Undomiel9

"Gabe! Careful or you're going to take my arm off!" I cry as my friend pulls me down the hall at breakneck speed; I feel as if my shoulder is going to be conveniently separated from its socket at any moment, but this seems to have little effect on the blond haired Padawan's speed.

"Domie! You're going to love this. I promise. Just trust me." Gabe says, his eyes sparkling.

"Why am I suddenly worried?" I ask, flashing a smile; Gabe just gives me a look and continues down the hall. Within a few more moments, we arrive at the library just in time to see Nano walk out with Master Siron.

"Wonder where they're going." I mutter under my breath as I watch the two departing forms turn the corner and Gabe tugs my arm once again. We walk through the doors of the library and Gabe quickly pulls me in the direction of the History section.

"What are you up to?" I want to know. "You hate this section."

"Shhh!" Gabe admonishes, putting a hand over my mouth. "I know I do . . . but you don't" He adds with a smile; I bite the inside of his hand just as I see Jocasta Nu heading in our direction. Gabe takes his hand off of my mouth, cursing inwardly as she makes her way towards us, smiling.

"Undomiel, so nice to see you." Jocasta says kindly. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Oh, no. That's o.k." I respond, trying not to laugh at the fact that Gabe is now shaking his hand wildly and muttering under his breath.

Nu smiles and nods her head. "And I trust that that information on the foundation of Coruscant was helpful?" She asks.

"Very much." I say, smirking; Gabe is now glaring at me and showing me the large red teeth marks on his hand. "I was able to glean a lot from them."

"Well, that's wonderful." Jocasta says, beaming. "If there is anything else you need, don't hesitate to ask."

"Of course. Thank you . . . you have been more than kind." I say, smiling. Jocasta turns to head back to the front of the library and Gabe finally lets loose.

"Why you!" He shouts, lunging at me and laughing.

"Now now Gabe." I say, ducking out of his way. "I thought you had something to show me."

Gabe stops mid move and a thoughtful look crosses his face as he remembers our original reason for heading to the library.

"Right!" He says, taking my arm again. "Over here."

We head down the aisles of the library, passing row after row as Gabe looks for the right shelf; after what seems like an eternity, Gabe finally turns down an unmarked row and stops to bend down and pick up a datapad. Smiling, he turns it on and hands it over to me.

I feel my jaw drop as I read the title:

Empire Lost; The Rise and Fall of the Runik Civilization

"Gabe!" I cry as I finally find my voice and fling my arms around him in a hug. "This is great!"

Cienanos

I stand in my room packing the final pieces of equipment in my small bag...everything fits! At least That is one thing going my way today...

A mission with Obi-wan...oh...how do I get sooo lucky! I'm wondering if I could subject myself to some torture instead.

sigh Oh well...I had better make the best of it. Or Master Siron will have my head.

I shut off the lights and leave my room. I need to be at the ship in about 5 standard minutes so I had better hurry. I quickly make my way through the maze of halls leading out of the Temple and onto the walkways of Coruscant. I hurry along one of the walkways and hail a skycab. By the time I reach the landing platform (on time I might add), everyone is waiting for me. Obi-wan and Master Qui-gon are dressed in plain traveling clothes but Master Siron and myself are dressed in our Jedi robes.

As I approach, Master Siron turns to the other two. "Why don't you go ahead and start the preflight checks. I need to speak with my padawan for a moment."

Hmmm...what's this about?

I watch as the other two Jedi walk aboard our transport. Master Siron turns to me...

"Nano..."

"Yes Master?"

"The bag..."

"Huh?"

"Give me the bag."

I hand him my bag, still confused. He begins going through my supplies and pulling out some necessary equipment and tossing it onto the platform. As he indicates the growing pile of supplies he looks at me, "Nano! What is all this?"

"Supplies Master...things we may need on the planet."

"Ahh...I see...and why would we need fake rankor vomit on this exercise?"

"Well...you never know..."

"And the sneezing powder? Is that necessary?"

"That is VITAL Master! Why...if you ever find yourself needing..."

"Nano!" he interrupted. "I'm telling you one last time. Leave Obi-wan alone. He is one of your classmates. You should treat him with respect. You never know...one day...your life could depend on him!"

I find myself looking down at my feet again.

"Now get on the ship. And leave him alone!"

I pick up my bad with what is left in it...clothes...food...medical supplies...yeah...like I'm going to need those! I start walking onto the ship. I see Obi-wan out of the corner of my eye. He's trying to look interested in the fire suppression system on the ship. Oh GREAT! He heard the whole thing. Our eyes meet for just a second...mine narrow...this is going to be a long trip...