I know I said I would post on Fridays, but since when do I follow through with what I say? I hope you guys enjoy the story. Let me know what you think...

PS. A question came up that I probably should have clarified. This story takes place during the Episode III era, but the Clone Wars never happened.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or anything Star Wars related.

PART TWO

Uncharted Territory

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Sitting at a long table that rested in the center of her own personal quarters, Padme sifted through the numerous datapads that she had spread out atop its surface. Impatiently waiting for her transport to reach the remote planet of Korriban, she had decided to pass the time by reading through the history of the Sith and the Jedi. Of course, that was usually how she did pass the time. She allowed a heavy sigh to escape her lips as she grew more and more restless. Each second that ticked by seemed to take an eternity. She was eager to get started and she had never been a patient person.

Picking up one of the many datapads that lay before her, she began to scan through its contents. It was filled with information regarding one of the most legendary Jedi who had ever lived. Not much was known about him other than his name: Skywalker. Many believed him to be nothing more than folklore, but others believed him to be a true hero during the Great War. Padme herself had read and heard stories about him all her life. Though she couldn't know for sure if he had ever truly existed, she could only hope that he had. The galaxy could have used more people like the famed Jedi Master. Then, picking up another nearby datapad, she thought the exact opposite. The contents of this datapad regarded the infamous Black Knight. Perhaps the most notorious Sith Lord who had ever lived, he had supposedly slaughtered countless Jedi during the war. She could only hope that he was nothing more than a legend. Such pure evil was hard to fathom. But no matter how much she despised him, she found him even more fascinating.

It was said that the Black Knight towered over ordinary men and was powerful enough with what the ancients called 'the Force' to crush the life out of a person with minimal effort. It was also said that he killed without remorse; having even murdered other members of the Sith order at times. However, his power left him unchecked and unchallenged. Fear had been his greatest weapon. Some even speculated that the Black Knight had been the one to destroy Skywalker. With an image that made him seem almost invincible, the Jedi was even believed to be immortal by some…until he had met the treacherous Sith Lord on the battlefield. But no facts had been proven to back up any of these assumptions.

Padme felt her heart begin to race as she looked through the information. For years she had searched for clues to the Black Knights origins and it finally seemed as though she might actually find some answers. Of all the Sith and Jedi tales that she had grown up surrounded by, she had always found his the most intriguing. She couldn't wait to see what was in store for her on Korriban, what new discoveries lay ahead.

Turning to the door to her quarters when it chimed, Padme was pulled from her wandering thoughts and set the datapad aside.

"Come in," she called out.

The doors slid open to reveal one of the armed guards that her mother had insisted on her taking along on the trip. He bowed his head in respect before speaking. "We are just entering the planets atmosphere, milady."

"I'll be right there," Padme replied, her chest tightening in excitement. "Could you please send my protocol droid in?"

Jumping up from her seat, she began to gather her bags while the guard left to find C-3PO. She had already packed everything she needed, so it didn't take her long to get it all together. She heard a voice behind her just as she finished.

"Oh, Miss Padme, there you are," Threepio said. "I have been looking all over for you."

"Give me a hand with these bags, Threepio," Padme replied as she hefted a pack over her shoulder. Then, hoisting another up into C-3PO's arms, she smiled and patted his hand. "Thank you."

"I am at your service, Miss Padme," Threepio merrily stated.

"Let's go," Padme said, starting for the door. "I'm sure Sabe is already waiting for us."

Just as she had suspected, the transport had landed and Sabe was standing at the hatchway by the time she and Threepio had arrived on the deck.

"Are you ready?" Sabe asked, visibly tense and on edge.

"Relax, Sabe, everything will be alright," Padme told her friend. "There is nothing to fear here."

"If you say so," Sabe replied doubtfully.

Within a matter of seconds, the doors to the hatch had slid open and the transports boarding ramp extended, touching down to the ground. Padme couldn't contain a grin as she started down the ramp and stepped out onto the rough terrain. Unfortunately, Sabe's spirits were not as high as her friends. Korriban was a world of dry deserts and rocky canyons. To say the least, it was not a desirable planet.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," she muttered to herself.

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