"It is troubling to see Count Dooku being paraded around in such a manner, Master Yoda." Windu said.
Alone, they both stood in the Council chamber-the session ended, this conversation would be off the record.
"To believe he has been captured, and has not given himself up to be the quarry, we cannot. More dangerous it is now, Dooku alive and well, here on Coruscant. Parading himself around, purposefully, Dooku can be."
Windu frowned.
"To hear Anakin say those things about him and to name him a mastermind of transporting species to be butchered, transporting slaves, butchering slaves, and gassing entire planets including the children is even more troubling...It shows us in a bad light."
"A ruthless, callus man Dooku is now. Seen it for yourself, did you, on Geonosis. On Vjun and Ilum when you confronted him, did you see the hatred in his eyes. You felt the murderous intent. Seen it I have, on worlds in the outlying systems. On worlds where he once was. Only despair and angst, is there. Young Anakin was put on the spot, his words may have affect, but it is not he who pushed the issue. Palpatine, focus on Anakin he put. Only by reflex, did Anakin speak, for uncouth it would have been if he did not. In this darkness, nothing is what it seems."
Windu shook his head, trying to rein himself in.
"Why would Count Dooku allow himself to be captured, when he is the glue keeping the CIS together? Would he not have evaded capture? Doesn't he wish to control and center those he has trained? They could begin to war with each other for control? Are we really going to believe that he is a quarry meant to throw us into a trap when we have the possibility of Grievous and Ventress going to war?"
Yoda leaned on his cane and closed his eyes.
"Clouded the force is...But, if true this is of Dooku, special care must be taken where he is imprisoned and who gets to see him. The minds of many, or a few who are powerful, he may affect. Thousands of Younglings, hundreds of Knights, and dozens of Masters...Tread carefully we must, a dark place, we are going."
Windu kept his response to himself
A further rebuttal of the ludicrousness of the whole statement.
Count Dooku had been among the most accomplished of the Jedi Masters during his long tenure, greatly respected among the Council, and a diligent student of the older and more profound Jedi philosophies. He stubbornly held to an ancient light-saber fighting style that focused on front and back, thrust and riposte, leverage, and timing, instead of the wide, circular movements utilized by most Jedi of the current era.
It had been a blow to the Jedi Order when Dooku walked away.
A greater blow was the fact he walked away for the same reasons the Separatists were trying to break away from the Republic.
The reason they used was simple. The Republic had grown too indolent, decadent, cumbersome, and unresponsive to the needs of individuals, to the needs of individual systems, to the needs of hundreds, and even thousands of systems.
Dooku felt that way about the Jedi Order. In his view they had grown too arrogant, too certain, and put the lives of Senators over the lives of innocence. Protecting greedy Senators instead of liberating systems. Putting politics before what is right and good.
Now, Dooku was Head of State of the CIS and without him to hold it together, the whole faction could begin to war internally. There would be pro Separatists and anti Separatists. With Grievous, Ventress, and anyone else trained in the dark side or light-saber arts, it was even worse.
They could send both pro and anti fracturing away, and then war among themselves for control.
They could recruit...
"And our meeting with Palpatine? What do you expect will happen?"
Yoda faced Windu with a mysterious expression. "Only by going, will we know that. But, more to say, you have."
Windu found a seat, and sighed. He looked to the horizon. "I seen something troubling with my ability."
"Careful you must be, that ability, deceitful it can be. This time, when there is so much darkness, wise it is not to try and find the fault lines."
"I believe the Jedi and Republic are going to come under a severe attack very soon. Never have I seen or felt the dark side like I did when they were all gathered. Master Cadus, Master Kenobi, Senator Amidala, Commander Cody, Chancellor Palpatine, Master Shaak Ti, and Master Kit Fisto were all shrouded in the dark side. They were all connected through the dark side. Shrouded."
"Darkness, there is. Around us all. Remember this, you must. The sith lord, putting things before you, he could be. Navigate, only he can through the darkness. Influence the darkness, he does."
It was ridiculous to give notion or time to what Windu was suggesting.
All of those people he named were loyal and dedicated, to some extent it caused wariness, but they were not consumed by the dark side. Kit Fisto was not. Shaak Ti was not. None of them were. None of them would ever fall to that state of depravity.
What Shatterpoint showed Windu was wrong.
"Great...Fear I sense in you. Master Kolar, see you he did...To where did you send him?"
When Windu didn't respond or even meet his gaze, Yoda lowered his head in shame and sorrow.
His heart shattered.
"Send Master Kolar you did...To murder Master Cadus...On Lehon..." Yoda's big eyes were narrowed and his ears were completely flat.
"I do not trust him."
"Foolish, this is. Sith do such things. Sith battle each other. Sith contest each other. Betrayal, anger, hate, distrust..."
"I...I made a mistake. In a split second, I...I thought...He could be the enemy and I..." Windu couldn't finish his sentence.
Yoda blinked, lowering his head even more. "Unable to mend this, I am. Nothing can be done to mend this."
Windu ran a hand over his bald head.
"I know what I saw. Senator Amidala had one huge crack in her image, and Master Cadus and young Skywalker were shattered completely. Obi Wan and Kit Fisto were connected to Palpatine, all of them are interconnected to each other. All of them are going to determine the fate of this galaxy and Palpatine is the one who is going to thrust it in that direction. He is the glue holding all of them together."
Yoda wasn't going to let the issue drop so easily. "If distrust more you do, lose many we will, if you look down upon young Jedi...Erode our ranks you will."
"I would never do anything to jeopardize the Order-"
"But, you will! Already have, you've done! Master Kolar and Master Cadus never fought, that is how it was to be, for all time!"
"I made a terrible mistake, Master."
"Mending cannot be done. Apologizing, solve and resolve nothing it will."
Windu nodded, conceding he messed up, conceding that he let his anger get the better of him, that he let his inner darkness thrash for just a second, and in that second, it controlled him. It made him believe Cadus was a danger...
It made him force two Jedi to fight to the death.
"This can't be mended and it is only going to get worse. What we plan to ask of Master Cadus and young Skywalker..."
"Allow a schism in the Order, I will not. Allow a break away, I will not. So few bright stars, I have now..."
"Master!"
Windu barely held his calm, his voice bordering from even to turbulent.
"Palpatine already has too much power, if he sways them all somehow...Or something worse happens...If they turn to the dark side...We can't risk it, Master Yoda. The Jedi Order cannot afford it. If Master Cadus, Master Shaak Ti, and young Skywalker turn to the dark side, take a stand against us, or if they leave...If Obi Wan or Kit Fisto-if Kit Fisto manipulates Aalya Secura..."
Yoda took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"Listen to you, speak of fellow comrades raiding the Jedi Temple, kill younglings you say? Kill initiates even, you say? Kill us, you say? Scheme and betray us, they will? Scheme and betray each other, lead the other to ruin you dare say?"
Yoda waited for the taller man to regard him.
"I don't know...But being surrounded by the dark side, one can never know...There is too much danger..."
Yoda's eyes remained closed. "Forbid you to use Shatterpoint, I do."
Windu was almost at a loss. "You forbid it?"
"I do. In writing, do you want it?"
Windu barely held his tongue.
"Why do you forbid it? Master Yoda we are in a Cortosis mine, we have to stick to what we know. We cannot have rebellious elements within our ranks. I...I must use my ability so the Jedi are not left in ruin!"
"Cortosis mine you say? Hydraulic jack, useless and wore it becomes, clogged the pistons become. Lethane gas there is, in pockets, all about a Cortosis mine. A step here or there, and hundreds of these pockets, there are. One becomes trapped in the pockets, and pass on they do, painfully and slowly." Yoda replied, eyes still closed.
"We have little choice now."
"The dark side clouds everything. But this I am sure of...Continue to use your ability like you have, more distrust you will feel, more the darkness will grow, and more Jedi you will push away. Forbid its use, I have, for these reasons."
"I will do my duty as I always have, Master Yoda. My ability-"
"Dangerous it is. Led to you sending Master Kolar after Master Cadus, your ability did. Causing you to distrust Master Cadus, Master Shaak Ti, Master Kit Fisto, Master Kenobi, Commander Cody, Senator Amidala, and young Skywalker right now, your ability is." Yoda opened his eyes, turning to the horizon.
"That is because what I saw-"
"Done, this conversation is. Shatterpoint, forbidden it is, until proper time comes where you will not be swayed by the darkness, even for a second."
"But I wasn't swayed-"
Yoda smacked his cane into Windu's shin with each word. "With arrogance and frustration you are speaking. Strife you've projected within the Jedi ranks with your actions. Say we are in Cortosis mine, implications of this, you do not fully understand. Accept this and move on, my former Padawan."
Windu had no choice but to bite his tongue, accept it, and move on. He had no choice but to accept the fact he sent one comrade to kill another...One Jedi Master to kill another Jedi Master. He brought strife into their ranks.
More severe, the Jedi could be in one those lethane gas pockets right now...
The Coruscant sky flowed with smoggy haze.
The sun was reaching its high point, giving the city-scape a near golden glow.
The massive towers of the Republic Executive Building loomed above it all, appearing to reach into the very stratosphere of the world far beyond the clouds.
Even at this early hour, the events taking place and participants present were of a god like stature to the trillions of common folk in the galaxy. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine sat behind his desk in his spacious office, staring across at his two Jedi Master visitors.
Across the room, a pair of red-clad guards flanked the door.
"Master Mace Windu and Master Yoda." Palpatine said, clasping Windu's hand in an amicable, strong gesture of welcome.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice."
"You didn't leave us a lot of options, Your Excellency." Windu remarked.
"I apologize earnestly for that, esteemed Master Jedi." Palpatine replied as he turned and extended his hand to Yoda.
"Excuse my rudeness."
"Prepared we are, to hear what you must say, Chancellor."
Palpatine's grip was firm and he gave a firm handshake. He pulled his hand free from Yoda's and gestured to the chairs around the room.
"Please, esteemed Jedi Masters, take a seat anywhere you like. Make yourselves comfortable. Sit on the couches if you wish."
Yoda took one chair in front of Palpatine. Windu sat down in the next chair in front of Palpatine, leaving the Chancellor to be the lone trunk of power behind his massive desk. Once everyone was situated, Windu broke the silence.
"The message you sent was unexpected, Your Excellency. We are still dealing with the aftermath of the recent battles in the Outer Rim."
"I understand your position, Master Windu. But you must also understand mine. News of Count Dooku's defeat is being broadcast all over the galaxy through the HoloNet. As far as the public is concerned, the war should be over. And, the Senate is eager to put peace talks into play."
"As are the Jedi. Happy this war ends, we all will be. But, this suggestion, very extreme, it is." Yoda commented.
"That is exactly why I have brought you both here to discuss this in private with me...I would rather this isn't put to a vote or discussed in a big group, for fear of shouting matches." Palpatine said.
"Make us understand, your intention...Why, this must be done?"
Yoda had seen all the details of the message Palpatine sent to High Command in the Temple. He would not play into politics or even think about them in this matter at hand.
"I will hope you have the capacity to understand, esteemed Jedi Masters."
"Do you realize what you are asking of us, Chancellor Palpatine? Your proposal calls for the Jedi to renounce their ranks. You are asking us to dissolve the Jedi Order. You are asking us to no longer be Jedi."
"The Jedi were created as a means to combat the Sith and other...Jedi or people who fell to the dark side or didn't quite fall in line with your set of beliefs and ideals..." Palpatine trailed off, like the perfect rational man that didn't believe in the force.
He cleared his throat.
"With the last of the sith about to be captured, Dooku in our custody, and this war reaching its end...There is no need for the Jedi Order."
Windu couldn't believe what he was hearing. "The Jedi Order protects the Republic!"
"Of course, of course. But, what or who will you protect it from after this war? The Sith will all but be gone and routed!" Palpatine said with finality, snapping his eyes forward to Windu directly.
"Gone the sith, never are." Yoda said with narrowed eyes.
"What makes you so sure, Master Yoda?" Palpatine asked.
"Embody power, one does, crave the power, the other one does."
"And that is the problem for the last twenty thousand years or longer we have seen the Jedi declare war on the sith and agents of the dark side time and time again. For the last twenty thousand years we have seen Sith declare war on the Jedi and the Republic. We have seen them launch attacks across the galaxy and purge entire civilizations. It is a continuous battle that never ends, and gets worse with each clash between the extreme ideals you all hold to. With each conflict, more civilians are swept up in the web of war. More and more worlds become war zones and slaughter domains. Innocent beings die as armies align with Jedi, Sith, Republic, or another faction. Worlds loyal to the Republic break away. Jedi break away from the Order. Sith break away from their sect. It leaves a galaxy in shambles, in a multitude of civil wars from people on the same side, and it takes generations to fully recover from each crisis. We can't afford to have another all out crisis like in the past. It must end, now."
Yoda shifted, his ears flattened against his skull, and he took a deep breath. "Believe do you that no Jedi, no Sith, better it will be for all? Better for the galaxy, with no Jedi?"
"I honestly believe that with no Jedi and no Sith, the galaxy will be a far more stabilized and much more peaceful. There are many people who fear the Jedi and Sith and what both are capable of. They see both as instigators of war. The Sith make it clear they want to destroy and dominate. And, with the Jedi, you all claim your actions are guided by the force, but to those who are not trained or know of it, it appears as if your Order is not accountable to anyone or anything. You all have free reign to do as you please, even now. And, let us not forget that you take infants, and there was the scandal not too long ago concerning that."
There was undeniable conviction in Palpatine's voice.
"So you want the Jedi to answer to you." Windu said, tone direct.
Yoda sighed.
Palpatine almost snarled and smashed his desk in two with his bare hand.
"You already answer to me, Master Jedi. You answer to the Judicial Department, Master Jedi. I am not trying to acquire more power for myself or take it away from anyone. You can all oversee the Republic and protect it like you always have...But, you will only do so as part of the Judicial Department of the Republic, or as a part of the Republic infrastructure, not as Jedi. Not as an autonomous group. This is the only way the Republic and galaxy will be able to heal from the magnitude of wars over the thousands of years and this current war we trudge through. The Republic is crumbling. For the past thousand years it has been decaying and rotting away. More and more power has been concentrated in a few. A rebirth is the only way to reverse this process. A new way...A new era...A golden era..."
"But, your Excellency without the Jedi..." Windu tried hard to be polite.
"I do not wish to hear without Jedi. What you should be saying, Master Mace Windu is without us."
"If the Jedi disband..."
"This will be the beginning of a new era for the Republic. We will enter a new age of prosperity and peace. There will be a million generations that do not know the horrors of war like we all do. It will be our golden age. An age of order. An age of stability. An age of prosperity. I want the Jedi to pave the way for this new era. Cast aside solitude. Instead of seeking solitude and fighting endless battles to hold back the dark side...Help us reach the light, show us the way, show us all how to be selfless...Come into civilization and live among those you have swore to protect. Show everyone what it means for this golden era to be ushered in, and how important it is."
Palpatine finished his speech with some fervent flare, looking between the two Masters, watching, gauging their reactions, and even watched their body language.
Windu held his breath, pressed a hand to his mouth, and looked at the floor. He let out a sigh and furrowed his brow. He waited for Yoda to refute the Chancellor's arguments. He waited for Yoda to speak on how the Jedi were bound by a higher authority, not one of people, but one of moral.
"Capture those trained in the dark side, we must. End, the war must. For good. Only then, remotely, can it be considered."
Windu's mouth nearly dropped, but he had the discipline to keep it closed.
"I do not want this to come between us and how we have worked together for the greater good of the Republic. We want the same thing in the end." Palpatine remarked.
"It is something we cannot considering doing now. As Master Yoda said, and as I have assured you, we will capture the rest of those trained by Dooku, the Separatist Council if we must, and we will end this war. When the war is over..."
"If put to a vote this is, propensity is there for it to unravel the remainder of the Republic and the Jedi Order."
"Few issues carry the weight of this suggestion. The Senators don't care as long as the war ends or peace talks go into effect. They can't see past their noses right now and can't stop lining their pockets with the profits they've heaped on themselves because of this war." Palpatine remarked in disgust.
"And one way, or this way, or the next, much backlash there will be...Perhaps even rebellion."
Yoda blinked slowly and his ears flattened, showing anyone that knew him, he was greatly troubled and thinking hard on each word spoken.
"To a place we are going, good, it will not be." Yoda said after a few minutes, closing his eyes in contemplation.
"I know you both are not happy about my passing of Statue 312b, but you seen the riots caused by Nute Gunray and that whole dispute. You seen what happened with Bail Organa and Sio Bibble. You seen what happened with San Hill and Poggle. Understand it needed to be done in order to maintain stability and order on this world and in the Republic." Palpatine said, tone even.
"Understand your burden I do. Only chaos can the Viceroy and those of the CIS bring, especially when one like Senator Organa or Senator Bibble are in their company."
Windu frowned briefly. "And yet, those outlying worlds and systems will not have as much voting power and their voices won't be heard..."
"It needed to be done! Those greedy and hubris fools stalled the session in the Senate and caused full scale riots! They are a threat to order and stability! They can stay in their outlying systems where they belong, they will not cause chaos here and unravel the bedrock of the Republic!"
Palpatine nearly roared in fury, slamming his fist down on the desk.
"I will not allow them to bring chaos to the Core!"
Windu maintained his calm, voice even.
Wisely, he changed the subject.
"Count Dooku used to be a Jedi, we should build a special prison for him that will cut off his connection to the force once he enters it. If we do not go with this course of action, we will have to lock him up in the Temple and still build a special room to imprison him."
Palpatine looked to Yoda. "Master Yoda...Which course of action do you think should be taken regarding that rabble?"
Yoda closed his eyes. "To be outside of the Temple, dangerous it is. Build a special prison we will, and in the Temple, Dooku will remain to serve his life sentence until otherwise stated."
"Are you sure that is such a good idea?" Palpatine asked.
"Better equipped we are, to handle Dooku. Easily swayed many will be by the splendor in his words, cunning he is. Most cunning."
"He has no hands thanks to young Skywalker, but I will agree with your sentiment. Someone like Dooku is most dangerous with their tongue, not in the heat of battle like Grievous."
"Master Yoda, are you sure about this?" Windu asked.
Yoda opened his eyes and stared hard at Palpatine. "Dooku, the first, he will be."
"One more thing..." Palpatine looked the two Masters in the eye.
Windu shifted, suddenly feeling uneasy.
Yoda's ears began to flatten. "Young Skywalker, you mean to speak of?"
Palpatine's gaze was as flinty as his voice was firm.
"I want Anakin Skywalker to be appointed on the High Council and to be given the rank and privileges of a Jedi Master, due to his heroic effort in bringing down the tyrant known as Count Dooku by himself, making this very conversation we are having right now possible. He will not sit as my representative, but as an equal among you esteemed Jedi Masters."
"The Council makes its own decisions in regards to-"
Palpatine gently held up a hand, forcing Windu to stop. "Do you argue he hasn't done enough or doesn't deserve it?"
"He is too young, impulsive, and-"
Palpatine cut him off again.
"I do not recall you capturing someone like Count Dooku to become the youngest Master in the history of the Jedi Order, Master Mace Windu. I believe you were...Twenty eight..And, I do not recall you ever putting an end to a war or conflict by yourself, yes, yes you've fought in many great battles, but never ended them."
"Regardless, it is not a matter of merit or age, it is-"
"Up to the Council...You and Master Yoda? I understand very well. I am telling you both right now, I want Anakin Skywalker appointed to a seat on the Council and given the rank of Master...If you don't put him on the Council, he will still get the rank and privileges of a Master. You will let go of your pride Master Mace Windu and do what is right for the greater good, all because Anakin his five years your junior and becoming a Master doesn't give you cause to be obstinate and pugnacious."
"Into consideration, will we take your suggestion." Yoda said, a little too quickly.
Palpatine smiled, shaking the hands of both Masters.
Yes...
Fumble around in your hubris, just as you did with Ahsoka, just as you did with Dooku. Give into your thirst for power, just as you will with Cadus and Anakin...Allow yourselves to think you are an absolute, and when the time comes for your doom...
The Jedi won't even be a memory.
"Your cooperation is greatly appreciated, Master Yoda and Master Mace Windu. I understand it is a hard time for the Jedi, but it is a hard time for all of us in the Republic...Everyone wants this war to end, but perhaps, they do not understand what it will take for the war to end. Perhaps they are ignorant of the fact this war does not need to magnify...Now if you will excuse me, I must call the Senate to session in order to get the point across."
It seemed as if he was about to have his guards escort them from the room out of pure formalities, however, Palpatine thought better of it, sensing Yoda and Windu were not going to let the issue drop when it comes to dissolution of the Order, had any intention to follow through on it, and had no intention of giving Anakin the rank of Master.
Palpatine hid his smirk, putting on a calm expression as he waited for Windu or Yoda to say something.
Both of them remained silent.
All those who gain power are afraid to lose it...But, the hubris of these two...To believe they, the Jedi Council, they, two members of the Council are an absolute...
Palpatine exchanged a look with Yoda, then nodded in the Master's direction.
"On a note..." Yoda trailed off.
"What would it be?" Palpatine asked.
Yoda looked him in the eyes.
"Move forward with peace talks, we should. Call back our fellow Jedi and Troopers from the war zones. Lift martial law as well."
"Peace talks?"
"Capture those trained by Dooku, we can. But, Viceroy, and others, handle them you must."
Palpatine thought long and hard about it.
"Very well. I will bring it to a vote in this session, but if peace talks do happen, there is a certain criteria that must be adhered to. You may send the order to all Jedi and Troopers on worlds not being liberated or where battles are taking place to return to the Temple. I will send the message as well. But, this is only worlds where no battle is taking place or is in the process of being liberated. We can't expect our enemies to give us the same courtesy. I will lift martial law in this session, since we do have Dooku in our custody."
"Our enemies won't give the same courtesy yet, at least." Windu said, eyes piercing.
"My gratitude you have, Chancellor." Yoda said with a small and tired smile.
"We are all tired of this war and death. I understand your sorrow well, Master Yoda. So many have died, and yet...So many more can pass in the fire of this war..."
Palpatine sighed, looking perfectly weary.
"Please see yourselves out when you are ready, but take no longer than an hour. Security will kindly ask you to leave or escort you out when an hour has passed. Be courteous and vacate my office should this happen, they are merely doing their duties."
"Worry not." Yoda assured, nodding just enough.
Palpatine grinned as he departed, letting out a dark chuckle once he was far away.
Everything was lining up perfectly, even disagreements between Yoda and Windu were building, and now there would be more elements and people at play.
Soon Cadus and Anakin would be put into play, and when that happened...
The Jedi Order will effectively put themselves at a disadvantage and lose two of their most powerful and brightest warriors.
Even more important-the Jedi were going to start turning their own on each other and forcing them to fight or spy on each other.
To spy on him.
Commit treason.
Take over the Senate.
Take over the Republic.
To rule.
The Jedi would in effect, be Sith, in all but name.
And, they would fall without fail.