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.

21. Secret Kept Unsafe

Chapter 21

Secret Kept Unsafe

"What is this meaning of this?!" Nute howled as he was thrown into the room by the scruff of his neck. The cold metal fingers of a magnaguard releasing his flesh and he fell to the floor with an unceremonious grunting huff. He twisted his face to look up where he saw the other members of the Separatist Council. Whilst others still were being dragged in through adjoined doors on opposing walls. Positioned, or perhaps better said, posted on the walls on either side of each door stood two B2 battle droids.

"Why have you brought us here? Answer me droid!" Nute heard a familiar voice demand much as he had. Turning his head to watch as Wat Tambor was pushed in from the door to the immediate left of the one Nute had been shoved through. Behind the skakoan marched another magnaguard and three B1 security units. "I demand you answer me, you brain dead hunk of metal!" Tambor carried on. "Tell me what you're doing! Where is General grievous?!" Tambor unleashed his assault of demands as he boldly jabbed a finger into the chest of the magnaguard that had shuffled him inside the room.

"Remain here. The General will speak with you shortly." The magnaguard's unnatural and spine tingling trill of a voice intoned. It spun away and its cloak whirled before it moved out the door it came in. The door sliding shut and the B2s coming to stand directly in front of it. Lidless photoreceptors staring ahead. Unspoken in any form, and foreboding by design.

"Did you put the droids up to this Gunray?!" Nute whirled to see Shu Mai sat in a chair. Seemingly brought in before either he and Tambor. "Is this some moronically intricate plot to get us to fear the General like you do? No," She shook her head with a scornful sneer upon her gossam lips. "That would imply you have half the brain power necessary to concoct this charade!"

"Shut your kriffing mouth!" Nute demanded rising to a full stand and jabbing a finger of his own her way. "You accuse me of this?! Where are Hill? The Archduke?! Hmm? You question me, but you do not question their absence?!" Nute studiously noted before the others. As he watched them all turn and tilt their heads. Seemingly just then gauging the lack of attendance of those Gunray had mentioned.

Passel Argente, the koorivar Magistrate of the Corporate alliance spoke next. Himself having been thrown in just as Tambor had. "How could those two do this?!" He assumed with a horrified tone. His usual brown intricate robes tattered and dirty. "They're orchestrating a coup. A coup! At a time like this?! Lord Sidious will not stand for this! The General will not-"

"The General is nowhere to be seen!" Nute shot back. Preemptively shooting down Argente's point. "The magnaguard just told Tambor that he will speak with him, with us shortly! What else could that mean, huh?! Hill and Poggle, both of whom have the most history with Grievous among us all, have made an alliance with the General! They're moving to take over the Confederacy and press the war effort! They're fools I tell you, fools!" Just as Nute finished his tirade the doors at the opposite end of his own opened and his longtime aide and 'companion' in these many long years, Rune Haako was tossed in. Himself having been all but kicked into the room without resistance by another magnaguard. The large black cap he wore having fallen off his greenish hued head. The fellow neimoidian shook himself with a pained grunt before looking up to take note of the room. His large eyes falling onto Nute.

"Gunray! What's going on? They grabbed me out of my room!"

"No one here knows, Haako." Mai waved her hand out with a dismissive swipe. Answering for Gunray. Her mood seeming very dark and chilly. Though, even if only in the quiet of his mind, Nute could and did understand why.

"We've all been brought here, Rune." Nute spoke up for himself. His voice huffing and indignant. The droid guards all looming around the box of a room. A single table set at its center, and a large viewport to his left just to the right of the door Tambor had been thrown in through. It showed the great sinkhole the core ship had found itself wedged into. The metallic walkways and walls lined the immediate exterior, but the bustle of the natives upon their winged mounts could be caught by keen eye just beyond. Otherwise, the room was very unremarkable.

Such sights and observations were but a distraction. Nute could feel his blood pounding. As was common of himself, he was beyond the point of anxiety or concern. Yet, there was another layer to this room that worried him. It was the worry that this room was meant to be unremarkable! Meant to be a little room made for an execution. Was he going to die? Was everyone in here going to die?! All huddled together in a cramped room surrounded by droids without hope or want to defend him and his companions?! While a maniac with a lightsaber crept in, and cut them all down?! The thought made his stomach turn, and it made him sick. He found himself wordlessly reaching a shaking hand out. Clutching the nearest seat and twisting it. Plopping himself down and gasping to the point of vomiting, where he was just able to hold it back.

"We're...we're going to die in here…" Nute shuddered.

"Don't be absurd!" Argente scoffed, but it sounded limp. "We...why would we dragged in here to be killed? If they wanted...if whoever wanted to kill us wanted us dead they'd just kill us where we were! Right?" He cast curious and worried glance around the room. Seeking validation from some of the others.

"What's the point of anything?" Mai, again wondered aloud. "If this is a 'coup' then the perpetrators don't have to care where or even how they kill us. Only that we're silenced."

"Curious we've been huddled in here then." Tambor intoned and spoke to the exact line of thinking Mai shared. Though, Nute still felt himself flush with heat and nausea. All his worst fears about that deranged maniac coming to fruition. Just...Nute hadn't gave thought to some on the Council joining with Grievous! Nute never thought the General the allies making type.

"I...I warned you all about this!"

"Oh do shut up, Gunray!" Mai slammed her open hand to the table. A clang sounded and slight rattle of the durasteel. "Nobody wants to hear your ramblings! You can gloat about whatever it is you want to once we're all dead. Until then do us all the pleasure of shutting yourself up!"

"You have some nerve!" Nute was snapped from his stupor momentarily and twisted to face the gossam. "You of all in our last session belittled my points! Now you're the one who is ranting and raving! Look at you!" Nute waved his hand in her direction. "You're a wreck! You think no one can see that?! You'd be coated in your own poodoo were it not in your oh so cold and calculated nature, Presidente!"

"You, kriffing son of a kath hound!" She jumped to a stand and placed both hands aggressively onto the table and stared Nute down. His insult of her title seeming to have tipped her even further into the madness of her mounting frothing furor. The others in the room watched in varying degrees of muted fascination, horror, disinterest, or numbness before the door to Nute's right opened. All eyes were drawn to it. As if by a power not their own. Standing, or more looming in the doorway was the General himself. A low growling groan loosed from his vocabulator, and behind him loomed more of his accursed magnaguards.

"Grievous I…" Nute began, but before he could get anymore words out his eyes were drawn low. The General gagged a few short coughs. However, his hands...those were far more concerning. Or, Nute would say what they held. In Grievous' right hand he clutched a ragged and blood stained arm. It was still, luckily for its owner, connected to the body. On the floor dragged like a limp dead beast by a leash was San Hill. His elongated body bruised, swelling as he lay there. Robes torn and a gurgle softly mewled from his swollen lips. Though his face did not turn to behold the others. While in Grievous' left hand there was a sack. Viscous fluid that carried a horrid smell leaked from it onto the floor and left a trail of spots and droplets leading down the hall into this room. As far as Nute could see just past the General's left shoulder.

"This meeting wouldn't be complete without Chairman Hill!" Grievous began. His voice the usual wretched growl as he threw the muun onto the floor.

"Grievous...what have you done?!" Nute began. His voice trembling with horror. "You...you would attack one of us? Who do you think you are?! To attack us, to corral us like this you-"

"You would do well to watch the next words that slither out of your mouth, Viceroy." Grievous coolly warned with a pointed finger of his now freed right hand. Immediately Nute silenced himself. A dry swallow scratching its way down his throat as he eyed Hill on the ground. Moaning a pathetic sound.

The General coughed three harsh gags in response. The doorway sliding shut as he entered with his guards. They took up posts right in front of the door while Grievous began pacing the room. More stalking it. Eyes shifting from one member of the Council to the next. The sack in his left hand stinking and striking their nostrils. For those who had them of course. As he rounded behind Mai, Grievous leered in. His face inched from her neck and cheek. The gossam didn't move. Didn't dare to look behind her or behold Grievous. All bravado from her gone. Luckily for her, Grievous moved on. Coming to a sudden stop in front of both Argente and the aqualish Po Nudo. Both of them tilted their heads to the side submissively. Grievous leaned forward. As though he were a predator catching a whiff of his prey in the wild. Before he sneered a sound of guttural disgust and moved up to Tambor. To whom he stomped past with little regard of the skakoan.

"Why-" Haako began from across the room. His words catching as Grievous flung around to stare him down. Golden reptilian eyes piercing the cowardly neimoidian. "Wh...why have you brought us...us here, General?" Rune wondered. His hands clasping together, nervously squeezing at one another. "Has something...happened?"

"Much has happened, Haako." Grievous retorted and rounded behind Gunray. For whom he got up close at his right shoulder. Loosening a long baritone growl that rumbled the Viceroy's right half and spiked him with a chill. "I have had a long conversation with our associate here. Chairman Hill." Grievous intoned loud enough for all to hear. As he stomped back to where he had entered. Stepping over the fallen muun's body. A barb on his right foot struck the muun along his face, but Hill barely registered it. Nute could see the blood that coated Hill's robes and blotted his flesh was now beginning to poll on the floor beneath him.

"What did this conversation entail?" Tambor asked with a whir of his suit. "Anything of particular note, General?" He diplomatically probed.

"Much was noteworthy!" Grievous spun in place to face the room once more. Eyes glowering as he dropped the sack within his left hand to the ground. A squelching noise sounded, but nobody remarked on it. "Chairman Hill has informed me that I have been lied to all these years." Grievous began. Seemingly expecting a rebuke that did not come. "I was bombed many years ago. My ship, the Martyr was attacked by the Jedi and the Republic. At least that is what I was led to believe this whole time." Grievous expounded. Taking to a small pace that was hardly three steps back and forth. A cough loosing from him. "This was a lie! It was actually Chairman Hill, whom I had worked for before the attack, who committed said attack! Because he wanted me to be his tool, his weapon, and your slave. Every...one of...you." Grievous intoned casting accusatory finger between Gunray, Tambor, and over to Mai. Though he clearly meant everyone.

"We didn't-"

"Quiet!" Grievous howled, silencing Argente who trembled and cowered. "For years I have been used as a tool by the lot of you! Directed by Dooku...and Dooku!" Grievous snarled. "He knew! He knew all along what you had done!" Grievous brought a savage kick into Hill who could only mutely howl. Though, it was more a whimper. It was sickening to watch.

"I have been lied to by this Council! I was taken to Geonosis and my brain altered to...to be this!" Grievous snarled again. "Angry! Always angry! No, no not angry. Enraged! Furious! My wrath knows no bounds, because of what you and Poggle did!" Grievous stooped low. One hand to the floor and another pulled back as though to punch over Hill's body. The muun gargled, and that was all he could do. "My skills, at war, at combat, all of it used by you, by Dooku, by…" Grievous stopped and pushed himself back up. Whatever accusation he had to make seemingly catching in his throat.

He swung around, back facing the Council. All could see him shudder in his own rage. Some among them taking instinctive if not voluntary steps back to the far wall. The General slowly craned his neck back. Silently appraising them. Nute, for his part, caught what he thought to be the glimmer of an evaluation in his yellowed eyes. He believed in that moment Grievous was judging whether he should kill them all right then and there. However, at the next moment he turned around full and clasped both hands behind his back over his cloak. The many lightsaber trophies lining the interior of said cloak, and magnetically clasped to his waist showing.

"I have been betrayed on so fundamental a level that I have few words to share. Especially with a lot as weaselly, as wasteful, as pathetic and traitorous as you!"

"General, you have to believe me! I knew nothing of this!" Tambor was the first to crack and all but beg for his life.

"Neither did I!" Haako groveled, and Nute couldn't necessarily blame him.

"Nor me!" Mai...of all people.

"Shut up!" Grievous again silenced with a barking growl, and all recoiled. The fiend turning his head to the body on the floor again. "You told Dooku about me. You told him what you had done. He took me in, and trained me as a weapon." Grievous lowered himself again. Planting one foot into Hill's back. His talons snapping in and piercing flesh with a sick wet crunch all could hear. Hill finally howled in pain loud enough for all to perceive. "And what a fine weapon you've made, Hill. What an amazing ballad of blood and death you've weaved. The composer, if not the conductor." Grievous intoned his analogy as he hiked Hill upwards at a painful angle. The muun's upper back and head rising painfully angled. Whilst Grievous weight kept his lower back and legs pinned to the ground.

"Tell them."

"I...it...t...t...true." Hill managed to gag with a frothy mouth full of blood tinged sputum. He croaked and all could see his features were battered, broken, and bruised. Nute subtly shook his head. Fear gripping him. Finding him deep within. Eyes turning to the nearby droids. Their horrific silence reminding him that they held no allegiance. They were programmed to follow the commands of the Supreme Commander absolutely. What a wretched thing they had unleashed.

"Thank you, Chairman. For your honesty!" Grievous, with a flash of movement grasped at a saber and with a blue flicker of light and hiss of life, it slashed from right, to left. Becoming silent and extinguishing the moment after. While Hill's head detached itself from his shoulders. The smolder of smoke trails rose from the stump and the noxious smell of burnt flesh filled all nostrils present. Grievous kicked the body off of his foot and it fell with a thudding plop. The head rolled over to Nute. The eyes beaten closed, but all the same staring up at the neimoidian who gawked in horror, before averting his gaze. Finding himself looking to the General rather than that.

"Where…" All heads, including Grievous' turned to the as of yet silent ex-Senator Tikkes of Dac. Head of the Quarren Isolation League. His mouth of prominent mobile tendrils creating a slimy sound for each word that Nute had always found revolting. "Where is...Archduke Poggle, General? If...if he…"

"If he too is responsible?" Grievous finished. Wordless, and without waiting for confirmation he swept up the fallen bag. A stray gagging cough loosening from him again as he cast aside the canvas and revealed what Nute had already guessed. The severed and mutilated head of Poggle the Lesser. The neck showing a lightsaber's calling card. Though what was...more obvious was that the skull had been caved in from the mouth and what one would call the nasal region of a geonosian. Beaten in by the savage brute that showed off the trophy. Before Grievous then threw it onto the table. The thud causing everyone to jump away in a mixture of disgust and abject horror. The smell mixing with that of Hill's now deceased body more strongly than when it had been in the bag.

"There he is." Grievous cackled like a lunatic. Like the madman he truly was. "There is the wretch who dug his stinking little hands into my head! By his will or hands himself it doesn't matter to me! Both he and Hill crossed me, and better for Dooku he is gone now. Luckily for you lot he left me in command in the case of his absence, or the Confederacy may well have fallen already." Grievous intoned. His words sounding unhinged, but his delivery cool and collected as he could be.

"I am in total command of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. All of your assets, your foundries, and the worlds your corporations owned, ran or pillaged are mine. All that I have conquered is mine to command! This government is mine! You, are mine!" Grievous pointed in a sweep of his hand to them.

"Let this be a lesson to all of you. Cross me again, and you will share their fate and worse!"

"Wha...what do you mean to do with us?!" Po Nudo shook with every syllable.

"I...don't know yet." Grievous truthfully muttered. "Though things will now be different. Each of you will be confined to your quarters until I call upon you." He began, once more pacing barely three steps to and fro. "No communications off world will be allowed. If you attempt to do so, I will torture you and then kill you. I will need nothing from you. I will simply take time and pleasure in doing so. Whilst the rest of you watch." He warned. Drinking in their horror and silence. "Lord Sidious is no longer the one to give commands to you. Nor will he give commands to me." That last sentence he intoned darkly and more to himself. That sent another ripple of shared horror through the Council. Nute could have inferred that Grievous meant to betray Lord Sidious, but to hear it?! So openly and blatantly?! The one being who had power to outmatch Dooku, to control Grievous...was defanged just like that.

"This war will be waged by the terms I see fit!" Grievous continued. "This Council will not be gaining any 'rewards' as Presidente Mai desired." To that, glances past between them. All of them realizing they had been listened in upon to some degree or another.

"You are my pawns, my prisoners. My property if need be! I will use you, and toss you aside if need be, and I may still yet!" His bony finger pointed to the room as a whole. Silence falling upon the room but for the low rumble and hum of all the electrical wiring underneath the walls. Grievous watching them all. Studying them. Imposing himself as an unassailable force of nature.

"The armies are mine." He began again with a growl. "The navy is mine, the Confederacy is mine. Welcome to the new age." Just like that Grievous turned. Sweeping his cloak as he did while the door slid open. The guards turned, and Grievous stomped down the hallway lined with droplets of Poggle's coagulating blood, or Hill's streaks of the same. Everyone remaining in stunned abject horror. Many thoughts and new realities rummaging about their heads. The dead body and two heads about the room sending a message. The messenger himself dictating his terms all the more clearly. The droids moving and grappling at them all once again. Pushing and directing them to move. Prisoners now of the very machines they had used and issued for war upon the Republic. Made to be their captors. As the greatest 'machine' made for the CIS had become their ultimate jailer and slaver.

"We're doomed." Nute croaked for all to hear. Nobody said anything. That alone told him they all knew. He was right.

---

"Thank you, Master Jurokk." Mace bowed his head. The bald Gatekeeper of the temple bowing at the waist and turning. Returning to his post at the entrance. Itself a ways behind where Mace and Master Yoda stood. "This whole affair is a catastrophe. Nothing but more ammo for the Chancellor to use on his newfound crusade against the Order." Mace intoned darkly. His eyes narrowing.

"Perpetrated by the COMPOR organization, the riot was." Yoda noted, sat atop his hovering seat beside Mace. "A dangerous organization it is. Filled with many who are loyal to the Chancellor. Loyal to a fault, they are. Believe they do that taken to the extremes the Chancellor's needs must be."

"They are fools." Mace added without hiding his own disdain. "They stir the mynocks nest. They stood out here for a full day ranting and raving, and then they attempted to lay siege to the temple itself! Were it not for the security forces and the peacekeepers the Jedi within may well have been forced to take more drastic measures."

"Kill civilians you imply, Master Windu?" Yoda questioned. No hint of an underlying sentiment to his tone of voice.

"Not that I would want it to come to that, Master." Mace corrected and shook his head. "However, no one has the right to barge into the temple and demand we hand over a prisoner. No one has the right to come in and beat, or kill our security forces or fellow Jedi. That I will not stand for! Regardless of the demands of the Republic. Or, I should say the Senate and its overlord." Mace darkly emphasized.

Yoda for his part hummed sadly. Either not willing or wanting to reprimand the darker thoughts circling Mace's mind. Though the Master of the Order was quick to release the welling emotions of the moment into the Force. Closing his eyes and breathing a deep and agitated sigh.

"Masters!" Both Mace and Yoda turned as Obi-Wan approached from behind.

"Master Obi-Wan! A pleasure to see you it is." Yoda chirped his greetings while Mace bowed his head.

"Come to see the aftermath of the night's theatrics, Obi-Wan?" Mace wondered as Obi-Wan came to a stop beside him. His light eyes scanning the grounds beyond the innermost steps leading up onto the temple's main platform.

"I could take in the sights from nearly anywhere else, Master." Obi-Wan muttered more to himself. "Though I still had a...compulsion to come see. When the alarms started last night I was resting in my quarters. By the time I arrived to the gates Master Ti wanted me to take up watch on the opposing side and the rear access points. Luckily the rioters only seemed to focus on the main doorway. Or...perhaps unluckily?" Obi-Wan informed the others. They had not asked, but neither did they stop him or press him. Simply listening, and nodding. Mace then spoke up.

"As you can maybe see in the further distance; just past the CSF and clone troopers there, that's where the main thrust from the riot began." He pointed with a sweep of his robe laden arm. Obi-Wan followed his pointed finger beyond. Seeing through narrowed eyes what Mace was pointing towards. A few carbon scoring black marks stained the farther temple grounds. The CSF was setting up evidence placards while the HoloNet media reporters continued to prance just beyond that line. Obi-Wan taking note of the fact the first line of barricades had been retaken after the arrival of the CSF and clone security forces. The secondary line still lined with temple security forces, their blaster rifles slung over their shoulders. Seeming more relaxed. Whilst peacekeepers walked among them. Stoically watching for any threat.

After the initial breakdown of the security lines Master Drallig had pushed the security troopers back to the secondary barricades. Ordering the lockdown of the temple and additional Jedi reinforcements. Many knights and what was the main bulk of the Circle of Peacekeepers came rushing out. The rioters seemed to have taken notice in their stupor of the army of Jedi laid before them. Hundreds of lightsabers, not seen since Geonosis all brilliantly activated before them. The security forces with blasters raised and at the ready. Master Drallig standing before it all as a pillar against the storm. The people seemed to have regained whatever little sense they had to begin with. Pausing, yelling. Pretending to be tough and strong as all cowards do. Before scurrying off. Before the police forces arrived. For whom they showed themselves truly cowardly before. Obi-Wan couldn't help but feel bitterness sour the pit of his stomach. He may not have seen the sights himself, but he had watched the temple's security recordings, and the fully colored HoloNet broadcasts. It had revolted him! This was his home. To see people attempt to desecrate it like that...it was a struggle to release such emotions into the Force. He did so, however. As a Jedi should. Though his mind did flicker onto a related subject after.

"The Senate." Obi-Wan began catching the attention of the other two. "Do we know where they stand with his new proposal submitted by the Chancellor, yet?"

"Difficult to say it is." Yoda hummed. As Mace spoke after him.

"Yes. I find this debacle curiously convenient."

"What do you mean?" Obi-Wan wondered.

"The proposal was submitted come first thing this morning. The riot only truly began once night had already fallen." Mace noted harshly. "I find it hard to believe the entirety of paperwork and the arguments for the proposal written into the documentation were done so quickly."

"Unusual, perhaps. Unheard of it is not." Yoda cautioned Master Windu.

"Yes, Master." Mace nodded. "However, even if we ignore that, the fact that this rally was begun by an organization like COMPOR who are nationalistic to the point of obsessiveness brings forth another factor to consider." Mace pointed out, and Obi-Wan could sense where his thoughts were headed.

"You think that Palpatine may have orchestrated this?" Obi-Wan muttered. As Mace affirmed with little else than a narrowed look.

"To what extent, I can't say. The rally itself though? All the pieces fall into place if we look at it from that point of view." Mace declared. Eyes narrowing to the point of slits as he seemed to run silently through the inner line of logic behind such a move. "The acquiescence by the Senate to authorize the Chancellor to place Skywalker onto the Council? To directly communicate and all but make demands of the Order? Add to that this sudden attack that has led to today's affairs? The Senate is this instant considering a motion to renounce the Order's basic right to contain prisoners who can wield the Force! The Republic is ill prepared to imprison someone like Dooku should he be awakened from his..." Mace paused. Obi-Wan felt a tremor through the Force. Clearly Master Windu had caught himself about to say something, but he was unsure if he should.

"Master?" Obi-Wan pressed.

"Hmm, learned much I did yesterday, Master Obi-Wan." Yoda spoke up for Mace. "Of great help, your friend Gandalf was. Much to discuss on the matter of Dooku we have. At a later time." Obi-Wan studied both of their faces. Noticing the seriousness and dark mood that more specifically fell across Mace. Silently he could only nod, and chose to say no more on the matter.

"Right. My point is," Mace carried on. "The Chancellor now has an advantageous position to push for more amendments. If not to the Constitution of the Republic itself then to treaties and laws that have long bound it. We're no longer talking about changes made to the Ruusan Reformations, but to the basic nature of the Republic as it was founded tens of thousands of years ago. If the Republic is so willing to annul what has been an established norm for that long, what point is there in the Jedi Order retaining loyalty to this supposed partnership?!"

"Careful with your feelings you must be, Master Windu." Yoda again warned pointedly. "Many rough days has Coruscant seen of late. Allow it to dominate and cloud your mind, you must not."

"I…" Mace sighed. Closing his eyes, and bringing a hand to the bridge of his nose. He pinched it and huffed a long exasperated sigh. "Yes, you're right, Master. I know you're right." Obi-Wan felt the sincerity in Mace's words flow through the Force. Mace was always high strung. Always particular about norms, regulations, operations, the code and so forth. All the breaks from the norm. All the abnormalities of late and the inherent friction with the Chancellor? It would weigh down anybody, but especially one as particular as Mace. Obi-Wan felt for him. Even if he did share Yoda's concerns for his mental state.

"Protect the Republic, we must. Continue to do so, we shall. Resist these changes we can. Within the boundaries of the Republic. Sith, we are not. We do not impose our will upon others. Even if we feel it is for the greater good. Troublesome, and disturbing are the moves by Chancellor Palpatine. Know this all of us do. Which is why measures have been taken." Yoda added, and with a new pointed look to Obi-Wan. Whom in kind nodded. Again, choosing to say no more. Not wanting to even think about Anakin's newly appointed mission right now.

"There is hope yet." Obi-Wan offered. "Last I saw the Senate was still in recess, but perhaps the motion by Senator Organa will succeed?" Obi-Wan prompted. Not having wanted his initial question regarding the Senate to have caused this much turmoil within Master Windu.

"If successful it is, a small but welcome victory it shall be."

"Yes." Yoda and Mace spoke respectively. "I can only hope Senator Organa has the votes necessary to slow down this measure. Though without a majority vote in his favor they are only delaying the inevitable." Mace countered.

"Time we shall have. Perhaps find new allies those senators could? Turn more against the Chancellor's wishes they may."

"And if they cannot?" Obi-Wan asked after Yoda.

"Then all the more desperately needed the work of young Skywalker is." Yoda humbly noted, and Obi-Wan could only nod. The implication, and this damn war weighing on them. Like a constant cloud that hung over everything everywhere all the time.

Even as Obi-Wan contemplated such, he felt the presence of another arriving behind them through the Force. It was familiar to him, and to the others masters he was sure. All turned in silent unison as the presence neared.

"Masters. I apologize if I am interrupting?" Master Hett began. His tattooed face serene, and his robes flowing about his tan tunic as he bowed respectfully.

"Interrupting, you are not. Welcome you are, A'Sharad Hett." Yoda welcomed.

"Thank you, Master Yoda. I have come hoping to gain some guidance on a matter involving my work. Though I understand following last night's affairs I may be asking much of you at the moment. I can return later if any of you would wish it?" Silently the three masters passed just a second of a glance between themselves. That familiar feeling or sensation they shared especially when within the council chambers passed. The silent agreement passing from one to the next.

"You may speak, Master Hett. None of us are troubled." Obi-Wan offered kindly. Smiling as he folded his hands within his robes.

"Ah, my thanks, Master Kenobi. As I am sure you three can imagine, this concerns my work with the WatchCircle." Hett was sure not to directly say Covenant.

"Of course. Please." Obi-Wan again prompted.

"Yes, Master. I have recruited a number of Jedi as recommended by yourself, Master Windu. Many have agreed to join."

"That's good news." Mace nodded.

"I agree, Master." A'Sharad smiled. "However, I have some...news regarding one investigation. Information found and shared by Knight Kolvori has indicated something about one of our own whom is no longer with us." A'Sharad began gingerly. Obi-Wan sensing hesitation to speak on the matter. And, if he sensed it the others surely did as well.

"Speak freely and plainly, Master Hett." Yoda motioned a small hand towards A'Sharad.

"Yes, of course. It's just that...it concerns Master Vos." That caused the silence to fester some. A pregnant silence. Nobody saying anything. A mixture of emotions passing between all of them. Including Master Windu, and Hett. Both of whom had their own dealings with the kiffar Jedi master. Though in all fairness all present had in one way or another. Obi-Wan knew Master Vos as well as some could claim to have known him. Before his undercover operation within the Separatists and Dooku's circle of dark side followers. The news of his death upon reestablishing contact from Arda having saddened Obi-Wan. As any Jedi's loss did.

"What have you discovered, Master Hett?" Mace finally broke the silence. Steeling himself and becoming as rigid and direct as durasteel. A'Sharad was quick to speak as prompted.

"Communications logged by the temple's comms systems were listened in on only after the fact. Knight Kolvori has some skills in finding junk data and making sense out of it, it would seem." That fact somewhat disturbed Obi-Wan. Even as a Jedi he didn't know how comfortable he felt knowing another Jedi could be listening in on him and another. Even if their conversation was harmless.

"Masters Tholme and T'ra Saa had logged a conversation and subsequently deleted it three standard months ago. They spoke of a child. The mother of which I have deduced to be a woman named Khaleen Hentz. She and Master Vos grew...quite close during his undercover mission with Count Dooku. It is quite clear from the communique that this child, a one Korto is the son of this Hentz and Master Vos."

"By the Force." Mace shook his head. Averting his eyes and staring blankly up at the sky. This news clearly not helping calm his agitation.

"I'm afraid there's more. Another...complication." A'Sharad gravely offered. His own face betraying the unease he felt. Be it from explaining this what one would consider private information of Mace's mood one could not say for sure.

"Go ahead, Master Hett." Yoda waved his hand again.

"The communique has made it quite clear that both masters Tholme and Saa have developed feelings for one another that stand in contradiction of the Code. As well, I believe because of the connection Master Tholme had with Master Vos; being he was once Tholme's padawan of course, Tholme has taken to caring for and hiding both miss Hentz and her son Korto on Nar Shaddaa."

"You've learned all of this from one hidden log?" Obi-Wan wondered.

"Well yes and no, Master." A'Sharad shook his head. "The initial call was the catalyst. I have along with a few other members now operating alongside me within the Cov...within the WatchCircle traced other logs. Researched times and places and looked into all parties involved. As I believed to have been my mandate?"

"Correct, you are, Master." Yoda spoke before Obi-Wan or Mace. A subtle way of reminding Obi-Wan more than Mace that this was what they had appointed Hett for. It still bothered Obi-Wan, but only in silence now. Not that he could really say anything. He had voted for it, after all.

"A question upon your mind you have, Master Hett?" Yoda deduced. Either through the Force, or just by the manner A'Sharad spoke.

"Yes, Master Yoda. Concerning this whole affair. As is our Order's way this child born of Master Vos and this Hentz...do we collect the child? Should we? And, the masters. Both Tholme and Saa. They are masters. Not merely knights, and Master Vos is no longer with us. I am...unsure what to do regarding them. What my actions should be?"

"You were wise to bring this information to us firstly, Master Hett." Mace spoke up for the three Council members. "This matter, if true, is delicate. It'd delicate even if untrue really."

"Of course." A'Sharad agreed. Though Obi-Wan wasn't quite sure what Mace meant by what he said.

"Collect all the information you have, Master Hett. The actions of your WatchCircle are yours to operate. You have the Council's blessing, but as we discussed all such evidence and information should come through the Council first. For this reason I commend you again."

"Thank you, Master Windu." A'Sharad bowed. Obi-Wan had to say that he agreed. A'Sharad was showing himself to be cool and collected. A quality he wished Anakin held a better grasp of, but his old friend tried. That was good enough for him.

"Send a member of your WatchCircle to find this Khaleen Hentz. Track her down, but do not interact or intervene in any way. We can spare one knight I should think?"

"Hmm, agreed." Yoda nodded. Before Mace turned to Obi-Wan. Silently requesting his input as well.

"Yes, agreed." Obi-Wan nodded. Though his approval was not needed. It was a courtesy Master Windu had extended.

"If possible try and gain some DNA of this child. We could verify if they are in fact Master Vos' progeny. As for the masters," Mace carried on. The word 'progeny' sounding so very coldly medical and scientific to Obi-Wan. "Masters Tholme and Saa are in the Outer-Rim conducting their own units in the defense of what worlds we have managed to cling onto there. Only once they have their lines under control and secured will the Council recall them to stand before us and explain themselves. If, of course the evidence proves without a reasonable doubt." Mace affirmed to some small comfort to Obi-Wan.

"I understand completely, Master." A'Sharad again bowed. "I shall delegate these tasks to one among my WatchCircle at once. I thank you three for your wisdom on these matters." A'Sharad finished, bowing once again deep at the hip. Before rising with a serene smile and a sweep of himself around back towards the temple.

"This is absurd." Mace intoned once the three of them were freed from the ears of Master Hett. "Not only is our Order being assailed by the Republic, but our own members cannot keep to their oaths. Their creed and the Codes we all swore to live by! An organization, an order, a military an entity that abides by no rules but for what the individual makes is no order at all! It is in fact anarchy!"

"Calm, focus yourself, Master Windu." Yoda chided once again. Ever sounding like the Master who had trained all who came after at least for a time. Mace's shoulders slumped. His head bowed to the ground and he nodded.

"Yes, Master."

"Know these things to be true we do not. Agree I do that if true these assertions are, fractured the Order may be. Though we mustn't jump to conclusions. Seek to understand and correct we should. Not cast aside and denounce." Yoda hummed thoughtfully. Obi-Wan glancing his way to see the little Jedi Master rubbing his chin. Obi-Wan gained the distinct impression through the Force that Master Yoda was ruminating on something. For some reason a flash of Gandalf's face came to Obi-Wan's mind. He wasn't sure if that had anything to do with it. But, if so then that was interesting indeed. Still he did not ask Master Yoda what was on his mind. His thoughts were his own.

"Hmm, for now rest we should." Yoda began again. His eyes darting back up to his two companions. Though his green eyes more pointedly looked to Mace. "Little sleep have you received of late, my friend. Meditation may be of help, but sleep I would prefer for you." Yoda hummed happily.

"Is that a statement, or request, Master?" Mace wondered. His eyebrow rising. Obi-Wan smiling. Sensing this to be a moment of very very subdued humor from the Master of the Order. Yoda chortled a few little laughs.

"Neither. And, both."

"I see." Mace thinly smiled. "I think I will take you up on both, Master. I am...quite tired."

"And you, Obi-Wan?" Yoda wondered.

"Oh...perhaps a few hours may soothe my mind. Last night's chaos did disrupt my night."

"Hmm, good! Then off we should go." Yoda chuckled. Shooing them all back towards the temple. Alleviating the dower mood found in the moment. Obi-Wan smiling and trailing after the both of them.

As he did so, however, another sensation through the Force rippled. It was familiar. But, not like another Jedi coming near. Obi-Wan paused and tilted his head right and up. Where he met eye to eye with what he felt to be that same hawk-bat from yesterday. Obi-Wan furrowed his brow. Feeling an unusual sensation. As though he were being watched by the creature. He dared to reach out through the Force and touch its mind. Only for the creature to squawk and shiver. Shaking its head as feelings of hunger, and desire to return to the flock entered Obi-Wan's perception. As well as an undulating sensation beneath the surface. One Obi-Wan could only equate to the feeling of curiosity. The hawk-bat was...curious? That was strange. Though hardly a reason for Obi-Wan to think too hard about it. The hawk-bats were undoubtedly thrown up onto the upper levels because of the battle. In fact it made him feel sorry for the little beasts. They were likely just agitated, and their homes ruined or lost. Along with Force knew how many of their number.

So, he chose to shake his head. Withholding a yawn that threatened to unceremoniously break way to the fore. Obi-Wan sighed and made his way back into the temple. Ignoring the feeling of being watched. The little beady eyes of the hawk-bat doing the watching in turn.

---

Thirty minutes seemed to have blasted by. The inner dull lighting of the convocation chamber betrayed nothing of what the day was like outside. It was still early into the day as Padmé checked the chrono within the pod. She sat waiting. Having returned to the pod shortly after watching Bail take off to work his political acumen. Her own mind contemplating just what was going through Palpatine's head these days? She couldn't quite understand how someone from Naboo could become as devilishly efficient at manipulation as Palpatine. The man had propositioned her parents into her own ascent as Queen. He had acted as not only the Senator from Naboo and the whole of the Chommell Sector, but as an advisor to her person in all but name.

For years as this war dragged she now realized she had been in staunch opposition to his agenda. Without even knowing it, or actively acknowledging it she only had begun to realize that he and her stood on opposing sides. She wasn't just quite sure what these sides entailed though, and it frightened her. She would and could hide it well. From Palpatine, from Bail, from Mon and even from Ani if need be. Though she hated to do so. Especially as she herself always prompted him to be more open and honest with her. But, he had enough on his plate to be worrying about her. Even if she knew on some path and along some string the two of them and their concerns intertwined. Anakin was about to actively take up his role as representative to the Jedi Council from Palpatine himself!

That thought caused her face to scrunch up in a sensation of dull disgust. Padmé didn't know where Palpatine got off. She had not voted to grant Palpatine the measures involving the Jedi. She hadn't even realized his personal 'interpretation' of the emergency powers relinquishment could be used by him to appoint Jedi. As though they were his own personal guard or police force. Was it any wonder they were up in arms? As Ani had let her know? Now, Palpatine was playing this new game. Wrapped in the last one. He and his offices had been lambasting the Order for holding Dooku, and now it was no secret he and the Republic's military and security apparatuses wanted Dooku for their own. Chomping at the bit to claim him, and do Force knows what.

Her eyes turned up. The relative silence of the chamber rattled as a flood of senators and representatives began making their way back into the chamber. Padmé paid them little mind. Her brown gaze turned to the center where Palpatine's podium would soon rise. As she had thirty minutes before, Padmé had to contend with reality. She had not been ignoring it. Not exactly, she didn't think. But, the evidence was clear. The discussions she was having with Bail, Mon and some of the other senators in their free time, Palpatine's actions concerning the Jedi? The appointment of governors whom superseded the Senate militarily if nothing else? As if that was of any comfort. These actions against the Order for Dooku? All of it led her to one conclusion.

Palpatine was not just her political enemy. He was an enemy. Enemy of the Republic, enemy of democracy. Whether Ani wanted to see it or not. Sadly, she was sure he didn't. Padmé knew Bail saw it. Mon saw it, and Garm Bel Iblis saw it. She would bet a thousand credits the Order saw it too. Such reality made her sick and her skin crawl. Especially the aching horrific opinion she held against herself. That this man's rise was in one way or another her own fault.

"Hey." Padmé was shaken from thought as Bail lightly tapped her right shoulder and retook his seat beside her.

"Bail." She nodded a greeting. "What do you think? Any luck winning your votes?" She softly whispered though truly no one nearby would be able to hear here if she just spoke at a normal even tone.

"In spite of the better judgments of some I talked to, I think we may win this vote yet." Bail smiled. His darkly tinged features showing the soft glow of hope. Padmé found it admirable about her friend on days like today.

"I sure hope you're right, Bail."

"Have a little faith, my Lady. I think we can expect a pleasant surprise." Bail boldly noted just as the central podium's floor opened and the stand began to rise. Carrying the same three as before. Amedda, Moore and Palpatine. The excited and somewhat loud conversations taking place lowered to an undulating rumble of back and forth as the Chancellor's podium came to a stop. Amedda bounded into a stand, and pressed a key that would amplify his voice.

"The Senate will now return to order!" He began strongly this time. The chagrian casting wary eye upon all the loudest of the Senate. "Silence in the chamber!" Amedda chided a pod higher up that Padmé could not get a good view of. Unsure who the Vice Chancellor had just admonished for being in some way or another too loud for his liking.

"Good." Amedda carried on. "The Chair recognizes the prior motion as placed before it from the Honorable Senator from Alderaan." A round of immediate booing began. Padmé shook her head, and even Amedda looked irritated. "Order! Order within the chamber!" He pressed the button that created a booming sound of a gavel, and once more the Senate cooled. "The Honorable Gentleman's motion has reached the necessary threshold for a floor vote! The ayes for submission of the Supreme Chancellor's special proposition require a one-third affirmation." There was a soft muttering, but not enough for Amedda to silence. "As always, the chamber does not recognize the votes of those persons absentee, but will accept votes on their behalf via designated representatives and voting officer. To that point, the Chair will now present the motion on all podiums. The chamber is granted five standard minutes to cast your votes upon indication of my person. If your vote is not cast within that allotted time, you hereby forfeit your vote and are considered to be abstaining!" Amedda concluded a rather simple pre-vote notice of the rules of voting. Bail shimmied himself forward in his podium and entered his ID. The motion came into view. A simple aye, or nay that you tap, affirm and submit. Simple but effective. Padmé also moved forward. Leaning close to Bail's left, waiting her turn to cast her own vote.

"With that said, the chamber will now vote on the motion!" Amedda pressed the button that boomed out the sound of the gavel. A hushed flurry of movement sounded. Whispering, wondering, idle chatter from those quick to vote and be done with it. Much beeping of the pods computers as the tally was counting. Plus the idle warble and whir of the passing cam droids sounded.

"Alright, there." Bail intoned and sent in his vote. An obvious aye. "My Lady." Bail motioned the computer and pushed himself out of her way. Padmé thanked him and input her ID and voted the same as him.

"Here's hoping, Bail."

"Indeed, my Lady." He chuckled softly. As the minutes rolled by. Hot, nervous and anxiously. Finally after the anxiety gripped at her stomach for the allotted time Padmé heard the chamber give a long thrumming beep. Letting everyone know voting was now ended. Everyone retook their seats if they stood to pace or chatter among their own pod-mates, and silence fell as Amedda idly pressed at his own console. His eyes betraying no emotion, not that Padmé could rightly see them from where she sat with Bail. The chagrian did look up and silently observed the chamber before he began speaking.

"The chamber today holds 4,329 vote eligible Senators or their substitute members present. Of this number 675 have abstained their votes, and shall be counted neither for nor against the motion. Of the remaining 3,654 vote eligible members 2,434 vote nay, 1,220 vote aye. The ayes have it." Immediately the shouting and booing was deafening, but Padmé didn't care. Her body shivered as though it were her first term all over again, and she fell back into her seat with a heaving sigh of relief. Bail couldn't hide his elation as a smile crawled along his face. Though he tried to hide it under his contemplative fist set to his lips. With two votes to spare they had just managed to reach a one-third threshold! Padmé had to admit, Bail had done it, and she wasn't sure she could've if it were her!

"Order! We shall have order!" Amedda threw one hand out, and loosed the sound of the gavel over and over. The shouting from one pod to the other a display of vicious rivalry and anger. The nays guessing or knowing who voted aye and excoriating them for daring to put this sham of a bill into committee! Padmé could only snort to herself. How dare she and the others vote for a procedure that was by all historical precedent the norm!

"Order in the chamber, at once! Order!" Amedda howled as the cam droids floated in circles showing the charade.

"You are a miracle worker, Bail." Padmé offered finally leaning forward to his ear.

"Don't give me too much praise, my Lady. I was mostly feigning optimism. Really I had little hope this could pass. A little though, and it's paid off." Bail chuckled.

"I think you play the game better than even you give yourself credit, my friend." She grinned and pat his robbed shoulder with a small laugh all her own. Mon in the nearby pod casting both of them a smirk as Padmé was sure many among the present Delegation of 2,000 were.

"Alright, onto the next phase." Bail intoned. As before he jumped into a stand and pushed himself to the front of the pod. "I once more rise to speak and address the chamber, mister Vice Chancellor!" Bail declared and the booing hisses that had just quieted flew at him in a sharp rising jab of noise.

"Order!" Amedda seethed. "The Chair recognizes the Senator from Alderaan!" Amedda declared with a firm sneer and pointed roar to the chamber. Taking his seat beside Palpatine once again. The elder man making no move, nor visible show of emotion or thought.

"Thank you again, mister Vice Chancellor." Bail began as his pod detached and for the second time this morning began warbling softly through the convocation chamber. "Based on the response this has received, many of my colleagues fail to see what it was myself and those who voted to move the bill into committee desire. There is a sentiment, and a purpose! This bill is of major importance in the sheer capacity it asks us to rewrite fundamental relationships, alliances and treaties on a whim. No war based emergency requirement is found in the motion. To allow such an abject dismissal of our government's political norms would spell nothing but clear unadulterated disaster in the future!" The spiteful shouts hissed and spat at Bail, but the sound of clapping mingled with it. Clearly by those who voted the measure in Bail's favor. All the same, Bail carried on.

"To sacrifice political norm for the sake of expediency sets the precedent that no matter the problem and concern Executive power holds mastery! This body holds Legislative and Executive authority, and under the watch of this," Bail paused. Only because the hissing grew so loud as to deafen his speech.

"Order! We shall have order!" Amedda jumped and barked. Surely reminding the chagrian of the floundering last days of Chancellor Valorum's tenure. Totally different circumstances of course.

"Yes, thank you, mister Vice Chancellor." Bail bowed his head only as the rancor died down slightly. "As I was saying – under the watch of this body these treaties were signed. These treaties are fundamental to the operation and peace of not just the Republic but the galaxy entire! I am not blind to the points as made by the Supreme Chancellor and of my colleague, Senator Greyshade. The rules and laws of yesteryear should not be the end all be all means for which we operate. But, change is not something achieved at the whim of the moment! It is a calculated process brought about through due means and procedure. Not because any of us want to stifle growth, change or any such matter." Bail placed a hand to his chest. Clearly denoting himself. "Rather, because without such measures there is, as I stated before nothing at all, but pure anarchy! Anarchy of government will undoubtedly lead to anarchy of society, and for this reason I am pleased with the end result of this vote." Bail declared and the shouts of the expected manner hit him. Insults and boos. Some rising to stand and cast him thumbs-down and other howls of whatever the many assorted senators and representatives could muster.

To his credit, Bail stood and kept his right hand pressed to his chest. Simply absorbing the heat and hate. His eyes scanning the chamber and refusing to relinquish the stance of conviction he had made.

"Does the Honorable Gentleman yield the chamber?" Amedda requested over the noise of it all.

"Not just yet, mister Vice Chancellor." Bail spoke at last. Padmé heard groans, sucking of teeth and tongue. As though children were being kept an extra hour in class. It made her sigh in withering disheartenment. With the body such as this nominally leading the Republic, however had the Separatists failed to conquer it? A humorless sarcastic thought that now took up space in her head. Nonetheless, she shook herself and listened as Bail spoke once more.

"I would also like to have it repeated; I recommend a full inquiry be made into the events that precipitated the sight of rioting that occurred last night!" The jeers flowed easily. "I...I recommend, mister Vice Chancellor, that a line of inquiry by this body be made not only into what precipitated the riot! Rather, it should extend into the COMPOR organization itself for its demonstrable...its demonstrable-"

"Order!" Amedda howled and pinged the gavel sound over and over as the Senate did not yield in its vitriol. Those supporting Bail joining in the rabble to hush and silence the ugliness of the detractors. Bail would quickly speak again.

"The demonstrable lack of good faith this organization has shown of late with its rallies has shown COMPOR to be a danger to the public good! They scream, and they shout and they call for the Jedi to be shot, jailed, and for little else than following established rules of law! Not the Jedi Order's law, our law! The Republic's law!" Bail bellowed. "This organization is little else than a hyper aggressive ticking time bomb of ultra-nationalistic and barely contained xenophobic fervor! The sooner we act the better!" Bail waved his hand out to accentuate his point. "And, with that said, mister Vice Chancellor, I once more yield the chamber floor!" Hissing, booing, jeering was relentless. As was the same reciprocated by Bail and Padmé's allies. Barely contained even as Amedda looked red in his blue elder cheeks.

The chagrian jumped to a stand and looked ready to scream. However, he was stopped as Palpatine rose to a stand beside him. Moving close to his microphone.

"I rise to speak, mister Vice Chancellor." As Palpatine spoke the roar of the hateful began to descend from its crescendo. Bail's platform hovered back into place and the chamber held a low hum of whispers, and chatter. Far calmer than before.

"The Chair recognizes the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic." An immediate howl of praise, and clapping sounded. Padmé was made to believe she was at a concert for the newest galactic boy band. The open blind reverence was insanity personified. Did they even know why they were clapping? The man had yet to say anything of value, and the majority acted as though he had brought forward a motion to end galactic hunger! Again she shook her head, but pressed her lips into her fist in thought. Mirroring Bail's own gesture from before, and listened.

"It is with great disappointment that I rise to stand." Palpatine began. "I recognize the vote of course, and I applaud Senator Organa for his efforts." There was a muted bout of applause. Coming from the supporters of Bail, Padmé was sure. Though Palpatine was quick to begin speaking again.

"Let me begin by stating that I also commend the Senator from Alderaan for his adherence and love of this democracy. I as any good politician of this Republic understand that the rules of process should be respected. However, what I had hoped to do today was expedite a process I believed had been mandated by the public. For the public good. Nothing more and nothing less." Palpatine received a much louder bout of applause to that. "It has become clear to me, and to many among my colleagues that the public trust in the Jedi Order regarding their treatment of Force sensitive prisoners is in question. Called into question because the Republic demands justice. A simple desire. One predicated on the fact that the man in question has steeped his hands in the blood of countless civilians! As well as our valiant clone troopers, enlisted men and officers, and that of the Jedi themselves!" The chamber was alight in applause and unconstrained praise. "It is my chief concern that the safety and security of our society be maintained. Not only maintained, but our principles upheld. Peace, justice, and security. Simple words that when we speak them we should do well to act upon them. Merely repeating bywords spoken by any faux devotee is not enough where true governance demands action." Palpatine offered and again many a senator and representative or delegate cheered and applauded. Padmé even caught some among the opposition vote nodding or clapping. Surely for the principle once again. Though she chose not to join them as before.

"I am disappointed that an entire third of those present, and whom voted did not see things the way I have." Padmé caught the emphasis on 'those who voted.' Clearly the Chancellor was upset about the abstained votes. "Furthermore, I should like to say that I too support the notion of senatorial inquiries. If we as a body cannot mitigate the concerns of the public through the expedited channels of government; due to this lack of consensus, perhaps we can try to alleviate the tension in other ways?" Suddenly the chamber was shuddering in the sound of applause. The claps of the gathered politicians was from both camps. Those who had agreed with Bail before, and those who only did so now because Palpatine had gifted his tacit support. Verbally at least. Palpatine let the applause continue unabated for a moment. Before he continued with his own speech.

"I believe that the bill, once moved into committee should be thoroughly reviewed and run through the proper courses of our legislative processes. I look forward to this body's continued efforts to help alleviate the concerns of our people. All of our people. And for all their many wants, needs and concerns. From the Deep Core to the Outer-Rim. We deserve the best and better. The people do. The Galactic Republic does. May the Republic last a thousand more years!" Palpatine finished and once more the thundering applause swept the chamber. His most loyal and sycophantic allies jumping to standing applause. Others such as Padmé deciding to clap, because it was once again for the sentiment. She eyed Palpatine as a cam droid neared his face. He cast a smile and bowed his head before retaking his seat. Amedda coming to stand, though he silently waited. Letting the show of some minor form of unity take hold in the camera lens of the droids watching. Broadcasting the sights across the galaxy.

"Order! Come to order!" The Vice Chancellor would finally call. Padmé mostly tuned him and the rest of the proceedings out. Waiting for the moment he would recess the Senate for the rest of the day. Which Amedda was one to promptly do after the circus that was this day. Calling it back into session tomorrow to convene on the committee assignments and further debate, surely. That and whatever else may lay on the docket. Padmé sighed as the rest of the Senate began moving out from the chamber. Chatting and chattering away as was the way of the political mass.

Bail led her out from the pod's entrance way. Where the halls were teeming with life. Senators, aides, attendants, delegates, and representatives. All moved about, shoving and huddling into and past one another. While their guards, both personal and those of the Senate remained watching, moving alongside or behind. Usually Padmé preferred to remain in her own pod for a time before leaving, but Bail had been the one to prompt her out, and she followed. The two silently weaving about the masses. After a few short moments of doing so Padmé could see a small gathering of familiar faces. Stood among them was Mon, along with senators Tendau Bendon and Danu.

Padmé had not had much interaction with Giddean Danu before the meetings with Bail and the more familiar senators from the Loyalist Committee. Seeing him now. Dark skin, brilliant white robes, and a magnificent white hat of matching pearly brilliance. It made him stand out like a sore bantha. His lumbering grand stature didn't help either. Whilst Senator Bendon she was more familiar with both in name and personally. He was an ithorian. Senator from Ithor and representative of the entire Ottega Sector. An old friend of hers. A staunch supporter who stood against the Military Creation Act. Though such things were moot these days. Four years deep into the war. Padmé noted Bendon wore his usual elegant red robes that lay across the natural hunch all ithorians had for their backs. While the stalk of his 'face' stood high. His eyes separated in a T, and looking kindly towards her and Bail as they approached.

"A magnificent display, Bail." Mon greeted them as they approached. Padmé's fellow friend wearing a gown of stunning white that flowed down her form. Much like Padmé's own gown, Mon's was tied close to her body by a sash embroidered in golden symbols undoubtedly native of Chandrila. Whilst her red hair was swung back across her head. Atop it was set into place a simple silver circlet that seemed halfway towards being a helmet.

"I and many others were quite impressed, Senator Organa!" The deep baritone of Senator Bendon's four throats spoke in thrumming basic. The ithorian's distinctly larger eyes shining in a mixture of happiness and some would say exhilaration. All while Senator Danu nodded his agreement.

"I welcome the sentiment, but truly it was nothing special." Bail humbly noted with a smile. "Had the abstained votes not been as they were the loss would've been a forgone conclusion. We were merely lucky."

"You're far too humble, Bail." Mon chided playfully. "I know full well, and everyone here knows full well you negotiated those abstentions."

"Well, I didn't know." Padmé offered.

"Ah, I see." Mon bowed her head. "I had figured you were party to Bail's graceful maneuvering of skittish politicians, my Lady." Mon smirked and Padmé shook her head and gave a light airy laugh. Her outward attitude morphing into her familiar political persona.

"No, I had returned to the pod shortly after recess was called. Lost in thought. Though I am sure Bail did a fantastic job. We have the evidence for it!" Padmé offered. Noting Bail seemed flustered by the heap of praise.

"That we do, Senator." Senator Danu added coolly, but himself seeming pleased if reserved. "Though, as you implied yourself, this is a stop gap. The Chancellor and his allies will be quick to try and circumvent this measure."

"That's true." Bail conceded. "Though we shouldn't lose hope yet. The committee will have to sift through much in order to justify returning this bill to a vote. By then the situation may have appropriately shifted. Or, public perceptions can change on a whim. Such is the nature of politics." Bail astutely noted.

"A fine point!" All eyes and bodies turned as none other than Senator Greyshade approached. A smug, or perhaps sarcastic smile upon his face. He walked toward them with a flamboyantly exaggerated swagger in each step. Seemingly a mockery of a normal walk as he threw his hands out at his sides.

"Well you got what you wanted, Senator! You've managed to kill the bill!" Simon declared catching the glances of other nearby delegates.

"Whatever are you on about, Senator?" Bail retorted.

"Don't play dumb! You think nobody here is wise to your antics? Do you think we're all fools? That nobody can possible understand the enigmatic mind of the Senator from Alderaan?!" Senator Greyshade spat, and pressed a hand to his chest. "I know, and so does anyone with half a brain cell, that you only wanted to move this bill down into committee to kill it! We have votes on the creation of the committee, the committee members, the rules and appropriate frames of reference for those on the committee! A few weeks of dawdling, nothing big!" He continued to mock loudly. Clearly he wanted a scene, and Padmé glanced to see others around watching in muted, but pointed intrigue.

"Then we will have the amendments, and the disagreements of amendments. The scholarly and constitutional reviews! We will have persons of note, writers and any co-writers of the bill brought before the committee to explain their positions! Trial by committee! Legislation by committee!" Greyshade spat.

"Is that not what a Constitutional Republic is meant to do, Senator Greyshade?" Bail wondered with furrowed brow. "Does a democracy not rule by careful review of the needs and wants of its people?"

"Needs?! Wants?! You say those as if you care!" Simon spat again. "You and your friends know damn well what the people wanted! They wanted quick and swift action. No meandering, no half measures. No more of the Senate acting indecisively and in long arches around the problem. Direct, forward and quick. The people want a government that actually functions on their wants and needs. You didn't give it to them even when the Supreme Chancellor sought to apply it."

"What you describe is little else than demagoguery." It was not Bail, but Padmé who spoke up. Her brown eyes hardened as she listened to Greyshade excoriate Bail. "Action of those in power with no process, and no oversight is a dictatorship. Is that what you advocate for, Senator Greyshade? If so, your position among this body is all but moot, no?" She countered rather expertly, and Simon opened his mouth to speak. Though he clearly was momentarily stumped, before he shook himself and scoffed.

"You're twisting things, my Lady." He waved her off. "What you call demagoguery the people call action! What you think is dictatorship is an idealists narrow vision of what is reality and what is fantasy! The galaxy does not wait for the Senate to debate rules of law and functions of society by committee! It only understand the needs of the many, the cries of the masses and the jubilation of relief once action is taken!" He snorted. Padmé shook her head only the slightest. Her eyes and the eyes of her fellows all narrowing in varying degrees. Simon Greyshade making a fool of himself, and Padmé wasn't quite sure for whose benefit? The Chancellor wasn't here, though he could well hear of this outburst and applaud Greyshade? But, what would it matter? All of the Chancellor's most ardent cronies felt the same?

Ah, and there she answered her own question! For, Simon had the gall to make his sycophantic adherence to the Chancellor loud and clear. He wanted everyone to see, for his own benefit. The rumors and the gossip would carry his deed not to the Chancellor, but to the waiting HoloNet media. COMPOR would hail Senator Greyshade as a 'man of action!' While Bail, Padmé, Mon Mothma, and the rest would be obstacles of inaction. Slow to react, ineffective, and a hindrance to 'common sense' politics. Rather than defenders of what was a crumbling system under the weight of one man's ambition.

"You make a mockery of yourself, Senator." Bail finally intoned. "Your little show has gone on quite long enough. Go pester another with your antics. I shall hear no more of it, thank you." Bail noted with what Padmé thought to be an exaggerated bow of finality. Seemingly having already discovered what Simon was up to himself. For his part, Senator Greyshade sneered, but to everyone's relief said no more. Scoffing loudly and dramatically before he swept around and stomped into the masses of other assorted politicos.

"Politics has always been half showmanship, but such beings take showmanship into the realm of carnival barkers." Senator Bendon noted with a shake of his wide upturned head.

"You speak what I think quite poignantly, Senator." Mon intoned. Her eyes dark, but Padmé could easily guess as to why. Simon was a loud obnoxious fool. But, he was symptomatic of the decay. An extension of the rot that the Republic had undergone. Under their very noses. Perhaps in some ways due to their actions? Or, rather their inaction.

Believing in Palpatine. Believing he would relinquish power, believing he would seek the diplomatic approach. That he would not seek to go above and beyond his station even as more and more power was gifted to him. Padmé knew the part she had played in this whole affair. The sense of guilt was undeniable within herself.

She could only hope against all hope there was a path for the Republic to survive. She just couldn't yet see it. But, for Luke and Leia's sake she would do what she must. Her eyes set at the thought, and a renewed vigor flushed through her.

---

The roof above himself, Amedda and Moore closed. The hiss of gears and the crunch of metal grinding into more metal sounding. Palpatine sighed lowly and flicked his left hand out. Moore tilted her umbaran head and bowed it in silence affirmation. Rising to a stand and leaving both Palpatine and Amedda alone within the room.

"I apologize for the inconvenience, Senator Organa has caused you, my Lord." Amedda intoned. No need now in hiding his service to the Dark Lord. Now that all potential prying ears and minds were distant enough. The Vice Chancellor having long been informed of his place beneath Palpatine. As well as the true nature of the Supreme Chancellor he served. Palpatine found it humorous in a morbid way that Amedda had long ago believed he could control him. Even the introduction of the idea to give the Chancellor emergency powers had been spoken aloud by Amedda to that gungan fool, Binks. Never did the chagrian realize; until it was far too late of course, just whom was in control of whom. Now, he was little else than a savvy bureaucratic ack dog.

"There is little consequence in Organa's little charade. Troublesome as it may be I have prepared for this possibility, my loyal friend." Palpatine feigned cordiality. "We shall follow through in the functions of the Senate. If Organa, Amidala and the rest of them want to play politician, I say let them."

"Yes, Lord." Amedda bowed his large unsightly horned head. "This committee...should I proceed with the full functions and normal procedures come tomorrow's session?"

"Yes, that would do well. Though I think by then the senators will be quite dejected." Palpatine allowed a small chuckle to loose from his lips. "Push for Greyshade and a few others from among the most outspokenly allied to be placed onto the committee. As well, let whatever true believer Organa and his lot pluck join in kind. Bog this procedure to the point of nausea and let the fools play. Oh, and do send a message to Director Isard for me, Mas." Palpatine ordered as though the Vice Chancellor were but a slave. For all intents and purposes he may as well have been.

"Yes, Master. May I inquire for what reason?"

"This Delegation of 2,000 has become a growing nuisance." Palpatine humored Amedda. "No longer content to simply petition for a peaceful resolution to a war. Now they are a voting block in opposition to my agenda. The good of the Republic hangs in the balance!" Palpatine chuckled darkly. Finding his own sarcasm worthy of his laughter. "So, I will need Isard's particular skill set for matters of national security. Do not be quite so forward when you call for him, though."

"Of course, Lord." Amedda nodded. As Palpatine chuckled to himself some more.

"Schedule him for a meeting oh let's see…" Palpatine clicked his tongue nonchalantly and checked his itinerary. Smiling as he saw a meeting with Anakin within the next couple of hours and a mostly clear schedule after. The only other noteworthy scheduled item being his planned visit to the opera. The fantastic performance of Squid Lake by the mon calamari ballet he had seen the year prior was back. He wasn't about to miss it! No matter whatever faux political crisis was in the works of late. Besides that, he had some important information to share tonight as well.

"Hmm, I will meet Isard within the hour. Have him squeeze in towards the later half. I think I will enjoy a peaceful brunch to myself."

"Of course, Lord." Amedda robotically recited again.

"Hmm, and I want my office to begin the submission process of our legal petition before the Supreme Court." Palpatine smirked. The true reason behind his lack of concern with Organa's show finally being spoken. "Circumvent the local and district courts and submit it directly to the Supreme Court's filing office. Oh, and make sure this gets leaked to the HoloNet by tonight. I think it'll cause quite a stir come tomorrow!"

"Ye...yes, Lord." Amedda sounded unsure, and Palpatine cocked a brow to this. Turning in his seat to look at his only company in the quiet of their circular and open room.

"You don't approve, Mas?"

"It's not that I don't approve. It's more that I am unclear why we should leak this to the media?" Amedda wondered. "We could keep this as quiet as possible until the Court releases its docket cases for their coming session. That would give us time to prepare more quickly than any attempts to counter the move."

"It's the Supreme Court, Mas!" Palpatine laughed with a wave of his hand. "They cannot be litigated into stopping their review. Nor will they! I expect public pressure to be quite firm in moving this motion through to the justices at once." Palpatine gave a coy smirk. "After all, if the legislative and executive cannot get things done, simply circumvent them. Then we allow robed fools to impose their 'interpretation; of the law onto others." In a way, the courts were little else than a cabal of robed dictators. They presided over common law, and matters of what was and was not constitutional. Nominally unburdened by political alignment and sentiment. But...they were sentient beings all the same.

The Court made their decisions based on their opinions and political views or motivations just like any other commoner or politician. They simply held a more esteemed title and supposedly a more complex understanding of the many laws, codes and practices of the Republic. Palpatine admired just how deluded they and those who spoke in defense of the courts were. Deluded in their view it was an institution that looked out for the good of the law and those affected by it. It gave him ease of mind to just how easily deluded the masses would be once he assumed the title he knew was his for the taking.

"Now," Palpatine began with a stretch and rise to his feet. Taking the first steps down from the podium after. "See to the tasks at hand for me, Vice Chancellor."

"Yes, Lord." The chagrian bowed. "At once."

"Excellent." Palpatine smirked. "I think today will be quite productive!" The Chancellor chuckled aloud. Speaking mostly to himself as Amedda made no move nor spoke a word as he took his leave of Palpatine. The Chancellor all too eager for time alone. Time to consider how to treat his upcoming meeting with Anakin. Time was always a valued tool and weapon. He would, as Palpatine always had, use it wisely.

---

"Oi!" Merry called. His small hand smacking away at Pippin's. "What do you think you're doing?!"

"I'm just looking at this...thing!" Pippin whined as Merry crossed his arms. A pointed look in the hobbit's eyes.

"Pip, I just saw you reaching out. You were about to touch it. And, by 'it' I mean the computer."

"You know what it's called, Merry?" Pippin gasped.

"Yes, Pip. Unlike you I pay attention when someone is trying to teach me something. At the very least it doesn't do you no harm to listen to the finer details of what someone is saying." Merry chided. "Do you even realize how many times the folk around here have called these things 'computers?'"

"Well...no."

"Precisely!" Merry shook his head. Idly smacking at Pippin's shoulder with a soft graze of the back of his hand. "You don't pay attention, Pip. You see something unusual, or strange and you try to touch it. Even when you know you shouldn't!"

"Alright, Merry no need to be so crass."

"Crass?!" Merry repeated incredulously. "Gandalf, tell him!" Merry called from across the room to the white wizard. Gandalf passing them a sideways glance up from the book he was reading. His eyes having to adjust to the sight of the hobbits after being exposed to the dim lighting of these holobooks. Though a smile graced his lips as he shook his head.

"Merry has a point, Peregrin Took! You are prone to touching that which you should not."

"Exactly!" Merry smugly pronounced.

"Though you are hardly any better, Meriadoc."

"What?!" To that Merry snapped.

"Ah, how the tables have turned, Merry." Pippin crossed his arms. Much in the same manner Merry had. "See, ya' think you're the smart one here. But, I know more than you give me credit for."

"Oh?" Merry raised a brow. "And what do you know that I don't?"

"Well…" Pippin began and averted his eyes thoughtfully. They rolled to the top back and forth, and he sputtered. The hobbit clearly fishing for something to say. At least, clear to anyone watching. "I...well these computers are very useful...tools."

"Oh I see. And I didn't know this?" Merry went along with Pippin. "Tell ya' what, Pip." Merry stepped closer. Though it was also clear to anyone watching the two were more or less having fun at the other's expense. In a way only hobbits could truly sell whilst being full grown adults. "You tell me one thing these computers do, and I'll concede your point."

"Oh, alright!" Pippin began with a smirk along his face. His browned curls hanging down the front of his brow as he seemed jubilant at the prospect. "Um yes, well they are...they show lots of images. Ya'know?"

"Of?" Merry pressed.

"Of...people! And of worlds! They can also...communicate, or send letters, but not like normal letters. Not like mail in the Shore."

"Pip…" Merry sighed. Placing a hand to his forehead. "You do remember I was there when Anakin explained all of that to us right? As in to you and to me?"

"Well right. I mean no, no I mean yes!" Pippin carried on, and across the room Gandalf could only chuckle and shake his head some more. Not averting his eyes from the holobook again, but still catching the two hobbits with his ears. The wizard heard them continue on with themselves. Arguing, playfully of course about the nature and uses of these computers. Fascinating and extraordinary machines they were! Gandalf had to admit of course. Though he would always be partial to simplicity, and the finer green things of simpler life. However, that did not stop him from appreciating the minds that had to go into crafting such masterpieces of technology. To the point of mass circulation, creation and use.

Regardless, Gandalf ignored the hobbits as they bantered on. Running his eyes along the holobooks words as they streamed slowly. Himself having been shown by Master Yoda how to pause the scrolling text. Though not without a few unfortunate mistakes and wrong button presses on his part. He was currently reading a volume detailing the history of the Republic. This one focusing on what was called the Great Hyperspace War. Gandalf had heard of this war before. Having talked about it in passing with both Master Yoda and his two Jedi companions. Though now he had a greater understanding of it. As with all history, he was sure even now it was a muted and distant understanding as compared to those who actually lived and experienced it. It happened by the common calendar of these folk 5,000 years ago. He had been informed the yearly calendar of Arda was slightly longer since his leaving of it. Calculations done by some instrument he knew not. Regardless, even taking into account that discrepancy and when this war was taking place the Second Age was still relatively young. Gandalf had yet to leave Valinor in that time. Neither had Saruman, Radagast or the Blue Wizards! It amazed him that something as climactic had been occurring beyond his knowledge and that of any upon Arda. At least, as far as he knew.

Gandalf and the Lady Galadriel had for hours been delving into the sordid, vast and at times incomprehensible histories of the galaxy. So many peoples, and all with histories of their own. Tales of heroes, villains, and the not quite so clearly aligned. Records of Jedi who had fallen and turned against the good of all, and of these Sith. Some of whom had redeemed themselves and turned away from the dark paths they tread. For which Gandalf would always find a smile gracing his lips. Even such beings could find a way back into the light, and for him it was validation of long held beliefs.

Though, for this story of the Great Hyperspace War, Gandalf was quite intrigued by this stated first war between Jedi and Sith. Seeing how the source for which was begun 2,000 years before even that! During the First Age. Which was a confounding thought for him in and of itself. As Yoda had explained in the time he could and in the shortest manner he had; the Dark Jedi borne of the Second Great Schism had been exiled. Finding their way to the Sith homeworld, Korriban. Where they took on the titles of Sith Lords, and enslaved the people, the race known as Sith.

In some abstract ways these Dark Jedi were like Morgoth. As he was when he came to the elves to break them, twist them and morph them into the orcs. Broken beings in service and in pain. Spiritually if not physically. Though often both. Yet, there were clear differences. As the orcs had been corrupted, and used. Over the generations they had been shaped and reshaped. Coming to know war and violence as a means of existence.

These Sith seemed naturally inclined to such mannerisms and ways. Though, Gandalf could not judge from a distance. For, all these texts, tomes, and tales had been written by historians of the Jedi and the Galactic Republic. To say they would hold bias would be an understatement. However, he would read and learn as best he could, and hope for the most unbiased texts to reach his eyes in the meantime. In the end, what Gandalf had learned thus far; whilst reading they tales of Jedi versus Sith, was that much of this galaxy's history was written based on a monastic order's disagreement. The Sith were borne of the Jedi and the Jedi were molded into varying forms by the Sith. All coming from an origin point of the same background. As though a kinslaying had gone on for millennia upon bloody millennia. To irrevocably splinter what had once been whole. Though, there was truly no reconciliation of good with evil. It was merely a point that Gandalf had registered in his explorations of the history of the galaxy.

Gandalf hummed a small sigh. Stretching himself where he sat by leaning his back against the seat of the chair he found himself upon. He glanced right. Noting the Lady Galadriel moving her eyes over another of the holobooks. Gandalf believed it was on the histories of the Sith. In as general of terms as the Jedi seemed willing to share. As both he and the Lady assumed they were not an Order to share true specifics of powers, abilities of the Sithly sorceress ways. At least not with the more common of folk. Gandalf suspected it applied to the untrained Jedi as well. Based on what little he had come to understand about how the Jedi tended knowledge they deemed dangerous.

Either way, the Lady had been reading about the various dark lords who had ruled the Sith. Seeking to find not only ancient images; shown as these holograms Gandalf had seen the use of before, but to discern their histories. To see what they did, and how they did it. Their cruelties and powers. Specifically where 'dead stars' were concerned. Her visions had plagued her since she first had them beset upon her. Within the mind of that Count Dooku, Gandalf too had beheld a vision of what he could only describe as a 'dead star.' Though it was something fouler than any star or world he had thus far seen. A sense of dread filling him when he had laid eyes upon it up until the very moment he recalled it. The Lady redoubled her efforts upon hearing of these visions. Both she and Gandalf of shared mind that the mystery revolving around the imagery of dark lords, dead stars and suffering had to be in some way connected to the Sith. For, the Enemy of Arda was defeated. He and his master before him were at last suffered no further upon their world. Now there was a new concern, however. One Gandalf was unsure if the people of Arda were ready to face. That being of course, the distinct possibility that outsiders would come into Arda. Beings of immense power, and ability within the Force. Whom could subjugate and control whole worlds at the head of armies beyond comparison where the forces of Men and Elves or Dwarves were concerned.

So far though, Galadriel had only found one reference to dead stars. Involving a Sith Lord, and fallen Jedi named Exar Kun. Gandalf knew he had heard this name before. Though be it from Anakin, Obi-Wan or Yoda he was unsure. So many of these names found in the wider galaxy were...unusual to his ears and mouth. So much history all at once was also quite difficult to memorize at that.

Regardless, this Kun had by means of the Force and some manner of technology tricked a fellow in the dark ways of the Force. His powers and deception used to rip the core of a star into the void of space, as Gandalf had seen and come to understand in a rudimentary fashion. This star had caused others nearby to explode and a great cataclysm had swept out through the dark void between worlds. Ravaging and burning a world the Jedi made their home, Ossus. A name Gandalf also knew for a fact he had heard before. Yet, in spite of these dead, or rather killed stars, Gandalf and the Lady Galadriel had both dismissed its connection. Happening thousands of years prior to now with no correlation with the deadly lights, the metallic emptiness and shimmer as it hung blotting the light and warmth of true stars. Not to mention that this history did not resemble the sights of wrath and ruin the Lady had seen back upon Arda either.

Not even Master Yoda had known what to make of that aspect of Gandalf's vision. Following his duel with Sidious; which still gave him a shiver, the Jedi seemed genuinely at a loss. Gandalf and Galadriel had spoken with Yoda of some of her vision before. Though Gandalf wasn't sure the Jedi Master knew what to make of it in any way either. Which was no ill on his part, but merely a riddle that was not to find its master in the small Jedi. So, with as much haste as they could muster they would keep looking. Reading and researching. Hopeful to find some clue to what plagues their minds at different times and circumstances. The fact it had come to Gandalf during a mental and spiritual duel with this Darth Sidious being lost on neither of them at that. This Darth Sidious had to be involved. But, how?

"I think, my Lady, you find this world only so dreadful because we have yet to see that wasn't set as a decoration." Prince Elladan offered, catching Gandalf's glance to his left. There, both princes and the Lady Tauriel were sat among one another in a conversation of their own. Sat around a pristine metallic table. Itself, shimmering in the daylight that streamed in along with the artificial shine cast by the many lights hung around and above them. Tauriel was running a single hand across the flat surface. Gandalf watching her features as she frowned from what he could guess was the bare cold of the metal beneath her fingertips.

"This world has wonders I cannot even describe, my Lord." Tauriel intoned. "I am beside myself with awe! Buildings constructed over hundreds and thousands of years in the count of Man. Taller than mountains! Shining in the daylight as man, and all manner of these aliens fly the skies aboard craft of metal and machine. This civilization is grand, my Lord." Tauriel continued. Her eyes set upon the table and not meeting Elladan's curious gaze. "The assorted alien beings are a wonder of the stars I never could have imagined."

"Nor I!" Elladan interjected, eliciting a nod from Tauriel.

"The Jedi, and this power they wield unlike our own understanding of the world. As men say, magic." She shrugged slightly. "It is all overwhelming. It is awe inspiring. I am horrified by the display of war I was witness to, but war no matter how small or large is horror incarnate." She intoned the last part. Gandalf watching and listening. Noting Elladan did not speak, and allowed her to have what seemed to be a quiet reflective moment of thought. "Yet, that is no reason to discount the many wonders." She finally finished with a low sigh. Finally meeting Prince Elladan's gaze with her own.

"I see." Elladan began. "Why then do I sense such disquiet, my Lady? Are you sure it has nothing to do with the lack of trees and all that which is green? Your folk are quite fond of it." Elladan quietly noted her silvan heritage.

"Yes, and no my Lord." She smiled. "I am saddened by the lack of bountiful woods. Of far fields, or high mountains beset by the shimmering sway of tall trees untouched by thought let alone the hand of Man or Elf." Her words were whimsical. Gandalf smiled to himself. Understanding once again how Legolas and her could be such good friends as she continued.

"Yet, there is moodiness. A sadness and darkness that hangs over this place. I daresay this world. The lack of natural beauty perhaps makes this sensation more noteworthy for me? I do not know." Tauriel narrowed her eyes thoughtfully in reflection. "What I do know is that this world has held a gloominess. A sense that something is brewing beneath the surface. Tension in need of release. The threat of a great inferno following in its wake." She explained and Gandalf nodded to himself. Not making any show that he was listening in on her and Elladan's conversation. He was all the same impressed that she had felt what he and Galadriel had both felt as they remained on Coruscant.

Gandalf had made as much about his own thoughts and feelings known to Master Yoda in his way. As well as to Obi-Wan. The feelings and assorted thoughts of their war, their society and their Order. The war, as with all wars brought the sensation of looming pain, an undulating sensation of prolonged pain. The society seemed to be suffering under the oppression of the war. Gandalf had seen the bitterness and anger of those beings who had chanted and howled outside the Jedi Temple. Though he made little mention of it. The Order felt old and weary. A smell in the air, an impression. It was a feeling, and one Gandalf had felt before. When an undercurrent of incoming or oncoming danger awaited. As Pippin had once noticed before the Siege of Minas Tirith and Gandalf explained, the deep breath before the plunge.

"I think I understand what you mean, my Lady." Elladan nodded. Though Gandalf noted he did not elaborate. It would seem the sons of Lord Elrond were content to keep some of their thoughts reserved. Both of the princes had kept to themselves upon the delegation reconvening with one another yesterday. The more bookish among the twins seeming content to ruminate over knowledge learned, and perhaps wisdom gained? Gandalf would've liked to think so. Though he had not expected as much from Elladan. Gandalf found he had misjudged the lad, in some ways.

"While there is life there is hope." Tauriel noted. Stating a phrase Gandalf felt incredibly connected to. In fact he dared to think he had said as much himself at times through his long years as the gray and white wizard. Tauriel spoke up again shortly after. "I hope for the sake of these people, and the seemingly countless other worlds that the tension is released. That whatever darkness looms here dissipates with time, or good works. That this war may abate." She trailed off thoughtfully. Elladan nodding across from her. A thoughtful glimmer in his eyes, though silent he remained.

Suddenly a chiming sound echoed in the room. Everyone stopped whatever they were doing and turned their heads. Much as they had when Anakin had come to the door days prior. Gandalf, though looked to the door and didn't see the light from before. The elves all seemed to wince a little at the chime, before they adjusted to the sound.

"Mithrandir," Prince Elrohir began catching Gandalf's attention. "I believe it's from the console." Elrohir pointed to the console beside the two hobbits. They stepped aside and allowed Gandalf to see a dim little light glinting in and out of existence much as a star on a cloudy night.

"Should I press it, Gandalf?" Pippin asked.

"I…" Gandalf began, rising to a stand. He was about to tell Pippin not to touch things. But, well he didn't know what else to do himself in this situation…

"Only the flashing button, Pippin lad." Gandalf relented, and the hobbit beamed. Pressing a lone finger into the flashing light. A hum sounded and the console sprung to life anew. Showing a shimmering light that erupted upwards before the clear and recognized visage of Anakin came into view.

"Merry, Pippin, and Gandalf!" He began with a wide smile. "It's good to see you guys again! Also good to see someone taught you how to answer the holocomm."

"Yes…taught." Gandalf intoned. Anakin cocked a brow and smirked.

"Nobody taught you did they?"

"Nope!" Pippin answered for Gandalf. "I pressed it all myself! I think I may be an expert with these holocomm computer terminals...things!" Pippin crossed his arms happily. Merry rolling his eyes in response.

"I'm very proud of you Pippin." Anakin laughed. "Well, I just wanted to call in to check up on you guys. Did everyone get back to your shared accommodations without incident?"

"Yes," Gandalf nodded coming closer. "What incidents could've happened, lad?"

"Oh well...there was a...situation outside the Temple last night. You remember the crowd?" Gandalf and the hobbits nodded. "Well it turned less into a demonstration and more into a riot. Its caused a political firestorm with the Senate." Anakin snorted. Gandalf catching the clear derision in his manner. "Anyways, I just wanted to make sure you guys got back safe and sound."

"Well we did, lad." Gandalf affirmed. "We were given a ride back to the apartment shortly after your meeting. Obi-Wan made the arrangements."

"Ah right...sorry I disappeared. I had a lot on my mind."

"No need to explain, Anakin." Gandalf waved him off. "Neither I nor the others expect you to constantly chaperone us."

"Still, it was a little...rude." Anakin shrugged. Clearly uncomfortable. Though Merry was quick to kindly rebuke.

"Hardly the worst thing to happen to us, Anakin! If you needed to go you needed to go. Besides you're uh...speaking to us now aren't you?"

"Precisely!" Pippin pat Merry's shoulder in firm agreement. Though Merry clearly suppressed another eye roll.

"True, true. Well good then!" Anakin smiled. "Plus I wanted to extend an offer!"

"An offer you say?" Gandalf hummed and ran a hand down his chin and over his beard.

"Yes, an offer! I wanted to introduce you three, and Gimli too, to someone! Not to ignore the others of course I just uh…" Gandalf could tell Anakin hadn't thought a proper excuse through yet and chuckled softly.

"You mean to introduce those from the Fellowship to someone, and do not know the others as well yet to extend them the same offer." Gandalf offered plainly and watched Anakin cringe.

"I...well...no I….alright fine, yes! Not that I mean to be rude!"

"Oh, I and I am sure the others know, Anakin!" Gandalf laughed at the Jedi's expense. All as Anakin seemed the mildest bit flustered. Casting a faux evil eye onto Gandalf. Well perhaps only partly faux?

"Right," Anakin rubbed the back of his neck. "Well anyways, I just wanted to know if any of you wanted to come for a visit?"

"A visit where?" Pippin asked.

"Ah well...it's a bit of a surprise! Nowhere untoward I promise!" Anakin enunciated sarcastically. Gandalf cocked his brow again, but trusted the Jedi to not take them anywhere in any way dangerous or unseemly.

"Hmm, very well then. I'll take you up on that offer." Gandalf nodded.

"Aye me too."

"And me!" Merry and Pippin offered respectively. Anakin grinned in what could only be described as excitement.

"Great! I'll send a droid of mine. Trust me, you'll know him when you see him. His name is Threepio. Well officially C-3PO. He'll come pick you guys up. Obviously Gimli too, if he's up for it."

"Then we shall eagerly await his arrival, my friend." Gandalf bowed his head.

"Alright, great! See you guys then." Anakin smiled before the humming blue light began to shimmer and fade. Dying entirely and leaving them standing there looking at nothing.

"Off are we?!" The three turned to Gimli's voice. The dwarf having wandered into the doorway. Coming over from where he had previously been tending his armor and axes.

"You joining us then Gimli?" Pippin asked.

"Bah!" The dwarf threw a wave of his hand. "The lad has come at the worst time! I was about to take a wee nap!" Gimli chortled with a gruff sigh. "You three go without me, and give him my well wishes!"

"We shall do so, Master Dwarf." Gandalf chuckled and past by him. Heading into the main lounge where the elves continued to converse with one another. Gandalf sure they had heard and calmly understood Anakin's apprehension. He retook his seat. Being sure to get as much reading done before this Threepio arrived. Gandalf knew what a droid was by now. He was curious to meet one that was being given the task of retrieving and escorting guests across the planet.

Until such a time, he read. His eyes fell upon the familiar name of Naga Sadow. The histories detailing his meeting with a Gav and Jori Daragon.

---

Darkness surrounded him. He could not discern the eternal nothingness. He was barely aware of himself. Though, there were flickers of memory. Flashes of thoughts and sensations. Often times he thought of himself, but failed to remember what or who he was. A man, but he forgot sometimes what a man was. His mind was so confused! On some level he knew he was dreaming, but sometimes he felt like he must be dead. Then he would forget everything he felt like he thought he knew. To try and start over to remember to think about what he had thought...no that wasn't right. Was it?

It hurt, and he felt like he should sneer and lash out in anger, and a cold shiver would shake his whole being. More it was a sensation of what he wanted to do than a true action. All as memories and flashes kept creeping near, but then faded away. It was like drowning, or being suffocated of thought and memory. He would see the face of someone very small. Looking up at him and giving him instructions. Other times the same face would be looking at him harshly. A teacher judging him, disappointment etched across their visage. Before a brilliant small green light blasted away further thoughts.

At another time he would see a ragged creature. Old, shadowed and veiled. Croaking orders at him freely, before reseeding and taking on a much more complimentary and conciliatory manner and appearance. This man smiled, then sneered. Directed and taught him, spoke as though they were friends. Then would judge him a fool. Would place contempt upon him worse than the small figure he would sometimes see. Demanding he die. Smiling as he did so. Less a smile, more a smirk. A hum of sound deafening. All thoughts muddled and memory bringing some unknown heat to his being. Another figure was looming, but he could not remember his face, and then sometimes he felt he did. The voice, or the sound rather spoke, but the words were muffled. The hum growing louder, and sight aching over the light.

"Kill him. Kill him now." The elder man from his memory would demand. Those words burned him for some reason. A flash of memory prickling. Like a light just beyond reach. He wanted to scream because he was so close to grasping it! Recalling more. Putting the pieces of his mind and memory back together! So close, but frustratingly so far away.

He would see, or feel the marching of tens of thousands of boots. The clanking of metal and the muted ravages of hell unleashed. War at its purest form. Fighting, death, anger and hate. More enemies arose. All showing the same beams of brilliant light and each time he beat them, pushed them back or escaped to fight another day. Never before had he been so utterly defeated and humbled. Yet, he knew he had been. By another. Where his death had been ordered. By that same man who sometimes seemed his comrade, and others his enemy. His eyes would widen, his sensation of breath would catch and increase subtly. He had no idea what to say as death loomed. This...this betrayal! There were few words for it. Only anger, and only self hatred for falling into its trap.

That word, 'betrayal.' It made his being feel as though it had been shocked by an electrostaff! Surging energies passed through his core. That same veiled being appeared. Speeches, humility, direction, wrath, and the feigned sense of camaraderie he know saw for what it was! Feigned, faked, an illusion! One that he had readily bought into.

Followed then by the ghastly sight of reptilian eyes narrowed and dueling him. A whip and whirl of blades meeting blades. They sung and hummed. He saw a whirl of motion, and he called upon a power greater than himself to help tilt, turn and twist his wrist in accordance with the dance of death and defense. Other images of many assorted alien beings. He knew them to be alien inherently. Somehow knowing they looked unlike him, and he found most of them unsightly. For some reason he did not like them, and felt superior to them. Felt they were below even his contempt, and pride rippled from his core outward.

He was elegant and graceful, he was intelligent and inspirational! He was a being of great power, and importance! He was to lead an entire ocean of the misdirected to glory and peace. If he had to do it through means unfamiliar to his prior being and those he had once counted among his allies then so be it. For they lacked the strength and conviction of will to do what needed to be done! What was absolutely necessary!

Then another face showed itself to him. A man with long well kempt brown hair, just beginning to turn gray. A beard to match it, and well trimmed. He bore a brown cloak and tan tunic, as the others he saw did. This man though, he bore the stance and look of a wandering hermit. Steely eyes when addressing each and every situation but not lacking in humor or sarcasm. He was calm, cool, collected. For such traits there was a sense of admiration felt. This was a being he had taught, a man who had become the greatest version of himself upon being taught what this entity knew. This man felt like a son to him. Yet, he somehow knew he wasn't a son.

"Q….Qui…" A harsh sound like a scoff furiously loosed and echoed in the confines of the mind. His mind? That was new. It was all dark most of the time. Was he in his mind? The name! No, stop getting distracted, the name of this man! What was it? It was there at the precipice, and he could not reach for it in full. Not before the blackness and confusion would come again and wipe the slate clean once more! Already it was fading.

"No!" He felt himself bellow more than he heard it. Thoughts he had just thought were fading. Feelings and memories he had remembered being harder to retrieve! He just wanted to remember to-

"Begone, creature! The longer you imprison that which is not yours...the more of your mind I shall see!" A burning voice declared. It made him spin. The darkness burst around him! As the voice cried these words! Itself strong, ancient and wise. Baring little notion of sex or species, and from those spoken words he suddenly felt a rush! The voice seemed to be in pitched battle with the darkness itself, and it had spoken those words along with others. Only had these broken through the fog to reach him into his mind, and it was as though his head had been taken above water! He could breathe and...and...and Dooku remembered his name!

"Begone!" The unknown voice cried again. A skittering darkness that was like a blur of misery and hate howled, as it raged. The darkness, however, did not necessarily flee from the voice and its power. Rather it weakened, and Dooku could press just past it. Flashes of memories became...memory. Faces began to have names once again! Yet, he still did not remember much. He yearned to remember as much as he could as fast as he could though. For, he could sense for some reason not yet remembered that time was of great importance.

The voice and the darkness fought one another, but Dooku fought to ignore it. Instead he looked inwards. Finding new faces, and those he had seen before. Remembering their names, and what they had meant to him. Master Yoda, Padawan, turned Knight become Master, Qui-Gon Jinn! His memory made him smile inwards. Then...Sidious. Palpatine. He simmered...but he did not yet remember why he should feel this way. But, with a mind turned towards it Dooku delved deeper and deeper. Remembering meeting Palpatine for the first time, and many times again after. As well as an assortment of names or places. Sifo Dyas...Kamino...Jango Fett...Komari Vosa...war!

Dooku began to remember. Dooku, felt his eyelids shake and flutter. He didn't just feel the sensation of such. Like a distant idea he had done what he felt. No, he felt it happen upon his body! For some reason it made him happy, but not necessarily in a calming and peaceable fashion.

No. He felt happy at the idea of awakening because that meant he wasn't dead. He did not yet remember why he should fear being dead, but he would remember. The voice and the darkness faded and the darkness remained cracked, broken and its hold weakened even if still present.

Dooku would find a way past it now. That voice had given him an opening he had not known he needed. But, have it he did. Dooku would remember. And Dooku would wake up. In all due time.

---

After having laid their shared body down along the couch some hours ago, Sauron and Vica had once more ceased talking. This time Sauron did not think it was because Vica was upset...or as upset with him as she had been. More, her mind seemed to drift. Perhaps she even fell into the unusual sleep her side of their shared mind allowed? Sauron did not probe. Allowing their body to relax along the sofa unmoved but for the rising of her chest. The Dark Lord allowed sleep to overcome his mind for a time as well.

Though sleep was not the same for him. In fact, whilst his mind rested he was delved once more into the Force. Steeping himself deeply into the vastness of it. Touching many things, and probing the powers that swirled and flowed through all things everywhere. The surface was where the strings of the connected lifeforms of consciousness could be heard. A trillion mingled voices all moving about and loud. Their surface thoughts broadcasting their emotions and feelings. The more guarded able to obfuscate their beings and thoughts. The Jedi or Sith he passed by as a breeze at the heart of a hurricane. That was the norm and he had delved here before. This time, the Dark Lord went a little deeper. This time he sought to hear that which called through the Force like a moth's wing beat underneath the cascade of rain. He had felt it before, sensed it with the Force. A miasma of that which clung onto the World, or the mortal plain even if they seemed so much less than the mortal beings.

Sauron didn't need long to guess as to what he was sensing. Vica's mind, and what information of the Jedi and Sith Sauron had taken had led him to understand what Force ghosts were. Though he had little proof to indicate that was what he was sensing, hearing, and feeling. It was his own instinct, and his nature as a maia that led him to understand, and to know. He could feel them through the Force. His spirit could delve deep and hear them more clearly. The Dark Lord did not look too deep and burrow too far upon Coruscant. Though he was sure there were phantoms to be found. Surely of the same vain as the barrow-wights of Cardolan.

Distantly he heard minds screaming. Ravenous things that gnashed in the dark, but clung onto the waking World. Not wishing to fall into the Void as Sauron could understand. Others seemed confused, lost. Wandering, mindless and unsure where, or what they were. They were far and spread vast across the stars. Wretched, howling and some yearning. Others, he could pass by as a graze and sense conscious thought. At times he felt as though they noticed him, but only a fleeting second. The darker ones were what he was drawn to. For, those things that were dead and brimming with the so called light side of the Force were far fewer and much harder to see.

Images of past deeds, feelings of power, desire for it to be reborn, or themselves reborn assailed his mind, and Sauron drank it all in. Feeling the Force within Vica swell. The dark side drinking in the sense of loss, of anger, of defeat and lust for revenge. Meanwhile the Dark Lord felt familiar thoughts enter his mind where such spirits were concerned.

These spirits and phantoms were powerful. At least, those that yet remained latched with a hunger to waking mortal World. Of course, Sauron did not think any could viably assail himself if their spirits were to clash. There was strength to be found, however. A resource untapped. It was a feeling, and the Force, this dark side, seemed to urge him to follow this line of thinking. Sauron would need something to begin his task, however. It was not one Palpatine could grant him, nor would it be his right to.

As Sauron opened his eyes, he found the night sky of Coruscant was still blackened. The threat of daylight on the approach within his lit apartment. He was sure to shake the head of Vica and his burning eyes returned to the fore. Once more representing himself in control of their shared body. He idly stroked her hair as it swung shortly to one side along her brow. The soft strands sending a brisk sensation up his hand as his prior thoughts remained with him.

If he was to find these spirits and understand what he could gain from them he would need the palantíri. At least one of them. So he felt. And, as Vica had told him, feelings were of great importance where the Force was concerned. It would be a simple matter to convince Vica to aid him in such a venture. She had, herself wanted to return to that desert wasteland, Korriban. With these thoughts and potential untapped wells of power, he was inclined to oblige her.

For now though he swept the thoughts to the back of his mind. Rising to a stand and stretching his worn head from side to side. The muscles pulling before loosening. Sauron cast a single outward pulse through the Force. Reaching out to sense young Serra Keto. She replied with a similar sensation, and the Dark Lord nodded to the loneliness of his surrounding. Before moving over to the work table. Seeing the bands burn hot. The blood long since disappearing from sight.

Sauron closed his eyes and pressed both his spirit and presence through the Force upon the four rings. Immediately he was met by a reaction. A sudden surge of power. Imbued in unnatural a state for metal such as this. Words spoken, spiritual essence gifted through the spoken word, and the Force germinated within. He studied them all, and began the cooling process.

Within moments the machine shot small bursts of cooling air across them, and the mold raised up as he used the Force to pull them free. Spinning them, and urging colder air to circle the bands over and over until their cooling was assured. All four dropped into his waiting right palm. His eyes glowed not only with his innate power, but with the reflective glint of these seemingly simply crafted, but beautifully made rings.

The dark side tingled in his grasp, and he felt the smallest hint of its energies press upon his spirit. It did nothing to affect him, but he smiled. The effect had been as he had hoped, and it was wondrous to feel it be so! The powers of his words having mingled with the Force to make the affect so small to be hardly noticeable. Unless one went looking. Better still if one were an ainu. Not many could be said to have left Arda, save two. Himself and that foolish wizard.

Sauron silently rolled all four within his grasp. Casting glancing eye to the open balcony outside. He was eager to gather another report from his beasts today. For what they had showed him so far had already decided whom all four would be gifted to. The board was nearly finished. The pieces soon to be moved upon it.

Sauron was almost ready.

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L's Note: As usual, any grammar or spelling mistakes feel free to pass them onto me and I shall endeavor to fix em! Though I did edit/proofread this one already. Though it is a wordy one. I may have tod o so again sometime in the future. Anyways, I digress! Feel free to leave your reviews, senseless bashing or attempts to tell the author; Lord Exar Kun, how they should be writing this story will be ignored, and easily! :D

This chapter and the last two I have uploaded in record time if I do say so myself. Lord Kun has a few more for me, but I'm gonna go a lil slower on those. Patience my young padawan learners. Anyways, until the next!

-L

Edit Note: Edited/Updated 9/19/2021