Chapter 8
Mace grabbed his comm unit and flicked it on. "Qui-Gon? Tahl? You there?" He eyed the unmovable vessel from the pilot seat.
"Tahl, here. Did you catch Xanatos?" Her voice came through the static of the unit, but it was still clear enough to understand.
He glanced back at the ship floating in empty space. "I shot his engines. He isn't going anywhere, but it would be nice to have backup when I board his ship." It would not do any good if Xanatos somehow snuck on his ship while Mace was on his.
"Master Runda and her padawan are on the way already. I'm staying here with Qui-Gon." Mace blinked, surprised Qui-Gon wasn't coming to see to the arrest of his former padawan. "Obi-Wan Kenobi will be fine. He is out of harm's way," Tahl continued to say. "The healers are checking on him now. I'll let you know if there's any new news on his condition."
Mace nodded. He sure was glad he wasn't her right now. Keeping Qui-Gon occupied and away from harassing the healers would be a challenge. "Keep me updated." He checked his scanners and saw a ship approaching. "I see Master Runda now. I'll get back to you when we have Xanatos in custody." He put the comm unit away as Master Runda's ship came up to him.
A few minutes later, they boarded Xanatos vessel. "Padawan Lanus, stay here. Make sure he doesn't try to sneak onto one of our ships," Mace ordered.
Padawan Lanus nodded. "Yes, Master Windu," she said as she took position, her eyes watching the corridor intently, her back to the doors to their ship.
Mace turned to Master Runda. "Let's split. You take that way…" He nodded to the left. "I'll take the cockpit." Master Runda nodded and headed her way. It was a small enough ship. It wouldn't take long to locate him. Mace moved silently to the cockpit with his lightsaber out and ready. He could not sense Xanatos onboard, but knew he must be shielding his presence. He had to remain alert.
He reached the cockpit without any problems. He touched the control panel and the door swished opened.
"Oh my!" A silver droid jumped at his sudden entrance and raised his hands in the air.
Mace peered into the room but couldn't find Xanatos anywhere. He stepped into the cockpit. "Where is Xanatos?" he asked the droid.
"He is not here, sir."
Mace sighed in frustration. "I could see that he isn't here, but where on the ship is he?"
"He is not here. He wanted me to fly. Oh, I never flew before. He's going to dismantle me for breaking his ship! Oh, no." The droid pattered on, but Mace wasn't listening.
"He's not on the ship?" Mace interrupted.
The droid shook his head. "No, sir. He wanted me to fly. I never flew before. I don't know what I did wrong. I broke his ship. He's…"
Mace didn't stick around to listen to his chatter. He left the room in frustration. He had no idea how to tell Qui-Gon that Xanatos somehow got away. He held back a groan when he heard the clang, clang of the droid following behind him. "I must say, sir, I am never going flying again! What a dreadful experience! May I be of service to you, sir?"
He met up with Master Runda and her padawan back at the exit, ignoring the droid behind him. Master Runda and Padawan Lanus both gave the droid looks, which he politely ignored.
"I couldn't find Xanatos, Master Windu," Master Runda said, pulling her attention away from the droid.
"You wouldn't. He's not onboard. I don't think he was ever onboard," Mace noted. He nodded his head at the droid. "Xanatos had a droid fly the ship, which would explain how easy it was to shot the engines." He pulled out his comm unit to inform Tahl and Qui-Gon of the situation. Might as well do it miles away from Qui-Gon, then face-to-face. It was news he wouldn't take lightly. "Tahl?"
"Mace, you got him?" Tahl asked.
Mace looked at his two companions before stepping away to have the conversation privately. "Is Qui-Gon with you?"
The comm unit was buzzed with static for a moment before Tahl's voice came through. "Yes. He's with me now."
Mace sighed. "Xanatos was never on the ship."
"What do you mean he wasn't on the ship? " Qui-Gon's voice boomed over the comm unit in frustration. "I saw him walk up the ramp."
"He didn't stay there, Qui-Gon. He must have just been checking on the droid. He wasn't here. Never was," Mace said, trying to be patient.
"Where could he have gone?" Qui-Gon asked. "Hold on, Mace."
Mace had no choice but the wait for the end of the conversation Tahl and Qui-Gon were obviously having at that moment. A few seconds later, Qui-Gon came back on. "Tahl told me there was a ship under the platform. He must have somehow used that to escape." He sounded weary and Mace couldn't blame him. Xanatos had been a constant black mark on Qui-Gon's heart since the day he turned on him. There was nothing more Qui-Gon wanted to do then get rid of that dark part of his past and he couldn't do that with Xanatos running around, watching his every move. Xanatos was now a threat to anyone Qui-Gon held dear.
"He'll show up again, Qui-Gon. We'll deal with him when he does. But if it makes you feel better, Master Runda and I could fly around the planet. We may find something that would lead us to his location," Mace promised. "How is Initiate Kenobi?" he asked.
"He is well." Tahl came back on. "The healers said he'll wake up anytime now. I'll let you know if anything changes."
Obi-Wan glanced around the room, feeling extremely confused and dizzy. He was in a white room, which, to him, meant torture. There was a single window across his sleeping couch with a heavy white curtain blocking his view to the outside world. His blankets were white. There was a white chair by his bedside. He grimaced in displeasure. If he would have to guess, he would say he was in an infirmary. Xanatos was trying to kill him. He decided as he struggled to sit up. The room turned and he leaned against the headboard as a dizzy spell hit him. He groaned and closed his eyes to wait for the dizziness to pass. He reopened his eyes. How did Xanatos know he hated the infirmary? Was he trying to torture him? Obi-Wan reached behind him and felt his back. There was some sort of wrapping under his white shirt that went around his chest. Why did Xanatos heal him? Where was the dark Jedi?
He glanced around the room again. There was a cup of water at his bedside which he gratefully drank. The soothing, cool water felt refreshing as it went down his parched throat. He placed the empty cup back on the stand at his bedside. He had to get out of here before Xanatos came back. He pushed back the covers just as the door opened. He glanced up with wide eyes, expecting it to be Xanatos.
He straightened in surprise and confusion. "Master Qui-Gon?" He shook head, realizing he sounded a bit too familiar with the man. "Master Jinn. Sorry," he corrected quickly. Obi-Wan stared at the man as the door swished closed behind him. How…? Why…? When…? Force, he was so confused. So confused that he could feel a headache coming.
Master Jinn gave him a small smile. "It is good to see you awake, Obi-Wan. You had us worried there for a moment," he said warmly as he approached the sleeping couch. He glanced at the covers and gave Obi-Wan an amused look. "You weren't about to sneak off, were you?"
Obi-Wan still hadn't gotten over his shock and didn't answer. He continued to stare at the older man as if he was an illusion. Was he? Was Obi-Wan dreaming right now?
Master Jinn sat down at the edge of the sleeping couch, facing him, his hands in his lap. He gave Obi-Wan a look he couldn't identify. There was brief moment where they stared at each other, just stared. Obi-Wan was able to make out three shades of blue in Master Jinn's eyes by the time the older Jedi spoke. "You are alright, Obi-Wan?"
Obi-Wan shook himself out of his perplexed thoughts. "Ye…yeah, Master Jinn. Just…just fine." He leaned back. "Umm, sir, what happened?" he asked hesitantly. "Where am I? Why are you…" He stopped the question before he embarrassed himself too much.
Master Jinn gave him a look he, once again, couldn't fully discern. Was it like a hesitant look or hopeful? Or crushing of hope? Painful acceptance? Obi-Wan couldn't tell. "What do you remember, Obi-Wan? Do you remember the ride over here?" He shook his head and raised his hand to prevent Obi-Wan from speaking. "Just tell me. What is the last thing you remember, Obi-Wan?"
Obi-Wan looked away in thought. "Pain. Cold. Flashes of red and green." His eyes narrowed as he tried to remember something else. "Xanatos," he whispered. "He dragged me to a ship and…and…" He shook his head and gave Master Jinn an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, sir. I don't remember anything else. What happened?"
Master Jinn turned away and gave a heavy sigh. "It's for the best," he whispered to himself before he turned back to him. He leaned forward. "I feel that I must apologize to you. Xanatos would not have targeted you if I…" Master Jinn stopped speaking and looked away. After a few seconds of staring off to the side, he glanced back at him. "What did Xanatos tell you? Did he tell you why he took you?" he asked.
Obi-Wan nodded and looked down at his lap. "He wanted to break me and kill me, but…" He shook his head trying to remember the only conversation they had after being taken. "He said something about a life for a life, a son for a father." He noticed Master Jinn stiffened at that, but continued to speaking. "He thought it would be ironic if I turned to the dark side, to be just like him, but he didn't want that. Do you know what he meant, Master Jinn?" he asked.
"Unfortunately, I do, Obi-Wan." Master Jinn looked away and sighed. Obi-Wan could tell this wasn't easy for him. So he patiently waited for him to speak again. "Thirteen years ago, my padawan and I went on a mission to his home planet. We found out that his own father was a tyrant and we had to stop him. However, my padawan's father, who had regretted giving his only son to the Jedi, started giving him false promises of wealth and power. His father got uncontrollable and I was forced to end his life. My padawan turned on me in anger and a thirst for revenge. I had a chance to end him, but I couldn't take it. I walked away and his thirst for revenge was not quenched. Unknown to me, he started to watch me closely. Everywhere I went, everyone I talked to." Master Jinn sighed, his face hard as the memories came to him. "Because of his careful watch, he found out about you, Obi-Wan."
"Xanatos," Obi-Wan whispered, connecting all the dots. Master Jinn nodded. He bit his lower lip in thought. He wasn't close to Master Jinn. Why would Xanatos take him to get revenge when he wasn't even close to Master Jinn? "But what about me, sir?" he asked, looking up at him with a curious expression. "Why me?"
Master Jinn looked him seriously in the eye. "He knew that you…" A pause. "He knew I was considering taking you as my padawan."
His heart pounded hopefully in his chest and his eyes widened at the Jedi Master's words. His face then closed in with confusion. Xanatos said Master Jinn wasn't looking for him though. Was Obi-Wan lied to again? His head really did hurt as he tried to develop answers in his mind to why Master Jinn was there. How did he know Obi-Wan was here? How was he rescued when he was supposedly not missing? How did he get from Xanatos ship to the infirmary with Master Jinn?
"I can sense your confusion, Obi-Wan. If you have questions, it is best to ask them instead of getting a headache by trying to figure things out yourself."
Obi-Wan felt his face flush at the look of amusement in the Jedi Master's eye. He looked hesitantly up at him and asked the first question. "Xanatos…he…he told me no one was looking for me, that no one noticed I was missing. How…how did you know?"
"The message you sent," he explained.
"Oh, right." Obi-Wan felt his face heat up again as he recalled the message Master Jinn was talking about. After realizing Xanatos had evil intentions, he had, naturally, assumed he didn't send the message. He thought the message was just for show, to get Obi-Wan to trust him some more.
Then, he remembered what he said on the message. He was thanking Master Jinn for accepting him as a padawan. He glanced at the intimidating man from under his eyelashes. What must the man think of him? He didn't accept him and there Obi-Wan was, thanking him for accepting him. He must have thought Obi-Wan was desperate or worse…a pathetic, attention grabbing child.
"Despite the message, young one, I would have noticed you missing." Obi-Wan glanced up at him. "I made a promise to you and I never go back on my word. I would have sought you out to inform you of my decision. If you weren't at the Temple, I would have tried to contact Bandomeer. I would have discovered your disappearance and made sure you were found. You are not a nobody, Obi-Wan Kenobi," Master Jinn said, as if he could read his thoughts and feelings. His respect for the man rose with that sentence alone. Here was a man Obi-Wan was sure he could always look up too. Here was a man he could always trust. Here was a man Obi-Wan never wanted to disappoint. "There are those who would have noticed you missing." There was a pause as if he was letting his words sink into Obi-Wan. "You are special."
Special? Obi-Wan was far from special. In fact, he was as normal as normal could be, but…he looked back up at the blue eyes that stared at him with some hidden emotion…but, Qui-Gon Jinn did a very good job at making him feel special. He was a normal Jedi boy, but there was something about Master Qui-Gon that gave Obi-Wan a sense of belonging, a sense of purpose. Special. Because of that feeling, he didn't feel the need to correct him. "How did you find me?" He inwardly cringed at how young and pitiable he sounded. He could feel his face heat up and he looked down at his lap.
"Xanatos left clues to your whereabouts. Too many clues. I was able to figure out where you were more quickly than he anticipated."
"The unexpected reunion," Obi-Wan whispered in remembrance.
"Excuse me?"
Obi-Wan looked up, surprise. He hadn't realized he spoke out loud. "I remember Xanatos saying something about getting ready for an unexpected reunion." Master Jinn nodded and they fell into silence once again. Obi-Wan glanced around the room and dared to ask another question. "Where are we, sir? I mean, I know we're in an infirmary, but where?"
Luckily, the Jedi Master seemed to understand what Obi-Wan was asking. "Xanatos brought you to Bandomeer, young one. That is where we are now."
"Bandomeer? But…?"
"I know. It was clever, on his part, to hide you on a planet we would never have looked otherwise."
Obi-Wan looked back down at his lap. Did that mean, now that they had found him, they were going to leave him here? He looked up. "Did you happen to find my lightsaber?" he asked sounding hopeful.
Qui-Gon sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry, Obi-Wan. It looks like you will have to rebuild yours."
Obi-Wan frowned. He had expected an answer like that, but what would be the point? He wasn't a Jedi anymore. No one wanted him as a padawan.
The door swished opened and a tall Noorian women with dark honey-like skin, dark hair and gold and green stripped eyes popped her head in. She smiled when she saw him and entered the room. She stood by Master Jinn. "Initiate Kenobi, it is wonderful to see you awake. Qui-Gon was worried about you," she said giving the other Jedi Master a teasing look. Master Jinn glared at her, but it seemed to be more of a playful glare then a heated one. She chuckled and turned back to him. "We all were," she corrected. Just those few minutes told Obi-Wan how close the two Jedi were and he wondered if he would ever have that closeness with Master Jinn. It would have been nice.
We? Who all were there? Obi-Wan couldn't help but wonder. He gave her an uncertain smile. "Thank you, Master…" He paused, realizing he didn't know her name. His face flushed with embarrassment. He felt like he should know her name. He was an initiate. What initiate didn't research all possible Master's? Him, of course. He already knew what Master he hoped would pick him and didn't bother looking into any others. Now, he was regretted that.
"Tahl. Master Tahl," she introduced. She turned to Master Jinn and whispered quietly to him. "Mace got back to me. Nothing so far. He's on his way over. Master Runda and her padawan will keep trying."
Obi-Wan watched Master Jinn's face closed into a stony expression. He shifted in his seat and looked to the side. He nodded. "I didn't think it would be this easy." Master Jinn looked over at him before turning back to Master Tahl. "We should go and get him to safety."
"You still think he'll…" She was interrupted by Master Jinn nodding his head. "I'll go and contact Mace again." She turned to Obi-Wan and smiled. "It was nice to meet you, Obi-Wan."
He gave her a slight smile. "Nice to meet you to, Master Tahl."
The two adults headed for the door and paused at the doorway. Master Jinn had angled himself in a way that prevented Obi-Wan from lip reading, as if he was skilled enough to do that, as they spoke quietly together.
Qui-Gon had his back to Obi-Wan as he spoke urgently with Tahl. "Xanatos would be back. I am not leaving this room until he is apprehended."
Tahl leaned against the doorframe. "I'll contact Mace, Qui-Gon. We'll leave as soon as he gets here with the ship. Do you really think he'll go after Obi-Wan again?" she asked, sounding concerned.
Qui-Gon nodded. "He hasn't had his revenge yet, Tahl. He would either go straight for me, get to me through Obi-Wan, or strike whoever he runs into first. He is angry and getting desperate. Two unpleasant emotions. He is unpredictable now." He sighed. "We haven't seen the last of him. I want to get Obi-Wan off this planet as soon as possible. My son is still in danger." It was a horrible feeling. It was a feeling he never felt before.
Tahl looked over his shoulders at Obi-Wan before turning back to him. "Does he know?"
Qui-Gon didn't need to ask for clarification. He shook his head. "He doesn't remember. It's for the best."
Tahl nodded. "I'll contact Mace and wait for him outside. That is where I'll be if you need me," she said.
"Thank you, Tahl."
She left and the door swished closed again. Qui-Gon headed back to his son. This time he sat on the white chair by the sleeping couch. He leaned back and pulled out a datapad from his robes. He gave Obi-Wan a glance, noticing, not for the first time, the dark circles under his eyes. "You should get some more rest, Obi-Wan. I'll wake you if something happens." He looked down at the datapad and heard Obi-Wan shifting back down on the sleeping couch. He could sense Obi-Wan's eyes on him. He could feel the boy's hesitance and patiently waited for him to speak on his own terms.
"He is still out there, isn't he, sir?" Obi-Wan finally spoke. "He hasn't been caught, has he?" The question was soft and Qui-Gon's heart clinched at the pain in his son's voice. He sounded fearful and he couldn't blame him for fearing Xanatos, not after what he went through.
He glanced up from his datapad. Obi-Wan was lying on his side, facing him. The covers wrapped around him, almost protectively. His gray eyes pierced him. He couldn't lie to him or even dodge the question. Qui-Gon sighed. "Yes, Obi-Wan. You are right." He felt the faint wave of fear through the Force. He leaned forward. "But we will catch him, Obi-Wan. I promise you that."
"But when, sir? A few hours, a few weeks, years? How long will he be a threat?" Obi-Wan asked, sounding quite a bit younger than his thirteen years.
Qui-Gon did not glance away from his eyes as he answered. "I cannot answer that truthfully, Obi-Wan." The boy blinked. "But I can say we will never stop looking for him. He will be found, eventually. And, until then, we will not worry about him. We will not have him dictate our lives." He leaned back in his chair. "Get some sleep. I'll be here when you wake." He glanced back at the datapad and turned on the HoloNet. He kept the volume off and read the captions, in order not to disturb his son's rest. It took almost a half an hour for him to feel Obi-Wan drift into a restful sleep.
An hour and a half later, the door swished opened and Tahl came in. He stood and put the datapad back into his robes. She noticed Obi-Wan's sleeping form and spoke in a whisper. "We should go quickly. Master Runda spotted a sea vessel at a cove nearby. It's bares the symbol of the Offworld Mining Corporation. Xanatos might not be far if it belongs to him."
Qui-Gon nodded. "Where is Mace?" he asked as he reached over to wake his son.
"He is taking the droid he found someplace. He'll be quick," Tahl answered. She glanced at the slumbering initiate. "The healers aren't happy that we're taking Obi-Wan. They don't think he is ready to be moved."
"Obi-Wan, it's time to wake." He turned his attention to Tahl. "Tough. He is not staying here a moment longer. Certainly, not with Xanatos on the loose." Despite his words earlier, he knew he would worry until Xanatos was found and restrained. He turned back to the Obi-Wan and gently shook his shoulders. "Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan groaned and shifted in his sleep. His eyes finally fluttered opened. "Masster?" He slurred sleepily. He blinked up at him, trying to get the drowsiness out of his eyes.
"It's time to leave, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon helped him sit up. "Be careful getting up. You're still recovering," he warned.
Qui-Gon had to support Obi-Wan as they left the building. The ship was parked just outside, making it easier for Obi-Wan. Tahl walked in front of them with her eyes alert and a ready hand on her lightsaber.
The House of Healing building they were at on Bandomeer was in the Home Planet Party zone. The young trees were growing healthy and strong around the area. The sun was out and the small critters danced along the ground around the trees. It was peaceful where they were at. One of the few areas on Bandomeer that had such a healthy habitat. If Qui-Gon wasn't in such a hurry to leave, he might have enjoyed meditating in the small cluster of trees by the walkway to the ship. However, he was much too tense and attentive to take much of the beauty in. He walked as briskly as he could, with a recovering initiate on his arm. Something did not sit right with him. He could almost sense the danger coming closer. He paused and stared observantly at the cluster of trees. He cast out his senses with the Force, feeling the darkness coming towards them.
"M—Master Jinn? Everything alright?" He heard Obi-Wan ask.
He did not answer him. "Tahl," He called out to his friend, his eyes not even twitching away from the trees.
He sensed Tahl walking back to them. She paused and eyed the trees as well. "You sense something, Qui-Gon?" she asked.
"Take Obi-Wan and get to the ship," he ordered as he continued to eye the trees. "Once there, contact Mace. Tell him to mask his Force signature before he approaches. Xanatos does not know of his presence on the planet. We'll use that to our advantage." He finally tore his eyes away from the trees and stared at Tahl. "Get Obi-Wan to safety. Mace and I will catch up with you later. Tahl…" He started to say. His eyes shifted briefly to the wide-eye boy next to him before going back to Tahl. He could feel his protectiveness towards his son overcome him. He needed him to be safe, whatever the cost. This burning need for his son's safety scared him. Obi-Wan seemed to become the most important person in his life in such a short time.
She nodded her head seriously, almost sensing his inner thoughts. "I know, Qui-Gon. He'll be safe with me. Everything will be just fine. Don't worry," she reassured.
He opened his month to respond when the Force buzzed with warning. He quickly pushed Obi-Wan into Tahl's arms and shoved them away from him. "Go! Now!" he yelled. He whipped out his lightsaber and raised the green blade over his head, just as a red blade came crashing down. The blades hissed with they came in contact. Qui-Gon looked at the man holding the red lightsaber. He could faintly hear Obi-Wan call out his name as Tahl dragged him to the ship.
Xanatos gave him a cold grin. "Your reflexes have gotten better, old man." He stepped away and took another swing at him.
Qui-Gon quickly blocked it. "Stop this vendetta, Xanatos." He looked over Xanatos shoulders and sighed in relief when he saw Tahl pulling Obi-Wan onto the ship. Obi-Wan looked back and gave him a worried look before the ramp folded up and the door closed behind him. His son was out of immediate danger. He was safely away from his former padawan. Qui-Gon now felt like he could put all of his attention out the incoming battle.
Xanatos sneered at him. "You really think you could convince me to stop? Words will not stop me, Master," he warned as he flipped over Qui-Gon's head, his lightsaber coming down upon the older man.
Qui-Gon ducked down and swung his lightsaber upwards to block the attack. The lightsabers hissed with contact again. Qui-Gon rolled away quickly from another attempted attack and face Xanatos. All he had to do was distract him until Mace got there. Xanatos was intelligent enough to know he would be unable to fight both him and Mace. He would be forced to surrender or retreat. Hopefully, they would be able to get him to surrender.
Qui-Gon instigated the next attack with a fake move to the right. Xanatos dove to the left, his lightsaber swinging to catch Qui-Gon's side, but Qui-Gon was ready for the attack. He dove away and the red laser blade went right over him.
They moved fast in the Force, but always seemed to be able to catch the other's attack. Qui-Gon could feel his heart pounding in his chest from the adrenaline. He was starting to sweat, but he did not slow down. The force of Xanatos' attacks became more vigorous the longer they fought as he was starting to get frustrated.
Qui-Gon stepped away with a heavy breath, his eyes staying on Xanatos and his lightsaber in the offensive position. "It doesn't have to be this way, Xanatos."
Xanatos gave a cold laugh. "You are only saying that because you feel yourself weakening. You are not going to win this battle."
Qui-Gon caught sight of Mace coming up behind Xanatos with his violet blade lit and ready. He gazed back at Xanatos and shook his head. "No, Xanatos. This is not a battle you would be able to win. You should surrender now," he said.
"You still have a way of making me laugh, Master. I can clearly see you are getting tired, old man. You will not last much longer," Xanatos sneered.
"I would surrender of I were you, Xanatos," Mace spoke up, his eyes like steal as he gazed at the back of the dark Jedi's head.
Xanatos eyes widened and he whipped around. His eyes narrowed and anger. "Master Windu. I didn't realize you had joined the search and rescue mission. I would have thought Qui-Gon slipped past the Council to search for the little Jedi." He backed away from him.
Qui-Gon felt his strength returning as he sighed in relief, knowing the battle was over. Xanatos was too intelligent to fight against them both. He knew Mace was one of the top fighters in the Order. He had no chance to win against him. His only two choices were either try to run or surrender. Qui-Gon eyed Xanatos, watching for any signs that he would run.
Xanatos' eyes shifted to the side as if contemplating his options. He looked up at Mace and shifted his gaze to him. Qui-Gon's back stiffened from the look in Xanatos eyes. Something did not sit right with him. What was the young man planning? He tightened his grip on his lightsaber.
To Qui-Gon's surprise and confusion, Xanatos attacked him. Qui-Gon quickly blocked the attack. He could sense Mace rushing over. Qui-Gon raised his lightsaber and struck at Xanatos. To Qui-Gon's further surprise, Xanatos didn't block the rather easy strike. Qui-Gon's green laser penetrated into Xanatos chest. He stared wide-eyed at his lightsaber, feeling the shock in his system. He looked up and didn't see the look of surprise in the younger man. Instead, Xanatos smiled and there was a pleasing, satisfying look in his eyes.
"Now, you wi—will have to…to live with my death on yo—your hands, my sentimental Mas—Master," Xanatos spat out. He gave a quiet, dark chuckle.
Qui-Gon took his lightsaber out of his body and Xanatos fell backwards to the ground. Qui-Gon could only stare numbly at the dying man. He was right. Qui-Gon would now have to live with his former padawan's death. How? He couldn't believe he just killed his own padawan. He raised him, trained him since he was a young boy. He cared for him…he killed him.
He barely noticed Mace kneeling down next to the body and feeling for a pulse. "He's gone," the Councilmen announced softly. He looked up at Qui-Gon. "Don't let his words get to you, Qui-Gon. That is what he wants. You did what you had to do. Xanatos would not have stopped until he was either dead or until you were. You did the right thing. You saved Initiate Kenobi."
Qui-Gon blinked and nodded. Yes, Mace was right. He saved his son. Xanatos was after his son. A father would do anything to protect his son, right? He may have been his former padawan, but he was out to kill his only son. "We should take his body to Talos," Qui-Gon said, distantly.
Mace nodded in agreement. "I'll ask the healers for a stretcher," he said, standing up. He headed into the House of Healing.
Qui-Gon stepped forward and stared down at Xanatos body. How would he be able to accept another padawan, if he just killed his former one? What if he failed Obi-Wan like he failed Xanatos? He should his head. No, he mustn't think that way. Obi-Wan needed him. He knelt before the body of Xanatos and shook his head. "You will not win, Xanatos," he said to the dead former Jedi. "I will not let you."
