A Priceless Bounty | Anakin Skywalker

Chapter Two | Anakin

"It was that same assassin again, Master." I sighed. "You would think that he'd want to send someone who could actually get the job done. Or maybe he's just fucking with me. Do you think he's just fucking with me, Master?"

"Don't let him get into your head, Anakin."

"I'm sorry, Master. It's just that she shows up to every single one of my missions. It's like she's stalking me, waiting for me. It's hard to not let that get to you." I shook my head. "Besides, She makes for great practice. Training here doesn't compare to her. I'm starting to really enjoy the challenge."

"Why does that not surprise me?" Obi-Wan rolled his eyes as I smirked. "Get some rest, Anakin. Maybe try to sleep off whatever feelings you have towards this assassin."

Obi-Wan left me in my room alone with my thoughts. I couldn't help but still reminisce on the assassin. I knew very little about her. The Separatists kept their intel pretty tight.

She haunted my dreams. Every night, I'd see her. I didn't want to admit this to Obi-Wan, but she truly took up more of my headspace than he wanted her to. 

Although I really didn't mind having someone to think about.

My divorce with Padme did a number on me. We had gotten into an argument after I told her I didn't want her to go on a mission alone with her ex lover, Rush Clovis, and she told me she didn't want to be with me anymore.

I sat in my quarters, assembling a podracer model at my desk. I just couldn't get my mind off of this woman. She was probably being paid a lot of money to track me, but I couldn't help but think that deep down, she wanted to see me, too.

I kept a pretty basic routine over the next few days. I laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about her. I wanted to learn more about this assassin. I wondered if the Archives would have any information. She only recently started appearing, so I wasn't sure how long she had truly been around for.

I got up and decided to head to the library. R2 trailed behind me. Usually he encouraged my antics, but today he was beeping at me to go back to my room and that I shouldn't be dwelling on a woman sent to kill me. I hushed him and continued my walk.

"Madame Jocasta, do you have a minute?" I asked as I entered the library.

"For you, young Skywalker, of course. What can I help you with?"

"I'm looking for some information on an assassin? Bounty hunter, maybe? I don't really know her occupation. I just know she kills people. Or at least tries to."

"Do you have a name for her?"

"No."

"Well then, I'm not sure how you expect me to find any information on them, young Skywalker." She smiled at me condescendingly before turning to walk away.

"I can give you a description of her." I protested. "She's got short black hair, like in a bob cut. She's very pale with dark eyes. She's tall, but not as tall as me. Every time I've seen her, she's worn a long cloak, presumably made of armorweave, with a silver throat clasp. She wears a bodysuit sometimes. Other times she wears cargo pants and a tank top."

"We can check the criminal database to see if anyone matches your...very detailed description. When did you start encountering this assassin?"

"Within the last few months. She just started appearing out of nowhere. I think she works under Dooku, as his new apprentice. She's only ever been sent to kill me. None of the other Jedi have even seen her. She's like a shadow who only comes around when I'm alone."

Madame Jocasta led me to a data terminal to help me find my assassin. I began typing as she watched over my shoulder, inputting her description into the criminal database. Not a single result came up, no matter what I entered. I stared at the screen, frantically.

"Nothing."

"There's no way." I frowned.
"Are you sure you aren't imagining things, young Skywalker?" She chuckled.

"She's real. I know she is."

"Well then, maybe next time you run into her, ask her for her name? Otherwise, I can't help you." 

I smiled, standing up. I thanked Madame Jocasta before running off. R2 followed me back to my quarters, beeping sadly at me.

"I tried, R2, but I don't think she wants to be found." I shook my head and laughed. I wasn't paying attention, running straight into Obi-Wan, who coincidentally had been on his way to look for me.

"Anakin! Doing some light reading? Studying, maybe?" He joked with me. "What did you find out about your mystery woman?"

"Nothing."

"Seriously, Anakin, you don't have to hide what you were doing from me. What did you learn about her?" Obi-Wan giggled like a nosy classmate trying to get all the details.

"She's not in the database. Nobody knows who she is."

"Well then, are you sure you weren't just seeing things?"

"Stop it. I'm not crazy." I glared at him. "She's very real. She fucking stabbed me, Master. Did you forget that part?"

"Speaking of, have you gotten that looked at recently? I mean, I trust Kix as a medic, but those bandages are probably old by now."

"I went down to the medical facility the other day. It's healing fine." I replied. "She didn't cut me deep enough to cause any real damage. They said I'd have a pretty cool scar though. Keep the ladies away from me, they might get too hot and bothered."

"A scar from your mystery woman to match the one Ventress gave you. I think the ladies need to be kept away for other reasons." He laughed.

"Not every woman I talk to wants to kill me, by the way." I shoved his shoulder playfully. "Some of them think I'm hot."

"Name one." He laughed.

"Easy. That one Zyggerian chick was really into me."

"She thought you were going to sell me!"

"She still would've been into me even if I wasn't selling you. Just saying."

"So what are you going to do about this assassin?" He asked, chuckling.

"I'm probably going to ask her what her name is."

"Are you stupid?"

"What?" I said, offended.

"You think someone who has actively evaded being added to the Republic's database is just going to tell you her name?" He laughed at me.

"It's worth a shot." I winked.