DISCLAIMER: Obviously I do not own any facet of the Star Wars universe or characters. All rights are owned by the great flannelled one-George Lucas. This story is merely for personal entertainment purposes.

Prologue

The old man looked to the window of his hut as the twin suns of Tatooine sank in the distance. The brilliant colors slashed across the sky, illuminating the rolling dunes of bronze sand. As evening set in, the breeze grew harsher, pulling at his robes and tousling his white hair even within the confines of his home. He rose to his full height, feeling the age in his bones, hating the weakness that crept in daily. He had always thought he would age gracefully like a fine Alderaanian wine; content and flourishing until his time came…But life had been a maelstrom for him, always turning, always changing, always being beat upon by winds of destiny.

It was the winds that reminded him this night. Howling like a krayt dragon, they were music to his ears; a symphony of the desert planet that had altered his life forever. Most times in the lonely existence he had carved out for himself, he couldn't remember the man he once was. He couldn't imagine the confidence, the arrogance that had coursed through his young veins. The sights, the sounds, the promises, the mistakes…they had all seemed so very far away for so many long years. It was only on nights like this that he allowed himself to remember. He stood at his doorway, the sand stinging his weathered skin, his faded blue eyes closed in memory.

~*~*~*~*~

There was always the noise…raucous cacophonies of bangs, whistles, engines and beings. There was always the light…brilliant, blinding, invading even sleeping eyes. Coruscant was driving Obi-Wan Kenobi slowly, painfully insane. His tired eyes flew open and on a grunt of frustration, he threw himself out of crossed legged position. Meditation was proving impossible. He wanted to blame it solely on the blasted planet but he knew there were more underlying problems to his lack of concentration. The politics was getting worse as the Separatists stoked their fire and attacks became more and more frequent. The Holonet had constant death tolls and arrest warrants, parading 24 hours a day its grim news. Worse he had found himself delved much too deeply into political affairs.

General, they called him now. The name made him cringe with disgust, a horrible title that lead to images of warfare and everything a Jedi was supposed to stand against. These were strange times for the Jedi though…especially his Jedi. He hardly knew Anakin anymore; everything about his padawan had become cold, domineering and resentful. The ice shards in Anakin's eyes never ceased unless he was speaking of Palpatine or they were resting upon Senator Amidala. The anguish about his apprentice churned inside Obi-Wan's gut until he could hardly stand it. He tore from his room at a pace sure to be deemed unseemly for a man at his stature but he didn't care less. His slippered feet pounded upon the floor of the Temple as he dodged small students and revered masters. The voices in his head were relentless, filled with worries and duties and…

"Obi-Wan, I presume you have a reason for disturbing the peace of the students?"

Obi-Wan skidded to a stop, hurting his heels in the effort to avoid crashing into Master Mace Windu. Mace glared at him disapprovingly, taking in his disheveled appearance and wild eyes.

"Well, what exactly has you in such disarray?"

Inwardly Obi-Wan grimaced in embarrassment, flushing to the roots of his ginger-brown hair. He forced his characteristic composure back into his veins and smiled weakly, trying to conjure up a good motive.

"Well Master Windu, I was just in a hurry to the gardens…eager to exercise my atrophying muscles, you know. All these new obligations don't leave very many opportunities for training. Can't let a chance one pass me by."

"While I'm not so eager to believe you, I am glad you nearly ran headlong into me."

The forced brightness of Obi-Wan's smile dimmed noticeably. Another task, another menial thing to worry about when there was much bigger items at hand. He didn't even have the heart to ask what it was-he just dropped his head and awaited the bad news.

"Anakin is away, correct?"

The question startled him, stirring up that dark, suspicious corner of mind that had begun to engulf his thoughts on Anakin. He answered slowly, with caution,

"Yes, of course. I sent him on an accompanying mission to Corellia. He's merely gone for a week or so to protect the diplomats from extremists so often found on that dastardly planet." He uttered the word diplomats with a sneer, his disgust for politicians evident. "Why? Does this have to do with Anakin? Shall I ask him to return?"

"No, no need. It is probably for the best that he is already occupied. The Council does not wish him to aid in this…mission of sorts. We fear his personal interests would interfere and complicate. You, on the other hand, my friend, shall do fine."

"But my duties, Mace, have you cleared this mission with the government? As a general now, I am granted leave rarely and it-'

"Obi-Wan, don't be fooled. You are still a Jedi foremost and the wishes of the Council will not be bent to the whims of government. If we desire your assistance, the needs of the Republic become obsolete. Is that clear?"

Obi-Wan balked silently, shocked at hearing a reprimanding tone he hadn't heard since being Qui-Gon's padawan. He kept his eyes trained to the floor, struggling to keep his pride in check.

"Of course, Master Windu, I agree totally. What am I needed to do?"

"It is well-known that you have often been in charge of Senator Amidala's safety and that she trusts you and your apprentice as friends. She needs to be escorted off planet to a peaceful location out of harm's way."

"By the Force, what has the girl gotten herself into now? She's more trouble than a farm boy in Mos Eisley. Why don't we permanently hire Jedi to guard her night and day?"

"Your attitude disturbs me, Obi-Wan, although the Council is very aware of your concern. We know full well that the friendship between the Senator and Anakin has progressed to an improper level and that is precisely why we didn't want him included. The Senator has received multiple threats lately and while this is nothing out of the ordinary, they have been getting dangerously close. We fear her safety will be breached soon and we must relocate her immediately."

"Well I'm not in any place to refuse, am I? Has she been informed I'm the one transporting her?" Obi-Wan couldn't hide the unhappiness from his face however. While he enjoyed Amidala's company, there was no changing the fact she was a politician and not to be trusted. The matter with her and Anakin was too troublesome to waste any thoughts on right now especially with Mace Windu noting his every blink.

"On the contrary, she hasn't even been told she's being moved." A grin stretched across the Jedi master's face. "But I'm sure you can handle the Senator. Can't you, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan swallowed and answered without conviction,

"Of course, Master, she'll be no problem at all. When shall we depart?"

"As soon as possible. You and the Senator will leave for the safe-haven as soon as she is ready. And I'm sure you will be able to judge when she is ready." The teasing tone was unmistakable. "Oh and Obi-Wan, you'll say nothing to Anakin. Is that clear?"

It struck him as serious then. He was not the only one who was beginning to doubt Anakin and somehow that frightened him. He nodded absently to Mace, his mind full of turmoil, all the thoughts that had been haunting him rushing back full-force. And now as if matters weren't horrible enough, he had been ordered to take the highbrow, remote Senator Amidala against her will. He sighed. All in all, it was turning out to be a rather unfavorable day.