Star Wars: Heir of the Force
Episode 3: Chapter 1
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***HotF***
A scowl formed upon an elderly face as the owner read over several digital screens. Fighting back the urge to destroy something, or someone, in anger the man stood from his throne-like chair and strode towards the window overlooking the city.
His city.
The capital of his future empire.
If only the Jedi would stop being so stubborn and just die already. They had their time, their period to rule and control. Now it was the Sith's time to rule.
Now was his era.
And yet things were not going as he had foreseen, not entirely at least. Yes, the Separatists were still doing his bidding. The Senate and the Republic were almost entirely under his control save for a few annoying pacifists and bleeding hearts. Even the Jedi Council followed his orders in most decisions.
And yet despite his decades of planning and preparation there was an emerging issue. More and more of the so called 'keepers of the peace' were abandoning their roles and joining the newly emerging 'Order of Balance'. A group of pacifist Jedi who did not follow the normal code, but instead went with a new set of teachings that he hadn't been able to discover yet. Regardless, they were not involved in the war, and if anything had been part of a growing contingent to seek an end to the conflict.
To some this might not seem like a problem, or even a blessing as it removed combatants from the war, but such individuals were shortsighted. If the Jedi were not involved in the war then they would not be taking casualties and, even worse, when Order 66 came there would be far more survivors than acceptable. As weak as they were the followers of the Light Side were still dangerous in large numbers, and they far outnumbered anything he could hope to throw at them in terms of Sith warriors.
Even more worrisome was his lack of intel on the young man named 'Anakin'. He had been to Coruscant only a handful of times in the previous years and due to whatever ability he possessed had remained concealed from the Chancellor until his departure.
True, he already had another being slowly converted into an apprentice, but the boy would be far younger and more manipulable. Not only that but he may very well be even more powerful than Windu.
Acquiring both would all but guarantee his victory in the coming months.
A plan began to form in the aged Sith's mind, and the scowl that had once adorned his face slowly morphed into a smirk of triumph.
***HotF***
Padme Amidala frowned at the message she had received an hour prior. The chancellor was requesting even further emergency powers from the Senate and had personally requested she attend the vote as a symbol of support from Naboo.
She also got the impression that this might deter any further investigations she might be planning into him or his cabinet. Not that she would even consider such a thing, especially not with Anakin's warning still whispering in her mind. If anything, this was even more suspicious of him. If Palpatine wanted a show of support from his home world why not ask the current queen, or one of the Senators instead?
A part of her wanted to just ignore the request, or even send a snarky reply, but the monarch had, apparently, been sent a similar message and had joined in the request.
Oh how she hated politics, and politicians in general.
Just then the door slid open as her 'roommate' entered, a bright smile on his face like always. This, naturally, caused one to form for her as well.
What she would give to learn the secret of his contagious happiness.
"Is everything okay Padme?"
"Not really. It looks like my presence has been requested back on Coruscant."
He nodded slowly, "By Palpatine."
It wasn't a question, and the slight change in his tone only further escalated her worries. "Yes… do you think something is wrong?"
Turning, the blonde stared out of the nearby window at the large lake nearby, where they had enjoyed more than a few hot summer days. "This war… it is coming to a climax. Plans are in motion that seek to create even more death and devastation."
Padme bit her lip, "Is… is there anything we can do?"
He didn't answer, instead closing his eyes in meditation as he often would when faced with a problem he couldn't solve.
***HotF***
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
The eldest of all Jedi continued this ritual as he sat upon a small cushion in one of the many meditation chambers located in the Jedi Temple. A temple that had been feeling less like a hub of communion with The Force and more a training ground for warriors.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
The changes that had occurred, and were still taking place, disturbed him a great deal perhaps even more than his inability to see into The Force.
The Dark Side shrouded more and more with each day.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
His fellow Jedi were abandoning the order at an alarming rate, and yet Yoda couldn't seem to fault them in the least. They had lost their way many years ago, before the war even began, and yet he was either powerless or too blind to see it.
They had surrounded themselves with walls to keep others out, and yet demanded to be allowed admittance to anywhere they felt important. They took no effort to educate others in their ways yet ordered them to obey.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Something had to be done, changes needed to be made, and…
Before the master could contemplate his course of action any further The Force reached out to him, warning of great danger. Opening his wrinkled eyes, the miniature Jedi made his way to the window and slid open the blinds, only to gasp at the flashes of battle high up in the sky.
Coruscant was under attack.
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Explosions and the sounds of war filled the air as the smell of blaster fire and smoke seemed to choke every breath. Citizens, everyone from children to the elderly, screamed and panicked as they rushed to nowhere in particular, desperate to seek shelter from the conflict that now consumed their streets and the skies above them.
Up until now the war had been some far away concept, a topic of conversation chiefly among politicians seeking reelection or those desperate for a conversation starter. Now though, now they were exposed to it, forced to see what the clones had been dealing with for years, forced to behold the horrors of war.
Most did not know how to deal with this situation, did not know what to do when their lives were in danger from an enemy that they could not fight back against or outrun.
But one among them did, she had survived such a thing before after all. "Send those people through the subway system, go as deep as you can and make room for others. You two, check that building and make sure it is clear then mark the door to indicate it." Padme directed as easily as she breathed, giving orders to those closest.
At first there had been some hesitation in their eyes, even defiance in those who didn't want to be given orders for one reason or another. Then an enemy starship crashed into a nearby skyscraper, exploding violently and raining down debris onto the streets below.
After that none bothered arguing and the former monarch easily found her place in leading during catastrophe once more. As the crowds began to move into safer areas she breathed a slight sigh of relief before turning to find her closest friend.
The smoke was starting to thicken though, and visibility limited. Eyes straining and watering she struggled to find him.
Then it happened, her heart nearly stopping as she was suddenly aware of his presence. It was difficult to explain, how exactly it felt when Anakin tapped into that much power, and she had only felt it once before.
A year after their return to Naboo and she had asked him if he could show her just what he could do with The Force. Maybe it had been a sliver of doubt remaining in her mind, maybe she liked teasing him, or maybe it was some growing desire just to see all of him rather than only the portion that everyone else beheld. He was so honest, after all, so open and carefree. She wanted something personal, as if it was something she could claim.
He had agreed.
And now? Now it was the same feeling, as if life itself had taken form in the world around her, as if he was more than just the person she saw and spent time with, more than the man she had grown more than merely fond of. As if he was beyond anything she could ever truly comprehend.
The smoke cleared in an instant and the droid ships in the sky above froze in place, straining against something that would never yield, would never falter, and that had no equal.
Mechanized soldiers that had landed, to do who knows what, fell victim to the same force and stood paralyzed in place.
Most awe inspiring of all, however, was that the blaster bolts were stopped as well, shifting and flickering in place as if someone had pressed 'pause' on a holovid of a battle.
It was impossible or so she might have said long ago, before she was exposed to the wonders of the universe and that which lay beyond. Before that day on Naboo she would have denied such a sight, shaken her head and tried valiantly to explain it all away. Before that day she would have attempted to rationalize the sight.
But that was before she had watched a beautiful man split the sky without so much as a gesture, stared in awe as the rain stopped in its decent towards the ground before falling up, back into the clouds which dissipated in an instant.
It was before she felt him wrapped around her mind, body, and soul… and finally understood peace.
Anakin stood before them now, like a God before those who worshiped him, and caused a battle to cease. Then, without so much as a nod, the droid army was torn asunder.
***HotF***
The 'supreme allied commander' frowned as he parried another barrage of blaster bolts. Despite the absolutely massive invasion the droid armies seemed to lack any sort of objective or plan. It was more about causing chaos and destruction, but even then, despite targeting clone soldiers the heavier ordinance hadn't been indiscriminately firing.
It was odd, almost as if the invasion itself were a distraction for another goal, but what? The Temple was fortified and secured, meaning any attempt to steal artifacts or other relics would be incredibly difficult if not impossible. The Senate had been evacuated and was still untouched despite this.
His commlink, located on his wrist, buzzed to life, relaying a distress signal from Shaak Ti.
Of course, they were going for Palpatine! Why he hadn't been evacuated sooner the master could not understand, but there would be consequences for this. With a few barked orders the man leapt up onto a nearby transport and ordered them back towards where the chancellors emergency bunker was located.
Minutes later he leapt down, only to watch as the cowardly Grievous pushed his hostage onto a ship and took off, preventing his own pursuit. A snarl formed on his lips as he once again went to his communicator, "Palpatine has been captured, prevent their escape through any means necessary, and someone get me a ship."
***HotF***
Sidious waited, patiently, for the arrival of his next apprentice. Despite a few initial setbacks everything was back on track towards his ultimate victory. Soon Anakin would arrive to 'rescue' him. He would then have an opportunity to reward the boy and offer him a position as advisor, perhaps even assign him onto the Jedi council. This would further endear the blonde towards his own goals while allowing him to manipulate him away from that of the failing order.
All he needed to do then would be find a weakness, a single idea he could exploit and twist. Perhaps it was a lifetime spent in poverty? Or maybe it was a general mistrust of the Jedi? If all else failed there were plenty of reports concerning some sort of relationship he had with the former monarch of Naboo, with the Jedi vehemently against any sort of attachment it would likely be a simple task to use that as a wedge between them.
Then all he had to do was offer a sympathetic ear, a promise of change and...
A hissing sound drew the Sith's attention to the raised door nearby and Palpatine fought back the urge to frown. It was not the young man whom he sought, but rather his other work-in-progress.
Well, beggars could not be choosers as the saying went and this would still achieve his goals in the long run.
"Chancellor," Windu greeted, "I am here to rescue you."
Before he could reply the door opened once more and the overly confident elder man stepped in. "You're no match for him, he's a Sith Lord."
But Mace merely smirked, "Oh I wouldn't worry about him."
"Attempting a rescue alone? Bold of you Windu but a foolish waste of effort. Now, your saber please. We wouldn't want to make a mess in front of the chancellor after all."
The purple blade ignited, "It is you who ought to stand down Dooku. We both know you can't defeat me, even our master knows that."
'Far more correct than he realizes' Palpatine mentally mused as he watched Tyranus draw his own blade.
It was times like these, Sidious mused as he watched the two moved forward and begin exchanging blows, that he felt like the ruler he was meant to be. Sitting upon a throne, allowing two potential apprentices fight over his attention.
Windu was obviously faster and stronger, emphasizing aggression with his modified form VII style, one in which Sidious himself had subtly guided the man towards. But he was also overconfident and prideful in his own abilities.
Not that Dooku was any better. The older man thought himself irreplaceable and unbeatable with his specialized Makashi style. It was a skill that the Sith respected, even if it was currently being outclassed.
Tyranus was simply being overwhelmed, unable to take advantage of the intricacies and counter play of his own ability to gain any sort of advantage. Even worse was that unlike other Jedi opponents the count could not rely on taunts and tricks against someone with Windu's experience and power.
Sure enough the dark-skinned man pushed forward, using his shoulder to knock his enemy off balance and promptly slice forward, removing Dooku's arm at his elbow joint and dropping him to his knees, a stunned expression on his face as he realized his defeat.
"Good master Windu good… now kill him."
A betrayed expression formed on the count's face as he glanced at the seat, meanwhile Mace held back, uncertainty forming in his mind. "He… should stand trial, for his crimes."
"He is too dangerous to be left alive and the Separatists will rally behind his poison words and if they do not, he will be sentenced to death regardless." Palpatine continued, his voice a mere whisper in the room, yet it seemed as if he were by the man's ear, in his head and even his very soul.
It was as if the Jedi master himself was justifying his own actions. The galaxy would be better off without the Sith lord before him. The man was guilty, of that there was no doubt, who knows how many innocents, and even members of the order, had perished because of him.
There was a flash of purple, the rolling of a head, and a body falling to the floor a moment later.
***HotF***
A certain blonde had a warm smile on his face as he watched his friend giving out orders and recommendations. Despite wanting to avoid conflict Padme seemed to thrive in high anxiety situations, along with being a natural leader.
She was quick to compliment others, but also to help them improve upon themselves. She had done both a short while prior when noting that he should leave some droids for the Jedi and clones to take care of. It was another quality he truly enjoyed about her, she had a way of adding in just enough humor to lighten the mood.
Suddenly he felt a spike of uncertainty, followed by more than a few of fear from nearby. Glancing over noticed the young woman staring up into the sky, a hand over her mouth in horror as her eyes widened.
Glancing up as well he saw the likely cause of such a reaction, one of the largest ships was illuminated red with fire and smoke as it came crashing down out of orbit and showed no signs of slowing.
"It's going to crash…" he heard muttered, and normally would have agreed, that is if no one intervened. If it hit there would likely be thousands of casualties on the ground, along with the few onboard.
He would not allow such a thing to occur.
Reaching out, he took a hold of the craft with The Force and ordered it to stop.
***HotF***
Grand master Yoda agreed with the silence that had fallen on the other Jedi that stood near him on the transport. Watching a falling capital ship, stop falling, was an amazing sight, and if he had not known that such things were possible, through The Force, he would likely not have believed it himself.
But he did know, and it went back to one of the most basic lessons he taught younglings.
Size matters not
"Hurry we should."
The transport accelerated and Yoda was once more left to his own thoughts. It wasn't as though they would be needed necessarily, but if the cause of the situation was what he thought then he wanted to be there as soon as possible. He hadn't had much time to speak with the boy over the years.
***HotF***
"Incredible, absolutely incredible. I am in your debt Anakin for the amazing last minute rescue."
The blonde said nothing, and merely gave a lighthearted shrug, mentally annoying the man. If his target took no pride in the compliments it would point towards a far more difficult conversion to his side.
Meanwhile Mace did nothing to hide his own scowl. "So you only help when it is convenient to you?"
Before the Force wielder could reply Padme came to his defense, "Actually Anakin was busy helping all of those on the surface of Coruscant while you were busy rescuing one man... and dropping a starship onto us apparently."
Any further argument was halted by the arrival of the grand master, along with a decent portion of the council. "Ah, see everything has worked out I do. Glad for your timely arrival I am Anakin."
This did earn a smile from the boy, "I'm just glad I was on the planet."
Something about that statement did stir a thought inside the elderly master. Had The Force truly brought the young man back just in time, or was something else at work?
"Both of these men must receive commendations for their efforts." The chancellor interrupted, as he patted the dark-skinned man on the shoulder and gestured towards Anakin as well. "Master Windu for his courageous rescue and defeat of Dooku and Anakin for preventing further loss of life."
The older of the two seemed to stand just a bit taller, puff out his chest just a bit more at the praise, earning concern from the eldest present though he said nothing.
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"I am happy that you accepted my invitation for lunch Anakin, I have been wanting to speak with you for some time now."
Anakin smiled back as he sat across from the older man in the small dining area attached to the man's office. It was elaborately decorated, with architecture, statues, and paintings from across the galaxy and spanning many different eras.
Overall the blonde disliked the room immensely, but that seemed to have become the standard for any place he visited on the capital world. Each time he set foot upon the planet he saw more and more signs of war and its terrible influence.
More and more did he debate on his own choice to distance himself from the conflict.
"I wish to thank you once more, not only for saving master Windu and myself but also all those who would have been caught in the crash inadvertently."
"Well I always hope to avoid any loss of life."
Palpatine nodded sagely, "A heroic notion. I was hoping to speak with you about staying on Coruscant for a time as an assistant of mine."
"Oh?"
"Indeed, with the recent changes that have been ongoing in the Jedi order I am worried about them. Having you oversee some of their operations would put me at ease." At least that was what he claimed, in actuality it would further the obvious rift between the boy and his newest servant. It might even give the younger a taste for power and control that would lead him to seeking more.
A curious expression crossed his guest's face at this declaration, "I would think you would be happy with the split in the Jedi, what with you being a Sith lord and all."
A deadly silence fell upon the room as Sidious slowly turned his gaze onto the young man, amber eyes blazing.
***HotF***
Something that always confused me, if Palpatine was so important why did they wait for two guys who had a history of not being able to beat his kidnappers to show up from across the galaxy? Why didn't Windu or Yoda just get in a ship and fly up to save him?