15 Darth Maul

The Darth who was sent to find out who exactly Valad was couldn't determine anything about his background other than he was part of an extinct noble house. He couldn't even find the origin of the house, but it appeared in the Naboo Residential Database.

He was growing impatient, his blazing corrupted eyes stared off into the distance with his thumb pressing against his lower lips. For the past week, it was also strange as he watched from distance. He didn't use the force often, didn't use any exotic powers.

Though there was once when he used his force abilities to phase through a solid wall, apparently this was similar to another one of the Jedi Masters within the Jedi Order. There was one known as the Dark Woman by most people who knew of her. Yet there was no intelligence which indicated that this young man had ever been taught by her.

Strange occurrences happened between people, their personalities had changed at a minimal level, but could easily be seen as different according to the psychological evaluation logs supplied by Darth Plagueis. It was as if he just appeared one day and everyone began showing him favor.

Letting out a low growl, he leapt to his feet from a meditative position in the middle of his ready room and made his way up to the upper deck. Once there he turned on the holographic emitter in the center of the room.

Within moments Valad appeared on the hologram, simply standing beside the Queen of the Naboo. His eyes became curious of this figure. He was annoyed that his master wasn't sending him in to remove him. He was a threat to their plans and yet, what was this?

His eyes narrowed on the gaze he was giving the Queen, as if there was a strange affection. He blinked a few times, was this Valad's motivation? Or was it his ambition? He moistened his lips, he knew how to get to Valad, or at least he assumed this.

The problem was, his master had ordered him not to attack unless he was discovered or ordered to do so. What was he going to do?

Pacing, Darth Maul began to scheme his plans. He needed more to send back to Plagueis. He paused however when he noticed the change in direction Valad's gaze. He was grinning directly at the probe droid which was hidden outside the window.

"What insolence is this?" The Darth noted as he stepped closer to the projector, watching as Valad went back to ignoring the probe droid. 'He... Know the entire time,' Darth Maul sneered and retained his silence.

'I am Fear. Fear attracts the fearful... The strong. The weak. The innocent. The corrupt. Fear. Fear is my ally.' His expression became blank, the lack of emotion and the eerie silence even made the animals near his vessel scatter despite not even being able to see him, but they could definitely feel his presence.

Opening a channel to his master, Darth Plagueis would appear before the Darth Maul who knelt before him. He didn't make eye contact for the first few seconds until he heard his voice.

"What is it, My Apprentice?" The Muun glared down at him impatiently.

Raising his head, his golden red ringed eyes stared up at him. "My Master, I have become aware that he has known of me since the beginning. I've collected as much information available, My Master, what is your bidding?"

Lowering his head, he awaited his master's response.

"How?" This was the only question which was released from Plagueis, his nose scrunching up slightly at the failure.

Maul thought back, from what he had seen. Exotic powers such as phase were rare and cherished powers and quite the trump card in an escape or to be used offensively. Then he also recalled him exerting his influence over a computer terminal, but originally dismissed it as nothing out of the ordinary. His eyes widened as he looked up at his master. "He sensed my ship, my master."

Plagueis dominate hand grasped at the fabric of his outer robes. "Sensed your ship?" His eyes narrowed forward as he didn't make contact. "In that case he knows your exact location, waiting for your first move... It's a possibility that he saw this coming. Tell me my Apprentice, where is his main residence?"

Nodding to the holographic impression of his master, "The Naboo Royal Palace. He stands beside the Queen. According to the psychological evaluation files, they're acting slightly different from the norm since his arrival." He was hoping his insight was going to help prove himself to his master.

Hearing this, he narrowed his eyes on his apprentice. "Mind control?"

Shaking his head, Maul scrunched up his face a bit. "They have their own will... it feels as if someone tailored these changes."

After a brief pause, Plagueis began to understand what was going on. The very perception of the world for those who were close to Valad had changed. Memories, friendships, they were all altered to suit him.

"Alter Mind," Plagueis murmured to himself and nodded a few times to himself. "If he is indeed able to track you just by sensing your ship, he must have the ability to sense the forms of energy." Furrowing his brow he would tap his mask lightly. "Withdraw for now. We will learn more within a month's time."

"As you wish, my Master." The Darth agreed with his master, not that he had much of a choice whether or not to follow these orders. Plagueis made him soft towards the women in his hold, it was easy to control him as Love was his dire enemy, even if the lady friends were so close to him.

The holographic emitter would terminate its connection once Plagueis ended the transmission. Standing at his spot, he'd look towards the protocol droid on board his transport and glare at it for a few moments before walking over to the pilot seat of the Scimitar and sit down.

With the engine coming to life, the green glow of his thrusters vanished as the ship was consumed by its cloaking device. Lifting into the air, it flew through the Naboo security net at an increasing pace. Still it didn't protect him.

...

On the other hand, Valad remained standing beside the Queen, his eyes on the Ventress and Ky Narec across the room having one of their quiet lectures.

Somehow he had convinced the little Ventress to keep a secret from her beloved Master. His eyes then wandered back over to the Queen who was in her seat. She was casually sitting there in her normal ceremonial attire.

"Has he gone?" Padme glanced over towards Valad, who nodded lightly. The man was gone, the probe droids had left the facility and he felt the familiar energy of the cloaked vessel leave the planet and vanish soon after.

Padme let out a soft sigh and stared at him, "Who was it exactly?"

Valad paused for a few moments as he was asked the question. "A Dark Jedi, Your Highness." He'd fib to the woman before him and look towards the Handmaidens who were oblivious to the conversation.