Chapter 26: Talks
Darth Vader
The ride from Naboo to Coruscant is made in silence.
Soon after we left her home world, Amidala moved to the back of the ship and there she has remained.
I continue to pilot the ship, pleased that we are returning to Coruscant, it being only a half hour away. Naboo was… different, a vision of grass, rolling hills and water, something I am very much unaccustomed to even after all my years being free of Tatooine's desert and Sidious' fiery hellhole prison.
Amidala's family was even more unusual with their intelligence, wit and obvious love for her… and their subsequent acceptance of me. Almost made my contemptible behavior around them tolerable… almost.
But now I am free of them and returning to my comfort zone… and my plans. So much has been neglected due to my poorly-timed decision to follow Amidala, but I must trust that Darth Maul has dealt appropriately with everything in my absence. I will see as soon as I am back, indeed, he is already awaiting my return, knowing that I expect a full and detailed report on all that has occurred.
For the past year I have been picking up the pieces of Sidious' operations; using my puppet Darth Maul as the new Sith Lord and pulling the strings behind the Galactic War, controlling the Trade Federation and even personally traveling to Polis Massa to… amend the protocols for Sidious' greatest contribution to my impending rule: Order 66.
Thus far, everything has gone as planned and it has been relatively straightforward, if not sometimes time consuming, to smooth out any bumps. But now, the next step must be taken. I need to become Supreme Chancellor; it is the most efficient way to pull off my coup. The Republic is assigning more and more power to Interim Supreme Chancellor Valorum in the face of increasing hostilities between the Republic and the Trade Federation, and so the time to rid myself of him is nigh… but how?
In a time of peace, he would have been a tolerable leader, if not rather mediocre and forgettable, but now, in a time of war; his weakness is quickly being realized… and condemned. But he has not made any serious mistakes, so how to remove him? It is a problem I must solve soon.
The talks tomorrow should prove useful in doing so. Between controlling the Trade Federation and my excursions with Amidala, I have had little time to actually meet the Supreme Chancellor. The proceedings will be a prime opportunity to study him and form my plan of attack. From what I have heard of him, finding a way to oust him should not be difficult.
I am drawn out of my thoughts as the console beeps, indicating a drop out of hyperspace.
Good. Coruscant is where I need to be right now, I can feel it. The Force is drawn tight like a bowstring; it is a tangible thing and the tension surely signifies that the time of my destiny is rapidly approaching.
The assemblage tomorrow must move in favor of continued aggressive action. If peace should be reached, my plans will die. That cannot be allowed to happen. It will be a task; looking the peacemaker while supporting the war, but I am capable of it. The most pressing concern is avoiding detection by Amidala.
I turn to face the entrance to the back of the ship, the doorway through which she had disappeared hours ago.
Amidala is shrewd, incredibly and sometimes irritatingly so. Tricking her will be, by far, the most difficult task ahead.
I stare at the entrance for a moment longer before returning my attention to the controls, imputing the necessary credentials to the appropriate channels to enter the planet.
Her intuitiveness and cleverness will serve me well in the future, but now, it's just a pain in my ass.
I shake my head as I lock myself into my seat, trusting that Amidala is aware of the safety protocols when going planet side.
The pressure in the cabin shifts as our descent into the atmosphere begins and I frown the closer we move to our destination.
The Force presence on Coruscant has shifted. Ashla, the light side of the Force, is stronger here than it was when I left and the Force isn't as murky… as cloudy.
It's the Jedi, something has happened with the Jedi.
I close my eyes, seeking guidance through the Force.
Usually, I can only sense about a few hundred Jedi in the Temple, but now I feel more of them, much more, as though a great deal of the Jedi have been pulled back to the Temple.
It disturbs me greatly. The Jedi are the generals of the war, the front men. What would cause the Jedi Council to compel their knights to abandon their posts across the galaxy?
I tilt my head as though listening to something even as I delve more deeply into my meditative state.
They are searching for me through the Force even now and their efforts are much more concentrated, as though all their resources are being put forth to find me.
I open my eyes, an underlying feeling of urgency multiplying exponentially within me.
Why the sudden change? They have been active in searching for me for a while, but not with this zeal. This is not good. Something has happened and I must know what.
What could cause the Jedi to go into such a panic, to frighten them enough to risk their reputation around the galaxy by withdrawing their Knights at such a dangerous juncture, what could possibly…?
I freeze, a thought too catastrophic to pursue, surfacing in my mind.
Nothing terrifies like the knowledge of impending doom. Had the Jedi found out about my failsafe, about Order 66? No, they couldn't have. I took care of all the loose ends myself. The only ones who knows about it are the clones who are not allowed to speak of it and myself. Not even Darth Maul knows.
It must be something else, but what could I have missed? No matter; whatever it is, the Jedi's increasing efforts to find me has hastened their destruction. The sooner I rid myself of them, the better.
I still as remnants of one of my earlier visions flashes before my eyes. In that vision, I had had children with Amidala and the Jedi still existed. It was the only such conception that did not promise utter despair.
But even with that vision promising a life I have never even dreamt of, the thought of living in harmony with the Jedi Order, of letting go of my hate, sickens me to no end. After what they've done to me…
I want them to burn.
The rage that was born from their rejection of me, the fury that I experienced when Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi crash landed on Tatooine has never faded, will never fade. I was just seven years old when they arrived and even though they knew I was Force sensitive, even though I begged them for help for my mother and me, and even after I helped repair their kriffing ship, they still left me on that dead, barren rock to rot. It's their fault I was on Tatooine to be captured by Sidious, it's their fault I was separated from my mother, that I have become… this.
All their fault.
But perhaps I should thank them for abandoning me… right after I watch their Temple go up in flames.
No… I won't spare the Jedi. The visions are only a small glimpse of the possibilities the future hold. The Jedi will perish by my command, and Amidala will still be mine.
I am Darth Vader, doing such is well within my power.
There is no future for Jedi; they must die.
There is no other option.
#*#*#*#*#
It is early afternoon, when we finally touchdown in the docking bay of 500 Republica. As soon as our ship's engine stops, Amidala emerges from the back of the transport and leaves without a word.
Curious at her behavior, I allow her to depart without commenting, watching her through the viewing screen as she moves steadily toward her apartment.
With the talks tomorrow, it is likely she will remain in her apartment to prepare herself. I have no qualms that she will try to run and hide from me again. We are beyond that… and she knows that I will find her wherever she goes.
No, I am the last thing on her mind at the moment. She is preoccupied with the task ahead, of unknowingly being my nemesis in pushing for a peaceful solution to this conflict and Amidala is nothing if not prepared. She will review the latest available information on the status of the war and pull up specifics on the other delegates to be well acquainted with the stances of each.
At the moment, I do not care what she does. As long as I know where to find her, it is safe to let her be for now.
There are other, more pressing matters that require my attention.
#*#*#*#*#
As expected, Maul is already present when I arrive at our designated meeting place.
It is a small, dank, dark room in the lower levels with all the filth and human refuse adorning its perimeter that one might expect in such a place.
"Darth Maul," I greet coldly, getting straight to business, "I hope you have good news for me."
My subordinate is garbed in his usual dark cloak, it being pushed back so that the whole of his face and head are revealed to me.
"I regret to report that I do not, Master," he responds in his raspy voice, yellow eyes studying me. "The Jedi are amassing at the Temple in great numbers. Their presence on the planet has nearly tripled and more are pouring in."
"Yes, I have felt it," I reply, frowning, "why are they returning?"
"The information has not yet been confirmed, Master, but our spies have reported that Master Yoda himself ordered the recall," he replied grimly. "It has something to do with a vision he had on a recent trip to Kamino."
The Force stirs deeply and furiously within me at my sudden flurry of emotion and I can feel my countenance becoming menacing and more Sith-like at Maul's revelation.
I had known that the Jedi would visit the Planet of Storms to keep a close eye on the clones, but it had never been a concern because I had foreseen it, needed it for my plans. But this, this was not at all accounted for.
Had the Force sent the Jedi a warning of some kind? With this reaction from the Order, that's the only thing it could be. But why would it do that?
Why would the Force be working against me? Why? I am the chosen one, selected by the Force itself to rule the galaxy.
This… this is not right.
"Find out what the vision entailed, Maul," I order quietly, my mind racing with the implication. "I don't care if you have to capture and torture a Jedi Knight. You can abduct a member of the kriffing Jedi Council itself if you have to: I want to know what was seen."
"Yes, my Master," he answers immediately only to hesitate. "There is more," he continues finally, a few moments later.
I cease my musings over the Jedi's behavior and nod, "Speak," I command tersely.
"The Separatist leaders are getting restless. The displacement of Darth Sidious has left them discontented and suspicious. They question your power… and your intentions. They fear another change of leadership."
"Who is the cause of this dissent?" I ask, an icy anger building within. There is always someone willing to challenge me. That it is the Trade Federation Directorate requires my immediate and complete attention.
"It is Rute Gunnay, the advisor to Viceroy Gunray, my lord. As of now, the Viceroy has been silent on the issue, but has done nothing to quell the growing murmurs."
"They will pay for their treachery," I state, allowing my growing rage to color my voice, "they will not doubt me again after I am done with them."
"It may not be that simple, my Master. Viceroy Nute Gunray has left the Citadel. Our spies followed, but it seems as though he knew he was being watched and was able to escape detection through a passing asteroid field. We have, as of now, been unable to locate his current whereabouts."
My gaze turns sharp at this. It is rare that Gunray ventures from his secure fortress on Cato Nemoidia, terrified of an assassination attempt, especially since Sidious' defeat. It seems as though my former jailer's death is still having a rippling effect throughout the galaxy, damn him.
"Those bugs are becoming a pain in my ass. Seems as though the Trade Federation's Executive Board has worn out their welcome," I reply with terrifying calm, "perhaps more direct control of the Federation is now in order."
"Would you like me to dispose of them, Master?" Maul's voice is deep with deadly seriousness.
"I cannot," I say finally, more than a little displeased with this, "they are still working with the Geonosians on the plans for my battle station. As long as it remains unfinished, I still need those little shits. What of the status?"
"The data plans for the battlestation have been… delayed, Master. I believe it to be purposeful on the part of the Executive Board."
Delayed…
Yes, the Trade Federation is testing me, pushing me. But they will see that it was not good to push a Sith Lord, to test Darth Vader.
"Find Nute Gunray and do not lose him again. I will deal with him and the insurrectionists myself: I have a special demonstration planned for them. Then impress upon the Geonosians the severity of my displeasure with them at the delay. As for the Trade Federation… begin phasing the Directorate out of any dealings regarding the battlestation completely. The Geonosians are now to deal directly with you on all matters pertaining to the plans for my station."
"Yes, Master," bowing low, Darth Maul turns, taking my instructions as the dismissal it is and disappears, silent as a shadow.
I stand where I am for a moment, allowing the information given to sink in. The Trade Federation is testing my authority and not only delaying my plans for a militarized battle station but jeopardizing my takeover of the Republic. Their defiance is endangering all that I've worked for.
I should be angry, but I'm not, not anymore.
I smile and it is a vicious, amused thing. This development may be just what I need to reacquaint myself with the Dark Side of the Force. Being with Amidala, with her family, has softened me in ways I do not like, has placed me in a situation where I am forced to be Anakin Skywalker.
But the Trade Federation… with them I will be who I truly am: Darth Vader.
No, I look forward to fixing this mess and fix it I will.
And the Trade Federation will never challenge me again.
#*#*#*#*#
She opens the door in a bathrobe.
I pause and look at her, my gaze going up and down her body as a furious glare descends over my features.
It had not been a difficult decision to seek Amidala after my meeting with Darth Maul. It would have been better to return to my own apartment and meditate, but I did not want to. I have given up chastising myself for desiring her company. Somehow, Amidala has managed to bypass the dangerous and stringent filters and restrictions of a Sith Lord.
It is done and I am tired of fighting it.
"Is this how you usually answer the door? Half naked?" I ask coldly, as she gives me a flippant look and rudely turns her back to me to move toward her bedroom.
"I'm hardly naked, Skywalker, and considering it's two in the morning, you're lucky I opened the door for your ass at all at rather than shoot you through the door," she responds with a sleepy glare. "The only thing that stopped me from doing that was the fact that you probably would have dodged my shot and then hacked my system… again."
"You're getting to know me well, Amidala," I purr, allowing the door to close behind me as I enter.
"Why are you here?" she asks tiredly, "the talks are tomorrow and I need my sleep. So can we not argue, bicker, or whatever the hell you came over here to do tonight? I promise I'll show you a good time tomorrow."
I throw her a sardonic look, "Cute, Amidala," I answer, turning toward her bedroom.
And as I move, I can almost feel her growing frown boring into my back.
She follows me.
"Don't you have a bed?" she asks angrily, "I'm sure that even you need to sleep."
"I do have a bed and I do plan to sleep," I return with a wink, turning to face her.
"Then you can do it at your own apartment."
"Or I can simply stay here," I say cheekily, cheerfully, as I remove my robes, sliding into her bed and under the covers.
She stares at me for a minute, a mutinous and stubborn expression on her face before she shrugs carelessly.
"Fine," she states crossly, "I'll sleep on the couch."
Crossing my arms behind my back and without a word, I reach out with the Force.
"Skywalker, what are you doing?" she asks, her voice thick with controlled panic as an invisible hand grabs her by the arm and pulls her toward the bed… toward me.
"I want you to sleep here," I say simply when she is finally within reaching distance, pulling her onto the bed and close to me, burying my head into her sweet smelling hair.
"You're going to pay for this," she says around a yawn, as she shifts on the bed in search of the sweet spot, "just you wait. You're lucky I'm just too sleepy to be bothered right now."
I chuckle softly, merely shifting again until I am completely comfortable.
I can immediately sense when she loses her battle with consciousness and falls asleep. Soon, I follow her.
And all is silent.
#*#*#*#*#
I will never get used to waking up next to her.
It is about five in the morning and she is awake and staring at me, an adorable scowl adorning her face.
"I thought I had a nightmare last night only to wake up and find that it's true; you did come here last night," she says testily in greeting.
"Do you always wake up in the morning this grumpy?" I ask curiously.
"Only when my house has been invaded."
"So the answer would be yes," I continue cheerfully, ignoring her.
She glares at me, "We don't have time for this, Skywalker. The talks are in a few hours and I need to prepare."
"You prepared last night," I respond matter-of-factly, moving nary a muscle.
"Preparation doesn't end until the end has come."
"Did you just make that up?" I ask with a raised eyebrow, amusement heavy in my voice.
"Yes, if you must know," she responds in annoyance, trying to mask her growing amusement at my playfulness, "which makes my little quote all the more awesome. Now, you need to go."
"I will," I state looking at her closely, "after this."
And before she can protest, I am kissing her and my hand is inside of her stroking her and all protests die as pleasure begins to shoot through her body.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
#*#*#*#*#
It was difficult, but I cut our fucking time to about an hour.
I lie on my side, watching her with pure male satisfaction as I lazily and with extreme entitlement, run my hands along her body.
Her chest is heaving in exertion and her body is languid and relaxed under my roaming fingers.
"You've had your fun," she says hotly, or at least, as hotly as she can manage being short of breath, "now, get out."
"We've both had fun, Amidala," I respond cheerfully, "or else I mistook your yells of 'harder, harder you bastard!' for misery."
With an effort, she sits up and glares at me, her face as red as a tomato. I stare back down at her for a moment before leaning over and catching her pink lips. Force, they're so soft, juicy and succulent. Nothing in the universe can possibly taste better, except for, perhaps, her other lips down below.
She sighs into me as my tongue lays waste to her mouth. Gentle stroking, probing, devouring her mouth, claiming her as my own.
Finally, after a few minutes of consuming her, I draw away, more content than I can explain with the swollen plumpness of her lips.
Giving her lips one last nip, I rise from the bed with extreme reluctance.
"I really must depart now," I say with mock exasperation, glaring at her, "I've allowed your raging libido to keep me here long enough. We'll see one another again at the talks."
With a bow, I bid a hasty exit and just as the door shuts behind me, I hear the force of a thrown shoe hit it.
Shaking my head in amusement, I head for my apartment, my thoughts steadily moving away from the warm comfort and sexual energy of Amidala to the seriousness of what lies ahead.
The talks will soon begin and I will be ready.
The show is about to begin.
#*#*#*#*#
The meeting is just about to start when she finally strolls confidentially into the room. Looking at her, you'd never know she'd been panting under my hands only a little while ago.
My eyes narrow with blazing satisfaction as she walks pass me speak to a delegate, sparing me nary a glance. I smirk when I notice the smallest hint of red on her neck, a mark I deliberately made during our earlier encounter. It gives me fierce pleasure to know that I have marked my time with her so. Sitting back in my chair, I take that time to admire her authoritative stride as she greets person after person. Heads turn when she enters the room; she immediately commands attention wherever she goes. She is so poised, so regal… yes, she will indeed make a fitting Empress.
I pause, images of our time together in the past few months floating before my eyes.
I remember her at the gala: She was so beautiful, dressed in that black, form fitting gown that hugged her every curve, looking down her nose upon the Galaxy in righteous indignation. Amidala presents a tough, indestructible persona to all, feeding her reputation as an Ice Woman with zeal. But she is vulnerable… so vulnerable and I saw it that night.
It was… disconcerting how she clung to me when we danced, how she looked so deeply into my eyes that it was as though she could see through to my soul. As I stared into hers that night, I saw no lust, no reckless need for gain… just a desire to be held.
At first, I had had every intention of mocking her need… but… I didn't. The need to dominate—a need that was ever present—was absent. So, I simply danced with her, my mind for once, not on destroying the Jedi or manipulating the Senate. It was just on her, just in the moment.
It was strange… the feelings that came upon me as I twirled her around in my arms… strange, but not unpleasant.
Then our time in her apartment had been so normal. I had thought at first that I would despise such mundane interaction, but it had been unexpectedly enjoyable.
Finally, our time with her family had shown me what the word truly meant. I can have that with her, I will have that with her. I have foreseen it. But it will be on my terms.
I will allow nothing less.
I quickly surface from my inner thoughts as Interim Supreme Chancellor Valorum enters and immediately calls the meeting to order.
"Welcome, Senators, to this assembly," he begins, looking around the room and I frown slightly as take in his appearance. He seems nervous… why? It instantly puts me on alert. Something is about to happen, I can feel it.
"We are all here because the situation with the Trade Federation has reached a critical point. If we do not find a peaceable solution, the war will spread and destroy even more lives. But we do seek peace…" he pauses for a moment and shoots a glance at Amidala. "…And it is for this reason that I have invited a special guest for these talks."
I breathe deeply, the feel of uneasiness deepening to foreboding.
My nose flares and my face becomes an impenetrable, emotionless mask as the guest walks slowly into the room. I immediately turn to Amidala and I can see disbelief, horror and then an unbelievable fury run across her face before she becomes as expressionless as stone.
The room is silent as death as all look upon the visitor in stunned silence.
Then, finally, someone speaks.
It's Amidala.
"Nute Gunray," she says emotionlessly.
End of chapter 16: please review guys!
Chapter 27: Breakdown:Sometimes, there's no turning back.
A/N: So sorry for the delay guys. I had planned a big New Year's thing and it just didn't happen because I was sick for the majority of December. That being said, the rest of my New Year's surprise will be up soon. It includes a new Star Trek fic, a possible update to Chosen: Prolieum (Star Wars) and an update to The End of Everything (BBC's Merlin).
Thank you to everyone who was so encouraging during my sickness; it was truly awful, a cold to end all colds, and I've been skittish about my health ever since.
Also, thank you also to those who reviewed last chapter. As I like to say, favorites are for readers, but reviews are for writers. It's what so many of us want, and if you check the author forums on this site, you'll see how true that is and how incredibly frustrated many authors are when they don't get them. But you guys are truly awesome and I really, really appreciate it. So to all those who reviewed last chapter, thank you. They were a huge pick me up while I was fighting to breathe, lol:
Tyler D, Decepticon-silverstreak (your review made me smile big time, by the way), KittyKati1, starveforupdates, Silent Jay, TroubleIsAFriend, rememberstawars, BIP BIP, Greaser's Palace, Vivss, Rookworm, lily5lace, jokehead, Libquedation, Young at Heart21, fanfic story girl, Me, Freefan1412, Glee Plane, FarmerJohn003, angie, Yami Aries, crumer, Starlight, Mal, diz, O, apple, Rachie81, badkidoh, Vanessah85, Skyrunner, JourneyRocks13, masterdisk, Imperial warlord, Nowa1, Me, dragonball256, Hello, IceForrest7, phhsdj, female'wraith, madscientistproduction.01, Sara, didi, ambre, Somebodyrandom, Loteva, pinkolifant, O..verP..owered, ILDV, d3c3pt10n, Jigoku no Yami, DVNIKKI, gnurd, sharp52092, JACarter, dalulzing and 12 guests.
Thank you so much, your reviews mean more to authors than you know.
One last thing: I am changing the URL to my site once again, but for the last time I think. I've really finally found a name I like. If you haven't been to my blog, check it out. The full version of all stories are there as is some all around awesome content. It's called Ink Well and the link to it is in my profile.
I think that's all for now guys. Please review and I'll see you for the next chapter which should be really soon. Call it a apology for the overly long wait.