XV

Merchant Vessel, Bothan Space

Obi-Wan Kenobi felt the innocence of the many technicians that passed both he and his padawan, he and Ian were assigned to meet with the Seeker Lord that had requested meeting with them. He had realized that Ian's attitude was more argumentative than usual and his outlook was even more molded by the Seekers than he thought.

Obi-Wan allowed the four honorary Clone Troopers that had accompanied them beyond the ship, both the Jedi and the Seeker had chosen neutral territory to meet so that no trap could be sprung.

Ian was even more restless and fidgeted as they finally entered the meeting room; his usually dry blond hair was matted with sweat as he took a stand beside his master.

Lord Fyte was tall, was the first thing that Obi-Wan realized as the figure that stood before him was eight Standard Feet, his appearance was strong, his attitude withdrawn, he emitted an aura of peace and yet a powerful hatred within him. The Jedi Master felt a powerful taint of the dark side that hovered above Fyte.

"Ah, welcome Masters Jedi," he bellowed with a deep voice taking a seat.

Obi-Wan and Ian sat simultaneously, the Master was the first to speak, "I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Master, and this is my padawan Ian Riath,"

Lord Fyte bowed his head in slight acknowledgement and grinned fiercely, his smile reminded Obi-Wan of the Sith Lord he encountered on Naboo's snarl, the Seeker continued, "and I as you may have heard, am Lord Fyte Demasaxco, but you may refer to me as Lord Fyte," he shifted his callous hands on the table that separated them cracked his knuckles loudly, "My Lords have decided to make a pact or deal as it were with the Jedi Order,"

Obi-Wan nodded interested, "yes what is it?"

Lord Fyte's chin rose an inch and he regarded Obi-Wan from even higher eyes if it were possible, "We have taken an eighth of the Galaxy, and still your systems fall, Republic Systems, Independent Systems, Colonies and Refugee Systems, even those that do not belong here," his eyes grew distant, "Galaxies beyond the Intergalactic Void," his voice grew filled with feeling, "we cleaned them of impurities, even destroyed the remnants of the so-called Infinite Empire, the fallen ones,"

"You mean of the dark side?" inquired Obi-Wan, specifically asking the same question that he had asked Darra upon Last Sight.

Lord Fyte's eyes grew dark, "the dark side is not the true taint that smothers the galaxy, it is those who are not pure, aliens,"

Obi-Wan's expression remained stagnant but he was appalled by the Seeker's actions and thinking, interestingly he felt his padawan's silent agreement. Ian was never really one for aliens, the only one he really expected was Master Yoda, and none even knew what he specie was, "I understand," he replied softly, "what are your terms for a peaceful term?"

Fyte smiled wickedly again, "I would rather hunt every Jedi Knight down, and every alien in this galaxy, but we are a people of honor and must always follow the guidelines of the High Lords and his majesty the Lord Seeker of Deaths," suddenly his eyes grew dim as he glanced at Ian, his face contorted in pure confusion and shock, "you are a student of Lady Darra?"

Obi-Wan was immediately alarmed, Ian had never mentioned himself as being a student of the Seeker Master after all that he had told him had happened. Ian fidgeted a bit and nodded, "she taught me basic Seeker teachings, I understand your code," his eyes flickered lightly and Obi-Wan felt a coldness climb into his stomach.

The Jedi Master his own natural instincts and ignored this reaction in himself, "What are your terms?" he repeated.

Fyte nodded in approval, and Obi-Wan could only feel that something had been silently said between his padawan and the Lord. Fyte continued, "you will give to us all aliens and we will cease our destruction of the planets and their life-forces, on the Word of Seeker Amash,"

Ian blinked, "the most sacred of ou-your vows," he said in disbelief.

Obi-Wan again ignored his padawan's words, "That cannot be agreed to, the terms cannot be fulfilled,"

Fyte sighed, "I expected as much," he barred his teeth in a wicked grin, "we cannot allow you to leave this place, you cannot speak to the Jedi Council of our meeting,"

Obi-Wan frowned, "but if we disappear how will you explain it? The Jedi Council will know that you are all lying,"

The four clone troopers aimed trained their blasters on Lord Fyte, but were stopped by Obi-Wan's raised hand, "hold fire," he turned back to Fyte, "you are outnumbered lord Fyte, and on neutral territory, you cannot afford to try and escape,"

Lord Fyte laughed with a deep voice, "you make me laugh Jedi," he reached for his lightsaber and the clone troopers opened fire, the Seeker pushed his hand forward and the troopers were thrown violently against the walls of the room, with another flick of his hand the table was thrown at them, "Jedi, this is not neutral territory, this is Seeker claimed ship," he fled.

Obi-Wan activated his lightsaber and the blade slashed through the table, and it fell to his sides while Ian checked the Clones, two were dead, one had a deep gash in his forehead and the other's arm was crippled, "just give me a blaster and let me fight General," the clone said motioning with his left hand.

Obi-Wan shook his head sadly and helped the clone fall into a blissful sleep, he turned back at Ian, "We have to stop him from escaping, we have to arrest him,"

Ian was at the door, "Sith spawn," he swore, "Fyte locked it from the outside,"

Obi-Wan plunged his lightsaber into the door's locking mechanism and twisted it, the durasteel melted under the heat of the lightsaber's blade and eventually hissed opened, Obi-Wan's eyes widened as he watched the corpses of the Merchants, and watched as five Trade Federation battle droids came toward them, "battle droids," he shouted deflecting fire from one of them, "I thought the battle of Mustafa had ended this,"

"Commandrrr, Jediiii," one said firing again.

Ian's yellow blade flashed forth with a snap-hiss and the Jedi threw the blade forward, it spun as it went through two droids slicing through their waists; destroying them, with a leap onto one's chassis his lightsaber flew back into his hand and he plunged it into its head as the droids headless body fell to the floor Ian threw his lightsaber forward like a spear and it stabbed into the chassis of another. Obi-Wan's lightsaber sheered through the last one and he watched his padawan carefully, "well done padawan,"

"Come on," he shouted running toward the hanger; Lord Fyte could not be allowed to escape.

The translucent figures of the three High Lords seated in a semi-circle appeared before Lord Fyte, the man bowed in reverence, "It has begun and the chain of events have played exactly as you have foreseen my lords,"

"Very good," replied Nissak with a wave of his hand, "keep the two Jedi occupied long enough to plant the gift for their temple,"

"Yes milord," he rose from his prostration and the images of the lords vanished, Jedi Master Keroth Tyram was bound in stun-cuffs, and his eyes dreary as the stimulas drug went through his body, leaving him purely stupefied, Fyte smiled at the unconscious Jedi Master and nodded, "yes, you will do well for us,"