Star Wars in the rear-view mirror
An alternative storyline
This would have been fun:
After the rescue is done Palpatine accuses various senators of working for the separatists. Extraordinary judicial powers are granted, effectively giving him the power to repress any dissenting voice in the senate. This move creates a second rebellion, consisting of all those who believe democracy are now at an end.
As the seceding governments slowly organize into a resistance, focused on restoring the republic, we have a three-part war on our hands. Palpatine proclaims the focus must be on crushing the first rebellion before moving on to the second, where diplomacy should be used. This keeps the Jedi in line.
There are talks in the Jedi-council about whether they’re really now on the wrong side of the war. There is a general skepticism as to the intention of Palpatine to give up his powers as soon as the war is over, and there is an unspoken consensus to desert should he not, or should he wage a war of aggression on the second rebellion. These talks exclude Anakin, but the intent leaks anyhow. He is disturbed to say the least, and Palpatine amplifies this by echoing his concerns.
Palpatine also starts a philosophical discussion with Anakin about passion and the Jedi, asking as if truly curious about why passion is a Jedi anathema? He confess to having an aptitude for the force, but being unwilling to join the Jedi as he is not willing to life a cloistered life without personal love and passion. He agrees when asked that the likes of Darth Maul and Count Dokku may have let passion and hate lead them to do reprehensible things, but he asks in return what is true strength – to try to live a life with passion and virtue, or to shield yourself from all temptation? Anakin is confused, but Palpatines words ring true on some deeper level, and has he not already vindicated Palpatines words by his marriage with Padme?
The spy/spy situation where the council and Palpatine both want Anakin to be their eyes and ears comes into effect. As Palpatine sees through it, he tells the stories he did in the film, but leaves out the small fact that he is a Sith – instead he tells Anakin he will gladly help him research the methods of preserving life he told him of in any way he can. He also talks about peace, prosperity and order – and that he may have to grab even more power before he can safely release it. He is worried that it will be misinterpreted as a move for pure personal gain, but that it isn’t – all he wants is order. This touches a string in Anakin that is really less in love with democracy than the rest of the Jedi, or rather has a less clear view of its meaning. Nevertheless he reports it, and the effect it has is that most of the Jedi order is scattered. The decision is to stand aside and await developments.
On the surface all is business as usual but soon it becomes apparent that the order is everywhere but on Coruscant. This disturbs Anakin, but it isn’t until Obi-Wan schedules their own departure that he cannot any longer deny the fact. He reports it to Palpatine that seems greatly disturbed and asks him to stay “that at least part of the Jedi-order stay loyal to the ideals of the republic” – Anakin agrees, and is asked to try to convince others to stay.
He of course starts with Obi-Wan, who more or less order him to come with him. Anakin asks where, and Obi-Wan says, “anywhere where we won’t have to fight those who only strive for democracy”. Anakin refuses but is given an ultimatum, be at the spaceport on time or face probable expulsion from the order. He goes to Padme, telling her of his dilemma and she tries to convince him that this is not the true republic. His answer is that it may or may not be, but it is what we have and that should means something “I can’t back out now”. He tells Padme that he probably should go with the Jedi anyway and try to convince them to fight for the republic. He then moves on to Palpatine to report the sad news, while unknowing to him Padme comes to the conclusion that she will have to go, and that Anakin will follow when he gets his head on straight.
As Anakin gets to Palpatine and tells him of the situation and that he should go and try to convince the others. Palpatine tells him that he cannot go now, that he would be perceived as a threat if he tried to convince the others – “only if you come before them in your full glory can you hope to achieve such a task”. He asks of Anakin to go to the Jedi HQ and try to convince any and all that are left. Anakin goes, so do troops, and as he arrive the troops try to stop whatever vessels that have not already lifted off. He walks through the HQ trying to find Obi-Wan realizing bit by bit that he is already gone. A kid comes up and asks what is going on, Anakin’s answer is, “The masters have given up on the republic, they have left us, they won’t fight for us or for the republic any longer.”
The few kids left look to Anakin, that to them is as close to being a master it really doesn’t matter, for guidance. Anakin states, “I will not be a coward and flee, if anything needs doing it should be done here“. Many kids agree, they are bewildered at being left behind, and feel betrayed. Anakin seems to them the only sane voice in a universe gone mad.
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