Shattered Mission, Chapter 11

"It's the middle of the night on Coruscant," Anakin announced as he approached Oren and Sikka, "so I'll have to wait awhile before speaking with the Council. I'd like the two of you to take your datapads and go out on the streets and ask the locals if they've seen or heard anything of Master Kenobi." They nodded. "Show them his picture, see what they say. Don't say he's lost, just ask if they've seen or heard anything of him. All right?"

"Yes, Master." "Yes, Master Skywalker." As Oren reached the ship's exit, he turned and asked, "Master Skywalker, do you still feel my master in the Force?" Anakin smiled slightly and replied, "Yes, Oren, I do. A little." He watched the young man leave the ship and thought how terrible it must have been for him to see Obi-Wan blasted off the cliff and then to believe he had been killed. As he knelt to meditate, he sighed heavily, wishing he could tell where his brother was.

As they emerged from the IBC building onto the walk in front of it, Oren and Sikka looked around, trying to figure out which way they should go. "Come on," Oren said, motioning for her to follow him. "Let's do this side of the street, in this direction."

"I think we should each take a side," Sikka replied. "We'd cover twice as many people that way."

"I'd rather we stay together," he said as he walked along, expecting her to be beside him. "It's safer that way. We don't know what kind of people are here and I don't want anything to happen to you."

She stopped and placed her hands on her hips. "Happen to me? What do you mean by that? I can take care of myself. You're treating me like a little girl." He stopped and turned to face her. "Well, you are, aren't you? You're only twelve years—"

"Almost thirteen!"

"All right, 'almost thirteen'," he said, exasperated. "What would Master Skywalker say if I let you get hurt?"

"If you let me get hurt?" She was really peeved, now. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Cee," he moaned, rolling his eyes and sighing. She just stood there, glaring at him. Finally, he gave in. "Oh, all right, you take that side. But I'm keeping my eye on you." She threw up her arms and huffed, but said no more and walked across the street and began showing her datapad to beings she encountered. He watched her for a few moments, until she turned to him and spread her hands apart in an unspoken, Well? He shook his head and made his way through the crowd on his side of the street, asking questions and keeping one eye on his little friend.

. . .

Anakin could not get his thoughts under control, could not clear his mind. Finally, he sighed, rose and began pacing the ship. He checked on their prisoners, who glared at him, bringing a smirk to his face. After closing and locking the hatch to the cargo hold, he continued on around the inside of the ship, checking everything that he came across, his mind running on thoughts of Obi-Wan, the Council, San Hill, his family... His family. This brought him a measure of comfort. His wife, beautiful Padme, strong and confident, yet soft and yielding in his arms. His son and daughter, tiny living things with whom he had such a connection through the Force. Oh, how he wished he was with them now, able to touch them and hold them.

Yes, you have a beautiful family, Anakin. He jerked his head up, startled for just a moment. Then... Master Jinn. We haven't spoken in awhile. Where have you been? Where do you go?

Time and place are very different where I am, Anakin. I cannot explain it so you can understand.

Anakin accepted this without comment. Why have you come to me now, Qui-Gon? Do you always come with a purpose? How do you know where we are? Do you know where Obi-Wan is?

So many questions, youngling. Were you so inquisitive as a padawan? Anakin smiled and sat on one of the sleeping cots. Yes. Obi-Wan was often exasperated with me, I think. I wouldn't just accept everything he told me; I always wanted to know the why of it all. Master, were other padawans less... annoying? He could feel Qui-Gon's amusement.

Some were, yes. Obi-Wan was a trial, at times, but always held the life of a Jedi close to his heart. I think he could imagine no other. But my first padawan was somewhat as you were, always asking questions. They were silent for a bit. Your padawan, Sikka, is much like Obi-Wan was. She finds peace and great happiness within the Force.

Yes, she always comes out of meditation smiling, almost glowing. Sometimes I envy her. Sometimes I cannot clear my mind enough, and then I feel sort of... uneven. He paused. Qui-Gon, do you know where Obi-Wan is? Do you know if he is all right?

Yes, I do and, yes, he is all right.

Excited, Anakin spoke aloud. "Where is he? Tell me where he is! And why can't I feel him?"

Do you expect me to solve all of your problems, Anakin? You must find your own way in the living world. Do not worry about Obi-Wan.

But how can I not worry? He is like my brother.

Yes, I know. He has a great love for you, too.

Well, can you tell me anything? What is he doing? Why doesn't he let us know where he is? Is he—

Anakin, you must let it go. Obi-Wan is following a different path, now. One that you cannot help him with. Anakin dropped his head and sighed. I don't understand. Will he ever come back?

Trust in the Force, my friend. Now, I must go. And you must find the one who needs you. Goodbye...

Goodbye, Qui-Gon. Anakin rose and turned toward the cockpit. The one who needs me? What? Who is that? Qui-Gon? Qui-Gon! "Damn!"

. . .

As the sun's light slowly diminished in the early evening, Janelle walked out onto the front porch of their home, expecting to find her father and Cohl. Only Willem was there, comfortably ensconced in a cushioned wicker chair.

"Where is Cohl, Papa?" she asked, taking a chair next to him.

"Off for a walk, I think," Willem replied, his gaze lingering on the trees nearby. "He seemed a little preoccupied with something, but didn't appear to want to talk about it. He said he wanted to go off and think."

"Well. Do you know where he went?" she asked, beginning to rise from her seat.

He grabbed her arm and pulled her back down, saying, "I expect he wants to be alone, Janelle."

She looked at her father in surprise. "Papa, why shouldn't I go find him? Maybe I can help him."

"Janney," he said, leaning over toward her, "a man wants to be alone to think about things. He doesn't need a woman comin' by, trying to help. Just let him be. If he wants you to know what it is, he'll tell you."

A little put off, she nonetheless nodded and eased herself back into the chair and waited. She never had understood a man's need to isolate himself from everyone around him, just to think about something, or... be mad or whatever. She recalled how exasperated she used to become when Whit Sumter, her husband, would stomp off and insist on being alone right in the middle of an argument. But, he always came back calm, often bearing an apology, if not flowers or something else. She shook her head and smiled. I guess the sexes really are different. I don't suppose we'll ever entirely understand one another.

After a bit, Willem stood and announced, "I'm going to check on Essie and Shayla; make sure they're settled in for the night." On his way past Janelle, he patted her hand. "Sure, Pop," she said. "Call me if you need me." She watched him make his way into the barn, and then leaned her head against the back of the chair. She wondered how much longer her father would be around. He certainly wasn't that old, but this life had taken its toll on him. She supposed she would have to hire someone to help out, eventually. Unless Cohl stayed...

"Hello, there." She jerked upright in the chair, turned and saw the man in her thoughts coming around the side of the porch and up the stairs. "Whoa, I'm sorry if I startled you," he said, holding his hands up in front of him. "I guess I should have made more noise."

"No, no, I'm fine," she replied. "I was just thinking about things."

"Anything in particular?" he asked, lowering himself into a chair next to hers.

"Oh, just musing about Pop, life, that kind of stuff." She paused, waiting to see if he would say anything about his reason for taking a walk. But he just looked at her, a little smile lingering around the corners of his mouth. A bit self-conscious, she pushed her hair back and asked, "So, how was your walk? Did you see anything interesting?"

Sitting back in his chair and looking out at the ranch before them, he replied, "No, but I heard some birds singing. By the time I started back, it was pretty quiet. I guess they're bedding down for the night." A long silence followed, during which Janelle tried not to fidget. Just as she decided he was not going to be forthcoming about anything, he leaned forward with his hands clasped and his elbows on his knees and said, "I've had the strangest sensation today, Janelle." She waited for him to explain. He turned to her and went on. "I feel like there is something missing, a part of me that I used to have that is not there anymore. I can't really explain it." She was just about to speak, when he stood, walked to the porch railing and said, "It's not my memory. I've had time now without that, and that's pretty strange in itself, but this is different."

"Well, what is it like, this sensation you're having? Is it a physical thing?"

"No, it's not physical. And it's more a lack of something, something familiar. I...I feel like it's very close, like I could almost reach out and touch it. But then there's nothing there." He turned to her with an almost helpless look in his eyes and sighed. She joined him by the railing and laid her hand on his arm. "I don't know, Cohl. I can't imagine what it would be."

He looked down at her hand, and covered it with his own. Their eyes met and held. Feeling blood rushing to her face, Janelle pulled her hand free and pushed her light brown hair back from her neck. "My, it feels a little warm now, don't you think?" she said, looking away and trying not to appear flustered. Actually, he thought it was a little on the cool side, but after a moment he replied, "Yes, I suppose it is a little warm." She turned and seemed unable to decide where to go. Cohl said, "There's a breeze now. Why don't we sit here and cool off?" With his hand on her back, he guided her to her chair, and sat down himself.

After a few moments of silence, Janelle was very happy to see her father exit the barn and approach the house. "So, are they all settled in?" she called out, a little too loudly. As he mounted the steps, Willem replied, "Oh, yes, they're very happy, munching on a late snack. You're back, Cohl. Get everything straightened out?" Janelle looked pointedly at her father, wondering why he was allowed to ask Cohl about his concern, when she wasn't. Willem glanced at her and smiled as he grunted, lowering himself into his favorite wicker chair.

"No, not really," Cohl answered. "I was just telling Janelle about it." He leaned toward the old man. "You know how you feel if you can't use one of your hands or your arms, like when you've injured one of them?" Willem nodded. "That's how I feel now, like there's something I can't do that I used to be able to do. I know it sounds kind of silly, and it's probably just because I have no idea who or what I am, but still..."

Willem watched him and nodded. "I understand the feeling you're talking about, but I don't know what it would be that you can't do. Are you sure it isn't just because of your memory loss?"

Cohl shrugged and said, "No, I'm not sure. It is very strange, not having any past other than the last several days. I suppose that must be what it is." He sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

"Janelle, we're running short on qualor oats and we need some new curry combs and brushes," Willem said. Janelle replied, "I'll go into town and get some, Papa. There are some things I need, too, so I can just get everything on the same trip." Just as Cohl was about to speak up, Willem said to him, "Tomorrow, I'd like to show you the tack and traces we use to show Essie, Cohl. Unless you want to go into town with Janney."

"No, that's fine, Willem. I'll stay here. I am interested to learn everything I can about how you do things here. I want to be of some use," Cohl replied. He hoped his disappointment didn't show on his face; he would liked to have accompanied Janelle tomorrow. However, as the three of them sat and talked into the evening, he realized he was looking forward to learning more about the ranch and how they lived here. I think this would be a good place to live. There are good, solid people here... at least, the only two I know are.