After the traumatic death of one of their colleagues, the rest of the senators submitted to the Storm troopers. They were lead out of the Senate dome and walked into shuttles where they would be put into camps for interrogation and holding. Anakin supervised the operation allowing the guilty and innocent alike to be subjected to arrest.
"Find the senators that weren't present," Anakin told the Storm trooper captain.
The Storm troopers would search the systems for the remaining senators; Anakin however had exempted his own wife of arrest.
With the Senate dome cleared out and with Senate apartments empty Anakin went into the elevator of the Senate apartments heading towards the chancellor's chambers. Reaching the chancellor's chambers he was allowed into the room by the Storm trooper guards.
Inspecting the chancellor's computers Anakin sat himself down in front of the holographic monitor. Using his hands he began searching through his former master's files. Schematics and designs for a new weapon called the Death Star became available to him. Anakin read with some concern the ideal power of the station, the ability to annihilate and entire planet. Although a soldier Anakin thought the idea of destroying an entire Separatist planet unthinkable.
He continued to read, Captain Tarkin promoted by Palpatine to Grand Moff (regional governor) was to be assigned the technological terror. According to the text Grand Moff Tarkin had designed the station himself. Currently 5 of the Death Star had been constructed. Anakin found the secret location of the station and went on with his search.
Moving his hands Anakin went into more files detailing Palpatine's Senate strategies in his election 10 years ago, his dealings with dozens of senators concerning votes. Anakin eventually found the incriminating file detailing Palpatine's connection to Count Dooku and the Trade Federation. Before he could go farther he was required to break some passwords.
Using his technical knowledge Anakin eventually broke the passwords and dived deeper into Palpatine's dark life. When he was done Anakin sat in the chair stunned. After several moments of reflection and horror he summoned Coruscant investigators to the chancellor's chambers.
"I want to search these databases concerning the chancellor's dealings," Anakin told them.
The investigators took Anakin's information and headed out to collect the necessary evidence. Anakin had requested information that all together amounted to nothing but was necessary to confirm the data he found on the chancellor's computer. He wasn't going to allow anyone to know that he, the Republic, the Senate, the Separatists and the Jedi had been used like pawns in his game.
When the investigators were gone Anakin reflected on what he had learned. "Perhaps Obiwan was correct?" he wondered to himself. Even so the Republic wouldn't have been saved, if the information given to him was true the Jedi themselves had been infected by Palpatine's agents and spies. Anakin concluded that Obiwan's dreams of democracy and Jedi guardianship over the Republic was simply wishful thinking.
Anakin ventured into Palpatine's personal belongings. Most of them common items until he reached a room filled with artifacts. Anakin inspected some of the light sabers, crystals, data pads, a hologram machine, dark cloaks, and Sith archeological artifacts. Anakin carefully picked up a double bladed light saber realizing who had used it last.
Palpatine had caused the death of Qui-gon, the destruction of Jedi, and almost the deaths of his wife and Obiwan. Burning with anger Anakin activated his wrist, his Jedi fighter flew towards his location. Taking the ship Anakin flew towards Tarkin's Star Destroyer. Landing in the docking bay he was greeted with a small army of Storm troopers and Imperial soldiers. Tarkin greeted Anakin as he approached.
"Lord Vader, what a pleasure," Tarkin complimented.
"I have come to inspect the Death Star," Anakin cut to the point.
Tarkin stared at Anakin in shock but did as he was commanded. Tarkin's Star Destroyer exited Coruscant space and eventually reached the location of the Death Star. Anakin peered through the windows of the bridge inspecting the huge ship that was being created. Several ships were assisting in the construction of its outer layer.
"When will it be completed?" Anakin asked.
"Our engineers say it may take twenty years to finish the entire project," Tarkin told him.
"Keep it hidden; I don't want anyone to know about this. You are in command," Anakin told him.
Anakin proceeded to take his transport to Korriban for his next task. The ship left the Star Destroyer hanger and sped toward the ancient Sith home world. The shuttle landed on the dessert floor. The sky was brown from the continuous volcanic activity on the planet.
Anakin stepped onto the ground and looked around. Four large tombs were on either side. In the center were pillars, some of which were broken down. Anakin with his Storm trooper escort walked towards the ancient Sith Academy. After a few moments Anakin reached the entrance and with a waive of his hand the doors opened allowing him inside.
The Academy was well lit with old fashioned lamps and torches. As Anakin reached the center of the academy he could sense the Force's presence strengthen. Three dozen children were being taught a lesson.
"Master Skywalker," the fallen Jedi said surprised.
"Vilkrov, how are the children?" Anakin asked.
"Very well," the Twilek told him.
Anakin nodded. "It's safe now, they can go back to Coruscant," Anakin told him.
"Master Skywalker, we want to stay here," one of the children told him.
Anakin frowned not understanding. "We like this place," he said speaking for the group who also nodded their heads.
"Master Vilkrov told us of a cave and dark creatures," another said.
"A cave?" Anakin asked.
"There is an opening to a cave not to far from here, the children wanted to go inside but I forbid them," Vilkrov told Anakin.
Anakin could sense something, it wasn't right. "You will create a new Jedi academy here and will teach half of the children. Half of them will come with me to Coruscant," Anakin ordered.
"It shall be done, I always agreed with your sympathies concerning the Jedi council," Vilkrov said.
Anakin smiled weakly. "Well, we no longer have to worry about them now," Anakin said. "A supply ship will be sent here soon," he added.
Anakin leaving the academy came onto the cave Vilkrov had found. "Shall we come with you," the Storm trooper commander asked.
"No, I will do this alone," Anakin told him.
Proceeding into the cave it wasn't long before a creature tried to attack him. Igniting his blue light saber Anakin sliced into the winged creatures. Walking carefully into the cave Anakin slaughtered the creatures that tried to attack him. Upon reaching the back end of the cave Anakin found a purplish glow. Static electricity flowed through the cave lighting up the entrance to a new section.
Anakin approached the energy field and attempted to enter. Immediately he was taken to his knees. Unable to move Anakin was forced to move out of the field. Concentrating on the Force he tried to make him immune to the dark energy. To no avail he was sent to ground. Amazed at the power of the field Anakin backed away and decided to dismiss the phenomenon.
Exiting the cave Storm troopers waited for him. Anakin telling them nothing went back to the shuttle. With half of the children, the shuttle lifted off and headed back to Coruscant.
Upon his arrival to Coruscant Anakin ordered new elections to be taken place while the military prosecuted the guilty senators. In doing so he sent a message to all of the systems to have them support him as reigning ruler until order was restored to the Republic. He also added that they should vote for candidates that would be favorable to his message.
One month later
Anakin looked at the holographic image of Padme in the chancellor's office. "I will be with you soon," a fatigued Anakin told her. He put his hand where her face would be if she had been there. Suddenly Imperial officials entered the room to brief him on the prosecution of the traitorous senators. Anakin turned off the hologram and turned his chair around to face them.
"What is it?" he asked annoyed.
"One hundred senators have been successfully prosecuted, the rest have been released," the officials told him.
"And the courts?" Anakin asked.
"Seven judges on the Supreme Court and two dozen lower court judges have been convicted," the official reported.
Anakin sighed. "Send them to Kessel, they'll know how to deal with them," Anakin ordered.
"Very good sir," the official carried out the order.
A week later Anakin addressed the Republic Senate in its entirety. Those that had been convicted had been replaced. Anakin entered the chancellor's chair and allowed it to rise in elevation. A new Chief Justice stood next to Anakin.
"The Senate has been cleansed of corruption and criminal acts," Anakin announced.
The Senate gave him polite applause. "A new order will be formed. Every system will have a regional governor and a small fleet so that every system has security and freedom," Anakin declared.
The Senate gave him a more enthusiastic applause. "A new Jedi order will be formed, one that will be controlled by the Republic, not themselves. They will defend one called upon but they will not take positions of power in the military. Never again will the Jedi be able to overthrow the Republic we have built," Anakin told the Senators.
The majority of Senators cheered this announcement. "There is no peace where there is tyranny; there is no prosperity where there is fear. The Republic will double its military capacity within a few years," Anakin told the Senate.
The speech was well received by the Republic, immediately Anakin became the hero of many Republic citizens. Through the help of Imperial propaganda that went through the media outlets Anakin was looked upon as hero in the Clone Wars and defended the Republic from the arrogant Jedi and corrupt Palpatine. Seeing it appropriate Anakin ordered the destruction of Palpatine's statues in the Coruscant squares.
Anakin ventured toward the Jedi temple. It had been reconstructed. The library was now repaired and under new management. The damage the temple sustained was now repaired as before. The halls were of dark memories as Anakin remembered how he was forced to fight against his fellow Jedi. Taking the elevator he found himself in the Jedi Council room. Yoda's pillow and seat remained as before. But now the room was dark and empty.
Anakin went into the Jedi academy and found the children practicing with small non-lethal light sabers. They had head masks covering their faces as they blocked the small laser coming from metallic robotic balls. Anakin smiled in amusement. Sensing his presence they took their masks off.
"Master Skywalker," they all said respectfully.
"Tell me the Jedi code," he ordered.
"There is no fear, there is power. There is no death, there is immortality. There is no weakness, there is passion. I am the heart of the Force. I know no fear, but rather I install it in my enemies. I bring order where there is chaos. I know the power of the Force whether it be light or dark. I am the fire of righteousness; all who commit evil will bow before me. I pledge myself to the Jedi, for I have found salvation in the Force," they sounded off.
"Good, let us meditate on this," Anakin suggested.
I am surprised and encouraged by your feedback; you can always give me suggestions concerning the timeline between III and IV as well as Jedi names. The more this story progresses the more Anakin may seem (out of character) so check me on that. I also have very limited knowledge on the book series between III and IV, so don't hesitate to review. Thanks.