Though he currently lacked the means to interact with the galaxy at large, the curse of being stranded on a planet that was little more than a deserted wasteland, his connection to the Force allowed him to still stay in tune with the course of the rest of the galaxy.
He had felt his former master's darkness spread further across the universe as the Jedi were wiped out until only a few desperate survivors remained. Little more than a few faint stars in a blackened sky.
He had felt the great explosion of power that had preceded the death of the Jedi Order, as well as the weaker echo of said power once the darkness had struck the grievous blow against the light side of the force.
And perhaps the sweetest of all, he had felt the delicious anguish of the one responsible for his fall from grace. It had only been a moment before he did what all Jedi foolishly did with their emotions, but for that period of time, he could tell that Kenobi's pain was far greater than it had been when he had ended the life of that pitiful pacifist.
That had been the last thing he had been able to make sense of. For a week after that brief moment of enjoying the Jedi's grief, the marooned Force Wielder had sensed a rather unusual change in the Force that greatly confused him.
Oh the Dark Side remained supreme, and those who foolishly rejected its siren call where extinguished like a solitary candle. But despite this, the galaxy as a whole seemed to be acting in a way that he had not expected.
Yes there was fear, but from what he could sense, it wasn't fear of the source of the Galaxy's darkness, at least not directly. For while he could make an accurate guess that his former master was once again playing both sides against each other to strengthen his position, he could sense that the vast majority of the galaxy were willingly giving their loyalty to the one responsible for their misfortune.
This greatly contrasted of what he knew about Sidious's preferred methods. For he knew that the Sith Master preferred to revel in the fear of those who were lesser than him, especially when they came crawling to him for protection.
But from what he sensed, the denizens of the Galaxy were not only willingly turning their backs on the Jedi Order, but they were having their loyalty rewarded by a man who possessed not an ounce of mercy.
Such a situation had puzzled him greatly, but unfortunately for him, he would soon have a chance to seek the answers to his question.
For although he had lost some of his connection to the force thanks to the unexpected stubbornness of a Jedi Padawan, he still possessed the ability to sense an individual's presence within the Force.
And since he would never forget the near overwhelming presence of the man who had once trained him in the ways of the Dark Side, the red skinned Zabarak fought to contain his rising panic as his former master drew closer and closer to the now dead Sith world.
…
Though he knew that few people would ever dare to voice their suspicions in a place where he could here them, at least when his employer wasn't in one of his moods, the pale skinned Twi'lek was well aware that he was the subject of much hateful whispering.
He had only gotten the job because he was a kiss assing yes man. He would sell his own mother if it meant he could make an extra buck. All of these things were merely the grumblings of idiots who were jealous of his position.
Did they honestly think that one of the most successful members of the Hutt Crime Family would allow a mindless sycophant to act as his right hand man?
He had worked his way through the ranks, engaging in the same type of drudgery that everyone of Jabba's minion's went through before being given the chance for advancement. And it was during this rather bloody career that he developed the intelligence and skills that had finally rewarded him the position of majordomo.
It was his job to act as a go between Jabba and his less favored servants. And it was thanks to him that the Hutt's profits where as high as they were, for the crime lord lacked the patience to deal with all the little details himself.
Still, there were times when Jabba was displeased with him for one reason or another, rare though they maybe, and that was the reason why he was currently lounging in the palace's infirmary.
In retrospect he should have kept his mouth shut, especially since he had dared to make his objections known in the scum filled throne room, but Bib thought that he needed to make his case heard.
While Jabba might revel in his new found military might, especially since it gave him the opportunity to expand his business interests farther afield than had previously been possible, the majordomo could only feel a sense of unease when he looked after the Hutt's droid army.
He had voiced his objections with Jabba's dealings with the Separatist Remnant, rationalizing that such an alliance would motivate the new galactic government to finally take action against the criminal elements of the universe.
In the past, while the Republic had publicly declared its intention to combat corruption and unlawful activities, they had largely been convinced that such an effort was useless. And as long as the criminal entities kept their actions private and out of the public spot light, the Republic was content to simply let things lie.
However, Jabba's greed, as well as a good portion of the criminal underworld, went against that carefully followed policy.
In exchange for access to the natural resources of Hutt Space, the Separatist's had not only provided them with innumerable credits, but also with thousands, if not millions of droid soldiers to help each crime lord protect his territory from more independent powers.
These forces had also been used to wipe out much of the lower level competition, either by convincing them to give up their independence, or through what the Jedi had labeled 'aggressive negotiations'.
But despite the vast wealth that filled their coffers, Bib could see clearly what this would all lead to, even if the Hutts were too blinded by their new riches to see what was coming.
And it was with that thought it mind that the injured Twi'lek made plans for his chance to escape the inevitable fate of the slug he called master.
For he guessed that once the proverbial shoe dropped, Jabba would be in no condition to hunt down a former servant of his, regardless of how much he could offer the bounty hunters.
…
Though the Jedi would claim that meditation allowed one to better connect with the encompassing energies of the Universe, the Sith knew that if one was skilled enough, a practitioner of the Dark Side could make it so that they were the center of the universe.
Such a technique had allowed his previous apprentice, who was decades passed his prime, to remain a deadly opponent for several years before Skywalker was ready to take his final steps towards joining the Sith. And it was this very technique that allowed him to sense what was going on in HIS galaxy.
He could feel Vader's overwhelming hatred, as well as satisfaction as he reduced the first Hutt controlled world to ashes. He could feel the mixed feelings of terror and joy as untold billions of previously enslaved beings witnessed the instruments of their liberation. He could feel the Boy's nervous excitement as his small fleet approached the Tatooine system.
And perhaps the most amusing of all, though it was largely inconsequential when compared to the other occurrences in the galaxy, he could feel the growing fear of a tool that had long since lost its usefulness.
It still brought a smirk to his face as he thought of his former apprentice's foolish actions after his return to the galaxy. Such ambitious initiative would have been unheard before Maul's defeat at the hands of Kenobi, but in the years of the Zabarak's exile, it seemed that he had finally learned the lesson that he had never been able to learn under his tutelage.
Patience.
Upon his return, instead of blindly attacking his opponents, Maul had begun the process of establishing himself as a power to be reckoned with. His experiences with the pirates aside, he had shown suprising skill in uniting a group of criminals and terrorists into an effective underground army, who possessed the potential to become a deadly opponent in the struggle to control the galaxy.
But unfortunately for his former apprentice, his plans were soon brought before he could begin to implement the next stage of his vision.
For while Maul had learned much during the years of his exile, he was still woefully inadequate in proving himself to be his equal.
With the loss of his brute of his brother, the support of the always fickle criminal elements, and the protection of his witch of a mother, the Zabarak no longer possessed the potential to interfere with his plans.
Still, it was apparent that despite his weakened situation, the former Sith was still determined to reverse his fortunes.
For the Emperor knew full that Malachor possessed a treasure trove of secrets, even if they were less potent than those that resided on Korriban, and it was quite easy to guess that Maul sought to discover some new way in which he could achieve his revenge against those responsible for his fall from grace.
Normally he would have dispatched Vader to deal with the former Sith, for it would have been a good way to test his increasingly connection to the Dark Side by having him face yet another of his predecessors, but he was currently busy achieving that fantasy he had held ever since he was a child.
The Inquisitors would be insufficient to deal with Maul as well, for as skilled as they were becoming, they were still far too untrained to deal with an experienced Jedi, let alone a former Sith.
So with that in mind, and using the excuse of a much needed holiday from the stress of his office, the Emperor found himself starring out the view port of his personal shuttle.
Eagerly looking forward to the upcoming reunion between himself and his first apprentice.
…..
ANNNNNNND I think thats enough for now XD. A little short, but I believe its well written lol
Got some Maulcentric, and more Sidious action going on (hopefully you all liked the buildup for a confrintation XD). And got some perspective from Jabba's right hand man. Yes he comes across as a bit of a yes man in the series, but I think that in order to get that position, you have to be good at what you. Jabba is a businessman/slug afterall. So don't think he'd allow a useless sycophant that much power.
Got some perspective as to what the Hutts have done with their droid forces, think they would see it as a chance to increase their power, as well as how some ppl would view this as a bad idea.
And now to some concerns that have been raised.
Pointed out to me that my perception of Luke destroying the death star was wrong. I seemed to have forgotten that Alderan was mostly pacifist. Well let me once again quote a super hero who would support the Tarkin Doctrine (at least before his change of heart XD)
"They say the best weapon is one you never have to fire. I disagree, the best weapon is one you only have to fire once".
Believe I've stated that this is a PRO Imperial Fic...with changes to make the Empire more liked/efficent. The Jedi are hypocrites for wiping out an entire civilivation while promoting that they are peace keepers (tho I recognize that the Jedi order of the late Republic is different from that of 3-5000 years before. Not sure whats cannon anymore XD).
PLUS...those senators where idiots. They knew the Republic was corrupt, but they still believed that if they were noble enough, they could fix it. AND, looked down on those Senators that decided that it was better to start over (Padme's expression during that meeting when Lux Bontorei interupts is kinda telling lol)
But thats besides the point. This fic is a chance to indulge in my child hood fantasies that had been formed BEFORE I learned what the Empire did. And since I want the Planet blowing up Empire to succeed more than the Rebellion who (both in Canon in legends) winds up being too weak to prevent more war from happening...Scew the Rebels lol.
Hope you all enjoyed this.
And As always, REVIEWS ARE A MUST. No flames :P.
