Chapter Five
"It's a skiff."
"Oh, it's more than that, sir. It's a late model BARC passenger transport with hybrid thrusters and liquid oxidizer. They don't make them like this any more, sir."
Lucky for the galaxy.
"The CTN allows more thrust resulting in improved manueverability than earlier models. Excellent for Coruscant traffic."
"It's a skiff," repeats Anakin, who is having difficulty believing that every single cruiser and speeder housed in the Jedi Temple has been taken out. He stares at the antique transport with its flat bottom, open cockpit and seatless interior. "It's not even a J-type. What is it?"
"It's a class-G, sir, and she's a beauty."
Hardly what he would call it. They can't go out in this thing!
"It's fine, Padawan Bastel," Obi-Wan interrupts addressing the deck commander, after having finally made it across the bay. "I'm sure it will deliver us safely where we need to go."
"Master..."
"Perhaps a stroll through Galactic City would be more to your liking, Padawan? Or we can hail a transport. I'm sure at this particular hour, we'll be able to find one quickly enough."
Anakin checks his chrono, frowns, and replaces it back inside his utility pouch. Not a chance. Not at this time of night. There won't be an available transport within a parsec. Walking will take too long, unless they use Force speed....
No. His Master would never allow it. It looks like they're stuck with the skiff.
"We'll take it," Anakin grumbles to the attendant, who looks inordinately pleased with himself.
Manuevering Galactic City traffic in a skiff doesn't improve Anakin's mood, even though Obi-Wan allows him to drive. The sky lanes are bumper to bumper, and the young man is forced to fly at a reduced rate of speed -- not to his liking at all.
It takes a good deal of self control and meditation in order to remain calm during the ride, and especially so while trying to find a space to park. Finally, the two Jedi have landed and are heading toward the Senate building, take a right after the foyer and enter a surprisingly empty lift. Perhaps, they are late after all.
It's then Anakin realizes his Master's hair has been mussed. Most likely during the ride over. Stupid skiff.
Perhaps he can correct things without Obi-Wan realizing it. Just one flick of his finger and that stray lock of hair will slip right back into place.
Anakin's hand inches up, fingers prepared, but before he can reach his goal, his Master's own hand remedies the problem by swiping through the copper-colored locks on its own. A habit Anakin knows his Master only indulges in during times of stress.
Could it be possible his Master is nervous?
"I hear there's supposed to be a record turnout this evening," Anakin creates small talk to test his Master's condition. No perspiration, but Obi-Wan is unusually quiet during the ride up. "And that Master Windu is the Host."
Something that could've been "Why do I let you talk me into these things?" or perhaps "Watto let you walk in two cheese rings" escape his Master's mouth in a grumble just before the lift door slides open. The next statement was much more clear.
"Behave yourself, Padawan."
Anakin hears the words, but is too overwhelmed by the scene in front of him to form a reply. The Grand Hall of the Senate Building has never looked like this before. Strings of twinkling lights are strung from the ridiculously high ceilings and the walls are heavily decorated with greenery and more lights. No telling how much it cost to have that much foliage shipped into Coruscant. The hanging glowlights look like crystal globes and shine like moons above a forest. Chancellor Palpatine obviously spared no expense this year.
Or maybe it was Senator Amidala's idea. Anakin wouldn't be surprised. The woman obviously has a taste for nice things.
In either case, the Hall looks like a wooded palace, but is as crowded as a pirate's cantina.
Galactic reps, politicians, and Jedi are shoulder to shoulder and wall to wall. There is just one person Anakin cares about seeing, though, and he spends the next few moments scanning the mob in search of his Master's future spouse. As soon as he finds her, he can execute his plan.
By the time he's finished, however, Anakin is disappointed to discover Obi-Wan is no longer by his side and has disappeared into the crowd.