Anakin landed his speeder near the main entrance of the Galaxy Opera House and jumped out of it. Then he ran up the red-carpet covered stairs, using his sharp reflexes to avoid the numerous people crowding the place.
The Chancellor's invitation for that evening's spectacle had been delivered during the morning, but worried as he had been for the new images he was seeing in his vision, Anakin had almost forgotten it.
Finally he reached the Chancellor's private box, where Palpatine was sitting along Mas Amedda and Sly-Moore.
"Sorry for the delay, Chancellor," Anakin said as a form of greeting.
Palpatine smiled at him. "Don't worry, Anakin. Come closer. I have good news. Our Clone Intelligence Units have discovered the location of General Grievous. He is hiding in the
Utapau system."
Anakin brightened a bit. Finally some good news. "At last, we'll be able to capture that monster and end this war."
Palpatine nodded. "I would worry about the collective wisdom of the Council if they
didn't select you for this assignment. You are the best choice by far-- but, they can't always be trusted to do the right thing."
"They try."
The Chancellor turned to face his aides then gestured toward the exit. "Leave us," he ordered, before indicating Anakin should sit at his side. Once they were alone, the older man leant over the Jedi and continued, "Anakin, you know I'm not able to rely on the Jedi Council. If they haven't included you in their plot, they soon will."
Anakin frowned. "I'm not sure I understand."
"You must sense what I have come to suspect-- the Jedi Council wants the control of the Republic. They're planning to betray me."
"I don't think-"
Palpatine looked sorrowfully at Anakin. "Search your feelings, son. You know, don't you?"
Anakin pursed his lips, remembering the discussion he and Qui-Gon had had a few days before. "I know they don't trust you," he finally admitted.
"Or the Senate . . . or the Republic . . . or democracy for that matter."
"I have to admit my trust in them has been shaken," Anakin added, almost unwillingly.
"Why? They asked you to do something that made you feel dishonest, didn't they?" Palpatine asked gently.
The young Jedi did not say anything, and looked down at his hands.
"They asked you to spy on me, didn't they?"
"I don't know ... I don't know what to say." It was true. Anakin was confused as never before in his life. He trusted the Chancellor; he had been a friend and a mentor for most of his life. But he also trusted Qui-Gon, who had been like a father to him since he was a boy. His former teacher had never been in the Council's graces, and yet he agreed with them about Palpatine. They all thought the Chancellor might be dangerous. Anakin did not know who he should believe or side with.
"Remember back to your early teachings, Anakin. 'All those who gain power are afraid to lose it.' Even the Jedi," Palpatine said, interrupting his musings.
"The Jedi use their power for good."
"Good is a point of view, Anakin. And the Jedi point of view is not the only valid one. The Dark Lords of the Sith believe in security and justice also, yet they are considered by the Jedi to be-"
"- evil."
"-from a Jedi's point of view. The Sith and the Jedi are similar in almost every way, including their quest for greater power. The difference between the two is the Sith are not afraid of the dark side of the Force."
"The Sith rely on their passion for their strength. They think inward, only about themselves," Anakin said, feeling compelled to defend the Jedi.
"And the Jedi don't?"
"The Jedi are selfless, they only care about others," Anakin almost growled, staring at the Chancellor with narrowed eyes.
Palpatine smiled. "All right, all right, my boy. I didn't mean to irritate you. So, let's change topic. How is Senator Amidala doing?"
Anakin's face brightened a bit. "She is doing well."
"I see you are a bit more relaxed about this. Are you no longer plagued by that vision you told me about?" Palpatine asked, solicitous.
"No, I still have that vision, but it has gotten more detailed… in a positive way."
"How so?"
"Well, it always begins with Padmé dying in childbirth, but then a man appears and he resuscitates her thanks to the Force."
Palpatine's eyes widened. "This is amazing! Do you know this man?"
Anakin shook his head. "No, I have no idea who he may be… but I was wondering if you could give me a hand in finding him, Chancellor."
"Of course I will help you, Anakin! Tell me, what does he look like?"
"Uhm…he is bearded, with brown-reddish hair. There is some silver near his temples and his eyes look strange…as if they are lifeless…"
Palpatine was silent for a while then turned to face Anakin. "You know Anakin, your description made me think of Darth Plagueis."
"Who?" Anakin frowned.
"Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis "the wise"?"
"No."
"I thought not. It's not a story the Jedi would tell you. It's a Sith legend. Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith, so powerful and so wise he could use the Force to influence the midi-chlorians to create life ... He had such a knowledge of the dark side that he could even keep the ones he cared about from dying."
Anakin's eyes widened. It was exactly like in his vision! He swallowed hard, "He could actually save people from death?"
"Yes. The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural."
"What happened to him?"
"He became so powerful . . . the only thing he was afraid of was losing his power, which eventually, of course, he did. Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice everything he knew, then his apprentice killed him in his sleep." Palpatine smiled. " It's ironic he could save others from
death, but not himself."
Anakin took a deep breath to calm down, "Is it possible to learn this power?" he finally asked.
"Not from a Jedi," was the resolute, unquestionable answer of Chancellor Palpatine.