Part 9 (2/2)
Sagely, Sidious nodded. ”Yes, yes, Master Yoda. I have no doubt of that. My confidence in your ability to overcome this regrettable reversal in our fortunes is unshaken, I do a.s.sure you. ”
The investigation was doomed to failure, of course-as was the purging of the GAR comm systems. The handful of Separatist operatives responsible for planting the various computer viruses in those strategic s.h.i.+pyards were long gone. The sabotage had been planned and executed months ago and the viruses designed with a time-release feature so that n.o.body involved in their creation or deployment would be found.
Better yet, there were other, dormant comm viruses yet to be revealed. Yoda and his precious Jedi and the GAR had no idea what awaited them.
”Truly, Master Yoda, ” he added, refilling both their cups with fragrant tea. ”While I appreciate how concerned you are about this unfortunate communications situation, my office's support for the Jedi remains undiminished-as I insisted only today, when asked by HoloNet News for my opinion of the war effort. ”
Yoda's ears dipped, the tiniest fraction, and his stubby fingers tightened around the handle of his cup.
Sidious hid a smile. ”I do avoid making public statements to them whenever I can. Generally speaking I find these journalists strident and confrontational-but Mas Amedda a.s.sures me that I must, from time to time, relax my standards. Would that it were not necessary.
Master Yoda. But I feel confident that today, at least, I've managed to sh.o.r.e up any wavering public support for the Jedi. ”
”Appreciate that I do, Supreme Chancellor, ” said Yoda, after a brief hesitation. ”Patience the public must have as the defeat of Count Dooku's Separatists we pursue. ”
”That's very true, ” Sidious said gravely. ”I know I have great faith in the efficacy of patience. Although I fear it is fast becoming a lost art. Now, was there anything else you wished to tell me, Master Yoda?”
Yoda put down his cup. ”To Master Windu did I speak earlier, Supreme Chancellor. Almost restored the Kothlis spynet facility is.
Significantly upgraded has its security been. ”
Yes, so he'd heard. The news did not please him. He'd been hoping for a few accidents. A little useful friction. ”Excellent, Master Yoda. I knew we could count on Master Windu for that. Although... ”
”A concern you have, Supreme Chancellor?”
42.”I'm afraid I do, ” he said. ”I'm not at all sure that the compromise proposed by Senator Organa is going to work out long- term. In light of that monster Grievous's attack, Kothlis's new government is understandably nervous. They've begun expressing certain...
reservations... about the notion of us removing experienced s.h.i.+ps and personnel from patrolling their system and handing over their protection to less seasoned GAR troops. ”
Yoda looked like he wanted to spit. ”Told I am, by Master Windu, that exceeded expectations the younger clones and their GAR officers have. Fearful for its future Kothlis need not be. And needed elsewhere Master Windu and the experienced GAR personnel are.
”Oh, I know, ” he said, raising a placating hand. ”Master Yoda, you don't need to convince me. But my friend, herein lies the heart of our dilemma. By your own admission we are heavily reliant upon the intelligence gathered by Kothlis and its sister facilities on Bothawui. ” He leaned forward. ”Now, if it should come to pa.s.s that these shortsighted bureaucrats lose faith in our ability to protect them, well, as far as I can tell there is nothing stopping them from reconsidering their loyalties. Do you see what I'm saying?”
”To the Separatists you think they might turn?” Yoda's ears flattened and his lips pinched tight. ”No sense of that do I feel in the Force, Supreme Chancellor. ”
Delicately he cleared his throat. ”Haven't you said. Master Yoda, that the dark side clouds the future? I'm afraid, if that's the case, that I can't help wondering if you're absolutely certain you can rely on what you feel. ”
And there again, sharply, he noticed that flare of unbridled anxiety in the little green troll.
”Confident I am that abide by its agreement with us Kothlis will, ” said Yoda, his emotions under control again. ”Trust me on this you must. ”
”Of course, of course, ” Sidious said, exhibiting the proper amount of hasty a.s.surance. ”I'm so sorry. Master Yoda. I had no intention of suggesting that you are anything but in total control of the situation. ”
Yoda nodded. ”Know that I do, Supreme Chancellor. And appreciate your support the Jedi do. The Jedi's staunchest ally in this war you are. ”
He was hard put not to laugh out loud. ”Indeed I am, Master Yoda. Indeed I am. But still-I must insist that Master Windu remain on Kothlis for the time being. Until its government is less skittish. ”
”Supreme Chancellor...”
”Please, Master Yoda, ” he said, pretending distress. ”Do not make me take a tone we'll both regret. In this instance, I'm afraid politics must trump strategy. ”
”Very well, Supreme Chancellor, ” Yoda said after a moment. ”For the time being. ”
”Excellent. ” He looked at the chrono glowing on his desk. ”Now, I should let you get back to the fight. Only-before you go-if I might beg an indulgence of you and ask for word of young Anakin? I had thought to invite him to speak about the Jedi life with a delegation from the Rantofaran Conglomerate but I can't seem to find him. ”
Yoda went so completely still he came close to vanis.h.i.+ng within the Force... and then his simmering anxiety leapt again, like a supernova. Leapt so high and so hot that it actually threatened to escape his formidable control.
”Young Skywalker?” said Yoda, the faintest thread of tension in his voice. ”On Coruscant he is not at present, Supreme Chancellor. ”
Yes, you old fool. That much I had ascertained for myself. ”He's on a mission, then?”
And oh, how it galled Yoda to admit even that much. ”Yes, Supreme Chancellor. With Master Ken.o.bi has he gone. To see you I will send him when he returns. ”
Sidious waited a moment, in case Yoda decided to supply- even a crumb of information about Anakin's latest a.s.signment. When it became clear that the Jedi had no intention of confiding details-and knowing that to push would achieve nothing but a stirring of Yoda's suspicions-he accepted the temporary defeat and smiled.
”Well, Master Yoda, whatever my young friend is doing I'm sure it will end in yet more brilliant success, ” he said. ”And I thank you for giving up your precious time to me this evening. I know how tired you must he, working so diligently for our Republic's victory.
But unless there's anything urgent I should know, I'm afraid I must ask you to excuse me. I have some rather tricky negotiations to 43 conclude with the Shahmistra of J'doytzin Three. One of those awkward conversations that sadly cannot be trusted to the Diplomatic Bureau. ”
”Of course, Supreme Chancellor, ” said Yoda, and slid from his chair to the floor. ”Apprised will I keep you of matters regarding Kothlis. And if further whispers of dissatisfaction from its government you should hear... ”
”Then I shall tell you immediately, ” Sidious said. ”On that you have my word. ”
Yoda nodded, the closest he ever came to a properly respectful obeisance, summoned his gimer stick to his hand and made his doddering, ancient way out of the office.
Darth Sidious watched the doors hiss shut behind his enemy, then indulged in a single, silent snarl of fury. How unfortunate that Palpatine did indeed have a meeting with the tedious Shahmistra. But when that business was concluded and the night belonged to him alone, then would he investigate this matter of Anakin.
For I am uneasy. I sense that something is wrong.
Vaguely disquieted, Yoda returned to the Temple in a Senate speeder, so deeply lost in thought that for once the beauty of the Coruscant night failed to touch him.
There was nothing specific he could point to, but of late he found himself uneasy in Palpatine's presence. He couldn't explain it. He knew only that something felt... off-kilter. But so much was off-kilter these days that he'd kept his feelings of unease to himself, not even confiding them to Mace Windu.
Was it Palpatine's continued meddling with Anakin Skywalker? Never in the administration's history had a Chancellor been so personally involved with the Jedi. Or was it Palpatine's slow and steady march toward absolute control in the Senate? It didn't matter that not once had he requested these expansions of his jurisdiction, these amendments to the Republic Const.i.tution that allowed him such far-reaching influence over so many lives. Nor did it matter that the more power Palpatine was given, the more reluctant it seemed he was to use it, stepping in to resolve a dispute or create legislation only when the Senate begged him to act. And of course he was never anything but fulsome in his praise and steadfast in his support of the Jedi.
Even so, by this politician troubled I am. Trust him more I would if his ambition could I clearly see.
And that thought had him shaking his head. Surely a politician motivated purely by service to the Republic, with no thought for his own success or personal power, was precisely the kind of leader these dark times required? Wasn't that Bail Organa's brand of politics, and did he not trust and admire the senator from Alderaan? Yes. He did. Which must mean his concern over Palpatine was misplaced.
After all, Senator Amidala had complete faith in him. And as he trusted Bail Organa so did he trust Naboo's former queen.
But trust them more than my own feelings, do I?
<script>