Hi, guys, sorry for the delay! I've been busy lately, but, nevertheless, I've managed to write several chapters ahead of this one. I will make sure I post at least 1 chapter per week! ;) + I'll start adding short summaries on top of each chapter, because the plot gets more and more complicated.

Summary: Palpatine aka Darth Sidious comes into play with a revelation of his own secret plans about Telos, Toprawa and our favorite Master/Padawan team. Meanwhile, Tahl and her Padawan make swift progress with the investigation of Liora's murder. Xanatos overhears a disturbing conversation and the strength of his revived relationship with his father is put to the test. Qui-Gon's disillusionment with his perfect Padawan increases. Due to the said events, everyone starts getting more and more frustrated with this whole mess!

Note: The facts about Palpy's past are taken from the book "Darth Plagueis"by James Luceno. Palpatine's Master was a wealthy Muun (the Galaxy's bankers, the Banking Clan consists mostly of Muuns) named Hego Damask, owner of Damask Holdings. The meeting between Qui, Dooku, Damask, Sifo-Dyas on Serenno actually took place and Plagueis was impressed by Dooku & shared it with Sidious. In the original timeline, Jocasta Nu was also present. However, by that time Xanatos had left the Order. In this AU, since both Xan and Qui were born 3 years later than originally, and Xan is 19 instead of 16 years old on Telos, Xanatos was also present on the meeting in Jocasta's stead. And obviously managed to catch Palpy's attention.

Chapter 7. Anger Rising

The 35 years old Nubian Sheev Palpatine, Senator of the Chommel Sector in the Galactic Senate of the Republic, was observing the transpiring events with mild concern. Darth Sidious, Sith Apprentice, yearning for the mantle of Dark Lord of the Sith, was enjoying this far too much.

This is what the Republic Senate will look like in several years from now, he prophesized. I look at these Telosian Councilors and see the future greedy, squabbling delegates in the Senate. Not that there is much interest for the common good now. It's just that the Senate is still too… functional for my taste.

Darth Sidious threw a glance toward the Jedi pod.

That young Jedi made quite a show yesterday. Rule through fear. Formidable approach. He's already embraced the ways of the Sith. He just hasn't realized it yet. And all his fool of a Master could do was stare at him with a frown. I would have burst out in laughter, hadn't I a role to play.

The daunting role of being the provincial and obscure Senator was sometimes too much for a 35-year-old Sith. Wasn't it for Palpatine's journeys off-world like this one or Sidious' training sessions with Darth Plagueis on remote planets, some of his more annoying colleagues would have already been found dead in various places around the Senate District. Unfortunately, the Sith Grand Plan was not so straightforward and had much role play in store for him. However, acting undoubtedly has its good parts. Like talking to unsuspecting, gullible Jedi, always willing to explain the concept of the Force to the understanding ear of a humble Senator. Some of them even discuss "Temple politics" with me. I don't even need to spy on the Jedi Council anymore – they tell me everything themselves.

This is exactly how I first came to know about an unusually ambitious and gifted Jedi Padawan with noble heritage. Then, I was meant to stumble upon him and his Master near the Jedi Temple, while I was with my newfound Jedi friend Ronhar Kim, whose father I murdered to get my place as a Senator. How ironic. Quite useful the Kim family proved to be.

What is more, this Master/Apprentice team had been present on Serenno during a meeting Plagueis's alter ego, the wealthy Muun Hego Damask, had attended a few years back. They were together with Dooku, this Jinn's former Master, and another Jedi Sifo-Dyas. Plagueis had had the impudence to hint that he could replace him, Darth Sidious, with that filthy Jedi Dooku! That filthy Dooku, who had managed to ruin some of the schemes of Darth Tenebrous, Plagueis' own Sith Master. That Plagueis had no actual intention of doing this, was clear, but the taunt had been enough to set Sidious' blood on fire. That whole Jedi lineage – Dooku, Jinn, du Crion, was too meddlesome for the Sith Grand Plan and now Sidious had a personal vendetta against them. Not that he cared for Plagueis' opinion of him – he had every intention of killing that old fool just as was customary for the Sith since Darth Bane, but Plagueis implying that a Jedi, 20 years older than him, could do his job better than him was too much.

However, instead of getting rid of Dooku himself, Sidious had set his sights on his Padawan and, especially, his Padawan's Padawan. Why had Plagueis even considered Dooku, when such fresh blood was standing next to that ancient relic? Du Crion is young, arrogant, powerful, aristocratic and rich. The perfect Sith Apprentice. He reminds me of myself.

Darth Sidious knew it was too early for him to look for an apprentice. He had not uncovered all of Plagueis' secrets yet and was not ready to dispose of him. That century old Muun seemed to be undead – after the assassination attempt on him later that year – the year he talked to Dooku on Serenno and Palpatine was elected Senator, he had started wearing a breathing mask, but his presence in the Force grew even stronger. Sidious did not dare challenge him to a fight. Not yet. Maybe he never would – deception was the way of the Sith, he could trick him and kill him, when he least suspected.

As a matter of fact, his presence on Telos was far from solely to make sure du Crion would set foot on the pathway to the Dark Side. He would do this and watch the young man's progress from afar in the years to come, but meanwhile, his Palpatine alter ego was here to seal a Trade deal between Telos and Naboo for the selling and purchase of Nubian plasma. Frankly, his presence was not entirely necessary, but the Nubian exterior Minister had insisted. All the better for Darth Sidious, who had secretly convinced Theron to invade Toprawa – a chance to stir unrest in the Galaxy. This scheme had not been initially in the Sith Grand Plan, however, the growing corruption on Telos had caught his Master's attention and the two Sith had decided to take advantage of it. Meanwhile, that old troll Yoda had decided to send du Crion right in the mouth of the beast – almost every single possibility of the future clearly outlined that the Padawan was about to fall to the Dark. And Sidious had a front-row ticket for this drama.

Before I finally get to kill Yoda one day, I'd have to thank him. So far, he's been only of help, he's one of my greatest supporters. Now – he is dooming an unsuspecting Padawan to be forever a servant of the Dark. The future is clear enough even for him to see – the Dark Side of the Force has plans for du Crion. And the best opportunity for him to turn is here and now.

For me this is a win-win situation – Theron's plan is successful and the Senate will have to deal with a planetary invasion. Or du Crion foils Theron's scheme, but chooses to save his father's reputation instead of turning him in and falls to the Dark. There is even a possibility for both to happen. Du Crion's and Jinn's relations are already on edge. Crion has a firm grip on his son and might lure him away from the Jedi. The sweetest possible future – Crion falls victim of Theron's machinations with the help of Qui-Gon Jinn and du Crion kills his own Master on a quest for revenge. Meddling Jinn out of the picture, du Crion irreversibly turned and Dooku mourning his Padawan's death. Or even seeking du Crion out for revenge? The boy'll be a dangerous Dark Jedi after all, a good pretext. Pit them all against each other and let the most powerful win! That is a fine audition for an apprentice, worthy of Darth Sidious' attention. Meanwhile, the Jedi Order looses two awe-inspiring Jedi Masters and a rising star. Win-win.

SWSWSWSWSW

Master Tahl and Padawan Tamarik arrived in the temple, where the High Priestess of the Order Than-Onna had been killed. She had been found dead, presumably fallen from a balcony 10 feet above. However, one does not simply fall from the balcony. She had been pushed. Who could have done it and why?
Thoughts about her friend Qui-Gon were disturbing Tahl's concentration on the work at hand. She was so very happy to see him, but he seemed rather… aloof. He never acted like that around her. She had no doubts that mess of a Padawan named Xanatos was responsible.

That boy has Qui wrapped around his fingers. Whatever the young devil devises, Qui-Gon always manages to find an excuse for it. I didn't know he could be so inventive, until he decided to take du Crion as a Padawan learner and hell was unleashed. Endless skirmishes with fellow Jedi (Kit Fisto among others), the more notorious of which ending in lightsaber duels, unauthorized night trips beyond Temple walls, concerned Masters about their female Padawans' infatuations with du Crion, alleged sexual relationships with said Padawans, alleged smuggling of items from restricted sections of the Archives, disrespect for high-ranking Jedi Masters, including Master Yoda and the infamous lightsaber duel with him. I can swear I've omitted something, the list was longer last time I checked… So what is it this time?! And what an excuse will Qui-Gon muster for du Crion's failings?

While Tahl was musing over her friend's problems, Padawan Tamarik was having a vision about what had happened early in the morning.

A tall man with a brown leather coat approached from the shadows. His exact features undistinguishable, he moved stealthily in Liora's direction. He stopped behind a wall, where he had vision contact with the victim. He stretched his arm forward… Surprise, fear, pain…

Tahl was wondering how could du Crion act so composed and Jedi-like, be on top of his class all the time and get involved in all of the above. It was beyond her. This is why Qui never doubts him. He closes his eyes for all this, because in the meantime he also has the image of the perfect Padawan right in front of him. He is never directly on the receiving end of Xanatos' failings – he is an indirect victim, because he only has to cover for him. Not that…

Tahl was interrupted by a sudden sense of great distress. She turned just in time to catch the falling body of Orykan Tamarik with the Force. The Jedi Master suspected that the young Padawan had seen what had happened. She had the rare gift of psychometry – the ability of deducing information about people or events associated with an object solely by touching it. Most probably she had touched the railing of the balcony and seen the assassination. Or at least part of it. The Jedi Master directed waves of healing and soothing energy towards the Padawan. Surprisingly, the girl regained consciousness almost momentarily. Tahl was relieved – sometimes it would take the Padawan hours to come round, if she experienced an exceptionally dark event such as murder. The feelings of the victim could be far too overwhelming – the reason why the Jedi Council did not encourage the few Jedi, gifted in psychometry, to use this ability unless they had no other choice and the stakes were too high. I should have been more careful! The poor girl could have gotten herself seriously traumatized, while I've been thinking about whom – Qui's troublesome Padawan!

"Orykan, how are you feeling?"

"I-I'm alright, Master Tahl. I saw what happened."

"Padawan, you don't have to tell me now. You can go back to our quarters here, in the Temple, and take some rest. I'll search for other clues."

"No, Master, I can handle it. It's important. And Master Yoda wants us to leave tomorrow, so we'd better solve this quickly."

"Are you sure, young one? Master Yoda might want us out of here as soon as possible, because this mission is part of Padawan du Crion's trials and we're supposed only to uncover the murderer. That doesn't mean he wants you to overexert yourself. And I doubt we will be leaving so quickly anyway."

"We might. Master, I saw the murderer!"

SWSWSWSWSW

After meeting Tahl and Padawan Tamarik at the spaceport and arranging their transportation to the Than-Onna Temple, Qui-Gon Jinn had returned to the Royal Palace to continue reviewing the King's files. He had expected to find his Padawan already doing the same, however, the Council session had obviously stretched out for longer than expected. Suddenly, his comlink beeped.

"Jinn here.'

"Qui, come over to the Temple. We've found out some disturbing information. The murder is connected to the political situation on Telos. You'd better see for yourself, it will help you with your investigation."

"Alright, Tahl, if you say so, I'm coming."

"You'd better bring that Padawan of yours as well. If he's indeed in charge of the investigation, he'll need to see this, too."

Qui-Gon paused. Should I share this with Xanatos? If I solve the case fast on my own, I won't risk Crion getting Xanatos involved in some scheme of his. And there's the possibility of Xanatos mentioning something about what we find out to Crion and if Crion is involved in all this… The Jedi Master admonished himself – this was a trial mission for the boy after all. If he had gotten himself into something bad, he would have to fend for himself. Still, taking some precaution would do no harm. He would have to hurry and make sure he checked everything out before Xanatos, just in case.

"I'll tell him. See you later, Tahl."

SWSWSWSWSW

Xanatos had just arrived at the Palace. His father had promised him to help him review his own files, so he hoped this way things would run faster. Of course, he would make careful use of Crion's offer for cooperation – the King still was the primary suspect for corruption and abuse of power. That Xanatos believed he was innocent was not supposed to intervene in his professional approach towards the investigation. Suddenly, his comlink beeped:

"Hello, Master, is there anything wrong?" the Padawan inquired.

"Should something be wrong?"

"Well, why are you calling me if everything is alright?

"To tell you that Tahl and Tamarik have made significant progress with Liora's murder. They want us there, because the assassination is connected to the political scene on Telos."

"But you are still here at the Palace, aren't you? We can go together, I've just arrived."

"I'm already on my way. Tahl said it was urgent. See you there. Jinn out."

"Well, of course he won't wait for me. It's Tahl we are talking about after all."

Xanatos considered Tahl Qui-Gon's unofficial girlfriend. They were best friends, however, with his gift for reading people Xanatos could sense something else – something, which they didn't want to acknowledge. The young man guessed that the primary reason was the most obvious one – they were Jedi and the closest they could be to each other was as best friends. But, maybe, they were also unsure of the other's feelings – like Chrysanthe and Heron. Whatever the reason, Xanatos was grateful. He and Tahl mutually disliked one another and he didn't want her to have any of his Master's attention.

Irritated that he was left behind, he strolled towards his father's quarters to tell him about the change of plans. He wouldn't need his help this afternoon. However, he stopped in his tracks just before he was about to enter. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

A deliberately technologically distorted voice was saying:

"You have to make sure that tomorrow's negotiations with Toprawa fail. Unless the Jedi have found the evidence, pointing towards a connection between Toprawa and the Rebel Front, and have made an official statement, of course. In this case things will unfold on their own accord and the negotiations will be cancelled anyway."

"But how am I supposed to do that? And are you sure this Antarian Ranger has done his job properly?"

"Liora is dead, isn't she? My people, the supposed rebels, have made sure to provide the investigating Jedi with the needed evidence. Now, I have another task for you as well – I hoped that the visiting Jedi team will be too involved in Liora's case and won't mess with our business. However, the Jedi Council sent another one quickly enough for this job. So, you have to make sure to keep Jinn and your beloved son well occupied – paperwork, whatever you muster, I just don't want them sniffing around the negotiations with Toprawa or the planet's fabricated connection to the Rebel Front."

"The Jedi will be there tomorrow and I can do nothing about it."

"I'm warning you – either get your Jedi son to back you, or get him out of the picture."

/End transmission/

SWSWSWSWSW

As soon as the transmission ended, Xanatos du Crion pried the doors open with the Force and screamed on top of his lungs:

"Explain yourself! Now!"

His father's face turned white… with fear? For Force's sake, is he afraid of me? part of Xanatos thought with horror. Another one screamed, Damn right he should be afraid! I can snap his neck in a split second without breaking a sweat! How dare this traitorous, lying… Politician…

"I said I wanted the full story! I am not going to repeat this again. Otherwise I'm calling Qui-Gon right now and, believe me, you are going to suffer the full extent of the consequences for your misguided behavior, if I do."

"Son, I…" Crion started, looking at the ground.

"I am a Jedi Padawan and you are going to treat me with the proper respect!"

"Is this so? Then – I am the King of Telos and you, Jedi, should treat me with the proper respect!"

"All I see is a criminal, hiding behind hollow words and undeserved titles."

"Then I am sorry for you. You should have said so last night," Crion uttered with disappointment.

"And what did you say last night? You didn't deem important enough to mention that you've gotten yourself in deep shit, did you? Who exactly have you just been talking to? Answer me!"

"I am not…"

"You don't realize your precarious situation, do you? If Qui-Gon gets wind of these schemes of yours, you are going to wish you had never seen the light of day. He is going to get to the bottom of this, whether it is implied in our mandate or not. And from what I heard, it damn sure is. So, you either confess now and we possibly get easy on you, or we publically uncover your dirty laundry and you are finished once and for all."

"I will not let you treat me as some common criminal!" the King exclaimed with outrage.

"Oh, you are no common criminal. You are a…"

"Stop, before you've said something, you are going to regret. You think you know me? You think you can judge me? Who do you think you are?"

Xanatos wanted to answer proudly, "A Jedi Knight of the Republic." But, he was still a Padawan, so he had to think of some other sharp-edged phrase to throw at this man, who was supposed to be his father. Suddenly, he felt tired. Again. Tired of all this acting, of all these secret plots and hidden intentions.

"For Force's sake, just be honest with me for once and tell me everything. I can't promise you anything. I am a Jedi – I have a duty to perform. But I'm still your son and if there is any legal way to get you out of this, I'll make sure I do."

Crion's expression softened immediately. Deep sorrow, regret and love could be seen in his shadowed eyes.

"There is nothing more I can ask of you, my son. I have never lied to you, I am not going to start now…" Crion sighed. "I couldn't do it last night. I couldn't. Frankly, I most probably never would have, if this scheme worked out. I'd prefer to incriminate myself even more than I already have to the prospect of you ever finding out about any of it. I don't have a choice now. Maybe it is for the better and you'll be able to stop this, because I failed."

"Tell me," the Padawan insisted.

Xanatos listened with a frown to his father's recollection of the events after the Council meeting the day before. When the older man finished, he couldn't help exclaiming:

"Father, you are better than this! You shouldn't have agreed to participate in this madness! We could have just contacted Floros and told him to agree straight away so that they'd release his family and then we would have thought of a way to reverse the Vote. What's more, if they released his family that night, what would have stopped him from voting against nevertheless?"

"I doubt Theron would have been so short-sided to release his family on a blank promise. Maybe, he would have released one or two of them, as a sign of good will. He would have wanted a guarantee for Floros' support, so he'd have definitely kept some of the hostages."

"Still, you should not have done this!" Xanatos repeated with conviction.

"And what? Let Theron be elected Governor? Watch the Sacred Pools and everything else I've fought for be destroyed? Watch him spread even more corruption on Telos?"

"We would have exposed him by then. What's more, you let an innocent woman die to accomplish this!" Shivers ran down the young man's spine as this realization hit him.

"One life is not worth more than the destruction of Telos' nature and Force knows what else! There was and still is no evidence that would implicate Theron and strip him of his political influence for good. Even if you and Jinn eventually managed to find any to back my accusations, it would have been too late for the salvation of the Sacred Pools, among other things.
Now I have the time to find a way to get rid of Theron, without sacrificing Telos!"

"And what about the invasion against Toprawa? How many lives would that have destroyed? Or do you think that Toprawa can be sacrificed for Telos' sake as well?Counter to popular belief, the end does not justify the means. You can't do horrible things for the sake of a noble goal!" Xanatos shouted out accusingly.

"Well, that's exactly what I've been doing for the past several years!" the King cried out with exasperation and sorrow.

Xanatos' blood went cold with dread.

"What else have you done?" he hissed.

The Jedi Padawan was stunned as the story of the covered arrests of rebel suspects and Drako Demón's fate unfolded. Anger and rage were coursing through him, mingling with feelings of betrayal, disgust, despair and… love. Qui-Gon's warning sounded in his head: "Things are seldom what they seem to be." Why should he always be right? Why did everything have to go so terribly wrong? Why had my father gotten involved in any of this? He's not a bad person! A menacing voice sounded in his head: What do you define as a bad person? He is a criminal and should rot in jail for the rest of his miserable life! But you don't think so, because you are convinced he is a good person. You yourself are a worthless liar! Only if one compares this slime with you, will he regard the great King Crion as not such a bad person…

Xanatos cut this voice off and tried to think straight. Instead, he heard, "You are always alone, and betrayal is inevitable." Oh, not this again. It is not even my own memory. Who knows who told this bullshit to Qui-Gon. Concentrate, Xanatos… But the feeling of betrayal was overwhelming. He had let himself believe too vigorously that Crion was innocent. What a fool I am! I should have followed Qui-Gon's lead and been a good, obedient Padawan. Now, I've told this man that I loved him. I confessed this to myself. I can't "unlove" him. It hurts, maybe this is why unconditional love is denounced by the Jedi? Why did this man have to do this to me?

When Crion finished, Xanatos said bitterly:

"I am appalled by all this. There is always another choice and there is no excuse for what you have done. All you wanted was to keep your power. And Theron knew this all too well." Xanatos' mouth curved in repulsion. "You have been doing exactly what he wanted you to do for years and in the end, when you had one last chance to do the right thing, you did what he expected you to do again!"

"Are you actually angry at me for falling for his schemes or for the crimes I committed in the process?" the King retorted back in anger.

Remaining speechless for a moment, his son said with conviction:

"For both! You should have figured out what he's been up to! He's made a fool out of you! What's more, when one gets his hands dirty, he makes sure to erase all evidence!"

"What, do you know this from experience?"

"What if I do? At least I have not sold anyone in slavery yet! Or conspired to invade a planet. Honestly, I have no idea how you are going to get out of this unscathed. We might insist you acted under severe duress the night after the Vote and it was Theron's plan after all, but the arrests… I can't do a thing about them. If a word about them gets out…And those people are still imprisoned! Even if they are guilty, they can't stay there forever! They deserve a fair trial."

"There will be no fair trial. Theron has made sure to destroy the evidence."

"I begin to doubt whether we will be even able to convict Theron. Let's take one step at a time. First, we have to get something on Theron. I have no intention of sabotaging the negotiations with Toprawa tomorrow and neither will I let you do this. At least they are scheduled for the afternoon… But we still have very little time. If we somehow catch the Antarian Ranger Theron hired and make him confess the whole conspiracy…"

Suddenly, Xanatos remembered why he had come to his father's quarters in the first place.

"I actually came here because the other Jedi team has found some clues to Liora's murderer's identity. We can only hope that they haven't fallen in Theron's trap – meaning that they don't suspect a Toprawan Antarian Ranger already. Qui-Gon asked me to go there personally and I'm already late, so I'd better get going… We will talk more later, we must devise a plan for action. Do not undertake anything without informing me first. Do you understand?" Xanatos asked, stressing each word.

"I am not an idiot, I won't do anything stupid."

"Oh, you are so sure you aren't one? Because your actions up to this point speak otherwise!" Xanatos screamed out. Realizing this, he closed his eyes and breathed several times. In and out. He was starting to get scared of his own reactions. He continued in a calmer, steadier, commanding voice, "You will stay idle. You have my permission only to come up with how to track down the murderous Ranger. You yourself gave him the aurodium, at least you've seen him. Like I said, we will discuss this later."

Xanatos turned on his heels and headed for the door.

This conversation was like burning hell for Crion. Confessing all this in front of his own son. He felt terrible, totally undignified and unworthy of the respect and love his son had shown towards him that day and the night before. However, his pride had turned his shame into anger and he had been directing it towards the one person he loved the most in the Universe. As this fact dawned on him, he felt even worse. He knew that he owed his son for at least not telling this to his Jedi Master straight away. He had to show his gratitude somehow.

"Son, wait!" The King took a dark object from a shelf and handed it to the young man. "You may need this."

Music player and headphones.

Xanatos nodded a wordless thanks and went out of the room.

I can't release anything to the Force, I can't meditate… Music will have to do for now. The non-Force-sensitives manage somehow without Jedi calming techniques. Let's see if I will.

SWSWSWSWSW

Xanatos braced himself. He was deeply troubled by his recent conversation with his father and now he had to act composed in front of three Jedi. He unsuccessfully attempted to suppress his emotions. Despair filled him. He couldn't risk arising any suspicions. At least managing to hide his unease behind a facial mask of calm, he approached the three figures, standing close together and peering at a balcony. This must be the exact spot where the woman was murdered! The Senior Padawan shivered.

Hearing rather than sensing him, all three Jedi turned to face him in unison.

"Better late than never. We were wondering whether you will turn up," Tahl observed.

Meanwhile, Qui-Gon was unsettled. Xanatos' eyes were piercing icy-blue. His face was disconcertingly blank, absolutely no emotion could be read. He opened slightly the bond from his side, only to find it closed from his apprentice's.

"I was delayed," Xanatos replied impassively. "What did you find out meanwhile?

"Several things. Padawan Tamarik experienced a vision of the assassination. She saw…"

Behind the unfeeling mask, Xanatos panicked. Oh, no! She has seen everything! They are going to tell the Telosian Council today! I'm finished! I can't tell them the whole story, they'll arrest my father on the spot!

"What did you see?" Xanatos' voice sounded threatening, his eyes flashed dangerously, as he turned towards the young Twi'lek. "Tell me!"

"I-I…" the girl stammered, but was immediately interrupted by an abhorred Qui-Gon Jinn.

"Xanatos! Padawan Tamarik witnessed a cold-blooded murder and fainted right afterwards! If you can't rein your emotions, you have no place here!" Qui-Gon exclaimed. He couldn't believe his own Padawan could be so cruel. What is happening to him again?! He looks possessed!

Realizing what he had just done, Xanatos swallowed. He was disgusted with himself. Attacking Twi'lek girls, now, are we? Just how far down will you go on this mission, du Crion? He closed his eyes and ran an unsteady hand through his hair. Opening them again, he fixed a distraught gaze on the young Padawan and muttered:

"I am sorry…"

"If you keep your reactions in check, you will get all the answers you need," Tahl cut in with an undertone of disapproval.

As Xanatos nodded, she continued:

"Orykan saw an Antarian Ranger come close to Liora and stretch a hand forward. We deduced that he was a Force-sensitive and had Force-pushed Liora. I can also sense traces of the murderer's far too distinctive Force-signature, which is highly unlikely to belong to a non-Force-sensitive. Unfortunately, all security holocameras were disabled and my Padawan could not discern the features of the criminal. However, after the arrival of your Master, a police officer found that a maintainance droid's camera had been left intact. From the recording we saw for sure that the assassin is a Tropawan Antarian Ranger, because he wore their distinctive uniform. Other Rangers do not have any kind of formal clothing, except for the distinctive brown leather jacket. However, the Ranger must have been moving with Force-enhanced speed and we couldn't discern his features clearly enough again. On the upside, we saw very distinctively the faces of a man and a woman, who seem to have been the ones to disable the security holocameras. We were able to identify them as members of the Rebel Front. In short – Toprawa is involved with the rebel movement on Telos. This whole situation is becoming more and more complicated by the minute. I do not envy you at all. The Council has given you a challenging trial mission."

"How would an Antarian Ranger side with the Rebels? Don't they answer directly to the Jedi Order? Besides, couldn't it have been a ruse of some kind?" Xanatos countered.

"It could have. Had this one not been a Force-sensitive, he could have been just a man, wearing an Antarian Ranger's clothes. And not just any clothes. The specific uniform of the Rangers, stationed on Toprawa. A man, who happened to be wearing a Toprawan Antarian Ranger's clothes and happened to be Force-sensitive… Too many coincidences."

Xanatos wasn't about to give in so easily. He had to try to change their opinion. Otherwise, the Toprawan government would be unjustly blamed.

"But, still, it was way too easy. You solved this in how many… 2-3 hours? Maybe there is somebody, who wants the renegotiations between Toprawa and Telos to fail."

"It is more likely that Toprawa secretly stirs unrest on Telos with the purpose of bargaining for a better deal. It would have succeeded, wouldn't it? Neither you, nor Qui-Gon was thinking about the Treaty, both of you were engrossed in politics, Votes of No Confidence and assassination attempts by the Rebel Front! I bet no Telosian Council member cares for the upcoming negotiations right now. Most of all, the King doesn't – he was about to be kicked from power, the last thing on his mind would be Toprawa."

Xanatos gave no answer. They are falling for it just like Theron prophesized! I can't believe it!

In the meantime, Qui-Gon was becoming more and more suspicious.

"Do you have something to prove your presumptions with?"

"No, I don't," Xanatos uttered with disdain. Not yet. "When are you planning to inform the government?"

"Tomorrow morning during the next Telosian Council session. Telos' people have to know as well. There is too much support for the Rebel Front. If the Telosians find out about Toprawa's involvement, the Front will lose many followers and the violence will subside."

"I understand. Well, I guess you thought it best to inform me personally, not through the com for security reasons. I am going back to the Palace for I have much work to do."

"So soon?" Tahl inquired with surprise.

"Aren't three Jedi more than enough for the investigation of Liora's murder? What's more, I have no intention of prolonging this mission any more than necessary. The sooner we get it over with, the better," Xanatos remarked grimly.

What does this sudden change of attitude mean? Has he finally become disenchanted with Crion and seen him for what he really is? Qui-Gon was musing. Good for him, if he has, but this latest behavior switch is worse than all the previous ones… Not that it should be any of my concern. He has to deal with this on his own and has cut himself off from any possible help from my side anyway. Again. I won't impose, where I'm clearly not wanted

"I have decided to spend the night here in the Temple," Qui-Gon chimed in. "I will be helping Tahl and Orykan with their investigation, because they are scheduled to leave tomorrow. And we must be sure we have found everything there is to find before we make the announcement in front of the Council."

"As you wish, Master." Of course you'd prefer to stay with Tahl. At least you won't be able to meddle in my affairs.

However, still feeling guilty, Xanatos decided to address his fellow Padawan again:

"Padawan Tamarik, I apologize for my behavior again. It was unbecoming of a Jedi and I didn't take into consideration how trying this day has been for you at all."

"No problem, Padawan du Crion. It's nothing," the young Twi'lek said reassuringly.

Xanatos nodded and strode off. Qui-Gon followed him with his eyes. While walking, the young man raised his hands to put a pair of over-ear headphones on his head. Qui-Gon hadn't noticed them before… Wait a minute! He left his pair at the Temple. These ones cannot be his. Crion! He must have given him another set. Which only proves they are firmly in league together! I'm done with acquitting Xanatos. He has crossed the line. He will be held responsible for whatever he has gotten himself into together with his beloved father. And he had the audacity to say he was not going to disappoint me. Ha! More lies, Qui-Gon concluded vehemently. Nothing would change his mind.

SWSWSWSWSW

A few hours later, Tahl told her friend, "Qui, something's definitely wrong with Xanatos. I suggest you return to the Palace."

In the time since Xanatos' visit, despite his initial firmly negative predisposition, Qui-Gon had still mulled over everything several times only to become even more exasperated as a result and reach no conclusion:

"He didn't deem necessary to mention anything, so I have no intention to go running after him for explanation again. First he was gone all morning and lied about it, now – this! He is old enough to know when to ask for help. Honestly, I've had enough of his mood swings since the morning the Council assigned us this mission. It's been almost three days already and every time something happens with him, he either doesn't want to tell me, lies about it, or keeps our bond closed and isolates himself. This is his trial mission and I'm not going to babysit him any longer. If he can't handle his own feelings, then maybe Yoda is right he shouldn't be knighted!"