บท 188: V.2-C.89│Interlude VI│
Things were heating up within the senate, something that was going out of the control of Sidious. For some reason he was starting to lose his iron clad grip on the power over the senate and his control was becoming unstable.
Things were not looking up and it was because Sidious wasn't putting on a show of good leadership, and then there was one of his aides, believing themselves to be the actual one in charge further messing with Sidious' plans.
There were rumors, rumors going around about how the Supreme Chancellor Palpatine was incompetent because they hadn't come to peace or had won against the Separatists movement.
Rumors that started within the underworld of the Republic, right in the heart of their capital of Coruscant. Anakin had taken over the underground for a reason after all, and now those people that were criminals, reformed as they are, now work for him.
Of course unknowingly they work for him.
Surely if they knew that he was the one in charge it would cause some problems, especially when people from the Republic, or more specifically from Palpatine come looking for him.
With these rumors floating about within the capital, even though from underneath the underbelly of the pure and pristine capital above, Sidious would have to investigate and destroy the source of these rumors.
They were undermining his authority and it could be seen within the Republic, as the senate was starting to split off more and more from each other.
Different factions were forming within and how to deal with things was becoming harder and harder, even with Palpatine's ability to overturn everything he wants with executive power. Doing so all of the time, not before he properly established himself would just lead to more and more discontent.
This is not even to mention that the old man was distracted by other things, specifically things in relation to his desires and plans with the Force. With finding and training an apprentice and all sorts of other things, like Dooku and keeping an eye on this.
Palpatine may be a genius, but there was a limit to even his mind, for he does not hold the same mental capabilities Anakin does.
Of course, Palpatine's supposed incompetence is backed up by the fact that the clones that he allowed into the Republic were slowly being taken away. Meaning that his choices, whether they were good or not at the time would only be meet with criticism as his choice now seemed like a bad choice.
Their clones were gone and now they had to rely on the Empyrean, something which only further served to create disorder within the Republic's senate.
A foreign power that held a massive sway in whether or not they continued the war surely would create doubts as to the leadership of Palpatine. Especially since he was not the one to even suggest the Empyrean and request their help.
He had never even expected for them to step upto the plate themselves. Without going to the Empyrean himself, and instead having them come to him, most would think that only showed the good relationship between the Supreme Chancellor and the Empyrean, when in fact it wasn't like that at all.
Everyone knew so as well, because the Empyrean has very clearly been making waves of their own profit from this and they didn't exactly keep it secret as well. They did it out in the open, which would only go to further undermine Palpatine as a leader, as he had to rely on others to help him.
It has already been done with the Kaminoans and their clones, but with it happening again with the Empyrean left a bad taste in the senates mouths, so to speak.
Now, if the Republic didn't have some level of troops they could try and muster, then that was fine, but because of the war, other systems and planets started to get involved as well. The Republic wasn't just about to completely just rely on the clones, but they would certainly be their main forces.
Unfortunate for Palpatine it would seem that things were happening just at the right time, from a certain perspective, but from his, they would take a turn for the worst. And things were only just getting started.
Palpatine would have to do something, and something fast to make sure all of his plans dont get outdone simply because people started to question his rule. He liked that no one was doing so before, but now that things were becoming unprofitable for those within the senate.
For those that were corrupt, it would only mean that Palpatine would have to be called into question about what he is doing. About his incompetence and other factors gone into the current timeframe.
He may just very well reveal himself early and openly declare himself the Emperor of a new Galactic Republic as soon as he could, with the supporters he still had backing him and still swayed to his ideals.
Then there is the Separatists, which he could also swiftly bring back into the fold, making him probably the strongest military wise within the Republic against all others. He fears though that there would be yet another civil war if he does this, and it would probably take longer to deal with this one.
All of his work gone down the drain, is what would happen, but he needed to see if he could still seize complete control, and it just so happens he is unable to do so, then he would conquest as much as he could.
There is no one that could stop him, but for now, while he still has supporters, he would rather further consolidate himself and further implant the idea that he should be the Emperor of their new regime.
[]
"Do you know why I dont engage with you?" Anakin asked this question, posed to someone that was arguably left out of alot of things, especially since she herself was starting to notice it herself.
"Master, I wish to know." Rynalla said as she bowed her head in deference. A show of submission towards Anakin, and she was starting to look older now.
For Anakin had not given her immortality like he had to those he cared for, for those that were connected to him in a special way. He is aware that Rynalla held some level of affection and desire for him, but it was nothing more than an obsession.
It wasn't true love in the same sense that Padme was able to give to him, as she was different. Anakin and Rynalla had been around each for a bit and Anakin had never felt that connection, meaning that the Force didn't see them as compatible.
Not that the Force could dictate who he wanted, but it certainly at least wanted to look out, if only in a minor way, for him.
"Your 'love' is not love. It is an obsession, and you know this yourself." Anakin said as he gestured for her to take a seat as they were within the Empyrean Order.
"B-But-" It was as if she was trying to deny that it wasn't but Rynalla knew deep down that what Anakin had said is true. She didn't actually love him and instead just wanted him because he was attractive, and had taken her under his wing.
He had not really done anything else to indicate his own attraction, even if she knew that he had some level of lust towards her, it wasn't actual love but physical attraction.
"I cannot return or give you what you seek and desire. You are getting older now, and have more of your life left to you. You must give up your obsession, especially since it is the key thing holding you back." Anakin explained as it was true that within the Force, because of this mental block she was unable to move on with herself.
Not every woman in the world, the galaxy and universe belonged to Anakin.
It is also vice versa as well, because Anakin didn't belong to every woman in the universe as well.
"Why!? Why, why, why, why, why?" It would seem that Rynalla was having a break down, as what Anakin had just said implied that she would never have him, not in the same way his lovers would have him anyway.
"Rynalla. Calm down." This instantly got Rynalla to shut up as she obediently listened to Anakin's command. Sighing, Anakin continues. "I am not sorry for this. I cant be, for your emotions are something that you have to work through. Whatever has happened within your life that has lead you to this point, just know that I appreciate the things you have done for me."
"Really?" It would seem that Rynalla was taking it better than expected, or at least others would expect because Anakin knew Rynalla in and out, she would so very frequently be very. very open with him.
"Yes really." Anakin really didn't want to seduce the woman, but she was so easily swayed by him and his Force energy. Drawn to it like a moth to the flame, but she would burn herself the closer she got to the sun and Anakin needed to put a stop to this.
So instead of a sun, he had become a light within a orb. A lightbulb that would not harm her and at the same time reject any and all attempts at getting together with him, whether that be in the physical or emotional ways that she could.
If she didn't develop a Dyad at this point, then it only went to tell Anakin that she was not to be included within his wives, but he could always allow her to stay within the family so to speak. As she could still be considered a part of the family, but it wouldn't be anything more.
Nothing more than that.
"I... I think I will think on what you have said, Master." Rynalla replied.
"And please stop calling me Master. I appreciate the sentiment, but I am not your master, as the only master you should have is yourself." Anakin said with some exasperation leaking into his tone. "Please, just call me Anakin."
"A-A-A-" Rynalla was having trouble saying his name.
"That is ok. We can talk more about this at another time, but I suggest that you do some meditation with what we are, no, what you should feel when it comes to real love. I may not be able to one hundred percent know your experience, but I have tried my best to know and understand. I ask of you to understand where I am coming from in return." Anakin said.
"Yes, Maste-I mean A-A... Yes." She gave up at the end and just decided to leave in this instance as while hurt, it didn't make her go crazy at the thought of Anakin had just said. He had allowed her to continue being around him when she wants, just that it would never evolve into the level of desire that she would have wanted herself.
[]
Located at the peak of the southeast tower of the Temple, this circular chamber granted its occupants a rare glimpse of Coruscant. The Chamber itself existed in several incarnations over the years as the Temple grew, expanded, moved, and relocated.
However, the room has always kept the basic circular shape accessed by a single turbolift, high arching windows, and a ring of twelve cushioned chairs for the members of the august body.
Each of the stone seats were equipped with a holoprojector that could be used when a Council member was attending the meeting from a distant world.
One of the earliest versions of the Council Chamber, erected 4000 years prior to current events, was at the summit of a lone tower that stood at the center of a broad plaza. The simple chamber was equipped with a holoprojector capable of displaying images in the center of the room, as the Council did during the examination of the Padawan Massacre.
This room would soon be abandoned in favor of another domed room located near another tower. Similar to the previous meeting room the chamber was made of dark stone with a large, polished rock at the center of the circle. It was here that the Council banished the Revanchist Meetra Surik, who had returned to Coruscant after the Mandalorian Wars.
At the end of the trial, Surik drove her lightsaber into the center stone and left the Chamber indefinitely. Several years after this event the Chamber would be lost as the Sith Triumvirate began the First Jedi Purge.
The room would come into exist in its final, most recognizable form after the Temple expansion of 1000 years ago. Erected atop the Council Spire of the Temple, the chamber was ringed by a small corridor set between the inner and outer sets of transparisteel windows which granted a panoramic view of the cityscape.
The hall was accessible only to the members of the High Council and led down into the secured treasury room. A dedicated turbolift ran up the side of the Tower to deposit Jedi summoned by the Council into a small larmalstone lobby which served as entry into the vaulted chamber.
This turbolift was specially crafted with Force-inspired dynamics in order to accommodate Jedi of different species and size. The floor was decorated with a natural and circular motif symbolizing harmony and balance between the Jedi, the Council, and the Force.
Incorporated into the five pillars spread around the room were the supports and wiring for the reception and, or transmission antennas that crowned the spire. These antennas were responsible for feeding data to Jedi Command.
"Today, gather here to discuss Empyrean Order we are." Yoda said to everyone within.
"Yes, Anakin has gone ahead to create his own Order in an attempt to find harmony or balance within the Force. It would seem many others agree with his sentiments, as many, many people come there." Mace said.
"Wise, young Anakin is." Yaddle spoke as she was starting to feel more and more inclined to go towards the Empyrean Order. Especially since she was starting to feel a pull of sorts, a pull that comes from the Force that everyone else may be feeling as well.
With their foresight back in operation, they were now starting to feel the cry of the Force, of the light side that them staying here was dangerous. Tumultuous.
Many within the room were kind of surprised by Yaddle's input because it was rare for her to speak.
"Is there something wrong with the Empyrean Order?" Of course it was Ki-Adi-Mundi that went up to the plate and immediately wanted to know whether or not they would be taking care of the Empyrean Order, or Anakin.
"Wrong?" Yoda spoke, which immediately drew everyone's attention. "Practice of the dark side, the Empyrean Order does."
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