So, for a little update on where all this is going...I got bit hard by a story idea yesterday. I've almost finished writing it and it's going to be called, "Through the Paces." It's set almost immediately after this one, so the good news is, the next story in the "Harbor" series is almost finished. More good news...I now know how this story has to end! : )

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed/added as a favorite/alerted/read this story so far!

"I simply cannot believe you are here my friend. It has been a very long time."

"Indeed it has Dax," Qui-Gon said, smiling.

The three Jedi followed the elder human down a long, pristine corridor. The grey stone was polished to a high shine and reflected the four beings on all sides. Qui-Gon considered his friend. Dax Solari was a renown Corellian scientist and shipbuilder the Jedi Master had first met as a Padawan Learner. Sharp green eyes prowled the corridor, forever searching his surroundings. The man, who was now in his late sixties, was possessed of an energy that would rival one more than half his age. Solari had been responsible or involved in some of the most advanced technologies and starships the Republic had seen in recent years.

"What brings you to these mountains Qui-Gon?"

"Training exercises."

Dax looked back at the two initiates who were following behind the men, offering them a wide smile, "I do hope this great lummox is treating you well."

Glancing back, Qui-Gon saw the two exchange a confused look, "We have been having an excellent time, sir," Obi-Wan replied, politely.

"Ha! I think they're a little too well trained, Qui-Gon," Dax laughed, "Are these your new apprentices?"

"No," he said, quickly.

A little too quickly in fact. Qui-Gon could feel a brief, but strong sense of disappointment and hurt come from Amber and Obi-Wan. The Jedi Master's heart fell. He did not mean to cause these two pain. They were the last beings he would wish to wound. Soon they had controlled their emotions, calm filling the Force once again.

"We will be entering the Jedi Service Corps, sir," Amber answered dully. Qui-Gon thought her monotonous and accepting tone was almost worse than the previous flood of dejected emotions.

"Enough with the 'sir' you lot! Call me Dax. You know, I've met many Jedi from the Corps during my travels. They do a lot of good work. Help a lot of people."

Neither initiate replied. Qui-Gon decided to change the subject, "What about you Dax? I would never have pegged you as the mountaineer type. Shouldn't you be up in orbit with the rest of the shipbuilders?"

A shadow passed over his friend's face, taking the jovial presence with it. The group paused, having reached a large, durasteel door. Dax punched in an elaborate passcode and motioned the three Jedi through before he entered himself. Another long, sloping hallway greeted them. It seemed they were heading deep within one of the larger mountains.

"Things became too...strained between my colleagues and me. I'm sure you've heard of the Zevaa Corporation."

"Yes. It is a shipbuilding company correct?"

"You could call it that, I suppose. More like a filthy gang of savaging murglaks if you ask me."

Qui-Gon heard a snort from behind. Grinning, he turned and raised an eyebrow at the two younglings. Obi-Wan was smiling, while Amber refused to meet the Master's gaze. She was also fighting a grin. Shaking his head in amusement, he turned back to Dax.

"I assume there is a good reason why you feel the need to insult them."

"They're trying to monopolize the shipbuilding business and my lazerbrained, so-called fellow starship architects are falling for it," Dax said, placing his hand against a senor plate that was built into the wall. It was yet another security measure and, after a few seconds, another door opened, "Their greed is getting in the way of quality. Of progress. They are willing to sacrifice the craft for a few billion credits. Zevaa's convoluted sales pitch even wooed one of my sons. Took me a month before I was able to talk some sense into him."

"Well, that is their right, Dax. It's not like they are making you-"

"Oh, they would if they could. I had to move down here to avoid them! A lot of good it did me, too. Well, you saw! They still found me. Somehow."

Qui-Gon shot him a shocked look, "Those were your fellow associates?"

"Hired guns, but yes, they represent my fellows. You see, Qui-Gon, the Zevaa will not buy the other Coreallian companies unless it is a complete set."

"And, you are the last piece to the puzzle?"

"Exactly. And, it will be a cold day in all seven Hells before I let my work be sullied, I tell you."

"Wow!" two voices behind them sounded in excitement.

The group had just passed through a final door and emerged into an extraordinarily cavernous hangar. Carved from the rock, the only smooth surface was the duracrete floor. Half-built starships lay scattered around like a giant's leftover playthings. Workers moved in and out of the different hulls, some carrying parts and tools, the sound of a million different tasks being completed filled the air. Others were working on specific parts. He could see outlines of completed ships disappearing into the depths of the mountain's middle. Closer to them were tables filled with designs and blueprints of various ship parts.

"Um, sir? I mean, Dax...could we...?" Amber started.

Dax chuckled, "Knock yourself out kids."

The two initiates bolted towards the mockups, pouring over the sketches and schematics. Qui-Gon watched them. It was not often that Jedi younglings actually resembled their civilian counterparts. They were always more mature and docile, acting more like miniature adults than the children they really were.

Obi-Wan and Amber were like kids in a candy store, attention bouncing from one new, interesting thing to another. Qui-Gon couldn't help but chuckle at them. Dax grinned, apparently enjoying their enthusiasm as well.

"Obi-Wan, look!"

The boy ran over to view whatever it was Amber was studying on one of the numerous datapads, surprise slowly swept across his face.

"Dax, sir, is this what I think it is?" Obi-Wan inquired, breathlessly.

"Well, if you think it's a design for a class 3 hyperdrive, then yes it is my young friend."

"But, they only just started putting class 4's in...You can't...have you built one of these?" Amber asked in amazement.

Dax laughed, "We've started to. The mock up is just over there."

He pointed towards something that, to Qui-Gon, appeared to be an indecipherable hunk of metal. As soon as they spotted it, the two were off once again. Dax and Qui-Gon followed the excited initiates.

"It's only partially built," Dax explained, "My designers are having a hard time routing enough energy to the ionization chamber." they watched as Amber and Obi-Wan moved as close as they could to the hyperdrive, trying to see into every hole and crevice. Dax continued, sighing, "Sometimes, I wonder why I hired those hot-shot, university trained know-it-alls. They're schooling the problem solving skills right out of 'em these days."

Obi-Wan was pointing at something and Amber moved into see whatever it was he was looking at. She gestured at something else and the two dissolved into a quiet, but animated discussion. Qui-Gon remembered being fascinated by the mechanics of a ship when he was still an initiate. In an attempt to prepare a potential Knight for any possibility, all Jedi were taught the basics of ship maintenance and repair, nurturing a fondness for starships in many of the younglings. Most grew out of it, as Qui-Gon had.

"Um, Dax, sir?" Obi-Wan called, tentatively, "Have they finished building the motivator and the fusion generator?"

"Yes, I believe so, Obi-Wan. Why?"

Amber's head popped up from behind him, "We think we know what the problem is."

Dax moved over to where the younglings were standing and Qui-Gon watched as both explained whatever it was they thought they saw. Dax studied the hyperdrive in silence for a moment, fingers running through his long, disheveled beard in deep thought. Soon, his friend let out a loud bark of laughter and clapped both initiates on the back. Shaking his head and still laughing, he steered them back towards where Qui-Gon had remained standing.

"Like I said, no problem solving skills! You're two young Jedi here just found a solution to something that has had my team stumped for a week!"

Dax ruffled their hair, still grinning. Amber and Obi-Wan stared at the ground. Both wore a small, pleased smile, but he could feel that they were also slightly embarrassed. While initiates were always complimented on their skills and a job well done, it was not usual for them to be praised so exuberantly.

"The Jedi Services Corps for these two you say? Qui-Gon, you don't think I could get your Order to send them here do you? I think they would make excellent shipbuilders."

He immediately felt defensive, as if Dax had threatened them. A strange mix of agitation, pride and gloom filled him. The thought of Obi-Wan and Amber not being in the Order was horribly wrong. It was a ridiculous notion. Completely laughable. Qui-Gon was trying to find a suitable answer, when a tall young man came storming up to the group. The Jedi Master knew he had not seen him before, but his features seemed familiar. And, as soon as the man opened his mouth, Qui-Gon knew why.

"Father," he demanded of Dax, practically seething, "What have you done now?"