Part 2 – New Apprentice
"Master," Bruce said, "Before we do anything, we have a lot of work to do."
"The Trade Federation," Anakin said.
"I bet I know where to find them," Bruce said as he walked around to Palpatine's console, and activated it, "Everything we need to know about the Sith's plans are right here."
Anakin and Master Windu walked around to the console, "Perfect," he said as he began typing away.
"I'd be careful master," Bruce said, "There's no telling what kind of failsafe he put in place."
"I agree with my apprentice," Anakin said, "I say we get the best tech experts in the Republic in here to take a look at this."
"Very well," Master Windu said before looking up the location of the Viceroy, "Here we are, Mustafar."
"How accurate is it," Anakin asked.
"Call Master Kenobi," Bruce said, "I'm pretty sure he'll be able to back this up."
"Maybe," Master Windu said, "But first, there's some important business to take care of."
"We need a new Grand Chancellor," Anakin said, "The Droid Army is still out there, and we have to get to Mustafar, and deal with the Trade Federation."
"Unfortunately I can't authorize that," Master Windu said, "And I'm sorry to say, you're a master now, but you don't have the authority to authorize a mission like this."
"With all due respect Master Windu," Bruce said, "If we don't move on the Trade Federation now, the Viceroy might be long gone by the time we arrive."
"I know that, young one," Master Windu said, "But even as the most highest ranking member of the Council, I don't have the authority. The Chancellor is the only one that can."
"Then we need a new Chancellor," Anakin said, "But who?"
"Isn't there a line of succession," Bruce asked, "Should the Chancellor die or be removed from office, wouldn't the next in line take his place?"
"That would be the case," Master Windu said, he then turned to the Red Guards, "Guards, bring the Vice Chancellor to us."
"Also," Bruce said as he held up his hand, "Summon Senator Organa."
"Senator Organa," Master Windu asked.
"We need someone the senators will respect," Bruce said, "He's the most logical choice being as he's well known in the Senate, and he's a patriot."
Mas Amedda walked into the room not half an hour later along with Senator Organa.
"Master Windu, Jedi Skywalker," Mas Amedda said as he walked in to see Clones lined up in the room going through the Chancellor's achieves, and taking a body away on a stretcher, "Is that?"
"I am sorry," Master Windu said, "But we had no choice."
"He was our Chancellor," Mas Amedda said, "I hope the excuse is good."
"I believe our friend can explain it best," Anakin said as he put his hand on Bruce's shoulder.
The feeling of Anakin's prosthetic arm on his shoulder made him feel a little creeped out being as it was the first time he had felt a skeletal robotic hand.
"What can he tell me," Mas Amedda asked.
"I believe I can show you," Bruce said as he walked up to him, and held out his hand, "Give me your hand."
Mas Amedda grabbed Bruce's hand which glowed the same golden yellow his hand did when he showed Anakin what could have happened.
Mas Amedda cupped his hands over his eyes when he saw that, "What was that?" He asked.
"That would have been the future," Bruce said, "If we had not stopped it."
"That man was the Chancellor wasn't it," Amedda asked.
"Yes," Bruce said, "It's a bit of a complicated story…"
"That we don't have time to explain," Master Windu said before walking up to the Vice Chair, "Vice Chancellor, with Chancellor Palpatine dead the Republic is without a leader. Vice Chancellor we need a new Chancellor, and you are next in line."
"You want me to fill the role of Palpatine," Amedda asked.
"We have no choice," Anakin said, "Without you, the Republic has no leader, and without one we could fall apart."
"Very well," Amedda said, "But why is Senator Organa here?"
"We need a witness outside of the Jedi," Master Windu said, "Senator Organa was the most logical choice."
"I guess," Amedda said, "Shall we begin?"
Anakin brought forth the Galactic Constitution which he held out to Mas Amedda, "Vice Chancellor Mas Amedda," Master Windu said, "Place your left hand on the book, raise your right, and begin the pledge."
Amedda placed his hand on the book, raised his right, and began, "I, Mas Amedda, by the powers bestowed upon me by the Republic Senate do solemnly swear to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the Republic against all enemies foreign and domestic. To always rule by example, and to never infringe upon the rights of others."
"Congratulations Grand Chancellor," Master Windu said as he held out his hand which Chancellor Amedda shook.
"Now," Chancellor Amedda said as he sat at his new desk, "There is work to be done," he then gestured toward Senator Organa and Bruce, "Will you two join me?"
Bruce and Senator Organa joined Chancellor Amedda, "Senator Organa, with me stepping up as Grand Chancellor of the Republic, there is need for a Vice Chancellor," he said, "Logic would dictate that I would chose one based upon experience. But seeing as you are the best choice, I would not have anyone else join my side in the Senate."
"I would be honored, your Excellency," Senator Organa said as he gave a small bow.
The Grand Chancellor then turned toward Bruce, "You, young man," he said, "What's your name?"
"Bruce," Bruce said, "Bruce Kirkwood, your Excellency."
"What was your role in this," Chancellor Amedda asked.
"I was the one that helped Masters Skywalker and Windu with Palpatine," Bruce said, "I knew what would happen if Master Skywalker would continue on the path that Palpatine was manipulating him on, and I couldn't let that happen."
"Indeed," Chancellor Amedda said, "And what will be your role from now on?"
"Apprentice to Master Skywalker," Bruce said as he looked at Anakin, and gave a small nod.
"You've been promoted," Chancellor Amedda said as he looked at Anakin, "And this is your new Apprentice?"
"You've seen his talent," Anakin said, "He has a lot of skill for someone of his age."
"Indeed," Chancellor Amedda said before looking back at Bruce, "Are you a citizen of the Republic?"
"No, your Excellency," Bruce said, "I am not."
"Then allow me the first to welcome you," Chancellor Amedda said as he held out his hand which Bruce shook, "I will make sure you get full citizenship," he then turned to the Masters, "Now, onto business."
"Indeed," Master Windu said, "Your Excellency, we believe we know Viceroy Gunray's location."
"And the rest of the Trade Federation," Chancellor Amedda asked.
"It would stand to reason that if Viceroy Gunray is there, then the rest of the Federation and the leaders of the Separatists would be there with him," Anakin said.
"Before that," Bruce said before turning to the Chancellor, "Your Excellency, there is one more part to Palpatine's plan that has yet to be implemented that must immediately addressed."
"And what would that be," Chancellor Amedda asked.
Bruce activated the console in front of the Chancellor to reveal the plans for Order 66, "That would be this," Bruce said, "It's called Order 66. It will initiate the Great Jedi Purge. In effect, it will turn the Clone Troopers against the Jedi."
"And cause them to be viewed as traitors," Chancellor Amedda said, "This is a serious threat. I will make sure this entire program is erased, and that all Clones that have this will have such programming removed."
"That might take a while your Excellency," Bruce said, "I'm afraid it's in every Clone."
"Then it must be addressed immediately," Chancellor Amedda said before looking at Vice Chancellor Organa, "Vice Chancellor, see to it that the Cloners on Kamino are alerted, and that this programming is removed from every Clone before they leave the planet."
"Yes, your Excellency," Vice Chancellor Organa said as he nodded toward the Chancellor, then to Bruce, and then to Masters Windu and Skywalker before leaving.
"Now, we must begin by contacting Viceroy Gunray," Chancellor Amedda said, "We give him and the Separatists a chance to surrender before we send a fleet after him."
"Your Excellency," Bruce said, "With all due respect, we can't do that."
"And why not," Chancellor Amedda asked, "Young Jedi?"
"Your Excellency," Bruce said, "If we alert Viceroy Gunray that we know where he is, he'll take the Separatist Delegation, and go into hiding the second we alert him to the fact that we're onto him."
"Maybe, young Jedi," Chancellor Amedda said, "But if we were to submit to every whim a well-educated young man such as yourself had we would be giving out free speeders to everyone, and having a drink break every day on Coruscant."
"But, your Excellency," Bruce said.
"Enough, young Jedi," Chancellor Amedda said, "Do not forget, that I am Chancellor, and that you are only a Jedi."
"Of course, your Excellency," Bruce said, "Forgive me."
"There is nothing to forgive," Chancellor Amedda said, "You are young, ambitious, you want to be heard. I cannot blame you for this."
"Thank you, your Excellency," Bruce said.
Chancellor Amedda activated the holo-frequency for Viceroy Gunray's holo-communicator, and stood up before walking in front of the holo-communicator.
Viceroy Gunray appeared on the communicator, "What is the meaning of this," he asked, "How'd you get this frequency?"
"I'm afraid your master is dead," Chancellor Amedda said, "I am the new Chancellor of the Galactic Republic."
"We know," Viceroy Gunray said, "Mas Amedda. Lord Sidious said we could trust you."
"I'm afraid you've been misinformed," Chancellor Amedda said, "I'm giving you this one chance to surrender to the Republic."
"I will do no such thing," Viceroy Gunray said, "You have nothing. There are no Republic ships within distance to come and arrest us."
"If you do not surrender then there will be no trial when we find you," Chancellor Amedda said, "I'm giving you this chance, surrender peacefully, and you will be able to retain your position as Viceroy of the Trade Federation along with your other delegates. I am dispatching a clone cruiser to Mustafar. If you are not there by the time they arrive I will attach a shoot-to-kill order to the warrants for your arrest."
Viceroy Gunray broke out laughing, "Good luck then," he said as the line cut.
"What's our next move Chancellor," Master Windu asked.
"What's the status of our forces," Chancellor Amedda asked.
"Unknown," Master Windu said, "We know that General Grievous is dead, but the planets our the other members of the Council are on are still battlefields."
"Return to the Temple," Chancellor Amedda said, "Call together the members of the Council, and find out their situation."
"Yes, your Excellency," Master Windu said.
"There is one more thing," Chancellor Amedda said, "Make sure that they know that we know where the Separatist Leadership is. We need to act on this at once."
"Yes, your Excellency," Master Windu said.
"Good," Chancellor Amedda said, "I must begin plans for Chancellor Palpatine's funeral procession."
"Funeral Procession," Anakin asked, "Your Excellency, you've learned that Palpatine was a Sith Lord threatening to overthrow the Republic."
"That's what we know," Chancellor Amedda said, "But the Republic must not know of Chancellor Palpatine's true identity."
"He's right," Bruce said, "The Republic can't know."
"Excuse me, young Apprentice," Master Windu asked.
"Masters, he's right," Bruce said, "If word were to get out that Chancellor Palpatine was a Sith and was planning to overthrow the Republic, it would be highly unlikely they would believe it. He had led the Republic to a new age of prosperity to which the people have flourished beneath his rule. Not to mention if word were to reach the Senate that it was Master Skywalker that killed the Chancellor and was promoted for it, what would that do to the reputation of the Jedi? Not to mention his injuries, there is nothing to suggest that he was a Sith, only a few lightning scars, and a saber mark across the neck. Also there are no cameras recording what has happened inside this room, and the Red Guards are sworn to secrecy. We are responsible for creating his alibi."
"You hold the wisdom of many great Jedi, young one," Chancellor Amedda said, "Tomorrow the entire Republic will be made aware of the Chancellor's tragic death at the hands of a Sith Assassin. That you were too late, but engaged the Sith, and Master Skywalker was able to injure him but were unable to stop him from escaping. At the cost of your fellow Masters' lives."
"And we come off clean, and so does he," Master Windu said.
"That's the way it has to be, I'm afraid Master Windu," Chancellor Amedda said, "I will declare a day of mourning, the call for this assassin's head will be heard from every corner of the galaxy, and the entire Republic will stand behind the war now more than ever. You may tell your fellow Masters, but no one else. Is that understood?"
"Yes, your Excellency," Anakin said, "We will return to the Temple."
Bruce followed Master Windu and Skywalker out the door, and once they arrived in the garage, watched as the Clones loaded the bodies of the dead Masters into a single dropship.
"To think," Master Windu said, "They entered this area on their feet, and now leave on stretchers."
"They are heroes, Master Windu," Bruce said, "They held off Sidious long enough for me and Master Skywalker to arrive. Darth Sidious is dead, and what follows will not come to be."
They walked into the drop ship, and kept their eyes on the bodies of the fallen Masters as the dropship flew away.
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