Darth Nox: The Master of the Force (ON HOLD)

Chapter 50: Shadows Over the Republic

The office of Senator Sheev Palpatine was a well-appointed chamber high above the bustling streets of Coruscant. The skyline glimmered with endless lines of speeders and the faint hum of planetary activity, a constant reminder of the Republic's vast expanse. Despite the grandeur surrounding him, Palpatine's thoughts were consumed by a quiet storm of ambition.

He sat at his desk, reviewing a series of legislative proposals. Each one was designed to appear innocuous yet subtly shift power dynamics in favor of his long-term goals. The balance between public servitude and private manipulation was an art he had mastered, one that allowed him to remain both untouchable and indispensable.

A flicker from his holocommunicator disrupted his concentration. His amber-hued eyes darted to the device as it pulsed insistently. Few would dare contact him directly, and fewer still with the confidence to override his privacy settings.

He pressed a button, and the translucent blue form of Hego Damask II materialized above the projector. The familiar visage of his Sith Master, Darth Plagueis, appeared calm, yet his piercing gaze suggested urgency.

"Master," Palpatine said smoothly, inclining his head in a show of respect. "To what do I owe this honor?"

"Sideous," Plagueis began, his voice as precise as a vibroblade. "We need to meet. Immediately."

Palpatine raised a brow, intrigued but careful not to show his curiosity. "Of course. What has occurred to warrant such urgency?"

Plagueis leaned forward slightly, his holographic image flickering with static. "I have discovered something... unsettling. It requires discretion and, more importantly, your presence."

The Muun's expression darkened, a rare show of unease that caused a ripple of concern to creep into Palpatine's carefully guarded thoughts.

"Where shall I meet you?"

Plagueis' response was cryptic, as always. "The meeting place of the half-breed."

The senator's lips curled into a faint smile. To anyone else, the phrase would seem nonsensical, but he knew the code well. The tomb of Marka Ragnos—a Sith Lord from the ancient days of the Sith Empire, a being of mixed human and Sith Pureblood heritage. The location was steeped in darkness and had served as a secret rendezvous for them before.

"I will depart at once," Palpatine said, his tone betraying none of his growing excitement.

Plagueis nodded. "Do not delay. The Force moves against us."

With that, the connection severed, leaving Palpatine alone once more.

Palpatine wasted no time. Rising from his desk, he summoned his trusted aide, Sate Pestage, who entered the room within moments.

"Senator," Pestage said, bowing slightly.

"I am departing for an urgent matter," Palpatine announced. "Handle the remaining proposals for tomorrow's session. Ensure they are presented precisely as written."

Pestage nodded without question. "Of course, Senator."

Without further words, Palpatine left his office, his pace brisk yet composed. He boarded a private shuttle that awaited him on the senatorial platform. The pilot, a loyal servant trained in discretion, prepared the ship for takeoff without hesitation.

"Destination, Senator?"

"Naboo," Palpatine lied smoothly. "Theed."

The pilot nodded, and the shuttle ascended into the planet's dense traffic lanes. Once they cleared Coruscant's gravitational field, Palpatine entered the navigation chamber alone. He keyed in a new set of coordinates, locking them with a security code that only he and Plagueis shared.