AN: Thanks for all the kind comments. I am glad so many are enjoying my little tale.
Palpatine was not in a good mood, first Anakin disappeared and now Padmé was nowhere to be found, and neither were answering their coms. The Jedi have to be involved in this. Palpatine thought.
He rose and left his office. He had his driver take him to the Jedi temple and headed for the Council Chambers. Just before the entrance to the Council Chamber, he was stopped by a Jedi Knight.
"I'm sorry, sir. The Council is in session now, if you need to speak to a Master you should go through normal channels," the Knight said, surprised that the Chancellor was even there.
"You will let me pass, Knight. I have an important matter to discuss with all of the council, and it cannot wait," Palpatine said.
"What is this matter, I will present it to them and deliver their answer to you." The Knight said.
Palpatine's patience was now at an end, he waved his hand before the Jedi and said," You don't need to do that, in fact you need to jump out that window over there."
"I don't need to do that, in fact I need to jump out this window," the hapless Knight said as he walked over to the window and threw himself out of it. The investigation of his suicide would last until the end of the Order.
No Jedi is stronger than the Sith, Palpatine thought and entered the Council Chamber.
"Chancellor Palpatine, what is the meaning of this, didn't the sentry tell you we were in session?" Master Windu said.
"What sentry, Master Jedi? There was no sentry when I came in," Palpatine said.
"Why here are you, Chancellor?" Master Yoda asked.
"I am here wondering where young Skywalker is, I can't find him anyplace and he won't answer his com,"
"The last time I saw him he was going to meditate, but that was yesterday morning," Master Kenobi said. Kenobi closed his eyes then continued, "He's still on planet, but I cannot pinpoint his location."
"Well, I'm sure he's doing something important. You can find him after I leave. There is one other matter I wanted to bring to your attention since I cannot deliver this good news to Anakin himself. I have decided that he should be placed on this council," Palpatine said.
"You do not decide who is or who isn't on this Council, Chancellor," Master Windu said.
"Do you defy the will of the Senate, Master Windu?" Palpatine asked.
"The Senate has no say over the inner workings of the Jedi Order, Chancellor." Master Windu said.
"That may change, Master Windu. Remember, I tend to get legislation that I truly desire," Palpatine said, sounding reasonable.
"Are you threatening the Order, Chancellor?" Master Windu said.
"Now why would you think that, Master Windu? I'm only trying to make all parts of the Republic work for the greater good, do the Jedi oppose me in these aims?" Palpatine said.
"Enough take your advice under consideration we will, Chancellor. Now busy we are, anything else is there?" Master Yoda said.
"No, nothing else for now, Master Yoda," Palpatine said and left the Council Chamber.
Palpatine left the Jedi Temple quickly and returned to his office.
Obi-Wan was in shock at what had transpired, he said, "That was disturbing,"
"Correct, Master Kenobi is," Master Yoda said.
"I sense a plot to destroy the Jedi," Master Windu said.
"Surrounded by the Dark Side, the Chancellor is," Master Yoda said.
"Does that mean he is the Sith Lord that we seek?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Not necessarily, Master Kenobi," Master Ki-Mundi said.
"True, Palpatine may be under the influence of the Sith Count Dooku told Master Kenobi about," Master Windu said.
"Information, we need. Light our way it will," Master Yoda said.
"Perhaps young Skywalker might have a clue. He is close to the Chancellor," Master Kit Fisto said.
"Master Fisto is correct, my former Padawan has always been close to the Chancellor, ever since he came to the Temple," Obi Wan said.
"Then, know something, young Skywalker might," Master Yoda said.
"Master Kenobi, you should find young Skywalker, find out if he might have a clue why the Chancellor is doing this," Master Windu said.
"I will leave immediately," Obi-Wan said.
"May the Force be with you," Mace said.
General Grievous paced in the caves of Utapau, it had been a week since the disaster at Coruscant. He was annoyed by the complaining the Separatist leadership was engaged in. He was also annoyed because Lord Sidious had yet to contact him. Dooku's death was definitely a blow to the Separatist cause, but Grievous felt he was more up to the task of taking over.
"General Grievous, Lord Sidious is on com now," a droid reported.
"Finally," Grievous said.
Grievous entered the communications room.
"Lord Sidious," Grievous said.
"General, I have new instructions for you. You are to come to Coruscant to meet with me personally," Sidious said.
"Lord Sidious, you are insane, I lost half my fleet last time we attacked the Capital," Grievous said.
"You fool, I mean you, alone. I will see to it you are undetected," Sidious said.
"And you guaranteed that kidnapping Palpatine would end the war, how can trust you...eerk, "Grievous said then was interrupted as his still organic heart began to constrict.
"Do not doubt me or my power, General," Sidious said.
"Very well, Lord Sidious. I will come," Grievous said.