Author's Note: HI! No, I did not drop off the face of the earth. I've been holed up writing two other fanfic series and a novel in 31 days. I felt bad that I haven't posted a chapter in a while for this though, so behold, chapter 9. Short, but here. I will continue this story, my energy just tends to be thrown into whatever obsession is front and center in my midn at the moment.

Anakin exited the transport and took a deep breath of the humid, but fresh, jungle air. Troopers worked around him, unloading supplies. He looked across the airfield and saw a flurry of brown robes as Master Quinlan Vos hurried over. Master Quinlan had been in the same classes as his master when they were padawans, but shared none of his regards for protocol. Anakin had always liked him.

"Well! Look what the reinforcements dragged in," Quinlan greeted cheerfully. "Anakin Skywalker, who would've guessed. The council actually agreed to put the two of us together beyond their reach?"

"Good to see you too, Quinlan," Anakin replied. "They, umm... didn't exactly agree to send me here."

"Ah, snuck off again did you? Did you bring Ahsoka with you?"

Anakin's face darkened slightly. "Ahoska is no longer my padawan," he said shortly. Quinlan frowned.

"Really? Somehow I feel there's more to this story. Come to my tent, we can exchange tales of the past few weeks there." The two jedi left the troopers to finish there work and headed into the camp.

Obi-Wan made his way through the temple halls, his mind parsecs away. Anakin was off on some adventure or other, probably bound to get himself into trouble. Obi-Wan had been to Arorua once, with master Qui-Gon. he knew exactly how much trouble you could find yourself in there if you weren't careful. And then there was the whole Mandalore mess. The senate still had yet to vote on the stupid thing, still debating whether it was worth their interest, and whether their help would be welcome. In senate talk, that meant would they be rewarded. Obi-Wan wasn't sure how much longer he could wait before going out there himself, official or not.

"Obi-Wan!" he heard someone call out from behind him. He stopped and turned, seeing Siri racing up the hall toward him.

"Siri," he said, "what is it?"

"The senate... thought you should... know... heard..." she gasped. Obi-Wan placed his hands on her shoulders to steady her.

"Breath," he instructed. "Now, what is it?"

"The senate has voted against sending any aid to Mandalore until they secure a written request for it from the Mandalorian government."

"The government is corrupt!" Obi-Wan declared, his face creasing in anger. "That's the problem! The Mandalorians are under the rule of a dictator, that's why they are asking for aid! Why would the official government ask for aid if they're the problem in the first place?"

"Search me, it's not my opinion," Siri remarked. "If it were up to me, I'd be heading out right now for Mandalore with a whole battalion of clones."

"Thank you for that Siri," Obi-Wan sighed. "Of course, with your attitude, you alone would probably be more then a match for any of the death watch."

"Me? What about you? You're enough to strike fear into the hearts of any enemy! Why do think Maul has such a burning desire to get rid of you? He fears what else you might do to him."

"That is an exaggeration of the most extreme kind if ever I've heard one," Obi-Wan answered. Siri just shrugged, then cocked her head thoughtfully. Obi-Wan groaned at the sight of it.

"I know that look Siri Tachi. What ever it is, it's a bad idea."

"Perhaps..." Siri drew out. One question though. Do you trust me?"

"Unfortunately, yes, with my life."

"Good. How soon can you be packed?"

"Ouch," Quinlan remarked, and he leaned back against the tent support. Anakin looked down at his hands. "That's rough. So, you slipped away from the council to get some breathing space, I get it. Feel free to stay and help, we could use you."

"Thanks Quinlan," Anakin said, feeling seriously relieved.

"Come on, let's get you up to speed on what's happening."

Anakin followed Quinlan out of the tent. Now that he was back on the battle field, he felt at home. He could almost forget the fact that he was continually looking over his shoulder, expecting some snippy remark from Ahsoka every ten seconds. When he didn't hear it, his heart would sink. Oh, how he wished the separatist would attack that very minute so he could hack a few stupid droids to pieces. He needed the excuse to cause some damage to something.

TBC