Chapter 5: The Missing Jedi Master
As dawn began to break on the city planet and capital of the Republic, Coruscant, a lone figure stood waiting outside the grand main stair well that led into the Jedi Temple. His brown hair blew lightly in the fresh - yet rather chilling - morning breeze, and for the second time, he found himself yawning. It was unfair that his master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, had forced him to get up this early on a weekday morning anyway, let alone the fact that he was now late for the meeting they had arranged. Sighing, Anakin Skywalker checked his chronometer once more and resisted a strong urge that rose within him to try and contact the Jedi Master via com-link. It would not go down very well with the rather stern master if his wayward and tardy apprentice commed him asking him why he was only a few minutes late.
He groaned and shuffled his feet, trying to find something of interest around him to occupy himself. Besides, he himself had places to go, and in particular, one person to see. His beloved and darling wife, who he would be seeing after almost half of a month of being separated..., by their duties. It was hard enough for a Jedi to be married to another Jedi or being, but even worse for two people of such diverse careers such as a Jedi Padawan and Senatorial representative for a vital planet. Both of their duties kept them apart for extremely long periods of time, and were so conflicting that they could not even share a simple and short com-conversation very often. This was going to be his only chance to see her before their responsibilities tore them apart again for yet another month, and he did not particularly wish to spend his time waiting for someone who he was pretty sure was not going to turn up.
The sound of voices echoed behind him, and he turned to see two young jedi apprentices, much younger than himself, meandering along rather noisily along the pavilion that they were currently standing on. The one on the left, who was a young rodian male, caught the older Jedi's gaze and immediately hushed his voice, just before stumbling rather clumsily over the young human female who he was walking with. They both burst into fits of loud laughter, and the young female gave Anakin a small smile and waved at him, resulting in another round of giggles from herself and her companion. He rolled his eyes, and turned his attention back to the traffic lanes that were encircling the Jedi Temple. Both of the students had been under some intoxicant or another, and he could still hear them squabbling and fighting as they tried to sneak back into the Temple. Had his Master been around at the time, he might have said something, but the fact that he was not made him feel more at ease. The again, he had no inclinations to break the promise he had made to him self a few years ago...if he was as - what was the word? Safe, yes, that would do, as safe as his Master when he reached his age, then he would like to have himself shot. It was one thing to stick to the rules of the Jedi Code, but to make sure that you never disobeyed one single command; that was pushing it.
He checked his chronometer again, and sighed in agitation. Now Obi-Wan was really late. His patience beginning to wear thin and dry, he withdrew his personal com-link from its holdall on his utility belt, and flicked through the channels he had stored on it, looking for that of his Master. He briefly gazed at each one, then found himself hesitating on one particular frequency, Senator Padmé Amidala's own personal link. His finger hovered on the frequency selector button, then eventually hit the 'next number' function. He would have to contact Padmé at some point, but first, he would have to try and find out why his Master was late. He skipped the next few numbers until he came across Obi-Wan's personal com-link frequency.
He dialled it, and waited as his 'link filled with static. When this still remained for a few long minutes, he frowned at it, and cancelled the call. Redialling it, he waited once more for his Master to answer. For the second time, this did not happen. Memories of the Battle of Geonosis started to flit though his mind, and in anxiety, he tried the com-link for a third time, only to receive similar results to the previous attempts.
"Where are you, Master?" He muttered to himself, and put his 'link away. Who else would know where he might be? The thought came to him instantly. The Jedi Council.
He spun on his heel, and marched back into the Temple.
About six hours later, Anakin had finally received a slot with the Jedi Council to go and talk to them. And now, he was sat in a chair just outside the doors that led into the Jedi Council Chamber - the room where the Council made all of its decisions regarding the Jedi Order - resenting the situation he was now in. He might even have to cancel his meeting with his wife, and that was the last thing that he wanted to do. He was not particularly angry at his master any longer; after all, the meeting had only been about discussing what he was going to do whilst his Master went out on his mission with Master Tachi, so it was not of great importance. But, the reason he was here was to meet the Council was not about what he was supposed to do in the absence of his Master, but to find out where his Master was. Obi-Wan had not contacted him in ages, even though he himself was a person who never left anyone in the lurch if he was not able to turn up for a meeting arranged several days before.
Eventually, he became filled with an over-whelming sensation that the Council were ready to receive him. Rising quickly from his chair, he walked over to the two large doors of the Council Chamber and checked that his Jedi uniform was straight and presentable. After finding himself to be looking respectful, he opened the doors and entered.
As all of the watchful eyes of the Jedi Council came down upon him, he bowed inclined his head slightly, and knotted his hands at the small of his back. "Greetings, Masters of the Council. Thank you for taking the time to see me."
Directly in front of him, Master Yoda leant back in his small, conforming chair. "No trouble is it, young Skywalker."
He smiled and waited for a moment as he sensed Master Windu, who was seated to Master Yoda's right, was about to say something else.
"What is troubling you, Padawan Skywalker?" The Jedi Master's voice boomed with a neutral tone.
"I was wishing to enquire about the whereabouts of Master Kenobi." He felt his stomach squirming at his rather eccentric language. "We were supposed to meet and discuss what tasks I was to accomplish whilst he was away, but he did not show up."
Master Yoda folded his small green hands across one another in his lap. "Young Skywalker, begun already, his mission has."
Anakin rolled his eyes, and received a soft yet warning look from the hologram of Jedi Master Aayla Secura, one of the only other members of the council apart from Obi-Wan who he truly got along with. "I was aware of that factor, Masters; I was more worried about the reason why he did not show up. If he is off planet by now, he would have contacted me to tell me that he would not make our meeting."
Master Windu leaned forward in his chair, his dark eyes burning with a harsh scold. "Padawan Skywalker, the mission that Master Kenobi has embarked upon is very delicate. I would presume that he has failed to contact you due to the tense nature of the situation. And perhaps, you should embark upon a mission to try and improve your diplomatic skills. Try and find a placement within the Senate somewhere."
Biting back his anger, he inclined his head then nodded. "Thank you for your time, Masters of the Council. May the Force be with you all."
"With you also, Young Skywalker." Master Yoda replied, and watched with considerable resignation as the young Chosen one left the room.
