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Star Wars AU The Triumph of Darth Plagueis: Episode Three – Attack of the Clones Part 1
By
Celgress
"I can promise you paradise. No need to serve on your knees. And when you're lost in the darkest of hours take a moment and tell me who you see."
Shepherd of Fire (2013) Avenged Sevenfold
22 BBY - Coruscant
The galactic capital was in a state of total disarray. Co-Supreme Chancellor of the Republic Palpatine had been assassinated while delivering a speech in the rotunda of the Senate. Luckily Co-Supreme Chancellor Hego Damask had been away from Coruscant on pressing financial business when the surprise attack occurred. While the loss of Palpatine was a terrible blow the death of both Co-Supreme Chancellors would all but certainly have crippled the government.
How such a brazen daylight attack had succeeded was a matter of deep debate and speculation, both on the part of governmental officials as well as that of the populace. In the days which followed the attack the finger of blame was quickly pointed at the defenders of the Republic, the much vaunted Jedi Order. Jedi detractors accused the order of everything from incompetence to ignoring intelligence which indicated an attack was imminent. Even traditional supporters of the Order contended the Jedi had been spread too thin while dealing with the pressure brought about by mounting galactic unrest in the decade following the Naboo Crisis. The now sole Supreme Chancellor of the Republic Hego Damask fell into the latter camp.
Meanwhile the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack continued. It soon became clear that the group which had committed the terrible atrocity against democracy was made up of specialized assassin driods sent by renegade Jedi Master Count Dooku. The entire group save for the leader, actual murderer of Palpatine, a male Gen'Dai bounty hunter named Durge had escaped. The Jedi Order vowed to bring both Durge and his benefactor Count Dooku swiftly to justice.
Jedi Temple
"Locate this Durge we must" Jedi Grandmaster Yoda announced from his seat in the council chamber.
"I agree" Mace Windu said. "The people are losing faith in the ability of the Order to protect them the longer the assassin remains at large and unpunished the greater this loss of faith will become. When we do locate this Durge who should be sent to deal with him?"
"The situation is exceedingly delicate" Ki-Adi Mundi said. "Whomever we send must be able to handle any diplomatic complications which may arise, particularly if Durge has taken refuge with Count Dooku as we fear."
"I feel Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Siri Tachi would be a good choice for this mission" Shaak Ti said. "They have proven themselves both individually and as team while defusing delicate situations in the past."
"Siri and Obi-Wan also have experience dealing with assassination plots" Kit Fisto said, recalling the Blackwater Systems Incident.
"I move that we put the matter to a formal vote" Plo Koon proposed. The vote was unanimous.
Later that day Obi-Wan and Siri were called before the Council. The two knights accepted their assignment with only a few questions. They then departed the Council Chamber.
Geonosis
Count Dooku kneeled before the larger than life hologram of his Sith Master Darth Plagueis. By Dooku's side stood the stoic figure of bounty hunter Durge. Durge's metallic helmet glittered in the low light of the darkened chamber. His arms folded across his broad chest.
"What is you bidding my master?" Dooku asked the holographic image.
"The Jedi Council has assigned Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Siri Tachi the task of locating and eliminating you both" said the hologram. A soft, yet menacing, voice resonated from deep within the dark confines of the black hooded robe.
"I assure you they will never find us here Master Plagueis" Durge snorted. "We are quite safe."
"Your arrogance blinds you my minion" Plagueis scoffed waving a gloved hand dismissively at the Gen'Dai. "Do not underestimate the intelligence of the Jedi Durge, or risk your own destruction."
"I fear no Jedi Master Plagueis" Durge said almost defiantly. "Let them come, I am more than ready."
"Perhaps" Plagueis said before turning his attention back towards Count Dooku. "Lord Tyranus contact Jango Fett on Kamino. Tell him to expect some company."
"Master?" Dooku said in obvious confusion.
"I will direct the Jedi team there."
"May I ask why?"
"So that they will discover the secret Clone Army which is in the final stages of being created on Kamino, once the existence of the army is public knowledge the next moves in the grand game can finally be made. Prepare Lord Tyranus, hunter Durge, once the Jedi team discover the truth of Kamino they will no doubt learn of your location. Be sure a suitable welcome awaits them, farewell."
"Thy will be done my master." Count Dooku said as Durge took a quick bow.
Coruscant several days later
"But Master why can't I go with you?" Anakin whined while Obi-wan packed for his mission.
"Because Anakin this is a two Jedi mission the Council has already decided which two Jedi are best suited, and you are not amongst them my young padawan."
"I still wish I could go" Anakin grumbled. "It isn't fair you get to have all the fun."
"Anakin please, you are behaving like a spoiled child. You are not alone Siri's padawan Olin isn't going either. Unlike you Anakin he hasn't been nearly as vocal about his displeasure with the situation" Obi-wan said with a groan. "Besides my absence will give you a chance to brush up on your defensive lightsaber skills, which frankly need some work."
"Ha my dueling skills are second only to Master Yoda's" Anakin joked.
"In your dreams my very young, inexperienced padawan" Obi-wan joked back, "now Anakin do try to stay out of trouble until my return."
"Don't worry, you know me master" Anakin replied with a lopsided grin.
"That is what frightens me" Obi-wan said with a barely supressed shuddered.
The Office of the Supreme Chancellor a few hours later
Anakin sat in front of Supreme Chancellor Hego Damask venting his frustrations with Obi-wan and the Jedi Council. There were times, more often than he'd admit, that Anakin thought the kindly old Munn was the only person in the entire galaxy who truly understood him. Damask had taken Anakin under his wing nearly from the moment the former slave had first set foot on Coruscant. Unlike those in the Jedi order Damask had never once done anything to upset Anakin. The padawan shared secrets with Damask that he'd never dare tell his fellow Jedi, including his own master Obi-wan.
"They tell my I'm the 'Chosen One' yet they treat me with disrespect every chance they get. They doubt me so much that I'm starting to doubt myself."
"I hate seeing you like this Anakin, you are a good boy". Damask said soothingly. "It is most unfortunate your fellow Jedi treat you as a pariah, when you have done nothing but what they have demanded of you. Perhaps they are envious of your raw potential?"
"I suspect as much, but Obi-wan says I'm being paranoid. He says that if I'm handed everything in life on a silver platter that I'll never learn, I'll never grow into my full potential."
"While Obi-wan does have a point, I feel a little recognition every now and then never hurt anyone. You are special my boy, a rare talent, the Jedi admit as much themselves. You shouldn't be held back unnecessarily. Why should you be treated like everyone else when they most certainly are not your equals? You didn't ask for greatness, no Anakin greatness was thrust upon you. No being should be punished for being exceptional. Exceptionalism should be venerated, not condemned."
Anakin smiled at Damask who smiled back. Anakin enjoyed his little meetings with Damask. The Munn always knew how to make Anakin feel better.
"Anakin how would you like to accompany me to supper this evening?" Damask said stroking his long chin thoughtfully. "The Jedi Council insist I require a bodyguard in light of recent events. Though I disagree if I must be guarded by a Jedi, I cannot think of a better candidate than you my boy."
"I'm honor sir, but in light of what has happened I don't think the Council would approve of a mere padawan guarding the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic." Anakin said sheepishly.
"Rubbish, I'm in charge of my own security detail and I say you are ready" Damask retorted. "I have full faith in your abilities Anakin. If the Council has any objects they can lodge them with my secretaries, now let's go it is getting rather late."
Soon Damask and Anakin were seated at a booth in one of the finest restaurants the galactic capital had to offer. The two continued making small talk until Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo entered the establishment. Damask at once noticed Anakin's gaze falling upon the young human female. Instantly Damask's mind was engulfed in an intense vision.
"I will do whatever you ask, my master. Please save my children" said an adult Anakin kneeling before Darth Plagueis in the office of the Supreme Chancellor. Tears ran down Anakin's cheeks. "I don't care if Padme refuses your help. My children have no choice in matter; they shouldn't die because of her stubbornness."
"I do not care what the Jedi Code states, I love Anakin" said a kneeling adolescent Togruta female by Anakin's side who Damask didn't recognize. "I will do whatever you want master, if it means Anakin and I can finally be together."
"Good, the Force is strong with you both. Powerful Sith you will become. Henceforth you shall be known as….."
Abruptly as it came the premonition left him. Damask found himself staring into the smiling face of Padme Amidala. Both the Senator and Anakin were looking at him as if something were amiss. Regaining his composure Damask asked.
"Pardon me Senator, was there something you wanted?"
"Yes Supreme Chancellor, I wish to talk with you about the controversial proposal that is currently circulating in the Senate as I already said a few moments ago."
"You must forgive an old being Senator Amidala, my mind was wondering. Ah you must mean the Emergency Powers Provision Bill proposed by Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan? Though I must say it is the first time I've heard it referred to as 'controversial'. What is you specific objection, or objections, to the bill Senator?"
"It is too wide in scope. The powers it would grant you, with all due respect Supreme Chancellor, are both unnecessary and frankly potentially dangerous."
"Really Senator, tell me how so?" Damask asked, folding his hands together. Anakin fidgeted nervously in his corner of the booth clearly uncomfortable with the impromptu political exchange.
"Take the position of Commander and Chief of the Armed Forces it would grant you for explain" Padme said plowing ahead. "The armed forces of the Republic only consist of the Jedi Order and the individual planetary defence forces, must of which are basic in scoop. The Jedi have their own internal command structure, one I doubt they'd let any politician meddle with. My fear is either you, or a future supreme chancellor, could use this proviso to greatly expand the military of the Republic perhaps laying the foundations of a police state."
"Preposterous" Damask retorted. "Senator Amidala I think you of all people should appreciate the volatile situation the Republic currently finds itself in. After all my late Co- Supreme Chancellor was the former Senator of your own world."
"No one is denying the seriousness of the situation or that what happened to Co- Supreme Chancellor Palpatine was a terrible tragedy" Padme continued unabated. "We can't allow the recent attack to blind us toward the bigger issues here, if we win the struggle with the burgeoning Separatist Movement by weakening, or even worse, destroying the sacred tenants of our democracy than we everyone losses."
Clapping his hands enthusiastically Damask said "If only we had more Senators like you Senator Amidala, perhaps the Republic wouldn't be facing the difficult choices it is. I applaud your optimism. I only hope you can hold onto it as you age. Life has a way of changing us all, for good or for ill."
"Supreme Chancellor please promise me you will not accept any emergency powers the Senator grants you because of the current crisis" Padme asked her eyes full of hope.
"If the Senate grants me emergency powers, it would be a slap in their collective face if I rejected any such powers" Damask said after considering the point for several moments. "I will promise you this Senator I will not publically endorse the bill. It will be carried or rejected on its' own merits."
"Thank you Supreme Chancellor" Padme said. "I must be going, goodbye." She then left completely ignoring the presence of the smitten Anakin.
"What a charming young lady" Damask said.
"Indeed she is" Anakin said with a dreamy look in his eyes, unnoticed by Anakin Damask's flat lips curled up into a sinister smile.
An Unknown Planet sometime later
"Arise Lord Maul" the hologram of Darth Plagueis commanded the lesser Sith. "Your new mission is the attempted assassination of Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo. I do not want the girl permanently damaged nor the padawan I foresee the Jedi Council will appoint as her would be protector, understand?"
"I understand my master" Darth Maul said with a nod. "I will leave for Coruscant immediately."
"Good, farewell Lord Maul" Darth Plagueis said disconnecting his holographic communication unit which was located in a secret room of his penthouse on Coruscant. Everything was progressing according to his design.
To Be Continued