High Council Tower, Jedi Temple - Coruscant | 32 BBY |

"I've never seen a summons from the Council appear this urgent, Master," Obi-Wan Kenobi comments. "Have you any clue what it's for?"

He and Qui-Gon made their way calmly, but swiftly, to the Council Chambers. As they exited the elevator, Obi-Wan couldn't help but feel anxious.

"I know just as much as you, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon says, much more relaxed.

"What if they've finally discovered what happened to Master Slavin's scout team?" Obi-Wan suggests. "It's been months since they vanished!"

Qui-Gon frowns as he recalls the unnerving circumstances of their disappearance. The pair come to a halt before the doors and wait for the Sentinel guards to admit them entry. Qui-Gon turns to look at his apprentice.

"Well, luckily for us both, we're about to find out," he says.

The doors open and they walk inside, moving to take their position at the center of the room before the Council. Surprising them somewhat, however, is also a life-sized hologram of the Supreme Chancellor himself, who turns to regard them with a stern gaze upon their entry.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan give respectful bows to both the masters and the Chancellor, and Mace returns the greeting with a simple nod.

"Qui-Gon, Padawan Kenobi. Thank you for coming," he says.

"Of course, Masters," Qui-Gon replies.

"I'm sure you remember Chancellor Valorum," Mace says, gesturing to the Chancellor.

"Greetings, my friends," Valorum greets with a smile.

"Chancellor Valorum, it is an honor," Qui-Gon replies, he and Obi-Wan bowing their heads again. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Valorum's smile fades into a troubled sigh.

"I wish my call was under more pleasant circumstances," he says. "Are you aware of the recent troubling matters regarding Naboo?"

"Only a little," Qui-Gon admits.

"In recent years, the Trade Federation has shown signs of increasing their business and trade to unprecedented heights. While such profiting is not illegal, I am rather troubled by how swiftly they've risen in power; Senator Lott Dod, of course, is utilizing the law to their advantage under the pretense of being an independent corporation," Valorum explains with a frown. "The rest of the Senate has attempted to quell this growth by passing a new legislation which calls for the taxation of trade routes in outlying star systems."

"In short summary, the Federation has decided to retaliate in an unexpectedly bold move with a blockade of Naboo," Adi Gallia adds. "Viceroy Nute Gunray is threatening to cut off all resources and supplies to the Nubian people unless the tax regulations are removed."

"That's horrible!" Obi-Wan exclaims. "How can he even do such a thing? Is that not illegal?"

"One would think so. But the Senate does not have enough evidence to prove the gravity of the situation," Valorum states, shaking his head. "That is why I require your assistance in this matter, Master Jedi. The Federation believes they can get away with this and not face any consequences, which is the only reason they've gone as far as they have. It is my hope that by sending two Jedi to negotiate on Naboo's behalf, they will be forced to reconsider and withdraw from the system."

"The Council has discussed this matter and agree that action must be taken to ensure this senseless oppression of a peaceful world does not continue," Mace declares. "Should you and your Padawan choose to accept, Qui-Gon, your mission will be to meet with Viceroy Nute Gunray as ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor."

"I understand, Master Windu," Qui-Gon nods in acknowledgement. "How soon should we prepare to depart?"

"As soon as you are able," Valorum replies. "I will send word to Viceroy Gunray to expect your arrival."

"We will not let you down, Chancellor," Qui-Gon assures him.

"I am glad to hear it," he smiles in gratitude.

"In this endeavor, may the Force be with you," Yoda tells them.


Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stepped out of the elevator at the base of the spire following the conclusion of their meeting.

"I'm not looking forward to all the studying I'll need to do to get caught up on the current situation with this, Master," Obi-Wan remarks.

"But?" Qui-Gon lifts a brow at him.

"I know it's needed to put an end to such madness," he states, shaking his head in disbelief. "I don't understand how corporate entities can get away with something like this!"

Qui-Gon quirks a faint smile at Obi-Wan's determination, though he quickly sobers up at the reminder of the situation at hand.

"Neither do I," he replies, placing a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "But we will do everything we can for the people of Naboo."

Obi-Wan nods his head firmly and Qui-Gon smiles at him. He spares a glance over his Padawan's shoulder and spots his own teacher approaching them, looking as dignified as ever.

"Go on ahead, Padawan, I'll catch up," he says.

"Of course, Master," Obi-Wan replies.

He moves on and Qui-Gon watches him depart for a moment before turning to his own Master, who greets him with a pleasant smile.

"Qui-Gon!" Master Dooku says, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It is wonderful to see you, my friend."

"Same to you, Master," Qui-Gon smiles in reply.

"Oh, please, Qui-Gon, I told you to drop the formalities with me a long time ago," he admonishes him.

"Nevertheless, I feel compelled to always defer as such to you," Qui-Gon insists, prompting a small chuckle from him. "I would not be the man I am without your guidance."

Dooku smiles and gently squeezes his shoulder in appreciation.

"Nor would I be the Jedi I am without you, my friend," he declares. "How fares your own student?"

"He is doing quite well," Qui-Gon says. "In fact, I believe he is ready to take the trials."

Dooku lifts an eyebrow at him.

Then I believe congratulations are in order!" he remarks. "When do you intend to begin them?"

"Any day now, I hope," Qui-Gon admits. "But we do have just one final assignment together before then."

"Nothing too dangerous, I hope?" Dooku questions.

"You worry too much, Master," he replies.

"Much like you worry for your own apprentice, I imagine," the aged Jedi points out.

Qui-Gon concedes his point with a faint hum.

"Well, you'll be pleased to know that it will not be too deadly," he reassures him. "Are you familiar with the Naboo crisis?"

Dooku's expression falls almost instantly into a deep frown and his hand drops from Qui-Gon's shoulder. Qui-Gon notices the change and grows worried; his master always took political disputes very seriously, sometimes too seriously, but he also rarely did so without reason.

"More than I would like. This crisis only shows how far corruption in the Republic has truly gone," Dooku says, lowering his voice. "Has the Council assigned you to deal with this matter?"

"Indeed. Hopefully, Obi-Wan and I should be able to negotiate a settlement. Neimodians are cowards, after all," Qui-Gon says.

Despite his old Padawan's assurance, however, Dooku's unease remained in full. He stands silently for a short while, turning away from Qui-Gon somewhat to gaze at the distant wall with a creased brow.

"You seem troubled by this," Qui-Gon notes in concern.

Dooku expels a heavy sigh and shakes his head.

"It's... difficult to explain," he finally responds.

Qui-Gon frowns, getting the sense that he was keeping quiet about something, but before he can ask about it Dooku turns back to face him with a stern gaze.

"Be careful, my friend, for I fear there is more at stake than we realize," he states grimly. "Darkness is growing in the galaxy."

"I have sensed it," Qui-Gon frowns, agreeing with his statement. "Too much has happened lately to be a coincidence."

"You are referring to the boy that you found?" Dooku inquires.

"Jarik Shan, yes," he nods in confirmation. "There is much mystery that surrounds him."

"Tell me about him," Dooku asks, a little curious. "I've been hearing he's caused quite a stir amongst the younglings."

"He is plagued by nightmares. Vivid ones," Qui-Gon explains. "I am almost certain that a Sith tried to take him."

Dooku nods his head in acknowledgement.

"I see. Your evidence?" he questions.

"The circumstances of his arrival, combined with the disappearance of Master Slavin... my senses tell me they're connected," Qui-Gon admits, shaking his head with a sigh. "Unfortunately, that is not nearly enough evidence to act on."

A brief look of irritation crosses Dooku's face at that, less than pleased by the lack of action which can be taken, but he quickly discards it as he responds to Qui-Gon.

"I believe you, my friend. I too have been finding clues that hint to the machinations of some phantom menace out in the galaxy that is pulling the strings," he informs him. "The Trade Federation's move on Naboo... it is most unusual."

"I understand, Master," Qui-Gon nods in reply. "If you'll excuse me, I'm afraid I must get going. Chancellor Valorum wishes for us to depart as soon as we're able."

"Very well, Qui-Gon," Dooku says in understanding. "Remember what I said, and do take care of yourself."

"Certainly, Master," he responds.

The two bow their heads to each other and Qui-Gon turns to head off, but then turns back when a thought enters his mind.

"Oh, and one more thing, would you mind doing a small favor for me?" he questions. "I know you may not care too much for it."

Dooku lifts an eyebrow at him, skeptical, but also intrigued.

"Name it," he says.

"If Jarik experiences another nightmare, would you mind helping Master Irris in calming him?" Qui-Gon requests.

Dooku frowns as he contemplates the request and sighs, shaking his head.

"You always knew how to make me uncomfortable, Qui-Gon," he remarks, and Qui-Gon smiles. "Very well, I shall do what I can. But I make no promises."

"That's all I can ask for," he replies with a nod of gratitude. "May the Force be with you, Master Dooku."

"And with you also, my old friend," Dooku tells him in kind.

As Qui-Gon moves off, however, the warm smile fades from the Master's face and is replaced with a deep frown, his brow creasing with his troubled gaze.


TWO DAYS LATER...


Jedi Temple refectory, Jedi Temple - Coruscant

A discord of noise and voices fills the cafeteria as dozens of younglings move throughout the large space, either entering or departing or sitting at the tables to eat. The adult instructors and Masters did much the same, some with their clans while most sat at a table amongst themselves in calm discussion.

Seated at one table was the Akul clan, accompanied by their own instructor. Kurhran and Weron ate much of their foot with gusto whereas Rylla and Vifi were more dainty, and Ahsoka was happy to chow down on her meal. Jarik, on the other hand, was a bit slower to eat his and merely poked at it with his fork.

"I miss Master Jinn," he murmurs.

Weron rolls his eyes but Ahsoka discretely smacks him.

"Why?" Vifi asks in confusion.

"Because I like him!" Jarik states fiercely.

"I'm sure he'll be back!" Rylla chirps in reply.

"I wish it was sooner," he whines, taking a large bite of his food.

"Master Jinn has important responsibilities to take care of, as do we all," Master Irris tells him. "As a Jedi it is essential that we place our duties ahead of our own personal desires."

In the midst of biting some bread, Kurhran looked up with a frown on his face.

"Even fun?" he says with a full mouth, prompting Vifi to glower at him in disgust.

"There is nothing wrong with having fun. But not everything you do will be that," Xudi responds. "Being a Jedi is a hard life."

"Why is it hard?" Ahsoka asks.

"You give up much as a Jedi," she explains. "But we give others so much more in return. In time, you will understand the joy that selfless service can bring."

The six younglings listen to her with contemplating looks on their faces, and Xudi nods to herself in content.

"Now, eat up," she advises them, standing up from her seat. "We have a busy day ahead."

The younglings all groan in response and Xudi looks around at them with a raised eyebrow.

"Is that whining I hear?" she questions.

Everyone looks away nervously except for Weron, who responds to her without shame.

"Yes, Master Irris," he says.

'Hmm," she hums to herself, crossing her arms and smiling. "Well then, I'll be sure to make your lessons fun today."

Despite her pleasant demeanor the younglings aren't convinced, and as Xudi walks away to converse with a few of the other masters Ahsoka leans over to Jarik.

"I don't think she means that in a good way," she murmurs.

"Hm hmm," he hums in agreement.

The group continues eating when Weron lifts his head up as another clan of younglings moves by their table.

"I know a way to have fun," he declares.

Before anyone could ask Weron what his idea was he grabs a cookie on his plate and stands up, turning to face the other clan.

"Hey!" he exclaims, getting their attention. "Lets have a food fight!"

"Food fight?" Vifi mutters incredulously.

Weron throws the cookie to varying reactions from his clan: eagerness from Kurhran, confusion from Vifi, horror from Rylla, and bewilderment from Ahsoka and Jarik.

One of the younglings in the other clan, a togruta with orange-red skin and white lekku, yelps in alarm as the cookie shoots toward him and he raises his hands up to catch it with the Force just before it hit his face.

"Weron, that's mean!" Rylla admonishes.

"Oh, um..." the togruta boy says, perplexed, but then grins. "Thanks for the free cookie!"

His clanmates, who showed surprise and irritation at first, erupt into a fit of giggles.

"Good one, Codi!" a human boy says.

Weron frowns at the disruption of his plan and glowers at them.

"Well? Aren't you gonna throw something back?" he demands.

"That's gross," the theelin girl says.

"Someone throw a fork at him!" a second human boy suggests.

"That's dangerous!" Rylla protests with a gasp.

"I can take it!" Kurhran declares confidently, jumping up beside Weron.

"Or we just beat them in games!" the first human boy says.

"Beat us?" Jarik mutters.

"What games?" Ahsoka asks.

"Yeah, you're right Dunn!" the human girl squeals. "We can totally beat these losers at anything!"

"You wish you could!" Weron scowls at them.

"Ugh," Vifi grumbles to herself.

Just then, Xudi appeared between the two groups with a disapproving stare etched onto her face and she looks around with her arms crossed.

"What's going on here, younglings?" she demands.

"They started it!" Weron immediately says, pointing at the other clan.

"No, you started it!" Codi snaps in outrage.

"That's enough," Xudi interjects firmly, shaking her head. "Why don't you six go on ahead to your table?"

The younglings look between each other in frustration but trudge onward. Weron and Kurhran silently make faces at them as they go, only to quickly stop when Xudi swivels around to face them with narrowed eyes.

"I don't believe you quite understand the concept of fun, younglings," she states.

Like the rest of his clan, Jarik shrinks inward a little at the receiving end of Master Irris's displeasure.


Conference Room, Saak'ak - Naboo

A set of circular doors open to permit two people entry into a conference room, followed closely by the Trade Federation ship's resident silver protocol droid, TC-14.

"We are greatly honored by your visit, ambassadors," the droid states in a feminine voice. "Make yourselves comfortable. My master will be with you shortly."

TC-14 then departs from the conference room with the two ambassadors eyes watching her. As the door closes shut, the cloaked visitors turn away from it and lower their hoods to survey the room.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Obi-Wan mutters.

"I don't sense anything," Qui-Gon comments in reply.

He folds his arms and looks over curiously at his apprentice, whose brow is creased in unease.

"It's not about the mission, Master, it's something... elsewhere... elusive," Obi-Wan explains.

Qui-Gon withholds and sigh and shakes his head while moving forward.

"Don't center on your anxieties, Obi-Wan. Keep your concentration here and now where it belongs," he tells his apprentice.

"But Master Yoda says I should be mindful of the future," Obi-Wan argues, falling into step beside him.

"But not at the expense of the moment," Qui-Gon reminds him. "Be mindful of the living Force, my young Padawan."

"Yes, Master," he nods in understanding.

The two Jedi stare out the window at the gleaming blue and green planet of Naboo, drawing their attention back to the matter at hand.

"How do you think the trade viceroy will deal with the Chancellor's demands?" Obi-Wan asks.

"These Federation types are cowards," Qui-Gon states with an assured smile. "The negotiations will be short."