[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

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."

[morally_cryptic]

The innocent comment just has Anakin cutting a sharp glance over at his companion.

"You and me both. I'm not sure which I should be hoping we find."

But then he has to be a little suspicious, "I'd like to avoid a trap, however." What did they really know about what they were getting in to, after all?

[master_obiwan]

Obi-Wan pretends not to see the sharp glance. He hopes Anakin knows he's just ribbing him.

"Well, a local group will be slightly easier to deal with, since that means disgruntled citizens are mobilizing to strike out at the government; all we need to do is report back on that one, as we can't really interfere until the Senate gets an official request from the Council of Neutral Systems." Obi-Wan sighs. "If it's the CIS, then we have bigger problems than disappearing ships; CIS involvement would mean that Taris has either broken neutrality and joined Dooku, or they've been invaded and it's being covered up. In either case, we may have to act before back-up can arrive." Backup being their respective squadrons, which they left behind on Halmad.

"And if it is a trap, which it could very well be, then obviously us being here en route means we're sticking to our usual tactic of springing the trap."

[morally_cryptic]

He was well aware of the joking, but maybe he'd let his reaction be a little more cutting than necessary. Nothing for it now...

"Just like springing traps, Obi-Wan, we always end up acting before back-up can arrive."

Well, we was mostly spelled Anakin in this case, but details details. "Though if it's the Confederacy, we should probably try and figure out what they want."

[master_obiwan]

"This is true," he admits. "I'm beginning to wonder about the wisdom of sending us on these missions."

He thinks a moment, then shakes his head. "Taris used to be compared to Coruscant back in it's prime," like, 5,000 years ago, "but that's hardly a reason for wanting the planet. The only thing that can be considered an asset, is it's location on the Hydian Way. The closest planets are Mandalore and Bandomeer. Serenno, Dooku's home planet, is also along the trade route, but further Rim-Ward."

[morally_cryptic]

"Well, at least we usually manage to get them taken care of, right?" Even if their methods weren't always by the book, exactly.

"They could want it for access. It would give them a good stepping stone if they were to move in on Coruscant." They might be getting pushed Rimward, but that didn't mean they might not try something anyway, if they had the right base of operations.

[master_obiwan]

"It does intersect the Perlemian route at Brentaal," he agrees, "and really, Taris isn't that far from Coruscant." He thinks for a moment, then adds, "The only other planet of note between the two is Obroa-Skai."

i can't forget Bror's short-pants, okay.

[morally_cryptic]

"Well, with that in mind the only other thing I wonder about is if we actually have to dress like we're from Thyferra."

He grins at that. "Though I'm sure you'd pull it off smashingly."

*ded* >.<

[master_obiwan]

"Only if they insist on boarding the ship. Otherwise tunics should be sufficient." He's giving Anakin a sidelong look. "Though if anyone will be setting any Thyferran fashion trends it would be you. You're far more photogenic than I am."

His fan base may vociferously refute that.

[morally_cryptic]

"Oh, Master," he grins, "that's only because you grew out that beard, didn't you know?"

They'll be dropping out of hyperspace soon enough but that's still plenty of time to tease Obi-Wan.

[master_obiwan]

"I don't understand why everyone dislikes my beard. It makes me look distinguished." And by everyone he means Anakin and a certain duchess. "Besides, I look far too young without it. No one would take me seriously."

[morally_cryptic]

[ooc: You forgot a certain fellow Jedi, Obi-Wan. He's such a player. =P]

Anakin reaches up to stroke his chin thoughtfully in a somewhat unintentional mimicry of Obi-Wan and his beard, "hmm. Maybe I should work on one, then."

[master_obiwan]

[he's convinced that that fellow Jedi likes the beard. And I bet she has some choice words for said duchess.]

"If you think it would help," he replies with a smirk.

[morally_cryptic]

[It's just as well that Siri hasn't been sent to Mandalore.]

"There's only one way to find out."

Though really if truth be told, it would likely take quite a while and Anakin would get fed up on waiting for it to grow in properly. He's never had too much difficulty in keeping clean-shaven, after all.

And then the instrument board lights up with a warning that they're about to come out of hyperspace. "Here's hoping for a friendly greeting."

[master_obiwan]

[Which means she needs to be sent to Mandalore ;p]

"Tell you what, I'll shave if you grow a beard."

As the ship beeps at them, Obi-Wan sobers almost immediately. "This is only the first check-point; we'll record every interaction from here to Taris. If we make it to the planet, we should have a good base-line to work from on our way out to see if anything changes."

[morally_cryptic]

[/facedesk]

"You're on," he watches as the light of hyperspace out of the viewport turns back into the expected starfield, "after the mission is over."

Of course, if Obi-Wan shaved, they could probably have claimed to be brothers.

"Recording and sensors on." He points ahead at the presumed space station they'll have to pass to move closer to the planet, "they really do mean business, don't they?"

[master_obiwan]

"The CNS takes their neutrality very seriously," Obi-Wan agrees.

The comm chirrups, and Obi-Wan opens the channel.

"This is Border Station One. State your name and business."

"This is Owen Kymeri of the Thyferran merchant ship Knytix, bearing a shipment of bacta for Taris."

what...not Ben?

[morally_cryptic]

"Hold your course, Knytix, we'll get back to you."

Anakin leans back in his chair and shrugs, "now we see how good our covers are."

Re: what...not Ben?

[master_obiwan]

"The should hold," Obi-Wan assures him. "At least, they'd better."

They don't have to wait long until, "You're cleared for entry, Knytix,. Please proceed on the following course to the next station."

so...disturbance in the Force time?

[morally_cryptic]

"Nothing to be worried about," he grins and starts moving in toward the next checkpoint.

Disturbance in the Force Time, yes :)

[master_obiwan]

Obi-Wan answers Anakin's grin with a tiny smile of his own. They pass the second and third checkpoints without incident, but Obi-Wan's unease seems to increase with every parsec they cross.

"This is too easy," he says softly. "I'm starting to have a bad feeling about this." Which means their prediction that It's a trap! it's a trap might actually be true.

[morally_cryptic]

"You and me both," he frowns down at the scanners. Suddenly his head comes up, "there's something coming."

Not that it's on the scanners so much as that feeling suddenly got a lot more ominous.

[master_obiwan]

"Yes, there is. The question is, what is it?" He stares out the viewport as if trying to make something out in the far distance. "You may want to be ready on those controls. We might need some fancy flying."

He shoots a glance over at Anakin. "Unless we want to get caught?"