|
"Anakin, I hope you don't mind, but I am curious, did I see you walking with Master Depa Billaba yesterday?"
Anakin looked across the table at the speaker. She was one of his recent acquaintances. Surrounding him at lunch today were many new faces. Anakin's usual friends Suoicarg and Elbaima were away on missions. Anakin thought about what she was asking. Yesterday had been his last lesson with Master Depa.
Another Padawan spoke up. "I recall seeing you conversing with Master Plo Koon recently, and Master Saesee Tiin a couple of months ago."
From around the table Anakin could feel the eyes and the equivalent of eyes bore into him. They wanted to know why he was spending so much time with members of the Council and he couldn't brush them off this time.
"They have stopped to talk with me a few times, yes."
Anakin's mind raced. They are going to assume I was in trouble of something, they probably can't imagine any other reason why several Council members would talk with another Master's Padawan. But I don't want to tell them the truth, they'd never leave me alone about it. Gotta distract them.
"They have really interesting tales about the battles and wars they have fought in. Did you know that Master Tiin..."
Anakin broke off abruptly and went pale.
"Ani?"
Anakin's friends looked up at him in confusion when he stood up suddenly.
"Please excuse me. See you later!" Anakin said quickly and headed for the door.
"Ani, what's wrong?" One of the other Padawans asked with a frown.
Just as Anakin reached the exit, the last person he wanted to see strode in. Lavir and a few of his Elite.
"Ah, just who I was looking for." Lavir said in an oily tone.
"I don't have time for this Lavir."
"Yes you do. I have noticed that despite your lofty words two months ago, you have collected a group anyway."
Anakin ignored him. He couldn't help it if the other Padawans wouldn't leave him alone. And Anakin had certainly never held meetings or organized them in any fashion. "I really need to leave, get out of my way."
But the other Elites blocked him. Lavir smirked and Anakin glared at the older teenager. Anakin's newer friends stood up and a few walked closer to see what the commotion was.
Anakin had just turned to head for another exit when the glowing started.
It was too late.
Anakin's only thought was to get away. Far away. The glowing always attacked him with a compulsion to run and this time Anakin gave in.
Big mistake. A surge of pain overwhelmed Anakin and he dropped to his knees. Those few seconds of agony distracted him enough to lose control and the golden light burst around him.
***
The dinning hall full of Padawans were all startled to see Anakin glow. Everyone went silent and stared. The younger ones actually backed up, while the oldest ones focused all of their senses on him. They automatically studied Anakin, as they had been trained to do when anything unusual in the Force occurred.
Anakin's pain caused the more sensitive among them to flinch. However, they had no warning when the light expanded. It sent out a shockwave that knocked the nearest Padawans to the floor. The rest were merely stunned and instantly evacuated. Almost as one they began calling out to each of their masters through their training bonds.
The first Knights and Masters to reach the dinning hall found the Padawans stumbling out in an uproar of confusion. Upon entering the room they were shocked to see a bright ball of white engulf several Padawans as it moved outward.
***
Anakin opened his eyes. He didn't need to, he could sense everything around him without them, but it made him feel better. He had finally regained a hold of his light so it could no longer advance.
He looked around himself in awe. Anakin counted sixteen Padawans inside with him. However, they were completely unharmed. He could feel their hearts, or their version of a heart, beating steadily. Their minds were adrift, as though they were asleep.
Oh! Of course, they immediately put themselves into hibernation when the light hit them. Standard safety precaution.
Anakin began to slowly gather his strength and prepare to pull the glow back to himself. It had been nearly two months since his last glowing spell. They were happening less and less. He had learned to feel them coming enough in advance that he could stop it at the diffuse glow stage. And he had always managed to get alone before that happened, until now.
He stared at the Padawans sprawled on the floor around him. Why aren't they hurt? Every time this happens I leave behind a mess at the least and a crater at the worst. I thought for sure that anyone caught in it would die, like the pirates did.
He delved deeper in the Force. He knew that he had to shut off this light soon. Anakin worried that though they appeared fine, his light might cause bad side effects to the exposed Padawans. He reached out to them in concern.
Images, thoughts, and feelings assaulted Anakin's senses. The Force badgered him with more information then he could handle. All at once he knew the names of each of them and had to struggle to block off the flood of knowledge about their hopes, dreams and history.
Anakin recoiled in horror. He knew at once that he had done something terrible. That shouldn't have happened! I didn't mean to do it, if anyone ever finds out... Anakin tried to calm himself. He glanced over at Lavir. He'd seen a few interesting things come from him.
Lavir was such a pain, it would be very useful to gain a better advantage over him. I've already seen some stuff, no one would know if I looked again. It was tempting, very tempting.
Just a little. A few more brief images and random details about Lavir's life flickered into focus. Suddenly, Anakin's head felt dizzy and a rush of sensations from the Force swirled through his head. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. Anakin let himself drink it in for a moment before reluctantly pulling away.
When his head cleared he felt very cold and sick. If any one ever pilfered through my mind I'd... I'd... Anakin didn't know what he'd do. He sensed Master Qui-gon approaching. Trying to forget what he'd done, Anakin began to focus solely on turning off the glow.
***
Obi-wan arrived to see that Master Qui-gon and a few of the Jedi Council were already there. He'd come as fast as he could. Anakin's light was retracting steadily and Healers were ready with floating pallets.
Obi-wan began helping them pick up the unconscious Padawans as they became visible and reachable. He glanced briefly at Qui-gon. The older man stood extremely close to the yellow sparks and looked as though he was ready to go charging into it.
This was really bad timing. Anakin had been distant and gloomy for the past two weeks ever since learning he was the Chosen One. He'd hardly spoken and had gone through his Force lessons and lightsaber practice mechanically. Now things would be worse.
As Obi-wan hauled the next young Padawan out of the way, he noticed it was Lavir Rouy. Immediately, he understood what had occurred. Anakin felt it start and somehow got into an argument with this fellow. No doubt he prevented Ani from escaping in time. He sighed. Somehow I'm not surprised.
Abruptly the light ceased. Without a word Anakin stood and walked straight to Qui-gon's open arms and buried his face in his Master's robe.
***
Anakin was silent on the way back to their apartment. Those of the Jedi Council who had come thankfully had not asked him any questions. On the contrary, Master Yaddle had told Obi-wan and Qui-gon to take him home at once. She and the others stayed to deal with the necessary explanations.
It took nearly an hour of Qui-gon's hot tea and Obi-wan's teasing to draw Anakin out of the shell he'd hidden his mind in. When he finally began to tell them briefly what had happened, the holo-com rang.
Qui-gon got up to answer it while Obi-wan continued to listen quietly to their Padawan. Kaely had landed on the arm of the sofa and began to hum softly.
"...and then you were there. I hope the others are okay." Anakin finished and hoped desperately that Obi-wan wouldn't notice that he'd left out many details.
"They are. The Healers are already releasing them from the infirmary." Qui-gon returned from the alcove. "Some time ago, Obi-wan and I requested to take you on a mission, and now the Council has granted it. We leave tomorrow morning."
Obi-wan grinned, but was disappointed that Anakin didn't instantly shout for joy. Anakin did smile and he was happy, but the feeling of despair clinging to him dimmed his reaction.
<Don't worry Obi-wan. He will recover and cease his subdued demeanor after we have left the Temple.> Qui-gon sent telepathically.
<He'll probably be as hyper as Kaely and begging to fly the ship.> Obi-wan agreed.
"Hopefully everything will quiet down by the time we get back." Anakin mumbled aloud and escaped to his room to pack.
***
No one noticed? Anakin's thoughts were all a jumble. He grabbed his standard Jedi travel bag that he'd never used and began to randomly stuff tunics into it.
Kaely hovered and sang happily to herself. She opened one of his drawers and began carrying the smaller things she thought he would need, like pliers, datacards, a lone sock, and a broken little lamp and putting them in his bag. Anakin didn't notice.
Of course! The Force light probably overloads their senses! Somehow this didn't make him feel any better.
You idiot! Anakin told himself. Did you want them to know you used the Darkside?
It had felt luxurious. It had filled him with a thrilling amount of power and strength unlike he'd ever experienced. For that one moment Anakin had felt like he could do anything he pleased and no one could stop him. And when he'd stopped it had left a bitter aftertaste.
Anakin dropped his bag and kicked it against the wall. He shielded his mind as best he could. His masters were not inclined to pry, but he didn't want to give them a reason to investigate.
I have nothing to worry about. They'll think that I'm feeling guilty and frustrated over knocking those Padawans unconscious. Which is true. If I'm very careful they'll never find out the rest.
Anakin put his face in his hands and sat on the bed. He almost wished he'd been caught. But the Jedi would expel me for sure if they knew.
I've gotta stop thinking about it, otherwise Master Qui-gon and Obi-wan will find out.
Sighing deeply, Anakin stood up and continued packing. Absentmindedly, he removed the silly things that Kaely had put in his bag. He went to his desk and collected the datacards with this week's lessons, but stopped when he saw the old brown book.
He debated whether or not he should take it with him. He hadn't touched it since reading the prophesy of the Chosen One. However, Anakin never liked to leave a book unfinished, especially since this was a gift from Obi-wan.
Anakin had still not decided how he felt about it yet. He wanted to believe he was special, but he hated the thought that maybe it was something he was destined to do. He hated when someone else made his decisions for him and that prophecy annoyed him.
Finally, he chose to continue as he had of the past two weeks and just not think about. He ignored the prophecy and left the book where it laid.
***
"Along the Perlemian Trade Route, near the Meridian Sector, is a small merchant system that is having some diplomatic problems. It's a peaceful system normally, but recent trade disagreements have led to threats of war." Obi-wan related to Anakin and Qui-gon.
Qui-gon was skimming through the same mission order on his own datapad. "We were requested in particular by the Supreme Chancellor."
Obi-wan raised his eyebrows. "Explains why they sent us on a ship this nice."
Anakin was slouching in the ship's lounge booth across from Obi-wan. He glanced up briefly when Obi-wan spoke, but then returned to staring off into space.
"Ani," Qui-gon looked at the teenager's dull eyes. "Brooding is not healthy. This must stop."
Anakin's face was still and he made no physical reaction. But they sensed him quickly squash a flicker of panic.
"Be cheerful!" Obi-wan reassured him. "By the time we return to the Temple your Force glow will be old news."
Qui-gon agreed. "All of the Masters and Knights will be sure to instruct their Padawans to not pester you about it. Only your closest friends will expect an explanation, and even then they will not pry."
Anakin smiled and tried to look relaxed. "You're right." He nodded. "I think I'll go talk to our pilots for a while."
As nonchalantly as possible, Anakin fled the lounge.
***
Anakin stood by a massive set of doors quietly and waited for Kaely. He was not exactly bored yet, but if this meeting went on much longer he would be. His masters were inside negotiating with this star system's leaders. Anakin's job was to note any suspicious behavior by the people outside of the discussion chamber and especially watch for spy droids. Like the ones used by the press.
He had deactivated five such droids early on, but three hours had passed since and nothing interesting had happened. Anakin and Kaely patrolled the hallway and the balcony outside of the chamber several times and were convinced that no more attempts would be made. The guards ignored him when they actually saw him.
Anakin had thought this would be a more pleasant task then sitting with his masters like he had during yesterday's session. He'd tried his best to pay attention and learn how they advised the delegates, but it started to turn his brain to mush. Obi-wan had realized that he wouldn't learn anymore about diplomatic skills the next day and so they assigned him to guard.
Inside the chamber, Obi-wan moved to the far corner of the room. Most of the delegates were taking a short break, and a few were still talking to Qui-gon. Obi-wan pulled out his comlink and spoke quietly into it.
"Anakin."
"You have reached Cafe of Insanity. Our specials dishes today are..."
"Shut up, Anakin!" Obi-wan whispered quickly.
"But its fun!"
"You could try the patience of even Yoda."
"Really, you don't say?"
There was a pause over the link. "Obi-wan, you still there?"
"Yes, I am! I'm trying to remember what I was calling you for."
"They say memory is always the first thing to go."
Obi-wan sighed. "Ani, you can't joke around like this while we are on missions."
"Yes, Master."
He sounded properly contrite, but Obi-wan had a suspicion that Anakin was still grinning.
"These negotiations are almost over with. Tomorrow we can go home."
"Great!" Anakin said cheerfully, but then sobered. "Obi-wan, I've been getting an odd feeling."
"Must be your stomach."
Anakin laughed. "Besides that! I don't know what it is."
"Don't worry about it. If it's something serious, we will sense it also. We'll be out soon."
Anakin heard him flick off the comlink. Obi-wan's words had not really reassured him. The nagging feeling had begun just before his master called and was getting worse by the second now.
Anakin grimaced. They are going to come out soon and I'm not supposed to leave. I just need to wait a little more.
The feeling wouldn't leave him alone and Anakin felt torn. He wasn't allowed to call them unless something seriously wrong occurred, like an attack. And he'd already told Obi-wan what he'd felt, but Obi-wan hadn't noticed a problem. Pestering them was out of the question.
The insistent feeling was louder now and impossible to ignore. He needed to go to it and find out what it was. They are taking too long in there. Anakin rationalized. Surely they feel it now too. They can catch up with me.
Without asking for permission, Anakin abandoned his post and ran. Kaely squealed in surprise and zoomed to catch up with him. Just after he left the building's grounds his comlink beeped.
"Hello."
"Anakin! What are you doing?" It was Qui-gon's voice.
"I need to go to the ship!"
"No, Ani. We sense danger at the ship. Stop where you are."
"But I'm almost there, you two can catch up." Anakin turned the comlink off. He could feel Qui-gon's deep disapproval and Obi-wan's irritation. Disobeying one's masters was a very bad thing. But Anakin couldn't ignore the feeling calling to him and decided that whatever it was would be worth the punishment his masters would give him.
***
Anakin leapt from rooftop to rooftop. It was not only the fastest way to travel, it also allowed him to sneak up on opponents. Which was very useful today. To his right he could see battle Droids rolling along the road towards the hanger bay. He pulled out his comlink to and called their ship.
"Captain! This is Padawan Skywalker."
"Captain Deksam, here."
"Prep the ship for takeoff. Battle droids are headed your way."
"At once. Are you and the other Jedi coming aboard?"
"No. Take off before the droids reach you if you can. We will be outside waiting for you."
Static began to distort the link's sound. "Ca..'t droids...firing..."
The comlink went silent. Quickly, Anakin switched to his master's frequency to tell them. But only more static greeted him. "They're jamming me."
He snatched Kaely out of the air and stuffed her in his belt pouch. "Be quiet. There will be fighting soon and I don't want you caught in it."
Anakin entered the hanger bay through the roof with his lighsaber activated. The co-pilot was firing a blaster at the approaching droids from the cover of the partially open hatch. The ship had no turbolasers or any other defensive weapons. She saw Anakin and released the hatch door open the rest of the way.
"Come on!"
Anakin jumped and landed on the ramp, he turned and blocked several bolts before she was able to pull it halfway closed again.
"Captain Deksam is injured. You go to the cockpit and I'll wait here for the other Jedi." Lt. Edacaf said breathlessly.
Anakin nodded and ran down the passage. The ship was nearly finished with the preflight sequence and would be ready for lift off any second now. Out of the window of the cockpit he saw Master Qui-gon and Obi-wan enter the hanger bay and begin slicing through the droids.
He watched them battle anxiously and hoped more droids would not arrive. The computer had just beeped that it was ready to fly when Anakin suddenly collapsed unconscious. He hadn't sensed the attack that came from behind him at all.
On the hanger floor below, Obi-wan looked up in surprise to see that the ship's hatch was closed. Qui-gon sliced the last droid just as the ship took off. They stared up at it in horror as the terrible danger they had sensed ever since leaving the negotiations flared even stronger. Anakin was in great peril.
***
Why am I hurting?
Oh yes, now I remember.
Anakin Skywalker huddled in the corner of a small room on the ship with his arms wrapped around himself and his head resting on his knees. He was sure that none of his bones were broken, but his left ankle was certainly sprained and his shoulder had been briefly dislocated. His head pounded and his jaw was swollen.
When Anakin awoke he had immediately snuck out of the room. And he'd almost made it to the ship's escape pod before the Sith attacked him. It had quickly beaten him senseless and dumped him back in that empty room.
The Sith hadn't said a word, but Anakin got the message. Don't come out again or else. The door wasn't even locked, not that it would have mattered. Any Jedi can undo a locked door.
How long have I been here?
Anakin tried to use the Force to estimate how long it had been. He could sense that the Sith had drugged him the first time and that it had been a blow to his head that had knocked him out. He knew that he'd been unconscious for at least half a day before he'd tried to escape. But after that, he hurt too much to find out.
Why can't I concentrate?
Anakin tried to clear his head. He wanted to ask Kaely how long they'd been on this ship. The little droid sat on the floor beside him and hummed worriedly. The Sith either didn't know she was here, or just didn't care. Anakin couldn't remember when he'd taken her out of his belt pouch.
Masters! Obi-wan! Master Qui-gon! Somebody!
But he just couldn't concentrate enough. A thick fog hung in his mind and made even the smallest efforts a struggle. Anakin tried again to call his masters through the training bond but received no answer. He had no idea if they could hear him or if it was he who couldn't hear them.
Gathering all his strength, Anakin tried to push away the heavy hand clouding his senses. He wanted to block out the pain at least. For a few precious seconds he could focus again and quickly tried to heal his ankle a little.
He wasn't too good at healing, but he could at least dull the pain. He placed both of his hands on the abused ankle and set to work. He drew strongly on the Force and relaxed as its presence comforted him.
Almost a soon as he began the terrible pressure slammed into his brain and fogged his mind again. Anakin groaned and slumped forward. Kaely trilled in despair. He didn't move again for several minutes.
Why am I hurting?
Oh yes, now I remember.
Once again, Anakin was forced to repeat from the beginning the long process towards clearing his mind.
***
They could sense that Anakin was alive, but nothing else.
Master Qui-gon and Obi-wan stood in the Council Chamber and waited for the rest of the Council members to arrive. They had done everything they could to track their ship to no avail. The Council had agreed that the abductor had to be the Sith and they ordered them to return to Coruscant.
Return they did and with a lot of tricky flying, managed to cut two days off the trip. And now they waited. Several other powerful Jedi Masters entered the chamber. Some of them had served as Council members before. They were here to replace the current members who were away on missions and lend additional aid.
The Jedi gathered in a rough circle. Some sat down on the floor. No one knew how long it would take. The Sith were notorious for their ability to disguise themselves. But it was quite another matter to hide a Jedi, even a Padawan. Between the training bond and Anakin's naturally strong resonance in the Force, they would find him.
***
Why am I hurting?
Oh yes, now I remember.
Carefully, Anakin cataloged his injuries. His ankle hurt the most, his shoulder ached badly and there was definitely a bruise on the back of his head. He reached up a hand to probe his sore jaw.
Kaely began to whistle excitedly. Anakin looked up discovered that he was no longer on the ship. It was a dark cell-like metal room. The only lights were Kaely's two yellow eyes.
His memory was a complete blur after his failed attempt to escape. "Kaely, How long has it been?"
He struggled to focus the Force enough to understand her beeps and whistles. "Five days..." he breathed.
Sluggishly, he felt along the training bond, but it was no use. He could feel his masters on the other end, but couldn't hear anything. Giving up for the time being, Anakin returned to his injuries. He pulled off his boot to assess the damage.
His ankle was a little swollen, but the bruises looked faded. I must have tried healing this earlier. He gingerly put his boot back on and stood up to test his weight on it. It wasn't too bad, but he wouldn't be running anywhere.
Anakin hobbled over to the nearest wall and began feeling for a door. He slowly circled the room without finding so much as a crack. He found all of the other standard prison cell compliments, but no door. Even worse, he couldn't sense a passageway outside or even the thickness of the wall.
Suddenly, Anakin realized that all of his mental shields were down completely. Hastily, he began to re-build them. Why didn't I notice?! How did this happen? I don't remember them collapsing! He sat down on the metal bunk he'd found in the dark and tried to calm himself.
"Kaely, get your sensor out."
Dutifully, the pink droid scanned the floor, walls and the high ceiling. She confirmed that there was no door in the wall, but there was one in the ceiling. Anakin looked up and Kaely turned on her little spotlight. Far above him was the faint outline of a trapdoor.
If I didn't hurt so badly, I could levitate up there.
Abruptly, a sickening feeling overcame him and it made his skin crawl. The Sith was coming near.
"What a crummy birthday." Anakin mumbled aloud and prepared to meet the Sith again.
|