Jepsie: I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Here is your request.
Chocolate Teapot: Yeah I decided to go on the safe side with the exposition just to be careful. I don't really expect that many people to know Han's backstory. I didn't until recently.
Darth Bellona: I'm glad that you like these chapters. I hope to hear more from you.
Ashla: Let's hope that I make it to 100,000. That would be a dream come true. If recommendations keep coming in I should squeeze by with a comfortable margin. Oh, and curse you for making us wait on TF2! :) I kid of course. I'm sure my skull will explode from sheer awesome when I read it.
Loteva: I'm glad that you enjoyed my characterization of Han.
This chapter was written by Personal Request of Jepsie. It is Palpatine's point of view on the Clone Wars episode Hostage Crisis, the final episode of Season One. Please Leave a Review!
The day to day minutiae of governance can be quite tedious at times. Days such as today would be considered dictionary definitions of the word dull. There are no pressing disasters to handle, no challenges to deal with, no scandals, and no dark secrets to uncover. It is just another day at the office here at the Executive Office Building of the Galactic Senate. I find myself going over the proposed Enhanced Privacy Invasion Bill that is about to be voted upon. It is a fairly self-explanatory piece of legislation, nothing more than a stepping stone on my path to ultimate power. It is sure to pass by a wide margin despite the efforts of one pesky Senator from Naboo and her little clique of self-righteous hypocrites.
I allow myself a moment to let my mind expand outwards. My senses sweep outwards towards the Senate Building and in my mind's eye I see without seeing. I sense a rather unusual disturbance in the Force. An unauthorized landing is taking place while a group of what appears to be bounty hunters disembarks from their speeder. Let's see. We have an assassin droid (an outlawed model no less), a Weequay brigand, two Separatist BX class commando droids, and rounding out the group a Duro wearing a rather large hat, apparently the leader of this little posse. It seems that the Force has sent me some entertainment in order to alleviate my boredom. How considerate.
It seems these bounty hunters came prepared. Sniper shots ring out from a nearby tower, taking out several of the Senate Commandos while the rest are quickly overrun by the men at the dock. A well thought out and well executed maneuver to be sure. How will they deal with the rest of security?
Ah yes the commando droids, a fine model of killing machine. It was a wise move to bring them along. I wonder how the bounty hunter came to possess them. The Separatists are not known for selling such high quality droids and I would know if the Separatists had planned this attack. But back to the droids. Their vocabulators are easily capable of mimicking the voices of others, allowing the droid to impersonate the recently deceased Senate Guard and inform central security that there is no problem. Very well planned. I wonder what will happen next. If only I had a drink to enjoy this with.
The group is quickly joined by a second group of bounty hunters that had been responsible for the sniping, this one being composed of a gaunt humanoid female, two more assassin droids and a Patrolian. I can sense the intent of their leader. His thoughts are not his own. He is strong minded, but his self-assurance in his own abilities reveals to me his intent. He is looking for a group of Senators to hold hostage.
For this bounty hunter, as luck would have it, a group of Senators, Amidala's allies, are gathering in the Senate Atrium to discuss the upcoming vote. Where is the leader of this little band of political misfits?
My senses spread out even further and soon enough I discover Amidala in her office with her beloved husband. Why am I not surprised? What are they going on about this time?
Something about Skywalker whining about them not being able to go on a vacation together (oh get over it)… Amidala preaching about their respective duties (again)…some more conversation that I suppose they think is witty banter but really just comes off as painfully stupid puppy love between two teenagers…and Anakin Skywalker giving Amidala his lightsaber. WHAT? Why did he do that? Apparently as proof of his love according to him.
Let me take a moment to think about this. He just gave his wife a long, hard cylindrical shaped object that gets larger as proof of his love? That's…disturbing to say the least. And now they are kissing. In her office; with the doors unlocked; just before the vote; while a dozen people desire her presence and know precisely where she is. It is as if they don't even try to keep this little affair a secret. Well this got boring quickly. I feel like I'm at the very beginning of a very poorly acted out pornographic hologram.
Back to the bounty hunters then!
The group moves quickly and efficiently. It is evident that they memorized their route. One wonders how precisely they could do this, as the plans on the Senate Building are classified. He couldn't have planned this little caper without the plans. It seems this Duro is quite the resourceful individual. How else could he have obtained classified documents? Where are they going? Ah the power control room. This bounty hunter really did think this plan out. The question of course is simple, what does he hope to gain by holding Senators hostage? I suppose that I shall find out soon.
I allow myself to do some research on the subject. After a minute or two of searching I uncover a file from the Government's central Bounty Hunter database.
Cad Bane. One of the more infamous of the underworld's inhabitants. Brutal, ruthless, intelligent and greedy to a fault. Allied with no movement but himself, all he cares for, according to his file, is money. My type of scum. Closing the file I extend my senses once more to watch as the show unfolds. It seems that Amidala has joined her compatriots in the atrium. Bane and his group have made quick work of the guards it seems. I know I cut the budget for the Senate Guard, but I didn't know my budget cuts would result in a group of guards this incompetent. Good help is so hard to come by it seems. Oh well, at least I get a safe front row seat to what is sure to be an enjoyable show.
In walks Mr. Bane. Two shots ring out. "Morning Senators," he says. "You should all consider yourself to be in my power." He is confident, bordering on cocky. He should be a little more careful. "As long as everybody behaves this should be quick and painless. Do nothing and it will all be over soon." His other companions quickly enter the room one by one during his speech with guns drawn, reinforcing Bane's words. A rather theatrical way of going about your job, but I do have a slight soft spot for the theatrical after all.
Senator Philo seems less than impressed, then again he has the self-preservation skills of a lump of clay. "I don't know who you think you are, but I for one have no intention of listening to such insolence." Yes that is a good idea Senator, antagonize the very threatening bounty hunter and try to walk away, that won't get you killed at all. Oh wait.
Down goes Senator Philo, shot in the back. Good riddance, I always hated listening to his incessant speeches on the Senate floor. Hmm, that's the third Gran Senator we've lost this year. First Senator Aak got killed by that car bomb, then Senator Kharrus got killed in a crash landing during that fiasco with the space pirate Hondo Ohnaka. Now this. Perhaps the Gran are cursed.
But back to the show. It seemed though that our regular broadcast of mayhem and panic is about to be interrupted by a rather unwanted interruption. The doors to my office slide open and in walks a certain Senator.
"Chancellor Palpatine!" He says.
"What is it Senator Free Ta?" I ask, allowing a little frustration into my voice. This had better be about the hostage crisis currently taking place. If he's come to me again about a mess he's gotten himself into with that pretty secretary of his I swear I'll…
"I think you should see this." He presses a button on the holographic projector and the image of Cad Bane appears. Oh thank goodness, it is about the hostage crisis. I've been running out of bribe money from that slush fund in order to keep his mistresses quiet.
"Sorry to bother you Chancellor but I've taken control of the East Wing of your Senate Building and the occupants are now my hostages. If you care about them I advise that you free Ziro the Hutt from your detention center." says Bane. He certainly is sure of himself a little to sure for my liking.
He has gone to such extreme measures just to save a Hutt? I suppose the Hutt Council must be willing to pay quite the hefty fee. Ziro has to have something on them. Why else would they be willing to pay Bane so much to do something like this? As for the Senators, well I don't really care for any of them. Actually if he were to kill them all now it would do me a great favor. But unfortunately in present company I have to keep up certain appearances. It would be so easy to just choke Bane and his men with the Force. Unfortunately there are too many witnesses. So it seems my hands are tied. I suppose that I shall have to play the concerned grandfatherly politician role. This is the part of the job I hate, pretending to be concerned when I'm not.
"You should know that the Republic does not take kindly to such threats. If you have attempted such a foolhardy action as to kidnap a Senator it will be met with appropriate force." I respond. Yes, appearances must be kept, but I know that Bane has a trick up his sleeves. In a moment he will reveal that he has control over the power and security systems. This is the part of the masquerade that I absolutely despise. I know everything but I must pretend to be ignorant. What a waste of my valuable time, playing this little game. It is beneath me to have to jump through hoops like a trained animal. Sure enough as soon as I think this thought the doors slam shut and the lights begin to flicker. Cue overly self confident gloating in three, two one…
"I'm in control, I make the rules now!"
Of course you are Bane, of course you are. I am only trapped because I allow myself to stay in this position. I could escape at any time of course, but I'd have to kill Orn Free Ta to do it and get away with it. I doubt though that I could explain away his sudden death. Oh well.
Appearances must be kept in present company, and so I must pretend to be helpless and try to escape. So I rush to the door and try to pry it open. "Orn Free Ta help me with this door." I order.
He doesn't even bother to try to help. "It's no use sir, someone has gotten to the central control panel. They've triggered the security system. The Senate Buildings have sealed themselves." He responds. I feel my contempt growing. It isn't helped by the fact that he didn't even try to open the door. At least I'm appearing to try to do something.
By the way, why is he saying this out loud in the first place? We both know how the security system works. The buildings go on lock down in the event of an emergency. It is like he is giving pointless exposition to some audience as if we were on a cheap holodrama. I can't believe this. Stuck in a room with Orn Free Ta. This was amusing at first, but now that I have to put up with this obese simpleton and actually pretend that I'm trying to do something about the situation I find the subject at hand to be increasingly annoying.
And so I rush over to the communications system. Bane has obviously gotten to the communications system by this point, but I have to look like I'm doing something in front of the blue oaf behind me "This is Chancellor Palpatine, there is an emergency at the Senate Building, Jedi Council come in. Is anyone there?" We are greeted only by static.
"That's no use either sir. They have cut off all communication with the outside." Free Ta declares. Tell me Senator, is there anything else obvious and stupid that you have to say. Perhaps you would like to tell me that my robes are red, or that the sky is blue. How about you go stand in the corner and hold that lamp on the table, we wouldn't want the table to be outperforming you when it comes to usefulness now would we?
Locked in a room with Senator Free Ta. Depending on how this goes I may have Bane and his group killed for putting me through this. Time seems to stretch on into eternity. Orn Free Ta paces back and forth behind me while I sit at my desk. This has stopped being amusing.
After what feels like an eternity I am granted a reprieve from Free Ta's pacing and complaining. Unfortunately that reprieve is Skywalker. I had been quietly following his "progress" for lack of a better word with the Force. He may not have his lightsaber on him, but by the Force boy, you have telekinetic powers. Use them to slam the bounty hunter and the droid into a wall. Or crush them to death. Oh wait Jedi never use their powers to inflict harm unless it is absolutely necessary. And even then they only do as little as possible. A Sith could have resolved this in less than ten seconds.
But as always appearances must be kept (I'm getting very tired of thinking that) and I must keep my mind focused on the present. "My dear boy I'm glad to know that you are there and all right." Putting in a touch of fatherly concern is an excellent addition if I do say so myself. The boy is so easily susceptible to my influence and the smallest amount of concern for him is all that it takes to wrap him around my finger.
I quickly relay what has happened thus far while Anakin was hiding under his wife's desk (oh joy, more accidental innuendo) and instruct him on what he must do. The line though is suddenly cut. The bounty hunters looking for him must have been getting nearer.
Time drags on. By now the mild amusement of watching guards getting blown to pieces has past completely and a seething frustration has taken root. I could easily end this, but to do so would be to reveal myself. A grudging admiration also begins to appear. Bane planned this out quite well. He could be a tremendous asset to me in the future. Perhaps this is the Force's way of uncovering for me a potential servant. Yes, Bane would make a fine underling. He has the skills and the tenacity to do anything that I want, for the right price of course. But with Sith money is no mere object.
Bane reappears, evidently to make his demands and give out instructions. "So here's what you're going to do. First you're going to make a pardon disk. You can give it to your friend there." He points to Free Ta, who happens to be looking even more confused than usual, if that is possible. Give the pardon disk to Free Ta? I'd be careful Bane, chances are Fee Ta would either lose it or accidentally eat it.
"Who, me?" Free Ta asks.
It is bad enough having to negotiate in a hostage crisis. It is even worse having to put up with such inferior individuals and play this pointless game when you possess the power to win in a moment. But the worst part is to have to do all of this and be locked in a room with a complete moron. Yes you Free Ta, there is no one else in this room! Mental note to self, after the Jedi are purged have Free Ta be one of the first up against a firing squad, right after Binks.
At this point though I am beyond caring what happens to the hostages. I don't even pay attention to the rest of Bane's little speech and my response is frankly one of those generic stock phrases that seems only natural in a crisis like this. I don't even pay attention to what I say, something about paying for this outrage or some such nonsense. It is so beneath me that I just cannot be bothered to pay attention.
The pardon disk is quickly made and ready to be used. I hand it over to the Senator, who naturally whines about having to be the one who has to do the unpleasant business of going to the prison and riding with the killer droid. I try and tune it out. By this point my mind is strictly on autopilot, ignoring those annoying voices. I have more important matters to think about. Before Free Ta leaves though I offer this simple platitude. "Sorry Senator, but everyone has a job to do." Your job is to be completely useless apparently. What, does he honestly expect the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic to leave his post for something as idiotic as a prisoner transfer? I have a crisis to pretend to care about.
It has certainly been a long day. Now it is just a matter of waiting until Bane contacts me again.
Sure enough the projector flickers to life and Bane appears again. "Well Mr. Chancellor," he begins, still as smug and sure of himself as when this little game began. "thanks to your calm leadership the crisis is past. I got what I want so I will return your Senate and your Senators. Enjoy them, but don't try anything until the sun sets. Understand?"
The transmission is cut and I allow myself to think. What should I do with Bane? Should he be allowed to live or should I have him killed. On the one hand he has defied me, and those who defy me must perish. On the other hand he is a bounty hunter. By his nature he has no allegiance to anything but his greed. He can be easily bought and kept with the allure of endless wealth. I could use an operative of his caliber. We'll see how this plays out.
My musings are interrupted as the window behind me shatters into thousands of pieces and clone commandos burst into my office. It only took them five hours. "All clear." One of them says. Approaching me the clone asks. "Sir are you alright?"
"Yes, yes I'm fine." I say with an annoyed and sarcastic bent. It's not as if I could have been cut to ribbons by those shards of glass. As the clone contacts Free Ta to inform him of my safety I take a moment to mourn the loss of a perfectly good window. They couldn't have just broken down the door?
Suddenly a message is transmitted that Bane and his group are surrounded by clones. It is almost over. On the projector Bane seems unworried that he is surrounded by clones. It is time for me to engage in a time honored tradition that has been passed down from Master to apprentice throughout Sith history, the overwhelming desire to gloat. "You were foolish to think that you could get away with this bounty hunter. Now lay down your arms and come quietly." Bane is rather non chalant about this whole affair. I wonder, does he have something planned that even I am not aware of?
"No Chancellor, it is you who has been foolish with your Senator's lives. One false move and the East Wing of the Senate Building goes up in smoke."
He's rigged the East Wing with explosives. Clever, very clever.
The question now is, should he be gunned down in a hail of blaster fire, or should he be allowed to go? If he dies over a dozen Senators end up dead. But their lives do not matters. No, what matters is that Skywalker could be killed. I have put to much time and investment into Anakin as a potential apprentice to see him die like this. There is only one option open.
"You win Bounty Hunter." For now.
The crisis is past. Skywalker will rescue the Senators, but Bane is a different quandary all together. I am reminded of the great Sith Lord Darth Bane, founder of the Rule of Two, whose intelligence was matched only by his ruthlessness. It seems that Cad Bane is carrying on the legacy of Lord Bane quite well, even though he does not know that he does so.
It is not often that I encounter individuals blind to the Force who possess such raw talent. I see great potential for this Bane in my service. He believes that he has beaten me, but I cannot be beaten. This was a rather annoying waste of time, but it is evident that this is the work of the Force. The Darkside has presented me with a tool to use in my war against the Jedi. If Bane can get into the Senate and accomplish his mission, surely he could go anywhere.
Even the Jedi Temple.
Behind the walls of the Temple there lies hidden knowledge that could prove most useful to me. Bane will help me to get it.
Enjoy your victory Bounty Hunter. But know that you live only due to pragmatism. You have proven yourself as a potential asset to my plans. Time will tell whether you live up to your reputation and to my new expectations. I expect great things from you in the coming months.