Chapter 9

The beautiful streaks of a Coruscant sunset were something that not even Palpatine could resist to see. He watched the lines of air traffic moved along neatly against the golden rays of sunlight from the vast transparisteel window in his office. An entire Republic, unaware that their enemy is leading them, he thought. Amusing, really. Then he turned back to his five guests, Bail Organa, Padmé Amidala, Mon Mothma, Mace Windu, and Yoda. Alongside his trusted advisor, Mas Amedda. He smirked on the inside, Not even their most powerful Jedi can sense it. Perhaps if they weren't so engulfed in politics... Palpatine broke out of his line of thought and returned to his current conversation. "Deep thought, you are in, Chancellor?" Yoda spoke up after a half a minute of silence.

Palpatine smiled back at him. "Yes," he said softly. "Just thinking of how a monster like Grievous is able to elude us for so long." Actually, he wasn't at all surprised that Grievous got away. The girl was a simple test on how well the general could do with hostages. If he succeeded, Palpatine would know how long he could stay around, if he failed but still managed to escape, Dooku could continue improve him. And if the Jedi defeated him, it wouldn't be of concern, he would have proved himself useless anyway, and he still had Dooku and his puppet, Ventress.

"Indeed," Mace said, scratching his chin. "He hides behind his toys, and flees before we can clear all of them out. And he still manages to take Jedi with him."

"I am truly sorry, my friends," he said, doing his best to sound sympathetic. "I only wish I could do more about it, I sit here and practically watch this monster eat away at the Republic without doing anything about it."

"You've done as much as can about this, Chancellor," Bail noted. "And it's been more than enough. You've managed to continue to lead and support those in need in a time of crisis. Something a lesser man couldn't even comprehend."

"Indeed, sir," Mas Amedda added. "You yourself have saved entire systems from starvation."

"As I watched others die at the hands of Grievous and the Separatists!" he rebuked. "Innocents and Jedi, alike."

"Chancellor," Padmé said softly. "You aren't alone here. There are still those who wish to help you in saving lives. Ana...the Jedi, have been working tirelessly to continue to save lives and keep the Republic together. Master Windu, didn't general Skywalker's report say that they rescued the innocent hostages?"

Mace nodded, "Yes, Skywalker and Master Plo saved the two that Grievous mistook for Republic intelligence agents. Yes, it was at the cost of Grievous escaping again, but at least no one was killed."

"I regret I can do nothing more, but lead."

"It's more than enough for now," Mothma said, smiling.

"Thank you, and you're right senator Amidala, I am never truly alone, I do have those who support me, like yourselves. And the Jedi, and I will ensure that I will do everything in my power to repay that."

"Our thanks, Chancellor," Yoda replied. "Now, en route, is young Skywalker?"

"Yes," Mace said. "He said he, master Plo, and his padawan would set out to Raxus Prime as soon as possible."

"Finally, we know something the Separatists don't," Bail said, smirking. "Lately, it has seemed like the Separatists know our every move, the location of our every fleet, every battle group."

"Quite right. I wonder if the Separatists have some sort of secret tracking station where they can intercept all of our communications," Padmé added.

"If so, that is. Find it and destroy it, we must," Yoda said.

"I agree," Palpatine said. "If such a station exists, then I may not be able to risk sending a battle group to Falleen. I'd hate to lose even a single more Jedi, let alone eight."

"I don't like any more Chancellor, but, with respect, I fear we have no choice. We must secure Fallen, or at least try."

Yoda grunted and tapped his gimmer stick on the floor," "Do. Or do not, master Windu. There is..."

"There is no try," Mace finished. "I know that master Yoda, but it's at least worth an effort. Even with eight Jedi." Eight Jedi at risk. Eight friends at risk. Eventually, eight friends to mourn. "And, again Chancellor, we have no other choice."

Palpatine sighed, sliding back into his chair, "Very well, my friends. You may dispatch them when ready." He actually didn't mind risking Jedi lives. "Let us hope, at least Skywalker's mission is beneficial."

Hope was the best they could do.