Tremayne took an elevator to the lower levels, the Coruscant prisons. Tremayne and his escort ignored the cries of the prisoners as he went through the rows. Eventually he found his prize, a Jedi exile.

"I hope you find your accommodations to your liking Jedi," Tremayne sneered.

Releasing the prisoner, he led him to another room away from the other prisoners. The guards strapped Corwin Shelvay to a table and put him in an upright position. "So Jedi, maybe you will talk today," Tremayne said fixing a needle.

Corwin said nothing resisting Tremayne the best he could. "Tell me where Darrin Arkanian is?" he demanded.

Corwin struggled as the poison went through his body. "You resist, well, in that case we will try a different form of persuasion," Tremayne said.

Raising his hand electricity struck Corwin in small doses. Corwin screamed in agony as the lighting flashed through him. The door closed, Tremayne disappointed walked down the halls toward his office. He would keep him as long as it took to get the answer he wanted.

For two weeks Tremayne kept Corwin torturing him almost to the breaking point. Much to Tremayne's frustration Corwin refused to give up the location of his master.

Jedi Master Darrin Arkanian arrived in Coruscant in an attempt to rescue his apprentice. Successfully fooling the guards he found Corwin and walked him out of the prison. Before they could move a significant distance Tremayne and his storm troopers stopped them.

"It seems I have you both now," Tremayne smiled.

Darrin ignited his green light saber. Tremayne took out his light saber and ignited his red one. The two circled each other while the storm troopers watched.

"I have been looking forward to do this," Tremayne said.

"You have been twisted by the dark side, come back to the light, don't forget your master's teachings," Darrin tried to convince him.

"He was always critical, said I was vain, but now my pride is justified. I will destroy you here," Tremayne replied.

The two clashed with their light sabers, Tremayne took the upper hand against the older man. Corwin could only watch as the two fought. Tremayne grunted with effort as he tried to control the fight. The Jedi master was too much for him sending him back. Darrin suddenly kicked him to the ground. Tremayne got back to his feet and blocked Darrin at the last moment. "You can't win," Darrin told him. Tremayne looked at his storm troopers. "Lower your defenses or I will have your apprentice killed," Tremayne said. The storm troopers aimed their weapons at Corwin. Darrin looked at Corwin and then at Tremayne. "I must do what I must," he said lowering his light saber.

Tremayne swung his light saber at Darrin killing him. "I'll kill you," Corwin shouted using the Force he grabbed his master's light saber and ran at Tremayne.

Tremayne could barely contain the young Jedi. "Where did this strength come from?" he wondered. Corwin suddenly slashed off his right arm, the blade then sliced into his face. Tremayne fell to the ground in pain. Corwin with a furious look went back to his master.

"I defeated him," Corwin said.

"At what cost," Darrin coughed and died in front of him.

Corwin left his master and escaped into the streets. "After him," Tremayne shouted as he bled all over the floor. Corwin took his master's ship and departed from Coruscant before the storm troopers could get to him.

Tremayne lay in the hospital; the medical droids attached a synthetic right arm and began to repair his face. Implanting an artificial red eye in his eye socket and then metallically replacing his cracked skull.

Anakin came to visit his injured Inquisitor and student. Tremayne stood at attention as Anakin entered. Anakin stared at Tremayne's injuries a little surprised. "You killed one of the exiles?" Anakin asked.

"Yes sir," Tremayne said.

Anakin nodded. "One of them escaped though," Anakin considered.

"I have my agents on his trail my Lord," Tremayne said.

"It's of no concern, he isn't a threat anymore. I want to give you a command," Anakin said.

"I would gratefully accept such an honor," Tremayne said.

"You will have to give me your light saber," Anakin said.

"My light saber, but why?" Tremayne asked.

"Jedi serve, they do not command. You have been a good student and you have pleased me with your service, but now your role has changed. Give me your light saber and I will give you your command," Anakin said.

Tremayne considered. Taking his light saber he handed it to Anakin. "You will be assigned the Interrogator, it suits you," Anakin smirked walking away.

Imperial Academy at Carida

Han Solo walked into the academy building and enlisted into the Imperial Academy to become an officer. Han quickly became a bit of a rogue but was tolerated considering he was best in his class. His frustrated fellow class mate Soontir Fel would always seem to score second best. Han without any connections eventually made friends with Mako Spince, a fellow pilot.

Padme arrived in the chancellor's office; the children were at the Jedi Temple. "We have found some disturbing news on Reslia. It appears the Lortan have decided to purge the world of all non-Lortan sentient life," Sate read to her.

"We must stop them, bring the fleet to Reslia," Padme ordered.

"As you wish my Lady," Sate bowed.

Star Destroyers arrived at Reslia to stop the purge. Major Veers took his troops down to the planet and successfully killed off the offending Lortan. It was the first major military order of Padme's term.

"I thought you were all about peace," Anakin chided her.

"There are times when negotiations become more aggressive than expected," she replied.

"Oh, I see," Anakin smiled.

"I won't let another planet suffer the way Naboo did," Padme affirmed.

Before the Battle of Yavin 9

Padme lead a peaceful Senate. Small skirmished between exiles and Jedi occurred almost always ending in success for the empire. Padme signed an executive order sending aid to the Chadra Fan after a powerful earthquake shattered their planet. These and other acts of mercy made Padme well known and liked in the galaxy.

Padme and Sate went over details for the next budget session when a huge explosion rattled the floor. "It came from over there," Sate said. The two ran over to Anakin's museum and collection of all those he managed to kill. Dash Rendar was on the floor not moving. Immediately Padme went over to him. "He will live, get a medical unit," Padme ordered.

"I'm sorry my Lady, the engines went out, tried to avoid….," he muttered.

"Don't talk, we'll get you back in a new ship in no time," Padme encouraged him.

BBY 8

Anakin was on the star destroyer Devastator when he received a transmission from Falleen concerning the outbreak of deadly bacteria. The bacteria would spread throughout the entire planet if not stopped soon. Anakin had ordered a biological weapons lab on the planet in case such a weapon was needed. Now this secret would be exposed.

Biting the bullet Anakin sent a transmission to Coruscant. "Yes," Padme answered.

"A bacteria outbreak had occurred on Falleen, the fleet is ready to quarantine," Anakin said.

"Quarantine? It's that serious?" Padme asked.

"Within a few weeks the entire planet will feel symptoms," Anakin predicted.

"How would you quarantine?" Padme asked.

"We will have to destroy the capital city where the bacteria originated," Anakin told her.

"How did this happen?" Padme asked grieved.

"It's not known, but we think the exiles may have sabotaged a weapon depot," Anakin lied.

"Do what you have too," Padme said sadly. The hologram disappeared. "Lord," the captain asked.

"Begin the quarantine, nothing escapes," Anakin ordered.

Several Star Destroyers arranged themselves so as to bomb the capital city. "Fire," Anakin said softly. Beams of light went through space and sliced into the city. The city began to explode as the lasers concentrated on one spot. Skyscrapers, streets, apartments exploded through the bombardment.

After a few moments the Star Destroyers stopped firing. "I want status reports on this system, nothing should have escaped," Anakin ordered.

Anakin walked off the bridge to enter his meditation chamber. He felt guilt ridden that he had caused the outbreak, those who had allowed it to break out were dead, no one to blame but himself, and then he lied to wife. The meditation chamber closed around Anakin. Closing his eyes he felt peace come to him.

BBY 6

Padme and Anakin along with the twins were at the Naboo ceremony honoring Padm's niece Pooja who had been appointed by Queen Kylantha to become the next senator of Naboo. Pooja Naberrie was now twenty and had grown up to look very much like her aunt. After the ceremony she greeted her parents, her grand parents, and her aunt Padme.

"I hope this appointment pleases you master Jedi," Queen Kylantha said to Anakin off to the side.

"Very much so," Anakin said.

BBY 5

Kashyyyk

Commander Nyklas and Lieutenant Solo were in charge of the planet of Kashyyyk. Solo at the time didn't know that Wookies were specifically working on parts for the Death Star although it was assumed his commander did. Solo despised Kashyyyk's swampy conditions but held some fascination for the Wookies.

Storm troopers and Imperial officers looked over the construction that was taking place. Solo saw a Wookie fixing what looked to be an engine. The engine began sending sparks, the Wookie immediately ran from underneath it before it exploded. Solo put his hands up to his face as scrap metal rained down.

"Kill that Wookie," Commander Nyklas ordered Solo.

"I'm sure it was just a mistake," Solo said.

"That was an order," Nyklas pressed.

Solo shook his head, taking his pistol he descended down the hill toward the Wookie. The Wookie had already been injured from the explosion and couldn't move. Solo took the pistol and aimed it at the Wookie's head.

"No, I can't do it," he said withdrawing the pistol.

"If you won't do it, I will," the commander said furious taking his own pistol out. The Wookie growled but was unable to move as the commander took aim. Solo turned around and fired blasting the commander's hand. The commander let loose his pistol and yelled in pain.

"It looks like we're both in a lot of trouble," Solo muttered. The Wookie grunted in agreement.

Solo was arrested and transported back to Coruscant. The Wookie was also taken as well. Solo was sent into a room where several navy officers were seated.

"Lieutenant Solo, you have been charged with disobeying a direct order and assaulting a high ranking officer," Imperial Instructor Ozzel said.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" he allowed.

"The order was wrong and I refused it," Solo said.

"How can you be sure the order was wrong, are you a commander or a captain?" Ozzel asked.

Solo smirked. "I think I can tell what is right and wrong?" Solo said.

"You think this is funny, this is your court martial trial," Ozzel said upset.

"I am quite aware," Solo said sarcastically.

"And yet you continue to disrespect this committee," Ozzel continued.

"I would never disrespect the committee or the ranks here, but I do not respect a man who would kill a sentient creature in cold blood, or reduce an entire race to slavery," Solo replied.

"You mean these Wookies? They're not human," Ozzel said.

"One doesn't have to be human to be intelligent," Solo said.

"I think we have heard enough," Ozzel said. "We will now decide what to do with you and the Wookie," Ozzel said. The military officers left the room leaving the Wookie and Han alone.

"A bunch of idiots," Han commented.

Chewbacca agreed giving a Wookie laugh.

"Idiots?" a voice asked.

Solo and the Wookie turned to the dark figure coming towards him. "That was a grand performance," Anakin said approaching them.

"Sir, I meant…." Solo tried to back track.

Anakin waived his hand to cut him off. "I wouldn't worry about this court martial, you will be given a command within the year," Anakin said.

"Thank you sir," Solo said astonished.

"It's the least I could do, besides we need honest people like you," Anakin said.

"What about the Wookie," Solo said.

"He's under your command Solo, I understand he's a good mechanic," Anakin smiled.

"When they enter this room don't say anything stupid," Anakin said leaving them.

It wasn't long before the naval officers reentered the room. "We have made a decision," Ozzel said. "Solo you are hereby court martialed, and the Wookie will be executed," Ozzel said.

"I think you should reconsider, Ozzel," Anakin said from behind them.

"My Lord, I didn't know," he said speechless.

"Assume I can see everything," Anakin said.

"We will indeed reconsider," Ozzel said taking Anakin's request.

Ozzel was stunned by the request. "You are free to go Commander Solo," Anakin said using the Force to deactivate his hand cuffs.

"I want a formal investigation into the Kashyyyk system," Anakin ordered.

"It shall be done," commander Nyklas said.

"My wife will be visiting the system soon and you know what that means," Anakin reminded him.

"Yes sir," the commander said.

Author's Note: BBY stands for Before the Battle of Yavin, although the Battle of Yavin may or may not be significant in this fiction. ABY will stand for After the Battle of Yavin.

It is assumed that Padme wins the Chancellor election of 6 BBY, her term ends 2 BBY.

Teaser:

"I grow tired of this, so I will ask one more time. Where is the rebel base," Tarkin demanded of Leia.

Leia stared at Naboo. "It's on Yavin Four, Yavin Four," she said sadly.

"See, she can be reasonable," Tarkin turned to Luke.

"You may fire when ready," Tarkin ordered.