It took nearly two days for the Jedi to reach their destination. Anakin, as
was his custom, disappeared for most of it, and Obi-Wan, as was his custom,
meditated and tried not to think of Anakin piloting.
Once they reached the planet, the Jedi disembarked and looked around. Anakin was astounded. He'd never seen so much water in one place, coming as he did from the desert planet of Tatooine. Even Obi-Wan seemed awed, and he'd been around more. He looked around at the vast ocean whistling.
"Greetings, strangers," a man said to them. "Is this your first visit to our beautiful planet?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "We are the Jedi that were sent for by the leader of the largest clan in Khadera."
"Ah, yes," the man said. "We were informed of your arrival. Please come this way. All arrangements have been made."
Obi-Wan and Anakin followed warily. They didn't detect anything amiss, but they decided not to take any chances.
The man led them to a transportation station. The sign advertised low price transport to the capital city of the Skrits. Obi-Wan was relieved at this. He hadn't brought much money.
The man gestured to a waiting transport. "This driver will take you to Khadera," he told the Jedi.
Obi-Wan reached for the few credits he had, but the driver was shaking his head. "That will not be necessary for guests of state." Obi-Wan nodded his thanks and both Jedi boarded.
Obi-Wan sighed. Well, he thought, at least I'm not in space or in a speeder with Anakin behind the wheel! Anakin had piloting skills, that was certain, but the boy was reckless. A normal flight with him wasn't flying, it was suicide! Even with a different pilot, Obi-Wan closed his eyes and dropped into meditation.
Anakin looked at his Master. His eyes were closed and he looked like he'd seen a ghost. Good, Anakin thought. He'd been wanting to learn about this ship ever since he'd laid eyes on her.
He slid up to the cockpit and asked the pilot if he'd mind teaching him. He figured he'd head back before the trip was over and his Master would be none the wiser.
A few hours later, the ride was coming to an end. Obi-Wan waited patiently, knowing his Padawan would show up. He'd had enough with Anakin sneaking off whenever he thought Obi-Wan wouldn't know. Obi-Wan, of course, being the boy's Master, knew exactly when he left and came back. He also knew exactly where he went. He didn't mind it, he just wanted Anakin to tell him.
Anakin walked in, glad to see his Master's eyes still closed. He turned to look out the window at all the life forms.
"Glad to see you've decided to rejoin me."
Anakin jumped startled. Obi-Wan, contrary to popular belief, was fully aware. Oh no, Anakin thought, but Obi-Wan didn't look angry. He looked. . .almost amused.
"I know where you've been," Obi-Wan informed the shocked young boy, "and where you go whenever we step onto a new ship. I don't mind it, really, I just wish you'd tell me. I had to follow you the first few times."
Anakin nodded sheepishly. "Sorry, Master. I didn't think you'd approve."
Obi-Wan grinned. "Ah, but I do. Perhaps one of the pilots that you talk to can beat these suicidal tendencies you have out of you." This made Anakin laugh as they disembarked. He knew exactly what his Master thought of his piloting.
An exceptionally tall and handsome man (not that they thought that way!! It's just that the writer, me, is female and I had to put it in!) met them. "Hello," he said in Basic. "I am. . ." and here he babbled off some incomprehensible stream of family names and titles. At the Jedi's blank looks he said, "You may address me as Khala."
Obi-Wan made their introductions. "We are also awaiting the arrival of another Jedi team. They should be here in a day or so."
"We know. We await their arrival as well. I'll have someone escort you to the rooms you'll be staying in while you're with us."
"We'd like to get started immediately," Obi-Wan stated, ignoring Anakin's pleading stare. He liked to hang around a little before starting anything.
"Ah yes," Khala said. "I had forgotten the rumored Jedi dedication to a cause or job. Very well, I'll have my assistant show you around as well. You are, of course, free to wander where you will."
The leader clapped his hands, and, as if by magic, and striking young woman appeared almost instantaneously. They began speaking in a tongue Obi-Wan had never heard before, yet somehow understood.
"Take these two to the quarters my lord has set aside for them and the other two. Show them around, but make sure you. . ." Obi-Wan couldn't hear this part, ". . .and know where they are at all times."
"Yes my lord."
Khala turned back to the waiting Jedi. Obi-Wan pretended he hadn't heard what he heard. "Please follow Lana," Khala said to them. "She will show you around and if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." Obi-Wan nodded his thanks.
Lana took both of their arms. Obi-Wan felt a slight pressure from her fingers, and then it was a normal grip. "If you will follow me?" She took them around to where they'd be staying and the general places they ought to know about. Afterwards, Obi-Wan thanked her and informed her that they'd be retiring for the evening. This concerned Anakin, since it was relatively early and Obi-Wan had already expressed a desire to begin the investigation.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Obi-Wan took off his tunic and began hunting over it. Anakin was seriously disturbed, but he said nothing. Finally, Obi-Wan found what he was looking for.
"Take off your tunic," Obi-Wan instructed Anakin, picking something off his own and putting it back on. Anakin, extremely confused, did as he was told. Obi-Wan took it from him and began hunting over it. After a few more silent minutes, Obi-Wan again found whatever he was looking for and picked it off. Able to stand no more, Anakin blurted out, "What's wrong?"
Handing Anakin back his tunic, Obi-Wan explained. "They put tracking devices on us. I overheard a conversation between Khala and his aide. She put them on us when she took out arms to lead us away. There was a slightly more intense pressure than you'd expect from someone leading you away, if you were looking for it. Anyway, I personally don't want them watching our every move, possibly showing up and trying to steer us away from important things." Anakin nodded, understanding that Khala was suspect. "Now we have a place to start," Obi-Wan continued. "He's obviously trying to hide something from us."
"But won't they know you've found them?" Anakin asked.
Obi-Wan shook his head. "These are TZ-31's. Small and simple, it is designed to track someone without alerting them that they are being tracked. It's so small that it's impossible to find it unless you know what you're looking for. It does not have an alarm to alert when and if it is found. There are no voice- or video-recorders on it. It's too small. I didn't break the devices, so we'll have to be very, very careful." Anakin stared incredulously. His Master never ceased to amaze him.
"But what first?" Anakin inquired.
"First, we'll have to talk to the lord here," Obi-Wan replied. "Remember to be polite, do not speak unless you are spoken to, you know the drill. Try to let me do all the talking." Anakin nodded his understanding and the two Jedi slipped out of the room.
They tried to find the lord's quarters on their own, but found it quite impossible. That hadn't been part of the guided tour. Eventually, Obi-Wan asked someone and managed to make him forget he'd ever seen the Jedi, making use of his powers of Force suggestion, better known as Jedi mind tricks.
Soon enough after that, they found what they were looking for. With a glance at Anakin, Obi-Wan knocked softly. After a moment, the door opened. Standing in the doorway was a young Lumerian. He was at least several centimeters taller than Obi-Wan, and most certainly more physically imposing. "What do you want?" he growled.
Not intimidated in the slightest, Obi-Wan said, "I'm one of the Jedi your lord sent for. I'd like to speak with him, if I may."
They man disappeared for a few moments. "Enter," he practically spat when he returned. "my lord has been expecting you."
Exchanging glances, the two Jedi entered.
Once they reached the planet, the Jedi disembarked and looked around. Anakin was astounded. He'd never seen so much water in one place, coming as he did from the desert planet of Tatooine. Even Obi-Wan seemed awed, and he'd been around more. He looked around at the vast ocean whistling.
"Greetings, strangers," a man said to them. "Is this your first visit to our beautiful planet?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "We are the Jedi that were sent for by the leader of the largest clan in Khadera."
"Ah, yes," the man said. "We were informed of your arrival. Please come this way. All arrangements have been made."
Obi-Wan and Anakin followed warily. They didn't detect anything amiss, but they decided not to take any chances.
The man led them to a transportation station. The sign advertised low price transport to the capital city of the Skrits. Obi-Wan was relieved at this. He hadn't brought much money.
The man gestured to a waiting transport. "This driver will take you to Khadera," he told the Jedi.
Obi-Wan reached for the few credits he had, but the driver was shaking his head. "That will not be necessary for guests of state." Obi-Wan nodded his thanks and both Jedi boarded.
Obi-Wan sighed. Well, he thought, at least I'm not in space or in a speeder with Anakin behind the wheel! Anakin had piloting skills, that was certain, but the boy was reckless. A normal flight with him wasn't flying, it was suicide! Even with a different pilot, Obi-Wan closed his eyes and dropped into meditation.
Anakin looked at his Master. His eyes were closed and he looked like he'd seen a ghost. Good, Anakin thought. He'd been wanting to learn about this ship ever since he'd laid eyes on her.
He slid up to the cockpit and asked the pilot if he'd mind teaching him. He figured he'd head back before the trip was over and his Master would be none the wiser.
A few hours later, the ride was coming to an end. Obi-Wan waited patiently, knowing his Padawan would show up. He'd had enough with Anakin sneaking off whenever he thought Obi-Wan wouldn't know. Obi-Wan, of course, being the boy's Master, knew exactly when he left and came back. He also knew exactly where he went. He didn't mind it, he just wanted Anakin to tell him.
Anakin walked in, glad to see his Master's eyes still closed. He turned to look out the window at all the life forms.
"Glad to see you've decided to rejoin me."
Anakin jumped startled. Obi-Wan, contrary to popular belief, was fully aware. Oh no, Anakin thought, but Obi-Wan didn't look angry. He looked. . .almost amused.
"I know where you've been," Obi-Wan informed the shocked young boy, "and where you go whenever we step onto a new ship. I don't mind it, really, I just wish you'd tell me. I had to follow you the first few times."
Anakin nodded sheepishly. "Sorry, Master. I didn't think you'd approve."
Obi-Wan grinned. "Ah, but I do. Perhaps one of the pilots that you talk to can beat these suicidal tendencies you have out of you." This made Anakin laugh as they disembarked. He knew exactly what his Master thought of his piloting.
An exceptionally tall and handsome man (not that they thought that way!! It's just that the writer, me, is female and I had to put it in!) met them. "Hello," he said in Basic. "I am. . ." and here he babbled off some incomprehensible stream of family names and titles. At the Jedi's blank looks he said, "You may address me as Khala."
Obi-Wan made their introductions. "We are also awaiting the arrival of another Jedi team. They should be here in a day or so."
"We know. We await their arrival as well. I'll have someone escort you to the rooms you'll be staying in while you're with us."
"We'd like to get started immediately," Obi-Wan stated, ignoring Anakin's pleading stare. He liked to hang around a little before starting anything.
"Ah yes," Khala said. "I had forgotten the rumored Jedi dedication to a cause or job. Very well, I'll have my assistant show you around as well. You are, of course, free to wander where you will."
The leader clapped his hands, and, as if by magic, and striking young woman appeared almost instantaneously. They began speaking in a tongue Obi-Wan had never heard before, yet somehow understood.
"Take these two to the quarters my lord has set aside for them and the other two. Show them around, but make sure you. . ." Obi-Wan couldn't hear this part, ". . .and know where they are at all times."
"Yes my lord."
Khala turned back to the waiting Jedi. Obi-Wan pretended he hadn't heard what he heard. "Please follow Lana," Khala said to them. "She will show you around and if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." Obi-Wan nodded his thanks.
Lana took both of their arms. Obi-Wan felt a slight pressure from her fingers, and then it was a normal grip. "If you will follow me?" She took them around to where they'd be staying and the general places they ought to know about. Afterwards, Obi-Wan thanked her and informed her that they'd be retiring for the evening. This concerned Anakin, since it was relatively early and Obi-Wan had already expressed a desire to begin the investigation.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Obi-Wan took off his tunic and began hunting over it. Anakin was seriously disturbed, but he said nothing. Finally, Obi-Wan found what he was looking for.
"Take off your tunic," Obi-Wan instructed Anakin, picking something off his own and putting it back on. Anakin, extremely confused, did as he was told. Obi-Wan took it from him and began hunting over it. After a few more silent minutes, Obi-Wan again found whatever he was looking for and picked it off. Able to stand no more, Anakin blurted out, "What's wrong?"
Handing Anakin back his tunic, Obi-Wan explained. "They put tracking devices on us. I overheard a conversation between Khala and his aide. She put them on us when she took out arms to lead us away. There was a slightly more intense pressure than you'd expect from someone leading you away, if you were looking for it. Anyway, I personally don't want them watching our every move, possibly showing up and trying to steer us away from important things." Anakin nodded, understanding that Khala was suspect. "Now we have a place to start," Obi-Wan continued. "He's obviously trying to hide something from us."
"But won't they know you've found them?" Anakin asked.
Obi-Wan shook his head. "These are TZ-31's. Small and simple, it is designed to track someone without alerting them that they are being tracked. It's so small that it's impossible to find it unless you know what you're looking for. It does not have an alarm to alert when and if it is found. There are no voice- or video-recorders on it. It's too small. I didn't break the devices, so we'll have to be very, very careful." Anakin stared incredulously. His Master never ceased to amaze him.
"But what first?" Anakin inquired.
"First, we'll have to talk to the lord here," Obi-Wan replied. "Remember to be polite, do not speak unless you are spoken to, you know the drill. Try to let me do all the talking." Anakin nodded his understanding and the two Jedi slipped out of the room.
They tried to find the lord's quarters on their own, but found it quite impossible. That hadn't been part of the guided tour. Eventually, Obi-Wan asked someone and managed to make him forget he'd ever seen the Jedi, making use of his powers of Force suggestion, better known as Jedi mind tricks.
Soon enough after that, they found what they were looking for. With a glance at Anakin, Obi-Wan knocked softly. After a moment, the door opened. Standing in the doorway was a young Lumerian. He was at least several centimeters taller than Obi-Wan, and most certainly more physically imposing. "What do you want?" he growled.
Not intimidated in the slightest, Obi-Wan said, "I'm one of the Jedi your lord sent for. I'd like to speak with him, if I may."
They man disappeared for a few moments. "Enter," he practically spat when he returned. "my lord has been expecting you."
Exchanging glances, the two Jedi entered.