Disclaimer: They all belong to George Lucas. I just didn't like the way it turned out. :) So I decided to have a bit of fun. Enjoy. This is set right into the end of The Phantom Menace, which, on some levels, did not have a happy ending.

Written In the Stars

Five

The small group of Jedi gathered in the Council room. Master Yoda sat with his hands folded upon his staff, his eyes closed in meditation. Next to him sat the head of the Council, Jedi Master Mace Windu, surveying the faces of the others in the room. The only other council member present was Adi Gallia, Siri's master. Worry creased her forehead, her eyes looking down at her hands.

Qui-Gon Jinn stood to one side of the three council members, his hand clenched around the hilt of his lightsabre, his robes disheveled, long gray hair pulled back tightly from his face, which expressed anger and worry. Anakin Skywalker stood beside him, chewing absently on the end of his Padawan braid. He was the only one in the room that was not worried—his master had neglected to inform him what was happening.

The governor of Naboo, Sio Bibble, stood in the center of the council room, General Panaka and Gungan representative Jar Jar Binks standing behind him.

"They never landed at the palace," Bibble told the Jedi. "A distress signal was sent by your Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi, expressing the coordinates that had been set for the new landing site. General Panaka personally led a regiment of troops to the site, where he found the Queens ship abandoned, the crew murdered—his nephew among them."

"But the Jedi Knights are still alive," Mace Windu said. "We would know if they had passed on."

"Yes, the Jedi, as far as we know, remain alive," Bibble said, his hands trembling. "And so, as far as we know, are the Queen and her handmaidens."

"What are you asking of us?" Mace asked.

"I ask that you send another team of Jedi to find them. Please, I will beg if I must," the elderly governor said.

"Consider this, we will." Master Yoda said serenely.

"I will go," Adi and Qui-Gon said at the same time.

"Too emotional, you are, Master Gallia, and you, Master Jinn. Both of you carry much anger, much fear for the lives of your former Padawans." The diminutive Jedi master said.

"Master Yoda, if any Jedi is capable of finding them, I think that I can." Qui-Gon said.

"Master Jinn," Mace Windu said, "you Padawan is not yet ready for a mission of this delicacy."

"With all due respect, Master Windu—"

"I'm ready," Anakin cried. "I can do it, I swear!"

Qui-Gon sighed. Yoda narrowed his eyes at the apprentice. "Quiet, you will be," the Master said. He looked at Qui-Gon. "Think you he is ready?"

"I will leave him here, if I have to." Qui-Gon said.

"You will not be allowed to leave him behind, even if you, once again, go against the rules." Mace said.

"Leaders of the council, Master Gallia, I ask that you allow my Padawan and I to take this mission." Qui-Gon said.

"Qui-Gon, we do not conduct Jedi matters in front of those who are not Jedi." Mace said.

"Please, sir, make an exception," Qui-Gon said.

"Allow this, we will not," Yoda told him.

"Then I will be forced to go on my own, against the Council's wishes." Qui-Gon said. Anakin stared at him, shocked, and somewhat mystified by his master's willingness to defy the Jedi Council, incomplete though it was.

The three council members looked at each other, seeming to take a moment to confer. It was important to send someone to find the two Jedi and the Naboo queen, but it increased the possibility of getting them all killed if they sent an extremely emotional Jedi Master and an inexperienced Padawan.

After a few moments of silence, which had the Naboo Governor, the Naboo General, and the Gungan shifting nervously, Mace Windu turned to Qui-Gon.

"You will be allowed to pursue this mission," Mace said.

"On one condition," Adi said. Mace turned to her sharply, confusion flashing briefly in his eyes.

"And what would that be, Master Gallia," he asked, his voice cold and sharp.

"Qui-Gon may only take this mission if I am allowed to accompany him as well," she said.

Mace Windu sighed and rubbed his temples.

"May the force be with you all," Mace Windu said wearily.