Author's Note: Obviously, this chapter isn't as long as the last. Thank you for all the continuously reviews I've been receiving. I very much enjoy both reading and responding to them.
Chapter 70 responses:
Dark Lord Daishi: Thank you.
G-Anakin 13: I'm glad you weren't saddened by it. Is Whie a favorite character of yours?
Sica Meni: Thanks. The younglings' slaughter was supposed to be brutal. Sorry, but it needed to be written to understand what lengths he would go to prove himself as a Sith.
Arsenal: You can expect more of Bail in both this episode and the next. His wife, Breha is also introduced in Ep.6. I think the galaxy will eventually go back to the light. There will be darkness for a while, but then it'll go to gray and then probably light. I don't have the entire story written now. I'm only just starting Ep.10. The holocrons have appearances in the next episode, but as for the laser gems…I don't remember mentioning anything about that.
Twisted Words (): Okay, cool, because I really didn't feel like re-editing that chapter.
The Lure of the Dark Side: Chronicle 1-The Turning of an Era
Episode V: Revenge of the Sith
Chapter 26: Birth of the Empire
OUTER SPACE – OUTER RIM
In his stolen Belbullab-22 star fighter, Obi-Wan followed the coordinates that led to Senator Organa's Corellian corvette, Tantive IV, and touched down inside the large hanger of the ship. He exited the small one-man cockpit of the CIS assault fighter to be greeted by the Alderaanian Senator himself and Master Yoda.
"Good to see you it is, Obi-Wan," Yoda said smiling up at him while resting his clawed hands on the top of his always-present gimmer stick.
Obi-Wan gave a slight bow. "Thank you master. It's good to see you alive and well also." He turned to Bail. "And thank you Senator for allowing me refuge on board your ship."
"Not at all Master Kenobi," Bail said with a smile. "My crew and I are more than happy to help in any and every way possible."
Obi-Wan nodded and they began a slow walk out the room as Bail informed him of the Senate Emergency Response that had recently announced a state of martial law over Coruscant, declaring the Jedi Temple under military lock down. Obi-Wan was alarmed by this shocking news and saddened by the siege that Organa had personally witnessed.
As the three of them proceeded along one of Tantive IV's many brightly lit, white-walled, gray-floored hallways, this one in particular eventually leading to the cockpit, Obi-Wan finally broke the silence that followed Bail's news.
"How many other Jedi managed to survive?"
"Heard from no one, have we," Yoda said with a trace of sadness, his gimmer stick continuing to make its light rap as its owner used it to walk on the metal floor.
"I saw thousands of troops attack the Jedi Temple," Bail said. "Some strangely enough, we being led by General Grievous."
Obi-Wan stopped dead. "No! That's not possible! I killed her on Utapau."
Bail gave an apologetic nod. "I'm sorry Master Kenobi, but I know what Arica looks like and it was her leading some of the troops. Though, I did see several hooded figures walking by the windows with lightsabers drawn, slicing down Jedi. Obviously she wasn't leading the attack by herself."
Yoda nodded. "The help of the Sith Arica had in the temple's attack."
Obi-Wan's mind continued to race. How could she have survived? It was impossible! He was sure he'd killed her. But as he continued to think about the clues on Utapau – her missing body and ship – he should've added it up. She had a knack for escaping death. It's not like this was the first time and the war would prolong as long as she stayed alive.
He sighed. So much for his hopes of the conflict's end.
Bail continued to speak. "Because of the attack on the temple, I went looking for Yoda."
Deciding to put aside the subject of Grievous for the time being, Obi-Wan asked, "Have we had any contact from the temple?"
"Received a coded retreat message, we have," Yoda said.
"It requests all Jedi to return to the temple," Bail explained. "It says the war is over."
"Well than we must go back," Obi-Wan stated. "If there are any stragglers they fall into the trap and be killed."
"Hmm." Yoda appeared thoughtful. "Suggest dismantling the coded signal do you?"
Obi-Wan nodded, desperately hoping his point would be seen. "Yes master, there is too much at stake."
Yoda seemed to go over this another moment before nodding. "I agree," he said. "And a little more knowledge might lead our way."
Both Jedi then turned to Senator Organa for approval. He sighed. "I suppose I would've had to go back to the capital eventually for some type of Senate session. Why not sooner? If you're absolutely sure?"
Both Jedi nodded. "We're sure," Obi-Wan confirmed.
"There is bound to be danger everywhere on Coruscant now, for the Jedi anyway," Bail protested. "You could be killed."
"We are willing to take that risk." Obi-Wan said.
Bail gave a final sigh. All right then. Let us go."
Continuing their stroll down the hall at a much brisker pace, they entered the cockpit and Bail told the captain to make best possible speed for the capital.
CORUSCANT – NEW REPUBLIC EXECUTIVE BUILDING, CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE
Returning to his office after the visit to the ruined Jedi Temple, Sidious left a message with Mas Amedda to send out contacts to all the Senators in the Republic, excluding Amidala, to arrive for a special session of Congress the next morning at 0700 sharp.
THE AMIDALA MANSION
Before leaving for Mustafar, Vader and Baynetta stopped by their residence so Baynetta could change into a fresh pair of robes. The journey was mostly spent in silence. This was the first time the couple had been alone since the Chancellor's office and it seemed neither knew what to say to the other. Actually, Vader was the one who didn't know what to say, Baynetta didn't want to talk.
The silence continued as they arrived and Baynetta went to her bedroom to change. Oddly, Vader didn't follow, which was quite alright with her. She sensed him listlessly strolling around downstairs. But as she started on her hair, combing it out of it's waviness and styling it into two elegant braids, she felt him come to the room's entrance and watch her from the distance.
She decided to break the silence. "You're not still mad at me, are you?"
A moment went by before he answered. "No."
"I am sorry you know," she said finishing one of the braids. "But you would've told the Council and I wouldn't take that risk."
"I understand," Vader stated in a level tone.
Glancing in the mirror showed her the reflection of Vader behind her. A tiny hint of hurt was still obvious around him, though he attempted to brush it off with a smile when she turned to him.
"Do you really?" she asked.
His response was a nod.
Baynetta appeared to be relieved. "Good, because I don't want things to be any different between us."
"They don't won't be." He came to her and pulled her into his arms. "It'll just be a little different knowing I'm not the only Force sensitive anymore. But...what I'm mostly happy over is that we no longer have to hide our love." He placed his chin on the crown on her head and sighed happily. "We'll spend the rest of our lives together. Happy. Just you, me and the twins."
"You figured it out?" she asked into his shoulder.
He hummed an affirmative. "It wasn't hard. And after all this is over, I want us to take some time off, prepare for their arrival and start our happily ever after officially."
"Yes," she agreed absentmindedly. "Together forever and ever."
"And ever," he echoed.
Baynetta closed her eyes and sighed into her husband's shoulder. She couldn't do this now. Not so soon after the effect. As much as she didn't want to, she needed to keep up the act. Just a few more months until the twins arrived. Then he'd have the truth slap him in the face. He could take them and raise them himself for all she cared, just as long as they , and he, were far away from her.
OOO
By the time Grievous twins arrived at the Amidala mansion, despite the fact that they'd left the temple not ten minutes after the others, Baynetta and Vader were already gone. The journey there between the girls was mainly spent in tense silence. A few times Antellica would catch Arica looking over at her, but whenever she'd look back Arica would quickly look away. Antellica tried to break the ice a few times, but too no avail…
"So, I see you colored your hair black."
Arica sniffed. "You just figured that out now Antellica? You're so stupid."
Antellica blinked at the insult, but continued to press on. "I like it."
Arica made a coughing sound and Antellica heard her telepathically say, As if I care what you do or don't like.
Antellica swallowed slowly, forcing herself not to be too hurt by it. "Well I-I think it looks nice on you."
Arica gave her twin a superior look. "I already know it looks nice on me. I don't need your approval and I didn't ask for it."
The hurt was becoming more obvious now. "I know you didn't ask for it, I'm just talking-"
"Then stop talking," Arica said severely and quickened her pace so she was no longer walking beside Antellica, but several meters ahead of her.
Antellica gave her sister a brief glance and simply nodded her head sadly.
When they reached the house, before Antellica could invite Arica to stay in her room, Arica stalked onto the second floor but soon came back down a few moments later with a blanket. She climbed onto one of the living room sofas and laid down with the blanket over her head.
Antellica looked down at her blanket-covered form and smiled. "You sure you don't want to have a sleepover? It'd be just like old times."
Arica shot up from her laid position and glared at her. "No. I would not be interested in having some stupid sleepover with you. Do I look like a three-year old?"
Without waiting for an answer, she readopted her laid position on the sofa and threw the blanket over her head once more. An obvious signal to be left alone.
Antellica found herself fighting the hurt that tried to overwhelm her again as she looked down at her one-time best friend. "I-I thought we could, you know, catch up a bit and-"
"Is that what you thought!" Arica asked, shooting up from the sofa again and getting off of it this time to face her twin.
"Yeah," Antellica said softly.
"You're a pathetic girl Antellica," Arica said coldly. "Do you honestly think that I'd be interested in having some dumb, stupid sleepover with you! Do you really think I want to," her tone turned into a mockery of Antellica's, "catch up a bit. And do you actually think I want things to get back to normal between us!"
Tears were slowly flowing along Antellica's cheeks as she looked at the monster that was now Arica. Where had her carefree sister gone?
"Go away! And leave me alone!" Arica hollered and plopped herself back down on the sofa, willing herself to sleep.
Antellica, meanwhile, went to room and clasped on the bed, crying over the sister she'd lost.
GALACTIC SENATE BUILDING
Early the next morning, in the holding office located underneath the Grand Convocation Chamber, or Senate Arena, Darth Sidious contacted the Separatists Council on Mustafar to tell them of the past day's events, sans Grievous' survival. He was just about to make the announcement, along with the war's end and the New Galactic Republic turning into an empire. He could sense the Senators and other politicians as they arrived above him and the Grievous twins as they entered his office, though he did not turn to greet them. He was very eager to end this conversation and launch the final part of his plan for the New Order.
Viceroy Gunray was now speaking. "The plan has gone as you had promised my lord. This is glorious day for the galaxy!"
"Yes indeed," he replied. "Thanks, in great part, to you, Viceroy, and your associates of the Techno Union and the IBC. And of course, Archduke Poggle. You have all done well, especially you Viceroy. Has my daughter, Lady Baynetta and new apprentice Darth Vader arrived yet?"
"Their ship touched down only a moment ago."
"Good, good. I have left your reward in their hands. They will…take care of you."
OUTER SPACE – OUTSIDE CORUSCANT
As Tantive IV entered the atmosphere of Coruscant, the Jedi fugitives, Obi-Wan and Yoda, along with Senator Organa and Captain Antilles sat in the cockpit of the ship, looking out at the approaching city as it grew closer and closer. They were looking for any signs of change in the planet. It looked no different than it usually did, but they weren't really close enough yet to judge.
A sudden beep from the contactal transmission unit in the cockpit caused all the occupants inside to sit up.
"We're receiving a message from the Chancellor's office sir," Raymus Antilles informed Bail after reading whom the transmission was from.
"Send it through," Bail requested.
The image of Lord Speaker Mas Amedda appeared onto the transmission screen. "Senator Organa," he greeted in a bland, emotionless voice. "The Supreme Chancellor requests your presence at a special session of congress."
"I will be there." Bail said.
"He'll be expecting you."
The screen then went blank.
Bail turned in his chair to face the Jedi. "It could be a trap."
"I don't think so," Obi-Wan said. "The Chancellor will not be able to control the thousands of star systems with out keeping the Senate intact."
Bail nodded at this before Yoda spoke. "If a special session of congress there is, easier for us to enter the Jedi Temple it would be."
That comment made sense since the session of congress would most likely have to do with the end of the war. Practically all Coruscanti citizens would either be at the session or watching it on the HoloNet. The congress session would allow some cover for the Jedi to walk the streets of Coruscant without much detection.
Captain Antilles flew Tantive IV to the NREB and landed it in the reserved docking bay. Bail suggested that the Jedi stay inside the ship until he and his crew found a way to distract the guards that stood at the bay's exit into the actual building. Obi-Wan and Yoda thanked him, but declined this offer of generosity. They'd exit the ship with him and simply use a mind trick on the guards to have them forget what they saw. Though Bail felt that was too risky, he respected their judgment and went along with their plan.
The Jedi exited the ship with Bail and a few of his aides and headed towards the identification bunker to the left of the bay's exit.
As the group approached, Obi-Wan noticed the guards note his and Yoda's presence, though they tried not to stare, making it obvious. They failed horribly at these attempts however. It was obvious they'd noticed them and would try to capture them once they were done with Bail.
"Welcome back, Senator," the guard on the right greeted. "May I see your clearance?"
Bail produced his identichip without hesitation. After sliding it through the ID slot, the guard handed it back to him. "Thank you. You may proceed. We will take custody of the Jedi."
It was than that Obi-Wan spoke up. "It would be better for me and my companion to stay with the Senator," he said with a slight wave of his hand.
"Yes, it would be better for you and your companion to stay with the Senator," the guard repeated.
Making low toned force-be-with-you farewells, Obi-Wan and Yoda parted from the Senator's company bound for the Jedi Temple.
OUTER RIM WORLD – MUSTAFAR
Located in the Outer Rim, the Mustafar system consisted of three worlds – Jestefad, Lefrani and Mustafar. Jestefad and Lefrani were gas giants that were constantly in a gravimetric tug-of-war over the young world of Mustafar. Despite the close proximately of the massive Jestefad, Mustafar kept to its erratic orbit by the strong gravitation pull of Lefrani. This prevented Mustafar from becoming a moon of Jestefad. The tidal strain heated Mustafar's molten core, resulting in spectacular geological activity across the entire planet.
Mustafar's bleak landscape was a visual assault of jagged obsidian mountains with towering fountains of fire and lava blasting from beneath the surface. The lava streaked the blasted landscape in huge winding rivers and plunging cataracts. The skies of the planet were obscured by choking black clouds of ash, smoke and tephra. The intense geological activity created natural scanning interference that kept prying eyes away from Mustafar for most of its history.
Once a lush green world, Mustafar was home to many Jedi temples during the start of the Great Sith War. It was here that the early Jedi cultivated their abilities and trained many of their first students. One such Jedi Master was Chu-Gon Dar, an individual whose mastery of the physical Force was unmatched. He created a unique Force-sensitive object known as the Chu-Gon Dar cube which was used to both channel and manipulate the physical Force to alter the physical properties of an item placed inside it.
However, during the third year of the war, the Sith finally tracked down the Jedi's position to the planet and a climatic battle took place. It was so intense that the nearby Jestefad was yanked into its current location by the Force, starting the gravimetric tug-of-war. The environmental hazards started by this forced the Jedi to abandon their temples on the planet and flee to unknown places across the galaxy. This caused all knowledge of Chu-Gon's cube to be lost.
Mustafar was home to two variants of sapient Mustafarians – a tall, thin variety and a short, squat variety. Several centuries into the New Galactic Republic, a cataclysmic eruption destroyed all Mustafarian settlements, nearly wiping out their civilization, except Fralideja. This was the location of an enormous cliff-side industrial facility that served as headquarters to the Separatists.
The Techno Union had owned the world for the past three hundred years, using it to harvest minerals and energy from the 800-degree-hot lava.
Neimoidian soldiers and battle droids infantry served as security around the base, while shimmering deflector shields protected the structure from the volatile surroundings. Collection arms could be seen mining lava from the area, while durable industrial droids worked further afield. Within the facility, laid a Confederacy command center, one of the most secure bunkers in the galaxy.
Upon touching down on the planet, Vader and Baynetta immediately made for the building at a brisk pace and entered within.
Stalking silently into the inner chambers of the mining facility, Baynetta told Vader mentally, 'You may kill every one else inside, but leave Gunray to me.'
Vader turned to look at her with a smirk and nodded.
Walking the length of the hallway that led to the command center, Vader used the Force to shoo away several mouse droids that were cleaning up the area and entered first, soon followed by Baynetta.
Inside were all eleven leaders of the Confederacy of the Independent Systems: Passel Argente, Denaria Kee, San Hill, Tikkes, Po Nudo, Wat Tambor, Poggle the Lesser, Shu Mai, Cat Miin, Rune Haako, and Nute Gunray, as well as their aides, bodyguards and droids.
"Welcome Lord Vader and Lady Baynetta," Gunray greeted. "We've been expecting you."
Baynetta smirked beneath her hood and along with Vader, made gestures with their hands towards the exit blast doors; using the Force to slam them shut. The control panel exploded in a shower of sparking wires. There would be no escape.
The Separatists Council appeared to be confused by this, but San Hill shrugged and stepped forward. "Lord Vader! Lady Baynetta! Welcome, welcome!" His elongated legs almost tangled with each other in his rush to shake hands with the Sith Lord and daughter of Darth Sidious. "On behalf of the leaders of the Confederacy of the Independent Systems, let me be to first to-"
"Very well. You will be the first," Vader growled, throwing back his hood.
San Hill recoiled, hands flapping like panicked birds sewn to his wrists. He had time to gasp, "You're-you're Anakin Skywalker!" before a fountain of blue-white plasma burned into his chest, curving through a loop that charred all three of his hearts.
The Separatist leadership watched in frozen horror as the corpse of the head of the Inter-Galactic Banking Clan collapsed like a depowered protocol droid.
"The resemblance is deceptive," Darth Vader said while Lady Baynetta cackled evilly.
CORUSCANT – JEDI TEMPLE
It was a normal, bright sunny day on the capital with no change whatsoever…unless you were referring to the Jedi Temple that is and the boulevard that led up to it. Despite being lit on fire the night before, smoke continued to billow from the roof of the building. Under the smoke of the roof, Obi-Wan could see that it was charred, and as they got closer, he and Master Yoda saw that smoke damage lined the outside walls.
A large portion of Processional Way had been transformed into a landing platform for Venator-class Star Destroyers, aiding in the temple being kept under constant control and vigilance.
A squad of 501st Legion troopers were on sentry duty outside of the temple as Obi-Wan and Yoda boldly began to walk up the stairs. When the clones caught sight of the Jedi, they made towards them, their blasters appearing at a miraculous speed.
"Halt! Identify yourself!" the lead clone ordered.
Giving a brief glance at one another Obi-Wan and Yoda, as one, whipped out their lightsabers and ignited them.
"Jedi!" the clones yelled as they began to pour out fire from their blasters. But the two remaining Jedi were too quick for them. The squad was down within moments, but more forces continued to pour out of both the temple and the star destroyers at rapid speed, obviously at the sound of blaster fire or the clones' yells of "Jedi!" and "Traitors!"
The next quarter of an hour was spent with Obi-Wan and Yoda slicing down the hordes of troopers, splitting up in the process. More clones ambushed Obi-Wan and a squad of clone assassins attacked Yoda, but both were defeated and finished off.
Count was lost of how many clones the Jedi ambushed, hundreds upon hundreds was a guess, but by the time they were done neither sensed anymore out or inside the temple, though Obi-Wan knew once whoever was in charge found out about this, they'd send in more clones immediately.
Shutting down their lightsabers, Obi-Wan and Yoda, side by side, climbed the remaining stairs up to the temple entrance, dreading the madness they knew awaited them within.
OOO
Before arriving at the Senate building that morning, the Grievous' sisters had left the mansion in silence, with the exception of Antellica saying a small "Hi" that wasn't returned.
Unlike the Chancellor's formal office in the NREB, the holding office was a minimal affair, with a single door leading into the circular room and a simple desk to the right. The center of the chamber was dominated by the Chancellor's Podium that would, at the start of Senate sessions, rise through the ceiling that irised open and rose thirty meters into the air, at the center of the Grand Convocation Chamber.
Once the Supreme Ruler was done conversing with Viceroy Gunray via holographic message, this is exactly what happened, being joined in the podium by Mas Amedda, his aide, Sly Moore, Antellica and a hooded Arica.
Sidious spent most of the morning showing twisted versions of the happenings of the night before via security cameras when Master Windu and posse tried to arrest he, Baynetta and Antellica. The Senators in the arena gasped and looked on in horror at the events.
At the end of the security videos, the Chancellor began to thunder from his podium.
"The attempt on my life by these Jedi murderers has left me scarred, left me deformed. But I assure you, my resolve has never been stronger!"
The Senate applauded at this.
"The remaining Jedi traitors will be hunted down and defeated! Rooted out wherever they may hide, and brought to justice, dead or alive! All collaborators will suffer the same fate. Those who protect the enemy, are the enemy! Now is the time! Now we will strike back! Now we will destroy the destroyers! Death to the enemies of democracy!"
The Senate roared.
"This has been the most trying on times, but we have passed the test. The war is over!"
The Senate roared.
"The Separatists have been utterly defeated, and the Republic will stand! United! United and Free!"
The Senate roared.
"The Jedi Rebellion was our final test-it was the last gasp of the forces of darkness! Now we have left that darkness behind us forever, and a new day has begun! It is morning in the Republic!"
The Senate roared.
Arica noticed with humor that each time the Senate roared, it got louder and louder.
"Never again will we be divided! Never again will sector turn against sector, planet turn against planet, sibling turn against sibling! We are one nation, indivisible!"
The Senate roared.
"To endure that we will always stand together, that we will always speak with a single voice and act as a single hand, the Republic must change. We must evolve. We must grow. We have become an Empire in fact; let us become an Empire in name as well! We are the first Galactic Empire!"
The Senate went wild.
Fascinating that they don't even know what it is they're cheering for, Arica thought as she applauded with the rest.
"We are an Empire that will continue to be ruled by this august body! We are an Empire that will never return to the political maneuvering and corruption that have wounded us so deeply; we are an Empire that will be directed by a single sovereign, chosen for life!"
The Senate went wilder.
"We are an Empire ruled by the majority! An Empire ruled by new Constitution! An Empire of laws, not politicians! An Empire devoted to the preservation of a just society. Of a safe and secure society! We are an Empire that will stand for ten thousand years!"
The roar of the Senate took on a continuous boiling roll like the inside of a permanent thunderstorm.
"We will celebrate the anniversary of this day as 'Empire Day'. For the sake of our children. For our children's children! For the next ten thousand years! Safety! Security! Justice and Peace!"
The Senate went berserk.
"Say it with me! Safety! Security! Justice and Peace! Safety! Security! Justice and Peace…!"
The Senate took up the chant, louder and louder until it seemed the whole galaxy roared along.
Sidious let them keep this chant up a few minutes before raising his hands to quiet them.
"I will rule this Empire as Emperor. Yet, by my side as Empress will stand my daughter, Padme Naberrie Palpatine Amidala-Skywalker, otherwise known as Senator Amidala of Naboo or Lady Baynetta."
Most of the cheering continued, but Antellica couldn't help noticing a few Senators here and there whispering among themselves.
"To explain any confusion," he continued, "Padme Amidala is my daughter with the late Princess Maratina Naberrie of Naboo."
The whispering in the audience intensified.
"The only reason that the Princess and I's relationship was kept hidden was because of the dangers we knew we'd face if ever it came to light. Sadly, my dear Padme couldn't be here today because of the other attempt that was made on her life this morning. She was grievously injured in the attack by several surviving Jedi."
He paused to allow more gasps and whispers before continuing. "If it hadn't been for young Arica here..."
He gestured to her and she stepped forward, dropping her hood in the process to the startled gasps of the crowd.
"...Who has thus renounced her loyalties to the Separatist Movement, joining the empire, Padme would've been killed."
The whispering in the crowd grew louder with some, but lessened with others.
"But do not worry my dear fellow comrades, she is recovering quite well and should be fully restored within a few short days..."
MUSTAFAR – SEPARATIST BUNKER
As Vader stepped forward to deal with the rest of the Separatists leaders, Baynetta strolled forward as well, throwing back her hood. The Council stood stock still in shock as they looked at her, though it was Gunray who spoke.
"Senator Amidala! What are you- How did you- You're not Lady Baynetta!"
"Ah, but indeed I am Viceroy," she said slowly approaching him with a smirk. "I have come here to personally reward you for all you've done over the past thirteen years."
She whipped out her lightsaber and activated it as she began to circle him while Vader began to slaughter the rest.
Briefing glancing away from Gunray, it was to see Shu Mai, president and CEO of the Commerce Guild, on her knees, hands clasped before her and tears streaming down her shriveled cheeks.
"We were promised a reward," she gasped. "A h-h-handsome reward-"
"I am your reward," Vader spat arrogantly. "You don't find me handsome!"
"Please!"
Baynetta watched Vader cut into and out of the skull of the Gossam and turned her attention back to Gunray who was shaking in terror. She resumed circling him.
"You don't know how long I've yearned for this day Viceroy; for years and years and it's finally come at last."
"Please-please-Senator you-you can't. You-you wouldn't," Gunray sputtered as he backed away from her approach.
Baynetta glanced over at Vader again to see Rune Haako, aide and confidential secretary to Gunray, tripping over a chair as he stumbled back away from him. He fell to the ground, shaking like a grub in a frying pan, trying to scramble beneath the table.
"Stop!" he cried. "Enough! We surrender, do you understand? You can't just kill us-"
Vader smirked evilly. "Can't I?"
"We're unarmed! We surrender! Please-please you're a Jedi!"
"You fought a war to destroy the Jedi." Vader stood above the shivering Neimoidian, smiling a twisted smile down upon him, than fed him half a meter of plasma. "Congratulations on your success."
Vader stepped over Haako's corpse to where Wat Tambor was clawing uselessly at the transparisteel wall with his armored gauntlets. The head of the Techno Union turned at his approach, cringing arms lifted to shield his faceplate from the flames of Vader's eyes.
"Please, I'll give you anything! Anything you want!"
Vader's blade flashed twice; Tambor's arms fell to the floor, followed by his head.
"Thank you."
Baynetta allowed a grin of satisfaction. All that was left now was Gunray. She turned back to the trembling Neimoidian with a twisted smile.
"Please," he began to sputter again. "The war is over. Lord Sidious-promised us peace."
"Your transmission was garbled," Vader said from behind Baynetta. "He said you would left in pieces."
"We only want-"
With a slash of Baynetta's lightsaber across his throat, Gunray fell to the ground dead.
For a moment or two, she simply gazed down at the fallen Viceroy and deactivated her lightsaber. "Satisfaction at last."
She then turned to Vader with the same twisted smirk he was wearing. "Come Lord Vader, let us contact the Emperor."