In one of the outer spires of the Jedi Temple, in a circular conference room, the Jedi Order's governing body—the twelve elder councilors, including powerful Jedi Masters such as Mace Windu and Master Yoda—were lecturing Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker, the three members of the same master-apprentice line, who stood in the middle of the room.
After all, Anakin had turned a simple escort mission into a huge controversy, thrusting the Jedi into the center of the galaxy's public debate. As members of the Jedi Council, the elders naturally had to look into such a serious matter.
That was why they had summoned Anakin back to the Jedi Temple as soon as he arrived on Coruscant, and begun questioning him in detail about a certain major incident on Tatooine.
"Hmm..."
"All right, I think we have a general understanding of what happened."
"Anakin, you did well. In that situation, using any means necessary and an exceptional degree of force to protect Senator Padmé Amidala's life was entirely reasonable, though it may sound a little cruel and brutal..."
"Still, we must remind you: beware the dark side of the Force. Do not touch it lightly. Though it can indeed grant you great power, it is not something you can control."
"You and Obi-Wan may leave now. We have a few things to discuss with Master Qui-Gon Jinn."
"Go. May the Force be with you..."
After a not-too-lengthy questioning, Master Yoda could find nothing seriously amiss with Anakin, nor could he pick out anything to criticize. He exchanged glances with Master Mace Windu and the others, then sighed and waved Anakin and Obi-Wan out.
They could tell that the young Jedi before them had not been entirely honest. He was surely keeping something from them. But since they had found