Chapter Three: Returning Missions
Anakin's heart had started pounding the instant he reached into the bond he shared with his master and sensed emotions that were alien to the calm demeanor of Hiiro'eza Katua. She possessed a serene countenance that far exceeded that of any Jedi he had ever come across, including that of Master Yoda. He fully expected that after his knighting, Hiiro would be named to the High Council.
The Force aided his speed as he raced through the corridors and instead of waiting for lifts to carry him to the Temple heights, he bounded up spiraling staircases.
Anger raged through the bond and it frightened Anakin. He had never felt such an emotion from her before and was fearful of what he would find. Mentally he reached out, desperately trying to discern what was happening but the bond suddenly went still.
The apprentice stumbled, catching himself against the wall. His breathing came in a short series of exhales and inhales. The bond was being blocked but that did not stop him. Wrapping the Force around, he sought his calm center. Remaining still, he struggled to focus his mind until he could look beyond the fear that was lacing through him. When he was sufficiently centered, he cast out, his spirit mingling with the Force as he touched everything in the Temple.
The gentle currents guided him through the maze of corridors and rooms until he reached the Council Tower. His master's Force signature was bright and powerful within the circle of twelve. She was safe. Sparks of agitated red flitted about in the calming blues of her aura telling him that she was very upset about something. That, which he intended to find out. Drawing back in, Anakin opened his eyes staring into the bright light of the corridor. Exhaling deeply, he broke into a sprint.
Bursting into the Council antechamber, Anakin breezed past the gathered Jedi waiting for their turn before the Council. His entire being was focused on the large closed doors that separated him from his master.
He marched past the aid's desk where the apprentice stationed there bound to his feet, racing around the large desk. "I am sorry, Padawan Skywalker, but the Council is not–"
"Expecting me." With a wave of both his hands, the great chamber doors slowly parted revealing the circular chamber. The twelve members of the Council remained near motionless, none of them turning their gaze upon the young man that barged in. Another wave of his hands sent the doors closed behind him. It did not matter if they ignored him; his attention was solely upon his master.
The tall Isa'rui woman was a commanding figure in the center of the sun kissed floor. Her deep brown cloak with a hint of pattern hung from straight shoulders, drifting just above the floor. The rich brown of her tunic draped open revealing a creamy yellow under tunic above the wide sash around her thin waist. The brown draped down around her trousers forming a false skirt.
At the entrance of her padawan, Hiiro turned slightly. The long material shifted revealing tightly cut, knee high boots with a slight heel that added to her already considerable height.
"Anakin." There was hurt in her voice.
The Kel Dor, Plo Koon hissed through his breathing mask, "You were not called into the chambers."
Calmly raising a hand to quiet any further protests to Anakin's actions was the Senior Councilor Mace Windu.
"What's going on?" the youth asked, quickly moving to his master's side.
Hiiro's dark eyes blinked, then closed as she gave a long exhale. "The Council has an important mission for us."
"Master?" he reached for the Isa'rui but Hiiro turned back to face Mace and Yoda. Understanding by her actions that he needed to exhibit proper form, he took a moment to straighten his own lightly colored tunic and then formally bowed to members of the Council. "Forgive my abruptness, masters. I was concerned for Master Hiiro and was not thinking properly."
Yoda's large eyes studied him for a time before drifting back to the figure of Hiiro. Her blue skin shimmered in the midday light.
The tiny green master nodded. "Understandable it is. Habit, you should not make of it." He pointed a clawed finger at the youth. "Consider always the consequences of your actions."
The words bit deep into Anakin. His failure to consider the consequences had all ready taken one life. "Yes, Master," he said dipping his head in a slight bow.
After a stretch of silence, Hiiro turned and addressed several of the masters seated around the room. "I will not be the one to tell him."
Anakin looked across at her but chose to say nothing. Hiiro had taught him that it is often better to wait and see what happens.
Mace folded his long fingers together in front of him as he began to speak. "We are sending you to Selenoor Buhka."
The words burned through him, robbing him of the bit of calm he had fought so hard to possess. Squeezing his eyes closed, Anakin waited for the details of the mission to be spelled out but there was only silence. He felt himself waver as if at any moment he were going to fall to the floor.
A firm hand pressed to his shoulder steadying him. He could feel the bond he shared with his master bloom back to life as her affections for him returned. He was grateful for her calming presence and sent a gentle pulse to her through the Force.
"My expertise in mediation are needed there, Padawan," she said firmly. Though Anakin noted something hidden in her. "You are free to remain here–"
"Padawan Skywalker will accompany you," Depa Billaba said evenly.
Hiiro turned to face the master that had interrupted her. "I do not believe Anakin is emotionally ready to return–"
"Master Hiiro'eza," Mace firmly announced.
Anakin looked to his master. There was so much grief painted in her smooth features as she straightened but said nothing else.
Depa spoke up once more, explaining the situation. "The Chancellor on demand of the Senate wants a mediator to restart negotiations between the Selé and Buhka castes. The last truce and compromise broke down nearly a year ago when the dominant Selé government tried to evict the Buhka landowners to gain control of the Paelcite deposits.
More wars to feed the greed, Anakin thought blandly. Paelcite was an extremely expensive milky white gem that could be cut for the finest of jewelry called Paelstone. A master cutter could turn raw paelcite into the sharpest cutting tools in the galaxy. Healers and artisans prized them alike for their scalpel precision.
"For now, the Senate is concerned what the strip mining operations will do to the Barim-rich soil. They cannot afford to loose the primary source of Taedir growing lands within the Republic. The healing oils are still vastly used by much of the galaxy."
Many lives depended on what the oils provided and Anakin understood this. From his years growing up on Tatooine to his many visits to the Temple healers he had seen Taedir oil used in healing many afflictions. In some cases, small amounts of the oil could outweigh tanks of bacta in usefulness. He would just have to deal with his personal troubles, put them aside for the greater good.
Offering a slight nod, Anakin said, "When do we leave?"
"0600 tomorrow," Mace said. "Things have deteriorated quickly and the world is descending into civil war."
A pregnant silence filled the room.
Ki-Adi Mundi shattered the sound void. "We have sent a mediator to get negotiations back on track, but prior to his arrival the Selé High Lord's palace was attacked and his daughter and granddaughter, the Lady Anjah and Temue were kidnapped by Buhkan rebels. They are holding them hostage to swing negotiations in their favor."
Anjah.
Anakin remembered the beautiful Senebrak woman. She was as good as her father, Nural Lord Tanchim, was evil. She had been kind and helpful when he and his master had been there to mediate the land dispute seven years earlier.
She had sent her bodyguard in search of them during the attack on the negotiations. Had it not been for Anjah, he would have died under the crush of fallen stones. It had been under her command that the finest healers had been brought in. He owed Anjah his life.
He would brave his demons to help her.
The Cerean leaned forward in his seat and studied Anakin's even gaze. "There is an investigation and search to rescue the Lady and her daughter. Your duties are solely to bring the negotiations about. This in fighting between the castes must be stopped before the Taedir harvest in the coming weeks."
Hiiro gave a slight bow of understanding. "We are not to interfere with the secondary investigation."
There was a coolness to her words that left a chill in Anakin.