Disclaimer: Don't own Star Wars! It was made by George Lucas and is currently under the ownership of Disney!
Anakin's brown boots pounded against the floor as he ran past the many Republic soldiers and technicians in the halls of Christophsis's government building. The young Jedi Padawan managed to gain the sleep he wanted for the past few hours, until Obi-Wan requested his presence. Whatever the reason, Anakin took notice of the urgency in his master's voice and he knew it should not be ignored.
By the time he reached his destination, Anakin could see both his Jedi Master and the Alderaanian viceroy standing near the holocomm. He wasted no time reach them and he found himself staring at his mentor. "Master, what is it? What happened?" the questions spilled out of his mouth like gushing water, and his tone was filled with worry.
The young Jedi found the two staring at him, both gentlemen bearing glum expressions on their faces. Neither Obi-Wan nor Bail said a single word, they just returned their stare at holocomm terminal before them the hologram emerging from the terminal before them. The young Jedi was curious as to what they were staring at, and he soon found it to be a hologram of a Republic military officer–an admiral from the uniform–emerging from the terminal.
The admiral in question was Tarkin, Anakin recognized. The man was from a noble family on Eriadu, a world on the Outer Rim worlds and currently close to the border that divided the galaxy between the Republic and the Separatists. Anakin heard of the admiral's work throughout the Clone Wars, winning multiple battles and gaining prestige from amongst the other admirals and generals in the military.
While Tarkin's military record was impressive, Anakin was more concerned with the outrage on the admiral's face as the lines on Tarkin's face became more apparent with every word he spoke. "… This is an outrage to every one of us!" the young Jedi heard from the holoimage, determining it to be a recording from a holonet news cast."How could one assassin get passed our security, I ask you! The Jedi Council was in charge of maintaining security on Coruscant ever since this war started and look! Coruscant, the heart of the Republic, is no longer safe! Action must be taken!"
The words of the Republic admiral sprung up confusion and concern within Anakin as he wondered what Tarkin meant. Before he had a chance to think about it, the image holoimage of Tarkin was soon replaced with that of a young woman, dressed in the typical outwear of a holonet news reporter. "In light of recent events, the Senate has currently placed new masters on the Council, in hopes of returning the peace…"
Anakin had drowned out the rest of the news as he turned to his master. "New Council members?" he questioned. "Master, what's going on?"
Again, no sound came from the two older men as they momentarily glanced at each other. The young Jedi could see hesitation etched on their faces, and it was obvious the two were wondering who would tell Anakin.
It was Bail who eventually found the courage to speak when he cleared his throat. There was no reason to blemish the news as he bluntly answered: "Chancellor Valorum was assassinated."
Shock and fear spread over the young Jedi in waves as he stared at his mentor and the viceroy with wide eyes. "W-what?" he asked, unable to contain his reaction to the news.
"I'm afraid it's true," Obi-Wan spoke up, catching his Padawan's attention. "It was in the middle of an anti-Jedi protest. The assassin managed to sneak through the crowd and kill the chancellor. Masters Windu, Koth, and Allie also died in the attempt."
While he had no love for them, Anakin was taken by surprise at the fact that three Jedi Masters were killed, and there was even the pressing matter of the assassinated supreme chancellor. So many questions ran through the young Jedi's mind, yet there was only one that managed to leave his throat: "H-how did this happen?" Anakin raised his voice, making the question almost sound like a demand. "How did an assassin managed to get past Republic security?!"
A soft sigh came from his master before he admitted, "We don't know. The assassin is currently detained and is being questioned. Hopefully we can find some answers."
After hearing the news, Anakin had trouble finding words to reply to the situation. Confusion and shock clouded his mind as he wondered about the future of the Galactic Republic's leadership. "Has a new chancellor been chosen?" the young Jedi finally inquired.
The Alderaanian viceroy was the one to answer that. "Not yet. The Senate has just started an election. It may take some time until a new chancellor is chosen."
Gazing at his Padawan, Obi-Wan thought he saw a flash of irritation flash across Anakin's face. It only lasted for a moment as it was quickly suppresed, something that Anakin learned from his mentor. As for what was inside, the Jedi general could sense much anger and frustration within his student, and concern appeared in his blue-gray eyes.
Obi-Wan was right to be concern for Anakin's mind was seething with outrage as he wondered how the Senate could have an election in a time like this. There was a war going on and the supreme chancellor had just been killed! The process would most likely take days, if not weeks, giving the Separatists ample time to take advantage of their situation.
Yet, Anakin thought it best to put aside such thoughts and instead focused on his questions. "Are there any candidates?" he continued.
"There are many, but it seems Senator Palpatine is in the lead," Bail answered. "He has a wide range of support from both the public and the Senate. It's possible he will most likely become the new chancellor."
Any thoughts of anger and doubt in Anakin's mind were placed with relief. Not only did he personally know Palpatine as a compatriot and friend, but Anakin was well aware of Palpatine's stance in the Senate. The senator often pushed for more power in the supreme chancellor to lead the Republic to victory against the Separatists and their clone army, ending the Clone Wars. If Palpatine became chancellor, then that dream would become a reality.
While his student was in his thoughts, Obi-Wan turned his gaze towards the viceroy of Alderaan. "What about you, Viceroy Organa? You do have a following within the Senate as well. You could become a candidate."
"I know," a small sigh of annoyance escaped through Bail's nostrils before he finished, "but I'm too far away from Coruscant and too busy with the war front to be in the election. For now, all I can do is wait."
Obi-Wan decided to stop any further attempts to convince his superior, and instead returned his eyes to his student. The Jedi Knight did not need the Force to know his Padawan's mind became enraptured in the somber news. While there was nothing to avoid it, Obi-Wan knew a way to find out of more of the Republic's current predicament.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan's voice reached Anakin's ears.
His own name brought the Jedi captain out of his thoughts and he finally turned to his mentor. "Yes, master?" Anakin inquired.
"We need to know what else is happening on Coruscant," he suggested to Anakin. "Perhaps you can make a few calls and find out something."
It took a moment for Anakin to process the words, and he finally realized what Obi-Wan wanted him to do. Anakin only knew one person to contact besides the Jedi and that was his wife, Padme. With Padme's connections in the Senate, it would help them understand better what was happening with the election. Anakin would also have a chance to talk with his wife, an opportunity that rarely showed itself within the past months.
Anakin was more than happy to comply with the request. "On it, master."
The young Jedi quickly spun around and took his leave with both of his superiors watching the ends of the dark brown robes breeze through the air. He paid little attention to Bail's impassiveness or the concern Obi-Wan tried to withhold inside of him. All Anakin cared about was to call his wife and find out what happened.
AN: Alright, that's it for now. Please leave your comment and thoughts in the reviews and if you have any criticism, please let it be constructive. Also, this it NOT up for adoption. Thank you.
Raika out!