Shadows
Shaak Ti drew a deep calming breath. The recent events had left her mind reeling, and despite the fact that many of the masters had returned, she couldn't find an absolute peace. There was so much darkness coursing through the force, at times it was suffocating.
"Disturbing these events are," Yoda said. Though his return had brought some solace to the inhabitants of the temple, the great Master could sense the coming trouble.
"What is left to do?" Shaak Ti couldn't help but ask. "It has been nearly thirty standard days since Master Windu and the others perished. Palpatine has not moved to strike against us in all that time, yet even the smallest padawan can sense the coming dark. If only we could stop it."
"Strong enough to fight back, we are not," Yoda said. "Too many of our Knights and Masters, off world remain. In a thousand years more powerful the Sith have become. Yet waned our power has. This Palpatine knows. Soon strike against us, he will." Yoda shook his head, "Clouded by the dark side, the force is, but soon the time shall come, when stand against the Sith we must."
Near the corner of the chamber, Obi-Wan sat in silence, his mind in a daze. He, himself, had only returned to the temple a little over two weeks ago. The route to safety had been long and winding. Obi-Wan had to be sure they wouldn't be tracked, and many detours had been taken on the way to the hiding place. Now, Padmé remained safely off-world and far from the enemy's eyes. Anakin's wife had been safely hidden away, but Obi-Wan had yet to keep his promise. Anakin was still missing. His presence could no longer be felt on Coruscant. Obi-Wan was fairly certain where he had gone, Anakin was searching for Padmé.
"Troubled by much you are," Yoda said, drawing Obi-Wan from his thoughts. A quick glance around the room revealed that all the other masters had left. Being in thoughtful daze, Obi-Wan hadn't even noticed.
"Master Yoda," Obi-Wan began, "I want to continue my search for Anakin. I'm worried-"
"Worry you must not. Worry is fear, fear leads-" Yoda admonished.
"Yes," Obi-Wan conceded. "I know. But if the 'Chosen One' is missing, how can we hope to stand against the Sith? And I know he will not return on his own. I have the distinct feeling that he means to leave the Order."
"So certain are you?" Yoda asked, studying the younger master. "Follow his own path, young Skywalker must, and drive him down a path that he has not chosen, you can not." Yoda rested his hands on the gimer stick, and shook his head gravely. "No, consider the safety of the young senator and the Skywalker youngling, we must."
"Amidala is hidden away in one of the best offworld medical stations. I'm certain we were not followed. Besides, she's proven before that she has the ability to remain hidden and protect herself. I doubt she is in danger any longer."
Yoda shook his head slowly, "Cloud your judgment, your feelings for your old padawan do, Master Obi-Wan. Whatever force has hunted young Skywalker, search out his family it will. Seek the destruction of Anakin Skywalker, the Sith do. In grave danger his family is. To Amidala you must go."
Obi-Wan remained silent before slowly nodding his head.
"When born the child is, to a new refuge move the senator and youngling. When certain you are of mother and child's safety, return to the Temple you must. What next must be done, then we shall decide."
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Sidious paced his quarters, "You still have yet to bring me Amidala."
The agent nodded, "My apologies Lord Sidious. My men are working as fast as they can, but there is no trace of the senator."
"And what of Skywalker?" Sidious asked, his patience wearing thin.
"We tracked him to the end of the Nubian system but he has vanished since then," the agent tried again.
Sidious let out a disgusted sigh, "You incompetence disappoints me. I do not tolerate failure."
"My lord," the agent blurted hurriedly. "I do have some information about Master Kenobi."
"He was killed on Utapau." Sidious said, knowing the agent was going to contradict him.
"With all due respect, my lord, Obi-wan Kenobi returned to Coruscant twenty standard days ago, and he has been seen departing once again."
"Follow him," Sidious said. "I have a feeling he will lead you to our missing senator. Kill them both."
The agent bowed and exited. Sidious couldn't help but give a wicked laugh. Everything Skywalker loved would be gone, and then there would be nothing left of him. Once Anakin's spirit had been destroyed, his rage would consume him. Then he would, at last, embrace the dark side.
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Anakin walked across the plain tired and weak. A standard month of searching and there was still no sign of his wife. His journey had taken him to many worlds. Whoever had taken her must have been a force-sensitive, for they left a tortuous path that even the best tracker could not follow. But who could have taken her? Why would anyone take her? It's your fault. You swore to protect her.
Anakin clenched his eyes shut. No, I will find her. I will not fail her.
A cloud of dust rose across the plain, and Anakin blinked his eyes against the sand. He had traced her here, to Tatooine, but her presence was no longer here, and there were no clues as to where she was now. Closing his eyes tightly, he stretched out through the force to find her. She was faint flicker in the force, distant and illusive. She was alive but lost.
"Sandstorm's coming up quick," a voice said.
Anakin turned to find a hand on his shoulder. "Owen?"
"Anakin?" Owen Lars blinked. "Is it really you?"
Anakin nodded.
"I wondered why you weren't here when that other jedi showed up," Owen said, in his straight-to-the-point-farmer tone. "He and Padmé didn't know what had happened to you, and Beru and I feared the worst."
Anakin had stopped hearing after the mention of Padmé. He was about to question further when a strong gust of air brought Owen back to his senses, "Come on, we've got to find some shelter."