Obi-Wan's POV
I can never understand why the Jedi Council insist on having their meetings so late at night. It was some ridiculous God-forbidden hour of the morning when I finally walked free of the council chamber. Earlier yesterday afternoon I had returned from Mygeeto, after a short rescue mission to save some senators who became stuck in a sticky situation with the Trade Federation. En route to Courasunt the fleet was attacked by a Sepratist offensive, making things interesting (or fun as Anakin would say). As soon as I stepped off the landing platform the Jedi Council insisted that I debrief and a council meeting was held; I was given a new assignment. How my fellow Masters could stay awake at that time of night, I have no idea.
Half asleep, I trudged past the Grand Library on the way to my chamber. As I walked past, my eyes wandered and snuck a look inside the hall filled with shelves of holo files. My eyes dated away to a different part of the library upon seeing Joucasta Nu, sitting in her armchair; fixated in the infatuating embrace of a historic data file. Even from my youngest days as a Padawan learner, I could never comprehend how that incompetent woman could stay up all night reading and still be somewhat pleasant the next day. My eyes ran past the empty desks and chairs coming to rest on a hunched up figure at a computer. He almost looked like Anakin, actually... I took a closer second look. It was Anakin! What the hell was he doing here at this time of night?
Inquisitively I slowly walked towards him, trying avert Joucasta Nu's attention. As I got closer I sense something was not right. Anakin was frantically tapping the keyboard, desperately searching the computer's logic; the dark bags under his eyes told me that he had been sitting there for some time.
"Anakin," I whispered.
Anakin slowly turned his head. In his eyes distress reigned.
"Obi-Wan...your back," he mumbled.
"Yep," I replied. "What happened to you?"
"Late yesterday afternoon Padme' commed and said Ahsoka was missing," Anakin answered explaining what Padme' had told him.
"Crap, wasn't she supposed to be at the Peace Conference on Mandalore?"
"Yes, and even worse," Anakin continued as I pulled up a chair and sat next to him. "R2 went with her. They went after Lux Bonteri."
"Lux Bonteri..." My mind tried to remember why I found that name so familiar. "Isn't he a Separatist?!"
Shit. This situation had just turned into a mess and I still haven't told Anakin about my new assignment.
"Yes, and Ahsoka has just disappeared without a trace," he replied.
"Off world?"
A nod of Anakin's head corrected my worst suspicion.
"The ship..."
"Has absolutely no trace at all. The last port it docked at was where it took off form: Sundari City, Mandalore. This is the second time Ahsoka's gone missing in less then a year!"
I paused, letting the force guide me.
"If Lux Bonteri is a Separatist; an enemy of the Republic and the Jedi, then shouldn't we have his file somewhere in these walls?"
"How come you come up with all the good and logical ideas?" Anakin mumbled, as he began to frantically type on the keyboard.
Not answering Anakin's side comment, I turned my head and to my relief Jocasta Nu was still reading quietly in the corner.
"Here we are..." Anakin sighed tiredly. 'Lux Bonteri: son of Mina Bonteri originally the Republic senator of Onderon who then allied her planetary system with the Separatist... she was killed only recently..."
Well that explains Lux's behaviour at the conference I thought. "Anakin, does it tell you who he is affiliated with?"
Anakin's eyes scanned the screen, "He is listed as being affiliated the with the Confederacy of Independent Systems. However, is not allied with any notorious figure in the Separatist chain of power."
"When Lux gate crashed the peace Conference, did he mention his mother in anyway shape or form?" I asked.
"Yes," Anakin replied. "He accused Dooku of her murder. She was one of the people on the Separatist side of politics who wanted peace and helped to organise the current Peace Conference."
"Something tells me that Lux isn't a true Separatist," I thought aloud.
Anakin's face dropped.
"I mean, if he had the guts to speak out about Dooku's murderous deeds at a controversial peace conference... By now Lux is probably wanted by the Separatist."
"Good point," Anakin replied sadly
"Come on Anakin, you know Ahsoka, she'll be alright, she'll take care of herself," I paused for a moment. "Anakin, you probably should know... I'm going on another mission the Mandalore. The Duchess Satine has been receiving more and more death threats, and this time there seems to be more substance behind them. The Death Watch appear to be growing stronger."
"So you can't help me find Ahsoka?"Anakin asked hopefully.
"Anakin, remember our allegiance is to the Republic and the Jedi Order, not to your padawan alone."
"I know master," he replied. "I just can't help feeling concerned for her. I only have three days to look for her before I take the fleet to Felecia to put down another Separatist offensive."
"I understand Anakin, but she's Ahsoka. She's feisty and savvy; she'll return, I have great faith in it. Keep me in the loop though, I'll see what I can dig up on Mandalore."
"When are you leaving?" Anakin asked as he turned off the computer.
"Tomorrow morning," a yawn interrupted my sentence. "But now I'm going to bed, you should return to your chamber."
"That's a good idea, Obi Wan. I'll keep searching for Ahsoka tomorrow," Anakin answered tiredly.
"We must trust in the Force, Anakin..." I said as I walked out of the library. Leaving Anakin alone to his anxieties.