Obi-wan followed listlessly behind the man who had bought him. The
auctioneer had explained the on-planet alarm system that kept slaves from
escaping. Explosives implanted in his body ensured that he couldn't run
off. His new owner had appeared finally, ending his stay in the
humiliating market. The man hadn't even looked at him since he had ordered
him to follow.
He was led to a nicely appointed door set back from the street. Xanatos marched Obi-wan inside, fastening the door securely after them.
"How in the name of the Force did you end up on an auction block?" Xanatos let his voice hold a mixture of concern and disgust.
Obi-wan was confused. Why would a slave owner care how a slave had come into his possession? But then, he had said, 'in the name of the Force'. Could he be Jedi?!
Xanatos could feel the surge of hope rush through the boy as he seemed to puzzle over what had just been said. The boy was going to be easy to manipulate. So trusting, so naive. "First off, what's your name?"
"Obi-wan Kenobi, sir." The boy's voice was cautious.
"Hello Obi-wan. My name is Xanatos. How did you get here?" "There were pirate raids on Bandomeer, where I was working with Agricorps, they took a lot of people prisoner and sold them."
"Agricorps! They shut down the branch they had operating there two months ago, how long have you been a slave?"
Obi-wan's mouth dropped open. He remembered this man! He had been at the meeting Qui-Gon had gone to on Bandomeer. "I've been with the pirates for four months now. They had problems selling an adept."
"I don't know why, we're certainly in high demand." Xanatos muttered. Obi-wan's heart leapt at this admission, but the conditioning beat into him over the past few months kept him silent. The Jedi hadn't wanted him.
"Please, sit." Xanatos motioned to the chair across from his. He was using his best diplomacy manners to make a good impression on his young charge. He hoped he could fool him with his next words. "You see, I have a problem. Conip, that's the planet we're on if you didn't know."
"I didn't. Thank you."
Xanatos nodded. "Of course. Conip has a budding slave market. That means that slaves will be sold for less here in an effort to attract buyers. This also means that philanthropic groups will take advantage of this to try and 'buy' slaves with the sole purpose of freeing them.
"This kind of charity, right though it is, can kill burgeoning reputation and decrease the number of slavers who sell in the market. They're not going to sell only to have that former slave come back that night and, you get the idea." Xanatos paused for a moment to let that sink in. "So, to stop this, Conip officals have passed a law saying that property owners here, businesses, homes, stock, whatever, who buy slaves from the market must continue to own that slave for a period of two years. Minimum."
"If you don't you lose your on planet property." Obi-wan said, understanding.
"It's actually worse than that. If you're on planet not only do you sacrifice your property, you sacrifice the slave and your own freedom." Obi-wan's jaw dropped. "If you are off planet, you can't return until the two years are up and lose all holdings in the meantime. If you return your freedom is forfeit, etc. This is the outer-rim. Slavery is a very serious market."
"So here's my problem. Obviously, you are not my slave. I don't agree with slavery, it's a horrendous practice. I don't even employ servants. I have droids. Whimsical I know, but they are the way of the future. Anyway, I am responsible for you until those two years are up."
"I am so sorry I've caused all this trouble for you. Thank you so much." Obi-wan said.
"You're welcome. I really couldn't stand by and watch Xixor get you. You had a very sheltered life at the Temple and now to be forced into this," Xanatos broke off his words with a sad shake of his head. "You didn't need to fall any further."
This last sentence hit the boy like a physical blow. Reaching out through the Force, Xanatos felt the strong but untrained mind slip into a roil of emotions. It seemed as if he had blocked out memories of his earlier life in order to cope with the present. Despair, frustration, relief and betrayal all swirled around in Obi-wan's head at this reminder that the Jedi had cast him aside because he was not worthy.
Xanatos smiled secretly. It had been the perfect thing to say. Obi- wan was too heartsick to analyze anything right now. All he knew was that he had been saved by some stranger who had taken pity on him.
Xanatos punched a few commands in a panel by his chair. "Let me show you to your room. You've had a busy day. Are you hungry, thirsty? Thirsty, I'll bet. It's hot tonight." Xanatos led Obi-wan to a room on the second level of his compound. "You can sleep here. It'll do for now. We can figure out something more permanent tomorrow."
"Thank you. It's wonderful." Obi-wan was looking around the room as if he had found Xibalba. The room was based in pale blues and greens, radiating contentment and peace. Sunlight spilled over the floor from the wide, open windows. He moved over to the sizeable bed which was set slightly in the corner behind the door. Xanatos stayed in the doorway, watching as the boy crossed from bed to bookshelves to desk and window, keeping a light touch on his mind.
Xanatos kept several such suites for guests and friends, all complete with closed circuit surveillance systems. This was one of the more calming ones. And this one, was also unique in the fact that it had direct access to the passages hidden within the walls. But none of this was information Obi-wan needed to know just yet.
"I'm upstairs. Just follow the hallway to the left and there's a lift at the end. Ah, here." A droid wheeled in with a tray laden with food and drink and put it on a table. "Can I get you anything else?" The droid silently left.
"No. No, Xanatos, this is too much. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. What-." Confusion was now the dominant emotion. Confusion with a heavy undertone of exhaustion. Xanatos leaned on the boy's mind, bringing the exhaustion out slowly 'til his eyelids drooped.
"Well, why don't you take it easy for the rest of the day, we can figure things out when you've got your bearings. Okay? I'm right upstairs if you need me." At this he went into the hall closing the door only slightly so as to indicate neither imprisonment nor invasion of privacy.
"Xanatos?"
"Yes, Obi-wan?"
"Why did you save me out of all the slaves in the market?"
"I don't know. I didn't want Xixor to get you. And I guess-."
"What?"
The man sighed before answering. "I was once a Jedi too. I know how scary the world can be outside the Temple."
As Xanatos' footsteps retreated down the hall, Obi-wan considered the man's last words. Scary didn't half begin to describe it. His mind was whirling with thoughts, each more confused and off balance as the next. Finally his exhaustion got the better of him and he tumbled into bed deep asleep.
Upstairs in his study, Xanatos watched over Obi-wan drawing him into a dreamless slumber, ensuring that nothing would wake the boy up to overhear this conversation.
Coding Dooku, Xanatos waited for the man to answer his call.
"How did it go Xanatos?" Dooku wasted no time.
"It went ok. I caught him completely off guard."
"It's only just past the dinner hour. The sun hasn't even gone down yet."
"Yeah, I was enjoying the whole thing, but I didn't want him to try to reason things out too much. I'm not completely ready to assume my duties as protector, and I don't want to be caught off guard."
"So you put him to sleep." Dooku's tone was disapproving.
"Well, yeah. What would you have done?"
"Xanatos, tomorrow morning when he wakes up, his mind will be twice as likely to pick every little point apart, simply because he doesn't completely trust you yet. He will have many questions, all of which must fit your persona perfectly. What does he know of you?"
"Well, I'm obviously a wealthy property owner on an obscure rim planet. I've had a history with the Jedi, and-. I can't think of much else. I saved his life."
"Did he see you on Bandomeer?"
"I'm not sure."
"Well, find out." Dooku said, curtly.
"Yeah." Now who was being impatient? Carefully, Xanatos let his mind run with the thoughts swirling through Obi-wan's unconscious mind. This was a trick Dooku had taught him; getting information without the subject knowing it. "Yes, he did."
"So, once he puts the pieces together not only are you a 'wealthy businessman' you're an interplanetary wealthy businessman. So, why can't you get away from those pesky slave laws? Why would you buy a slave if you don't like the practice? What is he going to do while he is there? I mean, you can't just keep him locked up all the time. "Look," Dooku continued. "This is a big project you've undertaken and if you're going to succeed, you need to plan this out. Otherwise the whole thing could blow up in your face."
Xanatos seriously considered killing the man if he had to listen to another patronizing tirade. "This is my project. I will decide what needs to be done and said and when. Not you."
"I don't think you realize what it takes to turn a person as inherently good as that boy is."
"Oh and when did you meet him that you would know this Master Dooku?" Xanatos' voice dripped sarcasm.
"Look more closely into his mind. Why is he so distressed at leaving the Jedi?"
Xanatos looked. "He doesn't want to disappoint Yoda? He wants to be a Jedi with all the wisdom and responsibility that comes with that."
"Don't you see? His whole life has been the Temple. You had ties to your family to make you see the truth. He doesn't. He is still judging everything he sees through the naïve eyes of an initiate. If you come off as wrong, if the pieces don't quite fit, or if the Force grants him some insight into your true character at this point in the game, you'll lose him and your revenge."
"I can take away his access to the Force." Xanatos was focusing now. "But no, he'd notice. What if I dampened his receptiveness for a while so he could access some of the Force, but not so much that he'd feel completely cut off. Just weak."
"That's good, until you are ready to train him to use the Dark Side. But you still need to be convincing."
"Don't worry; years around a corporate office have honed my skills so that I could convince a Hutt to live in penury. My story will fit."
"A Hutt is not an adept, my friend. If he is too weak, too gullible he may not be of any use to us."
"Gullible could actually help me. I doubt weak will be a problem."
"We'll see. I shall be off planet for a few weeks. It will be interesting to know how far you have come when I return. Good luck Xanatos. May the Force be with you."
He was led to a nicely appointed door set back from the street. Xanatos marched Obi-wan inside, fastening the door securely after them.
"How in the name of the Force did you end up on an auction block?" Xanatos let his voice hold a mixture of concern and disgust.
Obi-wan was confused. Why would a slave owner care how a slave had come into his possession? But then, he had said, 'in the name of the Force'. Could he be Jedi?!
Xanatos could feel the surge of hope rush through the boy as he seemed to puzzle over what had just been said. The boy was going to be easy to manipulate. So trusting, so naive. "First off, what's your name?"
"Obi-wan Kenobi, sir." The boy's voice was cautious.
"Hello Obi-wan. My name is Xanatos. How did you get here?" "There were pirate raids on Bandomeer, where I was working with Agricorps, they took a lot of people prisoner and sold them."
"Agricorps! They shut down the branch they had operating there two months ago, how long have you been a slave?"
Obi-wan's mouth dropped open. He remembered this man! He had been at the meeting Qui-Gon had gone to on Bandomeer. "I've been with the pirates for four months now. They had problems selling an adept."
"I don't know why, we're certainly in high demand." Xanatos muttered. Obi-wan's heart leapt at this admission, but the conditioning beat into him over the past few months kept him silent. The Jedi hadn't wanted him.
"Please, sit." Xanatos motioned to the chair across from his. He was using his best diplomacy manners to make a good impression on his young charge. He hoped he could fool him with his next words. "You see, I have a problem. Conip, that's the planet we're on if you didn't know."
"I didn't. Thank you."
Xanatos nodded. "Of course. Conip has a budding slave market. That means that slaves will be sold for less here in an effort to attract buyers. This also means that philanthropic groups will take advantage of this to try and 'buy' slaves with the sole purpose of freeing them.
"This kind of charity, right though it is, can kill burgeoning reputation and decrease the number of slavers who sell in the market. They're not going to sell only to have that former slave come back that night and, you get the idea." Xanatos paused for a moment to let that sink in. "So, to stop this, Conip officals have passed a law saying that property owners here, businesses, homes, stock, whatever, who buy slaves from the market must continue to own that slave for a period of two years. Minimum."
"If you don't you lose your on planet property." Obi-wan said, understanding.
"It's actually worse than that. If you're on planet not only do you sacrifice your property, you sacrifice the slave and your own freedom." Obi-wan's jaw dropped. "If you are off planet, you can't return until the two years are up and lose all holdings in the meantime. If you return your freedom is forfeit, etc. This is the outer-rim. Slavery is a very serious market."
"So here's my problem. Obviously, you are not my slave. I don't agree with slavery, it's a horrendous practice. I don't even employ servants. I have droids. Whimsical I know, but they are the way of the future. Anyway, I am responsible for you until those two years are up."
"I am so sorry I've caused all this trouble for you. Thank you so much." Obi-wan said.
"You're welcome. I really couldn't stand by and watch Xixor get you. You had a very sheltered life at the Temple and now to be forced into this," Xanatos broke off his words with a sad shake of his head. "You didn't need to fall any further."
This last sentence hit the boy like a physical blow. Reaching out through the Force, Xanatos felt the strong but untrained mind slip into a roil of emotions. It seemed as if he had blocked out memories of his earlier life in order to cope with the present. Despair, frustration, relief and betrayal all swirled around in Obi-wan's head at this reminder that the Jedi had cast him aside because he was not worthy.
Xanatos smiled secretly. It had been the perfect thing to say. Obi- wan was too heartsick to analyze anything right now. All he knew was that he had been saved by some stranger who had taken pity on him.
Xanatos punched a few commands in a panel by his chair. "Let me show you to your room. You've had a busy day. Are you hungry, thirsty? Thirsty, I'll bet. It's hot tonight." Xanatos led Obi-wan to a room on the second level of his compound. "You can sleep here. It'll do for now. We can figure out something more permanent tomorrow."
"Thank you. It's wonderful." Obi-wan was looking around the room as if he had found Xibalba. The room was based in pale blues and greens, radiating contentment and peace. Sunlight spilled over the floor from the wide, open windows. He moved over to the sizeable bed which was set slightly in the corner behind the door. Xanatos stayed in the doorway, watching as the boy crossed from bed to bookshelves to desk and window, keeping a light touch on his mind.
Xanatos kept several such suites for guests and friends, all complete with closed circuit surveillance systems. This was one of the more calming ones. And this one, was also unique in the fact that it had direct access to the passages hidden within the walls. But none of this was information Obi-wan needed to know just yet.
"I'm upstairs. Just follow the hallway to the left and there's a lift at the end. Ah, here." A droid wheeled in with a tray laden with food and drink and put it on a table. "Can I get you anything else?" The droid silently left.
"No. No, Xanatos, this is too much. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. What-." Confusion was now the dominant emotion. Confusion with a heavy undertone of exhaustion. Xanatos leaned on the boy's mind, bringing the exhaustion out slowly 'til his eyelids drooped.
"Well, why don't you take it easy for the rest of the day, we can figure things out when you've got your bearings. Okay? I'm right upstairs if you need me." At this he went into the hall closing the door only slightly so as to indicate neither imprisonment nor invasion of privacy.
"Xanatos?"
"Yes, Obi-wan?"
"Why did you save me out of all the slaves in the market?"
"I don't know. I didn't want Xixor to get you. And I guess-."
"What?"
The man sighed before answering. "I was once a Jedi too. I know how scary the world can be outside the Temple."
As Xanatos' footsteps retreated down the hall, Obi-wan considered the man's last words. Scary didn't half begin to describe it. His mind was whirling with thoughts, each more confused and off balance as the next. Finally his exhaustion got the better of him and he tumbled into bed deep asleep.
Upstairs in his study, Xanatos watched over Obi-wan drawing him into a dreamless slumber, ensuring that nothing would wake the boy up to overhear this conversation.
Coding Dooku, Xanatos waited for the man to answer his call.
"How did it go Xanatos?" Dooku wasted no time.
"It went ok. I caught him completely off guard."
"It's only just past the dinner hour. The sun hasn't even gone down yet."
"Yeah, I was enjoying the whole thing, but I didn't want him to try to reason things out too much. I'm not completely ready to assume my duties as protector, and I don't want to be caught off guard."
"So you put him to sleep." Dooku's tone was disapproving.
"Well, yeah. What would you have done?"
"Xanatos, tomorrow morning when he wakes up, his mind will be twice as likely to pick every little point apart, simply because he doesn't completely trust you yet. He will have many questions, all of which must fit your persona perfectly. What does he know of you?"
"Well, I'm obviously a wealthy property owner on an obscure rim planet. I've had a history with the Jedi, and-. I can't think of much else. I saved his life."
"Did he see you on Bandomeer?"
"I'm not sure."
"Well, find out." Dooku said, curtly.
"Yeah." Now who was being impatient? Carefully, Xanatos let his mind run with the thoughts swirling through Obi-wan's unconscious mind. This was a trick Dooku had taught him; getting information without the subject knowing it. "Yes, he did."
"So, once he puts the pieces together not only are you a 'wealthy businessman' you're an interplanetary wealthy businessman. So, why can't you get away from those pesky slave laws? Why would you buy a slave if you don't like the practice? What is he going to do while he is there? I mean, you can't just keep him locked up all the time. "Look," Dooku continued. "This is a big project you've undertaken and if you're going to succeed, you need to plan this out. Otherwise the whole thing could blow up in your face."
Xanatos seriously considered killing the man if he had to listen to another patronizing tirade. "This is my project. I will decide what needs to be done and said and when. Not you."
"I don't think you realize what it takes to turn a person as inherently good as that boy is."
"Oh and when did you meet him that you would know this Master Dooku?" Xanatos' voice dripped sarcasm.
"Look more closely into his mind. Why is he so distressed at leaving the Jedi?"
Xanatos looked. "He doesn't want to disappoint Yoda? He wants to be a Jedi with all the wisdom and responsibility that comes with that."
"Don't you see? His whole life has been the Temple. You had ties to your family to make you see the truth. He doesn't. He is still judging everything he sees through the naïve eyes of an initiate. If you come off as wrong, if the pieces don't quite fit, or if the Force grants him some insight into your true character at this point in the game, you'll lose him and your revenge."
"I can take away his access to the Force." Xanatos was focusing now. "But no, he'd notice. What if I dampened his receptiveness for a while so he could access some of the Force, but not so much that he'd feel completely cut off. Just weak."
"That's good, until you are ready to train him to use the Dark Side. But you still need to be convincing."
"Don't worry; years around a corporate office have honed my skills so that I could convince a Hutt to live in penury. My story will fit."
"A Hutt is not an adept, my friend. If he is too weak, too gullible he may not be of any use to us."
"Gullible could actually help me. I doubt weak will be a problem."
"We'll see. I shall be off planet for a few weeks. It will be interesting to know how far you have come when I return. Good luck Xanatos. May the Force be with you."
