Shattered Mission, Chapter 3

Padme stopped by the picture window and held Leia up to it. "See, Leia?" she said, as she pointed to the outdoors. "Those big things outside are trees. Birds live in them, and they build nests out of twigs and string and moss, and that's where they live with their babies."

"What are you doing?" her husband asked as he came up beside her, holding Luke in his arms. "She's too young to understand you."

"I know that, Anakin," she replied. "But I've been reading about babies' development and, if you describe things to them and read to them even as early as this age, they'll be more intelligent when they grow up." She walked over and placed Leia on the floor on a large blanket.

"Really?" Anakin said, surprised. "Hm, what do you know?" He looked at Luke and carried him to the far end of the large window and pointed back to the left. "There, Luke, you see that? That's our new flashspeeder. It has a four-point-six liter power plant with four thrusters, two on each side, and a dual elliptical air intake underneath the—."

"Anakin! I think that's a little too much information." He grinned over at her and she merely rolled her eyes. Placing Luke on the blanket near Leia, he said, "Well, I'd like our son to know about more than just trees and birds." They leaned back against the front of the sofa, Anakin placing his arm around her shoulders. "Oh, I'm sure he will," she replied, giving him a soft kiss.

They relaxed and watched their children for awhile. The infants had their heads turned towards each other, making small motions with their arms. "Do you think they're communicating with each other? Through the Force?" Padme asked.

"Oh, I'm sure they are," Anakin replied. "I expect they did that when they were still inside you. Of course, not in words."

"I'll bet she's telling him not to listen to you, that you're just filling his head with lots of useless mechanical nonsense," she said, ducking her head and smiling.

"Oh, really?" he said, moving his head down to look her in the eye. "I think he's telling her to mind her own business and that he needs this stuff so he can become the greatest star pilot in the galaxy...after me, of course."

They laughed and cuddled, content to watch their children. After a bit, Anakin said, "You know, I mentioned that Sikka and I would soon be going to different worlds for her environmental training." Padme nodded. "Well, we're leaving tomorrow morning for Endor. It's mostly forest, and there aren't any really dangerous creatures there, so—"

"Anakin, you don't have to reassure me every time you leave here," she said, taking his hand. "I trust you to do whatever you have to, to come back home to us. I know you wouldn't put your padawan in unnecessary peril, too, so please don't worry about me."

He looked into her eyes. "You're wonderful, do you know that? I love you, Padme." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply, and she responded in kind. "Mmmmm, Padme," he murmured. "Not in front of the children, please."

Moving to him again, she replied, "They're not paying attention to us, my love." Grinning, he rolled her over onto the floor and bent over her.

"Master? Miss Padme?" Sikka called out from the next room.

Quickly, Anakin pulled Padme back to their sitting position; she burst out laughing and he joined her, doubling over. Sikka entered the room; she had learned to announce herself over the past two months. She waited until the Skywalkers were under control.

"Master?" she ventured.

"Yes, Sikka?" Anakin asked, clearing his throat.

"Shall I bring my lessons with us tomorrow?"

"No, Padawan, that won't be necessary. We won't be going over your lessons on this trip," he said, rising. "How about we finish your current topic today? Then we can start fresh when we get back."

"Yes, Master," she said, turning and leaving the room.

Anakin shrugged wryly at his wife and followed Sikka.

Oren woke up after a short nap, sat on the edge of his cot and stretched his muscles. Yawning, he shook his head and headed for the cruiser's cockpit, where he found his master leaning back in his pilot's seat, stroking his beard and looking thoughtful.

Without turning his head, Obi-Wan said, "Sit down, Oren. I want to ask you something." The young man took the co-pilot's seat and waited quietly. "What do you think about our trip thus far, about how we managed to get to this point?" He turned his blue-grey eyes to his padawan.

Oren thought for a moment, and then said, "I think we've been very fortunate."

"How do you mean, 'fortunate'?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Well, we seemed to have local assistance on both Mustafar and Geonosis," Oren relied, watching his master's eyes.

"Yes, very lucky coincidences, weren't they," Obi-Wan muttered.

"You think we've been...tricked, Master?"

"I think it is very possible that someone wants us to go to Muunilinst, and I do not think it is someone with our best interests at heart," he said, raising his eyebrows.

"I think that's very likely, Master. What do you think we should do?" Oren asked. "Should we not go there?"

"Oh, I definitely think we need to forge on ahead to Muunilinst. I am sure someone has either intentionally misdirected us or set a trap for us there, although I am not entirely sure why they would want to catch us. Of course, there are those who hate the Jedi and would like nothing better than to eliminate us. And there is one Muun who certainly would be happy to see me gone." He leaned toward his padawan. "We must be cautious."

"Yes, Master," Oren replied, pondering what his teacher had said. Obi-Wan returned to gazing out the window and ruminating some more.

Hello, Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan smiled and closed his eyes. Anakin. Where are you?

We're on our way to Endor for some environmental training. I thought I'd drop in and say hello.

Oren knew what was going on; he'd seen his master commune with Master Skywalker before. He quietly left the cockpit.

Endor? Not much of a test, I'd say. Fairly mundane place, lots of trees, no particularly dangerous wildlife.

This isn't so much about survival as learning more about herself and the Force. I believe I went through this kind of thing often, very often. Anakin could feel his former teacher's amusement.

Now, now, Padawan. We are always learning more about ourselves, and the Force. How is she coming along?

Very well. She is very quick to learn and she's very good at sensing others' feelings and emotions.

Obi-Wan sensed a certain wry irony in Anakin's statement. Yes, I know.

How is your mission progressing? Have you discovered where Shu Mai is?

Well, we've managed to uncover some clues as to her whereabouts. Too easily, I'm afraid.

Do you sense a trap?

Yes, I do. I think we are definitely expected on Muunilinst, and so we are going to accommodate whoever it is.

Watch out for your padawan. He is inexperienced in trap-springing.

I will, of course.

May the Force be with you, my brother.

The Force be with you, too, Anakin, my brother.

"It's very beautiful here, Master," she said, as she unrolled her sleeping mat in the small clearing. They had hiked several kilometers into the forest until they found an area which seemed to suit Anakin. Each had a small backpack topped with a rolled mat; each backpack contained water and food for two days and nights, a first aid kit and several tools suited to this particular world's terrain. Should they stay more than two days, they would have to live off the fruits of the planet.

"Yes, it is, Sikka," Anakin replied. "When you're finished, we'll begin."

"I am ready, Master," she said, waiting for his instructions.

"Good," he said, rising from arranging his place in their camp. "Follow me." He led her a short distance to a grassy area and lowered himself into a meditation posture. "Over here." He directed her to a spot in front of him. "Yes, Master," she said, arranging her cloak around her on the ground. She saw that he had closed his eyes and appeared to begin meditating, so she did too. Taking a deep breath, she centered herself into the peace she always found in the Force.

"Padawan."

"Yes, Master?"

"Do you trust the Force?"

Surprised, she thought for a minute, unsure of what he meant. "I don't understand, Master."

"Padawan, when you are faced with a choice or a situation where you feel out of control, what do you do? When you are afraid, what do you do?" Anakin waited, sensing her confusion.

She began, softly, "Well, I try to—"

"No," he said, gently.

"Oh." She stopped, her mind racing. Then she remembered one of Master Yoda's most basic teachings. Do, or do not. There is no try. She took a deep breath and thought some more. Seconds became minutes and still she did not know how to answer her master. He could feel her apprehension. "Relax, Sikka. Just breathe. Center yourself again. Don't think about anything." Thankfully, she sank back to her center and cleared her mind.

Anakin was pleased that she could so quickly find calm within the Force; it would serve her well throughout her life. After a bit, he contacted her.

Padawan.

Master?

In your time in the Temple, you have heard of 'the Will of the Force'?

Yes, Master.

You have probably used that phrase yourself, occasionally. Do you know what we mean when we say that? When she did not respond, he continued. I sense that you believe you do, but you are unable to put it into words. He waited a moment. You know the Force is in all things, binding everything together, creating balance in the universe. You were taught this as a youngling, by Master Yoda.

Yes, Master.

The Force will always try to maintain that balance, even as we living beings sometimes create imbalance.

Master Skywalker, how do we do that?

By making wrong choices, trying to control things over which we have no control. Suppose you had planned a picnic for tomorrow, but you knew there was a chance of bad weather. You have a choice then; you can either sit around and worry about it, or accept that the picnic may not happen. If you choose to worry, then you are creating an imbalance in the part of the Force that is you.

So, by choosing not to worry, the Force stays in balance?

Yes, in your tiny part of it, anyway. You are accepting the Will of the Force. He let her ruminate on that for awhile.

I think I understand, Master.

Good. I want you to stay in meditation and explore your feelings and what we have talked about here. If you become troubled or confused, relax; perhaps the Force will speak to you.

Yes, Master...Master? Have you always accepted the Will of the Force? He didn't answer right away. She sensed a wry amusement from him. Not always, Padawan, especially when I was younger. But I have become better at it. Now, continue your meditation.

Anakin continued to meditate, as well, thinking back on his life and the choices he had made, the times he fretted so because things didn't go the way he wanted. The Force gave me the Master I needed, he thought to himself. He was always there to pull me back, save me from myself. Inwardly, he sighed.

Sikka emerged from her meditation to find her master standing nearby. She got to her feet and faced him. "Did you discover anything, Sikka?" She replied, "Yes, Master, I did." He turned to walk back to their camp and she followed him. "Good. We will talk about it later. Now it's time to eat."

As they munched on the light food from their backpacks, he said, "Tomorrow you will be tested, Sikka."

"On what, Master?" she asked.

"You will have to find something," he replied, enigmatically.

"Are you going to tell me what it is, Master?" she asked, pretty sure what his answer would be.

He merely smiled and continued eating. Sighing, she realized that part of this test must be figuring out what she is supposed to find... After relaxing and conversing by the campfire for the rest of the evening, they turned in under a cloud-free, starry sky.

Sikka had no idea how long she'd been asleep when she opened her eyes, but the stars were still visible, so she knew it hadn't been too many hours. She started briefly as a dark shape flew across her vision, temporarily blotting out the stars as it passed overhead. Turning her head to see if her master had been awakened as well, she was surprised to see his sleeping mat unoccupied. She waited for a bit, expecting him to return. As the minutes passed and she became aware of the moon's night sounds, she began to be a little nervous.

"Master?" she called out softly. Then, a little louder, "Master Skywalker?"

Why doesn't he answer? She really didn't want to venture into the forest to find him. She called out a few more times and received no answer. As her unease grew, she tried to calm herself and think things through methodically. Why would he leave? I didn't hear anything, so he must have left on his own. Is this part of my test? Am I supposed to find him? None of this helped. Finally, she decided to meditate; perhaps that would calm her. As she tried to center herself, sounds of branches and twigs breaking startled her. She jumped to her feet, lightsaber in hand. It sounded like several creatures, charging through the trees some distance away. Eyes wide open, she stood ready, breathing quickly; the noise retreated and then stopped altogether. Then from the same direction came snarling and hissing, punctuated by a sharp screech, as if some poor creature had met its destiny in the jaws of a carnivore.

Sikka held her breath, trying to discern whether or not any more creatures were moving through the trees nearby. The night was deathly silent for a minute or two, and then normal sounds slowly returned, as if the forest's nocturnal denizens had determined that the chase was over and they were safe for a little while. She began to breathe more normally and sank to her knees. Closing her eyes, she bowed her head and tried to center herself again. Soon, the comfort of the Force enveloped her and she began to explore her feelings. She examined her fear until it dwindled away, a peaceful serenity taking its place.

Feeling she was at last ready to search outside herself, she reached outward, exploring the nearby terrain. She began to sense the presence of numerous small animals, both on the ground and in the trees and the sky. Perceiving no danger, she reached out further, finding more and more life forms. So many! So much life! She continued exploring, letting the tiny Force images slip away, until she sensed a fleeting impression of familiarity. She exhaled, relieved. He was close, and he was safe.

Master?... Good, Sikka. You have done well. Go back to sleep. I am not far.

She felt his pleasure, and she smiled as she lay down on her mat. Yes, Master. Goodnight ... Goodnight, Padawan.