(Vader's Private Quarter – ISS Executor)
Vader was working on his desk, going through the reports and intel summaries on the whole cabal of Moffs. More than half of them had allied themselves with him, but all of them were as self-serving as a hungry Sarlacc. Keeping them in check would be an issue, that is why he started engaging with the public for this very specific purpose. If the plan worked, the Moffs would be left with very little power and authority to become a major problem for him.
The structure of his new Empire was simple. He had split them into four bodies. The Autocrats like Moffs would have minimal executive powers over security, local public order and social protection. The new Senate would take care of legislations and each Senator would have their own sets of power over economic and public welfare affairs of their own worlds. The Judiciary would handle law and order, and its multiple courts and sub-branches would keep the former two in check. And the last, the Emperor and his own Council would have executive powers over the other three.
It was simple, but not easy. Except for his, others would have their own strengths and weaknesses, and it could lead an ugly fight of power-play and dominance. That was why the Office of Emperor has to be strong and firm on them. And to have that, he started his campaign for public support.
Door of his office burst open and Jade walked in furiously.
"Why?", Jade demanded.
"You have to more specific, Lady Jade?", replied Vader coolly.
"Why did you had that press conference? Our power is still not properly secured. I went out the system for a week and in my absence you went ahead and did this. Again, way ahead of our timeline." Jade was shooting proverbial lightning through her eyes at Vader.
"You know why. We need public popularity and populace support."
"So, chastising the entire Galaxy is your idea of getting support?"
"One of the ideas. By the way, how was your trip?", asked Vader changing the subject.
"Eriadu is a non-issue now. Taa unfortunately met his untimely demise. So, Ryloth is in our support. In exchange, Syndulla wants the position of Moff of the sector. He thinks being a Senator is as toothless as the Senate."
"Fine. Why don't take a two-day vacation? You need it. Commander Sallin can act as your substitute."
"Fine. But I want your speeder. Permanently. That's my price for tolerating your hastiness in OUR plans."
Vader stared at her. "Fine."
Jade smile and made herself comfortable on nearby sofa. "I have learned long time ago, Vader, stopping you from doing anything would be foolish. So I just ask for what I want for tolerating you and your crazy plans. One day, I will be richer than you, Your Majesty. By the way, when are you going for the interview? Do you have any candidate for the reporter?"
"It is been prepared and scheduled for day after tomorrow."
"So fast?"
"No, the whole Galaxy already had a number of question. But after yesterday, the number has been multiplied. Rex and Cody complain that they are tired of questions by their troops."
The room went silent.
"What is it, Maki?", Vader finally asked.
"When are we going to be married? Or at least, make an announcement?"
"Not now." Jade was about to say something on this, but Vader continued. "It would take at least a year. So, I am planning to make you the next Grand Vizier. I was and am known before this. You still have no credibility outside of our circle. That is why I am sending to these diplomatic missions. One year is enough and then we will announce our engagement."
"One year? What if some other witch tries to get to you first? You know, right? I am a very jealous person."
"That won't happen. And Maki, you also know. I am not a relationship person. Maybe we can work something out in the meantime. How's that for an idea?"
"Yeah." There was a hint of sadness in Jade's voice. Vader knew Jade wanted to be the Empress, but she also wanted the romance.
Vader hoped that scoundrel Drekk Sallin stops being a coward and makes his move fast. Watching both of them secretly eyeing each other was entertaining, but it was getting annoyingly frustrating to watch as well. Also, Vader and Cody had a bet to win from Rex and Wolffe.
(Two Days Later – Vader's Penthouse In 500 Republica – Coruscant)
Larrona Yousta found herself in new unusual circumstances. It all started when she was freed from the prison, General Wolffe approached her after that infamous conference with an offer. An offer that she couldn't refuse at the time. She still didn't know what possessed her to accept it in the first place. Maybe it was the first of that passionate speech that Vader had given or maybe it was hopeful soul wanted to it to be true.
But here she was, too late back away from this.
"Ms. Yousta, are you ready? We are ready to go live.", an officer came to her in the guest room. She nodded. LIVE? She was never told this was a live interview.
She was led to main living where the setting for the interview was prepared. She was very nervous right now. Taking a seat, she stared the empty seat in front of her. Was ready for this? Probably.
Vader entered casually, reading a datapad. He took a seat and handed the datapad to on of the aides. Then he stared at her.
"You are afraid. Understandable.", Vader stated. "Let me help. From now till this ends, assume yourself the Galaxy."
"G-Galaxy?", she asked nervously.
"Yes, an embodiment of whole Galaxy. Think what any random being from the Galaxy would ask. For now, you are not just Larrona Yousta, you represent the Galaxy. Ask not just for yourself, ask for them. I assure you, even if you spit on me during the interview, I would not punish you. Reprimand you, maybe, but no petty revenge."
"We are ready! Starts in two minutes.", someone shouted in the room.
Larrona steadied herself, went through her own datapad and too a sip of her soothing tea. Ready or not, she was going to do this. Her professional side had a means streak.
Vader was in same uniform that he wearing during the speech.
"READY! FIVE! FOUR! THREE! TWO! ONE! GO!", the same person shouted.
"Welcome! I am Larrona Yousta. An independent journalist. I am here at the request of our new Emperor for one of the first candid interview that we have planned. Now, Lord Vader has assured me that he answer my questions and I would try to do justice by the citizens of the Empire. For everyone who are watching this, I want to make this clear that all the questions I may ask, Lord Vader is not aware of them. That was a part of our arrangement. Right now, I am not representing the Empire, I am here on behalf of the citizens of the Empire. So, without any delay, let's start, shall we, Lord Vader?". Her intro was dull at the start, but she picked it up later.
"Definitely, Ms. Yousta.", replied Vader.
"My first question to you. It might be a little strange. But everyone wants to know. How did Emperor Palpatine die?"
"Oh! Interesting question. That too, in the beginning. Bold.", Vader stated. "I killed him."
She definitely never expected such a straight-forward answer.
"Why?"
"Because I deemed to be unfit to be a ruler. Unfit to be alive."
"So, this was a hostile takeover?". Larrona's mean streak was coming out.
"Yes, by your standards. No, by ours."
"Ours? Is this something between you and the late Emperor? Or is this related to being a Sith?"
"Yes. On both accounts."
"I have to ask you to elaborate on that."
"Such is the relation between a Sith Master and a Sith Apprentice. After the defeat of Sith at Ruusan, Jedi believed the Sith to be extinct. They were wrong. A new Sith Order was formed by Darth Bane. He was implement the Rule of Two as the basis. Two there should be; no more, no less. One Master and one Apprentice. One to embody power, the other to crave it. An Apprentice only succeeds when he or she kills the Master. The cycle continues." Vader paused. "That is answer for latter. For the former, it was personal." Larrona didn't want to ask. Really.
She was shocked at the revelation and the nature of information.
"So this new Order of Sith was formed around a thousand years ago and nobody noticed?"
"That was the point. Hide and wait in the shadows. Attack when fully prepared and ready. And that's what happened."
"And the Clone Wars was your opportunity?"
"No, that was the trap."
"The trap? For the Jedi?"
"Oh, yes, Ms Yousta. But not just for the Jedi. For the Republic too. It was a thousand year plan. The Great Plan as we call it."
"Then the Sith planned everything from the start? The crisis with Trade Federation? Separatist Movement? The war?"
"In short, yes. But it is much more complex than that."
Now Larrona was frustrated. "I have to ask you to elaborate again."
"Fine. Listen carefully. We didn't plan for everything. Even if there no Sith, there would have been a crisis. There would have a war of galactic scale. The Sith were one step ahead of everything. Darth Bane foreseen the decline of the Republic and the Jedi. Every Sith after him had their own version of plan, but the basis of the plan was simple. Mold the opportunity presented according to their own design. Take control in midst of chaos."
"So you are saying that there would have been a war, no matter what?"
"Yes."
"Then how did you do it? Just took advantage of the situation?"
"No, no, no, no, no. Ms. Yousta, you are making the same mistake that the Jedi made. You are also underestimating the Sith. To make you understand, let me tell a little bit about the Sith. The Sith, by nature, crave power. They are selfish beyond limit. They want to conquer. They want absolute control.", chided Vader. "Imagine this, a Sith Master, dreaming of ruling his or her Empire. Imagine the level of control they had to practice. To wait in hiding. To stop themselves from attacking prematurely. Just wait and pass down the mantle to next generation. A dark being, too selfish in nature, but ceding themself for the plan. In my view, it was feat no other sect or Order of the Sith ever achieved."
"Sound impressive. But what does that have to do with my question?"
"I am trying to give you context here, Ms. Yousta.", Vader chided again. "There is another two things you have to understand. The Sith were not just hiding, they were hiding in plain sight. In front of the Jedi and the Republic. Having influential jobs as cover. Businessmen, royalties, members of noble houses, politicians, generals in armed forces, professors and as such. Generation by generation, the Sith were spreading their influence. Take this as an example. Sidious's, I mean Palpatine's Master was Magister Hego Damask of Damask Holding."
"You mean a Muun of InterGalactic Banking Clan? The same Damask? He was a Sith?"
"I believe I already made that clear."
"Oh!" The information was too shocking for her. "I believe you have evidence of such claim." Vader nodded. "And the second thing?"
"Ah! The clones, themselves."
"The clone? What about them? They were loyal to the Republic. Jedi had requested the clone army. Right?"
"Or the Jedi have been led to believe as such."
"Are you implying the Sith were behind their creation?", Larrona tried to be calm and professional, but asked incredulously nonetheless.
"I am not implying. I am simply stating a fact."
"How? The Jedi themselves declared otherwise in the Senate. Why would they do that?"
"We will be back on the Jedi after this. But it was by design. The order was placed by an independent Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas because he had a vision of future. A future of war. But soon, he was betrayed and killed by a friend. And that friend took over the negotiations with the cloners by impersonating Sifo-Dyas. Every clone had a chip implant in their head. When activated, they would follow certain order and they would have not been realised what was happening to them. And that was happened when the Jedi were declared traitors. So, when I said clones had it worse than the slave, I meant by this. Three years of fighting a war side by side with their fellow Jedi generals, all went into flames when the order was given. The sad part was they didn't know what they were doing. And when they came to realise what had done, many of them could not take it well and chose to self-terminate."
"T-That's just evil.", said Larrona softly.
"After that, Palpatine didn't want coming this out in open, so he ordered their mass termination. That is why I took as many clones as I could under my command. The irony is the real victims of the so-called Clone Wars were clones themselves."
"Irony? You find that ironic? They were living beings. Not some tools to be used and discarded.", she almost shouted.
"Ms Yousta, calm yourself. I didn't mean to offend. Yes, I find it ironic. A dark irony, yes. But it is what it is.", stated Vader in a cold voice. "You asked questions, I answered them. Bitter truths, Ms Yousta, bitter truths. Or rather, you would prefer sweet lies."
Larrona calmed herself. It took few moments.
"And the Jedi? They never suspected anything?"
"They had their suspicions. But let me reiterate, it was trap and Jedi sprung it by involving themselves in the war. They had a choice. Not to involve themselves in the war. Not to fight in the war. Not to involve themselves in the internal matter of the Senate. They could have refused to be soldiers, like a true Jedi should have. They let themselves be bound by the chains of desperation, blindness and arrogance."
Larrona then decided to change the subject.
"You said Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas was betrayed by a friend. Who was this friend and why he did that?"
Vader made a sound which was more like dry laugh. "That person was the Sith Apprentice before me, Darth Tyrannous. You may know him as Count Dooku."
"Wait! Dooku! He was a former Jedi who joined the Sith and the leader of the...", she paused. "So theory of the Sith controlling both the sides of the war was correct?"
"Yes."
"And the Jedi never suspected this?"
"They did. But they were too late. They had this piece of information and chose not to believe it. They thought it was a misdirection."
"Why did they think that? Did the Jedi ever disclosed this suspicion with the Senate? Or any other independent party?"
"Then let me explain it. Dooku was an idealist. Before joining the Sith, he got disillusioned by the Republic and the Jedi Order. He believed both of them of be corrupt, which was true. You might remember two Jedi and a Senator were held hostage in Geonosis, where the war started. Then Dooku had informed one of the Jedi that the Senate was under control of a Sith Master. Why he did that? If I have to guess, sentimentality or boasting. But the Jedi had this unverified piece of information since then. They chose to disregard it because it came from an enemy, freely. It was third year of the war, they started to see the validity of such claim. Guess who did they told first?"
"Palpatine.", replied Larrona.
"Yes. See, the thing about the Jedi, they were convinced that the Sith were extinct. Anything came close to that, they believed it to be rogue Jedi or dark adept. But never the Sith. When the first Sith in a millennia was sighted during the Naboo Crisis, they didn't believe it. I have the record of that particular meeting of Jedi High Council. They thought it to be impossible. They were convinced that they would easily sense the return of Sith. Such arrogance. A Sith Master was literally in front of them, they failed to sense it."
Vader had hearty laugh for a moment.
"My next question is regarding that. How couldn't the Jedi sense the Sith?"
"Answer to that is very complex. But let just say, the Sith became very skilled at shielding themselves. We can talk it on a later date in details."
"As you wish. Why do you think the Jedi should not have participated in the war? Is it not their mission to protect the Galaxy?"
"Well, they proclaim themselves as peace-keepers. And peace-keepers have no place in battlefield. If they wanted to do something, they could have supported the ones who were suffering from the war without taking up the arms. But they allowed themselves to be pushed right into the middle of war. That was foolish and weak. There was a time, during the Mandalorian Wars, when the Jedi of the time refused to take part in the war. They were highly criticised for it, but they stood firm on their decision. And they got a civil war in their hands which almost destroyed them. But they survived. I think their decision was correct. Being out the war would have given them an advantage to look at the matter more clearly."
"Then wouldn't the Order been criticised again for not doing something about it?"
"That might have been the case. But think by another perspective, the Republic still would have an army. Also, keep in mind that the Jedi are not soldiers. They know how to defend, but their tactical skills at command level were substandard. In war, there are doing to be loses. Not everything will go according to the plan. Choice are to be made. Very hard choices. The best thing you could do is choose to have minimal causalities. Even then, you might lose the battle. Their mandate to save lives only made matters worse."
"You are saying the Jedi were not fit for warfare?"
"Jedi should know about warfare. But that does not mean they should go to every war. They could have taken the role of advisor if Sith are present in the battlefield or auxiliary support to help civilians. And not to mention, they sent younglings to the war. No matter whatever training they had, they should not have been on battlefields. Even a teen can be good with arms, but that doesn't mean that he or she should fight a war for you."
"But already there were so less of Jedi available. What choice did they have at that point?"
"Then they should have grown some durasteel balls and denied to participate any more. Can you not see the irony here? You are sitting here, in front of a Sith. A KARKING SITH, for Force's sake. And we are discussing morality of sending youngling into war. I can go on and on about the archaic and ludicrous policies and practices of a dead Jedi Order. But I think this enough for one session. So I will take one more question. Make it count."
Larrona knew what she wanted to ask, but hesitated.
Vader assured her, "I know the question. But Ms. Yousta, ask it anyway."
"Why are telling this to the Galaxy? Exposing everything. What would you get out of this?"
Vader was silent before answering.
"I was not always a Sith. I had a life too. A normal life. I too had dreams of my own. Aspirations. A beautiful mundane future. I too wanted things like any other normal being. At that time, I used to think being a Jedi was most awe-inspiring thing to me. Never heard of a Sith. Had friends and close ones."
Vader paused.
"Then I was dragged into this mess that I had no idea about. This never-ending conflict between two mortal enemies. And I was brought by the bad guys. No matter how hard I tried, I was not able to escape. Then one day, you get to know that you also an experiment, a creation because some Sith got curious. Made, not conceived like most normal beings, just like the clones. Furthermore, then you realise that you the Sith lost you for a while as their pet, but reclaimed you later as their property. It puts everything into new perspective, don't you think? You are nothing but a tool to be used, a weapon to unleashed on enemies, a puppet to be commanded as your owner's wishes. A slave, through and through."
After a pause.
"I don't require anyone's pity or compassion. I have already accepted the fact. I am what I am. But I HATE the Jedi and the Sith. BOTH of them. The ultimate paragons of light and dark, good and evil. Whenever they fought each other in the past, everyone else pay the price. And when their fight gets over, one side celebrate in glory and other starts making plan for the next fight. And the problem is even if my any miracle, both the sides annihilate each other, the Force won't allow it. Then again some dolt will rise with the power of the Force and another dolt will rise to oppose it. And the cycle continues. That's why I have said, you all forgot. And when you forget, you are bound to make same mistakes again and again. Don't make assumptions here. I may not be as evil as Palpatine and the Sith before him, but I am just as much dangerous. I have killed. I have butchered. I may not have the same inclinations as before, but know that many Jedi, rebel, traitors, enemies and combatants fell against me and my lightsaber. I have slain them without mercy. Any other kind of gracious assumption about me would be foolish."
With that, Vader ended his answer.
Larrona nodded. So many thoughts whirled around in her brain. She had many more questions, but had to be patient. Until next time.
"That would be all, Lord Vader. Thank you for the answers for the question."
"Actually, I just had an idea. From next time, why don't we take questions from our audience as well. You can setup a platform for this in HoloNet. Few questions from curious minds won't hurt. What do you say, Ms. Yousta."
"Of course, Lord Vader. That would all. Thank you for tuning in. This was Larrona Yousta with Emperor Vader. And we will back with the interview."
And the first of many interviews with Vader came to an end.
(Dantooine – Secret Jedi Base)
"Can you believe this?", asked Master Billaba. "A Sith giving interviews like a celebrity!"
"Disturbing this is.", said Master Yoda.
Master Yoda came to the base few weeks ago. He ceased his self-imposed exile after he felt Sidious' demise through the Force. He hoped that that would make things easier. But nothing was easy as he learned the hard and painful way.
"He is painting us as a war-mongering Force adepts. And he said himself that we were not true Jedi. I cannot let him slander our name any further.", said Master Billaba.
"My main concern is how did know such things. And in such detailed manner. Being an Apprentice doesn't guarantee all teachings is imparted from the Master. Especially if they are Sith. Palpatine must have been paranoid enough for not trusting anyone with such knowledge.", Master Ti chimed in.
"What if he found other sources? If that is the case, I find it more concerning. He defeated his Master, who almost annihilated us from existence. I am sensing this not an ordinary foe.", commented Master Fisto.
"Whatever the case, several were already against us. After this, many more will look at us as weak.", said Master Billaba.
"But we are weak now. We cannot afford to go against the Sith any more. We have to think about the future of our Order too.", replied Master Ti.
"Yet we cannot leave the Galaxy at the mercy of a Sith.", added Master Fisto.
"In haste take action we cannot. Some truth in the words of this Sith there are.", said Master Yoda. "Observe we should longer. More information Master Kenobi will bring. Patience we must have. Lost we have. Won the Sith this battle have."
"Master Yoda is right. He is doing this to get the support of the public. Nobody knows anything about this Sith. Which can be advantageous for us. There is possibility of power struggle in the future.", Master Ti agreed with Master Yoda.
"We do know something. Vader claimed in his speech that we rejected him. He thinks we were cautious of him because we thought of him as dangerous. But I also don't what to think of him saying that he was created out of an experiment.", Master Fisto pointed out.
"We can investigate. Unfortunately, we don't even have a good fragment of archive with us. There were almost fifty cases when we rejected someone due various reasons in last twenty years. And sadly, we might have given an impression that they were dangerous to most of them.", stated Master Ti.
"We ask Master Kenobi to investigate.", suggested Master Billaba.
"But that can put not only him, but also others around him in danger.", countered Master Ti.
"Patience we must have. Said that I already have. Hast we must not. Present itself an opportunity.", advised Master Yoda.
"Hey, look at the bright side now. The Galaxy doesn't think of us as traitors any more. Now they just think we are incompetent. That's a progress.", said Master Fisto cheerily.
Everyone in the room laughed at that.
AN: I am back with surprise. I have completed two chapters, this and the next one. Hope you will like them!
Confession time: I totally forgot that I brought Yoda back. Sorry!
I have very serious question. In the movies Organa knew Palpatine was a Sith. But why hide the fact. At least, informing the Alliance's Council could be a good idea. Just a thought. I mean, Palpatine doesn't anybody to know. Organa never told his allies (not clear, who he told in Legends or Canon). And Vader was the Sith everybody hated (totally deserving).
You got admit, Vader's a showstopper. In any form.
Another question. Quick one. The last scene from Chapter 10. Who do you think that was?
Now for the comments from the last chapter:
First: ShellShell4 from AO3
"This was hilarious! 😂 Political maneuvering or not...it was satisfying. Honestly, that was the most honest speech a political leader ever gave. Vader couldn't have been more clear. I can't believe Obi-Wan hasn't realized who Vader really is. You really demonstrated how the truth hurts. And all that footage! Sith and Jedi secrets exposed for all to see.
And Vader has every right to mock them, he suffered because of their mistakes. Padme seems both impressed and enraged.
I'm excited for the next interview."
Thanks. As Skywalker/Vader would say, "Politics is boring". I find language in politics very over-complicated and pretentious. Like you have to find words that fit multiple scenarios at once. I like that you enjoyed the speech. Your 'How Obi-Wan didn't guess' issue resolved here. Ahem, that was always my plan. Hope you would like a little Padmé/Vader in the next chapter.
Second: DS2010 from FF
"I liked Vader's speech he is certainly taking action that no others did"
Thanks. I always thought Anakin, Mon Mothma and teen Ahsoka (when they would finally snap) would give a speech like this. In my mind, they fit the bill.
Please read the next chapter now: "A Flame Is Ignited".
I hope you liked it and your feedback is most welcome. May the force be with you!