Revision note: I made several minor changes over the summer
and winter of 1999 (like changing the name of Sidious's apprentice,
because I decided I could not use Darth Bane, and a few misspellings
corrected.) The major revisions deal with the fact that the sequel,
A Lost Hope, needed a bit more set-up: a few characters fleshed
out; and the suspicions of Amidala and Obi-Wan given greater thought.
Nothing is so altered as to have changed the basic story. (I modified
the chapter breaks too.)
Star Wars
Building of Empires
Episode 2
June 1999
rev Jan 2000
Ten years of relative peace have been broken as the evil Darth
Sidious once again dreams of galactic conquest.
To fight this growing threat, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine must
convince the many independent governments represented in the Galactic
Senate that greater cooperation and centralization are needed.
As the senators debate, a clone army, far more powerful than the
galaxy has ever seen, is poised to attack.
Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and his young apprentice, Anakin Skywalker,
have journeyed to Y'mala. The Y'mala library and archives are
amongst the finest in the galaxy, and Obi-Wan is driven to find
the answers about the Skywalker family.
Many are caught up in a web of intrigue, including the Bothan,
Dorfsk Sal'yor, whose dreams of ambition have made him a pawn
in the Sith Lord's sinister plans.
Dorfsk Sal'yor, like all Bothans, disliked not being in control.
Yet, here he was on a ship with a dozen others of his species
on a mission he didn't want to be on. This did not sit well with
him--and he wanted someone, anyone, besides himself, to blame.
General Merlyk was probably the best candidate for this. General
indeed, Dorfsk snorted. It was the general's lack of planning
that had landed them in this mess in the first place. Originally,
it had been a simple idea: Dorfsk had needed money to support
his political ambitions, while the others had just wanted quick
cash. As an aide to Senator Varynk Drey'lya he was exactly where
he wanted to be, except without money he would never advance farther.
The easiest money was to be found smuggling spice. Even though
Bothan society ostracized those who made money this way, it had
financed the start of his campaign to replace Drey'lya. Only a
few had known...
Now, they were all on this ship bound for some place still unknown,
because someone else had found out. It had seemed easier to agree
with the mysterious stranger who had originally only asked for
little things. Then came bigger and bigger requests: including,
recently, stealing documents from numerous senators, including
his own boss. Dorfsk closed his eyes in frustration. They were
now in so deep, they couldn't get out without destroying their
friends, families, clans, and of course, themselves. And the mysterious
stranger was more than he seemed: dark and very evil.
The Bothans were effectively trapped. Even though the Sith Lord
had promised this would be their last mission for him, Dorfsk
was suspicious; even as he fervently hoped that maybe, just maybe,
they could put this whole mess behind them, and no one else would
ever know.
"Sir," General Merlyk said. "We're receiving a
message."
Dorfsk wiped his dark brow. It would be from Lord Sidious, finally
telling them what they were to do for him--this one last time.
He took a second to control his fears, not wanting the Sith Lord
or the others, to see his erect brown fur. It was a sure sign
of his emotional state.
The hologram shimmered into existence. It stood a foot taller
than Dorfsk and was cloaked in black. The only ornament was a
broach in some ancient language at the hologram's throat. The
face was hooded with only the mouth and chin visible. "You
are to proceed immediately to Y'mala," the low gravelly voice
said. "You are to make sure the planetary generators are
down by evening tomorrow."
"What?" Dorfsk yelped. The others looked at him, equally
startled. His eyes never left the hologram.
Sidious frowned, then smiled. The ship's temperature turned cold
and Dorfsk shivered. "You have much to lose if you fail me."
Sidious' right hand raised slightly. "And a future if you
succeed. I have sent all the necessary information. You will find
everything you need on the planet." Dorfsk rubbed his throat.
"Sir, incoming data," Merlyk called out. Dorfsk didn't
want to read it, but the looming evil presence, even if it was
only a hologram, left him no choice.
"What will happen after we--" Dorfsk started to ask
in a whisper.
"That is no concern of yours." The hologram disappeared.
"I am greatly concerned by this new information," Supreme
Chancellor Palpatine said. The roar in the senate increased. He
glanced quickly at the Bothan senator, before he raised his hand
for silence. He'd survived other challenges during his ten years
as leader of the Galactic Senate. This one was perhaps the most
time consuming and dangerous; because there were greater evils
out there, or so the Bothans claimed. He studied the Bothan delegation
with a knowing smirk. Of course it would be the Bothans.
"Silence," he called out. "The Bothan Senator has
the floor."
"Supreme Chancellor, fellow members of this esteemed body."
Senator Varynk Drey'lya said loudly; his spotted cream-colored
fur rippled slightly. "As you are all aware, the Bothans
have one of the finest fact finding agencies..." He was drowned
out by another outbreak of shouts of derision mixed with a few
cheers.
The Mon Calamari box hovered next to the Bothans. Both senators
jockeyed the controls to gain the advantage. Finally, the Mon
Calamari settled for being lower than the Bothans. Palpatine waited
patiently after Drey'lya yielded to her; Senator Avar had a tendency
to be verbose. "The Bothans claim to have one of the finest
fact finding agencies," her voice was dripping with sarcasm.
"Yet they waste their resources on this. We have fought these
ineffective clone armies for over a decade. Armies I might add,
that have proven themselves hardly worthy of acknowledgment. We
find recent events in this august body more disturbing. The Mon
Calamari are concerned by recent requests for the Galactic Senate
to gain control of independent, I repeat, independent, planetary
military forces. This is an outrage." There were several
shouts of agreement from the chamber mixed with several boos.
Palpatine again raised a hand to silence them, before the uproar
drowned out the speakers.
The Caamasi delegation took advantage of the moment and moved
their box alongside the Calamari. Palpatine observed the others
as the Caamasi senator spoke. The clones had proven to be a derisive
subject in the senate. Many senators found the ongoing discussion
a waste of time and money, while others saw the clones to be a
nuisance that needed to be taken care of. Still others, like Senator
Drey'lya, believed the clones were a great threat to galactic
peace and stability and only a strong, centralized government
was the solution. The Senate Hall literally seethed with turmoil
and confusion.
The Caamasi senator continued to speak. "We believe it is
time for the Galactic Senate to return to its values of peace,
prosperity, justice, and truth. Talk about concentrating power
in one body goes against our values. Perhaps it is time for new
leadership: leadership that understands these values. We ask for
a vote of no confidence."
The senate chamber filled with shouts. No one could hear what
anyone was saying. Palpatine was very close to ordering the hall
emptied, when he noticed a movement from in front and slightly
below. A Gungan had fallen over the side of the Naboo box--but
it was the young woman staring at him, who held his attention.
He smiled ever so slightly. The new senator from Naboo had arrived:
their former queen, Amidala Naberrie. And for the first time,
the Gungan were to be represented in the Galactic Republic Senate.
The Gungan's shouts for help had managed to bring the volume down
several decibels. Palpatine turned his attention back to the Caamasi
senator, barely noticing the dark man pull the Gungan back into
the Naboo box.
"Supreme Chancellor Palpatine," the Sullusti representative
said without even bothering to undock his box. "We second
the motion." Palpatine winced, then nodded. He glanced quickly
at Amidala. She was still staring at him. It was ironic that the
last time she'd been in the Senate Hall, she had been the one
who had asked for that vote against the late former chancellor.
It would be a long night, but Palpatine was prepared: he knew
he would survive.
Obi-Wan glanced up from the screen. Nothing, nothing, and more
nothing. Shmi Skywalker had told Qui-Gon that there was no father.
There was no Shmi or Anakin either...at least not before they
showed up on Tatooine. He closed his eyes and took several deep
breaths. Relax, he told himself.
Midichlorians.
Anakin had a very high count. It was more than chance. He opened
his eyes and typed in a query then waited as the computer searched.
Jedi children were removed from their families at a very young
age. Obi-Wan had never questioned that rule; but because the Force
often ran strong in families, the Jedi also kept meticulous records.
These records as well as archives from across the galaxy were
kept in the Y'mala library. The computer beeped with the results
of his query about Jedi with very high midichlorian counts. There
were over a thousand names. He narrowed the parameters and waited.
This time the information was more useful. Only five Jedi in the
past hundred years fit his description. But none fit the final
one. All, except Anakin and Yoda, were dead. The others had died
over 20 years earlier.
Obi-Wan shook his head, then typed another query. A few seconds
later he read the file on his own family. He read the records
twice. Of all the coincidences...No, he decided, the Force truly
did act in mysterious ways. His barely remembered brother lived
on Tatooine.
He took a deep breath. Other than this piece of unrelated information,
his research had been unrewarding, and this bothered him. His
frown deepened as he fingered his lightsaber.
Amidala had only been on Coruscant four days and had already discovered
the place was seething in political intrigue. Bail Organa and
his followers were allied with the Caamasi, and wanted Palpatine
removed from office. The Corellian Senator, Garm Bel Iblis, was
concerned about Palpatine's influence behind the Galactic Senate's
desire to control the military of the member planets. Then there
were the Bothans: they were meddling in everything.
"Hello," a slim dark-haired woman said. "I'm Senator
Mon Mothma from Chandrila, and you seem confused."
Amidala smiled at the slightly older woman. "More than a
little. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine is from my world, and we
hold him in great esteem. I can't believe what is happening here."
"A lot can happen in ten years." The woman's dark eyes
bored into Amidala. "The debate on how to handle the clone
problem is dividing the senate. Where does Naboo stand?"
"I don't know." Amidala said after deciding she liked
the Chandrilan Senator. She fingered her dark senatorial robe
as she continued. As a senator she did without the fanciful make-up
and costumes that had become a standard feature of her rule on
Naboo. "The Naboo government wants more information before
making a decision. Personally, there is something that bothers
me about all this, a gut feeling--I really can't explain it."
She frowned.
"Trust your feelings," Mon Mothma said with a small
smile. "The Jedi do. Chancellor Palpatine survived this vote...But
there will be others."
Amidala watched the other woman walk away, then turned. Palpatine
was staring at her. He masked his grimace quickly, so she wasn't
sure she'd even seen his original expression--or sure she could
even describe it. His smile was now as friendly as ever.
"Senator Naberrie. Welcome to the Galactic Senate."
"Thank-you. And congratulations on the vote."
"There are evil things happening in the galaxy, and the Senate
sits and chats about trivial details."
"Then you believe the Bothan report?" She studied him
curiously. His gaze never wavered.
"About the Spaarti factories. Yes."
She shuddered. "I thought that threat was over?"
"This clone army is one of the greatest threats to face the
Galactic Republic in...centuries."
Small clone armies had attacked planets and ships for many years.
They were usually repulsed without much fuss. Yet, the chancellor
and others still found them a threat. She said goodnight, still
puzzling over her instincts. There was something else behind the
clones--she was positive of this. Like there had been something
else behind the attack on Naboo ten years earlier.
Trust her feelings. She glanced back. Palpatine was staring at
her, his brow furrowed in thought. She shuddered slightly as she
continued toward her waiting shuttle. There was much that just
didn't make sense.
He pulled his dark robe around himself as he stared out over the
lights of Coruscant. He smiled as he felt her waiting. His young
apprentice did not yet appreciate patience. And would never get
that chance. He was a Sith Lord. The one he chose to be his apprentice
must have many qualities, including the ability to control the
Force and make it do what he wanted. Darth Maul had shown great
promise. His next apprentice showed even greater promise, the
present one would serve his purposes.
The Jedi had many theories about the Force, but Darth Sidious
cared little for a microscopic organism they called a midichlorian.
He didn't worry about symbiosis--he left that to his scientists
on a distant world. Scientists, who had spent many years learning
to control these organisms. His concern was in results.
"My Master?" He turned slowly. She had been his apprentice
for eight years, but Darth Murthyr would never be a master. He
had other plans for her.
"The new senator from Naboo," he said. He had sensed
it before, but this time the feeling was stronger. He knew that
she would be responsible, in some way, for his death. "I
want you to watch her."
"Yes, my Master." The other Sith bowed then pulled her
hood tighter over her short blonde hair before leaving. He couldn't
place Naberrie's importance in his scheme of things--yet there
was this nagging tug at his senses that she was important. Her
abilities ten years earlier had surprised him and disrupted his
original plans. Her interference had caused the death of his apprentice.
Darth Maul had been an integral part of his plans, and his death
at the hands of the accursed Jedi had been unfortunate and untimely:
but not completely unexpected. Darth Murthyr had been a promising
Jedi apprentice with a temper that had brought her to the darkside.
Sidious closed his eyes. The way of the Sith did not leave the
unforeseen to chance. She'd been under his control even before
Maul's death. After two years of testing, he'd accepted her as
his apprentice. Of course she didn't know everything, not even
now.
Obi-Wan stared at his hands. Qui-Gon had once told him to be mindful
of the moment, Yoda was concerned with the future. Now he was
worried about both. He sensed Anakin meditating in the other room.
The young man showed great promise, like Qui-Gon had said...
And yet Obi-Wan couldn't help but wonder if Anakin truly was the
chosen one. And if he was, how did one balance the Force anyway?
The Jedi council had spent many hours over the past ten years
debating that very question. But recent stirrings in the Force
that most Jedi had felt caused him to wonder if the time for debate
was long past. He sensed a change was coming, he just didn't understand
what that change meant.
He opened his eyes at the sound of approaching footsteps, instinctively
his hand moved closer to his lightsaber: the one that had belonged
to his former master. "Yes?" He didn't understand his
nervousness, it was only the librarian, yet his danger-sense continued
to nag at him.
The Y'mala male clasped his scaly hands then bowed, Obi-Wan stood
and repeated the gesture. "You have found what you sought?"
Trual asked.
"No, all I found in your library was books and datacards."
Obi-Wan chuckled. The Y'mala Archive Library was a repository
of government documents and records. Many corporations and organizations
also kept their archives here, even those outside of Republic
control. Records were carefully indexed and controlled to make
alterations difficult. The copies kept here could take precedence
over the originals if a discrepancy was found. "I found nothing
on the Skywalker family."
"The family of your apprentice? He has much anger."
Trual glanced toward the wall. The Y'mala were proud of their
warrior heritage, but centuries earlier had learned too well that
war destroyed. For generations they had been teachers, scholars,
and explorers.
"I think he is calmer." Obi-Wan said as he straightened
his brown robe. Anakin had been quiet during their visit to the
Y'mala homeworld. "The Y'mala are wise."
"Something troubles him."
He grimaced. "Visions. He won't tell me of what. But I hear
him sometimes."
The Y'mala scratched his pointed ear in thought. "Perhaps
he needs greater help."
Obi-Wan almost smiled. "You suggest I need help..."
He shrugged.
"You take too much pride in your attempts to train him."
Trual glanced at the doorway. "The portal leads both ways.
And you are not alone."
Obi-Wan knew that there was wisdom in the words, but Anakin was
his first Padawan, the one Qui-Gon had believed in. He owed it
to his former Jedi master to complete the boy's training.
"You have searched for two days. Perhaps the information
doesn't exist." Trual changed the subject, perhaps realizing
that Obi-Wan needed time to think about the former.
"Even slaves have records," Obi-Wan glanced at the screen.
"The family belonged to Gardulla the Hutt, then Wattoo. The
mother still does. Before then it's like they never existed."
"Even in this day, that is not surprising."
Obi-Wan thought carefully for several seconds then shook his head.
"No, it's not. But for some reason, I find it disturbing."
"When a Jedi Knight finds something disturbing, others would
be wise to listen." The Y'mala bowed his head slightly.
Obi-Wan tensed, then relaxed as a young, blond human male rushed
toward them. "Master Obi-Wan. You were talking about me?"
Anakin sounded a bit suspicious.
"Some," Obi-Wan grimaced as Trual returned to his office.
The young man had learned much during the past ten years, but
patience was still a subject he needed to practice more.
"About my visions. I've had another. I must go to Tatooine."
He stared boldly into Obi-Wan's eyes, almost daring him to say
no.
"Now is not the time. We are expected back on Coruscant."
"It is never the time." The younger man pushed his braid
behind his ear. "And it will never be, if you have your way."
Obi-Wan stared at the younger man, sending calming thoughts. He
could feel Anakin resist the notion. This was what worried him
most, his apprentice's need or desire to hold on to his anger.
Finally Anakin lowered his eyes. Eyes, that to Obi-Wan, seemed
haunted by a darkness. "Someday." Obi-Wan watched him
leave. For some reason, someday troubled him. He knew he should
talk to Yoda.
Dorfsk grumbled angrily to himself as he set the timer in the
bomb. He turned to hand the rectangular metal object to Merlyk.
They hadn't spoken to each other since crawling through the sewer
pipes to the power generator. Lord Sidious' plans had been very
detailed and very accurate, although very smelly. The Y'mala suspected
nothing. They had no reason to worry about planetary security,
or they would have had more guards about. The other members of
the 'team' were setting explosives at other key facilities.
"That's the last one," Dorfsk whispered. "Let's
get the Hell out of here." He didn't want to be around when
the explosions occurred. Or ever see the planet again. When the
generator blew, the planet would be isolated and vulnerable: no
communications and no planetary shields. He could think of only
one reason that Lord Sidious wanted this done.
And there was now nothing he could do about it.
For six years, Palpatine had studied the five members on the Special
Committee on Clones. They were intelligent and, possibly, very
dangerous. He acknowledged his approval with a quick nod as the
Corellian Senator, Garm Bel Iblis, finished speaking.
But it was the Senator from Alderaan who Palpatine knew was biding
his time. Bail Antilles (now Organa since marrying the heir to
the Alderaan throne) had been his principal rival ten years earlier.
Since then, the man had been responsible for the several attempts
at replacing Palpatine as Supreme Chancellor. Organa had become
the leader of a rival faction within the senate that challenged
the Senate leadership on practically everything. The woman on
his left was one of Organa's staunchest supporters. Mon Mothma,
Garm Bel Iblis, and Bail Organa remained firmly against the emergency
measures that Senator Brial of Coruscant and Senator Drey'lya
of Bothawui supported.
The Bothan senator's spotted fur ruffled slightly as he stood.
"I must disagree with the honorable Senator Bel Iblis. Our
agents report that something significant is planned. These clones
are far more dangerous than our previous engagements suggest."
"No," Organa said, with a quick glance at Palpatine.
"They are an ineffective army; and according to all our research
and espionage activities, a very expensive and small army."
"Not true," Drey'lya said. "Not anymore. Who ever
is in charge of this army has been able to create thousands, possibly
even millions of soldiers. And our agents report they are no longer
prone to insanity or a sudden demise."
Palpatine smiled grimly. Sudden bouts of insanity and death had
given the clones a ludicrous reputation. After the last war (if
it truly could be called a war) with the clones, no one considered
them a threat anymore, just a nuisance.
Organa snorted slightly. "I would never dream of ignoring
Senator Drey'lya's words, but the real danger is within this building,
not some insane enemy."
"Enough," Palpatine said sternly. "The bickering
between us in pointless." The Galactic Senate was as divided
as this committee on the subject of clones. "Insane or not,
the clone armies are still a great threat to the stability of
the Galactic Republic. Senator Drey'lya will continue to keep
us informed of any new developments."
Drey'lya's fur flattened, making the indistinct spotting more
noticeable as he quietly agreed to the request. Palpatine waited
for them to leave before summoning the older man who was sitting
in the outer office.
"Well?"
Kinman Doriana bowed then smiled. "Public awareness about
the clones has increased in the last two months. There is also
increased concern about safety and trade routes; however there
is still only marginal support for the calls to centralize power
in the Galactic Senate."
Palpatine understood this. But when Senator Drey'lya's information
proved correct, all that would change.
Mace Windu leaned back in his chair as he studied the other Jedi
Masters gathered in the Great Jedi Hall. Yoda's eyes were closed,
and if Mace didn't know better, he would have thought the Jedi
Master was napping.
"There is a great disturbance in the Force," Yoda said
calmly as he opened his eyes. Mace considered the statement. The
problem was the Force gave one insight, but it wasn't all powerful
or omnipotent. What that disturbance was, or who it was, was unknown.
The Jedi were silent as they too pondered. "Is it a coincidence
that this disturbance comes at this time?" Mace recognized
the sandy-haired speaker as being from Corellia. It was unusual
for any of the Corellian Jedi to appear at the temple, let alone
leave the Corellian system. It had taken a request from the Corellian
Senator to bring him here. Mace had met Nejaa Halycon once, several
years ago on Corellia.
"The rumors of the new clone armies?" Another Jedi asked.
Yoda motioned for silence. "The Sith Lord ready be."
"We have prepared for this moment," Mace said sadly.
"It shall be our greatest challenge."
Nejaa Halycon, agreed. "What do we know about the Sith Lord?"
Yoda's ears sagged slightly, while Mace spoke. "His name
is Darth Sidious." This wasn't new, they'd learned that ten
years ago at the trial of the Trade Federation Viceroy. But that
was pretty much all they'd learned.
"We cannot chase a shadow." An older Twi-lek female
said.
"No, we can't," Mace said. "Darth Sidious has considerable
knowledge and patience. For ten years he hid from us."
"Why?" The female asked.
"It took him ten years to prepare." This was the great
mystery. Even the insights of the Force had not given them the
answers they sought. Mace studied the faces and wondered what
the future held for each of them.
"Prepared he did." Yoda said. "A great darkness
comes."
The Corellian thought a second. "Darth Sidious is ready,
because his army is ready." Halycon moved to the center of
the room. "The Bothans are correct, these clones represent
a greater threat than the galaxy is ready for. We must participate
in the coming conflict--only a fully trained Jedi can face a Sith
Lord."
Yoda bowed his head. "The Force shall guide us." Mace
knew the usually implacable Jedi Master was concerned. He had
been since that day Anakin Skywalker had first entered their hallowed
halls. The connection was inescapable, Yoda knew that Anakin was
involved. But how? Yoda kept his own council these days.
The man was dressed all in black, black armor and a black helmet
that covered most of his face. Yet, despite his arrogance and
self-assurance, as he stared at the shimmering image of the hooded
Sith Lord, he shivered.
"My Lord," he knelt down in front of the hologram, not
noticing the barest of smiles that appeared on the image's face.
"Our ships are in position."
"Excellent, Admiral. Once the planetary generators are destroyed,
you will begin your assault."
The man lowered his head in acknowledgment. "We have your
instructions. The Y'mala homeworld will cease to exist."
The image disappeared, but it was several seconds before the admiral
stood. He glanced out the window. The fleet was indeed ready.
Ten large, silver and black triangular-shaped ships stood ready.
Each loaded with fighters, soldiers, and advanced weaponry that
would soon be revealed to the galaxy at large.
It truly was an impressive sight.
Obi-Wan woke with a start. He could sense his apprentice tossing
and turning in the other room. Anakin had never told him what
was in his dreams, and he hadn't inquired. Tonight he felt Anakin's
fears. He stood slowly as he reached for his lightsaber. Something
was not quite right. He felt rather than saw a presence slip into
his room. "Who's there?"
There was a gentle laugh and he turned to face the image of his
former teacher.
"What are you? A hologram?"
Qui-Gon laughed again. "No, my Padawan...I am here tonight
because you are troubled." Jedi lore was full of stories
of the dead returning to guide the living, but he'd never really
believed it--he had never known anyone who had been so visited.
"It's Anakin," Obi-Wan said quietly. "Yoda was
right, there is too much anger in him."
"So there was with you. We learn to control our anger so
it doesn't overwhelm us, so it doesn't lead us to the darkside."
Obi-Wan bowed his head. "I know. But he can't be the chosen
one. How can so much anger bring balance to the Force?"
Qui-Gon seemed to stare through the walls. "Finding the balance
will not be easy. But it is there. Like change, it will be painful."
He smiled at Obi-Wan. "And will not happen alone. You too
must practice patience and be ready. Bide your time and don't
let your own anger overcome you."
The building suddenly shook, followed immediately by a massive
boom. The image vanished. Obi-Wan ran out the room.
The only person in the room, hooded, stood facing the window.
The lights from the city seeped into the darkened room, but not
into the man's darkened soul.
He raised his hand at the sound of a gentle beep, and a voice
filled the quiet chambers. "My Lord, the shields are down.
We have begun the assault."
"Good. Wipe them out. All of them."
Go to Chapter 2 of
Building of Empires
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