The group reached Watto's shop in no time and stood outside the door. Travien smirked, "Well, I'm persona non grata in there. Anyone who wants to talk to the useless thing is more than welcome, I'm gonna work on my tan." With the he sat on the floor leaning against the outside wall of the building in question. Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow and walked into the shop, followed by everyone but Padmé and the handmaidens, who sat beside Travien.

Watto saw Qui-Gon walk in and flew over to them. The others noticed that his hand flew reflexively to his neck. Qui-Gon frowned at the odd movement, but his mind quickly made the connection. He suddenly knew a lot more about Travien's 'negotiations' with Watto.

"I'm here for the parts that Travien paid for earlier." He stated,

Watto's eyes darted around, resting briefly on Anakin and Shmi, "And ah…where is Travien?" he asked slowly,

Anakin was the one who answered, "He's outside. He said he wouldn't be allowed in here, why?"

Watto shook his head frantically, "No reason. Come on, your parts are waiting for you. I got them onto some animals already so you can be on your way."

They were led out to the back where Watto kept his stuff. They immediately saw the animals and their burdens so they took them around the shop and met up with Travien and the handmaidens who were happily waiting for them. In reality they were all leaning against the wall, their eyes closed, feet extended in front of them. Padmé was leaning her head on Travien's shoulder, Rabé's head was on Padmé's shoulder and Eirtaé's head was on Rabé's shoulder. Travien had laid his head on top of Padmé's. They all appeared to be asleep.

Qui-Gon coughed significantly. Travien 'woke up' and looked at him. The Jedi frowned,

"I am pleased to see that you are all well rested, but perhaps you could begin to move so that we can get back to the ship?"

Travien smiled, "Come on girls, you heard the meddling old codger. We have to be up and moving. We ungrateful youngsters have to pull our weight around here, you know."

The handmaidens giggled along with Padmé as they got up and dusted themselves off. Travien smiled at the glowering Qui-Gon and shook his head,

"Every time you come out of that shop you glare at me, what is it about this street that you hate so much?" he asked innocently.

Qui-Gon shook his head in frustration and wandered off away from the Sith Lord. The others followed him slightly and Travien frowned. The aura he had sensed from before was back. This time it was approaching the ship. Most likely it was after them, although what it wanted was a different matter. Travien would have to deal with that soon. The important thing was to get the others back to the ship so that he could indulge himself.

They left the 'city' rather quickly. Qui-Gon was apparently eager to get away. Travien briefly wondered if the Jedi had felt the same thing as he did, but dismissed the thought almost instantly. They were Jedi after all. Travien had never had a great deal of contact with the Order but what little contact he had cemented his belief in their generalised incompetence. He wondered what it was about being Jedi that meant you became deaf, dumb, blind and stupid.

Travien sighed causing Padmé to look at him and frown, "What's wrong?"

He shrugged, "Do you sense that? It's getting closer."

Padmé closed her eyes in concentration and they snapped open suddenly, "Is that what you sensed?"

Travien nodded, "He's been hanging around for a couple of days. He and his master evidently don't believe that I am who I say I am. Gods I hope that's not the master." He shuddered, that would be a fate worse than death to find out that his once proud Empire had been reduced to…that. His people had fallen far, sure but there was no reason for everything to have become that bad. He shook himself of those thoughts and returned his attention to Padmé.

"I'm pretty certain that this guy is the Apprentice." He stated hopefully,

Padmé nodded, "What do you plan on doing with him?"

Travien shrugged, "Not really sure. I'll see if he's a decent challenge. It's been a while since I've had to actually fight for my life. It could be fun, but I doubt it. I don't think he's really a threat to us." Travien thought for a few moments, "He might be a threat to Anakin because he's not trained. He'll definitely be a threat to the Jedi because they're, well, they're Jedi. That says it all really. If you can get the others out of the way then I can have my fun."

Padmé snorted, "Well, I suppose it is only fair, you do need to keep up to your old standards after all."

He hugged Padmé happily, "Don't worry sweetheart, a couple more years and you'll be up to my level, I promise."

Padmé gave him the puppy dog eyes that she had developed just for him, "A couple of years?"

Travien nodded firmly, "Yep. It's not just about knowledge; it's about experience as well. Remember, you don't have nearly a million Sith all trying to take your job from you. Although the election process for being Queen does sound brutal, I'll give you that."

Padmé laughed, "It's not nearly that bad. It's a lot easier than your election process. I can still lose."

Travien laughed loudly, "There is that."

They walked in silence the rest of the way. Travien kept track of the presence moving towards them. It was moving too fast to be a normal Sith so he presumed that there was a vehicle involved somehow. He decided to wait and see. Padmé smiled, this journey had been good for all of them, in retrospect. She was still not entirely comfortable with Travien's supposed Dark Side, but that was natural, she had never really been exposed to darkness before. She'd seen people have temper tantrums, but never real, honest to god, Darkness. It was slightly terrifying from her perspective. Not only that she loved this man, and she did, but that she was becoming darker. Padmé knew that Travien would never allow her to fall, she wondered if this was her cynicism or pragmatism coming to the fore.

Qui-Gon looked back at them. In all honesty they worried him greatly. Travien was dangerous, that much he had known since he met the boy. What was a surprise was just how deeply connected he was to the Queen. That connection would cause a lot of problems soon. He knew he would have to tell the Jedi Council that not only one Sith, but two, were now operating within the Republic. If he were truly honest with himself he was scared. This boy might well herald the end of the Order if something wasn't done about him. Qui-Gon's musings were cut short as he sensed a dark presence approaching. This must have been the presence that Travien felt earlier. He dropped back to talk with the Sith Lord,

"I assume that you have felt it?" he asked.

Travien nodded calmly, "I've been tracking it since we left Mos Espa. It's on a speeder of some sort, that's the only way it can move as fast as it does."

Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow, "Why did you not tell me of this?"

Travien turned an even stare on the Jedi, "I am more than capable of dealing with such an upstart. Beside, these Sith are the ones who instigated the attack on Naboo. I want my vengeance for that."

Qui-Gon looked doubtful, "You are so certain that you can defeat him? What if he is hiding his power as you are?"

Travien chuckled, "He is not. If he were then I would only just have detected him. To hide his full power and release that amount would require him to be stronger and more skilled than myself by several orders of magnitude. The current Sith are not capable of that. Perhaps I will explain why another time. Take Anakin and Shmi and head into the ship. I will deal with the Darksider."

Qui-Gon nodded uncertainly and began hurrying Shmi and Anakin towards the ship. They had almost reached it when they heard the whine of a speeder bike. Travien looked behind them and saw a dust cloud in the distance, it was fairly large and moving towards them. He turned to Padmé,

"You lot head towards the ship, I'll deal with this."

Padmé nodded unhappily. Even if he was the most powerful being he had ever encountered she didn't like leaving him alone to deal with this being. Everyone could get lucky. Nevertheless he ushered the handmaidens and guests back into the ship where she saw Panaka waiting for them.

"Your Majesty, where is Lord Shan?" Padmé could see Obi-Wan behind him scowling at the name.

Padmé sighed, "Lord Shan has discovered one of his people on the planet. He is dealing with it now."

Obi-Wan cried out, "There is a Sith on Tatooine?! Why in the blazes would they be here?"

Padmé glared at him like he was an idiot. She was fast beginning to agree with Travien's opinion of Obi-Wan, "Well the first one came here with us. He was wearing the black armour. The second one is probably working for whoever started the blockade in the first place. Travien will deal with it."

Obi-Wan snorted, "I still think that trusting him is a foolhardy venture."

Padmé glared. Yes, she was a Queen and shouldn't get involved in petty shouting matches but she was also very protective of Travien. His title of Sith Lord often blinded people to the caring person he was underneath.

"Travien has done a fantastic job of protecting me. He has become a productive member of Naboo society, despite his upbringing. You were tasked with the resolution of the blockade. Tell me who I should be trusting?" she snarked.

Everyone looked at Padmé in shock, apart from Eirtaé and Sabé. They both wanted to rip into Kenobi. The training that Travien was giving them had pulled the group together as very close friends. Sabé and Eirtaé would never be as close to Travien as Padmé was but they all felt a connection to their teacher. For now they settled for watching Padmé rip into the arrogant padawan who stood there gaping at her tirade. The group soon settled and waited for the action to begin outside. They gathered around the nearest window to watch.

Travien stood with his back to the ship watching the approaching cloud. His patience was wearing thin when he eventually saw the speeder bike at the front of the approaching column of dust. It was a single man craft which didn't surprise Travien. A lot of Sith warriors were minimalists when it came to possessions, he never really understood that but it wasn't his decision. He didn't particularly care either. He watched the Sith, who was an Iridonian, dismount the bike almost a hundred feet away and walk away from it. He smiled as the Apprentice walked up to him.

Travien nodded, "Greetings Apprentice, what brings you here?"

The Apprentice looked surprised at being greeted in such a fashion but shook it off. He would play this fool's game. He could sense the being's power and it was nowhere near his own.

"I have come for the Queen."

Travien nodded, "And your name, Apprentice?"

The Iridonian assessed him for a moment, "I am Darth Maul."

Travien nodded, "Maul, hmm, unusual name. I am sure that the naming conventions of our people have changed during my exile."

Maul looked confused, "Our people?"

Travien smiled disarmingly at him, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Darth Travien Shan. Lord of the Star Forge."

Maul snorted, "My master warned me of you. You are nothing but an imposter, a copycat playing on the name of a greater Sith!" Maul ignited his blade.

Travien sighed and released his full aura. On the ship Padmé gasped, this was more power than she had seen from Travien before. Maul looked at him with terror,

"I am no imposter, Maul. My exile has seen our people diminish greatly. Your master is no Sith Lord. Such a title would be contingent on my death. You have a choice, return to your master, warn him of his folly or face me now. You choose."

Maul raised his sabre, driven by his fear of his master he attacked viciously. Travien whipped his lightsaber from the clip on his thigh and activated it mid-swing. He raised it and lazily blocked the oncoming attack. He smirked as Maul drew back and began throwing lightning fast blows, raining down hits only to be blocked by the lazy and disinterested movements of Travien.

Travien smirked, "Is this all that your master has taught you?" Travien sighed, "Very well. I must ask though, why do you want the Queen?"

Maul panted a little, he had been trying his hardest to attack the man in front of him but he couldn't get through his defences,

"Lord Sidious has commanded that I take her back to Naboo. There she is to sign the treaty with the Trade Federation. Once that is done she will be killed."

Back on the ship Padmé didn't know what had been said but Travien aura darkened massively. It was like watching an eclipse. That Sith had said something to set him off and he was now truly angry. The girls shuddered at the darkness they felt and Padmé understood where the fear she believed irrational had come from. Months ago she would have walked away from Travien if she had felt this. Now, she loved him too much to walk away. Besides, he would never hurt her. She was watching when one of the pilots came in,

"Ladies, Gentlemen, we have the sensors working properly now. We can hear what they are saying."

Padmé nodded and the dialogue was piped through the ship's speakers,

Travien glared at the terrified apprentice, "You do realise that you're getting nowhere near the Queen, don't you?"

Maul sneered, driven by mind numbing terror, "My master has ordered that I kill you and the Jedi. Therefore you will die and I will have the Queen."

Travien smiled, "It's been far too long since I killed something, you know that? You are a pathetic little insect, Maul. You would never have made it through the Academy on Korriban. When my Sith eventually rise again, I will see to it that the taint of you and your master is washed away in blood. You will not die here, though you may wish that you had."

Travien charged forwards, his sabre slamming into Maul's lightsaber, raised in defence at the last moment. The impact threw Maul back almost ten feet onto the ground. The Sith looked at Travien amazed,

"Get up!" he roared, "Fight me!"

Maul got up hesitantly and was met with a flurry of blows. He had to activate the second blade of his lightstaff just to be able to block. Travien sneered at him,

"So, you use Ataru with a lightstaff. Apparently the Sith are not just weak but stupid as well. Your hands are too close to the edge of your blades, your movements are slow and forced. You lack the necessary focus to maintain prolonged combat. You are barely worth my time."

Maul was driven back again by another flurry of blows. These ones were even faster than before; Travien was allowing the Dark Side to enhance his speed and strength. He did not care where Maul would attack as he was giving him no opportunity to do so. Eventually he pushed Maul backwards and unleashed a torrent of Force Lightning at the Apprentice. Maul collapsed to the floor screaming. Travien kept up the attack for almost a minute, by which time there was no way that Maul could fight back.

Travien walked over to him and took away his lightsaber. Attaching it to a clip on his belt he knelt down beside him as the Sith glared up at him hatefully,

"You are an embarrassment. I hereby strip you of the title of Darth and your taken name of Maul. You are hereby named Concido until you earn your title back, it means 'failure' in my mother's native Talravian, a fitting name, I think. I am the Lord of the Sith, not the insignificant being you so devotedly call your master. Remember this well, Concido, I belong to Padmé Amidala, Queen of the Naboo. Just as I belong to her, she belongs to me. Hell will freeze over before you or your master touch that which is mine!" he hissed.

Travien stood up and reached for the communicator he had taken from Qui-Gon without him noticing. Back in the ship Qui-Gon suddenly reached a hand to his belt and noticed that his communicator was missing. The handmaidens giggled as he scowled out of the window.

Travien activated the communicator, "Operator?" he asked cheerily.

Obi-Wan answered it, "What do you want now?" he snapped,

Travien sighed, "Padmé would get upset if asked for your still beating heart on a plate, so I'll happily talk to my Queen instead."

Padmé took the communicator from him, "Travien, what do you need?"

Travien smiled, the sound of her voice always had a calming effect on him, "Could you send two of the handmaidens out here. I need two large containers of water, two quarterstaffs and my flag from the race."

Padmé frowned in confusion but nodded anyway "Alright. Sabé and Eirtaé are bringing it all to you now. Is there anything else?"

Travien shook his head, not knowing they could see him, "No, I'll be done here in a moment."

Travien waited for the Handmaidens to come out carrying the supplies he requested. He smiled as they put the objects down,

"Is there anything else we can do my Lord?" asked Sabé.

Travien shook his head, "No, thank you girls. You can go back in now." They nodded slowly and hurried back into the ship. Travien turned his attention back to Maul, who was still curled up on the ground.

He staked the two quarterstaffs in the ground, parallel to one another and about a meter apart whilst at a forty five degree angle to the ground. He tied the flag between them, providing some shade from the Sith. This confused him but Travien carried on. He dragged the Sith over to the shade and drew his lightsaber again. Maul screamed as Travien cut through his calf muscles. The injury was not deep enough to catch a major blood vessel but it was enough that Maul could no longer walk. Travien put the lightsaber away and dropped Maul onto the ground.

He placed the two containers of water beside the downed Sith,

"I hope for your sake that you master taught you how to heal yourself with the Force. The suns will change position soon, so this shelter won't last for long. I'll let you keep your lightsaber. Consider it a reminder. I think you may learn something valuable from this, Concido. Have fun."

Travien walked away from Maul as he screamed curses at the back of the Sith Lord. Travien smiled at the anger he sensed from the being and made a conscious effort to let go of the Dark Side. He could feel it draining away from him as he got closer to the ship. By the time he reached the Nubian vessel, that had already been repaired, he was almost back to his normal levels of darkness, which is to say he was mildly gray. He also shielded his aura as he walked up the ramp.

He was greeted at the top of the ramp by a crowd of nervous people. The handmaidens were looking slightly awkward and the Jedi regarded him with outright suspicion. Padmé stepped forward and hugged him. Travien relaxed into her embrace and smiled. She still cared for him. The others waited for the moment to end as the boarding ramp was raised and the ship took off. Padmé stepped back from Travien, still smiling slightly,

"You're going to have to explain what happened back there. I know what I saw, but I think there is something deeper there."

Obi-Wan broke into the conversation, "What was that thing?!"

Travien looked at him placidly. It was the least hostile expression that Travien had ever given him, "That thing as you put it was an Iridonian Sith Apprentice, a badly trained one at that."

Padmé nodded, "Come on, let's go into another room. I want to sit down."

Padmé led them into the throne room where she sat down on the throne, causing both Anakin and Shmi to gasp. The girl they had housed and helped wasn't just another handmaiden, she was the Queen.

"Now, Travien. Why did you leave him there?" she asked,

Travien considered his answer for a moment, "Concido was a Sith Lord. I'm not entirely sure how he rose to the title, to be honest. A Sith of his power would have been killed instantly by the others for naming himself Darth."

"Why do you call him Concido?" interrupted Padmé,

Travien smiled briefly, "He tried to kill me and failed. Normally he would have died for that but…he has potential. He holds his anger too close to himself, if he could learn to let go, he could be a truly spectacular Sith."

Qui-Gon looked at him incredulously, "A truly spectacular Sith?! He tried to kill you and the Queen!"

"Please! He was no more a threat to me than he was to Padmé. Whoever his master may be, they are either a fool or a weakling!"

"How so, Travien?" asked Padmé,

Travien shook his head, "I don't understand and that's the problem. A Sith his age should have been a much more accomplished fighter. He should have been at least a match for Sabé or Eirtaé. He may have been a challenge for them, but it would have been a forgone conclusion. I'm curious as to why the others haven't taken him apart already."

A snort came from Obi-Wan, "What others? There are only two Sith at a time."

Travien rounded on Obi-Wan with a dangerous gleam in his blind eyes, "You've mentioned that before, padawan. What do you mean there are only two? Be swift."

Obi-Wan glared at him, "I don't answer to you."

Travien's face twisted, "You are withholding information regarding a potential threat to the Queen. As royal bodyguard I am a member of the Naboo security force. I am more than happy to place you under arrest, Jedi. Tell me what I want to know!"

Qui-Gon moved between them, "There are only two Sith, a master and an apprentice. It has been that way for as long as anyone remembers. Are you saying that this is not the case?"

Travien shook his head, "Gods No! I ruled an empire of twenty billion living sentients. Almost a million of those were Force sensitive Sith. Anyone of those Sith could have challenged me for the throne. Not many of them would have a problem with ganging up on me to get rid of me. It's why I had to be so powerful, why father had to be so powerful." Travien looked stricken, "By the Force, no wonder the Sith are a mere myth. Everything we built entire empires and cultures, all gone."

Obi-Wan barked a laugh, "Culture? Is that what you call your brutality?"

Travien snarled, "Yes, just as you hide your hypocrisy the same way."

Obi-Wan looked outraged, "We are not hypocrites!"

"Tell that to the thousands of Jedi who died as Exiles for doing the right thing! Tell that to the Jedi Exile, Ian Kenobi. They stripped him of his power, his life and his family when he did what was necessary. Frankly your Order disgusts me, as does the fact that the Republic allows you to exist. At least we never gave people the illusion of choice. We never lied to them about their options!"

"How do we take away their choice?" asked Qui-Gon with a raised eyebrow,

Travien sneered angrily, "So, you're telling me that you didn't try to mind trick Watto? You didn't try to force him to accept currency he couldn't use?"

Qui-Gon stuttered, "That was necessary. We had no choice!"

"And there is that famous hypocrisy. At least when I conned him he knew that I would love nothing more than to wrap my hands around his slimy throat and throttle the life out of the goddamn slaver. But you, no. You were happy to wrap his mind in the Force and break him to your will, no matter how it would affect him. Just like the council did to my father!" he snarled. He turned to Padmé,

"I'll tell you about it another day, but I have to go." Padmé nodded dumbly as he turned around and left the throne room. Everyone in the room was absolutely shocked at how deeply his hatred of the Jedi ran. The three force users he had trained began to realize the sheer strength of his self control. Padmé was about to lay into them when Sabé got there first,

"Who the hell do you people think you are? How dare you attack him? Why, is it because you don't understand his culture, his people?" she hissed,

Obi-Wan looked indignant, "How can you defend him! He's a Sith!"

Sabé sneered as he had to Travien, "Really, and how many Sith have you encountered, not darksiders, but actual honest to god, Sith?"

Obi-Wan stuttered and Qui-Gon took up the conversation, "I must admit that Travien is the first Sith that any of the Jedi has knowingly encountered in a millennium."

Padmé threw up her hands, "Fantastic, just fantastic!" Everyone turned to stare at the Queen after her outburst.

"So Travien has just discovered that everything he ever fought for is gone, nothing of his culture remains and you decide to base your criticisms of him on one thousand year old propaganda. Did either of you try to get past the Sith aspect of his life? I sincerely doubt it. Travien is a trusted member of the royal household. From this point on, bear this in mind, an attack on him is an attack on the sovereign household of Naboo, understood?" The two Jedi nodded, stunned. Padmé sighed, "Captain Panaka, inform me when we reach Coruscant." With that final command she left the room. Sabé and Eirtaé just looked at each other and left. Panaka turned to the Jedi,

"Antagonizing them wouldn't be wise right now. The Queen is as devoted to him as he is to her. I don't like him, personally but I have to admit is damn good at his job and he is a…well he's not a good person, but he isn't a monster."

Obi-Wan shook his head, "How did they end up being involved like that? Can she not see how dangerous he is?"

Panaka shrugged, "She's getting some of the best training available frankly. They are close. I've seen him visibly rein his own powers in at a single word from her."

Qui-Gon frowned, "What do you mean?"

Panaka sighed, "As you'd expect of any Sith, Travien has a nasty temper. The palace staff started doing some serious research after we found out about that. A couple of months ago someone attempted to assassinate the Queen, said she was too young and a bad ruler. The idiot started badmouthing her to defend his actions. That was the first time I'd ever seen him lose control thankfully it was the last. Half of the objects in the cell crumpled like tin. It was hard to breath and everything. Travien hit the guy with lightning and it didn't look like he was going to stop. The Queen just said his name and he backed down. It took a half hour for things to stop shaking."

Padmé walked into the room she shared with Travien as the Jedi digested what Panaka was telling them. What she saw terrified her more than anything. Travien sat at the head of the bed, his eyes were glassy and he was staring straight ahead of himself. His knees were drawn up to his chest and his arms wrapped around his legs. He rested his back against the wall and just sat there. Padmé walked into the room slowly and sat down on the bed beside him. She wrapped her arms around him and was worried when he didn't move.

They had been sitting there for almost a half an hour when Travien finally spoke. His voice was hollow and it almost sounded dead.

"Twenty Billion lives. I sacrificed twenty billion lives, over a thousand worlds. They relied upon me. They depended on me. I was their Lord; I was the child of Revan. Our empire was supposed to last a thousand years, like the Sith Empire of Ajunta Pall. I thought that someone would have survived. I thought that I could wake up and find them again." He gulped, "I never expected this. They're gone, all of them. Korriban is desolate, Ziost is uninhabited and Rakata forgotten. Over a thousand worlds were part of the most powerful single coalition in the galaxy, all gone. Like dust in wind. Their bones will be gone as their names are forgotten. Their battles are meaningless now, just as their sacrifices. I delivered the last blow. I thought that the survivors of the battle, those who left at the beginning, would have become stronger and rebuilt the empire. They didn't though."

Padmé hugged him closer, "You can rebuild it, can't you?"

Travien shook his head mutely, "No. The Republic stretches too far. If I tried to rebuild the Sith they'd find out too quickly. We'd all be killed."

Padmé sighed, "Is there no way you can do it without a war?"

Travien began thinking; this was no longer just about Naboo. He had to begin rebuilding his entire civilization. He had the Star Forge but he didn't have the man power. Yes, he could build a droid army, but that was dangerous. Droids were not intuitive thinkers…unless he used the template for HK-47. Alter it slightly and lace in some battle droid programming. He would still need living breathing sentients and Force users to counter any interfering Jedi, but it could be possible.

Perhaps he could convince…no that was for later, deal with this now and then begin rebuilding.

Travien nodded slowly, "I might be able to. It would take years, but I might be able to do it legitimately. Especially if this other Sith Lord does what I want him to do. He might just play right into my hands." He looked at Padmé, "You do realize that any hint of my Empire re-establishing itself would drive the Jedi to attack and more than likely start a war anyway, don't you?"

Padmé looked at him unhappily, "Are you certain?"

Travien sighed, "How about this idea? I won't move to establish my Empire while the Republic exists. If there is a war however, then I make my move and you get to help me forge that Empire into whatever is best for the people of the galaxy. How's that? Not a true Sith Empire, but a way to ensure not only people's safety, but their freedom as well."

Padmé frowned, "That's not exactly my ideal solution. I was hoping for neighbouring states or something like that."

Travien just shrugged, "The Jedi would never allow that to happen, love. Remember, they tried to hunt me down for no other reason than my parents being Sith. I highly doubt that they would leave a Sith Empire alone."

Padmé just sighed, "Whatever happens it is all going to end in bloodshed, isn't it?" she asked sadly,

"Not if you don't want it to. I've already said that I won't endanger the democracy that you love. If something happens and the Republic looks to collapse or be conquered, then I'll jump into the power vacuum that it would create. I'll keep as much democracy as I can, if anything should happen. You never know, I might have scared this Sith off. I doubt I will be doing much Empire building soon anyway."

Padmé nodded, "That's probably a good thing."

Travien chuckled, "Besides, the Republic doesn't even have an army. If I'm going to conquer the galaxy I'd like to do it properly. Can you imagine how ashamed my parents would be of a political takeover?" Padmé giggled slightly as plans began running through Travien's' mind