CHAPTER ONE

The heaviness of Padme's heart was increasingly unbearable.

She sat in Senator Bail Organa's spacious office, staring blankly out the window panels to her right. The traffic flowed by as ceaselessly as a river, filling the air with the muffled vibrations of speeder traffic. The tiny portion of Coruscant's planet-wide cityscape that she could see was sleek and beautiful, and the numerous spires glittered in the afternoon sun. And although Padme could see it all, she was no longer capable of feeling any of it. Not for the first time, she felt as though she had been blasted out of an airlock with nothing but a tiny thread tethering her to reality. The thread, she thought, was weakening.

Her tired eyes returned to the desk in front of her, skimming the large stack of papers which never seemed to diminish. Reports, research, upcoming bills, correspondence… it was all there. And she was interested in none of it. There had been a time, she reflected distantly, when she would have been eagerly applying herself to all of these tasks, intent on doing what she could to bring about change for the galaxy.

But there would never be any change. Her shoulders slumping under an invisible burden, Padme knotted her brows and tried to breathe through the sudden onset of despair. These moments had been assaulting her since the death of her family, and they didn't seem to be getting any better. If anything, they were growing worse.

Oblivious to the warm sunlight reaching across the room and the sparkling brilliance of Coruscant's skyline, Padme stared unseeing at her work pile and attempted to summon the strength to perform her duties. It was then that she realized she was not alone.

Bail Organa stood at her side, having paused there as he swept through the wide entryway to his office. When she finally noticed him, he appeared concerned.

"Padme," he began in a tone that reminded Padme painfully of her father, "How would you like to have the rest of the day off?"

She wanted to reply sharply and say that she wouldn't like it at all, but she couldn't summon the necessary energy to be angry. And besides, she really didn't like anything anymore. She smiled faintly at Senator Organa.

"If you're sure you won't need me, then I'd be happy to accept that offer," she responded, wondering if her words sounded as empty as she felt. Judging by the tightening of Bail's lips and the way his eyes scanned her face, they did.

He finally gave up on his study. There was nothing to see - only a void. "Enjoy the time, Padme. And get some rest." The last part sounded a bit like a command. But Padme ignored it. Even if she had tried her hardest, rest would not have come. But she nodded to him, tidied her desk, and glided silently from the sunny room into the chilly, temperature regulated corridors leading to the staff landing platforms.

Her mind was, as usual, a million parsecs away from the rest of her as she let her feet lead her down the familiar route. Time off… what was she going to do with this day? It wasn't as though she had family to visit with, or friends to call. With a sinking feeling that soon turned to a ball of icy dread in her stomach, Padme began to fear that she would end up spending the day alone. And that she could not bear - not today.

She suddenly changed directions, nearly knocking over a small clump of aides who were bustling up the hall behind her, their eyes and ears engaged with an armload of data pads and whatever they were hearing from the commlinks in their ears. They shot her dirty looks of varying intensity and were on their way again in a flash. Padme just kept moving.

She wasn't even sure where she was going until she saw the blue holographic letters projecting from a wall-mounted display. LIBRARY OF THE IMPERIAL SENATE floated in the air beside the massive doors which were carved with lettering from thousands of languages. There were a few words inscribed in Basic, but they were so small and crammed in with the swarm of words that is was nearly impossible to read. Padme glanced at the familiar decoration, but did not break her stride as she strode through the doorway. The doors zipped open silently and slid shut behind her. She breathed in the filtered air that somehow still retained the slightly acrid scent of electronic devices and scanned the foyer. It was beautifully constructed; polished marble composed the floor and walls and the pillars which lined the walls. It was the elegant opulence of the Old Republic at its best. Her eyes fell upon the Imperial Banners hanging from each pillar, looking rather like grey scars against the creamy marble. She frowned slightly and sighed, shifting her weight as she debated her next move. The glowing data shelves glimmered pale blue through the arch in front of her, and nothing but emptiness threatened to swallow her up from behind. She pressed forward, her feet directing her when her weary mind couldn't.

She soon arrived in the historical archives, halting in front of the records for the past twenty years. Her hand strayed toward a disc that held holos of Naboo, but she blinked and snatched her hand away at the last moment. Her lips tightened and she felt the warning signs of a breakdown - burning eyes, constricted throat, shaking… She turned sharply on her heel and rushed for the door. She wasn't really sure what she was doing here anyway.

The doors to the library, once a place of joy and sanctuary for her, closed behind her. Today she felt as though she had just left a tomb. Adrift and purposeless once again, Padme focused on breathing deeply and slowly. She needed to calm down, then she would find something to occupy her. Her heart rate began to slow and she relaxed a bit. Maybe-

She nearly jumped out of her skin when her commlink began to beep. Her heart raced again and she trembled slightly as she plucked the device from her belt, recognizing Senator Organa's frequency.

She swallowed once to moisten her suddenly dry mouth. "Yes?"

"I know I gave you the day off, Padme," he sounded regretful, but Padme detected something else in his tone as well. Something off…

"I need you to come back to my office… or better yet, meet me outside the Senate Dome."

She still couldn't place the odd tension in his voice, but her insides began to churn uncomfortably. "Of course, Senator. I'm on my way." She started toward the center of the building where the enormous Senate Dome was located. "What's going on?"

"It's…" he paused. Padme halted her steps for just a moment. Bail never paused. Something was wrong…

"There's been a development," his voice crackled to life again. "Lord Vader has called a session of the Senate." Padme was drawing breath to ask him how in the galaxy he had the authority to do that, but Bail continued. "Palpatine has declared him the official head of the Senate. He'll be presiding over our meetings from now on."

Suddenly Padme recognized the tightness in Senator Organa's voice. She heard a corresponding tension in her own tone when she replied, "On my way."

It was fear.

Darth Vader was not pleased.

Seated at his desk in his private office suite in the Senate building, he glowered at the passing traffic through the tinted glass that served as the back wall. He had been commanded by the Emperor to preside over the sessions of the Senate in addition to his duties as Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army and second in command to his Imperial Majesty the Emperor.

If nothing else could convince him that Palpatine was evil, this would have done it. He ground his teeth and clenched his fists in anger. He had more important things to do than observe the endless, mindless games that were labeled sessions of the Senate! His roles in the military and the government more than occupied his time, and he had no desire for further responsibility. Particularly since he was plotting the overthrow of Palpatine.

He wondered if perhaps it was those very thoughts of supplanting Palpatine that had caused his master to saddle him with more responsibility. Keeping him busy would give him less time to plot. It seemed like a plan too simple for Palpatine… but then again, it was working so far.

He threw himself out of his chair and resorted to pacing across the plushly carpeted floor. He desperately needed to think, to decide how to handle this unforeseen situation…

But it was not to be. His desk holocom chimed, indicating an incoming message. He grunted impatiently and flicked a finger towards the offending object and the tall, imposing figure of Mas Amedda blossomed from the device.

He stopped pacing long enough to pierce Palpatine's representative in the Senate with a pointed glare. Amedda, like many of the Emperor's favorites, was confident enough in Palpatine's regard for him to ignore Lord Vader's irritation. He knew that Vader was less likely to harm someone in Palpatine's good graces. His confidence, Vader thought with grim satisfaction, would be misplaced one of these days. But he brushed the thoughts away and acknowledged the Emperor's pawn with a brusque "What is it?"

Amedda blinked slowly and addressed him with the practiced eloquence of an experienced speaker. "The Senate awaits your presence, my Lord."

Lord Vader was inclined to let the Senate wait, but he was not eager to irritate his master. He nodded and replied "Of course," briskly cutting the hologram and striding towards the Emperor's private chamber beneath the Senate chamber. The Central Pod was located there, ready to ascend into the cavernous Senate dome where the fate of the Galactic Republic had in previous years been decided. For some time now, it had been reduced to an arena where laws were debated before the Emperor laid down a decree. In short, it was a very grand exercise in futility.

Darth Vader swept into the lavishly furnished chamber and stepped into the center of the pod. Mas Amedda was waiting for him, his impassive face betraying none of the impatience that Vader could feel pouring off of him through the Force. He smiled darkly. He delighted in the discomfort of politicians.

As Amedda climbed into the pod, assuming his position of secondary authority at Vader's right hand, he tapped a few controls to begin the pod's ascent. A few unseen mechanisms whirred to life at his touch and the ceiling opened as they were lifted into the enormous Senate chamber.

The chamber was as quiet as a tomb, which was an impressive achievement given that there were tens of thousands of Senators, aides and other representatives occupying the pods. The room would have exploded with sound even if there had been only whispered conversations. There were none. Instead, Vader felt the cacophony of the life teeming in the Force. So many presences blazing around him… and so much corruption and deceit. His jaw tightened and he wished for the millionth time that Palpatine would do away with the ridiculous farce that was the Galactic Senate. These Force presences were a fire he would not regret putting out.

He emerged from his bleak contemplations when he realized that Mas Amedda was announcing him. The Senate had, no doubt, been informed of his upcoming role in their sessions, if the lack of surprise in the atmosphere was any indication. But Vader could sense a great deal of fear, which pleased him greatly. Maybe his presence would cause significant truncation in the endless debates and political stunts that were constantly plaguing the Senate. Which was probably another reason that Palpatine had sent him here, Vader reflected thoughtfully. Warding off a coup and tightening the efficiency of the Senate in one calculated move - brilliant. Once again, Palpatine astonished him with his masterful strategies. A tingle of fear worked its way into his mind as a tiny voice whispered something about the wisdom of going up against someone of such foresight, but he clamped down on the annoying thought immediately and shifted his focus back to the proceedings at hand.

Mas Amedda had fallen silent, and was now looking at him expectantly. Vader could feel the thousands of eyes in the vast room focusing on him. He stood and swept the hood of his dark robe from his head as he addressed the assembly.

"Senators," he began in a supremely disinterested voice, "And representatives. I could say that it is an honor to be among you all today. I could say that I look forward to working with you all for the betterment of our Empire." He swept his eyes across the room, delighting in the unease which was building like a fog all around him. "I could even say that I hope my presence will contribute to an ever-increasing efficiency in our excellent government." Here he paused again, sweeping the room with his icy eyes. The fog of unease thickened. His next words cut through the air like a saber blade.

"But I won't." He locked his fingers behind his back, regarding the "governing" body with undisguised hatred. "I'm here to ensure that your sessions proceed smoothly and quickly. And above all I'm here to ensure that a respect and deference to the Emperor is maintained which has been…" he trailed off, considering. "…lacking." He felt the fog burst into plumes of fear. He smiled tightly, savoring the electricity of the Dark Side which had suddenly and powerfully flooded the room. "There will be a new order, Senators and Representatives." His black-gloved fingers were twitching toward the pod controls; he was growing bored. "Your time was appreciated today. I expect that my time will be appreciated in your next session." He finally reached for the button which would cause the pod to descend but impatiently threw a burst of Force energy toward it before he touched it. The pod began to subside into the Emperor's chambers.

Vader felt the air burning with the suppressed emotions of the Senators, even as they remained deathly silent. He could even feel anger coming from a few of them, stabbing in his direction like bolts from a blaster pistol. He latched on to as many of these threads as he could, attempting to trace them back to their sources. If he could identify possible traitors, the Emperor would be quite pleased.

Mon Mothma of Chandrila was the first he identified. No surprise - she was already under surveillance. He released her emotions and focused on the others. The next thread was particularly strong. He concentrated hard on it, pushing himself to find the source before the pod completed its descent and he lost his chance. Almost… almost… he grimaced in concentration. There!

For a moment, he thought he was feeling the white-hot anger of Bail Organa of Alderaan. He was disgusted rather than impressed. Organa was a suspected traitor as well. Would he discover nothing of use today? The pod was within a few meters of ground level now, and he could feel the cooler air seeping up through the overwarm, overbreathed air of the Dome. He was at the point of releasing this last trail as well, when a slight inconsistency caught his attention. His eyes snapped back to the Alderaanian pod. This anger was decidedly female. He squinted toward the shrinking figures that made up Alderaan's representatives and searched for its source. Bail leaned back to speak with someone seated behind him, and he caught sight of her at last. Sitting stiffly erect with dark eyes piercing the distance between them, he was momentarily taken aback by a glare every bit as acidic as her anger. The woman was young, slightly built and dressed in muted Alderaanian finery. Her dark hair was swept back and elaborately styled, typical of Alderaan's politicians who frequently came from royal bloodlines. As striking as she might have been physically, Vader was captivated by her anger. How came this girl to harbor such bitterness and hatred? He stared until the pod slid back into its place and the ceiling closed overhead. In his distraction, he had completely lost the other traces.

Mas Amedda regarded him in silence. Vader could almost feel him weighing his options. Disturb him and risk being choked to death? Or leave him without a word and risk being choked to death? He was too distracted to quite enjoy his dilemma. Who was that? he wondered to himself.

Amedda was finally spared his difficult decision when Vader swept off the pod's deck, raising the hood of his cloak as he went. "Do you require anything, Milord?" he called after him. Vader didn't break his stride. "No," he answered coldly. But he knew as he passed out of the Emperor's chambers like a brewing thunderhead, that this wasn't quite true. There was most definitely something he required.

The name of that girl from Alderaan.