Chapter 2

Life at the temple settled down again once Bruck was taken into captivity. Qui-Gon didn't know what the council would do with him, but he didn't really care. The Jedi had recovered quickly from the attacks. Qui-Gon thought he had recovered from Obi-Wan's betrayal as well. He was wrong on that account.

The absence of the child was so painfully clear. He had got too used to having him around. Too used to not being alone. He wondered whether he should have listened to Obi-Wan's message. What would it have said? Was it Obi-Wan begging for forgiveness? Was Qui-Gon capable of forgiveness?

He couldn't stop thinking about what Thal kept telling him. That he missed Obi-Wan. That he shouldn't have left him on Melida/Daan. He would never admit it, but the words were sinking in. This was hardly the first time he found himself in front of the conference room, wondering if he should listen to the message after all. Weeks had gone by since it was sent. What would be the point? It would only bring him more pain.

..oOo..

"How long until we reach Beimeni?" Qui-Gon asked when Anakin sat down opposite him.

"I thought you were asleep."

"Merely resting my eyes," Qui-Gon looked Anakin over once before closing his eyes again. His Padawan – his former Padawan – had already changed into lighter clothing. Qui-Gon ought to do the same before they land. According to their limited records on Beimeni, it was a very hot desert planet. They didn't know where they were going to be able to land or how far it would be to the capital city for an audience with the King, so they needed to be prepared for a trek through the sand. Something Anakin wasn't very happy about.

"We'll be approaching the planet in 2 hours. I don't know whether I'm going to be annoyed or relieved if they don't let us land. Beimeni sounds dangerous."

Qui-Gon hummed in agreement. They knew so little about the planet, and everything they did know was trying to tell them to stay away. Beimeni didn't trade with other planets and kept as far away from intergalactic affairs as it could. That could mean any number of things and Qui-Gon didn't like running into a situation unprepared.

"Maybe it's a good thing that the clones are with us."

Qui-Gon sank deeper into his chair. "I don't see how bringing more guns makes a situation less dangerous."

o-O-o

"Your Majesty, I sense someone is coming."

Maison Kazakov looked up from his work. He had asked not to be disturbed but it would seem that wasn't going to happen. At least he was interrupted by such a beautiful sight. He waved his Zhelan closer, and the boy obliged.

"Can you offer me more than that?" The King cupped the boy's chin lightly, tilting it up to face him.

"Off-worlders. They'll be here soon," the Zhelan paused, thinking. The King's thumb stroked over his cheek, gently urging him to continue. The stormy blue eyes focused on him again and there was almost worry in them when he spoke, "Jedi."

Maison's expression remained unreadable, but his thumb continued to caress the Zhelan's smooth skin as he thought. With the galaxy caught up in its new war, why were Jedi coming to Beimeni? He considered simply having their ship shot from the sky and that would be that. His curiosity got the better of him though. His fingers stilled but his hand moved up the side of the boy's face and into his soft hair.

"Tell the servants to prepare for visitors."

The Zhelan tilted his head to one side. A gesture that showed confusion, but Maison found it unfairly endearing. "Your Majesty?"

"The Jedi will be our guests and I want you to pull out all the stops," he leant in a little closer, "I'll have an outfit picked out for you."

The Zhelan placed his palms together and bowed his head before leaving to take care of the preparations. It had been a while since Beimeni had last had visitors and Maison was in a showing off mood. He would hear the Jedi out and if he didn't like what they had to say, he would simply have them killed.

Maison walked across the room, past his discarded work, to the windows. The glass doors opened easily, letting in the hot afternoon air as he stepped out onto the balcony. The large oasis that his palace was built in stretched out before him. From here he could see to the far edge of the town. From the tower he had gifted his Zhelan, he could see as far as the beginnings of the next oasis. The boy had gifted eyes, he could tell the oasis apart from a mirage better than even Maison could, and Maison knew his land inside out.

He scanned the crowds in the market for the boy's distinct hair but a knock on his door interrupted the search.

"Enter!" He called out, closing the doors behind him as he retreated back into the cool palace. It only just occurred to him that his Zhelan hadn't knocked. The King was indulging too many bad habits with that boy.

The guard stopped two steps from the doorway. "Our scanners have picked up on a Republic ship coming out of hyperspace. What are your orders?"

The scanners had only just noticed the ship? Maison loved his Zhelan sometimes. He certainly came with his benefits.

"They can land on the outskirts of the oasis. Send some horses to meet them. They will be our guests tonight."

The guard seemed surprised but with his palms together he bowed deeply. "Of course, your Majesty."

"And remind them that guests enter a palace unarmed."

o-O-o

The ship jerked as it came out of hyperspace. Everyone was on edge, not knowing what to expect. Anakin couldn't sense any danger through the Force, but his master didn't seem to be relaxing. Something had caught his attention, but Anakin couldn't feel it.

"The coast seems clear, Sir," Rex announced.

Anakin nodded to indicate he had heard and then he joined Qui-Gon by the view port. He was looking out at Beimeni. A big ball of sand that reminded Anakin too much of Tatooine. If it weren't for the tiny specks of green across the beige planet, Anakin wouldn't have been able to tell the difference.

"What are those?" He asked, pulling Qui-Gon out of his thoughts.

"Oases, I believe. This desert may not be quite as unforgiving as we were led to believe."

"Generals, we are receiving a transmission from the planet."

Anakin turned to the pilot who flicked a few switches to play out the message.

"Estima Jedi, deporo tisante canna zgefo."

If he wasn't mistaken, the voice had said Jedi. Anakin saw a grave look on his master's face. He had clearly heard it too.

"How do they know we're Jedi? The Chancellor said we were arriving unannounced."

"There are many things, I feel the Chancellor isn't telling us. Someone get the protocol droid. I want this translated."

The pilot played the message out again and they all stood there watching the silver droid, waiting for it to speak.

"Welcome Jedi, you are granted clearance to land," its mechanical voice announced.

"Looks like we're here to stay, after all," Rex said.

"Seems so. Have they given coordinates?"

The pilot nodded, "seems to be on the outskirts of the biggest Oasis."

"Then make the approach." With that Qui-Gon walked back into the common area and Anakin followed.

"Master!" Once he had caught up, Qui-Gon spoke.

"I don't like this. We need to stay on alert."

"What are you sensing that I am not?" That question stopped the old master in his tracks.

"You don't think there's something wrong here?"

"Of course I do. But I don't think I'm sensing any danger the way you are."

His master was as unreadable as ever. He never shared his thoughts with Anakin, not the way he always insisted Anakin share his.

"It's not danger…" He pressed his lips together like he couldn't quite grab hold of his thoughts. "It's something else. I need a moment before we land."

Anakin kicked the wall after the door slid closed behind Qui-Gon. Curse the old man! He thought before taking some deep breaths. How were they supposed to be a team when Qui-Gon refused to talk? Anakin was tired of the riddles and the secrets.