Author's Note: Apologies for the long delay in updates. My Grandad passed away and it's been a hard month. I feel like life is just now getting back to normal and I can resume posting again.

Ranun was hovering just outside the door. It did little to improve Anakin's mood as he sat in a private booth and glared at the holographic projector. He had tried three of the devices already, gradually coming to the frustrating conclusion that the transmitters were functioning perfectly. The lack of a return signal meant the Fahren's computer wasn't even acknowledging Anakin's transmission, which meant that something was very wrong at the other end.

Anakin gave in and broadcast a general message, in the hope that someone might re-transmit the message.
"This is a message for Ben Kenobi from Anakin Skywalker," began Anakin. "Master, we have reason to believe there is going to be an attempt on your lives. Obi-Wan and I will continue to investigate here on Wefhuk until we hear from you."
Anakin made to switch off the projector but hesitated.
"Master...," said Anakin softly. "I'm worried... that something's happened to you. Please contact me."
He stepped backwards, switching off the projector.

He turned and pulled the booth door open fast enough to deposit the eavesdropping Ranun onto the floor. Anakin stepped over him without a backward glance and stalked towards the lift. He'd nearly reached it when the reception nurse intercepted him.
"We have an incoming transmission for an Anakin Skywalker," said the nurse. "Is that you?"
Anakin nearly bowled Ranun over in his haste to return to the booth.
"I'll take that as a yes," muttered the nurse, returning to his station.

Anakin dove back into the booth and shut the door firmly in Ranun's face. The transmitter was recording a live signal from a ship called the Armistice. Anakin activated the transmission and a hologram of Ben's familiar features materialised in front of him. Standing only a few inches tall, the holographic Ben smiled tiredly and relaxed as he recognised Anakin. Anakin scrutinised the image, still unable to shake the powerful sense that his Master needed him.
"Anakin, you needn't worry," said Ben, apparently reading Anakin's expression accurately. "A bomb was detonated in the Fahren's cargo bay but nobody was hurt. A passing ship called the Armistice has stopped to render assistance and is transporting us to Canemone Station."
"A bomb?" asked Anakin, unable to conceal the alarm in his voice. "How big of a bomb?"
"Not big enough," joked Ben.
Anakin's smile was strained, even though he had seen his Master face far greater perils over the years. Ben's expression grew serious as he picked up on Anakin's mood.

"The Fahren has been badly damaged," said Ben, glancing over his shoulder at something outside of Anakin's line of sight. "But it had a few bomb detection sensors we didn't know about. The ship was dropping out of hyperspace before we knew what was happening. We're all fine, Anakin, I promise you."
Anakin swallowed and tried to smother a memory of debris in space after an explosion in hyperspace - there had been children involved and no survivors. The debris had been scattered over the width of parsecs, falling as a gruesome rain across the spacelane.
"I know who planted it," said Anakin menacingly.

Ben did not look impressed and Anakin floundered for a moment, trying to guess what he'd done. Ben looked suspicious.
"What exactly have you been doing?" asked Ben. "You promised to remain in the presence of one of Investigator's Tylip's officers at all times."
"We have," said Anakin hurriedly. "One's eavesdropping at the door right now."
Anakin gestured over his shoulder at the door behind him. Ben sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I wish someone had warned us they were such an untrusting people," said Ben.
"I think I know why they're wary," said Anakin. "Investigator Irus asked to speak to us. The one who nearly hit me with a speederbike, remember? She hinted that one of their sources had fingered us as being party to the smuggling ring. Irus believes we weren't involved but Tylip... well, you've met him."
"You're saying, we all stood by and watched while he and his officers loaded the Fahren's cargo bay with explosives?" asked Ben, his eyes narrowing. "We'll definitely be having a word with him when we get back. You and Obi-Wan watch your backs. Tylip might already know we survived."
"You're the one who needs to be careful, Master," said Anakin. "Tylip left Wefhuk shortly after you did."
"Did he now?" said Ben, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Coming to check the explosives did their job, perhaps?"

Ben glanced behind him again, before coming to a decision.
"Normally, I'd ask you to wait for us before investigating any further," said Ben. "But in this case, delay might mean another attempt on our lives. The sooner we get to the bottom of this, the better. It seems Emalda has had contact with the smugglers. They planted stolen goods on her to avoid security and the mugging was an attempt to recover them."
"Does she know where it happened?" asked Anakin, leaning forward in interest.
"They sold her a prohibited item and hid their own loot in the wrapping," explained Ben. "The one who seemed to be in charge was a human bartender named Chara Polli. Polli is blonde and middle-aged, with a heavy build. She works at Tscoruh Bar. There's also a female Twi'lek bartender and a serving droid designated W3-D7. The droid's personality sub-routines are compromised so it's probably been pressed into service as a slicer or hacker."
"Right," said Anakin. "Since the Investigative Service is being generally unhelpful, did you want me to contact Spaceport Security with this information?"
"Best not to," said Ben. "Emalda was put in touch with the smugglers by Spaceport Security Officer Crose."
"The same officer who was conveniently absent when Emalda was being attacked?" asked Anakin. "And whose information prompted us to leave Wefhuk?"

"The very same," agreed Ben. "We can't trust Spaceport Security and, it seems, the Investigative Service doesn't trust us."
"Obi-Wan and I will head to Tscoruh and see what kind of trouble we can find."
"Knowing you, you'll find it," said Ben. "Just be extra careful."
"We will," said Anakin. "You too, Master."
Ben nodded and terminated the transmission.

Anakin worried his lip with his teeth, wondering how difficult it might be to lose Ranun before they went to Tscoruh Bar. He pushed open the door to the booth, finding a wide-eyed Ranun standing several feet away from the door. The Investigator had adopted such as casually relaxed posture that Anakin knew he'd been eavesdropping. Anakin thought that could work to his advantage.
"You have no objections to going back upstairs?" asked Anakin in a friendly tone.
"No," said Ranun quickly.
"Oh, good," said Anakin. "I have something I want to talk to you about."
Anakin smiled pleasantly at him, which the Investigator seemed to find extremely disturbing.