Rise of the Empire

Chapter 16

…..Count Dooku picked his way across the body littered field.  The Clonetroopers that he had brought with him lay scattered across the strip of barren land.  The old yet powerful man mused, as he hurried to his awaiting transport, that his old Padawan Qui Gon had trained his pupil well.  Obi Wan Kenobi had not only destroyed Dooku’s escort, but had fought him to a stand still.  It was delicious that his own Padawan had been manipulated to fight Obi Wan at that point instead of against Dooku.

     Even now as he hurried across the battlefield, he could hear the clash of sabers behind him as his two enemies fought each other.  His Master wished the young Padawan to win but Dooku cared not which Jedi was victorious.  In fact, as far as he cared, they could kill each other and save him the trouble of dealing with them later. 

     The old man reached the ramp of his ship and walked smoothly up it into the vessel.  He motioned to the FA-4 pilot droid and before he could get to his seat, the transport lifted up on its repulsor’s and sped away into the stars.

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Alderaan

     Mace Windu walked outside of the command bunker that sat upon the Elysium grasslands.  The wide open terrain spread out in front of him, and the aging Jedi Master tried to relax.  He and his companions had spent hours inside the fortified position trying to arrange the defense of the planet Alderaan.  The Alderinians were good people and while their military was small it was well trained.  They would hold until the Grand Army arrived, at least Mace hoped beyond hope that they could.  

     He did not subscribe to the belief that this was the strategy to be used.  The Republic was winning the war, and Mace saw little need in such a risky endeavor.  But the Chancellor had enthusiastically endorsed the plan and Windu and his fellow Jedi were sworn to obey the directions of the Supreme Chancellor.  The plan was when the Separatist arrived; the Alderinians would slowly pull back and allow the enemy assault force to land.  Then the ground forces would hold them to the Elysium grasslands outside of the city of Aldera until the Republic fleet arrived.  The plan called for the fleet to depart from Selonia, a short hyperspace jump away, at the first sight of the Separatists in the Alderaan system, and thus stay hidden from the Separatists until the right moment.

But the Master Jedi did not see what was to gain from this ambush.  The Republic could win with out such a battle on a major planet of the Core systems.  No matter how hard Master Windu tried to dissuade the Chancellor, he would be debated and then dismissed.  Even Master Yoda seemed to agree with the Chancellor’s plan to end the war in one swift strike.  The Republic had gone through great pains to lure the Separatists to Alderaan, and Palpatine would not be moved from this position.

     So now with thousands of Alderinian troops spread across the grasslands and one thousand Jedi among them, the Republic would wait for the enemy.  Mace’s thoughts lamented at the thought of the dwindling number of Jedi.  Only a decade ago, their numbers had reached ten thousand and their power was at its highest.  Now, after years of war and the massacre at Geonosis, their numbers had been diminished to a mere shadow of their original size.  Only four thousand Jedi Knights roamed the galaxy now, and of those, a quarter of them were here now awaiting battle.

     The Master Jedi sensed a presence approaching him from behind.  The person was not trying to sneak up to the meditating Jedi, rather his natural stride was quick and silent after many a year of warfare.  The mood of the visitor was gloom yet Windu could feel the determination envelope the feelings of doom welling up inside of the old soldier.

     Mace waited until the Colonel had come up directly behind him and waited still until he sensed that the man was about to speak.  With a smile in his face Mace spoke before the warrior begged his pardon, “Yes Colonel, what is it?”

     Colonel Vanguar was a veteran soldier of the Alderinian defense force.  He had seen battle from one side of the galaxy to the other.  Most of it from the current conflict, but even before the civil war, Jorsh Vanguar had battled pirates and smugglers all across the sector.  The great bear of a man had aged beyond his years during those battles and the scars of the combat were evident on his face.  He stood there behind the Master Jedi in military respect, his closely cropped white hair waving gently in the soft breeze of the grasslands.  His intense stare unnerved some men, due mostly to the great scar that slashed down through his left eye and on down his cheek.  Because of this war wound, his left eye was blind but that only seemed to make his fearsome presence even greater.

     “Master Jedi, the war council is ready for your final inspection.  All is ready and we await the enemy.”  The gruff warrior replied.  

     Windu reflected upon that for a moment.  Was all ready?  His ability to gaze upon the future had been limited of late.  The Dark Lord of the Sith had labored hard to hide his agenda from the Jedi, and Mace found it difficult to see what the out come of the battle would be let alone the war.  “I will be with you shortly, Colonel Vanguar.”

     Behind Mace Windu, Colonel Vanguar shrugged and turned back towards the command bunker.  It was disturbing to him that the Jedi seemed pessimistic about the coming battle.  While he was apprehensive about it too, he was a commander of troops and trained not to think of an easy victory, rather expect some trickery from the enemy.  It has long been held that any plan, no matter how well it was made, never survived the first ring of blaster fire.  But the Jedi, who were held up as the advantage to the defending troops, seemed as glum about the coming battle as he himself did and that worried the Colonel.

     He stopped just outside the entrance of the command center and gazed up into the stars.  Out here on the grasslands, one could see the stretch of the galaxy above them.  The lights of Aldera were dim out here and the view was beautiful.  But being the warrior that he was, he also saw the shinning star like light that indicated a defense platform orbiting above the planet he so loved.  This will work, he thought, it had to work or Alderaan would be a smoldering ruin even if the Republic won the war.

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Trade Federation Command ship, the Biremes.

     Nute Gunray stared out of the view port of the bridge of his vessel.  The molten blue of hyperspace spun around his ship in its tunnel like appearance.  The Viceroy knew that the same view was seen from the bridges of the hundred of other ships that accompanied his to Alderaan.  The Nemoidian was nervous, the Separatist leader Count Dooku had thought that a strike at a core system would change the tide in the Separatist’s favor.  For the Separatists were losing this war, and as much as the Viceroy of the Trade Federation would have liked to cut his losses and run, they were in a situation were they had to win or lose everything.

     However the tall gaunt leader of the Trade Federation sensed failure at this brazen move.  Their losses over the last few months had been near crippling.  The battle of Dorvalla had depleted their army of battle droids and with Geonosis under Republic occupation, no more was to be made.

     In the huge hangers of the Federation Battleship were the remains of that droid army, along with conscripts of various species from among the planets of the Confederation of Independent Systems, as the Separatists were formally known.  Nemoidians, humans, Geonosians, and a hodgepodge of other species that had flocked to the banner of an independent government were readying themselves for combat.  It was hoped that if a major planet of the Republic could be taken, then the moral of the Republic would lessen and even some sympathy towards the Separatists could be gleaned.

     Alderaan was that major planet, green and beautiful but sparsely defended, it would make the perfect target for such a campaign.  While the planet had shields, they were spotty and had gaps.  Or so the Rodian scouts that Gunray had hired had reported.  The Separatist troops would be able to land in five or six locations and move toward the major population centers and quickly take control of the planet.

     What made the Trade Federation Viceroy nervous the most is that this plan reminded him so much of the ill fated operation at Naboo.  That debacle had cost him and his business interest greatly.  And again he was hurtling through space to blockade another planet with an army ready to invade.

     “Viceroy, approaching the target coordinates.”  Stated the helmsman at the forward bridge station.

     It took a moment for the Viceroy to respond and his lieutenants waited patiently, “Bring the ship to battle stations.”  He announced finally.

     Everyone on the bridge of the battleship Biremes waited and watched as an alarm rang through the bulkheads and compartments of the giant converted freighter.  All over the ship people were preparing for combat, and the troops in the hold were mounting their  Haor Chall Engineering landing ships.  The CC-9979’s would not launch until the primary defenses of the planet were destroyed by the fleet, but they were ready to go now, on a moments notice.

     Nute Gunray watched in fascination as the tunnel of blue hyperspace stopped spinning and long streaks of light replaced it.  The star streaks shortened and shrank until they were pinpoints of light that were the stars of the local sector and just like that, the Separatist fleet jumped into the Alderaan system.

Chapter 17

     In the command bunker on the Elysium grasslands outside the Capital City of Aldera, controllers and officers had gone berserk.  Alarms and warning signals from just about every piece of equipment in the control room had blared through the PA system at once.  The techs checked their scopes and re-checked them to verify the arrival of the enemy.

     Captain Aragaunte could be heard all over the command bunker and the tactical communication nets of the defenders commlinks, “Separatists fleet entering the system, all units stand by, Separatist fleet entering the system, Colonel Vanguar report to the control room, Separatist fleet entering the system.”  And soon the whole planet was aware of the coming threat.

     Colonel Vanguar rushed into the control center along with his executive officer, moved right up to the ComScan station and asked the captain for a report.  Captain Aragaunte’s lean hawkish face was drawn tight and he motioned to the ComScan monitor, “As you can see sir, the Separatist fleet has entered the system just below the orbital plane of Alderaan.  We count ninety four ships at this time sir, but they are clustered together so there might be a few more hidden in the heat blooms of their engines.”

     “Composition?”  Asked Vanguar’s XO, Lt Col. Vester.

     “There are, by our first count, twenty Trade Federation converted battleships sir.  The rest are a combination of the Commerce guilds and other known Separatists.  Pretty much the whole sha-bang.”  Smiled Aragaunte.

     “Are the Jedi in position?”  Asked the Colonel.

     The Captain looked over at a different display for a moment before he replied, “Yes sir, all units’ report that they are in their primary positions.”

     “Very well Captain, alert the line that I am on my way, and send out the distress signal.  You are in command here Captain, may the Jedi’s Force be with us and may the Grand Army get here soon.”  He placed his hand on Aragaunte’s shoulder and smiled briefly.

     “Aye sir.” Was the only reply and the Colonel and his XO turned and left the bunker.

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     Above the seemingly peaceful planet of Alderaan, the initial layers of defense were mobilizing.  Squadrons of old Z-95 Headhunters and a compliment of T-Wings and O-wings assembled in prearranged holding patterns, waiting for the enemy fleet to close with the planet.

     Wing Commander Kyle Shrall sat in his Headhunter reading the Multi Function Display in his cockpit.  The data shown there was not encouraging, the feed from the Golan defense platform was showing a massive fleet of vessels.  The big Federation ships were capable of carrying a huge amount of supporting fighters.  Far more than the Alderinian forces could cope with.  But then that was the plan, wasn’t it?

     “Gold wing, this is Gold One.  Enemy formation closing, wait until their fighters launch, then move to position Bravo.”  Ordered Shrall.

     His comm. came alive with the replies of his Squadron Leaders.  He continued to watch his MFD for the launch of enemy fighters that would signal the start of the battle.  The Separatists closed to within one AU of the planet before they unleashed their interceptors to clean the area of Shrall’s fighters.

    From out of the giant holds of the Trade Federation warships, a cloud of droid fighters leapt.  The fighters seemed to swarm around their mother ships for a moment, no doubt waiting for all of their brethren, then the angry formation vectored in on the Alderinians, spreading out across the star field to ensure that the Alderinians could not escape.

     Commander Shrall smiled at the predictable maneuver of the enemy.  “Alright boys, enemy inbound.  Break by squadrons and move to position Bravo.  Red Squadron, take the port flank, Grey you have the starboard.  Set up for the spear head and let’s go.”

     The mish mash of friendly fighters spread out into an arrow head formation with the heavy assault fighters behind the smaller faster ships.  The human pilots steering their ships with every bit as much precision as the droid fighters managed.  With in seconds, the defenders had closed the distance between them and the approaching enemy.  Even now, the droid fighters were taking pot shots at Shrall’s ships at maximum range.  Splashes of laser fire sparked on the shields of the defenders, but at this range little if no damage was caused.

     The well disciplined pilots of Gold Wing held their fire and waited until the opposing fighters moved into optimum range for their weapons.  Shrall waited until the last moment, even after two of his command had been cut down by the in coming fire, until he ordered his people to open up.  A massive onslaught of fire from the Alderinians reached out from their formation and torn through the droid fighters.  Scores died in that first burst of weapons fire, the small light droid fighters vaporized by the blasters of Shrall’s command.

     Now the two formations were on top of each other and Shrall ordered, “Gold Wing, break and engage your primary targets.”  And with that the four squadrons of Headhunters and T-wings broke and swung around to continue to engage the enemy fighters as the larger O-wings continued on to the fleet of warships.

     Some of the droid fighters saw the assault force move toward the fleet and broke formation and turned to engage the trespassers.  Shrall and his squadron were waiting for this, and pounced on them vengefully. The Headhunters descended on the droid fighters and shredded their formation before the enemy fighters could respond.   Shrall’s maneuver opened up a gap in the defenders line and the Trade Federation fighters were quick to take advantage of it.  Protecting the mother ships were their primary mission, and as long as there were fighters available, they would try to destroy the threat of the O-wings to their home vessel.

     Another squadron of Federation fighters turned towards the O-wings and drove through the gap that Shrall’s squadron had opened up.  But this too was Shrall’s plan.  Computers were predictable and constantly keeping the droids off balance was the key to stalling them.  Commander Shrall activated his comm. and barked out an order to the far distant Green Squadron, “Green One, Gold One.  Second squadron headed your way, break and engage on my command.”

     The Wing Commander watched his feed again from the orbital stations ComScan and waited until the droid fighters that were hunting his heavy assault ships closed in and had accelerated to their maximum velocity.  “Now, Green one.  Break and engage.”  He shouted over the net.

     The O-wings had never been trying to attack the Trade Federation ships that would have been suicide.  Instead they were playing the part of a lure,  by being a target the O-wings had enabled Shrall’s squadron to decimate a formation of enemy fighters.  That in itself had opened up a carefully planned hole for another formation to jet off after the O-wings lessening the threat to the rest of the group and give the O-wings a target that they could be a threat against.  On order, the squadron of sleek and powerful O-wings, named for the cowling that wrapped around the ship and held its weapons, turned on the approaching fighters and the hunter became the hunted.

     The O-wings with their powerful shields bowled right into the enemy formation tearing a hole through it.  The enemy fighters were going to fast to twist around and reengage the O-wings after the initial bout and the O-wings continued to hole ship after ship.  When it was done, none of the droid fighters that had attacked the O-wings had survived and the remaining ships of Green Squadron vectored in on the rest of their group.

     While the O-wing feint was successful, the defenders of Alderaan were still outnumbered and it was showing.  Mere minutes into the fight, over a third of Shrall’s force had been either destroyed or damaged.  While the kill ratios were enormously in his favor, there were just not enough fighters to defend against such a hoard.

     Reluctantly he activated his comm. and said to his group, “Alright guys, that’s enough.  All ships head for your exit points.  Repeat, all ships head for your exit points.”

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Battleship Biremes.

     “Viceroy, the enemy fighters are retreating and attempting to leave the system.  Shall our fighters pursue?”  The tactical officer on the bridge reported.

     Nute Gunray walked calmly over to the display system and watched as groups of fighters bolted for the outskirts of the system.  “No, have the fighters start to prep the orbital defenses.  What is our ETA to the Golan platform?”

     The tactical officer replied immediately, “Estimated Time of Arrival to the Golan platform is 3 minutes 6 seconds.  Time to weapons range, 32 seconds.”

     The Trade Federation Viceroy turned back to the bridge view port and watched the blue white planet grow as his ships edged closer.  He was still gazing at the lovely globe when with a shudder, the big guns of the ship opened up on the defense platform.  The forward elements of the Separatist fleet opened up with the Command ship and a sheet of turbolaser fire poured over the station.

  The station however, was not defenseless.  Its return fire was deadly and even while its doom was sealed, its own heavy turbolasers struck at the front most Trade Federation ship.  Nute watched in terror as the huge vessel in front of his own was wrapped in weapons fire.  The shields of the battleship collapsed and explosions enveloped the bridge module of the Caravel.

     Both the Caravel and the Golan platform died at the same time.  The defense platform was engulfed with turbolaser fire and ceased to exist.  The explosion lighting up the bridge of the Biremes and causing the Viceroy and his bridge crew to shield their eyes.  Small globs of burning metal exploded out into space from where the station was only moments ago.  The battleship Caravel, still in front of the command ship, listed heavily on its post side and slowly drifted out of the formation, no longer under power nor control.

     Gunray looked back at his tactical officer, “Is there any more resistance?”

     “No Viceroy, all space and orbital resistance  has ceased.  There was a distress signal sent during the battle sir.”  The Tactical Officer reported.

     “That was to be expected, but Count Dooku has assured us that the closest Republic fleet is hours away.  By the time they could organize a response, we will control the surface.”  He glanced around at his advisors, “Begin landing our troops.”  

Chapter 18

Alderaan

     The blue white orb of Alderaan was clouded with debris from the carnage of the space battle and the enemy ships plowed through it on their way to their target.  Giant ring shaped battleships that had started life as container vessels, encircled the peaceful looking planet intent on cutting off any escape from what was to come.  Once they were in position around the most populated cities of the planet, their hanger bay again disgorged a cloud of small ships.  This time though, it was not fighter craft that blotted out the star light but large landing craft carrying an army and the fight to the surface.

     The landing craft, which looked like a boot slug under four delicate wings, slid gracefully from orbit and commenced their landing operations.  The perfection of computer control ensuring that the proper units were delivered in the proper locations.

     Colonel Vanguar watched the elegant looking craft descend from orbit on his computer display inside his command vehicle.  He was still strapping himself in, the black vest of his uniform interfering with the harness, as he viewed the entry of the invading army into the atmosphere of his home.

     As the invaders descended, the Colonel sat up and peered out of his hatch.  Above him he could see the tiny dots that were the enemy coming in at him framed against a blue sky.  He glanced left then right and saw the line of defenders, their blue and black Alderinian Defense Force uniforms distinctive on a backdrop of green grass.  His force of three hundred hover tanks were dug into the plain and thousands of infantry surrounded them.

     His XO, Lt Col Vester, wanted to attack the landing ships while they were still air born but the Defense Force lacked the assets to have any effect.  Plus if the landers got any anti-air, then Vanguar was assured that the enemy would commence planetary bombardment to counter the threat.  Neither side wished whole sale destruction of the planet, but Vanguar thought that the defenders should not press their luck and force the Nemoidians into blasting them from orbit.

     The Colonel keyed his mic., “All units, enemy in sight.” He said as he checked his computer again, “Looks like they are landing in position AB1138.”  He smirked as the Trade Federation computers landed the CC-9979’s in exactly the location that was predicted.

     Vanguar flipped his white battle helmet onto his head and did the straps as he watched at least 30 drop ships land only 5 kilometers from his defensive line.  The great doors of the drop ships opened and immediately, AAT’s streamed out of their ships.  He noticed that droid fighters had followed the landers down and were taking up a holding position around the landing zone, waiting for any threat to manifest.  

     With a click of his comlink, Vanguar addressed his commanders, “Units Delta and Foxtrot, engage the enemy and move to sector 3.  Try to draw them out before the whole force has arrived.”

     “Acknowledged, Alpha One.” Came the reply of his company commanders, “Moving out now.”

     On order, a formation of hover tanks and their infantry comrades departed the left flank of the defensive line and moved in on the enemy trying to invoke a response.  They were half way across the battlefield when the droid army seemed to notice them.  A swarm of STAP’s zipped around to envelope the intruders and a formation of AAT’s and Corporate Alliance droid walkers move to intercept them.  When the clash came, Vanguar thought that his forces just might beat back the invaders.  Captain Adrette’s people slammed right into the enemy formation and fought tooth and nail for what seemed like an eon.

     Adrette’s people would twist one way, turn and blast at the droids, and then twist another, constantly keeping the enemy following them.  The quick agile hover tanks were keeping one step ahead of the Separatists until a second force of droid tanks maneuvered into position on a hill top off to the Alderinians right flank.  The ugly wheeled vehicles launched their payload of missiles into the defenders positions, with devastated effects.

     The infantry could not get out of the way of the incoming missiles and suffered immense casualties.  Captain Adrette’s hover tanks fared better but could not continue the attack any longer.  Under the protection of the tanks, the Alderinian infantry pulled back to the main battle line and were followed by the remaining floating amour.

     By now, the remainder of the Separatist army had landed and was taking up their positions, the two armies sat across the grasslands staring at each other as the last few stragglers took up their allotted locations in the battle line.

     “They are set up and ready to go,” Vesters voice came across the comlink.  “Ready to go on the mobile forces.”

     Vanguar sat in his hover tank and considered if now was the time to employ their next trick.  “Let’s see if they have anything up their sleeve first.  If they pass the two kick mark, we’ll send in the Echo units.”

     “Roger Alpha One.” Vester said, conceding to his commander.

     Again the forces of Alderaan sat waiting for the enemy, this time with a slightly bloodied nose.  Vanguar made a few adjustments in his line to match the enemy’s deployment then checked the readiness of his Echo units.  The Air Mobile troops with their Jedi attachments were 5 kilometers behind the main line and awaiting their orders to move into position.  Vanguar was waiting until the two defending lines had clashed before trying to outflank the enemy with the mobile forces.  As he sat and pondered, the enemy advanced.  Out front the Trade Federation battle tanks floated across the Elysium grasslands with the Corporate guilds wheeled droid tanks behind.  On each flank, the techno union had walkers, both large and small, and between them all, large troop formations of battle droids and regular infantry massed.

     At 3 kilometers, Vanguar ordered his line to advance and meet the enemy.  The two battle lines closed on each other, the droids unflinching and the humans slowing slightly in doubt.  When they met, there was an audible thud as the two infantry formations engaged.  On both sides the heavy guns opened up and the screams began.

     The Alderinian troops fought hard but were out numbered and out gunned.  Like the space battle, they were racking up insane kill ratios but could not keep up the fight because of the sheer numbers of the enemy.  For every tank or droid that the defenders destroyed, two more lumbered into view.  When his battle line was in jeopardy of collapsing all together, Colonel Vanguar cracked across the tac net, calling in the Echo units.

     From out of the horizon, a squadron of air speeders appeared and screamed in to action.  Each speeder was carrying a fire team of troops and one or two Jedi knights with them.  The speeders, looking like their gunship cousins, dove straight for the center of the battle dodging the incoming droid fighters that had been strafing them since their arrival on the battlefield.  The speeders turned over hard and, skimming the deck, shot over the battle towards the left flank.

     As if flown by droids, and not Alderinian pilots, the speeders flared as one and hovered above the ground for an instant.  That instant was all that the troops inside needed to disembark and form up.  The speeders tore back into the sky to reengage the droid fighters that were bearing down on them.  On the ground, bright splotches of color ignited through the mobile troops as the Jedi with them activated their weapons.

     Mace Windu, his purple lightsaber held high and pointing to the enemy not 200 meters in front of him, waved his troops on.  With a roar, the fresh troops rushed the enemy’s flank and tore into it.  With the Jedi leading the way, the defenders cut a swath of droids, Nemoidians, and mercenary humans and collapsed the left flank of the enemy battle line and Vanguar’s right most units  surged forward to take advantage of the break.

     The Separatist line bent to compensate, but the Alderinian’s smelled victory.  The blue and black infantry streamed into the break in the line and looked like it was going to over run the entire landing force.  But victory was to be snatched from the jaws of the persistent defenders.  Behind the enemy lines, a new battle line had formed.  Droids from the Trade Federation MTT’s and the reinforcements of Bothan and Vallorium troops marched into the battle to shore up the failing Separatist lines.

     With the slow and persistent advance of the fresh troops, the Separatists pushed the Alderinian’s back and with them the pesky Jedi.  The holes made by the advancing defenders were sealed with the new troops and now it was Vanguar’s line that was in jeopardy of collapsing.  The battle raged for a moment, each side trying to get the upper hand but ever so slowly the defenders were pushed back.

     Vanguar’s vehicle was damaged, scared and burnt by laser fire.  The old man sat in his command chair and accepted the information displayed in front of him.  “All units, pull back to secondary positions.  All units, secondary positions.  Charlie and Bravo, cover the retreat.” He roared through the comlink.

     The normal calm responses were replaced with the screams of dieing men and shouts of commanders trying to respond.  The defenders started to pull back past the original battle line and streaked to their secondary battle position half way across the Elysium grasslands to the capital city of Aldera, the enemy nipping at their heels.

     The Alderinian defenders fled the battle ground and soon left the Separatists behind.  They screamed across the grasslands and came within view of the city.  The gleaming white of the towers of Aldera served as a beacon for the beaten defenders.  On the outskirts of the capital the Alderinian army turned again to face the invaders.  With their home city at their backs, the battle weary troops prepared themselves for the coming carnage, in their wake the Separatist Army approached to destroy them all.

Chapter 19

Battleship Biremes

     Nute Gunray paced the bridge of his war ship.  He was nervous and nothing that his adviser’s could say could calm him.  He awaited the report from the surface that would indicate that the Separatist’s won the battle.  He could see the tactical feed from the droid army on the surface, but could make little of it.  The mass of men and machines that was displayed on the holo-viewer only confused the Viceroy more.

     A small light began to blink on the tactical officers board, and the leader of the Trade Federation, seeing the warning light, walked up to his subordinate.

     “What is happening?” He demanded.

     “Sir, Comscan reports a hyperspace disturbance in quadrant four.”  Replied the tactical officer.

     “What does that mean?”  Gunray almost shouted.

     “Republic ships are entering the system.”  The deadpan voice of the officer rang across the bridge.

     Nute Gunray, Viceroy of the Trade Federation and part of the Separatist Movement, let his shoulders drop in defeat.  “That is impossible, Count Dooku assure me….That is impossible!”

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Stardestroyer Indefeatable

     With a flicker of psuedo motion, an armada of wedged shaped warships slid out of hyperspace.  As one, the huge vessels turned towards the besieged planet of Alderaan and drove towards the enemy.  

     On the bridge of the Victory class Stardestroyer Indefeatable, Commodore Tarkin watched the controlled chaos of the bridge crew as they secured from hyperspace operations and prepared for battle.

     Tarkin, a middle age man whose dark hair ended in prominent widow’s peak, stood with his hand holding his chin in careful contemplation.  He watched passively as an aide approached and gave his report.

     “Commodore, all ships accounted for.  All task forces are forming up and the Acclamators are forming up behind us.  Shall I give the order to attack?”  Captain Glem asked.

     Tarkin stood thinking for a moment, watching the computer model of the enemy forces on his command screen.  “Commence the attack, Captain.  Have Task Force Three and Task Force Two form the Squadron V.”  He ordered.

     The Captain was slightly shocked at the order, “You do not want to envelope them?”

     “No Captain, I intend to shatter them.  Once our troops land, we shall deal with the traitors in their spacecraft.”  He glanced at the Captain to make sure his lackey had no more foolish questions.  “You may launch all fighters.”

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     Out of the hanger bays of the twenty Victory class warships, nimble little Aethersprites sprang.  The small arrowhead shaped fighters were quick and soon the fighter screen was formed in front of the fleet.  The tiny one man fighters accelerated and left the larger craft behind as they moved in on the enemy.

     The Separatists were not going to go down easy though, their own fighters broiled up to meet the new threat and soon clouds of droid fighters streaked in to intercept the Republic fighters.

     As before with the Alderinian fighters, the droid ships started firing at the incoming craft at maximum range and as the two formations got closer, the kills increased.  The comlinks were alive with the grunts and screams of pilots as the two groups of fighters blasted each other out of the sky.  The Delta -7 Aethersprites were every bit as quick and maneuverable as the droid fighters of the Separatists.  They swooped in at the enemy and then passed them continuing on to the enemy capital ships.

     This caused the droid ships to hesitate.  The Republic fighters were bearing down on the mother ships but they remembered the battle with the O-wings only a few hours ago.  After a moment of consideration and asking for orders from the computers aboard their mother ships, the droid fighters tore after the Aethersprites.

     Behind the fighter screen, the new Republic warships vectored in on the Separatist fleet.  The need for a dedicated warship has produced the Victory.  Its beautifully crafted hull was packed with weapons and armor, with its distinctive Conning tower that rose above the ship.  The twenty vessels formed up into three groups, spread out into a V shape, and closed with the enemy.  At one AU, the great warships opened up with their turbolasers and great streaks of green energy advanced on the Separatists.

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Stardestroyer Indefeatable.

     “Commodore, we have commenced firing.  We are closing with the enemy fleet and expect to intercept them in 3 minutes.”  Reported the lieutenant in the Comscan crew pit.

     Tarkin tuned to listen to him, and then asked his question.  “Are the Trade Federation Battleships breaking orbit to engage us?”  His calm clear voice filled the bridge.

     “Yes Commodore, we estimate that most of their battleships will converge at point Delta 327 in their orbital track.”  Replied the officer.

     The Commodore absorbed the information and turned back to his computer model.  “Captain, when we make contact with the enemy fleet, Task Force Two and Three will maintain contact and our Task Force will punch trough their line.”

     Standing ram rod straight, the Captain Glem replied, “And the Grand Army?”

     “They will follow Task Force One and commence landing operations at once.  We will continue to give them direct support until their deployment is complete then we will rejoin the rest of the fleet.”  Ordered Commodore Tarkin.

**********************************************************************

     Outside of the warships, then scene was hectic.  The Republic fleet was closing in on the Separatists at an alarming rate.  The reverse spearhead of the Victories formation was followed by a long string of Acclamator troop transports.  Opposing them, the Separatist fleet that was dropping out of orbit from around Alderaan, formed up and the great battleships of the Trade Federation and their Corporate Alliance escorts lumbered towards the Republic fleet.  Around the Separatist ships, tiny fighters twisted and turned in a death dance.  The small Republic fighters giving what they took from the droid fighters of the Trade Federation.  

     The Corporate Alliance ships and the Techno Union vessels were the first to succumb to the long range fire of the approaching Republic fleet.  Blasts from heavy turbolasers slammed into the smaller ships and overwhelmed their shields.  Soon the Separatist formation was littered with the broken shapes of the once elegant ships of the Corporate Guilds.  

     The Separatist fought back, the large quad guns on the Federation battleships fired salvo after salvo at the approaching Stardestroyers.  One of the Republic ships was struck hard and peeled away to show a different part of its shield.  But the rest of the fleet continued to close the distance between the two opponents.  Two formations of Republic ships slowed as they engaged the enemy at near point blank range while the center most task force plowed on through the Separatist line and moved closer to the planet.  Thirty Acclamators, with the Grand Army with in them, followed suit.  The transports far from defenseless themselves, racked great sheets of laser fire at the enemy ships as they passed, then plunged into the atmosphere of the besieged Alderaan.

*********************************************************************

Stardestroyer Indefeatable

     Captain Glem had a smile on his face, “Commodore, the Acclamators are starting their landings.  Minimal resistance reported against the transports.  Shall we return to the fight sir?”

     Tarkin was still studying his display, when he replied.  “Order the Task Force to move to Bravo Quadrant.  We will come in under their guns and support Task Force Two.  The Invincible and the Victorious are out of the fight, they will need reinforcements or they will not be able to press the attack.”

     “At once, Commodore.”  Exclaimed Captain Glem and he trotted over to the Navigation pit to enact the orders.

     The lieutenant in the Comscan pit spoke up and attracted the Commodores attention, “Sir, I am picking up a small transport craft entering the system.  They are transmitting an Identify Friend or Foe code.”  The officer bent over his consol to examine the code, “Commodore, the transports code is priority level one.  I am reading Republic Command Authority aboard.”  He continued in subdued awe.  What would a high ranking official of the Republic be doing dropping out of hyperspace in the middle of a battle, mused the lieutenant.

     “Bring the Indefeatable out of the combat zone.  Have Captain Dodonna take control of the Task Force and continue on to Bravo Quadrant to assist the Invincible.”  Ordered the Commodore in his quite but commanding voice.  “Plot an intercept course to that transport and prepare to bring him aboard.”

     “Aye sir.”  Was the reply of half a dozen officers through out the bridge as they moved to obey the orders.

***********************************************************************

     Count Dooku, Lord of the Sith, sat in his acceleration couch in the cockpit of the transport and gazed upon the carnage of the space battle.  In his hands he held a data card that would change the galaxy forever.

Chapter 20

Alderaan

     The thirty great assault ships glided into the atmosphere of the planet like giant predators.  Their spearhead shape stabbing into the air of Alderaan, their repulsor lifts making the immensely heavy ships as light as a feather.  The huge ships broke formation as individual vessels veered towards their landing zones.  A group of four Acclamators descended towards the Elysium grasslands outside of the Capital city of Aldera, and even in the upper atmosphere the crew of the transports could see the great columns of smoke that indicated a large battle below.

     The few remaining droid fighters that were providing air support for the advancing Separatist army, turned and vectored in on the approaching threat.  Most of the fighters had been recalled from the surface when the Republic fleet arrived, but now every remaining fighter was ordered to repel the reinforcements.

     As the enemy fighters closed in on the Acclamators, the great hanger doors opened and gunships roared out into the air to defend their mother ships.  The heavily armed Republic gunships released a hail of missiles against the droid fighters and the troop transports opened up with their point defense weapons.  The light turbolasers burned through the enemy formation and the survivors where chased away by the incoming swarm of missiles.

     The LAAT gunships, ignoring the fleeing droid fighters, turned towards the landing zone and started to set up a perimeter for the Acclamators.  The giant warships floated down in a star formation, their sharp bows pointing out ward.  Right before landing, another wave of LAAT’s launched from the vessels and soon the air was filled with the quick Republic craft.

     With an audible thud, the large ships settled on the grasslands and immediately landing ramps dropped to the ground.  With a roar, thousands of troopers streamed out of the ships and filled the grasslands.  The gunships themselves, landed to disgorge advance troops and the cargo variants started dropping the Tactical Enforcers.  The assault walkers waddling towards the Separatists and the defending Alderinians, forming up in a lose line with the clonetroopers advancing between them.

     On the Alderinian line, a great cheer went up as the Acclamator troop transports announced the arrival of the Grand Army of the Republic.  The Separatists, now trapped between two armies, turned and attempted to out flank the advancing clonetroopers and escape the closing vice that was rapidly entrapping them.

     Colonel Vanguar, seeing his chance to smash the Separatists, rallied his troops and rushed back into battle.  His hover tanks ruthlessly slashing into the Trade Federation AAT’s that were attempting to outmaneuver the lumbering Republic AT-TE’s.  The battle droids could not decide which enemy they wished to engage and thus were caught in a withering cross fire from Alderinian troops and the advancing Clonetroopers.  The Separatist infantry, rushed into the Alderinian line to try to break out of the trap and a deadmans zone developed between the two forces.  Blasters and missiles filled the air of the battle field and the once beautiful grassland turned into a fiery hell.

     The Jedi, lead by Mace Windu, took instant charge of the Republic army and directed the clonetroopers into battle.  The large formations of troops broke down into smaller units and started a leap frog maneuver.  Squads of Clonetroopers covered others as they advanced on the battledroids and Separatists, and then advanced themselves under cover fire of their brethren, all the while pushing the enemy into the Alderinian battle line.

     For a few precious minutes the tide of battle wavered, then the Separatists began to succumb to the superior forces arrayed against them.  The heavy armor of the defenders and Clonetroopers began to massacre the mechanized forces and the infantry of the invaders fared less so.  Thousands died under the onslaught of blaster fire and man, Nemoidian, Bothan, and machine were caught in crossfire from the Alderinians and the approaching Clonetroopers.

     Vanguar and his troops raced into the gap of the now fleeing Separatist infantry.  His eight remaining hover tanks dealing death and judgment to any who opposed him, the Colonel drove straight at the heart of the remaining formation of Corporate Alliance walkers who were engaging the Republic Tactical Enforcers at range.

     Spreading his tanks out, Vanguar raced into the enemy formations and opened fire with his heavy blasters.  The Alderinian tanks unloaded their ordinance into the rear of the unsuspecting Separatist walkers and annihilated them.  However the Alderinians took fire from a retreating group of Guild missile droids.

     “Adrette, fall back and provide cover from sector 32.”  Yelled Vanguar in the comlink.

     “Acknowledged, Alpha One.”  Came the reply.

     Four of Vanguar’s tanks split off to protect their flank from the missile droids while Vanguar continued in on the four legged ball like walkers in front of him.

     The Colonel glanced at his command screen and saw that Vester’s group was maneuvering to the north and would envelope the walkers before the Republic troops could smash through the Separatist formation.  “Alpha Two, this is Alpha One.  Ease back Vester, you’ll get cut off.”

     “I can hold it, the Separatists are falling back Colonel.”  Came the enthusiastic reply from his executive officer.

     “Vester, you have some infantry coming up behind you.  Pull out and concentrate on vector 327.”  Ordered Vanguar.

     Static filled the Colonel’s head set as he watched his XO and friend get boxed in by the fleeing enemy.  It took a split second, but Jorsh Vanguar knew he could not leave his friend out there to die.  “All Alpha group, advance into sector 34.  Alpha Two is in the red zone.  Adrette, finish off the eyeballs and converge at sector 33.”

     The various acknowledgments from the unit commanders filled the screen but Vanguar did not listen to any of it.  He knew his people would do what was needed; he just hoped it wasn’t too late.

     The clash was deadly, while the Separatist were fleeing they were still dangerous and even the well laid assault by the two Alderinian elements were held back and took damage.  Vanguars tank took a serious hit by a laser cannon and was thrown back, its repulor drive smashed.  Streaks of blaster fire filled the air and Vester’s group found out that their victory would not be free.

     Turning back, Vesters group reoriented on the right flank that Vanguar had tried to shore up.  He let the remaining walkers go and turned on the Trade Federation infantry that were running through Vanguar’s line.  The battle droids of the Trade Federation were massacred by the ensuring crossfire and soon were reduced to scrap but a terrible price was paid.  Vestor could see the charred remains of hover tanks littering the battle field.

***********************************************************************

Victory Stardestoyer Indefeatable

     Commodore Tarkin sat at his command station watching the battle unfold on his tactical computer model.  The detailed hologram showing all of the friendly and enemy units that were in orbit around Alderaan, with the bright flash of destroyed vessels and the flicker of fighter craft zipping through the battle zone.  The fleet commander spared a moment to glance back at his executive officer, “Is the VIP aboard yet Captain?”

     “The transport is docking now sir, what are your orders?”  Captain Glem remarked from the Comscan station.

     Tarkin studied his readouts for a moment before he gave the orders, “The Stardestroyer Valiant is out of the fight.  Have the Reaper and Corrupter fall back to quadrant Oscar.  Bring the Indefeatable in behind them and engage those Federation Battleships.”

     The crew of the warship hurried to implement the orders, their professionalism evident as they carried out the commands.  Captain Glem watched the Comscan scope as the Republic warship closed with the enemy and reengaged them.  Bright lances of turbolasers shot out towards the spherical command pods of the Separatist Ships of the Line.  The return fire was not as great as anyone on the bridge had thought it would be, so the lead ship of the Republic fleet bore down on the enemy and secondary fire from her new escorts rang out towards the doomed enemy.

     The battleship reeled as numerous heavy turbolasers converged on its spherical hull, internal explosions already visible.  Indefeatable’s escorts intensified their forward firepower and smashed through the enemy battleships shields.  As the Trade Federation ship exploded, a visitor strode onto the bridge of the command ship.  At first no one notice him because of the glare of the dying ship outside the bridge window, but then Captain Glem noticed and approached him, and then gestured towards Commodore Tarkin.

     “Sir, the VIP has arrived.”  Glem announced to his commander.

     “Lord Tyrannous,” Tarkin remarked before the older man could say anything.  Tarkin enjoyed being in the loop for this mission, a mission that would see him accelerated up through the ranks of the coming regime.  “I assume that you are here by the order of the Supreme Chancellor?”

     “Commodore, I am here to supervise this confrontation by order of my Lord and yours.  Here are your final orders.  I hope that you are comfortable with them.”  The powerful Sith Lord dressed all in black remarked as he handed a data card to Tarkin.

     Tarkin, with a wry smile on his face, took the data pad and placed it in his command consol, then read the text.  Then with an even bigger smile on his features, he said, “With pleasure, M’Lord.  Captain Glem,” He looked over to his XO, “Order the launch of the Stormtroopers, initiate operation Hellfire.”

     The fleet of Victory Stardestroyers pushed through the remaining Separatist starships, tearing them asunder with heavy turbolasers.  The back of the enemy was broken and the three battle groups squeezed the stragglers between them.  As the fighting wound down, a shuttlecraft and a series of dropships fell out of the hangers of the warships and headed down to the battle torn planet of Alderaan.

                                                             Chapter 21

Alderaan

     Mace Windu, dirty and tired from the fighting, staggered up to the command bunker near Aldera.  Behind him, the scattered remains of the Jedi force, gathered.  It saddened the jaded warrior that so many of his brothers had died today but he hoped that with their sacrifice the civil war had ended and that peace would again encompass the galaxy.

     Captain Aragaunte was standing in the entry way, surveying the remaining Jedi with an air of awe at the mighty warriors.  “Master Jedi, the remaining Separatists have been cut off from their dropships.  Some are holding themselves up in the canyons to the West.  We have troops combing through the area now.  It looks like we won.”  He smiled.

     “Very good Captain.  Where is the Colonel?”  Asked Windu.

     Araguante looked dour at the mention of Vanguar, “Sir, Colonel Vanguar was killed during the fighting; Lt Colonel Vester is in charge of the group now.”

     Master Windu made a sympathetic expression and replied, “I am sorry Captain.  Jorsh Vanguar was a good and capable man.  We honor his passing to the Force.”

     “Thank you,”  Aragaunte said.  “We have been in contact with the fleet commander of the Republic forces,”  he said.  “Another group of troopers are coming down to help with the mop up operations.  In fact, that would appear to be the shuttles now.”  He gestured at the growing dot in the sky.

     Mace Windu watched the small dot grow until the outline of a Republic shuttle appeared and settled slowly to the now burnt grasslands just south of the command bunker.  He gathered his remaining forces and went to welcome the fleet commander that he thought would be coming down.  While he waited for the commander to exit his shuttle, he noticed that new dropships had landed and that a new type of clonetrooper was being deployed for the clean up operations.  He had never seen the new armor before and was curious about the new troopers.  He would have to ask the fleet commander when he descended from the shuttle.

     The entry ramp to the shuttle dropped down with a hydraulic swoosh, and Mace could see a swirl of dark clothing start down the ramp.  A dark premonition flashed trough his mind as the new visitor walked down the ramp.

     Count Dooku, once a Jedi Knight and now an agent of evil, walked onto the grasslands of Elysium followed by a detail of the new Stromtroopers.  The gleaming white of the new armor shone in the early evening of Alderaan.

     “Ah, Master Windu, my old friend.  I am afraid that your victory here will go unrecorded in the archives.  My Master sends you his greetings but is sorry that you will not live long enough to return them.”  The powerful man said as he gestured for his escort to begin their grizzly task.

     Master Windu and his fellow Jedi did not waste time with a reply, their weapons humming to life as the Stormtroopers opened fire into them.  A few Jedi, a little slow to draw their weapons, died in the opening barrage.  The Stormtroopers did not hesitate at sight of the mighty warriors in front of them, they charged into battle with the Jedi with silent fanaticism.

     Mace battered away a hail of blaster fire with his purple blade and worked his way towards the Sith Lord.  “I will survive this betrayal Dooku.  You and your Master will not prevail here and this betrayal will be reported to the Senate.”  He challenged as he cut down three Stromtroopers who were trying to cut him off from their Lord.

     Count Dooku calmly reached down and pulled out his weapon.  With an electronic screech, the red lightsaber leaped to life and he beckoned Windu, “Come my friend, let us end this.”

*********************************************************************

     Captain Aragaunte stood transfixed as the new troops opened fire on the Jedi.  A score of the mighty Knights fell in the first barrage and Aragaunte saw thousands of the new troopers encircling them.  He was about to run back in to his command post and call the Republic fleet to inform them that their new troops had gone bezerk when a hail of blaster fire scythed its way across his position killing him and his aide in an instant.

     All over the battlefield, clonetroopers who were working with the Alderinian troops to root out the fleeing Separatists, turned on their allies and began to slaughter them.  Colonel Vester may have not understood what was going on but he did know that the Republic forces were wiping out his men.  He pulled together his remaining armored group and struck out at the Clonetroopers, killing squads at a time with his heavy weapons.

     Knowing that his small force of survivors from the battle could not hope to defeat the traitors that were attacking him, Vestor gave the order to retreat to the City.  Somebody had to be communicating with the fleet that their troops were firing on his people.  Vestor only hoped that someone would tell these mindless clones to stop before all of Alderaan's troops were killed.

     He and his group of hovertanks ran for the relative safety of the Capital, gathering as many stragglers on the way as they could.  Behind him, the massacre of his brothers and sisters continued.

***********************************************************************

     Mace Windu opened up a clearing with his lightsaber, its glowing blade slashing through all who stood in his way from the mocking figure of Count Dooku who stood waiting for him behind a wall of white armored warriors.

     The sword master easily deflected shot after shot, depleting the group of men who protected their Lord.  Behind him, his Jedi had fanned out to engage the new enemy and were faring well in the clustered ranks of the Stormtroopers.

     Soon, the protective detail of Dooku was all killed and the two Masters faced each other in relative calm.  A circle of death surrounded them and the battle between their associates veered off towards the command bunker.

     Neither man said anything, both knew that he could not allow the other to leave this place.  Mace stuck out at Dooku in a rapid series of moves that were parried by the Dark Lord.  The two combatants circled each other looking for an opening, both masters of their art both masters at swordplay.  This was a contest of the mind rather than with the energy blades and the two took great care to probe each others defenses.

     Almost at once, Windu streaked in and gave a withering series of blows, his lightsaber flashing up and down almost faster than the eye could see.  Dooku, jumping over a sweep meant to cut him down, parried the blows and seeing his opening, advanced his own attack.

     The red blade dancing close to Windu’s head but was never able to make contact.  The Jedi Master seemingly one step ahead of Dooku as he skirted around the old man and deflected his blows.  Around them, shadows lengthened as the sun set on the battlefield of Aldera.

     Dooku pressed his attack and pushed Mace into the pile of broken bodies that the Jedi Master had made of Dooku’s guard.  Mace seemed to trip over the dead clonetroopers and Dooku came in to finish the battle.  Windu, recovering his stance, cut up and over with his weapon to knock his opponents out of the way.  Dooku surprise with the move recovered slowly and the purple blade cut through his cloak.  The Sith Lord stumbled back, blood oozing through his elegant black robes.

     “Well done, old friend.”  He commented, “It would seem that you have drawn the first blood.”  He smiled as he reached out with his left hand.  He gathered the hate in him, the hate of being cut by Windu and the hate of their pitiful Order, channeled that hate and struck out at the Jedi.

     A bolt of blue lightning shot out of his hand and lanced at the Jedi Master.  Caught unaware, Windu was struck and thrown aside by the Force attack.  He hit the ground and rolled to avoid another attack.  The Jedi Master jumped to his feet and brought his saber up to deflect another blast from the Sith Lord.

     “You’re not as powerful as you would like to think, Dooku.”  Stated the Jedi as he recovered from the attack.  Mace brought his weapon up to high ready and waited.

     “Don’t be absurd Master Windu, I am more powerful now than I ever was in your pathetic organization.  It comforts me that it will be one of the first things to go in the New Order.”  He wheezed.  Clearly his wound was weakening him, but Mace was unsure of how much.

     Mace circled in on Dooku’s left where he could take advantage of the wounds of the Dark Lord.  With a flash, the Jedi Master came at the old man but Dooku again parried the onslaught of blows.  He was slower but still able to defend himself from Mace’s attack.  Windu was tired, he had been in battle for hours now.  If he was fresh, he was sure he could take the traitor, but he could feel his strength ebbing.

     Again he went after Dooku and swung his blade in an intricate series of blows then locked his saber with Dooku’s.  Dooku was trying to maneuver his blade over to Mace’s left side and slide the energy blade through Windu’s arm.  The Master Jedi took a quick step back and back swung his lightsaber knocking Dooku’s out of the way.  Mace brought his blade around and slashed down at the old man and Dooku, weakened by his wound could not block it in time.  The purple energy slashed through the Dark Lord and he collapsed to his knees.

     Not quite dead yet, Count Dooku gazed back up at Windu with a smile.  Behind the victorious Jedi, Dooku could see the approaching Stormtroopers that had annihilated the remaining Jedi, make their way towards his position.  “Well done my old friend, well done.”  He croaked out.  “But you have still lost.”  He blurted out before he fell forward on the ground dead.

     Mace Windu, Jedi Master and member of the Jedi Council, was exhausted.  He could feel the approach of the troopers and reached out to his fellow Jedi.  With a sharp pang of shock, the Jedi Master could not find any of his Order.  With a great sadness, he turned to face the coming troopers.  The last of his kind on the planet Alderaan and who knows, with the betrayal of the Republic troops, he could be the last of his kind in the galaxy.

     He raised his lightsaber and awaited the inevitable.

Chapter 22

Coruscant

     The Galactic Senate was unusually quiet.  The stunned silence of the usual boisterous group was due to the holographic display that was set up in the middle of the giant room.  On the display, members could see the very recent Battle of Alderaan.  They watched as the Alderinian troops were pushed back and an audible gasp spread through the chamber as the Grand Army arrived just in time to save the poor defenders.

     Here the scene paused and the Supreme Chancellor approached the podium.  “My fellow Senators,” He began.  “As you can see, the troops of the Republic came to the defense of the gallant troops of Alderaan.”

     A few cheers rang out around the domed chambers of the Senate and Palpatine glanced over at Senator Organa.  The dour man sat in his chair seemingly not aware of what was happening around him.  The grief of all of the dead on Alderaan had come close to breaking the once proud Senator.  None of the defenders had survived the battle and the people of Alderaan saw it as an omen to refute violence in all its forms.

     Chancellor Palpatine smiled at the pain that was racking Bail Organa, the growing pacifist sentiment of that planet would only help Palpatine consolidate his control.

     “However, my esteemed colleagues, I have horrible news to report.”  He took on a saddened expression and lowered his head as if of shame.  “As the record will show, a record taken by the Republic troops on Alderaan, a great betrayal has occurred.  As the Grand Army secured Alderann, a group of Jedi turned on our glorious troops and started to slaughter them.”  He exclaimed as the display changed to show Jedi charging into the Stormtroopers.  The Stormtroopers opened up on the attacking Jedi and the battle raged on the holographic display.

     Sounds of shock and surprise mixed with grumbles of anger spread through the chambers.  “It is not clear at this point, if the Jedi on Alderaan were operating off of the orders of the Jedi Council.  Yet, it seems that the Jedi in the battle were working with the Separatist.  It would appear, my fellow citizens that the Jedi wished to weaken both the Republic and the Separatists.”  Continued Palpatine.  The jeers of the gathered Senators grew.  

     Palpatine had planned this with great care, the Senate chamber was filled as almost every Senator was present to see the spectacle.  “It saddens me, my fellow Senators, but if the information that I am receiving from our troops is correct, then the Jedi have also been subverting the Senate.”  He exclaimed with a look  of agony on his face.

     The Senate erupted in chaos as one faction pointed fingers at other factions.  Old animosities reigniting with such a charge.  The gavel at the center of the cambers cracked down again and again as order was slowly brought back.

     “I am sorry my friends, but we do not know right now what extent the Jedi have subverted the distinguished members of this body.  Until the time that we do know the extent of the damage and it is repaired, I am under obligation by the emergency powers you gave me to take full Executive control.”  He rang out in an elegant voice.  When he continued, members of the Senate could see white armored troopers fill the doorways of the Senate Chamber.

     “As of this moment, I am declaring myself Imperator of the Senate and will pledge to you that I will purge us from the corruption of the Jedi and all those who would see peace destroyed for their petty greed.”  Palpatine announced.

     All around him, cheers broke out.  His companions seeing their own power increasing cheered for him and supported him.  There were a few negative howls and even now, Stormtroopers were taking them away to question them on their obvious Jedi sympathies.

     “As my first order of business, my friends, I am disbanding the Jedi Order and as of now, the arrest of the remaining Jedi is so ordered.  Under my leadership, I will restore the Galaxy to its glory days and free it from the oppression of its so called defenders.  All will have justice and peace under the protection of the Grand Army.”

     Another cheer went up, and even those who were aghast at the event cheered under the watchful eyes of the guards.  The cheers went on for long moments and the new Emperor stepped down from the podium and left the Senate.

**********************************************************************

     Emperor Palpatine entered his office, ignoring the Imperial Guard who blending in perfectly with their scarlet robes in the royal red color of the room.  He strode to his desk and sat contemplating for a moment.

     Off to the side of the room a dark shadow stood, a raspy mechanical breathing the only sound in the room.  The twisted and hate filled man just waited for his master to greet him.  His pain reminding him every second of his tortured existence.

     As if on cue, the Emperor turned and said, “Did you see, my friend.” 

     The raspy breathing continued even thought the dark one replied, “Yes, my Master.”

     The evil old man sat back in his new throne and gazed upon the shadow, “Are you ready to start your training?”

     Again the deep voice replied, “Yes, my Master.”

     “Good, good.  Then come, my friend, come and start on the path to the dark side.  Come and be my apprentice, Lord Vader.”  Croaked Palpatine, and the cackled an evil laugh.

************************************************************************

Alderaan

     A group of cloaked people stepped into the hanger bay.  Quietly they loaded a few supplies onto the small courier ship that awaited them.

     “Where will you go?” the soft female voice said.

     One of the cloaked men turned to her and replied, “The only place that his tortured soul can not look for me.”

     “It is too warm there.  But at least my son will be with family.”  Came the soft voice.

     Obi-Wan pulled back the cowl of his cloak and looked at Padme.  “They are good people, you said so yourself.  Don’t worry M’Lady, I’ll look after him as he grows.”

     Padme just stared at the wizened Jedi.  Finally she said, “And what of us.  Marooned her on Alderaan.  What will become of us?”

     “You will be safe here.  Alderaan poses no threat to the Emperor.”  Kenobi said in disgust.  “Viceroy Organa has agreed to raise your daughter and you will live in obscurity in his court.  Live in peace M’Lady.  When your son is grown, I will return him to you.  The danger will have dissipated by then.”

     Her usually determined voice turned into desperation and Kenobi was not sure if it was the desperation of leaving her son or the desperation of the galaxy in the hands of a tyrant.  “Have we lost all hope, Master Jedi?”

     Ben Kenobi pondered this before replying.  Padme didn’t know if he was using the Force to gaze upon the future or if he was reluctant to respond.  Finally he said, “There is always hope M’Lady.”  He looked down on the small bundle that was his charge, the boys’ blonde hair showing through the blanket then glanced over to his twin sister in the arms of Padme.  “When they have grown, they will be A New Hope.”