Encounters of the Worst Kind.

The tour had been rather helpful in Qui-Gon's opinion. Luckily Ben had remained quiet and simply walked along next to him. The tour had been thorough, Qui-Gon listened as the guide showed them around the quarry, and through the buildings. He was shown the administration building, and from the inside he was able to predict the best way in at night. He spotted the cameras, and looked to see where the guards were posted.

Whether he wanted to admit it or not without the boy's help he wouldn't have been able to get the insight he now had. He really didn't like admitting it. So he wouldn't say anything. He had paid the boy; he didn't need to be thanked. So as the two left the compound he handed the boy one final Freed. "Here is for dinner." Qui-Gon muttered and didn't look back as the boy stood and looked at the money in his hand as Qui-Gon continued walking.

"You're going to break in, aren't you?" Ben asked suddenly, causing Qui-Gon to stiffen and turn around swiftly.

"Hush." He ordered and Ben smirked triumphantly.

"You are!" Ben said loudly, pointing at him accusingly. "You're-." He as going to continue until Qui-Gon quickly wrapped a hand over his mouth.

"Should I take my money back?" Qui-Gon asked and Ben lowered his hand and shook his head. "Then hush." He said, frowning at Ben intently. Ben rolled his eyes and backed away from him. Qui-Gon gave him a dismissive wave.

"Are you sure you don't want to have dinner with me?" Ben asked suddenly, and Qui-Gon paused once more and turned to look back at him. He almost felt compassion for the young child. Ben was looking down at the ground, nervous about having asked. Qui-Gon was about to reconsider, however, his last apprentice flashed into his head and his heart grew several more shields.

"No." Was all he said and shook his head sternly. Ben nodded slowly and then gave a wave with his tiny hand. He turned down an alley and Qui-Gon watched him go. Distantly he thought about the boy's Force abilities and wondered if he should help strengthen it for him, but then decided against it. Sighing deeply he turned away from the alley and then back towards his hotel.

He slipped in and drew his keycard from his pocket as he rode the lift up to his room. He thought about his break-in into Tri-Net that night and figured he would rest and eat until then. He entered his room, ordered room service, and silently ate alone, his mind purposefully avoiding any thoughts about Ben.


Ben frowned dejectedly as he thought about what to buy for food that night. It would be the first time in weeks that he didn't steal something for dinner. He didn't enjoy stealing, in fact, he felt guilty about every time he did it. However, he had to eat. Luckily for him he was also very good at stealing. And it wasn't just the years of practice. He didn't know what it was, however, he just always seemed lucky. And not only in stealing. In every aspect of his life, luck seemed to follow him. Sometimes he could swear he could almost feel luck tingling around him.

Passing by a bakery Ben stopped and inhaled the smell of the bread. A smile hit his lips and he stepped over to it, gazing in the window longingly. Quickly making up his mind Ben stepped into the store. He slowly walked along the display and his eyes spotted a large berry muffin. With a watering mouth he grabbed the attention of the baker and silently pointed to it.

The baker grabbed it and placed it in a small bag and handed it to Ben, who produced a Freed and handed it over dutifully. The baker smiled and waved Ben goodbye. Happily the boy darted from the bakery and then started walking back to his 'home'. He walked lightly, thinking about the man who would be breaking into Tri-Net that night. It was nice to meet him. Most people didn't pay attention to him. He thought the man had been gruff and distant, however, he had still given him money and bought him shoes.

Happily thinking about the covers on his feet he wiggled his toes in the shoes. He lightly swung the bag as he worked deeper into the slums of the city. He eventually came to a stop and grabbed a metal slate leaning on the side of a decrepit looking building. It revealed a small hole and he easily slipped into it, carefully bringing his bundle with him. He then turned and slid the slate back in front of the hole.

Shuffling backwards he instinctively reached out and activated a glowlamp, illuminating a small hovel. He was in an office of an abandoned building, and the door was boarded up, making his the only entrance. In the office he had two blankets, one to keep him from directly sleeping on the floor and the other to provide warmth, and a pillow. He also had what personal possessions he owned, which were few, and dirty. The office was small, but plenty big enough for him.

He gently sat on his two blankets, keeping his shoes on because of how excited he was to have something new. He reached into his pocket and then pulled out the remaining Freeds and gently put them in an empty can. They clinked as they fell and then he pulled out his muffin and put it in his lap.

Smiling contentedly he smelled it and took a large greedy bite. His eyes closed in pleasure and he lay back on the bed. It was so nice to have something so good and fresh for dinner. He chewed carefully, savoring each exquisite bite, and then swallowed. Letting out a loud, satisfactory moan he quickly sat up and took up another large bite. "Mister Qui-Gon…You're amazing…" He muttered a thank you to the man, knowing that the man couldn't hear him, of course, but wanting to say it none-the-less.

After that his mind remained on the interesting man he had met that day. He had seen something strange on Qui-Gon's hip. He didn't know what it was, but it was definitely intriguing. As he ate he wondered how that man's infiltration would go. He hoped it would go well. Qui-Gon had been nice.

He hadn't met any one quite like the man before. Though he was clearly distant, and more cold than most people could stand, Ben had seen something in his eyes. Something that intrigued him. Maybe it was the way the man had said he also didn't have a family. Learning that someone who was clearly strong and confident was in a similar situation as him – that situation being lonely – had helped him realize that there may be hope for him yet. Maybe he could be like that man some day. Confident enough to break into the most secure place on all of Ne'Arna.


The time came when Qui-Gon knew he needed to go and infiltrate Tri-Net. He stood from the sleep couch and collected his things. Dawning his cloak he raised the hood up to cover his face and silently slipped out of his hotel room. He left the hotel and walked directly to Tri-Net. As he passed the slums his mind briefly flickered to Ben, then he felt angry. The stupid little boy was distracting him from his mission. That was exactly why he didn't want a partner, no matter how brief or how little they worked together.

He paused when the Tri-Net compound came into view and took a calming breath and centered himself in the force. Mustering all of his stealth, and recollecting everything he had learned about the inside earlier that day, he approached and began his work.

-Early the next morning-

"What happened?!" A harsh female voice demanded.

"Someone broke in. Don't worry. I've got it handled." A calmer, male voice spoke.

"How did someone break in?" She asked, pacing around a console to stand next to the robed man. She was thin, and curvy. In her late thirties, and already had wrinkles. She still held the grace of all Arnians, however, she had clearly worked hard in her so far short life.

"That's what I'm trying to find out." The man answered, sarcasm clearly in his voice. "Don't worry Kilesta. I won't let your secret get out." He said with light laugh. Kilesta frowned and looked up at him, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Your secret too. You're the one who isn't supposed to be here." She pointed out as she looked at the console he was manipulating.

The man shrugged. "So I get found out and leave. You get found out and lose everything." He said smirking triumphantly. Kilesta rolled her eyes and looked at the console.

"Just - how did they get in?" She asked and the man shrugged.

"Don't know yet. The cameras didn't pick up his entrance. But look at the way he moves." The man said as he pointed to the figure on the capture. "He knows where he's going. He's been in here before." The man said surely with a slight nod. "There were tours in here today. He was probably in one of those." He said and she gave him a long look.

"There were thousands of families that came through here today. How are we supposed to pick him out? We haven't even seen his-." She paused, about to say that they hadn't seen the intruder's face, when the man's hood fell on the capture. Her companion tensed and his eyes widened. She looked up at him and then back at the screen. "What?" She asked slowly and her companion leaned in closer, pausing the capture. He was silent and Kilesta frowned. "What?" She demanded to know again.

"I know this man." He spoke lowly, a broader smirk coming across his face. Things just started getting very interesting.

"You do? You can find him then?" She asked hopefully, but the man shook his head.

"No. He'd have covered his tracks too well. However, the tours were just for family, right?" He asked and Kilesta nodded slowly. "Well we'll just search for who ever his companion was." He said lightly. "Where are the recordings?" He asked and Kilesta quickly brought up some other files.

"His family?" Kilesta asked as her companion began speeding through the recordings of the lobby for the tours. "Wouldn't he have protected them?" She asked and the man shook his head.

"He doesn't have a family. Whoever he brought with him, it was someone from the city. Probably someone he paid, meaning that they have no reason to protect him." The man explained as he stopped the recording and smiled triumphantly. "There."

Kilesta looked impressed. "That was fast…how did you do that?" She asked, and the man just smirked broader.

"That boy. That's the one he brought with him." The man said, pointing to Ben who was innocently looking around the lobby as he stood next to Qui-Gon.

"I've seen him!" Kilesta said in shock. "That boy! He's an urchin, he lives on the streets." She easily recognized Ben from just two nights earlier when the boy had stolen her dessert.

The man scoffed. "I'm not surprised. Our spy has a penchant for pathetic life forms…" The man muttered and backed away from the console. "I'll find the boy." He said, turning so the light from the console lit up the side of his face, revealing a scar; an incomplete circle.

"Bring him in to see me. That brat stole from me. I'm sure he would have tried to take more if he had the chance. I'm going to make him pay." She vowed determinedly. The man didn't seem to be paying much attention to her rambling.

"Don't forget…you have a spy problem." He lectured slowly. Sometimes he was forced into business with the oddest of people. "If I know one thing about that man who broke in, it's that he won't want an innocent life to suffer because of him. We can easily use that against him. I'll get the boy, and we'll use him to bring out the spy. After that, do whatever you want with him." He muttered, waving his hand dismissively. "If he's an urchin as you say, no one will miss him." He finished, looking at the capture and memorizing the features of the small child.

"I know I know." Kilesta said, her voice ringing with annoyance. "I'm not stupid you know." She muttered coldly and the man smirked.

'Could have fooled me.' He thought to himself and then turned off the console and started from the room.

"Where are you going?" She asked and he answered as he continued out.

"That kid is probably waking up around now. He's going to be hungry. He'll be out looking for something to steal again so now would be the best time to look for him." He informed as the door hissed open and he walked out. "After all…" He continued in a quiet tone so Kilesta wouldn't hear him. "I wouldn't want to keep my old Master waiting any longer." He finished, an anxious smile dancing on his lips dangerously. Oh yes, this did just get a lot more interesting.


For the first time in a long time Ben woke up without intense hunger pains. His muffin from the night before had done much to satiate his appetite. He had even saved some for breakfast. Deciding he was sick of eating in his small office/home he slipped out from behind the crate and innocently began walking as he munched on the remnants of the muffin.

He noted how much nicer it felt to walk with shoes on his feet, and he instantly started thinking about Qui-Gon again. The man who was responsible for his comfort. He hoped the man accomplished what it was he wanted at Tri-Net. He didn't know what it was, and assumed it had something to do with breaking in and stealing something. He didn't care that Qui-Gon would be stealing from Tri-Net. He stole every day, and he had no loyalty to the company.

He walked away from the slums and towards a park he frequented. There were plastic jungle gyms, swings, and almost always giggling children. Not that Ben played with any of them. In fact, he felt he stuck out. They all had parents watching from the sides, and clean clothes. He had neither of those things. Still, he enjoyed sitting and lightly kicking on the swing.

As he approached the park he spotted it empty, as most children were in school at this time. He smiled, glad he wouldn't have to be reminded of how lonely he felt, and plopped himself down on one of the swings. His feet barely reached the ground and he kicked himself into a very soft swing as he thought. The swing's metal hinges creaked as he swung and he leaned against the metal chain.

Ben suddenly leaned back and let himself hang from the swing, holding on to the chain to prevent himself from falling. He looked up at the sky and sighed. It was an overcast day. Odd for Rieslia, however, they happened every once in a while. They always dampened his mood.

Ben continued hanging for a while until he felt an odd feeling building in his chest. It was the same feeling he got when something bad was about to happen. He sat up quickly and looked around, frowning when he spotted a dark robed figure approaching the park. He looked at him intently, at first thinking it might be Qui-Gon, however, his instincts told him otherwise. When he had been around Qui-Gon he only had feelings of safety. This figure made his senses go wild. They told him to run, as fast as he could. So why couldn't he work up the courage to bolt?

The dark robed figure approached and Ben remained bolted on the swing, though was now sitting up rigidly. The figure approached the swing, grabbed the chains and looked down at Ben intently. "Having fun?" The man asked, his voice sending chills down Ben's back.

Ben remained silent and looked down at his lap, hoping that the man would go away, but his chin was gripping firmly and he was forced to look back up at him. "What do you want?" Ben suddenly asked with a shaking voice. He was trying to see the man's face, however, his cloak and the overcast prevented him from seeing it.

"Just to talk." The man said, lightly, pulling off his hood so finally Ben could see his face. Ben's eyes immediately locked onto the scar, but then drifted back to his eyes. "What's your name?" He asked curiously, and Ben remained silent. His eyes tightened to show his displeasure and he tightened his grip on Ben's chin and brought his face closer. "Name." He repeated intensely.

Ben felt fear coursing through him. Something was telling him if he didn't please this man he would surely suffer for it. "B-Ben…" He muttered softly, his eyes drifting away from the man's and down towards his chin.

"Good Ben. My name is Xanatos." Xanatos said as he let go of Ben's chin. "Are you happy?" Xanatos asked, causing Ben's forehead to knit in confusion. The child hadn't been expecting him to ask that.

"I-I'm happy." Ben answered shakily. 'I'd be much happier if you left.' Ben thought to himself, still wishing he could urge his muscles to move.

"I want to make you happy, Ben. You know…I can give you so much. Money, a real place to live, anything you want." Xanatos said, standing but keeping a firm hold on the chains. "Would you like that? To have a warm bed, and a fresh meal every day?" He asked, and Ben nodded honestly. "But to do that…you have to give me something in return." He said and Ben tensed, and Xanatos smirked as he watched him shiver.

"What?" Ben asked, tensing his muscles as he started thinking of an escape plan.

"I think you may know something to help me Ben. You met a man the other day. A Qui-Gon Jinn." Xanatos started, and Ben was shocked.

'He knows Qui-Gon? If they're friends why do I feel like he's so evil?' Ben thought to himself. Ben remained quiet. He didn't want to get Qui-Gon in trouble with any one. Even if he had been distant, he had still been kind.

Realizing that Ben wasn't going to say anything Xanatos leaned closer to him once more. "You did, didn't you? You went on a tour with him through Tri-Net. Did you know that he broke in later last night?" Xanatos asked intently and Ben shook his head. "You're lying." Xanatos accusing, viciously slapping him. Ben's eyes widened in shock and he fell back onto the sand beneath the swing.

Ben gasped and looked up at him, shocked that he could have lashed out so quickly. Xanatos reached a hand down to grab him and Ben tried scrambling away, but he wasn't fast enough. "Where is he?" Xanatos asked and as he lifted Ben up by the scruff of his tunic and held him up close to his face.

"I don't know." Ben answered quickly, and earned himself a rough shake.

"Don't lie to me!" Xanatos shouted, and suddenly Ben was wishing the park hadn't been so empty.

"I don't! I promise! He just paid me to follow him around and then he left!" Ben shouted back, struggling to get out of Xanatos' hold. However, the small eight-year-old was nothing compared to the former Jedi.

"Well then, unfortunately for you Ben, our business isn't quite finished." Xanatos muttered, latching an arm around Ben and holding him close as the boy continued to struggle.

"No! Let me go!" Ben demanded, hitting and kicking Xanatos as hard as he could, however, it did nothing. Xanatos started walking away from the park when suddenly something caught him off guard. He could feel the small boy in his arms drawing on the Force. Powerfully. He only had time to look down in shock before Ben sent a great Force push between them.

Ben fell onto the ground and scrambled up quickly. He was running as quickly as he could, distressed, but Xanatos swiftly caught him again. "So you have a few tricks up your sleeve. Perhaps there are more uses for you than I thought." Xanatos muttered coldly in Ben's ear, and grabbed his lightsaber and hit the back of Ben's head, instantly knocking him out. He could have easily used a sleep suggestion, but the brief violence helped vent his anger.

Ben went limp in his arms and Xanatos scooped him back up easily. "Come on Bennie." Xanatos muttered coldly. "Let's go see if we can find that old Master of mine." He finished.


Something was wrong. Something was very, very wrong. The Force was screaming at Qui-Gon, telling him he had to go somewhere. He had been sitting in his room going over the information he had taken from Tri-Net. So far he hadn't found anything helpful.

Qui-Gon closed his eyes, trying to find out the source of this warning. He didn't feel that he himself was in immediate danger, and yet, the feeling was making his heart clench. He stood quickly and put the datapad down on the bed. He had to act quickly, whatever this warning was it wasn't going away. The Force had always led him in his life. He wouldn't ignore it now.

He quickly collected his things and nearly ran from the room. He then entered the streets while the Force was telling him to go towards the slums, so Qui-Gon turned and followed to where It led.

He walked swiftly, unsure of where his destination was, and yet determined to reach it. Suddenly he received a strong warning and he came to a halt. As he did he saw a figure walk out from an alley just ten paces in front of him. Qui-Gon tensed as he saw a painfully familiar small figure in the man's arms. "Ben…" He whispered, seeing that the boy was unconscious.

Then it hit him. The familiarity. 'Force no. Not him. Please not him.' Qui-Gon though to himself as Xanatos' hood fell and Qui-Gon locked eyes with him. Qui-Gon used every ounce of his extensive training to show no reaction as Xanatos walked up to him, smirk proudly displayed on his face. "Hello Master. Imagine seeing you here." Xanatos said, his voice ringing for he knew how uncomfortable he was making his former Master.

"Don't call me that." Qui-Gon said firmly. "I am not your Master." He finished, trying with all of his might trying not to let painful memories rise and jeopardize this situation.

"Oh that's right. You have a new favorite now, don't you? Little Ben." Xanatos said and looked down at the boy hanging limp in his arms. "Do you want him back?" He asked, holding Ben out to Qui-Gon who didn't move. "Go on. Take him." Xanatos urged, but Qui-Gon wouldn't be goaded. "No?" He asked, raising an eyebrow and then shrugged and pulled Ben back closer to him. "Well I guess maybe you don't have any favorites now, do you?" He asked and shook his head sadly and began walking away.

"You aren't getting off this planet as a free man, Xanatos." Qui-Gon threatened, placing his hand on his lightsaber.

"Oh and I suppose you are going to stop me are you?" Xanatos asked, not stopping.

"If I must." Qui-Gon nodded firmly, and this time Xanatos did pause, and cast a glance back to the Jedi Master.

"You come after me…I kill him. And can you really have that on your conscious? What with it loaded up with so many failures as it is." Xanatos muttered smirking triumphantly as Qui-Gon lowered his hand back to his side. "Amazing to find such a powerful Force sensitive on this xenophobic planet isn't it?" Xanatos asked, tightening his hold on Ben. "So don't worry. I'll be a good master. Supportive. Caring. Everything you weren't." He muttered and kept walking. He suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder that jerked him back, however.

"Give him back to me now." Qui-Gon said darkly and Xanatos jerked back from his hold.

"Or what? What will you even do with him? Take him back to the temple? Take him as your Padawan? Face it. You don't care about him. You just can't stand to have a bit of blood on your hands." Xanatos took a few more steps back and Ben gave a groan as he started coming to. "We aren't finished, Master." Xanatos said, and then left without another word.

Qui-Gon watched him go and mentally berated himself. That encounter could have gone better. However, this was the first time he had seen Xanatos since what happened, and this was literally the last place he expected to see him. Xanatos was right, however. They weren't finished. Not if he had anything to say about it. And next time they met he would make Xanatos pay for everything he's done.