Phoenixe - the fight for mind and soul is on and time is running out.

Chapter 33

Crion stormed through the streets of Kyatn IV, dark hood pulled low to hide his face. Despair bit at his senses through the Force as it did on so many worlds like this and he longed to do what he could to relieve some of the pain and suffering, but it was obvious he didn't belong here. His fine clothing already made him stand out amidst the desolation around him and he couldn't afford to draw more attention than necessary. He briefly wondered if compassion had been his master's downfall on this world. Wary glances shifted his way, but he gave them little notice. It was what he assumed Xanatos Marojni would do - move ahead with intent and purpose, not caring about anything on the peripherals that got in the way … including his son's feelings.

The Jedi apprentice paused and took a deep breath. Now was not the time to dwell on his frustration and personal anger toward his father, not when he needed to focus on getting a lead on his master. His mission was too important.

Crion stopped outside the perimeter wall of an estate - the one his father's records had indicated. Just as he was considering how he might "knock", so to speak, a droid eye popped out of the wall and asked his intent.

"I am Crion Marojni. My father, Xanatos Marojni, sent me to request an audience with Naid Gaden."

The droid popped back into the wall, leaving Crion to wait. It was not uncommon for shadier elements to use this sort of security, but the wait dragged on in time as did a sense of foreboding in the Force. As the young man began to wonder if he was going to have to jump the wall and seek out this contact on his own, the large door opened admitting him. Crion stepped through into beautiful gardens, so different from the ruin and devastation outside. The door sealed behind him, and the Force issued an urgent warning - he was in great danger. It wouldn't be the first time, he mused.

"I have a bad feeling about this," he murmured, echoing what Master Obi-Wan would probably say at the moment.

There was no one to greet him, but a path cut across the gardens and led to a large dwelling. It seemed very straightforward. As he moved ahead, he could sense multiple presences tracking him from a distance and more awaiting him in the house. The door opened on its own as he approached, the Force growing more agitated with each step.

Crion entered and found he was in a large foyer with a staircase leading up to a balcony that stretched around the perimeter of the open space. A man stood at the top of the stairs, most likely Naid Gaden from his dress and bearing. He appeared to be the one in charge. To his left and right around the balcony stood an assortment of thugs, each heavily armed, each watching him. It was a horrible position to defend and looked like the foyer had been designed for such a purpose.

"You said that you are Xanatos Marojni's son."

"Yes, my father sent me," Crion replied with confidence he in no way felt.

"That so?" Naid asked.

Crion pushed back his hood, knowing genetics would speak for itself.

"I guess he can't deny you," the man replied, a wicked grin stretching his features.

"My father heard that a Jedi recently went missing from Kyatn IV and sent me to find out what happened to him. He has unfinished business with this particular Jedi and would pay well to acquire him. "

"I don't know anything about a missing Jedi," Naid shot back quickly - too quickly. "I have a hard time believing that Xanatos Marojni would send his son to me, but you are here so it's my lucky day." Naid glanced at the men to his left and right. "Kill him."

Crion was next aware of about a dozen weapons trained on him. Before he could raise his saber, the door behind him burst open with a powerful shove, and even, unhurried footsteps accompanied stormclouds in the Force into the room. He didn't have to turn around to know his father was behind him. The dramatic entrance spoke for itself.

"It's been a long time, Naid," Xanatos called out as he paced the perimeter, keen eyes dissecting the room and assailants.

"Glad you could join us," Naid replied. "Your son and I were just finishing up business here."

"I can see that," Xanatos replied with a chilling sneer to his voice. "Apparently you remember very little from the last time I was here. I thought I had made myself very, very clear."

"I didn't seek out you and yours," Naid said with a nonchalant shrug. "The boy came to see me. What was I to do?"

"Turned him away, if you value your life. Apparently, you do not."

"I am not weak like my brother was." Naid stared Xanatos down before issuing another order with a laugh. "Kill them both."

The sound of two sabers igniting split the air. Although Xanatos was not his master, Crion was surprised to sense the same strong feelings of protectiveness he often felt from Obi-Wan when in similar situations. He instinctively stepped towards Xantatos, confident his father would cover his back as blaster fire began to rain down on them.

Father and son moved in tandem, directing sizzling bolts back to their assailants, dropping them one by one. When it became clear he was on the losing end, Naid began to run. He made little progress though as Xanatos reached out through the Force and roughly dragged the man toward them, dumping him at the bottom of the stairs. Enraged and saber still ignited, Xantos drew back as though to take the man's head off.

Suddenly, Xanatos paused, saber hovering inches away from Naid, eyes sliding shut. Crion could vividly sense the darkness that swirled around his father, taunting him, urging him on. But something stayed his hand.

"Why shouldn't I?" Xanatos whispered to himself, voice trembling in anger. "If our places were reversed, Crion and I would be dead at his feet."

"I know," Crion replied softly, placing a hand on the older man's arm. Although the question didn't seem to be asked of him, the Forced prompted an answer. "But … this scum is not worth my father's soul."

Xanatos' eyes snapped open, looking abruptly over to Crion. The former Jedi swallowed, jaw tightly clenched, before extinguishing his saber.

"Weak," Naid taunted. "Xanatos Marojni has lost his edge."

"Don't mistake generosity for weakness. You can thank my son for your life," Xanatos said, turning. "We will be on Kyatn IV for a bit longer. I expect for you to not interfere …"

Naid stood abruptly, raising his arm and firing a shot from the blaster hidden in his sleeve. Xanatos turned and dodged to the left. The bolt meant for his chest pegged him in the shoulder, causing him to fall over. Crion deflected the second shot, the bolt ricocheting back to Naid and dropping him lifeless to the ground. Xanatos struggled to his feet. Crion stood over Naid's body, saber still ignited as he surveyed the room for any other hidden threats.

"We need to go," Crion said urgently as he grabbed his father's uninjured arm and began to direct him out of the room.

"We never should have been here in the first place," Xanatos bit back, yanking his arm away as both Force users fled the estate with Force-enhanced speed.

When convinced they were at a safe distance, Xanatos stopped and pulled Crion into an alleyway. Turning the boy to face him, he began to desperately search his son over for injuries.

"Are you hurt? Did anything hit you?" he asked worriedly.

"I'm fine," Crion murmured softly.

Xanatos abruptly gathered his son in a bone-crushing embrace, holding on to him tightly as sobs heaved his chest and tears dripped down into Crion's hair.

"You just killed someone … do you need to talk about it," Xanatos whispered.

"It is not the first time I've had to kill," Crion said quietly. "You had spared him and he tried to shoot you in the back. It never feels great to take a life, but he left me no choice."

"I asked you to wait for me," Xanatos choked out, finally releasing his hold on his son and sitting down on a nearby crate. "There is a lot about the situation here that you don't understand."

"No kidding. I am beginning to figure that out. Would you mind telling me why he wanted us dead?" Crion took a seat by his father and began to pull at the charred cloth around the blaster wound.

"Kyatn IV was never a paradise, but it was not always this desolate. It started when Naid's brother, Rilk, sent a spy - your mother - to get close to me and destroy Offworld. Rilk was blackmailing your mother and I offered her freedom if she chose to help me. We brought him down and split up his company, leaving him with only his mining operations on Kyatn IV and an agreement that Offworld would leave." Xanatos closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. "Rilk sent assassins after your mother and me soon after we found out she was pregnant. He wanted her alive, and I can't imagine what he would have done to her if he had managed to capture her. I returned to Kyatn IV to that very residence, fully immersed in the Dark side. I made Naid witness his brother's death, and I was far from kind. Naid was more of a gangster than a businessman like his brother had been and this planet has paid the price." Xanatos shook his head and let out a deep sigh. "Then, you walked right into his home and offered up revenge on a platter. When Soren and I figured out where you were heading, I was worried I wouldn't get there… I haven't been that terrified in a long time."

"I … I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left Telos," Crion said, hunching in on himself. "The Force is just screaming at me that I have to find Obi-Wan and that I am running out of time. I can't ignore it … it's like it's more than life or death."

"We're here now." Xanatos sighed deeply. "There are a few people left on this world who might not try to put a shiv in my back at first sight, but we do need to be more careful."

"We need to treat your shoulder first. This wound doesn't look so good."

"Let's go back to my ship and I will fill you in on possible sources."

They stood and started for the hangar, both still with senses on high alert. Crion felt something in the Force, a brief flare of familiarity, but not his master. He paused.

"Is something wrong?" Xanatos asked.

"I sense something." Crion closed his eyes and focused intently, his eyes snapping open when he felt the familiar flare again. "Skywalker …"

"What?"

"Come on," Crion said with a laugh as he began to hurry ahead.

"No," Xanatos replied, grabbing onto his arm. "Not until you explain what a skywalker is."

"Not a what, a who," Crion replied, continuing on. "Anakin Skywalker … he's really powerful in the Force and although he is getting better, his shielding is still crap sometimes when he's trying to hide. If he's here, that means that …" Crion paused and looked worriedly at Xantos. "Oh, kriff …"

"What?!" Xanatos practically growled.

"That means that his master, Qui-Gon, is with him," Crion said cringing. It only made sense that Master Qui-Gon would come after Obi-Wan. This was not going to go well.

"Let me see if I understand," Xanatos said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You think that Qui-Gon Jinn is on Kyatn IV right now because you believe you sensed his apprentice?"

"Actually, I know they're on Kyatn IV."

"How can you be sure?"

"Um … they are standing right behind you," Crion said, pointing. "You know … that's twice you didn't sense what clearly was happening right behind your back."

Crion wasn't quite sure what he thought would happen with this reunion. The last time the former master and apprentice had seen each other they had fought, so he decided it was best to step between the two men as neither wanted him dead.

Xanatos' nostrils flared as his eyes bore into Qui-Gon. He stood frozen, a mixture of anger, betrayal, and pain leaking through his bond with Crion. Qui-Gon's eyes were filled with deep emotion and pain, and Crion suddenly regretted the difficult questions he had asked the Jedi Master and the accusations he had made.

"So," Crion began, lifting both hands in a placating gesture. Sabers were not yet drawn so this seemed to be off to a promising start. "I suggest we take this little reunion and search party back to my father's ship before we draw any more unwanted attention. I believe there are a lot of people on this planet that want us dead, and we won't find Master Obi-Wan if we are dead."

The two men continued to stare each other down in silence before Xanatos suddenly cried out and clutched at his head as he doubled over.

"Are you okay?" Qui-Gon asked.

"He was shot," Crion answered, reaching out to his father as though to help him along. "And probably hit his head."

"I am fine," Xanatos growled out, sweat beading on his head as he straightened up. "This way, if you are coming," he barked out as he marched toward the hangar.