Chapter 18 A Deadly Conspiracy

"Yes, and we'd better find out what that is before someone else ends up dead." Anakin answered. "But tomorrow is soon enough."

"Has Mace found out who wouldn't let you speak with Master Yoda yet?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I don't think he's had time to look into it. Things happened pretty fast this morning."

"It may be important; I can't find any reason why you would not be allowed to talk to him unless he knew what you were going to tell him."

"But how would he know that, Obi-Wan?" Anakin wondered.

"Well, I…where were you sleeping when you had that dream, Anakin?"

"With Padme, of course; why?"

"Did you tell her about it?"

"Yes, I startled her when I woke up so suddenly. But I still don't know where you're going with this."

"Think, Anakin. Aren't you and Padme staying at one of the government suites?"

"Yes…." Anakin replied, "but…oh…"

"Now you see; don't you?"

"Why would anyone do that though?"

"I don't know; maybe he…or she thought you would say something to Padme; something about Amedda's hearing."

"Alright, now we're back to 'who'. It must be someone in the government or they would never have been able to plant a listening device in that room."

"So that means the Jedi you spoke to this morning didn't do it; but he must know who did."

"Right; otherwise he would have let me speak with Master Yoda; it would also explain why some of the Clones were involved." Anakin concluded. "But I think that's enough for now; I know one broken down Jedi who needs to rest."

"We need to find that Jedi, Anakin." Obi-Wan said.

"I know; and I will. But not tonight." Anakin answered.

"Then at least contact Mace and tell him." Obi-Wan insisted.

"If I promise to do that, will you promise to get some rest?"

"Yes, Anakin." Obi-said said wearily. "I promise."

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"Master Windu, Obi-Wan and I have come to a disturbing conclusion." Anakin announced when Mace Windu's figure appeared before him.

"I have one as well, Anakin." Mace informed him, "The security cameras in the courtroom were shut down just after that recess this morning."

"Why would someone do that?" Anakin wondered.

"Well, I think you should already know the answer to that; but, Anakin, they were shut down by a Jedi." Mace answered.

"A Jedi? Then you're not going to like what I'm about to tell you." Anakin said.

"I don't think I like the tone of your voice, Anakin; but tell me anyway." Mace replied.

"We think that the Jedi in the com center this morning deliberately prevented me from speaking to Master Yoda; or anyone else on the Council." Anakin told him, "We think he must have known what I was going to say."

"But how would he know that; unless…" Mace began.

"Yes, unless someone else told him." Anakin finished.

"And who would that be and how would this mysterious 'someone' know?" Mace asked.

"It was Obi-Wan who thought of that; the government suite is bugged. As to the 'who', I don't know yet; but it must be someone with the government, they would be the only ones who would be able to get there." Anakin answered.

"Well, I think we can rule out the Chancellor." Mace said.

"Agreed." Anakin concurred, "But we'd better find out who it is before they try something like this again."

"I would like you to see the security tape that Chancellor Organa and I found." Mace requested, "I wonder now if the Jedi you spoke with this morning and the one who shut down those security cameras are one and the same."

"Good idea, I will do that tomorrow; but I think I'd like to stay here for the night." Anakin consented, "Could Padme and the twins stay at the Temple tonight? I think they might be safer there."

"We have already thought of that, Anakin, and the arrangements have been made." Mace assured him, "Adi tells me that Obi-Wan seems to have made yet another miraculous recovery; you wouldn't know anything about that; would you?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Master Windu," Anakin answered innocently. "Obi-Wan must just have a stronger Force connection than anyone thought he did; I told that to Master Gallia before she left."

"And you still do not think you have anything to do with it?" Mace asked.

"No!" Anakin exclaimed, "Why does everyone keep asking me that?"

"You don't even want to consider the possibility?" Mace asked, "Just think about, Anakin; that is all I ask."

"I already have, Master Windu; but I will sit down with the Council as soon as everything gets back to normal." Anakin answered.

"That is all we ask, Anakin." Mace replied with satisfaction.

"'We'? Don't tell me the whole Council knows about this." Anakin said.

"Well, yes; you did tell Declan that is was alright…" Mace reminded him.

"Oh…yes, I guess I did." Anakin admitted, "We can talk about it when this whole mess is cleared up."

"Good; now, do not worry about your family, Anakin." Mace assured him again, "They will be safe here."

"Thank you, Master Windu; and I will see you tomorrow." Anakin concluded as Mace's image faded.

When Anakin got back to the room, he was pleased to see that Obi-Wan was sleeping. He went out to the waiting room, picked up one of the chairs there and started to carry it back into the room.

"You cannot take that chair in there." It was EMD421.

"No?" Anakin asked.

"No, it is not permitted." EMD421 answered.

"Well, I intend to take this chair into that room; whether it's permitted or not." Anakin replied.

"I will report you. It is not permitted." EMD421 warned.

"Well then, I guess you'd better go do that." Anakin replied stubbornly.

"Well! I never…" The droid said as it continued down the hallway. "I will report this."

Anakin smiled, "Yep, 3PO all over again." He said aloud as he carried the chair into the room.

He set the chair down next to Obi-Wan and plopped into it. The incessant beeping of the machine monitoring Obi-Wan's life signs was hypnotic and Anakin felt himself drifting off….

It's hot; why is it so hot? Obi-Wan? What is this?

"Palpatine is evil!" "Yes, I know that." Is what he tried to say, but what came out was, "In my eyes, the Jedi are evil." "Then you are lost!" "What?" Instead, "This is the end for you, Master." Came out. No, no, no! Why did I say that? What am I doing now, attacking my brother? But, I don't want to do that! "I have the high ground, Anakin, don't try it." "Try what?" What came out was, "You underestimate my power." No, I didn't mean that! Then he was leaping up over Obi-Wan's head…PAIN! He found himself lying on the hot sand, helpless and looking up at Obi-Wan on the slope above him. "You were the Chosen One! You were supposed to bring balance to the Force, not plunge it into Darkness!" Obi-Wan screamed at him in anguish. "But I did! Why were we fighting?" He wanted to say, but it came out, "I hate you!" What? "You were my brother, Anakin…"

"Anakin…ANAKIN!"

"Huh, what?" Anakin said as he woke abruptly.

"You were dreaming; are you alright?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Oh, yes; I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" Anakin answered apologetically.

"What was it?" Ob-Wan asked.

"That blasted nightmare again." Anakin replied. "I don't know what brought that on. I'm sorry, Obi-Wan."

"Probably all this talk about Order 66; are you sure you're alright?" Obi-Wan asked with concern.

"Yes, yes; it was just weird." Anakin assured him, "It was the part about you and I fighting."

"You mean where I…" Obi-Wan couldn't finish; he knew that part of the nightmare all too well.

"Yeah, I hate that part." Anakin said.

"I'm sorry, Anakin." Obi-Wan answered quietly.

"No; I'm sorry I woke you." Anakin countered. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired." Obi-Wan admitted. "Have you spoken with Mace?"

"Yes; we can talk about it later; go back to sleep."

"You'll get no argument from me." Obi-Wan replied.

He had just drifted off to sleep again when EMD421 came in, went to where Obi-Wan lay and, without warning, rolled him onto his side, pulled the bandage away from the wound and jabbed a probe into his shoulder, "Was that necessary? He just got back to sleep." Anakin said angrily.

"It has been one hour; I said I would return in one hour." EMD421 answered. "And I have reported you."

"Good; and what did they say?" Anakin asked.

"Hmm…" EMD421 replied.

"Hmm…what?"

"That they would allow it." EMD421 replied.

"Allow what, Anakin; what did you do now?" Obi-Wan asked, painfully.

"To bring this chair in here…." Anakin answered, "Are you finished yet? You're hurting him."

"Minor discomfort only, Master Skywalker. It is necessary." The droid answered.

"No, it hurts; so hurry up." Anakin replied.

"Only minor discomfort." The droid said sounding slightly agitated.

"I feel what he feels; and I feel pain. It hurts." Anakin insisted.

"That is not logical. However, I have completed this function. Master Kenobi is progressing." EMD421 replied as it withdrew the probe, replaced the bandage and pulled Obi-Wan back. "I will be back in one hour."

"If you come back here in one hour, I will personally dismantle you." Anakin threatened. "Master Kenobi is a Jedi; he needs to rest so that he can heal himself. He can't do that with you sticking that thing in him every hour."

"I must perform my function; I must monitor Master Kenobi's condition." EMD421 insisted.

"Well then, you'd better find another way to do that, because you're not poking him with that thing again." Anakin replied.

Apparently, EMD421 had taken Anakin's threat seriously, "I will try to find another option to monitor Master Kenobi's condition. However, I will return in one hour." EMD421 answered as he adjusted one of Obi-Wan's machines.

"That's fine; but if you probe him one more time…" Anakin started to repeat his threat.

"You are an illogical being. I do not wish to be dismantled; I would no longer be able to function. I will not insert the probe again." The droid said before leaving.

Obi-Wan was smiling.

"What?" Anakin asked with an innocent look on his face.

"Nothing." Obi-Wan answered.