As dawn gave way to the stirrings of daylight and the inhabitants of Coruscant awoke and pulled themselves from their beds, the Chancellor of the Republic, the most powerful man in the entire Galaxy stood quietly, in a manner which could, to any witness, be described as peaceful. With his aged, frail hands clasped politely behind his back, the man gave an appearance of both wisdom and decorum at once. At a single glance, Sheev Palpatine could be mistaken for any old man, flesh pale and wrinkled after long years warming his bones, and white wisps of hair around his head, fading just slightly. He could be anyone's grandfather or elderly uncle… It was a careful appearance, one meticulously pieced together so thoroughly that the few whose gazes had begun to spy the cracks which hinted at what lay beneath, were laughed off. The Chancellor was a good man, a warm man. He was the man for the Republic. Democracy's greatest friend.
That was indeed what he desired they believe.
Sheev Palpatine was nothing. He was a character whose face he wore in the daylight to string his Senatorial puppets to his very will. Little did they know the tune they danced to was not the gentle old man's, but that of Darth Sidious. Lord of the Sith. Not even the so-called greatest Jedi in existence could smell the scent of darkness from his soul. And by greatest, he did not mean Skywalker. Skywalker held every tool in his arsenal he'd need to become the best, but he had not been allowed to grow within the stifling Order. The raw power Sidious sensed that flowed beneath the boy's veins was addictive… The potential… And the fools who ran the Jedi Order had long ago plunged themselves into the gluttony of wilful blindness so deeply that they did not allow themselves to see what they had. Jealousy and mistrust thrived amongst their Council and it only made his agenda all the easier to achieve. It was a wonder that the Jedi way had not died out years ago! No matter, their twilight was fast approaching. The final daylight of the Jedi was almost here and Sidious's thin lips parted in a cruel grin at the thought. Let them shine just a little longer… Their memory would be stamped out like the last kindles of a dying flame. And Skywalker was going to help him do it.
All of this was years in the making. Decades. Plans, plots and prophecies borne in the depths of the minds of Sidious and Plagueis would bring the Galaxy to its knees. And it had been so easy to fool the so wise and just Jedi into believing in the tales of their chosen hero. The Chosen One? Ha! The Jedi had no Chosen One predicted to restore their unbalanced ideal of balance to the Galaxy… That was why they were destined to fall. They trusted too much in a tale of someone who'd shape the Galaxy into something they wanted it to be… A universe of light without shadow. But without the shadow, there could be no light. There would always be darkness and light, forever entangled, forever at battle. The light had dominated for so long, that it'd grown lazy and self-serving. And now, it was the time for darkness to reign. Once more, the Sith would rule the Galaxy… The Jedi would be gone, and their fated Chosen One would stand by Sidious' side as they burned.
Anakin Skywalker was no Chosen One of the Jedi. It was the greatest farce in history! He'd written every word of the prophecy with his Master before anyone who ruled the Jedi Council had taken their first breaths! Son of the Force? That, the boy was not. He was son of Sith. Created by Sidious' Master as a vessel, a means to the immortality he'd craved beyond all other desires. A young body, filled with power ready for his mind to rule. Plagueis planned to live through Skywalker for an eternity, and now Sidious planned to use him to burn the Republic to dust. Chosen One… If Anakin was a Chosen One, then he was the Chosen One of the Sith. And his destiny was upon them all. It had been so easy to guide the boy here. Disgustingly easy. After Sidious sensed the life Padme carried within her, inspiration struck. Once he designed the dream that assaulted Skywalker's mind night after night, he'd hardly had to do anything at all. Stroke the boy's ego, set him up for failures within the Jedi Order. He'd already set him onto the path to darkness many rotations ago, by sending Dooku to pay the savages on Tatooine who lingered in the sand to murder the surrogate who'd carried his Master's seed to life. Her death awoke the darkness Sidious knew paced in a cage within Anakin. Now it waited for its chance to rule again.
And Anakin played into his hand deliciously. Just as he did now. It was all coming together as he had foreseen. That was, until the birth of the youngling, Luke. The existence of that boy had never made itself known in Sidious' visions, but he made the plans far easier to accomplish. What drove Anakin Skywalker, was love. Pathetic as that was, it lit the fire in his blood. And it was the ultimate weakness. Sidious was going to use that weakness to crush the Jedi's heart and replace it with cold, dark, hatred. Skywalker would soon experience the freedom of the Dark side and the power it could offer. And then, Sidious was going to use the combined power of father and son to bend the Galaxy to his will. The other child… He did not sense a power like her brother's within her. No… It was a fierce power he felt, but different. Gentler. He had no interest in the child. She would be dealt with soon enough.
The only complication, however, was Padme.
He had brought her back to Anakin all those years ago with his ordered assassination attempts purposely. It was all part of the plan. Anakin needed something to covet, something to want, to desire. He needed a reason to grow to distrust the Jedi entirely independent of his 'good friend' the Chancellor. And the Force had shown him the way… Fifteen years ago, when a boyish love grew within the slave child for the Queen of Naboo. Padme didn't trust him as Anakin did. She was one of the few who suspected him of misdeeds… She was always too clever for her own good. If she did not play such a vital part of his schemes, he would not have allowed her to advance within this political world as she had. Alas, he needed her here to bed Skywalker. And what a good job she'd done of it…Even bearing him two little whelps with power ripe for the picking. Oh, if only brave and righteous Senator Amidala knew that it was he who she should thank for all of the joy they'd discovered in one another. He'd given them the love they shared, and now it was time to turn that joy, into ashes. Padme was too dangerous to be kept alive. She and her band of Senators were too conniving, too much of a threat to all he'd worked for. He'd already begun to make Anakin hate the Jedi Order, and soon, with a little work, a carefully placed lie or two, and a card hidden deep within his sleeve, he was going to make him grow to hate Padme too.
Anakin's boots thundered against the burgundy carpets of the Senate building as he marched toward the Chancellor's office. Sleep, once more, had eluded him the previous night and the exhaustion was pressing hard onto his body. He'd begged the Force in his meditations to release his mind from Padme's screams night after night, and it'd seen fit to grant his desire. Only, it replaced his wife, with his son. The memory alone was enough to make the Jedi shudder. No father should ever witness their child hurt to such a degree… To see them bleeding and afraid… What happened? Had fate changed its mind? Had it decided that Padme would live, and it was Luke who'd be taken from him now? How? Or, was this another warning? Did he stand to lose them both now?
No!
He'd tear the Force itself to shreds before that happened. Their lives were not for taking. Not Padme and not Luke's… Not his precious little boys… They'd live! He'd find a way! The Jedi Council not accepting him within their ranks was merely a setback – there was something he could do… Even if that something had not occurred to him yet. The archives in the Temple were not the only source of knowledge… There were others… There had to be. People he could speak with… The Jedi Order weren't the only beings well versed in the Force. Other beings had studied it for lifetimes, long before his own. He only needed to find them…
The doors slid open in a slow parting as Anakin nodded once, stiffly, to the Redrobes who stood diligently by either side of the framing. By some mercy, he found the Chancellor alone in his office, watching over the skytraffic through the large, expensive panes of transparisteel behind the elaborate desk, custom made for Palpatine by a famous designer Padme had once told him all about. He thinks it was the same being who created the ornate water fountain built into her veranda… The name escaped him now, however. The Chancellor's solitude, he was grateful for. Anakin was in no mood for the political games he'd been forced to participate in since his return. What he wanted, or perhaps, needed, was truth. Straight to the point conversations. No double meanings or subtle confusions. Just truth.
"Ah, Anakin!" The leader of the Republic smiled as he turned to greet him and Anakin felt compelled to attempt to return the gesture. It wasn't easy, nor was he entirely sure the result looked all that natural. "I'm glad you're here. There is much we have to discuss." There was? Despite his deep fondness for the Chancellor, his office wasn't where he wished to be right now… He'd much rather fly on past the rotunda and straight to 500 Republica to be with his wife and son. Luke had a nightmare last night too, Padme said it herself. What if it was the same one? There could be more that he could learn from it… And more than the desire to understand what these dreams warned of, Anakin longed to be home. It felt like he hadn't been there in weeks, though he'd visited, albeit briefly and for a bitter argument, just yesterday. He wanted to see Luke, and touch his sweet, little face, and know that he was safe. He needed it. The sooner this was over, the better.
"I'm sure." He nodded politely.
"Tell me," Palpatine asked, as he sank down onto the plush velvet seat behind the desk, "Were you with Obi-wan when he departed from his mission?"
"Of course." Anakin responded immediately, though the remnants of his farce smile died on his lips. The short walk to Obi-wan's transport had been filled with unspoken words and silent regrets. There were things he'd wanted to tell him, to apologise for… He hadn't shown his old Master the respect he should have lately… And Anakin regretted that… There would be other times for such words, he supposed, but for a moment, when all had been on the tip of his tongue, ready to be heard by his old friend, his cowardice had gotten the better of him. And, rather than resolution, he'd watched Obi-wan walk away with a bitter taste in his mouth. He regretted that. It was not the… Adult thing to do. He wanted to be better, to set a good example for his children to follow… This was not what he wanted for them one day. "I wished him luck." Came the lie he'd been rehearsing within his mind for just this occasion. No need to spill details of words unsaid. "Not that he'll need it to tear that monster from limb to limb."
"If I can be candid with you, Anakin, I still feel the Council's decision to send Obi-wan was the wrong one." Palpatine's thin fingers laced together tightly and Anakin's eyes fell closed for a moment. Better that than rolling them. By the Force… Would he never hear the end of that decision? Couldn't the issue be left to die now that Obi-wan had left to complete the job? It was over. Let him have the glory of ending the war, Anakin didn't need it… He saw that now. What he needed was his family and their safety ensured.
"The Council placed their faith in him. They do not do that lightly."
Palpatine nodded once, slowly. "What is their plan should Obi-wan fail?"
Their plan? Well… He hadn't thought of it. He doubted it was truly necessary. "I'm sure that… They have something. Don't worry about it too much; anticipation is a form of distraction after all. The Council will deal with any failure when and if it happens." Anakin's trust in the Council may not be as… Strong… As it once was, but he knew their response to any disaster in Utapau would be a quick one. They wanted an end to the war too. Everyone did. From where he sat, the Chancellor chuckled darkly.
"If… I don't believe in any such thing as if, my boy. I believe in when. To lead this Republic to the greatness it deserves, I must anticipate the ambitions and desires of everyone. Both friend and enemy. Preparation and careful planning are what keeps the balance."
Shaking his head, Anakin frowned, "Forgive me, Chancellor, but surely you didn't ask me here to discuss the small possibility of Obi-wan not destroying Grievous?" He had better things to do with his time than that. If that was truly all, then it was time to excuse himself and find his wife... If she was here, he could drag her back to the apartment perhaps… They could spend the day with Luke tucked away where no politics or war could touch them. The prospect grew more tempting by the moment…
"Anakin, something, that I could never have anticipated, no matter how open my mind is, has happened… And, I'm afraid this will be difficult for you to hear." One creased, freckled hand gestured to the seat opposite the desk and Anakin fell into it heavily with a sigh. Was there any good news for him these days? It certainly didn't feel like it… What more could there be now? "As most of this conversation has, it concerns our mutual friend, Obi-wan. Some… Terrible whispers have reached my ears."
Whispers? Obi-wan was the best of them all. His life's work has been to follow the Jedi Code to the very letter and destroy the Sith. His one vice was an occasional same of sabacc in the lower level bars with an alcoholic beverage or two… What was there to whisper about that? "What whispers?" He demanded.
"There seems to be some within the Senate believe I should not have been granted the emergency powers." Anakin's tongue flicked out to wet his lips as the Chancellor spoke, and he listened intently. Yes, he knew all about Senator's who did not support Palpatine with the emergency powers; he'd endured an argument about just that already with his beloved. But that was hardly a surprise…
"Democracy leaves room for those who disagree with their chosen leaders. I don't see what Obi-wan has to do with that." Slowly, Palpatine's head shook, and the old man's gaze trailed away from Anakin for several long moments, and the Jedi frowned. What was going on? This wasn't like him. So much for straight to the point conversation…
"Yes. You're right. However, these Senators have become as much our enemy as the Separatists. Perhaps even more so. They have attempted to achieve their will legally, through the Senate, and when that failed, began the creation of a group of their own. One which desires to remove me from office. By any means necessary."
Anakin reeled, his whole body jolting backwards slightly, so that his neck ached from the quick movement. What he said was… Unbelievable. It was unspeakable! He leant forward to speak lowly, although there was nobody here to overhear the poisonous words in his mouth. "You're saying there are Senator's committing treason?" Such a betrayal had the power to unravel everything they'd worked so hard for – the shaky stability of the Republic! It could send them back to war! A civil war this time! Then the fighting would never end – never. "Who?" He growled as an afterthought.
But the Chancellor merely continued as though Anakin had not spoken at all. "Apparently these treasonous Senators have an agreement with certain members of the Jedi Council to become their accomplices."
"Accomplices in what, exactly?"
"The plot against the Republic… What we spoke of in the opera house was all truth, Anakin… You yourself must see how it's unfolding before our very eyes." The determination in Palpatine's eyes almost drew a tired groan from his lips. Almost. Not this again! It was simply years of leading the Republic through a war which had bred this paranoia within the old man. While it was understandable, Anakin was growing sick of hearing about non-existent plots!
"I'm sorry," he sighed, "I – I just don't –"
"You still don't see it, do you? Well, allow me to open your eyes, son. My sources have given me the identity of the leader of this band of traitors. And so, I have scheduled a meeting with them and the others in around…" He trailed off to glance at the chrono on his desk, "Three standard hours from now. I want you to be here when it happens."
Him? Why? What use could he possibly be in a political meeting concerning plots and political beliefs? Anakin was a warrior, a Jedi Knight, General of a battalion. He was a man of action, not words. Would there be no peace for him in this lifetime?
"I want to know," the Chancellor explained, "Just what the intentions of these beings are. If their words are truth or vicious lies. Your powers hold the key to such answers, Anakin. And if, as I suspect, there is any plotting, this shall confirm it for us both." He supposed that made some sense… Perhaps his attendance would free Palpatine of this worry… If he could do that, then he had to try. It was his duty as a friend.
"I can try." He agreed, but unsatisfied, one of Palpatine's white eyebrows lifted curiously.
"Try? What is it that our good friend Master Yoda says about trying?"
Anakin's eyes narrowed as the age-old mantra he'd heard for almost his entire life sprung to mind as the Master's words echoed in his mind. "Do or do not. There is no try."
"Ah, yes. That's the one. We shall not try, Anakin. We shall do. After all, most of these Senator's couldn't hide their feelings from one of the Jedi's younglings… Much less the most powerful Jedi alive." Leaning back in his seat, his fingers drummed lightly against the armrest. The post powerful? Surely such a title belonged to the likes of Master Yoda or – or… Or him. Maybe he was more powerful than any of them. He was the Chosen One. That destiny brought him the highest midichlorian count ever known – higher even than Yoda's! He was son of the Force. "The most powerful Jedi alive…" The dragon hissed and its warm breath fanned Anakin's ear. "Would the Masters ever admit such a truth?"
He shrugged the beast off a moment later. He had no time for such ponderings right now; he could deal with them later, when Padme, Luke and the baby were safe. They were his priority, the air in his lungs. Nothing else mattered by their precious lives. His eyes fell shut for a moment or two, to stave off the temptation to soak his swelling ego in the warmth of the Chancellor's high praise. When he opened them again, mind clear once more, he spoke. "I still don't see what this has to do with Obi-wan."
Palpatine nodded, "Yes. You see, I've been dreading telling you this Anakin… But I believe that the truth must be heard, however painful. I already told you that the identity of the being who leads the band of Senators working against me is known to a select few. It seems Master Kenobi has been in regular contact with this person. Close contact. My sources have spotted him flitting in and out of the Senator's residence at the most… Unseemly hours. They are rumoured to be… More than mere friends…"
Anakin's fingers curled into fists on the armrests. He knew Obi-wan had lost faith in the Chancellor… But this just couldn't be true. He was too loyal to the Republic to do this… He was! "If you know who this Senator is, have them questioned. The truth will soon come out then." And then Obi-wan's good name could be cleared of all suspicion.
This time, Palpatine shook his head, but it was the man's eyes which caught the Jedi's attention. There was something… Sympathetic within them. But what…? "Anakin, I am so very sorry. But the Senator is… Your wife. Padme."
The air fled Anakin's lungs as quickly as if he'd just taken a hard punch to the stomach. No. His fists uncurled as a cold numbness spread throughout his body, inch by inch, spreading it's ice everywhere. He couldn't mean that… He wasn't insinuating that… It couldn't be true. It was – it was impossible! "I…" He fumbled to find the correct words. How did one tell the Chancellor that his sources were wrong? That they were filthy liars! They were just trying to destroy Padme's good name with their deception! He'd wring their necks for it! "You… P –" He choked on her name and found himself unable to say it suddenly. "She couldn't have. She would never." This was wrong. It wasn't true. He couldn't believe it. He wouldn't. And yet, it felt as if his heart was in the unforgiving clench of a rancor's claws, and its squeeze knew no mercy. Padme was as devoted to Anakin as he was to her! He could never even look at another woman, and he believed that – he knew that Padme would never look at another man; least of all Obi-wan…She was heavy with his child for Force sake! He knew this wasn't true. He did… Didn't he? A deep dread rolled into his stomach as he remembered their fight the day before. She was hiding something from him, he'd sensed it. His heart clenched painfully as a cloud of black suspicion fell upon his mind. What was she hiding? Was it… Could she have…?
"Do you remember what I told you about Darth Plagueis?" Palpatine asked, and Anakin didn't bother to curb his glare. He didn't care about the Sith legend now! "Well, I never told you the ending. A great irony struck the once powerful Sith Lord. You see, he taught his apprentice everything he knew… And that apprentice took the knowledge he gave and do you know what he did with it?"
Nothing. Anakin said nothing. Horrific imaginings plagued his mind… Padme in the arms of another – of Obi-wan. Of his lips on hers… Of their bodies entwined in the throes of a passion she was only supposed to share with him. His chest heaved, hot tears springing into his unwilling eyes. It wasn't true. It wasn't true. It wasn't true.
"He killed Plagueis in his sleep. That's the irony… He could save others from death, but not himself."
Slowly, Anakin lifted his head to look the Chancellor in the eye, shoulders sagging suddenly. The stinging wetness of his eyes blurred his vision beyond repair, but to blink would mean spilling the tears and he could not let himself do such a thing. Not for a lie. It was a lie. It had to be… But with every passing moment, he became less and less sure. "Why are you telling me this now?" His teeth bared themselves dangerously as he spoke, control rapidly slipping beyond his reach.
Palpatine, however, seemed unfazed. "I want you to learn. Sometimes it is those who are the closest to us, who have the power to betray us worse than our enemy ever could."
In his chest, the burn grew hotter still, a kindling into an inferno as white hot dragon fire gave Anakin the strength to rise to his feet suddenly, the numbness melting in its wake. "I'll be at your meeting." He spat as he stormed toward the door, cloak swaying as his body moved. Yes, he'd attend the meeting… But first he had to see her, and he'd have the truth. He may be seen, but Anakin didn't care. Let the entire Galaxy see him with her, nothing was going to stop him. Not now.
He needed the truth.