Chapter 28- Bounty Hunter
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:Director Krennic's Residence, Coruscant
Month 5 Day 14 Year 28 BBY
Krennic taps his fingers against the cool dark navy desk. He has been waiting for Senator Clovis to confirm that the 3 trillion credits have been posted into their private account. Krennic is not a patient man in any sense, but he is a sensible man. Sensible enough to know that Rush is either stalling or his precious Council on Scipio is debating on their lives or their money.
He yearns to return to the Death Star as planned tomorrow evening. He has to oversee the construction of Erso's prototype. The prototype that the Emperor desires to see is operational by the end of the summer. Erso may be a miracle worker, but if they do not get these funds approved then they cannot pay the forgers on Jedha to retrieve the Kyber crystals without anyone noticing their presence. This seems the opposite of the Empire's usual tactics, resorting to using hired hands to gather their fuel for the weapon had cost much and negotiations with the smugglers who had been discret in retrieving the smaller amounts of Kyber crystals. If the prototype succeeds then, the Imperial Miners will go in to retrieve the rest of the Kyber crystals.
It has been Krennic's career dream to pursue this venture. Count Dooku had revealed the nature of the Death Star 15 years ago- just as Krennic had been starting out in his career. He had been a young officer with a bright future ahead- he and Erso- a fellow scientist working on the project with him. Erso's allegiances at times have been questioned. Galen Erso married a few years back and he and his wife at times have considered settling down to start a family. Krennic had persuaded Galen to stay on for now- in hopes that the prototype can be forged and finished on the Emperor's timeline. If they succeed then in 20 months the Death Star will be fully operational and no one will stand in their way- not even the Rebellion. The Emperor's reign will not be seen as a failure.
Krennic is one of the few who knows of the waning health of the Emperor. Along with Dooku, and Maul and Mas Amedda- they have worked tirelessly to pave the way for a new future if the Emperor dies. He has contingency plans- plan A, and Plan B. Plan A is the most suitable in the case of his early death- transference of his sithly being to someone of equal powers within the force. Krennic wonders if it will be Maul as Maul is very powerful in these so-called force and not to be trifled with. Yet again from what Krennic has heard over the chatter between the Dooku and the Emperor a new rising star has shown incredible talents; namely Anakin Skywalker. Krennic does not know of this young man and will have to wait and see what becomes of his path.
Plan B will be handing over the power to Mas Amdedda, and Count Dooku until the Senate can formally choose an heir. This option is not a wise one since that means anyone can take control of the Empire- one that desires to return to the failure of the Republic. Krennic desires to not see the Republic again. He had been young when it had fallen and what the Clone Wars had done to the galaxy was a nightmare he'd like to forget. It had killed some of his relatives all due to their loyalty to the Republic.
He sighs tired of waiting for the holomessage confirming their acceptance of the funds. Perhaps Senator Clovis needs a bit of a " push." He has after all that pretty little intern that he had been sleeping with- and he has the newest aide as well- it is quite obvious of Senator Clovis' affections for the young lady. Perhaps if a hired gun were to " kidnap" her or the other intern- what was her name- Corde?- yes- perhaps Rush Clovis' might hurry along his little Council.
Krennic pulls out his personal com. link and dials an all too familiar number. The buzzing of the com. goes off for a mere two buzzes before the feminine voice at the other end purrs out, " It's you, what do you need of me this time?"
Krennic's particular use of this bounty hunter has been most enjoyable. She is discreet with her dealings and all ties back to her clients are discreet. She has a higher fee than most, but she's good at her job. The bounty hunter goes by the name of the Nexu- named after one of the galaxy's furious creatures- much like a silent Nexu- her work is much the same.
" I have a small assignment for you. I've transferred your fees and files on the two targets. I do not want either of them harmed too much- meaning keep them alive until you hear from me." He demands.
Nexu sighs and her tone is that of annoyance. She does not like kidnapping assignments, they bore her. However, if she is able to torture them some- that's a bit of an amusement.
" How long do you need me to hold them?"
"Two to three days max. It depends on how fast my client determines their worth."
" And if your client does not pay up?"
Krennic's smirk returns and he murmurs, " You can choose one to kill, once every 24 hours."
Nexu's soft laughter should be warm like most women's when they are amused, but her tone is that of ice. That's why Krennic likes her. She does not care for humanity and finds thrills in her assignments.
" I will let you know when I have the packages."
" Very good see to that."
The comm. link goes dead, and Krennic leans back into his seat. Nexu works rather rapidly and it won't take her more than a few hours to track her targets down. Senator Clovis will have no choice but to submit to his will- if he wants to see either of his aides again.
Location: Imperial Sector, Coruscant
Month 5 Day 14 Year 28 BBY
Bail and Dorme' had been so kind to invite Padme' and her friend Corde out for dinner to discuss their business arrangements. The dinner had progressed late into the evening hours and Padme' had offered to walk her friend home. The restaurant was only five blocks away from the Interns Residential area. Padme' would have to take a transport home back to her sector. But Corde' and her baby's safety remains her biggest priority.
" Your cousin is very kind," She points out as they walk in the warm night air.
The controlled weather on Coruscant has become warmer than usual, indicating that in a month's time summer will be upon them. Both Padme' and Corde had decided to wear what they had worn to work today as it had been a shorter day than usual but were dressed in lighter dresses for the heat with shorter sleeves. Their dresses are a deep maroon as this is one of the colors allowed by the Senate to display whichever Senator they worked for.
" Dorme' is wonderful. I'm happy that you took the position."
Bail had offered Corde a full-time aid's position which she would start after her internship is complete. Her internship would be up at the end of the month as she's been with Rush for her two years full-time. But it will give her an income to support her and her new child.
Corde' nods and adds, " I think I will enjoy working with Senator Organa. He's very vibrant and compassionate about his policies."
Padme' nods, her mind wandering to Rush's meeting from a few days ago. Her belief in solid politicians has begun to wane, she knows there are some corrupt politicians, some rebels within their midst as well- but she hadn't thought Rush was one of the corrupt. She had yearned to speak to Bail about what had happened in that meeting, but the problem was that all she had was her words and recording back at Rush's office. It is only a voice recording and for Bail to take anything to the Senate against Rush or Krennic she needs more- more information,- perhaps even the bank accounts mentioned within their meeting. To get these will mean she will have to infiltrate Rush's datapad without his knowledge and she's not sure if she has those skills or a droid that is capable of doing so. She'd have to wait and have to plan this out a bit more extensively.
" Padme? Are you all right?" Corde' calls out, concerned about her silence.
Padme' smiles and nods, eying their direction. They have three more blocks to walk back to Corde's residence. But Padme' eyes the area as it isn't the best area in the Imperial Sectors, but not the worst. Her senses begin to tingle and she stretches out her senses- she can sense some of the life forms around them- not focused on them and their outing. She senses the lifeforms partying away their night in the high-rises above them. Then she senses the focused life form on her and Corde. The presence is keeping its distance, but following them.
She stops and Corde' notices her change in mood. " Padme?"
Her eyes catch a glimpse of a masked figure. The face covering is maroon in color. She turns her gaze back to her path. How long had that life form been following them? She keeps walking- her senses heightened. Could Rush have not followed through on the bank transaction? She tries to keep her calm and eyes the shadow behind her many meters, but they are watching. She eyes the alley up ahead. A plan forms in her mind- if they were to split up then Corde' would be safe if not- Padme' can track the intruder and call for backup.
She turns to Corde' and murmurs, " Someone is following us. As far as I can tell there's only one of them. I want you to head straight towards home, I will try to see if they get distracted and follow me instead."
Corde's hazel eyes widened in terror. She usually carries a blaster, but today she had left it at home. She whispers, " I can't leave you to fend for yourself."
Padme' shakes her head, commenting, " You and your baby are more important to keep safe. Don't act scared when we part ways. Just remain calm and continue home. When you get a block away, call the authorities."
Corde' nods and hugs her friend tightly, when she lets go, she smiles and tells her goodbye. She keeps walking in the main direction home as if nothing has changed. Padme' senses the presence staying on track and following her. She keeps her eyes on Corde' and just when she gets far enough away, Padme's eyes flicker back to her destination. She heads towards the alley, probably not the wisest choice to do this alone, but what choice does she have?
She calmly walks towards the alley to her left. Adrenaline pumps in her veins as she eyes the alley. Not many places to hide, so she keeps walking down the dark alley. She hears the clicking of her boots and the busy streets behind her. She keeps her head down and faces her path ahead. She feels a tingle within the force. She turns around and observes her surroundings- just durasteel walls of buildings of those who lived here. Small creatures crawl in the trash left over from the residents of the building. She is about to turn around when she feels the blaster pressed into the middle of her back. She gulps with her heart thumping loudly.
" Move," The modified voice through the mask suggests.
She puts her hands up in the air and begins to move towards the middle of the alley. She keeps her eyes out for anything she can use to throw at her attacker. " What do you want? Take my credits- there aren't many but you can have them and leave."
The sick crackle coming from the modified voice makes her stomach churn. " I don't want your credits. I'm hired to detain you for a time."
Padme' gulps, keeping her eyes forward and not on her attacker. Her mind reels at what she can do. Her blaster is attached to her holster under her dress- which she cannot so discreetly obtain at the moment. She notices a few bins of rubbish further up the alley which she might be able to use to distract her or throw at her.
" Why are you detaining me? I am no one." Padme' tries to explain to her captor.
The masked figure cackles. " Everyone is someone. Keep moving, my speeder is ahead."
Padme' bites her lip, trying to think of what she can do. Anakin had begun teaching her a few defensive moves in case an attacker had a blaster, but that was from the front, not the behind. He was supposed to go over those tactics on his day off.
Wait- Anakin.
He has sensed when she's been in trouble before. He had saved her from drowning, saved her from dying on that speeder. This time is no different- that's if he's in range. Force telepathy only allows someone to send a message so far. She doesn't have too many options as she continues to walk down the alley.
Anakin- force I hope you can hear me.
Anakin- please- someone is trying to kidnap me.
An-
Her thoughts are cut off as she feels the blaster push against her back. " Faster! I need to be able to catch up to your little friend."
Padme' gulps, eyeing the rubbish cans within her range of via the force. She stretches out her senses and the larger cans begin to wobble- then shake and lift- hurtling towards her and the masked figure. Padme' ducks flat onto her stomach in time for the rubbish can slam into the masked figure straight in the stomach. She hears the groan of her captor, and Padme' sprints like she's never sprinted before in her life. Padme' knows she's no match for someone trained as a bounty hunter, but she can try to escape. She hears the sounds of blaster fire from behind her. She manages to dodge the first shot, using the force and then she feels the second. Her sprinting is halted as the pain shoots from her abdomen. She crumbles like the sand on the beaches of oceans. She winces in pain as she feels a second shot go through her as well. She collapses to the ground, face first- eyeing the end of the alley not more than a mere meter ahead.
Oh gods I'm going to die here- alone.
Anakin- I love you-
Her world goes black.
To Be Continued