I think it's really getting interesting now. Enter Lord Sidious, the REAL hero of this story. Mwahaha.
Chapter Four

When Phinian regained consciousness, his muscles tightened reflexively as he began to comprehend his surroudings. He was in a brightly lit hallway, still being dragged roughly by the droids. One noticed his movement. "We are taking you to Lord Sidious, to let him deal with you," it stated matter-of-factly.

Phinian shrugged and said nothing. He noticed that the droids had been dragging him by his arms as he had hung limply, and now they set him down so he could walk. He at length noticed a dull ache in his stomach, where he knew one of them had hit him before. He glanced dully at the droid who had spoken, who was now ignoring him. So he was going to see Darth Sidious. How nice, he thought to himself, closing his eyes again.

Within moments, he felt himself stop. The droids had come to a door and were now proceeding to enter in the code to open it. With an acknowledging beep, it swished open to reveal a large, dark corridor. Phinian was suddenly caught by surprise by the cold rush of air as he entered. The door closed behind them, locking out all but a little light. And through the hall they walked, marching steadily and without hesitation. Phinian allowed himself to drift away, thoroughly bored with the proceedings.

However, when they finally reached what he knew to be the final door, he straightened himself once again, partially to give a good impression, mainly out of habit. He did not know this Darth Sidious, and so he did not fear him. He, in reality, did not fear any of the Resistance leadership in the slightest, as did he not the Resistance itself. He considered himself to be above it all. But he held a small reserve of apprehension, because of what he knew of this man's reputation. He did not actually know what lay waiting behind this door.

He entered the final room then, Lord Sidious's chamber. However, as Phinian registered his new setting, he was quite taken aback. Instead of the dark and cramped environment of the hallway he had just left, this room was vast and brilliantly lit, with elaborate tapestries flowing off of the walls, and beautiful paintings adorning all corners of the room. It was spherical in shape, with a circular set of stairs leading down to a large red chair in the center. There was, near the back, a more dimly-lit corner with a door leading into another room Phinian could not see. Darth Sidious stood near the door.

He said nothing as they approached him, and Phinian took time to study his Lord. He was a small man. This was the first thing Phinian noticed. He was dressed in a simple black robe, with the hood draped down his back, revealing his thick brown hair. Phinian was greatly surprised by how young he looked, although on closer inspection he could see the mark of time in the man's eyes, although they were dark and watchful. As their eyes met, Phinian was struck suddenly by silent alarm, realizing that Lord Sidious was already reading his face, knowing his thoughts. He looked back, wary.

"Sir, he has been sent by Lieutenant Mar," one of the droids told the Sith, who glanced at it briefly before returning his gaze to Phinian.

"Yes, I received the message," he replied shortly. He continued to stare at Phinian, who, despite his confidence, was beginning to feel uncomfortable. He asked the next question of Phinian himself. "What exactly was your offense, young one?"

In an unexpected burst of arrogance, Phinian replied coolly, "I shook the Lieutenant's faith in the system."

Darth Sidious stared at him, eyebrows raised slightly. Phinian returned his stare with calm defiance. But as he looked, he saw a dark smile beginning to appear on the man's face. He could tell he was amused, possibly impressed.

"Why you-" said the droid, grabbing his arm. Sidious shot his hand out, fire flashing in his eyes. "Stop," he commanded. The droid froze, looking confusedly at the man. He paused, then shrugged and released hold of his arm.

Lord Sidious began to walk towards them then. "Leave us," he told the two droids, who inclined their heads obediently before turning and walking out.

And so Phinian was left alone with the Sith Lord, who was making his way slowly across the room. When Sidious reached him, his eyes studied Phinian. At long length, he said slowly, "What is your name?"

Phinian cleared his throat somewhat uneasily. "Phinian Hearstwing," he replied, with as much surety as he could conjure. Sidious narrowed his eyes and spoke very deliberately.

"What is your name?" he repeated. Phinian stiffened and returned his glare with great measures of resolve.

"My name is Phinian Hearstwing," he responded, a little too loudly. Darth Sidious smiled and turned away.

"Very well then, if that shall be the way of it," he said, laughing quietly. He gestured to a chair at one of the edges of the room. "Sit down," he said, his tone now quite pleasant.

Phinian did not move. "Thank you, I'd rather not," he said. Sidious smiled at him.

"Very well," he said again. After taking a seat himself, he folded his fingers together and watched Phinian intently as he spoke. "Well, I should like to talk with you about some things. As the new leader of this movement, I would appreciate a better sense of who its member are and..." he paused and tilted his head slightly. "...where they stand."

Phinian looked at him with some surprise. It didn't look like he was going to be punished, at least not now. He couldn't resist asking him about it. "Sir... I believe Lieutenant Mar wishes some sort of penalty against me for my... insubordination," he said, with mild scorn.

Lord Sidious looked annoyed. "Of course he does," he muttered with displeasure. "He's hoping desperately his new master will punish you for insulting him. But, alas, he'll have no such luck with me. The fool."

Phinian could do nothing but stare at Lord Sidious, who fascinated him greatly. "What do you mean?" he asked, in weak disbelief.

"I mean this man has been choked with power. Now he cannot move without the risk of displacing his faith in this movement of his."

Phinian could not contain a laugh of delight. Was this really the leader of the Resistance Movement? Without thinking, he went to sit next to Lord Sidious, who smiled briefly and continued.

"Tell me, Phinian, how did you come to be affiliated with the Resistance?" he asked then, speaking in almost a fatherly manner. "From what I've seen of you, it doesn't seem well to coincide with your... beliefs, shall we say."

Phinian blinked once, quite surprised at how capable the Sith was at catching him off his guard. He was normally much more adept at maintaining his composure, but not now. However, his answer seemed to flow freely off his tongue. "I joined about two years ago, after my father died. I was... young and foolish. Acted too rashly. And now..." he saw Lord Sidious watching him, listening attentively, eyes sympathetic and understanding. He found himself continuing, not entirely under his free will. "Now I don't think the Resistance is what it was then, but I don't know how easily I can get out of it." He stopped, shocked at himself, at how much he had said already.

But Darth Sidious was nodding. "Yes..." he said quietly. "I agree entirely. It's lost its way, hasn't it? Well... that's part of what I hope to correct during my leadership."

Then he got a strange look in his eyes, and stared once again, intently, at Phinian. "What do you know of the Force?" he asked suddenly.

Phinian, again, found himself at a loss. "Th- the Force?" he stuttered confusedly.

"Yes, the Force," Lord Sidious said calmly, leaning forward and not taking his eyes off Phinian, who furrowed his brow as he searched his mind for a sufficient answer.

"I... I know the Force is an all-powerful, ever-present, power source for the Jedi... and the Sith." he paused, but Sidious said nothing, so he struggled to find more to say. "And I know there are two sides to it... as in all things. A Light and a Dark."

Lord Sidious smiled and sat back. "Very good. Do you have any personal experience with it? Were either of your parents... knowledgeable in that particular field?"

Phinian shook his head. "No. Well, I don't think so. All I know is what I've heard from others... though some of my associates don't necessarily believe it exists."

Lord Sidious then asked him softly, "And what about you?"

Phinian swallowed. "I think I do. Based on what I've heard, it... it seems logical." Sidious finally looked away, and began speaking again more casually, and an intangible haze that somehow seemed to have gathered dissipated. Phinian inhaled suddenly, as if some weight had been lifted.

"You know, no one has yet discovered how the Force works the way it does. Sometimes it appears spontaneously in a certain person, and sometimes it is passed down though heritage. In most cases, I believe it chooses whom it wants to be with. And so... anyone could be strong with the Force, technically." He looked back to Phinian. "Interesting, isn't it? No one fully understands the will of the Force, we just... are obligated to comply. We are responsible for harmonization."

Phinian was caught in the Sith's gaze. He was captivated, rendered speechless. Sidious continued smoothly. "However, it takes a special kind of individual to employ the full potential of the Force. This is the difference between the Jedi and the Sith."

Suddenly he stopped. His eyes took on a strange gleam. And then, just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone again, and he was standing up, offering his hand cordially. Phinian took it, shaken out of his daze, and grasped it briefly. Lord Sidious smiled warmly at him.

"I'm glad to have met you. I'll discuss things with Lieutenant Mar, and you shouldn't have any more problems."

"Thank you very much, My Lord," Phinian said, respect evident in his voice. Sidious guided him to the door with an arm around his shoulder.

"Come by anytime," he told him genially. "If ever you have a problem, or anything at all. I know how exhausting it can be, serving a system of incompetance." He smiled once more, as did Phinian.

As he left the large room and re-entered the dark hallway from which he had come, he felt a sudden chill, and the door closed behind him. He began the long walk back to his quarters, his mind weighed down heavily with confusion, but also a surprising element of assurance. This encounter had been an interesting one indeed.