Chapter 2

Fate, such a broad term, Jedi and Sith alike throw it around as if the term has some weight to it's premise. Fate is only effective when the vessel allows it's power to effect them. Palpatine was a victim of Fate, he overestimated his power because he relied on 'Fate' being on his side. That is why tradition is false, the Sith always valued short-term power over long term dominance. Some desired Immortality but failed to achieve it, because the fear of Fate held them back.

Mygeeto

As the small ship entered the atmosphere, it geared its direction towards a small hidden facility admist a group of metallic thorns grounded in the icy floor. The small freighter ship landed near the facility, opening it's door, where a landing ramp planted itself on the ground. As Darth Plagueis walked down the ramp, he was met by a Lurmen, who wore classes and a lab coat.

"My Lord!" the Lurman yelled; "Come inside, before the storm gets worse!"

The two walked inside the facility where a wave of thermal air came upon them as they entered. "My Lord, you've been gone for quite a long time." the Lurman said, feeling concered.

"I had to handle some...complications." Plagueis replied; "I assume you've taken great care of my project, Doctor Tekra."

"Indeed, the woman and her child have shown to be in great health." Doctor Tekra said.

"Where is the woman?" Plagueis said as he entered his laboratory.

"She is sleeping in her chamber, I made sure to set it to the right temperature to prevent any thermal hazards from occuring." Dr. Tekra explained.

Plagueis removed his business robes and put on his lab coat, turning his attention towards his work desk. His assistant followed behind him and watched as his superior evaluates the live ultrasound, watching the midichlorian levels of the child in the woman's stomach.

"Interesting." Plagueis simply said.

"What?! is there something wrong with the child?!" Dr.Tekra said in a worried tone.

"No...the child's midichlorian cells are rising at a abnormal rate." Plagueis explained.

"Is that good?" Dr. Tekra asked.

"For a Force-Sensative human fetus, it's quite impressive." Plagueis commebnted.

"Well, the child is made of Palpatine's cells after all." Dr. Tekra said; "Speaking of Sheev, how is he doing these days?"

"Sheev...is no longer a problem that I have to have deal with." Plagueis calmly replied.

"Oh good, Im glad he's outgrown that rebellious phase he was in, especially since he moved away from his father, so long ago." Dr. Tekra in a cheerful tone.

Plagueis continuing his examination, said coldly; "No, I meant that he is dead."

The dark skin on the Lurman almost turned white as he heard what his master said. "Dead?! But how?"

"He was a brilliant mind but a drunkard for power, his drunkeness is what lead to his demise." Plagueis replied, looking at filled E Cylinder glass. Dr. Tekra walked toward his master handing him tools as he said; "But what about the Election?! He had the Republic in his favor!"

Plagueis put the cylinder down and turned toward his assistant professor as he said; "Well no matter, a loss is a loss but it doesn't mean that the Chancellor's Seat is lost as well."

"What do you mean?" The curious doctor asked.

"I'm going to schedule a meeting with a suitable replacement tomorrow and make sure everything will go as planned." Darth Plagueis explained.

"Why a replacement? Weren't you running as Co-Chancellor with Sheev?" Dr.Tekra questioned.

"I have no desire to be in the forefront of Republic affairs, besides, the Intergalactic Banking Clan already has the Republic in their pocket, their is no need for any further exposure of my power." Plagueis replied.

Coruscant

"Good Morning Citizens of The Galactic Republic; this is Mora Kaleesh of the Galactic News Network and Im here to report some troubling news that was uncovered last night. At 11 PM almost 24 hours since the incident, the body of Chancellor Candidate Sheev Palpatine was discovered in a decapitated state, by a hotel employee, after some visitors staying at the hotel reported some strange noises coming from outside of the building. Also Republic Police discovered remnants of a destroyed ship and bodies of Republic Senate Guards in crime scene. More At 11."

The holographic program faded, leaving the viewer in sitting in his chair in shock. Senator Bail Antilles, Prince Of Alderaan, sat back as he pondered over the possibility of his chances of winning the Election being more likely. A silver 3PO unit approached the prince from the side with a platter as it said; "My Lord, are you in need of breakfast?" the 3PO unit said as showed a plate of eggs, sausage, fruit, topped with some exotic spices.

"No, I already ate, F3PO, carry on." Senator Antilles said as he waved the droid off. As he continued to ponder, a holographic call came from his transmitter, he answered the call and a hologram of a 30 year old brunette haired man appeared before the prince.

"Did you hear the news?" Jarrus Carmoda said.

"Of my eventual victory?" The prince said arrogantly.

"Was it your idea?" The prince's Co-Chancellor asked.

"To assassinate Palpatine? No. But who ever did so, needs to be found and be rewarded." Prince Antilles replied.

"What about your opponents?" Co-Chancellor-Candidate Carmoda asked.

"Finis Valorum's reputation has already been tarnished since the Yinchorri Uprising and Ainlee Teem support from the Rim Faction has been weakened ever since Palpatine lead in the polls." Antilles explained.

"Do you think Damask will take Palpatine's Place?" Carmoda questioned.

"Hm, Damask already announced that he dropped out of the race, which means we have nothing to worry about." Antilles said with a smug grin.

As he said this, the door suddenly slides open as a young Tw'lek woman walks in with a holopad tucked on her arm. "Senator, Mister Damask has arrived for your scheduled meeting." she said.

"Speaking of Damask" Antilles said to himself; "I'll talk to you later."

"Bring him in." He said as he put his transmitter away. The Head Of The Intergalactic Banking Clan walked into the room with his slithering cloak, as his guards follow behind him in unison. The Prince's demeanor suddenly changed as he felt a shift in pressure in the air as his guest came closer and closer towards his presence. Damask lifted his robes to sit, sitting poised and relaxed compared to the host sitting across from him. "Prince Antilles, I'm glad that we're able to have this meeting despite of recent events." The son of Hego Damask The First said.

Senator Antilles mustered a fake grin; "I'm also glad, that you're here to admit defeat." He said, trying to look fearless.

"Defeat, no, more like a compromise." Damask replied calmly.

"Well Mister Damask, I must say that I'm sorry for you loss, I'm sure Palpatine was like a Son to you." Senator Antilles said, faking his sympathy.

"Yes, his death was a major blow to our campaign, but I'm not here to grieve over lost times." Damask replied. Bail sat back with his hands folded as he raised his left eyebrow. "Oh? did come to join my campaign?" Bail implied.

"I wouldn't say join, I'd say something more along the lines of 'financial support'." Damask said.

"So you want to fund my campaign?"

"Correct."

The Prince felt a sense of joy but at the same time; confusion. He hadn't met or has gotten close to the influential banker but he felt it was quite odd for his opponent to quickly switch sides instead of attempting to run against him.

"You seem confused, I expected a more cheerful response." Damask pointed out.

"Why fund mine? Why not Ainlee Teem?" Antilles asked.

Sensing his suspicion; "As much as the Rim Faction has faith in Teem, it wouldn't be enough to win the Election."

"Why not?" Antilles questioned again.

"He doesn't have any skills in politics, the only reason he's gone this far is because of the mistakes of Finis Valorum and his tarnishment of the Core Faction." Damask explained; "Besides the Galactic Republic won't be as accepting towards an alien leader than a human one."

"Fair, but like you said the Core Faction's reputation has been bruised by Valorum's leadership, how do you expect the people to except me as leader, let alone the Rim Faction?" Antilles asked.

"The people? the people have no power in this Election, it only takes a few to sway a million." Damask said; "But as for the Rim Faction, they will soon support your cause once they realise they've lost."

"Your talking as if I'm guaranteed the seat of Chancellor." Antilles said, crossing his legs.

"How did you think Palpatine lead in the polls?' Damask said blatantly.

Antilles paused for a quick second; "If I win, what would you gain from it?"

"Power, you'll do what I say and follow every order I give you." Plagueis replied.

Antilles began to burst in laughter as the banker sat stiff with a cold demeanor. "Follow orders from you?! I have no reason to follow your orders."

"No, you have plenty of reasons to follow my orders." Plagueis said coldly. "You see, every asset ever transfered throughout the galaxy is under my hands. If a planetary government per se were to be on the brink of collapse, the Intergalatic Banking Clan has the obligation to take over that planet until that debt is paid." He continued; "But in the case of a galactic government, a means of collapse is imminent, with collapse comes civil war, division and anarchy."

"You're saying you have the power to bankrupt the Republic?" Antilles said in almost a surprised tone.

"Exactly. but I have no reason to, simply because I only want certain...opposition to be exterminated, not the Republic." Plagueis replied.

"If the Republic collapses, what does it have to do with me?" The prince said arrogantly.

"Simple, failure in that magnitude will only result in Alderaan being a target for every vengful planetary government to lay it's hands on, It might also meaning that the House Of Antilles is a target as well." Plagueis said as his tone becomes more stern. The prince suddenly felt his stomach drop, his aspirations of being Chancellor is almost at his fingertips but he knew that Damask's offer will guarantee him that power.

"What If I still refuse?" Antilles asked.

"You can be executed for conspiracy against a Chancellor Candidate and have your reputation be tarnished forever. Who knows? the Core Faction might get to you first." Plagueis threatened.

Antilles eyes squinted; "Blackmail? there is no evidence that proves I was the murderer."

Plagueis leaned forward, with his aura following him; "I can make anything...go my way."

Bail Antilles sat back for a minute as he pondered the choices laid out on the table for him. Risk his life by refusing the banker's offer or have his name written in history as an important figure in the Republic. Many don't see Bail as a capable leader, most saw him as just a rich boy who bought his way into the Senate. If he had the chance to prove his worth, why not prove it by becoming Chancellor? Even if it means trusting a former enemy.

Plagueis sensed the battle within the Senator's mind, he felt his thoughts leaning closer towards what he wanted, a compromise...a valuable pawn in his game. Bail looked into the eyes of the Banking Clan Leader and nodded; "I'm in." he simply said.

"Good." Plagueis said in a raspy tone, both men stood up and shook hands, affirming their alliance. "I'll inform you on your new campaign schedule, when its taken care of." Damask said.

"What about Carmoda?" Antilles asked.

"Carmoda will delt with, he will be no longer apart of your campaign." Damask replied; "I'll have an associate of mine from Ciutric IV that will fill the position as your Co-Chancellor."

Antilles nodded in agreement; "I'll be waiting for your call."

Hego Damask and his guards walked out the Senator's apartment, as if the meeting never had taken place. Bail Antilles sat down on his couch and drank the rest of his wine as he realized what was about to unfold in the coming months.