Little shards of ice spray my face and grate the skin. There's a dull pain on the tips of my ears and I remember I'd forgotten to pack my balaclava. I feel my feet going numb and my legs aching in this crouched position. The requisite seconds pass and I gesture to the others behind me to rise and begin moving. I select the nearest benchmark – a particularly gnarled tree – and slowly inch my way toward it, careful to not step on the dried-out foliage or sticks, blaster held low, at the ready. I reach the tree and hold up my fist to signal the halt, then gesture for us to lower back down into a crouch again.

My comm device crackles to life and a little whispered voice comes out. "Master, why are we doing this?"

It's probably times like these that warrant speaking through the Force to be among the first lessons for a new initiate, but I'll have to kick myself later. "We're just being cautious," I whisper back into the comm device. "We're not yet inside our compound, so we can't risk being spotted by anyone yet." I pause and pear around me. "Just keep following us; once we reach the rendezvous point with Master Tachi, we'll know we're safe." I pray to God he actually heard me.

There's a brief pause, then the two static bursts of his transmitter to signal an affirmative response. I smile and pull out my map and compass once more, double checking our heading. Two clicks left to the Y in the road. There's a chill in the air, but also a certain serene stillness. A few delicate flakes of snow fall onto the map, and I look up into the pure white sky. I close my eyes and feel the flakes patter on my face, letting out a sigh. My only memories of Stewjon were a brief flash, if that: an image of running through endless fields from horizon to horizon, laughing and chasing another boy through the tall green grass. I never even knew this mountainous area existed. Nor that there could be any other weather than sunshine.

I tuck my map and compass back into my rucksack and adjust the thick bandaging around my waist. The ointment-soaked gauze is beginning to freeze and harden to my skin in the cold air. If this continues, I'll have to take my chances and take it off. Signaling to the others, we begin to creep our way forward again in the dense silence of the falling snow. As we descend the hill, I hear a familiar whine of a speeder engine approaching and feel a presence in the Force. I turn and hurriedly motion for the others to drop, and I do the same, letting out a small wince of pain as I flop hard onto my stomach. The speeder rounds the corner and nears our position at the side of the road and my heart begins to pound. Suddenly it stops, followed by two heavy footfalls as the rider dismounts. I burry my face deeper in the brush, hoping an 'if I can't see you, you can't see' mentality might actually work.

"Master Kenobi?" An accented voice calls out.

I pause for a moment, then rise to a crouching position. "Identify yourself, please."

The man looks toward me and smiles in relief. "Master Tachi sent me to meet you. She's finishing another mission. I'm supposed to take you to the compound."

"The more you have of me, the less you see. Who am I?"

"Darkness," he smiles. "Also, the word of the day is Indigo. You can trust me, Jedi."

I smile back and gesture for the others to rise from their hiding places. I walk over to the man and shake his hand. "What's your name?"

"Lanza Sheguri. I'm a Republic supporter, a defector from the rebel party." He grins with pride, tucking his blaster back into his belt that barely holds his up his oversized, tattered pants.

"Well, you've probably been told this to death at this point, but I'm so grateful for your help. I'm sure you've been taking quite a risk working with us."

"Oh, it's the least I can do. Besides, you people are protecting me. When I left the army, me and my family were persecuted as Republic sympathizers. It just wasn't safe for us any longer, so your forces took us in. We've been travelling with your nomadic compounds for the last year and half. I'm not sure where we'll go if you ever leave. Probably off this God-forsaken planet, if they'll even let us."

A year and a half? How have I not even been aware how long this mission was taking, let alone how involved it was? Any mention of Stewjon or the Salewa Province mission, for some reason I bitterly tuned it out. I'm from Coruscant, where important people live and important things happen, that's all I'd think. I have an urge to ask so many more questions, but am too afraid to reveal my utter naiveté and guilt.

"Well, it's an honor to meet you, Sheguri," I turn to the others and wave them over. "This is our Republic attaché Captain Panaka, as well as his security detail from Coruscant." The three security forces personnel nod cautiously. "This is Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos, as well as my apprentice, Anakin Skywalker." Quinlan bows, and Anakin follows his lead.

"Welcome to you all. It's safe to travel in the open today. There's a town hall in Wollongpore, so we shouldn't see many people out and about." We clamor into the trailer towed behind his speeder, and begin to tear through the trees, feeling the sting of the snow and cold air whip our faces.

.

.
…..2 Days Earlier…

I hear moaning. It's my own voice. I can't see anything. I hear a beeping sound, and some voices. The darkness begins to lift. I see my own hand, repeatedly gripping and releasing the side-rail on my bed. I toss my head around to take the world in. Machines, a huge light over my head, a large glass door covered in curtains. Two nurses standing nearby, one approaches me and injects a syringe in a tube coming out of my arm. "Good morning, Obi-Wan. We were a bit worried when you'd wake."

"Am I in the med ward?" I croak. "What happened?"

"You tell me." She smiles. "It sounds like you saved the Chancellor's life last night."

Images flash in my mind. Exploding glass. A scream. The ship. His eyes, wide and terrified. He jumped. Why did he jump?

"Did anyone find his body? Is he alive?"

The two nurses look at each other, then turn back to me. "If you mean the terrorist, no. He's assumed to be dead. No body was recovered."

Terrorist? Are we already at that point?

"Is the Chancellor alright? His secretary?"

"Yes, everyone is fine, thanks to you. You'll be fine as well. It looks as though you simply fainted from the strain. Everyone's pretty impressed with your ability to stop an incoming cargo ship, I must say. But it sure did a number on you."

"Would I be alright to discharge then?" I'm already sitting up, as if answering my own question.

One nurse smiles and shakes her head in amused defeat, while the other helps me to remove my I.V. "I suppose if you wish, I can't stop you," she says.

I suck down a glass of water on my side table, and with the nurse's support, slide off the bed and onto my feet. I have to grip her hand for a moment as the room briefly swirls around me. I squeeze her hand and thank her, and head for the door. I've now apparently left Anakin totally alone on his second night here. I hope he's alright. I promised I'd be back, and I wasn't there. I really hope he understands.

As soon as my legs allow, I speed up to a trot then a steady jog through the temple to reach the living quarters. When I reach our room, I'm surprised to see Anakin's door open and the room empty. I panic and feel for his presence in the Force. The Fountain Room.

I feel myself growing sweaty and faint, but I jog anyway, anxiety mounting in my chest. It's early, why is he not asleep? I imagine him sitting there, sleepless, possibly crying as he contemplates all the people who've abandoned him or who he perceives himself to have abandoned. His mother. Qui-Gon. Me. I reach the dark, empty hall, with no sound save for the steady flow of water echoing throughout the marble expanse. Suddenly I see a small figure, sitting cross legged on the edge of the large center fountain, facing the water. I slow to a quiet walk and put my hand on his shoulder.

Anakin flinches, and whips his head around to look at me with wide eyes. A wave of relief seems to spread across his face, and his shoulders sink. "Master!" He hops to his feet and throws his arms around me. I stand there stunned for a moment, then tentatively place my hands on his shoulders, saying nothing as I soak in this moment. Thank God.

"I was so worried about you," his little voice sounds shaky. "I'm so glad you're okay."

I lower myself to my knee, until my face is level with his. "Of course. I'm not hurt, I guess I just passed out. But I'm fine. How are you? I'm so sorry to have left you like that. And why in the worlds are you not asleep? It's three in the morning!"

He beams proudly. "Well I had trouble sleeping so I thought I'd try meditation. I remember you said that's what we were going to work on, so I thought I'd keep with the plan!"

I can't help but laugh. "And how's it going for you so far?"

"Well…" he draws out the word in a child-like way. "I'm not really sure what I'm doing."

I laugh out loud. "Well, I must say, I am proud of you for trying it on your own. I think that was an amazing idea. Hey, I got news for us yesterday."

He looks excited. "What is it?"

"It looks as though we're going on our first mission."

"What? Oh my God, really?"

I smile and nod. "Yes, I'm afraid so. To the planet Stewjon. There's some political unrest there, so we've been asked to help out. I'll take you to mission planning with me tomorrow and we can go over the background. I have quite a bit of history to catch you up on."

"Are you sure I'm ready?"

"Well, this wouldn't have necessarily been my idea," I laugh nervously, "but the council approved your coming along, so I suppose they at least think you're ready. Don't worry, you'll just accompany me, and we'll do our best to continue your training during the off-time."

"Okay." He nods.

"Hey, what do you say we keep working on your mediation together, until you feel tired enough to sleep?"

"Great!"

I sit on the edge of the fountain and cross my legs. He watches closely and imitates my every move. "For now, let's focus on just one thing. Breathe in for four seconds, hold for four, breathe out for six. Any time your mind wanders to anything else at all, just notice that, without any judgement. Then guide your thoughts back to the breathing. Anytime you lose your thoughts, gently guide yourself back to that."

I close my eyes and begin to breathe, listening for his as well. I can feel his heart rate begin to slow. I can hear him chastise himself every time he loses focus, and I can't help but smile.

"Remember, no judgement." I speak in a low, gentle voice. "It's neither good nor bad that your mind wanders. Just catch it, and guide it back. Four, four, six. Four, four, six…"
.

.
…..

.

.

Sheguri's speeder slows to a halt at the compound and we pile out of the trailer. There's a buzz of movement. People flooding between makeshift tents, gathering around tables inside, pouring themselves over maps and charts. We gather our blasters and rucksacks and follow Sheguri to the large HQ tent. I catch a shock of blonde and my stomach leaps. Siri and Barriss stand behind the table, with Stewjoni and Republic security forces gathered in chairs together, listening. We slide in and choose our seats quietly.

"And lastly, I regret to mention that our Intel have confirmed our worst suspicions." Siri speaks in a grave tone. "The Force Dampener injections are announced to be online and to go into circulation within the week. Apparently, they already have buyers throughout the galaxy."

The room erupts in shocked gasps and whispering. "But is it safe? I thought they were still doing testing?" One man asks.

"You're correct, it's not fully tested. But the town hall met today, and the people of Stewjon agreed to go forward with the launch. We received Intel from Sheguri that there is indeed a medical experimentation facility in Wollongpore where they're continuing to study this drug. Sheguri, could you fill us in on what you learned yesterday?"

"Yes ma'am," Sheguri stands up beside me and pulls out his weathered notebook. "My partner and I were posted outside the facility for a few hours yesterday and several times we saw local police forces dragging people in in chains. They did not seem willing or happy. We have reason to believe they're conducting their medical experiments by force, possibly on defectors." Appalled murmurs flood the room.

"We need to investigate this. If this is true, we have grounds to make arrests. At this point, the production and sale of Force Dampeners is not illegal, but if they're doing this through forced medical experimentation, then we have what we need to act." Siri continues. "I know it's going to be hard, but please keep our manner peaceful. We are still unwanted guests on this planet. But suspected terrorism is now a factor."

Siri suddenly gestures toward me. "There was a suspected attempt on Chancellor Palpatine's life several days ago. We have no way to confirm, but we believe a rebel Stewjoni hijacked a cargo ship and tried to crash it into the Chancellor's office. Unfortunately, the suspect committed suicide before he could be identified."

Barriss chimes in, "there are rumors, though, that Stewjoni rebel forces have claimed credit for the assassination attempt."

Siri holds up both her hands to silent the angry whispering again. "Nothing is totally confirmed yet, so please do not engage any local except in self-defense. We are still considered in a peace-keeping and Intel-gathering posture. We'll let you know if anything changes. Dismissed."

Everyone stands and begins murmuring to one another as they move to the doorway. Siri and Barriss maneuver their way through the throng toward us, and I stand, offering a bow. Barriss smiles down at Anakin sweetly. "Welcome to your first official mission, young one. This should be very exciting for you."

Anakin bows and smiles at her, but I feel the worry flutter within him.

"And you!" Barris turns toward me and plants her hands on her hips, taking in the sight of me. "I cannot believe you stopped an incoming cargo ship! And maneuvered it onto a landing port! That's incredible! You are just full of surprises lately, Obi."

I feel my face flush and adjust my blaster strap awkwardly. Quinlan jumps in and saves me. "So this Force Dampener injection- does it work on fully formed Jedi, or just the babies?"

Siri looks serious again. "That we're not sure. Obviously, it hasn't been tested on Jedi yet. Only those identified as 'Force sensitive.' As far as they're saying, it's only marketed for infants."

"But if it gets in the wrong hands…and used against us…" Quinlan doesn't have to finish his thought.

"I know." Siri says. Our best bet is to investigate the claims of medical experiments. That way we can have probable cause to intervene and hopefully shut it down. In the meantime," she turns toward me. Those huge, blue eyes bore into mine. "Obi-Wan can begin to build a rapport. I'm hoping you and your Padawan can start meeting local leadership and get in their good graces. Apparently, you're our secret weapon." She winks sarcastically.

"Sheguri, why don't you show everyone to the sleeping tent so they can drop off their bags." Barriss says.

He nods and gestures a hand to the door. As the others follow him out, I linger. Barriss returns to the head table, and Siri smiles at me, adjusting her hair over her shoulders. I can't help but feel that familiar surge of delight deep in my gut, that's always met with the crushing disappointment. I can't help but study the perfect line of her jaw, following my usual routine of desperately seeking out signs of any flaw to fixate on. Perhaps her top lip is too close to her nose. I stare intently at that spot as she speaks. "It's good to see you again. I'm glad you're doing better. And I never got to tell you, but, I'm very sorry for Qui-Gon's death. That must have been very hard for you."

"His passing took a toll on us all. The Galaxy took a great loss that day."

"Yes, the galaxy…" I can't seem to make out the meaning in her tone.

She does that thing where she just stares at me without speaking for several seconds, and I'm too petrified to interrupt her. Like she's a beautiful deer I've stumbled upon in the woods, and I don't want to scare it away.

"Welcome back to Stewjon, Obi-Wan. I'm really glad you're here."