A/N- The following chapter is almost entirely dialogue. Not even characters will be directly named unless as part of the dialogue. Hence it will be a very much shorter chapter than usual.
Sorry , this is not a full chapter like the previous ones. Instead, consider this a bonus scene to Chapter Five.
Interlude-The Conspirators (I)
"How does your scheme go?"
"The occupation is complete. The senate is bogged down in its procedural process. They will do nothing."
"The Queen has disappeared though, has she not?"
"She will be found. My apprentice will see to that."
"I'm sure he will. However, for the time being, our aims line up perfectly."
"What do you mean? My only interest is getting the Queen to sign the Trade Federation treaty. More to the point, how are you aware of the Queen's disappearance?"
"There's a person of interest to me in the presence of the Naboo Queen. If your apprentice is able to retrieve him too, I'll allow you to study him. I have agents ready to take him but I am doubtful they are up to the task."
"I assure you. If my apprentice goes after this boy as you request, he will capture him just as he will the Queen."
"I hope so. I would hate to deploy some of my best operatives prematurely."
"Your operatives are no match for the Sith. We have secrets that not even the Jedi know."
"And I have secrets that you don't know. In any case, we have methods of levelling the field of battle against any foe."
"What makes this person of interest of yours so valuable to you?"
"He has abilities that... what's the phrase?... He has abilities that anyone in this galaxy would kill for. Even the Sith would be jealous of those abilities, I believe."
"You say that if we capture him, we can study him?"
"That is correct. He is not the only one of his kind but he is one of the far more valuable ones of his kind."
"I will send my apprentice after him then. There had better be no trickery on your part."
"There will be none for I have no interest in your galaxy. My interests ultimately lie elsewhere in this universe. You'll be able to build your empire without interference from us."
"You'll keep your promises?"
"Yes. We only keep promises with those who are considered superior."
"I'll be in touch then."
The Holo communication link was cut off and another was connected.
"Lord Maul. I have been informed about a boy who possesses abilities that may be of interest to me. To the Sith cause. In addition to capturing the Queen, you are now to also capture this boy, unharmed."
"As you wish, my Master. Is there a description of him?"
"Only that he is in the presence of the Queen of Naboo. I do not have any information about his appearance. You will have to rely on your instincts and be mindful. This boy is an unknown quantity in our plans and should not be underestimated."
"Yes, my Master."
Elsewhere
"The Sith Lord will attempt to keep the boy for himself. Is it wise to allow him to make an attempt to capture the boy."
"It matters not if the Potter boy is captured by the Sith or not. Our plans will succeed and the entirety of this universe will become ours. It is more important to draw out my old master for he has tracked us here and it is necessary to kill him so very thoroughly."
"Surely, we can just shoot him and end the matter?"
"You are just like most others who have that same belief. My old master is very difficult to kill."
A/N- I hope you enjoyed this brief interlude of a chapter and please review. Meanwhile, I'm going to wish myself a Happy Birthday.