Author: Lady Ice: wiloughby_chase@hotmail.com
Rating: PG
Timeline: Alternate end to events on Bandomeer. Obi is 14.
Disclaimer: I make no $ from this. Thank you Lucas for creating Star Wars
and letting me write with your characters.
Summary: Xanatos and Dooku discover a Force sensitive slave.Obi-wan.
Spoilers: Ep II, and Rising Force and 2nd book of Jedi Apprentice series
Author's note: Please send feedback. Then I'll post the next chapter. If
you want to copy this, please let me know where it's going.
Schemes of the Sith
Xanatos stalked through the market. It had not been going well. The negotiations on Bandomeer had been such fun; taunting Qui-Gon with his helplessness had been delicious. After all, Offworld was a legitimate company, and he had gone above and beyond his 'duty' to be helpful and cooperative with the competition. Qui-Gon had no legal complaint against him, thanks to that façade. Qui-Gon had returned to the Temple as alone, lost and confused as ever. A reminiscent smile split Xanatos' pale face.
But in the nine months since then, pirate raids on the facilities at Bandomeer had affected both Offworld and the Home Planet operations. Numerous workers had been kidnapped and massive property damage had pretty much crippled the Home Planet Mine. Xanatos and Offworld had no problem with this, as their plan to ruin the competition would have been somewhat more suspicious, but they had also suffered severely. Luckily, Offworld had the resources to rebuild, but the process was painstaking.
And annoying. There were other things to worry about in life rather than minor sources of income. Like this upcoming meeting.
Dooku had once been a great Jedi Master, respected and feared by all. Then, inexplicably, he left the Order. Xanatos couldn't believe it! Talking with the man, he finally understood. There were Jedi like him, not willing to be Senatorial pawns anymore. Jedi who refused to let outdated precepts blind them to power. Jedi who saw that the system didn't work.
Their numbers were few however. In fact Dooku was the only other Jedi Xanatos actually knew of that felt this way. Still, the charismatic man had acted as though there were more..
In any case, Dooku was a good acquaintance to have. Every once in a while the two would meet on some mudball planet and discuss business and other endeavors.
"And here we have a particularly fine specimen!" The auctioneer's voice rang out, interrupting his sulk. "This one is actually Force- sensitive and will require special security measures, but I assure you gentlebeings, the effort is well worth the reward!"
At that Xanatos' ears perked up. Force sensitive! This was rare. There were plenty of washouts from the Temple, but the Council had always placed them coreward, where some of the dangers of the rim, like slavery, weren't usually a factor. Hadn't they?
Xanatos glanced toward the auction block. The crowd around it was excited. It was filled with wealthy sentients from all corners of the galaxy. Looking up at the block, a thirteen year old boy was being displayed for all to see in the shabby shift worn by slaves in this sector. A thin black band circled his throat.
'Now where had he seen this boy before?'
The price was started at 1000 credits. While Xanatos flicked through his memories, the bidding around him rose in a crescendo of greed.
Agri-corps! That was it! This boy had come with Qui-Gon to Bandomeer to join Agri-corp's base there. If he remembered correctly, the boy had tried to contact Qui-Gon while he had mediated the negotiations between Home World and Offworld. Force- sensitive? What had Yoda been thinking, sending a child to the far rim? A sly smile slithered across Xanatos' face. If his suspicions were correct..
Bringing his attention fully on the bidding, he noticed a Falleen male beating down the competition. If Xixor got his way, Xanatos pitied the boy. Xixor was reputedly ruthless and unforgiving with his underlings. A shrewd 'businessman' with Black Sun, Xixor was worthy competition for Xanatos' plans. In fact, Xanatos' own Force sensitivity was a crucial advantage he had over the crimelord.
Quickly deciding in any case that he could not let rivals gain an advantage over him, Xanatos raised the bid. "Nineteen thousand!" He called out. It was a high bid, even for a unique slave. It topped the crimelord's bid by well over three thousand. At such a sum, the auctioneer was quick to yell sold, as he brought down the gavel. With a grimace, Xixor glared in his direction.
The auction was far from over and as a matter of course purchases were held until the owners were finished their shopping. Xanatos watched as the boy was led off the block. Xanatos went up to the stage and received his receipt of sale from the auctioneer's assistants. Asking them to isolate the boy, he told them he would return in a few hours.
Turning to leave, Xanatos collided with a muscular, green humanoid.
"You will regret going against me, Xanatos." Xixor was obviously angry, but it was a cold rage, a patient rage. Consequently, a dangerous rage. This was not a man to be enemies with.
"I am sorry if I offended you. I respect you as a businessman. I hope one slave won't impair any future relationships we might have." Diplomatic courtesy was always best when in tricky situations.
"You may find that relationship to be very costly." The Falleen crimelord strode away from the scene.
"Oh well." The words were only barely audible. He'd have to watch his back. The fallen Jedi left to meet with his friend. They had much to talk about.
Count Dooku waited patiently at a small table in a café where Xanatos had promised to meet him. The young man fancied himself a Jedi, despite never having passed the trials or learned the necessity of patience. But Dooku had found that Xanatos knew the power of the Dark Side of the Force. Their relationship kept a possibly valuable resource open to the former Jedi Master.
Xanatos strode past the curtains that separated the private room from the main floor. His cloak billowed with dust from the grimy market.
"I didn't expect you to be late." The cultured voice admonished. "I have ordered drinks for us." Dooku continued, gesturing for a servant.
Xanatos scowled as he hung up his wrap. Turning back to the table, he declared, "I have an interesting tale to tell."
"Indeed." The Count seemed completely disinterested, as he leaned over the refreshments but Xanatos knew better.
"I have acquired a young Force-adept slave." Xanatos had unconsciously adopted the Count's sophisticated manner.
"Oh please. The Council has long protected their rejects."
"Apparently not this one. The boy was sent to Bandomeer with Qui- Gon. I think Yoda intended my old master to adopt him."
"What suggested that?" Dooku's eyes were staring at his companion, intrigued. He had always hoped that Qui-Gon would one day join him. After all, he hadn't raised him to be dependent on the whims of the Council or the Senate. A fact which often got his former apprentice into trouble. An interesting twist of destiny that Xanatos had come to him instead.
"Well, the boy showed up a number of times during the conferences. He seemed to be trying to impress Qui-Gon. He must not have succeeded; Qui- Gon returned alone. It doesn't make sense that the kid would be sent there if Yoda thought he would be staying. Bandomeer is in a dangerous sector. I thought the Council would be more perceptive of things to come." Caught up in his own narrative, Xanatos missed the sharp look of interest Dooku's face had as his head came up suddenly. "Anyway, a competitor was going to win him, can't have that. What should I do with him?"
"Whatever you want. He's your slave." Dooku commented absently, his mind on matters more important than a single Jedi child.
Xanatos grinned evilly. An idea was forming inside his head. "I want to use him." "How so?" Xanatos was often coming up with good ideas, the problem was, they usually required patience, a quality Xanatos lacked.
"If I could turn the boy, take him as an apprentice, I could make him a Jedi free from those stupid restrictions. Not afraid of his strength. And he is strong, Dooku. He must be if the slavers recognized his potential. If Qui-Gon could see him then, he'd know that he failed to save the boy. That it was his fault I got a hold of him. It would eat at him. Besides, it would be good for the boy. He needs to learn the uses of power."
Dooku considered a moment. "The boy will be full of Temple platitudes. If you do this, you will need to be careful. Most initiates come out good natured and caring. Turning him would be a subtle process. It would require patience, restraint." Dooku gave Xanatos a pointed look. "You must make him loyal to you. Not to Yoda, the Council or even Qui- Gon." A sly grin slid over the former Master's face. "You must be a brother to this boy. A savior. You cared to rescue him when the Council did not. You are willing to train him, the Jedi are not. You like being with him, teaching him. You would never toss him to the cold. But you must be subtle. Otherwise, he may suspect you are not quite the best role model he could have." Dooku' grin widened.
"Give me some credit." Xanatos was exasperated. Dooku always managed to insist on patience. It was getting old.
"You need to control that temper of yours. You know what Jedi are like. Violence is of the dark side. He would not accept the advantages of it, if he were not already loyal to you.
"It is a good plan." Dooku continued. "It would add strength to our cause. I would enjoy helping, if you want it."
"I think I should try on my own first. Once he is loyal to me, we can go from there." Xanatos wanted the vengeance corrupting the boy would bring. Then Dooku could have him. "Let's talk this out some more."
Ordering another round, the two Dark Jedi set about planning to add a new pawn to their game.
They had plotted for over two hours on how Xanatos should act to turn the Force-adept to their side. Once Xanatos had gone, Dooku stopped to think over all the things that he had learned which he was certain Xanatos had missed.
Really, it was amazing how juvenile the man really was. Xanatos had two things on his mind, making money and power and causing Qui-Gon to suffer. Xanatos was an accomplished liar and cheat, but he never seemed to get the power of subtlety and necessity of patience. He was no Sith.
This plan of his to turn the child for revenge was nice and all, but he had forgotten the ramifications of having another young dark jedi. And he had completely missed the significance of the failure on the part of the Council to see that Qui-Gon would not take the boy for his apprentice. It was a fact more crucial than anything else.
Dooku wondered what his friend and Master would say when he heard of this slip. Perhaps the prophecies were coming true.
Schemes of the Sith
Xanatos stalked through the market. It had not been going well. The negotiations on Bandomeer had been such fun; taunting Qui-Gon with his helplessness had been delicious. After all, Offworld was a legitimate company, and he had gone above and beyond his 'duty' to be helpful and cooperative with the competition. Qui-Gon had no legal complaint against him, thanks to that façade. Qui-Gon had returned to the Temple as alone, lost and confused as ever. A reminiscent smile split Xanatos' pale face.
But in the nine months since then, pirate raids on the facilities at Bandomeer had affected both Offworld and the Home Planet operations. Numerous workers had been kidnapped and massive property damage had pretty much crippled the Home Planet Mine. Xanatos and Offworld had no problem with this, as their plan to ruin the competition would have been somewhat more suspicious, but they had also suffered severely. Luckily, Offworld had the resources to rebuild, but the process was painstaking.
And annoying. There were other things to worry about in life rather than minor sources of income. Like this upcoming meeting.
Dooku had once been a great Jedi Master, respected and feared by all. Then, inexplicably, he left the Order. Xanatos couldn't believe it! Talking with the man, he finally understood. There were Jedi like him, not willing to be Senatorial pawns anymore. Jedi who refused to let outdated precepts blind them to power. Jedi who saw that the system didn't work.
Their numbers were few however. In fact Dooku was the only other Jedi Xanatos actually knew of that felt this way. Still, the charismatic man had acted as though there were more..
In any case, Dooku was a good acquaintance to have. Every once in a while the two would meet on some mudball planet and discuss business and other endeavors.
"And here we have a particularly fine specimen!" The auctioneer's voice rang out, interrupting his sulk. "This one is actually Force- sensitive and will require special security measures, but I assure you gentlebeings, the effort is well worth the reward!"
At that Xanatos' ears perked up. Force sensitive! This was rare. There were plenty of washouts from the Temple, but the Council had always placed them coreward, where some of the dangers of the rim, like slavery, weren't usually a factor. Hadn't they?
Xanatos glanced toward the auction block. The crowd around it was excited. It was filled with wealthy sentients from all corners of the galaxy. Looking up at the block, a thirteen year old boy was being displayed for all to see in the shabby shift worn by slaves in this sector. A thin black band circled his throat.
'Now where had he seen this boy before?'
The price was started at 1000 credits. While Xanatos flicked through his memories, the bidding around him rose in a crescendo of greed.
Agri-corps! That was it! This boy had come with Qui-Gon to Bandomeer to join Agri-corp's base there. If he remembered correctly, the boy had tried to contact Qui-Gon while he had mediated the negotiations between Home World and Offworld. Force- sensitive? What had Yoda been thinking, sending a child to the far rim? A sly smile slithered across Xanatos' face. If his suspicions were correct..
Bringing his attention fully on the bidding, he noticed a Falleen male beating down the competition. If Xixor got his way, Xanatos pitied the boy. Xixor was reputedly ruthless and unforgiving with his underlings. A shrewd 'businessman' with Black Sun, Xixor was worthy competition for Xanatos' plans. In fact, Xanatos' own Force sensitivity was a crucial advantage he had over the crimelord.
Quickly deciding in any case that he could not let rivals gain an advantage over him, Xanatos raised the bid. "Nineteen thousand!" He called out. It was a high bid, even for a unique slave. It topped the crimelord's bid by well over three thousand. At such a sum, the auctioneer was quick to yell sold, as he brought down the gavel. With a grimace, Xixor glared in his direction.
The auction was far from over and as a matter of course purchases were held until the owners were finished their shopping. Xanatos watched as the boy was led off the block. Xanatos went up to the stage and received his receipt of sale from the auctioneer's assistants. Asking them to isolate the boy, he told them he would return in a few hours.
Turning to leave, Xanatos collided with a muscular, green humanoid.
"You will regret going against me, Xanatos." Xixor was obviously angry, but it was a cold rage, a patient rage. Consequently, a dangerous rage. This was not a man to be enemies with.
"I am sorry if I offended you. I respect you as a businessman. I hope one slave won't impair any future relationships we might have." Diplomatic courtesy was always best when in tricky situations.
"You may find that relationship to be very costly." The Falleen crimelord strode away from the scene.
"Oh well." The words were only barely audible. He'd have to watch his back. The fallen Jedi left to meet with his friend. They had much to talk about.
Count Dooku waited patiently at a small table in a café where Xanatos had promised to meet him. The young man fancied himself a Jedi, despite never having passed the trials or learned the necessity of patience. But Dooku had found that Xanatos knew the power of the Dark Side of the Force. Their relationship kept a possibly valuable resource open to the former Jedi Master.
Xanatos strode past the curtains that separated the private room from the main floor. His cloak billowed with dust from the grimy market.
"I didn't expect you to be late." The cultured voice admonished. "I have ordered drinks for us." Dooku continued, gesturing for a servant.
Xanatos scowled as he hung up his wrap. Turning back to the table, he declared, "I have an interesting tale to tell."
"Indeed." The Count seemed completely disinterested, as he leaned over the refreshments but Xanatos knew better.
"I have acquired a young Force-adept slave." Xanatos had unconsciously adopted the Count's sophisticated manner.
"Oh please. The Council has long protected their rejects."
"Apparently not this one. The boy was sent to Bandomeer with Qui- Gon. I think Yoda intended my old master to adopt him."
"What suggested that?" Dooku's eyes were staring at his companion, intrigued. He had always hoped that Qui-Gon would one day join him. After all, he hadn't raised him to be dependent on the whims of the Council or the Senate. A fact which often got his former apprentice into trouble. An interesting twist of destiny that Xanatos had come to him instead.
"Well, the boy showed up a number of times during the conferences. He seemed to be trying to impress Qui-Gon. He must not have succeeded; Qui- Gon returned alone. It doesn't make sense that the kid would be sent there if Yoda thought he would be staying. Bandomeer is in a dangerous sector. I thought the Council would be more perceptive of things to come." Caught up in his own narrative, Xanatos missed the sharp look of interest Dooku's face had as his head came up suddenly. "Anyway, a competitor was going to win him, can't have that. What should I do with him?"
"Whatever you want. He's your slave." Dooku commented absently, his mind on matters more important than a single Jedi child.
Xanatos grinned evilly. An idea was forming inside his head. "I want to use him." "How so?" Xanatos was often coming up with good ideas, the problem was, they usually required patience, a quality Xanatos lacked.
"If I could turn the boy, take him as an apprentice, I could make him a Jedi free from those stupid restrictions. Not afraid of his strength. And he is strong, Dooku. He must be if the slavers recognized his potential. If Qui-Gon could see him then, he'd know that he failed to save the boy. That it was his fault I got a hold of him. It would eat at him. Besides, it would be good for the boy. He needs to learn the uses of power."
Dooku considered a moment. "The boy will be full of Temple platitudes. If you do this, you will need to be careful. Most initiates come out good natured and caring. Turning him would be a subtle process. It would require patience, restraint." Dooku gave Xanatos a pointed look. "You must make him loyal to you. Not to Yoda, the Council or even Qui- Gon." A sly grin slid over the former Master's face. "You must be a brother to this boy. A savior. You cared to rescue him when the Council did not. You are willing to train him, the Jedi are not. You like being with him, teaching him. You would never toss him to the cold. But you must be subtle. Otherwise, he may suspect you are not quite the best role model he could have." Dooku' grin widened.
"Give me some credit." Xanatos was exasperated. Dooku always managed to insist on patience. It was getting old.
"You need to control that temper of yours. You know what Jedi are like. Violence is of the dark side. He would not accept the advantages of it, if he were not already loyal to you.
"It is a good plan." Dooku continued. "It would add strength to our cause. I would enjoy helping, if you want it."
"I think I should try on my own first. Once he is loyal to me, we can go from there." Xanatos wanted the vengeance corrupting the boy would bring. Then Dooku could have him. "Let's talk this out some more."
Ordering another round, the two Dark Jedi set about planning to add a new pawn to their game.
They had plotted for over two hours on how Xanatos should act to turn the Force-adept to their side. Once Xanatos had gone, Dooku stopped to think over all the things that he had learned which he was certain Xanatos had missed.
Really, it was amazing how juvenile the man really was. Xanatos had two things on his mind, making money and power and causing Qui-Gon to suffer. Xanatos was an accomplished liar and cheat, but he never seemed to get the power of subtlety and necessity of patience. He was no Sith.
This plan of his to turn the child for revenge was nice and all, but he had forgotten the ramifications of having another young dark jedi. And he had completely missed the significance of the failure on the part of the Council to see that Qui-Gon would not take the boy for his apprentice. It was a fact more crucial than anything else.
Dooku wondered what his friend and Master would say when he heard of this slip. Perhaps the prophecies were coming true.