Star Wars: Remix version
Chapter nine:Mistrust
Because they didn't know who might still be after Padme, Anakin and Padme continued to live in their secret home at the Jedi temple. Obi-wan came one day to tell them that the chancellor wanted to see Anakin.
"What for?" Anakin asked confused.
"He would not say." Obi-wan replied. "He just wants to see you and Ray"
"He didn't inform the Jedi Council? That's unusual, isn't it?" Anakin asked.
"All of this is unusual, and it's making me feel uneasy. You're probably aware that relations between the Council and the Chancellor are stressed." Obi-wan said. Anakin nodded, he had noticed it.
Anakin and Ray stood with Palpatine at his window overlooking the vastness of Coruscant. Several buildings had been destroyed.
"Anakin, Ray, this afternoon the Senate is going to call on me to take direct control of the Jedi Council." Palpatine told them. Ray and Anakin exchanged a glance.
"The Jedi will no longer report to the Senate?" Ray asked.
" They will report to me . . . personally. The Senate is too unfocused to conduct a war. This will bring a quick end to things." Palpatine said. Anakin frowned.
"I don't agree, and neither will the council. There are too many secrets between the senate and the council. Everyone is suppose to be working together" He said. Palpatine sighed.
"There are times when we must all endure adjustments to the constitution in the name of security." He replied.
"With all due respect, sir, the Council is in no mood for more constitutional amendments, and neither am I" He said, sweeping out of Palpatine's office. Anakin went back home and told Padme what Palpatine had told him.
"This is terrible, How can he take control of the council. He was my old friend, I think it's time to call a meeting with the senators" Padme said. Early the next morning, Anakin and Padme met with Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, Fang Zar, Terr Taneel and Giddean Danu in Bail Organa's office.
"Now that he has control of the Jedi Council, the Chancellor has appointed Governors to oversee all star systems in the Republic." Bail told them.
"When did this happen?" Fang Zar asked.
"The decree was posted this morning." Bail told them. Anakin and Padme exchanged looks.
"Do you think he will dismantle the Senate?" Padme asked.
"Why bother? As a practical matter, the Senate no longer exists." Mon Mothma said softly.
"The constitution is in shreds. Amendment after amendment . . . executive directives, sometimes a dozen in one day." Giddean spoke up.
"We can't let a thousand years of democracy disappear without a fight." Anakin declared. Everyone looked at each other, a little worried at the implications of what was just said.
"What are you suggesting?" Terr asked.
"I apologize. I didn't mean to sound like a Separatist." Anakin said. Padme smiled.
"We are not Separatists trying to leave the Republic. We are loyalists, trying to preserve democracy in the Republic." She said.
"It has become increasingly clear to many of us that the Chancellor has become an enemy of democracy." Bail told them.
"I can't believe it has come to this! Chancellor Palpatine is one of my oldest advisors. He served as my Ambassador when I was Queen." Padme said sadly.
"Senator, I fear you underestimate the amount of corruption that has taken hold in the Senate." Giddean replied.
"The Chancellor has played the Senators well. They know where the power lies, and they will do whatever it takes to share in it. Palpatine has become a dictator and we have helped him to do it." Mon Mothma said.
"We can't sit around debating any longer, we have decided to do what we can to stop it. Senator Mon Mothma and I are putting together an organization…"
"Say no more. Senator Organa. I understand. At this point, it's better to leave some things unsaid." Padme spoke up. Anakin squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"Yes. I agree and we must not discuss this with anyone, without everyone in this group agreeing." Bail said firmly.
"That means those closest to you . . . even family ... no one can be told." Mon Mothma said. Everyone was in agreement.
Anakin stood pensively in front of the Jedi Council Chambers. The door opened. Anakin entered and stood in the middle of the room. He was surrounded by the Jedi Council Mace Windu, Eeth Koth Obi-wan, Yoda, the holograms of Plo Koon and Ki-Adi-Mundi.
"You have something to tell us?" Mace inquired. Anakin knelt before them.
"Masters, I trust you know that I spoke with Chancellor Palpatine" He said.
"Yes, Obi-wan told us that he requested your presence" Eeth Koth said.
"The chancellor, I fear is not to be trusted" Anakin told them. "And, I hate to say this, but I fear that he and Ray are plotting something" It was silent in the Council.
"Are you sure, Captain Skywalker?" Mace asked.
"Yes, Master Windu" Anakin replied.
"Brought this to our attention you have" Yoda said. "attend this matter, we will" Anakin bowed again.
"Thank you master" He said, leaving the room.
Padme and Anakin's Speeder pulled up to the landing platform. Captain Anakin escorted Padme onto the veranda of the Jedi temple, together they stood and watched the sunset.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Anakin whispered as they sat on the bench. Padme smiled.
"Very" She said softly.
"How are you feeling?" Anakin asked. Padme sighed.
"He keeps kicking." She said, placing a hand on her stomach.
"He?! What makes you think it's a boy?" Anakin asked.
"My motherly intuition." Padme said laughing. She placed his hand on her belly.
"Whoa! With a kick that strong, it's got to be a girl." Anakin said and they laughed together.
"I heard about your appointment. Anakin. I'm so proud of you." Padme said. "You were right to tell the Council about your fears of the Chancellor"
"They had to know. Chancellor Palpatine is becoming a tyrant" Anakin said softly. "Sometimes, I wonder what's happening to the Jedi Order . . . I think this war is destroying the principles of the Republic." Padme nodded she agreed with him.
"What if the democracy we thought we were serving no longer exists, and the Republic has become the very evil we have been fighting to destroy?" Padme asked.
"I have been afraid of that too" Anakin said. "We'll get through it together Padme, I promise" He pulled her close and smoothed down her hair. The next morning The senators once again met, this time in the private of Anakin and Padme's home. C-3PO served drinks to the guests.
"We cannot let this turn into another war." Padme exclaimed.
"Absolutely, that is the last thing we want." Bail agreed.
"We are hoping to form an alliance in the Senate to stop the Chancellor from further subverting the constitution, that's all." Mon Mothma told them.
"I know a Jedi I feel it would be wise to consult." Padme said. Anakin looked at her and knew she was talking about Ob-wan.
"That would be dangerous." Fang Zar said.
"We don't know where the Jedi stand in all this." Mon Mothma reminded her. Anakin was the one to speak up.
"We only wish to discuss this with one . . . one we trust." He told them. Padme smiled at him, she knew she could always count on him.
"Going against the Chancellor without the support of the Jedi is risky." Giddean said.
"The Jedi aren't any happier with the situation than we are . . ." Padme protested.
"Patience, Senator." Chi said softly.
"We have so many Senators on our side, surely that will pursuade the Chancellor." Fang Zar suggested.
"When you present the "petition of the two thousand" to the Chancellor, things may change." Bana agreed.
"Let us see what we can accomplish in the Senate, before we include the Jedi." Bail said. Padme sighed and Anakin put an arm around her. The next day, Padme was sitting on the couch humming when Anakin came rushing in.
"We've all been double crossed" He said breathlessly.