Disclaimer- I do not own Star Wars, or I would be filthy rich and lounging around all day. However, I can vouch that I am quite in debt… God bless college ; ).

-I would like to apology for the lack of scene separation. I had separated the different scenes with stars but along the way to fan fiction they went missing in action. Hopefully, it will never happen again.

-Here is the next chapter on this, threatening to be long, saga. Please enjoy.

Chapter 3- An Escape

Qui-Gon rocked on his heels in the darkened council chambers. The council finally saw his point of view. They could no longer ignore the fact that they needed Anakin, not just as a padawan but as a knight. Not often did Qui-Gon come out on top of the council, and he relished this moment. Anakin would be taken by surprise, as soon as he walked through that door. Qui-Gon's mind glanced through the events that had finally forced the Council to realize that is was time for Anakin to be knighted. Master Yoda started to discuss, how through the force he had come to the conclusion that the time was drawing nearer when the prophesy would fulfilled. There had been much discussion, but with Master Yoda leading the way, the councilors of course voted in favor.

Across the circle from Qui-Gon, Obi-wan stood, his head slightly bowed. Qui-Gon frowned. Obi-wan's knighting ceremony had not been nearly as joyful, as it should have been. 'My fault,' Qui-Gon thought, his brow furrowing slightly. He had marred the occasion by pushing the young man aside for a new padawan. 'I could have endangered his career as a Jedi.' The memory hurt. He had tried to patch the relationship between him and the knight, but Obi-wan remained cold and aloof. 'Besides, he's rarely at the Temple any more.'

"Enter, Padawan Skywalker." Yoda's voice called.

As Anakin entered the room, the lightsabers of the masters' flared to life before them. Exhilaration passed over Anakin's young face. Qui-Gon could hear his padawan /finally/ for those words echoed through his own heart. Anakin was his pride.

Yoda, perched upon his chair, motioned for Anakin to kneel before him. "A hard life is that of the Jedi Knight. However, never alone you are. Pick up this burden do you, Padawan Skywalker?"

"I will, Master Yoda."
Yoda moved his lightsaber to each shoulder before cleanly cutting Anakin's padawan braid. "Rise, Knight Skywalker"

Qui-Gon grinned at the twitches in his no former padawan's lips, as a smile threatened to emerge. Qui-Gon noted a faint look of concern showing on Yoda's face, but it quickly gave way.

"Requested you the Supreme Chancellor has, to aid him. Disagree with him the Council does. Needed elsewhere you are. To Hypori go you should. Stop droid production there you must. Waiting for you a clone army is. May the Force be with you, young Knight."

"May the Force be with you too, Master." Anakin said as he bowed and left the council chambers.

The council chamber's lights returned to their normal level. The master's deactivated their lightsabers and began to make ready to leave, as the evening session had ended. Suddenly an urgent message was dispatched from the Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's office.

"Good Jedi," said the holo-projected image of the Supreme Chancellor. "I have critical information on the location of General Grievous and the droid army."

The council members quickly returned to their seats and waited for the chancellor to begin.

"To start with, has the council considered my request of young Skywalker becoming my aid?"

Mace Windu's eyes narrowed. "The council considered your request and has decided that Master Jinn would be better suited as your aid. He bares more experience then Knight Skywalker."

Yoda nodded too, ignoring the startled look on Qui-Gon's face. "Sent Knight Skywalker to Hypori we have. Deal with the droid factories there he will."

The Chancellor's brow furrowed slightly at this news. "Shame… really." He muttered before continuing. "Recently, have turned up information regarding General Grievous's and the Droid armies' location. My resources, tell me that General Grievous is on Utapau."

The council exchanged glances.

"Are you certain," Master Shaak Ti voiced her concern. She well remembered her last run in with the droid general. The occasion was bound to be one that she would never forget.

"I would bank my life on it," replied the Chancellor's cool voice.

Yoda frowned. "Send a Jedi and a clone army we should."

Mace Windu nodded. "We will take care of this immediately, Chancellor." He paused slightly. "Remember your assurance that as soon as General Grievous is in custody that you will relinquish your emergency powers."

"I love democracy, dear Jedi. As soon as that fiend Grievous is apprehended, I will surrender these powers that the Galactic Senate has bestowed upon me."

Yoda's eyes narrowed but he did not voice any concern. "For this information, we thank-you, Chancellor."

"There is but one last issue, Master Yoda. The Separatist army is attacking Kashyyk, as we speak. The Wookies have asked for our aid."

"Good relations with the Wookies I have. Go I will."

Palpatine smiled. "Thank-you, Masters."

The holo-projection faded and disappeared, leaving the Masters in silent thought. Grievous had been found; that could mean the war was almost to a conclusion. Eyes flickered across the room, eyeing their peers. They silently wondered who of their peers should be sent, for unquestionably a master should deal with Grievous. Only six masters remained for the mission, though the choice actually lay between five, for Master Shaak Ti was ruled out. She had suffered at Grievous's hands.

"Go Obi-wan should." Master Yoda said without doubt.

Qui-Gon stopped his mouth from dropping. "Master Yoda, Obi-wan has not been successful against Grievous before. It would be sending him to his death!"

Qui-Gon noticed Obi-wan's face redden. "I will take this mission. It is does make since. We will need the best swordsmen here if Darth Sidious is discovered."

"I do not agree with this."

"I can handle myself, Master Jinn!" Obi-wan's voice rose slightly.

"I do not doubt your abilities, but General Grievous has killed many Jedi."

"If you do not question my abilities, then why do you stand in my way now? I am no longer your padawan to protect. I have grown-up." Obi-wan's voice was scarcely more then a whisper. "I accept this mission."

Qui-Gon's eyes widened at the open defiance in his former padawan. 'Do I really doubt him?' Troubled, he inwardly shook the thoughts away. 'Yes, he has grown up. The boy I once knew is gone… and I cannot put aside the thought that I am the reason for his disappearance.'

Their fellow councilors cast looks at one another. Surprise at the two's outburst rippled through them. Their eyes eventually met that Yoda, who looked deeply saddened. He knocked his wooden staff softly against the floor, drawing Qui-Gon and Obi-wan's attention back to him.

"Agree with Master Kenobi I do."

Mace nodded his head. "This mission is granted to you, Obi-wan. May the Force be with you and us as well."

The council meeting ended on this somber tone.

"You made a fool of me in there." Obi-wan said loudly over the noise. He held a small bag containing items he would need on his mission. Anger threatened to break down the dams he had built. He wished Qui-Gon would leave. 'He has enough gall to talk to me after what he said in the Council Chambers.'

Qui-Gon grimaced faintly. "I have come to apologize."

Obi-wan blue eyes widened considerably. "What-."

"I do not doubt your skills, Obi-wan. I do care for you. I do not want to see you hurt or as another casualty of this war. Perhaps the reasons for my outburst were of a more selfish manner."

"I am sorry for the harsh words I also said."

Qui-Gon loosened considerably. "Perhaps, one day when this war is at an end, we can fully mend the damage that has taken place between us."

Obi-wan smiled. "I would like that very much."

Qui-Gon laughed quietly. "And to think it took us this long to finally talk."

Obi-wan looked down at the battle ship that would take him part way to Utapau. "That is mostly my fault. I could not let go."

"Perhaps, or perhaps, it was a mutual failing."

"When I return, we will talk further. But now duty calls."

Qui-Gon took a long glance at Obi-wan. "Do make sure you come back… preferably in one piece."

"You know me, Master." Obi-wan caught Qui-Gon's brows raise. "I promise, I will return."

The two men smiled at each other and bowed. Obi-wan turned and quickly walked to board the destroyer.

"Master," Detritus breathed as he bowed. "A Republic fleet has been reported leaving Coruscant. They will be here in a day or two."

Darth Nebulous bowed his head. "And so the game begins. Have you been practicing, my apprentice?"

Detritus nodded, as his heart burned with exhilaration. "I will not fail you."

Author's Note: My aspiration to have at least one chapter posted every week. Sometimes results may vary.