Chancellor Palpatine loved opera. This passion had taken hold of him long ago, back in his childhood. On Naboo, his homeworld, this art form was widespread, and the royal house regularly invited performers from other planets to diversify the repertoire. Of course, Naboo's opera could not rival the Coruscant Galactic Opera, but that did not prevent the young Palpatine from literally falling deeply in love with it—reveling in the actors' performances, the mesmerizing music, and the gripping narratives each time.
Moreover, it was excellent training. He still remembered his mother's words: "Enjoy the opera. Train your mind and heart."
He could never have imagined, however, that a truly riveting performance would unfold right in his own office. Palpatine took genuine, almost unforgettable pleasure in watching the Jedi's… discussion with Organa.
Initially, the Loyalist Committee had been conceived as a body meant to assist the Chancellor in alleged negotiations with the Confederacy of Independent Systems. It included both his supporters and his opponents. Over time, however, everything changed. Now, four months into the war, it consisted exclusively of opposition senators, led by Bail Organa and Padme Amidala. Certainly, this was convenient in some aspects—but such political weight could not be ignored. Nearly two thousand senators supported the Committee. At times, it became burdensome and increasingly irritating to Palpatine.
That was why he now watched Organa's humiliation with such pleasure. To the best of Palpatine's recollection, no Jedi had ever behaved this way toward a senator before. Still, Sheev always sought a silver lining—and he saw one now. Without a doubt, once those present left his office, word of the incident would spread through the Senate, dealing a serious blow to the reputation of the Loyalist Committee. Although the Jedi had spoken in the heat of the moment, but in doing so he had laid bare what had clearly been weighing on him for a long time…
"General, I understand you perfectly," Palpatine said warmly. "You have just endured the horrors of battle, and your comrades have died before your eyes. I think you need rest. The Republic needs capable military leaders like you now more than ever." He flashed his trademark smile.
"Thank you, Chancellor. If that is all, I will take my leave," the Jedi replied.
He bowed, gestured to his Padawan, and the two of them left the office.
"Master Yoda!" Amidala approached the aged head of the Order. "Are you truly going to let this… pass without consequences?"
"Hmm. Much bitterness I sense in this Jedi's heart. Great fatigue. Pain. Understand, we must, hmm." Yoda replied quietly.
Palpatine would have given much for the opportunity to use the Force openly—then his picture of the world would have been complete and vibrant. For now, however, such a luxury would have been deadly.
***
Dorian Tess approached Lorian.
"Well? How did you like the show?"
"For a moment, I thought everything might turn out… very badly."
"So did I. Nevertheless, it works in our favor."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, how could it be otherwise: the general's accusations against the Loyalists came at precisely the right time. The amendment we intend to push through would eliminate situations like this in the future. It's a persuasive argument."
"I agree," Lorian nodded.
There was a great deal of work ahead…
***
Leaving the Chancellor's office, I mentally wiped the sweat from my brow. What a day. I tried to keep my emotions under control, but… and then there's that damned Organa. Why the hell did he come out? This is going to cause trouble... Still, at least Palpatine seemed amused. I got away with it—but I'm in for a difficult conversation with the Council. Right now they're in fucking... surprised, but they won't be for long.
As if confirming my thoughts, Ahsoka, walking beside me, hesitantly touched my hand.
"Master… I'm sorry. Because of me, you're going to have problems."
"Don't worry, Snips. I'll think of something."
I really hope so. I patted the Togruta gently on the head.
"Come on, Ahsoka. It's time to return to the Temple."
"Yes, Master. I also want to leave this place as soon as possible."
I understood her perfectly. Jedi sense lies, and the Senate was literally saturated with it. An unpleasant place.
Suddenly, I heard a voice—a very familiar one.
"Knight Vikt!"
I turned around and saw her. Senator Riyo Chuchi was approaching us.
"Senator Chuchi. It's good to see you!" I said, genuinely pleased.
"Hello, Ahsoka. Knight Vikt… I just learned about Jabiim. I'm so sorry."
"It can't be helped. It's war."
"I hope we can meet again. I still haven't thanked you for your help…"
"Don't mention it. Although…if you invite us to…" I hesitated, searching for an equivalent for the word "tea". "...pastries, we'd be happy to come."
"Pastries?" the Pantoran smiled.
"Yes. Sweets," I confirmed. "We love sweets, don't we, Ahsoka?"
The Togruta giggled into her fist.
"Very well. Perhaps tomorrow evening?.. There's a Senate session today."
"No problem."
"Then I'll let you know the time and place in the morning," Riyo said with a smile.
***
The shuttle carried us directly from the Senate Building to one of the Temple's hangars. Ahsoka and I stepped forward together beneath the soaring arches. The atmosphere of the Temple was truly... mesmerizing. I hadn't noticed it during my previous visit, but now… here, within these walls, my worries receded, replaced by peace and calm.
"We're home, Master," Ahsoka said, smiling sincerely for the first time that day.
"Yes, Snips," I smiled back. "Now we'd better hurry. I doubt the Healer will be pleased that we've been gone so long."
"Yes, she's not someone you want to be trifled with," the Togruta agreed.
***
"…I was about to attack him when that Jedi demonstrated this strange… technique. Or perhaps it wasn't even a technique? I decided it would be wiser to learn more about it first, so he wouldn't catch me off guard with something like that again."
Ventress finished her report and waited for Count Dooku's response. Unexpectedly, he smiled.
"I am pleased, my apprentice. At last, you have begun to think before you act."
"And yet I still don't understand how that Jedi could use something like—"
"If I didn't know you were telling the truth, I would think you imagined it. And yet… I'm not certain it should even be possible. It is not the way of the Sith—he has not fallen to the Dark side. However, he is no longer truly a Jedi either. At first, I thought he was using the same principles as Windu… but no. That is not his path. WhenWindu created his Vaapad, I observed him closely. This is based on something entirely different. I believe the Lord will find this information most intriguing."
"What should I do now, Master?"
"You will go to the planet Khifar. You are to assist the CIS fleet preparing to destroy the planet's orbital port. The local government firmly supports the Republic; all of its agricultural production goes to supply the clone army. The volume may be small, but even such trifles can, in time, decide the outcome of a war. A Republic task force is present, commanded by a Jedi. He is currently on the planet's surface, conducting negotiations. Kill him."
"Understood, Master. I'll leave immediately," Ventress replied.
She bowed and hurried from Count Dooku's office.