Chapter 29 - Preparing the Endgame
A chapter released less than a month after the last one? How can this be?!
Seriously though, thank you all for the lovely reviews, I hope you keep enjoying my work!
Unfortunately, this chapter is once again un-beta'd.
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Padme glanced around Senator Organa's office as she carefully settled her robes around her to hide her condition as she sat down. Bail Organa had apparently had a clean out of extraneous items that he used to have on display. If you didn't know him, you could almost call it minimalist for what remained. If you did then you knew he was preparing to escape Coruscant.
The other senators nodded politely to her, but thankfully nothing more as they sat near her to discuss recent events.
Bail motioned for his final guests to join them, before he dropped into his own seat with a bone weary sigh, "When will he stop?"
Mon Mothma snorted slightly in amusement, "Stop? Why would he stop?"
Fang Zar frowned, "What has occurred?"
Bail growled out his answer as if it pained him to even speak the words, "Now the Senate has given control of the Jedi to the Chancellor, he has appointed Governors to oversee all the star systems that remain in the Republic. In a purely administrative role of course."
"When!?" Fang gasped in shock, "When did this happen?"
"The decree was posted this morning," Bail said as he rubbed his face in exhaustion.
Padme hid her own personal worries at this, "Do you think he will dismantle the Senate?"
"Why bother?" Mon Mothma practically growled at her question, "The Senate is just for show now. Keeping us busy with no control. The new Governors have already been appointed and every one is a yes man to the Chancellor. None of them are Senators, and it would take just another amendment to give them direct power rather than just administrative control."
"The constitution is in shreds." Giddean Danu added, "Amendment after amendment . . . executive directives, sometimes a dozen in one day."
"We cannot, must not, let a thousand years of democracy disappear without a fight." Bail snapped in frustration.
Silence slammed down on the group as the words seemed to echo in their minds, the implications worrying at their core.
"What are you suggesting?" Teer Taneel asked as he swirled his glass of drink carefully, his entire focus apparently upon it, almost afraid of the answer to his question.
"I apologize." Bail sighed as he rubbed his face. "I didn't mean to sound like a Separatist. I am just frustrated."
Mon Mothma waved the comment away, "There is nothing to apologise for. We are not Separatists trying to leave the Republic. We are loyalists, trying to preserve democracy in the Republic."
Bail nodded and smiled his thanks, "We have all seen it. It has become increasingly clear that the Chancellor has become an enemy of democracy. Of the ideals of the Republic."
"I can't believe it has come to this!" Padme cried out in confusion, "We do not agree on many matters, but he always gave me sage advice. He served as my Ambassador to the Senate when I was Queen."
"Senator," Giddean Danu interrupted, "I fear you underestimate the amount of corruption that has taken hold in the Senate. Since the annexation of Naboo, you and those like you, have not attended all the sessions. You have not truly seen the full picture of the precipice upon which we all stand."
Mon Mothma nodded in agreement to that, a slight sneer of disgust on her normally calm features, "The Chancellor has played the other Senators well. There are few of the Old Guard that remain, many have retired either in dispute or in scandal. Just enough of their replacements are supporters of the Chancellors politics to hide his slow control over the Senate. The rest now know where the power lies, and they will do whatever it takes to share in it. Palpatine has become a dictator in all but name. And we have helped him to do it."
"We can't sit around debating any longer.," Bail said, fire once more in his voice, as he gestured to the woman in white beside him, "We have decided to do what we can to stop it. Senator Mon Mothma and I are putting together an organization..."
Padme raised a hand to stop him, "Say no more. I..." She gave a quick glance around her peers and recognised their agreement, "We understand. At this point, it's better to leave some things unsaid."
"Yes." Bail nodded in agreement, "We must not discuss this with anyone, without everyone in this group agreeing."
Mon Mothma smiled sadly at those around her, "That means those closest to you." she glanced quickly at Padme before looking over everyone else, "Especially family. No one can be told."
Each of the Senators nods in agreement, leaving Padme to say what they are all thinking, binding them to this path, "Agreed."
Mon smiled as she relaxed back into her chair and more general conversation started up around her. Mentally she allowed herself a grin, everything was moving along nicely. The others would believe it to be Organa's plan that she was assisting with, not the start of her own manoeuvres.
No-one side-lined a Mothma.
No-one.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Master Windu glared up at Anakin from his seat, before passing the datapad across to Master Yoda. He sat back and steepled his fingers before his face as he examined the man before him. Skywalker was not worried or nervous, he knew that this would cause conflict, yet did it anyway. He also came to the Council directly rather than provide warning or a request to discuss the matter in private.
Yoda sighed as he finished reading, he looked Skywalker in the eye, judging him and his purpose. After nearly a minute, he passed the datapad to the next master and made a gesture to Windu whilst he nodded in acceptance.
Windu grimaced at that but focused fully on Skywalker, "Whilst we do not accept the concept of the Chancellor giving the Council commands, we acknowledge the Senates worries. Therefore, the High Council approves Knight Skywalker's appointment as the Chancellors personal representative."
"I will do my best to uphold the Jedi's principles whilst performing my new duties." Anakin said respectfully to the Council as he bowed to them.
Mace Windu barely nodded in acceptance before he continued, "Whilst you will be a member of this Council, we do not grant you the rank of Master."
Anakin stared at the council at this expected slight, his annoyance and anger stewing deep under the surface. Deciding to be the better man, he bowed once more to the council, "As you wish." Calmly, he stepped back and took the designated seat.
Master Kolar barely held back his sneer at Skywalker, "As we were discussing. The Kashyyyk front is rapidly losing momentum, being drawn into a war of attrition. Something we can ill afford. I recommend that a Jedi Master joins the next group of reinforcements to break the stalemate."
"Go, I will." Yoda calmly said as he raised his walking stick to demand others attention, "Good relations with the Wookies, I have."
Master Windu nodded alongside the other Masters, "Very well, we shall leave that front to Master Yoda and his battalion. I doubt he will be there long. Master Fisto, any news regarding the silence from Kamino?"
Master Fisto's image shook his head at that, "I am afraid not. We have yet to arrive and we have still not heard anything from them. As far as the records show, everything was fine as per Master Ti's last daily report. Then nothing. Estimates put us at 3 hours to the edge of the system. I will contact you immediately on arrival."
Master Windu nodded in agreement, "Be careful. It would take a significant military force to take Kamino without a message getting out. We will await your report." He looked around the other Masters, "Is there any other business?"
Master Mundi leant forward at that, "The regions surrounding the Jade Imperium are reasonably stable, we could pull troops from that front to support the search for General Grievous."
Master Kjac nodded at that, "The Imperium is securing its borders and territory. They lack a suitably large fleet to hold those borders secure without gaps, nor do they have enough droids to hold all their worlds. It's possible, we could use their distraction to take a number of vital worlds back."
"Jade is a cunning foe, he will be well aware of our situation," Master Hran said as he shook his head at this suggestion. "To ignore his ability or ambition is to give him territory we can ill afford to lose. If we pull soldiers back from that front, worlds will petition to join his Empire for protection rather than risk invasion. Never mind the knowledge that the Traitor has likely provided him when she joined his advisors."
Anakin managed to hide his twitch at the Councils name for Ahsoka, forcing the emotions down and bottling them up rather than dealing with them at that time. Stoking the small flickering ember of hate in his heart.
Mundi shook his head, "I concur with Master Kjac, we should at least use this opportunity, we can always return the clones if Jade begins advancing again. Once Grievous and the Separatists are dealt with, we can finally focus on bringing Jade and his Imperium to heel."
Windu glanced at Yoda and another silent message ran between them, "Whilst I will not presume that Jade would be an easy foe or a war focused on him would not be costly, I believe we have time to use this lull to our advantage. Move a third of the clones to other war fronts for the moment, but keep the naval assets in place. He might lack ground troops, but ships are a resource he does not lack with so many Shipyards in his control."
"Whilst I am admittedly biased regarding Jade," Master Kolar growled under his breath at the idiocy of his peers, rubbing a hand on some of his new scars, "there is another matter of importance closer to home to resolve. I must suggest to the Council, that whilst the Chancellor already has a bodyguard in Knight Chion, we should provide him round the clock protection. I have received reports from my agents regarding the public's discussions regarding our loyalty to the Republic after the last assassination attempt on the Chancellor. I don't know where they gained the information from but there have been a number of disturbing and accurate news reports discussing our recent failures as well."
"Once more, I must concur with my peer." Master Mundi spoke out, "My Seekers have had over a dozen refusals for the Jedi to take Force sensitive children to the Temple in the last six months. Public faith in us is at an all-time low. One parent informed my team that he would rather sell his daughter to slavers and pirates rather than the Jedi."
The Masters all looked at each other in worry at that before Mundi continued, "We need a public win to restore confidence and faith."
Master Fisto's image nodded in agreement, "For the additional bodyguard role, I would have volunteered for the duty, but I don't know how long I will be before I am able to return. Perhaps Knight Skywalker is our best option? He has a history with the Chancellor and none can deny his abilities."
Windu frowned and looked around the Council members to judge their view on the proposal. Seeing the majority in agreement, he nodded, "Very well. Knight Skywalker, as ordered by the Council, you will be added to Chancellor Palpatine's bodyguards for the interim. If there is nothing else?"
He glanced around and saw no-one else appeared to have anything to say. "Then we shall adjourn. May the Force be with us." He nodded respectfully, "Masters, Knight Skywalker." With that he stood and strode out of the Chamber, Yoda beside him, neither giving Anakin a glance.
The Masters present followed as the holograms ceased, Master Plo Koon clasping Anakin on the shoulder in comradery for a moment before he left the Chamber.
Master Hran patted him on the other shoulder, "Congratulations on your joining the Council young Skywalker. I look forward to working more closely with you. Perhaps you would join me tonight? I would discuss a few matters with you."
Anakin smiled back whilst internally frowning, was this the conspiracy trying to recruit him? "I would be honoured Master Hran, however, I doubt my new mission will allow me much time. Perhaps tomorrow? Once I have discussed my rota with Knight Chion?"
Hran nodded at that, "Perfectly fine. I am free for the next few days. Just let me know when would be a good time to meet."
"I will let you know as soon as I do." Anakin nodded in agreement.
Hran patted him on the shoulder once more before looking up at the remaining Jedi Master, "My humblest apologies Master Kenobi. Your congratulations should have been the first Skywalker here heard. I will leave you to your discussion. I imagine it will be illuminating for our young hero."
Anakin frowned in thought as he watched Hran leave the chamber before his eyes snapped back to Obi-Wan. Was Obi-Wan part of the conspiracy as well?
Obi-wan stepped before Anakin, who stood as he approached, smiling sadly at his former padawan as he offered him his hand. Once it was taken, he pulled the man who was practically his brother into a hug. "Whilst belated, I am so very proud of you Anakin. It was always a dream of mine to one day see you hold a seat in this Chamber, I only wish it had been on better terms."
Anakin grimaced as he stood back, "I know Master. I too had similar dreams both for myself and Ahsoka."
Obi-Wan smile turned mournful at that, "Even though the Council does not recognize your position, I shall. No more Master, I shall always be Obi-Wan to you. But you look troubled."
Anakin sighed, "Are they always like this? A number of them have fought Jade personally; others have fought his forces in battle. Do they not remember his cunning and ability? I sure remember how powerless I felt against him. I also remember that three members of the council faced him that day and he beat them all. Their arrogance at being able to handle him now astounds me."
Obi-wan gestured Anakin to his seat and sat in his own. "They are afraid and too proud to let you know. Being forced to accept your post has also unnerved them. The Jedi have been led only by the High Council for millennia, to have that surety shaken so easily has disturbed them."
"I know." Anakin muttered as he rubbed his face in frustration, "I know. But did they think the Senate wouldn't do this with how the war has progressed?"
Obi-Wan winced at that, "I am more than aware of what the Council has believed and done in this war. But, I will not hide information from you. The Council wants you to report on the Chancellor's dealings. They have doubts as to Knight Chion's loyalty to the Order and doubt she would provide the requested information, thus they wished you to use your friendship with him."
Anakin grimace twisted into a sneer at the idea, "They want me to spy on the Chancellor for them? They want me to commit treason!?"
Obi-Wan winced at his former padawan's shout, "We are at war, Anakin." He sighed in tired frustration, "The Jedi Council is sworn to uphold the principles of the Republic, even if the Chancellor does not."
Anakin frowned as he realized something, "Why didn't the Council give me this assignment when we were in session?"
"This assignment is not to be on record." Obi-Wan said as he sat back in his chair, a tired posture on display, something Anakin had rarely seen, "The Council asked me to approach you on this personally. Much as I despise this request, I understand their reasoning."
"The Chancellor is not a monster, Obi-Wan." Anakin said as he stood from his seat and began pacing, unable to stay still, "He befriended me. He's watched out for me ever since I arrived here."
"That is why you are being asked to help us, Anakin." Obi-wan raised a hand and gestured to the room around them, "Our allegiance should be to the Senate, not to its leader who has managed to stay in office long after his term has expired."
Anakin simply raised an eyebrow at that, "The Senate demanded that he stay longer."
Obi-wan nodded in return, "I know, but use your training. Does this seem right? Does nothing seem out of place?"
Anakin frowned but waved it aside, "What the Council is asking me to do is something against the Jedi Code. Against the Republic. Against a mentor... and a friend. That's what's out of place here. It would be like doing the same to you. Does the entire Council want me to do this?"
"Not everyone," Obi-wan admitted with a grimace, "Some of us do not believe this to be the right Path. But the majority decided to ask this of you. They are willing to even pardon Ahsoka of her crimes at the end of the war and are willing to request the same from the Senate if you take this mission."
Obi-wan raised a hand to stop Anakin's expected reaction to the obvious bribe, "What I want, is for you to know what the Council wants from you and to support you in whatever choice you make. If you want to tell them no, then I will support you one hundred percent. I've failed you once, I will not do it again."
"You didn't fail me and you didn't fail her." Anakin sighed as he looked at the older man, seeing the exhaustion hidden under his veneer of respectability. "There is nothing to atone for."
Obi-wan smiled sadly at him, "Even if you deny my guilt, or forgive me, I cannot forgive myself for what happened. I'm tired Anakin. Tired of this war and what it is doing to us. Every choice I make for the best of reasons gets twisted into something ugly. And every time, it gets easier to escalate my responses. I am sickened by what this war has done to the Jedi. Barriss Offee was a symptom of the disease and I fear that we will see worse yet to come."
Anakin stared at him, worried by some of the wording Obi-wan used. Paranoia begin to dig in his gut as his most trusted ally within the Jedi spoke of the corruption in the Jedi, just like the Chancellor had warned him about. "So do I, Obi-wan. So do I."
-o-o-o-o-o-
Master's Windu and Kenobi sat opposite each other on the gunship as Master Yoda stood in the aisle to complete the triangle. None of their clones were present on this journey. The hatches were sealed and the only light was from the dull red lights of the vessels belly.
Obi-wan finally broke the silence, "Whilst he agreed to the mission, it did not go well."
Yoda nodded and gestured with his walking stick towards the Temple behind them, "Too much under the sway of the Chancellor, he is. Much anger there is in him. Too much pride in his powers."
Obi-wan snorted at that, "I think he has shown more maturity at not rising to the repeated insults to his person in that session, than some of the other Masters."
Mace frowned and shook his head, "This plan is very dangerous, putting them together. I don't think the boy can handle it. I don't trust him."
"You barely trust me." Obi-wan snorted in annoyance, "He'll be all right. I trust him with my life."
"I wish I did." Mace growled at him.
"With all due respect, Master," Obi-wan nearly sneered the title at the older man, "is he not the Chosen One? Is he not destined to destroy the Sith and bring balance to the Force?"
Mace grunted in annoyance, "So the prophecy says."
Yoda continued before they could escalate their argument. "A prophecy... that misread could have been."
Obi-wan snapped at them at that, "It will be if you keep attacking him like this. Every time you give him a mission, he succeeds, and yet you belittle him, deny his worth. He has every reason to distrust us after all that's happened to him, all we've done to him and Ahsoka." He took a deep breath and sat back, "No matter. He will not let me down. He never has."
Yoda frowned at the impassioned response from Obi-wan, "I hope right you are. On my return, discuss this further, we will. And now destroy the Droid armies on Kashyyyk, I shall. May the Force be with you."
As the ramp lowered and Yoda walked off the gunship, the two masters stood and bowed respectfully to him before returning to their staring contest, both refusing to budge over the matter of Skywalker.
Yoda paused for a moment as the gunship took back off, perhaps they had been too hard on the boy. Unfair even. Memories of his studies in his youth returned, they could be creating another Revan with how they were treating Skywalker.
He nodded to himself as he neared the clones under his command. Yes, when he returned to Coruscant, they would definitely need to apologise to the young man and explain why they had acted as they did.
Hopefully that would help calm matters.
Before it was too late.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Anakin entered the hall of the Galaxies Opera House, looking around at the beauty of this ancient structure. Quickly, he nodded respectfully at Knight Chion, blinking in surprise at the familiar scent as he passed.
Palpatine smiled at him and gestured to the seat beside him in the private box which Anakin took. They watched the Mon Calamari dancers move through the giant globe of water before them in intricate patterns for a few minutes, much to Anakin's disgust. How could they waste so much water for a dance?
He took a deep breath and forced down his old prejudices before Palpatine broke the silence with a chuckle. "You do not have to humour me, my boy. I can see that this is not something you are interested in."
Anakin chuckled slightly at that, "I'm sorry, I know they're some of the best in the galaxy, but all I can think of is that it is such a waste of water."
Palpatine nodded at that, "I suppose it is really. The opulence of the rich and powerful, yet another sign of the decadence hidden within the Republic. But I shall go straight to business then."
He passed Anakin a datapad, "Republic Intelligence has found where General Grievous has escaped to. Some backwater called Yavin. He has a base hidden in some ancient ruins on one of the moons of a gas giant."
Anakin smiled at that, "That is excellent news. Did you say Yavin? I think I fought Ventress there once. Anyway, if we can get him now, it will collapse the majority of the Seps military command. We could finally end the war before…"
Palpatine smiled at him, "I would expect that you will be in your new post waiting for the birth of your child by that point."
Anakin closed his eyes and hummed in pleasure at the idea for a moment before returning his focus to Palpatine, "I presume you wish for me to tell the Council of his location?"
Palpatine smirked, "What I want is for you to lead the force to capture such a threat to the Republic. I would be worried about the Council if you were not chosen."
At Anakin's wince, Palpatine frowned, "What is the matter, my boy?"
"They will not send me." Anakin sighed as he ran his hand through his hair in frustration, "They obviously don't trust me and they definitely don't trust you."
"Anakin," Palpatine said as he smiled sadly at the young man, "They don't trust the Senate or the Republic and they definitely don't trust democracy. I'm going to make a guess here, I don't mind either way what the answer is, but I would hazard a guess that the Jedi wish for you to spy upon me."
Anakin flinched in surprise and looked away, shame colouring his face before he regained control.
Palpatine sat back in his chair, the ballet forgotten in full as he looked at the man beside him, "There is nothing to be ashamed about Anakin. I knew this would be a possibility when I made you my Herald to the Council. They cannot abide any other holding power over them, you were a threat to their position, so they have done this to force you to choose. To do the right thing, or the easy thing."
He paused for a moment in thought before continuing, "Think back to some of our early discussions. All those in power are afraid to lose it. I am well aware that I am amongst those like that, but I fear for what would happen to the Republic should that come to pass before it is ready. The Jedi, have no such excuse. They have had this fear since their founding; it's why they turn on other groups of Force users. They believe that they alone can understand the will of the Force and others are dangerous."
Anakin frowned, "But the Jedi use their power only for good."
"Good is but a point of view," Palpatine chuckled, "There is no good or evil, there is only power and how you use it. You have the Force Anakin, you choose how you wield it, no-one else. To the Republic you are a paragon of virtue and good. To the Separatists, you are a monster and evil. It's all perspective and how you look at things."
Palpatine paused for a moment before continuing, "The Sith believe in security and justice just as much as the Jedi, yet the Jedi consider them to be…"
"Evil." Anakin snapped without thought.
"Evil," Palpatine nodded, "from a Jedi point of view. In almost every conceivable manner, including a quest for greater power, the Sith and the Jedi are exactly alike. The difference between the two is that the Sith use all the Force, refusing to restrict them to only one aspect. That is why a Sith is more powerful than a Jedi. The Jedi's strength is in their numbers."
Anakin shook his head in disagreement, "The Sith depend on passion for strength, thinking only of themselves, whereas the Jedi are selfless, thinking only of others."
Palpatine smiled at that, "Or so you have been trained to never question. Why then, would they have asked you to do something you feel is wrong?"
Anakin closed his eyes as he tried to deny the statement, but was unable to even utter a defence.
Palpatine continued as to hammer home his argument, "Did they ask you to betray the Jedi code? The Constitution? A friendship? Your own values? Think. Consider their motives. Keep your mind clear of assumptions. The fear of losing power is a weakness of both the Jedi and the Sith."
Recognising his victory, Palpatine relaxed in his chair for a moment, watching the performance before him as if lost in thought. "Anakin, let me tell you about the finest example of my argument that I can think of. There once was a man called Plagueis. He was powerful and wise in the Force. A true paragon of scholarly lore. He was so powerful, that he could even use his skill with the Force to influence the very midichlorians to bring life from nothing."
He glanced at the shocked look on his future apprentice's face, "Can you even imagine that? But not only could he do this, he could also heal others beyond the ability of any other in the galaxy, even to the point of saving those he cared about from death. And these were but some of his abilities he had discovered in the Force."
Anakin perked up at this, his hope of saving Padme was a shining a beacon in the Force, "What happened to him?"
"He was killed." Palpatine said as he smiled sadly at Anakin, "Some of his rivals were afraid of his power and ability, others merely jealous. In one tale, the Jedi declared him to be a Darth and hunted him as a Sith rather than allow his knowledge to be spread. Another tale says how his apprentice learnt all his master knew and then killed him to keep such knowledge to himself. Either way, he held the keys to life itself, knowledge to prevent death taking those he loved, and yet, he could not avert his own fate. Isn't that ironic." He chuckled in dark amusement.
Anakin sat back and frowned in thought, "Is it possible to learn the power to stop death?"
Palpatine stood and smiled gently at the young man before him as he softly rested his hand on the man's shoulder and simply replied, "Not from a Jedi," As he left the box.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Harry sat in the unlit observation chamber watching the lights of hyperspace.
The column of light that spilled from the hallway silhouetted an intruder to his mourning.
Turning slightly he looked to see Ahsoka standing in the doorway, tall and controlled, but he noticed her fingers fiddling with the hem of her shirt. With a twitch of his lips that could have been a smile, he gestured for her to join him and she moved to the chair next to his, watching the stars streak past.
"I've been thinking." Ahsoka's gentle voice broke the silence between them.
Harry hummed slightly at that, prompting her to continue.
"You saved me." She said with a touch of awe, "You gave me my family back. You've given me your trust and a voice in your Empire. You've placed in my hands the future of all Force users within your borders."
"It was the right thing to do." Harry said as he continued to watch the lights pass.
"The right thing..." Ahsoka said with a sigh, "So here I am, doing the right thing. Will Skyg..." She stopped with a grimace and tried again, "An... Skywalker. Will Skywalker be punished for his actions? For killing a prisoner?"
"No." Harry growled, "No he won't."
Ahsoka wrung her hands in her lap as she struggled with the concepts she was trying to talk about, "He committed a crime. A murder. And he's guilty, but I can't sense any remorse for it."
Harry turned to look at her directly and cocked his head with curiosity at the flow of conversation.
Ahsoka took a deep breath and continued, "So… we have to do something about it. You need to find him and capture him. We need to put him on trial for his crimes."
Harry looked at her for a moment in silence, "You want justice."
She sighed and wiped away a tear, "I want to do the right thing. So… Yes. I want justice, even for a man I despised but you loved."
"I don't." Harry said as he struggled to hold back his anger and pain, "I want vengeance."
"I know," she sighed and gained focus once more, "But this is what we're going to do. You are going to capture An... Skywalker to face justice. Sidious, that's the one you can have your vengeance on. The right way, not the easy way. Agreed?"
Harry stared at her for a little longer, letting his anger settle. Dooku's voice echoing in his memory, 'Rule, don't be ruled.' "Agreed."
She smiled openly at him then, "Whilst we're at it, I think we can ignore the events from the other evening."
"Why?" He said as he raised an eyebrow in amusement, recognising the obvious attempt to divert his thoughts away from his mourning, "Are you embarrassed?"
"No," She chuckled and managed not to blush as much as he had expected, "but I forgive you for kissing me."
Within his mindscape, Darth Abaddon laughed openly, and with glee brought the memory forward of what happened for Harry to review.
Harry chuckled as he got out of his chair and began to leave the room to hide his own reaction to the memory, "I think you'll find it was you who definitely kissed someone, more than kissed in fact." He turned and gave her a wink before he escaped, "It was quite a show in fact, but it wasn't me you kissed."
Chuckling at her spluttered denials, he walked back towards his rooms, he needed to think and plan. Ahsoka had given him a path, something to focus on until he had time to truly grieve.
He would not waste it.
-o-o-o-o-o-
The evening light made the shadows stretch across the Council chamber, the low blue glows of the members holo images barely disrupting the harsh black spears through the light.
Anakin stared at them for a moment, pondering if they were an omen of what would happen. Meanwhile the Masters present finished reading through the data he had provided them.
The image of Master Mundi motioned towards his peers, "Whilst Palpatine believes that General Grievous is on Yavin, our own agents have heard nothing to support this."
Master Windu nodded alongside him, "How could the Chancellor have come by this information and we know nothing of it?"
Anakin frowned at their arrogance as he answered, "The report was provided by Republic Intelligence to the Chancellor. An observation team was watching an archaeological expedition investigating the ruins on the 4th moon, believed to be hired by both Count Dooku and then Evan Jade directly. As stated in the report you have been provided, the observation team detected an emergency transmission that was cut mid-sentence. The last image captured displayed one of Grievous' Magna Guards cutting the civilian down before destroying the transmitter."
Obi-Wan nodded at this, one of the few who had actually read the report provided in full, "We have an opportunity here that must not be missed. The capture of General Grievous will end the war. We must be quick and decisive before he can fortify the system. Does anyone disagree?"
Anakin looked around as the masters all signalled their own agreement before making the statement he was sure to cause the problems, "The Chancellor has requested that I be released from my position as bodyguard to lead the strike."
As he had expected, a distinct majority of the masters looked disturbed whilst a few nodded in agreement to the request. Names were added to his mental list of possible conspirators and a few were moved to potential threats.
Windu looked rather peeved with the statement, still fighting the Chancellors new hold over the Jedi, "The Council will make up its own mind as to who is best suited for a mission. The Chancellor has no say in this."
Mundi's image nodded in agreement at that, a flash of anger rippling across his features before his calm mask was restored, "Yes, the decision is ours to make, no others."
Anakin merely nodded his head in acceptance of their statement, watching in amusement as he didn't act as they had expected once more with anger or denials. He would not give them the satisfaction of proving them right. He was surprised himself, at his lack of anger, a spark of amused pity at their pettiness burned in its place. He felt nothing but contempt for them now, even that was fading along with his loyalty to the Jedi.
Windu carried on as if nothing had been said, "Given our current resources, we must assign an experienced Master for the mission." His eyes roved over the Council before settling on his chosen volunteer, "Master Kenobi."
Anakin smiled in amusement, "I would not deny his experience, but he wasn't so successful the last time they fought." Anakin waved away Obi-Wans dirty look at that, "I mean no offense, Master Kenobi, I am just stating a fact."
Obi-Wan sighed in amused annoyance at that, "No, you are quite right Anakin. But I will counter that I have the most experience with his ways of combat."
Mundi nodded at that, "I concur with Master Windu's suggestion, but I also acknowledge Knight Skywalker's concern."
Windu looked around and nodded his own agreement alongside the others. "Very well, Master Kenobi is to be given the mission. This Council is adjourned." He motioned for Obi-Wan to wait before leaving, "Prepare two clone brigades as quickly as you can. If this report is true, then we have no knowledge of how many battle droids he has with him, or the defences he has in place. Perhaps Master Hran can assist you?"
Anakin watched as Obi-Wan bristled at the implication that he required more help before responding, "I am more than capable of this without further assistance. No offense Master Hran."
The old Jedi chuckled at that, "None taken. I have work on Coruscant that requires my direct attention anyway. But feel free to call upon my men to assist you in your hunt."
Obi-wan nodded respectfully at the offer, "That, I will take you up on."
Anakin managed to hide his frown at that comment, what was Hran up to? Was he part of the conspiracy? Anakin hoped not, he really did.
-o-o-o-o-o-
"Your message said it was urgent," Padme said as she carefully reclined on her favourite couch in her apartment, watching Obi-Wan take a seat opposite her, waiting in confusion as to what business he had to discuss with her. "How can I help?"
Obi-Wan smiled at her, to put her at ease, "Has Anakin been to see you?"
Padme smiled gently, "Several times. I was so happy to hear that he finally held a seat on the Jedi Council."
Obi-Wan nodded at that, "I know. He deserves it after everything. Whilst he is impatient, strong willed, very opinionated and those are only some of his better points. He is truly gifted."
His amused tone brought laughter from them both before they calmed after a few moments.
Padme let her amused grin fade at the mellow feeling she got from Obi-Wan, "This isn't a social call is it? Something is wrong, something to do with Anakin?"
Obi-Wan tried to smile, but it just turned into a grimace, "Perhaps you should have been a Jedi, Padme."
Padme frowned at that, "Please don't try to deflect my question. I have enough of that in the Senate. But to answer, you have never been very good at hiding your feelings. Especially from those who know you."
Obi-Wan sighed in frustration, "It's Anakin. He's been placed in a difficult position as the Chancellors Herald, but I think it's something more than that. Something is really troubling him and I was hoping he may have talked about it with you."
Padme waved the idea away, "Why would he talk to me about his work? It's likely all classified."
Obi-Wan studied her for a moment before continuing, "Neither of you are very good at hiding your feelings either."
Padme frowned and straightened in her chair, a tone of annoyance in her words, "Don't give me that look."
"It's rather obvious how he feels about you." Obi-Wan said with a raised eyebrow.
Padme nervously began to wring her hands together, "What did he say?"
Obi-Wan grunted in annoyance at her deflections, "Nothing. Neither of you have to."
Flustered by the insight, Padme stood up and walked towards the balcony to avoid looking at him, "I don't know what you are talking about."
Obi-Wan followed, rubbing at his eyes in tired frustration, "I know you both too well, all these years working together." He let out a deep sigh before continuing, "I can see that you two are in love. Padme, I'm worried about him." He glanced to the woman beside him and continued, hoping she would understand, "I fear your relationship has confused him. He's changed considerably since we returned to Coruscant."
Her silence being answer enough, he turned to leave before stopping part way to the door, "Padme. I won't tell the Council any of this. I… I hope I didn't upset you, that was never my intention. We're all friends and I care about you both…"
He barely heard her whispered response, full of pain and suffering, "Thank you Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan nodded and gave her a small smile, "Please do what you can to help him. It will hurt. But better this now, than what you would suffer later." He quickly left the apartment, sensing her anger and pain at his words.
Padme continued to stare across the city beyond her balcony as Obi-Wans words echoed through her mind, "Damn you Obi-Wan. Damn you."
-o-o-o-o-o-
On a boarding platform for the docked Assault Cruiser, Anakin and Obi-wan watched as thousands of clones and their equipment for a jungle campaign boarded below them.
Anakin leant on the fencing, waving slightly at a few of Obi-Wans clones he had worked with in the past, their presence in the Force singular enough for him to pick out of the almost identical armours. "You're going to need me with this one Master."
Obi-Wan joined him watching the boarding continue, "Oh, I completely agree. And what did I tell you about my name?"
Anakin chuckled at that, "Obi-wan. I trust the intel."
"And I trust you." Obi-wan said as he clasped his brother on the shoulder, "So, I'm going to call on a few of the Jedi in the region I'm heading for, see if I can get some backup. They along with my clones and Master Hran's forces should be enough." A buzzer signalled by the ramp to the airlock, "Anyway, that's my call."
"Master!" Anakin called out as they began to separate, "Obi-wan." he said as he moved up to face the man who raised him, "I know I've disappointed you over the years, I've never been the best at listening or appreciating your training." He ran a hand through his hair in agitation, "Force, you frustrated me so many times as I was growing at how slow you were going. Never letting me show you what I could do. But, I see now, that I was arrogant and foolish. So... I apologise for all of that. I also know that it must have been difficult for you with the council, your friendship is too important for me to damage with my frustrations with the Council."
Obi-wan smiled gently, the first real smile he had given in a while, "Thank you Anakin, you don't know what that means to me, but it really helps. Give the Council time, you are strong and wise, and I am so very proud of you. In all these years of training you from a small boy, I have taught you everything I know and couldn't be happier at how you have grown and matured."
"I owe you my life, too many times to even count and you have become a greater Jedi than I could ever hope to be. My advice with the Council, is just to be patient, Anakin. It won't be long before you are a Jedi Master at the rate you are going." He gripped the young man's shoulder in friendship and gave him a slight shake to bring out a smile, then with a nod, he began to walk across the ramp to the airlock.
"Obi-wan," Anakin called out, "May the force be with you."
"Good bye, old friend." he paused for a second before adding more, "My brother." Obi-Wan responded with an easy and relaxed smile, "May the Force be with you."
Anakin maintained his smile until the airlock sealed, letting it fade as he watched the cruiser flare its engines and begin its ascent. "Keep safe brother. Make sure you come home. I can't lose you as well."
-o-o-o-o-o-
Padme barely held back her fears and frustrations as she looked at her fellow conspirators as they took sips of their drinks in her apartment. Her earlier conversation with Obi-Wan still rattling around in the back of her mind.
C-3P0 had been banished to organise the dinner now they all had drinks.
She took another sip of her fruit juice before continuing, "We cannot allow this to turn into another war.
"Absolutely," Bail nodded in agreement, "that's the last thing any of us desire."
Mon Mothma smiled gently at her, "We are hoping to form an alliance within the Senate to create a bloc that can stop the Chancellor from further subverting the constitution of the Republic. Nothing more."
Padme nodded and finally took her chair, nervously fiddling with the edge of the arm, "I know a Jedi I believe could aid us if we consulted with them."
Mon Mothma frowned slightly at that, "We don't know the Jedi's position in all this, it could be dangerous."
Padme winced but made sure to maintain eye contact with her friend, trying to make her understand, "I trust them. Absolutely. I would like to discuss this with them and only them."
Giddean nodded at that, "Without the support of the Jedi, any action against the Chancellor would be very risky."
Padme pointed her glass towards Giddean, "The Jedi are no more happy with the Chancellor than we are. Their bindings to the foundation of the Republic would be a major argument in our favour."
Fang chuckled at that, "Patience Senator, we have so many already on our side, offering assistance to our cause, the Chancellor cannot ignore us."
Bail nodded in agreement to that, "The 'Petition of the Two Thousand' should be enough to sway the Chancellor, better we handle this ourselves before we try to include the Jedi."
Padme barely held back snapping at him in frustration at the group not listening to her, when C-3P0 returned to inform them that dinner was ready.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Anakin stood waiting on the private landing platform, watching as the Chancellors shuttle approached for its landing, the two fighters split off to make their own landings as the ramp began to descend from the ships belly. He watched as two Senate Guards in their blue armour and robes secured the ramp, followed by two more who lead the way for the Chancellor, accompanied by Mas Amedda and Knight Chion. Olana, he reminded himself, her name was Olana, she deserved better than being lumped amongst the other Jedi.
As the group left the shadow of the shuttle and began to get closer, the two who had left the shuttle first, took up the guard at the rear of the group. Seeing him waiting, the Chancellor muttered something to Amedda who signalled the Senate Guards who continued on their path with him as Palpatine and Chion moved towards Anakin.
Anakin nodded respectfully to Olana as she gave them a little space to talk privately, yet still maintain her duty, her smile was friendly and welcoming, something Anakin had seen rarely these last few months. It warmed him to see it again.
"I wish I was surprised to see you Anakin," Palpatine began, "But we would both know I was lying." He motioned for the young man to walk alongside him, "Did you see your friend off?"
Anakin nodded as he matched his mentors pace, "Yes, we'll soon have Grievous' head and this war can finally end."
Palpatine nodded sagely at that, "We can only hope that the Council didn't make a mistake and send Master Kenobi to his death."
"The Council was adamant in its decision." Anakin growled as they entered the Senate building, passing by a group of Senators, one of which made Anakin blink in surprise, "Jar Jar?"
"Hmm?" Palpatine muttered at the surprise exclamation, "Oh, yes. Senator in Exile Binks has been a great help. Especially in handling matters whilst Senator Amidala is indisposed." He smirked knowingly at Anakin, "The stress of her situation must be greatly weighing on her with her recent health problems. I'm sure it will all clear up in the next month or so at the latest."
Anakin chuckled, "She might return to her duties, but I imagine she will be tired for a while yet, sleepless nights and all."
Palpatine joined his chuckling, "I'm sure a few of her close friends will be able to help her rest if required." His chuckling subsided into a sigh, "Unfortunately, speaking of friends, Master Kenobi's departure has not helped his reputation. Many believe he is not fit for such a vital assignment."
Anakin practically growled at that, "Not fit? Who? Why would anyone think that?"
Palpatine motioned towards his private lift and they headed up to his office. "There are rumours in the Senate regarding Master Kenobi. They believe that his mind has become fogged by the influence of a certain female Senator."
Anakin blinked at that in surprise, "That's ridiculous. Who?"
"That's the issue, no-one knows who she is," Palpatine shrugged as they waited for Chion to perform her security sweep of his office. "All that is known is that she is a Senator. My money would be on someone in Senator Mothma's circle."
Anakin scoffed at that, "That's impossible. I would know if that was happening."
Palpatine raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Sometimes the closest are the ones who cannot see. It's not like it's the first time such rumours about Master Kenobi were heard. His time as a Padawan on Mandalore in particular comes to mind."
Anakin frowned, "Mandalore? Duchess Satine?"
Palpatine smirked slightly at that, "She was no Duchess then. They had several adventures together from what I heard and were rather close. It appears he has a taste for strong willed and powerful women." Palpatine allowed himself a mental grin at the look of confusion mixed with worry on Anakins face, "But enough of that. Idle Senate gossip is rarely true and hardly ever accurate. I'm sure everything will be fine."
-o-o-o-o-o-
"Go!"
"Leave us alone!"
"You'll bring them back!"
Master Kit Fisto reeled back at the terror flooding the crowd as they realised who had come to their world.
Kamino was stained in the blood of the slaughtered clones. Funeral pyres sent dark smoke into the stormy skies. The Kaminoans wandered their streets, still in shock and horror at what the galaxy had inflicted upon them.
Master Fisto motioned to his clones to fall back to their shuttle and carefully stepped towards what looked like a priest, his hands raised to show he held no weapon. "Please, we just came to find out what happened here."
The priestess glared down at him from her kneeling position before a recently built shrine. "Jade happened. We were punished for your sins. Because of you, his armies came and ruined our people. Justice for Dooku." she spat Jades words at them. Taking a deep breath, she stood and pointed across the open waters towards the north, "What do you see there?"
Master Fisto followed her instructions and looked towards then open ocean in confusion. "I see nothing."
The priest snorted in disgust, "You see nothing because the temple built for your sacrifices once stood proud and full of sin above the waves. It is gone as you and your kind should be. Leave us to our tears outsiders. Begone and take your abominations with you. Never return. Your kind brings only suffering."
Master Fisto opened his mouth but stopped when the priestess ignored his presence and returned to her prayers, more of the crowd tugging away small trinkets and devices from their persons to throw aside into nearby fires before joining her in prayer.
With a profound sadness, he turned and walked back to the shuttle, stopping at the bottom of the ramp. He turned to the clone commander, "Contact the ship. Medical supplies, rations and emergency gear. I want everything we're carrying to be left behind for them. Spread the order. We leave with only the bare minimum we need for our journey."
He looked over the growing crowd of praying Kaminoans, the Force almost wailing in their despair, "It's the least we can do for them."
-o-o-o-o-o-
AN:
Thank you to the following:
comodo50; Hapheastues; ABeaupain; Emperor Vanquest; willam and jack and jake; SSSra; Svenion; MattKennedy; Gavinelo; Yaw613; Penny is wise; starboy454; shugokage; peachx89; god of all; hvm2k2; PrimeOdin; Mister LaGuardia; Black Magic99; kburnout; mwinter1; fraewyn; vyoom; Bloodwolf432; Joe-El; Lycan01; bellapom
Thank you to all the guests for their reviews.
Lord of Carrion: The stories that ripple from Harry's actions will be covered up to the point of his promised return to Earth, then they will be included in the "Echoes of Imperium." These chapters will be more a series of one-shots with an overarching plot, but I have lots of ideas for that setting that I may expand further. I've spent 4 years of my life working on this story, it would be hard to let it go, especially when I have the 2nd half to finish.
AnimeA55Kicker: Harry has several ships dedicated to his use. There is the Lily, a modified trader used for private or covert missions. There is the Hermione, a modified Subjagator class heavy cruiser that was his flagship for a few years. This now leads the Yushan fleet to guard his stronghold. Then there is the Thunderchild, the first Super star destroyer and flagship of the First Fleet of the Jade Imperium.
Jostanos: Chion was originally a throwaway character that gained a life of her own, I'm glad you are enjoying her shenanigans. Dreams have a great power over us, fragments may inspire or distract as we remember them. Anakin is a victim of his nightmares and now they are shifting to a more... exotic form. Obviously, it is his subconscious telling him something. It couldn't be anything else, could it? :)
Seros109: Hermione will appear in the second half of the story which will be coming soon. The grains are already showing their effect on Harry, not that he realises what is occurring.
Scorcher948: I have read those books and I am torn on whether to use those for future stories. I won't be using a lot of the latest trilogy as there are sections taken from the legends section of the setting and other parts I really don't agree with. I may just see where my story progresses, there are plenty of other threats already out there.
Simianpower: I'm sorry that the earlier issues are causing you problems. I intend to go back and try and fix those once I'm done. But I have too little spare time in my life to correct them at the moment. I hope you find works that will cause you less problems in your travels.
TYPE-RWBYFanatic64: All I can say is Spoilers! at the moment. However, as a hint, I would wonder which time Harry came closest to death. As to the Thunderchild, she's the same design as the Executor, as are her sisters. The Eclipse class was designed after the Deathstar tests proved the technology would work, nor did Harry get his hands on those designs at any point.
red demon161: This Harry is definitely not a prude, nor is a harem something he is interested in, no matter the likely rumours in his followers and the possible interest of some of those theoretical members.
Jadesabrexiv: Yeah, Yoda's style of speech is painful to write, and it never looks right to me. I hadn't considered the Vong as part of the story as It isn't intended to span that far into the legends timeline. They would be affected by Crucio without issue, the problem would be that Harry would be a godlike being to them with his ability to inflict pain in such a fashion as well as his experiences which have hardened him to pain. The problem would be his apparent fascination with droids which would shift their reverence of him to hate. They would be more likely to see him as a living heresy or fallen god. A very messy issue for Harry to resolve. As for his return, it is part prophesy, part the sands of the timeturner and requiring a moment that would be a catalyst for his return.
TheMostCasualObserver: I'm only going to say spoliers! In regards to his return, but I am writing more as a side story in "Echoes of Imperium" to cover what else is going on in the galaxy. I already have sections covering after his return to earth. Harry offered up nearly everything he had to Yushan and it gave nearly everything back. Whilst anger did aid him, he is slightly reduced in power, but only those who know him would see the difference. Harry isn't the Anathema; their story is something I'm working on in Echoes. As for the Whilst issue. I was not aware I was doing it, thatnk you for the alert, I will try to avoid using it incorrectly it in the future.
Tony McNucklz: The reason the Lily is a cargo carrier is to act as camouflage. Local security forces and the Republic are much more likely to pay attention to a military ship or a modified security ship that entered their space whilst they would overlook the cargo ship amongst the mass of others like it. Yes, if it got into a fight, it wouldn't last long unless he ran. But his best armour is the fact that they don't know he's there until it's too late and he's leaving.
Ariadne Venegas: All I'll say about that is that Mara's mother has already been decided and that she inherits the red hair from her grandmother.
Brawlingbard: Thank you for the amusing section. It definitely made me smile as it would definitely be something Sirius would say.
Aqua Lilly: The third prophesy is actually a collection of tales as told to Harry in Chapter 21. To return to his birthplace, he must fight three opponents, the Fallen Friend, the Mirror Twin and the Hidden Spider. Xora and Harry are sleeping together. The title of Alor'be'haran is one I put together specifically for the Clone Soldiers to describe him, a valid term for their hate of him and his actions, such as the one which formed that bloody and scorched helmet in his mindscape.
Noctus Of The Thousand Blades: Stepping back, I can see your viewpoint and it was never the intention, but I can see it happening as you described it. I've written most of the end of this arc and was missing that issue with the future sections for the second half. I will endeavour not to cheapen what has already occurred. As for the Horcrux issues, I run with that he has to sacrifice something of himself to complete the ritual, usually leading to insanity as the humanity of the ritualist's soul is torn away. I also imagine that it takes a portion of the Ritualists power to sustain the ritual, it might not be a great portion, but a number of portions would definitely add up.
ClaireR89: Mallie survives for a while yet, the only mark upon her is the loss of her vision in one eye and the nightmares she still witnesses. But she has a better chance than what occurs to her in her previous future. Hopefully, my writing style has improved over the years and people enjoy it. I look back at my older work and cringe at it.
