The last rays of the Coruscant sun streamed through the large panoramic window of the Chancellor's office, bathing the room in deep red hues. Palpatine sat behind his desk, fingers folded like a steeple, watching Sate Pestage intently.
Pestage was a native of Coruscant. He had become Palpatine's right-hand man shortly after Palpatine arrived in the capital as a senator from Naboo. He served alongside Kinman Doriana as Senator Palpatine's aide and accompanied him regularly in the Senate Chamber. Later, Pestage occasionally relayed messages from Palpatine to the captain of the Senate Guard. His unwavering loyalty, as well as his usefulness, ensured that he remained at Palpatine's side even after Palpatine was elected Supreme Chancellor.
In his official role as the Chancellor's personal adviser, Pestage oversaw Palpatine's schedule and managed the daily operations of his office. He also spoke on Palpatine's behalf at various meetings, issuing official statements on a wide range of matters—from refuting speculation about alleged Republican restrictions on podracing to dismissing rumors concerning Palpatine's health. In addition, he closely monitored the mood and political balance within the Senate.
Sheev Palpatine was well aware of the persistent rumors that Pestage was his stepbrother, his abandoned son, or some other relative. None of that was true. Sate was simply a loyal servant—utterly devoted to his master. And Palpatine trusted him more than any of his other advisers, with the sole exception of Sly Moore. And Pestage served not only Chancellor Sheev Palpatine, but Darth Sidious as well.
"Do you have something to say, Sate?" Palpatine asked calmly.
"No, my Lord."
Pestage hesitated, then continued, choosing his words carefully.
"It's… it's just that... um, Senator Chuchi's démarche came as a complete surprise to me. There were no precursors to such statements. Senator Riyo Chuchi of the Sujimis sector belongs to the neutrals. At one time, she was associated with the Loyalists, but recently she has not met with any of them. Unless…" He paused. "No—that seems unlikely."
"What are you talking about?" Palpatine asked.
"She did have a meeting with a Jedi, but it was completely unofficial."
"And this Jedi's name wouldn't happen to be Mikore Vikt?" Palpatine asked, following a sudden impulse.
He noticed Sate's momentary surprise.
"As always, you are correct, Chancellor. But how—?"
"I have other sources of information," Palpatine said, rising from his chair and walking toward the window. "In any case, Riyo Chuchi's actions serve our interests. Her speech was… inspiring, I would say. Continue to monitor the situation closely."
"Certainly, Lord…"
Gazing out over Coruscant at dusk—the multicolored lights of signs and holoscreens already beginning to glow—Palpatine sank into thought.
What kind of piece are you, Mikore Vikt?
A strange figure on the Moebius chessboard—at first glance, a pawn. But what lies behind the hologram of a seemingly soulless form? Too little information.
Years of practice had taught Palpatine to read intelligent beings and the motives behind their actions with flawless precision. Yet now, he found himself at an impasse.
There was a senator from a backwater world. After a conversation with a Jedi, she changed her views and delivered an unexpected speech—one that, for a moment, did not align with the Jedi Order's usual policies.
The question is: why does Vikt need this?
The sharp beep of a comlink pulled him from his contemplation of the cityscape.
"Chancellor Palpatine, Anakin Skywalker is here to see you."
"Send him in," Palpatine ordered.
How much easier everything is with Anakin, he thought. He's like an open book…
Suddenly, the chain of logic snapped into place.
Anakin Skywalker.
Padmé Amidala.
Jedi. Senator.
Vikt… Chuchi.
How simple it all was.
Palpatine laughed softly. The answer had been right in front of him all along.
An interesting pattern has been emerging lately, he mused. What do they see in them? Still, that hardly matters. What matters is whether this can be put to use.
"Chancellor? Are you laughing?" the Chosen One asked, his surprised voice echoing through the office.
"Oh, Anakin," Palpatine said warmly, turning toward the young man with a smile. "I'm simply in a very good mood today."
***
Our flight to Ilum will take thirty-six hours—after all, Ilum is far from Coruscant—and we will arrive in the morning. The excursion itself will take place during the day, which is only reasonable: even at noon, surface temperatures remain around minus thirty-five degrees, not to mention at night… After nightfall, we will return to orbit and set course back for Coruscant.
Despite the long journey, however, we have plenty to occupy ourselves with. Even Ahsoka and I.
Because there is another passenger aboard the ship. A rather… interesting one.
Once the younglings had rested—they were allotted eight hours of sleep—they gathered in a large room on the corvette's second deck. It was time for their lesson.
From behind rows of shelves packed with thousands of boxes, crates, and compartments emerged… a droid?
The figure bristled with manipulators, some of them even extending from its back. A pair of "eye" lenses glowed green.
"Greetings Greetings, young Jedi. My name is Huyang. Today, I will tell you about lightsabers…"
"Master Vikt, why is a droid teaching us?" Abussinian asked.
"First impressions can be deceiving," I replied calmly. "Trust in the Force."
Even as I spoke, I could already sense that this was no ordinary droid. And Huyang was quick to confirm it.
"That is correct—and yet, it is not," the being said. "I am a Shard: an inorganic, yet living crystal. This body is merely a shell that allows me to interact with the outside world. Long ago, a Jedi who visited my homeworld sensed my ability to perceive the Force. Since then, I have been a member of the Order. Yes… for several thousand years now. And for the past two hundred, I have served as a mentor aboard this ship.
"I have taught many generations about lightsabers," Huyang concluded, "and now, I will teach you."