Author's note: this chapter has been edited to erase some grammar and spelling mistakes
~ 3 ~
Library secrets
- If you look closely enough, who knows what you might find -
A trip to the archives was far from Anakin's favorite way to spend time, but it was evidently unavoidable. "Hey Anakin, where are you headed?"
Kyle, one of the few fellow Padawans Anakin actually considered a friend, jogged to catch up to him.
"The library. My new Master is taking me on a mission and wants me to dig up some information for it. Couldn't think of anything more tedious!"
"Sounds like he's not giving you much of a choice. I'll join you! So, who's this new master of yours? I've never heard of him before. Where did the Council dig him up from?"
"I'm not sure, but I have a hunch. Since we're heading to the library anyway, maybe we can check the temple registries. Find out who he is."
"I thought we Padawans don't have access to the registries?"
"That's true, but that doesn't mean I don't know how to get into them..."
"Anakin... not again! Do you remember what happened the last time we got caught? We were translating texts about Sindukan crop rotations for three months!"
"Then this time we won't get caught!"
The two boys accessed a data terminal in a secluded corner of the archives. Anakin swiftly started manipulating the screen. He quickly sliced into the databank and began his search, trying different spellings. Nothing showed up. "That's strange! There must be something." He tried a few more tricks until a result popped up. "Hold on... there is something... but it's classified."
"It's ciphered? Why does your Master have a classified file?"
"There are different levels of restriction from what I see. Some more confidential than others. Give me a second..."
"Anakin, I have a bad feeling about this. We'll so get into trouble!"
Kyle began fidgeting, but Anakin was in his element. It was forbidden, it was intriguing, this was fun! He hacked deeper, past the digital seals. A few lines of code later, a picture of Kenshin appeared on the screen – not a recent one, as he had short hair in it, but the frown and piercing eyes were unmistakable. The boys read the brief description next to it that listed only the most basic information – birth year, species, rank, and function within the Jedi Order.
Anakin was stunned. "He's 23 years old? And he already has the rank of Master?"
Kyle opened his mouth, then closed it again. "That's not what's blowing my mind! Do you know what 'specialist investigator' actually means?"
Anakin shook his head.
"Damn, dude, the guy is a friggin' Jedi shadow! That explains why we've never seen him here at the temple. The corner they dragged him out of must have been some wild place Force knows where in the galaxy. I've heard some savage stories about them. They're the ones sent after Sith artifacts and whatnot!" Kyle explained.
Just like Kyle, Anakin had only ever heard rumors. Shadows were something close to crime detectives and archaeologists, specialized in Sith culture. Some said, they were what one might call full-blown assassins, if the Jedi had employed assassins. They were rare, exceptionally skilled, and often had unique Force abilities. Thus, they were assigned the most difficult and dangerous missions that regular Jedi Knights couldn't handle. The more conservative members of the Order strongly disapproved of them, as they were constantly exposed to the threats and temptations of the dark side. Most of them were, as far as Anakin had heard, special—solitary, reclusive, often creepy, and intimidating individuals. So far, an accurate description of his new mentor. It was very, very rare for one to take on a Padawan. Maybe his new Master was more interesting than he thought.
Anakin whispered to Kyle, "But how does he already have the rank of Master? His profile here says he's 23, just six years older than us! Look, it says he was knighted at 16 and attained the rank of Master at 20. I thought Windu was the youngest Master in the Order ever, obtaining the rank at 28."
"You should look up information about Vanquor, not about me!"
Anakin and Kyle swirled around and froze, faced with the very subject of their conversation. Anakin scanned his Master's face, but he didn't look irritated. Actually, he seemed rather amused.
"This would also be less off-limits than snooping around in registries you don't even have the rights to access. At least your slicing skills seem top-notch, far better than your sense of respecting rules."
"Master Kano," Kyle uttered, visibly intimidated.
"What the… how long have you been there?" Anakin's face turned red with embarrassment.
"Anakin!" Kyle kicked Anakin's shin.
"Oh, I don't know, I've been enjoying the show for a while! Since you're already here, why don't you help me finish preparing for our mission? And remind me to have Madame Nu erase that file—Force knows who else might hack into those registries."
"Don't worry, Master, nobody's as good at slicing as I am."
"That's what you think." The young Master was already walking away, not even waiting for Anakin to reply.
"Good luck, bro," Kyle whispered as Anakin followed his Master, giving his friend a tormented look.