Chapter 4 A Delicate Position
Early the next afternoon, Kimmy was summoned to the council chambers. She fidgeted nervously while waiting, wondering what this was about. She had already briefed them on the mission the night before.
The doors swished open, and she entered and stood in the middle of the room, hoping her face wasn't reflecting how awkward she felt, especially with Master Windu. If only Jesse had stayed.
"Knight Shan, we have called you here on a delicate matter." Mace Windu got straight to the point.
"Yes, masters?" Kimmy asked, noticing that one chair was vacant, but she didn't say anything. Master Yoda, however, noted her glance.
"Appointed another member this morning, the council did." He said.
Kimmy looked at the little green master, waiting for him to continue.
"Appointed, Anakin Skywalker was."
"Anakin?" Kimmy was shocked. "He's a master now?"
"No, we didn't grant him that rank." Plo Koon answered.
Kimmy thought that was slightly odd, but she tended to avoid stating the obvious and didn't say anything.
"The Supreme Chancellor asked us to appoint him the rank of master and give him a place on the council." Mace Windu took up the litany. "And we have asked him to keep an eye on the Supreme Chancellor."
"That's…" Kimmy stopped herself.
"Treason?" Mace finished for her. "These are dark times; we have to know where everyone stands. But it is a difficult place for a Jedi to be put, so we are assigning you to look after Anakin."
"You mean spy on him?" Kimmy could hardly believe her ears.
"Not quite that level. Be aware of his movements. We need to know that he stays true to the code."
Kimmy nodded, not liking it, but knowing better than to argue. They were council after all, if she couldn't trust their decisions, what could she trust?
"Yes, masters." She said softly, bowing before she left.
Out of the corner of her eye, she snuck a peek at Mace Windu. Was he silently grieving the loss of Jesse too? If only she could tell him that his padawan was still alive and that he hadn't turned to the dark side! Sighing, Kimmy went to find Kitch.
"I need your help." She said.
Kitch spun. "I didn't know you were there."
"Next time use your senses."
"What do you need help with?"
"Just help me keep an eye on Anakin." She said.
"Why?"
"Well…" Kimmy didn't think the council wanted this to be common knowledge. Already she could see the very principles of the Jedi and the Republic crumbling. Lying wouldn't help, but she needed back up. "I'm worried about him." She finally said. "He seems upset about something. Just help me keep an eye on him, will you?"
"Sure." Kitch shrugged. It didn't make much sense, but he figured he could go out on a limb once in a while for his friends.
"Thanks." Kimmy left to find Anakin.
It was night when Jesse landed on Utapau.
All the better. He thought. Grievous could use a surprise. In all honesty though, he didn't really care whether Grievous found out he was nearby. He wouldn't be able to do anything until Jesse chose to attack, and Jesse was an expert at performing the unexpected, disabling any attempt to prepare on Grievous' part. He studied the high cliffs of the planet, trying to decide his next movement.
Using his wrist and boot spikes, he scaled the face of the cliff and snuck into the Separist's headquarters. Grievous' hacking echoed through the rocks.
Jesse fought a grin. That was easy. Today he wouldn't do anything. Today he would just familiarize himself with the various passages and rooms. Tomorrow he would confront Grievous.
Sorry this one's kind of short. The next one should be longer.