The blue tunnel of hyperspace, much resembling a tunnel of crumpled foil, streaked by at a dizzying pace. The cockpit of the crescent-moon shaped T-6 Shuttle was quiet. Obi-Wan had headed aft to use the head and Artoo was recharging elsewhere, leaving Anakin alone. He wore a distant frown as he surveyed the unfamiliar control panel. He missed the Twilight.

Anakin would have much preferred being aboard the salvaged Corellian light freighter than this unarmed boomerang. He had discovered all her quirks and had grown rather attached to the oversized bucket of rust. If only she it had not been destroyed in the Battle of Sundari...but then, even flying this thing would have been better with Ahsoka acting as copilot. After more than two years he and she had become a team. Now half of that team was gone forever.

It was still an odd feeling sitting behind the controls of any ship without his sarcastic-but-skilled Padawan at his side. Anakin could understand Obi-Wan's feelings about a former student leaving the Order. Even now, Anakin had no idea how he would feel if he ever saw Ahsoka again...or how she would feel seeing him again. His hope was that she had found peace...wherever she had ended up. I failed her, he thought distantly. Perhaps if I'd been a better master, she would have stayed...

The returning throb to his injured knee interrupted Anakin's wandering thoughts and he grimaced, reaching into his pocket for the other bottle of high-strength painkillers he had picked up at home before leaving. He had not had a chance to take any more since leaving home and might not get another chance until Obi-Wan was asleep. After a furtive glance around, he dug a water bulb out of his bag, dumped a couple of pills into his hand, and popped them into his mouth, chasing with a large gulp of water. He sighed and sat back to wait for the medication to kick in. No sooner had the young man hidden the bottle of pills than he sensed his old master returning. Poo-doo. Anakin fumbled with and nearly dropped the bottle as he stuffed it back into his pocket just as the cockpit door slid open.

Obi-Wan entered without fanfare and eased back into the copilot's seat with a sigh. He had only to glance at his former Padawan to know something was troubling him. "Anakin?"

Anakin flinched and sat up a little straighter. "Hm? Did you want something?"

Obi-Wan knit his brows. "You seem distracted. Missing her already?"

He means Padme. Anakin frowned and raised a challenging eyebrow. "She's my wife. Of course I miss her."

The older Jedi nodded. "No need to be defensive. I had a feeling you did."

"Well, if you knew the answer, then why did you ask the question?" grumbled Anakin.

"You seem troubled, Anakin, and we've hardly even left the system," Obi-Wan pointed out, lifting his brows.

"She's pregnant," said Anakin, as if that would explain everything. "I worry about her."

"No need. Padme is healthy, isn't she?"

"Yes, but-"

"Then why worry?"

Anakin blew out a harsh breath through his nose, glaring. "You've never been married...or had children. There's no way you could understand."

Obi-Wan flinched. He waited a long while before shaking his head. "I have had very close relationships that were close to family. Qui-Gon was like a father to me...and you...it was almost a father-son relationship, especially when you were a little boy...but no. I have never had a family of my own. But perhaps you could help me to understand. What troubles you, Anakin?"

Anakin opened his mouth, hesitated, and let it close.

That was enough for Obi-Wan to lift his eyebrows. "You're still having nightmares, aren't you?"

Anakin glared...but only for a minute. That was enough.

Obi-Wan sighed. "I can imagine, after the dream about your mother came true, that it must be frightening. But most dreams are just that...dreams."

"They keep coming," insisted Anakin, gritting his teeth and blinking his eyes. "There's nothing anyone can do to stop them."

"Have you asked for help?" Obi-Wan wanted to know.

The conversation with Yoda returned to Anakin, making him wince. "Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose." But that was impossible. If Anakin let go of Padme, he would lose her forever. He left the question unanswered. My only chance of saving Padme is gone. All I can do now is be with her...so why am I here? Anakin turned away.

"She'll be all right, Anakin." Obi-Wan said with a quiet smile. "I have no doubt."

How can he be so confident? Wanting to change the subject, Anakin fiddled with a couple of non-essential controls. "How long should this mission take?" he wanted to know.

Obi-Wan shrugged and let it slide. "I can't say...but the Kaminoans have always been very accommodating in the past and their equipment is among the most advanced in the galaxy. I see it taking no more than a few days."

Anakin grunted in satisfaction. "Good."

Silence returned to the cockpit. Obi-Wan, curious, glanced at Anakin's belt and frowned. He doesn't have his lightsaber? "Have you forgotten something?"

Anakin shook his head and double-checked the controls. "I didn't forget it. I left it at home."

"Why?" Obi-Wan asked quietly.

"I'm not a Jedi anymore, remember?" Anakin frowned but did not look at Obi-Wan.

"That was your choice. However, it is not as though it is illegal for a civilian to own or use a lightsaber."

"Carrying or using one marks me as a Jedi. I don't want to give the wrong impression."

"I can appreciate your wish for honesty. But venturing into a potentially hazardous situation without a weapon could be construed as foolish."

Anakin turned back to his friend easily. "I have the Force."

Obi-Wan pursed his lips. "The Force is not a weapon, Anakin. Using it as such is risky...and aren't you setting a bit of a double standard? Force powers such as telekinesis and mind tricks aren't exactly discreet."

Anakin's mouth twitched into a ghost of his famous mischievous grin. "They are if no one knows it's me."

Obi-Wan blinked, then fought the impulse to smile back. He's being cheeky again. "Oh. Is that why you haven't shaved?"

Anakin frowned and rubbed the short stubble on his chin. "I'm growing a beard," he said defensively.

Obi-Wan crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, clearly amused. "Well, I wouldn't call two weeks' worth of stubble a beard."

Anakin flinched. "Two? I haven't shaved since leaving Coruscant."

The grin Obi-Wan had been fighting finally rose to the surface. "You've been trying to grow a beard for seven weeks?"

Anakin crossed his own arms. "I'm not trying. I am. I thought Jedi didn't believe in the word 'try'."

Obi-Wan's grin transformed into a chuckle. "In your case, I believe even Master Yoda would make an exception."

Anakin lifted an eyebrow. "So says the man who only wears a beard because he doesn't want to shave."

Obi-Wan was unmoved. "And what does Padme think of this foray into facial hair?"

The younger man grimaced. "She thinks I should shave."

Finally Obi-Wan let out a hearty chuckle. He had missed this silly banter. "It's good to have you back, Anakin."

"Back where? I'm only doing this to help out a friend. That's all."

"I meant the laughter. For a while even your smile had disappeared."

"I didn't have much to laugh about," admitted Anakin. I still don't. My wife is going to die in less than a month... He managed another smile, mostly for Obi-Wan's benefit. "Thank you."

Obi-Wan smiled back. "You're welcome." He surveyed the controls, double-checked the coordinates, and leaned back casually in the copilot's seat before glancing at Anakin. "Oh. Anakin...pardon me, but...hasn't your leg healed?"

Anakin flushed for a moment in embarrassment, then lifted his chin. "Of course it has," he lied.

The Jedi pursed his lips. "Oh? Then why have you been limping?"

Anakin's mind scrambled to think of a likely answer. "It was a little stiff, that's all. Nothing to worry about."

Clearly Obi-Wan didn't believe him. He threw a pointed glance at Anakin's leg and sighed. "I see."

What does he want? Why does he keep staring at me? Annoyed, Anakin groaned and rose from his chair. He tested his right leg and was pleased to see the painkillers had kicked in. The young man squatted, rose, and hopped twice on his bad foot. "There. You satisfied?"

A bewildered, embarrassed smile rose on Obi-Wan's face. "Oh. I stand corrected."

Anakin took his seat and shook his head. "Now who's worrying too much?"

Obi-Wan chuckled lightly. "Guilty as charged. Well, in that case, I am very happy you've recovered." With that, he turned back to the controls.

《-v-》 《-v-》 《-v-》

The jump from Naboo to Kamino was a good eight hours using established hyperspace lanes. Obi-Wan had tried to keep up a conversation with Anakin, but in time began to yawn.

Obi-Wan had not slept since his initial arrival on Boz Pity. From there, to Coruscant, to Naboo, he had not had time to catch so much as a catnap. And so, with an apologetic wave, he headed aft. He ended up sleeping for most of the voyage and did not awaken until after the reversion alarm went off. Drowsily he went forward to help Anakin bring the ship out of hyperspace.

Tipoca City had not changed much in the year since the Battle of Kamino. The only visible difference was that nearly all of the battle-scarring was gone. Apparently the Kaminoans were as skilled at assembling buildings as they were at assembling strands of DNA.

Anakin and Obi-Wan were granted clearance to land without any problems and headed for the West platform. They and Artoo emerged under surprisingly quiet skies. Yellow rays of light shone through scattered clouds. It was an odd thing to see on the watery world.

Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows and gave the sky a cautious look. "Ah. So this planet does have a sun," he said sarcastically. "I was beginning to wonder."

Anakin followed his friends' gaze and smirked. "I see you still have your dry sense of humor."

Obi-Wan shrugged. "Well, better to have a dry sense of humor than be all wet." He paused, then smiled.

Anakin groaned at the pun and waited for Artoo to catch up to them before striding forward. "Now I wish it was raining. Maybe it would drown your bad jokes."

Obi-Wan chuckled. "Yours are no better."

"Padme laughs at them."

"I'm afraid she's a bit biased."

Anakin paused, frowning. Obi-Wan had a point. Padme could well have been laughing at them because she loved him. The thought made him miss her all the more. The sooner we finish, the sooner I can go home. "Well, come on. Let's see what kind of trouble we can get ourselves into."

"Trouble? I hope not." The Jedi cringed as he and Anakin crossed the expanse between ship and entrance. "We have enough already."

《-v-》 《-v-》 《-v-》

In stark contrast to the weather outside, which was often dark and gloomy, Tipoca City seemed to be a place of light. The brilliant whiteness of everything from floor to ceiling was almost blinding. Even Obi-Wan had forgotten how bright it could be and found himself squinting until his eyes had adjusted.

The trio of humans and droid were met at the entrance by a new Kaminoan neither of them had seen before. She introduced herself as Salu Ni and promised to show them directly to the Prime Minister. Thanks to a heads-up from the Council, they were expected. Anakin was impressed with the door; a set of three shell-like sections with a pearlescent finish that opened in almost a spiral pattern.

Lama Su, tall and willowy with a thin mohawk atop his silvery-blue head, rose from his spoon-inspired seat and spread his long arms in welcome. "Master Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi. It is a pleasure to see you again."

Obi-Wan bowed respectfully to the Prime Minister. "Pleasure to see you as well, Prime Minister."

Lama Su turned to Anakin. "Master Jedi Anakin Skywalker. Welcome back to Tipoca City. I must say, this is a pleasant surprise. The Jedi council spoke as if there would be only one Jedi coming."

Anakin cringed. Not again. Apparently the stubble and the civilian clothes weren't doing a very good job of concealing his identity. "There is...I'm no longer a Jedi."

Lama Su blinked his great eyes in startled amazement. "Oh. Indeed? The rumors are true, then. I had hoped they were not. Forgive my asking, but...was an expulsion really necessary?"

Anakin sighed impatiently. I hate explaining this. "I wasn't expelled. I left for personal reasons."

Lama Su looked from Anakin to Obi-Wan in confusion but wisely decided not to ask any more questions. "I see. So sorry to hear that." He turned back to Obi-Wan. "The Jedi Council has informed me of your reason for coming. The idea that we have bred defective clones is most distressing. Until this mystery is solved, I promise you that you shall have our full cooperation. Our facilities and our top minds are at your disposal."

Obi-Wan nodded. "That's most generous. Thank you, Prime Minister."

Lama Su nodded back, then turned to Salu, who stood waiting for further instructions. "Salu Ni, please escort our guests to their rooms. They must be tired from their long journey from the Core."

Anakin cleared his throat impatiently. "Thank you, Prime Minister, but Master Kenobi and I must begin this investigation right away. The lives of nearly 2,000 senators hang in the balance." He wasn't sure if he had spoken out of turn, but at the moment he didn't care. He wanted to finish this and get home as quickly as he could. Out of the corner of his eye Anakin noticed Obi-Wan sag a little. He tensed, waiting for a dirty look.

The Prime Minister tilted his head to one side in curiosity. "Oh. Do you concur, Master Jedi?"

Obi-Wan did glance at Anakin, but his gaze was one of fatigue and not disapproval. He sighed. "I am afraid my friend is right. We must begin this investigation as soon as possible."

Lama Su paused, as if confused, before nodding. "Of course. Salu? Would you escort our guests to the genetic laboratory, please?"

Salu gave a slow nod. "Certainly, Prime Minister. Master Jedi? Master...?" She paused and knit her hairless brows, as if uncertain what to call Anakin since he was no longer a Jedi.

Anakin grimaced. Even he was uncertain of his title now. Those he met who recognized him still called him 'Master Jedi' until he corrected him. Only Padme and her family- and now Obi-Wan -were familiar enough to call him by his first name. Even then, Padme called him 'Ani' and Ruwee called him 'Son' as often as not. "You...can call me Anakin Skywalker," he faltered, cheeks coloring. "Or...just Skywalker."

"Very well, Anakin Skywalker. This way." The long-limbed, graceful creature swept an arm to the side and led Obi-Wan and Anakin back through the three-shelled door.

EDIT: Whoops! I completely forget to add the battle name at the beginning! D'oh! Sorry about that.