A scattered number of protestors fought to make themselves heard over the ubiquitous hum of airspeeder traffic around the Jedi Temple. Angry chants were accompanied by various crude flimsiposters, with messages ranging from demands to come before the Senate today, to calling for an end to manhunts, to some guy who had a poster that read 'my wife left me, and it's the Jedi's fault.' The crowd was composed of the angry, the serious, and the crazy, but so far things had remained peaceful. Crowd attempts to agitate a response out of the statue-like Temple Guards had proven unsuccessful, but not from a lack of trying. Such a passionate showing so soon after the Jedi's public announcement worried the Council.
It was only a matter of time until things escalated. If a fight broke out and a civilian was injured or killed, even if it wasn't a Temple Guard's fault, the Jedi Order would be dealt a massive political blow. It's hard to argue the need of a manhunt when a civilian is lying dead on the street.
Which was why Knight Davros, ever the faithful messenger of the Jedi Council, was once again in the Senate building, waiting in the plush outer room of the highest office in the galaxy.
"The Chancellor will see you now." The receptionist said. The contempt she had for Jedi was as obvious in the Force as it was on her face.
The only evidence that he heard her was the quiet rustle of his shifting robes. Davros hoped that Palpatine wasn't as close-minded as his receptionist. The elaborate office doors opened to two Senate Guards, men silent and vigilant enough to receive the approval of any Jedi Trainer. Beyond the two guards in their deep blue robes was an office clearly designed by a being who didn't realize there were more colors in the human spectrum than red. Red walls, red carpers, red patterned ceilings, and the most disgusting dirty red desk Davros had ever seen.
"Jedi Davros, how can I assist you today? Will this be business or pleasure?" The Chancellor said.
The Chancellor was without the unwieldy robes he wore during Senate sessions. Instead he was garbed in a simple loose fitting outfit of blue, though nowhere near as deep as the color of his guards. He had the same polite smile on his face that anyone who had to spend time dealing with senators got.
What kind of question is that? "I'm not sure I understand the question, Chancellor." What other reason was there to visit the galaxies largest hive of scum other than business? People didn't go to the Senate for foshes and giggles, they came because they needed something.
"Well, there are only two options really. You are here on the behalf of the Jedi Council," The Chancellor said, moving around to stand in front of his desk. "Since I doubt Master Plo Koon or the others could leave the Temple unnoticed."
Politicians, they can't even say their own words without someone else helping them. "And the second option?" Davros inquired.
"You've come to me on your own behalf, possibly for refuge."
Davros stiffened, Could this snake really believe he would abandon the Order in the hour of their greatest need? "I am here strictly as an emissary of the Jedi Council." Davros wasn't a traitor. The Chancellor wouldn't seduce him.
Palpatine's mask slipped slightly, the smile was not as wide, not as bright. "A pity. Very well then, what message does the Council have for me that could not be distributed along public channels?"
Focus, calm yourself. "The Council requests that clones be stationed on the perimeter of the Temple to avoid confrontation." Palpatine's comment about public channels was spot on. The Jedi Council had sent Davros in the hopes that the Chancellor might be willing to help their cause privately. The key was before things go messy. The Coruscant Guard would step in after things fell to pieces.
"Unsurprising." The Chancellor said. "The Council obviously wants to avoid a situation that will make things worse for them, while simultaneously putting me between a rock and a hard place, as the old saying goes."
It was true what they said about politicians, a Hutt would be impressed by the knowledge a politician hoarded. Palpatine saw through the request instantly, any option beyond laying out all the cards was moot at this point. Deciding to avoid pushing the subject, Davros jumped for a possible distraction.
"What do you mean by that?" Davros said. Nice and vague, more importantly, safe. Politicians love to talk about themselves, after all.
"Contrary to popular believe, I do have a spine, and I stick to my decisions." Palpatine's reply was backed by a smirk, one of genuine humor.
"How does this go against your decisions, Chancellor?" Davros was unsure now, he realized he wasn't controlling this conversation.
"Such a pity. I see now that you aren't quite the seasoned veteran I thought you were." Palpatine said. "No offense meant, I just thought you had more experience in the political realm than that. You see, I've taken a strong public stance against the Jedi. A stance that could be undermined by seemingly protecting the Jedi Temple. I will have to figure something out, neither of us wants to see the Order disbanded or permanently damaged."
Davros could hardly believe his ears. First, the Chancellor had basically called him wet behind the ears, then he explained his position like a parent would to a child. Palpatine's insults culminated in claiming that he, he that had put them in this spot in the first place, didn't want to see the Jedi Order ruined.
"Then why have you taken the stance you have? You have incited the media against us, threatened financial action, all for what?" Davros could feel his control slipping, but he was having trouble caring. A snake in human skin stood before him, everything Palpatine said seemed to contradict itself.
"Why did you choose to be a Temple Guard?" Palpatine asked.
Was this a further insult? A mockery of Davros' lifestyle? "...Excuse me?"
"This is relevant, I assure you. Why did you choose the career you did? You could have chosen any path within the Order, a diplomat, a fighter, a pilot, any of a hundred paths. Why did you choose to be a Temple Guard?"
Davros thought for a moment, an image of the Temple creche sprang to his mind. "To protect those too weak to protect themselves."
"A good answer, if a bit conservative. What is your jurisdiction?"
Trying to ignore the seemingly effortless jabs the Chancellor threw, Davros played along. "I operate within the Jedi Temple."
"And can you give orders to the Senators? Perhaps demand one of their aids assist you?"
"Of course not."
"Would you say the Senators are dangerous? A force that wields great power?"
"When the media is on their side, yes." Davros wondered where Palpatine was going with this.
"Where is the oversight? Who controls the Senators?"
"The Republic Supreme Court, the seat of Supreme Chancellor, and the voters on each Senator's home planet."
"So if a Senator does something illegal or controversial, steps can be taken to either incarcerate or fire said Senator?
"Yes."
"And what happens if a Jedi does something illegal?"
"They are judged by the-" Davros stopped, realizing where the Chancellor was going with the conversation.
"Council, that last word was 'Council.' But I see that you understand my goals."
The pieces came together. Oversight, control, judgment. People ignored Jedi actions 90% of the time. After all, so what if the Jedi Order targets a man for being a 'Sith'? The Jedi Order had fingers in many Piens, a hundred Jedi diplomats were the best in the galaxy, bar none. Jedi Generals led the army, maximizing troop efficiency, only the Supreme Chancellor and a few top Jedi knew the amount of successful covert strikes Jedi teams had completed, from getting valuable information, to rescue missions. Jedi were even highly valued in the medical field, often able to go above and beyond a simple dip in a Bacta tank. The Jedi Order was too big to fail, too big to be disbanded, and that left only one thing.
'Evidence' didn't just come before the Senate, a Senator had to submit anything that would be presented to the Senate proper to a Discretionary Committee, that would then screen all topics and evidence against a set of 'unstable' keywords. Anything against the Jedi, the government, or certain Senators was thrown out instantly. The only man who could get something past the filters was the Discretionary Chairman. All Chairmen in the Senate answered to the Floor Chairman, Mas Amedda. Amedda worked personally with the Chancellor.
The pieces were all there. This whole incident, everything that had happened, was just a ploy. A farce designed to force the Jedi under the oversight of the Republic government. McDellum had nothing to do with this, he was just some hotshot who wanted a name for himself. A newcomer to the Senate, he probably didn't understand the unwritten rules that said not to say anything against the Jedi Order. This was all a case of 'right place, right time', and Palpatine had played everyone.
"Why would you tell me this?" Davros asked. His robes weren't for show, Davros had dedicated his life to defending the Order, from all threats, including humanoid ones.
"Because one does not become a guard without having a little discretion. I told you my intention as a warning. Perhaps you might want to take…. Precautions against future events. I don't mind telling you I would love to have a man of your caliber in my staff."
Palpatine's words seemed genuine, and anyone that paid the slightest bit of attention could tell the Jedi were a bit 'free' with their power. But this was treason, knowingly going against the Jedi Order. The Order that had trained him, raised him, made him who he was today. When Davros was 20, he vowed to spend his life as a Temple Guard. He would take no Padawan, the defenseless would be his Padawan. He would never take the rank of Master, his rank would be Guardian, Protector, Sentinel. Davros knew every facet of the Jedi Order, and he saw its rot, its decay. He saw a Council that hoped to expand its influence through the war. He saw children, sixteen, fifteen, even fourteen years old, shipped out to the battlefield. He saw those same children come back traumatized, missing parts of their body, their mind, or their soul. The Jedi Order was thousands strong, for every Anakin Skywalker, a military genius who kept his troops and his Padawan alive and safe, there were 900 that couldn't. Nine hundred that came back to Coruscant and requisitioned a new Padawan with the same regard as they requisitioned a new battalion. To many of the 'good old boys', there was no difference between getting a new Padawan after the last had fallen in battle and getting a new pair of boots after the last had gotten dirty.
The Jedi Order needed reform, but it wasn't the place of a politician to do it. "And what makes you think that I would leave the order? I could kill you now and no one would suspect the Jedi."
The two guards by the entrance took aim at the potential enemy, as silent in action as they were at rest. The Chancellor made a signal with two fingers, and the guards returned to their standard positions. Davros could sense their heightened alertness though.
"I tell you all this because I believe you honorable. Anyone with common sense that knows where to look can see the obvious. Reports against the Jedi have increased tenfold in the past two years. The Order as a whole can no longer police itself."
Ethically, Davros needed to take this to the Council. The Chancellor was a clear danger to the Jedi way of life. Morally, however, he wasn't sure. Davros wasn't fooled by the war propaganda. The innocent and defenseless he had sworn to protect were clearly being sent to the front lines for lack of warm bodies to hold lightsabers. Even this whole business with the abuse case was preposterous. A 'manhunt'? Who were the Council fooling? Arbitrary manhunts are never acceptable, any more than calling a sentient being an animal. The Council's reaction to a simple, lawful, request was that of corruption. Leaving the entirety of the GAR without defense and command had the maturity of a child that was pouting.
This wasn't his mission. It wasn't his job to judge the Jedi Order or the Chancellor. Davros needed to put this back on track. "Chancellor, can you offer us clone protection or not?" His voice was harsh, defensive. Davros hoped the Chancellor couldn't tell after the mask modulated his voice.
"Yes, I believe I can, but not until tomorrow, presentation is everything."
"I thank you, Supreme Chancellor." Davros wouldn't tell the Council, the Council didn't need protecting, but the younglings of the temple did. Maybe government oversight would help things. Maybe if the Chancellor had the edge, he might keep everything from falling apart. A deal with the devil is fine when the alternative is worse. "Before I leave, may I recommend you obtain a status report from all active clone units led by Jedi?"
Davros could sense Palpatine's confusion, but the emotion couldn't breach the Chancellor's polite expression. Maybe the Senate wasn't that different from the Order, everyone hid their true selves from the outside.
"I think I can manage that, may the Force be with you, Knight Davros."
"And with you, Supreme Chancellor."
Davros had chosen his side. There would be no recourse, in Davros' mind, the war was already over. He believed in his heart that Palpatine was right, all his actions after this would be affected by what had transpired here. With a slight bow, Davros left the office. He would need to tread carefully now. Any action he took that didn't fit with the Jedi hive mind would be met with swift retribution, possibly endangering the Chancellor. If this played out right, no one would get hurt. Satisfied that the outcome was the best realistic one available, Jedi Knight Davros returned to the Temple.
-000-
It was a simple thing to contact the General of Communications. The Grand Army of the Republic was far too large for traditional command structures. The Jedi served as field generals, but on the administrative side of things, there still needed to be a command system. While the ranks given to the administrative command structure at the highest level was officially 'General', the men manning the positions were clones. Clone 'Generals' answered directly to the Supreme Chancellor, giving him the needed advisers, eyes, and commanders he needed to effectively fight the war. The General of Communications tracked every clone group, from Sector Wing to squad. If a unit was on assignment or off duty, if a unity needed supplies or reinforcements, if a unit was pinned down or advancing, the General of Communications tracked every bit of it. Every single message in the GAR passed through the offices of Communications before reaching its destination, giving the GAR the most comprehensive 'big picture' view of the war any army has every had in the galaxy.
"General, I hope this isn't a bad time." Despite the small size of the blue tinged hologram, Palpatine could see flurries of activity behind the man being portrayed on his desk.
"We've got some strange reports coming in, but what can I do for you, Chancellor?"
"Are those strange reports coming exclusively from units under Jedi command?" Palpatine asked. Davros wasn't the sort of fellow who dropped information lightly or without meaning. The Jedi were finite in number, and not every battalion was commanded by a Jedi, but the Jedi did command the majority.
"Actually, yes sir, how did you know?"
"I was told by a potential ally. What do the reports say?"
"Every Jedi has left the field, sir, no orders given, just up and left."
The petulance of the Council shocked Palpatine, this was the equivalent of a child holding his breath, there was no way the Jedi could win like this, just dig a deeper hole. "I assume you have briefed the Strategy Board with this information?"
"I haven't yet, sir. The information just came in this morning, and-" Without the ubiquitous clone armor, the General's expression was painfully easy to read for a seasoned politician. It was one of trepidation, fear, distrust.
"And what, General?"
"Permission to speak freely, Chancellor?"
"Of course."
"I thought there might have been a coup."
"Thankfully, no. This is just a bit of… unpleasantness in the Senate."
"Hell of a tantrum over 'some unpleasantness'. Pardon my speech, sir."
"No worries, General. Get these reports to the Strategy Board, tell them I recommend all our forces hold position until this all blows over."
"Understood, sir. Communications, out."
Palpatine leaned back in his chair. There was at least one Jedi who felt things had gone too far. The information Davros had given him had saved hundreds, if not thousands, of clone lives. Such information was well worth any minor flak he would get from the media. There was much to do, a clone garrison to position, riots to incite, and evidence against the Jedi to be brought to light. The takeover of the Order was a delicate mission, and Palpatine would not fail.
Palpatine pushed a small button built into his desk. "Olivia, I need some information leaked to the press, quietly, of course."
-000-
"We have just received rumors that all Jedi currently on assignment with the GAR have returned to Coruscant. The General of Communications declined to comment, but we believe this information to be credible. Eyewitness reports from across the galaxy state that clone units are fortifying positions, apparently on hold for some time. In other news, according to the public troop movement log, the Chancellor has requisitioned a garrison of Clonetroopers to be stationed on Coruscant. Our analysts believe this is in direct response to the rumors about Jedi vanishing from the field, and not because of the legally gathered protestors in front of the Jedi Temple."
-000-
"This is Daniel. I am only Senator McDellum of Corellia from seven to five. Who are you and why are you disturbing my family?" The fuzzy hologram was that of an alien, but a previously awakened Senator in his bathrobe at four in the morning wasn't bothering on focusing at the intruding light source.
"Hey man, I'm sorry. Name's Marketh, I live on Ryloth."
"Hello, Marketh of Ryloth, now what the Fosh are you doing claling me?"
"The Jedi 'liberated' my home. I got dirt on them, abuse and stuff. Thought you might want it."
"Send it to my office with the tag 'Michael15', you won't be billed for the transfer. I can arrange travel and payment if you agree to come to Coruscant to testify against the Order."
"Yeah man, I'm good for that."
"Then goodnight, Mr. Marketh. Please consult a Ryloth-Coruscant timetable before contacting me again."
After shutting down the receiver, Daniel felt a twinge of guilt. More evidence never hurt anything, it would only solidify his position. Thousands of years of the status quo changed with him. The Jedi weren't as powerful as they thought. Daniel McDellum of Corellia would make his name against the Order, nothing could stop him now.
