Dreams of the Future
Chapter 2: Shaken Trust
Coruscant: Galaxies Opera House…
Anakin landed his speeder and ran up the stairs of the Galaxy Opera House.
"You wanted to see me Chancellor".
"Yes Anakin! Come closer, I have good news. Our clone intelligence units have discovered the location of General Grevious. He is hiding in the Utapau system."
"At last! We'll be able to capture this monster and end this war".
"I would worry about the collective wisdom of the Jedi council if they did not pick you for this assignment. You are the best choice by far, but we can't always trust the Jedi council to do the right thing."
Anakin sighed, "They try".
"Sit down", Palpatine turned to his aides, "Leave us. Anakin, you know that I am not able to rely on the Jedi council. If they haven't included you in this plot, they soon will."
"I'm not sure that I understand."
"You must sense what I come to suspect, the Jedi council want control of the republic…there planning to betray me."
"I don't think…"
"Anakin, search your feelings…you know don't you?"
Anakin searched for words, "I know…I know that they don't exactly trust you."
"Or the senate…or the republic…or democracy for that matter" Palpatine said in a false cheery voice.
"I have to admit…my trust in them has been shaken."
"Why? They asked you to do something that made you feel dishonest didn't they?"
Anakin looked down.
"They asked you to spy on me, didn't they?"
"I…I don't know what to say…"
"Remember back to your early teachings Anakin, all those who gain power are afraid to lose it, even the Jedi."
"The Jedi use their power for good."
"Good is a point of view Anakin, and the Jedi's point of view is not the only valid one. The Dark Lords of the Sith believe in security and justice also, yet they are considered by they Jedi to be…"
"Evil" Anakin stated firmly.
"From a Jedi's point of view. The Sith and the Jedi are similar in almost every single way, including their quest for greater power. The difference between the two is that the Sith are not afraid of the dark side of the force, that is why they are more powerful."
"The Sith rely on their passion for strength, they think inwards, only about themselves."
"And the Jedi don't?"
"The Jedi are selfless, they only think about others".
Palpatine smiled, "Or so you've been trained to believe, why is it then that they have asked you to do something that you feel is wrong?"
"I'm not sure it is wrong…"
"Have they asked you to betray the Jedi code, a Constitution, a Friendship, your own values? Think, consider the Jedi's motives, clear your mind of assumptions. The fear of losing power is a weakness of both the Sith and the Jedi."
Anakin was deep in thought.
"Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the wise?"
"No"
"I thought not, it's a Sith legend. Darth Plagueis was a dark lord of the Sith, so powerful and so wise that he could use the force to influence the midi-chloreans that create life…He had such a knowledge of the dark force, that he could stop the ones he loved from dyeing."
"He could actually save people from dyeing?"
"The dark side is a pathway to many abilities, some considered to be unnatural."
"What happened to him?"
Palpatine smiled, "He became so powerful…the only thing he was afraid of was losing his power, which eventually he did. Unfortunately he taught his apprentice everything he knew, and his apprentice killed him in his sleep." Palpatine smiled, "It's ironic he could save others from death, but not himself."
Anakin was deep in thought again, "Is it possible to learn this power?"
"Not from a Jedi".
Anakin ran down the ramp to see Obi-Wan off on his mission to capture General Grevious on Utapau.
"Master!" Anakin shouted.
Obi-Wan turned around and walked towards Anakin.
"Master I'm sorry, I've disappointed you, I have not been very appreciative of your training…I have been arrogant and I apologize. I've just been so frusturated with the council. But your friendship means everything to me."
"You are strong and wise Anakin, and I am very proud of you. I have trained you since you were a small boy. I have taught you everything I know. And you have become a far greater Jedi than I could ever hope to be, and you have saved my life more times than I can remember. But be patient, Anakin. It won't be long before the Council makes you a Jedi Master." Obi-wan turned around and made his way down ramp but turned around again. "Don't worry Anakin, I have enough clones with me to take three systems the size of Utapau, I think I will be able to handle it…even without your help".
Anakin smiled, "Well there's always a first time".
Obi-wan laughed.
"Obi-wan, may the force be with you."
"May the force be with you old friend" Obi-wan made his way down the ramp towards the republic cruiser and Anakin watched him depart.
That night…
Two figures circled eachother, each with a blue lightsaber in there hands. There was a figure laying on the ground not far from them.
"You turned her against me!" One of the figures shouted at the other, he was covered in a black cloak.
"You have done that yourself!" The other figure replied, dressed in a brown cloak.
"I will not let you take her from me!"
The brown cloaked figure threw off his clock, "Your anger and lust for power have already done that. You have allowed this dark lord to twist your mind…until now…you have become the very thing you swore to destroy!"
"Don't lecture me! I see through the lies of the Jedi! I do not fear the Dark side as you do. I have brought peace, justice and freedom to my new empire.
"Your new empire?"
"Don't make me kill you"
"My allegiance is to the republic…TO DEMOCRACY!"
"If you are not with me, then you are my enemy."
"Only Sith lords deal in absolutes, I will do what I must" He took out his lightsaber.
"You will try!" the Black cloaked figure shrieked.
Anakin sat up. "What the hell? What was that all about?" Anakin had never been more confused. Careful when sensing the future you must be Anakin he recalled Yoda saying.
"The future? Could it be the future? Who were those two people, and who was "her"?" Well he knew that one was a Sith lord. That's what the other figure had said. But both of the figures voices sounded familiar to Anakin… Anakin sighed. He needed to talk to Yoda, but Yoda was with the Wookies and Obi-Wan was in Utapau…His dreams would just have to wait. Anakin sighed again and went back to sleep.