The Perfect Jedi • Anakin Skywalker

Ch 39: Return of Clovis

I put the hood over my head as Padme turned to me.

"This wasn't the best idea for you to come" she said.

"Well, I'm already here so" I said. "As long as they don't look too close at me, we'll be fine."

"Master Yoda put you up to this?" She asked.

"Technically the rest of the council did" I said. "I also don't trust the Banking Clan."

The ship landed as I followed closely behind Padme as a man approached us. I recognized him as Mak Plain, a banker of the Banking Clan. I looked down to avoid any eye contact.

"Welcome to Scipio, Senator" he said. "If you will follow me, we will be traveling into the neutral zone."

Padme slightly bowed as I looked around.

"I am afraid your guards will have to wait outside" he said.

"Of course" she said.

I followed them inside as Mak looked at me. I quickly looked away to not draw any attention to my face. I stood behind as Padme walked to the center as the members of the Bankin Clan appeared. I zoned out when I felt a presence behind me. I slightly turned around as Clovis walked past me. My eyes went wide as he stopped, looking at me. He continued walking to Padme's side as she refused to do any transactions with him involved.

We were brought to our room as I took the robe off. I knock on the door made me grab it, quickly putting it back on. I opened the door as one of the servants came in.

"My uh- my lady no longer requires your assistance this evening" I said. "Thank you."

They left as I turned around to Clovis right behind Padme. I held my hand out, pushing my body against the wall.

"Breaking into other peoples quarters I see?" I asked.

"I'm surprised they let a Jedi in" he said.

"What do you want, Clovis?" I asked.

"You don't understand what is going on here" he said.

I grabbed my saber, holding it up to his neck.

"Oh yeah? Tell me" I said.

"I need your help" he said. "I knew you'd be coming with Padme."

"Last time we were together, I ended up poisoned and you did nothing" I said.

"That's not true. You stole data files from me" he said.

"It was the location of a Separatist droid factory, that you were helping fund!" I said.

"Look it's not safe. We can't talk here" he said.

Clovis walked to the edge of the balcony as I looked at Padme who nodded. I sighed as we followed him.

"The simple fact is the economics of this war are not adding up" he said. "Padme is here for a bank transfer. But I can assure you, there is no money in the bank."

"With all due disrespect, Clovis, I'm not here for the politics" I said. "I'm here to ensure Padme is safe."

"That's absurd! They were ready to give me the funds today" Padme said.

"Oh they will give you your first installment, yes, but they're robbing one side to save the other" he said. "The entire Banking Clan is on the verge of collapse."

"Collapse?" I said. "And where's the evidence of this?"

"In the vault, the accounts are sealed there, and no one is allowed to see them besides the Core Five" he said.