A/N: enormous thanks to my wondeful Beta LiGi - you are awesome

when i say 'Forced' it means that they are using to the Force to push, pull, jump etc i just thought that it sounded better if i didn't specifically say 'they force pulled the light sabre towards them' hope it's not too wierd =D

Disclaimer: i do not own Star Wars - George Lucas does - but i do own Echo

enjoy!

Chapter one

The buzzing of colliding light sabres reverberated around the grand entrance hall of the Jedi. The sounds bounced off the great stone columns and arched ceiling decorated elaborately with tiles the colour of autumn leaves and deep charcoal. In fact the sounds themselves were actually coming from the training practice hall where Obi-Wan Kenobi was running his two padawans, Anakin and Echo through their paces.

Obi-Wan was standing on the side adjacent to the door, watching Anakin and Echo. Both padawans had their own light sabres, single bladed and bright blue. Echo's was more of an icy blue compared to Anakin's which had a slight hint of purple. Although both colours were not distinguishable as the blades themselves were being swung and thrown around continuously, until they collided in the air repeatedly to release the buzzing sound heard in the hallways.

Obi-Wan drew his light sabre – also a bright blue colour.

"Echo, catch!" He said, and threw his blade about two metres above the battling blur.

Echo Forced Anakin back, leapt into a somersault over his head, neatly grabbing the falling light sabre by the handle and landed with her back to Anakin. He span to the right, holding his blade upright and it collided with Echo's two blades – held sideways – as she pivoted clockwise to face him.

Obi-Wan watched for a few minutes before turning to face the wall behind him. There was a square panel large enough to hold his hand as he placed it on it, then the square went white. A strip of the wall came out to reveal a weapon rack full of light sabres. Obi-Wan took out a duel-ended one then closed the rack. He turned back to the battling pair where Anakin – with only one sabre – clearly had the upper hand.

"Right, listen up but keep going, you're doing well." Simultaneously, Echo and Anakin turned their heads to acknowledge their master but then engaged themselves once again in their combat. "When I say, Echo you are going to throw my light sabre back to me and Anakin you are going to swap your sabre for the one I am going to throw to you. Ok? Now!"

Obi-Wan threw the light sabre in his hand at a high angle so that his hands were free for when the other two blades were thrown at him. But only one returned to him. Anakin waited until Echo had thrown Obi-Wan's sabre, to attack her from her left. She hadn't expected this and so retaliated a little stronger than anticipated. Anakin had also not expected this and Echo's retaliation caused his light sabre to flick out of his hand. Obi-Wan Forced it towards himself, catching it. Anakin however was now left unarmed as the light sabre that Obi-Wan had thrown had now fallen to the floor, and was now far to his right. He leapt back into a backwards somersault to land graciously into a feline-like crouch on the opposite side of the room. He Forced the duel light sabre into his hand, ignited it and waited for Echo's reaction. She stood facing him, chest heaving heavily. They slowly began to walk towards each other, both with light sabre in hand and held low. Once they were within a couple of metres of one another they began to circle, predatorily. Occasionally, Echo would tap her sabre on the lower blade of Anakin's, teasingly. After a few steps, Anakin turned in the opposite direction to attack from the other side. But Echo was prepared for this.

Once Obi-Wan was satisfied that they had done enough he got them to swap and added Anakin's sabre again. Anakin now had two light sabres whilst Echo had the duel one. Echo became more forceful and kept pushing Anakin back but whenever he felt that she had pushed him too far he would simply spin around her. But with one final lunge, Echo sent Anakin crashing to the floor, both of his weapons flung out of his hands as she fell with him. She held the handle of the, withdrawn, duel-bladed light sabre pressed horizontally across his neck.

"Check mate." Echo gasped desperately. As he panted to regain his breath, Anakin became acutely aware that Echo, in her crouching position, had her knees either side of his waist and her elbows leaning on his chest. Her face was so close to his that her scent filled his airways. It was captivating to be so close to her.

Echo thought that as she stared into Anakin's eyes, trying to regain control over her heart rate, she could see a hint of fear flash across the surface, but, almost as soon as she noticed this, it was gone and they began to soften. They were such a peculiar shade of blue; very grey but with just a hint of green.

Obi-Wan started applauding.

"Very good, my padawans, very good …" He said as he clapped, almost sarcastically slow. Echo straightened up and stepped off Anakin to allow him to stand. As he did so he took hold of Echo's ankle and lifted it which sent her falling to the floor instead.

Ha ha! He thought. Revenge. Anakin smirked to himself and followed his master out of the hall. "Come on, Echo, don't dawdle!" He called over his shoulder, grinning.

Echo sat there for a moment glaring after Anakin, then shrugged and stood up to follow.

Obi-Wan had been summoned to the Council briefing of a new assignment for himself and his two padawans. As only he was a master, the younger two had to wait outside whilst he faced the council alone.

Obi-Wan entered the great room of the council chamber and felt, immediately, all of the disapproving eyes following him. He searched for the kindest eyes and once he found them, bowed to Master Yoda.

"Good evening, Masters." Said Obi-Wan, respectfully, hoping that he wouldn't get too much resentment for initially ignoring his summoning. He so hated the examination of the Jedi Council and constantly did anything within his power to avoid it.

"Master Kenobi. To join us, you have decided." Master Yoda was greatly amused, as always.

"Yes … umm … my apologies, Masters, for I was training my padawans."

"Understanding that their training always comes first for you, Obi-wan, but you must always come to the Council when summoned. It is your duty." Said Master Windu, almost scolding.

"Yes, well I understand. I was summoned for a purpose? A new assignment, maybe?"

"Yes. A new assignment, it is." Said Yoda. Mace Windu took over the briefing.

"Obi-wan, there is a CIS uprising on the planet of Felucia." Uh oh. Thought Obi-Wan. "Unfortunately, this is all we know. Something out there is keeping everything that happens on the planet very quiet."

"Need you to find out, we do, what is going on." Said Yoda.

"You think that Dooku is behind this?" Asked Ob-Wan.

"It's possible, but unlikely. Remember that Count Dooku was once a Jedi. Assassination and murder is not in his nature." Scowled Windu.

"Yes, but deceit is." Argued Obi-Wan.

"Hmm. Master Kenobi does have a point." Said Ki-Adi-Mundi.

"This need not be discussed now. Obi-Wan, go to Felucia in a small star ship tomorrow morning. Take Anakin and Echo with you. Discover what you can and report back regularly. Do not return until we command you otherwise." Said Windu.

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan bowed respectfully. "I take it that, as we are spying that you do not want us to go into any civilisation but stay in the ship?"

"Yes. Take previsions, you must." Said Yoda.

"May the Force be with you, Obi-Wan Kenobi." Said Windu.

"May the Force be with you, Masters." Replied Obi-Wan, and left.

Anakin was leaning, casually, against the thick stone wall that separated the Jedi Council Chamber from the corridors where they were. He had his head back and one hand on his light sabre, his mind completely oblivious to the present surroundings as he thought about his home … Tatooine … and his mother. Echo was facing him, leaning on the opposite wall, staring at the floor, although her mind was completely blank.

She let out a sudden sigh, which started her companion out of his reverie, and slowly slid down the wall to sit on the floor with her knees bent up in front of her. Anakin crossed the corridor and sat close beside her.

"What do you think it's gunna be?" He asked.

"No idea." She replied with a sigh, knowing he meant the assignment. "You?"

"Not a clue."

"You were pretty good today." Echo said with a smile. When Anakin gave her a quizzical look she added: "At practice."

"Oh right. Thanks. You weren't too bad yourself."

"What do you mean 'too bad'? I was awesome." She said in a mockingly smug tone.

"Yeah, yeah. You know I let you win."

"No way! I beat you out right." She gave him an intense glare. "And you know it."

Anakin looked into her dark, deep blue eyes and matched her gaze. Then laughed "Yeah, ok. But you know that if it was single on single it would always be me beating you."

"Oh definitely, hands down." Echo grinned and put her hands up in surrender.

Although Echo and Anakin were equals as Jedi, there were always going to be parts of their training where one of them was more superior. Such as with Anakin, he was more superior in swords play, engineering – naturally – and flying. Echo was extraordinary in her own way – she had a talent with the Force that had not been seen in a Jedi before, especially not in one so young.

She grinned at him and he took her hand, threading his fingers through hers. At that point Obi-Wan left the Jedi Council Chamber. He sighed heavily.

"You are not going to believe it." Said Obi-Wan, not believing it himself.

"Not believe what?" Asked Echo.

"Our new assignment destination."

"Where?" Asked Anakin.

"Seriously, you will never guess."

"Then tell us, Master." Said Anakin.

"Felucia." Said Obi-Wan.

"The bug planet? Really?" said Echo.

"You're kidding." Initially, Anakin laughed but when Obi-Wan appeared to be as serious as he had been on their last bad assignment to Mygeeto, it dawned on him that it was true. Crap.

A/N: pleeeeaaaase, pleeeeaaaase review!