Chapter 3: Dancing With the Devil
Tobias perched on the arm of one of the chairs in the Supreme Chancellor's office, not wanting to either fully sit or stand. Palpatine stood in the large window spanning the far wall of his office, looking out at the traffic crisscrossing the sky as the sun began its mid-afternoon descent towards the horizon that could not be seen for the buildings. The Jedi Master resisted the urge to show his impatience; it seemed that every time he was summoned before the Chancellor, much of the time was spent watching the other man contemplate his capital, as though he was afraid he would be snatched from it again as he had been before.
"Master McCal, I can't help but feel as though your Council has been dragging its feet on locating General Grievous. I realize that Master Kenobi," the Chancellor stopped, half-turned to give Tobias a faint smile, and Tobias could tell he was very pleased that it was his office's information that had prevailed in that case, "has been sent to Utapau to apprehend the General. Yet, it seems like we should have heard back from him by now."
With a sigh, Tobias stood, walking up the steps to be on the same level as the Chancellor. He knew that much of this was a show of power; ever since he'd resumed the office of Jedi Liaison to the Senate, he'd discovered that it had mostly become a power struggle between the Jedi and the Chancellor himself. Most of the Senate meetings he attended were little more than his giving a brief summary of Jedi actions that weren't classified, the Senators nodding and asking a few questions, and then his being dismissed. "Chancellor Palpatine," he began respectfully, making a point to pitch his speech below the other man's indignant tone, "as I have said before, I'm not privy to the Council's discussions. I realize that I once sat on the board, but I do so no longer. Moreover, even if I were still on the board, that doesn't permit me to discuss Jedi matters outside of the Temple."
The Chancellor turned back to study the scene beyond the window, and Tobias could practically hear him plotting out his next move. "The Senate has given me authority over the Jedi Council..."
Tobias sighed, not hesitating to interrupt this line of thought; it was a dance they had gone through so many times it felt as though Tobias had been back at the Senate far longer than the past few days. "I understand that, Chancellor. If you truly feel this way, you should take it up with the Council itself. Or, better yet, speak to them through Anakin -- he is your representative on the Council."
"They have been less than receptive. I was hoping you could help me rectify the situation."
Resisting the urge to snort at the Chancellor's statement, Tobias simply shook his head. "I'm sorry, Chancellor. The Council is unlikely to take my opinion on the subject, even if I were willing to act in that manner. You should continue pursuing the avenues already available to you." Don't drag me into this!
"I understand," Palpatine replied stiffly, not turning around.
Tobias shook his head in exasperation. Politicians are like small children, he couldn't help thinking. You don't give them what they want - regardless of what is best for them - and they sulk and shut down. "I did have one other request. I know that your office drew up a summary of the Jedi contributions thus far in the war. I was wondering if I could obtain a copy. I know that many of the committees will wonder what exactly was in the document."
Palpatine waved his hand vaguely, and Tobias knew that this was a subtle revenge for his defiance moments before. "Anakin currently has it. I can ask one of my assistants to draw it up again for you if you would prefer."
The Jedi Master crossed his arms over his chest, hiding his arms inside his sleeves. It would take a couple of days for Palpatine to get the information to his assistant, and probably at least a couple more for the assistant to find the document. Then it would take maybe two more to get it to the Jedi Master. If this government were any more unwieldy, I would assume it had been modeled after the ideal Hutt lifestyle. "That won't be necessary, Chancellor. I'll just obtain it from Anakin."
"Very good," the precise voice said, reflected off the transparisteel window. Tobias knew from the tone the dismissal was coming even before the other man said anything. "Well, I appreciate the discussion, Master McCal. I always enjoy our meetings."
The Chancellor half-turned, reaching out for the customary handshake that ended all of their conversations. "Of course, Chancellor," Tobias replied, not unhappy at being released from the Chancellor's presence. It had become an exercise in controlling irritation and annoyance.
Once outside the Chancellor's office, Tobias discovered Anakin hovering in the antechamber, moving restlessly from one piece of art to the next, never staying to observe one more than a few heartbeats. Tobias smiled to see the young Knight; although he didn't know Anakin well, he'd always thought highly of him, despite some of the other man's failings. It couldn't have been easy to be brought to the Temple at the age of nine, and Tobias knew that he'd always felt apart because of it.
"Anakin! I was hoping to see you. I had a favor to ask..."
The blond man jerked, clearly suddenly becoming aware of Tobias's presence. He turned, looking Tobias over with a darting glance. "A favor, Master? I'm not sure I'm really in a position..."
Tobias shook his head with a smile. "No, Anakin, you're the only one who will do. The Chancellor had some reports drawn up, and I was wondering..."
"If I'd tell you what I'd seen? If he'd shown them to me?" Anakin's face darkened, his cheeks becoming a deep red. "You know, I'm not surprised about the Council, really. I know that most of them don't like me - don't even trust me!" He crossed the room, standing right in front of Tobias with his blue eyes flashing in white-hot anger. The Jedi Master could feel the emotion rolling off him, hardly dampened by both men's shielding. "I thought you weren't like them. I thought you had integrity! I thought that some people wouldn't try to use me - use my position!" Anakin ended in a furious shout.
At that moment, the secretary poked her head around the door, appearing as though she hadn't heard the men's discussion. "The Chancellor will see you now, Knight Skywalker," she said politely, looking from Anakin to Tobias.
Anakin had glanced away to look at the secretary, but Tobias saw that, if anything, he was even more enraged when he turned back. "I trusted you," he said in a hoarse, smoldering voice. With that, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the Chancellor's office.
Tobias watched him go, shocked into silence and immobility. After a moment, he came out of his daze, still unable to reconcile what had just taken place. Clearly, the Council had assigned Anakin to something more than his position as the voice of the Chancellor.
Deeply disturbed, Tobias headed towards his office. He still had some work to finish up for the evening, but he also knew he needed to meditate and find some understanding in Anakin's outburst.
While Koria stared at the door as the lift took her to the Supreme Chancellor's level, she wondered why he had summoned her to his office. She had a bad feeling about this, and worked to build her shields about her. As the lift slowed to a stop, she took several slow, deep breaths before the door opened to reveal Anakin Skywalker.
"Anakin," Koria exclaimed. She had not seen him since the last day of the exchange program, six years previously. His dark expression gave her pause. "Are you ok?"
The knight frowned before he realized who was standing before him. "Koria, what are you doing here?" Of course, he had heard that she had become a senator, but seeing her here, right now, seemed out of place. He took her elbow when she told him Chancellor Palpatine had summoned her. "Be careful, Kor."
Before she could ask what he meant, the chancellor appeared in the doorway to his office suite. Anakin's lips pursed as he looked briefly at the older man then looked intensely in Koria's eyes. "Things aren't as they seem." He spoke cryptically before disappearing into the lift.
As she stood frowning at the lift door, Chancellor Palpatine walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you for coming, Senator. I trust you are feeling well?"
As always, Koria felt a chill run through her at his touch, but she schooled her features to remain neutral. "I am fine." She looked pointedly at the lift. "Is everything all right?"
He waved off her concern as he guided her into his office. "However, I have heard rumors that you have been ill. A few of the female staff have spotted you vomiting in the refresher."
Smiling slightly, she waved off his concern in the manner he did hers. "It is nothing that cannot be handled, there's no need for you to worry."
"Are you mocking me?"
"Never, Supreme Chancellor, I'm merely keeping my personal situation private."
He looked at her as an idea suddenly occurred to him. "My dear senator, you're pregnant, aren't you?"
Koria doubted his surprise was genuine. She had a strong feeling that he already knew the truth of the matter. She bowed her head with a slight smile. "Nothing escapes you, does it?"
He chuckled. "Not if I can help it." Then his expression turned grave. "This news only gives me more concern and makes my purpose for asking you here all the more vital."
The young senator watched as the chancellor walked around to sit at his desk as he continued speaking. "I have come across some disturbing images, and wished to warn you that you may wish to be careful with whom you associate." As he finished speaking, he pressed a button then swung the monitor on his desk around so she could see what was upon it.
I'm going to kill Tobias, she thought as she watched the images pop up onscreen of herself with the jedi master at Dexter's Diner. She looked at the chancellor with a raised eyebrow. "I see nothing alarming. Tobias was my mentor during the student exchange program at the temple six years ago. We became close friends."
"Surely you are not naïve enough to think these holos cannot harm your career if the wrong eyes see them. Elections on Corellia are coming up, are they not?" When Koria rolled her eyes, he shook his head. "Do not let your Corellian arrogance blind you to my warnings. Young Skywalker just brought me disturbing news about the Jedi Council. They are planning to overthrow me and take over."
Koria gasped, "No!" She shook her head in disbelief. "That's preposterous… the Jedi are the Republic's most trusted protectors."
Palpatine shook his head with a sad air. "I fear that there are those even among the Jedi who crave more power. I would be careful of your friend, Master McCal, if I were you. He may appear to be a gentle benefactor, but as Anakin so succinctly put it, things are not what they seem." As he spoke, he stood and walked around the desk to her. "I would hate to see you and your unborn child come to harm." He took her hands in his in a caring manner. "You have already lost so much, it'd pain me to see you endure more misfortune."
Koria pulled her hands away and placed one upon her stomach, her mind reeling from what the chancellor said. She swallowed before speaking. "I will be careful, Supreme Chancellor." She bowed her head once more. "Thank you for your warning."
Looking apologetic, Palpatine placed a hand on her upper arm and squeezed gently. "Perhaps I am wrong about your friend, Tobias."
A few minutes later, as Koria leaned against the back of the lift, a tear fell down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away as she reached her designated floor. Taking her portable comm out of her pocket, she called Tobias. After fifteen rings, she hung up. Tobias, where the kriffin' hell are you?
She went down a corridor, just missing seeing four jedi masters come in and rush to the lift with dire expressions on their faces.
