The council chambers were nowhere near as relaxed as the Senatorial apartments. Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi stood before the entire Jedi High council. They were nervous as hell. They did not want to be delivering the news that they had to the Council, this would not go well at all.

Mace opened the meeting, "What news do you have of your mission, Qui-Gon?"

"It has failed, Master Windu. The Trade Federation attacked me and Obi-Wan before negotiations began. We were forced to flee the ship and make our way to Naboo in order to assist in the Queen's escape."

Yoda frowned, "Nervous you are. Fear something you do."

Qui-Gon nodded, surprising the council, "Indeed Master Yoda. When we reached Naboo we encountered a being that I genuinely fear. More so I fear the repercussions of informing you of his existence."

Mace frowned, "What is this being you fear to inform us of?"

Qui-Gon gulped, "The Queen's bodyguard. He had been in stasis up until recently when a team of Archaeologists released him."

Ki-Adi-Mundi raised an eyebrow, "And his name?"

"D…Darth Shan, Master." stuttered Qui-Gon.

Pandemonium reigned in the council chambers for a moment before Mace finally managed to achieve silence,

"Are you certain this man is a Sith Lord, Qui-Gon? It is a dangerous claim to make." He asked sceptically,

Qui-Gon nodded, "Yes master, I am certain. Not only is he a Sith Lord but he is a Sith Lord who is far different to anything I have ever heard described."

"Explain." Demanded another Jedi,

"He is not ruled by his passions. He uses the Light Side of the Force as much as he uses the Dark Side. I have felt his aura and he is incredibly Dark and yet he makes an effort to help those who cannot return the gesture. He is also the bodyguard to the Queen."

Several of the council members sat back in shock, "Surely the Queen is not aware of this?"

"Not only is the Queen aware of his title, she is one of his students. She named him a member of the Naboo aristocracy."

Mace frowned again, "Queen Amidala is Force sensitive?"

Qui-Gon nodded, "Along with two of her handmaidens. All three are students of Travien. Queen Amidala's combative abilities have far surpassed even my own." A tremor of shock ran though the council at this statement,

"How can you be sure of this Qui-Gon?" asked Mace Windu, somewhat desperately,

"I have seen the Queen sparring with Travien. Their friendly duel was devastating; I genuinely believed that they would kill on another. I am aware now that the Queen never stood a chance against him. Travien's capabilities are immense."

Mace nodded, "Do you believe he is a threat to the Order?"

Ki-Adi-Mundi broke in, "A threat? He is a Sith Lord! Of course he is a threat!"

"I do not believe so Master, at least not at this time." answered Qui-Gon

Mace's brow furrowed, "What do you mean, not at this time?"

Qui-Gon sighed, hoping that Travien didn't kill him for this, "Lord Shan genuinely appears to be in love with Queen Amidala. If it were not for her then Obi-Wan and myself would already be dead. Her attachment to democracy and the Republic have prevented Travien from even preparing for hostilities until this point. He has told me that unless the Order attacks him, he is content to ignore that we exist for the time being."

"For the time being?" asked Mace,

"Yes master. Travien is almost certain, due to the nature of the dispute between Jedi and Sith that we will come into conflict eventually. Until that point his hatred of the Order is not so great that he will abandon the protection he currently has."

"What protection, has he?" asked Yoda,

"The protection of the law, Master Yoda. Since entering Republic space he has committed no crimes. Should we attack him then we would be breaching the law. He would also call it religious persecution. While we know that would be untrue, the senate would not."

Mace huffed, "So, this Sith will hide behind the Senate while whatever plans he has are allowed to come to fruition."

Qui-Gon nodded and Obi-Wan stepped forward and bowed, "Master's, please forgive my forwardness, but I believe that Lord Shan exists outside of the current Sith hierarchy."

"Why believe this, do you?" asked Yoda, curiously,

Qui-Gon nodded and took over, "Good point padawan. When we questioned Travien we were forced to inform him of the nature of the Sith. When told of the Rule of Two Travien very nearly went into shock. He claims to have ruled an Empire outside of the boundaries of the Republic that housed almost a million Force-Sensitive Sith. He has spoken repeatedly of bringing this other Sith under his control."

"Under his control?" asked Windu,

"Yes, Master Windu. Travien has spoken on one or two occasions to me on the nature of the Sith and…there is a great deal that we do not know. According to Travien he not only exists to rule the Sith but to control them as well. For several reasons he in fact detests the invasion of Naboo."

A female Jedi spoke up in surprise, "And why would he detest such an action?"

"Simply because they cannot fight back. The people of Naboo abhor violence to the extent that they do not even possess a military. To Travien there is nothing to be gained from the oppression of such a people; there is no honour in it."

The Jedi snorted, "And what does a Sith Lord know of honour?" she rhetorically.

Qui-Gon sighed, "With respect masters there is a great deal I do not know or understand about Travien. He is either emotionally unstable or an actor playing many parts, I can only be certain of two things. Firstly is his devotion to Queen Amidala, he is genuinely in love with her. Secondly is his survival of an assassination attempt at the hands of a previous Jedi Council when he survived a conflict with five weapons masters at the same time. I have no doubt that it was within his capabilities."

The council sighed, "You have more to tell us I assume." Said Windu,

"Yes masters. On our way back from Naboo we encountered another Sith. This one appears to have been a conformant of the Rule of Two, an apprentice at most. Travien dealt with him swiftly when he was revealed as a threat to the Queen."

"What did this Travien do, exactly?" asked Ki-Adi-Mundi,

Obi-Wan shuddered slightly, "He defeated the Sith before setting up a small makeshift shelter with some water supplies and slashed the muscles at the backs of the Sith's legs. He claimed it to be a learning exercise."

The other Jedi raised eyebrows at that; it was a brutal learning exercise if that was what it was.

"Very well, is there anything else we should know about?" asked Mace wearily,

"Yes master. I believe I have found a vergence in the Force."

Mace almost groaned. Something in the Force told him not to get up today, he should have stayed in bed and he ignored that feeling. What did he get for it? Sith were everywhere and he knew exactly where this was leading,

"A vergence, you say?" asked Yoda. The rest of the Council just stayed quiet, they had had enough shocks for today.

Mace almost sighed, "Located around a person?"

Qui-Gon nodded, "A boy with the second highest midi-chlorian count I have ever seen. It is possible that he was conceived by Midi-Chlorians."

This time Mace did sigh, "You refer to the prophecy of the chosen one. You believe that it is this boy?"

"I do not presume…"

"But you do." Interrupted Yoda, "Revealed your opinion is."

Qui-Gon nodded, aware that he was not going to be hiding much from the council. At least they didn't know about the possible existence of the Star Forge. They would almost certainly attack Travien then,

"I request that he be tested master." He stated calmly,

Yoda nodded slowly, "Trained as a Jedi you wish for the boy, hmm?"

"Finding him was the will of the Force master; I have no doubt of that. It cannot be a co-incidence that the Chosen One is discovered at the same time as the Sith re-emerge into the galaxy."

Mace glanced around the room and spoke silently with the other members of the council in a conversation that Qui-Gon knew not to interfere with. Prophecy was always dangerous, it never happened as it appeared it should. Prophecy led to expectation which led to disappointment. Mace nodded, "You say that the boy is staying with Queen Amidala?"

Qui-Gon nodded slowly, "Yes masters." He had a bad feeling about this.

Mace nodded sharply, "We shall retrieve him for testing ourselves. I believe it would be in our best interests to evaluate this situation for ourselves." Both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan cringed. This could not end well.

The Queen and her party were taking some time to relax before the meeting with the Senate. The Handmaidens all stood around the room, their faces hidden by the cowls that they wore. It was an outfit that Travien could approve of, despite the peaceful nature of Naboo it seemed that the outfit almost had Sith origins. Padmé noticed that Senator Palpatine seemed tense but did not fully understand the reasons; she just assumed he was as worried about Naboo as she was. She looked at Travien,

"How can you be so calm about all of this?" she asked irritably,

Travien shrugged, "Meh, I'm used to stressful situations, love. You worry; I'll turn up later and kill something. There's really not much else I can do."

She huffed, "I thought you said that you could feel the people dying?"

He sat up a little straighter, "I can, don't doubt that. I fully meant what I said to Gunray on Naboo and if the little bastard responsible for this tries again then I fully intend to string said bastard up by their genitals after skinning them alive, but right now there is nothing I can do. I am not a politician."

Padmé didn't notice Palpatine flinch slightly at Travien's not very veiled threat. She did however sense her boyfriend's truth through the Force.

She sighed, "I'm sorry, Travien. I know this isn't your fault, I shouldn't take it out on you."

He smiled at her, "its okay. Fourteen is never easy, I know that. Think about it this way. You're fourteen, ruler of a planet and people are trying to kill you. It's something else we have in common."

Padmé giggled for a while and then her eyes snapped to Palpatine in alarm, "Travien, what…"

He waved it off, "Not to worry, love. It seems the good Senator is something of a historian and managed to recognise me, there seem to be a few more records than I had realised."

Palpatine nodded at the generosity that Travien had taken with the truth, "I assure you your majesty, I have no problems with Lord Shan." Padmé sighed in relief. Both politicians looked at Travien as he frowned and sat upright,

Travien turned to the handmaidens, "Sabé, Eirtaé, stay here. Girls, the rest of you should check on the arrangements for the senate meeting." They looked at each other confused as Padmé spoke up,

"Travien, what's wrong?"

"It seems our Jedi friends tattled. Six members of the Council just entered the building. I have no doubt they are headed here. Senator, do you wish to remain here, or would you like to avoid this?"

Palpatine thought for a moment, "I believe I shall remain here. The Jedi have no authority here for now so I have nothing to fear."

Travien nodded as the other handmaidens left the room. Sabé and Eirtaé drew up behind the Queen and Travien relaxed back into the armchair he was on, his elbows on the arm of the chair with his fingertips touching. Without realising that they had the same thought both Padmé and Palpatine found it very easy to imagine him sitting on a throne. Even in an armchair Palpatine found that he did indeed look the part in the clothes that the Handmaidens had procured for him.

They waited patiently for a few minutes until Captain Panaka walked in nervously, "Uh…your majesty, the representatives of the Jedi Council request an audience." He noticed that the group did not tense up any further than they already had and he guessed that they must be expecting the group.

Padmé nodded, "Please show them in, Captain."

He bowed sharply and left. He returned and opened the door, admitting six Jedi Masters and Travien had to admit, he was impressed. They were each rather powerful. One of them seemed to fit the description his parents had given him of master Vandar. That would pose a problem, but none of the others were such a great threat, not with Padmé, Eirtaé and Sabé in the room. He maintained a small smile as the lead Jedi spoke,

"Greetings your majesty, My name is Jedi Master Mace Windu, with me are Master Ki-Adi-Mundi, Master Yoda, Master Adi Gallia, Master Plo Koon and Master Saesee Tiin. We were hoping to discuss something with you."

Padmé nodded, forgoing introductions, "Please have a seat, Master Jedi." She said waving at the seats around the room, causing them to move closer to the room. When they had finished gaping at the display the sat in the offered seats and faced the Queen,

"We have heard disturbing rumours your majesty." Said Mace,

Padmé raised an eyebrow, "May I ask what rumours these are Master Jedi?"

The Cerean Jedi, Ki-Adi-Mundi, broke into the discussion, "That you have been knowingly consorting with a Sith Lord."

Travien sent a message to Padmé, 'Do you want to deal with this or shall I?' he asked.

'You deal with it, I'm not used to commanding Force sensitive's.'

Travien nodded and turned to the Jedi, "What exactly are you trying to imply when you say 'consorting'?"

"We believe that the Queen is in an inappropriate relationship with a dangerous creature." answered Mundi.

Travien scowled, "I'm no more a creature than you are, Jedi. I'm just more honest about my darker side than you are. As for my relationship with the Queen, how dare you accuse me of anything inappropriate? That the thought came to your mind in the first place truly concerns me. You are aware that the Queen is fourteen years old, are you not?"

The Jedi turned to him, "You claim to be a Sith Lord?" they said amusedly,

Travien smiled and released a portion of his aura to allow the Jedi to see him as a Force sensitive. Yoda nodded,

"A Sith Lord you are, sense no deception from you, do I. What is your purpose here, I must ask."

Travien smiled, "I like you. You sit before someone who may be your enemy and you still remember your manners. Very well, my purpose here is as advertised. I am here to protect the Queen, that's pretty much it."

Mace snorted, "Why should we believe that?"

Travien smiled, "Unless you wish to accuse the head of a Sovereign state of the Republic of committing treason by knowingly associating with someone attempting to work against the best interest of the Republic, Master Jedi?" Mace scowled at him knowing that so long as Travien hid behind the laws of the Republic they could not even approach him without risk. He turned to Padmé,

"Your Majesty, I don't think you are aware of just what this man is capable of?" he said,

Travien raised an eyebrow as Padmé answered, "Travien, how many people were at that battle you spoke of?"

He looked thoughtful, "Not sure. If we say an average of about a thousand people per ship, add ten for the larger ones. Ten thousand ships put it at one hundred thousand. Double that because more than half of those were interdictors which carried about five thousand people, some were Centurions with about thirty thousand. Then you add fighters, I would say there were upwards of three quarters of a million people in space that week."

Padmé nodded, "How many people survived that battle, Travien?"

Here Travien grinned, "Me."

Padmé raised an eyebrow, "Any others?"

He shook his head, "Nope, nobody. That battle lasted six days across five star systems and set light to three planets. Overall casualties were probably in the millions."

Padmé nodded, "Do you feel remorse for their deaths?"

He shrugged, "They challenged me, why should I?" The Jedi looked horrified at this blatant dismissal of the number of Deaths he had caused as Padmé turned to the Jedi Masters,

"I know full well what my boyfriend is capable of. I love him all the same." She said resolutely,

Mace snorted, "Milady, the Sith are incapable of love."

Travien interrupted lightly, "That's actually a common misconception." Everyone turned to him, "The Sith are capable of love, it's simply harder to find the circumstances to maintain love than it is to maintain hate. Sith are about emotion and power, quite frankly we don't give a damn which ones. Dad for instance preferred military power while I prefer to harness my power within the Force as my mother did. My adoptive grandmother Traya preferred the power of manipulation. There are all different kinds of power."

Yoda was intrigued, "And love? What have you to say of love?"

Travien sat considering for a moment, "Falling in love is never easy, especially for a Sith. Essentially you are making someone else your equal. There can never be a true Master and Apprentice relationship between two Sith in love. It is dangerous but also very rewarding. Apart from the obvious rewards of being in love, it is rare for any Sith to have one person that they can trust unequivocally, one person who you would never betray."

Yoda nodded slowly, "Much to learn from each other, have we."

Travien shook his head, "It sounds like a nice idea but it isn't. Jedi aren't trained to handle the emotional backlash of using the dark side and Sith cannot handle all that compassion and mercy you lot keep on about. We are not, as most think, two sides of the same coin."

Mace sighed, "So what are we to do. You know that we cannot allow you to operate within Republic boundaries. You cannot be trusted."

Travien raised an eyebrow, "Unless you have some legal power to exile me then you have a problem. I have only seen three planets since I first entered the Republic. They were Naboo, Coruscant and Tatooine. I have committed no crimes here, despite an unwarranted assassination attempt from your order before my…exile. How exactly do you intend to prevent me operating within Republic borders?"

Mace glared at him, "The Chancellor will understand the threat you pose to the Republic and agree with our decision."

Travien snorted, "Even if he did, the Chancellor would have to take such a decision before the Senate and declare me a Sith Lord. Go ahead; I have nothing to hide in that regard. But you're gonna be awful embarrassed when I point out that the Chancellor's representative's, two Jedi might I add, precipitated the invasion of Naboo by the Trade Federation. Your guys jumped the gun; I'm here trying to clear up your mess. The Senate is hardly likely to look favourably upon that. Many of them think you have too much power anyway."

Mace was beginning to get irritated by this Sith, and he was clearly a Sith much to the collective dismay of the Jedi. He was entirely correct that they could not cause him any harm but the fact that he dismissed them so easily was wrong, they were the most powerful members of the Jedi Order and they deserved respect. The blatant disrespect that was coming from the younger man was infuriating for Mace.

"Then perhaps you would be willing to answer some questions." He ground out.

Travien shrugged, "Some, maybe. Ask and we'll see."

Mace nodded, "Where did you come from?"

"Naboo." was the short reply,

"I mean where were you born?"

Travien smiled, "I was born on the Star Forge."

"How old are you?" asked Mace.

For some reason Travien tried to edge away, "Is there a reason that these questions happen to be the same ones my mother asked my father just before they got together, because I really do not swing that way, I can tell you."

Padmé and the handmaidens stifled a giggle while they watched the Jedi's eye begin to twitch. Palpatine thought briefly just how much fun it would be to be in Travien's position needling the Jedi. He cursed the secrecy imposed by Bane's legacy.

Travien sighed, "Okay, let's get right down to it. You came here looking for a fight; you wanted to get rid of me because I'm a threat to you. I'm another option and you don't like that. You can't imagine how much I don't care. You thought that you could plant a wedge between us," he waved to Padmé and the handmaidens, "By telling them the truth, unfortunately for you I got there first. You thought that a Sith knows nothing but hatred and sews deceit everywhere but you were wrong." Travien's face turned cold and Palpatine recognised the expression, "I do not take kindly to your interference here Jedi. Again I have tried to enter this society and done nothing wrong and again you have tried to cast me out for the perceived crimes of my parents. I truly begin to wonder who the dark one is here. I'm just pissed off."

Padmé glared at the Jedi as well, "I am deeply unimpressed by this. I had hoped that Travien's distaste for the Order was simply a bad experience coloured by the beliefs of his parents, now I know that I was wrong. We have nothing more to say to one another master Jedi. Please leave immediately." Mace nodded awkwardly and left with the Jedi following him. Travien smirked inwardly. It would seem that the Jedi had begun trying to destabilize him and failed.

He looked to Padmé, "Are you okay?" he asked.

Padmé nodded, "I'm fine. Let's go we have to be at the senate meeting soon." He smiled and acquiesced to her request, the group of them leaving the senators apartment and heading for the Senate hall. It took them little time to get there as they used the same transport as they had from the landing platform. Palpatine leaned over to Travien,

"What if the Trade Federation delegates announce you to be a Sith Lord?"

Travien grinned, "Then I'd like to know how they can tell."

Palpatine smirked, "If they say that you admitted to it?"

Travien shrugged, "Hearsay and slander. I am a landed member of the Naboo nobility; it would be an attempt to attack the character of a witness to their invasion."

Palpatine frowned, "How did you become a member of the Aristocracy, that much land would have been noticed if it had been purchased."

Travien smirked this time, "The house that Padmé grew up in was one that I built so I have property on Naboo, but Padmé decided that the Star Forge was more than enough to make the decision. It is several times bigger than Naboo."

Palpatine's eyes widened, "The Forge still exists?" he asked breathlessly,

"Exists Senator? It is active." said Travien gleefully as he sat back. He had no intention of telling Palpatine that the only thing that the Forge was building was construction and agricultural droids and materials to help with the recovery of Naboo after the Trade Federation left. Let the pretender suffer for a while. They soon landed in the Senate hall and began walking to the Rotunda where the meeting would take place. Travien walked behind Padmé calmly. Only the handmaidens and the Queen knew that he was using the Force to scan the entire area for any potential threat. Well, any other potential threat. They reached the pod that was designated for the Chommel sector they all sat down and waited for the session to start.

Travien heard them begin to speak and decided to pay attention as Palpatine opened with his speech,

"Supreme Chancellor, delegates of the Senate. A tragedy has occurred which started right here with the taxation of trade routes and has engulfed our entire planet in the oppression of the trade federation!"

Another pod flew into the arena, startling Travien, "We object! There is no proof!" cried a Nemoidian. Travien glared at the Nemoidian as Chancellor Valorum spoke up, "The chair does not recognise the delegates from the Trade Federation at this time."

Palpatine smiled, "We are fortunate, to state our allegations, Queen Amidala of the Naboo."

Padmé stood up and Travien failed to suppress a grin. She may be fourteen years old but she looked equally as powerful as any of the representatives there and one thing a Sith is attracted to is power.

"Supreme Chancellor, honourable representatives of the Senate. We come to you now under the gravest of circumstances. Naboo has been invaded by the armies of the Trade Federation."

The Trade Federation senator could not remain quiet, "We demand evidence!" the Nemoidian cried out, "We demand that a commission be appointed to ascertain the validity of these claims!"

Another pod flew up to the Chancellor's podium, "The congregation of Malastare agrees, let a commission be appointed."

Padmé and Travien watched as the two aides' beside the Chancellor began speaking in hushed whispers. Palpatine leaned forward between them, "Enter the Bureaucrats, the true power behind the Republic and on the payroll of the Trade Federation, I might add. This is where Valorum's strength will crumble."

Padmé and Travien watched and waited but Travien could already see and hear what was going to happen as Valorum stood up, "The point is conceded, will you defer your motion to allow a commission to explore the validity of your claims?"

Padmé and Travien were both incensed and Padmé drew herself up, "I will not defer! I was not elected Queen to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion as a committee!" Travien stood up and placed an arm on Padmé's shoulder. She looked at him curiously,

'I'm not sure how much I can do, but I have one last trick up my sleeve, love'

Padmé nodded, "I yield the floor, to Baron Travien Shan of Naboo." Palpatine and the others blinked.

Travien bowed slightly, "Ladies and Gentlemen, and of course those who conform to neither denomination, I wish my first visit to such a place as this were under better circumstances. I anticipated the reluctance and deceit of the Trade Federation, therefore I brought with a recording of the last message sent from Naboo." He pulled a circular object from his hand that extended almost an inch beyond his palm in every direction, "The speaker is Sio Bibble, governor of Theed," Travien activated the hologram,

A blue hologram representing Sio Bibble emerged from the disk,

"The death toll is catastrophic, we must bow to their wishes; you must contact me."

Travien de-activated the disk and placed it back in his pocket,

"That is at least evidence that our claims have validity. If you require more then I ask you to attempt to contact a member of the Naboo populace who is not highly placed in government. Before the representatives of this Senate assisted in our escape, Nute Gunray instructed that the Queen was to be taken to a concentration camp."

The trade federation delegate jumped up, "There is no proof of that! It is slander! We hold to the truth of our claims!"

Travien looked to Padmé who nodded sadly and Travien turned back to the Senate, "I find myself unsurprised. I came here with the intent to do the right thing, but it is clear to me now that I must choose the lesser of two evils. If this body is incapable of performing the actions to which it is sworn then a new body is needed." Travien backed away from the podium as Padmé took her place back,

"I call for a vote of no-confidence in Chancellor Valorum's leadership." She intoned.

The senators and other delegates began calling for a vote immediately and Travien looked absolutely furious. The Naboo pod came to a halt as it docked with the edge of the Rotunda and Travien looked at Padmé and used the Force to push the microphone on,

"Let's get out of here, shall we? I'm sorry, love. We tried our best. Father was right, the Republic just doesn't work."

Padmé nodded sadly and took the hand he extended. Travien lead them out of the room as Palpatine sat stunned. That was a powerful image, the Baron leading the near defeated Queen from the Senate after an attempt to help her people. Palpatine smiled when he noticed the microphone switch on. Travien's last words had just been blasted throughout the entire Rotunda and many of the senators were looking on in shock. He switched to the microphone off and followed them out of the Senate hall; he was certainly not going to nominate anyone else to post of Supreme Chancellor. Palpatine stopped behind them as Travien help Padmé into the shuttle and turned to him,

"You do not want me to find out that you caused this situation, understood?" he said. Normally Palpatine would have bristled, his inner Sith Lord refusing to take such treatment, but the pure rage in his voice caused the Senator to remain silent. He simply nodded, now was not the time to challenge Travien.