Ripples in the Force
Chapter 4
The Best Actors
Politics... a most diabolical, deceitful practice. It is also an artform though, one I've taken great pains to become adept in. After all, politics exists in everything, even the Jedi Order. Despite how tiresome they can be, I do find myself enjoying it from time to time.
-The Personal Annals of Jedi Master Dooku
Sheev Palpatine ran a hand atop the smooth, varnished wooden desk within the Chancellor's personal study. Such desks were hard to come by on Coruscant. After all, an actual forest had not existed on the city-planet in millennia. Such luxurious furnishings had to be imported.
Of course, it couldn't just be any wooden desk. No, it had to be something special. Truly rich, dark wood from the swampy world he called home. Naboo had plenty of forests, and this desk reminded him of it. Of his days as a youth, studying in his father's library, walking the halls of the manse in Theed.
His cold, blue eyes closed. The temperature dropped. A vivid memory entered Palpatine's mind. A switch flipped inside of him, and his eyes opened. Across the room, in a mirror above a small table with some decor on it, his eyes glowed like coals back at him. Sidious emerged, and he smiled.
The desk was his father's, and it reminded him of how he strangled the fool of a man as he sat behind it. His mother caught him. She had to die as well. The bodies were so well hidden that no one would ever find them. In the end, he was nothing more than a wealthy aristocrat from Naboo, whose parents disappeared and left him all alone. The pity of a planet swam over him, and all he could do was chuckle to himself about it.
That day, he took his first step toward becoming the man he was now. It was the first action, the first order, demanded of him by his Master. He liked to think that was the day he first transformed from Sheev Palpatine into Darth Sidious.
His long, thin fingers drummed the desk as he stood beside it. He drew in a deep breath, feeling the dark side pulse and thrash as he brushed against it. How he wanted to grab the power and command it to obey and submit. Unfortunately, he could not. Coruscant was the beating heart of the Republic, and thus, was the location of the Jedi Order's tremendous power. He had to be careful with how touched the Force. Too much, and the Jedi would be alerted to his presence.
And we can't have that, now that I have reached the launching point for the grand plan.
Reluctantly, he let his grip on the Dark Side loosen. The raw power that flowed through his veins faded, replaced by the creaking joints of an aging man. His lips curled into a slight snarl at the sensation. A part of him wondered why he had to wait so long to assume Chancellorship of the Republic. Then again, despite his and his master's machinations, it took this long to build the connections and relationships to not only grab power but most importantly, maintain their hold. Perhaps he should feel grateful to have finally achieved this position of absurd power in the political system? Even if he wasn't a Sith, this would be considered a monumental accomplishment.
Yet, he felt nothing in regards to it. Sure, he reveled when he learned the news that the fools in the Senate voted for him to replace Chancellor Valorum. He even planned to use his newfound power to justify his own plans for the future of the Sith. However, he hesitated because of something unforeseen. Something that left him puzzled.
The death of Qui-Gon Jinn should have been inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Was he a powerful, wise Jedi? Of course. Sidious would have been remiss to see him as anything less. However, he was still only a Jedi. Not even one that sat on the High Council. He was something of an outcast within his own order. A maverick who did not follow the Jedi's infernal code; a minor trait Sidious mildly respected in the man. Nobody.
But he died, and the Force screamed. The Dark howled with the Light, a shared agony that shook Sidious to his core when he sensed it across the stars. It made him hesitate. It made him uncertain, and that infuriated him. It left a bitter taste in his mouth when he should have been basking in the glow of achieving political victory. Instead of doing that, he was now deliberating his next move. Pondering what to do now that the future suddenly seemed murky, even to his far-seeing vision.
His pale lips thinned. His fingers stopped tapping against the desk. A heavy sigh left his lips when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a blue light blinking on the desk. A call from one of the bureaucrats. Probably to inform him of another policy debate within the senate.
Thrilling…
Dooku strode through the cavernous halls of the Galactic Senate. Luxurious crimson carpeting masked his footfalls, the padding beneath it so soft that it felt like he had a spring to his step. Beside him, his padawan looked around with a mix of awe and confusion. Anakin would briefly pause beside brilliant paintings and sculptures, tilting his head, then would chase after his Master when he realized Dooku did not feel like going for a leisurely stroll.
This was not a place to admire. Not in Dooku's opinion at least. While Skywalker saw the rich gravitas as awesome, Dooku could only see it as self-aggrandizing. It was pomp with zero substance. Pure waste.
A pity that the place meant to represent the power of species coming together is so detached from how most of those species actually live.
Dooku heard Anakin gasp as the young Padawan scrambled to catch up with him again, almost toppling over a Senatorial aide in the process. Anakin profusely apologized, and the patheticness of the entire situation made Dooku sigh and pause, waiting for his padawan.
Anakin drew up alongside Dooku. When the old Master gave him a withering glare, a sheepish look cracked across Anakin's face.
"Sorry about that."
"Gawking is unbecoming of a Jedi, Skywalker. Best you learn that now." And he continued walking.
Anakin rushed to keep up with him. "But this place, I mean… the Jedi Temple is neat and all, but I don't think I've ever seen anything like- like that!"
He pointed at a sculpture. Nothing more than a mass of metal carved into a peculiar shape. Dooku arched an eyebrow.
"Are you suddenly a partaker of the fine arts, Skywalker?"
"I've just never seen-"
"There are many things in this life you will have never seen before. Must you look like a blithering fool every time you see one?" Anakin's lips thinned, and a bit of regret filled Dooku. The Master sighed, and turned, looking down at Anakin. "That piece is by a Twi'lek artist. Do you know what those are?"
It was Anakin's turn to raise an eyebrow. "I did grow up enslaved to the Hutts, you know."
The small barb made the corner of Dooku's mouth twitch up. "Indeed, you did. So, you have not seen Twi'leks in the most flattering light."
"The bounty hunters that were all over the place always seemed flattered by them."
"That was not flattery, that was lust, Anakin, and that…" Dooku pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm not ready for that conversation yet. Come."
"What conversation?"
"Skywalker…"
Anakin raced after Dooku. After a few more minutes of walking, the pair reached their intended destination.
The Jedi Order had their own viewing platform in the Galactic Senate. While not a debate pod, it was still a spot for members of the Jedi Order to watch the proceedings. However, this spot was rarely occupied. Few Jedi Knights wanted to waste their time sitting in on drab political proceedings, and even fewer wanted to be noticed by Senators hoping to gain some favors from the Order. Dooku only knew of several Jedi who regularly attended such gatherings. Master Windu did, if only to look intimidating so the Senate knew not to bother the Jedi Order. Master Yoda often attended, and many Senators turned to him for wise counsel- the smart ones at least.
Lastly, Dooku, when he was on Coruscant, always made a point to spend at least one day in the Galactic Senate. While he disliked a lot of what was going on in the building, he recognized something important about it, and he hoped Skywalker would as well.
Anakin darted to the front of the empty viewing platform, placing his hands on the polished railing as he looked out and viewed the Senate debate chambers. His mouth fell open as he looked around, craning his head up, and then pitching his gaze down as he tried to see the innumerable number of pods designated for each member species of the galactic senate. Dooku let him. The sheer amount of beings gathering here was worthy of gawking.
Dooku drew in a deep breath as the central pedestal containing the Chancellor, the Vice-Chair, and their aides ascended from the offices beneath the debate hall. His brow furrowed as he spied the true reason why he chose today of all days to attend the Senate debate.
This was his first chance to take the measure of the newly elected Chancellor Sheev Palpatine of Naboo.
He sank to a seat, folding his hands in his lap as he waited for the usual opening proceedings to conclude. Anakin remained standing, looking around, no doubt attempting to identify the various species occupying the Senate. The boy whipped his gaze back to Dooku when he spotted Palpatine.
"Oh, I know him!"
"Do you?"
"He helped Padme."
Dooku raised his brow. "Padme? Do you perhaps mean Queen Amidala?"
Anakin nodded. Dooku looked down his nose at the boy.
"Anakin, we address those in authority by their proper titles. Just as you call Master Yoda, Master, you shall address Queen Amidala correctly, even if she is not here."
"But-"
"She is not your friend, Anakin. She is a politician," he looked around the Senate hall, "just as everyone else here is."
Anakin frowned, somehow offended. "What exactly does that mean?"
Dooku opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, Chancellor Palpatine's calm, warm voice filled the Senate hall.
"My fellow members of the Galactic Senate, I thank you all for coming to this session of policy. Truly, this is a great triumph whenever we are convened such as this, to discuss and debate matters of democracy for our good constituents."
Dooku's lips thinned. This Chancellor spoke well. He shouldn't have been surprised, but Dooku also knew little of Sheev Palpatine beyond his rapid rise in political stardom. Of course, upon hearing of the man's appointment as Chancellor, Dooku conducted research. Born and raised on Naboo, an aristocrat, with parents who went missing and have been presumed dead since his teenage years, the new Chancellor was a renowned politician in his homeworld before being appointed to the Galactic Senate. He also possessed a strong philanthropic streak.
It was interesting, and it was curious how few details there actually were about the man.
He tuned out the rest of the Chancellor's speech. It was nothing more than platitudes and flattery for the rest of the Senate. He would pay more attention when the true debates began, which the Chancellor would serve to moderate.
"He's a good man," Anakin nodded and glanced back at Dooku. "Don't you think?"
"Do I think what?"
Anakin huffed. "You know what I meant."
"Specificity is important, Skywalker."
Anakin rolled his eyes, a mildly insolent trait that Dooku was still trying to discipline out of him. But, he would not make a scene in the Galactic Senate. Some rigorous exercise back at the Temple would teach Skywalker to mind his emotions.
"Do you think Chancellor Palpatine is a good man?"
Dooku folded his arms. He did not respond right away, which made Anakin slip away from the balcony railing and march to a seat beside him. The boy flopped into his chair, rested his arms on the armrests, then looked at Dooku expectantly.
"Well?"
"Hm?" Dooku glanced at Anakin. "Ah, well… I'm still deciding."
"Still deciding? How? He's- He's Padme's-"
"Skywalker…"
Anakin raked a hand through his short hair and huffed, slouching in his seat. "He's Queen Amidala's friend."
"And?"
"And I think any friend of hers is a good person because she is a good person."
"Simply being the friend of a good person does not make someone good as well, Skywalker."
"How's that?"
"Well…" Dooku leaned back in his seat, pondering the boy's question. This could be a good teaching moment. The perfect opportunity presented itself when the Twi'lek senator, a grotesquely fat creature by the name of Orn Free Taa. The Twi'lek cleared his throat, making his jowls quiver, before waxing on romantically about his good friendship with Chancellor Palpatine. All Dooku could do was scowl at the display.
"That Senator there is a friend of Chancellor Palpatine, who you claim is a good man," Dooku began. "Do you know who that Senator is?"
Anakin shook his head.
"That is Orn Free Taa, senator for the Twi'lek planet of Ryloth."
Anakin drew back. "That thing is a Twi'lek?"
Dooku chuckled, making Anakin smirk. "Indeed, it is. More importantly though, is that he is the Senator for a people who are consistently rounded up and sold as slaves to the Hutts, the Shadow Collective, and all the other terrible miscreants who think they can create misery and get away with it. Now, a question for you, Skywalker; Orn Free Taa is obviously a powerful person. What does he do about the plight of his people being mass-sold into slavery?"
Anakin's brow furrowed as he pondered Dooku's question. Slowly, his face morphed from one of mild confusion to simmering anger. Dooku nodded.
"Do you see what I mean now?"
"Yeah," Anakin nodded, "He's only after the power."
"Very good."
"So why isn't something done about him? And, why is he like this anyway?"
"Corruption, Anakin. It is as certain as death in the galaxy. In many ways, corruption is death. It is a destroyer; revolting, disgusting, but also, when one is caught in the throes of it, incredibly enriching and rewarding, for a short time." Dooku gestured at Orn Free Taa as the Twi'lek boasted about how he helped elect the new Chancellor. "Ryloth is not a stable world. That instability allows someone like Orn Free Taa to take advantage of the chaos, establishing himself as a beacon of stability despite being a terrible person and bad for his people."
"But shouldn't his people fight back?" Anakin asked. "Shouldn't the Jedi fight back?"
Dooku gave Anakin a grave look. "Careful with what you think the Jedi should and should not do, my young Padawan. We are peacekeepers, not soldiers."
"But isn't part of keeping the peace fighting against those who would try to not be peaceful?"
Dooku eyed the boy. Sometimes, Anakin could be one of the dullest dolts he had ever tutored. Yet, other times, and these were growing ever more frequent, he showed himself to be remarkably insightful and wise.
"That can be part of keeping the peace, yes, but it must be done so carefully and with good judgment. Seeking conflict is not keeping the peace. Resolving the conflict is. A Jedi should first seek a non-violent resolution, and only resort to violence when the need calls for it."
"Aggressive negotiations," Anakin nodded.
Dooku snorted. "And where did you hear that?"
"Obi-Wan," Anakin replied. "He said it was something Master Qui-Gon told him too."
A sardonic smile twitched across Dooku's lips. "Yes, I'm sure he did." He drew in a deep breath then refocused his attention on the Senate proceedings. "Now, back to the entire point of this conversation, just because someone is good does not mean they have good friends, Skywalker. It simply means they hold honorable ideals, and their friends may not, in fact, hold those same ideals, but instead put on an act."
He looked out at the Senate when he heard Chancellor Palpatine thank Orn Free Taa for his support. Mild disappointment filled Dooku when he heard this, but he also understood why Palpatine did so. Orn Free Taa, for as revolting and corrupt a figure he was, was a very powerful senator with friends all across the Empire. Without his support, Palpatine would have never become Chancellor. If he wished to remain Chancellor, he needed to placate the Twi'lek.
"There are no finer actors in all of the galaxy than the ones in this building."
There was nothing particularly special about the Senate debate today, a fact Dooku did not mind. Dull, boring conversations about trade, treaties, and taxation were normal.
Anakin, however, nearly fell asleep three times. All three times, Master Dooku tugged his braid to wake the padawan. When the session of the Senate was over, mercifully in Anakin's opinion, he and Dooku rose from their seats and made their way from the Jedi platform, mingling with the various Senators and aides.
Anakin had never seen so many beings in one place before. Not even Gardulla the Hutt's personal palace contained this many different life forms all rushing to and fro, chatting among each other, arguing, laughing, or simply being silent as they made their way to private offices. For a moment, it was overwhelming for him.
"Calm yourself, Skywalker," Dooku said, one hand firmly gripping Anakin's shoulder. "Close your eyes."
They had stopped walking. Anakin had just realized that. There was a lesson here. There was a lesson in everything Master Dooku did, although he didn't understand most. He could at least try though.
With a deep breath, Anakin closed his eyes.
"Let the Force flow through you. Do not try to control it. Do not attempt to fight it. Do not be afraid of it. Do this, and you will find that the Force grants far more clarity than any fallible organic sense known in the galaxy."
Anakin drew in another deep breath then exhaled, doing as his master bid him. He still wasn't sure what exactly Master Dooku meant with some of his more cryptic statements. But, just because he did not entirely understand did not mean he could not attempt something.
Another deep breath. The sounds of the Senate around him grew duller, akin to the noises of Mos Espa outside of Watto's shop; still there, but muffled and distant. He imagined himself back in his workshop on Tatooine, fixing his pod racer or working on C-3PO. He recalled how, during those blissful moments by himself, he would forget everything else around him, all of his focus devoted to the task at hand.
He tried to replicate that feeling.
The sounds grew duller until they were nothing more than distant mutters. Despite his eyes being closed, Anakin found himself able to picture the layout of the Senate hallways perfectly. The tips of his fingers and toes buzzed as his heart thumped in his chest. He felt warm and light. The only other sensation he could detect in crisp detail was Master Dooku's hand on his shoulder.
Then, in a flood of what Anakin could only describe as power, everything grew clear. He knew there was a Rodian briefly exchanging words with his Master. He sensed a human from Alderaan, moving past them as well, giving his Master a friendly greeting before moving on. Every single person that moved around him and Dooku, he could see despite having his eyes closed. It was a sensation that felt beyond anything Anakin could have ever imagined.
He loved it.
"Good," Dooku's voice was quiet and soft, nearby yet far away at the same time. "Let us see if you can lead me out of here like this."
Anakin smiled to himself. A challenge? Now his Master was talking!
However, before the challenge could begin, the air suddenly grew icy for Anakin. The hairs on his neck stood on end as he noticed something peculiar. There was a void in the mass of people moving around him and Dooku. An apparent empty space directly ahead, dark and shadowy. It unsettled him and sensing it caused all of his focus to fail.
With a gasp, he opened his eyes. Sweat beaded on his brow. Dooku's hand fell from his shoulder.
"Almost," Dooku hummed. "But a start."
Anakin blinked. "Did-Did you not- I sensed something strange, Master."
Dooku raised an eyebrow. "Did you now? Explain."
"There was a void. It was right… there…?"
Anakin found himself pointing at an empty chair. Confusion flooded him. The void he sensed looked humanoid. It had to have been a person. Yet, there was no one there.
Dooku clicked his tongue. "Skywalker…"
"I swear I sensed something, Master!" Anakin spun around and stamped a foot. "I wouldn't lie to you!"
Dooku opened his mouth to reply but paused. Anakin was many things to Dooku. He was a hyper boy, incapable of paying attention at times, and a bit of a sass, but a liar he was not. So, Dooku nodded and brushed past the boy, glaring at the chair. He swept a hand out and felt nothing but air. After briefly closing his eyes, Dooku frowned.
"I'm not lying," Anakin muttered.
"I do not think you are," Dooku replied. "But… whatever you sensed is gone now."
Anakin blinked. Gone? How could it be gone when it had been so easy for him to see?
"Oh! Good! You two haven't left yet."
Anakin jumped, startled when he heard the good-natured voice of Chancellor Palpatine approaching him and his Master. The Chancellor's personal guards in their onyx robes and armor followed, razor-sharp vibro-pikes resting against their shoulders as the smaller man approached Dooku. The Chancellor, to Anakin's surprise, bowed to his Master, a sign of respect Dooku returned.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Master Dooku," Palpatine said with a smile. "I have heard a great many things about you."
"All good things I hope," Dooku replied with a light laugh.
"Only the best, of course." Palpatine's blue eyes flicked to Anakin. His warm smile beamed at the young Padawan. "Well, I was not expecting to see you here, Master Skywalker. But it does warm my heart to see you, as well as to know that you are in the care of such a fine Master. Although, I thought Master Kenobi was going to take on your apprenticeship?"
"The Council decided to place me with Master Dooku," Anakin replied. He glanced up at his Master. "The results are to be determined."
Dooku shot the boy a sharp look, but when Palpatine laughed, Dooku's glare visibly relaxed.
"Quick of mind and wit. You have yourself a handful here, Master Dooku."
"Indeed I do, and I believe if he learned to harness those gifts properly," Dooku said with a glance at Anakin, "he could become something truly special."
"Of that, I have no doubt. After all, my homeworld, and my Queen, witnessed firsthand what Master Skywalker there was capable of. Taking down a Trade Federation Capital Ship is no small feat, young man."
Dooku's eyes bugged from his skull. "He did what?"
"You didn't know?" Anakin replied nonchalantly.
Another warm laugh left Palpatine's lips. Anakin smiled. The more he was around the Chancellor, the more he liked him. Even if the man was putting on an act, there was no way someone could fake being so genuine.
"Yes, I expect great things from you, Master Skywalker," Palpatine sighed and straightened his formal robes. "I see the delegation from Malastare wants my attention. I apologize, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to cut our meeting short. Rest assured though, Master Dooku, I would be most interested in speaking with you and Anakin more in the future."
"It would be our honor, Chancellor."
"The honor would be mine, I think," Palpatine nodded his head and smiled. "Keep training hard, Master Skywalker."
With that, the Chancellor moved on, sweeping past Dooku and Anakin, his guards in tow. As he walked away, Anakin looked up at Dooku. Unlike him, his Master's face bore a look of great suspicion.
"Master?"
"What to make of that one," his Master muttered, running a hand along his chin.
Anakin tilted his head. "Uh… Master Dooku, sir?"
Dooku blinked. "Hm?"
"Is something bothering you?"
Dooku closed his eyes. "I will be quite alright, Skywalker. The Chancellor is simply… a curious individual. Nothing more."
"I knew it!" Anakin exclaimed, rushing ahead of Dooku toward the turbolifts.
"Knew what?" Dooku asked, a slight smile twitching over his lips as he trailed after the boy, long, languid strides allowing him to easily keep up with Skywalker.
Anakin spun around and walked backward. "I was right. He's a good man, and you know it."
Dooku snorted.
"Admit it!" Anakin demanded.
"I will admit no such thing."
"Then I shall have to beat it out, right?" Anakin raised a pair of fists. "Back at the Temple, we'll go one on one and-"
Dooku spun a finger, using the Force to twirl Anakin around and shove him onto the lift. Once on the lift, other beings crowded in with them, squeezing Anakin against the wall while Dooku stood undisturbed in the middle. Most of those beings cleared out after a couple of floors, but Anakin still found himself pinned even when the lift emptied.
His eyes widened.
"That's not fair!" He exclaimed.
"All's fair when you're trying to beat an answer out of me, my insolent padawan learner," Dooku remarked, finally allowing his grip on Anakin to relax, letting the boy almost pitch forward to the floor.
The lift reached the ground level. When the doors slid open, Anakin rushed out with Dooku following. The young padawan hurried to a speeder waiting to take them back to the Temple. When he reached it, he hopped inside, startling the droid pilot, causing it to warble in binary at him. Anakin ignored it.
"Well, since we did that boring thing today, can we do lightsaber practice?" He asked, hope swelling in him. He couldn't wait to spar with his Master again.
Master Dooku smirked. "I was thinking some meditation would do us some good."
Anakin let out a frustrated sound. The speeder lifted off and raced back to the Jedi Temple, where more boredom awaited the rambunctious padawan.
And chapter! Damn it feels good to punch another one of these out. Been too long. Work has been crazy lately, so having time or energy to write anything has been a huge challenge. Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed it. Have a nice day!
Come join the Fanfiction Treehouse discord server! Discord code is: 9XG3U7a
Come check out the Fanfiction Treehouse Podcast! We are a group of writers talking about writing, sharing our tips and tricks for the craft, discussing fiction and fanfiction, and chatting about whatever else comes to mind. You can find the the Podcast over on Spotify and Soundcloud. Hope to see you all there!