Palpatine's Box (Completed March 12 2003)

Decades before Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace

Every place in the Universe was its own center. From The Beginning Moment the substance of space spread out to fill its own void and become permiated with the breath of energy and life.
All energy and life were connected, and all at its own center in the majestic depth of reality.

Jedi Master Vashe felt his own center. Cross legged, head down, hands resting gently on his knees, he floated above the deck of his small cabin feeling the song of all creation through The Force. He reached out to every fiber of his body, out beyond the confines of the Republic Cruiser ModeusII, beyond the fabric of hyperspace.
The stars sang of titanic energy, the planets sang of desperate power. Height, width, length, time; all ceased in meaning as the Universe sang.
From the very center.

Vashe reached to Naboo. Such purity it contained, such peace and beauty and richness of craft. This then was his destination, a place he would see at the behest of the Jedi Council. He sought an object, a long lost object much like those that were found in the Jedi Archives. A holocron. But no Jedi holocron was this. Master Yoda was old and wise and this particular box was not for Jedi, but for Sith. A tool of evil for those who craved the Darkside.
Master Yoda was somewhat vague about his information. His only explanation was from a gathering of bits and pieces of information, and he suspected its existance from hearsay and rumor. Vashe would find...

The singing was stopped. Violated from the center and pulled away from Vashe. He hit the deck hard as a blanket of blackness spread over his mind. A point of darkness that stabbed at his senses.

To be continued when time permits, thanks.

 

Interesting. I hope that time permits many (and often) updates.

lordmaul13

 

Naboo[/i]

It was time to go, time to leave paradise. Palpatine had become a bit proud of himself. Naboo and its thirty plus allied worlds had chosen him to represent them in the Republic Senate. He himself had not gained Senatorship as yet, instead he would journey to Coruscant to assist Naboo's current Senator which would groom him for his own position among those who ruled the galaxy.

But at the moment he had to wait. Arrangements could have been made to just go from Naboo to the capital world but there were always formalities to be maintained. A ship would be sent bearing the red color of the diplomacy of the Republic. It was considered a summoning, a call, a gift of becoming brought on by those who ruled everything. No matter, Palpatine was a very patient man, he could almost wait an eternity. In the meantime he he would walk through the city he called home.

Palpatine never minded taking in the sights of Theed. After breakfast in a small stand along Palace Plaza he mingled over to the Parnelli Museum of Art. It was never empty, there were always students, teachers, critics, artists and just everyday people who liked to look on the works of some of the finest artists of the sector.
The building itself had been built by a native of Naboo, creating an arched, domed covered building with a sprinkling of influance from far off Alderan worked into the outer decor.
The art within consisted of thousands of works. Many artists still liked to work with oils taken from the skins and blood of animals. Some used synthetics, by those who still loved to paint, but who thought it disgusting to use real animals for painting materials.

Palpatine had a favorite. It was a holographic display that dramatically relived a battle that took place nearly four thousand years prior. In this he became lost among the visual mastery that surrounded him within the confines of the museum.
A Jedi had fallen to evil and placed on trial on Cruscant. In the middle of this a Sith Lord invaded the chamber and faced off with A Jedi Master who had formerly been his master, a master who wielded a stick. A wooden stick imbued with The Force. The Sith Lord produced a double bladed lightsaber, a design he had apparently retrieved from an aritfact that held the recording of a master of evil. Evil had won that day.
Palpatine admired the color and light and the strong visage of the powerful Exar Kun as he struck his master down. He had first seen this depiction as a child and his extremly curious nature urged him to study the major histories of the galaxy, along with those histories that were not so well known to the general populace.

He must have been there for hours when a messenger droid flew up to inform him his transport to Coruscant had arrived. He was already packed, but he would not be leaving right away. A Jedi had travled with the ship that would take him to his new home. He had always wanted to meet a Jedi, having read so much of their history and activities. Perhaps this one could fill in some gaps he had about the nature of the Sith. It would be an opportunity, for he had been asked to escort the Jedi to whatever destination he wanted for a short time. An opportunity indeed.

More later, thanks.

EDIT: Oops, spelling.

 

Please pardon odd looking dialogue, I have not done this sort of thing for awhile.

Palpatine was not a tall man, thought Vashe. But he seemed proud and carried himself with confidence in his blue and black garb which eluded to a calm royalty.
He thought this as he strolled down the exit ramp and stepped onto the now cooling cement of the landing port. The late afternoon sun hazed in the distance through the clouds.

"Senator, it is a pleasure to meet you and I thank you for your services," he said with a short bow.
Palpatine smiled lightly, "Well, I have no idea what you may need of me as yet, I was asked to be your guide, and that is all I know. But anyhow, welcome to Naboo Master Vashe. Perhaps a meal before you prompt me with your needs?"
"That would be good. This could be simple or hard, I'm not sure yet," Vashe said.

Palptine took Vashe just off the main avenue of the Theed Palace to one of many small serving spots. Awnings covered all of them. The new Senator made some comment about a particular bird that liked to drop rather large messes, and had a habit of targeting plates of food. "Droids can clean up after, but they do nothing for prevention. Many joked about changing the name of this street to 'Dung Avenue.'" Vashe needed the laugh that brought on, but after a hot plate of noodles he needed to get down to business.

"I have a lead to an object," he began, "it is a particular type of storage device, like any other, but of ancient origins."
"An artifact then?" Palaptine asked.
"Oh yes, but this will never see the public eye of a museum. The Jedi teach in many ways. Holocrons are very helpful and hold much information. But this one..."
"Is not a Jedi Holocron, but....of the Sith?" Palpatine interjected which brought a little look from Vashe.
"Yes, yes it is. And that is probably why you were asked to meet me. You have a knowledge of art and history, and of course this is your home world." Vashe waited as what he said sunk into Palpatine.
"Then, it is here on Naboo." Even as he said this Palpatine felt the twinge of need call at him. A new 'thing', an old record, a new knowledge.
Vashe could feel this from him and decided to warn him. "This is no toy Senator. Not a thing to be analyzed and probed by those who do not know it. There has been no suspicion of Sith activities in a very long time and I, we, the Jedi, want it to stay that way for the sake of the galaxy."
Palpatine gave a small laugh, "I see, I undertsand. It is my intention then that you have it of course without question. Perhaps when we both arrive on Coruscant and you have seen its secrets you may induldge me in a history lesson?"
"I have no problem with that. But a history lesson from you is what I need now. Our esteemed Master Yoda has cobbled together rumors taken from freelancers and those who will listen to them and their stories. One idea pointed to Naboo. Large creatures dwell in these oceans, but not on the surface."
Palaptine broke in, "True, but it has not always been so. The geology is odd here when compared to other worlds. Many species have come and gone quickly, many have been here for as long as we have recorded history. Every world has it's tales of great beasts slain by some great warrior to rescue the fair maiden, we have many such tales."
"Well then Senator, in that case, a few years ago some freighter captain decided to take a little tour of Naboo while waiting for freight. There was no reported sighting, but there was a mention of a loud grumbling, almost a roar, deep inside a mountain..."
"Ah," Palaptine cut in again, "Vartheraxus."
"Um, 'Vartheraxus'?"
"Yes. Details are unfortunately scetchy, and old, old, old tale of a serpentine creature of great size and swift movement. But really, scholars of Naboo have delved deep into every nook and cranny of this world. I think maybe this freighter captain liked to tell tall tales."
"Perhaps Senator. Perhaps. But if there is a place of suspect that could have been this creatures home I would like to see it."
"Done. I

 

Arrgh. Two updates while I've been gone. Sorry I haven't checked it and commented more often.

he felt something he had not felt in years, not since his most early days as a Padawan learner. He felt fear.

Sounds ominous.

lordmaul13

 

Interesting, very interesting! I like the characters so far! Is it possible to ask for more soon?

 

Oh wow, thanks for you interest.

Please understand I have not sat down and wrote anything in a long time. I was a little afraid of the dialogue, and I do have it all done in my head but without the deatails. I wait for a good motivated moment and jump in.

There are three parts left, which should get done in as many posts. I won't rush this since I want it right. But I will try and push for a finish before next Saturday.

Thanks again! More to come.

EDIT: Besides, doesn't it help with suspense if you have to wait?

 

Continued

From a height of a thousand meters the rolling beauty of Naboo ascended to meet the gaze of Palpatine and Vashe. Just off to the left was a land mass of blanketed green hills which spanned into the distance of the horizon. On the right a great expanse of ocean bathed in deep blue. At times the creatures of the ocean could be seen breaking the surface for a morning meal. Vashe would have enjoyed this view from the two man airspeeder Palpatine had aquired but for the nagging darkness that seemed to call to him.

"I have a question if I may Master Vashe." Palaptine had donned a more utilitarian uniform for this trip. It still spoke of a more rich upbringing with a blue that matched the ocean below.
"Please Senator, ask away."
"This holocron, I have never seen one. Is it an extensive tool? Is it artificially intelligent? Or is it a simple recording? Can anyone learn from it or must one have the gift as it were? Hehe, I'm sorry, that is more than one question," Palpatine gleemed.
"No bother," Vashe started, "The Force is with you at all times. When you eat, when you sleep, when you create. Most holocrons are simply a recording of the image of the recorder as he or she or, well, IT, speaks on their own musing. The recording is encoded by a very smart program which is a very good listener. A very good representation of the Jedi can come across as if it were almost alive. At times a Jedi may focus themselves and imbue at least a small part of their very essence into it."
"Remarkable."
"Indeed."
"But then, Vashe, I imagine the worry is that the Sith have these scattered everywhere?"
"In a way." Though Vashe did not say it, Palpatine's curiosity was helping to distract him from his worries. The darkness came and went like a breeze on a windy day.
"The Sith did not carelessly toss them about, they are rare. There is but one holocron made by Sith hands that rests in the Jedi Archives, kept under close scrutiny of course. What I seek here may not even be a creation of the Sith. It could be a Jedi made holocron. Whether Sith or Jedi made, there is not much one can do unless the Force is strong within an individual. For those not so gifted it is nothing more than a device of philosopy....."

The lights on the display console went out, and the low whine of the repulsorlift went quiet. Vashe only had a moment to look at Palpatine as a look of shock came across the Senator's face when the speeder dropped from the sky like a rock.
Both could not help but let out a loud yelp just before the entire cockpit exploded with safety bags. Air blasted into the bags as the power systems failed and burst the entire speeder into pieces while still surrounding the occupants in an ever increasing shield of membrained air. It looked quite a bit like a hanfull of marbles stuck together as it fell from the sky.
It hit the ground well away from the ocean, bouncing back high into the air and coming back down several times before coming to rest.

A few lightsaber swipes later Palpatine and Vashe were free of the safety bags, leaving them lay in a wrinkled mess that contrasted with the green of the grassy land. A hiss of disconnected power pulled the gleeming blue blade back into it's hilt.
"I don't know what happened there Master Vashe! The systems just failed!"
"Calm yourself Senator. We are alive. Do you know where we are? We came quite far today."
"The Taati mountains are maybe a day or two away, walking. We almost made it. With the power out as it is we will not be able to signal for help."
"No matter. We will deal with needed transport when the time comes." The mountains could indeed be seen ahead. Where the sea and the land merged the Taati mountains stuck out to reach for the sky. Yes, it was far thought Vashe.
"We had best stick to the sea side. I hope you are in some kind of shape Senator."
"I get around," Palpatine said, "but I wonder if we could..." Palpatine looked to the direction of the mounatins, "Another speeder. Wrecked."
Vashe saw it as Palpatine did. They hurri

 

A post, good, good. fascinating! You do not have to worry about your dialogue writing, nothing's wrong with it, at least I don't think so, then again not everyone values my opinion

 

Continued

During the trek Palpatine's questions never ceased. He asked about the Jedi, the Sith, life in the hussle and bussle of Coruscant, a chance to swing Vashe's lightsaber around, his parents, any siblings, locations visited around the galaxy, and he asked what the Force felt like.
Vashe's answer to this felt hollow. He told Palpatine about the expanse of feeling the depth of the Universe, about the feeling of unity with all that was. But Vashe could only barely feel these things as they came closer and closer to the Taati mountain range.
They traveled a whole day, rested for the night, fed on the survival rations recovered from the wreckage of the airpseeder, and set off ever onward to the mountains. One of which was a shade darker than the others, not quite as tall, and seemed to be set as the beginning of the huge range of towering peaks. This then would be their destination, Vashe could feel that much. On a level outside the limits of vision, Vashe felt a cold death emnate from it.

"Senator," Vashe said as he stared up at the dark mountain, "You will stay here, I cannot take you with me. Beware, there is evil in this place. Stay out of sight and do not under any circumstances follow me inside." The foot of the mountain rose gently onto a flatter slope that had several openings against the mountain wall. They looked ominously dark as the sun set on the ocean's horizon.
"Well, sitting out here in the dark is a little unsettling. How long should I wait for you?"
"I don't know, Senator, but if hours become days, you might consider heading back."
"I have to say Master Vashe, I was not expecting this to seem so dangerous to you. Are you sure you should go in there?"
"At this point I don't see that I have a choice. Be careful." With that, without even looking at Palpatine, Vashe headed up to pick an entrance.

After pausing at several entrances Vashe determined that they all led in the same general direction...down. He picked one in the middle of all of them and moved within. It was not a steep decline but he needed to watch his step. The blade of his lightsaber cast a pale blue glow on the tunnel walls. They were smooth, looking almost like they had been burned through. At first the tunnel was just past his height but began to widen as he ventured further. And the deeper he went, the deeper his sense of nothingness. How could such emptiness feel so massive? Such contradiction was distracting, he had to focus, try and tune in and feel.
Down he went, and the tunnel widened. Further he went, and the tunnel was becoming a cavern. If not for the glow of his blade Vashe would have been consumed in total blackness. There was no sound, save for the loud darkness stabbing at his mind.
Vashe came to a hault as he relized he was no longer in anything he could call a tunnel. He could barely make out the size of the cavern but it was indeed huge. He could make out the outline of thick, sharp and very long stalagtites hanging from the ceiling in great numbers. He walked on a little further and almost walked into an eye whose width matched his height.
Vashe jumped back quickly almost stumbling as the great red eye blinked. It rose like a singular disk, the iris moving to stay focused on Vashe as it moved upward. Vashe moved back steadliy keeping his own eye towards the great disk.
The light of the lightsaber hardly penetrated the darkness, but it was enough for Vashe to to make out the outline of a great winding creature, twisting and uncurling to a colossal height, blending with the darkness and spreading vast lashing wings about it's serpentine form.
"Coommee foorr thhiss Jeddi? Vashe froze as it spoke. A brightness pinpricked from the center of the beast, a light broken at first by a set of sinuous fingers that uncurled to unveil a box sitting in the middle of the beast's hand. A holocron. It glowed with an inner light that peirced the darkness and lit the features of the creature to reveal a darkly scaled horror from the nightmares of children, and now both re

 

Oh I missed a part, back now! Wonderful post, really enjoyed it.

(sorry, I would give a longer review, but I'm in a hurry)

 

Continued

Palpatine was declared overdue after a few days and the government in Theed went looking for him. They found him days later walking alone along the sea side, a bit tattered, and more than tired.
Palpatine gave his debriefing to the Theed Palace Officials, who then forwarded his information to Coruscant and the Jedi Council. At Palpatine's request he never spoke directly to the Council via the Holonet.
Both wrecked airspeeders were recovered, as was the huge carcass of the dead dragon beast. All would be shipped to Coruscant for detailed examination. When asked of the holocron, Palpatine said it was not recovered by the now dead Jedi Master.


It would be a few extra weeks before Palpatine would go to Coruscant so he could recover from his ordeal. He had traveled for days living off of what fish he could grab from the shore, and it had taken a toll. But all of that was not important.
He buried Jedi Master Vashe with sadness. His body was recovered later and had already been sent back to Coruscant. And there was the box.
He had hidden it away inside his clothes, afraid to even look at it. And he did not dare journey into the caves Vashe had. He left from there as soon as he could. He did not like lying to the Theed officials, but he could not help himself. He wanted to consider the holocron. If anything he would deliver it to the Council himself under what he hoped the Council would believe as a matter of safety for its security.
But that was not the real reason. It sat there on a small table in his quarters, glowing slightly with a play of light that ran back and forth over the intricate carvings set in the faces of the box. It was truly the first moment he beheld it like this, up until then he had hid it away from even his own eyes, always wondering what lay within.
He reached over and touched it, running his fingers carefuly over the lines and indentations, moving along the etchings and symbols, and the holocron glowed brighter. He sat back and looked as a play of laser light began to form above the holocron, building an image that shimmered with the three dimensional picture of a hooded, old, decrepid looking human.
"Welcome," it said, "My holocron has sensed the Force, you have taken your first step to great power, great pain, and a Universe that can become yours. Make your decision of your own free will, reach and touch this holographic form and the holocron will show you, I will show you, the true nature of the Force." And it just hovered there, waiting.
Palpatine stared at the figure. It seemed to smile and evil knowing smile. Slowly, ever so slowly, Palaptine reached for the glowing figure........

The End

 

Wow.

That was one of the best I've read. They don't come much better. Outstanding job.

lordmaul13

 

Honestly, thank you very,very much.

What the hell, how about some explanation. WHen the Holocron was introduced in Dark Empire I thought it was a cool object, and ancient artifact. Pandora was herself a gift to mankind and her box was a gift from the gods. It just seemed natural to have a similar origin told for Palpatine.

Much if this may have a vivid use of words, but much of the detail is hidden, or even imagined by the reader. At least that's what I was trying for. In this way it becomes easier to keep a mythical quality to a story.

The description of Varthuraxus is influenced by the description of the Balrog in Fellowship of the Ring, again, though vivid, details are hidden.

The Holocron in DE is actually a Jedi's, but I did not want to go with a "good" device. I thought about using a holocron featuring Darth Bane but in the end the figure is unimportant except for the idea that it is an enticing being. It just was not important WHO it was.

Glad you liked it.

 

You are perfectly welcome.

Ah yes, Pandora and her box. I liked that story. A box full of bad stuff but in the very bottom the greatest (debatable but that's what it said in the story) gift the gods gave to mankind. Hope.

Unless I'm mistaken there is a sith holocron in Darth Maul Shadow Hunter.

Glad you liked it.

Not half so glad as me. Great job.

lordmaul13