The Assassin

Six years after the death of the Sith Master, Darth Sidious, the Chancellor declares a day of celebration to commemorate the end of the Clone War. Violence mars the celebration, the Chancellor is seriously injured and the overwhelming evidence leads to a quick arrest; but all is not as it seems, and the Jedi are called in to uncover the real truth hidden behind a web of lies and deciept….

Chapter 1 Celebration

Obi-Wan came up behind the dark-haired young man leaning against the railing of the observation platform watching the sparring practice taking place on the training floor below. But before Obi-Wan could put his hand on the youth's shoulder, the youth, apparently sensing him, turned to greet his master with a warm smile, "What are you watching?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Master Anakin's children, Master." The young man answered.

"Ah, studying your future Padawan." Obi-Wan replied with a touch of amusement.

"And yours." The younger Jedi added, hinting at a future the two had discussed many times.

"Yes, but first, I must get my current apprentice through his trials." Obi-Wan said.

"If he's ever ready for the trials." The youth replied seriously.

Obi-Wan shook his head and clapped the boy on the back, "You're only seventeen, Zak; you will be ready when the time comes." He assured him, "I was twenty-five, and even then I don't know if I was ready."

"I suppose you're right." Zak admitted and then turned his attention back to the training floor.

Obi-Wan drew closer and looked down; Luke stood behind his four-year old brother, placing the younger boy's hands in the proper position around the hilt of a pint-sized practice weapon. As they watched, the older boy swung the lightsaber back and forth several times with his hands over Hadrian's.

"What's so interesting?" Anakin asked came up to join them.

"Sparring practice." Master and apprentice answered in unison.

"Oh, those two." Anakin said as he looked down, "They never quit; it drives Padme crazy when they get into that at home."

"Boys will be boys." Obi-Wan told him.

"Yes, but I think sometimes, Padme would prefer it if they were not boys while they were in her kitchen." Anakin replied.

"That's understandable; those two can get a little carried away." Zak interjected.

Obi-Wan smiled, "And where is Leia in all of this?" He asked.

"Well, that depends on what mood she's in. But since Livie came along, she has been spending a lot of time with her and Padme." Anakin answered, referring to his youngest child and second daughter.

"Yes, I'm sure; the sister she's always wanted." Obi-Wan concurred.

"Don't I know it; she was so angry after Kendyl was born, I thought she'd never to talk to us again." Anakin replied with a laugh, "But, anyway, I've just come to collect my two young Jedi."

"Off to the street festival, Master Anakin?" Zak asked.

"Yes, and I thought I'd take Ferri along with; he's grown much too serious of late." Anakin told them, "I think it's time he has a little fun."

"Ferri is always much too serious." Zak said.

"Yes, but lately he has been more serious than usual." Anakin replied.

"Is that business in the Orion system still bothering him?" Obi-Wan guessed, "That was not his fault."

"Well, he thinks if he had not been so worried about every little thing that happened, he might have come to the conclusion before it was too late." Anakin explained, "And he said he should have listened to Zak when Zak said something wasn't quite right."

"But no one was killed, or even badly injured, he's not even a Knight yet, he can't expect…." Obi-Wan started.

"I know I know, you don't have to explain it to me; I've gone over this a dozen times with him, but you know how he is when he gets something in his head." Anakin said.

"Then maybe a day with your family will do him some good." Obi-Wan replied.

"Maybe; and what about you?" Anakin asked.

"I've never been one for large crowds." Obi-Wan answered as he glanced over at his Padawan, "But I don't see any reason why Zak can't go with you if you've no objections."

"None, in fact, he can help to keep those two boys in line." Anakin told him.

"I really have a lot of studying to do; I think it would be better if I didn't go." Zak said.

"Nonsense; your studies can wait a day. It would do you good to get out as well." Obi-Wan insisted, "Go."

"Master, really, I…" Zak began.

"I'm not giving you an option here, Padawan; Ferri is not the only one who has been too serious lately, go." Obi-Wan said sternly.

Zak sighed and shook his head, "Yes, Master." He replied.

"You make it sound as if this is a punishment." Obi-Wan observed.

"I didn't mean to, Master; it's just that I really should be studying instead, I have a quantum mechanics exam in two days, and…." Zak tried to explain.

"And you know that material like the back of your hand." Obi-Wan finished, effectively killing Zak's argument.

Zak shook his head and managed a smile, "Alright, Master, I get the hint; Zak works too hard." He admitted, "I promise to try and enjoy myself."

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Half an hour later, Anakin and Zak had managed to convince Ferri to join them and were on their way along with Anakin's two boys to meet Padme and the rest of his brood. Several streets halfway between the Jedi Temple and the government complex had been closed to traffic for the street festival to celebrate the sixth anniversary to the end of the Clone Wars. After moving to Coruscant, Padme had been asked to take the position of chief aid to Chancellor Organa, and now, along with him and the Vice Chancellor, Mon Mothma, was obligated to take part in the opening ceremony for the festival. As her husband, Anakin and his family were granted reserve seats near the raised platform where the ceremony would begin.

"Don't worry; it's all set up." Ferri said suddenly.

"What?" Zak asked.

"Like clockwork; I know what I'm doing." Ferri continued.

"Ferri, what are you talking about?" Zak asked.

"He'll never know what hit him; in and out, I've been…." Ferri started.

"Ferri, you're starting to worry me; Master Anakin?" Zak said signaling for Anakin who was walking a short distance ahead of them with his two sons.

"Very careful; it's going to come off without a…" Ferri went on, seemingly oblivious of Zak.

"Stop it, Ferri." Zak ordered and was just about to shake him out of it.

"No, wait a minute." Anakin instructed, "Ferri, who's going to be hit?"

Ferri turned to look at his master, "I…I don't know; I just passed through that part of the conversation." He answered.

"Do you think you can find it again?" Anakin asked.

"I don't know; maybe, but there's so many people, it's going to be very difficult." Ferri told him.

"Alright, I'll tell you what; Zak, why don't you take Luke and Haddie up to the stands, and Ferri and I will try to locate the rest of this 'conversation'." Anakin suggested, "It sounded like…."

"Like they were planning a murder." Ferri finished.

"Yes; and I'd like to find out who's before it's too late." Anakin replied.

"Yes, Master; what should I tell Lady Padme?" Zak asked.

"I don't want to worry her for nothing; just tell her that Ferri and I got sidetracked, but that we're not too far behind." Anakin instructed.

"Yes, Master; come on, you two." Zak complied, taking both boys by the hand.

Anakin knelt down in front of Hadrian, "Now, Haddie, you're not to tell Mommy about any of this; alright?" He told him.

"I won't, Daddy, I promise." Haddie vowed.

Anakin nodded and then looked at Luke, "I don't think I need to tell you not to say anything."

"Nope, you know me, Daddy, not a word." Luke promised.

"Good boys; go with Zak, now and do what he tells you to do." Anakin told them.

"Yes, Daddy." Both boys said in unison.

Anakin stood up and turned to Zak, "Something's nagging at me; I can't place it, but….well, just be…" He began.

"On my guard; don't worry, Master, I will be extra careful." Zak assured him.

"I know; tell Padme I'll join you soon." Anakin replied.

"Yes, Master." Zak answered and ushered the boys in the direction they had been going.

"Alright, now; let's see if we can find your conversation again." Anakin told his apprentice.

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Zak continued toward the stands, but he was becoming increasingly concerned about the fragments of the dialogue Ferri had picked up. Was someone planning trouble during the street festival? Relax, Zak; you're supposed to be having fun, not getting involved in an investigation, he told himself. Wasn't it possible that the bits Ferri picked up could have happened weeks, or even months ago? Yes, of course….but why was he getting the feeling that something wasn't right? He shook it off as they reached the stands and climbed up to where he saw Padme and the other three children waiting, "Where is Anakin?" She asked as he climbed the steps to stand next to her.

"He and Ferri just got sidetracked; they'll be along in a minute or so." Zak answered.

"Uh huh; they're always getting sidetracked." Padme replied, shaking her head and holding her year-old daughter out to him, "Here, you'll have to take her, I have to join the Chancellor on the platform."

"Hey, there, Livie, have you been a good girl?" Zak asked as he took her.

"Uh huh." Livie answered, nodding enthusiastically.

"Huh uh; she…." Kendyl corrected.

"She's just a baby, Kennie; she does stuff like that…YOU did." Leia said haughtily.

"Alright, nevermind; you just be good for Zak until Daddy gets here." Padme ordered, "I've got to go; I'll come back when this is over with; hopefully, my husband will be unsidetracked by then."

"Yes, Ma'am." Zak replied.

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From his vantage point, he could see the entire festival area below him; he adjusted the site to focus on the platform where the opening ceremony would take place. Soon, it would all begin soon; and then he would do what he had wanted to do for a long time. One last time, he checked his line of site and made the final adjustments; there could be no mistakes.