CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Six months had passed, and 18-year-old Anja was readily showing the evidence of her pregnancy. She had begun to wear her robe loosely to accommodate the tender bulge. She and Obi-Wan didn't care who knew about it, they were the proud parents of their child. Besides the pregnancy had already been all over the Temple by the end of the first month.
Obi-Wan was with Anja every spare moment that he could be. He never wanted Anja to be alone, just in case something happened. He was the worried father figure all right. But he loved the time that he spent with Anja and their son. Both of them especially liked the nights they spent in bed together.
Obi-Wan loved talking to the baby's mind and stroking Anja's stomach with his fingertips ever so lightly. The both of them could not wait until he would be born. They were dying to hold the little being in their own arms and look into his eyes for the first time.
Anja's training had subsided for the time being during her pregnancy. She meditated daily, usually tapping into the ever-growing mind of her precious son in her womb. She knew that she would have to give up her child due to the laws of the Jedi Order so he could train and live without worry of his parents. But it was allowed in their lifetime for them to see their parents a few times. At least she would be around him while they were in the Temple.
She was growing increasingly worried about their upcoming mission. Something.just something didn't feel right about her being a part of it. All she could do was remember that dream she had the night her and Obi-Wan had first made love. Anja had trained so long and hard for it that her pregnancy wasn't an excuse to back out of it. The quartet was going to see the Council in the morning and they would learn of the rest of the details of their mission.
They arrived just in time for the Council's meeting the very next morning. They bowed their respects to the head of the Council, Master Mace Windu and Master Yoda. Master Yoda smiled warmly when he saw Anja. She smiled back with a light blush, remembering her talk with him about her worries with Obi-Wan's baby.
"Important this is for all of you."
"As you all know, you will be departing in a few days." Mace Windu paused. "I believe that all of you have been studying rather obediently in preparation. For it is.a rather dangerous mission." Qui-Gon's eyes inquired to hear more. "A mysterious and dark power has erupted on the planet Layiunne." Master Mundi interrupted for a sharp note of information. "The Force is quite disturbed by it. It's disrupting the calmness that it is renowned for." Mace nodded to the other Master and continued on himself. "Layiunne is a rather new planet in the Republic. It only gained our attention because of this puzzling situation. I'm sorry to say that we don't know anything more that would help you on your journey. This will be a difficult mission for all of you, but we trust that you are ready for the challenge."
"Go you must, and discover what it is."
"May the Force be with you." Yoda and Mace said in unison. The quartet bowed their respects and turned, intended to leave the chamber when Anja turned around quickly, trying to keep herself composed as she unsteadily made her way back to the speaking circle.
"Masters. I do have worries.of this mission."
Yoda nodded. "Too, we do, Padawan Anja. But you.distressed you seem from.something?"
Ianol and Qui-Gon had long since stopped their departure and glanced at each other with worried looks to what Anja was trying to say. Obi-Wan stayed to Anja's side, steadying her uneasiness with his strong arm and hand against the small of her back. She leaned against him, relieved that he would see her through this.
"The Force.has given me a dreading feeling of this mission. I know I have my duty but I feel as if it is a bad idea if I do go on the mission." She trailed off and looked away, trying to keep her inner calm as Obi-Wan stroked her back to comfort her.
"Understand.we do..." Yoda croaked quietly as he glanced to Mace by his side.
"But as you know, Padawan Anja, that it is very dangerous to base things on a feeling, such as your own."
She nodded. "I remember, Master Windu. That is why I was reluctant to say anything to you. But, I will go on the mission. It is important and I have trained for this and I will not let you down." She straightened her back and said her statement with confidence.
"May the Force be with you, Apprentice." Yoda nodded and said in farewell as they all officially left the chamber of the pristine Council.