There before Xanatos on the miniature holoview was the dark one himself.
"You see Xanatos that is the exact reason I can never allow you to join my forces. There had been a time when I thought you could have become my apprentice, but I know now that is and always will be out of the question. You let your emotions rule you. Whether on the side of the dark or light, emotions should always be kept in check in order to successfully do your job. You have failed me miserably and I am not the least bit happy about it."
Xanatos was worried. He was thought he was witnessing his credits disappear with the rebuke he was getting from the dark one. He thought he might be lucky to come out of this alive, depending on how displeased the dark lord was.
"I will do anything you say to help correct this problem. Anything at all."
"You my young friend have done quite enough. I have a new apprentice that I will send immediately. He will correct your mistakes. Do as he says and things may go well for you. You are to leave the boy alone. Is that understood?"
That angered Xanatos, but he kept it to himself.
"He is to get out of this with nothing. I mean he is the reason we are in this mess."
"The reason you are in this mess, is you failed to control your emotions when it came to Kenobi. You see him for what you wanted to be I think. You could not keep your hands off him just long enough to finish this mission, now Darth Maul will have to save it for you. Be mindful of what I tell you. If any harm befalls the boy before Maul can get there, it better not be at your or Bruck Chun's hands. I will have your lives for it. That Knight Crion is my promise to you."
The holovid abruptly clicked off leaving Xanatos with his own thoughts.
//He actually thinks I am going to leave the boy alone, without see he gets his just punishment for screwing my plans up. He said Kenobi's demise should not be at my or Bruck's hands. I will have to see to it that it does not seem to be my fault when he meets his death.//
Obi-Wan was just waking up with a huge headache and a lot of questions. He was feeling the bond now formed between he and Master Jinn, but he was still unsure of what he was feeling. He knew on thing though. He was no longer alone in his mind. There was a presence there, he felt had been placed by the force but with whom.
When he finally managed to gather all his thoughts and fully open his eyes, he looked up to see the other half of the bond. When he looked into the azure eyes of Master Qui-Gon Jinn, he knew with all the certainty of the force itself that he had in some strange way bonded with this master who wanted so much to have nothing to do with him.
Jinn turned around to see the child staring wildly at him. He pressed his big calloused hand on the boy's arm and it seemed to bring instant calm to the initiate.
There was not enough time for words because a knock at the little room's door, broke the almost hypnotic gaze the two were locked in.
"Qui-Gon, may I some in?'
Qui-Gon could feel the boy's muscles tense up under his touch at the sound of Xanatos' voice. Jinn knew he must address the issue of the abuse "Xani" had inflicted on the boy but he was already backtracking in placing all the blame of the knight. Jinn was just not willing to let go of "Xani" and realize his failings. A part inside of him knew the failings all too well. He had witnessed anger, too much anger from this knight many times and had always before denied that they were there. In this case, where Obi-Wan was concerned, it was hard for him to deny what "Xani" had done.
The boy's injuries now and before were proof that Knight Crion had no control of his emotions and even acted violently upon them.
"I just wanted to see how Obi-Wan was doing. I certainly meant no harm to him. I just let my…"
"You let your anger rule your actions. Something you have been all too guilty of lately."
Obi-Wan remained silent during the confrontation between master and former apprentice,. He did not know what to think.
He only thing he knew with certainty was that there was a bond forming between he and Master Jinn and he was not sure he even wanted that bond. The only problem was he knew he could not stop it and evidently neither could Master Jinn.
"Qui-Gon if you would only give me one more chance, I am sure I can prove myself worthy of knighthood."
Jinn was beginning to feel sorry for the young knight; the man he raised to this station in life. He wanted more than anything to believe "Xani", but with the bond forming, he was not willing to take a chance with the Kenobi child again.
Like it or not Obi-Wan Kenobi was connected with Jinn through the bond and now Jinn's priority was swiftly becoming the Kenobi child and not the knighthood of Xanatos. He just did not know how to break it to the young Knight.
"Look Xanatos I do not want to see you fail when it comes to becoming a Knight, but I will have to admit that there is a bond forming between Obi-Wan and I. Like it or not, I can not ignore it any longer. Other arrangements will have to be made concerning your knighthood. Maybe if I notify the council they will allow you to take Chun as your padawan prodigy and I will switch to Obi-Wan."
Xanatos could not have been more shocked by Jinn's statements.
//A bond. Jinn will never get rid of the kid. The dark lord himself must see now that Obi -Wan has to be done away with.//
"I was not aware that you and he were so close. I thought you wanted nothing to do with the child. I don't mean to sound cruel in front of him Master, but are you thinking clearly? You know how inept he is in his abilities especially with the saber."
"I know all I have said about the boy, but the force evidently has other ideas for he and I. I have tried to ignore the bond, to stop it , but the force is not allowing me too. The only thing I know to do now is to follow it through and see where it leads me. In any case, Kenobi will now be under my care and not yours. I know you did not mean to hurt him, that you could not be guilty of such cruelties, but I still have to be responsible for him now."
"Do you plan to tell the council what I did? You are willing to ruin my chances of knighthood?"
"That is too far in advance for me to think of. I think it will all depend on how our mission, or the rest of our mission goes. I think you might be able to salvage your knighthood if you agree to take Bruck and do the best you can with him."
Silence between the two left no doubt there was hard feelings between them.
//The council would never make me a knight. I will be perceived a failure. Maybe even Master Jinn should not go home from this mission. Bruck and I can be on our way after this. There will be no reason to return to the temple at all if things are done correctly here. I will do what I deem necessary now, not what the dark lord wants. Let him send Maul. By then I will have things under control here. I just have to find someone here on this planet willing to do my dirty work for me. Jinn and Kenobi will meet their deaths, but not by my hands. Just as I promised the dark one.//
"Very well master. I will do your bidding. Keep the Kenobi child here with you. I will work with Bruck Chun. After all the most important thing is my kinghood is it not?"
Obi-Wan did not know if the master noticed the glare Xanatos gave Kenobi, but the child was not believing for a second that Xanatos planned to willingly give up his control of him. Kenobi was not sure who to trust now.
Old insecurities started to creep back in the little initiate's mind. His fear of Xanatos now transferred itself to Master Jinn. He was truly thankful he did not have to speak right now, for he was not sure he could utter a word.
//Master Jinn has already said he does not want this bond with me. Will I be too much of a burden on him and he ends up doing to me what Xanatos did……?//
######
All cities, even on another world had their seedy sections, just as Coruscant and that is where Xanatos with Bruck in tow, went.
"Now would you mind telling me what we are doing? I know this has nothing to do with the mission and the Hutts."
"I don't give a "sith's behind" about the Hutts or their government. We are here to find someone that will, with a little help of several credits, do away with Master Jinn and Kenobi. The apprentice, Maul is coming within the next week to do our job so a speak. I have been given orders not to harm the child. I don't plan too and neither do you. We are going to let one of these already corrupt characters around here do it for us."
"Is that safe? We won't get caught?"
"The only way we would get caught is if we actually do it. Lying to the dark one is out of the question. He would know it for an untruth instantly. No, someone will do it for us, I will get paid since it was not my fault and then you and I will be on our way to Telos to start a new and very rich life. We will have no need of knighthood or apprenticeship in the realm of the Jedi."
The idea sounded good to Chun, who was tired of trying impress the great Jinn. Wealth and luxury, Bruck reasoned was the life he wanted now, not the staunch rigors of the Jedi.
"Come on we have to hurry. Jinn is caring for the boy and I don't want him to find us missing for long. I did mention that we might take a small stroll of the city to take in the view. Jinn halted the talks with the Hutts today to care for the brat. Now is the only chance to find someone to do our dirty work for us."
Back at the little dwelling where the Jedi were housed…..
Jinn glanced nervously at the boy again. Obi-Wan had not offered to get up nor had he said a word. No mention of the bond so far and for that Qui-Gon was thankful.
//I just don't know what to say to him. I know he's aware of the bond forming, but then again he also very aware of how I resent its taking over our lives. I don't think the healers will be able to stop it now, but I still plan to ask when we return. I don't think I want to take a padawan this trip after all. I don't want Bruck and I want the Kenobi child even less.//
"Do you think you are ready to get up and try to eat or drink something Initiate?"
Obi-Wan shook his head no. He still feared he would stumble over his words and that Master Jinn would become angry at him, much like Knight Crion would do when he stuttered.
.
"That is not an expectable answer Initiate. Words are used in response to a knight or a master. You know that by now. Let me ask you this again and answer me the correct way please."
"Do you feel like getting up and trying to eat or drink something?"
Jinn stood, arms crossed, looming over the bed and looked quite threatening to a young one who had been more than once abused.
Initiate Kenobi knew now he had no other choice but to speak, no matter how jumbled the words came out. He feared what Jinn would do to him if he disobeyed the master.
"I wwill bbe hhappy to ttry and eat ssomething."
The voice timid and soft. It was a voice that had Jinn not known better was coming from a much younger child. The voice carried with it fear, caution and innocence all rolled into one. It was a voice that made Jinn look again deep into the sea blue eyes of the Kenobi child and see such a gift of the force, a gift of good in him. Jinn was overpowered by that thought. He knew in that instant that this child would never be on the side of the dark for he was bathed in the force. It radiated through the boy's very being.
"There is no reason to fear me child. There will be no rebuke because of your speech problem. I do wish you would feel comfortable speaking with me, but know this, you will not be in trouble for stuttering. That being said I must also insist that even though you stutter you still will be required to speak. Hiding from your problem will not lessen it or correct it. You have to meet it head on."
//Easy for you to say.//
"Excuse me."
Jinn realized the boy was not shielding and that he could tell what he was thinking.
"I also think, young man, until the healers have figured out what to do with this bond you take more care in shielding. You could very well end up doing extra mediations if you thoughts are going to take on a negative attitude just like the one you just thought The "Easy for you to say." Yes I heard it quite clearly young one."
Jinn had to suppress a smile. He knew the boy did not know how to handle a bond.
Obi-Wan turned beet red even to the tips of his ears when he realized the big master knew what he was thinking.
"I'mm sssorry MMaster JJinn."
"That is fine. But to keep yourself out of trouble, you might want to not think things like that or shield better. It is your choice. Now let's see to some food shall we?"
#####
In an alley in the seediest part of Cirrus stood four figures deep in discussion.
"You do understand what we want?"
"Easy mate. We are not daft you know! You want the two Jedi killed. The big one, Jinn and the child, Kenobi. We are not to tell anyone of what we are doing or who hired us. Once completed, we leave here. You are footin' the bill. It's fine with us. How long do we have to complete our job?"
"You have five days. We will be negotiating with the Hutts everyday, starting tomorrow. I will give you half the money now and I will leave instructions later where the other credits can be found. It is imperative you leave before this man, Maul comes here. His master has a way of finding out things and if he finds out you were in on it you will die."
"AYE, and I get the feeling so will you if he finds out. Never you mind though, we will get the job done. Just have the rest of our money waiting on us. I'm getting tired of this planet anyway. This Jinn and Kenobi will be dead in less than five days. I can guarantee it."
"See Chun learn from this well. We have completed what we had too and will be back in time for mid-meal. Jinn will be none the wiser and all we have to do is wait for those two to do our dirty work for us. How hard can that be?"
PEACE ewen
"You see Xanatos that is the exact reason I can never allow you to join my forces. There had been a time when I thought you could have become my apprentice, but I know now that is and always will be out of the question. You let your emotions rule you. Whether on the side of the dark or light, emotions should always be kept in check in order to successfully do your job. You have failed me miserably and I am not the least bit happy about it."
Xanatos was worried. He was thought he was witnessing his credits disappear with the rebuke he was getting from the dark one. He thought he might be lucky to come out of this alive, depending on how displeased the dark lord was.
"I will do anything you say to help correct this problem. Anything at all."
"You my young friend have done quite enough. I have a new apprentice that I will send immediately. He will correct your mistakes. Do as he says and things may go well for you. You are to leave the boy alone. Is that understood?"
That angered Xanatos, but he kept it to himself.
"He is to get out of this with nothing. I mean he is the reason we are in this mess."
"The reason you are in this mess, is you failed to control your emotions when it came to Kenobi. You see him for what you wanted to be I think. You could not keep your hands off him just long enough to finish this mission, now Darth Maul will have to save it for you. Be mindful of what I tell you. If any harm befalls the boy before Maul can get there, it better not be at your or Bruck Chun's hands. I will have your lives for it. That Knight Crion is my promise to you."
The holovid abruptly clicked off leaving Xanatos with his own thoughts.
//He actually thinks I am going to leave the boy alone, without see he gets his just punishment for screwing my plans up. He said Kenobi's demise should not be at my or Bruck's hands. I will have to see to it that it does not seem to be my fault when he meets his death.//
Obi-Wan was just waking up with a huge headache and a lot of questions. He was feeling the bond now formed between he and Master Jinn, but he was still unsure of what he was feeling. He knew on thing though. He was no longer alone in his mind. There was a presence there, he felt had been placed by the force but with whom.
When he finally managed to gather all his thoughts and fully open his eyes, he looked up to see the other half of the bond. When he looked into the azure eyes of Master Qui-Gon Jinn, he knew with all the certainty of the force itself that he had in some strange way bonded with this master who wanted so much to have nothing to do with him.
Jinn turned around to see the child staring wildly at him. He pressed his big calloused hand on the boy's arm and it seemed to bring instant calm to the initiate.
There was not enough time for words because a knock at the little room's door, broke the almost hypnotic gaze the two were locked in.
"Qui-Gon, may I some in?'
Qui-Gon could feel the boy's muscles tense up under his touch at the sound of Xanatos' voice. Jinn knew he must address the issue of the abuse "Xani" had inflicted on the boy but he was already backtracking in placing all the blame of the knight. Jinn was just not willing to let go of "Xani" and realize his failings. A part inside of him knew the failings all too well. He had witnessed anger, too much anger from this knight many times and had always before denied that they were there. In this case, where Obi-Wan was concerned, it was hard for him to deny what "Xani" had done.
The boy's injuries now and before were proof that Knight Crion had no control of his emotions and even acted violently upon them.
"I just wanted to see how Obi-Wan was doing. I certainly meant no harm to him. I just let my…"
"You let your anger rule your actions. Something you have been all too guilty of lately."
Obi-Wan remained silent during the confrontation between master and former apprentice,. He did not know what to think.
He only thing he knew with certainty was that there was a bond forming between he and Master Jinn and he was not sure he even wanted that bond. The only problem was he knew he could not stop it and evidently neither could Master Jinn.
"Qui-Gon if you would only give me one more chance, I am sure I can prove myself worthy of knighthood."
Jinn was beginning to feel sorry for the young knight; the man he raised to this station in life. He wanted more than anything to believe "Xani", but with the bond forming, he was not willing to take a chance with the Kenobi child again.
Like it or not Obi-Wan Kenobi was connected with Jinn through the bond and now Jinn's priority was swiftly becoming the Kenobi child and not the knighthood of Xanatos. He just did not know how to break it to the young Knight.
"Look Xanatos I do not want to see you fail when it comes to becoming a Knight, but I will have to admit that there is a bond forming between Obi-Wan and I. Like it or not, I can not ignore it any longer. Other arrangements will have to be made concerning your knighthood. Maybe if I notify the council they will allow you to take Chun as your padawan prodigy and I will switch to Obi-Wan."
Xanatos could not have been more shocked by Jinn's statements.
//A bond. Jinn will never get rid of the kid. The dark lord himself must see now that Obi -Wan has to be done away with.//
"I was not aware that you and he were so close. I thought you wanted nothing to do with the child. I don't mean to sound cruel in front of him Master, but are you thinking clearly? You know how inept he is in his abilities especially with the saber."
"I know all I have said about the boy, but the force evidently has other ideas for he and I. I have tried to ignore the bond, to stop it , but the force is not allowing me too. The only thing I know to do now is to follow it through and see where it leads me. In any case, Kenobi will now be under my care and not yours. I know you did not mean to hurt him, that you could not be guilty of such cruelties, but I still have to be responsible for him now."
"Do you plan to tell the council what I did? You are willing to ruin my chances of knighthood?"
"That is too far in advance for me to think of. I think it will all depend on how our mission, or the rest of our mission goes. I think you might be able to salvage your knighthood if you agree to take Bruck and do the best you can with him."
Silence between the two left no doubt there was hard feelings between them.
//The council would never make me a knight. I will be perceived a failure. Maybe even Master Jinn should not go home from this mission. Bruck and I can be on our way after this. There will be no reason to return to the temple at all if things are done correctly here. I will do what I deem necessary now, not what the dark lord wants. Let him send Maul. By then I will have things under control here. I just have to find someone here on this planet willing to do my dirty work for me. Jinn and Kenobi will meet their deaths, but not by my hands. Just as I promised the dark one.//
"Very well master. I will do your bidding. Keep the Kenobi child here with you. I will work with Bruck Chun. After all the most important thing is my kinghood is it not?"
Obi-Wan did not know if the master noticed the glare Xanatos gave Kenobi, but the child was not believing for a second that Xanatos planned to willingly give up his control of him. Kenobi was not sure who to trust now.
Old insecurities started to creep back in the little initiate's mind. His fear of Xanatos now transferred itself to Master Jinn. He was truly thankful he did not have to speak right now, for he was not sure he could utter a word.
//Master Jinn has already said he does not want this bond with me. Will I be too much of a burden on him and he ends up doing to me what Xanatos did……?//
######
All cities, even on another world had their seedy sections, just as Coruscant and that is where Xanatos with Bruck in tow, went.
"Now would you mind telling me what we are doing? I know this has nothing to do with the mission and the Hutts."
"I don't give a "sith's behind" about the Hutts or their government. We are here to find someone that will, with a little help of several credits, do away with Master Jinn and Kenobi. The apprentice, Maul is coming within the next week to do our job so a speak. I have been given orders not to harm the child. I don't plan too and neither do you. We are going to let one of these already corrupt characters around here do it for us."
"Is that safe? We won't get caught?"
"The only way we would get caught is if we actually do it. Lying to the dark one is out of the question. He would know it for an untruth instantly. No, someone will do it for us, I will get paid since it was not my fault and then you and I will be on our way to Telos to start a new and very rich life. We will have no need of knighthood or apprenticeship in the realm of the Jedi."
The idea sounded good to Chun, who was tired of trying impress the great Jinn. Wealth and luxury, Bruck reasoned was the life he wanted now, not the staunch rigors of the Jedi.
"Come on we have to hurry. Jinn is caring for the boy and I don't want him to find us missing for long. I did mention that we might take a small stroll of the city to take in the view. Jinn halted the talks with the Hutts today to care for the brat. Now is the only chance to find someone to do our dirty work for us."
Back at the little dwelling where the Jedi were housed…..
Jinn glanced nervously at the boy again. Obi-Wan had not offered to get up nor had he said a word. No mention of the bond so far and for that Qui-Gon was thankful.
//I just don't know what to say to him. I know he's aware of the bond forming, but then again he also very aware of how I resent its taking over our lives. I don't think the healers will be able to stop it now, but I still plan to ask when we return. I don't think I want to take a padawan this trip after all. I don't want Bruck and I want the Kenobi child even less.//
"Do you think you are ready to get up and try to eat or drink something Initiate?"
Obi-Wan shook his head no. He still feared he would stumble over his words and that Master Jinn would become angry at him, much like Knight Crion would do when he stuttered.
.
"That is not an expectable answer Initiate. Words are used in response to a knight or a master. You know that by now. Let me ask you this again and answer me the correct way please."
"Do you feel like getting up and trying to eat or drink something?"
Jinn stood, arms crossed, looming over the bed and looked quite threatening to a young one who had been more than once abused.
Initiate Kenobi knew now he had no other choice but to speak, no matter how jumbled the words came out. He feared what Jinn would do to him if he disobeyed the master.
"I wwill bbe hhappy to ttry and eat ssomething."
The voice timid and soft. It was a voice that had Jinn not known better was coming from a much younger child. The voice carried with it fear, caution and innocence all rolled into one. It was a voice that made Jinn look again deep into the sea blue eyes of the Kenobi child and see such a gift of the force, a gift of good in him. Jinn was overpowered by that thought. He knew in that instant that this child would never be on the side of the dark for he was bathed in the force. It radiated through the boy's very being.
"There is no reason to fear me child. There will be no rebuke because of your speech problem. I do wish you would feel comfortable speaking with me, but know this, you will not be in trouble for stuttering. That being said I must also insist that even though you stutter you still will be required to speak. Hiding from your problem will not lessen it or correct it. You have to meet it head on."
//Easy for you to say.//
"Excuse me."
Jinn realized the boy was not shielding and that he could tell what he was thinking.
"I also think, young man, until the healers have figured out what to do with this bond you take more care in shielding. You could very well end up doing extra mediations if you thoughts are going to take on a negative attitude just like the one you just thought The "Easy for you to say." Yes I heard it quite clearly young one."
Jinn had to suppress a smile. He knew the boy did not know how to handle a bond.
Obi-Wan turned beet red even to the tips of his ears when he realized the big master knew what he was thinking.
"I'mm sssorry MMaster JJinn."
"That is fine. But to keep yourself out of trouble, you might want to not think things like that or shield better. It is your choice. Now let's see to some food shall we?"
#####
In an alley in the seediest part of Cirrus stood four figures deep in discussion.
"You do understand what we want?"
"Easy mate. We are not daft you know! You want the two Jedi killed. The big one, Jinn and the child, Kenobi. We are not to tell anyone of what we are doing or who hired us. Once completed, we leave here. You are footin' the bill. It's fine with us. How long do we have to complete our job?"
"You have five days. We will be negotiating with the Hutts everyday, starting tomorrow. I will give you half the money now and I will leave instructions later where the other credits can be found. It is imperative you leave before this man, Maul comes here. His master has a way of finding out things and if he finds out you were in on it you will die."
"AYE, and I get the feeling so will you if he finds out. Never you mind though, we will get the job done. Just have the rest of our money waiting on us. I'm getting tired of this planet anyway. This Jinn and Kenobi will be dead in less than five days. I can guarantee it."
"See Chun learn from this well. We have completed what we had too and will be back in time for mid-meal. Jinn will be none the wiser and all we have to do is wait for those two to do our dirty work for us. How hard can that be?"
PEACE ewen