Star Wars: The Holy Empire - Chapter 52

The Main ramp of the cruiser is lowered as Qui-gon, Obi-wan and Captain Panaka lead the Viceroy and the other Trade Federation prisoners towards the ship.

As soon as the ramp is lowered all of the way, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and several Republic Gaurds can be seen descending the ramp, followed by Yoda and several Jedi Masters.

Padme walks in front of Chancellor Palpatine and greets him.

“Congratulations on your election, Chancellor.” said Padme “It is so good to see you again.”

In Padme’s mind, she wasn’t truly happy about Palpatine becoming Chancellor since after thinking about what I said about him using the Trade Federation to invade Naboo and to use the invasion to kick Valorum out of his position and take it for himself, she decided to that it might actually be true. So Padme started to be vigilant and cautious of Palpatine and keep her eyes on him.

“It’s good to be home. Your boldness and ingenuity and your bodyguard who has saved our people, Your Majesty.” said Chancellor Palpatine “It is you who should be congratulated. Together we shall bring peace and prosperity to the Republic.”

“Yes, I do hope that is true.” said Padme while being stoic with Palpatine

“Now, Your Majesty. Can you tell me how you were able to get the Trade Federation’s Droid Army reprogrammed?” asked Chancellor Palpatine who then looked at me “Was it this one that did create the plan to take back Naboo?”

“Yes, I was the one who reprogrammed.” I said

“How were you able to sneak onboard the Trade Federation’s sh.i.p.s and how were you able to reprogrammed the droids?” asked Palpatine with a gentle looking smile on his face. “How and when did you have time to do all of this?”

“Sorry, that’s a secret, Chancellor” I said with a smirk

Palpatine never really took notice of me when I was on Coruscant but after learning from the Queen before she left Coruscant about me creating a plan to take back Naboo, he took more notice of me and he is now starting keeping his eye on me.

“I can see that you have lightsabers holstered on your belt.” said Palpatine “Are you a some kind of Jedi sent by the Jedi Council to protect the Queen.”

“Sorry but I am no Jedi” I replied ” I am something entirely different.”

“I see” said Palpatine “I would love to sit down with you and get to know you better.”

“Who knows if we will have a chance to talk since I am a very busy man” I said

“Well, if you ever find the time, lets sit down for some tea and have a friendly chat to become better acquainted.” smiled Palpatine

Off to the side Qui-gon and Obi-wan are greeting and discussing some matters with Yoda and the other Jedi Masters that arrived, as Captain Panaka takes the Trade Federation Prisoners onto the Chancellor’s cruiser.

-Later that afternoon in an empty room

“Obi-wan, confer on you, the level of Jedi Knight, the Council does.” said Yoda “But Qui-gon, agree on you taking this boy as your Padawan learner, we do not.

“But Master, you must feel it don’t you” said Qui-gon “The connect the boy has with the Force is strong within him. He must be the Chosen One.”

“The Chosen One the boy may be; nevertheless, grave danger I fear in his training.” sighed Yoda

“Master Yoda, I gave Anakin my word that he would be a Jedi.” said “I will train Anakin. With or without out the approval of the Council if I must.”

“Qui-gon, a lot of defiance in you. Wish you would reconsider, this I do.” said Yoda “The fate of the boy is too clouded, it is. Too risky to train the Council has decided, he is.”

“If that is how the Council thinks and if I can’t get the Council’s approval, then I will leave the Jedi Order and train Anakin by myself.”

“MASTER!?” cried out Obi-wan in shocked

“Sure you want to do this, are you?” asked Yoda

“Yes, I am sure” said Qui-gon “The Force brought me to Anakin so that I can train him in the ways of the Force.”

“Anything I can do to change your mind, is there?” asked Yoda

“Unless the Council lets Anakin join the Order and let me train him” replied Qui-gon “If not, then I have made up my mind to leave the Order.”

“If this is what you d.e.s.i.r.e, then inform the Council of your decision, I will.” sighed Yoda

Yoda walks out of the room, leaving Qui-gon and Obi-wan behind.

“Master, are you really sure about leaving the Order?” ask Obi-wan

“Yes, I am.” said Qui-gon “I feel that it is my destiny to teach Anakin the ways of the Force, and I believe its what the Force wants too.”

“Then let me follow you then.” said Obi-wan

“Are you sure about this Obi?” ask Qui-gon “You just received the title of Jedi Knight, are you sure you want to throw it away and follow me?”

“uuuuh” said Obi-wan with conflicted look on his face

Suddenly walking out behind some pillars, I appeared.

“I think it’s a good idea for you to follow your Master.” I said after appearing from behind a pillar

“Jerid, how long have you been here?” asked Qui-gon

“I have been here long enough to know that you are going to leave the Jedi Order.” I replied “As I was saying Obi-wan, you should follow your heart more instead of your head.”

“I don’t know” replied Obi-wan “I have been with the Order since I was a child.”

“If you need help making a decision, just think of Satine Kryze.” I said

“H…ho…how do you know about her” said Obi-wan fl.u.s.tered

“Thanks to the Force, I know a lot of things.” I said “I know that you have feelings for her, and that she also has feelings for you.”

“But the Code, it goes against the Jedi Code.” said Obi-wan

“Do you know that in the past, that the Je’daii Order which is the predecessor of the Jedi Order allowed their members to form relationsh.i.p.s, get married and have children?” I asked

“REALLY!?” said Obi-wan in surprise “Master, is this true?”

“It is, Obi.” replied Qui-gon “The Je’daii Order allowed marriage but later in history when the Jedi Order formed, the Jedi Council at that time knew that love can make people deceptible to the Dark Side.”

“So the Jedi Order was right to forbid love then.” said Obi-wan

“They were not right.” I said “Love is a wonderful and beautiful thing. It is a powerful force, that can make you more powerful and a better person.”

“But if someone loses a love one, they could turn to the Dark Side.” said Qui-gon

“Sure but it all depends on the person themselves if they turn to their Dark Side but losing a love one doesn’t mean they will turn evil it just a possibility” I said “The Jedi Council knowns this but they are too afraid to take a risk, so they banned love but I think the risk is worth it, because love is beautiful”

“He is kind of right my boy.” said Qui-gon “Love is like a double edge sword, Love can make one more powerful and a better person but it can make them more deceptible to the Dark Side if they were ever lose their loved ones.”

“It all depends on the person and you my boy are not that deceptible to the Dark Side” I said “I can feel that you are strong willed and righteous, so I am sure you won’t fall to your Dark Side.”

Obi-wan closed his eyes and started to think. After a few minutes of silence, and thinking, Ob-wan opened his eyes again.

“Thank you” said Obi-wan “I have made my decision. I will follow my Master and help him train the boy.”

“I am glad that you are willing to help me, Obi.” smiled Qui-gon

“Since you both are leaving the Jedi Order, why don’t you follow me on my journey?” I asked

“Thank you for the offer.” said Qui-gon “But I would like to take Anakin and Obi with me to find the ‘Wellspring of Life’ and train Anakin and teach him about the ways of the Living Force there.”

“Ah the Force Planet which is speculated to be the source of all life.” I commented

“You know about it?” asked Qui-gon

“I know more then just know about it, I even know the general location of the planet.” I said

“You do.” said Qui-gon with excitement on his face “Can you tell me where to find it?”

AUTHOR’S NOTES: Sorry for uploading the new chapter a day late, but I got very busy with preparing for my school’s winter camp classes. I was also outlining ideas, plots and details for my original novel I am planning on creating.