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I Won't Fail You (Part 3) by Julie |
I Won't Fail You (Part 3) by Julie |
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Star Wars belongs to LFL. |
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Chapter 22 As the eighteen year old Padawan approached him, Anakin thought back to Master Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's advice. ********** "Ani, I have observed this Elite group and I can say without a doubt that Padawan Rouy does not have anywhere near the power he thinks he does." Obi-Wan was serious and firm. "Do not fight with this boy, but do not join his group either," Qui-Gon ordered. "Have faith in the other Padawans, if they are truly your friends they will not desert you." "Everyone here is training to be Jedi. He will not be able to maintain his group if he reaches Knighthood." "Such behavior is not only unbefitting of a Jedi, it is also all but impossible with the way that we are scattered across the galaxy on missions." "Do your best not to provoke him, but stand firm, Ani," Qui-Gon encouraged. "If he continues being a problem, I'll deal with him." Obi-Wan's eyes glinted dangerously. ********** Their words had reassured Anakin greatly then, but now he was struggling to remain calm. He wanted to prove that he could handle Lavir himself. The Padawans surrounding Anakin hushed their incessant babbling when they saw Lavir and made a path for the young man. They waited expectantly for the argument they were sure would come. "Gathering quite a crowd I see." "I want friends, not followers," Anakin retorted. Lavir walked to the table with his usual grace and self-assuredness. Flanking him were only two Elite today. Their small greenish metal pins that marked then as members glinted on their Padawan braids. "Since I met you half a year ago you have made impressive progress. Have you made your decision? I won't wait any longer." "I'm not interested in joining you. Such behavior is not only unbefitting of a Jedi, it is also all but impossible with the way that we are scattered across the galaxy on missions." Lavir gave him a cool and dangerous smile. "A rather narrow viewpoint and unintelligent to say the least." "Perhaps I should inform Master Obi-Wan of your low opinion of him." Anakin leaned back in his chair lazily. "What?" "I was quoting my Master." Lavir stared and the crowd gasped in astonishment. Anakin knew that he had to say his next words very carefully. He didn't want them to know that he'd been so intimidated by Lavir that he'd gone to his Masters for help. The last thing Anakin needed right now was to look like a whiny kid who couldn't handle his own problems. "I've heard my Masters quietly discussing this 'Elite' group of yours. I discovered just yesterday that Master Obi-Wan has been observing you specifically for the past two weeks at least." Anakin paused dramatically and waited for the other Padawans to quiet their murmuring. Lavir's face was as cold as stone. He didn't want to make Lavir a worse enemy then he already was, so he added a little. "I am glad to say that I didn't hear either of my Masters speak badly of you, Lavir." Anakin knew that it was technically true, from a certain point of view. "But they were quite certain that your Elite group is unbefitting behavior of a Jedi," Anakin repeated stubbornly. Lavir's mask began to crack and show a glimpse of his anxiety and shock underneath. "Did you hear anything else?" "Only that they expected your group to naturally dissolve before you are all Knights. Master Qui-Gon was not concerned, but I think Master Obi-Wan may keep checking up on you and the others every now and then." He looked at Lavir and waited to see if he caught the threat. The taller Padawan's eyes flickered slightly. Yup, he got it, Anakin cheered internally. Even the Council didn't try to go up against Obi-Wan. Now that I think of it, they don't argue with Master Qui-Gon anymore either. Maybe the Council has finally developed some common sense? Anakin glanced around and tried to lighten the mood slightly. "So, let's just enjoy being Padawans with our fun groups while we still can." The crowd relaxed somewhat and several of them began to wander off chattering away. Anakin had no doubt that every Padawan in the Temple would hear about this before the day was out. And as an extra bonus, they seemed to have forgotten their intentions to pester him about the previous day's Music Spire incident. Anakin looked at Lavir's serious expression. The young man turned and left without a word and his Elites trailed after him. I don't think that Lavir has ever thought of what would happen to his group later. Anakin was relieved to see that Lavir was backing off for now, but he knew he should remain wary. Just in case. Chapter 23 "Good morning, Master Billaba." Anakin looked down at the delicate Jedi Master. "Good morning, Anakin. You needn't be quite so formal." She smiled pleasantly and her dark braids swayed as she walked. "Hello, Kaely. I'm glad to meet you." The tiny pink droid whistled cheerfully. Depa's friendliness immediately put Anakin at ease. She's seems nice, like Master Yaddle. Master Yaddle had been very kind to Kaely and he had enjoyed her lessons. She had taught him how to use the Force to better understand Kaely's whistles. Kaely had been sad when the lessons were over. Ever since then, Anakin had let his droid tag along to his other Council lessons. If it annoyed the masters, they never showed it. However, Anakin suspected that by the time he got to Yoda, she'd be banned. Anakin followed Master Depa through the halls. He had taken to investigating and learning everything he could about the Council members before they taught him. Master Depa was actually a new member holding a temporary position. She was very talented in attuning herself to the minds and personalities of those around her. Explains why I feel so comfortable walking with her, Anakin noted. She led him to an older area of the Jedi Temple that Anakin's explorations had not taken him to. They finally reached a large chamber that looked as though it was once meant for speeches or announcements. There was a small slightly raised platform at one end and steps that probably once served as seats curved around the room. It had now been converted into a garden of sorts. Anakin and Depa walked down the stairs to the last step while Kaely flew about. It wasn't really like the meditation gardens. The floor had been filled with water, leaving the platform as a kind of island. At least five steps were submerged. A few small plants and vines had taken residence on the stone stairs and crawled up the walls to hang in garlands from the ceiling. It's awfully cold in here. Or maybe its just me, the plants don't mind. Master Billaba sat on one of the lower steps and Anakin followed. Kaely was busy examining the flowers on the ceiling and humming to herself. "This is a climate controlled room designed for mountain and high atmospheric plants and anything else requiring cool conditions to live." Depa looked over at the teenager. "Your Masters have taught you to build heat by rubbing together air molecules, correct?" "Yes Master Depa. I learned pyrokinesis a few weeks ago," Anakin acknowledged. And Master Qui-Gon's beard has almost grown back since I set it on fire. I don't know how he and Obi-Wan manage to tolerate me. Anyone else would have gone crazy by now. "Good. Today I will begin teaching you to make things cold." Depa was serious and had what Anakin had begun calling "the Jedi teaching expression" on her face. However, she somehow gave the impression that she was smiling, even though she wasn't. "I choose this room to begin with due to its coolness. It will be easier here, later of course we will work our way up to cooling down a sauna, and in a few years you will be able to freeze fire. "To begin you must feel the air molecules, like you do with pyrokinesis, but you must slow them down." Anakin closed his eyes and gently allowed his awareness to see more of the room. He had to be careful lest the Force engulf him as it always tried to do. He looked for the tiny wakes the air molecules over the water made. Once he found the trails left behind he easily brought the molecules themselves into focus. "Now, concentrate on this pond and work on freezing part of its surface near you." The water was already cool and Anakin grasped the water particles. He expected it to be easy. He thought he could just hold them still and they would freeze up. This isn't the same as heating stuff. To do that I just have to stir it all up and they all start bouncing off each other. This is different, I can't hold on to so much at one time. "Relax, Anakin. This will take all morning." How'd she know that I hate it when someone says the words "be patient"? She has a much nicer way of telling me. Anakin settled down for a long lesson. He found that if he held on to a group of particles long enough they would stay that way, but he had to keep grabbing the edges to prevent them from being pulled apart again. Slowly, he worked outward. "Good," Anakin suddenly heard Depa say. "Now let go." Anakin opened his eyes to see a small patch of ice floating on the pond's surface. He grinned and barely restrained himself from yelling "wizard," like he would have done as a kid. Kaely hovered over the patch of ice curiously and extended a small arm with a sensor. Anakin had just recently installed it and Kaely used every opportunity to play with her new toy. "I know you are tired, but remember to practice this afternoon, and for an hour every day. Use a small cup of liquid or..." Depa was interrupted by a loud splash. "Kaely!" Anakin swiftly grabbed his little droid from the chilly water. "The ice wasn't strong enough for you to land on!" Anakin scolded her. "Baby, you know you aren't waterproof," Anakin groaned. Chapter 24 "Muf'te?" Anakin glared at the ancient book in front of him. Very gently, he sat the brown book on his desk. Anakin rubbed his eyes wearily and did his best to smother his frustration. It had been almost a standard year since Obi-Wan had given him two old books for his thirteenth birthday. He had not yet finished this one and Anakin felt a bit guilty about it. Reading the green book had been difficult, but he had managed. It was a chronicle of the defeat of the Sith a thousand years ago, written by a Jedi Master who had participated in the war. It had been a fascinating tale of adventure, danger, suspense, and lots of gory fighting. Anakin had stayed up late several nights reading it. Once he got used to the archaic words and odd spelling, that is. That was the problem with the book of Jedi prophesies. It was even older then the other book and filled with words he had never seen before. At one point Anakin became so confused and lost he was convinced that the author had to be switching languages every other word. None of the ancient words were in the holo-terminal's dictionary. Anakin returned to the large brown book and smoothed its faded pages covered by a protective sealant. He had abandoned it for three months in order to salvage his sanity. But just this week he'd thought to ask Master Yaddle about ancient dictionaries and she'd been happy to help. In fact, so happy that she invited Anakin and Kaely over for lunch in her quarters. He had a great time just talking with the 481 year old Jedi Master. She was soft-spoken and treated Kaely like a person. And he loved her apartment. It was filled from floor to ceiling with thousands of tiny trinkets and books. Master Yaddle had prepared a delightful meal. Anakin didn't recognize a thing served and curiously asked her if the round biscuit-shaped thing glowed blue naturally or if that was a product of the cooking process. It had been a delicious lunch and a fun visit, even when Kaely got lost in the glittering objects hanging from the ceiling. Thinking of his lunch with her made Anakin feel hungry and he went shuffling to the kitchen for a snack. He was alone in the apartment this afternoon, due to the fact that his Masters were busy with their Initiate classes and whatever else they did in the afternoons. He returned to his room with a plate stacked with a variety of things he grabbed randomly from the cold storage and cabinets. He sat it on the bed and looked balefully at the book on his desk. "Muf'te, muf'te..." Anakin hunted through the old dictionary Master Yaddle had loaned him. She had told him that several retired Knights were working on compiling a dictionary of the ancient words for the holo-database. But she couldn't say if it would be completed within the next century or not. Until then he'd have to make due with another old book instead of a datapad. He munched on something from his plate without really paying any attention to what. Obi-Wan had been teasing him lately that he was eating enough to feed a bantha. And Master Qui-Gon asked if he was growing an extra pair of arms or another head. Anakin didn't mind, he'd grown a lot lately and he expected he would be as tall as Obi-Wan by the next year. The only thing that really bothered him was how much growing made his joints and muscles ache. "Civilian dress worn by someone usually in uniform." Anakin couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Then why doesn't it just say the Jedi is in disguise then?! What do they need a fancy word for?" Anakin groaned and trudged onward. He turned the page and began scrawling down every word he didn't recognize. When finished he painstakingly translated them all and then began to read. In the time of greatest despair, only one, a son of suns, shall re-forge the flow. Over the gap of terror only this one's radiance can form a bridge. This Chosen One will rise through the peril, strife, and encompassing war To challenge the maleficent and bring balance to the Force. Anakin hardly breathed as he stared at the book as if it were a rancor. ********** "He is the Chosen One," Qui-Gon insisted vehemently to the Jedi Council. "You must see it!" ********** Qui-Gon words spoken stubbornly from behind him four years ago echoed in his mind. He'd been a nine-year-old kid then and still reeling from the Council's rejection. He hadn't really thought about what Qui-Gon had said since, except in passing. Many things that had confused him began to slowly make sense. A nagging feeling that a terrible conflict was approaching had plagued him for months. The Council's insistence that they train him as well as Master Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan was now not so strange. Something really bad is coming and they've known it for a while. Ever since Obi-Wan killed that Sith probably. ********** Anakin sat in a chair in the main room, alternately pacing and then brooding perfectly still. He felt restless and frozen at the same time. He was terribly indecisive and would let his frustration burst across the training bond one moment and shield heavily the next. His Masters returned to the apartment together today. They had sensed Anakin's disquiet clearly through the bond and knew that he hadn't even tried to calm himself. The look of shock and overwhelming purpose on Anakin's downcast face told them exactly what had happened. However they were ready for it. They had been preparing for this day since Obi-Wan had first given Anakin that book. Obi-Wan wasted no time in getting to the point. "The Council has forbidden us from explaining the prophesy of the Chosen One to you, Ani." Anakin was silent and still in the chair, but when he did answer he continued staring at the carpet. "So, you have to find sneaky ways instead. Can you tell me why they don't want you to?" "No." "Are Jedi prophecies, in general, reliable?" Qui-Gon answered him. "Yes, they are. What little we see of the future is often accurate, though fluid and lacking details. Generally, we see possibilities we seek to alter, such as a vision of a friend in danger. Visions of distant events are always vague, but usually completely correct. However, frequently such occurrences have also been so subtle that we could not identify that the prophecy had happened until it was all over with." "So knowing how to change something coming way ahead is really hard," Anakin mumbled half to himself, half to them. Without another word he left and went to his room. I think I'm glad that Master Yaddle didn't ask me what book I needed that dictionary for. In the other room Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon moved to look out the alcove's window at Coruscant. "Just as we expected," Obi-Wan murmured quietly. Qui-Gon agreed. "He will either resign himself to it or fight it now. We must remain alert." Chapter 25 "Anakin, I hope you don't mind, but I am curious, did I see you walking with Master Depa Billaba yesterday?" Anakin looked across the table at the speaker. She was one of his recent acquaintances. Surrounding him at lunch today were many new faces. Anakin's usual friends Suoicarg and Elbaima were away on missions. Anakin thought about what she was asking. Yesterday had been his last lesson with Master Depa. Another Padawan spoke up. "I recall seeing you conversing with Master Plo Koon recently, and Master Saesee Tiin a couple of months ago." From around the table Anakin could feel the eyes and the equivalent of eyes bore into him. They wanted to know why he was spending so much time with members of the Council and he couldn't brush them off this time. "They have stopped to talk with me a few times, yes." Anakin's mind raced. They are going to assume I was in trouble of something, they probably can't imagine any other reason why several Council members would talk with another Master's Padawan. But I don't want to tell them the truth, they'd never leave me alone about it. Gotta distract them. "They have really interesting tales about the battles and wars they have fought in. Did you know that Master Tiin..." Anakin broke off abruptly and went pale. "Ani?" Anakin's friends looked up at him in confusion when he stood up suddenly. "Please excuse me. See you later!" Anakin said quickly and headed for the door. "Ani, what's wrong?" one of the other Padawans asked with a frown. Just as Anakin reached the exit, the last person he wanted to see strode in. Lavir and a few of his Elite. "Ah, just who I was looking for," Lavir said in an oily tone. "I don't have time for this Lavir." "Yes you do. I have noticed that despite your lofty words two months ago, you have collected a group anyway." Anakin ignored him. He couldn't help it if the other padawans wouldn't leave him alone. And Anakin had certainly never held meetings or organized them in any fashion. "I really need to leave, get out of my way." But the other Elites blocked him. Lavir smirked and Anakin glared at the older teenager. Anakin's newer friends stood up and a few walked closer to see what the commotion was. Anakin had just turned to head for another exit when the glowing started. It was too late. Anakin's only thought was to get away. Far away. The glowing always attacked him with a compulsion to run and this time Anakin gave in. Big mistake. A surge of pain overwhelmed Anakin and he dropped to his knees. Those few seconds of agony distracted him enough to lose control and the golden light burst around him. ********** The dinning hall full of padawans were all startled to see Anakin glow. Everyone went silent and stared. The younger ones actually backed up, while the oldest ones focused all of their senses on him. They automatically studied Anakin, as they had been trained to do when anything unusual in the Force occurred. Anakin's pain caused the more sensitive among them to flinch. However, they had no warning when the light expanded. It sent out a shockwave that knocked the nearest padawans to the floor. The rest were merely stunned and instantly evacuated. Almost as one they began calling out to each of their Masters through their training bonds. The first knights and masters to reach the dinning hall found the padawans stumbling out in an uproar of confusion. Upon entering the room they were shocked to see a bright ball of white engulf several padawans as it moved outward. ********** Anakin opened his eyes. He didn't need to, he could sense everything around him without them, but it made him feel better. He had finally regained a hold of his light so it could no longer advance. He looked around himself in awe. Anakin counted sixteen padawans inside with him. However, they were completely unharmed. He could feel their hearts, or their version of a heart, beating steadily. Their minds were adrift, as though they were asleep. Oh! Of course, they immediately put themselves into hibernation when the light hit them. Standard safety precaution. Anakin began to slowly gather his strength and prepare to pull the glow back to himself. It had been nearly two months since his last glowing spell. They were happening less and less. He had learned to feel them coming enough in advance that he could stop it at the diffuse glow stage. And he had always managed to get alone before that happened, until now. He stared at the padawans sprawled on the floor around him. Why aren't they hurt? Every time this happens I leave behind a mess at the least and a crater at the worst. I thought for sure that anyone caught in it would die, like the pirates did. He delved deeper in the Force. He knew that he had to shut off this light soon. Anakin worried that though they appeared fine, his light might cause bad side effects to the exposed padawans. He reached out to them in concern. Images, thoughts, and feelings assaulted Anakin's senses. The Force badgered him with more information than he could handle. All at once he knew the names of each of them and had to struggle to block off the flood of knowledge about their hopes, dreams and history. Anakin recoiled in horror. He knew at once that he had done something terrible. That shouldn't have happened! I didn't mean to do it, if anyone ever finds out... Anakin tried to calm himself. He glanced over at Lavir. He'd seen a few interesting things come from him. Lavir was such a pain, it would be very useful to gain a better advantage over him. I've already seen some stuff, no one would know if I looked again. It was tempting, very tempting. Just a little. A few more brief images and random details about Lavir's life flickered into focus. Suddenly, Anakin's head felt dizzy and a rush of sensations from the Force swirled through his head. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. Anakin let himself drink it in for a moment before reluctantly pulling away. When his head cleared he felt very cold and sick. If any one ever pilfered through my mind I'd...I'd... Anakin didn't know what he'd do. He sensed Master Qui-Gon approaching. Trying to forget what he'd done, Anakin began to focus solely on turning off the glow. ********** Obi-Wan arrived to see that Master Qui-Gon and a few of the Jedi Council were already there. He'd come as fast as he could. Anakin's light was retracting steadily and Healers were ready with floating pallets. Obi-Wan began helping them pick up the unconscious padawans as they became visible and reachable. He glanced briefly at Qui-Gon. The older man stood extremely close to the yellow sparks and looked as though he was ready to go charging into it. This was really bad timing. Anakin had been distant and gloomy for the past two weeks ever since learning he was the Chosen One. He'd hardly spoken and had gone through his Force lessons and lightsaber practice mechanically. Now things would be worse. As Obi-Wan hauled the next young padawan out of the way, he noticed it was Lavir Rouy. Immediately, he understood what had occurred. Anakin felt it start and somehow got into an argument with this fellow. No doubt he prevented Ani from escaping in time. He sighed. Somehow I'm not surprised. Abruptly the light ceased. Without a word Anakin stood and walked straight to Qui-Gon's open arms and buried his face in his Master's robe. Chapter 26 Anakin was silent on the way back to their apartment. Those of the Jedi Council who had come thankfully had not asked him any questions. On the contrary, Master Yaddle had told Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon to take him home at once. She and the others stayed to deal with the necessary explanations. It took nearly an hour of Qui-Gon's hot tea and Obi-Wan's teasing to draw Anakin out of the shell he'd hidden his mind in. When he finally began to tell them briefly what had happened, the holo-com rang. Qui-Gon got up to answer it while Obi-Wan continued to listen quietly to their Padawan. Kaely had landed on the arm of the sofa and began to hum softly. "...and then you were there. I hope the others are okay," Anakin finished and hoped desperately that Obi-Wan wouldn't notice that he'd left out many details. "They are. The Healers are already releasing them from the infirmary." Qui-Gon returned from the alcove. "Some time ago, Obi-Wan and I requested to take you on a mission, and now the Council has granted it. We leave tomorrow morning." Obi-Wan grinned, but was disappointed that Anakin didn't instantly shout for joy. Anakin did smile and he was happy, but the feeling of despair clinging to him dimmed his reaction. /Don't worry Obi-Wan. He will recover and cease his subdued demeanor after we have left the Temple,/ Qui-Gon sent telepathically. /He'll probably be as hyper as Kaely and begging to fly the ship,/ Obi-Wan agreed. "Hopefully everything will quiet down by the time we get back," Anakin mumbled aloud and escaped to his room to pack. ********** No one noticed? Anakin's thoughts were all a jumble. He grabbed his standard Jedi travel bag that he'd never used and began to randomly stuff tunics into it. Kaely hovered and sang happily to herself. She opened one of his drawers and began carrying the smaller things she thought he would need, like pliers, datacards, a lone sock, and a broken little lamp and putting them in his bag. Anakin didn't notice. Of course! The Force light probably overloads their senses! Somehow this didn't make him feel any better. You idiot! Anakin told himself. Did you want them to know you used the Dark Side? It had felt luxurious. It had filled him with a thrilling amount of power and strength unlike he'd ever experienced. For that one moment, Anakin had felt like he could do anything he pleased and no one could stop him. And when he'd stopped it had left a bitter aftertaste. Anakin dropped his bag and kicked it against the wall. He shielded his mind as best he could. His Masters were not inclined to pry, but he didn't want to give them a reason to investigate. I have nothing to worry about. They'll think that I'm feeling guilty and frustrated over knocking those padawans unconscious. Which is true. If I'm very careful they'll never find out the rest. Anakin put his face in his hands and sat on the bed. He almost wished he'd been caught. But the Jedi would expel me for sure if they knew. I've gotta stop thinking about it, otherwise Master Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan will find out. Sighing deeply, Anakin stood up and continued packing. Absentmindedly, he removed the silly things that Kaely had put in his bag. He went to his desk and collected the datacards with this week's lessons, but stopped when he saw the old brown book. He debated whether or not he should take it with him. He hadn't touched it since reading the prophesy of the Chosen One. However, Anakin never liked to leave a book unfinished, especially since this was a gift from Obi-Wan. Anakin had still not decided how he felt about it yet. He wanted to believe he was special, but he hated the thought that maybe it was something he was destined to do. He hated when someone else made his decisions for him and that prophecy annoyed him. Finally, he chose to continue as he had of the past two weeks and just not think about. He ignored the prophecy and left the book where it laid. ********** "Along the Perlemian Trade Route, near the Meridian Sector, is a small merchant system that is having some diplomatic problems. It's a peaceful system normally, but recent trade disagreements have led to threats of war," Obi-Wan related to Anakin and Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon was skimming through the same mission order on his own datapad. "We were requested in particular by the Supreme Chancellor." Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows. "Explains why they sent us on a ship this nice." Anakin was slouching in the ship's lounge booth across from Obi-Wan. He glanced up briefly when Obi-Wan spoke, but then returned to staring off into space. "Ani," Qui-Gon looked at the teenager's dull eyes. "Brooding is not healthy. This must stop." Anakin's face was still and he made no physical reaction. But they sensed him quickly squash a flicker of panic. "Be cheerful!" Obi-Wan reassured him. "By the time we return to the Temple your Force glow will be old news." Qui-Gon agreed. "All of the masters and knights will be sure to instruct their padawans to not pester you about it. Only your closest friends will expect an explanation, and even then they will not pry." Anakin smiled and tried to look relaxed. "You're right." He nodded. "I think I'll go talk to our pilots for a while." As nonchalantly as possible, Anakin fled the lounge. Chapter 27 Anakin stood by a massive set of doors quietly and waited for Kaely. He was not exactly bored yet, but if this meeting went on much longer he would be. His Masters were inside negotiating with this star system's leaders. Anakin's job was to note any suspicious behavior by the people outside of the discussion chamber and especially watch for spy droids. Like the ones used by the press. He had deactivated five such droids early on, but three hours had passed since and nothing interesting had happened. Anakin and Kaely patrolled the hallway and the balcony outside of the chamber several times and were convinced that no more attempts would be made. The guards ignored him when they actually saw him. Anakin had thought this would be a more pleasant task than sitting with his Masters like he had during yesterday's session. He'd tried his best to pay attention and learn how they advised the delegates, but it started to turn his brain to mush. Obi-Wan had realized that he wouldn't learn anymore about diplomatic skills the next day and so they assigned him to guard. Inside the chamber, Obi-Wan moved to the far corner of the room. Most of the delegates were taking a short break, and a few were still talking to Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan pulled out his comlink and spoke quietly into it. "Anakin." "You have reached Cafe of Insanity. Our specials dishes today are..." "Shut up, Anakin!" Obi-Wan whispered quickly. "But it's fun!" "You could try the patience of even Yoda." "Really, you don't say?" There was a pause over the link. "Obi-Wan, you still there?" "Yes, I am! I'm trying to remember what I was calling you for." "They say memory is always the first thing to go." Obi-Wan sighed. "Ani, you can't joke around like this while we are on missions." "Yes, Master." He sounded properly contrite, but Obi-Wan had a suspicion that Anakin was still grinning. "These negotiations are almost over with. Tomorrow we can go home." "Great!" Anakin said cheerfully, but then sobered. "Obi-Wan, I've been getting an odd feeling." "Must be your stomach." Anakin laughed. "Besides that! I don't know what it is." "Don't worry about it. If it's something serious, we will sense it also. We'll be out soon." Anakin heard him flick off the comlink. Obi-Wan's words had not really reassured him. The nagging feeling had begun just before his Master called and was getting worse by the second now. Anakin grimaced. They are going to come out soon and I'm not supposed to leave. I just need to wait a little more. The feeling wouldn't leave him alone and Anakin felt torn. He wasn't allowed to call them unless something seriously wrong occurred, like an attack. And he'd already told Obi-Wan what he'd felt, but Obi-Wan hadn't noticed a problem. Pestering them was out of the question. The insistent feeling was louder now and impossible to ignore. He needed to go to it and find out what it was. They are taking too long in there, Anakin rationalized. Surely they feel it now too. They can catch up with me. Without asking for permission, Anakin abandoned his post and ran. Kaely squealed in surprise and zoomed to catch up with him. Just after he left the building's grounds his comlink beeped. "Hello." "Anakin! What are you doing?" It was Qui-Gon's voice. "I need to go to the ship!" "No, Ani. We sense danger at the ship. Stop where you are." "But I'm almost there, you two can catch up." Anakin turned the comlink off. He could feel Qui-Gon's deep disapproval and Obi-Wan's irritation. Disobeying one's masters was a very bad thing. But Anakin couldn't ignore the feeling calling to him and decided that whatever it was would be worth the punishment his Masters would give him. ********** Anakin leapt from rooftop to rooftop. It was not only the fastest way to travel, it also allowed him to sneak up on opponents. Which was very useful today. To his right he could see battle Droids rolling along the road towards the hanger bay. He pulled out his comlink to and called their ship. "Captain! This is Padawan Skywalker." "Captain Deksam, here." "Prep the ship for takeoff. Battle droids are headed your way." "At once. Are you and the other Jedi coming aboard?" "No. Take off before the droids reach you if you can. We will be outside waiting for you." Static began to distort the link's sound. "Ca..'t droids...firing..." The comlink went silent. Quickly, Anakin switched to his Master's frequency to tell them. But only more static greeted him. "They're jamming me." He snatched Kaely out of the air and stuffed her in his belt pouch. "Be quiet. There will be fighting soon and I don't want you caught in it." Anakin entered the hanger bay through the roof with his lighsaber activated. The co-pilot was firing a blaster at the approaching droids from the cover of the partially open hatch. The ship had no turbolasers or any other defensive weapons. She saw Anakin and released the hatch door open the rest of the way. "Come on!" Anakin jumped and landed on the ramp, he turned and blocked several bolts before she was able to pull it halfway closed again. "Captain Deksam is injured. You go to the cockpit and I'll wait here for the other Jedi," Lt. Edacaf said breathlessly. Anakin nodded and ran down the passage. The ship was nearly finished with the preflight sequence and would be ready for lift off any second now. Out of the window of the cockpit he saw Master Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan enter the hanger bay and begin slicing through the droids. He watched them battle anxiously and hoped more droids would not arrive. The computer had just beeped that it was ready to fly when Anakin suddenly collapsed unconscious. He hadn't sensed the attack that came from behind him at all. On the hanger floor below, Obi-Wan looked up in surprise to see that the ship's hatch was closed. Qui-Gon sliced the last droid just as the ship took off. They stared up at it in horror as the terrible danger they had sensed ever since leaving the negotiations flared even stronger. Anakin was in great peril. Chapter 28 Why am I hurting? Oh yes, now I remember. Anakin Skywalker huddled in the corner of a small room on the ship with his arms wrapped around himself and his head resting on his knees. He was sure that none of his bones were broken, but his left ankle was certainly sprained and his shoulder had been briefly dislocated. His head pounded and his jaw was swollen. When Anakin awoke he had immediately snuck out of the room. And he'd almost made it to the ship's escape pod before the Sith attacked him. It had quickly beaten him senseless and dumped him back in that empty room. The Sith hadn't said a word, but Anakin got the message. Don't come out again or else. The door wasn't even locked, not that it would have mattered. Any Jedi can undo a locked door. How long have I been here? Anakin tried to use the Force to estimate how long it had been. He could sense that the Sith had drugged him the first time and that it had been a blow to his head that had knocked him out. He knew that he'd been unconscious for at least half a day before he'd tried to escape. But after that, he hurt too much to find out. Why can't I concentrate? Anakin tried to clear his head. He wanted to ask Kaely how long they'd been on this ship. The little droid sat on the floor beside him and hummed worriedly. The Sith either didn't know she was here, or just didn't care. Anakin couldn't remember when he'd taken her out of his belt pouch. Masters! Obi-Wan! Master Qui-Gon! Somebody! But he just couldn't concentrate enough. A thick fog hung in his mind and made even the smallest efforts a struggle. Anakin tried again to call his Masters through the training bond but received no answer. He had no idea if they could hear him or if it was he who couldn't hear them. Gathering all his strength, Anakin tried to push away the heavy hand clouding his senses. He wanted to block out the pain at least. For a few precious seconds he could focus again and quickly tried to heal his ankle a little. He wasn't too good at healing, but he could at least dull the pain. He placed both of his hands on the abused ankle and set to work. He drew strongly on the Force and relaxed as its presence comforted him. Almost a soon as he began the terrible pressure slammed into his brain and fogged his mind again. Anakin groaned and slumped forward. Kaely trilled in despair. He didn't move again for several minutes. Why am I hurting? Oh yes, now I remember. Once again, Anakin was forced to repeat from the beginning the long process towards clearing his mind. ********** They could sense that Anakin was alive, but nothing else. Master Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stood in the Council Chamber and waited for the rest of the Council members to arrive. They had done everything they could to track their ship to no avail. The Council had agreed that the abductor had to be the Sith and they ordered them to return to Coruscant. Return they did and with a lot of tricky flying, managed to cut two days off the trip. And now they waited. Several other powerful Jedi Masters entered the chamber. Some of them had served as Council members before. They were here to replace the current members who were away on missions and lend additional aid. The Jedi gathered in a rough circle. Some sat down on the floor. No one knew how long it would take. The Sith were notorious for their ability to disguise themselves. But it was quite another matter to hide a Jedi, even a Padawan. Between the training bond and Anakin's naturally strong resonance in the Force, they would find him. ********** Why am I hurting? Oh yes, now I remember. Carefully, Anakin cataloged his injuries. His ankle hurt the most, his shoulder ached badly and there was definitely a bruise on the back of his head. He reached up a hand to probe his sore jaw. Kaely began to whistle excitedly. Anakin looked up discovered that he was no longer on the ship. It was a dark cell-like metal room. The only lights were Kaely's two yellow eyes. His memory was a complete blur after his failed attempt to escape. "Kaely, How long has it been?" He struggled to focus the Force enough to understand her beeps and whistles. "Five days..." he breathed. Sluggishly, he felt along the training bond, but it was no use. He could feel his Masters on the other end, but couldn't hear anything. Giving up for the time being, Anakin returned to his injuries. He pulled off his boot to assess the damage. His ankle was a little swollen, but the bruises looked faded. I must have tried healing this earlier. He gingerly put his boot back on and stood up to test his weight on it. It wasn't too bad, but he wouldn't be running anywhere. Anakin hobbled over to the nearest wall and began feeling for a door. He slowly circled the room without finding so much as a crack. He found all of the other standard prison cell compliments, but no door. Even worse, he couldn't sense a passageway outside or even the thickness of the wall. Suddenly, Anakin realized that all of his mental shields were down completely. Hastily, he began to re-build them. Why didn't I notice?! How did this happen? I don't remember them collapsing! He sat down on the metal bunk he'd found in the dark and tried to calm himself. "Kaely, get your sensor out." Dutifully, the pink droid scanned the floor, walls and the high ceiling. She confirmed that there was no door in the wall, but there was one in the ceiling. Anakin looked up and Kaely turned on her little spotlight. Far above him was the faint outline of a trapdoor. If I didn't hurt so badly, I could levitate up there. Abruptly, a sickening feeling overcame him and it made his skin crawl. The Sith was coming near. "What a crummy birthday," Anakin mumbled aloud and prepared to meet the Sith again. Chapter 29 "Hide under this bunk and turn off your eyes," Anakin whispered to his little droid. Swiftly, Kaely darted out of sight. The trap door opened and blinded him with light. Anakin instantly set to work adjusting his eyes to it and prepared to be attacked. "You fell into the trap quite easily, my young apprentice." A gravelly voice came from the open hatch. Yes I did, but I'm not going to admit it aloud. The Sith's voice was different this time. When he'd last encountered the Sith over a year ago, its voice had been disguised enough that he couldn't tell how old, what gender or even if the person was human. Now however, it was definitely masculine. Well, that eliminates three quarters the galaxy. Doesn't really help find out who this guy is though. "Your skills are impressive, however they can be so much more." "Not interested," Anakin stated with false calm. "Ah, but how else do you expect to fulfill the prophecy, Chosen One?" Anakin jerked. How does he know about that! "Oh yes, I know who you are. I'm here to help you!" Don't listen, don't listen... "After all, a balance is achieved by two powers opposite one another. How can you bring balance to the Force if you only know the Jedi's way? It is impossible." Anakin tried to block out the Sith's oily persuasive voice. He's lying...he has to be lying... "In time you will understand and gratefully call me 'Master'." Anakin seethed at the Sith's audacity, but remained silent. "Good, good." Quickly, Anakin squashed down his anger. Don't give in, don't give in...he repeated to himself. "You have no choice, it is your destiny." Anakin desperately grasped his dimmed training bond like a tether. I won't fail you, no matter what, he vowed silently to his Masters. Whether they could hear him or not, he didn't know. ********** "He's here?" Obi-Wan gasped in shock. From around the room each Jedi reacted with different levels of surprise. Hope filled Qui-Gon, but he didn't allow himself to feel relieved. Master Windu immediately began planning with the others how they would search the planet and who currently at the Temple were the best trackers. "Go, rest now. Call you soon we will." With a sad look, Master Yoda spoke softly to Anakin's exhausted masters. Qui-Gon almost looked ready to disagree, but Obi-Wan gave him a warning look. It would do no good to pass out during the search. /It is the ultimate arrogance that the Sith have come here, where we are strongest,/ Qui-Gon told Obi-Wan after they left the Council chamber. /Perhaps the Sith is overconfident in his ability to hide Anakin from us. /Or perhaps not,/ Qui-Gon sighed. /Coruscant has billions of hiding places, Obi-Wan./ /It's cruel that Anakin is so close, yet still so far./ /This could be a long search. If we fail to find him in time.../ Qui-Gon couldn't bring himself to finish his sentence. They entered their apartment quietly. It felt gloomy and desolate with out Anakin's quirky sense of humor and Kaely's noisiness. "What about the droid?" Qui-Gon glanced at Obi-Wan in confusion. "She is with Ani, of course." "Exactly, doesn't Ani have a way to track Kaely?" Qui-Gon thought back to when they'd brought Anakin back to the Temple a year ago. Kaely had quickly become lost in the huge Temple and was not found for days. Anakin had mumbled about installing a tracing emitter on her so it wouldn't happen again. "Yes," Qui-Gon's eyes lit up. "He did build a tracking device, but he's sure to have it with him as well. However, if he remembered to record the frequency..." Instantly, both Jedi rushed to Anakin's worktable. It was a mess with droid parts, tools, datacards, and plasti-paper scrawled with schematics. Obi-Wan grabbed a datapad and began hunting through the cards labeled Kaely's new stuff." Meanwhile, Qui-Gon collected up every card into a stack and began looking through the papers. "Will it even work at this distance? Ani could be on the other side of the planet," Obi-Wan worried. "The way Anakin builds things and Kaely's tendency to explore, I don't doubt it will be sufficient." Qui-Gon found the card with the frequency and Obi-Wan sighed with relief. They gleefully, but with Jedi reserve, rushed back to the Council chamber. Chapter 30 Why is he talking to me from up there anyhow? Not that I want him to come down here... Anakin slouched on the metal bunk. He was cold and exhausted. His vision swam and it was getting harder and harder to resist the Sith's increasingly credible persuasiveness. It would be easier if he could just turn off his ears. "...otherwise I will use this chamber!" At that threat, Anakin strained to bring himself back to full alertness. A dozen different horrific possibilities flitted through his mind. This room could be flooded with water, or set aflame. Toxic gasses could be released, vicious creatures dropped on him, or even blades could shoot from the walls. And he had no way to escape. An awful cackle echoed from the open door and chilled Anakin. But still, he refused to give the Sith any answer at all. "We will talk again tomorrow, my young apprentice. You will be begging to get out when I return." The Sith shut the door with a loud slam. Anakin braced himself for an attack. He reached out to the Force, prepared for anything. And he nearly choked when around him the Force ceased. Anakin grasped tightly to what was left of the Force tha |