he was learning, even though he had not yet been able to sift through the
nuggets of wisdom.
"I have asked you here to thank you for your efforts on that day,"
Palpatine said. "The Senate came close to being destroyed. Please do not
fault me for saying this, but I feel that your Jedi Council did not fully
appreciate what you did that day. I watched you. I saw how many you saved.
I understand that Ferus Olin was given a special commendation for what he
did. I don't understand."
"You don't? He saved your life."
Palpatine stared out at the vast Coruscant cityscape. "Good of him, of
course. But no more than he was asked to do. Whereas you, Anakin, always do
more. I just think it's a pity that the Council doesn't see that. Perhaps I
should talk to Master Yoda - "
"No," Anakin said quickly. "He would think I wanted you to speak to
him about me, that I was seeking approval. Jedi do not seek approval."
"Then tell me, Anakin. From the point of view of a Jedi, since it is
sometimes difficult for those of us outside your order to understand it.
Why did Ferus Olin receive special notice, and you did not?"
"Because he did his duty," Anakin said. He tasted bitterness in his
mouth. "He obeyed his Master and stayed at his post. He saved your life and
dozens of other lives."
"You saved more."
"It was not a contest."
"No. It was a battle." Chancellor Palpatine sighed. He looked back at
the garden.
enter Palpatine's office. His Master saw them outside. He waited, not
wanting to interrupt.
"I see your Master has arrived to fetch you," Palpatine said, rising.
"I want you to feel free to visit me from time to time, Anakin. I know you
have other missions. And I know you will perform splendidly. I for one am
glad you are on my side."
"I am honored," Anakin said. He bowed his goodbye.
"Granta Omega," Obi-Wan said once Anakin had joined him in the hall.
"We don't know where he is. But we know where he's been."
Anakin looked back at Palpatine. Studying the Senate had not been as
bad as he'd thought. He'd been close to great power, the greatest in the
galaxy, and he felt he was just on the verge of learning more about it.
But he felt he was not meant for power struggles and intrigue - not
yet. He did not like to think about why the Jedi Council was so hard on
him, about why Ferus earned recognition from the Council when he did not.
He did not want these feelings. He wanted them to fall away and leave
him with his core, a core that was not threatened by what other beings
thought or said. On a mission, everything else did fall away. He was able
to concentrate, to focus.
He turned back to his Master. He was ready to go.