Star Wars: Arda Unleashed

by Lord Exar Kun

After the Arda Campaign ended in victory for the Republic and their local allies, the galaxy's eyes returned to the wider Clone Wars. However, the Dark Lord Sauron has yet to be vanquished. Now he has come to the wider galaxy free from the binds of Arda, and is ready to be unleashed upon the stars. As the Chosen One's fate, the Republic's and the Jedi Order's remains to be seen.

3. Shadows of Coruscant

Chapter 3

Shadows of Coruscant

The night had come and doused Coruscant in what would have surely been utter darkness were it not for the countless streams of lights. Born of the endless traffic, airspeeders and ships of greater make and renown coming and going across the capitol. Or, the lights that streamed from the spires and buildings that shone out and alerted all to the lives that remained active within them. Counted among those lights, Palpatine could now add his office. Sure, his office rarely ever cut the lights. After all he held an adjoining residence to it, so it was really up to him. Though he tended to think there was a subtle political message to be had in never cutting the power to his office. A silly, and dreamy ideal that so long as one light remained on within the heart of the Republic that government would remain. It was a funny thing to think of. Indeed it brought a wry smirk to his aged features, but was quickly removed thereafter. None knew just what lay and had lain at the heart of this Republic for years. Corruption, bureaucracy, toadies and withered prunes, or what he supposed should be called men and women of name and credits to by their seats into power. To remain lavish and keep those around them and themselves lavish in life. It was even to him despicable. Democracy often times played the part of a dictatorship thumbing its nose to the openly autocratic. Instead of a single ruler they rather allow there to be dozens if not hundreds to muddy everything, slow it down and cripple it. Yes, Palpatine knew what he was, relished who he was, but he could think back to the earliest days of his political life under Plagueis' auspicious movements and plans. He could recall how dull politics made him, and yet he was so good at it. No….no in honesty politics didn't dull him. What dulled him was how much better at the game he was compared to those toadies, those men and women of higher birth who had to pay lip service to a host of fools across this Republic for their seats. Ah, but he was allowing his mind to wonder. Shaking himself of such things he loosed a single sigh as he came before a doorway that led into a private meeting hall connected to his office and residential unit. He had an important meeting to attend to. Off the official schedule of course.

Placing his right hand over a small metal plate near the door and upon a central button there the doorway slid open revealing the expected room. Within it was the usual aesthetic of crimson coloring both along the floor and walls accentuated by dull gray linings and blackened décor. A wide crescent shaped viewport lay to his right and revealed the glittering nightlife of Coruscant, and to his right within the room was another wide entrance that led out to the working half of his dual office/residence. Dead center to him though along the wide end was a table. Black and marble looking, imposing and made with the best credits could afford. Adjacent on either side were two equally dark and matching seats, and the further ends were single seats. One of which was currently occupied to his right.

Palpatine stepped himself forward and the doorway slid behind him with a slight thrum of noise. He cast a glance right and tipped his head cordially, politically as ever, and placed a smile along his features. There meeting his gaze was a fiery one, both literal and figurative. They held an unnatural swirl of what seemed to be fire surrounding a reptiles diamond pupil, while the gaze watched him intently otherwise. To what end or purpose he did not know. The Force around this creature was a mess. A swirled of the dark side and some shadowy mist that it could neither probe nor penetrate. It was both invigorating, for rarely had Palpatine ever met someone he did not discern within moments of their meeting, but still concerning. He knew this being desired similarly to himself. Power was its own reward of course, and with the power it already held, it gave him enough evidence to play his hands calmly, coolly. He had to be careful, just like the days far gone now under the first weeks of Plagueis' tutelage.

"I do hope your prior residence caused you no undo discomfort." Palpatine began as he walked over to his left near to the opposite facing chair that would level him towards this creature wrapped in the flesh of a human woman.

"Had you told the men watching you of any desire I could have seen it done for you. There was no need for you to carelessly stroll through the depths of Coruscant. A stinking place as it is and all." He feigned a political laugh as he took his seat and folded his hands into his lap. The woman's face showed no outward sign of emotion even as the eyes remained transfixed onto him. It was then that Palpatine noted the flesh was pale, as it had been on Korriban, even if it did appear more….'put together,' than even then. It was clean, and the hair she had seemed more lively. Yet, that paleness, that distinct lack of color seemed to spread across her. Similar he supposed to what the dark side did to one who lay enthralled in its power for too long, or in perpetuity. It made him wonder if that woman had damaged her body with the dark side then, or was this creature doing this to her? Curious all the same.

"After all…." Palpatine began again having noted the lack of vocalized response from the creature.

"Those eyes of yours may be off-putting to some. Aliens have all manner of look and appearance to them. Some can even shape shift such as a shi'ido. Yet, rarely does someone who carries themselves in the look of a human woman show such eyes. Forgive me, but are they necessary?" Palpatine probed and received a curious cock of the woman's head.

"I do not understand your question." The voice was feminine. Yet, the Force carried a thrumming undertone that he doubted anyone but the most adept in the Force could sense. Even still it was rough and terse in manner.

"Well I am just curious!" Palpatine began with a cordial laugh.

"I had assumed back upon Korriban that you could shift your form into whatever you so desired. The eyes seem as though a big clue as to your...unnatural essence."

"Ah the mortal perception of what is and is not 'unnatural.'" The being smiled a smug thing and Palpatine felt himself recline backwards. Indeed it had been some time since another being had made their sense of self superiority clear to him. Rarely indeed since his coming into the Chancellorship.

"My eyes, yes I suppose I could change them should I desire." The woman's eyelids shut and reopened and were a sudden shade of brilliant gray. They shut again and reopened the vision of fire and darkness.

"Yet, I am not beholden to some deluded vision of normalcy. Here among the uncounted stars and billions of lives plainly perceptible through vision alone if not the powers you wield I am not so odd a thing. Surely a species….you call them 'near-humans' exist in which their eyes 'evolved' differently? Should the need arise for me to hide my being then it shall be." The being intoned and Palpatine noted their use of common phrasing in the galaxy.

"I see you've picked up on same terminology for our little galaxy."

"'Little' is an understatement. This galaxy is a living sea, a vast ocean of darkness dotted with many a world. Many things have yet been made revealed unto me. Curious is the great measure of the world as of yet." The last sentence was barely audible though Palpatine heard it nonetheless.

"Hmm, perhaps it is merely the normalcy of it all that dulls me to the true magnificence of the galaxy. Or, the universe for that matter! After all we have tens of thousands of years of knowledge and history to our one galaxy, and yet beyond us lay billions more. Who knows to what beings and creatures come from them?"

"A truth you speak." The being intoned again meeting his gaze with its own from across their dark dividing table.

"As I spoke of upon that desert world you sought to place me, I have access to the mind of the witch. Her knowledge is my own all I need is pick through it, and done so I have. Several times in fact."

"Well, I suppose that does help lessen the need to acquaint you with the wider galaxy. Have you discovered anything of interest?" Again he probed and the being seemed dulled in expression as ever.

"Nothing of interest. Your sciences and customs, the litany of them that pervade this vast collection of glittering stars and burning suns, are perhaps interesting. Yet, they seem bound in vacuums. They hardly advance, they do not change, 'evolution' does not carry on and it would see all the universe is stagnant." Palpatine cocked a curious brow, but the being was not yet done.

"I have existed longer than your perception of time could allow. I've seen the raising of pillars of light, their downfall, and the coming of trees bounding with warmth and light anew. Only to then be shown the sun and the moon. I find them curiosities now, knowing what I know. Yet, even now I can sense you do not quite understand my words. I have seen the coming of the houses of the elves and the first dwarven clans. They have changed, multiplied, contracted, murdered, waged war and the world sundered itself beneath the power of war. A War of Wrath and fire. Do I find your galaxy particularly unique?" The feminine features smirked wryly.

"Perhaps in only how many variances of those same mortal customs that writhe chaotically amongst the darkened mists between these worlds. I've learned their titles, some of them at least. Twi'lek, Togruta, Geonosian, Kaleesh, Falleen, Anomid, Bith, Chiss, Duros, Dug, Mon Calamari, Quarren, Trandoshan, Zeltron and on and on." Her hand had risen and swirled in the air in exasperated boredom so it seemed.

"Well, that is somewhat disappointing. Though I can see your point." Palpatine offered in diplomatic fashion.

"The galaxy is filled with meaningless lifeforms. All rummaging through the filth of existence trying to scrape their way by. All seemingly in belief they are owed a comfortable existence but all too weak to take what it is they desire."

"Part of your Sith philosophy no doubt." It was a statement and Palpatine chuckled as he nodded. Some of his outward facade diminishing.

"Through strength I gain Power. Through Power, Victory. It is as simplistic as it is revolutionary. The beings of this world, and the billions around expect of other men and women to do for them what they are unwilling or incapable of doing themselves. It is a sign of weakness."

"Weakness? Weakness is a concept born of those who inflate their own abilities." The being countered.

"Chaos is more apt a response to what I spoke of earlier. Weakness is a matter of perception of those who believe themselves to be above their fellow mortal. As a maia I am lesser than a vala, but that is not perception that is truth and thus fact. Give rise to the heart, and the fires of the bellies of even the most archaic and tepid of man and you can see unleashed a beast with the ferocity for death and war as that of a drake of old. Weakness is not a concept I find common in this world, it is the gnarled chaos by which we must exist in. Even if I should use the term weakness, and define weakness in mortal speak it is not the same as one would have believe were the words borne of your mouth. To me weakness is chaos, and chaos is abhorrent." Ah! Palpatine smirked. Now he had gained some insight to this creature's view of things. Sure he still didn't understand what he meant in full. Especially at the thought of whatever a 'maia' and 'vala' was, but he gleamed something. That was progress.

"True. Even if you do not see weakness in the way I do, or those like me do, I can agree to the validity of your point chaos does reign supreme in the galaxy. It has for...well since its foundation. We.…'mortals' have that predicament, or predilection. To fight, and to swim through the 'vast sea' of stars and simply exist."

"Without reason, and without purpose." Again the creature seemed to give more of his viewpoint. It made Palpatine beam internally as he finally caught onto what seemed to be a neurotic disdain of the mortal world. Were it of any use to him? That remained to be seen.

"Do tell me, if you do not mind of course-" Palpatine began shifting the topic some in tone before word.

"What do you think of Coruscant? I imagine it is quite different from your world." Palpatine was sure to use the term 'your' in order to inflate this creature's domineering personality. At the same time he produced a small data chip from his robes and inserted it into a small console beneath the table before him. The creature eyed him for a moment before turning towards the far off viewport to the endless streams of Coruscant's glittering night.

"You speak truth in that way. This 'planet' this Coruscant is unlike anything yet shown across all of Arda. Even the far western shores do not harbor such spires of many number and varying grandeur and rotting decay." Those burning eyes seemed momentarily distant before refocusing on Palpatine.

"In many ways the creations and measure of that which is built here eclipses the finest of creations made of elf or dwarf, and yet they fail to capture the same awe in others. The accomplishments made here, and in the images seen in the mind of this woman of distant worlds are wondrous, as they are common, as I spoke before. I would need many a lifetime yet to see to them myself. To give you opinion from a yet unfinished view and research of my own would be faulty. In short I find it as marvelous as it is tame and prosaic." Palpatine smirked, again noting this creature had a somewhat dull view of things. Though considering how old it seemed to indicate it was perhaps it was simply dulled and world weary. Ironic in a way, but perhaps endless discoveries in a galaxy or indeed the whole universe could help keep one from losing interest in life. He certainly didn't expect to lose interest in all the as of yet untouched discoveries of the universe himself.

"Hmm, well considering your venture out into its depth was but a small dower of its true grandeur, perhaps in time you will come to appreciate its magnificence more?"

"Perhaps." The feminine voice agreed.

"I had seen some of the world you came from." Palpatine continued on snapping the small console beneath the table where his chip had been inserted. In the central holoconsole upon the table a small whir sounded out. A beam of glinting blue came to life and appeared before the both of them came images that led the creature's eyes to sharpen.

"It is quite an agrarian world. Though its architecture in some regions is astounding I should admit." Palpatine remarked with a chuckle as an image appeared of a multi-tiered city of seven walls and levels embedded into the tip end of a mountain range. One the creature recognized as a sneer formed along the features it wore.

"The White City, Minas Tirith." It remarked and Palpatine nodded recalling the name.

"Yes, and despite its archaic society the engineering that must have gone into these structures, these cities is quite astounding. I should perhaps tour your home world one day, and take in its sights personally." As he spoke the image shifted to one of a great black tower that rose into the air. Surrounding it was a circle of broken and torn walls, and its grounds were flooded in murky waters laced in dirt.

"Orthanc."

"I am informed that the city is surrounded by err….'walking trees.'" To that the creature callously laughed.

"Ents are no trees. They are creatures much like what you know as Zelosians. Though they do not resemble men, they are living plant life. Given task to tend to forests, nurture trees and tend the garden of Arda. They are a failing race, and in this coming Age I portend they will cease to be part of the living world. Such is the way of all things wondrous before the chaos of mortality." Though this Sauron showed himself to hold no love for these….plant beings, his derision towards mortals seemed stronger. Perhaps even something fantastical that stood against him, or was disliked of him, was of higher stature and regard than the mortal aspects of his world. Interesting indeed…..

"Hmm, I see. Well then I should be quick to add their names to the Senate Library and that of the Library of the Republic." The creature nodded its worn head and said nothing more as the image again shifted to a new holographic image. This one showing a massive landscape. Its outer borders lined in sharpened jagged rocks that even when shown in their blue hologram hue one could sense the blackened tips and color of. Encasing this landscape were lines, rows of mountains as jagged and tooth like as the small rocks that clung to their wall faces. While these mountains lay on the edge of what seemed to be the most massive sinkhole one could imagine. For miles and miles the land had seemingly fallen into the earth and had become wrested from its foundations. To this, Sauron showed a measure of intrigue, but so too did another callous smirk cross the lips it wore.

"Mordor has indeed fallen. Not just in sense and spoken word, but so too did the foundations of what I built come crashing down in the loss. A failure indeed, and one that shall see ill turn met with another, and dare myself to say a far grander one. Too many wounds have men, elves, dwarves, and now witless halflings imparted onto me! Their debts increase by the age." He simmered lowly, and Palpatine noted still.

"My, so this is the place I've read so much about? 'Mordor.' What a harsh name for a place. Reminds me of Mustafar."

"Often places such as Mordor gain their names from those who reside therein. Orcs, and uruks. Lowly goblins and towering ologs. Mordor was ill fated in manner and look long before I came upon that land. I merely took what it had to offer and gave it purpose."

"Pray tell, what was that purpose"

"A land as rich as Mordor was, would be wasted by those who know not the means of industry and utilizing the resources gifted onto you through the foundations set long before. The molten rivers of Orodruin fed armies with metal armor and weapons of war. The walls of Mordor protected it along three of its four frontiers and the fourth lay a land vast in men subservient to the Great Eye, my Eye." The hand rose and lazily pointed to one of those smoldering unnatural flames.

"The ash and fertilizing deposits of an endlessly living volcano of great and tremendous wrath and power as Orodruin gave rise to some of the most fertile fields in all of Middle-Earth. Those who know not the means by which crops are grown, seeds sown, and plants raised would imagine a barren land for all the eye, and would be aghast in their stupidity for the bounties of crop southern Nurn produced for my armies. For within Mordor I set down a nation sustainable by its own product. Lands vast to live in though rugged and harsh. Food aplenty born of enriched waters and soil from volcanic dust, and weapons and metal enough to industrialize armies five times over, and over again! Within Mordor I built no paradise, but indeed a bastion in the formation of a nation."

"A marvel to be sure." Palpatine gave accolade.

"Yet, it was not enough?" A potentially dangerous retort, but Palpatine wrapped himself in the dark side, and watched as the feminine face turned numb, and the eyes hardened as the flames that seemed to warp about the blackened diamonds that were pupils swirled more dramatically. They turned slowly upon Palpatine and refocused to him.

"Arrogance."

"Pardon?"

"Arrogance is a factor one is hard pressed to fully account for, Dark Lord. When one allows themselves too great a measure of it despite their grandeur they are liable to make mistakes. When one accounts for assailing armies, one chooses thus to wrap themselves behind mountains as great unassailable walls. When one accounts for famine, one feeds the earth with rich ash ear a great inland sea of clear waters. When one accounts for the need to arm your hordes one places themselves upon the choking slopes of a mountain that spews an endless lake of metals and rock from which to gain those battlements and wears! Yet, when one is assailed by two fat halflings from across the entire continent led by a gangly creature who dares to think your precious weapon his own, there is little defense one can muster to even fathom such a thought! In my arrogance I thought little of their design to destroy the weapon, the power I had gifted onto the Ring!" Her right hand slammed as a fist into the table, and a great reverberation sounded not only from the table but from within the room. Palpatine cocked a curious brow and kept his composure even as he more heard than felt what sounded like the air around him squealing in pain. An unnatural hold echoed as pressure around him and the lights within the room dimmed as though chased by the power and shadow of this creature. The sneer upon its features took a moment to soften and recompose, and the hand fell from the table, and body slumped back into the chair. An intake of breath trough the nostrils followed and as quickly as that slithering shadow seemed to flow from her body, it receded out of mind and out of sight as the lights returned and the room ceased vibrating.

"Well.." Palpatine began, and made sure to keep his tone level and seemingly unaffected even if he was awed by the display of power not born of the Force. He idly flecked aside imaginary dust from the table and folded his hands atop one another thereafter.

"You needn't be so concerned with what becomes of that world. At least not for the near future I should think. Here we can parcel out new opportunities for you." The eyes opened and returned to Palpatine.

"You speak in much the same way the witch did when she came to my world. The desire for powers unknown to you. It is like gold to a dragon. Men have ever been desiring of it." Again, Palpatine felt he was missing some context but ignored it as best he could.

"It does have the desired effect of allowing those with it to turn a planet, a star system, a sector, or even the whole galaxy to their whims." Palpatine smiled dreamily.

"Set order to that chaos you speak of. At least in our own ways. The Republic I manage is stagnant, dying. An ancient beast that can no longer support its own weight. Weighed down in part due to squabbling delegates, politicians and...those who have special interests in the functions of government to meet their ends. By 'ends' of course one means their pocket books." Another sharp sarcastic laugh was elicited from Palpatine.

"'Republic.'" This Sauron seemed to test saying the word aloud.

"A strange concept."

"Are there no such forms of government on your world?"

"Not in the manner that this Galactic Republic functions. There are townships where councils meet of elected men and women. There are mayors who make generalized decisions for dwellings like that of the Shire. Yet, Lords and Kings reign supreme. The Empire of Rhûn, The Kingdoms of Gondor and Rohan, and of long fallen Arnor or even Angmar. The dwarven Kingdoms of which there were many, and the elves in spite of their eloquent and high mannered natures too hold onto trappings of singularly decided kingdoms and lands. Gondolin, Lindon, the Woodland Realm…...Doriath…." Palpatine didn't speak but he did sense a shift through the Force. Another sour disposition crossed the features Sauron wore for an instant before fading. Some far off memory no doubt.

"You seek obviously to concentrate power. Not only in that which you wield by wave of hand and spoken word."

"Correct." Palpatine nodded with a firm smirk. Again some of his outward facade dropping as he did so.

"The witch sought such power, and one could argue that she received it in ways she did not intend or perceive. She would argue this I am sure."

"That reminds me," Palpatine began again shifting the conversation slightly towards an intrigue he had.

"Is that woman, Vica, is she still with us?" The body cocked its head curiously, and Palpatine noted in a split second the eyes blinked and when they opened they were the dull and common brown hue of many a human being.

"Oh, I am quite here, 'Darth Sidious.'" She spat his way, and the Force made a clear and sudden shift. Palpatine noted the presence that rippled from the body was now more common of humans. The dark side readjusted and as it began to supersede the other indiscernible power that flowed from the body.

"Never in a billion years would I have imagined myself to meet the renowned master of my master and find him to be the Supreme karking Chancellor! What a shock, what a surprise, what a joke!" She kept on going and Palpatine sighed contemptibly and quite loudly with politically timed derision.

"My my, indeed I feel I should apologize to myself for even bothering to ask if you were indeed still among the realm of the conscious. Ever do you seek to endear yourself, madam Masted." Palpatine openly derided now, and she smirked.

"I only seek to impress you, false Sith Lord."

"'False?'"

"Oh indeed! Never would I have imagined a Sith Lord, let alone THE Dark Lord of the Sith to hide as a coward among the rats and weeds he seeks to destroy! Perchance maybe you're a plant of some grand conspiracy to destroy the Sith?"

"Now that is conspiratorial reaching beyond the likes of even the most foolish HoloNet news anchor." Palpatine laughed as he again brushed aside imagined dust upon his sleeves this time.

"Hmm, maybe." She offered flatly.

"Still if nothing else it means you're a coward! How Dooku could ever follow your lead while you sit here in the highest position of power on the galaxy and he leads the Confederacy I will never know."

"Indeed, you never will." Palpatine shot back evenly.

"I told Dooku you were an uncontrollable madwoman, and behold I am proven correct. Your emotions are wild and unkempt. Your shameful display of wanton desire for power and no means of regulating it or seeking to attain such without losing your mind in the meantime are testament alone to your lack of planning and finesse." She recoiled in her seat but her shoulders rolled and she seemed ready to pounce.

"I'd watch my tongue if I were-"

"Such is the manner of rabid dogs of many a variance in the galaxy." He kept going as though she had not spoken, and in bored monotone.

"You remind me of the ancient Sith. Such as those under Vitiate. Many of whom were nothing more than blunt instruments to live and do a set few things. Wage a war, maybe win a battle here, contribute to a planetary conquest there, kill your fellow student here and there. You lack any sort of strategic planning or adaptability beyond 'hit it' and 'hit it harder.'" He snidely mocked in open laughter.

"You piece of-"

"Look at me for example." Again he cut her off, and noticeably her face reddened in uncontrolled fury.

"I not only manage the war on the part of the Republic, but so too do I command the leader of the Confederacy." He laughed a one both sinister and adulating.

"I alone dictate who wins, who loses, who lives, and who dies. Nothing gets past me, and I see all intelligence. What Separatist fleet strikes there within the Inner-Rim, and what Republic counterattack will be launched into the Mid-Rim? Oh, and who lives and dies on the part of the governments! That I do rather enjoy, for you see, little girl, the galaxy is full of those with egos greater than the repository of their own mass. Men and women, and every alien thing in between that seeks power and uses the Confederate cause to do so. They can die so easily and be martyred so excellently by a Jedi task force. A Republic senator whose ideals and ideas find themselves on the side of history where one can count them a true believer, suddenly finds a bomb has exploded in their spire residence. Gasp!" He spoke in further mockery.

"It must have been a terrorist act committed by a Separatists sympathizer! Let us then enforce greater restrictions on who moves when and where, how and why. Let us root out the rot of subversives and relocate the raucous and undesirable. For you see, Vica, I am not a blunt object such as yourself. Rather," He smiled wickedly.

"I am the knife in the dark. Casting no shadow, but reaching out as one over the entire galaxy. I alone wield power over it all, and my will becomes law at a turn of my whim. Your master, Dooku, even he has failed to realize the level of puppetry he has sold himself into. Years, decades of his live wasted in service to the Jedi Order. Only to then, in his vanity believe himself greater than himself and seek to undo 'corruption.' A laugh, and joke that is! He has become nothing but an ideal that's very foundation is wrapped within that same corruption!" Palpatine's eyes dared to show a hint, but a glinting flash of what lay beneath. Not only in the joy he took in revealing his true self, but also in the harsh yellow glow the dark side gave unto those embedded within its folds. In kind Vica gave him one of her most vile glares, with lips twisted in disgust, though seeming indirect and unsure. One found it hard to deny his claims when laid so bare before them.

At last he feigned a heavy sigh, rolled his shoulders and leaned back into his seat placing his fingers against one another in thoughtful and peaceful a look.

"Alas, you are but a child. With a child's understanding of what power is, and how to wield it. Now do please allow me to return to speaking with your new 'master,' woman. The adults certainly have more important matters to attend to than whatever drivel you wish to spit." Her mouth opened and right hand rose in twisted manner. Looking as though ready to reach across and choke the elderly politician, or use the Force to attempt to do so. Yet, she paused and her hand fell back atop the table with a slump and. Her mouth closed, and her eyes remained fixed on Palpatine who bore no sign of intimidation. Though her look softened, and her face twisted to that of a feral grin. She said nothing, but closed her eyes, and when they reopened they were no longer of natural human manner. To that end Palpatine did make note of her sudden switch in demeanor.

"I am terribly sorry you are stuck in that body with so vile a woman. I had told Dooku to be rid of her sooner rather than later. However, I fear the old fool forms something of attachments with his various apprentices to varying degrees. The same issue has occurred before with others. Notably of the female gender, but I needn't go on with-"

"I must return to Arda." Palpatine paused, both being cut off, and taken aback by the sudden turn of conversation.

"Pardon?"

"My world, I must return to it and gather elements necessary for my recuperation. In power, and in force." Well, Palpatine thought it quaint this Sauron didn't even bother mincing words toward its intent.

"Well..." Palpatine began having to take but a moment to center himself.

"That is possible, I would suppose. Though I do have to wonder, what would you need from a world so backwards as yours that you cannot gain here in the wider galaxy? Assuredly you know there is greater means of warfare? Greater power is to be had in one blaster pistol, as uncivil a weapon as it may be, when compared to those unseemly swords and spears your foul little creatures carried with them. Though," Palpatine went on feigning a new thought coming to him as he gave this creature sly a glance.

"Perhaps another and one might say more prosaic artifact is sought after? Something of power? Someone of use?" The creature returned to its seat from when Vica had rose. It remained fixed, in deadpan expression as ever, upon Palpatine. Those burning spheres for eyes squinted, and again the expression was turned to one of an amused thin smirk.

"Do you wish to gain more power, Supreme Chancellor?" To this Palpatine shrugged slightly. Showing his answer in how his lips curled into a smirk of his own.

"Who doesn't desire more power, Lord Sauron?" He echoed the use of formal title.

"Though it also depends on what kind of power one can gain. Or, better still, what kind of power someone is offered."

"Then you do understand." Sauron replied happily.

"Power of the flesh, of the spirit, of the words you speak that echo out unto the word and command those to do thy bidding is oft born of the power you wield through the control of pawns. No great leader leads but his own mouth." Sauron had raised one of his hands and lazily ran it beneath the woman's mouth he wore.

"I have seen your clones, and these droids of yours. I admit I am impressed by both, but find your droids far more intriguing."

"Really?" Palpatine was genuinely intrigued by that. Considering most analysts considered the Clone Army superior, if out-manned by that of the limitlessness that was the Confederate Droid Armies.

"Indeed. They both of their uses, flaws, shortcomings, and superior points to them. Yet, I find their service dubious." Palpatine noted he did not elaborate on why he preferred the droids, but nonetheless, found the line of conversation interesting if obviously leading.

"You have obviously seen my servants."

"I have."

"Then you've also seen what creatures of war also lay within my service."

"If by creatures you mean those whom had, then yes I've seen them." Palpatine corrected the present to past tense, which seemed to do nothing for this Sauron's demeanor or mood. He hardly seemed to have noticed Palpatine's choice of words. Or, perhaps he had and he was more skilled at masking than Palpatine ave him credit? Interesting all the same.

"Then it is easy for one to then assume it is that I wish to return to Arda for the purpose of removing my servants from that world. If indeed it has been rung throughout the world that the power in the east has fallen, then my beasts and orcs will soon annihilate themselves, or be hunted into oblivion. In time even their memories will be forgotten much as that of the elves. Let it be then, but if I should take them, or those whom I deem most worthy far from that world, and take careful planning to heart once more; no longer bound by the need to find my….weapon, I should now have the time to perfect my orc breeds." Palpatine found his terminology of 'weapon' odd. He knew full well about this Ring, and recalled even Sauron himself had mentioned it in the past. Still, he also held onto that terminology for future use.

"Where then, do you propose to put such vile creatures? Certainly nowhere civil!" Palpatine laughed.

"Do you mean to tell me of the uncounted….billions of worlds within this galaxy there lay not one? One where the lands of unpopulated, or its people of….little concern? Where food cannot be made aplenty? Where industry may not begin to thrive?"

"Oh, most certainly I am sure there's a world out I the great expanse of the galaxy without importance where such a collective of creatures could make their living and multiply. Even here in the Core Worlds we discover new worlds by the year. A galaxy is not something so simply mapped as a river or mountain range." That too was chosen in mockery, but again Sauron showed no hint of notice. That slightly bothered Palpatine now who only barely allowed his mouth to inch into a frown. However, when Sauron gave no reply and the space between them grew slightly heavy Palpatine cleared his throat and returned to leaning his hands along the table.

"What is an apt question is what am I to gain from such an endeavor?" To that the woman's face twisted again into a knowing smirk.

"Then we've come to it at last. Assuredly one does not barter believing one to gain all and the other nothing?"

"No….but that is the goal of each barterer I've met."

"Indeed." Sauron agreed, and again Palpatine felt as though they both understood one another in some manner then in that moment.

"My thralls, servants and beasts, they follow none. Even the orc, they fail to form any cohesive means of survival unless one with the will to command them comes into being. Even then such a thing is not so easy to find among the will of men and elves. To dominate, to truly command through will and impart that is something unique to those who control their spiritual selves. A fact men fail to fully grasp."

"Whatever do you mean?"

"The word I believe used by men is 'magic.' Men and others such as the dwarves who do not wield it in great a fashion as well." Sauron 'elaborated' but Palpatine was still not sure what this had to do with their prior conversation.

"Oft it has been remarked by men that what the elves accomplish by works of their wills and minds; the towering trees they so love, the swords which sing when thrust through the air, whose metal can restrain or harm the wraith and barrow wight, whose voices can repel enemies, and whose songs sing some into deepened slumbers even through the veil of their own great power, lusts and vanity." Again another far off look formed in those unnatural eyes of Sauron, but in the next instant was gone. Sauron gave Palpatine another look. The black diamonds of his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

"What you gain from my venture is very little. Yet, I too gain so very little. However, that is why the word 'investment' exists."

"Please elaborate." Palpatine beckoned invitingly.

"Should I return into the world of Arda, fall upon Middle-Earth I will be but a shadow crept through the woods and under mountain holds. It will take some time to gather to myself thrall of worthy power and purpose. Orcs and Uruks who can be made use of, and whose breeding stock hold some merit. So too should the Ologs be brought to me. Lesser and greater I will have use for them all, and yet in time the lesser must be in whole replaced. My lieutenants…..my Nazgûl they too shall return to me, but it will require patience and no small measure of great willpower and spirit. They were bound to it, but only because they are bound to me."

"Thus far I hear of what needs to be done in the manner to which it serves yourself." Sauron was quiet a moment longer before speaking again.

"Power. My power and that of lesser mortal-kinds can be produced from the spirit. My spirit differs from your own, for I retain ëala while you retain fëa. In that sense it is harder for those such as you to fully utilize the power that lay therein. However," He paused and eyed Palpatine again in silence.

"When awakened to it, even a man can learn to utilize some of what you would call 'magic.' I can teach some of this to you. Alongside this other power those like yourself wield, the Force, you would wield a new level of power. Born of both body and then your soul."

"If I help you?"

"Help is so strong a word." Though the terminology certainly seemed snide he spoke it in such monotone Palpatine was slightly thrown off center.

"Should I command it I could see fit to level all within this building with what little bit of my spirit remains intact. Bound by this body, itself undying now, I could slay all who would seek to fell me, for this body is bound by the magic of both fëa and now ëala. Palpatine did his best to hide his glance, but still his eyes chanced it and looked to that simple ring upon Vica's left hand. Noting it now seemed to retain the faintest of glows only noticeable if one were to look upon it with interest.

"Yet, such a thing would leave my presence known to those I would not desire to know. This 'Skywalker' irritant. His master, and this Order Knights seem a troublesome lot. Even beyond my world there are those who would ever seek to undermine the coming of order into chaos." Again the dichotomy of those two words was brought to the fore.

"One cannot be counted wise should they not make use of all resources presented before them. Why live in the land flowing in clean waters, or budding fields of grain, when there lay another with both? In this way you have presented yourself as an ally. Our designs are similar, yet yours are indeed of grander form. I seek a continent, and you seek a galaxy. I desire a world, and you hunger for them all. In this way we are not yet incompatible."

"'Yet"'" Palpatine echoed.

"We needn't ever be. Yet, those who seek and attain power often times come to-"

"Fear losing it." Palpatine finished and Sauron bowed Vica's head in agreement.

"I offer no sense of security for the future, for even I cannot claim to know what it holds. For myself or for you. There is only one who can claim such, and I am not they." Palpatine felt inclined to press on that, but Sauron cut him off before he could.

"What I can offer is assistance in the acquisition of greater power. Only if you should aid me in much the same."

"The Force?"

"No." Sauron raised Vica's left hand loftily in his laziness.

"This power and its origin may be unknown to me, as of yet. However, its manner and use is not so hard to utilize. Especially in a body already awoken to its nature." With a simple coaxing of Vica's middle and index fingers upon the left hand Palpatine felt the table beneath his arms rise up into the air. He recoiled himself and watched it rise seamlessly upwards. It did not rise so high as to be stupendous or grandiose an exercise in power, but the precision and ease by which Sauron showed this did quietly stir Palpatine internally. Already this creature held an advantage against him….unacceptable.

"No," Sauron went on through Vica's voice and allowed the table to ease quietly back into place, as though it had never risen.

"What I require is access to your resources. Transport, worlds, ships, technology that I may study for myself. In return I shall gift you some of my knowledge on what one would call magic, or perhaps even sorcery. In return you shall see a force rise that would be aligned with your own in spirit and perhaps even in arms."

"You'd seek to use your armies for my favor?"

"If it is so required. However, my intent lay upon Middle-Earth. Do not mistake my singular desire for lack of ambition. For, I seek to undo the chaotic mess left in the wake of creation. However, it is Middle-Earth which must first be made right. Then I shall turn my attention to other shores, and once they have been silenced if not wholly defeated with these new powers I now wield, then I shall consider other worlds of interest to myself."

"Bold of you to say to one who has that ambition now."

"Then all the better you have a mightier head start, Dark Lord." Palpatine to that smirked and allowed himself a hearty laugh.

"I must say it is refreshing to speak to another with no need or desire to mince words! Indeed it has been quite some time….not since my old master I should think. Even then…..bah! What does it matter?" He continued chuckling.

"Very well. As long as we're being honest with one another perhaps I can see fit to see you begin your long trek back into power. However, I should expect my payment sooner rather than later."

"Needn't you worry on that. Before I take leave back to Arda, I shall gift to you but a taste of my power."

"Should that not be sooner rather than later?" Palpatine inquired.

"I would prefer it, but it needn't be this moment, or coming day. This body still requires some rest, and my spirit has much to yet learn and recover."

"Ah, most splendid! Then allow me to provide you with a far more accommodating place of residence."

"I should also like one other thing." Sauron interjected, and Palpatine cocked a curious brow.

"Surely there's little I cannot provide. What may that be?"

"A library. I wish to read the history of this galaxy, and understand its institutions for myself. So that I may make better use of its powers for my own ends."

"An easy request to be sure. Very well! I shall provide you with a new residence and open access to the Senate's very own library. The only one more comprehensive than that of the Jedi Order's. Well in some respects at least."

"That sounds agreeable." Sauron nodded, and Palpatine took that as the social cue to call an end to this little meeting of theirs and stood up. That prompted Sauron to do the same.

"Allow me to make arrangements, it will take but a moment or two." Palpatine made a sweeping statement towards his office in the adjoining room, and Sauron made to follow his lead there.

"Oh, but I should warn you-" Palpatine continued on as the being wearing Vica's body neared the doorway and himself.

"This lovely planet of mine will be experiencing some concerns in the near future." Sauron showed mild confusion as one of those brows rose. Palpatine merely smirked knowingly.

"Needn't you worry yourself with the particulars. Only that I would prefer you remain on world until the conclusion of a coming event. I have some matters to attend to during it, and should like to see them done before I arrange for transport to and off what is officially a cordoned off system. Politics and all that. I'm sure you can appreciate that." Sauron appraised Palpatine once more before bowing Vica's head.

"It is appreciated."

"Good…..yes very good. Now!" The doorway swung open revealing the Chancellor's office.

"Let's find you a more welcoming abode. One fitting of your station." Palpatine chuckled all too happily to himself as the two made their way into his office. Sauron remained much as he had been quiet.

On one level both understanding the other. On another, not at all.

---

(Several Days Later)

"You still don't have much faith in the Covenant, Master?" It was more a statement than honest question that Mace asked as he eyed the small green figure of Master Yoda. The two of them currently sat within one of he many rooms utilized for rest and meditation. This one in particular a favorite of Master Yoda's that usually, as it did now, have its viewport windows covered in blinds allowing only a prickling of daylight to stream in from beyond. It cast rays of light upon both of the Jedi Masters as Yoda opened his eyes and grumbled thoughtfully.

"Trust in your judgment, I do. Disturbed I am, as made clear, I have, turned from the code, many have. Much erosion, this war has done." Mace nodded.

"Master Ti and Kolar I sense are still very much against it. This in spite of Kolar's vote to move forward with it."

"Mhmm, duty conflicts with personal feelings. Torn, he is. Admirable his position may be, and admirable his deference to your wisdom, it is. Undertake this task lightly then, you should not."

"I don't mean to Master." Mace assured with barely an attempt made to mask a sigh.

"Kolvori is troublesome, Master. I admit he's rash, arrogant as well-"

"Indeed, long a problem that has been! A problem in all Jedi, it is." Yoda interjected with a subtle point of is long nailed finger in Mace's general direction. Mace nodded before continuing respectful of Yoda's thoughts.

"I did not exaggerate before the Council when I spoke of the things I read, heard and saw. Don't ask me how or in what manner Kolvori managed to get the data he did, but he did."

"Troubled you are by this information? Or, by the manner discovered, it was in?"

"In a way both, Master." Mace offered bluntly.

"Now that I know what I know about some among our number I can't simply ignore it. We have to preserve what it means to be Jedi. Ins spite of the war! Yet..."

"Invaded their privacy, young Kolvori has. Policed fellow Jedi, he has. Effective, perhaps dangerously effective, he is." Yoda managed to word everything Mace had wanted to do before he could. He could only nod in response.

"Yes. It made me look back into his records. The boy was always seen as something of a loner. Studious, and with an affinity for the Force over lightsaber combat. Trained under a Master Kubeshir."

"Ah, Master Kubeshir. Reserved a Jedi, he was. Remarkable, perhaps not. Valiant a Jedi he was, nonetheless." Mace nodded.

"Yes. He was one of the 212 taken with me to Geonosis." Again he was reminded of that deadly arena battle. That battle that had taken so many of the elder, wise and powerful among the Jedi. Not truly, and not nearly an entire generation of Jedi lost. However, among the highest of the high, the Masters of the Masters? Geonosis had taken all but a few of those.

"Betray you, your thoughts do, Master Windu."

"Apologies Master Yoda." He bowed his head. While Yoda chuckled lowly, playfully, but it soon ebbed away to more morose a tone.

"Did what we thought best, we did. Many dead, still lay on Geonosis, they do."

"Yes Master." Mace nodded along as he usually did. As he usually did he felt somewhat better, but still felt a distant sense of blame flicker at the back of his mind. He did his best to shut it out, and in time he knew he would. He had far greater things to worry about, far greater matters to attend to as one of the high masters within the Jedi Order.

"Nonetheless, it is somewhat telling that Kolvori shows certain personality tendencies seen usually unfit for a Jedi. His Master was lost on Geonosis, and his training was completed by Temple staff rather than a full Master."

"Another common practice made, this is, with so many Masters on the front."

"Indeed." Mace nodded.

"I don't know where the young Knight exactly got his attitude. It's certainly no failing to adhere to the Code. However, one could argue Kolvori is something of a zealous puritan. A Jedi with a literal leaning interpretation of the Code. Undoubtedly aided to and molded into him by his learned knowledge of our Order's history."

"Many failings, and many Fallen Jedi, within our Order, we must remember. Learn from their failings, and that of their teachers, we should. Failure, not without merit, it is." Yoda, as ever, sought to impart some wisdom, even upon Mace whom was far beyond his padawan days. Still he couldn't help the small near imperceptible smile that crossed his face from forming.

"Yes, Master." The aged Grand Master chuckled knowingly before Mace continued on again.

"When I finally had the time to delve into Kolvori's report and findings, I do mean it was a report. Several pages long of detailed lax protocols and institutions allowing what he perceived as the fomenting of undue relations between Jedi. A series of histories involving failed Jedi one could perhaps attribute attachment in part or whole as why they fell. Ulic Qel-Droma being a name of prominence and that of Master Sunrider. Then came the actions and pictures. HoloCall recordings, message text readings with accompanying deployment information so as to prove the information shared within was legitimate. I should perhaps think Kolvori is a Knight with initiative, but…."

"Perhaps too ambitious, you think him? Perhaps, hotly tempered, he is?"

"Yes, in a way Master. Yet, in spite of that….I think he should be placed within the Covenant. As much as Master Ti may not like the idea, and others within the Council have their fair reservations it's clear many Jedi are playing the Council for fools. Where one among us was able to uncover their liaisons and activities when the Council could not. Kolvori is bold, he's brash, and he's hot tempered, but many within our Order have been without concern."

"Hmm, placed within this Covenant, beyond the control of some even upon the Council, he would then be. Dangerous, you think this proposition?" Yoda always managed to find where others sought to lead the conversation. As such Mace nodded.

"Yes. It would be dangerous to place anyone in a position outside of the Council's direct control. Which is why a Master of goodwill, faith, moral control and sound wisdom must be placed at its head. Without the Council allowing itself to interfere with. No room for perceived nepotism, favoritism or interference on the part for friends or colleagues. If this Covenant is to be a reflection of maintaining the structure and consistency of the Order is must be led by someone who reflects us in the best of ways."

"Hmm, but one, not from upon the Council, you say? Believe I do, a name you have already?" Mace nodded, feeling no discomfort that his thoughts had likely betrayed him once more to the wise old Grand Master.

"Yes, Master Yoda. I had wished to bring the matter up at the next Council meeting tonight. If the Master passes with majority, as agreed upon, he will be placed at the head of the Covenant and the Temperance WatchCircle. I believe he can pass easily, but would like your view on the matter before I present him to the Council."

"'He,' you say?" Yoda repeated.

"Yes Master. An old padawan of Master Mundi. He shows great character, and resilience to the troubles of this War. Not only that, but he's proven himself time and again on the field of battle and I'm sure would be most accommodating to myself, and you Master, once he is and if he is placed at the head of the Covenant. With his consent of course."

"Ah, know I do of whom you speak. Agree I do with your choice, Master Windu. Presented before the Council, this should be, nonetheless." Mace smiled, happy he already had Master Yoda's support. Bowing his head again he pushed himself then afterword up to stand.

"I shall. Thank you, Master." He bowed at the hip and turned. Neither of them needing anything further to end their conversation.

---

"Attention, all units! Hyperspace reentry will commence in five minutes! All units to battle stations! Repeat, all units to their battle stations!" The comm sounded out in harsh metallic reverb through the entire venator-class warship. Obi-Wan found himself pacing, perhaps slower then he should have been down the hallway that led towards the main hangar bay. The sound of clanging boots against metal floors and grates sounded off as did the repeating irritant that was the comm message for all units to prepare for impending battle. At least as intelligence reports indicated would come. Tythe, for all its perceived none importance did retain a nasty fleet of Separatist warships. Somewhere in the upper twenties, which may not be comparatively large for one of their fleets, but with the utter wave of fighters and bombers they were sure to unleash it would be a slog. Especially since he and Anakin retained command of but eleven warships in their small breakaway strike force. Five venators to remain in rear and provide heavy bombardment support, and break away to engage forward advancing Confederate warships of significant size and power. The rest of their fleet was composed of acclamators, both of type I's and II's. The elder of which were to remain in the rearguard while the type II's advanced and laid down a wide screen of turbolaser fire to draw in a Separatist response. In the ensuing chaos the strike teams would land planet side and assault the old and recently Separatist occupied LiMerge HQ facility.

Yet, even through all of that the Jedi Master was hardly paying all of that any mind at all. His gray and blue hued eyes darted frantically, though precisely over the datapads in his hands. His mind centered and concentrated on the text before him, and his legs in autopilot as he continued toward the hangar bay. He had received several encrypted dispatches from the High Council. Generally happened when the Council did not wish to air their meetings over the HoloNet where one never could know who may be listening. Also happened when all members weren't available, and had to be imparted information when next available. Obi-Wan had to figure with how their meeting ended last session with himself and Anakin, as well as their clear desire to not impart some sort of information there, this data had to have been for his eyes or ears only. What was more interesting, fascinating….a little concerning was what was on this particular report.

"Hmm." Was all he could mutter as he read the full transcript from that same day after their communication was ended. His right hand came up and his fingers were run thoughtfully along the length of his beard from the base of his bottom lip down along and under his chin. His brow line furrowed thoughtfully and he stepped toward his right as his own intuition bolstered by the Force alerted him. The stomping of at least four sets of boots ran by him toward the hangar. The muted and muffled sound of clone calling to him and honoring his 'General' status was met by an idly and numb wave of his hand in recognition.

The words kept bouncing around in his head. 'Covenant,' and 'WatchCircle.' Ideas from a far bygone age of the Republic and the Jedi Order. Bound up in the fear of the Sith and leading to the execution of innocents. He couldn't lie to himself that he didn't feel his chest constrict some. A tingle of fear oozing through him as he forced it out of himself and released it into the Force. This Kolvori, he knew of him. Not overtly or personally of course. He had seen the padawan in the generalized classes held within the Temple years ago when many padawans lost their masters upon Geonosis. An easing of rules, even forcing the Jedi to pull members from the AgriCorps back into Jedi service. Lax review and implementation of rules or their outright disregard. Yet, him being so zealous against Jedi breaking of the Code. Data and evidence pointing toward Jedi subversion of the Code in respect to the rules for attachments. Master Windu being unwilling to share what he had on who, it was reasonable, but could it have been?! Did they know something about Anakin and Padmé? It forced another sigh from him as he lowered the datapad and pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation.

He advanced forward a few more steps, stopping suddenly again as he reached the doorway to the hangar. The white doors slid open quickly and within seconds his ears and eyes were assaulted by the sounds and sights of the hangar in disarray. Clone pilots and their copilots stomping up little ladder ramps if needed into gunships and bombers, while others simply jumped onto ARC-170s and fell into their assigned cockpits. Droids waddled back and forth and beeped their ways along. Astromech units were pulled into their docks and refueling droids puled their connecting lines from the bombers and fighters.

"Master!" He heard that familiar voice call to him from across the hangar. He cocked his head right and noted Anakin waving him over enthusiastically with both Artoo and Arfour at his sides. Obi-Wan raised his right hand in greeting and forced a thin smile, though they remained distant from one another onto his face. He felt it evaporate quite quickly as he glanced back down to the datapad, and noticed for perhaps the third or fourth time since he's read and reread the document the required response. A yes or no to the measure. The measure to recreate the Covenant? A WatchCircle to monitor and prosecute fellow Jedi for actions seen as going against the Code?! A vote on a measure that, regardless of his actual stance, held the votes needed to go through by majority.

"Attention, all units! Hyperspace reentry will commence in two minutes! All units to battle stations! Repeat, all units to their battle stations!" The comm repeated and jolted Obi-Wan to action. His legs carrying him towards Anakin who was making a final check of his ETA's system while still in a hunched position atop the fighter. Artoo whirred happily as Obi-Wan approached as the clamps of the ETA lowered, clasping to the astromech and pulled him up into the vehicle.

"Hello Artoo." The droid whirred again, its little head bobbing back and forth. Obi-Wan smiled and bowed his head again in greeting.

"Force, what took you, Master?" Anakin asked with only a moments glance up at him.

"I already prepped your fighter for you, so don't say I've never done anything for you."

"Ah….well thank you Anakin. Sorry I was preoccupied." Anakin chuckled sardonically.

"Anything of interest or the usual poodoo?" He cocked his head up, as Arfour rolled past Obi-Wan's legs, with the Jedi Master patting its domed head idly.

"Hmm? Oh, no Anakin. Nothing of interest. Just more Council related thoughts on campaigns and allocation of resources. How to approach the appropriations committees and what not."

"Ha! Yeah the usual Order politics." Anakin smirked as Obi-Wan nodded along to his own lie, turned and quickly jumped atop his ETA.

"Attention, all units! Hyperspace reentry will commence in one minute! All units to battle stations! Repeat, all units to their battle stations!"

"Sounds like our cue, Master. You ready or what?" Anakin asked with his usual probing and knowingly sideways glance.

"I am as ready as you are, my old padawan. Your skills at flying may be a sight to behold, but I am not lacking in that regard."

"Says the one who's afraid of flying."

"I am NOT afraid of flying!"

"Uh huh." Anakin chuckled on as he plopped down into the cockpit and Obi-Wan followed suit with a smile of his own along his face. Both of their cockpit doors slid over their heads and audible hisses sound as they became airtight and filled with atmosphere. Arfour already flashed data along Obi-Wan's control console showing their planned trajectory once in space.

"Alright Master, best leave your negotiating, politicking, and what not at the hangar door. You still remember the plan?"

"Never leave any valid option behind Anakin. You ever know when we may need to negotiate."

"Sure, sure. Just, don't mind me if I don't believe we'll be doing much of that with Dooku."

"One can never know. And, yes Anakin I do remember the plan. I'm not that old yet."

"'Yet,' being the operative word." Anakin could be heard chuckling it up across their shared comm. Obi-Wan couldn't help laughing even as he shook his head Both of their fighters turned along the circular platforms they were placed and the venator's rocking became a little more pronounced as the countdown began outside.

"Hyperspace reentry will commence in 30 seconds…29...28...27...26...25...24...23...22...21...20..." Obi-Wan tilted his head as the ETA sparked to life with a low rumble. Several beeps sounded out over his comm and translated binary appeared there.

"No Arfour we're following in after Anakin's ship. Maintain rear wing position, and leave some room for Rolling Ronto and Claw wings to take up positions alongside." The screen lit up in affirmative and did near instantaneous recalculations.

"Stick to me Master, and don't get yourself blown to bits huh? Galaxy wouldn't quite be the same without your lectures."

"I'll keep that in mind, my old padawan." Obi-Wan replied a bit more sardonic now himself as he felt the familiar and unspoken fluttering within his gut form. He loosed a steadying breath, and at once snatched the datapad back up. A moment in time, a sudden flick of his finger, he knew he had to make it now or he wouldn't later. He chose which path to vote for. The smart path, the right path. It could all be dealt with later. Obi-Wan Kenobi voted yes, in favor of the creation of the Jedi Covenant and Temperance WatchCircle. Like that a beep sounded and across the vastness of HoloNet relays it bounded towards Coruscant.

"11...10...9..." The voice announced and all ARCs thrummed within the hangar. Obi-Wan's eyes were set ahead of himself. He would deal with the consequences of any such Covenant when time came. For now though, for now he had to bide his and Anakin's time. When he could properly help him with his wife. Even thinking about that word, 'wife' in terms of Anakin after all these months racked his brain.

"4...3...2..."

"Here goes!"

"LAUNCH!" The ship slammed and the hangar opened up and the ARCs swarmed upward and out into the void of space as an immediate volley of greens and reds thrashed the voice beyond. Two fighters blew apart within moments and four lives snuffed in an instant.

"On me Master!" Anakin's fighter bounced off and up, and Obi-Wan pulled his own fighter up and after Anakin.

He had time. That's what he needed. Time. Time to think of a strategy to correct this, and deal with this. For now though, the Council need no reason to find his actions or choices in any way suspicious. Now, was the time of battle, and to the war. This matter would need to be dealt with later.

"I'm on it." Obi-Wan replied and burst out from within the venator, his ETA swirling by his command as an array of turbolaser fire pelted the warship from across the vastness of space. The sea of vulture droids and adjoined tri-fighters already moving across the distance between the forward acclamators and the Separatist fleet. The morbid and dying world of Tythe beneath them.

Dooku…he had to be here. This war had to end. For the betterment of them all.

The Battle of Tythe, thus began. Assuredly the most important to commence within the war, at this time…

---

The return to Coruscant had been a quiet affair. A few weeks on 'leave' back to Naboo had been officially allowed due to health concerns. Itself a statement that required the quite well knowing and popular senator and her office to release another official, and expected, statement declaring herself to be fully healthy, but in need of rest. Some disease she was sure would ward off the prying eyes of the HoloNet and their ravenous news icons. Apparently it had worked too. The return of the two heroes of the Republic had shifted attention near immediately. That memory forced a smile onto her face even now. Even if it did leave a dulled aching. She didn't want to admit it. Not out loud anyways, but Padmé had almost begun buying into the wild conspiracy theories declaring that the return of Obi-Wan and Ani was propaganda meant to bolster the Republic as it had been pounded by the Separatists for months.

Yet, she used her brain, something those who glue themselves to logic leaping theories such as those do not often do, and knew Grievous had returned. Had seen the holos made public by the Republic to, of course, bolster morale, but prove their return. She had seen his face then. Boyish and shaggy haired as it had become in his time away, and it had brought her nearly to….okay it brought her to tears then. After months of Ani and Obi-an being declared missing, without word or thought to where or how they disappeared her heart had been on the verge of breaking. A daily occurrence of her mind shifting to the myriad of possibilities. The tortures he must've been enduring, the deaths in fire, water, killed by ravenous natives on some unknown world, or hunted by Grievous since he to had disappeared when the Battle of Elom had occurred. It was only by sheer hope, some voice in the back of her mind telling her to hold on despite the realities of what it seemed, that she clung to the hope Ani lived, and by the Force he had! He did, and Force, did she want to speak to him. See him, hold him, be held by him, introduce him to the to newest loves of her life, and assuredly of his….even if that brought sudden trepidation to her gut she knew he would be there for them as he was for her. Some might say she was optimistic, maybe even blindly so. No, she was hopeful, and she believed in Anakin. She knew his faults and failures, she wasn't stupid, nor blind. He wasn't and neither was she perfect, but he was good. That's what mattered, and he was alive, that also was what mattered.

"Milady?" Padmé was taken from her thoughts and glanced left to see Captain Typho standing there. Rigid as ever, and staring concernedly down at her. She smiled and shook her head.

"What is it this time, Captain?"

"You've been lost in thought quite often recently, milady. Just ensuring you're well enough for this return to the Capitol."

"As ever, you worry too much Captain."

"I-"

"It's fine, Captain. I promise I'm in good health, and spirits at that. In fact I think it will be good for me to get back to work." She assured, and as expected, the Captain seemed less than convinced.

"Very well, milady. I would like to know if you suspect anything is wrong. Either with your health or your return though."

"I'm sure any threat I could imagine, you've already done so for me. I'm also sure you've taken all precautions that one could. I trust you, Captain, as ever. Please try and do the same for me once and a while."

"As you wish, milady." He replied stoic, his brow still furrowed and flustered and manner grim and thoughtful. Padmé couldn't help the slight roll of her brown eyes as she smirked and awaited the opening of their shared transport. The ship came to a steady land, and the hiss usual of doorways sounded as the simple transport shuttle unclasped and opened up revealing one of the lower levels of 500 Republica. She hadn't told the dear Captain why she had chosen to come here to reacquaint herself with Republic society. Though she would have to have that conversation at some point she was sure. Seeing as her penthouse apartment suite in the Senate Apartment Complex building was currently, would be for the foreseeable future, occupied by two often times very loud twins. Another rogue smile came to her face, but she was sure to cast it aside. Even if a random memory flashed of little Luke taking his right fist and thrashing it in the air above his head and swatting her in the nose came to mind. Again…another smile came to her, this one harder to suppress.

The two of them took their steps down the ramp and soon they hit the landing pad beneath. Itself connected fully to the grandiose majesty that was the towering spire of 500 Republica via a simple if well maintained walkway. However, most importantly there lay before the entryway an indication as to just who knew she was returning. As on either side of that distant doorway stood one crimson colored and ominous guard. One of Chancellor Palpatine's additions to Chancellor security that even Padmé had to admit seemed more imposing than necessary, but still they served a purpose she supposed.

"Seems you're expected, milady."

"Certainly seems like it doesn't it?" She gave a light nasally sigh as the two began walking forward. The shuttle transport behind them having already lifted back off to do whatever else it need do. The morning daylight of Coruscant bounced along and across the glimmering metal and glass that rippled along the length of 500 Republica as it did all the buildings of Coruscant.

"There's no helping it. The Senate was bound to hear of my return. My only hope now is that it's not made a big deal or spectacle of."

"I would also hope so, milady. After all you stand as one of the Republic's pillars. Even now the threats against you are quite real."

"You always know how to make me feel better, Captain." She could see him frown inwardly toward himself. Padmé in kind gave a low laugh and motioned her hand in nonchalant a manner.

"Don't get so flustered, Captain. A little levity does no harm."

"Yes, of course, milady." Again, she chuckled as they neared the door. The guards on either side did not force a security check or seem to move to action at all upon their nearing. Captain Typho came to a stop and Padmé followed suit out of protocol.

"Captain Typho, head of security for Senator Padmé Amidala." The guards barely made a motion to glance his way. Only the one on her left, nearer to Typho bowed his crimson helmeted head some. Not a word, but clearly an indication of recognition. It still forced her brow to furrow some, but she remained silent. Typho also seemed slightly perturbed, but bowed his head quickly and waved Amidala ahead, while placing himself between her and the guard.

"Thank you." She offered lowly almost under her breath as she moved forward and the door slid open at her approach. Opening then to reveal a large reception room. Of which 500 Republica was flush with. The scale of this place made visitors and family of those who resided within, and sometimes even those who lived full time within confused or lost. The reception desk was posted by a protocol droid, of gleaming silver, and reminded her none to little of Threepio who was attending to the twins back in her penthouse suite. More importantly, however, lay the entourage of politicians, lobbyists, and special interest representatives that stood idly chatting one another, as they were to do. Even more importantly, however, set alone within this room with expertly placed fake plants, and lines floor to wall in dulled crimson colors of power and luxury, stood the Chancellor. His face aged from his time as Senator of Naboo and the Chommell Sector. His robes, fine and silken, dark blue that was pronounced as it was common. Expertly worn attire for one in his position.

She watched as he turned to face her, moving his face away from a young pantoran woman that Padmé couldn't place a name to at first though she recognized. The Supreme Chancellor thrust his arms out from himself and then brought his hands in together in an inaudible clap as he approached her steadily, and she moved ahead to meet him in the middle of the now inevitable conversation to come.

"Senator Amidala! I am so pleased to see you return to Coruscant! All the better you appear to be in good health." He noted loudly, and silencing all idle chatter about them and all eyes turned to her. Were she unused to it she may have been stunned by the penetrating and austere, judgmental glances and stares she received. That was all part of the politicking, however.

"Chancellor Palpatine." She bowed at the hip, which he was quick to wave her to cease doing.

"Oh please, my lady, we've known one another for oh….I can't even quite remember how long I've known you. Since you were a girl! there's little need for such formalities. Especially seeing as we're among the resident underbelly of Coruscant!" He offered and those around the laughed at his subtle mockery of them. She too joined in smiling and nodded.

"I suppose I can allow a lax in formalities. Just this once, however."

"Ah, very well, milady." He nodded with that ever present elderly smile of his.

"Still, you are in good health. I must say you had me worried, even if quietly to myself. Losing someone of your ever humble and peaceable persuasion would be a great blow to the Republic. Often times I believe you know not just what a treasure you are to this galaxy, my dear."

"You flatter me, Chancellor. I merely do what any good politician should."

"Ah, then perhaps I should see you become senator of the galaxy! We often times find ourselves in deficit of such good men and women I'm afraid." Again it seemed a joke, but what was evident in his manner was how only a few, and the nearer standing to him within the group chuckled or lowly, uncomfortably laughed. He didn't seem affected, and Padmé for her part beamed a smile, though she too was placed slightly off balance by his performance. Certainly not an uncommon thing here on Coruscant. She supposed she was just ever so slightly rusty.

"Ah, but where are my manners! I'm sure you're eager to get reacquainted with your residence and situated back on Coruscant. It's no Theed, and certainly no Varykino, bu I do hope you'll find yourself here amongst us on the Capitol for some time to come, my dear."

"I see no reason to take leave again, Chancellor. Barring any sudden illnesses or unexpected tragedies of course."

"Of course." He bowed with an understanding kindness to his face and eyes.

"It is an auspicious time you've returned to us, I should say. The Senate has just last night gone into a week long recess following the usual State of the Republic address. I should think that enough time to fully merge back into the hustle of our dear Coruscant."

"Anything worth noting, Chancellor?" She inquired genuinely curious though having already read all dispatches a senator would be sent. As well as having watched over the address highlights from days prior.

"Oh, just the usual hum and drum of the Republic. What system is in need of assistance, and which should, by virtue of which senator can yell the loudest, receive further aid. Several committees have formed around economic relief actions within the Outer-Rim due to our advances there. Though stalled as they may be. I believe the lack of Republic authority in that quadrant of the galaxy has awoken some in the Senate to the relief needed there."

"An all too welcome idea. The Outer-Rim played a large part in the Separatists action that began this war in the first place. It would be easy to argue a lack of Republic involvement in the further outward quadrants facilitated the disenchantment with the central government here."

"Certainly, my lady! I was hoping to...perhaps bother you on this matter. At a later time of course!" He assured and Padmé again bowed her head graciously.

"I'd welcome viewing the scope and purposes of the committees, Chancellor. Perhaps over lunch we can look over particulars?"

"An excellent idea, milady. I'll have my schedule looked over, and all available times sent to your office for review."

"I'd welcome it, Chancellor." Padmé again offered and found herself falling easily back into her place as the politician she had for long time now been. It almost felt to her as though Palpatine was making so grand a point to speak to her to prepare her for her return here. Though, certainly that couldn't be the case. The man was far too busy to bother giving her an unspoken retraining session in the art of delegating and artful 'schmoozing' as it were.

"Very good then I shoul-"

"Excuse me, Chancellor, I must apologize, but I do require your input on this." Padmé glanced left and noted the pantoran woman from before has squarely rounded herself nearer to Palpatine than one would have thought allowable. The Chancellor for his part betrayed himself for but an instant, as Padmé saw his eyes harden, but his demeanor and expression remained cordial and welcoming.

"Milady Amidala may I introduce madam Arsuna Sipillona." The pantoran bowed graciously and as expected of someone who was deigned allowed to be so near the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, and as such Padmé followed suit as she appraised this woman.

She was young, perhaps a year or two younger than herself. She bore darker purple hair, as normal for her people. Her skin a brilliant shade of blue, more sapphire than zaffre. Hr hair hung low in expertly maintained waves that were spun into two curls down the side of her head with the rest of her hair hung down her back free of any such fashion statement. Her eyes were of the common yellow her species bore, and to accompany them were her equally yellow facial tattoos. Singular streaks that began just above her eyebrows fell down from the eye and stopped along her cheekbones where another streak, expertly designed and rectangular ran horizontally and met the vertical lines from her eyes which dipped only barely beneath the horizontal line. She was, a beautiful specimen of her species, though several inches shorter than her, and appeared more girlish and young. Though this did not bring judgment from Padmé. She had been younger than her when Queen of Naboo after all. Her dress was a fine thing of white lined in golden patterns of vines that hung down to her ankles, and was bound to her small frame by an equally golden sash that fell in two threads down by her waist.

"Ms. Sipillona hails from the Republic Survey Corps."

"A most respectful duty. The Republic only has more to gain from the discovery and admittance of new worlds." Padmé offered, and the younger woman smiled. It wasn't one so easily described as genuine, as it was haughty.

"Indeed it is. So few within the Senate, or dare I say the Republic, care to discover the greater mysteries of the galaxy. Find new trade routes, bring new species into the fold, or acquaint ourselves with greater access to resources. Which is why I must protest again this new world, your Excellency." She forced an exasperated sigh, but Padmé could see genuine irritation bleed off this girl. It was also then that Padmé numbly noted the others within the hall had returned to idle chatter seeing as the Chancellor was paying them no mind. At least no further mind.

"As I've mentioned before, my lady Sipillona, the admittance of this Arda is not of great concern to me. Indeed I believe it now falls to the Diplomatic Service to deal with this matter is it not?" He asked already knowing the answer, Arsuna for her part pursed her lips and Padmé noted the faintest of flushes to her face. Though the reference of Arda spiked Padmé's interest. She knew of the name of the world her Ani and Obi-Wan had been trapped upon. Even if details on what had happened on planet were scarce and left to the military circles.

"This blockade is what concerns me! These…..the people of Arda have yet to fully acknowledge admittance into the Republic. The military has cordoned off the entire system, but I fail to see why. General's Kenobi and Skywalker, and indeed Grievous, were on that planet for months. Yet, we, the general populace are led to believe it must be placed in, what amounts to a blockade for what reason?!"

"That is a matter for the Diplomatic Service, my lady." Palpatine maintained the expertly crafted veneer of cool, calm and collected. Though Padmé had known the man for indeed nearing two decades. She could see by the faintest of flinches in his lips and brow he was growing more annoyed by the girl.

"This world can potentially open up an entire new hyperspace lane, and trade route desperately needed to stimulate economic growth in the entire sub-region of the galaxy! Better still itself has been deigned resource rich from low orbit scans, but we have been barred from expedition even for survey purposes because of their stubbornness. Even better still, those people owe the Republic for their current lack of Separatist control! Certainly I cannot be the only one to question their gratitude towards our aid. The Confederacy would have stripped their world dry, but we should be forced to beg them for entry, and let alone admittance?"

"Perhaps." Padmé interjected causing both Arsuna and the Chancellor to turn her way.

"However, what you imply is forced integration, or annexation, my lady Sipillona. As you said, the CIS would have forcibly taken what they desired of this world. It remains within the Republic's best interest to be better than that. We do not force integration, nor annex worlds unwilling to join outright. My own world having a similar disinterest in admittance into the Republic until only a few decades ago." To hr sudden interjection Padmé could see Palpatine smirk, and watched as Arsuna again pursed her lips and seemed outwardly flustered at the Naboo Senator's logic.

"As well, it could be noted, that our actions were not inherently altruistic. The recovery of both Generals' Skywalker and Kenobi were of prime importance. Not the support of the world's locals against the Confederacy or any other viable threat."

"In any case that is all besides the point." The girl was quick to undermine her own argument.

"The block on the system has negated prospects of future exploration of previously unknown neighboring systems. An easier task if we had access to the Arda system, which, as the official Survey Corps report I've submitted states. It has been theorized by my teams that this Arda could be the theorized connective Hyper-Route between the Hydian Way and the Perlemian Trade Routes! The sheer volume of facilitated trade between the two Super-Hyperroutes that could be founded is beyond measure! Not even mentioning the interconnectedness and possible new economic investment and prosperity such a route could bring to the whole of the Outer-Rim's norther quadrant!" Padmé felt her eyes momentarily widen. Indeed such a new lane that directly connected two of the super routes was a rare find. Arms and spurs were plentiful, and they carried their own bonuses and boons to the galactic and local economies and cultures. However, such a vast swath of space between the Perlemian and Hydian north routes would mean faster travel of not only resources and goods from the southern and central galactic spines if they were to have a sub route of direct connection. Still, Padmé had to question the true intentions of this girl. For a ranking member of the Survey Corps she seemed very adamant about investment and economic prosperity.

"Be that as it may, my lady, the fact is, until the Diplomatic Service finalizes negotiations with the representatives of Arda the Republic will maintain its official cessation of movement in the region. It is a matter of Galactic Security, and diplomatic prudence. Now, I would be more than willing to speak further on the matter at a later time, my dear. Seeing as I have spoken at length on this matter I would appreciate an end to this discussion. For now, my lady." Palpatine did not leave room to argue as he bowed and began turning away from the pantoran. Her eyes darkened and narrowed, but she relented and bowed at the waist.

"As you wish, your Excellency. My lady Amidala." She also bowed to Padmé who did so respectfully. Arsuna turned on her heel and stomped off as graciously as one could expect from her in her flustered state.

"Oh how I do wish more of the young women in service to the Republic held the grace and composure as you had, my dear. They grow more boorish and lacking in subtlety by the generation it seems!"

"She seems invested. In more ways than one. That's all, Chancellor."

"Hah! Right you are. The Sipillonas indeed should have a vested interest in acquiring new trade routes through the Outer-Rim. Their family maintains a fledgling import and export business that runs along the Perlemian. The war has nearly drained them of resources, and the Trade Federation has nearly absorbed them fully as a subsidiary. Should a new route appear, one which her family would, I am sure, lay exclusivity rights to that connects two of the super routes, then Sipillona Trading Incorporated may still have a leg to stand on. Depending on how this war ends, they may well end up being able to subvert even the Trade Federation."

"If."

"If." Both Padmé and Palpatine agreed.

"Oh, but do forgive me, my lady! I have kept you far longer than I meant to!"

"It's no problem, Chancellor. Always a pleasure to speak with you." She assured and he chuckled in grandfatherly a manner.

"You shouldn't give me too much credit, my lady. I would be lying if I too didn't wish to return to my apartment and relax for a day or two during this recess." he leaned in low and she leaned in to hear him whisper.

"Don't tell anyone, but I grow older by the hour. This job may very well kill me!" He laughed and Padmé shook her head as she joined him in good humor.

"We wouldn't want that, your Excellency! Please, by all means don't let me hold you up." She motioned for him to leave before her.

"Ah, thank you my dear. Do get yourself readjusted to Coruscant, and I should like to have that meeting soon."

"As should I, Chancellor." She gave the formal bow signaling an end to conversation and the Chancellor dipped his head as he turned away and made for the nearest turbolift. His entourage doing all it could to gain just a moment of his time and ear.

"That went well." Typho intoned from where he had been quietly and dutifully standing.

"Indeed." She sighed and made her way toward a separate and far less crowded lift for herself. After that whole debacle she too felt like she needed a moment to adjust. Coruscant had hit her at full force, and she doubted that was as bad as it would get before the day was even out.

Her and Typho boarded the lift, and both turned to face the doors as it took the customary few seconds to await prospective other lift riders. She hadn't been looking, not to anything really. Her brown eyes dully staring forwards. That's when she spotted a woman, common as any other. Walking through the reception hall. Dark hair much as her own if a shade even darker, move toward the lift the Chancellor was now boarding. Her face was plastered into what seemed to be a holobook, and as she stopped and glanced up at the riotous crowd around Palpatine, Padmé watched the woman sneer openly before turning toward the lift opposite her own. She laughed in response.

"About sums it up I suppose." The lift closed and soon she would be in her apartment. For what was bound to be a dull but casual day of the Republic's Capitol.

---

The lift opened and led into a long and seemingly dull hallway. Its walls in a checkerboard display of dull tans and khaki colors that led onward toward a single doorway. Palpatine sighed lowly to himself as he stepped forward in a content silence. Within a matter of moments he would arrive at the doorway to his own personal suite, really one of many rooms he retained within 500 Republica. In between the residence within and the hall lay a sort of connective room. He lowly hummed to himself as hie eyes fell onto the security pad alongside the door. Another second passed and his key was entered, the doorway buzzed and slid open. The Chancellor walked through and it shut behind him, again locking for his own personal comfort and security.

Within he was greeted by a more muted room. At least when compared to others he held about the capitol. He was a greater fan of crimson colors, and dark contrasting pillars or floors beneath carpets and rugs of reds and so forth. This one was different. The floors were shaded blue save for long rugs of tan coloring that streamed from entryway to several seating areas and their couches. The ceiling was also of muted blues, and lined gray coloring and patterns. Though, Palpatine noted the sunken floor just ahead of the floor, and was only then reminded of its dull golden color and hue. Something very gaudy perhaps were it not dulled and contrasted against the blues and white that deafened the room in overall. The couches, seats and tables were of varying whites and gray colors and denoted the modesty he was accustomed to expressing. As well there lay a splattering of plants and pictures along the wall. Most of them recreations of famous works. Palpatine had not felt the need to line this apartment with the originals...those were hung elsewhere.

"Hmm." He loosed another content sigh, and rolled his shoulders. He allowed the warmth of his darkened blue robes to envelop him as he again began humming. It was no tune in particular, but set his mind into a state akin to autopilot for ships. Turning right he rounded a corner and was soon within his kitchen, itself modest and grand both at once. He set himself to quiet work as he set a kettle to the stove, and began boiling the water, as he fished through several drawers for his tea packets.

"Ah hah!" He cried triumphantly and found a particular brand of tea imported from his homeworld of Naboo. A fine luxury that cost a mint, but that was no one's business really.

Still humming to himself, it was not long before the tea was set, water boiled, kettle crying, and a hot serving prepared. Palpatine pulled the kettle away from the stove with care, and set the stove off with a beep of machinery sounding in reply. He pulled from the cupboard a small plate and teacup and set it upon the plate. Taking the kettle he poured the tea as carefully as before and steaming sweetened hot liquid filled the small cup.

"Excellent." He intoned to himself, and puled the plate and cup upon it close to his chest. He moved back out from the kitchen and once more entered the main foyer from before. Loosening another small sigh he glanced left and right. The room was large, as he previously noted before. The massive viewport window set facing out across the government sector beckoned to him, and now he only needed a seat to enjoy the scenery ad his tea of course. The small table toward the right and corner of the room he noted and turning left he saw a small chair set against an unused table.

The Chancellor smiled as he placed the plate and cup down atop a table set before a white couch that he had likely never even sat in. He walked purposefully and quietly to the table to the right, and with very little effort hauled it up over the ground. He carried it down into the indented level of the floor, atop the golden hued flooring and set it down with a faint clank.

He then traveled as purposefully, only now once more humming toward the chair. His humming only hiccuping as he cocked a curious brow at the chair when he neared it. A silver-gray thing as was much of this room save for the interior cushioning of it. That was a vibrant shade of orange that stood in contrast.

"I can hardly remember buying this." He chuckled to himself, as he then hauled it up over the carpets and metal tiles beneath him. He set it down against the table and in a lounging position to face the viewport and still remain angled. Palpatine walked back, grabbed his teacup and plate, and returned to the seat. He was again humming, quite at peace with himself, as he flicked imaginary dust from the seat cushion of the chair and turned, allowing himself to fall gracefully into the padding.

Once more he pulled both he plate and cup near to his chest, and wormed his finger through the teacup holster. He pulled it up and allowed his nose to partake in the heavenly smell that rose along with the steam of the liquid. A thin smile along his sagging face having formed, as he then lifted the cup, and to his lips where he sipped the brew that reminded him of long forgotten Naboo.

"Ahhh." He sighed again and lowered the plate and cup to the table where he leaned into the seat and gazed out through the massive viewport over Coruscant.

"Perfect." He declared with a wide smile crossing his face. All trappings and troubles with Sipillona, Amidala, Dooku, Grievous, and even that Sauron, allowed to roll off his shoulders.

So, he sat, and would wait. After all, the show was about to commence.

---

Dozens of men, all dressed in varying uniforms. All spiffy and all of them pressed finely, or at least most were. Every now and again you'd come across an officer's uniform a little more wrinkled than others. All caps were placed well atop heads, and as similarly pressed and mannered to the others near to them. While most men sat at terminals, and monitored endless streams of data. In truth most of them did little more than monitor feeds and alerts sent their way by the computers themselves. Massive data streams of communications, HoloNet transmissions, ranging from the daily and routine, to the...unique and obscene.

These men were lined against walls, several floors and levels interconnected within a massive domed, and vertical space station. One of many, that towered by several spire lengths sometimes. Of course nowhere near as massive as an actual Coruscant spire, but the skyscrapers of old, or those seen as glamorous and large in the Outer-Rim perhaps. There were few separated rooms or cubicles, as the room was one massive hub, with bunk quarters isolated into the lower sectors of the orbiting space stations.

Massive walkways and metal simplistic stairwells connected multiple floors of the men watching and monitoring their own personal terminals. Many of these men, with their uniforms, sat to their cubicles with eyes strained against the screens also sported headset communication units. While these men spoke into their communicators and relayed traffic data or monitored specific relays and entry points within the system, others had to listen to the endless comm chatter, that sometimes rose and waned like orchestral symphonies that echoed throughout the massive open room.

As these men worked, other men, even more prim and proper officers walked to and fro. Their faces etched into stoic symbols of authority and control, both inward and out. Some were of course more welcoming and approachable, and others not so much. While the traffic controllers and security monitors tended their stations, these men walked endlessly for hours on end sometimes, and leered over their backs, leaned into screens to randomly appropriate, or simply walked on by with dull interest in the men beneath them sticking to their work. Indeed it was quite a tedious venture, to be one of hundreds, perhaps even thousands of orbital traffic controllers and communication monitors set in one of several dozen such orbital stations that remained circling the great and majestic Coruscant below them all. Perhaps more importantly, and more noticeably, however, was the mass of ships that were visible from these stations. Between these control and command stations orbited much of the Coruscant Home Fleet. So, bustling movements, shadow casting warships, and buzzing fighters on patrol were apart of the norm as well. Yet, even these sights had turned to nothing more than tedium.

So, all was quiet and dull. Another boring and average day over the Galactic Republic capitol. The terminals all shone with rapid and endless streams of communications data and monitored for hyperspace reentries, ensuring what entered into the system was allowable, and met security standards. That which didn't would see security forces dispatched to meet the incoming ships for inspection and review. The system worked, and had done so for years. As expected no reentry points within the system, from the closest distance to Coruscant's star, and to the furthest reach of her pull beyond Coruscant's system sister worlds.

"Sergeant Rellins!" He stopped and turned on his heel. One of his under staff officers, a Corporal Tagerd had swiveled in his seat towards him.

"Corporal, what is it?"

"I don't know, sir. My terminal keeps giving me these ghost pings here," He pointed to a system quadrant on his terminal that showed the entire Coruscant System. Rellins leaned into the terminal and Tagerd moved his chair aside slightly for better access. His dark eyes scanned the purported center of ghost reentry points, and noted they appeared to be bouncing from several relays nearer to the star than Coruscant was.

"That's deep system shadow pings. What do we have deeper into the system center?"

"No idea sir."

"Sir," The two men turned right as another monitoring officer, this one a private Hakins, peaked around his cubicle.

"I already looked it over a while ago, and checked our manifests as well as inbound and outbound traffic, so on and so on. Long story short there's no scheduled activity within that region."

"Then what could they be?" Tagerd asked aloud once more.

"Not a clue." Hakins shrugged.

"Best guess? There's a rogue hyperspace entry point that the computer doesn't know how to deal with."

"Rogue entry point?!" Tagerd nearly spat, all as Rellins ignored them and kept his eyes to the monitor.

"These hyperlanes and reentry points into the system have been mapped and remapped for centuries! The idea that there's a rogue point only now sending my terminal haywire, is asinine."

"I'm just telling you what I can imagine it being I doubt that's what it is too, but you tell me what the kriff your station is blaring about then." Hakins shrugged again. Tagerd turned back to Rellins.

"Request permission to reset terminal, sir. Best thing I can tr is the most simple at this point."

"Hold that request for just a moment, Corporal."

"Sir?" Tagerd furrowed his brow as Rellins leaned in and brought his hands to the controlling keypad. He entered into a program along the terminal meant to triangulate likely jump points for ships. Even with known hyperlanes entry points, ships didn't always burst into the system, or wherever they were jumping to in the exact same location. If they did so, then fleets would be unable to travel in squadrons or flotilla formations.

"What are you trying to do, if I may ask, sir?"

"Be thorough." Rellins tersely quipped. Hakins was now leaning back over to watch their superior officer play with a program hardly used in any situation unless repair ships or tow vehicles needed to be sent to approximate locations for ships entering the system.

"These ghost pings seem like signal waves sent through a HoloNet relay. Look how they bounce, and look at your system map again." Rellins pointed out, and Hakins immediately pulled his own map up and looked at what the Sergeant spoke to.

"Huh…yeah I think I see it."

"See what?"

"The ghost pings could be loud HoloNet packets of junk data bouncing off of these remote satellite stations after entry through their own hyperspace relays. But then..."

"Where are the packets coming from?" Rellins finished Hakins question. All the while he typed away and didn't let slip the sudden adrenaline rush he was feeling course through his body and consume him. He could see in the darting eyes of Tagerd, between himself and the terminal though that he was at least feeling somewhat uneasy now.

"Alright he we are." Rellins snapped a final key that initiated the program. It zeroed in on the bouncing packets and followed them, slowly as it calculated its trajectory, back to its origination point within the system. Again Hakins was peaking around the corner of his cubicle and also looked between Tagerd and the monitor.

"Triangulation...complete." Rellins declared and leaned away form the monitor. His eyes staring with a mixture of confusion, bewilderment, and concern etched into them. Tagerd watched him before turning toward the screen and leaning into it.

"What is it?" Hakins asked and Rellins snatched his comlink from his belt.

"Lieutenant Bernin, this is Communications Sergeant Rellins with I believe a Code 1 advisory."

"Code 1?!" Hakins hissed in a whisper to Tagerd whose eyes had widened.

"Force! It's on us!"

"From here? The station?"

"No! AN entry point on top of the damn Home Fleet!"

"Wha…bu…but there's no reentry p-"

The entire station rumbled and men were shocked from their cubicles some even thrown, and even as atmosphere stabilized, and the G-force shock was accounted for alarms began blaring. Not just from the station being rocked violently but the emergency blaring of enemy contacts howled from damn near every station. Hose that didn't blare would soon join and deafen everyone in warning signals, flashing warning signs and flashing alarm lights.

"Code 1! I repeat Code 1! Men to relay points!" Some unknown commanding officer could barely be heard screaming as Tagerd picked himself up. He staggered back as he came to a stand, and noted numbly that Hakins was coughing from where he had been slammed chest first into his cubicle.

"By the Force...they've jumped right on top of us." Tagerd whispered clearly in shock.

As the space outside erupted into a litany of lights and explosions. Thousands upon thousands of Separatist warships, from frigate and transport, to destroyer and carrier flashed from hyperspace atop the Home Fleet. Their comms were screaming with men confusedly requesting information, orders, contingency orders, and help. All as a nearby venator ruptured along its aft and split the damn thing near in half. Screams echoed over the comms, until the dull and ear piercing screech of communication jammers then tore at everyone's eardrums.

Coruscant was now under attack for the first time in centuries.

The Clone Wars had come to the Galactic Republic Capitol.

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Authors Friend's Note: Alright peeps, I'm lazy. So I tried my best to review the coument, but I'm sure both Lord Exar Kun and myself missed what are likely annoying/immersion breaking grammatical errors. If ya see them and don't report them despite them bothering you, then that's more a you problem, but if you do see them and they bother you AND you report on them I will go in and fix them and you'll have my undying thanks! Otherwise please do your best to ignore any/all errors as genuine human error and not I don't know...intentional mishaps? XD

Until the next one is done people!

Special Thanks: A special thanks will be issued by myself (L) for longtime reader ZabuzasGirl for her unending enthusiam! Sorry Lord Kun couldn't get you a new chapter for your birthday, but he hopes this kinda makes up for it!

Another to guest reviewer Snowball for your own clear interest and support to the actual author! As you may know he no longer posts the material and uses me, L, as his intermediary, but I shared your kind thoughst with him Unfortunately he is still unwilling to return to handling his Fanfiction account, but nonetheless, I think knowing people like you are out there helps!

To EVERYONE this chapter is clearly Middle-Earth light. Ahem, that's why it's a crossover! If I see someone complaining about a lack of Arda, then you clearly are too impatient. More will come, I, and Lord Kun, assure you all.

Anyways, I give a big thanks to everyone who reviews, likes, follows so on and so forth. Lord Kun I know appreciates you all as much as I do!