Apologies to everyone for the big delay in posting again. I'm having trouble with a part of this story and I'm moving things around within the chapters. I promise to try harder to keep posting for you.

Shattered Mission, Chapter 13

Just a light touch, a sweet presence, comforting, waiting... His awareness rose slowly from the depths of sleep; he could feel pleasure and... relief from his companion. He smiled. She worries about me, he thought. Padawan.

Master, you are all right?

Yes, I am all right. How do you feel?

Wonderful, Master. What happened? Why are we here?

He opened his eyes and brought the recliner up. She was looking at him from her bed, her eyes big and bright. He moved to sit beside her. "You were assaulted yesterday, on the street," he said, placing his hand on hers.

"Yes, I remember that. A Nikto grabbed me and I kicked him."

He nodded, chuckling, and said, "Yes, Oren told me how well you did."

She smiled and continued, "And then... I don't remember. I think..."

"Another one gave you a drug to anesthetize you. He drove a speeder away with you, but not fast enough. Oren caught up with him and rescued you. Then he called me and we brought you to this medical center. You were very ill."

"Then I will have to thank Oren," she replied. "He's such a good friend to me. So, am I all right now? Can we leave?"

"I must check with the medical staff. If they say you're healthy, we will go. I'll be back." With that, he left the room.

Oren paced the ship impatiently, waiting for word of his friend, Sikka. Yes, Master Skywalker had said she was safe last night, but who knew what might have happened since then? Periodically, he looked into the cargo hold, making sure that Shu Mai and Poggle the Lesser were still there and alive. Predictably, one or both of them complained and glared at him each time, which bothered him not in the least. He huffed his way back and forth and around the inside of the ship, wanting to contact the Master, but not wanting to interfere.

Suddenly he stopped, realizing he hadn't thought of his master in a long time. He reached out to the Force on the miniscule chance that he might feel what Master Skywalker felt, what Master Skywalker said told him that Master Kenobi was still alive. I guess I'll have to take his word for it... I miss you, Master. I hope you are safe. I hope you come back to us... I don't know if Sikka's master likes me.

Just then, then ramp began opening. Oren pulled out his lightsaber and waited. The first thing he saw was his friend walking happily up the ramp ahead of her master. "Cee!" he yelled. "Thank the Force you're okay!" He dashed forward and grabbed her shoulders. She squealed and laughed, "Oren! You should thank yourself. Master said you saved me from that bully. Thank you!" She hugged him and stepped back.

Anakin came forward and agreed, "Yes, you did, Oren. If you hadn't been there or hadn't caught up with them, Sikka might not be with us now. We are in your debt." He took the young man's shoulder and shook it gently. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Master," Oren replied, a little surprised. He stared after Anakin's back retreating toward the cockpit. "I'm going to contact the Council again to let them know our status," Anakin said over his shoulder. Then he stopped and turned around with a resigned look on his face. "Oren, what part of the day is it on Coruscant?"

"Early evening, Master," Oren answered, keeping his smile to himself, and then sharing it with Sikka as Anakin turned back.

Once again Anakin set the holocomm to the Jedi Council's private code and started the transmission. Quickly, a figure appeared. It was Mace Windu.

"Ah, Anakin. The Council was just discussing your situation. Please give us a status."

"We have Shu Mai and Poggle the Lesser, Master Windu."

"Excellent! Would you like us to send a clone transport for them?"

Anakin sighed. He had already decided to return the prisoners himself and then go on to Naboo to see his family. There he would decide what to do next. "No, Master. We'll bring them ourselves. Then, if the Council doesn't need me, I'll go on to Naboo."

The dark master tilted his head briefly. "Have you found Obi-Wan, Anakin?"

"No, I haven't. But Oren is with us. I have been able to sense Obi-Wan very faintly, and I believe he is all right. Master Jinn told me that Obi-Wan is... following his own path now. Of course, I have no idea what he meant by that, but I suppose that confirms that Obi-Wan is safe. He also told me... gave me a... a mission of sorts, I think. I'm not sure if I've already completed it, or if it's something I have yet to do." Windu raised one eyebrow. "Master Jinn seems to be speaking in riddles now," Anakin said, wryly. "Was he always like that?"

"Not that I can recall, Anakin. He was always very definite about his views and opinions."

"Well," Anakin said, rising to his feet, "I guess that's what happens when you find life after death in the Force." Was that a smile? Was he actually seeing a smile on the dour master's face? He heard some chuckling in the background; he recognized Master Yoda's laughter.

Windu cleared his throat. "Is there anything else, Anakin?"

"Actually, yes, there is. It seems as though San Hill tried to kill Obi-Wan and Padawan Kendrel. Fortunately, he failed. We'll need to get all of the facts together and arrest him."

Windu's face darkened. "If what you say is true, that we most definitely will do. Apparently, he has had it in for Master Kenobi ever since Obi-Wan captured him during the war. We will have to start extradition proceedings as soon as we are ready."

"Good. Oh, and three Nikto attacked Sikka and Oren on the street here. One of them drugged Sikka and tried to flee with her, but Oren stopped him. They are both well; I will give you the details later. Oren performed very well, Master Windu. I believe he will make an excellent knight."

"Very good, Anakin. It seems you have had an interesting mission."

Anakin nodded. "If there is nothing more, Master, we will prepare to leave here."

"Very well. We will see you when you return. Council out."

While Anakin was busy speaking with the Council, Oren and Sikka sat on a cot in the sleeping quarters. "So, do you know what happened in the medical center?" he asked his friend.

She tilted her head and thought for a minute. "Well, the last thing I can recall before that was kicking that Nikto who grabbed me. Then the next thing I knew, I was hearing Master Skywalker's voice in my head and he said he was watching me through a window, so I guess that was in the medical center. I started feeling cold and told him I was sleepy and wanted to go to sleep, but he started shouting something. I couldn't tell what he was saying and everything just went away." She looked up at him, puzzled. "I wonder why I couldn't hear him?"

Oren frowned. "I think the drug was starting to take you down, killing you. Master Skywalker must have done something to bring you back."

Her eyes grew wide. "You know, I think he has a healing power, Oren. He helped Master Windu in the Temple after the clone attack, remember? I think Master Windu would have died if he hadn't helped him. He must have done the same for me. I remember hearing his voice again; he sounded very tired. It must take a lot out of him to do that."

He looked at her silently for a moment and then down at the floor. "I'm glad he is your master, Cee. I think you would have died without him. And then—"

"And then who would you have had to tease you?" she said, smiling at him. "And to teach new sparring tricks to?"

He shook his head and chuckled. "Well, I guess I would've had to find someone else to point out my shortcomings." They were still laughing when Anakin returned.

"Oren, do you feel able to get us out of here and return to Coruscant?"

Oren jumped up and replied, "Yes, Master Skywalker!"

"Good. Get clearance from both the IBC landing pad and the spaceport. Let them know we are leaving. I will be aft, meditating."

Oren nodded and both he and Sikka went to the cockpit. Anakin sat on one of the cots and listened to the two padawans go through the clearance and takeoff drills. Once they were on their way, he knelt on the floor and began his meditation, reviewing his conversations with Qui-Gon Jinn and trying to come to a better understanding of the immortal master's words. Qui-Gon had told him he must find the one who needs him. Was that Sikka? She needed him, but he hadn't really had to find her, and it sounded more urgent than just having a padawan who needed him. Is it someone else? Not Obi-Wan; Qui-Gon made that very clear. Oren? No, that made no sense. He sighed heavily and tried to relax and sink deeper within the Force. Perhaps this will come to me if I just let it go. The Force will guide me.

"Look, Mother," Padme said, nodding her head to her children who were lying on a blanket on the ground in front of the two women. Jobal turned her gaze to the tiny girl and boy and saw that they had both become still and were simply staring up into the sky. She looked worriedly at her daughter and asked, "What are they doing? They're not moving."

"Anakin is with them," Padme answered, smiling contentedly. "Whenever he touches them through the Force, this is what they do. I can feel him a little now, too." Her mother watched the children with wonder in her eyes. "That's amazing, Padme, and beautiful." She turned and said, "He loves his family very much, doesn't he?"

"Yes," Padme replied, needing to elaborate no more. Jobal continued, "And yet, the Jedi Order still does not tolerate love or attachment, they say. Except for Anakin. And that is because of his destiny? That prophecy of the Chosen One?"

The younger woman nodded. "Yes, they made an exception for him. But Anakin thinks that real love would only make them stronger, and that attachment, love, even marriage would be good for the Order." They watched the babies in silence until the little ones began moving again. "Is he...?"

"Yes." Padme rose from her seat and asked, "Excuse me, Mother, but would you mind watching them for awhile? Anakin wants to be with me." Smiling, Jobal nodded and followed her daughter into the house with her eyes, shaking her head in wonder.

Padme went into the kitchen and seated herself at the table. "Hello, my love." Padme, I miss you. "I miss you, too, Anakin." He did not sound very happy. "Did you find Obi-Wan?" No, but I believe he is not in danger. Qui-Gon Jinn said Obi-Wan is safe and I believe him. I just wish I knew where he was and what was going on. "What about Oren? Is he there with you? And Sikka?" Yes, they are with me. We did find the fugitives they were looking for and we're on our way with them back to Coruscant. They will stand trial for their actions during the war. Padme waited patiently, just enjoying the feeling of her husband being with her, however insubstantially, and knowing that he was safe, too.

I'll be home soon. I'll turn them over to the authorities and probably meet with the Council... Qui-Gon told me something else, too, something he says I need to do, but I don't understand what he meant. I'm going to speak to Master Yoda about it. Maybe we can figure it out. "What did Qui-Gon say, Anakin?" She felt a little huff from him. He said I should find the one that needs me. Now he was smiling. Do you need me? Because I intend to find you as soon as I get there. "Of course, I do, darling. And it won't be hard to find me, you know that."

Good. I need some normalcy for awhile, I think. I can't wait to get home. I'll see you soon, Padme. I love you.

"I love you, Anakin. Hurry home."

"Thank you, Master Windu. I will send a detachment to the Temple right away."

"Of course, Chancellor. Goodbye." Windu cut the connection to the Supreme Chancellor's office and turned to Master Yoda. "There will be security here shortly to take the fugitives into custody," he said, returning to his Council seat.

"Good news, this is," Yoda replied, nodding his head. "Fortunate we are, that Master Skywalker was able to catch Shu Mai and Poggle the Lesser so quickly." His green head bobbed as he moved his gaze around the Council members and he continued, "Capture the rest of them, we must, and soon, before they spread unrest among their old Confederation."

"I will be glad to take my padawan and search for more of them," Dakin Nua said.

"Appreciate your offer, I do, Master Nua," Yoda said, "but short the Council is now until we choose the final four."

Mace spoke. "I agree with Master Yoda. We will assign another knight for this. Several more, who survived Order 66, have returned and are available for assignment."

"Do we know any more of Master Kenobi?" asked Master Kiro-Ren.

"No more than Anakin has told us," Mace replied. "Obi-Wan is alive and hopefully will return to us some day." Turning to Yoda, he said, "This is very strange, though, his disappearance and lack of contact with us. I don't understand it at all."

"Strange are the ways of the Force, Master Windu," Yoda said. "And not always easily understood. Perhaps in contact with Master Jinn, he is, and with his own reasons for remaining silent to us. Perhaps sent on a mission by the Force itself, he was."

Windu's beacon chimed, indicating Skywalker would arrive soon. The entire Council rose and began to make their way to the main Temple landing area.

"All right, Sikka, give the ship to Oren."

"Yes, Master," she replied, looking to Oren. "I have the ship," he said, his hands on the controls. "The Temple landing area is in sight."

Anakin watched from behind and the young padawan piloted the ship slowly down and flared for landing. "Very good," Anakin congratulated him as Oren shut everything down and opened the ramp. The three Jedi walked aft and Anakin opened the cargo door. "We have arrived, you two. Step on it." Poggle the Lesser grumbled something in his unintelligible language and climbed out of the hold; Anakin waved him over to the padawans. The female, Shu Mai, looked very upset as she rose and went to stand next to Poggle.

"Take them out, padawans," Anakin said, and followed the four down the ramp. A detachment of clone troopers stepped forward from the Temple entrance. "Captain Jaden, Master Skywalker. We'll take them off your hands." "Thank you, Captain. You are welcome to them." Anakin, Sikka and Oren watched as the fugitives were surrounded by the troopers and marched off the landing area. Then the Council masters came forward, Master Yoda floating along on his pod.

"Welcome back, Anakin," Windu said. "Good work capturing those two." He scanned the two young people. "All of you seem well."

"Yes, we are, Master Windu," Anakin replied. "I am ready to give my report. I would like Padawans Doron and Kendrel to accompany us into the Council chamber." Windu nodded and turned and everyone entered the Temple. Yoda floated near the padawans. They stopped and bowed and together said, "Master Yoda."

"Feelings I sense in you, Padawan Kendrel," Yoda observed. "Worry for your master, hmmm?"

Oren hesitated, then said, "Yes, Master Yoda. I am worried about him."

"Alive, he is, young one. No need to worry; the Force will take care of him. Always trust in the Force. This, you know."

"Yes, Master. I am sorry."

"No need to be sorry. Understand your feelings, I do, but let them go, you must. Return to us he will, someday, when it is time." He eyed the young man for a moment, and then said, "Decide what to do about you, we must."

"Master?"

"No master have you. Not for long can a padawan learner be without a master."

"I... I wish to continue as Master Kenobi's apprentice, Master Yoda. I am learning a great deal from him." Sikka looked up at him, concern for her friend evident in her eyes.

"Learn from all of us, you can, young Kendrel," Yoda said, bobbing along next to Oren. "Decide, the Council will, on what to do." He floated away to catch up with the rest of the Council members.

"Oh, Oren, I hope they don't make you take another master," Sikka said, touching her friend's arm. "It doesn't seem fair, especially when your master is alive. You've been through so much." Hanging his head, Oren sighed. "I have to do what the Council decides, Cee."

"Sikka!" They both jerked their heads around to see Anakin glowering at them from the turbolift. "We don't keep the Council waiting!" They hurried to join him in the lift.

"... and when I woke up, Master Skywalker was asleep in a chair next to my bed." Sikka had just finished her rendition of the Nikto attack, on Muunilinst. Anakin and Oren had already given theirs.

"We have made inquiries of the security office there," Master Windu said, "and thus far the attack appears to have been an isolated incident. Apparently, there is a small gang of that species causing trouble, abducting people. We will continue to investigate." He turned to the young girl. "You are very fortunate that Padawan Kendrel was able to stop them, and that your master was there to aid you in the medical center."

"Yes, Master Windu," she replied, bowing. "I would not be here now, if not for them. I am very thankful."

He nodded approvingly, and then looked at Anakin. "Master Skywalker, what do you intend to do now?"

Anakin stepped forward. "I'm going back to Naboo to be with my family, Master Windu, and to meditate on this situation, and on Obi-Wan. Sikka will accompany me and continue her lessons."

"Very well, Anakin. Thank you for your report."

Anakin turned to the two teens and said, "Wait for me outside the chamber." He watched until the door closed behind them, and then he turned back to Mace Windu. "Masters, I would like to take Padawan Kendrel with me."

"Hmmm? Unusual request, this is," Yoda observed. "A padawan you already have, Master Skywalker."

"Yes, Master Yoda," Anakin replied, "but Oren continues to feel some responsibility for Obi-Wan's predicament. I would like to counsel him and help him work through it." He concentrated on appearing sincere.

Yoda squinted at the young master, sensing that perhaps there was more to this request than had been said. He turned his gaze to Mace Windu, who spoke. "It is an unusual request, Anakin, but..." Moving his gaze around the Council masters, he continued, "...if there are no objections?" Hearing none, he said, "Very well, Master Skywalker. We will be in touch."

Anakin bowed, turned and walked quickly out of the chamber, closing the door after him. "Let's go," he said, starting down the corridor toward the turbo lift. "You too, Oren." Surprised, Oren caught up and walked alongside Sikka as they followed the tall master. Once they were in the lift, Anakin said, "I know how the Council works, Oren. They want to assign you to another master, right?" Oren nodded. "I thought so. Most of them cannot remember what it is to be a padawan, it was so long ago for them. You don't need a new master now, you need Obi-Wan. We will find him and return him to you." As the lift door opened, Anakin stepped out, mumbling, "You'd think they had more important stuff to do, anyway."

Smiling, Oren raised his eyebrows at Sikka, who giggled quietly.

"Do you two feel up to leaving for Naboo now? Or would you rather get some sleep and leave in the morning?"

"We will do whatever you want, Master," Sikka replied. "We know you want to see your family."

"Thank you, Sikka. All right, let's all get cleaned up and we'll meet at the ship in an hour. We can sleep on the way, and we should arrive tomorrow morning." With that, they all dispersed to their quarters.