########Back at the cabin.#######
Xanatos had gone to bed, but a nagging concern for his former master ate at him until he could no longer lay still. Sleep hadn't come and wouldn't likely until the other two or three Jedi returned. Another nagging problem also stayed with him, his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker.
Xanatos might not admit it to anyone but while he and Jinn hadn't seen eye to eye in a long while he didn't want harm to come to him. If need be, he would protect that said master to insure it didn't.
His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the other problem that hadn't allowed him to sleep, his apprentice.
"Master I thought you went to bed long ago."
"Yes I did, couldn't sleep, though. I came out here to stoke the fire. And do you have a reason for being up so late? All your studies completed and meditation followed through?"
Xanatos had been leaning against the mantle at the end, away from the fire. Now he grabbed a poker from its stand and mimicked doing what he said he came to do.
Anakin rolled his eyes. But only when he could not be seen, after his master leaned over toward the blazing fireplace to stir the embers back to life and pile on another couple of pieces of wood for fuel.
"You know me, I am a whiz with my studies. A little judicial assistance from the force just like you, dear master taught me and as for meditation I completed enough of them."
Anakin wanted to get a real feel for how his master handled his outburst earlier in front of Master Jinn and Knight Vos. Something told him by Xani's curt coldness toward Anakin, Master Crion hadn't approved of his sudden need to blurt out the truth to Qui-Gon, of how he felt about Obi-Wan..
"Hey, are you upset about something? About what I said, I thought of Padawan Kenobi? Surely Master Jinn knows it was said in the heat of the moment."
"Oh Padawan, I think Jinn understands a lot more now.. Possibly more than I understand you, if that's possible."
The innocent look Ani had tried to keep on his face was replaced with an angry glare.
"What, you think Master Jinn will still be angry with me when he returns? I don't think so. He thinks too highly of me."
"Don't be too sure of yourself. Just maybe you think too highly of yourself. Qui-Gon once thought very highly of me, maybe more than any of his apprentices at one time. Well maybe not.. Vos was always important to Qui-Gon until later…... Master just has a way of pushing us too far in some ways. Now with you, it is quite different. You interfered in a sacred thing, a bond between a master and his apprentice. He didn't like that and given more time to think on it he will like it even less."
"Yea, well you *ARE* wrong. I think I can get him…"
"You mean get him back in your hip pocket. No Ani, you won't be able to accomplish that again. Though I will hand it to you, to be able to "hoodwink" Master Jinn just once is quite a feat. Face it, you are stuck with me and if you don't start studying more it will be another knight or master. I have a feeling Master Jinn will cut all attachments with you if he gets Obi-Wan back. I don't plan to put up with your hot shot attitude, especially without Jinn around to take the pressure of training you off my back."
"Is that any way to talk about your own beloved padawan?"
A laugh echoed through the nearly bare cabin that sent chills down Xanatos' spine. It came from his little evil apprentice.
"Well let us just hope he doesn't return with his little brat."
Xanatos walked the short expanse of the room and grabbed Anakin by the collar.
"Listen you. I am going out to look for Quinlan and Master Jinn. I think you better not repeat what you just said. If Jinn heard it, your days as an apprentice would be over. I wouldn't put it past him to see that your force abilities were removed as well. If I hear you say such a thing again about another Jedi, any Jedi, I will personally report you to the council. Have no doubts. You have my word boy, understand?"
Ani was too taken back to say anything. He knew Xanatos meant what he said. He'd never seen the determined fury in his master's ebony eyes before. And he hoped never to evoke it again. Xanatos didn't wait for Anakin's reply he headed for the door to search for Jinn and Quinlan.
"Master may I go with you?"
Why? Think you might run into Obi-Wan? If I or we did I wouldn't allow you to harm the boy. No with the threat of Jinn's wrath ever present."
"Xani I am on your side, remember? I am your padawan you know."
A small smile etched itself on Crion's face. He didn't exactly trust his padawan, wasn't sure if he would ever go that far as to say he trusted him. However what Ani just said would be enough for him, at least for now.
//Maybe he and I can come to an understanding with my master out of the picture. A younger me wouldn't be bad having around at all. If I am this corrupt under Jinn's tutelage just think of how mercilessly conniving Anakin's potential is under my direction could be. The galaxy awaits two like us. //
"O.K. *Padawan, then start acting like it. Now, let's go find your grandmaster and Knight Vos shall we?"
################
"Master Jinn, what brings you here again and such a late hour?"
"We have a couple of questions for you. I see it seems you couldn't sleep either."
Jinn let his eyes make a total sweep of the man before him. Emperor was still dressed in the same items as before. He's hadn't donned his night clothes or it didn't seem so.
//No one would go up and totally dress even his robe had he been in bed,// thought the hulk of a master, Qui-Gon.
"Emperor Tolan watched as Jinn's azure blue eyes made that complete sweeping stare of him from head to toe.
"Oh well yes," Tolan stammered his words out. "I mean I haven't gone to bed yet. I have an important…"
The emperor stalled out again. He wanted to come up with a reason he was up so late.
//This will never work. I have never been quick with making up lies. I should have thought through what I was going to say to the Jedi before I spoke with them.//
"Well.. I ugh.. I have a important briefing with my troops first thing this morning."
//Yes it is today, not yesterday. Oh my how can I do this, without appearing to be a bumbling fool; a bumbling fool that I must already appear to be?
An intimidated-looking Quinlan Vos circled the emperor as if he too was taking in the man's state of dress or, ////Is he trying to decide if I am telling the truth? //
Both Jedi noticed the nervousness in the emperor, watched as he sucked in a deep breath air, but didn't release it for a long time. Yes, he was a nervous. Especially for a man who should have everything under control. He was the ruler and his armed forces to reinforce his leadership. He definitely had no reason to be nervous unless…. //Why so nervous? // thought Jinn. // Unless he has something to hide, my apprentice. //
While the Jedi were making their mental assessment of how nervous the emperor appeared to be, he noted some nervousness on the Jedi's part. Vos continually toyed with the gold hilted *green* saber. Green wasn't really a good way to describe its color. You might say it was a very deep emerald in color; a much deeper, richer green color than his master's. Knight Vos' long fingers would wrap around its handle as if he planned to pull it out, only to suddenly release his grip on it, then would stare back at the emperor.
His stare would then dart to one or more of the emperor's guards as if he expected an attack at any moment. Yes he was definitely being cautious on this visit, maybe overly cautious, guiltily cautious. Was there a reason the Jedi thought they had to be that cautious? Now the emperor had worked himself up to where he almost hyperventilated.
"Well…………. What is it I can help you with?"
It was Tolan's second attempt at broaching the subject of why the Jedi were there again. He knew the reason. However he didn't want to appear to know why…. He knew he should wait for them to explain if they would only do it, thought the ever growing impatient and now scared man.
"We couldn't help but notice you knew a bit more information about the missing Jedi than we gave you. like which one was missing. You knew *which* one it was without Knight Vos or I ever telling you the identity of the lost Jedi."
Tolan laughed. Did his laugh have the same shaky sound as his voice seemed to have to his own ears. He turned so they could not see his face. The emperor had heard somewhere that a Jedi could judge whether you were lying or not just by looking at you. He wouldn't take any chance with these Jedi, especially with the dark lord just above him with threats of his own. The emperor was hemmed in, trapped. He had to watch how he dealt with the Jedi and he knew he couldn't cross Darth Sidious..
"Knew too much? Excuse me please explain as I don't have a clue about what you mean. Like what did I know Master Jinn?"
//Yes that it is it. I shouldn't act like I even know what he is talking about. Let Master Jinn get it out about the boy's name then I can explain. Wouldn't do for me to know why he has returned.//
Emperor Tolan's mind raced as he discussed all this to himself. He wanted to be non-chalant, but his nervousness was evident to both Jedi certainly wouldn't convince them he was calm since he was anything but demure and poised.
Tolan remained with his back to the Jedi for a while longer. He wanted to escape for a moment gather his thoughts and breath; something that had become increasingly difficult since the two Jedi arrived.
"Listen before we discuss this, let me see what is keeping the refreshments shall I?"
Jinn started to object but the emperor just waved him off as he walked toward what Jinn assumed was the kitchens.
While the emperor was gone the bell of the door sounded again and one of the emperor's servants opened it to find two more Jedi, Xanatos and Anakin.
After Tolan was informed that two more Jedi had joined the first two, he waited longer to return. After all, he had double the trouble to think about now.. He hid in the kitchens and watched a couple of his servants prepare tea and a few delicate shortbreads left over from Sidious' massive meal.
####Back with the Jedi#####
"Do you feel it. Any of you?"
The other Jedi looked at Jinn as if he had gone crazy. All of them were force sensitive but none had taken the time to drop their shields to allow the aura around them to have any effect on them. Jinn had because he searched for Obi's force signature. What came up was a force signature of someone evil and close…..
"What do you mean Master? I feel nothing. Do you Vos?"
"Nope, not a thing. I think you are just a little too jumpy tonight Qui-Gon.. We will find Obi I promise now relax a little, loosen up."
"Quit treating me like I have gone insane."
Anakin could only stand there and watch and listen. He fetl something through the force, a signature, but he didn't know it was evil simply because he was accustomed to his own aura which bordered on the dark side anyway.
"Quinlan, try it, reach out. Just once try, you will feel the same thing I do."
Qui-Gon knew he had *NOT* lost touch with reality but trying to convince his other two former apprentices that he was not being a hysterical master, too concerned for his young apprentice was difficult to do.
Vos walked over to Master Jinn just after his statement to him about feeling the evil in the emperor's mansion. He nimbly ran his fingers along and in the hair of the master just at his crown of his head.
Jinn darted back and ducked his head away from Vos' exploring hand.
"Just what are you doing? Have you totally lost your mind?
" I might put that same question to you, Master? No, I haven't lost my mind. I am just checking to see if you have some kind of special antenna on your head that searches out something other than the force allows us to see or feel.. I don't feel any evil, just some kind of disruption in the force. But I certainly couldn't or wouldn't announce it as some evil entity."
Yes, Qui-Gon was definitely being cautious on this visit.
"E.V.I.L. confound it Quinlan Vos. I feel it just as surely as I feel the force of good that resides within me. If you would be more open, you would feel it too, so would you Xanatos."
That made Ani nervous. //If Master Jinn could feel an unknown evil around him, why was he not able to feel my desire to walk on the dark side…….? //
Xanatos looked over at his apprentice. He heard or rather mentally intercepted Ani's thoughts. It surprised the master at first. It was the first time really that he and his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker had made any kind of mental connection.
//Because you hide it so well. You are so good at hiding your *GRAY* shades of the force, for that is all it is right now until I have honed it for you. You are good at deceit. Much better than I or the "entity" Jinn refers too. I feel an abnormal glitch in the force and suspect it is something or someone of the dark force here. I just don't want to admit it and bring us trouble, possibly trouble from the dark side itself. //
Ani looked up sat his master with renewed respect. *Renewed* wouldn't be the best of words to describe his respect. Maybe because Ani had never had any respect for his master until now. They had managed somehow to make a mental connections stronger than ever before and it had happened just then with his thoughts of his own corruptness. //Maybe that is why, my desire to delve in evil clouds the evil one's aura here.//
The four Jedi collectively found seats and waited for the missing Tolan to return. It had taken quite a long time to make tea [ but……
######### upstairs in Tolan's home#########
Sidious sat on the bed and waited for Tolan to return. He wanted to know what happened with the Jedi. Emperor Tolan had sent word that now there was two more Jedi another apprentice and knight there. Sidious had instructed the emperor to follow through with their plan. Sidious sent assurance to the emperor by way of Tolan's servant that it would be four times the fun if he was required to kill all four of them.
Obi-Wan had become a little too combative even though tied up, and Sidious was forced to keep him quiet. A punch to the jaw sufficed; just one punch powered be the force from the dark side and Obi-Wan was out like a light..
As Sidious sat there he too felt a heavy laden feeling around him that alerted him that someone present within Tolan's home was of the dark side or threatened to cross over.
//It could be from only one place, downstairs, where the four Jedi wait for their reluctant host. One of the Jedi has dark potential in him. It would be far easier to snag one who wanted to follow me than the little one over there who plans to fight it all the way. If only I knew which Jedi it was. It would be delicious if Master Jinn had suddenly taken a turn to the dark… Delicious and intriguing indeed….//
PEACE ewen
Well we all know that Qui-Gon is NOT the dark one, Darth Sidious feels. Maybe Jinn could just trade Obi and Anakin, though Sidious would get the short end of the bargain in *some* ways anyway!!!!
Xanatos had gone to bed, but a nagging concern for his former master ate at him until he could no longer lay still. Sleep hadn't come and wouldn't likely until the other two or three Jedi returned. Another nagging problem also stayed with him, his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker.
Xanatos might not admit it to anyone but while he and Jinn hadn't seen eye to eye in a long while he didn't want harm to come to him. If need be, he would protect that said master to insure it didn't.
His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the other problem that hadn't allowed him to sleep, his apprentice.
"Master I thought you went to bed long ago."
"Yes I did, couldn't sleep, though. I came out here to stoke the fire. And do you have a reason for being up so late? All your studies completed and meditation followed through?"
Xanatos had been leaning against the mantle at the end, away from the fire. Now he grabbed a poker from its stand and mimicked doing what he said he came to do.
Anakin rolled his eyes. But only when he could not be seen, after his master leaned over toward the blazing fireplace to stir the embers back to life and pile on another couple of pieces of wood for fuel.
"You know me, I am a whiz with my studies. A little judicial assistance from the force just like you, dear master taught me and as for meditation I completed enough of them."
Anakin wanted to get a real feel for how his master handled his outburst earlier in front of Master Jinn and Knight Vos. Something told him by Xani's curt coldness toward Anakin, Master Crion hadn't approved of his sudden need to blurt out the truth to Qui-Gon, of how he felt about Obi-Wan..
"Hey, are you upset about something? About what I said, I thought of Padawan Kenobi? Surely Master Jinn knows it was said in the heat of the moment."
"Oh Padawan, I think Jinn understands a lot more now.. Possibly more than I understand you, if that's possible."
The innocent look Ani had tried to keep on his face was replaced with an angry glare.
"What, you think Master Jinn will still be angry with me when he returns? I don't think so. He thinks too highly of me."
"Don't be too sure of yourself. Just maybe you think too highly of yourself. Qui-Gon once thought very highly of me, maybe more than any of his apprentices at one time. Well maybe not.. Vos was always important to Qui-Gon until later…... Master just has a way of pushing us too far in some ways. Now with you, it is quite different. You interfered in a sacred thing, a bond between a master and his apprentice. He didn't like that and given more time to think on it he will like it even less."
"Yea, well you *ARE* wrong. I think I can get him…"
"You mean get him back in your hip pocket. No Ani, you won't be able to accomplish that again. Though I will hand it to you, to be able to "hoodwink" Master Jinn just once is quite a feat. Face it, you are stuck with me and if you don't start studying more it will be another knight or master. I have a feeling Master Jinn will cut all attachments with you if he gets Obi-Wan back. I don't plan to put up with your hot shot attitude, especially without Jinn around to take the pressure of training you off my back."
"Is that any way to talk about your own beloved padawan?"
A laugh echoed through the nearly bare cabin that sent chills down Xanatos' spine. It came from his little evil apprentice.
"Well let us just hope he doesn't return with his little brat."
Xanatos walked the short expanse of the room and grabbed Anakin by the collar.
"Listen you. I am going out to look for Quinlan and Master Jinn. I think you better not repeat what you just said. If Jinn heard it, your days as an apprentice would be over. I wouldn't put it past him to see that your force abilities were removed as well. If I hear you say such a thing again about another Jedi, any Jedi, I will personally report you to the council. Have no doubts. You have my word boy, understand?"
Ani was too taken back to say anything. He knew Xanatos meant what he said. He'd never seen the determined fury in his master's ebony eyes before. And he hoped never to evoke it again. Xanatos didn't wait for Anakin's reply he headed for the door to search for Jinn and Quinlan.
"Master may I go with you?"
Why? Think you might run into Obi-Wan? If I or we did I wouldn't allow you to harm the boy. No with the threat of Jinn's wrath ever present."
"Xani I am on your side, remember? I am your padawan you know."
A small smile etched itself on Crion's face. He didn't exactly trust his padawan, wasn't sure if he would ever go that far as to say he trusted him. However what Ani just said would be enough for him, at least for now.
//Maybe he and I can come to an understanding with my master out of the picture. A younger me wouldn't be bad having around at all. If I am this corrupt under Jinn's tutelage just think of how mercilessly conniving Anakin's potential is under my direction could be. The galaxy awaits two like us. //
"O.K. *Padawan, then start acting like it. Now, let's go find your grandmaster and Knight Vos shall we?"
################
"Master Jinn, what brings you here again and such a late hour?"
"We have a couple of questions for you. I see it seems you couldn't sleep either."
Jinn let his eyes make a total sweep of the man before him. Emperor was still dressed in the same items as before. He's hadn't donned his night clothes or it didn't seem so.
//No one would go up and totally dress even his robe had he been in bed,// thought the hulk of a master, Qui-Gon.
"Emperor Tolan watched as Jinn's azure blue eyes made that complete sweeping stare of him from head to toe.
"Oh well yes," Tolan stammered his words out. "I mean I haven't gone to bed yet. I have an important…"
The emperor stalled out again. He wanted to come up with a reason he was up so late.
//This will never work. I have never been quick with making up lies. I should have thought through what I was going to say to the Jedi before I spoke with them.//
"Well.. I ugh.. I have a important briefing with my troops first thing this morning."
//Yes it is today, not yesterday. Oh my how can I do this, without appearing to be a bumbling fool; a bumbling fool that I must already appear to be?
An intimidated-looking Quinlan Vos circled the emperor as if he too was taking in the man's state of dress or, ////Is he trying to decide if I am telling the truth? //
Both Jedi noticed the nervousness in the emperor, watched as he sucked in a deep breath air, but didn't release it for a long time. Yes, he was a nervous. Especially for a man who should have everything under control. He was the ruler and his armed forces to reinforce his leadership. He definitely had no reason to be nervous unless…. //Why so nervous? // thought Jinn. // Unless he has something to hide, my apprentice. //
While the Jedi were making their mental assessment of how nervous the emperor appeared to be, he noted some nervousness on the Jedi's part. Vos continually toyed with the gold hilted *green* saber. Green wasn't really a good way to describe its color. You might say it was a very deep emerald in color; a much deeper, richer green color than his master's. Knight Vos' long fingers would wrap around its handle as if he planned to pull it out, only to suddenly release his grip on it, then would stare back at the emperor.
His stare would then dart to one or more of the emperor's guards as if he expected an attack at any moment. Yes he was definitely being cautious on this visit, maybe overly cautious, guiltily cautious. Was there a reason the Jedi thought they had to be that cautious? Now the emperor had worked himself up to where he almost hyperventilated.
"Well…………. What is it I can help you with?"
It was Tolan's second attempt at broaching the subject of why the Jedi were there again. He knew the reason. However he didn't want to appear to know why…. He knew he should wait for them to explain if they would only do it, thought the ever growing impatient and now scared man.
"We couldn't help but notice you knew a bit more information about the missing Jedi than we gave you. like which one was missing. You knew *which* one it was without Knight Vos or I ever telling you the identity of the lost Jedi."
Tolan laughed. Did his laugh have the same shaky sound as his voice seemed to have to his own ears. He turned so they could not see his face. The emperor had heard somewhere that a Jedi could judge whether you were lying or not just by looking at you. He wouldn't take any chance with these Jedi, especially with the dark lord just above him with threats of his own. The emperor was hemmed in, trapped. He had to watch how he dealt with the Jedi and he knew he couldn't cross Darth Sidious..
"Knew too much? Excuse me please explain as I don't have a clue about what you mean. Like what did I know Master Jinn?"
//Yes that it is it. I shouldn't act like I even know what he is talking about. Let Master Jinn get it out about the boy's name then I can explain. Wouldn't do for me to know why he has returned.//
Emperor Tolan's mind raced as he discussed all this to himself. He wanted to be non-chalant, but his nervousness was evident to both Jedi certainly wouldn't convince them he was calm since he was anything but demure and poised.
Tolan remained with his back to the Jedi for a while longer. He wanted to escape for a moment gather his thoughts and breath; something that had become increasingly difficult since the two Jedi arrived.
"Listen before we discuss this, let me see what is keeping the refreshments shall I?"
Jinn started to object but the emperor just waved him off as he walked toward what Jinn assumed was the kitchens.
While the emperor was gone the bell of the door sounded again and one of the emperor's servants opened it to find two more Jedi, Xanatos and Anakin.
After Tolan was informed that two more Jedi had joined the first two, he waited longer to return. After all, he had double the trouble to think about now.. He hid in the kitchens and watched a couple of his servants prepare tea and a few delicate shortbreads left over from Sidious' massive meal.
####Back with the Jedi#####
"Do you feel it. Any of you?"
The other Jedi looked at Jinn as if he had gone crazy. All of them were force sensitive but none had taken the time to drop their shields to allow the aura around them to have any effect on them. Jinn had because he searched for Obi's force signature. What came up was a force signature of someone evil and close…..
"What do you mean Master? I feel nothing. Do you Vos?"
"Nope, not a thing. I think you are just a little too jumpy tonight Qui-Gon.. We will find Obi I promise now relax a little, loosen up."
"Quit treating me like I have gone insane."
Anakin could only stand there and watch and listen. He fetl something through the force, a signature, but he didn't know it was evil simply because he was accustomed to his own aura which bordered on the dark side anyway.
"Quinlan, try it, reach out. Just once try, you will feel the same thing I do."
Qui-Gon knew he had *NOT* lost touch with reality but trying to convince his other two former apprentices that he was not being a hysterical master, too concerned for his young apprentice was difficult to do.
Vos walked over to Master Jinn just after his statement to him about feeling the evil in the emperor's mansion. He nimbly ran his fingers along and in the hair of the master just at his crown of his head.
Jinn darted back and ducked his head away from Vos' exploring hand.
"Just what are you doing? Have you totally lost your mind?
" I might put that same question to you, Master? No, I haven't lost my mind. I am just checking to see if you have some kind of special antenna on your head that searches out something other than the force allows us to see or feel.. I don't feel any evil, just some kind of disruption in the force. But I certainly couldn't or wouldn't announce it as some evil entity."
Yes, Qui-Gon was definitely being cautious on this visit.
"E.V.I.L. confound it Quinlan Vos. I feel it just as surely as I feel the force of good that resides within me. If you would be more open, you would feel it too, so would you Xanatos."
That made Ani nervous. //If Master Jinn could feel an unknown evil around him, why was he not able to feel my desire to walk on the dark side…….? //
Xanatos looked over at his apprentice. He heard or rather mentally intercepted Ani's thoughts. It surprised the master at first. It was the first time really that he and his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker had made any kind of mental connection.
//Because you hide it so well. You are so good at hiding your *GRAY* shades of the force, for that is all it is right now until I have honed it for you. You are good at deceit. Much better than I or the "entity" Jinn refers too. I feel an abnormal glitch in the force and suspect it is something or someone of the dark force here. I just don't want to admit it and bring us trouble, possibly trouble from the dark side itself. //
Ani looked up sat his master with renewed respect. *Renewed* wouldn't be the best of words to describe his respect. Maybe because Ani had never had any respect for his master until now. They had managed somehow to make a mental connections stronger than ever before and it had happened just then with his thoughts of his own corruptness. //Maybe that is why, my desire to delve in evil clouds the evil one's aura here.//
The four Jedi collectively found seats and waited for the missing Tolan to return. It had taken quite a long time to make tea [ but……
######### upstairs in Tolan's home#########
Sidious sat on the bed and waited for Tolan to return. He wanted to know what happened with the Jedi. Emperor Tolan had sent word that now there was two more Jedi another apprentice and knight there. Sidious had instructed the emperor to follow through with their plan. Sidious sent assurance to the emperor by way of Tolan's servant that it would be four times the fun if he was required to kill all four of them.
Obi-Wan had become a little too combative even though tied up, and Sidious was forced to keep him quiet. A punch to the jaw sufficed; just one punch powered be the force from the dark side and Obi-Wan was out like a light..
As Sidious sat there he too felt a heavy laden feeling around him that alerted him that someone present within Tolan's home was of the dark side or threatened to cross over.
//It could be from only one place, downstairs, where the four Jedi wait for their reluctant host. One of the Jedi has dark potential in him. It would be far easier to snag one who wanted to follow me than the little one over there who plans to fight it all the way. If only I knew which Jedi it was. It would be delicious if Master Jinn had suddenly taken a turn to the dark… Delicious and intriguing indeed….//
PEACE ewen
Well we all know that Qui-Gon is NOT the dark one, Darth Sidious feels. Maybe Jinn could just trade Obi and Anakin, though Sidious would get the short end of the bargain in *some* ways anyway!!!!