And now we get to the more serious part of this tale.

All is quiet in the club after Sideous leaves on Z Plumber's super speedy repair ship for the senate reception. The cookie tender looks up as Darth Vader approaches her.

"So is Sideous like that all the time."

"Pretty much at least while he's here. I honestly don't know how that man runs the senate. As you can see he is totally flipped out coo coo la bonza. What made you sign on as his apprentice if you don't mind my asking?"

"He promised to show me how to stop those I love from dying."

"With Maul...I don't know what his deal was actually-creepy guy. Tyrannous it was immortality and that old stand by power-I hated that pompus at sign double dollar sign. But you I like-I just wish he had brought you here before you signed on-I would have warned you what you were getting into Aniken Skywalker."

He looks at her in surprise. "How do you know that?"

"Same way I made Sideous call the hut for pizza. Its also how I know Sideous acts just sane enough on occasion to manipulate others into getting what he wants. And my dear boy he wanted you."

"I don't follow you."

"You have visions of the future of those you care about. He manipulated you into believing you could change what you saw-stop death even if you wanted to. Not even Plagueous could do that-he just had a touch of mad scientist in him and liked to experiment if you catch my drift. Know why we called him the wise?"

"No."

"He was obsessed with fortune cookies and couldn't stop quoting them whenever he thought it was appropriate-which was often. We made so many of those things three Rodger bots fried their circuits trying to make fortunes so he got something new every time. Sideous though-he's on a power trip and just wants to be the supreme high ruler of all and you are the third person he has manipulated into helping him reach that goal...and if like the two before you he feels you are catching on to his questionable mental state or standing in his way he will dispose of you just like he did Maul and Tyrannous. I'm under contract here with the Sith Lord to help out in that respect...but it doesn't specify which one that is I help and I think that if there is ever going to be a new one around here it should be Sideous who gets replaced. There is something else you might like to know about him."

"What's that?"

"Sideous set into motion the events that killed your Padome. He knew she wouldn't like the change that came over you as you turned to the dark side-it happens to everyone. Maul was my former mild mannered accountant Had Sideous not found your weak spot and tricked you into becoming your apperenitice you would still have Padome and the twins she carried. Rodger 2 please bring Vader that recording you made concerning him the time Sideous went he went to that old hag of a soothsayer he likes to consult."

Rodger opens a cabinet and moves some boxes around and brings up a holo-viewer. "Nice way to respect your granny-sir."

"When the shoe fits wear it-besides I lost all respect for her years ago." She pushes it to Vader when Rodger sits it down on the counter. "I'll let you have a look at this. It was made when you and I would have still been in diapers."

"Look closely and you can see her streaking across the background in one."

"Not funny Rodger."

"Yes it is sir."

"I'm going to help the Rodgers finish up the senate order. I'll be in the back if there is anything you want to talk about later." As she goes back into the kitchen she glances out the window as the delivery ship nearly crash lands. "I didn't expect them back so soon."

"The delivery Rodger must have gone on the fritz and used overdrive the whole way."

She goes on into the back as Jar Jar runs screaming from the ship. The cookie tender opens the door. "Keep it down Vader is still here."

"Messa no ridin' wit that droid to the senate itssa crazy."

"Just a short circut I'll send another Rodger while it gets repaired."

"Messa calling de speedy cab."

"Its not fast enough and there is no sense wasting money on a super speedy one when the delivery ship is going to the senate." She leads him into a private backroom where cookies and milk are waiting. "Stay here, eat something and calm down."

"Ooo...doodle bugs!"

Vader takes a seat and watches the holo-vid. Something like this can be faked easily enough but as he plays the scene over and over his gut tells him its not. Sideous was planning to use him since he was just a baby based on what some soothsayer said about the future. He looks up when the cookie tender comes out of the back. "What if this soothsayer told him i'd find this out."

"If we're all lucky she's in hell." She turns to the Rodger cutting him off for he can speak. "I told you I lost all respect for that woman." The cookie tender turns back to Vader. "That was the last prophecy she ever made. Plaugeous found out what she was up to and had her silenced."

"You clearly have a price for your services. Name it."

"You take over when Sideous bites the dust and I get to be the first Sith Lady."

Vader holds out his hand "Done. I have a feeling its going to take someone like you to make Sideous pay."

The cookie tender shakes his hand. "He's going to pay big time."

Sideous shakes in revulsion as from the ride in the plumbing ship as he goes into the office. He needs to calm his nerves before the party starts. He brightens up when he sees the package on his desk. As annoying as they are the Rodgers never let him down. Cookies in a plain delivery box so no one will find out about his obsession. He opens the box to find the very special secret recipe cookies that are even better than brownies. He sits down at his desk and digs right in.

As the cookie tender goes back to the kitchen she notices light pulsing from the lid of the sugar canister. She opens it to find the dormant crystal now pulsing red. She watches it with a sinister smile.

"Order up sir."

"Is the pilot down for repair?"

"Rodger sir. Number 8 is making this run."

"I'll go get Jar Jar" She walks to the backroom. "8 is going to make the delivery. He stutters for some reason but there is nothing wrong with his piloting skills."

"As long as it not the crazy one. That thing almost rammed into a supply ship."

"Vader agreed to the plan. You know what to do."

"First lone trooper Messa come to. No problema."

If we offered up the secret recipe it wouldn't be secret any more now would it? If you can get it using the force mind tricks you just might be honorary minion material.

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