Author`s Note: Finally, the next chapter. Sorry it took so long. I`m not
entirely satisfied with this chapter. I somehow had the feeling that I got
thrown out of my own plot. Hopefully the next one will be better again.
Thanks for your reviews:
Warrior of the Pen: As always, great encouragement. Thank you so much. (You`re my first fan! :o))
Jedi Padawan: I haven`t taken your advice about the paragraphs because I had already written most of it when I read it. I find it a bit odd to start a new paragraph every time the speaker changes since it happens so often in my story. But I will try to do it, if that is the way it is done in English. Of course I know, that the timeline of the JA books doesn`t work for this. However, I didn`t know I had to point out that it was AU. I mentioned it now. I also corrected the mistake in chapter 3. Thank you for pointing these things out. Please tell me, if you find any more mistakes.
To my anonymous reviewer: Of course, I won`t state here how the story will end, that would take all the fun out of it. You`ll just have to read it.
To my unpatient reviewer: Isn`t the word `impatient´? Well, anyway, I clearly don`t remember getting a review from you, encouraging me to finish it. If you like it (which you obviously do, if you take the time to tell me this), then why don`t you just tell me. Or how about a bit of constructive criticism? Maybe you would like to do it this time. Then I`ll be much more motivated and will put more effort into it. :)
As always: Please review!! I will write more, if you tell me what you think, I promise.
Chapter 4
The sun was throwing one bright spot on the floor of Rin Calan's room. The Master sat on his bed, staring at the spot and wondering how he had ever come to the point where he would be afraid of going on a mission with another Master/Padawan team. A point where he would be afraid at all. Wasn't this what he told his apprentice every day? No negative feelings. He thought briefly of Nall, how the boy had often pointed out his Master's own faults, allowing a smile to show on his face. It vanished just as quickly as it had come as he thought about how things had turned out for Nall. He should never have let the boy get away with so much. He should have eradicated all of those feelings immediately: fear, sorrow, arrogance. For that was all it had been. Arrogance. Not a gift for observation. He should have punished him for observing faults of others and not his own, not smile indulgently and tell the boy he would think about it. What was there to think about? Calan knew that he had his own faults but he was a Master and Nall had only been a Padawan, which had been painfully obvious on the mission to Malastare. If only the boy had been a bit faster, had ignored his feelings of fear and anguish. But he had not been able to do it. That just made it clearer that he had not been any better than Kenobi.
So now, why was he afraid? Of course, he knew why he had been paired with Jinn. It had no doubt been the work of that old troll, so that he could be observed and later evaluated. He also knew that Yoda didn't trust him. But why should there be anything to be afraid of? It was true that most Masters had different teaching methods than him, but that didn't mean that his were the wrong ones. The only reason he didn't treat his apprentice the same way outside their quarters was that he didn't want to draw attention to himself. Calan sighed deeply before standing up.
Shoving every last thought of Nall and Jinn out of his mind he opened his door to begin a new day trying to drill some sense into that worthless Padawan of his.
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Obi-Wan was suddenly torn from his thoughts by the stern voice of his Master.
"Kenobi! Out here! Now!"
Obi-Wan jumped out of bed and without another thought as to what the man would do to him now, yanked open the door. Rin Calan towered over him. His height alone was enough to make any child cower but the look in his eyes was even more frightening. Obi-Wan knew this look. He knew it from endless nights when his Master had decided once again that he had to be reminded of his worthlessness. He knew it from dreams where the events of the day would not let him have a minute of rest. Now, the young Padawan averted his eyes to the floor, knowing that it would only infuriate the man more if he met his glare.
So Obi-Wan was very surprised when instead of slapping him or yelling at him, his Master only said in his usual authoritative voice, "We've been assigned a mission. We will leave in half an hour. Go and pack your things for two days."
With that Calan just turned around and strode into his own room again. Obi- Wan blinked a few times and then went to his room as well. He took his bag and began throwing things into it. He didn't know whether he should be happy or fearful. Sure, his Master hardly took him on missions and he was eager to see something else than the Temple and to have a great adventure just like the ones Garen and Reeft always told of. But being away from the Temple also meant being alone with Master Calan and not having the prospect of seeing his friends at meals. Obi-Wan decided that there was no use thinking about that now. He would just have to see. With that in mind, he continued packing.
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When Xanatos was woken that day by his Master he knew instantly that the things they had talked about the day before still weighed heavily on the older man's mind. Instead of his usual wake-up call the Padawan was woken quietly and the breakfast passed mostly in silence.
On their way to the landing pad, where they would get their transport, Xanatos looked at his Master and finally decided to break the silence. "Master, I think that it would be better for both the mission and Obi-Wan if we actually spoke to each other."
Qui-Gon smiled at him and he instantly seemed to come out of his stupor. "Yes, you're right, Padawan. I just thought a few things over." They continued in silence, but it was a comfortable silence, now.
Upon reaching the pad they immediately spotted the pair. Calan, tall and a bit intimidating, Xanatos thought, stood with his hands folded inside his robe. Beside him, in a perfect imitation of his Master's stance, was Obi- Wan. Xanatos gave the boy a brief encouraging smile and was a bit taken aback when he didn't return it. His attention was diverted, however, when Qui-Gon spoke up.
"Master Calan, I think you already know my Padawan, Xanatos."
Calan gave a short nod. "Yes, we've already met. May I introduce my apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Qui-Gon smiled at the boy warmly and said: "It is a pleasure to see you again, Padawan Kenobi. It has been some time. But Xanatos has told me a lot about you."
Obi-Wan blushed slightly and bowed. "And you, Master Jinn," was all he said and Qui-Gon wasn't sure which one of his statements he had answered.
Having taken care of the pleasantries they boarded the transport that was to take them to the part of the southern hemisphere they needed to visit.
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Qui-Gon was surprised. He remembered the boy being very open with his emotions, but now he saw a shyness that he hadn't expected. After they had all settled in, he began to explain the details of their mission. He kept glancing at Obi-Wan, who was listening attentively but never asked a question whenever he was asked whether he had understood everything. When he finished his explanations they had already reached their destination.
**************************
Several pairs of eyes observed the four Jedi as they exited the transport, although none of them made themselves known. They watched from the shadows. It wasn't difficult to hide down here. Light was sparse, a treasure to those who sought another life, a curse to those who wanted to forget it. The new light from the red painted transport awoke mistrust and was only looked at from afar. As the Jedi began to walk away from it, the eyes vanished immediately.
Rin Calan took the lead towards the building they were to meet in with the leaders of the two factions. Xanatos looked at the basement with unease. It was hard to believe that these were the same buildings that could be seen in the higher levels. Up there, the glass and steel was shiny, reflecting the rays of the sun, symbolising a planet of wealth and glamour. Down here the very same buildings were run-down. The windows were broken or so dirty that they seemed to be made of stone. There weren't any speeders in the streets. The asphalt was littered with rubbish and full of dust. The sounds of the city above were not drowned out but they sounded strange, as if from another world. The buildings were not being restored by the government. They knew that the durasteel would hold them together for ages. On this level there was no wealth, no families who had dinner together in warm common rooms, no security forces to look out for those who just wanted to live in peace
.
But there were families. A small face peeked from around a pile of discarded boxes. Eyes full of wonder regarded the four strange beings for a moment and then disappeared again. Apart from the noises from far above there were hardly any sounds. All that could be heard now and then was a rattle when a critter knocked something over. There were no sounds that showed that people lived here, no laughing, no talking.
Xanatos took a deep breath and looked at his Master. Qui-Gon's face didn't betray any feelings, he was the perfect, calm Jedi-Master. The Padawan couldn't pretend that this didn't bother him that well. Looking at his surroundings made him shiver. He had been on the lower levels before, but never in a region this run-down. How could something like this exist on a planet that claimed to be the metropolis of democracy, that was a symbol of freedom and equality throughout the whole galaxy?
Xanatos glanced at Obi-Wan expecting to see the same expression of disbelief on his face. Instead the boy looked almost...excited. His eyes were huge and he looked at his surroundings with awe and something else Xanatos couldn't quite identify. What was he thinking in this moment? Wasn't he uneasy in the least? Wasn't he shocked that there were people who didn't even have the most necessary things to live, here on the same planet from which the Senate was supposed to ensure that no one lived in poverty? But Obi-Wan didn't seem to be shocked. More impressed. The older Padawan made a note to himself that he would talk to his Master about this when they were alone. And before he could contemplate this further they had reached the building where the meeting was to be held and stepped inside.
The inside of the building was just as gloomy as the street. It was only with the help of the Force that the four Jedi could walk through the room without bumping into anything – although it was less a room than a lobby. It was enormous, the ceiling high above and the walls curved to the outside. It had probably once been the foyer of a big hotel or maybe the living room of one of the richer people of Coruscant. Qui-Gon tried to imagine how it had looked back then, maybe with a big chandelier hanging from the ceiling and lighting the whole room with a warm and delightful glow, plush armchairs standing in groups around expensive wooden tables.
However it had once looked, now the room was in the same state as the streets outside. Lumber was strewn over the floor, there were critters everywhere trying to find something to eat amidst all the trash. The walls were dark with dust and the only light came from an open door the far right corner.
With a confident stride but all his senses on alert, Qui-Gon followed Calan in the direction of the light. He listened intently but still couldn't hear voices or anything, for that matter, that indicated the presence of human beings.
Their Padawans a step behind them, the two Masters entered the room, hands on their lightsabers.
Four pairs of eyes stared at them. The people inside were all humans, two sitting at a table, the other two standing behind each of the chairs. Calan and Qui-Gon bowed and Calan began to speak. "We're Jedi-Knights, here on behalf of the Republic. My name is Rin Calan and this is Qui-Gon Jinn and the young ones are our apprentices. We're here to find a peaceful solution for the dispute that serves everyone."
Silence followed his introduction and Qui-Gon was about to say something more when one of the men seated spoke up.
"I am Reehan, leader of the Mogass-clan."
When he had finished the other man said in a proud tone of voice, "My name is Xogalt, leader of the Lhen-clan." The men standing behind them just stared at the Jedi, so Qui-Gon assumed they were probably bodyguards.
After waiting a moment so as to be sure he wouldn't be interrupting anyone he said in his most neutral voice, "We're pleased to meet you and I am sure that the negotiations will be a success if we all work together. It is, of course, in your hands when we will start the talks."
The leaders still refused to even look at each other but just continued glaring at the intruders. Finally Reehan spoke again. "We wish to start the talks tomorrow as we are still not sure if the filthy Lhen haven't set a trap for us."
Immediately, Xogalt stood up and his guard seemed to be ready to kill the other leader if he so much as blinked. "We don't set traps like the cowardly Mogass. We're a people of honour!'
Before the situation could escalate, Calan stepped in. "We agree with starting the negotiations tomorrow. We would, however, be most grateful if you could provide us with quarters for the night." The distraction was certainly a good one, but the word `quarters´ seemed very out of place considering their surroundings. Qui-Gon very much doubted that they would get anything that even remotely resembled a bed, let alone quarters.
The two leaders threw each other one last hostile look before turning their attention back to the Jedi. "This is neutral territory. You can do whatever you want here," Xogalt said. For once Reehan seemed to agree. He gave a short nod before leaving the room with his bodyguard without ever taking his eyes off the other two who followed after them.
The Jedi stood in the room for a moment, listening to the receding footsteps.
Xanatos raised an eyebrow at his Master and said, "Well, at least, we didn't get thrown out. That should count for something." Qui-Gon just sighed while Calan threw him a disapproving look. But Xanatos was sure he had seen the hint of a smile on Obi-Wan's face before he straightened his features again. He wondered why the boy never openly showed his emotions. He was quite sure that Calan wouldn't mind him laughing about such a small joke. He certainly knew that Qui-Gon never reprimanded him for his remarks. But now was not the time to think about such things.
Qui-Gon finally stated what they all thought. "Well, we should really start looking for a place to spend the night."
And with that he turned around and walked out into the hall, his Padawan and the other team following him closely.
**************************
After stumbling through all the debris for ten minutes, they found two adjoining rooms, which had at one time probably been guest rooms. They each contained a large bed and the two Masters decided that it would be the best place to stay. After a small discussion about how to proceed the next morning they retired to the rooms, Qui-Gon and Xanatos to one and Calan and Obi-Wan to the other. It had been a short day, due to the different time zones and despite the fact that Xanatos wasn't tired in the least, he knew that he had to be rested in the morning in order to work well. He lay down beside his Master and listened to the older man's even breathing. But instead of just using the Force to go to sleep he found himself staring at the ceiling with wide-open eyes and thinking about the 13-year-old lying in the next room. Why had the boy seemed so excited when they had first arrived? Xanatos remembered being excited on his first missions, well, he still was, but he had always forgotten all about it as soon as he had seen the suffering of the people. But instead of being shocked, Obi-Wan had seemed to absorb it all, hungry for every sight, every sound. And why was he always so quiet? He hardly ever said a word in the presence of his Master and he was heavily shielded at all times. Xanatos had started this mission with the intention of being entirely objective. He had even thought of it as an opportunity to allay his suspicions concerning Master Calan. But with everything that had happened so far he only found them confirmed.
***************************
On the other side of the thin wall that separated the rooms, Obi-Wan lay on the floor covered by an old blanket and also listening to the even breathing of his Master. He listened and waited. Adrenaline was pumping through his veins. He was afraid but at the same time felt strangely excited. He didn't know whether he was doing the right thing. He had briefly considered asking Xanatos about it but had dismissed the idea almost instantly. No, Xanatos would want him to do otherwise. The thought somehow disturbed him. Despite never telling him, he held the older Padawan in high regard, looked up to him. But he couldn't let him know of this. No, this time he was on his own. Not really the first time, a voice in his mind seemed to say. With a deep shaky breath he went back to listening to the sounds around him, waiting.
***************************
When Qui-Gon came out of his half-sleep, half-meditation it was still as dark as it had been the night before. He looked at his chrono and realised that they had about three and a half hours before the leaders would meet again. He looked beside him and saw Xanatos sleeping calmly. He smiled. That boy could really sleep through everything. Just when he considered going back to sleep for another half hour there was a knock on the door. "Come in!" he called out, knowing that Xanatos wouldn't be woken by it.
The door opened and Rin Calan stepped into the room. His expression was unreadable as always but what Qui-Gon found a bit disconcerting was that he already seemed fully awake whereas he still tried to get his bearings.
"Good Morning, Master Jinn. I hope you had a restful night."
Qui-Gon smiled lightly but Calan didn't return it. "It was as restful as a night amidst all this rubble can be. Is something wrong?"
Calan frowned. "Well, I was just wondering if you had maybe seen my Padawan. When I woke up this morning he wasn't in our room."
Qui-Gon stared at him. Beside him he could feel Xanatos slowly waking up. He couldn't have heard right. He must have gotten it wrong. "What did you say?"
Calan looked a bit annoyed at his incomprehension. "He wasn't in our room. I'm sure he's somewhere around. I just wanted to know whether he was with you."
His gaze lingered on Xanatos as he said those last words. The Padawan now had regained full conciousness and watched the exchange curiously. "What's the matter?"
Qui-Gon got up and reached for his robe. "Master Calan's Padawan is missing. We have to search for him immediately."
"Obi-Wan?" Xanatos seemed just as shocked as his Master.
Qui-Gon couldn't believe it. There stood Calan, perfectly calm. Qui-Gon tried to imagine what he would do if Xanatos were missing. He would probably have searched the whole area by now.
"How can you be so calm? Aren't you worried? Does he mean so little to you?" His Padawan had got up and was now standing in front of Calan, fists clenched at his sides, eyes narrowed.
"Padawan!" Qui-Gon called sharply. He understood the young man's emotions completely. He was not immune to them as his apprentice seemed to think sometimes. But this was not the time to let them get the better of him. He moved between Calan and Xanatos and spoke in an authoritative tone. "We're going to split up. Xanatos you go down the right side of the road and search everything in that area. Master Calan, please take the left side. And I will take the one that leads straight from here. We will meet back here in an hour."
For a moment Calan looked about to argue. But instead he just threw another spiteful glance at Xanatos and left. The Padawan took a deep breath and followed. When they were both gone, Qui-Gon closed his eyes briefly to center himself and then took off as well.
Warrior of the Pen: As always, great encouragement. Thank you so much. (You`re my first fan! :o))
Jedi Padawan: I haven`t taken your advice about the paragraphs because I had already written most of it when I read it. I find it a bit odd to start a new paragraph every time the speaker changes since it happens so often in my story. But I will try to do it, if that is the way it is done in English. Of course I know, that the timeline of the JA books doesn`t work for this. However, I didn`t know I had to point out that it was AU. I mentioned it now. I also corrected the mistake in chapter 3. Thank you for pointing these things out. Please tell me, if you find any more mistakes.
To my anonymous reviewer: Of course, I won`t state here how the story will end, that would take all the fun out of it. You`ll just have to read it.
To my unpatient reviewer: Isn`t the word `impatient´? Well, anyway, I clearly don`t remember getting a review from you, encouraging me to finish it. If you like it (which you obviously do, if you take the time to tell me this), then why don`t you just tell me. Or how about a bit of constructive criticism? Maybe you would like to do it this time. Then I`ll be much more motivated and will put more effort into it. :)
As always: Please review!! I will write more, if you tell me what you think, I promise.
Chapter 4
The sun was throwing one bright spot on the floor of Rin Calan's room. The Master sat on his bed, staring at the spot and wondering how he had ever come to the point where he would be afraid of going on a mission with another Master/Padawan team. A point where he would be afraid at all. Wasn't this what he told his apprentice every day? No negative feelings. He thought briefly of Nall, how the boy had often pointed out his Master's own faults, allowing a smile to show on his face. It vanished just as quickly as it had come as he thought about how things had turned out for Nall. He should never have let the boy get away with so much. He should have eradicated all of those feelings immediately: fear, sorrow, arrogance. For that was all it had been. Arrogance. Not a gift for observation. He should have punished him for observing faults of others and not his own, not smile indulgently and tell the boy he would think about it. What was there to think about? Calan knew that he had his own faults but he was a Master and Nall had only been a Padawan, which had been painfully obvious on the mission to Malastare. If only the boy had been a bit faster, had ignored his feelings of fear and anguish. But he had not been able to do it. That just made it clearer that he had not been any better than Kenobi.
So now, why was he afraid? Of course, he knew why he had been paired with Jinn. It had no doubt been the work of that old troll, so that he could be observed and later evaluated. He also knew that Yoda didn't trust him. But why should there be anything to be afraid of? It was true that most Masters had different teaching methods than him, but that didn't mean that his were the wrong ones. The only reason he didn't treat his apprentice the same way outside their quarters was that he didn't want to draw attention to himself. Calan sighed deeply before standing up.
Shoving every last thought of Nall and Jinn out of his mind he opened his door to begin a new day trying to drill some sense into that worthless Padawan of his.
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Obi-Wan was suddenly torn from his thoughts by the stern voice of his Master.
"Kenobi! Out here! Now!"
Obi-Wan jumped out of bed and without another thought as to what the man would do to him now, yanked open the door. Rin Calan towered over him. His height alone was enough to make any child cower but the look in his eyes was even more frightening. Obi-Wan knew this look. He knew it from endless nights when his Master had decided once again that he had to be reminded of his worthlessness. He knew it from dreams where the events of the day would not let him have a minute of rest. Now, the young Padawan averted his eyes to the floor, knowing that it would only infuriate the man more if he met his glare.
So Obi-Wan was very surprised when instead of slapping him or yelling at him, his Master only said in his usual authoritative voice, "We've been assigned a mission. We will leave in half an hour. Go and pack your things for two days."
With that Calan just turned around and strode into his own room again. Obi- Wan blinked a few times and then went to his room as well. He took his bag and began throwing things into it. He didn't know whether he should be happy or fearful. Sure, his Master hardly took him on missions and he was eager to see something else than the Temple and to have a great adventure just like the ones Garen and Reeft always told of. But being away from the Temple also meant being alone with Master Calan and not having the prospect of seeing his friends at meals. Obi-Wan decided that there was no use thinking about that now. He would just have to see. With that in mind, he continued packing.
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When Xanatos was woken that day by his Master he knew instantly that the things they had talked about the day before still weighed heavily on the older man's mind. Instead of his usual wake-up call the Padawan was woken quietly and the breakfast passed mostly in silence.
On their way to the landing pad, where they would get their transport, Xanatos looked at his Master and finally decided to break the silence. "Master, I think that it would be better for both the mission and Obi-Wan if we actually spoke to each other."
Qui-Gon smiled at him and he instantly seemed to come out of his stupor. "Yes, you're right, Padawan. I just thought a few things over." They continued in silence, but it was a comfortable silence, now.
Upon reaching the pad they immediately spotted the pair. Calan, tall and a bit intimidating, Xanatos thought, stood with his hands folded inside his robe. Beside him, in a perfect imitation of his Master's stance, was Obi- Wan. Xanatos gave the boy a brief encouraging smile and was a bit taken aback when he didn't return it. His attention was diverted, however, when Qui-Gon spoke up.
"Master Calan, I think you already know my Padawan, Xanatos."
Calan gave a short nod. "Yes, we've already met. May I introduce my apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Qui-Gon smiled at the boy warmly and said: "It is a pleasure to see you again, Padawan Kenobi. It has been some time. But Xanatos has told me a lot about you."
Obi-Wan blushed slightly and bowed. "And you, Master Jinn," was all he said and Qui-Gon wasn't sure which one of his statements he had answered.
Having taken care of the pleasantries they boarded the transport that was to take them to the part of the southern hemisphere they needed to visit.
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Qui-Gon was surprised. He remembered the boy being very open with his emotions, but now he saw a shyness that he hadn't expected. After they had all settled in, he began to explain the details of their mission. He kept glancing at Obi-Wan, who was listening attentively but never asked a question whenever he was asked whether he had understood everything. When he finished his explanations they had already reached their destination.
**************************
Several pairs of eyes observed the four Jedi as they exited the transport, although none of them made themselves known. They watched from the shadows. It wasn't difficult to hide down here. Light was sparse, a treasure to those who sought another life, a curse to those who wanted to forget it. The new light from the red painted transport awoke mistrust and was only looked at from afar. As the Jedi began to walk away from it, the eyes vanished immediately.
Rin Calan took the lead towards the building they were to meet in with the leaders of the two factions. Xanatos looked at the basement with unease. It was hard to believe that these were the same buildings that could be seen in the higher levels. Up there, the glass and steel was shiny, reflecting the rays of the sun, symbolising a planet of wealth and glamour. Down here the very same buildings were run-down. The windows were broken or so dirty that they seemed to be made of stone. There weren't any speeders in the streets. The asphalt was littered with rubbish and full of dust. The sounds of the city above were not drowned out but they sounded strange, as if from another world. The buildings were not being restored by the government. They knew that the durasteel would hold them together for ages. On this level there was no wealth, no families who had dinner together in warm common rooms, no security forces to look out for those who just wanted to live in peace
.
But there were families. A small face peeked from around a pile of discarded boxes. Eyes full of wonder regarded the four strange beings for a moment and then disappeared again. Apart from the noises from far above there were hardly any sounds. All that could be heard now and then was a rattle when a critter knocked something over. There were no sounds that showed that people lived here, no laughing, no talking.
Xanatos took a deep breath and looked at his Master. Qui-Gon's face didn't betray any feelings, he was the perfect, calm Jedi-Master. The Padawan couldn't pretend that this didn't bother him that well. Looking at his surroundings made him shiver. He had been on the lower levels before, but never in a region this run-down. How could something like this exist on a planet that claimed to be the metropolis of democracy, that was a symbol of freedom and equality throughout the whole galaxy?
Xanatos glanced at Obi-Wan expecting to see the same expression of disbelief on his face. Instead the boy looked almost...excited. His eyes were huge and he looked at his surroundings with awe and something else Xanatos couldn't quite identify. What was he thinking in this moment? Wasn't he uneasy in the least? Wasn't he shocked that there were people who didn't even have the most necessary things to live, here on the same planet from which the Senate was supposed to ensure that no one lived in poverty? But Obi-Wan didn't seem to be shocked. More impressed. The older Padawan made a note to himself that he would talk to his Master about this when they were alone. And before he could contemplate this further they had reached the building where the meeting was to be held and stepped inside.
The inside of the building was just as gloomy as the street. It was only with the help of the Force that the four Jedi could walk through the room without bumping into anything – although it was less a room than a lobby. It was enormous, the ceiling high above and the walls curved to the outside. It had probably once been the foyer of a big hotel or maybe the living room of one of the richer people of Coruscant. Qui-Gon tried to imagine how it had looked back then, maybe with a big chandelier hanging from the ceiling and lighting the whole room with a warm and delightful glow, plush armchairs standing in groups around expensive wooden tables.
However it had once looked, now the room was in the same state as the streets outside. Lumber was strewn over the floor, there were critters everywhere trying to find something to eat amidst all the trash. The walls were dark with dust and the only light came from an open door the far right corner.
With a confident stride but all his senses on alert, Qui-Gon followed Calan in the direction of the light. He listened intently but still couldn't hear voices or anything, for that matter, that indicated the presence of human beings.
Their Padawans a step behind them, the two Masters entered the room, hands on their lightsabers.
Four pairs of eyes stared at them. The people inside were all humans, two sitting at a table, the other two standing behind each of the chairs. Calan and Qui-Gon bowed and Calan began to speak. "We're Jedi-Knights, here on behalf of the Republic. My name is Rin Calan and this is Qui-Gon Jinn and the young ones are our apprentices. We're here to find a peaceful solution for the dispute that serves everyone."
Silence followed his introduction and Qui-Gon was about to say something more when one of the men seated spoke up.
"I am Reehan, leader of the Mogass-clan."
When he had finished the other man said in a proud tone of voice, "My name is Xogalt, leader of the Lhen-clan." The men standing behind them just stared at the Jedi, so Qui-Gon assumed they were probably bodyguards.
After waiting a moment so as to be sure he wouldn't be interrupting anyone he said in his most neutral voice, "We're pleased to meet you and I am sure that the negotiations will be a success if we all work together. It is, of course, in your hands when we will start the talks."
The leaders still refused to even look at each other but just continued glaring at the intruders. Finally Reehan spoke again. "We wish to start the talks tomorrow as we are still not sure if the filthy Lhen haven't set a trap for us."
Immediately, Xogalt stood up and his guard seemed to be ready to kill the other leader if he so much as blinked. "We don't set traps like the cowardly Mogass. We're a people of honour!'
Before the situation could escalate, Calan stepped in. "We agree with starting the negotiations tomorrow. We would, however, be most grateful if you could provide us with quarters for the night." The distraction was certainly a good one, but the word `quarters´ seemed very out of place considering their surroundings. Qui-Gon very much doubted that they would get anything that even remotely resembled a bed, let alone quarters.
The two leaders threw each other one last hostile look before turning their attention back to the Jedi. "This is neutral territory. You can do whatever you want here," Xogalt said. For once Reehan seemed to agree. He gave a short nod before leaving the room with his bodyguard without ever taking his eyes off the other two who followed after them.
The Jedi stood in the room for a moment, listening to the receding footsteps.
Xanatos raised an eyebrow at his Master and said, "Well, at least, we didn't get thrown out. That should count for something." Qui-Gon just sighed while Calan threw him a disapproving look. But Xanatos was sure he had seen the hint of a smile on Obi-Wan's face before he straightened his features again. He wondered why the boy never openly showed his emotions. He was quite sure that Calan wouldn't mind him laughing about such a small joke. He certainly knew that Qui-Gon never reprimanded him for his remarks. But now was not the time to think about such things.
Qui-Gon finally stated what they all thought. "Well, we should really start looking for a place to spend the night."
And with that he turned around and walked out into the hall, his Padawan and the other team following him closely.
**************************
After stumbling through all the debris for ten minutes, they found two adjoining rooms, which had at one time probably been guest rooms. They each contained a large bed and the two Masters decided that it would be the best place to stay. After a small discussion about how to proceed the next morning they retired to the rooms, Qui-Gon and Xanatos to one and Calan and Obi-Wan to the other. It had been a short day, due to the different time zones and despite the fact that Xanatos wasn't tired in the least, he knew that he had to be rested in the morning in order to work well. He lay down beside his Master and listened to the older man's even breathing. But instead of just using the Force to go to sleep he found himself staring at the ceiling with wide-open eyes and thinking about the 13-year-old lying in the next room. Why had the boy seemed so excited when they had first arrived? Xanatos remembered being excited on his first missions, well, he still was, but he had always forgotten all about it as soon as he had seen the suffering of the people. But instead of being shocked, Obi-Wan had seemed to absorb it all, hungry for every sight, every sound. And why was he always so quiet? He hardly ever said a word in the presence of his Master and he was heavily shielded at all times. Xanatos had started this mission with the intention of being entirely objective. He had even thought of it as an opportunity to allay his suspicions concerning Master Calan. But with everything that had happened so far he only found them confirmed.
***************************
On the other side of the thin wall that separated the rooms, Obi-Wan lay on the floor covered by an old blanket and also listening to the even breathing of his Master. He listened and waited. Adrenaline was pumping through his veins. He was afraid but at the same time felt strangely excited. He didn't know whether he was doing the right thing. He had briefly considered asking Xanatos about it but had dismissed the idea almost instantly. No, Xanatos would want him to do otherwise. The thought somehow disturbed him. Despite never telling him, he held the older Padawan in high regard, looked up to him. But he couldn't let him know of this. No, this time he was on his own. Not really the first time, a voice in his mind seemed to say. With a deep shaky breath he went back to listening to the sounds around him, waiting.
***************************
When Qui-Gon came out of his half-sleep, half-meditation it was still as dark as it had been the night before. He looked at his chrono and realised that they had about three and a half hours before the leaders would meet again. He looked beside him and saw Xanatos sleeping calmly. He smiled. That boy could really sleep through everything. Just when he considered going back to sleep for another half hour there was a knock on the door. "Come in!" he called out, knowing that Xanatos wouldn't be woken by it.
The door opened and Rin Calan stepped into the room. His expression was unreadable as always but what Qui-Gon found a bit disconcerting was that he already seemed fully awake whereas he still tried to get his bearings.
"Good Morning, Master Jinn. I hope you had a restful night."
Qui-Gon smiled lightly but Calan didn't return it. "It was as restful as a night amidst all this rubble can be. Is something wrong?"
Calan frowned. "Well, I was just wondering if you had maybe seen my Padawan. When I woke up this morning he wasn't in our room."
Qui-Gon stared at him. Beside him he could feel Xanatos slowly waking up. He couldn't have heard right. He must have gotten it wrong. "What did you say?"
Calan looked a bit annoyed at his incomprehension. "He wasn't in our room. I'm sure he's somewhere around. I just wanted to know whether he was with you."
His gaze lingered on Xanatos as he said those last words. The Padawan now had regained full conciousness and watched the exchange curiously. "What's the matter?"
Qui-Gon got up and reached for his robe. "Master Calan's Padawan is missing. We have to search for him immediately."
"Obi-Wan?" Xanatos seemed just as shocked as his Master.
Qui-Gon couldn't believe it. There stood Calan, perfectly calm. Qui-Gon tried to imagine what he would do if Xanatos were missing. He would probably have searched the whole area by now.
"How can you be so calm? Aren't you worried? Does he mean so little to you?" His Padawan had got up and was now standing in front of Calan, fists clenched at his sides, eyes narrowed.
"Padawan!" Qui-Gon called sharply. He understood the young man's emotions completely. He was not immune to them as his apprentice seemed to think sometimes. But this was not the time to let them get the better of him. He moved between Calan and Xanatos and spoke in an authoritative tone. "We're going to split up. Xanatos you go down the right side of the road and search everything in that area. Master Calan, please take the left side. And I will take the one that leads straight from here. We will meet back here in an hour."
For a moment Calan looked about to argue. But instead he just threw another spiteful glance at Xanatos and left. The Padawan took a deep breath and followed. When they were both gone, Qui-Gon closed his eyes briefly to center himself and then took off as well.