Hey, I went back and changed a few things in the first few chapters...nothing critical. The main thing was changing the name "Eric" to "E'Riq" to make it more Star Wars-y. Just so ya know!

Here's a loooooong chapter to keep you entertained.

"Go back to Naboo? But we just got here!" I sit up on my bed and cross my legs.

Padmé puts her hand on the back of her next and rotates her head. "I know, but horrible things are happening there. I'm going to speak before the Senate tomorrow, but I fear that they aren't going to do much. The Trade Federation is just too powerful."

I sigh and look at my hands. I don't know much about the Senate - I avoid politics at all costs - however I do know that the Trade Federation is very powerful, and that she's probably right. However I'm not so sure about her going back. "Padmé, while I understand the situation, I don't believe you should go back. It's far too dangerous-,"

"I know how dangerous it is, and that's why I must return. I will not let my people die while I sit safe and sound in the Senate getting nothing done."

"But you won't be able to do anything if you go back, either."

"Yes I will. I will help my people fight this war."

We're both silent for a moment, each lost in our own thoughts. Suddenly she says, "How do you think they're doing? I mean…do you think they're holding up against the Federation army?"

I draw a slow breath. I don't want to think about what is probably happening there. I left Jase in charge, and I have strong confidence in him, but… The Nubians are peaceful people. They're not prepared to fight something like this. We must have gotten out just in time.

"I don't know how they're doing. But if you wish to go back, I respect your wishes."

She looks at me intently. "Will you return as well?"

E'Riq's face flashes through my mind. "Of course I will. I'm with you until the end."

---------------

After a rather boring dinner Qui-Gon and I return to our quarters. As Qui-Gon sits at the other end of the couch punching things into a holo-pad, my thoughts drift to Zanni and our earlier conversation. She told me that she dislikes Qui-Gon as much as he dislikes her. Translated, she said, "Ask Qui-Gon, not me." I look at my master focused intently on the holo-pad. I can't think of any way to dance around the question, so I ask him straight-out, "Master, why don't you like Zanni?"

He looks up at me startled, and blinks a bit to focus on the world outside of the holo-pad. "Excuse me?"

I sigh and look at my hands. "Why don't you like Zanni?"

He sets the holo-pad down and turns to me. "What do you mean?"

I roll my eyes impatiently. "I know you don't like Zanni, please don't pretend you don't. I just want to know why."

Now he studies his fingers. After a moment he speaks, his voice unusually soft. "It's not that I dislike Zanni…I just…I don't trust her. Initially I just disapproved of her lifestyle, and your interest in her. I think I was being overprotective of my padawan." He lets out a weak smile, and I give him one in return.

"But now that I know that she's a Jedi…I'm even more concerned. I know that she indulged in many things on Naboo that are forbidden to Jedi, and they weren't necessary for her mission. And after what happened in the council today…I sense something in her that disturbs me."

I raise an eyebrow. "Disturbs you how, Master?"

"I sense strong emotions, and something…something dark."

I wince. I don't like the way he's using that last word. "Something dark? Like the Dark Side?" I suddenly notice that my voice is almost a whisper.

"I don't know, it doesn't feel as strong as the Dark Side, but it might be a spark that could lead to the Dark Side."

I sit back and look around. This is a lot. Zanni…Dark Side…It doesn't make sense. "But Master, wouldn't Masters Yoda and Windu have noticed if there was any Dark Side in her?"

He sighs. "Yes, I suppose they would. But I can't help feeling what I feel."

I nod.

He picks up the holo-pad again, indicating that this discussion is over. I slowly rise to my feet. "Good night, Master."

"Good night, Padawan," he replies without looking up.

I walk to my room to go to sleep. I don't believe him. There's nothing Dark in Zanni. He's probably being paranoid, overprotective. He's probably just trying to scare me away from her. But would he really do that? I don't know.

--------------

The next morning, after wishing Padmé good luck with the Senate, I head to my quarters with Master Windu. He requested that I meet him there for debriefing. I enter the room and he stands from where he was sitting on the couch. I bow in salute and he nods his head.

"Good morning, Master."

"Good morning, Padawan."

I sit next to him on the couch, and produce my report of the mission. He skims over it while I tell him what happened, and he nods from time to time.

We finish the debriefing and he sets the holo-pad down and smiles at me. "Congratulations on making it to the trials, Padawan."

I can't help but smile back. "Thank you, Master."

"You are going to make a very great knight."

"Thank you again, Master."

He looks at me intently for a minute, and I let him read me. It's easier than starting the conversation myself.

"You have something you'd like to discuss with me, Zanni."

I nod and settle back on the couch some more. He folds his hands in his lap and leans back himself.

"Master…in the council room when I was sensing Anakin's future…did my eyes…do anything?"

He thinks for a minute and then nods. "Indeed, they emitted a green light…twice."

I swallow hard. I'm really scared of where this could be going. "When did they do so?"

He thinks for a few minutes more. "It seemed to be at the peaks of negative emotions. Once before a period of a warm emotion, and then again at the end. They were green when I approached you."

I close my eyes. My eyes turned green when I felt the Dark Side. My eyes turned green when Qui-Gon battled that Sith Lord. My eyes turning green has something to do with the Dark Side. I desperately hope it's no what I think it might be.

"Master…that's not the only time my eyes have turned green."

He turns his head more towards me. "It's not?"

I shake my head. "No. They've turned green three or four times before. Once when I was very small…right before I joined the order…and then the last few times in the past few weeks. I've examined the circumstances involving each incident, and I've concluded that three of them, one being when I was a youngling and two being recently, happened at times when I was experiencing strong feelings of resentment or betrayal. The other was in the presence of the Sith Lord thatMaster Jinn combated on Tatooine."

"What happens when your eyes turn green?"

I think for a minute. "Well, different things. Sometimes I can't even tell; someone has to tell me that they're green. Once I got a headache, once I passed out, and then with the Sith Lord I don't remember anything at all. Apparently I was in some sort of a trance."

"And with Anakin, your eyes turned green when you were sensing resentment or betrayal?"

"Actually, Master, it was when I sensed the Dark Side." There, I said it. I think I said it. Does he see where I'm going with this?

"Tell me, what exactly was happening each time your eyes turned green."

I tell him about back home on Eleanu; meeting Qui-Gon and Obi leaving me. He nods in understanding. Then I tell him about the time in the council room with the Queen when she agreed to leave Naboo on Qui-Gon's advice.

"And the third time?"

I swallow hard. Do I want to tell him this? I broke the Jedi laws…Obi broke the Jedi laws.

"You hesitate to tell me. What is wrong?"

"Master," I start. "The third incident involves the breaking of Jedi laws, not just on my part but on another's."

"You do not trust me?"

"I do trust you Master, but you're also on the council, and you are one of the more conservative members as well…"

He smiles gently. "I think I can be a little more liberal when it comes to my own Padawan."

I can't help but smile at that. However I'm still hesitant to tell him.

He nods. "Obi-Wan will not get in trouble."

I inwardly let out a humorless chuckle. Hard to keep anything from the great Mace Windu. "All right." I trust Mace enough to tell him about this. He is my master, and I'll probably have to go to him sooner or later for advice about this. I tell him about the picnic, and kissing Obi, and passing out. He listens intently and remains silent for a while after I finish.

Finally, he speaks. "I understand your concern that you might be falling under the influence of the Dark Side. However I don't believe there is much need for worry. I do not sense any Dark Side in you now, nor have I in the past. But I would like to examine you further about this."

I nod my head.

"Also, the fact that you came out and told me all of this yourself is quite encouraging. If you were, indeed under the influence of the Dark Side, the last thing you would do is tell a Jedi master about it."

I smile hopefully. He's right. I really don't believe that I am influenced by the Dark Side, and wouldn't I notice if I was?

Sensing my relief he reaches out and hugs me, and I hug him back. I don't know what I would do without Mace. He pulls back and looks me in the eye. "Now, I would like you to focus your attention on Queen Amidala. Will your first mission is over, you now have a new one to protect the Queen until this mess is resolved."

"I hadn't planned on anything else."

"We are, of course, going to talk about this incident with Obi-Wan." Sensing my dismay he adds, "Later."

"Yes, Master."

"You may go now."

I bow to him one more time as I leave.

--------------

Queen Amidala stands in her pod before the Senate and Supreme Chancellor Valorum. "Honorable representatives of the Republic, distinguished delegates, and Your Honor Supreme Chancellor Valorum, I come to you under the gravest of circumstances. The Naboo system has been invaded by force. Invaded, against all the laws of the Republic, by the Droid Armies of the Trade-,"

She is interrupted by Lott Dod, representative of the Trade Federation, "I object! There is no proof. This is incredible. We recommend a commission be sent to Naboo to ascertain the truth."

"Overruled," Valorum responds.

Dod persists, "Your Honor, you cannot allow us to be condemned without
reasonable observation. It's against all the rules of procedure."

Aks Moe, representative of Malastare, moves his pod into the center of the room. "The Congress of Malastare concurs with the honorable delegate from the Trade Federation. A commission must be appointed. That is the law."

Valorum confers with several of his aids for a minute. Palpatine leans over and whispers to Amidala, "Enter the bureaucrats, the true rulers of the Republic, and on the payroll of the Trade Federation, I might add. This is where Chancellor Valorum's strength will disappear."

Valorum addresses the Senate again, "The point is conceded. Section 523A takes precedence here. Queen Amidala of the Naboo, will you defer your motion to allow a commission to explore the validity of your accusations?"

The Queen responds angrily, "I will not defer. I have come before you to resolve this attack on our sovereignty now. I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee. If this body is not capable of action, I suggest new leadership is needed. I move for a vote of 'no confidence' in Chancellor Valorum's leadership."

This causes a great stir in the assembly. A loud murmur among the representatives crescendos into a roar of approval and jeers. Chancellor Valorum is stunned and stands speechless. His Vice Chair, Mas Amedda addresses the assembly, "Order! We shall have order!"

Prince Bail Organa of Alderaan moves his pod into the center. "Alderaan seconds the motion for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum."

Mas Amedda whispers something to Valorum.

"There must be no delays. The motion is on the floor and must be voted upon in this session," Organa states loudly.

Lott Dod speaks up again, "The Trade Federation moves the motion be sent to the procedures committee for study."

Amid shouts for a vote of the assembly, Palpatine stands and says to Amidala, "You see, Your Majesty, the tide is with us. Valorum will be voted out, I assure you, and they will elect in a new Chancellor, a strong Chancellor, one who will not let our tragedy continue."

As Mas Amedda dismisses the Senate for a recess, the bewildered Valorum turns to Palpatine. "Palpatine, I thought you were my ally...my friend. You have betrayed me! How could you do this?"

Palpatine ignores him as the assembly leaves the room.

--------------

Qui-Gon and I stand outside the council chambers while they further examine Anakin. Qui-Gon is insistent that Anakin will be trained, and very upset about the council's resistance.

"The boy will not pass the Council's tests, Master, and you know it. He is far too old." I watch him steadily. I rarely disagree with my master at all about anything. But after Zanni's performance yesterday, I am very wary of the boy.

Qui-Gon shakes his head. "Anakin will become A Jedi. I promise you."

It's hard to keep from snorting. I have no interest in him promising me this. "Don't defy the Council, Master. Not again."

He sets his jaw. "I will do what I must."

I sigh. "Master, you could be sitting on the Council by now if you would
just follow the code. They will not go along with you this time."

His eyes are distant. "You still have much to learn, my young apprentice."

-------------

Queen Amidala is standing, staring out the window, when Palpatine and Captain Panaka enter the room, both bowing.

Panaka speaks first, "Your Highness, Senator Palpatine has been nominated to
succeed Valorum as Supreme Chancellor."

Palpatine adds quickly, "A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one. I promise, Your Majesty, if I am elected, I will bring democracy back to the Republic. I will put an end to corruption. The Trade Federation will lose its influence over the bureaucrats, and our people will be freed."

The Queen's face is steady. "Who else can be nominated?"

Panaka responds, "BailAntilles of Alderaan and Ainlee Teem of Malastare."

Palpatine cuts in again, "I feel confident our 'situation' will create a strong sympathy vote for us... I will be Chancellor, I promise you."

"I fear that by the time you have control of the bureaucrats, Senator, there will be nothing left of our cities, our people, our way of life…" the Queen's voice trails off.

"I understand your concern, Your Majesty; unfortunately, the Federation has possession of our planet. The law is in their favor."

"With the Senate in transition, there is nothing more I can do here. Senator, this is your arena. I feel I must return to mine. I have decided to go back to Naboo. My place is with my people."

"Go back!" Palpatine cries. "But, Your Majesty, be realistic! You would be in danger. They will force you to sign the treaty."

"I will sign no treaty, Senator. My fate will be no different from that of our people. Captain!" Queen Amidala turns to Panaka.

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"Ready my ship!"

"Please, Your Majesty, stay here, where it's safe," the captain pleads.

"No place is safe, if the Senate doesn't condemn this invasion. It is clear to me now that the Republic no longer functions as a democracy. If you win the election, Senator, I know you will do everything possible to stop the Federation. I pray you will bring sanity and compassion back to the Senate."

Amidala and Panaka exit the room, not noticing a small smile on Palpatine's face.

--------------

Qui-Gon, Anakin and I stand before the council once more.

Qui-Gon speaks, his voice very steady, "Is Anakin to be trained?"

Mace shakes his head. "No."

I can feel Qui-Gon's anger, and look at the floor.

Mace continues, "He is too old. There is already too much anger in him."

Qui-Gon's voice is still steady, "He is the Chosen One. You must see it."

Yoda speaks this time, "The strong parallels to the prophecy, we understand."

Qui-Gon's voice becomes stronger. "Then I will train him. I take Anakin as my Padawan learner."

What? What about me?

Yoda asks for me, "An apprentice you already have, Qui-Gon. Impossible, to take on a second."

"We forbid it," Mace adds.

The door to the room opens and we all turn to see Zanni walking in breathlessly.

"I apologize for being late, Masters," Zanni says, bowing.

"We understand," Master Ki Adi responds.

Everyone turns their attention back to Qui-Gon. I can feel him asking me to help.

"Obi-Wan is ready-," he starts.

"I am ready to face the trials." I step forward.

Yoda looks at me. "Ready so early, are you? What know you of ready?"

Ouch. I feel my face flush, and Qui-Gon's annoyance. Perhaps he wasn't asking me to actually help. I regret stepping forward.

Qui-Gon speaks up in my defense. "Headstrong…and he has much to learn about the living Force, but he is capable. There is little more he can learn from me."

I have to work to keep from smiling at that statement. Compliments such as these from Qui-Gon are few and far between.

"Our own council we will keep on who is ready. More to learn, he has."

"If I may, Masters," Zanni speaks up. "I do not know what has transpired so far, but I do have a statement to make in Anakin's defense."

The council looks at her intently. She looks at Masters Yoda and Windu as she speaks. "It seems that the main concern here is that Anakin is too full of emotions to safely train, am I correct?"

Yoda nods, and Mace adds, "And he is too old."

Zanni nods at that. "Well, I would like to remind you that I too, was once in a position similar to his. You andMaster Jinn here all felt that it was too dangerous to train me, that I had too many strong emotions. I was also of an age close to Anakin's. Yet you have trained me and I am now about to face the trials. I feel that experience should show that these reasons alone are not enough justification for denying him training. And the prophecy…he might be what the prophecy calls for."

Mace leans forward. "Now Zanni, you know-,"

"I know what you believe about the prophecy, but you might be wrong." I wince at her interruption and look at Mace to see what his response will be. However he does not seem fazed. She continues, "Or perhaps I am correct. Either way, I don't believe that it is right to keep Anakin from his training."

The council is quiet for a few minutes, contemplating what she said. I'm just confused about what she said about the prophecy. What is she correct about? What does she mean about "what they believe"? Perhaps she and her Masters have already discussed the prophecy.

Master Ki-Adi is the first to speak, "Now is not the time for this. The Senate is voting for a new Supreme Chancellor. Queen Amidala is returning home, which will put pressure on the Federation, and could widen the confrontation."

"And draw out the Queen's attacker," Yoda adds.

Wait, what? The Queen is returning home? I look at Zanni, and she doesn't look surprised. Does Qui-Gon know about this?

"Events are moving fast...too fast," Ki-Adi says, shaking his head.

"Go with the Queen to Naboo and discover the identity of the dark warrior. That is the clue we need to unravel this mystery of the Sith," Mace says to Qui-Gon.

"Later, young Skywalker's fate will be decided."

"I brought Anakin here; he must stay in my charge. He has nowhere
else to go," Qui-Gon says.

Mace sighs. "He is your ward, Qui-Gon. We will not dispute that."

Yoda seems less resigned, "Train him not. Take him with you, but train him not!"

Mace continues about the mission, "Protect the Queen, but do not intercede if it comes to war until we have the Senate's approval."

Yoda holds up his hand to end the meeting. "May the Force be with you."

Qui-Gon, Anakin, Zanni and I leave and head to our chambers to prepare. On the way there, we pass a couple of other padawans, and I stop to say hi to them. Zanni stops to, and when they see her, their eyes widen and they grin.

"Zanni!" Siri exclaims as she grabs the grinning Zanni in a big hug.

Zanni hugs her back, smiling. "Hi, Siri!"

M'Hur hugs Zanni next, "You're back from your mission!"

Zanni nods eagerly at him. "Yes, I sure am. Although I'm leaving again for a little while. We both are." She nods to me.

M'Hur and Siri turn back to me. "You guys are on a joint mission?"

I never thought of it that way. "Yeah, I guess so. You guys know her?"

Siri puts her arm around Zanni's shoulders. "Of course I do. I didn't know that you knew her."

Zanni grins at me. "Oh we've known each other forever."

Qui-Gon calls from down the hallway, "Obi-Wan, please hurry."

"Yes, Master," I reply. "Sorry, guys, but we've gotta get going."

Zanni nods and steps away as well. "But I'll see you both when we get back!"

Siri and M'Hur say goodbye and head on their way. How does everyone around here know Zanni, and yet I never even knew she was a Jedi until yesterday?

- - - - -

Qui-Gon, Anakin and I prepare quickly and are out on the landing pad before the Queen. I know Zanni is helping the Queen prepare, and probably going over security precautions so they're a little later than we are.

Anakin is watching the droid R2 and I take Qui-Gon aside. "Master, I really believe that you should go along with the council on this. Anakin should not be trained."

Qui-Gon raises an angry eyebrow at me. "It is not often that you show such disrespect, Padawan."

"It is not disrespect, Master, it is the truth."

He grumbles, "From your point of view."

"The boy is dangerous. They all sense it, why can't you? After what happened yesterday how can you have any doubt about how dangerous he is?"

"The council will decide his future; that should be enough for you. Now get on board!"

I bow my head and do as commanded. I don't want to argue with him when he's in such a bad mood. I stop in the entrance and watch him walk over to Anakin.

"Master Qui-Gon sir, I do not wish to be a problem," the boy says.

Qui-Gon crouches down so he is eye-to-eye with Anakin. "You won't be, Ani. I'm not allowed to train you, so I want you to watch me and be mindful. Always remember, your focus determines your reality. Stay close to me and you will be safe."

I turn and walk into the ship and discuss the flight plan with Captain Panaka.

-------------

Padmé, Dormé, the handmaidens and I are finally ready, and we head out to the ship. Once again Dormé is dressed as the queen and Padmé as a handmaiden. As we approach, Qui-Gon says to Dormé, "Your Highness, it is our pleasure to continue to serve and protect you."

Dormé responds as she was told to, "I welcome your help. Senator Palpatine fears the Federation means to destroy me."

Qui-Gon bows. "I promise you I will not let that happen."

I raise an eyebrow. I think I'm more likely to "not let that happen" than Qui-Gon is. We walk past him and into the ship.

A little while into the trip, I'm sitting at the table in the galley when Qui-Gon walks in. "Padawan Zandra, may I have a word with you?"

I nod as he sits down. "Of course,Master Jinn."

He sits very close and puts his hand on the table in front of me. "I would like to thank you for what you said to the council today."

I relax a little. I had been afraid he was going to scold me for something. "I was only telling them what I truly believed."

He nods. "And I thank you for that. I…I had realized earlier how similar Anakin's situation is to yours. I suppose that…that I want him to be trained so badly as a way to make up for turning you down. When I recognized you on Naboo and realized what path your future had taken, I felt bad for denying you training. I felt your anger with me, and didn't know how to respond. So…I became defensive and acted rudely toward you."

Wow, is he really saying this? This feels almost like an apology. I study his grey eyes carefully, as he studies mine.

After a minute he continues, "Then when I noticed Obi-Wan having feelings for you, I became protective of my Padawan. I treated you badly and unjustly, and I would like to apologize for that."

I don't know what to say. He never actually did anything offensive to me, he simply gave me strong looks of disapproval. He made sure I knew he didn't like me. "Thank you, but I don't believe that you ever-,"

"I sent you every negative vibe I could, and that was wrong of me. I am apologizing."

I once again don't know what to say. Well, except for, "Apology accepted."

"Thank you, Padawan Zandra."

I smile. Nobody calls me that except in formal ceremony. "Please, call me Zanni."

He smiles. "If you insist I call you Zanni, then you must call me Qui-Gon."

I nod. "Very well,Master Qui-Gon."

He laughs and shakes his head. "Please, just Qui-Gon. I really want you to know how much I appreciate what you said to the council today. I strongly believe in Anakin, and if he turns out to be half as great a Jedi as you are, then I will be thrilled."

I feel my face turning slightly red. "Thank you, Qui-Gon. And if he turns out to be half the Jedi you are then I, too, will be thrilled."

Obi runs in quickly and bows to Qui-Gon. "Master, the Queen would like to speak with us."

Qui-Gon and I stand and follow him to where Dormé is sitting with Padmé, Rabé and Captain Panaka.

Panaka is speaking, "The moment we land the Federation will arrest you and force you to sign the treaty."

Qui-Gon speaks, "I agree. I'm not sure what you hope to accomplish by this."

Dormé's voice is strong, "I'm going to take back what's ours."

Panaka shakes his head. "There are only twelve of us, Your Highness. We have no army."

Qui-Gon sighs. "I cannot fight a war for you, Your Highness, only protect you."

"Jar-Jar Binks!" Dormé summons.

I start and turn around. I had completely forgotten about the presence of the Gungan.

He looks just as startled. "Mesa, Your Highness?"

Dormé nods. "Yes. I need your help."

Okay…here comes the big war on Naboo…