Obi-Wan stood beside Qui-Gon in the cockpit of the ship, with Anakin peering over the pilot's shoulder in an attempt to get a better look at Coruscant. Thankfully neither the pilot nor the copilot were the one who'd told Anakin off about asking questions, so the boy was free to talk as much as he liked.
At the moment though, talking was the last thing on Anakin's mind. He was too busy gawking at the gleaming planet before him.
"Wizard"Obi-Wan heard the boy exclam and allowed himself a small smile.
-Happy that he ejoying himself padawan?-Qui-Gon sent along their bond Obi-Wan nodded a little, trying to remember how he'd felt the last time he and Qui-Gon had returned to Coruscant. Unfortunately, Obi-Wan could only recall his irritation over his Master bringing Anakin along, and he strove to squash that memory.
-And I'm glad we're not being shot at. Do you think it would be too much to hope for a safe landing?- he sent back and heard Qui-Gon's chuckle through their link.
-Still don't like flying, do you, padawan?- Qui-Gon asked with a wry twist to his lips.
-I like flying, Master, as long as we're safe in hyperspace. It's what tends to happen once we're in normal space that I don't care for,- Obi-Wan sent, fixing Qui-Gon with a particularly annoyed look. –And I prefer to be in control of the craft.-
-So you can quickly respond to any disasters that might occur,- Qui-Gon finished, and Obi-Wan looked back to the planet. –But I sense there is something more that is bothering you, my padawan.-
That observation was always a statement, and came paired with the unspoken command for Obi-Wan to share his problems.
–It's about Anakin, Master,- he began, his gaze drifting to the boy.
-What about him? Have you noticed something during the time you spent together?- Qui-Gon asked, and Obi-Wan almost quirked an eyebrow impertinently at his Master. Even though the other Jedi's mental tone was as calm as his face, Obi-Wan could sense a very faint flicker of annoyance that Qui-Gon was striving to release quietly into the Force.
-I just wanted to know what was going to happen to him once we reach the planet's surface,- Obi-Wan asked, curious to as why Qui-Gon would react as he was, and Obi-Wan felt Qui-Gon's annoyance grow. –He asked me about it a few days ago and I told him not to worry about it.-
-And you did not take this to me immediately?- Qui-Gon asked, and Obi-Wan had to quickly shield his own flash of annoyance. His Master's tone, though a touch snappish, should not have irked him so. –We could have discussed this then instead of now, when it is almost too late.-
-Forgive me for neglecting my duties, Master,- Obi-Wan sent in a manner he hoped was soothing, bowing his head and dropping his gaze to the floor. –I couldn't find you right after it occurred, and I felt I had to keep an eye on Anakin, as you were most likely advising the queen and no one else could be spared.-
There was a small pause of silence, broken only by the faint hum of machinery and Anakin's exclamations of delight.
-I am not upset with you, padawan,- Qui-Gon said at last, uttering a small mental sigh. –The question you raised is one I have been struggling with for a while now. I dare not ask the queen to include him in her entourage, as I have already requested that she take Jar Jar, and I feel that I can not ask for more.-
-And Anakin happens to be a rather active child,- Obi-Wan added, eliciting another mental sigh from Qui-Gon. –He would be bored to tears without the ability to explore everything to his heart's content, even if Padmé were watching out for him.-
-Speaking from experience, are we?- Qui-Gon asked, a faint smile quirking his lips.
-You did find us crawling around in the engine room, Master,- he sent back. –It kept him out from under people's feet and I knew he'd find it interesting.-
-True.-
Obi-Wan glanced at Qui-Gon briefly and lifted an eyebrow. –Master, is this your roundabout way of leading me to an answer of my own question?-
"Obi-Wan, it looks just like you said!"
Anakin's happy exclamation and playful tug on the sleeve of his robe jerked him from the conversation and he smiled back at the grinning boy.
"You three better go strap yourselves in for the landing," the pilot said and Anakin gave a groan of disappointment.
"You mean I can't watch?"
"'Fraid not, kiddo," the copilot said. "We've only got two seats up here, and we can't have you gettin' tossed around if the landing gets tough."
Anakin frowned, pouting, even though he knew the man was right. He glanced up when Obi-Wan laid a hand on his shoulder, his frown fading, and Obi-Wan watched him sigh.
"All right," Anakin said. "Maybe next time."
"Come on, Ani," Obi-Wan said quietly, holding out his hand, and Anakin slid his into it as they left the cockpit. "Landings and take-offs are the hardest part of flying; you know that."
"Yeah," Anakin said with another sigh. "I had a feeling they wouldn't let me stay, but I thought I'd ask anyway."
Obj-Wan squeezed his hand as they reached their seats,and binked when he heard Qui-Gon clear his throat over their link.
-You were saying something before we were interrupted, padawan?- Qui-Gon sent and Obi-Wan smirked a little.
-You want me to offer to watch out for Anakin while we're here,- he sent back, no question present in his mental tone, and he watched as Qui-Gon's eyebrows quirked slightly.
-You really are growing more perceptive, padawan. Or perhaps it's more impudent?- Qui-Gon replied as they sat, buckling their safety belts, and Obi-Wan worked to restrain a grin.
-What can I say, Master? I've had the best role models, especially when you consider that one defies the Council every chance he gets,- he jabbed and Qui-Gon rolled his eyes.
-Cheeky little brat,- Qui-Gon sent, though not without the customary rush of affection, and Obi-Wan finally grinned. –I raise you for twelve long years, and this is the kind of respect I get?-
-Only what you deserve, dear Master mine,- Obi-Wan replied. –Do you want to tell Anakin, or should I?-
"Anakin?" Qui-Gon said, answering Obi-Wan's question and drawing the boy's attention. "Once we land, I want you to stick close to Obi-Wan until further notice. I've put him in charge of your care when I'm unable to look after you myself, which I'm afraid might be for a while."
"That's all right, Mister Qui-Gon, sir," Anakin said, smiling. "I don't mind."
"Good."
A few short minutes and one relatively smooth landing later, Obi-Wan freed himself from his safety belt, and the three of them made for the main hatch. Anakin was adjusting his backpack, nervousness curling into the Force around him, and Obi-Wan threw him a reassuring smile. The hatch finally hissed open, and they marched down it easily, heading for the small welcoming party that stood a short distance away.
When Obi-Wan saw who it consisted of, he froze.
Palpatine, his mind hissed, a cold, sickening anger twisting in his gut. His vision narrowed on the aging man, who stood prepared to meet them with a ready smile.
Palpatine was dripping with wealth, just as Obi-Wan remembered, dressed in Naboo finery of a deep, royal purple, the fabric cut from the richest silk credits could furnish. His cool, blue gaze studied each of them in turn, settling on Obi-Wan perhaps a little longer than the rest, as Obi-Wan was most likely glaring at the senator.
It took every shred of self-control Obi-Wan possessed not to snatch up his lightsaber and hack the man in two. Here was the man who had led Anakin to darkness, who had gobbled up rule of the Republic, who had ordered the armies to turn on their Jedi generals…
And he could do nothing.
-Padawan?-
Obi-Wan started at Qui-Gon's concerned brush and realized that he was the only one not bowing politely to their greeters. Instead, he'd fixed Senator Palpatine with a steady stare; one the man was returning while attempting to look confused.
"Is something wrong, Padawan Kenobi?" the other member of the party asked, a man Obi-Wan dimly recognized as Supreme Chancellor Valorum. "You seem out of sorts, young Jedi. Is everything all right?"
Obi-Wan could feel Qui-Gon's concerned, yet calculating stare burning into his skin, and he forced himself to set aside everything he remembered. He released his anger, dropping his gaze in hopes that cutting off visual contact would make it disappear more quickly, and he dipped his head in a low, respectful bow.
"Forgive me Chancellor, Senator," Obi-Wan said quietly, knowing they would hear. "I fear my latest bouts of insomnia have indeed made me rather unwell. I haven't been myself and I apologize for my disrespect."
"It's all right, padawan," the chancellor said with a warm smile and Obi-Wan stepped aside when he sensed the queen and her party were descending the ramp. He took his place to Qui-Gon's right, with Anakin moving to stand on his right, and he loosed one of his hands from his sleeves so that he could offer it to the boy.
Anakin took it and squeezed it gently, giving him a concerned look. "You seemed really angry about something," Anakin whispered up to him as the queen greeted the chancellor and Senator Palpatine warmly. "You sure you're okay?"
-A valid question, Obi-Wan,- Qui-Gon's mental voice rumbled through the bond and Obi-Wan couldn't help the sigh that escaped. –What happened just now? What in the world could make you so angry?-
"I'm all right, Ani," he whispered back, squeezing the boy's hand gently in return. "I'll tell you about it later."
-Was I glaring at anyone? - Obi-Wan asked, and he sensed Qui-Gon's frown at the strange question.
-What are you aiming at, padawan? No, you were not glaring at anyone, but all of us could sense your anger; even Anakin, who hasn't even been properly trained.-
An unexpected burst of relief filled Obi-Wan and he drew a deep, calming breath. –Master, I'll explain when I share those visions with you.-
Qui-Gon glanced at him sharply, his blue eyes narrowing. –I grow tired of this, Obi-Wan; those visions have become an excuse for every action I find disturbing. Such anger is dangerous; you know that.-
Better than anyone, I'm willing to bet, Obi-Wan thought, ignoring the rest of Qui-Gon's lecture, and he earned himself a sharp, mental swat.
-What was that, padawan?-
Obi-Wan gritted his teeth and drew another deep breath. When he released it, he blew out his mounting frustration, quiet calm replacing the emotion. –Nothing, Master. I was simply thinking about your warnings and reflecting on my actions.-
-Of course you were,- Qui-Gon sent back, sarcasm dripping from the words, and Obi-Wan half-expected a "and I'm the King of Hoth" response to follow it. –Then would you mind telling me the conclusions you came to?-
Stars, was this how Anakin had felt whenever Obi-Wan had started in on another lecture about controlling one's emotions?
–I will meditate on this once we reach the Temple, Master. There is no excuse for my slip, and I apologize for disrespecting you through my actions,- he sent, along with a healthy dose of remorse that he didn't quite feel, and he sensed Qui-Gon stumble a little.
Just as Obi-Wan had expected. He knew that if Anakin had fed him a line like that, he probably would've been in shock for a week. Or demanding that Anakin have his head examined…
After all, padawans weren't supposed to willingly volunteer for meditation.
-That is…well, a mature response that I had not expected, Obi-Wan,- Qui-Gon sent, not bothering to hide his surprise. –And…-
"Master Jinn?"
The chancellor's voice broke into their conversation and Obi-Wan watched his master start a little before finally focusing on the man.
"Yes, Chancellor?"
-Don't go thinking you've escaped, Obi-Wan. We will discuss this later, whether you like it or not,- Qui-Gon sent before giving all his attention to Chancellor Valorum, who watched the Jedi curiously. Obi-Wan, in the meantime, glanced after the party that was heading for an air taxi, his gaze locking onto Senator Palpatine's retreating form.
This time Obi-Wan successfully wrestled his anger into the Force before it gave Qui-Gon any reason for alarm. He then reached out mentally to carefully probe the edges of the senator's presence. As powerful in the Dark Side as the man had been, he surely would've had trouble masking it.
Right when Obi-Wan caught a flash of the evil he was searching for, Palpatine's body went rigid and he turned, his gaze flicking to the Jedi. Obi-Wan gazed back at him, remaining utterly calm even when the senator's gaze locked with his.
Silly little Jedi, the Force whispered, a deep chill brushing up against Obi-Wan. He slammed up his tightest shields so forcefully that Qui-Gon started, the elder Jedi's sentence jerking slightly.
What were you seeking? What proof did you hope to find?
Obi-Wan felt his jaw tighten, but otherwise he remained serene.
Yet when the senator's gaze shifted down, his eyes undoubtedly falling on Anakin, Obi-Wan couldn't help tensing.
I won't let you have him, Sith, Obi-Wan thought, watching Palpatine's gaze drift back to him. Obi-Wan almost stepped in front the boy to block him from sight, but he remained absolutely still. I won't let you corrupt him like you did before.
After what seemed like an eternity, Senator Palpatine turned away and slid into the air taxi, the door slamming shut behind him. Obi-Wan felt himself relax as they flew away, and only once they were completely out of sight did he lower his shields.
It still wasn't much, however, as his suspicious side was not willing to take any chances.
It was then he realized that Anakin had a death grip on his hand, and his gaze snapped to the boy in concern.
"Ani?" he whispered, as Qui-Gon and the chancellor were still talking. "What's wrong? You're shaking!"
"C-Cold…" the boy whispered back, dropping Obi-Wan's hand so he could rub his upper arms vigorously. "S-so… c-cold…"
Obi-Wan quickly knelt before the boy to draw him into an embrace, lending Anakin some of his body heat. The boy shivered against him, his body trembling like a leaf and his teeth chattering. Obi-Wan did a quick scan only to find nothing out of the ordinary, and he frowned.
"Ani? What happened?" he asked quietly, and felt the boy shrug.
"Dunno," Anakin whispered back, his teeth chattering less. "I f-felt something, c-can't explain it. This dark f-feeling touched m-me."
Palpatine must've done something, Obi-Wan thought, shutting his eyes and opening himself to the Force. He let it flood his body and then he gently reached out for Anakin's brilliant presence, brushing away any residue of the darkness. They seemed to hiss when he touched them, crumbling to ash when faced with the Light.
"Better?" he asked once he'd finished, and Anakin nodded, looking surprised that his shivers had stopped.
"What'd you do?"
"Anakin, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon's voice broke into their conversation, and Obi-Wan glanced up to find his Master frowning down at him.
"I was going to tell you that we need to leave for the Temple, but I suppose I should ask what happened first," he added, fixing Obi-Wan with a stare.
"Anakin was cold, Master," Obi-Wan said as he stood, talking hold of Anakin's hand once more. "Didn't you feel the Darkness that brushed up against us?"
"I did, padawan," Qui-Gon responded, his frown softening as he thought. "And it is our duty to report it to the Council. Now come."
All three bowed respectfully to the chancellor before entering another air taxi, and Qui-Gon gave the droid pilot their destination. Previous scare forgotten, Anakin (who'd been buckled in the seat between the two Jedi) began to crane his neck to peer out at everything. Sensing the boy's disappointment at being unable to see anything, Obi-Wan reached over and undid Anakin's safety belt. Slightly surprised when he didn't sense a flash of alarm from Qui-Gon, he drew Anakin into his lap, which allowed the boy a perfect view of the passing city.
-Master?- Obi-Wan queried, concerned, and he tapped ever so gently on Qui-Gon's shields.
"Wow! Did you see that, Obi-Wan? That guy was at least three meters tall! How does he get into buildings?" Anakin said, interrupting any response Qui-Gon might've made. Obi-Wan, however, was beginning to feel distinctly unnerved by the dead silence over the bond, and he quickly thought of a way to keep Anakin from interrupting too often.
"How about we play a game, Ani?" Obi-Wan said, remembering something he'd seen a family do during a long transport ride, and the boy looked up at him with a grin. "The Temple is still a ways off, so I'll think we'll have plenty of time to play."
"Sure!" Anakin replied enthusiastically. "What do you do? What are the rules?"
"It's called the Aurebesh game, and what we do is hunt for words on street signs or advertisements that start with the letters of the alphabet. For example, we start by looking for a word that begins with 'aurek', and once we find one, then we move on to one that starts with 'besh'," he said, watching Anakin consider the rules. "The one who finds the words the fastest is the winner of the round, and the one who finds the most over all words is the winner of the game. Think you can beat me?"
"You're on!" Anakin said, his gaze snapping to the window. "Ha! 'Any'!"
"Hm, 'bothan'," he said, sensing Anakin's flash of disappointment. "And there's 'Coruscant'. That's two for me."
-Master?- Obi-Wan tried again, and he felt a heavy sigh roll through the bond. –Is everything all right?-
-Of course, padawan,- Qui-Gon finally replied as Anakin snagged two more points with 'digger' and 'eggs'. Obi-Wan got the next one, however, with 'fresh'. –Considering I feel like you're hiding something that I really ought to know, we just brushed up against the most powerful Dark force I've ever sensed, and you just lost control of your temper in a way you haven't since you were twelve. Have I left anything out?-
Obi-Wan threw Qui-Gon a surprised frown, completely missing Anakin's gleeful shout as he netted three more points. –Master, all of this has a good explanation…-
-One that I would absolutely love to hear!- Qui-Gon snapped across the bond, his frustration and ire broadcasting easily, and even Anakin quit gloating when he realized that something was happening between the two Jedi. –You have been dangling that damn excuse in front of me for everything, and I think it's high time I got some actual answers! No more promises to tell me when you're ready!-
Obi-Wan was glad he was sitting down, as he certainly hadn't expected his Master's heated response. Anakin was tugging on his sleeve, and Obi-Wan blinked down at the boy, who stared up at him in concern.
"Yes, Ani? Which letter are we on?"
"Um, 'krill', I think," he said, glancing between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon with a small frown. "Is something going on?"
"Yes," Obi-Wan said, sighing a little. "But trust me, you're better off not bothering with it. Master Qui-Gon and I are just trying to sort some things out. By the way, 'king', 'let's', and 'mother'. Oh, and 'no'."
"What? Hey! I wasn't paying attention!" Anakin yelped, spinning back to the window, and frowning in concentration.
"There's an 'of', Ani, and a 'player'."
"Not fair! Where are you finding this stuff?"
Obi-Wan chuckled slightly and let his consciousness drift back to the bond, where Qui-Gon waited. He could almost see the Jedi Master with his arms folded over his chest, tapping a finger against his bicep rapidly, and his face molded into the stoniest expression possible. The part of Obi-Wan that had always remained Qui-Gon's padawan cringed and nearly fell to the ground, begging for forgiveness, but the rest of him merely sighed.
-If I didn't know your Force-presence as well as I do, Obi-Wan, I would swear you were a completely different person,- Qui-Gon sent, his tone dark with irritation. –What am I going to do with you? You argue with me, something you did do before, I grant you, but never over anything this important. You willfully ignore my commands, and then you go and do something I never expected from someone as well trained as you are. Your behavior is disturbing, padawan, and I want answers.-
Obi-Wan sighed again, leaving Anakin to search for 'qek' on his own. –Master, I want you to look at me.-
-Obi-Wan,- Qui-Gon started, huffing in frustration, but Obi-Wan stunned the Jedi Master into silence with a sharp look.
-I mean it, Master. Look at me, really look at me. Look at my Force-presence and tell me what you see. I'll drop most of my shields so you'll be certain that I'm not tricking you in any way.-
He could feel Qui-Gon grudgingly comply, the man's curiosity overruling his irritation at being ordered around by his own apprentice. Obi-Wan lowered as many of his shields as he dared, including the blocks he'd put up to make his presence appear as it had when he'd been twenty-five, and he felt Qui-Gon start poking at him.
At first, it was an unmistakably sullen touch, but then he sensed the Jedi Master draw himself up sharply, his physical gaze snapping to Obi-Wan.
-This is impossible,- Qui-Gon sent, and Obi-Wan met his gaze steadily. He could feel fear flickering behind his Master's shields, Qui-Gon's eyes darkening to a midnight hue, and Obi-Wan shook his head.
-Have I ever lied to you? Would the Force lie to you?- he sent and watched Qui-Gon sink into the cushions of the seat, his knuckles whitening as he clenched his fists. –It's the truth, and you know it. You can feel it.-
Qui-Gon shut his eyes then, and when he reopened them, his gaze fell on Anakin, who was practically sitting on Obi-Wan's knees in his attempt to find a word that started with 'qek' first. Obi-Wan could feel the gears turning in his Master's head, and when Qui-Gon lifted his eyes to meet Obi-Wan's, there was a sad gleam to them.
-He was your padawan in the visions, wasn't he.-
Obi-Wan didn't answer, merely letting Qui-Gon probe him for any reaction. Obi-Wan kept himself blank, hiding any shudders the statement invoked behind the thickest shielding he could muster.
-What happened to him? Why didn't I train him as I…-
Obi-Wan watched realization flicker across Qui-Gon's face as he put the pieces together and then shut his eyes again.
-I'll tell you everything, Master, once the Council decides Anakin's fate,- Obi-Wan sent. –When are they going to meet with him?-
Qui-Gon sighed and thought for a moment. –Tomorrow, at the earliest. Our meeting with them isn't for another five hours, which was the fastest they could see us. I plan to tell them of Anakin and the warrior we faced then.-
-What about that presence a little bit ago? And what are you going to say about my visions?- Obi-Wan asked as the air taxi turned a corner and his heart leapt to his throat. There, at the end of the skyline, was the Jedi Temple, its five spires gleaming in the Coruscant sun. It was exactly how he remembered, the damage wrought by the clone troops gone, and it was beautiful once more.
-I'll be reporting on the presence, certainly. But I have no idea what to say about your visions, so I planned to meditate on it during the break,- Qui-Gon replied as Anakin gasped.
"Is… is that the Jedi Temple?" he whispered to Obi-Wan, who nodded. "It's incredible!"
"Welcome to my home, Ani," Obi-Wan whispered back, and Anakin pressed his face against the transparisteel, trying to get the best possible look at the temple.
"And hopefully my new home," Anakin said, and Obi-Wan unconsciously tightened his arms around the boy.
-What are you doing to do with the break, padawan?-Qui-Gon asked, his tone forced to be as nonchalant as possible, and Obi-Wan could sense he was struggling to mend the chasm that somehow had opened up between them. Part of Obi-Wan broke at the sensation, and he reached out to his Master, trying to convey how deeply he regretted having to hide everything from him. He felt Qui-Gon sigh in response, but the man sent back a gentle reassurance.
-Master, if you knew what I saw, nothing would be objective for you anymore,- he sent, feeling Qui-Gon mull that piece of information over. –That's why I ask you at least to wait until after the Council has given its final say on Anakin. Then we can put what the visions showed me to good use.-
Qui-Gon glanced up sharply, his gaze narrowing as he scrutinized his apprentice. –You saw him turn, didn't you. -
-I said I'd tell you once the Council has given their say,-Obi-Wan sent and, much to the annoyance of his Master, he remained utterly blank as he met Qui-Gon's stare. –As for my answer to your first question, I was planning on taking Anakin for some sight-seeing. That way if the Council decides not to train him, he won't regret not seeing some of Coruscant, and he won't have gotten too attached to the idea of living at the Temple.-
-That sounds like an excellent idea, padawan,- Qui-Gon replied, and Obi-Wan could sense his Master's surprise. He wasn't able to figure out over what, however, because Anakin's happy shout jolted them from their thoughts.
"We've landed!" Anakin cried, bouncing up and down in excitement on Obi-Wan's legs. They pulled up to the Temple and Anakin was the first one out, hopping out onto the landing pad. Obi-Wan followed, Anakin's pack in hand.
"This is great!" Anakin said as Qui-Gon paid their fare and exited. Obi-Wan watched the air taxi fly off, his eyes sweeping across the both familiar and unfamiliar skyline, noting several differences between the one he remembered and the one he saw before him. Had things begun to change already?
"Obi-Wan? Aren't you coming?"
He glanced down at the tug on his hand, and smiled when he found Anakin beaming up at him. "Of course, Ani. Let's put your stuff down, and then I thought we could go explore Coruscant for a little while. How does that sound?"
Anakin's eyes widened at the suggestion. "Absolutely wizard!"
"Are you hungry, Ani?" he asked as they started up the wide stairs that led to the main temple doors. Qui-Gon was already at the top, waiting for them, and Obi-Wan swore he saw a small smile cross his Master's face as he watched them. They must've cut a pretty funny picture, he thought, a little boy practically pulling a full-grown man up a flight of stairs.
"When am I not?" Anakin responded, tugging on his hand to make him go faster.
"Good, because I know you'll love where we're going for lunch."
The afternoon Coruscant sun crept along its path, shining brightly on the planet. Tourists, residents, smugglers, businessmen… all types of people walked the streets of the city, chatting, planning, laughing, teasing, and generally enjoying themselves. The light touched as much as it could, brightening the atmosphere, but there were some places its soothing rays couldn't reach. High above the general populous, two shadows met, their combined presence driving a chill into the air.
"Forgive my failure, Master," the taller shadow hissed, dropping to one knee before the shorter, darker shadow, who stood in silence for a good while, studying the other.
"It is forgiven," the second shadow rasped at last. "Our enemy is resourceful and extremely adept at running."
"Then your new orders, my Master?" the first shadow asked promptly.
"Yes, I did mention something about a new target, didn't I?" the second shadow mused. "Rise, my apprentice, and walk with me." The first shadow complied quickly. "The queen is playing into our hands; she need not be worried about until the next stage begins."
The first shadow remained silent, waiting for the next part.
"Now tell me, have you ever heard of a Jedi named Obi-Wan Kenobi?"
"He is a padawan, my master, apprenticed to Qui-Gon Jinn," the first shadow responded. "Twenty-five standard years old, he went unclaimed as a padawan because of his temper until it was almost too late. Mediocre skills in negotiation, healing; lacks any skill in flying. Excels in saber compared to his age-mates, but is far from any truly acceptable level. Overall, a general, weak Jedi."
"And if I told you he was the new target?"
The first shadow didn't bat an eyelash. "What do you wish done, my master?"
"I sense that there has been a great shift in him. His Force-presence now runs more deeply than all but two of the Jedi on that pathetic Council, and I believe he is easily the equal of one of them," the second shadow said, a small smile twisting his lips. "Bring him before me, relatively unharmed, so that I might speak with him. He sees more than a normal padawan should, finding Darkness where others do not, and I would like to know why."
"Is he truly that dangerous, Master?"
Another twisted smile. "He is a potential threat, my apprentice. If it turns out to be nothing, you may kill him as you wish. But if it does not…" The smile grew. "I intend to unlock his secrets. I sense he might hold the key to my final goal."