The boy deserved to have something of his own at least.

“We will reconnect at launch pad nine. Make sure you are ready, Padawans. The war grows stronger - - and with it, more vile.

May the Force be with us.”

“No, no that should be all.” Kenobi said with a bow, he had gotten use to Anakin’s solemn looks and deep reflecting eyes. His Padawan liked to believe no one around him noticed when he wandered off in his own head - - Kenobi didn’t quite want to tell him yet.

“We’ll split - - Anakin, take the air forces of the 212th to the skies on the southern side. I trust you can manage them.

Padawan Wren and I will take to the ground on the northern front, but we play it slow. There is no need to bring a war here if it can be a simple arrest.”

“Wren is right - - bull rushing could lead to innocent lives lost. However, I do agree with you, Anakin, having all sides covered will make it easier to spring that same trap.”

Obi-Wan stroked at his beard, one arm crossing over his chest as the other rested upon it with his elbow.

“Excellent idea. Both of you bring forth a great perspective on this - - it is not often that we, the Jedi, are setting the trap. But rather we, the Jedi, find ourselves walking into one.” Kenobi said with a sly smile, his sarcasm and charm laced upon his voice.

Kenobi gave Anakin a somewhat cautious look. The war, and its coming months, had made changes to many ways of the Jedi - - some Obi-Wan did not agree with.

However, it seemed Anakin did.

“Good suggestion, my Padawan. But it may be. .overkill. Padawan Wren, your thoughts?”

It moves. . .oddly.

“The Republic intercepted fragmented transmissions hinting that these prototypes may include a new tactical coordination system capable of dramatically improving battle droid adaptability.”

He stopped, looking at both of them.

“In other words, we need to find Praxon.”

“A Separatist agent known only by the callsign “Praxon” has taken control of the ancient subterranean tunnels and is using them to smuggle prototype droid components across the Mid Rim.”

“The Council has requested our assistance on the planet Cyphara.

Cyphara’s clan elders have requested assistance, but with very limited information.”

Kenobi shifted to the opposite side of the table, a single hand motion brought it alive with holographic shapes and images, The Galaxy at large began to spin until it was concentrated on a set of two planets, then just one.

Kenobi let a smile crawl over his red beard. “Yes, seems everyone around me continues to grow younger.” With a nod towards his Padawan. “Thank you for the reminder, Anakin.” Before clearing his throat. “But I am not here to speak on age, we are not here for that.”

And standing just to the edge of a Holotable was @theforcecalls.bsky.social.

Kenobi led forth, with Skywalker just behind him. “Padawan Wren.” He said in a bow. “Thank you for waiting for us.”

As the sliding doors before them opened finally, their electrolift came to a stop with a machine like finality.

A war room - - or what was the makings of one scattered out before them.

The Padawan that would rather fight than talk - - and before now stood something more. Anakin Skywalker had become a man. A brother. And soon, unknown to him, a Jedi Knight. “Let’s hope.” Kenobi added in a sympathetic chime.

And Kenobi believed that. Although it had only been a month since their dangerous adventure in the coliseum, and their travels had then taken them across the Galaxy, Anakin Skywalker had matured almost ten fold. Gone was the teenager that battled every suggestion.

“And you feel it now? Here?” Obi-Wan gave Anakin a concerned look, a brow raised with a pull of question. “That’s. .comforting.” He said, in only the way his sarcasm would allow him to.

Art by Uzuri