Anakin stood on the landing pad, watching the techs prepare the Fahren for launch. He could have done it himself but the techs had made it clear, without speaking, that his assistance wasn't needed. Instead, Anakin had taken a step backwards and enjoyed the moment. A light breeze was whistling between the buildings. The landing pad was bustling and busy, running to its own rhythm. It reminded him of the frantic pace of working in Watto's garage - life there had never been easy but there had been no shortage of broken machinery to occupy his little hands. Being in the middle of all the activity was more soothing than the most silent of meditation rooms that the Jedi Temple had to offer.
"It's good to smell fresh air again," said Anakin. "Isn't it?"
Beside him, a young Obi-Wan was grinning and leaning against the railing to watch the traffic flying past.
"After eight months in quarantine, being anywhere feels fantastic," agreed Obi-Wan.
"I was beginning to think they might never let us out," said Anakin.
"Well," said Obi-Wan. "To be fair, I don't think they have to enforce a time travel quarantine that often."
"That often?" snorted Anakin. "I think they had to write new legislation just to make it legal."
"I think they were hoping if they locked us in for long enough, we'd just disappear of our own accord."

Anakin held out his hands and subjected them to a thorough examination.
"No," said Anakin, finally. "Still here."
Obi-Wan laughed, convincing Anakin that was all was okay with the world. After being confined together in close quarters for so long, Anakin was pleased to discover that they enjoyed each other's company. Young Obi-Wan had the same serious nature as the older Obi-Wan, but he was a little quicker to laugh or smile - and far less confident of his own abilities.

Obi-Wan's smile dimmed slightly as he glanced over Anakin's shoulder. Obi-Wan straightened from the position where he'd been lounging against the railing. Anakin didn't need to look to know that this meant one of the older Jedi was approaching. Anakin turned, recognising his own Master approaching. This was the Obi-Wan Kenobi that Anakin had known for half his life, who had trained him and raised him. He was nearly ten years older and a fully fledged Jedi knight. They had taken to calling this older Obi-Wan 'Ben'. To the rest of the galaxy, Ben and Obi-Wan were considered the descendents of a Jedi Master from the Clone Wars. Less than twenty people knew that all three were actually the same person, from different time periods.

The woman who would be the final member of their mission walked beside Ben, duffel bag over her shoulder and a green coat wrapped tightly around her body as if to ward off the cold. She was dressed for practicality, in plain clothes and sturdy boots. She wore no make-up but the edges of her fringe were braided, beaded, and tucked behind her ears. She was about five inches shorter than Ben, coming only up to his shoulder - all the more obvious as she walked so close to him that the two were almost touching. To the uninitiated, she could have been taken for a human woman like any other in the galaxy; the truth being that she was of a near-human species called the Ekash and a political refugee from her homeworld. Anakin and Obi-Wan had met her when they arrived but had not seen her in person during the long months of quarantine. Anakin thought she looked fitter and healthier than when he'd first seen her, though she still watched her surroundings with a nervous energy.

"Padawans," smiled Ben, inclining his head in greeting.
"Master," responded Anakin warmly.
Obi-Wan inclined his head formally, "Master Kenobi."
Emalda came to an awkward stop beside Ben, most of her attention on the techs surrounding the ship.
"Enjoying the fresh air?" asked Ben.
"Making the most of it before we board the ship," said Anakin.
"Coruscant and fresh air are not words often found together," said Obi-Wan dryly.
Ben chuckled in amusement, "Some things never change."

"I take it the both of you remember Emalda Colash?" asked Ben, placing a careful hand on Emalda's shoulder.
Emalda flinched at the casual touch before relaxing and turning a shy smile of apology on Ben. She took a deep breath before making eye-contact with Anakin and Obi-Wan.
"Padawans," she said, bobbing her head sharply.
"Miss Colash," said Obi-Wan.
"Miss Colash," echoed Anakin. "How has the Fahren been holding up while we've been... away?"
Emalda's expression brightened.
"I have been roughening out some of the edges," said Emalda. "But I haven't been able to fly it as much as I'd like."
"That's a shame," said Anakin. "A ship like her shouldn't be grounded. It's just wrong."
"She belongs in space," said Emalda. "I... haven't really had anywhere to take her."
"Leia... I mean, Minister Organa-Solo, said that you were busy doing some administrative work for her office."
Emalda snorted, probably the most natural response Anakin had ever seen her give.
She stiffened up again, "I'm not really suited to administrative work."

Tightening her grip on her duffel bag, Emalda walked up the ramp into the Fahren. Anakin made as if to follow her but Ben put a restraining hand on his arm.
"Give her a moment," said Ben. "She doesn't mean to be so abrupt."
"Of course she doesn't," said Anakin. "She's still getting used to being around so many people."
Ben looked impressed and released Anakin's arm. Anakin couldn't help returning the smile but still wondered why stating the obvious had triggered it.

"Have you had a chance to transfer your belongings onboard?" asked Ben.
"Not yet, Master," said Anakin. "We were waiting for Miss Colash."
"Well, we had best join her," said Ben. "There's no telling how long we'll be on board."
"Have you seen Master Qui-Gon?" asked Obi-Wan.
"I believe Leia needed to discuss something with him," said Ben. "He should be down shortly."
Anakin followed Ben's gaze to see Qui-Gon watching them through a distant window. It could have been his imagination but he thought that Qui-Gon's stern gaze was focused on him. He shrugged away his discomfort to walk up the Fahren's ramp side by side with Obi-Wan.