My Thanks to everyone who is reading and or lurking. Things are definitely coming to a head as we only have one chapter remaining. Hope you all enjoy this update!

Anna Lynx: Evil cliffes are fun to write. Your wish is my command!

Emerald Green Queen: Glad to satiate your need for an update. Yes, poor Luke has been through a lot, but hopefully some family time together will help. Perhaps his sister will aid in his intergration. And yes, old Palpy has finally caught on. We shall see what he has up his sleeve. As for Padme and Sabe' friendship, it has been the most stable element in the story. Poor Sabe would be lost without it and yes she will have to make some important decisions soon. How and why, we shall find out in the not too distant future. Thanks for the editoral spots. One of these days I will get it together. Thanks for reading!

Sweet Christabel: Thanks for your kind comments. I'm glad to know you are really enjoying this. Thanks so much for reading!

Pokey: Sometimes we like our villians to be as evil as they can. Nothing wrong with that ;). Thanks so much for reading!

Stephanie C: Wow! You really did a marathon reading session. Thank you for all your reviews; I truly appreciate it. And as for Padme's response, we shall learn soon how she feels about this 'situation.' Thanks again for taking time to read!

Observing the large battle column approaching the Palace, Sabé hurried inside the throne room to make sure the evacuation was complete. She paused in the doorway when she saw the Queen standing silently in front of the window.

"Your Majesty, you must leave. The Trade Federation will storm the Palace any minute."

Calmly turning her head, Amidala retorted, "I'm not leaving."

Sabé grabbed her shoulder. "What?"

"I cannot abandon our people, especially now when they need me the most." Her features hardened as she continued, " I will not seek escape when others don't have the same luxury."

"Your Majesty…Padmé…" Sabé said, softening her voice. "I understand your reasons, but staying here is suicide." She paused to give Amidala a knowing look. "At least let me fulfill my duty as your decoy and steer the danger away from you."

The Queen clenched her jaw. "I will not let you or anybody else stand in my place. My fate will be no different than that of our people."

"But what will happen to them if the Trade Federation kills you? Who will our people turn to then?

Amidala looked away. "You are asking me to place the life of my closest friend in jeopardy."

Sabé nodded. "You've done everything you can, Your Majesty. It is time for those of us in your service to do our duty." The Queen was about to further protest when Sabé added, "Besides, would you let anybody else stand in the way of what you were supposed to do?"

Releasing a deep sigh, Amidala shook her head as she looked back up at Sabé. "You are an impossibly stubborn girl."

"Yes, but you wouldn't want me any other way, Your Highness," Sabé quipped.

A large explosion diverted their attention outside once again revealing the imminent approach of the invading army. "Very well. We need to act quickly if our rouse is going work."

"I'm right behind you, Your Majesty," Sabé answered with a grin.

The governmental complex was shaking as the blasts fired from space were growing with each passing minute. Sabé, along with her handmaidens, staff and Padmé hurried through the winding corridors to the underground bunker that they hoped would provide them enough protection until the attack was over. Sabé nearly laughed aloud when she remembered that Palpatine had been the one to insist the construction of such an instillation was necessary. She was glad that she didn't resist his recommendation, although this particular situation was probably not what he had in mind.

Upon reaching the large, permacrete door protecting the hideaway, Sabé rapidly entered the code which opened access to the shelter. Motioning for the others to enter, she took a mental headcount to see if everyone were still together. When Padmé was about to make her way inside, Sabé's heart stopped when she noticed someone missing.

"Where's Elermaé?"

Padmé looked inside then back to her. "I thought she was up in front with you."

"By the spirits!" Sabé declared, placing her hand in front of her mouth.

"She must have gotten lost."

"I have to go back," Sabé said.

Padmé grabbed her arm. "You can't go back. It's too dangerous."

"I have to try, Padmé" Sabé retorted. "She's risked her life for me more times than I can count."

"Very well," she answered with a sigh. "Then I'm coming with you."

Sabé shook her head. "No, Milady. You must stay in case Anakin's troops arrive so you can vouch for our people. Otherwise they are liable to kill them."

"I don't like this."

Sabé grinned. "I know, but even now I am still watching out for you."

"Be careful, my sister. I do not want to lose you."

"You won't." she responded. "I promise."

They exchanged quick embraces before Padmé entered the shelter and Sabé ran in the opposite direction. She only traveled a few meters until she saw that the passageway had collapsed from a turbolaser strike. The only way to go was right, down a narrow route that stretched into darkness. With no other choice, Sabé took a deep breath before heading through the unfamiliar route, hoping it wouldn't lead her too far away from her true destination.

Darth Vader proudly smiled, watching the tactical. Each minute brought him closer to victory. The Rebel fleet had been utterly destroyed, but not before they managed to disable several of Tarkin's war cruisers and most importantly, eliminated many of his support snub fighters. His fleet swarmed in after the fallen Rebels, striking relentlessly at Palpatine's ships, leaving little in their wake. All that remained were Tarkin's battle group of five Star Destroyers which were taking heavy damage while protecting his command ship. Despite Vader's relentless attack, they were still holding their ground.

Vader cleared his mind and looked into the Force for guidance. Turning to Ozzel, Vader commanded, "Order the fleet to pull back and form a perimeter around Tarkin's group. Then, instruct our single man fighters to initiate a strafing run at the destroyer's aft sections."

"My Lord," the Captain nervously said. "That will leave them vulnerable for counterattack. We will lose a lot of good pilots."

Vader grimaced. "Carry out my orders now!"

Ozzel nodded and did as Vader demanded. The Dark Lord stared patiently at the tactical, watching his plan unfold to perfection. A gentle tug of the Force told him to act. "Now Captain, engage our sub-light engines to full and order the left perimeter destroyers to focus their turbolasers on Tarkin's command ship."

The Executor moved precariously close to the battle group. However, Tarkin and his admiralty were so distracted by the incoming fighters and blasts from Vader's fleet that they were unaware of his approach.

"Range to the command ship?"

"Ten thousand kilometers…nine thousand kilometers…eight..."

Vader shouted. "Target the command ship's bridge and fire all forward batteries!"

The Executor swayed as its heavy weapons blasted its unsuspecting sister ship. Tarkin's vessel rocked several times before a number of fires swept over the surface. A second volley of blasts destroyed what shielding remained, as well as the ship's main powerplant. As Vader witnessed his adversary's vessel spiral down towards the planet's surface, he smiled, sensing that Tarkin knew he was about the die.

"It is a shame that you can only die once, Tarkin," he murmured darkly to himself.

Moments later, the command ship exploded hurdling debris everywhere. Vader turned to Ozzel. "What is the status of the other Star Destroyers?"

"Three are destroyed, one disabled and the last is adrift."

He nodded and activated the com. "Colonel Veers."

"My Lord?"

"You may commence with the ground assault. I shall rendezvous with the group at point zero two three. May sure they are ready to attack upon my arrival."

"As you wish, My Lord."

Finally reaching the surface, Sabé ran through a dangerous maze of burning debris to re-enter the complex. Thankfully, everyone had been evacuated before the damage occurred. Now, if she could only find Elermaé. Sabé's heart thundered with worry in her chest, fearing that her trusted handmaiden may have been killed. Yet she pressed on, hoping that she was wrong. Deciding to revisit their escape route, Sabé quickly ran upstairs to her office. She feared the worst when she didn't find her handmaiden along the way. Hoping that perhaps Elermaé made it to the bunker by a different route, Sabé went inside her office to com Padmé when she saw her assistant sitting nervously at her desk.

"Elermaé! What in the name of the spirits are you doing here?"

Her eyes bulged in alarm. "Milady, don't come in here!"

Sabé stopped and attempted to withdraw her weapon when a blaster was jammed into the back of her head. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Oh, I take every advantage I can get, Inquisitor," her assailant retorted. "Drop your blaster and walk forward carefully."

Sabé obeyed, stepping ahead with her arms raised. "An honorable opponent would allow their foe to look her in the eye before she met her end."

"Very well. Turn around."

Complying, Sabé looked back to see her attacker. Her heart nearly stopped when she muttered, Ellé."

She mockingly bowed, continuing to point her blaster at Sabé. "I'm here, despite your best efforts to the contrary, Your Honor."

"What are you talking about? Padmé told me that you died."

Ellé sneered. "Still the faithful lapdog of that madwoman I see. No, the good Senator buried a poor slave girl who looked remarkably like me."

Sabé cocked her head to one side. "Why are you here?"

"You tell me, Inquisitor. It seems that you are in league with a Sith Lord and his mad Queen in their attempt to overthrow the Emperor by any means possible!"

"Palpatine murdered your cousin along with several others," Sabé retorted. "We are bringing him to justice!"

"You are just like them," Ellé shouted. "You only see what you want and ignore the real truth!"

"Then why don't you educate me?"

The blaster now shaking in her hand, she spat, "I should kill you for what you've allowed to happen."

Sabé sighed in frustration. "What are you talking about?"

"You handed Vader the entire galaxy on a silver platter. Soon, he will be Emperor and all who have died will have done so in vain."

"You're wrong," Sabé denied. "Once Anakin overthrows Palpatine, he plans to hand over power to the Senate so that they can restore the Republic."

Ellé scoffed and shook her head. "You really believe that, don't you?"

Sabé nodded. "Why shouldn't I?"

The handmaiden sighed, lowering her blaster. "Then it appears, Milady, that you too were duped. As were we all."

"What?"

Ellé waved at a nearby round table. "Come, Inquisitor; I have a tale that you must hear."

Vader's modified TIE fighter swooped over the battle column composed of his elite troops. He landed nearest to the largest assault vehicle where Colonel Veers was waiting.

"My Lord," Veers addressed while bowing respectfully.

"Are the troops ready?"

"We are waiting for your command. Sixty divisions of stormtroopers and three hundred squadrons of TIE fighters are at your dispose. "

Vader nodded. "Very good. Every troop on this planet has been stationed to guard the Imperial Palace."

"My Lord, it seems the Emperor has blundered."

"What do you mean, Colonel?"

Veers steadied himself before answering. "Sir, with a focused attack from our fleet, we could destroy the Palace without risking any troops."

Vader nodded. "True, but Palpatine could escape through his underground tunnels. No. We will surround the Palace and only engage the exterior guards. In the meantime, I want several squads of shock troops to infiltrate the underground network, but advise them to be cautious. My wife and the Grand Inquistor are down there and they are not to be harmed in any way."

"I will see to it immediately, my Lord."

He held up his hand to stop the Colonel. "One more thing, Veers."

"Sir?"

"Take operational command here. I am entering the Palace alone to ensure that the Emperor does not escape."

"But my Lord, don't you wish to take some troopers?" He asked with concern.

Vader shook his head. "No. I must face Palpatine alone." Removing his hood, he added, "Carry out my orders and inform me once the Palace exterior is secured."

"Yes sir."

Padmé's patience was wearing thin. Sabé had been gone for far too long and she was beyond worried. The explosions had ceased earlier which could only mean that her husband was nearing the palace. Unable to sit still, Padmé headed for the door's unlocking mechanism. Narlia, who had been sitting nearby, followed her.

"Milady, what are you doing?"

"Sabé has been gone too long. I must find her."

Narlia attempted to block her path. "I cannot allow you to leave, Milady. The Inquisitor's orders were very specific."

Narrowing her eyes in anger, Padmé placed her hands on her hips. "You are a subject of Naboo are you not?"

"I am."

"And you know that I was once your Queen?"

"I do."

Padmé grinned. "Then you know my word supersedes any orders issued by any off-world officer, even if he or she is of our people."

"But Your Majesty -"

"Open the door, Handmaiden, or I shall go through you to do it."

Narlia sighed. "Very well, but I am coming with you."

"Just get the door open," Padmé impatiently ordered.

"Right away!"

Sabé stared curiously at Ellé as she took her seat. Just as she had observed of Moteé, Ellé had also prematurely aged. Her once delicate features were replaced with lines filled with worry and pain. Gone was the sparkle in her eyes of the dutiful, but willful handmaiden who had kept Padmé's secrets safe. Her clothing appeared tattered and her long, silky hair was matted. Nervously, Sabé shifted in her chair. She found herself almost afraid of what Ellé had to say.

"I take it then that you knew Padmé was alive when we spoke after the funeral?"

Ellé nodded. "At time, I felt I was doing the right thing."

"So why did you run away?"

Ellé took a deep breath. "I'm afraid I will have to reveal some not so pleasant facts about your closest friend, Milady."

"Padmé?"

She curtly nodded. "She isn't the person you… we once knew. She has… changed."

"How so?"

Ellé sighed deeply. "You have been wrong from the beginning about Palpatine. While he certainly has done many terrible things, he is not responsible for the handmaidens' deaths."

"Then who is?"

"I never used to believe in the whole rubbish about the Force. But after spending significant time around Lord Vader, I found I was gravely mistaken."

"Ellé…who killed the other handmaidens?"

She looked blankly at Sabé. "The evil that befalls one so immersed in the Darkside is almost contagious. I witnessed our beloved Lady turn from the noble, gentle spirit into a monster like her husband."

Sabé was now trembling. "Tell me, Ellé!" She shouted.

"It was Padmé, alright!" She shouted. "She and that demon who claims to love her; they killed them all!"

Stunned, Sabé muttered, "That's…impossible."

"It is the truth, Milady; whether you accept it or not."

"You lie!" Sabé screamed, rising to her feet.

"Then tell me, how would I have this?" Ellé yelled, pulling the japor snippet out from her cloak.

Her eyes bulging, Sabé questioned, "Where did you get that?"

"From a now deceased lieutenant of the city guard who Saché gave it to as she was dying."

"What?"

Ellé smirked. "That's why she wanted to see you. I was with Padmé on Naboo several months ago when we accidentally ran into Saché. As you know, Saché… was not in her right mind. They scuffled briefly before I separated them. During the struggle though, Saché tore away the pendent and ran off. We spent weeks searching for her and until we found her, I thought it was to tell her the truth about what really happened." She took a deep breath before continuing. "I was wrong. Both Padmé and Vader feared that Saché would reveal their secrets to you and you in turn would alert Palpatine. That's why they killed her."

Sabé's face contorted with anger. "Saché died as a result of asphyxiation due to the Force. Padmé is not Force sensitive."

"But her husband is!" Ellé snarled, her face twisting.

"This is insane!" Sabé said, glancing over at Elermaé.

"And so is our beloved Queen," she responded coldly, "Aside from her husband's influence, the time and anguish from searching for their son has taken its toll on her. Slowly, she's become obsessive, just like Vader. Sometimes she wouldn't even speak to poor Leia for days, completely ignoring the child even when she would cry for hours. Moteé and I began to fear for our lives when she would go wild in anger when a search of a system yielded nothing. Then after Dormé's accident, we finally decided to escape." A pained look filled her face as she admitted, "However, once you are in the service of the Vaders, only death can relieve you of that duty."

"I am finding this too incredible to believe. The Padmé I know and love would never do such things."

Ellé rose. "Then ask her yourself, Milady. Ask her and look into her eyes. I promise then you will believe me."

Sabé stood to lead both her and Elermaé back to the bunker, but Ellé suddenly froze in place. Sabé was about to question her when streams of lightening engulfed Ellé's body. The force of the attack threw her clear across the room. The only sound Sabé could hear was screams of terror as her mind attempted to register what occurred. Forcing herself to look in the direction of the lightening, Sabé felt a sudden chill envelop her body.

Padmé stood expressionless at the entryway, still pointing an ion blaster. "My, my, what have you been discussing, busy little gundarks?"

Nearly laughing aloud, Vader grinned, realizing it was during his apprenticeship to Obi-Wan that he learned of the underground passages that led to the Chancellor's private chambers. He mused that Palpatine never thought that he would ever use them in this manner. Avoiding the Emperor's hoards of guards, Vader slipped into the throne room where Palpatine was patiently waiting. Offering a mock bow of reverence, Vader sarcastically asked, "What is thy bidding, my Master?'

Palpatine sneered, remaining on his throne. "Did you believe that I never anticipated this, Lord Vader?"

He stood calmly and folded his arms. "You taught me that this is our way. I will replace you or die trying."

"You have learned well, my young apprentice. However I think I am not quite ready to be usurped." At that same moment streams of Force lightening erupted from his fingers in Vader's direction. Anticipating the attack, he activated his lightsaber, deflecting the assault.

"Your reign has ended, Your Majesty," Vader spat.

Palpatine groaned. "So you will destroy me and then hand over my glorious Empire to that foolish wife of yours." The Emperor shook his head. "All this power and control only to appease a woman. A woman, Vader! Have I taught you nothing?"

He grinned. "It is something that you could never understand, Master."

Palpatine rose, his lightsaber dropping into his hand. "I will enjoy destroying you!"

In a flash, the Emperor descended upon Vader launching a series of quick strikes. Anticipating the attack, Vader established a strong defensive posture, parrying each one of Palpatine's desperate thrusts. He chuckled inwardly as he knew that the old man was far too slow to defeat him. Yet he welcomed the chance to spar once last time before he dispatched him.

Shifting his stance, Vader adroitly counterattacked, pushing the Emperor backwards as he swiveled his lightsaber quickly at the older man's head. The Sith Order had never believed in defense. Their entire dueling strategy was dependent upon attack and deceit. Vader wanted to cackle, realizing the irony that it was his skills as a Jedi that enable him to ward off Palpatine's assault, granting him the advantage. With each powerful strike, Vader felt the Emperor's strength diminish. However, he would not take his opponent lightly. Palpatine always had an uncanny knack of getting himself out of danger. Vader could not risk another escape.

Backing away, Vader raised his living hand at the unsuspecting Emperor to release a stream of Force lightening, throwing him roughly into the rear wall. Vader continued to focus more power into his attack until he saw Palpatine grow still. Cautiously, he approached only to see that he had further disfigured his Master.

"How is this possible?" Palpatine cried out, staring up at his conqueror. "No Sith could ever summon lightening with only one hand!"

Vader flashed his lopsided grin while pointing the tip of his blade at Palpatine's throat. "You are forgetting something."

"What?" The Emperor muttered.

"I am the Chosen One, after all."

"This is not the end," Palpatine shouted, his eyes glowing a bright, sinister yellow. "I will have my revenge against you and your woman!"

"Speaking of Padmé," Vader said with a growing smirk. "I have one more request of you."

Unable to move, Palpatine spat, "Curse you, Vader..."

Vader scoffed. "Give our regards to Obi-Wan when you see him." He pulled his arm back and in a perfect arc, separated the Emperor from his head. Vader reached down to pick it up. "I promised my wife that she could see the shock on your face and I am unwilling to break that promise."

TBC-Thoughts, reviews and suggestions are always welcomed!