Shattered Mission-10/6/2007

[Steller's Jay]

Shattered Mission, Chapter 15

“I always like coming here, to the continent,” Willem said, as Janelle drove the speeder off the Sky Ferry. “It’s like an adventure. And then I’m very happy to go home again.”

“Same here, Pop, especially after visiting Harnaidan. So many people there, it’s hard to walk without bumping into someone. I’m glad we live where we do.”

Cohl concentrated on keeping the brim of Willem’s hat low, even though there was little chance of San Hill’s people being around here to see him. “Is it very far, San Hill’s place?” he asked.

“Once we get off this crowded thoroughfare, it should take us only an hour, maybe an hour and a half,” Janelle replied. “We’ll leave the road to his place a few kilometers out and drop down into the canyons.” Cohl nodded and watched her for a moment, then looked ahead through the windshield.

“Is there any particular reason you want to do this now, Cohl?” she asked. He turned back to her and said nothing for a moment. “Well, I would just like to get my memory back,” he replied, evasively. “It is very strange not knowing who you are, where you come from, where you are supposed to be.” She returned her attention to the traffic around her.

Actually, there was a reason, which he didn’t really want to bring up yet. Lately, he realized his feelings for Janelle were growing beyond friendship into something more...... more....... well, more. He found himself looking for her as she went about her routine on the ranch, and listening for her voice, her clear laughter as she kidded around with Willem, and with him. He sighed, audibly. She glanced at him, but said nothing.

He gazed out to the side; they were now off the main road and moving southeast. Willem was dozing in the back seat. Janelle was softly humming a tune. Cohl was worried that this attempt to regain his memory would not work and he desperately wanted it to. He had to know who he was, what he was, whether he was free to...... free to..... He sighed again. For all he knew, he had a wife and children somewhere! Or there was some other reason he couldn’t, or shouldn’t, tell her how he felt. He found himself fervently hoping that was not the case. As their drive progressed, thoughts such as these milled around in his head..... If this doesn’t work, should I leave? Should I stay?.... I don’t want to go. He glanced at Janelle and they smiled at each other. I don’t know how she feels, but I believe she is interested. And I know I am falling in love with her...... I must know who I am before this goes too far. I don’t want her to be hurt if it turns out that somewhere down the road I have to leave...... Oh, dear......

At some point, she pulled to the left, off the road. “I think we’re getting pretty close to San Hill’s estate. We should get off the road now, and make our way to where we found you.” Willem awakened and straightened up in the back seat. “Are we there?” “Yes, Pop, we are. I need to find a place to drop down into one of these gullies.” She maneuvered slowly along until the ground fell away gradually to her left, and followed the drop into what became a fairly deep chasm. Eventually, it emptied out into a canyon. “Okay, this is the canyon that’s west of his property, the one where we found you. Let’s park here.” They left the speeder against the canyon wall and walked out into the middle of it. “Okay,” she said, removing a couple of canvas bags from her belt and handing one to her father. “We have to pretend we’re here for a reason, so I brought these bags. Pop, you and I will pick up rocks and stones like we’re geologists or something. Put some in your bag as you go along. If someone comes, we’ll just tell them that we’re doing some geological research.” Both men stared at her. “Well, it was the only thing I could think of. Now let’s go.”

Janelle and Willem looked around and up to the edge of the cliff above them. “I think the spot where you fell is up that way,” Willem said, heading north and stooping to pick up a rock or two, with Janelle and Cohl following along. They passed another gully on their right and Janelle stopped and said, “This is it. Remember that open space over there, Pop, where we hid our speeder? And over here is where we saw him fall.” She walked over to an area and pointed to the ground, and then she looked up. “Yes, I remember this. You were up there, Cohl,” she said to him, pointing up to the cliff edge.

Cohl looked up and stared for awhile at the place she indicated, and then gazed around slowly at the land surrounding the three of them. He walked this way and that, trying to see if the view from any angle jolted his memory, but nothing did. Finally, he returned to them and said, “Nothing here looks familiar, but I don’t expect I saw anything from this level if I was unconscious. I’d like to go up there.” He pointed up the cliff face. She pursed her lips and paused for a moment. “Well, I guess you’re right about that. I think you were out when you hit the ground, so you never did see things from this level. Let’s go this way and find an easier place to climb up. Pop, why don’t you stay here and keep looking for rocks, okay?” “Of course, Janney. I’ll try to find some pretty ones,” he said, chuckling.

Further up the gully, they found a place that was fairly easy to climb to the mesa above. After brushing the dirt from their clothes, they got their bearings and walked toward the cliff edge. Cohl stopped now and then to scan the area. “Anything?” she asked. He shook his head. “No, not yet. Let’s go to the edge.” Once there, he looked over and down into the canyon, praying that the sight would kick something over in his mind. Janelle watched him, but said nothing. Then he just started slowly walking about the area, gazing in all directions; he saw a white fence off in the distance, between the scrub trees.

“That’s San Hill’s place,” Janelle said, arriving at his side. “Can we go there? Maybe I was there before, before all this happened.” “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Cohl. It was his people who attacked you. If they were to recognize you...” He sighed and replied, “I suppose you’re right.” Returning to the cliff edge, he stood silently, gazing out across the landscape. She waited a short distance away.

Quietly, so quietly she could hardly hear him, he murmured, “I have no memory of ever seeing this place...... and yet, I was here.” Disappointment showed on his face as he turned to her. “Let’s go. There is nothing here,” he said, heading toward the gully. Silently, she followed him down until they were with Willem. “Any luck?” Willem asked, although he could see that they weren’t happy. Cohl shook his head; Janelle replied, “No, Pop. No luck.”

As they began the return trip, Cohl sat low in the passenger seat, his head down, saying nothing. Now and then, Janelle glanced over at him, hoping to see him brighten a little. She and her father exchanged a look and Willem raised his eyebrows and shook his head. After awhile, Cohl realized that Willem was saying something from the back seat. “....off the cliff.” He straightened and turned to face him. “What did you say?” Willem replied, “I said, maybe Janney should have thrown you off the cliff.” Cohl stared at him, incredulously. “Well, if you survived, maybe your memory would have returned,” Willem said, apparently in all seriousness.

“If I survived?!” Cohl was dumbfounded. Suddenly, an outburst of laughter erupted from the front seat, and Janelle nearly lost control of the speeder. Cohl looked at her and then back at Willem, who now had a large grin on his face. The younger man rolled his eyes skyward and chuckled a little, shaking his head. Now, both father and daughter were laughing quite loudly, and finally it became too much for Cohl and he joined in. When he could speak again, he said to Willem, “Well, thank you both, but I think I’ll decline that honor. And....thank you for helping me feel better about it.”

“No thanks required, son,” Willem said. “I’m sure your memory will return. You just have to be patient.” Cohl nodded and faced toward the front again. “Yes, I know, and I will strive to be more patient. I suppose it was a long shot, anyway.”

“We had a nice day out,” Janelle said, “so it wasn’t a complete waste of time. We should take little trips more often, Pop.” He agreed from the back seat. The rest of the trip home passed comfortably. Soon enough, the speeder was put away, and the three of them decided to finish the day with a good meal and an evening relaxing on the front porch.

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When the ship exited hyperspace, Anakin impatiently took over the controls. “I’ll take her in Oren,” he said, almost pushing the young man out of the seat. “Yes, Master,” he said, giving him a puzzled look. He lowered himself into the seat behind Anakin and looked over at Sikka, eyebrows raised. She smiled and said to Anakin, “I need to go aft for a minute, Master.” He nodded abstractedly and angled the ship to begin the landing sequence on Naboo. She motioned to Oren to follow her.

Once they were out of earshot of her master, she whispered to Oren, “He is anxious to return home. He misses his family.” Oren nodded, finally understanding. “Especially Lady Padme,” she finished. Startled, he stared at her for a moment, and then said, “Well, of course. She is his wife, after all.” Sikka giggled and said, “Wait until you see them say hello.” He looked at her questioningly. “Just wait,” she said, cryptically, returning to the cockpit. Oren wondered what he was in for.

Anakin contacted the Theed spaceport’s air traffic control and received permission to fly directly to his home, which he did way too fast, to the consternation of the controller. Oren and Sikka held onto their seats as Anakin looped the ship around his property and came in at a sharp vertical angle, and then were flung back in their seats as Anakin flared the ship for landing softly on the ground near the edge of the property. He quickly secured the ship and lowered the ramp, waiting impatiently before running down it before it had reached the ground. Sikka motioned for Oren to follow. They hurried after him and saw Padme come out of the back door of the house. “She must have heard the ship,” Sikka decided. Then she held Oren back, saying, “Wait here.”

Padme had heard the ship circle and land, and hurried out the door, happily watching her husband run toward the house. In his eagerness to hold her, he swept her off her feet and hugged her tightly, spinning her around a few times. Setting her back on the ground, he whispered, “Oh, Padme,” and kissed her passionately, bending her backward.

Oren watched wide-eyed, while Sikka giggled quietly. “Isn’t that wonderful, Oren? They love each other so much, and I know he was missing her.” “Yeah,” Oren replied, feeling a little uncomfortable and embarrassed. “Let’s go,” he said, pulling her away and back toward the ship.

When they finally broke their kiss, Anakin murmured, “I’ve missed you so, Padme.” “I’m so happy you’re home, Ani. I’ve missed you, too,” she replied, breathlessly. He kissed her again, more tenderly this time, and then they went inside. Smiling, she said, “I think we embarrassed Oren.” He smiled down at her. “I bet we did, too. He’s never seen a Jedi Master behave so wickedly.”

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The Skywalkers, along with Sikka and Oren, settled into a routine of sorts over the next couple of weeks, like an extended family. Padme assumed the role of the family matriarch, watching over both her own children and the two padawans, making sure there was always plenty to eat and to do. In fact, Anakin had to remind her that an abundance of food and endless activity were not hallmarks of life at the Jedi Temple. She acquiesced, muttering something about her home not being the Jedi Temple, but that she would attempt to leave them to his ministrations.

Anakin continued to counsel Oren about his guilt at his master’s disappearance, as he had said he would to Master Yoda. After one fairly long session with Oren asking many questions about what Anakin knew about Obi-Wan’s whereabouts and how he knew that Obi-Wan was safe and how Master Qui-Gon Jinn had revealed himself, Anakin finally suggested to him that he spend some time within the Force in Anakin’s meditation room. As they walked to the room, Anakin said, “I think you need to slow down, Oren, and just be with yourself and with the Force. You have so many questions, are you listening to the answers? Are you listening to the Force, to your feelings?” Oren swallowed and took a breath before answering, concern and worry evident on his face. “I don’t know, Master Skywalker. I try to. I’m worried.... I don’t—”

“You have had a difficult apprenticeship, Oren. Most padawans don’t go to war with their masters. I know Master Sumehr-Kalee was killed and you had a difficult time making it back to Coruscant, to the Temple. You did make a good friend there, didn’t you? I think she is good for you and can help you, too.” The young man smiled a little and said, “Yes, she is a very good friend, and we do talk. She makes me laugh, sometimes.”

“That’s good. Laughter is always good; it has its own healing power.” They arrived at the door to the meditation room. “I want you to spend some time in here, some quiet time, just being alone, being with yourself and your feelings. Don’t think about Master Kenobi, or me, or Sikka. Just let yourself relax, breathe, let thoughts come and go, let the Force guide you. You may even find yourself falling asleep, and that is good. Do you understand?” Oren bowed and replied, “Yes, Master. I will do everything you say.”

As he turned to enter the room, Anakin stopped him. “Oren, I’m not giving you a list of things to accomplish. I don’t want you to be in there ticking things off on your fingers. Just let it all go. Don’t think. Breathe.” “Yes, Master. I understand.” With that, he entered and closed the door behind him.

Anakin stood for a moment outside the room, gazing at the door, but not really seeing it. He took a breath, shook his head and turned, noticing his padawan waiting for him at the end of the hall. “We have our work cut out for us, Padawan,” he said as he reached her. “I’m afraid he will need help from both of us.” She smiled and replied, “Yes, Master, he will. But he will be all right.” Bemused, Anakin marveled at how different the two young people were, Sikka so calm and happy and trusting in the Force, Oren worried, confused, unable to find the peace she so easily did.

“Come on, let’s look at the lessons Master Nu has sent for you,” he said, and they walked on to her room.

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Padme awoke in the dark to sounds and mumbled words. “Oh, no,” she breathed, turning to see her husband sighing, rolling his head on his pillow and muttering. Almost with a look of pain on his face, his eyebrows drawn together, he mumbled, “What is this? Where are you? ...... Must get out..... Where are you?” Worried, she waited until he eventually calmed down and his breathing evened. She watched for a moment to be sure he was asleep, and then felt something from her babies in the nursery. Wondering if they had been aroused by Anakin’s dream, she went in to them and cuddled them for awhile. Momentarily forgetting about the dream, she smiled, happy that somehow a bit of the Force had been given to her. Since the twins had been born, she had been able to sense feelings from them before they voiced them: hunger, pain, fear. She wondered how that had happened. Had Anakin spoken to Master Yoda about it? She seemed more attuned to her husband’s feelings, as well, more than she had before at any rate. As she returned the twins to their crib, she announced, “Well, don’t think you’ll be able to fib to me, you two. I’ll know if you are or not, now.” She returned to bed, pleased to see that Anakin was sleeping peacefully. She, too, soon fell asleep.

When the morning light awakened her again, Anakin was not in bed. Pulling on her robe, she padded through the house to his meditation room door, which was closed. She knew he was in there; she could feel him. Come in, Padme. As she opened the door, Anakin rose to his feet and took her into his arms. Quietly, he held her for awhile. “Did I tell you yesterday that I love you?” he whispered. “Yes, several times, darling,” she replied. “Good. I don’t want a day to go by when I don’t tell you that. I love you, Padme.” He trailed his lips along her cheek until they met hers.

“You had a dream last night,” she stated, gazing up into his eyes. “Yes, a strange one. I’ve been thinking about it in here, trying to figure it out.” He began walking around the room. “It wasn’t literal like my other ones, which felt very real. I was..... floating...... in space, no ship or anything. I was in a cloud or...... a nebula or something.” He stopped and faced her. “I was looking for someone, but I couldn’t see anything in the cloud, so I couldn’t find whoever it was.” He shrugged and continued. “I wonder if it was Obi-Wan, or this person Qui-Gon says I need to find.”

“Was there anything else?” she asked. He looked down at the floor for a moment, then sideways at her. “Yes, there was a coldness, a..... darkness to the cloud.” Fear leapt into Padme’s eyes. “But, the Sith are all gone. Why would there be—” Her took her arms. “They are gone, Padme. And this felt a little different, anyway, not like Sith darkness, not like..... Palpatine. It was just there, almost like it was left over or something.”

“What are you going to do?” she asked, still worried. “I’m going to talk to the Council about it, to Master Yoda and Master Windu. Maybe they know something about this..... cloud. Maybe it’s not a dream thing; maybe it’s real. Or maybe it’s a metaphor, I don’t know.” He tried to reassure her. “Don’t worry, Padme. I will find out all I can before I do anything.”

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(end of chapter 15)

[Steller's Jay]

Shattered Mission, Chapter 16

“Something on your mind, Cohl?”

He turned to see Willem emerge from the kitchen and walk over to an easy chair. Cohl had been leaning against the jamb in the doorway to the outside, watching Janelle continue Shayla’s training under the traces, and obviously thinking hard, his brows knitted. The question from Willem had been in response to a deep sigh from the younger man.

Willem lowered himself into the chair as Cohl approached him and sat on the arm of another. He gazed at Janelle’s father for a moment, as if he was trying to decide whether or not to say anything. Finally, he took a breath and said, “Yes, there is something on my mind. And I’m not sure how to go about saying this, but...... Well, I...... It seems that......” Calmly, Willem watched him fidget and stumble over his words, waiting for something approaching a complete sentence to spill out. Cohl looked at him, seemingly almost in a panic. He stood and began pacing around the room. “Oh, dear, I’m not very good at this, I think.” He stopped at a window, seeing Janelle again in the paddock. His chest swelled at the sight of her. He sighed again and walked back over to the old man. “Willem, I—”

“You’re in love with my daughter, Cohl,” Willem observed. Stunned, Cohl began, “How..... how did you.....?”

“Oh, it’s been obvious to me for awhile now. I can see it in your actions, and in your eyes, the way you watch her. And she’s been blushing much more than I’ve ever seen her do. She is in love with you, too, you know.”

“Really?” Cohl asked, taken by surprise by this.

“You haven’t said anything to her, let her know how you feel? What are you waiting for?”

Dropping his head, Cohl replied, “Well, I’m afraid of what might happen if we become close.” Willem’s eyebrows rose at this admission. Cohl continued. “What if I regain my memory and I have to leave? I mean, I could be married to someone else, I could have a family, or... or there could be some other reason I would have to go.” “Aaahhh,” Willem said, nodding his head. “I don’t want to hurt Janelle,” Cohl said, walking back to the window and gazing out. “Although it may be too late already, if what you say is true.” He returned to the arm of the chair. “Are you sure she feels that way? Did she tell you?”

“No, but I can tell when a woman is in love; it’s not hard, you know. They tend not to hide their feelings. And she’s just like her mother that way.” They were both silent for awhile. Finally, Willem asked, “Well, what do think you should do?” The younger man stood and began pacing around the room. “I know what I want to do. I want to be with her. I want to ask her to be my wife....... I want to spend the rest of my life with her.” He stopped and faced Willem. “At least, I think I do..... Oh, it’s all just a jumble in here,” he said, pointing to his head. Then he sighed and pointed to his heart. “But not here.”

Willem stood, and said, “Well, then you should tell her how you feel. Get it out there and see what happens.”

“But, what if—”

“Cohl! What if your memory never comes back?” He was right up in Cohl’s face. “Will you keep denying your feelings?”

Just then, Janelle entered the house, and both men turned to stare at her. “The post arrived, Pop,” she announced, taking off her gloves and laying them on a small table near the door. “I need to run into town to get some things, so.... What’s going on? What have you two been doing?”

They both began to stammer at once, stumbling over each other’s words until they finally gave it up and just shrugged their shoulders. She angled her head and muttered, “Okay, I’ll just leave the room and you men can continue to do whatever it was you were doing.” With that, she passed on through the kitchen to her room.

Exasperated, Willem looked sharply at Cohl, who had his hand clapped over his eyes, and said, “Well, that was brilliant. She probably thinks we were into the wine.” As he continued to scowl at his friend, he noticed that Cohl’s shoulders were shaking and he was laughing. Irritated, Willem demanded, “What is so funny?” “Did you listen to us, to what we said? What a load of rubbish! I expect she does think we’ve been drinking!” He fell into one of the chairs, still chuckling. Reluctantly, Willem began to see the humor in the situation and he, too, dropped into his chair, laughing quietly.

She came back into the sitting room, having changed out of her work clothes, and said, “If you two are ready to listen, I’ve got some news.” Dutifully, they quieted down and looked at her. “Good. Now, Founders’ Day is coming up in five days, and this flier says there will be a town fair on the same day.” She waved a piece of paper at them. Willem spoke up. “Well, if it’s as good as last year’s fair, we should have a grand time.” He turned to Cohl. “And we should enjoy it particularly since Cohl has never been there.”

Cohl turned to Janelle. “Founders’ Day? A fair? What is it about?”

She replied, “Our town of Owingo was founded, ummmm, over one-hundred years ago, and each year we celebrate it, and hold a fair. There will be food, drink, craft shows, stock shows, dancing and other local entertainment.”

“Well, that sounds like fun,” he said, nodding his head. Willem turned to him and asked, “Do you know how to dance?”

Cohl stared and blinked at him a few times, and then said, “I have no idea.”

“Hmmm,” Willem said, rubbing his chin. “Well, even if you do, you probably don’t remember any of it, or know the local steps. Here, Janney and I will teach you, and then you’ll have an even better time. We have a very good local band and they always get the place jumping.”

“First I have to go into town. I need to get some things,” Janelle said as she walked toward the door.

“You just went a few days ago,” Willem said. “We don’t need anything.”

She stopped and turned around. “Some things for me, Pop. Is it all right if I buy something for myself once in awhile?”

Nonplussed, he replied, “Well, sure, daughter. It just..... well, you hardly ever do, that’s all.”

“Well, today I am. I’ll be back later.” With that, she disappeared through the door. The two men stared at each other for a moment, and then Willem said, “All right, young man, let’s see what you can learn. They always do some group dancing at these things; that’s where everyone pairs off, man and woman, and each couple does the same steps. It’s pretty easy, so you shouldn’t have any problem with it. Come on over here and I’ll show you.” Cohl stood next to him. “Now, watch what I do and you do the same thing. Once you’ve got it down, I’ll be the female and you can dance with me.”

The rest of the afternoon passed with Cohl following Willem around the room, learning steps and then actually trying to dance with him, with Willem taking on the female role so Cohl could get familiar with holding someone while dancing. Eventually, Janelle returned and carried several bags into the house, breezing right past the men and into her bedroom.

“What do you suppose she bought?” Cohl asked.

“I don’t have the first clue,” Willem replied. “Come on, let’s try this step again.”

In a little while, Janelle came out of her room and stood in the doorway, watching the two men dance with each other. Cohl noticed her grinning at them and stopped moving. “What happened?” Willem asked. In reply, Cohl nodded toward Janelle. “Well, daughter, why don’t you come in here and be the woman? I’ve had enough of it. Besides, you dance much better than I do.”

“All right,” she replied, approaching them. “But I was having so much fun just watching you two.”

“I’m sure you were,” Cohl said, holding out his left hand. “Okay, now let’s see how good you are.” She took his hand in her right and placed her left hand on his right shoulder. Willem began counting, “One, two, three, four, one.....” Cohl was counting, too, so Willem decided to leave. He went into the kitchen and sat down at the table.

Actually holding Janelle unnerved Cohl a bit, and he stumbled more than once, trying to keep track of his feet and desperately wanting her not to laugh at him. She didn’t; she knew about the male ego and didn’t want to bruise his. Besides, he was really doing very well for someone just learning the steps, and she said as much.

“You’re doing quite well, Cohl. And after only a few hours of instruction from my father, too. If we practice every day, I expect you will put the other gentlemen to shame at the fair.”

He stopped moving and replied, “Do you think so? I’d like to get to where I don’t have to watch my feet.”

“You will,” she said, smiling up at him. “By the time we get to the fair, you won’t even be thinking about them.” He gazed into her eyes and replied, “I hope so. I know I’d rather be thinking about..... about you.” Surprised, her lips parted slightly and she could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks. Dropping her eyes, she stammered, “Well,..... let’s...... continue, all right?” He smiled, nodded and resumed counting.

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While Sikka was meditating, Anakin took Oren out to a large, open area behind the garage. “How old are you, Oren?” he asked.

“Seventeen, Master Skywalker,” Oren replied, wondering what they were going to do.

Nodding, Anakin walked around him and said, “Good, good. You’re in pretty good shape, it looks like, but a little too skinny.” Suddenly, he grabbed both of Oren’s arms from behind. Instinctively, Oren tried to escape, but Anakin was too strong for him. As he let go, Anakin said, “Okay, Oren, we need to build up some muscle in you. I want you to be stronger and able to get out of situations like that. I’m going to give you some strengthening exercises to do every day, and teach you some escape moves and throws that should come in handy. Follow me into the garage.”

Rubbing his arms, Oren replied, “Thank you, Master Skywalker. I am honored.” As they continued walking, Anakin thought, Honored? Oh, well...... Inside the garage, Oren saw several weight machines and free weights, which he recognized as being similar to those in the Temple. Anakin picked up a pair of weights, handed them to Oren and began showing him exercises designed to build muscle. “Now, you’re going to move up to heavier weights pretty quickly, and you’re not going to do too many reps – that’s repetitions – at each weight. Doing it this way will build muscle faster.”

Oren was eager to begin. He liked the idea of having more muscle and being stronger. It could only help him in his journey to knighthood and beyond. And he knew that Master Kenobi would be happy to see him stronger. With each new exercise, Anakin helped him with the correct way to perform it to lessen the chance of injury and to gain the maximum benefit. This should keep him busy, physically and mentally. And calm him a bit, too, I think. It is relaxing, and rewarding. Anakin watched and assisted as the padawan moved through the exercises. After an hour or so, they were finished. As they walked back to the house, Oren asked, “Should I do these exercises every day, Master?”

“I’d like you to do the upper body exercises one day, and the lower body ones the next day. This will allow different muscle groups to rest in between. Oh, and you’re probably going to be sore all over tomorrow, so we’ll just do some light weights then.” They had reached the house. “Why don’t you go shower and get cleaned up? Then meditate for awhile. I think you’ll find that exercise is very calming.”

“Yes, Master.” As Oren headed for the bathroom he shared with Sikka, Anakin found Padme in the kitchen. He hugged her from behind and planted a kiss on her neck. She turned around and exclaimed, “You’re all sweaty!” Then she hugged him back and said, “But that’s okay. It’s a little bit of a turn on, actually.” “Mmmmm, really?” Anakin pulled her arms up around his neck and murmured, “I’ll have to remember that.” They kissed long and deeply, and then held each other quietly.

“What about your dream?” she asked, pulling back a little. “Have you had it again?” He lowered himself into a chair at the table and held Padme on his lap. “Yes, I have, and it’s changed somewhat, and I can see a little more each time I have it. The first time, I was floating in space inside the cloud, if you remember.” She nodded, watching him. “Then, I was in a ship inside the cloud, so it was more real. And I still couldn’t find whoever it is I’m supposed to be looking for. Then, last night it started the same way, me in a ship in the cloud. But it felt very strange, as if the Force was...... unstable or something. I was completely disoriented and unable to do anything, even fly the ship. I was panicking because nothing looked right or felt right, everything was crazy..... And then I woke up. It took me awhile to feel right again, I’ll tell you.”

Concerned for him, she asked, “Have you spoken with Master Yoda or Master Windu?”

“Not yet,” he replied. “I want to see more before I go to them. I need more information.” He paused. “I need to see if I can get out of that cloud.”

“I don’t like it,” she said, leaning her head on his chest. “What if you really go there and you can’t get out? And, if it’s the Force being unstable, maybe you should take someone who isn’t Force-sensitive.”

“That’s a good idea, Padme. But I wouldn’t want to put anyone else in danger.”

“I could ask my father if we could borrow Threepio for awhile. You could take him.”

He leaned over and looked at her. “Now why didn’t I think of that? I guess you’re the brains of this outfit, aren’t you?” She chuckled softly. “Well, if I find that I’m going there, wherever it is, I’ll take Threepio with me. He should be able to fly the ship even if I can’t.”

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That night, Anakin awoke from the dream again. This time, however, it had shown him something he thought he could take to Masters Yoda and Windu. He rolled over and gently snuggled next to Padme. She stirred and mumbled something, but did not awaken.

---------

“Master Yoda, Master Windu, I’ve been having a dream and I want to ask you about some things that were in it.” Anakin was in holographic contact with the two masters, who were alone in the Council chamber. Immediately, Yoda and Windu were interested, as they knew of Anakin’s visions.

“A dream, you say?” Anakin nodded.

“Tell us about it,” Windu requested.

“The dream takes place in a cloud, or a nebula. I am flying a ship and looking for someone; I’m not sure who it is. When I enter the nebula, everything goes crazy. Everything I see keeps changing and I can’t focus on anything. I can’t fly the ship. It’s like the Force is unstable inside the cloud.” He saw them look at each other. “What is it? Do you know what it is? Do you know about the cloud?” He watched them, eagerly.

“Go on, Anakin,” Windu ordered him.

He huffed and waited a moment. “All right. When I do come out of the cloud, I can see a planet, a ringed planet, far away.” At this, Yoda nodded. Staring at Yoda’s image, Anakin continued. “It looks like a beautiful world, blue and green and...... Master Yoda, you know of this place?”

The wrinkled, green face turned to Anakin. “Know of this place, I do. The planet is called Roon.”

“Roon,” Anakin murmured. “I’ve never heard of it.”

“Seldom do the Jedi visit Roon,” Yoda said, glancing at Mace Windu. “Dangerous it is for the Jedi to pass through the nebula, very dangerous. You are right, Anakin, unstable the Force is, there.”

Windu spoke up. “It is call the Cloak of the Sith, because of that instability. We actually don’t know if the Sith had anything to do with its strangeness, or with its creation, for that matter. Some Jedi have tried to pass through it and have gone mad. A few have managed to make it through, but with great difficulty, and need of our healers for a long time.”

“I would like to try to go through it,” Anakin said. “I think I have to.”

“Anakin, the more Force-sensitive a person is, the worse are the effects. You cannot do it; you are the most Force-sensitive of all of us.”

“But I have to go,” he protested. “I am sure this has something to do with what Qui-Gon told me. I have to find someone, and I believe this someone is on the planet, Roon.”

“Very dangerous it will be for you,” Yoda said, shaking his head. “Survive the trip, you may not.”

“I understand,” Anakin replied. “I intend to take Cee-Threepio with me. He can fly the ship if I am unable to. I also thought that, if I were sedated, perhaps the effect of the cloud would be lessened.”

The two Masters looked at each other. Finally, Windu spoke. “Very well, Anakin. You may go, but only if you do take Cee-Threepio with you.”

Anakin sighed, relieved. “Thank you, Masters. I will speak with the healers about finding the right sedative. I will leave soon, and stay in contact with the Council for as long as I can.”

“See that you do, Anakin. May the Force be with you. Council out.”

---------

(end of Chapter 16)

[Steller's Jay]

Shattered Mission, Chapter 17

The morning of the day of the town fair, Janelle and Cohl groomed the kashkas and released them to the pasture. As they walked back to the house, she said, “Papa has put out some clothes for you to wear to the fair, Cohl.”

“Good,” he replied, dusting himself off, “I didn’t think these would be appropriate.” He smiled at her and said, “I think we’re going to have a great time today, don’t you?”

She nodded and said, “Oh, yes, especially dancing. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to do that. Well, since last year’s fair, anyway.”

His smile disappearing, he asked, “Who did you dance with last year, if you don’t mind my asking.”

She looked coyly and him and said, “Oh, different people, no one special. I even got Papa to dance with me once. He used to be so good. He and Mama used to dance all the time, but it’s difficult for him now.”

They stopped as a tall, lanky young man of about sixteen came strolling up the drive to the house. “Hi, Jeremy. Essie and Shayla are in the pasture, so there isn’t much for you to do. Just keep an eye on them, and would you mind walking the fence and letting us know if any of it needs work?”

Jeremy eyed Cohl for a moment before replying, “No, I don’t mind Mizz Sumter. I’ll check the barn, too, and see if anything needs mending or polishing. I like to keep busy.”

“Thanks, Jeremy. Oh, and this is Cohl, a friend of ours who is visiting for awhile. Cohl, this is Jeremy Ward. His family has the ranch just south of ours. Jeremy often helps us out.”

Cohl nodded to the teen and said, “I am pleased to meet you, Jeremy. And I am happy that Willem and Janelle have someone to help them.”

Jeremy nodded in return and headed for the barn, saying, “Well, have a good time. I’ll see you sometime tonight.”

They watched him until he disappeared into the barn. “He’s a good kid, you know. I think he’s got a crush on me, too,” she said, giggling a little.

“I’m sure he does,” Cohl said, a little bit irritated. She turned her head up to him and exclaimed, “You’re jealous, aren’t you!” He opened his mouth, but was having trouble thinking up a reply. “Well...... no, I’m not jealous.” (While he was speaking, she was going, “Uh-huh, uh-huh.”) “He’s just a little young, isn’t he, to be....... attracted to........”

“Someone as old as me? Is that what you were going to say?” she asked, hands on her hips. “Well, no, I didn’t mean that,” he stammered, realizing he’d gotten himself into something he feared he couldn’t get out of. “I just meant that he’s—”

“Oh, come on,” she interrupted, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the house. “We need to get cleaned up and get ready to go.” Red-faced, he followed her into the house, where Willem was sitting at the kitchen table.

“About time you two finished,” he said, scowling. “It’s time to go. The fair’ll be half over by the time you’re ready.”

Ignoring her father’s complaining, Janelle said, “I’ll shower first, Cohl. Here are Pop’s clothes you can wear today.” As she left the kitchen, she called back, “And Jeremy’s here, Pop.”

Within a half-hour, Cohl was dressed in a set of Willem’s ‘good’ clothes, and he and the old man were seated at the table, waiting on Janelle. Willem was drumming his fingers on the table top, glancing every now and then at her bedroom door. Cohl just smiled at him. “Well, what in the blue blazes do you think she’s doing in there?” Willem demanded to know. “You were done and ready to go, and she showered before you did! What could she be doing? It’ll be dark before we even get there.”

“Well, I don’t know, Willem. I suppose she’s getting ready to go. What—” At that moment, her door opened and she approached them. “Okay, I’m ready,” she announced. Cohl’s mouth dropped open as he stared at her, and Willem turned around, about to speak, but he fell silent, too. He’d never seen his daughter so beautiful, and he said so. She was dressed in a solid red skirt made of lots of material that was gathered at the waist by a black leather belt, and a white blouse with short, full sleeves. She had eschewed her regular ponytail, and her hair fell loosely down her back and curled about her face.

“Thank you, Pop. This is what I bought when I went into town. I guess you like it?” she said, twirling once to show how full the skirt was. “I certainly do, daughter. You’ll be a knockout at the fair.” She looked at Cohl, who closed his mouth, pushed his chair back and stood. He swallowed and said, “You look ....... beautiful, Janelle.”

She tilted her head, and replied, “Thank you, Cohl. You’re very sweet. Now, come on, gentlemen. It’s time to go.”

With Willem in the back and Janelle in the front passenger seat, Cohl drove the farm speeder into town and followed signs directing them to the area reserved for fair parking. She handed a small number of credits to the cashier and they entered the fairgrounds.

“Oh, my,” Cohl exclaimed, as they made their way through a crowd near the cattle barn. “I didn’t know this many people lived around here.”

“You’d be surprised,” Willem answered. “People come from all around to the fair. It’s really the event of the year. They bring their stock to be judged, as well as crafts, baked goods, fruits and vegetables they’ve grown.... and the kids even bring their pets, too.” Cohl just shook his head and marveled at the wealth of goods, food, drinks and services that were offered in the booths that lined the broad paths that connected different areas of the fair.

Janelle was studying the schedule handed to them by the cashier. She turned to her father and said, “Look, Pop. The kashka events will be coming up soon, in about an hour over there.” He looked where she pointed and replied, “Good. I’m going to find a good place to sit, and I’ll save you a couple of places. I’m sure I can’t keep up with you two, so you go explore and meet me over there later, okay?”

“Okay, Pop.” She walked over to Cohl, who had been gazing at all of the goings on, and touched his arm. “This is wonderful, Janelle, so many people, so much happening. And the food smells delicious!” He grinned down at her. “Come on, let’s get something to eat!” He grabbed her hand, she laughed and nodded and off they went, stopping at practically every booth and sampling many of the food offerings. Eventually, they made their way back and found Willem sitting on some bleachers, with two empty spaces on his left. The three of them watched the kashkas being judged both with and without being in traces. Cohl asked why they had not brought Essie or Shayla and was told that with Essie being in foal, they hadn’t wanted to put her through it, and Shayla was too young. The judging went on for several hours, during which Cohl went to get food and drinks for all of them. When it was finally over, late in the afternoon, they strolled along slowly, stopping at some of the booths to sample more food and look at the goods for sale.

“I’m going to check out the dresses over there,” Janelle announced, and she crossed the path, leaving Willem and Cohl standing alone.

Cohl turned to her father and asked, “When does the dancing start?” Willem laughed and said, “Oh, a little eager, are you?” Cohl just smiled sheepishly and shrugged. “Well, it’s probably been going on all day. They stop now and then for breaks. We could amble on over there, if you want.” Cohl replied, “I do want, Willem.” “Then let’s get Janney and go.”

“Come on, daughter,” he said, tapping her on the shoulder. She turned around. “We’ve got a young man here anxious to dance with you.” Blushing a bit, she grinned at Cohl and asked, “You are? Well then, let’s go. Pop, it’s down this way. They’ve set it up inside a big tent this year. Remember how hot it was in the building last year?”

“I certainly do,” he replied. “I was like to have passed out from the heat. I hope they set it up to allow air to pass through; otherwise, they’ll have to carry us all out!”

They arrived at the large entertainment tent and discovered a café at one end and a stage and dance floor at the other. In the middle were many tables and chairs for fair-goers to eat, relax, talk, and just rest. They chose a table near the dance floor; Cohl went to the café to get them some sweet drinks and father and daughter sat down and watched several couples dancing, including little girls and boys. “Aren’t they cute?” she said, just as Cohl was sitting next to her. “Who?” he asked, placing a drink in front of her and Willem. “The kids dancing over there.” He turned and looked, and then grimaced. “Oh, great,” he complained, turning back to the table, “that little boy is dancing better than I can.” “Oh, don’t be absurd, Cohl,” she laughed, poking him gently in the side. “Besides, you only just started a few days ago.” He sighed loudly and took a swallow of his sweet drink.

When a group country dance was about to start, Janelle suggested, “Well, shall we?” Cohl grimaced and replied, “Might as well get the embarrassment over with.” She shook her head and, taking his hand, pulled him onto the floor. They stood in an empty spot in a group that was already on the floor and the music started. Cohl did very well, only once turning the wrong way. “Excellent, Cohl,” Janelle said as the dance ended. “One would think you had been doing this for years.”

He laughed and said, “One would be wrong. But I did do pretty well, didn’t I?” One of the band members announced the next dance. It was another country dance, but not a group dance, so Janelle and Cohl did the steps alone, surrounded by other dancers doing the same. He watched her as she danced; she was so free and happy. He felt his love for her grow. I’m going to tell her how I feel, tonight, he thought, as the song ended.

They left the dance floor and dropped into their chairs, out of breath a little from their exertions. As Janelle was telling her father how well Cohl did, Cohl dropped his arm along the back of her chair. She noticed and flushed a little, but was secretly pleased.

They skipped the next couple of dances, until a slow one began. Cohl stood and held his hand out for Janelle. “Come on, Janelle. I’m anxious to see how we do on this one,” he said, his eyes sparkling. She took his hand and allowed him to lead her out onto the floor. As he had learned, he put his right hand on her waist and held her right hand out to his left, and then began the slow dance they had taught him. With unabashed pleasure, he stared into her eyes and smiled as they moved. She dropped her eyes, so he asked, “What is it, Janelle?” “Nothing,” she mumbled, keeping her head down. “Oh, you don’t like me watching you, is that it?” He chuckled and began observing the other couples on the floor, only occasionally eyeing Janelle. Every time he did that, she giggled and smiled at him. After a bit, he noticed that some of the men and women were holding each other a lot closer than he and Janelle were, and often resting their heads together. He wondered if perhaps they were married. He also had a desire to hold Janelle close to him, but was afraid it wouldn’t be proper. Soon the music ended and they returned to their table.

Over the next hour or so, the three of them talked and joked, and Cohl and Janelle joined in many of the dance numbers, resting when the band took breaks. Eventually, Willem spoke up. “I see my cousin, Kerwin, over there. I’m gonna go see how he’s doing.” He pushed his chair back and stood. “I’ll see you two later.”

“Okay, Papa,” Janelle said. “We’ll be right here, or out there dancing.” She turned back to the table to see Cohl smiling at her. He leaned forward and began running his fingers over her hand, which was lying on the table top. “I’m having a wonderful time, Janelle. Today has been so full of interesting things, the judging competitions, the shows and displays..... the food!” They both laughed at that, remembering all the different dishes they had tried. As their laughter trailed off, their eyes met and he took her hand in his. “But this is the best part of this day, dancing together, and...... just being here with you.”

She waited a moment and then said, quietly, “I think so, too, Cohl.”

Just then, the lights began to dim. “Is it over?” Cohl asked. Janelle replied, “Just about. They always turn the lights down for the last dance, because it’s always a slow one. It’s more romantic that way.” He jumped up and offered his hand to her. “Well, we don’t want to miss the last dance, do we?” When they arrived on the dance floor, he again put his right hand on her waist and took her right hand in his left. But this time he moved his hand to the middle of her back, drawing her closer to him. Eyes wide, she looked up at him, but didn’t pull away. He quietly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he had not overstepped. Their eyes held for a moment, until he pulled her even closer; he thrilled when she laid her head on his shoulder. Resting his head against hers, he closed his eyes, inhaling the fresh, clean scent of her hair. His heart swelled with love, and the fears he had communicated to Willem days ago were a faint, distant memory now. Without even thinking, he murmured into her dark brown curls, “You are so beautiful, Janelle...... so beautiful.” She smiled and blushed, and whispered into his shoulder, “Thank you.”

As they moved easily to the music, Cohl loved the sensation of holding her so closely, intoxicated by the sounds, scents and the reality of being here with her. And slowly, imperceptibly, the world around him diminished, drifted away until the only certainties in his universe were himself and the woman he held in his arms. As their steps slowed until they were still, he moved his head back, his lips sliding along her cheek until he could see her looking up at him. Wordlessly, they gazed into each other’s eyes as time seemed to stand still. Then he lowered his head and gently touched her lips with his own, lingering long enough to see if she objected. When he felt her let go of his hand and put her arms around his neck, he pulled in a short breath and kissed her again, pressing more firmly and reveling in her softness and her acceptance of him.

They might have remained there forever, except one member of the band noticed and pointed them out to those nearby. Instantly, the lights in the tent came back up to full brightness. Someone whistled loudly. Cohl and Janelle broke their kiss and, red-faced, quickly separated. Amid the friendly laughter of the crowd, Cohl waved at everyone, grabbed her hand and led her to their table, where Willem was happily smiling and nodding his head.

“Well, it’s about time,” he said, rising from his chair.

“About time for what, Papa?” Janelle asked.

“For you two to finally acknowledge what you’ve been feeling for each other, my lovely daughter,” he replied, pecking her on the cheek. As Willem turned to leave the tent, Cohl pulled her around to face him. “He’s right, you know. I’ve wanted to tell you how I feel, but the time never seemed right.”

Her gaze was soft as she looked up at him. “And how do you feel, Cohl?”

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Willem urging them to hurry up. Quickly, he leaned down and kissed her lightly. “I’ll tell you later. I think it’s late and your father wants to leave.” He held onto her hand as they hurried to catch up with Willem.

(End of chapter 17)

[Steller's Jay]

Shattered Mission, Chapter 18

Willem snored away in the back seat of the speeder as the trio headed home from the town fair. Janelle and Cohl chuckled quietly. “It’s been a long day for him,” she said. “He’s not used to so much walking.”

“I think he had a great time,” Cohl responded. “He was especially happy after the last dance.” As he said this, he slid his right arm along the back of the speeder’s bench seat and pulled gently on her shoulder. Smiling shyly, she slid over next to him. “I was, too,” she murmured, settling herself comfortably against him.

“This is very nice,” he said quietly, driving slowly along. A few vehicles passed them. “Mm-hm,” she answered, leaning her head back on his arm and enjoying the breeze created by their passage along the road. He sighed contentedly, relieved and happy that he had shown her how he felt, and that she had responded in kind. Now, he would tell her, later, at the house, of his feelings for her. A kernel of unease tried to creep into his mind, but he pushed it away, wanting only to enjoy the warmth he felt inside.

When they turned into the lane to their home, Janelle woke her father. As the speeder slowed to a halt, the teenager Jeremy came out of the barn and said, “Mr. Jurgen, the kashkas are put to bed. Do you need me for anything else?” Willem responded as he climbed out of the vehicle, “No, thank you, Jeremy. I’ll send your money over tomorrow.” “Sure thing, Mr. Jurgen, that’ll be fine. Goodnight,” the boy replied, and he turned and walked down the lane toward his family’s farm.

Janelle had hold of her father’s arm as they walked to the house. As they climbed the front steps, she asked, “Would you like to sit awhile on the porch, Papa? It’s a nice night.” Willem yawned and replied, “Not tonight, daughter, I’m too tired. You two enjoy the evening.” She followed him to the front door, where he opened it, turned and gave her a hug. Just before pulling away, he winked at her and said, “Goodnight, you two.” She smiled and Cohl said, “Goodnight, Willem.” She watched her father walk to his bedroom, and then turned around and found herself in Cohl’s arms. He lowered his lips to hers and she responded, putting her arms around his neck and tangling them in his hair.

After a bit, he pulled up and asked, “Would you like to go for a walk? I hear it’s a nice night.” She grinned at his little joke and said, “I sure would.” She took his hand and pulled him down off the porch and out along the lane by the pasture fence. When they were under some trees and out of sight of the house she stopped, turned to face him, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, pulling his head down to hers. He was somewhat taken aback by this, but he put his arms around her and held her close, giving as good as he got.

Finally, he broke away and gasped, “Oh, my, a little eager, Janelle?” Even in the darkness, he could see her blush as she looked down and replied, “Well, yes, I suppose so.” Then she flashed her eyes up at him and said, “So, what’s wrong with that? I like kissing you. I...I really feel...I think I—” She stopped, his smile disarming her.

Neither said anything for a long moment. Then Cohl raised his hands and fluffed her hair across her shoulders, letting his fingers trail along both sides of her neck until he held her head in his hands. He kissed the top of her head, then her forehead, the corners of her mouth, and finally her lips. She whimpered softly and leaned against him, relishing the softness of his kiss. Her little sounds brought a low moan from him as he touched her lips over and over again. Keeping his eyes closed, he touched her forehead with his, sighed and murmured, “I am in love with you, Janelle.” Then he straightened and gazed into her eyes. “I think I have been from the first time I saw you. I thought you were an angel. You kept drifting in and out of my vision.”

“You were delirious; you had a fever,” she whispered.

“Yes, I must have, but you are still an angel to me. When I finally came to, you were there leaning over me, and I knew I’d lost my heart to you. I love you.”

Tears formed in her eyes as she replied softly, “I love you, Cohl.”

They embraced and held each other for a long time. He was so happy; he almost couldn’t believe that she felt as he did. What did he do to deserve this wonderful lady? All I did was fall and get knocked out. And this...this beautiful person saved me, brought me into this new life, stole my heart, and now she’s given me hers..... I want to stay here, forever, with her....but.....I’m afraid my memory will return. I’m afraid I’ll have to leave..... I’m afraid.... I’m afraid..... “I’m afraid.....”

She moved her head back and looked at his face. “What, Cohl? Did you say you were afraid?” He blinked at her, not realizing he’d spoken aloud. “Did I? Well, I suppose I must have, if you heard that.” Recognizing concern in her eyes, he continued, “I am afraid, Janelle, afraid of finding out who I am, what I am, and what it might mean to us.”

She lowered her head, swallowed once, and asked, “You’re...afraid you may not be able to stay here?”

“Yes,” he replied, sliding the backs of his fingers along her cheek. “I’m afraid I may have started something here that will end in sorrow. But I had to tell you how I feel, it was becoming so obvious. Even your father saw it; he knew we were in love. I told him of my fear, but he brushed it off and said we should be happy while we can.” He paused to wipe away a tear that had spilled from her eye. She hugged him tightly, the side of her face against his chest. “Yes, we should be. We love each other, so we should be happy.” Smiling, she looked up at him. “And anyway,” she said, “it’s too late now. We can’t change our feelings, can we?”

“No,” he replied, leaning down to her, “we can’t.” And they shared a tender, lingering kiss.

“I think we’d better go back,” she said, stepping back and taking his hand.

“No, wait. There’s one more thing I want to say.” He held both her hands and said, “I want you to know that, if I do regain my memory and I am free to do so, I will ask you to marry me, to be my wife.”

She bit her lower lip and replied, “And I will say, ‘Yes’.”

He laughed, picked her up and spun around, saying, “Oh, I love you, Janelle.” As he lowered her back to the ground, she kissed him and said, “And I love you, Cohl, very much.” Happily, they headed back to the house.

---------

“But, Master, I should go with you. I am your apprentice!” Earnestly, Sikka implored Anakin to take her with him on this mission to the planet Roon. They were in the sitting room on the sofa. Oren stood by the large window, staring outside and trying to be inconspicuous. Occasionally, he glanced toward the master and padawan. Threepio stood near the door.

“I am sorry, Padawan, but I won’t risk your life,” he said to her. “It is dangerous enough for me to go, and I am going to be sedated. Threepio will get me through the nebula.”

“Dangerous?!” Threepio exclaimed. “Oh, dear, I did not know this was going to be—”

“Threepio, be quiet!” Anakin glared at the protocol droid. “It’s only dangerous for me, you will be fine.” He turned back to Sikka. “I understand that you want to accompany me, but this is one mission I must undertake alone. We will not argue about this any more.” Pressing her lips together, she lowered her gaze to her hands clasped in her lap. He took her hands in his and said, gently, “You must understand this is the way it has to be, Padawan. I must go alone.” She nodded and whispered, “Yes, Master.”

He stood and said, “Oren, while I’m gone, I want you to help Sikka with her lessons.” The boy turned away from the window and bowed. “Yes, Master Skywalker.” “And don’t forget your strength training.” “I won’t forget, Master Skywalker.” There was silence for a long moment and then Anakin left the room.

Oren walked over to Sikka, who was still gazing downward and saying nothing. He sat beside her and laid his arm across her shoulders. “He will be all right, Cee. He knows what’s best, doesn’t he?” She nodded, silently. “Look at it this way; if you were with him, he’d have to worry about your safety. Now, he can concentrate fully on the mission and on staying alive.” She raised her eyes to look at him. “I suppose you’re right, Oren. I just don’t like him going off alone.”

Anakin found Padme in the nursery, pretending to be cleaning up. “I know you’re worried,” he murmured, as he hugged her gently from behind, “and nothing I can say will change that.” He nuzzled her ear as she nodded. She turned to face him. “And I know that you will do everything you can to come home, so that is what I accept.” She smiled and reached up to caress his face. “I love you so much, Padme,” he whispered, covering her lips with his in a deep, passionate kiss. They held each other for awhile, until he straightened and said, “I must leave now.” He briefly laid his hands on his sleeping children and then walked out of the room.

“Come on, Threepio,” he said. “It’s time for us to be off.” The golden droid followed him outside, where they boarded a Jedi starcruiser and prepared to take off. Anakin flew the ship off the planet and watched as Threepio set the nav-computer to the course Anakin provided and configured for hyperspace. Satisfied that the droid was proficient in flying this particular ship, he rose to go aft and meditate. “Come get me when we get back to normal space, Threepio.”

“Yes, Master Ani,” Threepio replied.

Anakin began his meditation with some breathing exercises, until he felt relaxed. He wondered who was on the planet, Roon. Was it Obi-Wan? If it was, was he insane? Had he gone through the nebula? He did not think it was his brother; Qui-Gon had almost seemed to dismiss Obi-Wan and whatever he was doing the last time he spoke to Anakin. What Qui-Gon had said about looking for the one who needed him felt....separate, somehow. Anakin sighed and sank into the Force, perhaps to find answers there.

---------

“Sir, we are here,” Anakin heard as he felt a touch on his arm. Upon opening his eyes, he saw Cee-Threepio standing next to his bed. “Oh, thank you, Threepio,” he said, rolling to a seated position. He preceded the droid to the cockpit and checked all of the instruments. “I’m going to set the scanner to look for lifeforms and vegetation, Threepio. It isn’t picking up the planet, yet, but maybe once we’re inside the nebula and closer to it, it will.” He turned to the droid. “I want you to stay on the course I am setting, but if the scanner alarms, you are to head for that location. Do you understand?”

“Of course, Master Ani,” Threepio replied, almost sounding offended that he might be thought incapable of following orders.

Smiling slightly, Anakin looked out at the space around them. There was the nebula, the Cloak of the Sith, dead ahead, its ghostly grays shot through with weak hues of orange. He watched it in silence for awhile, wondering what caused the Force to become unstable within its confines.

“Come with me, Threepio,” he finally said, heading aft. “I need you to make sure I’m strapped down securely before I sedate myself.” The droid tottered along behind him and waited until Anakin lay down on one of the beds, the one to which he had affixed several straps. When Anakin was finished securing the straps over himself, he was held to the bed with straps over his ankles, two over his shoulders, crossing over his chest, one over his waist and one holding down his right arm. “After I inject myself, I want you to secure my left arm to the bed.”

“Yes, Master Ani,” Threepio answered.

Anakin pulled a syringe out of a pocket of his tunic, checked it and then handed it to the droid. “Once we’re out of the nebula, inject me with this. It will awaken me.” Then he pulled another syringe out of the same pocket, checked it, removed the cap and held it to his neck. “Well, I’ll see you soon, Threepio. Get us there safely.”

“Of course, Master Ani.” Anakin activated the syringe and then laid it on a shelf on the wall above his head. Then he watched while Threepio strapped down his arm. He tested all of the straps and was unable to slip out of or break any of them. “Good. All right, Threepio, take us in...into......the....nnnn....” His head dropped to the side and he was asleep.

“Oh, dear,” Threepio said out loud as he returned to the cockpit and positioned himself at the controls. “I do hope nothing goes wrong. I would hate to lose Master Ani.” He sent the ship on its way following the set course and began watching the scanner and the ship’s instruments.

Once they entered the nebula, nothing could be seen through the cockpit windows but clouds and swirls of gray and orange. Threepio kept watch on the scanner, alert to any sound from it, but the cockpit was very quiet.

Suddenly, the silence was pierced by shouts and screams from the aft quarters. The droid hurried back to see Anakin writhing and straining against the straps holding him down. “Oh, dear! Master Ani! Master Ani!” Threepio watched in horror as Anakin thrashed his head back and forth, and screamed both gibberish and complete sentences into the darkness of the room. In just a short span of time, Anakin’s exclamations and actions vacillated between extreme anger and laughter and pure terror. Threepio stood helpless, knowing that he could not release the Jedi Master without the ship and possibly himself being trashed. Then the droid returned to the cockpit, hoping the scanner had picked up something, but it continued to be silent. Now and then Threepio issued an “Oh, dear”, staring at the scanner and listening to Anakin’s utterances.

“MOM, WAIT! PLEASE!”

“Oh, dear.”

[shrill screams] “Get away! GET AWAY!”

“Oh, dear!”

[unintelligible sounds followed by crying] “Padme? I can’t—” [more screams]

“Oh! What shall I do?”

“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! We’re all going to DIE!” [insane laughter] “Mom? Help me? NO! I won’t go there!”

As an hour dragged by, Threepio listened, mesmerized, as Anakin called for Master Kenobi, Master Yoda, and possibly all of the Jedi in the temple as far as Threepio knew, and for Padme and his mother and names Threepio did not recognize. At one point, Anakin sounded as if he were in a battle, shouting commands and cursing at imagined enemies. Then the repeated beeping of the scanner startled the droid, who stared at the scanner in disbelief. It was indicating the presence of a large amount of water and vegetation.

“Oh, wonderful! It is the planet!” Threepio exclaimed while he changed course to home in on the coordinates provided by the scanner. “We will be there soon, Master Ani. When we leave the nebula, you will be back to normal.” But that did not happen. When the ship exited the nebula, Anakin was still in the grip of the insanity he had been experiencing. “Oh, dear, what shall I do now? I can not awaken him while he is in this state! Oh, dear.”

Threepio decided to head for one of the land masses. The scanner was picking up lifeforms in many places. He would turn Anakin over to them. Surely they would be able to help him.

(end of Chapter 18)

[Steller's Jay]

Shattered Mission, Chapter 19

Cohl was already sitting at the kitchen table when Janelle came out of her room in the morning. Worried that she may have had second thoughts about the feelings they had expressed the night before, he watched her guardedly as she reacted to his presence. The smile on her face was enough to dispel his fears and cause his heart to flip in his chest. “Good morning,” she greeted him happily, walking toward him. He rose and took her into his arms and replied, “Good morning, Janelle,” and then he kissed her, his lips soft on hers. “Come outside,” she said, taking his hand and pulling him to the front door. Once they were on the porch, she put her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. Happily, he welcomed this and pulled her close.

Soon, he felt her tongue on his lips, and moved his head back in surprise. “Cohl?” she asked, looking up into his eyes. “What was that?” he inquired. Puzzled, she replied, “What was what?” Then instantly she knew what he meant. Surely he’s done this before, she thought. She smiled and said, “Come on. It’s nice.” He grinned, leaned down and gratefully learned everything she had to teach him about kissing.

At some point, his emotions and dawning physical sensations got to be too much for him and he stood up straight and gasped, “We have to stop, Janelle. This is too..... too..... We aren’t married!” He sat down hard on the loveseat wicker chair behind him. Breathing deeply, she stared at him for a few moments. Finally, she joined him and exhaled, “Well! You’re right, of course. We definitely shouldn’t carry that any further.”

She sat quietly and ruminated on this. He was almost afraid to touch her, so he, too, said nothing more and waited for her to speak. Eventually, she turned to face him. “Last night you were serious about asking me to marry you, weren’t you?” she asked. He held her hands and looked into her eyes. “Yes, more than I’ve ever been about anything. But we—”

“Wait,” she interrupted. She looked down for a moment, and then raised her eyes to look at him. “I don’t know what you’ll think about this, but we have a custom that goes back centuries regarding...two people who want to be married, but can’t.” He tilted his head and waited for her to continue. “A long time ago, before all this technology and the ease of getting from one place to another, people worked together to create villages, towns, and became self-sufficient in producing food and raising stock. Each village didn’t necessarily have their own officials and doctors and ministers and such, so they made agreements where these kinds of people would travel from village to village, and they would do whatever needed doing and then continue on to the next town.”

When she paused, Cohl said, “Well, go on. This is very interesting.” She smiled at him and continued. “It might be many months or maybe even a year before the minister could get to a town, so the people came up with this custom to allow two people to...form a bond as husband and wife, but not legally be married. The intent to do this had to be published in the town first, and then there would be a witnessed ceremony where the two would say their vows and pledge to marry at the earliest opportunity. When the minister finally arrived, the official marriage would take place.” She stopped speaking and watched him.

He sat back and thought for a minute. “And is this...custom still practiced?”

“Rarely, since almost all of the towns here have their own officials and ministers. Cohl, what I’m getting to—”

“I think I know what you’re getting to, Janelle. You believe that we could follow this custom and...be together as husband and wife.” Silent, she nodded. “And then if, or when my memory returns and it turns out I can’t marry you, there would be no legal ramifications.” Another nod. “Does Owingo have its own minister or someone who could perform a real marriage ceremony?” She lowered her eyes and replied, “Yes.”

He watched her for a bit, and then took her into his arms. “I very much want to marry you, Janelle. But, to follow this custom in our case seems almost to be twisting its purpose, since there is a minister here.” She laid her head in the crook of his shoulder. “Of course, we cannot be married legally either. I mean, what name would be recorded for me? ‘Cohl’? That name was given to me by you and your father. And I have no surname. Not to mention the matter of bigamy, on the chance that I am already married.”

They held each other for awhile, each occupied with thoughts of their situation. Finally, he moved his head to see her face. “I take it you would be happy to do this?” “Yes, I would.” He leaned down and kissed her softly. “Well, I will have to think about this, Janelle. Is that all right with you?” She nodded and replied, “Of course, it is, Cohl. It would only work if both of us were sure about it.”

He stood and helped her up. “All right. Well, let’s take care of the ranch, shall we?” Grinning, she followed him to the barn.

---------

Later, after dinner, they were sitting on the porch with Willem, talking about mundane matters. Janelle had spoken to her father of her conversation with Cohl that morning. He agreed with Cohl, that this was something that had to be considered at length. However, he was pleased to see his daughter so happy and to see them so close and comfortable with each other, there on the loveseat wicker chair. And he was not surprised that Cohl didn’t want to take things further, unless their relationship was somehow formalized; Cohl was a good man.

Eventually, Willem begged off and went to bed, leaving them alone in the darkness. They hugged and kissed, relaxing in the night air. Janelle finally had to ask, “Have you thought about...?”

“Some,” he answered. “I am not ready to give you an answer, though.” At her sigh, he said, “Don’t worry. Even if my answer is ‘no’, it won’t change my love for you. We will still have each other and love each other. We just won’t take that final...step.” They sat quietly for awhile until Cohl said, “I think it’s time for bed. Come on.” He pulled her up and they entered the house. At the door to Janelle’s room, he hugged her and kissed her on the forehead. “I’m going to take a walk now, to think about it. Goodnight.” She replied in kind and went into her room, closing the door behind her. She sat on her bed and listened to his footsteps become fainter as he left the house. Oh, dear, she thought as she put on her nightgown and got under the covers, I hope I haven’t pushed him too much. What must he think of me, being that eager? Unable to sleep, she lay quietly, waiting to hear his footsteps again.

Cohl wandered down the lane between the house and the public road, turning thoughts over in his mind. At the end of the lane, he turned and walked along the silent road, the only sounds being the faint rustling of leaves in the gentle breezes that came by now and then. Occasionally, he would hear the sound of some night creature hidden in the trees. No speeders appeared; rural folk tended to turn in early. Even though he had thought about it, he still had no idea what to do about Janelle’s suggestion. He was leaning toward telling her that they should just keep things as they were, and not rush into anything. But he kept seeing her in his mind, and he felt his love for her, and he knew he wanted to be much closer to her. But was it right?

Can we be married? No, I might be just that in my ‘other’ life. And how could I possibly sign my name to a marriage certificate, anyway? Just sign ‘Cohl’? That’s not even my real name! Sighing, he let his thoughts ramble on. Maybe I should leave here. I could go to Harnaidan and lose myself in the city until my memory returns. Both of us would be hurt, but it might be the best thing to do...... I told her that, if I could, I would ask her to marry me. And now she has in effect asked me to marry her! Oh, dear. I don’t know what to do. How shall I answer her? He spied a large log by the side of the road and sat down on it, and leaned forward, elbows on knees and holding his head in his hands.

He focused on a blade of grass between his shoes, clearing his mind and trying to relax and perhaps let something come to him that would help him choose what to do. The leaves above his head rustled a little louder as the wind picked up, and his hair was lifted and tickled over his forehead and fingers. The breeze felt so good, so cleansing, easing his worries and calming his soul. The wind increased in intensity, causing a constant shushing of the leaves around him. s-s-s-s-s-sh-sh-shhhss-s-s-s-s-s-sh-sh-shhhshss-s-s-s-s The sound helped him to remove any lingering thoughts and he closed his eyes.... s-s-s-s-sshshhhss-s-s-s.... becoming completely at peace within himself, feeling nothing, hearing nothing...... s-s-ss-ss-shhhhss-y-e-e-e-e-e-s-s-s-s-sss-shhss-s-s-s........

And the answer came to him, as a realization that seemed so right, so certain, he wondered how he had doubted it before. Blinking his eyes open, he straightened and began to smile. Taking a deep breath, he felt as if his heart was swelling within his chest, and he exhaled loudly. He got to his feet, laughed and started retracing his steps back to the ranch.

Lying in her bed, Janelle’s fears grew, irrationally, as thoughts tumbled through her mind. He’s not coming back! I know it! No, he said we would still have each other, he’s not leaving. But what if he does? Oh, I shouldn’t have said anything about that custom. Why did I have to open my big mouth? I love him so. Just then she heard footsteps in the gravel of the lane outside, then on the porch steps. Then the front door was opened and the footsteps grew louder until there was a light knock on her door. ”Janelle?” Heaving a deep sigh, she threw on her robe and hurried to the door, opening it to find him standing there, smiling at her. She searched his eyes, his face.

“I think your friend, Jeremy, is going to be very disappointed when we publish our notice in town,” he said, his smile widening to a grin. It took a moment for the meaning of his words to hit her, and when it did, she gasped, threw her arms around his neck and hugged him as hard as she could. “Oh, Cohl, how did you decide? What led you to say yes?” she asked, tears filling her eyes.

Resting his head on hers, he replied, “It’s a little hard to describe, I think, but as I was mulling it over, I just tried to clear my mind. There were so many questions and answers and possibilities that I had to get rid of it all.” He pulled back to look at her. “I got very calm, peaceful I guess is how it felt, and then something.... Somehow I knew what to do. I know we are meant to be together, Janelle. I don’t know how I know it, but I do.” He lowered his head, covering her lips with his own and they shared a very soft kiss that lasted awhile. Finally, he raised his head and said, “Right now, I think we both need our sleep. Let’s talk about it and plan in the morning, all right?” He hugged her again and turned and walked to his room. She watched him until his door closed and then she sighed and went back to bed.

In the morning around the kitchen table, Cohl and Janelle discussed their decision with Willem and he wholeheartedly agreed. He volunteered to go into town to have their intent published the next day. After that, they could perform the ceremony any time they wanted. The two of them would say their vows before Willem and he would be the official witness.

Willem said, “I’ll word the notice with something like, ‘In accordance with our ancient and long-established custom, Mister Willem Jurgen is pleased to announce the bonding of his daughter, Janelle, and their friend, Cohl, to occur later this week’, or something like that. That gets us around the problem of your name, Cohl.”

“Good idea,” he replied.

Janelle touched his hand and said, “We should each take some time to decide what we are going to say during the ceremony.”

“Do you mean our vows?” he asked, and she nodded. “All right, I will.”

Three days later, they were ready. As they had hoped, the weather cooperated with a clear afternoon, and they were able to hold the ceremony outside, under an ancient shade tree near the house. Willem had given Cohl his good suit of black pants and jacket to wear. Cohl left the jacket unbuttoned since it had been tailored to the old man’s thinner frame, and wore a light blue shirt underneath. Janelle wore a pretty light green dress, tied at the waist with a reddish-brown sash. She had also woven some light green streamers through her hair; both these and the dress accented the green in her eyes. They faced each other in front of her father and took each other’s hands. Cohl found he was completely relaxed, gazing into his love’s eyes.

“Janelle and Cohl,” Willem said, beginning the ceremony, “you have made a promise to each other to be joined in marriage, thus providing the foundation for this bonding ceremony. And you have stated that you understand this is as much a commitment as is that made when two people marry.” After a short pause, he continued, “Cohl, you may now speak your intent.”

Cohl squeezed her hands and began, “Janelle, I take you as my bond-wife, my constant friend and companion, here and now at this time in my life, and I promise to love and cherish you to the end of my days. I will share my dreams with you and support you in yours. You are my one true love.”

Tears welled in her eyes as he spoke, and she had to blink them away when her father said, “Janelle, you may now speak your intent.”

She swallowed and composed herself to speak. “Cohl, I take you as my bond-husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before, and grow with you through the seasons of our lives.”

They turned to face Willem, who produced a long strip of leather and said, “Janelle, raise your right hand.” She did so and he tied one end of the leather around her wrist. “Cohl, your left,” he said, and tied the other end of the leather around Cohl’s left wrist. “The binding of your wrists together symbolizes the life-bond you have made here today. May your love be strong enough to keep this bond unbroken.”

The two lovers faced each other again and smiled happily. Willem waited for a minute and then, exasperated, exclaimed, “Well, go ahead and kiss her, you young fool!” Both Janelle and Cohl burst out laughing and then dutifully kissed. Shaking his head, Willem said, “Son, I hope you can do better than that.” Grinning, Cohl said, “I know I can,” and he proceeded to show Janelle’s father just how much he had learned from his daughter.

As the new bond-mates separated, Willem pulled a knife from his pocket and cut the leather strip in the middle so that each of them still had a length tied around one wrist. “This isn’t part of the actual ceremony, but out of necessity it is done so you don’t have to drag each other around everywhere. Still, each of you has a part of the binding to remind you of this day.”

“Thank you, Willem,” Cohl said. “But I know I’ll never forget this day.”

“And neither will I,” Janelle added.

As the three of them walked back into the house, Willem said, “Oh, and one other thing. I’m giving the two of you my bedroom.”

“But—,” Cohl began.

“Now, now, it is the largest of the bedrooms, and it has the biggest bed. So, no arguments.” The other two remained silent. “Now, Cohl, help me switch your things and mine, and I’ll treat you two to dinner in town and then I’ll leave you alone for the evening. In fact, you will be dropping me off at the Ward’s ranch. I’ll be spending the next few days with them.”

Janelle blushed at that and Cohl just smiled and said, “Thank you, Willem. And I think we will get along just fine.” He hugged her and winked at Willem.

---------

Eyes closed, the boy sat in the corner of the play room, chin lifted so that he appeared to be listening to something. Now and then he would turn his head in different directions. The other children in the room ignored him. Two attendants watched silently from the room’s doorway. They started as a head appeared between them.

“Doctor Bryant,” one of them said as they separated to let the doctor see into the room.

“How long this time?” the doctor asked.

“Ummm, about forty-five minutes,” the other attendant answered after checking her timepiece.

The doctor pulled on his beard. “This is indeed very strange,” he muttered, mostly to himself, but the attendants heard and nodded. “It’s as if he is listening to something only he can hear; or perhaps he is listening for something. But why does this behavior come and go?” He sighed and shook his head. “For the millionth time, I wish we could get him to speak to us. Well, keep an eye on him,” he instructed the attendants as he turned and left, heading for his office. He opened the boy’s file on his computer and printed off a copy for his colleague, Dr. Esther Webb, who would be arriving within the hour to discuss this unusual case with him.

“Toller Kien,” he muttered aloud, reading the screen in front of him. “Of Teevan race, came to us at the age of four, almost three years ago, exhibiting behaviors and symptoms of Autistic Spectrum Disorder.... does not speak, but is not mute..... sometimes communicates with pictures, draws very well. Thank goodness for that,” he exclaimed, reaching for the finished printout.

Minutes passed as he reread the file, until he heard a polite knock at his door. “Ah! Doctor Webb, please come in,” he said, extending his hand to the slender woman in the doorway. As she seated herself on a chair across the desk from him, Dr. Webb spoke. “Thank you for inviting me here, Doctor Bryant. I am eager to hear about this boy you have here.”

He handed her the printout and said, “His name is Toller Kien. His parents brought him here about three years ago after they finally gave up trying to help him.” He filled her in on the boy’s history at the Far Horizons School.

“It all seems fairly typical of ASD children,” Dr. Webb observed.

“Yes, you are correct,” Dr. Bryant replied. “However, lately he has been exhibiting some rather strange behavior. This started about two weeks ago. He will stop whatever he is doing and go find a place to be alone. Then he shuts his eyes and..... listens is all I can think of to describe it. He sits alone and appears to be listening to something. We tried calling his name and that brought no reaction at all. If we touch him, he just shrinks away and continues to... listen. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

She thought for a moment and then asked, “How often does this happen?”

“There is no regularity to it. He may do this once or twice a day, and sometimes a day will go by before it happens again. Quite frankly, I’m at a loss to explain it.”

“May I see him?” she asked.

“Of course,” he replied, rising from his chair with Toller’s file, and leading her to the play room. There the boy sat, eyes closed, still moving his head about. “Any change?” he asked the attendants. “None, doctor,” the female replied.

The two doctors seated themselves on two adult-sized chairs along the wall and watched. A few minutes passed and then the boy’s movement stopped and he opened his eyes. He stared at the wall in front of him for a moment, and then slowly let his head drop down.

“He seems to be sad,” Dr. Webb observed. “Is that normal?”

“Who can say what is normal for him?” Dr. Bryant replied. “If you mean is that his usual behavior, then yes, it is. He does take a little while to return to the other children.” He opened the file. “Here, he has drawn pictures like these lately.” He handed her two sheets of stiff paper. The first one was a drawing of a male human’s head with shoulder-length hair, piercing eyes, and full lips. “He is very talented, isn’t he?” she said, admiring the detail in the picture. She looked up and asked, “Who is this? Do you know?”

Shaking his head, Dr. Bryant replied, “No, we have no idea who it is. We have several pictures of this man, like this one and from different angles. Look at the other one.” She obliged and saw two drawings, one of a beautiful woman with long, dark, curly hair, and the other the head of a droid of some kind. “This is very strange, but quite interesting. Have you been able to get anything out of him, verbally or written that would explain this?”

“No, nothing but drawings like these,” he answered.

“May I see what I can do?” she asked.

“Be my guest,” Dr. Bryant replied, holding his hand out in the direction of the boy. She walked over and sat in one of the small chairs across the table from him. He was concentrating on drawing something.

“Hello, Toller. I am Doctor Webb. May I talk to you?”

He stopped drawing and raised his head, keeping his eyes down. After he gave a slight nod, she placed the pictures she held on the table and said, “You draw very well, Toller. I like the picture of this man. Do you know him?” She waited. Soon he gave a single nod. “Can you tell me who he is?” He turned his head away. She thought for a moment, and then asked, “Can you draw all of him, not just his head?” Immediately, he turned back to the table, reached for a new sheet of paper and began drawing. She sat back and watched him.

Slowly, a picture of the man appeared. Toller filled in the clothing with shades of black. The clothing itself included what seemed to be a long-sleeved shirt covered by a tunic and tabard, a dark belt clasped in the front, black pants tucked into tall, black boots. A dark cloak billowed off to the left, as if some wind was affecting it. In the right hand was a cylinder of some type.

Toller searched among the colored pens, finally pulling out a light blue one. With this, he drew a long, straight line extending from the cylinder in the man’s hand. Then he sat back in his chair and waited. Dr. Webb asked, “May I see your picture, Toller?” Again the slight nod. She turned the picture around and picked it up, marveling at the skill of the boy. Unable to determine anything relevant from the picture, she turned and handed it to Dr. Bryant.

He stared at it for a moment and then exclaimed, “A Jedi! He’s drawn a picture of a Jedi!”

(end of Chapter 19)

[Steller's Jay]

Shattered Mission, Chapter 20

Dr. Bryant looked at his female colleague and said, “I wonder how he would know about them. We don’t have any Jedi here. The nebula affects them, so they stay away. There haven’t been any of them here since before I was born...or so I was told.” Stroking his beard, he ruminated on this. Dr. Webb waited quietly, not wanting to interrupt his concentration, and watched Toller continue to draw.

Finally, Dr. Bryant turned his gaze to the boy and said, “I wonder if he is Force-sensitive? I’ve never encountered anyone who was, but his drawing of a Jedi Knight and his recent behavior makes me wonder.” He began to pace around the room, thinking aloud. “Let’s assume he is Force-sensitive. Why would this have started now? And why does it come and go? He is as he always was at all other times. Is it an age thing? I don’t think so; seven is too young for Teevan puberty.... Doctor Webb, please come with me to my office.”

“What are you going to do?” she asked, seating herself in the same chair across the desk from his.

“I need to look up information on the Jedi and see what this Force business is.” He began paging through screens on his computer. “Hmmm, they take Force-sensitive children, including infants, to their temple on Coruscant, if the parents consent. So, age is probably not a factor.” He kept scanning the information. “It does say that children usually begin exhibiting simple Force powers shortly after they are born, moving objects around, crawling and walking earlier than other children.”

“And Toller did not?”

“Not that it says in his file, and we have not seen it here. Perhaps he is not Force-sensitive.” He leaned back in his chair and looked at her.

“Or, perhaps his ASD has interfered with his ability to do any of that,” she suggested.

“Possibly,” he replied, drumming his fingers on the desk top. He was silent again, obviously thinking. A thought came to him; he turned to Dr. Webb. “Do you suppose they are trying to contact him through the Force?” Before she could answer, he continued, “No, how would they even know he is here, unless.... perhaps they can sense him somehow. Hmmm...” He jerked upright and exclaimed, “Maybe there are some of them here now, what do you think? Or just one, possibly.” He spied the drawing of the Jedi Knight on the desk, stood and stabbed it with his finger. “That one!”

She began to catch his excitement and they stared at each other. He sat back down and continued to scan through the file. “Ah! Here’s the information on the Jedi who have been here. I need to find out where..... Ah, here we are. Eighty-two years ago one came here and was taken to the Planetary Science Institute for treatment. It says his ship was floating aimlessly once it came out of the nebula; it was retrieved and the pilot was unconscious.” He looked up and said, “I’m going to contact the Institute. Maybe they can provide us some more information.”

---------

It was dark where Anakin was, very dark. And he had been there for a long time, he knew that. How long? He didn’t know that, but it felt like eternity. Now and then he would hear his own voice, seemingly from far off, saying things like, ”Mom?” and “Murderers!” and “Where is my..... NO! Everybody down!” Then there would be long stretches of quiet.

What has happened? The last thing I remember is talking to Threepio on the ship. Now, I am here, wherever ‘here’ is. I can’t see anything, not even my hand in front of my face; of course, I can’t feel my hand, either, or my arms or my legs. This is ridiculous! I can’t hear anything other than my own voice.... I can feel nothing in the Force, and even the Force itself feels....different. Small.

Did I.....die? Am I part of the Force now? Is this what it is, what it feels like? Then why am I hearing my own voice? Are they memories, fragments of memories? For a moment, what felt like a smile came to him. Qui-Gon would say I’m asking too many questions.

Well, you are.

Qui-Gon?? You’re here? With me?

In a manner of speaking, yes, I am with you.

What does that mean? Where am I? Am I dead? Anakin was becoming very frustrated.

Oh, no. You’re not dead, not yet. You are deep within yourself, within the Force.

But, why am I here? I don’t remember anything after I went under the sedative I gave myself. I was on the ship with Threepio and we were about to enter the nebula, the Cloak of the Sith.

The instability of the Force in the nebula has affected you greatly, Anakin. It has literally driven you mad, and a part of you burrowed deep into the Force, the part of you that is still sane. You are safe here.

Anakin was quiet for awhile, digesting this.

Qui-Gon, how do I get out of here? I have to find this.... person you told me of, and I have to get back to my family.

Have patience, Anakin. Things will come in time.

Now you sound like Master Yoda.

Do I? Hmmm, that may not be a bad thing. Again, be patient, my friend, and let things unfold. There is nothing you can do for now. I will speak with you again. Goodbye.

Goodbye, Qui-Gon. He seethed for a moment, until he realized that was not helping. Then.... Was it getting lighter?

---------

“Incredible. You say this boy drew this picture?”

“Yes, Dr. Mycena,” Doctor Bryant replied from his comfortable chair in what appeared to be a waiting room, or a meeting area.

“I watched him as he drew it,” Doctor Webb stated. She was in another chair next to her colleague.

The Institute scientist’s gaze went from the drawing he held in his hands to the boy who was seated on the floor, inspecting a box full of toys provided for the children who accompanied adults from time to time. “This appears to be the man we have here under observation. His droid said his name is Anakin Skywalker and he is a Jedi Knight.”

Bryant pulled another page from his file and held it out. “Does this look familiar?”

Mycena took it and beheld a drawing if the head of C-3PO. “Yes, this is the head of his droid. It said its name was Cee-Threepio and that Skywalker was attempting to get through the nebula to come here, to Roon. It said he was looking for someone.”

“Who?” asked Bryant.

“The droid said Skywalker didn’t know who he was looking for,” the scientist replied. The two doctors from the School were taken aback by this. “How in the world would he know where to look?” Webb asked. “There are millions of people on this planet!” She looked at her colleague, who was obviously lost in thought.

“Perhaps through the Force, Doctor Webb,” he said, sitting up straight and turning to Mycena. “Dr. Mycena, I have been thinking that this boy is Force-sensitive and that he can.....‘feel’ your Jedi Knight somehow, through the Force, probably. He has been exhibiting unusual behavior, as if he is listening to something no one else can hear. This behavior started about two weeks ago and seems to come and go. How long ago did this Skywalker arrive?”

“About two weeks ago,” the scientist replied, a tiny smile forming on his lips. “This is fascinating, Doctor Bryant. Let me bring up his file on my pad.” He perused the information and then inquired, “You say this boy’s listening behavior comes and goes?” Bryant nodded. “Have you noted the start and end times?”

“Yes, we have them right here.”

“We have been sedating Skywalker to calm him down and let him sleep. Once we realized he would harm neither himself nor anyone else during his delusions, we have allowed him to awaken normally. He has experienced every emotion, happiness, fear, anger, everything.” He motioned with his datapad. “Let’s compare the times of your boy’s listening behavior to Skywalker’s sleeping and waking times.” The three of them pored over the data for a minute. “So, the times when Skywalker is awake, or is probably coming awake, match with the boy’s listening. Well, doctors, I would say this definitely has something to do the Force, and your boy is most probably Force-sensitive.”

“Doctor Bryant, look!” Webb exclaimed, pointing to the boy. Toller was again sitting quietly with his eyes closed, face uplifted. “Do you suppose the Jedi is awake?”

Mycena checked the time and said, “He may very well be awakening. Come with me.” He rose from his chair and waited for them to gather up the boy and follow him. Toller allowed himself to be led, still ‘listening’. As the four of them walked down the hall, Mycena continued, “Once the anesthesia begins to wear off, he starts to enter his delusional state, thrashing around on his bed and moaning. Eventually, he comes fully awake. We removed most of the furniture from his room. He has a bedside table and a bed. What is very interesting is that we can be in the room with him, but he completely ignores us. That makes it easy for us to anesthetize him.” As they arrived at a door, the scientist motioned for two orderlies to stand by, just in case. Before he opened the door, he said, “Oh, you should know we did remove his prosthetic right arm. We didn’t want him to hurt himself with it or damage it.” He swung the door open and stepped into the room. Doctor Webb followed him in.

As soon as Toller entered the room, holding onto Doctor Bryant’s hand, he was hit with a wave of Force energy. Recognizing where it was coming from, he turned his face in that direction and opened his eyes. For several seconds they remained blank, until movement brought them to focus on the man lying on the bed. He watched, mesmerized, as the man’s head turned from side to side on the pillow and sounds came from his mouth.

“There,” said Doctor Mycena, “as you can see, he is already feeling the effects of the madness before he is completely awake. We have been—” He paused as Toller let go of Bryant’s hand and moved to the side of the bed. They waited, prepared to rescue him if the need arose. Toller raised his hand and slowly reached toward the head thrashing about on the pillow. As soon as his palm touched the Jedi’s forehead, the movement ceased.

---------

It was getting lighter. Anakin welcomed the return of the light; with it, he began to feel his body again: his lungs filling with air, his heart beating, the blood rushing through his veins. But he still could not see anything. Then he realized his eyes were closed. Can I open them? Can I see? Slowly, he did open his eyes and he saw a pebbled, white ceiling. He breathed deeply once, and then again, and smiled, overjoyed to be alive and out of the dark place he had been. Closing his eyes, he reveled in the returned sensations of life. And then he realized there was something pressing on his forehead. Blinking his eyes open, he turned his head to the left and beheld a boy standing next to his bed, his arm raised, his hand touching him. Recognition hit him.

“Tru? Is it you?” As he gazed into the dark, almost black eyes that returned his gaze, he knew it wasn’t his boyhood friend, but a Teevan boy, nonetheless. He raised himself up on his elbow and the boy’s hand dropped from his forehead. Instantly, he felt the Force presence of the young one. “Who are you?” he asked quietly. When the boy said nothing, he tried again, this time through the Force. Who are you?

The boy grinned. His thoughts rushed over Anakin like a waterfall, as if the boy had been waiting to speak for years. I am Toller Kien. I am seven years old and I live at the Far Horizons School. I felt you. I have lots of friends and we play games and have lessons. Doctor Bryant brought me here to see you. I have a room of my own and a big bed. What is your name? How old are you? Where do you live?

Stop! Slow down! You are going too fast, Toller. I am Anakin Skywalker and I am twenty-six years old. I live on a planet called Naboo.

Of course, the doctors and orderlies could hear none of this. All they saw was the man and the boy staring at each other.

“Doctor Bryant, Doctor Webb,” Mycena began, “I believe your boy has brought Skywalker back to sanity.” They all looked at each other. “I don’t know,” Bryant replied. “I’m....what do you suppose they are doing?”

“Communicating somehow,” Doctor Webb suggested.

“Communicating through the Force, I’ll wager,” Bryant replied.

“That is correct,” Anakin said aloud, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. He looked at the trio standing just inside the room and asked, “Where am I, if I may ask? And how long have I been here? And where is my arm?” Doctor Mycena filled him in on what had happened to him in the last two weeks. He sent one of the orderlies to retrieve Anakin’s prosthetic arm. “Two weeks, eh? And where is Cee-Threepio, my droid?”

“We put him back on your ship and shut him down. He appeared to be rather flustered, but we did manage to get out of him your reason for coming here.”

Turning back to Toller, Anakin said, “Yes, and I think I found who I was looking for. Or, rather, he found me.” Returning his gaze to the doctors, he said, “We need to talk about Toller. I would like to take him back with me to the Jedi Temple. I think he can help me get through the nebula. I will need to speak with his parents and get their permission, of course. Can he stay with me for now?”

“Yes, yes, of course,” Bryant replied. “We will speak in a little while. I suspect you need to eat something and get your strength back. I will contact his parents.”

After Doctor Mycena checked Anakin over, the doctors left and Anakin was alone with Toller.

Do you know what the Force is, Toller?

No. What is it?

You felt me through the Force. It is an energy field that is in and around all things. Some people can feel it, while others can not. You can feel it, just like me. There are many like us on a planet called Coruscant. I want to take you there, with me.

I want to go! I can’t talk to anyone here.

I will talk to your parents and help them to understand how beneficial this will be to you and to the others of us who can feel the Force. The oldest of us is just about as tall as you. Toller beamed. I know he will want to meet you and spend time with you. Everyone there will be very happy to see you.

I am happy to see them. Can we go now?

We will go soon, as long as your parents say it’s okay. I will talk to the doctors, too. I am sure they will let you come with me.

Anakin was brought food, and he and Toller kept up a running conversation while he ate. Later, when Toller was sleeping, Anakin met with the doctors and explained everything to them about the Jedi Order and the Temple on Coruscant. The doctors agreed that Toller would be much better off in a place where he would be cared for and where he could actually communicate with others. Several hours later, Toller’s parents arrived and sat with Anakin for a long time, learning about the Order and how Toller would be accepted within it and what Anakin felt the boy could do for them regarding the Cloak of the Sith.

“I believe he can get us through the nebula without it affecting me the way it did. I will instruct my droid to return here immediately if there is a problem. If we get through safely, then your son will be of great benefit to the Order. He will be able to provide a way through the nebula to Roon without the madness affecting us.”

The parents were very happy that their son appeared to have a real mission in life now, and that he would be cared for and have a place forever with the Jedi Order.

“Will we be able to visit him?” the mother asked.

“Well, children are completely separated from their families when they come to the Order,” Anakin explained, “but Toller is unique. They may make an exception for him. I will see what I can do about it with the Jedi Council. Believe me, the life we can give him, the support and inclusion in the Order is much better for him than living here, unable to communicate with anyone.”

Toller’s parents finally agreed to let him go, after talking it over with each other and with Doctor Bryant. They spent some time with their son and Anakin, with Anakin expressing Toller’s thoughts to them, and then said their tearful goodbyes. “He loves you both and wants you to know he is very happy,” Anakin said to them as they prepared to leave the Institute. “We can see that he is, and thank you so much,” Toller’s father said. “We agree this is best for him.”

The next day, Anakin was given all of Toller’s possessions and he and the boy said their goodbyes and thanks to the staff at the Far Horizons School and the Planetary Science Institute. They boarded Anakin’s ship, where C-3PO was activated.

“Master Anakin! It is so good to see you! You are well, now?”

“Yes, Threepio, quite well thanks to our new friend here. This is Toller Kien, Threepio.”

The droid bowed and said, “How do you do, Toller Kien?” When the boy didn’t speak, 3PO looked at Anakin. “He doesn’t speak, Threepio. We communicate through the Force,” Anakin replied.

“Well, that is very interesting.”

“All right. We’ll be going through the nebula again, Threepio. I want you to fly the ship and watch me and Toller. If the nebula affects either one of us, you must return here immediately. I believe that Toller has the ability to neutralize the nebula’s effect on me. If that is true, then other Jedi will be able to visit Roon, as long as he is with them.”

“That is good news, Master Anakin.”

Anakin guided the ship away from the planet and set course for Naboo. As they neared the nebula, he turned the controls over to 3PO and sat with Toller behind the pilot and copilot seats.

Just keep holding my hand, Toller.

Yes, Anakin.

When we get to Naboo, you will have to start calling me Master Skywalker.

Yes, Master Skywalker.

Anakin smiled, closed his eyes and began meditating. Toller seemed to understand and did not intrude. Because of the nebula, Anakin could not reach out to anyone, not Padme, not the Jedi Masters and, of course, not Obi-Wan. He did, however, feel unusual ripples in the Force, and those came from the boy beside him. He let them wash over and around him, unable to pin down any particular flow or pattern. He could identify every Jedi based on how they felt to him in the Force, but this boy.... Well, I guess I’ll know it is Toller from this unfocused jumble. I wonder if—

Anakin felt something moving in on him, something dark and menacing. He sank deeper into the Force to save himself, but then the darkness stopped approaching. Toller’s strange and unique Force-presence had coalesced around his own, and was holding the darkness at bay. Anakin could sense tendrils of the madness trying unsuccessfully to slip through. We must be in the nebula. And, as I hoped, Toller can provide a way through it! Good boy!

Anakin opened his eyes and watched the boy, who was sitting calmly, staring at the bulkhead. Does he even know what is happening? How strange. He looked to C-3PO and nodded at him, signaling that he was not in distress.

Eventually, the ship was out of the nebula and both Anakin and Toller had suffered no ill effects. “Take us home, Threepio,” Anakin said to the droid.

“Yes, Master Anakin. I most certainly will,” the droid responded.

Toller?

Yes, Master Skywalker?

You did a good job getting us through the nebula.

I did? What did I do?

You don’t know?

No, Master Skywalker.

That’s all right, Toller. It was a good job, anyway. The Jedi Council will be very pleased to meet you.

I would like to meet them, too.

Anakin chuckled. It never dawned on him that he hadn’t thought about Obi-Wan all day.

---------

(end of Chapter 20)

[Steller's Jay]

Shattered Mission, Chapter 21

Anakin placed Toller in the co-pilot’s seat so he could look out at the stars streaking by as they moved through hyperspace. Once the boy was secured, he went aft and activated the holo-system so he could contact the Jedi Council. As he began to key the correct codes for the Council, he decided to contact his family first; the Council could wait.

His heart jumped when he saw his beloved wife’s visage appear in the characteristic holographic blue. While he was imprisoned by his madness on Roon, he had feared he might never see her again.

“Anakin!” she exclaimed. “Where have you been? Where are you? Are you all right?”

Smiling happily, he replied, “Yes, dearest, I am fine, now. Padme, you’re a beautiful sight to my eyes. I was afraid I’d lost you.”

“Lost me? But, what happened? Where have you been? We’ve been so worried, not hearing from you for so long.” He heard a noise and saw her motion off to the side. Sikka and Oren appeared behind her.

“Hello, Sikka. Hello, Oren.” The two padawans bowed, relief evident on their faces. “I apologize for being absent so long without your knowing what was happening.”

“We were concerned for you, Master,” Sikka said, “when we had no word from you. And Master Windu contacted us to have Oren return to the temple. But we told him you had instructed Oren to stay here. I didn’t want to lie to Master Windu, but it was very close to the truth.”

“Thank you, Padawan. I will speak to Master Windu. What you did was all right and we will talk about it.” He returned his gaze to Padme and spoke, “When we entered the nebula around the planet Roon, the madness gripped me in spite of the sedative I’d taken. Our ship was escorted down to the surface and Threepio explained why we were there. I’m afraid he must have babbled on at length because they shut him down and put him back on our ship. I don’t know if they believed that I was a Jedi, but they took me to a building where they had tried to help other Jedi a long time ago.” He paused for a minute, then continued. “I’m telling you this secondhand, since I remember nothing of any of this before I.....”

“Before what, Anakin?” Padme asked.

He shook his head. “Not yet, dearest. The building was the Planetary Science Institute. They put me in a room by myself with a bed and monitored me. I believe I would have died if they hadn’t taken care of me. I was fed intravenously and periodically they anesthetized me so I could sleep; otherwise, my body would have broken down and given up, I’m sure.”

“But you said the sedative you took didn’t help, Anakin. Why would theirs?”

“It was something they developed over time to help other Jedi they encountered, and it’s very strong. It doesn’t keep the madness away, but it does allow our bodies to rest. Padme, I must contact the Council now, but I’ll be home very soon. I love you, Padme.”

“I love you, Anakin. Hurry home.”

“And I’m bringing a new friend with me,” he said as he winked at her and closed the connection.

---------

After Anakin contacted the Jedi Council, related the tale of his adventure on Roon to the Council Masters, and stated that he would return to the temple soon, he joined C-3PO and Toller in the cockpit. The small boy was staring out the window. C-3PO looked at Anakin and said, “Sir, I have been trying to make conversation with this boy, but he does not answer me. Is he mute, or just rude?”

Anakin smiled and replied, “He is neither, Threepio. He has sensitivity to the Force, and he and I can speak through it. But he won’t speak aloud. I’m not sure why; it may have something to do with this disorder he has. Perhaps the Temple Healers will be able to help him.”

“I hope they do, sir. There will not be many who will be his friends, otherwise.”

“No, Threepio, everyone at the temple will accept him.” They were about to come out of hyperspace, so Anakin replaced the droid at the helm. He contacted the boy.

Toller?

Yes, Master Skywalker?

We are almost to my home now. You will meet two other Jedi. They are what we call padawans. One of them is my padawan, and her name is Sikka Doron. She is my student and I am helping her to learn the ways of the Force.

Who is the other padawan?

His name is Oren Kendrel. He is staying with me until we can find his master.

Is his master lost? What happened to his master?

We don’t know, Toller. He went missing on another planet and we are trying to find him. His name is Master Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi, and he was my master when I was a padawan. I am very worried about him and I hope we can find him soon.

So do I, Master Skywalker.

Throughout this exchange, Toller remained seated, staring out at the stars. Anakin watched him for a bit and thought, It is as if his mind is disconnected from his physical being. How strange.

Eventually, they emerged from hyperspace near Naboo and Anakin took over from C-3PO and landed the ship near his home. Before they exited, Anakin could feel his children’s excitement and joy at his return. Padme, Sikka and Oren approached the base of the ramp after it touched the ground. Luke was in Padme’s arms and Leia in Sikka’s.

“Hello, Miss Padme,” C-3PO exclaimed as he clattered down the ramp. “We are so happy to be home, and it is so good to see you.”

“Thank you, Threepio. I am....” Her voice trailed off when she saw Anakin descend, holding the hand of a young boy. Sikka and Oren stared at the boy and then glanced at each other when they realized he was Force-sensitive. Anakin had eyes only for his wife. He pulled her to him with his free arm and kissed her softly. “Hello, Padme,” he whispered. She smiled and leaned into him. “Padawans,” he said, nodding to Oren and Sikka, who bowed in return. All eyes then turned to the boy with Anakin.

“Everyone, I would like to introduce you to Toller Kien, the boy who saved my life on the planet Roon.”

“Master?” Sikka asked.

“Anakin?” Padme asked.

Oren merely raised his eyebrows.

Anakin turned to the boy. “Toller, this is Miss Padme.” Look at her eyes, Toller. They all watched as the boy’s eyes slowly tracked up to fix on Padme’s. “She is my wife, and the mother of my children. This is my son, Luke.” Anakin passed his hand in front of Toller’s face and laid it on Luke’s head. Toller’s gaze followed. Luke squirmed and gurgled at his father’s touch. While Toller gazed at the baby boy, Anakin motioned to Sikka to bring Leia. “And this is my daughter, Leia.” He repeated his hand movement to bring Toller’s attention to his daughter, who also indicated her pleasure. Slowly, the boy raised his hand and touched Leia’s head. A smile broke out on his face when he felt her presence through the Force, just as he had with Anakin on Roon. Padme looked to her husband with a question on her lips. He nodded to her and said, “Yes, the Force is with him. He doesn’t know how to use it, yet, but he can feel it. I explained to him what it is.” Now the boy was touching Luke’s head and a short laugh escaped him.

“Can he speak, Anakin?” Padme asked.

“He hasn’t, yet. But the doctors who have been working with him on Roon say he should be able to. The first time he touched me, I asked him who he was and he didn’t answer. So, I asked him again through the Force and he overloaded me with words, telling me who he was, where he lived, asking me where I lived... I think he’s been wanting to talk, but he couldn’t until he met another person sensitive to the Force.”

Now the boy was stroking Sikka’s hand as she held Leia. He became more excited, his mouth opening into a big smile. He ran to Oren and grabbed the young man’s hand, whereupon he squealed with delight.

“I think he’s very happy to find others like himself,” Padme observed, watching Toller run to C-3PO and touch the droid’s metal hand. Instantly, his face registered bewilderment; everyone else here had the Force. Why didn’t this one? He raised his hand up to touch the droid’s head. C-3PO leaned forward and said, “I am afraid you will not feel the Force inside me, Toller Kien.” The boy dropped his hand and backed up, his brow knitted as if he was deep in thought.

Threepio is not a living creature, Toller. The boy turned around and began to walk slowly toward his new friends. When he reached them, he stopped and reached up hesitantly to touch Padme’s hand. His face brightened and he put his arms as far around her as they would go and hugged her tightly. Padme smiled at him in wonder and said, “What a sweet little boy you are, Toller.” She stroked his hair and looked at Anakin. “What are you going to do with him?”

“We will take him to the Temple to meet Master Yoda and the Council,” Anakin replied.

“He may be overwhelmed, Master,” Sikka volunteered, “with all of the Jedi there.”

“Yes, he may very well be, Sikka. I think he will do all right, though. It will be interesting to see what they want to do with him. I wonder if he can be taught to use the Force. He seemed not to know he was helping me when we went back into the nebula.”

Padme spoke. “Well, come on, everybody. Let’s get into the house where we can be comfortable and Anakin can tell us what happened on his journey.”

--------

“Mmmph.... What?” Cohl’s eyes fluttered open as he felt himself being pushed from the side. He turned his head to see, and feel, Janelle right up against him. “Move over a little, please?” she asked. He craned his head up to look over her.

“Why? You’ve got plenty of room.” He waited for what he knew she would say. This was a game they had played before.

“It’s warmer where you are, and I want some of it,” she said, grinning. “My side of the bed is always colder.”

“Ah, I see,” he replied, moving a little bit and turning onto his side, facing her. “Maybe that’s because you insist on having the window open, no matter what the temperature is outside”. He laughed and said, “Come here, I’ll help you warm up.” She snuggled into his arms and sighed contentedly.

“We have to get up soon, you know,” he murmured into her hair. “Chores await.”

“I know, but we have a little time. A few minutes won’t matter.” She smiled at him and kissed him softly.

Just then there was a light tapping on the door. “Well, I guess we don’t have a few minutes,” she sighed, and then called out, “We’re up, Pop. Be right there.” They both laughed and began making ready for the day. Winter was on the way, so they donned layers of clothing, which they would be peeling off as they worked through the day.

Essie and Shayla were fed and groomed and let out to pasture. Stalls were cleaned and fresh straw laid down, and tackle polished. Eventually, they broke for lunch and then returned to continue Shayla’s training in the harness. She was hitched up to a small buggy and both Cohl and Janelle took turns driving her. It was Cohl’s turn, when he pulled her up unexpectedly.

Janelle turned to him and asked, “What’s wrong? Why did you pull her up?”

He was looking around to the left, scanning the trees. “I don’t know. Something just didn’t feel right.” He turned back to her. “Did you hear anything?”

She shook her head. “No, nothing unusual. Did you?”

“No. It was just.... Oh, I guess it was nothing.” He slapped the reins and called out, “Come on, let’s go, girl.” They continued on to the barn, where Janelle unfastened the harness from the buggy and walked Shayla into the building, where she would remove the harness and put it away after cleaning it.

Cohl picked up the buggy poles and began pulling it toward the barn. A feeling of unease washed over him as it had on the road and he stopped short, just as blaster fire passed in front of his face. Instantly, he dropped to the ground.

“Cohl?!” Janelle peered out from the barn door. “Get back! Hide!” he hissed at her as he scrabbled to the door and pulled himself into the darkness inside. Getting to his feet, he looked around for something he could use to defend them in case whoever had fired at them came into the barn. Spying a hay pike leaning against Essie’s stall, he dashed over, grabbed it, and hunkered down inside the stall. He could see Janelle in the next stall, holding onto Shayla’s bridle and keeping herself hidden behind the filly’s bulk. He held his finger to his lips to indicate to her to remain silent. Her eyes were wide as she nodded in response.

His heart was racing. Why would anybody want to kill him? Or were they after Janelle? And who would it be? Instinctively, he took several deep, slow breaths to calm himself and then he just listened. Footfalls sounded in the gravel outside, and then the barn interior grew darker as someone blocked the light coming in through the door. Shayla’s harness jingled as she stamped impatiently, wanting to be rid of it. Janelle rubbed the filly’s nose, trying to calm her.

Cohl could hear the intruder slowly moving further into the barn. Even as he recognized the fear in himself, a part of him wondered how he could remain so calm in the face of this unknown danger. He closed his eyes and concentrated on listening to the intruder’s movements. Whoever it was would have to pass him before getting to Shayla’s stall and Janelle.

Then all was silent; even the filly made no sound other than her breathing. Cohl realized, almost too late, that the intruder was just on the other side of the wall from him. He raised his eyes to see the face of a Rodian and the muzzle of a blaster aiming down at him. Instantly, he swung the pike up, knocking the blaster out of the Rodian’s hands. Springing to the far side of the stall, he faced his attacker and stood ready, holding his makeshift weapon horizontally in front of him. From his vantage point he could see Janelle with his peripheral vision; she was obviously frightened, and he did nothing to allow the Rodian to know that she was there.

The advantage of surprise gone, the alien moved slowly to the open door of the stall and faced Cohl. They studied each other for a moment. And then, in a flash, the Rodian flung a knife at Cohl. His hands seemed to automatically bring up the hay pike and the knife buried itself in the wood. Surprise flashed on the attacker’s face, but only for an instant, and then Cohl was on him, bashing him with the pike on both sides. Final blows to the head brought the alien to his knees and then face down on the hay-strewn wooden floor.

“Get help, Janelle!” Cohl called out to her. “Get the police, or someone!” As she ran out the door, he knelt on the Rodian’s back and pressed down on his head. “Who are you? And why have you attacked us?” His prisoner merely glared at him and said nothing.

(end of chapter 21)

[Steller's Jay]

Shattered Mission, Chapter 22

When Janelle emerged from the house, Cohl had tied the Rodian’s wrists and ankles together and had pushed him outside the barn and forced him down on the ground against the outer wall. Willem remained standing on the porch.

“The constable and his team are on their way,” she announced as she came up behind Cohl.

“Good,” he replied. He had the alien’s blaster and kept it pointed at him. “Are you all right?” he asked her, his arm around her waist.

“Yes, just a little scared,” she said quietly, not wanting their conversation to be overheard. “Why do you think he came here? Do you think he was hired by San Hill?”

Cohl shook his head and replied, “I don’t know. I still have no idea why Hill would be after me. Are you sure it was his men that were there that day, the day I fell?”

“Well, no, not entirely. We just assumed they were, since his estate covers that whole area. And many Muun-Doh work for him; they were the ones that were trying to see if you were alive or not.” He thought about this for a moment, and then sighed. “Well, hopefully we’ll find out who this fellow is working for.”

They both turned as a speeder come down their lane. Four men got out of it and approached them. One spoke. “I am Constable Arnason. What do we have here?” He was looking at the Rodian.

Cohl and Janelle both provided statements about the attack, after which the constable and his team hustled the culprit into the speeder. Cohl stood next to the driver’s side and said, “We think he may have been hired by San Hill.”

“Really? And why would San Hill want to kill you?” the constable asked.

Cohl stood with his mouth open, realizing he might have said too much. He didn’t want anyone else prying into his background before he uncovered it, himself. “I—I had a run-in with him before,” he replied, lamely.

Arnason studied him for a moment. “I will let you know what we find out,” he called to them as he drove away.

Cohl turned and walked back to Janelle. “I don’t feel good about this, Janelle. I hope they can find out what’s going on.”

“I’m sure they will,” she replied, hugging him tightly. “And if it is San Hill who hired him, he will be brought to justice and you will be safe.”

Everything is so simple for her. There could be another assassin, or..... He hugged her, too, and lightly kissed the top of her head. “Yes, I’m sure you’re right. All the same, we should be careful until we know the truth. Come, let’s put Shayla to bed.”

---------

As the morning light filtered in through the bedroom window, Padme lay in the crook of Anakin’s arm, her head on his shoulder. He had been quiet for awhile. “You miss Obi-Wan, don’t you,” she said quietly.

He turned his head, a little smile on his face. “You can read me so well. Yes, I do miss Obi-Wan, and I’m worried about him. I know what Qui-Gon told me, but I still don’t like it. I’m going to try to find him, anyway.” They were both silent for a time.

“I wish you could stay home longer, Ani. It seems as though you just arrived. The twins are so happy, and now you’re leaving again.”

Anakin smiled and replied, “I know, sweetheart.” He kissed her tenderly. “But I must get Toller to the Council. They will decide what is to be done with him.”

“And you’re taking Sikka and Oren with you. I’ll have to call my mother or Sola to come if I need help with anything.” She sighed. “I think we need you here more than they need you there.”

He chuckled quietly. She stared at him and said, “What are you laughing about? I don’t see anything at all funny about this.”

“Well, how would you like to come with me to Coruscant? And bring Luke and Leia.”

She leaned up on one elbow. “What? You want all of us to come with you?”

“Yes, I do. And so does Master Yoda.”

“Master Yoda?” She narrowed her eyes and asked, “Why does he want you to bring our children?”

“When I spoke with him yesterday, he said it is time for the Order to see them. They are sort of special, you know, children of the ‘Chosen One’ and all.” He pulled her close to him again. “And you’re special, too, Padme,” he murmured, “especially to me.”

She kissed him softly, laid her head on his chest and said, “Well, I’ll have to find us a place to stay near the temple.”

“No, you won’t. Master Yoda said they have set up quarters for us in the temple. Compared to Jedi quarters, it will be very extravagant, I’m sure. We should cause quite a stir there.”

---------

The next day, Constable Arnason stopped by with some news.

“Hello, Constable,” Janelle greeted him. Cohl stood next to her. “What have you found out?”

He appeared to be somewhat contrite. “Well, I’m afraid the case has been taken out of our hands.”

“What?” Cohl stared at him in disbelief. “What has happened?”

“The capital city’s police force sent several officers this morning to take the prisoner to Harnaidan. He is to be tried there. Apparently, it is because he is a bounty hunter. They will investigate to see who hired him.”

Angry, Cohl stated, “This smacks of corruption, Constable. I don’t like it. I don’t like it, at all.”

Arnason replied, “I am sorry, sir, but their authority exceeds ours. There is nothing I can do about the situation.”

“Has something like this ever happened before?” Janelle asked.

“Not within my memory, Miss, and I have been with the department for many years.” He turned to get in his speeder. “I will let you know anything I hear.”

They watched him drive away. “Anything he hears?!” Cohl said, angrily. “He needs to stay in touch with them! I doubt they will be sending him status reports!” Janelle stared at him in surprise; she had never seen him like this. He turned to her. “Something is going on, Janelle. There is no reason for the capital police to get involved in this.”

She moved close to him and touched his chest. “Surely their investigation will uncover the truth.” Seeing the concern in her eyes, he held her and said, “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I shouldn’t be so angry, but I just don’t understand why this has happened.” He exhaled a couple of times to calm down and said, “Let’s talk about it later. We’ve got chores to do.” He was smiling now, so she felt much better. Things would work out.

---------

Anakin looked out the window and noted the beings awaiting them on the Jedi Temple landing pad. “Look, there’s Master Koth!” he exclaimed, pointing to the Iridonian Zabrak who was on the Council when Anakin was first brought before them. “He must have survived Order 66. It’s good to see him alive.”

“Mm-hm,” Padme replied. She fussed with her babies’ clothing and blankets, wanting them to look their best when presented to the Jedi Council. Oren and Sikka stood by, ready to disembark and holding satchels containing everything needed for the twins’ care.

Anakin continued, “And I see Jakson Billaba, too, and two others standing with the Council Masters. I don’t think I know them, although they do look familiar. They must have filled the vacant Council seats.” Sadness filled him briefly, as he realized there were still only eleven Masters there to greet them. Then Toller came over and stood on tiptoe to see out of the window as Anakin deftly landed the ship.

Toller, I want you to stay with Sikka and Oren after we all leave the ship.

I will, Master Skywalker. Am I going to meet other Jedi today?

Anakin smiled. Yes, you will meet many Jedi today. Remember how I taught you to bow, to show respect.

Yes, Master Skywalker, I will bow like you taught me.

As he was about to lower the ramp, he glanced at the padawans and turned to the ramp control. Then he looked back at them and asked, “What in the world are you two carrying?”

Sikka replied, “These are for the twins, Master.”

Incredulous, he turned to Padme. As she handed Luke to him, she said, “I wanted to be sure we had everything we might need for them. What did you expect me to do, rely on the Temple for everything?”

“Well, no, but—”

“Come on, let’s go.” She pressed the control to lower the ramp. “They’re waiting for us.” And she swept past him, carrying Leia in her arms.

Anakin turned and gave a look to the padawans, who both shrugged in reply. He hurried down the ramp, followed by Toller, then Sikka and Oren, and finally C-3PO, carrying a satchel with Padme’s and Anakin’s clothing. Padme was waiting at the bottom. Anakin put his arm around her waist and kissed her quickly. They turned and approached the Council Masters.

Master Windu strode toward them with Master Yoda beside him, floating along on his pod; the other Council members waited. Anakin smiled at his old friend, Tru Veld, who returned his smile with one of his own and then looked in wonder at the small boy standing with the two padawans. He had heard that one of his race would be accompanying the Skywalkers.

Anakin bowed to the two Masters, who bowed in return. “Welcome, Master Skywalker,” Yoda greeted them, “and Lady Skywalker. Very happy we are to see you again.”

“Yes,” Windu agreed, “and we have been looking forward to seeing your children, finally.” Anakin looked at the dark Master, wondering if that was a mild rebuke, but saw a smile on Windu’s face.

“Thank you, Master Yoda, Master Windu,” he replied. He turned slightly and pulled the blanket away from his son’s face. “I’d like you to meet our son, Luke,” he said proudly, nodding at Padme. She brought Leia closer, moved her blanket and said, “And our daughter, Leia.”

Windu waited for Master Yoda to bring his pod in closer, and they both leaned in. The tiny master’s eyes widened and his ears moved up and forward as he gazed in wonder at the two little miracles before him. “So strong are they in the Force,” he marveled, and Windu nodded in agreement. Anakin could not help but beam proudly. Not moving his eyes from the twins, Yoda admonished him, “Pride is not the Jedi way, young Skywalker.” Anakin’s face reddened slightly when he heard, “young Skywalker”, a reminder from Yoda that he still had much to learn even though he was a master now. “Yes, Master Yoda. I—”

“Although, understandable in this case, it is,” Yoda interrupted, smiling. Now Yoda looked at him. “Powerful Jedi will they be,” he began and Padme stiffened, which he noted, but continued, “if you decide to have them trained in our ways.” At this, Padme relaxed.

“Come, introduce them to the Council, we will now, and introduce you to the new Council Masters, as well.” Yoda and Windu led them to the group of nine Jedi Masters a short distance away. Sikka. Master? You, Oren and Toller stay there. Yes, Master. He glanced at Toller to see how he was handling the presence of more Jedi; the boy seemed calm, but then, he always did.

So many different colors and textures! Toller’s thoughts mingled with them as he saw and felt in his mind the myriad manifestations of the Force in this place. His excitement grew as he anticipated discovering to whom each color belonged. He could not name all of them, but he could recognize the feeling each produced within him. He had already cataloged those of the people he had met so far: Miss Padme’s was a warm, soft dark brown, like the fur of the rabbit he had been allowed to hold once; Leia’s was the same, but with hints of blue appearing unexpectedly. The incredible blue of Master Skywalker’s Force picture was almost blinding in its brilliance and always thrilled him; little Luke’s was like his father’s, but not quite as bright and with bits of brown here and there. Sikka’s reminded him of the yellow sunflowers, which grew outside the building where he had lived, and Oren’s was a deep violet with hints of blue. He knew he would soon be very busy, untangling the colorful strands as he discovered their owners.

“Anakin,” Windu began, “you remember Master Koth? We were overjoyed when he returned to us ten days ago.”

Anakin smiled and bowed to the Iridonian, who returned his bow. “Yes. I am very happy to see you survived the war, Master Koth.” He turned to the female Chalactan and said, “And I am happy that you are now on the Council, Master Billaba, but I am sad that your cousin, Depa, was killed.” “As we all are, Master Skywalker,” she replied. Windu then indicated a female Mirialan (Miikka Cyd) and a male human (Galen Sumero), and introduced them. A few pleasantries were exchanged and then Yoda floated between Anakin and Padme and held up his hand.

“Council Masters,” Yoda began. “A day to be remembered is today, in the annals of the Jedi Order. Brought before us in this time and place are the children of the Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker, and his wife, Senator Padme Amidala. Strong, they are, in the Force. Come forward,” he said to the masters, “and see.” The nine Council members surrounded the Skywalker family to see and touch and marvel. Yoda and Windu moved away a little.

“Well, what do you foresee for these children, Master Yoda?” Mace inquired, as they watched the happy scene. Yoda nodded and blinked his eyes a few times before he answered. “Certain, I am, that the boy will become a great Jedi. Not so with the girl, I believe. Her destiny lies along a different path.” He sighed and continued, “Also do I know that they will outlive me.” Mace started at this. “Yes, very old am I, Mace, and my time to become one with the Force will come soon.”

Unable to imagine not seeing the wizened Master within the temple, Mace struggled to find words to express his feelings, so he simply said, “Master Yoda.” Acknowledging the affection in Windu’s words, Yoda replied, “It is the way of things.” Mace nodded and the two of them stood together, quietly.

(end of chapter 22)

[Steller's Jay]

Shattered Mission, Chapter 23

“Anakin.”

Standing among the Council Masters with Luke in his arms, Anakin turned his head to see Mace Windu looking at him. He acknowledged him by nodding his head.

“I think everyone has had enough time with your children. I will take you and your family to your quarters now,” Windu said.

Padme excused herself from speaking with Master Tahlandi and said to Windu, “Thank you, Master Windu. Leia is beginning to squirm and I can tell she is hungry. Goodnight, everyone.” She and Anakin began to follow Mace, but Anakin asked them to wait while he went over to where his padawan was standing with Oren and Toller. Shifting Luke to his right arm, he took Toller’s hand. Come with me, Toller. You will be staying with us until the Council decides where you should be.

Toller moved to stand next to him. Yes, Master Skywalker.

“Please follow us with our bags, and then you two can go on to your quarters,” he said to Sikka and Oren. “I expect the Council will want to see Toller tomorrow, so I don’t know what our schedule will be.”

“Master Skywalker,” Oren replied. “Do....do you think Master Yoda will...” He swallowed. “Do you think he will want me to....?”

“I will talk to Master Yoda about your situation, Oren,” Anakin reassured him. “Don’t worry about it.”

Oren smiled a little and turned with Sikka to follow the Skywalkers. Anakin hurried to join Mace and Padme. As they walked, Mace spoke. “I think everyone is glad to see you here, Anakin, you and your family. There may yet be a few who are still unsure that allowing you to remain in the Order was the correct thing to do. However, I believe that will begin to change when they see your children, and when enough time has passed.”

“I hope you are right, Master Windu,” Anakin replied, envisioning years of scowls greeting him as he moved within the temple.

Windu stopped before a door, turned to Padme and said, “These are the quarters we have prepared for you, Lady Skywalker. We hope they meet with your approval.”

She smiled at him and replied, “I am sure they will, Master Windu. Thank you for showing us here.”

Mace bowed and walked away. As Padme breezed through the door carrying Leia and with Toller in tow, Anakin said to the padawans, “I will stop by your quarters once we have gotten settled.” They bowed to him and strolled off down the corridor. Anakin turned back to enter their room. “Well, this is very nice,” Padme said, “isn’t it, Anakin?” When he didn’t answer, she turned around to see him standing in the doorway and staring wide-eyed into the room, his mouth agape. “Is something wrong, Ani?”

“I....I....I never expected....I would have thought......” He took a deep breath and shook his head. “This is so....so fancy!”

Padme looked around the room. “It is? I think it’s very nice, but it’s nothing like our home. Look, we have a bed and a dresser, and here’s the closet.” She looked at him questioningly.

“But it’s a big bed and it has pillows and fancy covers and....Padme, a Jedi’s quarters are very minimal, nothing like this.” He walked through another doorway. “And here they’ve set up a room for the twins and Toller, with two cribs and a bed and more drawers, and another closet!” He spun around and said, “I can’t believe they did all this.”

She moved by him into the second room and replied, “Well, I can. You may be a Jedi, Anakin, but we are not. I am sure they had our comfort in mind.” She watched him for a moment until he sheepishly said, “I’m sorry, Padme. I overreacted, didn’t I. This is wonderful, isn’t it? That we can all stay here as a family?” He hugged her with one arm and kissed her. Briefly, she rested her head on his shoulder, and replied, “Yes, it is. And now, I need to feed these children. Perhaps you and Toller would put our things away, my love? We need to get settled.”

After Padme had fed the children and put them down to sleep, she went back in to the main room to see Anakin and Toller standing in front of the open closet. Anakin was laughing and the boy was running his hands over the hanging clothes. “Anakin?”

He turned and explained, “We’re finding it pretty funny that my clothing takes up so little of the closet space....compared to yours, anyway.”

She tilted her head to the side, arched her eyebrows and asked, “Are you saying I have brought too much?”

“Not at all, my dear. It’s more a comment about the Order’s emphasis on utility as opposed to fashion,” he replied. She smiled back and hugged him. After a brief kiss, Anakin sighed and said, half jokingly, “I’m going to go see my padawans now. I need to give them things to do. I’ll take Toller with me.” He turned to their new friend. Come with me, youngling. We’re going to—

“May Toller stay and help me organize the babies’ things?” Padme requested. She sensed that her husband was tired and beginning to feel the stress of managing three young Jedi and a family, the loss of his closest friend, and being back in the temple along with all of that baggage. She would help him as much as she could; keeping the little boy with her would be a step in that direction.

Anakin paused and looked at his wife for a moment. Toller went to stand beside her and take her hand. “Well, I guess so,” Anakin replied, smiling. “It seems he thinks as you do. Thank you, Padme.” As the apartment door opened, he turned back to say, “After I see them, I’m going to meditate. I may be awhile.” He left the apartment and took a lift to the padawan wing.

---------

Oren had been silent all the way to his quarters. As he opened the door, Sikka asked, “May I come in?”

“Of course, Cee. But your master will expect to find you in your quarters.” He stood back and then followed her in.

“He will find me, Oren,” she replied, sitting on the chair next to his table.

“Oh.....yes, I suppose he will,” he said, as he sat down on his bed. He clasped his hands between his knees and sighed heavily. She wanted to say something, but thought it better to let him speak first. Finally, he said, “I just feel....groundless, Cee. I am not Master Skywalker’s padawan, but he treats me as if I am, and that takes away from some of the time he should be spending with you. He is your master, not mine.” He was silent for a moment. “Maybe I should go to Master Yoda and tell him I am ready for a new master.”

She could sense his sadness. “Are you ready, Oren? Have you given up on finding Master Kenobi?”

“No!” He almost glared at her; then his face softened. “I’m sorry, Cee. I do believe he is alive. Master Skywalker is so sure of it that he must be.”

“I believe he is, too. And I know my master will find him.” She leaned forward and patted his knee. “It will just take some time, Oren.”

“Yes, and in the meantime, I will be given to a new master,” he replied, gloomily.

Anakin was several steps from Oren’s door, and he had heard that and could sense the young man’s feelings. Masking his own presence, he listened a little longer.

Oren continued. “Cee, you have a special bond with Master Skywalker, don’t you?” She smiled and nodded. His face brightened a little as he said, “Master Kenobi and I were forming one, too. I could sense his feelings more and more, although he doesn’t open himself up as much as others do.” Out in the hall, Anakin nodded wryly in agreement. “But we were getting closer, closer than I had been with my old master.”

Sikka felt badly for him, for she knew how wonderful the master-padawan bond could be. How awful it must be for him, having that bond started and then having it ripped away. Could he begin one with another master? Would he allow himself to? She was about to get up and go sit by him when he straightened and looked directly at her. “Maybe I should go to Muunilinst and try to find him, Cee.”

“Oren!” she exclaimed.

“But that would solve the problem of what to do with me, and you would have your master back. And—”

“No!” Anakin strode into the room staring at the boy padawan sitting on the bed. Startled, both Oren and Sikka jumped to their feet. Anakin stopped, practically nose to nose with the young man. By the Force, he thought idly, he’s almost as tall as I am! Transfixed by those brilliantly blue eyes boring into his, Oren merely stared back. “You will not go to Muunilinst, do you understand?”

Edging backward, Oren stammered, “Yes, Mas—”

Moving with him so as to stay right up in the padawan’s face, Anakin continued, “No matter whether your master is here or not, you are a padawan still, and you do not go off on your own, understood?”

“Of course, Master Sk—”

“Do you have any idea what would happen to you, if you left without authorization from me or the Council?” Oren had now backed up to the wall next to his bed, and feared the angry master might put him through it. Speechless, he shook his head. “At the very least you could be stripped of padawan status and shipped off to the Jedi Agricultural Corps on Bandomeer, to become a farmer!” He paused to let that sink in; it was the greatest fear of many younglings, the chance that they might not be chosen by a knight. Oren merely gulped and nodded. “On the other hand,” Anakin continued, moving back a step and crossing his arms, “you could be dismissed from the Order. Is that what you had in mind when you entertained the thought of leaving to find your master?”

“N-no, Master Skywalker,” Oren replied, head down.

Anakin stood in silence, breathing audibly, for what seemed an eternity to the padawan in front of him. Finally, without turning his head, he said, “Sikka, go to your quarters.”

“Yes, Master,” she mumbled and hurried out the door.

Oren tried not to fidget as he stared down at the black boots in front of him. Slowly, he raised his eyes until they were level with those same blue eyes that had been menacingly close to his only moments before. Thinking it best to let the master speak first, he swallowed and waited. Finally, Anakin said, “Sit.” He seated himself at the table and cleared his throat.

“I heard some of what you said to Sikka,” he began. Oren was surprised. “I know, it’s not right to eavesdrop, but what you were saying involved my padawan. Oren, how much time I spend with Sikka is none of your concern. I make sure that she gets the attention and instruction she needs from me.”

“Yes, Master Skywalker.”

“Now, tomorrow I expect to meet with Master Yoda, and I also expect that two of the subjects we will talk about are Master Kenobi’s disappearance and what to do with you. I intend to return to Muunilinst myself, and continue to search for him; one of the arguments I will present to Master Yoda is that having you and Sikka with me will allow us to cover more territory more quickly.” Oren brightened at that. Anakin stood and went to the door. He turned back and said, “For now, you will spend the entire day tomorrow meditating on what it is to be a Jedi, and a padawan. I expect you to review the Code in its entirety; then, perhaps you will be able to show me where it is written that a padawan has the freedom to go off on his own, without authority, on his own mission.” He opened the door and said, on his way out, “I will see you tomorrow evening, Oren. Pleasant dreams.”

After the door closed, Oren flopped back on his bed and stared at the ceiling. “Meditate? All day? Wonderful.” Sighing, he got up and prepared for bed, muttering, “Way to go, Oren. Good job.”

---------

Idly, Anakin noted that it was almost dark outside as he turned to enter the meditation chamber. His time here would help him to sleep when he returned to their apartment in the temple. As he knelt, he contacted Sikka.

Padawan.

I am here, Master. Is Oren...?

You will not be seeing him tomorrow. He has been given an assignment.

Oh.

You will see me tomorrow; we will visit Master Nu and see if you are where you should be in your studies. I am preparing to meditate right now, and then go to bed. You should do the same.

Yes, Master. Pleasant dreams.

He chuckled at her farewell, the same he had given Oren. Hers was sincere, as always, whereas his....? She teaches me, yet I am the master. How do I deserve such a padawan? And how did Obi-Wan deserve me?

Obi-Wan....

Anakin opened himself completely to the Force and tried to find his brother’s presence within it. As before on Muunilinst, there was just the faintest feeling, almost as if it was a memory, of his master. But he knew it was real, that Obi-Wan was alive, somewhere. I will find you, my brother.

---------

The next morning, after the family was up and about, Padme took advantage of the temple’s nursery and dropped the twins there so she could visit her old friends and colleagues in the Senate. Anakin and Toller visited Master Yoda in his quarters.

“Good morning, Master,” Anakin greeted him. As Toller bowed with him, he smiled, pleased that the boy followed his example. He learned very quickly.

“Good morning, Anakin”, Yoda replied, watching as the boy looked him over.

Go sit over there, Toller, Anakin instructed him.

Yes, Master Skywalker. The boy climbed up onto a hassock. Anakin sat on one facing the ancient master.

“You sent for me, Master Yoda.”

Nodding, Yoda replied, “Yes, Anakin. Decide we must, what is to be done with young Kendrel. A master he needs, and a padawan you have already.”

“I agree, Master Yoda. But now that I have completed Qui-Gon’s ‘mission’, I wish to continue my search for Obi-Wan, and Padawan Kendrel would be of great help to me on Muunilinst. If I take both him and Sikka with me, then we can cover more ground in less time. And, it would be good experience for him,” Anakin continued, attempting to strengthen his argument. “Sikka will be with me and I can keep track of Oren through the Force, and....” He dropped his head, aware of how desperate he must appear.

“And overtaxed you will continue to be,” Yoda finished for him. “Anakin, special you are and stronger in the Force than any of us, but how much longer can even you continue with two padawans? Your own padawan does not have her master’s full attention.”

“Sikka and I have talked about it, Master. She wants to help Oren find his master, too. We are meeting with Master Nu later today to discuss her progress and to make sure she is not behind in her studies.” He paused for a moment. “Master Yoda, I truly feel that I should keep Padawan Kendrel with me. I have meditated on it and believe that it is right, that it is the will of the Force.”

Yoda had watched him and felt the sincerity in everything Anakin had said. “Agree with you, I do, Master Skywalker. I, too, have meditated much on this and on Obi-Wan’s disappearance. I believe Oren belongs with him. Discussed this, I have, with Master Windu and with the Council. You have our permission to continue your search for Obi-Wan and to take his padawan with you.”

Surprised and relieved, Anakin bowed and said, “Thank you, Master Yoda. This means a lot to me, as it will to Oren, I’m sure.”

Yoda climbed down from his hassock and said, as he walked Anakin to his door, “Return in one hour, Anakin. Time I wish to spend with this boy, Toller Kien. He is unlike any youngling I have known.”

Anakin turned to the boy. You will stay with Master Yoda, Toller. I will come back for you soon. Anakin bowed to the ancient master and walked out of the room.

---------

[Steller's Jay]

Shattered Mission, Chapter 24

As he approached the little boy, Yoda could feel the Force within and around Toller. He sensed that it was akin to a hurricane, turbulently swirling about and through the boy, and yet Toller seemed completely calm, as if he took no notice of it. This was unique in the old master’s experience, and he marveled that this youngling had not been driven insane. Then he smiled and nodded, realizing that this had been Toller’s world from the day he was born, so naturally, he was used to it.

Mentally shrugging and putting aside these thoughts, Yoda reached out to take the boy’s hand.

Hear me, do you, youngling?

Yes! His excitement was evident to Yoda. You are Master Yoda, aren’t you! I am Toller Kien. Master Skywalker told me you are very old, older than anyone. But why are you so small? You should be bigger than everyone because you are so old.

Chuckling audibly, Yoda led Toller to a hassock. Talk for awhile, you and I will, Toller Kien. Once they were both seated, he continued. To answer your question, I am small because all from my planet were small. Now, how old are you?

Six, Master Yoda. I will be seven pretty soon, I think.

Ah. Almost nine-hundred years old am I, youngling.

The boy did not show surprise or astonishment; apparently, a number that high was beyond his understanding.

Many Jedi I have known, but not one like you. Know what the Force is, do you?

Yes, Master Skywalker told me what the Force is. It is a....a....an....

An energy field?

Yes! An energy field that surr....surr....

That surrounds us and binds us together with the universe?

Yes! That is what Master Skywalker said. He paused for a moment. His is blue.

Blue? Yoda squinted at the boy. Master Skywalker’s is blue?

Yes, Master Yoda. Yours is white.

Then it dawned on Yoda; the boy was able to see each Force presence as a color! What color is yours, youngling?

Toller frowned for a moment. Mine has lots of colors and they keep changing. I wish they wouldn’t. I wish mine was the same as Master Skywalker’s.

Different, we all are, Toller. Accept what we are, we must, else we waste our lives trying to be what we are not. Understand, do you?

I don’t....I think so. You mean I have lots of colors because I’m supposed to?

Yes, that is what I mean. A smart youngling, you are. Possible, it is, that your ‘colors’ keep changing because you do not know how to use the Force. Teach you, we may. Decide, the Council will. Now, tell me of your life, all that you can remember.

Yoda delighted in listening to the boy and the hour passed quickly. A light knock at his door signaled Anakin’s return. Yoda climbed down from his hassock while waving the door open. He helped Toller down and turned to the young master. “Ah, Master Skywalker,” he greeted him. “An unusual boy we have here, it is certain. To the Council meeting this afternoon, you will bring him.” Before Anakin could reply, Yoda said solemnly, “Know, do you, that yours is blue?”

Anakin stared at the old master, and inquired, “Blue?”

Laughing, Yoda handed Toller to him and turned away, heading back to his seat. “Yes, and white, mine is,” he added, his shoulders shaking with mirth.

Anakin looked wonderingly from Toller to Yoda and back again before shrugging and replying, “Yes, Master Yoda. We will leave now.” Yoda’s laughter followed them out the door.

---------

Anakin could feel contentment emanating from the boy walking beside him, as they walked to the Skywalkers’ apartment. “You are very happy to be here, aren’t you,” he mused. “I know you don’t hear me, but I—”

Yes, I am very happy to be here, Master Skywalker. Lots of people here are just like me and you.

Anakin stopped and looked down at the little boy. “You can hear me?” he asked in surprise. Toller turned toward him and slowly raised his eyes to the master’s face. Yes. “Then why didn’t you answer me on Roon when you first woke me in the Institute, the hospital?” I did answer you. Don’t you remember? Mentally rolling his eyes, Anakin replied, “Yes, I remember. But that was only after I spoke to you through the Force.” No one could ever hear me before. I talked to them, but they never heard me. “Ah,” Anakin said, nodding in understanding. “That’s because you talked to them through the Force, Youngling. They don’t have the Force, so they didn’t hear you.” Oh.

Anakin regarded the boy silently for a moment; then squatted in front of him. “Have you ever tried to talk with your mouth, Toller?” He sensed confusion from the little one. Touching his own lips, he said, “I am talking with my mouth now. See my lips move?” Yes. “Can you do that with yours?” I don’t know. “Here,” Anakin said, taking Toller’s hand. First he placed it on his own lips, and then to Toller’s. “Feel my lips move, and now feel yours.” He watched as the boy opened and closed his mouth a few times and then smiled. I can feel my mouth move, like it does when I eat. Anakin stood and began walking again; Toller followed along with his fingers still on his lips, his mouth opening and closing. “We will have to see about teaching you to talk with your mouth, young one. I have a feeling that, once you start, we will have a hard time stopping you.”

---------

When they reached the apartment, Anakin left Toller to his own devices, a situation to which the boy was accustomed. Padme was watching the twins as they sat on the floor and played with small toys. Anakin settled next to her on the sofa and put his prosthetic arm around her shoulders. “Do you know what Master Yoda and Toller talked about?” she asked him. “No, but Master Yoda has begun speaking in colors,” he replied enigmatically. She looked at him strangely for a moment, then shrugged and turned her attention back to their children.

To her astonishment, Leia lifted up from the floor and floated, giggling and squirming, toward them. Realizing it was her husband’s doing, she lightly jabbed him with her elbow, saying, “Anakin! You know Obi-Wan doesn’t like you using the Force that way. And besides, I don’t like it; you might drop her.” As his daughter settled onto his lap, Anakin said, “I would never drop her, Padme, you know that. And Obi-Wan doesn’t have to know, does he?”

“Well, I won’t tell him,” she replied, fluffing Leia’s soft, black hair. “Anyway, why don’t you give me Luke, please?”

Anakin laughed and called on the Force to send the infant boy to his mother. Luke squealed as he was tumbled head over heels in the air and eventually landed on Padme’s lap.

A little while later, Anakin rose and said, “I must take Toller before the Council this afternoon, Padme, where they will decide what is to be done with him. But right now, I’m going to meditate for awhile.”

“All right, dear,” she replied, as he leaned down to kiss her on the mouth and his children on their heads. “If anyone calls for you, I’ll let them know what you’re doing.” Having no idea where he would go to meditate, she assumed other Jedi would be able to find him.

Anakin had a particular destination in mind, one that had nothing to do with any of the meditation rooms. He paused before the door and took a deep breath, then waved it open. Blinking back the tears that welled in his eyes, he entered his old master’s quarters, closing the door behind him. A wave of sadness washed over him as he stood in the middle of the room and slowly turned around. As was expected in the room of a Jedi Knight, there were no personal items, no mementos, no frills of any kind. The open closet held nothing more than extra shirts, trousers, and a tunic. On the table, under which the single chair was neatly housed, rested a data pad and nothing more. The empty slim tray on the nightstand by the bed waited patiently for a lightsaber to be placed in it. In fact, there was an air of anticipation in the room, as if its occupant of many years was about to walk through the door.

Anakin let out a breath he wasn’t aware he’d been holding. Shaking his head, he reached into his cloak and pulled out Obi-Wan’s torn belt. Settling himself gently on the bed, he placed the belt on the nightstand next to the tray and stared at it for awhile, thinking of his master, wondering where he was. Finally, he bowed his head and centered himself in the Force, preparing to meditate.

As the power of the living Force filled him, he reached out to view the galaxy, briefly noting that his padawan was with Jocasta Nu in the Library and that Oren was actually meditating in his quarters. The corners of his mouth turned up a bit at that; Obi-Wan definitely did not have his hands full with his second apprentice, although Anakin sensed that the possibility still existed.

The galaxy and its planetary systems drifted aimlessly in his inner vision as he dwelt on his master. He knew he would not find him today, just as he had not on countless other attempts. Where are you, Master? Are you still on Muunilinst? Are you still alive? Why haven’t you contacted us.....me? Silence surrounded him, both the silence of Obi-Wan’s quarters and the deafening silence of Obi-Wan’s absence.

I see you found your new friend, Anakin. I knew you would.

Master Jinn. I am glad you are here. And, yes, I found Toller. Or perhaps one might say he found me, instead. He saved my life.

And you saved his, Anakin, by bringing him here. Here, he will fulfill his true purpose.

And that is...?

Unknown. I knew yours because of prophecy, my friend, and the circumstances in which I found you. Toller’s? Well, I have no idea what that may be, but for certain his life on Roon would have been less than it should be.

Qui-Gon, what do you know of my master?

I sense that he has lost himself, but he is very happy.

Anakin said nothing while he tried to make sense of Qui-Gon’s words.

And I have foreseen that you will help him to find himself, and that as a result, he will experience much pain and sadness.

What? I don’t understand, Qui-Gon. Why wouldn’t he be happy to be found? Why will he be in pain?

I can only tell you that that is what will be. And, he will be tormented by guilt.

Anakin was very confused by this. Qui-Gon’s words made no sense at all to him, but he did know he did not want to bring his master back if Obi-Wan would experience everything Qui-Gon said he would. Then I will not go to find him, Qui-Gon. If Obi-Wan is happy now, but will be in great pain if I find him, then I won’t go.

But you must, Anakin. Obi-Wan must return to his life here. The Order is his family; they will help him through this trial.

This is the will of the Force?

Yes, it is the will of the Force. I will leave you now, Anakin, but you will hear from me again. Goodbye.

Goodbye, Qui-Gon. May the Force be with you.

---------

“Miss Padme? Do you know where Master Skywalker is?”

Padme had answered the door chime to find Anakin’s apprentice asking for his whereabouts. “Hello, Sikka. I know Anakin went off to meditate, but I don’t know where he went. Have you checked the meditation rooms?”

“Yes,” the girl replied, “and he is not in any of them.”

“I thought the two of you could speak through the Force,” Padme offered.

“Only if he contacts me first, Miss Padme.” Her brow furrowed as she thought. “I suppose he may be outside in one of the gardens. Master Veld passed me on the way to the Council meeting and instructed me to tell my master that he should bring Toller there in half an hour.”

“Well,” Padme said, “I will pass that on to him if he contacts me first, Sikka.”

“Thank you, Miss Padme,” she replied. As she was about to turn away, she saw the young Teevan boy coming toward the door. He took her hand.

Master Skywalker is sitting on a bed in a room.

“He’s telling me where my master is,” she said aloud, staring at Padme. Then she looked at the boy. Where is he, Toller?

In a room. On a bed.

Smiling, she continued. What else is in the room?

A table and a chair and a little table. There is a belt and a little dish on the little table. The belt looks like it’s torn. I think he is meditating. And he is sad.

For just a moment, she wondered how he knew this. Then she mulled over his words, until it hit her. “Oh! I know where he is! Excuse me, Miss Padme.” With that, she hurried off down the corridor, and took a lift to the part of the temple where the knights’ quarters were. As she neared Master Kenobi’s quarters, she sensed her master in the Force. Should I interrupt him? There is still almost a half hour. No. I’ll wait—

You may enter, Padawan.

Of course, he had sensed her. She entered the room to find him sitting on Master Kenobi’s bed.

“Is it time for the Council meeting? Is that why you are searching for me?” he asked, motioning her to sit on the bed with him.

“Master, it is almost time. You are to be there with Toller in about twenty minutes.” She sat on the bed, folding her hands on her lap.

He nodded, and then asked, “How did you know I was here? Or were you just passing by?”

“Toller described where you were.” She looked around the room. “He described this room perfectly, even to Master Kenobi’s belt on the table.”

His blue eyes stared into hers. “That’s.....amazing. I wonder how he did it.” He gazed out the window, silently, thinking. Aloud, he mused, “Perhaps he can sense where I am.... But he must be able to see this room, as well. Hmmm....” As he pondered, it came to Anakin that the boy’s talent might prove to be somewhat embarrassing in the future. He stood quickly, his face a bit warm. “Well, he will have to be taught not to intrude on the privacy of others, unless it is absolutely necessary.” He turned to Sikka and said, “Let’s go.”

“Yes, Master,” she replied, and she followed him out of Obi-Wan’s quarters, a mirthful smile on her lips.

---------

(end of chapter 24)

[Steller's Jay]

Shattered Mission, Chapter 25

They waited outside the Council chamber, the tall blond man and the unique six-(almost seven)-year-old boy from the planet Roon. Strange humming noises emanated from the boy’s mouth; the fingers of one hand felt his lips as his mouth moved, and those of the other hand were on his throat, feeling vibration there. “Maaahhh, maaaaahhhh, mahmahmahmahmahmmmmmmm.”

Bemused, Anakin watched him silently. Occasionally, Toller would look up at him, smiling happily. “I think,” Anakin said, “that with Master Yoda’s help, you will be talking very soon, Toller.”

Good! “Maaahhh, mahmahmah.” I want to talk just like you do, Master Skywalker. “Mahmahmahmaaaaaahhhhmmmmmmmaaaaaahhh.”

Anakin grinned and chuckled, and then turned his attention to the closed chamber doors. He closed his eyes and, with very little effort, allowed the Force to reveal to him the interior of the chamber. Without listening to their words, he noted the order in which the masters were seated in the Council circle, starting with Master Yoda, whose wise old eyes followed their discourse. Seated to Yoda’s left were Mace Windu, Jiasha Tahlandi, Jakson Billaba (Anakin was glad that a relative of Depa Billaba was on the Council), Kiro-Ren, Galen Sumero, Eeth Koth, Jerrod Wyn, Dakin Nua, Miikka Cyd.... Anakin dropped his head as Obi-Wan’s empty chair filled his vision and his heart ached. How much longer will they wait before they decide they must fill his seat on the Council? He sighed and brought the chamber back into focus, quite happy to see his padawan friend, Tru Veld, in the seat next to Master Yoda.

Master Yoda. The ancient one’s eyes were gazing directly at him, startling Anakin. Master Yoda. I did not mean to intrude. You sensed me?

I did, yes. Eavesdropping, are you?

No, Master Yoda, I would never listen. I just...wanted to watch for a bit. I will leave you now.

Unnecessary, Anakin. Bring the boy in now, you may.

Yes, Master Yoda. He stood and turned to Toller. “It is time, Youngling. We must stand before the Council.”

“rrrrrrrrrrrrr...(breath)...rrrrrrrrrrrrr” Yes, Master Skywalker. Toller jumped down from the bench and followed Anakin through the Council chamber doors and to the center of the circle of seats. Anakin brought the boy in front of him and placed his hands on the small shoulders. The memory of his own first time standing with Qui-Gon in front of the Council came to him, and he ducked his head and smiled. It seemed so long ago.

No one spoke, as each of the Council members made his or her own assessment of the young Teevan. Toller, himself, simply stood and stared off into the distance. Finally, Mace began, “Master Skywalker, this is the boy you found on Roon?”

“Yes, Master Windu,” Anakin replied. “This is Toller Kien. He brought me out of the madness that took hold of me when I entered the Cloak of the Sith, and kept it from harming me when we left the planet.”

“Do you know how he did that, Anakin?” Master Veld asked. “Was it a conscious effort on his part?”

Anakin smiled a little as he addressed his friend. “I’m not sure how he did it, but I can describe to you what I felt.”

“Please do,” Mace urged him.

“Before we entered the nebula, I instructed Toller to hold my hand and to keep holding it. I believed then that physical contact was necessary; however, I’m not sure of that. I just thought it better to have the contact. I could feel his Force presence next to me. As you all have probably seen by now, it is very unusual, kind of crazy and wild.” Most of them nodded; Yoda closed his eyes and smiled.

“And what happened when you entered the nebula?” Master Koth inquired.

Anakin turned to speak to the Iridonian master. “I began meditating and soon sensed a cold darkness approaching. I retreated deep into the Force, hoping that would protect me in case he couldn’t. I could ‘see’ the darkness getting closer, but then it stopped. It was like....his Force presence surrounded me and kept the darkness out.” He looked down at the little boy standing next to him. “I think he had no idea what was happening. When I told him he did a good job, he asked me what he did.” He looked up and turned back toward Mace and Yoda.

“Study this ability, we will,” Yoda announced. Moving his wise gaze among the Council members, he continued, “As Master Skywalker has said, wild is this boy’s Force presence, and of many colors I am told.” At this, Anakin’s mouth dropped open. “Sees the Force in colors, this boy does. Mine is white, so he tells me.” He smiled and looked directly at Anakin, who murmured to himself, “And mine is blue.” Shaking his head, he grinned back at the old master.

Master Dakin Nua remarked in her soft, lilting voice, “I suppose we will all discover what color we are, eventually.” At this, there were a few chuckles. “Is it correct that the boy does not speak? And, if that is true, how then are we to communicate with him? You, Master Skywalker, are the only Jedi Knight who can speak through the Force.”

Anakin faced her and replied, “I believe he will eventually speak. He is able to make sounds and he has been practicing. I spoke with his physician on Roon about his disorder; according to him, Toller may not be aware of certain parts of his body, such as his mouth. Since I had him touch my lips while I was speaking and then put his fingers on his, he has been uttering sounds. I think he only needs to be taught our words.” He waited for them to digest this information. “Oh, and he can hear us. He said he has always been able to hear people talking, but they never heard him. Of course, he was speaking to them through the Force.”

“Ah, that is very good,” she said, smiling and nodding. “It would be cumbersome, indeed, if we had to be in physical contact every time we wanted to speak to him.”

Tru Veld spoke next. “Shall we put him with the rest of the younglings? If he needs special attention....” He spread his hands and sat back in his chair.

“I don’t know,” said Jerrod Wyn. “He will need some evaluating before that, I think.”

“And possibly individual training, at least until he can speak.” Jakson Billaba rubbed his chin absently, having offered his opinion.

“Yes, yes, decide we must, eventually,” said Yoda.

“If you would like to ask questions of him, I will relate his answers to the Council,” Anakin offered. Do you understand, Youngling?

Yes, Master Skywalker. When I answer them and they can’t hear me, you will tell them what I said.

“Very well,” Mace replied. He looked directly at the boy. “Toller Kien, do—” He stopped; the boy was staring back at him. Mace looked at Anakin briefly, and then started over. “Toller Kien, do you know where you are?” Everyone waited while Anakin communicated with the little boy. Eyebrows were raised and looks exchanged as the apparent conversation seemed to be much longer than would have been necessary to answer the question. Anakin shook his head a couple of times and finally sighed. “Master Windu, Toller would like to speak with you directly. I told him it wasn’t appropriate, but he is being stubborn about it.”

Mace narrowed his eyes at the boy for a moment, and then shrugged and sat back in his chair. “All right. Let him come forward.” Anakin gently pushed Toller, who walked straight to the dark-skinned master and reached up to touch his hand, stopping just short and raising his eyebrows as if to ask permission. Mace replied with a short nod and closed his large hand around the small one.

Should I call you ‘Master Windu’? Mace nodded. I like the way you talk. You don’t have any hair, just like Doctor Kinter where I used to live. We had lots of children there, and some animals. I got to hold the rabbit one time. Do you have children here? I like to draw, too. Doctor Kinter said I make good pictures. Can I draw pictures here?

As the boy rambled silently on, the rest of the Council and Anakin were surprised to see a hint of a smile cross Windu’s face. They were even more surprised to see the smile spread into a grin. Finally, Mace interrupted the steady stream of questions. “Hold on, boy.” The questions stopped. “You do love to talk, don’t you?” Dark eyes sparkled up at him. “You go back and stand with Master Skywalker now. All of us have questions for you. You and I will talk some more later.” With that, Toller smiled and returned to Anakin.

“Now,” Mace began, “do you know where you are, Toller Kien?” He watched as Anakin looked down at the little boy, then smiled a little, and finally looked up and asked, “Master Windu, do you want me to repeat exactly what he says? He is very literal.”

“Yes, yes, Anakin,” Mace said, a little frustration showing. “Please do that.”

“All right.” He cleared his throat. “He said, ‘I am in this big room.’” Polite laughter sounded in the chamber; even Mace smiled.

“I see,” Mace said. “What do you know about the Jedi Order, Toller?”

After a few seconds, Anakin raised his hand to the boy, indicating he should stop. Then he addressed the Council. “’Master Skywalker told me it’s a big bunch of people that live here and they keep people from doing bad things. And they use the Force.’”

Mace raised an eyebrow to Anakin, who said, “That was his interpretation of what I told him, Master Windu.”

“I would hope so, Master Skywalker,” Mace replied, shifting himself in his chair. “And can you tell us about the Force?”

Again, they waited until Anakin spoke. “’The Force is an energy field that binds around us and...’” He looked down at Toller for a moment, and then patted him on the shoulder. “He says he is sorry he can’t remember it exactly. But he knows that his is many colors.”

Mace leaned forward and asked the boy, “What color am I, Youngling?”

Anakin listened and then, with a smile, said, “’Orchid, Master Windu.’”

“Orchid? Isn’t that a flower?” Mace looked around the circle. Some shrugged, some nodded. Yoda chuckled.

What is ‘orchid’, Toller? Anakin asked the boy.

It’s the name of one of the coloring pens I draw with, Master Skywalker.

“Master Windu,” Anakin said. “Toller says that ‘orchid’ is the name of one of the color pens he used at his school on Roon.”

Irritation evident on his face, Mace gruffly ordered, “Well, someone find out what that is and get back to me.” He regarded the boy for a bit before speaking again. “Perhaps this is not the best way to interview the boy. Master Yoda has already spent some time with him. I will do the same, after which both of us will make a report to the Council.” The other masters nodded in agreement, although some of them would have liked the interview to continue; they were enjoying themselves. “Anakin, please take young Kien back to your quarters, and then return. We have a mission for you.”

Anakin bowed and led Toller from the chamber.

Why are we leaving, Master Skywalker?

They are finished with us, Toller, and they have other things to talk about. Master Windu will meet with you another time.

He sensed joy from the boy.

Oh, I like Master Windu very much. I am glad he wants to talk to me some more.

Personally, Anakin thought it was very strange; Windu had never wanted to talk alone with him when he first arrived.

---------

“San Hill is fighting extradition to Coruscant.” Anakin had returned to the Council chamber and heard this from Mace Windu.

“I am not surprised,” he replied. “His arrogance is second only to his greed.”

“Yes, and he will lose this fight. You and your padawan are to go to Muunilinst and bring him here so that he may face charges of attempted murder.”

Anakin glanced at Yoda before asking, “May I—”

“Yes, you may search for Obi-Wan, and you may take Padawan Kendrel with you. Master Yoda has discussed this with the Council, and we are in agreement.”

“Thank you, Master Windu.” Anakin was relieved not to have to fight this battle again. He bowed and turned to leave the chamber. “May the Force be with you, Anakin.” Recognizing his friend’s voice, he turned and replied, “May the Force be with us all, Tru. Thank you.”

He hurried to the apartment and informed Padme of the Council’s order. “Good,” she said. “And you’re taking Oren? He needs to be there.”

“Yes, Oren is coming with us,” he replied, taking a seat next to her.

“And what about Toller?” she asked, snuggling into his shoulder. At the mention of his name, Toller walked over to the sofa to listen.

“Oh, he won’t be coming with us,” he replied absently.

“Well, I didn’t expect he would, Anakin. Has the Council decided what to do with him? He can’t stay with us indefinitely.”

“I’m sure they will put him somewhere, probably with the other younglings. I’ll make sure to ask about it before we leave.” He tousled the boy’s hair as he continued. “I only hope we can find Obi-Wan,” he sighed. “I’m not sure where to begin looking, but maybe that Planetary Guard sergeant we met at the IBC has had some success with the information we gave him.” He felt Toller’s hand on the back of his own.

Master Skywalker, are you going to find your old master? He remembered what Anakin had told him about Obi-Wan.

“I’m going to try, Toller,” Anakin replied, looking kindly at the boy. Then his eyes widened. “Toller, do you know where he is?”

No, Master Skywalker.

“But you knew where I was before I came to take you to the Council chamber. How did you do that?” he asked impatiently.

I just thought about you and looked for you.

Anakin thought a minute, and then asked, “You mean you looked for me in the Force?”

I guess so. I could see you, and I told Padawan Sikka what I saw.

“What is he saying, Anakin?” Padme asked. “Can he help you find Obi-Wan?”

“I don’t know,” he replied, staring at the little boy. “But, I bet he can.” He turned to face her. “He said he looked for me and could see me. I imagine that’s because he can recognize me in the Force.” He played with his lower lip and thought aloud. “He’s never met Obi-Wan, though. I wonder how I can get Toller to recognize him.” He jumped up and grabbed the boy’s hand. “Come on, Youngling. We’re going to Obi-Wan’s quarters.”

“Good luck,” Padme called out to him, but they were already through the door and gone.

---------

Anakin stood impatiently, but quietly, in the center of Obi-Wan’s room as Toller moved through it, touching everything. Now he had gone into the closet. “Anything yet?” Anakin asked, when the little boy came out. No, Master Skywalker. It all just feels like...stuff. I don’t—” He broke off when he picked up the torn belt from the nightstand beside the bed. Is this his, Master Skywalker?

“Yes, that is his belt. Can you feel something? Can you see him?” Anakin eagerly awaited his answer.

I can’t see him, but I see his color. It’s Chestnut.

“Chestnut? Chestnut?” Anakin tried to think of what color that could be, when it dawned on him that it didn’t matter! The boy had found Obi-Wan’s Force presence, or at least could recognize it! “Toller, can you.... can you find Obi-Wan’s ‘color’ in the Force? Can you see it? Can you see him?”

Not now, but I will try to find it.

Anakin wanted to reach out and grab the boy and shake him, screaming, “Find it! Find it!” But he restrained himself and took a deep breath. “All right. You stay here and keep trying, all right? I need to speak to the Council. I will be back soon. Don’t leave this room.” As he strode out of Obi-Wan’s quarters, the boy’s answer floated through his mind. I won’t leave, Master Skywalker. I will keep trying.

---------

After he had met with the Council and the decision had been made to place the new boy with the other younglings of the same age group, Anakin hurried back to Obi-Wan’s quarters. He found Toller standing at the window, gazing outside. He stepped into the room and was about to say something, when his eye was drawn to the table by the window. On it rested some papers and a pen. He picked up the papers and found several drawings: Two were of two different men, one was of a woman, one pictured a large building resembling a barn, and the last was of an animal that looked much like the horses he’d seen on a planet he and Obi-Wan had visited when he was still a padawan.

He stared at one of the pictures; the man looked something like Obi-Wan, but he had no mustache or beard. Grabbing the pen from the table, he quickly sketched in the facial hair and was both dumbfounded and thrilled to see his old Master. “Toller!” The little boy turned toward him. “This is Obi-Wan!” Anakin stared at him. “Where is he? Do you know where this is?”

No, Master Skywalker.

Thinking out loud, Anakin muttered, “It must be on Muunilinst, out of the city, somewhere out in the country.” His fingers drummed on the table top. “How can I....? Maybe someone will recognize these people, or this place.” He stood and gently grabbed Toller’s shoulder. “You’re a good boy, Toller. I think we may be able to find him now. I’m going to take your drawings with me when we leave. You have helped me very much.” He sensed happiness from the young boy. Both were smiling as they left Obi-Wan’s quarters.

---------

Too excited to sleep, Anakin stared at the ceiling that night, in bed next to his sleeping wife. Maybe now he would finally find his Master!

Are you so sure he wants to be found, Anakin?

Qui-Gon! You....why wouldn’t he want to be found? And I remember you said he would be sad and in pain if I did find him. Why is that? And why hasn’t he contacted us? I don’t understand! His happy mood evaporated as frustration took over.

You will have your answers, eventually, young one. Then you will understand.

But, surely he will be happy to be here at the temple again? And with his padawan? He must know he has to return, he’s so.....responsible. I can’t understand Obi-Wan choosing to be away from his apprentice.

Do you know that he made that choice?

This served only to confuse Anakin all the more. If Obi-Wan had not chosen this, why was he so happy? His mind was whirling with questions. Qui-Gon, won’t you tell me what happened to him? Do you even know? There was no answer.

Anakin sighed heavily, laying the back of his hand across his forehead.

---------

(end of Chapter 25)

[Steller's Jay]

Shattered Mission, Chapter 26

She watched him from the cockpit door and smiled. She hadn’t seen Oren this happy for a long time. Absently humming a tune, feet up on the console, he was paging through Toller’s drawings, which had been uploaded to a datapad. Happy herself that things appeared to be looking up in their search for Master Kenobi, she retreated from the cockpit. In the sleeping compartment, she found her own master kneeling beside his bed, meditating. Soundlessly, she moved to her bed, and sat and waited; she was at peace and felt no need to meditate. After a few minutes, Anakin opened his eyes and raised his head.

“I have been trying to see the colors, as Toller does,” he announced, turning his head to look at his padawan. She said nothing. “I don’t see them,” he continued, rising to his feet. “I suppose his disorder is like a prism, through which the light of the Force shines. What do you think, Sikka?”

She thought for a bit, and then observed, “We Jedi live our lives by the Force, Master; we use it for our purposes, and it, too, uses us as tools to implement its will. This is what I believe.” He smiled, watching her. “As Force sensitives, we cause effects in the Force the same way we make ripples when we move through water. Each of us affects the Force differently, I think, and that is what we feel, or sense, when we recognize each other. Toller feels, or ‘sees’ it not in the same way, and I believe it is because of the disorder.”

“You have a beautiful way of putting things, Padawan,” he said to her, seating himself on his bed. “The healers have begun working with him. I will be interested to see their reports.” Just then the alarm sounded, signaling their approach to Muunilinst. “Ah, we’re here,” Anakin said, preparing to leave the sleeping compartment. “Let’s get busy.” She could sense her master’s eagerness and hope. By the Force, I hope we find Master Kenobi.

---------

Having received permission to land at the capital city’s police complex, Anakin waited impatiently for Oren to bring the ship in. Then the three Jedi disembarked to find a small delegation waiting to receive them. One officer stepped forward.

“Welcome, Master Skywalker. We are pleased to have you and your party here with us. I am Captain Marek. I was told you have some information for us about a missing person.” Anakin nodded, holding his hand out to Oren, who placed the datapad there.

“Captain,” Anakin said, handing it to Marek, “this datapad contains images of Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, who came here to Muunilinst almost three months ago, and has been missing ever since. It also has drawings of a woman, a structure that looks like a barn, and an animal. Oh, and there is also a drawing of what we believe Master Kenobi looks like now. I would appreciate any help your investigators can give us in locating that woman. We believe he is wherever she is.”

“Very well, Master Jedi,” Marek replied as the two groups merged and walked toward a building. He turned to one of his officers and gave him the pad. “Lieutenant Evryn, get started on this and let me know as soon as you have something. Now, I assume you are also interested in the progress of the extradition of San Hill?”

“Yes, we are,” Anakin responded.

“The lawyers are arguing over a number of minor issues, but we believe all issues will be resolved in a few days. Will you be taking him back on your ship?”

“No, Chancellor Organa will send an official delegation as soon as everything has been settled. I and these padawans will be concentrating on the search for Master Kenobi. If it is amenable to you, we will use our ship as a base of operations.”

“Of course, Master Skywalker,” said the captain. “Anything we can do to help you, just let us know.”

---------

“What is that look for?” Cohl asked her at the breakfast table. Janelle had her chin supported by her hand, elbow on the table, and was squinting at him. “Did you really mean what you said last night?” she asked him.

He placed his spoon on the table, cleaned around his mouth with a napkin, and then replied, “Yes, I did mean it. I don’t want to know what my past life was. I am very happy with what I am now.” He stood, walked around to her and kissed her tenderly on the lips. “And I am very happy being here with you. I need nothing more.”

“And we are happy you are here, Cohl,” Willem remarked, entering from his bedroom.

“Thank you, sir,” Cohl replied, helping Janelle up from her chair. “Here you go, Pop,” she said, bringing a pot over from the stove. “Breakfast is all ready for you. We’ll be outside, working.”

As they left the house. Cohl said, “I’ve got to fix that gate again, before I do anything else. I’ll join you when I’m finished.” She nodded and said, “All right. I think we might need new hardware for it, though. Let me know if you think so and I’ll add it to the list.” He headed around the barn for the gate that needed repairing.

---------

“Master Skywalker?”

“I am here, Captain Marek,” Anakin replied, gazing at the blue holographic image from his cockpit seat.

“I think we may have something for you.” At this, Sikka and Oren stood quickly and Anakin sat up straight. “We have a very good likeness of the woman in our records. Her name is Janelle Sumter. She and her father run a kashka breeding farm, and one of the drawings you provided is of one of those animals. The farm is up on one of the northern landmasses, called Doh-Puland, and near the town of Owingo. I will transmit the town’s coordinates; I am sure the locals will be able to direct you from there.”

“Thank you, Captain!” Anakin exclaimed, setting the ship’s computer to receive the information, while Sikka gripped Oren’s hand in hers and whispered to his smiling face, “Finally!”

---------

Cohl was carrying on a running argument with the lower gate hinge, when a soft, fuzzy muzzle pushed inside his arm and sniffed at his shirt. He looked down just as teeth pulled at his shirt. “Hey, squirt! What are you after, eh?” He laughed, knowing the youngster was getting a whiff of some of the special mash in a pouch Cohl had dropped in his pocket in the expectation of feeding the newest addition to the herd. Laying his tools on the ground, he stood and beheld Essie’s little colt, Jasper, gazing up at him through moist dark eyes. Absently noting the sound of a speeder, some of which occasionally passed by beyond the line of trees at the road, he poured some of the mash into his hand and held it under the nose of the curious creature.

Jasper sniffed at the mixture and pushed it around the palm of Cohl’s hand. “I know you’re too young for this, boy, but what do you think of it? Is it— Aagh!” Cohl coughed through the cloud of grains and dust Jasper had created when he blew into the pile of mash. The hacking sound frightened the colt and he fled to the safety of his mother’s side. When he was finally able to breathe without coughing, Cohl stood and looked at the animal. “You’re a little beast, aren’t you, Jasper.” Laughing, he returned to his work.

---------

Anakin pulled the speeder into the lane described to him by a storekeeper in the town of Owingo. Rounding a bend in the lane, a house and barn came into view. If Obi-Wan were here, Anakin wanted to see him alone first, so he had ordered Oren and Sikka to stay in town. When he left, Oren was sitting at a table with Sikka, drumming his fingers on the table top and Sikka was talking to him, more than likely trying to calm him down.

As he brought the speeder to a stop about midway between the barn and the house, a woman came out onto the porch. Anakin recognized her from Toller’s drawing and his heart beat faster. Stepping out of the vehicle, he brought up on the datapad’s screen Obi-Wan’s picture from the Jedi database. The woman was smiling as she approached him.

“Hello! May I help you?” she asked him politely.

Anakin stared down at her for a moment and then swallowed. “I am looking for a man, a friend of mine, and I have reason to believe he may be here.” He noted a slight change in her friendly expression. Strangely, he sensed fear from her. “Here?” she said softly, so softly he almost didn’t hear it. Showing her the datapad screen, he replied, “Yes. This is what he looks like, or what he looked like the last time I saw him, anyway. His name is Obi.....” His voice trailed off when she took the pad into her own hands and stared down at the picture, and the information below it.

Wondering at her reaction, he noticed her hands begin to tremble, and he watched the datapad fall to the ground. Concerned, he leaned over and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Are you all right?”

---------

It occurred to Cohl that the speeder he had heard, before being engulfed in the cloud of mash. was now gliding to a stop in front of the house. He dropped the tool he was holding and walked a few steps to the right until he could see around the barn. He didn’t recognize the tall, blond man striding toward Janelle. It seemed strange to him that the man wore a black cloak that reached to the ground; no one here dressed that way. He began to walk along the fence, slowly, touching his hand to its top every now and then. He watched as the man handed her something, and then again as she stiffened and bowed her head. He walked faster, sensing something was wrong. Then he started running.

---------

In his concern for the woman, Anakin did not hear the approaching footsteps. “Miss?” he inquired, when she didn’t answer the first question, “Are you—”

Just then, someone grabbed his arm and shoved him away. It was a man, who first glared at him and then turned to the woman. Anakin was completely taken aback, and he stared at the back of the man’s head for a moment. Then, he realized who the man was.

---------

Cohl flung the stranger’s hand away from Janelle, briefly giving him a dark look, and then he turned back to her. “Janelle, what is it?” She looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes. He held her shoulders and asked, “What’s happened? What—” A hand grabbed his shoulder and spun him around. The next thing he knew, he was surrounded by a billowing cloak and two strong arms.

“Obi-Wan!” Anakin exclaimed, drawing his brother close to him.

Cohl placed his hands on the stranger’s chest and was about to shove him away, when he was struck by a wave of emotion and.... something else that made him stagger backward. He hung on for dear life to the stranger’s clothing as that something struck him, battering at the wall in his mind. And then the wall fell. Wave upon wave of feelings and memories poured through him; his head fell back, his eyes closed, and his life returned to him. But not chronologically. Memories, names, places flew through his consciousness....standing with many Jedi in the arena.....laughing with his master (I know him. Qui-Gon!)....pleading with a woman (Senator?).....standing with his apprentice, Oren Kendrel (Oren? Is Oren alive?).....battling with a droid, or a half-droid? (Grievous!).....arguing with his stubborn apprentice....his apprentice, his friend, his.... (brother?)....Anakin? Anakin!

His eyes snapped open to see his best friend, his brother, grinning at him! He grabbed his shoulders and shouted, “Anakin! By the Force, it is you!” They embraced, laughing and clapping each other on the back. “Obi-Wan! I finally found you! What happened to you?” Anakin was delirious with joy and questions tumbled from him. “Where did you go? Why are you here? Why didn’t you contact me?”

Tears falling from his eyes, Obi-Wan replied, laughing, “I—, I don’t know, I...we... Oren and I were..... Oren! Where is he? Is he alive? Is he all right?” Now he was almost frantic.

“Yes, yes, Obi-Wan,” Anakin answered him. “Oren is fine. He and Sikka are waiting back in Owingo. But, what happened to you? All we knew was that you were shot and you fell, and then you disappeared.”

Obi-Wan blinked a few times and recalled the memory. “We were looking for Shu Mai and Poggle the Lesser, and we were certain San Hill was hiding them. One of the locals, one of those small ones, came up to us while we were in the city. They are called Muun-Doh; I remember Oren telling me about them.” The corners of his mouth turned up a bit, as he remembered his apprentice reciting the history of this place.

Anakin waited, expecting Obi-Wan to continue, but nothing happened. He glanced over to the woman; an old man had now joined her. Both of them seemed in distress, and the old man had his arms around her. He returned his attention to his old master. “Well?!” he exclaimed. “What happened?”

“Oh, sorry. I was just thinking.... Well, nevermind. Ah, this Muun-Doh led us near to Hill’s estate. I was sure it was a trap.” He raised one eyebrow to Anakin, who nodded and smiled. “We were checking out the area; it’s full of gorges and canyons and such, and then we were attacked, and by Hill’s people, I’ve no doubt. He has hated me ever since we captured him during the War.” He squinted and looked off to the side. “I remember pain, it must have been a blaster shot, and I believe I fell off a cliff.” He paused for a moment, and then said, “I’m trying to remember what happened next.”

While Obi-Wan tried to organize his life, Anakin looked around the landscape. “Well, Obi-Wan, what is this place? And who are these people?” He nodded in the direction of the old man and the woman, who were at that moment walking towards them, the old man in the lead. Obi-Wan turned around just as the man stopped in front of them. “Oh, right,” he said. “Anakin, this is Willem Jurgen, the owner of this farm. Willem, this is my friend, Anakin Skywalker.”

As the two shook hands, the old man observed, “You are very famous, Anakin Skywalker.” Then he faced Obi-Wan. “And you are famous, too, Obi-Wan Kenobi.” Anakin saw the sadness in the old man’s eyes and wondered at it. What was it that these people were so upset about?

Willem turned and brought forward the woman. “Anakin Skywalker, this is my daughter, Janelle Sumter.” She held out her hand and said, “I am.... pleased to meet you.” He took her trembling hand and, still puzzled, replied, “As I am. Thank you.” It wasn’t until she dropped her head that Anakin finally took notice of his friend, Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan was staring, unmoving and wide-eyed, at Janelle Sumter. To Anakin’s eyes, he appeared to have been frozen in place. But when Anakin reached out with the Force, he identified surprise, pain, guilt, panic. He jerked back. It’s happening! What Qui-Gon said is happening! Obi-Wan is in pain.... but, why? He turned his gaze to the others; Janelle was looking into Obi-Wan’s eyes, and Willem was looking at his daughter. Anakin felt much sadness from both of them. But there was something else coming from Janelle; Anakin recognized it. After all, he had experience this particular emotion for years, almost for as long as he could remember. She loves him! He turned back to Obi-Wan just as the older man closed his eyes and dropped his head. A hand touched Anakin’s arm. “Come with me,” Willem said, kindly. “I have much to tell you, Anakin Skywalker.” Anakin followed the man into the house, looking back once to see Janelle take Obi-Wan’s hand.

---------

[Steller's Jay]

Shattered Mission, Chapter 27

No. This can’t be. This is not happening! I could not have....

He felt fingers touch his hand. Janelle! He opened his eyes and lifted his head slowly, hating to have to look at her, guilt already gripping his heart. He focused on her hand raising his to her chest and her other hand closing over them. Finally, he rested his gaze upon her face, her wet cheeks, her eyes filled to overflowing and searching his.

“Janelle,” he began, his voice cracking.

“This is what we feared,” she stated simply, her lips trembling. Obi-Wan could not trust himself to speak. With a hitching sigh, she moved closer and touched her forehead to his chest. His first instinct was to back away, to eschew anything resembling intimacy. What are you doing?! You can at least comfort her! Slowly, he removed his hand from hers and put both arms around her, allowing her to weep against him. Her pain tore at him, like a lightsaber through the heart.

“I’m so sorry, Janelle,” he whispered, stroking her back gently. Neither said another word.

---------

Anakin watched through a window as Willem relayed to him all that had happened since he and his daughter had found Obi-Wan, close to death. He could feel the sadness from his brother keenly. He turned back to Willem.

“So, that must be why I could not feel him,” he said. He could see the old man did not understand. “Our....bond is so strong that I am always aware of him through the Force, even if we are light years apart. On the day he fell, I had a vision of falling and feeling pain.”

“A vision?” Willem asked.

“Yes, it’s like a dream,” Anakin replied, “but very clear and usually predictive of the future.” Willem’s eyes widened. “It’s... an ability most Jedi have, and it is very strong in me. At any rate, shortly after I woke from it, I realized I could no longer feel Obi-Wan in the Force. I was afraid he was dead, but I felt that he was not. I have been searching for him.” He was silent for a bit. “He was happy here, wasn’t he?” Willem nodded. Anakin sighed. Almost to himself, he softly said, “Qui-Gon told me that. Now I know what he meant.”

The old man leaned forward. “Who was that?”

“A mentor,” Anakin replied. “We talk. He....helps me.”

Willem seemed satisfied with that answer. “I suppose Obi-Wan must return with you, go back to the Jedi?”

Watching through the window again, Anakin said, “Yes. And I don’t know what will happen there.” Willem sighed and leaned back in his chair.

---------

They had moved sit on the fallen trunk of a dead tree beside the barn and were turned to face each other.

“I must return to the temple, Janelle,” he said, almost apologetically. “I must go before the Council and tell them what has happened here.”

“What will they do, Cohl?” She couldn’t bring herself to call him ‘Obi-Wan’; that name was too powerful, too......big.

He shook his head. “I cannot even guess, my— Janelle. As far as I know, this ‘situation’ is unique in the history of the Jedi Knights.” Sighing heavily, he closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. She touched his hand.

“This is very bad for you,” she said sincerely. “I’m so sorry. If I hadn’t pushed you—”

“No!” he interrupted her. “None of this is your fault, Janelle. We both went into this with our eyes open. If anyone is to blame, it is I. I was afraid something like this would happen, and I should not have told you how I.... loved you. And even after I did, and you told me how you felt and how we could..... be together, I still should have said ‘no’.” He looked into her eyes. “But it felt so right, Janelle.”

Cohl wanted so much to hold her forever, but Obi-Wan knew that was impossible. He glanced toward the house; apparently, Willem and Anakin were still talking. “I must think, Janelle. And I need to reconnect with the Force. Do you mind if I walk? I won’t be long.” She shook her head and watched him walk away.

Obi-Wan went around the barn to the lane that crossed between two pastures and paused in the middle of it. Taking a deep breath, he called the Force to him, and it filled him. Oh, how he had missed this! He had known something wasn’t quite right before and now he felt whole again, and the embrace of the Force was wonderful! Now he knew where he belonged, where he must go.

But his heart was breaking, too. He finally understood fully Anakin’s love for Padme; a love like that was now his, though it never should have happened. And now he and Janelle would pay the price for his weakness. In anguish, he dropped to his knees and moaned aloud. “Ah, Janelle! I would have died before causing you this pain. I am sorry, I am so, so sorry.” And so he wept there, alone in the lane, wept for Janelle and for himself.

Suddenly, he stopped, panicked as a horrible thought occurred to him. Would the Council even let him return? What if he was expelled from the Order? Being a Jedi was all he knew, all he expected to be until his passage into the Force! No, that cannot happen! Please.....

Obi-Wan, where are you? Are you all right?

His brother’s concerned intrusion into his thoughts was a splash of cold water. He tried to gather himself before replying. No, I—, I— Yes, Anakin, I am all right. I am just trying to come to grips with this, and it is..... a bit overwhelming.

I will come to you.

No, no, don’t. Willem told you what happened?

Yes.

Good. Anakin, there is something you can do for me. Meet me on the far side of the barn.

Very well, Obi-Wan.

Anakin and Willem left the house, Willem stopping to sit with his daughter, Anakin continuing on around the paddock to the far side of the barn. Obi-Wan arrived shortly. He walked right up to Anakin and embraced him. Then they just looked at each other for a long moment. Obi-Wan’s eyes were sad.

“Obi-Wan,” Anakin began, hurting for his brother.

Before he could continue, his old master pulled him to one side and said, “Here is what I need you to do, Anakin.” He pointed at the broken gate hinge. “I need you to fix this. I was trying to, but I’m just no good at it.”

Anakin smiled and tried not to laugh; this was, after all, a gut-wrenching day for his friend. “This is what you need me to do? You want me to fix that?”

“If you wouldn’t mind. I must talk to Janelle and Willem; I need to..... there is so much I need to say to them.”

Anakin held onto his arm, his countenance the picture of concern. “Obi-Wan, Willem said you and Janelle are in love. He told me you’re.....married, sort of. Does that mean you’re going to stay here?”

“How can you even ask that question?” Obi-Wan asked, incredulously. He sighed and closed his eyes briefly. Looking up at his friend, he said, “I am a Jedi, Anakin. I must return to face the Council. They will decide my fate.” The younger man opened his mouth to protest, but Obi-Wan, placing his hand on top of Anakin’s, said, “Not now, Anakin, please.”

Anakin nodded and pushed him away gently.

When Obi-Wan approached Janelle and her father, they stood to meet him. He glanced briefly at Willem and then kept his eyes on Janelle. “Shall we go inside? I have some things I need to say.”

“You two should talk,” the old man said. “I’ll wait out here.”

Obi-Wan shook his head and replied, “No, Willem. There are things I need to say to both of you.”

As the trio walked into the house, both father and daughter were struck by how their friend’s demeanor had changed. He seemed older, more formal. And sad. Willem entered the living room and sat in his favorite chair; Obi-Wan followed Janelle to the sofa, where she lowered herself onto it.

Standing next to her, Obi-Wan took a breath and said, “Well, we know who I am, now. You know that I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, a Jedi Knight.” They nodded. “I want to explain to you what that means.” As he talked, his gaze moved between father and daughter. “Most of us are brought to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant as very young children, or even infants, as I was. After testing positively for Force-sensitivity, our parents or legal guardians agree to give us into the care of the Jedi Order so that we might fulfill our destiny.”

“And what is that destiny?” Willem asked. Janelle bowed her head. Obi-Wan looked at her with compassion, and then he answered, “Complete dedication to the Order, and to the will of the Force. We are the guardians of peace and justice in the Republic and we spend our lives working for the good of all.” He seated himself next to Janelle and held her hand in both of his. “We are not permitted, nor do we seek personal attachment or.......intimate relations with another.” She raised her moist eyes to his and saw his pain reflected there. Quietly, Willem left the room.

“That is why I must return to the temple, to stand before the Council, Janelle,” Obi-Wan said. “I have to tell them what I have done.”

“W— what will happen to you?” she asked haltingly.

He looked down at their interlaced fingers and, shaking his head, replied, “I do not know for sure, but in the past when this has happened, the Jedi in question was allowed to leave the Order.”

“Allowed?” she asked, hopefully.

It hurt him to hear that in her voice; she had no idea. “Their choice was to be expelled from the Order, or to leave on their own.” He paused before touching her shoulder and continuing. “Janelle, there has never been a married Jedi. Well, there is one, and it is a very long story. The relationship and marriage in that case is considered part of prophecy. In fact, the Jedi I am speaking of is my friend outside, Anakin Skywalker.”

The room was heavy with silence as they sat with their own thoughts. It was finally broken when they spoke at the same time.

“Janelle, I—” “Are you—”

With a faint smile, Obi-Wan said, “You go ahead. Ladies first.”

“All right,” she answered. “Are you leaving today?”

He very much wanted to go as soon as possible, but realized that leaving so soon after discovering his identity was hardly fair to her. Besides, he had more to say and he suspected she did, too. “I can wait until tomorrow. I will ask Anakin to come back for me then.” She nodded, thankful he was not leaving immediately. “Right now, I need to return with him to Owingo. My apprentice is there and I must let him see I am really alive.” They rose from the sofa and hugged each other briefly.

He found Anakin leaning on the pasture fence, watching Jasper and his mother, Essie. A quick glance at the gate hinge verified that Anakin could fix anything. Obi-Wan smiled, shook his head and leaned on the fence next to his friend. “So?” Anakin inquired.

“I will stay here tonight, Anakin; we have more to say, and I want to answer all of Janelle’s questions. I am sure she hasn’t thought of them all, yet. I will leave with you tomorrow. However, I would like to come with you now, to see Oren and talk to him.”

“Very well, Obi-Wan,” Anakin replied.

As they rode the speeder into town, Anakin sensed his friend did not want to talk about his situation, so he filled Obi-Wan in on what had occurred while Obi-Wan was gone.

“So, this boy helped you to find me?” Anakin nodded. “And he recognizes each of us by color? Fascinating. I am looking forward to meeting him.” He sighed as he stared ahead through the windshield.

Anakin wanted to talk to Obi-Wan about what he thought his brother should do, but decided he would wait until they were in hyperspace. “Oren has been doing fine, Obi-Wan. You have taught him well. He was able to escape from San Hill, and he saved the life of my apprentice.” He related the attempted abduction of Sikka by the Nikto gang in Harnaidan, and her rescue by Obi-Wan’s apprentice. “And I’ve been working with him to build his strength; you might not recognize him. It was difficult to get the Council to let him stay with me; they were all ready to assign him another master.”

Obi-Wan shook his head. “The poor boy. I thank you for that, Anakin. He has had much to put up with in his young life.”

---------

After Anakin had left them at the café in Owingo, Sikka and Oren asked for a table and ordered some beverages. While Sikka sipped at hers and made some observations about the town, Oren turned his master’s lightsaber over and over in his hands, trying not to be angry about being left behind. At least Master Skywalker finally decided to trust me with it.

“Oren?”

But, why couldn’t I go with him? I am Master Kenobi’s padawan; I should have gone with him!

“Oren!”

He jumped, realizing Sikka had been calling his name. “I’m sorry, Cee,” he answered her, laying the weapon on the table. “I was—”

“Not paying attention,” she finished for him, “and fuming about not going with Master Skywalker.” Sheepishly, he nodded. “I’m sure he will find Master Kenobi and be back here soon. The innkeeper gave him good directions. Why don’t we......” When she didn’t finish her sentence, Oren looked at her and realized she was communicating with her master. He held his breath until her face lit up and she smiled at him. “They’re on their way here, Oren!” she exclaimed. Everything felt lighter all of a sudden, and his anger at Master Skywalker drifted away.

“C’mon, Cee,” he said, excitedly, jumping up from his seat, “let’s go outside and wait for them.” He was out the door before she got up from her chair. She chuckled and followed him. It wasn’t very long before they saw Anakin’s speeder moving down the street toward the café. She squeezed Oren’s hand when they saw Obi-Wan in the passenger seat. He swallowed a lump in his throat and walked down the steps to greet his master.

They faced each other for what seemed an endless moment. Finally, Oren bowed. “Master.” Obi-Wan shook his head, stepped forward and threw his arms around the young man. “Oren, it is so good to see you and know you are alive.” Tremendously relieved, Oren hugged his master back and murmured, “Where were you?” Obi-Wan leaned back and looked him in the eye. “I will tell you everything, padawan,” he said, and then let him go.

Anakin stepped up and said, “Master Kenobi will be leaving with us tomorrow. He has..... things to take care of.” As the padawans looked at him, he said, “We will stay the night in the ship. Sikka, let’s take a walk around this town. We don’t often get a chance to go sightseeing.” She smiled at her friend before following her master away from the café.

---------

[Steller's Jay]

Shattered Mission, Chapter 28

Spying tables on the porch of the café, Obi-Wan led his apprentice to the furthest on one the right; several leaves from a large native deciduous tree had fallen onto and around it. Happy at last and smiling, Oren took a seat across from his master and placed his hands on the table. Only then did he remember he was holding Obi-Wan’s lightsaber. They both stared at it, until the young man pushed it across the table top.

“Your lightsaber, Master,” he said, softly. “Master Skywalker found it at the base of the cliff where you....fell.” Obi-Wan did not pick it up right away. As Oren watched and waited, dozens of questions threatened to spill from his mouth, not the least of which was why his master was wearing native garb. Finally, leaving the weapon on the table, Obi-Wan lifted his gaze and asked, “How are you, Oren? Anakin tells me several months have passed since we were last together.”

“I am fine, Master,” the young man replied haltingly, wondering at his master’s apparent ignorance of the passage of time. “But, I have been worried about you, and why..... why you—”

“Why I had not contacted you to let you know where I was?” Obi-Wan finished for him. “You must have felt betrayed. I cannot imagine what you must have thought, my young apprentice.”

“I thought you were dead,” Oren replied, stressing the last word.

“Dead? Well, I most certainly would have been, had not two caring people found me.” He looked into the boy’s eyes. “I was injured badly, Oren, and they brought me to their home. When I awoke, I found I had no memory of my life,” he dropped his gaze to the table top, “or who I was. Or, what I was.”

Oren didn’t quite hear those last words, Obi-Wan had spoken them so softly. “Then that must be why no one could sense you in the Force,” he said as understanding dawned on him. “What must it have been like not to know who you are,” he continued, shaking his head. “That must have been very strange, maybe even frightening?”

“Yes, it was,” Obi-Wan replied. “Oren, I am afraid that I....did some things that I should not have.” His apprentice tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. “I mean, I....” Obi-Wan sighed and looked off to the side. “I violated the Code.”

Oren was silent for a moment, but then spoke. “Well, you didn’t know you were a Jedi Knight, Master. You didn’t know about the Code. I am sure the Council will understand and it can be put right.”

Obi-Wan looked at him, only wishing that it could “be put right”. Sighing, he said, “I don’t know, my young friend. Some things may not be mended.” He took a deep breath and said, “Oren, I formed an attachment to someone, to one of the people who saved my life. Her name is Janelle and it was she and her father brought me to their home.” As his master paused, Oren began to have a bad feeling in his gut. “I fell in love with her, and she with me. We were......intimate.”

The boy’s mouth opened, but no words came forth. He leaned back in his chair and stared at Obi-Wan, wanting to say something, but unable to speak. Finally, he stood, his eyes darting around as if he were searching for something. Touching the fingers of one hand to his forehead, he turned and walked to the porch railing, and gazed unseeing out at the street. He felt empty inside, unable even to form a thought.

Painfully, Obi-Wan watched the young man struggle with his feelings. He had no words to calm him, to help him through this. The facts were there and he had given them to him. “I am here, if you need me, Padawan,” he offered, and waited. And as he waited, a feather-light touch came to him through the Force; he did not respond. It lingered briefly and then disappeared.

Finally, Oren’s brain began to process what he had heard..... First, the Chosen One, and now my own Master? How can this be? What is happening to the Order? ..... Wait a minute! The Order is fine, well except for being one tenth what it was. But Master Kenobi..... And Master Skywalker! They said it was destined to be for him, that it was necessary for the prophecy to be fulfilled. I must believe them. Master Kenobi told me what Master Skywalker revealed to the Council about that....awful night, about what happened to him in the chamber, that Senator Amidala.... his wife! ..... that she, that what she said to him kept him from turning to the dark side. ...... But, my Master! How could he do this? And what will happen to me? If he is expelled from the Order, I’ll be without a master again. They’ll have to— What am I doing?! I am thinking only of me. He glanced surreptitiously at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan Kenobi is the finest, the purest Knight we have. To have had this happen, he must feel so much pain, so much.....guilt. He turned and looked into Obi-Wan’s eyes and, yes, there was pain there, and sadness. And now I have added to that guilt.

“I am sorry, Master”, he said, moving to his teacher. “I was thinking only of myself.” Obi-Wan gazed up at his apprentice, his eyes welling with tears. He stood and hugged the young man. Oren continued, “I am here for you, Master. I will stand with you in front of the Council.”

Obi-Wan held his student’s arms and replied, “You are a good apprentice, Oren. I am fortunate to have you with me. And I am sorry for causing you pain and worry.”

“It is not your fault, Master,” Oren said quickly. “You had no way to know.”

“That is true,” Obi-Wan replied, “but I am still sad you had to go through all of that. I am very happy to be myself again.” They returned to the street in front of the café as they noticed Anakin and his padawan approaching. “We will leave here tomorrow, Oren, for Coruscant. I will be staying with the people who helped me tonight for they deserve better than me running off as soon as my memory returned. And I am sure there are more questions to be answered.” The young man nodded in understanding.

“And you will contact me,” Anakin said as he and Sikka arrived, “as soon as you are ready, Obi-Wan.” Sikka watched her friend closely for her master had told her what had happened to Obi-Wan.

“Yes, Anakin. Please take me back there now.”

“Goodbye, Master. Until tomorrow,” Oren said, bowing to his master.

The two padawans watched as the speeder disappeared around a bend. “Do you want to talk, Oren?” Sikka inquired, full of concern.

“Thank you, Cee,” he replied, “but I want to be alone now. I need to think about this and I want to meditate for awhile. Do you mind?”

“Of course not, my friend. I will wait for you here, in front of the café.”

---------

Anakin glanced occasionally at his brother as they sped along the road. Obi-Wan raised his hand to his faced and stroked his chin. Surprised, he looked at his hand for a moment, then slowly closed it into a soft fist and dropped it into his lap. “I suppose I will have to let my beard grow,” he said, as if talking to himself. Anakin just listened. “I worked very hard on that, you know, to get it just the way I liked it. It seems rather strange not to have it. And my mustache, as well.” He rambled on about this and the length of his hair and other trivialities, not wanting to broach the subject about which he knew Anakin was aching to discuss. Anakin knew this and remained silent.

“Let me out here, Anakin,” Obi-Wan said as the speeder slowed to make the turn into the dirt road leading to the ranch. “All right, Obi-Wan. I’ll return tomorrow when I hear from you,” Anakin replied. He did not leave immediately; concerned, he watched his best friend walk toward whatever awaited him at the end of the lane.

Obi-Wan surprised Willem coming out of the barn. “Cohl! Oh, I’m sorry, I mean ‘Master Kenobi’. I thought your friend would bring you back.”

“He dropped me back there. And it’s all right, Willem. You may call me Obi-Wan. We are friends, after all.”

“Of course,” the old man replied. “And we will remain friends. Oh, Janelle has something for you inside.” Obi-Wan thanked him and walked to the house. Upon entering, he did not see her at first. “Janelle?” he called out.

“In here,” she replied, from their bedroom. He took a deep breath and stepped into the room; she was standing at the dresser with her back to him. “I am sure you want these,” she said, turning and moving toward him. Over her arm lay his Jedi cloak, and in her hands were his tunic and pants, folded neatly. She held them out to him. “I’ve mended the tears,” she said, smiling sadly up at him. “They are almost good as new. And your boots are over there.” He turned in the direction she nodded and saw his freshly cleaned and shined brown boots.

He looked at her warmly and said, “Janelle, you are wonderful.” He took his things from her and laid them back on the dresser. “Thank you so much. Do you mind if we sit in the kitchen?”

“No,” she replied, acknowledging to herself that he was probably uncomfortable in this room.

He held her hands as they faced each other, seated on two of the chairs at the table. “I want to tell you,” he began, “that I cannot love you as I did before, Janelle, but I would like to continue to be your friend.”

“I understand....Obi-Wan.” He tilted his head and looked at her in surprise. “I.....wanted to call you by your rightful name, but it seems so strange. While you were gone, I was trying to think of you in that way.”

“That is kind of you, and I appreciate that,” he replied.

She stood quickly, a little flustered, and announced, “Well, I will be happy to cut your hair, if you like, after supper. Oh, dear, I must get our meal ready. Would you.... like to help?”

---------

“Master?” Anakin straightened from where he’d been leaning on the console, stopped his nervous toe-tapping, and turned to see his apprentice standing at the entrance to the cockpit. He stared at her for a moment, and then asked, “Have you completed your meditation, Padawan?”

“Yes, Master. Oren has not.” She came up to sit in the co-pilot’s seat. “He is very happy now, even with what has happened with Master Kenobi.”

Anakin nodded and waited for her to continue. He could see there was something on her mind. Is something bothering you, Sikka?

Not really, Master. I think something is bothering you, though.

“It’s pretty obvious, eh?” He chuckled and leaned back in the pilot’s seat. “I am worried about my friend. I know what he’s going to do, and I wonder if that’s the best thing for him. He could be happier if he chose a different path.”

She digested this for a moment, and then asked, “Do you think this happened for a reason, Master?”

“Do I think this was the will of the Force? Yes, I do. But I’m not sure why.”

“What do you think the Council will do?”

He stood and stretched, reaching up toward the ceiling before he answered. “That is one thing I do not know, Padawan. But I can tell you one thing,” he said, herding her toward the sleeping quarters. “The worst thing they could do would be to expel him from the Order.”

---------

Obi-Wan, now wearing his Jedi attire, and Janelle were sitting on the sofa quietly. There were really no more questions to be asked and answered. Together, with Janelle’s father, they had discussed this new situation through the evening. Willem was sad for both of them, knowing the pain his daughter was feeling and would endure until it lessened over time, and feeling that Obi-Wan was torn between his love for Janelle and his dedication to the Jedi Order. He had excused himself and retreated to his bedroom.

Of course, Obi-Wan was not torn, at all. He knew where he belonged and it was not here on Muunilinst. He was eager to return to the temple and unburden himself before the Council, whatever their decision would be. Still, there was a heavy pain within that would be a long time diminishing. The love he felt for this woman beside him had been strong and deep, even though they had been together only a short while. He felt as if he was in a vacuum, some kind of no-man’s land where he could neither embrace nor let go of his tie to her. He sighed, looking forward to the next day when he would be on his way home and able to begin the process of letting go.

Janelle looked up at his sigh, as it finally broke the silence. He turned to her and said, “I know you’re tired, Janelle. Perhaps you should go to bed?”

“I would like to stay out here with you,” she said softly. “I just want to spend this time together.” She looked down and then back up at him. “May I sit beside you? Unless, that is, it would make you uncomfortable.” Yes, it would. But, being uncomfortable is not the worst thing, is it? He nodded at her and said, “Of course, you may.” He laid his arm across the top of the sofa and she slid next to him. As the hours wore on, she could resist her weariness no longer and she fell asleep. He moved her gently so that her head was resting on his legs. Now he closed his eyes and let the peace of the Force come to him.

---------

Obi-Wan felt Anakin's silent presence. Please come now, my brother.

Anakin had roused his two charges in anticipation of his brother’s call. They had eaten a light breakfast and the ship was ready to go.

Yes, Obi-Wan. We’re on our way.

He piloted the ship the short distance to the ranch and settled it gently in the middle of the pasture after ensuring the animals were not there. Through the windshield, he could see Obi-Wan, Janelle and Willem waiting at the gate.

As the three Jedi descended the ramp, the others opened the gate and approached the ship. Looking around at the scenery, Oren and Sikka moved to stand next to Anakin. Obi-Wan went to his apprentice and said, “Oren, I would like you to meet the two people who saved my life.” He held his hand out toward his friends. “This is William Jurgen, the owner of this ranch, and his daughter, Janelle Sumter.” Oren stepped forward and bowed. “I am pleased to meet you,” he said, “and very thankful for what you did for my Master.”

Obi-Wan continued, “Willem, Janelle, this is Oren Kendrel, my apprentice.”

Willem stepped up and said, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Oren Kendrel, but we did no more than anyone else would do. Your master’s strength was an important part of his recovery.” He shook the young man’s hand, and Janelle did the same. “You have a wonderful master, Oren,” she said. “You are fortunate.” Oren nodded and backed away.

Willem turned to Anakin and said, “It is good to see you again, Anakin Skywalker. And is this your apprentice?” He smiled at Sikka.

“Thank you, sir,” Anakin replied. “Yes, this is Sikka Doron, my student. Padawan?” She bowed to them and remained quiet.

An awkward silence ensued, until finally Obi-Wan said, “Well, we must be going. I will say again how much I appreciate all you have done for me.” He shook Willem’s hand, who replied, “And, as I said, we could have done no less.” Willem pulled him forward and the two embraced. Then the old man backed away. Obi-Wan faced Janelle.

“There is no more to say, is there?” he said, holding her arms. Tears in her eyes, but smiling bravely, she shook her head. She hugged him tightly and whispered, “I will miss you terribly.” Sighing deeply, he murmured, “I know.” Then they separated and Obi-Wan followed Anakin and the padawans up the ramp, turning to wave a last time as father and daughter stood together and the ramp closed.

[Steller's Jay]

Shattered Mission, Chapter 29

With a sense of relief, Obi-Wan followed the others to the cockpit. “Oren, get clearance to leave, and then take us out.” Anakin said this to the young man, and then he quickly turned to Obi-Wan and exclaimed, “Obi-Wan! I’m sorry. I’m so used to ordering your padawan about. I shouldn’t have—”

“It’s all right, Anakin,” Obi-Wan assured him. “I’m sure Oren is used to you ordering him about. Anyway, I am going aft to meditate. I have much to think about.” He turned to leave the cockpit.

“I’ll come along, if you don’t mind,” Anakin said, following him. Obi-Wan stopped and looked at him. “Don’t worry, I’m going to meditate, too,” Anakin said quickly. Obi-Wan stared at him for a moment before continuing on his way. They entered the rear compartment, where there were padded benches and seats along the walls. “See that you do, Anakin,” Obi-Wan said, pulling a pad off one of the seats and laying it on the floor. He knelt on it and began breathing deeply and rhythmically.

As he, too, placed a pad on the floor, Anakin knelt on it, fussing with his cloak and muttering under his breath, until Obi-Wan finally looked up and asked, “What are you doing, Anakin? I thought you were here to meditate.” He sat back on his legs and folded his arms. “If you were trying to get my attention, you have succeeded.”

Feigning innocence, Anakin stared at him. “Oh, no, I was just trying to get comfortable,” he replied. Obi-Wan’s expression clearly indicated how much he believed that. The silence stretched on. “Oh, all right,” Anakin finally said, spreading his arms. “I don’t want to meditate. I want to talk about this.”

“About what?” It was Obi-Wan’s turn to pretend.

Vexed, Anakin exclaimed, waving his hand toward the ship’s stern, “About that! About what happened to you back there!”

“In the back of the ship?” Obi-Wan continued.

“No! Back there on the planet, with Janelle! Are you afraid to talk about it?”

“No, Anakin, I am not afraid. I just don’t feel like talking about it right now.” He sighed heavily. “But, I can see that you do.” He stood, replaced the pad on its seat and turned back to his former apprentice, who was now standing. “What do you want to know?”

“Willem told me what happened, Obi-Wan,” Anakin said kindly, “but I’d like to hear it from you.”

Obi-Wan looked off to the side. “They said they saw me fall. They decided to wait until San Hill’s people had gone before coming out of hiding.” He lowered himself onto the seat; Anakin sat near him, listening. “I remember coming in and out of consciousness. Janelle said it was several days before they were able to get my fever down, and then I slept for a couple more. When I finally awoke, I saw her. I thought she was an angel and that I was dead. But only briefly,” he said with a small smile. “Then she introduced herself, and when I went to do the same, I couldn’t remember who I was.” He paused for a minute, and then looked at his friend. “It is very strange, not to know who you are, Anakin. No matter how hard you try, there is a large hole where your life once was.”

Anakin listened to his brother ramble on about his life with Willem and Janelle, sensing that he was doing that to avoid the big issue. Now he was talking about the town fair and, as he did so, he seemed to be there again, reliving what he saw and felt that day.

“... It was quite fascinating, actually. All of these people getting together to show their animals, handiwork, baked goods. We must have sampled a bit of all of the food. We watched the children at their games and rides, and we even joined in with them. As the evening came on, folks either went home or gathered in a large pavilion for some food and drink and dancing....”

His voice trailed off and he gazed ahead, not speaking. Anakin was about to prod him, when he said, “That is where I realized it, where I admitted it.” He dropped his head and Anakin sensed his pain. “I told her that night that I loved her.....”

When Obi-Wan trailed off again, Anakin waited a moment and then asked, “Do you still love her?” Obi-Wan shot him a glance, then turned his head away. He opened his mouth to reply, knowing the answer but unable to say it. Finally, lowering his head, he forced out, “I cannot.”

“What does that mean, ‘I cannot’?” Anakin asked. “Either you do or you don’t, Obi-Wan. And if—”

“Anakin!” Obi-Wan stood quickly, staring at his friend, who looked up at him and continued, “And if you do, then you should be together.” Obi-Wan was stunned. Anakin stood, facing him. “I am sure we can persuade the Council to allow this, to let her be your wife.” Horrified, Obi-Wan could only exclaim, “Anakin!” The younger man continued, apparently oblivious to Obi-Wan’s demeanor. “After all, they allowed me to be married to Padme and stay in the Order and—”

Obi-Wan grabbed his arm and said “But you were the Chosen One, Anakin, and it was believed that Padme was a part of you fulfilling prophecy. It had nothing to do with me. I was only your teacher.”

“Yes,” Anakin replied eagerly, “you were my teacher, Obi-Wan. Surely that would count for something.” His eagerness faded as Obi-Wan stepped back from him, incredulously shaking his head. “What is it, Obi-Wan? What’s wrong?”

Unable to believe what his former pupil was saying, Obi-Wan turned and walked away from him. “Anakin,” he began, endeavoring to suppress the anger that was building inside, “don’t you understand? I am a Jedi! Being a Jedi is all I know! How can you possibly think that I would even entertain the thought of....of violating the Code that way, and going before the Council with that request?”

Anakin stared at him in surprise. “But, Obi-Wan, you have finally felt love, as I have for Padme. You can’t just decide to stop being in love. It doesn’t happen that way! And,” he continued, gesturing toward Obi-Wan meaningfully, “you and Janelle have—”

“Stop!” Obi-Wan shouted, angrily. “Do not go there, Anakin! That is in the past and I....I must somehow.....”

Anakin grabbed his arm and looked him squarely in the eyes. “You must accept it, Obi-Wan, it happened!” ..............

---------

Sikka and Oren stared at each other as the voices in the aft compartment could be heard getting louder and louder. They could not make out any words, but it was most assuredly an argument that sounded like it was getting out of hand. They were stunned, having never heard their masters speak in anger to one another. Just then, the bulkhead door flew open and Master Skywalker stormed through, closing it furiously behind him. His eyes dark, he stood with his fists clenched and his breathing loud. His gaze moved about until it came to rest on two padawans staring at him, wide-eyed. They instantly turned back to the ship’s console, and he stalked into the sleeping compartment without a word.

---------

Obi-Wan watched his former student leave. Stunned, he stood immobile, his breaths coming fast. His eyes were drawn to his right where he saw......a raised fist. He stared at it for a moment before realizing it was his own hand. Slowly, he dropped to his knees, opening that hand to cover his eyes. He couldn’t remember ever being so angry and coming so close to losing control. Even as a child in the temple, as an initiate, and certainly as Qui-Gon’s padawan, and even as Anakin’s master he had always been under control, mostly. Great Force, he had been red-faced with fury, and had been that close to striking his friend! What had just happened?! What am I doing?! What......have I done?

The weight of everything....this confrontation with Anakin, his infidelity to the Code, the pain he had caused Janelle, her father, everyone!.... forced him back against the wall, where he covered his face with his hands and sobbed. Even the soft, comforting touch from his former master went unnoticed and unfelt.

---------

Anakin stood in the center of the compartment silently, running over in his mind the acrimonious conversation he had just left. I think he was about to hit me! Obi-Wan? Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi? I don’t understand. Doesn’t he want to be happy? He decided to go for help.

Recognizing her husband’s loving touch, Padme responded. “Anakin, I miss you.” She spoke these words as she placed a sleeping Luke next to his twin sister in their crib. “Are you coming back soon? Did you find Obi-Wan?”

Yes, and we are on our way to Coruscant now.

He did not continue, and she sensed feelings she did not expect from him. “Anakin? What is it? You seem.....unhappy. Did something happen? Is Obi-Wan all right?” She sat on the sofa, curling her feet underneath herself and holding a small pillow in her arms.

No, nothing happened. We found him and he is with us. He is well, but there’s a problem. She waited for him to continue. I don’t know what to do, Padme.

“Tell me about the ‘problem’,” she offered warmly. He related everything Willem and Obi-Wan had told him. “Obi-Wan is in love with her? And they’re married?” This was a bit of news.

Yes. Well, yes, he is in love with her, I think. And they are married, sort of. She shook her head, wondering what was going to come next. He is very upset and worried about what will happen now. Padme, he is not going to go back to her, I’m sure of it. And I don’t see how he can do that. You and I.....we love each other and we’re so happy, and I want that for Obi-Wan, too. I’m sure we could convince the Council to allow it. I tried to explain that to him. He paused, picturing his friend’s reaction. I think I pushed him too hard. He just blew up.

“Oh, Anakin. Don’t you see? Obi-Wan could never allow himself to love a woman. He is a Jedi.”

That is what he said to me.

“Yes, and the Jedi do not fall in love or give in to carnal desires, dearest.”

But now that he has experienced it—

“That is the problem, Ani. Obi-Wan would never do that, and now that he has, even though it wasn’t Obi-Wan in control, it will be very hard for him to reconcile it. He will need your help.” Anakin was quiet for a moment, thinking.

But at first he wasn’t so upset. He seemed to be okay, he spent time with Janelle and they talked and he was very calm. In fact, he appeared to be more worried about how to tell Oren about it.... I thought he was coming back to the temple to discuss it with Master Yoda and try to work out a way for them to be together.

“Ani. This is something you can’t fix; he has to do that, but you can support him. Just let him know you are there. He needs you to listen, to trust him, to accept whatever he does. You are his friend. The Council will judge him, but you must not.”

He did not respond as he pondered her words. Finally, he did. Is it because you were a Senator that you always know what to say, what to do?

“No,” she laughed, “it’s because I’m a woman!”

I love you so much, Padme. I will do my best to be there for Obi-Wan.

“See you soon, my love?”

Yes, very soon! He embraced her with his presence and then let go. He hurried back to the aft compartment and opened the door; the padawans watched him and exchanged a look, wondering what was going on. At first he didn’t see his brother. “Obi-Wan?” he called out, and then spied him on the floor, lying facing the wall. “Obi-Wan?” Quickly, he knelt beside his friend and touched his shoulder. The Jedi Master’s fingers gripped his hair, tears streaked down his face from tightly closed eyes, and audible sounds issued from him with every exhale.

Anakin stared in horror. “Obi-Wan!” Slowly, he eased himself down next to his master and gently pulled him into his embrace, holding him close and sending waves of comfort and love to him. A noise caught his attention; the padawans stared at the strange sight from the doorway. “Let me know when we are out of hyperspace,” he said quietly, turning back to Obi-Wan.