Depa Billaba and her Padawan Caleb Dume were meditating in her personal quarters in the temple. Caleb had just moved into his cabin in the quarters as her Padawan a few weeks ago. They were both still adjusting to their new routine.
"Stay focused Padawan." Depa scolded as she sensed Caleb getting distracted.
"But master, I sense someone." Caleb responded.
"What are their intentions then?" Depa asked.
"It's one of the masters, and they want to talk to you. Something happened that Master Yoda and Windu called a council meeting." Caleb answered her.
"Indeed, Master Kenobi is on his way here. Never ignore others who approach you, but do not let them distract you either. See what their intentions are. Ask yourself if they are friend or foe, and if you recognize them. Watch them, but don't let their presence consume your concentration." She instructs him.
"Yes Master. I'll do my best." The Padawan replied.
Just then there was a knock on the door.
"You may enter master Kenobi." Depa says calmly.
"Am I interrupting anything?" Kenobi asked finding the two sitting in a meditation position.
"Not at all. In fact your presence inspired Caleb's lesson today." She told the other master as she got up.
"Well then I'm glad I could help. I would love to stay and assist more if I could. Unfortunately, I'm here on less than happy news." Obi Wan said.
"Another council meeting?" Caleb said finally opening his eyes.
"Yes, I'm sorry Caleb but Master Billaba here will have to continue your training later." The older male replied.
"Caleb, while I'm gone I want you to stay here. Practice sensing others intentions and identifying them while you wait." Depa instructed.
"Well we must be off. Shall I escort you Master Billaba?" Obi Wan asked.
"You may, thank you Master Kenobi." Depa replied letting Obi Wan take her arm. The two walked off talking.
Caleb did as he was instructed for a while. He wrote each one down leaving the door open to check see if he was correct.
Anakin was rooming the temple hallways. Normally he would have taken the opportunity to fit in some extra training with Ahsoka, but since she left the order he didn't have anything to do during council meetings besides teaching ignitions. That was the last thing he wanted to do right now though.
He noticed Billaba's door was open as he approached it sparking his curiosity.
Caleb wrote down, Anakin Skywalker: looking for something to do. He looked up at the door just as Anakin appeared instead it.
"I was right!" Caleb exclaimed.
"What exactly are you right on? May I see?" Anakin asked.
"Master Billaba has me identifying people that pass by and sensing their intentions though the force. Are you really looking for something to do?" Caleb replied.
"I was. I think I found something now though." Anakin said taking Caleb's data pad and looking over the list.
"Oh, I didn't sense that." Caleb said a little disappointed.
"Your Caleb Dume right? Obi Wan told me your full of questions." Anakin asked.
"Yes, I am master Skywalker. Did you sense that, or did you just guess?" Caleb asked.
"Actually, I guessed. Don't tell your master that though." Anakin whispered. This unintentionally sparked one of Caleb's famous inquiries.
"Really, so is that because you've never met me before? Do you use this force like this in battles? Can you tell me about some of the battles you fought in?" The boy went on with a thousand questions.
"Ok, enough Quizy. First of all one question at a time. Second of all how about I give you a flying lesson while your master is out?" Anakin offered.
"I don't know. Master Billaba told me to stay here and wait for her." Caleb said.
"Ok, then I'll give you a choice then. You can stay here and keep making your list. By the way four people have passed by while we were talking that you missed. One was Madame Jocasta making book deliveries."
"Who were the other three, and what were they doing? How do you know?"
"Or, you can come with me, and I'll explain everything to your master. Surely you could use some flying lessons." Anakin laughs.
"I probably could. Ok, I'll go, but you have to tell me the names of those three people and how you know they passed by." Caleb finally agreed grabbing his list. He was determined to continue it while they walked.
"While first of all because madam Jocasta left a data pad for your master at the door. The other three I sensed, but I didn't bother identifying them. Two ignites and a Padawan I don't know. They don't pose any threat, so what they were up to wasn't that important." The older explains as they walked.
"Isn't it always important to know someone's intuitions?" Caleb asked as he made more entries to his list.
"Depending on the situation, but it's more important to identify weather they are a friend or enemy." Anakin explains smiling. The Twilight was now in his sight.
"So what if a friend turns and becomes an enemy? Wouldn't you identify them as a friend, when their intentions are that of an enemy?" Caleb asked.
"Ok, Quizy. When is that ever going to happen in the Jedi temple? Obi Wan's right your inquiries are worse than Snips being snippy." Anakin remarked as he opened the Twilight.
"Master Billaba likes it. She says it could be a good thing to curious about why things are how they are. Wait are we flying that scrap heap?" Caleb said looking at the ship.
"We sure are. It's the only one I can sneak off in. I still want that answer on what Jedi would attack the temple though," Anakin replied.
"I don't know, but it could happen. It could be anyone really if they fell to the dark side. Even you master Skywalker could deceive the order then," Caleb says as the two get on board the Twilight.
"Then I guess you'll be better prepared to survive that if I ever do," Anakin said jokingly. He gestured for Caleb to sit. "Now let's just focus on getting this ship in the air."
"I'm co-pilot? I thought you were going to let me fly?" Caleb asked.
"Patience Quizy, we've got a while." Anakin said smiling as he took off.
"Ok, Caleb we're going to spin the ship," Anakin informed him.
"Isn't that just a trick? What's the strategy behind it?" Caleb asked. They were halfway through the lesson. To be honest,Caleb was actually learning a lot. Anakin was actually showing him useful things and letting him take over and try a few himself at some points. He also answered every question Caleb asked without showing any evidence of being annoyed by them. Right now they were just a parsec away from home.
"Actually, I've used it a few times to avoid getting hit by an ion cannon, but mostly it's just fun." Anakin explained.
Meanwhile the council meeting had adjourned. Obi Wan escorted Billaba back to her quarters.
"Caleb's not in there," Billaba said a little worried once they got closer. "I can't sense him."
"Calm down, there's no way he could have left the temple. We'll look for him together. I have to find Anakin anyways." Obi Wan says.
"No, Obi Wan. I can't sense him at all. If he was anywhere in the temple I would know where he's at. If he was on this planet I could track him, but I can't. He's too far away," Depa explained.
"He couldn't have gotten out of the temple without another master much less off planet." Obi Wan started. Then something dawned on him. He instantly searched the force for Anakin and came up empty. "He wouldn't! Anakin if the Twilight is gone I swear!"
"Anakin's gone too?" Depa asked.
"He has a bad habit of sneaking off in the Twilight with his Padawan. With Ahsoka leaving the order he may have found a substitute in your young Padawan," Obi Wan says.
"I would hope Caleb would have questioned that first." Billaba replied.
"I have no doubt he did knowing your Padawan. However, what Padawan wouldn't want to train with Anakin on anything if he offered?" Kenobi asked.
"You think he took him off world for flying lessons without permission," Depa stated. The two take off in the direction of the hanger.
"Let's just see if the Twilight is gone. Anakin can be quite persuasive and tempting. He always finds a way to explain his actions after his improvising pulls though." Obi Wan says.
Once they arrived at the hanger the Twilight was supposed to be in they weren't shocked by their findings.
"They're gone!" Obi wan exclaimed. "One of these days he's going to be the death of me."
"If he kills my Padawan I'll be the death of him." Depa threatened as she sits down.
"I'll kill him for you. I guess we just wait for them." Obi Wan remarks.
"Unless you have a better idea." Depa replied.
"Ok Caleb, you can take us out of hyperspace now," Anakin said. He let the Padawan take control being this was the fourth jump they had made and the second landing they were going to make.
"Like this Master Skywalker?" Caleb asked as he pulled the lever.
R2 beeped.
"He has plenty of room R2. No, it's not to much. So, do you want to land the ship, or should I?" Anakin asked.
"You'd let me land it?" Caleb asked.
"Well you have to learn to land at some point. Just be sure to land in the same hanger we left from." Anakin said.
"On second thought you can land it." Caleb says sensing who was waiting on them.
"What, you don't think your ready yet?" Anakin asked.
"No, I just don't want to be the one in the pilot seat when my master finds out, much less your old master," Caleb says.
"Probably smart move kid."
"Don't call me kid."
Anakin and Caleb switched seats. The Twilight came in for the landing. Obi Wan and Depa were standing at the end of the ramp as soon as it opened.
"Anakin you better have a good explanation for this." Obi Wan said.
"Caleb!" Depa said as she grabbed her Padawan. "Don't ever scare me like that again. You are in so much trouble."
"I'll take the blame Master Billaba." Anakin said.
"Don't think you're not in even more trouble than he is Anakin." Obi Wan says.
"It was my idea. He asked me for help on the assignment you gave him. I figured I could help him with something more fun at the same time." Anakin explained.
"Well Skywalker, I will teach my Padawan what he needs to know on my own time. As much as I appreciate your help, please ask me for permission before stealing my Padawan again," Depa said.
"Yes master Billaba," Anakin replied.
"Next time you are free during a council meeting, and we are all at the temple you and Caleb can train the ignitions." Depa replies.
"But master?" Caleb interrupted.
"That sounds like an excellent idea master Billaba. Caleb can help the Younglings in the lower levels with meditation, while Anakin gives a demonstration on the forms." Obi Wan says.
"Be sure to record it Skywalker. You are the best duelist in the history of the Jedi order. It could be used to teach future Jedi. Maybe even Caleb's Padawan one day." Depa added.
"You really think so master?" Caleb asked.
"I don't doubt it," She replied.
"Fine, I'll add another modified from recording to the series. This ones dedicated to your Padawan though Quizy. You better show them it," Anakin said.
"I promise I will Master Skywalker." Caleb said with a huge smile.
•This was a story that just popped into my head and I couldn't get it out. What do you think, should I continue this?
•May the force be with you always
•Cass