~* I don't own Star Wars. How dare you suggest it! =)
Focus. Breathe deeply. Just relax.

Obi-Wan peeked an eye open and quickly snapped it shut.

"Padawan," Qui-Gon warned his apprentice without phasing his own meditative stance," Focus."

Obi-Wan nearly sighed but caught himself in mid-breath. How could one possibly focus so much on not focusing!

Qui-Gon sensed his uneasiness and finally opened his eyes. It amazed him how alike they were when he was a Jedi apprentice himself.

"We should always study ourselves and find our own flaws. I've observed much impatience from you lately," he added gently.

The boy nodded trying to find a distraction from his Master's intense gaze. However, the meditation room provided no such escape. Only four white walls, a soft but dull floor, and a blank ceiling seemed to engulf and trap him.

"I'm sorry, Master, but must we do this just before a mission?"

Gui-Gon's face remained uncomfortably neutral," Especially before a mission, my Padawan."

The young Jedi gazed at the walls after realizing his error. Once again, he had revealed his impatience.

"But I believe that's enough for one day."

With the approved pardoning, both stood and smoothed out their robes from hours of sitting. Obi-Wan's muscles ached slightly, but nothing a stretching exercise couldn't cure.

"How much longer until we meet the council?" he asked.

His Master gave him only a glance as he accessed a nearly invisible door in the wall. It slid open and a fresh, not to mention more colorful, hallway greeted to them.

"Ah, the young are always so concerned with the time . . . or are they?" Qui-Gon mused.

They drifted through door casually and the Jedi Knight departed immediatly for his private dorm. Of course, not only was the boy's question not answered, but a riddle was thrown in his Master's departing wake. That was, after all, the Jedi way.

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Obi-Wan rushed down the halls, his robes swirling and whipping in his haste. Not only was he impatient, but he was late! He was already on the Jedi Council's cautious side after he briefly left the Jedi Order. Any mistake observed by them, however small, was unacceptable now.

The hallways were luckily clear. Students and Knights alike often enjoyed their free time in private dorms at this hour. However, as the Padawan soared around a corner, he crashed head on with another student. Papers exploded into the air and settle on the ground in complete havoc.

"My paperwork!" a third-year Temple student gasped as she gazed at the mess.

"My fault!," Obi-Wan stood and helped her up.

She bent over and began to gather the papers.

"Here, let me help," he picked up a stack and handed to her.

"Thank you. I'm already late as it is," she accepted it.

"Me too," Obi-Wan grinned. Is this what Qui-Gon had meant? All young alike were either too concerned of the time or completely unaware of it? A smile lit up her petite face as well. He politely waited for her to grab the last of it before he issued a quick good-bye and continued on his collision course for the Council chambers. At last, the door came in sight, and he stumbled in sheepishly.

"Sorry!" he took his place in the center of the room beside his Master," I-I lost track of . . ."

"The time?" Yoda inquired from his mini-bench near the window.

The apprentice nodded.

"Ah, yes. Enemy or friend, the time can be," Yoda nodded with an amused gaze. He seemed to be in a surprisingly good mood, but one could spend a life time trying to figure out Yoda.

"Let's make the most of it now," Mace Windu cut in, always to the point.

Master Yoda nodded approvingly," An important mission, we have for you. Solve a mystery, you must."

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon exchanged a glance.

"The Senate has contacted us concerning a world known as Mon Kefta. For centuries, it was very active in trade negotiations in the Federacy, and they were highly esteemed for their bacta resources," Mace continued," Then recently, the thriving trade with the planet dried up and all communication from them ceased. Many traveled to the planet only to find nothing of their fate."

"Vanished, they have," Yoda grunted and seemed to revert into his own thoughts.

"How could an entire planet's civilization just disappear?" Obi-Wan glanced at the various wise faces around the room.

"That is your mission objective. Find how and where they have gone. If that's achieved, try to establish trade ties with them again. You must leave as soon as possible. The Senate requested haste for lack of supplies. The sooner this gets solved, the better," Mace finished.

"May the Force be with you," Yoda added.

"As with you," Qui-Gon bowed as well as Obi-Wan.

Together, they swept out of the room with a quick pace down the hall, though a more graceful one this time. Obi-Wan dwelled on how curiously brief the meeting was. Usually, the Council made sure every vital detail was discussed. Although, it is difficult to dwell on details when there's a lack of them.

When they reached their dorms, they paused before separating.

"Meet me in an hour here. Get your survival pack ready and maybe gather some more information on this planet."

Obi-Wan nodded. Of course, he already knew all this. Reminding his Master would only waste his friend, Time.

"I know it's been said before, but I have a bad feeling about this," he added.

"As do I, Padawan. Just follow your instincts and trust the Force."

They exchanged silent nods of good-bye and departed to prepare. Who knows what dangers could lie ahead.

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~* I tried to get the classic Jude Watson beginning, so forgive me if it was brief and boring. All reviews are appreciated!