Qui Gon stood off to the side as he watched Leila talking to Obi Wan in front of his transport.
Xanatos had been an easy student. Though he had been very young when he had left Telos, he remembered perfectly well that he had come from a powerful family on a powerful planet. He had used that information to impress the other student. Qui Gon had been patient with that fault, he had considered it a childish failing that would disappear with time and teaching. Xanatos had been that different, Qui Gon had told himself. And the boy had made up for his snobbery with a genuine desire to learn and an excellent aptitude for Jedi skills. And when the time had come, Qui Gon had chosen Xanatos as his second Padawan learner.
Leila watched with damp eyes as Obi Wan's transport disappeared.
"You'll see him again," said Qui Gon behind her. He smiled slightly. "He seems to pop up every time he leaves."
You're not funny," muttered Leila.
Qui Gon's eyebrows rose. "Are you going to me ignore like last time?"
She turned and looked at him. She met his gaze squarely. "Maybe."
"I wish you wouldn't," said Qui Gon calmly. "Then I'd have no one to talk to."
They turned and walked toward the Home Planet Mine. That was where they where to meet with Offworld.
"He's a good boy," said Qui Gon at last.
"He is."
"He cares for you."
"He does." She said nothing else.
Qui Gon looked at her and prompted. "And you?"
"I care for him."
"As only a brother?"
Leila looked at him for a long moment. Then a slow smile began spreading over her face. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason," mumbled Qui Gon. He was far from comfortable asking her such a question. He knew little of the love between a girl and boy, because the Jedi Order did not encourage such a thing.
They met VeerTa in the hallways. "This meeting is a waste of time," she said brusquely. "Offworld will make us petty promises. And then break them."
"We are here to ensure that they don't," said Qui Gon. He liked fiery VeerTa. He hoped that the meeting would go well for her sake.
They entered the receiving room.
Clat'Ha, the Human manager of the Acconan Harvest mining operation was already there. Qui Gon and Leila greeted her warmly. They had been allies on the ship that had brought them here and she had been a large help with keeping Leila alive.
"Are you better?" she asked Leila.
"On the way," said Leila with a slight smile.
They waited for several minuets but the Offworld representative didn't show. Since Jemba the Hutt had been killed during the journey to Bandomeer, nobody knew who the new representative would be. Offworld's power structure was clouded in mystery. No one even knew who its leader was.
Finally, an annoyed SonTag gestured at the cushions. "We might as well start the meeting."
Everyone save Leila took seats.
Clat'Ha and VeerTa began to brief SonTag on progress in the mines.
Leila, who was standing behind her Father, felt the same ripple in the Force as she had earlier. Her head came around. Then she slowly turned back around.
Qui Gon turned. He had felt it that time. They where dark ripples of warning.