Chapter Nine
The first couple of auctions were fairly uneventful. One young senator from Taldor earned a couple hundred credits. The next, a buff Coruscant security officer, gained a bit more. But next on the agenda was Obi-Wan, and when the Jedi Master stepped up to the stage, the entire audience seemed to shimmer with excitement, especially the females in attendance.
Anakin relaxed against one of the walls at the back of the Hall, confident his preparations were going to be enough to fix the problem. The Organas were more than willing to help out, and they were wealthy enough to do so. Yes sir. Things were going exactly according to plan. His plan.
Anakin couldn't help but smile when the bid rose quick enough to eliminate the majority of the active participants, leaving just a few contenders, including Breha Organa. Anakin's smile turned to a smirk, bordering on over-confidence as Breha continued to bid, until the auctioneer made a gesture so out of character it was enough to catch his attention.
Mace Windu just winked at someone.
Anakin followed the Jedi Master's line of sight, his self-assurance waning as soon as he found Windu's target: Chancellor Palpatine. And standing next to the Chancellor was Delphi, her smirk as expectant as Anakin's was just a few seconds ago.
Great. Master Windu was collaborating with the Chancellor. The leader of the Republic and possibly the richest man in the Galaxy.
Just great.
Anakin couldn't allow this to happen! He and the Chancellor were close. They were friends, weren't they? The older man had befriended Anakin the first day he stepped foot on on Coruscant.
The problem was Anakin hadn't confided in the man. Surely, he'd take his side and help him out. Was it too late?
The Jedi Padawan discreetly made his way through the crowd, hoping to come up alongside the Chancellor without Delphi noticing him. He avoided the gaze of his own Master on stage. Anakin had never remembered seeing his Obi-Wan more embarrassed. The bid had risen now to well over 20,000 credits, and there was no end in sight. Three competitors remained -- the Queen of Alderaan, the voluptuous Senator from Ylesia, and Delphi.
"Chancellor Palpatine," Anakin whispered, coming up from behind the older man.
"Anakin, my boy. Are you enjoying yourself?"
No worries about Delphi noticing his interruption. The girl was so enamored about the display on the stage, she had eyes for nothing else. Mace Windu had convinced Obi-Wan to remove his cloak.
He was running out of time.
"Chancellor, why are you assisting Master Windu's niece in winning the bid on my Master?"
An honest look of surprise was revealed on the leader's face. "Because Master Windu asked for my assistance."
Simply put.
"Do you have a concern, Anakin?"
"No. It's not that." How was he going to explain this?
"25,000," Delphi announced, raising the bid once more, much to Obi-Wan's mortification.
"I was hoping, actually, that perhaps, uhm..." the young man sputtered.
"Listen, my boy. Master Windu is concerned about his niece's well-being. She is at the most tender age and he worries about these flighty infatuations of hers. He thought it was best if she won this auction so that Master Kenobi can talk some sense into her. He is a most responsible man and will do her no harm."
That was true. He hadn't thought of that. His Master was one of the most humble and generous men Anakin had ever known.
"If the situation were any different," the Chancellor continued quietly, "you know I would not interfere. I do not like being involved in public shenanigans such as this, but it is for a good cause."
"30,000," Delphi bid, raising the Queen of Alderaan's amount by more than 7,000. The Senator from Ylesia had already bowed out.
The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Isn't that what Anakin had always believed?
Yes it was. Up until now. Who is to say his visions would come true? Master Yoda had always told him the future was constantly shifting. Maybe Anakin could change things without interfering in his Master's private life. Maybe he could just stay away from Padme Amidala. As far away as possible. He could do that. Couldn't he?
"I see," Anakin replied as he made eye contact with Senator Organa across the Hall and shook his head. Bail acknowledged the negative gesture with a lift of brows, indicating he understood, but was confused, and that was that. His wife declined the next bid, and the winner was announced.
Delphi would spend the rest of her evening in the company of Master Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi.