A/N: Twinks forced me to post this. She is blackmailing me. I was gonna wait and perfect it, but she made me. That's why there's the mad rush of updates today. Just in case you're wondering. Enjoy!
Chapter Twelve: Attempt
"I don't understand. Dooku recruited Jango and ordered the Clone Army ten years ago, but at the same time he was gearing up to lead the Separatists?"
Obi-Wan looked at Bail and nodded. "It looks that way, yes."
"It sounds like he's starting a war with himself."
"No. Not with himself." Obi-Wan stood still, his mind reeling. "He doesn't have the connections to get use of the clones approved by the Senate."
Bail blinked, realization dawning. "Only one man does."
"Palpatine." Obi-Wan moved then, heading back to the transport.
"It doesn't make any sense!" Bail exclaimed, following.
Obi-Wan jumped into the speeder and started it, barely giving Bail enough time to hop in before taking off at full speed. "It makes perfect sense. The blockade fourteen years ago gave him the perfect opportunity to overthrow Valorum. His election was mostly due on the Naboo situation. A situation caused…"
"By him." Bail lowered his head. "We put him into power. He played us as surely as he would play chess."
Obi-Wan sighed. It was true. They had all played willingly into the hands of a corrupt Chancellor- and a Sith lord. "We've got to contact the Temple."
"Our communications may be monitored," Bail warned as they landed next to their command center.
"It's a chance we have to take." Obi-Wan stepped out of the speeder.
Before he or Bail could go a step closer to the command center, an officer approached them, flanked by two clone troopers, blasters readied. "General Kenobi, I've been ordered to take you into custody."
"Into custody?" Obi-Wan asked, keeping his voice low and even.
"On who's orders?" Bail demanded.
"Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's, sir. I'm sorry, General, but you'll have to come with me."
Bail and Obi-Wan exchanged a look. Obi-Wan nodded once and moved forward. The guards relaxed, their hands leaving their blasters and going for him instead.
Obi-Wan pivoted, suddenly ready to attack. He knocked the officer down and leapt up, kicking both clone troopers hard in the chest. He flipped back into the speeder. Bail jumped in beside him. "My ship's that way," Bail said, pointing. "Let's get to Coruscant."
*
Padme managed to get an audience with the Chancellor for early the morning after the meeting in Jasan's office. He greeted her warmly, and after the pleasantries, Senator Amidala got right down to business.
"Chancellor Palpatine, I represent a group from the senate that fears your growing power. They came to me because I've known you for years. The emergency powers we understood and supported by all- but your continued use of them, past the time when they were necessary, makes many wary. Coupled with the examination of the Jedi, who are the guardians of justice, creates a situation that is uneasy, at best."
"And what would your group have me do, milady?" Palpatine inquired, eyes wide and innocent.
"Announce some intention to give up your powers, and please, discourage this senseless review of the Jedi!" Amidala let a little of the impatience she was feeling color her words, and knew she shouldn't have.
Palpatine looked a little shamed. "I love democracy, Padme. The Republic has had need of me. I did what I must to assure that it did not fall. If the Senate thinks this crisis has past, surely I will give up the powers I never wished to hold. But the Jedi? That I cannot stop, nor do I wish to. They are outdated, wizened old men, with narrow minds and narrower vision." Padme looked shocked at his words and he sighed. "I'm sorry for my outburst. But if you had seen the state of young Skywalker… I really shouldn't brake his confidence, but he looked so distraught at failing their ridiculous Trials…"
Padme froze. "I must go, Chancellor. Thank you for seeing me."
Palpatine nodded. His back turned away from her retreating form, he smiled.
*
Dooku arrived late the next afternoon. His Master met him in the hanger, in heavy robes that concealed his face.
"Lord Tyranus, I was not expecting you so soon. Dantooine has fallen to the Republic?"
"Yes, Master. The clones have crushed the Separatists, as you have foreseen."
"I am pleased, Lord Tyranus. I have another challenge for you. Senator Amidala has become a nuisance. I want you to take care of her- personally."
Chapter Twelve: Attempt
"I don't understand. Dooku recruited Jango and ordered the Clone Army ten years ago, but at the same time he was gearing up to lead the Separatists?"
Obi-Wan looked at Bail and nodded. "It looks that way, yes."
"It sounds like he's starting a war with himself."
"No. Not with himself." Obi-Wan stood still, his mind reeling. "He doesn't have the connections to get use of the clones approved by the Senate."
Bail blinked, realization dawning. "Only one man does."
"Palpatine." Obi-Wan moved then, heading back to the transport.
"It doesn't make any sense!" Bail exclaimed, following.
Obi-Wan jumped into the speeder and started it, barely giving Bail enough time to hop in before taking off at full speed. "It makes perfect sense. The blockade fourteen years ago gave him the perfect opportunity to overthrow Valorum. His election was mostly due on the Naboo situation. A situation caused…"
"By him." Bail lowered his head. "We put him into power. He played us as surely as he would play chess."
Obi-Wan sighed. It was true. They had all played willingly into the hands of a corrupt Chancellor- and a Sith lord. "We've got to contact the Temple."
"Our communications may be monitored," Bail warned as they landed next to their command center.
"It's a chance we have to take." Obi-Wan stepped out of the speeder.
Before he or Bail could go a step closer to the command center, an officer approached them, flanked by two clone troopers, blasters readied. "General Kenobi, I've been ordered to take you into custody."
"Into custody?" Obi-Wan asked, keeping his voice low and even.
"On who's orders?" Bail demanded.
"Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's, sir. I'm sorry, General, but you'll have to come with me."
Bail and Obi-Wan exchanged a look. Obi-Wan nodded once and moved forward. The guards relaxed, their hands leaving their blasters and going for him instead.
Obi-Wan pivoted, suddenly ready to attack. He knocked the officer down and leapt up, kicking both clone troopers hard in the chest. He flipped back into the speeder. Bail jumped in beside him. "My ship's that way," Bail said, pointing. "Let's get to Coruscant."
*
Padme managed to get an audience with the Chancellor for early the morning after the meeting in Jasan's office. He greeted her warmly, and after the pleasantries, Senator Amidala got right down to business.
"Chancellor Palpatine, I represent a group from the senate that fears your growing power. They came to me because I've known you for years. The emergency powers we understood and supported by all- but your continued use of them, past the time when they were necessary, makes many wary. Coupled with the examination of the Jedi, who are the guardians of justice, creates a situation that is uneasy, at best."
"And what would your group have me do, milady?" Palpatine inquired, eyes wide and innocent.
"Announce some intention to give up your powers, and please, discourage this senseless review of the Jedi!" Amidala let a little of the impatience she was feeling color her words, and knew she shouldn't have.
Palpatine looked a little shamed. "I love democracy, Padme. The Republic has had need of me. I did what I must to assure that it did not fall. If the Senate thinks this crisis has past, surely I will give up the powers I never wished to hold. But the Jedi? That I cannot stop, nor do I wish to. They are outdated, wizened old men, with narrow minds and narrower vision." Padme looked shocked at his words and he sighed. "I'm sorry for my outburst. But if you had seen the state of young Skywalker… I really shouldn't brake his confidence, but he looked so distraught at failing their ridiculous Trials…"
Padme froze. "I must go, Chancellor. Thank you for seeing me."
Palpatine nodded. His back turned away from her retreating form, he smiled.
*
Dooku arrived late the next afternoon. His Master met him in the hanger, in heavy robes that concealed his face.
"Lord Tyranus, I was not expecting you so soon. Dantooine has fallen to the Republic?"
"Yes, Master. The clones have crushed the Separatists, as you have foreseen."
"I am pleased, Lord Tyranus. I have another challenge for you. Senator Amidala has become a nuisance. I want you to take care of her- personally."