Chapter 11
Coruscant hasn't changed even in the past even under the presumed shining star of the leadership under the Galactic Republic. How delusional the galaxy is. Some greedy politicians and senators only seek power for themselves, going so low as to sleep their way to the top and outright buying supporters for them to rule as long as they wish without consequence. They can avoid the law due to the power they establish.
In all reality, the Republic is not that much different from the Empire, even before Sidious's rise.
It is just much worse under the life of the Empire, there wasn't a dramatic shift in day-to-day life, perhaps not so for government officials, but the common person couldn't care less. The Clone Squadrons and Coruscant patrols changed to Stormtroopers, the rules were stricter, the press largely censored, and the streets were still as unsafe as ever. Coruscant was still Coruscant but under Imperial rule. Of course, many saw the reformation of the government as detrimental to the cohesiveness of the various planets previously under Republic rule, but resistance was often seen as futile. Now, if one wishes to ask what happened to the Outer Rim, that's an entirely different story. Every wealthy Republic world transitioned into the Age of the Empire generally unscathed, mainly those within the Inner Rim and Core Worlds, but the vast, unexplored Outer Rim came under unusually tight Imperial rule.
Now, everything is different. Coruscant, while still led by corruption, is not as corrupted as it was during the Empire. The major key is that Palpatine is not Emperor yet which Vader takes no small amount of pleasure in knowing. The old fool better enjoyed it in the other timeline, for he will not rise as easily as he did originally. Vader would annihilate that Empire if it is the last thing he ever does.
The capital city expands over the centuries, building by building until it wrapped the entire planet. Forests, mountains, bodies of water, and natural formations are covered over. The atmosphere filters through oxygen regulators and is purified by scrubbers, and water is gathered and stored in massive artificial aquifers. Native animals, birds, plants, and fish can be found in museums or the climate-controlled indoor preserves.
Vader's eyes twitch over, sensing the presence of his old Master on the planet, the one who was going to kill his son roaming freely and about, a dependable individual to many who have been manipulated as much as he has been. He can feel himself slightly losing control of his emotions due to having to resist charging off the ship and chopping off Sidious's head.
The Queen's transport slows now, edging its way out of the traffic lane, onto a landing dock that floats near a cluster of huge buildings. Vader can see Anakin's peers down doubtfully. They are several hundred stories up, hundreds and hundreds of meters in the air. He can see his younger self tear his gaze away, swallowing hard.
The ship docks with a soft bump on the landing platform, its antigrav clamps locking in place. The Queen is waiting in the main corridor with her retinue of handmaidens, Darth Vader, guards, and Captain Panaka. She nods at Qui-Gon, indicating that he should lead the way. Giving Padmé a quick smile, Anakin follows close on the heels of the Jedi Master as he moves to the hatchway.
The hatch slides open, the loading ramp lowers, and the Jedi, Anakin Skywalker, Shmi Skywalker, and Jar Jar Binks exit into the sunlight of Coruscant. The boy spends the first few minutes concentrating on not being overwhelmed, which becomes even more difficult once he is outside the ship. He keeps his eyes on the rampway and Qui-Gon, not allowing himself to look around at first for fear he might walk right off into space.
Two men clothed in robes of office of the Republic Senate stand at the end of the ramp, flank by a contingent of Republic guards. The Jedi approaches the pair and bows formally in greeting. Anakin, Shmi, and Jar Jar are quick to do the same, though only Anakin knows who they were bowing to and why.
Now Queen Amidala appears, dressed in her black and gold robes with the feathered headpiece lending height and flow to her movements as she descends the ramp. Her handmaidens surround her, wrapped in their cloaks of crimson, faces barely visible in the shadows of their drawn hoods. Captain Panaka and his complement of Naboo guards escort them.
Seconds later, Vader joins the Queen and the handmaidens, assuming a position beside the Queen. His intimidating presence alone sends chills to the spines of each except Anakin Skywalker, the handmaidens, and the Queen. Quite the contrary, the boy's face remains a steely cool of calm and the handmaidens and Queen's lips appear to curl up into smiles. Even the Jedi can't help but feel a slight shiver as Vader proves to be capable of making quite an entrance.
Unbeknownst to all, Senator Palpatine stares up at the man who is standing calmly beside the Queen, and the secret Sith's eyes widen in surprise. There is so much darkness that is enough to challenge his own but a light that is enough to match Master Yoda. How is this possible? How can one be extremely attuned to the dark side yet also deeply attuned to the light side?
It is impossible to delve deep into the dark side without falling into its alluring power. This mockery-this rival who had betrayed the Sith ways causes him to feel the temptations to lash out. Yet, he knows he cannot. There are two Jedi here alongside dozens of witnesses, and besides the way interests him. His anger is only held back by a thin line of curiosity.
Sabé stops before the two men who wait, eyes shifting to the man with a kindly face and anxious eyes. Senator Palpatine, the Queen's emissary to the Republic Senate, bows in welcome, hands clasped in the folds of his blue-green robes.
"It is a great relief to see you alive and well, Your Majesty," he offers with a smile, straightening once more while resisting turning his eyes on the armored man beside her. "May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum who speaks on our behalf."
Valorum is a tall, silver-haired man of indeterminate age, neither young nor old in appearance, but something of each, his bearing and voice strong, but his face and startling blue eyes tired and worried.
Vader scans him up and down. To think, this is the first time he is meeting Chancellor Valorum in person, but he knows that he died shortly before the execution of Order 66 and after assisting Master Yoda with some information about Sifo Dyas.
Chancellor Valorum was a much more prominent figure and a possible threat to Palpatine's plans. He figured something was wrong with the new Chancellor and reached out to other senators such as Mon Mothma and Bail Organa, who would later become the leaders of the Rebellion.
Valorum had to remain hidden. It had become dangerous for him to appear in public because he could have been assassinated, as he was tainted in the eyes of too many. This way, many politicians broke the connection with him, therefore not being able to listen to his ideas.
Former Chancellor Valorum spent the last years writing his autobiography and closely watching politics on Coruscant. With a different perspective from many others, he was able to intuit in which direction Palpatine's plans were going.
Valorum correctly anticipated that Palpatine wasn't going to give up any of the emergency powers that he was given during the Clone Wars. He started meeting in secret with his trusted friends, Mothma and Bail, and little by little told them about his ideas and warnings.
Palpatine, too, was aware that his predecessor was plotting against him. Even if he had already destroyed his career and reputation, eventually, he did to him what he did to all those who dared to get in his way: he eliminated Valorum. The former Chancellor had just taken a ship to the Outer Rim, when it exploded, from a carefully placed bomb, undoubtedly.
In his youth, he has read much into the past chancellors, including Valorum, although he had never met the man in person. The man's intentions are good, he can sense, but ultimately, Vader knows that he wouldn't be able to prevent his younger version of his wife from calling the vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum's leadership. He will give Palpatine this grim victory and allow him to become chancellor. He has to save the galaxy than concern himself with either corrupted or incompetent politicians' debates when the outcomes would be exactly the same if not worse. He cannot mess with this timeline completely.
"Welcome, Your Highness," he says, a faint smile working its way onto his stern features. "It is an honor to finally meet you in person. I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the current situation on Naboo. I have called for a special session of the Senate so that you may present your request for relief."
Sabé holds his gaze without moving even a fraction of a centimeter, tall and regal in her robes of office, white-painted face as still and cool as ice. "I am grateful for your concern, Chancellor," she says quietly.
"If I may ask, who are you?" Valorum inquires to the tall man at her and her handmaidens' side.
"Chancellor, this is Vader," Sabé introduces, finally a slight unfeigned smirk coming on her lips as she remembers their playing but she schools her expression before anyone can see it.
Vader sees it as her expression fall flat. She undoubtedly devises a soft spot and perhaps further understanding on the ship, however, now is not the time to act like the teenager she is. Instead, the Queen she is perfect at her imitating.
"He has saved us before your ambassadors arrived. He has been quite a use to me and my handmaidens." Sabé continues, giving him a knowing look.
Sidious's eyes rests on him.
And Vader feels his body beginning to tremble, the face of his slaver proving to still be as killable as he was on the second Death Star.
With a cool, cold stare, Vader stares over at the assembly, eyes lingering on Palpatine for the longest. He is so valuable, standing right before him, and for a second, he rather lives with the tainted presence of Darth Plagueis in this galaxy than this man.
If one can look closely, one would see the venomous golden glint in the man's eyes, burning with flames as much as the flames on Mustafar. A flame of anger. Of pure and cold rage. And it was all aimed at Senator Palpatine.
Vader long ago accepted that he can't be happy. It becomes a bit tricky when there is no one you hate more than yourself. He was also in constant agony from his body essentially being one open wound. The suit dulls the pain a bit but it is still hugely uncomfortable. Vader doesn't care about friendships anymore; all he believes in is fear and results. It's why he respected Tarkin as much as he did, due to sharing a similar mindset.
And even if he is out of the suit that once imprisoned him and improved it, Vader still adapts his mindset. He accepts it is complicated for someone like him to genuinely not fall into awkward situations.
As for Palpatine, Anakin has great admiration for him. Palpatine has been stroking his Ego since he first arrived on Coruscant, and consistently sowing seeds of doubt and resentment toward the Jedi Council in particular. And him, the ever incompetent and stupid child he is, willingly fallen for his trap, became the very thing he swore to destroy, and lost himself in uncontrolled power. He shall admit that it is not the Council's fault for that, but his own.
Months before his almost inevitable fall to the Dark Side, his faith in Palpatine is exceedingly greater than his faith in the Jedi Council, and his fear of losing Padmé is his primary motivation. When Palpatine reveals himself as the Sith Lord, there is really no question that Anakin is going to stick with him. He has this last gasp of trying to do what he thinks he should do by reporting him to the Council, but he already knows that he can't and won't allow the Council to kill him. When it comes time to choose, kill Windu or allow him to kill Palpatine, he knows he doesn't have a choice. He was so foolish and trap by the belief that Palpatine and the dark side are his paths to the power he so desperately needed.
As for the Jedi overthrowing the Republic, technically that is 100% true. Palpatine was legally elected, and legally given supreme war powers. While it may have been the right thing to do, the Jedi are attempting to overthrow and technically assassinate the legally elected chancellor of the Republic, Anakin has a stronger allegiance to Palpatine and the 'Republic' than he does to the Jedi by this point.
He can see the insidious glare in the senator's eyes behind that calm facade, and Vader observes his eyes challengingly, a scowl crossing his lips as the dark side itself encloses its Chosen One from another timeline. Vader running his crimson lightsaber clean through Palpatine's abdomen or decapitating his head from his shoulders continues to fill his thoughts.
Blinking out of his hallucinations, he activates his lightsaber and lunges forward, decapitating Palpatine's head from his shoulders and cleansing the galaxy of his presence while the Queen, handmaidens, Jedi, and others stare on with horror while his younger self's face remains strangely passive but shocked, having witnessed death before and not shocked at the method of execution but shocked at what he did. Uncaring, he stares down at Palpatine, the senator's surprised eyes staring back at him forever, head illuminated by the crimson glow of Vader's lightsaber.
He shakes his head slightly and sees the man still standing there, a caring smirk to others, but to him, it is a shit-eating grin that eggs on his ego. N-no, not yet. Not when he is viewed as a hero by most of the people here, or when this man has much power and influence as of now.
Oh, how much he hates this man! He hates him indefinitely! He would love to cut his body into pieces and assure he goes through the pain many others and he had suffered! This man has no redeeming qualities of any sort! All he cares about is the power and himself!
It is almost hilarious how one man can bring out the darker emotions within him, even after his experience of becoming one with the Force.
He squeezes his eyes shut, attempting not to do what his darker instinct is telling him. He is freed to do whatever he wishes given he is in his prime once more. He can reach out to his former Master's throat and crush his windpipe, feeling his hands desperate to either suffocate him to death or kill him with his lightsaber which would be pleasurable.
He stares at his hands that are trembling before staring back at Sidious. He can kill his former Master. He can end it all right there, or can he? He has total freedom to choose what to do right now but he cannot choose. He isn't controlled as he has been for over two decades, he is going to do it... then his eyes fall on Padmé, Sabé, and her handmaidens, knowing that his former Master is valuable before him, but should he lash out, perhaps it would not go as his hallucinations have foreseen, perhaps he would unintentionally greatly injure or kill Padmé and her handmaidens which he wants to avoid at all cost since Mustafar taught him the risk of acting arrogantly and without proper thought. It is beyond compelling to just slay him and save his family and friends from the former timeline from this very man who would kill them each without power. He can kill Sidious, rise to power, and become an Emperor albeit a much better one. This thought laughs at him like a broken clown, until he pushes it back into a black corner of his brain.
Averting his eyes away from the senator so that hallucination doesn't become a reality, Vader stares over at the supreme chancellor, waiting for what is coming next - or perhaps something did happen as Valorum's hand is outstretched to him.
He closes his eyes and balances himself on the light side, allowing the harmony and wisdom he had adapted as one with the Force to enclose his darkening emotions. He wouldn't allow Palpatine to win over him again. The Sith nor the Jedi don't control him any longer. Despite how much he hates the man, he would stay himself. There would be another time to defeat Sidious; for now, he must place on an act that he doesn't know anyone here.
Still, he would love to torture him in all ways possible, he would love to strip his callings to the Force as Sidious did to broken Jedi who succumbed after weeks of endless tortures, to put him in a cell and allow for the torture chambers to plasma him with the endless abyss of lightning and hear the painful but ever so satisfying screams of Darth Sidious.
This is the same man who turned him against his friends little as they may be, persuaded him to betray and slaughtered those who were inspired by him and looked up to him, corrupted him to the point where he choked his pregnant wife, attack the man who he once had as the closest thing to a brother and kill him during their second showdown, had him fight his own children without a mind's thought, and was willing to kill Luke on the second Death Star. He will love to squash all of Sidious's plans and ambitions, will love to plunge his lightsaber through his heart, ending him from forming a future threat, that being obvious by his twitching fists behind the robes, and the near tremble inwards of his body.
Passionately, Darth Vader hates Darth Sidious completely and utterly.
As much as he would relish in his death, Vader would rather observe his reactions from a distance as he manipulates the things the secret Sith manipulated in the original timeline, see his entire plan be decimated and destroyed as his precious Empire was by Vader and the Rebellion in the first timeline. With his precious Empire destroyed, Vader would only receive more pleasure with his death.
"Please to meet you, Vader," Valorum greets with a kind smile, oblivious to the conflict within the man in front of him.
The handmaidens, fake, and real Queen exchange worrying looks with side-glances, hoping Vader, for once, would subvert their expectations. They know that Vader even maintains his distance from the Jedi, going as far as coldly dismissing them as if they are his servants. He just cannot make friends easily and could easily become uncomfortable. However, they cannot judge him, given he has been through a lot clearer since his secretive attitude and the pain they notice when he was around Shmi Skywalker and the slavers on Tatooine. When all is said and done, they may have also been like that if they had similar childhoods.
Mentally recovering from his pondering, Vader uncrosses his arms, wrapping the cloak around his and the Zabrak's lightsaber, and takes the man's hand and shakes it with his left hand, not commenting in response but sneering slightly. Greetings are not a preference for him when he was the Sith Lord in the Empire.
And it still isn't now.
Even in his time as Anakin Skywalker, he always felt uncomfortable about such greetings. Perhaps he always just dislikes greetings altogether, especially when other issues are present.
After his greeting with the Chancellor, Vader conceal his arms inwards with his cloak.
Out of the corner of his eye, Anakin recognizes Padmé staring out at him from beneath her concealing hood. When he turns toward her, she gives him a wink, and he feels himself blush.
Palpatine moves to the Queen's side and is indicating to an air shuttle that is awaiting them. "There is a question of procedure, but I feel confident we can overcome it," he is saying, attempting not to glare at Darth Vader, guiding her along the rampway, her handmaidens, the armored man, Captain Panaka, and the Naboo guards in tow.
Anakin starts to follow, Jar Jar at his side, then stops as he sees that the Jedi are still standing with Supreme Chancellor Valorum. Anakin glances back questioningly at Qui-Gon, not certain where he is supposed to go. The Queen and her retinue slow in response, and Amidala motions for Anakin, Shmi, and the Gungan to join them. Anakin looks again at Qui-Gon, who nods wordlessly.
Most notably, the strange armored man, for some reason, is what catches his attention as he continues to walk. It's almost as if he is staring at him without staring at him at all. Anakin still can't believe the presence he gets off of the man... and the fact that he was in his dream.
Unknowingly to the boy, Vader senses Skywalker's eyes lock onto the back of his hooded head. He can sense the boy is thinking about something, but even at the age of a youngster, his younger self is complicated to read, even by a different version of the Chosen One. As he gets older, it is evident that Skywalker is going to grow far more powerful and stronger. Perhaps even far more powerful than Vader.
Moving into the air shuttle with the Queen, Anakin, Shmi, and Jar Jar sit quietly in place in the very back seat. Senator Palpatine glances over his shoulder at them from the front, a look of skepticism crossing his face before he turns away again.
"First time being on Coruscant too, " Vader hears Anakin asking him gently. The young boy is just curious and it did leave him with a pang of hurt in his chest. He has been that innocent at one point before he became the man he is today.
"No, I have been here before," he admits. "Though it was a long time ago."
To be truthful, he didn't know how long he have been one with the Force but it has been a long time. Perhaps hundreds of years. Perhaps thousands. It certainly was long enough to conceive of him, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan's talks and rebuild the bond between him and his old Master. Time never ends in the Netherworld of the Force.
Vader detects the Sith Shrine from under the Jedi Temple. Sidious is a genius after all. He will use his weapons for his own needs especially after they aided Sith from a bygone era.
Still, he cannot help but wonder why won't the Jedi do something about that Shrine; it is dangerous and can corrupt some of their younglings and poorly trained Knights as he has been corrupted by the Sith.
What is the Jedi of this era thinking? They have yet to test the dark side or experiment with it yet they want to build a Temple on top of this and allow themselves to be valuable to the dark side. Granted experiencing with the dark side is beneficial but they are going about it completely the wrong way.
"Me not feelen too good 'bout being here, Annie," the Gungan whispers doubtfully.
And Vader momentarily is thankful at the interruption of the Gungan.
Anakin nods and tightens his mouth determinedly.
They fly only a short distance to another cluster of buildings and another loading dock, this one meant for shuttlecraft. There, they disembark and are escorted by Palpatine to his quarters, a portion of which was ready for the Queen and her entourage. Anakin, Shmi, and Jar Jar are given a room and a chance to clean up and be left alone. After a time, one of the handmaidens-not Padmé collects them, Anakin notes with disappointment-and are chaperoned to a waiting room situated outside what appears to be Palpatine's office.
"Wait here," the handmaiden instructs and disappears back down the hallway.
The doors to the senator's office are open, and the boy and the Gungan can see inside clearly. The Queen is present, dressed now in a gown of purple velvet, which is wrapped about her slim form in layers, the sleeves long and full, hanging gracefully from her slender arms. A fan-shaped crown with ornate beadwork and tassels rests upon her head. She is sitting in a chair, listening as Palpatine spoke to her. Her handmaidens stand to one side, crimson robes and hoods are drawn close to them. Anakin does not think either is Padmé. He wonders if he should try to find her instead of waiting here, but he did not know where to look nor would his mother allow him to go on a scavenger hunt.
The conversation within seems decidedly one-sided, Senator Palpatine gesturing animatedly as he stalks the room, the Queen as still as stone with the strange armored man standing behind the Queen. Anakin wishes he can hear what is being said. He glances at Jar Jar, and he can tell from the Gungan's restless eyes he is thinking the same thing.
When Captain Panaka walks past them and enters the room beyond, screening them from view for just a moment, Anakin rises impulsively. Motioning for Jar Jar to stay where he is, putting a finger to his lips in warning, he moves to one side of the doorway, pressing close. Through the crack between the open door and the jamb, he can just make out the voices of Palpatine and the Queen, muffled and indistinct.
"Anakin! What have I told you about eavesdropping?!" His mother reprimands, ever the stern mother she is.
"Oh mom, I just want to listen to this," the boy complains, not listening to his mother's scolding as he looks inside.
Inside, Palpatine stops moving and is standing before the Queen, shaking his head. Though Darth Vader is standing between the two handmaidens.
Unbeknownst to all, there are raging emotions within Darth Vader and Darth Sidious, both finding it difficult not to just engage in battle right there with one another.
"The Republic is not what it once was. The Senate is full of greedy, squabbling delegates who are only looking out for themselves and their home systems. There is no interest in the common good-no civility, only politics." He sighs wearily, inwardly glaring at Vader with daggers. "It's disgusting. I must be frank, Your Majesty. There is little chance the Senate will act on the invasion."
Amidala is silent for a moment. "Chancellor Valorum seems to think there is hope."
"If I may say so, Your Majesty," the senator replies, his voice kind, but sad, inside gagging at having to place on an act to this pathetic Queen, especially the crimson eyes of Darth Vader, "the chancellor has little real power. He is mired in baseless accusations of corruption. A manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now."
The Queen rises, standing tall and fixed before him. "What options do we have, Senator?"
Palpatine seems to think on the matter for a moment, having to hide his hands inwards, less each occupant in the room would have spotted the electricity in his hands. Oh, how Sidious would love to lunge forward to Vader and cut his head off, behead the Queen and her handmaidens, destroy that pathetic slave and insignificant Gungan, and take the boy whose power is strong with the Force.
"Our best choice would be to push for the election of a stronger supreme chancellor-one who could take control of the bureaucrats, enforce the laws, and give us justice." He brushes back his thick hair, worrying his forehead with steepled fingers, knowing that he has to put on an act. "You could call for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum."
Amidala did not seem convinced. "Valorum has been our strongest supporter. Is there no other way?"
Mentally, Vader takes one step forward, sensing his former Master's thoughts, keeping his hands behind his back but is prepared to form a barrier around him, the Queen, and her handmaidens.
Palpatine stands before her. "Our only other choice would be to submit the matter to the courts-"
Sidious growls mentally as he senses Vader's prepared resistance, sneering at him through the Force, daring him, challenging him before a vision insults him; a vision where he propels his lightsaber to Amidala and his handmaidens but the lightsaber stops short of beheading Amidala, being levitated in the air.
"There is no time for that," the Queen interrupts quickly, a hint of anger in her voice. "The courts take even longer to decide things than the Senate." She shifts purposefully, an edge sharpening her words further. "Our people are dying-more and more each day. We must do something quickly. We must stop the Trade Federation before this gets any worse."
Pulling away from the vision at the same time as Vader, Palpatine gives Amidala a stern look. "To be realistic about the matter, Your Highness, I believe we are going to have to accept Trade Federation control as an accomplished fact-for the time being, at least."
The Queen shakes her head slowly, thinking back to Vader's claims earlier. "That is something I cannot do, Senator."
They face each other in the silence that follows, eyes lock, and Anakin Skywalker, hiding behind the door, finds himself wondering suddenly what had become of Qui-Gon Jinn.
Unlike other buildings in the vast sprawl of Coruscant, the Jedi Temple stands alone. A colossal pyramid with multiple spires rising skyward from its flat top, it sits apart from everything at the end of a broad promenade linking it with bulkier, sharper-edged towers in which solitude and mediation are less likely to be found. Within the Temple are housed the Jedi and their students, the whole of the Order engages in contemplation and study of the Force, in the codification of its dictates and mastery of its disciplines, and in training to serve the greater good it embodies.
The Jedi Council room dominates a central portion of the complex. The Council itself is in session, its doors closed, its proceedings hidden from the eyes and ears of all but fourteen people. Twelve of them - some human, some nonhuman - comprise the Council, a diverse and seasoned group who had gravitated to the order from both ends of the galaxy. The final two Jedi, who are guests of the Council this afternoon, are Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The seats of the twelve Council members form a circle facing inward to where Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stand, the former relating the events of the past few weeks, the latter a step behind his Master, listening attentively. The room is circular and domed, supported by graceful pillars spaced between broad windows open to the city and the light. The shape of the room and the Council seating reflects the Jedi belief in the equality of and interconnection between all things. In the world of the Jedi, the balance of life within the Force is the pathway to understanding and peace.
Qui-Gon studies the faces of his listeners as he speaks, each of them familiar to him. Most are Jedi Masters like himself, among them Yoda and Mace Windu, seniors in rank among those seated. They are more compliant in the ways of the Jedi Order than he has ever been or will probably ever be.
He stands apart in the mosaic circle that forms a speaker's platform for those who address the Council, his tall, broad form and deep voice commanding the attention of those gathered, his blue eyes fixing them each in turn, constantly searching for a reaction to his words. They watch him carefully- stately Ki-Adi-Mundi, young and beautiful Adi Gallia, slender Depa Billaba, crest and marble-faced Even Piell, and all the others, each different and unique in appearance, each with something vital to offer as a representative of the Council.
Qui-Gon brings his eyes back to Mace Windu and Yoda, the ones he must convince, the ones most respected and powerful of those who sit in judgment.
Speaking of Vader noticeably causes the Council to tense up as they believe Vader is a threat that must be tamed. Some had brought up stripping him of the Force, an idea which is quickly shot down by Qui-Gon who states that Vader wouldn't hesitate of dispatching the Jedi. Others had wanted him imprisoned in their Citadel, the place where they imprison Jedi who had lost their way, that idea, too, is shot down as Vader is not a Jedi and that means it could end with the Jedi being viewed as terrorists due to him assisting with a constitution. Ultimately, the Council can't conclude as to what to do, and what most of them believe is a Sith walking on this planet now.
"So, allow me to get this correctly, you left the Queen with whom might be a Sith?" Master Windu interrupts explosively and incredulously, the same confusion many others within this Council - and among the ranks of the Order - share.
At any other time, Qui-Gon probably would have smirked at Master Windu's incredulous, but now is not the time for quips.
"According to the handmaiden's report with the Queen, Vader fought a Zabrak with a double-bladed lightsaber," Qui-Gon counters dynamically. "Vader had multiple chances to betrayed us and yet he refused. I don't believe he is a threat nor a Sith."
In truth, Qui-Gon has grown a soft spot for Vader. He guesses that is traveling on a planet that must be difficult for natives to survive and not to mention he is a man who by honor can do that to a person.
"The dark side surrounds him," Mundi argues. "A clear indication that he is potentially manipulating the Queen. Why is he not in restraints?"
"Is it the Jedi way for you to restrain an ally?" Qui-Gon snaps back, eyes fixated on Ki-Adi-Mundi. In his opinion, Masters like Mundi is the problem with the Jedi Order. "He is an ally to the Queen; she will not allow for him to be taken in custody by the Jedi Council too lightly."
"The Queen does not decide what the Council does who we view as a potential threat to this Order," Windu counters, clasping both hands together, a flicker of irritation flashing in his eyes. "This Zabrak who he engaged could be his apprentice and he could be manipulating the Queen along with her handmaidens to make it appear he is not our enemy."
"Your logic is lost to me, Master Windu," Qui-Gon replies intensely. "The Queen was before him multiple times and he could have apprehended her or eliminate her. We were trapped on Tatooine and he could have killed us easily, but even now, we stand before you. Do not allow your delusions and misinterpretations to blind you from reality, Master of the Order."
"He could be grooming you or your student, Qui-Gon, especially your pupil," Eeth Koth scowls. "Your student is valuable to the dark side at this rate like any other Jedi his age."
Obi-Wan finds that statement mildly insulting. He will never turn to the dark side. He vows to be a perfect Jedi, inspired by the Masters within the Temple and wishing to one day sit among them.
Before Qui-Gon could have opened his mouth to argue and offer a response, Plo Koon decides to do his best to rid the tension inside of the Council Chambers.
"I wish to hear from him before I can make my own judgment of him," Plo Koon declares, not exactly craving a verbal war in the Council Chambers. He knows the many times his oldest friend has been correct and knows not to doubt him. The last time he did... well that taught the Jedi Master a lesson.
"I agree," Kit Fisto adds, ever the non-biased Jedi Master he is.
"Very well," Windu sighs somewhat.
"Wait, Masters, before you confront Vader, with your permission," the Jedi replies, gaze steady, "I have encountered a vergence in the Force."
A flicker of doubt crosses the expression of Master Kcaj's face. "But the Sith stand on this planet. That should be our main issue currently."
Yoda's eyes widen slightly before Kcaj or any other Master could have offered any further protest. "A vergence, you say?"
"Located around a person?" Mace Windu asks quickly.
Qui-Gon nods. "A boy. His cells have the highest concentration of midi-chlorians I have ever seen in a life-form." He pauses. "It is possible he was conceived by midi-chlorians."
There is a shocking silence this time. Qui-Gon Jinn is suggesting the impossible, that the boy was conceived not by human contact, but by the essence of all life, by the connectors to the Force itself, the midi-chlorians. Comprising collective consciousness and intelligence, the midi-chlorians forms are the link between everything living and the Force. But that troubles the Jedi Council. There was a prophecy, so old its origins had long since been lost, that a Chosen One would appear, imbued with an abundance of midichlorians, a being strong with the Force and destined to alter it forever.
It is Mace Windu who gives voice to the Council's thoughts. "You refer to the prophecy," he replies quietly, "of the one who will bring balance to the Force. You believe it is this boy."
Qui-Gon hesitates. "I don't presume-"
"But you do!" Yoda snaps challengingly. "Revealed, your opinion is, Qui-Gon!"
The Jedi Master takes a deep breath. "I request the boy be tested."
Again, there is silence as the members of the Council exchange glances, communicating without words.
Eyes shift back to Qui-Gon. "To be trained as a Jedi, you request for him?" Yoda asks softly.
"Finding him was the will of the Force." Qui-Gon presses ahead recklessly. "I have no doubt about it. There is too much happening here for it to be anything else."
Mace Windu holds up one hand, bringing the debate to a close. "Bring him before us, then."
Yoda nods somberly, eyes closing. "Tested, he will be."
Qui-Gon can see that the Council wishes to speak with Vader first and follow up with a slight sigh, "Masters, Vader had been willing to come here and answer the questions of this Council. He will not attempt to evade this meeting on the condition that he is not to be restrained."
"There is a risk he would attack," Mundi argues.
"Why would he come here if he wishes to attack over hundreds of the Jedi in this Temple? That would be suicidal. One cannot best all hundreds of Jedi solely. Why wouldn't he just kill my Master and me on Tatooine if he is a threat? He had multiple chances to betray us but he has remained loyal." Much to the surprise of everyone, including his own master, in the Chambers, it is Obi-Wan Kenobi who speaks in protest. The same Obi-Wan is extremely by the book and believes in the beliefs of the Jedi Council.
Coleman Kcaj narrows his eyes. "Padawan, does he have some influence over you?"
"No," Obi-Wan replies, eyes lingering on the Jedi Master. "I can sense the light within him is controlled. Should we attack the Queen too for allowing him on board?"
Silence follows after that along with the icy glare sent his way by Kcaj. Qui-Gon feels a smirk curling up, perhaps his influence is rubbing off on his student more than he thought. At first, he believed teaching Obi-Wan to become his own type of person would be utterly impossible which is one reason why he was quick to originally reject him but now he can see how wrong he was in judging the boy so quickly.
"Agree to this, we shall," Yoda speaks up, much to the surprise of everyone in the Council Chambers as they had thought the Grandmaster who has his teachings embedded in all of them about the dark side and the Force entirely would not agree to this. "Restrain, he will not be."
Qui-Gon is genuinely surprised that he managed to convince the Council to focus their attention on Anakin instead of Vader. Doubtlessly, they believe that who they assume is a Sith craves to abduct the boy with as much power as the former slave has.
If Vader trains Anakin, he would train him in the ways of the dark side, and the Council fears someone such as the vergence learning the Sith ways would pose an extremely dangerous threat to their Order.
Or perhaps the Grandmaster of the Order can sense what he has within Vader.
From within the shadows, Darth Plagueis grins, delving deep into the dark side at the alluring power that is now stalking above the faces of the Jedi, almost as if he is taunting them in a way that he wishes he can do himself.
The moment he sensed Vader on Coruscant, he couldn't believe how alluring his power is on the planet let alone up close, sensing his apprentice's momentary alarm at Vader's arrival and his shock which amuses the Muun Sith Lord to no end.
There is another specimen that interests them, that boy who was traveling with Vader, the Jedi, and Naboo party. If that boy receives training from either Jedi or Sith, he would become the most powerful being in the galaxy, become even more powerful than the Jedi Revan and Darth Malgus, and become even more powerful than Vitiate.
Right now, though, Plagueis's interests revolve around the essence of Vader.
Darth Plagueis hopes to rule the universe for all eternity. He mastered the manipulation of Midichlorians so he could live forever. He openly talked about abolishing the rule of two due to him discovering the potential to live forever making it unnecessary. The power of Vitiate fuels through the essence of Vader, but ultimately, he calls off the light side, unlike the ancient Sith Emperor, however, the potential alone is powerful enough. He is well aware that Sidious is growing stronger than him in terms of the Force and lightsaber combat, but his apprentice still has much to learn about the Force itself.
To be frank, Vader is quite a bemusing being. His alignment is unknown; is he a Jedi or a Sith?
Unlike the Jedi, he doesn't make an immediate assumption that he is a Sith in spite of how much he calls off the dark side and how the dark side is roaring inside of his being. This Darth Vader could be blinding his alignment to the Force itself, certainly having the potential to do such a thing as he sends quite a shockwave through the Force upon his arrival.
Through the Force, he can sense that Vader doesn't hold the Jedi in bright light, viewing them as fools, arrogant, and incompetent. He would freely admit that Vader is correct, given that he and his apprentice is able to seed their way through their very eyes along with many of their ancestors.
He can sense Vader craving his apprentice's death, loathing his apprentice with a great amount of rage, despising the Sith Lord to no end, harboring personal hatred and anger for reasons that escape as if holding a personal grudge against him. Plagueis knows Vader likely senses Palpatine's Sith Allegiance, given the dark side within him obtaining great amounts of anger, all targeting Chancellor Palpatine - or Darth Sidious.
This is odd since he can sense that Vader doesn't view him with the same hatred and anger. On the contrary, there is a certain amount of respect for his being at the thought of him.
He can also sense the strange sort of protectiveness Vader had for Kenobi and Jinn, but most particularly the former. Is it possible Vader is attempting to seduce Kenobi to be his apprentice? Kenobi is powerful after all, at least for a Padawan, but why would Vader be interested in him out of all the Jedi to seduce to his side when he could have easily dispatched the two Jedi, take the boy who is far more powerful than the Padawan, and still fulfill the task for the Queen in order to justify himself as self-defense and making himself invincible so the Jedi can't pull off any tactic against him?
Bringing up the Queen, he can also sense that Vader is overprotective of the Queen and her handmaidens, willing to protect them. But why? Unless he is manipulating her, he highly doubts it as there is no gain from Vader's side of this.
This Vader is far more of a complicated task to behold, and it is fascinating.
There is also a protectiveness over the boy but it is much more personal than his connection with Kenobi. He can sense the Force connection between the boy and Vader, and the two as a duo would be able to clash against near-impossible odds.
If this can work to his benefit, there could perhaps be a newer galaxy formulated by Darth Vader. Never before has there been one surrounded by the light and dark - there have been close calls in both Jedi and Sith's history - but one always leans down to one or the other.
However, this Vader is different.
He reaches out into the Force, seeing Vader publicly, non-intimidated by the hundreds of Jedi in the Temple. In his foresight, he can see that Vader conveys no emotion akin to fear nor intimidation which is admittedly surprising since one would expect small intimidation being exposed to the Council and being surrounded by those who purged the Sith thousands of years ago and imprisoned those who touched the dark side of the Force.
Plagueis killed Jedi before but never before had he walked before the Council in his disguise as Darth Plagueis or stood publicly on the planet, for the Council may very well just destroy him as they had done to his ancestors but Vader has no such reservation, practically spitting in the Jedi's faces.
However, this isn't an emotion of Vader - there is no anger, annoyance, fear, anger, hate, suffering, or intimidation. Alas, despite Vader possessing the potential to destroy the majority of the Jedi Order, Plagueis can sense that Vader doesn't crave to do this, unlike their ancient ancestors. It is almost as if he is a Jedi.
Who is Vader - or perhaps the better question is - what is Vader?