Note 19

Nine years after the Trade Federation Invasion of Naboo

One year later

Master Yoda,

How much longer do you feel it will be before young Skywalker is able to take the Trials?

Skywalker has been asking you questions about romantic love? This is a matter that is difficult for someone who was not raised in our traditions since birth. Anakin seems to learn quickly, and this is especially the case when he is placed in a situation where he is taught to learn while doing that activity. If Obi-Wan and you have not been able to teach him why romantic love is forbidden, or how he might avoid it, another alternative would be to place him a situation in which he must learn about it in his line of duty.

I assume that you have heard about the recent developments in the Senate. A committee that is calling itself the Loyalist Committee has just become an official committee in the Senate. The main leaders of this committee are the former Queen of Naboo (Senator Padme Amidala), Senator Bail Antilles, and Senator Correon Knightly. There are many other members of this committee, of course. Someone is not happy with what this committee is doing – there have been threats made on these Senator's lives. Senator Antilles and his wife were recently attacked by what they think could have been a bounty hunter. I have received an official request from this Senator. He is asking for Jedi to protect himself and his wife. He and his wife are both in disguise on a planet that I will not name. I do not want to run the possibility of this message being intercepted by someone who might do them harm. I will say that in order for this disguise to work, the couple has legally changed their last name to Organa. They also legally changed Bail's wife's first name to Breha. We should send someone to protect them.

The main reason I am bringing this up right now is because of how it might impact Anakin. Senator Amidala has had several attempts made on her own life. There was the incident only last week in which a group of Senator Amidala's body guards were killed. You and I were able to get to her just in time so that we saved her life. I believe the Senator is returning to Naboo for a while. She insists that her own security is enough. She has reported no further attacks. However, if another attempt is made on her life, and she requests help from the Jedi, we would need to send someone to protect her. I would like to assign this job to Obi-Wan and Anakin, should the situation present itself. We both know that Anakain struggled with his feelings for Amidala nine years ago. It is possible that this would be just such a situation that Anakin could learn from. What is your opinion of this?

If you cease communication with Count Dooku, I will continue mine. When I made the suggestion that we stop talking with him, that was before things had escalated to where they have now. I feel that the Council should keep a close watch over Count Dooku and his Separatist movement. From my communication with him, it appears as though he is attempting to maintain his Jedi ways. It is possible that this resignation from the Order as well as his work with the Separatists is a ruse by him in order to gain information about the Trade Federation and who might be working with them.

If new information regarding Master Sifo-Dyas' case should present itself, we will open the case once more.

The Sith have proven to be elusive, yes. The artifacts on both Dantooine and QuiQue were found to be forgeries. If the Sith were on the planet at any time, it seems that it was only long enough to plant fake evidence in order to mislead us. We must not give up. It is possible that the Sith are hoping that we will not take seriously a real report about their activity. They could be carefully hiding a real incident among the fake.

The Supreme Chancellor has taken the liberty of training additional security guards for himself and for the Senate. Those that are to guard him are the ones in his office that are dressed in red. The Chancellor has assured me that they are trained to kill if there is an intruder. I feel that unless we are given information that someone intends to assassinate the Chancellor, we should only offer our services in protecting him if he asks.

Perhaps Count Dooku thought that discussing what he was doing with you would have saddened you, and he did not wish to cause you distress. I cannot guess what he was thinking, but I do know that he has always considered you a good friend.

Yes, we must keep a watchful eye on this new Separatist movement. I too hope that he knows what he is doing with the creation of this new government. It is far better for the Trade Federation to be in league with Count Dooku than with the Sith, as they were ten years ago. It is possible that Dooku might be able to hold them in line. Maybe it is a good thing that he is working with them. He might be able to stop them from repeating a similar situation to that which happened on Naboo nine years ago.

Yes, we must remain neutral to Dooku, even though he is a former member in our Jedi Order.

Master Windu