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Chapter IV – Revealed and Unleashed

Anakin reached the doors of the Jedi Council room and paused.

"Anakin?" Obi wan spoke softly.

"Yes, Master" Anakin answered solemnly.

"Why do you hesitate?"

"I just wanted you to know" He looked over his shoulder at Obi wan. "What I say in there may come at a surprise to you. Please don't think I couldn't trust you with what's been happening. You are like a brother to me."

"I feel the same way about you too, Anakin." Obi wan placed his hand on his shoulder and offered a smile.

"I didn't want to put you in a position that would make things difficult for you."

"Anakin, no matter what happens I will always be there for you." Obi wan was worried for Anakin.

Anakin turned and pushed open the doors.

Padme stepped through the doors of her quarters and slowly made her way to the window facing the east and the full moon. She looked out at the city which seemed to continue on for miles and fade in to the ends of the world. She was tired. She removed her gown and put on an old tunic and pants that had belonged to Anakin before he out grew them. Obi wan had given them to her. She wanted to speak to Anakin as soon as he returned to her. She sat down in an easy chair that stood by the window. She removed the clips and let her beautiful brown hair fall down her back. She sighed looking at the clips in one hand as shook her hair out of the hairstyle it was in. Padme remembered at that moment that these clips were a gift from Sabe. She closely examined them in her hands. Just as quick as her memories of Sabe came, her tears went down her cheeks. She cried for Sabe. She cried for the stress Anakin was under. She cried for what Anakin was going to do. She cried her unborn baby and she cried for herself.

The rotunda of council room was filled with a semi circle of modest chairs. The large windows bore magnificent views of Coruscant at night. Some of the seats were empty, most of them were filled. Two of them were filled with holograms of Yoda and Ki Adi Mundi. The Outer Rim sieges still required the assistance of the Jedi knights in leading the clone army against the Separatist droid armies. Those who could attend appeared in hologram form. Obi-wan stood next to Anakin and awaited the questions.

"Skywalker," began Mace, "we have known for quite some time now that you and Palpatine were friends. However due to the events that occurred this evening, we want to know what exactly was the relationship between you."

Anakin looked in Mace's eyes "We were just friends. That's all."

"I see." Mace was unmoved, "You said in the altercation earlier today, that you needed him. What did you need him for?"

Anakin paused, remembering that this was his last chance to change his mind and keep the status quo. But he remembered Padme and his limited options. "I wanted him to tell me how to keep someone from dying" He said swallowing.

Mace Windu blinked, "That is a power that only a sith would use. The Jedi do not believe in unnaturally manipulating life or death. Surely you know this?"

"I didn't care. I wanted to save –" Anakin stopped, reminding himself of what he was giving up and what he was about to do. However he stopped caring about the consequences a long time ago. He had to keep her safe. "I wanted to save Pame from dying."

The Jedi looked around at each other and back at Anakin. Ki Adi Mundi spoke "Senator Amidala of the Naboo System?"

"Yes. I'm in love with her…she is my wife" Anakin swallowed at the thought of losing his wife during childbirth, "and she's having my baby."

Obi wan looked at Anakin. The stunned members of the Jedi Council shifted in their seats, looked around and murmured amongst themselves. This was unfortunate that this had to come out and that he might be expelled from the order because of his love for Padme. Being a Jedi meant a lot to him and expulsion would hurt him but he didn't care. Their love was worth the sacrifice. No one spoke for a moment. The only ones who seemed not surprised were Yoda and Obi Wan.

"Having visions of her dying in childbirth, are you?" Yoda put his finger to his lips.

"Yes Master."

"Always in motion the future is." Yoda closed his eyes as if searching for something in his head. "Very difficult to see. Clouded our vision, the dark side has." He opened his eyes.

"Master Kenobi, were you aware of this relationship?" Ki tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair.

"Master Kenobi did not know." Anakin tried to protect Obi-wan.

"I was aware of some lingering feelings he had toward her in the past, which I disregarded as a simple crush." Obi wan sighed.

Anakin flinched and gave Obi-wan a sudden hot stare. A simple crush!

"The Sith Lord has chosen me to become his apprentice." Anakin did not take his eyes off of Obi wan. He continued "He murdered Padme's decoy in –our—bedroom." Anakin looked at the other Jedi Masters, "It was a message that Padme will be killed if I don't join with him."

"Even if your visions were true, you'd still have to worry about her dying in childbirth. It doesn't make sense to use her to force this on you." Mace spoke in thought.

"Him killing her is one less thing to worry about." Anakin's temper started to rise. "The visions are real enough for me. I am not going to wait to find out." He bit back the increasing frustration.

"Now that the emperor has named us outlaws, perhaps we should commence evacuation procedures." Obi-wan stated. "There is no point in us staying. He has the entire clone army at his disposal. We should go into hiding and find other means to defeat him."

Anakin nodded his head in agreement as did the other council members.

"We'll begin the evacuation at 0200."

The masters were in agreement.

Mace looked at Anakin, "Skywalker, are you aware that your actions are grounds for expulsion from the Jedi Order?"

"Yes Master, I am fully aware." Anakin was hoping for expulsion. He knew the Jedi order was cornered. Explusion would be perfect reason for him to leave. The order would then go into hiding and Anakin would join the Sith without having to worry about fighting against the Jedi he grew up with.

"The council will deliberate on this matter at a later time. We must follow evacuation protocol for now." Ki added.

"When this is over, you will have our decision." Mace looked disappointed and said, "You may go."

The emperor's hooded cloak dusted the floor as he stepped into his dark throne room. There were stray beams of moonlight filtering in through the window. He stood before and gazed out. The planet seemed to shudder under his power and he enjoyed every moment of it. He was on the brink of success. He only needed to complete a couple more things before he could fully enjoy his accomplishment. He looked out at his view of Coruscant and he smiled as his eyes narrowed.

"Everything is going as I have foreseen." The emperor slowly croaked. He turned towards a tall dark figure clad in a black cloak standing in the shadows of the room. "You will face him tonight. Tell him who you are. The force is with him as it is you. This will be the first step in completing your task."

He sat down and pressed the comlink button located on the arm of the chair.

"Commander Cody"

"Yes my Lord."

"Re-transmit this message to all the commanders of the army."

"I am ready, sir."

"Execute order 66."

"Yes sir."

The dark figure looked like the shadow of death as he emerged into view. Wisps of his curly tawny hair were caught in the random beams of light sprinkling in. His lightsaber glinted in the light as it hung from his belt. He stood before the emperor and waited for his command.

The emperor spoke, "A Legion of troopers will be waiting for you at the coordinates you were given earlier. Lead them to the Jedi temple. Raise it to the ground." He paused, savoring his next words, "Kill all the Jedi. Leave none alive."

"Yes, my master." The dark figure bowed his head submissively and quickly walked out of the door.