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By Root 3204 0

I have this discussion after Master Yoda was thought to have been killed at Ithor?” Before Mace could respond, he continued: “You see, the problem here is one of appearances. While I can appreciate the need to keep secret some intelligence, many in the Senate do not. In the instance of Belderone—and largely because it constituted a Republic victory—I was able to allay the fear of certain Senators that the Jedi are taking the war into their own hands, and are no longer accountable for their actions.”

Mace’s nostrils flared. “We can’t allow the Senate to go on dictating the course of the war.”

Yoda nodded, sagely. “Miring the Jedi in uncertainty, some of the Senate’s decisions are.” He looked askance at Palpatine. “A matter of appearances, this is.”

Mace made it emphatic. “We’re not rogues.”

Palpatine spread his hands in a gesture of appeasement. “Of course you’re not. Nothing could be farther from the truth. But, as I say … Well, if nothing else, the Senate at least needs to believe that it is being kept informed—particularly in light of the extraordinary powers it has granted this office.” He sat straighter in the chair. “Not a day passes that I am not subjected to suspicion, accusations, suggestions of ulterior motive. And, I will tell you, the suspicions do not end here, in this office. They extend to the role of the Jedi in the war. Master Jedi, we cannot, under any circumstances, be perceived as being in collusion.”

Yoda frowned. “In collusion we must be, if victory the goal remains.”

Palpatine smiled tolerantly. “Master Yoda, far be it from me to lecture someone of your vast experience on the nature of politics. But the truth of the matter is that with the war now exiled to the Outer Rim, we must be judicious about the campaigns we undertake, and about the targets to which we assign our forces. If a lasting peace is ever to be achieved when this madness concludes, each and every act from this point forward must be handled with utmost delicacy.” He shook his head. “Many worlds, loyal to the Republic, circumstance forced us to sacrifice. Others that joined the Separatists may wish to return to the Republic. These aren’t matters with which I wish to burden the Jedi. But they are the province of this office, and I need to place them first and foremost.”

“The lessons learned from a thousand years of serving the Republic aren’t entirely lost on us,” Mace said strongly. “The Jedi Council is fully aware of such concerns.”

Palpatine took the rebuke in stride. “Excellent. Then we can move on to other matters.”

Mace and Yoda waited.

“May I inquire as to how the Jedi learned of Grievous’s plan to attack Belderone?”

“A hyperwave transceiver that belonged to Viceroy Gunray was seized at Cato Neimoidia,” Mace explained. “The device allowed Intelligence to decipher the Separatist code. A message transmitted by General Grievous to Viceroy Gunray regarding Belderone was monitored, and we acted on it.”

Palpatine was staring at him in disbelief. “We have the ability to listen in on Separatist transmissions?”

“Unlikely,” Yoda said. “After Belderone.”

Palpatine considered it, then frowned. “For Belderone you forfeited the ability to continue monitoring the Separatists.” He took a breath, and the frown ebbed. “Had I been included in this matter, I would have made the same choice. But I must add, Master Jedi, that I am greatly displeased about having been circumvented. Why wasn’t I told? Am I to infer from this that you no longer trust me?”

“No,” Yoda almost barked. “But into this office, come and go many. Our own counsel we kept.”

Palpatine’s face took on sudden color. “And yet you continue to place full trust in those around you? Do you realize how some might respond to that, when many of your Order have deliberately absented themselves from the war, and some have even gone over to the Separatist side?”

“A decade old, such reproaches are, Supreme Chancellor.”

“I fear you delude yourself in this instance, Master Yoda, if you believe that the passage of time makes those ‘reproaches’ any less valid to your critics.”

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