Author's Note: Sorry about the long wait for all of you guys who wanted to
read this. I have had little access to the Internet since school got out
(I'm in Florida and we got out around May 22nd) and I have also had a bit
of writer's block. I have also been having trouble with getting my story
up (site problems, losing the disc), but I managed to work it out and get
it all written up! Here is Chapter Four.
Chapter 4 - The Search Begins
The trio of peacekeepers briskly walked through the streets, gracefully dodging between people. They reached the grungy spaceport of the sector, only four large and neglected hangars in sight.
"He most likely left this spaceport. They should have all recent departures on file," Stak said calmly as they slowed their pace and resumed their normal stances.
"Will they let us see the files?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Most likely not. If we reveal our intent, however, they will allow us access.
Obi-Wan nodded in defeat. "I don't like to expose our position and intent, but if it is necessary..." Obi-Wan trailed off.
"It is. They only let galactic officials have access." Stak didn't have to say that if someone had enough money, anything was theirs. This was a known fact to the Jedi by now.
They casually strolled into the small room, the two Jedi Knights in front and the Padawan behind. They saw ahead a middle-aged female Dug, sitting with a look of boredom and misfortune on her face behind a fairly new grey desk.
"Greetings, ma'am. I am Jedi Knight Stak Kaa. I have a matter of galactic business and it requires me to see all of your recent departures," the Jedi conversed in Huttese.
The female Dug's eyes opened in wonderment and fear, her hands shuffling across her desk to comply with the Jedi's request. She then inserted a datacard into a terminal and frantically typed, fixing mistakes often. She handed the Jedi the datacard when she was finished. "A-All recent departures, M-Master Jedi."
"There's no need to be afraid. Relax" As Stak said this, the woman's tense shoulders relaxed. "Thank you for your cooperation."
"Anything...for a Jedi," the receptionist added under her breath.
Moments later, the Jedi exited the spaceport terminal to hail and taxi and return to their ship.
"His last know lightspeed route was in the system of Dathomir," Obi- Wan told his two fellow Jedi, tucking the datacard in one of his belt pouches.
"Are you sure it's him Master?"
"I am confident in my decision, Anakin. Most of the other coordinates were headed for Coruscant or trade systems such as Eraidu and Kessel."
"Yes, Master."
Together, the three Jedi summoned a dingy yellow cab and orderly got in, heading for the spaceport containing the Guiding Light.
They once again emptied the cab, this time Obi-Wan paying. The scenery hadn't changed much. It was a different time of day, giving the surroundings a look of normality and nothing phenomenally appealing.
The walk to the Guiding Light was short, only having to identify themselves at three regular intervals.
At least the security is adequate, Obi-Wan thought.
The spaceport was still lighted with dull yellow lights, the ship a deep contrast with its silver shape.
"I wish that I could accompany you, but my duty calls, and I must stay here," Stak announced as they stopped meters away from the ship.
"You have been nothing but helpful, Stak. Thank you for your aid," Obi-Wan said humbly.
The two shook hands and bowed, Stak backing away as Obi-Wan and Anakin marched into the shuttle.
"All systems go, Master. Ready for departure."
The ship pulled out, Stak waving shortly as his hands disappeared into his cloak.
Once past security, Anakin set coordinates for Dathomir.
"Ready for lightspeed, Master," Anakin said, watching his Master pull down on the level.
The ship rattled and shook violently in response, the stars remaining in place. If not for the harnesses, Anakin and Obi-Wan would have become close friends with the viewports.
"Anakin! Systems check!" Obi-Wan demanded, pulling the lever back up and the ship stopped rocking.
"Engine and hyperdrive failure. All other systems fine. We're dead in space."
"Check the engine. If you can't repair it with what's on board, I'll hail Malastare."
"I can fix it with a fork!" Anakin said grinning, Obi-Wan returning the smile.
Anakin unbuckled his harness and jumped towards the engine compartment. When he reached it, he immediately notices something wrong. He stepped up to the new, state-of-the-art, engine and inspected the small box attached to the front compartment.
An ion charge... Anakin silently thought as he flicked on his comlink.
"Master, someone attached an ion charge to the main engine. I'm betting it was one of the mechanics. I'm guessing at face value that it was set to go off when the hyperdrive initiated."
"Try and repair it," Obi-Wan crackled in response.
A standard hour later, Obi-Wan sat in his seat, still buckled into his harness, deep in quiet thought.
Anakin's powers are growing, but he is still focused on raw power. He could feel Gaid Callai long before me or Stak could. He is powerful indeed, but he fights many internal battles. I must continue to mold him into a Jedi.
For Master Qui-Gon.
"Master? The engine and hyperdrive are repaired. We should test run them."
Obi-Wan opened his eyes and turned to find Anakin's slightly ruffled air and clothes. His eyes, however, beamed with an intensity and pride only seen when he does something he is confident of.
"Let's go to Dathomir, my Padawan," Obi-Wan said, straightening himself while Anakin strapped himself in the co-pilot chair, preparing the ship for the test run.
Chapter 4 - The Search Begins
The trio of peacekeepers briskly walked through the streets, gracefully dodging between people. They reached the grungy spaceport of the sector, only four large and neglected hangars in sight.
"He most likely left this spaceport. They should have all recent departures on file," Stak said calmly as they slowed their pace and resumed their normal stances.
"Will they let us see the files?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Most likely not. If we reveal our intent, however, they will allow us access.
Obi-Wan nodded in defeat. "I don't like to expose our position and intent, but if it is necessary..." Obi-Wan trailed off.
"It is. They only let galactic officials have access." Stak didn't have to say that if someone had enough money, anything was theirs. This was a known fact to the Jedi by now.
They casually strolled into the small room, the two Jedi Knights in front and the Padawan behind. They saw ahead a middle-aged female Dug, sitting with a look of boredom and misfortune on her face behind a fairly new grey desk.
"Greetings, ma'am. I am Jedi Knight Stak Kaa. I have a matter of galactic business and it requires me to see all of your recent departures," the Jedi conversed in Huttese.
The female Dug's eyes opened in wonderment and fear, her hands shuffling across her desk to comply with the Jedi's request. She then inserted a datacard into a terminal and frantically typed, fixing mistakes often. She handed the Jedi the datacard when she was finished. "A-All recent departures, M-Master Jedi."
"There's no need to be afraid. Relax" As Stak said this, the woman's tense shoulders relaxed. "Thank you for your cooperation."
"Anything...for a Jedi," the receptionist added under her breath.
Moments later, the Jedi exited the spaceport terminal to hail and taxi and return to their ship.
"His last know lightspeed route was in the system of Dathomir," Obi- Wan told his two fellow Jedi, tucking the datacard in one of his belt pouches.
"Are you sure it's him Master?"
"I am confident in my decision, Anakin. Most of the other coordinates were headed for Coruscant or trade systems such as Eraidu and Kessel."
"Yes, Master."
Together, the three Jedi summoned a dingy yellow cab and orderly got in, heading for the spaceport containing the Guiding Light.
They once again emptied the cab, this time Obi-Wan paying. The scenery hadn't changed much. It was a different time of day, giving the surroundings a look of normality and nothing phenomenally appealing.
The walk to the Guiding Light was short, only having to identify themselves at three regular intervals.
At least the security is adequate, Obi-Wan thought.
The spaceport was still lighted with dull yellow lights, the ship a deep contrast with its silver shape.
"I wish that I could accompany you, but my duty calls, and I must stay here," Stak announced as they stopped meters away from the ship.
"You have been nothing but helpful, Stak. Thank you for your aid," Obi-Wan said humbly.
The two shook hands and bowed, Stak backing away as Obi-Wan and Anakin marched into the shuttle.
"All systems go, Master. Ready for departure."
The ship pulled out, Stak waving shortly as his hands disappeared into his cloak.
Once past security, Anakin set coordinates for Dathomir.
"Ready for lightspeed, Master," Anakin said, watching his Master pull down on the level.
The ship rattled and shook violently in response, the stars remaining in place. If not for the harnesses, Anakin and Obi-Wan would have become close friends with the viewports.
"Anakin! Systems check!" Obi-Wan demanded, pulling the lever back up and the ship stopped rocking.
"Engine and hyperdrive failure. All other systems fine. We're dead in space."
"Check the engine. If you can't repair it with what's on board, I'll hail Malastare."
"I can fix it with a fork!" Anakin said grinning, Obi-Wan returning the smile.
Anakin unbuckled his harness and jumped towards the engine compartment. When he reached it, he immediately notices something wrong. He stepped up to the new, state-of-the-art, engine and inspected the small box attached to the front compartment.
An ion charge... Anakin silently thought as he flicked on his comlink.
"Master, someone attached an ion charge to the main engine. I'm betting it was one of the mechanics. I'm guessing at face value that it was set to go off when the hyperdrive initiated."
"Try and repair it," Obi-Wan crackled in response.
A standard hour later, Obi-Wan sat in his seat, still buckled into his harness, deep in quiet thought.
Anakin's powers are growing, but he is still focused on raw power. He could feel Gaid Callai long before me or Stak could. He is powerful indeed, but he fights many internal battles. I must continue to mold him into a Jedi.
For Master Qui-Gon.
"Master? The engine and hyperdrive are repaired. We should test run them."
Obi-Wan opened his eyes and turned to find Anakin's slightly ruffled air and clothes. His eyes, however, beamed with an intensity and pride only seen when he does something he is confident of.
"Let's go to Dathomir, my Padawan," Obi-Wan said, straightening himself while Anakin strapped himself in the co-pilot chair, preparing the ship for the test run.