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| Author |
Topic:
The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
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pashatemur
Registered:
Jun '04
|
Date Posted:
5/23/05 4:31am
Subject:
The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
- Date Edited:
5/23/05 4:57am (3 edits total)
Edited By:
pashatemur
|
Welcome to The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
Play fair, play often, and play with gusto!
Game Manager GM: Pashatemur - Lord Darth Vader
Co-GMs: Mortimer Nerdly - General Grievous, Boba Fett
Eme ma Himou - Master Eme ma Himou, Lord Tyranus
ONCE UPON A TIME, IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY…
It was but a brief period between the beginning of the Clone Wars and the fall of the Grand Republic, that the seemingly disparate and unrelated events leading to the rise of the Empire began to converge as Master Windu had begun to recognize and only one other had a better grasp of this convergence than the now dead Jedi Master, his name, Palpatine, Emperor of the Galactic Empire!
The Clone Wars had strained the Republic, had decimated the ranks of the Jedi Order, and ravaged lives and worlds alike. Practically none were free from the touch of this plague and Jedi knight Anakin Skywalker and his beloved Padme Naberrie Amidala, knew even less peace than most. Their secret marriage and forbidden attachment was strained by Anakin’s long absences and his growing dark demeanor, their respective obligations, and Anakin’s visions.
Senator Amidala, struggling to maintain secrecy in order to protect her husband, was still very much a prominent figure in the affairs of the Republic. Along with Senators Bail Organa and Mon Mothma, Padme Amidala lead a growing group of Senators and officials alarmed over Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's ever-increasing power and the consequent erosion of personal rights and liberties. In an effort to force Palpatine from office, Amidala called a vote of 'no confidence,' defeated by just one vote...the deciding vote in favor of Palpatine was from newest Senator, the Reina of Ursa, Celeste.
While the Senate fumbled under its own corruption. The Jedi were deployed though out the Galaxy, their numbers thinning and stressed they strove to deal with the sudden and overwhelming conflagration of conflicts. A Jedi named Eme-ma Himou and his former-Master, Kit Fisto, encountered the dreaded Kaleesh General Grievous on Dantooine. After the apparent death of his master in this battle, Himou, despondent and bereft left the Order to prevent the widespread killing spree of two Cartaoan Brothers.
An attempted assassination and destruction of her home on Coruscant caused Padme to flee to remote Baltimn. Here she sought refuge amongst the mysterious and powerful Ladies of Sanctuary. Of unknown origin and seemingly ageless, the Ladies did not welcome the intrusion of Jedi Skywalker, sent to find the missing Senator, and Jedi Himou – Himou having traveled to Sanctuary for ulterior motives, for he sought a crystal of certain importance. One for which the Cartaoans searched as well.
Recovered from a near fatal wound, as one of the mysteries women having taken the form of Padme, stabbed him in the heart, Anakin mistrusted the women and removed Padme against her will to a waiting Republic destroyer where Himou and two dark-sided users attempted to flee with the Senator. After foiling the escape in heated combat, Anakin, in a fit of anger, struck his pregnant wife, knocking her to the ground, precipitating a separation and her eventual divorce. In a deep sadness, Padme retreated to Naboo where she gave birth to the twins, Tanis & Luke who are concealed as children of her staff. Her legal counsel, Sio Bibble, issues restraining orders, false death notices for the twins and the divorce to Skywalker.
In the meantime, the Council, overwhelmed with calls upon its number to help put out the hot spots of conflict around the Galaxy, assigned Skywalker, in a stopgap measure, as Security Advisor to the mysterious Matriarch and Reina of Ursa, Marie-Celeste. Her system of Ursa, a wealthy system, has come under the eye of Count Dooku. A key exporter of smelting ores and fuel and fuel technologies, Ursa is an impactful economic engine in the Galactic economy. Urseans, a fierce, proud, and insular populace, as a matter of religion, shun the purposeful manipulation of the Force.
The Reina suffering from a hidden “illness,” was aloof and private. Born a Force anomaly, her resultant seizures were hidden by her family given the religious beliefs of her people. Having lost her parents in a terrorist bombing, the then Infanta was placed under the “protection” of her system’s Lord High Executor, the former Minister of Finance and friend to her deceased father, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. The Reina, also known as the “Ice Queen and her Advisor develop a friendship based on their mutual sense of isolation and need for companionship in an increasingly complex and bewildering web of intrigue.
***
Palpatine, in a brilliant move, decides to maneuver Amidala’s election to the newly created position of Chancellor-Elect. She would, he states benignly, begin the process of healing the Republic ending the corruption that lead to the civil war and she would later succeed Palpatine upon the end of the wars.
Senators Mon Mothma and Bail Organa convince Padme to accept the position. Padme begins her duties as Chancellor-Elect, by sending relief to the embattle System of Ursa, where Skywalker has been appointed Jedi Security advisor to the Reina. As the planet of Jupe was obliterated by General Grievous’ orbital bombardment, the great battle of Malove began, Amidala promoted Skywalker to General in recognition of his services to the Republic. She secretly constructed another Republic fleet, which she gave to the newly promoted General Skywalker to use as he saw fit.
Ursa’s problems were beginning to come to a head. Himou had pursued Skywalker to Ursa after what he thought to be the purloined crystal. There he was enlisted by the subordinate Jedi to help in the defense of Malove, but Himou balked and from evidence of his treachery. The Jedi Council eventually decided to commit Eme-ma for retraining and therapy. The cunning Jedi escaped as a Clone commando in an attempt to set things right.
Though Malove proved a victory for the Republic, it nonetheless set the stage for the Battle of Coruscant. The now deceased, Mace Windu led the Defense of Malove, with the help of Eme-ma’s Commando team and a plan to destroy Grievous’ command ship, but the attempt to destroy the Invisible Hand was foiled by the Robotic General. Himou was forced to disengage his pursuit as he experienced a strange metamorphosis. He lost his lightsaber only to have it replaced by two mystical Jedi tattoos on his palms from which blades could be called at will. Himou escaped the battle in a battered ARC 170 and returned to General Windu’s Capitol ship. There, Windu forgave him for his past and reinstated him as Jedi Knight.
Grievous, furious and vowing to complete his Ursean project, retreated to Eredenn where he was beset by a cunning deception on the part of Eme-ma.
Dooku, continuing the ground assault on Malove, was engaged by Master Windu amidst confusion and death, but the duel ended as the combined forces of the Republic and Urseans, rallied by Jedi Anakin Skywalker and Obi wan Kenobi, brought the Battle to a victorious close.
Returning to Coruscant, Sio Bibble’s deception is discovered and Jedi Knight Skywalker and Amidala reconciled, though the seeds of doubt and regret were firmly planted. Their marriage once again performed in secret in the newly built and reinforced Nubian Embassy, her home, Anakin is briefly acquainted with his children, with whom he forms a strong bond; one that in the future will prove a significant factor in the turn of events for the Galactic Empire.
During these last months of the Republic, Padme once more conceived. Both Anakin and the Chancellor-Elect know that with this 3rd pregnancy they will soon no longer be able to conceal their marriage or the children. Anakin having vanquished the cruel Asajj Ventress in a grizzly and heinous display of his own growing cruelty realized that he could not continue as a Jedi and is resolved to quit the company of his comrades after the Wars ended.
Returning to battle, Anakin returns once again to the Kavala Palace. Hearing of her illness, Anakin found his friend Marie-Celeste to have suffered an assassin’s blast. They both share some secrets. The Reina revealed to the Jedi a dark secret as he has confessed his torture and murder of Ventress. She had, it seemed, affected the murder of the Prelates of St. Gustavus who had plotted against the Reina in collusion with Count Dooku. Alarmed and dismayed, Anakin was determined to himself bring the war to a close and precipitate his involvement in the direction of the Galaxy. Celeste’s counsel, kind and understanding, lead him to confirm his path and reinforced the comments of his mentor, the Supreme Chancellor.
Having aided the escape of his former master, Obi wan Kenobi after the great and decisive Battle of Malove, Jedi Skywalker and Kenobi were called into a terrible crisis. The Chancellor was kidnapped in a daring move and held aboard General Grievous’ flagship, The Invisible Hand. There the two Jedi battled Count Dooku, the fallen Jedi, and General Grievous in attempt to rescue Palpatine. However, sensing his master’s betrayal, Darth Tyranus fled the duel and convinced the General that the Jedi would perish as the besieged vessel plummeted towards the planet, but was injured by an explosion and unable to convey to Grievous the Chancellor’s true identity. Skywalker, with the aid of his astro-mech was able to bring the ship down in relative safety.
It appeared that soon the war might be over, and the Republic would have a new Supreme Chancellor, Padme Naberrie Amidala, who vowed to restore the Republic to its former glory before corruption and greed grew rife in the Senate. Events, however, conspired, and Anakin, again thwarted by the Council, refused a position and vote, was driven to further his cause under the aegis of his mentor and friend, Chancellor Palpatine. Beset by troubling visions of the death of his beloved wife, Anakin was intrigued and hopeful in the promise of knowledge offered by his mentor.
Meanwhile, Dooku was removed to an undisclosed location to recover and the General continued to Utapau where his battle with the Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi was interrupted by Order 66. Both were forced to flee from the onslaught. Having learned the identity of the Sith but unable to transmit, Obi-Wan returned to Coruscant to find the Temple destroyed and in the company of Master Yoda, he discovered his former padawan’s betrayal and dreadful crimes.
Convinced of the danger he knew Padme to be in, Master Kenobi sought out Anakin and found Padme in a dire state. Obi-Wan called upon Bail Organa to aid him and the grieving, yet fierce, Padme was forcefully taken into hiding along with her children. Imperial Stormtroopers arrived to find the apartment deserted.
Anakin, having embraced what he had become convinced was his destiny as the newly named Lord Darth Vader, returned from the dark fires of Mustafar, having dispatched the Separatists, and seemingly his old Master Obi wan Kenobi, to find Padme fled. This last betrayal was all that was needed to complete Skywalker’s fall. Erroneous reports proclaimed that she perished with the children in a terrible crash.
***
Delighted in the turning of the ‘Chosen One’ but wishing further to drive his rage, the Emperor required Lord Vader to consent to a union with the wealthy Reina and Matriarch of Ursa, for whom Palpatine was the Executor. Revealing her complicity in Palpatine’s rise, the Emperor deftly stoked his apprentice’s confusion further driving him to the dark. Somehow, the dreams have altered and Vader submits subsuming Ursa and usurping Celeste’s throne. His reward is also his punishment.
Palpatine also counted on the aid of a young Boba Fett. The accomplished bounty hunter figured in the murders of Senators who have opposed Palpatine. Cautious and highly intelligent, the bounty hunter knew the Emperor’s secret and his expertise and daring gained him the favor of the Sith Lords at the helm of the Galactic Empire.
Yet, Palpatine’s plans remained incomplete. He had tended his “ward” Celeste, since childhood…she will prove useful, but that path will be trod with care. It is not yet time!
Ten years of building a fierce, rich Empire would pass. The Emperor ruled over an ever growing Empire as more and more worlds, fearful of the Empire would submit. The machine would grow stronger with the aide of the Emperor’s minions Lord Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and the ruthless Moff Tarkin, and the hegemony Vader would come to establish with the Imperial Navy.
While Lord Vader met the Emperor’s expectations and proved to be an able apprentice, his commitment was clouded. He never completely gave himself over and the Emperor has become weary. Vader’s desire for his beloved Padme remained, though under the guise of seeking out the growing Rebellion amongst whose ranks he believed her to be hiding with his children.
Yet, there were obstacles that would constrain this growth from within and from without. Some would be driven to seek the protection of the Empire and others to seek their fortunes with the growing Rebel Alliance. The CIS lead, by the now stronger and wiser Darth Tyranus, with his Sith apprentice, the ruthless Sev’rance Tann, and General Grievous is pressing inward from the outer rim. Though defeated, Grievous had regrouped his forces there. Undaunted, the CIS intend to mount a strategic incursion back into the core. Soon they became bent on completing a super-weapon; a battle station capable of destroying whole worlds in a matter of a second!
The Empire, for its part in the arms race began the construction of its own under Moff Tarkin!
The newly formed Rebel Alliance, under the leadership of Padme Naberrie Amidala, Bail Organa and Mon Mothma, sought to form a New Republic. The Alliance had to build the momentum and resources to create a formidable force of its own and soon they would be poised for action against the Empire
Meanwhile the ravaged Jedi Order, lead by Master Yoda have reformed. Yoda, with the aide of Bail Organa, was able to return to Coruscant during those final moments at the end the Clone Wars, silence the homing beacon, recover important Jedi archives and escape back to Kashyyyk where he and the surviving Jedi regrouped and cloaked themselves in the Force. The Jedi existed as rumors to the general population, yet the Sith knew that they were very real. The Rebellion actively sought the support of the Jedi. Yet, the Jedi remained aloof, maintaining a low profile in the affairs of others while they reorganize. To their benefit, Bespin rested in their hands, as did Kamino.
Having generated a belief that Kamino was destroyed and rendered uninhabitable, the Jedi had taken the cloning facilities and attempted to clone themselves using a rich and diverse gene pool to aid them in “counter-balancing” the skewing of the Force.
Yet, not all the Jedi were in accord. As with many, the Jedi Eme ma Himou had to escape the treacherous Order 66. Escaping and masquerading as a clone, Himou found himself on Mustafar, by some strange convergence and witnessed to the duel between brothers. With a heavy heart and a secret, he fled in a stolen Jedi Interceptor and regrouped with Master Yoda, Aayla Secura, Ki-Adi Mundi, and others, on Kashyyyk, where the Jedi existed in mutual quiet with the embattled Wookiees.
From time to time, Himou ran solo missions aboard his powerful ship, The Arm of the Rebellion. Throughout the galaxy he is believed to be a ghost, a phantom. Committed to the ideals of the Republic and dissatisfied with the Jedi’s entrenchment and believing the Order to have strayed from their mandates, Himou sought out Imperial settlements in the outer regions, disrupting and thwarting the Emperor’s plans wherever possible hoping to aid the growing Rebellion.
Master Windu had sensed it. There were points even beyond the fall of the ‘Chosen One,’ and they too, were beginning to converge. There was another Jedi, one whose mission took him far into the dark and who had, since before the end of the Clone Wars, remained an outsider. He too, would find himself somehow a factor in the ensuing struggle.
Now, further muddying the waters, an extremist fringe group centered on Ursa, has become very active and is engaged in vicious terrorists strategies; bombings, kidnapping, hostage taking, and insurgencies throughout the Empire. They recruited a myriad of peoples unhappy with the Republic, now Empire, and sought to return to a segregation of worlds under the religious guidance of the Kavalad, the sacred texts of the prophets of Kavala.
Such a storm swept through the galaxy and caught in the convergence of light and dark, lingered there and drove an even fiercer and ravaging war than could have been dreamed of by the Emperor’s favorite playright.
Rules of Play
1. All rules and regulations of TF.N Role Playing Forum apply.
2. All players wishing to enter the game must submit a proposed bio AND a proposed faction affiliation for all characters. This requirement is being enforced to regulate the number of “free-agent” characters. There are enough factions that one should be able to find an appropriate fit. The factions are listed below.
3. Observe proper grammar and spelling, and please, no “e-mail” short hand or “leet-speak,” e.g., Zomgz0rz and 4|?D teh |1|<3, etc.
4. No God moding – You may not “control” the actions and outcomes of other characters other than your own without the express permission of character in question’s author. This includes, but is not limited to, the killing of characters.
5. Permission must be given by posting a statement to that effect in the thread, giving the parameters for temporary power of control for the character(s) in question.
6. No creation of or assuming of super-technologies, abilities, or weapons beyond the reasonable scope of your character and not without pre-approval through submission of your character’s bio to the GM and the approved bio posting; exceptions will be made on a case by case basis with a submitted proposal to the GM.
7. Disputes are to be reconciled in a gentlemanly and amicable fashion. Absolutely no public posting of grievances will be allowed. Often such postings are regretted, contribute little to solving problems, and are disruptive to the game. If solutions cannot be reached between players, then you must make an appeal to the GM or if not available to the co-GMs.
8. Though not a rule, it is strongly suggested that you allow “your” actions to be guided by constraint of common sense. Please observe chain of command when appealing and interacting with “your” superiors. Move your characters observing the basic laws of physics unless a logic for acting differently is well delineated.
9. Use the proper method for identifying your characters and requesting others to interact:
a. Begin post with identifying your character AND location when the loction has altered, e. g.,
IC: Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight
LOCATION: Kado Nimoidia, Hatcheries
b. End post by requesting the participation and interaction of the desired characters, e.g.,
TAG: General Obi wan Kenobi, Commander Cody, ARC
10. Please keep OUT OF CHARACTER COMMENTS to a minimum. Though encouraging posts to your fellow gamers is welcome.
11. Your commitment to the other players is to read the thread at least once per week and respond when your character(s) have been TAGGED accordingly. Please respond in a timely fashion to your pms as well, with regard to requests from your fellow RPGers. This is not particularly enforceable but is a matter of personal commitment, which we ask you consider before entering the game. Frequencies of more than 3 failures to respond within a 2 week period to a TAG will result in relinquishing control of the character failing to answer the TAG.
12. Please give “power of play” to another gamer if you anticipate being unavailable for an extended period,.
13. Enjoy the game.
FACTIONS
CONFEDERACY OF INDENDENT SYSTEMS (CIS)
IMPERIAL
JEDI ORDER
KAVALAD EXTREMISTS
REBEL ALLIANCE
SMUGGLERS, PIRATES, RUNNERS, CRIME LORDS, and OTHER NEFARIOUS MERCENARIES, ETC.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE (CHARACTER LIST):
Alpha - The Admiral
Admiral (Imperial) – BabyDeathStar
Admiral (Rebel) - RogueAce
Ayla Secura - Lady Whilla
Boba Fett - Mortimer_Nerdly
Bocan Eno Xis Ruof – Bacon 164
Darth Sidious – DarkLordUmbrus,
Darth Tyranus - Eme-Ma_Himou
Darth Vader - pashatemur
Dorme - LadyZaraMarta
Eme-Ma Himou - Eme-Ma_Himou
General Grievous - Mortimer_Nerdly
Ki Adi Mundi - FORCEWIELDER1
Moff Tarkin - Imperial Hammer
Moff (?) – Argen Palos
Mon Mothma - WhiteLadyofRohan
Obi-wan Kenobi – pashatemur
Padme Naberrie Amidala (Skywalker), Princess of Theed and, Chancellor Elect of the Galactic Republic and former Senator and Queen of Naboo - LadyZaraMarta
Quinlan Vos - SithStarSlayer
Sev'rance Tann - Mertroid
Yoda - milney
Characters in search of writers:
Sabe/Dorme
General Ackbar
Owen and Beru Lars
Bail Organa
Qu Rahn in Dark Forces II
Technical Specifications lists
CIS
Space Forces
Xi-Char Vulture Droid
Phlac-Arphocc Droid Tri-Fighter
Trade Federation Buzz Droid
Techno Union Mankvim-814 Interceptor
Providence Class Trade Federation Carrier/Destroyer (ex. Invisible Hand)
Recusant Class Commerce Guild Destroyer
InterGalactic Banking Clan IBC Frigate (noteL used for battlefield communications, signal jamming, and support).
Geonosian Beak-Wing
The ground forces remain
Battle Droid - Baktoid Armor Workshops
Super Droid
Destroyer Droid/Droideka
IG Droid/Lancer Droid
Crab Droid/Muckraker
Droid Gunship
Trade Federation STAP
Trade Federation MTT
Trade Federation AAT
Corporate Alliance Persuader Class Tank Droid
Corporate Alliance Hailfire Droid
Dwarf Spider Droid
Homing Spider Droid - Corporate Alliance
Geonosian Speeder Bike (Questionable, your thoughts?)
Imperials
Space Forces
Venator Class Star Destroyer
Victory Class Star Destroyer (Missile Destroyer)
V-Wing
ARC-170
V-19 Starfighter
(Later would come the Interdictor and TIE
Fighters (replaces V-Wing) and TIE Bombers)
Ground Forces
BARC Speeder Bike
AT-TE
AT-AP
AT-RT
Juggernaut Tank
"Clone" Gunship
LAAT Dropship (For heavy vehicles)
SPHA-T Artillery
Stormtrooper (Various types and specialities depending on environment)
Ranks of Jedi Militia
Soldier - Lt
Warrior - Captain
Warlord - Major
Waring - Colonel
Nubar - Brigadier General
Narlo - Major General
Muna - Lieutenant General
Makatr - General
Master/Head of the Jedi Order - General of the Army (Yoda)
All characters must be approved by the GM via a submitted proposal. Once permission has been given, you may begin posting in the thread. You must also post a biography of all your characters within your first several posts. Please use the following template for your biography(s):
Character Sheet
Adding an image to your post: [image=URL] for placing pic online in post. Retrieve the url by right clicking, select properties, and then copy and paste the image URL
Name:
--Age:
---Gender: (Male or Female)
----Species:
-----Eye Color:
------Hair Color and Style:
-------Skin Complexion:
--------Clothing:
---------Physique:
----------Personality:
-----------Quirks:
------------Force Sensitive: (Yes or No)
Personal Ship
-Name:
--Class:
---Exterior Description:
----Interior Description:
-----Weapon Systems:
------Crew Compliment:
-------Hyperspace Capability:
--------Misc. Specs.:
Biography (We suggest your history be brief. Please state your military experience if applicable, also please state any trauma that effects your character's actions or personality.)
-Brief History:
--Military History:
---Traumatic Experiences:
Jedi/Sith/General Grievous Only
-Lightsaber Blade Color: (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Viridian, Cyan, Blue, Violet, Silver)
--Lightsaber Type: (Single, Dual [2x], Double Bladed)
---Hilt Description:
Play ball!
-----signature-----
http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/17959370/p1 The Flower of Bast: personal journals of LDV ~| Acroama, LD, SDO|~ o[]||]ooooooooo[0]||[]{ "It's a sin to kill a Mockingbird!"
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Post History
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pashatemur
Registered:
Jun '04
|
Date Posted:
5/23/05 4:48am
Subject:
RE: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
- Date Edited:
5/23/05 6:15am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
pashatemur
|
IC: Anakin, Padme, and Obi wan.
LOCATION: Nubian Embassy, Coruscant,
Jedi Temple and traffic lanes, Coruscant
Separatist Bunker, Mustafar
Dawn
Padme Amidala always enjoyed the brilliant colors of dawn...even on Coruscant.
However, today was different. Today the colors were grayed, dimmed by the fire and smoke that were visible for miles about. Padme observed from her bedroom window the Jedi Temple in flames. She stood like many, seeing but not believing.
Amidala had been playing with the children in the solarium when Captain Typho notified her of the conflagration. Placing the children under the care of Sabe and Dorme, the Chancellor Elect hurried to view the unbelievable.
Padme had a direct com link to her husband, Anakin Skywalker, and used it over and over. Yet, there had been no answer.
As Chancellor-Elect, Amidala had yet another direct link to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. There, as well, there was no answer. Not until she said she was preparing to come to the Senate did Palpatine's office request that she remain where she was, the protection of the Naboo Embassy, her home.
That was not an adequate answer for Amidala and she made it clear she would investigate what all of Coruscant could clearly see, if not from their window then the holonews, and that brought results. A holo of the Senate Speaker, Mas Amedda appeared before Amidala.
"Chancellor-Elect...” Mas Amedda bowed his head.
"What is happening,” insisted Padme.
"I have the most horrible and tragic news...this very day, the Jedi have attempted to assassinate Supreme Chancellor Palpatine...it was just after you left Milady...thank the gods you were not here, or they may have attempted to take your life as well. “
"I can't believe that! The Jedi are the guardians of the Republic. They would never attempt to overthrow the lawful government,” she shot back incredulously.
"Master Windu led the attack upon the Chancellor,” Amedda continued sadly.
Amidala took in a deep breath, "Is the Supreme Chancellor unharmed?"
"Yes, but Milady, Chancellor Palpatine is much concerned over your safety, Madame Chancellor, and requests that you remain in the Embassy. For the time being, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine has declared martial law and arrests are being made at the Jedi Temple."
"Yes, yes,” she said impatiently, “I can see that The Temple is on fire!"
"Evidently some of the Jedi are resisting...” Amedda continued unswerving.
"Assure the Supreme Chancellor that I am thankful that he is well and in good health. For the time, I will remain here in the Embassy,” replied Padme, knowing she would not get answers from Amedda and frustrated she added, “My office will make a full investigation of this dreadful occurrence."
Amedda bowed and smiled an oily smile, "I will relay your message, Madame Chancellor-Elect."
Captain Typho tripled the guard and asked Amidala to enter one of the many safe rooms. She refused, but ordered the twins, Tanis & Luke to be placed in one.
She watched and waited, feeling helpless. There was no news from Anakin. No news! Such a terrible fire! There must be many casualties! Was Anakin one? Was her husband dead? Padme's fingers touched her stomach. She was in her 6th month...the baby moved.
Not much longer could her gowns conceal her pregnancy. Not much longer could Anakin and she conceal their marriage...or Tanis and Luke.
Am I a widow, she thought, her brows knitted? Tanis and Luke and this little one fatherless...?
Padme's eyes were drawn once more to the red and yellow flames. No effort was being made to put out the fire. Why not? She could at least order that...
***
It was amazing! Nothing had changed! He emerged from that vast but surprisingly cloying environment, now dark and full of the charnel he had made of his comrades, almost dazed and entranced. But for that unpleasant business with the younglings and he had hesitated, but what must be done must be done, he had reveled and in those heated moments all that confusion had been washed away.
Was it the words his Master spoke or the exuberant and triumphant culmination of a long hard struggle, a murky dream from which he emerged? Whatever the case, the moist cool air hit him in a great rush as he stepped from the crawling ant-like tangle of shock troops that threaded in and out through the char streaked Temple gates.
In spite of the thick column of black acrid smoke spiraling into the sky high overhead, day was streaming through broken clouds and Anakin felt he must laugh. It was over, well, almost over! There was a fine mist still drifting in the pearlescent morning and Coruscant looked fresh and …clean. Why had he not seen this villainy before? How could he have been so mislead? It was unfortunate, the deaths of some. There was ability, mastery, and even wisdom now littering those floors, but Palpatine was right. There could never have been a compromise.
The forecourt was uncharacteristically empty and this made the expanse of that plaza seem ghost-like; as some abandoned ancient find, the populace long dead. Yes, he thought, it already feels like ions ago.
He strode forth in search of a speeder. Padme would be wondering, he knew, and it was imperative he finish his “task” on Mustafar, so he could hurry and continue as he planned. “The sooner the serpent’s head is severed, the better…,” he had told Celeste when last they met. Little had he known that that chance would come so soon!
The trooper was advancing. He had not seen him walk up, only felt him and scowling as he remembered an unpleasant moment, the young Sith looked down at his gloved right hand. Quickly, Anakin drew his black sleeve and wiped the blood from his face and spoke before the trooper hailed him, “Where is it, then, trooper,”
“My Lord Vader,” he began and then fumbled awkwardly as he had been preempted.
“Yes,” said Anakin impatiently and staring intently under dark brows at the red and white clad trooper, his DC-15 rifle slung over his shoulder, “where is the speeder?”
Stymied, the Commander pointed to an escort.
The Sith practically ran, so anxious was he to finish what he’d started, and as he approached, the two guards parted to allow him entrance to the transport, Anakin continued on to an advanced guard BARC speeder and wordlessly put the craft high in a straining peel up through the crisscrossing lanes of the early morning rush.
No more hiding! No more lying and pretending or restraint, no more denying and cowing, no more dissembling; something so incidental as holding hands. Spit! They could hold hands in public! Anakin, no….no, Lord Vader laughed.
“Hey,” cried a commuter as he veered out of harm’s way.
“I don’t know what I expected,” Anakin mused tilting and jockeying as he spurred forward and pulling ahead of what he could sense was soon to become a bottle-neck. The universe had not ended, the towers had not fallen; here was the traffic, here his hand, and up ahead, and seeing it, his heart leaped, was the Nubian Embassy!
He was soaked, but at least, he thought, the blood had been washed away. Best not to tell her all at once. Given her political leanings, this was going to be difficult, but he would help her understand. She would be upset and that was understandable, yet in time the gains would mitigate. He set down next to his interceptor, which sat silent sentinel where he had left it earlier.
As expected the Nubian guard presented arms, they were in high alert, but upon seeing the familiar face, they saluted and let Anakin pass.
***
Padme paced. Several times she checked on the children and found them sleeping the sleep of the innocent. She tried to raise Anakin and still, he did not answer, thus with each passing minute, with each passing hour, Padme's worries became more intense. Where is he? He must be hurt, she worried.
"M'lady, you must try to rest," urged Sabe'.
"I can't...I can't. Not until I know he is safe and I’ve discovered what is happening out there."
Padme jerked her head towards the window. Her entreaties to send fire crews had been politely denied, but nature heard her pleas and a fine mist had been descending for the past hour and the fires and black smoke were slowly dying out to be replaced by lighter colored smoke.
What would one see? “Blast!” She would wait just another hour and then she would go and see for herself. Captain Typho would lament and argue but she would go and find him herself.
She would question the Jedi and discover the truth! Padme could not believe Master Windu would attempt to assassinate Palpatine...Something is not right. Something does not ring true.
Hearing the com buzz softly, Padme rushed forward. "General Skywalker has entered the embassy, Madame Chancellor," announced security.
Padme breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Captain."
Padme and Sabe' exchanged relieved expressions. It had been Sabe' who had been her decoy when Naboo was invaded all those years ago by the Trade Federation. Now, Sabe' had return to Coruscant with her children when Padme became Chancellor Elect. Sabe' was acting as Luke's mother as Dorme was for Tanis.
Anakin is safe! He will tell me what is happening, thought Padme as she waited nervously to hear her husbands approach.
***
The dry and warmth of the Embassy felt somehow surreal after all that had transpired, but then everything felt so. He ventured a brief smile at the guards and made his way quickly through the embassy. He would have to restrain himself. There just was not time to tell her everything. He made his way to the bedroom calling softly, “Padme, Padme,” as he strode down the corridor, slicking the wet from his face.
“Anakin,” answered Padme worriedly, afraid she might find him injured or announcing that he must stand and fight to the last. She heard his voice calling her name and Padme ran to the door and slammed the open button.
"Anakin! Anakin!" Amidala ran towards her husband, flinging her arms about his neck. "Oh, thank the Force! I've been so worried! I've used our com what seems hundreds of times...trying to hail you." Neither noticed as Sabe’ slipped discretely past them with a knowing smile.
He did not address Padme’s concerns. All that worrying was going to be over. Suddenly, he did not feel so close to hysterics. That sardonic grin that had been wreaking havoc with his face settled a bit and he wrapped his arms about Padme and carried her back to the room slamming the door release with an elbow and sighing once the door was closed. A sly little thought made its way forward. Maybe they could just keep that door closed and stay in here until everyone forgot about them.
He had not realized how tense he had become. He felt his shoulders released and he sighed. “Padme,” and he kissed her as if it had been months since last they had met, “Padme! I thought I would never be home again!”
So tired! He carried her to the bed and dropped himself onto the soft billowy pillows and stretched his arms over his head, lay back, and closed his eyes. Padme Naberrie Skywalker, Padme Skywalker. This is my wife, Padme Naberrie Sky…Vader. Yes, that was it, he smiled. Have you met my wife…? He laughed aloud as he allowed the daydream to continue and he reached up and pulled her on top of him. “I love you, wife mine!”
"Anakin! You don't know how happy I am to see you, beloved,” she said breathlessly. “I’ve been worried sick. Please! What's happening out there! There's a news blackout! I was with the children when Typho told me the Temple was afire. I tried several times before getting an answer from the Chancellor's office.
Mas Amedda said the Jedi, Master Windu, attempted to assassinate Palpatine!” Her face was animated and her usually serene features were line by lack of sleep and worry. “That's...unbelievable,” she exclaimed shaking her head. “Mas Amedda said the Jedi entered just minutes after I left and that the Chancellor asked that I remain at the Embassy.”
Now, martial law has been declared...I tried to summon firefighters to put out the fires...Please Anakin...what is going on? I have the right to know!" Pleading, Padme took her husband's gloved hand in hers.
“Whoa! Whoa! Shhh,” he said, as he placed a black gloved finger over her lips taking his prosthetic from her tiny hand, his eyes still closed. Then sighing, he opened them and smiled crookedly. “Slowly, it has been THE longest night of my entire life!” He reached up and brushed the hair from her worried brow, “Trust me, you will be safe. Everything will be fine in a matter of days. You’ll see.”
"But what's happening out there, Ani? I'm not worried about myself. I was worried for you and the Jedi…,” said Padme, her voice growing insistent. “You are evading my questions...what's wrong? Please tell me..." Padme lowered her voice.
"It's not true...is it...that Jedi were arrested; that there was a plot?"
He embraced her and sat up so fast it made her head spin, and cradling her he looked away and swallowed. Anakin squeezed his eyes against a memory he did not wish to entertain and sought that quiet and aloof place. No, no more doubt! He bit his lip.
“Yes...it’s true! They committed treason…they plotted, Padme, and they used me.” The shame and betrayal came rushing in, yet he fought it, and brightening, he softly patted the bed top and rose to gaze out of the window.
“I have to go and tie up some loose ends Padme, and then we can begin our new life.” He turned, the daylight at his back, he suddenly looked very pale. His ragged hair was matted into curling locks and it seemed crusted, as if he had been sloshing about in mud. “Everything will be as we want it, Padme. You, me, the children; we can have anything we want. We will be free to live together as a family should. You just need to wait this out.” He could see she was digging in. That was not a good sign.
He advanced and put his hands about her shoulders, “It will be a little against your nature, at first, but, have patience and soon this will blow over, just...just you must be a little more discrete.” Then, almost wildly, he swept her up and spun around with her, “You’re going to be fine! That is the important thing!”
Padme closed her eyes as she grew queasy, "Ani! Please, put me down! I'm...my stomach is a little frazzled.” As he lowered her, smiling broadly, she still pressed her questions, in spite of his somehow, incongruent behavior. “Discrete...I've always tried my utmost, to keep our marriage secret...our children..."
Padme's searched her Ani's eyes, his face. He was evading! "Beloved..." Padme's voice was but a whisper. "I'm concerned for you and the Jedi. They have been your family longer than you and I have been husband and wife. They have been your mentors, your family, your friends...I just can't believe this...something is wrong...
It's my right to know Ani..."
Maybe he was in shock. Padme raised her hand to run through his hair - sticky...? Amidala stared at her fingers, at the reddish brown substance.
"...Anakin...." Padme knew the answer before she even asked the question, her eyes wide with dread and fear..."what is this?"
He felt the smile dissolve on his face, melting away like sweet confection in the rain. He stared unseeing for a moment, his eyes tracking slowly, his face hardening. He had his hands on his hips and extended one to take her hand and he looked down without tilting his head and slowly raised his lids to look piercingly into her eyes. He saw the stain standing out ugly and small, the sum of who knew how many Jedi, now just a smudge on that gracious hand.
She could see him blinking as he spoke slowly, without emotion, completely the opposite of his desperate jubilation only moments before, “That? Why…it is blood, Padme.” Well, it had not all washed away in the rain, after all. That was unfortunate, he thought. “I’ve been busy, all night.” Then he brightened once again, “But, the war is ending. I am ending it, today. The Separatists leadership has been located on Mustafar. I will leave presently to…negotiate their surrender. And when I return, Padme, I will indulge your every question!” He tried smiling and it turned into that sardonic grin, yet again. He felt his heart beating rapidly and could hardly stand still.
He grew impatient, “But, that is enough for now. You must do as I say and trust me.” Anakin pointed emphatically, brows lowered. “You must not speak with your associates in the senate, Padme. Some of them colluded with the Jedi...nor do you admit any Jedi here, do you understand. They have lied and deceived. They will stop at nothing to achieve their ends. It was the Jedi who sought to take control of the Republic…and I wouldn’t have believed it either except”…and he felt the weight of the previous night descending and catching in his throat. Master Windu, in his arrogance, and Obi wan…how could he not have told me? How could he have remained silent? Weren’t we brothers? How could he?
“I’m afraid it is true! Padme, it was I that saved the Chancellor. If I hadn’t been there, the Jedi would have succeeded and Master Windu would have murdered Palpatine.” He was growing angrier with every passing moment and impatient with the extreme changes of emotion, which he seemed powerless to control. Anakin turned his head away.
All blood had drain from Padme's face, turning she walked slowly towards the floor to ceiling window to once more gaze out towards the Temple. She felt dizzy, lightheaded.
[/i] …Why, it is blood, Padme. I've been busy all night…" [/i] he said.
Memories washed over Amidala and she outwardly shivered. [/i]"...I killed them...all of them. The women, the children... [/i] He cried that day. Bitter tears. Tears of remorse. There are no tears in his eyes today, only hardness.
Quietly, in almost a whisper, Padme asked, “Ani, what have you done?”
Be calm, Padme, she told herself closing her and swallowing to steady herself and she rubbed the blood from her fingers. The little one within her turned.
Amidala straightened her shoulders. Yes, she understood the realities of war, but something here was horribly amiss, "Obviously, Anakin, we are a Republic in deep turmoil and crisis." Padme spoke softly and turned to face the man. Was it her husband? Was it her Ani who stood there before her, fists at his side? Anger. Anger.
Amidala continue to speak in a calm voice, but behind the calmness there was conviction, purpose. "I cannot remain here. I am needed. I am the Chancellor-Elect of the Republic and I do not hide in my home in times of emergency. I will speak to Chancellor Palpatine!”
”Please remember, Anakin, that I am just a breath away from the Chancellorship. Please remember that it is a part of my responsibility as Chancellor Elect to investigate corruption. My office will begin that investigation into the past hours’ events immediately."
But first, Padme thought, I will go to the Temple myself and see what has happened. Padme turned and walked towards the nightstand that held her com. "This is Amidala. Please ready my speeder. I am departing for the Senate within the hour..."
Padme looked up to her husband. She was not a fool. By the blood on her hands, Amidala knew what kind of negotiating Anakin planned to do with the Separatists leaders. "I am asking you Anakin to delay your journey to Mustafar for a few hours. If the Separatists are on Mustafar, they won't be going anywhere soon. I will order that the planet be blockaded. With Count Dooku and Grievous dead...there is no fight remaining in them."
Padme tossed her robe upon the bed, revealing her pregnancy. "I have to dress."
What was she saying?! Hadn’t she heard a word he said? Why must she be so willful? No, this could not stand. “NO! Did you not hear what I said,” he growled, his head snapping round to take her in. “YOU STAY HERE, PADME,” and he snatched up the com and resent the call and he said steadying his voice, low and curt, “Belay that order. The CE will not be leaving,” and he slammed the com link down and was upon her in a flash, “…not now and not latter.”
His teeth gritted, he took her by her bare shoulders and shook her, “You may be Chancellor Elect, Padme, but you are MY wife, and I know better than you, at the moment, what is good for you.” If she ventured out and disobeyed the directive, no telling what Sidious would do. No, she must not defy him. “I AM TELLING YOU TO STAY HERE!” If she but knew how hard won her safety was. What price had been paid! No, there was no place for such thoughts!
“You want an investigation, fine, you shall have it. As for the Separatists, I have been given my orders, Padme. I do not take them from you. I think you know the chain of command. And for all that you hold sacred, if you bare me love, stay here and DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,” and he cupped her chin with his gloved prosthetic and shook her as he inflected this last command, “ATTEMPT TO TALK WITH PALPATINE!”
He put a hand to his head and turned and walked away, rubbing his eyes as he did so. Why now? Could she not simply be his wife for one moment? She was so fond of contradicting him. This was going to have to change. He was resolved. The surviving, it did not have to be such a struggle between them. No. This is when they needed to work together the most. Once he had the knowledge he sought, he could forward his plans, and then she would see. Just a little while longer, Padme, just bear with me. Palpatine was not going to step down. She must not press or sue for it. No, Anakin was going to have to effect that change, himself!
Amidala's teeth rattled in her head, Anakin had shaken her so. Her voice was no longer soft. "How dare you! Remove your hands from me!
”My people do not obey you, General Skywalker. They obey the Chancellor-Elect and you will as well! As for this order you have been issued, an immoral order is no order, no matter from how high the edict comes! It is you who will remain here, General Skywalker! May I remind you, who promoted you. What was given can be taken away!"
Padme held out her hand, practically shoving it in his face.
"What have you done, Anakin?! Whose blood is this? No more I say! No more!
My people will be here any moment, you will go with them to a safe room and remain there, while I will go to the Temple and see what you have done!"
Anakin exploded in peels of uproarious laughter! “Very good, Padme,” he managed. So, here we are once again, he thought. He continued laughing and held himself. “I don’t think so,” and then suddenly, he grew very serious. After all, she really had no idea, “That is quite enough of that, Padme. Things have change, di’muori,” and “your…PEOPLE, Madame, are either MY people, or they are my ENEMY!
Then roughly taking Padme’s proffered hand, he said rather too quietly, “And that Madame,” a sly smile playing on his full lips, “is the remnant of MY enemies!”
"Who are your enemies, Anakin, am I?"
The chime sounded and the door opened to reveal Captain Typho and 3 of the Senate Guard, who were also assigned to protect Amidala.
"Captain, please escort General Skywalker to a safe room. Please go with them Anakin. Captain ready my speeder and escort."
Yet, on seeing Lord Vader, the guard backed away and holstered their weapons, leaving Typho, confused and standing alone.
“Oh, Padme, I really wish you had not done that,” said Anakin shaking his head and looking down. He gestured to the Senate guard, “Take the Captain’s weapon, and apprise him of the situation. I see he is greatly confused. The Chancellor Elect is to remain here, in the interest of safety.” Anakin turned next to Typho, “Capt. Typho, I apologize for the misunderstanding.”
“Yes…Yes, my Lord,” replied one of the guard. Typho looked to Amidala, but she too stood confused and dismayed.
When the door closed Anakin turned an angry eye on Padme. “Why do you do this, Padme?” His teeth gritted, he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to the window. “LOOK OUT THERE! THIS IS NOT A GAME, PADME. A PRICE HAS TO BE PAID…FOR EVERYTHING!” Tears of anger and frustration fell for the price he had paid. “WELL, I’VE PAID IN ADVANCE, AND NOW IT IS MY TIME,” and he thumbed his chest, “MY TIME! DON’T YOU RUIN IT!” He swallowed still gripping her arm. “You think it can all be solved with polite conversation and mergers. You think the rules make those people tow the line. FEAR, PADME, fear drives them. The Jedi are no different. They were afraid of me. They’d have killed me, too, Padme. They aren’t my family, YOU ARE. You and the children. They LIED to me and hid their deception…made me their…dupe. Twisted my mind till I couldn’t think straight and in the end THEY BETRAYED ME. DO YOU UNDERSTAND! I DID WHAT I HAD TO, PADME. I DON’T EXPECT THIS TO BE EASY FOR YOU, BUT YOU CAN’T KNOW. You can’t ever know. I DID IT FOR YOU…FOR US! NOW, DON’T YOU BETRAY ME, TOO!” His voice became a hoarse growl, his face twisted in pain and anger. If she could just be patient! All the while he shook her like a doll.
“NOW, YOU WILL OBEY ME AND STAY HERE! Please Padme, listened to me! I love you. Can’t you see this? You worry about the Jedi; they don’t deserve your care. Leave it alone. I promise I’ll make everything right when I return. Just a day, Padme!” he whispered holding her at arms length, but he could feel her resolve harden. “Listen to ME!”
Padme took hold of Anakin's arms in an effort to make him stop shaking her. What had he done! What had he done! Her fears grew. Never, never, not even after he confessed to her his deeds on Tatooine, had she seen Anakin so. What is happening!
"Anakin!" she whispered. "Anakin...you are hurting me! Let go!"
“Oh, no!” he said turning his face slightly and looking at her through slender eyes. “You answer me, first. You tell me what I want to hear, Padme. Tell me you will obey me!”
Padme grimaced. A sharp pain radiated from her stomach. Her hands gripped Anakin's arms even tighter.
Amidala closed her eyes. Calm. He's out of control. Anakin has done something terrible...
I can't trust the Senate guards...He won't listen to me.
Palpatine. It's Palpatine. He's making some type of power play and Anakin is involved. He's drawn Anakin into his web. Retreat. For now...
"I will obey you, Anakin." Padme said simply, looking up to her husband...Anakin…what have you done? Another pain, and Padme took a deep breath.
“I did what no one else could do”…/show no mercy/…”what had to be done…” but his voice trailed off as he began to calm again and saw the odd look on Padme’s face. “What’s wrong, Padme?”
"I have to sit, Anakin." Padme turned towards a chair.
"You are right, of course...I must look after our baby, Luke and Tanis." Padme placed a hand on her stomach.
“Yes,” he said pensively, softly, feeling some ambiguity in her compliance, but there was no more time. This wreck of a Republic wanting pruning and yet another nest of vipers lay amongst the rocks on Mustafar!
He looked down at her, his hands resting at his sides. Even if she did not mean it, she had the presence of mind to at least go through the motions and that was all he required, for the moment.
“Padme…you remember our last time together on Naboo? We talked about the cottage and making a new life, well, we are very near to that new life. Sometimes, the prize requires more than you think you can give, but you have it in you, Padme. We both do. I have enough for the both of us, and for the children, and I WILL give you that life Padme, I promise. I was severe, I know, but, things will improve. You’ll see!”
There, that was better. Now why hadn’t she simply behaved so in the begining. That giddiness was returning. He was relieved. He drew her face up to his and gently traced her cheek. She felt warm to the touch. Her creamy fine complexion, covered with a light dewy glow, her cheeks flushed. She was anxious. He smiled at her, his eyes clearing for a moment, but there was something odd in them, and he squeezed her hands and kissed her forehead. “I won’t be long, di’muori.”
It must have been the light... It must have been the light - his eyes appeared yellow for a moment. Padme took a few steps to an overstuffed chair and sat.
She caught the red flashing light of her com on the nightstand but said or did nothing. It could wait until Anakin was gone.
Mustafar! He was going to Mustafar.
"Anakin...how do you know the Separtist Council is on Mustafar? Mustafar is a volcanic planet is it not? What ship are you taking? I'm sure the Council are well guarded..."
The pain had subsided. Padme rested her hands on the arms of the chair, her fingers tracing random patterns, feeling the softness of the material.
He followed her and sinking to one knee, he took her hands in his. “What ship, what ship, what does it matter,” he said shaking his head as if shaking off a swarm of nuisance insects. “I don’t know all the particulars, Padme. They are there, and so I am going. That is how complicated that is. Don’t start again. I am tired. I don’t have much patience to begin with. I don’t want to leave this way.” He pulled her into an embrace. She was so small and she was…his! He brushed some cocoa colored curls from her brow, “A lo muore, mi magdetha morenthe. A li hrura farea,” he breathed into the passionate kiss into which he’d taken her, though she found herself resisting at first. “I will,” he continued, “You’ll see.”
He stood and moving quickly he snatched up her com and strode from the room, closing the door behind him. Anakin checked the com link to listen for a message. “OBI WAN!” That would wait. After all, he will find me. I needn’t trouble myself just now, thought Anakin smirking. He was in a hurry to finish this little task! As he passed the guards, he called, “No one goes in, and no one goes out. Where is Typho?”
“We have detained him, my Lord,” said the guard proud to find himself in favor.
“Good. I shall deal with him tomorrow. He is to be detained only. Do you understand? I don’t want the Chancellor Elect to be alarmed. I want transmissions to and from this Embassy on lock down. NOTHING and NO ONE goes in or out until I return. Perform a search and collect all personal com links. Bring in another detail of shock troopers. Call the dispatcher and tell them I have made the request.” We don’t need Obi wan making a mess of things now, do we, he thought to himself. “And corporal,” said Anakin “a Jedi is not likely to announce they’re approach, so be wary. They would as soon strike you down as allow a question, so shoot anyone who comes within landing range of the structure. Post a guard at the CE’s door and she is not to go anywhere without a full compliment of 4. Now bring to me the handmaiden, Sabe!”
The Senate guard did not have to seek Sabe, she turned the corner, carrying the breakfast tray meant for Padme; the same as everyday a simple bowl of fruit, fresh bread, hot tea. Sabe stopped in mid stride seeing the activity outside Amidala's door.
The guard nearly ran her down as he had turned on his heel to retrieve her, but Anakin was already over her by the time the guard spat out, “Here she is, Lord Vader.”
Anakin pulled her aside and taking the tray he passed it without glancing at the guard, “Take this to the Chancellor Elect.” Then he turned his attention to Sabe, his brow furrowed and eyes intense, “Bring me to the children,” he commanded and he waved a guard to follow.
"Very well. They are in Safe Room #3,” she said worry beginning to spread over her features. “They have spent the night as usual and are just beginning to wake. Their breakfast should arrive shortly."
Taking the lift down one floor, Sabe lead Anakin and the guard down the hall. A series of safe rooms were constructed on various floors of the Embassy after the failed assassination attempt upon Amidala. Each were equipt with beds and toys for the twins.
A Naboo guard and handmaiden rotated each night caring and watching Tanis & Luke. It had been Elle's turn in the safe room.
Sabe retrieved the com from her pocket, as they traversed through the echoing halls of the Nubian Embassy. "This is Sabe...Elle, if you would, open the door. General Skywalker would like to see the children please."
“What is happening, Anakin,” asked Sabe worriedly, the last she had seen, Padme and Anakin were embracing in the hallway. Anakin didn’t answer her. She felt terribly disturbed over this change of events. Why hadn’t Padme asked her to bring the children to visit or said that Anakin wanted to see them. “Please give your personal com link to the guard, Sabe.”
“What is going on here,” she insisted planting her feet and causing Anakin to halt slightly. Turning on her with fury in his eyes, because now time was of the essence, he looked down at her, and Sabe cringed at what she saw.
“BE SILENT, SABE, AND DO AS YOU ARE TOLD, and everything will be fine, just open the door…” and now speaking quietly, “go on, now. Open the door...” Sabe stared and stood stock still, “NOW!” His shout made her jump. Once more she found herself fumbling at the door. Anakin sighed and brushed her hand away. He felt the pad and found the relays retaining the last randomly issued code and keyed it quickly.
Elle appeared, a finger to her lips. "Shhh....they're sleeping late. They cried all last night,” she said and nodded to the two cribs in the semi dark room and the small figures covered by blankets. A guard appeared by Elle's side.
Sabe motioned for them to step aside. "General Skywalker would like to see his children in private." Anakin didn’t bother to correct her misnomer.
The Blue Senate guard made to enter but Sabe stood in the door and dared him. The guard sought to catch Anakin’s attention as he wasn’t certain what he should do and then decided better of it.
Reaching down, Anakin touched each one of the children and smiled. “Soon,” he whispered, “soon!” He remembered a day not long ago and the dreams he’d had. Yes, soon they would all be free of the yoke under which they all labored and then, they would live as a family.
The children were agitated. Tanis began to move wildly about and cry. Luke too, was moving frantically but reached out and held onto his father’s finger. “Don’t you worry! I’ll be right back!” Reassured that they were indeed in the Embassy, still, remembering the ruse that Sio Bibble had perpetrated, he turned to the Guard. “Post 2 guards here as well. If the children are called for, only the Chancellor Elect and this woman may effect the transfer. They are to have a full escort, 4 as well.”
For a moment something caught Anakin’s attention, he looked up pensively. The beacon seemed to have changed. No matter! Looking down he addressed Sabe again, speaking as quietly as he could, “Sabe, bring them to Padme, she will be worried,” and with that, he was gone.
Padme rose from the chair,holding unto her back.
Carrying a child certainly did not help her lower back and it was aching something terrible at the moment.
So - she was a prisoner it seemed in her own home.
The Blue Senate Guard that Anakin had placed in charge
stood before the CE's private chamber door. "Have you confiscated all the coms from the Naboo?"
His comrade said they believed that all of them had been taken.
"Good..I'll make that call now for extra troops."
From down the hall Dr. Senob approached and called, "Good morning."
"Halt. You can't go in. Lord Vader’s express command."
Senob looked the guard up and down. "You've never been on this floor...the private quarters of the CE...have you...I'm Dr. Giles Senob, the Chancellor-Elect's personal physician. I come every morning after Madame's breakfast. It is my duty to monitor her health."
The Senate Guard once more repeated his orders.
"Look, you ninny! If you haven't noticed, the CE is pregnant! Her health is very delicate. She is a fragile creature....She is anemic and that could cause health problems for the child....Do I have to say aloud whose child she is carrying???"
The Guard began to waver.
"Damn it man...I'm a doctor not a soldier...now let me pass!"
The Blue Guard stepped a side and Giles Senob touched the open pad.
Padme turned towards the door as it slid open.
"Good morning, Madame Chancellor. How are we this morning?"
asked Senob as he entered Padme's chamber.
The door closed behind him and Senob hurried to Padme.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes..."
"You don't look well..." Senob opened his antique medical bag. "Here...put this on...." said Senob and he handed Amidala a gas filter. "The building is going to be flooded in 30 seconds. The children are fine."
Not another word was said as they both donned the filters.
***
30 seconds later knockout gas passed through the air ducts flooding corridors and rooms of the Naboo Embassy. The Blue Guard collapsed on the floor. Two minutes later the gas was dispersed. Another two minutes later Senob's com hidden in a tranquilizer beeped giving the all clear signal.
Captain Typho entered Padme's chamber.
"Well done.Thank you .How long will they be out?" Amidala said.
" At least several hours.What's going on?" asked Senob.
"I believe a coup. Captain, disarm all the Blues, put them in the detention cell ..and Typho..."
"Yes, M'Lady?"
"Strip them...completely...they will be less likely to wander about if they somehow escape."
Typho smirked and Senob guffawed. Saluting, Typho exited.
"Padme, you don't look well...let me examine you."
"I'm fine Giles...I'm just very worried. I think Anakin has done something horrible and Palpatine put him up to it..."
Senob wrapped Padme's robe about her again. "And what do you plan to do?"
"I'm going to go see for myself and then pay a visit to Chancellor Palpatine. Giles tell the staff to get in touch with Senators Mon Mothma and Organa..and the other Senators and judges who witnessed the Accord."
"Very well, I'll send in Sabe..."
"No...I can dress myself...nothing fancy today..."
"I'll be back."
Padme nodded.
***
Amidala slowly walked to her closet. I'll need...Another sharp back pain struck her.
Padme began to panic...it took several times to wash the 'stain' from her fingers.
She began to cry....blood...whose blood? How many?
Anakin...what have you done?
Padme stared at her reflected image in the mirror of the fresher...Her eyes were darkly rimmed from lack of sleep and worry. Her arms were bruised....where Anakin had held her so tightly and shook her.
Another pain…this one in her abdomen...
I have to dress. Padme slipped on tan boots and pants and tunic. A decorative belt that served to ease her back pain...My hooded cape and I should be ready...A blaster...
***
His mind still reeling and cheeks stinging with the memory, the images still playing in his mind. Anakin, Anakin, how? How? Hope still stirred in his heart, but intellect said otherwise. Everything had always lain clear for the Master, in affairs of the soul. Beware, attachments! How could Anakin be gone? There he was, kneeling before that thing! No. The heart refused to accept the finality.
“Destroy the Sith, you must Obi wan! Or futile are your tears and the lives of all who have fallen. Imprisoned is that soul, destroy the Sith you must Obi wan to set him free!”
Obi wan, cloaked and moving slowly through the underbelly of Coruscant, felt the presence of others fleeing. The beacon he’d recalibrated was still urging the Jedi to find safety and leave Coruscant. Clearly the shock troops had not yet noticed the change but if Anakin was still on Coruscant, he would soon enough.
Focused on finding Anakin, Obi wan knew sadly where he must go. This he dreaded. He saw her eyes already.
The journey felt like hours. Turning, casting a hand out where necessary, encouraging a look in the opposite direction, slipping in and out of shadows, and finally finding a speeder unattended his approach brought a view that caught at him. There, overhead circling thickly over the Embassy District, were more red and white policing troops. Padme needed to be removed from Coruscant. That was clear. He felt danger. Pulling his com, and knowing the chance he was taking of being tracked, the Master called Bail Organa.
He’d hardly said two words before Bail explained the trouble he’d seen outside the burning spires of the Temple. “The session should begin in an hour or so. My aid will be there in minutes and pick you up. You may have to do some play-acting. I haven’t been able to get a transmission through to the Embassy.”
It had taken quite a bit of artistry, but soon Obi wan stood before Padme having moved with alarm through the seemingly empty Embassy. “Padme,” said Obi wan quietly, worn and ragged and stepping beyond the dithering C-3PO.
"Obiwan!" Padme hugged the Jedi. "You look exhausted, please come in...I'll have something brought up for you to eat. 3PO, please as quickly as possible, nourishment and drink."
"Right away, Mistress Padme." The golden droid, a gift from Anakin turned to comply.
Amidala motioned for Anakin's former master to her private sitting area. "I was just about to leave for the Senate. Can you tell me what is happening?"
“No, no, there’s no time for that, Padme. Listen, you must forgive me for being so abrupt, but,” he hated doing this, “have you seen Anakin and do you know where he is?” His eyes were lined with concern and they were hard, and as he stared into Padme’s eyes he saw she looked tired but clearly no tears recently. That was a good sign. He found himself hoping that she hadn’t seen Anakin, and knowing if she had, it was for the last time. No, there was nothing in her demeanor that led anywhere specific except her usual calm and resolve.
"Why is it no one will tell me what is going on?...I have heard the rumor that the Jedi conspired to overthrow the government and that Master Windu attempted to assassinate Palpatine…Is that true, Obiwan?"
Padme finished securing the high collar of her cloak while she talked to Kenobi.
“It’s not true Padme. Will you believe what I say? It will not be easy to hear,” he sighed. “These Wars, they’ve been a smoke screen. It was never about the CIS. Palpatine has engineered the Wars all along. Padme…he is the Sith. He has led this Republic astray, and he has plotted to destroy the Jedi and…he has deceived Anakin, Padme.” He turned from her, because he wore that heinous image before his eyes, “Anakin led…the raid on the Temple…and now…I must find him.”
Obi wan Kenobi turned to Chancellor Elect Amidala, to the woman he knew Anakin loved and he leveled a gaze, “You must tell me where he is, Padme.”
"Palpatine is the Sith...the one who the Jedi have searched for all these years..." she heard Obi wan’s voice, clear, strong, and resolute.
Padme's face flushed. It was suddenly very hot in the chamber. "He...he is the one...My people suffered under the occupation, many died..." she stammered still making pretense, but loosing her calm and lips trembling.
Padme turned from Kenobi...it all made sense...with such terrible clarity. Palpatine befriended Anakin and Anakin grew to trust and admired the Chancellor.
The Chosen One...Palpatine turned Anakin to the Dark Side...
Amidala gazed at her hand..."I know..." she said softly..."He admitted he had been busy...I touched his hair, matted...my fingers...blood..."
Obi wan advanced, “Padme, you know where is he? You must tell me.”
"I...I must go to the Senate...stop Palpatine..." This really can't be happening she said to herself, her mind began to tumble, yet she struggled and rallied now loosing one reality for another, "I have to go...Anakin is gone..." Padme felt for the blaster in her cloak pocket. For protection, yes, it’s there. She turned, took a couple of steps...stopped...What do I do?
Yet, Obi wan blocked her way. “Padme, I know about the two of you. The time for deception is over. If you love him, Padme, you must tell me,” he said insistently, calmly, firmly. Then seeing her confusion, “Padme, I love him, too, but what he has become…is cruel and dangerous. He already wears the blood of innocence, Padme,” and Obi wan’s voice became full and he closed his eyes.
"You know? What do you know, Obiwan...what do you know?"
Padme turned and slowly made her way to the sofa and sat, her thoughts turning inward...
Their life together...what was Anakin talking about the future? They no longer had any future...
The children...
Padme sighed inwardly.
He could see her grow remote, pulling away. “I know about your relationship, Padme. That’s why I came to you…” he said, his voice trailing off as he noted the shape of Padme. Was she…? Obi wan breathed heavily.
"Relationship..." Padme laughed bitterly. "I suppose one could call it that...We knew we could not keep our 'relationship' secret forever..." Padme reached into her pocket and withdrew a com.
"Sabe. Yes, Sabe,...if you would be so kind. Please bring Luke & Tanis. Thank you."
What are you going to do Obiwan?" Amidala's eyes searched his face. She saw incredible sadness, horror, and anger. "He's committed murder...and you want to murder him."
He stood, brow furrowed, in frustration and puzzlement. Why was she dissembling? What did she mean? Who were Luke and Tanis? And how could he answer her? “Murder,” he repeated, and the images came back, he turned from her once again and steadied himself, resting his hand on a chair back.
Padme stood with some difficulty. She was not feeling well at all. Slowly, Amidala began to unfasten her cloak.
"I did not have time to change into formal clothing. I was going to keep the cloak on...it is heavy, flexible body armour within the material."
Padme dropped the cloak upon the couch and asked Obiwan to turn and face her.
The door slid open and Sabe and Dorme brought Luke and Tanis. With a hand movement Amidala indicated to her friends to place the children on the couch.
Padme gave her children a little smile.
Nodding, the handmaidens exited.
"Obiwan, Luke and Tanis Skywalker....10.5 months old..and I have been Padme Amidala Skywalker for a little over 3 years now..."
Padme sat on the couch between her two little ones.
"Mama...."
Padme caressed Anakin's children.
"Please, Obiwan for their sake and for our unborn child..."
At first he simply stared. What is this? No. No. The irony was beyond bearing. He put a hand to his head and collapsed into a chair, weeping. “Padme…” He could barely stand to tell her.
Obiwan was suffering...the same as she.
Padme crossed over to the Jedi and placed a hand upon his shoulder,stroking.
In this position, she mused to herself, his eyes couldn't miss her very pregnant self.
She waited for what Obiwan had to say next.
The children, so innocently unaware played with their toys, exchanging gibberish with each other that only they could understand.
He steadied. He placed a hand over hers and whispered, “He…he…killed them Padme…the younglings…”
Amidala closed her eyes,squeezing Obiwan's hand.
Silence. Unnatural silence. Padme heard a voice. Was it hers? It sounded so far away...so calm..
"All are dead within the Temple? Everyone?" Though posed as questions, Amidala knew the answers.
Padme closed and opened her eyes. She had read about people having out of body experiences...She heard and part of her wanted to deny with every fiber in her body. But part of her...knew...
Dead...
The strangest taste in her mouth..."I...excuse me...I think I'm ..."
One foot in front of the other...you are stepping on the carpet. Padme closed the door of the fresher...
Blood. Bright red blood. Not just a little - Again. Crimson blood.
No...no... Anakin...
She heard someone calling her name...Obiwan? So far away.
The door slid open. "I...I'm...our baby...Senob..."
Pain.
No.
Not the physical pain...not the pain of the body, but of the soul.
Padme screamed.
"Aanakinnn!"
The toddlers stopped their playing and turned towards their mother. In their innocent minds they felt their mother's sorrow...
Mama...pain...hurt...
"Mama...mama…"
***
He felt Padme pull away in pain. Concentrated on finding Anakin, he had been as sensitive to Padme’s position as possible but he was unprepared for what followed. She looked suddenly very ill. Obi wan sat for an instant in the uncomfortable silence looking at two beautiful children, the children of his brother, Anakin, of a man who was now gone, now a Sith. What was it the Sith Lord Sidious called Anakin? Vader?
There sat these children, and it was clear, they were Force sensitive. The younglings lay dead, but here were Anakin's children! What did this mean? There was something of great significance, here!
Suddenly a heart rending scream pierced his thoughts. “Padme?” Obi wan ran to the door and Force pushing the mechanism, found Padme crumpled and bathed in scarlet and struggling to speak.
He rose and hit a general alert to call for assistance, and sinking covered her with his cloak. C-3PO scrambled across the carpet only too glad to find he might be needed.
***
This day had been one misery after another. Anakin had sailed in and thrown the Embassy into chaos, barely acknowledging the protocol droid, even when C-3PO had taken pains to bring him his favorite tea. He thought himself quite thoughtful and efficient to have thought of it, but Anakin had one gulp and simply placed it on the tray C-3PO held without so much as a “Thank you C-3PO,” or the usual, “I needed that.” R-2 was just as terse. He seemed to be of a mind that something was truly amiss and speaking very cryptically, he’d insisted that C-3PO take special pains to care for the mistress.
R-2 spoke of a mission and danger. “Oh, really! You know R-2, I’ve never known a more self-important bag of bolts than you. Whatever are you babbling on about? I’ve had my own worries. I’ve heard the most troubling things while you’ve been flitting about. Where were you, last night? And why did the master return and leave with those troopers so early this morning? R-2 had been very short and worriedly continued his cautions and admonitions.
“To where? Mustafar! Heavens, who would ever wish to go there? You’re the one who should take care, R-2. It’s a very difficult place. I shouldn’t be surprised if you don’t return with your circuits fused.”
Now this! He wasn’t certain of anything anymore. Mistress Padme lay upon the floor in a viscous pool of a substance the color of fine Teridian lubricant. He knew it to be human blood. “Oh, dear, oh, dear,” he exclaimed.
“Call for Senob,” Obi wan said firmly, “hurry,” he added seeing the golden droid stand in confused surprise.
Within a minute the flutter of fabrics in swift movement announced the arrival of the Naboo guard, Sabe, and Dr. Senob. Obi wan carried Padme to her bed and laid her gently upon the pillowed surface where only an hour before she’d sat relieved to find her husband reclining before her, giddy and alive. Obi wan brushed the hair from her furrowed brow and gazed at her in concern as Dr. Senob approached.
"Padme...M'Lady..." Amidala's eyes opened and she began to cough more blood.
Senob heard the cries of Padme's children in the background. "Get the children out of here," he directed Sabe. Quietly she motioned to the guards who whisked Luke & Tanis from the room.
Opening his medical bag, Senob activated his scanner as his eyes took Padme in. The doctor looked to Sabe. "Look at her arms..." he whispered. "He's abused her again..."
"Giles...."
"What did he do to you Padme?"
"I have to ...the Senate...he's going to destroy the Republic...I have to stop him.."
"You are not going anywhere, Padme.."
"No…you don't understand..." her voice weak and pleading.
"Padme, listen to me...you are bleeding internally...did Anakin shake you?"
Amidala turned her head upon the pillow...slowly she nodded. "...twice..."
This was unfortunate, terribly unfortunate. Obi wan turned away. If he needed anymore confirmation, now he knew. There was nothing left of the boy he’d nurtured. The man who was Anakin Skywalker, was dead. “Padme, you must tell me,” he said softly and taking her hand tenderly in his own, “where he has gone. If there is to be any hope, I must find him. Please!”
Keeping her face turned to the side, Padme closed her eyes. "You will kill him."
”Enough of this!” Senob pulled on the sleeve of the Jedi. "A word with you sir."
Senob took Kenobi out into the hall. "I don't know who you are Jedi...but I'm Senob, the CE's personal physician. She's badly injured sir. Her spleen is ruptured, she's bleeding internally, and the placenta has separated from the uterus...the baby is most likely lost. My instrument did not detect a heart beat. I've got to get her down to my OR now, or she will bleed to death. You'll have to get your information someplace else."
“Dr. Senob, I understand, but there is more at stake than the life of this woman,” Obi wan put his hand up to stop Senob from interjecting his indignation, “I have great respect and affection for Amidala, but you must understand, I must find Anakin, before he does anymore harm.”
C-3PO, heard the hushed but heated exchange and watched as Dr. Senob threw up his hands and let out what could only be described as “choice words.” “Yes, indeed, find him, and bring him back. I’d like the first whack at him. But you are not going to get word one from her and the more you try the more upset she will be. I’m sorry, I can’t help you. You’ll have to find that information some other way.”
Obi wan sighed and turning his head, he ran a hand through his hair. “Master Obi wan, sir,” C-3PO had been busy processing, correlating, building the logic that often evaded him. Poor little R-2. Poor Master Anakin! They were in terrible trouble. “Master Obi wan, I believe I may be of help, sir…
Characters in play. A continuing post....
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http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/17959370/p1 The Flower of Bast: personal journals of LDV ~| Acroama, LD, SDO|~ o[]||]ooooooooo[0]||[]{ "It's a sin to kill a Mockingbird!"
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Mortimer_Nerdly
Registered:
Sep '02
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Date Posted:
5/23/05 5:23am
Subject:
RE: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
- Date Edited:
5/23/05 5:37am (2 edits total)
Edited By:
Mortimer_Nerdly
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OOC: w00t! It's up!
Name: Boba Fett
--Age: 15
---Gender: Male
----Species: Human Clone
-----Eye Color: Dark
------Hair Color and Style: Short, black
-------Skin Complexion: Tanned
--------Clothing: Mandalorian Battle Armor (Conceals a myriad of weapons)
---------Physique: Average
----------Personality: Cold, cunning
-----------Quirks: Typically quiet, harsh sense of justice
------------Force Sensitive: No
Personal Ship
-Name: Slave I
--Class: Firespray Pursuit Special
---Exterior Description:
----Interior Description: Clean greyish interior, reddish displays
-----Weapon Systems: Two forward dual laser cannons, one ion cannon, concussion missile tubes, proton torpedo tubes, siesmic charges
------Crew Compliment: Two crew, six passengers
-------Hyperspace Capability: Yes
--------Misc. Specs.: Slave I has the ability to render itself invisible to the most advanced sensors
Biography
-Brief History: Boba Fett is the "son" of the bounty hunter Jango Fett, grown and raised on Kamino. At a young age he was proficient with a blaster with piloting Jango's starship. At age ten, immediatley after the Battle of Geonosis, Boba started his career as a bounty hunter. Throughout the Clone Wars, he took contracts from Jabba the Hutt and tracked down and killed many CIS heads including Gilramos Libkath. Closer to the end of the Clone Wars, Boba was employed by Darth Sidious to assassinate any Senator in opposition to his New Order.
--Military History: N/A
---Traumatic Experiences: Boba Fett watched his father die right in front of him on Geonosis and was injured by General Grievous during a failed assassination attempt on Wat Tambor.
Name: General Grievous
--Age: Unknown
---Gender: Male
----Species: 50% Kaleesh, 50% Custom Cyborg
-----Eye Color: Yellow
------Hair Color and Style: N/A
-------Skin Complexion: Brown, reptillian
--------Clothing: White armor, black cape with red interior
---------Physique: Lanky
----------Personality: Heartless, cunning
-----------Quirks: Slouch, chronic cough, collects lightsabers
------------Force Sensitive: No
Personal Ship
-Name: The Ravager
--Class: Providence II Class Trade Federation Carrier/Destroyer
---Exterior Description: Jet black with blue and white CIS decals - Similar in structure to the foundered Invisible Hand, only three times in length.
----Interior Description: Very silvery and clean - very technologically advanced
-----Weapon Systems: 38 quad turbolaser turrets; 88 dual laser cannons; 6 ion cannons; 36 point-defense ion cannons; 275 proton torpedo tubes
------Crew Compliment: 300,000 (Troops), 300 (Heavy Vehicles)
-------Hyperspace Capability: Yes
--------Misc. Specs.: N/A
Biography
-Brief History: General Grievous used to be a Kaleesh Warlord duing the Kaleesh-Huk war, supported by the IG Banking Clan, before his body was desroyed in a shuttle crash. Grievous was rebuilt by the Geonosians and employed by Darth Tyranus to be the leader of his Droid Army. Throughout the Clone Wars, Grievous led the CIS to many victories. He hunts Jedi for sport, mostly out of revenge for support of the Huk and causing the suffering of his people.
--Military History: Grievous has been a warrior all his life and is a brilliant tactician.
---Traumatic Experiences: Recieving his serious injjuries and being rebuilt as a cyborg.
-Lightsaber Blade Color: Many greens and blue, as well as an occasional different color
--Lightsaber Type: Many (Collection)
---Hilt Description: Classic
 
[]=====#[]<---------------- M_N! ----------------
-----signature-----
~Member of the Official General Grievous FanClub~ Proud 80s-o-phile, CIS junkie, and expert Shego observer. http://mortimer-nerdly.deviantart.com/  DETHRONE EMPEROR BUSH! Barack Obama for President!
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Eme-ma_Himou
Registered:
Aug '04
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Date Posted:
5/23/05 7:06am
Subject:
RE: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
- Date Edited:
5/23/05 7:12am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Eme-ma_Himou
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Name: Eme-ma Himou
--Age: 31
---Gender: Male
----Species: Human
-----Eye Color: Dazzling Green
------Hair Color and Style: Short Blonde
-------Skin Complexion: Tanned
--------Clothing: Jedi Robe
---------Physique: Muscular (Swimmer), Robotic Arm
----------Personality: Cocky
-----------Quirks: Brilliant Tactician
------------Force Sensitive: Yes
Personal Ship
-Name: Arm of the Rebellion
--Class: Cartaoan Assault Class---souped
---Exterior Description: Squidlike
----Interior Description: Tantive IV-like
-----Weapon Systems: Triplet laser cannons extending | |