The Hidden Maelstrom

22 BBY

"Corellia's borders are still closed off; they seem to be remaining forcefully neutral in this conflict. Also, various delegates are scheduled to visit later this afternoon - if the Council has time - to discuss protection from Separatist influence. Master Moonprowler reported that she has discovered Separatist storage facilities on Aargau and is working with its government to shut them down. Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice are due to return from Ansion the day after tomorrow. And…"

The woman lowered the datapad to her side as an indication that she was almost finished and sighed. She knew how the Council would react to this last morning update.

"The Chancellor has once again requested the presence of a Council representative to discuss the Jedi's position on the Military Creation Act for the Formation of a Republic Army."

The Council members who had been listening patiently to the morning brief exchanged concerned glances. They were doubtful that a standing army for the Republic was the right solution to defeat the Separatists. They were also suspicious about the Chancellor's motives for calling on them in this matter. He appeared to be against the Act, but something didn't seem right. It didn't help that the Jedi seemed to be constantly dragged into these matters, despite their desire to remain uninvolved. They were peacekeepers, not soldiers.

"Thank you for your report, Min."

"What should I tell them?" She blinked apologetically under Master Windu's stern stare, but held his gaze. The Master was dominant, but not actually offended. In the Council Chambers on the record, he was amply severe; however, he had almost taken the place of a father figure over the years toward Min. Her childhood fear had evolved into respectful fondness. "The Chancellor's office was very insistent about a reply, Master."

"Send a representative, we should," Master Yoda admitted with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Send someone familiar with the Chancellor's strategies and not easily deceived, we must."

"It can't be ignored, but the Council cannot run to the Chancellor's office every time he calls," Windu fumed. "The Senate is giving him continuously more power with each vote. For now, it is necessary, but it's also dangerous. We do not know whether he has ulterior motives."

"Min." The Knight, who had been watching the reactions of all Masters present, hummed her affirmation. Once she understood where the conversation was going, it was easy to get distracted with what was underneath their individual reactions. It was something she practiced deliberately with non-Jedi to better predict their actions, but she attempted to respect her peers' privacy. "Have dealings with these politicians daily, you do."

"Unfortunately," she cooed with a knowing smile, tossing her lush red hair with its snowy roots.

When a visit from a High Council member proved improper, Min was the one who went to these politicians or outside delegates who demanded response from the Jedi. Most other Jedi were too busy with off-world matters to bother with such intricacies. To the politicians, Min was a trusted, endearing face. She was the one who always had the Council's ear and kept her eye on the patterns of the ever-changing climate during these dark times. That's what the outsiders saw, at least.

Over the years, she had assisted with negotiations and plots from the Senators and other officials, standing in as the subtle left hand of the Council. She had been a voice and eyes for the Jedi in more sensitive dealings. She collected intel. She, however, wasn't the only one who could do those things; she was here in this position more by circumstance than anything else – she tried not to think about that too much.

A daily morning report kept the busy Council members up to date with events and the actually notable planet-side requests. But even as she acted as a liaison, she always listened and watched, creating connections to extend her ever-growing arsenal of knowledge. Her skills as an empath and covert operative did make her useful, she supposed, but something felt unsettled in the air around her. The Force seemed to quiver with unspoken anticipation that made her feel uncommonly agitated.

"Know the will of the Council you do," Yoda continued. "Go to the Chancellor and hear what he has to say before this Military Creation Act is established."

"Yes, Master."

"Now, go you must, before worry the Chancellor does."

Once Min was gone, Windu shook his head.

"Do you really think the Senate will allow the formation of an army?"

"They are desperate for an end to this conflict, and the Separatists are becoming more of a threat every day," Ki-Adi-Mundi concluded. "Perhaps Senator Amidala's voice may sway the vote when she arrives; however, I fear that is too much to hope for."

Min raised an eyebrow in suspicion and looked up from her datapad with sudden interest.

"Pardon me, Chancellor. You mean…you don't want the Act to pass?"

"Of course I don't want the Senate to be responsible for a standing army. Unfortunately, it seems inevitable, at this point. Supporting worlds are being quite vocal."

The woman hinted at a headshake. She was familiar with how the minds of these politicians worked, but she had never been able to quite put a finger on this one. An army would likely give Palpatine more power, which he seemed to be skilled at obtaining. Politicians and a hunger for power just went hand-in-hand. It didn't seem logical for it not to be the case now. Palpatine had always been oddly slippery. Maybe more time around him would be a good challenge; she wanted to figure him out. She didn't like mysteries.

"If you and Senator Amidala make a convincing enough argument, I'm sure the vote will lean against it."

"Whatever my opinion may be, I must do what is best for the Republic," he sighed, sinking back into his chair. "If this motion is defeated and, a day or a month from now, we find ourselves backed into a corner by Separatist forces, who do you think will be blamed? As much as I trust the Jedi, many believe that their influence will not be enough to stop this threat. I am in a rather impossible position, at this point. This Act may be our only option."

"The Council does not agree."

"But it may not be my decision. I want to know that I'll have the Council's support, however this may end."

"The Force will guide us. I will rely on the wisdom of the Council to answer that question, when the time comes," Min said with a level voice. What made Palpatine so unique? He always seemed to be hiding something – his true intentions shrouded in mist. The only other person who excelled this effectively at hiding their thoughts, at least from her, was Master Fleta.

"Master Kyri, may I ask you a question?"

"Certainly, Chancellor."

"Are you a telepath?"

She stared for a moment with lazy eyes. She was told her stare could be off-putting, but her stomach fluttered at the unauthorized inquiry.

"I don't –"

"I don't mean to offend, of course. I just noticed that you seemed agitated whenever I tried to…twist anything." No, she did not. Actually, if anything, she naturally added more sweetness or seduction to her tone when she sensed deception in order to gain more trust. "I'm not like other politicians, you know. If I think you deserve trust, I will not lie to you. Does that not sound…logical?"

Min continued to look at him, trying to wrap her mind around that mental fog. She had previously talked with the Chancellor, but not very often in a private meeting where her focus was solely on him. She would have to tell the Council about this phenomenon.

"My mother was Umbaran. I am empathic, but the extent of my abilities is unknown."

"A powerful talent," he mused, seemingly unaware that they had completely changed the subject. Min shook her head, not sure why she had told him that. Her mental defenses were impenetrable, or so she thought. Either way, it was disturbing. She didn't just tell people things like that. Umbara wasn't exactly friendly to the Republic in the growing tension of the political climate. "If I may ask, why do I never hear about you being sent on missions and, instead, always see you playing secretary for the Order? Such talent must be needed out in the galaxy during this time of conflict. It's a shame for it to go to waste."

Min Kyri's smile tightened a bit as she averted her gaze. That was not a topic she wanted brought up ever, let alone in the presence of this man. What had happened... His eyes seemed to see her deepest feelings. She quickly redirected her thoughts from her discomfort to what she had for supper last night. Maybe he could read her thoughts. Or maybe he was just that good at guessing and she was merely paranoid. The woman had to consciously think about not fidgeting in discomfort. What was wrong with this situation?

"That is an internal Jedi matter. The Council has its reasons for placing me where I am, Chancellor. Now, if there isn't anything else you wanted to discuss, I should return with my report."

"Of course," the man responded apologetically. "Very important job, I'm sure. All that paperwork." He paused and added as an afterthought, "You must care greatly for your fellow Jedi to be so utterly dedicated to their every wish."

Min continued to smile, unaffected by the underhanded jab at her obedience.

"The Jedi way is to avoid attachments. Regardless, they are my family."

The Chancellor watched her go, quite satisfied with himself. This meeting only confirmed last night's vision. She would be an excellent tool. She would bow before him. She would have the blood of Jedi on her hands. And it would be a grand game.

"Fleta!"

The ebony-skinned Knight stopped short on her way to her speeder. She had just returned from her mission and was bent on a visit with a friend.

"Are you all right, Min? Is something troubling you?"

The younger woman quickly looked around for any spies and lowered her voice.

"Have you had many interactions with Chancellor Palpatine?"

Moonprowler blinked at the unexpected question.

"A few times. Why do you ask?"

"Do you trust him?"

"For a man in his position, yes. I think he wants to do what he can to bring the Republic through this conflict unscathed. Why? You have had far more dealings with him than I. Do you think otherwise?"

Min shook her head in puzzlement.

"I've had to meet with him a number of times over the past few days to communicate what he and the Jedi will do if the Military Creation Act passes. It's like…" She shifted uncomfortably in the presence of her former master. Even as a twenty-seven-year-old equal, the half-breed found the imposing Guardian intimidating. "It's like he can see right through me, into my thoughts. I've never had that feeling before now. And there's something about him that makes me want to trust him, while my instincts keep screaming that he's dangerous. I just… I don't know. It's disturbing that I can't see his intentions."

"Min, you know you're far more insightful than I will ever be. Your natural intuition has always served you well."

"I just want to know I'm not crazy."

"I see no reason to accuse the Chancellor of anything aside from being a politician; however, if you suspect something more, watch and observe."

"Should I try interacting with him more?"

"Perhaps. And, perhaps, it's better for you to remain distant for your own and his safety. The Force will guide you, my friend."

Min deftly swept her silky mane into a bun and tossed her robes onto a bench in the empty training room. Her fitted trousers and sleeveless top revealed a toned figure from many sleepless nights just like this. The training droids flickered to life as her green blade activated. She had missed the opportunity to sleep before everyone else. Now, dreams floated down the ghostly halls like inescapable storm clouds. Obi-Wan Kenobi wasn't among those asleep in the Temple; over the years, his developed control and calm, even in sleep, had become a secret sanctuary for her wandering thoughts. But that grounding force wasn't available, so here she was.

Master Fleta's words echoed over and over that she should simply raise the walls around her mind and block them out. Sleep, foolish girl. She didn't want to block them out; not now. The heightened tensions in the Senate, the Chancellor's elusiveness, and her own restlessness with the Jedi had left her irritable and scatterbrained.

Maybe that was the root of the problem. She felt trapped. She was perfectly qualified for any kind of mission. The Chancellor's words from the other day ate at her. She was playing secretary, dedicated to their every whim. Min's logical side understood why they had given her this position, but it was too little for too long. Her comfortable, respectable position suddenly seemed strangled.

The woman flinched a little guiltily as one of the training droids went crashing into the wall in a shower of exploding sparks. Her simulated fight and internal fretting had left her blue-tinted skin flushed and covered in a sheen of sweat. Min Kyri took a moment in the silence to calm herself, allowing those years of training to do their work. There was no need to be irrational about this. The Council had never led her astray. She would talk to Master Windu and Master Yoda about her concerns, continue to train her mental control, and most importantly, get some sleep.

Saluting the air and retrieving her robes, Min left the carnage of the damaged droid behind. Her disquieted mind was not so easy to abandon.