Back to the Empyrean they went.
By the time they arrived back on Tatooine, everyone except Anakin had completed their lightsabers. Barriss with her own synthetic crystal, that had in fact not turned out to be red but instead magenta, which is something rare but not unheard of when it comes to synthetic crystals.
Then there was Ahsoka, who now had her signature silver lightsaber blades made from the ultima-pearls collected from Dac. It's exact design being a copy of the one she had done with her future counterpart, not that she really knew of this but it was perfect for her.
Shaak had collected her very own lightsaber crystal here on Tatooine, one such crystal actually being a pearl from a Krayt Dragon. It is blue in color, something that contrasted with her mainly red colored skin and paired well with her blue stripped montrals.
Then there was Aayla, who with her very own ghostfire crystal had created something that couldn't even be properly seen. Anakin could see it, but that was by simple virtue of using the Force in combination with his enhanced eyes that could see more colors.
Others would still be unable to tell and it worked well with the way she went with things, considering most of her skillset worked much more better for stealth.
Everything, every single one of them had completed what they wanted and there was some developments in the relationships between Anakin and the girls. More specifically to do with Shaak as she has seemingly succumb to her inner need and desire to be with him.
To fully and truly be with him proper.
[]
"Ani!" Padme ran up to him as he entered the palace throne room. There was no one present but Padme, Shmi, Jira and another girl along with them. "You're back." Padme left her seat, the seat that she had been using to act as regent until he returned and embraced him.
"Yes, I am back. Thanks for welcoming me." Anakin replied as he also embraced her, while the other girls from the trip weren't bothered by this display. They knew that they had hogged more than enough time and their dividends of 'Anakin time' was properly already used, at least for the day.
Padme doesn't hesitate to go in for a kiss and Anakin easily replies with passion of his own.
After this passion however, Anakin had to address the problems within the room, well, one problem within the room and that was the stranger. "And who might this be?" He already searched through his own mind to find the answer and knew already.
It would be strange even for him to suddenly know out of nowhere... right?
"Well, yes... about that-" Padme is interrupted however by Shmi.
"Ani. This is Merrin." Shmi said as she stepped up with the girl following as well.
"Merrin, eh?" Anakin didn't want to unnerve the girl or anything but she seemed to be unnerved by being in his presence. While Anakin had a lot of control within the Force, that didn't mean it was all that perfect because he would subconsciously release small waves through the Force.
His power level was reaching that level, and in fact it had already reached a level of power that was hard to control. It was similar to Nihilus and how he would feel within the Force, a scare, a wound that absolutely disabled any and all of the energy-field known as the Force.
For Anakin however, he was starting to become the Force not in the sense of becoming one with the Force but actually becoming the energy-field himself. He was starting to create a field around himself that most Force-sensitives would start to feel.
Anakin didn't realize this himself of course, just as he hadn't at the start realized the bonds he was inadvertently creating. Or how they were being created and connected to him without his knowing.
"Y-yes, sir." Merrin was still trying to get used to the unfamiliar environment and it didn't help that the person she is supposedly engaged to seems to be incredibly imposing.
"Careful there Skyguy. Your scaring the poor girl." Ahsoka voiced her thoughts seeing that she was a little withdrawn.
Anakin looked towards Ahsoka, whom was still here than just going off to do something else. Shaak had already retreated because she was still an isolationist by nature. Aayla was still here, interested in what was going on, and so too was Barriss, because why not?
"Am I scaring you little one?" Anakin knew she only about a year younger than Ahsoka, but he couldn't be having yet another one of her around, especially when Ahsoka was in her current state.
"N-No. It is just..." Merrin started before shutting down mentally.
"It is just?" Anakin tried to get her to continue but it would seem she has given up speaking. "It is ok." Anakin didn't mind this and wanted to actually either get to work on his lightsaber project that may or may not be an actual saber, or something else in the works.
"Don't mind her, she has had a rather weird experience..." Padme filled in for the girl knowing of her situation and feeling saddened for her, as while Anakin is the best, at least within her own mind that is, that doesn't mean she should have this fate.
"Its fine." Anakin said with a shake of his head before looking at everyone and saying. "I do have something to do, so if any of you have something to say to me now..."
"Right, right... You want to get to work on whatever special lightsaber project you have going on..." Aayla said as she wasn't exactly upset but started to feel jealous at the amount of attention he would be spending on his lightsaber...
Not weird at all, and definitely couldn't be taken out of context and be put into an inappropriate context at all.
"There are a few things..." Anakin's mother spoke up at this moment and would then try to get Anakin to see from the perspective and benefits they would gain by making the Nightsisters an ally.
He had considered everything like all of these things before, but he was surprised to find that Talzin was willing to give up the position of top dog within the hierarchy. He would never have guessed she was capable of putting aside her pride and desires but it would seem either his influence or the influence of Grievous got to her.
Either way, directly or indirectly through Grievous, it would seem that he had gotten to her and started to change her way or view of things. At least within the sense she doesn't absolutely despise or look down on men but in fact see men who are strong and smart as valuable.
Of course, men are still within a lower position within their society, and Anakin doesn't believe that he would be changing that anytime soon. He doesn't mind it either, as long as the men were ok with it, he wouldn't try to 'liberate' them in a sense.
While Anakin was discussing things with his mother, alongside Aayla and Aayla, Barriss and Ahsoka decided to both introduce themselves to the girl called Merrin. They got along well enough and the two already seemingly created a bond with her, a sisterly bond as they became aware of why she was here.
Neither were worried, most defiantly not Barriss, whom was already married and in a very passionate romantic relationship with Anakin that would probably never die. Ahsoka though... she felt a bit threatened by this new perceived rival in love because she was seeing some signs of being replaced.
'I am supposed to be the youngest and cutest here!' She harrumphed inwardly but was actually all smiles on the outside. Women were like that, they could show a smile and look all happy, while inwardly seething and just ready to explode.
Of course, this was for women that had some modicum of self-control, as Anakin had seen people lose that sort of self-control over ones emotions like that.
Overall, everything had seemingly come to a calm.
A calm within the storm, because a storm was brewing in the horizon, a not too distant one as well where the Empyrean would be put to the test. Of course there is a reason, more reasons as to why Anakin wanted to build up his military other than for defense.
All of his preparations is for when he starts taking over more and more territory and expanding his political, economical and militaristic influence all over the star systems he integrates into the Empyrean.
He planned to see if he could either fully destroy the Hutt empire or abolish slavery throughout the Outer Rim by enforcing a war of liberation, where the Hutt's would be forced into signing a treaty that makes them enforce non-slavery laws. It was simple really, and Anakin preferred the abolishment method better.
It would save him, time, effort and resources for trying to take over the future Hutt's territory. It would simply be too much of a waste and a faster method would be simply to force them into doing what he wanted without them actually coming into his command.
He believes much more in defending his territory and what he has rather than always trying to gather up more star systems. If he was really that stupid, it would cause massive instability within the Empyrean, especially when it comes to the aspects of integration.
From turning all of the people or residents of other planets into firm believers of his societal rules and changes done, to the other religious aspects of his empire. It all mattered and was all important and conflicts of interest from within should not be to the level of needing to change the entire system to accommodate others.
He much preferred if others would change to him, not that he is unwilling to modify and evolve himself and his way of thinking. Far from it, as he doesn't intend to be the forever Emperor and instead would pass down his position to one of his children.
Then his children's children would become the Emperor or Empress and further along the line other things could happen as well.
He would become sort of like an underboss, a boss that was the real boss while someone else took the spotlight. It wasn't like he wouldn't still be worshipped or people would stop talking about him or anything like that.
No, he would simply take more of a backseat role when it comes to the future of his dynasty and their rule over the Empyrean.
On the topic of Merrin however...
He really doesn't know what to do, as Talzin will not come under the Empyrean officially without him marrying the girl. She wouldn't even allow him to just be betrothed to the girl instead of straight up marriage.
Talzin even had the audacity to leave the girl here like he would change his mind once he saw her and lived with her. AND then she just had to go to his mother, and his mother being the kind woman she is, she would no doubt listen to whatever sob story she had given...
The list went on and on. While Anakin doesn't mind being schemed against, those who do will have to face the consequences sooner or later.
'Why does this woman want me to get together with the child?' Anakin thought to himself as he really couldn't see any other reasons than the ones provided. 'Maybe I am just overthinking it?'
He could be as it was a possibility there was nothing more to it, and to be honest, Talzin really doesn't intend to gain anything else out this, other than a bigger protector for herself and her people. This was mainly because Talzin was seeing that the Republic was crumbling, the empire that Palpatine wanted to build wouldn't be sustainable at this rate he was going.
She saw this and attributed this to Anakin and Shmi.
One of her desires was being fulfilled, even if it wasn't by herself and yes, even though her son was not harmed too much and she hadn't exactly gotten him back, she could still see the value in whatever Anakin has done for her.
'Occam's razor... The right answer is probably the simplest...' Anakin thought inwardly.
[]
Despite everything the Empyrean is, that doesn't mean it doesn't have its own problems.
While yes it is pretty close to utopian society and Anakin doesn't as much as he can to make sure it stays somewhat this way, it does take some work. Things he had to think about and things that he had to consider was everything.
The economy, the laws, the health system in place, in case of a massive epidemic that even the super serum cant help combat. Everything.
As the population increased once again, by an influx of people wanting to escape either the conflict between the C.I.S. and Republic or to escape the grim Outer Rim regions throughout the galaxy for their lawlessness, he needed to expand.
The problem with that however is he is getting closer and closer to the limit of expansion, meaning he is getting closer to other planets, star systems that have a bigger backer. He cant just steam roll through everyone.
Anakin had already set up himself to take over the vacant systems of both B-Foroon and A-Foroon. It was only natural since it would really expand the spice trade he has going on throughout the Empyrean, in and out. He took C-Foroon a little time backwards as an outpost first before he continued to take over the rest.
The problem comes that now he wants the Star System of Cranan 12, as it would expand the production of ores and minerals for the Empyrean. It would increase the the Empyrean's independence, economy wise from other factions when it comes to this area.
He would have to start a skirmish, no matter how small with the mining guild, but if he could frame it in a certain way, he is sure people wouldn't mind him taking it over. Either it is that conflict or he takes it by buying it off of them and because they would know he wants it and people know what systems are under his control, they may try to force him into giving them more money than its worth.
Anakin couldn't take Gedi 4 because of its connection to the Hutt Cartel. It is also another mineral based planet where he could increase the Empyrean's dependence on foreign trade.
Another potential conflict.
He knows however that the Hutts would likely care very little for this takeover if he is to go through with it. So Anakin decided that he will occupy this planet, another reason is because if he takes it, he would be able to cut off Cranan 12 from the rest of the galaxy.
In doing this he could put pressure on the mining guild and get the system at a lower price.