Book Two

Chapter One

Ten years. Ten years had passed since Adrina had watched Tatooine fade into nothing and she had been thrown headlong into the world of Jedi and powers of which she knew little. It had been ten years since little Ani donned the Jedi garb and she a technician's robes. Little Ani wasn't little any more; he was nearly twenty. And while he still wore robes befitting a Jedi Apprentice, she – with no small controversy – donned the robes of a Jedi Healer the month prior, a rank Master Windu forbade her from attaining. She smirked when she remembered the quartermaster's puzzled expression when she requested her white tunic, trousers, and skirt, and dark blue undertunic.

Time changed things, though. Many things in life were uncertain, but time would always march on.

If only her father could be proud of everything she had accomplished. Adrina closed her eyes. No, her father would not be proud. Jango Fett loathed the Jedi and even his beloved daughter could not purge that hatred from his veins. He'd washed his hands of her six years before and Adrina doubted she would ever see or hear from him again. It was not the Mandalorian way.

"That was…." Maelle searched for the word as they removed their surgery scrubs, breaking Adrina out of her reverie, "Incredible."

"It's always a heavy reminder to me," Adrina said quietly. "As strong as we are, our bodies are delicate."

Maelle gasped suddenly. Adrina raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I..." Maelle blushed. "There was talk – at the Temple, I mean, not here of course because that would be absurd, you know – but I heard that Master Kenobi and your brother – Anakin, I mean, I'm sorry – are supposed to be returning from Ansion today and, well, I know you like to be there because they-" Maelle cringed and muttered an apology under her breath.

Adrina laughed softly. "It's alright, Maelle. It's not a secret that I prefer to tend to them myself when they come home. Master Che has been kind enough to indulge me." Adrina smiled at the young woman. "You did well in there, Maelle. I'll talk to Master Che and have you come with me more often. We can use more skilled assistants."

Maelle blushed. Vyn Kordes, head of pathology, stepped out and began keeping step with Adrina, silencing Maelle. The blonde glanced at Adrina.

"Doctor Kordes," Adrina said evenly. She refused to spare him a glance. Looping her arm through Maelle, she continued on her way.

"You're looking as lovely as ever, Adrina." He flashed her a toothy smile.

"Unless you have a medical file to discuss, I must ask you to leave. Technician Amon and I are in the midst of a private conversation."

His brow furrowed. "You're always busy."

"There is always much to be done."

Maelle smothered a chuckle at Adrina's dry tone.

Kordes frowned. He grabbed Adrina's wrist. "After everything this Medical Center has done for the Jedi, I think that-"

Adrina halted with a sigh. She wrenched her arm free. She turned to Kordes. Voice calm and pleasant, Adrina said, "If you have a complaint about my, or any Jedi's, behavior, I encourage you to take it up with my superior, Master Vokara Che. And if she cannot resolve it to your satisfaction, I'm sure that Master Yoda will be happy to be of assistance. But before you decide to voice your contentions," Adrina smiled prettily and tilted her head, "I encourage you to remember who it is that works here, free of charge. Remember who receives the cases this hospital deems beyond their power. Remember who exactly benefits the most from this arrangement. And, Doctor Kordes, you will address me as Healer Skywalker and you will refrain from touching me. Our relationship is, and always will be, professional. Correct your behavior. I will be approaching your supervisor on the grounds of repeated sexual harassment. Have I made myself clear?"

Vyn Kordes scowled, but nodded. Adrina smiled, wished him a good day, and continued on her original path.

"So," Adrina said cheerfully. She smiled at Maelle, who still wore a troubled expression. "I know a great diner over in CoCo Town. Care for a treat? We should have some time before we are needed at the Temple."

"I don't know, I..." Maelle bit her lip and frowned deeper. "He was flirting with you. Then he… Has he… Is he always like that?"

Adrina sighed and shook her head. "Most of the staff here are wonderful. Brusque, perhaps, sometimes lacking in civility, but manners are far less important than medical skill. I think you would agree with that."

Maelle nodded.

"But," Adrina continued. "Some people take incivility where it should never go. No amount of medical skill can compensate for that. I think you would also agree with that."

Tentatively, Maelle nodded again.

"His behavior is usually limited to flirtatious comments." She pinned Maelle with her eyes. "I will be contacting his supervisor today when he comes on shift, as should you, if ever you are in this position. I have overlooked his comments in the past, but he is growing bolder."

"Are you afraid?" Maelle whispered. "I would have been afraid."

Adrina smiled. "No, I'm not afraid of him. I've dealt with far worse than what he did back there. But he won't stop with me and I am afraid for those victims."

Maelle nibbled on her lip. After a moment, she said, "Healer Adrina, can I ask you… Can I ask you a question?"

"Always,"

"Have you..." Maelle frowned. "You didn't grow up in the Temple."

Adrina glanced at her out of the corner of her eye. "I did not."

"And the Jedi forbid attachment. Have you ever considered… Is that mandate...difficult for you?"

Adrina smiled gently. "Are you asking if I've ever considered leaving the Jedi because I found a beau?"

"I suppose so."

"No, I haven't," Adrina answered honestly. "Why do you ask? Are you reconsidering your oath?"

"No! No," Maelle blurted. "It's just that I have heard that romantic relationships are important to women, but the Code is very clear."

Adrina laughed quietly. She watched a Bith couple pass and considered her words carefully. In accordance with her promise to Mace Windu, she had always endeavored to keep any contrary opinions to herself, although she had once shared her view on attachments to Obi-Wan and later with Anakin when she felt his mind needed to be soothed more than he needed a dogmatic recitation.

Finally, she said, "They are important to more than just women, and even Jedi raised in the Temple struggle at times. It's natural. We cannot help but form attachments."

Maelle's eyes widened. "Healer Adrina!"

Adrina chuckled at Maelle's scandalized expression. "I know. The Jedi Code forbids attachments. I caution you, instead, to be mindful of your emotions. Why do the Jedi forbid attachment, Maelle?"

"Well, they..." Maelle blinked. "The Dark Side."

Adrina shrugged. "In part to allow us greeter freedom in going where we are needed, less to hold us in one place. But mainly, in essence, the Dark Side. You know what Master Yoda always says about fear." They shared a smile. Adrina's quickly faded. "And, Maelle, nothing hurts worse… No pain compares to the pain of losing someone you love. And in that moment, controlling your emotions, your behavior, is more difficult than you can imagine. And if you were trained in the Jedi arts…. We have a great power, Maelle. And that power is something we must always seek to control." Adrina sighed. She shook her head and closed her eyes. "The difficulty is not in having the attachment; it is in losing it, in what we will do to keep it."

Maelle licked her lips. "So the Council is trying to protect us."

"Yes, I suppose they are, in their way."

The younger woman paused. "But you said to not condemn attachments."

"I'm encouraging caution, emotional maturity, and awareness."

Maelle blinked.

"Compassion is encouraged, yes? And that is a form of love, wouldn't you agree?"

Maelle nodded.

"So why would the Code condemn attachment, yet encourage compassion?" Adrina tilted her head.

Maelle bit her lip. Her brow furrowed as she searched for the words. "Compassion does not… Compassion does not involve... possession." She brightened as she hit upon what she wanted to convey. "Possession is like an imitation of love and involves fear and jealousy, emotions that can lead us to the Dark Side."

"Fear and jealousy can tempt us down paths no person, Jedi or not, has any business going down," Adrina said. "Attachments do not necessitate possessiveness; this is why I encourage caution and emotional maturity. Life is full of uncertainty. There is weakness in all of us; it is only in denying and despising it that we succumb to it. If we lived in constant fear of losing someone we care about, what kind of life would we have? Try to imagine it, Maelle." Anakin's face briefly flitted through her mind. The younger woman thought for a long moment. A shadow crossed her face. "Such a miserable existence," she whispered.

"It is," Adrina agreed. "Just remember that compassion is required in our occupation. A healer without compassion is no healer at all. Maelle, are you alright? You've gone so pa..." Adrina trailed off. She followed Maelle's horror-struck gaze to the holonews across the street. Her heart plummeted.

"Senator Amidala was assassinated," Maelle whispered. She turned to Adrina. "We were in surgery. Who could do such a thing?"

"Many people, unfortunately," Adrina stated grimly. "She has made many enemies during her time in the Senate, especially of late."

"How horrible." Maelle shuddered.

Adrina placed a hand on Maelle's shoulder. "Come. We should return. I'll treat you to Dex's fine cooking at another time."

Adrina grieved the loss of Padmé Amidala. Although she had not seen the woman in ten years and they would not always agree on political matters, Adrina respected Padmé as perhaps the only honest politician in the Senate. Doubtless the person behind the attack sought to silence the leader of the opposition to the Military Creation Act. A senator murdered, returning to vote on a hotly contested issue? It was the most likely cause and perhaps – Adrina worried – the start of something much bigger.

And Anakin – oh, Anakin, Adrina sighed. The news would hit him hardest of all. Ten years had not been sufficient enough time to purge her from his dreams.

A quick survey of the logs indicated that Obi-Wan and Anakin had not arrived at the Infirmary. Perhaps they had not yet arrived back; Obi-Wan usually ensured they appeared for the routine check-ups promptly. Unlike the earlier events of the day, Adrina and Maelle's shift in the infirmary passed uneventfully, assisting only minor injuries.

Later in the evening, as she prepared for bed, Adrina's comlink chirped. She sighed and answered.

"What's got you sounding so gloomy?" Anakin's cheery voice crackled over the link.

Adrina chuckled. "Sleepy, not gloomy. It's late."

"Is it? I hadn't noticed."

"Are you back at the Temple?" Surely he hadn't heard the news; he sounded in too good of spirits.

"Not at the moment. I'm at the Senate Apartment Complex."

Adrina frowned. "The Sen… Why?"

"Protecting Padmé. Someone tried to kill her this morning." So it was a decoy that perished, not Padmé. The poor woman's family...

"Oh." Sounding far too pleased at the assignment, Adrina wondered how that would go, especially knowing the assassin was still at large. Although Anakin had made improvement over the years, Anakin continued to struggle controlling his emotions. "Be careful. Remind Obi-Wan of that, too. We don't need a repeat of the Gundark incident."

Anakin chuckled. "Alright, Rina. I will. We won't get a scratch."

She cut the link with a frown. There was no way this was going to end well.

0

A shadow lurked in the recesses of Adrina's mind. She first noticed its presence the morning of the attempted assassination of Senator Amidala and it continued to grow, bit by bit. Adrina's comlink remained silent through breakfast and into the afternoon. The absence of an update from Anakin surprised her, but she supposed the assignment must keep him occupied; his silence shouldn't be a cause for alarm. Still, it niggled at her.

There was nothing to be done about the shadow in her mind or Anakin's silence, Adrina reminded herself. Neither were things she had any control over and dwelling on impossibilities gave no benefit.

"Adrina, I was hoping to see you." She halted on her path to the Archives at Obi-Wan's relieved voice. She turned with a slight smile that dimmed when she noticed he was alone.

She rallied her spirits. "How goes the assignment?"

Obi-Wan crossed his arms with a sigh. "The Council felt it best that Senator Amidala be relocated to safety. They tasked Anakin with her direct protection."

Adrina blinked. "Oh dear."

"Yes, exactly." Obi-Wan shook his head. "He is far too excited about the mission."

"We both know why," Adrina said quietly. "I know the Council is wise, but surely they are not blind to his emotions. Being thrust together like this is..."

"Precisely." Obi-Wan raked a hand through his hair. "We must hope that the Senator has some sense about her. Still, I don't like the idea of them being off-world together."

Adrina nodded slowly. Padmé was indeed a sensible woman, but their circumstances bred intimacy. Many a torrid romance holobook began under these very circumstances."What is your task, then, while Anakin is...away?" Adrina said instead.

"Track down those behind the attack." Obi-Wan gestured down the hall. "I'm on my way to the Archives now to follow up on a lead. Walk with me? It has been too long, my friend."

"I was actually on my way there myself," Adrina smiled. "I'll be leaving this evening to an outlying colony to train their doctors and assist in the first wave of inoculations. We'll be there for a week and I just need to brush up on the planet." She looked at him curiously as they walked slowly to the Lift. "What information brings you to the Archives?"

"This." Obi-Wan produced a small piece of metal from his pouch.

Adrina blinked. "May I?" He placed it gently in her outstretched hand. She moved closer to a nearby window to inspect the object in better light.

"Do you recognize it?" Obi-Wan noticed her furrowed brow.

"Where did you get this?" She asked softly, continuing her inspection.

"There was another attempt on Amidala's life last night. Anakin and I pursued the bounty hunter, but she was shot and killed with that before she revealed the name of the bounty hunter who hired her."

Adrina looked up with a deeper frown. "A bounty hunter hired another bounty hunter?"

"So it appears."

A shiver ran down Adrina's spine. What had Anakin gotten himself into? "I've seen one of these before, once. It's a Kamino Saberdart." She handed the weapon back to Obi-Wan.

"Kamino? I'm not familiar." Obi-Wan said.

"No," Adrina shook her head. "Most in the Core wouldn't be; it's past the Outer Rim. They're south of the Rishi Maze by about twelve parsecs, and they keep to themselves. They're the best cloners in the galaxy, or so I've heard. I've never met them myself, but their reputation precedes them."

Obi-Wan studied the dart for a moment before he put it back in his pouch. "Are they friendly?"

Adrina shrugged. "Like most people in that part of the galaxy, they're nice enough if you have enough coin." She pursed her lips. "It is an odd choice, though."

"What, the dart?" Obi-Wan studied her. "How so?"

"Well, saberdarts are somewhat popular among bounty hunters, but not this one. It's highly toxic, yes, but also rare and expensive. Not many would have access to them. Like I said, the Kaminoans keep to themselves." Adrina pinned Obi-Wan with a steely gaze. "This bounty hunter you're tracking wasn't taking any chances and I'd say they're very connected. They hired someone to do the dirty work, yet remained close enough to monitor. Whatever is going on, you and Anakin need to be extremely careful. I cannot stress enough how dangerous they are, or their employers."

Obi-Wan touched her arm briefly and smiled. "Thank you, Adrina. You've been very helpful." They resumed their walk in unspoken agreement. "May I ask you another question, Adrina?"

Adrina smiled. "Of course you can, Obi-Wan." She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "You know I may not answer, but you can always ask."

"Do you know of any Mandalorian bounty hunters?"

The question punched the air from Adrina's lungs. She stumbled and hastened to cover her surprise. "I knew of one, years ago," Adrina finally managed. "But he retired more than ten years ago, as far as I know. Why?"

Obi-Wan shook his head. "I saw the man that killed the bounty hunter we had tracked. He was wearing full body armor that reminded me very strongly of traditional Mandalorian armor."

"I don't know what to say," Adrina whispered. "The only one I know of is retired." She gave Obi-Wan a weak smile. "I'm sorry; I wish I could be more helpful."

Obi-Wan smiled. "You've been extremely helpful, Adrina, and I thank you. I believe a visit to Kamino is in order."

Doubt niggled at Adrina, but she shoved it aside. Surely her father had not been the only Mandalorian to make a living hunting bounties. Besides, she had no reason to believe her father had ever visited Kamino and he was retired, anyway. No, Obi-Wan wasn't hunting her father; it wasn't possible. She exhaled a satisfied breath.

Obi-Wan's prey simply had to be someone else entirely.