Note 21
Six years after the Trade Federation Invasion of Naboo
One year later
Obi-Wan,
It's been six years since the Trade Federation Invasion. It seems like Chancellor Palpatine and the rest of the Senate has managed to subdue the Trade Federation enough so that we no longer have riots all over the galaxy. It still is concerning to know that Nute Gunray still has faced no punishment, though the Senate has placed a few restrictions on their activity. They no longer have a Senator in the Senate, which could be a good thing. Do you know whether this was by the Trade Federation's choice, or whether it was a Senate ruling? I know the Trade Federation is not happy with the Republic. Have you heard any more rumors about them possibly leaving the Republic?
If all Jedi struggle with their feelings and think about using the Force in ways they shouldn't, then why do they single me out? I'm serious. It's not like I purposely think about these things….and I don't do that often. When have I actually acted on this, and when have I used my abilities for "the wrong things?" They STILL think that I'm going to become a Sith someday, don't they. Is there nothing that I can do that will please the Council? They've never liked me, and they still don't. Even when I'm old, they're still going to think that I might do something bad. Sometimes I get the feeling that they only let me be trained as a Jedi so that they could keep an eye on me, and stop me before I did anything evil. If they needed to kill me, I'd be right here at the Jedi Temple. Even if they deny that they have feelings of fear, they have to fear me. Otherwise they would not still view me in the way that they have.
Sorry that I jumped on you about the figure of speech about Palpatine. I didn't think about it being a figure of speech…I just saw the words "some in the Council think that even if Palpatine turned out to be a Sith Lord, you'd still follow him," and got annoyed, and reacted. It is typical of the types of things that Council actually thinks. I know that none of them like politicians, and I knew they didn't like me…and so I thought they were saying that out of fear. I told Palpatine about the rumor before you told me it was just a figure of speech. He didn't really say anything. He probably already knew it was a figure of speech. It does relieve me to know that the Council doesn't really think that he is a Sith Lord. To think that would be to totally overreact to a fear about the Sith.
You never did tell me any more about this Dooku. Are you still worried about me leaving the Order, like Dooku did?
However Palpatine got the office (remember, Master, you might have heard something wrong, or you might not be remembering correctly), even you have to admit that he's done a good job, and Padme has good judgment.
Well, thanks….so the stuff about the Force choke is in the library, but is in the section that I'm not supposed to go into…..
I'm glad that at least you agree with me about the no attachment rule. What do you mean that lots of Jedi have joined the Sith because they got fed up with it? I would think, Master, that from studying the Sith a little, they would not want attachments either. I don't think they would be capable of having attachments, especially ones involving love. They're selfish, and they think only of themselves and power. That's not exactly conducive to attachments. If Jedi get fed up with the rule, I'd think they'd be much more likely to quit the Order, not become a Sith.
Maybe the Republic can let a few systems go. I don't like the thought of it, but if these systems are going to cause us trouble, they might as well leave. Yeah…it makes sense for Gunray to be in league with the Sith Lord. The one that killed Qui-Gon was tracking Padme and you guys when he attacked Qui-Gon on Tatooine. He was also there on Naboo. It doesn't necessarily prove it…he could have been there to hunt down Qui-Gon and you…..but I'd never seen anyone like that on Tatooine. Besides that, why would he have been looking for Jedi on Tatooine...unless he heard that you guys had landed there to repair the ship. Maybe he thought you were easy targets. But then why go to Naboo, and why would he be waiting there for you unless it was tied to the Invasion. If it is true that the Sith are in league with him, Master, then maybe the Jedi Order could find the Sith by following Trade Federation activity. Is anyone in the Order looking into that?
Yeah, like I said before, it would be nice if he were removed as Viceroy. I don't know why the Senate hasn't passed a law against the Trade Federation to shut down their droid production. Wait….if the Sith are tied to the Trade Federation, then who else could they be tied to? Maybe the Sith have a Senator or two under their payroll, and they are making sure that the Trade Federation keeps its droids so that the Sith could attack Coruscant? I don't know. Or maybe not…maybe the Trade Federation is just greedy, and no one wants to upset them. LOL…I like your comparison of the level of droid intelligence with a sick bantha.
I think Yoda is trusting me a little more, or at least he wants me to think he is….but I don't know about the other Council members, including Mace.
On a similar note, what do you think of Dantooine being suddenly attacked by something or other? Do you think that could be the Trade Federation or the Sith? There have been some reports of strange activity there. And to think, we were using it as a training site. Are we going to be investigating this, Master? I'm not sure the Council's going to care. We could have our own adventure.
One final thing that I should probably tell you…..I've really appreciated you taking me on the various dangerous missions. Does the Council know yet what we are up to? I really don't care if they know or not, but I do want to know when they have given me the approval. Also, I don't know if it's the planet that we're currently on, or if it's just that I'm coming down with something, but my asthma's starting to bother me a little. It's no big deal…I just thought you should know.
Let me know what either you or the Council has in mind for us now. Thanks.
I'll see you in a little bit. I have some cleaning to do before I meet up with you.
Your Padawan,
Anakin