Author's Note: A huge thanks for the feedback re: yesterday's chapter. I appreciate the flexibility you've allowed me in introducing my own character. I've never created one before so I'm happy to see it's going over (fairly) well even though he's a pretty big creep. Hope you'll continue to stick with me.

00000

"What do you mean by that?" Padme asked, fury evident in her tone.

"I am simply pointing out the fact that all people are capable of evil given the right... persuasion," he grinned, feeding off the energy that was emanating from her.

"You overestimate the power of hatred," she countered, remembering Master Windu's statement to her as she lay in the medical ward on Terraro.

"I don't think so," he mused, his blue eyes flashing. "But you misunderstand me, my dear. It is not hatred I speak of, but fear."

With a slight wave of his hand, the holovid once again sprang forward and Padme felt her heart fall at the sight it revealed. Obi-wan's head lay on Mace's boot, his face pale and weak. Mace was turned away from the viewport, but scarcely appeared to move.

As if he could sense Padme's gaze, Anakin raised his head from its spot on the floor and struggled to speak. His lips moved and although no sound came forth, Padme heard every word straight through her soul.

Leave us. Do whatever you can. Just get away from him!

Turning away from the sight, she felt anger rising up within her.

"What have you done? You said you didn't touch them, but look at them!" she cried, gesturing helplessly to the scene behind her.

"I told you, they were fools to trust in the Light side of the Force," he explained slowly, as if he were talking to a small child. His eyes grew hard as he continued, "They had their chance to escape this, but they sealed their fate the day they turned their backs on me."

"What are you talking about?" she asked, incredulous. But it quickly became clear he wasn't going to answer her.

"I tire of this line of conversation," he stated, a bored expression falling over his face. He sneered at her before continuing, "I would much rather discuss our plans."

"Our plans?" she echoed flatly. "I don't believe I have any plans with you, sir."

"My dear, the plans aren't just with me, but with the entire government of the Divided Systems. It has been decided that you will make a rather fetching Galactic representative. It's just a matter of whether or not you will do it willingly."

"I think you know the answer to that," she spat.

"I wouldn't speak too hastily," he said softly. "If necessary, I will ensure your cooperation. It would cause me great distress to have to exploit the Force Bond you seem to have with that Jedi, Anakin Skywalker. I have been extremely kind in my manipulations thus far; I do hope you won't take advantage."

"Kind?" she wondered sarcastically. "Yes, the nightmares you force on my mind are truly blessings in disguise."

He turned flat eyes on her as he hissed, "It could be much worse. Don't test me."

She leaned back in her chair, trying to still her trembling hands. He knows about my connection with Anakin! She tried to stand, but the mist still bound her to the chair. Frustrated, she let out a deep sigh and pressed her lips together in a thin line. When it became apparent she wasn't going to say anything else on the matter, Jarrick sighed.

"You seem tired. Well, I do not wish to trouble you any further," he insisted. With a wave of his hand, her transparent bindings fell away and she was able to move freely again. "I shall give you some time to consider my offer. Your housekeeping droid should have your closet tidy once again. You do realize you made quite a mess earlier? I was shocked - after all the time I took to have such fine gowns made for you, Milady, you simply toss them on the ground?"

"I don't care to be kept in a gilded cage," she fumed. Her voice was haughty as she continued, "I am not some fancy pet you can parade around. I am a well known Senator of the Republic!"

"A temporary imperfection," he replied airily. "Once you have joined us, you shall be granted more freedom, I assure you. I trust you will make a wise decision."

"You have my decision. This is your last chance, Jarrick," she promised, bracing her hands against the table. With a smirk, he leapt across the table and whispered in her ear-

"No, Senator. It is yours."

00000

She sat on the edge of the bed, absently nibbling a piece of fruit. She had been returned to her quarters moments ago and was promptly informed that sentry droids would be monitoring her door. The gesture was strictly for her safety and security. The absurd statement nearly made her dissolve into a fit of hysterical laughter. Instead, she kept a tight grip on her emotions and simply eliminated that from her list of possible routes of escape.

Suddenly, an idea bloomed forth in her mind and she froze as it crystallized into a somewhat feasible plan. Hurrying to the control panel, she issued a summons for her housekeeping droid and smiled in satisfaction when it arrived a few minutes later.

"My 'fresher, please," Padme instructed as she strode into the spacious area. The door slid shut behind her and she quickly deactivated the droid. Prying open its central control panel, she went to work.

00000

The TX-306 housekeeping droid waited patiently as the turbolift began the long descent, reviewing the mission now programmed into its control system. As it arrived on Level A, the door to the Security console came into view. As commanded, it switched on its vacuuming mechanism and entered the room, motors running at high speed. Almost simultaneously, the guards left the room as they tried to escape the noise that was so damaging to their highly sensitive audio sensors.

Once TX-306 was alone, it abandoned the mundane task and scanned the large array of security recordings, quickly spotting the one the Senator had requested. Reaching up with a mechanical arm, it plucked the disk from its resting place and quickly scanned a copy before returning the original to the shelf. Smoothly, it slipped the new copy into its midsection and dropped it into the container normally reserved for refuse. Dusting the console for good measure, the droid spun on its treads and left, beeping to the guards to let them know they could return to duty. Returning to the lift, TX-306 ran an internal systems check and chirped happily.

Certainly, the Mistress would be pleased.

00000

Padme waited until the door slid shut behind the housekeeping droid before rushing towards it. Leading it towards the 'fresher once again, her heart was in her throat as she asked, "Did you get it?"

"Yes, Milady," came the monotone response. "I performed my function just as you requested. Do you wish for me to display the contents of the security disk?"

"Yes please," she confirmed. Instantly, the droid projected a small hologram of the large room Padme remembered landing in after her fall from the air ducts. Everything appeared the same. Except... The large gemstone appears dull and muted in this recording, she noted.

The realization evaporated as she watched Anakin, Mace and Obi-wan enter the room, moving cautiously around the large perimeter. Their light sabers humming, they started towards the mysterious object and she could finally hear snippets of their conversation.

"So this... dreaded weapon?" Anakin scoffed. "A... jewel?"

Obi-wan calmly instructed, "Don't underestimate... small things... just as dangerous."

As if to prove his point, the surface of the gem began to shine as if lit from within. Instantly, the three Jedi reeled in shock and looked around in confusion. Seconds later, the stone pulsed again and the action sent them to their knees, their light sabers deactivating as they clattered harmlessly to the ground. With a cry of anguish, they struggled to regain their footing but were unsuccessful. Tears sprang to Padme's eyes at the sight of their suffering.

Suddenly, a figure materialized and she frowned as she recognized the dark cloak. Her fingers clenched into fists as she watched the shadow tower over his prey, his glowing red eyes the only visible feature. She gasped as she heard the next exchange:

"Good evening, Master Windu," the deep voice spoke. "Welcome."

There was a pause as the Jedi Master raised his head, the effort obviously sapping his remaining strength. Then:

"Hello, Jarrick."