The rest of the trip to Tatooine was fairly uneventful.  After the kerfuffle Kit Fisto and Sara rejoined the rest in the cockpit where Senthil could almost sense Anakin's anxiety.  Soon they were landed and Sara got to work on their advanced communications array.

"Anakin, I'm sorry I wasn't more...open-minded about your visions," Obi-Wan said as Anakin readied the small speeder-bike that was stored aboard the ship.  "And I do hope you find your mother."

"Thank you," grumbled Anakin then he drove off.

Knowing that he wouldn't be of any help setting up the communications array, Senthil asked A'raan if he wanted to spar.

"Sure, anything to help prepare for the surprise 'quizzes' my master gives me."

"We can sharpen each other," Senthil said lacing his words with positivity.  Then, just to make sure A'raan knew Senthil had his support, he added, "Just so you know, I don't agree with the way Dark Woman trains you, despite her supposed success rate."

A'raan didn't reply but took off his outer robe, drew his weapon, and saluted.

Senthil similarly retrieved his lightsaber, saluted and took a strong two-handed grip on his lightsaber, igniting it to reveal its aqua-blue blade.

OOC Roll for Init.

OOC: 20 (roll) + 1 (Init mod) = 21.

Despite being more than ready A'raan was able to lunge before Senthil could make a move.  Fortunately for Senthil, he was able to move just in time to dodge A'raan's hasty attack.


Senthil riposted with a swing of his own blade, but he was still distracted with the events from earlier. 

A'raan swung horribly wide and nearly knocked himself off balance trying to physically dominate the battle.

Senthil responded with a quick thrust of his own, but it was too hasty a move.

A'raan recovered his composure, gripped his lightsaber with both hands and swung, attempting to use his superior strength to his advantage.  The tactic worked and the blow was enough to nearly knock Senthil off his feet, fortunately their lightsabers were set on training mode or the attack would have severely hurt Senthil.


"Well done A'raan, I think you'll be ready for your next pop quiz," Senthil complimented as he deactivated his lightsaber and put it away.

"Thank you," A'raan replied.  The two returned to the cockpit where Sara suddenly pounded into the keyboard at the communications array.

"AH!" Sara shouted.

"What's wrong?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I can't get access to their network."

"I thought this equipment was the some of the most advanced in the Republic."

"That's the problem: the network is too old.  I can't even get proper access to it.  I'll need to get physical access to it, we'll need to go to an actual landing authority or something."

"Can we set up a small relay from the landing authority, or do we really need to move the whole ship?" Senthil asked, trying to find a way to make things easier.

"That won't be necessary," Obi-Wan said.  "Master Fisto and I will accompany Sara into town."

"I can go by myself," Sara said, looking amused.

"You might need someone to use some persuasion," Master Fisto offered.  Sara rolled her eyes but didn't object further.

"Stay with the ship," Obi-Wan instructed then the three left.

"But..." Senthil started to protest, but the two Jedi masters and Sara left too quickly.  "I don't like this kids' table garbage," Senthil complained aloud.  "Even Anakin got to go do something!"  Then he thought of something.  "Edie?" he said, calling for the droid that had accompanied them.  When she appeared, he asked "Can you somehow track Master Fisto's comlink?"  Senthil wanted to at least know where they were, just in case something happened.

"Of course," EDI placed her hand on a nearby console and Senthil saw data scroll past the screen over her eyes.  Senthil saw on the console a map of the area and three blinking dots that slowly moved towards Mos Espa.

"And Edie, you know their intended course, right?  Can you continue to monitor them and if they deviate, notify me immediately?  I'm going to go train some more," Senthil said, thinking of doing some telekinetic practice (OOC: the Force Regimen from JATM pg. 11).

Senthil was about 45 minutes into his regimen when he heard the heavily steps and clanking of Anakin's return.  Anakin docked the bike and strode headed past Senthil to the lift.

"Hey Anakin, how did your search go?" Senthil called, hoping Anakin would hear him before reaching the lift.

Anakin didn't respond and Senthil swiftly joined him in the lift.  Exited on the second level Anakin strode to the pilot's consul.

"I need the ship," he explained.

"We were told to stay here," A'raan protested.

"Actually, we were told to stay with the ship," EDI explained, lifting her control of the ship.  "If Anakin moves it with you on board, you haven't broken your orders."

"Maybe not technically, but we will have broken the intent of our orders." Senthil countered.  "Where do you want to take the ship?" Senthil asked, careful not to ask why yet.

"There's a moisture farm I need to go to," Anakin responded.  "My mother's there."

"Okay," Senthil said.  "But how far away is the moisture farm from our Masters?  I don't want us getting so far away that we can't reach them quickly if they end up needing our help," Senthil explained.

"The other side of the Jundland Wastes," Anakin said, not stopping in his power up of the ship.  "About a half hour by flight.  A couple of days walking."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:33, Thu 15 Oct 2015.

"Anakin, I think that might be too far away," Senthil reasoned.  "What if Sara and our Masters run into trouble?  We should at least update them so they don't come back, find the ship gone and get worried about us."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:23, Fri 16 Oct 2015.

"Then send them a message," Anakin started up the ship and began to take off.

OOC: It's so funny.  I knew that's exactly what Anakin was going to do and say.  Too bad Senthil didn't.

"Blast it Anakin!" Senthil exclaimed nearly losing his footing in the quick take off.  He quickly stepped out of the cockpit and commed Master Fisto, informing him what had happened.

OOC Who's Sundee?  Your post two posts back.

IC Kit Fisto sighed and Senthil could hear Obi-Wan in the background angrily saying something.

"Just keep him safe, Padawan," Master Fisto replied.  "Sara says this will take a while anyhow."

OOC: Oops sorry, fixed that.  And you'll find out...

"Very well Master," Senthil replied and closed the comm connection.  Senthil could sense Anakin's focus through the Force, and knew that he had a temper as well.  He decided to play into his ego as he reentered the cockpit.  "You were right Anakin, they said they'll be fine without us.  So, is there anything we can do to help?"

Anakin paused every so slightly before continuing on the controls.

"Just stay out of my way," Anakin said but Senthil could tell the edge was taken out of his voice.

It didn't take long to reach the farm where Anakin was heading.  As they went to exit the ship Senthil became acutely aware of his inability to function on this planet.

OOC: I'm assuming you don't mean that Senthil can literally not function, just that it is difficult to function.

Senthil smacked his lips a few times.  "This place is drying me out," he commented. "Whatever we're going to do, let's do it quickly."

"Maybe you should stay here on the ship," A'raan said, looking concerned.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:30, Thu 29 Oct 2015.

Senthil hoped the personal offense he took didn't show on his face too much.  "Certainly not!" he snapped probably a little too quickly.  "I will be fine," he finished marching past A'raan, trying to keep up with Anakin who hadn't stopped moving towards the moisture farm.

OOC Roll for survival.

Senthil struggled on as best he could.

The heat was nearly deadly but Senthil's cloak kept the direct sunlight off of him.  EDI elected to stay with the ship.

"Threepio?" Anakin asked as a grey droid introduced himself to them.

"The maker!" the droid responded.  "And other Jedi!  It's so wonderful to meet you all-"

"I've come to see my mother," Anakin cut off the droid.

"Oh...perhaps you should all come in doors."

Threepio led them all towards the domed buildings.

OOC Perception check.

As Senthil followed the droid, he scanned his surroundings.

Senthil was too dried out to catch anything of significance.  Threepio led them down into the cooler low portions of the main building.  There a young man was working on equipment.  He introduced himself as Owen Lars and Anakin's step-brother.  Anakin didn't seem too keen on this relation.  Owen then introduced his girlfriend, Beru Whitesun.  As they spoke an older man in a hoverchair and injured legs appeared.  He introduced himself as Clieg.  He explained that Anakin's mother had been kidnapped by Tusken Raiders, he'd tried to rescue her but was severely injured.

"That's horrible," Senthil exclaimed after listening to the story.  "Who are these 'Tusken Raiders'?  Why did they take Shmi?  Do you know where they might have taken her?" Senthil let the questions flow straight out of his mind, eager to help Anakin.

"Those Tuskens walk like men but they're vicious, mindless monsters," Clieg explained.  "I don't know what they want with her.  They always attack settlements like these.  I think they just like to kill sometimes.  After we attacked them they likely moved.  I don't know where they are now.  She's been gone for over three weeks."

Anakin stood up from his chair and made to leave.

"Where are you going?" Owen asked.

"To find my mother."  Anakin's anxiety and anger rolled off him in waves through the Force.

"You're mother's dead, son," Clieg said.  "Accept it."

Anakin shook his head then left.

"I'm sorry.  Thank you for your help," was all Senthil could think to say to the Lars family.  He ran after Anakin.  "Anakin, wait.  How are you going to find your mother?  You don't know where these Tusken Raiders took her."

"But I know how to find them," Anakin said, heading towards the ship.  EDI greeted them at the landing ramp.

"I took the initiative of sending out the probe droids shortly after we landed," she explained.  "My scans indicated your mother might not be here and I wanted to get any potential searching under way."

"Did you find any Tuskens?" Anakin asked, looking confused but anxious for answers.

"There's a group of small, brown-robed creatures that way," EDI said, pointing over the horizon.  "They have a large, treaded, land vehicle."

"Jawas," Anakin explained.  "They'll know where the Tuskens are.  How far?"

"I've uploaded the data into your speeder," EDI said as the bike dropped down from inside the ship.

"Thank you, EDI," Anakin said and Senthil could tell that he actually meant it.  He swept up onto the bike.  "All of you stay here."

"I'll notify you if the probes find anything more," EDI said.  Anakin nodded then took off into the setting of the first sun.

"I don't like this," Senthil said out loud.  "We're not close enough to help our masters if they need help; they told us to help Anakin, but he won't let us," Senthil said pointing after the departing Padawan.  He sighed a throaty Mon Cal sigh.  "I guess all we can do is wait...again."

"Do you believe he had a vision in the Force?" EDI asked.

"I believe he could have, but that's not the real problem.  The real problem is that I don't know the details of the vision, so I can't help him." Senthil replied breathing heavily.

"You are drying out, perhaps you should come back aboard the ship until you've moistened," EDI suggested.

"I wish people would quit worrying about my skin condition!" Senthil seethed in frustration.  "But as there's nothing else to do, I will come inside." As he walked up the ship's ramp he asked Edie "Can we use the probes to keep track of Anakin as well?"

"Only if he's in their range," EDI explained.  "It's more imperative that we find his mother."

"I could use the ship's scanners to try to keep track."

About half an hour had passed before EDI, who had powered down, perked back up.

"We've found the Sand People camp," she said.  "I've informed Anakin, he's heading there now.  We should take the ship and meet him at a safe distance outside of the camp."

"All right, finally!" Senthil exclaimed, arousing himself from a restorative Force trance in the blink of a Mon Calamari eye.  "Let's get going then.  A'raan, we're going to help Anakin, get ready." Senthil called back into the ship.

A'raan returned to the cockpit from the back, where he'd been practicing with his lightsaber, just as they were taking off.  It took only a few minutes to get to their destination and set down.  By this time the suns had already set and it was getting cool.

"It would seem Anakin has started without us," EDI said, pointing to his speeder.  "My scanners indicate that he hasn't quite reached the camp yet."

"Well then, we better hurry if we're going to catch up with him." Senthil replied eagerly.  "C'mon A'raan, let's go.  Edie, you stay with the ship and continue to monitor sensors."  Senthil set off at a brisk jog in Anakin's direction.

"Of course," EDI said.  Senthil and A'raan caught up with Anakin as he reached the edge of the camp.

"Stay here, you'll just get me caught," Anakin said upon seeing them.

"What is your plan?" Senthil asked.  "Let us know so we can at least be your lookouts...and your backup."

But Anakin was already gone, sneaking around to an outer "tent" and cutting his way inside.

Senthil wanted to vent loudly in frustration, but didn't dare prove Anakin right by making any noise.  Instead he settled for watching intently, barely whispering "What I wouldn't give for a pair of night vision macrobinocs."

Senthil saw Anakin's lightsaber flare into life and he cut a hole into what Senthil could only guess was a tent.  Anakin was inside for about 5 breathless minutes before they saw him again.  He was carrying a body but he tripped badly exited the tent and nearly knocked the whole thing over.  The Tuskens on the far side of the tent responded immediately and others ran from over by the fire.  Anakin thrust out his hand and the two tent guards were knocked to the ground so hard that necks snapped.  Anakin used the time regain his footing and his hold on his mother.

Senthil furrowed his brow at the wanton destruction of life, but out loud he said, "Hurry Anakin, get her aboard the ship before more of them come."  Senthil kept his eyes looking past Anakin to see if more of them were coming.

Anakin slowly made his way up the dune towards them on a the south side of camp lights flared on with a screeching sound.

OOC Roll for perception to see if you can tell what it is.

OOC: Natural 20, with a +12 modifier for 32.

Senthil clearly made out EDI with about 3 probe droids which were spinning around with floodlights.

"Edie must be providing a diversion to give Anakin more time to get out," Senthil said aloud.  "I hope she has an exit plan as well, or we'll be rescuing her next!"

By this point Anakin had made it back up the hill and was struggling to continue carrying his mother at such a swift pace.

Senthil rushed down to Anakin and offered to take her.

A'raan joined Senthil but Anakin largely rebuffed their help save help steadying himself.  They made their into the ship and Anakin delicately set his mother down at the med terminal.  Outside Senthil could hear shots from the Tuskan Raider's slugthrowers.

OOC: I can't remember, does Edie have some sort of internal comlink or some way for the heroes to contact her while she's on the other side of the camp?  Also, are the sounds of the slugthrower heading towards the heroes' ship, or away from it towards Edie's distraction?

OOC Yes and towards EDI.

Senthil dialed Edie's comlink frequency.  "Edie, we're safe aboard.  Get out of there before we have to rescue you!"

"Understood."

The landing ramp closed, the ship started up and awkwardly lifted off the ground.  EDI was apparently controlling it remotely.  Senthil could hear twangs as slugs bounced off the hull as the ship neared EDI's location.  Once a safe distance away that EDI could board the landing ramp extended back down and EDI leaped aboard followed by the remaining probe droid.  Once aboard the ramp closed and the ship lifted back up.

"We should head to the nearest medical facility," EDI said.  "Anakin, I will need you to fly.  My skills and connection with the ship are not strong enough to safely get us to our destination."

"I'm not leaving my mother," he growled.

"Anakin, if you don't fly the ship, neither your mother nor you will be alive.  If you want to be with your mother long term, fly the ship!  We'll take care of her," Senthil comforted, indicating himself, A'raan and Edie.

Realizing he didn't have any better skill at healing than the rest, Anakin stood and went to the cockpit.  Soon they were zooming through the sky of Tatooine headed toward Bestine, Tatooine's capital and the only place where decent medical service could be acquired.

OOC Do you wish to apply a medpac to Shmi?

OOC: Unless somebody has a better Treat Injury skill modifier (in which case, Senthil will suggest that it be done).  Sadly, for the roll, he got 3 (roll) + 2 (skill) = 5.  Fantastic!  Now Anakin's ire will be towards Senthil for not saving his mother.

Realizing that the two young Padawans had little to no training in medical, EDI stepped in.  Using her connection to the holonet she was able to produce a basic medpac application and stabilize Shmi.  Within a few minutes they were setting down again and Anakin returned to the floor.

"Stay here," he said as he picked up his mother and carried her down the landing ramp.  Anakin had apparently called ahead as there was a small medical crew waiting.

Senthil seethed at having to wait around again, and so asked Edie: "Can we still monitor Anakin with either the last probe droid or our sensors, so we can make sure he stays safe?"

"Following him with a probe would likely draw his attention," EDI thought out loud.  "But I might be able use a zoom lens to watch him from here."

The probe droid popped out of the back of the ship and lifted into the air, hovering high over the landing pad where they were stationed.

"I should be able to monitor the situation from here."

"Thank you Edie," Senthil said.  "At least it will make me feel like I'm doing something!"

A'raan decided to spend the time waiting by practicing his lightsaber routines while EDI went into low-power mode.

OOC Anything you wanna do while you wait?

Senthil dithered on whether simply to pace or meditate.  He knew the former would only get him worked up and that he would not be able to relax enough to do the latter.  In the end he decided to comm his Master and update him on their progress.

"Thank goodness you were able to get there in time," Kit Fisto replied.  "Sara's been finished for a while but Obi-Wan wanted to give you time to finish up your search.  If you have time to pick us up, we'd appreciate it."

"I think we should be able to," Senthil answered.  "We'll see you shortly."  He disconnected the comm, then called to Edie.  "Let's go pick up the others, they're finished setting up."

Once collected, the group made to return to the previous landing pad to await news from Anakin.

"Perhaps it would be prudent to collect the Lars family as well," EDI suggested.  "Shmi is a part of their family as well, is she not?"

"Is she?" Obi-Wan asked, to which A'raan, Senthil, and EDI nodded.

OOC Anything to add?
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:23, Mon 19 Dec 2016.

"Yes, the patriarch, Cliegg, is Shmi's husband, and Owen is her stepson," Senthil clarified.  "I was so concerned about Shmi and Anakin that I nearly forgot about them."  Senthil hung his head somewhat ashamed.

With the whole family loaded up, the ship was feeling a touch crowded.  They touched down and hurried to the hospital but were confronted outside of Shmi's room by Anakin.

"What are they doing here?" Anakin demanded.

"They're her family too, Anakin," Senthil said.  "Maybe not for quite as long as you, but they're still her family."

OOC roll for Persuasion.

OOC: 12 = 10 (roll) + 2 (skill modifier).  I didn't really expect a great roll, but it's over 10, so we'll see.

Anakin looked unmoved.

"If they're her family, why didn't they rescue her?"  Anakin asked bitterly.

"And where were you the last 10 years?" Owen threw back.  Senthil felt a palpable hatred pour off of Anakin and a fierce expression cross his face as Anakin moved closer to Owen.

"What did you say?" he asked in a deadly whisper.

"Anakin, the Lars family has provided a home for your mother and Clieg lost his leg trying to save your mother," said EDI.  "Wouldn't your mother wish to see them?"

Though Anakin's face continued to betray his inner hatred, he looked away and nodded his approval.

OOC  Anything to add as the Lars family enters?

Senthil figured he had already said enough of the wrong thing--amazed at EDI's insight to the situation--that he simply nodded to the Lars family encouraging them to enter to see Shmi.

"Anakin, I-" Obi-Wan moved toward Anakin who simply stormed off.

"Even as short-tempered as I am, I do not understand Anakin."  After Obi-Wan glanced at him and then headed to make off after Anakin, Senthil added, "But even I know he needs some time to cool off and think things over."  Senthil paused again, then shook his head and added "I just don't understand this family thing."  Senthil knew it was probably because he had grown up in the Jedi temple, never knowing his family.

"Anakin is a teenager, isn't he?" EDI asked.

"19," Obi-Wan softly answered, looking a bit lost.

"In addition to Anakin's conflicted upbringing, human teenagers go through a period of hormonal surge and a greater desire for independence.  This likely explains his mood swings."

"Maybe we should get the young man counselling?" Kit Fisto postulated.  "It's what I'd recommend if he were a civilian."

"That's a great idea," Senthil agreed.  "The question is would Anakin accept the help.  I offered to help him several times on this mission, and just kept getting brushed aside."  Senthil brought his large, webbed hand up to his chin in thought.  "But, maybe that had more to do with the personal nature of the rescue," Senthil concluded.

"I'll discuss it with the Jedi Council when we return to Coruscant," Obi-Wan explained.  "It's something we'll definitely need to consider."

* * * *

The crew returned to the ship where Obi-Wan and Kit reported into the Jedi Council.  While Sara and A'raan prepped the ship Senthil wandered around and came upon Anakin talking with EDI.

"...It was the least I could do.  I can't thank you enough for your support," Anakin mumbled.

"I'm eager to do good now that I'm not under Tarkin's control," EDI replied.  "Now I'm free to do so as I will."

Senthil gargled, the Mon Calamari equivalent of clearing his throat, so as to announce his presence without seeming like he was barging in.  "Anakin, I'm not sure if you already discussed it with Obi-Wan, but do you know how you want to handle Shmi's continuing care?  Is she coming with us?"

"I contacted a friend on Coruscant; she'll be making arrangements to move the family somewhere safe," explained Anakin.

"The family?" Senthil asked, his eyes widening slightly in surprise.  "Do you mean the Lars family along with Shmi?"  Senthil made sure his tone supported that decision, were that the case.

"Yes," Anakin replied unenthusiastically.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:39, Fri 14 July 2017.

"Well that's great news." Senthil said, trying not to sound more excited than Anakin seemed to be.  "Will you still be continuing on the mission with us then?" Senthil asked.

"Yes, we'll finish."  Anakin didn't sound enthused by this.  He clearly wanted to make sure his mother made it to safety.

"Don't worry Anakin, the mission will be over before you know it," Senthil said encouragingly.  He almost put his webbed hand on Anakin's shoulder, but then thought better of it.  He considered adding "And then you can get back to be with your mother," but thought that might be too personal, so he let the implication of his statement be enough said.

Unfortunately for Anakin, they were only able to stay a few more hours.  As they made to reboard the ship, however, EDI stopped at the foot of the ramp.

"I have decided to stay," she said.

"You DECIDED?" Obi-Wan asked.

Senthil was not nonplussed by the comment, not thinking anything of a droid deciding to do something.  However, he felt like Edie had added quite a bit to the last leg of the mission that he had to say something.  "But Edie, we need you.  We need your help."

"I will return once mistress Shmi has been safely seen to her new accommodations," EDI explained while Obi-Wan looked appraisingly at Anakin.

"She is bound in service to the three of you," Obi-Wan said to Senthil, A'raan, and Sara.  "What do you think."

"I say let her go," A'raan said.  "It's only a little while."

Sara looked conflicted.

"Shmi was almost killed," admitted Sara.  "I think it'd put Anakin at ease to know his mother is being kept safe."

"I do think Edie would be helpful on our mission, but I think that Sara and A'raan are right.  Let her stay," Senthil concluded, with only the slightest of sighs escaping his wet lips.

Looking decidedly nonplussed, Obi-Wan nodded and returned to the ship with the others in tow.

* * * *

"So where are we off to now?" asked A'raan.

"According to the records on Tatooine the message originated on Geonosis," explained Sara.  "Pretty much confirms our theory that Palpatine was in league with Dooku.  That makes both of them Sith.  This whole thing has been a set-up."

Senthil shook his head.  "I can't believe no one saw this before.  How could the Council not sense this?" Senthil wondered aloud.

Obi-Wan and Kit Fisto gave each other side-long glances but said nothing.

"I've filed the report back to the Council via encrypted channels," explained Sara.  There was a beeping on her datapad and she looked down at it.  "Oh, they've already responded...it looks like they want to speak with us."

Sara tapped on her pad and the lights dim, then a few more taps and a holographic representation of the Council appeared.

"We have received a distress signal from a planet in your area," Master Windu explained, without preamble.  "But there is a problem..."

"No system exists there," finished Master Elphias Doge, a Givin.

"How is that possible?  If there's a planet, there has to be a system doesn't there?"  Senthil said incredulously, silently thinking, This day just keeps getting stranger.

"That is, indeed, the question," Master Falere, a famed Twi-Lek lightsaber duelist, responded.

"Solve this mystery, you will,"  Master Yoda stated.  "May the Force be with you."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:03, Mon 22 Jan 2018.

"Okaaay.  I guess we're going to find us an invisible planet," Senthil said, slowly blinking his eyes.

OOC Is there anything you wanted to do on the journey?

OOC: If you mean during the travel time, then yes:

As the ship hurled itself through hyperspace towards their destination, Senthil made sure to keep himself busy, doing some physical training.  He started with basic push-ups.  After 50, he moved on to handstand push-ups.  After 50 of those, he used the Force to help him balance so he could do one hand handstand push-ups--50 for each arm.