Morning came too early for the Jedi team heading to Vjun. Mara Jade was not a morning person and more often than not woke up grumpy and irritable, this morning was not exception. It wasn't until she saw Anakin's bright blue eyes turn a darker shade of blue, did she get the hint that he really wasn't in the mood for any foolishness. She wisely decided that she needed to heed his instructions and to remain silent. Anakin noticed her change in attitude almost immediately. He inwardly smiled and soon they were ready to leave the apartment. Luke and Obi-Wan were animatedly talking and Mara rolled her eyes at the both of them. "Morning people, bah!" Mara sighed.
Master Tiin went to lower level to retrieve Count Dooku. He had a small bag packed and after Master Tiin inspected it he put force-reduction cuffs around his wrists.
Count Dooku was silent as they made their way to the hanger bay. Whie was already there waiting for them; so were Leia Skywalker and her master Gallia, they were saying goodbye to the team. Leia seemed emotional she was worried for her family; Leia hugged Luke and told him to be careful. Anakin crouched to Leia and brought her into an embrace. "Don't worry, young one we will be back before you know it."
"I know father, doesn't mean I won't miss you."
Anakin hugged her again and said goodbye.
"It's never easy to say goodbye, is it master?" Leia whispered.
"No, but to worry about them incessantly is not a good Jedi trait. Masters Skywalker and Kenobi have a way of always returning from even the most difficult of tasks. There was never a battle that those two led that ended up in failure."
"They truly balance each other don't they, master?"
"Yes, I'm just grateful that they will never have to fight against each other, both of them are formidable warriors." Master Gallia replied.
On the other side of the galaxy, Han Solo was working on the Falcon, preparing her for his pilots test. He knew this ship like the back of his own hand. When he completed the speeders, he knew that they were ready for sale. Padmé couldn't help to notice how driven Han was when it came to the Falcon. One morning, Padmé followed Han to the ship and was impressed with how everything sparkled and everything was in its place.
"Wow, Han if only you could keep your room looking this nice." Padmé laughed as Han scowled.
"Mm, don't want to disappoint the Sith Lord, milady."
"Oh! You know Anakin is not a Sith, the bright blue eyes are a dead give away."
"Nobody, is more grateful than that me, do you know what Sith Lords do to people who enrage them?"
"I've heard rumors." Padmé sighed.
"Force-choke them and shoot lightening from their hands; no way would I want to be on the receiving end of that." Han shivered.
"Don't blame you."
"Have you ever seen a Sith, milady?"
"Yes. There was one that attacked Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan; his name was Darth Maul he had red and black tattoos and bright yellow eyes."
"Who was Qui-Gon?"
"He was Obi-Wan's master; he was murdered by Darth Maul. Obi-Wan however avenged his master's death by killing Darth Maul; The first Jedi to kill a Sith Lord in over a thousand years. Qui-Gon was originally going to train Anakin, however his final wish was to have Obi-Wan do it."
"Is the something the matter, milady? You normally don't follow me up here."
"Anakin and Luke are headed to the planet of Vjun, it's a planet surrounded by the dark side of the Force, I'm fearful for their safety."
"Won't Obi-Wan be there?"
"Yes there's a whole team of Jedi going; but it doesn't make me feel any better."
Han looked on his navi-computer and Vjun was quite a distance away. "Mm, its one of the outer planets, quite a distance away; even from Coruscant it's about a week away."
"You don't even have a pilot's license yet, Han."
"So? A little piece of paper has never stopped me before, of course that was before Anakin became my boss. Mm, you might be right, don't want to enrage the Sith Lord."
"Does Anakin know that you refer to him in such a manner?"
"Probably suspect it; but its ironic he doesn't seem to get as mad about as my other antics."
"You are a scoundrel, Han Solo. Its no wonder my husband is trying to install discipline in you."
"Yea; of course milady if we decide to go, he might ground me for over a year." Han sighed.
"Maybe if I tell him it's my idea . . ."
"No he wouldn't ever believe that his wife is that devious."
"Oh, he knows me very well, once I get my mind set on something there's no convincing of me of otherwise."
Luke approached Anakin in the cockpit, "Are we there yet?"
"No, it will take about a week, Luke go find something to do."
Mara smiled as Luke walked by and gave her the high-five.
"Your turn."
"Master?"
"Mm?"
"Are we there yet?"
"No, it will take a week, go find something to do."
"Yes, Master."
Luke and Mara played this game until Anakin stood up and put his hands on his hips and glared at both of his son and padawan; both of them ran from the cockpit and very nearly knocked over Count Dooku.
"Children."
"Save us, Count Dooku." Luke jumped behind him as Anakin followed them into the living area.
"From what?" Count Dooku then saw Anakin glaring at the two padawans.
"If Luke and Mara are so bored, maybe they would enjoy some time in the galley washing dishes."
"No, we will go find something else to do, father." Luke grabbed Mara's hand and they ran to the cargo hold. Count Dooku couldn't help but to laugh at the three of them, laughter like yawning is incredibly contagious. Anakin also started laughing.
"You are a terrifying sight to behold, when you are irritated, Anakin." Count Dooku replied.
"Han Solo has called my pose the 'Sith Lord' stance."
"Mm, strangely appropriate."
"It's strange though, Count Dooku most of the younglings are intimidated of me except this little girl by the name of Keri."
What could Count Dooku say to that? He hadn't taken on a padawan since Qui-Gon Jinn, nearly six decades ago, if he had stayed on the light side of the Force he could actually see himself being Anakin's master, but then maybe not. Anakin was stubborn, arrogant, and too daring for the Count's tastes. The battle in the Geonosian hanger bay proved this, Anakin Skywalker was reckless and formed attachments though it was forbidden, he was first attached to Obi-Wan and then his forbidden love, Padmé. It was odd though, the chosen one would be so fiercely protective of not only his former master, but to Padme, his children, padawan and even his friends. Count Dooku found it odd that he wished fervently to be counted amongst Anakin's friends.
"You are, Count Dooku." Anakin replied.
Count Dooku smiled briefly at the young master, "You read my mind, not an easy feat young man."
"If I have offended you . . ."
"No, you haven't Anakin. You are formidable Jedi Master, Anakin. You've matured and have finally settled down in the years I knew of you before. You're wife and family has given you the balance you so desperately needed. It's ironic that the Jedi have always shunned possessions and attachments, but for you it was so necessary. I couldn't ever imagine you sitting crossed-legged on a stool pondering the Force."
"Me either; as Obi-Wan has often said I was always on the move."
"True."
Mara found Whie sitting on the floor mediating; he was very intense. She could almost feel the Force pop around him with excitement. She sat across from him and started to mediate also.
Luke was in the cargo sitting on top of the many crates, trying to wrap the Force around him to disappear, he knew that his father was looking for him to come and eat dinner. But it was some kind of vegetable stew that Luke hated. Obi-Wan was also looking for him.
"Obi-Wan, he's in here. I feel him."
"Me too, Anakin; he's trying to go into stealth mode."
Anakin felt Luke's presence on top of one of the crates he was sitting in the dark with his hood up and felt a tendril of the force pick him up and dangle him upside down while he was laughing.
"Stang! You found me!"
"Luke, haven't you learned yet you cannot hide from both your father and your master? We are the best at detecting Jedi in stealth mode." Anakin remarked.
Luke sighed defeated as he was set on the floor, but then he gathered the Force around him to go into a Force-induced sprint and ran down the hall, laughing and giggling.
"Come and get me!" Luke challenged.
"He's baiting us, Anakin." Obi-Wan stated.
"Yes, after you master."
"Oh, no you are much younger than me." Anakin gathered his strength and ran after the errant boy. Luke shouted in pure exhilaration and saw the intense look on his father's face. He ran into where Whie and Mara were mediating and interrupted them, "Save me!"
"Luke? Why do you constantly need saving?" Mara replied.
"Father, he's after me."
"You challenged him again didn't you? When are you ever going to learn?"
Whie smiled and grabbed Luke's hand and stuffed him in a hidden compartment. "Whie, not probably the wisest move." Mara remarked, surprised by Whie's actions.
"Luke Skywalker, come out this minute." Anakin sternly called.
Luke realized that the game was over when he heard his full name being announced, thank the Force he didn't have a middle name; he would hate to hear that come out as well. Luke sheepishly came out and smiled at his father.
"Come on son, the time for foolishness as ended, time to eat dinner you guys."
Luke, Whie, Mara Jade followed Anakin to the galley and after eating dinner; the three padawan's sat at gaming table, to play sabacc. Anakin reminded Mara Jade of her bedtime. Luke sighed, he knew that in about twenty minutes he would have to meditate, shower, and go to bed.
After the game had to be saved for continuation later, Whie went to find Master Skywalker to talk to him. Anakin was working against multiple training probes, all set to high levels. Whie entered the fray and activated his lightsaber; he needed the practice, especially if he wanted to be fully prepared for the mission. Anakin was impressed with Whie's skill; he recognized Mace Windu's influence of Whie's fighting style. After the battle, the probe droids were deactivated.
"You are quite deadly with that sword, Whie."
"Thanks, Master Windu is guiding me."
"He's one of the best in our order."
"Funny, he says the same about you, Master Skywalker. Matter of fact he says that I could probably learn some techniques from you. You know how to improvise better than any Jedi."
"Mm, maybe; still wouldn't want to tempt Mace Windu with that theory."
"Why not?"
"Because I've played one too many pranks on the Jedi Master; he'll probably cut off my other arm."
Whie laughed as did Anakin; he grabbed two towels and threw one at Whie.
"Thanks."
Author's Note:Thanks again for all your comments, sorry that this chapter is so short. I'm going out of town this weekend be back Sunday night December 11th, I didn't want to leave my constant readers hanging so hope you enjoyed this installment. -- DarthGladiator45