Leaning forward, Mace caught the attention of the entire council. “So
we are in agreement then, with both master Kenobi and Knight
Skywalker being Coruscant locked, we station the 212^th and
501^st in strategic areas to shore up the defense of our
temple where the Sentinels and guards can not be?” He cupped his
hands together, glancing to the mutated Jedi in question.

Both
were nodding in agreement, their face the picture of mixed concern
and yet serenity.

Well,
serenity was stretching it when it came to Anakin but he was as calm
as he normally could be.

“It
is our best option now that we are uncertain to Chancellor
Palpatine’s motives towards us. Has there been any breaches in the
codes?” Obi-Wan murmured, feeling his mate brush their shoulders
together.

It was
Yoda who answered. “None yet, keeping an eye we have on the old
codes usage, but none used yet there is. Question if know the
Chancellor does I do.” The old troll frowned worriedly.

Exchanging
glances, Obi-Wan and Anakin silently communicated in little facial
spasms and twitches before Anakin sighed and gave his attention to
the full council. “Masters, if it would help, I could go visit the
Chancellor, see if I can suss anything out of his words or actions?”
He offered, his face taunt with displeasure at the idea.

That
had the entire council pausing, each falling into a contemplating
silence as they mulled over the pros and cons of the idea.

Finally,
Plo shook his head, his holo flickering slightly. “I am against the
idea, leaving you in the vicinity of the Chancellor may tip him off
that we are aware of discrepancies.” He murmured, frowning
slightly.

“He
has yet to contact Dibs again,” Shaak spoke up, her holo more
steady from Kamino, despite the distance. Clearly the weather must be
alright at this current moment for it to be that steady. “We may be
able to gain some more details to act upon if Knight Skywalker does
go.” She stated but there was a tone of reluctance in that.

Playing
the devils advocate was not easy.

“I
am against it,” Depa added her credits to the pot, a deep frown on
her face. “The Chancellor wanting the codes to our temple is
worrying alone and for all that he has been friendly with Knight
Skywalker, it makes me ill at ease to send the wolf to the lions
den.” She settled on, sending Anakin a worrying look.

Something
Anakin tried not to be offended by.

It
wasn’t that she doubted his skills but worried about the
consequences should something happen.

Something
the council had to think about when it came to the actions of the
Jedi they sent out.

There
had been enough anti Jedi sentiments out there the longer the war
dragged on after all and Anakin could understand the worry.

“Agree
I do with Master Koon and Master Billaba,” Yoda finally croaked,
ears twitching slightly. “Devastation I sense down the path if send
Knight Skywalker out, consciously give yourself away you would not,”
He jabbed a finger at Anakin, the werewolf shifting to a stiff
position. “But a cunning man the Chancellor is. Cunning to remain
in his position as he has he must be. Dangerous it makes him, fear to
loose power the ones at the top do.” Yoda settled back heavily,
sighing tiredly.

As if
he had seen too many situations like this before.

Seen
too many greedy beings act out when their powers or positions have
been treated.

And
maybe he had, he was an old man after all, much older than any other
being in the room.

Even
Plo Koon with his three hundred and sixty years didn’t reach quite
the level of Yoda with his eight hundred and eighty ones.

“Then
maybe…” Obi-Wan trailed off, his enlonged ears twitching slightly
and Anakin let out a small whine as he smelled the change in his
mate’s emotions, blue eyes finding the redhead with worry.

“Yes,
what is it Master Kenobi?” Mace prompted, raising his brows at the
copper haired man curiously and a tiny bit impatiently.

Swallowing,
Obi-Wan leveled his eyes at Mace, pressing his shoulder to Anakin’s
side for strength. “Maybe we should speak to Asajj Ventress?”
Obi-Wan finished his sentence, clearly forcing it out.

The
council went quiet, all of them exchanging looks of surprise and
concern.

Obi-Wan
had wanted nothing to do with Ventress since he had attacked and
almost killed her and had only asked enough to know that he hadn’t
turned her into one of his kind.

After
learning that Ventress showed no signs of being a vampire as he was,
Obi-Wan had ignored all and any conversation containing her name when
it was brought up and that was understandable as he was still shamed
of what he had done even if it was an act of survival.

“…As
your friend Obi-Wan, I hesitate to allow you to speak with her,”
Mace suddenly stated, leaning forward with his elbows coming to rest
on his knees, hands clasped together. “But as the master of the
order, I am aware of the antagonistic relationship you have developed
with her and that you may have some sway over her. My question would
be this, why speak with her?” He murmured.

Hesitating,
glancing at his mate and then back to Mace, Obi-Wan shrugged. “The
Chancellor is behaving very suspicious and at this point, I am
wondering if he may be involved with the CIS if I may state it
bluntly. She may have some answers to at least close down that
suspicion.” He stated bluntly to the alarm of the rest of the
council.

That
was a venue they had not considered and now they were worried.