"To fight this Lord Sidious strong enough you are not", Yoda told Obi-Wan Kenobi. There was an air of finality in the Grandmaster's tone.
Obi-Wan swallowed hard. He could not, would not, fight Anakin. Ordinarily he would never dream of defying the Grand Master of the order. But in light of the desperate circumstances, breaking protocol was surely justified. "If I can make a suggestion, Master, why should we not fight Sidious together?"
The idea didn't meet with Yoda's approval. "Together, Master Kenobi? And if killed we are fighting him, what then, hmm?"
"With all due respect, Master, I believe it is worth the risk. If you wish to fight Sidious, you are going to need help."
The diminutive green master contemplated the ground for a moment, then looked up. "Very well, Kenobi. Heed your advice I do. Fight Sidious together we will."
Obi-Wan allowed himself a dignified smile. It was a win-win situation. In the unlikely event that he died fighting Palpatine, he wouldn't have to confront Anakin. And if he survived, he could let Yoda bear the brunt of the second battle. "Very well, Master. I suppose we will need a disguise to infiltrate the Senate Building.
"Yes, we will", replied Yoda. "Have an idea you do, perhaps?"
"I do, Master." Indeed, a plan was already forming in Obi-Wan's head. He set about explaining it to Yoda.
Thirty minutes later
CA-577-or Alpha as his comrades called him-was an experienced clone. In the course of five years spent guarding the Senate Rotunda, he had seen it all: drug dealers, bounty hunters, children trying to sneak into the Senate for a bet, senators who had "lost" their ID cards, you name it. So when he saw the pizza deliverer approach the entrance, he was initially apprehensive. The individual looked thoroughly unsavory-his stomach drooped past his shirt like jerba cheese and his hair, unkempt and dirty, reached down to his shoulders. In other words, he fit the profile of a death stick dealer. Only when they were face to face did Alpha relax. He had that the man was wearing a 'Republic Express' shirt.
"Can I help you?" asked Alpha.
"Republic Express", replied the deliverer, flashing an ugly smile. Alpha grimaced, noting that several of his teeth were cracked. "I'm here to make a pizza delivery."
"Of course. And who is it for?"
"Senator Bail Organa."
"Right. Stay here. I'll notify the senator that you've arrived."
Alpha reached for his holopad. But that was the last thing he remembered.
Obi-Wan was ready. As soon as the guard's hand moved towards his belt, he fixed him in the eyes.
"You don't need to notify Senator Organa", he said intensely.
"I don't need to notify Senator Organa", the clone repeated blankly.
"You will take us to his office."
"I will take you to his office."
The Negotiator stopped there. That should do it.
The guard led Kenobi through the aptly-named Great Door and into the Grand Convocation Chamber. Obi-Wan resisted the urge to look at the massive statues that lined the side of the Chamber. By using battle meditation, Yoda had given the younger Jedi enough power to alter his personal features. However, the disguise would only hold up as long as Obi-Wan concentrated.
Eight or nine guards were milling about the entrance. At the sight of the pizza deliverer, they moved towards him. It was impossible to observe their facial expressions through their masks, but they must have been quite intrigued.
"Is this man with you, Alpha?", inquired the nearest guard.
"It's all right", said Obi-Wan as quietly as possible. "I'm with you."
It's all right", repeated Alpha. "He's with me."
The focus Obi-Wan required to employ Force Persuasion, on top of Alter Image, proved too much. For one second his disguise vanished. Fortunately the troopers didn't seem to have noticed anything: they returned to their business.
After they left the Convocation Chamber, Obi-Wan decided it was time to get relieve himself of his guide. He led him to a restroom and left him in a stall.
"Now then", muttered Obi-Wan, "the only question that remains is, how do I find the holding office?"
He looked at the blue pizza box. "Master, can you help me find the Chancellor's office?"
"First tell me where we are, you must" came Yoda's muffled voice.
"We're in a restroom on the first floor."
"Leave the restroom and go right for a hundred feet."
By following his Master's instructions, they reached the corridor leading to the holding office in no time. Fortunately the corridors were deserted; Obi-Wan would not have wanted a curious senator to tell him that Organa's office was in the opposite direction. A hundred feet away from the office, he halted and scanned the hallway. There was no one in sight. He abandoned his force disguise and set down the pizza box. "It's safe to come out, Master Yoda." he said.
The Grandmaster clambered out of the delivery box that Republic Express had been kind enough to provide. "Very good idea, Master Kenobi", he said, sounding genuinely impressed.
"It was only possible thanks to you, Master. I have yet to learn how to alter my image."
"Yes, yes", Yoda answered affably. "But unfortunately, only now does our real challenge begin."
He motioned to the holding office's entrance. It was clear that Darth Sidious was inside: dark side energy was emanating from the door in staggering quantities. In fact, Obi-Wan found himself reeling from the waves of power that rolled past them.
When Yoda spoke next, there was no trace of affability in his voice. "Enter the holding office first I will."
"Of course, Master."
Yoda closed his eyes and exhaled a huge breath of air. Then he gave Obi-Wan a steely look. "May the force be with us, Kenobi. And remember: deception is this Sith Lord's most powerful weapon."
A nod of agreement, then the two Jedi marched towards the door, headed for a battle that would hopefully decide the fate of the galaxy.