Stravo wrote:I'm taking particular joy in writing Palpatine having everyone dance to his tune as well as turn some things on their head like having Mon Mothma be a fanatical Palpatine supporter and what will lead her from that position to leader of the rebellion is a story in itself.
Thank God for you Stravo. Yeah, Palpatine is so deliciously evil. I wonder how he's going to play off the two Federations against each other, and constructing the rise of the Empire? So will the new rebellion comprise of factions within the Federation and within the Star Wars Galaxy? Or for once will we see Kirk beaten like a pussy?
It would be interesting though if you could work in a little bit of Hitler magic. Show how within a few years, Palpatine was able to create a fanatical following large enough to be a galaxy spanning empire holding millions of planets and having vast loyal armies and navies.
Hmm. Interesting. Just one thing to sat the bel is always said evening conjunction with a rank ie) General bel Iblis so it would be Adrimal bel Iblis not just Adrimal Iblis.
Crazedwraith wrote:Hmm. Interesting. Just one thing to sat the bel is always said evening conjunction with a rank ie) General bel Iblis so it would be Adrimal bel Iblis not just Adrimal Iblis.
Actually, it would depend on the military structure of Corellia and of the Galactic Republic. He may, for example, be an Army officer in charge of sizable naval forces.
Crazedwraith wrote:Hmm. Interesting. Just one thing to sat the bel is always said evening conjunction with a rank ie) General bel Iblis so it would be Adrimal bel Iblis not just Adrimal Iblis.
Actually, it would depend on the military structure of Corellia and of the Galactic Republic. He may, for example, be an Army officer in charge of sizable naval forces.
What? I was just commenting on the fact he missed out the "bel" and just said adrimal Iblis istead of the correct adrimal bel Iblis.
Crazedwraith wrote:What? I was just commenting on the fact he missed out the "bel" and just said adrimal Iblis istead of the correct adrimal bel Iblis.
“Unless I am mistaken that is Garm Bel-Iblis, Commander of the Correlian home sector fleets as well as Admiral of the 14th Assault fleet. He was the first Republic commander to score an overwhelming victory against the Separatists. The word is that he has not lost a major battle.”
Crazedwraith wrote:What? I was just commenting on the fact he missed out the "bel" and just said adrimal Iblis istead of the correct adrimal bel Iblis.
“Unless I am mistaken that is Garm Bel-Iblis, Commander of the Correlian home sector fleets as well as Admiral of the 14th Assault fleet. He was the first Republic commander to score an overwhelming victory against the Separatists. The word is that he has not lost a major battle.”
later than that,
“Maybe you were unaware Admiral Iblis but there were Jedi at Alderaan that lost their lives defending her.” Anakin interjected darkly.
And i didn't mean he missed the "bel" out all together just when used in conjunction with a rank.
I think bel Iblis' characterization is rather too caricatured.
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Sorry, but you don't rise through politics and the military acting like that--some senior officer would've buried his boot in your ass a long time ago.
Other problems are that previously, Mon Mothma had always been opposed to expansions of Palpatine's power--she wasn't young and niave at this age. And Garm bel Iblis sealed off Corellia's borders, and indefinitely left the Senate, refusing to cooperate when the Military Creation Act gained supporters according to HNN.
"You know what the problem with Hollywood is. They make shit. Unbelievable. Unremarkable. Shit." - Gabriel Shear, Swordfish
"This statement, in its utterly clueless hubristic stupidity, cannot be improved upon. I merely quote it in admiration of its perfection." - Garibaldi in reply to an incredibly stupid post.
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I have always said that I am very ignorant of what the EU has said about this time period and the major characters. So if a certain character doesn't do or act as he is portrayed in the EU I ask for a little patience. I'm sort of forging my own tale here. Part of writing this story is turning certain characteroizations on their heads, what we epxect of people may not be what we get and this is the start of many legends so they are not quite yet the people they would grow to become. Kirk is hot headed and immature on some levels and not yet the seasoned leader that he was in TOS but we see hints of it. Anakin's darkness and anger are there but the true Vaderness hasn't reared its head yet.
As to Garm, well, he's playing a certain role in this story, and I did not find him bufoonish, more like righteous anger. He's pissed that the Jedi are holding the Republic back (in his opionion) and now with this apparent betrayal by their new allies he's livid.
Mon Mothma - for me me it is far more interesting to write a character that turns around and changes on a fundmental level. Right now she is a born again die hard supporter of Palpatine, willing to back up all his plans and slowly but surely she will find out what he is and then we will see a transformation of someone from supporter to enemy. Her eyes will be opened and when you look at Mon Mothma in ROTJ you may not see the elder stateswoman, but a tired woman who is trying to make amends for the sins she has committed. Compared to someone who has always seen through Palpatine's facades and opposed him I would be bored writing her in a heartbeat and she has a bigger role to play in the future so I don't want to get bored writing her.
Bail on the other hand is always meant to be the lone voice in the wilderness and who will make the sacrifices neccessary both personal and politically to secure the future of the New Hope. Bail will be one of the great unsung heroes of this tale.
Garm is one dimensional now because of his anger but he has always been in my mind someone who's iron will makes him walk to the beat of his own drummer.
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Illuminatus Primus wrote:He's just a grandstanding rough baffoon.
Sorry, but you don't rise through politics and the military acting like that--some senior officer would've buried his boot in your ass a long time ago.
Stravo wrote:I have always said that I am very ignorant of what the EU has said about this time period and the major characters. So if a certain character doesn't do or act as he is portrayed in the EU I ask for a little patience.
Dont worry, most of EU characterization is horrible to established characters anyway.
The thing is how you are writting them is logical and consistant. How gives a shit if they arent 100% to the shitty characterization most EU books depect them as.
The EU has some gems, but most of it isnt.
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“When you have some wrinkles under those pretty eyes and your robe is not as white and you don’t hold yourself a slave to the fashions of Alderaan then perhaps I will deign to listen to you little girl, but for now the big people are speaking and you are better seen not heard. I assure you.”
That's not just anger; that's try-hard profundity and well...just being an asshole.
You don't get to go to the top without being at least a tad clever about your political behavior and not pissing people off.
"You know what the problem with Hollywood is. They make shit. Unbelievable. Unremarkable. Shit." - Gabriel Shear, Swordfish
"This statement, in its utterly clueless hubristic stupidity, cannot be improved upon. I merely quote it in admiration of its perfection." - Garibaldi in reply to an incredibly stupid post.
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“When you have some wrinkles under those pretty eyes and your robe is not as white and you don’t hold yourself a slave to the fashions of Alderaan then perhaps I will deign to listen to you little girl, but for now the big people are speaking and you are better seen not heard. I assure you.”
That's not just anger; that's try-hard profundity and well...just being an asshole.
You don't get to go to the top without being at least a tad clever about your political behavior and not pissing people off.
Is it just me, but aren't Bel I'blis and Mon Mothma the same age?
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Your general Kirk worship aside (pun pun), I kind of liked it. Although I think you have run roughsed all over the EU (with Mon Mothma and Bel I'blis supporting Palpy), your reasoning behind it is decent enough. Although have a care not to continue this too long since both seem like characteratures of themselves, which to EU SW fans is just ... no.
The one comment I have (and it is the same issue I have with Starcrossed), is your insensate desire to potray Kirk as having some kind of attunement with the Force. Stravo, you actuall take more away from Kirk's character by doing this, than you add. Allow me to explain.
Kirk is special because he is not a part of the Force. This is the appeal of the character. He is just a standard normal human, and he does extraordinary things yes, but not because he is attuned by the Force, but because that is his personality, his ability, his Je ne sais pas ce qui if you will.
It's like when you read fanboy's fanfics about Grand Admiral Thrawn. All of a sudden he is a martial artist, a Jedi Master in disguise and an expert pianist...
No you haven't gone to those levels (in fact I think you have constantly and consciously stayed far away from it), but that is my one irk in all your Kirk stories.
*shrug*
Still a good read though.
Η ζωή, η ζωή εδω τελειώνει!
"Science is one cold-hearted bitch with a 14" strap-on" - Masuka 'Dexter'
"Angela is not the woman you think she is Gabriel, she's done terrible things"
"So have I, and I'm going to do them all to you." - Sylar to Arthur 'Heroes'
Sorry for the delay on this one, but as many have probably noticed, I'm getting back on track with my updates, enjoy this chapter including a scene I have been looking forward to writing just for the visuals involved.
Chapter 18: Shadows in the rain
“I am not merry but I do beguile the thing I am by seeming otherwise.”
Othello Act 2, Scene i
“This is a most difficult and surprising situation.” Palpatine noted gravely. He was seated at a desk, the large picture window behind him was covered with an armored curtain, a necessary precautions in these dark days.
“Difficult? Supreme Chancellor this man is in command of a ship that blasted its way through our lines and inflicted horrific casualties. An entire wing of our assault force was lost thanks in part to his actions not to mention the loss of the Freedom’s Spear.”
“Ah.” Palpatine paused as he remembered a detail from his daily military briefings. “If memory serves your brother served on the Freedom’s Spear.” he concluded.
Iblis frowned for a moment and Kirk caught a hint of sorrow in the blustering marionette. The circumstances for Garm Bel Iblis’ anger were suddenly becoming very clear. The man was obviously emotionally invested in this. However Kirk was far more disturbed by the image he was shown back at the dinner reception. A starship named Enterprise involved in hostilities with the Republic’s forces.
Spock had informed Kirk as they left the reception to have a private meeting in Palpatine’s study that the strange starship seemed to conform to Federation design standards and aesthetics. Gary shook his head ruefully and added “What gave it away Mr. Spock, the saucer section or the nacelles?” Spock’s reply was to simply arch his eye brow.
“My brother was XO on the Freedom’s Spear.”
“A terrible loss I am sure but don’t you think it may drive you to make hasty generalizations?” Sly Moore added quietly. She was standing by Palpatine’s side and her eyes narrowed on the tall dashing Admiral.
“Hasty generalizations?” Iblis snapped. “The starship carries the name, it’s technology is the same, there can be no dispute that this is a Federation vessel.”
“No, I don’t doubt that and it is very troubling indeed. However Captain Kirk has proven himself in combat as a friend of the Republic. He saved his mission from a premature death at the hands of the Separatists back at the wormhole.”
“He also repulsed an assassination attempt against himself and his company last night.” Meerlinda added. Obi Wan and Anakin exchanged furtive glances. This was not at all what they expected and Obi Wan learned the hard way that sometimes it was better to sit back and listen to all the arguments before weighing in, but Meerlinda, a diplomat at heart and one of the most popular of the Jedi order obviously did not share his opinion on how to proceed.
Anakin was quiet, eyes hooded he watched the interplay. He could sense the emotions washing from Kirk and his crew. They were as surprised as the rest of them.
Palpatine steepled his fingers together and watched Iblis over his fingertips as if weighing his next words.
“Admiral, Captain Kirk and his crew had an audience before the Jedi counsel you would imagine that the Jedi masters would be able to discern any subterfuge from someone against the Republic.” Palpatine commented.
“The Jedi?!” Iblis replied sharply. “You will excuse me Supreme Chancellor if I do not share you fascination with these robed buffoons.” Anakin stiffened visibly but Obi Wan and Meerlinda were well aware of Iblis’ very vocal opinion of the Jedi Knights. “Their sad devotion to that mystical power have not helped them conjure up Count Dooku or any of his secret plans for this war nor given them clairvoyance enough to discern where the next Separatists attack will fall next.”
“I find your lack of faith disturbing, Admiral.” Anakin interjected darkly.
Iblis glared at the young Jedi.
“I will tell you what I find disturbing, Skywalker. The casualty figures that keep coming across my desk. The number of gallant men and women dying every day out there is appalling yet I notice very few if any Jedi casualties, particularly in this last round of attacks. You may not know how to win this war but you certainly know how to stay out of harm’s way.”
“That’s enough.” Obi Wan snapped. “I’ve lost too many friends and colleagues in this slaughter to remain silent while you malign the order. We may not be on the front lines but it is the Jedi that penetrate deep behind enemy lines and destroy the wonder weapons that Dooku plans to unleash on our forces amongst other missions. Just because we’re not there in the trenches with you does not mean we are not in the same war as you.”
Iblis and Obi Wan openly glared at one another.
“I believe I may have a suggestion on this matter that could explain some of the more troublesome aspects of this charge.” Spock spoke up.
Everyone in the room slowly turned their attention to Spock.
“You will note that the Enterprise depicted in this hologram has a registry number slightly different than our own.”
“Yes I did notice that, what does it mean?”
Spock walked over to the hologram and pointed out several key differences in the design of the starship.
“These systems are natural extrapolations of the systems we see on our Enterprise and seem to be the realization of some technical theories and proposals I have seen in our latest technical manuals. We can reasonably expect Federation technology to evolve into these design specifications, noting the more compact and dynamic nacelle arrays and the streamlined hull as well as advanced navigational and weapons array. The registry number has a letter appending it. Starfleet has been debating the use of old registry numbers to honor starships and their commands that have performed above and beyond the call of duty for Starfleet and the Federation. This Enterprise carries our 1701 registry number with the letter E indicating this is the fifth ship to carry the name after our own.”
“What are you saying Mr. Spock?” Sly asked.
“This Enterprise is not from our own time reference. It is from some point in the Federation’s future.”
“You’ve GOT to be kidding me.” Gary muttered to Kirk.
“Are you serious?” Iblis asked in exasperation.
“I’m always serious, I am a Vulcan.” Spock replied without hesitation.
“Time travel is a viable theory in our science.” Number One added.
“I wish someone would have consulted with me before floating these theories.” Kirk muttered to Number One.
“They are postulating that this vessel is from the future?! I have enough problems dealing with the Force and you want me to believe we are fighting the Federation of the future?” Iblis turned to Palpatine. “Supreme Chancellor allow me to put these people under security custody until we can sort this out.”
“Perhaps you forgot about the entire purpose of this mission, Admiral. A grand alliance is being forged here and you want me to arrest the Federation’s representatives?” Palpatine commented dryly.
“You believe this theory?”
“I don’t have to believe the theory to know that Kirk and his ship were not responsible for the attack on our ships.”
Iblis shook his head and crossed his arms.
“What do you suggest we do about this?”
Meerlinda cleared her throat.
“If I may, this sounds like something that the order can and should investigate.”
Palpatine nodded as he slowly sat back.
“Indeed. It would be best of the Jedi looked into this. Thanks to the Admiral’s display outside, half the senate will know about this by morning and my agenda will be threatened.”
Iblis frowned.
“I can investigate this matter for you Chancellor.” Anakin offered quickly. Palpatine smiled warmly at the young Jedi.
“Anakin, as much as I appreciate the offer and believe me there is no other Jedi I would rather see on this mission but I think that I would feel better knowing that you were watching over the Captain and his team. I feel that their lives are still very much in danger.”
“I understand.”
Obi Wan eyed Anakin curiously. Since when did Anakin acquiesce so easily to someone’s orders? He couldn’t remember the last time he had seen his young friend so obedient.
“I think I can only add a new piece to this puzzle.” Kirk spoke softly. He did not want to reveal all that he knew but considering how the mission was going and the broad powers he was given he felt he had no choice but to try his best to assuage the suspicions raised against him and the Federation.
“Go on Captain.”
“During the attack on us in the senatorial complex last night I was assaulted by one of the assasins and he was carrying this.” Kirk held out a small pin in the shape of the Enterprise’s banner. Everyone leaned in for a close look. “As best Mr. Spock can guess it’s a transmitter. A communications device that they intended to use to beam me and anyone else out of the complex.”
“That explains how the assassins were able to penetrate your security.” Moore breathed and looked down at Palpatine.
“Why weren’t you more forthcoming with this earlier.” Iblis asked.
“Because frankly I didn’t know what to think at the time and I was afraid of the answer.”
Palpatine held up a hand as a thought seemed to occur to him like a bolt from the blue.
“The wormhole.” he whispered.
“Sir?”
“Mr. Spock, what would you say is the possibility that a wormhole much like the one you passed through to get here would pass through time as well as space?” Palpatine asked.
Kirk’s eyes narrowed. Dehner leaned in close to him, placing a hand on his forearm as she whispered to him.
“I think Captain that we’re about to find out that they were holding on to something as well.” Kirk nodded.
“The strike fleet that we dispatched to that sector was acting under my direct orders.”
“I wasn’t informed of this.” Iblis protested.
“Security and timing was of the highest priority. I am sorry Admiral Bel Iblis but there was no other choice.” Palpatine answered, regret coloring his voice.
“I brought this to the Chancellor’s attention.” Moore added and activated a display on Palpatine’s desk. A holoimage sprang to life above everyone’s heads. It was an empty star field.
“One of our deep range probe craft that we deployed early in the war to track Separatist movements picked up strange readings on the EM band as well as subspace signals that we rarely ever see in use in this galaxy.”
Several large donut shaped warships coasted into view, obviously emerging from hyperspace. Kirk instantly recognized them as the Trade Federation battleships that he had tangled with when he first arrived in this galaxy.
The battleships seem to pause for a moment in space, all forward movement stopped. Scrolling along the bottom of the holographic projection were constant sensor readouts. The readouts suddenly spiked. Spock and Number One exchanged curious glances.
“Fascinating Captain.”
“Please feel free to share Mr. Spock.” Kirk replied wanly.
“If I am correct those readouts seem to indicate the opening of a wormhole—”
The screen blanked out for a moment and a glowing pulsing maw of cold blue light appeared moments later. The Trade Federation battleships quickly entered the wormhole. The image of the wormhole suddenly loomed ahead.
“At this point the probe was ordered to pursue the Trade Federation ships and try to ascertain the nature of this wormhole.” The image of the wormhole filled the screen and suddenly there was a wild kaleidoscope of light and color. The readouts at the bottom of the screen fluctuated madly. Just as suddenly as it happened the white cascade of light vanished and the calm black void of space returned and the holoimage fixed on the Trade Federation warships. They were coasting to a stop again and they were joined by a small flotilla of smaller vessels.
The holo image began to flicker and the readouts stopped scrolling.
“It quickly became obvious to our technicians that the probe had been damaged by the transit through the wormhole. However we managed to get some fragments of data, one of which was a time stamp for the sensor data which made no sense to us as the probe was telling us that it was transmitting from thousands of years in the future and an almost immeasurable gulf of space.”
“So you can see why we were troubled by this development. The Separatists were obviously gathering forces from somewhere far away and in our future. I acted quickly and dispatched the closest strike force to destroy the wormhole or at least secure it until we could deploy a more powerful force to deny the Separatists the resource.”
Iblis stared hard at Palpatine for a moment. His brother had been lost and for what cause?
“Unfortunately when the strike force arrived they obviously met with resistance.” Moore continued.
“And now we have a visual confirmation of what we feared most.”
Moore looked at Kirk. Her eyes bore into his as she spoke again.
“The Separatists have enlisted an alien government to aid them in their cause.”
“But how could we ever have suspected that the government they enlisted would be your own Federation from the future?” Palpatine finished, a sorrowful expression on his face. “This is a tragic day indeed if what we suspect is true.”
“This doesn’t make any sense sir. If they are from our future then they should know that we ALREADY had dealings with the Republic and that we HAVE fought this war. It’s a silly notion that they would then enter on the opposite side.” Gary protested.
“I would not jump to conclusions Mr. Mitchell. We do not have all the facts available to make an analysis.”
“You sounded pretty damned certain about your hypothesis a second ago Mr. Spock.” Gary spat.
“Gary, watch yourself.” Kirk warned.
“Sorry sir, I just…I just don’t like the implications that this will gave for us.”
“Indeed.” Moore noted as she quietly slipped behind Palpatine.
Kirk looked sharply between Palpatine and Moore. He could feel Dehner’s growing sense of alarm.
“Captain, what would your Federation do now that it has become obvious that your future selves have initiated war against the Republic?” Palpatine asked quietly.
“I would imagine that our government would feel that there was some measure of responsibility for the Federation of your time frame to help deal with this.” Moore added.
“Please, Moore.” Palpatine chided. “The Captain has much to think on as do we.” Palpatine concluded. “We shall meet again tomorrow. It should give you time to contact your government with this information and we can decide where the negotiations stand.”
Kirk and Dehner breathed deeply and Dehner could not help wonder where this would now lead. Kirk frowned. He knew precisely where it would lead. What other answer was there?
The rain was drumming steadily on the windows of her apartment. Padme sighed softly as she slipped into her robes and felt the cool breeze from the opened window leading to the garden terrace beyond. If her security team knew about that open window she would have been chided to no end.
She was tired of living her life as if she could be killed at any moment. The battle on Geonosis had robbed her of whatever fear she had for her life. She had seen the utter chaos and randomness of death. Powerful Jedi knights who effortlessly blocked blaster bolts were killed by random bolts from the ether or a missile strike that knocked the LAAT they traveled in from the sky. How could she be afraid of death? It came from you no matter how powerful or prepared you were. She instead chose to embrace the life that she did have and that included the wonderful smell of a rainy night and the cool breeze that comforted her so and reminded her of home.
She walked over to a table and checked her messages. The usual array of diplomatic chatter and senatorial maneuvering and vote counting. Everyone needed to know where everyone else stood before making a motion or trying to sponsor a bill, in particular a bill that may even tangentially effect the war or more worrisome, challenge or limit any aspect of the Supreme Chancellor’s power.
She and Bail were increasingly troubled by the growing voting bloc that Palpatine had amassed in such a short period of time. There was a war raging, the first in Republic memory and casualties were mounting. Yet Palpatine seemed to grow in popularity every day.
Bail had poured over the appropriation bills and was aghast to discover the amount of money being funneled into projects across the galaxy, projects that he was slowly discovering were all linked to a core group of senators and their lackeys.
In short, Palpatine seemed to be buying his voting bloc and using his powers to quash the opposition’s voice in order to bolster his popularity. Every bill that came before the senate that contemplated raising taxes or customs fees were stalled in committees controlled by the Palpatine bloc and the Peace faction was becoming alarmed.
Was Palpatine so obsessed with his personal popularity that he would risk bankrupting the Republic? Any measure that would be seen as impacting the people in a negative light was lambasted for threatening morale at home and senators who pushed for more stringent taxes were soon labeled defeatists or worse.
And the growing wave of security bills were troubling as well. At first welcomed by the Senate as a way to help the public feel safe in the face of the first general war seen in a thousand generations the security bills gave Palpatine and the Republic security branch more power than ever before.
Rumors of people disappearing in the night had begun to reach the Senate.
For now, Padme like the others would only treat these as rumors because to think of them as anything else would be too horrible to contemplate.
Her eyes narrowed on the latest security bill being drafted. It was the brain child of a young officer who had become a trusted advisor of the Supreme Chancellor, one Wilhuf Tarkin from Eriadu. It proposed the formation of a security branch much like the one from his home world that would be charged with over watch of all the other security branches. She switched to the video link of his proposal before the senate last week.
He was a tall and grim figure, particularly for one so young. He had the bearing of one accustomed to command and respect. Dark eyes bore into the video monitor as he spoke, his voice not loud but powerful nonetheless.
“And so it is with a heavy heart that I must urge you noble senators to adopt my plan. I love the Republic and have served her faithfully all my life as my father before me and his father as well. But the rising incidents of reported abuses by our security branches against our own people in a zealous attempt to root out wretched Separatist agents and saboteurs must be addressed. It is not enough that we prosecute those that have committed these actions.” The problem there, young Tarkin, is that no one has been punished or even charged, she mused. “We must form an agency that will be vigilant and act as the guardian of our freedoms that we fight so dearly for out there in the stars. This agency, titled the Ubiqtorate, would be the bastion of that freedom and the first line of defense against our own zealous agents. Thank you.” The video link flashed off.
The Ubiqtorate, another security agency in the span of a year. Save that this one would bind them all to it and make them one super agency with only one master. She wished she was not more terrified by this than the latest reports of Separatist attacks on Republic targets.
Something dark dropped down onto the terrace behind her.
She ran her fingers through her hair and began typing something on her workstation. She mulled over the latest revelation at the dinner tonight. The Federation suspected of playing both sides. Somehow it did not sound right. Unless she was a horrid judge of character she did not sense any subterfuge from the Federation mission members. Kirk was a prim and proper military man who spoke his mind. Doctor Dehner played her cards close to her chest but obviously was far more worried about the Republic’s motives of bringing them into the war than hiding any secret Federation agendas.
Something did not feel right about any of this.
A dark figure rose to a standing position in the terrace and paused at the open sliding window. The rain pattered on the figure with a soft drumming.
Bail – we must come up with a counter proposal to this Ubiqtorate. Unfortunately our position is weak since the general attack on Coruscant and the Jedi facilities off world. One would almost think the Separatists were trying to prove us wrong. Perhaps breakfast tomorrow where we can discuss our counter proposal. - Padme
She sent the message and switched off her workstation.
There was a light rapping at her window.
She turned suddenly, blaster in hand.
The dark figure stood in the open window as silent as a statue.
“Who are you?” she demanded as she quickly rose to a standing position keeping her blaster trained on the intruder.
The rain continued falling on the figure’s hooded head and shoulders and running in rivulets down to the floor of the terrace.
“Anakin?” she asked softly and drew closer.
“No.”
She stopped short but the voice was very familiar.
“I apologize, Senator, I truly do but this is a difficult time for me.” the figure continued and pulled back the hood of his robes.
“Bastion?” she asked but knew instantly it was him. Bastion’s golden hair was plastered to his head and his brilliant blue eyes were stormy and troubled as they narrowed on her. His near perpetual smile was nothing more than a near grimace of pain.
“The one and only.” he chuckled but it was weak and forced.
“Well come out of the rain you fool!” she laughed and moved to grab his arm. he drew back slightly.
“No. No, Senat—”
“I’ve told you time and again to call me Padme, Bastion.” she replied hesitantly, uncertain why he was so skittish.
“Padme.” he said the name with such eloquence, as if he had yearned to say it aloud. “This is difficult for me. I’m not supposed to be here.”
“Captain Typho would have your head on a plate if he knew about this stunt of yours. How DID you get out there?” she asked and peered past his head to search for some mode of transportation that got him to this height. She missed the long mournful stare at her long neck and face.
“I’m a Jedi. It’s what I do.” he replied with a weak smile. “Padme, I’m leaving.”
“Where?”
“I cannot say.” he laughed at himself for a moment, a low almost secretive laugh as the rain continued to pound down on him. He looked back up at her. “But I will be going far away. I shouldn’t be telling you this at all Padme but I trust you, I don’t know why, I usually don’t trust my own mother.”
“You don’t know your mother.” she pointed out, trying to bring that same old smile to his face she had grown accustomed to these last few months.
“Point taken, you know more about us than I care to admit. I’ve been charged with a mission that will take me far out to the rim and I don’t know when I’ll be back.”
Padme brought her hand to her mouth as she caught an expression she was all too familiar with. She rushed forward and put a hand on his hand.
“I know that look, you don’t think you’re coming back!” she exclaimed. She did not notice him tremble at her touch.
He smiled sweetly and passed a hand along her hair in a gentle caress.
“Padme, I’m Bastion Vandarre, the laughing Jedi. Do you doubt my skills and talents?”
“No, but I think you do.” she replied softly looking into his eyes. “What’s wrong Bastion? You’ve always been there for me you can tell me.”
Bastion looked into her eyes and smiled sadly. he took a hold of her shoulders and his lips pursed as if to say something. She watched the struggle and was mystified by his behavior. Bastion prided himself on speaking his mind and taking nothing seriously. It had held him back in his ascension in the ranks as the rumor, from Anakin at least, was that Mace Windu did not like the young Jedi’s seeming lack of commitment.
What could have him so tense and troubled?
Bastion began laughing. It was not his usual bright airy laugh, it was a dark scornful laugh. He released his gentle grip on her shoulders and dropped his head. The rain ran down his cheeks and aquiline nose and his blue eyes, like shimmering sapphires darkened.
“You know, I thought this would be easy. I had resigned myself in this final moment to tell you the truth but I cannot. They trained me all too well.” he whispered. He looked back up at her. “It seems Bastion has lost his courage in the face of fire, Padme and I am truly sorry, you deserve a far better champion than I.”
He turned to leave.
“Bastion wait!” she stepped out onto the terrace. The rain danced along her skin like the light fingers of a child. Her long luxurious hair was damp and began to get matted down to her head and neck.
Bastion paused.
“You might hear things about me, terrible things. Don’t believe them.” he turned to face her and took her hand in his. “Believe in this. Our fellowship has always been true and I would die for you, Padme. It would hurt me more than dying to know that you though ill of me. But my mission requires me to become something I don’t wish to be.”
“Bastion for the love of—I could never think ill of you. Never. How could I think ill of a Jedi that could impersonate Master Yoda – with allergies” she giggled the last part.
Bastion smiled. It was a genuine smile. He laughed softly.
“I knew of all my friends you would make me laugh in the darkest hour.” he noted wistfully. “But I must depart milady. I have other matters to attend to and passage to acquire. When next we meet, smile and say hello Bastion and I will know that all is well. Know that no matter what they say of me I will always be the Bastion you know in my heart.”
Padme nodded.
he stood at the edge of her terrace, one leg raised on the lip of the rail guard and his face regarded her one last time framed by the rain.
She impulsively leaned in close and kissed him on the lips.
“For luck.” she winked.
He stared at her in surprise. He slowly smiled.
“I don’t need luck lady, I make my own.” he laughed and back flipped off the terrace and vanished into the night rain. Padme remained standing on the terrace for a long time, the rain’s cold touch a comfort in these times that drove friends apart and made her wish that sometimes the man she loved was more like the man that just left.
Wherever you go, there you are.
Ripped Shirt Monkey - BOTMWriter's GuildCybertron's FinestJustice League
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I'd like to say that this is great, but I can't; Greece just qualified in the Finals, and I can't think straight. Sorry.
So instead I'll say; FIRST TO POST!
Η ζωή, η ζωή εδω τελειώνει!
"Science is one cold-hearted bitch with a 14" strap-on" - Masuka 'Dexter'
"Angela is not the woman you think she is Gabriel, she's done terrible things"
"So have I, and I'm going to do them all to you." - Sylar to Arthur 'Heroes'
I will be impatiently waiting for the two Federation to meet finally.
I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season."
Nice can't wait to read it
*Edit read it
Intresting, hmmm
Last edited by Mr Bean on 2004-07-01 06:07pm, edited 1 time in total.
"A cult is a religion with no political power." -Tom Wolfe Pardon me for sounding like a dick, but I'm playing the tiniest violin in the world right now-Dalton
Kewl. Nice Chapter. Excellant some might say. Others would opt for superb.
Me i jsut blink In aww.
One problem I have with the Feddie Civil War is that Picard is never ever going to start slaughtering past Starfleet heros. I just can't see it happening.
“Their sad devotion to that mystical power have not helped them conjure up Count Dooku or any of his secret plans for this war nor given them clairvoyance enough to discern where the next Separatists attack will fall next.”
“I find your lack of faith disturbing, Admiral.” Anakin interjected darkly.
paladin3030 wrote:Hey Stravo when is the next chapter comeing out?
*takes out 36" dildoe and proceeds to sodomize Pal3k, burning his holiness*
Have patience or suffer further!
I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season."
