AN: I'm posting a day early because I'll be busy tomorrow. Hope you all appreciate the early update and the new chapter. Let me know what you think!

Chapter 15 - A Surprising Encounter (29 BBY ~ 4 months later)

Zora couldn't shake the feeling that today would mark the end for her time undercover or at least start the end. For good or bad, she wasn't sure, but a feeling in the Force told her they were at a junction, or as Master Windu would call it, a shatterpoint.

Despite the fact that it could end badly for her, knowing it was coming to an end was a relief. Krayn was getting more and more violent and unbalanced each day. This partnership with the Colicoids was taking a toll on him. His greed made him wish to go through with the deal, but he hated not being in complete control, and hated having to acquiesce to others demands. He couldn't take his anger out on the Colicoids so he was taking it out on those in his organization, and unfortunately, Zora was one of only two people to survive saying "no" to him in his entire time as the head of a major empire, and the other was her "father", something that didn't endear her to Krayn, despite her worth to him as his lieutenant.

It was getting close to the point when she'd finally have to cross a line that she'd been avoiding or she'd have to defend herself, which would likely lead to her being exposed or to her death. Still, the end of this mission could only be a good thing. She'd been forced to do things so against her code and against the Order that she sometimes wondered if she could ever be redeemed, no matter what Kastor said.

While in Krayn's organization, she'd been forced to rip family's apart when she assisted in the capture and enslavement of villages. She'd participated in raids that had resulted in the murder, rape, and destruction of people's lives and livelihoods. She'd beaten and punished slaves who were too tired to work or still defiant to their captors. While she'd avoided sleeping with Krayn or any of the others in his organization, she hadn't completely avoided getting intimate with some, Krayn included, even though it felt so wrong and the whole time she had wished it was Obi-Wan she was with. She knew she was doing good, but she still felt so tainted, and so unworthy of returning to the Jedi.

Sure, she'd used her cover to try and do good when she could. During raids, if she was able to let people escape without anyone realizing she did so, or especially if she could lay the blame at one of her rivals' feet, then she did so. She'd prevented the rape of men, women, and children, using Krayn's greed to her advantage, pointing out that slaves that were beaten and ravaged couldn't work or be sold, and she'd sometimes worked slaves to the bone just so they'd avoid the malicious or lustful gazes of Krayn and his pirates. She'd even helped sneak a few slaves out via Kastor if she was able to fake their deaths or help them escape.

Despite those she'd helped, and those who would be helped when Krayn's organization collapsed, she still struggled with the guilt. Kastor had been wonderful in helping her in the moments they stole over her long year now in Krayn's organization, but after he helped her deal with her emotions, she'd then have to go commit some other unspeakable act. This type of mission just wasn't meant for Jedi, even one like Kastor would have struggled, as he'd admitted to her many times.

There was a reason that Jedi generally didn't go this deep undercover for this long, and there was a reason Kastor's cover dealt with being a smuggler or mercenary rather than something like a pirate or slaver. While illegal Spice certainly ruined lives, as many drugs did, smuggling drugs or weapons or other various cargo was rather tame as crimes went, yet still yielded all sorts of contact and information into the criminal underworld, and it didn't usually require Kastor to cross too many lines, though exceptions happened.

If she survived this, she would definitely make sure it was the last major undercover assignment she took, at least for a while. Maybe she'd follow Obi-Wan's lead, even if it hadn't been intentional, and find herself a Padawan. Something that would guarantee only certain types of missions for the foreseeable future, and give her some satisfaction that came from doing something good . . . being someone good.

Yes, that sounded nice.

For now though, she had to keep her mind on the present, as Qui-Gon used to always say. Currently, in an effort to intimidate the Colicoids and shift the deal further in his favor, Krayn had personally taken his ship to intercept a Colicoid diplomatic ship. The satisfied grin on his face along with the panicking voices from the Colicoid ship stating who they were and wondering what was going on was proof enough that it was working.

The diplomatic ship was much larger than Krayn's ship, which was saying something since Krayn's ship was quite large itself, but it was far less maneuverable and had far less firepower. They didn't stand a chance and Siri was almost wondering what the Force was warning her about as the Colicoid ship started desperately trying to fight back while flying erratically to evade everything Krayn's ship was sending at them.

Then, without warning, Krayn's ship stopped firing.

"Our weapons are disabled!" one of the gunners growled out while Krayn scowled.

"How did they board our ship?" Krayn demanded. "Scan the hull."

"Nothing on our scanners!" another pirate reported.

"They wouldn't have a ship capable of hiding," Zora said. "They must have boarded us through the exhaust port."

"Get there and deal with the intruders," Krayn ordered. "Sweep the ship and get a repair team to the weapons control tech center!"

Zora rushed out ahead of the rest of the pirates, knowing that she had to capture whoever had infiltrated the ship before any of Krayn's other lackeys did so. She continued to run through the maze-like corridors, rushing past security and repair droids as well as slaves and other pirates who were trying to follow Krayn's orders.

She pulled out her blasters as she closed in on the exhaust, the Force swirling, though she wasn't listening to it enough to prepare for what was to come. She looked down the nearly three story drop, seeing a G-class Shuttle with someone still outside, looking ready to get in.

She started firing accurately and rapidly, forcing the one outside to dive back and away from the entrance to the ship. She jumped down, using the Force to lighten her landing, and then moved forward, keeping her blasters on who she now realized was a teenage boy.

As she drew close, she realized that there was another person strapped into the cockpit, and she also realized she recognized both the man and the boy. The boy, though obviously a couple years older, was clearly Anakin Skywalker, and she felt her heart race slightly as she got a clear look at the pilot.

He'd grown a beard, and his hair was a bit longer, making him look a bit older and more distinguished, but she would recognize that face and those eyes anywhere. Looking at her in surprise, shock, and with sadness was Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"Anakin get in," Obi-Wan called, while Anakin eyed her blasters and stared at her in shock, and she could detect a hint of betrayal and anger. "You won't shoot him, Siri."

"I am Siri no longer," Siri answered, trying desperately to retain her cover despite everything in her that wanted to rush into that cockpit and hug her friend, desperately shielding the bond that now seemed to be struggling against her shields. "I am Zora."

"No, you're not," Obi-Wan said firmly, and she saw in his eyes a resolve that she'd almost forgotten. "You're Siri Tachi, one of my dearest friends and someone I admire greatly. There is still Jedi in you, and it's time for you to come home. Get in with Anakin."

Siri wanted nothing more than to hop in, and leave with him. That call to go home was so wonderfully tempting, but no, her mission wasn't over. Not yet.

"There are so many things I do not miss about the Jedi," Siri said thoughtfully, blocking Anakin from the ship. "One is their self-righteousness. It's so boring. I told you not to come looking for me. You should have listened."

"Zora!" a huge, bellowing voice filled the space. "Did you find the intruders?"

"Krayn," Anakin growled, and Siri eyed him in surprise, feeling the anger from the boy. Why had he been allowed to come on this mission? Why had Obi-Wan of all people been assigned?

"Get in!" Obi-Wan hissed.

"Zora!" The bellow was loud and close.

They'd talked too long. Siri only had one option now. She sprang forward, and with a sweeping motion, closed the hatch, separating Anakin from Obi-Wan. Then she spun sideways toward the giant turbines, and accessed the control panel, turning them on.

Siri glanced at Obi-Wan one last time, seeing his face dawn with realization and sadness as he grabbed at the controls just as the turbines picked up enough speed to pick up the small shuttle and send it back out the exhaust port. If she wasn't feeling like she was hitting rock bottom again, she might have enjoyed knowing she actually out thought Obi-Wan Kenobi. Anakin was staring at her in continued surprise and betrayal when Krayn appeared.

He was clutching a vibro-ax in one meaty fist, and his small, glittering eyes swept the scene before him with shrewdness. Next to him was the extremely large Wookie Rashtah. Rashtah had ammunition belts criss-crossing his hairy body, and a row of blasters were strapped to his waist. A jagged scar began under the hair of his scalp and traveled through his eye down to his hip. Siri had been the one to give him that scar when they were both new to the organization and she'd been set to fight against him. An eye patch covered the damaged eye. He was waving his vibrosword at Siri, and bellowing his own greeting. Funnily enough, her giving him that scar had earned his respect and thus she generally didn't have to worry about Rashtah.

Siri reached over and powered down the turbines, and she prayed that Anakin stayed silent while he glanced between her and Krayn.

"What's this?" Krayn demanded. "Have you caught our intruder?"

"No. This is nobody, just a slave," Siri lied, hoping her lie would clue in Anakin, but then again, he could just assume that she was saving her own reputation. "I grabbed him as a shield just in case, but he wasn't needed. I'm afraid our intruders took the exhaust tunnel back into space."

"If they made it" Krayn's dark eyes glittered. "I gave the order to jump to hyperspace. If they were in the shaft when that happened, they're space dust.

Rashtah gave a sound of amusement.

"That would be a bonus," Siri said, making sure she kept her face hard and in the practiced cruel disposition, though inside she immediately opened up slightly, desperate to feel her bond to Obi-Wan and felt some relief, identifying it was still there. She immediately closed herself from the bond, lest she tempt herself.

Krayn stuck his head closer to the exhaust shaft. "We'll have to figure out a way to block this from airships. Don't want to be surprised again. Heads will roll about this one."

While Krayn's back was to them and Rashtah was distracted, Siri reached over and deftly removed Anakin's lightsaber from his utility belt, smoothly tucking it inside her tunic.

Krayn turned and gave his full attention to Anakin, and Siri hoped the boy would act deferential, but unfortunately his gaze was curious and contemptuous, not at all scared.

"What are you looking at, slave?" Krayn bellowed, his voice full of rage, and Siri wondered if this was where her undercover work would end, defending Obi-Wan's Padawan from Krayn's rage.

Siri lashed out with one leg, twisting it around his so that he was forced to stumble.

"Show some respect," she hissed, internally begging him to do so.

Anakin gave her a look of pure loathing. That hurt a bit, but thankfully Krayn could not see it. He kept his eyes at mid-level when he turned back to Krayn, and Siri internally sighed in relief.

"He looks strong," Krayn said, stroking his neatly trimmed black beard. "Should fetch a good price on Nar Shaddaa."

Siri glanced at Anakin and realized around the same time as Krayn did that Anakin was admiring the various trinkets around Krayn's neck.

"Admiring my kill trophies?" Krayn asked him in a low, cunning tone. "Or do you think you might snatch a jewel or two? Think again, slave. One of your fingers or your scalp will end up hanging alongside them!"

He laughed, and Siri and Rashtah joined him. As Krayn shook with amusement, Siri felt rage rise up in Anakin, and she knew she had to do something soon or he would do something reckless.

"I'd better get the slaves ready for departure," Siri said. "We'll be at Nar Shaddaa soon. Come, slave."

She prodded Anakin with the butt of her electro jabber. "Might as well enjoy the ship while you can. Soon you'll be working in the spice mines."

"For the rest of your life," Krayn added, still laughing.

Siri prodded Anakin again, forcing him to move, wondering how she was going to get Anakin out, yet also thinking that this must be what the Force was warning her about. With any indication, it wouldn't be long before her cover was blown or Krayn's operation was finished. That was comforting. Besides, now she could look forward to teasing Obi-Wan about his beard since he must have done it to appear older. Enjoy the little things, as Kastor always said.

**The Will of the Force**

Obi-Wan felt like a fool. If it had been anyone other than Siri, he never would have let them get the better of him. He would have jumped out to confront them, and gotten his Padawan into the shuttle, but he'd let his desire to bring Siri home, back to him, cloud his judgment.

The whole mission had been a disaster.

It had started when they'd been called to the Council Chambers where Chancellor Palpatine had been among the Council assigning them the mission.

Anakin had been nervous the whole time, always eager to impress the Council and Palpatine, but his nervousness had faded and his shields had gone up as soon as Krayn had been mentioned. At the time, Obi-Wan thought it was because of Anakin's time as a slave. He figured it was too close to home for a boy who'd grown up in slavery.

Obi-Wan's reservations about having Anakin on a mission involving slavery had basically been thrown aside when the Council had questioned Anakin's abilities and Obi-Wan's instruction and Palpatine had called Anakin special implying that they wanted to shield and protect him since he was different, forcing Obi-Wan to defend his Padawan and revise his public opinion on their suitability for the mission.

Obi-Wan could tell that the Council was testing Obi-Wan's Padawan, and like Obi-Wan had thought at a different point in his life, he felt the Council was too harsh. It had been the same thought he'd had after having his title stripped after Melida/Daan when he'd been drowning and desperately in need of help from Qui-Gon and the Order.

They'd then received the light dossier on Krayn, which had given them information about the man, his ship, and his two main lieutenants, the Wookie Rashtah, and the human woman, Zora. Obi-Wan had then had a private briefing with Yoda and Mace where he'd gotten a nasty shock to learn that Zora was none other than Siri Tachi.

He'd told Kastor that he wanted to find Siri, and yet it seemed the Jedi Order already knew where to find her. Was Kastor really not in the know, or did he not wish to bring the bad news to Obi-Wan about what Siri had become? He'd heard rumors, but it was hard to realize that she'd so completely betrayed the ideals of the Order. He should have stopped her from leaving somehow.

From there, they'd been assigned to the Colicoid diplomatic ship, and it had been extremely obvious that they were unwanted passengers. Captain Anf Dec had treated them like a minor nuisance causing Obi-Wan to take Anakin to their quarters to wait out the journey or for an attack.

It hadn't taken Obi-Wan long to figure out that Anakin wanted to meet Krayn, and even worse, he could tell that his Padawan had lied to him when he asked if he knew him, though he didn't know to what extent Anakin knew him. Before he'd had much of a chance to question his Padawan they'd fallen under attack by Krayn's ship and their focus had shifted.

The Colicoids had been panicking and knowing they needed to board Krayn's ship to have any hope of surviving, Obi-Wan had convinced the Colicoids to loan him and Anakin a small shuttle. They'd then flown through the exhaust port and landed the ship.

What should have been a simple mission turned pear-shaped. They'd found the weapons control room easily enough and had dispatched the systems, but then Anakin had decided that it was time to take on Krayn and had rushed off, leaving Obi-Wan to run after him.

In the process of trying to find Anakin, he'd stumbled on a large group of slaves, whose spirits he'd been forced to crush upon admitting he couldn't help them, which had only infuriated his Padawan even more when he found him in the next room.

Anakin had claimed he knew nothing of slavery and that they needed to save those people all the slaves on the ship. It had only been Obi-Wan pointing out they had no idea where Krayn was and that he could use the slaves against them that had finally managed to convince Anakin to leave, if grudgingly.

Then, just as they were about to escape, Siri intervened. He'd been so shocked by her appearance. She'd been dressed in a tunic and leggings fashioned from various skins with blast padding covering her shoulders and chest. She had facial markings all over her face and her blonde hair had been darkened with some kind of grease. Her cruel eyes had held none of the warmth of his friend, but just for a moment, he'd felt a pulse through their bond. That had been what made him think he could get her to come back with them. Now, because of his attachment, Anakin was gone.

He was lucky the Colicoid's ship was damaged, otherwise they probably wouldn't have waited for him. It had taken threats of Senate and Jedi investigation to convince them to attempt to plot where Krayn might have hyperspace jumped away to, but it was a long shot.

He paced his bridge, wondering what to do when he took a breath and remembered Qui-Gon's words.

'Let's look at the who. That will lead to the why.'

His gaze landed on Captain Anf Dec, and remembered how odd the Colicoid had been at the start of the attack. Even since the beginning of their journey, he hadn't seemed worried about an attack at all. Once the attack started, fear had reared its head, but looking back, he'd also felt something else: outrage, and he now remembered Captain Dec making some comments that suggested Krayn should know better than to attack them. The question was why?

The first thing he did after getting his bearings was send a message to Kastor explaining everything that had happened and demanding some answers in return but also asking him to try and look out for Anakin. Then he briefed the Council via hologram, which freed him up to do something else when he got to Coruscant: find someone who could help find him information. Rather than head to the Temple, he went to someone who might have answers.

Turning down the walkway opposite the grand Senate complex, he turned a corner and smiled when he saw the cheerful cafe painted blue with yellow shutters. Didi and Astri's Cafe.

If there was someone that could hopefully give him information or at least an idea of where to look it was Didi. He may not traffic in stolen information like he used to, after surviving a severe blaster wound, thanks to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, but he still kept his ears open.

Obi-Wan pushed the door open, remembering his first sight of the cafe thirteen years ago. Then, it had been cluttered, crowded, and dirty. Didi had reigned in the chaotic cafe with good cheer, despite the not great food, but when Astri had taken control, the cafe had cleaned up, the food had gotten exponentially better, and the clientele had shifted to including senators along with the smugglers and criminals.

Obi-Wan glanced around the cafe and spotted Astri chatting with two customers who wore the robes of Senatorial aides. Her springy dark hair spilled out from underneath a white cap, and her white apron was stained with various colors. As she motioned to the aides, she nearly knocked over the teapot. Despite his anxiety, Obi-Wan grinned, and remembered the last time he'd been here with Siri, and how she'd remarked that Astri hadn't changed upon seeing her clumsiness. She was right then, and she was still right now. Astri hadn't changed.

She looked up and her gaze met his. Astri's pretty face bloomed into a wide smile.

"Obi-Wan!" She rushed toward him, knocking over a chair in her haste to greet him. She threw herself into his arms, and Obi-Wan hugged her back, feeling her curls brush his cheeks.

She drew back. "Are you hungry? I have delicious stew today."

He shook his head. "I need help."

Her dancing eyes turned grave. "Let's find Didi."

A small, rotund man was already heading for them, his soft brown eyes widened in pleasure. He, too, enveloped Obi-Wan in a huge hug, though he barely reached Obi-Wan's shoulders. "How my eyes delight me!" he burbled. "The brave and wise Obi-Wan Kenobi, my good friend to whom I owe my life and my daughter!"

"Obi-Wan needs our help, Didi," Astri interrupted, for Didi would have gone on with flattery and sentiment.

Didi nodded. "Then come to the private office."

Obi-Wan followed Didi and Astri to a small, messy office behind the long counter. Although the cafe had improved significantly since Astri ha taken over, the office was still a jumble of fading datasheets, mismatched plates, stacks of fresh tablecloths, and half filled teacups

"What can we do for you, my friend?" Didi asked. "Inadequate as I am, I am in your service."

"I'm searching for information only," Obi-Wan said. "Perhaps if you do not have answers, you could direct me to the party who does. I am investigating possible ties between a slave trader named Krayn and the Colicoids."

Didi frowned, and Astri wrinkled her nose.

"I don't like the Colicoid senators," she said. "Nothing is ever good enough for them."

"I have heard of Krayn," Didi said. "The galaxy would be well rid of such a fiend. I know of no connection, but . . ."

Obi-Wan waited. He knew that Didi was running over his vast list of contacts in his mind.

"Try Gogol at the Dor," Didi said at last. "I won't let him in this place since I found out what he traffics in. He did some work for Krayn, I heard."

"The Dor? I don't know it," Obi-Wan said.

"Of course you do," Astri said. "The Splendor. The readout letters kept getting shot off by stray blaster fire, so they finally gave up replacing them. Now everyone calls it the Dor," Astri shuddered. "Not that I'd set foot in the place."

Didi looked anxious. "You must be careful of your person Obi-Wan. Gogal has mean bones."

He gave Obi-Wan a quick description and Obi-Wan was treated to two more fierce hugs from Didi and Astri. Promising to return for a meal, he hurried from the cafe.

He had been to the Splendor with Qui-Gon several times. He had come to know sections of the hidden city below the gleaming surface levels of Coruscant, where sunlight did not reach. Here, the walkways were narrow and littered, the twisting alleyways dangerous, and all of it barely lit by glow lamps that were constantly shot out and not replaced. Here was where one found the dregs of the galaxy, the worst criminals and lowlifes, where one could bargain cheaply for a death mark on an enemy's head.

The sleazy Splendor hadn't changed. The metal roof sagged, and the windows were ominously shuttered. The door was pockmarked with blaster fire. The letter sputtered faintly in the dim light. Years ago as a Padawan, Obi-Wan had entered it nervous and unsure. Now he strode in as if he owned it.

It was not the same Imbat bartender at the bar, but it might well have been. He projected the same indifference to his customers, the same penchant for swatting his customers off their stools with a massive palm for trying too vigorously to signal for a refill.

Obi-Wan stood at the corner of the bar and waited. He knew better than to signal for the Imbat's attention. Eventually the Imbat wandered over and bent his tall frame closer to hear Obi-Wan over the noise of the music, and the whirl of the jubilee wheel.

"Gogol," Obi-Wan told him.

The Imbat signaled a table with his eyes. Obi-Wan slid a few credits across the bar.

Gogol was just as Didi had described him, a humanoid with a half-shaved head and long hair that straggled down his back. He played a dice game by himself, and bets were piled at both ends of his small table.

Obi-Wan sat across from him and said nothing.

Gogol did not look up from his game. "What do you want, chum?"

Obi-Wan slid a pack of credits across the table. "Information on Krayn."

Gogol eyed the packet without touching it.

"Then I'll need to see more than that."

Obi-Wan slid another packet of credits into the middle of the table. Gogol counted the two packets.

"I want to know what he's up to these days," Obi-Wan said.

"That's a tall order, chum," Gogol looked up. His beady eyes blinked rapidly. "Nobody knows the whole answer to that question."

"Give me part of it, then. Does he have any dealings with the Colidcoids?"

"The table looks awfully empty," Gogol said.

Obi-Wan peeled off a few more credits.

Gogol licked his fingers in satisfaction as he counted the credits. Obi-Wan profoundly hoped that he was trustworthy, at least as far as information. Most types such as Gogol knew better than to lie. That would only get them in more trouble than they no doubt were in already.

"Word is that the Colicoids are taking over the spice trade," Gogol said. "They have secretly taken over the Kessel mines. Now they need a big processing planet. The last piece is the moon of Nar Shaddaa. The only way they can get it is to deal with Krayn. He controls the factories on Nar Shaddaa. He can't get enough spice from the caverns there, so he imports it from Kessel. It's a marriage made in paradise," Gogol cackled.

Obi-Wan knew Nar Shaddaa. Often called "smuggler's moon," it was a haven for criminals of all sorts. It was also an important link in the illegal spice trade. He had not known that Krayn was involved, however.

"Aga Culpa is the ruler of Nar Shaddaa. Doesn't he control the factories?" he asked.

"He might rule it, but he doesn't control it. Everyone on Nar Shaddaa answers to Krayn. So Krayn promises not to attack the Colicoid ships, and they promise to buy his slaves for the spice mines and use his factories. A good deal, eh, chum?"

'A very good deal,' Obi-Wan thought heavily, 'if one overlooked the fact that it involved cruelty, greed, and the selling of living beings for profit.'

He stood and quickly exited the Dor. He paused outside for a moment. It had started to rain, and he welcomed the coolness on his cheeks.

The mention of the spice trade had immediately sparked a memory. He knew that Adi Gallia and Siri's last mission together had involved the smuggling activities on the Kessel Run. Spice was a legally controlled substance, but it also held enormous profits on the black market. The Jedi had been asked to try to break the back of the illegal trade once and for all. Adi and Siri had not been successful. Something had happened on the mission that had caused a deep rift between them.

His thoughts returned to Qui-Gon's counsel, counsel Obi-Wan had passed on to Anakin about trusting his instincts and not allowing anger to cloud judgment. He should have listened to his heart.

Siri wouldn't betray the Jedi. He'd known that, but he'd let his concern for bringing her back override the thoughts of why she had left. The answer was simple. She wouldn't.

**The Will of the Force**

Once again, Obi-Wan stood before the Jedi Council, though he doubted the Council was happy with him right now. His Padawan had been captured by a slave trader, and the Colicoids were furious at the Jedi and had already raised objections in the Senate.

Now wasn't a time to explain what had gone wrong however, but instead time to focus on solutions.

"I have discovered that it is likely that the Colicoids are secretly in league with Krayn," Obi-Wan said immediately after greeting the Council members respectfully. "They wish to take over the spice trade, and Krayn wishes to be the sole supplier of slaves for the spice mines, both in the Kessel system and at Nar Shaddaa."

Some on the Council exchanged glances. If this were true, the illegal spice trade would thrive and grow.

"Bad news this is for the galaxy," Yoda remarked.

"We have reason to investigate what is happening on Nar Shaddaa, both to expose the Colicoids and bring down Krayn," Obi-Wan said. "And most importantly, I believe Anakin is on Nar Shaddaa. My guess is that the Colicoids were heading there after dropping us off at the original location."

"What is it you want of us, Obi-Wan?" Mace asked, his dark eyes fixed on Obi-Wan's face.

"A very fast ship and permission to infiltrate Krayn's operation," Obi-Wan answered. "That is first of all, but second, and most important, I wish to be let in on a secret." He turned to Adi. "I believe that Siri has not turned to the dark side. I believe she is working undercover. If I infiltrate Krayn's operation, I need to know her mission."

Adi's regal face was impassive and then she flicked a quick glance at Yoda and Mace.

Slowly, Yoda nodded. "Correct you are, Obi-Wan."

"Siri is gathering information to help take down Krayn's operation," Adi said. "We discovered that the layers of power and control between Krayn and various governments are deep. We needed a full picture. Siri infiltrated the pirates and worked her way up to a position of trust. Krayn has no idea she is a Jedi. It is well known that he considers all Jedi his enemies and all his crew are ordered to execute any captured Jedi on the spot. It has taken Siri almost two years to gain this level of power in the Kryan organization with Master Shan's help. We cannot jeopardize her safety."

'Of course Kastor has been helping her,' Obi-Wan thought, almost amused. That explained why he had been sure that Siri would come back and why things would turn out okay.

"But Anakin is with her -"

"Then she will protect him," Adi said firmly. "I am not sure if sending another Jedi is wise. It could compromise her identity. I'm sure she will find a way to get Padawan Skywalker out, likely via Master Shan."

"Perhaps," Mace said, "but perhaps we have waited long enough. If the Colicoids are involved, that intensifies the pressure to bring about the collapse of the spice trade."

"I am worried about Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "There is only one way Siri can protect him. She must make him a slave. I do not know how he will react to that."

"Assume we do that he will act like a Jedi," Yoda said sharply, his gray-blue eyes blinking at Obi-Wan. "Patience he will find."

Obi-Wan could not argue without it reflecting badly on Anakin, but he knew that patience was not his Padawan's strong suit.

"Siri has sent us a coded message, Obi-Wan," Mace said. "If you had not come to us, we would have sent for you. Anakin is safe. He is indeed a slave in a spice factory on Nar Shaddaa. She is keeping an eye on him."

"I must go there," Obi-Wan said.

"Patience you must have as well, Obi-Wan," Yoda said. "Confer with Master Gallia we must. Confer with Master Shan we should as well. Two years, assisting Siri he has been, putting himself and his cover at risk for her. Knows about Krayn, he does, more than anyone except Siri."

"Please wait outside, Obi-Wan," Mace said firmly.

Reluctantly, Obi-Wan left the room. He was too restless to sit in the waiting area outside the Council Room so he stood facing the door. So, Kastor's cover was involved with Siri's cover. Whenever he wasn't around to assist Obi-Wan, he must have been assisting Siri.

Obi-Wan had asked him to look out for her, and he'd done it, more than Obi-Wan thought. He'd been so sure he needed to rescue Siri, to convince her to return, but she was now the only thing protecting his Padawan, and he'd been one of her doubters. He should have known better than anyone. The shame of that wasn't quick to be released into the Force.

He did not have to wait long. It was only a few minutes before Adi slipped out of the Council Room.

"We have decided to grant your request. You can join Siri on Nar Shaddaa," Adi told him. "We haven't been able to get in contact with Kastor, but we have sent him a message to join you there as well." He saw a rare crack in her regal bearing as she hesitantly put out a hand toward him, then withdrew it. "I know you will be careful, Obi-Wan, so I should not say it, but I must. Siri is in great danger. She has risked much. Please . . ."

Adi Gallia was a reserved and careful being. She did not ask for comfort and usually kept herself aloof, but Obi-Wan was moved by her distress and reacted spontaneously, capturing her hand and pressing it between his palms.

"I will not fail you, or her," he said solemnly.

**The Will of the Force**

The siren blared, then clanged, announcing the start of another day. A day like yesterday. A day like tomorrow. If you survived.

He had only been here five days, and it felt like a lifetime.

'It could be far, far worse for us, Annie.'

He understood his mother's words now with every cell of his being. Compared to this, working for Watto on Tatooine had been a paradise.

The factories on Nar Shaddaa rose hundreds of stories and were spread out over hundreds of meters. The spice went through a multistep processing system. It could not be exposed to light, so the slaves lived in perpetual darkness. Much of the spice was off-loaded from ships that had made the Kessel Run. Other spice was cut in huge underground caverns. All of it was ferried up to the processing levels where the spice was dried or frozen, then processed into blocks.

Enormous power plants supplied energy for the endeavor. At the end of the long day, the workers filed out from the darkness, almost blinded, only to walk under a sky thick with toxic fumes. Taking a deep breath of the gray, particulate-laden air could lead to a long coughing fit.

Anakin already knew that the death rate among slaves was high. Children and the elders were especially vulnerable. From what he could see, many were dying by degrees.

Security was constant. The slaves were guarded by patrolling natives of Nar Shaddaa as well as droids. Escape was impossible. Even if one could manage to elude the guards and security devices, there would be nowhere to hide. The native citizens of Nar Shaddaa benefited from the slave trade. If they dissented, they were either threatened or bought off with huge bribes. The spaceports of this moon world were tightly controlled by Krayn. There was no way to break out and where to go.

'The whole operation ran incredibly smoothly,' Anakin thought in disgust.

Greed did not make Krayn sloppy.

Anakin had been assigned to gravsled duty. It was his job to transport the cut spice up to the processing levels. It was tedious, filthy work, much of it spent breathing in the dirt and dust from the caverns as he loaded the gravsled. Anakin was not aware of the fact that his job was considered lucky until he accidentally almost ran down a processing worker.

The slave, a female Twi'lek, had stepped back unexpectedly from her position at the loading dock, right into the path of his gravsled. Only Anakin's excellent reflexes prevented him from ramming her.

She whirled, her long head tails almostly slapping Anakin in the face. "Watch where you're going, schutta!"

Anakin didn't know what a schutta was, but he knew when he was being insulted. "You're the one who stepped back," he pointed out. It was close to the end of a long day, and his mind and muscles were strained to the limit.

She advanced on him angrily, her blue skin flushed to a deeper hue. "Don't tangle with me, soft boy. Your privileges don't count around here."

"Quiet!" a slave on the assembly line warned them in a hiss. "Guard droid."

Anakin saw a droid with an electrojabber wheeling down the aisle at a quick pace. A red beam shot out from the guard's chest and circled. This was how the droids kept track of each slave.

"It's looking for me," the Twi'lek said. "We can't leave the line, even for a moment." Her defiance was gone, and she sounded scared.

The slaves on the line immediately closed up so that the space where the Twi'lek had stood was gone. Anakin reached out and grabbed her arm. "Hop on."

She did as he said, and he reversed the gravsled and took off down another aisle.

"Crouch down underneath those bins," he murmured. "I'll look busy until it goes away."

"We all look alike to those droids," the Twi'lek muttered. "If I can slip back in place before it starts a head count, I might get away with this. Otherwise it's a prod or two with the electrojabber."

"Don't worry." Anakin gritted his teeth.

On his first day, he had seen such an assault, on a slave too exhausted to work quickly. The guard droids were programmed to be especially vicious. They did not use "a prod or two," but employed the jabber until the victim was stunned into unconsciousness.

Anakin sped down the narrow lanes, occasionally stopping to unload a bin of spice so that he wouldn't look suspicious. He didn't want to leave the floor. The head count could begin at any time, and he needed to be able to sneak the Twi'lek back in. Soon he would be in trouble himself. He was allowed a strict amount of time for his rounds.

He circled around the processing floor and returned to where he had a good vantage point. The guard droid was beginning a head count.

He heard a soft moan from behind him. "I'm dead."

"No, you're not."

Anakin was not yet adept at moving objects with his mind. Yet he knew the Force was around him, even here. He drew it up from the scarred ground below, from the living energy of the beings around him, from the toxic sky. The Force bound all the slaves together, and they were part of one another and the rest of the galaxy, no matter how isolated they might feel. He struggled to block out everything but the pure quality of the Force. Slowly, he felt the Force grow around him, and he gathered it in and then sent it out to a pile of unprocessed spice sitting on the end of the worker line. One block of spice trembled, then another. Anakin held out a hand, feeling the Force move through him. The pile tumbled over, along with a stack of durasteel bins.

The guard droid immediately wheeled about. "Violation! Violation!"

"Go!" Anakin hissed.

The Twi'lek paused for one instant. Her eyes met his, and he saw a kind of forgiveness there. "My name is Mazie." Offering her name was a kind of apology, a gesture of friendship, he knew.

"Anakin."

She scooted out of the gravsled. The other slaves bunched up, shielding her for the few seconds it took her to slip back in line.

Anakin turned the gravsled. The guard droid could blame no one for the accident, since no one had been near. It circled, aiming its red laser light randomly, but the slaves continued to work. After a few seconds, it went back to the head count. Mazie was safe.

Anakin was grateful for the hard physical training he'd been put through at the Temple. The slaves were rationed two scanty meals a day. He felt constant hunger like a beast inside him. He was not yet at Obi-Wan's level, capable of forgetting about food for long periods of time. He had to use meditation to allow his hunger to exist without weakening him.

As he parked his gravsled at the end of the day and headed for the lift tubes with the other slaves, he felt a deep weariness in his bones. He knew it had to do with a weariness of spirit as well.

Obi-wan was looking for him. That he knew. He was also confident that his Master would find him, but how long would it take? How much of him would be chipped away before it happened? Swallowing rage and fear did not fill up his empty belly, but it made him worry about losing his Jedi detachment.

He kept his eyes on the slave in front of him as they trudged to their quarters. A rain was falling, and it tasted bitter and metallic on Anakin's lips. He felt it soak his hair and unisuit.

Suddenly he felt a surge in the Force. Startled and hopeful, he lifted his head. Was his Master near? He searched the platforms high above. The factories and slave quarters high above. The factories and slave quarters were on the surface of Nar Shaddaa, but the city was built above. He did not see his Master. Instead, he saw Krayn.

The pirate stood on a platform a hundred meters high. Standing next to him was a nervous human man who Anakin did not know. Siri stood on Krany 's other side. Strange, but Siri's gaze seemed to focus right in on Anakin. He felt the Force gather, and he did not understand it. Did he have a connection to Siri? He couldn't. The thought of having a connection to the person who'd betrayed his Master was sickening. Was she demonstrating that she still could utilize her Jedi abilities? Maybe it was a warning. He didn't care.

He was about to drop his gaze when another being joined the others on the platform. Anakin was surprised to see the Colicoid captain, Anf Dec. What was he doing there? Weren't Krayn and the Colicoids bitter enemies? After all, Krayn had attacked Dec's ship!

Krayn pointed below and made a sweeping gesture. Anf Dec nodded. Siri stared serenely ahead, no longer focused on Anakin.

He didn't know what it all meant, but somehow, he resolved to find out.