They drew up in front of a hearing room and walked inside. It was small and private. A long table took up most of the room, with seats equipped with repulsorlift motors that could adjust to the differing heights of many species. Bog sat in a seat at the center of the long table, with Bail Organa opposite him.
Bog spoke into his data recorder in a low tone. "Supreme Chancellor arrived. Meeting will start on time."
Chancellor Palpatine sat at the head of the table and indicated that Anakin take a seat behind him. Bog half-rose, then sat again, as if uncertain what protocol to follow.
"I am here as the head of the Senate investigating committee on Jedi Order abuses," Bog began. "The committee has entered its findings and has delivered an official petition to ban the Jedi from future Senate business.
We request from the Supreme Chancellor an override of Senator Organa's counter-petition to stall our petition in a separate committee. We believe it must be debated in the full Senate and acted upon immediately."
Palpatine turned. "Senator Organa?"
"Senators from two hundred planets have signed a protest and request to investigate the petition committee for undue bias in its deliberations,"
Organa said. "Until that investigation is concluded, the Senate can hardly debate the recommendations of the committee. Let alone vote on the issue."
"I have reached a ruling," Palpatine said.
Bog and Organa looked surprised.
"Th-the Supreme Chancellor has hardly had enough time to consider… I have not had a chance to refute…" Bog stammered in confusion.
Palpatine held up a hand. "Relax, Senator Divinian.
I rule that you may enter, debate, and vote on the petition to bar the Jedi Order from any further action on behalf of the Galactic Senate."
Palpatine rose, as Bog looked pleased and Bail Organa looked stunned.
"The vote should take place quickly — " Bog urged.
"I agree. The debate and vote shall take place tomorrow after the All Planets Relief Fund ceremony."
Bog stood and bowed. "Thank you for your ruling, Supreme Chancellor. I assure you it is in the best interests of the Senate."
"I assure you that the best interests of the Senate are always my first concern," Palpatine replied, and swept out.
Anakin followed him hastily. He was surprised and dismayed by the meeting. He had expected to hear a spirited debate, and hoped to see the justly renowned Bail Organa in action. But he never expected that Palpatine would rule for Bog.
"You look lost, Anakin," Palpatine said with a slight smile as Anakin swung into step beside him.
"Well, I have to admit I'm surprised. Why did you allow Bog to win?"
"I gave Bog what he wanted because I am sure he will fail," Palpatine replied.
Anakin was suddenly struck. Wasn't this what he had suggested to Obi- Wan earlier? He had wanted to do the same for their enemy, Omega.
"Bog doesn't know it, but he just destroyed his career," Palpatine said.
Palpatine wasn't gloating, Anakin thought. That would be beneath him.
But he did look rather… satisfied.
He remembered back on Romin, when he had felt a surge of power, realizing that the Force could not only allow him to move objects, but also to see into motivations and consequences. Many beings were transparent in their greed and ego, just as Bog was. Thinking several steps ahead was not that difficult.
Palpatine understood this; did his Master? Obi-Wan was so cautious.
Anakin glanced at Palpatine, admiring how he moved through the Senate halls. He did not exaggerate his power but he did not diminish it. He accepted it and accepted the ways in which he would have to use it.
How satisfying it must feel to simply wait for events to unfold as you have foreseen them, Anakin thought. How powerful to know the outcome before it happened. This was what he could learn — and not from his Master. From Palpatine.
Chapter Fourteen
At the Jedi Temple, Obi-Wan pored over the schematics for the water delivery system in the targeted area of Coruscant. Siri and Ferus showed him what they'd learned from the experts they'd consulted.
The laser map was holoprojected, and Siri used a laser pointer as she spoke. "The access points are here, here, and here, including the tunnel outside Dexter's Diner. They're the most likely places to strike. But of course with Omega we have to think of the least likely, too. That would be here and here. We've got Senate security forces on each point. All undercover, highest-level clearance. In addition, we have Jedi teams patrolling."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Looks good." "What about the thread analysis?" Ferus asked.
"Looks like a dead end," Obi-Wan reported. "A question of too much information rather than too little. The droid analyst says it's common throughout the galaxy. Thousands of uses and manufacturers. The computers are breaking them down into zones of probability, but…"
Siri looked back at the holoprojection map. "We have everything covered, Obi-Wan."
"But you do not feel secure."
Siri's eyebrows knit together. "No."
"Nor do I."
Ferus hooked his fingers into his utility belt. "I have a feeling none of us will be sleeping tonight."
Obi-Wan and Anakin spent the night patrolling the streets and sky lanes. Keeping out of sight, the Jedi made sure the water delivery system remained untouched. Master Windu had allocated the necessary resources to do so. Nevertheless, Anakin and Obi-Wan watched the watchers. They did not know when Omega's team would strike, but they felt they could not trust anyone else to be fully prepared. They knew Omega's cunning.
The first rays of the sun were flashing on the Temple spires as Obi- Wan and Anakin returned from their rounds. Waiting for them in the Great Hall were Jedi Master Soara Antana and her apprentice, Darra Haariden.
Anakin hurried forward to greet his friend Darra. He had barely seen her since their mission to Norah, where she'd been wounded.
"How are you doing?" he asked.
"Running on a full tank," she replied, her eyes smiling.
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan drew Soara aside.
"Thank you for coming so quickly," he said. "Is everything.."
Soara nodded. "They're having breakfast at the moment. Master Alann is with them."
Anakin overheard and shot his Master a curious look, but Obi-Wan merely said, "Meet us at Dexter's Diner at the prearranged time."
Anakin joined Obi-Wan. He raised his eyebrows in a question.
"The fear you saw on Astri's face," Obi-Wan said grimly. "I want to make it go away."
It took some persuading, but Astri agreed to meet him. Obi-Wan waited outside Dexter's Diner. When he saw her approach, he walked forward to greet her.
"Obi-Wan, I can't interfere with Bog, even for you," she said before he could speak. "I'm a Senator's wife now."
"Why can't you meet my eyes, Astri?" he asked. "Don't be ridiculous,"