Chapter 27 A Glimpse of the Future?
"That doesn't sound like you; I would think you'd even want to go after them yourself." Obi-Wan said.
"Well, that's me; I would if I could, if I didn't have a new born baby. But I don't think it would be a good idea for you…." Anakin started to explain.
"Why would that be, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked, crossing his arms across his chest.
"I just think…well, after what they've already done…it just would be safe….especially…." Anakin stammered.
"Especially what?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Well, you know….because of…" Anakin stammered again before finally finding the right words, "Don't you think you're getting a little old to be running around the galaxy chasing wanted criminals?"
"What?"
"You heard me." Anakin replied.
"Yes, but I can't believe you said that; I'm not that old, Anakin. How old do you think Qui-Gon was?" Obi-Wan answered.
"He was old enough to get himself killed." Anakin said.
"Yes, by Darth Maul who I barely defeated. There are no more Sith, Anakin; and you cannot even compare him to those two hunters. I'm far from being so old I have to spend the rest of my days ruminating in the Temple." Obi-Wan replied.
"I know." Anakin answered, staring at the floor, "I just don't want to lose you."
"Well, you're going to eventually; but not for a while." Obi-Wan assured him with a smile.
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While Obi-Wan and Zak stayed in the waiting area, Anakin went in to see his wife and newborn son. Padme was sitting in a chair holding Hadrian, "Oh, just in time; I've just fed him." She announced when he walked in.
Anakin kissed her and then looked down at Hadrian; his eyes were open and for the first time, Anakin gazed into the blue eyes of his son. Hadrian looked back up at him, smiled and waved his arms; Padme lifted him slightly so that Anakin could take him. Anakin cradled Hadrian to him, rocking him gently.
"I think Obi-Wan would like to see him." Padme suggested, smiling.
"Could I do that? Is he ready for it?" Anakin asked.
"Yes, Valeria was in the morning and she said he's doing just fine; he's strong and healthy and ready for visitors." Padme assured him.
"You're sure?" Anakin asked.
"Yes, my love; very sure." Padme reassured him.
Anakin grinned, "Well, alright then. We'll be right back." He told her, "Hadrian, you're about to meet one of the greatest Jedi ever."
He triggered the door with a slight motion of one hand and exited the room. Padme smiled as she watched him go.
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Obi-Wan and Zak were talking quietly when Anakin appeared in the waiting area, "I thought you might like to see someone." He said.
"Ah, there he is." Obi-Wan replied, standing up and going toward his brother.
Anakin held the little bundle in his arms out to Obi-Wan and before he even touched him, Obi-Wan could feel his Force strength, "Every bit as strong as the twins, Anakin." He told them as he cradled the infant in his arms.
Hadrian looked up at him, almost as if he recognized the older Master's Force sense. Zak strained to see him and Obi-Wan sat down on the nearest seat so that he could. Zak held a finger out to Hadrian who reached for it immediately, "Here, Zak." Obi-Wan said and shifted the baby to Zak.
"Oh, I…oh." Zak stammered, "He's so strong; I can sense it."
"Yes." Obi-Wan replied.
Anakin took a step back; he saw a dark-haired, doe-eyed young man sitting where Zak was sitting and next to him was a dark-haired, blue-eyed boy about Zak's age. The boy looked at him and smiled, "Hello, Dad." The boy said. Anakin blinked and it was gone.
"Anakin?"
Anakin smiled and huffed, "What? No, I'm alright; I just saw something amazing." He answered elusively.
Obi-Wan looked at him curiously, but did not question him further; when Anakin felt the time was right, he would share what he had seen. For now, it was enough to be with his brother and behold the wonder of his third child.
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They stayed for a while until Obi-Wan decided that they really must return to Coruscant. Anakin took them to the base where they had left their ship and saw them off.
"You will come to Coruscant soon?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yes, the Council will want to see Hadrian, I'm sure; and Padme will have some government business to attend to. In fact, I haven't said anything before this, because I didn't know for sure, but we may have to set up another home on Coruscant." Anakin informed him.
"Really? It would be good to have you and your family closer." Obi-Wan replied.
"Yes, well, with all the back and forth I've been doing lately with the Council and now with Padme about to take on more duties for the governor, it just seems like a good idea for the children to have a familiar place there." Anakin explained, "But, in any case, as soon as Hadrian and Padme are ready to travel, we will be there."
A handshake turned into an embrace, "May the Force be with you, Obi-Wan." Anakin said.
"And may it be with you and your family, brother." Obi-Wan answered.
"Zak, take care of him." Anakin told Zak with a smile and a pat on the shoulder.
"I will, Master Anakin." Zak answered.
Obi-Wan put a hand on Zak shoulder and steered him up the ramp, "We'll see you soon then." Obi-Wan said just before he disappeared into the ship.
A few minutes later, the ship lifted off and Anakin watched it until he could no longer see it before returning to the birthing center to pick up his wife and newborn son and take them home.
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"What did Master Anakin see?" Zak asked as he took their ship into hyperspace.
"When?" Obi-Wan asked.
"At the birthing center, when I was holding Hadrian. He said he had seen something amazing." Zak explained.
"I don't know, Padawan; he didn't tell me." Obi-Wan answered.
"Hmmm…I'm going to be Hadrian's master some day." Zak announced.
"You are? What makes you think he's even going to want to be a Jedi?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I don't know; I just know." Zak answered.
"Oh; well, I know better than to question you when you say that. You've been right too often." Obi-Wan answered.
"Maybe that's what Master Anakin saw." Zak speculated.
"Now, that is entirely possible." Obi-Wan replied.
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When they came out of hyperspace, Zak put the ship down and Obi-Wan maneuvered back into the bay. Standing on the docking platform waiting to meet them were Ferri and his Master, Clive Maru.
"Master Maru, I am surprised to see you here; what can I do for you?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Ferri has expressed the wish to speak with your Padawan if it is alright." Maru answered.
"Well, that would be up to Zak." Obi-Wan replied, looking down at Zak.
Zak eyed Ferri suspiciously, "Sure, I guess so." He consented.
The two masters stepped away from them. Ferri looked down at the ground, "I was wrong, I'm sorry." He said quickly.
"Do you honestly believe that, or are you just saying it because Master Maru told you to." Zak asked.
Ferri looked him straight in the eye, "Master Maru explained some things to me; and then I meditated and now I know that I was meant to be with Master Maru and you are meant to be with Master Kenobi. I'm not happy about it, I admit; but you can't argue with the will of the Force. Don't get me wrong, I still don't really like you very much; but I guess there's a reason why you were paired with Master Kenobi." He explained.
"Alright, I can accept that. It's a big Temple; I think we can stay out of each others' way." Zak answered.
"Good. I just wanted to set things straight." Ferri replied.
Clive looked at Obi-Wan, shrugged and rolled his eyes, "I guess that's the best I can do, Master Kenobi." He told him, apologetically.
"Good enough; and perhaps one day, he will see Zak differently." Obi-Wan replied.
Clive smiled, "Perhaps." He echoed as they rejoined their apprentices.
They heard the clink of a gimmer stick and turned to see Master Yoda coming toward them, "Home you are now, hmmm…report to the healers you must, Obi-Wan." He instructed.
"That will not be necessary, Master; I was seen by a doctor before I left Alderaan." Obi-Wan assured him.
"Decide what is necessary I will, Master Kenobi. Report to the healers you will. Then to the Council Chamber you must come along with Master Maru and his Padawan." Master Yoda insisted.
"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan conceded, "Until later, Master Maru."
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"Well, that looks nasty, but it seems to be healing alright. I hate these kinds of wounds; they always leave an ugly scar." Declan said when he had seen the slug thrower injury.
"I know." Obi-Wan replied.
"Well, what about your head? Any more dizziness?" Declan asked.
"No, nothing." Obi-Wan answered.
"Good, and that looks to be healing up as well. You know that graze on your cheek is going to scar." Declan said.
"Yes, I have already been told that." Obi-Wan answered.
"Alright; everything looks good to me. Give your side another day and you should be fit to go." Declan declared.
"Thank you, Declan." Obi-Wan replied.
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The Council was only partially in session when he arrived and took his usual seat; Clive Maru stood to one side, "Good, now that here you are, Master Kenobi, begin we can." Yoda said.
"We have called this session because of the incident that happened yesterday; I'm sure you heard about it, Master Kenobi." Mace informed him.
"Yes, two of the hunters escaped; I am well aware of that." Obi-Wan answered, "So you are sending a team of Jedi after them, I presume."
"Yes, that is why we are here." Ki-Adi-Mundi put in.
"I had assumed that, to decide who to send." Obi-Wan replied.
"Decided it has been; sending you and your Padawan, we are." Yoda told him.
Obi-Wan smiled as he nodded, "I had suspected that would be the case." He said.
"Yes, however, we are not sending you alone; it is clear that this pair is far too dangerous for one team." Adi Gallia added.
"You're sending Master Maru and Ferri with us; aren't you." Obi-Wan deduced.
"Yes, intuitive you are, Master Kenobi." Yoda replied.
"Well, I don't know if that is such a good idea. We are going to need to work together, and I'm not sure if Zak and Ferri can do that." Obi-Wan objected.
"Learn to do this they will, Obi-Wan; agreed to this we all are." Yoda said.
"Well, then I must bow to the wishes of the Council." Obi-Wan answered, "When are we to leave?"
"Tomorrow, soon enough it is." Yoda told him, "Finished this meeting is unless further issues to discuss anyone has."
When all members had declined, Yoda dismissed them. Clive met Obi-Wan near the turbo-lift, "I'm sorry, Master Kenobi; I know we will not have a problem working together, but I'm just as concerned about how our Padawans are going to get along as you are." He said.
"It will be alright, Clive; we will just have to keep an eye on them. Perhaps this will be the thing that will change Ferri's mind about Zak." Obi-Wan replied.
"Perhaps." Clive answered, "I will see you tomorrow then."
"Yes, tomorrow." Obi-Wan repeated.
Well, another story has come to an end; again, I'd like to thank my loyal reviewers, JediDaughter1, Jedi Master Arie Skywalker, i luv ewansmile and oh I'm flying. I appreciate all of your comments. I'd also again like to thank all those who are reading but have chosen not to post reviews, I appreciate you taking the time to read! Anyway, as you can tell by the ending here, this may have been the end to this story, but the next one will pick up where this one left off. Next up "The Hunters" where one young Jedi's inability to control his animosity leads to trouble... Again, thanks for reading!