Disclaimer: Characters are not the property of the author but of George Lucas.
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Chapter 5: Double Trouble
Anakin had returned from his mission to bring several mid-rim planets under the control of the Empire. It had required him to slaughter a great many local politicians but that was of no consequence to Anakin. His mind was constantly preoccupied with thoughts about his children and utter contempt and loathing towards his former master Obi-wan Kenobi for taking them from him. He knew that it was angering Padme even more. Everyday she was developing newer Force capabilities. Anakin tried to teach her how to control her powers in the little time that he had between the many missions that Palpatine sent him. He was about to see her for the first time in nineteen days.
Anakin flung open the doors to his apartment, hoping against hopes that somehow his children had been returned to him. Instead he was met with a bright red lightsaber blade that stopped very near his face.
"What's this?" Anakin asked stepping aside and around the deadly energy beam.
"This is the weapon that I intend to kill Obi-wan Kenobi with," Padme said fiercely.
"May I see it?" Anakin asked.
Padme deactivated the lightsaber and handed it to Anakin. Anakin looked it over, rather amazed at the excellent craftsmanship. It was double-bladed lightsaber very similar to the one that Darth Maul had used to kill Qui-Gon Jinn back on Naboo. It was not much more difficult to craft, but it was definitely more difficult to wield. Still in proficient hands it would most certainly be a deadly weapon.
"Are you sure about this?" Anakin asked handing the weapon back, "The double bladed lightsaber is perhaps the most difficult, of all the various lightsaber designs, to wield."
"Yes," Padme replied, "I've studied Obi-wan's lightsaber style and have discovered that this is style of lightsaber is its greatest weakness."
Anakin was impressed, "That's interesting. I had no idea."
"Come," Padme said, "We must have a sparring practice."
She waved her hand and all the furniture in the living room was pushed to the walls. She stepped into the middle of the room and beckoned Anakin to join her. With a slight shake of his head in disbelief Anakin joined his wife in the middle of their living room and activated his own crimson lightsaber. Padme activated both ends of her lightsaber.
"Ladies first," Anakin taunted; offering Padme the first chance to strike a blow.
Padme struck at Anakin who easily parried her attack. However, she quickly followed up with another upon another, which Anakin had more difficulty in stopping, and which forced him to jump backwards.
"You're not trying very hard; you've yet to counter attack." Padme said, "Please, I wish to be able to beat Obi-wan."
It was true; Anakin was being easy on her and not counter attacking. On her next blow he deflected it to the side and struck towards her legs. Padme was able to block him but suddenly found herself on the defensive. Finally after passing up several chances to get in a hit Anakin knocked her over with a push with the force.
"Hey, you cheated," Padme said.
"I did not," Anakin replied, "Your stance left you vulnerable to that push. I also could have ended this several times already. However, for your first duel with a lightsaber you did quite well."
Anakin deactivated his lightsaber and stuck it back on his belt, "I must meet with Emperor Palpatine," he said, "I would like you to come with me."
"I would be honoured to," Padme replied.
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"My master, my mission to the Mid-rim was successful," Anakin reported to Palpatine. "Seven more systems are now under your control."
"Good," Palpatine said, "But tell me, why have you brought your wife with you?"
Padme stepped forward past Anakin and knelt on one knee before Palpatine, setting her lightsaber beside her, "My lord I pledge my sole allegiance to you as your humble servant." She said.
Palpatine looked towards Anakin, "She is ready to become a Sith apprentice," Anakin said.
Palpatine looked back down at Padme a wicked grin slowly spreading across his face, "Good," he said. "Now you need a proper Sith title. Since you have betrayed all of your ideals and past friends, I have the perfect name. From henceforth you shall be known as Darth Traya, the betrayer and deceptor."
Palpatine picked up Padme's lightsaber and held it to her right shoulder, "Arise Darth Traya." He said pulling the lightsaber away.
Slowly she stood before Palpatine. Palpatine held out her lightsaber, "Take your weapon and use it to strike down your enemies." He said.
Padme took her weapon from Palpatine, "I will use this weapon to put an end to Obi-wan Kenobi." She declared.
She stepped back to stand beside Anakin.
"Now I have a mission, for the two of you," Palpatine said, "There are unconfirmed reports of the Jedi regrouping on Dantooine. I want you to go and investigate this matter. If the reports are true I want you to wipe them all out. Leave nothing alive."
"As you command Master," Anakin said as both he and Padme bowed.
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Obi-wan Kenobi was walking to the main control room of the new Jedi Base he had just established on Dantooine. He had just received a report about a ship entering the system. A young human Jedi Knight named Jordo was manning the sensors. He had been in the Corellian system at the time of the great betrayal and had remained hidden there until Obi-wan had discovered him.
"What do we have?" Obi-wan asked looking at the screen.
"It's an unmarked shuttle," Jordo replied, "It isn't broadcasting any hails."
"So it's not more Jedi," Obi-wan said, "Possibly smugglers?"
"That's what I thought at first," Jordo replied, "But that design of ship would not be very good for a smuggling ship."
"It's still in the realm of possibility," Obi-wan said.
"Yes," Jordo agreed, "But then factor in why smugglers would even be near this system. We've done a survey of the entire planet. Where we are is the only place resembling civilization. They have no need to be landing on this planet."
"It's possible that…" Obi-wan began but then he stopped.
He had reached out to try and find out who was on board the ship. The hatred and anger coming from the people on board that ship let him know immediately.
"It's them," Obi-wan said, "We have to get out of here."
"Who is it?" Jordo asked.
"Vader and his wife," Obi-wan said, "We must get out of here. We don't have the numbers to take on a Sith Lord."
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Will Obi-wan escape? Or will the Jedi on Dantooine be slaughtered? Keep reading to find out and keep reviewing to get more.