Chapter 8 A Warning Heeded
"No, Anakin. That is just not possible; the security will be too tight. No one could get into that hearing with a weapon, nobody." Padme said.
"I don't care how tight the security is; this was a warning. Someone somehow is going to sneak a weapon in." Anakin insisted. "This is just like my mother, like Obi-Wan and Zak. I can stop this if I warn the Jedi."
"Anakin, you dreamt about me too, remember? And that didn't happen." Padme replied.
"No, because I prevented it by not turning into a Sith. I can prevent this, too." Anakin insisted.
"But will they believe you?" Padme asked.
"Yes, I think so; I know Master Yoda will and Obi-Wan. I can't just sit back and let this happen when I have this chance to prevent it." Anakin said.
"Well, surely you're not going to contact them now; it's the middle of the night." Padme pointed out.
"No, I will leave for the Temple early; that should give them enough time for them to know they should be on high alert." Anakin said.
"Then I will have the children ready and we can all go at the same time. If there is going to be trouble, I would rather be with you than by myself with the twins." Padme replied.
"Yes, I agree; the babies will be much safer at the Temple and I would prefer to take them there myself." Anakin concurred.
Anakin could not sleep for the rest of the night. All he could think about was that terrible nightmare. Padme cuddled up next to him in hopes of giving him some comfort and he was glad for her presence.
As soon as the sunlight appeared at their window, Anakin was up out of bed. He had thought all night and decided to contact the Temple at first light.
"I must speak with Master Yoda." He said when he had made contact.
"I am sorry, but Master Yoda is meditating at present and must not be disturbed."
"This is very important; it concerns Amedda's hearing. Please, find Master Yoda." He insisted.
"Look, do you know how early it is? Master Yoda is never to be bothered at this hour."
"I don't care; this is a life and death matter. I must speak to him." Anakin replied.
"I do not know who you think you are, but Master Yoda does not take communications this early in the morning."
"I'm Anakin Skywalker; and if Master Yoda knew I was trying to reach him, he would want speak with me." Anakin said.
"It doesn't matter who you are…"
"Fine, then let me speak with Master Kenobi." Anakin interrupted.
"Master Kenobi is still recovering and is confined to his quarters."
"I am beginning to lose my patience with you. There will be trouble at the hearing later this morning, either let me speak with Master Yoda or Master Kenobi." Anakin said evenly.
"I'm sorry, but I have told you, Master Yoda is in meditation and Master Kenobi is confined to his quarters. If you leave the information with me, I will be sure they get it when they are available."
"Never mind; Could I at least speak with whoever is handling the Jedi security at the Senate building." Anakin asked.
"Well that would be Master Windu and he is also…"
"Unavailable; then Master Mundi or Master Gallia, may I speak with one of them." Anakin asked desperately.
"No one is around at this hour; maybe you should try later."
"There is no later; I must speak to someone now." Anakin insisted. "How can I convince you that this is urgent? Someone could die at that hearing this morning."
"I do not think so, sir. The security will be too tight. There will be no trouble."
"Really! Well if something does happen at the hearing, it will be on your conscience; you had a chance to prevent it by letting me speak to one of the masters." Anakin stated, trying to control his irritation.
"I do not know what you expect me to do. I have my instructions, and they do not include disturbing any of them this early."
"Have you heard nothing I've said?" Anakin demanded, "If any of the masters knew I was trying to reach them…"
"They would wish to speak with you; yes you have made that perfectly clear."
"Well, this has been a complete waste of time." Anakin said angrily, "I will have to come in person and find one of them."
"This early in the morning, you will not be able to come into the Temple."
"I can come and go as I please." Anakin answered.
"You may try; but I do not think you will succeed."
"Then you really have no idea who I am; do you." Anakin asked.
"You have already told me; and it makes no difference. You are not a Jedi; you cannot enter the Temple at this time."
"You have wasted enough of my time; time that I do not have. I will speak with one of the masters in person." Anakin finished without even giving the com monitor time to respond.
"Padme, wake up." Anakin whispered softly as he shook her lightly.
"Anakin? It's barely morning; what are you doing up already?" She asked sleepily.
"I am going to the Temple now. I will be back soon to bring you and the children there." He informed her.
"Now? But I thought you were going to wait and bring us all there later?" Padme asked.
"This can't wait, Padme." Anakin said, "I must let Master Windu know what I've seen before he goes to the Senate."
"Well, I'm sure he's not going this early; why can't you wait?" Padme asked.
"Because I feel it will be too late; I must go now." Anakin answered.
"Why don't you just try to contact the Temple and speak to Master Windu?" Padme asked.
"I've already tried that; the monitor wouldn't even try to find any of the masters." Anakin told her.
"But that's ridiculous; didn't you explain how important this is?" Padme asked.
"Yes, several times. But I don't think he believed me. This is the only way, Padme." He explained.
"But you are coming back here; aren't you?" She asked.
"Yes, of course; but this is something I must do. I will return soon so have the babies ready to go." Anakin instructed.
"Alright, Annie; but please don't be gone too long." Padme requested.
"I'll try not to, Padme; just as long as I need to be." He assured her.
He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly.
"Don't worry, Padme; everything will be alright." He whispered.
"I hope so; hurry back to us." She answered.
"I will, I promise." He said and kissed her lightly.
He knew he would not have a problem getting into the Temple. Unlike the com monitor he had spoken to earlier, the Jedi sentry recognized him and let him in without hesitation. Immediately, he set out for the living quarters. If he could not speak to Yoda, he would find Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan, however, was not in his quarters when Anakin arrived, "Now, where would he go?" He said aloud.
"To get something to eat." Obi-Wan answered from the hallway. "What are you doing here so early?"
"Thank the Force! I had another nightmare last night, Obi-Wan." Anakin replied.
"About turning? You should probably see Master Yoda…" Obi-Wan suggested.
"No, it was a different one, a new one. I think there will be trouble at the hearing this morning." Anakin told him.
"Trouble? But security will be air tight; what kind of trouble could there possibly be?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I dreamt that someone had a weapon; I think someone, maybe several people could die." Anakin answered.
"Well, I know better than to take your dreams lightly, Anakin. Have you spoken with anyone else about this?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I tried; earlier this morning. I wanted to speak with Master Yoda but the monitor in the com center wouldn't listen to me. I even tried to speak with Master Windu, but he wouldn't let me speak with him either, or you, Master Gallia or Master Mundi. I finally decided I had better come here and try to speak with someone in person." Anakin explained. "There is going to be trouble, Obi-Wan; I can feel it."
"The monitor was wrong; I'm sorry you had to rush all the way over here when it should have been enough to send a communication. Obi-Wan replied. "We should go and find Master Yoda immediately."
"I knew you'd see it that way. If we can't find Master Yoda, the monitor said that Master Windu was heading the Jedi security force." Anakin said.
"Then maybe we should try to find him first." Obi-Wan suggested.
"But will he listen to me?" Anakin wondered, "You know how Master Windu is; I don't think he fully trusts me yet."
"I think you're wrong about that, Anakin. I have spoken with Master Windu on several occasions since…since this Amedda affair; he was impressed with your control. He said you could have killed Amedda if you had wanted to." Obi-Wan told him. "I think he will listen to you."
"I hope you're right, Obi-Wan, because I fear the consequences if that blaster is not found." Anakin replied.
Obi-Wan had been correct in assumption that Master Windu would be receptive to Anakin's prophetic nightmare.
"I am pleased that you came to me, Anakin. Your dreams are to be taken seriously; I know this from experience. We will be extra vigilant in checking all those who enter the Senate building. I will also contact the Chancellor so that he too can take extra precautions. There will be no trouble; this is one nightmare that we can prevent from happening." Windu assured him. "However, I am interested to know why you felt it necessary to see me in person. Did you think that unless Obi-Wan was here with you I would not take you seriously?"
Anakin was unsure of how to respond. He was reluctant to cause trouble for the monitor who had so much difficulty with, and yet he felt that it was necessary for Mace to know there may be a problem in the com center. Obi-Wan solved his dilemma.
"Anakin tried to reach you earlier, Mace; but the monitor refused to let him speak with anyone." He explained.
"Is this true, Anakin? Because I think I need to have a word with whoever was in charge there this morning." Mace replied.
Still, Anakin hesitated.
"Anakin, you may feel as if you have to protect this Jedi, but this is a matter of great importance; that monitor should be made aware of this grave error." Mace continued.
"Look, I don't want to get anyone in trouble, Master." Anakin answered.
"If he ignored you about this, Anakin, he is in trouble. Please, tell me what happened this morning." Mace requested.
Anakin sighed; he still did not want to tell Mace, but now he felt that he was obligated to do so.
"I asked to speak with Master Yoda and was told that he was meditating. I insisted that it was urgent, and still he would not help me. I told him it concerned the security at the Senate building and yet he did nothing. I told him who I was, and he said he didn't care. I then asked to speak with Obi-Wan and he told me Obi-Wan was still confined to his quarters and I couldn't speak with him either. I asked if I could speak with the head of the Jedi security, he told me that was you but you were also unavailable. So finally, I asked to speak to any Council member. He answer was that no one was around at that time. Not knowing what else to do, I told him that there would be trouble at the Senate building and he said that was impossible because the Security measures there were so stringent." Anakin said. "I came here only because I had no other choice, Master Windu. I felt the Jedi must be warned."
"And you are right, Anakin. However, I think I must have a serious discussion with that com monitor; he made a nearly disastrous decision in not allowing you to speak with one of us." Mace answered.
"I'm sorry, Master Windu; I didn't intend to cause trouble here." Anakin said apologetically.
"He caused his own trouble, Anakin." Mace assured him. "This was not your doing."
"Thank you, Master Windu." Anakin replied with relief.
"No, Anakin; the Jedi should be thanking you." Mace corrected.
"Well, I'm just glad that someone listened to me." Anakin answered. "Now, I must return to my family. Padme wishes to attend the hearing and hopes to leave Luke and Leia in the nursery."
"Oh, yes, by all means, Anakin. They will be well looked after." Mace said.
A relieved Anakin returned to the Senate complex. As promised, Padme had the twins dressed, fed and ready to go when he arrived.
"How did it go, Anakin?" She asked as she embraced him.
"Better than I expected, Padme. I was able to speak face to face with Master Windu." Anakin said.
"And did he take you seriously?" She asked.
"Very. He is going to ensure that all the Jedi on the security detail are aware of the threat and he will also contact the Chancellor." He informed her. "I was, quite frankly, surprised that he even listened to me."
"And how is Obi-Wan this morning?" She asked.
"Now, why would you think I even saw him?" Anakin asked, smiling mischievously.
Padme laughed lightly, "I know you, love. My guess is that you saw him before you sought out Master Windu." She answered.
"Well, that's certainly true; I wasn't sure if Master Windu would take me seriously without Obi-Wan." Anakin admitted.
"But he wouldn't have; would he?" Padme asked.
"Yes, I think he would have. In fact, he was surprised that I felt that I had to have Obi-Wan with me." He answered.
"I am glad that he finally trusts you, Anakin." Padme replied, "But you still haven't answered my question."
"Oh, much better. He will be at the hearing this morning, so you can see for yourself." Anakin replied.
"I'm still not convinced that is such a good idea." Padme said.
"Stop worrying, Padme. I saw his shoulder last night. He's fine, it will be alright." Anakin insisted.
"I know; I worry too much." Padme replied.
"Yes, you do." He said lightly. "But, we should get going. I want our children settled at the Temple before we go to the hearing."
"Did you clear it with them, then? It's alright if we leave them there?" Padme asked.
"Yes, my love. Master Windu implied that I didn't even need to ask. They are most welcome." Anakin answered.
That having been said, Padme picked up Leia and Anakin, Luke and they were escorted to Anakin waiting speeder. Anakin did not see the need for the escort, but gladly accepted it knowing that it would make Padme feel more secure. When they arrived at the Temple, several Jedi, including Yoda were there to meet them.
"Good it is too see you, Senator." Yoda said.
"And to see you, Master Yoda." Padme answered. "I hope it is not going to be too much trouble to leave our children here."
"Pleased we are to have them here. Eager I have been to meet them." Yoda replied as he reached over from his hover-seat to touch Leia.
"Strong she is in the Force, like her father she is." He said after a moment. "And young Luke, I would see him too."
Anakin moved closer allowing Yoda to touch him as well, "Hmm…stronger yet, much more like you, Anakin, I feel. Powerful Jedi they may become." Yoda told him.
"If they choose that path, Master Yoda. We feel it must be their choice as it was mine." Anakin told him.
"Agree with that, I do, Anakin." Yoda answered. "Always their decision it must be to make."
Anakin was a little surprised that Obi-Wan was not among those waiting for them. Although he did not voice his surprise, Yoda seemed to sense it, "Resting again he is, Anakin. Far from recovered he is, in spite of what he tells you. Important it is that he does not push himself too hard." He said.
"But he seemed so much stronger this morning, Master Yoda." Anakin protested.
"Covers his weakness well, Anakin." Yoda replied. "But still weak he is."
"Will he be alright, Master Yoda?" Anakin asked with concern.
Yoda paused, reaching out to the future with the Force, "If careful he is, yes. But many possible futures there are, Anakin. This you should know." He answered.
Oh, yes, Anakin knew this all too well. He had seen his beloved Padme's death, the inhalation of the Jedi Order and the destruction of the Republic. He had seen his own children as his enemies and the death of his best friend at his hand. Yes, he was well aware of the possibilities.
"Then I will be sure that he is careful, Master." Anakin said firmly.
When the children were settled and playing happily with the other children in the nursery, Padme joined Anakin and the Council Masters who were to attend the hearing.
On the way to the Senate building, Anakin could not help having a foreboding feeling that despite the added precautions that were being taken, something was about to happen. Something, very, very bad.
