Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 10- New Leader
In their apartment in the Senate apartment complex, Anakin and Padme are trying to get their new twins to sleep. It's been just a few days since the twins were born, and the couple has been trying to get used to being parents.
Anakin carefully rocks Luke, trying to calm him as the little boy is crying. After a moment, he looks at Padme and says, "Padme, I can safely say that parenting is the hardest thing I've ever done. I'm not sure I was prepared for this."
Padme chuckles as she gently rocks Leia. "Just wait until they're toddlers, Ani. This is easy compared to when they're toddlers," she says. Anakin shudders in response to think of having to deal with a pair of hyperactive toddlers.
"Is Rex still going to watch after them when we go to dinner tomorrow night?" Padme asks.
"I'm not sure. I think we scared him the first time we had him watch them for just an hour last week. He had no idea what he was doing," Anakin says. The couple laughs together, imagining Rex running around trying to figure out how to deal with crying babies.
As the two finally get the twins to fall asleep and lay them down in their bassinets, they head out into the living room to have some quality time together alone, which they rarely seem to get with the twins around now.
However, as soon as they enter the living room, they realize the rest of their day is not going to be so simple, as they see Obi-Wan and Rex waiting for them, both of them wearing serious expressions.
"You show up to our apartment wearing those expressions, I assume you're not coming here for a social visit or to visit the twins," Anakin says.
"No. We have a situation that's arisen, and it's changed the situation with the war," Obi Wan says.
Both Anakin and Padme are instantly serious. "What is it?" Anakin asks.
"The Separatists recently launched two offensives. One fully captured the planet Faleucia, and the other nearly captured Saleucami. We also received word of a counterattack on Kashyyyk that was beaten off, but it was unusually strong," Rex says.
"How were the Separatists able to recover so quickly and launch these counterattacks after they lost Grievous and suffered several defeats?" Anakin says.
"Well, part of it is simply the chaos that resulted from Palpatine ordering Order 66," Obi Wan says. Then, he pauses before pulling out a holo-device and sets it down, saying, "But this message was sent out on the Holonet not long ago, and it explains why now."
The device powers up and begins projecting. A second later, an image appears, showing a hooded figure. Anakin's blood runs cold as he recognizes enough of the face that is visible. "Palpatine," he mutters.
"To the Republic: you thought that the war was over. With Count Dooku and General Grievous both dead, you assumed victory was in your hands. But you were wrong. They were but pawns, figureheads. Now, the real battle begins, and I will hide from my duties no longer. At last, I will show myself to the galaxy as the true leader of the Confederacy, and the whole galaxy will know the name Darth Sidious. Even now, my forces are beginning counterattacks across the galaxy. Soon enough you will face an offensive never before seen. If the Republic does not surrender, you will know my rage, and you will be punished for your defiance. Choose your path wisely."
The transmission ends, and silence reigns in the room for a while before Anakin manages to speak up. "So. He's abandoned secrecy and assumed control of the Separatists himself," Anakin says.
"Yes. With Dooku and Grievous gone and you not becoming his apprentice like he hoped, Palpatine, or Sidious as I think we should call him, has to take more direct control of the Separatists in order to keep them going. An intercepted transmission to the Separatist Council confirms this. Now that he now longer has control of the Republic, Palpatine's goals have to be accomplished by forcing the Separatists onto the offense and releasing their full power against the Republic to conquer the galaxy," Obi Wan says.
"Does Chancellor Organa know about this?" Padme asks.
"We found out about it from him. He's already called a private meeting with what remains of the Council to discuss the situation," Obi Wan says. He pauses, then says, "I spoke with Master Windu. He's concerned about Sidious taking direct control of the Separatists. We know how dedicated Sidious was to the Sith. If Sidious is becoming more involved in the Separatists, I think we'll see more Sith ideation infiltrating the Separatists. Sidious wants an Empire. And he's going to do anything to achieve it."
Anakin is quiet, the anger and hate for Palpatine rising again. After a few moments, he asks, "Do we know where Palpatine is hiding?"
"No. We couldn't get a location from the intercepted transmission or this broadcast, and no other Separatist chatter has given any hints. Still, Palpatine doesn't seem like the type to have a mobile home base. He has to be hiding on a planet somewhere," Obi Wan says.
Anakin is quiet for a moment. Everyone watches him before Anakin looks up and says, "I need to get back in the field. I need to get back on the battlefield."
Padme looks a bit upset at that statement, but Obi Wan and Rex feel a surge of gratitude to hear that Anakin is going to be returning to battle. His leadership and warrior abilities will be crucial to help combat the Separatists with this new development.
(Chancellor's Office)
In his new office as Chancellor, Bail is going over the most recent reports on the situation brewing since Palpatine's message was broadcast.
Suddenly, without warning, the door to the office bursts open, and Commander Fox rushes into the office. "Chancellor!" he cries out.
"Commander. What's wrong?" Bail asks in concern.
"Chancellor. I just received word. According to the admiral who sent it, the former Chancellor had a black project ongoing that few knew about. The project was constructing a battlestation in orbit above Geonosis. Apparently, a Separatist fleet just appeared over Geonosis and is currently battling our fleet there with the intent of seizing the battlestation for themselves," Fox says.
Bail feels a chill. Not only that the Separatists are doing this, but also because such a project existed and was known only in Palpatine's inner circle. It makes him wonder exactly how powerful this battlestation is meant to be.
However, for the moment, the purpose of this mysterious battlestation is the least of his concerns. For now, his concern needs to be stopping it from falling into separatist hands.
"Order a fleet prepped immediately. And send for General Kenobi and Skywalker," Bail orders, knowing they will be his best assets in this case.
And, I'll end the chapter there. Hope you liked it.
So, yes, the Death Star will be involved in this story. It will play a minimal role, mostly just mentions and the subject of the coming battle, but it won't really play a role.
Next chapter will showcase the battle for the Death Star. It should be up within a week or so. Until then, leave a review and stay tuned!