Hope those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving had a good one.

TARDIS

Mid afternoon

Inside the TARDIS, Amy and Rory watched as The Doctor rummaged through an old box, grumbling to himself before he seemed to find what he was looking for.

"There you are you beauty!" The Doctor exclaimed before he pulled out…a class ring.

"You went to all that trouble for a class ring?" Rory deadpanned.

"It only appears to be a class ring to you. It is actually a microscopic data consumer. One press of the button on the back and it will download all data from Palpatine's office," The Doctor explained glibly.

"You're sure about this Raggedy Man? You're the one always saying not to interfere in big galactic events," Amy pointed out.

"This is an exception. I need to know who this Darth Sidious is and how he's connected to what's happened to history," The Doctor said before taking something out of his jacket pocket. "Rory."

The Doctor tossed it to him and Rory caught it. Glancing down, Rory was surprised to see it was the TARDIS key.

"I have no idea what might happen now, but if something goes wrong, take the TARDIS and go," The Doctor ordered.

"Oi! We're not just going to leave you here!" Amy argued.

"You can and you will!" The Doctor snapped, taking them aback. "I'm not going to risk your lives any more than I already have. If this blows up in my face, you will take the TARDIS home."

"How do you know I'll even be able to do it?" Rory argued in a last ditch effort to convince The Doctor that they couldn't leave.

"The TARDIS likes you, it'll help you," The Doctor said before looking down at the ring. "Geronimo Ponds. Geronimo."

Coruscant

Later that afternoon

"Thank you for doing this. I know you consider the Chancellor a friend, this can't be easy for you," The Doctor told Anakin as they neared the Chancellor's office.

"It's not, but you're right, we need to know who Darth Sidious is. If this can help us find out his identity and put an end to this, what choice do I have?" Anakin asked with a sigh.

"We always have a choice Anakin. But, for what it's worth, I think you're making the right one," The Doctor told him and Anakin smiled tightly.

"I hope so," Anakin said before pausing. "Once you have what you need, look for anything you can find on Inhibitor Chips or something called Order 66."

"Are those of any importance?" The Doctor asked as they stopped outside Palpatine's office, just out of hearing range of the guards outside.

"Maybe not, but the Clones all have these things in their heads. And I've been having visions, I think The Force is trying to warn me that there's some hidden purpose to them," Anakin explained and The Doctor frowned.

"Well, I don't believe The Force is sentient, but who am I to question the instincts of a Jedi? I'll see what I can find out," The Doctor promised and Anakin nodded gratefully.

No more words were spoken as the pair entered the office, the guards stepping aside for them. Palpatine was looking at something on a holographic screen when they entered. Palpatine dismissed the screen before turning around to face them.

"Anakin, Doctor, you're here earlier than expected," Palpatine said seeming surprised.

"When The Supreme Chancellor of the Republic requests your presence, you answer immediately," The Doctor said evenly and Palpatine nodded.

"Well, thank you Anakin for escorting him. You may wait outside until we are finished," Palpatine said and Anakin nodded.

"Of course Your Excellency," Anakin said politely, glancing briefly at The Doctor before walking back out of the room, the door quickly closing behind him.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me Doctor," Palpatine said as he got to his feet, walking over and holding out a hand to The Doctor.

"Of course. I'd like to help in any way that I can," The Doctor said as he took Palpatine's hand in a handshake, luckily not the one that had the ring on it.

"Do you have any idea why Cade Bane may have been hired to kill you and by who?" Palpatine said as they dropped hands.

"The Jedi Council believes that he was hired by Darth Sidious," The Doctor said calmly and Palpatine frowned.

"The same Darth Sidious that Count Dooku insisted was a member of the Senate. Why would he do that?" Palpatine inquired.

"We can only guess at his motives, but I did help save you from General Grievous. Perhaps this was revenge?" The Doctor noted, subtly twisting the ring, activating it.

"If this Sidious exists at all. All information about him has come from questionable sources," Palpatine argued.

"Perhaps. But at the same time, there have always been two Sith since the days of Darth Bane. And Dooku was a Jedi once, not enough time for him to train this Darth Maul that attacked Naboo thirteen years ago. Someone had to train Dooku," The Doctor pointed out.

"Or perhaps he became a Sith years before he left the Jedi. We may never know for certain," Palpatine pointed out. "But I did not ask you here to discuss this."

"With all due respect Chancellor, why did you ask me here?" The Doctor asked curiously.

"You're a Time Lord, yes? I thought they were all extinct," Palpatine noted and The Doctor tensed.

"They are. I'm the last," The Doctor said stiffly and Palpatine nodded.

"The last Time Lord. Many years ago, I heard a story. The Time War," Palpatine said and The Doctor stiffened even more. "Many people thought it was just a story. The war between the Daleks and the Time Lords that nearly consumed the galaxy until one man put a stop to it. But it wasn't a story, was it? It was all true, and that man was you, wasn't it Doctor?"

"I was the only one who could end it," The Doctor said lowly.

"I understand. You had no choice but to end that awful conflict. So I look to you for advice now, how would you have me end this dreadful war?" Palpatine said, looking at The Doctor pleadingly.

"First, I would suggest locating Darth Sidious. As long as he is manipulating both sides, this war will carry on until he gets what he wants," The Doctor pointed out.

"And suppose we find him, even capture him. Then what? The capture of one man will not stop this war," Palpatine argued.

"No, but without Sidious fanning the flames, perhaps you can reach a peaceful solution," The Doctor suggested.

"I wish I could believe that Doctor, but every time we have tried to negotiate with the Separatists, they have used that to trap us," Palpatine sighed.

"Only because Sidious and Dooku were pulling the strings. You are better than this, you can save countless lives. Make the lives you couldn't save matter, end this," The Doctor pleaded.

"You wiped out your entire race, yet you dare to judge me?" Palpatine demanded angrily.

"I had no other choice, you do. If I could have found another way, I would have. That's something I have to live with every day," The Doctor snapped back and the room was silent for a long moment.

"What did it feel like Doctor? To wipe out two mighty civilizations? To see them burn all around you?" Palpatine asked as he looked The Doctor deep in the eyes.

The Doctor was silent as he stared into Palpatine's eyes, his hearts hammering in his chest. And as he looked into Palpatine's eyes, clarity washed over The Doctor and things became so very clear.

"I don't like to talk about it," The Doctor said lowly and Palpatine seemed to gain control of himself.

"Of course, I understand. It is not a burden I would wish on anyone, having to live with that. You must forgive an old man, but I to find myself faced with an unimaginable burden," Palpatine sighed, seeming much older than his appearance would suggest.

"Of course, I understand Chancellor. Was there anything else you wanted to discuss?" The Doctor asked, trying very hard not to give anything away.

"No. No, I'm afraid not. But I thank you for your time Doctor and wish you a safe return to the Jedi Temple," Palpatine said politely.

"Thank you Chancellor," The Doctor said trying desperately to keep his voice even.

Without another word, The Doctor strode out of the room, almost running into the automatic doors on his way out. He met Anakin out in the hall and the two began walking.

"Contact Obi-Wan, tell him to call an Emergency session of the Council," The Doctor said as they began walking out.

"Did you find what you were looking are? Are you alright?" Anakin asked, surprised by the fear he felt coming from The Doctor.

"No, I'm not. We were wrong Anakin, so wrong," The Doctor said darkly as he pulled out a cell phone.

The TARDIS

Same time

Amy and Rory were watching a movie in the TARDIS while they waited, Amy's head on Rory's shoulder as he held her when they heard the ringing of Amy's cell phone. Pulling it out, Amy saw it was The Doctor and answered.

"Raggedy Man, did you find what you were looking for?" Amy asked in answer.

"Take the TARDIS and go home, now," The Doctor ordered and Amy was taken aback by his tone.

"Doctor, what's wrong?" Amy demanded and Rory looked over at her, sensing something was going on.

"Do as I say Amy!" The Doctor snapped.

"Oi! I'm not a little girl Raggedy Man! What is going on?" Amy demanded and she could hear The Doctor growl.

"Things are much worse than I thought, we are all in danger. Now take the TARDIS and go!" The Doctor snapped.

"And leave you here alone without a way out? No," Rory said firmly, having heard The Doctor's shout and The Doctor breathed heavily, like he was trying not to shout.

"Why must you both be so human? Alright, fine, but Rory, get your sword and put your armor on. I have a feeling you'll need both," The Doctor said before hanging up.

Coruscant

Not long after

"Doctor, what's going on? I can feel the fear and anxiety coming off you in waves," Anakin said as he flew the speeder he had piloted to the Senate Building on the way back to the Temple.

The Doctor didn't answer immediately, plugging the ring into a datapad that immediately began loading the information.

"It's encrypted, but it shouldn't take me long to access it," The Doctor said, immediately getting to work on doing so.

"Doctor, slow down. You said we were wrong, what were we wrong about?" Anakin asked and The Doctor barked out a humorless laugh.

"Everything. We operated under the assumption that Palpatine was being influenced by the Sith but that wasn't true. He is the Sith," The Doctor revealed to Anakin's shock.

"No, that can't be. I've known him since I was a boy. He may not be perfect, but the Sith? I refuse to believe that," Anakin argued defensively.

"I saw it the moment I looked into his eyes, I should have known from the beginning. Should have seen through his lies," The Doctor said grimly.

"Alright, pretending for a moment I believe you, why would you be able to see through his lies when the Jedi can't?" Anakin asked skeptically.

"Because I know who he really is," The Doctor said darkly.

Anakin frowned, looking at The Doctor in bewilderment as he managed to break the encryption. Immediately beginning to look through the data collected, The Doctor didn't see anything alarming at first until he saw a file on the clones. Clicking on it, The Doctor paled as he began reading it.

"If you want your proof, here it is. The Inhibitor Chips placed in the Clones are installed with a set of orders that the Clones will obey because the chip puts them into a hypnotic trance that forces them to do carry the order out, regardless of whether or not they want to. The orders can only be activated by the Supreme Chancellor," The Doctor explained, to Anakin's horror.

"Does it…mention anything about an Order 66?" Anakin asked hesitantly and it took seconds for The Doctor to locate it.

"Oi does it. Order 66 is to be enacted in the event that the Jedi are accused of high treason. All Jedi regardless of age or rank are to be executed and any clone who refuses to carry out this order is to be charged with treason and executed as well," The Doctor explained, to Anakin's shock. "Except you for some reason. It mentions that you are to be taken in alive."

"Why me?" Anakin asked lowly, still trying to process it all.

"I'm not sure; Palpatine likely has some kind of plan for you. Regardless, we need to get back to the Temple as soon as possible and share this information with the Council," The Doctor said firmly.


Back in his office, Palpatine sat in his seat, looking at a holographic screen that alerted him to hacking of his personal accounts. It did not take him long to figure out The Doctor was responsible.

"Well done Doctor," Palpatine said darkly.

He weighed his options for a few moments before getting to his feet. Donning his black cloak, Palpatine stepped onto a hologram platform and, a few moments later, the hologram of a clone appeared a few feet away.

"Execute Order 66."

Well, shit's about to hit the fan, as The Doctor has put everything together and Palpatine is forced to enact Order 66 earlier than intended before his plans can unravel.

Obviously, The Doctor has realized something about Palpatine that will be revealed later on, a lot of things about this chapter will make a bit more sense later, but for now, well, it's going to be a wild ride.