Anakin could not resist an incredulous look at his Master. What was Obi-Wan doing? They were the perfect team for this assignment!
“The Council might recall that Anakin was once a slave himself,” Obi-Wan continued. “He is sensitive to this issue. And as a young Padawan - “
“I am not too young!” Anakin broke in. “And I’m not too sensitive!”
Mace Windu fixed his dark gaze on Anakin, the forbidding look that could cause even a senior Jedi student to suddenly remember each tiny infraction of the rules he or she had committed since the age of five. “We will ask you to speak when we wish your opinion, Anakin.”
Anakin was cowed by Mace Windu’s reprimand. Mace Windu turned to Obi-Wan with the same severity.
“Do you have doubts about your Padawan, Obi-Wan? If so, you must state them. Certainly they are not obvious to the Council, since only recently you stood in that very spot and vehemently argued that he was ready for the trip to Ilum to fashion his own lightsaber.”
So Obi-Wan had to fight to take him to Hum. Defiance flared in Anakin. His chin lifted. So what? If the Council still had hesitations about him, they would soon learn differently.
“Please forgive me for interfering,” Chancellor Palpatine interrupted softly. “I think I understand Obi-Wan Kenobi’s hesitation. Even in my limited knowledge of Jedi procedures, I understand that Anakin Skywalker is a special case. Naturally the Jedi would wish to protect him more so than another Jedi student.”
Anakin’s face flushed. A special case! Needing protection! He felt humiliation wash over him.
“Anakin Skywalker is not a special case,” Obi-Wan said in a firm voice. “Only his extraordinary abilities set him apart. He is certainly not in need of protection. Perhaps I expressed myself badly. I consider him fully able to conduct any mission the Council wishes to send him on. My hesitation was momentary. I accept the mission for myself and my Padawan.”
Slowly, Mace Windu nodded. Yoda did as well, but his gaze lingered on Anakin.
Anakin didn’t care. His Master had spoken up for him. They had a mission. Nothing else mattered. And there was a possibility he could meet Krayn face-to-face. That was the most important thing of all.
CHAPTER 5
The Colicoid ship was massive and utilitarian. Even the Colicoid diplomatic ships were pressed into service as cargo ships, and the planet’s ship designers were known for ingenuity rather than style. They managed to pack more cargo space into a cruiser than anyone in the galaxy. They did this by compressing living space. Cabins and public areas were cramped and oddly shaped, mostly tucked into stray corners. It would not be a luxurious flight.
Luckily Obi-Wan had reached the point where he barely registered his surroundings, except as points of interest for the mission ahead. Anakin, however, was appalled at the sheer ugliness of the Colicoid transport. When it came to spaceships, Anakin was a firm believer in speed and elegance.
“I thought diplomatic ships were supposed to be the best in the planet’s fleet,” he murmured to Obi-Wan as they boarded. They followed a guide down a narrow hallway, squeezing past equipment panels and cargo boxes.
“This is the best in the fleet,” Obi-Wan murmured back.
They reached the bridge. The command center was smaller than it should be for a ship of this size. The pilot crew was jammed up against one another and the tech consoles. Even the ceiling was put into service for cargo - finely spun durasteel nets were suspended there and filled with cargo boxes. The full load blocked out the lighting from above, creating pools of shadow on the bridge. The total effect was one of deep gloom.
“Captain, the Jedi team has arrived,” their guide reported.
The captain waved a long hand behind him but did not turn. “Dismissed. “
The guide turned and left. The captain still ignored the Jedi. He stared down at a data screen mounted on the tech console.
Obi-Wan knew the Colicoids were barely tolerating their presence. If the captain wanted to play a game of patience with him, he would not engage. He cautioned Anakin with a look - he was not to betray any impatience. Anakin immediately composed his features and stilled a restless tapping finger on his utility belt. Obi-Wan could still tell his Padawan was restless, but the Colicoids would not.
The Colicoids were an intelligent species with armor-plated trunks, long, antennaed heads, and powerful stinging tails. Although renowned as deadly fighters, they had long ago turned their considerable energies toward trade. They had transferred their ruthlessness to commerce and were a wealthy species as a result.
The captain turned at last. His expression was not welcoming. He clicked two of his spidery legs together in impatience.