Title: Birth of Tyranny
Author: ewan's girl
Disclaimer: Don't own any characters you recognize, the ones you aren't familiar with come from my twisted imagination....hahaha!
*Author's note: Thank you to the few people who have reviewed my story, I am addicted to reviews so please keep giving them.
Chapter 8
Obi Wan Kenobi looked at the wall chrono again and sighed to himself. He had been waiting for his apprentice to finish getting ready for a good half an hour and even though he had an abundance of patience it was wearing thin. "Anakin, for force sake I would like to get down there before the celebration ball is over." Obi Wan called to his charge.
"Coming master." Anakin called back, as he continued to look in the mirror and fix his hair.
Obi Wan stood up when he saw Anakin come out of the freshener, he began to put on his cloak. "What is that smell?" Obi Wan sniffed the air, and made a face. "Is that you padawan?"
Anakin stopped short, and sniffed the air as well. "Oh, Padme gave me some cologne from Naboo." He sniffed his tunic. "Perhaps I used a little too much."
Obi Wan chuckled. "Not if you had planned to suffocate this assassin with it, then I think you used just the right amount." Obi Wan made a face, and Anakin rolled his eyes.
"I'll change." He began to turn back to his room.
"No, it's fine." Obi Wan stated, not wanting to wait anymore. "We need to get down there."
Anakin looked at his master, he fumbled with his next words. "Master. Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course Anakin, but let's do it on the way to the ball." Obi Wan threw Anakin his cloak, and led him out the door.
"Master. Have...have you ever been in love?" Anakin asked, unsure if he had overstepped his boundaries.
"Well Anakin, love is basically forbidden by the code, it is a very strong emotion that can lead to emotions that lead to the dark side." Obi Wan answered simply.
"That doesn't answer my question." Anakin looked over at the older man.
"Anakin, I don't know what else to tell you, except that you have to understand a Jedi has made a commitment to the order, and when someone is in love they have to make a commitment to that person." He stopped and looked at Anakin in the eyes. "Both of those commitments deserve 100% of your attention, if a Jedi tries to have both things, one or both of their commitments will suffer." He put a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Listen Anakin, I know you have feelings for Senator Amidala, I'm not blind. I just hope and pray that you two don't do something you will regret in the future based on a rash decision because of emotions." He then turned and started walking towards the ball.
"Have any Jedi that you know or heard of ever been married?" Anakin asked, catching up to his master.
"There have been cases, yes." Obi Wan answered. "But they were basically ostracized because of it."
"Did any of the marriages work out?" Anakin asked again, with a lump in his throat.
Obi Wan looked at his apprentice, his eyes filled with a strange emotion that Anakin had never seen before in Obi Wan's eyes. "No." He flatly stated.
Anakin stopped for a moment and thought about the conversation they had just had. He watched Obi Wan walk down the hall. He then raced after him. "Master, you didn't answer my question." He called out, but Obi Wan just kept walking.
***
Padme held onto her bedpost as Dorme tightened her dress' corset. She was dressed in a beautiful pink gown trimmed with gold thread. "Sometimes I think this isn't worth the trouble." She playfully said to her handmaiden who laughed with her.
"Trust me m'lady, it'll be worth it when you have caught the eye of every eligible bachelor here." Dorme said with a smile.
"Dorme. I'm not interested in any of them." Padme said with a groan as Dorme tightened the corset even more. "I'm here to represent our home."
"I'm sorry M'lady. I just thought maybe...oh never mind." Dorme finished and started to pick up clothes off the floor.
"Tell me Dorme." Padme looked at her friend.
"Well, I thought that maybe you might want a simple life, I mean you have been complaining lately about always having responsibilities." Dorme looked at her, holding some clothes.
"Oh Dorme. I know, a part of me does want a simple life, but I could never give up a life in the senate." Padme put a hand on her shoulder. "But either way, I'll just try to have fun tonight."
Dorme smiled. "That would be nice for a change."
Padme looked at herself in the mirror. "What do you think R2?" She looked at the little droid as he gave several excited beeps and whistles.
Suddenly they were interrupted by a clumsy gold droid. "Um Miss Padme, you have a visitor." C3PO stated, and moved aside for Bail Organa who bowed out of respect.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you senator." Bail took her hand and kissed it.
"Never your highness." Padme answered.
Dorme excused herself, as did the two droids.
"You look so beautiful." Bail said, eyeing the young senator.
"Thank you Bail, you're so sweet." She answered, putting her ear rings in. "What's going on?" She looked at the king.
"I need to ask you something." He stated, moving towards her, she looked at him confused. "I was wondering if I could be your escort for the evening?" He smiled at her.
"Oh." She looked at herself in the mirror. Her thoughts turned to her secret marriage. "Bail I would love that, but I couldn't lead you on like that." She looked at him.
"Lead me on?" He asked, confused.
She took a deep breath. "I'm...I'm seeing someone." She simply stated.
"You are?" Bail tried to hide his hurt. "Well why didn't you tell me?"
"We are trying not to draw attention to it." She stated, trying to explain it.
"Who is he? Do I know him?" Bail asked, trying to get what information he could.
"I can't tell you, we are keeping it a secret for now." She simply stated.
"I understand." He looked at her again. "Is it very serious?" He asked, trying to hide his hope.
"Yes. Very serious." Padme smiled when she thought about it. "Oh Bail I'm so sorry, you are such a great friend. I cannot say sorry enough to make it up to you." She put a hand on his cheek.
He took her hand and kissed it. "No need to apologize, you did nothing wrong." He smiled at her. "But I must admit, he is the luckiest man in the galaxy." He looked her in the eye. "I do hope he realizes that."
She smiled. "Thank you."
"Well, can I at least have one dance then?" He moved away from her.
"Of course." She smiled again.
"See you later M'lady." He turned and left.
See watched him leave and sighed to herself. R2-D2 rolled up behind her, and beeped seemingly asking her what was wrong. She looked down at her little companion. "It's nothing R2...nothing."
***
Obi Wan and Anakin made their way into the grand ball room of the palace. Just like the rest of the palace it was made entirely of marble and gold, including another grand staircase leading from the door to the dance floor. Obi Wan looked around the room as he and his apprentice made their way down the steps. He took note of how many workers he saw, and what they were all doing, how many security officers he saw at all the outside doors, then finally of all the guests who had already arrived. He saw Mace Windu waiting for them 'or someone else' he thought to himself at the bottom of the staircase. The team of Jedi bowed to their master when they came to the floor.
"Obi Wan. Anakin." Mace said with a nod of his head.
"Master." Both said in unison.
"Notice anything peculiar?" Mace asked Obi Wan who shook his head and sighed.
"Not yet." But I'll keep my eyes open.
To their right Bail Organa came forward. "Master Windu." He called as he walked. "I'm glad you are here."
Mace smiled, and bowed to the king. "Thank you your majesty."
"I must say, you have sent me the best Jedi team I could've asked for, and I thank you." Bail Organa motioned towards Obi Wan and Anakin.
"That's why I sent them. I always send my best." Mace looked at the pair, Anakin stood up straighter as if to look more impressive, Obi Wan shot him a look.
"Master Windu, please join me for a drink, there is much I wish to talk to you about." Bail continued as he led Mace away from the other Jedi.
Obi Wan and Anakin watched the two walk away, when they felt a chill run down their spines, they felt a dark presence behind them. They turned and to their surprise behind them Chancellor Palpatine was walking down the stairs. Anakin dismissed the dark feeling when he saw the Chancellor and bowed, but Obi Wan looked at the politician curiously.
"Ah. Master Kenobi, Padawan Skywalker. I'm so very pleased to see you both here." The chancellor stated with a grin. "If anyone should be here at the celebration ball it should be you two."
"Thank you your excellency." Anakin bowed again.
"Well thank you chancellor, but we are here on duty." Obi Wan dryly stated.
"Oh yes of course. The attack on Bail Organa's life." Palpatine looked over at Bail, then back at the Jedi. "I'm glad to see the council sent our best team."
Obi Wan continued to stare at the chancellor, although the dark feeling had left, there was something still bothering him. His thoughts were disturbed however by Padme Amidala coming down the stairs.
"Why chancellor. How great of you to throw such a lavish party." She said, and she made her way down the steps, Anakin took her hand and helped her with the last four.
"Senator Amidala. How are you?" Palpatine smiled when he saw her.
"I am perfect." Padme said with a smile, and a glanced at her husband.
"How is Naboo? I heard you visited recently." Palpatine continued to make small talk.
"Yes, I was visiting my family. Everything is great there. The spice miner strike has been resolved." She answered.
"Well that's wonderful to hear. Well Senator, I do hope you enjoy your evening." The chancellor looked around the room.
"Well I do have a question for Master Kenobi." She turned her attention to Obi Wan who perked up at the sound of his name.
"Yes M'lady?" He asked curious.
"I was wondering if I could steal your apprentice for a dance or two?" She asked, and looked at Anakin who was trying not to smile. "That is unless it is against the Jedi code for you to dance."
Obi Wan's features softened. "No M'lady it is not forbidden." With that Anakin took Padme by the arm and led her to the dance floor.
Obi Wan and Palpatine watched the young couple. Palpatine spoke first. "Master Kenobi, I have to ask you. Do you have any leads as of yet to this assassin?"
Obi Wan did not take his attention off the couple. "We believe it is a bounty hunter by the name of Bobba Fett." Palpatine nodded. "The question is, who hired this bounty hunter though." He looked at Palpatine, and felt a small dark ripple in the force.
"Do you suppose it's Count Dooku?" Palpatine asked, still watching the couple.
"Perhaps, but I think it might go even deeper than that. I think it could be a dark force in the Senate." Obi Wan said simply.
"That is a strong accuazation Obi Wan. What makes you think this?" Palpatine asked.
"Have you ever heard of a man name darth Sidious?" Obi Wan turned his attention back to the couple dancing and Palpatine gave him a harsh look, which melted before anyone could see it.
"No, never." Palpatine turned away when Obi Wan looked at him.
"Really? I think you're lying." Obi Wan coolly stated.
Palpatine looked back at the young Jedi. "What would make you say that Master Kenobi?"
"You're thoughts say otherwise, with all due respect chancellor I think you have at least heard of this man." Obi Wan never took his eyes off the chancellor.
Palpatine smiled. "Excellent Kenobi, exactly why I have chosen you."
Obi Wan looked at the chancellor confused. "Chosen me? For what?"
"I need someone to lead my army. I need a general who will not be afraid to tell me what is really going on, a man who is wise and has courage to protect the Republic." Palpatine looked at Obi Wan. "I want you to lead my army. What do you say General Kenobi?"
"Your army? Don't you mean the army of the Republic?" Obi Wan asked, unsure what to say.
"Yes of course general." Palpatine said with a smile.
"Please don't call me that yet your excellency, I don't even know if a Jedi can accept military positions." Obi Wan looked towards Mace Windu. "I of course would have to ask the council."
"Of course Master Kenobi, take your time." Palpatine turned away. "I'll await your answer."
Author: ewan's girl
Disclaimer: Don't own any characters you recognize, the ones you aren't familiar with come from my twisted imagination....hahaha!
*Author's note: Thank you to the few people who have reviewed my story, I am addicted to reviews so please keep giving them.
Chapter 8
Obi Wan Kenobi looked at the wall chrono again and sighed to himself. He had been waiting for his apprentice to finish getting ready for a good half an hour and even though he had an abundance of patience it was wearing thin. "Anakin, for force sake I would like to get down there before the celebration ball is over." Obi Wan called to his charge.
"Coming master." Anakin called back, as he continued to look in the mirror and fix his hair.
Obi Wan stood up when he saw Anakin come out of the freshener, he began to put on his cloak. "What is that smell?" Obi Wan sniffed the air, and made a face. "Is that you padawan?"
Anakin stopped short, and sniffed the air as well. "Oh, Padme gave me some cologne from Naboo." He sniffed his tunic. "Perhaps I used a little too much."
Obi Wan chuckled. "Not if you had planned to suffocate this assassin with it, then I think you used just the right amount." Obi Wan made a face, and Anakin rolled his eyes.
"I'll change." He began to turn back to his room.
"No, it's fine." Obi Wan stated, not wanting to wait anymore. "We need to get down there."
Anakin looked at his master, he fumbled with his next words. "Master. Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course Anakin, but let's do it on the way to the ball." Obi Wan threw Anakin his cloak, and led him out the door.
"Master. Have...have you ever been in love?" Anakin asked, unsure if he had overstepped his boundaries.
"Well Anakin, love is basically forbidden by the code, it is a very strong emotion that can lead to emotions that lead to the dark side." Obi Wan answered simply.
"That doesn't answer my question." Anakin looked over at the older man.
"Anakin, I don't know what else to tell you, except that you have to understand a Jedi has made a commitment to the order, and when someone is in love they have to make a commitment to that person." He stopped and looked at Anakin in the eyes. "Both of those commitments deserve 100% of your attention, if a Jedi tries to have both things, one or both of their commitments will suffer." He put a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Listen Anakin, I know you have feelings for Senator Amidala, I'm not blind. I just hope and pray that you two don't do something you will regret in the future based on a rash decision because of emotions." He then turned and started walking towards the ball.
"Have any Jedi that you know or heard of ever been married?" Anakin asked, catching up to his master.
"There have been cases, yes." Obi Wan answered. "But they were basically ostracized because of it."
"Did any of the marriages work out?" Anakin asked again, with a lump in his throat.
Obi Wan looked at his apprentice, his eyes filled with a strange emotion that Anakin had never seen before in Obi Wan's eyes. "No." He flatly stated.
Anakin stopped for a moment and thought about the conversation they had just had. He watched Obi Wan walk down the hall. He then raced after him. "Master, you didn't answer my question." He called out, but Obi Wan just kept walking.
***
Padme held onto her bedpost as Dorme tightened her dress' corset. She was dressed in a beautiful pink gown trimmed with gold thread. "Sometimes I think this isn't worth the trouble." She playfully said to her handmaiden who laughed with her.
"Trust me m'lady, it'll be worth it when you have caught the eye of every eligible bachelor here." Dorme said with a smile.
"Dorme. I'm not interested in any of them." Padme said with a groan as Dorme tightened the corset even more. "I'm here to represent our home."
"I'm sorry M'lady. I just thought maybe...oh never mind." Dorme finished and started to pick up clothes off the floor.
"Tell me Dorme." Padme looked at her friend.
"Well, I thought that maybe you might want a simple life, I mean you have been complaining lately about always having responsibilities." Dorme looked at her, holding some clothes.
"Oh Dorme. I know, a part of me does want a simple life, but I could never give up a life in the senate." Padme put a hand on her shoulder. "But either way, I'll just try to have fun tonight."
Dorme smiled. "That would be nice for a change."
Padme looked at herself in the mirror. "What do you think R2?" She looked at the little droid as he gave several excited beeps and whistles.
Suddenly they were interrupted by a clumsy gold droid. "Um Miss Padme, you have a visitor." C3PO stated, and moved aside for Bail Organa who bowed out of respect.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you senator." Bail took her hand and kissed it.
"Never your highness." Padme answered.
Dorme excused herself, as did the two droids.
"You look so beautiful." Bail said, eyeing the young senator.
"Thank you Bail, you're so sweet." She answered, putting her ear rings in. "What's going on?" She looked at the king.
"I need to ask you something." He stated, moving towards her, she looked at him confused. "I was wondering if I could be your escort for the evening?" He smiled at her.
"Oh." She looked at herself in the mirror. Her thoughts turned to her secret marriage. "Bail I would love that, but I couldn't lead you on like that." She looked at him.
"Lead me on?" He asked, confused.
She took a deep breath. "I'm...I'm seeing someone." She simply stated.
"You are?" Bail tried to hide his hurt. "Well why didn't you tell me?"
"We are trying not to draw attention to it." She stated, trying to explain it.
"Who is he? Do I know him?" Bail asked, trying to get what information he could.
"I can't tell you, we are keeping it a secret for now." She simply stated.
"I understand." He looked at her again. "Is it very serious?" He asked, trying to hide his hope.
"Yes. Very serious." Padme smiled when she thought about it. "Oh Bail I'm so sorry, you are such a great friend. I cannot say sorry enough to make it up to you." She put a hand on his cheek.
He took her hand and kissed it. "No need to apologize, you did nothing wrong." He smiled at her. "But I must admit, he is the luckiest man in the galaxy." He looked her in the eye. "I do hope he realizes that."
She smiled. "Thank you."
"Well, can I at least have one dance then?" He moved away from her.
"Of course." She smiled again.
"See you later M'lady." He turned and left.
See watched him leave and sighed to herself. R2-D2 rolled up behind her, and beeped seemingly asking her what was wrong. She looked down at her little companion. "It's nothing R2...nothing."
***
Obi Wan and Anakin made their way into the grand ball room of the palace. Just like the rest of the palace it was made entirely of marble and gold, including another grand staircase leading from the door to the dance floor. Obi Wan looked around the room as he and his apprentice made their way down the steps. He took note of how many workers he saw, and what they were all doing, how many security officers he saw at all the outside doors, then finally of all the guests who had already arrived. He saw Mace Windu waiting for them 'or someone else' he thought to himself at the bottom of the staircase. The team of Jedi bowed to their master when they came to the floor.
"Obi Wan. Anakin." Mace said with a nod of his head.
"Master." Both said in unison.
"Notice anything peculiar?" Mace asked Obi Wan who shook his head and sighed.
"Not yet." But I'll keep my eyes open.
To their right Bail Organa came forward. "Master Windu." He called as he walked. "I'm glad you are here."
Mace smiled, and bowed to the king. "Thank you your majesty."
"I must say, you have sent me the best Jedi team I could've asked for, and I thank you." Bail Organa motioned towards Obi Wan and Anakin.
"That's why I sent them. I always send my best." Mace looked at the pair, Anakin stood up straighter as if to look more impressive, Obi Wan shot him a look.
"Master Windu, please join me for a drink, there is much I wish to talk to you about." Bail continued as he led Mace away from the other Jedi.
Obi Wan and Anakin watched the two walk away, when they felt a chill run down their spines, they felt a dark presence behind them. They turned and to their surprise behind them Chancellor Palpatine was walking down the stairs. Anakin dismissed the dark feeling when he saw the Chancellor and bowed, but Obi Wan looked at the politician curiously.
"Ah. Master Kenobi, Padawan Skywalker. I'm so very pleased to see you both here." The chancellor stated with a grin. "If anyone should be here at the celebration ball it should be you two."
"Thank you your excellency." Anakin bowed again.
"Well thank you chancellor, but we are here on duty." Obi Wan dryly stated.
"Oh yes of course. The attack on Bail Organa's life." Palpatine looked over at Bail, then back at the Jedi. "I'm glad to see the council sent our best team."
Obi Wan continued to stare at the chancellor, although the dark feeling had left, there was something still bothering him. His thoughts were disturbed however by Padme Amidala coming down the stairs.
"Why chancellor. How great of you to throw such a lavish party." She said, and she made her way down the steps, Anakin took her hand and helped her with the last four.
"Senator Amidala. How are you?" Palpatine smiled when he saw her.
"I am perfect." Padme said with a smile, and a glanced at her husband.
"How is Naboo? I heard you visited recently." Palpatine continued to make small talk.
"Yes, I was visiting my family. Everything is great there. The spice miner strike has been resolved." She answered.
"Well that's wonderful to hear. Well Senator, I do hope you enjoy your evening." The chancellor looked around the room.
"Well I do have a question for Master Kenobi." She turned her attention to Obi Wan who perked up at the sound of his name.
"Yes M'lady?" He asked curious.
"I was wondering if I could steal your apprentice for a dance or two?" She asked, and looked at Anakin who was trying not to smile. "That is unless it is against the Jedi code for you to dance."
Obi Wan's features softened. "No M'lady it is not forbidden." With that Anakin took Padme by the arm and led her to the dance floor.
Obi Wan and Palpatine watched the young couple. Palpatine spoke first. "Master Kenobi, I have to ask you. Do you have any leads as of yet to this assassin?"
Obi Wan did not take his attention off the couple. "We believe it is a bounty hunter by the name of Bobba Fett." Palpatine nodded. "The question is, who hired this bounty hunter though." He looked at Palpatine, and felt a small dark ripple in the force.
"Do you suppose it's Count Dooku?" Palpatine asked, still watching the couple.
"Perhaps, but I think it might go even deeper than that. I think it could be a dark force in the Senate." Obi Wan said simply.
"That is a strong accuazation Obi Wan. What makes you think this?" Palpatine asked.
"Have you ever heard of a man name darth Sidious?" Obi Wan turned his attention back to the couple dancing and Palpatine gave him a harsh look, which melted before anyone could see it.
"No, never." Palpatine turned away when Obi Wan looked at him.
"Really? I think you're lying." Obi Wan coolly stated.
Palpatine looked back at the young Jedi. "What would make you say that Master Kenobi?"
"You're thoughts say otherwise, with all due respect chancellor I think you have at least heard of this man." Obi Wan never took his eyes off the chancellor.
Palpatine smiled. "Excellent Kenobi, exactly why I have chosen you."
Obi Wan looked at the chancellor confused. "Chosen me? For what?"
"I need someone to lead my army. I need a general who will not be afraid to tell me what is really going on, a man who is wise and has courage to protect the Republic." Palpatine looked at Obi Wan. "I want you to lead my army. What do you say General Kenobi?"
"Your army? Don't you mean the army of the Republic?" Obi Wan asked, unsure what to say.
"Yes of course general." Palpatine said with a smile.
"Please don't call me that yet your excellency, I don't even know if a Jedi can accept military positions." Obi Wan looked towards Mace Windu. "I of course would have to ask the council."
"Of course Master Kenobi, take your time." Palpatine turned away. "I'll await your answer."
