Not long after Palpatine's speech, the Sith Lord was walking through the halls of the Imperial Military Headquarters with Governor Wilhuff Tarkin and the hologram of Admiral Yularen. Tarkin walks beside Palpatine with relative ease, and Yularen's hologram has a look of calm upon his face, neither bothered by his deformed image. "Governor Tarkin, Admiral Yularen, I have a special task for you both. As you know, there are still several Separatist holdouts in the Mid- and Outer-Rim." The Emperor pauses before turning to face them. "However, they are not the only threat. The Siege of Mandalore is still underway, and it is being led by Clone Captain CT-7567, or Rex." Yularen's face twitches at this, and Palpatine smirks. "Yes, Admiral. I am sending Governor Tarkin to assist you in this particular matter. He is bringing the rest of the 501st Legion, as well as a detachment of the Coruscant Guard." Tarkin raises an eyebrow, but does not say anything. Yularen, however begins to speak.

"Your excellency, I feel that I should inform you that the former Jedi, Ahsoka Tano, is also assisting us in the Siege. Not only that," he continues, as Tarkin's face becomes one of surprise, and the Emperor's one of hatred, "but she is currently receiving a transmission from a fleet claiming to be General Grievous. It would seem that Grievous also has Jedi Masters Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda with him. What would you have me do?"

Palpatine rubs his chin, deep in thought. After a moment, he looks to Tarkin. "Governor, have you any suggestions? After all, you have experience with Jedi." Tarkin, having collected himself, nods, and looks at Yularen. "I advise that you wait until my arrival before confronting them. Order 66 may not have activated for your clones because Tano is no longer a Jedi. Or perhaps it has something to do with the Clone Captain. Either way, you do not have the numbers to take on three Jedi, Grievous, an army of droids, and the Shadow Collective." Yularen nods, and the hologram winks out.

Tarkin looks at Palpatine, an eyebrow raised. "I don't suppose your new enforcer is able to join me on this endeavor?" Palpatine grins, and chuckles darkly. The perfect test for Skywalker, or rather, Vader. "Yes, he will be joining you. Make sure to give me reports on his actions. This will be his first test of loyalty." Tarkin nods curtly, and strides off briskly down the hall. Palpatine takes a moment to close his eyes, and call upon the Dark Side to look into the future. He frowns slightly, not receiving anything. The future was clouded. 'Well, this isn't the first time I've walked into a situation blind.', Palpatine thinks to himself as he walks off.

- - - - - - - - - -

Deep in Coruscant's Underworld, a figure sits huddled in the corner of a small pub. He holds a glass of liquor up to his mouth. Just as he is about to take a drink, he freezes. The man grimaces, and sets the glass down. Feeling his senses tingling like a wildfire, he glances around, eyes narrowed. The man slowly reaches for his belt. Before he can grab the weapon at his waist, an image on the holonews catches his attention. Glancing up, his eyes widen as he sees images of General Grievous, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda and Ahsoka Tano on the screen, coupled with the headline: 'Separatist Leaders at large'. The man stands quickly, and moves towards the door. Stepping out into the street, Mace Windu gets into his stolen speeder, and heads to an illegal hangar to get a ship.