28 BBY

Republic Executive Building, Coruscant

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, leader of the Galactic Republic and secretly the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, sat at his desk in silent shock and anger.

He had the Senate under his control, he had been sure of it. But the impossible had happened: Palpatine had lost the reelection. To some weak, corrupt senator no less! He should've had the corrupt parties in his grasp, but in their insolence, they had nominated Orn Free Taa to be chancellor.

Palpatine had considered assassinating him, but that would raise too many questions, and the last thing the Sith Lord wanted was Jedi investigating him. No, his political career in the Republic would probably be over now. There was no possibility of the people of Naboo voting out Amidala in favor of him as their senator.

Which left him in a very precarious situation.

His apprentice, Lord Tyrannus, was preparing to mobilize the discontented star systems to form the Separatists but the whole operation was not ready quite yet. And in the matter of the clone army, the Kaminoans had informed him that several thousand clones are already ready. He suddenly sensed Free Taa approaching his office and formed his face into kind, benevolent Palpatine. The doors opened and the corrupt Twi'lek strolled into the office like he already owned it.

"Ah, Palpatine. Good to see you my friend", he said and Palpatine stood from his desk and showed off his fake smile.

"Orn Free Taa, I do hope you are doing well today"?

"Of course! It's not every day I get to become Supreme Chancellor of the Republic"!

It took all of Palpatine's control to not blast this arrogant buffoon into oblivion.

"Indeed. I wish you the best of luck in your chancellorship".

"Thank you. Do you have any plans after I assume office"? Palpatine almost scowled at that.

The man couldn't wait to get his chubby fingers on the Republic!

"I think after this I shall retire quietly in the countryside of Naboo". Free Taa nodded absently before looking at the desk, no doubt imagining himself sitting there.

"Very well my friend. I shall leave you in peace. Good day", and with that, Free Taa left Palpatine to his thoughts once again.

What a bloated fool, Palpatine thought before returning to his desk. But Free Taa brought up a good point. What was he to do? The Sith's Master Plan would continue of course, despite this setback. Palpatine scowled at the number of setbacks the Plan was suffering. From Maul's death at the hands of Kenobi, to a Jedi youngling almost discovering who he was (though that had been taken care of), and now losing the chancellorship.

Palpatine then made up his mind on what he would do: he would join the Separatists.

True, it would damage his reputation within the Republic but it was of little concern now. He would have to accelerate the Plan but it would still take years before the Separatists would be a threat.

The clones would have to proceed as planned, since he couldn't back out of the contract with the Kaminoans. Free Taa wouldn't even know about them. Sabotage isn't out of the question though, Palpatine thought.

But one thing was now clear to Palpatine: the Separatists had to win the war.

Yet he still had one complication: young Skywalker. Skywalker was already proving his immense talent and him and Palpatine had formed a sort of friendship. Leaving the Republic would complicate that but he was confident that he could maintain a relationship with the boy through long distance messaging.

Yes, Palpatine surmised; he would leave the Republic, therefore he would make sure it was the Separatists who would win the upcoming war, continue to seduce young Skywalker, and try and halt clone production as much as he could. He could still make this work. He would still become ruler of the galaxy.

Jedi Temple, Coruscant

14 year old Anakin Skywalker had heard the news of his friend Palpatine losing his reelection bid to some senator named Orn Free Taa. He didn't generally trust politicians much but he thought it was a shame a good man such as Palpatine wouldn't get to stay in office longer.

As he walked the halls of the Temple towards his and Obi Wan's quarters to rest from training, he noticed the stares he got from the passing Jedi. He tried to ignore them, but their stares always made him feel like they were watching him, just waiting for him to explode and destroy everything.

They've never trusted him ever since he had arrived at the Temple at 10 years old. Except for Obi Wan. For all his uptight and strict ways, he had stood by Anakin and defended him from some of the harsher critics.

For being peace loving monks, Jedi can sure be ruthless Anakin thought. He still shivers when he hears of the youngling had been exiled earlier in the year. Like a 10 year old would ever murder someone Anakin thought with a shake of his head.

He reached his and Obi Wan's quarters and collapsed on his bed. Obi Wan had pushed him harder today and Anakin had a feeling that he was testing him to see how far his powers could be pushed.

He had heard whispers of him being a special Jedi, a chosen one some had called him.

His hologram communicator started beeping and Anakin sighed heavily before getting up and accepting the call. To his immense surprise, a hologram of Palpatine sprung up before him.

"Chancellor"! Anakin said in surprise before bowing to his friend.

Palpatine smiled warmly before saying: "No need for formalities Anakin. We are friends are we not?"

"O-of course sir" Anakin stuttered out before straightening himself to face the hologram. "To what do I owe the pleasure sir"?

Palpatine's face changed into a remorseful expression.

"I assume you heard I lost the reelection"?

"Yes sir, I have".

"I am saddened that my term has ended so quickly. I can only hope that Senator Free Taa will handle the position with care and dignity".

"That man can never hope to be your equal sir", Anakin angrily blurted out. Palpatine looked upon him with a warm smile.

"I appreciate the sentiment my boy, but I'm afraid loyalty counts for little in the Senate".

There was a pause before Anakin tentatively asked: "What will you do now sir"? Palpatine looked at him with a sad expression which left Anakin wondering what was happening.

"I'm afraid my boy, that I will be retiring to Naboo when Free Taa takes office".

Anakin looks up at him in surprise. "Really? That's a shame sir. You've been nothing but good to the Republic. And you've been a friend to me when no one else had" Anakin added the last part bitterly while Palpatine looked upon him with a sympathetic face.

"Fear not, my boy. I should like to keep up our correspondence. You have been as much a friend to me as I have to you". Anakin looked up at him hopefully.

"It's a shame that the Jedi don't see your full potential. You've always impressed me ever since we met Anakin. No other Jedi I have met has the drive and determination that you do". He smiled at Anakin who smiled back at him. "Thank you sir. Your praise means much to me".

"I'm afraid I must be going Anakin. Much to do, much to see to. But if you ever need my help, I will always be more than happy to oblige" Palpatine said with one last smile before disappearing.

Anakin smiled. At least he could keep in touch with his only friend as he enjoys a life of relaxation while he, Anakin, would be put through the grinder. He groaned at the thought of what Obi Wan would be putting him through.