Chapter 23
Mace turned to Anakin after hearing Commander Cody's report.
"Anakin, deliver this report to the Chancellor. His reaction will give a clue to his intentions." Anakin nodded.
"Yes Master." He left. Mace turned back to the others.
"I sense a plot to destroy the Jedi. The Dark Side of the Force surrounds the Chancellor." Kit Adi-Mundi spoke up.
"If he does not give up his emergency powers after the destruction of Grievous, then he should be removed from Office."
"The Jedi Council would have to secure control of the Senate in order to have a peaceful transition." Mace replied. Yoda spoke up for the first time.
"To a dark place this line of thought will carry us. Mmm… Great care we must take."
Palpatine turned at Anakin's entrance.
"Chancellor. We've just received the report from Master Kenobi. He has engaged General Grievous." Palpatine frowned.
"We can only hope Master Kenobi is up to the challenge." Anakin turned away.
"I should be there with him." Anakin lowered his gaze.
"Upsetting to me to see that the Council doesn't seem to really appreciate your talents. Don't you wonder why they won't make you a Jedi Master?"
"I wish I knew Anakin replied. Revan thought it was because they were afraid of him. Privately, he agreed. "More and more I get the feeling that I'm being excluded from the Council." He raised his eyes to meet Palpatine's. "I know there are things about the Force that they aren't teaching me."
"They don't trust you Anakin." He stood. "They see your future and they know your power will be too strong to control. You must break through the fog of lies the Jedi have created around you." Together, they walked down the hall. "Let me help you to know the subtleties of the Force."
"How do you know the ways of the Force?" Anakin asked, confused.
"My mentor taught me everything about the Force. Even the nature of the Dark Side." Anakin walked in front of the Chancellor to face him.
"You know the Dark Side?" Anakin glared at him.
"Anakin, if one is to understand the mystery, one must study all it's aspects, not just the dogmatic view of the Jedi. If you are to become a complete and wise leader, you must embrace a larger view of the Force. Be careful of the Jedi Anakin. Only through me can you achieve a power greater then any Jedi. Learn to know the Dark Side of the Force and you will be able to save your beloved from certain death." He smiled.
"What did you say?" Anakin glared at Palpatine.
"Use my knowledge. I beg you." Anakin ignited his lightsaber, blue blade springing to life.
"You're the Sith Lord." Anakin accused.
"I know what's been troubling you. Listen to me. Don't continue to be a pawn of the Jedi Council! Ever since I've known you, you've been searching for a life greater then that of an ordinary Jedi. A life of significance, of conscience." Anakin raised his saber as Palpatine circled around him. "Are you going to kill me?"
"I would certainly like to!" Anakin growled.
"I know you would. I can feel your anger." His face was rapturous. "It gives you focus. It makes you stronger."
Anakin smirked. "It certainly does." He disengaged his blade. "I'm going to turn you over to the Jedi Council."
"Of course you should. But you're are not sure of their intentions, are you?"
"I will quickly discover the truth of this." Anakin replied.
"You have great wisdom Anakin. Know the power of the Dark Side, power to save Revan."
"Master Windu!" Anakin raced to catch up to Mace. "I must talk to you."
"Skywalker. We just received word that Obi-wan has destroyed General Grievous. We were just on our way to make sure the Chancellor returns emergency power back to the Senate." Anakin shook his head and sighed.
"He won't give up his power. I've just learned a terrible truth. I think Chancellor Palpatine is a Sith Lord." Mace leaned in, and stared at Anakin.
"A Sith Lord?"
"Yes, the one we've been looking for."
"How do you know this?"
"He knows the ways of the Force. He's been trained to use the Dark Side."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
"Then our worst fears have been realized. We must move quickly if the Jedi Order is to survive."
"Master, the Chancellor is very powerful. You'll need my help if you're going to arrest him."
"For your own good, stay out of this affair. I sense a great deal of confusion in you young Skywalker, there is much fear that clouds your judgment." Anakin held his tongue, wanting to tell Mace how he and Revan had discovered that fear, anger, and emotion in general was helpful.
"I must go Master."
"No. If what you have told me is true, you will have gained my trust. But for now, remain here. Wait in the council chambers until we return." Mace boarded the ship.
"Yes Master." Anakin stared after the ship, before turning away. Back in the council chambers, he couldn't get Palatine's voice out of his head. He stood, and stared out over the city. His gaze focused on the Senate building. Thoughts rushed around his head. Did he save Palpatine? Or let Mace handle it? Tears fell from his eyes. He made his decision.
Revan lay in her chambers. She woke with a start. She felt… ripples. Echoes. Anakin was close to turning. She smiled.