Chapter 17: Seed of Betrayal

"Lord Vader," Admiral Piett acknowledged as Vader and Ravan came aboard the bridge. For about the first time he had ever done so Piett inclined his head towards Vader's apprentice and acknowledged him. "Lord Ravan, the Emperor commands you to make contact with him."

The next breath that issued from the grilled plating of Vader's mask was like a his of static. Ravan recognized it as an annoyed sigh. So did Piett because he turn abruptly, grabbed a data pad from a passing officer, and began to read it enthusiastically as though there was nothing else more important to him right now. Vader extended a long mechanical leg and set off from the bridge, his apprentice behind him. Before they entered the turbo lift Vader kill a passing storm trooper because his boot scuffed the floor.

XxX

When they arrived in the communications room the Emperor's giant head was already hovering above the pit. There was a evil twisted grin on his deformed face that glowed with anticipation. Luke had to storm himself from grimacing as he and Vader stepped onto the camera pad. Both bowed.

"Yes master, what is it?" Both said in unison, though Ravan said Emperor when Vader said master.

"Is it true then Lord Vader, that the rebels are dead."

"Mon Mothma escaped as far as we believe and so did three transports but their fleet is eliminated and so are most of their forces, I killed Obi-wan Kenobi there with my apprentice and we have captured Bail Organa."

Sidious's smile tilted down a fraction. "It is of no consequence with Mon Mothma's escape with a pitiful little band of rebels. Not after what we will do to Bail Organa."

Ravan could almost see a frown cross Vader's mask.

"My master I must protest. As long as Mon Mothma lives the Rebel Alliance can gather more forces and eventually become as strong as they were."

"Now they are as small as a smuggler band, do you have any idea Lord Vader how hard it would be to locate them? They will make a mistake soon enough though."

Vader knew better than to argue with his master. The last time he had done it his right mechanical hand needed replacing. Ravan spoke up as Vader kicked himself not to snap back.

"What are we going to do to Bail Organa?" He asked. The Emperor smiled, half of his teeth were black and rotted, the other half were on the verge of it.

"Publicly execute him. Live on the HoloNet."

"Master are you sure that is wise?" Vader asked. "The Imperial Senate—"

"Has been dead for a few weeks Lord Vader and you know it."

"I was going to say master, the Imperial Senate's formal members might find it—"

"They find themselves being cremated or buried right now my apprentice. Bring Organa to Coruscant."

"Yes master." Vader replied. He was really starting to get annoyed with each of the Emperor's ideas, becoming more and more farfetched and insane.

"And Lord Vader the party will last two days." The Emperor continued. Vader suppressed a groan he hated parties, hated them. "On the first day we will execute Bail Organa, and on the last day… I will announce my successor to the throne of Emperor, you."

Ravan could almost see the wheels in Vader's mind begin to turn, and his eyebrows raise.

"I will agree to come then my master." Vader answered, completely emotionless.

"And so will I." Ravan put in.

"Very good. Set your course for Coruscant immediately. Land at the Imperial Palace, Mara Jade will greet you."

Ravan's heart half skipped a beat. Mara Jade was by far the most beautiful woman he had ever met, though she was only sixteen like him. The Emperor had half trained her in the Force as he was training Ravan, they had sparred several times with lightsabers, Mara only half mastered the form Shein, or Djem So while Ravan used Makashi. She was an expert duelist nonetheless.

"Very well master." Vader said interrupting Ravan's thought process which ended with 'to bad she has no interest in me'. "We will head to Coruscant. Vader out."

Vader flicked his wrist and the hologram collapsed into itself and disappeared. He turned only his head to his son.

"We have things to discuss my son, come with me."

"Yes father." Ravan replied following Vader out of the communications room and to the nearest turbo lift, having a good idea about what his father wanted to talk about. It had to do with , he was almost positive, Vader's promotion to Emperor's successor.

XxX

Ravan was right.

He sat down on one of Vader's highly comfortable sofas and listened to his father as he paced the length of the room, and back again.

"He wants to promote me to his successor." Vader said to himself, clearly working out some sort of plan. He turned to his son. "That should be the day he dies."

"You want to kill him?"

"No, I want you to help me kill him." Vader replied.

"After the Emperor announces you his successor?" Ravan inquired.

"Yes, I think if we can get him back into his throne room we can kill him."

"What about his security?"

"There will be no security, and when he dies everyone will be under my command."

"Perhaps we should discuss the plans in better detail."

"Yes, close the door and lock it."

This chapter is shorter than usual I know, I thought it would be shorter than this. Now tell me, because I have an idea for a sequel, I must know now, would you read one? I might type it anyway and not post it but if you would read it here is a vague idea. Vader kills the Emperor and becomes the Emperor, Mara escapes with a passionate hate for both him and Luke and stumbles across Admiral Daala's fleet near the planet Kessel, or something like that but it is defiantly going to be focused around Luke and Mara with a splash of Vader here and there with a possible execution of Leia or maybe an escape or finding out about her real father.