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Full summary: Sequel to Immolated Destiny. As the Clone Wars rage around them, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi attempt to rebuild the broken bridges between them. But the Master's romantic entanglements with Anakin Skywalker continue to cloud his judgment...even when Obi-Wan's life is on the line.

Warnings: Slash, JA reference, drugs, and violence

Pairing(s): Qui-GonxAnakin (subdued GarenxObi)

Fic type: AU, romance

Bizarre speaks: Anakin makes an ass of himself..

Chosen
Volume Five
The Seeds of Darkness
Chapter V: Compatriots

An assignment came a month later. The Planet Roon was rumored to be a Separatist target. It made sense to attack this remote planet. Roon would make a good staging area and they could easily subdue the sparse population. The Jedi hoped to avoid this happening. Here was an ideal opportunity, however. If they could strike at the heart of the Sepratist movement by removing some of its leaders…

Anakin was pleased to hear that they would be traveling so far. It meant a chance to pilot a starship. But, he was told he would not be piloting this trip. Jedi Knight Garen Muln would. Young Skywalker didn't like the idea, but as a Padawan it was not his place to argue with the Council.

Garen was a fantastic pilot. At a very young age he had been taken out of Temple classes and put into special pilot training. Anakin's trepidation and Qui-Gon's indifference were nothing compared to Obi-Wan's delight. After the horrible poisoning he recognized what a blessing having Garen would be.

Aside from Garen, there was no one who could bring the roguish, upstart Obi-Wan to heel. The mission would be smoother with the Pilot there.

Since Hoth, Anakin had withdrawn further. He hadn't appreciated Garen scolding him. It left a bitter edge to his feelings about the Pilot. Despite this, he openly admitted that he was impressed by the Knight's ability, after seeing it first hand.

Aboard ship the Jedi stayed isolated most of the time. Neither Qui-Gon nor Anakin even saw Obi-Wan. Anakin still sulking and Master Jinn lost in thought. When Garen was not at the helm, no one really knew where he went. The landing on Roon finally brought them all together.

"I've not been here in years," Obi-Wan noted pleasantly.

"You have been here before?" Anakin cocked his head curiously. He wasn't that surprised, though. Obi-Wan must have been many wonderful places, spending so much time away from the Temple.

"Yeah. My Purple pals live here," Kenobi chuckled. His meaning did not escape Garen and Master Qui-Gon. Both of them cast him serious glares.

Anakin was oblivious. True to his word, Qui-Gon hadn't shared with anyone Obi-Wan's addiction, including his Padawan.

"Maybe you'll get to see them," the youngster offered innocently.

"I hope so," Obi-wan nodded. He got right back to business, though. "The peoples of Roon don't appreciate Separatist occupation. If we can contact any faction leaders they might add to our intel."

"I imagine most people do not welcome hostile invasion," Qui-Gon agreed. " That is a good thought, Obi-Wan." Their Clone trooper support would be arriving soon enough, but having local support would certainly be a boon.

"Mostly humans here," Garen interjected. "But, also colonies of Twi'lek, Duros and Sullustans. As well as Kobok tribes," he told his companions. "The Duros and Sullustans won't be of much help and the Koboks live in the wild outlands. If anyone were to be of use it will be the human settlers and Twi'leks."

The others nodded, absorbing this mission data in their minds.

"Having allies won't help if we don't even know where the Separatists are based," Anakin pointed out. "That should be our top priority," he insisted. "They're just politicians hiding behind their droid army," he added with a sneer. "We don't really need allies."

"Not knowing where they are is why we need the locals, Anakin," Obi-Wan countered, not unkindly.

Anakin bristled none the less. He felt slighted, like Obi-Wan was brushing him off. "If we don't know where we're going it's just a waste of time," he muttered tersely.

"Well then," Garen said, "You stay and marshal the Clone troopers, Padawan. Obi-Wan and I don't mind wasting our time with locals," he smiled at Anakin.

"Kindly don't try to order me around, Knight Muln," the apprentice said tightly, though he would have to obey.

Garen merely smirked at him and strode out of the hangar. Obi-Wan nodded to Master Qui-Gon in amusement then trotted after his buddy. Those left behind could see the pair laughing as they went.

"I am not a child," Anakin grumbled. "They don't have to treat me like that." He was twenty-one years old! Commander in a grand army, perfectly capable of realizing good battle strategy. Whether Obi-Wan Kenobi or Garen Muln would admit it or not!

"They are not children either, Anakin," the Master said lightly. "I think that is the point."

"I don't treat them as such," the Padawan protested. "Is it too much to expect similar courtesy?"

"Enough," Qui-Gon snorted. "They were not unreasonable, Anakin. Come," he said heading back into the bay, a wry smile under his beard. "We have our duty to attend to."

Anakin would much rather have gone out hunting Separatists, but Master Qui-Gon would hear none of it until the Knights returned with more information.

Knowing the place well, it didn't take Obi-Wan long to locate the resistance. He and Garen reappeared with a pair of local ladies in tow. A yellow tentacled Twi'lek and a copper haired human.

"This is Auren," Kenobi introduced the alien female. "And Chao," he indicated the human woman. "Leaders of the anti-Separatists. They've been planning an attack on the invaders for some time so our presence comes as a welcome surprise," the Jedi Knight explained with a grin. "They're ready to move up their strike date to tomorrow."

"You know where they are headquartered?" Anakin asked, still feeling this was crucial. He had the clone battalion all set to move once coordinates were available.

The Twi'lek frowned at him. Tossing her heavy tentacles over her shoulder in irritation. What kind of a question was that? And who was this outspoken boy anyhow?

"Will you meet with our operatives?" she addressed tall Qui-Gon, in deference to his age.

"Thank you for agreeing to work with us, ladies," Master Qui-Gon said quickly. He shot Anakin an angry look. "I am Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and this is my apprentice, Anakin Skywalker," the big fellow bowed courteously. He knew it was risky for them to expose the resistance like this. "We are happy to be of service to the free peoples of Roon."

After briefing the Clone commanders, the Jedi set out in the company of the local gals to recon the battle sight. Obi-Wan and Auren walked hand in hand talking quietly while the others trailed along. Roon was a very lovely planet.

Tall majestic mountains, sweeping plains of tall waving grasses…

Anakin was reminded of pastoral Naboo and felt a pang of sadness. He would love to see Padme right now. To talk with her… She wouldn't treat him like a child! He didn't have much time to dwell on that, however, as they soon met up with the resistance's spies working inside the Separatist complex.

Apparently Nute Gunray and the other rebel leaders were not yet on planet. They'd sent their droid forces under military commanders to secure Roon first. Anakin scowled in dark delight when he heard who was heading the assault.

Asajj Ventress, a dark Jedi. She had captained the aerial attacks on Praesitlyn. The Padawan felt this was his chance to make amends for his previous failure.

"They think their arrival schedule is a secret," red headed Chao commented with a predatory smile. "But we know when the next shipment of battle droids is due," she glanced at the Jedi and giggled. "Just because the peaceful Kobok won't fight doesn't mean they won't spy." Then she pointed out the landing sight on their map. "If a team could sneak in with those droids," she indicated the perimeter markers. "They could disable security and our troops could storm in."

"Easy," Anakin huffed. Stealth was a major part of Jedi operations. Sneaking into an enemy stronghold basic training.

"We had planned for a larger assault team," Auren said then. "But, with you Jedi, we could send less folks."

"One systems specialist and a hacker should do it," Chao nodded in accordance with her partner. The women looked to the senior Jedi for affirmation.

The Master nodded. "Agreed." He would speak with commander Cody about bringing the clones in once security was broken.

"The droid ships will be landing tomorrow afternoon," Chao told them.

"Keep your troops out of sight till then," Auren warned them. "Or we will be undone."

"We're not stupid," Anakin rolled his eyes.

"Padawn," Qui-Gon admonished sternly.

The apprentice eyed him a moment then bowed his head contritely. "Sorry, Master," he muttered. "But, we're not," he whispered under his breath. They all ignored him.

"We'll send the specialists to your hangar," the Twi'lek finished off their meeting. "Then you all have time to prepare."

"Yes, ma'am," Qui-Gon bowed. "We will be ready."

To Be Continued...