Hey, everybody. So, this is going to be an original chapter, and may be surprising to some of you. It will be set on Terra.
Also, I was originally going to do episode 10 of season 6, but decided against it when I realized that if the Terrans were involved, it could completely ruin the continuity. Since Order 66 still has to happen, I just couldn't do it.
Let's get to it.
tbascao: Thrawn will make at least a cameo or two in the second story. I'm not sure to what extant he'll be involved, but he'll make at least one or two brief appearances. Don't have a firm number on how many Jedi will take refuge on Terra.
Guest DCDGojira: I'm not yet decided on giving Luke an interest. But, that's one spoiler I'll keep secret if I do make a decision.
DireNightFury: I may very well do that.
CT7567Rules: Sorry, this wasn't the chapter to introduce the Bad Batch. But next chapter is, I promise.
Chapter 54– The Decision
(December 1, 1993)
President Bush sighs as he goes over the papers on his desk. The last couple of weeks have been hectic in the Clone Wars, given Fives' discoveries and the incident with the Banking Clan. And now, he's getting ready for a meeting that could potentially decide Earth's future. Security at the White House is the highest it has ever been since the building was first constructed, and two full squadrons of fighters are currently patrolling over DC, just in case.
There is a knock on the door. Bush says, "Come in." A moment later, Vice President Quayle walks in.
"Mister President, the guests have arrived and are assembled in the situation room," Quayle says.
Bush nods, taking up his papers and making his way out of the Oval Office. He makes his way down through the White House until he reaches the Situation Room. Before entering the room, he orders the guards to leave and take up positions further from the entrance to the room. He doesn't want anybody overhearing the events of the meeting.
Walking into the Situation Room, Bush sees the guests assembled for this meeting: General Colin Powell, the Chairman of the Terran Joint Command; Prime Minister John Major of Great Britain; President Francois Mitterrand of France; General Secretary Jiang Zemin of China; and President Boris Yeltsin of Russia. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council had essentially taken the same role within the Terran Alliance military, and the UN Security Council, now the Terran Security Council, now makes executive decisions for the Terran Alliance in addition to their previous duties.
"Welcome, gentlemen. Please be seated," Bush says. All six men in the room take their seats.
Bush glances around, making sure that there is nobody else in the room and all recording devices have been removed from the room. Then, he begins to speak.
"Thank you all for coming for this meeting. As you all know, we are here to discuss a very grave matter. Over the course of our involvement in the Clone Wars, we have become increasingly suspicious of Sheev Palpatine, Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Senate of the Republic. At the onset of the Clone Wars, Chancellor Palpatine was voted emergency powers. These powers have not been held by any Supreme Chancellor for many, many centuries."
"While this is not particularly alarming, Chancellor Palpatine has acquired more power as the Clone Wars have gone on. He has also made a number of moves that have been particularly alarming. One particular action that caused to begin to worry about the Chancellor came in February, following the operation to rescue Jedi Master Evan Piell from the prison known as the Citadel. Following that particular rescue, the now-Admiral Tarkin refused to give his half of the information about the important hyperspace route called the Nexus Route, stating that Chancellor Palpatine had made him promise not to share it with anyone except him."
Bush pauses, then says, "After that, we began to take a more careful interest in Chancellor Palpatine. Another disconcerting action on the part of the Chancellor came when the former Sith Lord Darth Maul returned. Despite Darth Maul's actions, Chancellor Palpatine showed little interest in continuing to pursue him. In addition, when Darth Maul disappeared from Mandalore, one of our agents on Coruscant reported that Chancellor Palpatine was not on Coruscant at the time."
"However, what is of greater concern to us are events that have occurred in the last month. Some of you have heard the report of a clone trooper seemingly snapping and killing a Jedi general. One of the clone's comrades, who goes by the name of Fives, investigated the matter for himself, discovering inhibitor chips are planted in every clone during development. Despite the insistence of the Kaminoans otherwise, clone trooper Fives believes that these chips are the problem, and that they are part of a conspiracy against the Jedi. While this cannot be confirmed as of yet, clone trooper Fives reported that in a private meeting with Chancellor Palpatine, Palpatine admitted that he was involved, and apparently goaded clone trooper Fives into attacking him so that he could frame Fives and attempt to have him killed. Thankfully, we were able to capture Fives first and get his side of the story. While Chancellor Palpatine did not reveal very much information, he revealed enough for it to be very damning."
"Just two weeks ago, the Galactic Banking Clan underwent a major crisis of leadership, and was nationalized by Chancellor Palpatine, a move that was heavily supported by the Senate. This now gives Chancellor Palpatine complete control over the banks," Bush says before pausing again.
President Yeltsin speaks up. "Chancellor Palpatine seems to be gaining control over most aspects of the Republic," he says.
"I agree. His power has grown great, perhaps beyond all but a few Chancellors in Republic history. And the Senate continues to support him. With all of the political power he now possesses, and the possibility of the Senate voting him further emergency powers being great, I fear what kind of corruption that he could develop," Prime Minister Major says.
"That's not all. CIA investigators have discovered that, periodically, Palpatine disappears from either the Senate building or his personal quarters, and cannot be found. They have also found evidence of a transmission from Palpatine's office to who we believe was Count Dooku. While this is not firm evidence, it is deeply disconcerting. The Director of the CIA, Robert Gates, has told me, in a private meeting, that there is a growing belief among the CIA team monitoring the Chancellor that the Chancellor is involved in the Separatists, and, perhaps, could be the mysterious Sith Master that we and the Republic have been looking for," Bush says.
Everyone is quiet for several tense moments before Bush continues, "We have no concrete evidence that Chancellor Palpatine is involved with the Separatists, or that he is a Sith, but there are definite reasons to cause us suspicion, and enough evidence to make it a definite likelihood. However, even the possibility presents a problem. If Chancellor Palpatine is indeed involved with the Separatists, or, worse, if he is indeed a Sith Lord, then it is clear that he has engineered his acquiring of further political power, and the damage he could do if he continues to hold his power, or gain even more power, is frightening."
There is a few more moments of silence before President Mitterrand asks, "What is your suggestion, President Bush?"
"I have confided in Vice President Quayle with this information, and his suggestion was to attempt to expose him to the Senate and the Republic. However, with the popularity he currently commands from the Senate, the chance of them believing us, I believe, would be incredibly small."
"With that in mind, I spoke with Director Gates. He said that short of open evidence of his true colors, nothing will cause the Senate to vote to remove him from power, and that so long as the Clone Wars last, there is very little chance of them decreasing his emergency powers. Because of that, and given the danger he poses if our suspicions are correct, Director Gates believes that it leaves us with just one choice. We have to kill him."
Everyone sits there in stunned silence at what President Bush has just said. Finally, Prime Minister Major asks, "And you agree with him?"
"I do. I think it is incredibly risky, but I believe the risk if Palpatine is what we suspect him to possibly be and we do nothing is a far greater risk. I especially believe that if Palpatine is a Sith Lord, then if we don't do this, we will come to regret it," Bush says.
General Powell then speaks up. "In addition, Chancellor Palpatine is the Supreme Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. If he is secretly a traitor, he could wipe us out, and could potentially turn them against the Jedi. If he is a traitor, he could pose a great military threat," he says.
Everyone is quiet again before President Mitterrand asks, "You really think that the Terran Alliance should attempt to assassinate Supreme Chancellor Palpatine?"
"I think it is our safest option. Based on the previous election, and his current popularity, the most likely successor to Palpatine is Bail Organa of Alderaan, who seems to be much more trustworthy than Palpatine," Bush says.
"How would we even do this? You do recognize that if the Republic discovers this, they will annihilate us," Secretary Zemin says.
"Director Gates has come up with a proposal. As you know, we captured a number of suits of Mandalorian armor, with which we have equipped our new Zulu Force special operations unit. Director Gates has suggested that the whoever would carry out the assassination wear Mandalorian armor, painted in the colors of the warriors who followed Darth Maul, so that the blame will be placed upon them instead of us. He has also proposed that the assassination be handled by the Israeli Mossad," Bush says.
Again, the room falls quiet. Finally, Bush says, "I believe we should put it to a vote. Prime Minister Major."
Major sits there for a moment, then says, "I agree. The risk is too great not to do it. I vote yes."
"President Mitterrand," Bush says.
"I agree it is a risk. But I also believe the risk is great to us if we do this," Mitterrand says. He is quiet for several moments, then sighs and says, "But the risk is greater if we do nothing. I vote yes."
"President Yeltsin," Bush says.
"Yes. He has grown too powerful, and I think we have enough evidence to show he is secretly a Separatist and possibly a Sith. We must kill him," Yeltsin says.
"Secretary Zemin," Bush says.
Zemin is quiet for a moment, then says, "I believe Palpatine has proven himself too untrustworthy. It is too dangerous for him to be left alive. I vote yes."
"It's unanimous then," Bush says. He is quiet for a moment, then says, "This must be kept secret. We must not inform any other world governments of this. General Powell will travel to Israel to speak to Prime Minister Rabin."
The entire room is silent, the weight of the decision they have just made weighing heavily on their minds, and all of them praying that they haven't doomed Earth by their decision.
(Two days later, Tel Aviv, Israel)
General Powell walks into Prime Minister Rabin's personal office. Per his request, all guards are keeping a distance from the office so that they don't accidently overhear anything from the mountain.
Waiting in the room is Prime Minister Rabin, as well as Shabtai Shavit, the director general of the Mossad.
"Welcome, General Powell," Rabin says in greeting.
"Hello, Prime Minister," Powell says.
"I must say I am interested in why you requested this meeting with me, especially with how busy you must given the state of the Clone War," Rabin says.
"Well, this matter is of great importance," Powell says.
Powell then takes a packet out of his briefcase. "For almost a year, the Alliance has been investigating Supreme Chancellor Palpatine of the Republic. Now, we have compiled quite a list of evidence against him, which we have in this packet," he says. He then hands the packet to Rabin.
Over the next minute or so, Rabin and Shavit look over the packet, which lists all the evidence and suspicious activity linked to Palpatine, as well as the possible conclusions drawn from them.
Finally, Rabin looks back at General Powell. "I see. I must say I agree with President Bush. This evidence is very damning. But why have you brought it to me?" he asks.
"Because. Two days ago, President Bush, Prime Minister Major, President Mitterrand, President Yeltsin, and Secretary Zemin voted unanimously that the Terran Alliance must attempt to assassinate Chancellor Palpatine," Powell says.
Both Rabin and Shavit look at him in slight surprise. "Indeed?" Rabin says in surprise.
"Yes, and for that reason I've been sent to you. I have been asked to request the aid of the Mossad. It is the opinion of the Council of Five that the Kidon be the one to carry out the assassination," Powell says.
Rabin and Shavit exchange a glance, especially since they feel very uncomfortable, even in this situation, confirming the existence of the Kidon as well as their mission. However, after a moment they get over it, and Shavit says, "Very well. I will put together a small team of agents to begin gathering intelligence on the Chancellor that we can use, and I will set the Kidon to work planning this."
"Good. Also, we have an idea of how to do this. I have brought with me two suits of Mandalorian armor we have captured. They are painted in the colors of Mandalorian warriors loyal to the former Sith Lord Darth Maul. The assassins to carry out the assassination will wear this armor, so that not only can they benefit from it in carrying out the assassination, but if they are spotted, the blame will be placed on Darth Maul," Powell says.
The two Israelis nod. "Very well, we will begin the process of preparing for this operation immediately," Shavit says.
Powell just nods, knowing that the success of this operation, and possibly the fate of the Terran Alliance and its people, is now in the hands of the Mossad.
And, I'll end there.
So, yes. With all the evidence against Palpatine, the Terran Alliance has decided to take drastic measures and assassinate Palpatine. With all they know, I think they would worry about whether or not anyone in the Republic would believe them, and also would be worried about turning against the Republic against the Jedi. I think they would think this would be the best option to deal with Palpatine.
For those wondering, the Kidon is a unit in the Mossad that, while nothing is officially revealed about them, is believed to be an elite assassination unit within the Mossad, whose skills are near mythical. Almost nothing is known about them, but, as I said, they are widely believed to be assassins. I think, in this case, the Council of Five, which means the leaders of the five permanent members of the Security Council, would think the Kidon would be the best option for assassinating Palpatine.
Now, this is not something that will be quick. I watched a documentary on the Israeli strike on the Syrian nuclear reactor, which included a portion where it talked about how Israel supposedly assassinated the man in charge, which took almost a year after the destruction of the reactor. Planning for an attempt on Palpatine's life would take about as long.
So, next chapter will be the first chapter covering Season 7 of Clone Wars. I will be covering the first four episodes of Season 7, albeit modified, then I'll get to the Battle of Coruscant. From then on, I'll be doing the events of Revenge of the Sith and the rest of Season 7 together.
I hope you're excited for the rest of this story. Until my next update, please leave a review, and stay tuned!