Antigone Q Thanks! Glad you like it.

AlenaRiveldell I like him too. He's one of those characters that just leave endless possibilities to explore.

lillian Wow, thank you so much. There's no better compliment than to hear that someone actually liked it enough to read it more than once.

Tsukinoko1 Thanks! That's such a nice thing to say. I'm always worried that it will show too much.

Kris Destiny You never know what will happen. After all, we like to make life difficult for our characters, don't we? Glad you like it.

The Dancing Cavalier Thanks! I can assure you there's a good reason for him going to Telos.

sidheranma and Tiamath I know, it took a long time for him to get there, but I'm glad you're still reading.

Wolfkyr I seem to be doing that a lot. Thank you for still reading this even though the updates are so infrequent.

Chapter 17

The doors hadn't even fully closed before Xanatos's anger exploded out of him. "How dare they make such a decision without even asking us? They have no idea what they're doing to Obi-Wan!"

Qui-Gon wanted nothing more than agree with his Padawan and make very clear what he thought of the Council's decision. But this wasn't the time and it certainly wouldn't help Xanatos rein in his anger. Apart from that Qui-Gon wasn't entirely sure whether his apprentice's indignation was really only due to Obi-Wan's situation or also had to do with the mission taking place on his home planet, a fact Qui-Gon knew he had to discuss with the young man before they arrived. Such missions could be difficult, especially when said planet was ruled by the Jedi's father.

For the moment though, the Master concentrated on their current dilemma. "Calm yourself, Padawan. You may not like the Council's decision, but you will have to respect it."

Xanatos gave him a disbelieving look and opened his mouth, probably to remind his Master about other situations like this one and the older man's actions then, but Qui-Gon was saved by Mace Windu exiting the Council Chamber and stopping just outside, obviously waiting for his friend to join him.

Qui-Gon turned back to Xanatos and said, "Please go back to our quarters and tell Obi-Wan about the mission. I won't be long."

Xanatos seemed ready to argue again, but then just nodded, not looking happy at all and left the room.

Qui-Gon frowned at the door for a moment and then made his way over to his friend, starting to speak as soon as he had reached him. He nearly had to laugh at himself as he repeated his Padawan's words almost exactly. And you wonder where he got it from, he thought ruefully.

"What could you be thinking, Mace? This is not a mission for a young Padawan who is trying to overcome a trauma. Are you trying to kill him?"

"Qui-Gon, it wasn't me who made the decision. I argued against it, but Yoda was adamant. I couldn't get him to reconsider."

When Qui-Gon opened his mouth to argue back, Mace continued in a low voice, "He's seen something, Qui-Gon. He's had a vision. You know how he is, once he thinks he's doing the will of the Force, it's impossible to make him consider a different way." Mace smirked at his friend. "In that way, he's a lot like someone else I know."

But Qui-Gon wasn't in the mood to joke. "Why Telos? It will be hard enough on Xanatos as it is. Crimes committed by its leader? You're asking my Padawan to investigate his own father."

Mace looked at him for a long moment, before he suddenly started walking towards the exit. "Come with me. We have to talk."

Puzzled, but willing to follow Mace elsewhere if he could get some more information, Qui-Gon exited the room behind his friend.

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Obi-Wan was doing homework when Xanatos entered his room, but looked up and smiled at the older Padawan.

Xanatos smiled back tightly. "Hello, Obi-Wan. Pack your things. We're going on a mission."

The boy's surprise was obvious. "Me too?"

"Yes. We're leaving tonight."

Obi-Wan was already taking out his pack. "Where are we going?"

"To Telos. We don't know the details yet, but Qui-Gon will be here in a moment to explain everything."

Xanatos hoped that Obi-Wan wouldn't ask more questions. He didn't know what to feel anymore. When he had heard the destination of their mission, he had been shocked. They were being sent because Telos's leader was supposedly involved in illegal affairs. Crion Terinos. Xanatos's father.

The young man couldn't understand how the Council could even suspect such a thing. His father would never do anything bad enough to warrant Jedi intervention, would he? Xanatos shook his head; he couldn't think about that now. The Council's decision to send Obi-Wan with them was enough shock to deal with.The thought alone made him want to go back there and tell them what he thought of their wisdom.

He looked up at Obi-Wan and saw the boy look back at him with slightly confused eyes. "It will be okay, Obi-Wan. It's a mission, a real adventure."

The younger Padawan grinned back weakly, then started to pack his things. Xanatos's face fell again as soon as the other's back was turned. They would have to make do with what the Council expected of them, but that didn't mean he had to like it.

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Mace took them to his quarters. Once inside, he didn't hesitate, but crossed the room to the balcony and stepped outside into the noise and pollution of Coruscant. Qui-Gon followed and then waited for the other to start talking.

After a few moments, Mace spoke, looking out over the skyline of the city planet with a serious expression. "What I tell you should normally stay within the Council, but I believe that it's important for you to know and will spare both you and Xanatos a great deal of trouble."

Mace took a deep breath and Qui-Gon started feeling uneasy. The words unsettled him. He was suddenly very worried about what awaited them on Telos.

"A few days ago, Healer Migaja contacted me and Yoda privately, telling us that she had something to discuss. It was about Xanatos. She told us that your Padawan had shown strange behaviour during Obi-Wan's sessions and that she was worried he had a few emotional problems of his own."

Qui-Gon could hardly believe what he was hearing. "Why didn't she contact me about it? Why didn't you contact me about it?"

"She asked us not to."

Now Qui-Gon was becoming angry. "Why? Did she think we couldn't handle it?" He could tell that Mace was becoming irritated as well, but what else should he say? He was hearing about this for the first time and was starting to doubt the wisdom of placing Obi-Wan into the soul healer's hands.

"Qui-Gon, I'm not your enemy. I'm trying to explain all of this to you. To tell you the truth, yes, she was afraid you wouldn't be able to handle it correctly and maybe make matters worse by confronting Xanatos at that point. She wasn't even sure whether there really was a problem and just wanted us to keep an eye on it."

Qui-Gon took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. "I still don't understand what that has to do with the mission."

Mace closed his eyes briefly. He knew that the other wouldn't take what he had to say well. "It's a test. Yoda thinks that it will help determine what Xanatos's problem is and whether he needs help to find his way again."

Qui-Gon took a step back and stared at his friend with narrowed eyes. "You think he's leaning towards the dark side."

"We just want to help him."

"No, you don't trust him. You've always thought that he's odd, because he's a bit unorthodox."

"Qui-Gon…"

"You know what, Mace, I don't care. He's an excellent Padawan and he will be a great Knight. I trust him and he will show you that he's very capable of completing this test to your and my satisfaction. Make sure to tell Yoda and Master Migaja. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get ready for our mission."

Not looking back, Qui-Gon left the quarters, leaving a resigned and slightly worried Mace behind.

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The atmosphere was tense when they walked towards the landing pad a couple of hours later. They had spent the remaining time reading the information the Council had provided them with and Qui-Gon had explained the details to Obi-Wan while Xanatos just watched them.

On the ship Xanatos took one of the cabins together with Obi-Wan, while Qui-Gon took the other. It would take them thirty hours to reach Telos and Xanatos hoped that his Master would have a plan what to do with Obi-Wan during that time. Xanatos desperately needed some time alone to think. He deposited his pack on one bed in the small cabin and then left again in search of a place on the ship where he could be alone. When he walked into the corridor he could feel Obi-Wan's eyes on his back, but he didn't turn around, not wanting to deal with more questions now.

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Qui-Gon had stood behind the pilot during lift-off, watching the Temple grow smaller and finally disappear in the maze of Coruscant's endless skyways. When they had entered an orbit and were waiting for their hyperspace clearance Qui-Gon turned his back on the planet and walked towards the room where his Padawan and Obi-Wan had taken up residence. He knocked lightly and waited till he heard Obi-Wan's quiet 'Come in.'

He opened the door and looked around the cabin. Obi-Wan was sitting on his bed, looking up expectantly, but Xanatos bed was empty except for his pack that had been thrown onto it. "Where's Xanatos?"

"I don't know, Master Jinn."

Qui-Gon frowned, but then decided to put the matter out of his mind. Xanatos was probably just off meditating somewhere, preparing for the mission. Instead he focused on Obi-Wan and motioned towards the datapad that was lying beside the boy. "Did you understand everything about the mission, Obi-Wan?"

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan hesitated, obviously wondering whether he should say what was on his mind, but finally looked Qui-Gon in the eyes. "Does Xanatos know the ruler of Telos?"

Qui-Gon had waited for the question since they had told Obi-Wan about the mission. The name had been mentioned several times in the reports and Qui-Gon had seen the younger Padawan throw Xanatos curious glances the whole time, while the latter had just stared at his own datapad, not saying a word.

Deciding that it was better for him to tell Obi-Wan than leave it to his Padawan, Qui-Gon sat down on the bed beside the apprentice and said, "Terinos Crion is Xanatos's father."

Obi-Wan nodded thoughtfully and then asked, "Do they know each other?"

"Yes, they do. The last time they saw each other was two years ago." Qui-Gon decided to not tell Obi-Wan that things between the Jedi Order and Telos' leader had always been a bit strained. While Crion had given his son to the Order willingly at first, he had later wanted to have the boy back after losing his second son in an assassination meant for him. However, once a child had been entrusted to the Jedi, it couldn't be taken back unless the apprentice himself decided to do so after turning sixteen. Qui-Gon still thanked the Force that Xanatos had wanted to remain with the Jedi. But after the premature death of the Padawan's brother, Crion had obtained a court order that allowed him to see his son whenever he wished. Qui-Gon hadn't liked it and still didn't, but luckily the man's visits had remained rare, although they always left the apprentice in a state of disquiet and Qui-Gon had never managed to find out why.

Obi-Wan seemed lost in thought and Qui-Gon waited for a moment before he gently prodded, "Do you have any other questions?"

The boy seemed on the verge of asking something, but then he just shook his head and said, "No. Thank you, Master Jinn."

Qui-Gon smiled warmly at him and then went up to leave. "Try to get some of your studies done, Obi-Wan. We're going to be busy once we arrive. Dinner's in an hour."

Leaving the room, the Master wondered whether he should look for Xanatos, but decided against it. The boy needed some time to himself and Qui-Gon didn't want to intrude on that need for privacy.