"Master Kenobi? Master Kenobi, what's wrong?"

Obi-Wan winced in pain, hand pressed firmly against the lump at the back of his head, "Nothing. Where are the hostages?"

"Safe and secure… do you need Kix to look at that head wound?"

"No, thank you. I'll deal with it." Obi-Wan stormed into the ship, "I need to speak to Senator Palpatine, and soon."

….

"Why are you getting involved in Jedi missions?"

Senator Palpatine didn't even glance up from his paperwork at Obi-Wan's entrance, "General Kenobi, I wasn't expecting a visit from you today."

Silence.

The Senator sighed wearily, "I needed the information, and Anakin has always been very helpful in those regards."

"The Council and I need to be informed if someone has a side-mission. I could have brought along another Master/Padawan pair to help with the hostage situation."

"I don't need to tell the Council anything- "

"- I beg your pardon Senator, but you do. Especially when lives are on the line."

"That was why the Jedi were brought in. To ensure that that didn't happen."

"My only concern, is that if everyone is off doing their own thing, it becomes chaotic and people can get hurt, or people escape, like Klattenhoff!"

Senator Palpatine frowned at Obi-Wan before pushing himself to his feet and indicating that he should follow him. They walked into an elevator which then started to descend. "I assume you're not needed elsewhere?"

"… No."

Not that he seemed to have much of a choice.

The Senator seemed amused for some reason, "Are you aware that the crime rate all across the galaxy has gone up, by almost five percent. Now, it may not seem a lot but I can assure you, it's becoming a problem."

"War will do that… but I sincerely hope you're not suggesting that the Jedi become… some sort of police force? The Council will never go for it."

The doors of the elevator opened to reveal a large warehouse-like complex, men bustling around three large crafts which appeared to be heavily equipped with weaponry. The pair walked through the complex, Obi-Wan's eyes widening with every new sight.

"These are our response to the rising crime levels." Palpatine stated, "No need for the Order to get involved. You need no longer concern yourselves with getting involved in this war."

"… What are they?"

"Let's just call them… The Project. Three large ships that are synced to a series of satellites around the galaxy. The information sent to them via the satellites can spot a threat before they even have a chance to act. With the new weaponry on board these ships, we can act immediately and reduce the number of threats to make the galaxy safer."

Obi-Wan glanced around, "You know… my old Master used to say that the punishment should only come after the crime. It was one of his favourite phrases to use really. The punishment should fit the crime, not precede it."

"We can no longer afford to use that mindset." Palpatine's sounded almost scolding, "It has gotten to the point where, now that the Separatists are proving themselves to be a credible threat, we need better defences. The galaxy will be safer because of these!"

"Only because you're pointing a weapon at their heads and calling it freedom." Obi-Wan shook his head, "This isn't freedom, it's fear."

Before the Chancellor could reply, Obi-Wan bowed and made a tactful retreat.

He had better places to be.

…..

"I'm sorry I'm so late this week." Obi-Wan knelt in front of the array of flowers in the meditation gardens.

Flowers and plants that had once shared a room with him and his Master.

If they'd found a body, maybe it would be easier.

…

Master Yoda frowned as he and the rest of the Council were refused access to the information on the hard drive once again. They had tried everything, using the top access codes that they had been reassured, worked on all files.

When that failed, they tried decryption programs, only to get the same result.

"A meeting, we need." Yoda sighed, "With Senator Palpatine."

…

"I'm sorry." Palpatine's assistant sneered, "But he's in a meeting at the moment. May I take a message?"

"Wait, we can." Master Yoda chuckled, "Important, our conversation is."

"In fact, it's so important that it might be best if you pull him out of the meeting." Master WIndu stepped forwards

The assistant scowled. Before pressing his comms button, "Senator Palpatine, Master Yoda and Master Windu from the Jedi High Council are here to see you… they are rather persistent."

A little over two minutes later, Palpatine emerged from the room, "It seems I have become quite popular with the Jedi Council all of a sudden. How can I help you gentlemen?"

"Concerned, we are." Yoda began, "Secrets, there are."

"Secrets?" Palpatine almost looked surprised, as Mace took over.

"We believe it may be related to The Project, which is concerning to the Council." Mace raised an eyebrow, "If this is the case, then the last thing we want is for those crafts to be active."

Palpatine frowned, "And what makes you think that there are secrets? Or is this something to do with the Force?"

"You could say that." Windu sighed, "Let's just say that the rescue team found something… suspicious."

"What did they find?"

"Of no concern, it is. Investigating, we are."

Palpatine was silent for a few moments, before nodding. "Of course. I eagerly await further news."

…

"Obi-Wan! Obi-Wan!"

Obi-Wan sighed as he entered his old padawan's headquarters, to hear Ashoka.

"Hello Ashoka, how can I help you?"

Ashoka looked a little concerned at Obi-Wan's tone, "Master Skywalker sent me… are you alright?"

Obi-Wan sighed, "Anakin and I had… a slight disagreement. Nothing more."

Before Ashoka could say anything, Obi-Wan's holo-communicator started to beep, prompting him to answer. "Master Yoda? How can I help?"

"A situation, we have." Yoda stated, "At the temple, you should meet us."

"Understood."