Was he right? It didn't seem possible. Sure, he had been close with the Chancellor, but how could every single Jedi be involved in a conspiracy without his knowledge? Anakin thought far too rapidly for his mind to keep up with him. Master Windu or Chancellor Palpatine? Both had placed deep trust in him. Both had been good mentors and friends to him. How could he possibly choose?

"You are under arrest, my Lord." Windu stated, towering over the crumpled Palpatine.

His saber was at the Chancellor's throat. The glass had been shattered, there were no other weapons in sight. Anakin had to deduce that Palpatine dispensed of his lightsaber to look innocent, or else how could one explain the bodies of the other masters in his office? Unless... unless Master Windu had killed them to frame Palpatine. No! He would never do such a thing! Then again... neither would Palpatine...

Ignoring Windu, the Chancellor called out to his pupil, "Anakin, I told you it would come to this! I was right! The Jedi are taking-over!"

I don't know about taking-over, Anakin thought, but one has certainly bested you.

"The oppression of the Sith will never return! You have lost." Windu proclaimed.

"No..." Palpatine cried, his voice growing more angered and hellish, "... no, no! You have lost!"

The Jedi shielded himself immediately. He, the Chancellor, was a Sith... it was obvious now. Who else could cast lightning bolts from their fingertips? This only affirmed Palpatine's earlier acknowledgement of knowing elements of the Dark side, which had initiated the events in his office this very night. It was true, all of it: the Sith orchestrated the entire Clone Wars, with Palpatine as the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, and Count Dooku as the Confederacy's Head of State. It practically seemed obvious now.

"He's a traitor!" Palpatine shouted, somewhat inaudibly across his torrents of Force lightning.

Windu, struggling, shot back, "He is the traitor!"

"I have the power to save the one you love! You must choose!"

That was it. The straw that could break the Bantha's back. Padmé needed saving, and their child, and Palpatine could help.

"Don't listen to him Anakin!" Windu managed to force the waves of energy back, with more pouring down on Palpatine.

"Don't let him kill me!" He begged.

I won't, I can't! If I don't... you may kill Master Windu, and perhaps many other Jedi.

"I can't hold it any longer... I-I-I can't hold... I've become... too weak."

Palpatine cried out in pain as he relieved both himself and Mace Windu of the Force lightning. He had become grossly disfigured, large wrinkles running fully along his face. He was now a palish-grey, and the entire area around him was steamed in heat. Even if he were faking, he certainly appeared weak enough.

"Anakin! Help me! Help me! I can't hold on any longer..."

Windu's face sharpened, his patience thinner than a piece of parchment. "I am going to end this! Once, and for all!"

"You can't," Anakin suddenly exclaimed. "He must stand trial."

Windu was in no way amused by Anakin's suggestion, "He has control over the Senate and the courts!" True. Unfortunately, frighteningly true. "He's too dangerous to be left alive."

Anakin saw it, in Windu's eyes. He wanted to kill Palpatine for the greater good, but darkness lie in his eyes. Should he land one more blow to Palpatine, perhaps the Sith would not die with him after all.

"I'm too weak! Don't kill me, please!" Palpatine begged feebly.

This madness has to stop! "It's not the Jedi way! He must live!"

Windu's face kept getting more aggressive. He made a motion that seemed to try and raise his lightsaber, but he stopped himself. Mace shook his head slightly, and his face softened. It's not the Jedi way. It's not the Jedi way. These words rung in his head, bouncing around like podracers at the Vinta Harvest Classic on Malastare. The Jedi High Councilor eased his stance over Palpatine, yet his lightsaber remained ignited. He took in several deep breaths. Finally, he turned to young Skywalker.

"Anakin, use your comlink to contact Shaak Ti. Ask her to send other councilors and masters to come and relieve us. Have her make sure that this is done subtly," Mace instructed.

Anakin nodded, while at the same time letting go a sigh of relief. As he reached for his comlink, he eyed Palpatine's straight face. It was odd, because he didn't appear disappointed, or much glad either. Perhaps, for once, the Dark Lord of the Sith's plan didn't fulfill itself quite the way he expected. However, he would find a way. He was a craftie womprat, and he'd find a way to trip up the Republic and Jedi once again.