Encounter with a Senator

{Skip travel cutscene}

The travelers exit the T-6 shuttle and step foot on Coruscant after an unproductive trip of probing each other for information. Though Mission did have fun teasing the padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi. She had a particularly good laugh when she managed to nick his lightsaber and switch it with his master's.

On exiting the ship, they're greeted by an older man in a luxurious robe.

"Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Master Quinlan Vos, a pleasure to see you, though I wish the circumstances were better."

Qui-Gon is the one who replies while Bastila and Mission study the new character. "Indeed, Senator Palpatine. After the reception my padawan and I received from the Trade Federation, things proceeded to get worse. We've come to give our report to the Jedi Council."

The Senator nods. "Of course, of course. But I can't help but notice that Queen Amidala is not with you, and that you seem to have acquired some traveling companions." He raises an eyebrow at the two girls' presence, curious about who they are.

"These two are Bastila and Mission, we met them on Tatooine where we separated from the Queen. They will also be meeting with the Council."

"Ah, how interesting. Though I would appreciate it if you could enlighten me as to why the Queen is not with you, and where she might have gone." His smile is a bit strained, though he ensures that it doesn't show.

'Damnit! Without the Queen to call a vote of no confidence, all the preparations I've made over the past week will have gone to waste! And there's something strange about these two…'

He extends a tendril of Force energy from his feet, extending towards the two girls to see if he can peek at their minds. But before the tendrils can cross more than half the distance, they vanish!

The shock from having the tendrils obliterated put a powerful strain on his mind and he staggers back. For a moment he panics thinking that the Jedi have suddenly seen through him, but the concerned looks on their faces reassures him.

"Pardon me, I seem to have become a bit light-headed." After being reassured that he's fine, the Jedi take a step back.

"You should rest, Senator. We shall not take up anymore of your time and take our leave.

Palpatine nods his head, still dazed and confused. If it wasn't the Jedi who attacked him, then that only leaves…

He suddenly feels an intense pressure fall on his shoulders, and the only reason he doesn't stumble again is that he's already making an effort to hold himself steady. As the group walks past him, Bastila whispers to him. "Parlor tricks are meant to teach patience and control, not to be used against those with experience. Next time you won't be let off so easily."

As he's left alone on the platform, no longer under the pressure he felt, something else replaces it.

Rage.

'How dare she! I am a Sith! My power is great enough to have the entire Order under my thumb without them even realizing it! And now some random no name woman has the audacity to claim one of my premier techniques to be nothing more than a parlor trick!? This offense shall not go unpunished!'

While the Sith apprentice rages impotently, he's too distracted to sense the tool he trained unconscious on the ship, a thermal detonator inside his pants rigged to an elaborate set up. One can only hope he doesn't wake up, nor anyone tries to move him…

As they follow the Jedi to a parked airspeeder, Mission whispers to Bastila. "Sith?"

A slight nod. "Indeed."

"Huh." She considers for a moment. "The Jedi don't know?" A head shake. "... Should we tell them?"

At that Bastila snorts, though the Jedi are too far ahead to hear it. "I don't think we shall. While his connection to the Force is strong, his technique is lacking. Though projecting a mental technique from his feet is a novel idea." She considers him for another moment. "But given how easily I thwarted his attempts, he has not fought in a battle of wills with another Force user. He lacks the experience to make him a threat in battle."

Mission nods along with Bastila's explanation, having filtered out all the jargon and translating it to 'We can kick his ass without too much trouble'.

But as she comes to this conclusion, Bastila continues. "No, the danger he poses will be his influence. He's brazen enough to attempt the technique next to two Master Jedi, and they called him a Senator. So should he leverage that we will likely have various annoyances obstructing us." She grimaces at the inconveniences he can cause them.

"So instead of targeting him personally, we target his status. Make sure his reputation is in shambles so we can kill him without people getting bent out of shape about it." Mission nods her head, liking the idea. "At least we aren't going to be doing nothing, he really gave me the creeps!" A shiver goes down her spine and she wraps her arms around herself.

"Indeed. Which is why I did a little something before we left him." Her grimace turns into a small smile while Mission looks at her with widened eyes.

She's finally gotten Bastila to use the Force for pranks! She is a good influence on people! Her pride in Bastila's first step to becoming a prankster distracts her from the fact that she didn't actually give a reason to not tell the Jedi.

Meanwhile poor little Anakin walks directly behind the Jedi, completely forgotten by all involved while he takes in the sights with eyes full of wonder…

Palpatine finally collects himself enough that he can leave the platform. But when he takes a step, he trips on something! And as he falls his robe catches on something and rips, exposing the entire back of his body!

Picking himself up, face red with shame and rage, he curses his poor luck and quickly wraps the front of his robe around himself, hurrying to his enclosed airspeeder, unaware that his two guards are snickering behind their helmets.