"Lord Sidious"

I did not turn to face the speaker. I stood staring at what I knew could not - should not be before me.

I stood in the one of my order"s "safe houses". When I became senator for Naboo, the decision was made that one such facility should be created on Naboo. Each one had it"s own medical services – the best available, as in fulfilling the overall ambition of the order - the destruction of the Jedi - all manner of injuries can befall a Sith.

Such as my apprentice.

He died. I will swear by all that is Dark, Maul died. I felt the sabre cut him as if it had cut my own flesh. I looked to the monitors, the steady spiking of the displays pointed to one thing.

The being in the bacta tank was alive.

It could have only have been him. The link was there - dormant, as it would be, due to his unconsciousness, but not broken. The physical appearance meant that it could be no other. No one but a Sith could wear the tribal tattoos of our order, the crown of horns, that marked the males of his species. I could not see his eyes, but I knew that this was my apprentice - and he was alive.

"My Lord, we found him down one of the chutes that feeds the main reactor core. He was alive, but barely, so we brought him here and placed him in the bacta tank for healing."

"Will he fully recover?" I whispered, reaching out with the Force, I still did not believe the evidence my eyes saw, so I sought the one sense I could believe.

"Yes my lord. Once the bacta has finished knitting the flesh and bone back into one entity-"

I tuned out the rest of what was said to me - the Force spoke of the dark presence of my apprentice, yes... this was he.

"Leave me"

"As you wish" The "house" keeper bowed and left.

I settled my hands into the sleeves of my robe, still staring at the nearly naked form bobbing up and down in the tank. A ventilator ensured that he did not drown in the viscous liquid. Small droids swam through the liquid, ensuring that the healing of the wound went according to plan.

Much had occurred since we had last met. The Queen’s denunciation of Valorum, my ‘nomination’ and ‘election’ as Supreme Chancellor, the battle for Naboo and his battle with the Jedi. Yet this should not be occurring, I remember the pain shooting through me as the Jedi’s sabre blade had cut into him, the excruciating pain, of falling and then nothing.

I next remember being asked if I was well, I think I must have blacked out or some such. I lied and said some inconsequential thing about all of the excitement about being elected Chancellor being too much or some such.

The weak fool swallowed the lie. I fed the emotions of loss and rage to the dark. Here was I about to reach the zenith of our orders plans, only to sense the destruction of the best of us by a runt of a Jedi!

And yet... He was alive, and awake. The bond between us slipped into awareness of the other. There was no outward sign of his consciousness but it was there.

#Master# he whispered down the bond.

#Apprentice# I replied. What more was there to say? I could question, but good would that do? The Dark obviously did not wish to take my apprentice so soon, leaving the Sith bereft of balance, so I would accept the will of the Dark and leave it at that.

#I have failed you# The honeyed steel of his voice wavered as he spoke. Guilt lacing his mental voice. #I will accept the punishment you mete.#

#Failed? How so?# I asked softly.

#I did not destroy the Jedi sent to aid the Queen,# He replied. His eyes were open now. Amber glowing in the darkness of the room.

#Lord Maul, that was not your mission.# I answered gentle reprimand colouring my voice. #Your mission was to assist the Trade Federation - which you did by distracting the Jedi.#

My tone did nothing to assuage my apprentice. I could sense the small spark of fear in his force signature.

Of the apprentices I have had, Maul has been the most accomplished at channelling his emotions. He expected punishment, yet I was not going to hand out such a thing. This made him curious and a mite fearful.

All well and good.

#The Trade Federation lost the battle and the Jedi-# He continued, bemusement entering his tone.

#Indeed they did, the Jedi are in a far worse state than before. You took on two of their best, my apprentice, and they barely made it out alive.#

Reaching out with the force, I could sense the presence of the Jedi, their simpering affections for each other broadcast so loud that any sensitive could pick up their sickly sweet affections. My apprentice, bowed his head in response to the compliment paid to him.

#Maul, The Trade Federation are a bunch of snivelling cowards, with whom we had to treat to manoeuvre ourselves into the position of power we find ourselves in now. Yes, they were defeated and the Queen once again rules on Naboo - but it does not discount the fact that Naboo’s senator now stands as Supreme Chancellor.#

#I am remiss Master# he replied contritely.

#It is of no matter. We are now in a position where we will be able to finally strike at our enemies and undertake the endgame of our orders plan. To rule the galaxy and destroy the Jedi. To do that effectively, there needs to be two of us. You and I, apprentice. Once you are healed, we will begin planning the overthrow of light.# I stated simply.

He cocked his head to one side, his expression quizzical.

#Compassion my Master?# he whispered.

#Forgive an old man his whims,# I groused. I reached up to touch the glass. A red/black hand touched the glass to mine. #Be well apprentice. We shall speak again soon.#

I turned away, walking to the entrance to the facility. Yes, there was much to do and much to plan. It was welcome that my apprentice was not dead, it would mean that we would be able to begin our endgame just that little bit quicker.

So - back to the outside and back to work.