Disclaimer: In no way at all do I own any of the original character, locations, ships, or anything else mentioned in Star Wars. They are all owned by George Lucas. I only own my OC. Any similarities between this story and another are purely accidental.

A/N: Everyone, check my profile. I have a very important announcement to make.

Once again, thank you to everyone who reviewed.

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"Allow this appointment lightly, the Council does not."

Lyra leaned back in her seat, carefully observing Anakin as he stood in the center of the Council chambers. He had just informed the Council of Palpatine's appointing him, and they were not pleased.

"You are on this Council," relented Mace Windu, "but we do not grant you the rank of Master."

Predictably, Anakin reacted with anger. "How can you do this? This is outrageous, it's unfair! How can you be on the Council and not be a Master?" he demanded.

"Take a seat, young Skywalker," said Master Windu coldly.

"Forgive me, Master," replied Anakin, before taking his seat.

"We have surveyed all systems in the Republic," reported Ki-Adi-Mundi (a hologram), "but have found no sign of General Grievous."

"Hiding in the Outer Rim, Grievous is," said Yoda. "The outlying systems, you must sweep."

"It may take some time. We do not have many ships to spare," Obi-Wan pointed out.

"We cannot take ships from the front line," said Windu.

Lyra sighed. "And yet it would be fatal for us to allow the droid armies to regroup," she reminded them.

"Master Sanome," said Yoda, "our spies contact, you must, and then wait."

Ki-Adi-Mundi looked around at the Council. "What about the droid attack on the Wookiees?" he asked.

"It is critical we send an attack group there, immediately," commented Mace Windu.

"He's right," agreed Obi-Wan. "It's a system we cannot afford to loose."

"It's the main navigation route for the southwestern quadrant," explained Lyra. "Anakin, you know the system well, right?"

"Yes," replied Anakin. "It would take us little time to drive the droids of that planet."

"Skywalker," said Mace Windu sharply, "your assignment is here with the Chancellor."

Yoda interrupted him. "Go, I will," he said. "Good relations with the Wookiees, I have."

"It's settled then," said Mace Windu decidedly. "Yoda will take a battalion of clones to reinforce the Wookiees on Kashyyyk. May the Force be with us all."

---

Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Lyra walked through one of the many hallways in the Jedi Temple.

"What kind of nonsense is this?" seethed Anakin. "Put me on the Council and not make me a Master? It's never been done in the history of the Jedi! It's insulting."

"Calm down, Anakin," ordered Obi-Wan. "You have been given a great honor! To be on the Council at your age, it's never happened before!"

"The fact of the matter is you're too close to the Chancellor," said Lyra firmly. "The Council doesn't like it when he interferes with Jedi affairs."

"I swear to you," said Anakin angrily, "I didn't ask to be put on the Council."

"But it's what you wanted," said Obi-Wan. "Your friendship with Palpatine seems to have paid off."

"That has nothing to do with this, I'm sure of it," said Lyra, coming to Anakin's defense.

"Anakin," said Obi-Wan, ignoring Lyra, "regardless of how it happened, you find yourself in a delicate situation."

"You mean divided loyalties," retorted Anakin.

Obi-Wan sighed deeply. "I warned you there was tension between the Council and the Chancellor. I was very clear. Why didn't you listen? You walked right into it?"

"The Council is upset that I'm the youngest to serve," said Anakin stubbornly.

"No," replied Lyra, "it is not. I worry when you speak of jealousy and pride. Those are not Jedi thoughts. They're dangerous, dark thoughts."

"Lyra, you of all people should have confidence in my abilities," said Anakin. "I know where my loyalties lie."

"I hope so…" Obi-Wan trailed off.

"I sense there's more to this talk then either of you are saying."

"Anakin," began Obi-Wan after a considerable pause, "the only reason the Council has approved your appointment is because the Chancellor trusts you."

"And?"

"Anakin, look, we're on your side. We didn't want to put you in this situation," said Lyra.

"What situation?" the younger man demanded.

Obi-Wan looked apprehensively at Lyra, before taking in a deep breath. "The Council wants you to report on all of the Chancellor's dealings. They want to know what he's up to."

"They want me to spy on the Chancellor? That's treason."

"We are at war, Anakin," said Lyra. "The Jedi Council is sworn to uphold the principles of the Republic, even if the Chancellor does not."

"Why didn't the Council give me this assignment when we were in session?" asked Anakin.

"This assignment is not to be on record," explained Lyra.

"The Chancellor is not a bad man, Lyra," replied Anakin. "He befriended me. He's watched out for me ever since I arrived here."

"That is why you must help us," said Obi-Wan. "Our allegiance is to the Senate, not to its leader."

"Who, I might add," said Lyra, "has managed to stay in office long after his term has expired."

"The Senate demanded that he stay longer."

"Yes, but use your feelings, Anakin," chided Obi-Wan. "Something's out of place."

Anakin glared at both adults. "You're asking me to do something against the Jedi Code, against the Republic, against a mentor, and against a friend. That's what's out of place here. Why are you asking this of me?"

Lyra looked at him. "The Council is asking you."

---

Lyra, Obi-Wan, Mace Windu, and Yoda were in a clone gunship, taking Yoda to the Coruscant clone landing platform. From there, the old Jedi Master would be taken to Kashyyyk.

"Anakin did not take to his assignment with much enthusiasm," said Obi-Wan.

"Too much under the sway of the Chancellor, he is," Yoda commented. "Much anger there is in him. Too much pride in his powers."

"It's very dangerous," said Mace Windu, "putting them together. I don't think the boy can handle it. I don't trust him."

"With all due respect, Master," said Lyra, "is he not the Chosen One? Is he not to destroy the Sith and bring balance to the Force?"

"So the prophecy says."

"A prophecy that misread, could have been," said Yoda.

"He will not let me down," said Obi-Wan firmly. "He never has."

"I hope right, you are."

---

The Council was once again in session the next day. They were discussing a new development on General Grievous' location, presented to the Council by Anakin.

"Palpatine thinks General Grievous is in Utapau?" asked Ki-Adi-Mundi asked. "We have no reports on this from our agents."

"How could the Chancellor have come by this information and we know nothing about it?" demanded Mace Windu. "We have had contact with Baron Papanoida and he said no one was there."

"A partial message was intercepted in a diplomatic packet from the Chairman of Utapau," Anakin explained.

"Act on this, we must," said Yoda. "The capture of General Grievous will end this war. Quickly and decisively we should proceed."

"The Chancellor has requested," said Anakin, "that I lead the campaign."

"The Council will make up its own mind on who is to go," said Windu firmly, "not the Chancellor."

Yoda agreed with him. "A Master is needed, with more experience."

Mace Windu added, "Given our resources, I recommend we send as few Jedi as possible. Master Kenobi, for instance."

"He was not so successful the last time he met with Grievous. No offense, Master. I'm only stating a fact," Anakin added when Obi-Wan threw him a dirty look.

"Oh no, you're quite right," said Obi-Wan, "which is why I'm requesting that Master Sanome accompany me." He glanced at Lyra, who shrugged nonchalantly.

"I concur," said Ki-Adi-Mundi. Several 'ayes' were heard, followed by Mace adjourning the Council.