A/N: Sorry this is late. I was busy with school and ran into a little writer's block with this chapter.
Chapter 6
So closeObi-Wan peeked over the metal railing, his gaze scanning any sign of guards patrolling the lower decks. Reaching out softly with the Force, his body tingled at the different current of the power that now flowed in his veins. It was no longer the warm, comforting feeling that he was used to. The power of the Force scraped slowly against his nerves, the temporary burning sensations giving him a glimpse into the wider spectrum of his new-founded powers. From what he gathered from Austral's memories, this scraping would ease in time, as his body and mind became use to the higher intensity of power. A dull pulse echoed in his mind. Nobody was around. Pulling his body out of the ocean, the boy crept close to the wall and began his search for any modes of transportation.
Voices were approaching from behind Obi-Wan, but there was no place to hide. So, Obi-Wan quietly slipped back into the water and hide underneath the small, jutting edge.
"Man, I can't wait to go back to the mainland. Can you begin to imagine freshly cooked meals that don't consist of guck?"
"I just want to get far away from the stench. I mean to kill all those miners in tunnel 1. I mean, yeah it's the most dangerous mining tunnel by being so many centimeters under the water, but still…to just kill everyone of them with gas…"
Obi-Wan gritted his teeth as anger started to boil within him.
"Don't sound so glum! Man, once we reach the mainland, you are so going to get drunk. And then this whole incident will just be another memory."
The other man muttered something, but the pair already had rounded the corner. Not wanting to miss this opportunity, Obi-Wan used his anger as a boost and bounded out of the water, back onto the dock and snuck quietly behind the two guards. A memory of Austral's flickered in his mind and Obi-Wan grinned as he grew upon his new powers, cloaking himself from being seen as he hid on the boat. A moment later, the boat jetted out into the ocean and back to the mainland.
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Drumming his fingers on the black marble top, Xanatos stared hard out his window, leaning back against his chair. Something wasn't right, something concerning the boy, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Through the tiny bond that existed between the two, he had felt fear and then anger and now…nothing. Frowning, the Dark Jedi had called the mining facility, but the guard on duty just said that everything was under control and not to worry.
"Not to worry my bantha spit," snarled Xanatos in his mind.If the child did anything stupid, Xanatos would not be kind in his punishment. Sure, the older man seemed nice around Obi-Wan, but that was merely to coax the boy into joining him. Xanatos was already growing tired of Obi-Wan's stubbornness and his fierce loyalty to the Jedi. Even after all that had happened, after Obi-Wan…
The Dark Jedi shuddered not in fear but in glee. The boy was powerful and those stupid Jedi didn't even notice it. How predictable. Suddenly, through the faint bond that connected Xanatos to Obi-Wan that went beyond the simple mental bond but deeper, more kin-like; Xanatos felt a deep anger and then it vanished once again.
"Something must be ticking him off…very easily." Grinning Xanatos cracked his knuckles, "Oh, yes, Obi-Wan. Now, you understand that once you taste the Dark Side, you don't WANT to come back. You're finally recognizing its' dark beauty."
Leaning forward, Xanatos spoke in his intercom, "Prepare my transport. I'm heading out to the mining complex."
"Yes, sir."
Xanatos got up from his chair and looked up at the sky. Perfect timing, Qui-Gon Jinn was returning. Oh, wouldn't it break his heart to find out the state Obi-Wan was in. Leaving his office, Xanatos couldn't help but whistle a tune of victory.
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Obi-Wan found himself frozen to his spot amongst the crates. After what seemed like eternity listening to two guards talk about things he REALLY didn't need to know, the boat reached the mainland. The guards made their way into the tiny shack and Obi-Wan had only now thought it was safe enough to creep towards the small speeder. He would need to use the Force to dampen the sounds if he didn't want to get caught, but the boy could feel himself tiring. His young body in its' current weaken condition was not use to this type of power.
But that wasn't what froze the young boy to his spot. One of the guards had said that Xanatos was on his way and needed a ship to go back to the mining complex.
"Move it, Obi-Wan! Come on, you just escaped from the mining facility and death, you can escape from Xanatos' clutches!"
Blue eyes darted quickly around the area. Mustering his courage, Obi-Wan sprinted as fast as he could to the speeder. Jumping upon it and turning on the ignition at the same moment that he created force damper shield around the speeder, Obi-Wan didn't even spare a glance behind him as he rocketed away towards the city.
Watching the blurry ground race beneath him, Obi-Wan found himself drifting to unconsciousness.
"NO!" screamed Obi-Wan into the wind in order to wake himself off. Biting his tongue to even further shake himself free of sleep, Obi-Wan broke into a smile as he saw the city appear in the horizon. Slowing down, the boy ditched the speeder on the outskirts of the town and made his way into the city. He should go and find help. He should tell them, the Agriculture Crops, everyone about Xanatos and Offworld's true intentions of destroying the planet.
"But who would believe you? You're just a dirty child. You're nothing."
Obi-Wan skidded to a halt. The cold voice in his mind was right. Deep down, he didn't want admit, but to be successful and actually destroy Xanatos, he would need proof. That and maybe, just maybe, Xanatos had some files on the Saturnize. The Dark Jedi was one himself and probably knew what exactly was happening to Obi-Wan, before Austral explained everything to the boy.
If it was the will of the Force or Fate, Obi-Wan Kenobi turned and started at the Offworld business building that loomed beside the boy. Gulping, Obi-Wan made his way into the building. Creeping low and once again drawing the Force cloak around him, the boy made his way up to Xanatos' office. Stepping into the room, Obi-Wan blinked in confusion. The room was bare. The Force nudged Obi-Wan's attention to a blank wall. The boy walked carefully to it and touched it briefly. The wall flickered.
Of course! It was the same camouflage that Xanatos used to hide the Offworld crates in the farming dome. Taking a deep breath, Obi-Wan gently used the Force to make sure Xanatos was gone, before using the Force to make the wall disappeared and reveal Xanatos' true office.
Stepping inside, Obi-Wan looked behind him and watched as the wall came back into existence. Allowing himself a smile of victory, Obi-Wan ran to Xanatos' chair, sat down and began trying to hack his way into the system. Spotting his dirty footprints and how his mud-caked clothes were making a mess, Obi-Wan found himself laughing. Oh, just to see Xanatos' expression at the mess he made.
A window popped on the computer screen. PASSWORD PLEASE. Oh great. Leaning forward, Obi-Wan was about to type Qui-Gon's name when the computer screen snapped down. Obi-Wan jerked backwards; scared that he almost lost his fingers and looked up.
Xanatos was leaning over the desk, his hand on the computer screen with a smirk tugging at his lips. His light-blue eyes were dancing, "Don't you know it's rude to go through someone's personal files."
"Ho-how…I didn't sense…"
"You're not the only one who can cloak themselves, boy. I learn a great many things in studying the Saturnize documents, which you were looking for. Too bad that they aren't on this computer, but locked away in a safe place."
Obi-Wan frowned, his anger starting to boil. He was always the calm one, but for the past few hours, he found himself resorting to his anger. Everything was going against him and he was getting sick with being shot down every time something went his way. He knew anger lead to the Dark Side, but still, just for once couldn't life be kind to him. Sensing his rising anger, Xanatos nodded.
"When I heard about the incident in the tunnel and how everyone died-"
"They killed us, Xanatos! They closed off the entrance and pumped poison through the vents!" Obi-Wan launched himself off the chair and wanted to punch Xanatos, but soon all his energy left him. Hot tears gathered in his eyes as he fell onto his knees. Hands planted on the ground, Obi-Wan coughed up some blood as the Force swept in one powerful wave through his body and then all was gone. No more burning sensations from his new powers, no aching headache from the invasion of Austral's memories, no painful gasps of air from the poison, not even the ice-cold rage that hissed in the back of his mind. All was quiet.
Staring numbly at the splatter of his own blood on the dark blue carpet, Obi-Wan stiffened when he felt a hand placed on his shoulder and a throbbing, faint bond glowing a little brighter.
"Get out of my mind," snarled the boy.
Xanatos ignored Obi-Wan and knelt down, "Your body is exhausted, Obi-Wan. Not only from the poison, but you accessed too much power of this new level of the Force. I'm surprised you even lasted this long. You are truly remarkable, Kenobi."
Obi-Wan looked up and stared into the blue eyes. Why was Xanatos being kind to him? "You're only saying that to win me over."
"But, Obi-Wan, we're kin and amongst the last of our dying race. We should stick together, for who else would train you in these powers."
Obi-Wan found some strands of strength and snapped back, "You're just planning on using me, so why should I trust you! So what if we're blood related, it's been so many generations that I would choose the Jedi as my family over you any day. And as for training, I'll train myself! I'll go back to the Temple and ask for help. They're bound to have information, so just leave me alone!"
Xanatos just stared at the cracking boy before him. The kid looked like a drowned cat that dried itself by rolling around in the dirt then got caught up in a windstorm. Obi-Wan's eyes glittered with unshed tears and pleading radiated off of the boy. He had been through too much in a short amount of time.
"Absolutely beautiful," purred Xanatos in his mind.
Obi-Wan's brow furrowed. He didn't like that look in Xanatos' eyes and from the tiny bond, he felt a shift in the Dark Jedi. But something caught Xanatos' attention, for the older man turned his head towards the wall.
"Wha-" Before Obi-Wan could finish, he felt the burning sensation return but it was different. It was cold and not warm like it was before. Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes as Xanatos used the Saturnize control of the Force to silence the boy and force the child's body to rest upon the lower drawer of the desk, hidden from anyone who would walk through the door. Obi-Wan just watched with pinned his body to the floor as Xanatos rose from the ground, a full-fledge dark smile gracing his pale skin, strands of dark hair framing his chin. A moment later, Obi-Wan heard someone enter and then stop in the middle of the room. The rustling of clothes and the growing tension in the atmosphere made Obi-Wan feel grateful to be hidden from this intruder's presence.
But, everything shattered when Xanatos spoke, radiating his dark delight through the Force and his voice.
"Hello, Qui-Gon."
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A/N: Ok, wow. I'll try and post the next chapter this week, maybe tomorrow, who knows. I got the beginning of the confrontation planned but I need to tweak it a bit. I'll try and hurry!