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Palpatine shook his head. “Some of those Outer Rim worlds were Republic worlds, taken by force. And I fear we risk setting a dangerous precedent by allowing the Confederacy to retain them. I believe, furthermore, that now is the very time to press our attack, until the Separatists no longer present a threat to our way of life.”

“Is there not some other way than continued warfare?” Bail asked. “Surely Dooku can be persuaded to listen to reason now.”

“You misjudge his resolve, Senator. But even if I’m wrong, suppose we decide to cede some worlds, as a conciliatory gesture. Who will choose which worlds? Me? You? Shall we submit the matter to a Senate vote? And how might the denizens of those ceded worlds respond to our gesture? How would the good people of Alderaan feel about being a Confederacy world? Should loyalty to the Republic count for so little? Such decisions were what prompted many worlds to ally with Count Dooku in the first place.”

“But can we even triumph in the Outer Rim,” Eekway said, “with the army so reduced, the Jedi so dispersed? Might it not appear that the Jedi are deliberately perpetuating this war?”

Palpatine stood up and paced away from his huge chair, turning his back to everyone. “This has become a very regrettable situation—one we have attempted to correct, with limited success.” He swung around. “We must consider how others view this war. A former Jedi at the helm of the Separatist movement; the clone army of the Republic led by Jedi … Many remote worlds see this war as an attempt by the Jedi to dominate the galaxy. To many, the Jedi were not to be trusted before the war—in part as a result of the aggressive negotiations they were constrained to undertake during the terms of my predecessors. Word reaches those same worlds that it was the Jedi who invaded Geonosis, all because two of the Order had been sentenced to death for espionage. We know better, of course, but how to amend the misinterpretation?”

Realizing that he had allowed the discussion to go off track, Bail said: “Returning to the matter of rescinding the Security Act—”

“I serve the Republic, Senator Organa,” Palpatine said, cutting him off. “Introduce a measure to repeal in the Senate. I will accept whatever outcome ensues from a vote.”

“Will you remain impartial during the debates?”

“You have my word.”

“And these amendments to the Constitution,” Mon Mothma started to say.

“I view the Constitution as a living document,” Palpatine interrupted. “As such, it must be allowed to expand and contract according to circumstances. Otherwise, what do we have but stasis.”

“If we can be assured of a certain … exhalation of power,” Bana Breemu said.

Palpatine grinned faintly. “Of course.”

“Then we’ve made a beginning,” Padme said. “Just as I knew we would.”

Palpatine beamed at her. “Senator Amidala, is that not the droid Jedi Skywalker constructed?”

Padmé looked at C-3PO. “Yes, it is.”

For a moment it appeared that C-3PO was speechless—but only for a moment.

“I am honored that you remember me, Your Majesty,” he said.

Palpatine returned an abrupt laugh. “A title more fit for a king or emperor.” He glanced at Padmé. “In fact, I have just spoken with him, Your Highness.”

“Anakin?” Padmé said in surprise.

Palpatine held her gaze. “Why Senator Amidala, I do believe you’re blushing.”

Returning to the launching bay with Yoda, Obi-Wan observed Anakin and Yoda trade the briefest of looks, the meaning of which escaped him. Neither Jedi appeared to be bothered by the silent exchange, and yet Yoda doddered off without a word to speak with the Intelligence analysts huddled near the shuttle’s boarding ramp.

“Jedi Council business?” Anakin asked when Obi-Wan joined him.

“Nothing of the sort. Yoda believes that the mechno-chair may yield clues to the whereabouts of Darth Sidious. He wants us to take up the search.”

Anakin didn’t respond immediately. “Master, aren’t we obligated to notify the Supreme Chancellor of our find?”

“We are, Anakin, and