Author's Note: I am truly grateful for all the marvelous reviews. Merci beaucoup to:

Erurawien, KnightRogue, Ann Jinn, Geri K, charie, Pharaohess, Nelarun, Crydwyn, Breger, Barranca, kirallie, and Sammy's girl

My thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read this story. :)


As he smoothly navigated the sleek corvette speeder through the crowded Coruscant space lanes, Obi-Wan shook his head in an effort to dispel the slight throbbing that lingered as the result of the recent skirmish. Beside him, a solemn Xanatos closely eyed the pulsing signal on a miniaturized tracking device, speaking only to impart directions.

Their target destination looming in the distance was the august Senate building. Bypassing customary parking procedures, the knight adeptly flew into a private VIP docking zone and landed. Impressed they were granted entry when the appropriate authorization code was transmitted, the puzzled noble furrowed his brow.

"A good acquaintance of mine, Bail Organa, apprised me of this legislative perk." The Jedi confidentially disclosed. "I've had to discreetly drop the young senator from Alderaan off a few times after a couple of all night bashes."

"Why Obi-Wan, I never took you for a party animal."

Subtly smiling, the knight declined to comment and changed the subject. "Speaking of animals. Whatever you hurled at that malfeasant menace certainly caused him to scurry away like petrified desert womp rat."

"Special phosphorus compound developed by my Off World research and development labs. It contains a rare radioactive isotope. Virtually harmless, but it'll leave our sithy overlord glowing like a neon beacon long enough for us to track him down and expose him once and for all."

Though aware of the gravity of the situation, Obi-Wan didn't hesitate in stopping to query his companion after exiting the vehicle.

"What happened back there, Xan? We could have taken him together."

"Could we have?" The noble voiced his doubt. "Did you perchance notice what a pathetic ineffective showing of lightsaber prowess I demonstrated against my opponent. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I was oh so very tempted to enhance my performance with just a tiny taste of the Dark side." He beheld the stark concerned expression on his friend's face. "It was better this way. By dousing him, I avoided a serious pitfall."

The frank admission alarmed the generally temperate younger man.

"For Force sakes, don't tell me you're still seriously contemplating turning, solely to engage a Sith."

"In all likelihood, a little Dark side edge may be the decisive factor necessary in order to finally bring him down. If so, then...so be it." The doggedly determined Xanatos then cringed. "Gads, I'm beginning to sound like Qui-Gon with his insufferable 'I will do what I must' aphorism."

"And like our former master, you're limiting your vision and not looking at the overall picture," the knight rationally exhorted. "You're going by your gut instinct, but totally dismissing the damaging repercussions that are sure to result from such a reckless undertaking."

"Wisely balancing a little Unifying Force in with the Living Force, are we?," was the glib reply.

"Don't go off half-cocked, Xan. No matter how noble your intentions are. Going Dark side is never the answer." Running a hand through his copper hair, Obi-Wan bluntly advised, "It's a major tactical error in judgment to take this situation personally."

"So says the unhinged Jedi who nearly crossed the line when his master got skewered by that horned tattooed Sith creature on Naboo."

"Which puts me in the perfect position to know exactly how easy it would be for you to reslide into a bottomless abyss that you might not be able to dig yourself out of again."

The tension from the heated exchange began to dissipate as Xanatos realized that it was the distinct possibility of history reverting, leading the two Jedi brothers into becoming bitter enemies once more that deeply troubled Obi-Wan the most.

"Relax. For all that it's worth, I give you my word. I have no acute desire to revisit going down that particular twisted road again." He chuckled." It probably won't even have to come to that since I expect you to rescue me from whatever ugly predicament I happen to find myself embroiled in. Which reminds me, thank you for the last second save. Although, you did cut it a bit too close for comfort."

"I had my hands full at the time," the knight wryly explained, "Or did you imagine it was your fairy godfather who took care of those hiding henchmen while you were having your little confab with the infamous Lord of Darkness?"

"Let's not forget why we're here." prompted Xanatos who was gamely attempting to pinpointing their quarry. "The hunt for one glow-in-the-dark Sith Lord continues."


Because of the late hour, the Senate building was mostly deserted as the pair, in their quest, cautiously made their way through numerous empty corridors to the upper echelon chambers of those who possessed the most omnipotent political power.

Both men felt stunned disbelief as they neared the stately suite of the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic. It was then that Obi-Wan felt the familiar unsettling creepy sensation that had made his skin crawl earlier. Before he could comment, Xan cut his friend off abruptly, "I know exactly what you're going to say. I have a bad feeling about this, too."

After passing through the outer reception area, it was obvious that the regal double doors to the official office were uncharacteristically left ajar in ominous invitation.

"It's a trap," Obi-Wan plainly opined.

Speculating on the motives of their crafty nemesis, Xanatos openly extrapolated, "He knows we're on to him. Knew we'd follow and cleverly set this up. He wants to convene with us because if he had wanted us dead by now, we wouldn't have made it this far. Not with all the power he has at his disposal in this bastion."

"We can't back away now," the knight reckoned. "The Supreme Chancellor...A Sith Lord...No one would believe us. We've got no solid evidence on him. No proof that isn't circumstantial."

"Not yet, you mean." Switching off the tracking unit, the noble recalibrated the mechanism before fastidiously clipping it onto his belt.

"Gentlemen..." Greeted the voice oozing artificial cordiality from the next room. "Would you be good enough to join me."

Wanting confirmation as well as answers, there was no other alternative. The two men with matching steely resolve, nodded their support for one another before heading onto their face to face confrontation.


Obi-Wan had been in the executive suite before. As a senior padawan, he had delivered highly confidential documents to the then Chancellor Finis Valorum. The past decor, he recalled, was tastefully streamlined and understated. A definite contrast to the lavish extravagant furnishings now on display.

Upon entering, the pair immediately recognized the phosphorous drenched cloak which lay draped across an expensive armchair in the corner. Soon to be no doubt incinerated.

Their attention was then drawn to the benign countenance of Chancellor Palpatine whose genial persona was belied by the brilliant chemical streak shining from his hair, giving affirmation to his true identity.

"Not here to assail a public servant, I hope?," he asked with audacious amusement from behind his ornate desk.

"We're not callow schoolboys," Xanatos pointed out. "I'd wager that this place is wired and if we were to draw our lightsabers, we'd appear like a couple of back alley assassins."

"Always thinking two steps ahead, I truly do admire a cunning mind. Though I must applaud you both for your resourcefulness and ingenuity in uncovering who I am so early in the stages of my operation."

"You're the master manipulator who's been pulling strings all along. As Senator of Naboo, it was you who convinced Queen Amidala to call for a vote of no confidence against Valorum, paving your way to the Chancellorship. A position, I suspect, you have absolutely no intention of relinquishing, except for that of tyrant."

"Most insightful, Knight Kenobi...For a Jedi."

"What makes you so sure that the Jedi won't eventually catch on to your nefarious charade?"

The Sith outright cackled, "The Jedi are utterly clueless. So set in your ways and completely mystified by the elusive shroud of darkness I've cast. Moreover, I have Council dancing to my every bureaucratic behest and whim at the snap of my fingers."

"Is this the part," Xanatos blithely interjected, "where you go into detail about your entire devious and elaborate scheme right before you announce your plans to kill us?"

Palpatine chortled with mirth. "I must confess that out of all the impertinent individuals I've had the displeasure of dealing with, you are the most entertaining. It would have been rather challenging having you for a Sith apprentice. You're just as hubristic as my previous one, Darth Maul," he noted, overtly eying Obi-Wan with chilling umbrage. "But much more slyly duplicitous."

The pair watched with disturbed fascination as the passive visage of the Supreme Chancellor effortlessly transmogrified into the dark guise of Darth Sidious. "As far as the public is concerned, you two were last seen enjoying yourselves at the Coruscant Solstice Ball. Unfortunately, there is no one to bear witness to your arrival or presence here." He paused a beat to ponder. "It does seem like such a waste to do away with two such proficient and perspicacious warriors. Perhaps I'll just partially mind-wipe you both and have done with it."

The threat once delivered had the intrepid duo instantly poised in defensive mode ready for probable attack.

"With the departure of my predecessor," the Sith Lord informed with a sweep of his hands, "these offices were remodeled with special features to ensure the protection of a man befitting my eminent stature."

A secret button was pushed and a protective barrier formed around the Chancellor and his desk. Meanwhile, a small panel on an adjoining wall opened allowing a slew of deadly flying assault droids into the room.

Lightsabers ignited at the first sign of danger. Obi-Wan and Xanatos braced themselves for the onslaught.

"I do so adore surprises," Sidious' voice dripped with evil delight. "So I'll let you both discover on your own whether this robotic arsenal has been programmed to either 'stun' or 'exterminate'."