Estora – Sometimes Xanatos-centered fics get a little less attention that those of main characters. However, I love him as a character.

Scfilover – The Force might arrange for them to have a chance to talk this through a bit more. Sometimes the Force will go through great trouble to make certain stubborn Jedi masters see reason.

Chapter 6

"I will forward the appropriate documents as soon as I get them done."

Xanatos smiled at the small image standing before him. The hologram didn't do her appearance justice, he decided. Fortunately, Xanatos had long ago learned the error of mixing work and pleasure. Otherwise, his working relationship with his lead attorney could have easily become very complicated.

"Thank you for rushing this, Dryn," he said.

"This isn't a favor," the beautiful blonde replied tersely. "I expect to be compensated for the overtime."

"And have I ever failed to generously compensate you for your time?" Xanatos chided, allowing a bit of edge to his voice. He didn't mind Dryn being feisty as long as she knew her place. She had become a very wealthy woman looking after Offworld interests.

"Of course not," she replied.

"I will be waiting, then."

The image blinked out of existence, and Xanatos reached up and ran a hand through his already dishelved hair. Before him were displays of all important information concerning Offworld's operations on Bandomeer – personnel records, supply and shipping invoices, profits, and perhaps most disturbing, the slave holding inventory. Propping his elbows on the desk, Xanatos rested his chin on folded hands. It had taken him most of the day to determine that it was doable – Offworld's operations on Bandomeer could be legitimized and remain highly profitable. It was just going to take a lot of work and direct supervision on his part.

The communications consol chimed. Xanatos frowned when he saw the frequency.

"Soren, need I remind you that you are supposed to be on vacation."

"My family is asleep, so I am not neglecting them," Soren replied before letting out a sigh. "I just received a very short and curt transmission from Dryn stating that you have absolutely lost your mind. Should I be worried?"

"Apparently my developing a conscience is disturbing to her," Xanatos mumbled, still pouring over the data in front of him. When he really thought about the situation, he shouldn't be surprised that Dryn found it disconcerting. He let out a brief chuckle before finally glancing at the image of his employee. "I am going to be here for a while. When you get back to Thani, I need you to start looking for someone to head up operations here – someone I can trust … but that's not important now," he said, stopping himself. "How is Iesa?"

"Beautiful," Soren stated simply. "The time away is good for Tohras … and for Tessa. I haven't seen her this happy in some time."

"That's good. If I were you, I would keep that woman happy."

Xanatos looked up as the comlink sitting on the desktop chimed. It was time for his dinner guests to arrive.

"I need to go."

"Okay, I will get on top of things when I get back to the office."

"There is no rush," Xanatos said. "Take your time."

"Thank you, Sir."

A smile tugged at Xanatos' lips. Though he had never considered the possibility before, he would be pleased when he could call Soren a friend. He stood and took a moment to compose himself before leaving his office and heading to the main lobby.

"Master Jinn," he said when he caught sight of his former master. "I am so glad you could make it."

His eyes searched out the boy that hung behind Qui-Gon, obviously wary. No doubt, he had been warned against trusting a Darksider. Suspicion was most certainly evident on Qui-Gon's face, which reminded Xanatos. He unclipped his saber from his belt, and extended it, blade pointed toward himself, to Qui-Gon. "As promised."

Qui-Gon studied his former student, furrowing his brows as he accepted the weapon and clipped it to his own belt.

"I have nothing else hidden on me if you would like to check," Xanatos offered with a smile as he stretched his arms out to his sides.

"That won't be necessary," Qui-Gon replied.

"And you must be initiate Kenobi. I am pleased to finally meet you," Xanatos said exuberantly.

At last, he had finally met the one who had been so pivotal in his visions of the future. The boy was overflowing with light, and the Force practically danced around him. Qui-Gon had to be blind to not see it.

"Thank you, Sir," Obi-Wan replied offering a polite bow.

"We should adjourn to the dining room," Xanatos said with a wink. "I don't want to stand between a growing boy and food."

Obi-Wan laughed. It saddened Xanatos for a moment that he had seen so much pain in this bright young one's future. For the first time, he hoped that what he had been taught by Master Yoda was true. If the future was truly always in motion, then perhaps there was a way to spare young Kenobi from the dismal future that was to come.

Xanatos showed them to the formal dining room where they sat and began to enjoy their meal. Xanatos kept the conversation light. Hopefully, if the evening went well, he would have time for a deeper conversation later with his former master, when the boy was not around. They were nearly through with the main course when Qui-Gon's comlink chimed. The Jedi master excused himself from the room to answer.

Once Qui-Gon was away, Obi-Wan looked up at Xanatos. The boy's jeweled eyes burned with curiosity. He began to speak, then bit down on his lip and glanced away.

"Don't be shy," Xanatos chided. "It is obvious you have questions."

"Is it true … what happened when you were a padawan?"

"If you mean, did I betray my master … yes."

"Why did you do it?"

Xanatos let out a sigh. It was a question he had explored in route to Bandomeer. "I was young, arrogant, and stupid. I allowed myself to be misled by promises of wealth and power. Unfortunately, I was easy prey for the Dark side."

"I'm sorry." Obi-Wan bowed his head. "I shouldn't have pried …"

"I am not offended … and, it is good procedure on a mission to know as much background on all involved. It is your place to know …"

The ground beneath them rumbled, shaking the walls.

"That was an explosion," Xanatos said, quickly getting to his feet.

Qui-Gon entered the room. He would have seemed just as reserved as normal if not for the fact that Xanatos had considerable experience in reading his former master. "Was that the Home Planet Mine," Xanatos said.

"Yes, they had called to notify me that they had lost contact with some miners just before the explosion. I need to go help."

"I'll take you," Xanatos said, heading for the lobby.

"We can manage," Qui-Gon replied, tugging on Obi-Wan's arm.

"Don't be so damned stubborn," Xanatos protested. One of my speeders can get us there much faster." He pulled out his comlink. "I need our emergency response team to the Home Planet Mine."

"Yes, Sir," came the reply.

Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow as they got into the waiting speeder.

"They're going to need extra help," Xanatos offered in response.

The scene outside the entrance to the Home Planet Mine was a prime example of how shock could render living beings helpless. Either no emergency plan was in place or no one was following the established plan. Chaos reigned.

Xanatos was glad when he finally saw a transport with the Offworld logo pull up and land. Approaching the vessel, he offered sharp orders. "You're going to have to take over here. If there is anything they ask for – anything they need – see that they get it."

"Yes, Sir."

Xanatos returned his attention to a dumbstruck Arconian sitting in the mine control room. "Were your missing miners wearing tracking devices?"

"I am not sure … we aren't reading anything."

"We can track them through the Force," Qui-Gon said decisively. "Come on, Obi-Wan. I could use your help."

"You can't go in there, Qui-Gon," Xanatos protested. "It's too dangerous … wait until my crew gets a scan of the mine …"

"We don't have time," Qui-Gon barked before rushing ahead into the mine with Obi-Wan in tow.

Xanatos let out a frustrated sigh before grabbing a tracking anklet from the response team and starting toward the mine. He paused at the entrance. Was he really losing his mind? Never before had he plunged into a situation without a clear understanding of what he was facing … and without a back door. At least, not since he had been padawan to Qui-Gon Jinn. He took a deep breath and then entered the mine. He caught up with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan at a crossroads where Qui-Gon stood looking back and forth between two paths.

"I am surprised you decided to come," Qui-Gon murmured.

"Apparently you still need somebody to save you from your rash decisions."

The Jedi master let out a derisive snort. "That way."

Emergency lighting flickered on and off as they made their way deeper into the mind. It was puzzling. The Force was thick with warning, yet it urged him on. Years devoted to becoming an expert on his business told Xanatos that all was not well in the mine, but he knew he would never convince Qui-Gon otherwise so he continued on with them. He decided that his reason for being there was to protect Obi-Wan … to protect the future.

A jolt surged through the Force right before the walls of the mine rumbled. "Obi-Wan!"

Xanatos pushed the boy out of the way and covered him with his own body, pulling a shield of the Force around them as rock and debris tumbled down on them and what remained of the lighting blinked out into darkness.