Chapter 13
Open Wounds
"As you can see the damage is severe. The south eastern tower of the Jedi temple is little more than rubble, casualties are unconfirmed but we can estimate that it is in the tens at least, with many more injured. Emergency services are at the scene and doing what they can."
"Do we know who was behind this?"
"I'm afraid not. At the moment several groups are being looked into but none had been thought capable of this kind of attack and those thought capable have no fault with the Jedi themselves. The Jedi have not commented as of yet and neither have the emergency services, when asked they replied that when they know we'll know."
"Thank you. Harrowing images from the site of the Jedi temple. You are through to the Galactic Republic News Network, please stay with us for further updates."
It was a disaster, and threatened all of his immediate plans. Palpatine watched the news forecast with a calculating gaze, ignoring the sunrise as it began to creep over the horizon. His mind worked over the possibilities. There was already some talk about delaying several Senatorial committees, including the emergency session, as a show of solidarity and support for the Jedi.
He had expected Maul to create a distraction so he could infiltrate the temple. It was a well known assassins method when trying to gain access to a heavily guarded compound, but this was too grand and too public. It had caused ripples of panic and disbelief across Coruscant, as well as a swell of sympathy and support for the Jedi among the general public. Tributes had been pouring in. It was enough to make him feel physically ill.
He needed to work quickly.
The emergency session concerning Naboo must not be delayed. He would continue to play the part of the well loved and popular Senator, giving his condolences to the Jedi but also reminding that his own peoples plight could not be ignored. It had to be handled delicately but he was sure he could pull it off. Perhaps call for a minutes silence before proceedings began. It might even work in his favour, with no Jedi being present at the session at all.
He began preparing for the day, carefully choosing his Senatorial robes and placing them on his already made bed before cleaning himself with a sonic shower and copious amounts of cologne. The moment he exited the bathroom, cleaning himself off with a towel, the news had returned to the Jedi temple and he paid attention.
"I am here live with Ki-Adi-Mundi, Jedi Master and member of the Jedi High Council. Thank you for joining us Master. I understand this is a difficult time."
"Indeed, thank you for your patience."
"Not at all. What can you tell us so far, Master?"
"We do not have an exact number of casualties as of yet, but so far we have confirmed the deaths of fourteen with over fifty wounded. All have been taken to our Halls of Healing, where our healers as well as medical volunteers are caring for them." Ki-Adi-Mundi replied, fully dressed in his ceremonial Jedi robes. He outwardly exhumed a pillar of clam but Palpatine relished in the sorrow and pain he felt within.
"Do you have any idea who was responsible for the attack?"
"I am afraid not, but rest assured both we and the Judiciary are working to find those responsible. They will be brought to justice for this horrendous act."
"There are many people out there worried at this event, and tributes are already pouring in from the people. Do the Jedi have anything to say to them?"
"Yes." Ki-Adi-Mundi looked right at the camera, and bowed his head. "To all those thinking of us and offering their support, we thank you. Myself personally, as well as the Jedi Order as a whole, are overwhelmed by the show of support from the people of the Republic. Thank you all. To those who govern the Republic we also thank you for your support, but plead with you not to delay your important work for our sakes. The Jedi will continue to function as we always have, and we ask for those in the role of government to do the same lest those responsible for this horrendous and cowardly attack gain a victory."
"Thank you, Master Mundi."
"Thank you."
"Wise but solemn words from Jedi Master Mundi. Back to you."
Palpatine grinned as he began to dress, thankful for the Jedi and their insufferable mandate to protect the Republic even when their home was burning. If the Senate heeded those words then the emergency session would continue apace, and his plans would not be delayed or stopped. He could even fabricate some information and use this bombing to his advantage. He would have to thank Master Mundi for his help, once the light left his eyes of course.
That left other issues for him to resolve. He would need to find a replacement for Maul. He had always been aware that for the dominance of the Sith to succeed he would need a more able apprentice than the Zabrak assassin but his death had come far too soon for his own plans. He would need to find a replacement, and quickly.
His Masters own files of agents and potential recruits may prove helpful in that regard. Darth Plagueis was many things but he was also a diligent cataloguer with a good eye for those who may prove useful to the Sith. His files undoubtedly had a list of potential recruits he could sift through to find a temporary replacement.
A brief stop to his teachers secret laboratory may be warranted, after all it was early in the day. He had hours before his first order of business with the senate. Now fully dressed in his senatorial robes Palpatine turned and left his room, already tapping the necessary codes to deactivate his security and prepare his personal speeder.
Within the hour he had traversed the cityscape to an old, abandoned section of the planets industrial sector, passing by abandoned speeder lanes, surrounded by decrepit and abandoned structures until he came upon an old abandoned mill protected by his masters own personally modified security and a handful of similarly modified assassin droids. The droids did not bother him, recognising him as their controllers apprentice and deactivating after a pre-emptive scan.
He used his own retinal and handprint data to enter the facility, walking through dark eerie corridors until he came upon the laboratory. His Master had dabbled in everything, cobbled together consoles and cabling lined the walls and floor, ancient tubes full of specimens and a preservation liquid glowed ominously as Palpatine sat before the main console and activated the controls.
Getting through the decryption was simple and accessing his Masters files even more so. He was soon looking through a list of potential recruits and agents, both aware and sleeper. He went through them one at a time until he came upon a single name and a brief chuckle escaped his lips as he read through the information and viewed the profile.
"I would never have guessed."
Rey woke up to white ceilings and the beeping of medical machinery. She lay in an incredibly comfortable white bed, was fairly aware of several cables and tubes piercing her flesh and the undeniable sounds of snoring beside her. The snoring was coming from Poe, who was sitting on a chair across the room, arms folded and head pressed against his chest.
"I'm getting real tired of this." Rey sighed.
She couldn't help but smile, even as her painful memories came back to her. A confrontation with Darth Maul, an explosion up above, a fight breaking out with the last thing she remembered being her lying on the ground, curled up in a ball with the severed stump of an arm pressed against her chest. She raised the hand in question, saw the stump covered in clean white bandages and was just able to stop herself from laughing despite the situation, or was it crying?
Her families curse hit her after all.
She shook her head, willing herself not to give into despair or self pity. Her father and grandfather had both lost a hand early in their lives and that hadn't stopped them so it wouldn't stop her either. Granted one became a tyrant more machine than man while the other became a Jedi Master with terrible luck but she would not give in to this.
On another note the so-called Phantom Pain was very real.
Poe finally stirred, opening his eyes droopily which quickly became wide awake when he saw her sitting up and glaring at the place where her hand should be. "Rey, you're awake! Thank the Force!"
Rey offered him a pained smile. "Hi Poe."
"How are you feeling?" He asked, slowly and hesitantly before grimacing as if he had said something monumentally stupid. She smiled at him.
"Good." She supplied wryly, raising the stump for memories sake.
"Yeah, good." He avoided eye contact, making her frown. He looked nervous and, dare she think it, guilty. "I'll go get the healer."
He moved towards the exit, reaching out to hit the switch for the sliding door. Rey watched him go, a stupid thought circling maniacally through her mind which she needed to get out into words. "It's not your fault."
He stopped, fingertip an inch away from the switch. "Yes it is. I wasn't there."
he pushed the button and stepped through the door before she could say otherwise, leaving her alone for a time. All the while she looked at her stump of an arm and fumed. What was it with men and their damn chivalry to protect a woman till the death, and their need to take all the blame when something happened to said woman. Rey had always thought it was a stupid notion, and her friends were above such basic thoughts of chivalry. She had been wrong apparently. She wasn't angry though, at least not at them.
She needed to talk to Poe though. This was her own fault not his or anyone else's.
Soon a healer entered the room, a beautiful woman with greenish skin, brilliant blue eyes, tattoos running from her dark lips down her chin. She was dressed in dark Jedi robes, with a headdress hiding her hair. Her smile was kind and patient. "Just like your friend said your awake."
The woman introduced herself as Luminara Unduli, senior healer of the Halls of Healing.
She went on to inform Rey of her medical situation, advising her that although she had lost her hand they had the required medical equipment and materiel to replace it with a cybernetic substitute which should be ready within the next few days. The surgery was slated to take place in two days, recovery and physical therapy time was estimated at roughly four months. She also informed her that besides the lost limb she had also suffered a few cracked ribs, hairline fractures and nasty second degree burns. At one point she had been placed in a Bacta tank for several hours while medical droids worked to prepare her stump for the surgery.
It turned out she wasn't the only one who had suffered such injuries from Darth Maul.
Finn had been the first to visit her over the course of the day and needed little encouragement in exchanging stories of their less than stellar health. It had been decided right away that she won the contest. He had suffered several cracked, even a few broken ribs, and internal bleeding which was thankfully behind him, both from the Sith's stomping spree and him being thrown away by his own blast. He was more worried about his armour than himself. The breastplate had caved in and he had used up his jetpacks rocket.
Obi-Wan had gotten it worse, considering he didn't have any armour to protect himself and had been thrown like a ragdoll for most of the battle. He had limped into the room, abdomen, left arm and right leg tapped up. He didn't elaborate on his own injuries, thoroughly bemused that they were making a game of it, but several bones had been cracked, and others had been broken. He was off active Jedi duty for the next few months and like her he wasn't going to the emergency session of the Senate.
They sat in chairs, and told her the latest. Darth Maul's idea of a distraction was to blow up one of the temples spires, the south eastern spire to be exact, which was now little more than rubble. The incident had been so serious that emergency services had been called to help put out the fires and dig through the rubble in search of survivors. So far fourteen Jedi had been confirmed killed in the attack, with over fifty others wounded, several seriously, and three others still missing. The Halls of Healing were full to near capacity and the Healers had worked continuously without sleep since the incident.
Rey had been shocked by the news. She had expected the Sith to try something but she had not expected such a public attack on the temple and one so serious it would cost so many lives. Either Maul had acted alone or it was on his Masters orders, either way she suspected it meant they were getting desperate.
"What about the ship?" She asked. "Did we get there in time."
"Yeah, we made it in time." Finn nodded grimly. "Not in time to save any of the Jedi protecting it, but in time to stop the Sith from destroying the data. The head Investigator, Master Nu, sent the protocol droid up to the cockpit and locked the turbolift to stop Maul from entering. We arrived a minute late."
"It was unnecessary." Obi-Wan was looking at the tiled floor, brows furrowed. "Master Nu was an old woman. She would not have been able to stop him yet he took the time to toy with her before he killed her. Who does something like that?"
"A Sith." Rey supplied helpfully. "There's horror stories in my time of what Palpatine and his ilk did, and most were discovered to be truth."
Obi-Wan remained distraught for several moments before closing his eyes and centring himself in the Force. Trying with everything he had to clear his mind of his anger and outrage. After a time he finally seemed to relax, taking in deep breathes before rejoining the conversation.
"The Senate were considering locking down and cancelling all meetings to show respect for what had happened, but the Jedi managed to convince them to continue on." He continued gravely. "The emergency session will continue on time and Master Jinn will be by the Queens side. I only hope she goes along with the plan."
"What about the data?"
"The Jedi are looking through the translated data now." Finn massaged his brow, looking tired and worn. "I hope it was worth all of this."
Rey and Obi-Wan couldn't help but agree.
In the silence that followed she had just remembered something, and sighed in irritation. This question was in danger of becoming her catchphrase. "How long was I out?"
"Nine hours."
She did a mental count. "The session is in two hours. Does that mean Master Jinn is going alone?"
"Not exactly, a substitute was found."
The halls of the senate were bustling with people. Senators from thousands of different races walked by in flowing colourful robes, followed in their wake by advisors and aides. At key points the blue robed formed of the Senate Guard, protectors of this ancient structure, stood with ceremonial rifles held firmly against their shoulders and bullet shaped helms protecting impassive faces.
Queen Amidala watched the bustle, then brought her gaze upon the well adorned ceiling. These were the halls of one of the oldest and most cherished buildings in the entire Republic. The Senate, a structure which housed the highest form of government. It had remained standing for thousands of years. Some rumours stated that it had been build when the Republic had been formed while others stated it had come hundreds of years later.
Either way she was here.
Her Handmaidens remained by her, forever a bastion of strength for her. Two of Panaka's guards flanked them and standing by her side was her own Senator. Palpatine belonged in these halls, bedecked in grand colourful robes which swept majestically as he walked. His appearance was impeccable, not a white hair out of place, not a single crease or stain on his robes as he led the way towards the personal Repulsorpod of the Naboo.
Here she instructed them to stop, looking around.
Palaptine noticed this. "Is there an issue, My Queen."
"No, Senator. No issue." She replied, eyes focused as she looked through the crowd.
"Then perhaps if we could continue. The session is about to begin."
"There are two others who will be joining us."
"Who?"
There they were. "Them."
Two Jedi appeared around the corner, dressed in dirt brown robes with hoods over their heads. All those in their path stopped their conversations and allowed them to pass, mutterings and whispers beginning to echo through the corridor. It was not rare to see the Jedi in the Senate, but never when a session was about to begin.
The two figures stopped before the Naboo, bowed low and when they rose to their full heights again they reached up to push back their hoods. She nodded to Qui-Gon the moment his face became visible, but was slightly surprised to see the person with him was not his apprentice. She knew him though, few with knowledge of the Jedi did not know this man. The hood was pushed back to reveal the focused features of Mace Windu, second chair of the Jedi High Council.
"Masters, thank you for coming." She greeted.
Both men nodded, though it was Qui-Gon who spoke. "We thank you for your understanding, your highness."
"If I may ask Master Jinn? Where is your Padawan?"
"He was caught up in the terrorist attack last night. Do not fear he is alive and recovering."
"I am glad to hear that."
"We give our support and our condolences to the Jedi in this difficult time, and hope that the perpetrators of such a barbarous attack be found and brought to justice." Palpatine interjected smoothly, uttering the sickly sweet words a politician was expected to say. "Begging your pardon Masters, however your timing is quite unfortunate. An emergency session is already underway."
"We are aware, Senator." Master Windu replied. "We will be taking part in this session on behalf of the Naboo, with the Queens approval."
The Queen nodded. "Of course."
"Forgive me Masters, but this is highly irregular."
"Nothing with this issue is normal, Senator." Mace replied. "Rest assured we will not attempt to interfere against the Naboo."
"Yes, of course." Palpatine replied, keeping his frown in check with a genial smile. "We would be pleased to welcome you, Masters."
Both Masters Jinn and Windu bowed their heads before following behind the Senator and the Queen onto the repulsorpod, all the while Palpatine kept a critical eye on his two uninvited guests. Just what had they and the Queen been in contact about, away from his gaze? They could not possibly suspect him. He had made absolutely sure that his identity be kept secret, as his predecessors had done before him over a thousand years.
So why were they here? What was their purpose?
The Repulsorpod hummed as it was released from its docking clamp, floating into the grand chamber of the Galactic Senate. In this chamber was the Supreme Chancellors platform, located in the middle of the cavernous opening atop a tall spire, from there the leader of the Republic could see every repulsorpod and speak with every Senator and Representative which made up the Senate.
This was the place, where the beginnings of his endgame would come to life.
"The data has been translated, Master."
Yoda was silent, raising his head to look at the worried expression of Depa Billipa, whose usually beautiful face was gaunt from stress and lack of sleep, dark bags could be seen under her slightly bloodshot eyes. She wanted guidance. She needed his guidance, but Yoda could not bring himself to give it.
Every idle moment his thoughts would go to the lines of bodies before him, forms covered by white tarpaulin sheets. Their voices now silent to the world of the living. He had counted them over and over again since he had come into this small, dark chamber. He had gone to each body, lifted the sheet to see them, remember that face from when he or she had been a youngling taking part in his class, smiling and laughing as only a child would.
There were some who would say it was impossible to remember the faces of all whom they met, but Yoda remembered them all. He knew their faces and remembered their names with a clarity he wished he didn't have. For nearly nine hundred years he had been a Jedi, had seen countless fellows be brought to the temple, grow up, become great Jedi and die either in combat or when old age granted it.
With a heavy heart which was close to breaking he had taken a seat on one of the crates and stared at the bodies silently.
Nineteen.
There were nineteen bodies laid out in this small space. Fourteen had died in the blast and collapse of the tower, another three had been found in the rubble and two more had died of their injuries despite the best efforts of the Healers to save them.
"Master?"
"Leave me, will you?"
For a time the woman remained, torn between adhering to his wishes or staying. Finally she nodded her head and stepped back over the threshold. "Yes, Master."
The door closed, darkness returned and Yoda was left alone. He was amazed that his voice had not gave out on him when he made such a selfish request but he could not see passed it. The Jedi were supposed to be neutral, in control of their emotions, yet how could a living breathing being remain so calm and in control when something like this happened.
Yoda looked over the lines of the dead, and placed a gnarled three fingered hand over his face as his long ears drooped. "Forgive me."
"To state our allegations, I present Queen Amidalla. Recently elected ruler of Naboo, who speaks on our behalf!"
Palpatine stepped back then, allowing the Queen to rise from her seat and take his place on the pulpit of the repulsorpod. She turned a sideways glance to the two Jedi, seated alongside Sabe and Eirtae and, for all intents and purposes, seemed to meld into the background alongside her handmaidens.
"Honourable representatives of the Republic." She began, composed as her voice boomed into the quiet hall. "I come before you under the gravest of circumstance. Naboo system has been invaded by the droid armies of the Trade Federation-"
"I object! There is no proof!" Once again the Trade Federations representative added his voice to the argument, his repulsorpod floating into position alongside the Naboo's own as its representative, Lott Dod, spoke in a loud and insulted voice. "This is incredible. We request a commission be sent to Naboo to ascertain the truth!"
Another repulsorpod appeared, floating into place, this one carrying the Gran representatives of Malastare. A powerful planet in the Mid-Rim and also a stalwart ally of the Trade Federation. "The Congress of Malastare concurs with the delegate of the Trade Federation. A commission must be appointed!"
"The point-" Vaolrum began, only to be interrupted by one of his own advisors, who apologised for interrupting before smothering the microphone with his hand and speaking to the Chancellor in hushed tones.
Palpatine suddenly appeared by her side, whispering into her ear. "Enter the bureaucrats. The true rulers of the Republic, and on the payroll of the Trade Federation I might add. This is where Chancellor Valorum's strength will disappear."
Both Qui-Gin and Mace raised their heads slightly, using the Force to eavesdrop into the Senators words. They looked to each other, but remained silent despite their growing worry. If they could not trust the Queen in her own decisions and interfere then they would alienate her. This was a battle only she could fight.
"The point is conceded." Valorum said at last, disgruntled, unhappy even, but resigned as his gaze returned to the Queen. "Would you defer your motion to allow a commission to explore the validity of your accusations?"
Her anger seethed through the Force, betrayal and hurt washing over them as she leaned forward, fixing a glare upon the Chancellor which few would be able to stand. She may be young and out of her depth but Padme Amidala was anything but defenceless. "I will not defer. I have come before you to resolve this attack on our sovereignty now! I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you all discuss this in a committee!"
There were worried murmurs from among the Senators and Representatives. They had not expected the Queen to take this quite as badly as she did. Even the representatives of Malastare seemed to disappear from the confrontation, returning to their own place within the chamber, their representatives looking at each other.
"If this body is not capable of action, then a new approach is needed!"
Palpatine smiled. He couldn't help himself. This was the moment when centuries of planning by the Sith came to fruition.
"I move to speak to the member worlds of the Republic directly."
His smile fell.
"I reject. There is no legality in this!" Lott Dod decreed.
"There is, in fact the first article of the Republic specifically relates to this. Member states can be adhered to directly for help in times of crisis. I had thought a delegate of the Senate would be aware of this." The Queen replied, voice equal parts stoicism and surety.
"Are you looking to start a war, your highness?" Valorum asked, frowning.
"That is not my intent. It is not within the peaceful ideals of the Naboo to start a conflict with those we consider friends. To explain this further I will defer to my guests." She stepped back, and both Jedi stood and made their way to the pulpit, features still hidden within the shadows of their hoods. "I present to you Jedi Master Mace Windu, Second Chair of the Jedi High Council, and Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, who was originally sent to Naboo to act as an ambassador between us and the Trade Federation."
Both men pulled back their hoods, revealing their features to the multitudes of men and women of the Senate. There were concerned and awed murmurings amongst those present, none of whom remembered a Jedi being present in such a special session of the Senate, not in all of their careers as Senators of the Republic.
"What are you doing?" Palpatine asked, hoping his voice remained neutral despite the simmering anger he felt. This was not part of the plan.
The Queen turned her head elegantly to look at him, a smile quirking up the corners of her mouth. "Wait and see, Senator."
He wanted nothing else than to cut her down in this moment.
"Greetings, Honourable Senators and Representatives of the Republic." Mace Windu began, voice calm and loud enough in the cavernous chamber for all within to hear. "We come before you alongside the Naboo in a time of great distress and turmoil. No doubt you are all aware of the present situation and calls will be made for a committee to be formed to investigate the allegations against the Trade Federation. These calls are unnecessary, for the Jedi are prepared to send a delegation of ambassadors to Naboo effective immediately to investigate the situation and bring a peaceful end to this crisis."
Once again there were murmurings within the Senate, silenced by the bellowing voice of Lott Dod. "I object. The Jedi have no right to speak of such matters!"
Master Windu's gaze fell upon the Trade Federations representative, and the man felt the weight of a world fall upon him. "Are you making the assumption that the Jedi Order has no right to speak its opinion in this place, the centre of democracy in the galaxy?"
the words were biting and deep, a direct confrontation between the Jedi and the Trade Federation. Mace Windu was unflinching as his dark eyes met with those of Lott Dod and held them in obvious challenge. It was simply a matter of who would blink first, and between these two men the answer was obvious.
"O-off course not." The Representative stuttered, utterly beaten by the glare of one of the most powerful Jedi alive. "But it is a matter of principle and procedure, you must understand. The Jedi have never intruded on the affairs of the Senate until now. It leads to the question as to why the esteemed Jedi Order has decided to do so?"
"Because if these allegations are true then the Trade Federation is wrong." Windu replied, once again looking over the masses of people. "If this is true and the Trade Federation has invaded Naboo without the consent of the Senate then what does that mean for the Republic? It will set a precedent, and a dangerous one, that conglomerates like the Trade Federation can invade disagreeing member worlds without restraint or transparency, and that is something we cannot allow!"
the murmurings grew.
"So the Jedi will interfere with the internal activities of the Republic, as is our mandate and right by the constitution. We will send a team of ambassadors to Naboo to learn the truth and find a peaceful solution, however we are worried to send ambassadors without protection, as the last ones were met with hostility and attempted assassination when they arrived." Windu continued.
"I object, what proof is there of this?"
"Eyewitness testimony." Windu interjected. "I present to you Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, who had been chosen as ambassador between the Naboo and the Trade Federation and who survived the attempt on his life."
Mace Windu stepped aside and, Qui-Gon Jinn took his place. "Good afternoon, honourable representatives of the Republic. I can confirm what Master Windu has stated, myself and my Padawan were sent to the Naboo system by the request of Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis, when we arrived we were guided to an audience chamber. While we waited our ship, the Judiciary transport Radiant VII was destroyed, with the deaths of its crew, and our own lives were threatened-"
"I cannot standby and hear this farce any longer!"
Mace Windu glared at the Neimoidian. "Are you questioning my Jedi's report, representative?"
Lott Dod was once again stopped by the full force of the Jedi Masters glare. "O-Of course not. However I cannot simply remain aside and allow my organisations name to be tarnished without proof."
"That proof is being presented to you by eyewitness testimony." Windu countered, a growl in his voice as he spoke. "I recommend you remain quiet while he speaks. Or is the word of a Jedi considerably less than what I remember?"
"Our lives were first threatened with poisoned gas within the meeting hall, and then by the arrival of a platoon of security droids which decided to fire upon us instead of check on our safety." Qui-Gon Jinn continued after receiving a nod from the Council member to continue. "As such the Jedi will not risk our people being targeted again."
"Which is why we have asked to accompany the Queen and speak to the Senate directly." Mace Windu added. "Rest assured we will send a delegation to Naboo and find the truth about what is happening there, but we refuse to send our people without protection. We have come directly to you, those who represent the Republic, for aide. We ask that member worlds provide ships and security for our ambassadors. What say you!?"
There was a long moment of silence, and after several moments Palpatine allowed his smile to return. Off course no one would agree to such a ridiculous request as this. To go against centuries of tradition and make an individual decision against the Senate. It was unheard off. It was beyond the abilities of all present to comprehend, and that was why it would fail.
"Corellia agrees!"
Palpatine's head snapped in the direction of the voice, eyes adjusting in surprise as a new repulsorpod added itself to the line of delegates. The Senator looked at the pod in surprise and disbelief, someone had actually responded to such an outrageous and unconventional plea? He recognised the man standing on the pulpit, his dark hair and beard, a recently elected young man known as Garm Bel Ablis who continued speaking even as Palpatine attempted to make sense of what was happening.
"Corellia agrees, and will send ships to assist the Jedi on their mission!"
"There is no legal response to such a ridiculous-" The Federations envoy began but was cut off by another booming voice. Soon to be the first of several.
"Kuat agrees, and will send ships!"
"Duros agrees!"
"Alderaan agrees!"
"Teta agrees!"
Palpatine let these responses sink in, all the while feeling his plans slip further and further away from his grasp. He had hoped Corellia, as independent and neutral as it was known to be, would not involve itself with the crisis. He had hoped a system with one of the most powerful self-defence forces in the Republic and an advocate for increased devolution and systems rights would remain neutral. Then there was Kuat, Alderaan and Teta, all Human worlds whose support he needed within the Republic, and finally Duros, home to the Duros people who had remained outside of galactic affairs until this moment. Their interference was even more surprising in that the Neimoidian peoples who made the core of the Trade Federation were considered closely related.
Why would they act now?
The Jedi.
These worlds all had something in common. They all supported the Jedi and had considerable Praxeums on their planets. The Jedi Temple had been targeted on Coruscant by an unknown terrorist force, not the first time in recent memory, and these worlds had always been both allied and loyal to the Jedi to some degree, so it was natural they would side with the Jedi when they requested help so soon. He didn't doubt that if he looked into security footage and logs Jedi representatives would have visited each of these planets embassies on Coruscant within the last few hours.
If Maul were still alive he would have strangled him with his bare hands.
"I can see you."
The boy flinched from his hiding place beyond the sliding door, but he did not enter despite its opening made her keenly aware that he was there. Rey sighed, closing down her datapad and placing it on the stand next to her bed before rising to a sitting position with more than a little effort. It was difficult, leaning up with only one hand.
"Anakin, come in."
The boys head peeked from the side, an unmistakable mop of dirty blonde hair and expressive blue eyes. He entered the room at her further prompting, wringing his hands together and looking anywhere but her.
His eyes would not leave her bandaged stump of an arm, but she did not shy away from it. "It's not as bad as it looks. The Healers say that I'll be able to have a bionic replacement in the next few days, so don't look at me like that okay?"
He nodded, though by the look on his face she guessed he wouldn't be able to keep it.
"Come here."
He hesitated for a moment before following her request, walking to the edge of the bed and being thoroughly surprised when she enveloped him in a hug. Rey caressed his hair while whispering promises into his ear she was not sure she would be able to keep despite what the Healers said. "I'm going to be fine, I promise."
"I wasn't there." He blurted out, fighting back tears. "I wasn't there and you got hurt."
"And what could you have done, Anakin?" She asked, not because she wanted to stunt his will to help others but because of the exact opposite. "You're a kid. It was best you weren't there."
"But I could have helped."
"How?"
He was silent for a long moment, his turmoil in the Force almost palpable to her. He had imagined himself as this invincible behemoth with the ability to tap into a wellspring of ability and power few others did. It was a misconception many of those gifted with the Force possessed. That they were invincible because they had an advantage over others when they were anything but. She had seen the Knights of Ren run into battle with this thought in mind when facing her and her father.
She hoped this was not something that the Jedi of this timeline shared.
"I don't know, I just could have." He replied, in that innocent voice only a child could have. Rey couldn't help but smile and ruffle his messy blond hair with her remaining hand.
"You're a sweet kid." She replied.
"I'm not a kid." Anakin scowled, half heartedly reaching up to bat her hand away.
"Yes, you are." She admonished lightly.
There was a moment of silence.
"Who did it?" He asked. She was surprised by the undercurrent of steel in his tone, for a nine year old at least.
She hadn't lied to him before, and she had no wish to start now. "A Sith Lord by the name of Darth Maul. We ran into him during the bombing and fought him."
"Where is he?"
"Dead." Rey replied.
"Good." He said emphatically.
Rey hesitated for a moment, seeing the anger writhe from his form in waves. Yes this Anakin was not Darth Vader, but he still had a quick temper, especially when someone he considered a friend got hurt. She saw all of this as she reached out with her remaining hand and gave his clenched knuckles a squeeze.
"Your angry." She surmised, obvious as a bird taking flight but she felt it needed to be said.
"Yes." He replied, looking up at her in surprise that she seemed so calm. "Look what happened here. This man attacked the temple, he killed Jedi. He hurt you!"
"Anakin, take a deep breath." She chastised gently, not taking her hand from his as her dark eyes locked with his brilliant blue. "Breathe."
He glared at her, but then the anger died only to be replaced by shame. His clenched knuckles loosened in her grasp as he closed his eyes and took a few deep, calming breathes. Rey wondered for a brief moment if he learned that on his own or if it was some basic instruction from either Master Jinn or Obi-Wan. Either way she was glad.
"How can you be so calm?" He asked.
She smiled ruefully. "Because I'm a Jedi."
"But he killed so many, and he took your hand away. I... I don't understand why everyone is so calm and in control when their friends are dead and dying." Anakin exclaimed, groaning in frustration, hands smoothing back his mop of hair as he tried with everything he had to think. Rey didn't know how to respond. "It doesn't make any sense."
"Just because we're staying calm doesn't mean that we aren't hurting, young one."
Both Anakin and Rey had barely noticed the door open, and stepping through it was the last Jedi she had expected to visit her. Yarael Poof looked larger and more intimidating now than he ever did while sitting on the Jedi High Council. The Quermian Jedi Master stepped elegantly into the small room and came to a stop beside her bed, offering a genial smile at the two of them.
"Forgive me, but could I take a seat. My bones are not what they once were."
Rey nodded hesitantly, offering him the remaining chair with her one good hand.
"Thank you, my dear." He sat on the chair, and once he was possible he bowed his head much to her surprise. "The data on the starship has been translated and confirmed. Palpatine, while not considered a Sith, has a lot to answer for in terms of corruption in government. I feel I owe you an apology for my actions during the council meeting."
Rey, surprised and more than a little dumbstruck, raised her hand in a placating gesture. "Please raise your head, Master Poof. So long as my warnings have been heard I am happy."
"I admit I still harbour doubts about your current... shall we say, situation. However perhaps that is just the musing of a silly old man." Poof continued, raising his head upon her request. "Your warnings so far have rung true, and hopefully we can prepare a counter to our enemies plans. We have you and your comrades to thank for this."
"Yes." She replied, looking at her stump. "Though I'm afraid my own performance was less than stellar."
Poof nodded in understanding. "Rest assured we will not abandon one of our own, especially after suffering such an injury on our behalf. You have proven yourself a Jedi this day, Rey, and though you're testing will continue once you are healed know that I am amongst those who consider you one of us."
Rey bowed her head, touched by the gesture. "Thank you, Master."
Poof returned her bow before turning to Anakin. "To answer your question young one, we all feel a great loss from what has happened. I lost a few friends as well. Be aware that we Jedi are something of a shy and reclusive lot when it comes to showing our emotions. It is not forbidden by any means, but our own teachings of learning to accept loss and move on mean that we cannot linger. The dead would not wish us too. As such we will mourn the dead in our own way, but we will not make a spectacle of ourselves while doing so."
Anakin's brow furrowed. "Why?"
"Because of who we are and what we represent." Poof replied. "We are the Jedi. We are a supporting pillar of the Republic, a key component that keeps it all together. As such we must show ourselves as strong, united and resolute no matter what happens. We will mourn the dead and we will certainly miss them, but we cannot falter, especially in these uncertain times."
"I still don't get it." Anakin frowned, brow furrowing. "I mean I do, but at the same time I don't."
"And that is where time will come into play." Poof pointed out. "You're young yet, and learning is one of the advantages of growing up. Cherish those who consider you friend and family. Mourn them should they leave before you, surely, and never forget them but do not allow their loss to destroy you. They will simply become one with the Force and you will meet them again once your time comes."
"That's... pretty wise." Rey allowed.
"You are wondering if I have been in such a situation." Yarael saw, smiling disarmingly at her discomfort. "The answer is yes. I am older than I look and have seen much. Friends have passed into the Force before me, but I know they are not completely gone because I still feel their presence as surely as if they were standing beside me. Just because you can't see someone doesn't mean they aren't there."
The doors opened and Rey found another couple of visitors enter her medical room. Aayla was first, a small package clutched in her hands. Her Master followed behind her, seeing her and offering a relieved smile that she was alright. It was a simple gesture, but it meant so much to Rey that they had visited her and were glad that she was alive.
"Rey, let me see." Aayla was by her side in an instant, glaring at the stump. "Which Healers looking after you?"
"Master Unduli, I think." Rey replied.
Aayla looking relieved. "That woman can do miracles."
"What my apprentice means is that you're in good hands." Vos added, as he came to stand by his apprentices side. "We heard what happened early this morning. Couldn't get here fast enough."
Rey just remembered that they were guarding the Queen and her entourage, and felt such relief that they were there and away from the carnage. She felt like she had built a friendship with these two over the last month or so, and would have been deeply grieved by their loss. "Who has taken your place?"
Quinlan shook his head. "With you and Obi-Wan out of the picture the Council decided not to send Master Jinn. Don't worry the Naboo are still in safe hands. I know the Master and Apprentice duo personally. They can handle it."
Rey nodded. "Good."
"Did Master Unduli give you an idea of when you'll get a replacement bionic?" Aayla asked.
"Two days." Rey replied. "And four months of therapy apparently."
"Take Master Unduli's advice seriously." Vos intervened. "She knows what she is doing."
"She certainly knows what she is doing." Master Poof added.
"Of that I have no doubt."
"Your highness."
Amidala turned her head to see the Supreme Chancellor walking through the crowd with a purpose in his step, followed dutifully by his advisors and two blue robes guardsmen. He came by her side and offered a brief bow which she returned.
"Chancellor."
"Senator, Masters." His eyes swept across those of importance in the group. Palpatine, Masters Windu and Jinn all returned his nods. With pleasantries out of the way he turned back to the Queen. "A moment of your time, if you will. May we walk and talk?"
"Of course." The Queen agreed. Soon the group were walking at a slow and sedate pace. The Chancellors officials and guards falling into step with her own handmaidens and security.
"I must admit that your approach was... bold, shall we say." Valorum said after a drawn out pause.
"You disapprove?" The Queen asked.
The old man shook his head. "On the contrary. It was perhaps the best outcome. As you have seen politics here is a convoluted and, some would say, distasteful business. Chances were that this would have gone to a committee and the Trade Federation would have drawn it out for months. However I am still concerned."
Amidala said nothing, eyes directly ahead.
"This action could set a dangerous precedent, your highness." Valorum warned, turning to look the Queen in the eye. "If this works then what would stop other systems ignoring the decrees of the Senate and invading their neighbours with their own grievances?"
"I am aware, Chancellor. And if there was another way I would have taken it without hesitation." She replied. "However this is a crisis that is already spiralling out of control. The Trade Federation made the first move when they blockaded and then invaded my home."
"I understand, and believe me I am not trying to desist you, but I will say this one thing." They had come to a junction in the hall, and the Chancellors entourage were going to split from them here. "Tread very carefully, your highness."
Amidala nodded. "I will."
With that Valorum and his entourage walked down the corridor, disappearing into the crowd. The Naboo delegation were left alone with just their Jedi compatriots. Palpatine placed a hand on her shoulder. "What the Chancellor says has precedent your highness. We need to tread very carefully."
She sighed and turned away. "I am fully aware, Senator."
No, I'm afraid you are not. He would have loved to say those words to her, but held his tongue.
"Master Jinn will escort you back to your apartments, your highness." Master Windu said smoothly.
"Thank you, Masters."
Palpatine hesitated a moment, exchanging a nod with Master Windu as the Jedi turned and walked down the opposite corridor. He glared at the man's retreating back, eyes flashing a venomous gold for a brief moment before a smile spread across his face. So his plans have been foiled. It was a temporary reprieve at best. He would adapt to this change as he had countless times before.
Very well, if the rules have changed then so will he.
He fell into step behind the Queen, watching her for a brief moment. He had considered her a child without her chaperone. Alone, afraid and easy to manipulate. He had underestimated her, much as he hated to admit it. The girl had outlived her usefulness, had become a hindrance.
She would need to be disposed of.
And chapter done. Don't really have a lot to say about this one. To Guest. I have no plans to do a time travel story of Rey & co. in episode 2 or 3 at the moment. To Naitch03. I have not read the leaked plot for the next episode and to be honest I'm going to wait until we have a confirmed synopsis before doing anything.
Thanks to everyone for the reviews in the last story, glad you all liked it. Hope you guys liked this chapter, leave a review and have a nice weekend.