The Supreme Commander and the Grand Vizier

In this alternate universe, after the death of Sate Pestage, Emperor Palpatine has a…proposition for his apprentice and Supreme Commander, Darth Vader. A Vader/Padmé or Vadmé story.

Genres are angst, drama, hurt/comfort, romance, and suspense.

Chapter One

Contingency Plan

From his throne, the simmering yellow eyes of Emperor Palpatine, also known as Darth Sidious oversaw the latest reports. From some rather...notable arrests across the stars, to the progress made on his super weapon, and finally back on Coruscant. To the news of the explosion of a Lambda-class shuttle.

The double doors opened. Though not by the guards, his apprentice rarely had any patience for them to open them.

At long last, Lord Vader arrived. He had spent the last few hours overseeing the fiery scene. Watching as the crews put out the fires and searched for the remains.

Among the nine casualties was the Grand Vizier, Sate Pestage.

Darth Vader knelt down on one knee. "Master, I am sorry for your loss." He said through his well-known respirator. The respirator covered half his face. From Vader's nose to his chin, and finally curling around his cheeks vanishing into the heavy black robes and cloak he wore. Concealing the rest of his body. The only other parts of him not concealed by his robes were his identical glowing sickly yellow eyes.

Darth Sidious was surprised Vader even remembered Pestage had been his longtime colleague and associate. He was of the few beings who Palpatine considered a true ally. Pestage was also one of very few beings who were the closet thing Palpatine had to a friend.

Had.

Pestage was among the nine casualties.

While Vader's sympathy was admirable. It was such a waste. There were more pressing matters to deal with. On top of planning a state memorial, "I am in need of a new Grand Vizier, Lord Vader."

The Grand Vizier was one of the highest ranks- besides Galactic Emperor and Darth Vader, who was the Supreme Commander of all Imperial Forces. The office in the Galactic Empire responsible for maintaining the day-to-day operations of the Empire and the Imperial Bureaucracy. He or she was President of the Imperial Senate. He would deal with the jobs Palpatine did not have the time or simply did not wish to deal with. Such as the Senate and media. The position was founded after the establishment of the Empire, and was a replacement for two pre-existing offices, those of the Vice Chair and Staff Aide.

Vader slightly raised his hooded head. He did not understand why Palpatine was bothering him with this. The answer seemed obvious to Vader. "What about Mas Amedda?" It made sense to Vader. The Chagrian had been the Vice Chancellor during the last years of the Republic. The last Vader had seen of him, he was still one of his Master's lackeys on his Council. Spending much his time collecting precious Sith artifacts. And as far as Vader knew Amedda and his Master got along quite well. Again, why couldn't he take the vacant position?

Palpatine had momentarily considered it. The Chagrian was well-known from his days as the Old Republic Vice Chair. He was also rather easy to manipulate. Unfortunately, "That will never do, Lord Vader. Not with the new High Human Culture." In this era, there had been a long time belief that humans were the superior species. In fact, it was one of the reasons Palpatine of Naboo had been able to rise to the Chancellorship. Back on Naboo all those years ago, Palpatine remembered saying to his Master, Darth Plagueis, "Humans deserve to have the upper hand here." Not to mention the fact that the Imperial Navy was made of nearly all white human males. It would not bode well if a non-human was one of their leaders.

If Vader could have sighed, he would have. He did not understand his Master's issues with non-humans, females, droids, and so forth. Especially droids, personally Vader would rather deal with machines over beings any day.

But if not him? Then who?

"What about Governor Tarkin?"

"He was a possible candidate," Sidious replied.

Was.

Sadly, he was far too busy overseeing the work of their super weapon.

Finally, Sidious began to explain, "According to the Imperial Constitution, should anything happen to the Grand Vizier," Sidious silently wished he thought this through years earlier, but he hadn't planned on anything happen Pestage. At least not for several years to come. However, Sidious always had an idea up his sleeve. Yes, he knew it be far simpler to simply remove that particular amendment from the Constitution, but where was the fun in that? "The position falls to the Commander of the Imperial Forces." Also known more commonly as the Supreme Commander.

In other words, he, Darth Vader was the new Grand Vizier.

Vader felt his mind racing.

Me?

While Vader always planned to take his Master's place not only as Master and Dark Lord of the Sith but as Emperor. Not Grand Vizier. Yes, he supposed this was a step up. From what he understood the Grand Vizier was like the Old Republic position of Vice Chair. Second-in-command. Vader was Supreme Commander. From what he understood he was third-in-command. Still, he wasn't happy about this, "While I am..." Vader searched for the appropriate words. He didn't want to...upset his Master. He had no intention of being on the receiving end of Force Lightning. "Deeply flattered my Master, I am no politician." Nor did he have any interest in such a position at all.

"I am fully aware of your lack of political skills, Lord Vader." Sidious had been thinking this over carefully the past few hours. Again, he should have made a backup plan had something happened to Pestage. "However, I have come up with a solution."

Just as Vader started to feel relief wash over him, he quickly realized he thought too soon.

"If you were to marry," Sidious began to explain his contingency plan. The sinister smile beginning to grow across his face.

Marry?

Vader lifted his head back up. Did he just say...no.

No.

He was Darth Vader. A Sith Lord. The Dark Side was his bride. Vader did not need some...some other being to do his bidding. He would come with a solution for this mess. He...he would form some sort of council of advisers. Like his Master had. Beings he could trust, or more specifically control.

While Vader's mind continued to whirl, Sidious continued on. "Your consort would share your titles and ranks of power. She could deal with all the messy political work," with her Emperor's supervision of course.

Share? Did his Master just use the word, share? Share his power? His wealth? Everything he had ever worked for! Would she even share his title of Darth!? The title he had so rightfully earned!

Since when did such law even exist? Then again, was that why some females- even a few males- foolishly threw themselves at the Emperor? Even Vader himself?

Someday, Vader would have to make himself read the Constitution. He tried many times, but never made it past the first paragraph. It was the most useless document in all of Galactic history.

"Now under no circumstances will you kill her Lord Vader," Sidious warned. His tone said he would not enjoy the consequences.

While Vader already knew that much, it was still disappointing to hear.

"For now," Sidious added.

The hooded Sith looked up. That gave Vader hope. Still, he felt impatient about killing her...whoever this woman was. Vader's mind suddenly flashed back to the time a humanoid male made a pass at him...at least he hoped it was a woman. And really this being was more like a thief in Vader's mind. No, no, his Master would not do such a thing. Then again, he never thought his Master would order him to marry. Still, he supposed he should finally know the thief's name, "Who is this...being?"

"She has been a member of the Senate for several years now." She first began serving during the last years of the Old Republic. "Before she was the Queen of her homeworld." So she had plenty years of experience. No one could doubt her experience. Some had doubted Pestage. Feeling he lacked experience. Not that it ever bothered Palpatine. He had placed Pestage there because he knew he could trust him. And control him when need arrived.

While Vader felt relief, but at the same time it was replaced with suspicion. Queen of her homeworld? Could he mean...

Palpatine continued on before Vader could finish the thought.

"She is...an idealist to say the least." So she would be needed to be watched closely, "But a challenge for you, Lord Vader I'm sure." Sidious smiled sadistically, "But also has...weaknesses." Which would make her easy to control and do their bidding.

Again, Vader did not like his Master's smile. There was something far bigger at work here.

The low level of patience Vader had also evaporated. As Sidious said his next three words, his impatience evaporated. Replaced with...surprise? Shock? He did not know what he felt. It was not anger. Vader did not know what it was...this strange feeling.

Which Sidious must have sensed because he finally revealed the thief's name, "Senator Padmé Amidala."

Thoughts?

Anyone notice the parallels between this story and Niece?

This story will be different from any story I've ever done before. One, it being a Vadmé story. I haven't done one of those before. Two, this will be the darkest story I've done to date. Anyway, I've been working on it for quite some time now and finally wanted to test the waters and see what readers thought.

Though I will warn you all, I probably won't post many more chapters until after I finish Surprises: Unimaginable. Also I want to the end written or at least decide how I will want this story to end. But again, I was anxious and curious to hear what people think.

Again, review and let me know what you think.