Title: "Star Wars: Episode II -- The Adversary Unveiled" (2/?)

Author: Melissa Lee

Date: 6-30-99

Rating: G

Spoilers: "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace"

Feedback: <<see Part I>>

Disclaimer: <<see Part I>>

Author's Notes:

Dedications & Thanks: A HUGE thank you goes out to whomever

created the 'Jedi Apprentice' series and the *insanely*

talented author of "Heir to the Empire" Timothy Zahn

for increasing my knowledge of the Jedi tenfold with

their ingenuity and wonderful form of afternoon enter-

tainment. -- I dedicate this to three of my best friends,

Laura, Monica, and Tracy. For their support, whether it

was suggestions, demanding, "Where's Part II!?" or sim-

ply listening my ideas, I thank you three for putting

up with me. :O)

Summary: <<see Part I>>

*-~-*-~-*

Long, weaving ribbons of golden sand swept across the

deserts of Tatooine. At the bottom of the rolling hills the

wind encountered herds of slowly moving banthas, and the

ribbons would twist against each other, interloping into a

flowing quilt that blanketed Tatooine's creatures against

the cruel twin suns.

Laying under one such blanket was a homemade star-

fighter, decked out with blue and white markings and carrying

a blue-domed Astromech droid. Trudging away from this such

ship was young Anakin Skywalker, his Padawan learner braid

swept over his shoulder and his chin jutting forward in a

determined manner. Ahead of Anakin lay the spaceport of Mos

Espa.

Fighting his way through the farmers, the traders, the

bounty hunters and other space scum, Anakin's bright blue

eyes rested fondly upon the slave hovel he had spent his

childhood years. Unable to hold back his excitement, he rushed

into the tiny home, almost surprised at its size compared to

the elegant, roomy furnishings at the Jedi Temple.

"Mom?" he called, not daring to go any further than the

kitchen.

A whithering voice responded, "Ani? Is that you?" And

out of Anakin's former bedroom came Shmi Skywalker, complete

with dishrag in hand.

For a moment the two just looked at one another, taking

in the differences that had occurred over the years. Anakin

immediately noticed the silvery strands in the woman's hair

and the wrinkles lining her features. Shmi placed a frail

hand to the base of her neck, barely believing the sight of

her own son.

"Anakin..." she gasped.

He smiled broadly in response, simply nodding his

authenticity. As he took his first tentative step toward Shmi,

the entire world seemed to collapse from beneath him. Swirling

black clouds swept around Anakin's mother, engulfing her within

its angry tendrils and dragging her away from her desperate

son.

Anakin screamed and shoved his arm into the thick smoke,

reaching in futility. The more Shmi struggled against the

tugging clouds, the more they pulled her down and pushed Anakin

away. Finally, the clouds enveloped the woman whole, and she

disappeared from Anakin's sight.

"Mom!" Anakin screamed into the night. Damp from the cold

sweat he had long since broken into, he shot up to a sitting

position in bed, his eyes madly searching the room. He swung

his legs over the side of the bed, planting his feet flat on

the cool marble floor. Squeezing his eyes shut, it took every-

thing Anakin had in him to push the nightmare's images out

of his mind. He absently reached an arm across his chest to

massage the pain out of his shoulders; however, the pain in

his heart refused to leave him.

Hearing the labored breathing and sensing his apprentice's

discomfort, Obi-Wan tore himself out of bed, running through

the connecting door to Anakin's part of the joint room. He

found the Padawan seated awkwardly on his bed within the

darkened area, his eyes focused on an imperceptible point in

the room.

"Anakin? What's the matter?" asked Obi-Wan, kneeling

beside the bed in order to see Anakin's face.

"I had a... a nightmare..." he answered, rubbing an arm

across his forehead. Obi-Wan's brow furrowed in concern,

feeling the boy's hot breath pushing against his bare skin.

He waited, watching Anakin to see if he would tell any more.

Anakin, however, would not speak. He simply sat with his

elbows on his knees, and his head in his hands. Several minutes

later, Anakin sensed his master's inquisitive stare boring into

him, and he lay down, his back to Obi-Wan, and yanked the sheet

over his trembling body.

Rubbing a hand over his tired face, Obi-Wan repressed a

sigh of frustration. He reached his hand to grab Anakin's

shoulder, preparing to question the boy. Then, deciding it

would do no good, he pulled his hand back. Anakin would be

leaving the next morning on his lightsaber construction

mission, and the last thing Obi-Wan wanted to be remembered

as would be a pushy Master.

Feeling dejected, Obi-Wan sullenly walked back to his

own room with memories of Qui-Gon Jinn soothing the nightmares

away from a young apprentice sporting a short ponytail.

*-~-*

A-317 displayed a colorful projection of breakfast

meals for an intrigued Miryan Starquest. Finally, the girl

pointed to a scrumptious-looking selection, saying, "That

one, please."

The droid promptly placed a steaming ceramic plate on

the table before Miryan, then filling a tall crystal glass

with thick pink lemonade. "Will there be anything else?" A-317

asked in a soft voice.

"No, thwank yew," replied Miryan around a mouthful,

"thath's juss perfick." She eyed the receding protocol droid

curiously, chewing thoughtfully. Under the lie of a Jedi

apprentice, Miryan had rarely spent much time on systems

tightly under the reign of the droid-loving Republic. Once

Miryan had settled into her room at the Coruscant Jedi Temple,

she had learned to become comfortable within the constant

presence of the metallic creatures.

Stuffing herself with another mouthful, Miryan glanced

out the large picture window across the room from her, idly

wondering about the cultures and lifestyles on all the name-

less systems. Vaguely noticing that she had cleaned off the

ceramic plate, she sat up from the table in search of that

big brown cloak all Jedi were required to wear. On occasion,

Miryan had been able to get away with wearing her own clothes,

but she knew it was inevitable to escape donning the tradi-

tional cream-colored tunic and pants, and thin, silken brown

robes; despite the fact that the garments had been tailored

for larger <men>, a thought that ticked Miryan off the

slightest bit.

Mentally slapping herself, Miryan couldn't believe she

had let her thoughts wander so. From entering the Jedi Academy

to facing the Trials, Miryan had loved and been fascinated

with the world of the Jedi. Although many of her fellow

students had found it amusing to yank on her hair and in-

timidate her with their bigger stature, Miryan only made such

things reasons to push herself harder, to achieve her best.

In the end, Master Far-Deil had chosen the little girl over

the tall, strong boys. Miryan fondly remembered that day.

As a naive 11 year-old Padawan, however, Miryan would

often ask Far-Deil questions such as, "Why am I the only

girl in the Academy?" Her Master would ponder the question

for a few minutes each time she asked, then would reply,

"Males tend to be more sensitive to the Force, Miryan. But

you're special. That is why you are here."

"I don't feel special," the girl would then pout.

Far-Deil would then allow himself the tiniest of smiles,

finding the situation somehow ironic. Though it was unhealthy

for Padawans to have inflated egos, Far-Deil understood how

Miryan grew up around condescending colleagues, and he knew

that her fear would get the better of her unless he helped

her understand that simply <being> under apprenticeship was

special.

"You must listen, young Padawan," Far-Deil would say

in the most comforting tone he could muster. "Imagine a

group of tiny babies, none of them more than three months old.

Most of them are boys -- except for one baby girl." He pointed

a long finger between Miryan's two emerald eyes. "You. Out of

all those little boys with high midi-chlorian counts, they

chose you to go to the Jedi Academy. And you know why?"

Miryan thought about it for a little while, her smooth

brow furrowed in concentration, then she shrugged, saying,

"I dunno."

"Because you <are> special." A smile would then reward

the experienced Jedi, and the Padawan's lessons would proceed.

However, due to human nature, the stressful days of the

Jedi Trials forced Miryan to weigh the odds. Remembering such

cherished memories of her days with the tall Dressilian Master

helped pass the hours, but her rough life at the Academy

seemed to always come back. But there was one thing that always

kept Miryan in high spirits. During the ponderings of such

regrets, never once had she entertained the thought of giving

up. Miryan knew she was destined to be a Knight.

Presently feeling somewhat satisfied with herself, the

young Jedi placed the cloak's hood gently over her head, pre-

paring for her meeting with the Council.

Miryan strode through the passageways of the Temple,

her soft brown boots barely audible throughout the high-

ceilinged building. At last she arrived to the circular meeting

room of the Council, and knocked on the tall wooden doors.

When permission was granted, Miryan pushed into the

round room, bowing to the 12-being Council upon entrance. Much

to her surprise, in the center of the room stood fellow young

Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi, who cast her an inquisitive blue-eyed

stare.

*-~-*

Anakin Skywalker yanked the thick fighters' helmet over

his head, haphazardly adjusting the chin strap. He could

feel the X-wing around him begin to rev up, and a querky beep

from the Astromech droid B4-K3 in the aft droid socket sig-

naled to him that the ship was prepared to begin the pre-

launch sequence. Anakin focused his vision on the rising sun

coming above the docking platform, trying to keep his mind

clear of all the conflicting emotions warring within him.

Setting a course for the mineral-rich planet of

Aquafolia, Anakin jetted out of the Coruscant atmosphere. He

let the autopilot take over, and leaned back in the seat,

letting out a long sigh. Though Jedi were taught a special

hibernation method for long journeys, Anakin declined the need

to become comatose, knowing he would only be asleep for a

short period of time.

He absently eyed the X-wing's many controls, remembering

the first time he had piloted an X-wing. As a Padawan, Anakin

did not do that much individual starpiloting, but he easily

recalled how neurotic he had been once he settled into the

pilots' seat during the flight phase of his training.

Part of a Jedi's training required piloting skills in

cases of emergency. A fine pilot himself, many times Obi-Wan

would allow Anakin to fly the Y-wing they used for inter-

planetary travel. Obi-Wan would tell Anakin a planet they

needed to get to, but not how to get to it. Reaching out with

the Force, Anakin would let his instincts guide his hands on

the Controls to the location of his Master's choice. Each try

had been a success.

Watching the starlines whiz by the ship through

hyperspace, Anakin now strived to remember the parts needed

to build his lightsaber. Magnetic stabilizing ring, Anakin

recited inwardly, energy modulation circuits, energy gate,

power cell, cycling field energizers, primary crystal...

Anakin squinted, his mind suddenly foggy. Pushing his brain,

he worked to recall the second crystal. Focusing crystal!

That's it, he thought triumphantly, satisfied.

All those nights Obi-Wan had made him study were

beginning to pay off. As Beefor whistled that they were ap-

proaching the rainforest planet of Aquafolia, Anakin imagined

the diagram of his lightsaber, decidedly choosing its energy

blade to be a bright, fiery blue...

Once again manning the X-wing's controls, he pulled the

ship out of lightspeed before entering Aquafolia's atmosphere.

Anakin picked out a clearing near the pond he and Obi-Wan had

spent so many months, then carefully landed the ship on a

ground covered thickly with moss. Shutting the quadrupled jet

engines down, Anakin listened to the sound of the turbines

slowly decreasing speed. He turned his gaze out the port win-

dow, studying the terrain pensively.

He wished Obi-Wan had commented in his defense concerning

his trip to Tatooine. Not that it would have made much of a

difference, Anakin thought dryly, considering the Jedi Masters'

resolute standing on the matter. With that, he pushed images of

his nightmare out of his mind, working to deplete the fear that

had inexplicably welled up within him. Acknowledging Artoo's

electronic gurgle behind him, Anakin opened the canopy to the

X-wing and climbed out, in search of primary crystals and the

metallic bark of Myrkr trees.

*-~-*

Blinking twice in a vague form of disbelief, Miryan

eyed Obi-Wan curiously, momentarily pondering over a

series of reasons why they would be called to the Council

Chamber on the same day. However, knowing that the answer to

such questions would be soon revealed, Miryan simply nodded

her greeting to Obi-Wan, who returned the gesture with a

tiny smile.

Miryan removed her hood and tucked her hands into her

sleeves, waiting for either of the Senior Council members to

begin speaking.

"Obi-Wan, Miryan," addressed Master Mace Windu, looking

to both consecutively, "do you believe you have fulfilled the

idea of the perfect Jedi?"

Both Miryan and her male counterpart were taken aback

by the question, and glanced at each other inquisitively.

Supposedly, the 'perfect Jedi' was incapable of doing wrong,

was looked upon as the surefire guardian of peace. The

'perfect Jedi' had no faults. After a few tense moments, Obi-

Wan answered, "I believe I can speak for Miryan when I say

that achieving the skill of the 'perfect Jedi' is impossible."

Obi-Wan glanced at Miryan again, who smiled approvingly

as Master Yoda murmured, "Wise answer, Obi-Wan." The Senior

Council member then turned to Miryan, asking, "Believe this,

do you?"

Completely unhesitant, the Jedi girl replied, "I agree

whole-heartedly with Obi-Wan, Master."

Taking Miryan's answer into consideration for only a

moment, as if he had known her answer before she said it,

Master Mace Windu asked, "Are there any such skills either of

you wish you could improve upon?"

The two Jedi had a vague idea where this line of quest-

ioning was heading, but both thought about the inquiry none-

theless.

Miryan replied first. "I believe, Master, that I've been

having troubles controlling my feelings, and tend to be..."

She looked down at her feet uncomfortably, the lines of the

Jedi Code that stated, "There is no emotion," and "There is no

passion" whirling through her mind like a runaway land speeder.

Looking back to the Council members, she finished, "intense in

my actions."

The female Jedi Council member Adi Gallia nodded thought-

fully, then turned her gaze to Obi-Wan. He had focused on a

spot through the room's windows, deep in thought. Finally,

after a few anxious moments, he said quietly, "I wish not

only to be Anakin's Master... but his friend."

Miryan's heart sank from Obi-Wan's comment, and she mo-

mentarily wondered what was the cause of such an odd pairing.

"What do you believe is the cause of your problem, Obi-

Wan?" inquired Adi Gallia, her voice rippling through the

room like the waves of her home planet.

"Mistress, I don't believe I... talk with him enough,"

he replied, somewhat indecisively. He felt Miryan's eyes

studying him, and he looked up reluctantly to meet her

sorrowful gaze.

The dark-skinned Mistress Adi regarded the pair before

her, knowing that the coupling was near vital for both Jedi's

efficiency. Pushing a silky headtail over her shoulder, Adi

shot a look to Mace Windu, who accepted the gesture with a

brief nod. He then turned to Master Yoda, and the two held a

quiet conversation. Finally, Yoda loudly announced, "Obi-Wan

and Miryan, paired, you will be."

It was all Obi-Wan could do <not> to let his eyes bug

out of his head. Paired? Is that what this was all about?

"Excuse my ignorance, Master, but for what purpose?" Beside

him, he sensed Miryan's fierce agreement.

Yoda's eyes widened with a child-like wonder at Obi-

Wan's sudden outspoken behavior, but it was Mace who answered

the Young Jedi. "Miryan and yourself are the extremes on the

emotional scale, so to speak. We believe that in each other's

presence will cancel out such problems, and will therefore

enhance your capabilities." The Jedi Master stopped, eyeing

the two carefully.

"Your first mission," said Master Ki-Adi-Mundi slowly,

"will be to track down a series of rumors surrounding Sith

sightings."

A fleeting expression of doubt flashed across Obi-Wan's

features, but he quickly masked it with his usual blank fa-

cade, inquiring no further.

Miryan, however, could not believe that the Council

would dispatch Jedi on the account of rumors. But, knowing

it was disrespectful to question the judgement of such

highly praised beings, she kept her mouth shut, her brow

furrowed, and stared straight ahead. Yet her thoughts be-

trayed her, and Yoda asked her, "Disapprove, do you?"

For a moment, Miryan mentally went over ways to answer

the question, which was simple, yet complex all at once. Fin-

ally, she replied, "With all due respect, Master, yes. I do

not believe that this will be as beneficial as you think."

Mace then leaned forward, rested his elbows atop his

knees and templing his fingers in his well-known "I am right

and you are wrong" stance. "Nevertheless, the reported Sith

sightings <must> be looked into."

Miryan nodded slowly, her expression momentarily futile

before she dropped her gaze to the floor.

"You will begin immediately," Adi announced liquidly,

gesturing a long fingernail to a datapad Mace now held. "A

Y-wing will be supplied for space travel, as well as a 25,000

Republic credit card in the situation that information

happens to have a price attached."

With that said, Mace turned the datapad over in his

hands one last time, then extended it to the pair of Jedi.

Adi fixed her eyes on them, captivated as, with the slightest

of glances to Miryan, Obi-Wan stepped forward and accepted

the datapad.

Excellent, thought Adi, hiding her delight, they have

already created a subconscious bond.

*-~-*

Chief Advisor to the Queen Tae Ispod journeyed down the

long corridor, fidgeting with the buttons of his burgundy robe

in a fit of anxiety.

He hoped against hope that this such journey would be a

success.

Ispod clearly recalled the first two times he had sug-

gested to the Queen that she marry. She had flatly declined,

despite Ispod's remarks of how it would be "for the good of

the Naboo". Amidala had then countered with the idea that

her people would think her weak. That had kept Ispod quiet,

forcing the tall, sinuous man to wonder if Amidala would be

the next "virgin queen".

But she had stalled him long enough. The girl had just

turned nineteen. <Nineteen!> thought Ispod in disdain. It was

becoming almost vital to the Queen's emotional health, as

well. He would hate to see Amidala as a recluse.

Without even noticing that he had stopped, Ispod con-

tinued to the Queen's personal suite at the Theed Palace. He

slicked his bluish-black hair with bony fingers, quietly

entering the grand room.

"My queen," addressed Ispod, "I wish to speak with you."

Queen Amidala emmerged from around a corner of the room,

and delicately seated herself on the maroon bench at the

center of the suite, nonchalantly relaxing her long arms atop

the stuffed velvet armrests.

"As always, Tae," she responded, fixing her chestnut

eyes on the Advisor, "I am willing to listen."

Ispod tried his best to maintain a regal composure, and

he held his hands nervously behind his back, inclining his

head slightly. "I wonder, my queen, are you happy?"

Amidala immediately became rigid at the innocent

inquiry, and she frowned, her defenses up. "I have reached my

top acheivement, Tae," she told him. "I am serving my people

as I have always wanted to. I cannot be happier, and you know

that." Ispod remained reticent, and at a loss of words. The

Queen continued, "What are you getting at?"

The Advisor tossed all remaining tactics out the window,

saying, "Marriage, your majesty."

The silken veil cascading from Amidala's headdress

slipped across her back as she bowed her head, the fabric

whispering incoherent secrets. She sighed then -- whether in

resignation or frustration, Ispod could not be sure. The

Queen straightened, fixing her eyes forward. Ispod nearly

fizzled under the intensity of her gaze.

"Perhaps," said Amidala slowly, "you're right."

The Advisor was taken aback by how easily she had

given in. He wondered what had changed his queen's mind, yet

he feared questioning would lead to Amidala taking up her

original opinion on the matter. However, he kept quiet,

hoping she would continue.

"You are curious over my decision, Advisor," the Queen

stated, as if it were a widely known fact.

Ispod cleared his throat surreptitiously, uncomfortably

saying, "You read me well."

A ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of Amidala's

mouth, the red and white Scar of Remembrance painted on her

lips curving the slightest bit. Yet as soon as it had ap-

peared, the smile vanished, and she said, "I have thought of

the idea of marriage for quite a while, Tae. And I believe

that every woman -- even a queen -- deserves to have a

family."

Ispod smiled at hearing this, pleased with the image of

a content queen, her husband, and their children enjoying the

many luxuries of Naboo... "Very well, my queen. We shall pre-

pare at once."

Queen Amidala nodded slowly in response, acknowledging

his dismissal. Once the Advisor left, she allowed her thoughts

and attention to roam. She knew she could raise her children

into good, well-rounded beings. Perhaps even good politicians.

They would be sure to keep perpetual happiness within the

galaxy. Amidala knew her children would carry on the peace of

her planet, and even others, long after she was gone.

*-~-*

Obi-Wan Kenobi eased the central lightspeed control

levers forward, watching as the starlines were replaced with

the turquoise mottled sky of hyperspace. In approximately ten

hours, the ship would reach the Outer Rim planet of Malastare,

complete with methane lakes and Podracing courses.

Anakin would have loved it.

Thinking of his apprentice worried Obi-Wan. He hoped

had reviewed all the study material about lightsabers they

had gone over. Obi-Wan knew Anakin could handle a lightsaber

with the grace and ease of any Jedi Knight, but had he list-

ened long enough to remember how to build such a weapon? Only

time would tell.

Pushing the unanswered question from his mind, Obi-Wan

focused on the search mission, staring sightlessly at the

datapad for the third time in the past fifteen minutes.

Everything had gone well so far. The Council had put a brand

new Republic Transport ship at Obi-Wan and Miryan's dispense,

and had kept the ship well-stocked. Everything was going as

planned; they had immediately packed what little possessions

Jedi owned, boarded the Transport, and left the Coruscant

system.

One minor detail that had put Obi-Wan at unease, how-

ever, was his new partner. Miryan either loved the sound of

her own voice, or could not take the hint that Obi-Wan didn't

<want> to talk. But the disappointed frown she bore whenever

he replied with a shrug or a one-word answer gave him a

feeling of inadequacy. Obi-Wan almost wished he could answer

the girl's questions.

But until the opportunity presented itself once again,

he simply wondered what his female counterpart was up to. In

one of their actual conversations, he and Miryan had decided

to take shifts at the helm, considering they were the only

two aboard the Transport ship. Obi-Wan had insisted that he

take the first shift, and that Miryan try to get some rest.

Had she really fallen asleep? Miryan appeared to Obi-Wan as a

restless person, not to mention her supposed dread of space-

flight...

The door to the bridge swished open, and Miryan herself

edged in. "Hi," she greeted him quietly. "I couldn't sleep."

Instead of taking the saying, "Actions speak louder

than words," to the grave, Obi-Wan acknowledged with, "Are you

sure you want to be up here for five hours?"

"I doubt I'll get any sleep at all," Miryan assured

him, giving him a wry grin, "I've been plagued by a bout of

anxiety all morning."

"Is this your first mission?" She nodded in response.

"I know the feeling."

Miryan turnd her shamrock-colored eyes to the front

viewport, focusing aimlessly as if to find her way through

the mottled clouds of hyperspace. "I'm glad to be part of

such an important search. I suppose that is what being a

guardian of peace is about, right?"

Nodding absently in agreement, Obi-Wan caught a flicker

of irritation cross Miryan's sense, then felt a deep, radi-

ating calm fill her. He momentarily marveled at how easily

her own calm engulfed him. "You carry a very serene essence,"

Obi-Wan complimented slowly, keeping his eyes ahead.

Miryan cast him a sidelong hint of a smile. He con-

tinued, "My former master had one quite similar to it; I find

it very comforting."

A serious expression grew on Miryan's face, and she re-

plied, "I'm honored to be compared to such a Jedi." Obi-Wan

swallowed thickly, wondering dryly if the whole galaxy knew

about what had happened on Naboo. He hid is sudden discomfort

with a tiny, appreciative smile, and Miryan returned the

gesture, hugging the thin, yet warm brown Jedi clock around

her slight form.

The bridge of the Transport ship was enveloped in a

thick silence, which was neither tense nor comfortable.

Miryan let out an inexplicable sigh and leaned back in the

co-pilot's seat. A few moments later, the reticense was bro-

ken by an irksome, high-pitched beeping and a flashing red

light.

"Incoming transmission?" inquired Miryan.

Obi-Wan nodded an affirmative, and pushed the flashing

button. "This is Republic Transport Y-3273. Transmission re-

ceived; please identify yourself."

A blue flickering hologram appeared over a projection

device. The person imaged was a tall, wiry man with long,

incredibly straight dark hair and dark eyes. He wore reddish

robes and carried a datapad in his long, bony fingers. Obi-

Wan surmised him to be some sort of advisor, due to his

appearance... "Jedi Kenobi," the man greeted in a gravelly

voice. "I am Tae Ispod, Chief Advisor to Queen Amidala of

the Naboo."

I was right, Obi-Wan silently commended himself,

amused. He glanced to his right, watching Miryan mouth

"Naboo?" curiously. Shrugging in response, Obi-Wan held down

the comm control button down again. "Myself and Jedi Star-

quest greet you, Advisor. How is the Queen?"

"The Queen is well," Ispod stated with a somewhat smug

expression. "As a matter of fact, the reason I've contacted

you concerns Queen Amidala."

On Naboo, the Advisor watched the young Jedi raise an

eyebrow inquisitively. He continued, saying, "The Queen has

agreed to an arranged marriage." Inside the Republic Trans-

port, Obi-Wan felt his heart skip a beat. Queen Amidala

wanted to marry <him??> That was impossible... "Do you be-

lieve your apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, would be interested?"

Obi-Wan's brain slowed down a few lightyears, and, re-

gaining his composure, he found his voice and said, "I am sure

Anakin would be very interested. Unfortunately, it is neither

my nor Anakin's decision." Obi-Wan noticed the Advisor's face

fall. "Jedi are permitted from marriage for certain reasons,

yet I am sure the Jedi Council would make an exception in the

Queen's favor."

"I see," murmured Ispod. "Whom of the Council shall I

contact?"

"Master Yoda?" Miryan spoke up. "He <is> a Senior

Council member," she added, turning to Obi-Wan, who nodded

in agreement.

"Very well," the Advisor conceded. "I shall keep in

contact. Naboo, out."

"Transport Y-3273, out."

With that, the hologram faded and the transmission

ended. Obi-Wan stared at the holoprojector anyway, wondering

what Anakin would think. However, his ponderings were in-

terrupted by Miryan's slight chuckle.

"What?" he asked her, his light British accent clearly

evident.

"You were getting a bit nervous, weren't you, Obi-Wan?"

she inquired innocently, surpressing a tiny smile.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." He shook

his head, a faux incredulous expression engraved on his

features. Had he really let guard down <that> much? Obi-Wan

cleared his throat and ran a hand through his short, light

brown hair surreptitiously, and Miryan dropped the subject.

Leaning her head against the co-pilot's seat once more

and sliding a long, tanned hand over her French braid, --

nearly mimicking Obi-Wan previous action -- Miryan let her

eyes slip shut. A few minutes of silence crawled by, and

Obi-Wan was beginning to wonder if she had actually gone

comatose on him. It sounded like an odd thing for her to do,

and on the bridge of all places...

"How long have you been training Anakin?" she asked

suddenly, eyes still closed.

Trying not to let his surprise show, even though he

knew Miryan could not see him, Obi-Wan settled back into the

captain's seat, clasping his hands over his lower torso.

"Six years," he stated simply.

"I'm assuming he is out on his lightsaber construction

mission at the moment?"

"Yes."

Miryan nodded thoughtfully, then commented, "He is a

bit young to be so close to completing his training."

"Anakin <is> young," Obi-Wan agreed, eyeing Miryan.

Did she know that his apprentice was the one supposedly con-

ceived by the midi-chlorians? She seemed to be stepping per-

fectly around the subject.

"He must be some Padawan."

"My Master believed he was the Chosen One," Obi-Wan said

quietly, watching for her reaction. He saw her eyelids slowly

drift open, focusing aimlessly on the ceiling. She then turned

her head to his direction, a frown embossed on her features.

"Then it's true?" she inquired.

"He is an exceptional apprentice, a little rusty around

the edges, but I believe he will someday be a great Jedi,"

replied Obi-Wan, neither answering her question or stating his

opinion on the matter.

Miryan continued to study her male conterpart, wondering

if what he just said had been carefully rehearsed. Obi-Wan

sounded confident, but he did seem to be a master of dis-

guises... When he noticed her staring, she quickly turned her

gaze away from him, blinking a few times to clear her sud-

denly foggy mind. "I want to wait before I accept a Padawan,"

she said, changing the subject. "I want to know that I am

ready to handle such a responsibility."

Shrugging nonchalantly, Obi-Wan stared at the helm con-

trols for a little while longer, then got up out of the chair.

"I believe I am going to try to get some sleep," he said,

stretching his arms behind him. He looked down at her for a

few moments longer, as if he was hoping that she would ask him

to stay.

But she didn't. "See you in four hours and 27 minutes,

then," she told him instead, somewhat cheerfully.

*-~-*

Nine and a half hours later, Miryan Starquest snuggled

down into the Republic Transport's captain's seat, refresh-

ing her and Obi-Wan Kenobi's nearly photographic memories

once more. "Our first informant-- one Darrow Falden, male

Rodian, approximately age 29. Falden owns a nightclub --

The Lime Horizon -- popular for nightly sabacc tournaments

and... Twi'lek dancers." Miryan made a face at the absurdity

of the information listed on the datapad.

"The Lime Horizon?" inquired Obi-Wan skeptically.

"I believe it is a referenced to how Malastare's

methane lakes reflect their slightly greenish tint off the

planet's ozone layers. Similar to what they call the Northern

Lights on some planets." Miryan shrugged. "What concerns me,

however," she commented, "is the fact that our friend here is

a Rodian." She almost winced at the very thought.

"Rodians certainly do not have the tendency to be trust-

worthy," Obi-Wan agreed. "Yet this particular Rodian has sup-

plied Coruscant Intelligence with helpful information many

times in the past. We don't really have a choice, do we?"

"I suppose you're right..." Miryan trailed off. Sud-

denly, an alarm went off, interrupting the Jedi's conver-

sation. "Ah," Miryan sounded quietly. "Coming up on Malastare."

Taking a deep breath, Miryan leaned forward in the

chair, slipping a hand around the lightspeed control levers.

Obi-Wan sensed the other's uncomfortable anxiety build up,

and, without thinking, he was directly behind her within an

instant.

His face was just above her right shoulder, and he

glided his right hand gently down Miryan's lower arm, cov-

ering her delicate fingers with his larger ones. The simple

act soothed her immediately, and her breathing slowed down by

a fraction. "Focus on the Force," Obi-Wan murmured into her

ear, assisting her grip on the levers. "Feel it flowing around

the bridge, around the ship... and around us." He sensed

Miryan's thoughts clear in response. "The ship is your

wings... land yourself," he continued, gently pulling Miryan's

hand and the levers towards him. The starlines became the inky

blackness of space, and the violet and green planet of Mala-

stare loomed before them.

Obi-Wan and Miryan decelerated for their approach, and

the ship made its way through Malastare's atmosphere. Obi-Wan

guided Miryan in between the towers and the skyscrapers,

quickly locating a mediocre-sized spaceport. They soon were

merited clearance into a docking bay, and landed the ship with-

out faults. Once the post-flight procedure had been followed

through, Obi-Wan turned his face to Miryan, asking, "Now,

did that help?"

"Yes," she replied, an excited edge to her voice as she

looked through the front viewport. She then turned to Obi-Wan,

immediately startled at how close his face was to hers. She

regained her composure, and momentarily glanced away from him.

"I suppose I have to let your Padawan take me for a ride now,

don't I?" she asked him, smiling proudly. Much to her surprise,

Obi-Wan did not have a vocal reply to that, just a cute little

smirk.

Miryan caught herself, and she snapped her head back to

the front viewport. <'Cute little smirk'??> she sharply in-

quired of herself, her smile fading. <Where did *that* come

from?> She inconspicuously tried to distance herself from

Obi-Wan, knowing they were going in the ultimately wrong

direction.

She pushed herself out of the chair, and caught a strange

look cross Obi-Wan's face. She glanced cautiously over at him,

bathed in the shadow's only five feet away, and watched as he

pasted his blank, detached expression over his previous,

curious facade. He was distancing himself as well.

"We had better get going," she commented quietly. Obi-

Wan simply nodded in agreement. With that said, she walked to

the midship launching ramp, flipping a switch and watching the

platform ease itself down. A cool rush of Malastarian air

pushed its way into the ship, and Miryan pulled her hood over

her head and unsuccessfully tried to wrap her cloak tighter

around her. Obi-Wan wordlessly stepped beside her at the top

of the ramp, and covered his head with his own hood. He felt

Miryan's comforting essence next to him, and, without further

ado, they strode down the ramp together.

*-~-*

B4-K3's sensors went wild. The red-domed Astromech

droid exploded in an exclamation of warbles and beeps. He tod-

dled around on his three legs, trying to get his master's

attention from the side of the Aquafolia pond.

"Beefor?" called Anakin Skywalker, wiping drops of

water from his eyes and pulling an A99 Aquata Breather from

between his teeth. "Did you find a crystal?"

The droid beeped an affirmative, and Anakin leaped out

of the pond in a great rush of water, landing gracefully on

the lush, green moss about 20 feet in front of Beefor. He

stepped beside the droid and, squatting, examined the ground

Beefor had directed him to. He then dug his fingers into the

rich loose loam, searching. Triumphantly, he pulled out a blue

crystal about the size of a tauntaun egg. Anakin blew on

it gently, brushing away the dirt. "Good job, Beefor," he

complimented. "It's perfect," he added admiringly.

Warbling proudly for all he was worth, Beefor slid his

top panel open, revealing Anakin's lightsaber. Anakin slip-

ped his brown Jedi cloak over his bare shoulders, then

pulled the lightsaber out, twisting the bottom off the handle.

Sitting Indian-style beside his metallic companion, Anakin

reached two fingers into his lightsaber's handle, and re-

trieved out a small blue crystal, similar in shape to the

one Beefor had found. Lightly sanding the sides of his larger

crystal with a rough bronze slab, Anakin slipped the

large aquamarine crystal into the handle of his weapon.

Standing up, he edged away from the droid, and gave the

metallic cylinder a light slap to lock the crystal into place.

Shaking the saber gently to make sure nothing was loose,

Anakin held the weapon before him in both hands, spreading his

legs in a battle stance. A nearly invisible flick of his thumb

ignited the lightsaber, and a brilliant blue blade grew from

the handle.

Anakin smiled. "It's perfect," he murmured again to

himself. He could feel the weapon vibrating underneath his

fingers, and the blazing blue glow radiated the power Anakin

hadn't had with the first crystal. He twisted the lightsaber

effortlessly in a series of graceful arcs, hearing the deep,

soothing hum resonating through the thick atmosphere.

Reluctanly shutting down the magnificent weapon, Anakin

felt a surge of deep pride well within him. The Jedi Council

had given him six days, and he had completed the mission in

only two. Smiling proudly again, Anakin clipped the light-

saber to his belt happily. "Get the ship ready," he in-

structed Beefor. "We're leaving."

Anakin gazed aimlessly into the dense forest, vaguely

hearing the X-wing's turbines rev up in the pre-flight se-

quence. In the distance, a rainstorm's dull thundering be-

came louder than the X-wing, and Anakin could see the curtain

of rain edging towards him. He trotted to the ship and pulled

his tunic on, covering himself once more with his cloak. He

cast an eye around the area once more, and, positive he had

was not leaving anything behind, he climbed into the X-wing.

He was going to Tatooine.

<<Continued in Part III of "The Adversary Unveiled"...>>