Chapter 6 - Those Who Felt the Call
Anakin's howl only lasted for a few seconds at most. But in those few moments he could feel the very ground beneath him moving with his will. He stopped his howl for everything to be silent. He was the eye of the storm in this desert, all the sand around him moving away. A small crater had formed in the sand where he was standing. In those few moments his vision darkened and he fell to his side unconscious.
The Jedi Temple was in complete shock and silence when the moments had passed. The council had stopped thinking and began debating if what just happened was an assault on the Jedi. The truth that no one wanted to admit was that they did not have the answers, or knowledge on what could cause such a disturbance in the force.
"What just occurred has never happened in the history of the Jedi or even the sith." Master Udi Mundi stated to the council. "Never before has the force answered the call of a single person to this scale."
"It has for the Sith." Master Plo Koon answered.
"When they use it on a grand scale the size of a planet. Although it never drew in the light side of the force to do so."
"What is the possible explanation for this?" Master Windu asked the group. "We do not have the ability to sense exactly where this came from and do not know the reason for the use in the first place."
"I do believe it was somewhere in the outer rim." Master Koth answered. "If I did have to guess it would be the child Master Qui Gon on the planet they are on."
The council was silent for a moment in contemplation. If a child untrained in the force could cause such an event, that what would happen when they were better trained to use the force?
"If what Obi Wan stated was true then, could you perform such a feat?" Master Udi Mundi asked the Grand Master turning to look at him.
"Never before have I had the need to attempt such. From a child, emotional state capable of much. Become a greater priority this has." Master Yoda told the Council. "Send a team immediately, we shall."
"I volunteer." Master Plo Koon answered.
"As do I." Stated Master Koth.
"It's decided then, master Plo Koon and Koth will go to Tatooine and find Master Qui Gon and the boy." Master Windu told the group. "May the force be with us."
The transmission button was blinking on Sheev Palpatine's desk. He knew it was his apprentice Mual. Asking on how they were to react to this new action in the force. Palpatine was more focused if it was at all possible for himself to perform such an act in the force. Even if he could it would undoubtably draw the attention of the Jedi and he would then be under suspicion for being a Sith. He pulled his hood forward and answered the call.
"Master," Darth Mual bowed to Palpatine.
"What is this new development that has occurred?"
"An experiment of sorts my apprentice. Do not concern yourself with it and continue your mission as planned. Stay with Nuke Gunrey and should he endanger our plans eliminate him."
"Yes my master." Mual bowed before the line was cut and Palpatine pulled his hood back down.
"Now that is a good pet of yours Sidious." A voice called. "Never questions orders, and does not stray from his commands. Although anyone with the smallest bit of intelligence can tell you don't know what this is."
Palpatine looked over his shoulder to the black mist that was materialising a large figure in his office. "It's important that he does not question me and always thinks I am in control. What are you doing here Master?"
Hugo Demask strode forward and took the seat in front of his apprentice. "A tool that cannot think for itself in the long run is useless to us. The day he strays you will put him down Sidious, no matter how useful he is. He's a wild card when we are so close to our goal could easily make things harder for us."
"He is under my control master. I remember your answer when I asked to train him. He is not to be trained as a true sith. And I have obeyed that order. However we have a new wild card on the table now and I would like it resolved before it becomes an issue."
"Yes, as a scientist I find it most intriguing. The force has never been this eager to leap to someone's side. Whomever they are, they are worth recruiting and being on our side no matter the cost."
"Master? As you just stated with Mual-"
"We do not know the cause of this. If it was a Jedi then they can be coaxed over to our side. If not then we will deal with it as is appropriate to the situation."
Palpatine nodded to his master. "I believe I can depart for the source when my business is done here. Making my way to my home world with an unexpected stop on the way."
"No, I can sense the Jedi mobilising themselves now to move. We cannot afford to wait for them to get where it is first."
"They have no idea where exactly the source is. And even if they did, I can dispatch some men to arrive there first and track down whatever Jedi caused it in the first place."
"Time is of the essence here Sidious. Send the men now to follow the Jedi when they depart on their destination. When they inform yourself then inform me what planet they arrive at. I would like the knowledge of how this was possible not to be lost to us. Do you understand?" Plagues asked in an ordering demeanour as he was engulfed in shadows again and disappeared from the room.
Sidious hated to admit it but Plagues was right. He could not leave the public eye right now and in the following days of the election that would unfold. He sent a message to one of his men that was stationed as a pilot for the Jedi Temple to inform him of all departures in the next few hours. Knowledge that this unknown Jedi held would be priceless in his own hands, knowing that he would now have a greater chance at usurping his own master and taking his rightful place as the only lord of the Sith.