Chapter 5

Anakin walked into the Chancellors office. Palpatine sat behind his desk as Anakin bowed in greeting. "Chancellor, we have just received a report from Master Kenobi. He has engaged General Grievous."

"We can only hope that Master Kenobi is up to the challenge." Palpatine said as Anakin stood quiet. "It is upsetting to me to see that the Council doesn't seem to fully appreciate your talents." Anakin made little comment, but allowed the Chancellor to continue to talk. "They don't trust you, Anakin. They see your future. They know your power will be too strong to control. Anakin, you must break through the fog of lies the Jedi have created around you. Let me help you to know the subtleties of the Force." Sith, he's a Sith! He's the Master we've been looking for. Breath Anakin, play it cool.

"How do you know the ways of the Force?" Anakin asked.

"My mentor taught me everything about the Force . . . even the nature of the dark side." Anakin stopped in supposed shock, Keep talking you pig, let me get my evidence!

"You know the dark side?" Anakin actually sounded very convincing.

"Anakin, if one is to understand the great mystery, one must study all its aspects, not just the dogmatic, narrow view of the Jedi. If you wish to become a complete and wise leader, you must embrace a larger view of the Force. Be careful of the Jedi, Anakin. They fear you. In time they will destroy you. Let me train you." I don't think so!

"I won't be a pawn in your political game. The Jedi are my family." More than you ever were!

"Only through me can you achieve a power greater than any Jedi. Learn to know the dark side of the Force, Anakin, and you will be able to save your wife from certain death." My wife is doomed to die, you cannot change that! Why bring her into this!

But Anakin continued to play along "What did you say?"

"Use my knowledge, I beg you . . ." Palpatine actually sounded kind of desperate.

"You're a Sith Lord!" No! Never! Anakin said to him self sarcastically. Anakin ignited his light sabre.

"I know what has been troubling you . . . Listen to me. Don't continue to be a pawn of the Jedi Council! Ever since I've known you, you've been searching for a life greater than that of an ordinary Jedi . . . a life of significance, of conscience."

"You're wrong!" I have what I have always wanted.

"Are you going to kill me?"

"I would certainly like to," but the Force was whispering to him, it's not time, you're not ready. Tell the Council!

"I know you would. I can feel your anger. It gives you focus, makes you stronger." Anakin smiled, he raised his light sabre in threat, but then turned it off.

"You have never been my friend Palpatine, from the beginning I knew you wanted to use me. The Jedi are my family, my loyalties have always been to them. Now I am going to turn you over to them. They will decide your fate." Anakin turned and walked away.

"I am not going anywhere. You have time to decide my fate. Perhaps you'll reconsider and help me rule the galaxy for the good of all . . ." Palpatine said, sitting behind his desk as Anakin left without a backward glance.

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Obi Wan gave the lizard a swift kick with his heels forcing him down the cliff towards Grevious. A shuttle was waiting and Obi Wan managed to drop on top of the ship with his lizard. Grevious spun his scooter around and Obi Wan followed. The people of Utapau were cowering as the battle between the droids and clones continued. Obi Wan and Grevious raced through the city at high speed. Coming to the edge, Grevious dropped over the side to a nearby group of windmills. With his claws he grabbed in. Obi Wan and his lizard only just made the jump. They enter a tunnel system where Obi Wan managed to catch up to Grevious and make a grab for hid staff. He jumped off his lizard and onto the scooter, knocking both warriors to the ground. Grevious pulled out a laser gun and started firing, Obi Wan used the staff to block the bolts. He charged at the droid, hitting it in the stomach and knocking the gun away. Grevious, his hand warped by the Force, pulls Obi Wan close and knocks the staff out of the way. They started going at it hand to hand. Obi Wan struggled to avoid the deadly blows from the unstoppable droid.

Seeing the plating lose, Obi Wan pulled the stomach plate off, revealing the alien life form encased within. Grevious grabbed Obi Wan and hoisted him over his head and tossed him across the platform. Obi Wan dangled on the edge, clutching the rim. Grevious grabbed the staff and stalked towards Obi Wan. Obi Wan meanwhile used the Force to retrieve the pistol. With several blasts to the middle, Grevious blew up and the smoking droid fell to the ground. Obi Wan moved over to the carcass. "So uncivilized . . ." he brushed himself off and threw the pistol to the platform. He picked up the electro staff and, jumping onto Boga, took off down the tunnel system.

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Mace, Agen, Kit Fisto and Master Tiin were preparing to board a Jedi gunship to the Chancellors office when Anakin entered, running at full pelt. "Master Windu, I must talk to you."

"What is it, Anakin? We are in a hurry. We have just received word that Obi-Wan has destroyed General Grievous. We are on our way to make sure the Chancellor returns emergency powers back to the Senate." Mace asked impatiently.

"He won't give up his power. I've just learned a terrible truth. I can't believe I didn't see it before, it was all there. Chancellor Palpatine is a Sith Lord," Anakin said. His words carried the feeling of truth on them.

"A Sith Lord?" Mace asked incredulously.

"Yes. The one we have been looking for, the Master," Anakin said.

"How do you know this?"

"He knows the ways of the Force. He has been trained to use the dark side. He talked of past Sith Lords and their knowledge, things I haven't been able to find in the Library."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. He's been trying to turn me, that's why he has been so chummy, and so interested in me."

"Then our worst fears have been realized. We must move quickly if the Jedi Order is to survive."

"Master, the Chancellor is very powerful. You will need my help if you are going to arrest him."

"For your own good, stay out of this affair. If he has been trying to turn you then it would be best if you stayed out of this whole thing."

"Yes, Master." Anakin acquiesced.

"Wait for us in the Council Chamber until we return." Mace said, boarding the ship.

"Yes, Master." Anakin watched as the Jedi left in their ship before turning round to go to the Council chamber.

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Padme sat alone in her darkening apartment thinking of Anakin and his struggles as Anakin sat alone in the Council rooms. If I go now I will be killed, but I might be able to take Palpatine with me? But then who would be here to protect the little ones? What about Padme?

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