The Death of Lord Tyranus
(Author's note: Just a reminder that *****indicates a change in scene. I've had a couple of people say the plot was confusing them. If anyone wants to offer a suggestion on how to clarify anything. Just review. ;) !!!)
The Emperor sat silent. Clothed in black he was very simply the embodiment of evil. His gaze was frozen-contemplating the stars before him. He had waited centuries for the time when he would rule over everything his eyes could see. Now his powers were at their peak and he could see far with the Dark Side. No matter that his youth or looks had long since left him. He RULED and he GOVERNED the Dark Side and his pride in that feat was immeasurable. Yet now, looking into the future, channelling all his strength, a hatred began to rise in him. A new ripple was moving through the Force. It was one he had only glimpsed at before and he did not like it's ability to hide from him. His ability to sense every movement in the Force was like breathing for others. A low growl escaped his throat. Lord Tyranus would be arriving soon. The Emperor's eyes hardened. He had plans for Lord Tyranus. And for Darth Vader, as well. The thought of Darth Vader and what the Emperor saw in his future brought a smile to his wicked face.
*****
Bail slammed his fist into his desk; the pain did nothing to abate his disgust or frustration. 'So, it's true!' he thought remorsefully. Traitors were executed and the news of General Oorgg's execution felt like a blow below the belt. Yet the others General Oorgg had implicated in his confession had stunned everyone. 'How could you all have allowed Darth Sidious to tempt you away?' Bail's head hung low. 'Lesrhett was right and how could he have known all these things?'
"It does no good for anyone to make yourself suffer so." Obi-Wan commented. Bail looked at him miserably.
"Ben," he began using the shortened name Obi-Wan had gained as General during the Clone Wars, "What more can I do when half my staff are gone. Twisted by the Dark Side, by the evil plans of Darth Sidious, and I was blind to it all." He took a deep breath. "Just as Lesrhett said. I was blinded, lulled into a belief that defeating the Imperial Forces was within our grasp because of our victory at the Battle of Coruscant. I have been a fool!"
"Obi-Wan closed his eyes not wanting to remember the destruction of the Jedi Temple. 'General Kenobi,' he scoffed silently to himself. He had been inside as the beautiful towers and walls had fallen, helpless to stop any of it and worse, the Jedi that had died there. He had barely managed to escape with his life much less drag Bail out of the crashing debris. Finally he said out loud, "No, Bail. You are a great leader. We have fought together through too many battles for me to not know that one of your greatest strengths lies in your ability to trust and garner loyalty in those around you." Obi-Wan sighed. "It is a hard blow. But one we will deal with and move on from."
Obi-Wan watched as one of the proudest men he had ever known, next to Qui-Gon Jinn, bowed his head into his hands as he collasped into his chair. Blood dripped from his knuckles. Nothing more for the moment was said.
*****
Lord Tyranus entered the Imperial starship, his every step spoke of a fierce power and the gleam in his eye spoke even louder-he was becoming more bold and more proud. He had accomplished so much of his plans. The Rebellion ranks were in shambles. Meeting after secret meeting he had used every mind trick and every form of persuasion that his years as the Jedi "Count Dooku" had taught him. He had turned them the same as one would turn a screw. A laughter filled his twisted soul though his face showed nothing of it. The Emperor had called for him. 'What reward awaits me now,' he thought smugly. He quickened his pace, eager to see the Emperor and gloat on his newest success. The turbolift seemed to take forever to reach the floor where the Emperor's quarters were situated. 'Patience.' He told himself. He had once believed that his greatest triumph was in helping Emperor Palpatine turn Anakin Skywalker to the Dark Side, but now he believed destroying the Rebellion-that would most diffinitely be his greatest triumph and it was at hand. The turbolift doors slid open with a clang. He steppped out of the light of the lift into the dark of the Emperor's quarters.
"My Lord, I have arrived."
"Yes, you have." The Emperor spun his throne about to face Lord Tyranus." All the while wondering why you need me." The Emperor put his fingertips of each hand together. A habit he had whenever he had made a decision.
"My Lord," Lord Tyranus said with surprise," I assure you, I have never thought such a thing. I have served you faithfully and will--ALWAYS!" Lord Tyranus felt his pulse quicken slightly and hated himself for it. No doubt the Emperor sensed a slight rising fear in him. And suddenly it all became clear to Lord Tyranus. No guards were in the room. They, Lord Tyranus and the Emperor, were completely alone. No one but the Emperor was present to see Lord Tyranus drop to one knee. "My Lord," he croaked hoarsely, "I have been ever...."His hands grasped his throat as he struggled to breath.
"Ever waiting to see an opening, a chance to take my place." The Emperor's chair now swung back to face the viewport. Lord Tyranus tasted bile rising to his throat.
"All....I....have...done!" He managed to scream. All he had done, the manipulations, the triumphs, the murders-used. He had been USED. Bringing Anakin/Darth Vader to the Dark Side had not been a triumph, just a future replacement for himself. He knew only too well the Sith mandate-One Lord, One Apprentice. "May your death be a...horrible....one!" he gasped out with his last breath, falling face down onto the floor.
The Emperor continued tapping his fingertips together. A clamness closed over him. Lord Tyranus had become dangerous. A danger the Emperor had decided to end. "A horrible death." He muttered laughing only to himself.
(Author's note: Just a reminder that *****indicates a change in scene. I've had a couple of people say the plot was confusing them. If anyone wants to offer a suggestion on how to clarify anything. Just review. ;) !!!)
The Emperor sat silent. Clothed in black he was very simply the embodiment of evil. His gaze was frozen-contemplating the stars before him. He had waited centuries for the time when he would rule over everything his eyes could see. Now his powers were at their peak and he could see far with the Dark Side. No matter that his youth or looks had long since left him. He RULED and he GOVERNED the Dark Side and his pride in that feat was immeasurable. Yet now, looking into the future, channelling all his strength, a hatred began to rise in him. A new ripple was moving through the Force. It was one he had only glimpsed at before and he did not like it's ability to hide from him. His ability to sense every movement in the Force was like breathing for others. A low growl escaped his throat. Lord Tyranus would be arriving soon. The Emperor's eyes hardened. He had plans for Lord Tyranus. And for Darth Vader, as well. The thought of Darth Vader and what the Emperor saw in his future brought a smile to his wicked face.
*****
Bail slammed his fist into his desk; the pain did nothing to abate his disgust or frustration. 'So, it's true!' he thought remorsefully. Traitors were executed and the news of General Oorgg's execution felt like a blow below the belt. Yet the others General Oorgg had implicated in his confession had stunned everyone. 'How could you all have allowed Darth Sidious to tempt you away?' Bail's head hung low. 'Lesrhett was right and how could he have known all these things?'
"It does no good for anyone to make yourself suffer so." Obi-Wan commented. Bail looked at him miserably.
"Ben," he began using the shortened name Obi-Wan had gained as General during the Clone Wars, "What more can I do when half my staff are gone. Twisted by the Dark Side, by the evil plans of Darth Sidious, and I was blind to it all." He took a deep breath. "Just as Lesrhett said. I was blinded, lulled into a belief that defeating the Imperial Forces was within our grasp because of our victory at the Battle of Coruscant. I have been a fool!"
"Obi-Wan closed his eyes not wanting to remember the destruction of the Jedi Temple. 'General Kenobi,' he scoffed silently to himself. He had been inside as the beautiful towers and walls had fallen, helpless to stop any of it and worse, the Jedi that had died there. He had barely managed to escape with his life much less drag Bail out of the crashing debris. Finally he said out loud, "No, Bail. You are a great leader. We have fought together through too many battles for me to not know that one of your greatest strengths lies in your ability to trust and garner loyalty in those around you." Obi-Wan sighed. "It is a hard blow. But one we will deal with and move on from."
Obi-Wan watched as one of the proudest men he had ever known, next to Qui-Gon Jinn, bowed his head into his hands as he collasped into his chair. Blood dripped from his knuckles. Nothing more for the moment was said.
*****
Lord Tyranus entered the Imperial starship, his every step spoke of a fierce power and the gleam in his eye spoke even louder-he was becoming more bold and more proud. He had accomplished so much of his plans. The Rebellion ranks were in shambles. Meeting after secret meeting he had used every mind trick and every form of persuasion that his years as the Jedi "Count Dooku" had taught him. He had turned them the same as one would turn a screw. A laughter filled his twisted soul though his face showed nothing of it. The Emperor had called for him. 'What reward awaits me now,' he thought smugly. He quickened his pace, eager to see the Emperor and gloat on his newest success. The turbolift seemed to take forever to reach the floor where the Emperor's quarters were situated. 'Patience.' He told himself. He had once believed that his greatest triumph was in helping Emperor Palpatine turn Anakin Skywalker to the Dark Side, but now he believed destroying the Rebellion-that would most diffinitely be his greatest triumph and it was at hand. The turbolift doors slid open with a clang. He steppped out of the light of the lift into the dark of the Emperor's quarters.
"My Lord, I have arrived."
"Yes, you have." The Emperor spun his throne about to face Lord Tyranus." All the while wondering why you need me." The Emperor put his fingertips of each hand together. A habit he had whenever he had made a decision.
"My Lord," Lord Tyranus said with surprise," I assure you, I have never thought such a thing. I have served you faithfully and will--ALWAYS!" Lord Tyranus felt his pulse quicken slightly and hated himself for it. No doubt the Emperor sensed a slight rising fear in him. And suddenly it all became clear to Lord Tyranus. No guards were in the room. They, Lord Tyranus and the Emperor, were completely alone. No one but the Emperor was present to see Lord Tyranus drop to one knee. "My Lord," he croaked hoarsely, "I have been ever...."His hands grasped his throat as he struggled to breath.
"Ever waiting to see an opening, a chance to take my place." The Emperor's chair now swung back to face the viewport. Lord Tyranus tasted bile rising to his throat.
"All....I....have...done!" He managed to scream. All he had done, the manipulations, the triumphs, the murders-used. He had been USED. Bringing Anakin/Darth Vader to the Dark Side had not been a triumph, just a future replacement for himself. He knew only too well the Sith mandate-One Lord, One Apprentice. "May your death be a...horrible....one!" he gasped out with his last breath, falling face down onto the floor.
The Emperor continued tapping his fingertips together. A clamness closed over him. Lord Tyranus had become dangerous. A danger the Emperor had decided to end. "A horrible death." He muttered laughing only to himself.