By the time the meeting had finally ended Anakin Skywalker was at his wit's end. Padme had long since returned to her room for the night leaving him all alone awaiting his master's departure from the tower. He could honestly say he was bored. Oh, sure he knew the rapidly deteriorating situation with the Trade Federation was reason enough to have a meeting last for nearly the whole day but still, he wanted something to do besides sitting and pacing back and forth. When the sound of the door opening entered his ears he turned in time to see his master walk out with a look of great worry. The kind of look he had only ever seen when the man was deep in contemplation or worry.
"Master, what's the matter"? Anakin asked as he fell into line matching the older man step for step.
"A mission my dear friend. You are to enter the wormhole and report what you find". Obi-Wan said as he brushed his hand through his long locks of hair. He had been growing it out for the past few months and if he had anything to say on the matter he liked it. It suited him. But It was clear to him his master was upset but for the life of him, he knew not what it could be. But as the two walked he could feel an unmistakable pull as if the force was urging him down a path with no end in sight. As a former slave, the feeling gave him a jolt of excitement he couldn't help but display. Obi-Wan despite himself couldn't help but smile. Maybe this was for the best. Maybe it was time he finally be allowed to prove that he was truly ready for the rank of master. He was skilled enough to have such a rank after all. That fact was made clear with their last fight. If only he had been faster. If only he had been closer. Returning his mind to the here and now however he turned to face his friend and said.
"Anakin be ever mindful you have a tendency to go a bit overboard. Remember last time". Obi-Wan said with a small smile on his face making the younger of the two to turn away and pout.
"Master please it happened one time". He replied not facing the man but he could feel the man smile. That and he could see the man's reflection in the glass that helped to.
"One time too many my dear friend. Your blade isn't to be taken so lightly. Do try not to lose this one". Obi-Wan said before the two resumed their walk down the hallway to the docking bay.
Meanwhile, senator Palpatine could be seen talking to a holographic projection of a member of the Trade Federation."You said our mining rights were secured and yet I have no less than two Jedi Knights looking around. You need to right this now or else I'll be out of a job". The man said as the hologram flickered and distorted before the stabilizers corrected the distortions. When it did he replied hotly.
"Don't you dare blame me for your incompetence. You superseded your mandate. The Jedi were bound to notice that sooner or later and investigate. Best you clear your data-tapes I can't aid you this time the Jedi are watching me more than before". Palpatine said before ending the call and sighing. If he didn't play this just right all his planning would be for naught. The war was just on the horizon all he needed was one last push and he would have his war and with it the eventual fall of the Jedi. Oh, yes everything was falling into place just as he had foreseen. It would only be a few more days before the attack that would spark the conflict.
The docking bay was as always a mass of noise and movement as ships came and gone seeming every few seconds. Crews rushed over to either load or unload the droids, clean them, or repair them in one of the many mechanic shops found on the lower levels. R2D2 had already been loaded into his fighter all that was left to do was climb onboard himself and run through the launching procedures.
"Anakin...may the force be with you". Obi-Wan said with his arms crossed. A look of unease still on his face. But he did his best to hide it from his padawan though he doubted very much he was succeeding in that task.
"With you as well, master". Anakin replied before he climbed inside and closed the canopy.
"You ready R2"? He asked the droid before the beeping told him that he was indeed ready. As a slave, he was forced to learn a number of languages one of which was of course astrometric. The language of droids. As his ship lifted off Obi-Wan couldn't help but feel something was wrong. As if a cloud had blocked the light of the sun and had cast the world in darkness but just as soon as it had come it was gone. Such feelings had been growing ever more constant in the past few weeks. Maybe it was time he go and meet with the age-old master Yoda for his opinions on this matter. But he knew Yoda would likely have no answers. The force it seemed was becoming harder to understand these days. Such was the way of the force in times of strife.