Ben's elegant, blue cruiser went soaring into the Naboo sky. He passed an incoming ship but didn't take much notice of it. His annoyed mind was focused upon other matters. The conversation replayed itself in his troubled mind.

"But, sir, why must I return to Alderan? It hasn't been a week since I left." Ben inquired of the Emperor's hologram.

"There are pressing matters you must attend to on Alderan." the Emperor replied.

"And those matters are...?" Ben questioned.

"Anakin's master has been sent there by the jedi council." the Emperor stated. Ben's heart seemed to have leapt into his throat. He said nothing at first. "Yes, Master Jinn is on your beloved planet. This is your chance for revenge."

"I.. I don't want revenge. Obi-Wan is dead. Qui-Gon means nothing to me." Ben replied softly.

"Whether you chose to consider this a revenge mission or not, Master Jinn must be eliminated. As Anakin's master, he is a threat to our cause. The moment he is reunited with Anakin, he could try to lead the boy back to the Force. We must be sure that doesn't happen. Qui-Gon must be killed." the Emperor hissed.

"Fine, he will die," Ben said with forced confidence in hopes of hiding his true feelings from the Emperor, "but why must I go? I didn't personally see to the execution of Shmi Skywalker. My troops could eaisly go on this mission-"

"No. You know just as well as I do that the Organas would not allow Imperial Army troops to storm into their palace and murder their esteemed guest. You are the only one who can get past the Organas and kill Master Jinn without causing a galatic incident. Now, there will be no more discussion. Return to Alderan, kill Master Jinn, and then you are free to return to your little queen." the Emperor stated firmly.

"Yes, sir." Ben replied.

"And Ben, you might as well consider this a revenge mission. It's a golden opportunity for you to use the Force with your true feelings. Show Master Jinn just how bad the dark side can be." the Emperor said with a slight cackle in his voice as his hologram vanished.

Ben sighed as he soared through the starry vastness of space. He wasn't quite sure just how he would accomplish this mission. Although hatred continued to blossom in his heart, he didn't want to kill Qui-Gon; he was quite content with letting guilt slowly kill the old man. He had thought the night he returned the lightsabre and allowed Obi-Wan to die would be the last time he would have to see the terrible man he once called master, but, of course, he thought wrong. The elusive, bad feeling was beginning to take hold of Ben as he slowly made his way toward Alderan.

Murder. The word taunted him. Although Ben let his heart slowly slip into the hands of the dark side, some little piece of Obi-Wan's was still alive and pleading. It simply wasn't in his nature to kill unless it was the only way. Perhaps in this case it was the only way. But, perhaps not. That possibility kept Obi-Wan's heart beating despite Ben's efforts to destroy it.

"Perhaps I could tell the Organas that Qui-Gon was sent on a mission to kill them. They would be so distrought that they'd allow me to go in and eliminate him with a few quick shots from my blaster. Or, they may even send the Alderan security force on him. Even better. The blood won't be on my hands that way." he pondered aloud, "Or, perhaps, I could tell Qui-Gon the truth about the situation and help him flee somewhere safe."

After realizing what he said, his blood seemed to boil a little. "But why would I do that? Why is that even an option? Oh, Obi-Wan just stay dead! I'm not you anymore, and he's not my master!" he hissed.

He sighed. "Perhaps I am still the same naive Obi-Wan Kenobi, perhaps, just a little... but, Qui-Gon isn't my master, and he certainly isn't much of a father-figure. By training Anakin, he has put us all in danger, therefore by order of the Emperor, I must eliminate him. It's not murder, really, it's just the only way to ensure the safety of the galaxy and to prevent any futher star wars."

With that thought nearly taunting his mind, he landed his cruiser in the Alderan palace's hanger. After stepping out of the ship, he was greeted by the guards. The palace servants greeted him as well. Alderan was certainly becomming home to him, and he couldn't risk Qui-Gon somehow ruining that.

"Ben, it's so good to have you around the palace again. How long will you be staying with us?" a servant asked as he escorted Ben inside.

"Oh, not long. Two days maybe. The Emperor sent me to deal with a little matter, that's all." Ben stated.

"Ah, I see. Shall I let the majesties know you're here?" the servant asked.

"Yes, please." Ben replied.

They walked up one of the gorgeous, spiral staircases and down the hallway toward the main audience chamber. Ben stopped, thus causing the servant to stop, when he heard an all-too-familiar voice casually chatting with the Organas.

"Wait," Ben whispered, "I know that man. Let me just spy a little bit, hm?"

The servant nodded and awaited further instruction from Ben.

"So the jedi council sent you here for safety? Why what an honor! We've never met one of the jedi. We strongly support their peaceful ways of enforcing the laws, and we do wish to aid them in any way we can." the queen stated.

Ben rolled his eyes and struggled to hold back a sigh. Everything would be alright as long as the king didn't go into one of his "And our son, well he's not really our son, Ben..." stories.

"And our son, well he's not really our son, Ben," the king began.

Ben closed his eyes and nearly twitched. He had seen it coming. He didn't even need the Force in order to forsee this future.

"he told me once that he used to be a jedi, but he didn't really agree with their ways anymore. Strange, I suppose. Ben is such a peaceful boy. In fact, I'm not quite sure why he's in the Imperial Army; it doesn't seem to be the right place for him. Still, he was building one the laser swords-" the king continued.

"Lightsabre?" Qui-Gon correctly softly.

"Yes, a lightsabre. He was building one right before he left. I wonder if he ever finished it.." the king said.

"I wonder what he would need one for. If he was opposed the jedi customs, I'm sure he must've hated to re-create a jedi's weapon. Perhaps he was planning to return to the jedi." Qui-Gon stated.

"No, he always said he wasn't returning to the jedi, but he never said just what he was building it for. Something to do with orders from the Emperor, I believe..." the queen stated softly.

"I know a boy who became opposed to the jedi ways; it was my fault entirely. I've heard that he joined the Imperial Army. Perhaps we know the same boy?" Qui-Gon suggested, desperately trying to talk about Obi-Wan.

Ben certainly didn't like where the conversation was going. He nodded at the servant to inform the Organas of his presence. Qui-Gon would be dealt with once and for all.

"Your majesties, I'm deeply sorry for the interruption, but your beloved Ben has returned." the servant said with a bright smile.

"Well send him in!" the king demanded.

Ben quickly strolled in the room, his black boots clicked against the floor. He gave a bow to the Organas and paid no attention to the astonished jedi.

"I won't be able to stay long. The Emperor has sent me to deal with a little matter but-" Ben tried to quickly explain, but he was interrupted, of course.

"Ben, you must meet Master Jinn. The jedi council sent him here for safety purposes. Isn't it delightful that Alderan is being recognized for its peaceful qualities?" the queen stated happily.

"Yes, delightful." Ben murmered.

"Come on now, son, meet Master Jinn." the king said to Ben, then he turned his attention to the still astonished Qui-Gon, "Master Jinn, this is the closest thing we have to a son, Captain Ben Kenobi."

Things certainly weren't going to go according to his plans. He should've known the Organas would be delighted by the presence of a real jedi knight. Still, he managed to keep his thoughts to himself and forced himself to offer a hand to Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon tried desperately to have eye contact with Ben, but he looked away. They shook hands and nothing was spoken between them. Ben thought perhaps he could talk to Organas alone, but oh no, things never seem to work out like that.

"Forgive me again, your majesties, but there's a hologram that awaits you." the servant said.

"Well shall return shortly. Son, please be so kind as to entertain our guest." the queen stated softly as she and the king left the room.

"I didn't think the Emperor would send someone after me this quickly. In fact, I never really thought I was a real target. Mace sent me here as a precaution really..." Qui-Gon stated.

"I'm not going to kill you." Ben stated. The moment the words escaped his lips, he immediately wanted to kill the little bit of Obi-Wan that remained in his cold heart. Still, perhaps this was a better way. "You can leave by nightfall, and I'll tell the Emperor you weren't here when I arrived. I suggest you get as far away from the Empire as possible, or else they'll send me after you until I kill you."

"Oh, Obi-Wan, I knew there was hope for you." Qui-Gon said softly.

"Oh no, don't start one of those speeches. You're not my master anymore, so save your speeches for someone else. I'm not Obi-Wan anymore. I'm Captain Ben Kenobi. The Emperor has shown me what the dark side has to offer, and I can't honestly tell you I ever wanted to resist. So why am I not killing you this very moment? It would devestate the Organas, really. Alderan has become a home to me. The king has become like a real father with sincere feelings and kept promises unlike you. I don't want to risk losing their respect and adoration." Ben said.

"Obi-Wan, I understand your hatred, but please, don't give in to the dark side. It will deceive you now and betray you in the end." Qui-Gon stated.

"I'm sure you know all about that. However, I don't look to the dark side as a master and a father. I don't try my very best to make the dark side happy. I don't live my life simply for the dark side. If it deceives me and betrays me, it certainly won't wound me as deeply as you did." Ben said as tears started to fill his gray-blue eyes.

Qui-Gon said nothing. Simply looking at those tear-filled eyes of his once adoring padawan caused him to be speechless. Ben's words felt like daggers piecing every part of Qui-Gon's heart. As tears fell from Ben's eyes, it felt as though drops of blood fell from Qui-Gon's heart. But no words were exchanged between the two. Ben left the room to regain his composure and to think of excuses to give himself and Emperor. Qui-Gon sat down and held his head in his hands.

"I fill my head with jaded lies because the truth is best unknown. But why? Why is it best unknown?" he thought aloud, "Because the truth hurts so much..."