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.

24. Afternoon's Accelerationism

Chapter 24

Afternoon's Accelerationism

"Even though the meeting is slated to be a short one I want you to impress upon the Chancellor our concerns. As immediate and forceful as possible, my Lady." Bail carried on. His face a concentrated mess. Dark features twisted up in many thoughts and ideas passing over his mind as he and Padmé exited the conference room. Behind them many other members of the Delegation of 2,000 mingled. A select few of them coming to the meeting later while the majority had come simply to reiterate their own positions to be stated at the meeting with the Chancellor on their behalf.

"Bail, trust me. I know what we need to do at the meeting." Padmé assured, and Bail nodded. An apologetic smile to his face as he and Padmé into a hall of the Senate building.

"I know you know, my Lady. My apologies. I'm just flustered."

"Who wouldn't be?" Padmé waved him off. Though Bail remained visibly tense. A low sigh passing from his mouth.

"True enough. But, I don't think I need say how important this is." He stressed. Though Padmé suspected Bail was speaking more to himself. "This is one of the last times some among the rest of the committee are willing to give the Chancellor on the diplomatic front. Some like Garm are growing restless. More restless by the day. Even the very real and looming threat of the Separatists are becoming more distant as another more present danger rears its head." Bail warned and Padmé could only nod. She knew what Bail, or rather whom, the Senator was speaking about. The Chancellor was scaring more and more people these days. Those who clung to the ideal of the Republic. Even if some among that group didn't fully know or believe that Republic existed anymore. Even Padmé, as she had admitted aloud to Anakin, didn't know if that Republic had ever existed.

Yet, she wasn't willing to let the ideal die. Even if Palpatine wasn't, by some miracle, maneuvering himself into a position of absolute power. He was, nevertheless, on the verge of such power. He grew closer by the day. If it wasn't him then he had opened the door so wide that anyone with half a brain could do so right behind him. The Executive had by sheer force of will become singularly more powerful than all the Senate.

"What do you think will happen if this meeting doesn't go well?" Padmé wondered openly. As she and Bail moved from the hallway towards a balcony that ran towards a walkway connecting some of the outer offices to the inner conference rooms. They were both headed back towards the offices.

"Well," Bail began with another sigh. "I can keep Mon and Garm working together. They aren't the most...pleasant with one another."

"I've caught that." Padmé smiled and Bail shook his head. The faintest bit of humor relieving an even more minuscule amount of tension.

"Yeah…" Bail nodded to himself before carrying on. "That being said, if the meeting goes poorly; whatever that may actually look like and entail, Garm will likely redouble his efforts to build up his own networks on Corellia and those closely allied to Corellia. Mon will harden the block of allied senators and assorted delegates. If the Senate continues in any capacity she will maintain continued resistance from within, and Garm will do otherwise."

"Sounds like we already have two opposing platforms then." Padmé warned. Bail for his part also seemed worried. His eyes narrowing as they exited onto the connecting walkway running along the edge of the vast Senate building.

"It does appear so. You and I, my Lady, I fear are the counterweights in the center. You are respected by everyone who's allied with us. While I am the outspoken lightning rod. I can handle all the negative attention and derision from the Chancellor and his allies."

"You're also respected, Bail." Padmé assured. Both coming to a stop in the middle of the walkway. Being outside the building and away from the meandering politicians and security personnel giving a greater sense of privacy. "I think the others look to you for guidance the most."

"I know, my Lady." Bail motioned his hand. Clearly seeming upset by the reality of what they were talking about. The espionage and factionalism now at play within not only the Republic, but their own group. Padmé knew Bail was, and her to a far lesser extent, the central axis. Already there were some like Garm who wanted something akin to resistance, or rebellion. While Mon believed in fighting from the inside to the bitter end. Whatever end, Padmé knew there needed to be unity. So too did Bail.

"Trust me when I say that I don't like where all this feels like it's heading, my Lady. The less said the better, as a smart woman once told me." Bail smiled her way. Moving close to the rail and grasping it before lowering his head.

"I and the others trust you, Bail. You're not alone in this." She assured. Joining him along the rail. "It's clear to everyone else; at least the others I've paid attention to, that we're doing the right thing. Slow, steady. Address the Supreme Chancellor and seek the diplomatic solution, of course!" Padmé nodded. "But, from experience, it's best we remind ourselves that the worst case scenario is always possible."

"None would be more aware of that than you, my Lady." Bail agreed. "Naboo, and then the crisis leading into the war. A great many tragedies have befallen the Republic and galaxy. It's a shame we did not see it coming."

"Some of us did, Bail." Padmé intoned. The two sharing a knowing look. Both having previously been against the creation of the military. Both on agreement on many matters of the state of the Republic. "We suffered the same as everyone else in the Republic. We were swept up by the war. The Republic is...was the lesser of two evils."

"Now?" He wondered.

"Now...now no one is sure. None of us are. Some of my friends outside our circle aren't. And, don't worry I haven't told them anything." She assured, preempting any issue he may have taken.

"No, I trust you, Senator." Bail now assured her. "You, Mon, Garm and all his recklessness." He huffed to himself, though it was more in self directed sarcasm. "I worry about the Chancellor. Today is the critical point. I don't think those in the group who want more...action will do anything. Especially if you, I and Mon aren't in agreement on it. What I think it'll mean is that they will in kind be against diplomacy until he is removed from office. By will of his own or not."

"Of course. It's all dangerous, Bail. I know what I've gotten myself into. So do the others."

"I hope that's true. And, in spite of what my gut tells me, I hope the Chancellor can convince me that he is in fact doing what he's done for the greater good." Even as he said it Padmé could see his dark eyes dim. There was little hope for such a reality. She knew it. So did he. No matter how badly they both wanted to believe on some level that Palpatine was still a good man looking out for the benefit of the Republic and democracy. He had broken so many norms, upturned so many stops, amended too many laws, and broken too many codes. There was no further river for him to cross, and no bond left to break. His cult of followers were resolute, and absolute. The bureaucratic system was brimming with actions, and authorizations required to go through the army, the governors, and centralized authority. Civil authority was all but dead in the Republic. What little power remained in the Senate and its representatives felt more and more, day by day, as a gift. An allowance made by Palpatine. Which, if so, was nothing else but political calculation. She, Padmé, had underestimated the kindly elder man. The same man that had prompted her parents to put her up for election as Queen of Naboo all those years ago. The same man who had represented Naboo and the Chommell Sector for years.

"We can only do what we feel is right, Bail." Padmé finally uttered. In truth, as much to herself as Bail himself. Who in kind turned to her and gave a thin, soft but equally saddened smile.

"That is true. Too true of late." Bail sighed, pulling away from the side and rubbing his cold hands together. "Well I've wasted enough of your time regurgitating my fears, my Lady."

"Never a problem for me, Bail." Padmé was swift to assure.

"I know. And, you have my thanks for that." He smiled. "Now, I need to update Garm. He wants to know what we've agreed to for our final draft. Though I'm sure he'll be as opinionated as ever, and remind me to be as aggressive as possible with the Chancellor." Bail shook his head.

"I'm sure he will." Padmé chuckled as Bail looked on the verge of rolling his eyes.

"He is quite the character." Bail scoffed. "Nonetheless, I'll send you any pertinent revisions before the meeting."

"Take care, Senator." Padmé bowed, and he did so in response. Turning on his heel and moving on down the walkway from her. She turned back where the two of them had come from. Until she stopped and nearly smacked herself.

"Kriff!" She cursed under her breath. Having forgotten to ask Bail where the others stood where the Jedi were concerned. Especially after the fiasco with the Senate the day before!

"Bail, wait a minute!" She called. The distant figure stopped and turned. As she closed the distance between them.

...

Keen eyes watched from a distance. Watchful and silent. Wings pulled into their sides. The two tall figures remained stationary. However, the female was not of concern. The creature watched them stood there for long a moment. Unconcerned that they remained that way. Time was still aplenty for this creature. The Scarred One sat perched atop a small diagonal metal vent chute. They had found their target's scent earlier that morning. Awaiting an opportune time. Though they had not seen one where he was free from the vast crowds of the other tall creatures. Until now. The target and the lone female.

The Scarred One waited, and waited. At last until his target broke away and moved on from the female. The hawk-bat reared back and spread its wings. Without a call, he rose into the air and beat his wings hard, once twice, and a third. Diving forward as the target walked away in his lonesome.

"Bail, wait a minute!" The hawk-bat came to a stop as he neared. Hearing the female's voice. She caused his target to stop, and she moved towards him once again. The hawk-bat uttered lowly from within its throat. By a will not fully its own, incensed by the suddenness of her motion. However, the Scarred One allowed himself to sit back down upon a nearby metal rail. Closer now than before, so progress made. Himself waiting and watching just like before. Another long few moments passed where the two beings spoke to one another in their own manner. Not of use to the Scarred One, but of use to the power beyond itself.

It would be another few long moments until they seemed to once more break apart. The hawk-bat ever watchful. The Scarred One growing the faintest bit restless as he carried something far beyond his own ability to comprehend. The target, the man, bowed and turned away. The hawk-bat rose into the air. And then...suddenly rising from the side of the building came a small floating metal creature. Circular, and bulbous. Whirring and beeping angrily at him!

The Scarred One knew not the name of these things, but its kind knew of them. There was the suddenness of a sound within the Scarred One's mind. 'Droid.' Yet, the hawk-bat could not repeat the sound nor knew its meaning. It didn't really matter either. As the droid whirred angrily, and from a small jutting arm came the tendrils of an electric shock. The hawk-bat howled and beat his wings as he rose up. Diving away from the metal creature and down towards the target.

However, the hawk-bat gave a seething howl once more! The metal beast had given chase and loosed another tiny bolt of electricity. Singing the Scarred One's right wing.

"Get out of here!" Came a voice. Like that of the tall creatures but warbled and unnatural. It came from the metal beast, and the hawk-bat swiveled about the air. The metal creature shocking it again. The Scarred One snarling about the air, and snapping his beak at the thing. However, the metal beast pushed itself into the Scarred One. As it did so they both crashed into the side wall of the building. The hawk-bat's claws opening on accident, and the creature locked in a struggle with the metal beast for a moment longer as it pulled back and shocked him again.

The hawk-bat pecked at and scratched the metal beast, but it did not relent in its assault upon the Scarred One. Until, finally the Scarred One turned and realized he had dropped its cargo. Beneath them, the tall creature had bent down and picked it up. Looking back up at him in confusion. The hawk-bat was zapped again and howled in pain, but finally the Scarred One turned, and scratched its talons at the metal creature's lit panel of a body and beat his wings with great haste. Swiftly thereafter evacuating himself from the skies surrounding the building. His mission was done. He had a final package to deliver anyways. A third gift to give. As the metal beast gave chase for but another moment, before abandoning him and returning to fix the chute it had been assigned.

It was just a Senate repair droid, after all.

---

"The Force is subtle, and more powerful than people imagine.

'Let us start with the most basic principle of the Force – It connects all life. It is possible to hurt, or sever those connections. To create places in the Force where it is difficult to center oneself, but that is the crudest form of manipulation. It is possible to affect those connections in other ways. By the slightest action, a seemingly minor choice. A small cruelty. Always just enough to create an echo of just the right distance and effect to change the behavior of another. Such minor acts can eventually change the behavior of another, to influence them.

'It may seem a minor thing, but it is not. It is the power upon which Empires can be made. Even the smallest of acts, the smallest of echoes can have profound repercussions. The talent comes in recognizing them and knowing how to manipulate them. This is why the smallest of cruelties, the smallest of kindness may seem insignificant but they are not. They can build upon each other, and if timed correctly can grow.

'Such places are born of war, of death, of suffering. And, if unchecked their power grows. Scream building upon scream until any who can hear succumb to it, or die.

'This is what you have wrought. Countless murderers, slayers, assassins, - born of war that has, as always, taught the wrong lesson.

'From the smallest of actions, the smallest of cruelties and kindnesses, great tragedies are made."

- Kreia / Darth Traya

---

"You're going to need me on this one, Master."

"Oh, I agree. However it may turn out just to be a wild bantha chase." Obi-Wan turned to face Anakin. Both of them having left the temple, and made their way to the docking yards where thousands of troopers, and all the assorted armor and mechanized powers of the Grand Army resided. Anakin wanted to see his Master off. A part of him feeling...well no small amount of anxiety for him. He knew Obi-Wan was more than capable, of course. Even if Anakin had originally wanted to go himself. As Palpatine had inferred the other night. But, the more he thought of it, it did feel right that Obi-Wan was going. He did have the most experience where that machine monster was concerned.

"Master." Anakin began again. Both of them stopping before the long walking platform that led into the Vigilance.

"I uh...I think I…" Anakin tried, but found himself struggling with the words. Even as Obi-Wan remained silent. Giving him time to find his words.

"I've disappointed you. I haven't been very appreciative of your training. Both your wisdom when you've given it past my knighthood, and even before. When I was still a padawan." To that Obi-Wan's brow creased confusedly, but still he silently appraised and watched Anakin. "I have been arrogant." Anakin carried on. "I've made a lot of mistakes. And, I've done so often times thinking that what I'm doing is right. Mostly because I felt it was right. But, I've been reassessing. You know, as I said I have been before. And, I guess...I guess ever since Arda I've been having a bit of a back and forth with myself. Rethinking what I've done before. How I've done things before. How that's translated to the here and now. Its caused me to feel different. I think there's a part of me that's still secretive. Reclusive even. Like I was before Arda and before I was more honest with you. And, I think I am...I am more appreciate that I can be honest with you. Even if a part of me still feels like I want to pull away. Handle things the way I deem best. So, I just want to apologize." Anakin shook his head. His eyes darting off as he thought of the Council once again.

"I've just been so frustrated with the Council. Maybe I shouldn't be? But, in some ways even when I try to think from their point of view I get frustrated. Regardless," Anakin again shook them off, and met Obi-Wan's eyes again. "Your friendship means everything to me. Your friendship and your tutelage. And I...I just think I've come to appreciate it more since Arda. Which I think I can thank a certain wizard and company for helping me come to terms with. That and a very evil ring." Obi-Wan chuckled and took on an earnest and serious smile. Anakin able to see his Master, and feel him through the Force clearly. No deception and no mask here between the both of them. A once Jedi padawan learner and a Jedi Master. More than that, friends, and brothers in the Force, and the Order. Brothers of shared trauma, and long years of friendship.

"You are strong and wise, Anakin, and I am very proud of you. Never again do I want you to imagine anywhere in your head that I am not." Obi-Wan affirmed without turning his gaze. "I have trained you since you were a small boy. I have taught you everything I know. As every Master should be, I am proud that you have gone even beyond what I could teach you. And you have become a far greater Jedi than I could ever hope to be. Not to mention how many times you have saved my life. More than I can remember were I being honest." His Master praised and Anakin averted himself once more. Feeling the heat of embarrassment rise within him, and that familiar swelling of emotion. A sense of relief, and of repressed yearning for validation coming to him. A yearning and thirst to be viewed, accepted and wanted. Obi-Wan kept on going though.

"I think that since Arda we have become closer, and for that I am grateful. As I said back on Arda, I have been closed off before. More than I wanted to be. Like you, I think I have seen things since returning to Coruscant. The Council...is not always right. They are well-intentioned at heart but even they are fallible. Are they always fair with you? No, no I don't think they are. Have you earned your place as a Master? In my eyes, yes." Anakin bore a genuine thin smile and nodded his thanks as Obi-Wan grasped his shoulder, and filled him with the same kind of calm comfort Gandalf had earlier that morning. "You are my brother, Anakin. I have promised to help you even through all the ills you have done, and they were mistakes yes. The Sand people I mean, of course. Because I refuse to judge you for what you have with Padmé."

"What?" Anakin wondered, but Obi-Wan simply maintained his smile.

"I do not wish to simply break all dogma and codes of the Jedi, but I do think that in some ways our rigidity has harmed us. Internally and externally. But, this is a discussion for another time. My point is that since you have been more open with me I have sensed your willingness to work with me, and talk with me. Even at our worst points and greatest frustration. Even if I still had reservations they would be wholly unwarranted. You have proven your loyalty, and trust many times over."

"Th...thank you, Master." Anakin beamed and again felt himself flushed with emotion.

"So trust my advice when I say be patient. Just a little longer, Anakin. It won't be long before the Council makes you a Jedi Master. Warts and all." Obi-Wan held a familiar jesting twinkle in his eye and Anakin snickered in return. Nodding as Obi-Wan pat his shoulder once more. Firmly grasping it as he did, and turned to make down the ramp. Though he did stop and turn back.

"Don't worry. I have enough clones with me to take three systems the size of Utapau. I think I'll be able to handle the situation. Even without your particular 'Skywalker' brand of help."

"Well there's always a first time, Master." Anakin grinned and Obi-Wan shook his head chuckling. Turning to make down the ramp again. Taking a few steps before Anakin felt a compulsion shake him through his core, and as he watched his Master go on a mission without him, for the first time since Arda he called out to him.

"Obi-Wan!" His Master turned back. "May the Force be with you, brother." Anakin beamed a genuine smile and Obi-Wan in kind bowed formally as a Jedi would another.

"Goodbye old friend. And may the Force be with you. Always." With that Obi-Wan descended the ramp in full. Leaving Anakin in the shadow of the walkway's ceiling. He took a few small steps forward and allowed the burgeoning afternoon sunlight to grace his features. Its dim warmth bristling upon his skin as he took a long breath through his nose. Allowing himself to do as Gandalf offered. Time and again, even if Anakin had listened he had not truly committed, until now. He let his heart guide him, and in doing so he felt no amount of guilt. No darkness, no wrong in what he and Obi-Wan had just shared. Two men, friends and brothers baring their thoughts and feelings. No lies, no half truths. Just sincerity. That made Anakin feel good. He felt strong. He felt right, and so, he smiled.

Only leaving to return to Padmé's apartment after he watched Obi-Wan disappear inside the Venator-class warship. Its sister ships forming up for Obi-Wan's attack group. Anakin's hope and well wishes going with him. Perhaps to finally end this war? Anakin liked to imagine so.

---

The Vigilance had already begun its ascent alongside the rest of the cobbled together battlegroup. The group composed of a three primary warships. All of which were Venator-class stardestroyers. A few support vessels, namely three Acclamator-class ships were also granted, but they'd have to follow the venators in for landing at a later stage. Sadly, that new beast of a warship that Kuat had sent during the battle over Coruscant wasn't fully repaired yet. Still undergoing such above Coruscant. Nonetheless, Obi-Wan had reached the main hangar by the time they had already begun exiting low atmosphere. His face bore an immediate smirk as he saw an all too familiar form waiting him by his provided Actis interceptor.

"Cody!" Obi-Wan greeted on approach. The clone turned and, though barring scratches and bruises, looked no worse for ware. In fact he held a welcoming smirk along his own face at the sight of Obi-Wan.

"General Kenobi! Good to see you, sir." Cody and the rest of the clones saluted. Some of them; though not many, being a detachment from the famed 501st Legion itself.

"I see that hit you took back on Arda hasn't kept you down."

"Never did, sir. Were it not for Force powers, and wizards I'd have shot that thing out the air."

"I'm sure, Cody. Although that was certainly not a normal enemy." Obi-Wan chuckled. Recalling the sight of Sauron as a mass of black shadows and clouds whirling the air and pressing down upon Anakin, Obi-Wan and Gandalf alike. The raw darkness of his and that Vica woman's presence even now causing a faint shiver to run through the Jedi Master.

"Always has to be something supernatural to keep a clone trooper down, General." Cody smirked again, and Obi-Wan shook his head.

"Alright. So, Utapau." Obi-Wan diverted the attention to his ETA. Already inside the ship his competent little friend, Arfour, sat waiting him. How the little droid survived this long, Obi-Wan didn't know, but he had. Arfour was lucky to have not been pulled apart by buzz droids in the battle above the planet either. They had torn many unfortunate clone fighters and bombers to bits.

"Arfour, go ahead and give us the projection of Utapau." The droid whirred happily and did as instructed. Within seconds a blue stream showed the world in question. Obi-Wan feeling the slightest bit of anxiety course through him, before he released it into the Force.

"Alright Cody, what do you think we should do here?"

"The planet is rather barren except for those sinkholes. That's where the locals have their cities. So, we can narrow down our troop concentrations to them." Cody explained as the other troopers pulled in around the two.

"Right." Obi-Wan nodded. "We haven't had proper time to survey Utapau. Although, according to the information leak Grievous should have the Chairman and the local government under lock and key. If they are hostages best to have them as close as possible. So…"

"The capitol." Cody finished and Obi-Wan again nodded.

"That would seem the most likely zone of control. Simple but effective. Go ahead and pull that up for us Arfour." Again the droid whirred and the projection zoomed in further.

"My ship and the hyperspace ring will get me to Utapau in no time at all. How are we getting the rest of the battlegroup there?"

"We've been authorized to burn the hyperdrives, sir." Cody explained. "We'll be dead in the water over Utapau once we get there. At least in terms of hyperspace jumps. Techs say they wouldn't be able to fix em' for at least a few days. That's of course after we've turned the droids to scrap."

"Main engines still operable?" Obi-Wan double checked.

"Yes, General. They wont suffer any negative effects from the hyperdrive burn. But, that being said there's no way of knowing for sure. All the same, even with Utapau being all the way in the Outer-Rim we'll be there in a few hours. Should arrive just an hour or so behind you." Cody expounded.

"Good. Alright then, I'll head for the capitol. If Grievous wants to make a big show he'll have them shoot me out of the sky upon entry. If he wants to attempt to remain as quiet as possible he won't make himself too known off the bat. So, on approach I'll call in and request a landing pad."

"Assuming they let you."

"Assuming they let me." Obi-Wan acknowledged. "I think if Grievous wanted to be known he'd have done so by now. He's a simple creature." Obi-Wan recalled their last fight at Minas Tirith. The cyborg hounding him. Snarling, hateful, but effective even if Obi-Wan had walked away unscathed. Doing so again on his the General's flagship here over Coruscant. Petulant and wrathful as ever. But, still the same old Grievous. Subtle was not his way. If he was quiet it's because he wanted not to be seen or heard. If he was loud he wanted you to know where he was. He wanted your attention. So, Obi-Wan figured he had a decent read of the situation at least at a glance.

"Arfour zoom back out." The droid beeped and did so. Showing Utapau as a whole again. "Let's assume I'm able to land. I'll have a message on standby once you and the others enter the system. Once you got it I want a screen covering Utapau. Don't let anyone leave as best you can. So, concentrate the fleet here, over the capitol and as many of the cities as you can."

"And, if we don't hear from you?" Cody wondered with a pointed but questioning glance.

"Well, General Kenobi may be no more!" Obi-Wan jested but Cody simply scoffed at the notion.

"Unlikely, sir. They'd need you alone on a world full of monsters, beasts, droids and Grievous just to have a shot. So far all they have is the General and droids."

"Don't go giving them ideas, Cody." Obi-Wan chuckled and pat the trooper's right shoulder over his armor. "However," He took on a more serious tone again. "If you happen not to hear from me, assume the worst. Even if I just can't get a message out, bare down on the cities, and blockade the system. Even if the planetary campaign bogs down we can trap Grievous on world."

"Fortunately, most of the cities are concentrated on this small continent here...on the far side." Cody pointed out on the projection.

"I'll keep them distracted until you get there." Obi-Wan assured. "Just don't take too long." To that, he moved away and towards the cockpit of the ship. The meeting coming to a less than formal end as the other troopers all nodded to themselves or otherwise broke away to prepare.

"Come on, when have I ever let you down?" Cody smirkingly wondered as Obi-Wan was about to climb up the ETA.

"Well...there was that one time back on Arda…"

"Ah, now that is a low blow, General! Totally unfair. No previous precedent for dealing with a malevolent black cloud of magic sorcery. Or, whatever it was I was exactly faced with."

"Hah!" Obi-Wan laughed. "Very well, the burden is on me not to destroy all the droids until you arrive." Obi-Wan chuckled as he climbed atop his fighter.

"Ah, for once a general who thinks of his soldier's needs." Cody fired back, and the two shared another humored lazy salute from one to the other as Obi-Wan allowed his cockpit to close.

In no time at all the ETA gave a whir to life and began rising inside the hangar bay. A ray shield activating along the roof as it opened up allowing him to exit into space outside.

"This is General Kenobi to all forces. Good luck, and may the Force be with you." He made a quick call over the wide band frequency. Earnestly meaning every word as he took a final glance around. Noting the still present signs of the previous battle littering the space around Coruscant. Fields of debris being taken away by scrap haulers and droids of the Republic variety.

As he reached his hyperspace ring and snapped his ship into place, and ordered Arfour to set course for the Utapau system he loosed a breath. His mind flashing over everything this battle could mean, if and only if, he managed to capture or defeat Grievous. As with many things, maybe too many things lately, Obi-Wan hoped for the best.

"Here goes nothing." Obi-Wan intoned. His ship dashing into the blue streams of hyperspace quickly thereafter.

---

There was a shifting blackness. The center of which seemed to swirl like a hurricane upon a world incapable of stifling its wind storms. No mountains high enough and no lands vast enough to fully kill the storm as it swept across the surface remorselessly. It would ebb and it would weaken but it would always strengthen once more. The blackened shadows swirled around its dark heart. Tendrils of lightning, blue and ghostly erupted. piercing the veil. As eyes remained down turned staring in awe. The mind flew down within and you were then encased in total nothingness.

"Ani!" The voices were mingled. He swirled about the blackness. Choking out a whimpering reply, but nothing came. He could not gag nor cough even as he felt his chest constrict. The voices, in response, screamed for him! He could not see them, but he could discern that they were a mingling of his mother's and Padmé's voices. He could not see through the impenetrable darkness. He could not see his hands nor the rest of his body. Only knowing it was there by the sensation of turbulence he was caught within. By this storm of unbreakable darkness.

"Expecting your pet, Master?!" Came another voice and Anakin spun again. The voice was familiar, but he was incapable of discerning whom it belonged to in that moment.

"I'm going to end this, once and for all!" He heard Master Windu. Anakin shook within the heart of darkness. Unsure what it was that was happening. As he heard distant screams and wails. The gnashing of metal on metal. The grinding of gears and the sound of thousands of feet stamping the ground as a conquering army. The heart of the storm swirled around him. The Eye of the storm, the eye of this hurricane. Then came a great and hideous howling laughter.

Cackling and booming. Victory in the voice of whatever it was that assaulted his ears!

"STOP!" Finally Anakin's voice was found and he screamed! Yet, his voice was ragged, burning hot. Like a vomiting of magma from the base of his stomach and chest. The tendrils of smoke that surrounded him along the eye-wall turned in. Like snaking wisps of wind they bore down upon him. Binding him in place. Grappling at him, and twisting his unseen and unfeeling form upwards. As the wailing of children, his children tore at his eardrums. He wriggled and writhed, but he was turned up. His eyes beholding in the sky far beyond this storm a looming moon.

It shone and shimmered like metal. Circling ominously above the storm. It swirled far beyond the confines of the world and turned. Where, with a moment, came from it an all consuming light. It was hollow and unkind. It did not bring warmth. He could only stare as the light shone a ghostly green, and his mind was filled with memories of a green beam rising into the air from a far away world signaling the beginning of battle. The light fell, but brought no reprieve to the darkness that held him in place. A chorus of millions of voices screamed in terror! Before he heard one after another howling in his ears, in his mind!

"They were right!"

"What have you done to yourself?!"

"You are bound to me now, and you will serve me. With all your vaunted strengths and skills."

"Let go of your power. Surrender it away, and you will be a slave no more."

"Anakin!"

...

He snapped his head back only slightly. Anakin felt his chest pounding, and in his ears he could hear the thrumming of his own pulse. In his hands he held a datapad, and he didn't even remember what he had been looking at. His left hand shook, but he brought it up to his eyes all the same. Running it across both and pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Damn it all." He sighed and dropped the datapad on the sofa. Realizing he must've passed out on the couch after getting back to Padmé's apartment. She had been gone when he had gotten there, but he could sense her presence now. He tilted himself right and he could see her walking his way. An ever soothing smile gracing her radiant face. Anakin reached out through the Force and felt for his children. Both of whom were near, awake and being attended to by Threepio in their room. Alive, and well. So, he sighed. Though he did feel another presence. Familiar but fading as Padmé came up and tapped his shoulder in a loving and simple gesture.

"Obi-Wan's been here, hasn't he?" Anakin wondered. Taking in the beautiful blue elegance of the dress Padmé wore. Accentuating her gracefulness, and her beauty in his mind. Even more than usual.

"He came by this morning."

"What?!" Anakin jumped. Though Padmé only smiled over her shoulder as she prepped herself for the meeting with the Chancellor, Anakin knew she had soon.

"Don't worry Ani. He knows like you said."

"Yes but...but…"

"But, you didn't tell him everything you should have." Padmé finished with a shake of her head. "Yes he saw the twins. Met them for a quick moment too." She noted bending to flatten out her dress for later. Anakin furrowed his brow and recalled Obi-Wan's statement at the end of the Council meeting. An unstoppable scoffing laugh managing to escape his lips. Helping alleviate the stress still racking him from the 'nightmare' he had just been witness to.

"I guess he wins that round."

"What?"

"Ah, nothing. He didn't mention it before he left. I can't imagine why."

"He did say he was worried about you, Ani. You're under a lot of stress." She offered and he couldn't necessarily say he felt otherwise. Coming into the adjoined room after her. He remained quiet and took a few steps near a circling viewport. Anakin briefly remembering the assassination attempt on Padmé's life with the kouhun here in this very place.

"I feel...yeah I do feel stressed. But, I think I'm getting better at dealing with it." Anakin answered Obi-Wan's now distant concern. Padmé turned to look back at him.

"I certainly hope so, Ani. I hate seeing you like this. Especially while you're here. On Coruscant. Not fighting your way through some Force forsaken world in Wild Space." She closed the distance and reached him. Pushing her arms around him along his back. Anakin pulled her close and rested his head atop hers. Both of them swooning absent of any meaning. Enjoying the other's presence for the moment.

Padmé's presence in the Force soothing him. Her radiance making him feel at ease. Even if just by a little. Yet, as Anakin held her his mind traveled. Thinking of his dreams and nightmares. Both today, just now, and nights before. The screaming. The pleading and the cries for help. Unseen by him but the bodies left in the wake of the three dark beings. Anakin felt in moments utterly powerless. Old fears driving at and gnawing within his mind. Telling him that this will be it. This will be the end of Padmé and the twins. All three of which Anakin felt deep within he could not live without. Yoda's wisdom of letting go was far too simple of a Jedi platitude for him. Gandalf's earnest review of his fears helped him feel validated, but solutions were few and far between. Save for the cool comfort that the future was not necessarily written in stone. While Obi-Wan was there to listen, but he had not yet told him of his nightmares. Even if his old Master had sensed his stress and his fears. His never ending turmoil of the mind. Anakin wanted so badly for there to be an easy answer. But, he knew the truth. It was simple, but painful.

There was no easy answer. There was no wishing it away. Palpatine had made mention of a being that could save those who were on death's door from it. Yet, even that did not soothe Anakin's fears. This Darth Plagueis was dead. There was no spirit to find. No Sith ghost to pester and demand answers from. Even if he wanted to, and as the days dragged by, Anakin grew tired of this feeling of hopelessness. Yes, he was strong. Yes, he was doing as Obi-Wan and the Council asked of him, and yes...he had begun to even accept that Palpatine was not as he remembered him being before.

But, damn it all, he still didn't know what to do!

"Ani?" He snapped out of his trance and pulled his head back. Staring down into Padmé's beautiful brown eyes as they explored his own. "Are you trying to snap me in half?" She smiled and Anakin realized he had been tightening is embrace around her.

"Kriff, sorry." He sheepishly offered. Loosening his grip. She, however, brought herself up on her toes and kissed him. Another sensual silent moment where all seemed fleetingly put to order and at peace.

"It's okay." She whispered parting their lips. "What's going on in here?" She asked, caressing the side of his head through his dark golden locks.

"A lot."

"I can tell." She noted. "Is this about your dreams?"

"Perceptive as always, my Lady." Anakin smiled, but knew it was sad and halfhearted. "Yeah." He admitted quietly.

"I told you, Anakin, it's just a dream. Only a nightmare. You're not losing me, or Luke, or Leia! You hear me?" She asked and grabbed his face firmly in-between her two hands. Pulling his attention squarely onto her. "You hear me?" She repeated softly. A firmness and fire in her eyes. As she had always had. Assertive and no small amount of stubborn. It was infectious. Anakin smiled, more earnestly this time.

"I...I think there's a part of me that believes you. And a part that doesn't." Anakin intoned. "That part that doesn't believe...it...I don't know. There's something in me. Something that tells me I'm not the Jedi I should." Anakin tried to delve deep. Allowing himself to fully feel that part of him that constantly filled him with unease, dissatisfaction and even shame. "I want more, and I know I shouldn't." Anakin felt his jaw set, and eyes avert from hers. However, Padmé pulled him back with a slight pull of his face.

"There's that side. Then there's the other side." She reminded. "You've been more honest with Obi-Wan. More honest with yourself. Ever since you've come back from Arda. I've seen it. And, I'm proud of you. You've put too much pressure on yourself. Expect too much of yourself. You think you're going to lose me. So, you think you should will some solution into existence. It's not going to happen, Ani. But, you also don't know the future. You don't know it, can't assume it. You're not going to lose me. Not today and not tomorrow. Not ever."

"Big promises, Padmé." Anakin intoned, his own hands rising up and grasping hers. Bringing them down in between themselves. Eyes remained unmoved though. Blue set upon brown and the reverse true in kind. "What if...what if I had heard of a way to save you? What if I had heard of powers strong enough to bring you back should you be close to death?" He asked still searching the brown pools of her eyes. Padmé remained quiet for a long moment, though. Her mind replaying something unknown to Anakin. Its memory passing over her eyes.

"I remember when we were back on Tatooine." Padmé began. "In that dusty garage at the Lars homestead. After you brought back your mother." Anakin nodded as she went on. Though he felt his shame return, but she shook their interlocked hands to pull him back to her.

"You said you would become the most powerful Jedi ever. You would even learn to stop people from dying. And, in that moment I felt for you, Ani. You had just lost your mother. Then you told me about the tuskens." Anakin remained quiet still, but felt his throat dry and he swallowed harshly. "You scared me then. To see someone I had seen as so innocent admit to doing what you had terrified me, but I still couldn't bring myself to judge you. They had...done terrible things. But, that being said if what you're saying is that you would stoop to levels like that to save me...I'd rather you let me die." Padmé's eyes showed no lie. Nor hyperbole. She meant it. Anakin knew she did. He could feel the conviction in her voice and through the Force all at once.

"You...you can't promise me you won't die, Padmé." Anakin replied softly. Himself feeling that faint glimmer of hope where this Darth Plagueis was concerned slip through his fingers.

"No...no I can't. But, I think you can't promise you'd save me."

"Then what can we do?" Anakin wondered. His heart aching at the prospect of simply...allowing death to take her. The most precious thing in his life. To allow death to just come and take her, or the twins?! Whom had, somehow beyond his ability to comprehend become even more precious to him? How could he just let that happen?

"We live our lives" Padmé resolutely offered shaking their intertwined hands. "As confused, and entangled and secretive as they are we have to live. If we live in fear then we're not going to live at all, Ani."

"Fear only leads the fearful." Anakin repeated. Echoing Gandalf's words from earlier as little else than a whisper.

"What?"

"N...nothing. Just something I heard." Anakin smiled. Again it was genuine. He loosed a long shaky breath. Allowing himself to release the pent up anxieties into the Force.

"I don't think that'll be easy." He admitted.

"Do you think it was easy telling you how much I loved you?"

"I think you were about to be executed." Anakin smirked. "Maybe you were just desperate for affection before the end." Padmé rolled her eyes.

"As if the last thing I needed before dying was you crawling all over me." She bore a disgusted, but clearly feigned look on her face. Anakin meanwhile couldn't help but pull her in and kiss her again. Allowing it to last long and tender between one another for a silent serene moment.

"Hmm...you didn't seem to dislike that."

"You've grown on me, Anakin." She blushed and grinned. As Anakin pressed his brow to hers. They remained silent again. Their hands still holding the others between them.

"So," Anakin began only after they had remained like that for another blissfully drawn out moment. "No rituals or deals with spirits to save you?"

"Not on your life, Skywalker." Padmé narrowed her eyes, and in that instant Anakin knew. She would never accept him doing anything drastic to save her. She would not accept his help. That stubborn strength of hers wouldn't allow her to. Had he an inclination to do whatever was necessary she'd rebuke him. Turn away from him. She had said it herself. He had scared her back on Tatooine, and why shouldn't she have been scared? After he had told her what had happened with the sand people. Yet, even through that she loved him. And, Force did he love her.

So, for her sake he let it go.

"Okay. I guess we can only live not knowing what will happen tomorrow."

"I guess we'll have to. I don't want to live in fear. Even in secrecy...maybe I can do that, but fear? It's not living, Ani."

"No...no you're right. I just...it'll take time to get that through to that other side of me."

"I know." She smiled and brought her left hand up to caress his face. He reached up and gripped it with his right mechanical hand.

"Guess I'll have to try. For you." Anakin smiled.

"I thought there was no 'trying' with you Jedi?" She teased.

"Ha ha." Anakin shook his head. Bringing her left hand from his own to his mouth and planting a soft kiss upon it.

"Alright, I need to finish getting ready for this meeting, Ani. Plus you need to get over there and not seem so...conspicuous." She winked. Causing Anakin to chuckle as she began pulling away. As she did so Anakin caught a foreign feeling in his hand. It came from her hand. The same one he still held in his right, near his lips.

"What's this?" Anakin wondered. Tugging her back ever so slightly as he took a long look at her left hand. "I don't remember seeing this one before." Anakin noted as Padmé laughed. Shaking her head.

"You wouldn't believe it actually." She pulled her hand away and held it up in the streaming daylight through the viewport. "I saw this hawk-bat earlier after I had met with Bail, Mon and the others. It was either that or the cleaning droid. One of them dropped this as they got into it with one another. Well, before the hawk-bat got chased off by the droid."

"Really?" Anakin laughed. "Lemme see." Anakin pulled her hand close one more time. A ring, one that brought back unhappy memories Anakin shut down immediately. Not wanting the moment ruined by false sensations or tics. It was gold, but had a reddish hue, like a rose. An emerald sat in between two sapphires and it shone brightly upon Padmé's hand.

"How in the world did a hawk-bat get a hold of this?"

"Who knows?" Padmé laughed pulling away back to her dress. "The galaxy is full of strange surprises. Though, don't tell anyone, but I think I'll keep it. It looks good on me, don't you think?"

"What doesn't look good on you, my Lady?" Anakin couldn't help but agree with a teasing twinkle in his eyes.

---

"Your Excellency." Isard greeted as the four entered the office. Vica casting a sideways sneer Isard's way. The cronyism on display enough to make her vomit. However, she turned her disgust back on the old man ahead of them. Palpatine, or Sidious, whatever he wanted to be called stood with his back facing them. Idly staring out the far viewport of his office. Behind her the two crimson guards stood ready, and ilent, but she didn't fear them at all.

"Thank you, Director." Palpatine turned. Upon seeing Vica, however, he seemed momentarily disappointed. A flash crossing his eyes as he looked upon her. She smiled, sweetly. Though clearly it was a sarcastic and harsh smile. Vica knew she could not nor did she try to replicate the eyes Sauron sported whenever he was in control of her. No, she just had her usual browns and yellows. She was sure her eyes bore the unmistakable yellow hue of the dark side though. She could feel the hate rushing through her like a river.

"Ah...I see it is you, Vica."

"Present and accounted for, O mighty Excellency his grandeur and sublime serenity of the stars!" Vica mocked taking on an overly bombastic baritone to her voice and sweeping herself into an exaggerated bow. She could sense more disgust coming from Armand, but she paid the Director of Republic Intelligence no mind.

"My apologies, your Excellency. Your guest was not present." Armand feebly offered.

"It's alright, Isard. Go ahead and leave us." Palpatine shooed him and the guards off with a callous wave of his hand.

"Yes, your Grace." Armand dipped once more. Wordlessly needing no further prompt as he turned on a heel and made for the door with the two guards in tow.

"Try not to kiss too many boots on the way out!" Vica called after him. Watching as his shoulders tensed, and he paused ever so slightly. Only to shake his head and keep on moving. Vica grinning after him as they exited the office, the door sliding shut behind them.

"My do you know how to continuously disappoint, Vica." Palpatine sighed.

"It is a specialty of mine, Sidious." She mocked his title with another low rasp of her voice. Pulling her cloak from atop her head and skipping herself over to a large black urn that adorned Palpatine's office. Idly running her hands along it and humming thoughtfully.

"Do try not to break anything." Palpatine warned. "That urn is worth more than three of your lives."

"Really?" Vica cast him a feral grin and smacked the overly large pot with the back of her hand. A thud sounding as it barely moved. Quite a bit heavier than she had thought.

"Hmm, sturdy."

"Yes, it is." Palpatine sighed and took his seat behind his desk. "I don't want to repeat this game of mockery, child. Why don't you do me the honor of letting your better half out? I have some things in need of discussing with him."

"See, that's the thing!" Vica smirked. "Even if I could force him out, and I can't," She offered taking a few steps closer with a pointed finger jutted his way. "I wouldn't! You wanna know why?"

"Enlighten me." Palpatine took on a bored monotone.

"Because you are nothing but an old, insufferable, fake, despicable, malignant, moronic, abysmally cowardly, noxious, irritating-"

"Thank you." Palpatine raised both hands from the table. Patting them both down to silence Vica as she remained grinning. Her eyes casting her ever present feral challenge.

"You're welcome! Now, I don't know why the boys in red brought me down here. But, seeing as you wanted to talk with Sauron maybe you could tell me what you wanted to tell him? Don't worry," She winked. "I'll pass on the message."

"I wouldn't trust you to overlook a simple field test of new technology. Like...hmm what was it?" Palpatine took on a mocking tone all his own. "Ah yes, a new prototype anti-gravity well generator. Because who knows what may happen if someone were to do that?! For instance," Palpatine began. "You could end up being transported through hyperspace to an uncharted system along with a serviceable army of droids, and none other than General Grievous himself! Only to crash land with no proper means of communication, but instead of attempting a proper return to the war you dither away what power you have on planet! Making deals with wizards and spirits you couldn't possibly understand! To what end? Now that is an interesting question. One I daresay you have no feasible clue of how to answer. Even for and of yourself. How am I doing so far?"

"Oh I'd say you're close!" Vica met his challenge. Her voice airy and flippant. "You forgot about the part where the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic is also in charge of the Confederacy. And, in spite of being able to make it so that his pupil wins the war, that is Dooku, you're gallivanting away playing some long game that I'm sure you'd love to regale me with just how genius it is! Yet, you waste time, resources, material, on and on, on this and that. Just to, ironically, take advantage of everything I did on Arda and play this buddy buddy thing with Sauron. When we all know the truth."

"And, what truth is that?" Palpatine wondered.

"You don't care about Sauron. You don't want to actually help him do a kriffing thing. He also doesn't want to help you do a damn thing. You're not his friend. He's not your friend."

"What does that make you?"

"Indifferent." Vica shrugged. Though she was perhaps not being entirely truthful there. In fact she knew she wasn't. But, she layered her true feelings beneath half truths as her presence in the Force burned hot in her disdain for Sidious. Whom, in kind, appraised her for a moment. Before a prideful smirk crossed his elder face.

"Children who think they know how to play the game." He shook his head.

"I'm sorry? What game is that?"

"If you must ask, my Lady, you of all people, certainly will never know." Palpatine sighed as though he was disappointed. As though she was beneath him. Her lip curled angrily, and she fought to contain herself.

"You haven't addressed what I said." Vica retorted. Only for Palpatine to again sigh in exasperation.

"I am short on hours spent wasting them trying to teach you the subtleties Dooku couldn't have hoped to beat into you. However, I grant you this; your little fantastical made up galactic view of the war is nothing but a sad joke." Sidious went on. His voice croaking with venom as he now addressed her. The Force brimming with his power. So much so that even Vica could not deny the sudden cold that crept the air around her.

"How's that?" Vica demanded. "You're still sidestepping the question."

"No. What I'm doing is telling you that your question is beneath me." He scoffed. "The Confederacy was only ever a means to an end. As is the Republic. However, the Republic has a future. A...larger purpose. It can be directed in ways a patchwork warlord state like the Confederacy cannot be. The only thing holding it together being the charisma of a now comatose Sith Lord." Palpatine spat the title. Clearly feeling contempt that Dooku ever held such a label. "Or, it is kept in line by a ravenous beast in Grievous. There is no hope for the Confederacy. Come tonight it will be all but dead. Along with the good General, with Dooku following, and if all goes well even the Jedi Order." He finished with a damnable arrogant and self sure smirk along his face. The Force slithering around him as he basked in some glorious victory Vica did not yet see. She studied his face and demeanor and saw nothing but absolute confidence.

"How's that going to happen?"

"Now that would be telling." Palpatine clicked his tongue. "Tell me," He leaned back into his seat. "How goes the construction of those rings? Last I saw they seemed to be coming along well. Though you certainly seemed disinterested in them last we chatted." Vica hardened herself. Both visibly and through the Force. She could smell the probing question. Mostly because he wasn't bothering to hide himself. The Force prickled within the room. Like sparks or flashes of lightning. Vica could sense, and it burned her into a silent rage, but he did not fear her. Not in the slightest. So, she merely shrugged. Holding a frown across her lips.

"How should I know? I'm not the ring maker here. Sauron is. And, he doesn't give me all the details of is work. Though I'd say...everything's coming along as they're gonna come along." She offered. Figuring it was best for Sauron if she were as vague as possible. While a part of her, deep inside, much like her wrath wished for Sauron to give her a hand when dealing with Sidious. As much as she also hated feeling that way.

"Really?" Palpatine intoned. "He doesn't share with you the details on what he's doing? Doesn't share his plans, thoughts, dreams or aspirations? It must get rather boring living in that head of yours then."

"It might." Vica shrugged dismissively. "If it weren't so sweet to see you realize every time you speak with Sauron that you can't hope to destroy him. That lil' ole me is beyond your ability to destroy. I bet that just makes you writhe, huh?" Vica leaned into the table. Gripping the edge of it and smirking down at the Chancellor. Whom, in kind observed her for a long moment. Saying nothing before he cleared his throat and stood.

"You presume, my Lady." Palpatine shook his head. "I grow weary of this back and forth. I have a tight schedule and want to speak to Sauron, so do me a favor and bring him out."

"Like I said...even if I could, I wouldn't." Vica sneered. "He's indisposed. Maybe he's sleeping? Maybe he simply doesn't want to waste time talking with you again? Giving you more knowledge you yearn for like so many street beggars. I'd like to think he's seen through your ragged veneer! Nothing but a pompous old fool. Draping himself in the cloak of majesty." Vica spat. The words coming to her strongly in a bout of mental clarity. She was rather impressed with her own insults. Unable to hide and unwilling to hide the grin that sprung up as Palpatine nodded. His face baring an amused smile in return.

"Perhaps I have misjudged you, Vica." Palpatine supposed with a hum of thought. "Perhaps you have some skill. Certainly that mouth of yours can cause one's ears to bleed."

"Aw, you noticed!" Vica beamed and clasped her hands to her cheeks. "You shouldn't be so complimentary! It'll make me blush." Again, Palpatine shook his head.

"Tell me," He began again. "What if I were to make you an offer? You, Vica. Not Sauron." Palpatine began. Seeming sudden. Sudden enough that Vica felt herself internally reeling. Her body turned ever so slightly rigid. As she couldn't sense his intentions through the Force. His defenses far too powerful for her. But, sheer instinct let her know that he had shifted his position. He was testing her. In some way somehow. That much was obvious. She just didn't know to what degree.

"Yeah?" Vica replied slowly. "I guess I'd have to hear what it is you're offering? Before I tell you to shove it up your a-" Palpatine raised a hand to silence her preemptively.

"I can imagine that your life has become tiresome." He remarked with a hint of condescension. "Living in a head that isn't your own. A body that isn't either. It must be quite the burden."

"I manage." Vica again shrugged. Her yellowed eyes set and watching him as Palpatine rounded the side of his desk and stood dangerously close. So much so that Vica pushed off the desk and took a step away in defense.

"Perhaps there is a way we can both get what we want?"

"What do you know about what I want?" Vica countered.

"You've inferred enough. Your attitude here and before leads me to believe you would like nothing less than to keep some of that power. As any true Sith would. You want power, you want privilege and position. These are all understandable where those in our order are concerned."

"Oh?" Vica hummed. "Since when have I been a Sith in your mind?" To that he laughed.

"Since about five minutes ago! I am offering you a deal, after all."

"I have yet to hear it."

"That is true. Though," Palpatine sighed. "I am being so rudely interrupted." He never took that hint of condescension out of his voice. Leading Vica to never lower her guard. Though, she once again had to think about what Sauron would do in this moment. Her own instinct was to tell him to kriff himself and go for the throat! However, Sauron would...listen she felt. Listen and see where this was headed. Even if in her gut she felt this was nothing less than a new tactic to barrel past her defenses.

"Go on then." Vica swiped her hand out. Dismissive as it was permissive.

"My thanks, my Lady." Palpatine sighed. Though he then turned and began slowly pacing away from the desk towards the far wall. Seeming aimless.

"As I was saying before; what if we could work together? You and I. We both can get what we want." Palpatine supposed. "You get to keep your power, Most if not all. I get to learn that which I want to learn. We both become more powerful, and we get what we want. Not only that," He continued turning back to her. "We can free you from having to share your body with this powerful invader." Vica felt her lips curl upwards, but she again thought of how Sauron would deal with this situation.

"First off, what makes you think you can even do that for me? Second, what you think I want and what I actually want may be entirely different things." Vica intoned and now paced off to her right away from the desk. "Maybe I want control over half the galaxy? Maybe I want the whole thing? What then could you offer me?"

"A partnership?" Palpatine hummed. "It would not be the first arrangement I've made. Nor do I think it will be the last. Unless of course, you prove yourself superior to me." He clearly inferred the Sith cycle of Master and Apprentice. However, Vica did not let her guard down. Eyes only narrowing in response.

"Every pawn you've had before has ended up dead. Orchestrated in some part by yourself. As you said earlier, somehow by a great miracle of your supposed genius, the Confederacy, Grievous and on, are supposed to be dead tonight."

"Precisely why there's a vacancy, my dear." Palpatine smirked. His smile betraying his inner true self. A callous and cold Sith Lord hidden beneath the cloak of this Chancellor. This Palpatine.

"You're also assuming you can get rid of Sauron." Vica repeated. "Somehow you expect to become more powerful off of his knowledge, but you think you can cast him from my body? That, I think is just your arrogance shining through. Sauron has already given me immortality. He's already shown me much. Even if I've just watched him. I daresay," Vica grinned, eyes beaming with a new challenge. "That he's shown me more than he'd ever show you." She callously laughed. Palpatine humming and nodding as he paced in sync with her. Keeping himself directly ahead of her across the room.

"You may be right, Vica. You may be right."

"You don't actually want to work with me anyways." She dared confront. "You're testing me. You've always thought I was a burden. A sad little obstacle between you and the Dark Lord in my head." Vica accused, and Palpatine simply shrugged with a single harsh laugh.

"You have me there, my dear. Indeed...I'd never work with something as vile as you." Palpatine scoffed at the mere notion. Again, dropping a part of his outward veneer. "To do so would...well require me to lower myself. Debase myself for what? For you?! Hah! No...no I don't think so." Vica again sneered to his mockery.

"Then what was the point of offering?"

"To see if I could draw your roommate out from hiding. Indeed I'd have thought he'd show himself by now. Now as I threatened to take his only real ally in all the galaxy from him. The one being he has. Where I have trillions in these hands." Palpatine brought his arms up and out. Reveling in his power. "Really it is a joke! A cosmic sort of joke at that. A being as he that claims so much power, wisdom and knowledge. Stuck in a quandary with you! A simpleton with a myriad of psychosis that plays pretend at being a Sith when you haven't the faintest clue what it actually means to be Sith! You are a waste upon us all."

"And yet," Vica dared with another smirk. "He still hasn't shown himself." Vica giggled like a schoolgirl. "I think you can't handle not being in control. Of him, and of me! You have all this 'control.'" Vica deepened her voice and ridiculed his often times lordly mannerisms. "Yet, you can't make Sauron do anything. In fact it seems like he's ignoring you. I bet you can't stand it! Can you?!" Vica laughed. Palpatine turned his back to her again. His face turned up at a random painting lining his wall. A long moment passing where she allowed herself to laugh at him. Until-

"Silence!" Sidious swung around and sent a percussion through the Force. Before she could react, Vica was thrown to the far wall. A gruff gasp escaping her chest as her back slammed to wall and she fell to the ground.

"You son of a kath hound!" She seethed. Eyes wide as her breath escaped her lungs and she gasped for more air. Teeth barred in pain.

"The less I have to hear from you, deal with you, the better!" Sidious croaked and neared.

"I'm gonna shove a lightsaber down your karking-"

"Silence!" Sidious sent a bolt of blue brilliant lightning from the tips of his left fingers into Vica. She howled but was silenced as her body spasmed and she fell onto her chest against the floor. Inwardly she was seething. Wondering aloud in her mind where Sauron was?! Though she received only silence in return.

"I am done talking with you! You've wasted enough of my time. Now bring Sauron out!"

"Go kriff yourself!" She scowled through the pain. Unable to turn her head up. As the doorway to the office opened, so she heard.

"Your Excellency?" Vica heard a muffled and distorted voice. Only able to turn her head to the right with a twitch of nerves and muscles. Seeing red boots and red cloak strafing the ground. His two guards had entered.

"It is nothing." Palpatine assured them. Clearly they knew more about him than most. His true nature. "Did you get it?"

"The droid returned a moment ago, my Lord." One of them replied. Falling onto a knee and producing a small durasteel case.

"Very good. Very good." Palpatine laughed. Approaching and taking the box. Vica seethed and felt sweat bead across her brow. She forced herself onto her hands and pushed. Her body screaming not to, but she fed on the pain. Pulling it into herself and unleashing that power within! The dark side writhing in ecstasy around her as she did.

"I wonder where Sauron could be now?" Palpatine intoned. Having grabbed the small box. The guard stood after Palpatine turned back to Vica. Who cast vicious glare up to the Sith Lord. "It would seem he's abandoned you. Though, I find that hard to believe. Since it would appear to me that he's rather stuck with you and that body. Without it he is without physical form yes?" Palpatine didn't really ask. That much Vica could tell as he held his mocking tone of voice and demeanor.

"Kriff yourself."

"Such a charmer!" Palpatine laughed and opened the box. He bent one knee to reach her eye level. Showing the interior of the box. "See what I have here, Vica? Or, how about you Sauron?" He challenged as Vica glared down and beheld the ring Sauron had not thrown out the night before. Her heart raced as she felt vindication and fear fester inside of her. Yet, Sauron still did not show himself. She was both horrified, and confused, but she did not grant Sidious the victory in seeing it within her. Vica instead tilted her eyes to meet his. Smug as they were.

"I guess you're full of surprises, huh?"

"Oh, that I most certainly am." Palpatine agreed. Closing the case, and hiding the ring from her. "Lord Sauron is free to retake this ring, of course. If he can be bothered to show himself. If he can do so." Palpatine sighed and pocketed the box. "However, in spite of the great show you and he gave back on Korriban I have yet to be truly impressed by his powers. He is weaker than he lets on. Or, perhaps he is not? Perhaps he is as strong as he makes himself out to be. If so, he's more than free to prove me wrong. Here and now."

"Sorry," Vica chuckled. "He doesn't have time to waste on ragged old has-been like you!"

"Such undue petulance. Very well." Palpatine sighed again. He raised his right hand and once more a burst of searing lightning shot out. Vica grit her teeth. She did not dare allow herself to scream even as every nerve in her body screamed in pain!

"What is Sauron's plan with this ring?! Why did he get rid of the others?!" Palpatine demanded. Vica fell back onto her face. Her hands and arms unresponsive as she made to move them. However, her ears heard enough. She knew he knew. Vica seethed both inwards and out. Damning Sauron for his simple-mindedness!

"I haven't the f...faintest!" Vica huffed.

"You're lying!" Palpatine brought both hands up and both unleashed cascading blue tendrils. Vica buried her face into the carpet and her body writhed. She refused to scream! She bit her her bottom lip, hoping to lock her jaw, but the lightning forced her mouth open. A stray heave loosening. She did not scream. She would not! She forced all air from herself and as her body was seared she did not give him the satisfaction.

"What are his plans?" Palpatine croaked again. Vica remained silent for a moment longer. Her extremities shaking and spasming without her direction or desire.

"I, don't know!" She howled in a mixture of rage and pain. The Force flowing through and into her. Feeding on the anger, hate and pain that mingled together. "Even if I did I'd rather die then tell you a karking thing! Do it! End me! See where that gets you!" Vica spat. Still unable to turn herself to look up at him where she lay.

A long moment passed. Silence entering the room but for her ragged breaths and Palpatine's soft intakes and outtakes of air. Before he finally hummed quizzically and rose back to a stand.

"You speak truthfully. Who knew such a thing was possible!" Palpatine scoffed. Vica barring unseen teeth. Knowing that the Sith kath hound had probed her answer through the Force. She had wrapped herself in it. Seeking to hide her intentions and thoughts or feelings from him. But, the pain and the Force she called to her through it had made her...far too readable. She was not yet capable of masking herself through such pain.

"Your friend seems to have abandoned you." The Sith Lord laughed. Though Vica was screaming inside for Sauron to do something, anything, she did not give Palpatine the satisfaction of her reply either. "You haven't a clue what he's doing or where he's gone. Such a shamefully simple creature you are. So easily used. By me, by Dooku and by this Sauron. Well that's okay. You are just a roadblock."

"K...kriff yourself!" Vica raggedly retorted. Her vision blurring as her body continued to tremble.

"Now now, that is unkind." He laughed. "If Sauron is in there, and unwilling to face me he will hear, but if he has managed to somehow exit himself from you do give him a message for me. Would you, my dear?"

"F...fall down a shaft and die, o...old m...an!" Vica stuttered. Though she could not see it she felt Palpatine merely smirk in response.

"I have been studying some lore. Lore form Arda. And, I have taken to heart Sauron's teachings. Short as they may be. And, I think there's one word I know. Sindarin is it? Fascinating language." Palpatine chuckled as Vica remained writhing in pain beneath him.

"I think it translates to 'down' in our language. But, as Sauron indicated it's all about intent. So, what if I intend on you staying down? Denna!" Palpatine seethed and lowering the palm of his hand unleashed a wave through the Force.

Vica could not stop herself from heaving loud into a small yelp. The Force bore down on her! The strength of what was an otherwise simple percussion through the Force pinned her against the floor and she felt every bone in her body creak at the sheer power and unseen weight. The dark side howled in some rapturous orgy of power! Vica hyperventilated through it all, begging Sauron internally to show himself, but again...silence.

"My!" Palpatine cackled gleefully as the room groaned from the sudden excessive weight and strain he had unleashed. Viewports rattled as though a small tremor had been unleashed by the long since stabilized tectonic plates of Coruscant. "He was right! Such simple truths to it all! My intent and my inner will, my power and such simple application turns the Force into a funnel of power!" He did not stop cackling to himself. The air around him practically electrified.

"Ah, my dear. My poor disturbed little wretch." Palpatine stepped over her prone body. "Alas I have a meeting soon, and I must cover this office once again! I seem to have disturbed my own dark cloak." Palpatine feigned an exasperated sigh. "Nonetheless, I will speak with Sauron, and show him what wonders he has gifted me! You, however, you I have grown bored with. Do tell him, if you see him before I, that he can come claim his ring also." Again Palpatine produced the small box. His eyes unseen, but glinting as he beheld it and the power hidden within. "If he can."

"Kriff your-" Vica's head slammed down to the ground. Palpatine having used the Force to slam it so hard there was no hope she would remain conscious and sure enough she was silent and limp. Save for the uncontrollable twitches that assaulted her.

"Take her to one of the adjoined lounges. Keep her under close watch. And, tell Director Isard to clear out her apartment. Sweep it for any sign of more jewelry."

"As you will, my Lord." One of the red guards bowed as he and the other both moved and began dragging Vica's form from the office. No one to know or see the limp body be moved. No one in the building to question Palpatine, the Supreme Chancellor.

"Ah yes," Palpatine began again, causing the two to pause. "I want Isard to issue an alert through the office of Homeworld Security. I want our friends from Arda kept under particular watch. Tonight's affairs may prove to be too much for them." Palpatine laughed to himself mostly. "Relay the order." He dismissed the guards with a callous wave of his hand. "Isard will know what I want.

"As you will, your Excellency." The same guard bowed as both he and the other continued dragging Vica from the room.

"I believe I am done playing nice." Palpatine smirked to himself. Coming to stand by the viewport. Closing his eyes to mask himself and the dark side within his office. All before Anakin arrived of course. The boy wasn't ready to know the truth. But, with his new discovery Palpatine imagined he was closer than he even dared imagine!

So, very close.

---

Gandalf sat by himself on the balcony of the shared suite he and the others from the delegation made their temporary home. His eyes were narrowed and his brow concentrated. This world was, as ever, a great union of noise and life. Though tinged and intermingled with death and decay as any place where life lay was. However, he had since leaving the office of this Supreme Chancellor felt uneasy. It was a familiar feeling that he had held when visiting the Jedi Temple. However, it was stronger. Or, at least it had been when he had beheld the presence of Palpatine.

Anakin had long made reference to and spoke kindly of this character, this man. Yet, he was not as Gandalf had expected him to be. He spoke like all the lords of elves, men and dwarves do. Politically and carefully, but where some Gandalf could sense an innate sense of duty or even bored apathy with their routine there were some who held a different sensation. A gleam and glint in their eyes, and a licking of their lips. A hunger lay inside them. It pained Gandalf to bare witness to such hunger again. Though it was true all the same. Anakin had grown much since his time on Arda. Gandalf may not have known him before such a time, but he had seen the changes taking place. He was happy for the lad. So, it pained him to see Anakin visibly upset that he could catch on to what Gandalf had seen. There lay a hunger and darkness in his friend, the Supreme Chancellor.

That same dark and sick unseen fog that addled the very air of the temple had done so with Palpatine as well. Yet, it was stronger. So strong that Gandalf feared for Anakin and the others. This Republic was an intricate system of powers and beings of power. Yet, they all seemed turned upon one another. Disgruntled and unhappy. The focal point being the Chancellor. A fact that Anakin had also come to see it. Even if not fully. Gandalf did not yet think he fully knew or saw what lay in the man's heart either, of course. None, not even the wise, knew the ends of all beings. Even if their heart was turned one way or another that was their decision to make. Or a series of them at least. It would not stop him from being cautious. Gandalf wished to speak with Aragorn again, and soon. There was little Gandalf knew for a fact he could do to help those here, but he felt a familiar hopelessness infecting the many lives on this planet. He would do as he could, if time and ability so allowed him.

"Mithrandir." Gandalf turned as Galadriel exited onto the balcony. Her face betraying no emotion beyond a kind greeting.

"My Lady." He smiled and offered her a seat opposite himself. Sat against the rail leading over the side into the vastness below. She bowed her head and took him up on his offer.

"What troubles your mind troubles mine as well." Galadriel began. Gandalf didn't need her to say it but he knew as much. Her abilities in perception and speaking with another's mind having been of great aid during their prior meeting with the Chancellor.

"Yes…" Gandalf nodded slowly. "The darkness of your vision...did you perceive any relation with that man? Palpatine?" Gandalf wondered and Galadriel's piercing eyes focused. Though her mind was distant as Gandalf saw her to be in thought or memory.

"There was a familiarity in his presence. A yearning to know and a strength of voice and being. I have seen it before."

"Sauron?" Gandalf tilted his head, but Galadriel shook her head. "No, not the Dark Lord. Rather it is the ambition I had once before. Though greater still it had laid within the eyes of my uncle." Gandalf reclined. Distant and old...seeming so old now, memories of the great Fëanor springing to his mind. The fiery spirit of the being. The great oath he commanded, and the evil deeds that flowed from them.

"He is old, of course. He is a Man." Galadriel went on. "But, in he as I have seen before in the eyes of my cousins and the great kings of both Men and Elves there is a yearning. A great and terrible wrath. A spirit that is disquieted by some inner heart we cannot hope to see. A veil that can only be laid bare by the holder."

"In that I think you're quite right, my Lady." Gandalf nodded. Clearly he and Galadriel had come to a similar conclusion. "Even still," Gandalf sighed. "Does it feel connected to your vision? Is the dark figure of your mind this Chancellor? If it is I believe I need to warn our friends here." Gandalf implored.

"I understand, Mithrandir. I do not yet know." She honestly replied. "My heart tells me that there is great danger surrounding that man. Perhaps I have judged him too harshly for a first meeting…"

"No, I feel the same, my Lady." Gandalf assured her. "Caution was the best course to take. He was far too enamored in the knowledge of the elves. As well as the Enemy and the one that came before." Galadriel nodded in silence for a moment.

"For a man who has few avenues of knowledge upon Arda he knew a great deal."

"It has been many days since our passing." Gandalf offered.

"Perhaps." She began. "However, this Palpatine is a leader of a great many peoples and nations. He is used to directing, and steering as it were. So too did he wish to control and move our conversation in the direction he so desired. Little desire had for the kingdoms of Men, the ways of the dwarves or the courage of the hobbits."

"Yes." Gandalf intoned. "His mind was fixed. I sensed it too." Gandalf ran a hand through his beard.

"I feel there is a piece to this puzzle we have yet to find, Mithrandir. I fear there is something we are missing, and it is of critical importance."

"You think it is the piece necessary towards understanding your visions, my Lady?" He asked and Galadriel took another moment to think. Her eyes again distant. "I believe that there is more danger here than we know. A danger for the friends of the Free People's surely. As well as here upon this world and beyond. Somehow it is intertwined with Arda."

"That is what I fear." Gandalf agreed. "I think we must look to our allies here."

"Anakin?" Galadriel wondered.

"He has been a friend and ally since the beginning. He may not know what it is we seek, but he could put us on the right path."

"Then I trust your wisdom, Mithrandir." Galadriel smiled encouragingly. Which Gandalf greatly appreciated.

"Good I-" Gandalf began, but Galadriel's eyes narrowed and she turned back to the inside of the suite. Gandalf rose to a stand more on instinct than anything else, and opened the doorway leading back inside.

"Gandalf!" Pippin called running up to him. "One of those clone soldiers are here."

"What do they want?"

"I uh...I'm unsure." Pippin sheepishly answered. Gandalf pat the hobbit's shoulder and moved passed him towards the entrance. His staff clicking off the ground as he turned and saw both Elladan and Elrohir flanking Gimli. The dwarf standing as a stone before the door where two clones stood in their white armor, striped crimson red. An imposing color like that of the Chancellor's guard. All seeming a bit too similar in manner to blood, for Gandalf's liking.

"Ah, Gandalf!" Gimli called over shoulder, having seemingly sensed his approach. "Do tell these soldiers that they've come to bother the wrong lot!"

"We're sorry sir." One clone offered. "We simply wished to inform you of your new security detail."

"New security detail?" Gandalf wondered and came close, passing Gimli as both elven princes showed keen eyed misgiving in their faces.

"Yes sir. Security measures have been heightened for offworld dignitaries. As such, no one is allowed to leave their current lodgings. All necessary goods will be provided by security, sir."

Elrohir stepped close and spoke after. "Is there a reason for this security?"

"Unclear, sir. However, these are standard procedures, I assure you."

"I see." Gandalf answered. "Well, you have my thanks, trooper." He dipped his head and the soldier nodded his appreciation, but before the door closed Gandalf spoke again.

"Oh, excuse me lad," The trooper turned back to Gandalf. "Where do your orders come from, if I may impose to ask?"

"The Security Bureau sometimes issues a general threat level through Homeworld Security, sir. All measures must be approved by the Executive, that's the Chancellor's Office of course, sir."

"I see. Well, you have my thanks again." Gandalf bowed and the trooper closed the door.

"Something bodes ill." Elladan intoned lowly. "These troopers are alone. With two further down the hall."

"You suspect they're lying?" Gandalf wondered lowly.

"Nay." Elrohir answered. "I think these men are earnest. I have ill feeling for these orders more than the men. They may be blind to what their orders can clearly see."

"Yes." Elladan agreed. "My ears have heard the comings and goings of those we share this building with, Mithrandir. There are only guards for us. The soldiers may not know others have yet to arrive."

"Or, they simply don't care." Elrohir supposed. "If they are singularly focused they may think they have been pulled away or are unnecessary." He finished as he and his brother wisely hypothesized. Leaving Gandalf unsure all the same.

"We have many ideas, but little answers." The wizard intoned darkly.

"Ah, it would seem we have made ill impression of this Palpatine then!" Gimli scoffed. Though Gandalf wasn't sure if the dwarf knew how right Gandalf now suspected him to be. And in his heart that worry from before only grew.

---

His ETA slammed out of hyperspace. The greenish hued tinge of Utapau was before him and Obi-Wan quickly took his ship down into its atmosphere. As he did so Obi-Wan reached out through the Force. Sensing, and probing to see if he could discern anything worthwhile. Obviously Grievous was an imposing and terrible being all his own, but he did not project himself into the Force as Dooku or a Sith did consciously or unconsciously. All the same, Obi-Wan didn't receive much in reply from the Force. Though the air, the feeling of Utapau was incredibly tense. Thousands if not millions of living beings uneasy.

"A good sign." Obi-Wan intoned. Not that he wanted the people of Utapau to be oppressed of course. However, if they were nervous, if they were as apprehensive and tense as they would seem through the Force, then chances are that Grievous or even just the Separatists as a whole had something to do with it. Nonetheless, Obi-Wan had sent a landing code as he neared Pau City. Receiving simple guidance and landing instruction to specified coordinates in return. Luckily the landing site was in Pau City. The last thing he or Cody needed was for the locals to force him off track to another sinkhole.

The ETA whirled the air, and took a sharp turn down. Guided by both Obi-Wan and Arfour. The sinkhole was large, but Obi-Wan glanced his eyes both left and right. Arfour whirring and bringing his attention to the computer console. The shimmering outline of a Trade Federation control ship coming onto screen.

"What level, Arfour?" The droid beeped a few whirs that came up along the console. "Tenth? Not very subtle. Well let's not make a show of it. Go ahead and bring us in." The droid whirred its acknowledgment and guided the ship in for an easy landing. The cockpit hissed, and Obi-Wan unstrapped himself from the belts. Again feeling the Force give an uneasy general atmosphere as he exited.

He jumped from atop the ship noting a few utai. Knowing so only after taking the time to read up on the planet during his jump. The utai meandered around a fueling pipe while Obi-Wan was drawn to a couple of approaching figures. Tall and humanoid. Though their eyes were incredibly black, skin lined, and Obi-Wan guessed before he saw, their top row of teeth turned in at the chin. These were some of the other natives, the pau'ans. The first of which bore a cane, and a regal stature to himself. Undoubtedly the man in charge around here. His red outfit hugged either side of his head and ran down the full long length of his body as he calmly approached, Obi-Wan respectfully bowing as he closed the distance.

"Greetings young Jedi." The pau'an spoke. "I am Tion Medon. What brings you to our remote sanctuary?" Tion asked kindly, though Obi-Wan could sense an underlying probe to his question.

"Unfortunately, the war." Obi-Wan answered.

"There's no war here! Unless you've brought it with you." Tion replied, seemingly guarded but less so with Obi-Wan specifically. So he thought at least.

"With your kind permission I should like some fuel? And to use your city as a base as I search nearby systems for General Grievous." Tion nodded lowly, turning to his left and lowering his voice into the native tongue of the utai. He swiped his hand around and the little aliens sprung to work and began refueling Obi-Wan's ship. Obi-Wan smiling happily as he meant to walk away. However-

"He is here," Tion began, taking a desperate step closer, and lowering his voice further. "We are being held hostage. They are watching us."

"I understand." Obi-Wan assured. Even if he felt his adrenaline spike inside. Having confirmation that Clone Intelligence was right. Grievous was here. Is here.

"Tenth level. Thousands of battle droids."

"Tell your people to take shelter." Obi-Wan cautioned. "If you have any warriors, now is the time." The two men stood for just a second longer. Both bowing in silent agreement to appear as cordial and final as possible. Especially since Obi-Wan knew for a fact the Separatists were watching in some capacity. Tion turned away and Obi-Wan could hear him speaking in hushed tone with the other pau'ans. He climbed back into the cockpit and drew in a long breath. Centering himself in the Force.

"Arfour," He began and the droid swiveled its domed head to Obi-Wan. "Take the fighter back to the ship once they enter the system. Tell Cody, I've made contact." Arfour beeped an affirmative. Followed quickly by a low sad tone. Obi-Wan smiled though. "Don't worry Arfour. I'll be alright. Now go on before they begin wondering why I'm still here." Obi-Wan threw his hood over his head. Allowing Arfour to begin the liftoff procedure and jumping out the left side of the closing cockpit. He used just a hint of the Force to dash behind a pillar. Coming to a stationary stance and watched as his fighter zoomed loudly back up through the sinkhole that led into Pau City.

Tilting his head around, Obi-Wan looked towards the tenth level. Unable to see the Core ship himself leading him to assume it was above him. The sinkhole was massive, after all. He was surprised he hadn't caught it with his eyes. All the same he knew where he needed to get to.

"Now...how's the fastest way to-" Obi-Wan heard a loud squawking yelp nearby. He turned and saw a nearby stable full of varactyls. The nearest of whom caught his eyes. A beautiful array of blueish green feathers adorning the spine of the creature, and frilled around its beaked head seeming at its darkest a thick purple hue. All of which shimmered in the streaming daylight upon its green scaled body. Obi-Wan in turn smiled.

"I'll take that as the Will of the Force." He chuckled, and made his way over to the bazaar keeper.

---

"Update, General." Grievous heard the voice of the B1 droid address him. He turned and eyed the datapad in the droid's simply designed hands. Without a word, and a low undirected grumble the General grabbed it. His eyes scanning across its streaming information. Many matters concerning the war. Both the larger view of the galaxy, and otherwise.

Grievous took special interest in the battle on Kahyyyk. Noting that the general advance on the main wookiee and allied Republic beach had begun a few hours ago. Resistance was intense. Far stronger than anticipated. The droid armies kept streaming onto the beach, transports skimming over the sands, HMP gunships zeroing the skies, acting as escorts and cover. Dwarf spider droids climbed from the oceans like beasts forgotten long ago. Firing laser blasts that tore the clone rabble and Republic dogs to ash. Even if the battle went sour and the beach assault failed Grievous was certain the campaign on the wookiee homeworld would continue. He would make it so.

"General, sir." This time a magnaguard began. Its baritone vocabulator catching him. Grievous turned over his right shoulder. Noticing that four more guards came into the large opened chamber of the Core ship. In lock step came the trembling and disoriented lumbering bodies of the Council. Flanked on either side by security B1 units. As the magnaguards stood in two pairs one leading the other ensuring none tried slipping away from the back of the line. The troupe drudging with hushed whispers and the very essence of fear and contempt towards a prepared conference table.

"Finish with the preparations." Grievous growled and pushed the datapad back into the B1's hands.

"Yes, sir!" The droid lazily saluted and walked away. Grievous turned and loosed a low and hoarse bout of coughs. His body trembling from the still vicious vibrations and hacking. He swiveled his head from left to right. Shaking his vision as it blurred through the exertion and silently moved towards the table. His own guards walking behind him and taking up a formation of defense at his back. The General's cloak idly whirling in the winds of Utapau.

"I am pleased to find you all in good health." Grievous began. A low growl to his voice. Contempt clear in his eyes as he began the slowest of paces before the assembled ragged court. "I do hope my accommodations proved satisfactory?" He dared any of them to speak. Watching as Shu Mai recoiled in her seat, eyes dancing over his form in fear. Nute Gunray remained the most hateful if cowardly of the lot. His eyes as fixed onto Grievous as Mai's but his lips quivering. Barely kept from unleashing a verbal tirade, as the neimoidian scum had become used to. The others were much the same in terror. Tambor, Po Nudo, Passel Argente, Rune Haako, Tikkes, all of them! Humbled.

Grievous wheezed through the pain erupting from his organ sack. His eyes wincing as he pushed his hands behind his back over his cloak. Continuing his pace as he turned his head. Thinking over what had occurred these past few days. And, what he had learned. What he now planned for. Things he still didn't know if he fully trusted in or believed. Nonetheless, he was committed, so he spoke.

"The attack on Coruscant has left our spearhead into the Core Worlds weakened. The Republic has maintained their positions across the Mid and Outer rims. It would appear that they lack the means to launch a counter offensive. This bodes well for us." Grievous began, as though nothing was wrong. He could smell the confusion and restrained uncaring fear in them as they listened. As they were made to listen. "The loss of Count Dooku has placed us in a precarious situation. The Republic, and the Jedi will be hunting for us. For you." Grievous spat at the mere mentioning of the Jedi and Republic. Yet, where it came to the Council, he somehow found his venom even more caustic, and noticeable.

"The Confederacy will begin measures to strengthen our positions. This will require pulling back forces from the front lines to consolidate around those worlds that are vital to the war effort. This includes the Allied Tion Sector, Sluis Van and its surrounding systems, Fondor; which will require additional...security forces to bolster morale. On and on." Grievous added dismissively with a motion of his right hand. "Furthermore, I am preparing a new fleet and army for a renewed campaign in the Expansion Region. For greater coordination and to choke the Republic from access into the Outer Rim this task force will focus on linking up the Kira System and the world of Milagro. This will provide the Confederacy with total control over the Harrin Trade Corridor, its tributaries and subject the Republic to an imposed blockade along the southern quadrant of the Corellian Run." Grievous expounded further. He could feel the confusion from the Council. None of them quite sure what was happening. Why he was telling them all of this. Whether or not they wanted to know. Deep within he found their confusion humorous, but he did not dare show it. He would not let them see him pleased.

"This assault will begin in a few days time. Requiring restructuring of our overall forces. Especially those from the armada that assaulted Coruscant. I believe it is in the best interest of the Confederacy that we reorganize, consolidate and wait for the Republic to wear down their own resolve." Grievous offered. Himself not entirely sure if the plan he had formulated...with input and aid from another, would work. Though, there was some potential in the plan overall.

"What…" Another voice began causing Grievous to whirl his head right and pause his pace. The wide eyes of Passel Argente met his. The koorivar visibly recoiling at the suddenness of the General's movement. "Wha...what about us? I mean...what do you need; if anything of course, from us, General?" He groveled. Grievous concentrated his eyes on the man. Remaining uncomfortably silent for a time. Before, the whir of his leg's servos sounded and he began pacing again. Turning around, his head now looking left and remaining fixed on the Council.

"What I need from you? What do I need from the likes of you?" Grievous wondered aloud. His voice the ever malicious graveling growl. "What I need...is your continued safety. Your security." The General intoned. "After all it won't be long until the armies of the Republic track us here." Grievous warned turning back around. Accentuating his point with a motion of his right fist. The eyes of the Council met one another. Their shared fear of Grievous now mingled with an equally shared fear of the Republic.

Grievous wheezed and restrained another cough. "To ensure all of you remain...in good health I am sending you to the Mustafar system in the Outer Rim." He continued. "It is a volcanic planet. The seismic and geological activity of which interferes with all scanning equipment. You will be safe there."

"SAFE?!" Grievous paused as Gunray dared jump into a stand. The company of droids behind him jerking to attention. "Nothing about this situation is safe! You've kept us under lock and key and threatened us! That is hardly 'safe.'" The neimoidian seethed. "You think we're idiots, General?! You're sending us away so you can consolidate power for yourself! If Lord-"

"If?!" Grievous began with a barking wrath to his voice. To which, Haako whispered a plea for Gunray to sit down. "If he could stop me he'd have done so by now, Viceroy! He is toothless, as much as you are feckless!" Gunray didn't seem quelled just yet. Even if he was shaking as the coward he was. Daring to attempt to feign some bravery everyone knew he lacked.

"Ch...chancellor Palpatine managed to escape your grip, General. You...you alone don't have the abilities to keep anyone in your custody. Especially without Count Dooku. I have doubts about your ability to keep us 'safe.'" The neimoidian mocked the word again. Grievous didn't care. Pausing again and rising to his full intimidating height. Towering as a pillar of death, of power, of control.

"Be thankful, Viceroy, you have not found yourself in my grip." Grievous growled. Silence passing over them all once again. The threat obvious, and clear. All minds and memory turning to the departed Hill and Poggle. No room for discussion nor argument to be made. The General baring his brutal and hateful eyes upon the group.

"Now," He began after the seething pause. "Your ship is waiting." Grievous flicked his left hand out. The B1 security droids motioned the councilors to rise and the same four magnaguards from before surrounded them.

"General, please! You must believe I didn't know!"

"Grievous, it was them, you have to believe me!"

"Sniveling cowards!" Grievous didn't bother seeing who it was that called after him. The voices meaningless now in the grand scheme of things. Instead, he moved away. Back towards the outer layer of the interior of the Core ship. Another B1 awaited him with updates on fleet movements he was keenly curious of. His own personal retinue of magnaguards behind him. The Council being taken away to that hellish rock of Mustafar that Sidious had wanted them to go to. Grievous wondered if there was much truth, or reality to what the voice had said? There was still so much unknown of his new 'partners.' For lack of a better word at the moment. However, Grievous, as before knew there was no going back. He didn't want to. He felt free. Absent the weight of the Council and no longer at the service of old men whose visions of what must come to be had nothing to do with him. No room for him at all.

Still...Grievous did wonder if the voice, and its supposed wisdom were not at least partially paranoid? Nothing had been said of Republic movements nearby. Intelligence and counterintelligence operations inside and outside the Republic made no notion of knowledge of his whereabouts and that of the Council. Perhaps, or just maybe, this voice was overestimating whatever it was Sidious had in mind?

Grievous heard a dull thud behind him as he contemplated such.

"Hello there!"

---

The daylight outside bore a deep yellow hue mixed with orange as dark clouds obscured the midday sky. The clouds were set to pass within an hour or so, but as they stood they cast what some may have considered a golden but ominous glow down across Galactic City. Anakin paid the hue as little attention as possible though. For the second time today he found himself standing behind the Chancellor. This time at the man's right as he sat at his desk.

This time, unlike the first, Palpatine was meeting with Padmé and a cadre of senators. Anakin observed them all. Having tuned out a lot of the political jargon and what he assumed to be the usual negotiations. In all of them, though, he felt that familiar sensation of defensiveness through the Force. That inherent ability of politicians to mask themselves within the Force. However, even through that Anakin felt something else. Another kind of defensiveness and unease. He'd been around people long enough to get a read on them even without the Force. Body language and how their feelings made the mood of a room change or shift. Force or no Force. As such, he could tell all of them felt uncomfortable in the room. Anakin didn't believe it was his presence itself that bothered them. Certainly not Padmé even if it was his presence. So, he could only cast a long glance left. Falling onto the reserved Chancellor, Palpatine. The one man in the room that had not even the slightest bit of discomfort to his posture.

Just as earlier in the day with Gandalf, and the others from Arda, these senators along with Padmé all felt uneasy because of Palpatine. Anakin didn't need any of them to say so to know how Padmé felt. He could recall their prior conversation a few days ago. His initial disbelief in Padmé's 'unfounded' concern and fear. Only to slowly over the days both before and after her hear much the same from Obi-Wan, the Council through Obi-Wan and Gandalf.

Anakin didn't like the way he felt anymore. Well...where Palpatine was concerned. He still hated lying. Pretending to listen and act like he wasn't reporting on the Chancellor to the Council, as little as he may have thus far. He hated that Palpatine still spoke to him so openly, and how everyone pointed him in the same direction away from him. That small voice inside of him seething that he was betraying a man who showed him nothing but kindness and generosity since coming here from Tatooine years ago. Anakin didn't like the way Palpatine had talked to the Arda delegation and his friends. Anakin saw how appointing a Jedi to the Council was crazy! Even if he so desperately had wanted to benefit from it just to be spat at. The rioting outside the temple caused by COMPOR, whom paid mind and loyalty to the Chancellor in their rabidness seemed insane. For Palpatine to then seek amendment to the ancient treaties between the Republic and the Jedi Order as a response. Not really his wheelhouse, but the appointment of Governors. Which was why the Delegation of 2,000 was here. His wife among them.

Yep, Anakin didn't much like what was going on here on Coruscant anymore. Overly complicated. Overly political. Everything was political. Like Palpatine had said a few days ago, in a democracy everything maybe was in fact political. For good or ill, Anakin didn't really know. Just that he hated how he felt these days. As usual.

"These governors have sweeping powers as dictated within the previous grant of authority, Chancellor. The reason why many worlds within our representative zones have reached out is their concern of such." Anakin tilted his gaze to Padmé. She spoke so eloquently. Radiant, perhaps even more radiant than usual? Her presence in the Force subdued, controlled as the others, but she held a fiery spark in her today. Her eyes full of vigor as she kept them trained on Palpatine. Anakin could sense it.

Atop her head she wore a head ornament. Metal pressed atop her brow almost like a crown, while simple though ornate braids fell along the sides. Though they were part of the ornament itself. They were tinged purple, matching the thick dress Padmé wore that fell across her figure. Though, where Anakin would have thought it bulky on her prior, she had it pulled to her with a sash accentuating her figure. One Anakin could hardly stop himself from smiling over. A tinge of fleeting pride and observed wonder at her beauty.

"-governors are meant to act as military coordinators." Anakin turned as Palpatine finished answering her. The Chancellor also holding a sort of...domineering glow to him today. Regal, if humble as always. At least, as he always appeared. Anakin felt that both his wife, and the Chancellor held the grand majority of the strength of will within this room. Of course, she was acting as the head of the group here, but it was more than that. He had felt it when they were back at the apartment too. She was persuasive and direct. Strong today. Anakin had to assume it was her passion for politics coming through.

"It is curious, Chancellor." Padmé began again. "The governors; as you have said, are primarily a military functionary. However, the appointment of said governors implies governing powers. After all, they have the ability to issue mandates for food, quotas for local production, and remove local leaders of worlds or systems via their own offices. Military matters don't pertain to all of these functions so predominantly. I should at least think?" Padmé wondered as her eyes remained fixed, and Anakin would daresay, challenging upon Palpatine. The man, in kind, smiled and bowed his head.

"I must admit that does sound rather overbearing when you state it that way, my Lady." Palpatine began. Anakin listening. Attempting to really listen too. To gauge the fear and concern everyone else did when he spoke. His right hand balling into a fist and flexing. Uncomfortable reminders of a destroyed piece of jewelry; not for the first time, rearing its head today.

"You must understand, the governors have been given blanket authority, my friends. It's not that they will dictate terms or begin instituting laws and quotas as you say. It's if the necessity presents itself that such measures would be needed. Obviously, the Courts remain open to any and all systems and persons whom wish to argue the exact measures and powers. These are merely done via emergency decree." Palpatine carried on. Sounding...well reasonable to Anakin. As he listened though he also watched Padmé and the others. Watching brows furrow on those who did not hide themselves as well. Watching as the others showed no emotion at all. They just listened. So, Anakin did as well.

"Imagine if the Separatists invade...well let's say the Colonies Region. If Carida, for example, came under threat of imminent Separatist occupation the local governors will have the power to mass recruit local defense forces, police forces and so forth into an emergency militia. Such militia and standing Republic forces will require food, lodgings, equipment and ammunition. Things the government here on Coruscant is obligated to resupply, of course. However, let's not pretend that the bureaucracy for such actions does not take time. Time that those in the system do not have in such circumstances." Again, Anakin hated how he felt such a system made sense. But...it was a bit troubling, if he tried thinking of it from Padmé's perspective to have local persons act with absolute authority because of an 'emergency' measure.

"Look, my friends," Palpatine kept on, leaning back into his seat with a brimming smile. "I can understand the reservations. These measures seem extreme. I'm not unsympathetic or so deluded as to not see how such things can frighten you. It is because we find ourselves precariously against the proverbial wall, however!" The Chancellor almost gasped. "The recent assault on this very world should be evidence enough of that. The Separatists have been on the warpath of late and we have lost incredible tracks of control in the Outer and Mid Rims. With the capture of Count Dooku; which is an entirely separate matter," Palpatine declared to stifle any potential discussion of such. "The Separatists are under the control of their...'Executive Council,' and General Grievous." To those two entities he almost scoffed. "There is little hope in utilizing bloated bureaucracy and the ways of yesterday when attempting to defend against such a threat as that. The Senate has its place. It is only through the Senate my powers come. These governors have no authority over the Senate or the senators of their zones for precisely these reasons. The bureaucracy of local government cannot sustain under the coordinated and dictatorial control of the Separatists." Palpatine turned his full attention to Padmé again.

"So, let me say again that I understand your reservations completely, Senator, and I assure you the appointment of Governors will in no way compete with the duties of the Senate."

"May I take it then, that there will be no further amendments to the Constitution?" She boldly asked and even Anakin found himself shocked by her bluntness, but she was fiery when she truly felt passionate in her stances or belief. Anakin admired that about her. Though he could tell Palpatine was rebuffed slightly in his tonal shift after.

"I want this terrible conflict to end as much as you do, My Lady, and when it does I guarantee an immediate return to democracy. Stop gaps and measures are by no means the new normal any of us want. Myself included."

"You are pursuing a diplomatic solution to the war, then?" Padmé asked with her pointed stare never dropping from Palpatine. Anakin had to assume this to be incredibly awkward. Considering the long history these two had together.

"You must trust me to do the right things, Senator. That is why I am here."

"But surely-" Fang Zar began…

"I've said I will do what is right, that should be enough for your...committee." Palpatine cut the other senator off. Anakin almost felt it was a biting rebuke of the man for daring to speak. Palpatine showing only pleasantries directed to Padmé, so Anakin thought. On a level appreciated to, even if he did notice the sudden venom to the Chancellor's tone. A silence passing over the whole group as Senator Zar reclined back into his seat. Before Padmé pushed herself into a stiff stand.

"On behalf of the Delegation of Two Thousand, I thank you, Chancellor." Padmé dipped her head as Palpatine smiled and remained seated.

"I thank you for bringing this to my attention, Senator." He coolly but diplomatically replied. Anakin remained silent the whole way through. Catching Padmé's eyes as she passed him...what he felt to be a worried glance. Before she motioned the others to follow her from the room. The rest either bowing or giving curt and defensive nods. Silent resentment and contempt shown for old traditional respect.

"Their sincerity is to be admired, although I sense there is more to their request than they are telling us." Palpatine noted to Anakin. His voice low and thoughtful.

"What do you mean?" Anakin wondered. Watching Padmé leave, wishing he could follow after her.

"They are not to be trusted." Palpatine intoned. Anakin for his part was slightly taken aback, but he corrected himself. Throwing up defenses subconsciously as he paced forward.

"Surely Senator Amidala can be trusted." He declared firmly.

"These are unstable times for the Republic, Anakin. Some see instability as an opportunity. Senator Amidala is hiding something. I can see it in her eyes." Anakin tilted his head over his shoulder. As though casting her a questioning glance. She and the others were long since gone. Thoughts entered his mind of his nightmares, of rumors. Things he had heard from Palpatine concerning Padmé and...other senators he would not allow himself to think about. His jaw setting as rumor and mistrust wriggled in the base of his skull.

"I'm sure you're mistaken."

"I'm surprised your Jedi insights are not more sensitive to such things."

"I simply don't sense betrayal in Senator Amidala." Anakin offered. Hoping to shut down this line of thought. But, Palpatine studied him. His eyes looking into Anakin's. The Jedi knowing his thoughts were all over the place, and he probably looked the part of anxious and silently agitated at what thoughts went across his mind.

"Yes, you do." Palpatine nodded to himself. Agitating Anakin further who did not say anything. He would not allow himself to show his mind was elsewhere. Not for Padmé, not on Padmé. He trusted her. He had to. "But you don't seem to want to admit it. There is much conflict in you, Anakin." The Chancellor finished. Anakin remained silent again for a long moment.

"I-" Just as he began his comlink chimed. Anakin sighed in aggravation and silently apologized to Palpatine. Snatching the device up as he did so.

"This is Skywalker."

"Skywalker," It was Master Windu. His voice leveled as always. "Return to the temple at your earliest availability."

"What for, Master?"

"Matters concerning the war." Vague, but Anakin could guess it was because Master Windu knew he was still with the Chancellor.

"Yes Master. I'll be there shortly."

"Very good." Mace cut the line immediately. Anakin pocketed his comlink and threw up another apologetic smile.

"Sorry, sir. They need me."

"Of course they do, son." Palpatine smiled. "They always need their best Jedi. It's such a shame they make demands of you. Demean your agency. They would do better to show you some more...proper respect." Palpatine intoned and as usual, Anakin couldn't say he disagreed. Even if his heart told him...he should relax. Everyone was stressed. Perhaps Master Windu was more stressed than usual? There was the whole Dooku thing.

"Yeah," Anakin nodded. "I wished they were less pushy, but...what can you do about it?" He shrugged. "They're on the Council. They've earned the right to be grouchy old men and women and everything else in between or otherwise. Old and...cranky." Anakin chuckled. Causing Palpatine to follow with a nod.

"That I am in agreement on, my friend. Go on, please! Don't let me keep you any longer than necessary."

"Thank you, Chancellor. I'm sure I'll be back later tonight with an update."

"I look forward to it my boy!" The Chancellor called after him. A serene and contemplative smile never ceasing along his features. A content sigh loosing before he rose from behind his desk and made for an adjoined room.

He had some station plans to look over, and an unconscious guest to check in on.

---

Obi-Wan watched the four magnaguards swing around. All of them activating their electrostaffs as they did so and taking on defensive if crude, stances. As Grievous twisted to his right and around to face him.

"General Kenobi!" He laughed in greeting. His right hand motioning in belated greeting as the rest of the droids in the room formed a sudden circle around him. Obi-Wan watched them noting they didn't ready to fire...yet. "You are a bold one." Grievous chuckled in bemused manner. "Kill him!" The General took a few steps back, pushing his hands behind his cloak as it whirled and the magnaguards all stomped forward. Menacing in determination to do as their General ordered.

Obi-Wan took a step back, and activated the blinding blue of his saber and fell into his traditional soresu defensive posture. Saber in right hand pointed forwards, left hand pointed ahead. He glanced upwards and saw what the poor droids did not. The guards stomped, their staffs shimmering and buzzing. Until...there! He dropped his saber and gripped the vent above them along the roof with the Force. It gave a sudden crunch of metal and ruptured. Falling to the ground suddenly and harshly. The droids turned up, but three of them were in an instant crushed by the weight. The fourth along the far right of Obi-Wan had its right leg crushed. A pathetic and Obi-Wan dared to even say sad sound of whirs and binary eliciting from the guard as it desperately reached for its staff. Grabbing it just as he closed the distance, and with a quick sudden slash cut the droids head clear off. It fell back and sparked along the ground.

The assortment of B1's, B2's and droidekas tinged with crab droids all closed in. All aiming down at Obi-Wan. He pulled the Force around him. Admitting at least to himself that he was totally exposed here. If Grievous weren't the creature Obi-Wan knew him to be the General may well have been able to kill him. Right here right now, but…

"Back away!" Grievous commanded. Just as Obi-Wan figured. "I will deal with this Jedi slime, myself!" The cyborg rose to his full height. Pushing his cloak away at his left. Looming as that familiar murderous tower Obi-Wan had encountered time and again before.

"Your move." Obi-Wan dared coming to a stop before him. "I seem to recall the last time we did this it didn't end quite so well for you, General." He pushed Grievous further. The General seething through his vocabulator.

"This won't be like last time, Kenobi. We're not on some backwater world, and we're not on your white city walls." Grievous growled and as he had before smacked his cloak's magnetic clasp from his chest plates.

"Now," Grievous went on. His hands reaching down to his belt. "I've killed four Jedi since last we fought, Kenobi. Yet, I still stand! Your padawan may have defeated him, but I have become far superior in your Jedi arts than even Count Dooku!"

"Bold claim, General." Obi-Wan scoffed as Grievous shimmied his cloak from his shoulders. Grievous didn't even wait. His two arms grabbed four saber hilts. Four Jedi that Obi-Wan had known. The two arms unlatched two more, and four sprawled out at Grievous' sides. The hands spinning into place. One by one, by the third and fourth all sprung to life. Blue, green, blue green. Grievous gave a cough as he stepped back, his blades swirling brilliantly.

"Attack, Kenobi!" Obi-Wan dared him with a smirk and himself fell back into his defensive stance. Daring Grievous to make the move. And, he took the bait. His body shifted lower. His bottom arms maneuvering above the top arms. He was nearly crouched like beast ready to strike, and as times before the top blades began whirling fast and fast until they became nothing but a whirl that deafened those listening to them spin. Grievous stomped forward and they began tearing the ground in two pursuant lines heading right for Obi-Wan. Whom, in kind, tilted himself and began pacing backwards ever so much. He did so until he realized he had moved onto a further back walkway. Giving Grievous and himself as little room as possible.

Just where he wanted him.

Obi-Wan stabbed for Grievous' head. The two spinning blades immediately stopped him and formed an X locking the three into place. Obi-Wan swung back and slashed down and Grievous met him again. Both breaking away. Grievous lunged with the full weight of himself and his four sabers, but Obi-Wan pulled the Force to himself and jumped over the General. Who swiftly swung around. All four sabers slashing and hacking at Obi-Wan. He fell into a fast and graceful parry of all four as they sought to test and prod his defenses.

Obi-Wan ducked just as one of the green sabers came for his head, and he twirled about in place. Stabbing at Grievous' side. The General blocked and parried. Obi-Wan ended up back in his original spot. Obi-Wan dared push his right foot into the General's metal shin, and Grievous stumbled ever so slightly. Obi-Wan stabbed but Grievous again parried with one of the luminous blades. Grievous swung his body full left and Obi-Wan again ducked. Grievous spun and slashed, but Obi-Wan parried each and every frantic blow. Grievous' form of makashi was an extremely violent manifestation that Obi-Wan would dare to say Dooku likely found horrifying.

Nonetheless, the General whirled all four back and spun them above his head and prodded down at Obi-Wan's defenses. Testing left to right, under and over shoulder. Each one Obi-Wan blocked, or ducked, agitating Grievous. The General growling as he slashed at Obi-Wan's right. Obi-Wan dove in and slashed up. In a flash and loud pop a three fingered metal hand clanged to the ground and a blue saber turned off. Grievous pulled back and glanced at his removed left under hand. A burning stump remaining where it had been.

It didn't take Grievous long to seethe and come back at Obi-Wan. The two upper blades kept spinning. The third lower thrust out. Obi-Wan parried. The top left blade swung in as it spun above them. Obi-Wan grazed his saber along it blocking Grievous attempt to weaken his upper body's defenses. The same repeated with the top right. Grievous using each in a flurry of motion. Swinging each of the three in. One after the other forcing Obi-Wan back, but each time he parried, ducked, pushed aside or twirled himself in place. Giving himself over to the Force with each rabid stab and slash. Grievous coughing through a wheeze as he pressed upon him harder and faster. Grievous put a lot of power into his shoulders. All three of them. Even the fourth stump swung up to throw Obi-Wan off balance. He jumped back at that. His blue saber feeling each of the three blades swing and spin as rotary blades along his lightsaber. Grievous formed a sloppy X and slashed both in to cleave at the Jedi's head. Obi-Wan caught them and held them in place. Pushing them off and catching Grievous right under saber in a lock. He slid his saber down along the length making for the thin wrist.

Then...Grievous managed to get through. His right foot pushed up and slammed into Obi-Wan's stomach and he stumbled back. Allowing himself to fall into a roll along his head and shoulders to his feet. Standing back up in defensive stance as Grievous remained standing where he had been. A looming shadow as the light to his back cast him as a tall and powerful beast. His true self.

"What's wrong, Grievous? Run out of breath?" Obi-Wan mocked. The General seethed with a low growl but did not take the bait. Not yet. He was...just standing there. Obi-Wan watching as his reptilian eyes studied him from a distance.

"How did you find me?" Grievous wondered aloud. His three sabers humming.

"You're not quite as hard to find as you think, Grievous." However, in response the cyborg General remained unmoved. Obi-Wan couldn't wait, he had to press him. He jumped into a run and swung from over right shoulder down. Grievous caught it in an X. Slashing both out, forcing Obi-Wan back. He growled again and spun up his two upper blades and formed a defensive set of two blades ahead of himself. The third and free saber slashed at Obi-Wan's midsection from his left. Grievous pulling his two protective blades back as he did. Obi-Wan met and held the third blade. Gritting his teeth as he held back the incredible strength Grievous had in his cyborg frame. Grievous swung his two sabers down, Obi-Wan parried both jumping back. Slashing around as he fell into a twirl, Grievous parried him and took a defensive step back. Again whirling his two top blades above his head as he sprang ahead and slashed in and down on Obi-Wan. The third charging up prodding his legs and chest for a weakness. Obi-Wan parried each, sidestepped the falling upper blades and took a slash out right. The saber grazed the shoulder plate of Grievous right arm and the General snarled. Swing his full body to the right. All three hacking at Obi-Wan. He again ducked and slashed right. Aiming for the General's legs. Grievous pinned the saber down into the walkway. Two beams forming another X, stabbed down. Three blades melted through the metal. Obi-Wan yanked his free and rolled back towards the interior of the base. Grievous throwing himself up into a full stand. His sabers spinning at his back as he again growled.

Then the shooting began. Obi-Wan smirking as Grievous swung to his left. Explosions sounded, and the exchange of blaster fire rippled the air, scorching it as clones of the 212th called to and commanded one another. Vulture droids standing on their wings as legs broke into the air. Chasing after an array of LAAT gunships zooming down across Utapau with soldiers and troopers ready for battle. The droids met the clones in kind. Those watching the fight before turning with machine indifference and unleashing torrents of blaster bolts. The clones repelled in from the higher scaffolds where they had somehow; even to Obi-Wan's genuine surprise, managed to catch the Separatists off guard. Defensive cannons along the outside of the Core ship fired up. Flak filling the skies with choking smoke. Droidekas forming into balls and lunging ahead as the troopers invaded not only the Core ship but the rest of Pau city. B2's slunk back with flurries of bolts scorching their chassis, but they did not stop firing. As B1's sparked and sizzled falling over, as their blasters fired into a trooper. His body flung backwards. His armor simmering and flesh melting with and fusing with the scorched armor. A screen of gunships fired their beam weapons into the base, burrowing holes levels deep and tearing into droids as they did so. The world falling into the grips of the Clone Wars.

"Care to try surrendering, Grievous?" Obi-Wan huffed as his chest rose and fell through the adrenaline of their duel. However, the General remained fixed at the sights over his shoulder and above him. Finally tilting his head down. Mumbling to himself, though Obi-Wan heard a bit of it.

"…were right... They were right!" Grievous howled and Obi-Wan immediately fell back into defensive posture. "Neither you nor your Republic will have me today, Kenobi!" Grievous snarled, and in a flash Obi-Wan had not foreseen, he deactivated his three sabers. Snapping them onto his belt as he dove around running along the walkway. Grabbing up his one fallen blade and jumping down after. Falling at his own volition to a lower walkway where he landed in a cracking thud along his six limbs. Obi-Wan swung over the side watching him do so. Following him in a bit of disbelief at the sheer sight of Grievous running when he still had some kind of a chance. Perhaps Obi-Wan had given him too much credit? And, what had he been talking about before?

He couldn't dwell on it for too long. As he watched Grievous scurry along the ground and lift himself feet first onto a stationary wheel-bike. The platform spinning as he powered it up. Obi-Wan cursed and deactivated his saber. Just as Grievous slammed the bike into drive directly coming towards him. He had to jump to yet another lower walkway to avoid being flattened. The General wheeling at incredible speed towards the edge of the Core ship Slamming into and trampling over droid and poor clone alike.

Obi-Wan whistled sharply, and heard a droid give an 'uh oh,' before his varactyl slammed onto the main level. Trampling happily over the droids as she did so. Obi-Wan jumped for the final time hopefully, onto the seat of his mount and gave a whip of the reins.

"Come on Boga girl!" He called and Boga gave a loud cry and stomped ahead. Grievous having dove over the side and out of sight. Obi-Wan hot on his trail. Boga lunging onto an upturned massive panel of the Core ship. The force of which shook Obi-Wan. He gave a discomforted huff and felt the metal of his saber hilt slip from his fingers. Falling out of sight and reach below.

"Blast!" He cursed. But, he could not stop chasing Grievous now. He was so close.

---

As his wheel bike whirled and warbled loudly along the metal beneath him and Grievous tore it left to reach one of the cavernous streets of Pau City. He grasped wildly for the comlink magnetically clasped at his waist. Unlatching his right arm, keeping the top arm on the steering gears, while the bottom gripped and activated the comlink.

"This is Grievous, the Republic have arrived, send in the fleet!"

"At once, General." Came a simple robotic reply. Grievous simmering and seething in silent hateful wrath. Knowing all at once that the voice was right. Knowing now beyond any shadow of doubt previously held. Sidious had sold him out.

"I'm not dying here! Not here, not today!" He screamed to himself and swung the wheel bike into the city. Running over both a droid and clone in horrific crunch for both. Hearing the faint call of a varactyl behind him as he did.

---

"Captain, inbound hyperspace reentry pings!" The Captain of the Vigilance stomped over to the lower deck of officers monitoring the deployment.

"Clone Intelligence said there were no Separatist ships in system."

"They were wrong sir, they're inb-" Before the officer could finish no less than fifteen Separatist warships popped into the system.

"Bring Vigilance up and about! Cover the deployment, and have the Serenity come along under port and screen for all inbound transports or bombers! Deploy all fighter wings!"

"Aye aye, Captain!" Came a chorus of replies as the men scurried about to their duties. The first of likely many shakes rocking the ship as a distant and ineffective turbolaser grazed their shield.

"What's the makeup?!" The Captain demanded of no one in particular.

"Two Providence-class destroyers, the rest are Munificents, Captain sir!"

"We're outnumbered here…" The Captain intoned to himself. Alarms blaring. All troopers and personnel to naval combat stations. The need for which had been wholly unexpected.

---

Arsuna arrived back at her apartment after a few hours in the Survey Corps offices. The usual day ins and outs having passed by with little fanfare or much to say about the bureaucracy. All the same, she had spent her time watching the HoloNet mark SipTrade for another quarterly loss come its end. Her face the entire time twisted in discomfort. Her stomach a turbulent twisting mess of anxiety. She was sure this wasn't healthy for her in any way. Needn't she even mention the chewing of her own fingernails. Something she always ravenously smacked her own hand for daring to rise to her mouth for. The only thing having made her mood in any way tolerable was the message sent by Koll. She hadn't read it yet, but it alone gave her anything close to relief today.

Nonetheless, she sighed, reentering her home. Jaythree being a dear had returned to the apartment ahead of her and readied her the usual nightly comforts. The other less important servant droids carrying out his commands for her.

The pantoran girl groaned and entered the main living space. Glancing both left and right. Having wondered all day if her new acquaintance would still be there when she got back. Arsuna hadn't even bothered to ask Jaythree if she were. Having some unspoken cosmic belief that it was better to wait and see than ask and jinx it.

"Greetings, mistress Una!" Jaythree greeted in his usual baritone. Arsuna smiled and ran her left hand along her hulking droid's right forearm as they closed the distance between one another.

"Hey Jaythree. Is our guest still here?" She finally asked. The droid tilting its head up towards the balcony.

"Ah yes, the home invader! She's currently out on the terrace, mistress. I had offered her some amenities but she kindly declined."

"You're very thoughtful, Jaythree."

"I certainly hope so, mistress." Jaythree bowed his lumbering form. "Your meal will be ready after you've enjoyed your bath, mistress. I've ordered the cooking droids to prepare a covado salad, with a Coruscant brandy."

"You spoil me." Arsuna grinned. "Thank you Jaythree. I'm going to go check in on our guest and then get cleaned. Draw the water for me?"

"Already on it, mistress Una." Jaythree again bowed and Arsuna pat her loyal droid as he lumbered down towards her main bath.

She crossed the distance between herself and the terrace. Pressing a small button along the wall that drew the glass slab open with a whirl of air. As she did so, and was met by the heat that kept her little botanical garden alive she saw the stranger against the railing. Arsuna approached careful as to not upset the woman. As she did so she saw the cloaked human turn. Resting on her left arm was a hawk-bat.

"I see you have a friend."

"Of sorts." She intoned petting the beak of the hawk-bat and then throwing her left arm back out over the terrace. The beast, whom Arsuna numbly noted had a nasty scar over its left eye gave a cry and fell into the distance below.

"You Jedi are strange."

"Who said I'm a Jedi?"

"Whatever you wanna call yourself the galaxy doesn't get so hung up on the particulars. Besides," Arsuna waved her off. "I didn't come to banter about your religion's semantics. I just wanted to see if you were still here. I'm pleased you are. Though." Arsuna eyed the woman from bottom to top. "Clearly you didn't take me up on my offer to clean up."

"It's of no consequence. If I am in need I shall take advantage of the offer. For now I must remain at the ready. My Lord may call upon me at any moment."

"Right…" Arsuna intoned. "Well, I'm happy you're here all the same. Oh!" Arsuna smiled. "I just received word back from my man on Arda."

"And? Are you satisfied?"

"Not yet."

"Why not?" The woman tilted her head quizzically.

"Well...I haven't read the report yet. Though trust me I shall here in a moment."

"I see." The woman nodded. "Here," She took a sudden step towards Arsuna. The pantoran jumped ever so slightly at the suddenness, but recomposed herself. "I have something for you."

"What?" Arsuna furrowed her brow. However the Jedi came close, her eyes carrying that near vacant and piercing look it had many times before. She opened her left hand, and presented the opened palm to Arsuna.

"My Lord wishes you to have this. A token and sign of his friendship. Consider it a gift." The Jedi smiled and Arsuna only dared turn her gaze down after a moment of watching it remain unchanged. Though when she did Arsuna felt her eyes widen.

"My that is...beautiful." She could hardly stop herself from gasping. Reaching down and plucking into her right thumb and forefinger a simple...or not so simple ring. "Is this...gold? No…" Arsuna intoned as she turned the ring over in her fingers. Watching as the spots her fingers touched shifted from the natural blue hue to a dancing mixture of red and morphing magenta before the base blue color returned in full to the surface.

"This is...beautiful! Blue as well." Arsuna grinned, glancing back to the Jedi. "Were I of poorer constitution I'd think the blue color to be an insult. Merely because I'm a pantoran doesn't mean everything I wear need be blue."

"Were you a chiss or a wookiee, I do not think the color would be different." The Jedi smiled. "The ruby is very becoming of anyone worthy of the show of opulence." She pointed out and Arsuna was drawn to it. It was itself a very magnificent stone. Though she knew little of the art of diamond making and faceting, she felt that she looked upon a true ruby. A real diamond, and the color of which seemed to ebb and flow off the blue that surrounded it. A dance of colors that left her mesmerized.

"Is your Lord a jeweler then?" Arsuna wondered with an upturned glance.

"No. He's more...an enthusiast. And," The Jedi carried on, clasping her hands behind her back humbly. "As you said earlier, this could be the start of a beautiful friendship. My Lord does not give gifts lightly unless he wishes for such friendships to be long lived"

"That still remains to be seen." Arsuna replied still turning the ring between her fingers. "Your Lord's information has yet to be verified."

"Then by all means, verify. And consider the ring a gift with no obligation."

"Your Lord tell you to say that?"

"He'd be insulted if I dared say otherwise." The Jedi nodded. Her tone became oddly deadly serious, before the Jedi returned to her usual tonally numb smile. Arsuna felt, as usual, slightly on edge around her, but she nodded her thanks.

"Well, it is quite the gift. You and your Lord have my appreciation." Arsuna smirked and without much thought slipped it onto her right ring finger. She held it up to the afternoon sun, as it tilted towards dusk. The light glinted as it was captured and shimmered along the length of the metal. Arsuna's eyes enamored by how well it suited her hand. How much she indeed found it so beautiful.

Fitting for one who would lead SipTrade back to glory no matter the cost.

---

Mace watched alongside Masters Yoda, Mundi, Secura, and Anakin as one of countless many battles played out in the galaxy. The war room he and Anakin occupied sitting adjacent a large chamber set beside one of the temple's docking bays. Clone support troopers, and Temple Security Forces as well as Jedi moved in the distance attending their own business.

Everyone in the call having something to add about their own campaigns, minus Mace himself and Skywalker. Everyone feeling their own anxieties threaten to rise to the surface as they awaited news from Utapau. Luckily, as Mace watched some walkers move along the hologram projection the call was joined by one of many clone commanders. Though most everyone who was anyone in the Order recognized Commander Cody.

"Master Windu, may I interrupt? General Kenobi has made contact with General Grievous, and we have begun our attack." Mace felt his shoulders ease. Everyone else in varying sensations also showed or released indication of their mingled anxieties into the Force.

"Thank you Commander." Mace nodded.

"Forgive me, Master Windu, but I must also report that the Separatists have reinforced in orbit."

"What?" It was Anakin who wondered aloud. Mace didn't feel it necessary to rebuke him at the moment. So, he ignored the outburst and addressed Cody.

"I thought the Clone Intelligence report indicated that the Separatists had showed no naval activity?"

"That is the information we were also working with, sir." Cody agreed. "It would appear the intelligence was faulty."

"Require reinforcements, do you?" Yoda next asked.

"Unclear, Master Yoda, sir. Right now there are fifteen enemy warships who have engaged in distant exchange fire with the Vigilance, Serenity and the Durasteel Hammer. However, they have only engaged in dog-fighting. No troop transports, but gunships have entered the orbit and are harassing our own. The local pau'ans and utai have joined us in our fight, and the main concentration of droid forces are here in Pau City."

"Master, if I may?" Anakin asked this time. Catching everyone's attention. Mace eyed the boy for a moment, but again, he relented and nodded. Mace couldn't deny Skywalker's knowledge of warfare.

"It sounds to me like the Separatists don't want to fully commit to pushing you and Obi-Wan off Utapau, Cody. Without landing more troops this seems like a smokescreen for evacuation."

"My thoughts lead me in that direction too, General." Cody nodded. "Which is why we have taken the wait and see approach."

"Good." Anakin replied. "Don't push your ships to engage the enemy fleet. Concentrate what fighters and gunships you can spare on any droid ships attempting to take off."

"Yes sir, General Skywalker."

"Where is Obi-Wan, Cody? Exactly I mean?" Anakin wondered.

"He was last seen chasing after Grievous atop a varactyl, sir. General Grievous appears to be attempting an escape."

"Typical." Mace scoffed. Much to the silent agreement of everyone else.

"If anyone's going to try and escape it's him. Like I said, try and bring down any ships attempting an escape. But, don't go too far out of your way. Last thing you want is to force an actual orbital engagement."

"Understood, General." Cody dipped at the hip. As everyone heard an explosion sound wherever he was. Clearly he had been taken somewhere out of the way of the fighting to make the report...but not far enough away.

"Very good, Commander, you're dismissed." Mace motioned his hand. Cody silently nodded again and his visage disappeared. As Mace turned to Anakin after. "Anakin, deliver this report to the Chancellor. His reaction will give us a clue to his intentions." Anakin turned his gaze away, but bowed all the same.

"Yes Master." He walked off. Mace waited a moment longer. The silence of the others indicating they also waited for Skywalker to leave. Or, at the least awaited Mace. As he felt tremors through the Force. Felt it in a way he had not felt it since before the beginning of the Clone Wars. Incredible shifting powers and currents. However, unlike before the war there was still no clue. No real source of it. Nothing but a miasma and shadow that clouded all attempts to pierce the unseen veil.

"I sense a plot to destroy the Jedi. The dark side of the Force surrounds the Chancellor." Mace gravely offered. Stating aloud what everyone else, at least here, could tell.

"If he does not give up his emergency powers after the destruction of Grievous, then he should be removed from office." Ki-Adi added. Himself grave as Mace was with a tilt of his head. An emphasis on how desperate the situation had become in his voice and manner.

"The Jedi Council would have to take control of the Senate in order to secure a peaceful transition. Not since the Dark Age before the Battle of Ruusan has the Order taken such...drastic actions." Mace noted.

"The Republic was near collapse then." Ki-Adi replied. "We do not live in so different a time. The Republic is at threat if its leader refuses to cede himself from power long held overdue. The Senate itself has become corrupted with sycophants and blind loyalists."

"To a dark place this line of thought will carry us." Yoda cut in. Seeming himself uncomfortable with this line of discussion. "Hmm...great care we must take."

Mace couldn't agree more.

---

L's Mote: WHOO BOY! We're getting somewhere now! ;) I have been itching to finally proofread and post this chapter, but my laziness has stopped me until now. This is one of my favorites that Lord Kun has written and I've added a lil here and there. ;D

Ahem, anyways, as usual please report any egregious grammatical errors for me to fix and I will do so. I have already gone through a few times, BUT something always gets past the net.

Oh, and anyone who wonders about the signifigance of the quotes in this story...it is the express will of the author that you get from that what you will. But, I will say Kreia and KOTOR 2 have an incredible deal of wisdom layered inside it.

As for the reviews stating that Lord Kun and I SHOULD rewrite the last few chapters...hmm nah. I think I and he are good. Alas it is you do not like the story because it flows not in the way you so desire. Dark are these days I am sure.

Thanks again everyone! Till the next.

-L

Edit Note: Edited/Updated 01/10/2022