See page 23 for previous part.
“Then, summon young Skywalker, we will.” Yoda said as a Jedi was sent to find Anakin and bring him to the Council room. I let out the breath I’d been holding and looked over at Obi-Wan. He nodded and though it was almost undetectable, he smiled at me. A few minutes later, Anakin walked in and stood in the center of the room.
“Allow this appointment lightly, the Council does not. Disturbing is this move by Chancellor Palpatine” Yoda said. I had to agree with him; this move was very disturbing.
“I understand” Anakin replied.
“You are on this council, but we do not grant you the rank of Master.” Mace said.
Even though I couldn't see his face, I could tell by Anakin's posture that he was insulted. “What? How can you do this? It’s outrageous; it’s unfair…how can you be on the Council and not be a Master?” He said angrily. At that moment, I wished he wasn’t my brother.
“Take a seat, young Skywalker” Mace said with firmness in his tone.
Anakin backed down. “Forgive me, Master.” He then sat down next to me. He glared at me and I shook my head at him. Obi-Wan looked over at me and shook his head.
“We have surveyed all systems in the Republic and have found no sign of General Grievous.” Ki-Adi mundi, who was communicating via holographic means, said.
“Hiding in the Outer Rim, Grievous is. The outlying systems you must sweep” Yoda said.
“It will take time; we do not have many ships to spare” Obi-Wan said.
“What about the droid attack on the Wookiees?” Ki-Adi asked.
Mace nodded. “It is critical we send an attack group there immediately.”
“He’s right; it’s a system we cannot afford to lose.” Obi-Wan said.
“It’s a system I know well.” Anakin said.
Mace looked sharply at him. The tension between the two of them was so thick you could have sliced it with a lightsaber. “Skywalker, your assignment is here; Kenobi must find General Grievous.”
“Go, I will; good relations with the Wookiees I have.” Yoda said.
“It’s settled then. Yoda will take a battalion of clones to reinforce the Wookiees on Kashyyk. May the Force be with us all” Mace said. With that said, we were dismissed. Anakin was the first to leave and Obi-Wan wasn’t far behind him. I could tell that Anakin was angry, and I personally didn’t want to get involved at the moment.
Barriss stopped me before I walked out. “You did well, Petra.”
“I did?” That was certainly news.
She nodded. “And I am sorry I doubted what you said about the Chancellor’s report. I’ve known Obi-Wan nearly all his life and I know that he would never break the rules like that.” She smiled at me and walked out. I sighed and walked on to the infirmary. Malee asked me how it went and I told her it went okay. She didn’t ask into it any further and I started working on even more filing.
“What kind of nonsense is this? Put me on the Council and not make me a Master? It’s never been done in the history of the Jedi; it’s insulting” Anakin said angrily as he and Obi-wan walked through the temple.
“Oh calm down Anakin. You have been given a great honor. To be on the council at your age, it’s never happened before. The fact of the matter is, you are too close to the Chancellor; the council doesn’t like it when he interferes in Jedi affairs.” Obi-Wan replied, somewhat calmly.
“I swear to you, I didn’t ask to be put on the Council” Anakin began.
“But it’s what you wanted. Your friendship with Chancellor Palpatine seems to have paid off” Obi-Wan said, biting off the last bit.
Anakin was obviously peeved. “That has nothing to do with this.”
“The only reason the Council has approved your appointment is because the Chancellor trusts you.” Obi-Wan said.
Anakin looked a bit puzzled. “And?”
Obi-Wan took a breath. “Anakin, I am on your side; I didn’t’ want to put you in this situation.”
“What situation?” Anakin queried.
Obi-Wan hesitated. “The council wants you to report on all the Chancellor’s dealings; they want to know what he’s up to.”
“They want me to spy on the Chancellor? That’s treason” Anakin said.
“We are at war Anakin” Obi-Wan said as they walked to an observation window.
“Why didn’t the Council give me this assignment when we were in session?” Anakin asked with his arms crossed.
“This assignment is not to be on record” Obi-Wan replied.
“The chancellor is not a bad man, Obi-Wan. He befriended me; he’s watched out for me ever since I arrived here.” Anakin said, defending the chancellor.
“And that is why you must help us. Anakin, our allegiance is to the Senate, not to its leader who has managed to stay in office long after his term has expired.” Obi-Wan said.
“But the Senate demanded that he stay longer.” Anakin retorted.
“Yes but use your feelings Anakin, something is out of place” Obi-Wan said, nearly about to lose his patience.
Anakin didn’t say anything for a minute. “You’re asking me to do something against the Jedi Code. Against the republic; against a mentor and a friend, that’s what’s out of place here. Why are you asking this of me?”
Obi-Wan grew sober. “The council is asking you.”