Charismilena – Yes, I am kind of putting Crion through hell right now. Although he might not realize it, things can always go from bad to worse. ***cue evil laughter**

sterling5842

Ch 14 – The scene with Crion mentioning Siri almost wrote itself. I had to laugh at what Siri would have done if Bruck had started a rumor about her and Obi-Wan.

Ch 15 – Master Uaay still has some anger issues I bet. It probably didn't help that she thought she found the perfect padawan only to find out her unresolved anger was directed at his father. Too bad she didn't take Crion. I think she got what she feared getting with Bror. As for Obi with a female padawan, I think Obi-Ew on TFN wrote him with a female padawan named Haley. I also think that red_rose_knight wrote him with Leia as his padawan in an AU. Both of those were a long time ago.

Ch 16 – Yes, can't you see it all unfolding now?

Ch 17 – I think Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Crion will all be stronger for finding out now. They are going to need it. Things are about to get unpleasant.

Chapter 18

Qui-Gon sat at the small table in the Kenobi/Ryal quarters. Outside the window, the sun brightened the Coruscant sky. Morning had seemed to come quickly, surprising considering he had not slept the previous night. He had spent the night in meditation, breaking only to make arrangements for Anakin for today and to check on Crion once or twice.

Things always seemed much clearer in light of the Force, and in the course of his meditations he had come to peace with his role in answering the questions that Crion would no doubt have. In a way, he was glad that Obi-Wan had been spared this task.

On the table in front of him was a plate of fruit, some sweet rolls Bant had dropped off after her shift was over, and a fresh pot of hot tea. It wasn't much of a meal, but Qui-Gon doubted either of them would really be hungry. Still, with adolescent boys, he had learned it was always good to have food available.

Crion had been awake for nearly half an hour. Qui-Gon waited patiently, knowing that Crion sensed his presence and would come out of the room when ready. Finally, the door opened and Crion exited. He was silent, but his gaze remained fixed on Qui-Gon as he made his way to the table.

Hurt and betrayal … Qui-Gon had seen them both before in those same eyes what seemed like a lifetime ago. Anger simmered just beneath the surface, but it was well controlled at least.

The teenager sunk down to the chair across from him, arms folded protectively around his body. He remained silent for a moment before voicing what sounded somewhat like a demand. "I want to contact my master."

"No," Qui-Gon said firmly. Crion's gaze smoldered with more emotion than Qui-Gon had ever seen from the young man. He breathed a sigh of relief as he sensed the padawan release some of it into the Force. "You have enough experience to understand that distractions, even on the simplest of missions, can be dangerous," the Jedi master continued. "Alerting your master to what is happening would be a significant distraction for him and could place him in danger."

Crion seemed to consider Qui-Gon's words, torn between his desire to speak with the one he thought could help him make sense of everything and his desire to keep Obi-Wan safe. "Master won't be happy that you kept this from him."

"I know," Qui-Gon answered, having given great thought to that as well during his meditations. He hoped that Obi-Wan would understand why he had chosen to handle this on his own.

"Okay," Crion said. "I will wait and talk to my master when he gets back." Standing, he started to return to his room.

"Crion, wait," Qui-Gon called in a gentle but firm tone. The boy paused, one hand resting on the doorframe to steady himself. "I have the answers you want." Crion turned to look at him. Hunger to know the truth flooded his eyes. "I promise absolute honesty if you will talk to me."

"Am I Xanatos Marojni's son?" Crion asked. It was a simple, blunt question to test the waters. He already knew the answer but needed to hear someone actually say it.

"Yes," Qui-Gon answered.

Crion slumped forward, shaking his head from side to side. Qui-Gon half expected him to dash back to the safety of his room, but his curiosity seemed stronger. Somewhat reluctantly, the boy shuffled back to the chair and sat down. "Absolute honesty?" he asked.

"You have my word."

Crion nodded as he took a deep, calming breath. "Does my master know?"

"Yes, he does," Qui-Gon answered.

Long lashes swept down as strong emotion once again leaked into the Force. Crion had dreaded the answer, the feelings of betrayal only intensifying at knowing that his master had kept the secret as well.

"Before you become angry with him," Qui-Gon said, "you need to know that this is something he has agonized over since taking you as his apprentice. It has been hard for him to repay your trust and honesty by keeping something from you."

"Was he planning on ever telling me?" Crion bit back harshly.

"There were many times he wanted to tell you, but it was not his choice alone to make. The Council and I felt it was best to wait until the time was right."

"Until the time was right," Crion repeated somewhat sarcastically. "Like, after I was knighted. That would have been a wonderful gift - In appreciation of your years as a loyal apprentice, I have a bit of news for you, Padawan," the boy voiced in a mocking tone.

"Let me ask you," Qui-Gon posed, ignoring the reaction. "Would you have wanted to know as a 12-year-old, brand new padawan that your father was a fallen Jedi? Would you have been ready to handle that knowledge then?"

"Probably not," Crion admitted after a moment of consideration.

"We – the Council, your master, and I - chose to leave it to the Force's timing, and apparently it wills for you to know now," Qui-Gon said, voicing the conclusion he had come to in his meditations.

"Who else knows?" Crion asked with a slight tremor in his voice.

"The Council, obviously. A few healers." Qui-Gon took a deep breath, knowing that what he said next would hurt. He was tempted to not divulge any more information, but he had promised to be honest. "And also, a handful of masters who considered taking you as an apprentice, but declined."

"Because of my father?" Crion snapped.

Qui-Gon hadn't thought it was possible for the boy to look any more dejected. He gave only a slight nod in response.

"So, did my master take me out of pity or to keep a close eye on me in case I go dark or something?" Crion asked, once again bracing himself for an unfavorable answer.

"No, Crion. He took you on your own merit," Qui-Gon said softly, offering a reassuring smile. "Obi-Wan has always been able to see past your blood line. He knew before he was even knighted that he wanted to train you. The only reason he waited was because he felt he was not ready."

Relief seemed to wash over the boy's face and something close a smile curved his pale lips. Crion reached forward and picked up a muja fruit. "So what's my story, then," he asked as he began to nibble on the fruit. "I got here somehow."

It was promising. Crion hadn't run away and was beginning to eat. There were no angry outbursts or lightsabers ignited.

"So you did," Qui-Gon said, allowing himself a smile. "You weren't much more than a year old when your mother arrived on the doorstep of the Temple asking to see me. She wanted me to help hide you."

"You knew my mother?"

"For a time," Qui-Gon smiled sadly at the memory of the brave and determined woman that had brought Crion into his life. "Her name was Mia. She was very ill when we first met and died not long after you came to the Temple. She loved you dearly. I know that giving you up was hard for her, but she died in peace knowing you were safe."

"Safe," Crion whispered as he began to fidget with the hem of his sleeve. "I was in danger? I mean, do you really think he would have harmed me?"

"Crion, I haven't seen or heard from Xanatos since your master was twelve years old, and I am sure your master has told you all that happened then." Qui-Gon paused as Crion offered a slow nod. "I quite honestly have no idea what kind of man he is now. Offworld has not been engaged in anything overtly illegal since Bandomeer, and it now seems to be respected in intergalactic and political circles. But, from what your mother told me, it was evident that Xanatos still used the Dark side of the Force. She didn't seem to feel that you were in any physical danger, but she didn't want you to become like your father and to use the Force as he did. The Xanatos I knew was a very controlling man and you are his son. He would want you to follow in his footsteps."

"Oh, Force." Crion's face suddenly paled considerably as the reality of his situation became clear. "He doesn't know where I am, does he? He's looking for me."

"Xanatos never gave up easily, so I assume he is still looking you. I know that it is one of the fears your master must constantly release into the Force - that your father will find you."

"And the voice I sometimes hear in my head?"

"Most likely is Xanatos," Qui-Gon answered. "You lived with him for the first year of your life. If he was as actively involved in your life as your mother suggested, it was enough time for a parental bond to form. My understanding is that they can be quite strong."

Crion bowed his head, and Qui-Gon allowed him silence to digest what he had just been told. It was hard enough for Crion to learn who his father was without also finding out that they likely still shared a bond.

"Am I anything like him … my father?" Crion finally asked, choking over the words.

"You're not tainted by his Dark side use or destined to follow that path, if that's what you are asking," Qui-Gon answered. "In appearance, your resemblance is almost uncanny at times - your expressions, your mannerisms, your inflections …"

"Force … no wonder you could barely stand to look at me," Crion tipped his head back, shaking his head again as he stared at the ceiling.

"I will admit that it was difficult for a time after you became Obi-Wan's apprentice. But I quickly learned that you are Crion Ryal, your own person, and you are wonderfully grounded in the Light. You are not your father," Qui-Gon assured him. "Yes, you tend to do things your own way and you tend to be very confident in who you are; you are intelligent, meticulous, neat – sharing many of your father's giftings. But in many ways you are complete opposites. You are outgoing, open, and bluntly honest where he always hid what he was thinking and kept to himself. You have compassion and consideration of others where Xanatos was usually selfish and did what was best for himself. You have self-control that rivals padawans far older than you, while your father always acted on his emotion."

Qui-Gon paused for a moment, realizing that he was talking about Xanatos more than he had in a very long time. It was hard to remember the young man who had at one time been so close to his heart. He closed his eyes, releasing feelings that had not surfaced for years into the Force. In all honesty, he expected Master Yoda to sense all the emotion he and Crion were pouring into the Force and come to investigate. A voice broke into his thoughts.

"You obviously cared about him. Why did you leave him on Telos?"

Qui-Gon's eyes snapped opened. He hadn't expected this sort of question, and it made his heart break. "He chose to leave, he chose his path," Qui-Gon murmured. "He ran away from me.

"He was your apprentice," Crion insisted. "He obviously screwed up royally, but shouldn't you have reprimanded him, hunted him down and dragged him back to the Temple – I don't know, made him see a soul healer, or something?"

Qui-Gon paused for a moment, his thoughts returning to those last moments on Telos where it seemed as though his world had come crashing down around him. "That mission to Telos was not my finest moment as a Jedi master," he admitted hesitantly. "My pride in who I thought my apprentice was blinded me to his faults and struggles. When he betrayed me, I let my emotions dictate my actions. I allowed myself to feel the hurt and act on that … and I lost him."

***

No one had seen or heard from Xanatos in days. Offworld operations had nearly come to a screeching halt. Employees who had been with the company for a long time knew not to ask. Others assumed some sort of impromptu vacation. Only Soren understood that his employer was plotting. He sent reports of the company's activity, not sure if Xanatos would read them or not. But his employer expected him to keep things going as much as possible. It had surprised him when he had received a call that morning saying that Xanatos had come into the office early.

Soren found his employer sitting behind his desk, looking out the window. Xanatos appeared calm and relaxed, much better than he had days ago when Soren had fled his office.

"I have looked over your report," Xanatos said.

"Do you need me to elaborate on anything?"

"No, it all appears to be in order. Thank you for continuing in my absence." That Xanatos acknowledged all was in order was high praise itself, it was why Soren was trusted when others were not. "I have other business to discuss. Have a seat."

Xanatos' back was still turned to his employee as he took in the sight outside his window. The cherac trees were in bloom and absolutely brilliant with their bold shades of pink. Soren took a seat on the opposite side of the desk.

"What is the current situation on Patul?"

Soren thought for a moment. If he had known he would be asked he would have brought his notes. Patul was the third moon of Sraxus Prime. Xanatos had started a small mining operation there two years ago. It was one of several side operations that were not identified with Offworld and only associated with Xanatos through an alias as a way of diversifying his vast holdings. The mine had proven to be devoid of any valuable minerals. Xanatos had just about given up on it being profitable when his scientists found that the caves were colonized by organisms vital to the production of litraxin, a valuable antibiotic that could not be synthesized in a lab. Since that discovery, the operation had become one of his most lucrative, providing jobs and bringing wealth and investment into Patul. The problems with the government of Sraxus Prime were more recent. The planet had begun to challenge the sovereignty of the independent moon, seeking to apply its own laws and taxes. It was quickly becoming a nightmare.

"I spoke to our director of operations, Kriyk, a couple of days ago. The situation there is not improving," Soren explained. "Shipments are being stopped by Sraxian patrols who claim we don't have the proper permits. Chairman Yesil assures us we are operating legally, at least according to Patulan law, but he fears the Sraxian government is trying to take over."

"It appears they already have. It will be only be a matter of time before they no longer recognize our permits to mine or our title. Then they will probably seize the mine." The news might have upset anyone else, but Xanatos only swiveled slightly in his chair, still looking out the window. "It sounds like this is more than attorneys can handle. It is no longer merely a legal issue. It is a dispute between two sovereign worlds. Inform Chairman Yesil that we will support him and take part in negotiations if he seeks Jedi mediation. Tell him that our facilities are open as a meeting place."

"Are you certain?" Xanatos had been confident they could resolve matters without turning to the Jedi, so his change of mind was a surprise.

"I have only one condition," Xanatos added. "He must request the assistance of Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. Tell him that we have heard of him by reputation."

Soren could see where this was going. It wasn't the first time his employer had rigged a situation to suit him. "Won't asking for this Jedi master by name set off alarm bells?"

"No," Xanatos answered confidently, finally turning to look at him. "It is quite common for requests for certain Jedi to be made. Master Kenobi has built quite an impressive reputation as a negotiator, and likely has been requested before now. The Council won't think anything of it."

"Should I tell Kriyk and Chairman Yesil that you will be representing us on Patul?" Soren asked.

"Kriyk is free to speak on our behalf. I will be there to observe, but for obvious reasons, don't want my presence known."

"Of course," Soren said. "Is there anything else before I go?"

"Not at this time." Xanatos frowned at the assortment of datapads stacked all over his desk. "It looks like I need to get caught up here."