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| - The next morning, Anakin presented Palpatine’s findings to the Jedi Council. “This is strange,” noted Ki-Adi-Mundi’s hologram. “We have no news from our agents in the Utapau system.” “How could the Chancellor have this information and we know nothing about it?” asked Mace. “We have had contact with Baron Papanoida and he said no one was there.” “A partial message was intercepted by Clone Intelligence in a diplomatic packet from the Chairman of Utapau,” explained Anakin. Mace gave him a black look. “Clone Intelligence reports to us.” “I beg your pardon, Master Windu, but that is no longer the case,” Anakin replied, he met the Jedi Master’s stare with an uncharacteristic calmness. “I thought it was understood that the constitutional amendment bringing the Jedi under the Chancellor’s office naturally included the troops commanded by the Jedi. Palpatine is now Supreme Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.” Obi-Wan and Mace exchanged a significant look, their worst fears had been confirmed. “Act on this, we must,” said Yoda decidedly. “The capture of General Grievous will end this war. Quickly and decisively we should proceed.” There was a ripple of agreement. “The Chancellor has requested that I lead the campaign,” said Anakin carefully. But Mace would have none of this. “The Council will make up its own mind who is to go,” he insisted. “Not the Chancellor.” “Yes,” agreed Ki-Adi-Mundi, “the decision is ours to make.” Anakin looked hopefully at Obi-Wan, but his former Master was looking the other way. “Given our resources I recommend we send one Jedi,” said Renust Nju. “Master Kenobi.” “He was not so successful the last time he met Grievous,” Anakin pointed out. Now it was Obi-Wan’s turn to give Anakin a dirty look. “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” he said. “No offence, Master, but I am only stating a fact,” explained Anakin. “Oh no, you're quite right,” Obi-Wan agreed. “But I do have the most experience with his ways of combat. I know how he fights, and how he runs away, I am certain I can catch him.” “But Master—” “And you Anakin, have duties here on Coruscant,” Obi-Wan reminded him curtly. “Extremely important duties that require your full attention.” He raised an eyebrow. “Am I being clear?” Anakin turned away sulkily. All he has to do is tack on ‘Padawan’ to the end of that and nothing’s changed, he thought bitterly, just when I thought he was done dressing me down he does it again in front of the entire Council. “Obi-Wan my choice is,” Yoda murmured. “I concur,” said Ki-Adi-Mundi. “It’s settled then,” stated Mace, he glanced around at the other Council members. “Six in favour,” he counted, then looked at Anakin. “Further comments?” Anakin ignored him, staring at the pattern on the floor. Mace shrugged. “It’s unanimous then.” He turned to Obi-Wan. “Prepare two clone brigades as quickly as you can. If this report is true, there's no telling how many battle droids he may have with him.” As Obi-Wan left the Council chamber, Padmé approached him “Can we talk for a moment?” she asked him. “I’m on my way to do something important,” he told her. “This will only take a moment,” she insisted. “Okay.” They walked quickly to one of the outside balconies. “Now?” Before she said anything more, Padmé quickly checked to see if they were alone. Coming from the Council chamber she saw Anakin, he moved to go to them but she waved him on. When Anakin had gone, Padmé sighed. “I’m still not sure if approaching you about this is the right thing, Obi-Wan,” she said. “About what?” The Jedi Master asked. “I think there are some in the Senate that are going to…” She paused for a moment to consider her words. “…create trouble for Palpatine.” “Is this what you meant about choosing sides?” Obi-Wan asked her, drawing her further outside. “Yes,” she answered. “Senator Organa approached me and asked me what side the Jedi would stand on.” “What did you tell him?” This could prove crucial, though Obi-Wan knew Padmé well enough to know she would not say too much. “I told him I wasn’t sure,” she explained. “While there are some Jedi that support Palpatine, there are others…” “That feel he has overstepped his bounds,” Obi-Wan finished. “I feel that way too, and so do most of the Council.” He held up a hand quickly. “And I didn’t tell you that, by the way.” “Of course,” Padmé nodded. “Do you know what they plan to do?” inquired Obi-Wan. Padmé thought for a moment. “He said they needed to discredit him,” she said at last. “I’m not sure how far they plan to go, but it seems that it needs to be done in a way that there is little doubt.” “Especially in the mind of Palpatine’s supporters,” added Obi-Wan. Suddenly he found himself wishing he wasn’t being sent after Grievous. After what Padmé had told him he knew he had to run this by Mace, especially in light of what they were planning. “Are you going to tell anyone about this?” Padmé asked him. “I may need to,” Obi-Wan told her. “If they rebel it will be another conflict we’ll have to face.” He pointed out. “And we have had strong ties with the Loyalist Committee since Imbroglio; that will reflect very badly on the Jedi.” Especially, he added in thought, if we take the measures Mace is considering. “Padmé, as much as I’d like to discuss this with you further I’m afraid I can’t,” he said at last. “I'm going to get rid of Grievous, and things may change after that. Palpatine may give up his dictatorial powers.” He started to walk away. “And if he doesn’t?” Padmé’s voice stopped him. “Then we’ll need to have this conversation again,” he replied. “And include several others.” And with that he left her. In Danta’s senatorial apartment, a curious assortment of beings were being entertained. Seated were Chi Eekway, Giddean Danu and Bana Breemu. Facing them and also seated were Mon Mothma, Danta and Fang Zar. Bail Organa stood by the window, clad in a blue-grey tunic with a cape fastened to one shoulder, he faced away from the gathering with a sombre expression. “I can tell you that many senators are becoming very nervous indeed about the new security amendments,” said Chi Eekway. “The new governors have arrived with clone troopers for security reasons, they say.” “And are these troops meant to protect us from the Separatists?” asked Bana Breemu. “Or are they intended to protect the governors from us?” “This war will be over once General Grievous is located,” Senator Danu pointed out. “The Chancellor has said so himself.” “But what after then?” Bail asked, turning towards them and pacing across the room. “We cannot make Palpatine withdraw his governors, and it will not be long before he garrisons troops in all our systems.” “But what are you suggesting?” Danu asked. Bail didn’t answer for a moment, he went to the table in the middle of the room and activated the document reader. “I know this seems a little…extreme,” he said tentatively. “But this may be the only way, the only way we can save the Republic.” When the contents were laid bare there was silence. “We’ve managed to…acquire some transmissions from Republic Intelligence,” Mon Mothma explained. “If the Chancellor is prolonging the war for his own purposes, we can expose him.” “How did you manage to acquire such information?” Fang Zar asked. “I would prefer not to answer that,” Mon Mothma replied quietly. Silence again. “Yet this is not all we have to do,” Bail continued. “This is an extremely dangerous move, and we need to shift the Chancellor’s focus to someone else.” “You mean having an actual opposition that we push into view?” Zar asked. “Yes,” Mon Mothma answered. “We cannot block the Chancellor’s supermajority, but we can show him as well as others that opposition to his methods is growing.” “That way when this is presented it won’t be such of a surprise,” Danu remarked. There was a murmur of agreement. “Wesa also have consulted the Jedi,” Danta added. “Theysa not happy with Palpatine either.” “Will they help us?” Eekway asked. “The moral authority of the Jedi will give us further weight.” “Yet their position is precarious,” Bana noted. “Their moral authority has been largely spent on this war.” “The position of the Jedi is a quite tentative,” agreed Mothma. “But I have firm reasons to believe that they will side with us once we move. After all, we are doing what is right.” “You’re going to need me on this one, Obi-Wan,” Anakin said, revealing all his nervousness in his voice. Why had the Council been so stubborn and refused to let him go with Obi-Wan? Out there in the field he could forget all the political wrangling going on around him. Things were much simpler in the field of battle, where all he had to worry about was the next blaster bolt coming for him. “Oh, it may be a wild bantha chase,” admitted Obi-Wan with a chuckle. “But you have a very important job here, Anakin.” Need you remind me? Anakin thought. “It’s just that I don’t like the idea of you going off without me,” he said. “Look what happened last time we split up.” “I know,” said Obi-Wan, remembering. “But we have worked apart before, Anakin. Like when you and Padmé went with Senator Nalanda to Naboo and I went to Kamino and Geonosis.” “And look how that turned out,” Anakin reminded him. “All right, bad example,” Obi-Wan chuckled again. “But don't worry. I have enough clones with me to take three systems the size of Utapau. I think I'll be able to handle the situation, even without your help.” “Well, there’s always a first time,” Anakin replied with a smile. Obi-Wan turned to go and Anakin couldn’t hold back any longer. “Obi-Wan, wait!” The Jedi Master stopped, looking at Anakin expectantly. Anakin took a deep breath, he might not get another chance to say this. “I know I've disappointed you,” he said. “I have not been very appreciative of your training. I have been arrogant and I apologize.” He scowled for a moment. “I've just been so frustrated with the Council. Your friendship means everything to me.” If Anakin expected a scolding from Obi-Wan, he was pleasantly surprised. The Jedi Master came forward and touched him gently on the shoulder. “You are strong and wise, Anakin,” he said admirably. “I have trained you since you were a small boy. I have taught you everything I know. You are a credit to the Jedi Order and you have become a far greater Jedi than I could ever hope to be.” “I thought you once told me that power is no credit to me,” Anakin remarked dourly. “I am not speaking of your power, Anakin,” Obi-Wan told him. “The greatness in you is your greatness of spirit. Courage, generosity, compassion and commitment, these are your virtues. You have done great things and you have saved my life more times than I can remember. I am very proud of you.” There was a silence; Anakin found he had nothing to say. “But you must be patient,” Obi-Wan urged. “It won't be long before the Council makes you a Jedi Master.” From the ship below came the sound of engines starting up. It was time to go, Anakin realised. “Well, I think I can hear General Grievous calling my name,” Obi-Wan said with a laugh, he walked down the gantry. Anakin called after him. “Obi-Wan, may the Force be with you.” Obi-Wan turned for a moment. “Goodbye old friend,” he said, smiling at him, “and may the Force be with you.” It better be, Anakin added silently as he watched the ship prepare to leave. Before the war Anakin would have been glad to be left alone while Obi-Wan went off somewhere else. Now he wished with all he had that he was by his former Master’s side. It was not a comforting feeling.
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