"Treachery is the way of the Sith." Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover
Chapter 9: The Secret Council
Feeling much relief after his discussion with Obi-Wan, Anakin rushed from the Room of a Thousand Fountains, determined to keep his promise to Luke.
When he reached Obi-Wan's quarters, he found that the door was cracked open. Quietly, so as to not disturb Luke if he was sleeping again, Anakin crept inside. A few steps in, he could hear the refreshing sound of Luke's laughter off in the distance.
Following the sound, he walked in the direction of Obi-Wan's room. By then, Siri's laughter was mixing with that of the baby's.
Because neither of them had noticed them, Anakin was able to stand in the door way and watch the touching sight without disturbing them.
Her headache obviously gone and in a better mood, Siri sat cross-legged on Obi-Wan's bed. Gently holding up Luke with her hands on his waist, she had him in a standing position. Luke's body stayed as he remained unfocused. Hands in his mouth, he delightedly giggled at this feat.
Still, Siri eventually felt Anakin's presence and, scooping Luke into her arms and wiping the smile off her face, she looked up at Anakin. "Did you finish talking with Obi-Wan?" she asked, frowning as Luke finally lost his balance and yanked her blond hair as he toppled down onto his bottom.
Nodding, Anakin silently strode over to the bed and scooped up the still-wiggling Luke into his arms.
"Let me guess, he spent most of the time lecturing you," Siri said dryly.
"Actually," Anakin said with a short laugh, "we talked and he helped me out some." For a moment, he just stood there, biting his lip, before he gave her a half-bow and turned to leave.
"Anakin?" Siri hesitantly called out.
Turning back around, Anakin saw his fried still sitting on the bed, nervously fingering her hair. "Anakin," she repeated. "You know that, if something were to happen to you, I would gladly take care of Luke for you." A shy smile spread across her face. "I know it seems like I don't always like him, but I would be proud to be his master if… if…"
"Thank you," Anakin said sincerely. "That means a lot to me."
"But don't get killed too soon," Siri said
sternly, causing him to laugh. "Who else will help me give Obi-Wan
grey hairs?"
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Unbeknownst to Anakin, a worried Jedi watched the familiar
fighter fly off in the direction of 500 Replublica.
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Soon, Anakin was walking onto the veranda in Padmé's apartment, Luke happily gurgling in his arms.
And stopped dead in his steps.
Over on the couch was Padmé and Palo. They appeared to be talking with each other, but it wasn't this that bothered Anakin- it was the fact that Palo had his hands on Padmé's stomach and was rubbing the swell.
Had Luke not cried out at that precise moment, Anakin would have either surely dropped him or fled back to his fighter, but at the sound, Padmé whipped around to find Anakin staring at them.
"Anakin!" she cried out, a wide smile spreading across her lovely face as she pulled away from Palo and rushed towards her husband. First, she kissed Luke's blond head before throwing her arms about Anakin and kissing him soundly. When she breathlessly pulled away from him a minute later, she smoothed the front of his tunic. "Did you take my advice?" she asked quietly so Palo could not hear, her brown eyes covered with worry.
"Yes," Anakin sighed, still eying Palo suspiciously.
"Did you talk with Obi-Wan?"
Anakin nodded. Upon seeing the love that was radiating from her eyes and his wife's obvious concern, his disappointment and jealously slowly ebbed away.
"Hello, my little one!" Padmé cooed to Luke as she took him into her arms and kissed his chubby but slobber covered cheeks. Continuing to kiss him, much to Luke's delight, she looked up at Anakin with complete adoration emitting from her. "It's a good thing you're here- Bail, Mon, and other Senators are going to meet here soon," she said, playfully slapping his arm when he wrinkled his nose.
"Let me guess- to discuss politics," Anakin grinned, following her over to the couch. Sitting down next to her with his back to Palo, it was evident that he was intending to shut out the artist.
Laughing, Padmé held up Luke before her and continued to talk baby talk with her son. "You wanna become a widdle politicianpoo?" she giggled, much to Anakin's displeasure.
"No, tell Mommy that you are going to grow up to be a big Jedi Knight," Anakin teased, laughing as Luke gave them confused looks.
"Miss Padmé, the delegation has arrived," See Threepio fretted as he pattered into the room.
Worried, Padmé quickly looked at Anakin then at Palo who wasn't paying any attention. "Palo, could you please do me a favor?" she begged. "Could you watch Luke long enough for us to get through this meeting."
"Of course!" Palo said cheerfully, taking the outstretched Luke.
Instantly, the baby began to wail so heartbrokenly that Padmé whisked him back into her loving arms. "Oh, my poor baby," she said softly, holding him close as his crying lessened. "I hope the Senators don't mind the extra company," she told Anakin.
"I don't know… he might spy on us."
Before Padmé could admonish her husband, Bail and the others solemnly strode in. As the Senators quietly greeted Padmé and Anakin, they gave Palo curious looks but otherwise remained silent as they sat down.
"It is good to see you again," Bail finally said to Palo, uneasiness in his air, "but Padmé, how can we know he is to be trusted?"
"I have known Palo since childhood," she said, a little miffed by her friend's doubting of her opinion.
Though still uneasy, the other Senators seemed reluctant to say anything, but Mon Mothma eventually spoke. "I know your trust means a great deal, but why do you trust him?"
Quickly, Padmé assured them of Padmé's past.
After that, they began to discuss the true meaning of the meeting.
"We have become increasingly concerned about Palpatine's seemingly unending thirst for power," Bail told Anakin and Palo. "We are unsure of how far he will go in his quest."
Reluctantly, Anakin nodded, uneasily shifting about in his seat. "Just yesterday, he requested that I be put on the Jedi Council as his personal representative."
A shock rippled through the guests.
"So, his hand has stretched to even that of the Jedi Council?" a Senator asked unbelievingly.
"I'm afraid so."
"So, is that the reason why you're on the Council?"
Hastily, Anakin shook his head. "The Council decides who they keep on the Council, neither the Chancellor nor anyone else."
Approval appeared on the Senator's faces.
"And how does the Jedi Council feel about the Chancellor's powers?" Mon Mothma asked.
"They are opposed to it," Anakin said slowly, feeling some guilt over betraying his friend, "and will do anything to see justice returned to the Galaxy."
"Anakin," Bail said slowly, "how would you like to join our campaign. With the Hero With No Fear on our side, perhaps we can bring an end to this corruption."
Shock filled Anakin as he realized what the Senator was requesting of him. Yet, he then saw Padmé's hopeful gaze as she paused him her tending to Luke to silently plead with him. "I…" he stammered uneasily, feeling overwhelmed by all of the powerful faces watching him. "I need some time to think about it… to consult with the Council, of course," he said sadly, momentarily hanging his head.
"Are you sure you have decided your loyalties?" Bail asked gently.
"Yes," Anakin said fervently. "I do not agree with Palpatine's politics and, though he is a friend of mine, I am sure he will respect my differing opinion."
Satisfied, Bail thoughtfully stroked
his goatee and nodded. His gaze then shifted to Palo. "You had
better not say a word about anything you have learned here," he
warned, a threat thinly coating his words. "We will know if you
do."
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While Padmé and Anakin contentedly slept in each other's arms that night, the darkness was awake and ready.
"My master," a male voice whispered from beneath the mask he wore. It was the image of a skull but, unlike most masks, it conformed to his face and moved in tandem with his talking.
Sidious turned his chair to face him.
"I have brought you the most wonderful news," the cloaked being whispered. "It will crush your enemies."
"Yes," the darkness said impatiently.
"Senator Amidala is carrying Skywalker's child," the voice hissed.
Intrigued, the Sith Lord sat up straight in his chair. "Are you sure of this?"
"Yes, My Lord- I have heard such confirmation from their very mouths. Luke is also their son."
"You have pleased me," Sidious said, the emotion not reaching his fiery eyes.
"I have more," the shadow said.
Eagerly, the Sith motioned for him to continue.
"Many Senators are planning to rebel against you."
The Sith Lord licked his lips. "Who are they so I may crush them and their pathetic rebellion?"
"Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, Amidala…"
"That woman certainly has become reckless. It's probably the doing of my future apprentice."
The cloaked being shook his head. "I think you will have a harder time turning him than it would seem, My Lord. He has his wife and children to keep him from turning."
"I have already considered that," Sidious snapped impatiently. "Did you not think I could foresee this?"
The cloaked being trembled in fear. "No, My Lord…"
"I have new plan, one that will bring Skywalker down on his knees." The Sith slightly turned and looked into the shadows. "Perfect…" he hissed.
A being stepped forth.
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Spoiler for the next chapter: What Padmé Overheard
"I have a message for you, Master Skywalker!" a padawan exclaimed as he barged into the meeting room, making the three occupants start. Even Luke, who was moaning in a muffled way because his hands were in his mouth, stared up at the newcomer.
"Oh dear," Anakin sighed as he took the datapad. "What will it be next? Tea with some Senators…"
"Dinner parties with Senator Am…"
"Or an opera with the Chancellor," Anakin groaned, dropping the pad into his lap, burying his face in his hands.
"Cheer up- at least it's free," Obi-Wan said positively.
"Dada!"
All Anakin knew was that a certain cranky padawan was going
to be staying in the crèche for a nice, long nap.
