Anakin Skywalker paced nervously in the Supreme Chancellor's office, as if he were a caged tortured animal rushing outside to freedom. But Palpatine knew Anakin didn't want to leave this room. At least not now. No, he wanted advice—again. But the young Jedi shouldn't get the wisdom he so desperately craved for too cheaply. Sidious himself had spent decades under the tutelage of his master, who had always enjoyed denying his then young adept exactly what he most desired. And it was precisely this lesson that young Anakin would now and in the near future taste well dosed.
Thirty years ago he had found it hard to believe what his master had told him about the fruits of his research into the midichlorians back on Aborah. That Darth Plagueis had actually succeeded in creating a Force-sensitive being without a father, only with a mother and the manipulation of the midichlorians - a Force-sensitive being at that! But since the Battle of Naboo and the emergence of young Skywalker, Darth Sidious no longer harbored any doubt that his master, in addition to the powers of pneuma and aperion, had also mastered the third kind of power, the anima, just as supremely as the first two. Sidious was well aware that the young Jedi here in his office would be the most significant and valuable gift that Plagueis had left him as an inheritance. However, for three weeks there was someone else that the Dark Lord of the Sith also wanted to take care of.
Two weeks had passed since Ahsoka Tano left the Jedi Temple for an unknown destination. Palpatine sensed that Anakin was suffering at her loss, that he still didn't want to accept that Ahsoka, his Snips, had broken with the Jedi Order. Anakin felt that this was a personal insult, a humiliation—in front of the entire Jedi Council! And there was no one he could specifically blame. At least he didn't want to blame Ahsoka for her departure. 'Not yet,' Palpatine thought with an inward grin.
"It's those dreams again?" the chancellor asked his protégé sympathetically.
"Yes, they keep coming back. Padme screams. She screams for help. She screams for me. And I can't help her. I hear the crying of the newborn. And then – she's dead!" Anakin said in a tortured, tight voice.
"My boy," Palpatine replied warmly, placing a hand on Anakin's upper arm, "you must learn to live with these dreams. Many Jedi and other Force sensitives sometimes have visions that they have to deal with on their own because it's nobody's business. But if you face them, they will lose power. Now tell me again!" he demanded of Anakin.
"I see Padme. She is lying on the floor. she looks at me Then she screams. She's screaming for help…" Palpatine pretended to be listening. He was already planning the next step of his very own Great Plan. Finally, Anakin had come to the end of reliving his dreams.
"Anakin, I know that you just lost something very valuable in the temple," he began the new topic.
"Nobody wanted Ahsoka and me to believe that she was innocent," Anakin barked accusingly at the room, trying not to look at Palpatine.
"You have no idea how sorry I am, my son. But this … um … what was her name again?" he asked Anakin, looking at him questioningly with a disparaging expression on his face.
"Barriss Offee," Anakin spat out the name, just as he had spat out the name 'Ventress' on previous visits.
"Yes, exactly. Barriss Offee is under lock and key now, and we won't be fooled like that again, agreed?" Palpatine promised, tugging at Anakin's hem of his right sleeve.
"But what do you mean, Chancellor? I don't have any Padawan now," Anakin replied, puzzled.
"I'm talking about Ahsoka's young friend Ashla, the third Togruta with you in the temple. She has great potential, as I saw on my last visit. And she would certainly make a splendid Padawan for you, my boy," Palpatine explained with a promising smile.
"No! I don't want a new Padawan! Not now! Back when Ahsoka was assigned to me at Christophsis, Master Yoda had said that the hardest part wasn't accepting a Padawan, it was letting him go. I now know what Yoda meant by that. And I don't want to experience that again. No!" Anakin replied flatly.
"Teaching is a privilege. And giving it up because of tragedy is no sign of strength or responsibility, Anakin," the Chancellor said, slightly reproachfully.
"I don't want Ashla! She is so calm, so cold! I do not like her! I will always compare her to Ahsoka. Ashla will lose. And we'll both suffer for it," Anakin growled, scowling.
"Perhaps you dislike something while the Force has placed in it much good?" interjected Palpatine.
"No!" Anakin exclaimed.
Palpatine put on a grieved face and turned away from Anakin. Slowly, slightly hunched over, he walked towards the office's large window wall, only to stare thoughtfully out of the window, frowning, apparently not paying any attention to Anakin, who was writhing in new anguish at the sudden rejection of his fatherly friend. This was the first time Palpatine had shown such disappointment towards him. Why was this so bad for Palpatine? Could he afford to disappoint, even anger, his fatherly friend, who had so wisely and lovingly accompanied him since his arrival on Coruscant - like this? Him who had always understood him, while his real master Obi-Wan Kenobi only had a few hackneyed sayings or slogans to offer from the arsenal of sublime, but all the more sapless Jedi wisdom? Him who almost always had time for him when he needed it. Him, who offered him an oasis of security in which time and the course of the galaxy suddenly seemed to have become unimportant when he, Anakin, bothered the Chancellor with his questions and problems?
But now Anakin felt he had crossed a line. Even the chancellor was only human. He had had a request for Anakin, and he, Anakin, had brusquely and bluntly refused that request. Was he allowed? Or had it not only been wrong, but even fatal, to alienate Palpatine in such a way? Would his paternal friend ever forgive him if he continued to be so stubborn and dismissive?
The two men continued this silent duel for a few minutes, then Anakin broke the silence:
"Chancellor, forgive me, but I want to go now. I need time and quiet to think about all this. I wish you a nice day."
Anakin headed for the door. As he was about to open it, Palpatine suddenly swung around to face him.
"Anakin!"
The young Jedi heard the Chancellor's suddenly dramatic and room-filling voice. He immediately stopped, turned back and his sky blue eyes met Palpatine's expectantly.
"Maybe I should tell you one more thing before you go now. I haven't even told you what the reason for my request to you is." He paused deliberately.
"What's the background?" Anakin asked obediently.
"Ashla, I found out a month ago, is the daughter of a very good friend of mine who sadly passed away. This is probably why she came to the temple. And now that I know this, I wish that a good person like you would take care of her. You know how hard and cold-hearted the Order can be. And if Ashla could get some of your emotionality and warmth of heart, then that would be good for both of you." He paused again. "Not to mention that I feel absolutely obliged to do this for my friend, who had no control over what happened to Ashla after her birth after his death," Palpatine said seriously, staring intently at Anakin blue eyes.
"Then he died before Ashla was born?" Anakin asked in disbelief.
"It is, Anakin. And I can also tell you that you are far from the only Jedi dealing with the issue of secret love and the children that come from it."
"If that's what you're implying. Who are you talking about?" an increasingly curious Anakin asked.
"I'm speaking of Jedi Master Shaak Ti, Ashla's mother," Palpatine said quietly and calmly.
"Is that true?" Anakin snapped.
"As true as the source that informed me, my boy," replied the Chancellor with conviction.
Anakin seethed. He himself had longed for his mother on Tatooine for years, had mourned her death two years ago, avenged it without being really satisfied with the revenge. And now it turned out that there was a Jedi Master right under his nose in the temple itself, who always outwardly presented herself as ironclad and principled when it came to the Jedi Code. And yet had broken that very code as well as Anakin himself. And had the gall to bring the fruit of their breach to the temple. But Shaak Ti acted as if it wasn't any of her business. Just as she had accepted the loss of her Padawans unmoved a few years ago. Was it any wonder Ashla seemed so cold and distant? Maybe she got that from her mother? Or could he, Anakin, perhaps change that? Could Palpatine's request have the same blessing, bestowed on him by Master Yoda when he assigned Ahsoka to him as Padawan two years ago?
"That's outrageous!" Anakin exclaimed. "Since I'm in the temple I've always longed for my mother and only saw her once, just before she died. She had loved me, longed for me. And this Jedi Master has a daughter who is always by her side and she doesn't take care of her at all! That's unfair!"
"You shouldn't be so hard on Master Shaak Ti, my boy. She knows nothing but the Jedi Temple. Completely different from you. You can give Ashla a very different perspective on this galaxy than this Togruta ever will. Do you understand now, Anakin?" Palpatine said softly but firmly.
"I see, Chancellor. But who was Ashla's father?"
"He was a Muun named Hego Damask. A leading member of the Banking Clan at the time. He died the same day you achieved your victory on Naboo, Anakin," Palpatine replied, pathos in his voice.
"All right then. I'll go to the council and ask for Ashla as my new Padawan," Anakin promised his fatherly friend.
Now Palpatine came towards him with a warm smile on his thin lips. "I knew you would make the right decision, my boy. I thank you. May the force be with you, Anakin," he said graciously before Anakin finally left him alone in his office.
Anakin was relieved. Everything was fine again. Yes, it was right to comply with the Chancellor's request. Palpatine was good with him again. He no longer seemed to hold grudges against him for his short temper and initial rejection. And it would certainly pay off to take care of young Ashla. Surely she would make as good a padawan and partner as Ahsoka did in her days. Palpatine foresaw something like that. He knew the people. To disappoint Palpatine was to disappoint yourself. That would not only be unfaithful, but exceedingly stupid! Anakin resolved never again to disappoint his fatherly friend, the Chancellor. Palpatine would always see him for what he was; an honest Jedi who always wanted and did the good. Just as Palpatine lived it as Chancellor. Anakin wanted to prove himself worthy of his friend. So that nothing should ever come between them again.
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Anakin was excited when he came to the council meeting. He himself had asked Master Yoda for an appointment and the green grand master had promised to bring his request to the table at the next council meeting. Anakin was sure Yoda would be pleased that in his position as Chancellor Palpatine's special representative after Ahsoka's departure, he wanted to find the time to train a new Padawan. Yoda would not refuse his wish.
When Anakin Skywalker entered the circular council chamber, Masters Kit Fisto, Saesee Tiin, Mace Windu, and Shaak Ti were already present. He checked his chrono, which indicated that the council meeting would begin in five minutes. Eeth Koth and Ki-Adi Mundi's holograms materialized over their customary chairs. Anakin felt a thieving delight as he realized that he had arrived at the council chamber before his former master. Satisfied as he sat down in his chair, Anakin saw him enter the hall. Obi-Wan Kenobi gave his former Padawan an appreciative look. Anakin smiled back proudly. How many times had Obi-Wan scolded him for being late! But now he would do everything right. And Palpatine would praise him afterwards.
Yoda first discussed some missions, planned new ones, and discussed some organizational issues that directly affected the Temple. Anakin was getting more and more jittery in his swivel chair. Finally Yoda spoke to him.
"A request, young Skywalker - you have."
"I would like to accept and train a new Padawan again," he said confidently.
"A new Padawan ... quite certain – you seem, possibly a name - you have. Who – it is?" Yoda asked Anakin.
"I want Ashla as my new Padawan," Anakin replied.
Yoda paused before answering. Anakin grew increasingly uneasy during this pause. What if Yoda rejected his choice? But why? Was there a problem? With Ashla? With him?
"Two other masters - already applied for Ashla - they have," Yoda broke the silence. "Master Fisto and Master Windu - they have asked me. Decide now – we will."
All the council members present looked at Yoda. The two Jedi Masters mentioned were also in the room. Anakin stole a glance at the green Nautolan Kit Fisto, then at Mace Windu, then at Shaak Ti. All three Jedi Masters looked back at him with impenetrable poker faces. Only Kit Fisto smiled as he was known to do.
"Master Fisto. Your last padawan, Nahdar Vebb - in the fighting Grievous - you him lost - Dark feelings him overshadowed. Watch out with Ashla - taming those feelings - you must."
At these words, Kit Fisto looked away from Master Yoda with an almost apologetic smile, while Shaak Ti eyed the green Nautolan carefully.
"Skywalker", Yoda turned towards the next master candidate, "Gone - your padawan is. Mourning for Ahsoka - I still feel. Sure you are, that …?"
"It wasn't my fault that Ahsoka left!" Anakin interrupted Yoda's sentence angrily. "I've always believed in her. Completely different from you! She left because of you. Not because of me!" Anakin snapped at the Grand Master in front of the assembled council.
Everyone stared at him.
"That's not the point now," Shaak Ti intervened. "But your behavior is exceedingly improper. What did Master Yoda say about the Dark Feelings before?" she asked the young, short-tempered Jedi directly.
"You're about to say that!" Anakin shot back loudly, and everyone could tell he was about to jump out of his chair, as determined as he rested his hands on the armrests.
"Mutual accusations - nothing they bring," Yoda abruptly smothered this argument, while both his palms pointed downwards as if to cover something. "A steady strong hand – Ashla now needs. Someone who the dark side in their place - can put. Someone like – Master Mace Windu."
Yoda now turned his green face to the dark-skinned Korun Jedi Master and gave him a friendly smile.
"It is hereby decided. Ashla your new Padawan – shall be."
That ended the council meeting. Anakin's blue eyes blazed first at Yoda, then at Windu, and finally at Shaak Ti. Shaak Ti had dared to reprimand him in front of the assembled team. And with that she had indirectly refused him her daughter. Or had Yoda decided so because, unlike the other Council members, he, Anakin Skywalker, was not yet a Master, but just a simple Jedi Knight whose informal status as a Chosen One in the Temple counted for nothing except that he was always given the most difficult missions to carry on?
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Anakin drove back to Palpatine's office with mixed feelings. The Chancellor received him with a friendly expression as always. But would his expression stay the same when he found out that...
"The Council has turned down your request to make Ashla your Padawan, is it that, my son?" Palpatine asked Skywalker, concern in his voice immediately.
"How do you know that?" Anakin asked, struck to the core by the timely question.
"Your look gave it to me, Anakin. How did the session go? Tell me everything!" he demanded softly.
And now Anakin began to speak. When he got to the point where he was replying to Yoda's comment about Ahsoka, Palpatine interrupted him. Just as Anakin had feared.
"Why did you say that Anakin?! Now Ashla is doomed!" Palpatine said almost desperately, mixed with a slight reproach.
"And to the most fanatical and hard-hearted Jedi I know, of all people," Anakin replied angrily. "And Shaak Ti humiliated me in front of the Council! She in particular needs it! She's already lost two Padawans, I'm told!" Anakin hissed.
"And yet you will be careful with her in the future!" admonished Palpatine, wagging his index finger.
"And if you take my advice, it may not be lost entirely," he added with a shy smile.
"But Ashla is Mace Windu's Padawan now. He won't give her up that easily. What do you want to do? What can I do?" Anakin asked contritely.
"Well, Anakin, things are changing. More than you might think now," Palpatine replied with an indefinable smile and gently touched his charge's forearm.
Anakin smiled back. Everything was fine again. He certainly wouldn't fail next time. And Palpatine would praise him. Anakin wished this would be soon. That things would change quickly. Just as Palpatine had predicted. He didn't doubt for a minute that the Chancellor was right. Palpatine was always right!