Author's Note- My deepest thanks to:
Emmy, Nelarun, Barranca, Dark Austral, Pharaohess, i luv ewansmile, Rhivanna and Ann Jinn for absolutely fab feedback.
I truly appreciate your reading and responding.
The Coruscant Solstice Ball was a glitzy gala promoted as the event of the season which was well attended by legislators, celebrities and dignitaries. The lavish affair took place on the palatial estate of one of the metropolis' most influential philanthopists. It was the perfect setting for a suspected Sith with a senatorial background to hide in plain sight.
Xanatos tugged to slightly loosen the collar of his fashionable formal attire.
"You're certainly more cut out to be a Jedi ambassador than I ever was."
"What makes you say that?" a dapper Obi-Wan remarked, "You seem very poised and dignified."
"Let's not forget dashing and refined, but that's beside the point. I could never master that serene look of yours which I know is masking the boredom that I bet good money you're actually feeling."
"It's not so bad. Meeting, greeting and trying to get along with people is all part of the job."
"What's the longest time you've spent in a bacta tank?"
"About three days, twelve hours." The young man quirked an inquisitive eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
"Just imagining things I'd prefer enduring other than hanging around a lot of pretentious, wheeling and dealing nabobs and crooked politicians."
"You're a successful businessman yourself, Xan." His friend quaintly reminded. "I'm sure you've had your share of tedious encounters with dodgy colorful characters."
The noble subtly scanned the stream of influential guests. "True and my insight into spotting a phony is usually first rate, but eyeballing this Sith Lord isn't going to be easy. There's something to be said about a person with the tenacious wherewithal to take on the Jedi Order and the Republic practically single handedly. He's got guile and gumption to an infinite degree and enough arrogant bravado to pull it off."
"You almost sound like you admire him."
"First line of strategy in any crucial conflict is to judiciously size up the competition. Take my word for it. A sure way to lose a battle before it's even begun is to underestimate your opponent." Suddenly, the pluck in the Telosian's voice turned grave. "He's totally immersed in the Darkside, Obi-Wan. Never for an instant lower your guard or else it'll be the last mistake you'll ever make."
The knight felt an eerie bone-chilling shiver run down his spine. It was a rare elusive sensation. One, in fact, he had not felt since Naboo.
"I have a bad feeling about this."
"You're really not inspiring me with your optimism," Xanatos joshed to lighten the mood, then, released a reluctant sigh. "I suppose as adverse as I am to the idea, we had better mingle. I doubt very much anything significant will happen as long as we're in each other's company."
"Are you sure that you know what you doing?" As his friend flashed him a devil-may-care glance, Obi-Wan cautioned, "Be careful, Xan," before watching the man scoop up a cocktail from passing service tray and meld into a sea of partygoers.
Overindulging in a few too many drinks, Xanatos retreated to the private gardens for some fresh air. There were several people strolling the beautiful garland bedecked walkways, but the slightly inebriated Telosian slipped far beyond to the cordoned off area in order to seek a more secluded place to clear his head.
Mere moments later, Xanatos sensed a mysterious figure behind him and casually turned to observe a cloaked individual hidden nearby the artistically sculpted foliage.
"Come no closer. No impulsive moves. Not if you value your life."
Xanatos recognized the sinister voice, knew the threat was genuine, but sharply pointed out, "There aren't many who can sneak up on me. Not unless I allow them to."
"Cheeky boy," the dark one sniggered. "Nevertheless, keep your distance."
"I only accepted your solicitation on the grounds that you might have something enterprising to offer. After the enlightening way our last meeting concluded, I was beginning to doubt your vested interest in me."
"Wonder not. You continue to fascinate and amuse me." His disapproval was apparent. "Why is Kenobi here?"
"The invitation indicated that I could bring a guest and under the circumstances, Council has practically joined us at the hip."
A sinister chuckle, "It appears the Jedi have rescinded their good will towards you."
"That's hardly unexpected," The noble conceded. "With my checkered past, it doesn't take much for the wind to shift. Haven't you heard, I'm not reputed to be the trustworthy type."
"Then, why bestow your allegiance to an Order who have reciprocated your recent generosity with nothing but fickle faith?"
Xanatos defiantly took a step forward. "Hence, the reason why I'm here. I'm quite amenable to listening to whatever proposition you may wish to tender."
"I was confident you'd come around, my capricious prince." The imperious Sith devilishly rubbed his hands together. "Ah! But what to offer a man who covets neither additional wealth nor status? I need to tempt you with something provocative...exclusive...something of inestimable value."
The silver-tongued devil had the noble's rapt attention.
"One such as yourself, who is familiar to the intoxicating rush of darkness, cannot be totally immune to its enticing allure. Why not luxuriate in that resplendent state once more. With my guidance, I have the ability to endow you with Dark knowledge of the eons. The sacred secrets of the Sith could be made available at your very fingertips and from that almighty well-spring would emerge...Ultimate Power."
A stone cold sober Xanatos felt the prickling of gooseflesh as he pondered the idea, unsure whether he was chilled or thrilled at the prospect. "You dangle a tantalizing treasure, Sith Lord. Exactly, what price does one pay in order to obtain such a grandiose gift?"
"Isn't it obvious, my boy. Why you must pledge to serve me, of course."
"Is that when I finally find out who you really are?"
"Patience. My elaborate master plan for galactic domination is only in its infant stages. It may take years before it reaches final fruition. There's still much plotting, staging and corrupting to be done."
"And somehow I conveniently fit into your ingenious scheme of things?"
"Most definitely, but only if you prove your fealty to me first."
It didn't take any effort for Xanatos to delve into the demented mind and know exactly what the monster was going to suggest he do in order to prove his dedication. Balling his fists, the former Jedi asserted with conviction, "You're transparent. I know what you're going to propose, only it's never going to happen."
"If you want all that I'm offering you, then it will." The seductive words spoken with a trace of malice. "As your test of loyalty, you must kill...Obi-Wan Kenobi."
The effervescent sound of music and conversation from the festivities seemed dull, muted, and far away, lending an ominous atmosphere to the electric tension which filled the air between the two men.
"Wouldn't it be easier to have me liquidate Qui-Gon Jinn instead?" a droll Xanatos kibitzed, "Now, him, I've had a lot of practice trying to eliminate in the past. Granted, although without too much success."
"You mock me," threatened a menacing voice.
"Only because what you ask is ludicrous. If I did as you ordered, I'd have every Jedi from here to the edge of the Outer Rims after my head. I'd lose every asset in my possession and all with no guarantee that you'd fulfill your part of the bargain."
"You are a shrewd one."
"Only a fool gambles with his livelihood, especially when the stakes require him to entrust in a Sith."
"Perhaps asking you to join me was folly on my part. You've gone soft lately. Vanquished forever is the deliciously dark firebrand that took great glee in wreaking havoc upon the Order and your former master." He sneered. "Furthermore, I realize now how much little Pet and Kenobi have infected you with their Light. Leaving you woefully tainted. Rendering you useless to me."
The mention of Pet should have lit a raging inferno under Xanatos, but he knew better than to fall for that trap a second time.
"Oh, there's plenty of Dark left in me." The noble professed with cool enmity. "Enough to want to take you down hard permanently. If I'm not mistaken, isn't that the standard ambition of every Sith apprentice that ever existed?"
The Sith Lord chuckled. "You do amuse me. Tis a pity, I don't believe your scale of malevolence passes muster." Motioning with his hand, he deigned, "This interview has come to an end." A pregnant pause was followed by a curious wayward glance towards the towering well-manicured shrubbery marking that all was unexpectedly quiet.
Standing with his arms crossed, it was Xanatos' turn to snicker. "Sorry to disappoint you. Alas, your lurking hired hoods appear unavailable...Ergo, no ambush tonight."
Infuriated, the Sith Lord sent an arch of deadly Force Lightening full-bore towards the Telosian who, within a wink of an eye, whipped out his lightsaber and deftly absorbed it with his amber blade.
Despite anticipating it, watching the activation of his foe's blood red lightsaber left Xanatos breathless.
Hissing venomously, the wicked fiend attacked.
The noble did his best to block the furious strikes that reigned down upon him, but the strength of dark power was overwhelming. Smiling smugly, the Sith knew he had the advantage and continued to savagely thrust forward seeking a fatal flaw in his opponent's defense.
Opportunity arose when, he was able to cuff Xanatos, making him drop his guard, leaving him completely vulnerable. Going in for the kill, the Sith was surprised when an azure blue blade blazed forth fending off the lethal blow.
"Kenobi." The name was viciously uttered.
No novice to battling Sith, Obi-Wan was cognizant his combatant was vastly superior to the warrior he defeated on Naboo. Still, he adroitly managed to hold his own in order to allow his friend precious seconds to recover.
Regaining his bearings, Xanatos removed a small object from his inner tunic and threw it at his adversary who nimbly slashed at the oncoming orb. The globule burst open producing a brilliant phosphorescence that bathed and enveloped the Sith Lord. Shrieking his outrage, the villain sent forth a Force push so powerful that it sent the valiant pair flying, nearly knocking them both completely senseless, before he hastily disappeared into the dead of night.