A/N- This chapter is a mixture of both darkness and fluff. I hope you enjoy it because most of the next chapter is Ani/P!
Chapter 25-Outcomes and Revelations
Summary: Alternate World: The Empire Prevails and the Jedi have all been in hiding for thirty years. Emperor Palpatine searches for a way to live long past his dying body through cloning technology and his attempts at descendants. One of his "experiments' escapes and comes to live a slave's life on Naboo. He will meet and forever his destiny changed by the fateful meeting with none other than one young Naberrie girl…
Location: Inquisitor Maul's Office, Coruscant
Month 4 Day 17 Year 28 BBY
The devastation at the Imperial Shipyard had made headlines. Five dead soldiers. Five were murdered by some lifeform in a mask and cape. It has been 3 days since the incident.
Inquisitor Maul's eyes roam over the footage from the control tower. He's watched the footage several times all the way through. He observed the creature use force chokes, force pushes and throws. He observed the purposeful killing rather than by accident. He had used his lightsaber which was an azure blue- much like that used by the Jedi before their fall. In Maul's mind, the Jedi are all but a story now for children or holos. However, there was one detail that did not connect to this masked figure. Jedi don't use the dark side- and several moves are similar to those used by the Inquisitors. The Jedi did not believe in killing unless defending their life or someone on their mission. This " Vader" used the dark side with a Jedi's weapon.
So why attack the Imperials?
Maul has spent a few hours this morning scrambling through the databases for former Inquisitors and trainees who might have " died" or left the Navy for rebellious purposes. He has a few leads in mind to follow, but most likely these will be dead ends because everyone who fits the criteria is either missing or dead. Moreover, they'll just have to wait to see if this was a singular attack or not. Maul has other plans at the moment. He is waiting to hear back on the results of the mission to the Sullust to destroy the armory of the rebellion. They have several, but this strike will be preemptive.
Their mission had been delayed due to the control tower being taken out and it was a couple of days via ship even in the fastest of cruisers and destroyers available. They should have reached Sullust this morning if they had kept their tight schedule. Count Dooku had ordered several of his best Inquisitors to go but had asked Maul to stay behind, mainly because he is in charge of Skywalker.
His mind roams back over the villgantie and its purpose. Had this Vader been after the control tower to help the rebels? Maul thinks so. Its strike had seemed random three days ago, but with the mission to Sullust delayed it has caused chaos. Maul's pondering will be questioned by Count Dooku or any other member of the main four until he has actual proof. If the armory is left empty when they arrive and their mission is a failure, then most likely this creature was a distraction by the rebellion. If it is not a failure, then most likely his assumptions are dead wrong. On the contrary, Inquisitor Maul's assumptions are hardly wrong. If he is correct about the distraction it leaves another problem for him to personally deal with. The information was released only to those within the Inquisitors' offices after Commander Skywalker had interrogated the man in question. The strike happened hours after this interrogation so that would insist on a rebel infiltrating the Inquisitors' and that thought is jolting enough to worry Maul. Maul does not worry about anything- and this means his instincts of the cadets he's trained are wrong and he despises being told he is wrong.
" Sir, the Imperial Destroyer Kendris have completed their mission on Sullust and are ready to report to you," Commander Skywalker's voice comes from behind him.
Inquisitor Maul's gaze flickers to his newest trainee. He stretches out his senses and feels nothing from his mentee. Anakin's walls are fully blocked- one of the reasons he had brought him before the Emperor. His powers are in constant change- and he's a fast learner. Faster than anyone he's ever met in his time working as an Inquisitor. He nods and responds, " Good, I'll take his report here in my office."
Anakin nods his head and is about to depart when Maul expresses, " This is your victory too. You uncovered the information that we used to bring the rebels to their knees."
Anakin clasps his hands behind his back and nods silently. He has awaited news from anyone as to the Rebels' forces. Qui-gon hadn't spoken to him in the last few days as he was still furious with his behavior. Obi-wan hadn't been also silent. He had made his opinion known, scolding him after he returned to his apartment after his classes. They had fought very loudly and had apologized to each other by the end of the night. That is just how their friendship dynamics work.
The holo screen flickers to life and a tall olive-skinned man appears on the screen. He is dressed in the attire of an Inquisitor. Maul clasps his hands in front of him and awaits his report.
Inquisitor Logan begins his voice strong, " Sir my men arrived at the location and there was nothing left."
Inquisitor Maul lifts his golden eyes to the screen and questions, " Nothing left?"
Inquisitor Logan nods and confirms, " There is evidence of the armory once being there, but nothing is left. Thermal detonators destroyed it. I believe the rebels knew of our discovery and chose to evacuate before we could arrive."
Anakin tries not to smirk at hearing this confirmation. Maul must not know of his deceit. He is clever and brilliant and must be able to rely on Anakin to do his job and be trustworthy with intelligence. He builds up his walls and Maul has taught him and keeps his victory squashed until he can speak to Obi-wan and his father.
Maul's fury is evident in his tone. " That damn masked creature is helping the rebels. Inquisitor Logan report to me anything you find under the debris, anything even if it is not significant."
Inquisitor Logan nods and says, " Of course sir, I will report back to you in 12 hours of any inquiries we have."
Maul gestures to the screen and it shuts off. He whirls on Anakin and states, " Commander, we have a traitor amongst us and you will be helping me find him or her."
Anakin stands firm and questions, " How will I be able to help sir?"
Maul's white teeth gleam under his black lips. His black lips curl into a grimace. " You will report to me any abnormalities you find in logs by anyone, do you understand? I want you to check back the holo camera footage from the past four days and report any suspicious activity to me, understood?"
Anakin tries to keep the groan out of his voice. " Of course sir."
" You are dismissed."
Anakin turns on his heels and leaves the office. He groans once outside. He hated any work that had to do with long strenuous hours of research. It takes patience and that is one quality he lacks compared to his friends Padme' and Obi-wan. He understands this is a part of his job- but he'd much rather be either back in the Vader suit and killing stormtroopers than have to spend hours over audio and video holographic footage. He sighs and heads to the security department.
Location: Main Imperial Center, Coruscant
Month 4 Day 17 Year 28 BBY
Padme's eyes flicker to the large dinner menu on the datapad. Senator Clovis had asked her to join him for dinner tonight. It is her last night at his office and he had offered to buy her dinner for all her help over these past few weeks. His green eyes flicker to her undecided expression and he comments, " Choose anything you like, I'm buying."
Padme' bites her lip and isn't sure she wants to go that route. She knows he can afford to buy her dinner and everyone else within the restaurant, but it does not mean she needs to take advantage of his hospitality. She asks, " I've never been here, what would you suggest?"
Rush's white-toothed grin is wide. He swirls around his glass of Nabooian red wine and comments, " I'd suggest the flared envision fish platter. You are from a world with many fish dishes. I think you'd find it delicate and smooth to your liking."
Padme' nods and presses her order through the datapad. Her order registers and she sets the datapad down in front of her. Rush lifts his wine glass and toasts, " To you, milady, and your brilliant mind."
Padme' blushes at his comment. She lifts her wine glass to her lips and sips it. She hadn't chosen this particular wine and it is dry to her tongue which usually drinks whisky with Anakin, but the wine is suitable for a fish platter.
Rush eyes the beautiful young woman in front of him as she blushes. He is surprised that her ex-boyfriend has not rushed to Coruscant to beg for her forgiveness. She is clever, smart, and compassionate- qualities in a woman of her age that Corde' lacks. Corde' is also from Naboo but is a few years older than Padme'. Corde' has quite gotten on Rush's nerves as of late with her nagging him to go public with their relationship. Her internship would be over within a few months and she's declared her undying love for him- something he honestly isn't interested in. Not when this fascinated angel sits before him.
His eyes graze down briefly at the bit of cleavage she has in the red dress she wears. It is long-sleeved and buttons up from the front. His mind wanders to what her small breasts would feel like under his touch and shivers. He's yearned for her since the moment they met but has not made a move because she is Bail Organa's cousin-in-law. He had promised Bail to look after her and not swoon her with his charms as he usually does with women. Padme' seems mostly unaffected by them unless he flatters her with a compliment.
He begins, " So are you excited to return to Naboo within a few days?"
Padme' tries to smile, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. The honesty in her eyes is reflected in her voice. " Not really- it's been quite an adventure being here these past few weeks. I am very thankful that I've had this opportunity to be a part of your staff. I have learned a lot."
Rush's green eyes reflect something hidden, something Padme' can sense within his force signature. His elation at her response to his question has him bent on pins and needles with excitement. He swirls his wine and sips it again.
" I'm thankful for your help and delighted that you do not want to return home."
Padme' nods and her mind wanders to Anakin. They had been out twice now and spent quite a bit of time in the sheets as well. But neither of them had put a title on their relationship as it stands they are best friends with benefits and casually going on dates with one another. Her hurt aches knowing she'll have to be away from him until Summer Fete which is ten weeks away- too long in her datapad.
Rush asks casually, " What of your ex? Do you think you will reconsider him when you return?"
Padme' laughs into her wine thinking of Palo. She would never regret breaking things off with him. She replies, " No- I won't be seeing Palo again. He and I have gone our separate ways."
Rush replies with determination, " Then I shall offer you this."
He pushes a key of some sort into her hand. She notices the numbers and her eyes widen. It is a key with the code to a residence in one of the upper sectors near five hundred republic. Most beings who lived within these establishments were full-time members of a public officials staff- no interns lived there, not even Corde.
Her mouth is agape as he continues, " I have spoken to your professors and they are highly aware of your excellent grades and have permitted you to finish your university classes from here. I want you to be my full-time aid Padme'. Corde' will be leaving soon and I need full-time help instead of more interns who leave after two years. An aid's job is full-time and the hours are grueling at times, but the trouble and experience are worth it. Someone took a chance on me, and I want to do the same for you. I think you have what it takes to become a Senator in the future and I'd like to help you with that future."
He pauses and slides a datapad into her hands as well. " This includes a contract of two years of salary and residence. If after this you choose to stay on or pursue your dreams I will endorse you. The residence comes fully furnished but please alter it in any way you like. I know Imperial Gray is not for someone like you."
Padme's heart beats heavily against her chest. The ache of leaving dies within her.
I can stay. I can stay with a full-time position- and skip over being an intern. I can stay and be with Anakin.
That is what she's been afraid of- this short-term job has led her to be terrified of taking a leap of faith with him. Her heart beats excitedly with this realization. She's been terrified of her feelings for him because she has thought she'd be returning home- home light years ago from him.
I'm in love with him.
She smiles brightly with her revelation. She's not afraid of expressing this now. She can stay.
Her silence has Rush concerned that she may be rejecting his offer. He hadn't offered anyone a job within a short time like this before- but he was enchanted by this angel- beauty and soul. He will not claim her, but he'd damn well support her in her career as she can rival him within the Senate.
She says politely, " In most circumstances, I'd have to think about this- but I've thoroughly enjoyed working with you Senator. I gladly accept your job proposal."
Rush pats her hand and replies, " Well now that business is settled, we can enjoy the rest of our meal."
Padme' smiles and giggles into her wine glass- hopeful for her future and hopeful for telling the man she loves that she's staying and she wants to be with him.
To Be Continued