Author's Note: Good day, fellow fans. I suppose you recall I'm the person who wrote 'The Unbroken,' and are probably wondering why I had to take it down. I cannot state the reasons right now, but I wish I didn't have to. And before you speculate, no I wasn't stealing.

Star Wars © Lucas.

Chapter 1

Obi-wan frowned at the data pad in front of him and scratched his brow in utter confusion. Interstellar Mechanics is hard, he mused, blinking quickly to keep his mind focused on the material at hand. The physique of ships was interesting, though he had no desire to fly them, yet he found himself slogging his downloaded textbook trying to get his paper ready for his teacher in two weeks. Obi-wan had desperately wished he could've put the paper off, but Qui-gon practically forced him to begin his research and start writing it the day it was assigned.

"Just in case we have a mission, Padawan. I don't want you getting caught up in it and forgetting about your paper," his Master had told him with a slight smile, as though he did fancy being in the same plight.

"Yes, Master," he automatically intoned, but less enthusiastically than usual. And now he found he only had one paragraph, and had one more source to cite before he was done. Then he wouldn't have to worry two weeks. My Master will never let me live it down that I had argued with him.

With a quick burst of typing into his screen he whooped when he added the last paragraph just as the door opened behind him. The pulse in the force let him know it was his Master, as he expected, and he turned around to grin at the big man who stepped through. "You're finished with your paper?"

"Yes, Master, I'm done."

"Oh good, you can hand it to Master Ponto right now. The Council has called us up for a briefing," Qui-gon said with a look that said 'I told you we'd get a mission.'

Qui-gon would definitely never let him live it down. He grimaced then accepted his defeat with a nod. Obi-wan got up and stepped into the fresher to wash his face, and grabbed his robe as he was heading out. Several moments later found the pair waiting respectfully outside the Council doors with their hands hidden in their sleeves as they waited patiently to be summoned.

"Master, do you have any idea where we're supposed to go this time?" Obi-wan asked to help bide the time. Patience had always been his worst subject.

You must learn anyway, Padawan, Obi-wan heard Qui-gon say to him and he smiled ruefully, trying to imagine the day he will learn it. Qui-gon then answered him, "We are negotiators, Padawan. We are being sent either to protect or help negotiate, but hopefully it won't end with you in the Healing Bay."

"Yes, Master, I hope so too. I do not like bacta," the apprentice laughed before smoothing his face into something more serene as an aide came out.

"Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi, the Council will see you know," the blue skinned alien said as she smiled at them kindly enough.

Upon walking in the pair bowed as was per the ritual, and the Council acknowledged them. "Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi," a dark skinned Master named Mace Windu said.

Yoda, the shortest and oldest of them all, watched them with glittering eyes then said, "A mission for you we have. To Phiranus you will be sent."

"Phiranus is in the Bale system just on the edge of the inner rim. Its government is a triumvirate, but its real power lies in the General who commands all the forces of the planet," Mace continued the vein as he studied the pair intently.

Obi-wan had to struggle to keep his composure under the intense scrutiny, which made him feel guilty for an unknown offense. Qui-gon remained unperturbed by this and said, "So is the General trying to oust the Triumvirate?"

"Remarkably enough it's the people that appear unstable. The General pleaded his case to the Senate, and we have been asked to see if the people truly are the problem, or if this General is striving to create an empire. You are to report to us once you have seen the planet, and then we will give you orders from there," Mace finished.

"May the force be with you," Yoda dismissed with the only sentence he did not say in his own strange way.

"And with you," Qui-gon replied, then both Jedi bowed out once more.

Once they were outside the corridor Obi-wan commented to Qui-gon, "Master, what are the chances that the General is right in this case? Most only seem motivated by greed and power."

"Ah, but that is most Generals. Not all of them, if that many. I wouldn't speculate so soon, but save it when we get there. I have no doubt enough will be happening to make us wonder if either side could be in the right. Be on your guard."

"Yes, Master," Obi-wan said once more, and he stayed quiet while they stopped to pick up their pressure bags and were once again this time headed toward the platform. The warm atmosphere of the Temple immediately changed to a seemingly harsher and busier air once outside of the peaceful walls. And there waiting for them on the platform was a small Veritin Cruiser, which was used to carry small cargo. Leaning against the ship was a human pilot no taller than Obi-wan with his head resting on his chest, appearing to be in a doze, but when the Jedi were hardly ten meters away he stood up and looked them both in the eye.

"Jedi Master…?" The dark brown haired pilot peered at them without fear, but curiosity, and his gray eyes seemed to have assessed them on the spot as he looked them up and down. His neatly brushed hair and the blue flight suit he was wearing gave him the clean cut appearance of a soldier, which Obi-wan then believed he was.

"Qui-gon Jinn. And this is my Padawan Obi-wan Kenobi," the Jedi Master said who took the proffered hand then gestured to his pupil. Obi-wan could not retain a small smile from creeping over his face when the man took his hand and gave it a strong shake. He was not one lacking in strength.

"I'm Kail Voron of the 2nd Division Phiranus Navy, and I will be your pilot for the duration of the trip. Shall we get on?" He did not wait for their answer before he was striding up the ramp, leaving them to follow. "Please fasten your straps at this time and we will be on our way."

"How long is the flight?" Obi-wan said as he tightened his straps.

"Just barely a day in space," Kail shouted back matter-of-factly before taking the controls and firing up the thrusters. In a matter of minutes the three were in hyperspace to Phiranus.