Gates of Hell

Chapter 8 - Kamino

Author's Note: For all those people who are asking if Anakin/Vader will become a thing, the answer is no. Anakin is married to Padme and that will not change. I'm not even going to get into all reasons why Vader/Anakin is weird and gross; suffice it to say, that slash won't happen. They will/do have a father-son relationship. :)

~ Amina Gila

Vader stands at the holotable, his hands resting heavily on the edge, studying the map of the galaxy with a calculated intensity. He is a brilliant strategist – he always has been – and with his additional years of experience and knowledge, it's relatively easy for him to plan the best way of moving all of the Separatist forces. It's been one day since Dooku died, one day since he became the head of the Separatists. If someone had hold him that he would one day be leading the Separatists into battle against the Republic, he would have laughed at them. He's not laughing now.

It's a game of dejarik, a game which Sidious himself has been playing for many years. He masterminded the Clone Wars flawlessly, and Vader is more than capable of shaking things up. Already, he sent General Grievous to Felucia to begin another attack there. The planet is far from hospitable, and Vader knows how bogged down the Republic forces will be. They'll be forced to bring in reinforcements there and in the other strategic locations which Vader has selected, including Cato Nemoidia. The idea is to draw as many Jedi and clone troopers away from Coruscant as possible, so that they will be unable to stop him when he launches an attack.

Vader, unlike Sidious, has no need or desire to drag out the war. He wants it over. He wants it to end. That won't happen until he seizes control of the Republic and brings order to the galaxy once more. And Sidious will have to be dealt with in due time, but Vader has already made plans for how to deal with his old master.

"It will not be easy for the Separatist forces to get to Kamino undetected," Anakin remarks, moving to stand next to him as he gestures at the system in question. Kamino is another important location which Vader wishes to attack, because an attack there will definitely draw some of the more skilled Jedi away from the capital.

"Indeed," Vader concurs. "I am aware of a number of Republic outposts which will be monitoring for Separatist activity. The best solution will be to take out one or more of them while we move our forces into position."

The Force ripples slightly around them, and he deliberately refrains from reaching out to check on the concealed Force signature he can sense in the ventilation shaft not far away. Of course, the Jedi Council would send someone to scout out the area and ascertain the situation. So much the better. It makes his planning far easier.

"I would suggest here," Anakin tells him, pointing. "The Rishi outpost has been far more heavily fortified after what happened towards the beginning of the war, so it wouldn't be ideal."

"I agree." Vader crosses his arms, walking around the holotable as he scans the galaxy once more. "I believe we should personally see to it that the invasion of Kamino goes smoothly. When the planet is captured, the Republic will lose their ability to produce additional clones, leaving it vulnerable to us."

Anakin pokes him through their bond. "You do know we have an eavesdropper, don't you?"

Vader rolls his eyes mentally at Anakin. "Of course. I am counting on their report to the Council being the key factor which draws the Jedi and clones away from Coruscant." He hasn't seen the Jedi in question for a long time, but he still recognizes the presence. It's Quinlan Vos. If not for the fact that he and Anakin are both sons of the Force, he doubts he would have noticed. The Jedi isn't a Shadow for nothing, after all.

"Additionally," Vader says aloud, nearly smirking, "I have been informed of the capture of Jedi Master Even Piell. I believe he has somehow acquired hyperspace coordinates of the Nexus Route. We cannot allow that information to fall into Republic hands, lest they attack the center of Separatist territory. Right now, Piell is at the Citadel prison on Lola Sayu. When Kamino is under control, we should go interrogate him ourselves. We need that intel."