CHAPTER 11: THE COUNCIL ARRIVES
"Why's everyone waiting here in the Palace Courtyard?" Anakin asked. Like all children, the boy was ever-curious.
"We are awaiting the arrival of the ship form Coorascant." Qui-Gon explained.
"I thought that's why we were in the hanger yesterday." Anakin observed.
"Yes, but Senator, pardon me, 'Chancellor' Palpatine, has decided to put their arrival in the public eye. He wishes to arrive on the planet as a hero, even though he's done nothing." Xanatos scoffed.
"Keep your opinions to yourself, Xanatos. We are guests of the Naboo. We ought to be polite." Qui-Gon said respectfully.
"Of course," Xanatos straightened, "my apologies."
In a matter of minutes, a dark maroon ship broke through the clouds to a chorus of cheers from the on looking host of Naboo and Gungans. Nute Gunray shuddered. He knew the ship would take him back to Coorascant and take him to his regrettable fate.
The ship landed in their midst, there was a moment of stillness, and then two long lines of Senatorial Blue Guards marched down the ramp in all too perfect straight lines. The crowd roared the whole time.
The cheers became almost deafening when Chancellor Palpatine strode down the ramp. He waved politely at the crowd. He tried to look as though he was embarrassed to be the center of attention but Qui-Gon could see through that. As a Jedi he could always read people. He could tell that the Chancellor was the type of man who loved when people loved him. Qui-Gon sensed this so strongly that he felt the Chancellor was the sort to do anything to make people love or respect him.
Palpatine was followed closely by several Jedi, some Qui-Gon knew well, others he had not seen in a long time. Among the Jedi following was Siri Tachi who gave Xanatos a secretive glance. Xanatos looked at her similarly. Qui-Gon knew what that was all about.
One didn't have to have a Jedi's intuition to realize Siri and Xanatos had feelings for one another. Qui-Gon was well aware of the dangers of romantic attachment but he said nothing to Xanatos. It was not his place. Xanatos was no longer his apprentice. Of course as his friend, Qui-Gon would certainly keep an eye on the situation.
Queen Amidalia headed toward the ship to greet the travelers. Qui-Gon, Xanatos and Anakin followed closely behind. Mid-way to the ship, the Queen stopped briefly to have a word with the leaders of the Trade Federation.
"Now Viceroy," she said with a bit of brashness in her voice, "you must return to the Senate and try to explain your actions."
"I think you can kiss your trade franchise good-bye." Captain Panaka added. As usual, he had something to add.
The two defeated Neimoidians hung their heads in shame as Captain Panaka escorted them to the ship which would transport them on their long journey home. Chancellor Palpatine now stood in front of the Queen.
"Congratulations on your election, Chancellor." She said only half meaning it. A piece of her still didn't fully trust this man.
"Your boldness has saved our people, Your Majesty," The Chancellor said proudly, "it's you who should be congratulated. Together we can bring peace and prosperity to the Republic!" At this the crowd cheered the conversation they were merely overhearing.
Qui-Gon headed over to Mace Windu and Yoda who were at the forefront of the pack of Jedi.
"We must speak with the council in private. We've received some very interesting information about the identity of the Queen's attacker." Qui- Gon said in a whisper to his seniors.
Mace nodded then turned to speak to the Queen. "Is there anywhere we can speak in private?" He asked, respectfully.
"Of course," Chancellor Palpatine jumped in. "why don't we head to the throne room?"
"Alright." Mace said with a bit of surprise in his voice he had not expected Palpatine to want to join their conversation but he figured that there was little they should keep form the Chancellor and he was probably curious about the attacks on the Queen.
The members of the Jedi Council, the Chancellor, the Queen, Governor Bibble, the Queen's hand maidens, Qui-Gon, Xanatos, and Anakin all congregated toward the throne-room.
Once inside, Yoda instructed Qui-Gon to share the information he had.
"Very well," Qui-Gon said, "however I didn't realize we would be discussing these matters in front of the Naboo."
"Please Master Jedi, we don't mean to intrude. Discuss anything you'd like with the council. We merely wish to know who was after me." The Queen said with the innocence of a little girl and yet with the diplomatic maturity of a great leader.
"We are your friends, Master Jedi. I hope you don't think we'd ever use any information discussed here against you. Certainly, the Jedi have nothing to hide." Chancellor Palpatine said with a sickly smile.
"All right," Qui-Gon said with a shrug, "but before we discuss the identity of the Queen's attacker I was curious if the great and wise Jedi Council had reached a decision about the future of Anakin Skywalker? Will I be allowed to train him?" Qui-Gon knew this was his best chance for the Council to grant him permission. They certainly would not want to be drawn into a debate in front of the leaders of the Naboo.
Yoda let out an exasperated sigh. "The time for that this is not, Qui- Gon." He said. "Interested in that the Naboo aren't. Discuss we must the Queen's attacker."
"Of course the Naboo are interested!" Qui-Gon said quickly before they had a chance to speak for themselves, he would not let Yoda sidestep the issue that easily. "Young Anakin here was an intricate part in the planet's victory, nay their survival. He saved not only the lives of many Naboo security guards and pilots but also thousands of Gungans. He is a hero to this planet. I would certainly believe the Naboo would be concerned about the future of one of their heroes." Qui-Gon spoke with such certainty, he half convinced himself. He looked down to see Anakin beaming with pride.
"Alright!" Mace said in a rare outburst. "If you want the answer Master Jinn then you'll have it. It is the feeling of the council that the boy is too old."
Qui-Gon felt his heart sink, he sensed the same in Anakin. The answer's no. The two thought simultaneously.
"However," Windu continued. "We have noted the boys exceptional skills and we have decided to allow you to train him."
A quick, uncontrollable smile broke over the faces of Qui-Gon, Anakin and Padme. All three felt a surge of joy.
"One condition we have, Qui-Gon." Yoda said sternly, trying hard to prevent a celebration. "Train the boy you may, but responsible for him you are."
"Of course." Qui-Gon said, almost offended that they had to state the obvious. "Masters are always responsible for their padawans. That goes without saying." "Don't be naive, old friend." Ki Adi Mundi said, trying to get Qui-Gon to understand.
"Take responsibility for his actions, the council will not. Clean up his messes you will." Yoda finally spit out the obvious.
"I don't know why you felt you had to say that." Qui-Gon said with a supportive hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Anakin will not cause any trouble."
The council glanced at one another. They had heard the same sort of promise before only it was when Qui-Gon pleaded with them to grant Obi-Wan permission to stay at the Temple longer to try and find a master.
"We didn't mean to imply he would be trouble, we merely wanted to make sure you were clear on the stipulations of this arrangement. We apologize if you took our cautiousness as contempt. We think Anakin will be a fine Jedi, otherwise we wouldn't have approved of his training." Mace said in an apologetic tone.
Qui-Gon felt his temper subside. He cocked a half smile, it was rare to hear Mace speak so eloquently and even rarer to hear him use an apologetic tone.
"Of course." Qui-Gon said. "No harm done, and thank you for giving me permission to train Anakin. You won't regret this day."
"Sure I am that we won't. Now, my reasoning do you see for wanting this discussion to postpone?" Yoda said, he knew this little talk had made the Naboo uneasy. "Tell us why don't you of the attacker?"
"Oh, yes." Qui-Gon had nearly forgotten. "Would you like to take this Xanatos?" Qui-Gon felt like he was giving his old friend the privilege of telling them the big news.
Xanatos frowned, he felt like Qui-Gon was trying to get him to be the one to relay the bad news. "Alright," Xanatos said, "Masters, we have factual proof that the Queen's attacker was a Sith Lord."
"And what facts are you basing this 'factual proof' on, Knight Xanatos?" Ki Adi Mundi asked, he was never one to jump to conclusions.
"Well, as many of you may have heard, Qui-Gon and I encountered this assailant during the battle the other day. We were separated from one another, Qui-Gon continued the fight, however I was trapped behind a lazer wall. Then, out of nowhere, this other madman with a red lightsaber, joins the fight."
"An accomplice to the first attacker?" Adi Gallia asked.
"That's what I thought." Xanatos continued. He now spoke with more confidence realizing the council was not only not angry with this information, but they actually seemed interested in what he had to say. "So as soon as the walls deactivated, I ran in to join the fight. First I took on the Queen's attacker, I easily took care of him with a swift kick, and he fell into the melting pit. But not before he grabbed hold of Qui- Gon's belt."
"He grabbed Qui-Gon's belt?" Ploo Koon asked, wondering how much of this was fabricated.
"His liquid cable launcher to be exact. So the first assailant pulled Qui- gon down by the belt, into the pit, he activated the cable launcher and he and Qui-Gon were just hanging there together for a long time, just hanging on for their lives. So there I was facing the other one. I dealt with him, no problem and then I saved Qui-Gon."
"Uh, Xanatos?" Qui-Gon interrupted. "You didn't save me. You were trapped behind that lazer wall for quite some time."
"Oh, yeah." Xanatos said trying to pretend his story was merely a lapse in memory rather than fictional bragging.
"Maters Windu, Yoda and myself are well aware of what happened during the battle from your briefing yesterday and we will happily relay the tale to the rest of the council later, what we're curious about is the pieces of information you wanted to tell us in person. Namely, who the second assailant who saved Qui-Gon is and how you know the First assailant is a Sith Lord." Ki Adi Mundi said with frustration in his voice, it was time to have the facts.
"We know the Queen's attacker is a Sith Lord because the man who saved me used to work for the Sith. He informed us that this was so. He said he knew the Queen's attacker as 'Darth Maul' the Sith apprentice. So you see we have inside information." Qui-Gon explained.
"How can we trust the word of someone who was in league with the Sith?" Mace asked skeptically.
"I trust him." Qui-Gon said plainly.
"Why?" Mace pressed. "Who is he? One of these random life forms you helped out on a past mission?"
Qui-Gon was silent.
"Who is he?!" Mace demanded.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi." The Queen finally spoke up after remaining quiet for so long.
Mace's eyes were wide as he stared at the girl. "Impossible, he's dead." He said, mostly trying to convince himself.
"No, he's not; you can see him if you'd like." The Queen said defensively, she didn't like when others told her she was wrong, especially when she knew she wasn't.
"Where is he now?" Adi Gallia inquired.
"That's something I'd like to discuss with you." The Queen said, segueing into her own agenda. "He is currently in the Palace prison, despite the fact that he's done no wrong. In fact the only thing he's done is saved Master Jinn's life, and despite that, Knight Xanatos felt that the best place for him was where we send the most hardened criminals."
"The man worked for the Sith, I felt it was best." Xanatos said, in his defense.
"Yet he left them, betrayed them even, and saved the life of one of your own. I understand your reasoning, but he must be released." Amidala said.
"I agree." Qui-Gon, chimed in.
"Thank you Master Jinn." The Queen said with a smile.
"Despite how high I hold each of your opinions, I must say I agree with Xanatos. He should stay in that cell. He's dangerous. He has killed people, or did he forget to tell you about Melida/Daan?" Mace asked the Queen.
"No, Master Windu, he and I discussed that at great length." She said sternly, she also didn't like people talking down to her. "And yes he killed people there, but it was a war. Killing other soldiers in war, is not a crime."
"While you may have a point, I believe he's to dangerous to release." Mace reiterated.
"I will not carry this discussion any further," the Queen said tersely, "He has done no wrong and as the ruler of this planet I will not allow him to remain in captivity. The injustice of the situation is staggering and I can't believe you would support it. I thought Jedi were supposed to stand for justice."
"Very well," Yoda said calmly, "entitled you are to do what you want. Request all we do is a word with him." Yoda had a way of easing tension.
"You can speak with him at the celebration ball this evening." Padme said.
"He'll be attending?" Xanatos asked curiously.
"I invited him already." She answered
"Fine." Mace said rolling his eyes. "We'll speak with him this evening. Is there anything else we should discuss?" He asked.
Everyone shook their heads. They had clearly had enough discussion.
"Then I suggest we get ready for the ball." Mace said and everyone dispersed.
Before leaving, Chancellor Palpatine had a final word on a more personal level with Mace Windu. "Don't worry, Master Windu. I'll make sure my security forces keep a good eye on that Kenobi fellow. I don't trust him either."
"It's good to know someone is on my side." Mace said with half a smile.
"It's always good to know who your friends are, Master Windu. And equally valuable to know your enemies. A man like Kenobi is tricky, you may think he's your friend but he may betray you before long." The Chancellor said.
"You're right." Mace agreed. "True evil would try to disguise itself as good."
"You have no idea how true that is." Palpatine said with a smile. "You have no idea."
"Why's everyone waiting here in the Palace Courtyard?" Anakin asked. Like all children, the boy was ever-curious.
"We are awaiting the arrival of the ship form Coorascant." Qui-Gon explained.
"I thought that's why we were in the hanger yesterday." Anakin observed.
"Yes, but Senator, pardon me, 'Chancellor' Palpatine, has decided to put their arrival in the public eye. He wishes to arrive on the planet as a hero, even though he's done nothing." Xanatos scoffed.
"Keep your opinions to yourself, Xanatos. We are guests of the Naboo. We ought to be polite." Qui-Gon said respectfully.
"Of course," Xanatos straightened, "my apologies."
In a matter of minutes, a dark maroon ship broke through the clouds to a chorus of cheers from the on looking host of Naboo and Gungans. Nute Gunray shuddered. He knew the ship would take him back to Coorascant and take him to his regrettable fate.
The ship landed in their midst, there was a moment of stillness, and then two long lines of Senatorial Blue Guards marched down the ramp in all too perfect straight lines. The crowd roared the whole time.
The cheers became almost deafening when Chancellor Palpatine strode down the ramp. He waved politely at the crowd. He tried to look as though he was embarrassed to be the center of attention but Qui-Gon could see through that. As a Jedi he could always read people. He could tell that the Chancellor was the type of man who loved when people loved him. Qui-Gon sensed this so strongly that he felt the Chancellor was the sort to do anything to make people love or respect him.
Palpatine was followed closely by several Jedi, some Qui-Gon knew well, others he had not seen in a long time. Among the Jedi following was Siri Tachi who gave Xanatos a secretive glance. Xanatos looked at her similarly. Qui-Gon knew what that was all about.
One didn't have to have a Jedi's intuition to realize Siri and Xanatos had feelings for one another. Qui-Gon was well aware of the dangers of romantic attachment but he said nothing to Xanatos. It was not his place. Xanatos was no longer his apprentice. Of course as his friend, Qui-Gon would certainly keep an eye on the situation.
Queen Amidalia headed toward the ship to greet the travelers. Qui-Gon, Xanatos and Anakin followed closely behind. Mid-way to the ship, the Queen stopped briefly to have a word with the leaders of the Trade Federation.
"Now Viceroy," she said with a bit of brashness in her voice, "you must return to the Senate and try to explain your actions."
"I think you can kiss your trade franchise good-bye." Captain Panaka added. As usual, he had something to add.
The two defeated Neimoidians hung their heads in shame as Captain Panaka escorted them to the ship which would transport them on their long journey home. Chancellor Palpatine now stood in front of the Queen.
"Congratulations on your election, Chancellor." She said only half meaning it. A piece of her still didn't fully trust this man.
"Your boldness has saved our people, Your Majesty," The Chancellor said proudly, "it's you who should be congratulated. Together we can bring peace and prosperity to the Republic!" At this the crowd cheered the conversation they were merely overhearing.
Qui-Gon headed over to Mace Windu and Yoda who were at the forefront of the pack of Jedi.
"We must speak with the council in private. We've received some very interesting information about the identity of the Queen's attacker." Qui- Gon said in a whisper to his seniors.
Mace nodded then turned to speak to the Queen. "Is there anywhere we can speak in private?" He asked, respectfully.
"Of course," Chancellor Palpatine jumped in. "why don't we head to the throne room?"
"Alright." Mace said with a bit of surprise in his voice he had not expected Palpatine to want to join their conversation but he figured that there was little they should keep form the Chancellor and he was probably curious about the attacks on the Queen.
The members of the Jedi Council, the Chancellor, the Queen, Governor Bibble, the Queen's hand maidens, Qui-Gon, Xanatos, and Anakin all congregated toward the throne-room.
Once inside, Yoda instructed Qui-Gon to share the information he had.
"Very well," Qui-Gon said, "however I didn't realize we would be discussing these matters in front of the Naboo."
"Please Master Jedi, we don't mean to intrude. Discuss anything you'd like with the council. We merely wish to know who was after me." The Queen said with the innocence of a little girl and yet with the diplomatic maturity of a great leader.
"We are your friends, Master Jedi. I hope you don't think we'd ever use any information discussed here against you. Certainly, the Jedi have nothing to hide." Chancellor Palpatine said with a sickly smile.
"All right," Qui-Gon said with a shrug, "but before we discuss the identity of the Queen's attacker I was curious if the great and wise Jedi Council had reached a decision about the future of Anakin Skywalker? Will I be allowed to train him?" Qui-Gon knew this was his best chance for the Council to grant him permission. They certainly would not want to be drawn into a debate in front of the leaders of the Naboo.
Yoda let out an exasperated sigh. "The time for that this is not, Qui- Gon." He said. "Interested in that the Naboo aren't. Discuss we must the Queen's attacker."
"Of course the Naboo are interested!" Qui-Gon said quickly before they had a chance to speak for themselves, he would not let Yoda sidestep the issue that easily. "Young Anakin here was an intricate part in the planet's victory, nay their survival. He saved not only the lives of many Naboo security guards and pilots but also thousands of Gungans. He is a hero to this planet. I would certainly believe the Naboo would be concerned about the future of one of their heroes." Qui-Gon spoke with such certainty, he half convinced himself. He looked down to see Anakin beaming with pride.
"Alright!" Mace said in a rare outburst. "If you want the answer Master Jinn then you'll have it. It is the feeling of the council that the boy is too old."
Qui-Gon felt his heart sink, he sensed the same in Anakin. The answer's no. The two thought simultaneously.
"However," Windu continued. "We have noted the boys exceptional skills and we have decided to allow you to train him."
A quick, uncontrollable smile broke over the faces of Qui-Gon, Anakin and Padme. All three felt a surge of joy.
"One condition we have, Qui-Gon." Yoda said sternly, trying hard to prevent a celebration. "Train the boy you may, but responsible for him you are."
"Of course." Qui-Gon said, almost offended that they had to state the obvious. "Masters are always responsible for their padawans. That goes without saying." "Don't be naive, old friend." Ki Adi Mundi said, trying to get Qui-Gon to understand.
"Take responsibility for his actions, the council will not. Clean up his messes you will." Yoda finally spit out the obvious.
"I don't know why you felt you had to say that." Qui-Gon said with a supportive hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Anakin will not cause any trouble."
The council glanced at one another. They had heard the same sort of promise before only it was when Qui-Gon pleaded with them to grant Obi-Wan permission to stay at the Temple longer to try and find a master.
"We didn't mean to imply he would be trouble, we merely wanted to make sure you were clear on the stipulations of this arrangement. We apologize if you took our cautiousness as contempt. We think Anakin will be a fine Jedi, otherwise we wouldn't have approved of his training." Mace said in an apologetic tone.
Qui-Gon felt his temper subside. He cocked a half smile, it was rare to hear Mace speak so eloquently and even rarer to hear him use an apologetic tone.
"Of course." Qui-Gon said. "No harm done, and thank you for giving me permission to train Anakin. You won't regret this day."
"Sure I am that we won't. Now, my reasoning do you see for wanting this discussion to postpone?" Yoda said, he knew this little talk had made the Naboo uneasy. "Tell us why don't you of the attacker?"
"Oh, yes." Qui-Gon had nearly forgotten. "Would you like to take this Xanatos?" Qui-Gon felt like he was giving his old friend the privilege of telling them the big news.
Xanatos frowned, he felt like Qui-Gon was trying to get him to be the one to relay the bad news. "Alright," Xanatos said, "Masters, we have factual proof that the Queen's attacker was a Sith Lord."
"And what facts are you basing this 'factual proof' on, Knight Xanatos?" Ki Adi Mundi asked, he was never one to jump to conclusions.
"Well, as many of you may have heard, Qui-Gon and I encountered this assailant during the battle the other day. We were separated from one another, Qui-Gon continued the fight, however I was trapped behind a lazer wall. Then, out of nowhere, this other madman with a red lightsaber, joins the fight."
"An accomplice to the first attacker?" Adi Gallia asked.
"That's what I thought." Xanatos continued. He now spoke with more confidence realizing the council was not only not angry with this information, but they actually seemed interested in what he had to say. "So as soon as the walls deactivated, I ran in to join the fight. First I took on the Queen's attacker, I easily took care of him with a swift kick, and he fell into the melting pit. But not before he grabbed hold of Qui- Gon's belt."
"He grabbed Qui-Gon's belt?" Ploo Koon asked, wondering how much of this was fabricated.
"His liquid cable launcher to be exact. So the first assailant pulled Qui- gon down by the belt, into the pit, he activated the cable launcher and he and Qui-Gon were just hanging there together for a long time, just hanging on for their lives. So there I was facing the other one. I dealt with him, no problem and then I saved Qui-Gon."
"Uh, Xanatos?" Qui-Gon interrupted. "You didn't save me. You were trapped behind that lazer wall for quite some time."
"Oh, yeah." Xanatos said trying to pretend his story was merely a lapse in memory rather than fictional bragging.
"Maters Windu, Yoda and myself are well aware of what happened during the battle from your briefing yesterday and we will happily relay the tale to the rest of the council later, what we're curious about is the pieces of information you wanted to tell us in person. Namely, who the second assailant who saved Qui-Gon is and how you know the First assailant is a Sith Lord." Ki Adi Mundi said with frustration in his voice, it was time to have the facts.
"We know the Queen's attacker is a Sith Lord because the man who saved me used to work for the Sith. He informed us that this was so. He said he knew the Queen's attacker as 'Darth Maul' the Sith apprentice. So you see we have inside information." Qui-Gon explained.
"How can we trust the word of someone who was in league with the Sith?" Mace asked skeptically.
"I trust him." Qui-Gon said plainly.
"Why?" Mace pressed. "Who is he? One of these random life forms you helped out on a past mission?"
Qui-Gon was silent.
"Who is he?!" Mace demanded.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi." The Queen finally spoke up after remaining quiet for so long.
Mace's eyes were wide as he stared at the girl. "Impossible, he's dead." He said, mostly trying to convince himself.
"No, he's not; you can see him if you'd like." The Queen said defensively, she didn't like when others told her she was wrong, especially when she knew she wasn't.
"Where is he now?" Adi Gallia inquired.
"That's something I'd like to discuss with you." The Queen said, segueing into her own agenda. "He is currently in the Palace prison, despite the fact that he's done no wrong. In fact the only thing he's done is saved Master Jinn's life, and despite that, Knight Xanatos felt that the best place for him was where we send the most hardened criminals."
"The man worked for the Sith, I felt it was best." Xanatos said, in his defense.
"Yet he left them, betrayed them even, and saved the life of one of your own. I understand your reasoning, but he must be released." Amidala said.
"I agree." Qui-Gon, chimed in.
"Thank you Master Jinn." The Queen said with a smile.
"Despite how high I hold each of your opinions, I must say I agree with Xanatos. He should stay in that cell. He's dangerous. He has killed people, or did he forget to tell you about Melida/Daan?" Mace asked the Queen.
"No, Master Windu, he and I discussed that at great length." She said sternly, she also didn't like people talking down to her. "And yes he killed people there, but it was a war. Killing other soldiers in war, is not a crime."
"While you may have a point, I believe he's to dangerous to release." Mace reiterated.
"I will not carry this discussion any further," the Queen said tersely, "He has done no wrong and as the ruler of this planet I will not allow him to remain in captivity. The injustice of the situation is staggering and I can't believe you would support it. I thought Jedi were supposed to stand for justice."
"Very well," Yoda said calmly, "entitled you are to do what you want. Request all we do is a word with him." Yoda had a way of easing tension.
"You can speak with him at the celebration ball this evening." Padme said.
"He'll be attending?" Xanatos asked curiously.
"I invited him already." She answered
"Fine." Mace said rolling his eyes. "We'll speak with him this evening. Is there anything else we should discuss?" He asked.
Everyone shook their heads. They had clearly had enough discussion.
"Then I suggest we get ready for the ball." Mace said and everyone dispersed.
Before leaving, Chancellor Palpatine had a final word on a more personal level with Mace Windu. "Don't worry, Master Windu. I'll make sure my security forces keep a good eye on that Kenobi fellow. I don't trust him either."
"It's good to know someone is on my side." Mace said with half a smile.
"It's always good to know who your friends are, Master Windu. And equally valuable to know your enemies. A man like Kenobi is tricky, you may think he's your friend but he may betray you before long." The Chancellor said.
"You're right." Mace agreed. "True evil would try to disguise itself as good."
"You have no idea how true that is." Palpatine said with a smile. "You have no idea."