Author's Note: While this chapter isn't that long, the next is about 11 pages (on OpenOffice anyway). We're getting closer and closer to the end! Only eight chapters and an epilogue after this, then Episode VII: Heirs of the Empire. (Info concerning that episode and the other upcoming ones can be found on my profile page).
Also, remember to review. I do enjoy hearing what you have to say and would like to reach the 100 point by this episode's end.

Chapter 35 responses:

MissNaye: Most definitely! The next chapter is long and explosive!

dmitchell: Glad you're still enjoying it!

G-Anakin 13: Gulp indeed!

Episode VI: The Golden Age of the Empire

Chapter 36: A Traitor Found

It was 2400 on Coruscant but Dark Lord of the Sith Emperor Sidious was not asleep like most of the planet's citizens. He'd put Charlotte and his fourteen-month old son to sleep hours ago, but he remained awake in deep meditation. The Force was telling him something was about to happen. Something big, though upon his demand as to what it was, it would not say.

He was inside his private quarters' office. Sometimes when he didn't feel like doing work from his public office a few levels below it was done up here. This was not done often though; usually only when he didn't wish to be bothered with anyone. Or if he suddenly decided to hold a secret meeting of some sort.

The Sith Lord was just musing over the possibilities of what this happening event the Force spoke of could be when his holoprojector communicator began to beep with an incoming message. Rising from his desk, he proceeded towards it at the room's conference table's center and looked to see whom it was from.

Bounty Hunter Aurra Sing; Location: Settlement Anchorhead in the Outer Rim Planet of Tatooine.

The hunter was using the private code he'd given all hunters to call if they captured any of the criminals he had bounties on.

Though Aurra Sing had never done any work for him before, she'd been one of the hunters present when he put the price of Antellica Kenobi's head, along with the Jedi, her and Kenobi's son, and his twin grandchildren. The reason she'd never done any work for him was because she was the only hunter left still looking for Antellica and company in spite of the large price raise two years ago.

Could it be? Could she possibly found one of the traitors?

There was only one way to find out.

Pressing the 'accept' key, the holoprojector came on and a life-size holo of Aurra Sing appeared.

"Emperor, hello," she greeted with a bow. "I have great news to share. I have found Antellica Kenobi, her husband, the Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi, and their son Alexander. They are here on Tatooine, living in a hut in the Jundland Wastes, just beyond the Dune Sea."

For a moment, just a moment, the emperor was stunned silent, but this surprise soon turned to triumphant victory. He smirked and cackled with glee.

"Excellent! At last the traitors will be destroyed. Do you have them in captivity now?"

"Actually no." At his look of rage she rushed on. "Only for this simple reason: I'd naturally assumed that once the Jedi were found you would want Vader and Zenevieva to do the honors of killing them. After all, Kenobi was Lord Vader's ex-teacher and Antellica, Zenevieva's sister. Don't you think it would give them much pleasure to kill them themselves?"

The Sith master thought over these words a brief moment as Aurra continued on."If you want me to do it, I'm more than willing. I merely thought-"

"A fair point you raise Sing," he said, continuing to go over the hunter's words. "Both Zenevieva and Vader hate Kenobi and Antellica with a passion. It would be a real treat for them to do the killings themselves. But what of Luke? According to Lady Zenevieva, Kenobi has him as well."

"I don't know where he is," Aurra replied. "When I spotted the three of them in Anchorhead earlier today, I saw only them. No Luke. But I have no doubt he is on-world as well. Would you like me to look for him, my lord?"

"No, stay where you are Sing," the Sith instructed. "Keep your eyes on the Kenobis. Make sure you know where they are at all times. I will send Lord Vader and Lady Zenevieva to lead the entirety of the navy to Tatooine right now. Our forces will search the planet. Vader and Zenevieva will contact you when they arrive in orbit and meet you on it. Understood?"

"Yes sir."

"Your awarded credits will be presented after the Kenobis and young Skywalker are captured. I will keep in touch."

Aurra gave another bow. "Thank you my lord. It has been an honor doing business with you."

The emperor gave a nod of his own. "As it has with you Sing. Expect Vader and Zenevieva to contact you within twelve hours time."

"I will my lord. Sing out."

At last. At long last the treacherous Jedi would be no more.

Cackling to himself, the Sith emperor contacted his Hand and Executor to inform them of the news...

Anakin and Arica had been wrapped in the thralls of intimacy when their master called and were not very pleased at the interruption. In fact, for a moment, they simply ignored their comm's beeps. But as they became more persistent and ceased to halt, the couple finished up quickly, and Anakin angrily climbed out of bed to grab his comlink and answer with a growled "What?!" while Arica remained in bed and merely flicked hers off as she sensed it from the same person.

"Lord Vader, it is about time you answered this call," the voice of the emperor hissed out. "Something of importance has come up that needs your and Lady Zenevieva's attention immediately. The traitor Antellica Kenobi has been found on Tatooine along with Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and their son Alexander."

"No!"

Anakin turned to see Arica sitting up in bed, shock and disbelief etched across her face. "That's not possible! Antellica's dead!"

The emperor obviously heard her voice and choose to respond to it. "I'm sorry to disappoint Lady Zenevieva but your sister is very much alive on Tatooine. She and her family were tracked down by bounty hunter Aurra Sing earlier today in Anchorhead. She was also able to track down where they live in the Jundland Wastes, just beyond the Dune Sea. Are you familiar with that area Lord Vader?"

"Yes, quite familiar." All the anger and disgust that was held at his master quickly vanished at the mention of Antellica. "And I find it very much confusing as to why they would want to live there. That's Tusken territory."

"Hmm...well I don't care why they live there. All that matters is their capture. The both of you are to leave at once with the entire fleet. When you arrive in orbit of Tatooine, blockade the planet and contact Aurra Sing immediately. You will meet her on the planet and she will show you where the traitors are. Understood?"

"Yes master. We shall leave at once."

"Good."

And with that, the transmission ended.

Anakin turned away from his dresser and back to the bed to find Arica already gone; in the fresher taking a shower. He had to admit he was rather floored by this recent turn of events, though he'd already known Antellica was still alive somewhere. But he knew Arica, who kept insisting to herself that her sister was dead and gone, had to be...well, he wasn't entirely sure. Distraught, not knowing what to think.

Strolling into the fresher he joined her in the shower. But oddly enough, she didn't even smile in acknowledgment to his arrival, simply pretended he wasn't there. And when he made to hold her, she pulled away and exited the shower.

Finishing his own shower in silence, Anakin dried his hair and body off and reentered their bedroom. Arica was just finishing up on dressing, but before he could even say her name and ask if she was all right she was out the door.

Sighing sadly, he quickly dressed and left the room, heading for Andrea's. Inside, he found her asleep but after a few gentle taps she was awake. Quickly telling her the situation and asking that she watch the twins, Anakin left the house, but not before kissing the sleeping forms of Lacovia and Hilton goodbye.

As expected, he found Arica downtown at the Central Transport Center, overseeing as the fleet prepared itself. When she caught sight of him, however, she darted into the Executrix. Obviously she didn't wish to be bothered with him, and though it was slightly heartbreaking, he did not go after her.

It took two hours for the fleet to get ready. Once it was the hundreds upon hundreds of ships – Star Destroyers of all kind, warships and cruisers – left the capital under the Eco-command of the Supreme Commander and Commander-in-chief

During the ten hours it took to reach Tatooine, Anakin, on the Executor, meditated and practiced some lightsaber techniques, preparing himself for the coming confrontation.

Arica, on the other hand, aboard her own Command ship, Executrix, was restless. She tried sleeping, but couldn't. She tried eating, but couldn't keep it down. She tried meditating, but couldn't clear her mind of all the things that were running through it so stopped. She than paced her quarters, but soon grew tired of that also so simply collapsed onto the floor in the middle of the living room and stared up at the ceiling.

Her sister was alive. That was the thought she couldn't get out of her mind. She was living on Tatooine with Kenobi and their son, her nephew she reminded herself. He would be about four and a half years old now. She wondered what he looked like and how Antellica would react upon seeing her. Because that would be the hard part, for both of them. After not seeing each other for almost five years, and suddenly being thrown back together again, only to be broken apart all over again, but for good this time.

Arica knew very well that she and Anakin were to go onto Tatooine, capture the three Kenobis, and return them to Coruscant where the Emperor would bring justice (vengeance?) upon them. Not only would Antellica be killed, but also a small innocent boy of four who did nothing to bother anyone.

But why was she thinking these thoughts? Antellica was a traitor of the Empire. She deserved to die just as much as Kenobi did, if not more. Alexander was simply a product of their treachery so deserved to die as well. It was their fault he had to die. If they hadn't brought him into the galaxy...so many things would be different. Antellica would still be working for the Empire and Kenobi dead. Luke and Leila would remain safe with their father and she would not be co-leading the Imperial fleet to Tatooine right now. But alas, things happened the way they did and could not be changed.

Notwithstanding everything Antellica had done though, did Arica think she deserved to die?

Of course she did. Why wouldn't she? But if that were so, why did Arica suddenly feel saddened and empty at the thought.

The truth was she didn't want Antellica to die; yet, at the same time there was a part of her that did. The part that told her she'd gotten along just fine without Antellica before and would continue to do so now. But yet during that time, though she'd never admitted to anyone, not even herself, she'd yearned for her sister to be with her during those special moments of her life: her wedding day with Anakin, the birth of her children, etc.

She wanted her sister back, and would see to achieve that goal. If anyone could talk sense into Antellica it was Arica, her other half. Antellica would not die. Arica would see to that personally, because if Antellica died Arica would die with her both mentally and physically. And that was not going to happen. It were these last few thoughts that cheered Arica up slightly.

Picking herself up off the floor, she returned to her bedroom and laid down to rest. She was asleep in no time.