Introduction
Palpatine, a single twenty five year old clerk fourth class in the external relations' section of Naboo's civil service, looked around his area studying the power flow. There were about 200 fourth and third class clerks in this high ceiling room alone segregated into various sections with their respective section chiefs located in private offices along one wall. This was one of several similar large rooms in the external relations building. The building was built in the normal ornate government style but internally it was a modern facility, every desk had a vid display built in. The placement of the supervisors along one wall allowed the supervisors to have windows with a view of the Queen's Palace. The rest of the staff had a common wall of windows overlooking Threed, the capital city of Naboo.
Palpatine was fairly sure he was the only one who saw the power flow between people or what others would call the hierarchy relationships between individuals as a visible thread. The few times he had spoken of it with either close friends or carefully chosen strangers, who could not identify him later should they want to, they had looked at him as if he was crazy. Since then he had kept quiet about it. He did use this ability in high school and college to get in with the right crowds and relied on it more as time passed. Although his grades were high, his family's social standing was not. It took all the pervasive powers he possessed to get a few college professors to recommend for this position. Now after a few years in it he was watching and plotting his next move. The one that captured his attention was still on his display, A level 2 clerk's position on Coruscant. Not only was it at the republic's center but a two pay grade jump. It was also out of his reach.
That evening while he walked the kilometer distance from his office to the two residence rooms that came with his clerk's position, A benefit that he needed. His parents had been killed in a power coupling accident during his college years and just last week his last grandparent had died. Paying his grandfather's funeral expenses drained what little saving Palpatine had accumulated. Palpatine tried to decide which of the two moves with in his reach would be best for his advancement. It was either a level three position in external relations but with a female supervisor he had not met or a level three position with a male supervisor who was nearing retirement but had a handpicked successor all ready set up. Reaching his rooms he decided to sleep on it. Once in the combined living and kitchen room he noticed a light blinking on his vid phone. When he answered it the image of his Grandfather's lawyer appeared.
"Palpatine, I have good news. Your grandfather left you his beloved dwelling and some funds in his will. Please call me to complete the necessary paper work."
Chapter 1
Coruscant
Palpatine was nervous it was his first week on Coruscant and he was late for his first meeting with the head of the Naboo Delegation. It had taken all the money his Grandfather had left him plus what he was able to raise selling the dwelling he was left just for him to bribe his way this far, If Senator Freey has found out that most of his resume credentials were, although not completely false, substantially padded and the recommendations bribed there was no money left for him to bribe Freey.
He entered the Senator's office to be greeted by the Senator, a stout medium height white haired man, who motioned him to a seat across from his desk. Palpatine's attention was drawn to the room. His own workspace was best described as run down utility, The public spaces of the embassy were better, neat with touches of Naboo culture. The Executive area was plush by Naboo standards with expert reproductions of various Naboo cultural and artistic objects. In contrast the Senator's room exceeded even the rumored opulent of the Royal area. One wall was a full color holographic image of Theed, taken from the flowing green grass plain looking across the large spring pool to the Royal Quarters on the bluff beyond and encompassing most of Threed proper. The carpet where it met the image was the same color green as the grass plane and under went subtle color changes as it stretched from the wall to the full length windows that looked out on Coruscant. While Naboo's embassy was not close to the Senate chambers as the richer planets like Aulderian. The view spanning from the Jedi Tower to the Senate chamber was breath taking for a first time observer.
Senator Freey allowed Palpatine time to take in the grandeur of the office. A lot of physiological study went in to determining the look and to not let it work it's full magic always seemed like a waste to Freey. He watched Palpatine's eyes as they finally settled on his desk. To anyone who didn't know the history of this desk it was still impressive but to someone who did it was even more impressive. Two hundred years ago the Queen of Naboo wanted some way to designate the standings of her officials. During a trip she met a master Cabinet maker who's skill so impressed her a short conversation took place and in due time a royal decree was issued allowing the cabinet maker to remove one Nuball tree from the National Park. The Nuball was a rare tree prized for its exceptional hardness, grain and beauty.
A few years latter a group of desks were delivered to the Palace. The tree had been sliced horizontally and each section had been fashioned into a desk. The base of the tree and therefore the largest desk was placed in the royal office. The remaining desks were loaned to various government officials the Prime minister getting the next largest etc. The desk that had been the Prime Minister's now graced Senator's Freey's office. The Current Prime Minister had a desk fashioned from a higher slice.
"Mr. Palpatine." The Senator began. "I'm sure you are wondering why I called you in. As you may have been told I always try to greet new staff personally but that is especially so in your case. Your rapid rise has attracted attention. I have received instructions to observe you and if the rise appears justified to take the necessary actions to insure you reach your potential, If it does not to inform the proper authorities and return you to Naboo."
"I don't know what to say in reply, Senator." Palpatine said his mind in total panic as he struggled to maintain a calm demeanor.
"Then say nothing. Prove your rise was correct with your actions. I will be watching." Freey said as he showed Palpatine to the door.
That evening Palpatine walked to a restaurant area near the embassy. He did not want to eat around his co-workers in the embassy's dining hall tonight. Walking down a side street just before the outdoor dining area He noticed a side door advertising a tavern on the lower floors. Intrigued he went down the stairs and found a tavern with a spotlit area where scantly dressed humanoid females were busy dancing surrounded by tables shrouded in shadows. Palpatine chose a table against the wall where he could watch the door and most everyone else in the tavern. One of the waitress/dancers came over and took his order. He watched the dancers and waited until she brought his dinner before he reflected on his meeting. He was glad it occurred just as the workday ended. That allowed him to get off the embassy grounds and contemplate his options in private.
Quin Rouar looked up from his meal. He was seated in a rear corner booth at one of his favorite properties. Someone new in his lair was afraid and angry. He could not recall feeling emotions this strong. Calling a dancer over with a quick wave of his hand he asked "Sellan who is new tonight?"
"There are several Don Rouar. All are single tables who are either eating or drinking."
"Dance around each one so I may watch their reactions."
"Of course Don Rouar." Sellan said as she moved to comply. All she knew about the man making the request, her boss, was every one called him Don Rouar as she had just done, and everyone tried very hard to stay on his good side. She approached her first target. He heard her approach and watched with a detached amusement as she danced around him.
'That is not the man' Rouar thought 'He is here with a purpose.' a quick hand movement sent Sellan on to another.
The next person Sellan approached was so deep in thought she had to run her fingers through his wavy brown hair just to get his attention. Which came quickly, as did a flash of anger across his face so strong she would swear she felt it. It passed as quickly as it came. She danced her best for him but his attention quickly left her and turned inward. A glance at Don Rouar's table startled her for He was headed her way.
Don Rouar saw the confusion on Sellan's face and motioned her back to the dance floor. He then pulled out a chair and sat down beside Palpatine. When Palpatine turned to acknowledge his presence Don Rouar said "Tell me what troubles you."
"Who are you?"
"A possible friend. I sense you need friends right now."
"The friends I need would be rich and well connected on my homeworld. Sorry but I don't think I'll find them here."
"You never know, let us talk. Perhaps things are not a bad as they seem."
Later the security report would show that Palpatine entered the establishment ate alone, watched a few dancers, and went back to the embassy alone. That was far from the truth. Don Rouar listened as Palpatine told the tale of his predicament adding for the first time in years the story of the glowing strands of power. Describing how he found it curious that the strands seemed to radiate from the room and desk to the Senator not the reverse. Don Rouar took all this in and more. A part of him wanted to rush to his master, Darth Mard, with the news He had found a force adept who was untrained and suitable. But the greater part was patience. He remembered his training, 'The Sith are patient above all else. We wait, we do not force.'
The next day at work went quickly for Palpatine. Rouar said a friend of his might offer a way out of his problems. He was to meet Rouar and this friend tonight at the tavern.
Palpatine walked in to the tavern and looked around for Rouar. He was just about to take a table and wait when the slim, limber, redheaded dancer who had entertained him yesterday approached and escorted him back into the deep shadows where Rouar sat in a booth dressed in dark clothing.
"Hi, Palpatine" Rouar said.
"Hi, Where's your friend?"
"He has a few things to check out first but he will be here shortly. Meanwhile why don't we have a drink while we wait?"
Sellen took their orders and returned quickly with the drinks. It took only moments for the sedative to take effect. Palpatine slumped in a corner of the booth, as the wall section he laid against slid back he fell through into the adjacent room. Don Rouar got up and went through a concealed door into the same room.
"He only ingested a little of the drink Master."
"That means he will come around quickly." Darth Mard said approaching the still form of Palpatine an interrogation droid at his side. After a moments pause he motioned the droid away saying "His mind is open you are not needed." Darth Mard then entered a trance state coming out of it as Palpatine stirred.
"I am Darth Mard," he said while Palpatine staggered to his feet. "It was necessary to drug you for security reasons. How do you feel?"
"Surprisingly good." He replied to the figure in a black cape with the hood pulled up concealing any details of his face.
"That is good news then we can get right to it. Moric has told me of your problems and abilities. If your wish I can show you a way to use your abilities to deal with your problems.
"That would be great." Palpatine said carefully. The strand of power radiating between Rouar, who this Darth Mard called Moric, and Darth Mard was the first glowing black strand he could recall seeing. It was obvious that Darth Mard possessed far more power that was visually apparent.
"Ah, I see you are checking my, Strands of Power, as your call them. Now in order for me to help you must become student. As such you will address me as Master. Do you still wish my help?"
"Yes."
"Yes, what?"
With only a slight hesitation and realizing he had all ready made a choice whose consequences he could not imagine Palpatine said, "Yes Master."
"Good Moric here is an apprentice of mine. He will go over our rules and requirements." Turning to Moric he continued "Teach him well tonight. Tomorrow meet him at a location near his embassy and bring him to location L. I will meet you there. Then his training will begin."
Moric worked with Palpatine late into the evening. Drilling him on the need for secrecy and the other requirements. The next evening he picked him up a block from the embassy and after losing his security tail lead him to a nondescript door on the side of a large apartment block that looked just like thousands of other apartment blocks on Coruscant. On the other side of the door a long narrow winding passage forced them to walk single file and it was just tall enough to force Palpatine to bend over slightly finally it ended at a door without a knob.
"What now?' Palpatine asked turning to face Rouar.
Rouar closed his eyes and the sound of a bolt moving broke the silence "Open the door."
Palpatine complied and found a high ceiling room beyond. He was hard pressed to describe it. It was a black space without being devoid of light. This made the dimensions hard to estimate. He found out later it was about 20 meters high by 40 meters square. There was only one object in the entire space, the man he now called Master was still dressed in a light absorbing black hooded cape that reached down and brushed to floor but this time the hood was lowered. As he opened his mind he saw a faint black power line running from him to this man and a thicker black line running from Rouar to this man.
"Now your training begins. Tell me what it is your fear most. Ah, your mind is quick and unfortunately for you open to me. I have met individuals before who put up a brave front but were always fearful of being found out to be frauds. You bribed and lied your way into your current position. I see it now. Now student, feel your fear, feel your anger rise as you think about it. That is the basis of all you new abilities, embrace the dark side."
Palpatine stood before Darth Mard physically shacking he was so angry, but he couldn't move his feet to approach this man nor could he raise his arms to strike at him.
"I see you are distressed that your body won't respond. That is my doing. You may speak now."
"Master." Palpatine struggled to get out, "Will you expose me to the senator or do you enjoy my distress."
"I enjoy other's distress as you will learn to. But in order to teach you how to use your powers I must first teach you how to tap them." a cylinder appeared at Palpatine's feet. Take that and attack me."
He tried to move and found his body responding again. Palpatine grabbed the cylinder and a beam emerged from one end as his hand closed around it. 'Light saber' he thought. Tightening his grip he swung it sword like at Darth Mard only to have him block it with his own light saber. Palpatine then fell back on the mandatory sword classes he took in college and pressed an attack. Mard blocked everything then mounted his attack plunging the room into total darkness as he did. Palpatine concentrated on Darth Mard's blade, which along with his own provided the only light in the room. Gradually he felt something guiding his moves. He was in a blocking position before the attack came then he was attacking off the block, his hands moving quicker than he could think. Suddenly the lights came on and the blades disappeared.
"Very good. You show great promise."
"Thank you." Palpatine said followed by an excruciating pain in his head.
"What did you say student?"
"Thank you Master." he replied feeling the pain ease as he did. He looked at his watch. It had been over an hour since he entered the room and he wasn't tired or breathing hard.
"That is because you were using the force my student. For now you may only attempt to access the force when I am present that includes your viewing of 'power strands'"
"But Master how will I survive in the embassy?"
Inwardly Darth Mard was pleased this pupil was falling in line so quickly but he knew he had to squash his temptation to question. "Student, I am your master rather you survive or not will depend on my wishes."
"Yes Master."
"We are done for tonight. Go to the tavern eat and enjoy. You will be met tomorrow after work and be brought here."
"Yes Master." Palpatine said again as he turned and then realized he had no idea where the door was.
Darth Mard waited to see what his pupil would do. When he did nothing Mard spoke up. "Student, I am here. Use the force to find your door. Or stand there looking stupid. It is your choice."
His comment had the desired effect. Palpatine was seething with controlled anger as his mind tried to devise a way to find the door. His solution while less than elegant was surprisingly effective. He remembered the handle-less door. He then concentrated on the lock, all most instantly a vision of it appeared in his mind, and then he mentally actuated it.
Darth Mard was not surprised by what happened next, he had been monitoring his student's use of the force, Rouar on the over hand jumped in shock as four doors opened. One on each wall.
"Not bad for a beginner. Now which door is the right one?" Darth Mard asked his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Palpatine took in the praise and felt his power diminish. Quickly remembering the rebuke that preceded it he reinforced his anger until there was a single glowing door in his sight. "With you permission master I will leave." he said turning to face Darth Mard. He was astonished at how thick and glowing the power strand was between himself and Darth Mard.
"You see and realize some things well student. Go and remember my warning do not use the force in any way."
"Yes Master." he said turning and heading for the door.
Rouar was in shock. It had taken a month of training before he was able to unlock a door. The person approaching him had done it at the end of his first lesson. He felt a cold far enter his mind. Normally there should be only one apprentice per master. This Palpatine should have been his apprentice but his master had taken two apprentices.
'No Moric one apprentice, you. One student, him.' his masters thoughts entered his mind 'You are right a master should not have two apprentices now go and eat with him, insure his security tail finds him and remembers nothing.'
'Yes my master.' Rouar thought as he followed Palpatine out the door.
Palpatine's training occurred all most every night after that. Within four months his growing sensitivity to the force allowed Darth Mard to relax his restriction against force usage at work slightly and he was able to sense his boss's state of mind and tailor his work output to meet the unspoken expectations. Palpatine was surprised when six months latter a message appeared on his Vid screen at work informing him of a meeting with Senator Frey that afternoon.
Palpatine stood waiting for the secretary to the senator's ok to enter his office. He used the time to work on his calming techniques. Finally he was allowed in.
"Palpatine, Sorry I kept you waiting, Affairs of State and all."
"Not a problem senator. What can I do for you."
"First let me congratulate you. Your supervisor reports that after a rocky start, that may have been a result of our previous meeting, you are doing excellent work."
"Thank you."
"You have earned it. Now the second reason I called you in. There is an opening for a person to work our walk up counter. It would involve face to face communications with people seeking, primarily, to journey to Naboo. It would be your responsibility to make various decisions regarding their application. Unfortunately I can't offer a raise to go along with the change in responsibilities."
"Not a problem senator. I look forward to the challenge. I will try to make Naboo proud."
"That's the spirit. I will have the arrangements made. It may take a week to get that accomplished."
"Thank you." Palpatine said as he exited.
At class that night Darth Mard said "You might encounter Jedi in your new position. If you were to be discovered. That would be dangerous to the rest of the Sith. You need specialized training that we are unable to conduct here. Take next week off and we will journey to a place."
"I'm not sure if I can get the time off master."
"Report your results tomorrow night. Now go." Darth Mard said waiting until he left before turning and saying, "If he is unable to get the time you may get your way yet Moric."
"I only wish to serve master." Moric/Rouar said.
"Do not lie to me. You're not good enough to hide your thoughts from me."
The next night Palpatine reported that he had secured the required weeks leave.
"Good now go and prepare for vacation. You will be visiting a hot moist world so pack cloths accordingly. Moric will collect you in three days at seven a.m. on departure platform Vladet.
