The foundations of the Republic shake. Many systems along the Rim express their dissatisfaction with the Galactic Senate.
The Senate calls for negotiated settlements and punitive tariffs to bring the Separatists back into line. These measures entrench the ill feeling in the Outer Rim. Many of the powerful corporations, among them the Trade Federation, win goodwill by refusing to collect the additional taxes. As tensions rise, there are signs of military buildup.
In the midst of it all, the Jedi receive a perplexing distress call, signed with the code of someone long missing and presumed dead. Jedi Master Elesse Vendar and her Padawan Anakin Skywalker are dispatched to investigate the coordinates in the mysterious message...
Then there's nothing stopping them from taking off shortly. Which is a good thing, as they are still on somewhat of a timetable. The home planet of Yan Dooku, once and current Count, awaits.
Anakin keeps up her training on the way, quizzing Elesse some about the planet. She gets a bit quieter as they approach, more often a bit lost in thought.
Serreno is an old, old industrial center that has fallen in the wake of modern techniques and transportation infrastructure. Its easily accessible resources have been mined out, and it is no longer economically viable to keep the old factories running.
"Is everything all right?"
"Do you think it has more to do with our destination in particular or the situation in general?"
"Indeed not." They're granted clearance to land without too much trouble due to their ship's registration still being out of Ord Mantell. Which is slightly troubling, if even that Mid-Rim world is accounted close enough to an ally to permit their ships so easily.
Anakin nods, and tries to pay attention to her instincts, but - she doesn't have much to say, here. They've gone over the mission already...
"All right." She taps her comm. "Check-ins on the hour, text only. Don't let anyone catch you taking notes."
She doesn't let her curiosity show on her face, or slow down her walk -
Gently, not really probing per se, she observes them in the Force.
...Unpleasant.
Cautiously, she spools a bit more of her awareness toward one. Can she - get an idea, of which part is missing?
It makes her incredibly uneasy.
But - she's not sure she can risk poking closer right now...
She makes a mental note of all the different groups she's passing, keeping track of broader movements as much as she can - do they seem to be going to or from anywhere particular?