AN: Thank you very much for the reviews. I didn't think I would get any, so you can understand that I'm pretty happy. Here comes the next Chapter, who could think that it is so difficult to write dialogues? But anyway, I hope you enjoy it and please review.


Chapter two

On Coruscant, the Jedi Council was assembled, Anakin Skywalker standing in the middle. "I really think I should go and search for Obi-Wan and Master Gallia. They should have contacted us 20 hours ago. They might need reinforcements."

"And by these reinforcements, yourself, you mean? If happened something has to them, we do not know. Unclear about it, the Force is."

Mace Windu cast a glance to the oldest council member. That statement did not really help to solve Skywalker's problem, but when has Yoda ever said something explicitly? But the Troll was right, during the last years, it became increasingly difficult to feel the Force. Or maybe not really difficult but different from before. It was rather fogged or veiled. Every Jedi could feel it, at least at the back of their minds.

But Mace's musings were interrupted by a message that was played. Damn, he should be more mindful, one year ago, his concentration would never have slipped that gravely. But nobody seemed to have noticed, for there was the hologram of a Weequay in the middle of the room. He spoke with a heavy accent:

"Well, are you the Jedi-guys in charge?" he did not wait for an answer. "Next time two of your red-sabered offspring want to make a break in Florrum, you better contact me, Hondo Ohnaka, leader of the pirates on Florrum than sending Kenobi with only one assistant"

That got him the attention of the whole room, and he visibly enjoyed it. He leaned back in his seat, and an ugly monkey-lizard took place on his shoulder. Mace would never understand how one could take a thing like that as a pet, but seeing it on the Weequay, he changed his opinion. To some people it obviously fit.

He chose to take action: "Masters Kenobi and Gallia were at your planet to fight the Sith? They have not reported back yet, do you know what happened?"

"Maybe I know something" Ohnaka responded while flashing a grin like a hungry Karkarodon "but as I already told you, I am a pirate and for us, every information has its price."

So that gundark wanted to make money? Mace cast him a deadly glare most fellow Jedi would have searched for the next emergency exit had they received it, but Ohnaka seemed unimpressed. Maybe his stare lost something over the holoprojector. The pirate continued: "But as Kenobi helped me out a bit, you get it for free this time"

The other councilors seemed relieved, nobody wanted to bargain with the pirate.

"You know, these two horned red-lightsaber-guys wanted to steal my fellow pirates. I guess they are really rich because my pirates get a lot, almost as much as me...so there is this battle and Kenobi and the other Jedi come and fight against the horned guys. Some time, we made a tactical retreat and Kenobi was joining us. He told me that the other Jedi was killed..."

That evoked a gasp and some murmurs among the Jedi. Many glances were cast at Adi Gallias empty seat.

"...and then Kenobi said we should lock him with the two crazies and I should take care of the pirates, which I did."

Mace changed looks with Yoda. They were both wondering if the pirate told them the truth or if he had on full purpose and without consent locked Obi-Wan with the two Sith. But on the other hand, it was Obi-Wan they were talking about, if somebody would cage himself with two Sith in the hope of saving others, it would be him. Stupid, stupid, stupid...he should have retreated and leave it to others to hunt them down, but he would not criticize him as long as he did not know about his fate.

"The reason why you help us, this is, hmm? Feel you owe Master Kenobi, do you?" As Yoda spoke to Ohnaka, his smile grew wider, but he had enough self-preservation to not make a comment on his syntax.

"Well maybe, or just because I'm sorry for him...you know, being prisoner of the maniacs and all..."

Oh no, that developed totally in the wrong direction.

"Prisoner? What does that mean?" Mace asked.

"Well, when I persuaded my renegade pirates back, we planned to rob the maniacs ship. But as we came out of the cave, we saw these guys heading for said ship. The yellow one was carrying Kenobi unconscious over his shoulder while the other just stared at us. I asked them why they wanted to take Kenobi with them, for he clearly is just a big annoyance to watch out for, and that they would be better off without him – you know, I made this experience for myself once – but they did not see reason and walked off. Me and my pirates decided not to follow, we had other business to do."

That were grave news, but the Jedi still had to locate them.

"Do you have any idea where they were heading?" Mace asked. He did not expect an answer, but the pirate surprised him again.

"I'm not sure, but they have a pretty old barge to fly with and my men told me they did not stop for fuel once. I guess there are only two solar systems they can reach to refill their fuel cells – so if you're lucky, you might get them."

"We will send somebody to search for the Sith. Adittionally, we will send someone to take Master Gallia's remains back to the temple."

Ohnaka looked as if he was going to object, but Mace's stare finally showed effect or the pirate was more reasonable than he seemed to be, for he nodded his acceptance. "But don't expect us to clean the planet up for you. Nice talking to you Jedi, but I have business to do."

And without further comments, the hologram disappeared.

Mace's glance fell at Skywalker. He seemed barely composed. He began speaking with a slight tremor in his voice:

"We have to rescue Obi-Wan! Force knows what the Sith do to him. And Maul clearly has unfinished business with him. Send me to search for him, I will find them."

Yoda answered: "And do what after that, you will? Angry you are, at the Sith. Sure you are, that overcome that anger when you found Obi-Wan, you can?"

Skywalker looked uncertain. It needed a lot of time, but finally Skywalker seemed to understand that he was not infallible and that he could not solve every problem. Still, he had a solution: "Let me search him, and as soon as I get a location, I will report back and you can send reinforcements."

Mace knew exactly where the little trap in that suggestion lay.

"And if the Council decides to send you back to the temple, will you comply?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Skywalker looked even more uncomfortable. He seemed to fight an inner battle, which the rebellious Anakin lost. "If the Council would send me back, I would concede their judgement."

At least something.

Yoda spoke again "Good. Send you we will to find the Sith and Obi-Wan. Leave now, much time, there is not. Your Padawan, take her with you, you will."

Anakin objected again: "I'm not sure if that's a good idea, it's a pretty dangerous mission and all...I think she's not experienced enough."

"Dangerous, your mission is not. Only finding them your assignment is, forget already, you did?"

An embarrassed Skywalker looked at Yoda "No, I didn't. I will go find them." He bowed formally and took his leave.