Watching the assembled proceedings with a look of morbid curiosity, the boy's attention was soon diverted to more pressing matters thanks to the growing volume of perhaps the most well-known sound in Star Wars, neigh, Sci-Fi history.
And though he enjoyed a measure of protection thanks to the nature of his relationship with the most successful villain in Star Wars history, the boy nonetheless felt increasingly nervous as the baritone voice of his childhood hero vibrated throughout the near empty balcony.
"You summoned me, my master"?
Knowing that it would best to remain silent until he was directed to speak, the boy kept his position at the far end of the wall as he watched the Emperor turn away from the balcony to face the kneeling cyborg.
"I did indeed Lord Vader. Today is an important day after all, and I wouldn't want you to miss out on this highly pleasing event".
Motioning for the still kneeling Sith Lord to rise, Palpatine gestured to the near deserted courtyard below, and chuckled as his apprentice stated the obvious conclusion.
"Forgive me for saying this master, but how can a simple execution be important to our Empire"?
Having already been told the identity of the individual who would soon be placed in front of a firing squad, the boy had to fight back a wince as the Emperor answered Darth Vader's question with the same false sincerity he had used when informing another Skywalker that the Death Star's shields would be fully operational when the Rebel fleet arrived.
"It all depends on who's getting executed Lord Vader. And I thought that since you have something in common with the soon to be deceased Senator, I thought it prudent that you be here at my side as another of your former wife's comrades is punished for their treasonous activities".
Fighting down the impulse to flee as he watched Vader visibly stiffen at the mention of his overly liberal wife, the boy was relieved that he had the foresight to go to the bathroom beforehand, for he wasn't sure if he could keep control of his bladder as the black armored Sith Lord turned towards him.
"And why is this boy here master? Surely you cannot expect me to believe that you'll allow this boy to live after discovering carefully guarded secrets about our partnership".
His smirk developing a slightly deadly chill as he regarded his apprentice, who as the boy correctly suspected acted with potentially lethal fury whenever his deceased wife was mentioned, the Emperor ensured that his apprentice would both learn his place as the student in their partnership as well as revealing a tiny bit about the boy's importance.
"I expect you to follow my commands Lord Vader, nothing more and nothing less. But I can tell you that the boy has every reason to be here. For you see, if it wasn't for him, Mon Mothma would have spent the next 20 years hiding behind her senatorial credentials, all the while doing her utmost to spread the disease of rebellion throughout the Empire. Luckily however, my young friend here was able to come up with a plan that would allow us to remove this potential irritant while at the same time tarnishing her reputation for the rest of the galaxy. And I should also tell you that it is because of him that our Empire has not only consolidated its grip faster than I had originally predicted, but is in fact responsible for ensuring that your daughter was not raised to become the future leader of a bunch of dissident terrorists".
Turning his head slightly to face his master before turning it back towards the understandably nervous boy, the former Jedi managed to reply with 4 words that someone conveyed more weight than the lengthiest of speeches.
"Is that a fact"?
Sensing that he was being asked a question, the boy hurried to answer it since he was still unsure whether or not his neck implants would stand up to Vader's favorited force move.
"Y…yes my lord. My loyalties are both to the Empire, and to Dark Lords of the Sith. Any information I can provide that will help you maintain your control of the galaxy, I will happily do so".
Smirking at the boy's easily identifiable nervousness, Palpatine moved to lend support to the boy's claim, only to be interrupted by the scheduled arrival of his morning's entertainment.
"I assure Lord Vader that the boy speaks the truth. No however I'm afraid we must direct our attentions to the evolving entertainment below us. Am I correct in guessing that this is your first time witnessing a public execution my boy"?
Seeing the boy nod his head, Palpatine was somewhat surprised by the explanation behind the boy's answer.
"Yes your majesty. Where I come from, most governments have done away with such a thing, and in fact my own government hasn't executed a prisoner for over 6 decades. Hell, the current political administration has taken to granting large cash settlements to former terrorists just because their parents had the foresight to give birth in countries that bestow automatic citizenship on babies born within certain borders, thus granting them full legal protection should they be caught performing terrorist activities".
Scoffing at the boy's explanation, Palpatine listened intently as his asthmatic apprentice voiced his own question to the boy's rant.
"Surely your government would at least strip the right of citizenship for those caught partaking in violence against the soldiers and civilians of the country of their birth"?
Seeing the boy shake his head, the Emperor decided to put an end to this conversation as the time had come to deliver the true meaning of justice to the leader of a thankfully unorganized rebellion.
Motioning for the boy to sit with a wave of his hand, and aware that Vader had taken up his position at his right hand, the Emperor walked to the balcony and addressed the now restrained red haired senator.
"Mon Mothma. For the crimes of treason, accessory to countless war crimes, and fermenting rebellion against this lawful government, you have been sentenced to death by firing squad. Do you have anything to say before the sentence is carried out"?
Sensing the clear hatred of the soon to be deceased Senator, Palpatine could only smile as the red haired woman offered up one last bit of useless defiance.
"My only regret is that I failed in my goal to restore the Republic. But make no mistake Emperor, I will not be the last to take up the just cause of freedom".
Smirking at her continued resistance, the Emperor spared a moment to reply to her proclamation before giving the order. But not before he tapped into the currents of the Dark Side in order to rob the Chandrillian woman her last mercy before her demise.
"Unfortunately for you Senator, the denizens of the Galaxy prefer the secure hands of one rather than the chaotic hands of many. Captain you may give the order".
Nodding his head at his sovereigns command, the latest officer from the Emperor's improved training program waved to his men.
"Readyyy! Aimmm!"
Taking a moment to heap scorn on the now wide eyed woman, though he wondered why she hadn't closed her eyes like all the other traitors that had met the same fate, the white armored officer gave the command for the last thing Mon Mothma would ever here in this world.
"FIRE"!
And as six blaster bolts pierced her body, the last thing the dying senator saw was the triumphant eyes of a monster that had destroyed all that she had loved and would undoubtedly do his utmost to ensure that the people would praise him for the horrors he would inflict upon them.
...
Apologise for shortness of chapter, but wanted to get this out of the way before writers block once again descends on me lol.
FINALLY...have Darth Vader meeting the boy, and I promise that next chapter will be more detailed :) I bet you were all shocked by the boy's attitude to the execution, as well as his explanation of the current means of justice in his home country (which coincidentally happens to be my own lol) I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about in that instant...and thus know my position on i :P
As always, hoped you enjoyed it. Currently working on the 2nd chapter for my DISNEY version of this sort of story, so hopefully you'll read it as well/not be too disappointed by lack of updates lol.
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