[fic/rp] across the galaxy

[morally_cryptic]

[ooc: Just prompted by a little mental image of Anakin "stargazing" that popped to mind earlier.]

On Coruscant, it was impossible to see the stars, even if one was looking out from the Council room at the top of the Jedi Temple. An unfortunate side effect of so much light from so many buildings and various forms of transport speeding around the airways. Not to mention that there was simply so much starship traffic, one likely wouldn't be able to tell the lights of ships from the field of stars behind them anyway.

Anakin had discovered this unfortunate fact not long after he came to live at the Jedi temple. He'd thought that, surely, so close to the center of the galaxy, the sky would be full of stars to see that he'd never been able to see before on Tatooine. Instead it turned out that perhaps the only thing that was better about Tatooine than Coruscant was that the desert planet was so sparsely inhabited and that the skies were so clear. Even out on the Rim, the sky was full of stars and the spiral arm of the galaxy could be clearly seen arcing across it.

He didn't try to watch the night sky on Coruscant anymore, but he still kept up the habit of at least looking for a moment whenever he found himself on a new planet. At the center of the Republic, however, he has to content himself with substitutes.

Which is why he can be found in an empty classroom surrounded by a holographic rendering of the galaxy. He's been spending all afternoon, so far, carefully marking off different star systems in various designated colors. Technically the entire exercise could be done by a computer but that wasn't Anakin's purpose in doing it. It requires concentration, but it doesn't require him to spend much effort in actually thinking so the whole activity is almost meditative.

The first batch of colored systems is simple: yellow for those that Anakin has already been to. Naboo might possibly be a subtly brighter yellow than all the rest, as if he'd lingered on that one for a moment longer than the others. He'd once told Qui-Gon he was going to see them all and certainly he had a better start on most other inhabitants of the galaxy, but it was still extraordinarily minute compared to the sheer number of systems represented on the map.

The second batch are green, signifying systems where battles of the Clone War have been fought and the Republic retained (or gained) control. Another group are blue, for the Separatist-won battles.

And finally, there's a sprinkling of red dots across the galaxy, mostly concentrated Rimward, and these are for those systems where battles are currently raging. Places he should be where he could be doing some good and making a difference. Staring at those flashes of red, it was almost enough to have him just commandeering a starfighter and heading out somewhere...anywhere. After making sure orders somehow just happened to make it through the system so that Rex and the 501st would be meeting him, of course.

But it wasn't, quite, enough. Contrary to some people's beliefs, he did have enough self-awareness to recognize that any action along those lines would likely not end well. That didn't mean he didn't still feel the temptation and it's that thought that has him swiping a hand through the starfield and systematically clearing everything out again until only dots of yellow remain on the map. He stares at those longest before they're wiped clean as well.

Comments

Making something up. Take it and run with it as you will.

[master_obiwan]

Obi-Wan would have classified the tone of Anakin's question as carrying a plaintive note had it been anyone else asking besides Anakin. The frustration at being bound to the Temple coiled behind the words is more what Obi-Wan picks up on, and he smiles wryly.

"We have a mission." A beat. "If you call investigating strange disappearances a mission, that is."

o7

[morally_cryptic]

It's truly amazing how quickly the swift peak of interest suddenly drops into something resembling disappointment and certainly Obi-Wan can sense it as easily as he hears the frustration in Anakin's tone.

Still, at least it's something so there's still curiosity to be satisfied, "strange disappearances?"

[master_obiwan]

Obi-Wan does pick up on the momentary excitement and the resulting depression in Anankin, and he offers a look of apology for not having something better to give him.

"The planet Taris is a member of the Council of Neutral Systems," he replies. "Not very exciting, save for the fact that ships traveling to the planet have begun to go missing. The reports come from the planet itself; expected arrivals never actually arrive, and those sent to investigate find nothing. Now, it is entirely possible that these ships simply change course and go elsewhere, but the Tarisian government has a check-point system set into place to ensure that all incoming ships are not in violation of their neutrality."

Obi-Wan enters the room and reactivates the hologram of the galaxy. As he picks out Taris from the stars, he adds, "That is to say, no warships or those looking to cause trouble from either the Republic or the Separatists allowed."

When the Taris system is in place around him, Obi-Wan puts in several way-points that form four concentric circles around Taris, with the inner-most circle being about 150 million kilometers away from the planet, and the largest almost four times that.

"Each check point is serviced by space stations that move location in accordance with the current hyper-lanes available. Once a ship is beyond the first check point, there are sensors that keep track of it to ensure it's compliance with the assigned route through to the planet; recently, ships that make it beyond the third check-point don't always make it to the fourth, and those that make it to the fourth don't always make it to the planet."

[morally_cryptic]

Anakin frowns in thought as he watches Obi-Wan explain the situation. Sometimes, he thinks, it's a little funny that systems that want to stay neutral still end up asking the Republic for help though they can't take sides, of course. But now probably isn't the time to bring up Mandalore. Still, it's something that he finds rather irritating, to say the least. Then again, at least in this case, perhaps they'd change their minds about the Republic if they receive Jedi help. There was that, at least.

"So they're effectively being blockaded by something they can't explain?"

Wonderful.

[master_obiwan]

"In a manner of speaking, yes," Obi-Wan confirms. "The request for aid was given directly to the Jedi Council from the Leader of the Neutral Systems; it will be a covert investigation until it is deemed that a military solution will be necessary."

In other words, proof of Separatist involvement needs to be confirmed before a formal request for aid can be made to the Republic.

[morally_cryptic]

They know each other well enough that Anakin can hear what's not actually being said so he just nods thoughtfully and stares at the hologram of the system some more. "So what rust bucket are we flying out there?"

Covert does imply they aren't taking Jedi starfighters, after all.

[master_obiwan]

"Procuring transportation would be your department," he replies. "And the Temple quartermaster will provide us with appropriate attire. Our cover story will be finalized once we've had a chance to analyze the data provided to us from the Tarisian government regarding the types of craft that have been most affected by this."

[morally_cryptic]

"One disreputable freighter coming up," Anakin says with an easy grin. Though quite likely with a few modifications under the metaphorical hood. After all, they might have to get moving in a hurry.

He looks up from the hologram to raise his eyebrows, "so what did you think of our guest?"

[I don't remember which thread started first but I'm pretending the thread Anakin currently also has going on with Dia where she's talking about her convo w/ Obi happened before this one.]

[master_obiwan]

"One that's not falling completely apart this time, okay?" It's a humble request.

Ah, yes. Their guest. "She's very confused. Eager to please, but more because she's bored and she knows that the only way to have the Jedi aid her in alleviating that boredom is by getting us to trust her." He shrugs. "She's civil, but so is Ventress, when the mood strikes her. We'll see how things go."



[Okies :) and Obi's sad that Anakin didn't think of the Temple Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies^TM during the dessert convo. Unless he's never had them and they are still a legend for him.]

[morally_cryptic]

Anakin sighs, "it was one time!" And he didn't exactly have much to choose from.

Then he smiles a little crookedly, "you only say that because she likes you more than me." Ventress, that is, not Dia'ndria. Not that Ventress seemed to actually like anyone. Ever. "I only hope Dooku doesn't get wind of her." Now he's back to Dia.

[master_obiwan]

"Let's keep it that way, hm?" Obi-Wan softens the comment with a teasing grin.

"I can't imagine why she does," he says, making a face, referring to Ventress. "And Dooku finding out about her," Dia, "would be bad, yes. I warned her that she was vulnerable to manipulation from the Dark Side; we'll see how much she takes the warning to heart."

[morally_cryptic]

[ooc: at some point in Anakin and Dia's convo I plan to have him suggest that she make an effort to not use her lightsabers out in "the field" unless she does plan on catching the attention of Dooku, et al. Which he thinks would be a dumb move. They don't like competition, after all.]

"I'll do my best," which is all anyone can promise when one has constraints on how much one can spend. Not that they'd want to get something too nice...that would draw too much attention on its own. So commandeering Padme's ship, for instance, would be right out.

Anakin laughs a little at Obi-Wan's expression, "probably because she hopes it will get to you." Though he's seen his former Master pay her back in kind enough times to know that was unlikely to happen. And then he sobers slightly, "she does seem to want to cut ties with the Sith, at least." He's not entirely sure about the Dark Side.

[master_obiwan]

"Ventress needs to try harder if she ever hopes to achieve that." He shakes his head, sorry he ever brought the annoying woman up in the first place. As for Dia, "Cut ties with the Sith, yes; but the questions remains on where she will choose to place her loyalty afterward. Since you seem to be developing some sort of friendship with her, I hope she decides to remain in a position to not be seen as a threat to the Republic, or the Jedi."

Because they have so few friends already. He'd hate to see yet another be lost to the Sith and the Separatists.

[morally_cryptic]

"We have enough to worry about without that happening too," he agrees. Like their upcoming mission. Like a war. Like manipulative Sith Masters who may or may not be controlling the Senate. Things like that.

"I guess I can see where she's coming from...a little." He knows how weird that sounds but he adds on swiftly as explanation, "I felt out of place here, too." Or like he didn't belong. But he wasn't actually trying to sting Obi-Wan here. "Besides...I found her, didn't I? I feel a little responsible for whatever happens."

[master_obiwan]

Obi-Wan smiles a little at Anakin's confession. "Well, your entry into the Order was hardly typical," he says gently. "I can't imagine how awkward it may have felt for you. Perhaps your experiences will help you to guide her as she transitions from her time to ours."

[morally_cryptic]

"At least you're not suggesting I train her." But then again, she doesn't really need it. Not as far as learning to use the Force goes, anyway.

Besides, in a lot of ways, they were too much peers for that sort of suggestion to be taken seriously by anyone. "But I suppose I can pass on some of my hard-won experience."

[master_obiwan]

"Oh goodness, no," he agrees. "She just needs to know that she has someone on her side."

[morally_cryptic]

"Like I've got you?" he asks with a smile.

But before that squishy moment goes on too long he waves at the hologram. "I suppose I should get started on our ride."

[master_obiwan]

"Like you have me." He returns the smile.

"Yes. I'll check in to see what data we have available to us. Hopefully we won't need to do anything terribly...outlandish."

want to skip to them heading out?

[morally_cryptic]

"Oh, come on, Obi-Wan...it wouldn't be a good mission if things didn't get a little crazy," Anakin laughs.

He claps a hand to Obi-Wan's shoulder, "don't worry, we'll make it."

Sure. Again, feel free to make up details. I'll roll with it :)

[master_obiwan]

"I meant outlandish in terms of our cover story," he clarifies. He's glad Anakin's in high spirits though.

"Have we ever not?"


[ooc: going t'bed. Stupid work tmrw.]

yes'm...sleep well!

[morally_cryptic]

"Not yet," and hopefully never, of course. But with a wave, Anakin will be off to track down a suitable ship now.

Once their cover stories are in place and they've finally gotten off-planet and settled in to hyperspace, Anakin turns in the pilot's seat of their new third-hand freighter and raises his eyebrows at Obi-Wan. "Well, at least there's the swoop bike thing." If they actually make it down to the planet. "But Thyferra? Seriously? I don't think I can talk that much about bacta."

Re: yes'm...sleep well!

[master_obiwan]

Obi-Wan manages not to roll his eyes. "I might even bet on you this time," he retorts, not unkindly. "And don't blame me; blame whomever is behind this plot. They're the ones going after traders. It could be anyone trying to supply a secret military group."

[morally_cryptic]

"You'd probably win at least as much to buy this ship over again."

For the rest, he sighs over-dramatically, "then again, we could do that with the bacta they sent along in our hold for our cover."

And then a smile, "but I'll make sure to take it up with our plotter."

[master_obiwan]

"I thought you didn't pay that much for it?" he asks innocently.

"As will I. The question still remains, however. If it's a military group, is it local resistance, or is it Separatists? This war is splintering planetary loyalties; I would hate to have another version of Death Watch on the loose."