Chapter 19

"The Force is strong with him."

"He is to be trained, then?" demanded Qui-Gon.

"He unquestionably needs to be trained," snapped Mace. "That much power could be easily misused…"

"I will take him as my Padawan learner, then," said Qui-Gon, stepping forward.

"An apprentice you have, Qui-Gon. Impossible to take on a second."

"The Code forbids it."

"Obi-Wan is ready to face the Trials."

"Our own counsel we will keep on who is ready."

"Then who will train Anakin?" asked Qui-Gon.

"I will take him as my Padawan," announced Mace.

Qui-Gon bowed, accepting. Mace Windu was one of the finest Jedi in the order; Anakin would learn much from him.

Jessica opened her mouth to protest, but Anakin beat her to it.

"I want Jessica to teach me!"

Jessica smiled. He was so different to Padme; she would have begun debating the topic, pointing out the reasons for and against each teacher. Anakin dived straight in, focusing on what he wanted, and was likely to get it, one way or another. 'Especially with me helping him to get it.'

"Permissible, that is not!" snapped Yoda.

"Why not, Yoda?" asked Jessica reasonably. "We trained under the same Master for a time; and I've learned even more over the centuries."

Ignoring the stares and mutters from around the room, Yoda answered, "The reason, that is. The Dark Side, you studied."

Jessica shook her head. "I studied both sides of the Force, Yoda." She sighed, feeling Padme's gentle touch on her mind. 'Please hurry up!' her student seemed to be saying. "Look, can we sort this out later? The Queen wants to go back to Naboo. She feels she can do more from there."

"Very well," said Mace. "Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan; you will go with the Queen, and try to discover the identity of Qui-Gon's attacker."

Both Jedi bowed, answering, "Yes, Master."


"Are you sure you and Anakin shouldn't stay here?" Jessica asked Shmi.

Shmi nodded. "Yes, I'm sure. We want to come, and help if we can."

They were standing on the boarding ramp of the Queen's ship.

Jessica shook her head. "It won't help us if we feel we have to look after you!"

Shmi hesitated. "It's just… I feel like you'll need us there."

"I don't know –"

'Master, what's taking so long?'

'Shmi and Anakin want to come, too.'

'Then let them! I want to go!'

She sighed. "Fine! I give up! Talk to Panaka; tell him I said to give you a couple of blasters – you can use a blaster, can't you?"

Shmi nodded. "Anakin and I both can."

"We'll hide Ani somewhere safe when we get there," decided Jessica, "but you can stick with Padme. She'll look after you."

Shmi smiled. "Thank you. But what about you?"

"I'll be going with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, to find the Sith."