Thanks again to all my readers. Here's another chapter for your reading pleasures. Enjoy!

Emerald Green Queen: Happy to know that you found both Sabe's and Obi-Wan's actions to be in character. Since Jedi weren't celebates, I think they would handle 'relations' sometimes too casually and potentially offend someone whose belief systems are more stringent. Being that as it may, Sabe would definitely hold a grudge against him, especially after feeling 'abadonded. Glad that this helps solve her distaste for the Jedi. The breadcrumbs were necessary in order to keep you on the edge of your seat ;). And yes, usually all's well that end's well, but we'll definitely reserve our full judgement until everything unfolds hint hint I'm curious to read whether your hunch about the end will be correct. Hope you like this chapter. As for JF, until I finish this story, I'm afraid it will be on the shelf. But hopefully over the holidays I might get inspired. Thanks again for the lengthy review. :)

Sweet Christabel: Thanks a bunch!

Pokey: A thousand thanks!

"What do you think the Emperor wants, Milady?" Elermaé asked, unable to hide the worry in her voice.

Sabé's expression remained neutral, forming a steeple with her hands as her mind raced. She didn't believe it was possible for Palpatine to have learned of her suspicions. Yet this summons was too coincidental. She was further confounded by the revelation of Vader being on Mustafar about the same time as Padmé. Was it possible that he knew something useful? Could he be the traitor Obi-Wan was sent after? Still, why would Padmé go after him unless…

"Did you find anything at all concerning Anakin Skywalker's death?" Sabé asked quickly, turning to the still fretting handmaiden.

Elermaé's face contorted with uncertainty as she reached for the datapad. After keying in several queries, her checks became deep red as she looked at the Inquisitor. "I cannot believe I missed this. The Imperial survey team sent to recover the slain Separatist leaders' bodies reported finding a Jedi Starfighter which later identified it as belonging to Anakin Skywalker."

Sabé turned her head swiftly, giving the handmaiden an astonished glance. "How did they know it was his? Did they find his body?"

She shook her head. "Their initial report only characterized it as one of the Jedi's old starfighters. However, Darth Vader himself amended it, identifying the ship as Skywalker's. He also added that Skywalker fell into a lava pit during the siege."

Sabé's jaw dropped in astonishment. "Obi-Wan said that he died before then. Why would he lie to me?" She paced about her office anxiously before asking, "Did they find any other ships?"

The handmaiden shook her head. "Nothing else but that one."

She continued to amble about listlessly, trying to force the necessary pieces to fit into the complicated puzzle. Sabé then turned to her assistant. "Something not right. If we assume that Skywalker died by Lord Vader's hand on Mustafar, how would Padmé know about it on Coruscant?

"It's not possible, unless…"

"Both she and Obi-Wan went together, perhaps without his knowledge. That would explain why there were no other ships." She surmised.

"Begging your pardon Milady but wasn't Senator Amidala already heavily pregnant at that point?" Sabé nodded curtly. "Then I don't know how she could have stowed away on her own ship, given her condition. Not to mention, only she knew the combination for the navicomputer."

The Inquisitor looked at her silently as she continued to turn over the events in her mind. Sabé believed she knew Obi-Wan well enough that he wouldn't knowingly place their friend in danger. Still, he had lied about Anakin's death unless Lord Vader falsified his report. Although, what reason would he have to lie? Wasn't Anakin Skywalker just another renegade Jedi that he was ordered to capture or kill? Even more troubling, how did Vader know who he was unless he really was once a Jedi?

Sabé released a loud sigh before marching towards her closet. Pulling out one of her nondescript burgundy hooded cloaks, she draped it around herself and headed towards the exit. Concerned, Elermaé called out. "Your Honor, where are you going at this time of night?"

She turned around swiftly. "To get answers."

The Imperial Senate rotunda was ominously dark as she scurried down its voluminous corridors. She had always wondered why the Sith Lord decided to take up residence in this building rather than the Imperial Palace. Perhaps another one of his many undisclosed duties required him to keep a watchful eye over the Senate. The Rebel Alliance, which had been once considered as a mild nuisance, was slowly gaining sympathy amongst many of members of the Imperial Senate; this was something that aggravated Palpatine, prompting him to escalate the number of strikes against the nomadic band of brigands.

Finally reaching the top level, which belonged solely to Vader, Sabé walked carefully inside. Vader's office was a circular room filled with bay windows on the periphery. It was sparsely decorated, with only a large desk at the far end. As the Grand Inquisitor's eyes adjusted to the absence of light, she spotted a tall figure standing with his back towards her, observing the city's skyline. "I take it that this isn't a courtesy call." Vader quipped as he somewhat turned his head.

Suddenly feeling weak-kneed, Sabé steadied herself before closing the distance. "I'm afraid not, my Lord."

He flashed a slight grin before moving to the center of the room. Vader then sat on the floor crossed legged, never removing his eyes from her as he positioned himself. "I heard you started an investigation despite the Emperor's wishes. I have to say that was quite…courageous of you."

"The truth needs to be revealed."

"Ah, the truth," Vader said, looking intently at her. "Sometimes the truth depends greatly on our particular point of view."

She shook her head quickly. "No. It is something that is immutable and not subject to interpretation. The truth is what is real; everything else is just a lie."

"I didn't realize what an absolutist you were, Sabé. Are you sure you are not a Sith in disguise?" He said with a crooked grin.

"No, my Lord." She responded softly. "It is because I have no use for falsehoods."

"But don't we all wear some sort of mask…To hide what we really carry inside?"

Sabé sighed and shook her head in frustration. This was the normal direction their conversations took, her questions would be deflected and scrutinized until she forgot what she wanted to ask him or he would walk off without a reply. She often wondered if the Dark Lord truly appreciated her intellect or simply possessed a frustratingly twisted sense of humor. In either case, she would not allow his riddles to detract from her question.

Vader smirked knowingly before closing his eyes. "What is it that you seek from me?"

"I need answers, my Lord and I don't know where else to find them."

"To locate what you seek, you only need to open your eyes." He calmly responded.

A low moan escaped Sabé as her frustration grew. "I can feel how troubled you are, my friend." He observed, opening his eyes to look at her. As Sabé nodded slightly, Vader rose to his feet. "Walk with me."

Unwilling to miss this opportunity, the Grand Inquisitor followed Vader out his room and down into the empty corridors of the Senate building. She proceeded to tell him everything about her investigation into the deaths of Padmé's handmaidens. However, she did not mention anything about Padmé or her late husband. The Sith Lord listened carefully, not saying anything as they continued to walk.

"The medical examiner felt that Saché's death was at the hands of a renegade Jedi who used the Force to choke her to death. But Moteé and Dormé were electrocuted. I've never heard of such of thing." Sabé admitted.

Vader paused to look at her. "The history of the Sith is filled with those who could conjure lightening from their hands. They said it took a special affinity with the Darkside to accomplish such a thing."

"The Darkside? "Sabé asked, suspiciously looking at him.

"The Force is like an aqueduct that can be siphoned by those who can feel it. The range possibilities that it possesses is infinite, just as long the one who uses it doesn't fear its power, like the Jedi."

She slightly backed away from him, causing Vader to smirk at her reaction. "Don't worry, Sabé. I am unable to produce Force lightening." Vader held up his artificial arm. "It takes both hands which obviously I lack." He added bitterly.

Sabé gave him an apologetic look. "Then do you think the doctor was right? A renegade Jedi is responsible for the other handmaidens' deaths?"

He leaned against a support rail as he looked out a nearby window. "The Jedi are…were too weak." Vader then turned his head, looking at her ominously. "No. This person who is committing these crimes is powerful in the Darkside, which was contrary to their beloved code."

The Inquisitor cautiously moved to his side. "But aren't you the only one of your kind left?"

Vader nearly laughed aloud, shaking his head. "The Sith have abided by the rule of two for over a thousand years."

"Then who..."

"…is my Master?" He finished. As Sabé nodded, he answered with a question. "Who else in this galaxy is more powerful than me?"

"Other than the Jedi, I've never seen anyone else wield the Force like you."

The Dark Lord shook his head. "That is not what I meant. Who could move whole worlds or bring destruction to entire civilizations with a single order?"

"Palpatine?" Sabé breathed out in complete astonishment.

Vader nodded. "He's responsible for all the major events of the past two decades, including the destruction caused by the Trade Federation on your home world." He paused briefly before adding, "His rise to power in the Senate was carefully orchestrated. He had even convinced Queen Amidala to call for the vote that subsequently removed Chancellor Valorum from power."

"How could he?" Sabé gasped. "Naboo is his homeworld!"

"He didn't care about the Naboo or the people of the Republic. Count Dooku was his apprentice throughout the Clone Wars, which he controlled from both sides as millions died needlessly."

Sabé unconsciously responded. "That was until Anakin Skywalker destroyed him."

Vader jolted in surprise, his face contorting in anger as he turned to her. "That coward was merely fortunate to survive the encounter."

"Then you knew him?" Sabé observed.

He chuckled slightly as he answered, "Knew him well enough not to grieve over his merging with the Force."

"Were you rivals?"

"Of a sort." He responded, dismissively waving his hand. "We had similar goals, but we differed in our…solutions."

"Did he really live up to his moniker, the Hero With No Fear?"

Narrowing his eyes, Vader folded his arms snugly against his chest. "Anyone who claims to lack fear is a fool. Fear is a powerful emotion and when channeled correctly, can drive us to do things…sometimes terrible things," he said with his voice trailing off.

Her heart racing and the desire to know burning brightly in her mind, Sabé asked, "Did you have anything to do with his death?"

Vader stood silent, turning away from her. At first Sabé wondered if he had heard her question, but his anxious pacing was proof to the contrary. "No. I had nothing to do with his end." As she sighed in relief, he added, "However, his Master did."

Her head shot up in shock. "What?"

He smirked briefly before answering. "The Jedi were the ultimate hypocrites."

"How can that be? I thought they believed in forgiveness."

"Go to their Temple," Vader instructed. "There you will learn of their lies."

Sabé withdrew carefully as she observed the murderous grin consume Vader's face. Yet, her thirst for the truth prevented her from fleeing. "Did Skywalker die on Mustafar?"

"Yes."

She took in a deep breath of air before continuing. "Was his wife present?"

It appeared as if every muscle in the Dark Lord's body stiffened at that very moment. Vader then stalked rapidly towards her, causing Sabé to back herself against the wall. He stopped several centimeters before her, his icy blue eyes burrowing into her. With a vicious sneer, he answered. "She was indeed."

"Do you know what happened there?" Sabé nervously inquired.

Vader's cruel smile only grew as he nodded. "She betrayed him."

"That's…impossible."

His eyebrows rose in interest as he remarked, "Is it?"

"Padmé Amidala was never disloyal to anyone in her entire life," She declared, placing both hands defiantly on her hips.

"Perhaps you didn't know your friend as well as you believed, handmaiden? I'm sure you would have been quite surprised to learn what she was capable of."

"What would you know of it?" She retorted, her entire body now trembling.

"People never are what they seem,." he answered, giving her a knowing look. "Take Palpatine, for instance. You and others believed him to be a great man, but in the end, we were all deceived. Even though some good came from his treachery, does that mean everything that he has touched is evil?"

"Stop speaking in riddles!"

Vader chortled, turning his attention towards the rising sun. "I sense that my Master is expecting you." He then gave her a sideways glance. "It is unwise to keep him waiting."

Sabé frowned. "I won't leave until you answer me."

"Your inquest is at an end, Inquisitor," Vader said, narrowing his eyes as he continued to glare. "Stop now before you find yourself on the wrong side."

"I cannot, my Lord." Sabé responded in an apologetic tone.

Vader turned abruptly, ominously pointing his finger at her. "If you will not stop, then you will meet your destiny!" His cloaked billowed in the air as he stalked in the other direction, leaving her alone.

Rubbing at the ache at the bridge of her nose, Sabé crumpled exhaustedly into her seat. Captain Hugh Panaka, Queen Amidala's chief of security had drilled her both mentally and physically over her abilities to act as the new monarch's decoy. The position of the decoy had been a practice that survived from the last dynasty of rulers, prior to the constitutional monarchy. It was an office of honor, given to the reigning monarch's most worthy attendant, but it was also a hazardous one since that person was often in harm's way.

Sabé had been a good friend of Padmé Naberrie during their days at the Academy. However, she would not accept special treatment so she went through the normal application process. Sabé knew she had done well on the written examinations and had defended herself adequately against Panaka and several of his well-trained guards. Yet, she found herself growing more nervous when the petite, white painted face Queen entered. As she knelt down in respect, she marveled at how her friend had disappeared behind the dispassionate mask of the Naboo ruler.

"You may rise." Amidala quietly ordered. Sabé obeyed, standing straight to look at the Queen directly. "I have a few questions for you."

"I thought you might."

"It said in your file that you were involved in several altercations while at the Academy, one of them being with an instructor. The rest were against older, more senior students in positions of responsibility."

Sabé groaned to herself while trying to maintain an aura of detachment. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"So, authority means nothing to you?" Amidala asked, curiously watching her.

"Rather the reverse, Your Highness." Sabé answered, folding her arms defiantly. "But defending my friends who were victimized by abuse of that misplaced authority was much more important than blind obedience to the rules." She paused briefly to catch Amidala's glance. "I have no problem following orders, just as long as they are just and fair. And in return, I will offer my unswerving loyalty, to the death if necessary."

"And you don't intend to back away from that stance?"

"No, Your Majesty."

A thin line of a smile broke through the Queen's stoic mask. "Excellent. I would expect no less than what I would do for everyone under my charge." She placed her hand gently on Sabé's shoulder. "Honor and loyalty are everything to me. Without these, we are only in power for our own ambitions and not for the good of the people.

Sabé nodded. "I agree, Your Highness."

Amidala's smile grew and she nodded. "I thought as much." She paused briefly before saying, "I would be honored if you became my decoy and chief handmaiden, Lady Kelaria."

Sabé smiled as she mimicked Amidala's gesture. "No, Your Majesty…The honor would be mine in serving you and our people."

After rushing back to her home to change, Sabé arrived at the Imperial Palace barely on time for her audience with the Emperor. For several moments, she had contemplated carrying several concealed weapons. However, if what Lord Vader had told her was true, Palpatine would be an equally formidable opponent. Her conventional weapons would be all but useless. Sabé nervously fettered with the cloak that draped her as she rode the turbolift to the Emperor's throne room. Hopefully the spirits would be watching over her.

Upon entering, she was astounded that most of the members of the Inner Circle were already seated. Sabé hurriedly approached the throne where she respectfully bowed as she made her presence known. "I humbly offer my greetings, Your Highness."

Palpatine grinned as he lifted his hands. "Rise, rise, my friend. It is agreeable to see you once more."

"And you as well, Your Majesty," she answered with a forced a smile.

The Emperor pointed to an empty chair, motioning for her to sit. Silence immediately filled the room as Palpatine raised his hand to speak. "I am pleased to share with you that Project Death Star celebrated another success this week." Sabé, who had never heard about this project, became nervous as she noticed the overwhelming glee radiating off of the normally disagreeable Tarkin.

"Begging your pardon, Your Majesty, but I am unfamiliar with this Death Star."

Palpatine grinned evilly while wringing his hands. "It is…a way that we will eventually rid ourselves of the rebels."

"Is it a weapon?"

"You needn't concern yourself with it at this point." The Emperor waved his hand, brushing aside her question. "It is after great consideration, as well as years of dedicated service that I have come to this decision." He then looked over to Sabé who tried to clear her mind of all that she knew; worried that he could read her thoughts. "Our Grand Inquisitor has done well in her role here on Imperial City and I believe she should be rewarded."

"My liege?" she asked in confusion.

"I have decided to name you Grand Moff of the entire Chommell Sector, Lady Kelaria."

Sabé rose to her feet, unable to contain her mirth. "Your Highness…I am at a loss."

"I thought you might." Palpatine remarked. "Then I take it that you are willing to accept this honor?"

"It is a position that I have always aspired for." She answered. At that same moment, a large huff erupted from the other side of the table—from Moff Tarkin. She inwardly rolled her eyes.

Palpatine momentarily glared at him before returning his attention to Sabé. "And as a result of that office, you are free to establish your base of operations anywhere in that sector."

"When does this change go into effect?"

"Why immediately, my dear," The Emperor replied. "Our people are in need of your profound wisdom as we continue to make our Empire stronger."

"And what of my current duties?"

A sly grin filled Palpatine's face. "I'm assuming you are referring to your little investigation." Sabé gave him a curt nod. He then answered, "You needn't worry yourself about that. Your successor will continue."

Sabé's mirth dissolved. She knew this promotion was created in order to conveniently bury the inquiry. Yet, this was what she wanted—a chance to return home; to be a real mother to Sienna and a wife to Thomas. However, if she were to accept it, all that had been lost would have been for nothing. What she needed was time. She looked up briefly at Lord Vader, standing to the right of the Emperor, who nodded subtly at her.

"Such a monumental decision…With all due respect, Your Highness, I need to confer with my husband before I can accept."

Palpatine's sanguine smile quickly morphed into a disapproving glower. "By all means. Consult your dear consort, Lady Kelaria; but, do it quickly! I will not offer this again."

Sabé smiled slightly and half-bowed. "With your permission then, may I take my leave?"

"Off you go," Palpatine ordered, feigning a smile of delight.

TBC-Thoughts, reviews, suggestions and comments are always welcomed :)