Disclaimer: I don't own SW. But I do own the series. However, that doesn't mean I own the copyright. Verdammt noch mal.
The ship pulled out of hyperspace, slowing down as it arrived at the coordinates for the grand galactic capital, Coruscant. The city planet, run by a Sith, but not that anyone would know that. Kacia loved the anonymity of it. One could create the worst kind of mischief, and no one else was any the wiser. Perhaps that was why her master had chosen this spot to scheme his Galactic Empire into being.
She entered the atmosphere, heading for the industrial sector of the planet – for there she was instructed to meet His Lordship. Her ship landed in the inconspicuous hangar bay with ease, the engine shutting down just as a cloaked figure stepped out of the shadows of the hanger.
"Stay here." she instructed her only companion, who happened to be Pieu – the only survivor of their little problem back on Ergon. He nodded his acknowledgement, and she walked out of the ship, approaching the hooded figure and bowed "Lord Sidious" she greeted with all expected humility before his greatness.
"Kacia, I heard what happened on Ergon. Did you get the bill?" he asked with no emotion in his voice whatsoever.
She sighed, "I got him to sign, but somebody got in the holoroom, taking the bill from the transmission before it was sent." she said, reaching into her cloak, "I did, however, get a copy made before I went to send it." she handed him a small device.
He activated the device, which showed him a copy of the bill, he smiled. "You have done well enough. It will not do as well because it is a copy, but I can say that the original was destroyed leaving me no other choice but to resort to this. Perhaps I will say that it was intercepted, I think that will work much better. More believable even." he said, already plotting how he was going to work out a way to get around the technicalities. "But I am proud of you, my daughter."
"Thank you, Father. But tell me, what am I to do about Senator Peregrine?" she asked as she arose to her full height and began walking down the hangar bay at his side.
"Do nothing, he is not our concern right now. We have what we want, he will be useless in the Senate now – no one will trust him." Sidious replied, satisfaction laced into his every word, "But you had something to say regarding his daughter?" he asked, already knowing the thoughts of the young woman beside him.
"Yes, perhaps we can use her to our advantage. She would be a marvelous asset as she grows. Not to mention it would cause for her father to be further discredited as a well-grounded man, if his daughter were to join us." Kacia suggested.
Sidious considered this, "Perhaps, it might do well to keep an eye on her. She is shrewd, however, even for her age. I have dealt with her from time to time, she is not very trusting of me, I have felt it. Perhaps you can work with her? Consider it as your mission for the next few years" he said.
"Few years?" Kacia repeated, "Do you really think that I can get her to trust me more?"
"Of course you can, my daughter," Sidious assured, "Being a woman will help you, she would not be able to help herself." The dark lord insisted, assured of his own wisdom.
"Thank you, My Lord, I shall do as you command." she replied humbly.
"Speaking of helping oneself," Sidious continued, "I heard that Anakin Skywalker was one of the rescuers of our favorite Senator."
Kacia growled softly, "Yes, it seems that he keeps ruining our plans. It was all I could do not to kill him while he was in my possession, I knew he was going to get out. It was inevitable" she said with obvious venom.
"He is very good at such a young age, that is why I want him to be my apprentice." her father replied, "He will be an exceptional Sith. With him once more the Sith will rule the galaxy, and peace will reign once more!"
"Do you think that the prophesies are truth, do you think he really is the 'Chosen One'?" Kacia inquired, slight disbelief obvious in her words.
"Yes, I do. Which is why I have chosen him, he does not know his capabilities. He will more powerful than any Jedi or Sith in all of history. Of this I am sure." Sidious answered resolutely, "Now, my dear, you must return to Naboo before you are missed. Your double will only cover for you for so long. While I must return to the senate before anyone suspects that I was gone." he said.
"What do I do with Pieu?" she asked, Sidious chuckled.
"Leave him here, I will deal with him." he replied, she bowed once more and went to her ship. Once Pieu was out of the ship she lifted from the ground, an left the hangar bay. "My dear friend, come here" Sidious called out.
The man approached the Chancellor, worrying just what the old man had in store.
Back on Ergon, the Jedi were spending their last day on the beautiful planet. Their mission was complete. The Senator was, no doubt, no longer in danger, as it was discovered by the senate that he signed the bill. Skandar had indeed gotten the original, but it was discovered after that: a copy had been created.
Qui-Gon had gotten instructions from the Council personally a few days later 'You are ordered to handle a revolt on Anstares VI. Knight Kenobi shall return to Coruscant, we have a separate mission for him' Master Windu had said. Qui-Gon agreed, and announced that they would leave the following day. Leiana was saddened by the soon-to-be departure of her new friend; Ozara was feeling very much the same. Leiana spent her day with Obi-Wan, just talking. She would indeed miss him - she would miss him dearly. Her sensibilities hoped that she'd see him again soon, while her sensibleness argued that she needed to be more logical and realistic. He was a Jedi after all, and she was a senator's daughter.
Obi-Wan was nervous just being in her presence, now fully aware of her feelings for him – he'd have to be careful. He was almost grateful for his next mission, whatever it may be, at least he wouldn't have to ponder on how fond he'd grown of her.
"Tell me, what do you think you're going to do after this?" she asked inquiringly.
"I hope they make me a master, but there's no promise of that. I'll probably be sent on some mission which is ridiculously easy, something like reconnaissance in the Outer Rim" he said.
"Is that so bad?" she inquired.
He looked at her, "The Outer Rim planets are much more hostile than those which are in the Republic. Places like Tatooine," he answered, he knew just what kind of people were on these planets - from personal experience.
"I don't think it will be long before they make you a master," she declared encouragingly, "I'm sure that you'll be a very good one" he looked at her and smiled.
"I'm glad you think so, Miss Peregrine, Anakin shares your opinion." he said, a small laugh escaping him.
"Which must mean that there is something to it." she said, finishing her work in her hands. "There you are!" she held it up for him to inspect, "Good as new. You didn't think I'd be able to mend your Jedi robes did you?" She asked obviously pleased with herself.
"Did I say that? I don't think so, I think I said you wouldn't be able to do it in the amount of time that was left to do it in." he replied.
"Never underestimate a Peregrine, Master Jedi. We more often than not do things unexpected for the greater good." she told him matter-of-factually.
He smiled, "I'll remember that" he responded, putting the robe on.
"Obi-Wan?" she said, getting his attention, he looked at her: "Don't go dying while you're on your missions."
"I can't promise that" Obi-Wan said, "But I assure you, I'll try my best not to."
"Good enough" she replied with a slight smile, moving her topic to something else. Her mind was a little disturbed, her worry for his safety was great.
But Ozara's childish mind seemed more likely to think well than that of her teenager sister.
Ozara took Anakin out to the Narrows, wanting to have their final day be as pleasant as possible. They spoke of various things, ranging from what had happened a few days previous, to his next mission, to Skandar's sudden turn in their favor.
"I was surprised" she said, "I didn't expect to see him, even though I wanted to."
"Did you miss him?" Anakin asked tentatively, she chuckled.
"In a way, but I had you so I wasn't too concerned. But now we'll be able to be friends once more. Do you think you'll be on Anstares VI long?" she asked.
Anakin shrugged, "Perhaps. Who knows. It might just be a wild Bantha chase." he said, toying with the grass around them.
"I hope they don't make things too hard on you, this wasn't exactly the easiest mission. Was it?" she asked, looking over at him.
He chuckled, "Being with you? It was the hardest thing I've ever done, being on Deko Neimoidia wasn't half as bad. You're as stubborn as a Tauntaun." he teased, she slapped him on the arm in a good-natured manner, a smile on her face.
"I'm sorry, Skywalker, that I was such a burden. You must be looking forward to leaving and going back to domesticated civilization. Give my love to all your demure females of Coruscant – if they are indeed demure." she teased back, sarcasm practically pouring from her every word. She then reaching into her pocket and taking something out.
"What's that?" Anakin asked, she looked at him with nervous eyes.
"A going away present." she replied, opening her hand, inside was a charm on a leather band. A circle ending in two hands, a heart in the middle, and a crown resting on top joining it all together. Anakin recognized it, and noticed the chain which normally hung from her neck was missing.
"This is yours" he pointed out, with slight bewilderment as to why she would give him something so personal.
"Yes, I didn't think that anything else would mean as much. So I had it put on this leather, chain-like thing. I thought that it would be safer with you that way." she said, slipping it over his head. "So that you won't forget me." she told him with the warmest of smiles on her face.
He picked it up, "I don't need this to remember you. You've given me plenty to remember, what with your stubborn, hardheadedness; coupled with your quick wit and rather strange sense of humor" he replied, looking at it. "What does it mean?" he asked.
"Love, loyalty and friendship. The hands mean friendship, the crown loyalty, and the heart love." she answered, pointing at each.
Anakin suddenly remembered a similar keepsake, made from a japor snippet. Funny how things never change between people, they all have the same ideas when it comes to goodbyes. "Thank you, Zar." he said in all earnestly, placing the necklace underneath his robes, "To keep it safe" he explained. Ozara smiled in understanding.
They stayed out only for a few more hours, then returned to the house.
The next morning the whole group was gathered outside to say goodbye to the Jedi. Even Skandar accompanied the Peregrines in their farewells. The two boys had created a strange relationship since, what they had affectionately called, 'the Tunnel Incident'. They had decided to get along for Ozara's sake. That, and Qui-Gon had ordered that they got along ever since he found out what had really happened to Anakin's face two weeks previous.
"Take care, Skywalker." Skandar said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You too Solo," Anakin replied, "Take care of her" he said sternly, motioning toward Ozara.
"I will" Skandar replied.
"I mean it Solo, if I find out that you haven't been a good friend to Ozara – you will be Bantha dung." Anakin warned, rather darkly one might say.
"I take your threat seriously" Skandar replied, "I won't hurt her" - little did they know that later in life this conversation would be repeated, under different circumstances.
"You better" Anakin turned to Ozara who came up to say goodbye.
"Don't get yourself killed, Anakin." she ordered him softly.
"I won't, Zar. I promise" she smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
The group left, the Jedi taking a transport to the landing platform that they had arrived on. The Peregrine's waved goodbye until they were out of sight. Anakin looked back, wondering when the last time they would see them would be.
"Soon, padawan. No doubt, it will happen soon" Qui-Gon told him, reading his mind. The boy smiled, beginning to ask his questions about their next mission.
