***1***
Anakin mused over the events of the past few days. He and Padme had headed to the cadet graduation ceremony immediately after their ship had landed on Coruscant. The ceremony had little to do with celebrating the graduates. Instead, everything was about "Operation Freedom", which the public simply was already calling the "Clone War".
Anakin had been arranged to be the first speaker. He hated the attention, but he had needed to expose the atrocities the Separatists, especially the former Jedi Dooku, had committed. After he delivered the speech, which had been prepared by Padme, all his strength was gone. Even Force could not help him. After that, he isolated himself for a whole week, trying to regain strength.
Padme invited him to stay in her guest room so her staff could watch over him. Palpatine didn't summon him, so he took it as permissible. He lost much of his appetite and had a fever. He was exhausted, but could not sleep. He was agitated but had to pretend to be calm, so he drew upon the Force to keep the disguise. His insides felt like a river of lava. He vomited again and again until all he could throw up was bile.
Padme was alive, so it was worth it. She was doing better than him, which further delighted him.
Padme worried about him. She suggested that he see a Jedi healer. Dooku had clearly used some dark magic on, she argued. Perhaps the Jedi could fix it. Of course, he rejected it. He had to recover quickly, otherwise, this awful idea would be brought up again.
To recover meant to draw upon the Cosmic Force to fill the void of Life Force. As long as a person didn't have life-threatening injuries and didn't lose the will to live, their Life Force would recover eventually. It just would take a while. If they lost too much at one time, they would die, much like bleeding to death.. Luckily, he was currently not in a life-threatening situation.
The most difficult days finally passed. He had enough strength to read his datapad and type in a few words. He saw Rackeli's message. Usually, he was adamant about learning anything related to the Jedi the second he heard about it. Today his brain was too rusted to function.
Padme also worked fewer hours a day. She was not shy about staying in his room over the night. Her presence had a soothing effect. A piece of his Life Force flowed through her and always would. He was hers and she was his, forever.
They started with cuddling, then making out. A few days later, Padme took the lead and they made love. It was his first time, but not hers, which bothered him a little. He enjoyed the intimacy anyway.
He liked the way Padme pet his hair, the small sound she made, the friction of their bodies, and the endearing way she looked at him. He found her more beautiful than ever with her hair hanging loose down her back, calling his name in admiration. She was gorgeous, losing herself in the moment of ecstasy.
Yet, he was embarrassed by his own labored breathing and heavy limbs that sent him drifting off into slumber moments after they were done. Padme, meanwhile, seemed energized, a big smile on her face.
Padme suggested that they keep this living arrangement for the foreseeable future. He was not sure whether Palpatine would approve it. It didn't feel like the way of the Sith. He had to ask. Also, he worried about her reputation. It was not like they had just stolen a single moment and kept it a secret. Very soon, high society would know that they were living together as an unwed couple. Naboo was a traditional society. Formal Queens were held to very high standards.
Nonetheless, all these worries could wait for another day. Again, he read Rackeli's message. He must put some pressure on this case. It would be interesting to see how things played out. Everything about the Jedi Order had the highest priority.
***2***
Palis considered her Jedi tunic before folding it and putting it away. Instead, she pulled on a bright yellow dress, along with a necklace and a white hat. She was going to pay a visit to Senator Amidala. The rumor was that Anakin had moved in. It was good that she could see both of them at the same time. They had all survived their encounters with Dooku, something worth celebrating.
On the way to Padme's residence, she sensed a little creature following her. Turning, she spotted a silver Loth-cat watching her cautiously from beneath a bush.
"Come here, Fluffy." Palis squatted down, extending a hand. "If you are here to see the two love birds, follow me."
To her surprise, the Loth-cat padded out from under the bush to come to her side. It kept pace with her, following her into Padme's apartment building, into the lift, and right to Padme's front door.
Because Palis was not wearing her usual Jedi robes, it took some time to explain to the security guards that she was Padme's Jedi protector from a couple of weeks ago. She had no lightsaber to show because she was in a transition process to give up her Jedi status. Finally, they confirmed her identity, and let her in.
"Take a seat. I am finishing this letter." Padme was busily typing on a datapad in the living room. Anakin was working on a golden droid. Both of them dressed casually, with a matched style.
The Loth-cat ran straight to Anakin, flopped, and rolled around next to him.
"Okay, it seemed that I found your cat." Palis chuckled.
A big grin spread across Anakin's face. He picked up the Loth-cat, and let it flop on his shoulder. "It is a cute gift. Thank you, Master Red."
"Oh no. I came here to check in on you two. Obi-Wan said he had other duties to attend to. So it's just me today. Our protection mission...it didn't end very well." She looked at Padme apologetically. "By the way, I am ready to submit my resignation to the Order. I am leaving."
"What?" Padme discarded her datapad. "I am alright. If someone gives you a hard time, I will talk to them."
Anakin's eyes widened. He put the cat down and moved to sit next to Padme.
"No one did anything to me. I want to change lifestyles, that is it." Palis shrugged.
"Leaving all your past behind, for a lifestyle change. The Jedi allows that?" Anakin sounded confused. "You are free to walk away?"
"Yes to both of your questions. I consulted the Council of Reconciliation. Quitting was an unpopular idea. Yeah, actually was frowned upon, but it is my choice. They have to respect that, and they did. Obi-Wan gave his blessing, of course, reluctantly."
She waved her hand at that cat. It sat in Anakin's lap, bright blue eyes looking at her curiously. "What will you name your cat?"
"She is a strong, independent lady. Imperius. Princess Imperius it is." He patted Imperius' smooth, silvery fur.
"Imperius and you have matching looks!" Palis said excitedly. Anakin laughed loudly. She could hear the cat purring through the Force. An interesting cat indeed.
"Okay, back to serious business. How are you two doing?"
Padme said she was okay now. Anakin agreed. He looked better, still a mess though.
"I need to tell you what Dooku had told Obi-Wan and me on Geonosis. He claimed that hundreds of Republic Senators are under the influence of a Sith Lord named Darth Sidious." Anakin and Padme both lost some color on their face. "The Council decided not to release this information, but I think there is a public safety concern."
"This sounds awful." Padme shook her head. "Dooku abused my trust. Another Sith? Influence my colleagues? Does the Council believe it?"
"Not really. Sith always lie. After I leave the Order, I will work as a journalist, covering Jedi's war effort. I can use my talents in this way. The Jedi are reclusive and bad at public relations. I saw tons of misinformation on the Holonet about the Jedi. I am an insider. I will do them justice." Then she looked straight at Padme. "I will also investigate who this Sith Lord is. I can't let go of this idea. I need to figure this out."
"Where will you start then?" Anakin asked with some annoyance. "Why don't you start with searching your Temple? That place seems to have the highest risk."
Palis anticipated something like this would happen. Dooku turned into an enemy. His past association made the Jedi look very bad. Besides, how many people outside the Order believed the Sith existed or thought the Sith were particularly powerful and dangerous? The public probably thought that Banking Clan executives were way more powerful than any Sith.
"How about I start with you two? You met Dooku in person. Did he tell you anything?"
"We spent like 5 minutes on that damn planet. We were assaulted by an assassin in Mandalorian armor. I killed him. We barely escaped. That is all." Anakin looked like he was going to breathe fire. "This conversation is making me very uncomfortable. Excuse me." He abruptly stood up. Imperius the cat jumped down, hissing.
"Palis, this also makes me uncomfortable." Padme smiled at her faintly. "Dooku traumatized us. Worse, assuming what he said was true, if I were Anakin, I would be really upset. A Sith controlling hundreds of senators to work against his father or even influencing his father? I can't imagine how that would feel."
"Sorry," Palis apologized hurriedly. "I wanted you two to be safe from this potential Sith threat. You already are the target of Dooku. I messed up, again. Believe me, I didn't mean to scare or insult you."
"I know." Padme came over and gave her a hug. "What you're doing is important work. I'm glad you have a plan for the future. Good luck. If you need anything, let me know. I will support you, Red."
Palis hugged Padme back. "Thank you! It means a lot to me. More than you can imagine."
***3***
Sheev Palpatine, the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, sat behind his enormous desk in his residence, patiently waiting for the return of Anakin Skywalker. The stars were still twinkling in the Coruscant sky. He usually rose to work before dawn. He could feel the boy's fear and anger in the Force.
"Master, I am back." Anakin bowed to him respectfully. "I have intel to deliver."
"Do you? I assumed you had a few restful nights with Padme, am I right?" Palpatine wore the fatherly smile.
Blushing, Anakin took a seat on the far side of the desk. "We had a very good time, but there is a pressing issue. Do you remember Obi-wan Kenobi's partner? The redhead Jedi Palis Athia. Dooku told her and Obi-Wan about you. He told them a Sith called Darth Sidious was influencing a few hundred Senators. This is really bad," tapping his foot nervously. "Palis leaving the Order."
"Aha, to join Dooku? Did you have an interest in her?" Palpatine asked, amused.
"No. She is weak in the Force. She left the Order to be a reporter to write Jedi propaganda."
"You're worried about a propagandist?" He teased.
"Of course not. She plans to investigate Dooku's claims about the Sith on the Republic's side. She may even publish her investigation." Anakin's expression hardened. "If you would like me to silence her, it can be arranged."
"Why silence her?" Palpatine chuckled. "Her investigation deserves to be on the front page of the Chronicle of the Republic. What an interesting story."
"Master, I do not understand." The boy looked desperate. "If she found out about us-"
"My boy, if we have wisdom, anything and everything can be used for our purpose. In time, you will understand."
Anakin was like a supernova in the Force when he did not hide it, full of passion, and strength. Despite all the raw power he had, he was not a great Sith material. A Sith needed to be cunning, adaptive, and able to use the circumstances to their advantage. Anakin was too straightforward. He handled everything with confrontation. A flaw to be sure, but one which could be useful. Anakin pursued sheer power and ambition, but he always sought guidance from someone higher up. Neither Maul nor Dooku had this problem. Anakin was an effective enforcer, the perfect soldier. The perfect weapon.
His boy was different today. Sidious sensed a shift. Anakin's Life Force was dim, so different from his usual self. Even Dooku could not do damage like this.
"Son, tell me. You are in disarray. What reckless thing did you do? Where is your lightsaber?"
Anakin looked away. "Destroyed. On Geonosis, I used my lightsaber to channel lightning to fight off the traitor Dooku. Padme was injured. She was dying. I gave her my Life Force to save her. I can't lose her. I just can't." He winced in pain and shame.
"You impressed me. The Sith's power is the pathway to many things that were considered impossible. You have learned well. Still, there is much more to learn. Draw strength from the Force, and drill it into you. You command the Force to serve you, and you will recover quickly," Sidious said fondly.
The mission went far better than he planned. Amidala's death would have pushed Anakin further into the Dark Side. Palpatine had planned to blame the Jedi somehow. But now, the Dark Side would claim Anakin from within.
It was time for the final touch. Darth Plagueis would scold him for breaking the Rule of Two but Darth Tyranus was already a dead man since he'd failed to kill Amidala. It would be only a matter of time to see his death become a reality.
"My boy, come close. Tell me, again, what is your dream?" Sidious looked into the boy's blue eyes. He saw surprise, confusion, excitement, and, finally, conviction.
"The galaxy is riven with injustice. I won't forget where I came from. I owe everything to you. I will pay back your generosity by committing myself to your teaching, my master."
"Kneel before me."
Anakin hesitated as if caught off guard, but he quickly bowed obediently.
"Your service as Sith Acolyte ends today. You already proved your worthiness of being my Apprentice." Anakin abruptly looked up. Sidious saw sparks and fanatics in the boy's blue eyes, he felt the Force hum with the thrill. "Good. The Force is strong with you, Anakin Skywalker. A powerful Sith Lord you will become. Henceforth, your soul is bound to mine by the Covenant of the Sith, until death does us part. You shall be known as Darth... Vader." Sidious felt the energy in the Force surge. It twisted and resonated with the dawn. A new kind of Force bond was formed between the two Lords of the Sith.
This day would be long remembered. His treasured weapon had the Sith spirit forged in. Finally, it had a soul.
"Thank you, my Master." Vader gasped in the most reverent voice.
He closed their distance and touched Vader's cheek. His skin was warm and silky. The boy shivered a little and inhaled sharply under the touch. Vader was a very powerful and beautiful being. It was a blatant falsehood to claim that the Sith had no sense of aesthetic. Sidious straightened Vader's bunched-up collar. The family crest of the House of Palpatine was revealed. The symbols of a veermok, an aiwha and a zalaaca were embroidered on the light blue shirt with scarlet silk thread.
"Lord Vader... rise." He smiled lightly. "Next time, let Senator Amidala take care of it."
Vader stood up. He hastily checked and smoothed other parts of his clothing before he sat down again. Sidious found it amusing.
"Tell me more about you and your Padme."
"Padme," Vader smiled dreamily. "I love her."
"Ha. You think you love her?" Sidious scoffed. Ridiculous. "Love? You're sure?"
"Yes, I love her. She confessed her love to me as well."
"My naive young apprentice, couples get together to benefit each other. In your and Padme's case, you two enjoyed each other's company. You shared the pleasure of the flesh and that's all."
"No, I think-" Vader protested.
"Tell me, have you told her that you are a Sith?"
"No." The boy shifted his gaze aside.
"Why not?"
"I... I can't-"
"You do not trust her. She will betray you the moment she learns about your true identity. You already know this."
"Master, you are wise." Vader sat his elbows on the edge of the desk, fingers twisted and knuckles white. "I can't tell her."
"You are unconformable with telling her who you truly are. There is nothing real between you two." He softly touched Vader's hand. "My boy, love is an illusion, a game the weak play to delude themselves. I want you to know the truth."
Vader nodded but refused to meet Sidious' eyes. He sensed sadness. It was delightful.
"Don't feel sorrow. You two made a great couple. I had foreseen this since you were children. I always tried to arrange situations to let you two know each other better, like the diplomatic trip to Geonosis. You two should marry if you keep on enjoying the company of each other."
Vader's eyes widened. "But you just said, there is no love between-"
Sidious raised a hand to forestall him. "You will need an heir in time. I abhor the idea of polluting the bloodline of the Sith with some aberrant blood. I don't care about the Rule of the Two as long as you are loyal to me."
"I will never betray you, master." Fear emerged on the boy's gorgeous face.
"We will see. Don't let me down, Lord Vader."
Palpatine slowly stood up and led the way towards Anakin's old bedroom. "All the officers in the Judicial Department have been reassigned into the Navy. The GAR logistics division sent your new uniform to my residence. You can take your time to have more rest. Everyone understands, but don't forget the Jedi are leading an army created by them in secret. We need to stay vigilant."
"Do you know my particular assignment, Sir?"
"Jedi Master Kenobi will lead a Star Destroyer to Christophsis. His former apprentice is leaving. He would benefit from having an assistant. You two know each other."
"I am better than being an assistant to a Jedi, " Anakin cried angrily.
"Be patient. We will see to their downfall soon enough. One day, you can tell Padme about all your stories when the Jedi are no longer in power. " He put his hand on his apprentice's shoulder. "I will monitor that Darth Sidious investigation. Now go, and bring glory back to me."
Anakin bowed and left the office. Palpatine turned back to watch the morning Coruscant skyline. Now all his chess pieces were ready at the right place: the Jedi, the Senate, Darth Tyranus and Darth Vader, The Confederacy of Independent Systems, and the Galactic Republic. They would all drop down onto their knees and kiss his feet one day. He breathed in the chilling yet refreshing morning air and enjoyed the magnificent sunrise. Today was the new dawn of his rising Empire.