"There's no need to boast to me about your capabilities, Artoo," retorted Threepio to his short, squat counterpart. "Just because Master Anakin has enhanced the specifications you were made with, does not in any way make you superior."

Artoo made a soft whine.

"In fact," continued the protocol droid loftily, "I think those upgrades have made you worse."

The astromech droid took offence to this, rolling towards Threepio and making loud, rude noises.

"Upstart!" accused C-3PO, carefully avoiding the little droid's advances on him. "Just watch we're your going you little—"

"Threepio!"

The voice was low and patient, yet it managed to do what it intended. Anakin cast a wary eye over the two droids before he put his mind back to what he was working on: a device that could track comlink transmissions and pinpoint them to a location somewhere on Coruscant. There was already the technology for this, but Anakin's was different. He had managed to build it so it worked even when there were no calls being made and there would be no trace of him tampering with the frequencies.

Yet the easiest way to do this was to plug it into Artoo, and for that he needed Threepio to translate as Anakin had yet to find away to find out what the little astromech was saying without his taller, lankier and above all annoying counterpart.

He snapped the case close and then extended the cable to plug it into Artoo's datajack. After adjusting the controls, he tapped Artoo's dome.

"Okay, let it run," he said.

With a soft beep, Artoo ran the program. It took only a few minutes then he chortled softly to Anakin.

Anakin turned to Threepio. "What did he say?"

"Well, he seems slightly over confident in his assertions—"

"Cut the frag," Anakin interrupted, "just tell me!"

Without wasting another moment on superlatives, Threepio compiled. Grinning, Anakin activated his own comlink. "Obi-Wan?"

There was a quick crackle of static and the Jedi answered. "Yes Anakin?" As Anakin had asked him in order to test the device, Obi-Wan was standing in some undisclosed part of Coruscant and it was up to Artoo to find him.

It's like an elaborate game of hide and seek, Anakin realised with a grin.

"Let's hope this works," Obi-Wan's voice said over the 'link, he sounded slightly impatient. "I have other things to do Anakin, tell me where I am."

"You're outside Dex's Diner," Anakin told him. "Where he is now, not where he was before the war."

This difference was vital as the two places were quite far apart. More importantly, Anakin hadn't been to the new place, though Obi-Wan said it had much been improved even though Dex was still sore about the ruins the Separatist attack on Coruscant had left his premises in.

"That's it," Obi-Wan confirmed. "Is that enough?"

"It'll do," Anakin told him. "Though it'll take me a few days to catch him, there's nothing more that I hate than chasing wild banthas."

"Which is why you do it all the time," Obi-Wan rebuked before severing the communication.

--

Later, that same afternoon, Obi-Wan walked through the Temple beside Yoda's floating chair. Obi-Wan's face was pensive, they were talking about Anakin.

"I have a feeling he's slowly getting there," Obi-Wan confided to the little Jedi Master, "but getting him to acknowledge it is something else."

Yoda murmured in agreement, for a moment he considered telling Obi-Wan about the talk he had had with Anakin. He decided against it, if Anakin wanted to tell his former Master about his dreams he already would have.

"Face up to what he is avoiding, he will with Gunray's trial," Yoda asserted, running over the new information he had received that morning. "Question him they will on Sidious."

"He knows that," Obi-Wan said with a sigh, "and as far as I know, it's only the trial that's keeping him here. Give Anakin the word and he'll be off without a glance behind him."

"Not so sure of that I am," mused Yoda.

Obi-Wan looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"

Yoda smiled quietly. "Say nothing I will until know you do yourself what it is I speak of."

--

Arrin had been warned by his father to stay out of the end room in the new apartment. To make the point understood, his father had locked the door and explained this at some length not to go in there.

Yet all the warnings and explanations there are cannot curb the curiosity of a small boy. Especially when the room in question had been left unlocked.

The moment his father was engaged in conversation with his mother Arrin had crept towards the room, holding his breath with the excitement of the moment. He stopped at the door, his hand reaching up for the handle and he slowly, quietly, pushed it open.

For a moment he stood in the doorway, staring at what was inside. Then cautiously, tentatively he entered. There was a workbench in the middle of the room with tools on it and droid parts, near the window was a low couch and in the corner was a tall cupboard with a large lock in the centre. Yet one of the doors was open and Arrin peered in.

Sitting on one of the shelves level with Arrin's eyes was a smooth metal cylinder about the length and width of his arm. With an excited look in his eyes Arrin picked it up, examining it all over. Was this what he thought it was? Could it be…really? Could it?

"Arrin?" The boy froze and the sound of his father's voice, clutching the metal cylinder close to his chest. "Arrin, where are—"

Shinai paused in the doorway, staring down at his son with a disappointed expression. "Arrin, didn't I tell you not to come into this room?"

Arrin paled. "Yes, Dad but—"

"I may have forgotten to lock the door but that doesn't mean that you should come in here." He held out his hand. "Give me what you're holding."

Arrin held it out but didn't let go. "What is it? Is it a Je—"

"Give it to me!" Shinai thundered, reaching for it in the Force so it flew out of Arrin's grip, through the air and into his hand.

Arrin stared at his father dumbfounded, tears in the corner of his eyes.

"Now, we leave," Shinai said, he crossed the room and replaced the lightsaber back in the closet then locked it by stroking the lock with his finger. He then grabbed hold of his son's shoulder and ushered him out of the room and locked the door behind them.

"Why can't I go in there?" Arrin asked. "There's nothing scary or danger—"

"You listen to me," Shinai interrupted, grabbing the boy's shoulders and forcing him to look up. "I don't want you to go in that room and that's final, you understand?"

Hot tears were wetting Arrin's face. "But…but…"

Shinai's grip tightened. "Understand?"

"Y-y-y-yes," Arrin stammered, hanging his head to hide his reddened cheeks. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you meant it like that."

"Well, now you do know," Shinai said, straightening up to his full height. He touched his son's head gently, wondering how he could have been so…so…harsh with the boy. Had he really done that? Arrin's wounded brown eyes told him all he needed to know.

"Go wash your face and hands," Shinai told him, smiling and letting all anger come out of his tone. "Dinner's almost ready."

--

Anakin didn't know exactly when he fell asleep, in fact he didn't know that he was asleep until he realised he was having one of the dreams again. He tried to fight it, stop whatever was going to happen from happening. But he was helpless.

He could feel a hard table beneath him and a strong light overheard that dazzled his eyes. Yet these sensations were merely secondary compared to the immense burning pain that he was in. It was like another one of his dreams, yet it was not. There he had been encased in some sort of black shell that covered his torso, here…something else was happening.

Sharp metal probes were pricking his arms and when he moved to fight them off he noticed he didn't have hands. The right was replaced with a mechanical prosthetic like Padmé's had been, and the left was only a stump. He could hear himself scream as the droids around him stabbed and jabbed and prodded…yet he could not work out what they were doing.

He didn't have legs either and had no idea why he didn't have them. All he could see were the replacements the droids had given him attached to the scarred stumps on his lower body.

His skin! Why hadn't he noticed it before? It was mangled beyond belief, burnt and scarred to the point where he could see blood vessels pumping away. For a moment, he wondered if the rest of him looked like that. It was not a comforting thought.

They were enclosing him now and he could hardly move, pinning down the re-attached limbs so he couldn't move.

"No!" he screamed, fighting them off but their grip was too strong and his was too weak.

Something black was hovering over his head, coming closer and closer to completely enclose his face.

"NO! NO!" Anakin screamed, but there was nothing he could do as the black mask came down.

Their was a pause and then he felt his lungs fill with air in a slow hiss just like…just like his other dream and he could escape this one as easy as he had that one.

But there was something else, a vision or dream within a dream that floated past his face and whispered in his ears.

Anakin!

Padmé? She sounded as if she was pain, like when she was being tortured by Sidious.

Padmé, they need you, hang on.

Was that Obi-Wan's voice? He sounded…like he was pleading with her.

I…I can't…

And that was Padmé. Her voice was weak and laboured as if…she was breathing her last.

"No, Padmé!" He couldn't lose her again, couldn't face losing her again.

Save your energy.

His voice sounded urgent now, Anakin could just see him. His face fearful, holding something in his arms. Padmé was lying below him, the same expression on her face as when Anakin had last held her.

Obi-Wan…barely a whisper, there…is still good in him. I know there is…still…

Her eyes closed and for a moment he could feel her in the Force again. Feel her spirit call out to his, spent and fragile, and then die like a drop of rain before a rising sun.

"Anakin?"

That was Obi-Wan's voice, but not faint like in his dream. This was loud, curt and right in his ear.

"Anakin, wake up!" He felt his face being slapped, Anakin opened his eyes and the dream faded away into the concerned features of Obi-Wan.

"Wha…what happened?" Anakin asked, wiping his eyes and looking around him. It was early morning, had he been here the whole night?

"You were asleep," Obi-Wan said, "and I heard you shouting."

Anakin stared at him, his expression wary. "What was I saying?"

Obi-Wan frowned. "Why don't you tell me?"

Anakin shook his head, getting to his feet. "It's not something I want to talk about," he muttered, yet Obi-Wan's firm hand on his shoulder prevented him from going anywhere.

"Anakin, how long have you been having these dreams?" He sounded genuinely concerned.

"Long enough," Anakin replied.

This didn't satisfy him. "How long?"

"They've been on and off since…since…" He searched for the words. "Since it happened."

"You could have told me," Obi-Wan gently reproached.

"There were other things," Anakin told him.

Obi-Wan crossed his arms and glared at him. "You're not going to use that excuse with me," he warned. "Remember the real reason you're still here on Coruscant?"

Anakin averted his eyes. "I thought you had forgotten all about that."

"Don't think I'll hold you here longer if I feel I have to," Obi-Wan reproached. "Whatever you were dreaming Anakin, it was certainly what you've refused to acknowledge for yourself for so long. Dreams can do that to you."

At this, Anakin stared at him. "You've been talking to Master Yoda, haven't you?"

"I didn't have to in order to find out what was going on," Obi-Wan told him. "I've watched you try and push this away from the past few days, but it follows you, doesn't it?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Anakin lied, walking away and hoping Obi-Wan would take the hint.

But he wouldn't, Obi-Wan grabbed him by the sleeve. "Look, I know you want this to stop," he said. "But there's only one way to stop these dreams and whatever else it is that's haunting you."

"Oh yeah?" Anakin replied sceptically. "And what's that?"

"Confront them," Obi-Wan said as if the answer was obvious, giving Anakin a wary look and then leaving.

--

Later, in a room in the Temple, Obi-Wan watched the holographic Bail Organa give his speech in the Senate. Yoda and several other Jedi were with him.

Given what he knew was coming, Obi-Wan didn't disagree.

"Too long we have debated over the new constitution," Organa said. "And too long have others and myself held out for altruistic or self-interest reasons, yet this standstill has gone on long enough."

There was a cheer of agreement.

"What I propose," continued Bail, "is that the remainder of the constitution—and this is a relatively small part may I add—is voted upon by the Senate and not the Constitutional Committee." He paused and there were murmurs, yet he did not pause for long. "I am speaking of Article Ten, Clause Seventeen, for which two alternatives have been proposed. These are displayed for reference as the subject of this vote will be for one or the other. This is what I put to this body, as we all agree that the Republic must move away from the effects of the war that devastated us, and we can no longer make excuses for this."

There was applause after Organa finished, yet Obi-Wan's face was expressionless. In his mind he counted to ten.

At four Stokra's pod entered the arena, his face contemptuous and eyes smarting.

"That was fast," Obi-Wan whispered, "even for him."

Yoda's ears twitched as he watched but he did not reply.

"I must say that Organa of Alderaan's proposal is nothing short of reprehensible and entirely without precedent," Stokra began, revelling in the moment of being the centre of attention. "And might I remind my noble colleagues that the Constitutional Committee was formed to present the draft of the new constitution to the Senate. Not, as Organa of Alderaan proposes, to hand it over to the Senate if the committee is deadlocked due to the political agenda of those that continue to call themselves Loy-al-ists." He said the word long and laboured as if its very existence was a joke, titters were heard from his supports before he continued. "Furthermore—"

"That will do, Stokra," growled Amedda. He spoke in a low voice yet that was enough to curtail the senator's speech. "The Corporate Sector was not recognised by the chair and if I recall the rules of procedure, they clearly state that representatives must wait to be recognised before they begin to speak. Not," added Amedda, "to merely sail in as you have done or otherwise the Senate will be little more than a slanging match."

There were shouts of protest against this, but Obi-Wan wasn't smiling. But he knew Stokra too well to assume that it would end there.

"If one was to take recent events into account, Chancellor," Stokra said slowly, his eyes burrowing into the Chagrian's, "one may say that you are not as neutral in this issue as you appear to be."

Murmurs and whispers followed this remark which was as close to a direct accusation as Stokra had gone yet. Obi-Wan noticed Yoda muttering to himself.

"Bodes well this does not," the little Jedi Master said. "Muddies the waters this does, makes the truth harder to see."

Obi-Wan found he didn't have an answer.

"The Senator of the Corporate Sector is warned," Amedda intoned, his deep voice rising above the murmur of noise. "And is reminded that unless he has something to say directly about this vote he had better hold his peace or he may be removed from the chamber."

Stokra made as if to say something then decided against it. Cursing under his breath he retreated his pod back to his box while all the while there were jeers of protest around the chamber.

Dekau called for silence and Amedda spoke again.

"The issue for debate is whether the remainder of our new constitution will be up for a full Senate vote," he said. "Will there be any to second this motion?"

At this the Avingnon pod moved to join the Alderaan one. "Avingnon seconds the motion," Senator Perenine affirmed, catching Bail's eye for a moment. "We also wish to move that the vote shall be taken anonymously so that no affiliations or views will influence this."

Stokra was about to move against this, but Bel Iblis beat him too it. "Corellia also supports this vote, and seconds the motion of anonymity."

Amedda seemed satisfied with this. "Are there any objections?" He directed this question at Stokra yet the green-skinned senator chose not to respond.

"Good move," murmured Obi-Wan approvingly. "Let's hope he stays quiet."

Yoda shook his head and looked depreciatingly at Obi-Wan. "Let rest this he will not," he asserted, his voice grave. "Bad feeling about this I have."

--

Even though he had not expected to hear from his contact again, the Zabrak had called him and they had arranged for a meeting an hour from now in the lower levels of the Uscru District.
Martreyea was at first against his going. "It's late," she pointed out. "Do you have to leave at this time of night?"

Shinai smiled wanly. "I can't choose the time or place, they do," he told her, touching her face gently. "Arrin's asleep, he won't even know that I'm gone." He pulled on his coat and kissed Martreyea on the cheek. "I won't be long," he promised, leaving her in the apartment.

With a shudder, Martreyea sat down and tried to think of something else. But still the question remained: why did her husband have to take this line of work? Couldn't he have refused as he promised her he would some day?

--

After running the program for most of the day, Anakin had finally been able to locate Shinai and set out to find him, keeping in contact with Artoo and Threepio via comlink in case Shinai moved. As much as he hated it, he still needed Threepio to translate what Artoo said as it was the astromech droid that was running the program.

The search to Anakin back to the Uscru District, the lower end, near The Seventh Star and several other establishments of a rather disreputable character. But that was as specific as Artoo could get, unlike Obi-Wan's comlink Shinai's was somewhat harder to trace.

With a sigh, Anakin went in to one of the many clubs and bars along Vos Gesal Street.

--

The Zabrak was to meet him at Luba Luft's, a place where lithe females of many colours and species flitted amongst and on tables to distract the customers long enough to make them part with credits.

Shinai took a table near the front and ordered a drink, ignoring what was going on around him.
Sometimes there were advantages to not having eyes. Within an hour he spied the Zabrak approaching him.

"My employer is very pleased with your services," the Zabrak said as the music reached a deafening level.

Shinai smiled quietly. "I do my job and get paid," he replied, tossing back his drink.

"He's asked me to approach you with another proposal. The Zabrak slid a datapad across the table with the instructions.

Quickly Shinai scanned through what was there, he then looked up at the Zabrak. "This is going to be more," he told him. "This place is locked up tighter than a Hutt's bank account."

"My employer understands that," the Zabrak reassured. "But he wants to know now if you'll take it, this is rather urgent."

"Why such short notice?" Shinai asked. "This guy's going to be around for a while, and they may get to him before I do."

The Zabrak did not answer. Shinai summoned the droid waiter to order another drink, he needed time to think this over.

When the waiter returned with his drink Shinai had made up his mind.

"I'll take it," Shinai said, sipping his drink, "but only because I need the money, I have expenses."

The Zabrak chose not to comment on this. He handed a datacard to Shinai. "Everything's on there including how much you'll be paid." He got to his feet. "You will not see me again."

Shinai went through the data again, slowly this time. This was not going to be easy, not like last time when there was virtually no security system as it had been in the middle of the day.

Yet he knew he could do it. He had the Force.

--

Anakin was emerging back onto the street when a tremor in the Force made him look around. He scanned the crowd until his gaze settled on a black-haired humanoid figure walking away from him.
Within a moment Anakin was after him, always keeping a reasonable distance between Shinai and himself.

While he had done surveillance before, prior to, during and after the war, Anakin knew that this was very different. Shinai had been a Jedi, so it was safe to assume that he still had a Jedi's instincts. Shinai even showed signs that he suspected he was being followed, quickening and slackening his pace, stopping every now and again and 'going complete' a few times.

It was when Shinai entered a crowded club that Anakin lost him. Enraged, he probed the Force for Shinai's presence. This was what Shinai had wanted.

Suddenly Shinai appeared at his elbow, his hand firmly over Anakin shoulder.

"Outside, Skywalker," Shinai whispered. "Now!" He forced the Jedi outside and pushed him against a wall. For a moment Shinai did not say anything, he was seething with rage. "Why all this?" he asked at last. "Why were you following me?"

Anakin was not the least intimidated. "Senator Stokra," he said simply.

Shinai didn't flinch at the name. "What I do is none of your business."

But this was clearly the wrong thing to say. "What you do is my business when they blame me for what you did!" Anakin nearly shouted.

Shinai shrugged. "I'm not responsible for that."

"Yes, you are," Anakin argued. "By taking that job you would have known what would have happened."

Shinai gave a dry laugh. "Like I care."

"You do care," Anakin snapped, "you knew just how you would do the most damage to the Jedi."

The Miralukan took a step forward. "Listen, Skywalker," he murmured, "I left the Jedi five years ago for reasons you're never going to understand. Your friend Padmé gave me an excuse so everyone would think I was dead."

"What about Adi Gallia?" Anakin asked.

"She's made the same mistake you're making," Shinai told him. "Calling me to account before the Council, setting me up as a traitor and a dark sider."

"This isn't about that," Anakin insisted. "If you don't want to be a Jedi, then that's your choice. All I'm doing is clearing my own name."

"Well, you'll have to do that without me," Shinai spat, starting to walk away. "And do yourself a favour, Skywalker, stop trying to find me."

"If only it was that easy," Anakin said to himself as Shinai walked away.