(Somewhere In The Works – Coruscant)

The whole planet was in lockdown. Only transports in the air were of Military or Government officials. The whole atmosphere was filled with fear and uncertainty. Few sirens and announcements could be heard through several levels.

Officially, the city was under attack of terrorist group called the Rebellion Alliance and traitorous Jedi. Some believed it. Some did not. But most of the citizens just wanted normalcy back in their lives. Many had already too much in the war and many more in the aftermath. Life before the war had become a fleeting memory, almost forgotten. Such was nature of war, of conflict. Ironic. Because most of them were calling for war with the Separatists, not even realising the cost and sacrifice that they would pay. And now, there was hopelessness, pain and grief. All entwined with a giant mess of lies and half-truths. An enormous illusion. And the most funny thing was that they didn't even care about truth any more.

In the desolate lands of the Works, stood a lone dark figure. And he had been there for hours. Still and unmoved. Looking at a small memorial with no markings.

"I have done it. For past four years, I have been preparing for this.", finally spoke Vader in low voice. "Now that I have done it, it feels surreal. Like a dream. A beautiful dream that I am afraid to wake up from."

Vader slowly removed his mask.

"Now that I have fulfilled my first vow. Do you know what I feel right now? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Just empty. Devoid of anything and just tired." Vader inhaled the polluted air and let his face feel the air. "Still there a lot to do. The Galaxy needs to be shown a mirror that reflects back what nobody wants to see. Its own demons and their darkness. And I will show them. Whether they like it or not. Because I am not giving them a choice. They had their chance. But no more."

A tear trickled down from his left eye, but he didn't care. He may had been a Sith, but he wanted to feel... something. Anything but this void.

"Do you...", Vader choked for a moment, but continued, "Do you think I still have a home somewhere? A place where I can belong? Anyone who can understand?"

Then he went silent. He didn't want to think any more. With his mind blank, his face devoid of any emotion, he stood there for several more minutes.

"Bye. For now. If everything goes well, know that I am not selfish enough to say I did it for you. That would be an insult. I am doing this for me and me alone. And if things don't go well, then...", he just shrugged, "well, let me tell you, I will have heck of a story to tell you when we meet."

With that he put the mask back and went back to his speeder. Before starting the speeder, he looked the towards the rising sun. He murmured, "Now the real fun begins..."

And with that he sped towards his destination.


(Command Centre – Coruscant)

Commander Sallin was busy handling the reports of arrests made throughout the planet and the Galaxy. With him, General Fox was coordinating with his clone generals Rex, Cody and Wolfe in taking control of the Imperial Armed Forces. Across the room, Lady Jade was occupied with holo-calls with fellow co-conspirators on the political side. With senate indefinitely suspended, whole planet was in turmoil now. Sallin secretly stole glances of her, regularly checking on her. She was a natural.

It was almost a day after with the supposed attack on the Emperor, they gathered here after the confirmation of Emperor's unfortunate demise. And no one, absolutely no one in the whole Galaxy, was in grief.

Just few hours ago, their de facto leader, newly appointed Commander-in-Chief Vader came and took his office and started conducting meetings with... simply put, Emperor's lackeys. Sallin knew what was going on the Vader's private office. The low level blind followers of late Emperor were given only three choice – follow in line with the new regime, retire with substantial funds or face the afterlife. But the choice was an illusion. He knew who chose which, as they all predicted.

And for bigger Banthas in the picture, like Amedda, Moore and Tarkin, Vader would handle them himself. After all, these were the real puppets of late Emperor. Puppets with immense power in the Empire. For now, they were being being placed in remote luxury locations for there protection.

Sallin then realised the gravity of the situation here. The power struggle would be real. The plotting, scheming, back-stabbing and, more importantly, risks that would dictate the course of not so distant future. Just brute strength is not going to be enough. Many situations would call for more... subtle solutions. Each step to be taken careful considerations. This was a war. A war with no blasters and lightsabers. With no planet or territory to capture. But a war, nonetheless.

'Next few months are going to be a headache...'


(Two Days Later – Command Centre – Coruscant)

Bail Organa was tired. Exhausted, to be accurate. Events following that farce that was called a trial had been... unexpected. And by observing the activities around him, whenever he was moved, it seemed to be the case that the Apprentice had been successful in usurping his Master.

It was both good and bad news. Good, because Palpatine was dead. And bad, because a new Sith has taken his place. Also the bad one could become worse if he had to guess, since Vader was responsible for single-handedly crushing the Rebellion. Force knows what more he was capable of.

But more pressing matter was he was being moved, but this time, he was being escorted to one of the upper level of the Command Centre. This was different. He was not being moved to another secured quarters.

When he reached his destination, he found a large hall with dining area at the centre. The large dining table was adequately filled with various cuisines. Enough to feed an entire battalion.

'So, it is an interrogation, I guess...'

What he didn't expect was arrival of his fellow prisoners. First Mothma, then Dodonna and Amidala. Kenobi and Tano were last to be escorted. Also there were two more with them. Jedi, judging by their appearances. Knights Olin and Thel-Tanis, he remembered correctly.

Then another unexpected thing happened. They were uncuffed. Also their personal belongings, that taken from them when they were detained, were placed at small open cabinet at the other end of the hall. Including lightsabers.

"Ah, it seems that you have arrived. I hope your stay with the security personnel was not too uncomfortable.", Vader appeared, marching alone through other entrance. "You see, I was preoccupied a bit since we last met. Please, be my guest. It is my intention to serve you with our finest delicacies as..."

Vader was cut off by Knight Olin when he called his lightsaber, activated it and charged at Vader. But he was pushed by the Force and he fell on Thel-Tanis.

"Master Kenobi, are all of the remaining members of your Order are mentally challenged or is he a special case?", spoke Vader, sighing. "Keep the lightsaber, Knight Olin. It seems have calming effect on you, focus on that. Pfft, Tyranus was right. You Jedi seems to think with you lightsabers than using at least five of your brain cells. Anybody else want their personal items with them. You can have it, if you like. But be warned, foolishness can cause great harm, often to the fools themselves. Anyhow, please have a seat. We have much to discuss. And you all must be famished. What better way than do it over dinner, don't you think?" Vader gestured towards the table.

Vader sat on the host seat and waited for others to do the same.

"What do you want?", Padmé asked.

"If you want to kill us, do it. Interrogate or torture us, do your worst. You would gain nothing.", Mothma added.

"I think I have already said that. To dine with you and discuss some important matters. Is it too difficult to understand?", replied Vader.

Slowly they all took their seats, even Olin.

Looking at the vacant seats between Vader and the others, like they were maintaining their distance, he spoke, "Ah, still shy, I guess. Fret not, you won't be harmed. Unless you try something like that dolt did. Please, have your fill."

Then Vader proceeded to pull up his hood and removing his mask. His face still obscured in darkness. Not even the lower part of his face was visible, unlike Sidious'.

Service droids started servicing the everyone at the table. Everyone were silent and still, except for Vader, who was drinking a juice recently filled.

For several moments, there was silence, except for Vader who was clearly enjoying his meal. Then someone's stomach grumbled, clearly by looking at the food and being fed only with rations. Vader turned towards the culprit.

"Padawan Tano, you can try the same that I am having if you are afraid of being poisoned.", spoke Vader.

"What if you have an antidote for yourself?", Ahsoka spat back.

"Master Kenobi, your Padawan has a very creative mind.", spoke Vader. Then addressing Tano again, "Poisoning you would be last thing I would do if I wanted you harmed or dead, young one."

"Fine, what do you want to talk?", finally Bail asked himself. He already sensed that Mon and Padmé were already about to do the same.

"Hmm, yes. But first, let ask you. All of you this. Why did Sidious won?", Vader asked, his his finger pointing at everyone else.

"Because he deceived us. Betrayed us. And we got ourselves manipulated.", answered Bail.

Vader sighed and muttered to himself, but audible to all, "Baby step, Vader. Baby step."

"Am I wrong?", inquired Bail, not knowing where this was going. Was Vader going to gloat?

"Bah, not entirely. Last part was correct. But not for reasons you might think. And I am asking – why. Not how. This is why half cooked lies and half truths are more dangerous than complete truth or lie. Poor Sidious and other Siths. Nobody understands their intelligence. Don't get me wrong, most of them still disgusts me.", answered Vader casually.

Everyone were shocked by the Sith's antics. For different reasons. Bail knew there something more going here. His instincts was screaming at that this Sith is somehow different. Also that he is dangerous. Not only physically, but intellectually too. He glanced around to see others and realised that everyone were afraid.

Then room suddenly became more chilly. Such raw power that even non-Force sensitives could feel.

Vader spoke in very cold and threatening tone, "Apologies for such boorish display of power. But it seems you don't understand the point through your narrow-minded perceptions of the Galaxy. Even though, you have been utterly defeated, you pride and petty ideologies doesn't let you see your weakness and underestimated your greatest obstacle. You have underestimated the Sith. Just because something is evil, does not mean they are going to be defeated by your so-called pathetic 'for the greater good' mindset and weak sense of morals. And there are many, many aspects of the mess, which I should point out, you all have participated in. Now, let answer the critical of 'WHY' that I asked moments ago. Two of the main, among others, reasons Sidious won. First, the Galaxy was already in Darkness. You just blindfolded yourselves with your own excuses. The second one is much more complicated than you realize. Simply put, you don't even understand how corrupt you all had become. By your innate weaknesses, negligences and flaws."

Then as if on cue more people entered the hall. It was Mas Amedda, Wilhuff Tarkin, Sly Moore and Sate Pestage. Along with few more following them, and Bail observed that they were followers of the newcomers. Bail only speculate the reasons they are here. But he knew with the Emperor dead, these people are only few of those want a piece of power that was left behind. Predatory, power hungry creatures driven by personal greed. Perfect candidates for the corrupt Empire.


Vader smiled inside his mask when the his new guests arrived. Just as he predicted. They knew exactly what happened. And they knew were caught with their shields down and would do anything to survive. For now.

Amedda stepped forward. "I was wondering, Lord Vader, when you were going to meet with us. We should have planning our next steps. Instead we find you... frolicking with these traitors who murdered our beloved Emperor. Our Emperor and my close friend, such a loss to the Empire. He considered himself friend of these traitorous scum. And they backstabbed him in the end. Allow us to handle such matters. They are more cunning than they pretend to appear. After all, we have been dealing with their kind before you."

Vader was amused at these snivelling bastards. They knew they lost their opportunity. And he knew what was their next move. Dangle a bait of friendship and promises of fealty, while consolidating their own power and influence. He wanted to laugh at their weak attempt, perhaps this was their only opportunity.

He got up and called out two small blasters, from the cabinet where he kept, that belongs to the rebels, in his hands. Without losing any moment, he fired four precise shots. Amedda, Moore, Pestage and Tarkin all dead in a moment. Their bodies fell on the ground with a single collective thud. Small amount of smoke still rising from heads.

He observed the Jedi were on their edge. They could make an attempt to take him down.

"Don't even think about it, Jedi", chided Vader coolly. Turn his attention to cowering lackeys of the dead. "It seems that enemies of the Empire were cunning and dangerous than we thought. Not only they assassinated our Emperor, but also his biggest supporters too. You can go back to work. We must focused on stabilising the Empire and work towards safety of the public. As you have seen, these traitors are very dangerous, so it is prudent that I handle them myself. You all may go now."

At the chance, the remaining associates of the recently demised started to leave, fearing for their own lives.

"Stop!", Vader commanded. "My guest are tired and have not eaten proper meal since last few days. I don't want them to lose their appetite with these four. Contact with Captain Hardcase. You must have passed him and his men before coming here. He knows what to do."

Understanding the meaning behind it, they started to drag the bodies of those who were their leaders just few moments ago.

"Again, my apologies. Their greed and ambitions outrank their sense of self-preservation. It is, or was, their nature. That is why they were Sidious' favourite toys. Eventually they would have choked on their aspirations."

He sat back. Now looking at the blasters, he asked, "Who are the owners of these? Let me guess. This... small, precise, customised and extra-grip for smaller hands. Ah, Senator Amidala. And this one... non-standard but very popular among soldiers for personal use, must be yours, General Dodonna. Here take it." Vader simply threw each blasters to their respective owners.

"What. Do. You. Want?", asked Padawan Tano, almost growling.

But Vader ignored her. "Master Kenobi, it appears that you are not doing a good job of training Padawan Tano. Behaviour and conduct of Jedi reflects their Master's own."

"Forgive me, Darth. But I was wondering what is the point of all of... this?", asked Kenobi.

"Oh, I thought destruction of your precious Order must have humbled you. Not enough, I guess. Suppose, if you could defeat me, here and now, then what?"

"What do you mean?". Even Kenobi was curious. Nice.

"You have been granted the rank of Master since when? When you defeated Darth Tactus, after he decimated the Jedi temple. Did your superiors have ever told you how many times both Jedi and Sith have been nearly destroyed throughout the history? How many times one side rose and other fell? How many times their positions changed? Heck, do you even know where did Sith came from? Or even Jedi? Does your Order even know? How many Sith have you actually killed, Sithslayer? Or any member of spineless Order of yours did? None. I am the one who end their lives. Three apprentices and one master. Then again, what was your Order good at, except for kissing the wrinkly behind of a Sith master?"

'Nice, they are curious now. But Jedi are getting now...'

Then Vader turned towards Organa and his political companions, "And you. Do you even know how many crimes happens in a single day, here, at lower level? Outside of your luxurious penthouses, there is world where citizens are struggling with plentiful problems, right here, the literal figurehead of the Republic, not just as your political centre. Isn't ironic? How Coruscant accurately represents the state of the Galaxy? The Core and Inner Rim worlds, and upper levels, where the elite are. The Mid Rim worlds and middle levels, where different and diverse sections are, some try to live in peace and some are just troublemakers, some more greedy than others, but everyone looking out for their own, in a sense. The Outer Rim worlds and the lower levels, where lawlessness thrive, but ignored by others. At last, The Unknown regions and, lowest and deepest levels, where Forces what happens, entirely cut off from others."

'Good thing, I learned politics from Dooku. Oh! The look on their faces! Good. But enough with the general bashing. Time to have deserts for fun...'

"How dare you!", growled Amidala.

"Are you saying this is all our fault?", asked Mothma in angry tone.

"What a Sith like you even care about anything except for power?", shouted Olin.

"Your tricks won't work on us."

"Sith lie and deceive. Why should we believe you?"

And many more negative responses came after that in various negative manner. But oddly, Bail and Kenobi were silent. They were just staring at Vader contemptibly, but with a hint of doubt in their eyes. Vader smirked.

'Nice fireworks out here. So cute! They are little Ranchors crying. They all are out of balance. That's it with first impressions. Now let's end this. Careful, Vader. This is playing the opponent. Calm. Focus on the eye of the storm...'

Vader, focused to his core, sent an enormous wave of Dark side to his surrounding. Let the tendrils of the Dark side creep on everyone's mind. Everyone fell silent and became more alarmed. He felt everyone's discomfort and slammed their mental shields with darkness for a good measure. Then he turned towards Bail and was letting everybody know what he was about say was specifically directed towards its intended audience. Bail straightened up a bit. Vader waited for few moments and spoke in his dark tone as letting everyone know that he is the Sith Master, Dark Lord of the Dark Side.

"Do you know, Senator Organa? This could have been prevented. If this idiotic fool of a Jedi named Obi-Wan Kenobi had not revoked his alert request of one Anakin Skywalker just three weeks before the war started. Your daughter's sacrifice would have meant something."

"W-What do you mean? What are...", Bail couldn't complete his question, still trying to gather his thoughts. Mention of his daughter had hit its target.

Vader took out a datapad and placed it in front of Bail.

"This incident report was filed just eleven galactic days before the battle of Geonosis. Read it later. It summarises as this. A boy was found near a remote Jedi outpost in Sullust system. He was unconscious for two days and was incoherent whenever he was gained consciousness. Then Count Dooku came, explaining how he saved the boy from a Dark Jedi, but it traumatized the young too much to make sense. Then the Jedi, who written the report, went on and on how idolizes Dooku for rest of the report. And then under personal remarks, how bizarre the boy's mumblings were, claiming Dooku and Chancellor are Sith and also claiming they kidnapped a senator's daughter training in Dark side. Finally ending the report with pathetic attempt of a humorous punchline."

When Vader was sure everybody, especially Kenobi, registered what he said, he continued, "Do you want to what happened after that? Sidious ordered Dooku to deliver appropriate punishment and make an example out of them, Ellya Organa and Anakin Skywalker to be tortured for their escape attempt. You see, I was chosen as the executioner. I don't remember clearly, who died first. I never killed anyone before that. Never taken a life. I don't who I killed first. The boy who begging for the girl to be spared. Or the girl who just gave up, but still hoping the Jedi Skywalker found would report it to the Council or at least someone like Kenobi or her father. Hoping with her death, at least the Sith would be discovered. But I remember the lightning Dooku threw at us and Sidious' sadistic laughs. That day I got my Sith name and a promotion as Sidious' personal errand boy." After a pause, Vader spoke again. "But that really did not happen. What your daughter hoped for. Right? What really happened was this report was put into the backlog to sent with other monthly reports. Since Kenobi already revoked the alert request under the orders of his superiors, the system did not flag any priority warnings. And who would remembers a missing Jedi initiate? Who has time to go through records of kidnapped daughter of some influential being? Especially, if assured by one of the greatest Jedi, even if he had left the Order. Then war started. The Jedi, who reported this, were ambushed by Separatists forces on their way to their first mission against Separatists and got killed."

Vader stood up, started to leave. But he stopped midway, turned back to address his guests for last time for the meeting.

"You can leave have freedom... to an extent. You are allowed to do anything except for leaving planet. Why, you might ask? Due to the circumstances, orders of your execution has been suspended. A new large-scale investigation has been initiated regarding nature of death of Emperor's and many high officials, security breach, intelligence failure and depth of corruption which the terrorists have exploited. And this may take months, perhaps even several months. The senate also has been suspended indefinitely. Your arrest has been revoked, but charges remain. You will escorted to a luxurious penthouse, previously owned by the late Emperor. You can have communications to outside of planet. Right now, the city is in state of emergency, so non-military communications are not allowed. If you want to contact your families and friends regarding personal matters, which might I suggest you do, you contact your personal escort who would be keeping you under his supervision, Commander Boil and his team. They will provide anything you may want... within reasons, of course. And be forewarned, you will be monitored unless you are deemed not an immediate threat. If I see that my act of mercy being misused, then be prepared for consequences."

Then Vader sensed a Force signature, coming towards him.

'What's she doing here? And how did she bypass Jade? Let's get out of here and deal with her later...'

"As for in exchange for your cooperation, I am providing you a token of good faith. Knight Olin and his girlfriend can leave the planet, if they want. And tell you what? Since I am feeling being benevolent, I am extending this offer to all except the Senators, the General, Jedi Master Kenobi and his Padawan. Others can leave the planet. We will continuing our discussion later. Got to go now. Have to check and make sure dear old Palpy did not create any clone of his. Or left me any other surprises, for that matter. Bye. Have your fill. Later. May the Force serve you! Or be with you! Or whatever!"

With Vader, started to leave, but realised he was late.

"VADER! YOU KRIFFING SON OF A BANTHA!", a female appeared.

"Vaduh!", exclaimed someone, a small youngling, behind the female.

Vader wanted to blaster through the walls, just to avoid the newcomer.

'Of course, the guards could not stop her. Well, let's use this... unexpected turn of events to my advantage. It '

Vader exclaimed with fake excitement towards the youngling, "Oh Dear! What a surprise! It's the everyone's favourite, future's greatest warrior, delightful Witch Princess and...", then Vader dead-paned, "... her seemingly grumpy, mind-numbingly terrifying and doubtfully deadly mother. I was about to get in contact with you guys, you know. I was just... preoccupied, as you can see. Nonetheless, Lady Ventress, what can I do for you?"

Vader could hear someone, didn't matter who, behind his back groaned, "Someone please just kill me already. I can't take any more of this today."


AN: Hope you like it.

Confessions time. I wrote this chapter before I complete the previous two. Simply because it was more interesting to write about. That is why I killed Palpatine quickly in previous chapter.

This is the pivotal chapter of the entire story. Everything before was just set-up. This where things kickstart forward.

I would really, I mean REALLY, like to know thoughts on this. This chapter is the outset to the main plot. Like who could be Darth Tactus? How could be still Ventress alive? How much the events that happened in movies and animated series also happened here?

And just could not resist the clone remark that Vader makes at the end. Sequels-lovers, I did not want to do it, but my hands didn't listen and just typed the word by its themselves.

I got two comments on FF from guests:

First:
"This looks interesting.
Honestly, rejecting Anakin is doing Anakin a favor. Vaderkin ends up hating Obi-wan much more than Dukoo because Obi-wan is a father or a brother while Dukoo is merely a stranger. Anakin is sensitve and likes to show off to get validation. And the Jedi don't care about how long Anakin has been trying. They only care about the fact that Anakin fails to do. If Anakin is older and wiser, he would know that he doesn't shape up to be a Jedi due to his personality and trauma. Anakin needs to find a less restrictive career to fulfill his ambition. The Jedi and him are an unfortunate mismatch. It's better for everyone if they go separate ways."
Thanks. And made a good point there. Personally, I believe Anakin needed someone to be his confidante, friend and guide. And he got that in the movies. Unfortunately, it was Palpatine. He was better off as a slave, where he could at least be with his mother and we know resourceful he can get to get his mother and himself free.

Second:
"I hope Vader and Padme don't end up together,really Vader deserves better."
Well I agree logically, but I watched Prequels first when I was kid. The pairing just got stuck in my mind. But I always felt bad for Padmé. She was much for than just love interest of Anakin, mother of Luke and Leia and a senator. She was kriffing founding member of the Rebel Alliance. She was so popular that Palpatine had to gag order on her profile.

Wait for the next chapter: "Sprouts Of Tomorrow".

I hope you like it and your feedback is most welcome. May the force be with you!