a.n. I am extremely sorry that it has taken such a long time to put this up here. I have been very busy with school, getting a job, plus many other personal tasks that had to be taken care of. I do hope to do regular updates on this story, but I am not sure how that will go. Please bear with me as I try to update this story regularly. If you want me to get my butt in gear, nothing does it better than reviews and words of encouragement. With that said, please Read, Review, and Enjoy!
Chapter 12: The New Assignment
"A new assignment for you, we have, Master Kenobi."
Obi-Wan, dressed regally in his tan tunic and flowing Jedi robes, stood tall as he waited for the Council to inform him about this new change of plans. His nineteen-year-old apprentice, the impetuous young man known as Anakin Skywalker, stood just off to his side, fidgeting faintly. They had arrived back on Coruscant not long ago after an extended, and exhausting, mission on Ansion. Expecting at least a few days of rest and relaxation before their next mission came up, both were surprised when they got a summons from the Council requesting their presence at an emergency Council meeting. Knowing that the Council wouldn't ask them to attend unless it was absolutely necessary, both he and his Padawan anxiously hurried to the Council chambers to find out what was going on.
"A new circumstance, one that requires your assistance, has arisen."
Obi-Wan and Anakin turned to look at the grave face of Master Windu as he made his declaration. Both were thinking the same thing, what could have possibly happened to warrant our need to get involved?
"Know, you do, about the most recent attempt on Senator Amidala's life, hmmm?" Yoda questioned the two figures before him.
At the mention of Padmé's name, Obi-Wan felt a change in his apprentice's demeanor. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Anakin stiffen slightly and could sense the emotions rolling off the young man's body like the torrent of a waterfall. This was most disturbing to him as a Jedi was supposed to suppress and control his emotions, not let them overwhelm and distress him. There was anxiety, fear, concern, and even some relief mixed together. What disturbed him most, though, was the slight feeling of anger and even the hint of vengeance that he sensed as well before his apprentice managed to pull himself together and bottle his emotions up. Anakin's reaction, however, didn't go unnoticed by the Council as all twelve members turned to face the young man.
"Is there a problem, young Skywalker?" Mace Windu asked him, a serious expression on his face.
Anakin looked up into Master Windu's piercing gaze as he answered.
"No Master. I'm just concerned about the safety and well-being of the good Senator. I have known her for many years and I do consider her a friend." Anakin hoped that the Council would accept his reasons for why he felt such emotional turmoil. Of course, part of what he said was the truth: he was concerned about her, but not just because he considered her a friend; but the Council didn't need to know his real feelings towards Padmé.
The dark-skinned Master critically eyed the apprentice for a moment before returning his attention to the matter at hand.
"Only a few hours ago, as the Senator was returning from Naboo, her cruiser was destroyed. Luckily, the Senator herself was flying in one of the escort ships and was not harmed in the attempt. Unfortunately, the Senator's decoy and several members of the Senator's party were killed. Due to this terrible tragedy, the Chancellor has requested that Senator Amidala be placed under Jedi protection until further notice. The Council has decided to assign you, Master Kenobi, and your Padawan to the task."
As Obi-Wan bowed his head in acceptance to the assignment, he a sudden spurt of pleasure roll of his Padawan before Anakin managed to cover it up. He knew of the young man's affections for the young Senator and he hoped that Anakin would have enough sense to keep his emotions in check.
Anakin, though extremely pleased with the Council's decision, had to wonder why they had chosen them specifically.
"Masters," Anakin asked, "why were Master Kenobi and I chosen for this task?"
"Chosen, you were," Yoda began, "because reluctant, Senator Amidala was to accept Jedi protection. Felt it was best, the Chancellor did, to choose a team familiar with the Senator. Agree, we did. Want to complicate the situation, we did not."
"That's fine with us, Masters," Obi-Wan stated. "When do we begin?"
"To Senator Amidala's apartment, you will go. Awaiting you, she is. But alone in this task, you will not be."
At Yoda's last statement, both Obi-Wan and Anakin turned confused faces towards the Masters, hoping for an explanation.
"The Senator will have another protector," Master Windu clarified.
"Another Jedi?"
"Not another Jedi. But someone else, someone who has informed us that he has an important task he needs to accomplish. His name is Luca Redenov. He hasn't told us explicitly what he needs to do, though he has given us a brief description of what he hopes to accomplish. Though there is much we don't know about this task, we do believe he is telling us the truth and have given him both the aid and the blessing of the Jedi. He asked to be a part of the Senator's security detail and we agreed. You will be working with him and if he decides to inform you of this task of his, then he will do so. He has told us only some of what it is about, which we will inform you about in the next Council meeting."
This sounded suspicious, even to Obi-Wan's ears, but he knew that in a matter as important as the Senator's safety, the Council would never involve anyone they felt would be a danger or a detriment to the task at hand, even if he was a stranger with a mysterious past.
"As you wish, Masters. My Padawan and I will depart for the Senator's apartment immediately to reacquaint ourselves with her and to familiarize ourselves with her security personnel. We will also find this Luca and discuss the situation with him, as well as with the Senator's security team. Afterwards, we will return back here for the next Council meeting and find out more about this mysterious Luca."
"Agreed." Master Windu nodded and watched as Obi-Wan and Anakin left the Council chambers to report for duty.