Chapter 14

Since the beginning of life, conscious organisms have experienced suffering and the collapse of power, only to be rebuilt by a ambitious individuals, perceived as messiah's, a Prodigal Son per se...

3 Weeks later...The Chancellor's Palace, Coruscant

On a bright morning in the Capital City of Coruscant, two Senators meet in the Royal Palace to discuss their recent political activities; "Senator Antilles." Chancellor Valorum said, extending his arm.

"Chancellor Valorum." Bail Antilles replied, shaking the Chancellor's hand.

Finis turned his attention toward the blue Twi'lek as he said "And who is this lovely lady?"

"I'm Assandra, Senator Antilles' Secretary." she said as she shook the Chancellor's hand.

"Well then, nice to meet you." Valorum replied; "Senator, come with me, I must speak to you..." he paused; "Alone."

Antilles nodded and the two politicians walked their way into the grand hallway where paintings of former Chancellors are hung up on the walls and a large bright red carpet is laid across the floor with chandeliers graced across the room.

"You've come far Senator, despite the odds against you, you managed to secure a victory in the polls." Chancellor Valorum said.

"Well if it wasn't for you Chancellor, I would probably be held in Maxus Prime, with all those criminals." Antilles commented.

"Hmph. those two worlds are not much different might I add." Valorum said; "That's why we both are able to stand here in this grand palace today."

"What do you mean?" Antilles asked in confusion.

Valorum stopped and turned toward the young prince as he said; "Luck was on your side Senator, you have people that depend on your success and others that depend on your downfall, but we both know what fate choose on that particular day."

"What is that supposed to mean Chancellor?" Antilles asked again.

"It means, it's your job now to take the mantle and determine the Republic's future." Valorum explained; "I've done enough during my eight years as Chancellor and quite frankly I'm due for a long vacation." he chuckled. "But don't falter in the midst of pressure."

"I think I've handled the pressure well in the last month." Antilles pointed out.

"At least, you haven't had to deal with potential impeachments, divorce scandals and accusations for eight years." Valorum sighed.

"Fair enough."

"Now enough about politics, tell me about that secretary of yours?" Valorum said in a intrigued tone.

"Assandra?"

"Yes, the Twi'lek." he replied; "Have you gotten acquainted with her?"

"We're acquaintances, yes." Antilles simply replied.

"No I mean have you courted her." Valorum said bluntly.

"No, it's simply a business relationship." Antilles said.

"Oh come on, an exotic creature like that, shouldn't slip through your fingers." Valorum; "You need to live a little. Has those years of princehood drained all of the excitement within you?"

"No I-"

"A politician isn't just about paperwork and speeches, you know."

"I understand Chancellor but-"

"But nothing! don't waste your youth on such trivial activities." Valorum proclaimed; "But instead indulge as much as you can, Senator."

Antilles simply nodded; "I will keep that in mind."

"Good." Valorum said; "Now let's head to the main hall before the press arrives."

Core Faction Headquarters, Corellia

"And Just like that, the debt is gone?" Sir Naberrie of Naboo said.

"It was odd, but Finis managed to scare him off." Manmara said looking at his holopad.

"It doesn't make sense." Sir Naberrie said; "Politicians like Free Taa don't just stand down to small threats like this"

"It doesn't matter, as long as he knows who runs the Senate, then he will just fall in line." the Core Faction Chairman said.

"Speaking of the Senate, do you think Antilles is going to keep our control of it, once he's elected?" Ruwee questioned.

"Why wouldn't he? He's still on our side, so it's almost a guaranteed win." Manmara assured.

"You know how turbulent Valorum's reign was." Naberrie said walking around Manmara desk; "They are rumors of a possible shake up if we aren't prepared." he whispered.

"There won't be." Manmara replied; "We've outclassed our competition, ten fold...even Carmoda's joke of a rebellion failed because he underestimated our power."

Naberrie stood tall and nodded; "Very well." he said simply; "But be prepared for the unthinkable, Talus."

Plagueis' Laboratory, Mygeeto

In a blazing winter morning on the planet Mygeeto, Plagueis, standing behind a one way, soundproof black mirror, watches as his assistant and his medical droid conduct the birth of their on going project; "MD-558, get my tools" Dr. Tekra commanded.

The cries and wailing from the carrier of the child, continued to increase at a higher pitch as she feels the child try to break free from her bosom. "Stand by and watch for the head." Dr. Tekra said.

Plagueis' stood stiff with his usual cold expression as he examines the process occurring before him. He senses the child's power becoming erratic but untapped, due to it's stage in the life cycle. "Quite the potential." he said. Walking towards him, Maul stood next to his Master, watching what's currently happening in the operating room.

"Have you finished your task?" Plagueis said, not moving an inch.

"Yes, my master." Maul assured.

"Good." Plagueis simply said "Soon, your abilities will prove to be useful when the time comes."

"What of the boy?"

"The boy is the key to our resurgence." Plagueis said; "The Jedi managed to reduce our numbers but the Laws of the Force prevents them from killing us off." He continued; "This child, will bring back order within the galaxy and power onto our hands."

"Now, push!" Dr. Tekra said. As the Lurman commanded, the woman started to push the child from her womb as her cries of agony echoed throughout the small operating chamber. After five minutes, a head started to appear and the medic droid said; "A head has appeared doctor."

"Wait until the legs start to appear, before you pull him out." Tekra commanded.

--

"Do you think they will find out?" Maul asked.

"The Jedi? no." Plagueis assured; "Even if they did, it would be too late before they could intervene."

--

"Push!"

As she was told, the mother continued to push and push the child from her womb until the child's neck appeared, then his chest, his stomach, then; "The legs have appeared doctor." the medic droid said.

"Remove the child and wrap him in the sheet." Tekra commanded.

The medic droid did as it was commanded and wrapped the child in a small sheet, the droid then gave the child to the relieved mother as the boy cried.

"Anakin." she simply said, catching her breath.

Dr.Tekra wiped his forehead with his tail and then proceeded to exit the room, with holopad in hand. Once in the hallway, he was met with his superior and his superior's apprentice, who were waiting for his response.

"Well." Tekra briefed; "The child came out fine but-"

"But what." Plagueis replied coldly.

"The child's heart rate is quite irregular, I'm going to need to put him in the incubator for his heart rate to get back to normal." Tekra explained.

"Very well, I just need boy alive." Plagueis replied.

"As you wish, my Lord." Tekra said as he bowed. Tekra went back into the medical chamber, leaving the two Sith Lords to their discussion. "The future is surely in our hands, my apprentice." Plagueis assured.

"What about the woman, Master?"

"What about her? We already extracted the milk from her breasts to feed the child so she's merely useless-" before Plagueis could finish his sentence, him and his apprentice covered their faces as Dr. Tekra's flew through the one-way glass as a force wave pushed him away from the mother and her child.

Plagueis and his apprentice quickly entered the chamber and approached the mother and her crying child as she covered him with her arms. "No! Don't touch my baby!" she yelled.

"Maul hold her down." he commanded.

"No!-" The mother's plea was cut short as her throat started to get crushed by Maul's force abilities. Plagueis quickly grabbed the child while the mother's grip weakened and walked toward the exit. "Shhh, go to sleep." Plagueis said, putting the child into a sleepy state.

Plagueis turned and saw the mother attempt to reach her child and said "Kill her."

"As you wish." Maul said, lifting up the mother from her bed. Maul crushed the woman's esophagus then dropped her lifeless body onto the ground.

Anakin began to cry again, but much louder than before. "The child sensed the severed connection... interesting." Plagueis said to himself. "Maul! carry Dr. Tekra to the recovery chamber."

"Yes, My Lord." Maul said, he did as his master told him and carried the Lurman down the hall towards the recovery chamber.

Plagueis himself, walked toward the specially made chamber for the child to sleep in. "Shhhh, go to sleep, you have a lot to learn, my apprentice."

Jedi Temple, Coruscant

"Are you sure, that's why he resigned?" Mace Windu said, walking with Master Qui-Gon Jinn down the grand hall of the Jedi Temple.

"He said his father was sick and as his heir, he needed to take his place before his untimely death." Qui-Gon explained.

Master Windu nodded; "I sense that your worried about him."

"I'm just concerned that's all." Qui-Gon replied with a smile.

"Don't let your emotions get in your way, Master Jinn." Windu assured.

"I know-" Before he could finish speaking, Qui-Gon stood still as he rubbed his forehead, feeling some sort of disturbance.

"Master Jinn?" Mace Windu said, looking at him.

After a few minutes, Qui-Gon fell on his knees as Windu ran over to help him up. Master Windu lifted the Jedi Master to his feet as he asked; "Are you ok, Master Jinn?"

Qui-Gon collected himself as he said; "Yes...I just haven't had much sleep that's all."

"I'll have someone get you to your room." Windu said, walking with the Jedi Master.

"No I'm fine." Master Jinn said simply.

"Okay, if you need anything just let me know." Master Windu said, turning away.

"I will, May the Force be with you."

"May the Force be with you." Windu repeated, leaving to tend to his duties.