Naboo

day 148

Nejaa Halycon, Jedi Master, and CorSec officer shook his head as listened to his partner. "Obi-Wan owes me," he retorted.

"Us, my friend," Ylenic It'kla said quietly as he gazed around the barren landscape, before staring at a hill. "She has spent much time sitting on that ledge."

Nejaa shielded his eyes from the sun and looked, then used the Force to sense her presence. "It's her last few hours here. We should let her be."

"She has lost much." It'kla's expressive Caamasi face showed his sadness. "Like we all have."

"True." Nejaa pointed toward the Gungan who stood guard nearby. "Jar-Jar Binks has assumed the role as her protector. He's always near her-whether she wants him there or not."

"Like us. Kenobi sensed her life was in danger." The Caamasi stiffened slightly as they started walking toward Binks. "Her twins are Jedi."

Nejaa chuckled. "He's not very forthcoming with information. And he's the one off playing investigator, leaving the trained professionals here."

"He seeks the Sith Lord."

"I know." Nejaa glanced at his friend who had started sniffing the air. "Is something the matter?"

The Caamasi cocked his head to his left. "I do not know."

Nejaa closed his eyes. Yes, there was something not quite right. They approached the Gungan. Jar-Jar smiled at them in greeting.

"Meesa glad to see Jedi. Many Naboo leave today. Much confusion."

"Something suspicious?" Nejaa asked as he stretched out with the Force.

"Meesa don't know, sir."

Nejaa glanced at It'kla who nodded. "We'll look around." Jar-Jar frowned, then tripped as he started to run. A quick somersault brought him back to a standing position then he bolted toward Amidala's hill. It'kla followed him. Nejaa unhooked his saber, but left it unignited. The Force guided him toward another, slightly higher hill.

While It'kla and Jar-Jar ran toward the young woman, he concentrated on the statues on the hill.

"Yes," he whispered as he started jogging. Nejaa's silver-white saber ignited as he blocked a blaster-rifle bolt. Just as quickly there was a second blast toward Amidala. He broke into a sprint, barely noticing that It'kla's saber had blocked that shot. The assassin fired at them again, leaving Nejaa free to attack him from the rear. He barely heard Amidala shout something before the assassin blasted at him again.

"Interfering Jedi," the dark-haired man said as he fired his blaster-rifle. Nejaa ducked the shot, then blocked the next one with his lightsaber.

"We try. I presume I can't just say you're under arrest?"

The man sneered, then fired again. Nejaa rolled away and concentrated on projecting an image of his body continuing to roll down the hillside. The man smiled and turned his attention back to Amidala's group. The Jedi Master leapt, quickly slashing the blaster-rifle in half. He pointed his saber at the man's chest.

"Who are you working for?" Nejaa let his voice become low and threatening.

"Jedi scum," the man shouted then pushed himself into the blade. Nejaa shut it off, but it was too late: the assassin was dead. He hooked his saber on his belt and ran over toward where Amidala and It'kla had been.

Naboo Sector

day 148

Lieutenant Cru snapped to attention as he handed the message from the Naboo capital to Admiral Brandel, then waited as the Admiral skimmed the note.

"I don't know what they expect us to do. It's an internal matter." He handed the note back to Cru.

"Sir, the message does mention that she was murdered." Brandel shrugged. "And I know that Commander Skywalker has tried several times to contact..." He took a step back as Brandel's expression soured and the admiral glared at him.

"This matter has no bearing on the mission. There is no mention in this note about the commander. So, lieutenant, I suggest you return to your duty station and continue performing your assigned tasks." Cru saluted quickly and waited for Brandel to leave. He started to sit at his station, then glanced at the man who sat next to him.

"I need to take care of something," he said. The other man grunted. Cru glanced quickly at the time. Odds were in his favor that Brandel would not appear on the bridge again anytime soon. He clenched the note tighter in his fist. He knew that Commander Skywalker had expressed a great amount of interest in sending a message to this woman. Brandel had turned down every request. One message wouldn't have hurt anything. Cru could relate to Skywalker's attempts. He had a girl on Commenor-and he would want to know if she was okay. A quick check with the computer confirmed what he'd already suspected. Commander Skywalker was in his quarters. Not surprisingly, since the young man rarely spent his non-duty hours elsewhere. He stepped into the lift.

He wavered a second in his resolve at the commander's door. Then he knocked. The second time he knocked harder. The doors slid opened onto a spartan room. There was nothing in the room that gave any indication of what kind of man Skywalker was. He snapped to attention. "Sir."

"Yes," Anakin said in a cold voice as he looked up from his desk.

"I know this isn't my place, sir, but I understand you've requested information from Brandel about the Naboo woman, Amidala Naberrie." He watched as the commander's eyes narrowed.

"It doesn't matter. Brandel made his position very clear." Cru shivered slightly. While Brandel's dislike of Skywalker was vocal and public, Skywalker's hatred was quiet, cold, and calculating.

"She's dead," he said. "The message from Theed didn't offer any details, except that the Jedi were involved."

"The Jedi," Anakin said softly, but with such vehemence that Cru backed out the door. He saw a brief flicker of pain and sadness in the commander's eyes. The expression of murderous hatred that followed made him take another step back.

"Sir," the lieutenant stammered. "I'm sorry. I gather you knew her?"

"I knew her-" Anakin clenched his fists tightly-his eyes now blue ice. "-a long time ago." Cru felt his guts harden as he saluted and bolted. He'd heard stories about the cold commander-but he'd never figured that they were describing the man's ability to chill a room. He shivered as he waited for the lift, and wondered if he'd ever feel warm again.

Anakin's anger screamed for release, but he held it tight. Now was not the time, but soon Obi-Wan would pay for this. They would all pay. They'd used her to get to him-and now they would be punished for destroying her. As his anger swelled, the mysterious presence spoke. *Good. Concentrate on your anger. Draw upon it, feel the Force swell within you. Soon the time for your vengeance will be on hand.*

"Who are you?" He whispered.

*One who has waited for you for a long time. Only together can we end this destructive war and restore peace to the galaxy. We are the future-not Kenobi or the Jedi.*

*My Lord,* Anakin said, *I need to know more...*

*All in good time. You will know when you need to know.*

Anakin closed his eyes tighter and concentrated. He felt his anger form a center as the energy that came from the Force flowed through him. His smile reflected the power he felt. The Jedi were too weak to end this conflict. It took power they refused to understand and use. He would no longer be weak like them.

Theed, Naboo

Day 148

King Marlasa stared at the two bodies in front of him, before turning to the two Jedi who stood guard. "I don't understand. Why would anyone want to assassinate her?" The three Gungan who stood behind him, their heads bowed in sorrow, were the honor guard sent by the Gungan survivors. Nejaa bowed politely as he greeted them.

"I don't know," Nejaa said softly. "Maybe a misplaced belief that she was responsible for this."

"This is a terrible day. Two of Naboo's great heroes killed. The Gungan have lost so much, and now him." Marlasa said. The three Gungans stepped forward.

"Your Majesty," General Tarpals said. "The Gungan wish to claim what is ours." He clasped his hands. "A Gungan funeral is very private."

"I understand, General." Marlasa said as the other two Gungans picked up the litter that carried the body of Jar-Jar Binks and started walking away. Tarpals marched behind them.

"Wait," Nejaa said. "He died trying to save her life. He performed this last act bravely and with no thought of his own safety."

General Tarpals nodded. "And so we shall honor him. Thank-you, Jedi." Nejaa bowed.

Marlasa spoke softly as the Gungan procession left. "The Naboo are in great need of good news. Today it was not to be. I've informed Admiral Brandel. Perhaps they will provide an honor guard."

Nejaa nodded in agreement, even though he hoped they would not. "Sire, I would like to stand vigil tonight. Alone, as penance for my failure to keep her alive."

"You did what you could," Marlasa sighed. "But your request is granted. You killed her assassin. I understand no one recognizes him."

"No, your majesty." That wasn't true. Nejaa recognized the man, but also knew that to announce that Amidala had been assassinated by one of the galaxy's top hit men would only bring greater distress and confusion to the people of Naboo. And more importantly, outside investigators.

"I'll leave you to your vigil." Marlasa glanced at Amidala's body. "A sad day indeed."

"Thank-you," Nejaa bowed then waited for the king to leave the damaged temple before speaking to his partner. "You know what we need?"

It'kla nodded. "The Force shall guide me. Be careful, my friend. There may be those who seek proof of her death."

"And they shall find it." He watched as It'kla departed, then placed a hand on Amidala's forehead. "Patience. It won't be much longer."

Coruscant

day 148

Palpatine stared at the image of the man with a frown. "You have done what I asked?"

The man shivered slightly, then nodded. "Yes, Supreme Chancellor, I have seen Amidala Naberrie's body. She is truly dead." Marlasa shivered again. "Her Jedi guards are standing vigil. It is a tragic event."

"Yes, it is." Palpatine said quietly. It was also an event that should have happened earlier. "The two Jedi? You don't find their involvement suspicious?" He lowered his voice as if divulging a great secret.

Marlasa looked confused. "Suspicious? I don't understand. They did everything they could to save her."

"Yet, they are still alive." Palpatine watched and waited as the young Naboo king contemplated his words.

"Sir, what are you suggesting?" Marlasa's eyes expressed his shock and horror at the idea. Palpatine allowed himself a small smile. This was too easy.

"I'm not suggesting anything, it is a curious fact though. Good-night, your highness." Palpatine's smirk grew as the image of the confused King of the Naboo vanished. He would have rewarded her assassin handsomely if he'd survived, then arranged for him to disappear. The Jedi had saved him the trouble. Nothing would come from his hint of Jedi complicity in Naberrie's death, but the seeds of doubt had been sown. And more importantly, Skywalker also had his suspicions about her death. The young man's connection to the darkside was indeed powerful. As the prophecy of old had promised, the Chosen One, Skywalker was.

Theed, Nabo

day 149

Amidala gazed down from her vantage point high in the ruins of the palace. She knew Nejaa Halycon was behind her, still vigilant, even as a world watched her funeral. The whole event had a surrealistic feel about it. She'd spent the past day in some sort of trance, though at some level she'd been aware of the procession of mourners. She remembered wanting to reach out and tell her friends she was fine, and the sadness at not being able to. She was as dead to them as they were now dead to her. She returned her attention to the continuous succession of mourners entering the temple as she wondered how her people would remember her.

"Bail?" She asked without turning.

"I sent the message. I believe he understood the hidden meaning," Nejaa said.

"Good," she said with a small smile. She continued to stare at the scene below.

"We should be leaving."

"I know. Who was she?" She referred to the young woman whose body Ylenic It'kla had found: the one who would be buried as the former Queen of the Naboo, Amidala Naberrie.

"No one knows," he said sadly. "She died after a month in a coma. No one ever identified her."

"Ironic really," Amidala said as she turned away from the scene. "She will be buried a queen and a hero of the Naboo, while I shall fade away into obscurity." She held out her hand. "I'm ready."

"Senator," Nejaa said. "It is for the best."

"I know," she answered. "Do you know what is really happening?"

Nejaa shook his head. "Kenobi didn't say much. I know he and Colonel Arasta are out there hunting for the Sith Lord. And that I have sensed a dark presence during our stay here." He studied her carefully. "There is another presence too-one that has steadily grown darker. You know this though."

She shivered. "I know." She tried to smile. "And what scares me, is so few see the real danger." She ran her hand over a larger piece of rubble, then wiped the dust on her dark robe. "It's not the clones."

"I know," Nejaa said. "And from what Kenobi has said, and not said, your children are the future." He motioned toward what remained of the large doorway. "We do need to be leaving. Ylenic waits for us at the ship."

"Thank-you," she whispered. "For everything." She smiled as she felt one of the twins kick. The future...That seemed so far away.

Deep Space

day 150

Lieutenant Loman relaxed. This wasn't something he did on a regular basis, and almost never when flying a mission. But it was the end of their patrol and he expected Commander Skywalker to be ordering them back to the base ship soon.

Now, there was a strange character, he thought. The commander definitely worked in his own galaxy. Flying-wise, the young man could fly circles around every pilot Loman had ever met. Socially, the man didn't seem to care. He'd earned the respect of his crew-but he never attended any of the squadron functions. He'd tried to socialize with the commander early on, but Skywalker always seemed uninterested. And recently, being near his commanding officer made him nervous. Which was laughable, Loman thought, he was four or five years older than Skywalker. And bigger. Now, Skywalker was brilliant-no question that his rank was well deserved. Never mind what the Admiral's opinion was.

Brandel was an odd one too. So public in his antagonism about Skywalker. He was an Admiral, all he had to do was transfer Skywalker elsewhere, yet he didn't. Loman pondered that a second. Perhaps there was some truth to the rumors that Skywalker was extremely well connected.

He rubbed his forehead, as he felt the beginnings of another headache. They were becoming more and more frequent-especially during battles. The damn med-droids couldn't find anything wrong with him, and the human doctors only dealt with severe cases.

He opened a channel. "Did anyone bring lunch?" His wingman, Lieutenant Olm, laughed.

"Hungry already?"

"Sure am. Brandel forget us or something?"

"Who knows," Olm answered. "Hey! Wait. Look at that." Loman stared as the Republic ships started to change course and spread out. Several dumped their trash. "It looks they're preparing to jump."

Loman changed frequencies. "Commander, is that what I think?"

"Yea. The bastard is leaving." Anakin tapped his intercom. "Delta leader to base. You guys leaving us here?"

The voice of Brandel responded. "We've picked up a distress call. I've ordered the fleet to investigate." There was something in his tone that almost wanted to Anakin to say more. Anakin widened his range with the Force. He could sense Brandel's anger at the conversation-and his own squadron's wonderment at the Admiral's bizarre decision. It was getting easier to contact the squadron this way, probably because he was more familiar with their minds.

"And the convoy?" Anakin's eyes glanced toward the motley collection of nearly a hundred transport ships.

"There is no danger."

"Sir, you do remember that our primary mission..."

"Commander, we'll discuss your attitude, later." The link was cut as the ships jumped to hyperspace. Anakin glowered after them.

"All squadrons we're on our own for the moment. Extend our patrols by five kilometers." He glanced at the console. "Commander Skywalker to convoy fleet."

"Commander," a voice said. "What happened?"

"Admiral Brandel is investigating a distress call." Anakin considered reaching out with the Force and grasping the Admiral's throat, while the other speaker managed about ten words in Naboo that Anakin figured covered the situation. The Admiral could wait, he decided as a familiar sensation in the Force swirled about him. He gripped the rudder tighter. "We've got company," he shouted through the intercom."

"Where?" Loman said, then let loose a string of expletives as clone ship after clone ship appeared.

"Prevent them from getting to the transports," Anakin ordered as he hit the rudder, spinning his ship to the port. He fired in rapid succession at the larger triangular-shaped clone destroyer, before four clone fighters drove him off. If he survived this, Brandel would pay. He gathered his anger around him. The Force filled him as he in rapid succession blasted three clone fighters. He banked sharply and strafed the bottom of the clone destroyer coming in over him. A flick of the switch, and he fired a proton torpedo straight into the bridge. He pulled away. In less than three minutes the clone fleet had overwhelmed the few fighters and were now starting on the transports. He clenched his teeth as he accelerated. Three other clone destroyers were heading for the heart of the convoy. "Jump," he shouted instructions to the convoy. "Get the Hell out of here." Several transports were already accelerating. The squadron just had to protect them long enough for them to escape.

A quick roll and he found himself in position. He fired several times in rapid succession, no longer seeing the fight with his eyes. The Force controlled him as he sensed the enemy and their weaknesses. He felt the terror of the refugees; but only as a tool to further his own connection to the Force. Soon, he was barely aware of them, his concentration and furor focused on the clones, while all around him the convoy ships were being blown up.

Then it was over. As suddenly as the clone ships had appeared they jumped to hyperspace, leaving behind destruction and few survivors.

Far away, a Dark Lord of the Sith smiled.