Chapter 4 - Unravelling the Web

DISCLAIMER: We (unfortunately) do not own Star Wars. :P

Author's Note: In which Anakin and Obi-Wan make plans with some Senators, and they get a call from an old friend. ;)

~ Amina Gila

None of the Senators were happy to have Anakin or Obi-Wan there, but Padme had insisted, claiming that they could offer invaluable insights and information which had recently come to their attention. Reluctantly, they'd permitted the pair to remain present.

"We cannot let this turn to another war," Padme declares firmly, nodding to Threepio as the protocol droid passes drinks to all the assembled.

"Absolutely, that is the last thing we want," Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan agrees.

"We are hoping to form an alliance in the Senate to stop the Chancellor from further subverting the constitution, that's all," Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila adds, sipping from her glass.

Padme gives Obi-Wan a look, and Anakin shifts uncertainly in his seat. After a pause, Obi-Wan leans forward. "I'm not sure that you will succeed," he tells her kindly but firmly. "Though I do not yet have evidence, I have begun to suspect that either the Chancellor or one of his close associates is the Sith Lord who orchestrated the entire war."

Anakin can feel the rising shock, disbelief, and horror of the assembled. "Are you certain?" demands Bail.

"I'm afraid so," Obi-Wan answers. Anakin notices that he's wearing the façade he always puts on when he's in a Council meeting. "I have not spoken to the rest of the Council about my suspicions, but as a whole, we are displeased with how much power the Chancellor has, not only over the Jedi, but over the Republic as a whole."

"If Palpatine is a Sith, then what can we do?" wonders one of the other Senators – Anakin isn't sure of his name.

"He won't relinquish his power," Anakin speaks up, surprising even himself. He desperately hopes that Obi-Wan is wrong, but he trusts Obi-Wan, and if his former master – and Padme – see something, he can rely on their instincts, at least to a point. It hurts knowing that he could have been being deceived and manipulated for so long. "I believe the only option we will have is to send in the Jedi to forcibly remove him from office."

"That could easily lead to the war we are trying to avoid," Mothma murmurs, sounding distressed. "Surely there is another way?"

"If you can move fast enough politically," Obi-Wan answers. "The Sith are seeking to form an Empire, and with so many Senators under his control, Darth Sidious will be able to achieve his goals even with your open opposition."

"Sidious…" repeats Padme. "Is that his Sith name?"

"It is the name of the Sith Lord, yes," Obi-Wan confirms, "But the Council has yet to confirm who it is. All we know is what Count Dooku told me on Geonosis at the beginning of the war."

"What did he say?" another Senator queries.

"He said that the Sith Lord – Darth Sidious – behind the war has hundreds of Senators under his control, and implied that he was the one who orchestrated the Blockade of Naboo. Of course, we had no evidence to back up his allegations," Obi-Wan adds, "And we were never able to find anything noteworthy until now."

Bail opens his mouth to say something, when Padme gasps, a look of unmitigated horror on her face. "Palpatine became Chancellor after that," she whispers. "He's the one who insisted that we had no choice but to call for a vote of no-confidence in Valorum which I did. If Obi-Wan is right, then he's been manipulating everyone from the very beginning."

Anakin can hear her unspoken words of he was using me, and it makes him feel sick. He doesn't want to believe that Palpatine would be capable of such treachery, but everything is pointing to it. It would all make sense, how he always knew what to say to Anakin when he was upset, and how he knew why Anakin was troubled at the opera. If he's the Sith Lord, he has, no doubt, been subtly manipulating everything around him. And Anakin knows that had he not spoken to Padme, he could easily have lost himself in the quest to find the power to save his wife, who is perfectly healthy according to Obi-Wan.

"If the Jedi were forced to remove the Chancellor, what would happen?" Anakin queries. It's not that he cares for the political aspect, but it's clearly important, and if they have an idea of what could happen, they can plan accordingly.

"There would be a backlash," Mothma replies instantly. "If he really has as much control as you say, then chances are high that the Republic would collapse with hundreds of Senators declaring the Jedi traitors or worse."

"It's our duty to protect the Republic," Obi-Wan states. "If we must be branded traitors to do so, then so be it."

"It would help if we could present evidence," Bail points out. "We need evidence that he's guilty, and if we could get that, then it shouldn't be hard to convince the Senate."

Anakin frowns when he notices that Obi-Wan is looking at him and gives him a questioning look. "A moment," Obi-Wan says the others, before leaning towards Anakin. "When you go to meet the Chancellor, maybe you should wear a tiny camera to record the conversation," he murmurs quietly so the others can't overhear his words. "You don't have to give it to us or anything, but if Palpatine is the Sith, you might be able to discreetly gather enough evidence that the Senate can do something to stop him. And if he's not, then you might be able to figure out who is and protect him."

The reasoning is completely sound, and really, Anakin doesn't know how he can argue that. "Fine," he mutters, resigned. Seeming pleased with himself, Obi-Wan informs the rest of his suggestion. No one has any objections, so Anakin's fate is sealed. He'll be taking a camera to record his interactions with the Chancellor. Wonderful. If he wasn't committing treason before, then he is now. His only hope is that Palpatine isn't guilty.

**w**

When Fisto calls Obi-Wan to let him know that there's a call for him in the comm center of the Temple, Anakin tags along. He's pleasantly surprised to see that Ahsoka has called from Mandalore. After giving a quick summary of the current situation – including her initial encounter with Maul – she fixes Obi-Wan with a questioning look. "He mentioned a name, Darth Sidious," she informs them gravely.

Anakin and Obi-Wan stiffen at the mention of the name, and Anakin's traitorous mind flashes a picture of the Chancellor. He shoves it away. "Who is this Sidious?" asks Bo-Katan Kryze, a member of Death Watch and sister to the former Duchess of Mandalore.

Obi-Wan glances at Anakin before turning back to the others – Ahsoka, Bo-Katan, and Rex – who are waiting for a response. "Darth Sidious is the Sith Lord who orchestrated the Clone Wars and played both sides of it from the beginning," Obi-Wan explains. "I first learned the name from Count Dooku, though any chance of learning more about Sidious from Dooku has been lost." Anakin winces.

"Why?" Ahsoka wonders, frowning.

"Because Count Dooku is dead," Obi-Wan tells her. "Anakin killed him while rescuing the Chancellor. With Dooku gone, we've lost a vital link to understanding the mystery of Darth Sidious. If you can capture Maul, he may be able to provide the missing pieces to this puzzle."

"I don't think we have that much time, Master," Anakin cautions.

"Then send me more men," Ahsoka replies.

Obi-Wan exhales. "I'm not sure if I can. Master Windu has taken most of our available troops – including much of the 212th – to go after General Grievous on Utapau."

"What about you, Anakin? Can't you come at least?" Ahsoka queries, looking at him hopefully.

Anakin closes his eyes. More than anything, he would like to go to Mandalore, to leave Coruscant and the mess with Sidious behind him to be with his younger sister again. "May we speak to Ahsoka alone for a moment?" Obi-Wan requests, giving Anakin a sympathetic look.

They wait while the others disappear from the transmission screen before speaking. "I shouldn't be telling you this, because the Council doesn't even know, but Anakin and I are investigating the possibility that the Sith Lord is either the Chancellor or someone close to him."

"What?" hisses Ahsoka, eyes widening. Anakin can almost see her paling, even though the transmission. "How is that possible?"

"I don't know," grumbles Anakin, "But I'm sorry, Snips. I'd like nothing more than to join you, but if Obi-Wan is right, then the entire Republic is literally on the verge of collapse."

Ahsoka smirks playfully. "Figures that when I'm in a mess, you manage to get yourself in once ten times as big, Skyguy."

"Hey!" Anakin glowers at her, before grinning. "Maybe you could ask Maul if the Chancellor is Sidious. It would save all of us a lot of trouble."

"I'll try," she promises. "Be careful over there. If you're right, it won't be easy to capture him."

"Considering that he's trying to get Anakin to join him, no, it's not going to be easy," Obi-Wan says dryly, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

Ahsoka turns her head, looking at something behind her. "I need to go," she sighs, "But I'll call you back as soon as I have more information." She hesitates. "Be safe, both of you, and Anakin, don't do anything stupid." With a faint smile, she ends the transmission.