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Chapter 7

Anakin walked into the bar. Seeing as for the next few months their Masters were going to be busy, they had all told them to go out and mingle with the people of Coruscant. It made it very easy for them to do what they needed to do, but I think that was the idea. When he had spoken to his Master, Qui gon had told him that the Council would be unable to do anything about it at that present time if the "hypothetical situation" did actually happen. They were all to busy with finding who planted the bomb. Qui gon knew that the situation was not hypothetical and that Anakin and his friends would probably do the recognisance work needed for this mission. He also knew that they were capable young Padawans and at 16 we're far more able to handle something like this on there own than plenty of Jedi Qui gon knew. Anakin had a feeling that Qui gon would be watching over them with this, which made him feel better, but he also knew that Qui gon wasn't going to get involved unless he needed to. Anakin had a funny feeling that it was Qui gon that had suggested to their Masters that they go do some mingling with the lower classes on Coruscant.

After some careful questioning, they had figured out the rash of disappearances occurred around a bar. The Blue Pin. It was rough and rowdy and Anakin felt like he was coming home. He managed to fit in with a group of smugglers. They welcomed him into their fold when he started talking about the new freighter available. He was also taking home plenty of money from the nightly Sabaac games he won. He didn't win them all, but he won more than he lost. It helped pay for the room they rented. It was where they met and gave them cover. Cha was on the other side of the room. Over the last week he had managed to get in with a group of bounty hunters. He was also raking in the money. They had alias' and pretended not to know each other, but kept an eye out for suspicious characters. None of the people they associated with noticed their ages, people grew up quickly in the slums and they weren't exactly the youngest people to pretend to do what they did.

Strat spent his time at the bar, pretending to be a bully boy. He hooked up with the main gang that hang around the bar. They all hand separate corners and didn't mess with each other. There was a quiet truce at the bar, no fighting, it was all taken outside.

Waiting for the show to start, Anakin looked around. The bar was big with a place for getting drinks to one side. At one end was a stage which was long and thin. Music was played and girls would come out and dance. On either side of the stage were poles for the dancers to use. Basically it was a rough joint that catered to the needs of scum. Drugs were available on call, as were the prostitutes hanging around the place, selling their wares.

The lights suddenly lit up on the stage and five girls came out. It had taken a while, but Lumi had eventually managed to get a spot as one of the dancers. She was wearing a skimpy little top with lots of feathers, her short pleated skirt had sequins on and her underwear had lots of frills. When she started to dance provocatively, the guys suddenly took notice.

Sith, Lumi, I didn't know you could dance like that! Anakin sent. He was in complete shock, and wanted to punch the guy sitting next to him's lights out for leering at her.

Yeah, well, they don't exactly waltz in this place do they? Lumi replied as she walked up to the pole and started swinging on it.

In the corner of his eye, Anakin could see Cha choking on his drink as he watched Lumi in shock. Lumi grabbed the pole and turned herself upside down, showing the men around her various pieces of bare skin. Anakin shuddered slightly. That was something I didn't want to see.

Awww, baby, is it getting to hot for you? Lumi sent with false concern as she swung her fake red hair round.

Lumi, you like a sister, and there are some tings a brother shouldn't ever have to see. Lumi sent Anakin a cheeky grin.

This was your idea! she reminded with a wink. The guys sitting around him noticed it and started ribbing him. Anakin just ignored it and paid attention everyone else's reactions. Including the Zabrak in the corner of the room watching Lumi with lust in his eyes.

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Obi Wan discretely entered the bar. He didn't entirely know what he was doing there only that he was given baby sitting duty.

"Obi Wan, you know that none of the Jedi that can be spared at the moment can deal with this, it has to be them. The Council agrees that they have enough experience to handle something of this magnitude AND they won't be spotted as a Jedi as easily," Qui gon said when he had pulled Obi Wan aside.

"Why me though Master," Obi Wan said, not entirely happy with his task.

"Because you can keep up with their antics," Qui gon said. "We'll give them the opportunity to do this, but they need someone to watch over them."

"Very well Master, I suppose their Master's know what's going on," Obi Wan said.

"Yes, but they won't interfere," Qui gon said as they walked away.

"So it's a test?" Obi Wan said intuitively.

"Of course, and if they pass, the Council will start testing them more often," Qui gon said.

Obi Wan shook his head. This was not going to be fun. He sat down near the bar on a stool and watched the dancers. HOLY SITH! he mentally exclaimed. That's Luminara! Obi Wan watched the young padawan dancing provocatively. Obi Wan was in complete shock. Even more so when he realised there was a stiring of reaction downstairs. Oh, Force, I can't! She's 16 for Sith's sake, and 15 year's my junior! But Obi Wan couldn't help it. He was attracted to the originally black haired girl. This is not good.

After taking several deep breathes Obi Wan managed to calm himself and get his bodily functions under control. Just don't look at her and you'll be alright. Obi Wan looked to the skies, This is sooo inconvenient.

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Anakin noticed Obi Wan walk in, So that's who they've got to watch us. Anakin thought as he watched the Jedi Master take a drink.

Who? Strat asked.

Obi Wan, Anakin replied.

My Master? Cha questioned in shock, moving his head imperceptibly to see the disguised Jedi drinking from the bar.

Lumi heard the dialogue and she too noticed Cha's Master at the bar drinking. She made a conscious effort not to blush. For several years she had had a crush on the young Jedi Master. She hadn't mentioned it to her three closest friends, that would be really stupid, 'cos not only would they tease her for the rest of her life, but they would probably let slip to him. She knew exactly what she was wearing and was slightly embarrassed that her crush would be seeing her dressed like this. Well, embarrassed was an understatement, talk about complete mortification! But she was a Jedi, she would control her emotions, she had a job to do after all.

Scanning the people watching her, the one that stuck out in her mind was the Zabrak near the stage. He made her uncomfortable and there was something strange about him. There was something more sinister about his leering.

Walking back stage, Lumi listened to the other girls. They had noticed the boy in the crowd of smugglers, describing Anakin. She smiled inwardly. You have a fan club back here, she sent to him.

Care to take any numbers? he said roguishly. Lumi only mentally shook her head in disgust.

She walked to the back door of the place. Over the last few days she had had it circulated that she had no friends or family and was looking for a place to live. It was meant to encourage her to be used as bait. So she wasn't surprised when she was knocked on the head. She was surprised though when, before she succumbed to unconsciousness she saw a red light sabre being whirled around.

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