Chapter 11

Preparation

Mark watched in silent horror, as the six ships were unloaded. In an instant their troops and supplies had more than doubled. It was clear that the invasion would happen much sooner than expected.

He flinched as he felt a strong hand grip his shoulder. Looking up he could see the proud face of his father.

"It's quite a sight, isn't it son? Within a week's time Master Sidious plans to have an army big enough to seize the capital."

"I still don't understand how capturing D.C. will do anything?" Mark questioned. "There are fifty other states to contend with."

"Well, it's sort of like a chicken with its head cut off. Without its brain, the body panics and loses control. By the time the people of this nation get over their panic and shock, it will be too late. With much of our military overseas, our country's defenses are at less than adequate strength when it comes to combating the advanced weapons and technology we'll be using. Within a matter of days, every major military instillation and weapon will be in our hands. Taking the rest of the world will be easy at that point."

"Won't other nations come to America's aid when the invasion starts?"

Darth Quietus laughed at that thought. "Maybe a few, if they are able to digest the fact that the U.S.'s attackers aren't exactly from this galaxy; but for the most part, the U.S. isn't very popular right now. Chances are that the U.N. will just sit back and watch."

Anger burned in Mark as he listened to his father's words. Time was running out. As much as he knew the importance of patience, he also knew that within a week the world would fall into Sidious' greedy hands.

"I feel the conflict in you son. I hope your heart is where it needs to be. It would be painful if I should be forced to kill you."

The words stung Mark but they did not surprise him.

"Don't worry Master. I would never think of taking you and Master Sidious on. I'm just a kid. What could I do?"

Panic seized Mark as he felt his adolescent frame pulled off the ground by the scruff of his collar. Darth Quietus glared at his apprentice, their faces inches apart.

"Your insolent tone does little to convince me, boy. I am your father. I know how intelligent you are and I know how your mind works. Don't think for a second that we are not aware of your conversation with the Jedi. You forget the extent of Master Sidious' vision. He has foreseen your betrayal."

With terror filled eyes he looked into the mad gaze of his master.

"I'm afraid your Jedi friend is walking into a trap. He was spotted entering the area an hour ago."

"If you knew, why didn't you say something?"

"We didn't want you getting any funny ideas about warning him. However, now that it's too late for him to escape..."

Mark was violently thrown to the ground. Darth Quietus retrieved a metal collar from his robe and placed it around his son's neck. With a hiss, the device snapped shut and tightened around his throat. Mark went numb as he felt the Force's presence leave him. His father turned to a nearby trooper.

"Take this traitor into custody."

Obi-Wan continued to watch as ships were unloaded. By his estimation, Sidious had close to five hundred troops. He was unable to clearly see all the weapons and supplies that had arrived but he guessed that they included devices for converting Earth vehicles into superior war machines.

George had reluctantly left for help after much coaxing. It wouldn't be long before the Earth's governments were alerted to the invasion army's location and a force was sent to stop it. Hopefully it wasn't too late.

The Jedi gasped as he felt Mark's presence suddenly fade. He prayed the boy was safe but couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. What had happened?

He couldn't focus on that now. He needed to work out a strategy. Now that he was here, he was at a loss as to what he should do. He certainly never anticipated facing such a large army. He knew he should wait for George to send help. He knew he should be patient. Logic was telling him this. The living Force, however, was urging him forward. He had a bad feeling.

Darth Quietus stealthily moved along the perimeter of the empty lot. The Jedi had been last seen on the west end. Hoping to catch him off guard, he masked his presence and approached from the south. Snipers had been set up in strategic locations in the unlikely event that something should go wrong. Reaching in his robe he felt the cool reassuring presence of his lightsaber.

A smile crept on his lips as he spotted the pathetic rogue. Removing his weapon, he held it firmly in hand, ready to ignite it when appropriate. He paused less than a meter behind the Jedi. With a snap-hiss, the fiery crimson blade erupted from the cool handle.

"Don't move Jedi."

The man before him tensed, but did not move. Retrieving a second collar, he quickly snapped it around the man's neck.

"Let's go," he ordered as he shoved the man forward.

Tal Shennar's sun hovered overhead with hot blue intensity. Vader looked on impatiently as the technicians scanned the forest for any signs of the rebels. He'd been forced to 'replace' Captain Morris with someone more competent after one of his search party officers disappeared. What was left of the search party had been found; their corpses devoured by a large pack of predators. Captain Morris made the false assumption that the missing officer was devoured as well. He also made the assumption that the beasts were the cause of their deaths. Dismissing the event as irrelevant, he failed to report the incident to the Sith lord. The animals may have eaten the bodies but not their weapons; it was clear to Vader that the smuggler and the man possessing Obi-Wan had been responsible.

All posts had been alerted to the disappearance of the missing officer and were giving the instruction to kill him on sight. There would be no hostage negotiations. His security clearances had been revoked as well to prevent him from getting any funny ideas about helping the rebels just to save his own skin.

"Lord Vader, I believe we've found something," one of the technicians announced from his computer terminal.

Vader immediately strolled over and waited for the report.

"There are three humanoids in the northwest perimeter of the crash sight. All squadrons have reported their positions and are accounted for. Do you wish us to send them a greeting party?"

"No. I will deal with them myself."

Sonia frowned as they progressed through the dense forest. Their prisoner walked ahead of her, hands cuffed behind his back. They'd been forced to gag the snippy officer soon after his capture due to his persistent threats and complaints. Trevor limped behind them, using a makeshift crutch he'd made out of a sturdy tree limb.

Things were not going as planned. How had she gotten herself into this? It was supposed to be a simple job. Give the Jedi a lift, collect her money, drop off the shipment and call it a day. Instead she'd been imprisoned, had barely escaped (with the Emperor tagging along no less), ended up on a swamp with a little green troll, was kidnapped by the same man who had hired her, held hostage in her own ship, forced to break out of yet another prison, and finally, watched her ship disintegrate on this godforsaken planet while she babysat a possessed fugitive and an Imperial officer with a Sith Lord on their tail. She felt severely sorry for the next smuggler Obi-Wan conned into giving him a lift.

"Hey Red, do you think we could stop a bit? My leg is killing me," Trevor asked in as a pleasant tone he could muster. Even he had learned that she was in no mood to be messed with.

The Imperial officer turned to her with pleading eyes, clearly approving of the idea. She glared at them both. She knew it was only a matter of time before they were killed or captured; what was the point of prolonging the inevitable? With a hesitant nod she gave the okay. Never let it be said that she wasn't generous when it came to last wishes.

Trevor sat down with a groan and began attending his wound.

"You really did a number on old Obi-What's-his-face's leg," he said as he removed the bandage.

The officer gave them a puzzled look that they both ignored.

"I'm sure he'll understand," she said with little interest. "It'll heal."

Trevor let out a laugh that grated her nerves. "I guess it could have been worse. A few inches higher and he'd have suffered a wound I doubt any man could forgive you for."

She didn't bother to reply. Fatigue was taking its toll on her system. A smile crept on her lips as she made a mental note to take a vacation should she make it out of this alive.

The Imperial began to fidget and squirm, snapping her out of her daze.

"What the hell's your problem?" She asked, more annoyed than concerned.

He frantically began to jerk his head in the direction of a thick grove. Squinting, she strained to see in the dark thicket of growth and trees.

"I don't see anything. Shut your trap before I shut it for you."

Closing her eyes she began to drift again when the officer squealed. Sitting up she leveled her blaster on him in a fit of anger.

"Listen! I told you to shut-"

Her eyes widened in shock as she spotted a large shadow looming in the distance. She looked at Trevor who ignored them both. As he happily tended to his leg a realization came to her.

"Cover your leg back up and bury that rag," she hissed.

"What?" He asked.

She motioned to the dark shadow and he immediately understood. Without another word he began to wrap his leg tight with a fresh rag.

Her weapon followed the shadow as it slowly circled around them.

"Red!" Trevor spat in a hushed voice. She followed his gaze to another dark shadow.

"Not good," she groaned.

Trevor followed the second shadow as she continued to track the first.

"Their getting into an ambush pattern," she observed. "That means there's a third somewhere."

The Imperial began to whimper as they watched the large beasts. After a moment's hesitation Sonia untied his arms and gave him a blaster.

"Keep an eye on that one," she said, pointing the beast she had been tracking. "I'm going to see if I can find the third before they spring this trap of theirs."

He readily agreed with a smile of thanks. She again scanned the area for any signs of life. The only logical place for the third beast to hide was in the dark grove. Every other place was too sparse for it to hide its massive frame.

"I'm going to see if I can flush it out," she said. "No matter what I do, don't take your eyes off of these two."

Without another word she charged into the grove, firing her weapon in random shots. Pausing, she waited. The darkness betrayed nothing as she attempted to draw out her attacker.

The imperial screamed. A volley of panicked shots followed.

"Blast!" She hissed, realizing her mistake. As she ran to the clearing she could again hear the Imperial screaming, this time in agony as something began to eat him alive.

Two beasts were tearing at the Imperial's lifeless body. A third beast lay dead where Trevor should have been.

"Red!"

She turned to see Trevor standing behind her.

"We should go before more show up," he said. "The third one dropped down out of the trees. The damn thing was right over our heads the whole time."

She nodded as he confirmed her suspicions.

They turned to leave when Trevor paused. "Do you hear something?"

"No," she replied, shaking her head.

The beast stopped their feast and tensed, sniffing the air. Something had caught their attention.

"We need to go. Now!" She ordered, grabbing Trevor's arm in an attempt to get him moving.

The beast began to growl. Their attention was focused in the area just beyond them. Sonia held her breath as her ears strained to hear anything out of place.

In a second it was over. A dark figure leapt into the clearing and, in one fluid motion, had cut the two beasts down where they stood. As he landed between the two dead predators, he raised his hand. Sonia and Trevor were ripped from the ground, slamming into the large trees behind them. As the world began to fade she could see Lord Vader approaching.

Sweat trickled down Obi-Wan's forehead, stinging his eyes, as he sat in the uncomfortable, numbing silence. It wasn't sound that his senses failed to detect. His ears picked up every muffled voice that penetrated the small room in which he sat. He knew when someone was near from the sound of their echoed footsteps. He could even hear his own heartbeat as it pulsed through his head, bringing life giving oxygen.

The silence was felt more than heard. It came from the Force's absence which had abruptly abandoned him. He could feel the heavy weight of the Force-suppressing collar like a bantha on a jawa. No matter how deeply he breathed, it was as if no oxygen would come. For the first time in his life he was left with nothing but his inner demons. Fear, despair, even anger tugged at him as he struggled to cope with his new reality. Every emotion went against his better judgment. With every passing second they seemed to bring death.

As if summoned, in walked the devil himself, smiling and confident. Obi-Wan's emotions fused into a powerful union, creating a monstrous rage that threatened to erupt. Had he not been tied to the chair in which he sat he would have attacked. Forcing himself to calm he quietly observed his adversary.

"Welcome Master Kenobi. It has been far too long since we've had the pleasure."

Obi-Wan warily watched as the Emperor settled into a seat across from his.

"I can't say that it has ever been a pleasure, Sidious," he replied.

"I've been searching for you for some time now, but alas; you've been very cleaver in your exile."

"What can I say? I dislike unexpected guest."

Sidious laughed. "Your actions would dictate otherwise, though I can't say it was entirely a surprise to find you sneaking about. Nevertheless, I have great plans for you my Jedi friend."

"I'm sorry, but I have another agenda to attend too; stopping you for example."

Sidious flashed a curious smile. "Oh? And how do you intend on executing said plan?"

"If I told you, that would take away all of the fun," Obi-Wan smiled.

Sidious again laughed. "I don't suppose you are referring to your friend, the police officer?"

Sidious turned to the trooper guarding the cell and nodded. A moment later a second trooper appeared with a small box. Entering the room he laid it before the Jedi and opened it.

"I'm afraid he failed in his attempt to get help."

Obi-Wan turned away from the sight of George's severed head. The rage he'd been fighting to control resurfaced. It was all he could do to quiet himself. Sidious seemed to monitor this with great interest.

"Even had he succeeded, it would have been far too late. I already have an army large enough to defeat any defenses this planet may have."

"Not if I have anything to say about it," Obi-Wan replied, sounding more confident than he felt.

"You don't sound to sure of yourself," Sidious said with mock concern. "You'd like me to release you from your collar, wouldn't you? You'd like to fight me, perhaps force me out of this body?"

Sidious waved his hand and the collar opened, falling to the floor. Obi-Wan inhaled as the Force flooded into his system. He could feel it mingling with his emotions like an intoxicating drug.

"Go ahead, Jedi. Do your worse. This invasion will happen whether I am here or not."

Obi-Wan hesitated. Sidious was right. Nothing short of a miracle could stop the invasion now. Palpatine smiled as he read Kenobi's conflicting emotions.

"I see that you are as wise as Lord Vader claimed you to be."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes at the mention of Vader's name.

"Join me Obi-Wan. Become my apprentice. You defeated Lord Vader, you are indeed very powerful. Release your feelings of anger towards me. Give in to your hate and fulfill your destiny, taking Vader's place at my side."

Obi-Wan smiled. "Never. I'll never join the Sith." He spat the last word like a foul tasting morsel.

"Oh, but you will my friend. The Jedi are no more, you are the last of their kind. But you are a survivor, you know how to adapt. Join me and continue your training in the ways of the Force."

"I am a Jedi. As long as I live, so does the order."

Sidious' face contorted in anger. "So be it, Jedi."

A boy wearing a Force-suppressor stumbled into the room, followed by a man resonating with the Dark Side.

"Anakin?" Obi-Wan whispered as he studied the boy.

Sidious turned to the man. "Kill them both. Start with the boy."

"No!" Obi-Wan yelled. The rope holding him to the chair released as he stood, poised to fight.

Sidious again began to laugh. "You must be mindful of your temper Master Kenobi. It'd be a shame if you were to lose it."

Obi-Wan took in a deep breath as he fought for control. He would not give in to Sidious' taunts. He again glanced at the boy who resembled Anakin so strongly, the boy who's name was Mark.

"What will it be Kenobi? Will you join us or will you watch this innocent boy die before your eyes?"

"Don't harm the boy," Obi-Wan pleaded.

"Then join us," Sidious commanded, his voice growing low and distorted.

Obi-Wan again glanced at the boy who stood in proud defiance. He shook his head at the Jedi, begging him to stay firm. Though Mark looked like Anakin, he was much wiser. He knew what was at stake. Obi-Wan's instincts begged him to follow the boys example. Despite his reservations, he was letting his emotions take control. For the first time he knew how it felt to be Anakin.

"Never," Obi-Wan spat. Summoning the Force to do his will, he threw his hands up, sending the two Sith flying. An instant later Mark's collar clanked to the floor. The boy's presence, like the blinding light of a Tatooine sunrise, hit him through the Force.

Sidious was on his feet in an instant. Before either of them could respond, lighting began to poor from his fingertips. Mark was slammed into the wall as his body convulsed in the assault.

Obi-Wan roared as he dove for Sidious but was equally welcomed by the Sith lightning. His body screamed in agony as the powerful energy attacked his nerves. A moment later Sidious stopped.

"Darth Quietus. Replace their collars and lock them in separate rooms."

"Why not kill them my lord?"

"Oh, I'm not finished with Kenobi yet. In time, I believe he will learn to see things our way."

Trevor's head throbbed as he opened his eyes. Lord Vader loomed over him, his massive frame motionless.

"Whoa, you are one big son of a b-."

Trevor gasped as his throat began to constrict.

"Silent!" Vader commanded. After a moment he released his grip.

Trevor struggled for breath as his throat reopened. Coughing, he watched the Sith's blurred image through tear-filled eyes.

"You have caused me a great deal of trouble."

"Where's Re... Sonia?" He demanded as he gasped for air.

"The smuggler has been dealt with."

Trevor momentarily frowned before regaining control.

"What do you want with me? Do you want to teach me to use the Dark Side?"

"I'm afraid that window of opportunity has passed. If you hope to get out of this alive you will cooperate."

"I'm listening," Trevor replied.

"Where is my master?"

"I don't know. I woke up in this body aboard the smuggler's ship."

Trevor's body was thrown against the wall, suspended in the air. Slowly pressure began to build on his throat.

"You will answer me," Vader said, his mechanical voice void of emotion. "I can tell when you're lying."

"I'm telling you the truth! I know that there were two others on the ship at first but I took care of them."

"Who," Vader demanded as he slowly increased his grip on Trevor's neck.

"I dunno! A little green man with pointy ears and some old guy with a melted face! I knocked them out and kicked them off the ship. I don't know where we were. It looked like a swamp."

Trevor's body lowered to the ground but the pressure on his throat remained.

"So Yoda is still alive. That is of little concern. When my master reclaims his body he will finish that decrepit troll."

Without another word, Vader turned and vacated the room, the door closing behind him. A moment later the pressure on Trevor's throat dissipated.

Darth Quietus and his master knelt in silent meditation. In a distant galaxy they could sense Lord Vader answering their call.

"Yes my master."

"Lord Vader. I have received the ships Admiral Tarkin sent. I am most pleased with the progress the Empire has made. This planet will be ours in a matter of days."

"That is good news my master. You will also be pleased to learn that I have succeeded in capturing the intruder in Kenobi's body."

Sidious laughed. "Good! That is good news indeed. I too have managed to capture Kenobi. All is going as I have envisioned."

"At last, Obi-Wan will be no more."

"Do not be so quick to kill him yet, Lord Vader. I have plans for the Jedi."

Sidious could feel frustrated rage building in Vader.

"Yes my master."

"You have done well my friend. I will contact you soon. Go and continue to serve your Empire."

Sidious paused before continuing.

"Oh, and Lord Vader."

"Yes Master?"

"Inform Admiral Tarkin he has been promoted to a Grand Moff."

"Of which region my master?"

"Which ever he chooses."

The Cosmos Sprinter orbited Earth's atmosphere. 'Fuzzy' silently monitored the inboard computer as a holographic image of Earth rotated before him. His eyes tracked the movement of the many satellites orbiting the planet.

'Scan complete,' the computer informed him. 'All orbital satellites have been tracked.'

"Release the probes," he said.

A mechanical wine could be heard as the ship opened its cargo door. He watched the computer as probes were released. Within a matter of moments they were orbiting the planet, each assigned to a satellite.

'Probes have found their targets,' the computer replied. 'Integration will now commence.'

The holographic images of the satellites changed from blue to red as the probes attached to their intended hosts.

'Integration complete.'

Nodding, Fuzzy reached for the com. "Inform the Emperor that project Star Control is complete."

Five ships stealthily crossed the nation, stopping briefly over military bases and facilities. At each stop a droid was deployed, specially equipped with pulse bomb technology. Within a twelve-hour period over ten thousand droids had been released, silently waiting for a single command.

Across the globe, people continued their daily lives. No one noticed the slight glitch in communications. People barely registered the momentary burst of static as they watched their favorite television programs. As conversations on cell phones and land lines were momentarily muted, no one flinch. As the internet servers hesitated a second, they only shrugged. Not a soul on Earth seemed to know that their lives were about to change forever.

Sonia was in pain. She flinched as she pulled in a raspy breath, her broken ribs setting fire to the organs they were meant to protect. Her head was foggy due to the latest batch of interrogation drugs Vader had administered during their last meeting. She refused to give him any information, despite (or, depending your point of view, in spite) of his best efforts to pry it from her. A smile crossed her chapped lips as she remembered the frustration the dark lord had shown after a particularly long session of attempting to probe her mind with the Force. Two storm troopers were the unfortunate outlets of his rage as he left a broken, yet triumphant Sonia behind.

She struggled to stay alert as she stood against her cell wall, hands bound above her head. Whenever she began to lose consciousness, her legs would give out and she would hang by her arms, putting great pressure on her broken ribs. The suffocating agony was enough to pull her back to consciousness. This sleep deprivation technique was beginning to take its toll on her. It wouldn't be long before her body gave out completely.

Sonia rolled her swollen eyes up study the binders around her wrists. They were standard issues, nothing special, and no force field protected them from tampering. She'd picked the locks on similar pairs dozens of times in the past. Unfortunately she had nothing with which she use to open this set.

She scanned the room for anything that might work, assuming she could figure out a way to get such an object into her raised hands. She knew there was nothing she could use, but she needed to keep her mind busy. After a minute of searching she gave up, lowering her head with a defeated sigh.

Her eyes widened as she spotted a small shiny object by her boot. Two days earlier, one of Vader's technicians had attempted to us an interrogation droid to administer a truth serum. As the machine approached her with a hypodermic needle, she attempted to fight it off by twisting her body. The needle had stuck into her arm as she twisted, breaking off as it collided with the bone. The tiny remains of that needle now lay by her foot. The technician, flustered and angry, left without reclaiming the broken needle. Had Vader known of this carelessness, that tech would probably have been terminated.

Carefully she pushed the needle with the inner half of her right boot. When it was positioned between her two feet, she placed the thick soles of her heals on either side of the sharp object. Pushing both boots against it, she attempted to prick it into the hard rubber of her boot.

"Damn," she hissed as the object rolled under her foot. She carefully rolled it back into position. After several more attempts, she felt the needle finally stick into one of the boots. Slowly, she pulled her feet apart, smiling as it stayed in her left heal.

She slowly raised her foot, bending the leg.

"Blast!" She'd never be able to get her foot high enough to grab the needle. She craned her neck in an attempt to grab the object with her teeth, wincing in pain from pressure placed on her ribs. The agony forced her to stop.

Taking a moment to rest she went over the dilemma in her head. There was no way she could get the needle from her foot, but she could reach her…

A smile crept on her lips. Pressing her body against the wall behind her, she slowly raised her left leg, placing the foot firmly against the wall. She took a moment to compose her self, than jabbed the needle into her right knee. She gritted her teeth in pain as she slowly pulled her foot away. The needle stayed in the boot. She sighed as she again placed the foot near her knee. She waited a second than jabbed her knee again. She moaned in pain as she pulled her foot away, this time at an angle. Looking down she was both relieved and horrified at the sight of the object in her knee.

After a few minutes of rest she tightly gripped the chain connected to her binders. Holding her breath, she pulled her feet off the floor, tucking her knees in to her chest. A moment of panic seized her as the fabric of her pants pulled the needle out of her skin. The sharp object hung in the fabric, threatening to fall out. Her lungs burned with fire as her ribs were pressed into them, forcing stars in her vision. With as delicate grace as she could manage, she brought her mouth towards her knee, reaching for the needle. A sigh hissed out as she gripped it firmly with her clenched teeth.

Lowering her legs to the floor, she stood on shaky feet as her body threatened to black out. She turned her head up towards her hands and aimed. She figured she'd only get one chance to get this right; there was no way her body could handle going through such an ordeal again.

She held her breath and spat the needle out. Thankfully the object landed in the pad of her left hand. Seizing it in her figures, she immediately got to work.

Yoda lowered his head, releasing a deep sigh. Brian watched the wizened Jedi Master with growing alarm as he felt the source of Yoda's concern. A great disturbance was passing through them in violent ripples as something enormous disturbed the Force's natural flow.

"What's happened Master?"

He was met with his mentor's pain filled eyes, gleaming from the tears they threatened to produce.

"In great trouble your planet is," he quietly replied. "Unable to stop the invasion Obi-Wan was."

"It's already happened?" Brian asked as he fought down the bile in the back of his throat.

Yoda closed his eyes in concentration. "Hard to see. If it has not yet happened, it soon will."

Brian could feel the warm sensation as his eyes began to tear. Numbly, he collapsed to the ground and placed his head in his hands. Yoda hobbled to him, laying a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"A Jedi you one day will become. Help your people you must. If like you, your people are, a great hope is there for your home."

Brian looked up at the old master and nodded.

"Come inside. Rest we will." Yoda turned to leave before pausing a moment later when Brian didn't following.

"If you don't mind master, I'd like to stay out here for a while and meditate."

Yoda nodded. "Good. Calm your center you should."

Brian watched the old master leave for the hut.

Mark sat, bound to a chair in his tiny prison, which was no bigger than a broom closet. He'd wrestled with his binds but only managed to spring his wrist, which now grew uncomfortably swollen, causing the rope around it to cut into his skin.

The Earth was doomed. He was smart enough to acknowledge how fruitless any attempt would to stop the invasion now. Even the most technologically advanced, top-secret military weapons wouldn't stand a chance against Sidious' small but very well prepared army.

He closed his eyes, trying to touch the Force, but was met with only a hollow reply like a pebble dropped down an empty well. The collar on his neck did its job very well.

Blinding light met his eyes as the closet door opened. A rough hand seized his collar and pulled him, seat and all, out of the room. A moment later he was thrust back down, the chair nearly tipping backwards.

"Hello Mark."

He squinted at the source of the voice. "Master," he quietly replied.

Sidious cast a sympathetic smile at the young apprentice. "You disappoint me son."

Mark remained silent, hoping that the less he spoke, the sooner this conversation would end.

"You see, I'm not surprised by your betrayal; such is the way of the Sith. I am, however, disappointed by your choice of allegiance. After all I have told you about the lies of the Jedi."

Mark flinched as a hand violently struck his face, bringing stars to his eyes.

"I thought you were smarter than that."

Mark fought the tears the threatened to come.

"You are brave; I'll give you that. It takes a lot of courage to betray two Sith Lords."

"I did what needed to be done. I did what was right."

"Right? That is such a relative word my boy. Its meaning to one person can be completely different to another. I suppose that's why so many fell for the Jedi's deceit. Their version of right is to let citizens make their own decisions, no matter how corrupt, uneducated, or selfish those individuals may be. My method, the method of the Sith, is quite different. We acknowledge that people will disagree on the most petty and futile things. Leave them to a more important and imperative decision and you are risking a whole civilization to rules that cater to what people think they need instead of what they must have to survive.

"My way will eliminate all corruption, from the governments to the people that support them. I know what individuals must have, and though it is not always what they want, they will become a better, stronger people by knowing that they will always have a government that knows what they need."

"You mean a dictatorship?" He asked.

"Call it what you will. In the end it doesn't matter. All governments are a form of dictatorships if you think about it. Yes, the people may vote on certain issues and limit the time certain leaders stay in office, but you will find that the governments still manage to make their own rules. They, the leaders who don't have term limits you'll notice, only nominate candidates that they can easily sway, limiting the people's choices to the 'lesser of two evils'. They work as a body to kill the laws they disagree with, regardless of what the people say, than push their own laws into affect, feeding the people lies about how it is something that will help or improve their lives. They set their own pay scales, more than happy to increase it on a whim, all the while cutting funds from the more important sources, steeping the nation they represent deeper into dept.

"If you study your Earth's history, you will find this as true in the past as it is today. Governments may be formed by well-intentioned individuals, but in the end you will find these governments always collapse. It is a vicious cycle that I am putting an end too."

Mark shook his head. "You're wrong. You underestimate the people of Earth. They will never go along with your plans."

Sidious shrugged with a smile. "Do you really think that concerns me? This planet is only a necessary base for establishing exploration and colonization of the other systems in this galaxy. If your people will not cooperate, which I believe they will, than I will dispose of them. Other's will come and populate Earth; of that I am sure. This is only the first step in expanding my Empire."

Without giving Mark a chance to reply, he picked him up and placed him back in the small prison. A moment later the boy was alone in the darkness.

Darth Quietus made his way to the prison quarters. Two alert guards stood by the door, saluting him as he approached.

"Let me in. I need to speak with the prisoner," he barked. "Alone."

"Yes my lord."

The Jedi was sitting bound in the middle of the room. He gazed up at Quietus with little interest.

He waited until the guards shut the door behind him before settling in a chair opposite Kenobi's.

"Is there something I can help you with?" The prisoner curtly asked, forcing his lips to hint a smile.

"Always with the attitude," the Sith replied with a smile of his own.

"What can I say? Being tied up brings out the best in me."

Quietus continued to smile; though his eyes were as cold as steel. "I'm not stupid Jedi and neither are you. We both know why my master is so hell bent on converting you. I'm just small potatoes compared to you, with all your years of discipline and training. With you by his side he won't need to waist his time with me."

"Don't worry. I have no intentions in taking your place," Obi-Wan said with a hint of annoyance.

"Oh I don't doubt your intentions. But we both know the persuasive nature of my master. He won't give up until he's broken you. In the end, it won't matter what either one of us wants. He always gets his way."

Obi-Wan studied him before replying. "So what exactly are you suggesting?"

"Oh, I think you know. Help me defeat Sidious and then we can rule-"

"The galaxy together with me as your apprentice. I've heard this all before; from a Sith much more powerful than you, I might add. I wouldn't convert then and I won't convert now."

"Then I guess I'll just have to kill you."

"Won't that upset your master?"

Quietus shrugged. "He'll get over it."

The Sith stood, lightsaber in hand, prepared to strike him down.

"What about Mark?"

"What about him? He'll do whatever I say."

"You don't know much about the Sith then do you? The Emperor only intends to use you long enough to train him to take your place."

Quietus shrugged again. "I don't think Sidious will be around that long."

Obi-Wan smiled. "I doubt that."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

It was Obi-Wan's turn to shrug. "One of two things. Either you're really arrogant, or you're really stupid."

Quietus roared in rage, igniting his lightsaber. Obi-Wan watched with calm eyes, waiting for him to strike. He didn't have to wait long as the Sith Lord lunged, bringing his saber down in a vicious chop. Obi-Wan twisted his body in perfect timing, pulling the chair down on top of him. The blade cut through the chair, severing the ropes in the process.

Obi-Wan took advantage of his sudden mobility and kicked out, connecting with his executioner's gut. Quietus gasped as his air was forced from his lungs. Before he could recover the Jedi was on his feet. The Sith momentarily blacked out as a right cross connected with his throat. Lying on the floor he opened his eyes to find a lightsaber pointed at his chest.

"Put this on," Obi-Wan commanded as he tossed the Force suppressing collar to the Sith Lord.

"Why not kill me," he asked as he placed the collar around his neck.

"I promised your boy that I wouldn't." He yanked the Sith to his feet and tied his arms behind his back.

"You'll never get out of here alive."

"That was never part of my mission," Obi-Wan smiled. He threw the Sith into the second chair and proceeded to tie him to it. He walked to the door and opened it. Thanks to Quietus there were no guards to see him slip out of the room. A moment later he was out of sight, waiting for an opportunity to engage the Emperor.

Yoda exited his hut and looked around in dismay. Brian was nowhere to be seen. Silently he made his way into the dense vegetation of the swampy landscape. Ten minutes later he emerged in a clearing he'd not visited in nearly five years. Centered in the area was a lone pod, long since abandoned to the vines and growth of the forest. Brian was busily cutting the tiny ship free.

"Going to leave without saying goodbye?" Yoda asked, his ears perked up in amusement.

"I'm sorry master, but I think its best. I can't be here when I take my body back. It's the only way to keep your location secret from Sidious."

Yoda nodded with a sigh of resignation. "Where will you go? No knowledge of our galaxy do you have."

"I don't know. I figured the Force could guide me."

"So sure in your knowledge of the Force are you?" Yoda inquired. "Maybe help you I can. Program the ship's coordinates I will."

Sidious entered the small headquarters for his progress report. Two generals saluted as he entered. He nodded to them, bored with the formalities, and waited for the status of their preparations.

"My Emperor," the first general began. "You'll be pleased to know that all systems are up and running. All communications are under our control. We've deciphered all launch codes to their missile launchers and have reprogrammed them to target other military instillations. We've tracked the movements of the U.S. President and confirmed that she is in the White House. We have posted men at all escape routes and placed pulse bombs on all escape vehicles. Once the invasion begins, she and her subordinate will be in our custody within a matter of minutes."

"Very good General Palau. You have done well." Sidious glanced at the other general and nodded. "General Rayne, you may proceed."

"Yes my Emperor," Rayne began. "All vehicles have been converted and are ready to leave at your command. All starships have returned with more men and have been posted at the strategy points. Two more ships have been added to the fleet with compliments from Grand Moff Tarkin."

"Excellent. All is going as planned. The time has come. Execute phase one." A smile graced his lips as he spoke. "Let the invasion begin."