Have no fear, Grubkiller is here.
Hey folks. Here's chapter 7 of 'Rise of the Empire'.
This story is rated a strong T for minor sexual content. You've been duly warned.
Please enjoy.
PS: Review if you want. Your feedback is always appreciated.
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Coruscant, Jedi Temple.
Anakin ran through the large, ornate halls of the Jedi Temple. He was on his way to an important meeting in the Temple's briefing room.
He rushed down the hall that led to the Briefing Room. By the time he reached the Chamber, the last of the Jedi were already leaving. But he walked in anyway. Only Obi-Wan remains at the front of the lecture hall. He is shutting off some holograms and electronic charts and maps.
"You missed the report on the Outer Rim sieges," Obi-Wan said without turning around, still shutting down the computers and holo-tables.
"I'm sorry, I was held up," he lowered his head a little. "I have no excuse".
Obi-Wan still didn't turn his head. "In short, they are going very well. Saleucami has fallen..." Obi-Wan said as he finally turned to face Anakin. "...and Master Vos has moved his troops to Boz Pity".
"What about Mandalore?" Anakin asked, wanting to know how his padawan - no, former padawan - was doing.
"We don't have much, but there are reports of heavy fighting, and Darth Maul implementing some kind of scorched earth policy. It's nothing but chaos. But Ahsoka and her men have established a foothold in the capital. They should be continuing their advance as we speak," Obi-Wan informed.
"That's good. What's wrong then?" Anakin asked.
Obi-Wan crossed his arms over his chest, and he had a look of disbelief written on his face. "The Senate is expected to vote more executive powers to the Chancellor today.
"Well, that can only mean less deliberating and more action. Is that bad? It will make it easier for us to end this war," Anakin said, not seeing the downside of this new proposal of the senate giving more power over to the person that Anakin, perhaps, admired too much.
"Anakin, be careful of your friend Palpatine," Obi-Wan said with concern as he walked passed Anakin and started going up the stairs.
"Be careful of what?" Anakin asked as he turned and followed him.
"He has requested your presence," Obi-Wan answered.
"What for?"
"He would not say".
"He didn't inform the Jedi Council?" Anakin asked as they made it to the top of the stairs. They stood in the doorway. "That's unusual, isn't it?"
"All of this is unusual, and it's making me feel uneasy," Obi-Wan said as he he walked out into the hallway before they continued to conversation. "You're probably aware that relations between the Council and the Chancellor are stressed."
"I know the Council has grown wary of the Chancellor's power, mine also for that matter. Aren't we all working together to save the Republic? Why all this distrust?" Anakin asked, with a hint of naivety sprinkled into his question.
"The Force grows dark, Anakin, and we are all affected by it. Be wary of your feelings."
Chancellor's office, Senate Building, Coruscant.
Anakin stands with Palpatine at his office window, which was overlooking the vastness of Coruscant. Several buildings have been destroyed in the recent Separatist Invasion. A brown haze hung ominously over the landscape.
"Anakin, this afternoon the Senate is going to call on me to take direct control of the Jedi Council," Palpatine said as they looked out over the city from the lavishly decorated office, filled with leather furniture, silverly conduits, and red carpeting.
Anakin looked at Palpatine.
"The Jedi will no longer report to the Senate?"
"They will report to me . . . personally. The Senate is too unfocused to conduct a war. This will bring a quick end to things," Palpatine said.
"I agree, but the Jedi Council may not see it that way," Anakin said, a little bit concerned.
"There are times when we must all endure adjustments to the constitution in the name of security," Palpatine said.
"With all due respect, sir, the Council is in no mood for more constitutional amendments," Anakin said.
"Thank you, my friend, but in this case I have no choice," Palpatine said. "This war must be won".
"Everyone will agree on that".
Palpatine smiled and placed his hand on Anakin's shoulder as he began to walk, encouraging Anakin to walk with him.
"Anakin, I've known you since you were a small boy. I have advised you over the years when I could ... I am very proud of your accomplishments. You have won many battles the Jedi Council thought were lost . . . and you saved my life. I hope you trust me, Anakin".
Anakin stopped and they turned to look at each other.
"Of course".
"I need your help, son".
"What do you mean?"
Palpatine continued to walk, and Anakin continued to follow him around the office.
"I fear the Jedi. The Council keeps pushing for more control. They're shrouded in secrecy and obsessed with maintaining their autonomy . . . ideals. I find simply incomprehensible in a democracy".
"I can assure you that the Jedi are dedicated to the values of the Republic, sir".
"Nevertheless, their actions will speak more loudly than their words. I'm depending on you..."
"For what? I don't understand".
Palpatine continued. "...To be the eyes, ears, and voice of the Republic..." Palpatine said. Anakin was still confused as he thought about the Chancellor's words. "Anakin ... I'm appointing you to be my personal representative on the Jedi Council".
Anakin stopped dead in his tracks when he heard what Palpatine just requested. "Me? A Master? I am overwhelmed, sir ..." he said as he walked up next to Palpatine. "... but the Council elects its own members. They will never accept this".
"I think they will. They need you..." Palpatine said. "... more than you know."
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Private Message to Ahsoka Tano's communicator.
From: Lux Bonteri.
To: My dearest 'Soka.
Ahsoka.
I hope that this message reaches you. As you now, Coruscant has been attacked. But to put your mind at ease, I wanted to let you know that I am safe and sound. You do not have to worry about me (You can thank Saw for that). I've received great news: Count Dooku is dead. This means that justice has been given to everyone that he has ever taken advantage of, including my family and home world. And it also means that the war is almost over. We can, and will, spend time together. But I also understand the decision you've made Ahsoka. Master Skywalker tells me that you are leading an army liberate Mandalore (Your letter confirmed this). He also told me that you are considering reinstatement into the Grand Army. I couldn't be more proud of you. One of the things that I love most about you is that you have a need to help others (and bust a few heads along the way). No matter what you decide to do, I will love and support you, now and forever. Anyway, I wish you and your men success, and I will be praying for your safe return everyday until you and your men come marching home when this conflict is over.
Until then, may the force be with you my love.
Sincerley, Lux.
Mandalore. Sun'dari. Republic invasion day 2. twelve hours after Maul's use of WMDs.
Ahsoka read the message from her lover and sighed. She closed her eyes, leaned against a wall, and held the communicator close to her beating heart.
For a moment, the war didn't exist. There was peace. Her lover was safe and sound, and he was waiting for her to return.
'Oh the things we'll do to each other once we reunite'.
Suddenly, a familiar voice ripped her from her fantasies.
"Commander? Are you ready?" Rex asked.
"Oh, uh, of coarse," Ahsoka said as she put her communicator away.
Her troopers stacked up on the door. It led to a Shadow Collective observation post on the top floor of the building that they were in.
"Jesse, Echo! Slice this door, and prepare to breach the room" Rex ordered.
Both ARC trooper nodded and walked up to the door.
Echo crouched down and placed his hand in front of the door's control panel, while Jesse covered him. His cybernetic hand allowed a plug to extend from his finger, so he could access the door's astromech port. The device spun around with the control port, allowing Echo to interface with the computer. It was his gift, and his curse.
Suddenly, the light on the door's locking mechanism flashed from red to green, indicating that it was open.
As the double doors slid open, Jesse threw a pair of flash-bang grenades into the room. They detonated. Their were screams of pain emanating from the room.
"I can't see," a Mandalorian shouted.
"Now!" Ahsoka ordered as she sprinted through the door, her blue lightsabers at the ready. She pounced on the nearest Maul trooper that she could find. As her feet made contact with his torso and she pushed him down, she plunged her blades into his chest, cooking his heart and lungs while slicing through his spine.
When Ahsoka was done she force pushed two troopers out of the sixth floor window, letting them plummet to their deaths.
Her troopers swept the room. Blue blaster bolts illuminated the room.
Outside the window, Bo-Katan and some of her Night Owls broke off from the battle in the sky to lend Ahsoka a hand. The Nite Owl airborne warriors hovered with their jet packs. They aimed their blasters into the room and fired.
Maul's troopers were caught between the Republic and the Nite Owls. Not to mention the jedi that was jumping around. They fell to the ground one by one until the room was clear.
The Nite Owls and the clones swept the room.
All across the room, Maul's troopers littered the floor.
One Nite Owl called out to the rest of the room.
"I've got a live one over here!" He said as he yanked the red armored trooper up by his collar.
He stood on his knees as the Nite Owls surrounded him.
"Please don't kill me," he begged.
"Are you seriously asking us for mercy?" one night owl asked.
The Maul trooper was pushed to the ground by another Nite Owl's foot. "You don't deserve mercy".
"What mercy did you show to our people?" Another Nite Owl shouted.
"Time to die!" Another one exclaimed as he pointed his blaster at the prisoner's head.
Echo went up to him and grabbed the commando's wrist, halting him.
"Wait, Wait! He can help us," Echo said, trying to keep his allies from unleashing a world of hurt on every Maul trooper they get their hands on.
But Kryze's people didn't want to hear it. They were still pissed at how these Shadow Collective warriors were just letting Maul level their cities, and their people.
"Help us?" The disgusted warrior said before he shoved Echo back, before he blasted the prisoner in the face, before he turned back to the Clones. "He can die for us".
One of the other Mandalorians spat on the corpse as he walked by. "Aruetii!" He shouted, using the Mando'a term for traitor.
As the Nite Owls started to walk away, Hardcase threw his arms up. "Pfft! Well we can't get any information now".
Ahsoka was in utter shock.
The Nite Owls stepped out onto the deck to get ready to fly. They were going to rejoin their fellow warriors in the air to fight the super commandoes that were loyalty Maul.
Ahsoka, with her troopers behind her, stepped out to confront Bo-Katan.
"Kryze!" Bo turned around to face Ahsoka. "What are you doing? This isn't war. This is murder".
"No! What Maul's doing is murder. What we're doing is justice. That's how war is fought!" Bo said.
"I can't accept that. You can't just go around and shoot everyone that works for Maul. Especially when they are surrendering. That's not how you win over hearts and minds," Ahsoka said.
"You don't understand..." Kryze started to say before Ahsoka cut her off.
"No! I do understand. A year ago, my people were enslaved by Zygerrian slavers who were working for the Separatists. They committed terrible atrocities against my people. But did I go around killing every Zygerrian and their mother in the name of "justice"? NO! I showed restraint. And you need to do the same if you want this planet to side with you after this is over. And may I remind you that you called for our help? If you want to keep getting it, then you'll show mercy. Because we came here to stop a madman and liberate a planet. Not kill everyone who stood against us along the way," Ahsoka said.
A couple of Nite Owls stepped forward, as if to be intimidating. A few clones copied them. The tension between the two sides was so thick that it could be cut with a knife.
"Fine. We'll do it your way, Tano." Kryze said as she stepped out onto the roof, before she turned back to face Ahsoka, "for now!"
Seconds later, she jetted away. Her warriors followed. Ahsoka coughed and waved the trail of smoke away from her.
She and the clones were left alone on the roof.
"Nice one, commander," Rex complimented.
Suddenly several balls of blue plasma slammed into the building across the street.
"This is insane! Our boys on the big guns are tearing the city apart!" Kix shouted out.
"Everyone get inside," Ahsoka ordered as they went inside. "We'll cut through the buildings, head down to the street, and link up with the rest of the regiment".
Ahsoka and her men moved through the buildings, clearing them out one by one until they made it to street level.
They were soon in a warehouse at the bottom floor of a building that was near the Republic column. The whine of blaster fire filled the streets as both sides continued to hammer each other.
Ahsoka and her troopers pushed Maul's troopers out of the warehouse and into the streets. They fell back up the road with their comrades.
"Keep moving! We've got to take this road. It'll lead us straight to the palace," Lieutenant Bow, who was leading the armor, yelled out with his hand pointed in the direction of Maul's forces.
The AT-TE's stomped forward on their six jointed legs. They fired their weapons as they went.
Ahsoka placed herself in front of the tanks, using her lightsabers to deflect multiple shots that came her way as she slowly walked forward. Rex and the other Clones advanced as well. Republic forces laid down heavy fire on the retreating Shadow Collective troopers.
Maul's forces continued to fall back to the end of the street, firing back as they went.
Explosions rocked the buildings. Dust and debris fell from rooftops into the street below.
That's when the Republic came up on an intersection. It had a road that led directly into the Palace.
"We have to take that intersection. Keep moving forward!" Ahsoka ordered.
Suddenly, a storm of yellow tracers was unleashed upon the Republic convoy, from the front of the 4 story building that overlooked the intersection. Several rockets flew towards the Republic armored column.
"Incoming!" Rex shouted.
The Clones dove behind whatever cover that they could find. Others just threw themselves flat against the ground. Ahsoka dove to the ground just as the missiles streaked over her head and hit the cockpit of the lead AT-TE behind her. It's front exploded, before it collapsed. Shrapnel from the explosion flew everywhere. Some shards dinged as the hit the street around Ahsoka.
She got up in order to rally her men.
"Troopers, throw everything you have into the building!" Ahsoka shouted.
The clones moved up, firing on the building that the Shadow Collective controlled. The Building was a fortress. Rockets and laser bolts continued to fly out of the window and into the Republic column. The Tanks were pinned down and couldn't move.
Troopers continued to fire back, but they didn't seem to be having an effect.
Ahsoka continued to deflect laser bolts back at the building, but Maul's troopers were well concealed by the window. As a new volley of rockets streamed out of the windows, an idea popped into her head. After deactivating her sabers, Ahsoka ran towards the volley of rockets.
She stopped, held her position, and channeled the power of the force into her hands. When the rockets got closer, she spun around in a 360 degree circle and propelled a powerful shockwave in the direction of the incoming missiles.
The rocket propelled projectiles were flung back in the direction of building. They smashed into the side of the building and exploded. The windows that exploded were the ones that the rockets were fired from.
Ahsoka pointed to the building
"Light that building up!" She shouted.
Lt. Bow was in front of the armor, making a hand signal. He pointed his hand towards the armor. "Open FIRE!" He shouted.
The AT-TEs marched forward, firing their powerful mass drivers and forward blasters into the building. Powerful blue cannon blasts pounded the building repeatedly. Holes were blasted into the siding. The enemy fire coming from the AT-TEs' target was thinning out rapidly.
Soon, the top floors collapsed down to the bottom floor. The space below was filled in with debris. The air pockets in the bottom floors pushed out in every direction, dust exploded out of the building with the air. A massive dust cloud filled in the street, obscuring everyone's vision.
"Come on, move up. Make sure that the area is clear!" Rex ordered the rest of the troopers in front of the column.
Clones of the 501st moved down the street, scouting out the intersection.
There were corpses everywhere.
Republic troopers lightly nudged the bodies for signs of life.
None.
Suddenly, a series of loud booms echoed across the city and rumbled through the ground beneath them.
"What the Hell was that!" Sgt. Coric said.
"I don't know," Rex said. "But keep your guard up."
A few seconds later
The roar of a dozen jet packs echoed down the street. The sound was getting closer. Bo-Katan flew to the intersection next to Ahsoka, with a dozen of her warriors.
"Tano!" She shouted as she landed.
"What was that Kryze?" Ahsoka asked the 'Warrior Duchess'.
"Maul just detonated several large bombs. He blocked off all of the major routes into the city center," Kryze said before she turned to the road in front of them. "Except this one".
"Why would they do that?" Ahsoka asked as everyone looked down the street.
"Because they're waiting for us down this road," Rex said.
"What do we do now?" Ahsoka asked. "We don't have any heavy equipment to unblock the roads, or the time."
"Well, whatever we do, we need to take out those cannons if we want your fleet to support us, and this is the only way we can get to the main control center that controls all of them..." Bo-Katan said before she inhaled. "...which is on the other side of a bridge down this road".
Everyone looked down the road, which was the only one that was open.
"What are your orders Ma'am?" Rex asked.
"Rex, give the word. Tell the men to advance," Ahsoka said.
Rex nodded before he turned to face his troopers.
"FORWARD MEN!"
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Coruscant, Senate Building, Bail Organa's office.
In the middle of the day, in the office of Senator Bail Organa that overlooked the city, and was over-shadowed by the larger Senate building, Padme, Bail Organa, and senators Mon Mothma, Fand Zar, Giddean Danu, and Terr Teneel were sitting around a table.
"Now that he has control of the Jedi Council, the Chancellor has appointed Governors to oversee all star systems in the Republic," Bail Organa said as a service droid walked over and placed a tray of drinks on the table for the six senators.
"When did this happen?" Fang Zar, the bearded senator from Sern Prime, asked.
"The decree was posted this morning," said with his hands clasped as he looked at Senator Zar to answer his question.
Padme looked at her friend with surprise. "Do you think he will dismantle the Senate?"
"Why bother?" Mon Mothma, from Chandrilia, asked as she shrugged her shoulder. "As a practical matter, the Senate no longer exists".
"The constitution is in shreds," Giddean Danu, the dark-skinned senator of Kuat, stated. Everyone looked at him to let them know that he had their attention. "Amendment after amendment ... executive directives, sometimes a dozen in one day."
"We can't let a thousand years of democracy disappear..." Bail said before he paused. Then he finished. "...without a fight".
Everyone looks at each other, a little worried at the implications of what was just said. They all looked at Bail in stunned silence.
"What are you suggesting?" Terr Teneel, who represented Senex, asked slowly with a hint of shock in her voice.
"Suggesting ... I-I apologize," he stuttered with his hand over his heart. "I didn't mean to sound like a Separatist".
"We are not Separatists trying to leave the Republic," she reassured the senators across the table. She then turned to Bail to let him feel comfortable expressing his opinion. "We are loyalists, trying to preserve democracy in the Republic," Mon Mothma said. Bail nodded in agreement.
"It has become increasingly clear to many of us that the Chancellor has become an enemy of democracy," Bail said, continuing his earlier thought.
"I can't believe it has come to this!" Padme said as she shook her head and looked at each of her colleagues. "Chancellor Palpatine is one of my oldest advisors. He served as my Ambassador when I was Queen".
Everyone looked at her, sensing the disbelief, and slight naivety, in her voice. Giddean Danu leaned over in his seat and clasped his hands and looked directly at her.
"Senator, I fear you underestimate the amount of corruption that has taken hold in the Senate," Danu said. Padme looked down at her lap, contemplating his words.
"The Chancellor has played the Senators well," Mon Mothma spoke up. "They know where the power lies, and they will do whatever it takes to share in it. Palpatine has become a dictator and we have helped him to do it".
Bail Organa got up from his seat. "And we can't sit around debating any longer". He began to pace around in the middle of his office. he walked back and stood between his empty chair and Mon Mothma's chair. "we have decided to do what we can to stop it," he continued as he pointed his hand towards Mon Mothma. "Senator Mon Mothma and I are putting together an organization..."
Padme raised her hands slightly in Bail's direction. "Say no more senator, I understand. At this point, it's better to leave some things unsaid".
Bail nodded. "Agreed". He looked around at his colleagues. "And so we will not discuss this with anyone, without everyone in this group agreeing".
Everyone was stunned into silence. Fang Zar stroked his beard as he sat nervously.
"That means those closest to you..." Mon Mothma said. "...even family," Mon Mothma said as she looked in Padme's direction. "no one can be told".
They all nod their heads. Padme considers this for a moment. Mon Mothma's words about family not being told made her start thinking about Anakin. She loved him very dearly and believed that she could trust him with anything. But she also knew that Anakin was a little too chummy with Palpatine for his own good.
But for now, she simply nodded.
"Agreed".
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Council Chamber, Jedi Temple.
High above Coruscant, in one of the five towers of the Jedi Temple, the Council was in session. Everyone was there. Except for Shaak Ti, who was still recovering from her fight with General Grievous. Plo Koon and Ki-Adi-Mundi were there, but they were attending via hologram. There were two issues at hand. The first one was standing in the middle of the Room.
Anakin Skywalker stood in the exact center of the room, surrounded by the Jedi Council. He has been appointed by Chancellor Palpatine to be his personal representative on the Jedi Council. It was an unprecedented move. The Chancellor can't appoint someone to the Council. Only its members could do that. It was just another example of the Chancellor overstepping his boundaries.
"Anakin Skywalker, we have approved your appointment to the Council as the Chancellor's personal representative," Mace Windu said.
"I will do my best to uphold the principles of the Jedi Order," Anakin said with a bow.
"Allow this appointment lightly, the Council does not. Disturbing is this move by Chancellor Palpatine," Yoda said.
"I understand," Anakin said.
"You are on this Council, but we do not grant you the rank of Master," Mace said out flat, his gaze somewhat icy.
Anakin reacts with anger.
"What?! How can you do this? This is outrageous, it's unfair! How Dare You!?" Anakin exclaimed as he stood, welded to the floor. Everyone in the chamber looked at each other, completely taken aback by Skywalker's reaction. "I'm more powerful than any of you.
The voice that came from his lips wasn't his own. It was deeper, darker, more sinister. Clipped and oiled, resonating from the depths of his heart. It didn't sound like him at all, and it smoked with fury.
"How can you be on the Council and not be a Master?" Anakin asked.
Yoda pointed a finger at Skywalker. "The Chancellor's representative you are. And it is as a representative, this council you shall attend. You will sit in this chamber, but no vote will you have. The Chancellor's views you shall present. His wishes, his ideas, his directives. not your own," Yoda said.
"This is an insult to me, and an insult to the Chancellor," Anakin said, his answer transcending darkness. "I don't imagine that it will be tolerated".
Master Windu stared at Anakin with eyes that were as cold as the voice coming from Anakin's mouth before he challenged. "Take a seat, young Skywalker," he said as he gestured towards an empty chair, still staring at him with cold eyes.
Emotionless, Anakin matched Windu's stare.
'Perhaps I'll take yours,' he thought to himself, his inner voice burning with a hot black fire that smoked from the depths of his burning heart. 'You think you can stop me from saving my love? You think you can make me watch her die?!' Anakin screamed in his head.
"Anakin..." Obi-Wan said softly, gesturing to the seat next to him, which Windu had pointed to earlier. "...please".
Something inside Obi-Wan's voice, and his simple straight-forward request, sent his anger slinking off ashamed. Anakin felt himself alone, in the middle of the Jedi Council. He suddenly felt very young, and very, very foolish.
He gave Master Windu a slight bow. "Forgive me, Master," he said before he sulked over to the empty chair next to Obi-Wan. His first day on the Council hadn't even started yet and he already managed to embarrass himself in front of the Council. Anakin sat down as Obi-Wan shook his head. Master Windu continued to stare at Anakin even after he had taken a seat.
With all that nonsense out of the way, they went on to the second item for the meeting: The Outer Rim Sieges.
"We have surveyed all systems in the Republic, and have found no sign of General Grievous," master Mundi's hologram said.
"Hiding in the Outer Rim, Grievous is. The outlying systems, you must sweep," Yoda said.
"It may take some time . . . we do not have many ships to spare," Obi-Wan said.
"And we cannot take ships from the front line," Mace said.
"And yet, it would also be fatal for us to allow the droid armies to regroup," Obi-Wan said.
"Our spies contact, we must, and then wait we shall," Yoda said.
"What about the droid attack on the Wookiees?" Master Mundi asked.
Kashyyyk was one of many systems that the Separatist had attacked before the Invasion of Coruscant. It sat at the crossroads of several major hyperspace lanes.
"The only forces we have on the planet is Delta Squad," Mace said, referring to a commando unit that's been conducting Recon/sabotage missions against the local Separatist forces. "It is critical we send an attack group there, immediately!" Master Windu agreed with Mundi.
"He's right, that is a system we cannot afford to lose. It's the main navigation route for the northeastern quadrant," Obi-Wan added,
"I know that system well. It would take us little time to drive the droids off that planet," Anakin said, obviously offering to go to Kashyyyk.
"Skywalker, your assignment is here with the Chancellor," Mace said, subtly telling Anakin to 'shut up and stop embarrassing yourself'.
"Go, I will. Good relations with the Wookiees, I have," Yoda said.
"It is settled then. Yoda will take a battalion of clones to reinforce the Wookiees on Kashyyyk. May the Force be with us all," Mace said.
Anakin sat in his seat, disappointed.
Later, after the council meeting was adjourned, Anakin and Obi-Wan walk through one of the massive Jedi Temple hallways.
Anakin is furious.
"What kind of nonsense is this, put me on the Council and not make me a Master!?" Anakin exclaimed as they walked passed a large window, which shined the dusk sun through the large glass panel. Then, Anakin continued. "That's never been done in the history of the Jedi. It's insulting!"
"Oh, calm down, Anakin. You have been given a great honor. To be on the Council at your age ... It's never happened before," Obi-Wan said before he stopped. Anakin stopped to continue the conversation. "Listen to me, Anakin. The fact of the matter is you're too close to the Chancellor. The Council doesn't like it when he interferes in Jedi affairs".
"I swear to you, I didn't ask to be put on the Council..." Anakin said.
"But it's what you wanted! Your friendship with Chancellor Palpatine seems to have paid off," Obi-wan said before he continued walking down the hall, with Anakin following him again.
"That has nothing to do with this," Anakin said.
"Anakin, regardless of how it happened, you find yourself in a delicate situation," Obi-Wan said.
"You mean divided loyalties?" Anakin asked.
"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," Obi-Wan said.
"The Council is upset I'm the youngest to ever serve," Anakin said, feeling like the Jedi were holding back from his true destiny: which at this point was to gain more power to save Padme from his nightmares.
"No, it is not. Anakin, I worry when you speak of jealousy and pride. Those are not Jedi thoughts. They're dangerous, dark thoughts," Obi-Wan said, echoing the lecture of many Jedi that were around before.
"Master, you of all people should have confidence in my abilities. I know where my loyalties lie," Anakin said adamantly.
"I hope so..." Obi-Wan said.
"I sense there's more to this talk than you're saying," Anakin said.
"Anakin, the only reason the Council has approved your appointment is because the Chancellor trusts you".
This got Anakin's attention. "And...?" He pressed.
"Anakin, look, I am on your side. I didn't want to see you put in this situation," Obi-Wan said.
"What situation?"
Obi-Wan stopped and took a deep breath. He turned around and faced his old friend before he spoke under his breath. "The Council wants you to report on all of the Chancellor's dealings. They want to know what he's up to," Obi-Wan revealed.
"They want me to spy on the Chancellor?" He asked, completely dumbfounded. They walked and stopped in front of a window. "That's treason!"
"We are at war, Anakin. 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?"
"This assignment is not to be on record. The Council asked me to approach you on this personally," he admitted.
"The Chancellor is not a bad man, Obi-Wan. He befriended me. He's watched out for me ever since I arrived here," Anakin said, defending Palpatine's reputation against the the Jedi, even if the Jedi included Obi-Wan.
"That is why you must help us, Anakin. Our allegiance is to the Senate, not to its leader who has managed to stay in office long after his term has expired.
"Master, the Senate demanded that he stay longer," Anakin pointed out.
"Yes, but use your feelings, Anakin. Something is out of place," Obi-Wan said.
Anakin stared at his master in disbelief as he walked over to the window. "You're asking me to do something against the Jedi Code..." he said as he stopped to look out the window. "...Against the Republic. Against a mentor, and a friend. That's what's out of place here. Why are you asking this of me?" Anakin asked as he looked back at Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wanaverted his eyes away from Anakin before he looked back at him.
"The Council is asking you."
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Republic/Night owl assault force, Sundari, 1/4 mile from royal palace. Day 2 of the invasion.
Allied forces continued down the road that led to the royal palace. This was where the resistance began to get more and more fanatical. Ahsoka deflected laser bolts back at Maul's forces. She expertly sent shots straight back at those who fired them. Clone Troopers inched forward with the armor. AT-RTs and AT-TEs fired their ordnance at the enemy.
Republic troopers set up mortars and repeating blasters to pin down the Shadow Collective defenders. Bo-Katan's forces were busy flying above, trying to keep the skies in Republic hands.
"Rex. What's going on? What do you see?" Ahsoka asked as she continued deflecting laser bolts.
The veteran clone captain pulled his helmet antennae down and zoomed in down the road.
"I see the palace. But the enemy resistance is getting stronger," Rex said as he looked around. Then he looked up a building until he noticed the enemy commander in the region, standing on the rooftop of the building he was looking at. A Mandalorian super commando with maroon armor, an orange visor, and dark horns on his helmet, was giving orders to the defenders. "Ah crap! It's Gar Saxon. He's leading the defense".
Gar Saxon was Maul's top field commander. He was fanatical, and so were his warriors.
Suddenly, heavy mortar fire came down on the Allied forces. Several Republic walkers were wiped out. That's when enemy death watch troopers, who were waiting in reserve, came in out of nowhere. They swooped in and strafed the road. Dozens of Clones were killed on the road, and many night owls were shot down.
"Everyone fall back. Now!" Ahsoka ordered.
The Republic and Night Owl forces withdrew back the way they came. Saxon's counter-attack had driven the invaders back to their forward camp.
Shadow Collective road block. 1/4 miles from the royal palace.
"Commander Saxon, report! What are their losses? I want this to be a day of mourning for the invaders," Maul said as a machine-chair walked over with his hologram emitting from its projector.
Gar Saxon turned around and bowed before his lord and master. "My lord. Enemy forces have been driven back. If you let me go then I can wipe them out," he said.
"No. I know that you want to taste their blood, spilled in battle. But you've exhausted your forces since this battle has begun. We don't yet have the forces necessary to push them out. We can only keep them at bay and drive back their fleet. But fear not. Once our reinforcements arrive, they will pay dearly for their transgressions against Mandalore, in due time," Maul said, emphasizing the last three words. "But until then, a live commander is more useful to me than a dead hero".
Maul was right. The allied fleet has destroyed a lot of the ships that were meant to bring reinforcements. But their fleet above the city could keep the Republic Navy at bay with artillery support from the city. And the extra ground forces, freed up from the other sectors, will go a long way to destroying the Republic invaders.
"As you wish my lord," Saxon said before the hologram disappeared, cutting off the transmission. He turned around, his hands clasped behind his back, and looked out over the carnage that his men caused.
The Invaders will suffer.
Allied camp. 1/2 mile from palace.
After the retreat, Ahsoka, Rex, and Bo-Katan all gathered around the holo-table at the forward command post with a few Clone and Nite Owl officers.
That attack had cost them dearly. The screams of the wounded soldiers filled the camp.
But the good news was that Republic artillery has finally been moved in closer to the front. They began to bombard the region that the allies just fled from.
"I don't think they can come here to launch a counter-attack," One Nite Owl warrior said. "Our fleet did a number on Maul's forces. They can't reinforce the city as much as they originally wanted to".
"But we still can't get any supplies, reinforcements, or heavy equipment brought in with those big guns protecting the city," Rex pointed out. "So we're in the same boat, but with more holes on our side".
"So they can't attack right now, but we can't at all?" Bo-Katan asked before she placed her hands on the edge of the Holo-table to prop herself up. "That's fantastic".
Ahsoka finally spoke up. "Get me in touch with Captain Autem".
In the Mandalore's lower atmosphere, 2000 miles from Sun'dari.
Republic star-fighters continued to dogfight Maul's air units in Mandalore's lower atmosphere.
ARC-170s and Fang fighters fought hard for control of the air. Both sides were too evenly matched. No one really won unless the other side was outnumbered. Fighters from both sides were shot down and spun out of control in the desert surface below.
The Republic task force, led by the RSV Indomitable, plowed through the night sky. The Ventors were scatterred across the planet with the escorts, trying to cover more ground and expand the battlefield in the sky, hoping to intercept Maul's bombers.
Capt. Autem hovered over the holo-table that had Ahsoka and Bo-Katan materialized on top of it.
"Captain. Report. What's going on up there," Bo demanded.
"Ma'am. We're still trying to stop Maul's bombers before they reach their targets. But with our fighter strength stretched this thinly, one of them is bound to make it through, which a few have. We're taking casualties, and my pilots are flying missions around the clock. The only reason we've had this much success is because we called down some of your fighters from the battle in orbit," Autem explained to Kryze.
"We need to push through now. Can you get your fleet here any sooner to drop off your reserve forces?" Bo asked, in a demanding way.
"Not unless you've taken out those cannons," Autem said.
"We're still working on that captain," Ahsoka informed.
As they spoke, Nite Owl and Shadow Collective vessels continued to hammer away at each other in orbit. The Nite Owls just received reinforcements from the colonies that were loyal to Mandalore. That was the only reason why Maul's forces were pulling back.
Autem's fighters were mopping up the last of the Bombers. Several ARC-170s chased down a flight of three Kom'rk bombers and their escorts. The Republic ships fired their blasters at the fleeing ships. It wasn't really fleeing. They were trying to get to its target.
When the Mandalorian bomber crashed, it's nuclear payload detonated. A mushroom cloud formed 1 mile over the desert floor.
The remaining two missiles from the other bombers began to travel towards their target city. It was too late to try and shoot them down, so the Republic fighters broke off.
"Sir, two missiles are heading straight for the city," One officer called out.
"Sir! The Renegade is calling us to pick up their escape pods and provide space for their squadrons!" Another officer called out.
The Captain looked up, totally confused. But before he could ask why, he saw a Venator cut through the clouds and move into the path of the two missiles. Autem watched in dumbstruck horror as the cruiser cut across the path of the two missiles. Suddenly, there was a flash of light, and a massive explosion. Everyone shilded their eyes from the blinding white light. When the light settled, they saw a black cloud hang above the desert. That's when they saw the burning remains pf the Renegade plummet towards the ground.
Autem took his officer cap off and placed it over his heart, and mouthed out a prayer for the crew, who bravely sacrificed themselves to save the city, which was still there. They didn't know it yet, but that city people would one-day immortalize the memory of the Renegade crew forever with their own monument, and a holiday.
The shockwave from the nuclear blast caused a brown out on the ship's systems for a few seconds. Put the power kicked back on. Ahsoka and Kryze's holograms fizzled out and then reappeared.
Ahsoka was clearly saddened by what had just happened.
Autem sighed.
"You'd better hurry. Every city that Maul destroys, is another batch of reinforcements that he can free up to drive you out of Sun'dari. We've tried intercepting some of his ships and convoys from the destroyed cities, but we we've been focusing most of our efforts on stopping Maul's plan," he said, referring to the clone pilots who flew every hour, to try and stop the destruction of Mandalore. "We won't be able to reinforce you wit those heavy guns still protecting Maul's forces," Autem said.
"We'll get it done captain," Ahsoka said.
Bo just nodded. Not wanting to talk. She felt that the operation wasn't going fast enough. She was right of coarse. The sooner they stopped Maul, the sooner he stops trying to wipe out cities.
"Very well. Good luck. Indomitable out," Autem said before the two holographic figures disappeared.
Autem walked over to the viewport at the front of the ship's bridge. He looked down and watched as more of his fighters landed to refuel, while others flew off to fly more missions.
An invasion was difficult enough as is. But with Maul trying to wipe out cities across the planet they were in the process of liberating, Autem's pilots were working overtime, intercepting enemy bombers and tracking enemy troop movements.
The Republic and Nite Owl fleets were no longer just trying to liberate a planet. They were also trying to prevent the genocide of an entire civilization.
Autem, turned to his XO.
"Commander, tell the Pioneer and Coruscant sky's battle groups to keep intercepting enemy bombers. I want our gunships to start picking up Renagade's escape pods". Autem ordered.
"Yes sir," the clone officer said.
"Oh, and tell any surviving ship in her task force to split into three groups and join us and the other battle groups," Autem ordered.
The clone officer salute and ran off to relay the orders.
Back at the camp, Ahsoka and the others had just finished speaking with Autem.
"So, any suggestions?" Ahsoka asked.
A clone rushed into the command tent. He saluted. Everyone turned their attention towards him.
"Ma'am, may I interupt?" The clone asked.
Ahsoka nodded.
"Sgt. Coric has just called in from his scouting mission. He and his team have made contact with a damaged AT-TE that was lost in the retreat. They're trapped behing enemy lines, but they say that they've found a way to the enemy's laser control center. He says that we should be able to disable most of the cannons if we take out the building," the trooper informed.
Ahsoka turned back to the rest of the group.
"I just found out our next coarse of action. Rex and Kryze? We'll gather our best troopers, and go over Coric's position, and make sure that tank is in working order. Then we'll escort it to the control center, and take out those guns," Ahsoka said. Rex and Bo nodded. "Lt. Bow, I want you to keep dropping artillery on Maul's territory, and send in scouting teams to launch small probing attacks on Saxon's line. I want you to keep their attention away from us while we get to that damaged walker, and take out those guns. If we're discovered, I want you to try and press your attack and get the Regiment closer to the palace. Understood?" Ahsoka asked.
Everyone nodded.
"Good, now let's snap to it people. There's a certain Zabrak's butt that needs kicking, and a system that needs saving," Ahsoka said enthusiastically.
Of coarse, her enthusiasm was welcome, but somewhat misplaced, as time was not on their side.
Unfinished letter to Lux Bonteri, from his girlfriend Ahsoka Tano.
Dear Luxie.
I got your response. I'm really glad that you're all right. When this war is over, we'll be able to spend as much time as possible together. That, however, brings me to my next point: Yes, I am considering reinstatement into the GAR. I really miss fighting with the rest of the boys alongside my old master. I want it to be like the old days. I'm really glad that you understand. At least this time I'd have you in my life without worrying about-
-letter ends here.
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Coruscant, en route to Republic staging area.
A gunship flew across the skyline above Coruscant, whilst avoiding the endless traffic of the Planet. It was carrying three very important Jedi and several clone troopers. The Jedi were Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, and the short, yet wise and powerful, Jedi Grand Master Yoda himself. The three of them were discussing Young Skywalker's newest assignment.
Anakin has been spending time with Palpatine a lot lately. It was Palpatine who wanted to put Anakin on the Council. The Council allowed it, but did not allow him to be granted the rank of master, which upset young Skywalker. The Council was afraid that the Chancellor was gaining too much power, and they were afraid that young Skywalker was getting to close to him, even though they ordered Anakin to keep an eye on Palpatine. With the divide between the Jedi and Chancellor growing, they were afraid of Anakin siding with Palpatine.
"Anakin did not take to his assignment with much enthusiasm," Obi-Wan said.
"It's very dangerous to put those two together. I don't think the boy can handle it. I don't trust him," Windu said as he looked out the side of the Gunship.
Obi-Wan looked at him to interject.
"With all due respect Master, is he not the chosen one?" Obi-Wan asked. Windu turned his head to look at Kenobi. "Is he not the one chosen to destroy the Sith and bring balance to the force?"
"So the prophecy says," Windu said.
"A Prophecy..." Yoda said. The other two jedi looked at him as Yoda stroked his chin in deep thought. "...That misread could have been".
That got the other two Jedi thinking. What if the prophecy was misread. What if everything they thought Skywalker was, or meant to be, was a lie.
The Gunship landed at a Republic Military Installation. Battalions of clones stood at attention, as hundreds of viechles, including the massive Turbo Tanks, were loaded onto the Venators.
A Wookie leader named Chewbacca went to meet the three jedi as they stepped off of the gunship. He was the liaison to the Jedi for the Wookie people. His planet was under a Separatist invasion, for his world Kashyyk rested on the crossroads of many hyperspace lanes, several of which led into or near Republic/Separatist space.
Yoda was going to lead the Jedi task force to liberate the planet.
This ordeal with the Chancellor and Skywalker was going to have to wait. There was still a war to fight.
But of coarse, the Jedi were still unaware of the serious conspiracy that threatened to tear the Republic down.
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500 Republica.
On her way back home from the Senate, Padme's Speeder pulls up to the landing platform. Captain Typho escorts Padme onto the veranda, where two handmaidens, Elle and Motee, are waiting. Padme turns to Captain Typho.
"Thank you, Captain," she said.
He nodded. "Rest well, My Lady," he said before he gets back into the Speeder, and it disappears into the cityscape.
The handmaidens, Motee and Elle, approach Padme as the shadow of a figure moves in the background. C-3PO is standing nearby.
"You are relieved for the night," Padme said.
Her handmaidens bowed. "Yes, my lady," one of them said before they left the apartment.
C-3PO stands, confused, as the handmaidens turn and exit. "Is there anything I might do for you, my lady?" He asked.
"Yes, make sure all the security droids are working," she ordered. "Thank you, Threepio".
The golden droid turns and exits.
Padme stands and watches the sunset from the veranda that looked out over the city, thinking that it might setting on the Age of the Republic. The shadowy figure from earlier moves toward her from the living room. She senses something.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Someone asked.
"AH!" Padme shouted as she jumped and turned around. She saw that it was her husband, who was showing her his palms to show that he was unarmed, calming her down. "You startled me," she said as she sat down on the couch.
Anakin walked over and sat next to her on the couch. He placed his flesh hand on her baby bump and began to rub it.
"How are you feeling?" He asked as he continued rubbing.
"He keeps kicking," Padme said.
"He?!" Anakin asked with one eyebrow arched over the other. "Why do you think it's a boy?"
Padme started giggling. "My motherly intuition". She said as she puts her hand over Anakin hand to keep it on her belly. Anakin suddenly felt a little tap on his hand. Except that it was coming from inside Padme. It was the baby kicking.
"Whoa!" He exclaimed in surprise. "With a kick that strong, it's got to be a girl".
They both laughed in response to Anakin's joke. Then Padme looked at her husband.
"I heard about your appointment." She flashed another one of her beautiful smiles in his direction, lighting up the room. "Anakin. I'm so proud of you".
Anakin's smile disappeared.
Padme's did as well, and she looked at him with a confused look.
"I may be on the Council, but..." He paused. "...they refused to accept me as a Jedi Master.
"Annie..." Padme cooed before she scooted closer to him and placed her hand on his head, and pulled him down so that he could rest his head on her lap. "Patience. In time, they will recognize your skills". She said as she began to stroke her hair.
"They still treat me as if I were a Padawan learner. . . they fear my power, that's the problem". He said.
"Anakin..." She said surprised.
Anakin sat back up in order to speak directly to his wife. He lowered his head and looked at his lap.
"Sometimes, I wonder what's happening to the Jedi Order," he said, thinking of the way the Council has treated Ahsoka, and how they're treating him and the Chancellor right now. "I think this war is destroying the principles of the Republic".
Padme averted her eyes when Anakin said that. She thought back to the meeting she had with her colleagues earlier. She was told to tell no one. But she couldn't help but at least give Anakin a hint.
"Have you ever considered that we may be on the wrong side?"
He looked back at her. "What do you mean?" He asked with suspicion.
Padme pressed her lips into a straight line, as if hesitating to speak. But then she let it all out. :What if the democracy we thought we were serving no longer exists, and the Republic has become the very evil we have been fighting to destroy?"
Anakin's eyebrows flared up higher, and he began to shake his head. "I don't believe that. And you're sounding like a Separatist!" He accused.
Padme stared at him for a second. But then she continued.
"Anakin, this war represents a failure to listen . . . Now, you're closer to the Chancellor than anyone. Please, please ask him to stop the fighting and let diplomacy resume," she requested.
Anakin's anger started growing again. "Don't ask me to do that, Padme," he demanded while shaking his finger at her. He sat up and walked towards the veranda. He turned around and pointed to her again. "Make a motion in the Senate, where that kind of a request belongs. I'm not your errand boy. I'm not anyone's errand boy!
Padme was taken aback. Her husband was clearly upset.
"What is it?" She asked very calmly, and very sweetly.
He turned his head from her and looked out over the horizon. "Nothing," he said.
"Don't do this..." she said as she got up from the couch and walked over to Anakin. She placed his hand on his mechanical arm. "...don't shut me out. Let me help you".
"You can't help me . . . I'm trying to help you," Anakin said. They look in each other's eyes before Anakin continued. "I sense that there are things that you're not telling me".
Padme was a little startled, but then she smiled. "I sense there are things you are not telling me," she repeated playfully.
Anakin is a little embarrassed.
That's when Padme moved closer to him.
"Hold me..." she said as she placed her hands on his chest. "...like you did by the lake on Naboo, so long ago ... when there was nothing but our love,' she said as she rested her head on Anakin's chest. Anakin wrapped her arms around her and refused to let go. "No politics, no plotting, no war".
She closed her eyes and continued to rub her cheek against his leather tunic.
Anakin continued to hold her. Then he smirked.
"You know, there was another way I used to hold you," he said before he leaned into her ear. "...when I always left you a little gift".
She looked up at him and smiled seductively. "I remember," she said as she pushed her bust up against Anakin's chest. She closed her eyes and puckered her lips. Anakin smiled. He leaned in and pressed his lips against his wife's lips and he began to kiss her passionately.
His nightmares still bothered him.
The Jedi Council still bothered him.
But momentarily, it was forgotten, as his wife returned his kiss with equal passion.
The fires of passion licked at his every nerve as Padme's hands began to pull his leather tunic apart and roam his bare chest, enticing him with her touch. His tunic parted until his abs were naked before him. As they continued kissing, Padme continued to rub her hands down his chest, parting his tunic more and more. His tunic was soon completely open.
She eventually reached into his pants. Anakin broke the kiss and leaned his head back as his wife grasped his midsection and began to gently stroke.
A gasp escaped his lips.
"Annie..." she moaned. "...I need you." She begged.
Anakin looked back down at Padme, who was staring at him with a pouty look.
Padme Amidala had Padme Skywalker. The gentle politician turned into the loving wife.
He smiled down at her. He then pulled her head up to his so that he could smashes lips against hers. She moaned inside his lips as she pushed her body against his muscular form.
Then suddenly, in a swift motion, he lifted his giggling wife up into his strong arms and began to carry her up to their bedroom...
Sometime later, Anakin heard a chirping sound in his ears.
He woke up and saw that his com-link was blinking and beeping on the nightstand next to his side of the bed. He grabbed it and looked at it. It was just a text message from Chancellor Palpatine. It was telling him to meet him at the Opera house in an hour.
Anakin looked outside and saw that it was dark out.
He then looked behind him and saw his wife sleeping soundly.
He could've ignored it, and gone back to sleep with his wife. But then he thought that it might be important. He got dressed and put on his Jedi robes. He then walked over to Padme's sleeping form, and planted a kiss on her forehead.
She moaned and stirred in her sleep slightly. He smiled when he noticed that she cracked a small smile in her sleep.
He walked away. When he stood in the doorframe, he looked back and saw his wife still sleeping. She looked like an angel.
With one final look, fighting off the urge to strip back down and get back into bed with her, he turned around and walked off.
He went down to the garage and grabbed his speeder, before he took off and headed for the opera house.
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Coruscant, Opera house, Near the Chancellor's private box seats.
Anakin rushed into the opera house. He was on his way to see the Chancellor. As he ran up the lavish velvet red carpeted stairs, he saw Coruscant's elite, including politicians and business men, mingle in the atrium and near the entrance.
He continued up the stairs, going unnoticed by the elite of Coruscant's citizens.
It took him a few moments to find the box seats that were reserved for the Chancellor. When he found a box that was guarded by two menacing Senatorial guardsmen, in their all red cloaks, his search came to an end.
They'd normally block most people from entering to see the Chancellor. But he was a Jedi. He was one of the people with that kind of special privilege. He walked into the box seats and saw Palpatine sitting with some of his colleagues from the Senate, including Vice Chancellor Mas Amedda. They were watching a Mon Calamari play called Squid Lake. People clamped at the display of talent in front of them.
Anakin placed his hand on Palpatine's shoulder and leaned in to speak to him directly.
"You wanted to see me Chancellor?" He asked.
Palpatine looked up, delighted to see his trusted friend.
"Yes, Anakin! Come closer. I have good news. Our Clone Intelligence Units have discovered the location of General Grievous. He is hiding in the Utapau system," Palpatine said.
That got Anakin's attention. "At last, we'll be able to capture that monster and end this war".
"I would worry about the collective wisdom of the Council if they didn't select you for this assignment. You are the best choice by far … but, they can't always be trusted to do the right thing," Palpatine said.
"They try," Anakin replied, defending the Council.
"Sit down," Palpatine said to Anakin. He then turned to his aides. "Leave us," he ordered the other politicians, who stood up and filed out of the box. Only the Chancellor's Red Guards stayed behind, unmoving and silent, like statues.
Anakin sat down in an empty seat next to Palpatine, who leaned over to him.
"Anakin, you know I'm not able to rely on the Jedi Council. If they haven't included you in their plot, they soon will," Palpatine said, referring to the mistrust that began to fill in the void between himself and the Jedi.
"I'm not sure I understand," Anakin said. Palatine continued.
"You must sense what I have come to suspect . . . the Jedi Council want control of the Republic . . . they're planning to betray me," Palpatine said.
"I don't think..." Anakin started to say.
"...Anakin, search your feelings. You know, don't you?" Palpatine asked.
"I know they don't trust you . . ." Anakin said.
"Or the Senate . . . or the Republic . . . or Democracy for that matter," Palpatine said, thinking that the Jedi were plotting against him.
"I have to admit my trust in them has been shaken," Anakin said, thinking back to how he saw as the Jedi began to plot against Palpatine, even getting him to keep an eye on him for them.
The Chancellor turned to him.
"Why? They asked you to do something that made you feel dishonest, didn't they? Palpatine said, as if reading Anakin's mind.
Anakin didn't say anything. He simply looked down, in deep thought.
Palpatine continued. "They asked you to spy on me, didn't they?"
"I don't know ... I don't know what to say," Anakin said.
"Remember back to your early teachings. Anakin. 'All those who gain power are afraid to lose it.' Even the Jedi," Palpatine said.
"The Jedi use their power for good," Anakin said.
"Good is a point of view, Anakin. And the Jedi point of view is not the only valid one. The Dark Lords of the Sith believe in security and justice also, yet they are considered by the Jedi to be..."
"...evil," Anakin finished.
"...from a Jedi's point of view," Palpatine countered.
He continued.
"The Sith and the Jedi are similar in almost every way, including their quest for greater power. The difference between the two is the Sith are not afraid of the dark side of the Force. That is why they are more powerful," Palpatine said.
Anakin turned to Palpatine. This was the exact opposite of what he was taught as a youngling.
"The Sith rely on their passion for their strength. They think inward, only about themselves," Anakin countered.
"And the Jedi don't?" Palpatine asked as he turned his head away from the show to Anakin.
"The Jedi are selfless . . . they only care about others," Anakin said, adamantly.
Palpatine smiled.
"Or so you've been trained to believe. Why is it, then, that they have asked you to do something you feel is wrong?" Palpatine asked.
"I'm not sure it's wrong," Anakin said.
"Have they asked you to betray the Jedi code? The Constitution? A friendship? Your own values? Think. Consider their motives. Keep your mind clear of assumptions. The fear of losing power is a weakness of both the Jedi and the Sith," Palpatine said.
Anakin stopped, deep in thought.
He's not wrong, he though to himself. Anakin truly wanted to debunk Palpatine's claim towards the people that freed him from slavery, and have trained him since he was nine years old to be a great Jedi, but he couldn't help but think of Palpatine's words.
"Did you ever hear the tragedy of 'Darth Plagueis The Wise'?" Palatine asked.
"No," Anakin said.
Palpatine smiled. "I thought not. It's not a story the Jedi would tell you. It's a Sith legend. Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith, so powerful and so wise he could use the Force to influence the midi-chlorians to create life ... He had such a knowledge of the dark side that he could even keep the ones he cared about from dying," he said as he turned to Anakin, who was deeply interested in the tale.
"He could actually save people from death?"
"The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural," Palpatine continued.
"What happened to him?" Anakin asked, urging the Chancellor to continue.
"He became so powerful . . . the only thing he was afraid of was losing his power, which eventually, of course, he did. Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice everything he knew, then his apprentice killed him in his sleep," Palpatine said before he smiled. "Plagueis never saw it coming. It's ironic he could save others from death, but not himself."
"Is it possible to learn this power?" Anakin asked, thinking of his pregnant wife, whom he feared for. He was secretly convinced that she would die after having their baby. He would do anything to save her.
Palpatine turned to Anakin once more.
"Not from a Jedi".
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Hey folks. That's part 7.
The Siege of Mandalore continues, while Anakin is seduced by the dark side, and the council doesn't trust him, or the chancellor he serves.
Please leave a review if you've finished reading. I value your input.
This is Grubkiller, over and out.