Author's Note – I sincerely apologize for the hodge-podge nature of my posting. I swear it is not intentional and thank you for following. This chapter concludes Episode 1. Now that I've ironed out personal things, I am setting my sights on posting at the very least 1 chapter every other month. I have no track record of that but I'll be doing my damnedest to follow that goal. Chapter 1 for Episode II should be out by the start of May.

Chapter 12

"Do you remember what you were saying about 'worse than destroyers?' I think we're looking at worse."

Qui-Gon's lips twitch ever so slightly; he was grateful that his padawan was showing his usual spirit. Why he couldn't show it during peaceful times and only when confronted by a dozen semi-sentient war droids was a matter for another day.

He felt his strike team form ranks, lightsabers ablaze. The dead halls of this lost temple glowed with energy not seen in several centuries. "Master Qui-Gon we have bogies coming from the upper floors."

He sensed oscillations of energy coming from the lower floors as well. They were attempting to cloak their approach but there were too many to hide entirely.

"All right master," Anakin quipped with a rakish grin. "It's a trap. Now what?"

"The same as always," Qui-Gon responded, unable to contain the smile now. "We spring the trap."

Arrogant foolish child Krayt thought dismissively as he monitored the feed from a sensor droid secreted above the battle. Skywalker fairly leapt at the prototype IG-80 MagnaGuards. The padawan was incredibly powerful, a veritable supernova within the Force. But he lacked finesse and wisdom, much as Krayt had when he entered his master's service. Pain made a powerful teacher, purging him of his brashness and granting him the wisdom of experience.

Still, as the lad bobbed and weaved through the attacks of a dozen war droids, his blade a blur as he struck hard and fast while Qui-Gon moved effortlessly around his assault to provide support, he saw the potential the boy had. The question was if Sidious could effectively break the boy's wall of fear and self-loathing behind which he hid his power and unleash the full force of the dragon within.

What is your status?

"The battle droids, SBDs and droidekas are separating Qui-Gon and Anakin from the rest of the force while the MagnaGuards are performing better than I expected. They are fending off Skywalker and Jinn without appearing as if they are hustling them into my trap."

You must kill Jinn and Skywalker must see you do it…he must FAIL to save him. The Jedi may have forced my hand but Skywalker nonetheless has levers on his will that must be pulled to break him completely.

"I understand my master."

He continued to watch as the Jedi were moved back. It was clear Qui-Gon had sensed something was amiss but whenever he attempted to fall back, the droids converged on Skywalker, pushing him to his limit. He could have left the boy to his fate but there was too much affection to abandon him.

Exactly as I hoped he thought scornfully. His master showed him the weakness of love and affection, how they led only to pain…and betrayal—as Skywalker would soon learn.

Qui-Gon Jinn felt something was terribly wrong. These warrior droids were moving them from the main force but he could not deduce why. The shroud of the dark side, even now after the battle Sidious fought with the Sage Masters, cloaked his perceptions.

He could not effectively disengage either, at least not without abandoning Anakin. Every attempt to pull back was met with increased focus on his padawan. While Anakin still possessed the power to fight on, he was losing sight of tactics. Without his support, the droids landed blows they couldn't otherwise.

He could not fail his padawan. He had practically raised him for 10 years.

More than half his life he thought.

In that moment, as his heart and mind echoed his affection for the boy he rescued from slavery and the young man he raised into the impressive Jedi before him, the shadow clouding his vision lifted. In those precious seconds—which to him felt like a lifetime—he saw a tall, empowered young man cloaked in black with pitiless yellow eyes step forward.

Anakin?

You failed Jinn and now, with your death, my apprentice shall begin his ascension to greatness.

Mad evil laughter rang like the bells of hell in his mind as the warrior droids detonated in unison. Qui-Gon flew back against the unforgiving stone, his head connecting with a ghastly crunch. In spite of the ringing in his ears and the darkness swallowing his senses, he heard Anakin calling to him as a crimson lance of fire burst into existence, carried by a dark shadow.

He tried to reach out for his padawan but his body was not responding to his will. As he met Anakin's blazing blue eyes—his face streaked with tears—Qui-Gon tried to speak but only blood trickled out.

Please my son…Don't add me to the weight you carry.

Time seemed to move impossibly slow.

Anakin, engaged with four droids at once, found himself suddenly tripped by an unseen charge. Before he had even hit the ground, two of the droids fell on top of him, pinning him to the ground and protecting him from the explosion as the remainder detonated.

As the smoke cleared, he saw Qui-Gon sitting in a heap on the ground. Above his head was a trail of blood and gore, culminating in a fearsome dent. Even now he could see the life leaving his master and he was unresponsive as Anakin screamed his name in desperation.

And then his eyes flickered open and they caught each other. Qui-Gon tried to speak but only a trail of blood leaked down his chin. In what felt like millennia but was bare seconds, Anakin was 9 years old again, clutching his knees in terror after a bad dream as Qui-Gon gently rubbed his back, soothing his fears and reassuring him that he and his mother cared for him and knew, under all the doubt, lay goodness.

And then Qui-Gon's voice echoed in his subconscious—Please my son…Don't add me to the weight you carry.

My son…

Qui-Gon—what have I done?

Krayt watched Skywalker openly weep with grief, hatred and disgust etched in every crack of his face.

What a pathetic creature he thought scornfully, again ignoring the pain he felt when he saw his father's broken corpse laying before him all those years ago.

"Is this grief Skywalker," he said, his voice matching his appearance as Count Dooku. "How quaint you grieve for…for my old…"

Krayt simultaneously felt as if an enormous pressure was crushing his body, sucking the air out of his lungs as the temperature in the hall dropped precipitously, a smothering blanket of coldness and despair consuming his senses.

The show of power was unlike anything he had ever witnessed; not even in the presence of his master did he feel such potential for devastation in the Force.

And then he saw Skywalker's eyes…

In that moment he felt closer to death than ever before. Etched within the soul of this young man was the imprint of the dead who would soon fall at his hand; etched within his soul he saw the death of the galaxy.

Do not underestimate Skywalker. I shall contain him now but remember this feeling.

A dark shadow swallowed Skywalker and instantly he felt the suffocation and coldness lift. Hefting a now unconscious Skywalker over his shoulder, he felt a newfound respect for—and fear of—the young (former) Jedi.

Ahsoka Tano ran towards a firing squad of SBDs, dodging gracefully around their fire before dropping into a slide within a few feet. Above her, Harry leapt at the center droid and stabbed it through the chest while Ahsoka summoned the droids hiding behind the SBDs towards her. With their firing disrupted, they fell into the waiting lightsabers of her allies.

"Nice work sprite," Harry said, helping her to her feet.

"Everyone push forward," boomed the commanding voice of Master Piell. "We want Tower 4 taken intact!"

The detachment surged forward. Between the slave rebellion and the Jedi assault, the droids were stretched too thin. Harry was not blind however to the reality that if this Republic force hadn't (somehow) arrived unexpectedly; the Jedi would have a devil of a time winning this battle.

"Magic Man! Lightning refraction!"

Harry caught the damaged droid fighter zooming in on their formation; whether the droid at the controls was destroyed or programmed for a suicide run was unimportant; it would cause a hellish amount of damage if it crashed. He cast several bursts of lightning at Ahsoka, who deftly refracted the energy at the doomed fighter. After a few seconds, it exploded in the sky.

As they caught up with the rest of the force, he learned two other droid fighters attempted to suicide attack but were similarly destroyed in the air.

"So uncivilized," Ahsoka said pompously, doing her best Obi-Wan impression, drawing snickers from Harry. It was a gallows laugh though; if the attacks succeeded he would have a different response. The silver lining is using suicide attacks reeked of desperation on Sidious' part.

The battle in the valley continued with the remaining droids fighting ferociously but being steadily overwhelmed. Two of the towers were already hacked and under Jedi control, alternating between providing support to the Jedi ground attack and the Republic air armada. After an hour, three were physically breeched and the last destroyed by the droids.

Once the droids were decommissioned and the towers fully under Jedi control, Master Piell and Vilbum began coordinating care for the non-Jedi slaves and fortifying the valley from a droid assault, assuming one was coming.

Those plans went up in smoke when three bombers slammed into the Sith temple; judging by the shrapnel and plasma fire in the explosions the bombers were loaded for bear.

Despite attempts by the masters to restrain the Jedi, the majority of the force raced for the temple. For Harry, thoughts of Yoda, Qui-Gon, Anakin, Hermione, Isachr, Mace, Drallig and so many others dying in the blast, drove him to outpace any in the crowd. In a moment of unmitigated joy, he nearly slammed into Hermione before she conjured a shield, bouncing him back on his arse.

"Thank Merlin you're okay," he said, enveloping her in a bear hug she returned. "How did you escape?"

"My wife Harry," Ron said, partly in jest but mostly in relief. With a smile, Harry stepped back as Hermione leapt into his arms. It was at that moment he noticed she was crying.

She wiped her eyes. "Several of the Sage Masters sensed the suicide bombers, I assume minutes before they struck. Since I was the only Jedi available who knows how to apparate or create a portkey—something we are rectifying the second we're back on Coruscant by the way—I created a handful to get everyone out. Master Drallig managed to get Master Bridger's force out and I went for Master Windu's first before going to Master Qui-Gon. But…" she started crying again and Harry's heart dropped.

"What happened to Qui-Gon and Anakin?"

"When I apparated to Qui-Gon, I found him…I found him dead. I couldn't see much but I'll review the memory…"

"You don't have to love. Harry or I can."

Hermione shook her head. "No I want to know what happened. I cared for him too. I couldn't find Anakin or the other team members; whatever happened caused Qui-Gon to be separated from the others. According to Master Drallig, I appeared behind the protective barrier and shields the masters put up seconds before the suicide bombers attacked."

"You did outstanding Hermione," Master Gallia said, accepting Hermione as she came into her arms. "If it weren't for you, the Jedi Order would've been crippled. You saved them."

Harry numbly staggered towards the still smoldering crater. There were no sentient remains, or at none that were identifiable. He saw now, through a haze of grief, the makeshift landing pad from which Darth Sidious made his escape. He saw the thick durasteel doors that protected the ship from the suicide attack and opened at just the right second, as the Jedi huddled behind shields to protect from smoke and shrapnel, to allow the ship to escape at hyperspace.

None of it mattered, not when, at the same time, he envisioned Qui-Gon and Anakin dead. He felt he had disappointed Anakin on some level a few days ago and planned to sit down with him when he had a chance to cool down. In fact, he thought this attack would clear his young friend's head; Anakin always did better when active.

Now there was only a dark smoldering crater, a physical representation of the hole he felt within himself.

"Speak you mind you must my old padawan. Repress your feelings, never good for you that has been."

"I once thought I could never hate anyone as deeply as Voldemort. Standing here now where a couple dozen friends and allies were murdered by Sidious in an act of cowardice—where a man I respected as one of the few real men among the Jedi I met when we came to this galaxy…" Harry's eyes flashed and Yoda felt his body as a whirlpool, consuming Force energy from the environment and boosting his senses. "Where a young man I considered a brother was, at best kidnapped…I stand here and feel a degree of hatred and anger for Sidious I never felt for anyone before; it is an anger I cannot control."

"Ten years ago, tell you I would that the path to the Dark Side that anger would lead. Now, say I would control your anger, do not try to. For you, anchors your goodness does righteous anger. If helps it does, sense I do not one with the living Force Skywalker has become."

Hope flared up, like a phoenix, in Harry's spirit. "Do you believe he is alive?"

Yoda sighed. "Yes believe that I do. Speak more on this we shall when back on Coruscant. To a dark place I fear Sidious may lead Skywalker. In the shadows he will be and, until broken he is, away from the Jedi Sidious will keep him."

"Right now, reconnect with your friends you should. A heavy day this is but dwell on the loss we should not. Admiral Hollwil provided great protection she did and work with her closely we must to maximize the benefits of this siege, even though through our grasp Sidious slipped. Aid both the Republic and Jedi this raid can in the long run. For nothing our fellow Jedi will have passed and honor their memories we will."

Harry nodded. Neither man convinced the other they were not hurting but they were resolved to press forward.

{The following is a partial transcript of an audio recording preserved in the Office of the Supreme Chancellor following the Jaylsalm Siege. The identities of all speakers have been verified and confirmed via voiceprint analysis}

Palpatine: On behalf of the Senate and people of the Republic, please allow me to offer my condolences for the loss of your brave Jedi warriors.

Yoda: Thank you Chancellor. Grateful the Council is for the response your office has had for Admiral Hollwil. Her assistance, vital it was to securing the system in the name of the Republic.

Palpatine: Pish Master Yoda. While others may disagree, I understand the importance of preserving the Republic. As I am sure Master Windu will agree, for all its faults the Republic is essential to preserving a just civilization throughout the galaxy. If I may be so bold, can you explain to me more of the operation from the Jedi perspective? Admiral Hollwil and her officers have provided an official report but only of the Republic forces.

[Indistinct conversation between Masters Yoda, Windu and Astaal Vilbum]

Palpatine: I do not wish to discuss any information the Council deems sensitive. While I believe we should deal transparently, I understand the Council is not subject to the prerogatives of this office or the Senate.

Vilbum: No you are correct Chancellor. The impetus of the mission was the presence of Darth Sidious in the system.

Palpatine: Forgive me Masters for I do not feel the Force and am likely asking from a place of ignorance but do you have any proof of this Lord Sidious' existence. Please understand that I myself accept this individual is alive and active but without some measure of tangible proof, many in the Senate will view this as a convenient—perhaps an overly convenient—excuse to justify aggression against systems in rebellion and to harass political enemies of the Republic and Jedi Order.

Yoda: On purpose does Darth Sidious leave little evidence of his existence. Many reasons for this of course but for Republic-Jedi relations, since impossible it is to prove a negative, that being Darth Sidious does not exist, this deception allows him to sow discord among us. On faith, we rely on the Senate to work with the Jedi.

Palpatine: How did Darth Sidious escape your trap?

Windu: An act of cowardice, which is to be expected since the Sith are creatures of fear and betrayal. He ordered three droid bombers to suicide-bomb the temple. This would slaughter as many Jedi as possible while clearing debris for his ship to escape at hyperspeed.

Palpatine: Ah so that was the shuttle Admiral Hollwil's sensors detected.

Windu: That is correct Chancellor.

Palpatine: There are rumors among the Republic force that many Jedi were saved when certain Jedi sensed Sidious' duplicity. Forgive me if I am incorrect but I had heard one of the casualties was Master Qui-Gon Jinn. May I…may I please ask if young Anakin Skywalker survived.

Yoda: [sighing] Fortunate we were that the majority of Jedi, saved they were. Two dozen Jedi lost there were, including Master Jinn. Confirmed among the dead I cannot say for young Skywalker.

Palpatine: Was his force intended to assault the temple by design? Again my apologies but I am curious since I know how…enthusiastic he is—was perhaps—to lend his abilities to the cause.

Vilbum: We shuffled the forces that assaulted the Temple, stood guard outside and attacked the AD towers in the valley based on intelligence from our agents in the field and the unexpected arrival of Admiral Hollwil. We had concerns Darth Sidious was planning to kill certain Jedi and we did not wish to give him that opportunity.

Palpatine: I hope Anakin is safe then.

Yoda: His fate in the hands of the living Force it rests.

Please my son…Don't add me to the weight you carry.

Heart racing and drenched in sweat, Anakin shot awake. The grief and sadness felt like sandstones on his soul, although beneath them he felt pain and rage threatening to burst forth.

I failed him. If I had been more mindful of my surroundings, I could have sensed the duplicity. I could have stopped Dooku.

"You did not fail Qui-Gon, Anakin," spoke a kind, fatherly voice radiating compassion as Sheev Palpatine brought a tray of food to Anakin and sat down at his bedside. "You need your strength my boy. Please eat."

"Where are we Chancellor?"

"Sheev…please call me Sheev Anakin. I'll explain presently but I insist you eat." The Chancellor watched him meaningfully, making it evident he would not speak until Anakin was eating. "Very good. Now, we are in a private apartment of mine on Naboo. It is my home away from home so to speak, although I haven't had many opportunities to visit since becoming chancellor."

Anakin expected more but Sheev seemed preoccupied with the opposite wall and sat in companionable silence. Taking the cue, Anakin polished off the food as quickly as possible, without making too much of a gamorrean of himself. Once finished, he had to take a calming breath; otherwise he would not ask any sensible questions.

"All right sir. How did I end up here in your apartment?"

Palpatine sighed. "I had hoped you would not so quickly ask a question that cut straight to my deception." He seemed to age ten years as a shadow passed his face. "I shall in turn cut straight to the heart of my identity Anakin and trust in your goodwill that I may explain myself."

"You make it sound as if you're Darth Sidious." He started to laugh but then saw Palpatine grimace. Anakin's blood froze. "You're…you're not serious," he asked.

"Darth Sidious is a title Anakin. It is not the name I was born with; rather it is the title I earned from my master as I trained and developed my abilities in the Force."

"Training in the Dark Side of the Force."

"The Sith do not fear the Dark Side but not for the reason you have been trained to believe. Unlike the Jedi, the Sith embrace the full spectrum of experience, from the heights of transcendent joy to the depths of hatred and despair. Sentient beings experience those emotions for a reason, Anakin. It is why the Sith are more powerful than the Jedi; we are not afraid to feel."

"Ask yourself my boy, why did the Jedi condemn you at your initiation for the love of your mother?"

"I…" Anakin faltered, remembering that day.

"You may answer honestly with me Anakin. We are friends, not master and servant."

"It is not as simple as you are making it," Anakin insisted.

"Why not?"

"The Sith think inward, only about themselves. The Jedi are selfless. We erase the self to join with the flow of the Force."

Palpatine smiled gently. "Or so you have been trained to believe. Tell me Anakin, do you feel you are better or worse for the love you have of your mother?" Seeing Anakin fidget uncomfortably, he set a compassionate hand on his shoulder. "You need not search for the correct answer with me, Anakin. I want you to be faithfully honest to yourself, whatever those answers may be."

"You're wrong about the Jedi not feeling love. I know Qui-Gon loved me."

"I agree with you," Palpatine said sadly. "I fear however that was what contributed to his passing."

Anakin's eyes flashed dangerously and the atmosphere in the room tightened considerably. Behind his Palpatine mask, Sidious basked in the power of his (eventual) new apprentice.

"Don't you say ONE WORD ABOUT QUI-GON…DOOKU KILLED HIM…YOUR APPRENTICE!"

"Please my boy. You are right to hate me for training Dooku. It was a mistake—a terrible mistake that haunts me still. But you must understand he is no longer my apprentice."

"You lie!" Anakin had no idea how he ended up on his feet or where his lightsaber came from but suddenly it was in his hand, the sizzling blade of blue energy hovering bare millimeters from Palpatine's throat. "I should kill you."

Inexplicably, Palpatine nodded, though Anakin was not capable—yet—of sensing his utter lack of fear. "It would be a fate I deserve for how I betrayed you, however unintentionally." His earnest gray eyes caught and held Anakin's sky blue, his presence exuding only sincere compassion through the Force. "My affection for you is why I saved you from that temple. I beg you to allow me to explain."

The lightsaber never wavered, nor did the intense hate in Anakin's eyes. But he did give the barest jerk of a nod.

"Thank you. You need some backstory to understand my motives; I hope you will tolerate some exposition. As you of course know, corruption has made the Republic a cancer in the body of the galaxy yet no one could burn it out—not the courts, not the Senate and not the Jedi Order. I was the only man with the strength and skill for this task; I alone dared even try. However, I knew there would be sacrifice. My master—Darth Plagueis—was of the old Sith Order. He sought subjugation. My upbringing on Naboo made me realize that was folly as an end but not as a means to an end."

"Under the guise of Darth Sidious, I manipulated the Trade Federation into blockading my home world. I chose my home world since it would propel me to the chancellorship."

"You put your own people at risk," Anakin snarled.

"I did no such thing. There was never a time when my people were in lasting danger. Yes, an appearance had to be kept and there was suffering but my then apprentice, Lord Maul, was under orders to kill Viceroy Gunray and decommission the droids once I became Chancellor. Padmé proved to be a far greater warrior and queen than I expected and she defeated the Trade Federation—with help of course—before I was elected. Privately, I was not disappointed that Maul was killed. Despite my concerted efforts, he was too much like Plagueis for my tastes. To avoid that trap in the future, I murdered Plagueis in his sleep on the eve of my election."

"As Chancellor, I sought the means to root out corruption within the democratic system but there were none I could identify. I would need more power as Chancellor but the Senate would not weaken itself at my expense, not willingly anyway. I would need to sow discord and conflict to shine a light on the apathy and lethargy of the Senate; and since the Trade Federation served as a useful tool on a small scale, I sought the means to manipulate all of their fellow 'organizations' throughout the Outer Rim."

Palpatine sighed, his aura radiating sadness and regret, so much so even Anakin could sense it; he reflexively lowered his blade ever so slightly before catching himself. "I thought Count Dooku would be a valuable replacement. He knew nothing of my now dead former master and he had great loyalty to his personal wealth and stature within the Republic and Galaxy. I foolishly felt confident he would not succumb to the dark impulses of Darth Plagueis."

"However, I erred in making him the 'official' face of the Separatist movement and misjudged his hubris. Once he learned all he felt he needed from me, he declared himself the' true' Lord of the Sith. My only consolation is young A'Sharad, my 3rd apprentice, has not demonstrated such dangerous impulses."

Anakin felt his anger flare, still refusing to believe the man he once thought a friend. "You expect me to believe this civil war isn't your idea. You admitted to being behind the Separatist movement!"

Palpatine gave a wane smile. "It appears you were listening my young friend but you're still projecting your assumptions, a critical weakness of Jedi. I never denied orchestrating the Separatist crisis. However, my intention was neverfull blown civil war. I hoped to goad the Separatists to make incursions into neutral worlds and use the collective anger at the apathy of the Senate to manipulate the Senate to cede powers to my office. Once I had the requisite power, I would eliminate the leadership of the Separatists and burn out the cancer of corruption on the body of the Republic simultaneously."

"It was Count Dooku who created the so-called Confederacy of Independent Systems, with himself serving as the sovereign. Certainly you can see the brilliance of his plan Anakin. No? Well Dooku understood my goal but he wanted power for himself. While I hope to root out the corruption and ensure it could not stain the democracy for future generations, Dooku seeks to establish a galactic empire, with himself as the sovereign for life. And that is where you come into play I might add."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your Jedi Council, blinded as they are by hatred of Darth Sidious, could not sense the rising threat of Dooku. Perhaps Master Yoda is blinded by affection for his old padawan, of which Count Dooku was one of the more recent. He tends to show favoritism for his former padawans, as I'll demonstrate to you in a moment."

"In their haste to mete out 'justice' through my execution, they walked into Dooku's trap. As my former apprentice, Dooku knew of my attempts to resurrect the Sith Triumvirate. He opposed it however, believing I was seeking a 3rd apprentice so I could eliminate him when his talents were no longer needed."

"Dooku understands of course he cannot stand against me, not one-on-one. I hope you'll forgive my conceit but I am an extraordinarily powerful and gifted Sith Master. He sought to ensnare the only other Force user in the galaxy with the potential to eclipse me." Palpatine, despite having a lightsaber held centimeters beneath his chin, gazed fondly at Anakin. "When I deduced his intentions, I pulled the same mistake as the Jedi—I acted rashly and went to confront him on Jaylsalm. I inadvertently placed myself in a position to be caught out by the Jedi, resulting in that fateful battle."

Anakin's stare hardened, his spirit still dominated by disbelief but Sidious sensed the cracks in the foundation of his resolve. "How do you explain Dooku being off planet at the time of this attack? He was at the Balmorra Space Station meeting with your diplomats."

"Quite easily my boy. The Count Dooku they were meeting was not the genuine article. It was a clone, created by Kaminoians, an advanced race of geneticists."

"Awfully convenient isn't that," Anakin said scathingly.

"To one unfamiliar with a deception orchestrated at the highest levels of the Jedi Council yes." Without breaking eye contact, Palpatine removed a tablet and set it next to Anakin. "These are records of a large clone army ordered roughly 10 years ago by a former Jedi Master, Sifo-Dyas. He was working with a friend who financed the army. You may recognize the friend—Count Dooku. When I approached Dooku to become my apprentice, he informed me of the army he and Sifo-Dyas purchased; he said they acted together out of fear of a coming galactic conflict. For Dooku, it was a moment of prescience, a vision of the war he would unleash on the galaxy, though he did not have the foresight to identify that he would in fact be the harbinger of destruction."

Palpatine eyed Anakin speculatively. "Do you see Anakin why he would wish to take my idea for a small-scale conflict and escalate it into a galactic civil war?"

"I see where you're trying to lead me," he snarled. "Dooku supposedly betrays you but, instead of killing you, he leaves and declares himself god-king or whatever nonsense. Somehow you expect me to believe he left without considering that, so long as you live, he loses control of the Clone Army he financed. Then, with you innocent in all of this, he works with the Trade Federation, Banking Clan and the others to build a massive droid army to fight the Republic."

"You're not giving me any reason to trust you, Sheev." He loaded the name with all the scorn he could. "Through all of this, the master of the Sith is masquerading as the leader of the Republic, seeking to destabilize the galaxy to usurp more power but is also somehow completely innocent and noble, intending to surrender these powers once he can get rid of the influence of certain naughty senators. Is that what you expect me to believe?"

"Your distrust saddens me, Anakin. But it is not unearned. I cannot however, out of respect for the affection I still have for you and our old relationship, withhold all the information I have from you. What you make of it is, as always, up to you. There are no longer any secrets between us. Shortly after the Jaylsalm Siege, I met with Masters Yoda, Windu and Vilbum to receive their deposition of the attack." He set another holopad next to Anakin, schooling his face now into an impassive mask. Without moving the lightsaber, Anakin played the recording, noting it was produced and verified, not by Palpatine, but by the Senate Intelligence committee.

"They're leaving my fate to the Force," he whispered, his knuckles whitening as he gripped his lightsaber. "They received intelligence. They wanted to protect certain Jedi." Anakin's eyes widened. "You said Yoda favored his former padawans. Harry was supposed to be part of the original strike team but was switched to the valley assault. They thought you wanted to kill him so they protected him."

Palpatine sensed the growing tsunami of anger and pain welling within Anakin...and it was glorious. Much like Dooku when he sought out Palpatine ten years ago, Anakin possessed such a peculiar combination of moral certainty and abject naiveté that his soul was naturally susceptible to betrayal, which fueled his rage.

And yet, despite his anger at what he saw as the betrayal of the Jedi Council, Anakin still kept his power in check. The pathetic teachings of the Jedi contributed yes, but through the lad's hate and anger he sensed a voice speaking deep within his subconscious, speaking to him about losing control and failing those who loved him. The lad would need to silence that voice before Palpatine could guide him towards his destiny.

"Anakin...my boy," Palpatine said hesitantly, schooling his features in paternal concern.

Anakin stared at the man he once trusted, almost as much as Qui-Gon. This was all starting to be too much: Harry dismissing Anakin's principles and concerns with the Jedi, Qui-Gon being murdered by his old master - an old master trained in the ways of the Sith by Palpatine, the Jedi Council offering Anakin (in that moment he ignored the other Jedi in his strike team) up to protect their golden boy Harry and now Palpatine patronizing Anakin's intelligence, acting as if he has been some innocent actor as the bedrocks of Anakin's life were upended.

"Why did you bring me here," he hissed, the blue plasma of his lightsaber once again millimeters from Palpatine's neck. "DON'T LIE TO ME!"

"You are here Anakin because I have lied to you for years and because I am responsible for training Qui-Gon's murderer in the ways of the Sith; most importantly however my boy, you are here because I care for you and I need your help."

"You need my help," Anakin said harshly, looming over the now cowering Palpatine. "The only help I should give you is ending your worthless, treacherous life."

"If that is your wish, I will not resist Anakin. I brought you here to give you the truth. Do you think I did not consider you would wish me dead? Your honor and valor are well known to me Anakin. I have been proud of your accomplishments; I have been blessed to call you my friend, something as I'm sure you can imagine, I never thought I would say about any Jedi."

"But I do not want you to go through life in the dark Anakin. I want you to be true to yourself and be the best man you can be. You have the power to herald in an era of peace to the galaxy unseen in several millennia, if you allow yourself to be true to your principles."

"You don't want me to go through life in the dark," he repeated, the barest hint of confusion evident in his voice. "You...you did not bring me here to be your apprentice?"

"My boy, I trained the man who killed your mentor." Palpatine shook his head. "No it is worse than that; I trained the monster that killed the man you considered a father. Do you truly believe I would follow up that tragedy with an offer to become a Sith Lord?" Palpatine stared at him in disbelief, as if he was disappointed Anakin would think so little of him. "You are my friend and I would never disrespect you in such a way."

"Why would you want my help? How can I help you? What if I return to the Jedi as soon as I am able?"

Palpatine cocked his head; gazing on Anakin with such compassionate bemusement Anakin felt it through the Force.

"If you return to the Jedi, I would do as I have always done since we became friends; I would wish you all the success imaginable in all your endeavors. I am an old man and my time for this galaxy is much shorter than your own. I would gladly trade my life for yours if you returned to the Jedi and that led to my death, so long as you were true to yourself and achieved your potential."

"What I want you to do first my boy, before we discuss how you can help me, is something I don't believe you've been taught." He sat with his legs crossed on the floor and patted the ground next to him. "Come sit with me Anakin."

With some trepidation, Anakin clicked off and sheathed his lightsaber. "What are we doing," he asked, sitting across from Palpatine.

"I want you to examine yourself Anakin. Within every sentient being who feels the Force is a summit, a mountain covered in snow and ice from where you can observe the infinite depth and horizon of your consciousness."

The young Jedi had never been one for meditation. Still, this did not seem like a dark technique. Closing his eyes, he took a few calming breaths and retreated into the flow of the Force.

You are doing well Anakin. Follow the currents as they surround and flow through you...move within the current inward.

It was difficult at first to identify the currents flowing through him; there was a powerful vacuum towards which the Force was drawn, almost like a gravitational pull. Eventually however he identified a current traveling inward. It was slow at first but then he felt the crucible he always identified as his heart. The fires were raging but he kept them contained.

You are nearly there my boy. Move outwards, beyond the crucible, beyond your consciousness.

He instinctively heeded Palpatine's advice, trying to float...higher and higher until...

You are there my boy! Now I want you to examine your emotions, your insecurities and your fears dispassionately. Set them against your desire to bring peace, security and justice to the downtrodden and oppressed. And, most importantly, see how you can best help them and ask yourself what you can do?

Here on the summit, he could see everything laid out before him; the tapestry of his entire self could be observed. It felt incredible.

Within the depths he heard a voice, small yet persistent. He recognized it immediately; it was the voice he heard in his dreams whenever he ran from the darkness, whenever he hesitated for fear of disappointing someone - his mother, Qui-Gon, Harry or the Jedi Council.

Basking in the cool, calming serenity, he silenced the voice with the barest thought, strangling it at the source. Liberated from the sense of doubt, he could focus on the victims, the countless masses crying for help. He knew now these were the voices he heard in his dreams. And though he could not hear the voice of their tormentor, he was certain it was Palpatine. Whatever his intentions, he created the circumstances for their suffering.

And for Anakin, he now knew his destiny: to end the plight of the tortured souls he heard across the galaxy. He would end this rebellion. He did not trust Palpatine; he doubted he ever would again, at least not fully, nor would he ever become a Sith. But he was no longer a Jedi; he had never been, not down deep. For now, he would take the opportunity Palpatine was giving him and carve out his own future.

"How are you feeling Anakin?"

"Never better."

"And what of my request? Will you help me heal the galaxy I set aflame in my arrogance and ignorance?"

Palpatine felt a palpable shift in Skywalker's confidence as the young man rose steadily to his feet, looming over the still sitting chancellor. After a few seconds, he nodded and held out his hand.

"I'll help you Sheev. But I won't become your apprentice or learn the ways of the Dark Side."

"That is more than I could hope for my boy," Palpatine said with a smile. "I shall always have my knowledge placed at your disposal; however, there are others who can help you if you wish. The pathway to enlightenment has many forks and there are always roads less traveled. You will chart your own destiny. I shall simply be grateful to assist as much as you'll allow me to."

Admiral Hollwil stood at attention, her face stoic. Beyond her in the square outside the Senate, a massive crowd was cheering rapturously as the Chancellor sang her praises for the 'daring raid that brought the light of democracy deep within the dark heart of the Confederacy and preserved the blessings of liberty, security and prosperity for an oppressed and repressed people'.

The crowd ate up every word and roared with rapturous approval. It was quite a surreal experience for her to be honest. When she began her career, she did not expect to gain such infamy. Yet now her face was known in every corner of Republic space as the hero who struck a blow against the Confederacy while the Senate dithered.

As she stood here, listening to the cheers, her eyes drifted to the Jedi Temple. While she understood that war meant fighting and fighting meant killing, the weight of her medal felt superficial compared to memory of so many Jedi dead when Sidious destroyed his temple redoubt.

Reflecting on the smoldering crater and burnt remains, she missed part of the chancellor's speech. She blinked, the rousing applause bringing her back to the moment to hear the end of the Chancellor's speech.

"I hope and pray that the people of our great democracy—from the heart of the Core worlds to the furthest reach of the Outer Rim—take strength from this daring raid and steel themselves to restore peace and justice to our conquered brethren. This war will not be easy and it will not come without cost. We must all remember that united our strength is unassailable. Our enemies will seek to divide us in the face of loss. Fear is natural; yet it is the courage to battle on in the face of loss and fear that will carry the day!"

The Chancellor stepped back; she smirked as he seemed surprised by his own vehemence, though the crowd was certainly moved. The cheers were louder now than anything before.

I'd like to see Dooku counter that she thought scornfully.

"That was a riveting speech your Excellency," she said as they left the rostrum and returned to his office underneath the Senate.

Palpatine actually blushed. "I thank you for those kind words Admiral. I have the easy job however; words may be flung in politics with reckless abandon but they cannot kill. You are on the front lines where decisions can mean life or death."

"Without the support and resolve of politicians Chancellor, soldiers cannot fight. These past months have been infuriating as the Confederacy spreads like a cancer while certain factions of the Senate stall any meaningful effort to quell the rebellion."

"I believe I may have positive news for you along those lines Admiral," he said as they entered his office. He waved off his bodyguards, leaving only her, the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor Mas Amedda. "As you can no doubt suspect Admiral, there is a not inconsiderable faction within the War Department that objects to you essentially going 'rogue' when you led the assault on Jaylsalm."

"Chancellor I…"

"Allow me to continue Admiral," he said, holding up a hand to silence her. "Needless to say I do not agree with their sentiments. However, given the delicate egos involved, I cannot promote you within the ranks as you so richly deserve."

Ariel raised an eyebrow. "I did not join for endless promotions your excellency. I much prefer taking the fight to the enemy versus moving pieces on a map."

Palpatine smiled. "I expected nothing less my dear. Your situation however fits quite nicely into a new initiative I am organizing with Master Vilbum and our comrades in the Council of First Knowledge."

"The Council of First Knowledge?"

"Oh don't worry about the council name," he said with a dismissive wave. "Essentially we're forming a joint Republic-Jedi task force. At the moment, it will be a relatively small force with the Jedi initially providing light company of reinforcements to augment the Republic force. Once our recruitment levels pick up and the Jedi reorganize their ranks, we expect you will command an armada of 25 fleets operating across the galaxy while the Jedi function as officers within the ranks."

"After due consideration, we decided the task force would formally fall under the leadership of Master Yoda and myself, placing it outside the scope of the regular military due to Jedi involvement. We will each appoint a military commander…"

"Chancellor this is too much," she exclaimed, cottoning on to what he was implying.

"I disagree. Your fitness report is stellar and you have the respect of the great majority of the men and women who serve under you. In addition, the Jedi have had nothing but praise for your performance. Since you are overwhelmingly qualified for this position, it makes it all the easier to promote you outside the 'traditional' chain of command. How does that sound to you Fleet Admiral Hollwil?"

"I humbly accept this honor Chancellor," she said, snapping to attention and saluting. "I will do my utmost to bring peace to the Republic."

Palpatine courteously returned the salute. "I would expect nothing less my dear. Now, I am planning to announce the formation of this task force in one standard week. However, since Master Yoda and I have decided on the first mission, your new fleet will be leaving in three standard days. There is a border dispute escalating towards civil war on Ansion. Your mission is to quash the rebellion and reopen negotiations between the city dwellers and grassland tribes."

"Are there droid forces in the region?"

"None that Republic intelligence could discover. However we do not wish to take chances. For now, we have reassigned all of your forces from the Balmorra system, including the 3 fleets you left behind. At the moment, Master Harry Potter has been appointed commander of the Jedi force, which will comprise 85 knights and masters. Due to the lack of operational training between your two forces, Master Yoda and I believe it would be prudent, for this first mission, if the Jedi operate as a separate company. Following this mission, you and he can coordinate training so as to allow the Jedi to coalesce within Republic units to function as officers and advisers."

"Jedi Master Harry Potter," she asked, clearly flabbergasted. An obviously confused Chancellor affirmed. "I'm sorry Chancellor but I did not realize Harry…Master Potter had been promoted."

"Forgive me my dear but I have not had the pleasure of meeting him and know very little of his background, beyond Master Yoda holds him in incredibly high esteem. I gather by your reaction there is some familiarity."

Years of military experience were all that kept her from betraying how inexplicably pleased she was at this development. "I've met him and Obi-Wan Kenobi several months ago when they rescued the hutts from Balmorra. I was impressed by their efficiency and can certainly understand why Master Yoda would hold Master Potter in high esteem."

Palpatine smiled. "Well then I imagine you and he shall collaborate fantastically."