Anakin and Qui-Gon had not been at the Temple long before they were summoned once again to the Council Chambers. Anakin was usually excited for a mission, but this time it was different. He could feel that his Master was on edge, nervous about something. Anakin could only surmise that it had something to do with their forthcoming mission.

He sighed softly as he and Qui-Gon walked to the Chambers. He was finding it harder and harder to understand his Master, as if something was standing between them. But whatever it was, Anakin could not find it.

Maybe it was Qui-Gon's last apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi. The aforementioned Padawan was the source of many rumours and tales in the Temple, told to the young children to keep them in line. As the story went, Obi-Wan Kenobi had once been a talented, kind apprentice, but he had been convicted of a horrible crime. Some said that he had been banished to a far-off planet; others said that he haunted the Temple.

Anakin yearned to know more about this 'lost Jedi', but when he had asked his Master, Qui-Gon had become silent. He never asked again after that.

He snapped himself back to the present, as he was now approaching the doors to the Chambers. His Master opened them swiftly, and Anakin stepped in.

All twelve members of the Council were present, which was quite unusual. Anakin began to feel a sinking feeling in his stomach. He sensed that this mission was to be a complicated one.

"Master Qui-Gon. Padawan Skywalker. Begin, we may now." intoned the diminutive master from his seat.

"We have another mission for you. It is of a delicate matter, and we must stress caution before we continue." said Mace Windu, his chocolate eyes penetrating into Anakin's.

"We understand." Qui-Gon said, answering for both him and Anakin.

It was then that Master Windu stood and started to speak. "It is to the planet Halith where-"

"I am sorry Master, but did you say Halith?" Qui-Gon asked, the colour draining from his face.

"Yes."

Anakin could feel his Master's tension now, and his fear. //What's on Halith?// Anakin thought to himself, confused.

"We have decided to reopen the investigation of former Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi. King Renon has reluctantly agreed to allow one team of Jedi on Halith to investigate."

Thoughts leapt to and fro in Anakin's head. //Obi-Wan Kenobi?! Halith?! No wonder his Master had been so unnerved!//

He quickly turned his attention back to what Master Windu was saying.

"Princess Meldara has also agreed to allow you to question her, but not her son."

"Son?" said Anakin aloud.

Master Windu stopped speaking. It was against conduct for a Padawan to interrupt, especially during a mission briefing.

"Son, Meldara has. Believed to be Obi-Wan's, it is." interrupted Master Yoda.

Anakin was astounded. No wonder there was such controversy surrounding Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"You will leave in two days. Good luck."

With that, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were excused. They both bowed before the Council members, and Anakin followed his Master out.

"Are you alright, Master?" asked Anakin, watching his Master.

Qui-Gon Jinn just stood there, a pale ghost lost in his own thoughts.

"Master?" Anakin prodded again.

His Master turned to him, and Anakin could see that his Master was deeply troubled.

"I'm sorry Anakin." he whispered. He then turned and walked quickly down the hallway, leaved a very confused Padawan behind.

*_____________________________________*

The next day, Anakin found himself wandering the halls of the Temple with Master Yoda. His own Master had retreated into his room, and letting no one in to see him. Anakin had become worried, so he had opted to go and talk to Master Yoda.

They had been walking in silence when Anakin spoke. "Who was Obi-Wan Kenobi, Master Yoda?"

"Who IS Obi-Wan Kenobi, mean to say you."

"He's still alive?!" Anakin replied, astounded.

"Quite alive, he still is." Yoda replied, a tone of amusement entering his voice.

"Then why don't you ask him what happened, instead of sending us to Halith?"

The older Master sighed, and Anakin felt as if something of great importance were to be revealed.

He was right.

"Believe, I do not, that Obi-Wan Kenobi is guilty of which he is accused of. In his character, it is not."

"So you think that Meldora's son is not his? That Obi-Wan was framed?" Anakin asked eagerly.

Yoda turned to Anakin, his wizened face scrunched up in a frown. "Presume those things, I do not. Come to you, the answers will. You must have patience, young Skywalker."

*__________________________*

Later on, as Anakin finished up his evening mediation, he contemplated what Master Yoda had told him. Maybe Obi-Wan Kenobi was not guilty of his crime. Maybe the guilty had gone free.

Whatever the answer to these questions, Anakin knew that there was more to this mission then what met the eye.

*Next chapter: Anakin and Qui-Gon head off to Halith, where they finally talk to some of the previously mentioned characters.

Don't forget to R&R!

~Eleia Kenobi*