Chapter 29. New Directions

They were waiting again. Ever since he had been assigned to Obi-Wan Kenobi, Lon's life had consisted of waiting – mostly waiting for his new Master to get around to paying attention to him.

First he had waited for an opportunity to discuss his affair with Dellia with his new Master – to come clean, and to purge himself of his guilt. When they finally did have that conversation, Kenobi had not said much, and worse yet, had given no indication whether it would be held against him in his evaluation. Lon was beginning to regret even having bothered trying to do the right thing. He missed the time he had spent with Dellia – it was so different than any of his other experiences. Her sweet attentions were probably the only thing that could have eased the pain of having lost Master Trebor, and now he had given it up. And for what?

Then he had waited in vain for Master Kenobi to tell him how they would proceed with the preparation for his Trials. Lon knew that the Council expected him to face them soon, but Kenobi seemed to be ignoring the whole thing. All he ever seemed to think about was that contemptible Skywalker. They had finally tracked the reprobate down in the Senate building and …

Lon forced himself to end his train of thought. It was making him angry, and since he was sitting right next to Master Kenobi he really couldn't afford that. Still, the vivid image of being ordered away by Skywalker, with Kenobi – his own Master! – permitting and supporting it, refused to go away.

And here they were again, waiting. Kenobi had spent a long time in the Council Chamber, and now they were waiting in the anteroom for – what?  A decision? Orders? Lon didn't even know. His Master had spent the whole time sitting next to him like one of the busts in the Library, staring some point on the floor.

"Master Kenobi," Lon finally asked, daring to break into the interminable silence, "what about my Trials? When will I start preparing for them?"

"A Jedi's life is a trial, Padawan," Kenobi said absently. "Everything we do is ultimately a trial."  He didn't look up. "The formal Trials are but a pale shadow of what we face now."

"But why is Skywalker so important? What has he done?" Lon had a few ideas of his own about that, but none of the Masters were talking.

"Anakin is the key to many of the things that are happening now, politically and – in other ways." Kenobi said. He still didn't look up.

Lon wasn't satisfied with his Master's reluctant answer in the least. He decided that, since that point on the floor couldn't possibly be that fascinating, Kenobi was deliberately avoiding looking at him. Cautiously he dared to venture a little further into unknown territory.

"Is that the only reason, Master? Forgive me for saying so, but your concern seems …very personal."

Kenobi finally raised his head, but it was only to look at a different, random point on the far wall. Lon had the distinct impression that the man in whose hands his fate had been placed wasn't really there. Not for him, anyway.

"He was my Padawan for ten years," Kenobi said softly. It sounded as though he had only answered out of politeness. There was no sense of conversation or real interaction in this exchange of words.

As he did so often lately, Lon longed for the bond he had shared with Master Regor. Master Kenobi was highly respected in the Temple, and Lon had at first considered himself lucky to be assigned to him. But he was distant and inaccessible and they had spent precious days concerned only with that unworthy renegade. Lon wished that Master Kenobi would accord him even a small portion of the attention that he lavished on Skywalker.

"Master Kenobi …" Lon tried again. He couldn't leave it alone. "is Anakin Skywalker the Chosen One?"

Kenobi did not answer. He was still much more interested in that spot on the wall than in talking to his Padawan.

"I mean," Lon persisted, "he has violated so many rules and yet the Council has made so many exceptions for him … there is so much discussion about him … how important is he, really?  Why must we spend all this time chasing him?"

Lon thought he had stayed well within the boundaries of politeness and propriety with his questions. He had asked them respectfully. He had tested the waters and then proceeded cautiously with this stranger who was nevertheless now his own Master. Just as he owed Master Kenobi respect and obedience, surely the Knight owed him some consideration and involvement in return?  Master Trebor had always included Lon in everything he did.

But when Obi-Wan Kenobi withdrew his attention from the wall and turned to meet his eyes, Lon had the opportunity to experience for himself just how hard – how uncompromising – a look could be. Kenobi's unmitigated stare went through him like a saber blade.

"Yours is the duty of obedience, Padawan," Kenobi said, with an unmistakable tone of reproach.

Lon felt his face flush with humiliation. He had never expected to be put in his place in this way – not now. Not ever again. He was about to be made a Knight. It was unjust that he should be treated this way. He had only been asking questions because Kenobi volunteered nothing and shared nothing.

"I'm sorry, Master Kenobi," he said stiffly, needing to justify himself and to explain. "I did not mean to trespass. But if we are going to use up my preparation time on Skywalker, surely I am allowed to know why?  I'm not a child."

Kenobi's eyes remained locked on Lon's, making him uncomfortable enough to wish that his Master were still looking at the wall or the floor. Still, Lon refused to look away. He would not concede.

"No, Lon," Kenobi said, "you are not a child. But your questions are not those of a dispassionate adult. In the same way that you suspect me of allowing personal motivations to guide my actions, I cannot help observing that your very noticeable antipathy toward Anakin motivates yours."

Lon felt the flush on his face turn into a burn of embarrassment and unease. He had not thought his ever-worsening antipathy toward Skywalker would be held against him in this way. Many others in the Temple felt the same way – Skywalker's insubordination and his conflicts with the Order were well known, and many resented him. It was sheer bad luck that he had been paired with the one Knight who had a deep personal connection with the traitor.

This would never do. He tried to backtrack.

"I'm sorry, Master Kenobi," he said obstinately. "It's just that he's dangerous. Surely you can see that!"

Kenobi cut him off firmly before he could say another word.

"If you are uncertain about your ability to work with me or to effectively control your negative feelings you must acknowledge it now, and I will arrange for you to be taken on by someone else. I give you that choice because the circumstances of our "relationship" – he did not say "bond", Lon noted – as Master and Padawan are highly unusual to say the least. I am fully aware that this arrangement may not suit your needs or best interests, and I will not hold it against you if you prefer to make that change. But if you do choose to remain with me I will expect your full cooperation and obedience. Do you understand?"

Lon understood, all right. He understood that he meant nothing to Kenobi – that he was nothing but a burden and a hindrance – whereas Skywalker had some kind of uncanny hold over his Master. Skywalker was known for his disobedience, and yet he got away with it over and over again, whereas he himself was allowed no flexibility at all. Lon also understood that if he stepped back now Kenobi would very likely dismiss him out of hand and not recommend him for the Trials. And finally, Lon understood that only by remaining close to Kenobi would he have the chance to comprehend the disturbing influence that Skywalker continued to exert not only over him, but also over the Council itself.

What was it about Skywalker? Deep down Lon knew that his morbid fascination with Anakin was wrong, but he could no more stay away than he could walk away if he saw innocent people being threatened with harm. He couldn't let it go. Perhaps … perhaps he could even help Master Kenobi to see the truth about Skywalker. He didn't know how, but there was no doubt in his mind that Skywalker was a threat to them all. It was incomprehensible to him that Kenobi and the Council did not see it the same way.

A new thought stirred him. What if it was the will of the Force that he was here, now, with Kenobi? What if, in some way not yet known to him, his own presence might make a difference? He saw Skywalker for what he was – perhaps he could help the others to do the same. For the first time, Lon began to feel a growing sense of purpose that extended beyond his Trials. Perhaps it was his destiny to forge a path to the truth. It was a noble undertaking.

He was, after all, a Jedi.

"Of course, Master Kenobi," Lon said penitently. "I understand. I would like to remain with you. I apologize if I overstepped my boundaries earlier … it won't happen again."

Master Kenobi nodded briefly in acknowledgement and acceptance and returned to his private contemplation of the antechamber's diverse structural elements. This time, Lon was relieved when Kenobi's attention turned away.

* * * * *

Anakin was happy – too happy even to go over his usual litany of wonder at how quickly life can change. He simply immersed himself in the here and now; that single narrow window of time and space that, as far as he was concerned, was practically perfect. Maneuvering his way from charter company to charter company in Coruscant's space transportation district, Anakin was taking great delight in everything he did.

He felt well rested, for once. Astonishingly enough, he had slept peacefully and well by Padmé's side without a trace of his usual dark and suffocating dreams. Anakin tried hard to remember when he last had slept undisturbed. It must have been before Balé had arrived – and invariably when he was with Padmé.

Anakin had begun by visiting the company at which Padmé had hastily arranged a charter to Alderaan. He had cancelled it and made certain no one had a memory of her having been there, and that all records of the transaction had vanished. Then he had carried out similar erasures at all the other companies at which she had made enquiries. When he was finished with the charter companies Anakin made his way into the vast industrial areas than housed the shipyards and scrap yards. He had something a bit different in mind.

Hurtling along in his hastily acquired speeder, Anakin reveled in the fact that he was no longer alone. He was no longer a ghost. Well, he was, in a way; he still had to remain unseen and unnoticed and leave no trace of his passing. But he was a ghost with a purpose, and it was, to his way of thinking, the greatest purpose of all: to stay with Padmé and to keep her happy and safe.

She had wanted to come with him to arrange for their transportation and had put up a huge fuss when he had insisted on going by himself – it would be so much easier and faster to do what he needed to do without having to cover for her as well. Then she had demanded that he take with him a COM link that was keyed into her own, and check in with her regularly. He refused, since the communications were traceable.

Anakin grinned to himself as he replayed their last conversation in his mind.

"You think I'm going to disappear again, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Trust me."

"No." Her brown eyes had been dark and dangerous by this point.

"How about putting me on a leash? Then you can pull me back whenever you want to."

"Don't think I won't," she had growled.

Anakin sighed with contentment and gunned the speeder's engine for the sheer joy of it. He loved it when Padmé got fierce.

His next stop was a second-hand shipyard known for its "ask no questions, expect no answers" approach to doing business. Anakin had made sure that own appearance was suitably anonymous – he was still wearing the street clothes he had appropriated a few days before. His weapon was well hidden. And in his pocket, thanks to the foresight of the ever-reliable Captain Typho, were enough unlinked and untraceable credits to purchase what he needed – particularly if the proprietor happened to be weak-minded.

Anakin throttled down the speeder and entered the shipyard. The larger space-going vessels were of course in space dock, but their holographic images populated a grubby office that seemed to contain everything one might imagine. Strolling casually, Anakin began his search, soaking up information about size, specifications, tonnage and price.

He loved being in charge. He was about to get off this wretched planet. He was going to choose the ship and then pilot it. And he was having fun. He was using all the same skills that he had used and very nearly perfected for skulking and hiding, alone, but this time it felt like a game, one at which he excelled.

It didn't take Anakin long to find what he was looking for. The Defiance was small – at 25 meters she was half the length of the Naboo starship that had taken him and Padmé to Tatooine and then to Geonosis. She was equipped with a class two hyperdrive. She was maneuverable and capable of atmospheric entry. And best of all, as one of several prototypes of something called a blastboat, she was bristling with armament. Newer models were being built as patrol ships for the Army of the Republic, Anakin was informed; this one had been in private hands since its first sale.

The ship was perfect. And it was docked nearby.

Anakin made his deal, embellishing or obfuscating the transaction where needed, and arranged for a falsified title and a registry that somehow failed to place the ship in the proper class for a heavily armed vessel. Satisfied, he jumped into the speeder and headed back to Padmé before she became really furious with him for his long absence.

They were leaving Coruscant together. Anakin's mind and thoughts felt like his own again. Everything else could wait. Life was good.

* * * * *

At long last the Council Chamber doors swung open and Master Windu emerged, nodded politely to master Kenobi and to Lon, and came to sit beside Master Kenobi.

"The Council is pretty much divided on this one, Obi-Wan," he rumbled in his deep, well modulated voice. "Many think the evidence is circumstantial and that we should not act on it yet."

Lon watched his Master's face with interest. Kenobi was evidently struggling to control some strong feelings.

"The evidence," Kenobi said carefully," is in the Force itself. It is as though we are heading for a vergence of some kind. Naboo is key, and the source that told me that the Chancellor himself is on his way there is a reliable one."

"What do you think is going to happen?" Master Windu said quietly.

Lon listened hard.

"It could take the form of any number of events.  An attack on the convoy, or a staged attack of some kind once it arrives on Naboo, designed to ignite anti-Separatist sentiments, perhaps. A ceremony planned on Naboo for the induction of the new Military Governor might be a target." Lon noticed that Obi-Wan hesitated and threw a glance at Master Windu before proceeding. "It is very likely," he continued, "that there may be another attempt on Senator Amidala's life. My informant tells me that she was practically ordered onto that transport."

Master Windu nodded, his eyes never leaving Obi-Wan's. Lon realized that there was something they did not want to discuss in front of him. Something having to do with Senator Amidala. He tempered his feelings, gathered his wits, and listened for all he was worth while maintaining the appearance of a submissive Padawan. 

"Do you think he will follow her to Naboo?" Master Windu asked.

"I'm certain of it," Obi-Wan said. 

Master Windu frowned while thinking hard.

"We are perilously close to losing him, Mace," Master Kenobi said into the silence. "He is on the brink. He knows he needs help, but he is too proud and too angry to ask for it."

Skywalker, Lon thought. He is talking about Skywalker.

"He is deliberately using the dark side to shroud himself," Master Windu agreed heavily. "We are unable to track him when he doesn't want to be found."

Lon very quickly practiced a variety of calming techniques. The dark side? Skywalker?

"I know," Master Kenobi said quickly. "I only found him by luck – by being in the right place at the right time. We need to do better than that.  And Mace – we need to protect Senator Amidala at all costs. If anything happens to her … if she dies … he will lash out in anger and revenge. And that will finish it."

Mace sighed and stood up. "Then perhaps there is a darker purpose behind this political maneuvering – to do away with the Senator and her influence, and at the same time to draw Anakin into the dark side of the Force forever."

Lon's heart started pounding painfully. They believe that Skywalker may turn to the Sith. That's what this is all about!

"I have to go to Naboo, Mace." Obi-Wan stood up as well. "And I need to move fast."

Master Windu stood thoughtfully in the quiet anteroom, his hands clasped behind him, his eyes focused on something far beyond. "Naboo," he mused. "Once again, Naboo."

Lon didn't think he had ever heard Master Windu talking out loud to himself before. Although it was his place to stand when his Masters stood, Lon remained seated just long enough for his knees to stop shaking. Then he carefully rose to his feet as well. Everything was starting to make a great deal of sense.

"I will speak with the Council again now," Master Windu decided after a prolonged, thoughtful silence. "I am going to recommend that we send a larger party.  We need to be ready for any eventuality. Any duty." His eyes locked onto Master Kenobi's, and there was a momentary surge in the Force.

Any duty. The words gave Lon a thrill of anticipation. Still, that thrill was nothing compared the shock he received when Master Windu turned and spoke directly to him.

"Times of war require change and adaptation, Padawan Erian. You may consider that your Trials have begun." His mouth formed something that might have looked like a smile on anyone other than Master Windu. "Field Trials."

Excited as he was, Lon still couldn't help noticing that a hard look passed from Master Kenobi to Master Windu. Well, too bad. It had already been decided, and now Master Kenobi couldn't hold him back. Unless, of course, he failed. Lon had no intention of failing.

"Yes, Master Windu," Lon said, unable to keep his delight from coloring his voice. "Thank you."

"Go with Master Kenobi. Support him and work with him in every way.  And above all, comport yourself as a Jedi in all things."

"Yes, Master Windu," Lon said again, and bowed deeply.

Master Windu acknowledged his bow and turned back to Master Kenobi, whose face was a perfect mask of composure.

"Be ready to leave at a moment's notice, but wait for my signal. I want to put my proposal to the Council and to find you some companions. There is too much at stake for the two of you to go alone."

Master Kenobi bowed, and Master Windu turned and waved open the massive doors of the Council Chamber.

Lon looked curiously at Master Kenobi, who merely indicated that they should walk. Lon stayed by his side as Kenobi headed down the corridor. As before, Kenobi said nothing, but Lon didn't mind at all any more. His head and heart were full of the revelations that he had just heard, and the knowledge that he was to play an important role in whatever came next.  He, Lon Erian, would be instrumental in defeating the Sith, and he would earn his Knighthood by it – by carrying out the most worthy mission possible for a Jedi.

All of a sudden, life was good.