"Sorry for the inconvenience, we are, Chancellor," the hologram said. "But currently preoccupied with other Council business, Jedi Skywalker is." The little green alien leaned forward slightly and looked up towards the recipient. "Perhaps another Jedi, or a Master, could be of assistance to you," he said unblinkingly.
Palpatine scowled at the ancient Jedi Master. "Master Yoda, I might remind you that the point of choosing Skywalker was because he has not already been subjected to the Council's influence. The Senate has requested that we avoid conflicts of interest in the selection of a Representative."
Master Yoda was unmoved by Palpatine's withering glare. "At a later date, then, serve you Skywalker can. But thousands of other Jedi, there are to serve you." His tone was helpful, but Palpatine saw right through the charade. Yoda was in no way sorry for the inconvenience.
"Please notify me when Jedi Skywalker becomes available," Palpatine replied, and then cut off the communication.
Palpatine knew he had been abrupt. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Now, so close to his goal, he could not afford to lose his patience. His carefully orchestrated plan depended on one factor: Anakin Skywalker.
It was not so much that Palpatine had a particular fondness for Anakin. Oh, he had maintained a seemingly close relationship with the young man for more than a decade, acting as his mentor. The plain and simple truth was that Palpatine cared for no one other than himself. But the rule of the Sith was that there were always two: a Master and an Apprentice. And no apprentice of his had so far managed to survive Skywalker or his meddling Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. There was no point in having an apprentice that could be defeated by someone other than himself.
Anakin was unquestionably the most powerful Jedi in existence. Therefore, it only made sense that Palpatine had no choice other than to pursue the young Jedi Knight. Pursue him, seduce him, and then bend him to his will.
Palpatine knew he was powerful, but no one could defeat Skywalker when it came to the Force. But Palpatine was a master of sedition, of control. That was exactly what he would have to do to Anakin: control him. If he had control of Skywalker's mind, he did not need to be more powerful than him. Palpatine would rule the galaxy, and Skywalker would prevent anyone or anything from taking away Palpatine's power.
But where was he? Oh yes, patience. Only patience had gotten him this far. If there was one lesson that he took from the weak-minded Jedi Knights, it was the value of patience. His plan had been developing for nearly two decades now, and each step required painstaking and careful planning. Only a master architect could have orchestrated his grand masterpiece, but patience was required to execute it perfectly.
But he could not shaking the nagging feeling in the dark corners of his black mind that something had changed, and that the plan might need to be altered. He had not seen this particular stumbling block, and it disturbed him that something had apparently gone unnoticed. Nothing escaped the notice of Darth Sidious.
The game had changed, and so the plan must change as well. He knew full well that Anakin did not have any official assignment, so something must have come up. Perhaps it was time to have a talk with his future apprentice.
Fortunately, he knew just where to reach him.
