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| - When Anakin entered the Chancellor’s office he found the politician at the long window examining the scarred cityscape. At Palpatine’s invitation Anakin joined him, the young Jedi noticed the Chancellor’s sad expression at what he saw. “Terrible, is it?” Palpatine remarked sadly. “They’ll never destroy us completely, Your Excellency,” Anakin reassured. “The Republic will prevail, the Jedi are determined.” ”Oh, I have no doubt that we will win the war, Anakin,” Palpatine said. “But as for the Jedi, they may have their own ideas about how to go about it.” To Anakin, this sounded rather odd. “Your Excellency?” He watched the politician pace before coming to stop behind his desk. “Anakin, the Senate has called me to take direct control of the Jedi Council,” Palpatine told him. “The Jedi will no longer report to the Senate?” Anakin asked. “They will report to me…personally.” Palpatine looked up with a resigned expression. “The Senate is too unfocused to conduct the war. This will bring a quick end to things.” “Oh, I agree,” said Anakin loyally. “But not all the Jedi will see it that way.” “Sacrifices must be made, Anakin,” Palpatine reminded him. “Even the Jedi must understand that.” “Yes,” Anakin agreed reluctantly. “But will all do respect, Your Excellency, I don’t think the Council is in the mood for any other constitutional amendments.” “I know that, but I have no choice,” said the Chancellor with dignity. “This war must be won.” “Well, no one can dispute that,” remarked Anakin. For a moment he studied the Chancellor and wondered how the Separatists could even consider they had a chance of defeating the Republic with someone like Palpatine at the forefront? Anakin just didn’t understand those who insisted that the Chancellor was abusing his position, that being in power as long as he had been had made him grow comfortable in his role and taking any measure possible to keep it. They don’t know him like I do, Anakin thought, they don’t know that Palpatine doesn’t want to be Chancellor a day longer than he feels he needs to. “But I didn’t call you here to discuss politics, Anakin,” said Palpatine. “I can get that anytime I like, I called you here because…well, I need your help, son.” “My help?” Anakin examined Palpatine thoughtfully, what could he mean by this? “I fear the Jedi,” he confessed. “The Council keeps pushing for more control. They're shrouded in secrecy and obsessed with maintaining their autonomy. Ideals I find simply incomprehensible in a democracy.” “I assure you, Your Excellency that the dedication of the Jedi to the Republic is unquestioned,” Anakin asserted. “That may be the case,” said Palpatine doubtfully. “But actions speak louder than words. I am depending on you.” “But I don’t understand,” Anakin said uncertainly. “What are you asking me to do?” “I'm appointing you to be my personal representative on the Jedi Council,” answered Palpatine. “Me?” Anakin said incredulously. “A Master?” For a moment he was stunned, unable to think at all. Yet gradually he could see himself taking his place among the other twelve Jedi Masters. Perhaps sitting next to Obi-Wan, or opposite Yoda! “Who else?” admitted Palpatine with a shrug. “You are the only Jedi I know I can trust. I need you to be my eyes and ears on the Council and the voice of the Republic.” “But the Council elects its own members,” Anakin protested. “They will never accept this.” “I think they will, they will have no choice,” said Palpatine, he placed a hand on Anakin’s shoulder. “They need you more than you realise. All it would take is for someone to explain it properly to them.” Before his appointment to the Jedi Council Obi-Wan had known what went on behind its closed doors only by reputation. He had assumed that the Jedi Masters considered the appropriate decision from the currents of the Force and acted accordingly. Yet argument was often the rule in a Council session rather than the exception. And in this case he seemed to be on the opposite end of one to Yoda and Mace Windu. What was at stake here was Anakin’s own elevation to the Council and to Mastership. While the idea of it had made Obi-Wan’s heart soar with pride at his former Padawan learner, it was the reasons for this that forced him firmly against it. “I don’t understand your reservations, Obi-Wan,” Mace Windu averred. “Don’t you trust Anakin?” “Of course I trust him,” Obi-Wan said, rather annoyed that Mace would doubt this. “There has never been a question of that, Anakin can always be trusted to do what he thinks is right. But he can’t be trusted to do what he’s told, he won’t be made to simply obey. Believe me, I've tried for many years.” “Yet it must be said that Palpatine himself has given us a unique opportunity,” Renust Nju pointed out. “He has given us a way to see into the workings of his office, we cannot close our eyes to this chance.” “Then we should you someone else’s eyes,” argued Obi-Wan. “Forgive me, but none of you know him like I do. Anakin is fiercely loyal to his friends. How can we ask him to lie to a friend, to spy on him?” “Which is why we must ask a friend to approach him with this,” asserted Agen Kolar. “But you don’t understand,” said Obi-Wan in exasperation, “you can’t make him choose between me and Palpatine—” “Why not?” interrupted Renust Nju mildly. “Do you think you would lose such a contest?” “Obi-Wan, haven’t you your own reservations about Anakin’s friendship with Palpatine?” queried Kuan Yin. “Yes, I have and I still do,” replied Obi-Wan. “But this is not the way to go about it. You’re asking him to use that friendship as a weapon, to stab him in the back. Can’t you understand what it will cost him if Palpatine is innocent? Their relationship will never be the same—” “And that may be the best argument in favour of this plan,” Mace interrupted. “Anything that might distance Skywalker from the Chancellor is well worth the attempt.” At that moment Obi-Wan realised how useless it was to continue arguing. “I will, of course, abide by the ruling of the Council,” he said in a low tone. “Doubt that, none of us do,” Yoda remarked. “But if done this is, decide we must how best to use him.” Obi-Wan could feel an awful gnawing feeling in his stomach. Anakin, I'm sorry, he pleaded silently, I did my best. Anakin paced before the doors before the Jedi Council chamber like a caged sand panther. Would the Council go along with this? Would Mace Windu? Would Yoda? Neither of them was accustomed to having his authority questioned And while Anakin could count on Obi-Wan to side with him, that may be just one voice among many. And what would happen if they refused to grant him Mastery? If they said that Palpatine’s jurisdiction did not extend having his own representation on the Council? Could he simple bite his tongue and accept the Council’s ruling like he always did? Somehow, Anakin didn’t think he would be able to do that this time. The doors opened and Anakin entered. For a moment he looked around the room but Obi-Wan averted his gaze and Kuan Yin looked impassive. He would have no help from either of them. He turned to face Mace Windu and Yoda. “Anakin Skywalker,” said Windu, pausing for what seemed an eternity. “We have approved your appointment to the Council as the Chancellor's personal representative.” Anakin could feel a smile breaking over his face. Palpatine was right! They had given in, they did need him. He bowed his head respectfully. “I will do my best to uphold the principles of the Jedi Order,” he said with as much humility as he could. Me, on the Council! he thought with excitement, wait until I tell Padmé… “Allow this appointment lightly, the Council does not,” Yoda murmured. “Disturbing is this move by Chancellor Palpatine.” “I understand,” Anakin replied, he knew there would be a few ruffled feathers in his being on the Council, but the important thing was that he was there. He had won! “I'm not sure you do.” Mace Windu leaned forward and examined Anakin critically. “You are on this Council, but we do not grant you the rank of Master.” These words brought Anakin’s thoughts to a screeching halt. “What?!” The anger, since subsided, rose up in him again with unprecedented fury. “How can you do this? This is outrageous, it's unfair…I'm more powerful than any of you! How can you be on the Council and not be a Master?” “The Chancellor’s representative you are,” admonished Yoda harshly. “As his representative you shall attend the Council. Sit in this chamber you will but no vote will you have. The Chancellor’s views you represent, his wishes, his ideas and directives, not your own.” “This is an insult to me, and to the Chancellor!” Anakin roared. “Do not imagine it will be tolerated!” Mace Windu gave him a stare that looked as if it would penetrate durasteel. “Take a seat, young Skywalker.” Perhaps I’ll take yours, Anakin added in thought, his eyes looking to give off dangerous sparks, you sit there and you think you know everything, well let me tell you something… “Anakin.” Obi-Wan’s soft voice penetrated his thoughts. “Please.” He gestured to the empty seat. And it with these words, this simple request that quelled Anakin’s anger. He was left feeling ashamed, vulnerable, and very, very foolish. He inclined his head, hoping to hide his reddened face. “Forgive me, Masters.” And took his seat without another word. The rest of the session passed quickly, Anakin paid little attention. Ki-Adi-Mundi’s hologram made a comment about how there was little sign of Grievous and the decision was made for Obi-Wan to hunt him alone. This hurt more than anything else. How could Obi-Wan go and he had to stay behind? Yet he sat silently, knowing that his opinion was neither wanted nor welcome. Mace Windu closed the session with a ‘May the Force be with us all’ and the Jedi Masters started to disperse. The holograms of Ki-Adi-Mundi and Plo Koon disappeared and the others started to leave the room. Anakin remained where he was, staring at the wall. Alone with his whirling thoughts and emotions. Later when he was again looking for Padmé, Obi-Wan found him first. Anakin took this as an opportunity to vent all his frustrations. “What kind of nonsense is this, put me on the Council and not make me a Master!?” he demanded. “That's never been done in the history of the Jedi Order! It's insulting!” “Calm down, Anakin,” Obi-Wan pleaded. “You've been given a great honour, don’t forget that. To be on the Council at your age…it’s never happened before.” He stopped and regarded the young Jedi seriously. “The fact is that your friendship with Palpatine is being brought into question and that giving you a vote would be giving one to Palpatine himself.” “I don’t have time for this,” Anakin said impatiently. “I didn’t ask for this, I don’t need this—” “But it’s what you wanted, isn’t it?” Obi-Wan interrupted. “Don’t try to deny it; your friendship with the Chancellor seems to have paid off.” “That has nothing to do with this!” Anakin retorted. “Anakin it doesn’t matter how it happened,” Obi-Wan said, “you’re now in a very delicate situation.” “You mean divided loyalties,” Anakin flashed. Obi-Wan slapped his forehead in frustration. “Why didn’t you listen to me when I told there was tension between the Chancellor and the Council?” he moaned. “You walked right into it! Should I have expected anything else?” “The Council just upset because I’m now the youngest to serve,” Anakin argued. “Is Master Windu turning everyone against me because before I came he was the youngest ever appointed to the Council?” “That’s not true, Anakin,” Obi-Wan told him, shaking his head decidedly. “I worry when you speak of jealousy and pride. Those are not Jedi thoughts, they're dangerous, dark thoughts.” “Master, you of all people should have confidence in my abilities.” Anakin clenched his fists in frustration. “Who saved Naboo? Who brought you to Imbroglio so we could save Padmé? What about saving Kamino? And Avingnon? And rescuing you from Ventress? And—” “Anakin, Anakin, no one is questioning what you have done,” Obi-Wan said in exasperation. “It is your relationship with Palpatine that has been brought into question and it is a very serious problem.” “I know where my loyalties lie,” Anakin retorted. “I hope so,” murmured Obi-Wan, “I hope so.” “So.” Anakin folded his arms across his chest. “What do they want me to do?” “I'm sorry?” Obi-Wan stared at him. “They want something from me, don’t they?” Anakin demanded. “That’s really what this is all about, isn’t it? They put me on the Council so I can give them what they want.” “The Council doesn’t operate that way, Anakin,” Obi-Wan reminded him. “Even you know that.” “Yes I know, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want something.” Anakin unfolded his arms. “Just tell me what they want.” Obi-Wan sighed and glanced up and down the corridor to make sure they were alone. “Anakin, the only reason the Council has approved your appointment is because the Chancellor trusts you,” Obi-Wan began. “And?” Anakin prompted. “Look, Anakin, I am on your side.” Obi-Wan put a hand on his shoulder. “I didn't want to see you put in this situation.” “What situation?” Obi-Wan hesitated. “Whatever it is, it’s not going to get any better by you standing there all day working up the nerve to tell me,” Anakin said. “So come on, Obi-Wan, let’s have it.” Obi-Wan took a deep breath. “The Council wants you to report on all of the Chancellor's dealings. They want to know what he's up to, who he talks to and what he says.” “They want me to spy on the Chancellor?” Obi-Wan didn’t answer. “But that's…that’s treason!” “We are at war, Anakin,” Obi-Wan replied emotionlessly. “The Council is sworn to uphold the principles of the Republic through any means necessary. We have to, especially when it seems the greatest enemy of democracy is the Supreme Chancellor himself.” Something occurred to Anakin. “Why didn’t the Council give me this assignment when we were in session?” “Because it’s not for the record, Anakin,” Obi-Wan told him. “You must be able to understand why. They asked me to approach you on this personally.” “What I understand,” said Anakin slowly, “is that you are trying to turn me against Palpatine. You’re trying to make me keep secrets from him, you want to make me lie to him. That’s what this is really all about, isn’t it?” “It’s not,” insisted Obi-Wan tightly. “It’s about keeping an eye on who he deals with and who deals with him.” “He’s not a bad man, Obi-Wan,” Anakin defended. “He’s holding the Republic together with his bare hands—” “By staying in office long after his term has expired,” the Jedi Master reminded him. “By gathering dictatorial powers—” “The Senate demanded that he stay!” Anakin retorted. “They pushed those powers onto him!” “Don’t be naïve, Anakin!” Obi-Wan admonished. “The Senate is so intimidated that they give him whatever he wants!” “Then it’s their fault, not his!” Anakin argued. “They should stand up to him.” “That is what we are asking you to do, Anakin,” Obi-Wan pleaded. For a moment Anakin didn’t answer, he stared past Obi-Wan and tried to give some sort of defence that would get his former Master to give in. “He’s my friend, Obi-Wan,” he said at last. “Yes, yes, I know,” Obi-Wan sadly, placing a hand on Anakin’s shoulder. So much the worse, he added in thought. “If he asked me to spy on you, do you think I would do it?” Anakin demanded. Obi-Wan didn’t answer. “You're asking me to do something against the Jedi Code, against the Republic, against a mentor… and a friend,” Anakin said. “Why are you asking this of me?” Obi-Wan didn’t look at him. “The Council is asking you.”
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