Recognize Hidden Patterns of My Own Demise

Lord Vader's Reign Begins

Anakin Skywalker's force senses were unmatched. He focused on Padmé when he heard her think about him. He heard her say she was going to find the real Anakin Skywalker. Vader laughed at the idea. No one knew the real Anakin. Not even he knew who he truly was. Padmé was going to be very disappointed when he rejects the Republic and the Jedi investigation. Legally, the Jedi couldn't do anything. Tatooine was not part of the Republic and could only make Tatooine do something with his consent. He was the King of Tatooine. And the Republic could do nothing to stop it.

Anakin met with the delegates the next morning. He could see the effects of the slave quarters on the Senators. He could tell the Jedi were affected as well, they just knew how to hide it. Anakin stood up from his throne as he watched the delegates walk into the throne room. He can feel the weariness projecting from the Jedi. The place might not have felt dark but it certainly looked dark.

Each of the delegates bowed before introducing themselves. It took all of Anakin's Will to not kill Orn Free Taa. Anakin walked down the steps from his throne. "The Republic really loves to stick their heads where it doesn't belong. Tell me what it is that you are here to do. Is it to sway me into joining your Republic? Is it to have the Jedi investigate what happened here on Tatooine?" Many of the delegates were surprised by his sharp words. Padmé was also shocked. She had never heard Anakin speak like this before.

Bail Organa spoke up first. "The Republic is simply concerned about what happened here. Overnight your planet overthrew Jabba the Hutt. Surely you can see the cause for concern with how it happened." Bail Organa was a well-known good politician. But Anakin knew his words were empty due to the rest of the Republic's Senators.

"Follow me, I will take you to a better room for this discussion." Anakin led them to a conference room near the throne room of the castle. "Now who would like to speak first?" Anakin watched as Mace Windu spoke first. "The Jedi believe that the person who freed your people is a very serious threat. A red lightsaber means they are not a member of the Jedi order and must be put on trial by the council." Anakin decided to play along with the argument. "And what is it that makes this man such a threat, Master Jedi." He could tell some of the Senators in the room didn't take him very seriously.

"A force sensitive is taken by the Jedi Order in order to protect them and to protect the Galaxy. A force sensitive with training not from a Jedi could mean he is a serious problem. That was shown with the Trade Federations invasion of Naboo." Anakin knew what Windu wanted. He wanted to find this Sith and throw him in the dungeons of the Jedi Temple. "Master Windu, in good conscience I cannot let you investigate what happened here. This person freed my people and I will not betray them." "Skywalker, this is not a joke. This person can be a very big threat to not only the Republic, but your planet, and this Galaxy." Windu was doing a great job at keeping his anger down. Sadly he wasn't gonna win this battle. "I do not take this as a joke. These are my people. That person did more for my people than I could ever hope to. Now I think it's time for you to leave. Try and find him somewhere else. But that "threat" will always have a home here on Tatooine if he needs it."

Anakin turned to the other delegates. "Does anyone have anything else to say at this time?" The delegates had nothing to say and the meeting was closed. "We shall meet again later tonight. My friend will escort you back to your rooms." Anakin walked out of the room ready to go back to his rock.

Padmé quickly ditched her group of colleagues and went to find Anakin as quickly as possible. She finally caught up to him when he stopped at the door to exit the castle.

Anakin knew Padmé was following him. He wasn't going to walk out to his rock with her. The rock was reserved for time alone. He turned around to see her. So young yet still so beautiful. Her hair was up in an elaborate braid, obviously done by her handmaidens. Dormé if he was correct. "Hello Padmé." Anakin didn't want to turn around. It was better to surprise her.