Author's Note: A very interesting thing happens in this chapter. I wonder if you can guess from the title?
The Lure of the Dark Side: Chronicle 1-The Turning of an Era
Episode IV: The Clone Wars
Chapter 8: Year 3-A New Kind of Jedi
Halfway into the third year, it appeared that the Republic had momentum on its side. It had recaptured key worlds in the Core and Colonies including Duro, Commenor, and Balmorra driving the Confederate Navy to the Mid and Outer Rims. Thus began to the Outer Rim Sieges.
A few days prior to this, seven months after they'd last met, Anakin Skywalker returned to Coruscant with quite a surprise for his senatorial wife in the sense of appearance. His once short, sandy blonde hair had darkened to a dirty blonde, almost light brown color and grown to his shoulders in length. And the scar he'd received from Asajj Ventress a few months previous during their fierce duel, ran vertical near his right eye.
Baynetta and Antellica had gone to meet him at the Jedi Temple upon learning of his return via Sidious. The two were there as he and Obi-Wan landed.
During the second year of the war, the young couple only saw each other once after the Battle of Virujansi. This pleased Baynetta just fine since she couldn't really stand him to begin with and decided that once the war was over and Sidious got what he wanted with Anakin as his Sith Apprentice, she was filing for divorce.
Obi-Wan also looked slightly different. He'd gotten rid of his "Jedi mallet" as he called it, by cutting his hair to have it short like it used to be when he was a Padawan. Besides that though, he looked the same.
General Grievous was the topic of choice with the two Jedi, conversing about her latest treachery on Ryloth. She'd led an assault in conquering the planet with her forces, and the Jedi and clone troopers who attempted to fight off her attacks were killed.
"Who knew such a nice girl like Arica would end up going bad," Anakin said as they exited the transport section and entered the actual temple. "But I get the sense that if someone were to talk to her – instill some type of sense into her – she might listen and stop her treachery."
"Don't tell me you're still going on about that," Obi-Wan said in exasperation. He turned to Baynetta and Antellica with a wry smile. "Anakin has somehow gotten it in his head that if he got a chance to talk to Arica, she'd stop her rampage of madness across the galaxy."
"Is that so?" Baynetta asked with a small snicker.
"I didn't say me per say," Anakin objected. "She'd probably listen to Padme or Antellica if the situation arose, but..." He trailed off. "I don't know. She seems so different now. The way she was boasting on the HoloNet when she conquered Duro. Maybe it is too late for her."
"But don't you find it awfully suspicious that the Chancellor was the last person to see her before she joined up with the Separatists," Obi-Wan abruptly said.
Anakin rolled his eyes. "Master, don't start."
"You know, I thought the exact same thing actually," Baynetta said, much to Anakin's surprise. "That's why I went barging in to see him after the events of Hypori. He didn't say much though."
She paused a moment before continuing. "I just find the thought of her killing all those Jedi be rather heartbreaking. How many have been killed by her?" she asked quietly. "Do you all keep track of all the Jedi who die in the war?"
"Oh yes," Obi-Wan said gravely. "Last I checked it was close to a thousand, six hundred. As for the Jedi who have been killed by her personally..." He shrugged. "It's hard to figure an actual number, but I'd say it's in the hundreds."
During the several minutes of silence that went by, they descended the third level stairs that led to the floor below. The entire second and parts of the third level were composed of the Jedi sleeping quarters.
This thoughtful silence was finally broken by Anakin musing over how Arica could've gotten so advanced in so many types of sword fighting.
"That would be me actually," Baynetta replied casually. Both Anakin and Obi-Wan stopped to look at her in shocked confusion, and even Antellica was a bit surprised.
Baynetta turned in mild irritation. "What? Just because I'm a former Queen and current Senator doesn't mean that I don't know how to defend myself." She continued to proceed down the stairs with the other three following. "When I was younger, I took up a large amount of military training. Hand-to-hand combat and sword fighting were always my favorites. I can be quite the dangerous and deadly person when I want to be."
She continued to sense surprise from the two Jedi and held her head high with pride.
"I had no idea," Anakin breathed, looking at her in awe. "I thought perhaps Dooku had kidnapped her and decided to use her as a protégéé or something."
Baynetta smirked over at him. "Well it's not something I go around boasting and bragging about. It gives people, such as yourselves, the element of surprise. When you have that element of surprise, you can use it to your advantage in a dangerous situation. I think people, such as yourselves, think that just because a person happens to be beautiful, and, or wealthy," she pointed to herself, "that they're stupid, defenseless and are always the damsel in distress."
"I never thought that you were stupid or defenseless," Anakin said, looking appalled at the mere thought.
Obi-Wan still looked a bit wary though. "I never thought that either, but I still don't see what this has to do with Arica. Did the Chancellor say what she said when he last saw her?"
"Yes…and no actually. He said she was tired of being overshadowed by Antellica, rejected by me and that she refused to live with monsters such as us." She briefly paused before adding, "But there was more to it than that, I just know it. Something Palpatine wasn't telling me. You see, I can always tell when a person is lying or not. Call it a gift I have. As for what my military training has to do with Arica, well surely you didn't expect me to learn all that stuff and not pass it down to my little sisters?"
"Sisters!" Obi-Wan asked in confusion. "I thought Antellica and Arica were your handmaidens?"
"They are, or in Arica's case, were. But I still considered them to be my little sisters."
Baynetta proceeded to tell Obi-Wan about how she came to know the two girls, took them in and raised them.
"How interesting," he commented when she finished.
By now, they'd made it down to the first level and Anakin turned to their female guests with a bright grin. "Since you girls are here, unless of course you have something to do in the Senate, why don't you have dinner with us?"
Baynetta returned the smile. "Sure, why not?"
"Oh goody!" Antellica clapped her hands in delight. "I always did enjoy eating here."
Obi-Wan gave her a strange look. "You've eaten here before?"
Antellica hummed a reply. But when he continued to look confused, she told him about her and Arica's adventures while he'd been on Kamino and Geonosis and Baynetta and Anakin had been on Naboo.
Obi-Wan laughed at the assassination attempt story with her throwing the Holovision set at Jango Fett. "Yes, I do think I'd heard something about that from Master Yoda."
During this time of talking, they'd entered the temple's mess hall. It was large in size with seating at a bar area and various styles of tables around the room. Seating themselves at a table towards the center after serving themselves the food being served that day – a noodle and vegetable mixture – they noticed that the group of rowdy teenage Padawans that were seated not far to their right immediately quieted down upon seeing Obi-Wan. They looked strangely at Baynetta and Antellica though, obviously realizing that they weren't Jedi.
As they began to eat, Obi-Wan asked Baynetta about the goings in the Senate.
"Quite boring actually," she said after a swallow of food. "Not saying that people dying and being held hostage is boring but…it's been going on for the past three years now. You get accustomed to it after awhile. I'll just be glad once the war's over."
"Won't we all," Obi-Wan commented.
Baynetta mentally smirked. Yes, but for different reasons.
"You do realize that Palpatine's been in office for the past thirteen years now," Obi-Wan abruptly said.
The Senator blinked. "Of course." She held back an eye roll at the stupidity of the statement. "A lot of people, Senators, Representatives and others have been complaining about it." She nodded her head a few moments before adding, "Myself included."
Anakin looked shocked, but Obi-Wan nodded his head in approvingly.
"I don't know," she said again after a few minutes of silence. "It just seems that more and more I'm getting the idea and sense from him that he's turned into a power hungry…I don't know, maybe it's just my imagination."
Anakin, much to Baynetta's surprise, looked mildly defiant. "I think Palpatine's a good man," he curtly stated.
"I didn't say that he wasn't," she replied, "I'm simply saying that…as Obi-Wan said, he's been in office for thirteen years now. That's almost a full four terms in some places; three going on four concerning the Chancellor."
"The Senate demanded that he stay in office," Anakin said, the anger now evident in his tone.
"Yes. They did," she said with a nod. "Listen, let's not talk about politics all right. It just starts too many arguments."
"I'm not arguing," Anakin countered.
"Enough Anakin! Drop it!" she said with a raised voice.
For a moment it looked like he was going to slap her, she sensed that he wanted to, yet he didn't. He just went back to his food angrily. Baynetta exchanged a pretend worried glance with Obi-Wan before going back to her own meal.
Antellica, Baynetta was startled to discover, looked gleeful at the whole exchange. "Remember Anakin," she cooed in a baby-like voice, "Anger, recklessness, aggression, the dark side of the Force are they."
Obi-Wan gave a humorous smile and Baynetta a snort. Anakin however, she was pleased to see, looked livid. After glaring at the pair of them, he turned to Antellica and snarled, "Shut up Antellica! And how dare you lecture me about anger, recklessness, and aggression when those are qualities you yourself harbor."
Antellica looked a bit taken aback. "Hey! I was totally just joking around." She spoke once again in her baby voice bringing a small laugh from her mistress.
"Shut up Antellica!" Anakin repeated, but louder this time.
"You can't tell me what to do Skywalker," Antellica snarled, completely dropping her baby voice and standing up.
"Oh yeah? Try and stop me!" Anakin also rose.
"Sit down both of you," Baynetta barked. "Stupid little children."
Anakin glared at her.
"Yeah Ani, sit down and eat your food," Antellica encouraged, going back to her baby voice. "Be a good boy for once and sit down Ani."
"Anakin," Anakin abruptly said.
"What?" The table's three other occupants asked at the same time.
"My name is Anakin," he said coolly.
"I think we all know that Ani," Baynetta said after a moment.
Anakin's eyes flashed with rage. "My name is Anakin, and as such you will do well to call me that."
"What's wrong with Ani, Ani?" Antellica asked babyishly innocent.
Baynetta laughed as well as the table of teenagers who were obviously listening in to the conversation now.
"Ani makes me sound like a little boy," Anakin stated. "And do I look like a little boy to you? No."
The secret Sith gave him an amused eye. "I beg to differ that statement. You still look like a little boy to me Ani."
Antellica and the teenagers laughed, Obi-Wan remained silent, and Anakin continued to look very angry.
"Hey! Hey! Look at me everybody!" Antellica had suddenly gotten up from her seat and started jumping around, still speaking in her baby voice. "Me the Chosen One. Me so special and me name is Ani."
The table of teenagers and the most of the others in the mess hall, whom happened to be under the age of 25, either laughed loudly or smirked in amusement.
Anakin was not so humored and ignited his lightsaber. "That's it you stupid little dumb blonde! This time you've gone way too far!" he shouted before charging at her, saber raised ready to strike.
The young handmaiden's eyes widened in fear and she took off, running. The Senator and older Jedi were yelling for Anakin to sit down, but, not surprisingly, he ignored them.
"Somebody give me their lightsaber!" Antelllica yelled, running with Anakin quickly gaining on her.
"Here!" someone called out as they threw their saber.
Antellica caught it, backflipped over Anakin's head and ignited the blade. They both glared and began to circle one another. As Antellica's glare became an arrogant smirk, Obi-Wan continued to yell for them both to sit down and stop acting like children. The two were beyond caring what he had to say; their eyes were only on each other.
"What're you waiting for Skywalker?" Antellica sneered. "Attack me! Or are you too afraid to?"
Letting out a roar of uncontrollable rage, the young Jedi began to run at Antellica in full attack mode, but she was ready. Swinging her lightsaber around, she fought her opponent with expert's ease. Baynetta smirked at all this while Obi-Wan continued to yell. "Anakin! This is unnecessary and uncalled for! Sit down now!"
"Come on Obi-Wan." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Sit back and enjoy the show. Everyone else is."
"Enjoy the show!" Obi-Wan repeated, utterly flabbergasted. "You're actually enjoying this!"
"I know we are!" one of the Padawans next to them, a Sullustan male, said before starting to cheer Antellica on.
"I'm going to get Master Yoda," Obi-Wan briskly stated and made to leave.
Baynetta merely shrugged. "If you must," she called after him.
The fighting continued with Antellica gaining but then losing the upper hand and Anakin becoming more aggressive in his fighting. Though just as aggressive if not more, Antellica didn't have the ability to use the Force to aid her so Anakin was gaining the upper hand again.
Master Yoda arrived a few minutes after Obi-Wan went to get him along with Shaak Ti and Mace Windu. Obi-Wan had also returned.
After observing the scene a few quick seconds the green Jedi Master shouted, "Enough this is!" and Force pushed Anakin and Antellica apart, having them fall on either sides of the room. He than deactivated their lightsabers with a flick of his clawed hand.
The duelers in question both picked themselves up off the floor, looked over at each other, the four Masters and than everyone else before they burst out laughing, much to the surprise of many.
"What!" That's what mostly everyone was saying, but they just continued to laugh. Antellica and Anakin both proceeded over towards where their lightsabers had fallen and reached down to pick up them up.
"Here ya go buddy!" Antellica threw her borrowed lightsaber back to its owner whom used the Force to call it back to him. "Thanks."
Antellica and Anakin than looked at one another, smiled and hooked their arms around each other's necks and turned to their 'audience' who began to applaud with the exception of the four Masters that is. The two hams mockingly bowed to their audience and beamed, obviously soaking up the attention of being in the spotlight. Baynetta eventually put a stop to this, pulling them both back to their seats.
The mess hall finally settled down a few moments later and the masters made their way over to their table. Master Yoda, Baynetta noticed, was intently gazing at Antellica, while the other three Jedi frowned. "A moment Antellica, to talk I think, hmm?"
Antellica almost choked on the glass of punch she was drinking and suddenly looked afraid. Baynetta was quick to defend her handmaiden. "Master Yoda, please. Antellica and Anakin were just having a bit of fun."
"Yeah," Anakin quickly jumped in.
"It is not accustomary for people to duel in the mess hall Senator," Master Windu said with a slight harshness to his tone.
Baynetta sighed deeply and crossed her eyes in frustration.
"Come Antellica." Yoda beckoned with a little hand outstretched. "Bite, I will not. Just talk I want too."
"Only under the condition that I come as well," Baynetta said before Antellica could answer.
"Of course Senator. Come Antellica."
Handmaiden and Senator stepped forward and followed the little Jedi out of the room. Before leaving however he told the three other masters to return to the Council Room.
Yoda led them to his private quarters, which was located in the central high tower of the temple. Inside, the small room were a few pod chairs, but not much else. The eight-hundred year old Jedi climbed onto a pod at the base of a blind covered window that cast shadows around the room and gestured them both to the pod opposite him.
Allowing them time to get comfortable, he finally spoke. "How know you to wield a lightsaber Antellica?"
Antellica took a deep breath before answering. "Well, Padme taught me."
That's real smooth Antellica. Just pass the buck.
Yoda nodded and turned to Baynetta. "And how know you to wield a lightsaber Senator?"
"When I was younger, in-between my school studies, I took up a large amount of military training, most of which included various types sword play," she casually explained. "Sword fighting is something I was always good at. Upon meeting Antellica and Arica I thought it only natural to pass down what I knew to them. They're like my little sisters. As for Arica I'm not so sure anymore but…" she trailed off and Yoda nodded again.
"In need of Jedi we are," he stated gravely. "Lost many we have with the war and…"
"Arica," Antellica supplied, putting her head down.
Baynetta knew what the little frog was getting at and she wasn't so sure she liked it. Obviously, Antellica knew what Yoda was implying as well for she said, "But Master Yoda, I can't wield the Force. I'm not Force sensitive."
"Hmm, neither is Arica, yet look at her."
Baynetta began to shake her head with rage. "Oh I see what this is! Since Arica's out there slaughtering countless members of your Jedi Order you feel it's only right to punish Antellica by having her fight alongside you all." She was now shouting. "Antellica is not Arica! They may be twins, but Antellica would never do what Arica's doing."
"No, no Master Yoda," Antellica jumped in, "I promise I'd never do any of the things Arica's doing."
All through this shouting and reassuring Yoda had stayed calm and impassive. "Hmm, know this I do. Only offering you I am, a chance to be a Jedi, if you like."
"But-" Although Baynetta had known that's what Yoda had been aiming at, to actually hear him say it was something else. "But she is too old. If Anakin was too old at nine, she's definitely too old at sixteen."
"Desperate times these are Senator. Age matters not now. An excellent asset you would make Antellica. Think about it, will you?"
Antellica just sat there nodding. After a few moments though she spoke. "There's nothing to think about Master. You know, I did think about this actually. Doing something in the war. It seems that everyone else is. Why let my talents go to waste when they can be used to help?"
"Hmm," Yoda said nodding, "agreeing to be a Jedi, you are."
"Yes. Yes I am."
They both glanced over at Baynetta, who was nodding her approval. "I'd help myself, but I'm in the Senate and there's no way I could suddenly duke out of it saying I didn't want to be apart of it anymore. I could but I don't want to do that to the people of Naboo, especially after what happened with that slut Jamilla recently."
Yoda nodded. "Heard about that I did. Meet with the Council I will. Return to the mess hall you should, to finish your meal I think, hmm?"
"Yes Master Yoda," both females said and exited his quarters.
Returning to the mess hall, Anakin jumped up to meet them. "You aren't in trouble, are you?" His very presence was stricken with worry. "I'm sorry I let my temper get out of control. I hope Master Yoda didn't lecture you. What did he want anyway?"
"Hmm…" Antellica gave Anakin a devious smirk. "No to the first question. You're forgiven to the first statement. No to the second statement. As for the second question, Master Yoda's my little friend, and it's only natural that he'd want to speak with me."
Anakin raised an eyebrow and glanced at Baynetta. "Well, he is our little friend," she seconded.
By now they'd reached their table and sat down.
"But what did he want?" Anakin pressed.
Baynetta and Antellica exchanged a glance. "I think it's better that we don't say anything just yet," Baynetta said.
"Why? I won't tell anyone."
"I know, it's just that -it's not really official yet- so I think it's just better that we don't say anything just yet," Antellica explained.
Anakin still looked confused but shrugged and went back to his food.
Baynetta took that moment to tell Anakin about a few old swords she'd collected over the years that might interest him. He was indeed very interested and asked if he could come over tonight to see them, reminding himself in the process that he'd never been to the Amidala Mansion once since it'd been completed several months ago.
Baynetta gave her secret husband a sly smile. "But of course you can."
Anakin smirked and was about to say something else when suddenly his wrist comlink beeped and a small image of Obi-Wan appeared.
"Anakin, the Council would like to speak with you, and make sure you bring Antellica with you."
Anakin looked confused, but shrugged and said, "Yes master."
"How many times have I told you to call me 'Obi-Wan', not master?" he asked amused.
"More times than I'd like to remember. Sorry master, er, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan chuckled and Anakin ended the message, rising from his seat. "I guess we better go."
"Lead the way then little Ani!"
Baynetta closed her eyes in dread and Anakin stopped to look sharply at Antellica, who had clapped a hand over her mouth. But the anger on Anakin's face soon disappeared and turned to amusement. "Right-o, little Telly!"
Obi-Wan was outside the Council chambers waiting when they arrived. At approach, he spoke. "You're to come in first Anakin, than you'll come out to retrieve Antellica later."
"Master, what's all this about? Surely Antellica isn't in this much trouble for us dueling in the mess hall."
"Come inside and you'll find out," Obi-Wan said with a mysterious smile.
Anakin followed Obi-Wan inside and the doors closed behind them. Baynetta motioned to Antellica, and they stood in front of the doors with their ears pressed so they could hear everything going on inside.
"Young Skywalker," Yoda began. "A Jedi Knight you have been for the past three months."
Anakin said nothing, they guessed he simply nodded.
"Good friends you are with Antellica."
"Yes master."
"When fighting her earlier, saw she was very gifted with a lightsaber, hmm?"
"Yes master."
"How feel you about her being a Jedi?"
Anakin said nothing for a moment. They guessed he was too shocked to speak.
"Antellica!" he finally said. "A Jedi! But Master Yoda, she's not Force sensitive."
"Know this we do. But neither is Arica, and yet look at what she's accomplished."
"I wouldn't call slaughtering countless Jedi too much of an accomplishment Master," he said a hint of bitterness in his voice.
"No?" Yoda asked. "Do not call it an accomplishment, do you? A great accomplishment it is. Wicked and twisted, but great."
Anakin remained silent.
"Brought here you have been," Yoda continued after a few moments, "to take on Antellica as a partner/pupil of sorts."
"Does that make me a Jedi Master?" Anakin asked perhaps a bit too eagerly.
"No," Master Windu responded. "Because as you yourself said young Antellica is not Force sensitive and as such, you will not be teaching her knowledges of the Force, just guiding her in the right direction as Master Yoda said, a partner/pupil of sorts."
"Since Antellica knows you," Shaak Ti said, "she'll feel more comfortable around you and Master Obi-Wan."
Once again there was silence.
"Accept this do you young Skywalker?" Yoda asked.
"Yes, of course master."
"Good. Go get young Antellica."
Baynetta and Antellica hurriedly rushed away from the doors and stood looking out the windows. A second later the doors opened and Anakin emerged.
"Antellica?"
She came forward and followed him into the Council Room. They stood side by side before the twelve masters, waiting. Yoda stood up and ignited his lightsaber.
"Step forward young one."
She did so and than knelt when Anakin suggested this to her in thought.
"Antellica Grievous. By the right of the Council, by the will of the Force, dub thee I do, Jedi Knight of the Republic."
Antellica nodded her head and rose. "Thank you master." She proceeded to stand by Anakin once more.
"Master Kenobi and Anakin will be going on a mission tomorrow to deal with the Outer Rim Sieges," Master Windu said. "You will accompany them."
"Yes master," she said with a nod of her head.
"While on your way, teach her you will Anakin, how to construct a lightsaber."
"Yes, Master Yoda," he said.
"The tools you will need can be found in the technical room Antellica," Shaak Ti said to her. "Anakin can show you where to find it."
"Yes master and thank you," Antellica said turning to all of the masters. "To all of you. I would expect you to hold a grudge against me for being Arica's sister but here you all are being so nice to me. Thank you."
"You're quite welcome young Antellica," Ki-Adi Mundi said.
"Thank you master."
"Adjourned this meeting is. Go you may and may the Force be with you."
Anakin and Antellica gave a final bow before turning to leave.
As soon as they got in the hall and the doors closed behind them, Antellica gave a squeal of delight and threw herself at Anakin in a hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much Anakin."
"Don't thank me Antellica," Anakin laughed and patted her on the head. "It wasn't my idea."
"Yeah but thank you for taking me on as your partner, pupil whatever thing."
"Well, why wouldn't I? You're very welcome little Telly."
"Let's go down to the technical room and get the tools for Antellica's lightsaber," Baynetta spoke up.
Anakin looked at her strangely.
"I heard from out here," she replied answering his questioning look.
"We were talking that loud?" he asked in disbelief.
"No. I was eavesdropping next to the door."
"Oh!" Anakin gave a grin and they were off.
After collecting the necessary tools needed, the three companions took a private shuttle to the Amidala Mansion and Antellica insisted on starting construction on her lightsaber right than and there.
"We leave tomorrow," she pointed out. "And I just might need it."
Anakin saw her point and agreed. It only took a little over an hour to do. Antellica liked the idea of being unique by having her lightsaber blade be the color of orange. The crystal she'd gotten was very rare; a recent find that was brought back from the old crystal trove on Dantooine when Master Windu was fighting in the war there.
Once it was complete, the three of them went to the houses' big and spacious training/workout room on the fifth level and Anakin and Antellica trained together for a few hours. During which time, the older Jedi taught the younger a few new techniques while Baynetta beamed with pride at the sidelines lost in thought.
This whole idea of Antellica being a Jedi of sorts may just fit in a bit more with our plans. Instead of having three Sith Lords we could have five. I'll have to talk to Sidious about this, but I don't see him having a problem with it.
When they finished training Antellica left to take a shower and than go to bed. This left Anakin and Baynetta alone. After powering down the droids, the rest of the evening was spent with Baynetta showing Anakin her sword collection and around the house, them eating dinner, and than going to bed.
The next morning was greeted bright and early with the Amidala Mansion's occupants being served breakfast, amidst chatting and laughing. Afterwards, Baynetta decided to see off her two young friends at the Jedi Temple before going to yet another meeting she had with the Senate. When they arrived, Obi-Wan and Yoda were already there in the hangerbay talking. Yoda was floating in a little hover chair that enabled him to go places at the speed of a normal person. He turned when he saw them approach.
"Senator Amidala, good morning," he greeted.
"Good morning Master Yoda," she replied warmly.
"Good to see you it is."
"Thank you Master Yoda. It's nice to see you too."
He gave her another smile before turning to Antellica. "Good morning young Antellica."
"Good morning Master Yoda."
He studied her a moment. "How feel you?"
She answered truthfully. "A little nervous but I'm sure it'll wear off. I'm mostly excited though."
Happily, she showed both Jedi masters her newly constructed lightsaber.
"Why orange?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I wanted to be different," she simply stated.
Yoda chuckled.
"Well it's time to go," Obi-Wan said. "You all arrived just in time."
"Yes, Master Kenobi," Antellica said in a tone close to mockery.
Obi-Wan gave an amused smile. "Please Antellica, just Obi-Wan."
"All right…Obi-Wan."
Baynetta left the temple after she offered her farewells to the Jedi and went to the Senate building to see her father. When she arrived at his office, she went in without knocking. The royal guards smartly moved out of her way as she approached to let her through. Palpatine was at his desk eating breakfast.
"Ah, Senator, good morning. I didn't expect to see you till later."
"I decided to come early," she said nonchalantly sitting down.
"I see."
She noticed a small holograph projector sitting on his desk and picked it up. Turning it on, she saw that this small device contained the plans of the Death Star for it showed a red diagram of the Space Station.
"I expect production to begin on it shortly than," she said studying it.
"Five or so months from now to be exact."
Turning the holograph off, she placed it back where she found it. "I just came back from the Jedi Temple to see Anakin and Obi-Wan off along with Antellica."
He nodded and finished chewing before responding. "Ah yes. They're going to the deal with the issue of the Outer Rim Sieges, correct?"
Baynetta nodded and he than looked around. "But where is Antellica?"
She smirked. "Didn't you hear what I just said?"
Palpatine looked quite confused, nothing something that went well with his personality. "Yes, but…" He stopped. "No."
"Yes."
"Antellica went with them? But why?"
"Why?" Her smirk became even more pronounced. "Because she's a Jedi…of sorts anyway."
"A Jedi! But she's not Force sensitive!"
"Neither is Arica, yet look at her." She snorted. "That's what that green toad said anyway. It was his idea."
Launching into detail what had happened the day before, she wasn't surprised to see Sidious looking quite pleased by these turn of events. "This will work to our advantage."
"I thought the exact same thing," she agreed. "And I was wondering-"
"Ah, thought of another planet to slaughter Baynetta?" Sidious cackled.
She laughed. "No actually I haven't, but I'll have to get back to you on that one. No, what I was wondering or thinking I guess you could say, was if you liked the idea of having five Sith instead of three. Now I know Antellica and Arica aren't Force sensitive but-"
"Not yet," Sidious cut across her.
Baynetta blinked. "What!"
Sidious allowed a sly grin before wheeling his chair around to face the window. His back was now to her.
"What's 'not yet' supposed to mean," she scoffed. "It's not like you can simply make someone who isn't Force sensitive, Force sensitive."
Sidious raised an eyebrow and smirked. "That my dear Padme is where you are wrong."
"Excuse me! What do you mean I'm wrong! I'm never wrong!"
Sidious simply laughed. "I do believe my arrogance is starting to rube off on you."
She wasn't sure as to take that as a compliment or an insult so she merely sat there expressionless.
"I really am sorry to enlighten you that you're wrong, but you are."
He let that sink in before continuing. "During some of my recent research I've discovered a way to influence the midi-chlorians in a non-Force sensitive being to make them Force sensitive."
Baynetta gaped in shock but he paid no attention. "I intend on doing this to Antellica and Arica once the war's over and the Jedi are slaughtered."
"So you always had the idea of five Sith or do you intend on having some type of Sith Army?"
"No, no. Five Sith are enough, not an army. But yes I did always intend on five or six Sith. Maybe more, but no more than ten."
"And you had this all planned even before Antellica and Arica?"
"Even before Antellica and Arica."
"And I wasn't told about this," she spat in rage.
Sidious merely raised an amused eyebrow. "I wasn't under the impression that I answered to a mere child."
Baynetta growled at the floor while Sidious than cackled. "Just don't tell Antellica or Arica about any of this. I want it to be a surprise."
She snorted. "It's not like I can tell either of them, now can I! Antellica just left for the outer rim and Arica," she gave a bitter laugh, "I haven't seen her in over three years."
"I know you're frustrated that everyone else around you is taking part in the war while you just sit and play your part in the Senate but I promise you Padme, just wait a few more months and you can slaughter whomever you like."
Baynetta nodded.
"Just make sure it isn't me," he added with a cackle.