Author's Note: Wow. This story has gotten a lot of positive feedback! Almost more than I know what to do with. That's the main reason for this update, all my other stories have been sadly neglected. But I'm excited about this chapter and I hope you will be too. Harry and Sirius don't really make an appearance, but they'll be central next chapter. Promise.
Chapter Three: Mission Assignment
I don't believe this. This is our new mission? We're Jedi not babysitters!
Control yourselfPadawanObi-wan automatically chastised through their mental bond.
Yes, Mastercame Anakin's equally automatic reply.
Obi-wan then turned his attention to Masters Yoda and Windu. "I'm sorry Masters, I don't think I quite understand; what is it you want us to do, exactly?"
This time, it was Master Windu who responded. "You've no doubt heard of the two…charges the Temple has taken in---"
"The Strangers?" Anakin interrupted, "I thought that was just youngling talk." At his outburst, all three Masters' heads swung to stare at him, faces in varying stages of amusement.
"Sorry Masters," Anakin said, eyes downcast. Windu gave what would have been a smile, but came off more like a grimace and continued, "It is true that a boy and a man…appeared here yesterday under…curious conditions…"
"Appeared?" Obi-wan asked, "Curious conditions?"
Yoda said by way of answer, "Details now we do not have. Other matters attend to Master Windu and I must." Anakin unknowingly sent a stirring of curiosity across his training bon. His Master felt it in addition to his own.
Finally, Mace came out and said, "Basically, Master Yoda and I are asking you to watch over these strangers. Take them in, teach them, help them adjust."
"Surely, Masters, if that is what you ask of us, that is what we will do."A question, half his and half Anakin's came to his lips. "But why not just give them a shower and a hot meal and help them to their homeplanet?"
Again, that almost-smile came to Mace's face. "When you meet them, you'll know they are no ordinary strangers."
"And when is that?" Obi-wan asked politely enough.
At that time, Mace's comm beeped. He brought it to his ear and listened for a moment. "Thank you," he said into the comm. and then to Obi-wan, "You can meet them right now if you just follow us." Without hesitation, he and Master Yoda began walking to the Healers ward. In the space of an instant, Anakin and Obi-wan shared a questioning glance. Apparently, neither had the answer. Side-by-side, they turned and followed.
As they walked, the Masters took turns briefing the Kenobi-Skywalker team about the appearance of the strangers and on the very few details they'd managed to discern. The strange apparition that seemed to hover in midair, their strange yet similar dress, and even the sticks the strangers were clutching. But, Anakin never was one to pay attention to mission briefs; in fact, he was notorious for completely disregarding them. In one case, he'd almost cause an inter-galactic incident because of his inattentiveness, a fact he was sure Obi-wan would never let him forget. As the Masters' voices faded into the background, Anakin lost himself in thought, thinking bitterly of his friends and the exciting inter-planetary missions they'd been assigned. Here he was stuck on Coruscant babysitting off-worlders. The injustice! Wallowing as he was in self-pity, he completely failed to notice the strange new force-signatures growing stronger by the second.
Author's Note: I don't like short chapters, but they have a way of ending themselves. As a matter of curiosity, do you guys prefer short chapters and quick updates, or would you rather wait for longer chapters? The review button beckons!
