The Raging Sea of Conflict
The Jedi Council, or their respective holograms, sat around the Council Chambers in deep discussion. With the never-ending parade of speeders whizzing outside as their backdrop, the members of the Council contemplated their actions carefully. Seated alongside Yoda's hologram, Mace Windu furrowed his brow, deep in thought. "We cannot spare a host of Jedi on this supposed intelligence from the Chancellor."
Anakin tensed up in his chair, and despite the look that he knew Obi-Wan was giving him, couldn't help lashing out. "We have no reason to doubt the Chancellor!" The young Jedi shot frustrated glances around the members of the Council. "We can end this war!" It was so clear to him, and yet the Council seemed determined to let its petty pride interfere with what had to be done.
There was much murmuring among the Council. Members wanted to end the conflict, but their growing distrust of the Chancellor's motives left them wary, especially of intelligence derived entirely without their knowledge. They had reached the point in the war where each decision had grave consequences.
From deep in the Kashyyk forests, Yoda's hologram pensively studied his fellow Jedi. The future had further clouded over, owing, no doubt, to the ever-persistant creep of the Dark Side, leaving intuition as the only reliable means of acting. The revered Jedi Master was unsure of the future course, but he somehow knew that the beginning of the end of the Clone Wars lay on Utapau. He shook his head slightly, regretting that his insight did not serve him better at this crucial juncture, and spoke, "Then to Utapau, send a scout we must. If indeed there he is, then stop General Grievous and end this war we will."
As the cold winds of Mygeeto, many parsecs away swirled around him, Jedi Master Ki-Adi Mundi clasped his hands together. Through his holographic projector, he spoke, "Master Kenobi should be sent to Utapau. He has faced Grievous before, if indeed Grievous is there."
Jedi Masters concurred, albeit reluctantly, while Anakin silently grumbled that the Council was continuing to entertain the notion that the Chancellor's information was not valid. Or worse.
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan bowed his head out of appreciation and stood to address the assembled Jedi. "I thank the Council for its faith in me," he said reservedly, "however I must ask that Anakin accompany me."
The Council looked skeptically at Kenobi. Anakin felt a rush of conflicting emotions; jealousy that Obi-Wan had been selected to lead the mission over himself, appreciation to Obi-Wan for requesting him, anger at the Council for their obvious distrust, and fear of the thought of leaving Padme. How could he accept this offer?
An exasperated Obi-Wan continued to implore the Council, "Anakin faced Grievous along with me. And I don't need to remind you how many times he's been instrumental in a mission's success. He is my partner."
The Council members paused to ponder Obi-Wan's request for a moment. Anakin's heart rate quickened and he tightly gripped the sides of his seat. "No, Obi-Wan," the young Jedi thought to himself, "I must stay here." Anakin wanted to scream out loud, but he knew he couldn't explain himself or the real reason he wished to remain behind. Instead, he found himself both hating the Council for their growing distrust in him, but grudgingly recognizing that their own refusal would ultimately serve his purpose. Anakin became grimly resigned to accepting their disapproval.
Yoda finally spoke up, slowly yet assuredly. "Correct Master Kenobi is. Too important the task of apprehending General Grievous remains. Assist Master Kenobi in this task young Skywalker must." The ancient Jedi Master spoke rationally though h almost appeared somewhat distracted.
A wave of fear and concern washed over Anakin. He wasn't sure that he could mask it, but neither was he certain that he wanted to do so. From his confused, conflicted state, he knew that the Council members were judging him. He knew that Master Windu was poring over his weakness. Though, that might be his only way out; from their mistrust and his obvious weakness, the Council would have no choice. They would have to deny him. Still, the sheer sense of helplessness of the situation began to pain the young Jedi. He fought amongst himself; he had to regain control.
Windu looked over Anakin with a wary eye. The extent of the boy's conflict was expertly shrouded, but its existence was nonetheless painfully obvious. But perhaps the Council had erred in assigning Anakin to report on the Chancellor. Perhaps this was exacerbating the situation. If the Jedi's suspicions about the Chancellor's motives were warranted, perhaps a pause in the relationship between he and Skywalker would be beneficial.
"I sense conflict in Knight Skywalker," the powerful Jedi Master began. The word, 'knight' stung Anakin deeply. He was a Council member. Surely, Windu was making a point of emphasizing that they declined to properly make Anakin a Master, the young Jedi thought to himself, his emotions boiling underneath his attempts at maintaining a stable presence.
"However, he has been a powerful warrior during this crisis," Windu continued, "and I am in agreement with Yoda. We should send the team of Kenobi and Skywalker to verify General Grievous' location." The Jedi Council nodded their agreement. The holograms faded out as the deployed Jedi returned to their tasks at hand.
Inside the gleaming Council Chambers, Obi-Wan graciously bowed to the remaining Masters and patted Anakin on the back as the two Jedi left to prepare for their mission. "Once more into the breach, eh, old friend?" he asked.
Lost in concentration, Anakin merely nodded his head, with a steely look of determination etched across his face. The conflicted young Jedi departed from Obi-Wan in order to retrieve his speeder. Wishing to avoid any of the Masters in his current state of unrest, Anakin opted for the stairwell instead of the elevator banks. As he marched down the towered stairs, one thought dominated all the others raging inside of him; he had to talk to Padme.
