12
The Jedi Council was once again convened, and the chamber was filled with the presences of many legendary Jedi Masters. Through the window, the sun had faded in a golden array of colors splashing across the marble floor.
Anakin ran his hands across the arm rests of his chair, admiring his recently acquired seat on the Council. He had coveted this position for so long that, when it came to pass, it didn't even seem real. His life was at peace for once, and he was happy. It had been so long since he had felt this happy. A contentment that was only known while staring into Padme's deep eyes.
Around him, the Council stirred. All the members had taken their seats, but one being stood in the back, a face well known to him. It was Eros Derjinn, Jedi Knight. The man hadn't been much older than Anakin. This thought made Anakin enjoy his position on the Council even more. As he watched the man, Eros' eyes met his. When Anakin thought he'd get a nod or a smile, he was sorely mistaken. The only thing that came from the shadows of the Council chambers was a look of disgust. The man is obviously jealous of my position, Anakin thought.
In truth, that wasn't the reason. It may have been one in a river of reasons, but the true reason was withheld from the entire Jedi Order. Eros Derjinn lurked within the Jedi, a specter of evil unseen. Anakin got a sick feeling when he looked at him, but immediately pushed it away as simple anger at the man's show of disrespect. What he didn't know was that Eros was the embodiment of all that he had fought against, and strove to resist.
"This session," Mace Windu began, instantly silencing the chatting members. "Has been convened on the topic of the return of the missing Jedi, Eros Derjinn."
The Jedi known as Eros stepped forth, coming to a stop in the center of the Council. He felt eyes upon him, but they suspected nothing.
"Please, Eros, give us a synopsis of what happened," Windu spoke.
Eros stood silent for a few moments, feigning distress at the thought of retelling his horrific story. "I was assigned to quell a small band of Separatist troops on Kal' Shebbol at the far end of the outer rim. In space, I was ambushed by two squads of tri-fighters. I wasn't even half way. My ship, barely surviving the brunt of the attack, fell from orbit around the Planet of Bestine. I was forced to make an emergency landing in the canyons of the planet. I stayed in hiding for some time within the small culverts and caverns, hoping that any unfriendly forces would suspect me dead. From there I used my remaining credits to purchase a small craft to travel home."
As he finished his tale, his outward appearence showed distress, but within, he was laughing. The Jedi were believing this!
"And the scar across your cheek?" Plo Koon asked calmly.
Eros froze. He calculated the time he had been gone, hoping thatit would be sufficient to concludethe scarwas a result of his crash. It was cutting close. "A result of my crash landing, Master."
In truth, he was waylaid by Sidious in space, and taken to Mustafar where he was seduced by continuous mental torture. No one would know that.
Mace Windu nodded, ending Eros' moment at the center of the Council, and moved on. "There have been no sightings of Sidious recently, which means that he's most likely keeping a low profile, staying put."
"Hiding on Mustafar," Saesse Tiin spoke. "The last sighting was above that Planet."
"Confirmed those sightings are not," Yoda interjected, gnawing on his cane. "Wait we must."
Eros stared at the small whill, but deep within, he was grinning wildly. We will have to make the first move. The Council isn't going to budge unless something draws them out.
Anakin sat silently on the carved marble in the doorway of the Senate Chambers. He watched as Mas Amedda began to tally the final votes for the new Supreme Chancellor, and he didn't look happy about it. Anakin scoured the Chagarin's mind, picking through the corrupt debris that lay within. This man wasn't evil, but he certainly couldn't be trusted. He was one of the few that helped Palpatine get elected.
As the votes were finalized, he began to speak. "Order! We will have Order!" The list of nominees sat behind him in the central podium floor. Padme was among the select few. "As it stands, at a final, and overwhelming vote, Senator Amidala from Naboo is our new Supreme Chancellor." Mas Amedda looked sick. "This is history in the making. The moment when the Galaxy returns to order. Peace is slowly but surely returning to all our nations, and the Separatist have slowly been driven back. We present to you, your Supreme Chancellor of the Republic."
Anakin smiled. He felt through the force that it would come to this.
Padme took Amedda's place at the helm of the Senate. She waited silently for the celebrating to die down. "My fellow delegates. I, for one, am honored to be able to represent our Universe as a whole. We are becoming one community. With our hard work, the Universe is converging into a state of peace. But, before I take command of this Universe, I must set things right. I am not a righteous person by nature, but I do believe honesty is necessaryour profession. Corruption will be no more! I respectfully move to replace our chair, Mas Amedda."
The blue pigment in the Chagarin's skin almost disappeared.
"At our next session, we will vote on whether to elect another Chair or not. I also move to reinforce the security of our Senate. Anyone suspected of corruption in any way will be investigated." The power in her voice boomed from the catacombs in the chambers. Anakin grinned. The sound of her speaking brought back memories of her before he became a Jedi. He couldn't have loved her more.
Judging by the sound of the unruly Senate, they agreed with Chancellor Amidala's movement. The face of the Chagarin was one of complete mortification. His entire career was coming to an end.Mas Amedda stood and threw his hands into the air.
"We will have order!" As he spoke, the power in his voice had almost disappeared. He could only hang his head in dispair as the session came to a screeching close.