Chapter Two

See chapter 1 for summary+disclaimer

Anakin and Obi Wan walked purposefully through the gleaming halls of the temple. Students they passed eyed them curiously. Using the Force, Anakin could feel their dislike and jealousy for him and their great respect and admiration for Obi Wan. Walking beside someone whom they admired so much, filled Anakin with a sense of pride and took the sting out of the negative jolts in the Force directed at him.

At twelve, Anakin was already up to Obi Wan's shoulder in stature. If he kept growing the way he had been, in a few more years he would be taller than his classmates, as well as Obi Wan. Anakin liked that idea. He wanted to be tall, just like Qui Gon. In every possible way, Anakin wanted to emulate him. He wanted to honor the master's memory by doing well and showing everyone that Qui Gon had been right about him. He would make him proud.

Anakin's thoughts were interrupted by the hum of numerous ship engines as they arrived at the docking bay. A transport was in the process of boarding passengers. Obi Wan turned towards it and quickened his pace.

Council member, Adi Gallia was waiting for them at the bottom of the boarding ramp. Obi Wan quickened his pace and stopped before her with a respectful bow. Anakin bowed as well, then leaned close to Obi Wan, to hear Adi Gallia's voice over the drone of the engines.

Adi Gallia handed Obi Wan a data pad and two different holoprojectors which he slipped into an unseen pocket in a bag he had slung over his shoulder.

"It's everything you need. All the information we have on Tamerlane Merl, as well as her last reported sighting. She's keeping company with an older Maschan female named Skya DiArta. We don't have much information about her other than she is a con artist and a petty thief. Not a good companion for a young apprentice, but at least we know DiArta is not a 'known' enemy." She paused and licked her full lips apprehensively. "I know Tamerlane, Obi Wan. Try not to judge her on her actions. She's a fine student and will make an honorable jedi someday. She's only temporarily lost her way. We need to bring her home."

Obi Wan nodded thoughtfully. "Try not to worry, Master Gallia. We promise you our best effort."

Anakin's heart skipped a beat upon hearing Obi Wan's inclusive reference. It made Anakin feel like he was Obi Wan's partner now. A part of a working team.

Adi Gallia's large dark eyes fell on Anakin.

"This will be your first assignment, young Skywalker. Utilize your training and obey your master," she advised. "This can be a great learning experience for you if you let it. In not only the ways of the galaxy around you, but inside your own mind and body."

Anakin found himself tongue-tied. All he could do was nod and bow. The presence of the Force was overwhelmingly strong around her and Anakin felt it direct everything she did and said.

The ship's engines changed pitch, signaling a readiness for take off. All three jedi turned towards it with a knowing look.

Adi Gallia raised her hand, fingers splayed, then turned her wrist and curled her fingers into her palm in her native farewell gesture.

"Be on your way and may the Force be with you both," she said.

Obi Wan repeated her gesture, then bowed. Anakin hurriedly offered her his own sign of farewell. She smiled warmly at him and touched his cheek with her hand. Then she turned and seemed to float across the hanger bay, her long dark robes billowing behind her.

Anakin followed Obi Wan to their cabin. He touched his cheek with his hand. The skin was warm and tingled slightly.

"She must be a powerful jedi," Anakin murmured to Obi Wan.

Obi Wan smiled easily. "That she is. She can do more with the power of her mind to obtain her means than any other master I know. There isn't a species in the galaxy that's immuned to her mind suggestions. It makes her a most sought after diplomat."

Obi Wan took the bag off his shoulder and set it carefully on the large table which occupied a good deal of space in the small cabin. He slipped off his cloak and draped it over the back of a chair and seated himself with a long sigh.

Anakin stood in the middle of the room, not quite sure what to do next.

"You might as well relax and make yourself comfortable," Obi Wan suggested. "We've a long ride ahead of us." He gestured at the bag. "We'll pass the time studying the data we've been given on the missing apprentice."

Anakin settled himself at the table, tucking a long leg casually underneath him and pulled his cloak tighter around him. "How do we know where this girl's at? How did the council find out about this Skya DiArta?" he questioned.

"We've sent word out to all the jedi throughout the galaxy on different assignments to use the Force to try to get of sense of whether or not Tamerlane was travelling within their given star systems. A jedi can always sense the presence of the Force in an individual, especially another jedi." Obi Wan sat forward and withdrew the data pad from the bag and activated it. He studied the information flashing across the screen briefly before handing the device to Anakin. "A jedi knight stationed on Mascha discovered Tamerlane and reported her location back to the council," Obi Wan continued.

Anakin looked up from the pad, confused. "If she has already been found...why are we still looking for her?"

Obi Wan smiled indulgently and tapped the data pad Anakin was holding. "Read a little further and you'll answer your own question. Always use the information made available to you before wondering about reasons."

Anakin focused back on the data pad and continued reading. He nodded suddenly. "So the jedi who discovered her lost track of her when she boarded a transport with the female Maschan, DiArta."

"Right. There was no time for him to intercept her and prevent her from leaving," Obi Wan explained. "But at least we know she is traveling with someone and we know where she was heading."

Anakin was flipping through page after page on the data pad screen, taking in every detail. Suddenly he gasped and looked up at Obi Wan with an incredulous expression.

"Naboo!"

The older jedi smiled brightly. He knew Anakin would be pleased. "Yes. The transport Tamerlane boarded was heading for that system." He locked eyes with Anakin. "That was one of the reasons I wanted you along on this mission. We both know that planet. We know the government." His smile broadened. "We have many friends there who would be willing to help us out if need be."

Anakin's breath was coming in gulps. His pulse began pounding in his ears. After all this time. Finally, he'd get to see her again. "Amidala," he whispered to himself.

"This was why the council chose me for this assignment," Obi Wan continued. "Those simple facts increase our chances of success on this mission." He placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "I couldn't have possibly gone to Naboo and left you behind, Anakin. I know how much Naboo means to you. And why. So you see, I'm not entirely heartless," he teased.

Anakin looked back at his master with gratitude and affection. He smiled.

"Thanks, Obi Wan," he sighed.

Obi Wan's brow furrowed. "Of course, you'll still be expected to keep this assignment top priority. You mustn't allow yourself to be distracted from it."

Anakin hurriedly assured him with a quick nod. "Yes Master. I understand. I am entirely devoted to the success of this mission."

Obi Wan nodded acceptance, but held Anakin's eyes with his for a moment longer, letting the boy know that he appreciated his conviction even if he didn't wholeheartedly believe it. Anakin could feel Obi Wan's skepticism.

"Master, I promise you. I want this mission to succeed more than anything. I want to prove to you, and everyone, that I can do what's expected of me. I want to show them I have the skill and the knowledge. It's all at your disposal."

Obi Wan's eyes narrowed. "The motivation for our success should not be based on our own gains, Anakin. We should only be motivated by whatever is the right thing to do in a given circumstance."

Anakin blushed at the gentle rebuke. His first impulse was to defend his words, but instead, he merely lowered his eyes in submission and uttered a quiet, "Yes Master."

Obi Wan leaned forward. "Take heart, young padawan. I trust your allegiance. I can feel the integrity behind your promise."

At that, Anakin brightened. He set the data pad aside and reached inside the bag for the holoprojectors Adi Gallia had given them. He turned it on and the shimmering image of a young woman suddenly stood before them, rotating slowly. Vital statistics and general information was projected above and below the image. Anakin sighed.

"She looks sad," he noted. He studied the features of the girl closely. "She's very pretty," he added.

Obi Wan nodded. "A sadness can sometimes lend itself to beauty."

Anakin looked up at Obi Wan. There was great sympathy in his eyes. Anakin took a deep breath.

"We'll find her, Master," he announced with a certainty he hadn't felt before. It became very important to him that this beautiful lost apprentice know someone cared about her. He turned back to the hologram. He wondered what she was thinking. How she was feeling. Did she feel alone and unloved with no one to turn to in her grief? Anakin knew those feelings. His heart went out to her, wherever she was. He suddenly turned to Obi Wan, sensing the jedi's eyes on him.

"Your compassion is admirable," he told Anakin quietly.

Anakin lowered his eyes. "Master...what if she doesn't want to come back with us? What are we to do then?"

Obi Wan sighed heavily. "There's always that possibility. If she chooses not to continue her training under a new master, then she still must go before the council and present her statement of decline formally."

"What does that mean?" Anakin pressed.

"It means she must take an oath and swear before the council to never use her knowledge of the Force for any evil." Obi Wan looked increasingly uncomfortable. "In doing so, she gives us her permission, and gives us the right, to take action against her should it become known to us that she has broken her oath." Obi Wan leaned back in his chair and turned off the holoprojector. "It's very important that we bring her back with us. Hopefully we can persuade her to come willingly."

Anakin looked up startled. "And if not?"

Obi Wan frowned. "If not, we will have to take her anyway," he answered tonelessly. "She must swear that oath. She must also...surrender her lightsaber."

"Her lightsaber?" This was the last thing Anakin expected. "She's not allowed to keep it?"

Obi Wan shook his head and looked back at Anakin gravely. "No. To do so, would be to dishonor it and what it represents. Only jedi carry lightsabers." He paused and bit his lower lip. "And rogues who have no business carrying them. And the Sith."

Anakin felt chills run up his arms. He pulled his cloak tighter around him.

Obi Wan stood suddenly and began pacing off agitation he rarely displayed.

"That is the worse case scenario," he explained. He could feel the turmoil of emotions beginning to brew in Anakin and himself and wanted to turn their thoughts to something more positive. "I'm confident, with both of us working together, we can reassure her and convince her to come back to Coruscant with us to complete her training. Master Gallia has, after all, taken a pointed interest in her. It would not surprise me if she accepted Tamerlane as her padawan."

Anakin nodded. "What an honor for her. I hope this is how things turn out."

Obi Wan looked at his own padawan and sighed. "We mustn't dwell on any anticipated negative aspects of this mission. We must channel our energies to ensure a positive outcome."

Anakin smiled slightly. Obi Wan seemed to have a passion for using big words. Especially when his emotions were surfacing. A lot of the time, Anakin had to encourage an interpretation from him. "Are you saying, we should be more optimistic?"

Obi Wan smiled and visibly relaxed. "No. I'm saying we should be more confident in the ways of the Force."