His grin came easily and he placed his hand on Anakin's shoulder. "I wouldn't have it any other way - unless the council ordered it, of course," he chuckled, then gestured to the side. "I'll be waiting in the hangar for you when you're ready to go."

"I'm off to the Ilmar system, I've been dispatched to conduct some reconnaissance on one of their moons. There's been some strange readings coming from there and there's nothing nearby - that we know of," he inclined his head, admitting at least to himself that it could just be a sensor ghost.

innocent that are being pulled into this."

"Your curiosity has always been one of your stronger suits." He smiled, confident in his following words. "I have no doubt you'll make a fine Knight for the Order, Anakin. And with this war going on," his tone darkened, "we're going to need our best at the front lines to keep order and help the

"Oh? Rumors of what?" he asked, standing in front of his padawan with a curious air about him.