Chapter 33
The boy, Anakin Skywalker, sat alone, apparently with only his thoughts for company as he stared unseeingly at a doorway. The waiting room was empty and quiet, sterile in the physical world, but it was a virtual battle ground of emotional energy in the Force. Insight had served him well to come. He could sense a conflicting multitude of feelings rolling off the boy as he neared where he was sitting; grief, confusion, bewilderment, a hint of anger, and intertwining them all, glorious, glorious fear. Pausing only briefly, he savored the frayed vestiges of a war that had been waged against the Darkside, leaving a destructive path of hurt and despair in its wake. It was a comforting vortex of swirling blackness in the otherwise putrid array of Light that was the Jedi Temple. But he had lingered long enough. It was time to make his presence known.
"Have you heard anything yet?"
Anakin turned at the unfamiliar voice, standing quickly and trying to collect himself. "Chancellor Palpatine? I am sorry. I didn't hear you …"
"Not at all," he soothed in a soft voice, filled with sympathy and concern. "It seems you were lost in your thoughts, which is completely understandable, my boy."
"What are you doing here, Sir?" Anakin asked, clearly puzzled. It would only be natural to question the older man's presence. Usually representatives from the Jedi Council called on the Supreme Chancellor, not the other way around, though it was necessary on occasion. And this happened to be one such occasion. It was all the sweeter that the timing was so perfect.
"I was meeting with the Council. They were actually informing me of Master Kenobi's unfortunate mission when they received word that he had arrived." He chanced a comforting hand to the boy's shoulder, noticing the sag in posture at just the thought of Kenobi's state of health. "I am so sorry. I know he is a close friend of you and your master's." Palpatine looked around the otherwise vacant waiting room, hiding a brief smile as he caught sight of the robe beneath his fingers – a near replica of the gift returned to the Chancellor's office. "I was expecting Master Marojni to be here," he said, not mentioning the robe.
Anakin hung his head, and he sensed more of the boy's confusion and fear. "I'm afraid the situation has been difficult for him, Sir. Obi-Wan is like his younger brother."
"Of course," the sith said, offering a weak smile as he pushed Anakin down to the chair and took a seat next to him. So that was the battle with Darkness he had sensed. Curious. While he was certain that the condition of Kenobi would be difficult for the apprentice, it surprised him to find the master so affected.
"I must admit I feel somewhat responsible." Palpatine's brows furrowed giving him an increased air of solemnity. "The matter needed a skilled hand and I know Master Kenobi is quite a negotiator. If I had only understood how volatile the situation was … I never would have …"
"You can't blame yourself, Your Excellency," Anakin politely assured him. "Missions always have a possibility of going bad. It is part of being a Jedi." It was said as much for the boy to convince himself as to absolve the Chancellor, Palpatine realized.
"Thank you," he said, offering a warm smile as he pushed a little more on the boundaries of Anakin's mind. He had been behind those shields once before, but the youth was remarkably stronger. His master had obviously focused on what was lacking since they had last met. Still, emotions that were running high, and his level of comfort and security in his surroundings had made him loosen up those solid defenses.
"Master Kenobi's apprentice … what is his condition?" Palpatine asked.
"He was shot in the shoulder with a blaster, but is fine." Anakin shrugged. "I mean, other than being worried out of his mind about his master."
"Of course, he is worried." Another smile as the politician caught a wisp of anger through a fracture in the boy's shields. "But, it is fortunate that he came out of this so unscathed, especially considering the magnitude of his master's injuries."
The anger bubbled up from within Anakin - feelings of betrayal. His lips trembled and he turned his head away, obviously struggling to keep the calm Jedi veneer intact.
"I hope there is not a problem between you and Master Kenobi's apprentice," Palpatine suggested.
Anakin's head snapped up as he inquired hoarsely, "Sir?"
"I may not have Jedi senses, but I am quite observant." He leaned back in the chair, resting his arms across his chest. "It has served me well in politics."
"I imagine so," Anakin replied.
"So?" Palpatine prompted, determined to not let the small kernel of insight he had escape.
"Ben is okay because Obi-Wan ordered him to run to avoid capture … and he did."
"Ah." Palpatine exhaled sharply. "So you blame Ben for your friend's condition."
"No," Anakin said quickly. "Ben was only …"
"Come," Palpatine soothed. "You can be honest with me. I'm not one of the Council."
Anakin considered the offer of confidence for a moment. Palpatine could sense the boy's hesitation, the conflict within, until the need to speak openly seemed to finally win. "Ben promised me he wouldn't let anything happen to Obi-Wan. That he would take care of him."
"I see." Palpatine allowed Anakin to squirm through a lengthy pause. "It seems an unfair promise to ask."
"It would have been different if I had been there." This was the Anakin he remembered. Though more tempered by time and guidance, the arrogance and determination was still there. Pity his master was doing such a remarkable job at reigning in that beautiful free spirit. "I could have saved him."
"Not everyone can live up to the power you have, Anakin."
" Pardon me, Sir." Anakin's face screwed up, almost comically. "You barely know me."
"I hear things. And I still remember your heroics in my home world at such a young age." He allowed himself a beaming, proud smile. "I said I would be watching your career with great interest, and I have. From what I hear, you are one of the most gifted Jedi that has come along, at least since I have been acquainted with the Order."
The boy suddenly broke eye contact, surveying the room in near panic, causing the Chancellor to wonder what he said that struck the young Jedi so wrong. "I should go find my master ..." As Anakin stood, Palpatine sensed the familiar presences of Master Yoda and Xanatos nearing. Predictably, the agitation in the apprentice's spirit had brought the master running.
"I'm right here, Padawan," Xanatos called from down the corridor. The Jedi master regarded Palpatine coolly, the older man resisting a smirk at the sight of Yoda's walking stick pressed firmly against Xanatos' leg in warning.
"I was just on my way," the Chancellor said. "I do have a busy schedule." He turned his attention to Yoda. You will keep me informed of Master Kenobi's condition?"
"Yes," the aged master said while nodding.
Palpatine turned and left, Xanatos' piercing gaze never wavering. Anakin waited, hearing his master and Yoda whisper back and forth, but not paying attention to what they were saying. Something about his conversation with the Chancellor seemed to cling to him, like a bad taste after an otherwise delicious meal, leaving him disturbed and agitated.
"Padawan?" Anakin shook his head, looking up to find that Master Yoda had left and his master was looking at him with eyes full of concern. "Are you okay, Anakin?"
"I don't trust him, Master."
"The Chancellor? Why is that?" Xanatos placed a hand on his apprentice's shoulder. "What did he say to you?"
"It's just a feeling, Master." Anakin spoke softly, trying to calm his mentor's fears. The Chancellor had done nothing to hurt him, it was only the memory of smooth, well crafted words that left him unsettled. "I remember you told me to be wary of those that boost your ego – those who feed you what you want to hear … I don't understand what Chancellor Palpatine wants with me."
"Nor do I." The sound of footsteps caused them both to turn as Garen returned to the waiting room with Ben at his side. Ben dropped his head to avoid making eye contact with Xanatos while Garen coaxed the youth into sitting down in one of the seats. "At least one of us is heeding our training," Xanatos whispered so only Anakin could hear him.
An awkward silence settled over the room, the minutes once again slipping away as the small group waited. Anakin watched as his master repeatedly ran his hands through his hair, the slight tapping motion of his foot betraying a desire to pace. The door soon opened and Master Nuran stepped into the room to four eager, questioning faces.
"Master Kenobi is in the bacta tank. I will let visitors in, one at a time."
Ben looked hesitantly towards Xanatos, who simply nodded. "Go ahead first, Ben."
"Thank you Master Xanatos," Ben said, quickly disappearing through the doors.
Anakin felt the weight of his frustrations and confusion pushing in on him. Although it had seemed for just a moment that he had broken through his mentor's barriers, the silence that separated him from Xanatos on the trip from Tatooine had resumed. And now, though feeling like he was literally drowning in questions, he didn't want to burden his already troubled master. Yes, the Chancellor had fed his pride and ego, but there was truth to what he had told the politician. It would have been different if it had been him at Obi-Wan's side.
