38. A New Task

The Planet Korriban, General POV

The Sith academies on the planet Korriban were a veritable hive of activity. Countless structures being torn down, updated and built back up. All being done by Hive workers, and the more Force-Sensitive slaves.

They were slaves only in name though, for they were, in essence, free. They knew and understood that, if they chose to leave and return home, they were running the risk of being captured and sold to a less benevolent 'master'.

A Jedi ship, flying low over the old academy, had most of the workers pausing briefly to look up. Concerned it would stop, and deliver an enemy into the heart of their new home. This didn't happen though, as the ship did slow, but didn't stop.

A collective breath, one they didn't quite realize they had been holding, escaped. The danger gone, if only for the moment, they turn their heads, and return to their glorious work.

Coruscant, Jedi Temple, Council Room

Anakin POV

I was stood next to my 'master', Kenobi, but my mind was elsewhere. I never liked this room. When the Jedi first found me, over half of these Master rank Jedi were against my joining. Even now, they still doubt, even after Yoda managed to sway the vote in order to allow entry.

Yoda was... In my mind he was one of the good ones. Ashla also seemed to respect him, as the few times I saw them interact, Ashla would lower her head ever so slightly.

Mace Windu was back on the council, though I was unsure if that was because he somehow earned it, or if it was to keep an eye on him.

They were talking nonstop, and I only tuned in after Padme's name was mentioned.

"She will still need protecting" -Kenobi

Damn straight she will.

"Handle that, your Padawan will." -Yoda

Yes I will, thank you very much.

"Anikin, escort the Senator back to her home planet of Naboo. She'll be safer there, and don't use registered transport, travel as refugees." -Windu

Not my first rodeo. That said... she won't want to leave.

"With your permissions, I would ask the Chancellor to intervene and convince her to cooperate. She won't want to due to the upcoming vote."

A faint pulse rumbled throughout, then...

"That would be acceptable." -Windu

"If there is nothing else, I will get started right away."

No one spoke, but I could feel they had turned their thoughts to other matters. I left the room, and went looking for the Supreme Chancellor.

Scene Shift, Supreme Chancellors Office, Coruscant Same pov

"I see. I shall speak to her. Senator Amidala will not refuse an executive order; I know her well enough to assure you of that." -P

"I know. That is why I came to you for this." Despite the fact something about you doesn't add up.

"So, they have finally given you an assignment. Your patience has paid off." -P

I waited a beat, shifting in my chair, before replying . "It would appear that way." I responded. "They seemed to think I needed further guidance." Where is the Chancellor going with this? It's a good thing I started recording every conversation I had with the man.

"You don't need guidance, Anakin. In time you will learn to trust your feelings, then you will be invincible. I have said it many times, you are the most gifted Jedi I have ever met."

I made my face go blank, my tone somehow even more hollow than before. "Thank you, Your Excellency. And another thing, feelings and instincts are two very different things." This man... I knew he didn't simply hand out compliments, and when he does give one, he means it. I got up and moved to the door and left. But what did he want from me?

The next day found me watching as Padme left instructions with Jar Jar. I for one never really understood how the thing is still alive, let alone why she kept it around. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate him. He just... doesn't make sense. If he were a book character, he would be the comic relief type that portrays as an idiot but still manages to come through when it counts. Dependable, if you can tolerate buffoonery.

"I do not like this idea of hiding." Padme was talking to him.

I let my mask slip a bit, just enough to show her how much I cared about her.

"Nor do I, but consider it this way. The opposition believes hurting you would hurt the vote, because the others would be afraid of being hurt if they did oppose the creation of a military."

She gives me a strange look. "That... actually makes sense, in a sick twisted sort of way. Wait. Just how well do know psychology?"

I looked away and scratched my chin with a finger. "Most species think if you stand there looking blank, your an idiot and either not a threat or not worth paying attention to. A useful trick, really. But enough about that. How have you been?"

We spent some time, just talking. Then we grabbed what little we would be taking with us and left for the shuttle. She was important to me, and I would give my own life to save hers if need be.

The Temple, general POV

As he left, Kenobi took the dart and made his way to the analysis cubicles. He found one with an SP-4 and had it begin analyzing the object. It found one dart that was similar, but not a match. The droids screen went blank, then showed 'unknown' on the screen.

When he questioned the results, suggesting that maybe the archive is incomplete, the droid got mad and started spouting nonsense. Kenobi got up and left, after all, he had made a lot of friends during his time as Qui Gon's Padawan. One of them should have the answers he's looking for.