As I sit in a luxury speeder, as the Coruscant sky passes me by. The speeder was a PL-90 luxury model. It has spacious interior and the ride was very smooth, but I new with a model like this space and comfort take over for speed.
Across from me sat Palpatine. He had invited me to go on a diplomatic slash errand with him. Master Plo said it was fine if I wanted to go or stay at the temple, so the choice was mine. I could tell Plo was weary of Palpatine, good I need someone to have someone besides me to have good instincts.
"You seem to have much on your mind young one?" Palpatine spoke.
Yeah being stuck in flying car thousands of miles in the sky, with one of the most dangerous man, will do that to a thirteen year old kid. But I should use this moment to see if anything on his end has changed. Knowing Palps he probably wants me as a second option to Anakin.
"You can say chancellor. I'm just trying to figure out quite a few things."
"Do tell Padawan Cain. What does one so young and talented have to worry about besides training hard and becoming a Jedi knight?"
"Well first I'm trying to figure out my family history, but all I have to go off of is this necklace. A black kryat dragon pearl, and what I found to be a ingot, with faded inscribing's in Mando'a, but..." I paused.
Palpatine looked at me, more intrigued. "But what Padawan?"
I knew I could use Palpatine to help me, but I need to be careful of what I say. I need to use the truth but not all of it. Just enough of my truer feelers but leaving out a lot out context. Even now I can feel this guy slowly and gently using the Force to try and manipulate me.
"My Sephi and human lineage doesn't make me hopeful what I might find on Mandalore. What if I'm some secret love child of house on Mandalore. I could be part of a noble class just a nobody. I was told I would be sent on a diplomatic mission later on. If I go I would like my friends Anakin and Seris for support, and having Obi-wan there would be a plus."
"Yes from what I remember Duchess Satine, does have a history with Knight Kenobi. I do believe this would be a good mission for you, and you might find something about your family history. Someone must love you considerably, if they left you such a gem and if my intuition is to be correct a pure beskar ingot."
I nodded. Palpatine was almost correct, after I got the ingot I had it analyzed. The report said it was Taung Iron. The most common and oldest beskar alloy. It is a versatile, all-purpose grade of beskar that serves as the base for many other varieties.
Time to push this conversation a little further.
"Chancellor Palpatine, may I ask you a question?"
"Of course Cain, you need not ask so formally, what is it you would like to know?"
"I wanted to ask if you knew anything about the the Sith?"
Palpatine's face stiffen for the fraction of a millisecond. "You mean the ancient enemy of the Jedi right? I know a thing or to from my days in higher learning. Why are you asking about them?"
Okay bait casted, now it's time to wiggle it a little bit.
"I have these dreams vision of people. Sometimes redskin yellow eyes. One was was even ebony skinned ruling the red skinned aliens with bright yellow eyes. The word Sith'ari was mentioned but I couldn't find anything about it in the Jedi achieve."
"That's because it's not a word Cain it is a title. " Palpatine muttered.
"The Sith'ari was a prophesied individual of tremendous power in Sith lore, believed to be one who would be conceived of the Force itself and lead them to glory. Not just the Sith Order but the Sith people, the red skin individuals you saw. That is fascinating, you saw this in a dream. Did you happen to see anything else?" Palpatine asked.
Good he's sniffing it real well. I almost got him hooked.
"Yes chancellor. I saw a giant throne, a world named, Zakuul, and a man regal and powerful looking. Sitting on the throne. It was like the Force bent around his very being."
Palpatine had a slight smile on his face. "If your talking about Zakuul, you must be talking about the Eternal empire of old. That planet was long ago separated from the republic contact, since it is in the regions known as wild space. The man you saw was he wearing anything ?"
I nodded. " He wore this white armor with gold lining and designs."
"That's amazing Padawan Cain. you see these vison often?"
I nodded. "Yes sometimes in my sleep, and other times, when I am in deep meditation. I haven't told the master's mostly because I know some of the people I am seeing are connected to the dark side."
"I see yes the jedi council wouldn't like that, but how do you feel about the dark side?"
"I know what we taught , but I believe differently. The dark side should not be feared but embraced. Destruction is a natural part of creation. In order to create you must first destroy something. Whether it's your body, mentality, a building or home. Nature doesn't care about time or place, it will do it in a instant or over thousands of years. What's created next is beautiful."
This is actually how I feel. I believe the darkside has a place in the new Jedi order I want to create. But one of controlled discipline, not passionate rage. A more cold furry that strikes with precision without wasting a drop of power or movement.
"Well said Cain. If you would like I could try and find text on the Sith and maybe some artifacts. If you want you can study them?"
"I thought Sith artifacts were banned?"
Palpatine nodded his head. "Yes Cain, Sith artifacts are generally banned, especially by the Jedi. While some Sith artifacts were collected by the Galactic Museum of Coruscant, Sith Holocrons were surrendered to the Jedi Temple. But some stuff are harmless, and if it's a secret between us you can come by my office to study them for academic purposes. What do you say?"
He took the bait.
"I would like that Chancellor, thank you." I bowed my head
"Think nothing of it Cain, I see a lot of potential in you."
I know Sidious, but you still are useful. Because you know about the Vong invasion, and if it wasn't for that I would out you myself. That and I also know how crafty you are, if I try anything you could fall back on a number of contingency plans. I will find a way to outsmart you and when the time comes I will let Anakin deliver the final blow to you and the rule of two Sith.
Plus I don't know what me in this universe could change. I could already make things alot worse, and just not know it yet. Like Mother Talzin said. I shine so bright in the void it's like a beacon that awakens those who have slumber in it. I need to get stronger and prepare to make the first move.
After that conversation Palpatine took me with him to run errands. Apparently if was for a present for Anakin's birthday. While we were out I went and bought gifts for the others as well. I found a little charms. It was meant for a group of friends, it was a star that broke into five pieces. each person would carry with them. So I bought it and gave it out to the group, when I returned to the temple.
Everyone was happy and surprised by my gift.
"This will keep us connected no matter where in the galaxy we are." I said.