"You scrub up well, for a Rimworlder," said Panolpei as Anakin walked up to her outside the restaurant. He was dressed in a deep dark brown suit. He regarded Panolpei. The bright pink dress should have clashed with her red skin, but instead highlighted it.

"Oh, this? It's nothing, after all, I didn't want to show you up." Anakin replied.

"Why, thank you, Anakin. Shall we go inside?" she said, offering him her hand.

"Of course, my pleasure," said Anakin as they entered the restaurant.

They entered the restaurant and found their seats. The view looked over the city centre, prominent was the Rouge Pyramid.

"Enjoying the view?" said Panolpei leaning forward.

"Um, what. Uh, sure," said Anakin, remembering to look Panolpei in the eyes.

"No, out there," said Panolpei gesturing to the scenery.

Anakin looked outside and noticed a new grav scooter, the Mark V from that core team was pulling up outside another restaurant and a brief glimpse of Obi-Wan Kenobi. What was he doing here?

"It would help if I knew what I was looking at," he said.

"The Pyramid darling. Not the whole thing mind. It is said there is a jewel as the centrepiece. Some people want that jewel. Very bad people Anakin." said Panolpei.

Anakin began to see where the conversation was leading, oh well. Figures, Owen was the chick magnet.

"So," he said evenly.

"So I was thinking that when the very bad people work out it is here then it shouldn't. Because it will be in the hands of not bad people," said Panolpei leaning forwards again.

"I'm listening," said Anakin as he leaned back.


Owen and Adara walked arm in arm about the city.

"Nice side street," observed Owen looking down a narrow gap between two hotels.

"Care for a closer look?" asked Adara.

"Don't mind if I do," said Owen.

The couple wandered down, for all appearances two beings on a date. They stopped to embrace at one point.

"In place?"

"In place."

The couple departed.

"Adara?"

"Yes Owen?"

"This is fun and all, but what is it we're stealing?" said Owen.

"It's called a Holocron. A psionic memory crystal," said Adara.

"Valuable?" asked Owen.

"If it's dead you could buy a cruiser with it." said Adara.

"Dead? Are these things alive?" said Owen.

"Yes, no. Look, it responds to psychic activity. That's what I meant." said Adara.

"Okay. Explains what the Jedi is doing here." said Owen.

Adara shifted, and in a few economic movements conspired to look in every direction. "There's a Jedi, here?"

"Relax, it's only Kenobi. Still, that means we'll need to be quick. Let's call Anakin." said Owen, activating his comm.

"Wait, wasn't he on a date earlier? What if he's busy now," said Adara.

"Anakin? That racer chick would normally hit his charger, but these days, nah. He thinks he's in love. So no way are they in her bedroom."


In the bedroom of the penthouse suite where Panolpei was staying Anakin regarded a holo projection of the city.

"Well, what do you think?" said Panolpei.

"Definitely doable. I think I'm going to need to speak with..." said Anakin before his com beeped. "Owen!" he said answering, "Hey, there's this thing we gotta steal, oh you too. Wait is this, oh right, what does Adara, nevermind. You know about Kenobi? Sure, we should give him pointers, yes, great time. Which plan though? Nah too risky, let's do the same as Golgafrinch. Beskine? Oh very well. As it so happens I do have a fourth man right here. Yes, they can drive."

Anakin looked up at Panolpei." Right, we're on."


Some days later Obi-Wan kept a close watch on the Rouge Pyramid. He tried to keep the cheadache at bay, but to no avail. Today was the anniversary of Marko Ragnos' ascension on almost the very site where it occurred. On such a day, it was best for Jedi in the area to be in meditation if not elsewhere. He however knew that this was when the Skywalkers would strike. It was, uncanny, would be the word anyone else would use. Those two rogues and female companion somehow could feel the shifting in the Force and turn it to their advantage. Some sort of latent talent? He wondered which one it was. He had ruled out Adara, her Force potential had been tested and was a matter of knowing where to look in the Archives. Two Rimworlders however. Tatooine was only a Republic world on holo. They had no records if they had ever been tested anyways. So despite the splitting headache he persevered trusting to his mundane talents as today most Force based one's were near useless.

He was soon rewarded. Three hours after dawn four young people ordered tickets and entered the Pyramid. After half an hour they departed, each heading to a separate speeder. The three vehicles sped off, each in a different direction.

Oh, so they were up to those tricks.

"Jedi Kenobi here. I need those two teams. Targets are as follows". said Obi-Wan. "Yes, I will be on the main, but we would love for you to come."

If you can keep up that is. He thought as the various vehicles sped off in pursuit.


Owen fired the charger and the speeder leapt forwards. He zipped through the early morning traffic manoeuvring constantly towards Starport. it was the most obvious escape location. After all, get into orbit, hit hyper and you were away. He heard the sirens and accelerated, dodging through the traffic. The Judicials were behind him, but they used old Tragors by and large. Might as well be in a tractor he thought. Anyways, here it was. Owen turned into the alley and twisted so that he was using a wall as the 'road', aided by a suspensor he and Adara had left there a few nights back. It wouldn't last long, but that was enough to leave the alley and resume normal driving as the Judicials all halted at the entrance. The moment's lost contact allowed him to switch direction and make for the forest on the outskirts. There, he ditched the speeder and leapt into his waiting Lancer. Moments later the tiny ship was streaking for orbit and was soon lost in the morning traffic.

Panolpei swerved through the traffic keeping to the large thoroughfares, her bright pink speeder clearly visible. Behind her, the Judicials were just visible, their regular models just no match for a custom speeder. She laughed as her passage traced a large circuit about the city. She also wondered about Anakin. Oh, this, this was purely business, but there was no need to not mix in pleasure as well. It wasn't as if he was some Jedi monk sworn to a life of celibacy and mysticism. Now, where had that thought come from? How odd. She shifted gears and turned, the converters now acting as brakes turning what should have been a crash into a deft skid onto the slipway. As she coasted down the slipway she took time to check her appearance, added some extra blusher and made sure she looked perfect. Then she accelerated and fired the AG causing the speeder to clear the slipway rails and fly in a graceful arc down to a waiting crowd. She exited and waved to the media before smiling at the approaching Judicials.

Anakin swept down the boulevards, his focus on the destination, blazing like a beacon in his mind. All about him, buildings, roads, vehicles and people seemed to blur. Nothing mattered but the path, the ever-changing yet crystal clear path. There were two distractions. The first was the speeder that dogged him no matter what. It was as if the driver could predict his every move and sometimes see it before performing it. Kenobi thought Anakin. What do you want now? Well, to catch him obviously, hopefully for committing some major crime. Sorry buster, all I've got for you today is reckless driving. And annoying a Jedi. Still, it was Kenobi. Anakin figured him getting up and breathing qualified as annoying Kenobi. As for the other distraction, his comm was beeping. He switched it on as he banked into a one-way street, Kenobi right behind him.

"Hello there, this is Anakin Skywalker's reply comm, please leave your message at the..." he attempted as he dodged the oncoming cars.

"Oh no, you're talking to me now Mr Anakin Skywalker-Lars." came Padme's voice.

"Oh hi Padme, are you in system?" said Anakin airily as he jumped two vehicles while wondering how she found out his actual name. Never mind, Padme owned an entire intelligence network.

"Of course, I am in system and I want an explanation," said Padme.

"Are you upset about the race, hey babe, even I can't win them all," said Anakin leaping off the speedway and going into a dive to the lower levels. Hah, only a maniac would follow me.

The pursuing speeder followed, copying perfectly. Or a Jedi thought Anakin.

"Not the race, that business with that Draxian, Panolpei," said Padme.

The speeders reached the lower levels, their AG preventing a messy end and converting the fall into forward momentum. Naboo Intelligence can't be that good, thought Anakin.

"Hey, I can explain. It's for a good cause. Kinda." said Anakin as the speeders raced through the darkness of the undercity.

"A good cause! Anakin, I want you here in front of me right now!" said Padme.

"Certainly your Royal Highnessness. Um, where are you?" said Anakin.

"Low orbit coming up on Leoban City." said Padme.

Anakin thought quickly, "I'll be driftwards of it in the blue and silver speeder in the lead." he said.

A few moments later he was clear of the city and in the open. Any second now. Any second. Out of the sky descended a silver ship. Quickly, it matched the lead speeder and a blue beam stretched from the ship down to it. Caught in the tractor beam the speeder with Anakin rose and was drawn into the ships bay. Then the ship ascended on a plume of flame.

Obi-Wan Kenobi decelerated, stopped and performed a calming exercise as an alternative to swearing. He quickly identified the rising ship. No point in chasing that up. So, Skywalker had escaped again, this time with the Queen of Naboo as an accomplice. He wondered how he would explain this in his report.


Anakin walked briskly down the cruiser's halls until reached the room. He knocked.

"Enter" came Padme's voice from within.

Anakin entered and regarded his rescuer. "So. how much trouble am I in?" he said to her.

Padme rose and walked over to him. "That all depends on you explaining what I'm invoking my DI for."

Anakin spread his arms and smiled, "Well, it's like this. Ever hear of something called a holocron?" he began.

Deep within the undercity, Adara shed the camoline cloak and briefly checked she was alone. Ms Parstol wanted the holocron out of 'undeserving hands' which meant this was probably her only chance. She held up the holocron in her hand and concentrated.

"Why hello, Master Ragnos." she said as the device came to life.