Chapter 5 Attack of the Clones Part 1

"Holocron?" Anakin asked with interest as Obi-Wan finished his communication.

"No!" Obi-Wan declared with a definitive tone. Anakin, who had been meditating while practicing his telekinesis, smiled.

Obi-Wan had received a new assignment from the Council to retrieve a holocron found during an excavation. Of course, Anakin wouldn't miss this mission.

"Master, I see you suspect my intentions, and I won't deny it. My interest in this mission is solely for the holocron, but you can't stop me, as the Council is eager to send me out," Anakin said. Obi-Wan looked at him helplessly because he knew it was true.

Anakin hadn't gone on any missions outside the temple, even though Obi-Wan had had many in the year and a half he'd been there. As Anakin was his padawan, this was unusual, but it was Anakin himself who refused to go, claiming he had too much to do and couldn't waste time on useless missions. But this mission wasn't useless, as it could put his hands on a holocron.

"Anakin, you can't be so brazen," Obi-Wan reprimanded.

"Master, I'm not brazen; I'm honest with my master. You should praise me for that. Now, if you go and tell the Council that I only accompany you for the holocron, then I will be brazen, and I'll deny everything," Anakin said firmly.

Obi-Wan sprang up and glared at him in anger, then took a deep breath to calm himself. Having a negotiator as a master had its advantages.

"We will present ourselves to the Council, pack your things," Obi-Wan said dejectedly.

...

That same day, they were on their way to an excavation on a planet called Dallenor in a junk spaceship, a T6 shuttle created by the Jedi Order for missions like this. The shuttle was a monstrosity, with twenty-two meters of total waste and huge wings. It was like a mobile dinosaur.

Upon arrival, they met a scared Togruta archaeologist because pirates wanted the holocron. She hastily led them to the excavation, ancient ruins with tall halls. Inside, at the site indicated by the Togruta, they encountered a band of pirates who shamelessly demanded Obi-Wan's lightsaber. Anakin could only blink and watch as the Jedi defeated them all with extreme ease.

While Obi-Wan dealt with the pirates, their leader noticed Anakin and tried to take him hostage. Anakin waited until he was a meter away and, using telekinesis, first took away the blaster, then the clothes to check if he had anything useful. However, aside from some coins and a low-quality dagger, he had nothing useful.

Anakin sent him flying, and upon landing, the pirate began to scream, likely suffering an arm fracture, but Anakin didn't care and amused himself with the blaster. He kept it to take to his lab and got rid of the dagger and coins, as he wasn't interested.

"Master, it's just a blaster. I have dozens of them in my lab, and I haven't killed anyone yet," Anakin said with annoyance. "Now, let's find that holocron," he added.

"Anakin, I'm not handing over that holocron," Obi-Wan said firmly.

"Master, I would never expect that," Anakin replied confidently.

Anakin wouldn't waste his time that way; he would simply steal it. Obi-Wan looked at him suspiciously, but he hadn't done anything.

The archaeologist, still surprised by the fight, approached them and led them to the holocron. Obi-Wan distrusted Anakin and wanted to return to the temple as quickly as possible, but Anakin damaged the vehicle they were in, and they couldn't leave. They had to stay for one more day, and while Obi-Wan slept with one eye open, Anakin carefully examined the holocron.

Obi-Wan had placed the holocron in a secure box, fearing that Anakin might make it disappear from his hands. However, in the box, it was vulnerable to the Force, and blocking Obi-Wan's perception was a task Anakin had a year and a half of experience in.

The next day, Anakin was not satisfied. He hoped to gain deep and meaningful knowledge but found barely anything valuable in the holocron. It wasn't a total loss, but he expected more.

…

The next morning, they obtained the spare part that had malfunctioned and returned to the temple. Anakin noted as one of his priorities to get a suitable ship, as he considered a shuttle without any means of defense or attack to be a space tomb.

…

Upon returning to Coruscant, there was a small uproar because Padmé had kept her promise, and after a year and a half, the heads of fifteen senators had already rolled, and another hundred were involved in a bitter legal battle, including the Trade Federation, which had good lawyers and friends in the Senate and courts. However, Padmé appeared in court and threatened to investigate the judges if the case was dismissed. Now, the Trade Federation was in trouble.

Anakin knew they might get away with it in the end, but it would cost them dearly, and they would lose many allies in the process, fulfilling Padmé's goal of weakening Palpatine's influence.

…

Time passed, and Anakin received his lightsaber. This turned out to be more of a nuisance than an advancement, as with the lightsaber in his hands, he had to accompany Obi-Wan on all his missions, gaining no benefit other than combat experience.

…

As time went on, the crisis in the Republic intensified. With only ten to twelve thousand Jedi Knights, the Jedi had to address the needs of billions of people on hundreds of thousands of worlds across the galaxy. Only a small percentage of those worlds, less than one percent, were in conflict, but that was already too much for the Jedi. Even if all the Jedi gathered on Coruscant and tried to restore order on all levels, it wouldn't be enough. The Senate and Council's administration was inefficient, and Palpatine took advantage of it, causing conflicts everywhere and drawing the Jedi's attention while secretly acting elsewhere to prepare new, increasingly larger conflicts.

Anakin was perhaps the only person in the galaxy aware of Palpatine's movements. While he couldn't see the future or a person's movements at will, as he had explained to Palpatine, knowing the plans and actions of that person allowed him to easily infer their future actions.

That's why Palpatine, who knew the Jedi perfectly, was always ten steps ahead of them throughout the war. However, Anakin didn't intervene in any of Palpatine's plans, who was now the Supreme Chancellor and increasing his influence with each conflict. Anakin kept an eye on him but focused solely on his training and research when free from Council missions.

Anakin was more interested in adapting his knowledge to the technology at his disposal to ensure his own safety and that of those close to him. The technology he knew from Xion was very limited in this world. First, there were the nanites. There was no Naquadah to create them, and there was nothing similar in this world, as Naquadah was a room-temperature superconductor, a stable energy source, and an easily manipulability and processable material. The neutronium used by the Asgard and the Replicators to create them was something he hadn't seen because the technology to obtain it was too advanced for this world, and Anakin didn't want to spend decades creating it.

Anakin needed tangible advantages, and the best he could come up with was to use the world's own technology to create what he needed. While he couldn't create nanites, he could make a less powerful version, providing him significant advantages. It was also the card he needed to play against Palpatine, so Anakin used most of his free time in its creation.

Another crucial research for him was ship improvement because he had plans to, once he could get his hands on a ship, turn it into a proper cruiser. This was very easy for him, as he could enhance any energy source in this world if he managed to connect it to subspace and obtain energy from there.

Of course, this research was ultra-secret because if Palpatine got his claws on it, Anakin's life would become very difficult. Fortunately, the Jedi Temple remained relatively isolated from Palpatine's influence. Although he had the Jedi under his thumb, he couldn't pull too hard, as they might sense his presence.

…

Ten years after acquiring Xion's memories, during a negotiation mission, Anakin had a vision. Although he usually had visions at will, this one came as a Force warning, one of the few times the Force communicated directly with him. Anakin tried to focus on the mission as best as he could, but once it was over, he returned to the temple and hurried to meditate to assess the situation, as the vision was related to his mother and a tragedy that had befallen her.

…

After two hours of meditation, Anakin stood up feeling a familiar presence approaching. He stood with his hands behind his back, waiting in his simple three-by-three-meter room, which had a carpet instead of seats. There was no kitchen, only a somewhat small bed. Austerity was part of the Jedi philosophy to foster humility. In his mind, Anakin declared, "What a bunch of idiots!" However, he was anxious and fearful as the decisive moment had arrived. His destiny and path to follow were now in the hands of the council.

Obi-Wan frowned upon entering and seeing Anakin waiting for him. He looked at him in surprise for a moment. Anakin remained standing, with his feelings already in order and without doubting his determination.

"Anakin, has something happened?" Obi-Wan asked seriously. Anakin nodded.

"I'm afraid this time things are a bit challenging," Anakin said. "I've had a vision of the future," he added, and seeing Obi-Wan getting ready to give a predetermined speech, he continued speaking. "I've had this vision repeatedly during our last mission, but only now have I managed to clarify it. The Force is screaming in my mind, so I have no doubt it's real, and I will act accordingly," Anakin explained clearly, staying calm.

Obi-Wan frowned and reflected for a few seconds. Although he continued to ignore Anakin's warnings about the future, just like the Jedi Council, Anakin's expression warned him that there would be severe consequences if he tried to give his predetermined response that the future was constantly changing.

Ten seconds later, Obi-Wan responded, gesturing towards the carpet.

"Padawan, sit down so you can tell me about your vision and your decision to act," Obi-Wan said with a formal and serene tone.

The Negotiator was coming into play, meaning they would have a serious conversation. Anakin sat on his legs, and Obi-Wan sat in front of him in the same position, trying to perceive his emotions to determine if his Padawan was serious or just pretending.

"Master, the vision is about my mother, as I had already mentioned to the Council. I have never ceased to feel attachment to her, despite the Force warning me that holding onto it is dangerous and may lead me to the dark side. However, I have chosen to maintain that attachment and never part from her, as she is a part of me," Anakin declared calmly. Obi-Wan tensed, but he didn't speak, simply gesturing for him to continue.

"Master, in my vision, my mother has been attacked by the savage tribes on Tatooine, and at this moment, she is kidnapped by them, being tortured every passing day. If I don't do something, she will die in a few more days.

"After meditating and seeking guidance from the Force, which, despite warning me of the danger, has decided to support me like a doting mother, I am talking to you to discuss the situation.

"As for the decision I have made, there are actually two, and they depend on your decision and that of the Council. The first is the less risky of the two and involves sending a Jedi along with a medical team to rescue my mother within a two-day timeframe. After that, it will be too late. The second option is the riskiest for me and involves going myself, as my feelings will surely spiral out of control upon seeing her situation, and anger will cloud my reason. I don't know what I will do at that moment," Anakin said sincerely.

Anakin was familiar with the tribal customs of the savage Tuskens, but it was his mother who was being harmed, and while he wouldn't kill children like the Anakin from the movies, he might brutally attack the adults, as the overwhelming anger and fury he was experiencing were intense.

Obi-Wan reflected for a few seconds while Anakin remained calm, releasing his emotions of anger through the Force. Anakin knew that Obi-Wan was testing his determination and looking for some way to change his mind. The Force confirmed his thoughts.

After a minute, Obi-Wan remained undecided.

"Anakin, do you understand your decision and the possible consequences?" Obi-Wan asked seriously. Anakin nodded calmly. Obi-Wan seemed perplexed, and it took him several seconds to recover before leaving through the door, still seemingly uncertain of reality.

Anakin wondered if the Jedi Council would expel him. His refusal to give up his attachments was already a serious matter, and demanding his help to protect the people he loved would be unacceptable.

Anakin sighed, as he really had nothing more to do in the Jedi Temple. He had learned everything he wanted to learn. His defensive and offensive skills were complete, as were his knowledge. He only had to study the holocrons to see what else he could learn, but he could only do that by becoming a master. Additionally, he had developed his perception ability to the same level as Yoda. His ability to foresee the future was much superior to Yoda's. Anakin had also learned healing, although he kept this a secret as it was his most powerful card in case of unexpected attacks and to protect his loved ones.

Another skill Anakin had developed secretly was matter transmutation, although it was a side effect of his main combat ability. He wouldn't use it in front of anyone, just like healing, unless his life or the lives of his loved ones were in danger.

Anakin had perfected space movement, a technique that some skilled Jedi already used on a small scale, moving only a few meters with a quick teleport.

However, Anakin knew, thanks to his knowledge from beyond this world, that this could be taken further. He had taken the technique to the maximum, being able to move from one place to another on a planet without difficulty. Moving between planets was a greater challenge, and he wasn't sure if he could survive. In principle, he would say it wouldn't be possible, but if cornered, he would have to test his limits.

With healing and teleportation on his side, combined with all his skills as a sensor, lightsaber proficiency, common Jedi abilities, and his overwhelming superiority in Force affinity, granting him overwhelming power, Anakin was reasonably confident of surviving. However, he would have to wait to face Dooku to confirm if his skills were truly good or if his ego was as inflated as the Anakin from the movies, who claimed to be an unparalleled genius but was easily defeated by Dooku in seconds.

As for his research to improve existing energy sources, he was about to finish, but he needed money and at least one more year. He only had a small laboratory, and his access to advanced tools, plants, and factories was nonexistent, so he did everything by hand. Fortunately, Anakin was a Jedi, and the Force in his hands was an unmatched precision tool.

In addition to this, Anakin's research was not limited to creating an energy source. He was also experimenting with the technology of this world to create nanobots and use kyber crystals as a cannon. These would be things that could give him more power and that he could use freely.

…

Obi-Wan returned a few hours later and looked at Anakin with dismay as he rose from his meditation.

"Anakin, the Jedi Council requests your presence," Obi-Wan informed, with a stunned tone due to Anakin's decision. Anakin nodded and walked past him to head to the meeting place.

"Anakin, please reconsider!" Obi-Wan pleaded before he left.

"Master, I haven't stopped reflecting for a moment, but my decision remains firm," Anakin said without stopping. Obi-Wan sighed disappointed and powerless.

…

Anakin walked, observing the temple, which was beautiful in its own way. It had a certain Roman air in the open spaces, futuristic geometry, and somewhat medieval decoration, contrasting with the advanced technology present everywhere.

Anakin thought that if Xion had arrived earlier, he could have handled things differently, but now nothing more could be done. Playing along with the Council and Palpatine was the path to the dark side, and Anakin was not willing to live a miserable life for them. He would show them his contempt and follow his own path. At least in that future, there was still hope.

…

Reaching the Council took them a few minutes, and they were told they would be received after half an hour in which Anakin sat down to meditate. His feelings facing a change after ten years in that place were not pleasant. He had grown accustomed to his disputes with the Council elders.

…

After half an hour, Anakin stood up and responded to Obi-Wan's call, as the Council would receive them at that moment.

Anakin entered and observed all the masters as he advanced to the center. They were all there, and Anakin knew their names, but he focused on the two most extremist ones, who were also the leaders of the order and seemed to have the final word on everything. The others merely expressed their opinions and then ignored them if these two didn't like them. This was wrong in so many ways that Anakin didn't bother to think about it.

"Masters," Anakin greeted with a nod, looking at Yoda, who remained just as wrinkled and small, and Windu, who looked like Samuel L. Jackson in person.

"Worrying is your new attitude," Yoda said, shaking his cane and chewing his own saliva. Although he seemed like a helpless old man, Yoda was one of the strongest in combat, perhaps on par with Master Windu.

"Master Yoda, your words are correct and appropriate, but they sound false to my ears, as if there are other intentions behind them and they are not genuine," said Anakin, causing a start from Obi-Wan and a furrowed brow from most of the masters, who were shocked but showed admirable control by merely furrowing their brows.

"Masters…" Master Yoda raised his hand to stop Obi-Wan's excuses.

"Clear has been your Padawan, Obi-Wan, but his words you have not understood," said Master Yoda, then looked at Anakin. "Your opinion will be discussed, but now, your most urgent decision is," Yoda added, and Master Windu nodded, so everyone fell silent.

"I am only here to hear the Council's decision, as I have nothing more to add to what I have said, and I trust my master has conveyed it to you," said Anakin. Master Yoda nodded.

"Determination you possess, but explanations we need," said Yoda. Master Windu nodded, and the rest of the Council hurried to ask questions.

"Young Padawan, do you understand that your decision is not approved by the Jedi Code and that you will be expelled from the order if you insist on it?" asked Master Ki-Adi-Mundi.

Anakin nodded, considering it an obvious question. He wasn't there to argue with these elders, only to show them disdain. The Jedi master made a small grimace at his irresponsible and indifferent response.

"Padawan, please explain the reasons behind your actions," said another voice, and Anakin turned to see the speaking master, frowning.

It was a Togruta who had replaced Yaddle on the council more than eight years ago, as Yaddle had focused solely on teaching since then. Anakin was surprised that this time they asked him about his motives, as they had previously only reprimanded and punished him.

"This time, the punishment could be expulsion, so they are acting seriously and cautiously," thought Anakin.

Anakin nodded, directing his gaze to Shaak Ti, whose facial pigmentation almost seemed like a mask.

"It all started when I began having Force visions of the future and my mother's death. At first, I dismissed them because I was on a peace mission, but a few hours ago, I revisited them and had a vision that I couldn't ignore about my own path, forcing me to rethink what I am doing and what I want to be. I reached the decision I expressed to my master, and I believe it is the best for both you and me.

"The reason behind this is that I have come to understand that I cannot give up my attachment to my mother. Trying to do so would destroy one of the parts I consider the best of me. I suppose it's something you cannot comprehend, but it is not necessary that you do, as I believe you were always right about me. This world has already had too much influence on me for me to become the Jedi you intended me to be. In conclusion, I am wasting my time and yours here, so I admit my failure and ask you to consider my decision, as I have no intention of retracting it at all," explained Anakin.

"Young Skywalker, your explanation is clear. Now, decide the council must," said Master Yoda, and the other masters nodded, although many did so reluctantly.

"Now, we can discuss your earlier assertion," said Master Windu disapprovingly.

"Young Padawan, you have insinuated that the words of concern from Grand Master Yoda are not genuine and, consequently, that he does not understand what he has meant," said an elderly Cerean, who was Master Ki-Adi-Mundi. Anakin nodded.

"Concern is care, fear, zeal, and goodwill. It is a pure feeling. However, considering I am a Padawan expressing an opinion contrary to what you deem right, and that it will force you to make a difficult decision, the words expressing concern are correct and appropriate, but they are false because they were not backed by the right feelings. These were alarm, contrariness, denial, helplessness, a hint of resistance, and, above all, incomprehension. Therefore, what they conveyed was actually fear," concluded Anakin, leaving half of the council with their mouths open. Even the little troll frowned.

"Padawan, your words and your assessment of feelings and emotions are outstanding, but your conclusion is not, for according to what you have said, it could be argued that Master Yoda could express fear, which is understandable in this case," said Windu with a stern tone. Anakin shook his head.

"Fear and terror are similar but differ at a very important point, and that is that fear is based on knowledge of danger or a situation. And this difference is the most Important because if you fear something, you will react. You won't approach it; you'll go around it and look for other alternatives. In conclusion, you will continue to reason. In contrast, terror comes from incomprehension, based on ignorance. It paralyzes you, doesn't let you react. You can't make decisions. You let the world decide for you. You make excuses. In fact, it's the same whether you are or you are not. You are a puppet of the situation you find yourself in…"

"Young padawan!" reprimanded Windu angrily.

Anakin nodded and fell silent without explaining further. Obi-Wan was pale, and the masters were in shock, radiating denial all around. The only one who seemed to listen was the accused, who was Master Yoda himself, and he raised his hand to calm Windu, who seemed prepared to give him a severe reprimand. Yoda did not speak immediately; he seemed to be analyzing every word.

"Ignorance, young Padawan, your point is," said Yoda. "And detailed your explanation is. Another point you wished to expose and prove. Your ultimate goal this council is," said Yoda, making a grimace while looking at the other masters, who blinked. "Young Padawan, the facts are clear," he said with disappointment and a sigh.

Anakin nodded, as he had confirmed all his assumptions about them. They were afraid and incapable of doing anything. That's why Palpatine won in the end. Only this green troll could stay calm among all of them, but being wise was not enough to face Palpatine, who had no scruples and knew in detail everything they would do.

"Masters, once I read something in a not very popular story. 'Laws are dead, people are alive,'" said Anakin, and as Yoda had already given him permission to leave, he walked away from the place, dragging Obi-Wan, who was still pale and in a state of shock.

…

"Anakin! Do you know what you've done?" reprimanded Obi-Wan when he could recover from the shock upon reaching his room.

"Yes, I've shown the council that they act guided by fear, and even a Padawan can put them in a state of panic with a few simple words," explained Anakin. Obi-Wan blinked.

"What?" he asked.

"I explained to them what fear is, and they immediately responded with fear, exposing them. They are a bunch of useless. You can't trust them. You have to take everything they say with a grain of salt," said Anakin as he meditated again on his rug, inviting his master to join him.

In summary, he had trolled that bunch of old folks, and he had done it with ease because he knew where to hit them the hardest, in their sacred code. Palpatine had done the same to them over and over, but that bunch of foolish old people hadn't realized anything. Of course, it was already too late. Even if he showed them how easy it was to manipulate and make them dance like puppets, Palpatine had already taken power and set his plans in motion. They couldn't escape without shedding a lot of blood, but the time to act had come, and he could already defend himself. Therefore, letting out some truths wasn't too much.

Anakin closed his eyes after sitting down, as that matter did not concern him for now. He would wait to see if the council expelled him or not before worrying about his next step.

…

A couple of minutes later, Obi-Wan sat in front of him.

"Anakin, Windu will want to tear you apart for this," warned Obi-Wan with no sense of humor.

"Calm down, Master. Physical punishments are not allowed, at least not directly. Just in case, deny any training with Master Windu from now on, as if they expel me, I fear his anger might fall on you," warned Anakin. Obi-Wan blinked, realizing that was a possibility.

"Anakin, one of these days, you'll be the death of me," complained Obi-Wan.

"Master, I'll try to avoid that fate," said Anakin.

"You'll try?" asked Obi-Wan, stunned, as it wasn't the first time he complained that way, and Anakin always denied it, but now he just said he would "try."

"The ways of the Force are mysterious. Please, focus on your meditation," said Anakin. Obi-Wan opened his eyes, sighed, and returned to his meditation to try to calm his emotions.

…

The Jedi Council took two more hours to call them, but this time, they didn't have to wait upon arrival, as the doors opened immediately. Obi-Wan paled upon entering again, as there was a predominant emotion in the room: anger, centered on him and, by extension, his master. It was evident that Master Yoda had explained to the densest of them that they had been trolled.

"Young Padawan, this council will send a Jedi to the planet known as Tatooine, and a medical team will accompany him to rescue your mother, if your visions are correct," declared Master Windu.

Obi-Wan, who expected a death sentence, looked at them without understanding. Anakin nodded and bowed to them as a sincere expression of gratitude.

"Information that will aid in the rescue, do you wish to contribute?" said Yoda.

"She lives on a moisture farm and is no longer a slave. The Tuskens have her, and their initiation rituals in their clans are savage. They torture people to determine if they are worthy of the register. My mother won't withstand these tortures for much longer," explained Anakin.

"Young Skywalker, very specific, your vision is," insinuated Yoda. Anakin looked beyond the council.

"Master, I understand what you mean, but I'm not hiding information out of resentment. I'm just tired of warning you again and again, and there's nothing you can do to prevent the war that is about to come," explained Anakin sincerely.

"Padawan, if you refer to the situation in the Senate, there is still debate on whether the Republic should have an army or not. Politicians will take time to approve it, and there are strong opponents," said Master Windu, with a tone of reprimand.

"The decision will be approved in a few days, and the Republic already has a trained and prepared army. The Separatists have also created an army of droids. The war will start in a week, or two at most. And as I've told you, there's nothing you can do to stop it," said Anakin, returning his gaze to Master Windu, who looked at him without understanding. The other masters frowned in denial, and there was unconcern on their faces.

"Where is this Republic army?" asked Shaak Ti, and the other masters looked at her.

"I'm afraid I can't tell you, as the life of a dear friend would be in danger if I alter what will happen. But my master will find out in a few more days," explained Anakin, and this time the council looked at him seriously.

"Your previous trial was not a warning. It would be more appropriate to call it confirmation," said Master Yoda. Anakin nodded.

"You've been manipulated and blinded. War looms over you, and even though you've witnessed it, you've ignored it. Now you can't do anything to prevent it. My purpose was to determine if you did it consciously or unconsciously, and to my great disappointment, you're not even aware of what you've done.

"The truth is, I'm dissatisfied with the current state of affairs. The war will be a tragedy, and I feel powerless about it. But, as I mentioned before, at this moment, there's nothing you can do, so I prepare to save what I can. As for the rest, I hope you won't call me a hypocrite for following advice I never accepted from you, but I'll simply leave that behind, not look to the past, and focus on the present," said Anakin.

Everything was falling apart. It wasn't his fault that things had come to this point. If he had known everything before Palpatine set his plans in motion, he would have confronted him and ended it all, but it was too late, and the Sith Lord was in power. There was a war planned when he was just a powerless child. He wasn't a wizard.

"Anakin!" reprimanded his master uncomfortably, as basically his words were, "The ship is sinking, everyone save yourselves, I'm already taking the first boat." Anakin shrugged, as he had said before, he wouldn't be a hypocrite; he was saving himself. His master looked at him helplessly and gave an apologetic glance to the council.

"Discuss this, we must," said Master Yoda to conclude the session.

Anakin was still in the Order; they had yielded or at least postponed an expulsion decision when the Jedi Code was clear and concise about what should be done in cases like this. A Padawan who openly refused to comply with its most important rule should be expelled, but there he was, and his mother would be safe.

Of course, Anakin didn't trust the council, and he would confirm with his own eyes that his mother was okay. As for his warning about the war, Anakin knew they would ignore him again, especially because he dared to claim that the war would start in a few days. Anakin could only return to his meditation.

…

"Anakin, I think you should stop meditating," said Obi-Wan when Anakin sat down to meditate.

"Master, please, no jokes, I'm…"

"Anakin, you're just talking nonsense! The Republic has no army, and the separatists are just angry people. There are no signs of an imminent war in the next few days," interrupted Obi-Wan with concern, as always when Anakin warned of a future war.

"Master, if there won't be a war, that's good for us. Please, don't get upset about this. I'm just a Padawan, and if what I'm saying is nonsense, it won't go beyond that. But if I'm right, I must proceed with my own salvation plans.

"Don't worry, as I told you before, I'll do my best to make sure you're in good condition too. I'm not trying to save or escape alone," explained Anakin.

Obi-Wan sighed but said no more, relieved that they hadn't expelled him.