Chapter 4 – The Council
"Master, I was just out looking for some spare parts is all. I wasn't even gone long. I guess I just picked a bad time to leave."
Anakin shifted on his feet nervously as he spoke.
Why am I rambling like this? He didn't even ask me where I was. So, why am I explaining it all like someone who is guilty?
Obi-Wan gazed back at Anakin with the calm blue eyes and steady gaze that Anakin often found very irritating. If only Obi-Wan would get angry, or at least look angry. Instead, he looked as if he could have cared less where Anakin had been. The silence went on a little longer until finally Anakin had to speak.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here when you were looking for me. I…."
"Please, stop explaining yourself," Obi-Wan said, raising his left hand and speaking with cool authority. "We are wanted by the Council, immediately."
Obi-Wan turned quickly on his heels and headed for the Council chamber. Anakin had been so ready for Obi-Wan's lecture that it took him a moment to realize that none was forthcoming. He sprinted along until he was walking at his Master's side. Obi-Wan waved a polite greeting to the few Jedi that they passed in the hallway but made no gesture in Anakin's direction. Anakin wondered why Obi-Wan was not speaking, not lecturing, and as often was the case, his curiosity won out over his patience.
"I would have expected a lecture by now," Anakin said cautiously.
"You have heard many lectures before. They do not seem to have made much of an impact. Why should one more be any different."
Ouch.
"I'm sorry Master," was all Anakin could manage to say.
"Words that flow so easily from your mouth Padawan." Before Anakin could respond to that, Obi-Wan turned swiftly and regarded his apprentice with curious eyes. "It was more painful for you to not receive a lecture. You have come to anticipate such things and therefore the absence of it was unnerving to you."
Anakin shook his head slightly in acknowledgment, though he was sure that what Obi-Wan was saying was not a question.
"Interesting."
Obi-Wan spun swiftly once again and began walking. Once again, Anakin was forced to sprint to catch up. His Master had indeed surprised him, and Anakin didn't like it one bit. He was about to say something else, but Obi-Wan raised a hand and inclined his head so that Anakin could see that they had reached the Council chamber.
"Whatever things lay between us we will discuss later. Now, you must focus on the moment."
Anakin nodded once to indicate that he understood. In turn, Obi-Wan simply smiled warmly.
"Besides, you've got it all wrong. I'm not even upset."
With that Obi-Wan strode through the open Council doors, leaving a dumbfounded Anakin behind. Anakin scrambled to catch up as Obi-Wan was already bowing in greeting to the Council. Anakin bowed also and took his place at his Master's side. Obi-Wan was still smiling slightly, which Yoda instantly noticed.
"And how did your flying go young Skywalker?" Yoda asked, a smirk on his face.
"Very well Master," Anakin managed to stammer, clearly surprised at Yoda's comment.
"Well now that you have had your fun, it seems as good a time as any for some serious work," Mace Windu remarked, not nearly as amused by Anakin' antics as Yoda and Obi-Wan seemed to be.
"The Republic has lost contact with a scientific expedition orbiting the planet Icis," Depa Billaba broke in, causing Obi-Wan and Anakin to turn with some surprise to regard her. Master Billaba rarely spoke in Council meetings, and frankly it was unusual for anyone outside of Yoda, Mace, and Ki-Adi Mundi to speak in these meetings. "The expedition is being conducted by the Vil Laboratory, on the personal request of the Senate and Supreme Chancellor. Their assignment was to extract Hydera minerals from the asteroid belt around the planet."
To this news Obi-Wan showed a flicker of surprise, while Anakin showed genuine bewilderment.
"I apologize for my ignorance Master but what are Hydera minerals?" Anakin asked without even considering whether he should speak now or not.
Depa Billaba seemed to have anticipated the question however. "Hydera minerals can be processed into a powerful healing solution, far more effective than even bacta. Of course, it is very rare and dangerous to extract, which is probably why you have not heard of it. I was part of the team that brought news of Hydera minerals in the asteroid belt of Icis back to the Senate. Extracting the Hydera was considered of great importance and the premier scientific laboratory with regards to laser technology was selected. The Senate lost contact with Saya Vil and her team 3 days ago for reasons unknown."
"And you want us to make those reasons known?" Anakin spoke again, though this time it was clear he should have kept his mouth shut.
"We want you to travel to Icis," Mace Windu said in his very stern voice, "and return the scientists to Coruscant."
"Are we certain that there has been trouble? Is there anything about the planet that could disrupt subspace communications?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Saya Vil has been good about checking in with the Senate thus far, without incident, so a lack of communication points most strongly toward something being wrong," Depa Billaba responded.
"Still, know for certain we do not," Yoda remarked, drawing everyone's attention. "Investigate you must; rescue if need be, you will."
"Jocasta Nu has prepared all relevant reports from my expedition to the planet Icis, as well as Saya Vil's check-ins and information on the Vil Laboratory," Depa Billaba said. "There is a transport waiting to take you to the planet. May the Force Be With You."
Anakin bowed to the Council and prepared to leave, but caught himself when he realized that Obi-Wan had given no indication of leaving.
"A concern you have Master Kenobi?" Yoda asked.
"Not so much a concern Master. This situation is all very much a mystery. I think it wise that we not involve any civilians in this if at all possible. Therefore, I propose that Anakin pilot us to the planet in a transport."
It took all Anakin's strength not to look at his Master in total bewilderment. Obi-Wan rarely made suggestions to the Council about anything, especially suggestions that Anakin himself would have made.
"As you wish," Mace Windu said as he surveyed the other Council members for a hint of dissent. "May the Force Be With You."
Obi-Wan bowed deeply to the Council and glided out of the chamber with Anakin close behind.
"Wizard. I can't believe I get to fly us there."
"Neither do I. I can't believe I said that," Obi-Wan remarked, but the slight smirk he had on his face stopped Anakin's retort.
Instead, Anakin looked straight ahead and with a smile said, "I promise I'll drive slow."
"Lying to a Jedi Master is against the Code Anakin."
"Right. I promise I'll try to drive slow."
"I feel better already," Obi-Wan remarked dryly, as they headed toward the hanger bay.