AN:I have a nifty super extra long chapter for you. Don't go starting to expect this, though. It's a royal pain to get a file this big onto the site. This chapter comprises 18 pages, and it didn't really take that long. Gee, maybe I'm getting better.
twisterblake: Thanks...for the nice but somewhat incoherant review. I don't mind too much as I typically am incoherant most of the time anyway.
Jedi Knight 13: I suppose that you'll like this chapter then; fairly quick update(I consider anything more than 1 pg/day quick), more Padmé assertiveness, Qui-Gon and Ani.
fictionfrek101: As far as I've been able to determine Ani will not have the oppertunity to meet Anakin. Not that that means anything.
TriGemini: Um, Yeah. What she said.
murdrax: I actually think the whole Naboo thing is going to get footnoted. I'm not sure. I think the big confrontation on Coruscant will about be the end of this little tale. I may write something about it just for you, though.
Teresa: Glad you are enjoying it. An explaination as to the nature of future relationships is given to Qui-Gon by Yoda in this chapter.
Lunatic Pandora1: I don't think of it as sneaky, reserved, maybe or wary, afraid to intrude, and not wanting to have a conversation with himself. I don't see it as being out of character.
carmsfic: I'm glad that you like it. Here is the reasonably soon update, and I hope that you continue to enjoy.
Jean: Obi-Wan becomes somewhat more enlightened in this chapter, never fear.
Wawoot: Anakin has never been particularly fearful of personal danger or damage. Palpatine, is the essence of a caring Sith Master. He cares whether a particular injury will damage his Apprentice's ability to fight. He does not care about his Apprentice's physical health, however.
Clara Motion Wright: I added the holocron because it does add the uncertainty. I've got to have plot drivers for the next story. :)
Chapter 25
"Perhaps, your highness, it would be best if we spoke in my office," Palpatine said.
"I concur. We will come in a moment," The queen told Palpatine. She turned to the captain of her guard. "Sabé will come with me, and you. See that everyone else is returned to our rooms."
"Yes, Your Highness," the man said, returning to the ship.
While they waited for him, the Chancellor came up to the Queen. "Welcome, Your Highness. It is an honor to finally meet you in person. I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the current situation. I've called for a special session of the Senate to hear your position."
"Thank you, Chancellor," she said, then the Captain came back out. All of the handmaidens except one returned to the ship, and it took off.
"We are prepared," she told Palpatine. They got into an airtaxi that he had waiting, which took them the short distance to the Senate Building, which housed the offices of the senators as well as the Rotunda.
"There is a question of procedure, but I feel confident we can overcome it. The Chancellor wished to convey to you that he'd called a special session of the Senate, but you were in such a hurry…"
"I am sure that you will do everything within your power to overcome the obstacles to the Sovereignty of Naboo." Amidala said evenly, as they arrived at the Senate.
Palpatine led them into his office, and he paced before the three of them, the picture of concern. "I understand your wish to bring this before the Senate, and at one time that would have been the most proper and right thing to do. It is not as easy to work within the Senate's rules and bylaws anymore. This body has become a maze of bureaucracy, and the rule of the Republic has suffered because of this problem. You see, the Republic is not what it once was. The Senate is full of greedy, squabbling delegates who are only looking out for themselves and their home systems. There is no interest in the common good...no civility, only politics...it's disgusting. I must be frank, Your Majesty, there is little chance the Senate will act on the invasion."
"Chancellor Valorum seems to think there is hope. He has been championing our cause for weeks."
"If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real power...he is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now."
"What options do we have?"
"Our best choice would be to push for the election of a stronger Supreme Chancellor. One who will take control of the bureaucrats, enforce the laws, and give us justice. You could call for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum."
"He has been our strongest supporter. Is there any other way?"
"Our only other choice would to be to submit a plea to the Courts..."
"What of the question of procedure? How do we overcome this obsitcale and move into a position of advantage?" The Queen asked.
"We'll have to see, your Majesty. I however have little hope," Palpatine said.
"You seem to have lost your confidence, Senator," the Queen said.
"No, but we must be realistic in what we can accomplish. Naboo isn't a major system. Then other senators are questioning why the Senate is even wasting time on our plight," Palpatine said.
"When We present our case to the Senate, what will the Trade Federation attempt?" the Queen asked.
"They've occupied our planet, your Majesty, I don't know what more they can do to us," Palpatine said.
"I meant in the Senate, Senator. Once this is resolved I may have to rethink the intelligence of our representation here and make moves to alter it," The Queen said, tired of the slime's double talk. Why, why hadn't she seen this before? All of the problems they were having were his fault, and now she knew it.
"Well, in their position I would move for a commission to ascertain the validity of your claims, which would take, quite frankly, years," Palpatine said, obviously shaken by the strength she was showing.
"So we need witnesses, preferably a neutral third party whose integrity is beyond question," the Queen said.
"That would shut down that motion, true, but where would you find such witnesses? Any in your entourage would be suspect," Palpatine said.
The Queen smiled slightly, "The Jedi who brought me here. They are our witnesses."
Palpatine nearly choked on the water he had just sipped, "Your Majesty, that…that…that is brilliant!"
"Then we have a plan. I will see you in session tomorrow, Senator,"
"It feels weird," Ani complained to Qui-Gon, as he examined his new arm. It was gold in color, not yet covered in any way, "I always thought Threepio would look good gold."
"I'm sure he would, Ani. And stop scratching, you've not fully healed where they attached your new arm," Qui-Gon admonished.
"I'm thirsty," Ani said; he'd been drinking water like crazy since he'd woken up. Qui-Gon thought that he was reveling in the lack of restrictions he had on the liquid since leaving Tatooine. Qui-Gon handed him a cup of water when the doors parted and admitted Master Yoda.
"Come to see our new guest, I have," Yoda said, "If up to visitors he is?"
"Of course, Master Yoda. Ani, this is Master Yoda, most senior Jedi in the Galaxy. Master Yoda, Anakin Skywalker, of Tatooine," Qui-Gon said, making introductions.
"Pleased to meet you I am, young Skywalker. Much have I heard about you," Master Yoda said to the boy.
"Pleased to meet you, too. Are you the one who will decide if I am to be trained as a Jedi?" Ani asked.
"Carry weight with the council, my voice does," Yoda answered.
"He's being modest, Ani. The council usually does what Master Yoda recommends and the few times they haven't they've had cause to regret it. One does not ignore the advice of one who is as old as Yoda is and not regret it," Qui-Gon said.
"Really? How old is he?" Ani asked Qui-Gon.
"Invisible have I become?" Yoda said in mock horror, causing Ani to laugh.
"No, I can see you just fine," Ani said.
"Then direct your question to me, you should. Polite it is," Yoda chided Ani gently.
"I'm sorry, Master Yoda. I didn't mean to be rude. How old are you?" Ani asked, sounding sheepish.
"Accepted, your apology is, and the answer to your question is older than dirt," Yoda replied with a mischievous grin.
"That's impossible!" Ani said laughing at the Jedi Master's answer.
"You'd better believe it Ani, that's the answer he always gives," Qui-Gon said with a smile on his face.
"Since a guest you are, tell you I will, but if accepted for Training you are, you must promise to keep it secret," Yoda said.
"I promise, I promise!" Ani said, bouncing in the bed.
"A solemn vow you are making, young Skywalker," Yoda said seriously, but with a wink.
"I understand, Master Yoda," Ani said.
"I have seen 864 years as of my birth's last anniversary," Yoda said.
"Wow! You are older than dirt!" Ani said.
"Yes, now you see the truth in my first answer," Yoda said, chuckling.
"Yes, Master Yoda," Ani replied.
"Now, Master Qui-Gon, I believe you wished to speak to me," Yoda said addressing the other human in the room.
"Yes, Master, I did. If you'll excuse us Ani," Qui-Gon said.
"Ok, will you be back soon?" Ani asked.
"As soon as possible, Obi-Wan said he would be by later," Qui-Gon said.
"Ok, has Padmé been by?" Ani asked hopefully.
"Not since she left the temple with the Queen. You must understand she has her duty to perform," Qui-Gon said.
"I know, I was just hoping she'd have time," Ani said, obviously disappointed.
"If compose a message for her you do, see to it I will that she receives it," Yoda said.
"You will! Thank you Master Yoda! I'll get started right away," Ani said.
"Then leave you to your task we will. Return later for your message I will." Yoda said. Then the two Jedi left Ani to his writing.
Leia walked through the door. It was quiet, too quiet. There was a bed, some chairs, and a small table, which still held the remnants of a meal. There was someone, dressed in the robes of a Jedi, standing in front of her. She looked apprehensively at Luke. "I'm not leaving you," he reassured her.
"Is…" She started to ask him, but couldn't finish. The thought of Vader unmasked was nearly too much for her.
"It's Ok," Luke said. "He's not going to hurt you," he said as she buried her face into his tunic once again. He was her lifeline here, her only refuge.
"I love you, Leia; I don't want to hurt you. Go if you need to," Anakin said to her, gently rubbing her back. Something inside her broke, like an egg cracking open to reveal what was inside. She remembered. She remembered his voice, the way that she remembered her mother's voice, her face. She remembered being curled up, safe and warm, and hearing his voice. 'I love you, baby girl.'
She looked at him then, the father that she barely knew, and had never seen. The blue eyes set into the scarred face were Luke's, but his face was his own, like Luke's but harder, with sharper lines. She wouldn't have thought that; he was all angles. His face as a child was so cherubic. "Princess," he said formally, "can you forgive me for the things that I've done to you?"
"I don't know, after Alderaan and what you did to Han. And the Massacre of Chulum?" Leia said, defensively throwing up some her more personal atrocities committed by the former Dark Lord.
Anakin looked down at her, reminding him of the things he had been involved in, he sighed and said, "I wouldn't have destroyed Alderaan, it was a senseless waste of life, and it served no real purpose; if I had been in command, which I was not. That was all Tarkin, which even you knew then, and I couldn't do anything but follow his orders because the Emperor had given him full authority in the use of the Death Star. It comes back to the same thing I was feeling in Palpatine's office the day the Empire was born, I guess."
"So you aren't responsible? Is that what you're saying?" Leia said hotly.
"Leia…" Luke cautioned.
"No, Luke, it's a fair question, and she deserves an answer to it, both of you do," Anakin said.
"This is going to be good," Leia said, rolling her eyes, causing Anakin to chuckle a little bit. "Great, now he's laughing, why am I even here?" She started to move away from Anakin, back toward Luke, and the door.
"Wait, Leia. I was just struck at how much like me you are," Anakin tried to explain. Leia, for her part just looked insulted.
"I see some of myself in you. The way I was at your age; all brash truth, anger, and certainty that I was right. You've got the same determination I always had. I never took no for an answer and I had a VERY strong sense of right and wrong. One that was twisted and deformed by Palpatine," Anakin said.
"Really?" Leia looked incredulous.
"You need to hear the whole story," he said waving his hand as though erasing the previous conversation to start anew, "so let me start with the start of the Clone Wars. That was when I started my fall into the pits of darkness…" Anakin started, outlining in some detail the Clone Wars, with emphasis on his personal thoughts and feelings at those times. He eventually got up to the end of the Republic. "…So I arrived at his office and Master Windu was there approaching the apparently weakened and beaten Chancellor. Five Jedi had gone to arrest the Chancellor, but only one was alive by that point, I should have realized then that Master Windu was right. Palpatine was lying so totally, and my need for what he had told me he knew was so great, that I didn't want him killed. I wanted the power to save Padmé from death, so that I wouldn't have to live without her, so I told Master Windu that he should have a fair trial. The guilt of having killed Dooku twisting in my gut, but I'd forgotten that I'd done so at the Chancellor's insistence. Master Windu moved to strike him anyway and Palpatine struck out with Force Lightning, Windu blocking it, both of them calling each other a traitor. I was hopelessly confused. I didn't know who to believe or what to believe. All that had happened before ran through my mind, I felt the Jedi had lied to me, I knew Palpatine had lied to me, but I rationalized that his lies were ones of self preservation, and while they were, his lies were far more sinister than I ever thought at that time.
"Palpatine then feigned weakness and let down his attack which had been bounding back on him, deforming him. Windu was about to strike him down and I just acted. I severed Master Windu's hand and his lightsaber flew out the window. Then Palpatine struck, dropping his ruse and killed Master Windu, sending his body crashing down many stories below us. At that point, I knew I had made the worst mistake of my life, but I felt trapped by that choice. I felt I had taken an irrevocable step, and all of my choices since were based on that flawed line of thinking, until Luke showed me how wrong it was," Anakin finished.
"I think understand, but I just don't know if this will make sense later. This is a lot to take in. What happened after you swore loyalty to the slime?" Leia asked.
Luke withdrew, hopping onto the bed, letting her have space so that she could come to grips with the new reality that she'd been presented with, and waited for Anakin to continue with the tale.
"Slime, yeah, that's a good description for Sidious," Anakin said, "Anyway, Palpatine ordered me to destroy the Jedi, including the Younglings." Leia gasped at this and Luke winced. "I still remember every face, the shock, the hurt, the confusion as I struck them down. Then the Younglings, there was one who spoke to me, asked." At this point tears started falling down his cheek, "He asked me what they should do, that there was too many of them. The shock on his face when I ignited my lightsaber too much for me, I killed him first, then the others started crying, I still hear their screams in my sleep. I didn't want to do it, but I felt I had no choice," his voice cracked. It was then that Leia began to weep for the broken man, understanding in some small part the pain that he'd daily endured since that terrible choice. She found herself approaching him, and she really started to wonder how he'd been so scary not so very long ago. She'd never thought Darth Vader as having nightmares of those he had killed. He laughed, just a small chuckle through the pain. "It's ok; I've had nightmares almost all of my life." She looked at him quizzically. "You were projecting your thoughts about me. I usually don't let my guard down enough for untrained thoughts to get thorough, but you are strong enough with the Force, besides being as close as you are to me."
"I'm not sure what you mean."
"You are physically close to me, which makes the connection stronger, you were thinking about me," he paused, gently, with trembling fingers brushed a bit of hair out of her face, and it seemed to her an almost unconscious gesture borne of many small moments with her mother, "and your blood relation to me, Daughter mine, makes it actually rather hard to block you out." Anakin said. "I'll have to work on that. I never had that problem with your mother. I had to work really hard if I wanted her to hear me."
"I remember her," she said to Anakin.
"Remember who?" he said guardedly.
"Mother. I remember her. She touched my cheek. I remember. She said my name. She was so sad. I've never understood why."
"Your mother died before you were more that a few days old. I went to her grave, just to make sure that it actually was her. The State Funeral was only 5 days after your birth." He thought for a moment, "No, four."
"I remember something else, too, now. I remember the sound of your voice," she stared into nothingness, lost in the memory that was all too real to her at that moment. "Hearing your voice made me remember."
"What is it that I am supposed to have said to you?"
"I love you, baby girl."
His sharp intake of breath confirmed the truth. In some way, he'd actually said that to her. "That was a week before you were born. How can you remember?"
"I don't know how. I just know that it is. Tell me about that day, please."
"As you command, my lady."
"I wondered where Luke got such irritating charm from." He smiled at her in acknowledgement.
"Padmé and I were talking. It was late. I spent the night in her apartment most of the time when I was on Coruscant, which wasn't often with the war. She was convinced that she was having a boy. I told her that it was a girl."
"You didn't know?"
"She'd wanted it to be a surprise. Neither of us cared, really, but we'd chosen our corners, and we would fight over it. I usually would let her win. That night, I felt more strongly than ever that you would be a girl. After a long fight, much interrupted with fits of giggling, and a fair amount of kissing, I pulled her down onto the bed, and I started talking to her stomach. I said several things before she made me stop. That was one of them."
"I don't understand. How could you go from loving father to monster in a week?"
Anakin grimaced. "I've often wondered that myself. Palpatine was the absolute master of manipulation. I don't know if I can believe half the things that I know to be true, because he at some point had a hand in some part of it."
"I don't know that I'm ever going to be able to forgive you, but I think that I can do some of the things that Master Qui-Gon told me that I had to do."
"What were those things?"
"Let go of my hatred of you, and my anger, fear."
"'Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side of the Force are they.'" Luke said.
"Poking fun at your old Master?" Anakin asked him.
"I would never." Luke told him with faked astonishment.
"Humph. 'Fear is the path to the dark side... fear leads to anger... anger leads to hate... hate leads to suffering,'" He shook his head sadly. "I should have never forgotten."
"So this is all real?" Leia asked them.
"It is all too real, and all too easy to fall into, Princess," Anakin told her.
"I have much to think about," she said, having taken all that she could of this meeting with her father. "I'm going to go see Padmé."
"You are welcome to see me anytime you wish." Anakin told her, opening a door that she could choose to ignore for as long as she needed to be able to come to terms with him.
She nodded, acknowledging that she might do that. The problem that she was having was that there was a part of her that still wanted to hate him for the bad things that he'd done, but another part that really and truly knew that he was a part of her, and wanted him to be a part of her life. He had a sense of humor that she related to, and there was, she knew somehow, this incredible depth of caring and absolute loyalty inside him. She didn't quite understand it, but it was almost comforting.
"Confusion I sense in you, since our meeting this morning." Yoda told Qui-Gon.
"I'm not sure what to do about this whole situation." Qui-Gon said, waiving his arms helplessly.
"Discussed much of this, the council has. Long have the debates of the validity of the evidence presented by the Elder Anakin been. The training of the boy, also discussed has it been. Decided the Council has that trained he will be. The Chosen One he is, but said so it will not be outside the Council Chambers. Prevent him from getting a big head, we will."
Qui-Gon chuckled, "And those who have traveled from the future? What will you do with them?"
"A Jedi already, Luke is. He knows little, but remedied that can be. Leia, with her mother I believe she will wish to be, but a place here she has if she wishes it. Anakin, what to do with him, I know not. The Council has not determined his fate. Take him with you for a time you could, if both of you wished. A kindred restless spirit he is."
"Since Obi-Wan would be stuck here at the temple a good deal of the time, at least initially, I might take you up on that. Have you considered that whatever mechanism that brought them here, might send them back once whatever they are supposed to do is done?"
"Considered that we have. Happens, we hope it does. Less complicated would it be then. If it does not, made arrangements for them we have."
"That is good, Master Yoda. What about this situation on Naboo?"
"Discussed the repercussions of the different strategies that we could employ we have. With the Queen you and your apprentice will go tomorrow. Protect her you will from the Sith. Support her position you can, if need be."
"I thought that the Jedi stayed out of politics for a reason."
"The Sith do not abide by our rules. Alone, the Queen will fall, and with her, the Republic. Stand with her, make her position strong enough for action, you can."
Padmé stood and turned to Panaka. "We are leaving," she said to him, then turned back to the snake Palpatine. "It is clear to me that you enjoy the very political bureaucracy that you have held up to ridicule. If you cannot be effective in doing that which needs done for the sake of the people that you are here to represent, then perhaps it is time for Naboo to find a new Senator," she said coldly to him. The stunned look gratified her, and she walked out of the meeting with stately calm. Panaka had summoned Ric and their ship, and thankfully he'd arrived by the time that they got to the air platform. She stepped gratefully onto the ship, and into her chambers. "Sabé," she said quietly.
"Your Highness," she responded formally. They never knew for sure when they might be observed.
"You will do your duty, when we return?" it was a half-question, prompted by her sudden fatigue at having dealt with Palpatine.
"Yes, Your Highness," she replied, with a twinkle in her eye. Sabé must think I'm going to see Ani. That wouldn't be a bad idea.
"Thank you, Sabé," she replied. She did need some freedom to think about what had just occurred, and a talk with Ani would do the trick of lightening her mood. They arrived at the Temple, and were escorted to rooms that had been assigned to them. The Jedi apparently had a whole floor dedicated to guest quarters for those who were visiting the temple for some reason or another. They went into the rooms, and Padmé changed out of her formal attire and into her handmaiden outfit. She finished the transformation, then helped Sabé with some of the finer details of her outfit, did a final double check in the mirror to make sure that she'd gotten all of her makeup off, and went out into the common area.
"Padmé, how did it go?" Leia asked, concerned because of the resounding fatigue that she felt coming off of her mother.
"I am disappointed. I felt like Palpatine, while looking helpful on the surface was behind the scenes of the bureaucracy that he was holding up as the thing that was blocking my ability to free my people. I don't know what I should do. He's been Senator of Naboo for longer than I've been alive, I think. He holds a lot of sway. I think that while it might help our position just to get rid of him, the person taking over would be ill equipped to understand the eccentricities of the Senates rules." R2 came over to beep sympathetically at her. "I doubt you can be any help, little friend. I wouldn't want you to fry your circuits on the doubletalk that politicians put out."
"I know the Senate, at least the vestiges of the Senate. It wouldn't take as long for me to pick up on the complexities as it would for someone who'd only been involved in, say, planetary politics."
"I will consider that, but proving your validity as a citizen of Naboo might be a problem. I can, of course vouch for you, but it would still prove difficult. Now that I'm thinking along those lines, though, there is someone I would consider…" she trailed off, lost in thought and memory for a moment. "But that is a discussion for another time," she stated firmly.
"I'm sorry that it's come to this. We will free Naboo from this stranglehold, by whatever means are necessary. I'm certain that we can find a way," Leia reassured her.
"Certainly," she agreed, feeling a bit better about the whole situation. "Maybe we could go check on Ani today?"
"I'm sure that would be fine. He's been anxious to see you."
Jar Jar walked in from another room. "Can Mesa goen see Little Ani, too?"
They laughed at the guileless Gungan, and eventually, after containing their laughter, one of them agreed that it would be better if maybe Ani came to see him, but probably not that day, as he was still recovering from his battle with the Sith.
Luke talked with his father, getting to know more about him. He was able to more readily accept Anakin than Leia was, although he remembered how strongly he'd objected to the very thought after he'd found out. Having the chance to get to know Padmé was helping Leia, but it was going to be a hard slow process. He was amazed by her sometimes. The oddest things came out of her mind.
The door slid open to admit Master Yoda. "Go about the Temple you may, today. Cabin fever you will get, if soon you do not. Ill you are not, and back the Healers want their room." Wow. Yoda really isn't much different than he was when I met him. I thought that he'd lost most of his faculties when he spent 20 years on Dagobah, but I guess that it really was just the way he is with people.
Anakin bowed to him. "Thank you, Master, I will vacate the premises immediately."
"See that you do, I will. Arrangements for you, Master Qui-Gon has made. Show them to you he will, when you are ready."
"I don't think that will be necessary. I remember how to get around." Does Father want to avoid Master Qui-Gon, or something? Maybe it's everyone he wants to be away from.
Yoda chuckled. "Ah, so I have seen," he gave them their room assignments.
"What does that mean?" Anakin said indignantly, but not really expecting an answer. Yoda rarely explained himself.
"My own council, I will keep on what it means."
"Stubborn old man," came the reply before he could bite his tongue.
"When as old as I am, you are, stubborn you will be," he poked Anakin with his gimer stick, but it was teasing, he wasn't upset with Anakin, at least not yet.
"I hope to get to be as old as you are. That would be an accomplishment."
"Go see the room of a thousand fountains you should. Good for you it would be." Room of a thousand fountains?
"I can do that, Master Yoda. Do I have anything I need to be doing at any particular time?"
"Your time is your own until the meeting with Palpatine."
"Thank you." Anakin said, and Yoda left. "Come on, I'll show you where the Room of a Thousand Fountains is."
"Does it really have a thousand fountains?"
"About that. I never bothered counting." He drew his hood, and they exited the room, and went through the main part of the healing wing, although the opposite direction of where Ani was. They went down onto the lowest level of the Temple, where artificial light had brought out plants in nearly jungle proportions. The ceiling was 20 or so meters off the ground, allowing for the growth of some trees. There were indeed a great number of fountains, and they wandered through the gardens, talking for a while.
Maul paced as he waited on his Master. The surgeon droid had followed its instructions perfectly. The next time he fought the Jedi, they would be in for a surprise. He sensed his Master was disturbed about something as he came to their sanctuary. When Palpatine appeared, Maul knelt before him.
"Rise, my apprentice," Palpatine said, "Things are not going well, I was unable to persuade the Queen to call for a vote of no confidence in that idiot Valorum, so I will have to move the scandal forward; maybe a compromising holo of him and the Queen?" Palpatine chuckled at the thought, the masses spent way too much time obsessed with sexual propriety, or rather the absence of such. Such a holo would solve both of his problems, but first he would try once more to get her to cooperate, during the heat of the Senate debate would be ideal. Palpatine didn't want to burn the Queen just yet, she would have her uses in the future if things were to get back on track. This thought brought him to the business at hand.
"Maul, the holocron I have created for you is now complete, but hidden. In it you will find several ideas I have had. None are complete, yet I think there are engineers in the Galaxy that might be persuaded to work on plans for them, and indeed build them," Palpatine said.
"Excellent Master, I will be sure to put them to good use, should you meet an untimely end," Maul answered.
"I'm sure you will," Palpatine said, enjoying the frustration coming off of Maul in waves. Palpatine wasn't about to reveal the location of the holocron to his apprentice until he was positive his time was at an end. Maul would try to kill him right here and now if he knew. It was the nature of the Sith, yet that same frustration would make his apprentice even more powerful than he already was.
"What will be our next move, Master?" Maul asked.
"I still wish Qui-Gon Jinn dead; you have failed me in that task, do NOT fail me again," Palpatine said.
"I will not, Master. I look forward to the challenge of killing him under the collective noses of the Jedi," Maul said, a feral grin on his face.
"Just see that he dies before the Senate meeting tomorrow, also his Padawan and the new Jedi if it can be arranged," Palpatine said, sensing that all three of them represented the most clear and present danger to his plans.
"I relish the difficult, Master," Maul said.
"Good, put your new arm to good use, my apprentice," Palpatine said.
"Yes, my Master," Maul said and moved to leave.
"And Maul, don't forget my other instruction to you," Palpatine said, reminding his apprentice not to risk himself too much.
Anakin stared at the fountain. Luke had left him, wanting to check on his sister, and the progress of the Queen's meeting with that slime, the Senator of Naboo. His hood was up, because he didn't want anyone to see his face. This had always been his favorite fountain. He'd enjoyed it as a young boy, meditated by it as a Padawan, but never really seen the beauty of it until it was gone, destroyed with everything else in the temple. He sensed a familiar presence coming up behind him. He didn't say anything to Obi-Wan. He was patient enough to let the Padawan ask his own questions.
"Hello," Obi-Wan started.
"Good afternoon Padawan Kenobi. I was wondering how long it would take you to track me down," he said, still looking at the calming water, his new arms resting on the retaining wall.
"So you are Luke's Master?"
He vacillated about what to tell his brother-in-arms, "I have taught Luke, yes."
"Ben was what he said your name was," Obi-Wan pointed out.
"I doubt he said exactly that, but it will suffice. I have had many names in my life."
"He said that you spent five years on Dagobah."
"Was it that long?"
"It was what he said."
"On and off, I suppose it would have been about that."
"He has strange ways with the Lightsaber. I sparred with him several times, and he seemed to gain in his knowledge exponentially with each time I sparred with him."
"He is adaptive. He's had little chance to take up a Lightsaber in practice. It takes him very little time to understand a move," Anakin said with a great deal of pride in his voice. "I daresay he's better than I am."
"He'd be a good deal better company if he didn't spend all of his time meditating."
Anakin chuckled, "That is my fault. I like to talk to him."
"So he's not just meditating?"
"No, I'm sure. You're older than he is. How much time do you spend in meditation, Padawan?"
"Not that much. Luke and Leia apparently both are having visions, similar ones."
"Really?"
"Something about the future, darkness, and me being a General."
Anakin sighed, "I have serious doubts as to the validity of that particular future now."
"What about the boy, Anakin?"
Anakin almost reacted to his name, but remembered that there was another Anakin here in the Temple now. "He is important. I'm not sure how to convey to you exactly how important. The future is shifting faster than I can keep up with."
"Master Qui-Gon says that the future is always in motion."
He waived his hand dismissively, "I know this. I only see certain things spiraling out of control right now. Some of those things may be for the best, I cannot tell."
"Master Ben,"
"I am not a Master," Anakin said, with no trace of emotion.
"I am sorry," he said contritely, "I was wondering, because it seems the only thing that makes any sense at all," he hesitated, not sure if he really wanted to broach this subject.
"Out with it, Padawan," he sighed, dreading the question that was coming.
"Is Luke from the future?"
"You are more perceptive than they give you credit for."
"So, what does that mean?"
"I don't know. That boy, Anakin, in the time that Luke came from, did not fight with the Sith on Tatooine."
"What does that mean for him?"
"I cannot answer that, Obi-Wan. The future is always in motion, and only you and he can write that story."
"Why me?"
"Your fate is intertwined very tightly with his."
"Is that why he called me Master yesterday?"
"It could be." He didn't want to go further with that line of conversation, "I cannot say anymore."
"Why not?" the frustration in his voice was clear. "I'm sick of everyone treating me like I'm not worthy of knowing what's really going on."
"I don't want to talk about this particular subject. It is painful for me."
"What will you talk about?"
"The future, if it has little to do with the boy, or anything else that you wish to discuss."
"Why is Leia having visions, ones of the same future as Luke is from? She's not a Jedi, but she's strong with the Force, almost as strong as he is."
"She is from the future as well."
"And you?"
"Yes."
"How far into the future?"
"Thirty-six years."
"Do I know you, in this future?"
"Yes,"
"Will I become a good Master?" Obi-Wan asked hopefully.
"Obi-Wan," Anakin chided him, "pride doesn't become you. But yes, a good Master you will be. You might even impress a few of the Masters on the Council."
"I only ask…"
"…because you are extremely unconfident in your abilities."
"I suppose so," Obi-Wan was quiet for a few moments. "Is the war going to happen, now that these changes have started?"
"Ask Leia that," he said, dismissively pushing the question off onto his daughter's capable shoulders. "Politics was never something that I ever understood. Some of the key events that led up to the war are in the process of being stopped. I don't know if it will be enough, it's gone so far already, but maybe…" he trailed off, thinking about his upcoming confrontation with Palpatine.
"What kind of events?"
"This invasion of Naboo was simply a ploy for a gain in power by the Sith."
"The Sith are a myth!" Obi-Wan exclaimed in protest with what he'd been taught for all his life.
"Was that thing in the desert that took off the arm of a nine-year-old boy a myth?"
"No, anything but," he replied soberly.
"I rest my case."
"He was a Sith? You are certain?"
"He is the first Apprentice of the current Sith Lord. If you care, his name is Darth Maul."
"Do you know who the current Sith Lord is?"
"I do."
"Can you tell me, or is this something else no one wants me to know?" Obi-Wan said, still bristled slightly because of his being left out of everything.
"I am trying to decide if it will matter if I tell you. You will know in two days anyway. He will be dead by then."
"How do you know that?"
"I plan on killing him."
"Does the Council know?"
"I doubt it. Master Yoda knows, and Master Windu."
"And they are going to let you kill someone, based on what evidence?"
"The fact that he is a Sith Lord. I'm not just willy-nilly going to go kill someone. Evidence will be accumulated properly before I will be allowed to dispatch him. He's all in a tizzy anyway, because of several things which I won't go into. Something will slip, and then he will die."
"Why do you want him dead so badly?"
"He's caused the deaths of every person that I ever cared anything for. Only Luke and Leia remain, and he would have killed them as well, if he'd known who they were."
"So is it revenge?"
"No. I am here to prevent the deaths of millions upon millions of people. The fact that I care for some of them is really irrelevant. I am here to save Anakin." He said in sudden realization, "He bore unspeakable torture at the hands of the Sith for over twenty years." He felt Obi-Wan's shock and outrage. "Control your feelings, Padawan Kenobi, or this conversation will be over."
He felt Obi-Wan release his distress into the Force, "I can hardly believe it."
"As I have said, it won't be an issue now. I believe that the Force brought me here to correct certain mistakes that were made. I don't know what other reason there would be for me to even be alive at this point."
"What are you saying?"
"I would be dead if I hadn't come back in time. It was really all sorts of shocking for me to wake up alive." He sensed another presence entering the area, Qui-Gon, "Your Master is coming," he said, then slipped quickly away.
AN: The Ani/Anakin thing...Nine-year-old Ani is in the scene with Qui-Gon and Yoda.
Anakin is in scenes with Leia, Luke and Yoda, and Obi-wan.