Chapter 31
Crion shut off the recording. He had needed to watch the conversation between his father and Master Yoda three times just to convince himself that it had really happened. Although he was grateful to Xanatos for offering his assistance, it did not change the fact that this was his father's fault. His master had only been sent on this mission to repay a favor to the Chancellor.
"Requested his assistance the Supreme Chancellor did."
"Since when do politicians dictate Council appointments?" Xanatos snapped.
"Since asked for his assistance with a recent legal issue Master Kenobi did."
Master Obi-Wan had broken one of his cardinal rules - never be indebted to a politician - and it had cost him greatly. Crion had no intention of sitting idly while his master was in danger. He settled to his knees, closing his eyes, and attempted to center himself.
"One thing your master and I would no doubt be like minded about is keeping you safe. I intend to do just that."
What right did Xanatos Marojni, the one who left the Jedi order, have to say he was of the same mind as Obi-Wan Kenobi? What would the one who had betrayed Qui-Gon Jinn understand of his need to find his master and make sure he was safely returned home?
"My suggestion to you now, as your master's would be as well, no doubt, is meditation."
That the man who called himself "father" would even presume to know what the master who had been at Crion's side for years, guiding him, would say angered him. Now, the Jedi padawan known in the Temple for being calm, collected, and unflappable found meditation elusive.
"If you need help centering …"
Damn his father for knowing his internal struggles. Tears began to tumble down Crion's cheeks. He felt utterly alone and didn't care that his Jedi calm and veneer was shattered at the moment.
The drive to find his master was overwhelming. Crion reached out along the silent bond. It wasn't severed, not that he should be able to feel anything at this distance, but his mind still felt muted … shielded… like something was wrapped around his mind.
"Bastard," Crion muttered to himself as he got up off the floor and left in search of his father.
/"Die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi …"/
Xanatos looked up from the datapad he was reading at his desk and glanced around his office, certain he had heard someone whispering. Apparently, he was still rattled from losing consciousness. No one was in the room, no one in sight, no one in sense, except for Soren approaching his office door. He waited for the knock.
"Come in, Soren."
"I have the contacts you asked for," his assistant said. "Thought you would want to look it over before I send it to the Jedi."
Xanatos took the datapad handed to him and began to peruse the information. He began to nod his head. "There is not a damn person on this list who is going to talk to a Jedi, even someone undercover."
"You are thinking of going?" Soren asked in surprise.
"I don't see an alternative right now," Xanatos replied. "If I don't do everything in my power and they fail to find Master Kenobi, I will lose Crion forever."
/"Die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi …"/
Xanatos looked up sharply.
"Did you hear that, Soren?"
"Hear what?"
"Whispers," Xanatos mumbled, standing up and pulling the drapes back to glance out the window behind his desk. "I can hear it faintly, but I can't make out what they are saying."
"Should I bring the doc back?" Soren asked in concern.
"No," Xanatos groaned. "Definitely not."
"If you are hearing things …"
"I am not hearing things," Xanatos snapped. "It's probably just that my mind is still adjusting to Crion's presence. I haven't had someone else in my head for a long time."
"I am going to send this off, if acceptable," Soren said, still looking at Xanatos skeptically. "Let me know if you need … what is it?"
Xanatos had turned his attention towards the door and the stormcloud that was his approaching son right as the door slammed open aided by a strong push through the Force.
"Civilized, polite people usually knock," Xanatos suggested.
"Get … out … of … my … head," Crion said very deliberately.
"I am not in your head," Xanatos replied calmly. "I simply have been shielding your mind until you rebuild your shields."
"You can stop now … I am fine … I am capable of shielding on my own," Crion said with an edge to his voice. "My master taught me."
"You are still in pain … still distressed … and obviously not in mastery of yourself," Xanatos bit back. "I will continue to safeguard your mind …"
"You mean cut me off from my master …"
"Crion, you are very angry …" Xanatos began, greatly concerned at the sheer amount of emotion. He, if anyone, knew how dangerous it was.
"You think?" the teen bit back. "I don't remember the last time I was this pissed off … and all because you had to come and interfere in my life," Crion howled.
"Crion," Xanatos soothed, getting up from his chair. "Let me help you with the anger ..."
"Forget it. It would be best for me to be alone right now," Crion said, shaking his head. "Being around you isn't going to do anything to help the anger."
The young man spun on his heel, retreating back out of the office. Xanatos reached up to rub his temples, feeling his headache return with a vengeance.
"I am going to go try to talk to him."
"Sir, I have three adolescents," Soren replied. "Trust me when I say, he needs time."
"He's going to run," Xanatos murmured, reaching out into the Force. "I sense it."
"I will double up on guards around the ships ..."
"No, he's highly emotional and a trained Jedi. Tell everyone to not confront him. If he wants to leave, I am the only one who will stop him. Anyone else will just get hurt." Xanatos sighed deeply. It wouldn't be good to force a confrontation, force a fight, with his son experiencing this much anger. "Make sure the tracking beacons are functioning and see what he has been searching in the database. We know where he will go, I just want to be prepared for who he will seek out first when he gets there."
"Of course, Boss."
As Soren left, Xanatos swiveled in his chair, certain he would be heading to Kyatn IV and a past he would rather forget soon. It would cause less conflict if he surrendered and told Crion he would accompany him. It would be easier to keep him safe. Although Crion was well trained, he knew little of the threat that awaited him there simply because dangerous people knew he was the most important thing in the galaxy to Xanatos Marojni.
/"Die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi …"/
Xanatos paused, hearing the chorus of whispers again. There was nothing in the room and it wasn't fueled with enough anger to be Crion at the moment. He leaned back in his chair and allowed himself to settle into a light meditation.
Crion hurried back to his suite, feeling more like a caged animal returning to its prison. The Force was moving him in a rising crescendo and the drive to find his master urgent.
"When we know more about the situation I will consider accompanying you, but until then, you will have to wait."
They were running out of time. If he waited on his father, Obi-Wan's trail would grow cold. He would lose his master.
"Sense I do that Master Kenobi's salvation rests with you."
Although Master Yoda had urged him to stay away, he had also practically said that Xanatos was supposed to find his master. Perhaps all he needed was a nudge in the right direction. Crion went to the data terminal and began to search through his father's contacts, easily narrowing the list to those on Kyatn IV. He saved the list to a data chip. There was one in particular - Rilk Gaden - with which his father had the most dealings. It appeared that Rilk was now dead. There were no notes about how he died, but his brother, Naid, was still alive and appeared to be a very powerful influence. That is where he would start.
Crion next went to the closet. As much as he disliked the idea, if he was going to get his father's contacts to talk to him, he had to be less Jedi and more Xanatos Marojni. Heredity had already taken care of part of that, he mused. He quickly dressed in the fine clothing and boots his father had provided, all black as space, and then observed his reflection. No one would be able to dispute that he was his father's son. With a deep sigh, he completed the ensemble with a rich black cloak before adding spare clothing to a spacious travel bag.
The young Jedi moved out to the balcony of his suite. The sun had already set, giving him the cover of darkness, a good thing. Once again his father was right, he was emotional and not in mastery of himself. Anything he could do to avoid a fight would be for the best. Crion leaped up to the roof and ran along it in the direction of the hangar. With each step he took, the Force pulsed its approval. He was going to find his master.
First, Xanatos traced the bond he shared with Crion, moving away from the shielding he had put in place. A fork now branched off of it, and when followed it, he ran into what remained of his connection to Qui-Gon, now pulsing lightly with life again. That was disturbing. Moving beyond that …. strong shields and a powerful presence … Kenobi. Xanatos brushed against the shields, amazed that he could sense the Jedi master's presence so far away. There was a sudden fracture in the shielding and putrid darkness leaked through into the Force.
/"Die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi … die Jedi …"/
Kenobi's mind desperately clawed at him - specifically the Light in him.
"Where are you that I am the lightest presence you can find?" Xanatos whispered into his mind, not sure if the Jedi master would be able to hear.
/Sith,/ was the breath of thought that echoed back, causing Xanatos' blood to run cold. /"Keep Crion away."/
The thought came with urgency before the connection seemed to fade away. Xanatos hoped the Jedi master had succumbed to unconsciousness. Never in all his dabbling into the Dark side had Xanatos sensed the Force so corrupted and it scared him.
The former Jedi was drawn from his musings by his comlink.
"Yes, Soren."
"He's on the run."
"Let him go and ready my ship for takeoff," Xanatos replied. "I'm on my way."
"Unfortunately, that's not who you trained him to be … and it's not in his blood either," Xanatos mused in a whisper along the new connection with his son's master. "We are coming for you," Xanatos promised in yet another whisper, the Force lending its approval. "We will find you."