Shaking her head to clear it, Anneke picked herself up off the pavement. Ignoring the pain of her bumps and bruises, she pulled the Force around her and sought the assassin. The wreckage of the speeder lay crumpled to her left, adding to the trash that lay all around. She spotted the armour-clad assassin running down the street to her right, and gave chase.
It was very difficult to maneuver through the crowds in this area. Anneke had never been to this part of Coruscant before, but usually her Jedi garb was enough to cause people to get out of her way. Not here. People blocked her, bumped into her, and even grumbled and growled at her for being in their way. The uncaring crowds, the seedy businesses, reminded her of Mos Eisley, yet damper. Broken sidewalks cradled puddles of filthy liquid that might be water, and multi-coloured neon lights reflected garishly back and forth from either side of the street.
Half a block ahead, the assassin ducked into a doorway. The sign over the opening flashed an invitation to those looking for alcohol, dancing, or less savoury delights. Anneke didn't hesitate, though she had never entered such an establishment before. But just as she reached the door, Obi Wan stepped out of the crowd and caught her arm.
"Anneke! Use the Force. Think. He went in there to hide, not run."
"Sorry, Master." Anneke bit her lip, trying not to fidget. The adrenaline coursing through her made it hard to stand still.
Obi Wan pulled a familiar lightsaber from his pocket. "Next time, try not to lose it."
Anneke's eyes lit up, and she reached for her weapon.
Obi Wan pulled it back. "A Jedi's saber is his most precious possession."
Anneke sighed. "Yes, Master."
"It must be kept with you at all times."
With an effort, she didn't roll her eyes. "I know, Master."
He held it out toward her. "This weapon is your life."
She grabbed it. "I've heard this before, Master."
His eyes bored into her. "But you haven't learned it yet."
She clipped her lightsaber to her belt. "I try, Master."
Obi Wan sighed, and turned to enter the nightclub. "Why do I have the feeling you're going to be the death of me?"
Anneke blinked, her defiance dissolving. "Don't say that, Master. I'd never want to cause you pain."
"Then why don't you listen to me?"
She could feel the frustration like a cloud around him. "I am trying."
He sighed and shook his head, turning to survey the crowd inside. "Can you see him?"
"I've been trying to tell you, Master. He's a she." Anneke raised herself on tiptoe, peering over the patrons' heads.
"I see." Obi Wan nodded. "In that case, go and find her." He turned away.
Anneke dropped back onto her heels and frowned at him. "Where are you going, Master?"
Obi Wan grinned at her over his shoulder. "For a drink."
She stood, bemused, watching him approach the bar and order a drink. Shaking her head, she turned and walked through the room, her hand on her saber hilt, her eyes scanning the patrons. Most of them glared at her, while a few smiled in a way that deeply disturbed her. She swept the room with her senses, searching for the malevolent presence she had felt before.
There she was! The assassin's unmistakable signature was approaching Obi Wan, and Anneke quickly made her way back to her master's side, ignoring those who continued to eye her. As she reached Obi Wan, he spun around and grabbed the assassin's arm, twisting until she grunted in pain and dropped the pistol she held.
Obi Wan nodded at Anneke, and she took hold of the assassin's other arm. Between them, they marched her out into the street.
Steering them into an alleyway, Obi Wan stopped out of sight of the passersby. "Who are you?" he asked the assassin.
She stared at him through narrowed eyes. "Zam Wesell." Her tone implied they should have heard of her.
"Do you know who it was you were trying to kill?" he demanded.
"The senator from Naboo."
"Who hired you?" Anneke asked.
Zam shifted her dark-eyed glare to Anneke. "It was just a job," she replied.
Anneke unclipped her lightsaber from her belt and activated the blade. "Tell us!"
Zam eyed the lightsaber warily. "It was a bounty hunter named—" Her eyes widened, she fell back and slid down against the wall, and stopped breathing.
The sound of a small rocket engine taking off drew both Jedi's eyes to a nearby roof, where an armoured man with a jetpack on his back saluted them—or possibly Zam—as he flew away.
Crouching over the body, Obi Wan pulled a tiny dart from the side of Zam's neck. "Poison," he said grimly.
Anneke jumped to her feet. "Come on! Let's go after him!"
Obi Wan raised his eyebrows, looking up at her from where he crouched on the dirty pavement. "We have to check in with the Council, and we have to get back to Senator Andelko's quarters to make sure he's still safe."
She sighed in defeat and put her lightsaber away, her fists clenched at her sides as she watched the armoured man disappear over the Coruscant skyline.