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Chapter 40

Moving through the dens of Geonosis' tunnels, Darth Plagueis prepared himself and removed the transpirator mask that would have revealed his identity. Reaching out to the Force to aid with his breathing, his inhalations were nonetheless pained, ragged, and agonized as the Geonosian aspirant Archduke Poggle the Lesser stood before him.

Poggle clicked and whirred in alarm; the strange language of his people was not one that Plagueis had ever cared to master, and 11-4D had been translating for him.

"He is questioning his service drones what are you doing down here, Master," the droid stated, looking at him. Plagueis have to be honest. He had vowed long ago never to replace 11-4D. He had been one of his truly loyal allies for years.

"Quiet," Plagueis ordered, allowing the Dark Side of the Force to cut through his veins. He brought the Geonosian down to his knees, flexing his fingers into claws and guiding them as though pushing down on an unmerciful surface.

"Who are you?" Poggle questioned, his words translated by 11-4D. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Who I am is irrelevant to this conversation," Plagueis stated icily. "Just know that I have a role for you."

The Clone Army may yet be lost to both Sith. Sidious was many things, but stupid was not one of them. Neither of them would be able to trust the other not to sabotage the Army. Perhaps in the future, Plagueis would be able to gain access when his Apprentice was dead and he could account for the contingency planning with his own, but Sidious would definitely have some bugs within and some catch somewhere or believe that he did.

Either way, Plagueis wasn't going to get risky, not after surviving a near execution that was delayed by the emergence of Luke Skywalker.

The Core was already powerful. With Kuat and Corellia, the Muun knew those two planets could be two obstacles that Sidious may aim for. Sidious could have time to make various deals with those elected and their successors. The planetary systems could certainly swallow any enemy that threatened them. Of course, that came with harming the Rim, but that didn't ever matter.

"If I am to be intimidated in this manner," Poggle responded furiously, "then I demand to possess your name."

Plagueis scowled, pointing his finger. "You do not make demands of me," he hissed. "Not if you want my aid."

Poggle opened his mouth to respond but said nothing for a long moment. Finally, he broke the terse silence and asked, "Aid? Oh, what can you do for me?"

Plagueis's eyes narrowed at him, cool orbs observing him. "Your would-be revolution is apostatizing, is it not?" he questioned, catching the look of surprise across the other's face. "Come now, Poggle. Did you really think that the occurrences of so important a world as Geonosis would remain unnoticed? You should consider yourself honored. Hadiss has never known even the face of his ally. I am of need of a new assistance here on Geonosis if I am to proceed with my future goals and plans."

The extermination of Sidious and the Jedi...

Poggle was stunned. "I'm going to assume that you are in access of contacts."

"Far more worlds than you can imagine," Plagueis confirmed. "While my power isn't as expansive as much like Chancellor Palpatine just yet, it is still nothing to scoffed at. I am appraised of everything. And I have been monitoring your little rebellion for a long time now."

"If you have been aware of our struggle from the beginning," the Geonosian stated, still bowing before him, breathing tiredly, "why have you not initiated this confrontation with me before?"

The Muun smirked, pleased that the potential Archduke had the will to ask such a question for someone so clearly more powerful. It proved his perspicacity, and therefore his worth as an accomplice if not a colleague.

"Had it been Hadiss who now recoiled in fear on the edge of a uncivilized desert, a derisory few supporters abating him, it would have been him instead of you who I would be supporting."

"Hmm, and should another approach?"

"I have considered that," Plagueis retorted. "As a show of faith, I will tell you. No, it is simply not your services I require, but that I have far more selfish ambitions than you might ever believe at this point in time. Fred not, you will discover the truth soon."

The Muun halted for a moment or two, feeling an instant burst of satisfaction cutting through him.

"I have the power to release you from this deplorable calamity you find yourself in. In due time, I can arrange for you to be the Archduke. I'll lead from the background but you'll be the one who feel the positivity of all of it."

Poggle's eyes went wide. "How? I do so doubt there is a way to negotiate it with so little allies in mind."

Plagueis laughed. "Allow me to enlighten you then. Have you never heard of the Great Galactic War? Of the collapse of the Eternal Empire of Zakuul? Of the annihilation of the Brotherhood of Darkness on Ruusan? Your situation is lost but not hopeless."

Poggle process Plagueis's hidden response, and his eyes brightened, enlightened.

"What can you give me now?"

Plagueis thought about it for a second. "At first, nothing considerable," he responded. "I require you to keep your position for half a standard year, and then I shall deal with Hadiss' power base. Do not mistake my meaning, I have usage of Geonosis. If you are to live past that time, I shall bring about a substantial inundation in your levels of funding and the magnitude and maintenance of weapons technology available to you. If not, well, there will be others I go before."

Poggle granted Plagueis a test-worthy look. "You ask much, promise little, and give none," he responded. "I am not unwise to know that you will be in control of this fragile alliance."

"Your current condition is due to your imbecility and inadequacy," Plagueis replied simply. "If you do not wish to join me as an ally and nothing more then very well. I will terminate communication between us now and you will die before this week is concluded."

The look Poggle gave him now was clear, and when he spoke, it was in a clearly frantic tone.

"No, no, your assistance will be appreciated."

"As I expected," Plagueis replied with edges of viciousness. "Half a standard year, Poggle. If you cannot persevere that long then you will be deemed unworthy of my services, and you will die in a wasteland desert, forgotten in a tome. If, however, you prove your credibility to me, you will be Archduke, and all of your kind will pledge before you. Hadiss will be under you and you can do with him that you see fit. Feed him in this desert. Leave him a forgotten relic of the past. He will be at your disposal, making your suffering a key that will be a symptom of your power."

Poggle's eyes flashed eagerly, and Plagueis knew that this was a good thing. This made him an advocate for manipulation. A puppet that the Muun could continue to use.

"I would know who you are," the Geonosian said. "I think I am to be compensated that much."

"If you are to survive, I will inform you. Until then, you are useless to me. Answer to no one else. Remain vigilant." Plagueis added the next part with contempt, "If you attempt to betray me, you will wish that you died here, and I'll elect another to replace you. Remember my deal."

Poggle opened his mandibles to speak once more, but Plagueis turned around and exited, droid following dutifully, leaving behind the Geonosian.

He had forgotten the delicacies of these types of situations.

Well, politics was never his strong suit.

He would have to find someone else to do these for him one day.

Perhaps, Plagueis could recover Komari Vosa before Sidious gets around to killing her or naming her another Assassin or whatever else his Apprentice planned.

But first...

Plagueis moved back to his starship, but not to the cockpit, instead to the back. His hands were folded behind his back in dark delight as he went down the halls. Opening the door to the back room, Plagueis moved inside.

The Muun observed the tanks containing many hopeful experiments. At the end of the day, Plagueis was a scientist overall. Being a Sith only allowed him to have more projects to his delight.

At the end of the hall, located on a vat, a figure was curled up in a feeble position, bare down to the day since a human individual was born. Multiple tubes were guided into the body, stabbing skin with serrated tips, feeding nutrients, and keeping the spectrum more or less healthy and stable.

A scoff came from them, "I wonder if you will ever keep me in my cell or always drag me around with you."

"I have accounted for my arrogance before."

The eyes of the specimen were closed for a long moment before opening. Two pairs stared at him. "I take it you're not here to kill me yet."

"I've already clarified why I will not, I believe. Despite your... condition, I believe I'm being fairly merciful with you."

What happened a year ago when Luke Skywalker appeared through the Light caused the Dark Side to recoil in anger and fish for a way to allow a sole Dark Sider to recover. This being was brought outside of one of Plagueis's facilities. Fortunately, he'd reached it first, as Sidious wouldn't have the time and patience to decipher outside of meaningless torture.

"Fairly merciful is bringing me to Luke without any catch," the specimen said sarcastically.

Plagueis barked a laugh. "The Dark Side brought you to me for a reason. You may not be corruptible but you will be needed."

"Say what you want to say today, why don't you?" The specimen spat.

"The Dark Side gave me an opportunity with you; not to convert you, perhaps, but to weaken him. What the Dark Side do in retaliation of the Light is not without reason. I sense your connection to Luke Skywalker. I will not kill you but I will find out who you are. Who he is. Tell me, and I can reunite you with him." Plagueis offered and glared at the specimen.

"The Sith don't have the best history in honoring their deals. No matter what you offer me, my Lord, I won't submit to you."

"Very well. But you will give me what I want sooner or later," Plagueis paused, eyes darkening.


Something happened in the Jedi Temple.

It would appear that this week would be one where a bunch of new events were happening. Aside from having to take a visitation to Naboo soon to help with Amidala's shenanigans, now, the Jedi Order was up to something.

Sidious always kept an eye out on his ancient enemies, knowing that those fossils could throw a spanner in a plan at any time. Not that Sidious could adapt, but at times, it was annoying as much as it was exhilarating. All the right contingencies in the right place ensured that they couldn't outmaneuver him, not even Luke Skywalker.

Yes, he had been working a lot recently to make sure that any victory Skywalker had against him would be a costly one. It didn't require much work; it was just adapting previous plans, finding any contingencies that could be deactivated, and may also involve putting hits on some people who have a more pacifistic mindset in the Senate.

As for what happened recently, fortunately, he didn't have to look far and wide to find out.

Ronhar Kim, an unwitting spy if anything, was telling him all about it. "...Jorus C'baoth was discovered having trained his Padawan to the point of abuse. They have relocated her under watch of Jedi Master Siri Tachi." He actually chuckled a little. "Word's spreading that Skywalker didn't give them much of an option."

"I imagine so," Palpatine concurred with a laugh not easily enough to muster. "Skywalker continues to shock even the best of us."

It was true too, sadly.

Kim shrugged. "Haven't met the man myself so I can't say. It's good that C'baoth's mistreatment of his Padawan was discovered though. That girl suffered so much."

"Of course, of course, I only wish for a galaxy where one day no child will be mistreated." Sidious lied, finding nausea building up at the thought. Children were meant to be molded into something more or be destroyed.

"Hopefully, we can see that done under your administration. You know Bail Antilles is a vocal opposer to your leadership. He refers to you as someone who took advantage of Luke Skywalker and the Naboo, and Yoda and the Jedi Order."

Strangely enough, the Dark Side prodded at him.

Too tempted to learn the meanings of those words, Sidious dug into it ever so slightly, sensing it wrapping around him as he bent the Force to his will, demanding an answer...

As he meditated, his eyes closed in what seemed to be resignation, Sidious was gifted with a vision he had never seen before...

his lightsaber dancing along with that of the small Jedi Master. Their duel was one of the ages for Sidious. Neither combatant gave way. Throwing the pods of the Senate Building at the frog-like Jedi Master, he jumped. The two of them ended the battle in a massive struggle of Force energy, lightning sparking between them.

And that was the moment the foe he fought flickered. It was such a wave of alternating motions fading in and out of the realm of the Dark Side, the future in difference, either outcome of his foe just as likely as one another. He was still unleashing a devastating barrage of electricity, and his vision was severed in half. In one, he saw an end where Yoda was thrown off of the pod and to the bottom, defeated, him cackling above. In yet another, the background changed, and he spotted the figure of Luke Skywalker and he engaged in a vicious fight, sabers contrasting against one another.

Sidious broke from his meditation, barely able to prevent disdain and fury. For years, Sidious mentally prepared for a duel of combat against Yoda someday, both through the Force or otherwise. But now, he considered the new obstacle. Clearly a Master of the Force and skilled with a blade. Yet with every strength, there came a weakness, one Sidious would have to exploit if he didn't want to risk getting cornered by this adversary.

To be brought to that stage of a grand confrontation, the Chancellor would out-maneuver the Jedi.

The Sith's victory was guaranteed.

It just depended on which Sith. Which Dark Side Adept would emerge out of this, and which respective duelist they would face.

He couldn't allow Plagueis to one-up him!

Whatever Plagueis planned, it was unlikely that he would give up his own vendetta against the Jedi Order. He'd always spoken of a Sith Army in his mad machinations. Sidious was still formulating plans to counter Plagueis's might in the case that he would return to gain retribution.

But Sidious would be patient and train.

For now...

But Skywalker would have to die. The first opportunity.

Although Sidious was tempted to have one of his spies bomb the ship they'd arrived in, it was unlikely that Skywalker was not keeping an eye on any tricks that he may have up his arsenal.

'Kriff, I wanted a challenge. I got one. And I wish he'd stayed in the hole he'd crawled from.'

Kim was still laughing, "I don't know how you handle these bloody politicians sometimes."

"I do imagine my colleague have his reasons," Palpatine said reasonably. "The situation at Naboo only shown the worst of Chancellor Valorum's leadership."

"Oh yes, Queen Amidala has been very vocal about that. At any rate, Naboo will be a militaristic system soon." Kim responded with a dry chuckle. "Huh, picture you holding a blaster."

Palpatine had to gawk at the thought.

Blasters, so uncivilized and unworthy...

The Chancellor didn't even have to feign displeasure. "I am not a bounty hunter or soldier, my friend." He huffed.

"Oh come on, think of the news. Chancellor Sheev Palpatine running into the battlefield, probably shooting twin blasters!" Kim snickered. "Would throw any enemy off-guard. Probably even some Jedi."

The thought of him, perhaps in senatorial garb, blasters in hands...

Palpatine couldn't deny the urge to roll his eyes. He was the Lord of the Sith. He was going to be the one who commanded entire armies of soldiers. Dark Jedi perhaps. Someday, the entire galaxy would answer him.

"Lost the capability to speak, my friend?" Kim asked, arching a teasing eyebrow.

"Oh, you're just as impossible as your father was, kid." And Palpatine wasn't lying when he said that. He feigned a laugh. "So what do we have to worry about? What are you teaching that Padawan of yours?"

"You're saying this like me training someone is a bad thing," Kim shrugged, his grin all cheek.