Title: Analogy of Conviction

Author: Anaika Skywalker

Author's Email: lindsay30@austarnet.com.au

Rating: PG for now, later chapters will reach R NC-17.

Disclaimer: It all belongs to George Lucas, I just like to play in his universe once and a while. However Anaika is my creation.

Chapter Six: Consequences Two

Princess Ceri insisted on seeing the Jedi to their transport the next morning with her father.

Both Jedi knew who were on the Republic Cruiser before it landed, having sensed their presence. The landing ramp lowered after it settled.

"Master Kenobi," the King began. "Jedi Skywalker. I can never thank you enough for keeping my daughter safe."

Both bowed. "We're honor to be of service, your Majesty." Obi-Wan stated.

"I wish you both well," the King concluded.

Ceri stepped forward and kissed the Padawan on the check. "Thank you, Anakin," she said, then stepped back.

He blushed. "Your welcome, your Highness." he said, and then he and his Master bowed once more. Taking their packs they turned and walked to the Cruiser, not looking back. The landing ramp retracting when they were inside. The Cruiser took off moments later, leaving the planet.

Anaika found her brother in the stateroom he'd been assigned. "You had an interesting mission." she mused going in.

Anakin sat on the bunk. "Thanks to you."

She sat beside him. "Me. All I did was let you tap into my knowledge, you did the rest," she insisted, and then revealed. "I have something for you. A gift from an Angel."

"Padme`?"

Anaika nodded and gave him the velvet pouch. "Master Qui-Gon and I were on Naboo."

He opened the pouch and removed the chain holding the pearl. "It's beautiful."

Taking it from him, Anaika fastened the chair around his neck. "She gave me one too."

"Did she say anything?" he asked anxiously. "Ask about me?"

"Yes to both questions," she laughed quietly, teasing. "Her thoughts were about you, she sent her love."

Anakin hugged his sister. "Thank you, Ani."

"You're welcome," she said happily. "Come on, our Masters are waiting for us.

He stood along with her and they went to the Salon Pod.

"We're being redirected to Corellia to test a child," Qui-Gon informed. "Our ETA is four days."

"Which gives us enough time to work on your mental shielding, my young apprentice." Obi-Wan informed Anakin, seeing him blush a little.

"Yes Master." he reluctantly agreed following him out.

"And you, Padawan. We will work on your connection to the Living Force." Qui-Gon told her.

"Yes Master." she agreed.

They knelt facing each other on the floor near the table.

"Clear your mind, Padawan."

Closing her eyes she did, touching the Living Force. She could sense those around her, her Master, Obi-Wan, Anakin, and the crew.

"Center on one person," her Master ordered gently.

She did, their Living Force flowed around her in perfect harmony with her own. Wrapping her in feelings of love and friendship.

"Pull back Padawan." Qui-Gon's soft voice told her.

Doing so, Anaika opened her eyes. "What next Master?"

"Stretch out past this ship, to the Living Force around it."

Closing her eyes again, Anaika did so. The space around them felt alive with emotion and energy. She stretched out further, embracing the Living Force.

Qui-Gon saw the smile on his apprentices face. The one thing that connected them so well was their ability to touch the Living Force so easily. Then he sensed fear from her, deep raw fear. Something he'd never felt in her before. He grabbed her shoulders. "Ani?" he shook her. "Anaika!"

Her eyes flew open, her breathing erratic. "Master, I felt... I felt..."

"Easy Ani." he said calming her with the Force.

Anakin rushed in and knelt beside her, as did Obi-Wan, both seemed just as affected. "What happened?" the later asked.

"I'm not sure," Qui-Gon answered. "What did you feel, Padawan?"

Anaika shivered, growing distinctly quiet. Contemplating his question and her answer. "I think Master, I should talk with the Jedi Council. This is more then any of us can handle alone."

"Very well. As soon as we leave Corellia, we'll contact the Council." Qui-Gon told them. He helped Anakin get Anaika to her feet. "For now, rest Padawan."

Obi-Wan had gotten to his feet also. "Stay with her, Anakin."

"Yes Master." he said and led her out.

Obi-Wan faced the elder Jedi. "I could sense her fear like a storm."

"So could I," Qui-Gon agreed. "I've never felt raw fear from Anaika. Not like that."

In the lounge, Anaika took the drink Anakin offered her in her steadying hands. "Thanks." she sipped the cool liquid.

"Are you all right?" he asked sitting beside her.

"Yes," she kissed his check. "Thank you."

He smiled and kissed her back. "I love you too."

"I know." she said honestly.

By the time they arrived on Corellia, Anaika had put the incident behind her.

A couple waited for the Jedi, a child of five standing beside them. A small baby lay snug in her mother's arms unaware of the decision that was to be made concerning her future. The tall Jedi Master and his apprentice came down the ramp of the Republic transport to them.

"Welcome to Corellia, I'm Karlo Tamou, this is my wife Jania and our daughters Cris and Vesa."

"I'm Qui-Gon Jinn, this is my apprentice, Anaika Skywalker," the Jedi Master said gently. "Please come on board."

They followed them, being shown to the Salon pod.

Cris tugged at the young Jedi's robe and she knelt down to her. "Your very pretty."

Anaika smiled and pulled playfully at the little girl's blonde pigtail. "So are you," she mused, and then stood. Lifting the little girl onto a chair. "There you go, Cris."

She giggled happily.

"How will you be able to tell if Vesa is Force sensitive?" Jania asked, her voice tense with emotion.

"May I?" Qui-Gon asked and the baby was placed in his arms. She grabbed his finger and he smiled sensing right away she was. "We'll need a blood sample, a small one."

Anaika had the blood sampler in her hand. She pricked the baby's finger while Qui-Gon distracted her. She was quick and the baby didn't cry. "I'll analyze the sample Master." she said and did so.

Qui-Gon settled the baby back in her mother's arms. "There you go little one."

Jania smiled worriedly at the Jedi Master, she already knew the answers to her unspoken questions. They were going to take her daughter away from her.

Anaika returned with the results. "She has a good Midi-Chlorian count, Master."

"The blood test was a formality. I knew as soon as contact was made with Vesa she was Force sensitive," he explained to them.

Jania looked at her daughter. "Will she be well looked after?"

"Yes. She'll be well cared for within the Temple. The life of a Jedi is one of service."

Karlo glanced at the young apprentice. "Was your childhood a happy one?"

Anaika smiled. "Yes it was. The Jedi became my family. My Master is the father I will always love. He has taught me about life as well as the Force."

Tears ran down Jania's checks, she settled her daughter in the young woman's arms. "Please look after my Vesa."

"I will." Anaika promised.

Karlo put the baby's bag on the table, as well as her portable crib. "Please be careful with her," he said, his voice thick with emotion. He then picked up his eldest daughter. "We should go."

As they left with her Master, Anaika felt their concerns.

Anakin and Obi-Wan came into the Salon pod. The Jedi Knight stopped sharply, seeing Anaika with the blond haired baby in her arms. It sent shivers up his spin.

His apprentice smiled. "Some things are worth seeing, Master."

"Yes Padawan, they are." he said aimlessly.

She looked up and saw his expression, knowing what was on his mind. She smiled shyly, and then laid the sleeping baby in her crib.

The Captain and one of her communications officers came in. "There are demonstrators outside. Twenty or thirty."

"Lets go," Obi-Wan announced. "Captain, be ready to talk off as soon as we're on board."

She nodded. "Lt Harris will stay with the baby."

Nodding the Jedi rushed out.

Qui-Gon had managed to get the family to safety before the crowd arrived. He acknowledged his fellow Jedi. "It seems a point is being made."

"About the child?" Anakin asked.

"It doesn't look like they need a reason." the Jedi Master responded.

"There is something very wrong here Master." Anaika said, feeling a disturbance in the Force.

"I sense it too, Padawan."

"Go home Jedi!" someone in the crowd yelled and suddenly it was being chanted.

"Time to go." Obi-Wan noted.

They started up the ramp backwards, keeping their eyes on the crowd. So far no violence had come to light, however it seemed evident that was quickly going to change.

Anaika first to see the silver object being thrown, knew exactly what it was. Turning she pushed her Master knocking him into Anakin and Obi-Wan, standing in front of them to shielded them as a second object was thrown, and two bright flashes went off in front of her eyes as they connected. Sending her world into darkness as yells and screams were heard around her, then nothing.

Qui-Gon scrambled to his feet scooping his Padawan up into his arms, he ran with her up the ramp after Obi-Wan who was pushing his stunned Padawan ahead of him.

Once the ramp was raised and the hatch sealed, the ship was lifting off.

"Tell the Captain to plot us the fastest course to Coruscant!" Qui-Gon ordered Anakin, urgency in his voice.

The teenager scrambled towards the cockpit, holding on as they left the atmosphere. He passed on the message.

"Already done, Padawan Skywalker," the Captain reported. "I'm having my com officer notify the Temple we have an injured Jedi on board and to standby for our arrival."

"Thank you, Captain," he said a little dazed and hurried to his sister's stateroom. Seeing his Master outside. "How is she?"

"Anakin," he held him by the shoulders, remaining calm. "They were flash bombs."

"Which means?" he demanded.

"If we don't keep her in complete darkness, until we get her treatment, she may lose her sight. Permanently," he revealed. "I'm sorry Padawan."

"She pushed us all out the way." he mumbled.

"I know Anakin," he said, just as worried. "I know."

To be continued in Chapter Seven: When the World is Dark.