Obi-Wan fidgeted in his seat. Even with all the Jedi training that he had received the years, he still could not tamper down the excitement that he was feeling about his first mission. He sat beside his master and Master Qui-Gon Jinn at a long table in a small briefing room. In the center of the table was a holo projector. Obi-Wan leaned forward a little and looked over at Master Jinn. The young Padawan certainly knew of the Jedi Master's reputation as a rogue. He had grown up in the crèche hearing stories about Qui-Gon's missions throughout the galaxy. Now seeing the legendary Master in person and having the opportunity of Qui-Gon on a mission with master Anny and him, Obi-Wan was a little more then star struck.
Vach, a tall Jedi Knight with a dark complexion and dark hair that contrasted to her cream colored eyes, stood at the side of the long table, facing the three other Jedi. In front of her was a small keypad. The Temple archivist, Madame Jocasta Nu usually did the briefing of the mission but this time was a different situation. "The Council thought I would be the best choice to brief you in your upcoming mission seeing as how I am a native to the planet you'll be going to, Attica." Vach said in a smooth tone.
She hit a few keys on the pad, her slender fingers flying skillfully over the buttons. The holo projector in the center of the table hummed to life and a small light began to form a few inches above the projector. The light grew bigger and then soundlessly exploded into smaller pieces that filled the entire room, forming translucent, miniature versions of the planets and other objects that filled the galaxy.
One of the mini planets floated before Obi-Wan's face. He lifted his hand and reached out to it. The instant the tips of his fingers hit the plant, the light that formed it scattered. When Obi-Wan drew his hand back, the planet reformed. He saw his Master giving him a warning glance and turned his attention back to Knight Vach.
Vach punched a few more keys and the planets shifted as though they were in a ship going at light speed. The galaxy stopped and came to a close up to one particular planet. The rest of the light that formed the galaxy vanished leaving only that one planet in the cent of the Holo projector. "Attica is located on the very edge of our galaxies perimeters. Despite it's distance from the capital, Attica is far from a backwater planet. They have some of the most advanced technologies in this galaxy and a thriving economy. Most of their businesses are in Aulis, the planet's capital city."
Knight Vach hit another sequence of keys and another mini plane appeared. Floating a few feet away from mini Attica. "They trade with a neighboring planet called Mysia. The Mysians have been having problems with another neighboring planet, Tenedos. A little over a year ago, an Attica transport was boarded by Tenedos authorities while en route to Mysia with supplies. They searched the ship and then left the transport. After the Tenedos authorities returned to their own cruiser, they were reported to have destroyed the ship, crew and all. The Tenedoians say that, that is not what happened. They claim that weapons where discovered on the ship and they suspected Attica of conspiring with Mysia to launch an attack on Tenedos. They say that the crew of the ship was told to evacuate and that they made sure everyone was out before they destroyed the ship. There has been no sign of the crew of the ship to this day."
The holo projector shut down and the lights of the briefing room were turned up to a brighter level. "Ever since the destruction of transport, Tenedos and Attica have been at each other's throats. There were threats of large-scale attacks but negations were always able to stop them before anything happened. About a month ago final steps towards peace were begun. The Jedi team that had been present through most of these proceedings was assigned to another mission at last minute. You all are being sent to over look the last parts of the peace signings." Vach said finishing her briefing of the assignment.
She took out a few data pads and slid them over to the Jedi opposite her. "These data pads are filled with the information about the planet's culture, government and so forth. There is one last thing I must tell you before you leave to board your ship. Attica has a particularly high resolution of force energy surrounding it. Many of the natives have force abilities but the temple has very few initiates from Attica. With the planet being so far from the Temple, the natives have come up with their own theories about the force. They don't believe in the orthodox methods of the Temple."
"Yet they will ask for assistance from us?" Master Anny asked skeptically.
"Tenedos felt threatened by Attica and asked for Jedi mediation. Attica agreed to tolerate the Jedi present but I wouldn't wear out my welcome. They will tolerate you but are not above sending you right back to Coruscant."
Master Jinn stood from his seat and bowed to Vach. He then stood and extended his hand. "It's always a pleasure, Vach." He said with a smile.
"Likewise, master Jinn." Knight Vach said accepting his hand. "May the force be with you. All of you."
Qui-Gon walked up the ramp of the transport that would be taking him and his two fellow Jedi to their destination. The Jedi Master was dreading the coming trip. He ventured the idea of staying in his assigned quarters throughout the journey but knew that it wouldn't be in the best interest of the mission. Though it seemed simply overseeing the final stages of peace treaties, Qui-Gon had the feeling that there was more to this mission then met the eye…or maybe that was just his own uneasiness of being around Obi-Wan.
He remembered glancing over to his side in the briefing room and seeing Obi-Wan staring at him. The Jedi Master had reached out to the force and felt the boy's emotions. There was excitement and ambition. Things that one would expect from a padawan going on their first mission but the boy should have been able to not let those emotions get the better of him. He wasn't focusing. It shouldn't have been so easy for Qui-Gon to reach in Obi-Wan's mind and feel them. Qui-Gon sighed as he stopped briefly and turned slightly and looked over his shoulder as Master Anny and Obi-Wan followed a short ways behind him. Master Adi had been right. The boy was like his father and that was what made Qui-Gon wary.
"Master Jinn," Master Anny called to him. Qui-Gon turned completely around to face them. "We haven't been properly introduced yet. Seeing as how we'll be working on the same mission together it seems more then appropriate." She extended her red skinned hand. Qui-Gon smiled politely and shook her hand. She then turned to the side and presented her Padawan. "This is Obi-Wan Kenobi." Obi-Wan bowed. "I believe you two have already met, no?"
Qui-Gon looked up at the other Jedi Master with some surprise and then looked down at Obi-Wan. "Yes." Qui-Gon said slowly. "In a manner of speaking. I've seen you many times in the training rooms. You're an exceptional swords man for someone your age."
Obi-Wan beamed at the praise. "Thank you Master Jinn."
"You only need to keep your mind focused on the here and now and keep your emotions in check and I believe your skills could improve greatly." Qui-Gon added.
Obi-Wan's earlier pride dimmed somewhat but he tried not to let it show. He simply bowed and thanked Qui-Gon for the advice. "My Master and many of my other instructors have told me the same." He said. Master Anny then instructed Obi-Wan to go aboard the transport and prepare for take off.
"So, you know about his past?" Qui-Gon asked once the young Jedi had gone aboard the ship.
"Of course I do." Anny replied her lekku tails twitching slightly. "I don't see why it should seem like such a shock. You know how hard it is to keep a secret in these walls. Rumor spreads like wildfire."
The trip hadn't been as painful as Qui-Gon had expected it to be. He had spent most of it going over the data pad that Vach had given him. Attica's system of government was set up in a way that the person with greatest force ability was in charge. The more ability one possessed the higher up in society they would reach. The unlucky few who weren't blessed with force ability were treated like the lowest life forms of the galaxy. It made Qui-Gon sick as he read over the information. The force was not meant to be used to gain power and exploit the lesser but that's what the people of Attica had based their entire existence on.
The ship landed and Qui-Gon stood. The wary feeling had grown stronger over the course of the trip. He knew that there were bond to be problems but still was unsure why these feelings were bothering him so.
Qui-Gon met up with Master Anny and Obi-Wan by the exit ramp just as the large door was opening and the ramp lowering down. Qui-Gon looked over to Obi-Wan and noticed that the boy seemed more centered then he had been before. Had his words to the boy really had an effect? Qui-Gon shook his head slightly. That was egotistical thinking. Master Anny had probably worked with Obi-Wan during the journey.
At the bottom of the ramp a woman who looked fairly young in her early 30's stood waiting for them. There was a definite scowl on her face. Looking as though she would have rather been anywhere else but there. Qui-Gon held back and exasperated sigh. This was not going to be easy.
As they reached the bottom of the ramp Qui-Gon began to think that this woman looked familiar. She wasn't a native of Attica. He could tell that easily by her lack of having cream-colored pupils. It was a trademark of the people. Her eyes a mix of green and blue and at the moment held a dark undertone to them. Her ginger colored hair was tied back in braids that started at her hairline and ended at the tips of her hair, down at the center of her back. A band dotted with tiny gemstones held the stands of hair of each braid together. The woman's arms were crossed over her chest and she tapped her booted foot impatiently. "This is where you sought refuge, Jibril?"
The woman forced a smile but her eyes still gave away the venomous displeasure she was feeling. "It's been a long time Master Jinn." She said, her voice carrying a hint of mocking. "Yes I came here seeking asylum. They accept me here." The last bite was spoken in a matter-of-fact tone.
"You hold a place of power?"
"I have no interest in politics." She said her gaze passing over them. She stopped at Obi-Wan and held it there for a few heart beats. She took a deep breath and then turned back to Qui-Gon. "I'm meeting you because of my history with the Temple and the fact that no one else wanted to." She turned and began to walk toward a waiting speeder. "I didn't want to." She commented without looking back.
The speeder took them to hotel that was in walking distance from the governor's mansion and the Meeting hall of the plant's council. Two places that the Jedi Team were mostly likely to become very familiar with over the course of the next few days. Jibril dutifully made sure that all the arrangements had been taken care of. "You'll meet with the officials involved with the peace arrangements tomorrow morning." She had informed them and then stood by silently as she watched Obi-Wan go into his assigned room. Qui-Gon came up to her side.
"Leave him be, Jibril." He said in a hushed tone that only she could hear. Jibril stood up straighter and her muscles went rigid.
She glanced over to him. "Is that a threat?" She asked in an incredulous tone, and then turned and walked back to the speeder. Qui-Gon watched as she drove away. There were defiantly going to be problems.
~*~*~*~
Jibril trudged into the apartment that was located in the same square as the Governor's mansion and Meeting Hall. She stood in the center of the common room with her arms crossed gazing out the window. Twilight was setting in ending another day. Tomorrow the peace talk would resume again with the new Jedi mediators having arrived.
Jibril's arms dropped to her sides. She remembered the feeling when she first saw them arrive. She had been so excited to see her son again. He had grown so much. She wanted to run to him and wrap her arms around him. But she knew that she couldn't do that. He had no idea who she was and that broke her heart more then anything. He own son didn't know her. She had thought about him every day since she had handed him over to the couple that would take her place as family till the temple took him.
She clenched her fists till her knuckles turned white. Her happiness of seeing he son had faded away when she spotted Qui-Gon. He wasn't supposed to be here! His mere presence threatened everything! She had waited so long for this and now…
Her anger filled her till she couldn't control it any longer. She gave out tortured cry and raised her hand, shattering and entire display case of glass fixtures. She dropped her hand and stared at the mess in a daze.
"If you insist on destroying things, go out in the hall and destroy something else." A calm voice behind her said. She looked over her shoulder and saw Xanatos standing in the doorway to the connecting room of the apartment.
Jibril let out a sound that was somewhere in between a snort and a laugh as she walked over to the chair where her cloak was a flopped down into it. She placed her elbow in the armrest and covered her eyes with her hand. "He is here." She said knowing fully well that he would know whom she meant. "He wasn't suppose to be with them on this mission!" She crossed her arms. "The almighty council must have seen something." She said sarcastically.
Xanatos walked into the common room and stood before her. She let her hand drop from her face and looked up at him. He reached down to grab her wrist and pulled her up form the chair. He drew her close to him, placing his hands on her hips. She placed her hand on his shoulders and then slid them down to his forearms. He was the only one she was able to trust now. "You don't have to worry about Master Jinn. I'll take care of him. You just worry about our son."