Chapter Nine: Accusations

It had been months since the war had started turning in favor of the Republic, and yet back on the home front, it seemed as though the populace still couldn't believe how stressful things had become. Revolts, rebellions and civil wars had sprung up all across both Republic and Separatists space almost the minute troops left or arrived. Thankfully, most of the Republic's problems were taken care of in short order. As things were, it had been awfully quiet along the front for a month, and some of the Republic's heroes were taking a well-deserved break. His shuttle carrying away a few other Jedi, Anakin Skywalker turned to face the crowd of reporters gathered around his podium. The Council had elected to have him give a progress report on how the war was going from the point of view from a general who actually fought on the front lines, something the public seemed to identify with more than an armchair general.

"General Skywalker! What is your opinion on the creation of new armaments for the troops?"

Anakin grinned a bit at this: he had personally seen Cole's weapons in action and had to admit they were much more powerful than the old blasters had been. "Let me put it this way," he said, leaning on the podium. "They get the job done better, faster, and at a cheaper expense than the old equipment. I expect the entire army will outfit with these weapons before the war ends." Given the recent developments in the Outer Rim, that prediction could be a few as two months or as long as two years. Either way the fight was far from over, and the need for more troops was an utmost priority to the Republic.

"What about the whereabouts of the Separatist leaders General Grievous and Count Dooku?" another reporter asked, causing a frenzy of related questions. "Reports are coming in from everywhere that they have not been seen or heard from in a very long while. Have the defected? Are they dead?"

Anakin's smile became a neutral line on his mouth: questions like this always irked him. You never knew who could be listening, and the Jedi definitely didn't want anything slipping out about their own holding of the prisoners. There was no telling who might try and break them out and/or kill them. "I am afraid that is classified, but please note they have not been a factor in the war for some time. Anything else?"

"What do you think about Cole forming his own order, this 'Order of the Conduits', as he puts it?" a Bith reporter asked, his large cranium blocking the view of a few others. "Can we be sure of their legitimacy and are they a danger to us?" There had been rumors and gossip about the power of these individuals and the order to which they belonged. Several groups claimed it was merely a front for the Jedi to seize control of the Republic, or even that Cole himself was conspiring to take over.

Anakin frowned at the Bith: that question was more out of line than he could tolerate. "Let me tell you something: if Cole MacGrath can motivate these Conduits even half as well as he can the army, this war will be over within a matter of months. The only danger is them being persecuted, for they will defend themselves, as would anyone, including the Jedi."

"But you are not denying the fact that he is inspiring loyalty to himself amongst the troops and these members of his order? How are we to know of his true intentions?" The Bith seemed rather stupid: he couldn't even realize he was just digging himself a deeper hole.

Anakin was downright disgusted by this reporter by now. "Let me tell you something, Bith: MacGrath is out there on the front lines at every possible opportunity, out in the mud and the debris with his men while you sit in your safe little office far from the enemy and think of ways to discredit his achievements. He's out trying to save the Republic from total collapse, while you do nothing but try to bring him down with petty words and baseless accusations."

There were several cheers from the ranks of the reporters as the Bith flushed with embarrassment and indignation. He refused to say another word after that.

Anakin looked around at the sea of reporters, knowing full well this could get back to anyone who detested him: no matter. "Cole has personally done more to help this Republic with this war than anyone I know, including myself and the Jedi. For every clone he's lost, he's personally killed hundreds of the enemy: for every ship, almost entire fleets. He's helped save countless lives, liberated planets, repelled invasions and destroyed enemy fleets of all kinds with few if any losses. If there was to be a problem with these Conduits, do you think he couldn't handle a few of his own kind?" The Bith seemed even more cowed by the Jedi's response, for he seemed to shrink down in further embarrassment.

"Alright" Anakin said, turning back to the hushed crowd: that was quite the speech. "Any other questions?"