Deep Space

Ezra stood at the bridge of the Intimidator, contemplating what he had just done to hundreds of Rebel crewmen... He was no better than the Empire, and the Rebellion isn't the beacon of hope he asked for. This is a war. And war always brings violent atrocities on both sides. Rex had told him about the terrible things done in the Clone Wars. The Separatist Alliance had enslaved many dissidents to fuel their war machine, and the Republic committed something just as disgusting.

Before the Siege of Mandalore, Rex told him about a battle on the Separatist factory world of Pammant. After Anakin and the 501st were sent to Mandalore, the Republic launched an attack to destroy the various underground shipyards built by the Mon Calamari and Quarren. A seemingly endless orbital bombardment was carried out by Venator and Victory-class Star Destroyers. This was also the first documented appearance of the Imperial-class Star Destroyers, then called the Imperator-class. Not one person on the ground survived... This mission only increased the turmoil in the Senate until the end of the war. The Empire was originally built to maintain peace and order in the wake of the Clone Wars... But their hopes were shattered by Rebels and remaining Separatists...

"Maybe I can turn the Empire back into a force of goodness," Ezra thought to himself. The thought lingered in his mind as he was escorted to a Lambda-class shuttle... It was worth a shot, but is also incredibly risky. Ezra's already harnessed the Dark Side many times, and its made him overconfident. He's sure he can work for the Empire without becoming corrupted by the immense power it would bring him. His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden blue lights in the viewport. The shuttle's already entered hyperspace. Admiral Rax has set it on course to Coruscant's Imperial Palace. The Empire was loyal to its cause, but strongly believed in the ends justifying the means. That was why they did all their acts of aggression, to root out the ever-existing Rebels.

Yavin IV

Mon Mothma and Bail Organa had ordered a meeting in light of the destructive fuel run. They were determined to remain more principled than Saw Gerrera's Partisans, who have completely split from the Alliance prior to their Jedha Campaigns.

Hera, Kanan, and Rex arrived late. They came to a command room filled with command staff. The two Admirals already discussing tactics with the Senators. "Well this looks interesting..." Rex said. He was no stranger to these types of discussions, which coincidentally usually involved Senators Organa and Mothma. They used to lead a party in the Senate that would call for peace, and hated the wasteful type of violence used in the Clone Wars.

"Welcome, friends. We are here to discuss the subject of the recent civilian casualties." Bail started. The entire room was silenced. "The Rebellion is meant to be a symbol of hope for the people of the Empire. If we are to continue being such, we must be sure that our battles have no civilian casualties. If we continued, the Imperial propaganda would turn more systems against us. Therefore, we will need a solution to this problem."

Admiral Ackbar is the first to come up with a solution... "I suggest that we supplement our frigates and cruisers with more corvettes. Many of our corvettes were lost above Atollon, and have left a gap in our fleet that could've taken out the anti-fighter defenses without targeting the merchant ships. The CR90 is cheap and reliable, but I suggest we also acquire the heavier Marauder-class produced by Sienar Fleet Systems. Their accurate long-range targeting systems will be useful against short-range defenses."

Hera was in agreement, but asked only one question... "How exactly do we acquire a Marauder Corvette? They were discontinued before the end of the Clone Wars." Ackbar's reply is quick: "The Corporate Sector Authority still produces them to aid their Munificent-class Star Frigates, along with their 500 Venator-class Star Destroyers purchased from the Imperial Navy. However, Marauders are used in tiny picket fleets, which are light enough to take from."

"I have an alternative solution... We can instead make use of the Rendili Stardrive Hammerhead-class Corvettes, which are much easier to obtain through Senator Organa. In that way, we can acquire more corvettes without any conflict." Raddus instead suggested. Conflict was something they needed to avoid until they get these new corvettes. Then, they'll finally be ready to upgrade their Starfighter Corps with the X-Wings on Lothal. But it was taking too long, and they've likely gotten information about the Lothal attack from probing Ezra. So they'll need to be ready for any Imperial countermeasure.

"Those in agreement, say aye..." Senator Mothma said. The room was filled with ayes—the vote was unanimous.

Coruscant, the Imperial Palace

Ezra was surprised when the Royal Guards began to escort him to a different part of the palace. The path they were taking took them straight through the hallways leading to the center tower. He didn't know why.

When the lift reached the top, he found the Emperor watching a hologram detailing events in this room... Before he turned to face the young boy near him. The hologram was a bunch of Jedi in seats, including Kenobi and Yoda, speaking to two more Jedi standing. The words "Padawan Tano" and "Young Skywalker" hit him immediately. The two standing Jedi were Anakin and Ahsoka.

"Welcome to the meeting place of the traitorous Jedi High Council..." Palpatine declared from the place he was standing. "See here the plotting the Jedi have committed to overthrow the Senate..."

Ezra walked next to the Emperor, taking in every detail of the conversations. Including how they've always kept Anakin and Ahsoka in the dark for the plans. After watching the two holograms leave the door, the Council continued its discussion.

"If indeed under the control of the Sith, the Chancellor is... Take control of the Senate, we must." The hologram Yoda said in his backwards speech, further stunning Ezra.

"I'm not entirely sure that will be possible for now. We'll have to wait until we have more evidence." Kenobi said. The hologram Master Windu was about to say something, cut off when Palpatine shuts off the footage.

"What did you see, young Jedi?" Palpatine said, not bothering to face Ezra as he searches for more footage he hasn't seen. Now that he had control of all the Temple systems, he periodically searches the council footage to see their discussions.

"The Jedi... lying to their own?" Ezra said, skeptical. He wasn't sure what to think.

"That was the Jedi High Council, speaking to the future Lord Vader and his Padawan, Ahsoka Tano. They both distrusted the Jedi Council for their lack of judgement. Only Lord Vader learned the true reason for his distrust. A plot to take power over the Senate..." Palpatine said in his coarse voice. One damaged during the Jedi attack. "Now, will you help me uproot their lies, which eventually formed the Rebellion?"

Ezra stood silent for ten minutes, taking in more footage before making his decision... "I'll help you. If it means that the Empire will stop the mistreatment of its Outer Rim citizens."

Palpatine was very pleased with the response. The boy had proven to be extremely easy to manipulate... "I will do what I can, but remember that I do not have complete influence over Imperial bureaucracy... But I can teach you all aspects of the Force, not just the narrow-minded view of the Jedi."

"I'll take that into consideration..." Ezra replied... Still skeptical... "What kind of teachings?"

"The dangerous power of cheating death..." The old man said... The man's damaged voice always had a very hypnotic lull to it, a mind trick strong enough to affect most force sensitives... The concept of cheating death seemed irresistible because of it, just like the Emperor's other manipulations. It's something that may have contributed to Anakin's fall to the Dark Side.

Ezra knelt down as the man turned to face him... "Then I accept..."

Now, everything is going to change.