Star Wars: Infinities – The Apprentice
Chapter 8
By: Christopher W. Blaine (darth_yoshi@yahoo.com)
DISCLAIMER: The characters and situations contained in this story are used without permission for non-profit entertainment purposes only and are ©2002 by George Lucas. This story (pertaining to this chapter and all subsequent chapters) is ©2002 by Christopher W. Blaine and may not be reproduced in any form, except hard printouts for personal enjoyment, without the express permission of the author.
"Do you remember me, Watto?" Vader asked of the pathetic creature curled in a ball and lying on the filth-ridden floor. They were in a cell previously used by one of the pod race stable owners to house a favored bantha. The Dark Lord could not determine if the smell came from the excrement of the former inhabitant or from the fear that came off of the Toydarian that was the object of his hatred. "Look at me when I talk to you, slaver!"
The creature rolled over, obvious pain on its weathered features. Vader determined that Watto seemed to have age poorly over the years since he was the owner of a young slave boy named Anakin Skywalker and his mother. "Ani?" Sudden excitement overtook the alien and it began to sit up. It fell at the first attempt as the right arm appeared to have been broken, along with both wings, when the creature had been arrested.
Vader could not look at the creature and consider it anything other than an oddity. Sentient or not, it was as to him as a pet was to one of the royal court of Alderaan. "It is you! You've come to save old Watto!" it said aloud. Vader could tell it thought emancipation was near. In a strange way, the Dark Lord supposed, it was.
"Strange sentiments for something that used to keep an explosive device implanted in my body and then sold my piloting skills out as if I were a common cantina wench." Vader's face began to twist in rage. This was the creature that had not allowed his mother to be free, who had treated her and him as if they were nothing more than toys on the shelf. He was one of those who were to blame for her death.
"Hey, Ani…" Watto began to protest but was cut short by Vader's upraised hand.
"My name is Lord Vader, Lord Darth Vader…Dark Lord of the Sith and ruler of the Republic world of Tatooine." He allowed the information to settle into the confused brain of his former owner. He had wanted to burn the information into the Toydarian's mind, but like Hutts, they were resistant to many of the subtle aspects of the Force.
"Sith? The Sith are dead…you went to become a Jedi and what a Jedi you are! Watto always knew you'd be a big shot one day, Ani!" Watto began to stand when Vader pulled out his lightsaber and thumbed it on. A quick slash and Watto fell, missing a leg. Then the blade was gone with a snap.
"I am no Jedi…and I told you to call me Lord Vader…you thing!" Vader cursed. Watto screamed and looked in disbelief from Vader to the two Republic troopers standing a few meters away. The guards made no move to stop the enraged Sith. "What was it like, thing? Did you enjoy the false sensation of power you had over my mother and I? Did it make you feel like you had some control?" Vader circled around to Watto's back and gave it a kick. The alien moaned and grasped the smoking stump of its leg.
"I know, I know, Watto…It was just business," Vader sneered. He turned to the troopers and held out his hand. A thermal detonator floated from the belt of one of the white armored clones and into Vader's hand. With the detonator in his possession, he reached down and forced Watto's mouth open and stuck the activated bomb in.
Standing up, he wiped his hand on his leg. Watto's eyes were bulging. "How does it feel to have a bomb inside you, Watto? Does the fear eat at you, destroying your resolve? It's a security precaution. If you open your mouth, then the detonator goes off and you become dust on a desert planet." Vader laughed and scratched at the dark beard that was starting to come in on his face. "Its just business, that's all."
"Padme, I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon," Vader said to the small holographic image. She looked so fragile and his first instinct was to scoop her up and protect her. "Is everything alright?"
"I miss you, Anakin," she said. She was the only person he permitted to speak his birth name, much to the chagrin of his master. He had begun to notice that his relationship with Darth Maul was changing and it did not seem to be for the better. There was a tension between them that had only been made worse when he had attempted to probe his master's mind. "I want to come see you…I…I want to be with you." There was no mistaking the intent of the statement and Vader felt himself flush. He was sure his face was as red as the tattoos on his master's skin.
"I will be leaving Tatooine soon, just as quickly as I brief the military governor," he told her, unsure of how to phrase anything. How does one respond to such things, he wondered. His training had not prepared him for battles of the heart.
Throughout the history of that galaxy there had been two common factors between all things sentient in the Force, love and death. Lord Tyranus had supplemented Vader's training with stories about the great loves and battles of both the Jedi and the Sith. There was even rumor that Darth Sideous had once loved a woman…
There was an explosion in the background, but Vader did not turn to look out of his apartment and into the town proper. It was obvious that Watto had not been able to keep his mouth shut. "Chancellor Palpatine has asked me to assume command of the Dathomir campaign."
"I understand that some of the Jedi have taken refuge there," she said as if in passing. The trial of the Jedi Council was set to begin in a few days and Naboo had been one of the planets selected to serve in the special senate jury. The public outcry against the Jedi was turning ugly as many were being systematically hunted down on their own worlds, blamed for everything from unemployment to past civil wars. "I have asked Jar-Jar to take my place and the Chancellor has approved my request."
"Why? I would say that you are one of the few senators that truly understands the deceit of the Jedi. It was they who most likely caused the senate to fall into a squabbling match over protocol when you approached them ten years ago for aid." He tried to control his emotions; his mother's death still haunted him and he desperately wanted to tell her. Would she understand his pain?
As if she had read his mind, she informed him that Chancellor Palpatine had told her about his mother. "I'm very sorry, Anakin. I partially blame myself for not taking a stronger stand against slavery while I have been a member of the senate."
He was again at a loss for words. "Will you meet me at Dathomir?"
"Nothing will keep me away from you, my love," she answered.
"I appreciate that you have set aside this time to see me, Chancellor," Bail Organna said as the two men sat down at the small breakfast table. They were seated on the Chancellor's balcony overlooking one of many spaceports recently converted to military use. Two Correllian stock freighters were currently being loaded with supplies. "I know how busy you have been lately."
Palpatine smiled gracefully. Despite the emergency war powers he had been granted, he understood that certain senate members still held great sway and their concerns had to be addressed even in a time of war. "The mantle of leadership is especially heavy when one finds themselves in battle with their own citizens."
"Really? It seems to me that the only thing you've done is project Republic military power to worlds outside our boundaries." He sipped at his root tea. "The Tatooine Campaign is officially over I take it?"
"I was going to announce it officially tomorrow, but yes, it is done. The Hutts have sued for peace, claiming that Jabba acted on his own. They are prepared to make reparations which shall go a long way to improving the quality of life on that planet." Palpatine gazed over to the two freighters being loaded. "Those two ships in fact are on their way right now with advanced drilling equipment…"
"Yes, I meant to ask you about that. Former Senator Tarkin has been given the military governorship of the planet as I understand it and he has been making some rather odd requests. Several top weapons designers have been 'drafted' for the cause of the war effort," Bail set down his tea. "Chancellor, Alderaan and several other Core Worlds are concerned with what looks to be a policy of imperialism."
The Chancellor laughed. "Imperialism? That is a rather harsh term, don't you think? It is no secret that we intend to put a military base on Tatooine as well as a weapons development station. You don't want them testing new turbolaser designs on your precious planet do you? I certainly do not want them on mine!
"Tatooine is perfect and Lord Vader welcomes it. It will provide employment and security for his people…"
"If he is so concerned, then why is he leading the charge into battle and not remaining on his world providing leadership? I have to say that many of us are not happy with your choice of senior military commander. What experience does this young man have? He carries a lightsaber and yet he claims not to be a Jedi…"
Palpatine nodded and leaned in close. "Oh, I quite agree, but you know how popular the boy is right now. Why, the people are infatuated with him and what we need right now are some heroes. The people have lost their faith in the Jedi."
"Not all of us," Bail was quick to reply. "Some of us think that the Jedi are being hyperdrived into a corner if you catch my meaning. You have always been a supporter of Master Yoda, yet you want to see him brought to trial on charges that you know deep in your heart are false." Bail again reached for his tea, but stopped. "You realize that in the end, you will have to cast the deciding vote in the trial. I've already counted it up and even before we're started, we're split down the middle. It would have gone in your favor had Padme stayed on, but Senator Binks has a more liberal viewpoint."
Palpatine leaned back and steepled his fingers under his chin. "Yes…dear, sweet Padme. You don't approve of her relationship with Lord Vader, do you?"
Bail replied with a sarcastic smile. "It is no secret between you and I that I have been interested in her for some time, but that is beside the point. Can you tell me why we are sending forces to Dathomir of all places?"
"We have received a report that a large Jedi warship has been discovered on the planet…"
"It's a rusting piece of garbage that crashed here several hundred years ago," Captain Zsinj stated as he began the military briefing. "It was a space born Jedi academy that was brought down, we suspect, by the Nightsisters."
"Why is that we have never heard of these Nightsisters?" Commander Motti asked. Vader knew the answer, but preferred to remain silent and listen what the Chancellor had let them know.
"These women," Zsinj started as he reached for some water, "are descendants of some offshoot Jedi colony or something. They have been content to remain on this world for the most part, but now we believe that the Jedi may seek them out for aid."
"What sort of aid?" Lieutenant Needa called out. He was busy trying to get the holographic imaging system on-line. The Hammer of the Republic was currently being plagued with several electrical failures.
Zsinj shrugged. "Who knows? Who cares? The way to defeat the Jedi is divide and conquer. If they were to receive aid from the Nightsisters or anyone else on the planet, and with a ship as large as Chu'Unthor, it could mean problems." He then directed his attention to Vader. "General, do we have tactical discretion on this mission?"
Vader shook his head. The term was a polite way of saying to do whatever was necessary to get the mission done. "No. The Chancellor has indicated that we are to establish the extent of the Jedi threat and then secure the planet from orbit."
"What in the name of the Republic for?" Motti asked, disbelief on his face. He was the one officer that disagreed with anything anyone else said. "That will tie up valuable ships!"
"Not to mention that I heard that the Dracmarians have staked a claim on this world," Needa said from under the table. "Unlike many of the other systems, they do possess a substantial war fleet. We do not have the manpower for this right now, even with the clone army."
"I have to agree, General," Zsinj said. He turned to the commanding officer of the Katana, Dreadnought-class vessel that was also part of the fleet. "Captain Harkov?"
Harkov was a large man who was starting to show the signs of age. His receding hairline briefly glinted in the overhead lighting. He smiled like a predator who knew where all of the rodents were. "I'm transferring out next week to Seinar Technologies to begin work on a new starfighter design. Something inexpensive yet powerful that we can deploy in droves. The Katana has been reassigned to a weapons development station that will begin working on advanced automation capabilities."
"How does that help us now, Captain?" Motti asked, rubbing his balding head. Vader wondered if he would experience the same problem one day. He rubbed his beard, realizing that it was a mask of sorts, something to make him look like he was more mature than he was. His façade was an armor that allowed him to work with these older, more experienced men. He needed that armor, he needed to be strong.
"It doesn't, but it isn't my problem is it?" Harkov said with a laugh. "That is your problem, isn't General Vader?"
A glove had been thrown down, a challenge to his authority and fitness to rule. Vader had expected it to happen long before this and from someone other than Harkov. Zsinj had always seemed the more likely candidate.
What he did now would define him as both a man and as a leader. Vader casually stood up. He held his hand out in front of him and made like he was grasping something that was not there. Immediately, Harkov began to gag and choke and started to pull at his uniform collar. The hand gesture was merely for show; Vader could have done it from planet below had he wanted. "I find your lack of faith in my abilities disturbing, Captain Harkov," Vader said coldly.
The other officers said nothing and all of them, with the exception of Zsinj, had their jaws wide open. The Dark Lord could sense their thoughts and emotions. They were unaccustomed to ways of the Sith. Despite the love he felt for Padme and the sorrow that was consuming him over his mother's death, Vader was a Sith. These men would understand and fear that fact. From those two things, they would learn to follow orders.
Harkov was starting to turn blue and was pounding on the table when Vader let him go. He had wanted to kill him, but this new Republic military was short on experienced officers. "General…Lord Vader," Zsinj corrected himself, "I believe that I speak for everyone here," he eyed the recovering Harkov, "when I say that we would never think to question your abilities as a warrior or a leader."
There were several heads shaking, though Vader sensed that Motti was not entirely convinced. Motti would probably try to find out how Vader had done what he had done artificially. It did not take a master of the Force to see that Motti was a man unaccustomed to putting his faith in anything but himself.
"Before I leave," Harkov said in a raspy voice, "I will see to it that a suitable replacement for the Katana is made available for you, General."
"I'm sure you will, Captain," Vader said as he moved towards the exit. "Make no mistake gentlemen; things are different in the Republic now. The days of taking your ships and heading back to your own planet are over. You can either profit from this new state of affairs or else…"
He didn't need to finish. The message was perfectly clear. A new order was taking shape in the galaxy.
And Darth Vader was at the heart of it.
"Count Dooku," Bail Organna began from his seated position above the rest of the judicial chamber. Nine other senators were seated with him as well, while the lower part of the room was packed to capacity with every type of being imaginable. "Would you please explain the reasons behind your decision to leave the Jedi Order."
Count Dooku smiled and looked to his legal advisor who nodded. Before he began speaking, he looked over at the members of the Jedi Council who were seated in a special area of the courtroom. Around them, several ysalamiri were hanging from branches hurriedly erected on wires around the defendant's box. He caught the eye of Mace Windu. Yes, you know don't you, but there is nothing you can do. "Just over eleven standard years ago, I became aware of darkness that was beginning to permeate the Jedi Council. I tried my best to investigate it, to head it off, but was blocked at every turn by the efforts of the Council, most especially Master Yoda."
"A 'darkness'?" asked the senator from Mon Calamari. "Could you be more specific?"
Dooku shook his head. "Unfortunately, no; as none of you have the ability to tap into the Force, you are unable to understand the subtle variations of it. I think that the fact that I, as a standing Jedi Master at the time, was willing to leave the Order that I had dedicated my life to, should speak for itself."
"You're apprentice did not feel the same way," the Correllian senator stated, reviewing a data pad. "In fact, didn't you and Qui-Gon Jinn have heated words about the subject?"
"Qui-Gon was a noble spirit who believed in the basic goodness of everyone. He did not disagree with me about what I was seeing; he disagreed with my method of dealing with it. While I chose to leave the Order and seek political solutions, Qui-Gon decided to remain and attack the problem head-on." Dooku looked again over at the Jedi and saw Master Yoda shake his head.
"If you were so concerned about the intentions of the Jedi Council, why didn't you agree to train the boy Anakin Skywalker? If the Council was so corrupt, then you must have expected that the boy was in danger," Bail said, hoping to poke a hole in Dooku's testimony.
Dooku leaned over and his advocate whispered into his ear. Dooku shook his head and then returned his attention to the senatorial panel. "I refused to train young Skywalker for the Council; I never actually stated I would not take him as a student."
"So, did you train him? Did someone else?" one of the senators asked.
"My client is not going to answer that question as it is not relevant to these proceedings," Dooku's lawyer stated. "Count Dooku was brought here to testify as to what he saw as instances of corruption within the Jedi, not to speak about specific training regiments for specific Jedi students or prospective students."
Bail shook his head. "Count Dooku, besides a gut feeling, have you any specific knowledge of corruption or criminal activity within the Jedi Order?"
"There is no way I could as I was not a member of the Council," he replied.
"So, your testimony is that you have a philosophical problem with the Council, but otherwise cannot name anything criminal in their behavior…"
"No, sir," Dooku began, his voice full of authority, "what I am saying is that as Jedi, the Council had the ability to literally do anything they wanted under the guise of maintaining the peace. For hundreds of years, the Jedi have sought to lull the entire galaxy into a sense of false trust through which they could manipulate events. I have seen first hand, and regrettably have also participated in, acts of mind control for the benefit of the Order. I am not limited by use of ysalamiri; my own abilities could allow me to right now take control of all of your minds." There was a dull rumble rising from the spectators. "I am not, of course, as it would serve no purpose. The Jedi commissioning a million clone army may seem ridiculous to you, Senator Organna, but I know the history of the Jedi. Do not think for a second that they would not use the Force to further their own ends. The Jedi are a religion and religions are self-serving."
"Meesa wondering if yousa call the bombad Sith a religion too," Senator Binks asked.
Dooku chuckled. "The Sith are the proverbial mynock in the attic, Senator Binks. The Jedi have defamed them in an effort to get the populace to forget about them. They were a people, not so much a religion, who decided against being ruled by the Republic. They refused to cooperate with the Jedi or to subscribe to their beliefs. As such, the Jedi eradicated them. This is a matter of historical fact that has been distorted by Jedi propaganda."
"So you favor the Sith attitudes?" Bail asked, his voice rising. "The Sith were murderers! They killed women and children…"
"They killed those who waged war against them, sir. I am neither pro-Jedi or pro-Sith; I am pro-order my dear senator. I may use the Force, but that does not mean I wish to force my opinion on others. Look at the hundreds of laws that have been enacted to give the Jedi special powers of arrest. I know many member worlds that have a real problem with these laws. A democracy cannot be ruled by a religion, it must be ruled by the people and it is unfortunate that innocent and decent beings have been deceived by those persons now awaiting judgment."
"I for one find your point of view disturbing, Count Dooku," Bail said, looking to his fellow senators for support. He could tell by the faces that no one had converted to his cause that was not already subscribed to it.
Dooku leaned forward and spoke clearly into the voice pick-up. "What I find disturbing, sir, is how you are using this courtroom to wage a battle to retain political power. Alderaan is a pacifistic world with no military; you consider yourselves allied with the Jedi. The winds of change are blowing through the Republic. The people will no longer lie down and await orders from the Jedi on what is the proper destiny for them! Tell me Senator Organna, if the Jedi are convicted, where does that leave Alderaan? Where does that leave you?"
There were several opinions voiced from the gallery, but Dooku ignored them. His master had been correct; this was his battleground, the political arena. "I will tell you where that leaves you…outdated."