The Phantom Menace
What if … Jar-Jar Binks had always been Sidious' true secret apprentice?
-Anakin- Obi-wan said to the hooded figure before him, still hoping to avoid the fight.
-I don't know Anakin- a duck voice answered him, as the figure lowered his hood. The sight of that dark and evil face, that malevolent grin and that disgusting skin made him fall silent. It was Padme who spoke for him: -Jar-Jar?
-Yes, it's me! Are you happ to see me, friend? - the gungan spoke in a sarcastic voice.
-What are you doing Jar-Jar?- he asked, hesitating.
-What Lord Sidious orders me to do. Now I just have to kill Senator Amidala and her son and I will be able to reign with my master over his new empire!
-It's madness! Jar-Jar you can't do something like that!- he exclaimed, trying to shake off his disbelief.
-You're better than this Jar-Jar. You can't let the Dark Lord control you- Padme echoed.
-Since I was banished, the Sith master has helped me, while everyone else has abandoned me. I helped him in his plan since the beginning- the gungan replied, sneering, before bursting into chilling laughter. Obi-wan reflexively drew his lightsaber, stepping between Padme and the sith.
-What are you doing, Obi? Do you want to fight?- Jar-Jar voice lost an hint of humor, becoming clear and cold -Then you will die!
-Run Padme- he managed to whisper, before a jet of Force lightning fell on him. His lightsaber intercepted the energy but the strenght pushed him back and with him Padme, who remained trapped at his side. The sith also added his other hand and the energy discharge became so intense that Obi-wan was thrown to the ground together with the senator. Jar-Jar laughed again.
-Do you see Obi-wan? My powers are now far superior to those of any Jedi, even you!
Desperate, he launched a Force attack, pushing the gungan back. It crashed to the ground several meters away, but in an instant it jumped back up and lunged at Padme. As the woman attempted to escape, the jedi retrieved his lightsaber and intercepted the sith in mid-air. They hovered for a moment, before landing and immediately starting to duel. Jar-Jar's power was terrifying, and he could hardly believe how deceptive his personality had been: the gungan's clumsy movements had hidden a great ability to adapt unpredictability that put him at a clear advantage in sword fighting. Before Obi-wan had even realized what had happened, he found himself pressed against the wall by the Force.
-So?- he asked, before throwing him on the other side of the platform, against several piles of iron and manufacturing waste. The pain of the impact disorientates him, forcing him to grope around.
-Do you like my power, friend? - the Sith insisted, mocking him. Jar-Jar threw him from one side of the platform to the other, like a doll, until he had no breath left to even moan. Then he stopped.
-Well Obi, I had enough fun. Now I'll go kill the senator, and you can watch me.
He tried to reply but there was nothing he could do. His body ached everywhere and the pain clouded his mind.
-Congratulations my friend. Goodbye.
The Jedi Temple, rebuilt after the disastrous attack of the clones years before, was still an empty and silent place. Few Jedi had survived the purge, and even fewer had dared to return to Coruscant after the event. Few students and even fewer teachers were available. Anakin, intent on watching the new padawans being trained, clenched his fist in anger. Since Palpatine's death he had sought revenge on Jar-Jar for the murder of his children and wife, but he had slipped through his fingers and he had started a rebellion with elements of the Imperial military loyal to his cause.
-Lord Skywalker- Rex called, arriving at his side -The Imperial Senate has accepted his proposal to produce five more Mandalorian bloodlines for the Clone Army.
-Good General. If that's all, you can leave.
-Sir, if I may- the clone cleared his throat -Perhaps we should consider also integrating local forces into the imperial army, like the Rebels do.
-The Clone Army is a formidable force, especially since we have gained the complicity of the Mandalorians and crime syndicates to support our forces. There is no need to involve inexperienced civilians unless absolutely necessary.
-We are suffering huge losses. Kamino's cloning facilities are no longer sufficient. We've had to start twenty new bloodlines in the last year alone in an attempt to make up for the loss of genetic material.
-General- Anakin turned towards him, speaking in a voice so loud that he fell silent -The clones will not be the key to victory, but them.
He indicated with a broad gesture of his hand the apprentices in training, about twenty powerful young from all species of the galaxy, indoctrinated to become the perfect agents of his revenge: no longer guardians of the peace, but soldiers, generals, assassins.
-I just need the clones to buy enough time for me to complete their training, and then the Rebels will be crushed forever- cold as death, he placed a hand on Rex's shoulder and leaned down to whisper in his ear -I've been clear, General?
-Yes, Lord Skywalker- Rex replied in a low tone. He nodded and motioned for him to disappear, which the clone did very willingly.
-Oh, and Rex?- she called him back for a moment -It's Lord Vader, for you.