Star Wars: Heir of the Force

Episode 3: Chapter 3

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***HotF***

"I'm sorry" He begins, and what starts as a whisper shifts into what could be a plea. "I didn't mean to hurt or upset you I just… I know you are the type of person not to let bad things go unpunished and I wasn't sure if I could always be there to protect you. I know you are strong and brave, but this is…"

She could almost sense his train of thought, and if Padme was honest it made sense when she actually stopped to think about it rather than charging in with her own passion. Her and Ahsoka had been easily captured when they weren't being pursued. If someone powerful enough to control a war actively thought she was a threat…

A shiver passed through her. It had not been uncommon for her to receive threats from even minor politicians, but it could easily pass onto her friends and family. "I understand Anakin, really I do. I just wish you had told me the truth, or at least told me why I wasn't being included."

The blonde nodded sadly, "I did not know how to handle the situation, and I'm sorry for that."

"And I'm sorry for overreacting, I should have heard you out before becoming upset. You are allowed to make mistakes Anakin you are only human after all … I think…"

He smiled at her joke, and the giggle that followed, before turning serious as he pushed aside the previous doubts he had. "Palpatine."

That word, that single name seems to echo through the room, and Padme Amidala froze in place, cold seeping through her body. It was impossible… the leader of the Republic was also the one controlling the Separatists? The kindly old man was a hate filled monster with incredible powers?

She couldn't believe it, and yet it all made so much sense. The reason she had never been able to find any evidence of wrongdoings against him, the steady increase in his own power starting from the invasion of Naboo, Anakin's cryptic warning concerning the old man…

Her thought process stopped, before she shook her head in disbelief, "Some investigator I am, you practically shoved the truth into my face years ago and I ignored it…"

His gentle smile helped to return her to warmth, "That's okay, you are only human after all… that or a space angel, I haven't managed to figure out which."

His words fanned the flames inside her, and on her face. For a moment she considered whether to return his mild flirtation with something a bit more direct, 'Maybe you should inspect me and find out' but it wasn't the time or place for such things.

Now was the time for planning. Palpatine wasn't someone they could just remove from the war without severe consequences, and it made sense that even Yoda couldn't do much about it. Despite how powerful and influential the Jedi were she very much doubted they could arrest, or kill, the supreme chancellor without significant repercussions.

The man had control over the Senate, the courts, most of the military, and even a good portion of the industrial capacity. This all ignored the fact he was the face of the Republic and democracy. Trillions of individuals looked up to him as their leader.

In their eyes, he was a savior, a light against the chaos that threatened them. What could they do against something like that?

A dimming in the young man's eyes makes her think that he has come to the same conclusion. Likely the eldest Jedi has as well. They couldn't make a move against someone with so many connections and power, and yet they also couldn't afford not to.

Then, an idea sprang to mind, and she was quick to follow it, "Do you have any evidence of his identity? Anything at all?"

"Nothing that a typical person would feel."

Ah, so he could sense Palpatine. Such a thing wouldn't be usable in any legal standing and if Yoda had spent hours with the man at a time it was surely something that the Jedi could not normally sense either.

Still, there had to be evidence. Everyone made mistakes, it was up to them to find Palpatine's. "I think we should contact master Yoda. We are going to need all the help we can get."

***HotF***

Obi-Wan let out a troubled sigh. The war, it was always on his mind, an ever-present looming shadow that threatened to choke the life and happiness out of all things. How many innocent people had been collateral damage? How many worlds left in ruin? How many of his brothers and sisters had died for a pointless conflict that seemed to have no end in sight?

Once more his thoughts traitorously led him to the choices of his master and apprentice. Had Qui-Gon and Ahsoka made the correct decision? Was leaving the Jedi order a choice when so many counted on him, and yet when every action made no difference? Was being a soldier, commander, and destroyer the destiny his master had seen in him all those many years ago?

Was this the result of being a 'great Jedi'?

He certainly did not feel like one. Every instinct, every lesson ever taught to him was being abandoned. Every day he took strides away from what he had learned as a small boy, and what his master and the others had instructed in him.

So invested was the young knight that he failed to notice another step up next to him. "Troubled you are hm?"

His head snapped to where the far shorter Jedi stood, "Master Yoda I… yes, I'm afraid I am."

A small smile appeared on the elder's face, one that Kenobi noticed often would when he felt an opportunity to 'teach'.

"I feel worn out master, as if everything that I try to fix does not but prolong the inevitable break. Like I am slowly drowning in the war." A nod of understanding was the response and encouraged him to continue. "I do not feel like the Jedi I am supposed to be, like a keeper of the peace and protector of the innocent. Every mission feels like we lose more and more, not just of the innocent but of ourselves as well. Where does it all end?"

"Understand your feelings, I do. Weigh heavily upon me, this war has. Seek your own truths and answers you must, rely on others' choices, you cannot."

His own master had said something similar before, about needing to make choices that were his own rather than what others laid out before him. Kenobi made a mental vow to spend more time meditating to discover this truth.

***HotF***

Massacre! Forty-six years ago the slaughter of a family took place, yet no one was ever held responsible. A family held in great public opinion, powerful and wealthy, and yet only one seemed to benefit.

The sole remaining heir, Sheev Palpatine. Why was this never investigated? Why did the young man never demand or seek justice? Why was the incident covered up?

What else is being concealed?

Sidious froze in place, before slowly turning to the source of the message that had just rang through his office.

The Holonet.

Without a moment of hesitation, he made his way towards his desk and scanned through the displays. Sure enough, the broadcast had been sent out over the public network all over the Republic.

How had someone managed to discover this? His own master had assured him that the incident was removed from the public's eye!

Rage billowed inside the aged man, he would discover the one who dared to pry into his business, and their end would not be quick or pleasant. For now though he would need to figure out a solution. If it had been a different incident he might have been able to ignore it, but the fact that it not only happened but was very personal would force his hand.

The public would want to know why he had not pushed for an investigation, and why it had been covered up.

He knew, because of his own involvement, but it would be difficult to explain away, unless he made it out to be a lie or hoax. The problem with these two options was that it would raise questions as to what happened to his actual family.

Not enough time to falsify reports to make it out to be an accident. Whoever was behind this was clever.

He would show them what happened to 'clever' individuals who crossed a Sith lord.

***HotF***

"Do you think it will be enough?"

Padme looked up from where she had been reading through screens of information. "To bring down someone as powerful as Palpatine? No chance, but it is a start. The key isn't to just throw everything we have at once, we do that and he can explain it away as a hoax. Instead we need to do tiny snippets over time. We present one piece of evidence he can't refute, that gets people talking. Then we add another, that starts to cause doubts. By the time we add the third, fourth, and fifth there is another to begin shattering his public image and maybe even start an investigation. Regardless what we want is to assure his removal from office once the emergency powers expire, maybe even have them revoked earlier than intended."

The blonde nodded slowly, looking over to where Ahsoka sat, just as equally fascinated at the conversation. He had to agree, watching their mutual friend go through the steps was amazing.

"It isn't going to be easy though." The youngest noted, pushing back her chair to rub wearily at her eyes. "I've been going through information for hours and he still looks like an above model citizen."

A sigh emanated from the former monarch's lips. True, finding something like the implied murder of his family had been the easy task, and even that had been digging through old police reports and thinking more than a little outside the box. Whoever was responsible for hiding any evidence of the man's 'dark side' was incredibly talented at their job.

"Mmm, trouble you are having hm?" An aged voice inquired as the sound of a cane tapping against the floor emanated from the doorway.

"Master Yoda!" Ahsoka happily exclaimed, finding her second wind as she rose to greet the elderly Jedi.

"Good to see you again, it is. Need help you do?"

Padme laughed softly as Anakin gave a grinning nod as well. "We could certainly use a new idea or a fresh pair of eyes."

"Fresh eyes, I have not had in centuries. A new idea, perhaps. Cover his tracks well, the chancellor has, but his associates perhaps not as well."

***HotF***

What first had been a reemergence of facts surrounding the death of the chancellor's family quickly escalated into further questions regarding a far more questionable past than any had thought existed.

Mysterious disappearances of political rivals

Ties to not just the Trade Federation, but other less than reputable organizations began to be hinted at.

Overly convenient escalations in power and prestige that often arose from tragedies were connected.

A broad picture began to emerge in the minds of the average citizen, that perhaps their 'perfect' leader was hiding secrets far darker than anyone could have imagined.

Despite his best efforts Palpatine had little luck in dissolving these rumors. Everywhere he went there would be whispers behind his back or in the hallway ahead of him. Was it true? Was the kindly old man so many looked up to rotten to the core? Was he somehow involved in not only the invasion of his home-world, but also in the war that threatened the lives of so many? Why had their been no talk of him giving up the emergency powers he had appeared so hesitant to accept all those years ago? Why was their no talk about the next elections?

Concealing a scowl, the chancellor continued on his path, halted only by a voice calling out to him. "Spoken recently, we have not chancellor. Catch up we soon will hm?"

Grand master Yoda, oh how Sidious longed to reveal himself and crush the life from the diminutive old fool. But now was not the time for such thoughts or actions. For now he had to fake kindness, and keep the Jedi in the dark.

"Ah master Yoda, what a pleasant surprise. It truly has been far too long hasn't it? I hope you will excuse me for now though, it seems as though I am late for a press conference."

A small smile formed on the older's face, "Mmm, address the rumors you will hm? Terrible they are, hope the truth comes out, I do."

There was something in his words, some hidden meeting that had the politician pausing in his journey and turning back towards his nemesis. The two made eye contact and in that moment Palpatine saw something in the eyes of the other. Something akin to scrutiny, as if he was looking through the shroud of illusions that cloaked him.

But such a thing was impossible.

The smile grew just a bit more, before Palpatine excused himself to continue towards his destination, unable to shake the unease that followed.

***HotF***

"Recent information has suggested that General Grievous is hiding in the Utapau system. If this information is correct, we will be able to capture or destroy him quickly."

Windu wasn't sure what exactly he had been expecting, but silence was certainly not it. The chancellor had not reacted in the least bit to his report, and instead sat motionless, his fingers steepled in front of his face, eyes staring past him, through him. The Jedi found it more than a little unnerving.

"Chancellor?"

"Hm? Oh yes of course master Windu, congratulations are in order. I am sorry my friend, I have simply had quite a bit on my mind recently."

A thought struck the younger man as he shifted just a bit closer to the one that he had come to consider a mentor. "Is something wrong?"

Sighing, Palpatine paused for a moment before he nodded his head, "I'm afraid so. It is this smear campaign that has been targeting me. It has weighed heavily on my mind as of late." For once it had not been a lie, despite actions that he had taken no progress seemed to have been possible at discovering the identity of the one behind the attacks. Even worse was his own inability to quell the damage to his image.

For every rumor he began to address another two took its place. It was quickly reaching a critical mass in which the allegations began to form even without the mysterious informant seemingly involved.

What was far more frustrating was the fact he had no time to personally deal with the situation. If he departed the capital someone was going to take notice. Without an apprentice zealously loyal to him he had no one to send in his stead that could be trusted with such a task, only now had he begun to doubt his decision in having Dooku killed.

The Jedi and military could not be repurposed for such a task, not in the middle of a war, and the politicians were monitoring his own connections closer than ever, always ready to pounce on any perceived weakness that could be exploited for their own gain.

"Is there something I can do to help?"

The question ripped the dark lord back to the situation at hand and helped to refocus his thoughts. Perhaps he was going about this the wrong way. The Senate was never going to vote him out of office, not while the war raged, and he still held so much control.

Instead of chasing around a mysterious antagonist he would simply continue with his plans. Windu needed that final push to corrupt him fully, Anakin still needed to be addressed, the new Jedi order dealt with, and the old exterminated. From there he would seize control and form his empire. But how to connect it all together?

A plan began to form in his corrupt mind.

"I need you to end this war my friend, you are the only one I trust to do this. You need to destroy Grievous and help to ensure a lasting peace."

Mace's back straightened, his chest puffing out just a tad more at the reliance that was placed on him. "Of course chancellor, anything I can do for the Republic."

"I just hope that my assumption is wrong..."

"Assumption?"

The elder nodded, a false sadness spreading across his features. "I am beginning to think it is not a coincidence, the timing of these personal attacks. The war has taken a turn towards ending for the first time in years, your prestige is soaring, and my popularity has never been higher. Then all of a sudden this occurs? I hate to think of the possibility but... it may have something to do with the new Jedi order that is gaining strength."

Frowning, the dark-skinned man began to consider the possibility. It seemed ludicrous at first, the new order had been one of peace and distancing itself from the war, what cause would they have to strike at the leader of the Republic?

As if sensing his doubt Palpatine nodded, "I can see the confusion in you, and I hope you are correct in your thoughts of their innocence. Unfortunately, I have received rumors that they have been in contact with the Separatists. If they are attempting some sort of negotiations..."

"It could be disastrous..." The Jedi finished, shock in his voice. It seemed impossible but such impossibilities had happened before, and could they truly afford to ignore such a threat?

"I need you to be my voice on the Jedi council, to speak for the Republic where I cannot. I need you to lead them now more than ever, and to keep a vigil eye over them. Be wary my friend, all is not as it seems."

***HotF***

"And for that reason the supreme chancellor has instructed me to lead the campaign that will end the war, once and for all."

The council was silent, each contemplating what one of their own had more or less declared to them. To all save for two it was more than a little concerning, how much control the politician had over not only the war and the government, but apparently their own group as well.

Of the two that had other thoughts one was merely awaiting the nods of acceptance, and planning his own future after he achieved peace for the Republic. The last, and eldest member of the Jedi order, a far more troubling debate filled his mind.

How had he not noticed?

Yoda had known, naturally, of the time Windu was spending with the chancellor, of how often he, and he alone, had reported to the man with updates on the war and of the Jedi's involvement. He also had been aware of the man's growing pride.

How had he not put two and two together before a young man opened his eyes to the truth? Over nine-hundred years of life and he still somehow overestimated the resilience of some, and underestimated how easily corruptible others could become.

Hadn't he been aware of the dark-skinned human's own research into the aggressive lightsaber forms that would eventually morph into Vaapad? Back when he was so sure that the Dark Side did exist and was corruption why was he not more concerned about his friend and former student?

Had Sidious blinded him to this as well, or was it simply his own decision to look away and become ignorant?

Regardless, the grand master was more sure than ever of Sidious' next apprentice, whether the man himself knew it or not. The only question now was how to save Mace from such a fate, if he even could at this point.

"Make our own decision on who should lead the campaign, the council will. Disturbing is this move by the chancellor to further his control."

The previous smirk of superiority fell from the sole member standing in the center of the circle, "The supreme chancellor is doing what is best. He has led the galaxy through the war this far, we should trust him to continue leading us."

"Perhaps a vote on who will lead the expedition is in order." Mundi interrupted in an attempt to find a diplomatic solution. "And to decide what other Jedi will accompany them."

"What?"

This time the rest of the council did frown at the other man's growl-like response.

"Capture of Grievous, ending this war depends upon. A top priority this is and cannot be trusted to one alone."

"I can handle it just fine."

The Jedi glanced amongst each other, before the vote was called.

***HotF***

"Master?"

Kenobi slowed in his movements towards the hanger where he was meeting up with the other Jedi and turned back to see his former apprentice, a soft smile forming on his face as he did so, "Hello Ahsoka, you do know you aren't required to call me that now."

She forced a smile at his attempt at a joke to try and lighten the mood. Mentally though she was more than a little distressed. Obi-Wan looked as though he had not been given a good night's rest in years, and she did not recall him looking so very old, so worn out.

Qui-Gon had warned her that conflict always aged those with a deeper sense of the universe faster than others, but to see it first hand was something entirely different. Even the older man's presence in The Force felt changed, stretched out and thin.

"Are you... feeling okay?"

For a split second it seemed as though he would give in to his weariness when finally confronted with it and simply let gravity bring him to the ground, but instead his back and legs went rigid with determination. "Just a bit tired. We are chasing the Separatists all over the galaxy it seems."

The young girl nodded sadly, "I've heard I'm sorry. We have been trying to have a peaceful end to all of this but..."

A pair of hands went to her shoulders in an attempt to comfort, although for a moment she believed it was just to keep himself upright. "I am proud of you Ahsoka, far more than you know. You are following the path I feel that the Jedi order should be rather than that of conflict and death. There are times that I wish..."

Before he could finish a voice interrupted, one that still seemed to irk Ahsoka despite her departure from the order. Windu, commanding him to report to the transport ship.

"I'm sorry, it seems our time has been cut short once more. Hopefully after this mission I will have some time to relax and perhaps catch up with you."

She nodded, biting back the urge to plead with him not to go, to come with her instead and find a life that would not drive him to the breaking point as his current one was. But it was not time for that, he needed to make his own choices just as she had.

"Be careful master... please, and may The Force be with you."

"You as well Ahsoka, you as well."

***HotF***