The journey to Byss took some time due to it's location in the galaxy. During the trip Anakin mediated on his past decisions and future actions. He could sense the dark side creeping into his mind as he went closer to Byss.
Upon reaching Byss Anakin, Sa, and Sly walked into the large space station. The Imperial Citadel was massive streaked in black. Anakin could feel its dark energy. "You may find disturbing things here," Sly warned as they walked into the station.
Immediately they were fired upon by Palpatine's Royal Guard. Anakin and Sa activated light sabers to deflect the bolts being fired at them. Sly fled into another room. Anakin force pushed two guards into the wall knocking them out. Sa whirled his light saber in a spinning motion slicing into two guards. Anakin sliced off the head of the last guard.
Anakin and Sa head back finding Sly in the computer room. She entered the codes needed to access the rest of the station. Typing in the correct sequence the doors opened. Anakin and Sa proceeded to enter the inner circle of the station.
"What is this?" Anakin asked out loud. Sa was speechless, Sly looked away. A dozen tanks filled with liquid and what appeared to be incomplete bodies. "In the even of his death Palpatine wanted a host body for his spirit," Sly explained.
"His spirit?" Anakin asked.
"Palpatine had the ability to transfer his spirit into other host bodies using the power of the dark side," Sly told them.
Flashback
"I have the power to save your wife," Palpatine promised him.
"He was so powerful in the dark side that he could save the ones he loved," Palpatine marveled.
End Flashback
"None of these clones are ready for transfer," Sa noted.
"Let's keep it that way. Destroy the tanks," Anakin ordered.
Sa drew his double blade and sliced into the tubes allowing the green liquid to flow out. Anakin did the same slicing into the tubes and shattering the glass. Within a short time Anakin and Sa had sliced through the tubes, destroyed the deformed bodies, and disconnected the computers.
Anakin had a look of disgust as his black boots were stained with the green yellowish fluid. Anakin, Sa, and Sly looked through the station searching for any oddities. Once finished with their search Anakin called for a Star Destroyer to arrive to repopulate the station. Considering the inner circle of the station as well as its relatively low profile Anakin planned on putting a Jedi academy on the station.
Anakin arrived in Coruscant just in time to greet the new candidates for officer positions in the Imperial navy. Hundreds of men lined up waiting the arrival of Lord Vader. They all had faded green officer uniforms and caps. They were almost all male and human. As Anakin entered the room all of the officers saluted.
Pleased with this show of confidence and power Anakin looked over a small fraction of the officers to be given captain, lieutenant commander, and lieutenant positions. "You are the best of the best and as such failure will not be tolerated," Anakin boomed.
"Yes Lord Vader," they all shouted in unison.
"Now leave to your ships, and bring about peace to the galaxy," Anakin shouted to the applause of the officers.
Feeling upbeat Anakin went into his Chancellor office. Sim Aloo greeted him as he took his chair. "Captain Voss Parck wishes to speak with you," he told him.
"Bring him in," Anakin allowed.
Captain Voss Parck walked into Anakin's office and gave off a salute. Anakin waived his hand lazily accepting the salute. "I have another recruit for you," he told Anakin.
A blue skinned alien in an Imperial uniform appeared at the captain's side. "His name is Mitth Raw Nuruodo," Park said.
"Friends call me Thrawn," the alien spoke.
Anakin nodded. "So what does he have to offer the empire?" Anakin asked.
"He's excellent in naval strategy," Parck said.
Anakin read over the heavily edited report. "In most cases I wouldn't allow an enemy of the Republic to become an officer, but maybe you can provide some leadership to the….you know," Anakin said putting the data pad down.
"You have impressed me Thrawn, you are promoted to lieutenant commander under Captain Parck," Anakin ordered.
"Thank you sir," Thrawn said departing with Parck.
Sim Aloo observing the scene said nothing but as soon as they were gone turned to Anakin. "I have added Kinman Doriana to your staff my Lord," he said in a monotone voice.
Anakin nodded pleased with how smoothly everything was going. "You have done well; all of you have done well. Since you have done in small responsibilities I will give you larger responsibilities," Anakin said.
"I serve at your pleasure my Lord," he replied.
Anakin took a shuttle and landed on one of the many landing bays on the Jedi Temple. As he entered the Jedi Temple he was met by Sa. The temple was filled with applicants many of them youth. "These are from all over the galaxy?" Anakin asked Sa. "No, these are only from Coruscant. The next floor has all the applicants from other planets," Sa informed him.
The applicants stood in long lines as Imperial officials signed them in. Each applicant would have a background check and tested for midi-chlorians. "I noticed you are not rejecting those who lack midi-chlorians," Sa said.
"The Jedi were arrogant, only allowing those who had high counts and never considering others," Anakin told him.
"Those who don't have the Force ability will only be able to be successful using the dark side," Sa warned.
"And that's a problem?" Anakin smirked.
A month later 19 BBY
Fourth Session of Congress
Anakin was congratulated by several senators on his easy election as Tatooine's Senator. Still presiding Chancellor Anakin took his seat among the thousands of Senators.
"Elections for Chancellor shall take place tomorrow, today's nominations will be announced," Anakin said.
"As my last act as emergency Chancellor all Separatist nations will fall under Imperial occupation where at least 90 of the population must swear loyalty to the empire. Until this occurs their industries will belong to the state, and will have no representation in the Senate," Anakin declared.
The Senate cheered widely wanting vengeance on the Separatists. "The resources they used to split the Republic in half will now be used to benefit the state. With these resources we will be able to double the fleet within ten years and double it again within another ten years. This is my plan for security," Anakin said.
The Senate applauded the motion. "This will cause only resentment among the Separatist nations and bring about another civil war. Vote against this measure," Senator Garm Bel Iblis said as his booth detached from the Senate walls.
Anakin glared at Garm but was reassured as many senators ridiculed him. "I assure you senator that our fleet and army will make it impossible for another war," Anakin said.
"You would rule the galaxy with an iron fist Jedi!" Garm continued.
"Order!" the Justice shouted.
"We will take this issue up tomorrow," Anakin said dismissing the Senate.
As Anakin went back to his chancellor chamber Padme met up with him. "You seem angry," she observed.
"They doubt my military." Anakin said still upset.
"Your military? The military belongs to the Republic," Padme corrected.
Anakin frowned almost reaching an emotional boiling point. "You're right, I have been under a lot of stress," Anakin relented.
"Pull yourself from the nomination," Padme suggested.
"The Senate demands it from me," Anakin said hiding his own ambition.
"Sometimes what people want is not what they need," Padme said.
Anakin said nothing as he continued to walk toward the Senate apartment building. "Give the Separatist mercy. There is more power in pardoning than force," Padme told him.
"I'll think about it," Anakin said leaving her.
"Pulling the bill is not an option my Lord," Janus said. "We need the Geonosians to construct the Death Star," he added.
"The Separatist will never agree to your terms, they will be a constant source of income and material for the empire," Ars advised.
"Yes, but what we're making them slaves," Anakin said his hands covering his face.
"It's not like they're human," Kren reminded him.
"What about the other matter?" Anakin asked.
"Our eight chosen senators have stayed steady concerning the use of the fleet against the Hutts. Organa's senators have done the same though," Sim reported.
"If we could convince one of Organa's senators to vote differently we could end this matter," Kren observed.
"I'll sort this out with Organa, set up an appointment to Alderan," Anakin ordered.
"Very good my Lord," Ars posted on his data pad.
"What of the election, do we have a good chance?" Anakin asked.
"Considering many systems are directly benefiting from the military contracts I would predict an easy victory," Sim said.
Sate Pestage entered the room. "You're late," Anakin said annoyed.
"Sorry my Lord, I was caught up," he excused.
"We were discussing my election chances," Anakin said.
Sate looked at everyone wondering why the topic was even being discussed. "My Lord, you will win. I can assure you of this," he said.
"Well I leave all of this to you, I have a meeting with the Jedi Council," Anakin said.
"Do not worry, we have everything under control," Sate assured him.
When Anakin left Sate turned to the others. "I have a list of sixty senators to be arrested for conspiracy against the state," he said giving them the list.
The four read over the list and nodded in approval. "We'll have the ISB take care of them," Sim said.
"This council will be different than the last one. We're going to take a pro active stance to problems within empire. Soon a Jedi will be stationed on every Star Destroyer to aid and monitor the fleet as well as assistants to the Moffs," Anakin explained to the group.
Sa, Jeng Droga, Kadann, Quinlan Vos, and four so called dark prophets/jedi sat in a circle as the original council had done. Yoda's special seat had been removed so as to not distract Anakin. Jeng Droga was fiercely loyal to Palpatine but believed the common propaganda that Obiwan Kenobi had killed the Emperor. Quinlan Vos and Khaleen Hentz were recruited by Anakin from Kashyyyk. Vos had been seriously injured by clone troopers when Order 66 was given.
"I have decided to organize the Jedi into teams. There will be three, a guardian, counselor, and sentinel," Anakin began.
"One will be trained in the light side, the other in dark side, and the third will be trained in practical operations that do not reflect either light or dark side elements," Anakin continued.
"Within these groups there will be attachments to keep the Sith and Jedi from fighting each other. In this way the Sith and Jedi will rely on each other," Anakin reasoned.
When the meeting was over Anakin turned to Vos. "I know that Khaleen is pregnant," he told him. Vos stiffened wondering where Anakin was going.
"I will not sacrifice my wife and child," Vos made clear.
"Of course not. I wanted you to consider having your child enroll into the Jedi academy," Anakin said.
"I will certainly consider it," Vos smiled.
The next day Anakin met with the Senate for the chancellor election. Sixty two senators however were missing from the vote. It was designed so that the senator's empty seats were not clustered so no one took much notice. If Anakin had arrested all 2,000 considerable clusters of empty seats would be present.
"The vote will take place now," Anakin ordered.
"There are absent senators," Senator Organa protested.
"The vote cannot be postponed, democracy requires participation," Anakin replied.
Senator Organa withdrew his objection defeated yet again by the popular Jedi. "This whole election is a joke," he muttered.
"You may begin voting," the Justice shouted.
Padme looked at her computer screen. She could choose Senator Organa whose political views aligned with her or her husband. "Trust me Padme," she heard him in her head. She pushed the choice for her husband.
Anakin after voting for himself lay back into his seat and went into a trance. He could sense the thoughts and feelings of those around them. "Trust me," he said through their minds.
Anakin shook hands with dozens of senators congratulating him on his victory. He had won in a landslide against his two opponents. He eventually pulled away from the crowd towards Padme. Organa said a few words to her and walked off. Anakin glared at him as he hurried away but turned to face Padme.
"You won!" Padme hugged Anakin.
"No we won," Anakin smiled kissing his wife in front of the senators watching.
The sixty two senators disappeared from the face of the galaxy never to be heard of from. Anakin neither cared nor wanted to know their fates. Fang Zar however escaped prosecution; the ISB didn't find it worth their time to publicly convict a harmless old man.
Anakin met with Sa as he was about to travel to Alderan. "I want you to come with me," Anakin told him.
"What is it that you want me to do, I am no diplomat," Sa said.
"I know, this assignment is for you and only you to hear," Anakin said.
"You are to kill this man," Anakin said giving him a picture of Fang Zar. "One less vote on the committee and I can end the investigation," Anakin reasoned.
Sa nodded taking the picture. "No witnesses," Anakin pressed. The two walked into the shuttle.
Upon landing on Alderan Senator Organa escorted him to his palace in the mountains. "You have a beautiful planet," Anakin remarked making small talk.
"Yes, we are spoiled to have such a world for ourselves," Organa said.
"Senator Fang Zar will be meeting us soon," Organa said as they sat down.
Anakin nodded excusing the wait. Breha joined them handing them drinks. "To the prosperity of the Republic," Organa toasted. Anakin agreed toasting.
Sa raced through the trees, close to his target. Jumping into the air he went through the branches of the trees and found his target. Falling from the trees Sa landed on the ground, his light saber whirling in a circle slicing into the senator's guards. Deactivating his white saber he swung through the guards slicing into them.
"I am a Senator of the Republic," Fang said firmly.
"The Republic exists no more," Sa sneered jumping and slicing across Fang's chest.
Star Wars Sith Redemption Teasers:
"Luke, I want you to meet Mara Jade, she will be on your team," Anakin told his son. The teenage Luke stared at Mara Jade and then back to his father.
"For your recklessness and refusal to obey orders I relieve you of your command," Ozzel told Lieutenant Solo. Han Solo smirked dismissing the Imperial Academy Instructor's opinion. Anakin stared into Solo. "Perhaps you should reconsider," he said.
"You should have not come back," Anakin's eyes burned into Ben's eyes their sabers clashing.
"Why must you embarrass father so," Luke asked Leia as they walked through the Organa's ship.
"Tarkin this is my daughter Leia," Anakin introduced.
"I don't like you," Leia said honestly.
"Charming little one," Tarkin smiled.