Chapter 20

The Senate building loomed before Kaedan Dorn, its massive dome gleaming in the Coruscant sunlight. He stood beside Master Windu, trying to quell the butterflies in his stomach. This was no ordinary security detail – they were here to meet with Supreme Chancellor Palpatine himself.

As they ascended in the turbolift, Kaedan's mind raced. He knew who Palpatine really was, what he would become. But knowledge and experience were two very different things.

The lift doors opened, revealing a reception area adorned with priceless artifacts from across the galaxy. A protocol droid ushered them into the Chancellor's office, where Palpatine sat behind an ornate desk, a grandfatherly smile on his face.

"Master Windu, always a pleasure," Palpatine said, rising to greet them. His eyes fell on Kaedan, a flicker of interest passing across his features. "And this must be your new Padawan. I've heard quite a bit about you, young Dorn."

Kaedan bowed respectfully, fighting to keep his expression neutral. "It's an honor to meet you, Chancellor."

As Palpatine began discussing recent Senate matters with Windu, Kaedan reached out with his senses, probing gently. What he felt nearly made him gasp aloud.

The darkness emanating from Palpatine was staggering. It wasn't just the absence of light, but an active, roiling malevolence that seemed to devour everything around it. Kaedan had known Palpatine was evil, but experiencing it firsthand was something else entirely.

"Are you alright, young one?" Palpatine's voice cut through Kaedan's thoughts. "You look a bit pale."

Kaedan blinked, realizing he'd been staring. "I'm fine, Chancellor. Just... taking in the view." He gestured to the panoramic windows behind Palpatine's desk.

The Chancellor's lips curved in a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Impressive, isn't it? The entirety of Coruscant laid out before us. Such power, such responsibility."

There was something in Palpatine's tone that sent a chill down Kaedan's spine. He knew he was standing in the presence of the most dangerous being in the galaxy, and it took every ounce of his training to maintain his composure.

The meeting concluded without incident, but as they left the Senate building, Kaedan couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over him.

"You sensed it, didn't you?" Windu's voice was low, meant for Kaedan's ears alone.

Kaedan nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

Windu's expression was grim. "The Dark Side clouds everything. We must be vigilant, Padawan. Not everything is as it seems."

Their conversation was interrupted by a familiar voice calling out, "Kaedan! Master Windu!"

They turned to see Anakin Skywalker approaching, accompanied by a strikingly beautiful young woman in elaborate Senatorial robes.

"Anakin," Kaedan greeted his friend, grateful for the distraction. "What brings you to the Senate?"

Anakin grinned, gesturing to his companion. "I was escorting Senator Amidala to a committee meeting. Kaedan, I'd like you to meet Padmé Amidala of Naboo."

Kaedan bowed, his heart rate picking up slightly. This was Padmé – the woman who would play such a crucial role in the fate of the galaxy. "It's an honor, Senator."

Padmé smiled warmly. "The honor is mine, Padawan Dorn. Anakin has told me much about you."

"All good things, I hope," Kaedan quipped, falling easily into banter.

Padmé laughed, a melodious sound that seemed to lighten the air around them. "Oh, mostly. Though he did mention you bested him in a sparring match recently."

Kaedan smirked and said, "Wow, I totally thought you'd lie about that."

"Wha-!" Anakin's cheeks reddened slightly. "I may have mentioned that, yes."

As they chatted, Kaedan found himself genuinely enjoying Padmé's company. She was intelligent, witty, and possessed a warmth that seemed to draw people in. He could easily see why Anakin would fall for her.

"So, Kaedan," Padmé said, her eyes twinkling with amusement, "Anakin tells me you have quite the sense of humor. Care to share a joke?"

Kaedan grinned, unable to resist the challenge. "Well, Senator, did you hear about the Jedi who could move things with his mind? He had a lot of Force-sight."

There was a moment of silence before Padmé burst into laughter, Anakin groaning good-naturedly beside her.

"Oh, that's terrible," Padmé said, wiping tears of mirth from her eyes. "I love it."

"Oh come on! I worked hard on that." He'd seen that joke on a forum before back on Earth, he thought it was quite funny.

Their levity was short-lived, however, as Master Windu cleared his throat. "I hate to interrupt, but we have matters to attend to, Padawan. We've been assigned a new mission."

Kaedan sobered immediately, his training kicking in. "Of course, Master. Where are we headed?"

"Mandalore," Windu replied, his tone grave. "There have been... developments that require our attention."

Kaedan's mind raced. Mandalore – home of the Death Watch, of Satine Kryze, of so many pivotal events in the story he knew. What awaited them there?

As they bid farewell to Anakin and Padmé, Kaedan couldn't shake the feeling that they were standing at a crossroads. The darkness he'd sensed in Palpatine, the light he'd felt in Padmé, the uncertain future stretching out before them – it all seemed to be converging, drawing them inexorably towards a destiny he wasn't sure he was ready to face.

But as he followed Master Windu towards the Jedi transport that would take them to Mandalore, Kaedan steeled himself. Mandalore couldn't be that bad, right?

___________________

As Kaedan and Master Windu departed, Padmé found her gaze lingering on the young Padawan's retreating form. There was something about him that intrigued her - a maturity beyond his years, coupled with a quick wit that had caught her off guard.

"He's quite remarkable, isn't he?" she mused aloud, almost to herself.

Anakin shifted beside her, a flicker of something - was it jealousy? - crossing his features. "Kaedan? Yeah, he's... he's a good friend."

Padmé turned to Anakin, noticing the slight tension in his posture. She placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "You speak of him often, Ani. I can see why. He seems to have a unique perspective on things."

Anakin relaxed slightly at her touch. "He does. Sometimes it's like he knows things he shouldn't... but in a good way, you know?"

Padmé nodded thoughtfully. "I'd like to speak with him more, perhaps invite him to one of my diplomatic functions. His insights could be valuable."

She noticed Anakin's brow furrow slightly and quickly added, "You'd be invited too, of course. Your presence is always welcome."

Anakin's face brightened at that, his momentary jealousy forgotten. "I'd like that. Maybe after they return from Mandalore."

As they walked back towards the Senate chambers, Padmé found her thoughts drifting back to Kaedan. There was a depth to him, a charm that she found fascinating. She made a mental note to keep an eye on the young Padawan's career. If Anakin liked him, there must be something to him.

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Chancellor Palpatine stood at the window of his office, his benevolent mask dropped now that he was alone. His eyes, momentarily flickering with a sickly yellow hue, stared unseeing at the Coruscant skyline.

The boy knew. Kaedan Dorn had sensed the darkness within him, and had peered behind the veil that fooled even the most perceptive Jedi Masters. It was... unexpected.

A slow, cruel smile spread across Palpatine's face. Unexpected, yes, but not unwelcome. This Kaedan Dorn was proving to be far more interesting than he had initially thought.

"Mas," he called out, his voice taking on the deeper tones of Darth Sidious.

His aide appeared almost instantly. "Yes, my lord?"

"Contact our agents on Mandalore. I believe it's time we... accelerated our plans there."

As Mas Amedda hurried to carry out his orders, Sidious turned back to the window, his mind working furiously. Young Dorn's ability to sense his true nature presented both a threat and an opportunity. How the boy acted on this knowledge would determine much.

"Let's see how you handle real darkness, young Jedi," Sidious murmured to himself. "Mandalore will be your crucible. Survive it, and you may yet have a place in the new order to come."

The Sith Lord's laughter echoed softly in the empty office, a chilling counterpoint to the bustling life of Coruscant beyond his windows. He was spoiled rotten. The chosen one and another with such potential...