"Master Kenobi, I'm a bit concerned with Anakin," Ferus admitted, and Obi-Wan focused on him intently.
"Oh?"
Ferus knew he had to be careful. Obi-Wan was not only Anakin's master, but Ferus's own master's best friend.
"I'm still investigating Reymet, and he keeps dropping hints about knowing some secret goings-on at the school, and has even hinted he knows something about Gillam's disappearance, but I also think he knows more than what he's revealed or hinted to me. I think he's hinting about the secret squad that Anakin has infiltrated."
"And how does this deal with your concern about Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked
"He . . . sympathizes with them," Ferus admitted. "He thinks that because they feel the school won't help them out that they are free to do what they want. He agrees that there is favoritism, and he seems to approve of their actions. He said they were like Jedi, fighting for good causes but without a Council." Ferus paused. "He didn't seem to like it when I said that the Council is what makes us Jedi."
Obi-Wan chuckled.
"I would guess he wouldn't," he agreed. "If the Council is what makes a Jedi a Jedi, then Master Fay and even arguably Master Kastor aren't very good Jedi are they? That doesn't discount the other nomadic Jedi in the galaxy."
Ferus flushed, not thinking about that conclusion. While he had some issues with how both Jedi acted and worked, they were both Jedi Masters, far wiser than Ferus, and he knew it was beyond both his station and even simply dishonorable as a Jedi to doubt them, especially with how dedicated both were.
Obi-Wan chuckled again, seeing Ferus's flushed face.
"Be at peace, Ferus," Obi-Wan said, "however, remember that the Council is there to help guide the Order as a whole, but what makes us Jedi is our belief in the basic tenets of the Code and our understanding to follow the will of the Force. I don't necessarily disagree with you, Ferus," Obi-Wan said kindly, "but remember that the Council is not infallible and will always bow to the will of the Force. We are servants of the Force, and the Council is not what makes us servants. The Order has existed without a Council before . . . long ago, in darker times, true, but still, we were Jedi then and also before we had a Council."
Ferus nodded.
"Now, as for Anakin, your concern is noted. You must remember that Anakin has experienced life quite differently than you. He understands the imbalance in the world far more than most Jedi do. You may not see the scholarship students as being treated worse, but that doesn't mean they aren't being treated so. I'm not saying that justifies their actions, far from it, but keep in mind that Anakin might see things more clearly than you do, based on his experiences, but it's equally true that his experiences could be coloring his perception."
Ferus nodded slowly, seeing what Obi-Wan was saying. Granted, Obi-Wan was Anakin's master. He knew him far better than Ferus did, but Ferus still knew that there was darkness in Anakin, darkness that others either didn't want to see or chose not to see.
"Now, Anakin certainly does agree with you that they're hiding something, and his feelings on the matter could be clouding his judgment in not seeing them as mercenaries who might have kidnapped a child or assassinated the leader of Tierell a few weeks back, but as I have told him, you must have trust in your fellow Padawans," Obi-Wan said with a grin, and Ferus winced.
Obi-Wan laughed, and Ferus sighed.
"If it makes you feel any better, Ferus, Siri and I didn't really trust each other either when we were younger," Obi-Wan said, and Ferus blinked in surprise.
With how close the two were, Ferus found that hard to believe. Siri had told him some stories of adventures with Obi-Wan, and she'd said they were rivals, but never painted it as blatant distrust or dislike.
"Oh, yes," Obi-Wan said with a nod. "She thought I was an embarrassment as a Jedi and that I brought shame to the Order as well as the title of Padawan."
Ferus couldn't help gape slightly at that. The "Sith killer" bring shame to the Order? His Master said that? The woman who often muttered, "What would Obi-Wan do?" or "Where's kriffing Obi-Wan when I need him?"
"Give it time, Ferus," Obi-Wan said, "but I thank you for your concern and I hear what you are saying. Trust me, I do hear your concerns."
Ferus nodded, knowing nothing else could be said.
**The Will of the Force**
"Obi-Wan, I caution you to broaden your mindset," Adi advised him. "You have evidence that Sano Sauro is in contact with Rana Halion, who is behind the kidnapping, but I worry that your bias against Sauro is affecting your judgment."
Obi-Wan huffed in frustration, but nodded at her in understanding. Adi was always a good source for advise or perspective, something Kastor often said.
Nobody, not even Master Alam Syk, the best security expert at the Temple, could find any trace of what happened the night Gillam disappeared. The note that Tartari had been given seemed more like a delaying tactic rather than any sort of letter that would lead to a ransom.
From a little digging, he'd become sure that Sano Sauro was working with Rana Halion, and he had some evidence to suggest that was true, which he'd gotten from Tyro, but there was no evidence to suggest he had any reason to be involved in the kidnapping of Gillam. All he'd been able to prove was that Sauro was looking into Tyro, and even a confrontation with Sauro just left Obi-Wan irritated and the man smug and threatening legal actions against Obi-Wan. Plus, mentioning Gillam hadn't shaken Sauro at all.
Perhaps Adi was right. Perhaps his bias was affecting his judgment. Still, he wanted to be sure. He knew Sauro was in contact with Omega, who was a criminal. That suggested Sauro might be in contact with other ones. If he could tie him to this, it could also help him get information on Omega.
**The Will of the Force**
The secret squad met almost every day. Anakin was surprised at the number of proposals for help they received, from groups and individuals all over the galaxy. The squad had only been in operation for six months, and the word of mouth had spread. Rolai received the requests on a datapad Ze had tweaked so that the routing system was too complicated to trace, or at least supposed to be. Credits were deposited in a secret account in an Andoran bank known for discretion.
Anakin admired the group's professionalism. They discussed the proposals seriously, and he was impressed at Marit's knowledge of galactic politics and history. It was obvious that they needed a mission soon, for their treasury was low and they needed supplies.
Anakin was heading to his last class when he saw the signal for an evening meeting. As soon as the free period began, he headed for a storeroom located near the students' rooms. The storeroom wasn't used at such hours and they did not have to pass through security checkpoints to get to it from their rooms. It was a private place to meet.
He slipped inside the room to find the others waiting. He got the sense that they had been talking before he entered. "Do we have a proposal?" he asked, sitting down on the floor next to Hurana.
"No," Rolai said. "It's just a general meeting. Anybody have anything?"
"Just stuff we can't afford," Ze said. "I haven't wanted to bring this up, but we've got to upgrade our comlinks. We've got to get some holographic capabilities pretty soon. And if we don't up-tech the drivers, we'll be blasting static when we go past the Core. I have an idea how I can do a basic upgrade without dipping into the treasury, but it's going to be complicated." Ze launched into a highly technical discussion that obviously left the rest of the squad behind.
"So if I patch into the C-board here and steal some juice from the circuit, I can maybe extend the range from meta to mega if the systems don't chatter and I don't pulverize the school mainframe," Ze concluded cheerfully.
"Affirmatively good work, Ze-tech." Tulah nodded his head in approval, but it was obvious he hadn't a clue as to what Ze was talking about. By the looks on the faces of the rest, they felt the same.
"Don't forget to bypass the transit sensor when you patch," Anakin said. "Otherwise you'll end up with a cinder instead of a comlink."
"An excellent point," Ze said, impressed.
"I was going to say that transit thing," Tulah said. "I mean, I would have if I'd known what Ze was talking about.
Marit gave Anakin a sidelong look. "You know comm systems?"
"Some," Anakin said. As a slave at Watto's shop, he had learned how to fix anything. Jedi were expected to know a bit more. He wasn't as good as some, but he could get by better than most people in the galaxy. "I know droid circuits better."
"That's good, because we might be in the market for an astromech," Tulah said. "Love those little guys. Hurana has been shopping for a couple of used A-6 interceptors, and a couple of astromechs are key. By the way, we really need to get some starfighters soon. This hitching rides on freighters has got to stop."
"I agree," Rolai said. "They're slow."
"Right. But what I really meant was, the food is terrible," Tulah said. "Bleh."
"What's the weapon capability of the interceptors?" Rolai asked Hurana.
"Turbolaser cannons, very sweet," Hurana said. "Both ships are in good shape. The only problem is that one of them has a tendency to cut out during dives."
"That could be a minor inconvenience," Tulah said. "Remind me to fly in the other one."
Everyone laughed, but Anakin noted how their intense looks never changed. He was impressed with their focus.
"I've gone on a couple of test flights and it's a pretty consistent problem," Hurana admitted. "Last time I came within twenty meters of complete annihilation on the planet surface before I was able to pull out."
"That sounds dangerous," Anakin said. The flow of conversation was fast and decisive. It told him better than words what a tightly knit team this was.
She flashed him a grin. "That's what made it fun."
"What about a hyperdrive?" Marit asked.
Hurana shook her head. "We might be able to add it. But that means major investment capital."
"Don't worry about that," Rolai said.
"Why not?" Marit said. "The treasury is completely zilched."
"I'm working on it," Rolai said. "Just draw up your wish lists, and I'll let you know what we can handle."
"Sounds like my speed," Tulah said. "Numbers are not my thing."
"I've got a wish list, too," Rolai said. "Speaking of upgrades, our weapons are sad. A couple of blasters aren't going to get us very far. We need some secondary weaponry. Some thermal detonators, a flechette launcher, maybe some missile tubes - "
"Hang on," Marit said. "We're not an army."
"Sure we are," Rolai said. "If we act like it, we'd better have the stuff to back it up. Things would have gone a lot better on Tierell if we'd had the firepower - "
"Or a lot worse," Marit shot back.
"Not this again," Rolai said, rolling his eyes. "Six blasters for six members is the bare minimum. If we'd had a flechette launcher - "
"You're right, Rolai," Marit said. "We've gone over this too many times. Let's just be glad the mission was a success. Now we'd better get back to our rooms."
Anakin hung back as the others slipped out the door. He closed it behind them and turned to face Marit.
"We'd better get going," she said. "Lights out will be soon - "
"What was that about?" Anakin asked.
"What?" Marit said evasively.
"He said six blasters," Anakin said.
"What?"
"He said you had six blasters for six members. But there are only five."
"Six, counting you."
"But I wasn't on the mission to Tierell."
Marit shrugged. "Rolai meant now, not then. Six blasters for six members."
Anakin let it pass, feeling like this was a chance to get some information that he, Ferus, and Obi-Wan wanted. "Tell me about Tierell."
Marit turned away. "I don't want to tell you about Tierell."
"Something's bothering you about it," Anakin said. "Maybe if you tell me, I can help."
"I don't need help," Marit snapped.
"Okay," Anakin said. "Then let's say I deserve to know. I'm putting my life on the line, too, you know."
Marit's brown eyes studied him. He knew the moment she decided to trust him. It only took a few seconds. He was beginning to see that Marit didn't like to waste time. "We had trouble. We'd been hired to slip into the Leader's Advisors' Chambers and dismantle security. The room was supposed to be empty, but the advisors were having a meeting. We had a battle with some security droids. The blaster fire was incredible. We could barely handle it. And... in the confusion, the leader of Tierell was killed."
"Who did it?" Anakin asked.
Marit hesitated. Then she took a deep breath. "I did."
Slowly, she sank back down to a crouching position on the floor. Her hands dangled between her knees. "I've gone over it and over it, and I still don't know why or how it happened. The success of the mission depended on it. The freedom of the beings of Tierell depended on it. Maybe my friends' lives depended on it. Maybe mine. In other words . . ." Marit shrugged. "Everything depended on it. But I can't stop thinking . . ."
"That it could have gone another way." Anakin knew that feeling. He, too, had taken a life. More than one. He didn't like to think about it. Those experiences were locked in a place in his mind where he did not go.
He crouched down in front of her. "If everything depended on it, you did the right thing. If you can't make yourself believe that, you'll drive yourself crazy."
She looked into his face searchingly. "You seem to know how I feel."
"I do," Anakin said. He stood and held out his hand. She took it and he helped bring her to her feet. "You see?" he said. "Everybody needs help sometime."
**The Will of the Force**
"I think she lied about the blasters, but I don't know why," Anakin told Obi-Wan in their next communication.
"Do you think Gillam was once part of the squad?"
"That doesn't make sense. He's not a scholarship student. But something is up, I can feel it. Something with Rolai isn't right. Maybe he knows something. He's in charge of security, and also the treasury. None of the others seem to care about how he handles it. Maybe . . . I don't know, maybe he decided to raise money by kidnapping Gillam and holding him for ransom, but he didn't tell the others."
"Maybe," Obi-Wan said doubtfully. He sounded distracted, as though he weren't really listening to Anakin. "But Tarturi hasn't received a ransom demand."
"Yet. I'm not sure what to think," Anakin confessed. "I can't imagine the group kidnapping Gillam. They're all pretty dedicated. Marit has an incredible grasp of galactic politics. She knows what's being debated in the Senate right down to the subcommittee hearings. And she always comes in on the right side."
"And how do you know it's the right side?" Obi-Wan asked, his voice dry. "Because you agree with it?"
Anakin shrugged.
"The galaxy is not black and white, Anakin," Obi-Wan said softly. "You would do well to remember that. Some things, but often those involved with things that are wrong often have their reasons, perhaps good perhaps bad. Most bad people think they are doing the right thing. Just think on that."
Anakin nodded.
"Yes, Master. Have you made progress in the Senate?"
Obi-Wan sighed. "Yes and no. Nothing to report yet. I'm sure there is a connection between Rana Halion and Sano Sauro, but I can't find it."
"Rana Halion?"
"Ruler of Ieria. The leader of the countermovement in that system. I think she might have something to do with Gillam's disappearance. Keep me informed if you learn anything more, Padawan."
"Yes, Master."
Anakin frowned as Obi-Wan cut the communication.
His Master had not been very forthcoming with information. And he did not seem interested in the secret squad. Anakin had the feeling that Obi-Wan didn't think they were involved in Gillam's disappearance.
But Anakin felt differently.
And here, he could follow his own rules. All his life, he had known only two ways to live: as a slave, or as a Jedi. As a young boy on Tatooine he had looked to the Jedi as the most free beings in the galaxy. Even before he knew much about them, he had dreamed of being a Jedi.
But was being a Jedi being free? Or had he traded one form of slavery for another?
The thought was so shocking that Anakin couldn't face it once he dredged it up. He tucked it away in the place in his mind that he did not visit. It was a place where fear ruled. He never went there, not even in the middle of the night when he woke, his head full of dreams, and did not know where he was or why his mother was not near.
Anakin put his comlink back into his tunic. For the first time since entering the school, returning to comm silence did not make him feel cut off. He was glad not to answer to anyone, even for twenty-four hours. He headed out to find Marit and the squad, where there were no Masters to chide him.
**The Will of the Force**
Kastor walked through the Senate building, doing his best to keep his center and keep the grimace off his face. While he had not stepped foot in the Senate building in this current time, he knew there were a great many Jedi who did every day, so he figured one more wouldn't draw any notice . . . but he was wrong.
Apparently, people did notice an unfamiliar Jedi moving through the Senate building. In the grand scheme of things, it really didn't matter, but Kastor really didn't like being noticed by the type of people in the Senate building. He'd lived most of his life trying to avoid notice from people like these. People with power. Whether they were powerful Sith Lords, politicians, warlords, royalty, or just the extremely wealthy, to Kastor there were specific times to draw their attention, and even then one should only draw attention of those intended, not mass attention with no gain.
Still, he had a job to do, an old friend to see, and he just had to hope that none of these people occasionally glancing at him were all that curious about one unknown Jedi.
It was probably a good thing that Rhys hadn't come though. He'd originally wanted him to come, but he would have brought Asuna with him and probably Koba and Des, and the last thing Kastor needed was three Mandalorians and an Antarian Ranger walking with him like an entourage. That would draw even the dullest of Senator's eyes towards him.
No, Rhys was off to talk to a representative from Kuat Drives, and Asuna, Des, and Koba were all starting to headhunt who they wanted to try and recruit to the team, and probably already looking for potential jobs.
Kastor finally made it out of the corridor and entered into the entryway of the office he was looking for, and found himself facing a young woman, who was sitting at a desk, looking down at a datapad.
"Can I help you?" the woman asked, not really looking up.
"Yes, I'm hoping to see Senator Amidala, if she is free," Kastor replied politely.
"Do you have an appointment?" the woman asked absently.
"No, but I'm an old friend, and need to see her on a matter of importance," Kastor replied, wondering if perhaps the girl he remembered had changed that much. He and Rhys had certainly followed her career, and he didn't think she'd become one who was enamored with her power and prestige, but it did happen.
"The Senator is very busy, and deals with matters of importance at every turn," the woman replied dismissively. "She's much too busy to deal with old friends whenever they feel like it. If you would like to schedule an appointment, I'd be happy to help you. To do so, I need your name, the reason for your visit, and which planet of the Chrommell Sector you are here on behalf of."
Before Kastor could reply, the door to the Senator's office opened up and out strolled a familiar Gungan who stopped and beamed upon seeing Kastor there.
"Kassie? Kassie!" Jar Jar yelled happily and moved forward, and Kastor chuckled as the clumsy Gungan grabbed Kastor's hand and eagerly and enthusiastically started shaking it.
"It's good to see you too, Jar Jar," Kastor said with a smile. "It's been a long time."
"I'm sorry, Representative Binks," the woman said, glancing at them in confusion and only now taking in his Jedi robes. "He wanted to see the Senator, but I was just telling him that he'd need an appointment."
"Wesa old friends! Mesa tink da Senator would loven to see Master Kassie," Jar Jar said happily. "Hesa hero of Naboo!"
"H-hero of Naboo," the woman stumbled, her face paling significantly.
"Jar Jar overstates my importance," Kastor responded, hoping to put the woman at ease. "Still, if you don't mind?"
"Um - of course not, Master Jedi," the woman said, recovering slightly. "My apologies."
"No apologies necessary," Kastor said easily, before smiling at Jar Jar. "It seems you're off on a task, so we'll have to catch up later, my old friend. Perhaps dinner this evening?"
Jar Jar nodded eagerly. "Thas a grand idea."
Kastor grinned before he walked over and entered the Senatorial office.
"Oh please, no more datapads with things for me to read," Padme's voice said tiredly from where she was seated behind her desk. "I'm not sure I even want to see another person for the rest of the day."
"Not even an old friend?" Kastor asked, and Padme's face shot up and her eyes brightened with shock but delight.
"Master Shan!" she said, and stood up, making her way around the desk with a friendly smile.
"Oh, please don't tell me we've gone back to formalities," Kastor said with a mournful sigh, and she laughed the same youthful laugh he remembered before she approached, and to his slight surprise opened her arms for a hug, which he gave freely, and she kissed his cheek.
"No formalities necessary, Kastor," Padme said, pulling back. "Now, what brings you to see me? Last I remember, you rarely venture to Coruscant, if you can help it."
"Well, we can't always help it, and times change," Kastor answered with a wry smile and she grinned and nodded ruefully. "I do have some business to talk with you about, but if you have some time, I would prefer to hear about how you're fitting in as a Senator and some of your stories from your last tenure as a queen before we get to business."
"We can do that, but only if you tell me some tales of your journeys since we last saw each other," Padme shot back and Kastor grinned and nodded.
"Senator, I'm sorry to interrupt," the aide from out front said, a bit nervously.
Kastor saw a bit of weariness appear on Padme's face before it quickly disappeared, and she smiled over.
"What is it, Versé? Padme asked kindly.
"I'm sorry, m'lady," Versé said, truly sounding apologetic. It made him wonder if her dismissive attitude from before was simply her taking some heat to make Padme's life easier, "but the delegation from Malestare has moved up the meeting on fuel exportation. Senator Kronin wanted you to be aware."
Padme nodded.
"Thank you, my friend. I will head over there shortly."
Her attendant nodded and walked back out.
Padme sighed.
"I'm afraid that we'll have to catch up another time," she said, a bit sadly.
"Do you have plans tonight?" Kastor asked. "I already invited Jar Jar out for dinner, and I have a few other mutual friends you might enjoy seeing that will be joining, as well as some new friends of mine I'd like to introduce to you. That doesn't factor in other friends of mine that I'm sure you'd enjoy meeting."
Padme brightened.
"That truly sounds wonderful, though I'm not sure my security detail will like going to whatever place you intend to go," Padme admitted. "Not without a proper background check."
Kastor chuckled.
"Do you trust me?" he asked.
"Of course," she said, with an interested tilt of her head.
"Then, I can smuggle you out of your residence this evening, and escort you to dinner. Your security won't even have to know . . . except for the letter that we'll leave for them of course."
Padme laughed.
"Alright, Master Jedi," she said teasingly. "If you think you can breach my security and get me out for a night of fun, I'm certainly not going to protest."
Kastor grinned mischievously.
"Well, then, my friend. I will see you this evening for dinner."
**The Will of the Force**
Anakin was filled with excitement about the coming mission that he'd just learned about. On one hand, what Merit had explained about the imbalance in the Andaran system, since Andara's Senator only really enriched Andara and not the whole Andaran system, made him eager to help right the imbalance, but with Rana Halion apparently involved, Anakin thought he might find answers about Gillam's disappearance.
Rana Halion was who Obi-Wan had most recently mentioned as being possibly involved, and her name popping up again couldn't be a coincidence. She had hired their squad to strike for her countermovement, which would go against Berm Tartari. Anakin was sure the answers were there, and that Gillam was on Ieria, Rana's homeworld, also in the Andaran system.
They were leaving tomorrow, and he was sure that he'd find his answers. First, he needed to update Ferus though.
He saw Ferus in the hall between classes and signaled that he needed to talk to him. They met in Ferus's room and closed the door. They had a few minutes before the midday meal before they needed to pass the checkpoint to the dining hall.
Anakin quickly filled in Ferus on what had happened.
Ferus frowned. "You told Marit that you would go?"
"I think I should," Anakin said. "I still have a feeling about Gillam."
"That's fine," Ferus said. "But penetrating a planet's airspace? You can't do that."
"No one will be hurt."
"How can you be sure of that? Are you saying that no one will fire their laser cannons? Are you saying that if they fire on you or the others, you won't fire back? Think about it, Anakin! And what about the reaction in the Senate? This will be seen as an unprovoked attack on Andara."
"Not unprovoked," Anakin argued. "Senator Tarturi refuses to negotiate a compromise. This will force him to."
Ferus shook his head. "Jedi can't take part in such things. Have you told Obi-Wan this?"
"No," Anakin admitted. "Our next scheduled communication isn't until tonight."
"We can use the emergency signaling system," Ferus said.
"But that could blow our cover! We're on comm silence. The school could trace the frequency."
"We have to risk it," Ferus said. "I can't believe that you even considered going without consulting him. Even you should know that - "
"Even me?" Anakin took a step toward Ferus, angry now. "What does that mean, Ferus?"
Ferus went very still. "A personal argument is not productive," he said stiffly. "Will you meet me later and contact Obi-Wan?"
Anakin counted several beats of his tripping heart. He accepted his anger and tried to let it go. He pictured it leaving him like a black storm cloud blown by a high wind, but traces of it clung to him and he could not shake it off.
"Yes," he said reluctantly.
He left and hurried toward the dining hall. He sat with Marit and Hurana. Hurana was quiet, but Marit was in high spirits. They did not talk about the mission ahead, but the secret lay between them, giving a charge to their conversation. He could see that Marit had accepted him fully into the squad. She trusted him now.
But you're going to betray that trust.
Was he? He hoped not. But the time was coming when he would have to leave the school and the squad.
Anakin went to his next class so that he would not be missed and compromise the squad. Then he faked an illness and started toward the med clinic. Their emergency plan was for Ferus to also fake a reason to leave class. They were to meet in his room.
Ferus wasn't there. Anakin waited, watching the clock, knowing that he was pushing his luck. When Ferus didn't appear, Anakin hurried to his next class. He would see Ferus there, and he hoped to get a chance to ask him why he had insisted on a meeting he didn't show up for. Maybe he was busy polishing his utility belt.
Anakin took his usual seat. He glanced over, but Ferus's seat was empty. The professor began, but Anakin couldn't listen. Ferus's seat remained empty. Suddenly, Anakin was seriously worried.
After class, Anakin walked quickly through the halls. He searched the library, Ferus's room, and all the classrooms. He searched the athletic fields and the research centers and the computer labs. He casually asked Reymet if he'd seen him, but Reymet hadn't, either.
Ferus had disappeared.
Anakin could not believe it. Security had not been violated. No one had seen Ferus, not even Reymet. It was just like Gillam's disappearance. If Ferus hadn't shown up for class, it would have been reported. Soon the school would be involved. Security would tighten even further.
He would have to contact Obi-Wan. The disappearance of a Jedi was a matter for the whole Council, not merely his Master. Still, Anakin hesitated. It was hard to be certain that Ferus had truly disappeared. What if he was chasing a lead and hadn't told Anakin?
Anakin knew it would be out of character for Ferus not to fill him in, but Ferus might be teaching him a lesson after Anakin hadn't asked his opinion about going off with the squad. Yet if Anakin violated comm silence, he risked the whole school being put into lockdown. How would the secret squad be able to get out then?
Anakin felt the conflict inside him as though he was being physically torn apart. He knew his duty as a Jedi. He had to inform Obi-Wan about Ferus. But if his suspicions were correct and the answers were on Ieria, that meant he could find out answers about Ferus's disappearance as well.
If he broke comm silence he could jeopardize everything. His only chance to find Ferus and possibly Gillam was to maintain his cover.