Anakin,

It is always a pleasure to read your letters.

I am unsure of the length and depth of Master Kenobi's lack of faith in you--indeed I find it disturbing--but I do hope you will not be unduly stressed by it, t least not anymore than you are. To whit, you are a very wise and capable Jedi. The most gifted I have ever known, as I said in my office yesterday morning. I have seen many Jedi come and go--alas! the perils of this office--and I have befriended many. Yet you above all stand out. Several years ago, you may recall Master C'Baoth's failed 'Outbound Flight' project. I had the good fortune to know Master C'Baoth for a number of years prior to his unfortunate end in the Unknown Regions. I was greatly distressed to hear of his death, as I was to hear of the loss of one of the order's most intuitive Knights, Vergere, lost under similar circumstances if memory serves. Many Jedi have I known, many Senators as well. All of them I was fortunate to call my friends, and saddening it was to see them pass. Even Dooku once cast long shadows on this office, in the time of my predecessor, and I am certain that particular circles in the Senate, as with the Jedi, still lament his absence.

We must remember that time passes, Anakin. Memories come and go, and each thought in its time plays many roles. The beings one meets have their entrances and exits. All are important to us. All shape us into the men and women we are today. We are who we are, if you'll indulge a bit of existentialism with me, because of others. Our selves are other selves. If you take my meaning. Put another way, Anakin, Time can be our ally. It can be out friend, but it can also work against us. I hope that you choose to positively affect the time that is given to you--as much as I hope the same for myself in fact. I have every doubt that you will. I therefore have every doubt in your ability to grow as a Jedi, as a citizen, and as a man. The diaries forged by the traitorous hand of the Trade Federation directorate were meant, I do believe, to undermind you: your faith in yourself, and that which others have placed in you. Perhaps even me.

Yet if you stand, Anakin, if you are true, ou can overcome these limitations set upon you by an uncomprehending and unbending establishment. The Federation Directorate has begun what they believe is a gradual degradation of your very soul--and if I do say so myself, the Jedi Council's vindictive paranoia does not seem to help matters at all. The choice will be yours how you wish to 'go from there' as they say.

We must remember that it is a large galaxy, Anakin. With time comes purpose and ambition, and any one of a number of prospective ne'er-do-wells seeking to make a quick credit off the suffering of others. I implore you not to fall prey to the fly-trap of self-interest that has so polluted our great democracy. I have every faith in your strength of character.

That is why I indeed recommended your name to the Jedi Council yesterday. Master Windu expressed support, however limited, for the idea. As we spoke of earlier, I feel there's a certain weight that lifts when the Council chooses to vest authority and therefore responsibility in you, Anakin. You're growing up fast, it seems, and it does me well to see your talents finally being put to use.

Indeed you would do well to disregard these Council spies. Do not move against them, make no effort to contact them or acknowledge their presence. They are waiting to catch you in a gaffe. If I could be so bold as to offer meagre advice, it would merely be this: do not give them the luxury of attention. In so doing, I believe, you will find that the Council's mistrust is not only unfounded but perhaps also wrongly placed. After all, don't you wonder why the Council isn't investing its resources to finding some errant Sith Lord? Dooku himself, if the rumours are true.

There is no war yet, but I fear there soon will be. Matters in the Senate, to answer your query, are now as they ever were. Stagnation and self-interest have stalled the cogs of democracy, leaving us with little better than rags and raiment with which the bureaucrats think we can save this Republic. If I am certain of anything, Anakin, it is is: this stalling in our political vision cannot long continue. I shall not bore you with mere politicking, Anakin, so I shall change course.

I am also certain that Viceroy Gunray knows little, if anything, of these mysterious Sith. He is a dense being, Anakin, and not given to anything particularly challenging. In my time as Senator I came to know the Trade Federation Delegate in the Senate and he was of a similar mind. Always grasping for absolute favour and security, the Neimoidians. Perhaps it's a credit to their race.

I must say, with some irony, to be sure, that I see a similar concern with absolute security in the Jedi Council. Perhaps it's just a feeling and not worth examination. I do sense a certain alienation occurring. Perhaps the Jedi no longer trust me. Perhaps, as with all who gain power, they fear losing it. Perhaps their gaze from the ivory minarets of their temple has clouded a micro-vision of the galaxy's affairs. I mean not to accuse, but merely to observe. At any rate, matters are now at an unfortunate impasse. Made even more unfortunate, I fear, if Master Yoda's unwillingness to bend a diplomatic ear to Count Dooku becomes the Council's standard for whatever military action may occur. If it is true, if the Council believes the Count has gone over fully, then he may be a changed man. But I choose to believe, Anakin, that good resides in him. In some core of his being, untouched by the craven appeals of power and dominion, he longs for peace and security. As do we all.

I hope you enjoy your time with the Senator, Anakin. I remember fondly the Lake Country of my youth. Do take some time while you are there for yourself and for the Senator. She deserves a respite, for her efforts at amendment here on the capital. Whatever personal quibbles she shares with me--though I must admit I was not aware of such a rift--I hope her time away allows a clearing of faculties and rejuvenation of spirit.

Similarly, I urge you to take in all that our great world has to offer. Lay on the beach, your eyes skyward with hope, and dream of a better tomorrow, Anakin, as you did in your youth, when the world was simpler and the myriad intricacies of existence were but the stalwart idlings of a young and ever-reaching mind. Trouble yourself not with thoughts of your mother, or Tatooine, that place of broken promises and servitude. I am certain that these dreams are simply that. Images of potentiality--of what might be, or might have been. Perhaps the pain your mother feels is not her own, channelled through you somehow, but your own? I would not presume to say 'pay them no mind', for all thoughts have merit, as we discussed, and all feelings have worth. Your mind, your conscience, your very soul--they may be trying to tell you something which you have sublimated for some time.

Indulge your senses in the Lake Country, my dear boy. Cast aside that famous Jedi stoicism for once and do what feels right. You certainly deserve a respite, for your service to this great Republic and for far more I hope the Council knows full well. Your paternalism serves you well. I hope you extend it to the Senator.

I in the meantime shall do everything I can to make your idlings reality. On this you have my solemn word. When, or if, more appropriately, you speak to Master Kenobi, do pass my fondest greetings on to him. I wish him much luck in his search for the truth.

It was a great pleasure to see you in person, Anakin. Do remember that when you return you must stop in more often. My door is always open. In the meantime, enjoy yourself. That is the least I might offer.

I am indeed well, Anakin. Until such time as we speak again, I hope you share that sentiment.

Fondly,

--P.