hunters obeyed.
"What do you ask of us, Lord Sidious?" The Third Brother queried.
"There has been a disturbance," replied the Emperor. "Have you felt it?"
"We have, your Excellence." Second Sister confirmed.
"L-Lord Vader has disappeared." Fourth Sister stammered. Her comrades smirked, apparently feeding off of her fear.
"Hmm...How unfortunate." Sidious calmly stated. "His rather sudden disappearance is unexpected...but not unfixable."
"What do you mean, My Lord?" Second Sister asked, though when he turned to look at her, her gaze dropped to the floor quickly.
Palpatine smiled as he replied, "I have sensed that he has somehow been pulled to the Light. Whether he can be returned to his place at my side or not is of little importance as of now. We have more pressing matters to deal with."
Activating a holotransmitter, a miniature form flickered to life. Even despite the minimal colors, the individual who appeared was unmistakable, with his trim military haircut and his blue skin. His crimson gaze met with Palpatine's, and he nodded in respect.
"Grand Admiral Thrawn." Palpatine croaked.
"What do you ask of me, Your Highness?" Thrawn asked, in his calculating, meticulous voice.
"Have you located the Rebels yet?" Sidious asked.
Without a trace of fear on his features or in his voice, Thrawn replied, "Not yet, my Lord. But do not fear; I have almost identified the planet on which they are hiding."
"Excellent," Palpatine growled, pleased with the Chiss' answer. "Fourth Sister," he hissed, and the aforementioned agent snapped to attention.
"Y-Yes, My Lord?" she nervously replied.
"You are to scout the planets in question and report back to Grand Admiral Thrawn should you find the Rebel base." Palpatine commanded. "Do not engage the rebels until further instructions are given."
Bowing, the Fourth Sister replied, "Y-Yes, m-m-my Lord. Should...should I..."
"Yes." Palpatine responded. "You may leave now."
"I...I will not fail you, my lord." She stated. "I will find the rebels...or I will allow myself to perish should I fail."
Stalker found her fear and her willingness to serve the Emperor concerning, but shrugged it off. Fourth sister knelt once more, before quickly turning around and leaving.
Palpatine then activated a second holo, and the image of Grand Moff Tarkin came into view.
"Your Grace," Tarkin said with a respectful nod. "What may I do for you?"
"How much progress has been made with the construction of the Death Star?" Palpatine asked.
"The weapon's defensive and Life support systems are fully functional, my lord." Tarkin replied. "However, we lack the needed amount of crystals to power the super laser and the Hyperdrive is incomplete." Before Sidious could respond, Tarkin added, "This is all that I know based on Director Krennic's last report."
Sidious considered his thoughts for a moment. "Grand Moff Tarkin," he hissed after a brief minute. "You are to be put in charge of the Death Star's construction. Effective Immediately. Surely, you will succeed where Krennic has failed."
"Yes, your Highness." Tarkin replied, as the transmission ended.
Sidious turned to Thrawn and replied, "I take it you will accept the aid of the Fourth Sister when she arrives."
"Yes, my lord." Thrawn replied. "I'm sure her talents can root out the Jedi hiding amongst the rebels. Once she finds them, I will move in to finish them."
"Good. Good." Sidious said. "Report to me once she has found them." The transmission ended, and Palpatine turned to face the two remaining Inquisitors. "You two are to return to your missions to root out the remaining Jedi. Turn them to the Dark Side or kill them. It makes little difference to me."
"Yes, my lord." Second Sister replied, as she and Third Brother bowed in respect before leaving. Now only the Emperor and Stalker remained.
"Anything in particular you need from me?" Stalker asked.
"You are to remain here on Coruscant. I sense you will be needed in the near future."
"I understand." Stalker replied. Then, a thought crossed his mind. "What about Maul?"
Palpatine mused over the question. Yes, He thought to himself. What of my former apprentice?... "He is of no concern for now," he said out loud. "If he is to show himself to us, it makes dealing with him and putting him in his place all the more simple. But we've no time to waste on him for now."
"I understand." Stalker replied. "I will be leaving now."
Palpatine also returned to his quarters to think. His apprentice left to find the holocron, and has yet to return. And the shift in the force was unmistakably a sign that his grip on Vader was gone. It wasn't just slipping; it no longer existed. That didn't mean, however, that nothing could be done to change that. Palpatine had waited so long to put his plan into action, and he was not going to let this little detail bring his Empire to ruin.
Vader would either return to the Dark Side, or he would die.
A/N: And that's a wrap. So to clarify, Palpatine was not hoping to fool the Rebels into thinking that Vader is returning to the light. Anakin has come back to the Light Side all on his own.
Also, Fourth sister is NOT Mara Jade, and Stalker is NOT Snoke. I personally don't really like Snoke all that much, because it's basically a meme at this point that practically any character in Star Wars is being called Snoke, from plausible identities like Plaguies or Mace Windu, to doubtful leads like Boba Fett, to downright absurd leads like Jar Jar Binks or that slave kid who was friends with Anakin in the Phantom Menace (Please remind me what his name is, I can't remember).
In my opinion, Snoke is a COMPLETELY NEW CHARACTER, whom we have not yet met in any of the Star Wars Movies, prior to the Force Awakens. I'm sure that in Episode VIII, we will gain more concrete information on his identity.
Anyway, next chapter we will see the rebels return to Atollon, as well as Anakin's reaction not only to Ventress, but to her son. And a certain someone drops in that Anakin remembers from the past. (Wink wink)
Until then, Please R&R, and I'll see you all next time. Peace Out!
