Star Wars

Jedi Apprentice #8

The Day of Reckoning

By Jude Watson

Chapter 1

The sleek spaceliner Leviathan was jammed with passengers.

Every stateroom was full. The lounges and seating areas

swirled with color and noise as people from many worlds con

versed, ate, argued, laughed, and played games of chance to

pass the time.

Obi-Wan Kenobi sat and observed it all. As a Jedi on

missions to other worlds, he sometimes got a glimpse of

lavish surroundings, but this was his first trip on a luxury

spaceliner. He longed to explore the many amusements on

board - the game room, the interactive hologram suite, the

eating areas with their array of foods and sweets. There was

no reason he could not. His companion and former Jedi

Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, had told him to feel free to explore.

But Obi-Wan did not want to leave his side.

Next to him, Qui-Gon seemed not to notice his

surroundings. The Jedi Knight had picked a corner seat in

the spacious lounge. His chair faced outward toward the

throng. It was a position the Jedi often chose, for it

allowed observation without interaction. But Qui-Gon Jinn

only made obligatory sweeps of the crowd in order to

ascertain potential danger or disturbance before returning

his attention to the data-pad in his lap. He spent his time

studying the information about the mission ahead that Jedi

Knight Tahl had managed to gather back at the Temple on

Coruscant.

Their mission was unofficial. Against the wishes of the

Jedi Council, they were heading to the home planet of

Xanatos, the enemy who had tried to destroy the Jedi Temple.

Qui-Gon was still brooding about the escape of Xanatos,

Obi-Wan knew. Anger was not an appropriate emotion for a

Jedi, but Obi-Wan sensed Qui-Gon's taut frustration. He had

faced Xanatos in battle, and had been forced to let his

opponent escape in order to save the Temple.

Obi-Wan knew that moment still haunted Qui-Gon. He had

come close to stopping Xanatos. It made him even more

determined to bring him to justice now. Qui-Gon felt

strongly that Xanatos was a grave threat to the galaxy while

on the loose.

Obi-Wan knew that Qui-Gon took this mission personally.

Xanatos had once been Qui-Gon's Jedi apprentice, just as Obi-

Wan had.

And we both betrayed him, Obi-Wan thought.

His offense, he knew, was not even close to what Xanatos

had done. The dark side preyed on Xanatos. He lusted after

power and wealth. His every decision moved him closer to the

heart of evil.

Obi-Wan had betrayed Qui-Gon by abandoning him. He had

decided to leave the Jedi order to stay to help a planet

regain peace. He had come to regret the decision. The

Council had agreed that he could rejoin the Jedi, but he was

now on probation. Obi-Wan could regain what he had, but he

could not seem to regain Qui-Gon's trust. Something

essential between them had been violated. Now they were just

feeling their way along. On this mission, Obi-Wan hoped to

show Qui-Gon that they could restore the bond they had

started to form.

The Council had not forbidden him to accompany Qui-

Gon-they allowed him to go. Still, his decision had not

pleased them. They already had a problem with what they saw

as his impulsive decision to leave the Jedi. This latest

decision hadn't changed their opinion.

Obi-Wan had to admit that he was relieved to be

temporarily out from under the Council's scrutiny as well as

the Temple itself. In the final battle, a Jedi student had

fallen to his death in front of him. Obi-Wan had not been

responsible. Why did the death continue to haunt him? When

he had taken off from the Temple grounds, a heaviness had

seemed to lift from his heart.

Qui-Gon had considered many ways to enter the planet

without detection, but finally decided the simplest way was

best. They would arrive among a throng, as tourists.

Telos was a rich planet with many natural beauties. It had

a thriving tourist trade and business interests with other

planets in the galaxy. Transports were always crowded.

The many travelers made it easy for the Jedi to disappear.

They wore nondescript brown cloaks over their tunics and

kept their lightsabers hidden. Although Qui-Gon was a

powerfully built man with noble features, he was also

capable of dimming his presence and folding into a crowd.

Obi-Wan followed his example. They were not recognizable as

Jedi, and no one paid the slightest attention to them. Obi-

Wan settled back into the plush upholstery and watched as a

group of Duros walked by, all speaking in Basic.

"This is my third trip," one of them said. "You're going

to love Katharsis."

"They   won't   let   outsiders   into   the   final

round," the other said. "That's where you can really score."

Obi-Wan wondered what Katharsis was. Some kind of game? He

missed the other's reply, for Qui-Gon had looked up from his

datapad at last.

"I think the weak link is UniFy," he said.

"We'll start there."

Obi-Wan nodded. UniFy was a Telosian company that the Jedi

Master Tahl suspected was a front for Offworld, the huge

mining corporation that spanned the galaxy. Xanatos headed

the company. No one knew where the headquarters were.

Qui-Gon's brows came together in a frown as he gazed at

Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan had no idea what he was thinking. Was he

worrying about the mission ahead, or was he regretting Obi-

Wan's presence?

They had lost the connection they had once had. There had

been fitful starts and shaky periods in their Master-Padawan

relationship from the beginning. Still, there had been many

times when Obi-Wan knew what Qui-Gon would ask before he

asked it. And Qui-Gon often knew exactly what Obi-Wan was

feeling without his having to say a word.

Now Obi-Wan felt a void.

He would be able to feel connected to Qui-

Gon again, he told himself. It would just take time. Back

at the Temple, the last expression of good-bye from his

friend Bant had been one simple word: patience.

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon hadn't had time to resolve anything.

They hadn't had time to argue, or replay their decisions.

The flurry of departure had consumed them. There had been

information to gather, supplies to pack, and good-byes to be

said.

The spaceliner drew closer to the towers of Thani, the

capital city of Telos. It flew into a landing bay and docked

with the gentlest of bumps. The public-address system

announced that arrival procedures were now underway.

They stood and gathered their packs, then joined the

stream of passengers heading for the exit.

Qui-Gon leaned in to speak to Obi-Wan softly. "No doubt he

will be hard to find," he said. "He knows that I will pursue

him. We will have to flush him out."

The announcement system informed them in a pleasant tone

that there would be a slight delay in disembarking.

Identification would be checked by security police on Telos.

Everyone would have to be cleared before leaving the ship.

Passengers began to grumble. Why were security procedures

suddenly so stringent? This would take time. They were

anxious to reach their destinations.

"I hear they're checking for some escaped criminals,"

someone said near Obi-Wan's elbow. "Bad luck for all of us."

Through the crowd, Obi-Wan glimpsed the security police

herding the passengers into orderly lines. Qui-Gon frowned.

"I wanted to slip in unobserved," he said. "If they

discover we are Jedi, it could tip off Xanatos. Tahl said he

has bribed many officials here."

With a slight movement of his head, Qui-Gon signaled to

Obi-Wan. It was time for them to find their own exit.

Chapter 2

"Where are we going?" Obi-Wan asked as they moved fluidly

through the pressing throng.

"When a big spaceliner docks, the kitchens have to receive

new shipments of food," Qui-Gon remarked. "When you want to

leave someplace unobserved, pick the busiest spot."

Obi-Wan followed Qui-Gon down several levels to the

service area. Qui-Gon always explored any large transport

soon after boarding. He knew where the tech and service

levels were as well as all exits from the spaceliner.

"Remember, Obi-Wan," he had said, "if you are heading to a

dangerous mission, the danger can begin before you are ready

for it. Be prepared."

The scent of roasting meat and baking bread filled Obi-

Wan's nostrils as they passed the kitchens. His stomach

rumbled. Why was it that even during a hasty escape, he

could still feel hungry? He was glad when the smells

dissipated as they slipped into the storage areas.

Qui-Gon hurried past shelves and bins full of food until

he came to the door that led to the loading bay. He glanced

through the window to make sure there were no security

personnel before accessing the door. It hissed open, and

they stepped out onto the loading bay.

Workers were busily unloading supplies onto small

gravsleds. A large hauler stood outside the ship, its port

bay door yawning open.

"Grab a container," Qui-Gon instructed as he bent down to

hoist a box marked dried fruit.

Obi-Wan picked up a bin at his feet marked soli grains. He

let out an oof as he hoisted it to his shoulder. Why

couldn't he have picked something light, as Qui-Gon had?

Quickly Qui-Gon strode toward the hauler. No one seemed to

notice that they were carrying items out of the ship, not

in. One of Qui-Gon's many lessons to Obi-Wan had been that

if you looked busy in an unfamiliar environment, you were

often ignored.

They made it to the hauler without anyone giving them a

glance. Obi-Wan put down his heavy bin with relief near the

stacks of cartons and boxes. From here they could see the

busy port station. Passengers who had been cleared were

milling around, bargaining for local transportation. Qui-Gon

and Obi-Wan strolled toward them.

"You there! Stop!" The harsh command came from behind

them.

"Don't turn," Qui-Gon told Obi-Wan in a soft voice. "Act

as though you don't know who they're talking to."

"Stop!" The sound of running feet came from behind them.

Obi-Wan saw a split second of indecision on Qui-Gon's

part. They had done nothing wrong. There was no reason to

run. Yet they would have to give explanations Qui-Gon was

not willing to give.

Qui-Gon made the decision in his usual swift fashion.

"Run," he said crisply.

Obi-Wan had been expecting the command. He shot forward

with Qui-Gon. The two Jedi moved as lightly as a breeze,

slipping in and out of the crowd without jostling an elbow

or bumping a shoulder. Only a whisper of air might disturb a

cloak or a tendril of hair as they shot by.

They reached the entrance to the terminal and joined the

stream of strollers on the city streets. Immediately Qui-Gon

slowed his pace in order to melt into the crowd. Obi-Wan

followed suit, carefully controlling his breathing.  He

admired Qui-Gon's ability to switch from a full-tilt run to

a casual pace without missing a beat. To any observer, Qui-

Gon appeared to be a casual walker on the city streets.

The streets were even more crowded than the terminal. "No

doubt they'll give up," Qui-Gon said to Obi-Wan, nodding and

smiling as though he were remarking on the weather. "It's a

tedious job tracking a couple of stray travelers through the

city streets."

With his heartbeat and nerves returning to normal, Obi-Wan

was now able to observe his surroundings. The city of Thani

was bustling. Landspeeders clogged the wide boulevard.

Buildings hundreds of meters high rose on either side. Their

different facades flashed silver and bronze in the bright

sunlight. Crowded between the tall, impressive buildings

were smaller structures. Blinking readout signs advertised

loans at low rates, or credits advanced against goods.

Disorderly lines snaked out from these buildings, the people

jostling to get inside. Obi-Wan passed a large billboard

that read: wealth beyond imagining is just one bet away:

katharsis

"Katharsis," he repeated. "I heard that name on the

spaceliner."

"I've never heard of it. Thani has changed since I was

here last," Qui-Gon mused. "Of course it was almost ten

years ago. It seems bigger, noisier. And something else is

different about it now...."

Obi-Wan suddenly caught a flicker of movement behind him.

He glanced at the shiny facade of the next building. Two

navy-suited security police officers were swiftly making

their way forward, attracting little attention on the busy

street. There was no doubt in Obi-Wan's mind that they were

heading for them.

"Qui-Gon -" he started, but Qui-Gon had already seen them.

"They are more determined than I thought," he said,

picking up his pace. "Go left."

Obi-Wan wheeled to his left down a narrow alley. They

moved quickly now, running down the alley, using the Force

to leap over a pile of abandoned crates, and turning sharply

right into another alley.

Blaster fire pinged behind them. They heard the sound of

exploding crates peppering the wall.

"They mean business," Qui-Gon said. "We'd better go up."

The security police were still out of sight, but they'd

round the corner in a few seconds. Qui-Gon reached for the

liquid-cable launcher on his belt. He activated the device,

and the dual-strand cord shot upward and hooked around the

lip of a rooftop overhead. Obi-Wan activated his own liquid-

cable. They held on and let the device carry them up to the

rooftop, leaping up and landing on their feet. Quickly, they

retracted the cords.

Qui-Gon watched as the security police ran down the alley.

They ran past the rooftop, turned a corner, and disappeared.

"That's a relief," Obi-Wan said.

But Qui-Gon did not move. A few seconds later, the

security police returned. One of them took out a pair of

electrobinoculars and began sweeping the rooftops.

"They're not giving up, I'm afraid," Qui-Gon remarked

mildly.

The two Jedi moved backward quickly on their hands and

knees until they were out of range. Then they jumped from

the opposite side of the roof down to the pavement. They ran

down a short stretch of the alley and spilled out into the

crowded street again.

"We'll never lose them this way," Qui-Gon said.

Obi-Wan craned his neck and looked over the heads of the

surging crowd. "Everyone is heading toward that dome," he

said to Qui-Gon. "Maybe we can lose them inside."

They joined the crowd, weaving through it in order to make

it to the entrance quickly. A giant sign flashed in letters

a hundred meters high: KATHARSIS.

"I guess we're about to find out what it is," Obi-Wan said

curiously.

There were several entrances, and Qui-Gon joined the line

at the most crowded. The stream of people pushed through an

opening that was big enough to fly a starfighter through.

need credits? stop here! The signs flashed around a row of

booths near the entrance. Farther on Obi-Wan saw food

stalls. Tempting aromas floated toward them. His stomach

rumbled again. He almost groaned. With Qui-Gon, he never

knew when his next meal would come. His former Jedi Master

seemed to exist on a diet of fresh air and determination.

"This must be some sort of gambling event," Qui-Gon said.

"Curious."

"And popular," Obi-Wan added, jostled by the surging

crowd.

As they entered the interior of the dome, they found

themselves high above the central area, which was one giant

ring with a smaller concentric ring inside. Large screens

were hung at various heights and distances around the dome

so that they were visible throughout the giant space. Scenes

of natural beauty flashed across them while booming music

played out of hidden speakers.

Floating boxes surrounded the central wings. Stationary

seating ringed the area, the topmost rows lost in the

vastness of the dome.

They climbed up, searching for two empty seats near exits.

Qui-Gon's keen gaze swept the crowd below them, looking for

the security police who had been following them.

At last he found places a few seats in from the end. They

sat, and Obi-Wan turned his attention to the giant screens,

which began to flash a stream of names and numbers he could

not decipher. There was also a screen with a keypad built

into his armrest.

While Qui-Gon kept his eyes on the crowd, Obi-Wan leaned

over to a tall Telosian seated next to him.

"This is my first time here," he said. "Can you explain

what's going on?"

"The screens are flashing the current odds for the games,"

his seatmate replied, pointing. "You can bet at your seat on

each event. There are twenty contestants competing in a

variety of contests."

"Last week Rolo was maimed," his companion said dolefully.

"I bet twenty thousand credits on him."

The Telosian's clothes were threadbare. He hardly looked

like a rich citizen. Obi-Wan was shocked. How could he

afford to bet so much?

"Today my money is on Tamor," the second Telosian

continued.

"You can place larger bets as the day goes on," the first

Telosian explained. "Then for the last contest we all drop

out and the lottery bettors get to play."

"The lottery bettors?" Obi-Wan asked.

He nodded. "Every citizen is entered in a lottery each

week. Three are chosen. They're the only ones who can bet on

the last contest. The pot is enormous."

"You're set for life if you win," his companion said, his

eyes glowing. "Last week no one won, so it's bigger than

ever."

"The lottery is free," the first Telosian explained.

"Every native Telosian is entered automatically by the

government. It's a great thing for Telos."

Really? Obi-Wan wondered, looking around at the crowd. Now

he understood the ferocious energy he felt pulsing through

the crowd, uniting it. It was greed.

"It seems as though the entire city is here," Obi-Wan

remarked.

The two Telosians nodded. "The city empties into the dome

on Katharsis Day. And others come from all over the planet."

"There are Katharsis domes in other parts of Telos, of

course," the second Telosian said. "But this is the

biggest," he added proudly.

"It's beginning! I have to place my bet." The first

Telosian swiveled to face the center of the dome. His avid

eyes searched the contestants.

The crowd began to roar as the competitors took their

places in the ring below. They lined up and bowed to the

crowd.

Obi-Wan felt Qui-Gon stiffen slightly. The Jedi Knight's

eyes were directed several levels down. Obi-Wan followed his

gaze. The same security officers were walking up and down

the rows, their eyes constantly moving.

"Telosian security must be commended," Qui-Gon remarked as

he stood. "They certainly are thorough."

Obi-Wan followed Qui-Gon as they eased their way past the

bettors in the row. When they reached the aisle they picked

up their pace, climbing steadily past the next section, and

the next. Behind them, the security officers continued to

climb, their eyes sweeping the crowd.

"We'll have to circle around down to an exit level," Qui-

Gon told Obi-Wan over the roar of applause.

Obi-Wan scanned the area ahead for the blue-lighted exit

signs. He saw one ahead and pointed it out to Qui-Gon. But

when they reached it, they saw that it had been blocked off.

If the door opened, an alarm would sound.

Qui-Gon turned back the way they had come, but the

security police were now cruising the rows next to them. Any

moment they would spot the Jedi.

"I don't know if they're pursuing us, or looking for those

escaped criminals," Qui-Gon said, frowning. "I guess we're

going to have to find out. I'll use the Force to bluff our

way through."

At that moment, one of the security officers looked over

the heads of the crowd and spotted them. He nudged his

companion and they started toward the Jedi, moving swiftly

and quietly so as not to attract attention.

Suddenly, a friendly voice came from behind them. "You two

need some seats? I've got plenty of room in my box."

They looked over. A young man sat in one of the luxury

floating boxes. It was still anchored to the side. His dark

eyes beamed at them in a friendly way and his sandy hair was

rumpled as though he passed his hands through it frequently.

"Care to join me?" he asked.

"Thank you. We'd be honored to accept," Qui-Gon responded,

stepping into the box. Without seeming to hurry, he motioned

for Obi-Wan to do the same.

Obi-Wan eased into the box with the same swiftness. Their

new companion pressed a lever, and the box suddenly detached

from the floor and zoomed out into the center of the dome.

"Thank you again," Qui-Gon said politely. "It was hard for

us to find a place to sit."

"Sure." Their rescuer gave them a shrewd look. "Especially

when you're being chased by security police. If you think

you're safe with me, you're crazy."

Chapter 3

The young man burst out laughing before they could

respond. "Joke!" he cried. "If you ask me, the security

police don't have enough to do. We don't have much of a

crime problem here on Telos, so they run after you if you

toss away a muja pit. Even innocent folks like me get

stopped all the time. I ask you, do I look like a bad guy?"

He shrugged and pointed to his chest, smiling.

"No," Obi-Wan said politely, even though he had learned in

his limited experience that evil came in many forms.

Their companion laughed again and turned to Qui-Gon. "Your

companion lies well. That's a good skill."

"He did not lie," Qui-Gon answered. "You don't appear to

be bad, it's true. But neither do you appear to be good. Our

acquaintance is too short to make such a judgment."

Their rescuer looked from Qui-Gon to Obi-Wan, a delighted

grin on his face. "Whoa, did I hit the jackpot. What a

couple of smart guys. Do you know how to bet against the

odds?"

"No," Qui-Gon said with a smile. "We're too smart for

that."

This time, their rescuer roared with laughter. "Joke! Do I

know how to pick friends, I ask you? By the way, my name is

Denetrus. You can call me Den."

"Pleased to meet you," Qui-Gon responded. "I am Qui-Gon

Jinn and this is Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Tourists?"

"We're here on business," Qui-Gon answered.

"Lots of business here on Telos," Den said. "I'm a tech

worker, so I've been fired from the best of them." He

flashed them a cheerful grin.

"Have you ever worked for UniFy?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Sure, who hasn't? They're the biggest employer on Telos.

They hire contract workers all the time. Is that why you're

here?"

"No," Qui-Gon said carefully. "We just have a meeting

there."

Den nodded. "They're a powerful company." He waved his arm

to indicate the giant screens around them that flashed

images of the global parks and natural beauties of Telos.

"UniFy is restoring our natural parks. Most of the proceeds

from Katharsis are used for maintaining and preserving the

land. The government set it up when the people protested our

high taxes. Now we pay hardly any taxes at all. Katharsis

saved us from that.  Not to mention that it makes us all

rich beyond our dreams."

"But only if you win," Qui-Gon pointed out.

"Oh, but all of us here plan to win," Den said, lifting an

ironic eyebrow. "Take me. I'm sure this is my lucky day."

They turned toward the smaller center ring of the dome,

where a platform was rising up through the floor into the

air, creating a dais. A tall white-haired man stood on it,

raising his arms to the crowd.

"That's the treasurer of Telos, Vox Chun," Den told them

over the roar of the crowd.

A chill passed through Obi-Wan, and he exchanged a quick

glance with Qui-Gon. Vox Chun was the father of the student

who had fought with Obi-Wan and plunged to his death. Bruck

Chun had been a Jedi student who had fallen under the

influence of Xanatos. Obi-Wan had battled him, trying to

save his friend Bant. Bruck had lost his balance and fallen.

Obi-Wan had reached for him and grabbed empty air. The fall

had broken Bruck's neck. Obi-Wan closed his eyes,

remembering the shock of that moment. When he opened them,

Qui-Gon was looking at him with compassion.

"The games can't begin without some big-head getting up

and droning on about his own accomplishments," Den

continued. "It's a good time to take a nap."

Quickly, Obi-Wan returned his attention to the present. He

did not mean to forget the past, but he could not let it

distract him. "Welcome, Telosians and friends from the

galaxy!" Vox Chun shouted. A roar answered him. He waited it

out, smiling, then held up a hand. "Thanks to each one of

you, the natural beauties of our beloved Telos are being

preserved!"

Another roar erupted, this one more deafening than the

last. Music swelled from the speakers, and a message flashed

against a stunning picture of steam eruptions along a

glittering blue shore: katharsis protects our sacred spaces.

"If there is no winner today, at the next Katharsis the

grand lottery prize will be the largest ever awarded on

Telos!" Chun continued. He waited out the cheers and held up

a hand. "In honor of this event, the first citizen of Telos

will present the prize. Our great good friend, our most

beloved benefactor, the most trusted man on Telos -

Xanatos!"

Qui-Gon gave a start as the dome erupted in loud cheers.

Den watched it all, his lips curving in the ironic smile he

seemed to wear at all times. Spotlights played over the dome

and then centered on a front floating box. A tall man stood

and waved.

It was Xanatos.

Qui-Gon watched in disbelief as the crowd stamped its feet

and thundered, "XANATOS, XANATOS!" over and over.

Qui-Gon had thought he'd prepared for any twist, any

sudden reversal. He had not prepared for this. Xanatos was

not in hiding. He didn't need to be. It was obvious that he

was loved by the people of Telos.

But why? Qui-Gon wondered. Xanatos had been a traitor.

Less than ten years before, he had conspired with his father

to drain the planet's treasury. He had schemed to involve

Telos in a needless, destructive war with a neighboring

planet. The people must have been manipulated or lied to,

for how could they ignore how he had schemed to plunge them

into war?

He felt Obi-Wan stir by his side. The boy was just as

shocked as he was. He admired how Obi-Wan kept his voice

steady and his expression only mildly curious as he turned

to Den.

"Who is this Xanatos?" he asked.

"Our most beloved benefactor," Den mimicked, then

shrugged. "He's done a lot for Telos."

"I think I've heard of his father, Crion," Qui-Gon

remarked casually. "Wasn't he governor of Telos once?"

Den nodded. "He was involved in a scandal. His enemies

claimed he was trying to start a war with a neighboring

planet in order to enrich himself. But Xanatos investigated

and proved it wasn't true. Most Telosians consider both of

them heroes."

Den turned back to the central ring as Vox Chun entered a

floating box and the first contest began. The contestants

ringed the interior space of the dome. All of them rode

swoops.

"The first game is called Obstacle," Den explained.

"Holograms of obstacles are hurtled at the swoops in an

escalating pattern. The object is to avoid them - and the

other contestants. It takes superior flying skills. Do you

want to place a bet?"

Qui-Gon shook his head. "I think we'll just watch for

today, Den."

"Just like I said before," Den muttered, already placing

his bet. "You guys are smart."

Qui-Gon was startled at the ferocity of the contests. The

crowd seemed happiest when the contestants were in great

danger. When two swoops collided, a dark energy swirled

inside the giant dome. When one contestant was carried out

on a stretcher, the crowd screamed in delight. It was a

disturbing event.

Telos had been a peaceful planet, renowned for its

innovative tech industry and its interest in culture and the

arts. Qui-Gon wondered what had happened. Had Katharsis

changed them, or had their years of prosperity dulled their

senses and made them long for more bloodthirsty, pulse-

pounding pleasures?

Den seemed unmoved by the commotion around him. He carried

a small datapad and entered numbers, constantly watching the

odds. Qui-Gon could see he was a serious gambler, yet he

placed very small bets.

At last a break was called. The third round of the contest

consisted of a vibroblade duel as the contestants were

strung from tension cords. The vibroblades did not cut but

carried a small electrical charge. The duel had been a free-

for-all. Three more contestants had dropped out. One had

been seriously injured. The remaining group looked exhausted

and drained. Yet after the break they would have to undergo

another grueling set of contests.

"Hungry? We can head to the food stalls," Den said,

activating the floating box to return to the stadium

platform.

"Thank you, but I think we'll move on," Qui-Gon said

politely. "We must tend to our business. Can you direct us

to UniFy?"

"You can't miss it - just keep heading down the main

boulevard. It's on your left. Good luck," Den told them.

They bowed and joined the sea of beings heading for the

food stalls in the middle tier of the dome. The security

police were nowhere in sight. Qui-Gon hoped they'd given up

at last. As the crowd surged toward the tempting food, Qui-

Gon and Obi-Wan headed toward the blue-lighted exit.

As they passed by the vast arching struts that held up the

dome, Qui-Gon felt a sudden surge in the dark side of the

Force. Alarmed, he stopped and faded back into the shadow of

a thick durasteel strut. Obi-Wan had felt the surge as well

and moved with him.

Qui-Gon gave his surroundings a sweeping glance. He knew

what he was looking for.

A black shape detached from a shadowy passageway entrance.

Xanatos strode across the empty space, the deep blue lining

of his dark cape swirling around him, his black hair flowing

to his shoulders. Suddenly, he stopped.

As a former Jedi, Xanatos was also Force-sensitive. He had

stopped so abruptly that Qui-Gon had no doubt that he had

felt the presence of the two Jedi. But would he interpret

what he felt to mean that Qui-Gon was near?

Xanatos stood in the harsh overhead light. The scar that

formed a half-circle on his cheek stood out, whiter than his

pale, translucent skin. He surveyed the crowd a few meters

away as they surged toward the food stalls. His gaze moved

slowly over each form. Then he stopped and turned. His eyes

swept the empty space, the arching struts, the corridors

leading out in all directions.

Qui-Gon did not move. He did not even breathe. Obi-Wan was

trying to be just as still beside him. Not with the flicker

of an eyelash would they disturb the deep shadows.

Xanatos did not see them. But a slow smile spread over his

face.

Qui-Gon knew what the smile meant. Xanatos knew they were

here.

The battle had begun.

Chapter 4

Chuckling, Xanatos swiveled and strode back into the

central dome.

"He knows we're here," Obi-Wan said quietly.

"Yes," Qui-Gon agreed. "Let's find UniFy. We must move as

quickly as we can."

They left the dome and started down the main boulevard.

The streets were strangely deserted. Qui-Gon imagined that

most of the population was in the Katharsis Dome. Did they

suspend work during Katharsis days?

He and Obi-Won passed a large, impressive building with

blue-veined stone columns in front. A silver plaque read the

xanatos institute for healing.

"He has certainly made his mark," Qui-Gon murmured.

"Look at the library across the street," Obi-Wan said,

pointing. "He funded that, too."

"The problem will not be finding him, obviously," Qui-Gon

said. "The challenge will be to expose him for what he

really is. The people love him. He has made sure of that. He

has protected himself better by staying in the open than by

hiding."

Obi-Wan scanned a sign that announced that Xanatos was

providing the funds to restore a large city park. "He must

have a reason behind all this," he observed.

"He always has a reason," Qui-Gon agreed. "Naturally he

wants to exert influence on Telos. But that is too broad a

goal for him. We shall have to discover exactly what he

intends."

"Hey, genius guys!"

They turned to see Den heading for them. "I thought you

might need help finding UniFy," he said. "I realized that

there's no sign on the building."

"What about the lottery?" Obi-Wan asked. "Isn't today your

lucky day?"

"All my days are lucky, kid," Den said, falling into step

next to them. "But I don't get a chance to do a good deed

often enough."

"We were just noticing all the buildings Xanatos has built

in Thani," Qui-Gon remarked. "He has been a true

benefactor."

Den waved an arm. "In the past few years he's supported

parks, libraries, med centers, the big healing institute -

he's made a fortune in mining throughout the galaxy, but he

doesn't hoard it. He spreads it around. That's more than any

of those lottery winners will do, let me tell you."

They passed one of the pale blue information kiosks. Qui-

Gon glanced at the information board on the front. To his

shock, he saw his own face.

"Is this the main park in Thani?" he asked Den, sweeping

an arm to the opposite side of the street, where a path

beckoned beneath spreading trees.

Den turned away, as Qui-Gon had hoped he would. "No, it's

one of the smaller ones. The largest is on the east side of

the city."

The diversion gave Qui-Gon enough time to study the notice

on the wall. After his picture faded on the screen, Obi-

Wan's appeared. Wanted. Galactic criminals. Reward. He read

the words in a flash.

So that was why the security police hadn't given up!

There could be only one explanation: Xanatos. He had

arranged this. Now Qui-Gon understood his smile. He knew

that it was only a matter of time before Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan

were captured.

Even as he walked and exchanged conversation with Den, Qui-

Gon's mind sifted through his options. Being on the street

was not safe. Luckily, most people were in the Katharsis

Dome, or they would have run the risk of being recognized.

They needed to find somewhere safe, and then find a way to

disguise themselves.

Qui-Gon raised his hood. It would conceal his face

somewhat. "It's getting chilly," he remarked.

"We're almost there," Den replied.

He led them a few blocks on. A tall gray tower was

surrounded by a high polished gate of bronze metal.

"Well, here we are. Do you have an appointment?" Den

asked. "They won't let you in without an ID tag. It's top

security."

Qui-Gon eyed the sleek facade of the building. There were

no windows and there appeared to be only one entrance. Once

they got in, they would have to get out the same way.

"Our appointment is for tomorrow," he said. "We just

wanted to see where it was."

"Do you have a place to stay tonight?" Den asked. "I live

in a place where you can rent guest rooms. It's close to

here."

Qui-Gon hesitated. It had not slipped his notice that Den

seemed to appear whenever they needed help. He did not sense

danger from him, but he was still wary.

But an uneasiness that had nothing to do with Den had been

ticking away inside him. Obi-Wan was now a wanted criminal.

They had barely been on Telos an hour, and already the

situation had escalated out of control. Qui-Gon had felt

sure back on Coruscant that if events got out of hand, he

would be able to order Obi-Wan back to the Temple. Now the

boy was trapped on the planet. He would not be able to pass

through security in order to leave.

He had brought the boy into danger. He had done it with

his eyes open. Guilt pierced him. He had to protect Obi-Wan

now. He could not let his passion for bringing Xanatos to

justice interfere with the boy's safety.

"Well, come along and have a look, at least," Den urged in

a friendly way. "I'm only a few blocks away."

Qui-Gon nodded. He could see that Obi-Wan looked tired,

and suddenly reflected that the boy had not eaten a bite

since breakfast. Obi-Wan needed rest and food. He could find

that for him at least.

He would trust his instincts. Den might be a gambler, but

he didn't seem like such a bad character.

Den turned off the main road and led them down an alley

that twisted behind the tall buildings. The structures grew

more modest as they entered a residential area. Den led them

to a shabby building painted in various shades of green,

blue, and red.

"My landlady is paying me to paint the place, but she

can't decide on a color," he explained with a grin.

He opened the door and ushered them into a small anteroom.

"Riva?" he called toward the back of the house. "I brought

guests. Paying guests." He leaned in closer to them. "That

will bring her on the run."

As if on cue, Qui-Gon heard the soft sound of running

feet.

Den grinned broadly. "See what I mean?"

"That's coming from outside." Qui-Gon strode to the window

and moved the curtain a fraction to look at the street

outside.

Security police were racing silently down the street. An

officer signaled for them to surround the building.

Qui-Gon's hand fell onto the hilt of his light-saber. His

instincts had been off. Den had betrayed them. He had led

them into a trap.

Chapter 5

As soon as Obi-Wan saw Qui-Gon reach for his lightsaber,

he activated his own. The two weapons glowed pale blue and

green in the dim light of the room.

Den stumbled backward. "Jedi! Whoa! I mean, I knew you

were weird, but I didn't know you were Jedi."

"You betrayed us for the reward," Qui-Gon said.

"Who, me?" Den asked, holding a hand over his heart.

"Joke, right? Kill me now, because I'm mortally wounded, I

wouldn't betray a fellow criminal. Sure, I saw that alert.

But I wouldn't turn you in."

"A fellow what!" Obi-Wan asked.

Den peered out the curtain. "Those security police could

be here for me. I thought they were looking for me in the

Katharsis Dome, too. Not that I'm a criminal, exactly. I'm

more like a . . . facilitator."

"And why should we believe you?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Um, let's review. Because you're a criminal, too?" Den

stepped back from the curtain. "You can put away those saber

things. I've got a way out."

Obi-Wan exchanged a glance with Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon shrugged.

What else could they do? Better to trust Den a little longer

than to tangle with twenty security officers.

Den led them down the hallway to the kitchen. He hurried

to a panel in the wall and pushed it open. "After you," he

said to Obi-Wan.

A foul smell rose in Obi-Wan's nostrils. "The garbage

chute?"

"Do you have a better idea?" Den asked. "Okay, if you

insist, I'll go first."

He swung himself into the small space and then let go.

They heard the sound of banging and a small ow! Then Den's

voice came to them hollowly.

"Uh, not that I want to tell two Jedi what to do, but you

might want to speed it up."

Obi-Wan swung into the chute and let go. He bumped down

past the remnants of rotten vegetables and food. His hand

slid in something slimy, and then he tumbled out onto a

large bin full of garbage. A moment later, Qui-Gon slid out

next to him.

"That was a treat," Qui-Gon said, picking a rotten leaf

off his tunic. "Thanks."

"My pleasure. This way," Den urged.

They climbed out of the garbage bin and followed Den

through a hallway that was lined with shelves crammed with

food tins. "Fifty years ago Telos had a famine," Den

explained. "My landlady was only ten at the time, but she

never forgot it. She's crazier than I am."

At last the dark hallway ended at a slanted door. "This

will bring us up into the gardens," Den explained in a

whisper. "It doesn't look as though it belongs to the house,

so ten to one they won't have it surrounded."

"Ten to one?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Good odds!" Den assured him. "Look, you still don't trust

me? Kill me now. Go ahead. Put me out of my misery. Run me

through with that glowy tube thing if I'm wrong. No? Okay,

come on."

Qui-Gon shot an amused look at Obi-Wan, which Obi-Wan

answered with a frown. He didn't know why Qui-Gon always

seemed to give his trust to the scoundrels they met. Yet

when it came to Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon was strict and unbending.

Den eased open the slanted door overhead. They climbed up

a short flight of stairs and slipped outside. They were

surrounded by tall rows of a green-leafed plant.

Den jerked his head to indicate which way they should go.

They could hear the security police kicking in the doors of

the rooming house as they quickly made their way through the

rustling plants, trying not to stir the leaves any more than

the wind did.

When they reached the end of the field, Den hesitated.

"What do we do now?" Obi-Wan asked.

Suddenly, blaster fire ripped into the row of plants to

their right.

"Um, let me think. Run?" Den suggested.

They took off, zigzagging through the remaining fields.

Qui-Gon glanced back and saw the security police giving

chase.

"We have a good lead," Den shouted. "We can outrun them.

At least they're not on speeder bikes."

Just then, three speeder bikes took off after them.

"Oops," Den panted.

"Activate your lightsaber!" Qui-Gon called to Obi-Wan.

They did not slow their pace, keeping up with Den. The

Force told them when to turn back and deflect the fire with

their lightsabers.

Den zigzagged down a maze of alleys. The speeder bikes

gained on them. "Just hang on, almost there," he called

back.

They came to a field with a drainage pipe rising out of

the grass. Den flattened himself and crawled in. Quickly,

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon followed. The speeder bike engines

buzzed angrily overhead. Blaster fire peppered the pipe but

did not penetrate the metal.

"This goes underground and leads into a basement nearby,"

Den said. "They'll never find us."

"You said that before," Obi-Wan grunted.

"I said ten-to-one," Den corrected. "I'll give you better

odds this time."

On their hands and knees, they crawled through rusty water

with a skin of muck on top.

"Den, what used to drain through this pipe?"

Qui-Gon asked. The smell was worse than the garbage chute.

"Don't ask," Den said cheerfully.

At last they saw a faint beam of light. They spilled out

onto a basement floor, their tunics stained with rust,

garbage, and a substance Obi-Wan did not want to identify.

Den led them upstairs and out a side door into an alley.

He looked both ways, then overhead. "You see? Saved."

"Will you be safe from here?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Joke, right? You can't leave me now!" Den protested. "I'm

not finished saving your necks yet. Come on, I led you into

trouble. Let me lead you out again. I have a safe place for

you to stay."

"Safe like the last place?" Obi-Wan asked.

"This place is different," Den assured them. "It's a

hideout of a friend of mine. Look, the security police will

be everywhere. You need to lay low, even for a few hours."

"And why should we trust you?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Because you have no choice?" Den said.

"One always has a choice," Qui-Gon said. "But we'll

follow."

Chapter 6

Obi-Wan couldn't believe it. Den was obviously a criminal.

Why was Qui-Gon trusting him with their lives?

When Den walked ahead, he posed the same question to Qui-

Gon. The Jedi only sighed.

"Think about it, Obi-Wan. We are criminals, too, at least

in the eyes of the security police. Who can hide us better

than those who are already in hiding?"

Qui-Gon put his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "Don't worry.

The core of him is pure."

"Kill me now, because I can't feel it," Obi-Wan grumbled.

Still he liked the comforting hand on his shoulder. It

almost felt as though Qui-Gon and he were Master and

apprentice again.

Den led them to another part of the city, well off the

wide boulevards of the city's center. Here the buildings

huddled together as if a cold wind had driven them closer

for warmth and protection.

Den led them to a building in the middle of the block.

Instead of entering, he slipped down an alley. A broken pipe

hung down the side of the building, swinging free. Den

pulled himself up and straddled it.

"It's easier than it looks," he said. He grinned at the

exasperated expression on Obi-Wan's face. "Hey, kid. You've

gone down a garbage chute and climbed through a drainpipe. I

think you can do this."

With an irritated glance at Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan grabbed the

pipe. From the street it had looked ready to fall on the

first unsuspecting head, but he found that it was actually

anchored firmly to the wall. There were small metal bolts

screwed in the sides, undetectable from below but big enough

to serve as handholds and footholds. Den was right - it was

easier to climb than it looked.

Obi-Wan hoisted himself up and over the edge of the flat

roof. A water tank rose in a corner, a rusting spiral

staircase circling it up to a platform at the top.

"Don't tell me," Obi-Wan said. "We're going to jump in

that water tank next."

"Joke!" Den said, chuckling. He crossed to the tank and

knocked a rhythmic series of taps against it. A short rap

answered him.

"She's in," he said. "Let's go."

Obi-Wan followed Den up the spiral staircase to the top of

the tank. When he reached the platform, he saw that the

ceiling was recessed. It was painted to look like dark

water. Anyone from above would not be able to tell that this

water tower was any different from the others that dotted

the roofs nearby.

Den slid open a trap door and disappeared inside. Obi-Wan

followed.

To his relief, he found himself on a staircase leading

down into a cozy apartment. The walls were round and made of

durasteel. A thick rug was on the floor, and there were

comfortable places to sit. In the center of the space was a

long table piled with tech equipment.

A slender young woman rose from her seat at the table. Her

hair was dark chestnut, wound in several braids around her

head. Her eyes were a warm honey-brown. Right now they were

trained suspiciously on Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.

"Who have you brought me this time, Den?" she asked.

"Friends," Den responded.

"They're always friends," she said warily. Her eyes

flicked over their stained tunics. "And they're dressed so

nicely, too."

"We had a little trouble getting here. But they might be

able to help us." He turned to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. "This is

Andra. She's the head of the POWER party - Preserve Our Wild

Endangered Resources. Andra, this is Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-

Wan Kenobi, two Jedi visitors who seem to be wanted by the

security police."

Her eyes narrowed. "Wanted? For what?"

Den took a piece of fruit from a bowl and tossed it to Obi-

Wan. "Here, kid, you look hungry. What does it matter what

they're wanted for, Andra? We need them. They want to know

about UniFy."

Andra's suspicion changed to interest. She looked at them

curiously.

"Maybe you could explain what it is you do," Qui-Gon

suggested. "What is the POWER party?"

"We are a political party in opposition to those in

control of the government," she answered. "Unfortunately,

we're illegal right now. The government outlawed us. We were

the first to raise the cry when the government gave the

stewardship of our sacred places to UniFy. We asked why our

land was turned over to private interests, why we were

forced to trust the word of a corporation that they would

preserve and protect the land. Most didn't listen. They were

happy to have the tax burden taken away. But some did

listen, and joined us. We're made up of former government

officials, scientists, environmental workers, ordinary

citizens who listened back when we were allowed to speak.

Now we've gone into hiding and meet here when we can."

"Do you have proof that UniFy is mishandling your sacred

spaces?" Qui-Gon asked.

She hesitated. "We had evidence that something is going on

at the Sacred Pools. Three people went to the global park to

gather images and evidence. They were killed in a speeder ac

cident on the way back to Thani. They told me that they had

hard evidence of something, but they didn't say what it was.

I think their death was no accident. The evidence they were

bringing back was destroyed. We are mobilizing to make

another trip." She pushed impatiently at a stray hair that

had escaped a braid. "It's difficult. Security is very tight

at the global parks. They say they need to keep people away

until the land is reclaimed. We think they are exploiting

it, mapping it for further development."

"Why don't the people of Telos ask more questions about

what is being done?" Qui-Gon asked. "This world is known for

the conservation of its natural beauties. Even from an eco

nomic standpoint, it doesn't make sense. Tourism is a large

industry here."

Andra looked bleak. "Katharsis. The people are obsessed

with betting on it, with hoping they'll be chosen in the

lottery. And they don't worry about the tourists - more come

for Katharsis now than the global parks. Greed has entered

the people like a fever." She gave Qui-Gon a cool

questioning look. "So why do you think you can help?"

"I don't," Qui-Gon said bluntly. "That was Den's idea."

"You seem very interested in UniFy," Den said. "This is

only a guess, but I have a feeling that you don't have an

appointment tomorrow."

Qui-Gon said nothing. Obi-Wan admired his reserve. He was

able to convey patience and a willingness to listen without

giving anything away.

"So are you an environmentalist like Andra?" Obi-Wan asked

Den.

Before he could answer, Andra laughed. "You mean have a

commitment to something bigger than himself? Not Den. Our

arrangement is strictly for credits."

"Hey, wait a second," Den said huffily. "I have just as

many ideals as the next guy."

"If the next guy happens to be a smuggler or a thief,"

Andra shot back. She turned back to Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon.

"When we first went underground, we needed tech equipment. I

had to forage for computer parts and comlinks on the black

market. That's how I met Den. He's been smuggling the parts

we need to keep going. We've managed to get out an

underground paper alerting the people to what we think is

happening. But Den's allegiance is only to the credits I can

give him."

"Excuse me for needing money to live, Captain Integrity,"

Den said to Andra. "Not everyone can live on ideals.

Especially when they don't pay rent. If it weren't for me,

you'd be talking to these walls instead of the 'people' out

there."

"How like you to claim our success as your own," Andra

said coolly.

"See what you get when you try to help people?" Den

grumbled to the Jedi. "Insults. No wonder I'm a thief."

Andra ignored him and turned back to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.

"You can stay here if you like. Any enemy of UniFy is a

friend of mine."

"I didn't say I was an enemy of UniFy," Qui-Gon said with

a smile.

She studied him for a moment. "But you are, aren't you?

Maybe Den is right. Maybe we can help each other. But you

have to tell me why you're here. Not to mention why you're

wanted by the security police."

"I'm not sure what the charge is, but I'm sure it's

serious," Qui-Gon admitted. "It's false, whatever it is. We

have a powerful enemy on Telos. I believe he is using UniFy

as a shell corporation for his own company."

"Which is?" Andra asked.

"Offworld."

Andra let out a long breath. "Offworld . . . They are the

largest mining concern in the galaxy." Two spots of color

appeared on her cheeks. "But that means that UniFy could be

mapping our lands for mining development! If we could prove

the two companies are linked, we'd have proof of UniFy's

plans!"

"Andra hired me to break into the UniFy files," Den told

them. "I worked there a few months ago, and I forgot to turn

in my ID badge. I had to leave in a hurry."

"You forgot?" Qui-Gon asked.

Den grinned. "And then I mistakenly took a couple extra

badges when I left. So I can get us in. The odds are totally

in our favor."

Qui-Gon hesitated. He turned to Andra. "You don't seem to

trust him. Why should we?"

"Because I won't let you down!" Den cried.

"I did not ask you the question," Qui-Gon said sternly.

Andra sighed. "What's in it for you, Den? Why would you

take the risk of breaking in again?"

"Because I didn't finish the job you paid me for," Den

told her. "I feel badly about that. I have my integrity, you

know."

"You're a thief!" Andra cried in exasperation. "Exactly!"

Den exclaimed. "So let me steal!' "Why don't I feel

reassured?" Obi-Wan wondered aloud.

Andra sighed.  "I know exactly what you mean."

Chapter 7

Besides the identity cards, Den had managed to steal the

gray unisuits that the lowest level of tech workers at UniFy

wore. It was surprisingly easy to join the stream of workers

entering the building at dawn the next day. The security

guards swiped their cards and they simply walked through.

Sure, we're in, Obi-Wan thought. But will it be as easy to

get out again? For some reason, Qui-Gon had decided to trust

this Den character. And the Jedi Council thought he was too

impulsive.

Den took the turbolift down to a lower level. "The main

files are in a restricted area," he explained. "We'll have

to walk down the utility staircase. Then there's a guard at

the door. Can you wave those lightsabers of yours at him? We

can lock him in a closet until we're done."

"Just leave it to me," Qui-Gon said.

They slipped down the utility staircase and entered a long

white hallway lit with soothing glow lights. A security

guard sat in front of a console at the end.

"Passes," he said shortly.

Qui-Gon handed him his identity card. He focused on the

Telosian's mind. "This will do. Go on in."

"This will do," the guard said. "Go on in." The door

hissed   open, and they walked through.

"What was that?" Den asked wonderingly.

"A Jedi tool," Qui-Gon answered. "The Force can easily be

used on the weak-minded."

"I am impressed," Den said, shaking his head in

admiration. "Can you imagine what you could do with that, if

you had a little larceny in you? Hey, do you think your Jedi

Temple would take a guy like me?"

"No," Qui-Gon said shortly, accessing the door marked

secure files.

The room was filled with computers and holographic files.

Den crossed immediately to the main terminal.

"I'll break into the system, and the two of you can search

on the other monitors," he said, his fingers flying over the

keys. "They changed the password, but I wrote a program that

. . . there we go! Call me a genius and I won't argue with

you."

Qui-Gon sat at another terminal and motioned Obi-Wan to

the next. It would be faster if they all searched

independently.

Files names and numbers flashed onscreen. There were many

marked sacred pools. "There are at least three hundred files

here," Qui-Gon said after a moment. "Let's break it down.

Den, you take the first hundred, Obi-Wan the next. I'll do

the last. Scan as quickly as you can. Look for any mention

of Offworld, mining, or mapping." He looked over at Den.

"Don't try anything."

Den blinked at him innocently. "Like what?"

"I don't want to speculate," Qui-Gon said dryly. "Just do

what I say."

Obi-Wan accessed the first file and quickly scanned it. It

was a record of correspondence between the manager of the

Sacred Pools project and his superior at UniFy. As far as he

could see, it was reporting fuel and food needs for the

workers. Nothing. He accessed the next.

And the next. And the next. .. Obi-Wan waded through file

after file. He never imagined that working for a large

corporation could be so dull. Information was repeated over

and over and double-checked. He saw nothing suspicious.

"I wish Tahl were here," Qui-Gon muttered. "She would be

able to figure out these financial records. They make

everything so complicated ..."

Suddenly, Qui-Gon stopped talking. Obi-Wan noticed that

his viewscreen had frozen. When he looked back at his own,

he saw that it was frozen as well.

"Den, what's happening?" he asked.

"I don't know," Den said worriedly. He tried to turn his

viewscreen off, but the switch didn't work. "Odds are it's a

temporary glitch." He sprang up from his chair and started

toward the door. "Just lay low."

"Where are you going?" Qui-Gon asked.

"I'm just going to nose around, see what's going on. You

can rely on me."

Den slipped out the door. Qui-Gon slowly rose.

"We have to get out of here now," he said.

Obi-Wan looked at him, surprised. "But we can't abandon

Den."

Qui-Gon looked grim. "He has already abandoned us."

Obi-Wan heard the sound of pounding feet. The door hissed

open.

"Don't draw your lightsaber," Qui-Gon quickly ordered,

just before the security forces rushed in.

Obi-Wan knew why. Qui-Gon was hoping to escape detection

as a wanted criminal. If they were lucky, they would be held

at UniFy as trespassers.

But that fleeting hope was dashed immediately when the

burly head of security stepped forward.

"You are wanted as violators of Telosian law under the

Galactic Criminals Act," he told them. "You are under

arrest."

Chapter 8

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon were swiftly transported to the

Central Booking Station, where they were recognized as

escaped galactic criminals and thrown into prison. Qui-Gon

asked that the Temple be contacted, but the request was

ignored.

"Telosian justice used to be fair," he said to Obi-Wan as

he stood in the dank underground cell. "They should allow us

the opportunity to clear ourselves."

"We're not even sure what the charges are," Obi-Wan said.

"Do you think they'll discover that the whole thing has been

faked?"

"There is always that hope," Qui-Gon said. "They can't

hold us for long if they can't prove we did something wrong.

At least they didn't find our lightsabers."

Using the Force, Qui-Gon had managed to prevent the guards

from giving them a thorough search.

"Why don't we just cut through the door?" Obi-Wan asked,

placing his hands against the fortified durasteel.

"Because there will be fifty guards on us before we can

move very far," Qui-Gon said. "Let's bide our time. We'll

find an opportunity to escape."

"I can't believe Den left us in the lurch like that," Obi-

Wan said, disgusted. "He must have known there was a

security alert as soon as the viewscreens froze."

"Yes, I think he did," Qui-Gon agreed calmly. "But it is

better to focus on what we can do now."

"What can we do?" Obi-Wan asked. "We're locked up."

"We can think of our next step," Qui-Gon said. "It's a

waste of time to blame Den. What did we learn while we were

at UniFy?"

"I didn't learn anything except that people who work for

companies send too many memos," Obi-Wan said, discouraged.

"There were many, it's true," Qui-Gon agreed. "And most of

them were trivial. Many of them merely confirmed a

conversation over a comlink. Did you notice that? This makes

me think that so many files could be a way to stop examiners

later should the company be investigated. It's hard to find

the truth when it's buried under data. Does that remind you

of anything?" Obi-Wan thought for a long moment. "Offworld,"

he said at last. "The company conceals its true intentions

and even its headquarters behind other companies. It uses

confusion to hide."

"Exactly," Qui-Gon said. "And there was something else I

learned at UniFy. When the screens froze, I got to see what

Den was doing. He was not looking up files on Offworld or

the Sacred Pools. He was looking up Katharsis."

"Why?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I don't know the answer to that, but the question is

interesting," Qui-Gon said. "UniFy administers the funds

from the lottery, so I suppose it should have Katharsis

files. But why is Den so interested? Think about his

character."

Obi-Wan remembered Andra's words. "He must think he can

profit in some way."

"Exactly," Qui-Gon agreed. "My guess is that's the reason

he agreed to help us in the first place. So you see when we

get out, we'll have another path to investigate."

"When we get out?" Obi-Wan asked, looking at the fortified

durasteel door.

"We'll get out," Qui-Gon said in the same calm tone.

Obi-Wan wished he could feel as certain. He had a feeling

that now that Xanatos had them where he wanted them, he

would not be so foolish as to let them go.

They spent a cold night in the cell. Obi-Wan awoke before

dawn. He lay on a sleep mat, his eyes open. There were no

windows in the cell, so he could not distinguish the walls

from the floor. He was surrounded by black, as though he

were floating in a void. Perhaps this disorienting feeling

was part of the punishment.

The only indication of morning was when the cell lights

blazed on. They were given some hard bread and weak tea for

breakfast.

The day passed slowly. Qui-Gon asked repeatedly to speak

to someone in authority. The request was refused.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan did a series of muscle stretches to

stay limber. Then they meditated. In captivity, a Jedi

organized the mind, calmed the spirit, and kept the body

strong.

Qui-Gon sat meditating on the hard stone floor. Suddenly,

he sighed and raised his head.

"I'm sorry, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan was surprised by this statement. "Sorry?" he

asked.

"You should be back at the Temple. I should not have let

you accompany me. It was an error in judgment."

"The decision was mine to make," Obi-Wan said. "I'm not

sorry to be here."

Qui-Gon's smile was as dim as the light. "Even though you

are cold and hungry?"

"I am where I should be," Obi-Wan responded. "By your

side."

Qui-Gon stood. "I was harsh to you after what happened on

Melida/Daan."

"No more than I deserved." Obi-Wan was surprised to see

the emotion on Qui-Gon's face. This was the first time his

former Master had brought up the rift between them with

sorrow more than anger. He seemed to be struggling for

words.

"No, Obi-Wan, it was much more than you deserved," Qui-Gon

corrected. "I have come to see that my reaction was due to

my own failings, not yours. I haven't had a chance to tell

you that. I -" Qui-Gon stopped suddenly. "He's here," he

murmured.

Then Obi-Wan felt it, too. The disturbance in the Force

was like a whisper of poison gas that snaked under a crack

in the door and then filled the room. He stood and turned

toward the door.

The durasteel door suddenly hissed open. Xanatos stood in

the doorway. His black cloak was thrown back, his legs

casually apart, his hands on his hips.

"Enjoying yourselves?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow at

them and smiling.

Qui-Gon faced him, not speaking.

"Ah, the silent treatment," Xanatos said with a sigh. "And

here I was hoping that we could have a chat. There's not

much time. Your punishment has been decided."

"But we didn't have a trial," Qui-Gon said quietly.

"Oh, but you did," Xanatos answered. "You were both

considered too dangerous to attend."

"We have the right to attend our own trial! That isn't

fair!" Obi-Wan exclaimed.

Xanatos shook his head. "Ah, I remember being that young.

Back when I thought that life would treat me fairly. Before

I met you, Qui-Gon Jinn."

"Life does not treat you fairly or unfairly," Qui-Gon

said. "It merely is. It is up to each of us to be fair, or

unfair."

"It's never too late for some great Jedi wisdom," Xanatos

said scornfully. "And it is always the same - nothing but

riddles. Well, figure this out, Jedi - since you did not

appear at your trial, I showed up in your place. I was the

star witness against you. I had evidence of your crimes,

records   of   the   many   worlds   that brought charges

against you, tales of the times you had escaped justice

throughout the galaxy. And at last justice found you on

Telos. It also helped that a grieving father was in the

courtroom, distraught at the death of his son at the hands

of your accomplice." Xanatos gave a heavy sigh. "Poor Bruck.

I always thought he just needed a little push to succeed.

How was I to know that Obi-Wan Kenobi would deliver it?"

Xanatos raised one hand and then slapped it into his palm

with a sharp crack. It was eerily close to the crack of

Bruck's head hitting the rocks below the waterfall. Obi-Wan

tried not to wince. He would not give Xanatos that satisfac

tion. But inside, he felt the shock of it. Helplessness

and   guilt swept   over   him   as   he recalled Bruck's

lifeless, unseeing gaze, the arm flung out as if in a last,

desperate cry for help.

"The court may have listened to your lies," Qui-Gon said

quickly, sensing Obi-Wan's distress and trying to deflect

Xanatos. "But when the Temple learns -"

Xanatos laughed. "By the time the Temple learns of your

fate, you will already be dead. That is your punishment,

Jedi. You have been sentenced to death."

Suddenly Xanatos leaned forward. His blue eyes burned like

the hottest part of a flame. His pale skin seemed to tighten

over his bones. His face looked like a skull with eyes of

fire.

"And I will be there to watch you die," he hissed in Qui-

Gon's face.

Chapter 9

They did not get a chance to say another word, or call for

help. Xanatos made sure that an entire troop of guards

surrounded them. They were led through the prison corridors

to the courtyard in front.

The sun was low in the sky. The two adjacent prison towers

cast two long ominous shadows across the courtyard. A crowd

filled the yard and spilled out into the street. When they

saw the prisoners, they erupted in catcalls and jeers.

"They love the executions," one of the guards murmured to

the other.

Qui-Gon felt a sinister energy emanating from the crowd.

Telos had never had public executions. Such displays were

limited to more primitive worlds. What had happened to

peaceful Telos? It only took one man to corrupt it, if that

man was as sly and powerful as Xanatos.

Qui-Gon felt reassured by the presence of his lightsaber

underneath his cloak. Still, he did not know when he would

get a chance to use it.

A scaffold slowly rose on repulsorlifts until it floated

high above the crowd. Two burly guards stood next to two

durasteel hinged slabs. A chute ran from the slabs to the

edge of the platform. Vibro-axes were leaning against the

slabs. Qui-Gon saw in an instant how the execution would

take place. He and Obi-Wan would be forced to lie on the

slabs. They would be beheaded by the vibro-axes, the hinges

would drop, and their heads would roll down the chute and

come to rest facing the crowd.

It was gruesome, but quick.

Qui-Gon saw Obi-Wan swallow. For the first time, he was

seriously worried. He had thought that at any moment an

opportunity would come for them to escape. But how could

they make their way through the crowd? Even if they could

deal with the guards and Xanatos, the crowd would rise

against them.

They were placed in an energy cage that was hoisted up

above the mass of people. The angry crowd shouted for their

deaths to be painful and slow. Xanatos stood at the top of

the stairs, watching the cage rise with avid eyes.

It was the duty of every Jedi to accept death when it

came. Yet Qui-Gon could not be calm. It not his time. It was

not Obi-Wan's. He saw that Obi-Wan was struggling to contain

his fear.

"Kill them! Kill the murderers!" the crowd shouted.

Anger surged in Qui-Gon. Xanatos had done this. He had

inflamed the crowd. He had filled their minds with hatred

and lies. If Qui-Gon died, Xanatos would win. He would

corrupt Telos even more. He would destroy it.

Qui-Gon couldn't let that happen.

Yet he must not fight with anger. He must fight with

justice.

"We must not give up," Qui-Gon told Obi-Wan urgently over

the noise of the crowd. "They will need to retract the

energy bars for the executioners to get us on those slabs.

That's when we will fight. All is not lost. Stay calm and

alert."

Obi-Wan nodded.

Qui-Gon noted the steady resolution in Obi-Wan's eyes.

They had little chance of escaping this fate, but Obi-Wan

accepted this. The boy was never cowed by odds against him.

The energy cage slowly lowered toward the scaffold.

Security police on swoops hovered near in case the prisoners

tried to escape.

The cries of the crowd came to Qui-Gon faintly. All his

attention was now focused on the guards on the scaffold. He

was confident that he and Obi-Wan could take them. But what

then? They would have to leap to the ground, even as blaster

fire pounded them from above and below. Perhaps the surprise

of their move would increase the likelihood of escape.

Perhaps the crowd was not as bloodthirsty as it appeared.

But he did not like these odds. Even Den would not take this

bet, Qui-Gon thought ruefully.

The guards on the scaffold walked forward. Qui-Gon waited

for the energy bars to lower. As soon as they did, he would

spring forward.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noted an erratic movement

from one of the swoops. He looked to the side without

turning his head. The rider was hooded. In only the split

second he allowed himself to glance, Qui-Gon recognized who

it was. The surprise hit him broadside. Andra.

"Behind you, Obi-Wan," he said in a low voice. "Be

prepared."

The energy bars retracted. The guards rushed forward. Qui-

Gon and Obi-Wan activated their lightsabers simultaneously

and leaped toward them. Blaster fire pinged around them, and

they deflected it, swinging in a blur of motion faster than

the eye could follow.

Another swoop joined Andra. The two crafts dived toward

them, engines screaming.

"Jump!" he called to Obi-Wan. He leaped off the scaffold

as the swoop dived to scoop him up. The other vehicle did

the same for Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon caught a quick flash of a

determined

Den.

Qui-Gon landed on his feet. He held on to the driver's

shoulders and lowered himself into the seat as the swoop

dived, turned, climbed, hovered, and turned again, trying to

evade the guards giving chase.

Qui-Gon still had his lightsaber in his hand. He deflected

blaster fire as the craft darted around the guards. He saw

Obi-Wan doing the same. It was hard to keep his balance on

the agile swoop, but he managed.

In a daring move, the swoops headed straight for the

prison towers. Qui-Gon saw the towers grow closer and

closer, so close he could see the cracks and pits in the

surface. At the very last moment, Andra turned sharply. They

came so close that Qui-Gon's hand was scraped. Two of the

swoops pursuing them crashed into the towers. Andra and Den

zoomed away.

Qui-Gon allowed himself one glance back. The last thing he

saw was Xanatos, standing straight and tall and unmoving,

watching him go. He could feel the coiled hatred spring at

him from across the distance. They would meet again, he

knew. Xanatos would make sure of it.

Chapter 10

When she was sure they were away from their pursuers,

Andra loosened her hood.

"Thanks for not falling off," she called back to Qui-Gon.

"Thanks for rescuing us," Qui-Gon responded. "I was almost

starting to worry."

She grinned and gunned the motor. In another few minutes,

they landed in the alley near her house. Den and Andra

concealed the swoops behind a pile of rusty abandoned

floaters.

"Whoa!" Den called as he swept off his hood. "Did we beat

those odds, or what? The next time I'm outrunning some

security police, I want a Jedi at my back!"

Obi-Wan didn't respond to Den's friendly grin. "You

wouldn't have had to rescue us if you'd warned us back at

UniFy," he pointed out.

"I was about to," Den protested. "I didn't get the chance.

At least I came through in the end."

"Only because I insisted," Andra said. "I'm the one who

proposed the rescue."

"Kill me now if I wasn't going to! You didn't give me a

chance!" Den protested.

"I suggest we continue this inside," Qui-Gon said, his

eyes sweeping the sky overhead with a glance. "In my

experience, security on Telos doesn't give up easily."

They climbed up the drain and entered Andra's snug home.

Andra began to heat some drinks and set out a plate of bread

and fruit. Obi-Wan reached for it hungrily.

"I don't know what to do now," Andra said worriedly. "We

can't break into UniFy again. I'm sure they plugged the

holes in their security. We'll never be able to get the

proof we need that UniFy is tied to Offworld."

"If only we'd had more time to look," Den said.

Qui-Gon gave him a hard look. "But you weren't looking

very hard for an Offworld connection, were you?"

Den shifted in his seat. "Of course I was. There were too

many files. You said so yourself."

"I saw your screen, Den," Qui-Gon said. "You weren't

looking at the Sacred Pool files. You were looking up

Katharsis."

"Katharsis?" Andra turned. "Why?"

"Don't look at me like that, all of you," Den protested.

"I'm an honest man!"

Qui-Gon cocked an eyebrow. Obi-Wan looked disgusted. Andra

blew out an exasperated breath.

"Okay, so I'm not one hundred percent honest," Den

admitted. "But I'm loyal! I was looking up Katharsis. When I

worked there I found out by chance - well, not so much by

chance, but because I broke into some files - that UniFy

controls Katharsis."

Andra swiveled, the pot in her hand. "You mean the

government doesn't control it?"

Den nodded. "They just want you to think they do. If

everyone knew that a corporation controlled Katharsis,

they'd realize that. .."

"UniFy decides how the profits from Katharsis are spent,"

Andra said rapidly. "Which means they totally control our

public lands."

Den nodded. "UniFy came up with the idea for Katharsis in

the first place. They paid off some key government people in

order to push it through. Basically, the government is in

UniFy's pocket."

Andra sank into a chair, stunned. "Do you think that UniFy

deliberately devised Katharsis just to distract the

population from their intentions? They're going to open all

our global parks for development. And we're going to pay for

it!"

"It's pretty diabolical," Den said. "You almost have to

admire it. Some kind of evil genius had to come up with this

plan."

Qui-Gon exchanged a glance with Obi-Wan. "Xanatos," he

said quietly. The plan had a simple elegance to its evil

that was pure Xanatos.

But Qui-Gon wasn't finished with Den. "Why were you

looking up Katharsis again, Den?" he asked. "If you knew

this already, there wasn't much more to discover."

They all turned to Den. He met their gaze with steady

innocence. That meant he was no doubt about to lie, Qui-Gon

guessed.

"I was just hoping to help Andra and the POWER party -" he

started.

Andra interrupted him. "Don't con me. Den. Not now. This

is too important."

He looked at her a long moment. Qui-Gon noticed the

vulnerability in the look. He cares for her, he realized.

"Okay," he said. "I was hoping to help you. But I was also

looking for a way to rig the lottery."

"Always looking out for yourself, aren't you?" Andra said

bitterly.

"No," Den said quietly. "I look out for you, too. But you

won't see that."

"So did you find out how to rig it?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Not exactly," Den hedged.

"Did you find out anything?" Obi-Wan asked impatiently.

"Yes, I found out something," Den admitted. "The lottery

already is rigged."

Chapter 11

"Things are happening too fast here," Andra said weakly.

"Let me pour the tea."

They sat around the table, warm mugs of tea in their

hands. The enormity of the plan stunned Andra. She had

expected conspiracies and corruption, but not on such a vast

scale. It was obvious that they had stumbled on a scheme to

take over the resources of an entire planet. The question

was how the pieces fit together, and what they could do

about it.

Qui-Gon drained his mug. "I suggest a two-part plan," he

said. "First, Den will infiltrate the lottery system."

"Whoa, hold on," Den said. "What do you mean, I'll

infiltrate the lottery system? What makes you think I can do

that?"

"I have a feeling you already know how," Qui-Gon said

coolly. "Why else would you risk so much to get back inside

UniFy? Why else did the security get triggered? You were

able to invade the system."

Den took a gulp of tea, then coughed. No one moved to help

him.

"Okay, okay," he croaked. "I think I can rig it. I mean, I

think I can rig the part that's already rigged."

"And you know how to ensure that you'll win the prize,"

Qui-Gon said.

Den nodded reluctantly. "I can rig it so that I win the

lottery. One winner is always someone selected by UniFy in

advance. As the games go on, some contestants are given

faulty equipment - not anything they would notice, but

something slightly off that decreases their chances of

winning. One of the contestants has been selected in advance

and bribed. He or she agrees to pass half the fortune back

under the table to the company. I can just put my name in

the next winner's place."

Andra shook her head. "I knew you had an ulterior motive

to helping me. You were going to take that fortune and run."

"Joke, right?" Den said. "Because I can't believe you

would really think such a thing. After I won my fortune, I

would have shared it. Some of it."

"I don't want any part of a fortune built on destroying

our sacred spaces," Andra said fiercely. "And you shouldn't

either!"

"It's not my fault they're being exploited!" Den

protested. "And a fortune is a fortune."

"That's your trouble," Andra said. "You really believe

that."

"Does anyone want to hear the second part of my plan?" Qui-

Gon interrupted mildly. "Second, we should follow through on

Andra's original plan to visit the Sacred Pools. We'll need

to gather the evidence all over again."

"It won't be easy," Andra said. "The security is extremely

tight."

"Just use some of that Jedi mind-altering-voice-bending

stuff," Den suggested.

"I'm afraid we'll need more than that," Qui-Gon said.

"Andra, can you call in your supporters? I think the best

plan is to infiltrate at several points so that we don't

rely on only one team."

Andra looked down at her mug. She smoothed the wood of the

table with her hand.

"Andra?" Qui-Gon prodded.

She looked up. "I can't do that," she said. "I haven't

been completely honest with you all. I have no supporters. I

am the POWER party."

"There's no party?" Obi-Wan asked in disbelief.

She shrugged and gave a small smile. "Just me. I had a few

supporters, but they all fell away when the investigative

team was killed. No one will listen to me anymore. They all

think I'm crazy because I see a bleak future no one wants to

face, let alone prevent."

Suddenly, Den burst out laughing. "So Captain Integrity

has been lying all along!" he chortled. "This is the best

news I've heard in a millennium!"

"Knock it off, Den," Andra growled. "I had to pretend to

have support. I needed you to help me."

"Right," Den said, nodding. "Of course. You're allowed to

trick someone because you're saving the planet. I get it. As

long as you have pure motive, you can do whatever you want."

"That's not what I'm saying," Andra shot back angrily. "If

you cared about anything other than yourself, you'd

understand."

"I understand that you'd do anything to get what you

want," Den said. "We're more alike than you want to admit,

Andra."

Andra glared at him. "I'd rather be compared to a dinko."

"Sure, I can do that," Den said promptly. "A dinko is a

creature with fangs and a nasty disposition. The problem is,

how are you different? Let me see your teeth."

"Just keep it up. Den," Andra warned.

"Okay,   enough,"   Qui-Gon   snapped.   "We have a

problem. Who's going to invade the Sacred Pools?"

"I will," Andra said, with a furious glance at Den.

"I'll go with you," Obi-Wan said.

Qui-Gon shook his head. "No."

"But it makes sense," Obi-Wan argued. "A boy traveling

with a woman won't attract as much attention. We'd look like

a brother and sister on an excursion. If we get caught,

Andra and I can claim we got lost."

"And you should stay here and watch Den," Andra said to

Qui-Gon. "If he rigs the lottery, he could take the fortune

and leave the planet."

"Thanks for your support," Den said sarcastically.

"Have you given me any reason to trust you lately?" Andra

asked coolly.

"Dinko," Den shot at her.

"Thief," she shot back.

Qui-Gon ignored their bickering for the moment. He felt

exasperated and worried. He didn't want Obi-Wan to travel

without him. Xanatos was on the loose, on his home planet,

and he was enraged at their escape. But the boy's logic was

sound. They had to take a risk in order to bring Xanatos

down. But was this risk more than he was willing to take?

He saw Obi-Wan watching him. The boy was wondering why he

didn't want him to go. For Obi-Wan, it would be a question

of trust. Qui-Gon had to allow it.

"All right," he said. "Obi-Wan and Andra will gather the

evidence. Den and I will remain here. Now let's make our

preparations."

Chapter 12

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon stood by the swoops that would carry

Obi-Wan and Andra to the Sacred Pools. Andra stood nearby

with Den, checking her survival pack.

Obi-Wan had only slept for a few hours, but he felt alert

and clear. A scattering of stars twinkled in the dark sky.

Dawn was still an hour away. Andra felt their best chance

was to invade the park in the early morning, gather pictures

and evidence, and leave. They would have to be back in Thani

by midday, before the end of the last round of Katharsis.

"If there is a sign of trouble, just go," Qui-Gon

instructed him quietly. "If you think you cannot evade

security, don't even attempt to enter the area. Survey it

first."

"I've studied the maps," Obi-Wan said. "Andra knows of a

way to enter without being noticed. She used it when she was

a girl. She thinks it will still be there."

"Studying the map is not the same as knowing the area,"

Qui-Gon said. "Do not trust it completely. Make sure your

entrance can be your exit."

"I know all these things," Obi-Wan said. He felt

frustrated and disappointed. Qui-Gon was treating him like a

fourth-year student at the Temple. He knew if Qui-Gon took

him back that they would have to start over as a Master-

Padawan team, but did Obi-Wan have to turn back into a

child?

Qui-Gon nodded. "I know you do. It is my own unease that

makes me repeat these things. I trust you, Obi-Wan."

The words trickled through Obi-Wan and filled him with

warmth.

"I will not fail," he said.

"Just be safe," Qui-Gon responded.

Andra lifted her hood over her dark braids as she strode

forward. "Ready, Obi-Wan?"

He swung his leg over the swoop. Qui-Gon had given him a

quick lesson earlier. He wasn't used to such maneuverable

transport. A slight touch could cause it to lean and dive.

Obi-Wan was a fast learner, but it had taken him time before

Qui-Gon was satisfied with his skill.

Andra gunned her motor and took off. Obi-Wan followed.

"Don't take any chances!" Den called after them.

"He sounds worried," Obi-Wan called over to Andra.

She gritted her teeth. "He's just trying to pretend to be

a good person. It's a strain."

The black sky turned to gray as they traveled through the

quiet outskirts of the city. Buildings grew farther apart.

Land began to be cultivated. Then after the sun rose there

were barely any dwellings at all, just occasional villages

tucked into deep valleys.

Obi-Wan marveled at the beauty of the countryside. Fields

of lavender and blue flowers swayed in a gentle breeze.

Every few kilometers they came upon another deep blue lake

glittering in the folds of the golden hills.

"This is beautiful country," he called over to Andra as

they flew.

"I was born here," she said. "There's a proposal to turn

much of this into another global park. But now I wonder why.

Will they develop this, too?"

That reminded Obi-Wan why he was here. He hunched over the

swoop handlebars, determined to foil whatever terrible

scheme Xanatos had for Telos.

The land began to climb, the hills growing higher and

steeper. Rock formations towered above them as they followed

a road cut into the stone mountains. Snow began to appear on

the crags. Although Obi-Wan had felt too warm earlier, now

he was glad he had followed Andra's advice and worn his

thermal gear.

"Almost there," Andra called back.

Obi-Wan followed Andra as she left the road, entering a

forest glade so thick with tall trees that it blocked out

the sky. Andra wove expertly through the trunks. Obi-Wan had

to concentrate to keep up. At last she pulled over and

waited for him to stop next to her.

"I think we should leave the swoops here," she said. "This

glade adjoins the park. I know a way into the Mirror

Caverns. Once we're through them, we'll be in the Park of

Sacred Pools."

They covered the swoops with branches. Their footsteps

made soft sounds on the carpet of leaves as they hurried

through the glade. They came to a craggy wall of stone, and

Andra followed it down a small hill to a fast-moving creek.

She hopped from rock to rock in the creek, Obi-Wan

following. The creek suddenly stopped at a sheer wall of

gray stone.

"I think you can make it," Andra said, glancing back at

him. "But you might have to wriggle a bit."

Obi-Wan saw that there was a slight fissure in the rock

wall, almost invisible to the naked eye. It ran from the

creek up the wall, as tall as he was. First, Andra pushed

her survival pack through, then slipped inside. Andra was

slender and was easily able to pass through, but Obi-Wan had

a bit more trouble. He made himself as thin as possible and

popped out, almost falling. He threw out a hand to steady

himself and felt a smooth, polished surface.

Andra activated a glow rod. Obi-Wan saw that he was in a

cavern with walls that arched over his head. The stone was

deep black and so highly polished that he could see his

reflection. Here the creek was just a trickle of silver

snaking through the black floor. The beam of the glow rod

bounced from wall to wall, multiplying its light. Obi-Wan

felt dizzy, as though he were standing underneath a thousand

stars.

"It's incredible," he said.

"Yes," Andra said quietly. "It's beautiful, isn't it? The

stone is called malab. It's highly prized in the galaxy

since it's so rare. Come on, the exit is this way. Watch

your step, it's slippery."

She led him through twists and turns until they joined the

main cave. At the entrance, the cavern widened and some

light from outside illuminated the walls. Andra let out a

small cry. She lifted the glow rod to examine the wall.

Stone had been chipped away, leaving deep gouges in the

smooth surface. The samples were piled on the floor next to

scan grids. Splinters of the stone surrounded a jagged hole

in the polished floor.

"They're going to mine it," she whispered to Obi-Wan, her

eyes burning. "This is a sacred place for all Telosians.

Look what they've done!"

With trembling hands, she removed the holographic recorder

from her pack. She trained the lens on the piles of stone,

panning back and forth to the scan grids and the jagged

holes. Obi-Wan took a recording rod from his pack and shot

the same images. Now they would have a backup, just in case.

He could conceal the recording rod in his clothing.

"Come on," Obi-Wan urged.

Carefully, they edged out of the cavern. The morning sun

was strong, warming the cool rocks and lighting up golden

sand that surrounded deep pools of steaming black water. A

black hill rose in front of them. It glittered in the rays

of the sun.

"That hill is made of malab," Andra said in disbelief.

"They must be harvesting it from the caverns."

Obi-Wan looked at the heavy equipment and gravsleds

surrounding the pools. He had spent time on the mining

planet of Bandomeer and was familiar with mining machinery.

"Those are mole miners," he said, pointing. "They can dig

hundreds of kilometers deep. If there are mole miners, there

has to be a base where they unload. Those vehicles are

TNTs."

"TNTs?" Andra asked.

"Treaded neutron torches," Obi-Wan explained. "They have

fireball-shooting cannons that blast through rock. That's

how mine shafts are created. I'd say we've got a full-scale

operation going here."

He felt Andra stiffen beside him. "The pools ..." she

said. "The water used to be crystal clear."

Obi-Wan walked closer to examine a pool. As he leaned

over, the cord on his survival pack dropped into the water.

Steam rose in a hiss, and he pulled up the pack quickly. The

cord had dissolved.

He looked up at Andra. "What happened?"

"I don't know," she said. "The pool must be contaminated.

Let's look at the others."

They gathered a few long sticks and walked to the rest of

the pools. When they submerged a stick in the black water,

it was stripped of bark immediately. If they held it under

longer, the stick itself dissolved.

"The  underground  spring  that  fed  the  pools  must   be

contaminated  with  chemicals," Andra said.  Her  voice  was

thick.  "My father used to take me here as a girl. We  hiked

every  inch of the park and bathed in the steam pools. After

he  died,  this  was  the  only place  where  I  could  find

comfort."

When she looked up, Andra's honey-colored eyes glittered

with unshed tears. Obi-Wan didn't know how to comfort her.

What would Qui-Gon do?

He remembered an incident back at the Temple. Jedi Knight

Tahl had only recently lost her sight. She was feeling

helpless and angry. He remembered how Qui-Gon had quietly

acknowledged her pain, then given her something to focus on.

"I'm sorry, Andra," he told her. "If we expose them, we

will stop them. It's not too late."

She nodded, biting on her lip to stop the tears from

falling. "Let's do it."

Her mouth set in determination, Andra turned the

holographic recorder toward the pools. Obi-Wan used his

recording rod to sweep the area and record the equipment. He

tried to find a logo or name on various items to indicate

they were owned by Offworld, but he found nothing.

Obi-Wan frowned worriedly. "We can bring this back and

show it to the citizens of Thani, but we need to connect it

to Xanatos. The government can claim they knew nothing about

it. They can blame UniFy, and UniFy will just close its

doors. Those who are truly responsible will escape."

"We can't let that happen," Andra said.

Just then they heard a noise. Someone was heading toward

them. Obi-Wan gestured to Andra, and they quickly pressed

themselves behind a gravsled.

Two surveillance droids rolled into view. Blasters were

built into their hands. Their heads rotated constantly,

infrared sensors glowing.

"All clear," one of them reported into a comlink.

"Commence. Repeat, commence."

A loud noise suddenly pierced the air.  The ground shook.

"What is it?" Andra asked, her hands against her ears.

"Let's take a look," Obi-Wan said. The droids had

disappeared around the side of the malab slag hill.

Staying in the shadow of the hill, Obi-Wan and Andra

followed. The droids were no longer in surveillance mode, so

their heads no longer swiveled. As they followed, the noise

grew louder.

When they rounded the pile of malab, another devastated

landscape met their eyes. A mound of sand rose in front of

them. A huge pit had been dug in the ground. The source of

the noise was the golden sand being sucked into giant

machines. Workers dressed in unisuits tended the operation.

The droids headed toward a ring of tech domes in the

distance.

"There are trace minerals in the sand," Andra yelled over

the noise of the machine. "They must be mining it."

The workers were intent on operating the machinery and did

not turn. Andra turned on her holograph recorder and Obi-Wan

his recording rod.

Another team of surveillance droids exited the first tech

dome and began to make their way across the yard.

"Hurry," Obi-Wan urged. "They might switch to surveillance

mode again." He lowered the recording rod and slipped it

back into his tunic.

"I want to make sure the image is clear," Andra muttered.

Obi-Wan saw the infrared sensors click on. "Stop

recording!" he whispered. "They might pick it up on a

sensor."

"Just one more second . . ." Andra switched off the

holographic recorder just as the droids' sensors began to

blink.

"Don't move," Obi-Wan muttered between his teeth.

The droids' heads slowly revolved as the sensors took in

every quadrant.

"This doesn't look good," Obi-Wan murmured. "Something has

alerted them. We'd better get out of here."

"But we don't have enough yet!" Andra protested.

"What we have will have to do," Obi-Wan said urgently. "It

will be worse if we get caught. I promised Qui-Gon we

wouldn't take chances." He yanked a protesting Andra back.

The droids slowly turned and headed across the yard toward

them. Obi-Wan and Andra picked up their pace.

"Hurry," he urged.

Within a moment, they had ducked around the hill and were

out of sight of the droids. They began to run for the

cavern.

"Intruders! Intruders!"

Blaster fire suddenly ripped into the ground next to them.

Obi-Wan drew his lightsaber and whirled to deflect the next

blast. They were almost at the cavern entrance.

Pingpingping! The blaster fire hit the cavern wall. Chips

of stone flew out, cutting Andra on the cheek.

"Get inside!" Obi-Wan shouted.

Andra ducked inside the cavern. Deflecting one last round

of fire, Obi-Wan hurried after her.

They could not move as fast inside the cavern. The floor

was too slippery. When they reached the velvety darkness

deep inside, Obi-Wan paused.

"I don't hear anything," he said.

"Maybe they've gone for reinforcements," Andra suggested.

"Come on, the exit is close by."

Obi-Wan could hear the faint murmur of the creek as he

carefully followed Andra. She made her way through the maze

of turns, then stopped before the sheer wall. Obi-Wan saw

her flatten herself against the wall, then slip between the

fissure.

They stepped out into the creek and hopped from stone to

stone. They had to hurry. No doubt a full-scale alert would

send other surveillance teams after them.

Obi-Wan hurried behind Andra as she snaked through the

tall trees of the glade. She hugged the rock wall, then

emerged where they had left their swoops.

They tossed aside the branches they had used for

camouflage. The swoops were gone.

They looked at each other, stunned. There was a crack of a

twig behind them, and Obi-Wan spun around.

Surveillance droids surrounded them in a semicircle,

blasters drawn.

Chapter 13

Obi-Wan knew he was in danger even as he was turning. His

turn was deliberately off center, his hand already reaching

for his lightsaber in a motion so fast it was undetectable.

With the other hand, he reached out and pushed Andra aside.

The blaster fire ripped between them and left a pockmarked

wall.

Andra had quick reflexes. She hit the ground and kept

rolling until she had reached safety behind an enormous

fallen tree trunk.

Obi-Wan was seriously outnumbered. Qui-Gon's lessons

snapped through his mind in precision order.

Keep moving.

Use reversals - surprise them.

Change hands when you can.

Come at them from above and below.

Use your ground.

The ground was uneven. The droids would have more trouble

maneuvering. Obi-Wan used the fallen logs and soft moss beds

to give him height and spring. He flipped backward and

dispatched one droid with a blow to the head. Using the

momentum of the swing, he dived at the next one's legs.

Two down.

Andra rose, vibroblade in hand, as Obi-Wan slashed at the

third droid. Andra deftly evaded blaster fire and smashed

the droid from behind.

Three down.

The fourth droid swiveled to attack Andra. Obi-Wan

deflected its blaster fire with his lightsaber, then kicked

out at the droid who was coming at him from the right. Andra

leaped and cleaved off the droid's arm. Off-balance, the

droid wobbled, and Obi-Wan was able to cleanly slice it in

half. It toppled.

A vine hung down from a tree overhead, and Obi-Wan,

grabbing it with one hand, used it to swing himself forward

to knock over the droid who was aiming at Andra. The blaster

fire erupted a split second before he swiped horizontally,

cutting the droid in half.

Andra gave a cry and lay still.

Obi-Wan whirled even faster now, beheading one droid and

turning to knock another off its feet. He buried his

lightsaber in the droid's control panel.

Obi-Wan rushed to Andra's side. He bent over her, feeling

for her pulse.

Her hand came up, weakly swatting him away. "Don't worry,

I'm not dead. I just had the wind knocked out of me."

Obi-Wan rocked back on his heels, relieved. "Are you

sure?"

"The blaster fire hit my pack, I think." Gingerly, Andra

slipped the pack off her shoulder. Blaster holes had

shredded the material. She reached inside and took out the

recorder. The case was pockmarked with blaster fire, and

part of it looked melted.

"Oh, no!" she breathed. She accessed the playback mode,

but the recorder merely buzzed and then went still.

"Don't worry," Obi-Wan said, patting his tunic. "That's

why we brought a backup." His mind was already moving to the

next step, as Qui-Gon had taught him. Do not reflect on

mishaps unless they have lessons to give.

"Now we have another problem," he said. "Do you know any

place nearby where we could get a fast transport?"

Andra paled.  "No. We'd have to hike for hours. We don't

have time. Katharsis is to start in an hour. We'll never

make it!"

"Let's contact Qui-Gon and see if Den was able to rig the

lottery," Obi-Wan suggested. He activated the comlink. Qui-

Gon answered it immediately.

"I'm glad to hear from you, Obi-Wan," he said, relief in

his voice. "Did you get the evidence?"

"Not as much as we'd hoped," Obi-Wan said. "The park is

definitely being developed for mining, but we have no proof

that Offworld is responsible."

Qui-Gon's sigh came through the comlink. "It will have to

do. I don't want to put you and Andra in any more danger."

"Was Den able to rig the lottery?"

"Yes," Qui-Gon answered. "He'll be one of the three

citizens allowed to bet on the final game. He's tapped into

the system and knows who the winner will be. Xanatos is

delivering the grand prize."

There was a short pause. Obi-Wan felt disappointment thud

through him. If only they could connect what they'd found to

Offworld! They could expose Xanatos in front of the citizens

he had hoodwinked.

Qui-Gon picked up on his thoughts. "Obi-Wan, you did your

best. It's time to come back.

At least the global parks of Telos will be saved. Head

back now."

Obi-Wan hesitated. If he told Qui-Gon that they had no

transport, there was nothing Qui-Gon could do. He wouldn't

have time to head out to get them and return in time for

Katharsis. Telling him what had happened would only add

needless worry.

"Soon," he answered instead. "We have one last thing to

take care of."

"All right," Qui-Gon answered. "I'll see you at the dome.

And be careful, both of you."

Andra winced. Obi-Wan signed off.

"What are you thinking?" she asked. "How can we get back

to Thani?"

"We have one option," Obi-Wan said grimly. "We probably

have a few minutes until they miss the droids. We have to

sneak back inside and steal a transport."

Andra looked nervous, but she nodded. "It's our only

chance. Let's go."

They followed the route back through the cavern. They

hovered inside in the shadows of the opening, carefully

waiting until a surveillance team walked through. As soon as

they were gone, they slipped outside and dodged the steaming

pools. They crouched behind a mole miner near the malab

pile.

"What now?" Andra asked.

"I have an idea," Obi-Wan told her. "When | was plowing

through those memos back at UniFy, many of them dealt with

Tech Dome D. They were building a landing pad there. But I

don't see one, do you? It has to be concealed inside, so it

wouldn't be visible to anyone in the air. Considering the

size of this operation, I'd say they were planning to bring

in maintenance haulers."

Andra nodded. "Good guess." "That means Offworld," Obi-Wan

said. "They have a fleet of haulers. And they need other air

transport for smaller jobs. If we can get into Tech Dome D,

we can find evidence of Offworld and escape at the same

time."

"So all we have to do is find Tech Dome D, then figure out

how to get inside, record evidence, steal transport, and

make it back to Than! before Katharsis is over," Andra said.

"As Den would say, kill me now."

Obi-Wan grinned. "We can do it."

Keeping to the shadow of the malab hill and ducking out of

sight when surveillance teams marched into view, Obi-Wan and

Andra made their way to where they had glimpsed tech domes

in the distance. Obi-Wan focused his macrobinoculars on each

dome until he found Tech Dome D. He focused on its bay

doors.  Workers busily walked in and out, some piloting

gravsleds, some carrying durasteel bins.

When you want to leave someplace unobserved, pick the

busiest spot.

"That's where we'll find transport," he told Andra.

"But the place is crawling with workers. And surveillance

has been stepped up," Andra murmured. "The droids are

everywhere."

"They're looking for intruders," Obi-Wan said. "Not

workers."

Obi-Wan pointed to a worker exiting a small shed near

them. He was fastening up his gray unisuit.

"Wait here," Obi-Wan instructed Andra.

He hugged the side of the hill of malab stone. There were

only a few meters between him and the shed. He would have to

chance it.

Quickly, he began to walk across the space. He gained the

shelter of the door and slipped inside. A weary worker sat

on a bench in front of a row of lockers. He looked up,

surprised.

Obi-Wan nodded a hello. "I came for my unisuit. I'm new.

Late for my shift," he added, trying to forestall any

conversation.

The worker looked at him suspiciously. "The shift doesn't

start for ten minutes. And you look awfully young."

Obi-Wan summoned up the Force. He directed his glance at

the worker.

"But you wouldn't mind getting me a couple of suits," he

said.

"Why don't I get you a couple of suits?" the worker said.

Obi-Wan took two suits from the pile the worker offered

and held them up. The smaller one would fit Andra.

"See you around," he said.

"See you," the worker repeated.

Obi-Wan quickly donned the suit before exiting. He tucked

the other under his arm and walked back to where Andra stood

in the shadows. He handed her the unisuit and she slipped

into it.

They headed for Tech Dome D. Once they got closer, Obi-Wan

saw that it was three times the size of the other domes,

extending back for hundreds of meters. He and Andra headed

for the big double doors and strolled inside. They walked

purposefully down a long aisle stacked with supply bins.

"Here, pick this up," he directed to Andra, pointing at a

durasteel bin.

"Now what?" she muttered.

"Look busy." Obi-Wan scanned the area. There were several

skyhoppers parked near the spaceport door. The hangar itself

was big enough to park a good-sized hauler. Offworld had to

be involved here.

Obi-Wan scanned the supply bins. Apparently they stored

the explosive devices here. He saw a case of thermal

detonators.

"Wait a second." Obi-Wan bent down to read the side of the

box. Burned into the durasteel case was a broken circle.

"Offworld," he said. "We've got them!"

Andra watched for trouble while he turned the recording

rod toward the cases.

They heard a noise overhead, and the roof began to

retract. For a moment, the sun blazed down, then was blocked

out as a huge maintenance hauler appeared. The massive ship

maneuvered through the open roof and slowly lowered onto the

landing bay. A moment later, a ramp slid down and workers

hurriedly began unloading mole miners.

"I think we just got all the evidence we need," Obi-Wan

murmured to Andra.

"Why?" she asked.

He pointed to the side of the ship. Written in laser-pulse

letters along the side was offworld.

Obi-Wan panned the letters and widened his shot to take in

the unloading of the mole miners. The ramps retracted. The

maintenance hauler had never cut its engines. Now it fired

its repulsors and began to lift off again.

"You there! Can you give us a hand?"

Two workers were busily loading supplies onto a gravsled.

One of them waved a hand at Obi-Wan and Andra.

"Time to head for those skyhoppers," Obi-Wan murmured.

Obi-Wan waved back, as if he couldn't hear over the noise

of the maintenance hauler's departure. Then he and Andra

headed off in the other direction.

"Don't hurry," he told Andra, whose pace kept quickening,

showing her anxiety.

They strolled to the skyhoppers. They had just reached

them when the alarm sounded.

"Intruders," a voice intoned. "Intruders."

"Okay, now hurry," Obi-Wan said.

He leaped inside and Andra followed. He settled himself

behind the controls as the roof began to close overhead. Obi-

Wan fired up the engines. The craft rose in the air. The

doors above continued to close, the opening narrowing. Obi-

Wan pushed the engines to full power.

"We can't make it!" Andra screamed.

Obi-Wan yanked the controls so that the sky-hopper flew

sideways. He aimed for the small opening and cleared it by a

centimeter on either side.

"Are we through?" Andra asked, her eyes closed. Sweat

beaded her forehead, and her hands clutched the seat.

"We're through," Obi-Wan answered. He wiped the sweat off

his own forehead with his sleeve. "Next stop, Thani."

Chapter 14

Qui-Gon paced impatiently near the central ring of the

dome. He was careful to keep his hood forward to conceal his

face. The mid-game break was taking place, and much of the

crowd had headed for the food stalls, but he couldn't take a

chance of being spotted. His picture was on every

information kiosk in Thani.

Obi-Wan and Andra should have been back by now. What if

something had happened to Obi-Wan? This was the second time

the boy had been in great danger. Again, Qui-Gon had allowed

it to happen.

"Settle down, Qui-Gon," Den said. "You're making me

nervous." But Qui-Gon noted that Den's face was taut with

nerves, and he continually scanned the aisles around them.

"You're worried about Andra, too," Qui-Gon said.

"Who, me?" Den said, turning away. "I don't worry about

other people. Only myself. I'm the one who's about to bet

his life savings."

Once Den had rigged the results so that he could win the

lottery, he had to come up with the resources to make a

credible bet. Den had added all the credits he had to one of

the many easy loans available on Telos. If he lost, he would

be liable for a heavy debt.

"Are you certain you interpreted the game correctly?" Qui-

Gon asked. "You're sure you know who will win?"

"I'll get my legs broken if I'm wrong," Den said. "It's

Kama Elias. Relax."

"Remember, after you win, I'll be right here," Qui-Gon

advised him. "Don't even entertain the possibility of taking

off with that prize. That money is going straight back into

the treasury of Telos."

"Of course it is," Den said. "Kill me now if you think I'd

double-cross my friends."

"Don't tempt me," Qui-Gon said dryly.

The dais in the central ring began to rise, signaling the

start of the next round of games. Qui-Gon and Den took their

seats. Qui-Gon kept an eye out for Obi-Wan. After the

lottery winners bet on the final contest, Xanatos would

present the prize. Then scenes of what Katharsis funded

would flash on the giant screens. Instead of images of

pristine beauty, the crowd would see scenes of devastation.

But only if Obi-Wan returned in time.

The second round of games began. The battered contestants

now played a round of shock ball. Roars from the crowd

encouraged the most savage play.

Qui-Gon's worry intensified. Where was Obi-Wan?

He remembered the circumstances of their leaving the

Temple. They had stood together on the landing platform,

ready to take a shuttle to the spaceliner port. They had

already said good-bye to their friends, to Tahl and Bant and

Garen. They had said good-bye to a disapproving Yoda.

"It is not too late, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon had said. "There

will be no shame if you remain here. It will not interfere

with what happens with us later. I promise you that. It is

better for you if you stay."

He remembered the clear resolution in Obi-Wan's gaze. "I

can't say that you need me, Qui-Gon. I know you can do this

on your own. But I will help."

Now Qui-Gon admonished himself. He had thought then that

he could not prevent Obi-Wan from coming. He had taken the

resolution in the boy's gaze to mean that even if he

insisted, Obi-Wan would not walk back into the Temple and

remain.

But was that true? Was his own quiet gratitude what had

been most important at that moment? Again, it was his own

emotion that had swayed him. Should he have taken a firm

stance and insisted Obi-Wan remain? Had he been selfish?

Qui-Gon nearly groaned aloud. Obi-Wan was not officially

his Padawan again, yet he kept coming up against the many

ways he could fail him. He had been reluctant to shoulder

the responsibility of a new Padawan in the first place. Then

he had come to accept it. Soon he had taken pleasure from

that responsibility. And now he was at sea with it. Adrift

with his feelings, wanting to do the right thing and not

quite sure how. All too aware of his own failings, all too

aware of what could go wrong.

Yet Obi-Wan was so sure. The boy still had things to teach

him about certainty. About trust.

If only he would show up.

Qui-Gon caught a glimpse of a familiar form moving quickly

through the crowd. Obi-Wan! Andra hurried by his side,

taking quick steps to keep up with Obi-Wan's stride. He knew

with a glance at Obi-Wan's face that his mission had been

successful.

Obi-Wan and Andra slipped past a row of protesting

onlookers to reach Den and Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan handed the

recording rod to Qui-Gon.

"We got it all," he said.

Qui-Gon immediately rose and hurried off. He had already

discovered the booth where the technician who transmitted

the visual images to the crowd during the breaks was

located.

The technician sat at a console, eating a greasy meat pie.

Around him were tiny screens that showed what was currently

playing to the crowd. One camera was on each contestant, one

took in a full view, several took partial views, and the

rest scanned the faces in the crowd. During the break, all

of these would be replaced with the global park images.

The technician looked up. "Who're you?"

Qui-Gon placed the recording rod on the console. "These

images are to be shown after Xanatos' speech. Governor's

orders."

The technician licked a drop of sauce off his thumb. "I

didn't hear anything about this."

Qui-Gon directed his gaze at the man, who continued to

eat. "You should show the images after the speech."

"I'll show them after the speech," the technician said,

his mouth full.

Qui-Gon eyed his greasy fingers. "And you'll clean your

hands first."

"I'll clean my hands first," the technician said, as if

he'd just thought of it.

Qui-Gon waited until the technician tossed his food away

and carefully wiped his fingers. Then he watched him load

the new visuals. When he was sure the man would follow

through on the plan, he left.

The last game had ended. Only four contestants remained.

The governor announced the names of the lottery winners. A

mixture of groans and cheers erupted from the crowd. When he

announced Den's name, Den shot to his feet, yodeling wildly.

He turned back to them, his eyes alight.

"Ready?"

Andra's gaze was steady. "Do not fail us, Den."

Den leaned over. "You've got to trust somebody sometime,

Captain Integrity," he said softly.

"I know," Andra said. "But why does it have to be you?"

Then she smiled at him, a smile filled with trust. She

briefly touched his cheek.

A slow, delighted smile spread over Den's boyish features.

Still grinning, he strode off to join the other lottery

winners onstage. Andra clasped her hands together.

"I trust him, too," Qui-Gon told her.

Obi-Wan shot him a look that asked, How can you be sure?

Qui-Gon wanted to tell him that sometimes he found it

easier to read strangers than those close to him. When his

heart wasn't involved, his instincts told him who could fail

him, who would be true. He hoped that after this mission, he

and Obi-Wan would have time to talk.

Obi-Wan leaned closer to him. "Are you certain about

this?"

Qui-Gon nodded. "Yes, I am. But I also have swoops ready

in case he takes off. Over the years, I've learned to back

up my instincts."

The lottery contestants stood at small consoles. They

wagered enormous sums on the final outcome. Den made a show

of indecisive agony before placing his bet. Andra sighed.

"He can't resist a chance to show off," she said, her

hands twisting nervously.

The final round began. It was a short replay of each of

the games that had been played throughout the contest. By

now the contestants were covered with sweat, grime, and

blood. Each of the lottery winners sat on a dais, watching

the action, knowing that their life savings depended on the

outcome. This was the time that the crowd kept up one

continuous roar.

The game of shock ball ended the match.  Kama Elias

suddenly zoomed past his opponent, who turned too sharply

and spiraled out of control, taking a bad fall. Kama scored.

The buzzer sounded. The games were over.

Den leaped off the dais and did a frenzied dance in the

middle of the arena. The crowd loved it, screaming his name.

The screens flashed den den den!!!!

Then the platform slowly rose from the center ring, and

Xanatos stood, a commanding figure in black. He raised his

arms to the crowd and the chant changed to his name.

Thousands of feet pounded against the floor until the entire

dome shuddered. XAN-A-TOS! XAN-A-TOS! XAN-A-TOS!

He raised a hand for quiet. Slowly, the cheers subsided.

Then, his hypnotic voice boomed over the dome.

"Katharsis saves us!"

"YES!" the crowd responded.

"Katharsis enriches us!"

"YES!"

"Katharsis protects our sacred spaces!"

"YES!"

Qui-Gon looked up at the screens. Do it now, he urged the

technician.

The scenes of the frenzied crowd disappeared. An image of

the Sacred Pools took its place. But instead of the

glittering crystal water, a foamy black pool appeared. Steam

rose from the surface.

At first, the crowd didn't notice. Then another image

flashed, and another. The hill of malab slabs. Mole miners.

The scan grid lying near shattered stone. Giant machines

sucking golden sand. Gravsleds parked on a once-pristine

landscape.

Murmurs began. Xanatos did not notice them. His eyes were

on the crowd, not the giant screens.

"Thanks to Katharsis, our beloved Telos is now ensured

protection for generations," he said. "The people have

spoken. They have safeguarded their legacy."

An image of the Offworld logo filled the screen. It was

burned into a case of thermal detonators.

The murmurs of the restless crowd turned to a buzz of

conversation that filled the dome like a room full of tech

equipment gone haywire.

The next image was of mole miners being unloaded from the

maintenance hauler. An image filled the screen: offworld.

The buzz turned into a roar of disbelief and anger.

Xanatos looked up at the screens at last. Qui-Gon watched

him. Anyone else would have shown his surprise and anger.

Xanatos just went still.

Shouting erupted around the dome. Many rose to their feet.

The shouts rose in intensity. People began to stand on their

chairs and raise their fists. A rhythmic pounding began, a

demand more potent than a shouted question.

Xanatos raised his hands, motioning for silence. It took

several moments for the crowd to quiet down.

"Why do you believe what you see?" he asked in a quiet,

commanding tone. "Believe what I tell you. Someone is trying

to inflame you. Someone is trying to trick you."

A lone voice arose from the crowd. "Is it you?"

The crowd took up the question. "IS IT YOU?  IS IT YOU?"

"We demand an answer!" someone else shouted.

"I am answering your doubts!" Xanatos thundered. "I am

telling you that there is trickery afoot here! And I invite

anyone in the crowd to come with me to the Sacred Pools and

examine what is there. I trust my government. I trust the

UniFy corporation. Governor, will you allow the Sacred Pools

to be opened to the public to see for themselves?"

A silver-haired man rose from the front row of the dome.

"I will."

Xanatos spread his hands. "You see? There is no

deviousness here. There is only openness. We will prevail if

we do not fall for tricks."

The crowd began to quiet. Trust was winning out over

anger.

"Now let me bring those who have lied to our beloved world

to justice!" Xanatos shouted, and the crowd roared its

approval.

Xanatos stepped away from the platform for a moment. Qui-

Gon saw him speak rapidly to one of the security police

ringing the arena. He saw one of them speak into a comlink.

Dread filled Qui-Gon. "Put your hood up, Obi-Wan," he said

quickly.

Moments later, the faces of Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan flashed

onscreen.

"Have you seen these men?" Xanatos boomed. He pointed to

the screens. "They are enemies of Telos! Condemned to death,

they escaped and now continue to work their evil! They are

here, in this arena. They are the ones who switched the

image tapes. Look at your neighbors. Do you see them? They

are the ones who tricked you!"

"Uh-oh," Andra breathed. She leaned forward, shielding Obi-

Wan and Qui-Gon by pretending to search the crowd around

her.

But it was no use. A Telosian in front of them turned and

peered beneath their hoods. Surprise and recognition made

his mouth drop. Then, he stood and screamed out, "Here! Here

they are!"

There was no chance to move, and nowhere to go. Security

police poured down the aisles and Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon were

caught.

Chapter 15

The security police dragged Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon into the

aisle. They surrounded them with blasters drawn. Two of them

held Qui-Gon by the arms, two more held Obi-Wan.

"Hey!" Den shouted from the stage. "Enough of this. I won!

Where's my prize?"

The crowd took up the cry. This is what they waited for -

to see the winner accept a fortune in credits and

crystalline vertex. Even the security police wanted to see

it. Although their blasters stayed leveled at the Jedi,

their eyes darted to the stage.

Xanatos hurriedly strode forward, a transparent box in his

hands. Crystals glittered inside and credits spilled from

the top. Xanatos seemed visibly anxious to get the ceremony

over with, Obi-Wan noted.

Xanatos handed the box to Den. Everyone turned toward him.

It was customary for the winner to say a few words.

Den stood, looking at the box. He did not speak.

Obi-Wan glanced at Qui-Gon. This was the test. Things had

changed. They were in custody. Den could see that. Andra

could not stop him alone. If Den didn't follow through on

their plan, he could keep a fortune. The amount in the box

would tempt almost any being, let alone a thief.

Instead of addressing the crowd, Den turned and spoke to

the tall, silver-haired man in the first tier of seats.

"Governor?"

The Governor of Telos stood.

"Will you read the durasheet I handed you before the final

contest took place?"

The Governor reached into the pocket of his tunic. He

leaned over and read into the amplification device. "The

winner will be Kama Elias by twenty points. Deleta will

experience a steering problem. Kama will push past to win."

The crowd looked on, mystified. Kama had won by twenty

points. But how did the winner know that Deleta would have a

steering problem?

"Citizens of Telos, I wrote that before the games began,"

Den announced. "I broke into the Katharsis computer. Every

Katharsis contest is rigged! The equipment of the

contestants is subtly altered as the games go on so that the

prechosen winner will triumph. Even the winner of the

lottery is chosen ahead of time. The winner must agree to

split the fortune with UniFy. This whole thing is a setup

designed to get your money!"

Den reached into the box and withdrew fistfuls of credits

and crystalline vertex. He tossed them to the crowd. The

credits and vertex rained down, and people scrambled to pick

them up. Around them the screens flashed images of the

devastated Sacred Pools.

"They've lied to us!" he shouted. "Look at the screens!

This is what your money has bought! Look around you - look

at each other. Are you in debt? Do you only think about

money? Good - because that's what they want! And while we

scheme and dream, our world is being destroyed. Look at the

logo on those crates of explosives, on that ship. UniFy is

Offworld! Our planet has been sold to the biggest mining cor

poration in the galaxy while we bet on a game. And who runs

Offworld? The mighty Xanatos!"

For a moment, the collective silence of the crowd seemed

to suck all the air out of the dome. Then the silence broke

into a great roar, as mighty as the sea.

The security police holding Obi-Wan were just as

transfixed as the crowd. The crowd rose as one body, leaping

to its feet and screaming for Xanatos. The screen still

flashed image after image of the ravaged park.

"Arrest him!" they shouted. "Arrest Xanatos!"

Xanatos stepped forward once again. He waited out the

shouts and jeers. Slowly, people in the crowd began to hush

one another. Everyone expected Xanatos to calm them again.

To tell them that what Den was saying was a lie.

Xanatos surveyed the crowd for a long moment, waiting out

every murmur until the dome was silent once more.

Then, he smiled and shook his head like a teacher

admonishing a class of students. "You pathetic fools."

Moving astonishingly fast, his cloak streaming behind him,

he leaped onto the winner's swoop. He rose into the air,

pushing the swoop to maximum speed. Weaving to avoid the

floating boxes, he expertly maneuvered the craft out of the

dome toward the exit.

"Not this time, Xanatos," Qui-Gon said grimly.

It was easy to break the holds of the distracted guards.

Obi-Wan struck out with his elbow and knee, freeing himself.

Afraid to fire their blasters in the midst of the weaving,

angered

Qui-Gon had hidden their swoops behind a stack of benches.

They leaped on them and took off in the direction Xanatos

had gone.

Chapter 16

By the time they roared out of the dome, the boulevard

seemed completely empty. Qui-Gon closed his eyes for a

moment and focused. When he opened them again, he caught the

flicker of movement down the street to his right. Perhaps it

was just a shadow. But the Force told him it was Xanatos.

Qui-Gon pushed his engines as high as they would go. He

could hear Obi-Wan directly behind him. The boy would keep

up. He knew that.

Determination tightened every muscle. He would not lose

Xanatos now. No doubt he was heading somewhere he would be

safe, or perhaps toward transport off-planet. Xanatos always

had an escape route.

But they had taken him by surprise. Perhaps there were

details left to arrange. Xanatos could not have prepared for

this.

To Qui-Gon's surprise, Xanatos headed out of the city and

took off over open country.

"I think he's heading to the Sacred Pools," Obi-Wan

shouted. "This is the way we went."

"We'll have to stay behind him," Qui-Gon answered. "He

knows we're following him. If we can't catch him, we can

keep him in sight."

The swoop engines could only be pushed so far. Xanatos had

a faster craft, since the ones used for the games had

modified engines. The Jedi could barely manage to keep him

in sight, and there were stretches where they lost him

completely.

Over the course of the ride, Obi-Wan never lost his focus.

He settled in over the handlebars, his eyes trained on the

speck in the distance that was Xanatos. Qui-Gon's face was

set in determined lines.

At last they reached the road to the park. They roared

down it, heading for the entrance. The gate was formed from

electrowire. Sensors were aimed above to blast any vehicles

flying over it.

A swoop lay abandoned on the road. Xanatos was nowhere in

sight.

Qui-Gon pulled his swoop over. He examined the swoop on

the ground. It was out of fuel.

"He must be in the park," he said. He eyed the gate.

"I have another way in," Obi-Wan assured him.

Obi-Wan led the way back down the road through the trees.

He left his swoop and splashed through the creek toward the

fissure in the cavern wall. He pressed himself inside.

Qui-Gon followed with difficulty. He was a big man, and it

was a small crack. Somehow he was able to push himself

through.

They quickly made their way to the entrance of the cavern

and burst out into the open air. Xanatos was crossing the

yard, heading for Tech Dome D.

"There's a landing pad inside," Obi-Wan told Qui-Gon. "No

doubt he has transport off-planet waiting there."

Qui-Gon began to run. Xanatos must never reach the Tech

Dome.

He moved silently, his feet not making even a whisper of

sound on the soft ground. But before he could reach Xanatos,

his opponent suddenly leaped on a gravsled and took off.

Qui-Gon grabbed an abandoned gravsled and followed,

knowing Obi-Wan would be only moments behind him. He

maneuvered around a pile of equipment and managed to cut

Xanatos off from the tech dome. With a snarl, Xanatos

wheeled the gravsled, making a sharp right and zooming off.

Qui-Gon was on his tail.

Ahead lay a ravaged landscape. The lowering sun painted it

with bloodred rays. Steaming pools of black acid bubbled and

sent vapor into the air. The area was lumpy with hardened

lava and sticky with tar. The air seemed thick and yellow

with chemicals. Occasionally a large burst of steam erupted

from fissures in the rock.

Xanatos flew off the gravsled. He landed on his feet,

lightsaber in hand, perfectly positioned to attack. Taken

off guard, Qui-Gon turned the gravsled too rapidly. He felt

the vehicle was close to overturning and he jumped off.

The leap was awkward, but it saved him. He felt Xanatos'

lightsaber buzz near his ear as it came down and struck

rock.

Qui-Gon landed off balance and on one knee, but his

lightsaber was activated and in his hand, ready to ward off

the next blow. The tubes of light met and tangled, buzzing

and sending a charge into the air.

"You won't kill me, Qui-Gon," Xanatos said, their faces

close. His blue eyes burned with hatred.

"I am not here to kill you," Qui-Gon said. "I am here to

bring you to justice." He somersaulted backward and reversed

direction, hoping to knock the lightsaber from his

opponent's hand.

The blow came down, but Xanatos met it and twisted away.

"Tell the truth for once, Qui-Gon," he sneered. "You spend

so much time mouthing those Jedi pieces of wisdom that

you've lost touch with your honesty, if you ever had it at

all. You won't be satisfied until I'm dead. Look, here comes

your young puppet."

Qui-Gon saw the blue glow of Obi-Wan's lightsaber as the

boy rushed toward them. He sensed Obi-Wan would move to the

right. If they flanked Xanatos, perhaps they could disarm

him.

They moved at the same split second without exchanging a

glance. Qui-Gon knew when and how Obi-Wan would strike, with

a downward blow at the hilt of the lightsaber. Qui-Gon

dropped to one knee for an upward strike. It would be

difficult for Xanatos to counter both blows.

But Xanatos had anticipated their moves. He whirled away

from Obi-Wan's blow and leaped backward, using the Force to

add distance to the jump. Qui-Gon struck upward but only

dealt a glancing blow to Xanatos' lightsaber. A fissure

exploded near him, the steam hissing upward in a powerful

column. He had to leap aside to avoid being scalded.

The steam column separated the Jedi from Xanatos, who

smiled.

"Here we go again," Xanatos said. "The noble Jedi try to

pretend they only come for justice when actually they come

for blood. Remember, Obi-Wan? You took off after a thirteen-

year-old boy and then he turned up dead. Do you remember the

look in Bruck's eyes when you killed him? Are you trying to

tell yourself that you're sorry your rival is dead? Admit

the feeling in your heart. Admit your gladness! Admit your

thirst for revenge."

Qui-Gon saw the distress in Obi-Wan's face. The hand

holding the lightsaber trembled.

"Don't listen," he said quietly. "Don't listen, Obi-Wan."

The steam was sucked back into the fissure. At the same

moment, Xanatos leaped forward. Still shaken, Obi-Wan was

caught off guard. He barely was able to parry Xanatos' blow

with his lightsaber. Xanatos whirled, one leg kicking out,

sending Obi-Wan flying backward.

Then Xanatos leaped after the fallen boy.

Chapter 17

"No!" Qui-Gon cried. He reached out to the rocks and

vegetation that surrounded him, for the current that

connected him to all things, that connected him to Obi-Wan.

He hit Xanatos in midair. Their bodies connected like

mountains of hard rock. There was no give to Xanatos'

muscles, no yielding in Qui-Gon. The clash was titanic. Qui-

Gon felt the shock of it move through his bones. For a mo

ment, Xanatos gripped Qui-Gon's arm, forcing them to remain

entangled.

"You brought me to this," he said, his midnight eyes

burning.

They landed inches apart, lightsabers already engaged. The

lava was slippery and Qui-Gon had to avoid the fissures of

steam. He saw Obi-Wan beginning to struggle to his feet.

"So the pupil has learned from the teacher," Xanatos went

on relentlessly. "Lie about your feelings while you talk of

Jedi honor. Leave murder in your wake."

"You are responsible for Bruck's death," Qui-Gon told him

as they fought. "Not Obi-Wan. You corrupted the boy, exposed

him to the dark side. He followed you blindly."

Obi-Wan limped slightly as he headed toward them. He had

turned his ankle. His face still looked naked and young,

still stung by what Xanatos had flung at him.

Qui-Gon thought that Obi-Wan had come to terms with what

had happened. He had regretted and mourned Bruck's death,

for even though Bruck had done evil, there was still hope

for him while he was alive. Obi-Wan had not seemed to blame

himself.

Yet somewhere inside, he had. A life had been ended. That

was a loss not easily absorbed. Qui-Gon knew that well. And

Xanatos would see that hesitancy in Obi-Wan, and would use

it to taunt him. He would see weakness where Qui-Gon saw

strength. Such was the nature of evil.

Courage, Obi-Wan. Grab your conviction. Know what you

know. Do not let him reach you.

"I see my words have touched you, Obi-Wan," Xanatos said

in the silky, insinuating tone he used to manipulate those

around him. "Can it be because I'm right?"

"No, Xanatos," Obi-Wan said. "I grieve for a life lost.

And I thank all who taught me for my grief. It does not make

me weak. It makes me strong."

Suddenly, Obi-Wan's lightsaber whirled. Qui-Gon was

astonished at how quickly and gracefully the boy moved,

leaping off a mound of lava to strike at Xanatos. Xanatos

stumbled backward from the ferocity of the attack. A cloud

of steam suddenly erupted, and he quickly lurched to one

side, losing his balance and landing on one hand.

"Stronger than you," Obi-Wan added fiercely, leaping after

him.

Qui-Gon followed, admiring Obi-Wan's focus. Now the two

fought as one. Xanatos had weakened, and they used this to

drive him back, back against the black pool. If they could

get his back against it, they would be able to disarm him or

defeat him. It would be his choice.

Two swoops suddenly appeared from behind the pool. Andra

and Den had found them. They landed and ran to help, their

blasters at the ready.

"You will pay, Xanatos!" Andra shouted. "We will take you

back to Thani for trial!"

Xanatos stood at the edge of the water behind him. He had

no hope of escape. He was surrounded, and there was nowhere

to run to.  His gaze traveled from Den to Andra to Obi-Wan,

finally resting on Qui-Gon. The depths of his hatred turned

his gaze as black and foul as the steaming pool.

"You will never have the satisfaction of killing me, Qui-

Gon Jinn," he said softly. "And I will never submit to

anyone's laws. Your hate drove you, though you won't admit

it. You destroyed me because you could not save me. I am

your biggest failure. Live with that. And live with this.

"No!" Qui-Gon cried, starting forward.

But he was too late. With a cruel smile that stretched his

lips over his teeth like an animal, Xanatos took two quick

steps backward and leaped into the boiling black pool. Andra

cried out as he disappeared.

"He can't survive," she whispered. "The acid will strip

the flesh off his bones."

Obi-Wan shuddered. He had seen what the pool could do.

Xanatos was pure evil. But he was a living being, and he had

gone to a horrible fate. Qui-Gon seemed frozen, staring at

the murky, stinking pool.

Slowly, something stirred in the water, spiraling upward.

It was a black cape. As they watched, it disintegrated

before their eyes.

Xanatos was dead at last.

Chapter 18

Den stretched his arms over his head and smiled. "Whoever

would have thought that a thief and a dinko would be the

grand heroes of Telos?"

Andra threw a pillow at him. "I'm glad all the attention

hasn't gone to your head."

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon smiled, used to Den and Andra's

squabbling by now. They knew a deep affection was growing

between the two.

Their return to Telos had brought everything Andra had

wanted for so long. UniFy had been exposed as a front for

Offworld. Their treacherous activities had come to light.

The government had apologized to the people, then called for

special elections. Investigations had begun into payoffs to

various government heads. The governor who had turned a

blind eye had resigned. The treasurer, Vox Chun, was in

jail.

And Katharsis had been stopped. The citizens of Telos were

horrified that they had been hoodwinked by greed. Mass

delirium had taken over, they claimed. Scores of citizens

had contacted Andra, hoping to join the POWER party. A new

patriotism had flared on Telos, one based on commitment and

stewardship of the land they cherished and had almost lost

forever.

"So what kind of governor do you think I'd make?" Den

asked. "The people love me."

"That's because they don't know you like we do," Andra

said with a grin. "You're no politician, Den."

"Hey, you yourself said I was good at lying," Den

protested, pretending to be hurt.

"There will be no more lying by a government on Telos,

ever again," Andra said seriously.

"I'd take that bet, but I don't like the odds," Den added

more cynically.

Qui-Gon rose. "I wish you both luck. And we thank you for

helping to clear up those charges."

"You're free to go, but must you?" Andra asked. "We'd love

you to stay for a few days. Let me show you the beauties of

Telos. The Sacred Pools will take time to clean up, but

there are other places."

"Some other time. We must return to the Temple."

Obi-Wan rose and thanked Andra and Den. He was sorry to

say good-bye. He admired Andra's commitment. He had been

suspicious of Den, but he had come to appreciate him, too.

He knew that in their different ways, they would work to

restore Telos to the busy, peaceful, blooming world it had

been.

"I know we're leaving Telos in good hands," Obi-Wan told

them. He grinned at Den. "I'd say the odds are definitely in

your favor."

Obi-Wan walked with Qui-Gon down the wide boulevard toward

the spaceliner that would take them back to Coruscant.

"Was Xanatos your biggest failure?" he asked tentatively.

"Will his death haunt you, as he hoped?"

"Does Bruck's death haunt you?" Qui-Gon asked softly.

"No," Obi-Wan said slowly. "But I carry it here." He

touched his chest.

"It is the same for me, I think," Qui-Gon said. "It will

not haunt me - not the way Xanatos hoped it would. Xanatos

chose death. It was his nature to choose the dark path. But

it will take some time for me to feel peace about it. I

cannot help feeling that if I'd been a better Master, he

wouldn't have turned to the Dark Side. Yoda would tell me

that as a Master, I cannot make a Padawan a success or a

failure. I can only guide."

And me? Obi-Wan wanted to ask. How do you see me, Qui-Gon

- success, or failure?

Qui-Gon didn't speak for a few minutes. He seemed to

devote himself to enjoying the beauty of the day, as though

he needed it to chase away sorrow.

"You are just beginning your journey, Obi-Wan," he said at

last. "Do not concern yourself with success or failure. If

you act rightly, those words lose their meaning. There is

only the good that you do."

"It's hard not to think of failure, considering I've been

put on probation," Obi-Wan said.

"That has nothing to do with failure," Qui-Gon said

gently. "You must not think it does. The Jedi path is a

difficult one to walk. The Council knows this. If someone

strays, especially at a young age, they understand. But

still they must be certain of your commitment. You will have

to meet with them, spend time at the Temple renewing your

dedication. It will be a good thing for both of us, I think.

There is a time for missions. And then there is a time for

meditation and study."

"You will be at the Temple too?" Obi-Wan asked.

Qui-Gon nodded. "It is time for reflection for me as well.

And I will help you with the Council. They must understand

why you made the decision to leave. I have come to

understand it."

"You have?"

"I was slow to do so, I admit," Qui-Gon said. "But yes, I

have." He paused. "I know you are on probation and can't be

my official apprentice. But you are my Padawan, Obi-Wan. I

do not need the Council to tell me so."

Obi-Wan took a deep breath. "Then you'll take me back?"

"We will take each other back," Qui-Gon said.

Obi-Wan had hoped for this. He had tried to control his

impatience for it. Now here it was, and he found he had no

words. He was too deeply moved to form them.

"I fought our bond from the first," Qui-Gon said. "But you

knew something I didn't. You knew that some things are meant

to be. Now I know it, too. You will make a fine Jedi Knight.

I would be proud to continue the journey we started

together."

Obi-Wan lifted his head. Now he, too, saw the beauty of

the day. The sky was dazzlingly clear. For the first time in

what felt like a long while, the future was clear as well.

"I am not saying the way will be easy," Qui-Gon added. "We

have different temperaments. No doubt we will clash. You

will come to challenge me again."

"I will try not to," Obi-Wan told him earnestly.

"You don't understand, Padawan." Qui-Gon gave the smile he

gave so rarely, a full smile that lit up his blue eyes and

caused them to sparkle with warmth. "I look forward to it."