Author Note: Sorry I took so long to post guys, but what with being involved in the college magazine, etc...blah blah blah, you know. But here it is, and I hope you enjoy. As for Obi-Wan being too harsh...well Obi-Wan never really was harsh on Anakin in the films, which is part of the reason why he turned evil...so I decided to give Obi-Wan a bit more...um...backbone shall we say!

Three starships were anchored on a landing platform outside a large and very grand looking building.

Grievous, followed by Tarkin and a number of soldiers, disembarked from one of the ships and marched along a long walkway that led into the building, thousands of storeys above the floor of the planet.

They entered a large throne room that was filled with treasures from various conquests. Gold, statues and other valuable items were piled almost to the ceiling. Royal guards, dressed completely in red, stood at their post, bowing to Grievous as he passed.

Only Sidious was seated, on a beautiful throne carved from solid oak and gold. Two robed nobles were addressing him when Grievous entered. They moved away as the Endorians approached. Sidious stood and the two embraced in a friendly hug.

"Your messenger came two days ago. I know what happened," Sidious admitted as they parted. Grievous clenched his fingers, his rage barely submerged.

"I want her back," he growled and Sidious smiled.

"Of course you do. She's a beautiful woman."

"I want her back so I can kill her with my own two hands. I won't rest until I've burned Naboo to the ground."

Sidious smiled at Grievous' obvious rage.

"I thought you wanted peace with Naboo?"

"I should have listened to you," Grievous sighed, looking down to the floor.

"Peace is for the women and the weak. Empires are forged by war."

"All my life I've stood by your side, fought your enemies. You're my father, you reap the glory -- this is the way of the world. But have I ever complained, father?

Have I ever asked you for anything?"

"Never. You're a man of honor. Everyone in the galaxy knows this."

"The Nubians spat on my honor. An insult to me is an insult to you."

"And an insult to me is an insult to all imperials."

"Will you go to war with me, father?"

Grievous reached out his hand and Sidious looked into his eyes. Finally he nodded and clasped hands with his son.

oOo

A while later, Sidious paced the vast, torch-lit room. Mas Amedda sat at a wooden table. Spread out on the table before him was a hologram map of the galaxy. Several planets were coloured red, whilst others were coloured black.

"I always thought my son's wife was a foolish woman. But she's proven to be very useful. Nothing unifies people like a common enemy," Sidious was muttering, more to himself than to Mas Amedda.

"The Nubians have never been conquered. Some say they can't be conquered," Mas Amedda noted but Sidious simply smiled.

"I haven't tried yet. Old Yoda thinks he's untouchable behind his high walls. He thinks the Sun God will protect him. But the gods only protect the strong. If Naboo falls, I control the entire central ring around this very planet," Sidious replied, pointing to the map.

"Obi-Wan commands the finest army in the east. And Naboo is built to withstand a ten-year siege," Mas Amedda pointed out.

"There won't be a ten-year siege. I'll attack them with the greatest force the galaxy has ever seen. I want all the rulers under my command and all their armies. Send emissaries in the morning."

Mas Amedda stood and prepared to leave, but then he thought of something else.

"One last thing..."

Sidious looked back up from the map.

"We need Jango Fett and his army."

Sidious shook his head.

"Jango Fett can't be controlled. He's as likely to fight us as the Nubians."

"We don't need to control him. We need to unleash him. The man was born to end lives."

"Yes, he's a gifted killer," Sidious admitted. "But he follows no king. He threatens everything I've built. Before me the Empire was nothing, a province of warlords and cattle raiders. I've brought all the great kingdoms together -- with force when necessary, with a treaty when possible. I've created a Empire out of fire-worshippers and snake-eaters. I build the future, Mas Amedda. Jango Fett is the past, a man who fights for no flag, a man loyal to no country."

Mas Amedda waited for a respectful moment before replying.

"Your words are true. But how many battles have we won off the edge of his skills? This will be the greatest war the galaxy has ever seen. We need the greatest warrior."

Sidious thought about it for a while, pacing the room. Finally he spoke.

"There's only one man he'll listen to."

"I'll send a ship in the morning," Mas Amedda replied knowingly.