A.N.: Please do excuse my poor grammar and English and thanks for the reviews I have received. I know how readers really hate authors who keeps on pestering for reviews(readers like me), so since I had not specifically asked for them and I still got some, I am happy. (Did I detected a major grammatical error in the last sentence?)

Oh well, cut it short then. Please R&R as usual and enjoy!


Qui-Gon walked from one end of the deck to the other, calming his mind. He preferred to call it walking rather than pacing impatiently. Not that he really care at this moment.

His first planet was one called Tyvek-3. It is a peaceful planet that welcomes all kind of species from everywhere. The economy was stable and well maintained. Its landscape and surroundings were not threatening. The oxygen and food supplies were stable and are not closed to deplete. Basically, he will have to waste his precious time on this planet.

The only thing in his mind right now was getting everything done and travels to Cyril. But inspection for all these little planets was taking away that time and he felt frustrated. He let out a breath and the force took away his frustration. Frustration leads to anger, anger leads to hate and hate leads to the dark side. Being frustrated won't do him any good, since he had accepted his mission after all. If he doesn't have time to do a job properly, how can he find time to do it again?

"Master Qui-Gon Jinn," The pilot said to the co-pilot seat, "We are landing."

Qui-Gon was jerked out of his thoughts and he nodded, "Alright."

Suddenly, a familiar logo flashed at the corner of his eyes. He turned sharply. There, it was that logo. The one he was looking for. His old friend, Didi, had kindly told him of information he had got. The transport that took Obi-Wan was from Togashi Company, one of the largest trading company in the world. One of the witnesses had said that the man was wearing Royal Cyril color… He must have been working in the palace. But why would someone like that work in the trading company? Weren't all the guards hired full time? And besides, a trading company does not hire part timers. That means-

"We have landed." The pilot said a bit too fast, jerking him out of his thoughts.

"Thank you." Qui-Gon said, standing up and bowed slightly.

"My pleasure." The pilot smiled, "I will come back in-"

Suddenly, the com link of the pilot flashed and beep. The pilot excused himself and switched it on. Qui-Gon stood there, knowing that he have to wait for the pilot had not informed him of his return time yet.

"We just landed." The pilot said.

His caller said something that was too low for Qui-Gon to hear and the pilot responded, "Five hours. How long will it take you?"

"Alright. Time yours carefully. If you mess up, it is not my fault. I still get my payment, don't I?"

"Right, see you." The com clicked and the pilot placed it back by his side.

He turned apologetically to Qui-Gon, "Sorry I wasted your time. As I was saying, I will come back in five hours to pick you up. Please be on time."

"Will you wait for me if I am late for about half an hour?" Qui-Gon asked, calculating the unexpected into his time.

To his surprise, the pilot started stammering, "Well, um. I w-will. But it is the best i-if you be there on time."

Catching Qui-Gon's expression, the pilot hurriedly added, "I mean we have a…schedule, right, schedule, right? We have to time everything accurately."

Qui-Gon gave him a suspicious look but let it slide, "Thank you for informing about the time. I will do my best to be on time."

"Yes, yes." The pilot seem to be relieved to see him exit, "I will be there to pick you up."

Qui-Gon exited through the ramp and strode onto the planet surface. He turned and watched as the transport disappeared out of his sights. The pilot…Why was he so nervous when he had asked that question? Be on time? What will happen if he is late for an hour? Is the pilot trying to go someplace else? Qui-Gon thought it over and came to another conclusion, or is the pilot trying to escort him out of here as soon as possible? He shook his head. Right now, inspection is his top priority. He will just have to question the pilot later.

He turned his thoughts to the current mission. His first stop will be to inform the governor that he is here and his purpose to not alarm the citizens. After all, a Jedi striding down their street is not a common everything event in their life.

Master Yoda had prepared him a map. He clicked it open via his com link message. A red dot blinked back at him, signaling him of his current position. Tracing the map carefully, he made his way in front of a large red building that he presumed is the governor's building.

After being recognized as a Jedi, he was escorted to the governor's room by two armed guards. He inspected the interior carefully without the notice of the two guards. Just in case he needs to make a quick exit. There are only two large hallways that forms a cross. Four large rooms, for meetings and important discussions he presume, were located at the end of each hallway. Alongside the hallways were lined with rooms that can only be open with a card.

He was escorted straight down the hallway to one of the large chambers. One of the guards knocked on the door once and he heard a response muffled by the door. The guards pushed open the double door and Qui-Gon went in.

"Welcome, Jedi." The governor stood up from his desk, "To what honor do I have?"

"Routine inspection." Qui-Gon replied with a short bow.

"Ah, inspection." The governor said, smiling slightly, "We were informed of this a few days prior. May I ask your name?"

"Qui-Gon Jinn." Qui-Gon said, "And this is my p—"

Qui-Gon bit his lips. He was getting too familiar with Obi-Wan's presence by his side whenever he was on a mission. And this is my padawan. That was what he was about to say. He shook his head. Obi-Wan is not here right now but he will be on the next mission. He promise himself.

Not detecting the sudden change, the governor continued, "I am Sicruz. It is my pleasure to meet you, Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn."

"Qui-Gon is fine," Qui-Gon replied politely, "Governor Sicruz."

"Well then," Governor Sicruz eased himself back into his seat, "Will you mind explaining how your routine inspection works?"

"My pleasure," Qui-Gon said and sat down when Governor Sicruz gestured to one of the chairs, "As you know, the Jedi have alliance from across the galaxy. We cannot say that we rule the planets, but merely working with them. We provide military supports when it is a reasonable cause. You can say we are a level above a normal police force. The Jedi's main quest is to maintain peace throughout the galaxy. Because of that and the alliance, the senates assigned a few Jedi everything two or three standard years to inspect the planets within the alliance. The routine inspection consist of inspecting every planets within the alliance to check if their economy, economic system, and supplies are stable and well maintained. If not, we are to reveal the root cause and do our best to solve the problem. Usually that will not be the case."

"Is there anything I can help with that?" Governor Sicruz leaned forward, "Will you need a place to stay?"

"I am leaving in five hours if nothing went wrong." Qui-Gon smiled, "I will not be staying. But if something does went wrong, I might need to."

"I will prepare one just in case."

"Thank you for your kindness," Qui-Gon said, dipping his head slightly, "May I have another request?"

"Go ahead."

"Will you mind giving me a list of all connection to the outside your planet have made?"

"You mean trades?"

"Yes, and departing airline transports' destinations."

"I will gladly give you that." Governor Sicruz said, dismissing the matter with a hand, "It is easy. Is there anything else I can help you on?"

"No." Qui-Gon shook his head, "That will be enough."

Governor Sicruz turned to one of his holo-pads and typed in a few commands. Multiple sheets of paper were then printed out. He handed them to Qui-Gon.

"Thank you for your support." Qui-Gon took them and stood, "And your time."

"You are welcome." Governor Sicruz replied and smiled, "Welcome to Tyvek-3 and please enjoy your stay."

Once outside the building, Qui-Gon scanned the sheet. He could have asked the registration office at the hangar but he found that asking for a list might be more efficient. There seems to be nothing unstable or suspicious in the list. His eyes flickered to the word 'Togashi Trading Company'. There seems to be a pattern. Once every week on the same day and around same hour, the transport will arrive to load off their products. He took out the map again. There. The trading company is located at the very far edge of the capital. He sighed. He won't find Obi-Wan even if he goes knocking on the door. Sure, they might be from the Trading Company but that doesn't mean that they will be in this location. Obi-Wan is probably…He doesn't know. There is absolutely no hint except that Obi-Wan is on Cyril. But what if it is not true? Just something that the witness said to throw them off his track? What about the royal color?

He shook his head. Obi-Wan is not the priority right now. His priority is to inspect this planet. Even though Cyril is slightly further away among the alliance, it is still part of it. He will get to it eventually. He scroll down the list of the planets he still have to visit. Cyril is the sixth in the ten planets he was assigned.

Qui-Gon checked the time. He still have four standard hours to complete this before the pilot gets agitated. He sighed. The pilot…huh… Something really fishy is going on here.


"Where are we going?" Obi-Wan asked.

Sir Arcturus turned and gave him a look, "If I know that you are about as patient as Aaron, I wouldn't have brought you at all."

"I might accidentally destroy your castle, Sir Arcturus, if you leave me at your house." Obi-Wan smiled innocently.

"Jedi are more dangerous than a terrorist." Sir Arcturus sighed.

Obi-Wan's face felled at that. The Jedi. He thought he had cut ties with them once and for all but whenever he went, it seems that there will always be a string that drags him back. Whenever he thought of the Jedi, he felt his heart being pulled. Why is that? His hand crept toward the bracelet. Once upon a time, when he was feeling uncomfortable, his hand will always creep toward the river stone he was given. But now, it was the bracelet. The bracelet of never ending friendship and promises. The one that contained all the precious memories he had with his friends.

Noticing the sudden change of the air, Sir Arcturus hurriedly added, "I don't mean anything offensive, Obi-Wan."

"None taken." Obi-Wan smiled, "I was just…thinking about something."

"Ah." Getting his point, Sir Arcturus switched topic, "For your information, we are heading toward Tyvek-3."

"Tyvek-3?" Obi-Wan frowned, "Where is that?"

"Have you ever-" Sir Arcturus sighed, "Never mind. For your information, Tyvek-3 is one of the clients of the Togashi trading company. We are unloading there and at the same time, buying their native and unique artifacts."

"Oh." Obi-Wan said and looked out the window, "How long until we arrive?"

"If you don't stop bothering him," Mike suddenly turned around from the co-pilot seat, "You will find yourself stuffed inside a barrel and send floating into the space soon."

Obi-Wan cringed, "O-okay then."

Sir Arcturus sighed, shifting in the seat next to Obi-Wan, "Mike, if you don't stop talking, I will not pay you for the next two months."

"I will shut up, sir!" Mike said obediently and turned back around.

Obi-Wan watched as Sir Arcturus pulled out his com link and called someone. Trying not to look as if he was paying attention, he listened.

"Have you arrived?" Sir Arcturus asked.

The receiver's voice was low in volume that Obi-Wan managed to catch it perfectly, ""We just landed."

"How long are you staying?" Sir Arcturus asked, looking at the time.

"Five hours. How long will it take you?"

"Five and a half. We are cutting it quite close I am afraid. Remember to get him out at exactly five hours, alright?"

"Alright. Time yours carefully. If you mess up, it is not my fault. I still get my payment, don't I?"

"Yes, you will, old friend." Sir Arcturus chuckled.

"Right, see you." The com beeped and signaled the end of the call.

"Who was that?" Obi-Wan asked curiously, completely forget that he was supposed to act as if he was not paying attention.

"A friend." Sir Arcturus turned and smiled at him.

"Oh." Obi-Wan was uninterested and he resumed looking at the window.

There was a moment of silence then Sir Arcturus suddenly disrupted it, "Obi-Wan."

"Hmm?" Obi-Wan turned.

"Are you happy here with us?" Sir Arcturus asked.

Obi-Wan was surprised at his question, "What?"

"You heard me."

Obi-Wan glanced at Sir Arcturus. The transport was silent except for the sound of the engine in the background. Sir Arcturus, including the three guards, were waiting for his answer.

"Well, yeah." Obi-Wan said, confused, "I am happy. Why?"

"Nothing." Sir Arcturus said.

Obi-Wan noticed that he seemed to be slightly relieved by his decision. Was he afraid that Obi-Wan will run out on him? Well, not like he can go anywhere. He was lucky that someone was there to pick him up. It was pure luck and coincidence, even though he knew that there is no such thing as free. He knew that Sir Arcturus will ask him something in return someday, but right now, he will have to enjoy it to the fullest.

"Just wondering if I made the right decision, that is all." Sir Arcturus reassured him with a gentle smile.


KungfuKittyKat: I guess I read too many of those too. All of them are that Obi-Wan eventually returned to Qui-Gon. Well, I really wanted Obi-Wan to stay but Obi-Wan is a Jedi after all. So maybe I will make a small twist and make them all come together. Or something along the line. Happy endings are always the most enjoyable, right? Since there aren't really an antagonist in this story, so happy endings between all characters will be nice... :)