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Anakin knew that today he could not afford to make any mistakes. He was about to see Palpatine and if the Sith Lord thought for one second something was off he would gruesomely torture his apprentice before killing him only after he made sure he knew everything and then he would go for Padme, Luke, and Leia. Padme he would kill right away considering she would be no use to him, but the twins were another story altogether. He would try to turn them to the dark side using whatever means possible and since they were so young, it would not take very much to break them in order to get what he wanted. If he couldn't turn them in the end then he would kill them without a second thought. The 'Chosen One' realized that everything was resting on his shoulders.

When Palpatine had gotten in touch with Anakin, he told him that he had some news regarding Padme which was odd considering the Sith Lord had no idea she was with Anakin, or if he did then he did not show it and he made no mention of the twins and if he had known anything about Luke and Leia he would no doubt demand his apprentice bring them in to start Sith training or so he could evaluate their potential, but he hadn't said anything which told the former Jedi he had no idea they even existed and he was going to keep it that way if he could. Still, the fact his wife had been brought up in the short conversation worried him. Anakin knew he had to be on high alert and make sure he was convincing enough to fool the Chancellor.

"Vader, it is good to see you my young apprentice, though I wish it were under happier circumstances." The Sith Lord stood up from his throne as he walked over to his apprentice and set his hand on his shoulder. "As I told you when we spoke, I have some news concerning Padme and the child. I know how much she meant to you and that is the reason I made it my mission to find her which I did, though this story does not have the happy ending you hoped for. I got word from a bounty hunter who works for me that space pirates bordered her ship, she was in the outer rims from what little I know, but as I was saying, apparently space pirates to over the ship and by the time I found out, well it was too late. Padme and the child in her womb were murdered. Her body was burned when the ship exploded after the pirates took everything they wanted. I'm sorry I was unable to deliver better news, but you have my word we will find whoever is responsible and make them pay for your loss. I have people on the job as we speak and I have no doubt in my mind the Jedi are behind this. I should have been prepared for this, yet I wasn't and for that I am deeply sorry."

Anakin was completely stunned by what he just heard. It wasn't what he had been told that shocked him, but rather the fact Palpatine had constructed such a well thought out lie. He must have been the one to send the bounty hunters after her and not the Jedi as he had first assumed. Obviously he knew without a doubt Padme and the twins were alright, but he couldn't let the other man know. He had to fake the proper reaction or else everything would be for nothing. The way he handled this conversation was everything and so he put on a face of pure anguish; it wasn't that hard to do since all he needed to do was pull up all the feelings of when he had found his mother. The pain was still fresh as if it had happened only yesterday.

"Are you sure?" He questioned making sure his voice came out as broken. "Pirates are not always the most reliable creatures around nor are they the brightest. Perhaps they-"

Anakin was cut off by the former Chancellor just as he had hoped. "I am sure Lord Vader, I wish that I was wrong, but I am not. I know how much you loved her and I saw her as a daughter. We will find whoever did this to her and they will pay. First and foremost though we must deal with more urgent matters at hand. I am proud of you for taking out the Jedi, but we still have work to do since they are not all dead. You must find Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda. While they are alive they are a threat to everything we have worked towards. I trust to handle this task Lord Vader, I know you will not let me down."

"Of course my master." He replied bowing down and trying to get ahold of his emotions which threatened to bubble up and to the surface. Anakin was absolutely furious and knew he had to get away for a little while in order to calm down and get a grip on everything he had been told. What he wanted more than anything was to kill Palpatine here and now, yet he realized he couldn't do it because he had a mission. There were things he needed to find out first. If he killed him now, it would be for nothing and everything he had done up until this point would be pointless. "I will get on that as soon as possible. Is there anything you require of me today?"

The Sith Lord shook his head. "I have a few things I must do on my own and so you should probably take the time you need to grieve. We will discuss more tomorrow. I have finally finished the plans for the Death Star and I would like your opinion Lord Vader. Do not be afraid to embrace your pain, it will make you a stronger Sith. I know it sounds horrible, but let the death of Padme and your child fuel your anger."

TBC...

AN: I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter and I would love to hear your thoughts. Now Anakin knows he was deceived by Palpatine and so things will change.

Please R&R like always!