Chapter 13
(Coruscant)
The arrival of the 68th Imperial fleets' detachment that had been and technically still was in command of by lord Kun was met with interest by Vader's own armada, and the people of Coruscant. As Imperial center was now in the presence of the Home Capital Defensive fleet of the Empire, but also Lord Vader's five hundred strong armada and now Kun's. no one who wasn't in the highest of Imperial echelons knew what was going on, and even if they did they may regret it.
As such, an imperial shuttle was taking off from the flagship of the 68th and headed for the Senate building. Inside were but several passengers, and one nameless and quiet pilot. There was the Sith acolyte Darth Viathan, or simply Viathan as he believed himself unworthy of the Darth title yet. Then there was the Alderaanian princess, Leia Organa of course. Then there were two others. Two droids that the princess had insisted come with her. Both of them were as dear to her as friends really, though the protocol droid, a one designated C-3PO, was a chatty and oddly frightful but proper droid befitting any royal. Then there was the more "free spirited," astromech droid designated R2-D2. The little "astro-droid," was quite the "talker," and would usually, make fun of or insult C-3PO, or at least Viathan thought it did considering the protocol droids replies on how R2 was being either, "rude," or "ridiculous." Nonetheless Viathan found them endearing in their own ways. Though the protocol droid could do with a muzzle from time to time if he were honest.
Viathan stood as the shuttle steadily descended into the atmosphere of Coruscant, his home, and he couldn't wait to see the sleepless city-planet once more. Unlike most people who visited Imperial Center and left feeling clustered, confined, and happy to leave it behind, Viathan loved the atmosphere and life the world had. Its diversity and constant life was something to behold, and he would dare anyone who hated it to say otherwise in his presence. Only now he had to and did grimace whenever he thought about the fact that his old master Palpatine was down there, and he would have to go before him eventually, and that made him almost not want to go at all.
Sitting near to him on one of the shuttles steel benches on either side of the ship was Leia, who still wore a white simple outfit of jeans, a loose fitting shirt, boots, and a scarf like fabric that hung loosely from a strap around her neck and it flowed to her mid back region. All of it white. It honestly made Viathan wonder how the white didn't blind him once in the starlight. She had a passive look upon her face and seemed to be once more deep in her own thoughts. While the two droids were, like an old married couple seemingly bickering once more.
"No I don't know why we're going to the Imperial capital. It's not your or my place to ask where mistress Leia goes!" C-3PO commented to his smaller companion in a chastising manner that made Viathan nearly smile. R2 beeped in a quick succession that even to Viathan seemed to be an angry response back to 3PO. "Oh do shut up you over glorified trash compactor! You are far too nosy for your own good R2 and one day it's going to get not only you and me into trouble but the mistress as well!" 3PO barked back in what seemed to be a small argument taking place, and apparently the astromech droid was far too curious for the protocol droids liking.
"Please you two quiet down." Leia spoke up in a calm but obviously slightly annoyed manner. "Oh goodness me mistress I am terribly sorry for disturbing you but R2 just will not stop asking me questions about why we're here on Coruscant, and I am trying to tell him that it is none of our business, but he just simply will not-"
"Yes thank you 3PO I know I heard you! Just please both of stay quiet for a while!" Leia interrupted as 3PO nearly went on an endless explanation, and this time Viathan did find it in himself to let loose a small chuckle.
"I must say your two companions are charming in their own way milady…I mean Leia." Viathan said as he had to correct himself mid sentence. Leia cast him a weary look but smiled. "yeah sure if you like having an old couple argue all the time nearby." She said smiling and rolled her eyes.
"My sentiments exactly. However I have never met a more…interesting couple than these two in all the years of my proportionally short lifespan." Viathan commented as R2 beeped and whined in a loud manner that he assumed meant he was happy.
"Yes I heard him R2, now do please be quiet and do as you are told!" 3PO reprimanded, and R2 made a "sad" whine. Only for Leia to look at them again and shake her head at the two. "See what I have to live with?" She asked with a lighthearted tone and Viathan nodded in agreement. "Oh most definitely. I never realized how tormented you must be on a daily basis." He replied in playfulness and both teens shared a chuckle at the two droids expense. "Now look what you've done you bucket of bolts! You've upset them for sure with all your beeping! Now we'll surely be sold for scrap because of you!" 3PO cried out in his proper voice in as much fear as a droid could muster. Causing Leia to sigh. "Where did your protocol droid evolve a sense of fear princess?" Viathan asked as the shuttle made a rumble and turned as it continued its dissent.
"I haven't the faintest clue where he got that from." She replied before addressing her droids with a stern voice. "3PO I am not going to sell you, so calm down, and leave R2 be. I brought you two along for company, and I don't want to begin regretting my decision okay?" 3PO bowed stiffly as he was most capable of. "Oh yes mistress Leia, forgive me." 3PO replied with what Viathan took to be relief, and R2 waddled in place and made a bunch of noises that Viathan sensed to be laughing. "Oh do shut up R2." 3PO said in the closest thing to exasperation a droid could muster.
"We will be landing at the senate building in a few more moments sir." Cam the voice of their pilot. Another nameless but efficient officer of the Empire. "thank you captain." Viathan replied as he refocused his attention to the princess.
"Have you ever been to the senate building before Leia?" She shook her head. "I have been there once or twice but it was not for long visits. Bail always saw fit to keep me at an apartment when he brought me here, and I was very young, so my memories are not the best really." She explained and Viathan nodded.
"I think you will find the building quite the sight. Though personally I can't stand politicians such as the Imperial senate. They are far too, oh what's that word?" Viathan asked himself. "Ah, they are far too worthless, inconsequential, ineffective, and almost unnecessary." He declared adamantly. Leia frowned.
"They would be more effective and important if power was actually given to them to be able to commit themselves to changing and helping the galaxy. They can't do anything because the Emperor has made them utterly non-important in the grand scheme of things." She retorted and Viathan gave a curt nod. "While that may be true princess. I will be among the first to argue the ineffectiveness of the Old Republic and the senate which was already rife with corruption and inability to act. Now do not misunderstand me. I do not see the Emperor as a force for good. If I did, well, why would I have asked you to come along?" Leia shrugged to his argument. "I know you don't like him, but I am not advocating whatever ideals your master or even Vader are. I am here to get across what I want done, and as an added bonus, I will be getting some pointers in the force by you. Making me and my opinions a bit harder to ignore right?" To that end Viathan gave a minuscule smirk. "I suppose I am useful for something in your mind milady?" He asked. She nodded, and replied in a playful manner, "You have you uses my imperial friend." they shared another mutual chuckle at that as the shuttle began to make its landing at some senate landing platform.
The group of four, two droid and two human teens exited the shuttle that was now quiet and comfortably sitting idle upon a landing platform. Viathan stretched out his senses once more in search for his master as he had done earlier to locate him, and he was happy to feel that he was still inside the massive dome-like Senate building. Satisfied by his senses Viathan cast a look at his companion and found Leia a little wide eyed and staring all about Coruscant and in awe of her surroundings. She may have been here before, but as she had said she hadn't remembered much. "Shall we proceed then?" he asked with a slightly amused tone, and Leia looking a little embarrassed by her awe for the city planet nodded, and they proceeded into the massive building with the scurrying droids following close behind.
As they approached one of the many entrances, and the one that was for their landing space, Viathan narrowed his eyes as he spotted four Stormtroopers standing guard in front of the door. Indeed the force was swirling inside the halls of the building, and it was unusually quiet even for a landing pad for the senate building. "That's odd." He commented loud enough for Leia to hear and look at what he was commenting on. With her own eyes narrowing with distaste Leia commented, "Are troopers usually supposed to be guarding a landing pad?" Viathan shook his head. "Under certain circumstance maybe, but I have not heard or seen anything that would make me think such was necessary. Though grant it I have just returned, so I suppose it's best to wait and see." Leia nodded in agreement and the group continued on.
"Halt!" Called one trooper as the group approached further. "This building is under Imperial restrictions, and only authorized personnel are allowed in. State your business." He further stated and Viathan came to a stop and ordered the others to follow suit. 3PO being the only one to simply say, "Oh dear," in mild fear.
"Under whose orders is this building restricted trooper?" The one that spoke before was apparently the one in charge as he was the only one to speak. "By order of lord Kun this building was put under lockdown as classified Imperial business in conducted in light of the war." Viathan nodded, and was pleased to be vindicated at feeling his master within. "Very well trooper. However I have clearance to enter the premises under authority that I serve the Emperor directly. Identification code 4-7-T-P-5-4." 'Force I hate reciting these stupid code.' Viathan thought as Emperor's Hands were given a variety of codes to enter into restricted areas, and now was the time to use it his advantage.
Pulling out a datapad the trooper entered the code, and after a moment snapped his head to look back at Viathan. "Forgive me agent. I was just following lord Kun's orders." Viathan waved him off. "No apologies necessary trooper. Keep up the good work. Oh, and these three are with me under my supervision. Full responsibility falls on my shoulders for them." The trooper nodded and sidestepped to allow them through.
Once they entered into the building proper Leia gave her imperial friend a look. "What?" He asked with a shrug. "Nothing really. I was just a bit confused that he called you agent. Not commander, or general, or some military designation." Viathan responded with an "Oh," as he understood her confusion. "Technically I am an agent of my mast..I mean of the Emperor. I hold military rank when and if I am given authorization by he or another above me in rank." He explained but the princess looked a tad more confused. "That's been bothering me. I know you say your master is Exar Kun, but on many times you have referenced the emperor as your master. Now you're one of his agents. So what are you exactly?" she asked, and Viathan paled a little at the fact that he would have to explain himself more thoroughly than before. Though he could have sworn he explained his situation to her earlier, but Viathan conceded that the last few weeks have been so hectic that even if he had told her what he was in the empire she may very well have forgotten.
"It's a tad complicated." He replied with a sigh and as the four continued a steady paced walk down a long hallway as Viathan let the force guide him to his master. "No better time to explain than the present I would say." She challenged and Viathan nodded in relent. "I suppose there is wisdom in what you say. Very well." He said with unease in his voice. "I served the emperor since the very moment was brought into existence. He is…uh I mean was my master. I lived for him, and would die for him gladly." He responded and immediately he sensed Leia tense. "I endured…much." He went on as he did not wish to say just exactly he endured. "Under the Emperor I was taught and trained for a multipurpose Imperial life. I learned much about war and battle at several academies and under private tutelage by various military men. I was also trained in the ways of the force by Inquisitors, or when appropriate my master himself." 'Yet for all this you show no loyalty.' The voice spat suddenly at Viathan and he shook it away not wishing to let his insanity be seen by the princess who was already growing anxious with him.
"I underwent much training and did many tasks in the name of my creator, my master, the Emperor. I sampled my first taste of leniency, my first witness to understanding and calm acceptance by my new master. My true master. Exar Kun." Viathan declared in a low voice as he remembered the quick conversion of his loyalty he underwent not to many weeks ago from Sidious to Kun. 'Treason, nothing more needs saying or thinking about it.' Once more the damnable voice declared and Viathan gritted his teeth in anger at it.
"I apologize if my past, upsets you. I can do nothing more than assure you that I am in service to but one master now, and that is Exar Kun. Which as I have said before is against the current establishment. The Emperor." Viathan reminded in a low voice as if he thought someone was listening, though no one was. Leia gave an uneasy chuckle in reply. "Well I did ask, and you did answer. Maybe next time I should ask someone their full back-story before I go off to a planet with them eh?" She said and despite the fact Viathan felt that she was ever so slightly insulting him he nodded and gave a small smile of understanding. After which they walked in silence with the droids ever trailing behind. They were nearing Kun's position as he Viathan sensed but it would still take a few moments in the labyrinth that was the senate building.
"I'm sorry." Suddenly she spoke up causing Viathan to slightly jerk his head toward Leia. "Whatever for?" He asked in reply, as she looked slightly embarrassed once more. "I know I offended you, and well…I guess you have been truthful and nice to me for sometime now, and my distrust of you just now was really…oh I don't know," she paused for a moment in thought. "Uncalled for I guess." The hotheaded princess finally said and Viathan feeling uncomfortable waved her apology away. "There's no need to explain yourself milady. I understand why you felt uneasy of me. My past is something I must admit to be very unnerving to people, and especially myself. I am after all, an agent of the Empire either way you look at it." He responded and Leia cast him another slightly confused look. "Think of it like this princess." He continued, and fell back into the habit of not saying her name. "A lesson in the ways of the force. Never fully trust another. Full and complete trust will lead to opening yourself to weakness, and weakness breeds more weakness. Others perceive weakness as an opening to their own plans and ambitions. Sith never trust another fully, and are better for it." With finality the young Sith declared as he returned to walking towards his master. However Leia did not seem to agree.
"Never being able to trust someone is a horrible idea!" She exclaimed, but not to loudly. "Without trust nothing could ever get done. Without trust nothing would be certain, nothing could be accomplished, it…it….well it is just a horrible idea really!" She said as her own reasoning for the argument was hard to define. Viathan in turn shrugged. "There is little trust in the Empire milady. Perhaps, as you say, nothing really gets done because of that. Perhaps this could be one of the many new ideas you bring into the Empire. Trust being essential." He added. "However, from where I stand complete trust in another is a naïve notion. One that will ultimately lead one to their downfall and more pain." He finished with, and apparently the conversation ended there as he came to a stop before a set of doors where two Massassi guarded, and were eyeing him.
"Massassi, I assume your lord and master Kun is behind these doors, correct?" Viathan asked and both hulking red beings bowed their heads. "Inform him that Viathan wishes to humbly speak with him." He declared and the Massassi, whom carried each a spear, glanced their yellow eyes at one another before the one on the left nodded for the one on the right to go. When the doors opened noise of a crowd of people suddenly flared up in volume but died when the door closed. Making both Leia and Viathan confused and interested as to what was going on behind these doors, but Viathan had a sneaking suspicion that perhaps it was best left be and Leia not see whatever was happening. The force whispered this much to him at least.
"What do you suppose is going on in there? Also why is the building so, empty?" Leia said and Viathan just shrugged with a passive look on his face as he really did not want to know what was happening right now. 'It may not bode well for trust at the moment, and I need some of it right now.' Viathan figured, and before Leia could say anything more the door opened and out came Kun with a hooded young boy by his side, and the Massassi who he sent for him.
"Viathan! What a pleasure it is to finally have you back on the capital!" His master declared in an elated tone. Viathan in return kneeled. "I have returned as you have commanded me, my lord." Exar nodded his satisfaction before laying eyes on Leia who seemed a little uncomfortable by Viathan's kneeling position. "Rise Viathan." Kun commanded and Viathan followed. "Now I do believe this is princess Leia Organa from house Organa, and heir to the throne of Alderaan yes?"
"Yes milord. I am princess Leia Organa of Alderaan." She replied stiffly. Which Exar noticed.
"I do believe we were not properly introduced milady. I am Lord Exar Kun of the Galactic Empire. At your service, as is my apprentice of course." Exar greeted formally with a slight bow. "It is doubly a pleasure to see you here amongst us on Imperial Center. I was quite elated when my apprentice informed me that you decided to join him on his return journey. I trust the trip went without any issues?" Viathan stepped in there.
"Nothing out of place happened master. It was quite uneventful, and thankfully so now that the Moffs have lost their senses." Exar smiled in return.
"True. War is brewing as we all must be doubly aware of our surroundings, but now is not the time to discuss such matters. Though I think soon we will be forced to nonetheless." The dark lord intoned.
"Now I believe my apprentice has told me that you are aware of your powers young princess." Kun said as he addressed Leia. Who nodded in reply to his statement.
"Excellent! Then we need not go over such boring introductions as to what the meaning of our order is. The Sith will be taking a far more active role in the galaxy because of this war, and will be the cause of change in one way or another. So to reiterate what I believe my apprentice has already said milady. You have a choice to make of course. Either be a part of this change that this war will…unfortunately make upon the whole galaxy. Or play no part at all, and do nothing." The Sith lord reasoned out. "I think you have taken the first steps in the best possible…no, the RIGHT path!" Kun declared happily, and once more seemed to knock the princess and the young boy Viathan didn't know, off center with his bluntness.
"But as usual, there will be a far better time and place to discuss such things." Kun went on. "Oh, bit where are my manners! I would like to introduce an apprentice of a mutual friend of ours, Lord Vader. He goes by the name Starkiller." Kun introduced the boy whom was still cloaked and was only a tad bit taller than Leia, he bowed in greeting and said nothing. "He will be my charge for a few days at the most, as lord Vader is busy with some nasty Moff business, and shouldn't take him too long." Exar informed the three teenagers he found himself surrounded by. Which if he were not serious about using these three as instruments for his designs he may have laughed himself at the absurdity of being in the company of teenagers all the time. 'War is always fought by the young I suppose.' Exar thought with a smirk.
"Now I have some business to finish up here in the senate building. A nasty case of treason seems to have infected many senators, delegates, and representatives as of late." Kun intoned and immediately Viathan felt an uneasy shift happen in Leia. "As such, I will have the three of you return to Lord Vader's palace here on Coruscant. Young Starkiller here can escort you there via shuttle." The Sith lord said as Starkiller stepped forward as if he were ready to leave as soon as Kun stopped speaking. "Oh, and thank you for all you help Starkiller. I found your skills most useful in dealing with the senators." The young Starkiller bowed deeply in gratitude of the praise, and made Viathan raise an intrigued brow, while Leia frowned. "Now the three of you stay out of trouble, and I will meet you back at Lord Vader's palace in some time." Kun declared turning back towards the door he entered from. "Oh, and Viathan," He spoke up before they all turned and left. "Do find our young guest here a suitable room with the help of Starkiller here. A fine base of operations the palace will be for now, and I sense she will be staying here on Coruscant for a time." Exar ordered with a knowing smile, but none of the teens understood why he had that smile on his face, and thus with a bow Viathan and the others left. With the droids in tow.
As the teens left his sight Kun smiled once more as opened the palm of his hand where lie a single yet potent brown hair from the young princesses head. "I do believe between fifty to eighty hairs fall of the human body in a single day." Exar thought aloud with a grin. "Lord Vader will be most pleased." With a chuckle Kun opened a small pouch on his belt and placed the thin strand inside, making doubly sure it was inside a secure pocket before closing it and retuning to the anxiously waiting senators.
Of course inside the room Kun had left a scene in mild chaos. There were currently thirty politicians tied up and on their knees on the balcony where he was standing. All of them gagged, all of them disheveled, and all of them looking tired from struggling. Among them were two very important members of the Emperors personal hit list. "Now senators Mothma, and Bel Iblis, I do believe that we were getting to the part of this little debacle where you renounce all transgressions with the Empire you have ever had in the name of loyalty in these, shall we say, hard times we find ourselves." With a wicked grin non of the senators had seen before Kun went on.
"You see, I see it as you having several options. Either you recant all your little treasonous and rebellious quips, jabs, and outcries, and be sheltered in an imperially funded lavish apartment here on Coruscant for the duration of this horrible war." Kun offered as he bent down to look the gagged senators in their anger and disgust filled eyes.
"Or, you can not recant in which case I will have to order your very public execution before the masses of scared citizens of the Empire who know see everything non-Imperial as Moff loyal, and well, let's just say the public isn't very Moff friendly at the moment. Which brings me to my final offer which is to openly declare your disloyalty to the Empire and have your 'arrests,' made public while I ship you off into a rather foul building here in the underbelly of Coruscant for 'reeducation,' and before either of you get any noble ideas in those stubborn little heads of yours, let me make it painfully clear, that I can, and will break you just as I broke your dear little friend Organa." The Sith lord declared in a humor filled whisper as both senators eyes widened before returning to slits of rage at the knowledge Kun broke Bail Organa, whom both had not yet decided whether or not he had openly or accidentally betrayed them and the rebel causes across the galaxy.
Exar gave a dramatic sigh. "I think I need to make a rather unbecoming example to get across how uniquely serious of a man I am to the continuation, and prosperity of the Empire." With that Exar turned to Mattizz and with a smirk nodded his head.
The hulking Massassi snatched up the senator from the Humbarine sector, a known rebel sympathizer whom had taken the position from the last rebel sympathizing senator from Humbarine. A woman named Tinnia Boular. Though a rebel sympathizer she was quiet and passionate, kind and friendly. As such Mothma and Bel Iblis were forced to watch as Mattizz, with a guttural growl ran the woman through with his spear directly down her neck, puncturing her spine, and skewing the poor woman. Both senators mumbled their cries of horror and anger at the scene as all senators present either gasped, remained silent, or straight out screamed in horror. In reply the Massassi all cheered for the blood sacrifice to their lord Kun who turned his smirking face back to the two senators before him.
"Now just imagine what will happen to you, and your friends, or family, or very well your entire planets as civil war can force people to do very drastic things." Kun intoned deeply and darkly as blood began seeping through Boular's gaping wounds as the Massassi warrior had violently yanked its spear from her. "So, can I get a response to what option you two fine senators will be taking?" Bel Iblis mumbled some profanity at Kun and stared daggers into him.
Again kun sighed and with the force yanked the man into the air for all to see.
"You see senators. You all find yourselves in a very precarious situation I'm afraid. The Moffs are turning world after world against us, and sadly the Emperor is more inclined to fear their treason than your pathetic gripping, and frankly many of you are considered traitors now because of this Moff debacle." Kun said in a loud and booming voice to the political crowd beneath him. Bel Iblis was choking and gagging violently as he could not breathe an was thrashing about in the air before Kun and the crowd.
"Everyone must make a choice. Treason, or loyalty. The choice is yours, and sadly some of you have made your choice quite clear." Exar intoned a bit lower than some could hear. "This is the price of treason right here and right now." With a flash of speed and power Kun yanked his saber into his hand activated the brilliant blue blade and with the force violently pulled Bel Iblis to him and with a clean swath cut the mans left arm off. His grin widening and his grey eyes glazed over in delight Kun tossed the writhing body to the floor as Bel Iblis screamed in agony, and even with his gag everyone could hear him, or at least Kun, and the other gagged senators could.
"Now, I would very much appreciate it if everyone would kindly decide whose side are you on. Moff or Imperial. Treasonous or loyalty. Life or death. It is far better we get this problem sorted out now while I have all of you in my grasp here and now, and sadly….there is not single person in the galaxy coming to your aid. I do believe a little event you all cheered at called Dubrava ensured not a single kriffing person in this whole galaxy trusts a one of you." Kun mocked them as they recalled how they all foolishly, or at least the majority of them did, clapped and cheered at the act of carnage that had now truly isolated them from any and all sympathy. "You will find," Kun said as he looked down at Mothma who glared at him from where she was on her knees. "That I am your only salvation today."
The senate would never be the same from this day. The day the Empire broke the back of the senate, and killed the hope that would have been a true and honest rebellion. For from this day that alliance, and that ideal was truly dead.
Authors note: Sorry to all you fans (if there are any) of the rebel alliance leaders from the senate. you know Mothma, Bail, Iblis, but I don't have any places for them in my story, and this will be Au as it goes on, and always remember this is a Fnafiction, so don't be mad they lived and fought against the Empire in the "real" star wars universe. I just happen to need them out of the way. now with that in mind what did you guys think? Love the chapter hate it? Did you like the darker side of Kun being shown once more? Leave a review if you please and make my day. :D Again please excuse or point out any and all grammatical errors, and please enjoy!