Chapter 12 Politics and Premonitions
Standard Disclaimer:
I don't own any of Star Wars, I also don't make any money from this and only really gain slight satisfaction from the development and carrying out of the story in my mind as I write it.
Coruscant, Outer Orbit, Naboo Royal Starship
08-07-32 BBY
08:00
Anakin POV
I watched as we approached the capital planet. It was a lot brighter than I remembered, and a lot less gloomy. Coruscant had been cracked down on when Palpatine came to power, the traffic lanes heavily regulated and more restricted as no one wanted to come across the wrong group of storm troopers, especially the aliens that still resided there.
As it was now, there was still the hustle and bustle, the rushing of civilians, senators, officials, the wealthy. All moving about their daily lives, the neon lights of the different billboards illuminating their travels. The enforcement droids, and Coruscant police force enforcing the peace in a more hands-off manner as they liked to say.
I peered at the planet a bit harder as we approached the landing pad, I steeled myself. My first meeting with Palpatine, I couldn't react even the slightest, I was trying to be as low key as possible on the planet. I knew the handmaidens were solely under Padme, I could trust them not to talk too seriously about my tricks with the force, the Jedi usually kept to themselves as well.
The plan was to pretend to be a bounty hunter that had helped the Queen escape. The less attention on myself the better. We finally touched down, I had asked my mother to follow behind me, still pretending to be a servant of mine. The ramp lowered, and I released my emotions into the force. I watched as the fake queen Sabé walked ahead, following behind her Padme and the other handmaidens. The Jedi descended with Jar Jar and Panaka, my mother and I following behind.
In front of us there he was Sheev Palpatine, standing with Supreme Chancellor Valorum, and some of the senate guards. I grimaced as I watched the fake Queen and her entourage bow. I gave a small half bow as well, motioning for my mother to follow.
"It is a great gift to see you alive, your Majesty." Palpatine said, smiling at the fake Queen. I laughed internally, he's probably anything but happy that his little situation with the Trade Federation wasn't going too smoothly.
It was in Palpatine's interest to keep the blockade going, it would encourage the other members of the trade federation they needed more force to make the Republic bend. But I also knew that the blockade had caused a schism within the group. And with the Queen not signing the trade agreement even showed their shadowy backer in a bad light. Palpatine kept smiling, turning to his side "May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum." he said motioning to the older man at his side.
"Welcome, Your Highness. It is an honor to finally meet you in person. I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the current situation. I've called for a special session of the Senate to hear your position." he said as he gave the queen a smile.
He didn't seem to mean it. The current Queen of Naboo was known for being quite strong in her opinions, as well as quite young. Both of which the chancellor somewhat disliked in the fragile power balance he'd been trying to maintain in the senate. Appeasing more the lobbyists but also trying to quell the different planets worried that their planets interests would be left out.
"I am grateful for your concern, Chancellor." the Queen said monotonously. It was always interesting to see her talk in the strict fashion that he did. An excellent portrayal of typical Nabboian royalty. I watched as they walked towards the nearest Senate vehicle, Palpatine rattling on about some questions of the procedural effects of calling such a meeting.
The Queen looked back spotting me, my mother, and I and waves us along. 'Thank the force', I didn't know whether she would keep us with her this time. Qui-Gon and Voss were still speaking to the Chancellor with their padawans close by. "I must speak with the Jedi Council immediately, your Honor. The situation has become more complicated." Qui-Gon said as he watched me get on the air taxi. I waved at them as we took off.
Coruscant, Senate Building, Entrance to Senator Palpatine's Office
08-07-32 BBY
10:00
Anakin POV
I watched through the soundproof glass walls at Palpatine and Padme conversing within. Jar Jar was trying to bug me about something, and so I turned to play a quick game with him. Throwing some snacks, I'd brought along in the air one by one and trying to snatch them out of the air before he could grab them with his tongue.
We waited, sometimes I'd get distracted watching them both argue out their points of view. I was keeping a close eye on Palpatine's force usage, making sure he didn't try to compel her through the force to make the vote of no confidence on Valorum.
Absent-mindedly I wondered what the Jedi were up to.
Coruscant, Jedi Temple, Jedi High Council Chamber
08-07-32 BBY
14:00
Third Person POV
The Jedi Masters listened as Qui-Gon finished his mission brief, "my only conclusion can be that it was a Sith lord we encountered." he said surveying the room and the occupants' reactions.
Mace Windu sat forward in his seat as the other Masters started murmuring. "A Sith Lord?" he exclaimed. Ki-Adi interjected dubiously "Impossible! The Sith have been extinct for a millennium." his large cranium and small ponytail shook from side to side.
Yoda held a hand to his face in thought. "The very republic threatened, if involved the Sith are. More on the matter, you have to say? Jedi Knight Voss." he questioned.
Voss stood forward, his padawan quietly at his side. "I could feel its anger Master, I could feel it was strong in the dark side, almost feeding on it. Different from any dark Jedi I'd encountered before." He seemed troubled by the thought and many council members that had heard of Voss's exploits and encounters pondered on it.
It was Master Windu that broke the silence. "I do not believe they could have returned without us knowing," he said resolutely. He had dedicated much of his life to rooting out the dark side across the galaxy, the idea of a Sith lord appearing amidst them seemed impossible.
"Hard to see, the dark side is. Discover who this assassin is, we must." Yoda replied in deep thought. He closed his eyes trying to reach out into the force, but it seemed as clouded as ever.
Ki-Adi spoke up again "I sense that he will reveal himself again, this won't be the last time he makes an attempt on the Queen's life." The other masters agreed more murmurs starting up.
Windu nodded "The attack was with purpose, that is clear, and I agree the Queen is the target." Yoda and the other Masters nodded along. "With this Naboo Queen you must stay, both of you. Protect her." Yoda added.
"We will use all our resources here to unravel this mystery and discover the identity of your attacker... May the Force be with you." Windu finished sitting back in his seat and giving the four a nod.
"May the force be with you" the Masters repeated. The padawans moved to exit, taking the Master's cue. Voss and Qui-Gon remained standing there.
Yoda looked up from his musings "Master Qui-Gon, Knight Voss, more to say have you?" he asked.
"With your permission, Master." Qui-Gon said nervously. "I believe Voss and I have encountered a vergence in the Force." he finished; Voss stood by silently.
"A vergence, you say?" Yoda said, quite rare in these times of darkness.
"Located around a person?" Windu continued, it was hard to find someone important enough for a vergence to visibly form.
Voss led this time "I met him on Tatooine, I don't know of his midi-chlorian count, though Qui-Gon says it's high. But his connection to the force despite seeming weak is incredibly strong." Voss finished looking expectantly at Grand Master Yoda
"Strong in the force, but weak in presence he is?" Yoda asked, even more mysterious.
"Yes Master, and he says he has visions, visions of us coming to the planet, of what we needed. He identified me while I was on my mission and told me it was important to wait for another." Voss paused, "...at first I thought he was simply there to interfere, there was a simple matter of little importance. But he helped me complete the mission with relative ease and arranged the meeting with me and Qui-Gon." Voss said.
Mace Windu sat forward once again "what kind of visions?" Ever since Sifo-Dyas had been forced to step down due to his radical opinions derived from his visions the council had been wary of those that had visions.
"Visions of the future, of me, and my apprentice. He singled us out during our time on Tatooine, adamantly stating that we were jedi." Qui-Gon jumped in. "He also foresaw the necessary parts for the Queen's ship a year in advance keeping it stored away till we arrived."
Voss hesitated "More to say, you have?" Yoda asked the Jedi Knight. "He had warned me that the Jedi I was supposed to meet would be cut down in battle, and unless I was there to help him, he would die. He said he saw two paths through the force. I haven't confided in Qui-Gon but he knew of the appearance of the Sith with the red markings." Qui-Gon seemed to pause, he hadn't yet heard of these visions, but after a moment he relinquished the feelings into the force. He already knew how to release himself into it, the Guardians of the whills had already showed him the way, and what more was there to worry about when in the force.
"It is not wise to mull on futures that have not yet come to be," Mace Windu said as he sat back and thought on the matter. The other Masters started their discussion again, those more supportive of the clairvoyant paths in the force discussing what safeguards could be employed.
"Important, it is not. Queen's protection, you both are tasked." Yoda said, quelling the other Masters' talk. "Master, despite his presence, he has the highest concentration of midi-chlorians I have seen in a life form." Qui-Gon continued. "How many?" Windu asked. "Over 20,000" Qui-Gon replied.
"And what, with these Sith appearing do you believe him to be the chosen one? Hidden away as they were?" Windu replied. "I don't presume…" Qui-Gon trailed
"But you do! Revealed your opinion is." Yoda said pointing at Qui-Gon
"I request that you meet and observe the boy." Qui-Gon said, bowing his head. The Jedi all turned to look at each other, and then at Voss. He sighed before bowing his head as well, "I too request for the Masters to meet with him." he said respectfully.
The masters nodded before Yoda spoke again "Trained as a Jedi, you request for him?" Yoda asked. Voss and Qui-Gon looked at each other awkwardly. Qui-Gon spoke up "Finding him was the will of the force… I have no doubt about that. Out of all the planets in the outer rim, to encounter him, for him to know of our arrival, it is too much to be coincidence."
Voss nodded "the force is too cloudy to make a decision, thus we would like to ask the Masters help in assessing him." Mace Windu sighed "Bring him before us, then." "Tested he will be" Yoda finished
Coruscant, Senate Building, Queen's Quarters
08-07-32 BBY
14:00
Third Person POV
Anakin walked confidently down the hallway leading to the Queen's main chambers, two guards stood at either side of the entrance sizing him up before smiling.
"May I help you, boy?" One of the guards asked, unimpressed by Anakin's bounty hunting garb. "I'm looking for the handmaiden Padme." he replied confidently, looking the two guards over as they both gripped their weapons tightly.
One of the guards looked at him dubiously before speaking into his commlink, Anakin beaming in front of him. "There's a boy here to see Padme." In the chambers Rabe looked down at the holovid before nodding. "Send him in '' Rabe replied over the comms link.
The doors opened and the guards faced inwards as Anakin passed by them by. Rabe greeted him while two other handmaidens walked by them into a side room. Anakin looked over at the door, knowing Padme was just a room away feeling her presence in the force.
"I'd like to speak with Padme if I could," he says softly to Rabe.
"I'm sorry Brakh, Padme isn't here right now" she replied, curious as to why Anakin came to meet with her.
The Queen speaks out from the next room. "Who is it?" she calls. Anakin smiles hearing her voice. "
"It's Brakh, here to see Padme, Your Highness." Rabe responded gently, looking over at Anakin. Padme moved to the doorway still in her queen regalia pretending to be her stand in. "I've sent Padme on an errand," she said elegantly. Anakin almost snorted before calming himself and giving the Queen a bow.
"I'm going to the Jedi temple for an assessment, I just wanted to say goodbye and thank her again for the time she spent with Shmi on your majesty's yacht." he said, still bowing.
"You may rise," she said, waving her hand. "I may not see her again, and I just wanted to say goodbye and give her something Shmi made for her." He pulled out a piece that he'd remembered he'd carved for Padme so long ago. He'd used one of the smaller fangs of a Krayt dragon for this piece instead of the wood he'd originally used. Rabe moves to take it from his hands and offer it to the queen. She picks it up fondly smiling at the knowledge of who really carved the pendant.
"I'll make sure it gets to her" she said before snapping to her senses. "We will also pass on your message to her. We're sure her heart goes with you." she said smiling.
Anakin turned to leave, "oh and tell her if she ever needs help with her dream, she can always call on me." he said, turning to give another bow, shooting the queen and Rabe one last smile before promptly leaving the room.
Rabe smiled at Padme, "so what's this dream then?" she asked moving over to prod Padme. "Nothing" she blushed, "a child's dream, quickly we must get ready for the senate meeting" she said as she moved back to her dressing platform, carefully placing the necklace on a bedside table.
"A charming rogue, isn't he?" One of the handmaidens giggled. "Oh, be quiet" Padme said as she held her arms out to her side allowing them to start dressing her again.
Coruscant, Jedi Temple, Jedi High Council Chamber
08-07-32 BBY
15:00
Anakin's POV
I looked around the circular chamber room. It had been a long while since I last stood here. Most of the Jedi temple had long been replaced with Palpatine's imperial palace. The original council chambers destroyed, along with most of the temple's training and meditation areas.
It had been amazing to see the Jedi filling the halls, many of which had been cut down on Geonosis, or cut down during the war. 'Or… cut down by me', I winced on the inside, the sight of padawan training exercises almost throwing me off as we walked through the temple halls.
I could sense Qui-Gon and Voss with their padawans down below on a side balcony, waiting for my results. The Jedi Masters were silently staring at me trying to get a feel for my emotions, and thoughts. I watched them struggle to dig deeper, but only getting nothing. Finally, Mace Windu broke the silence. "My name is Master Windu, one of the Jedi Masters, what is your name?" he asked.
'An off-balancing technique or maybe an introductory question' I thought to myself. I shrugged, "My name is Brakh" I said with a smile, watching as Yoda's face scrunched up.
"Telling the truth, you are, but you are not?" I almost laughed. "The truth is only what you can make yourself believe" I said. Taking on the name of Brakh, was easy. Brakh, Vader, Anakin, it didn't matter deep inside as long as I took on the persona it was true to me.
The Masters frowned as they redoubled their efforts to get a sense of who I was. "We've heard of visions that you have, what do you see?" Windu asked. Another foreseeable question I joked to myself. "The visions of Qui-Gon and Voss? Death, depending on what they do. Either work together and defeat the man with red tattoos or fall in battle one by one." I said monotonously.
The Jedi Masters looked at each other in alarm. Yoda closed his eyes, deep in thought before opening them to look at me. "Visions of the Jedi, do you see?" 'Right on the money old man' I thought smiling.
"Which Jedi" I replied acting confused. "Of us all, what of your visions of us all" Windu said leaning forward catching on to what Yoda was asking.
I let out a laugh "death" I said watching as Windu reeled back, the other master bursting out in discussion, and Yoda closing his eyes to think yet again. "What death, the order dying, one of us, perhaps an explosion at the temple?" Windu pushed trying to get a scope of the situation. "Tell us what you saw." He pressed.
"I saw many of you falling in different missions, a great many Jedi dying, shot down in a grand colosseum. A great war, and even more deaths, not just the Jedi, but across the galaxy the souls of many crying out, the very force darkened over. And then…" Windu and the others sat in deep thought.
"And then in a quick motion, death, all across the galaxy, this time of Jedi being cut down." One of the Masters rose from his seat, "he lies, we would have foreseen something like this. How could on with such little connection with the force claim to see such clear visions it…". I looked over at the offending Master. The Lannik, Even Piell, the most outspoken at times of them.
I let loose my control of The Art of Small, Yoda's eyes widened suddenly as he looked over at me. I let the force course through me, and built it up, imbuing it with the light side energies, drifting around the temple. The Masters looked at me amazed, a pillar of light emanating from me.
Yoda and Yaddle, perhaps the only two of their species outside of their planet closed their eyes reaching as deep as they could into the force as I ripped a hole in the darkness on the planet, allowing the force to pour through. The other Masters realizing what was happening tried to reach out, tried to sense, to see what I claimed to have seen.
"Listen now, it matters not to me what you have foreseen or not Jedi" I spat as the Masters came out of their scrying, Yoda looking at me curiously… "Your sight is not the same as mine, neither is your connection." I said allowing the light to diminish around me.
"I've seen through the force your blindness, you know your connection to the force to be diminishing, not even predicting the Yinchorri attack on this very temple." Some of the Jedi stopped in quiet contemplation remembering some of the Jedi and even Masters that had died.
"The force shows me what it will, and I will follow its will." I continued scanning the room. "I've heard of what the Jedi Order has become. A dog of the Republic, restricted by the Senate. In such a sorry state ever since the Ruusan reforms were placed upon you like shackles" I could feel several Masters bristling.
"Do not deny it, you can't even see that the temple, and this world is slowly being poisoned by the Sith shrine beneath us." some Masters looked at each other confused, while Yoda thought carefully about what I was saying.
"So much that could be changed, so much good that could be done, tied up in bureaucracy." I said remembering how much sway the senate, the Chancellor had in our missions, and the deaths that had arose from Jedi unable to request backup or tied up in situations that never should've arose in the first place.
"Then what would you have us do" Windu said slamming his fist on the side of his chair. "Follow the will of the force, what you now to be true." I cried back.
"The visions I see have unveiled so much, the force has given me a clear sight, and its only right for me to speak it" I said righteously. "I don't mean to insult the order, but instead hope that you will take my words into account, the way forward is a way of ruin, a war is coming. The Jedi are not ready to lead in it. How long has it been since battle tactics has been taught? How long has the Republic enjoyed peace? I have heard there are others that have spoken the same only for their worries to be disregarded by the council." I said shaking my head.
Sifo Dyas, and many of the Jedi that had fallen into recluse during my time as Obi-Wan's padawan all saying the same thing. There was a coming darkness in the galaxy, and how wrong we were to take it so lightly...
This time Plo Koon sat forwards still digesting the words I'd spoken. "You speak of a war, could you tell us who is orchestrating?" I frowned. "The force only shows me a figure cloaked in the force, one with immense draw on the dark side… Regardless, I'll warn you now, it's better to stand aside and let the war occur, then let the Order become involved." This was an out the Order could afford to take at this moment, go into reclusiveness, slowly fade out of the republic and hide away. They had done so in the past, braved periods for periods of time just as the Sith had.
"Preposterous, the Jedi have been the peacekeepers of the galaxy along with the Republic for so long…." Saesee Tiin said standing up. I cut him off "then you will die with it." It was truly as simple as that. When the fall of the Jedi happened, so too did the fall of the Republic.
Saesee Tiin sat back down thinking it over some more. "The only thing we can do, leaving is?" Yoda asked, still thinking it over.
I sighed "not everyone, the Sith will never rest till the Jedi are dead." I remembered as much. "Send those who you can, those who won't be missed. Tell, no one. It is the only way" I said. "Erase the records if you must, hide the young, create emergency channels for the Jedi only. Tuck the knowledge away where you can, perhaps secretly reopening temples on the outskirts of the galaxy if you can." I turned to leave.
"Wait, you must" Yoda said getting up. "More to do, have we?" he asked. "I've said all I can, I know you may not listen. I know many here may dispute what I say, and many may follow it. Some may call me delusional and be untrusting of those with visions just like those that where unstrusting of Master Dyas's predictions, and look at all the good that came from that." I shrugged heaving a sigh as I looked back to the Masters some looking more apprehensive of my departure then others. "I never intended to join the order anyways... I only came to talk to those that would listen and those that have the knowledge and the power to avert this great crisis. The Force guides me elsewhere." I finished giving him a bow before walking out of the council chamber.
Coruscant, Coruscant Lower Levels, Fobosi district
08-07-32 BBY
22:00
Anakin's POV
I rewatched the senate meeting form earlier today, the vote of no confidence on Chancellor Valorum, the nomination of Palpatine as a potential Supreme Chancellor. Occurring just as last time despite, I shook my head watching him take the stand, before freezing for a moment, he must've felt me ripping through the dark side veil during my interrogation at the Council chambers.
His eyes narrowed slightly, and the Chagrian to his side tapped him on the shoulder concerned with the longer than normal pause. He seemed to shake himself out of it, smiling and beginning his speech raising his hands as if to entrance the senate.
I laughed as he promised a new era of prosperity and reinforced ties with those not just of the central but the outer rim as well and began to regal the rest of the senate with his lengthy political career. Finally finishing it off with promising that the situation on Naboo would be cleared up rapidly under his leadership. I switched the recording off, pocketing the holopad I'd been watching the recording on, before making my way through the dense crowds of coruscant and to the front of a large building.
Entering the building, I could see some coughing humanoids, slowly milling about on side benches. A thin grav-sled with an injured Rodian rushing past controlled by some floating medical droids administering medicine to the alien.
I went to the nearest counter a bored looking Twi'lek passing me a glance, "Here for injuries/general purpose head to floor 1, Pediatrics for humanoids floor 2, Pediatrics for non-humanoids floor 3 depending on age in galactic standard years, patient check in will be on the reference number you were forwarded. Drop ins are next door, as well as vaccinations." She said without looked up from her bulky data display.
"Any other questions?" I smiled throwing down some credits, "Who could I talk to about making a purchase?". She looked down at the credit, "sir this isn't a store, Natwa's liquor is next door this is a hospital?" she replied another secretary looking over. I leaned in placing a much larger number of credits as I whispered, "as I said, I'd like to make a purchase…".
Coruscant, Senate Building, Senate Landing Pad
08-08-32 BBY
10:00
Anakin's POV
"What are you bringing with you?" Qui-Gon asked as a droid pushed a large tube into the main hold of the Queens royal Yacht. "Some essentials I might need later on" I said watching the droid open one of the boxes it had loaded on and climb in. "Medical supplies just in case someone gets injured." I said tapping in the recognizable Coruscanti medical symbol engraved on the box as the medical droid stowed itself inside and I made sure the droid was shut down before sealing the case off fully.
Qui-Gon and Voss looked at each other shrugging as they boarded the ship with their padawans. I stayed back making sure everything was properly stored away.
It seemed the other Jedi had not been informed of what had occurred in the Council chambers, the Council members deliberating over the validity of the information that I had presented to them. They had apparently disclosed that I wouldn't be joining with them out of my own choice.
There had been many fear mongers in the past warning them that such an event was coming, the resurgence of the Sith perhaps a hidden empire like the past or even conspiracies of Maters using the Bogan collection for nefarious purposes. But the claims where often seen as nothing but mere fantasy, Dark Jedi did pop up now and then but on the level of Sith was rare. And I knew that despite my warnings they would be resolved to stay with the Republic for now.
I frowned walking into the elevator leading to the main hold of the ship. As the doors slid open, I could see Qui-Gon and Voss discussing with the fake queen, meanwhile Padme, seeing me walked over, I was happy to see her wearing the necklace I had made for her.
What are you doing here An- Brakh" she quickly said surprised to see me. "Just tagging along for the ride" I said. "But what about the Jedi's assessment?", Obi-Wan and Aayla cast a glance over as their Masters continued briefing the queen.
"The Council and I had a bit of a communications breakdown. I'm just going to follow along to ensure everything works out properly and I'll find my way from there" I finished Padme looking at me in concern.
I smiled at her as she twisted her hands nervously "It's fine really" I ensured her, "Shmi is safe here for now" I said, smiling as she stopped fiddling with the and smiled back "as long as everything's ok then." she said.
"I'm glad you got the necklace" I said looking down at the good luck charm around her neck. She looked down at it "tell Shmi I like it, when we get back then?" she said knowingly. "Of course, I will" I replied as she returned to the other handmaidens.
Naboo, West Swamps, 3rd entrance to the Gungan Capital
08-10-32 BBY
11:00
Anakin's POV
'The humidity was a change' I thought to myself, as we went to meet with the Gungan Boss. Jar Jar had been sent ahead to the Gungan city to request the Boss's help and arrange a meeting.
I sat on some rocks waiting ad some soldiers got ready. It all felt very surreal being back here, but I did remember that this wasn't the original place we had decided to meet. Something about the Gungan's fleeing to their sacred ruins.
Not more than ten minutes later Jar Jar popped back up from the swamp he'd doven into. The Jedi Masters approaching him to see what the situation was. I could hear him talking about how the city was abandoned when he'd gotten there, and that the Gungans supposedly had a sacred place they went to when in trouble.
And so we began our trek.