He owed Cody, everyone did.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nBefore he could explain what he had meant, they were interrupted by Master Yoda calling an emergency council meeting.\u00a0 He stated he had felt a disturbance in the Force, and for everyone to convene.<\/p>\n
Mace took the whole group to the Council Chambers.\u00a0 He now had proof of the Chancellor’s dark deeds, and they needed to figure out the next stage of action.<\/p>\n
Senator Amidala bowed out of the meeting, stating this wasn’t her realm.\u00a0 She had a better chance of fighting in her playing field.\u00a0 Anakin looked about ready to panic, so Fox contacted Thire and Thorn and had them meet the Senator at the front of the Jedi Temple, with orders never to leave her side. \u00a0 He didn’t care what she said, what was going on, or if she ditched them.\u00a0 If something happened, they were dealing with Skywalker.<\/p>\n
Yoda’s head tilt was his only response at seeing an agitated Skywalker, followed by his calm Padawan, and Torrent members ready to blow something up, followed by a resigned Mace.\u00a0 Ponds ignored all of them, taking his place next to his General.\u00a0 Fox stayed close to Vos, who looked like he wanted to jump out a window.<\/p>\n
Fox reached out touching the Jedi’s arm slightly, returning the comfort he had given to him.\u00a0 Vos gave him a rare soft smile and a nod.\u00a0 Quinlan took a few calm breaths, settling into himself.\u00a0 It was then Fox remembered there were rumors of him going dark, pushing the limits to try and save those no one else could.\u00a0 At that time, he had reminded Fox of a junky, strung out looking for a fix.\u00a0 Then about six weeks later, he was calmer – well as calm as Vos could ever be – and in some ways more centered.\u00a0 He was still an annoying ass, but Fox noticed a difference.\u00a0 Cody mentioned that he had stayed with the 212th for a while, that being with General Kenobi had calmed him.<\/p>\n
Which as far as he was concerned made Kenobi a Saint, or just as insane as Vos.<\/p>\n
Plo Koon had greeted each of the clones by their names.\u00a0 There was a reason he was known as General Buir, he showed his care for all of them, not just the wolf pack.\u00a0 Though Wolffe made sure, everyone knew, Koon belonged to the 104th and if they even thought about stealing him \u2026 well he left that to their imaginations.<\/p>\n
“Skywalker.”\u00a0 Depa moved out of her chair to lay a hand on his arm.\u00a0 “I need you to take a calm breath, follow me.\u00a0 In.\u00a0 Out.\u00a0 In.\u00a0 Out.”\u00a0 She sent calming reassurance to the young Knight.<\/p>\n
“Thanks.”\u00a0 He squeezed her hand, letting her know he appreciated the help.\u00a0 “So what are we going to do about the Sith?”<\/p>\n
Fox and Mace rolled their eyes at the same time. \u00a0 Rex sighed, while Tano face palmed.<\/p>\n
Yoda gave him a look.\u00a0 “Know this Sith, do you?”<\/p>\n
“Yes, unfortunately.”\u00a0 He glanced at Mace, who took pity on the young man.<\/p>\n
“We have evidence \u2026 ”\u00a0 Windu started to explain what they had been discussing in his quarters, when an emergency holo came from the Negotiator<\/em>. \u00a0 When the Chancellor signed in, stating he had received a disturbing note \u2026 he thought Skywalker would jump out the window, followed closely by Vos.\u00a0 Ponds discreetly moved next to his vode<\/em>, all them staying out of holo range.<\/p>\nOnce the call ended, the Council looked over at Skywalker, then back at Mace.\u00a0 “Vos, see if you can get the Negotiator <\/em>back online, find out what is going on.\u00a0 Discretion is a thing.”<\/p>\n“Never heard of it.”\u00a0 With a sloppy salute, and wink to Fox, he left the Council Chambers.<\/p>\n
“Are you sure that’s wise?”\u00a0 Fox asked.<\/p>\n
“If there is one thing I’m sure of, Vos wouldn’t do anything to hurt Kenobi.”\u00a0 Mace assured him.\u00a0 “Now for the reason we’re all here.”<\/p>\n
He took a moment to glance around the room.\u00a0 Plo Koon was a center of calm, he made a note to talk to him about the 104th and what happened earlier with the 212th, to make sure his men were safe.\u00a0 Kit Fitso, was at least in his robes, and despite the seriousness of the situation, those around him could feel his calm happy personality.\u00a0 Depa, sent strength to her Master, waiting patiently to understand what was going on.\u00a0 She, along with others, felt Skywalker’s low level panicking throughout the call.\u00a0 Yoda was quiet, contemplative, in all the years Mace had known him, for the first time he really looked old.\u00a0 The rest of the council was out on campaign, he couldn’t remember the last time they were all at the Jedi Temple.<\/p>\n
“Sith revealed, has he not.”\u00a0 Yoda glanced over to Mace.\u00a0 “Mistakes made we have.\u00a0 Lap dogs to the Senate we have been for too long.\u00a0 Darkness has spread, blind to it we were.\u00a0 My own fault, I admit.”<\/p>\n
“We all have made mistakes.”\u00a0 Mace took a deep breath, then told them everything that had transpired in his rooms.\u00a0 What they learned from Senator Amidala, Vos’ investigation, and then the moment they lost the clones.<\/p>\n
“I don’t understand.”\u00a0 Plo sat forward in his chair.\u00a0 “How did you lose them?”<\/p>\n
“They just disappeared.”\u00a0 Anakin spoke up from his pacing in the corner.\u00a0 “The unique force signatures muted, it was like the static you feel with a droid army.”<\/p>\n
“For a moment we lost ourselves.”\u00a0 Ponds spoke up, though it had lasted only a second, he will not forget the horror of the moment.<\/p>\n
“How is this possible?”\u00a0 Fit was taken back, disgusted at the thought of the men losing themselves, to be nothing but mindless droids.\u00a0 He had watched with pride as all his men had become individuals with unique tastes, personalities, and learned to be their own person.<\/p>\n
“It’s a chip, sir.\u00a0 In our brains.”\u00a0 Fox took a step forward, taking off his bucket and tucking it under his head.\u00a0 “Commander Cody, contacted me \u2026 ”<\/p>\n
‘What do you want.’\u00a0 Fox didn’t really have time to deal with the drama, the 212th was likely going to drag him into it.<\/em><\/p>\n‘I need you to change to Private Secure Channel, 432. Now.’<\/em><\/p>\nFox was tempted to just ignore the demand, but something made him pause.\u00a0 The tone, something he hadn’t heard in a while, that message wasn’t from Commander Cody, but Kote. \u00a0 He grabbed his comm, told Stone he was stepping out, then headed for one of the many audio and visual blind spots inside the Senate.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n‘What do you want?’\u00a0 He snapped the moment Cody answered.<\/em><\/p>\n‘I’m going to ask you to do something that will go against your hyper need to follow the rules.\u00a0 Before you argue with me, I’m not asking you to cover anything illegal, I’m asking you to investigate something illegal.’<\/em><\/p>\nFox frowned.\u00a0 ‘How about you tell me what’s going on, Kote, then I’ll decide if I want to help you.’<\/em><\/p>\n‘It’s not me you would be helping, but our vode.’\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nFox listened as Cody explained about a chip that his medic had found, it wasn’t just in his head, but in every single clone.\u00a0 Using his authorization codes, and when that didn’t work used General Kenobi’s codes he discovered that the longnecks had placed them to curtail the clones aggressions, since everyone knew Madalorians were violent blood thirsty bastards.<\/em><\/p>\n‘Commander, have you met anyone from the 212th or the 501st.’\u00a0 Fox pointed out.<\/em><\/p>\nThere was a snort, and he could just about imagine the small wicked smirk that Kote used to get when he would instigate osik against the longnecks.\u00a0 ‘Just for a second imagine someone else in control of the 212th and the 501st.’<\/em><\/p>\n‘Kriff.’<\/em><\/p>\n‘I don’t know what these do.\u00a0 I need you to find out.’<\/em><\/p>\n‘Why me?’\u00a0 Fox asked, now curious what the Commander was up to.<\/em><\/p>\nThere was a pause, he could tell that Kote was deciding what to say, contemplating if he could trust his fellow vod.\u00a0 It hurt.\u00a0 It actually hurt that his fellow CC would hesitate, but then he was always off to the side from the group.\u00a0 Not in the war, not assigned to a Jedi.\u00a0 His men didn’t see battle, but that didn’t mean they weren’t soldiers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n‘The longnecks told us the Jetii ordered us, they didn’t.\u00a0 Master Sifo-Dyas was already dead, there was no way he put in the order, let alone the one question no one has asked, how did he pay for it.\u00a0 I know you don’t work directly with the Jedi, but you know enough that their budget is reviewed by the Senate.\u00a0 Don’t you think some committee would’ve noticed that large amount of credits\u2026’<\/em><\/p>\nFox blinked a few times, mind racing in many directions, all leading down a path he wasn’t sure he liked.\u00a0 ‘What are you saying?’<\/em><\/p>\n‘I’m saying that whoever paid for us put those chips there.\u00a0 Now don’t you think it would be a good idea to find out who?’\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n‘And you want me to, what\u2026’\u00a0 Fox already had a good idea, but wanted to hear him.<\/em><\/p>\n‘Find out who paid for three million of us, and what they want to do with us.\u00a0 I will end this war, but I need your help to do it.’<\/em><\/p>\n‘Why now?’\u00a0 He knew there was something Kote wasn’t telling him.\u00a0 ‘What has changed so drastic that you are skirting treason?’<\/em><\/p>\n‘I have one major reason, and three million small ones.’\u00a0 There was a heavy sigh.\u00a0 ‘Fox, I do not ask this lightly, but know that if the Republic becomes a threat to what is mine, I will do what is necessary.’<\/em><\/p>\n‘And the vode is yours?’<\/em><\/p>\n‘Since when were they not?’<\/em><\/p>\nFox leaned his head back, eyes closed for a moment.\u00a0 He took a few calming breaths, before answering. ‘I’ll contact you when I learn more.’\u00a0 He hung up, made his way back to the office, grabbed Stone and Thire, then headed for the lower sections of Coruscant.\u00a0 The men were smart enough not to ask, but he could feel their worry and curiosity.<\/em><\/p>\nThey entered a small clinic, one he had escorted senators to when they needed assistance away from the prying eyes and questions from the Senate Medical Services. \u00a0 He pulled off his bucket, looked the doctor in the eyes, and gave him one option.<\/em><\/p>\n‘I need to know if there is a chip in my head, if it is there you’ll remove it.\u00a0 If something happens to me, they…’\u00a0 he nodded to his men ‘…will burn this place to the ground, and no one will care.’<\/em><\/p>\nThe doctor nodded.\u00a0 ‘We know how to be discreet.\u00a0 It’s why you’re here and not 100 levels up.’<\/em><\/p>\nFox’s posture was ramrod straight, as he finished rehashing his conversation with Cody. \u00a0 “After he notified me, I went to a trusted medical personnel, and discovered that yes, there were chips.\u00a0 I had mine removed, along with my immediate officers, and still working through my men.\u00a0 I was investigating where the chips came from, when Vos dragged me here.”<\/p>\n
Mace leaned back in his chair.\u00a0 “And what have you found?”<\/p>\n
He focused on the General, ignoring the horrified expressions that were crossing his vod<\/em>.\u00a0 “That he was right, the Senate has review status over the Jedi’s budget, and someone would’ve noticed an order for 3 million of us clones. \u00a0 Whoever paid for us, would….”<\/p>\n“Have full control.”\u00a0 Mace nodded, seeing exactly where Commander Cody’s thoughts were going.\u00a0 “Since the discovery of the clones, we’ve been working to find out who actually put in the order, as we didn’t.”\u00a0 Windu gave the group that was with them, a rare small smile. “Though you have all been blessings to us.”<\/p>\n
“That’s cause we’re awesome.”\u00a0 Fives really had no shame.\u00a0 Echo rolled his eyes, while Rex looked upwards contemplating his life choices.<\/p>\n
Fox ignored them completely.\u00a0 “I found a papertrail, that led straight to the Chancellor’s office.\u00a0 It was hidden deep under at least three sub committees.\u00a0 It’s a subsidy that sends money to Serenno.”\u00a0 He noticed that Mace didn’t look at all shocked, actually no one in the Council Room looked shocked.\u00a0 “Maybe it’s time for us to compare notes.”<\/p>\n
“Master Ti got one of her slicers to break into the Kamino’s databases, looking for information on who actually placed the order, all the information and accounts went directly to Serenno.\u00a0 Master Kenobi stated at the start of his investigation that Fett was hired by Tyranus, once it was realized Dooku had become a Sith, who went by Tyranus, we knew the whole thing was tied to him.”<\/p>\n
“It was his way of starting the war. We knew Dooku had issues with the Senate and Council, but were surprised he would go to such lengths for revenge.\u00a0 Especially using Master Sifo-Dias as an excuse, they were good friends at one point.”\u00a0 Master Koon shoulders slumped at the weight of the moment.\u00a0 “It would seem we misjudged our old colleague on how far he had fallen.”<\/p>\n
“Dooku paid for the clones, and the Chancellor has been sending him spending money?”\u00a0 Anakin stared at the Master.\u00a0 “And we never once thought, hey look a Jedi who went dark bought us an army, this is okay?”<\/p>\n
“I’m with him.”\u00a0 Rex nodded towards his General. “No one thought this was odd.”<\/p>\n
“We were at war.”\u00a0 Mace sighed, headache coming back in full force.\u00a0 “Suddenly all our Masters were Generals, Knights and Padawans in the middle of battles, the Senate demanding things we were not capable of handling. By the time we even got any bearing of what was going on, we were so wrapped up in it, that there was no way out, especially without abandoning the clones.”<\/p>\n
“And now we find out that this whole thing is set up for a Sith Lord?”\u00a0 Ahsoka added.\u00a0 “So what do we do now?”<\/p>\n
“I say we kill him.”\u00a0 Anakin said with ease.<\/p>\n
“We can’t just kill the Chancellor.”\u00a0 Depa pointed out, though she was in agreeance.\u00a0 “We first need evidence to bring to the Senate, enough that his backers and cronies will have to cave to the will of the people.”<\/p>\n
Everyone looked back at Fox.\u00a0 “I have a paper trail, but we’ll need more information and physical evidence of the chips.”<\/p>\n
“We really need to talk to Obi-Wan and find out what’s going on.”\u00a0 Kit shook his head, not sure how to handle the whole situation. \u00a0 His main focus was on how to help his men, and he was sure Depa and Plo were feeling the same thing.<\/p>\n
“Disturbing this information is.”\u00a0 Yoda’s ears showed his displeasure.\u00a0 “Know what is happening on the Negotiator<\/em>, we do not.”<\/p>\n“I can feel Obi-wan, nothing’s happened to him.”\u00a0 Anakin finally sat down on the ground, worn out.\u00a0 He wasn’t surprised when Ahsoka joined him, he was comforted that she was by his side.\u00a0 “He’s obviously got some play in mind.”<\/p>\n
“He’s going to trigger the trap.”\u00a0 Rex stated with certainty.\u00a0 He heard his vod <\/em>rant about it enough times.\u00a0 “We all know this.\u00a0 He’s batshit, I blame all of you for that, and he’s going to walk right up to the Chancellor and call him out.”<\/p>\nYoda’s ear lowered any further.\u00a0 “Reckless he is.”<\/p>\n
“Your lineage he is.” Mace sent him a glare, even after all these years he still questioned Yoda’s insistence in Qui-Gon being Obi-Wan’s Master.\u00a0 If Yoda had wanted the young Dragon in his lineage, he should’ve trained him.\u00a0 “This is what we get for letting him wander the cosmos with Qui-Gon.”\u00a0 An eyebrow went up when the clones growled slightly.\u00a0 “Oh, I see you added that to 501st storytime.”<\/p>\n
“Yeah and let’s just say it’s a good thing Master Jinn isn’t standing here.”\u00a0 Anakin shrugged, not really caring.\u00a0 “Cody would do damage.”<\/p>\n
“Loyal Kenobi’s Commander.”\u00a0 Yoda huffed, then turned to Mace.\u00a0 “Contact Negotiator<\/em>.”<\/p>\n“But they are having \u2026” Ahsoka startled when the holo popped up, Master Kenobi in full sight, with the Commander, bucket tucked under his arm, expression stoic and unreadable, standing next to him as an equal, not in the usual two steps behind to the right.<\/p>\n
She gave Skyguy a side eye, who gave one in return.<\/p>\n
“Hello there.\u00a0 Anakin are you okay? I’m worried about the levels of anxiety I’ve been feeling.”\u00a0 He focused on his Padawan and grandpadawan, ignoring the rest of the council.<\/p>\n
“Well Master might have something to do with the fact we kept getting messages from the Negotiator <\/em>that something happened!\u00a0 Let alone the clones disappeared then reappeared, except Fox who was a smug bastard, and I have to be friendly to the Chancellor, even though I know he’s a Sith.\u00a0 I suck at undercover shit.\u00a0 You know this.\u00a0 I know this.\u00a0 Every person I’ve ever tried to lie or worked with undercover knows this.”<\/p>\n“I’m fine, my dear.”\u00a0 He gave him a small smile, one that Anakin knew was for him.\u00a0 It was always soft and full of love.\u00a0 With a deep breath, he calmed his anxiety and returned the smile back to his Master. “I had the good Admiral send those messages to set the trap.”<\/p>\n
“The one you’re going to set off,” Rex blurted.<\/p>\n
“All good traps need bait.”<\/p>\n
Everyone heard the low growl coming from the Commander, though his face expression hadn’t changed.\u00a0 Rex stared at his ori’vod <\/em>for a few moments, a low whistle escaping.\u00a0 He glanced around to see everyone staring at him, he ignored them and focused on his vod.\u00a0 “Kote, it’s good to see you.”<\/p>\n“Captain.”<\/p>\n
Rex nodded, he was getting his shebs <\/em>kicked later.<\/p>\n“Kriff.”\u00a0 Five’s eyes went wide, as did Echo’s.<\/p>\n
Pond shook his head, he had known something was different with his fellow Commander but couldn’t put a finger on it, until Rex called him by his true name.\u00a0 What the hell had been going on with the 212th, and what wasn’t his vod <\/em>telling him.\u00a0 “After this whole thing is done, we’re having words Kote.”<\/p>\n“Once that traitor is put down.”\u00a0 The Commander focused on Fox.\u00a0 “How many of your men have been de-chipped?”<\/p>\n
“Over half.”\u00a0 Fox answered easily, impressed at what he was seeing.\u00a0 He never thought he would see a clone stand equal with anyone let alone a Jedi.\u00a0 “I’m surprised you hadn’t removed it, before this.”<\/p>\n
“It’s out now, and we’re working through the 212th.”\u00a0 Kote answered, he was already annoyed with himself that he hadn’t demanded Snap take it out the moment they discovered it.\u00a0 There had been so much going on, he made the mistake of being complacent.<\/p>\n
Never again will he make that mistake.<\/p>\n
“What’s your plan?”\u00a0 Mace stared at Obi-Wan, knowing he was going to hate it, but go along with it, because it would work.\u00a0 “I already know I’m going to hate it, so just get it over with.”<\/p>\n
Obi-Wan gave them a cheeky grin, which made everyone in the room, including the Council, sigh.\u00a0 “I think the Captain put it best.”<\/p>\n
“He’s going to walk up to the Chancellor and say hi.”\u00a0 Kote took a deep breath.\u00a0 “At least he’s not doing it alone, the full 212th will be behind him. \u00a0 Fox, I’m sure you can figure out how to get your men into position.”<\/p>\n
“Well as the Crosuscent Guard, it’s our duty to protect the Chancellor.”<\/p>\n
“He’ll want Anakin with him.”\u00a0 Obi-Wan wasn’t surprised when his Padawan hopped back onto his feet staring at him incredulously.<\/p>\n
“Why would he, I feel as if I’m missing something.”<\/p>\n
“He’s setting you up to be his next apprentice.”\u00a0 Obi-Wan wanted desperately to reach out, when he felt the panic and fear slice through their bond.\u00a0 “At this moment, he fully believes the clones killed me.\u00a0 What better way to get you to Turn, than having your Master killed by the very people you trusted.\u00a0 He’ll convince you this is all Dooku, you’ll be so enraged you’ll hunt him down and kill him.”<\/p>\n
“Taking out the apprentice so you can become his next one.”\u00a0 Mace shook his head, seeing the ploy.\u00a0 “And he probably wouldn’t be upset if you killed most of the 212th in the process.”<\/p>\n
“Can I just stab him?”\u00a0 Anakin crossed his arms over his chest. “No really. Can I?”<\/p>\n
“Evidence we need.”\u00a0 Yoda tapped his glimmer stick against his chair.\u00a0 “Then stab him you can.”<\/p>\n
The whole room stared at the older Jedi, it was Fives who broke the silence with choked off laughter.\u00a0 “I’m not even sure what’s real anymore.”<\/p>\n
“Well you’re still ugly, vod<\/em>.”\u00a0 Echo’s shoved him slightly.\u00a0 “We could escort the General, we’re immune to the whole Order.”<\/p>\n“If you go with Skywalker, he’ll be suspicious.”\u00a0 Obi-Wan pointed out.\u00a0 “Having the Coruscant Guard nearby, can be explained away.\u00a0 That’s their job.”<\/p>\n
“Considering there’s a question about the 212th, wouldn’t it be normal for the 501st to accompany his General?”\u00a0 Koon asked.\u00a0 “Matter of fact, in theory the Council should be intercepting the Negotiator <\/em>not the Chancellor.”<\/p>\n“Skywalker, this will be painful for you, but\u2026”\u00a0 Mace tried not to laugh at the over exaggerated sigh, especially in such a serious situation.\u00a0 “When you go to meet with the Chancellor, have Fives and Echo escort you, state we were concerned about the lack of information from the 212th.\u00a0 You two stay outside, act normal.”\u00a0 They both gave him a viscous grin, which would work perfectly.\u00a0 “While meeting with him, state that the Jedi Council will be meeting the Negotiator <\/em>– see what happens.”\u00a0 He pointed back to Fives and Echo.\u00a0 “You two need to be recording everything, and the moment he comes out you bring him here, instantly.\u00a0 Ignore whining, pissyness, or over violent tantrums.”<\/p>\n“You think he’ll do something.”\u00a0 Anakin crossed his arms, not liking this situation at all.<\/p>\n
“Yes.\u00a0 And you’re going to convince <\/em>us that it’s best that The Chancellor and you meet the Negotiator<\/em>.”\u00a0 Depa answered, giving her Master a small smile, seeing where he was going with this plan.\u00a0 “We’ll be off to the side, so when he declares himself a Sith Lord we’ll be ready.”<\/p>\n“You think he’ll actually just announce that he’s a Sith and has been plotting the demise of the Jedi for years?”\u00a0 Rex frowned, hating this plan even more, and now understood why Kote hadn’t really stopped growling.<\/p>\n
Fox snorted.\u00a0 “The man hides his enormous ego behind fake humility.\u00a0 ‘I’m honored, thank you.\u00a0 Yes I will work hard to make sure that your planet will be protected.\u00a0 It’s what I do, but it helps that I can count on your support.’<\/em>.”<\/p>\n“Well that is normal for politicians.”\u00a0 Kit Fitso smiled brightly, bringing a calm back to the chamber.\u00a0 “Though I do agree, he’s been playing the game for a long time.\u00a0 My instincts tell me that some of his plans aren’t working, so he’s pushing harder at Skywalker.”<\/p>\n
“What do you mean?”\u00a0 Anakin turned towards him.\u00a0 He had worked with Master Fisto, a few times during his apprenticeship.\u00a0 He had always made Anakin feel at ease, made him laugh, and taught him how to view things slightly different.<\/p>\n
“I remember the angry teenager, there were reasons I tossed you into the pool.”\u00a0 He chuckled softly at the memories of the flailing Padawan, he at least never tossed him into the deep end, and always had Bant nearby.\u00a0 Desert rats never did well with too much water, but it was a lesson learned.<\/p>\n
“I thought you were teaching me to swim.”\u00a0 Anakin threw his arms up, a small smile on his face, enjoying the laughter from Kit.<\/p>\n
“Well that too, but it did calm you down.\u00a0 Kenobi wasn’t the only one to notice your anger got worse after visiting the Chancellor. \u00a0 I wasn’t on the Council when they agreed to him mentoring you, and I wouldn’t have agreed to it.\u00a0 You were not to be a politician so why be mentored by one.”\u00a0 Kit tilted his head slightly, as if thinking back over the years.\u00a0 “Then suddenly you were a lot calmer, first thing I noticed you weren’t visiting the Chancellor as much, but it was more than that, something changed.\u00a0 It was like suddenly you understood what being a Jedi was about.”<\/p>\n
Plo glanced over at his fellow Council Member.\u00a0 “This is very accurate.”\u00a0 He glanced over to Anakin. “You suddenly understood the need for discretion and what being a Jedi was about, it wasn’t about how powerful you were, but how you used the power to protect others.”<\/p>\n
“Suddenly you went from an angsty teenager to a stable young man.\u00a0 If he couldn’t keep you angry he needed to find other ways to control you.”\u00a0 Depa gave him a soft smile.<\/p>\n
“Explains why the Senators birth control disappeared.”\u00a0 Fox shook his head.<\/p>\n
Depa blinked a few times, then stared at Fox then back at Anakin.\u00a0 “Tell me\u2026”<\/p>\n
“I can hear the ‘I’m not pregnant!’ all the way from the Senate building.”\u00a0 Rex answered with a small laugh.\u00a0 “So what you’re saying is the Chancellor is trying to get her knocked up, for what?\u00a0 I’m sorry it doesn’t make sense to me.”<\/p>\n
Fox looked heavenward, hating he was having this particular conversation again.\u00a0 “It would remove her from the playing field, Skywalker being the good dutiful father would go\u2026”<\/p>\n
“No, I wouldn’t.”\u00a0 Anakin shook his head, seeing where Fox was going, but duty came first.\u00a0 “Yeah. if we messed up and she got pregnant, I would be there for her, but she knows my duty is to the Jedi.\u00a0 As her to the Senate.\u00a0 Have you met Padm\u00e9?\u00a0 She would give birth in the Naboo pod, yelling at some idiot.”<\/p>\n
Fox bit back the laughter, trying not to imagine Stone being the one to catch the kid.<\/p>\n
“That’s not the issue.”\u00a0 Obi-Wan spoke up startling everyone, almost forgetting he was still there.\u00a0 “The goal isn’t getting Anakin off planet, it’s getting him to rely on the Chancellor, and only the Chancellor.\u00a0 He would start dropping hints that the Jedi would kick him out, and that she would have to hide the pregnancy – causing more lying and deceit. \u00a0 Then slowly start planting fears that she would die in childbirth.\u00a0 Getting Anakin paranoid over everything, that his only option was to rely on the Chancellor. \u00a0 Especially, as I would’ve tragically died at the hands of my men, because of some elaborate trap by Dooku \u2026 then when the time was right turn the rest of the clones against the Jedi.”<\/p>\n
“I’m slightly disturbed how your mind works.”\u00a0 Depa gave her friend a look.\u00a0 “Do you have an evil plan to take over the universe we should be concerned for?”<\/p>\n
“Doesn’t everyone?”\u00a0 Obi-Wan shrugged, a little too innocently for her sake. “I’m two steps ahead of the Chancellor.\u00a0 I got Kote and the 212th.”<\/p>\n
Mace stared at Yoda.\u00a0 “I blame you entirely for this.”<\/p>\n
Yoda smiled slightly, everyone could feel the pride in his lineage.\u00a0 “Plan, I do not like, but work it will.\u00a0 Before Skywalker leaves, mediate we should.”<\/p>\n
“But what’s the actual plan?”\u00a0 Fives still wasn’t sure what they were doing.<\/p>\n
“My di’kut <\/em>General is going to piss off the Chancellor to such an extent that he will go full Sith, and try to kill him in public.” Kote didn’t hold back the glare he had for Obi-Wan.<\/p>\n“You’ll be there to protect me, my dear.”\u00a0 Obi-Wan gave him a loving smile.<\/p>\n
“So it’s a normal plan, same as everything else we do.”\u00a0 Echo nodded just as he turned to head for the door. “Okay I’m going to visit the weapons depot and stock up who’s with me.”<\/p>\n
Everyone followed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Part One Part Nineteen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[747],"tags":[746,50],"class_list":["post-17504","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-afternoon-fic","tag-afternoon-fic","tag-bj-jones"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2Da1M-4yk","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13936,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/afternoon-fic-poll-results\/","url_meta":{"origin":17504,"position":0},"title":"Afternoon Fic: Poll Results","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"April 30, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"You have all voted! No I'm not shocked on what won by a landslide. So next afternoon fic ... Danny was done. Just done. He had no more fucks to give. And was just done. He quit, actually quit his job and walked away from the one thing he was\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Afternoon Fic"","block_context":{"text":"Afternoon Fic","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/afternoon-fic\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_afternoonfics.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":20927,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-dragon-general-posted-in-afternoon-fic\/","url_meta":{"origin":17504,"position":1},"title":"The Dragon General – Posted in Afternoon Fic","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"May 6, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"I finally after\u00a0 ... a while ... got this posted in the Afternoon Fic section of the blog!\u00a0 Go me *sighs* And considering we've just had May the 4th Be With You - figured it was fitting to showcase. PS: Keep an eye out for another story I did that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Afternoon Fic"","block_context":{"text":"Afternoon Fic","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/afternoon-fic\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DragonGeneral.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":17615,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/afternoon-fic-the-dragon-general-part-twenty-one\/","url_meta":{"origin":17504,"position":2},"title":"Afternoon Fic: The Dragon General (Part Twenty-One)","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"December 31, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Part One Part Twenty Admiral Block loved the theatre, he just never thought he would be in the middle of a live performance.\u00a0 Stage had gone all out, segments of holos sent to the GAR, showing a ship falling apart, clones not in control, and panicked officers.\u00a0 At this moment,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Afternoon Fic"","block_context":{"text":"Afternoon Fic","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/afternoon-fic\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/wot1t9uyp0911-800x384.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/wot1t9uyp0911-800x384.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/wot1t9uyp0911-800x384.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13012,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/afternoon-fic-save-the-mutant-save-the-world-final\/","url_meta":{"origin":17504,"position":3},"title":"Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World (Final)","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"January 12, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Afternoon Fic This is a quick update to let you know that Save the Mutant Save the World has been finalized and uploaded to the Afternoon Fic Page. The next segment of Afternoon Fic is coming soon!","rel":"","context":"In "Afternoon Fic"","block_context":{"text":"Afternoon Fic","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/afternoon-fic\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/maxresdefault-7-800x450.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/maxresdefault-7-800x450.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/maxresdefault-7-800x450.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10674,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/new-afternoon-fic-a-single-shot-by-bj-jones\/","url_meta":{"origin":17504,"position":4},"title":"New Afternoon Fic: A Single Shot by Bj Jones","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"May 5, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Title: A Single Shot Author: Bj Jones Rating: R Summary: He should have felt the pain on impact, but he couldn't. Shaw had stolen that from him, right along with pleasure. Author's Note: Edited version of the Afternoon Fic *** Link to Fic","rel":"","context":"In "Afternoon Fic"","block_context":{"text":"Afternoon Fic","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/afternoon-fic\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/tumblr_luzeyn3MTB1r6evzjo3_400.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13807,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/afternoon-fic-next-story-poll\/","url_meta":{"origin":17504,"position":5},"title":"Afternoon Fic: Next Story – Poll","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"April 16, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"So there are few options for the next Afternoon Fic. A) Part Three to the Erik\/Charles AU ... basically story movie three but with the idea that Erik was shot in Cuba instead of Charles, and how it's changed their Universe. 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<\/p>\n