a.n. Well, here is another chapter. Sorry I didn't update last week, but I had a midterm I had to study for. Plus, I wanted to watch Episode II again to refamiliarize myself with some of the details because my memory is not that great. Oh, well. But I did do an update for another story, Destiny. Haven't done that one for months. Anyways, this might be kinda short, but it seems like a good place to end. Enjoy, read, review! Also, if you have any suggestions for me, be sure to let me know!

Chapter 9: Meeting with the Chancellor

As Luca rode the turbolift up to the Supreme Chancellor's office, he let his mind wander and thought about how he would handle himself in the coming days. He was still anxious about meeting with Palpatine. He had been unhappy with his former Master from the start, beginning at the point when he had first become Darth Vader. He knew he had been stronger than Palpatine and he could have overthrown him at any time with little effort. The only two things that kept him obedient to the decrepit and aging Sith Lord was the fact that he needed Palpatine to keep the citizens obedient and that he knew he could still learn many things from the man. Palpatine had such a commanding air about him that it seemed almost unnatural to have anyone disobey him. Vader had always known that in order for peace to reign in the galaxy, a man of Palpatine's prowess and political genius needed to be in charge. When he deemed the time was right and he had learned everything he needed to know, however, Vader would have overthrown the Emperor and ruled the Empire as his own, molding it to his liking. Just as he had promised to Padmé.

Luca felt his heart clench at the thought of his angel. He had made so many mistakes in his life, and the one he was most ashamed of was allowing himself to be seduced by Palpatine's words and turned into the dark entity that was Vader. He had only wanted to protect Padmé and their unborn child, to give them a safe place to live where they would be free from any threats or dangers. Palpatine had manipulated him and twisted his mind to such a degree that he was willing to do the most horrible things to protect his wife and child. The part of him that had yet to be consumed by the shadow of the dark side knew that it was wrong to do what he had done. It had been wrong to march those troopers into the Jedi Temple. It had been wrong to attack the peace-loving Jedi that had resided within those walls. And it had been wrong to slaughter those innocent children, children that had looked to him for safety and security during that terrible night. Younglings whose cherubic faces had adopted a look of fear when he had drawn his lightsaber on them. Padawans that, had things been different and more peaceful, would probably have been his own children, Luke and Leia.

Tears formed in Luca's eyes as he let these dark thoughts assault his mind. Of course he wasn't proud of what he had done, but there had been no way to reverse the damage and the pain he had caused. Now, however, he could prevent Anakin from committing such atrocious acts and lead him away from the temptation of the dark side.

Luca wiped his tears away, calmed himself down, and collected his thoughts as he felt the turbolift come to a stop. He would do his best to control his emotions and not let himself be overtaken by them when he face the man who had been the cause of so much pain and heartache in his life.

He arrived at the Chancellor's office and was met with the faces of the Council members. Some of them looked upon him warily, unsure of his reasons for being there. Others acknowledged his presence with a simple nod. Very few, like Master Windu, he felt nothing from and wasn't sure what his thoughts were.

Luca found Yoda among the gathering of the Jedi. The old Master looked up at him, a solemn look on his face. Luca noticed a sad, weary look in Yoda's eyes and wanted more than ever to succeed in his quest. He turned his eyes away from Yoda when he heard a voice, a voice he was hoping he would never hear again, addressing him.

"Hello, young man. I don't believe we have met. I am Palpatine, Supreme Chancellor of the Republic. Who might you be?"

Luca fought to restrain his anger and control his emotions. Now was not the time to lash out at Palpatine. No one here knew what he was capable of and nobody knew the crimes he would commit in a few short years. It wasn't the time to make anybody suspicious of him.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," Luca said, faking politeness, "I have heard a great deal about you. My name is Luca, Luca Redenov."

Luca watched as Palpatine bowed his head and he noticed a subtle, evil smirk hiding behind the slight smile he gave him. He saw a quick, feral glance in the Chancellor's eyes, directed his way, before Palpatine's face assumed a more pained expression.

"The pleasure is mine, Luca. I see you have come on the request of Master Yoda and the Jedi Council. Though I have no objections to it, may I ask you your purpose for wanting to be present at this meeting? Why are you here?"

Luca thought about the Chancellor's question. What, exactly, can I tell him without giving away who I actually am? Luca thought. He knew he couldn't tell Palpatine the truth. Only the Jedi Council was allowed to know that. He didn't want to give Palpatine any reason to be suspicious of any of them just yet. In time, he knew Palpatine would find out; right now, surprise was his ally and it was important to keep most things about who he was to himself.

"My purpose here is to aid you and the Jedi in reaching a resolution about the debate in the Senate."

"You mean the Military Creation Act?" Palpatine asked him.

"Yes, sir."

Palpatine looked at him questioningly. "What kind of help do think you would be?"

Luca just shrugged his shoulders. "I do have some experience in dealings with politicians. I have been known to be very persuasive in some discussions. I have been told that it is one of my talents."

Palpatine looked at Luca critically for a moment. There was something about the mysterious young man that irked him. He had a feeling that he had better watch himself when he was around Luca. He felt he also had to keep a wary eye on the young man in front of him. Finally, Palpatine nodded his head, accepting Luca's explanation. He gave the young man a pleased smile.

"In that case, I hope you are indeed able to succeed."

"As do I, Chancellor."

Master Windu prevented any more talk on the subject by reminding the Chancellor of their reasons for being there.

"Chancellor, it is urgent that we speak to you on the matter of the Separatists and the retreating star systems. I know the Senate is still split over the issue of creating a military for the Republic. That bill cannot be allowed to pass. It would only give more incentive to those systems that are already considering withdrawing from the Republic."

Palpatine's face adopted a look of a man who was tired and weary of the all things that he had to deal with.

"I don't know how much longer I can hold off the vote, my friends. More and more star systems are joining the separatists."

"If they do break away –"

Palpatine interrupted him. "No! I will not let that happen!"

"But if they do, you must realize there aren't enough Jedi to protect the Republic. We are keepers of the peace, not soldiers," Mace continued.

Palpatine turned towards Yoda. "Master Yoda, do you think it will really come to war?

Yoda's face was solemn. "Impossible to see...The Dark Side clouds everything. But this I am sure of…do their duty the Jedi will."