A/N: This is my first Star Wars fan fic. hope you like it. Here are some
background notes:
1- This takes place at the same time as Episode II: Attack of the clones
2- This for the most part is not an AU. I've written he story so that it could fit in as an underlying/related story to Attack of the Clones.
3- In case anyone is curious: Both Lana and Alan are around 20-21 (Anakin Skywalker's age)
Dark Conspiracy
Chapter I
First Assignment as Jedi Knights
Lana Rakalla slipped out of bed. She put on a few robes and stepped out of her quarters and made her way down the hall to the mess hall. It was late in the night- the sun had set over the Jedi temple over fourteen hours ago- and Lana expected the mess hall to be dark and abandoned. To her surprise, she found a single person sitting at one of the tables enjoying a midnight snack.
"Anakin?" Lana queried the late night snacker.
He turned around showing his face and indeed confirming that he indeed was Anakin Skywalker. "Lana? Long time no see." He grinned. "How are you, my old friend?"
"Hungry." She took a seat across from Anakin at the table. "And you?"
"I just got in earlier today with Master Kenobi."
"What does the council have in store for the both of you now?"
"A new assignment to protect senator Amidala." Anakin stated flatly.
"You have a problem with this assignment don't you?"
"It's just that the assignment is... so far below us. Protection is the work of security guards, not Jedi."
"Look on the bright side- at least you have assignments. Master Katara and I were always cooped up here in the academy."
"Yes well that's all about to change, isn't it?" Anakin took a drink from his cup. "I ran into your old master shortly after getting in. She told me that you passed the trials."
"Yes, I did. I was one of four Padawans to pass this months administration of the Jedi trials."
"A Jedi knight now, huh?"
Lana grinned. "Yeah, and don't you think I can't sense the jealousy boiling out of your ears." She joked.
Anakin laughed. "I just wish Obi-wan would reach the same conclusion your master did. I'm ready for the trials."
"Yeah, the frustration is unbearable sometimes." Lana admitted. "But don't let it tangle you. Patience is the key."
"You're starting to sound like a Jedi master yourself."
Lana smirked and shook her head. "Stop. I won't be ready for the stress of training an apprentice for at least four years. no maybe five."
Anakin laughed. "Well I have a senator to protect, so you're going to have to excuse me."
"Tell master Kenobi I said hello."
"Of course. You take care, Lana."
* The Next Day *
Lana stood before the High Jedi council. She felt rather nervous standing at the center of the circle with two dozen eyes fixated upon her. Despite her nervousness, she was confident, and to some extent proud. All her life she had labored to become a Jedi knight, and now she had achieved that status. She was proud of the robes she wore, the lightsaber which hung from her belt, and the years of work they symbolized.
"Masters." Lana bowed before the council.
"We have an assignment for you, Lana." The powerful master Mace Windu began. "As you are undoubtedly aware, there has been an assassination attempt on senator Amidala of Naboo. Senator Amidala is a leading member of the loyalist committee. She seeks a peaceful resolution to the separatist crisis. Though she is a leading member of the committee, she is only one of many members."
Lana nodded.
"Senator Bail Organa is another member of the loyalist committee." Windu continued. "Yesterday, several members of his administrative staff on Alderaan were assassinated. We believe that these two incidents are related. We have sent Master Kenobi and his apprentice Skywalker to protect senator Amidala. We intend to assign you with the investigation of the assassinations of senator Organa's people."
"Master, with all due respect, I am not sure if I am up to this task. Perhaps a master of greater skill would be more qualified."
"Confidence we have in you, young Lana." Master Yoda said a few words of encouragement. "You should have confidence in yourself."
"Yes, master Yoda. I trust in your greater wisdom."
"I understand that this is a daunting task, even for a promising young knight such as you." Windu replied. "You will not be alone in this mission, Lana. Alan Dawnstrider will accompany you on this mission as your partner. Of the Padawans who passed the trials this month, you and he are the most gifted. I'm sure that the two of you can unravel this mystery."
"Yes, masters."
"May the force be with you, young Rakalla." Yoda said.
* A few hours later *
Lana watched from her window as the republic cruiser ascended from Coruscant and into space. Shortly after, they were in hyperspace, en route to Alderaan. Lana sat down quietly to meditate upon the force and everything which had happened to her in recent days. Only three days ago she had passed the trials, and now she was on a mission to Alderaan.
After an hour or so of meditation, she emerged from her quarters on the ship and met with Alan in the common area.
"The pilot said it'd be a few hours until we reach Alderaan." Alan reported.
"I was meditating."
"I was just practicing my saber technique." He replied. "The Jedi Guardian must always be ready for combat."
Lana reached for her lightsaber. "Want to practice together?"
Alan shrugged and pulled out his own lightsaber. A single green blade extended from the hilt of Lana's lightsaber, and she stood on guard, watching her opponent. Alan took a stance of his one with only a single blue blade sprouting from one end of his double-ended lightsaber. Lana engaged, and the two sparred.
Lana slashed forward. Alan blocked and countered with a slight, conservative swing. Lana thought she saw a gap in Alan's defense and unleashed a strong flurry. Alan staggered back, losing ground to Lana's rapid swings and strikes. Yet despite her aggressive technique, Alan saw gaps all over her defense. Lana made a swing for Alan's side. He blocked with his saber and countered by kicking her in the gut. He followed this with a quick slash to the side.
Had this been a real duel, Alan's strike would have cut Lana in half. This was only sparring, however and as such both sabers had been turned down in power. Lana's expression twisted with pain as she held her side. Her ribs there would now be bruised for the next few days or so.
"Your saber technique has improved since last we sparred." Alan evaluated. "But there are still some flaws in your fighting. You don't pace yourself well enough. Sometimes to fight too defensively and occasionally you're too aggressive. Take that last sequence for example- you made too many attacks, too many flurries, and I exploited your lack of defense. Fight more balanced."
"Thanks, Alan. I'll keep that in mind." Lana nodded. She clutched her bruised ribs and grinned. "Do you remember when we were little kids in the Jedi academy? You used to beat me like this all the time."
"Yeah, I have a lot of good memories of the academy. I was the dueling champ. During our reign in the academy, nobody challenged me as a swordsman." Alan smiled. "Then Master Tor took me as his Padawan and taught me the real elements of saber dueling."
"He was a real tough guy, your old master?" Lana took a seat at one of the tables, and Alan joined her.
"Yeah, he was. What about your experiences with Katara?"
"We did a lot of meditation and almost no field work. She was training me to be a consular, after all. I didn't do much saber training with master Katara."
"I guess those days are behind us now, we've passed the trials." Alan's voice had a very feint hint of sadness in it.
"Is something wrong, Alan?"
"I've- I've been struggling with some of my emotions lately, Lana."
"How so?"
"I'm just a little on edge with everything that has been happening in politics right now. The corruption in the senate and the separatist movement and everything really just bothers me."
"I think it's something that would be bothering all Republic citizens."
"I know, but I'm a Jedi, I'm supposed to be above such anxieties." Alan paused. "And there's more than that. Every time I think about what happened in Naboo, what the Trade Federation did to my homeland, I get so upset. What makes me even angrier is that the courts let Nute Gunray get away with what he had done. I know I'm not supposed to be feeling this way, but sometimes I just can't control it."
"But you don't give into your anger. That is what is important." Lana said. Alan nodded in agreement. "Nobody can help but feel angry about certain things, emotions cannot be prevented or killed, but you don't have to act upon them."
"You're right, Lana." Alan replied. "I just need to try harder to control my anger."
"But that's not all, is it?" Lana asked. She analyzed Alan with her gaze. "You feel insecure. unsure of something, of your training?"
Alan scowled as he came to realize just how sharp Lana's senses were.
"Don't be afraid to tell me, Alan. We grew up together. You can trust me."
"Master Tor was a great mentor, don't get me wrong. He was hard on me, but he made me strong and tough. He gave me a lot of in depth training on how to use the force within the confines of combat. But he never gave me much training with using the force for other means. Sometimes when I watch you, how sharpened your senses are, and how much information you can derive from the force, I can't help but feel like I missed something in my training."
"Alan, you passed the council's trials. Your training is complete. Sure, your sense may not be as sharp as mine, but that doesn't make you any less of a Jedi than I am. You just mopped the floor with me in a lightsaber match." Lana smiled and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Just believe in yourself."
Alan took in a deep, calming breath. "Thanks, Lana. You're right, about everything. All I needed was a few words of encouragement." He paused to think for a second. "We're not Padawans anymore, we're no longer bound to a master, but I don't think we're mature to the point where we can really be on our own. That's why the council paired us together."
"I think that, too, and I'm glad we got paired together for this assignment." Lana admitted.
"Alright. You want me to teach you some new saber techniques?"
"Sure."
A/N: any reviews/comments would be nice. I hope to finish the next chapter soon. Hope you liked it.
1- This takes place at the same time as Episode II: Attack of the clones
2- This for the most part is not an AU. I've written he story so that it could fit in as an underlying/related story to Attack of the Clones.
3- In case anyone is curious: Both Lana and Alan are around 20-21 (Anakin Skywalker's age)
Dark Conspiracy
Chapter I
First Assignment as Jedi Knights
Lana Rakalla slipped out of bed. She put on a few robes and stepped out of her quarters and made her way down the hall to the mess hall. It was late in the night- the sun had set over the Jedi temple over fourteen hours ago- and Lana expected the mess hall to be dark and abandoned. To her surprise, she found a single person sitting at one of the tables enjoying a midnight snack.
"Anakin?" Lana queried the late night snacker.
He turned around showing his face and indeed confirming that he indeed was Anakin Skywalker. "Lana? Long time no see." He grinned. "How are you, my old friend?"
"Hungry." She took a seat across from Anakin at the table. "And you?"
"I just got in earlier today with Master Kenobi."
"What does the council have in store for the both of you now?"
"A new assignment to protect senator Amidala." Anakin stated flatly.
"You have a problem with this assignment don't you?"
"It's just that the assignment is... so far below us. Protection is the work of security guards, not Jedi."
"Look on the bright side- at least you have assignments. Master Katara and I were always cooped up here in the academy."
"Yes well that's all about to change, isn't it?" Anakin took a drink from his cup. "I ran into your old master shortly after getting in. She told me that you passed the trials."
"Yes, I did. I was one of four Padawans to pass this months administration of the Jedi trials."
"A Jedi knight now, huh?"
Lana grinned. "Yeah, and don't you think I can't sense the jealousy boiling out of your ears." She joked.
Anakin laughed. "I just wish Obi-wan would reach the same conclusion your master did. I'm ready for the trials."
"Yeah, the frustration is unbearable sometimes." Lana admitted. "But don't let it tangle you. Patience is the key."
"You're starting to sound like a Jedi master yourself."
Lana smirked and shook her head. "Stop. I won't be ready for the stress of training an apprentice for at least four years. no maybe five."
Anakin laughed. "Well I have a senator to protect, so you're going to have to excuse me."
"Tell master Kenobi I said hello."
"Of course. You take care, Lana."
* The Next Day *
Lana stood before the High Jedi council. She felt rather nervous standing at the center of the circle with two dozen eyes fixated upon her. Despite her nervousness, she was confident, and to some extent proud. All her life she had labored to become a Jedi knight, and now she had achieved that status. She was proud of the robes she wore, the lightsaber which hung from her belt, and the years of work they symbolized.
"Masters." Lana bowed before the council.
"We have an assignment for you, Lana." The powerful master Mace Windu began. "As you are undoubtedly aware, there has been an assassination attempt on senator Amidala of Naboo. Senator Amidala is a leading member of the loyalist committee. She seeks a peaceful resolution to the separatist crisis. Though she is a leading member of the committee, she is only one of many members."
Lana nodded.
"Senator Bail Organa is another member of the loyalist committee." Windu continued. "Yesterday, several members of his administrative staff on Alderaan were assassinated. We believe that these two incidents are related. We have sent Master Kenobi and his apprentice Skywalker to protect senator Amidala. We intend to assign you with the investigation of the assassinations of senator Organa's people."
"Master, with all due respect, I am not sure if I am up to this task. Perhaps a master of greater skill would be more qualified."
"Confidence we have in you, young Lana." Master Yoda said a few words of encouragement. "You should have confidence in yourself."
"Yes, master Yoda. I trust in your greater wisdom."
"I understand that this is a daunting task, even for a promising young knight such as you." Windu replied. "You will not be alone in this mission, Lana. Alan Dawnstrider will accompany you on this mission as your partner. Of the Padawans who passed the trials this month, you and he are the most gifted. I'm sure that the two of you can unravel this mystery."
"Yes, masters."
"May the force be with you, young Rakalla." Yoda said.
* A few hours later *
Lana watched from her window as the republic cruiser ascended from Coruscant and into space. Shortly after, they were in hyperspace, en route to Alderaan. Lana sat down quietly to meditate upon the force and everything which had happened to her in recent days. Only three days ago she had passed the trials, and now she was on a mission to Alderaan.
After an hour or so of meditation, she emerged from her quarters on the ship and met with Alan in the common area.
"The pilot said it'd be a few hours until we reach Alderaan." Alan reported.
"I was meditating."
"I was just practicing my saber technique." He replied. "The Jedi Guardian must always be ready for combat."
Lana reached for her lightsaber. "Want to practice together?"
Alan shrugged and pulled out his own lightsaber. A single green blade extended from the hilt of Lana's lightsaber, and she stood on guard, watching her opponent. Alan took a stance of his one with only a single blue blade sprouting from one end of his double-ended lightsaber. Lana engaged, and the two sparred.
Lana slashed forward. Alan blocked and countered with a slight, conservative swing. Lana thought she saw a gap in Alan's defense and unleashed a strong flurry. Alan staggered back, losing ground to Lana's rapid swings and strikes. Yet despite her aggressive technique, Alan saw gaps all over her defense. Lana made a swing for Alan's side. He blocked with his saber and countered by kicking her in the gut. He followed this with a quick slash to the side.
Had this been a real duel, Alan's strike would have cut Lana in half. This was only sparring, however and as such both sabers had been turned down in power. Lana's expression twisted with pain as she held her side. Her ribs there would now be bruised for the next few days or so.
"Your saber technique has improved since last we sparred." Alan evaluated. "But there are still some flaws in your fighting. You don't pace yourself well enough. Sometimes to fight too defensively and occasionally you're too aggressive. Take that last sequence for example- you made too many attacks, too many flurries, and I exploited your lack of defense. Fight more balanced."
"Thanks, Alan. I'll keep that in mind." Lana nodded. She clutched her bruised ribs and grinned. "Do you remember when we were little kids in the Jedi academy? You used to beat me like this all the time."
"Yeah, I have a lot of good memories of the academy. I was the dueling champ. During our reign in the academy, nobody challenged me as a swordsman." Alan smiled. "Then Master Tor took me as his Padawan and taught me the real elements of saber dueling."
"He was a real tough guy, your old master?" Lana took a seat at one of the tables, and Alan joined her.
"Yeah, he was. What about your experiences with Katara?"
"We did a lot of meditation and almost no field work. She was training me to be a consular, after all. I didn't do much saber training with master Katara."
"I guess those days are behind us now, we've passed the trials." Alan's voice had a very feint hint of sadness in it.
"Is something wrong, Alan?"
"I've- I've been struggling with some of my emotions lately, Lana."
"How so?"
"I'm just a little on edge with everything that has been happening in politics right now. The corruption in the senate and the separatist movement and everything really just bothers me."
"I think it's something that would be bothering all Republic citizens."
"I know, but I'm a Jedi, I'm supposed to be above such anxieties." Alan paused. "And there's more than that. Every time I think about what happened in Naboo, what the Trade Federation did to my homeland, I get so upset. What makes me even angrier is that the courts let Nute Gunray get away with what he had done. I know I'm not supposed to be feeling this way, but sometimes I just can't control it."
"But you don't give into your anger. That is what is important." Lana said. Alan nodded in agreement. "Nobody can help but feel angry about certain things, emotions cannot be prevented or killed, but you don't have to act upon them."
"You're right, Lana." Alan replied. "I just need to try harder to control my anger."
"But that's not all, is it?" Lana asked. She analyzed Alan with her gaze. "You feel insecure. unsure of something, of your training?"
Alan scowled as he came to realize just how sharp Lana's senses were.
"Don't be afraid to tell me, Alan. We grew up together. You can trust me."
"Master Tor was a great mentor, don't get me wrong. He was hard on me, but he made me strong and tough. He gave me a lot of in depth training on how to use the force within the confines of combat. But he never gave me much training with using the force for other means. Sometimes when I watch you, how sharpened your senses are, and how much information you can derive from the force, I can't help but feel like I missed something in my training."
"Alan, you passed the council's trials. Your training is complete. Sure, your sense may not be as sharp as mine, but that doesn't make you any less of a Jedi than I am. You just mopped the floor with me in a lightsaber match." Lana smiled and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Just believe in yourself."
Alan took in a deep, calming breath. "Thanks, Lana. You're right, about everything. All I needed was a few words of encouragement." He paused to think for a second. "We're not Padawans anymore, we're no longer bound to a master, but I don't think we're mature to the point where we can really be on our own. That's why the council paired us together."
"I think that, too, and I'm glad we got paired together for this assignment." Lana admitted.
"Alright. You want me to teach you some new saber techniques?"
"Sure."
A/N: any reviews/comments would be nice. I hope to finish the next chapter soon. Hope you liked it.
