Strange World • New World by TruView

Brief Note by The FanFiction Writer of this story: Anakin meets with Sheev Palpatine, the Chancellor -also his mentor. This is written in the first person, a new challenge for me, given that I'm more prone to writing in the traditional narrative style of third person. So, forgive the shortfall of my storytelling. Comment, follow, but most of all, enjoy.

Star Wars_The Darkside II_Coruscanti (Anakin)

[On the grounds of the Galactic Senate Building heading to the private offices of the Chancellor]

It's quieter than what I remember. Or maybe not. It could just be me tuning everything out. Either way, it's still certainly busy. The base level functionaries and their pen-pushers that man the various offices and do most of the leg-work for the actual senators upstairs are as ubiquitous as the dregs and harlots that pollute the lower levels. But who in their right mind can deny the majesty of the galactic senate building? We see it practically every single day of our lives. If it's not on some holovid recording, then with our actual eyes the moment we look outside our windows in the morning or on our way through one of an infinite number of main city thoroughfares topside. Working within it's walls is a privilege, regardless of whatever station we occupy. Look at me… so patriotic! Mom would be..

"So sorry, sir. Didn't see you there. I've got my hands full with this one." Said the finely dressed Rhodian.

"No harm done. And who's this?" I asked

The Rhodian child hid behind it's father.

"Don't mind her," He said trying to cover for his child's innocent breach of etiquette.

Does he think me some high city official easily offended? Or...

"She's unfamiliar with Coruscanti customs. Back home…"

"And where's that?"

"Tatooine. Rhodia!" He quickly corrected, "but we just moved to Tatooine."

"I know the place. It's hot and very sandy."

"Yeah well, the heat I don't mind. It's a breeze compared to Rhodia. The sand on the other hand is a totally different story. I wish someone would've told us before we set up shop." Sighed the merchant.

"I see. So you're a businessman?" I used the polite term not wanting to sound flippant or too familiar.

"Yes, yes I am. Tatooine is just a pit stop on our way to the REAL prize ya see." His large eyes grew even bigger, which made me smile reminding me of Greedo, a sometimes obnoxious childhood friend.

"Let me guess… to Coruscant?"

"No, actually." He chuckled along with the little one.

"Back home, to Rhodia." She actually finished his sentence.

"We're just setting up a second distribution hub on the outer rim so we don't overburden the resources on homeworld. Business has been a little too prosperous. But who's complaining? In order for us to continue growing, we're going to have to spread the wealth to other planets. We'll stay for about a year or two, drop in a couple of relatives to manage the place, and then return home. It's a win-win for everyone."

"It's a good plan."

The little girl shot off with her father calling after her but he suddenly relaxed and then waved to someone.

"Well, it was nice to have met you, sir. My wife's waiting for me. Who knows, maybe we'll run into each other again."

"Maybe."

That's kind of new. Usually people are eager to leave wherever it is they're from in search of 'the real prize.' Imagine me, anxious to return to Tatooine.That place?! Where I was born a slave; where my mother died; where a Sith tried to kill me and Master Qui Gon Gin? I think not. That is not my home anymore. Never was really. And as nice as Coruscant is, maybe this place isn't either.

I enter the private elevators and depress the very first button that will take me all the way to very uppermost level. Without warning, shame and self-loathing assault me with images of my own failure of the few weeks prior. I open my new mechanical limbs which start at the forearms. I slowly examine the fluidity of their movements. With the exception of their invulnerability and the leather gloves that hide their silver matte color, they're virtually indistinguishable from the ones I was born with. No one would be the wiser. Sheev Palpatine, is an intelligent man and with the exception of Grand Master Windu and Master Mundi as his second, he is perhaps the most perceptive man I know. I will not inform him of just how bad things got. He's not even a Jedi but yet, his opinion is just as important to me as theirs… and maybe more so because of it.

The doors open finally, and a small delegation from Kamino can be seen in the company of their own private escort of clone troopers. The mechanical devices are so well-maintained that they are completely soundless. It's possible to see me come in. Even so, Palpatine does not acknowledge my presence, but I come in anyway and quietly stand in the back drawing no attention to myself. And then I notice two red eyes turn in my direction, The Chiss officer, what's his name? I suddenly feel a tight knot in my chest. My ego recoils seeking shelter. When our eyes connect, I quickly nod but the gesture is not reciprocated. Even before I can complete the full course of moments, the blue-skinned officer turns away choosing to ignore me instead. You Arrogant! No. No. Just breathe. Just… breathe. I think to myself. I deserve the snub and humiliation. I'll let this sting and burn so I never suffer a defeat like this ever again. No one else's critique of me can surpass my own anyway so it doesn't matter.

Without looking in my general direction, the Chancellor raises a hand and waves me over. I approach without making a sound and I'm not sure why.

"Thank you very much for sharing that news with us. Again, my condolences for the loss of your loved ones. Please stay in the penthouse suite of the Hotel till the end of the Month. I'll have other arrangements for you by then." Palpatine glanced at the Chiss officer who personally leads the envoy away. Finally, he's gone. I take two steps forward looking to be seated in the now vacant spot only for the former senator to raise a finger and impede the action. He's jotting something down with the other hand.

"Please remain standing, Skywalker."

The blue-skinned officer returned and sat in the very seat I was going to sit in forcing me to reposition myself off to the side like some stand-in actor in my own play.

I don't like this. I don't like this at all.