“Do not mock me!” he flared, clenching his fists and striking out at Sidious. Sidious used his Force to deflect the blow and threw him against the wall again. Khameir tried again and was met with the same results. After many moments, he was left on the floor panting for breath as Sidious stood over him.
“Your anger is great and will eventually become your ally in your training. Instead of exploding in fury, channel it into your fists and your mind. Use the anger, use the hatred that fills you. Then you will be able to do what I have shown you. But not before.” Sidious turned his back on Khameir and left the large chambers they had been training in. Khameir spat out some blood and stood up. Apparently, there was much he needed to learn.
* * *
“Master, what place is this?” Khameir asked as they walked from Sidious’ ship onto a large platform. All around them ships, speeders, airbikes, and every other flying vehicle imaginable sped to wherever they were headed. Sidious cast his hand out to gesture at the busy city.
“This is Coruscant, the galaxy captial and where the Republic resides. Unfortunately, this is also where those despicible Jedi keeps their council. There,” he pointed to a large structure almost in the center of the city, “is the Jedi Temple. We must never go there lest they discover us. You are fast becoming a Sith and they can sense when one with the Dark Side is near. However, I must walk freely through this city in order to accomplish all that needs to be done.” They walked off the platform into a tunnel-shaped corridor leading to the main building where they had docked.
“What things are these, my Master?” Khameir questioned, sometimes looking at the vast assortment of aliens that passed them in the halls. Droids bleeped as they sped past them, making Khameir jump slightly. He had never seen a droid like that before on Iridonia.
“Politics mostly, my apprentice. Nothing you should worry about,” Sidious replied and approached a large sealed door. He waved his hand over the surface and it slid open. He strolled inside without a word, leaving Khameir to follow.
“Is this where we stay, Master?” Khameir asked, fingering the velvet covering of a chair. Sidious shook his head and walked into an adjoining room. Khameir explored the strange new place with increasing interest. He poked, tweaked, and picked up every foreign-looking object he found. He was turning a globe of Coruscant in his hands when Sidious emerged in stately blue robes. Khameir nearly dropped the globe.
“Master?” he asked incredeously. Sidious nodded, a broad mock smile on his lips. He had a ring of curly light brown hair streaked with white at the back of his head, his eyes seemed to twinkle with mischief. He looked like a normal human being on the streets. His robes fell to the floor and swished silently as he walked. He calmly took the globe from Khameir’s slack hands and replaced it on the shelf.
“Sidious is not my name, Khameir. Not in public anyway. I am called Senator Palpatine while on Coruscant. I belong on the Republic’s council. It is here where I shall conquer first before moving on to the rest of the galaxy,” he explained patiently. Khameir listened intently, eager to know of his master’s double lives.
“There are a great many pompous fools on the council board and they will be easy to manipulate,” he continued, moving over to the wide windows to gaze out at the city. He placed his hands behind his back casually. “But my road to becoming the head of the council will be a long one. I have not yet found my pawn. They will come soon. I have foreseen it. During this time, I will train you to be a great Sith Lord with the power to bring nations down around his feet. However,” he turned to look at Khameir, who had taken a seat on the long velvet couch. “You must remain here while I am away. I have sizeable quarters for my guests and you shall recieve one of the larger domains. I have a training room at the end of the building. If I am not with you, I expect you to bide your time wisely. Build your anger by focusing on those who have hurt you, meditate. Train with your lightsaber on some of the expendable droids we have stationed here. Just don’t waste your time.”
“Yes, my Master, I will do as you request,” Khameir replied obediantly. Palpatine smiled.
“Good. You will become a great Sith Lord, my young apprentice. On the day you complete your training I will rename you as a Sith. Now, I must return to the council chambers. You may explore if you wish,” he said and left the room. Khameir leaned back against the couch and pondered. He had a long, long road ahead of him and he was willing to train every step of the way.
* * *
Chapter Two: Changes
Four years had passed since Khameir had become Sidious’ apprentice and his training was coming along better than the Sith Lord had expected. Khameir took to the lightsaber like a fish to water, moving with fluid grace and landing from his leaps featherdown soft. He had developed a sort of elegance along with his skills. As much as he enjoyed the strenuous excersises, he longed to use a better weapon than the lightsaber.
“It is customary for the apprentice to create his own lightsaber while he trains,” Sidious told him when Khameir voiced his protests about the weapon’s limitations. “You may create your own now since you have done well with this one. Keep it until you have your own finished then return it to me. I have long retired the usage of the weapon being a Master now but I should like to keep it.”
“Thank you, Master. I will not disappoint you with my accomplishments,” Khameir assured him confidently. Sidious bowed his head once and allowed Khameir to leave.