That night, Ahsoka didn't sleep peacefully. She was haunted with visions of visions of pain and
suffering. She heard a feminine voice screaming in pain and the cries of a baby. The image was
distorted into two figures fighting in a huge lava lake, one jumping onto a nearby hill. The other
figure jumped to meet the first, but was struck down. As soon as the figure touched the ground,
Ahsoka woke up in a puddle of sweat.
"Are you alright Snips?" Anakin said as he ran into the room, sitting down on the small cot next
to her.
"I had a vision. It was of pain and suffering. I don't know what it means!" she managed to choke
out, with a dry throat from the muffled screams. "The vision was very intense, I even felt a
familiar presence."
"I had a similar vision. We should go speak with Master Yoda." Anakin concluded.
"Knights Skywalker and Tano, come in, you may. Something to talk about, you two have?"
Ahsoka was the first to speak out. "Yes, Master. Last night, we both had a vision. It was based
around a female, and she was in pain, and suffering."
"Priminitions, you've had. Based on someone you know?" the Grand Master questioned.
"I don't know." Anakin confessed. "Is there anything we can do to stop it?"
"About a friend, or someone close, it is, learn to let go. Attachments lead to a path to the dark
side. Miss them and mourn them, you must not." Master Yoda stated. "Meditate on this, you two
must."
The two Jedi Knights bowed to the older Master Yoda and left the meditation chamber.
"I originally came to get you because we have a debriefing." Anakin said, starting to walk a little
faster.
"Where were you two? You missed the report on the Outer Rim sieges."
"We're sorry, we were both held up. There is no excuse." Anakin apologized.
"In short, they are going very well. Saleucami has fallen, and Master Vos has moved his troops
to Boz Pity." Obi-Wan stroked his beard, his expression visibly becoming concerned.
"What's wrong then?" Anakin asked
"The Senate is expected to vote more executive powers to the Chancellor today." Obi-Wan
turned to look at his former padawan with a sadden expression.
"Well, that can only mean less deliberating and more action. Is that bad? It will make it easier for
us to end this war." Anakin tried to lighten the mood.
"Anakin, be careful of your friend Palpatine." Obi-Wan warned.
"Be careful of what?" Anakin asked.
"He has requested that both of you to his office."
"What for?" Ahsoka chimed in.
"He would not say." Obi-Wan crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"He didn't inform the Jedi Council? That's unusual, isn't it?" Anakin pointed out.
"All of this is unusual, and it's making me feel uneasy. You're probably aware that relations
between the Council and the Chancellor are stressed." Obi-Wan stated.
"I know the Council has grown wary of the Chancellor's power, mine also for that matter. Aren't
we all working together to save the Republic? Why all this distrust?" Anakin wondered.
'The Force grows dark, Anakin, and we are all affected by it. Be wary of your feelings." Obi-Wan
warned.
Ahsoka knew that her former Master's relationship with the Chancellor was one of father and
son. Anakin always spoke highly of him. Even though Anakin trusted him, she had a bad feeling
about the meeting.
"My, it is a pleasure to see both of you, Knights Skywalker and Tano. Do come in." Chancellor
Palpatine motioned for the two Jedi Knights to come into his office.
"Thank you for having us, Chancellor." Anakin acknowledged, joining Ahsoka in a courteous bow.
"It is my pleasure." Chancellor Palpatine acknowledged.
"Excuse us, Ahsoka." Anakin whispered, causing the young Togruta to wait near the entrance to
office.
The Chancellor, with Anakin in tow, walked over to the large window behind his desk.
"Anakin, this afternoon the Senate is going to call on me to take direct control of the Jedi
Council." Palpatine stated.
"The Jedi will no longer report to the Senate?" Anakin inquired.
"They will report to me . . . personally. The Senate is too unfocused to conduct a war. This will
bring a quick end to things."
"I agree, but the Jedi Council may not see it that way."
"There are times when we must all endure adjustments to the constitution in the name of
security."
"With all due respect, sir, the Council is in no mood for more constitutional amendments."
"Thank you, my friend, but in this case I have no choice . . . this war must be won." Palpatine
sighed.
"Everyone will agree on that." Anakin concluded.
"Anakin, I've known you since you were a small boy. I have advised you over the years when I
could ... I am very proud of your accomplishments. You have won many battles the Jedi Council
thought were lost . . . and you saved my life. I hope you trust me, Anakin." noted Palpatine.
"Of course." Anakin replied.
"I need your help, son." the Chancellor pleaded.
"What do you mean?" Anakin question. At this point, Ahsoka has started to make her way over
to the two men.
"I fear the Jedi. The Council keeps pushing for more control. They're shrouded in secrecy and
obsessed with maintaining their autonomy . . . ideals. I find simply incomprehensible in a
democracy." Palpatine confessed.
"I can assure you that the Jedi are dedicated to the values of the Republic, sir." Anakin
confirmed.
"Nevertheless, their actions will speak more loudly than their words. I'm depending on you."
"For what? I don't understand."
"To be the eyes, ears, and voice of the Republic… Now I would like to ask of a favor of you,
Anakin. Will you be my personal representative on the Jedi Council?" Palpatine asked.
"Anakin . . . I'm appointing you to be my personal representative on the Jedi Council."
"Me? A Master? I am overwhelmed, sir, but the Council elects its own members. They will never
accept this." Anakin was ecstatic, but that feeling started to diminish.
"I think they will . . . they need you more than you know." Palpatine reassured. "Oh, and Knight
Tano, well I certain haven't forgotten about you. I would like for you to be the head of my secret
guards. Are you willing to take this task?"
"I accept your offer." Ahsoka replied. "I am not very sure the Council would approve of it, but I
accept."
"Good." Palpatine said, extending the vowels. "I will hope to see you both tend to your new
duties in the near future, Master Jedi."