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Chapter 9: Casts the darkest shadows

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Part 1

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Republic FOB Chimera

Bestine spaceport

Bestine township

Tatooine

The past half a day saw many changes take place in and around Bestine. The 501st, using intelligence gathered by the locals, often supplied by eager slaves, knew which businesses were entirely Hutt controlled and needed dismantling to complete this part of the punitive expedition. The bazaar was not a proper field hospital, and the spaceport could almost pass muster as a brand-new FOB. Instead of using the control tower, one of the hangars served as a hastily set up command center, complete with portable communications, command, and control equipment.

Securing Anchorhead and Mos Eisley proved relatively simple. That tended to happen when you had a Clone Legion to drop on each of them along with air support. The locals didn't have time, or orders of mobilizing, much less ready for combat of that scale. Most apparently saw surrender as being the better part of valor, and quickly threw down their weapons when faced with an overwhelming number of Clones. Those who decided to fight didn't last long. They lacked the discipline, organization, or heavy weapons at hand to slow down the army. Limited application of air strikes dissuaded any die-hards, who once again came in the form of mercenary groups and bounty hunters.

This quick success only left one last major settlement to take, before announcing the mission accomplished. That was Mos Espa. A very long time ago, Anakin Skywalker called it home. If it was up to Vader, he wasn't going to set foot there again. Perhaps once, if it was to briefly visit his mother's grave at the nearby Lars farm.

Vader did enjoy brief downtime after taking Bestine. He made sure that Snips was squared away nearby, doing her best to meditate and gain control of her emotions using various mental exercises. A few of them were even Jedi in origin, though most he had to either figure out himself or glean from various Sith holocrons. Ahsoka was stable right now. With careful management, she was likely to remain that way long enough for both of them to figure out what philosophy they were going to follow.

Unfortunately, the Force had other ideas, along with a nasty sense of humor. There was no other way to explain the emergency call from Coruscant, coming from the old bastard himself. The first clue Vader got about how much trouble was heading his way, was Palpatine's uncharacteristic haggard appearance.

"Anakin, my young friend, I have grave news for you and those under your command," The Chancellor's voice echoed in the suddenly quiet hangar. Palpatines' tired and anguished voice cut through the sound of quietly working specialists, gaining everyone's attention.

"I'm not going to like this, am I?" Vader valiantly kept a sneer off his face. As far as performances went, this had to be one of Sidious' best he had ever seen.

"You aren't." Palpatine's voice sounded like a death sentence. "Our negotiations with the Hutt Ruling Council didn't go as hoped. There were no real negotiations, to be honest. What we received, instead, was an ultimatum from the Hutts. It is to be presented to and voted by the Senate tomorrow. If there is no agreement reached in two days, the Hutts will openly join the war on the Confederacy's side."

Vader stilled at this revelation. The sheer gall of these worms… The Force trembled, acting upon his rising fury, until he clamped down on it with durasteel grip. This wasn't the time and place to behave as the brute Sidious and Kenobi turned him into.

"They want my head, don't they?" Vader hissed quietly, seething inside.

"Two of them, to be exact. Jabba's father and nephew. The Council as a whole demands that we disavow you, my friend, along with all the forces that took part in securing Tatooine. We're to provide no material assistance, and if you ever return into Republic space, we're to arrest you and extradite you for a trial." Palpatine's tone made it painfully clear what he thought about the very idea. "I'm calling all political favors, so does our mutual friend, Senator Amidala. However, I'm afraid, that the Senate might decide that giving you up is a bargain."

Vader's mind raced. From a cold-blooded military perspective, it made sense. Sacrificing the troops gathering on Tatooine, even the GAR elements that didn't take part in pacifying the place, could save multiple Legions and naval task forces all over the Outer Rim. Politically, on the other hand, in most regards, the ultimatum was a poisoned pill. While Vader might never be an accomplished politician, he had to learn a lot, both from his discussions with Padme and later, enduring Palpatine's court. If even he could see how bad an idea accepting the ultimatum was, and… Vader's thoughts came to a screeching halt. The Hutts would want more than his head, surely!

"What else do they demand?" He asked in a dangerously low tone.

"A blood price, and ceding various systems under their protection in order to create a buffer zone to keep them out of our civil war." Palpatine rolled his eyes at that in a very undignified manner. "The first wouldn't be an issue as long as it is within reason. Abandoning our citizens to the Hutt's tender mercies is sheer madness. Yet, I'm afraid that the Senate might see it as a bargain. What do a few Outer Rim backward systems matter, when sacrificing them could protect the Core?" The Chancellor, speaking in a painfully bitter tone.

"Even I can see the political consequences if the Senate accepts such an ultimatum." It could kill the Republic in the long run, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing, as far as he was concerned. Why would the Senate accept it then?

The answer was simple, wasn't it? First, the Separatists were proving themselves more than a credible threat. Second, many governments already had deals in place with Palpatine. This state of affairs ensured that in many respects the Republic already outlived its usefulness. Vader could see many ways Palpatine could take advantage of the guaranteed fallout. Unfortunately, that didn't help his position at all.

"Sir, did you call us only to give us a heads-up on the unfolding disaster?" Vader carefully asked.

He had his doubts that Palpatine would risk losing him over the foolishness of the Senate. Yet, in this day and age, Sidious wasn't in a position to always guide it in the desired direction. He should know. After all, many of Vader's missions in the future past, centered around consolidating the Empire's, and thus the Emperor's power. At the same time, they weakened the grip on power of the individual governments all over the galaxy. That was his primary objective when he wasn't busy hunting Jedi.

"No, my friend. I've already spoken with Admiral Coburn and members of the SIS. If the Senate proves particularly foolish tomorrow, we do have some ideas about how to aid you. While the Senate might abandon you, we will not!" Palpatine's voice grew stronger and surer. "I will not!" That proclamation rang loud and clear throughout the hangar, prompting a few subdued cheers from the listening Clones. "In that regard, I'm giving you operational authority over all forces in the Tatoo system until countermanded by either myself or GAR High Command. You can expect SIS agents to contact you shortly with actionable intelligence." Palpatine sighed. "I must cut this short, my friend. I'll be doing my best to ensure a favorable outcome tomorrow."

With those parting words, Palpatine cut off the connection. Vader took a few moments to center himself, struggling not to let his fury consume him. Kriffing Senate, and kriffing Hutts, he roared within his head. He didn't have time to rage, not now. There would be time and place for vengeance. If the Senate betrayed him… Vader caught himself. There it was, the Dark Side and blind fury, already trying to lead him astray. The Senate didn't matter much in that regard. The individual governments and alliances, which the Senators represented, mattered. In something this important, it would be up to them to make the final decision. That simple fact might all but guarantee that Hutt's deadline would expire before anything constructive could happen.

The Senate was the wrong target to vent his rage against. It was the Republic, the whole system, and the people who made it what it was, Vader would have to blame. Those were the same people Vader and Sidious counted on to give them the galaxy gift-wrapped in exchange for power and favors. In that regard, vengeance would have to wait. It would take decades to neuter the powers in the Core. However, once he achieved it, there would be hell to pay.

Vader took a deep breath and let it out slowly, seeing the air mist under the influence of the Dark Side. He had contingencies to lay down and precious little time for it.

"Get me secure channels to all senior naval and ground forces commanders!" Vader barked sharply.

The Clones milling around jumped as if struck and went back to doing their damn jobs.

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Part 2

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Senator Organa's office

Senate Building

Coruscant

News of the Hutt ultimatum spread like a wildfire, causing outrage and many furious whispers within the Senate halls. By the time Padme reached Bail's office, he already had a few of their allies present. The contents of the ultimatum hovered in the air in the middle of the room, so everyone could see them.

Mon leaned on Bail's desk, slowly sipping tea while looking at the holographic message through narrowed eyes. The dark-skinned Lorridian Senator, Nee Alavar, stood nearby, hidden in her robes meant to mask her body language, while her keen eyes flashed between the ultimatum, and the other Senators, keenly judging their reactions.

The Ithorian Tendau Bendon paced full of nervous energy. His hands kept wringing his expensive red robes.

Finally, there was Tanner Cadaman, the oldest human in the room. He represented Feenix, a Mid-Rim world with political leanings similar to those of Naboo, though it still maintained a small, yet potent self-defense force.

"The Hutt's can't believe we will accept such a thing?!" Bail was the first to speak after they exchanged hurried greetings.

"They don't. Not really." Senator Alavar spoke in a voice ringing like chimes. "Two days of debates won't be enough for something like this. There is simply not enough time for the local governments to make up their minds and give their Senators marching orders."

"It's a bluff, then?" Bendon perked up. Ithor stood right between Confederate territory and Ord Mantell, which the GAR was busy turning into a major logistics hub. It wasn't a question of if the Separatists would attack the Ithorian homeworld, but when. "I'm afraid that there are many scared people back home. You know that most of us live in orbital cities to preserve the sanctity of Ithor. Major fleet action in our system can kill billions without the Separatists even trying."

They all politely didn't comment on what they feared would happen. The Ithorian government might very well order Bendon to support accepting the ultimatum. Doing so meant preserving more Republic forces, and that meant better protection for Ithor. It was a sentiment many local governments would share.

"This is partially our fault," Padme eventually admitted, breaking the awkward silence that followed Bendon's words.

"How so?" Mon raised an eyebrow at her. "We didn't start this war, Padme. We did our best to prevent it. It's all on the Separatists and the warmongers within the Senate."

"Is it?" Padme shot back bitterly. "Tell me, Mon, would the Hutts have dared send us such an ultimatum a couple of hundred years ago? Would the Separatists have dared start a civil war then?"

"No, yet you know it's not that simple," Mon answered calmly.

"The Separatists do have some real issues with how the Republic is run, just like we all do." Senator Cadaman pointed out. "We're all doing our best to change it from within, after all. It is indeed an issue that with the Republic having a credible military, it would have been unthinkable for them to threaten secession and try forcing a diplomatic resolution."

"We now live to see the other side of that coin. Without a military as a deterrent, the Separatists didn't have to think long and hard before trying to take what they want instead of negotiating in good faith for it." Padme shot back. "Neither do the Hutts."

"This only makes it that much more important for us to keep a united front and bring everyone to the negotiating table before more people die and worlds burn like Christophsis!" Bail's passionate words doused the slowly escalating conflict. "If we keep stalling any bills to expand the war effort, the warmongers and war profiteers within the Senate will have little choice, but to go to the negotiating table before the war escalates!"

"Bail, you're ignoring the Separatists. Why would they negotiate now, when they're busy destroying the only thing that stands between them and military victory? What can we offer the Confederacy, that the Senate finds agreeable, yet they can't easily take?" Padme demanded. "Do you really think that they would simply agree to peaceful secede now when they could get so much more at a low price?"

"That low price would mean the deaths of millions, if not billions, when the GAR collapses. Perhaps trillions if the war escalates." Nee interjected. "We can't let it go that far. There are many among the Confederate leadership, who merely want freedom from the untenable policies the Core levers upon them as a matter of course!"

"While that's true, the Trade Federation, Techno Union, and their ilk won't be so easily satisfied. Then there is Dooku, a Sith. Would he be keen on simply running a breakaway state, or would he push the Separatists to conquer as much territory as they can?" Padme pushed.

"This isn't about the Separatists at all, is it, Padme?" Mon asked gently. "It's about your boy Anakin, and what the Hutts want."

"The Jedi too for that matter. I've spoken with Master Yoda, who expressed some grave concerns about young Skywalker." Bail added. "And what he has done on Tatooine. We don't have a full picture yet, but… Is it possible that he caused this ultimatum with his actions?"

"He only did what the military and the Chancellor ordered him to. And what he needed to survive 'negotiating' with Jabba the Hutt." Padme said defensively.

"That's an issue, as you would see if you think clearly. Instead of negotiating properly, the Chancellor and the military acted foolishly, exacerbating the problematic relationship we have with the Hutts! There would be no ultimatum, if Skywalker didn't kill Jabba, or take Tatooine to push the Hutts where the Chancellor wants them!" Bail said in a painfully reasonable tone.

At those painful words, Padme shook with emotion. She saw her friends and allies watching her with expectant eyes, and suddenly, the Senator from Naboo found herself standing at a crossroads. It would be so easy to accept what Bail outright stated. That the Chancellor was wrong in his actions, that through its actions, the very existence of the Republic military just proved itself less than ideal. Finally, and most importantly, admitting that Anakin was part of the problem. Or accepting that his actions now damned him.

At the same time, doing so meant accepting that the Confederacy might achieve a victory, and it would be partially her fault. It also meant abandoning Anakin in his hour of need and leaving him in the darkness. Who knew what he would do if that happened!

Then, there were the Hutts. Despicable criminals and slavers, who were now in a position to dictate terms to the Republic. All because the Republic was too weak to properly safeguard its interests, much less defend its citizens.

The choice should have been easy. Padme knew what her government would support, or did she? Anakin was the Hero of Naboo, who, as a child, saved them all. Even if her government didn't support the war, they would still support Anakin. Within reason anyway. Even if the Jedi abandoned him, Anakin would always have a home on Naboo.

"Padme?" Mon broke the stretching silence fell upon the room.

"My friends, on this, we must respectfully disagree." Padme painfully announced. "I was on Geonosis. I saw the true face of the Confederacy. While many among their ranks might prefer a diplomatic resolution, many others see nothing wrong in assassinations, threats, and blackmail. They use such despicable means to either advance their interests or out of sheer spite."

"Padme, I feel compelled to ask, what drove you to go to Geonosis in the first place when you knew the likes of Nute Gunray want you dead? What did you expect to happen?" Senator Alavar demanded in an exasperated tone. "It was you, and Skywalker again, along with Kenobi who forced everyone's hands and ignited this war, ensuring that a diplomatic resolution would be hard to impossible now! You played in the Separatists' warmonger's hands! The Jedi knew the risks! Without you, there to edge on Gunray, Dooku might have merely used Jedi Kenobi as a bargaining chip in the negotiations! That boy is a terrible influence on you!"

Padme froze at that. Avelar's words drove a spike of anger and loathing through Amidala's heart, some of it focused internally.

"Recent events forced me to give a long hard look at both my ideals and actions. I could see where my best intentions are leading. I'm not liking the destination at all. It's not me who pays the price for my high-minded ideals, it's the whole galaxy. It's the people of Christophsis, we were unable to protect as the Republic should be able to. Furthermore, it's all the Outer and Mid-Rim worlds falling to the Confederacy as we speak. The lives of every single Clone dying right now to protect a Republic that we refuse to keep safe. It's the soldiers on Tatooine who merely followed orders and are now liberating slaves, who the Hutts demand we abandon for doing the right thing!" Padme vented her anguish. "Now, they demand of us to abandon the Hero of Naboo, because he went to aid the people of another world the Republic had forsaken a long time ago! I find this utterly unacceptable! And I know my actions are partially responsible for this, by enabling it!"

A long silence followed while everyone digested Padme's words and the implications of her new stance.

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