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 Eight: When The World Is Dark Two.

The council chambers were empty; their first session wasn't for an hour. He'd sensed her presence as soon as he'd left the turbolift. No one entered the chambers when Council wasn't in session, especially a Padawan. Though she looked out over the city, he knew she didn't see the beauty that was Coruscant.

"Tell me, young Padawan. Why here are you?" Master Yoda asked her as he took his seat.

Anaika Skywalker turned, facing where she'd heard his voice. "I wish to apologize for my behavior yesterday. It was uncalled for."

"Been through much, you have."

She smiled a little, and then turned back to the city. "He is here, Master like the Angel of Death."

"So sure are you?" he asked.

"Yes Master."

"Wish to investigate you do," he stated. "See through you, I do."

She didn't reply. It was true she did want to investigate. "The demonstration on Corellia was a set up, they knew we'd be there. He's testing us, Master."

"Testing you, you believe, you and your brother." Yoda commented.

"Anakin is the Chosen One, I am just his sister," she remarked, turning to him. "I'm no more threat then any other Jedi."

"Wrong you are. Changed Anakin you have," he noted. "A better Jedi he is."

"And the Sith? Will an investigation be held?" she asked a little more anxious then she wonted.

Yoda sighed, and then nodded. "An investigation will be held, not yours or your Master's mission it will be. Too close you are."

"Then darkness will come, Master Yoda." Anaika reported bluntly.

Qui-Gon appeared at the door, seeing them both. He came further in. "Master Yoda."

"Master Qui-Gon," he greeted. "Lost your Padawan has become."

He nodded, knowing full well his Padawan had not become lost. "My apologies Master, we became separated."

Anaika walked over to her Master, taking his arm. "I guess I need more practice, Master."

"Yes little one, you do," he noted. "Excuse us Master Yoda."

The little Jedi Master nodded, dismissing them, but not Anaika's words. Darkness was coming.

Outside the chambers, Qui-Gon guided his apprentice to the turbolift, steadying her inside as it moved.

"They're going to investigate Master and find nothing." she commented.

"You don't know that Padawan."

She sighed and rubbed her temples. "Yes I do Master," she said then took a few calming breaths. "Master Yoda knows it too."

"Perhaps he does, Padawan. It's not our place to judge however." he rationalized.

Anaika knew her Master wasn't happy about it either. "Yes Master."

The lift stopped and they exited once more Master guided apprentice, this time directly to the Temple's hanger.

She could smell the differences, lubricants, oils, and fuels. "Are we going somewhere Master?"

"Yes Padawan, we're going to walk around the city." Qui-Gon answered her.

Taking one of the Temples air speeders, he took them to one of Coruscant's busiest Malls. As they walked he explained what he saw, and then had her explain what she sensed through the Force, felt with her hands. Heard and smelt.

Anaika found herself using senses she hadn't fully appreciated before. Smelling things she'd taken for granted. On one crowded walkway, she was jostled against her Master. Putting a hand against his chest to steady herself, but was crushed against him anyway. His sent invaded her nostrils and she couldn't help but grin. Thinking how she'd taken that smell for granted so many times.

Qui-Gon guided her out of the crowd, seeing the expression on her face, despite it being in shadow from the hood of her robe. "What is it, Padawan?"

"You," she answered. "You smell of musk. I've smelt it thousands of times and dismissed it just as quickly. Now, I don't think I ever will again."

"What else do you smell?" he asked her allowing himself a smile, since she couldn't see him.

She sniffed the air. "Wild flowers and bre`cka," she answered. "Are we near a cafe`?"

"Yes, but I thought we'd stop else where." he informed.

"Oh?"

"It's a surprise." Qui-Gon mused.

They returned to their speeder, leaving the mall for one of the many business and manufacturing districts. Coco Town. Landing the speeder, Qui-Gon took Anaika into the small diner.

She could smell an array of different foods as she removed her hood, knowing where she was not only by the smell but the noise as well. "Dexter's."

"Very good little one."

Droid Waitress, WA-7, rolled up to them. "Can I help ya?"

"We're looking for Dexter." Qui-Gon announced.

The droid sized them up quickly, and then turned to the open serving hatch behind the counter. "Couple of Jedi here to see ya, honey." she said.

A huge head poked came through the open hatchway. A wide smile, with a huge block of teeth grew on an immense face, seeing the visitors. "Qui-Gon, Anaika!"

"Hello Dex," both greeted.

"Take a seat, I'll be right with ya!"

Qui-Gon guided his young Padawan to a booth to one the side of the counter without making it obvious. When they had first arrived, Dexter's had been one place Obi-Wan and Anakin had insisted on bring them both. Dexter Jettser had been ecstatic to see Qui-Gon and flirted harmlessly with Anaika. Now both came as much as their time allowed.

Dexter was a male Besalisk, short, with a potbelly that poked out beneath his grimy shirt and trousers. He was baled and sweaty and moved slowly from far too many injuries. His four huge arms, each with massive fists were rumored to have busted many a man's face who'd gotten on his bad side.

A human waitress took their order of bre`cka juice, then quickly got it, placing the two glasses before them.

Qui-Gon smiled as the Besalisk approached. "Dexter is coming."

Both slid out of the booth, only to be drawn one at a time into a huge hug by the four-armed alien.

Anaika felt she was being squashed, then released. "Hey Dex."

"Hey, young one," he noticed her eyes, glancing at her Master, who shook his head. "Sit, sit."

They did, the two Jedi side by side as Dexter, with some effort, squeezed himself into the seat opposite them.

He moved the bre`cka juice in front of Anaika. "I was startin` to think you'd forgotten old Dex," he jeered.

Anaika used the Force to sense where the glass was, then felt it with her fingers. "We've been busy."

"So, how did you get Qui-Gon to bring you out?"

"Anaika was blinded, she's getting use to using her other sensors," Qui-Gon answered calmly. "Getting away from the Temple has helped strengthen them."

"The flash bomb incident on Corellia?" Dexter queried, lowing his voice.

The Jedi Master nodded. "I didn't think it was common knowledge?"

"I hear things," the Besalisk defended. Then came straight to the point. "So, my friends, what can I do for ya?"

Qui-Gon wasn't surprised. "The Sith."

"Aha, well that my friend, I can't help you with."

Anaika sipped her juice, and then arched an eyebrow. "So what have you heard, Dex?"

He laughed. "Only that there's a movement forming, one that's doing a lot of damage to the Republic."

"The Separatist." Qui-Gon stated.

The Besalisk nodded. "From what I've head," he continued. "Their leader is someone called Dooku, Count Dooku."

The Jedi Master sat back. Dooku had once been a Jedi Master; he'd left the order after the Battle of Naboo. Returning to his home world of Serenno and his family title. He'd also been Qui-Gon's mentor, in both realities. "You've told us enough Dex."

"Be careful my friends." Dexter advised, and then got up, going back to work.

Anaika once more sipped her juice. "Your concerned Master."

"I have a feeling Count Dooku is behind this more then just being the leader of the Separatist movement," he revealed. "Lets go, Padawan."

She nodded and slid from the booth with him. Waiting until he'd paid the waitress, before pulling on her hood and following him out. Neither spoke, neither had too.

Qui-Gon took them to the government district; the Galactic building was at the center.

"Tell me what you sense, Padawan." he asked her as they stood before it.

Stretching out with the Force she sensed the hustle and bustle of Senators coming and going, as well as a range of emotions from fear to anger. All she conveyed to her Master. But there was something else also, a strong guarded mind. A trained mind, well shielded from everyone. A Jedi Knight.

"That would be Dooku," her Master informed. "I had a hunch he would be here and he is."

Anaika heard the tension in her Master's voice, then the footfalls of expensive boots. She pushed back her hood. "He's coming towards us, isn't he?"

"Yes."

Count Dooku smiled broadly. "Master Qui-Gon, it's been a long time my friend."

The Jedi Master bowed. "Count Dooku."

He found it amusing. "You don't need to be so formal, my old Padawan. If I may address you as such?" he asked and saw Qui-Gon nod. Then looked to the young woman at his side. "This must be Anaika Skywalker. I've head much about you, young one."

"As I have about you, sir." she said calmly. Looking where she'd heard his voice.

Dooku noticed, though she looked at him, her eyes didn't focus on him. He concentrated on her Master though. "It was a great loss to the Jedi Order, when this realities Master Jinn passed to the Force. Your arrival has brought order once more. Especially with the Chosen One's twin sister."

"I am merely a Jedi apprentice," she noted.

"I doubt that, young one," he commented. "Your more and every member of the Jedi Council knows it. Now more then ever."

"Because darkness blankets not only the Force but the galaxy?"

"Padawan." Qui-Gon cautioned.

"Let her talk," the Count insisted. "You were saying, Anaika."

"I was only commenting that darkness approaches the galaxy." she remarked.

He knew she meant more. "And the Jedi are so scattered."

She tilted her head slightly. "Overwhelmed you mean."

Dooku laughed. "Now you sound like Master Yoda, my dear."

Qui-Gon saw his apprentice straighten, then shiver. "We should be going Padawan. There is much to do."

"Yes, Master." she agreed, returning her hood to her head.

Both bowed to the Count, excusing themselves they walked away. It was then Count Dooku realized why Anaika Skywalker didn't look at him directly. She was blind. His Master's plan had worked well. Perhaps thought the advantage wasn't there's. Anaika Skywalker might have been blind, but her use of the Force was stronger then before. She was still a threat, as was her brother. The Chosen One was calming his anger, becoming a perfect Jedi adapt just like his sister.

Anaika stayed beside her Master, suppressing the erg to shudder. "He's fallen Master. The dark side is his ally. He isn't the one I felt though."

"I expected that, Padawan," Qui-Gon retorted and took her arm. "We've only found one."

"Do we address the Council?" she asked.

"It's not a question of do we, little one. It's a question of will they listen." he decided.

She silently agreed.

An hour later they stood before the Council, reviewing their findings.

Yoda shut his eyes, and then shook his head slowly before reopening his eyes. "So sure are you?"

"Yes Master." Anaika said confidently.

"You weren't supposed to be investigating this." Mace Windu noted bluntly.

"We weren't," Qui-Gon reminded. "As I explained."

"Did it anyway, though. Didn't you." Yoda stated. "Disobeyed our orders you did, put yourself and your Padawan in danger."

"We weren't in any danger." Anaika defended their actions.

"Know you this, do you?" the little green Jedi Master asked calmly.

She looked where she sensed he was. "Yes Master."

Yoda shook his head again. "Confined to the Temple you both are. Learn from this you both will."

Bowing they left, unhappy about the decision.

Mace sat back in his chair. "They won't let this matter drop."

"Defiant they both are. Much like her Master, she is. Need that she does not," Yoda declared. "Need to know more we do."

"She could be dangerous, if she was turned." Ki-Adi-Mindi announced.

"I sensed no anger from her," Adi Gallia noted. "Even Anakin has been controlling his anger since they're arrival."

"Test them both we will." Yoda decided and his other Council members agreed.

To be continued in Chapter Nine: The Test.