Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
So, I've made a decision. I'm not going to spend a ton of time actually covering the Siege of Mandalore. What I don't cover in chapters I'll fill in on the wiki. I'll also be taking creative liberty with the Siege, so I won't be following the episodes much. Therefore, I won't be delaying updates like I originally planned.
Also, I just realized that I said in Chapter 59 that Adams was preparing to take part in the Siege of Mandalore, but then put him on Coruscant last chapter. I came up with a reason for that, and I have posted that in the article about Adams on the wiki.
Let's get to the chapter.
Guest DCDGojira: Well, you'll see what will happen with the Kidon. The ending will be fairly similar, but I won't spoil anything about Luke and Leia. I haven't decided about Barriss yet. Yes, Rogue One will be featured in the second story. Rex, Echo, Wolf, and Gregor all have removed their chips, yes. I do not currently plan for Shaak Ti to survive, but that's not certain. May or may not include the Vader transformation scene. Yeah, that'll be interesting for her to be in Season 2, but I don't know if I'll echo those events in a future story. Maybe. Maybe not. And yes, some fighter designs in the second story will be more of Star Wars design rather than just an adapted Earth design.
RandomFanAuthor: My current plan is for 76 chapters.
Guest 1: I will not be doing lightsaber nunchuks. Sorry.
Guest101: That is not in my plan.
Guest 2: At least one other member of the ASAT team will find out about Anakin and Padme by the end of the story. Probably more than one.
CT7567Rules: I have watched almost every episode of Dogfights at least 20 times. And I definitely plan on doing a Dogfights style chapter next story.
Dalej0523: Yes, the Terrans will be involved in Order 66. My current plans is for Order 66 to begin in Chapter 69, so you'll see what happens soon enough.
Chapter 62- A New Appointment
(June 24, 1994)
Hall slowly stands up from where he's been sitting. He's been part of a meeting with several Jedi, including Obi Wan, that has been going over the progress of the Outer Rim Sieges. Overall, with Terran assistance, they're going very well.
As he stands up, and the other Jedi begin walking out of the room, Anakin comes walking in.
"You missed the report on the Outer Rim Sieges," Obi Wan says.
"I'm sorry. I was held up. I have no excuse," Anakin says.
"I snort, they are going very well. Saleucami has fallen, and Master Vos has moved his troops to Boz Pity. The Siege of Mandalore is underway. And Colonel Stasevich and his men have recaptured Ossus," Obi Wan says.
Anakin smiles slightly, knowing who is one of the three people leading the Siege of Mandalore. Then, he asks Obi Wan, "What's wrong, then?"
Hall walks over to Anakin as he says, "The Senate is conducting a vote today to give Chancellor Palpatine more emergency powers, and it's expected to pass."
"Well, that can only mean less deliberating and more action. Is that bad? It'll make it more easier to end this war," Anakin replies.
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely, General Skywalker. Earth history is full of examples of rulers who gained absolute power and did horrible things with it. Adolf Hitler for example. He turned Germany into a dictatorship, conquered all of Europe and ruled with an iron fist, ordered inhumane things be done on some of his own people, and ordered horrible atrocities including the massacre of 6 million people across Europe and the torture and experimentation on many more simply because they were Jews," Hall says.
Obi Wan looks at Hall in surprise, never having heard some of this stuff that Hitler had done. Anakin, however, simply says, "The Chancellor is a good man. He could never do anything like what Hitler did."
Obi Wan narrows his eyes and says, "Be careful of your friend Palpatine."
"Why?" Anakin asks.
"He has requested your presence," Obi Wan says.
"What for?" Anakin asks.
"He didn't say," Obi Wan replies.
Anakin is quiet for a moment, then asks, "He didn't inform the Council? That's unusual, isn't it?"
"All of this is unusual. And it's making me feel uneasy," Obi Wan says.
"You and me both," Hall says.
(Hours later)
Adams sits down as the Jedi Council meeting gets underway. As leader of the ASAT team, he has been awarded the priviledge of being able to be present for Council meetings as the Terran liaison. Given he's currently on the Mandalorian moon Concordia, he's participating in the meeting via hologram.
Adams watches as Anakin presents Palpatine's request to the Council. Knowing the Anakin can't see him at the moment, Adams narrows his eyes slightly in suspicion.
"Allow this appointment lightly, the Council does not. Disturbing is this move by Chancellor Palpatine," Yoda says.
"I understand," Anakin says.
"You are on this Council, but we do not grant you the rank of Master," Mace Windu says.
Anakin looks at Mace in shock before asking, "What? How can you do this? This is outrageous. It's unfair. How can you be on the Council and not be a Master?"
Hoping to defuse the situation, Adams speaks up and says, "Easy, General Skywalker. Neither me nor any of my colleagues on the ASAT team were promoted right after the team was founded. Nor are we all the same rank. Calm down. It's not that big a deal. Recognize the honor you've been afforded to be a member of this Council and be satisfied."
Several members of the Council, including Obi Wan, shoot Adams grateful looks. Mace glances at Adams, then looks at Anakin and says, a little more calmly then he feels, "Take a seat, young Skywalker."
Anakin is quiet for a moment, feeling a little more calm after what Adams said, then bows and says, "Forgive me, Master. Captain Adams is right." He then moves to take his seat.
Ki-Adi-Mundi then speaks up. "We have surveyed all systems in the Republic, but have found no sign of General Grievous," he says.
"Nor have any Terran intelligence agencies. Although some of us within the Terran Alliance are wondering if he could have fled to the Unknown Regions," Adams says.
"Unlikely, it is. Hiding in the Outer Rim, more likely, he is. The outlying systems we must sweep," Yoda says.
"We do not have many ships to spare," Obi Wan says.
"The Alliance can help out that regard," Adams says.
"What about the droid attack on the Wookiees?" Ki-Adi asks.
"It is critical we send an attack group there immediately," Mace says.
"I have spoken with Terran Joint Command about that. A regiment of the People's Army of Vietnam, 2,000 men total, is on Coruscant and standing by for deployment. They will go with any Jedi sent to the planet," Adams says.
A moment later, Yoda speaks up and says, "Go, I will. Good relations with the Wookiees, I have."
"It's settled then. Yoda will take a battalion of clones and the Vietnamese regiment to reinforce the Wookiees on Kashyyyk. May the Force be with us all," Mace says.
Adams nods, and the transmission cuts off. He then stands up right as Bo-Katan walks in. "Are we ready?" he asks.
"Yeah," Bo-Katan says.
"Then let's go," Adams says.
(Jedi Temple)
Hall waits for Obi Wan and Anakin to get out of the Council meeting. As he watches, they finally come walking down the stairs towards him.
As they approach, Anakin says to Obi Wan, "What kind of nonsense is this? Put me on the Council and not make me a Master? It's never been done in the history of the Jedi. It's insulting!"
Hall has to refrain from rolling his eyes. As they approach, Obi Wan says, "Oh, calm down, Anakin. You've been given a great honor. To be on the Council at your age-its never happened before."
"And Skywalker. Remember that not all of my colleagues on the ASAT team are Colonels. None of them are offended by this. And let me remind you it wasn't the choice of the Council to have you become a member. Maybe that has something to do with it. Just be patient and show you can be trusted, and you'll become a Master soon enough. Plus, does being a Master really matter this much?" Hall says.
Anakin looks at Hall, then sighs. "I know. Adams said the same thing during the meeting. I know I shouldn't be so frustrated. But, part of me can't help it," Anakin says.
"Anakin. You must understand that some of the Council hardly feel you're ready for such a burden of being on the Council, let alone being a Master. And the fact of the matter is that you are too close to the Chancellor. The Council doesn't like it when he interferes in Jedi affairs," Obi Wan says.
"I swear to you, I didn't ask to be put on the Council," Anakin replies
"But it's what you wanted. Your friendship with Chancellor Palpatine seems to have paid off," Obi Wan says.
"That has nothing to do with this," Anakin says.
"Oh, come on, General Skywalker. That has everything to do with this. Can't you see? The Council approved your appointment because the Chancellor trusts you, and it will enable you to spy on him," Hall says bluntly.
Anakin looks surprised, then turns to Obi Wan. "Is this true?" he asks.
Obi Wan nods before saying, "Yes, Anakin. Believe me, I didn't approve of putting you in this situation. But the Council wants you to report on Palpatine's dealings so they can know what he's up to."
"They want me to spy on the Chancellor? But that's treason," Anakin says.
"No, it's not. Not even the Chancellor is above the law, or above committing treason. Making sure that your leaders aren't doing anything illegal or treasonous is not treason," Hall says.
"The Chancellor is not a bad man," Anakin says defensively.
"Many of the worst dictators and tyrants in Earth's history didn't seem like bad men at first," Hall says.
"Anakin, our allegiance is to the Senate, not to its leader, who has managed to stay in office long after his term has expired," Obi Wan says.
"The Senate demanded that he stay longer. Just like during World War II, when the American public demanded FDR remain President," Anakin says, looking at Hall as he says that.
Hall is silently impressed Anakin has studied so much of American history. Before he says anything, however, Obi Wan says, "Yes, but use your feelings, Anakin. Something is out of place."
"Skywalker. Can you look me in the eye and truthfully say, without any hesitation, that not a single thing that Palpatine has ever done, or anything that has happened surrounding him, is suspicious?" Hall demands. Anakin looks at Hall, but doesn't answer, remaining quiet.
And I'll end there. I hope you liked this chapter. I know it wasn't too eventful, but it's important in the overall plot of Revenge of the Sith, so I felt like I needed to do it. Next chapter will be a bit more exciting, and I think will be one you'll enjoy.
Alright. Next one will be up soon. Until then, leave a review, and stay tuned! And stay safe from coronavirus, my friends.