A/N: I just want to point out that in the next few chapters I will be diverting away from the massive space and ground battles that have dominated this story so far and start focusing more on the characters. Since many of you have asked just when certain characters would reappear in this fic and I really wanted to have them back as well, so many of you may be very happy indeed.
Now for some bad news, some of you have asked if other Imperial Super Weapons such as the "Sun Crusher" would appear. Well I did some research and as a result, I don't think that the Sun Crusher will make an appearance in this story since it was developed at the Maw Installation and that Maw Installation was developed in secret by Grand Moff Tarkin.
In other words the Emperor can not deploy the Star Crusher since he does not even know it exists. Dot believe me then look it up, but who knows? How my mind works maybe it will or maybe it won't.
To BrutusSilentium: Thanks for the Trophy
To SpartanDog1: ~Ignores your rant~
To highlander348: I am working on it
and to Paladin3030: Points go to you for guessing who the A.I. Vader is based on.
Now that id over with, on to the story.
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[ A Changing of Hearts... ]
The skies above Imperial Center were dark and gray, as pounding rain thundered across the concrete and metal land scape that had been created by that planet's inhabitants over the passing centuries. The weather on the city planet had been on the stormy side for the past few days and showed absolutely no signs of letting up, as the water receptacles and drainage systems struggled to keep up with the unusual amounts of water that were being accumulated all over the Empire's capital. In some parts of the city the skies were completely devoid of aerial traffic flows, as the low cloud cover and violent lighting storms made it all but suicidal for anyone to fly through.
Storms like these had been a common occurrence for countless centuries on the city planet and were nothing new. But ever since the rise of the Galactic Empire, these storms had become more violent than what the inhabitants would have liked. Some said that these storms were as a result of all the mega projects that Palpatine had done, the increased levels of heat from these new structures creating the perfect conditions for these storms to occur.
While many other who were old enough to remember what the city was like prior to the rise of the Empire, said that the planet itself was in mourning. As the beauty that made "Coruscant" the envy of the galaxy, was ripped away by the vision the Emperor had for his capital city and was replaced by an image that was both foreboding and Gothic. What ever the case may have been one thing certain, Imperial Center was a far different place than what Coruscant had been. A dark and foreboding city at the very heart of an galaxy crushing empire.
But today the storms were far more vicious than what they had been in the past, as the area around the Imperial Palace was playing host to the most frightening lighting storms the the planet's history. It was as if the sky itself was in a rage, as hundreds of lightening bolts struck the palace walls relentlessly and showing no signs of letting up any time soon. But as these storms continued to cover the planet with an stinging sheet of rain, it was nothing compared to the torrent of emotions that was being felt by the servants that worked within the Palace walls. As they all knew that the numerous lightening strikes may not have been a result of the inclement weather.
For deep within the the many levels of the pyramid like complex and seated on a throne that was on top a podium which over looked the assembled Imperial Senate, was the self proclaimed enlightened leader of the Galactic Empire. Ever since hostilities broke out between the Empire and the other two powers in the Galaxy, the Imperial Senate had been convening on a regular basis to discuss the what measures the Empire would take to ensure that the war would not be as costly as the infamous Clone Wars and the short lived Terran-Republic war.
On the surface it truly looked as if Imperial Senate still functioned like it did back in the days of the Republic and that every member there had a say in the affairs of the Empire. But in reality it was all just a facade created by the Emperor himself, to give the illusion that the senate still had power. In reality any and all powers that the Senate had in the past, were stripped away by the then Chancellor Palpatine during the Clone Wars, when they had granted him emergency powers during the conflict. The Senate was nothing more than submissive formality.
But in the last few days this "formality" within the Imperial Government was anything but submissive, as recent defeats suffered by Imperial Forces caused a rather large up roar from the Senate. What should have been a glorious crusade against the enemies of the Empire, had turned into a series of humiliations for what many had believed to be the greatest military power the Galaxy had ever seen.
Within six months thousand of Imperial star ships had either been destroyed of severely damaged, while a number of strategic Imperial worlds had either fallen into the hands of the Terran government or the Confederacy. Billions in Imperial hardware had been lost, while billions more were now in the hands of the enemy. But the biggest blow came when it was learned that an Imperial force of almost a million vessels, all of which were under the command of Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin, had been completely wiped out when they attempted to cross the Terran-Imperial border. Out of one million ships, less than five hundred had returned.
Many of them carrying the survivors of vessels that were not fortunate enough to make it back, all of them damaged to a point where they would have to be pulled from service and scrapped. Worst still the survivors were in no position to gave any official statements of what the Terrans had used, as many of them had been exposed to massive doses of radiation and were still being treated for their injuries. While attempts to salvage sensor data from the damage ships were proving to be difficult and there was no certainty that anything of value would be found the damaged systems.
"This conflict can not go on for any longer!" a human senator from the planet Dac (Mon Calamari) proclaimed, as he stood among the largely disgruntled senate. "We can not afford to have more defeats like these in the future, we must seek peace with the Terrans and their CIS allies or we risk the total destruction of our civilization!"
A thunderous uproar came as the senator finished his statement, as many in the chamber either voiced their support for the senator, or disagreed with him all together.
"Senator Loemai is right!" another senator spoke up, as he stood within the gathering "The people of Onderon have sacrificed so much for this war effort and are growing weary of this conflict. We must seek peace with the Terrans and the CIS or we risk certain destruction!"
"Impossible!" the representative for Christophsis said out loud. "We already tried to seek peace with the Terran Union government and they refused it! We can not afford to back out now, we must continue to fight until we can bring the Terrans and the CIS to the peace table on our terms."
"That may not be an option for us any more." a forth senator joined the debate. "My sources have informed my government that due to the loss of the Ryloth system, the outer territories have fallen under the control of the Confederacy. As a result the Empire has effectively lost access to twenty percent of its raw materials intake. We can not afford to prelong this conflict or we risk over stretching our resources."
The chamber once again erupted into a thunderous sea of voices, as senators once again began to voice their opinions on the statements made by their counterparts. But it was very clear to see by anyone who was present, the majority of the senate did not want this conflict to continue and were willing to do anything to end it as quickly as they could.
It was a fact that was not lost on the Emperor Palpatine, as he sat on his throne and listened to the opinions being shared on the floor. The dark lord could sense what many of his "loyal" senators were feeling at that very moment and it was a mixture of both frustration and fear. For years the members of the senate were nothing more that a means to fool the populace that the Empire was acting in their best interest. When in reality the senate had no real power to speak of.
Now with the war going so badly for the Empire, the very same senate that was nothing more than a facade, was demanding that the Emperor contact the Terrans and basically concede defeat. The mindless puppet that Palpatine/Sideous had created played with for many years, was now starting to cut its strings and dance on its own.
"Please everyone, calm down." Palpatine suddenly spoke up, his "kindly" demeanor starting to surface again for the situation. "I understand all your concerns and I know how all of you feel right now. I will admit that the war is not going the way we... no, I hoped it would, and I still do believe that it was justified to protect us from our enemies. But after hearing what your thoughts were about this conflict and seeing how strongly you all oppose it continuing any longer than it has to.
"Many years ago the Republic made the mistake of continuing a deadly war when peace was at our door. Let me promise you today that this glorious empire shall not and will not make the same mistake. Therefore I propose that we reconvene in the Senate Building tomorrow evening, were we can publicly vote to seek peace talks with the Terran Union and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. But for now I suggest that we adjourn for the day."
There was a brief moment of silence before the audience chamber was filled with anxious voices that sounded pleased with the Emperor's sudden push for peace. Many were surprised by Palpatine's sudden change of heart while others were put off by it, but if the Emperor said that that they would be reconvening at the old Senate Building then who were they to question his decision.
Soon the assemble politicians began to make their way out of the chamber and back toward their personal speeders, all of them believing that tomorrow would be a day that many would not soon forget. But none of them realizing just how unforgetable that day would be to not only the Empire, but to the rest of the Galaxy as well.
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( Theed, Naboo)
If one were to walk the streets of the city of Theed, they would have never guessed that this planet, like many others that were located within the Terran controlled sectors of the galaxy, were currently in a state of war. The sun shown brilliantly over the capital city as the populace who called Theed their home, milled about the city streets and went about their business either buying food stuff to feed their families at home, or indulging themselves be acquiring for themselves numerous items that were on sale. Normally the citizens of Theed would have an entire day to complete what ever business they had in the city but today was much different than any other on the Naboo calender, as many of the businesses in the city would soon be closed by midday. While the main street which ran through the center of the city was cleared of traffic and cordoned off by the Naboo Royal Police Service.
For you see the city of Theed, as well as the entire planet of Naboo, was gearing up to celebrate the 39th anniversary of the infamous blockade by the Trade Federation. As well as the day when a new entity in the galaxy at the time, decided to to step in and free the people of Naboo from Trade oppression. Starting a friendship that would last for decades and forever changing the way the Naboo thought about the galaxy. A day the Naboo called Liberation Day.
First celebrated five years after the liberation of Naboo, Liberation Day was a day where the Naboo people, both human and Gungan alike, celebrated the actions of those that fought to free the planet from the Trade Federation blockade. As well as remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and were not fortunate to be alive to see that their efforts were not in vain. But in recent years Liberation day had grown to celebrate much more than one of the darkest days in Naboo's history, but to celebrate the peace that the population now enjoyed, as well as honor those that dedicated their lives for the betterment of the Naboo people as a whole.
It was in this celebratory atmosphere that Mara Jade soon found herself in as she, as well as a group from the Jedi academy, rode into the city on a bus that was provided by the Naboo government. It had been just over four months since the former Emperor's Hand member had run away from her order and was taken in by the Jedi when they found her barely alive on a river bank. Ever since then Mara had been living among theses Jedi in training and she was surprised by what she had seen in that time.
Ever since her training began as a young child, Mara had been told that the Jedi were the enemies of the Empire and that they stole children away from their families, so that they could be turned into solders to fight against the new order that had been created. That the Empire and its leader, her former master, was the cure for a galaxy that was corrupted and polluted, and that anyone who opposed the Empire was a threat that needed to be removed. But as time passed and the former assassin began to spend more and more time around the Jedi, she began to question if what she had been told for so long was ever true.
Yes the Jedi had actually taken children away from their families so that they could be trained to become Jedi themselves, but from what she had seen that was no longer the case. Many of the students that attended the academy had actually been approached be the Jedi when they were much older and were asked if they were interested in joining the order. If they agreed then they would be admitted into the apprenticeship program but if they refused the offer, then the Jedi would have to respect their wishes and accept their choice. It was a far cry from what had originally been done in the past, but was surprisingly effective, as sixty percent of those that had been approached agreed to join the order.
But what really had Mara surprised was the fact that even though the Jedi did not know who she really was, (Or they actually did and were playing dumb, Mara was not sure) they showed her nothing but kindness and mercy. When she was helpless and injured, the Jedi masters at the academy took care of her and when she was better, the Jedi gave her shelter within their own facility. Mara was being treated in a way that was totally alien to her, as it was a far cry from from the harsh training regiments that the former assassin went through when she first fell under the Emperor's influence.
Now here Mara was surrounded by the very same people she had been thought to believe was the enemy, on a planet that many in the Empire believed was under Terran occupation. But despite being in a situation that most in the Emperor's Hand would call the worst case scenario, the former assassin did not feel as if she were in danger of any kind. As a matter a fact Mara felt for the very first time in her life, she were among friends.
Meanwhile a few meters away, the group's chaperone was currently speaking to one of the Jedi who had decided to stay behind at the academy.
"How is our guest doing?" Jedi master Siri Tachi asked, as her holographic image peered at her husband and fellow Jedi.
"Well she has not yet tried to run away or kill us." Obi Wan replied calmly, as he stood behind a near by statue so as to not alert the suspicions of the Jedi in training or Mara. "I am still not sure if it was wise to let her out of the academy."
"Master Yoda was insistent that she be allowed to accompany your group into Theed for the celebrations and besides, she needs to interact with the outside world." Siri told her husband. "Master Yoda was very adamant that Mara be allowed to socialize with those outside of the order, this may actually be the first time in her life that she has had the opportunity to do so."
"I am well aware that may be the case." the graying Jedi replied. "What really has me worried is just how she will be able to cope with it all."
"Obi Wan, it was not too long ago that we all had to come to terms with the fact that all of the things that we had been thought, lead to our fall amongst the citizens of the galaxy." Siri told Kenobi, reminding him that the Jedi order as a whole had been in a similar situation not too long ago. "But we were able to overcome it and do believe that if Master Yoda is right about Mara, then we should have faith in her as well."
"Very well." Kenobi said with a defeated tone. "But I will have the bus on stand by in case anything happens."
"Fine, if it make you feel better and not look paranoid." the female Jedi replied with a small smile forming on her lips. Relishing the fact that once again she was victorious over her normally stoic husband. "See you in a few hours, my love."
"Until then." Kenobi replied, before the image of his wife disappeared from his wrist mounted communicator. Taking a moment to allow what Master Tachi had told him, Kenobi then went to gather the Jedi apprentices that had come into the city to take part in the celebrations.
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By mid after noon the normally busy streets of Theed had been largely cleared of traffic, while the main boulevard that ran through the city had been converted into one massive picnic area. Hundreds upon hundreds of large tables and benches had been lined up into three rows that ran the entire length of the main street, while banners that had the colors of the Royal House of Naboo fluttered magnificently in the cool evening breeze.
The numerous side streets and ally ways that connected the boulevard with the rest of the city had been converted to house the dozens of make shift kitchens, which were currently in the process of cooking the food that would be served to the gathering masses. The scents that came from these numerous kitchens flooded the air with a rich aroma that made the mouths of those who were fortunate enough to smell them, water in anticipation for the annual Liberation Day feast that was to take place.
It was this very same feast the that the Jedi apprentices would be taking part in, as many of them had families that had settled on Naboo once they had joined the Jedi program.
"So... I am guessing that this is the first time you are attending the celebrations?" a familiar voice asked, as Mara was now seated by one of the tables that had been set up. Upon her investigation the former assassin soon found herself seated next to a young apprentice that she had met a few times before in the academy.
"Oh... hello Luke." Mara said politely, "I didn't see you there. What did you say?"
"I asked if this is the first time you have been at this celebration?" the young blond asked, his some what enthusiastic personality showing itself as he spoke. A personality that had gotten him into more than a few "incidents" in the academy which earned him the moniker of being the "class clown".
"I... can honestly say that I really say that I can't remember I had been to such an event." the red head replied, knowing very well that even though that she had witnessed similar celebrations at the Emperor's Palace, she did not actually take part in them. Seeing that while at the palace, the female assassin posed as one of the Emperor's exotic dancers. "Um... so the planet has a massive feast to celebrate the Terran intervention during the Trade's blockade of Naboo?"
"Not quite." Luke replied, "From what my mother told me it were the unified peoples of Naboo that liberated the planet. The Terrans only acted when my mother asked for their help in freeing the planet."
"Your mother asked for the Terrans help?" Mara asked curiously. ,
"Yes." Luke replied, as the first plates of food were brought to the table and shared out. "At the time my mother was the queen of Naboo."
Mara's eyes suddenly went wide in disbelief when Luke said that his mother was Padme Amidala, a woman that the Emperor himself had spent many years vilifying. "Your mother is Padme Amidala?"
"Yes she is."
"If you are her son, then why are you even in the apprenticeship program for Jedi?" Mara asked curiously.
"Because our father is Anakin Skywalker." a new voice answered, as a young woman came and sat beside Luke. "Hey Luke."
"Took you long enough, Leia." Luke said with a smile, as he welcomed his "older" sister to the table. "I see you were able to break away from your studies long enough to join us."
"And I can see that you were able to stay out of trouble long enough to con the Uncle Obi into letting you come into the city." Leia replied with a smug tone in her voice, as she playfully teased her "little" brother.
Mara at this point was in a stunned stupor, as her mind tried to process the fact that she was in the presence of the children of the Empire's greatest enemies and traitors. Like many in the Empire, Mara had been told the story of how the Jedi had plotted to overthrow the former Republic and how they conspired with certain individuals within the then senate to carry out these plans. It was this treachery that convinced the leaders of the Republic to establish the Galactic Empire, a move that many supported at the time.
Names like Amidala, Skywalker and many others, were dragged through the mud by the Emperor and his staff, causing many to believe that they were the true enemies of the Empire and Mara was no different in believing that they were. Now she was in the company of the children these so called traitors and it was a position that gave the already nervous Mara, an uneasy felling. But as she continued to process the gravity of her situation Mara once again heard that voice in her head, the very same one that made her abandon her mission of darkness just months earlier.
'be at peace, Mara.' the voice said, 'Be at peace, you are among friends now and they will not hurt nor judge you.'
"If only it were that easy..." Mara said under her breath, as a plate of food was placed in front of her.
"Did you say something?" Luke asked the sulking woman,
"Oh... nothing." Mara lied, as Luke's voice had startled her a bit. "Um... I was just wondering just... what is it that is being served?"
"It is a Terran delicacy." Liea replied, as a plate of food was placed in front of her as well. "I believe it is called Pizza."
"Pi...za...?" Mara asked curiously, as she stared at the two slices that were on her plate. "How do you eat it?"
"Like so." Luke replied, as he took a slice up from his plate and took a big bite out of it. "See?"
Mara nodded a bit and proceeded to take a bite out of her own slice and when she did, something unbelievable happen. Mara Jade began to smile for what could have been the very first time in her life. In Mara's mind she had just taken a bite out of thee most delicious thing she had ever eaten in her life and no sooner had she swallowed her first bite, Mara proceeded devour her meal and was quite the spectacle to say the very least.
"Looks like you enjoyed your first Pizza." Luke said with a neutral tone in his voice, as both he and his sister had amused expressions on their faces.
"Um..." Mara began to say, as she soon remembered where she was and who was seated with her. "I guess I did."
"Well if you like that then you will love another Terran dish." Leia said, as she took another bite of her meal.
"What it it?"
"Hamburgers."
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(Imperial Center.)
The weather on Imperial Center had finally cleared up a bit, as members of the Imperial senate made their way into the old Senate building for what was expected to be a historic day in the history of the Galactic Empire. For today the Senate was going to assemble to vote either pursue another attempt for a cease fire with the UNSC and CIS, or continue this conflict with the two governments. But with the recent string of defeats sustained by the Empire against the two allies, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that the senate would push for peace once again.
This sudden assembly of the senate came as a surprise to many who followed the political workings of the Empire, as they knew very well that the Senate had no real power to speak of when it came to maters dealing with the Empire at large. But now the Emperor himself was giving them the power to decide in which direction the Empire should take and he had allowed them to convene at the old Senate building to do just that publicly.
Within the walls of said building, the numerous platforms that had stood vacant for years were now being used once again. As thousands of senators and representatives from countless worlds, now occupied them and got ready for the day's vote. Leading the movement to seek peace with the Terrans and Confederacy was Senator Davik Loemai, representative for the Mon Calamari home world of Dac, who had strong feelings against the current conflict the empire was current in.
Like many who shared his views, Davik believed that the Empire could not continue sustain the war effort any longer. The resources of many planets had been stretched to the very limit and in come cases, completely exhausted. Ruining the economies of many governments to a point where they would never recover. Yet Palpatine did not seem to care that his massive drive to continue the conflict was doing more harm to the Empire, than any joint Terran-Confederacy offensive. If the Empire were to have any hope of surviving for the Ten Thousand years that were once promised, then this war had come to an end so that the Empire could survive and prosper.
It may not be the glorious victory that the Emperor promised, but at least the Empire would still be intact and hopefully, the victorious powers would show some leniency when the peace talks began. But right now though the assembled group had to wait on the Emperor himself to arrive so that the motion could be passed.
"So you think that the Emperor will agree to honor the senate's demands?" an aide to the senator asked, as they stood on one of the many hovering platforms.
"He will have to." Davik replied, "In six months the Emperor has lost not only three of his top military commanders, but the outer rim worlds as well. If Palpatine truly wishes for the Empire to survive, then he must support our call for a cease fire and reopen peace talks with the Terrans and their allies."
"Speaking of which, shouldn't the Emperor have arrived by now?" the aide asked curiously, as checked his time piece. Taking a moment to check his own personal time piece as well, the Senator for Dac noticed that the Emperor was indeed running late. This was very odd since Palpatine was never known to be late for any engagement.
Just what was taking him so long? Unfortunately for Davik and the assemble senators, they would never know the answer to that question. For suddenly a large pillars of smoke and flame shot through the many entrances and exits that led into the senate chamber, consuming everyone and everything that were in their path. Even Davik and his group were not speared, as an explosion sent their platform flying across said chamber before it slammed into the wall, killing every one on board and two more that were in its path.
Soon panic swept over the floor as the surviving senators tried desperately to flee the chamber, but their attempts were ultimately futile, as one massive explosion engulfed the entire chamber. Killing every single person that were still inside and sending a massive fire ball through the ceiling, as more and more explosions began to erupt through out the old senate building.
Meanwhile in the areas surrounding the doomed building, the citizens of Imperial center were treated to a sight that they would not soon forget. As the mushroom shaped building, now consumed in smoke and flame collapsed into the ground and sending a large pillar of smoke into the air which could be seen for miles around. But as hundreds of emergency vehicles began to rush to the site where the Senate building had once stood, the citizens of Imperial Center were completely unaware that just miles away, the true master mind behind the attack was watching his sinister handy work.
'I guess that takes care of the problem within the senate.' The Sith Lord thought to himself, as he turned away from the destruction and began to make preparations to capitalize on the "great tragedy" that has struck the Empire.
This war was going to continue no matter what and nothing was going to stand in the Emperor's way in making the Empire the greatest civilization that ever existed. Even if billions had to die and planets were destroyed from the inside out, nothing was going to stop Palpatine from reaching his ultimate goal of shaping the galaxy in his image.
The image of that of a Sith.
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A/N: Well what did you guys think? I know some of you had been asking when Mara and Luke would show up again and I hope you guys like what I had. But there will be more chapters focusing on them in the future so stay tuned and please leave a review.
