I looked down and knew he could sense my mixed emotions...my fear, confusion...All of it. I took off in the opposite direction. I would go and see the Chancellor now, while I had some free time. Minutes later, I stood looking out Palpatine's window, looking out into the city. The air was brown and hazy.

Most of the city had recovered from the battle, but there were still many buildings that had been damaged and that still were. There were some missing ones as well because they'd been completely destroyed.

I was suddenly angry at what the Separatists did to the city.

"This afternoon the Senate is going to call on me to take direct control of the Jedi Council," Palpatine said, staring out at the city.

I couldn't believe it. Complete control of the Council? It couldn't be! "The Jedi will no longer report to the Senate?" I asked him.

"They will report to me...personally. The Senate is too unfocused to conduct a war. This will bring a quick end to things," he said.

Why would he talk about the Senate like that? I wondered. At least the war will soon end...hopefully.

"I agree," I decided at last out loud, "but the Jedi Council may not see it that way," I continued.

"There are times when we must all endure adjustments to the constitution in the name of security," he said.

I remembered what Obi-Wan said and tried not to think about what I really thought about all this. "With all due respect, sir, the Council is in no mood for more constitutional amendments," I said respectfully.

"Thank you, my friend, but in this case I have no choice...this war must be won," he said, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Everyone will agree on that," I replied. Surely the Council would see it that way. If not...Have they really been so worried about the Chancellor and politics that they've forgotten that it's the war that's the most important? No...They've sacrificed as much as anyone in this war...I thought. Guilt easily hit me.

Guilt was an easier feeling to deal with than...Than thoughts of losing Padme. That was unbearable.

"I've known you since you were a small boy. I have advised you over the years when I could...I am very proud of your accomplishments. You have won many battles the Jedi Council thought were lost...and you saved my life. I hope you trust me," he said.

I looked back up at him. "Of course," I answered without hesitation. I trusted him with my life. It felt good to be praised instead of lectured. I swallowed back the guilt at thinking that. Obi-Wan had been a good friend, also, but...Sometimes I enjoyed hearing Palpatine's encouragements.

"I need your help son," he said warily. His eyebrows scrunched up and he suddenly seemed stressed. I stretched out with the Force and sensed he was worried about something.

"What do you mean?" I asked him.

He turned away from me and walked across his office. "I fear the Jedi. The Council keeps pushing for more control. They're shrouded in secrecy and obsessed with maintaining their independence....ideals I find simply incomprehensible in a democracy," he explained.

I suddenly felt like he was wrong. He'd never been wrong before and Obi-Wan had said that the dark side was growing...But there was no way I could believe that.

"I can assure you that the Jedi are dedicated to the values of the Republic, sir," I argued.

"Nevertheless, their actions will speak more loudly than their words. I'm depending on you," he added suddenly.

"For what? I don't understand," I admitted.

"To be the eyes, ears and voice of the Republic."

How? I thought. I'll never have a chance to be on the Council. Once they find out about Padme...They'll expel me and then what? I felt as lost as I had back when I was nine and wasn't allowed to be trained.

There's no avoiding this, I thought in despair.

"I'm appointing you to be my personal representative on the Jedi Council," Palpatine said suddenly.

I looked at him in disbelief. My arms uncrossed and I could only stare at him as he walked down a small flight of stairs that led into the bigger part of his office. No words would form.

I swallowed and once I could say something I said, "Me? A Master? I-I am overwhelmed, sir."

The Council will never accept me! They elect their own members and the Chancellor has only just been given the power over the Council. "The Council elects its own members," I told the Chancellor. "They will never accept this," I continued.

"I think they will," he answered. His voice was firm. "They need you...more than you know."

Hours later, I was sitting outside the Jedi Council room where they were discussing the Chancellor's request. Just an hour ago, the Senate had given Palpatine control over the Jedi Council...Given him more executive powers.

I sat there, staring into nothingness. Will they even let me stay once they find out about the baby? Once I'm a Master, then....Perhaps they will. It's never been heard of, but...I just can't imagine my life without the Jedi in it, I thought.

I used the Force to hone in my emotions and thoughts. I felt a good feeling overcome me and I knew the Force was in me and running through me. The door suddenly opened and someone motioned for me to go on in. I walked into the center of the Council chambers. I remember the looks of it perfectly. All the Council Members, Masters, sat in chairs in a circular formation around the room. The chairs were all evenly spaced apart. There were windows that stood the height of one wall of the chamber. Master Windu, Yoda and Obi-Wan all sat beside each other.

I stood in the center and glanced at Obi-Wan. I noticed that Plo Koon and Ki-Adi-Mundi were holograms.

"We have approved your appointment to the council as the Chancellor's personal representative," Master Windu said.

I couldn't believe it. "I will do my best to uphold the principles of the Jedi order," I promised, bowing my head to them.

"Allow this appointment lightly, the Council does not. Disturbing is this move by Chancellor Palpatine," Yoda told us.

"I understand," I said, honestly.

"You are on this Council, but we do not grant you the rank of Master," Master Windu said, looking at me.

"What?" I asked in utter disbelief. I looked around and met Obi-Wan's gaze. He looked down. I glared back at Master Windu. "How can you do this? This is outrageous! It's unfair...I'm more powerful than any of you. How can you be on the Council and not be a Master?" I demanded. I tried to hold back my anger, but I couldn't believe that they'd do this to me. It was wrong, they were wrong.

"Take a seat, young one," Windu snapped.

"Forgive me, Master," I said, bowing respectfully. I sat down as Ki-Adi-Mundi started giving us an update. I glanced at Obi-Wan and he lightly shook his head at me. I looked at the floor, slightly embarrassed, but more aggravated than anything else.

"Hiding in the Outer Rim, Grievous is. The outlying systems, you must sweep," Yoda answered Ki-Adi-Mundi.

"It may take some time," Obi-Wan added. "We do not have many ships to spare," he continued.

"We cannot take ships from the front line," Mace concluded.

"And yet, it would be fatal for us to allow the droid armies to regroup," Obi-Wan pointed out.

"Master Kenobi, our spies contact you must, and then wait," Yoda commanded him.

"What about the droid attack on the Wookies?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked.

"It is critical we send an attack group there immediately," Windu said. I looked at them, but avoided everyone's eyes, still annoyed.

"He's right; that is a system we cannot afford to lose. It's the main navigation route for the southwestern quadrant," Obi-Wan agreed.

"I know that system well," I put in. "It would take us little time to drive the droids off that planet," I continued.

"Your assignment is here with the Chancellor and Kenobi must find General Grievous," Windu ordered, looking at me.

I looked back at the floor. Why didn't they trust me to deal with things anymore?

"Go, I will. Good relations with the Wookies, I have," Yoda said.

"It is settled then. Yoda will take a battalion of clones to reinforce the Wookies on Kashyyk. May the Force be with us all," Windu said.

Through the rest of the meeting while everyone was planning strategies and attacks, I used the Force to calm my anger down.

Once Obi-Wan and I walked out of the doors and down a hallway, though I couldn't help but let my anger out. I vented to Obi-Wan, hoping it would help.

"What kind of nonsense is this?! Put me on the Council and not make me a Master?! That's never been done in the history of the Jedi! It's insulting," I grumbled. I looked at Obi-Wan.

"Oh, calm down. You have been given a great honor. To be on the council at your age...It's never happened before. Listen to me. The fact of the matter is that you're too close to the Chancellor. The Council doesn't like it when he interferes in Jedi affairs," Obi-Wan explained.

I understand that. What are they worried about with me being close to the Chancellor? He's only ever guided and helped me! What's important is winning the war. All this mistrust between Palpatine and the Council and the Council and Palpatine...It's absurd, I thought. Plus, I hadn't even asked the Chancellor to be on the Council. He offered it to me because he knew he could trust me.

"I swear to you I didn't ask to be put on the Council," I told him.

"But it's what you wanted," Obi-Wan told me. He had a point and I couldn't say anything to argue with him so I let him continue. "Your friendship with Chancellor Palpatine seems to have paid off," he added.

"That has nothing to do with this," I muttered angrily.

"Regardless of how it happened, you find yourself in a delicate situation," he warned.

I scrunched up my eyebrows in confusion. What? "You mean divided loyalties," I guessed out loud.

"I warned you there was tension between the Council and the Chancellor. I was very clear. Why didn't you listen? You walked right into it," he said.

Into what? "The Council is upset I'm the youngest to ever serve," I concluded after thinking, they're just jealous.

"No, it is not. I worry when you speak of jealousy and pride. Those are not Jedi thoughts. They're dangerous, dark thoughts," he said, seeming to read my thoughts. He stopped walking and looked at me.

I looked down at the floor. He knew me almost as well as I knew myself. "Master, you of all people should have confidence in my abilities. I know where my loyalties lie," I told him confidently. I couldn't go against the Jedi, no matter what. They were my life.

But the Chancellor had been my friend for as long as I'd been a Jedi. When Obi-Wan said he hoped so, I could sense there was more than he was letting on. What was he hiding from me, and why? "I sense there's more to this talk than you're saying," I pointed out.

"The only reason the Council has approved your appointment is because the Chancellor trusts you," he said.

"And?" I asked, wanting him to continue.

"Look, I am on your side, I didn't want to see you put in this situation," he said warily.

What was he talking about? He walked away from me so I couldn't read his expression. "What situation?" I asked.

He took a deep breath before explaining. "The Council wants you to report on all the Chancellor's dealings. They want to know what he's up to."

Spy on him? That's ridiculous! "They want me to spy on the Chancellor? That's treason!" I shouted.

"We are at war. The Jedi Council is sworn to uphold the principles of the Republic, even if the Chancellor does not," Obi-Wan explained.

Palpatine upholds the principles of the Republic! He's the Chancellor; he's supposed to in order to maintain order in the Senate, I thought. "Why didn't the Council give me this assignment when we were in session?" I asked.

"This assignment is not to be on record. The Council asked me to approach you on this personally," he admitted.

"The Chancellor's not a bad man, Obi-Wan. He befriended me. He's watched out for me ever since I arrived here," I told him. I couldn't help the slight anger at what they were asking of me; what he was asking of me.

"That is why you must help us. Our allegiance is to the Senate, not to its leader who has managed to stay in office long after his term has expired."

"Master, the Senate demanded he stay longer," I protested.

"Yes, but use your feelings, something is out of place," he said with an intensity I hadn't noticed before.

"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," I said. I walked away from him, toward a window.

He didn't say anything. The Council are the ones going against the Jedi Code. How could they ask such a thing of me? What if I don't? It's the only reason they accepted me into the Council, so if I don't do it...will they dismiss me out? No...that's never been done, I thought. My thoughts were rushing around.

"Why are you asking this of me?" I asked him at last, looking at him.

"The Council is asking you," he answered, looking at me in the eyes. I could feel the honesty in that, but it didn't make the load any easier on me. I looked back at him and nodded my head slightly. He walked off without another word.