This is finally beginning the actual plot of the story, actually being chapter one, so please read it and let me know what you think. Thanks!
Chapter One

Confusion was always everywhere. Whispers flew like moths, constant rumors of murder and martyrdom. Phinian listened to none of it. He was largely uninterested in the inner goings-on of this self-proclaimed Resistance movement he had become a part of. The entire premise had deceived him in the beginning, as it had everyone else involved. He had come to realize it was a farse, that it was filled with young, reckless anarchists wanting to stand for rebellion.

However, when he began to hear talk of Darth Plagus's death, it sparked his interest. He knew that most of this cult was a joke, but he also knew full well that the power which led it was very different. He knew what Plagus really was. He knew his powers, what he was capable of, though at times the exaggerated talk among the people made it unclear. He did, however, know that Darth Plagus was a true Sith lord. He held great understanding and wisdom of the Force. He was rumored to have power over death. Phinian wasn't entirely sure he believed too deeply in this, but he, despite his predominantly apathetic nature, held Lord Plagus in high regard. To hear of his death was saddening, but mainly intriguing. Who could have been capable of this?

Darth Plagus, leader of the entire movement, was well known. However, few were fully aware of the secondary power of the Resistance, the second Sith Lord in command, Plagus's apprentice. He rarely made his presence or influence known. Rather, he kept his purpose and identities in darkness, surfacing occasionally to redirect the path of the Resistance.

His name was Darth Sidious. Some of the more cynical among them liked to whisper that he was the true power behind the leadership, and that Plagus along with all of the rest of them were merely pawns in his larger schemes. And so it came as a surprise to few that the rumor was that it was he who had assassinated Lord Plagus.

Phinian was at the moment listening vaguely to his friends as the three of them hissed the rumors back and forth to each other. They were currently stationed in the third quadrant of Coruscant, serving as security volunteers for the Resistance. As they sat huddled in the corner of the dimly lit cafe, their presence went unnoticed. They were surrounded by people chatting animatedly, not caring to observe the small group of young men, who appeared to be keeping to themselves and not starting any trouble anyway.

Phinian had not really been listening the entire time- rather, he let his mind wander to other things- the future of this Resistance that Darth Plagus had constructed six years ago, now without its beloved leader. He chuckled to himself. Would a simple assassination bring down the entire movement?

A voice suddenly jerked him out of his thoughts. "Of course we all know who's really behind this death." Phinian looked up with loose interest. The power behind Plagus's murder was a subject that he found himself now fascinated by. He focused back on the conversation.

His friend Willyn had spoken. Willyn was two years his senior, and reveled in the insane talk that was always going around. He thrived among conspiracy theories, and was highly skeptical as to any leadership he had ever encountered. And the other two now laughed derisively, the dark mood lifted slightly as their disdain was redirected. Another, Quinn, spoke in terms of vague disgust.

"Oh, don't start, Will. We've all heard your tirade about that apprentice of his-"

"And doesn't it make perfect sense? Look at the background of this man. He's risen up, rank after rank, and now- now he's the leader of this great movement. He has the power to command the destruction of the senate."

"Of course he can't do that, as you well know by now. Every large-scale attack has ended in us shrinking back into obscurity. If it ever came down to it, we wouldn't stand a chance against the armies of the Republic, that's why we have to deal in secrecy, live in the shadows-"

"But that's not what this is about. Don't you know what that man is capable of? Some say his powers in the Force are even greater than they were with Plagus-"

"The Force?" Quinn interrupted loudly, his voice suddenly sharp and furious. "Don't tell me you believe all that ancient mythology. Have you ever personally seen this great Force in action? Have you ever seen it kill a man? Don't you ever wonder why these great Sith Lords are so hidden from us, the commonfolk?"

Willyn leaned in closer and Quinn fell silent. Smiling slightly, he said, "They are saying Darth Sidious used his strength with the Force to murder Lord Plagus. They are saying he used it to kill him in his sleep."

Quinn just eyed him with distaste, and, at first, said nothing. Finally, he said softly, his teeth glinting in the dim light, "I don't believe any of it. It's completely ludicrous. I can't see how you could-"

"I've seen someone killed with the Force," interrupted the last one quietly. They both stared at him. Phinian watched him interestedly and waited for him to continue. Seeing all of their eyes on him, the young man shifted uncomfortably and said, "I was sent to one of the battles Lord Plagus commanded personally. I saw him kill the enemies who rushed him at the command center. He just put out his hand... and they just fell back and dropped to the ground. I didn't understand it at the time, but somebody told me later it was the Force."

An uncomfortable silence followed. Finally, Willyn tried again. "In any case, it doesn't really matter whether you believe in the Force. We don't have to. What we believe won't stop an attack, it won't protect us on the battlefield. And regardless of whether Sidious has the powers or not, he still has the ambition. And it's obvious he has something larger in mind... he doesn't care about the Resistance. He's just hitching on for now because he hates the Jedi."

"And that's all that matters these days, isn't it?" Phinian said quietly, looking directly at him. Willyn looked back at him warily, heaving a deep sigh. He knew the conversation was taking a turn he didn't entirely wish it to. "What are you talking about?" he demanded with some reluctancy. Arguments with Phinian rarely went well.

"All of these people are losing sight of their purpose," Phinian answered. "Don't you see it? In the beginning, they all had this great dream of overthrowing the Republic, creating a new and more effective government. And that's all well and good, but somehow the Jedi became involved, and now it's all about destroying them and their society. When was it ever about them? Was that what you had in mind when you first involved yourself, Willyn? Any of you?"

All of them sat back and said nothing. For they all knew that the conversation was over whenever Phinian brought up the flaws of the Resistance movement. It was common knowledge he had very little respect for either it or its cause, and why he was a part of it, none of them could understand. He looked around at them, now angry. This sort of inconclusive ending had been the fate of most of their conversations lately, as none of them were willing to get too involved in such an argument as their ideals and faults thereof. And Phinian had had enough.

"You cowards," he said, his voice soft and dangerous. "You refuse to even think about what you believe in now, and what you have forgotten in all the confusion. Through the din, you've lost track. Doesn't it matter to you that the foundation on which you base all your beliefs has cracked, and you may not even be supporting what you think you are, what you were in the beginning? I say that I've been deceived long enough. Whichever Sith Lord is in command of this pathetic, aimless movement, it doesn't matter. I'm through being surrounded by people who don't know where they're going and don't care to find out."

He then stood up. He looked as if he had more to say, but after looking around at each of them, he decided nothing more was necessary. To their surprise, he swiftly turned and walked off, leaving the building without another word.

They glanced at each other and sighed. Quinn laughed quietly. "He never belonged with us anyway. Whatever our ideals may be, I don't think he ever stood behind them."

Willyn watched him consideringly. "That may be, but I think he might have a point."

Quinn stared at him in exasperation. "Not you too. You're already part of a rebellion, what are you trying to rebel against now?"

Willyn chuckled. "All I'm saying is it's good to keep an open mind."

Quinn just shook his head, standing up. "You can keep an open mind. As for me, I prefer to stand firm with my beliefs- I don't think it's a good idea to let oneself be swayed by a cynical double-anarchist." Willyn laughed then and stood up too. The third glanced at the two of them and stood, but said nothing. As they all walked out, Quinn cried loudly, "Careful, Will, don't let yourself fall under his spell!" and they all laughed, the drama seemingly forgotten. But as they left the cafe, Willyn privately thought Phinian may have had valid reasons for walking out... reasons he'd have to give much thought to, especially now that the Resistance had the leader it did.