Meanwhile, at the Jedi Temple…
Deep within the heart of Coruscant, beneath the towering spires of the Jedi Temple, two figures moved through the shadows, unseen, undetected. Sheev Palpatine, still a Senator of Naboo, and his secret Sith apprentice, Darth Maul, had once again infiltrated the sacred halls of their ancient enemies.
The two stood near the public areas of the temple, blending into the crowds of dignitaries, pilgrims, and visitors that often walked these halls. The temple's radiant glow, bathed in the faint shimmer of the Light Side, should have repelled them—but the Sith Shrine buried deep beneath this very structure masked their presence.
A forgotten relic of the past, the Sith Shrine was a wound in the Force, a dark taint that even the Jedi had failed to fully cleanse. It provided Palpatine and Maul with temporary cover, allowing them to walk unnoticed within the Jedi's own stronghold.
Maul, always impatient, spoke first. "Master, this is the second time we've come here." His yellow eyes burned beneath his hood. "Is it not time to reveal ourselves to the galaxy?"
Palpatine, ever the master manipulator, chuckled softly.
"Not yet, my apprentice." His voice was calm, yet filled with calculated malice. "I have brought you here again to remind you of something."
Maul frowned slightly but remained silent.
Palpatine gestured subtly, his gaze sweeping over the Jedi moving about the temple—masters, knights, padawans, all walking with the certainty that they were the galaxy's guardians.
"Look at them, Maul." The Sith Lord's tone was almost mocking. "Their arrogance has made them forget what true power looks like. They believe their enemies are gone… that the Sith are nothing but an ancient relic. But while they bask in their ignorance, we grow stronger."
Maul clenched his fists but nodded in understanding.
Then—Palpatine suddenly froze. Something was wrong.
His eyes narrowed as he felt it—a disturbance in the Dark Side.
Not just any disturbance. A presence. One that should not exist.
Palpatine's focus sharpened, his senses expanding across the temple. It was faint, yet unmistakable—a Dark Side user, standing within the public areas of the Jedi Temple.
Someone other than him.
His eyes flicked toward the source—a lone figure standing among the crowds.
A man in ragged, shrouded robes. His clothing was torn and worn, yet his posture held an undeniable presence. His face was hidden beneath a featureless, expressionless mask, his entire form wrapped in mystery.
Palpatine's mind raced.
"A Sith? No… I would have known. Then who?"
His first instinct was to investigate immediately. But then his gaze flicked to Maul.
The Zabrak was too hot-headed. If he sensed this presence, his first instinct would be to attack, and Palpatine could not allow that—not yet.
I need to dismiss Maul for a while.
The Sith Lord turned to his apprentice, his expression neutral.
"My apprentice, return to the ship and await my arrival. I have business to attend to."
Maul frowned. "Master, if there is something—"
Palpatine cut him off with a single glance, his tone final. "Go."
Maul hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "As you command, Master." With that, he turned and departed, out of the temple.
Palpatine exhaled slowly, his gaze returning to the masked figure.
There he stood—unmoving, unreadable. The ragged robes draped over his form gave him the look of a wanderer, a forgotten soul lost in the galaxy. His mask, featureless and expressionless, only deepened the mystery.
Palpatine took a step closer, his voice smooth and controlled.
"What a nice day to visit the Jedi Temple."
The masked figure remained silent.
Palpatine observed him carefully, his Sith instincts sensing something unnatural. There was no Force signature coming from him—at least, not in the way it should have been. It was as if the Force itself was either being suppressed… or twisted.
The Sith Lord smirked beneath his hood.
"Judging by your appearance, it seems you are unfamiliar with the supernatural power many in this galaxy speak of."
Still, no response.
Palpatine tilted his head slightly, intrigued. He had encountered many Force-sensitive beings before, yet none who carried themselves so completely disconnected from the galaxy's rules.
Then, he decided to bait him.
He folded his hands together, his voice adopting a tone of faux generosity.
"I can help you, if you desire. My master once told me—it's better to teach something rather than take it."
The moment those words left his lips—
A violent explosion erupted near the Jedi Temple entrance.
Within seconds, multiple thermal detonators detonated across different sections of the temple grounds, sending shockwaves through the air. Jedi and temple guards shouted in alarm, their focus immediately shifting to the chaos.
A nearby Jedi, clad in traditional robes, turned sharply, his voice ringing out.
"We're under attack! Thermal detonators have exploded at multiple locations!"
Panic spread through the civilians and visitors, with temple security quickly rushing to contain the situation. Smoke filled the air, alarms blaring as the Jedi activated their lightsabers, readying for battle.
Palpatine, however, did not move. Instead, he slowly turned his gaze back to the masked figure.
The man had not moved. Not even an inch.
Palpatine's eyes narrowed. This isn't a coincidence.
He observed the way the figure stood, completely unaffected by the explosions. There was no tension in his posture, no reaction in his body language.
What are you planning, unknown man?
Palpatine had no doubt—this figure was involved.
Suddenly, a firm yet composed voice echoed through the Jedi Temple halls.
"No harm has been done to the knights or padawans," said Count Dooku, who stood beside Master Yoda. Though still a Jedi Master at this time, his sharp gaze carried a weight of authority as he surveyed the aftermath of the explosions.
Master Yoda, standing beside him, stroked his chin thoughtfully before speaking in his usual cryptic manner. "Still… why bombed the temple, they have? Wonder, I do."
Mace Windu, his expression grim, turned to the gathered Jedi and temple guards. "Gather all visitors now. The culprit is likely one of them."
Palpatine remained silent, his hood concealing his expression as he subtly observed the masked man beside him.
Without resistance, both he and the mysterious figure were herded along with the other civilians, all now suspects in the attack. The Jedi moved swiftly, ensuring that no one escaped the secured perimeter.
As the tension in the room thickened, Count Dooku took a step forward, his voice calm yet commanding. His piercing gaze swept across the group of gathered civilians.
"I am not like Master Windu," Dooku said evenly. "If you surrender now and confess your sins… I will let you go."
Before anyone could respond, a deep voice interrupted.
"Dooku, you've gone soft," Mace Windu said as he approached, his arms crossed. "They need to be brought to justice. We live in a society—what happens if harm comes to the younglings?"
Master Yoda, standing between them, tapped his cane against the temple floor. "Both of you… already said enough. Now, the man in the robe—reveal your face, you will."
Palpatine, with a slow, deliberate motion, reached for his hood and pulled it back, revealing his face.
Mace Windu's tense expression loosened slightly as he recognized him. "What brings a Senator of Naboo to our temple? If you told us before, we could have discussed things like usual."
Palpatine gave a measured smile, his voice calm yet layered with hidden intent. "Sometimes, people either rise above their station or humble themselves. I simply choose to stay humble."
The gathered civilians, who had been murmuring among themselves, suddenly shifted in their reactions. Some looked at Palpatine with newfound admiration, nodding at his supposed humility.
Palpatine, watching their expressions, internally smirked.
I can use this. I can gain both influence and an advantage here.
Then, in a perfectly timed move, he turned toward the masked man beside him and pointed.
"This man," Palpatine said, his tone shifting slightly to something more serious. "I overheard a faint conversation. A hidden transmission. He was given orders to bomb this temple."
The room tensed. Several Jedi turned toward the masked figure, their hands instinctively moving toward their lightsabers.
But before anyone could act,
Palpatine raised a hand. "Wait just a moment," he said smoothly. "I believe he was threatened into doing this."
Mace Windu, ever cautious, narrowed his eyes. "Take off your mask."
The masked man stood still.
Windu's patience thinned. Without warning, he raised a hand and used the Force to telekinetically rip the mask away.
The mask flew off—revealing the face of a common scammer, a man who had been known to pose as a Jedi to trick people. His expression was one of pure confusion.
"Wh—what am I doing here?!" the scammer stammered, his eyes darting around in panic. "Why am I here?!"
Palpatine's expression shifted subtly. The Dark Side presence… was gone. He felt nothing from the man now—not even a trace. His eyes slightly narrowed. This isn't right.
Several Jedi Knights stepped forward, scanning the scammer carefully. They checked him for any hidden weapons, transmission devices, or signs of outside influence. Yet, they found nothing.
One of the nearby padawans, after checking his records, frowned and spoke up.
"He's just a scammer," the padawan said, shaking his head. "Not a terrorist."
A murmur rippled through the Jedi present.
Many of them turned their gazes toward Palpatine, their expressions unreadable.
Some of the Jedi Masters regarded him with curious suspicion.
From where, exactly, had he gotten this information?
Palpatine, ever the master of deception, did not flinch.
"Before that," he said smoothly, his voice carrying a carefully measured tone of humility, "I merely guessed it."
Mace Windu, standing nearby, immediately cut in.
"Senator Palpatine," Windu said, his tone firm but formal, "if this situation has caused you discomfort, we can deal with it. However, you are required to stay at the Jedi Temple in the next three days for questioning."
Palpatine internally frowned but kept his face neutral. Three days?
It was unusual for a senator to be held in a Jedi Temple for so long—normally, such matters would be handled quickly and diplomatically. But he understood why they were doing this. The Jedi weren't stupid. They didn't entirely trust his involvement.
Then, before anyone could say anything further, a Jedi Knight rushed in, bowing slightly before speaking.
"Master Yoda!" the knight called out. "At the entrance stairs—there's a large hole in the ground. But it's been sealed with rocks and rubble."
Palpatine, meanwhile, felt something cold crawl up his spine. He realized it instantly. He had been duped.
The real culprit—the one he had sensed—had never been in front of him. In his mind, the puzzle pieces fell into place.
I was a pawn.While I was chasing shadows, the real enemy…
They went to the Sith Shrine beneath the temple.
Palpatine clenched his fists beneath his robes, but outwardly, he remained composed.
This… this makes me look really, really stupid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beneath the Jedi Temple, deep within the long-buried Sith Shrine, Jin-Woo stood amid the darkness, a satisfied smile on his face. The mission had gone exactly as planned—he had used mind control on the scammer insert and very low amount of shadow on his feet , ensuring that Palpatine would be detained for some time.
He turned his gaze toward the two figures kneeling before him—Beru and Igris who already done their job to use vectivus stash to bombed the jedi temple .
"You've done well," Jin-Woo said calmly.
Beru, his insectoid form, twitched slightly as he raised his head. "My liege… why did we not kill that old man?" His mandibles clicked in frustration. "He is a threat to your strength. The Dark Side flows within him. He will be an enemy in the future."
Jin-Woo chuckled lightly. "He's a piece that I need."
Beru remained still, listening as Jin-Woo continued. "Besides, if I entered the shrine while Palpatine wasn't at the temple, the shrine might have perceived me as an intruder. I needed to make sure that wouldn't happen."
Igris, his shadowy armored figure motionless beside Beru, finally spoke. "My liege… may I ask something?"
Jin-Woo glanced at him. "Speak."
Igris' voice remained unwavering. "Why do you require these relics? Compared to the power of the Rulers and Monarchs, these Sith artifacts hold little value. They are nothing before your might."
Jin-Woo smirked. "I'll answer that, but after I do, you will return to my shadow."
Both Beru and Igris nodded.
Jin-Woo crossed his arms. "If I don't collect enough money… I think I'll be kicked out of this galaxy."
Both shadows remained silent for a moment. Then, as if understanding the absurdity of their king's situation, they said nothing more and sank back into his shadow.
Without hesitation, Jin-Woo moved deeper into the shrine. The air was thick with an ancient presence, the weight of centuries of Sith rituals pressing down upon the space like a lingering curse. The deeper he walked, the more he felt it—a presence woven into the structure itself.
Just as he had guessed, Darth Plagueis and the Sith Lords before him had left behind techniques that bound the shrine to their will. Unlike ordinary dark side sites, this place did not react with raw aggression.
It was tamed.
The guardians of this place—Sithspawn, Force spirits, and phantoms—stood watch, yet they did not attack. Their forms loomed in the darkness, shifting like silent sentinels.
Jin-Woo immediately understood why.
Due to Palpatine now being forced to remain at the Jedi Temple for three days, the shrine was using all its remaining power to camouflage his presence. It was working tirelessly, ensuring that the Sith Lord remained undetectable to the Jedi.
Which meant one thing. "It's just like taking candy from a baby."
Everything here—every relic, every artifact, every piece of Sith history—belonged to Jin-Woo now.
With a mere thought, the shadows surged forward, sweeping through the chamber like a living tide. Sith holocrons, ancient manuscripts, cursed relics, and stacks of credits from past Sith Lords' hidden vaults were pulled into the darkness.
Jin-Woo moved without hesitation, letting his army clear out centuries' worth of accumulated Sith knowledge and wealth.
Then, amid the plundered artifacts, his blue eyes settled on something different. A crystal.
It pulsed with energy, but it was unlike the others. The Sith had hoarded kyber crystals to forge blood-red lightsabers, but this one—this kaibur crystal—was different.
Jin-Woo picked it up, rolling it between his fingers as he examined it closely.
"A Kaiburr crystal… here?" he murmured, feeling something strange about its resonance. The energy within it pulsed, but it wasn't just raw power—it felt responsive, as if recognizing its wielder.
Then, suddenly—
[Notification: Hidden Quest Completed.]
Jin-Woo's gaze sharpened as the system screen expanded before him.
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Hidden Objectives: Find at least one Kaiburr crystal shard
Hidden Rewards:
Kaiburr Crystal bound to the first person who held it Incomplete Starforge x1
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Jin-Woo barely even registered the crystal anymore. His focus snapped to the second reward.
His thoughts froze for a second.
"An incomplete Starforge… just spawned?"
If it was even remotely functional, it would be a game-breaking advantage. The Starforge, an ancient Rakatan super-factory capable of mass-producing ships, weapons, and droids on an industrial scale, was one of the most terrifying relics of galactic history.
Jin-Woo wasn't just lucky—this was absurd.
He immediately opened his eyes wide, expecting something massive to appear in front of him.
Nothing happened.The shrine remained as it was, silent and undisturbed.
Then, another message appeared.
[Notification: Awarded items are being held in inventory.]
Jin-Woo stood still. He was completely silent. For the first time in this galaxy … he felt a slight sense of panic.
"Wait. A Starforge—in my inventory?" Even an incomplete one was colossal, a structure the size of a battle station.
How the hell did it fit into an inventory slot? He exhaled, rubbing his temples. "This galaxy system is insane."
Then, before he could process the absurdity of what had just happened, another notification appeared.
............
[Notification: Completed Quest]
Quest Title: Reawaken the Anchor (Completed)
Description: Collect as much money or expensive items as needed to establish your dominance in the galaxy.
Current Progress: 10,000,000,000,000 / 10,000,000 Credits
Reward: Another piece of the anchor to stabilize the system.
Defeat Penalty : Banishment from the galaxy.(nulled)
Time Limit: 40 Hours (Cleared Early)
Jin-Woo read the numbers, blinked, then narrowed his eyes.
"Did I just get rich… because I completed a hidden objective ?"
A quadrillion credits.
It wasn't just a fortune—it was a planetary economy's worth of wealth.
And before he could even react to that revelation—
............................................................................
[Notification: Status Window Updated]
Status Window [1/4]
Name: Sung Jin-Woo
Age: Unknown
Level: 15 (Low-Level Jedi Knight / Low-Level Sith Warrior
EXP: 0 / 500,000
Occupation: Unknown
Midichlorian Count: 25,000
Money: 10,000,001,000,000 Credits (Updated)
Items Inventory : [incomplete starforge x1]
Force Abilities:
[Force Ghost]
[Force Phantom]
[Force Jump]
[Force Pull/Push]
[Midi-chlorian Manipulation] (Locked – Midi-chlorian count not sufficient)
[Force Lightning]
[Force Throw]
[Force Telekinesis]
[Mind Control/Manipulation]
[Force Choke]
Skills & Abilities:
[Master Swordsmanship]
[Expert Marksmanship]
[Basic Telekinetic Lightsaber Combat]
..................
Jin-Woo stared at the numbers. His wealth had skyrocketed into absurdity.
He exhaled slightly before muttering, "The Incomplete Starforge alone is worth quadrillions."
As he processed his newfound resources, one of his shadows emerged—a knight clad in black armor, kneeling before him.
It was Igris.
"My liege," Igris spoke, his deep, unwavering voice filled with solemnity. "There is something I must admit—I was wrong. Among the artifacts we have taken, one of the holocrons may interest you."
Jin-Woo glanced at him before casually extending his hand. The holocron floated into his grasp, its dark crimson glow pulsing faintly.
As he inspected it, his smirk grew. This wasn't just any Sith knowledge. It was the Ritual of Immortality.
The same technique that Vitiate—Darth Vitiate, the Sith Emperor—used to prolong his existence far beyond natural limits.
Jin-Woo's eyes flickered with mild amusement. "So, this is what he used."
But as he analyzed further, his smirk faded slightly.
The ritual… had a condition. It could only be unlocked on Nathema.
The same planet where Vitiate had first conducted his horrific mass ritual—draining an entire world of life, reducing it to a barren, hellish wasteland.
Jin-Woo closed the holocron with a small chuckle. "An interesting find. But not for now."
He shifted focus to a more pressing issue—his status window.
Having a quadrillion credits was great, but looking at that many zeroes every time he checked was too damn annoying.
Without hesitation, he modified his listed wealth.
[Money: 1,000,000]
"Much better," Jin-Woo muttered.
Too many zeroes were confusing.
As he turned his attention back to the shrine, he noticed his shadows had already gathered all the loot in front of him. Holocrons, relics, credits, rare metals—everything had been meticulously collected and delivered.
Without delay, Jin-Woo extended his hand, allowing the dark mass of his shadow to consume the treasure, seamlessly transferring it into his inventory. He would inspect it later.
Among the various artifacts, his blue eyes locked onto something specific.
A black kyber crystal.
Resting among the Sith relics, the crystal pulsed with an ominous energy. Without hesitation, Jin-Woo picked it up and inserted it into Vectivus' lightsaber hilt.
As he worked, Beru stepped forward and spoke.
"My liege," Beru's voice carried deep respect, but also curiosity. "Why not insert the Kaiburr Crystal instead?"
Jin-Woo didn't look up as he secured the kyber crystal in place.
"Kaiburr Crystal shards are too powerful." He closed the hilt, sealing the modifications. "The whole gem can empower a Force user a thousandfold. Even a shard—while weaker—might be too unstable." He glanced at Beru. "If I inserted it into a lightsaber… it might explode the hilt."
Beru nodded in understanding.
Jin-Woo then gripped the hilt firmly and ignited the blade.
A deep, resonant hum echoed through the chamber as a black blade emerged.
The color was unlike anything seen before—it wasn't simply a dark saber but pure void, a blade that absorbed the light around it. The sheer presence of the weapon felt different, a fusion of Sith craftsmanship and the Shadow Monarch's touch.
From the side, Bellion, the first being ever converted by Ashborn, stepped forward, his towering figure observing the blade with interest.
"It is… similar to Ashborn's sword, my liege. Very impressive."
Jin-Woo stared at the blade for a moment before deactivating it.
"Maybe," he said casually, "but a blade created through Shadow Monarch power is still better."
Without another word, he retracted his entire shadow army back into his darkness, their towering forms sinking into the void beneath him. The Sith Shrine, now stripped of its treasures, felt eerily silent.
Jin-Woo lowered himself to the ground, crossing his legs as he sat in the heart of the shrine, closing his eyes.
He began to meditate.
As his consciousness expanded, he felt something stirring. The holocrons he had absorbed through his shadow inventory were being processed. Their knowledge, abilities, and techniques were filtering through his very being, merging with his understanding of the Force.
Then—
..................…..
[Notification: Gained Two Force Abilities and One Skill]
— [Force Drain]
— [Mechu-Deru]
— [Skill Acquired: Sith Alchemy]
..................…..
Jin-Woo's lips curled into a smirk.
Force Drain—the ability to leech the life force and energy of others to replenish oneself. A technique once used by Sith Lords to sustain their power indefinitely.
Mechu-Deru—a forbidden Sith ability, one that allowed the user to manipulate, corrupt, and enhance technology at a molecular level. It was a technique that could turn machines into extensions of the user's will.
And finally, Sith Alchemy—the knowledge of twisting reality, forging unnatural creations, and enhancing weaponry and armor through the Dark Side.
As he remained in meditation, his mastery of the Force deepened.
The holocrons' knowledge continued flowing into him—insights, forms, movements, all unraveling within his mind.
In that moment, Jin-Woo learned all seven forms of lightsaber combat.
From Shii-Cho to Juyo, his understanding of each form settled effortlessly into his consciousness, as if they had always been part of him.
Then, as he remained seated in the depths of the Sith Shrine, he became aware of time.
He had been meditating for a full day.
Yet, the rewards had been far greater than expected.
A new notification appeared before him.
.............
[Notification: Gained Two Force Abilities]
— [Naga Sadow's Ability: Projective Telepathy / Battle Meditation]
— [Transfer Essence]
.............
Jin-Woo's eyes gleamed slightly.
Projective Telepathy & Battle Meditation—Unlike other Battle Meditation techniques, Naga Sadow's version was different.
Rather than simply boosting the morale and coordination of his allies, Sadow's ability allowed him to influence the minds of Force-sensitives and even entire fleets, bringing them under his direct control.
Sadow had repeatedly showcased this Force technique on a large scale, influencing entire armadas with little strain on himself. Unlike the Jedi variant, which required immense concentration, his Battle Meditation was a weapon of domination.
Transfer Essence—a technique only the most powerful of Sith Lords could wield. A method of cheating death, allowing one's spirit to leave a dying body and seize another as a vessel.
With these, his arsenal of powers had expanded significantly.
Yet, as Jin-Woo continued his meditation, he noticed something.
Palpatine's presence—it was moving.
As expected, the Sith Lord had begun maneuvering his way out of the Jedi Temple. His silver tongue and masterful manipulations had likely convinced the Jedi to release him sooner than planned.
Jin-Woo slowly opened his blue eyes.
He scanned the shrine around him.
The guardians—the Sithspawn and spirits—twitched, shifting in place. They could not recognize him as a true Sith, nor as an enemy. They merely waited.
Jin-Woo smirked slightly. "One day… when my anchor is perfected… I will invade this place myself."
With that final thought, he let the darkness transport him.
The world of eternal slumber opened, and Jin-Woo vanished into it.
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At the entrance of the Jedi Temple, Master Yoda stood before the gathered Jedi Council members and Senator Palpatine, his small form radiating authority despite his stature. His eyes were calm but sharp, analyzing the situation even as he spoke.
"On behalf of the Jedi Council, apologize, I do, Senator Palpatine, for holding you back," Yoda said, his voice measured.
Palpatine, ever the master of deception, feigned composed panic—a carefully controlled balance between concern and patience. With a calm smile, he nodded slightly.
"I understand, Master Yoda," Palpatine said smoothly. "I only hope the intruder is captured soon. As I mentioned before, I merely made a suggestion."
Mace Windu, standing beside Yoda with arms crossed, was as unreadable as ever. His piercing gaze scanned Palpatine for any signs of deception.
"The Jedi Temple will be closed to the public until further notice," Windu stated firmly.
Palpatine raised an eyebrow, feigning polite curiosity. "For how long, Master Windu?"
Mace Windu's expression remained firm. "It's uncertain. But what's clear is that the intruder did not steal anything." He glanced toward the temple's massive entrance. "This unknown figure had another motive."
Palpatine's mind froze for a split second.
If the intruder—whoever he was—destroyed what lay beneath the temple…
Years of Sith planning would be undone.
His mind raced through possibilities, but outwardly, he remained still.
Then—Mace Windu's gaze suddenly returned to him, sharper than before.
"Senator Palpatine," Windu said carefully, watching for any reaction. "Is something troubling you?"
Palpatine quickly pushed aside his inner turmoil, replacing it with his usual diplomatic serenity.
He let out a small, controlled chuckle and shook his head. "No, not at all, Master Windu,"
he said with his usual pleasant tone. "Not at all."
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Palpatine stepped into his shuttle, the doors hissing shut behind him. The moment he settled into his seat, his composed expression darkened slightly.
His voice, usually smooth and controlled, carried an edge of irritation as he spoke. "Please tell me you watched the hole at the entrance of the Jedi Temple—the one that was sealed."
From behind the pilot's seat, Darth Maul remained still for a moment before responding.
"I haven't slept, Master," Maul said, his voice low and disciplined. "The explosion destroyed part of the stairs, but then—it suddenly sealed itself completely."
Palpatine's fingers lightly drummed against the armrest of his seat. His gaze turned toward the dark expanse of Coruscant's skyline beyond the viewport.
"No one entered?" he asked, his voice quieter now, more thoughtful. "And no one left?"
Maul answered without hesitation. "Yes, Master. I am certain. No one came to that hole."
Palpatine's fingers stopped drumming. A strange, uncomfortable feeling settled in his mind—a feeling he had not experienced in decades.
For all his skill in manipulation, deception, and foresight, something about this intruder had completely bypassed his expectations. He exhaled slowly, his voice dropping to a mutter.
"Why do I feel as if my deception has lost to this unknown figure…"
Maul's yellow eyes flickered slightly, confused.
"Master?" he asked . "What did you just say?"
Palpatine's expression immediately shifted back to his usual calm facade.
"Drive me home, my apprentice." His tone returned to its normal, calculating smoothness. "I am tired of being questioned by the Jedi."
Maul nodded without another word and steered the shuttle toward the depths of Coruscant,
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