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Unbroken Vow of a Jedi: Chapter 3
The Apprentice's Fate
Chapter Summary
After an embarrassing mishap with the Senator, Anakin tries to keep his distance from Padmé as he talks to Obi-Wan about his former apprentice's fate after Order 66's implementation. The strange circumstances in regards to Ahsoka's ship, the Tribunal, gives Anakin enough clues to piece together the plan his old Padawan undertook in her pursuit of safety. Her moves following her departure from the Tribunal, however, remain to be a mystery.
As Anakin comes up with a budding plan that he hopes will allow him to successfully retrieve the Clones aboard the Tribunal, he discovers the Council's continued distrust of him as Obi-Wan tells him of a Council gathering that he had not gotten to attend. Despite his agitation with the Council, Anakin and Obi-Wan's ability to have some good banter remains intact for now.
Later That Night: After Midnight
"My lady, if I may," Threepio began for the fourth time that evening in the most imploring of tones, "I don't believe it would be safe for you to go out into the public with your injuries. They leave you at a terrible disadvantage."
"As I said not thirty minuets ago, Threepio," Padmé said with palpable frustration over the droid's fussing's, "I must do my duty as the Queen has demanded of me."
Anakin grimaced as he silently agreed with 3PO before sighing in the realization that he would not reap any answers from meditation with 3PO's shrill voice constantly berating his worries to Padmé as he followed her around, constantly breaking his concentration. Within the dark, moonlit room of the Senator's veranda, Anakin relaxed from his rigid posture as he sat in the center of the otherwise empty room and looked towards the two voices' source in the Senator's master bedroom.
After their mid-afternoon lunch… and, after the rather distressing call from her family… and after just barely escaping the Senator's insistent probes on Anakin's mystifying behavior... Padmé had begun her wobbly process of tidying up the apartment with 3PO's help. Or rather, Padmé directed Anakin on how and where to handle the misplaced furniture as 3PO cleaned up any broken glass and Padmé rearranged any stray decoration. And throughout that time, 3PO had never failed to throw about his concerns for his Mistress. Through Padmé's annoyance sat Anakin's endearance at the droid's strange behavior. Looking back on it now, Anakin thought that he had perhaps programmed 3PO with too many unnecessary behavioral algorithms.
3PO's voice didn't falter as it rang out from across the apartment. "Yes I realize that, but I must implore you to let your body recover before throwing yourself into stressful situations. The human biology is rather fragile – no offence intended – and we must consider your especially testy health what with those nasty illnesses that you always relapse to. You should not push your body too hard."
Anakin couldn't help but agree with 3PO on this issue as well; it was rather well-known that Padmé would sometimes collapse from over-working herself. Holo-Net News had always eaten up such incidences with claims that the Senator would work herself to death one day with her lack of a social life. Although Anakin was angry with the media's obvious lies about her social life – that Anakin did not wish to know about at all lest he accidentally trip over a shiny nugget detailing her love life – he knew that the incidences of her somewhat common collapses were true. He had been present for one. These blips in her health occurred too regularly – at least twice a standard year – for Anakin's peace of mind.
Anakin heard Padmé give a testy huff. "I'm aware of my issues, Threepio. I will handle it as I've always had. You are dismissed for the night; I need to rest after these terribly long couple of days."
"…As you wish, my lady."
3PO, now even more resigned, began to make his way towards Anakin with a quick shuffle. "Master Anakin?" he asked out hesitantly in the dark before the motion sensors caught the droid's movement and turned on the soft lighting around the seating area to show where the young man sat in silence. "Ah! Master Anakin! Forgive me for interrupting your meditation, but I-" he stopped suddenly before looking back at Padmé's bedroom before creeping closer to Anakin with a softer volume, "I must ask that you council the Senator on the matter of attending the function that is supposed to occur tomorrow night. As head of her security detail, you really should prevent her from taking unnecessary risks."
Anakin almost laughed at that. He had barely been able to stop himself from voicing his concerns to the Senator as the medical technician she had called in earlier that night began to disengage her from her study casts in favor of a more-concealable and less-safe alternative. The thin gray material of her new casts was stiff but hardly a good choice for aggrieved bone tissue. But it was her concussion that worried him the most.
"Senator Amidala has made her decisions on this matter quite clear from your earlier discussions. I will not voice my concern if I know it will fall on deaf ears; I've learned that much from arguing with her in the past."
Besides, as far as he could see it, he really couldn't see how a formal reception to celebrate the Chancellor Elects could do any harm. That was, as long as her enemies were smart enough to refrain from making a move in the public's view. The likelihood of her getting attacked at a political function would be too obvious. That was what he told himself, at least. And, if the nature of Padmé's anti-slavery policy was any indication, it was likely that those who wished impending harm upon her were from a slaver system outside the Republic's sphere of influence.
"Very wise indeed, sir, but I am still rather inclined to remind you that a very powerful political opponent of Senator Amidala will be the main host of the party. One of Palpatine's advisors, in fact."
Janus Greejatus; a man who was as physically unappealing as his name was unappealing to pronounce. The stuffy, dead-looking politician had always been a cold spot in Palpatine's office. After Palpatine's election to Chancellorship, Greejatus had celebrated the election with a posh function that had no doubt paved the way for his succession as the Senator of the Chommell sector prior to Padmé's own succession. Anakin hadn't thought that one of Palpatine's most loyal pawns – his advisor no less – would be gutsy enough to host such a public celebration of the sudden power exchange. Padmé, however, had nodded her head in silent appreciation and bitterness, almost as if she was impressed by the move. Anakin, who didn't want to get into yet another political debate with her, didn't ask questions.
"I'm aware of the man's affiliations to Palpatine. But this fact would make it more likely for him to be an enemy of the Jedi, not of Senator Amidala." Anakin pointed out before stalking to the edge of the veranda to survey the levels of the city about the apartment. He figured that there must have been more distinguishable lights in Coruscant's nightlife than visible stars in its skyline.
"I suppose that is true, sir. But won't you at least try to persuade her? Her handmaidens especially believe it to be unwise of her to go out in public with her injuries and under the limelight of the recent attack against her. It will expose her to scrutiny for any weakness."
"Her adversaries will not find any. And as for her physical condition, I am here to make sure that no further harm befalls her. So no, I will not try to persuade her. I find that it is smart to choose my arguments with the Senator. She had to remind me of this earlier," he said with a resigned half-smile.
His peripheral told him that 3PO didn't move despite Anakin clearly trying to end the conversation. Turning to lay his hand on the droid's shoulder plate, he patted it absently. "Don't worry old pal; I will make sure that she is perfectly safe, just trust me. I will save my 'council' for when I feel that she really is in danger. That way she just might take my warnings seriously for once." He grumbled. "And the Senator has been in too many political gatherings to count. You can't expect her to take such warnings against her attendance seriously even without the Queen's personal order for her to make an official appearance. She is doing her duty, and I will do mine. That is all, 3PO." He finished with masked exasperation as the droid finally teetered off towards a charging station.
"Oh, before I forget, Master Anakin," 3PO suddenly exclaimed to an irritated Anakin, "The mistress had informed me earlier that she has arranged for you to temporarily acquire the apartment just below the penthouse. It's typical for it to be reserved for any dignitaries staying with the Senator for business, so I'm sure you will find it rather accommodating. Especially when remembering the rather barren quarters we were stuck in at the Temple, don't you agree-"
"Yes, I agree, thank you for your input." Was the dry reply.
The droid, ever happy to please Anakin, flared up at the praise. "I can show you your way if you should so desire it."
"Hardly necessary, 3PO, but thank you kindly. But aren't her handmaidens boarded there as well?" Anakin could always easily remember the smallest details of his time protecting the Senator as a Padawan.
Or 'young Padawan' as Obi-Wan would have liked it.
"Not at all, sir. Senator Amidala purchased their own individual apartments within the complex just a few years ago. She gifted each of them on her own birthday, if I recall."
Anakin almost smiled. "That must have been very generous of her. I will give her my thanks in the morning."
"Sleep well, Master Anakin," 3PO finished with a gentle bow.
Now left alone to return to his discomfited meditation, Anakin mused over his grimy disposition and quickly made the resolve to disregard the invitation of the floor below in favor of remaining as close to the Senator as possible. At least on the night of the attack. That wasn't such an ignoble decision, surely not-
And so, in the desolate space of the Senator's veranda, and in the coverings of many layers of soot, rubble, blood traces and crusty sweat, Anakin Skywalker dully reminisced his duties outside of the sleeping Senator's safety. Quickly bringing his comlink before him, he punched in for Obi-Wan's signal with practiced ease. The answer came at once.
"Yes, Anakin, what is it? News regarding the Senator's kidnapping would be welcome. Any foresight into the safety of the Chancellor Elects is needed right now."
Foresight into the Jedi's safety, Anakin thought despondently, was another beast unto itself.
"Well, yes, but that is not why I called. I have, however, informed the Queen of Naboo of the situation, and any indication that this has to do with Palpatine is, as of yet, unknown. I did not tell her or the Senator about Palpatine's death. But know that I have gained the Queen's trust, and she has asked that I inform the Council of Naboo's support of the Jedi. As for the safety of the rest of the Senate, all I can say is that this was done by a low-grade bounty hunter. Probably a new listing if his sloppiness is any indication. It was only a threat in the wake of the confusion brought on by the recent events... the Senator had been unguarded for only a moment."
"But a moment was all that was needed. Strange, indeed, that this low-grade bounty hunter had such perfect timing."
Anakin paused for a moment, taking his old Master's sentence with a critical eye, wondering if he was questioning his old Padawan's understanding of the investigation. He wanted to defend himself for a moment, but thought better of it.
Ignoring the silence, Obi-Wan continued with a note of incredulity. "But what do you mean, 'gained' the Queen's trust?"
Anakin paused once more, suddenly uncomfortable. Surely, one as pragmatic as Kenobi would have sensed the Senate's distrust. "Master, the trust that the Jedi has once enjoyed has been shaken; close to the point of no return, I fear. I was present when the Senator received messages from the other Senators present on Coruscant. They are wary of our recent actions, and who can blame them? As far as they know, we have arrested their Supreme leader with no warning given whatsoever. It was too sudden, too spontaneous. Especially at this point in the war. Queen Jamillia herself expressed her concerns for my overseeing the Senator's protection. You must inform the Council that we must be careful in how we proceed. The Queen and the Senator were both adamant that any evidence attesting to Palpatine's true identity as a Sith be disclosed in its entirety to the public. Senator Amidala said that it was imperative that we explain everything to restore the trust. It goes far beyond the doubt we faced due to the souring popular opinion of the war."
"Then things are much graver than we have feared." Came the weak response.
"We will need to gather the remaining Council members to let them know of this situation at once."
"I agree. However, I am displeased to hear that you have divulged Palpatine's true identity to the Senator and the Queen. Especially when we must consider the fact that we can no more trust the Senate than the Senate can trust us."
Anakin couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Master, it is the Senate that must decide if the arrest and inevitable execution of the Chancellor was duly warranted. I do not see how this information should be kept a secret; it would be foolish to add to the crisis by leaving the public in the dark!"
"Under different circumstances, I would agree with you. But we must acknowledge the fact that we have no inkling of who our enemies are in the Senate. And, more importantly, we have no idea who called for the initiation of Order 66. From how I understand it, the Order was not put into action until after Palpatine's death. Search your feelings; you have to know by now that there are more players in this plot that we are aware of."
His tone was nearly condescending, and it made the muscles in Anakin's neck tighten as he swallowed hard. "If Dooku's warnings are any indication, then I have to agree with you." He countered darkly.
Anakin was almost remorseful at hearing Obi-Wan's wrenching pause before the older Jedi continued with a distanced tone. "Yes. It was Dooku himself that said that hundreds of Senator's were under the control of a Sith Lord. I regret to remember my arrogant answer to the bold declaration. If only it had been anything other than blind denial."
Now, Anakin was fully remorseful at the sound of his Master's regret. "No, Master, I didn't mean to point fingers – if anything I should be blamed before you, please forgive-"
"No, Anakin, we must all own up for our mistakes. We all played a part. Do not fret, my friend. You were right to put me in my place, as I have always done with you. And I must admit; I can hardly imagine the heavily-contoured Queen or the good-natured Senator calling for such an Order." He finished with the barest hint of recovered mirth.
"I need to be put in my place often, I'm afraid. I will try remember that, Master."
"You are sounding like a Padawan, Anakin." Kenobi said with the lightest of tones. "Now, the nature of this conversation leaves it to be better debated over with the rest of the Council, don't you think? The matter is still so new, and I have faith that, with guidance, we will be able to resolve the aftermath of this crisis. We must trust in each other's judgement."
Anakin almost barked a cruel laugh at that statement. There were many things he could've said. Many, many things. But he refrained with a deep intake of breath, barely taking notice of his view of the darkened Temple. His eyes had trailed their way towards the sanctuary without him thinking about it, and they stared with a sullen darkness that evoked no fear; because no one saw it.
"Tell me, what is the next move?"
"Well, for one, it is our sworn duty to protect the younglings. They are what's left of our future, and there's been a debate between the remaining Masters that we should relocate them off of Coruscant and to our sanctioned asylums if only it weren't for Dooku."
Anakin waited. "Meaning?"
"Dooku no doubt relinquished some of the Order's known anchor locations beyond Coruscant to his Master. The fact of the matter is, we really have no way of knowing if those locations are secure or exposed. We really don't know anything at this point. So, for now the Temple is heavily fortified. All of the security barricades are up and online. There is only one port allowing passage, and a Master must be there to accept incoming traffic, so if you ever need to make your way back here, call me up and I will grant you entry at once. But only Jedi are allowed in; not even unregistered droids may be given access."
"I understand," Anakin said with a shrug. A minor inconvenience that he couldn't get in himself without the rank of Master, but he really didn't care about that aspect of the title.
"I believe that's all you need to know at the present moment, but I forgot that you are the one who dialed me. Is it about Ahsoka?"
"Yes, it is. What have you been able to uncover so far about her? I can feel that she is still alive, just nearly. Before I had released the broadcast from the Temple, I sent her a personal transmission regarding the possibility of the Clones attacking her: I had no idea if her status as a former Jedi would have mattered to the Clones or not, but that was a chance I wasn't willing to take. I just need to know… if she made it out in time. Unless she fears that Coruscant would be unsafe for her, which I would have to agree with, there really is no reason for her to have gone completely MIA."
"Unless she has found herself with no way to communicate with us. Which brings me to my main finding. Readings from the Tribunal's coordinate net show us that the ship itself had been on its way from Mandalore to Coruscant. This would indicate that Ahsoka had successfully ended her campaign on Mandalore after Maul's capture."
Anakin felt much pride, and he showed it with an indulgent smile. "I was glad to have heard that my old Padawan succeeded... though, circumstances being what they are now, Maul is of little coincidence at the moment, so long as Ahsoka is fine and he is unable to escape. I guess Maul's fate lies with the fate of the Tribunal now."
"Yes, and speaking of which, it is still on its way to Coruscant, though in a very roundabout way. The hyperspace coordinates it had started to follow after your transmission to Ahsoka have been highly irregular. Shortly after you had made contact with her, the Tribunal dropped out of hyperspace in a region which, according to the archives, shows a cluster of planets and moons all with boreal climates. They are uninhabited, and their official, IAU classification are their coordinates. Not long after this hiatus, the Tribunal was thrown back into an erratic hyperspace route, seemingly out of control. However, the pause was not long enough to have had a complete evacuation, so this is puzzling."
Anakin smiled. "It's simple, Master. Ahsoka most likely planned the entire thing. Staying on the Tribunal would have left her trapped and outnumbered. She set the course to delay the Tribunal's arrival to Coruscant, and she probably took precautions to ensure that the Clones would be unable to access the bridge. Many precautions, knowing her. So, she stopped the route shortly after I sent the transmission and then made a break for it. Searching for life forms on the planets and moons in the region the Tribunal stopped at would be the first step to finding her, I'm sure."
"If that's the case, then that means that the Tribunal is currently raging full speed towards Coruscant." Obi-wan pointed out blankly.
"... Ahsoka would have left a connection to communicate with and to pilot the Tribunal under her command even after her departure." He assured the Master. "Most likely a Mandalorian or even a droid."
"Yes, but that then that means that the other half of the 501st is currently raging full speed towards Coruscant. As far as we know, the population of Clones on Coruscant is regrouping to launch a heavy assault against the Temple once again. An addition to their ranks, even a half-legion's worth, could add to their determination to continue with their order."
"As long as Maul remains helpless aboard the Tribunal, then his capture by those of us remaining on Coruscant takes precedence. The 332nd Division will hardly tip the scales. But maybe," He countered suddenly, a thought occurring to him.
"Yes?"
Anakin continued slowly, thinking through his idea as he spoke it. "The Clones aboard the Tribunal are practically trapped and isolated. Should we intercept the Tribunal before it makes its way to land on Coruscant, then that would give us the opportunity to take advantage of their isolation and overtake them without harming them... If we were to transport the Clones to Kamino to be tested and perhaps even cured from the compulsion of Order 66, then we can also investigate the Kaminoian's role in the implementation of the inhibitor chips!"
"Something to be brought before the Council, again. But I agree; if we were somehow able to take charge of the Tribunal, then we would have a good chance of safely acquiring our fallen friends for testing and treatment. Looking into ways in which this Order 66 can be cured from their minds should be first priority. Think upon it further so that you'll have a good case to propose to the Council." Obi-Wan suggested through the static of the line.
Ducking his head against his clenched fist as he slouched back into the cushions of the Senator's veranda, Anakin sighed with regret. "Like I said, Master… I am at a great fault for my own ignorance. An ignorance that caused one of my men to die for no good reason. Fives… Fives had tried to warn Rex and I about the plot Palpatine initiated against the Jedi." He paused for a moment to recall all that Fives had said that day. "He was sick, and obviously not right in the head at that moment, but what he had told us was true – all of it. He had warned that they would be forced to turn against the Jedi through chips that were, as he had put it, built in their genetic code. But I believe that if the chip is the problem, then it can be removed. They can be fixed! They didn't want this - none of them did. I had been tempted into believing him before he brought up Palpatine. It was my attachment to the Chancellor that made me discard even the possibility that Fives wasn't crazy. And, through my misplaced loyalty to him, I ignored Fives' warnings and never even investigated his claims further. Had I done otherwise-"
"Anakin, now is not the time to point fingers, please." Obi-Wan pleaded to his friend. "Blaming yourself will help no one, especially not yourself. We will need you, Anakin, you and every last Jedi that still lives. Do not discredit yourself by exploring 'what-ifs.' Focus on the here and now, at the problem at hand. We will fix this despicable Order 66; we will help our friends. Even if they do try to kill us in the meantime."
The morbidity of Obi-Wan's sass almost brought a smile to the younger Jedi's face. It was Obi-Wan's telling him that he was needed that did eventually bring the smile to his face. That, along with the knowledge that Obi-Wan was Anakin's equal when it came to their outlook on the Clones. Obi-Wan's lead in using Clone armor parts in the first year of the Clone Wars had been what Anakin had followed in his choice of regalia for the war. It had been an unspoken act of acceptance from the Generals that had shown the Clones that they saw themselves as their equals - and all that it implied. From simply adopting the Generation One plastoid chest plate, pauldron, and gauntlet, Anakin and Obi-Wan had worn their inner testament for the rights of all Clones. And it was a testament that, even through Order 66, continued to rule their outlook on the rights of all Clones.
In that moment, Anakin appreciated Obi-Wan's like-mindedness and willingness to support Anakin's plan to protect the Clones.
"For now, Master, I say we should trust Ahsoka, like you said. She is no longer my Padawan, and I truly believe that she is as capable as any Jedi Knight."
"I agree. But, at the same time, it wouldn't hurt to remain open to our young friend through meditation. That way we might sense it should she require our help. And, if she does decide to return to Coruscant, then she may, but for now, I think it would be prudent of her to remain as far away from the Clones as possible."
Anakin smirked in agreement. He had been trying to focus himself on Ahsoka's presence throughout Threepio's badgering of Padmé.
"That may be very well what she is doing. As for the Tribunal, apprehending Maul and taking care of the Clones should be well-prepared for. When will we have a Council meeting?"
There was a pause on the other end as Anakin looked at the comlink on his wrist. "The Council has agreed to hold a mandatory meeting every night at midnight. As long as you are protecting the Senator, it isn't mandatory for you to attend, though, so don't worry, you're not in trouble for your absence in the meeting we had a few hours ago."
"I see," Anakin began, unsure of himself. "And what all was discussed?"
At that, Obi-Wan's index finger found itself in the depths of his neat beard.
An Hour Ago at the Temple: Midnight
All eyes were upon the reluctant pose of Mace Windu and the resigned weariness of Master Yoda. The weight of all that needed to be said and decided upon overwhelmed each Master even before the chrono struck Coruscant's midnight. A deep resistance trembled through the room as the Masters had come together in the Council chamber, and the focused silence following the reluctance hadn't yet ceased. The absence of Kit Fisto, Agen Kolar, and Saesee Tiin was a wreaking prod in the backs of every being present. The only Master to have survived the confrontation with the now deceased Sith Lord - Master Windu - remained to keep his dark eyes from crossing the empty chairs.
Despite the more important questions swirling unsaid throughout the chamber, a pressing question of a personal sense had been forming within Obi-Wan's mind ever since Anakin had left to undertake his mission to protect the Senator. For the sake of his old Padawan, he wanted the answers. Sensing this, Yoda looked in his direction knowingly.
Whatever would have been said by the Grand Master was cut off by the serene compassion of Shaak Ti's established voice. "Before we begin, it is of great importance that we come to a consensus about the fate of the Younglings."
"At the present moment, it cannot be denied that the only place for them in here," Mundi had replied matter-of-factly.
And so, the shaky introductory debate had begun, and no consensus had been established. Obi-Wan had found it almost amusing that Shaak-Ti had unwittingly diverted the conversation from the elephant in the room; that is, their failure to see the crisis before it reared its ugly head. Their failure to stop this. Their ignorance concerning Palpatine. Their… overwhelming losses.
About a hundred breaths later, and at the mere mention of Dooku, the agreement held in favor of Mundi's counter that the Youngling's place was within the fortified Temple. How that consensus would change if – when - the Temple was to be breached remained unsure.
Ever the rock of exposing vulnerability, and in the wake of the conclusion of the last debate, Plo Koon spoke up with a folding of his hands in contemplation. "The weight of what has happened will be forever remembered within the Order. What has transpired not even a full day ago will live in infamy in our history. With that being said, we must acknowledge our failings in order to move on. We must ponder the prospect without bias and arrogance, and we must accept what has happened with heavy conscience. It cannot be denied that we were the ones with the power to stop Sidious, and yet we were the ones who failed the Republic, who failed our fallen brethren, who failed the Will of the Force. We must make peace, right our wrongdoings, and prepare for what is to come in the hopes that we do not fail again."
"Yes, I sense it too." Obi-Wan said in agreement. "There still lies a quiet murkiness within the Force. Tentative, foreboding… waiting."
At the admission of the horrible weight of Obi-Wan's words, Master Yoda felt a deep appreciation for the humble wisdom of Plo-Koon and of the weary insightfulness of Obi-Wan.
"Correct, you both are. Understand where we went wrong, we must. Afford to fail again, we cannot."
"Master," Obi-Wan began warily with regards to the green Jedi when he was no longer able to keep from voicing his question, "Yesterday morning, just before Anakin had been given his mission to protect the Chancellor-Elect, you had said that the shroud of the dark side had lifted. Why did you say such a thing?" He asked, genuinely bemused at the very thought that Yoda had misread the signature of the dark side within the Force.
Yoda and Windu traded glances with each other. "A test for Skywalker, it was. Lied, I did."
Obi-Wan regained his stupor at the confession. "Why?" Truly, he could not come up with any reasonable explanation by himself.
"Necessary to test his connection to the Force, it was. Blind to the presence of the dark side, your old Padawan remains to be."
Brown eyebrows crinkled in confusion. "That's… hardly a fair assumption, Master. I didn't give any indication that I caught the bluff. Did you assume that I was as ignorant of the shift as he?"
"Meant to test you, the bluff was not. Know well of your sensitivity to the Force, we already do." He returned, glancing once more at Master Windu and telling Obi-Wan just who this 'we' he had mentioned was.
Remembering vaguely the anger that Master Windu had shown Anakin when he had mentioned Anakin following his orders for once, Obi-Wan recalled that Anakin had felt that the Master was simply disgruntled with him. But there had been more.
'You misunderstand me, Skywalker.' Windu had said with downturned eyes.
Fearful eyes. Windu had not been disturbed by Anakin's killing of Palpatine at all; it had been something else, something to do entirely with Anakin himself.
"You doubt him still," he said blankly to the Grand Masters.
Their silence had been enough of an answer.
Obi-Wan reigned in his frown as he considered the matter. For their trust to have been further shaken as their barely-concealed fear would imply, something must have happened during Palpatine's execution. And for that fear to remain even after Anakin's actions...
"Why?"
At that, Windu's eyes finally met his own before he began to speak.
"There was a great turmoil within him before he finally struck down the dark lord," was all he had said. Each word, to Obi-Wan, felt unnatural within the serenity of the Council Chambers.
"…What do you mean by 'turmoil,' Master?" Obi-Wan asked respectfully through his disbelief.
Ever the blunt wordsmith, Windu continued without hesitation. "When Skywalker came to us, I had thought that the battle was won; I had Sidious fully engaged… but in the seconds that I assumed Skywalker would have taken to make his own attack against Sidious, I began to weaken. His power was nearly overwhelming. But Skywalker never made a move. He stood there, his eyes on our locked sabers, and in that moment, I felt a conflict of the likes I had never felt before. That is all." He finished his explanation with a bow of his head, his arms relaxed against his knees as he stared at the center of the room.
Obi-Wan pondered the prospect, his mind searching for the answers that he knew, just knew had to be there. "Palpatine had been Anakin's friend." He began to explain slowly, knowing that somehow the rest of his brethren must understand the simple logic. "And Anakin is loyal to a fault - we all know this. Perhaps he just could not make himself believe that Palpatine was truly the Sith Lord, even with the obvious display of power. He is very trusting, and while I agree that this is a fault of his, we cannot hold this against him."
Windu shook his head in disagreement. "I might be inclined to agree with you, Obi-Wan, if it weren't for the fact that it was Anakin that Sidious had tried to convert."
"Anakin never asked for that."
"Some indication, he must have given." Yoda piped in unhelpfully. "For the dark lord to make such a risky move in uncovering his identity, a clue from Anakin, he must have received. To reveal his identity to an unconflicted Jedi, make sense this would not."
"But we must remember that it was Anakin that informed Windu of Palpatine's identity." Shaak Ti invested.
"That's not even mentioning the fact that he saved all of our lives by informing Windu of the possibility of the Clone's turning against us. Had he not remembered the warnings of a loyal Clone trooper, Fives, the entirety of Order 66 could have become a slaughter beyond the devastation we have faced even now." Obi-Wan said in support of Anakin. "Had the Clone's attacks against us begun without us being prepared for it, we might have all been killed."
Truly, he had been flabbergasted at the accuracy of his former Padawan's instincts concerning the foreboding threat when Master Windu had told him about it shortly after Anakin had left for his mission. Windu, who had sensed Obi-Wan's confusion for Windu's behavior towards Anakin, had tried to relieve his friend's distress by rightfully giving praise for Anakin's warning. It was shortly after when Obi-Wan discovered the Sith Lord's desire for Anakin as his apprentice. It had disgusted him, and at the same time, left him in awe of his former Padawan.
Windu had been less impressed.
"And we must honor the young man for making the right choice, even when we consider his conflict. Any doubts on his identity as the chosen one cannot be voiced anymore." Plo Koon said in harmony with Obi-Wan. "I believe we might be able to come to a better understanding on Anakin's thought process if you would divulge us with the entire story, Master."
Windu shook his head. "Another time. For now, Skywalker is where he needs to be. We have faith that his current mission will keep him stable in the wake of this crisis. We will leave our guidance for him at another time. Our most pressing issue remains to be the imbalance of the Force; something that I believe can be uncovered should we investigate the matters that led to the initiation of Order 66."
"From what I understand of this, the Order was called into action after Sidious' death, yes?" Stass Allie asked for clarification. Windu gave her a nod.
"Enemies against the Jedi, there still remain to be. Gone, Sidious is, but remains, his supporters do. To follow the wishes of their lost Master, the lengths that they will go to, we have already witnessed. Prepare for what is to come, we must."
"It would make sense that Palpatine's closest political supporters would harbor animosity towards us," Mundi pointed out.
Obi-Wan nodded. "Those within the Senate still loyal to the Republic must understand this as well. The Chancellor Elects are well-known opposers of Palpatine; no doubt this was the reason they were brought to the floor in the first place. This indicates that there is still hope that our democracy can heal itself from Sidious' reign."
"Senator Amidala, however, had once worked very closely with Palpatine during her reign as Queen. It was her call for a Vote of No Confidence that paved the way for Palpatine's accession to Chancellorship." Mundi countered evenly.
"Nothing but a pawn in Sidious' plot, Senator Amidala was."
"I was not insinuating that a mere fourteen year-old girl could be the explicit ally of a Sith Lord," Mundi said in slight amusement, entertained with the thought at Padmé's expense. Some instinctual part of Obi-Wan wanted to warn Mundi to refrain from underestimating Padmé's two cents for his own sake. His guts told him that the young Senator's sparks were a mockery for the true forest fire of her incoming wake. Whatever next move the Senator might undertake, Obi-Wan partially felt that no one would truly be prepared for it.
Curious, he thought impassively.
"However, I do think it would be politic of us to remain wary of Senate members." Mundi explained. "I have no doubt that they all contributed to his rise in power. The matter on whether they were complicit or not is of little significance. In light of this, I suggest that we refrain from explaining Sidious' death. We really have no idea what his supporters might do if they were to learn of it."
"In agreement with you Master Mundi, I am. But remember the part we played in Sidious' plot, we must. Guilty with the fault of ignorance, we are."
"Of course, Master."
"His identity as the Sith Lord we have been looking for should be revealed to the public." Windu cut in. "With that, we should also connect him to Dooku's involvement in the Separatists' cause. Hopefully, the Senate will understand that this means that he was the puppeteer for the entire war. Executing Palpatine was done out of necessity, but it was never the initial plan - how the Senate decides to accept our actions is up to exposing the extent of Palpatine's reign of terror."
Mundi graced a hand towards Windu in acknowledgement. "We may not be able to trust the public's knowledge on what exactly it means to be a Sith."
"Matters, this may not. A right to know of his true identity, the people of the Republic has."
"But I agree that we must continue with caution." Windu interrupted. "Evidence must be gathered, and we will need to retrieve Palpatine's body from the Senate Building covertly."
"He is still there?" Obi-Wan asked in shock.
Windu nodded. "And under the protection of any Jedi that was willing to take the risk. That was why I called for the Senate Building to remain evacuated. That, as well as because we need to make sure that Palpatine's supporters are uprooted from their place of influence. I sensed that separating the Senate would be wise for the time being – we cannot allow his followers to play a hand on the Courts or mingle with other Senate members. In addition, we also cannot allow any news of this to be leaked to the media, and we are unaware of the magnitude of Palpatine's authority, so we must suspect that there are spies that are still operating."
"What makes you assume he has such a network of spies?" Plo Koon asked in confidence of Windu's observation, only asking for the reason behind such a claim.
"When I returned to the Senate Building with Master Yoda after the first wave of Clones were defeated, we remained in the Chancellor's chambers to guard the body and discuss the tremor within the Force. It was there, in Palpatine's office, that we were informed via a pre-recorded transmission from an unknown informant on the matter of Senator Amidala's kidnapping. The transmission had obviously been for Palpatine's ears only, and, when we contacted the head of the Senator's security to warn the them of Skywalker's assignment to her, we discovered the exact time of the attack from the timestamp of the breach in the Senator's alarm system. As it turns out, the transmission occurred mere minuets after the attack. On the other hand, the informant, who was masked in order to hide their identity, was obviously a young woman - the transmission came from Naboo, so it is more likely that it came from the Senator's handmaidens. But we will have to question the Senator to be sure."
Obi-wan personally did not see the problem of the transmission; it likely did just come from one of the Senator's handmaidens who, without the knowledge of Palpatine's treason, would have been inclined to inform the Senate through the Chancellor. He wondered if it was even worth mentioning to Anakin.
The disinterested silence throughout the Chambers seemed to agree with Obi-Wan.
Then the silence relented as the topic switched to a debate on what to do with Palpatine's body. A distasteful conversation if Kenobi ever heard one.
Back to the Present
Obi-Wan knew that, should he tell Anakin the truth about Windu's story of Anakin's killing of Sidious, then his friend would feel further outcasted by the Council – more than he already did, at least. Although he knew that Windu had purposefully left out some details, Obi-Wan wasn't really sure if he wanted to know the real reason behind the Master's fears...
"Other than the obvious – what with Palpatine – and the contrition we all felt for out misgivings for being so ignorant, we discussed Order 66's implementation after Palpatine's death. Some of us, including myself, were highly confused on the matter. We came to the agreement that the Senate should remain separated to protect the faithful Senators away from Palpatine's supporters. We also discussed your actions; most of us are very pleased with you, of course." It sounded for the briefest of seconds that he was going to say something specific, but he stopped himself quickly. "We discussed the fortification of the Temple, and our plans with the Younglings. We came to no conclusion on that matter… or any other matter, and decided to take a pause to reflect before debating further. We will resume shortly to discuss if we should protect the other Chancellor Elects... and I will need to tell them what you told me of the Senate's lost faith in the Jedi.
If Anakin had been about to tell Obi-Wan of his plan to attend the next meeting, a fleeting, sifting thought suddenly stopped him. There was evidence against his welcome attendance to the meeting. For one thing, Obi-Wan did not suggest for him to attend. For another, he had not been informed of the last meeting, nor did he know that meetings would not be a regular occurrence every night. And lastly, his sneaking suspicion that Yoda and Windu had assigned him to protect Padmé only so that he would be separated from the rest of the Jedi had nearly been confirmed.
"I would join the next meeting if I knew that I was welcome," He began hesitantly.
Obi-Wan remained silent.
Anakin smiled bitterly through the silence. "They assigned me to go away to protect the Senator for a reason, after all. Didn't they, Master? They needed to leash me-"
"Anakin, it isn't how you think." Obi-Wan scolded him. "The Council merely wanted you to get away from it all. Being coveted by Sidious would have taken its toll on anyone. The dark side is a horrifying seduction, and the Council understands this. The Council also understand that you take more pleasure from missions than you do meditation, and Senator Amidala is an old friend of yours."
Anakin bit his bottom lip harshly. "You know she used to be more than that," he whispered with the slightest breath, feeling immediately humiliated at the sudden need to keep his voice down. Sometimes he almost wished that he had never told Obi-Wan about the pain he sometimes felt with the absence of Padmé in his life. The true depth of the young man's loss was never proclaimed fully, however. Especially in regards with the romantic nature of the relationship. But after hearing Obi-Wan's candor about the Duchess Satine, Anakin's confession of his friendship for Padmé had been too tempting to keep under bitter wraps. Regardless, Obi-Wan was under the misguided impression that Anakin saw Padmé as family; an extension of Shmi Skywalker.
"Your feelings have no power over you if you don't let them. Let the past lie in peace behind you as it should. I have faith in the Senator's ability to think clearly; she might be able to help separate yourself from the situation when you need to closely introspect it."
"You mean detach myself from it." He replied dispassionately.
"Exactly. If anyone can do it, it's a politician." He laughed with a few appealing chuckles. "Look back at the situation and remember how you overcame the dark side. Master Windu himself told me of your role in saving the Order after you left for your mission; specifically, about how you had been enticed by Sidious but denied the darkness, and of how you remembered the words of Fives and warned the entirety of the Order of the threat – not just Ahsoka. Because of that, Fives did not die in vain. Truly, Anakin, you are a hero. If no one else will come forward and call it as it is then allow me to do it myself. An easy task for me to do for I am very proud of you."
No matter the conflict within your heart, he thought to himself in full conviction. Obi-Wan was wise enough to understand that a heart without conflict simply did not exist.
Though it was apparent that Windu thought otherwise.
Despite himself, Anakin felt his cheeks flush. He thought that it was silly how a simple sentence from Obi-Wan could make him feel as if he was 4 1/2 feet tall again. The simple appreciation put all of his current worries at ease, and he sat, in wonder, as the muscles throughout his body that he didn't even know were flexing finally unclenched themselves.
At a loss for words, he could only say, "T-thank you Master."
"I only tell the truth, my good friend. Now, as long as I've answered all of your questions respecting Ahsoka, I think I'd like to get some shut-eye before we reassemble once more... at 0400 hours." The lamentation came out in a moan that made Anakin snicker.
"Of course, Obi-Wan. And thank you for helping me with Ahsoka. I couldn't stop worrying about her - she isn't my responsibility anymore, but I can't help but feel..."
"I believe it's called 'Mother Goose Syndrome,'" Obi-Wan cracked as Anakin thought for the word.
"I don't remember giving birth to a snippy Togruta," Anakin quickly snapped back.
"Are you sure? You are so talented in the ways of impertinence." Obi-Wan laughed heartily. "But a Force Bond between a Master and an Apprentice is a powerful thing. Especially the bond you shared with her. You two were so very like-minded; most assuredly a perfect match. You understood one another, and through that understanding, you both grew and learned a great deal. I wouldn't worry about the bond; it's a good thing. It was because of Ahsoka that I discovered what a gifted teacher you are. I might even go so far as to venture that being a teacher is your calling."
"Oh yes," Anakin said with mock arrogance. "I have the aspiration to be everyone's Mother Goose."
Obi-Wan's laughter continued. "Well, I will make sure to support you in your new direction."
As Obi-Wan laughed, Anakin's smile waned. It was because of Ahsoka that he learned he was never meant to be a teacher. He wouldn't stand being in the position to fail so astoundingly again... to fail a beloved student again.
Ever since Ahsoka had returned to the thick of the war after the battle on Yerbana, the way in which she was obvioulsy trying to distance herself from Anakin had been nearly heartbreaking. He understood, however, that she deserved her space should she wish for it, but wanted to continue to support her aspirations just as he supported her aid to the Mandalorian - or rather Death Watch's - cause against Darth Maul. Even if her near severing of her bond with her old Master was necessary for her to move on with her life, Anakin knew that he would always have her back in the hopes that she would return to being his partner in crime like she had always been.
The people that were precious to him were too valuable to lose.
But he was used to loved ones distancing themselves from him against him wishes.
Despite the heavy feelings weighing down his shoulders, Anakin's light spirit came back to him with ease. "Goodnight, Master. Those with advancing years mustn't forget their beauty sleep."
"Especially when it does such a fine number on them," He chuckled. "Goodnight Anakin."
As the comlink went dead on his wrist, Anakin clicked his teeth together with an audible snap. The soft presence that had been patiently waiting just beyond the veranda's hallways seemed to struggle with the decision to enter the veranda or not. He assumed that she was waiting for her opportunity to come into his proximity without disrupting the confidential conversation. She must have been well acquainted with knowing what they sounded like.
Anakin had felt her for a few minuets now, ignoring her throughout his conversation with Obi-Wan in the hopes that she would go away.
Seeing her in the dead of night was a temptation he couldn't afford.
After his lapse in self-control with her earlier that evening over lunch, he found himself dreading the thought of her asking more questions on the incident. He remembered her apparent confusion, her mind whirling in the strain of trying to make sense out of him.
Blue, purple, red, marionné... he had been a blabbering fool. He still couldn't come up with any sensible reason for why he would have said such a strange thing to her aloud. One moment he was remembering something unsavory, the next he was off his rockers. He was thankful that it was a riddle that only he could understand, but that still didn't make him feel any less mortified. He might as well as blatantly spilled his heart out to her... again. And he had already sworn to himself that that would never happen again. But, to his lucky stars, she remained oblivious to the true meaning of his strange musing.
But he could feel that she had a question on her mind. And yet, she remained to balk.
Sighing with impatience, Anakin decided to make the decision for her. "I know you're there, Padmé."
There was an immeasurable silence that marked the passing of many thoughts and memories before the young Senator answered the call.
*All of the feedback so far really helped me move forward - I really need the criticism to know what I did right/wrong*
Sorry this chapter didn't have more romance. I just personally can't enjoy a romance story that doesn't have anything juicy beyond the romance, y'know? I have separate but related plots in mind for each of the main characters (Ahsoka and Obi-Wan, especially). The tension outside of the reluctant lovers really gives a feeling of pay-off to me, and I can't resist the urge to throw sh*t up everyone's skirts. It makes the romance more believable and satisfying. If a character doesn't have an existential crisis and/or die, I'm not satisfied.
I'm also obsessed with Alternate-Canon; I will not settle for anything less than a perfect AU that makes sense in the Star Wars Universe. And let's be real; while Anakin and Padmé's love was by far the most epic love story in all of Star Wars, we all know that it's called Star Wars for a reason. There need to be wars, kick-assery, mythological allusions of an epic and tragic hero, and an impending element of conivery and evil-ness-ness. And I'm into that dark sh*t so you already know it's coming.
Basically, this chapter was for build-up.
Till next time bros.