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Chapter 1- The Message

The life slowly rose up to the top apartment. Obi-wan was fidgeting with his tabards. Sasha, his 20-year-old padawan, raised an eyebrow.

"I don't think I have ever seen you fidget this much," Sasha said. "You're making me be on edge."

"Sorry," the Jedi Master said stopping his movements. "I just hate parties. Especially my own birthday."

"It wasn't my idea," Sasha said.

"Yes, I know. It was Taren's, but he did contact you about it," Obi-wan stated.

"And I told him that you don't do parties, but he was insistent. He says he has a big surprise that you can't miss."

"And I hate surprises," he said.

"Look, I wish I knew what it was too, but we are just gonna have to wait and see," Sasha said. "And after we know the surprise, you are welcome to leave."

"I might just do that," Obi-wan said as the lift came to a stop.

The doors opened and the sound of the crowd was loud and clear. They stepped off the lift into Padme's apartment. She was kind enough to host this gathering. They rounded the corner into the living room to see a crowd of Obi-wan's closest friends. Bail Organa was sitting and chatting with Anakin on the couches. Ahsoka was mingling with Bant. Taren was laughing with Padme as she took another drink off the tray that C-3PO walked around with. Jac and Cayden were talking on the balcony with Garen, an old friend Obi-wan hasn't seen in a long time.

"Look who finally showed up," Taren said as he spotted his brother.

All eyes darted to Obi-wan and Sasha.

"Hey!" Everyone cheered as they came over to hug or hand shake the birthday boy.

"Is he finally here?" a soft feminine voice asked.

The crowd parted to reveal the big surprise and it wasn't Duchess Satine Kryze that was the surprise. The actual surprise was Halla, Taren's wife, and her large swollen belly. Halla was pregnant.

"Surprise," Taren said as he wrapped an arm around Obi-wan. "You're going to be an uncle."

Obi-wan and Sasha shared the same shocked facial expressions. Sasha was the first to react. She squeed and ran over to hug Halla.

"Congrats!' Sasha said. "How far along are you?"

"8 months and 2 days," Halla said with a smile.

That snapped Obi-wan out of it and looked to Taren. He smiled at his brother.

"Congrats, Taren," Obi-wan said. "I'm happy for you."

"Thanks," Taren said. "Since you wouldn't let us have a birthday party for you, we decided to have a baby shower for Halla slash birthday party for you."

Obi-wan laughed. It almost seemed forced, but it was geuinue.

"Well then, I guess we should celebrate,' Obi-wan said still not up for a party.

"Now you're speaking my kind of language," Jac said as he raised his drink.

"Aye," Garen said as clinked glasses together.

"And who invited this scruffy looking nerf herder?" Obi-wan asked narrowing his eyes at Garen.

Garen smiled. "Anakin did. And it's good to see you too old man."

The two friends shared a hug.

"Now let's get you a drink," Garen said as he gestured for Threepio to come over.

"You know I don't drink, Garen," Obi-wan with a disapproving tone.

"Oh, don't worry you big sissy," Garen said. "It's just juice. No alcohol in it."

Threepio waddled over and Garen snatched a glass off the tray.

"Thank you," Garen said then handed the drink to Obi-wan.

"I still don't believe you," Obi-wan said as he sipped the drink. It was juice. "But you are right this time."

Garen smiled and went to grab some food. Obi-wan made his way over to his padawan, Halla, and Satine.

"Duchess," Obi-wan said with a slight bow of his head.

"Master Kenobi," Satine said as she smiled at him. "How have you been?"

"I have been good. Thank you for asking," Obi-wan said. "How about you?"

"Good," she said.

Obi-wan looked over to Halla.

"Congrats by the way," he said.

Halla smiled. "Thank you, Obi-wan. I'm sorry we didn't tell you sooner. We know you have been busy with the war and we didn't want to burden you with the news."

"Halla, you are family," Obi-wan said. "It wouldn't have been a burden."

Halla smiled then heard her name being called from across the room.

"Excuse me," Halla said as she made her way to the other side of the room to her husband.

The party continued to go on for a few hours. There was plenty of food, gifts for both Halla and Obi-wan, and fun. At one point, the lift opened and a service droid walked in. Threepio walked up to greet the droid.

"Hello. Can I help you?" Threepio asked.

"A letter delivery for a Taren Ken," the droid said.

Taren turned at that name. He walked over to the droid.

"I am sorry, but there is no one…" Threepio was cut off.

"That's for me," Taren said. "You can return to the party."

Threepio bowed his head and returned to the party. Taren took the data pad from the droid.

"Thanks," Taren said.

The droid left. Taren returned to the party with the letter at hand.

"Babe, what is it?" Halla asked.

"A letter arrived for me," Taren said. "Under my undercover name."

The party seemed to have overhear what he said. They all gathered. Taren sat down and started to read the letter.

"What does it say?" Anakin asked.

"It's a Happy Birthday wish from an Aunt Ava for you, Obi-wan," Taren said confused.

"Let me see," Obi-wan asked.

Obi-wan grabbed the data pad and looked at the letter. Anakin read it over his shoulder.

"There is something wrong with this letter," Anakin commented.

"Wrong?" Padme asked.

"Yeah, anyone who has written a code knows how to hide a message without being seen unless by someone who can write it themselves," Anakin babbled.

"Are you saying that that the message is a fake?" Ahsoka asked.

"Maybe," Anakin said. "Hand me the data pad."

Obi-wan obligated and handed over the data pad. Anakin typed away furiously at the data pad. A few moments later, the letter changed. Anakin had de-coded it.

"Who ever wrote this is a master of code," Anakin complimented as he handed the data pad back to Obi-wan.

"What does it say now?" Bail Organa asked.

Obi-wan read aloud:

'This letter is for Jedi Master Obi-wan Kenobi.

My name is Ava and I'm an old woman who lives on Stew-Jon. Since the war has begun, our planet has fallen under turmoil. A horrid man has taken over the planet. He has put hard restrictions and rules on everything. Curfews. Mail. Police. Visitors. Travel. And more recently news. We have been completely cut off from the war. We have no idea what is even going on outside our atmosphere.

The only thing helping our planet survive is this crazed mans connection with the Separatists. They are aiding the planet, but it's not enough. People are starving, dying, and being forced to work to aid the Separatists just to eat. Stew-Jon is falling apart at the seams.

I am sending you this letter as a call for help. And if you are reading this, it means that you broke my code that I placed on the letter. It was the only way to get it past the mail security that he has set. Please Master Kenobi, come and aid our planet! We are desperate and we will not survive much longer without your aid. However, if you do come to my planet's aid, you need to be undercover. If you have to, use the cover that you are my family planning to visit me on my birthday or yours or whatever you come up with. Send me a coded letter if you can come.

Please. Come and aid us! We need your help.

Ava'

Obi-wan lowered the letter. He clenched his teeth.

"Party's over," Obi-wan said. "I need to get this to the council."

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