Author Note: Hey guys. Once again sorry for the delay in posting, but I've been really busy. I think the last chance I had to have a proper sit down was yesterday in the cinema when my family went to see Wallace and Gromit's new movie. Dead clever and very funny...but that's besides the point. To make it up to you guys, I'm gonna post two chapters at once this time, so that even if i'm busy again, you still have something to read. Toodles!

'Aw the bounce has gone from his bungee...' Hutch the Rabbit - Wallace and Gromit, The Curse of the Were Rabbit. (sorry, couldn't resist! That is the funniest line I've ever heard from a rabbit who sounds like its sucked in helium!)

Two muscular guards stood by the opening to Sidious's tent. Jango, wearing a clean red flight suit and black cape that hung about his shoulders, didn't even bother waiting for the guards permission to enter. He simply brushed passed them and walked through the tent flap.

This tent was easily the largest on the beach and was Sidious's command quarters. They were a lush affair, decorated with the spoils of a dozen wars. Several aides bustled in and out on various errands, and all the Imperial Lords were there...Darth Maul, Count Dooku, General Grievous, Mas Amedda, Poggle the Lesser and more.

Sidious was sitting on a heavy golden throne, garishly inlaid with pearls and precious stones.

Poggle,Archduke of Geonosis was kneeling before Sidious.

"You've won a great victory, King of Kings. No one thought theNubian beach could be captured so easily," he said as he handed a ceremonial dagger to Sidious.

"A beautiful gift, Poggle. You will be among the first to walk the streets ofTheed tomorrow."

Poggle stood and bowed. Jango watched this exchange with disbelief. Then he glanced at Maul, who just shrugged.

Now Mas Amedda, second hand to Sidious, knelt before him and handed him an urn decorated with golden warriors.

"My father Neleus had this urn made to commemorate his victory at Corellia. I present it to you in honor of an even more memorable victory."

"Thank you, old friend. Tomorrow we'll eat supper in the gardens of Theed."

Mas Amedda stood and bowed too as Sidious placed the dagger and urn beside a pile of other luxurious gifts. As the Lords filed out of the tent, Maul clasped Jango's shoulder and spoke to him out of earshot of the others.

"War is young men dying and old men talking. You know this. Ignore the politics."

And then he left too, and Sidious pretended not to notice that Jango was waiting for him.

At last, however,he turned to his aides.

"Leave us."

The aides bowed and exited, leaving the two men alone together. Jango eyed the pile of gifts with dissaproving eyes, before pacing back and forth before Sidious.

"Apparently you've won some great victory," he said at last.

"Ah, perhaps you didn't notice. The Nubian beach belonged to Yoda in the morning. It belongs to Sidious in the afternoon."

"You can have the beach. I didn't come here for sand," Jango snarled.

"No, you came because you want your name to last through the ages. A great victory was won today -- but the victory is not yours. Kings did not kneel to Jango. Kings did not bring homage to Jango."

"The battle was won by soldiers. The soldiers know who fought."

"History remembers the kings, not the soldiers. Tomorrow we'll batter down the gates of Theed. I'll build monuments to victory on every planet in the galaxy, and carve Sidious in the stone. My name will last forever. Your name is written in the sand, for the waves to wash away."

"First you need the victory," Jango snapped before turning to leave.

"One more thing, great Mandalorian..."

Jango stopped and spun on the spot.

"I don't want to hear that name from your mouth."

"The first pick of the battle's spoils always goes to the commander. Your men sacked the temple of the sun god, yes?"

"You want gold? Take it, it's my gift, to honor your courage. Take what you want."

"I already have. Cody! Oddball!"

Two clones, Cody wearing the yellow commander's uniform, Oddball wearing his flight suit, dragged Beru into the tent. Her face was bruised -- clearly she'd put up a fight.

"The spoils of war. Tonight I'll have her give me a bath. And then -- who knows?"

Jango drew his twin pistols.

"I have no quarrel with you, brothers. But you'll never see home again if you don't let her go," he said to the clones.

The clones hesitated, then drew their pistols. Jango advanced on them.

"Guards!" Sidious bellowed and the two sentries rushed into the tent, blasters drawn. Jango was surrounded but he raisedhis pistols.

"Stop!" Beru cried.

Everyone stopped and looked at the girl. Despite her torn robes, her noble bearing and authoritative tone commanded respect.

"Too many people have died today."

She looked at the various men in the room and finally addressed Jango.

"If killing is your only talent, that's your curse. But I don't want anyone dying for me."

Everyone was quiet until Sidious laughed.

"Mighty Jango, silenced by a slave girl."

"She's not a slave." Jango growled.

"She is now."

Jango's eyes were flat and merciless.

"Before my time is done, King of Kings, I will look down on your corpse and smile."

"Yes, and I'll be having my blade back before you go," Sidious smiled, spotting the sith blade hanging from Jango's belt.

"Take it. I won't be fighting for you anymore," Jango growled, throwing the blade at Sidious's feet before leaving the tent.