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Disruption + Demoralization + Distraction = Devastation. During that mission, Xanatos had been his Padawan. He had been a boy of sixteen. He could have easily remembered the formula.
"I remember him," Miro said quietly. "He was a year behind me. But he was the only Jedi student who was better at constructing tech infrastructure models."
Qui-Gon nodded. The young Jedi student's mind had been what had first attracted Qui-Gon, first made him wonder if he would make a good Padawan.
In that instant, Qui-Gon made a decision. He was not allowed to involve Obi-Wan in the investigation. But things had changed.
He turned and acknowledged Obi-Wan for the first time.
"I need your help," he said.
Obi-Wan stood frozen, surprised at Qui-Gon's words.
"I need to see Tahl and report all this," Qui-Gon said. "I'd like you to come along."
"But the Council — "
"It is my investigation," Qui-Gon said firmly. "You have faced Xanatos before. You could be helpful. So come."
Obi-Wan followed Qui-Gon into the corridor. He walked beside him, feeling a surge of contentment as their footsteps matched in their own rhythm. Not only could he redeem himself by helping the Temple, he would work with Qui-Gon again. Even if he were confined to the fringes of the investigation, he'd take what he could get. It was the first step toward reestablishing the trust between them.
Tahl was checking on the status of the search teams when they arrived.
She looked up at them, her lovely face worried. Obi-Wan hadn't seen her since Melida/Daan.
She'd been ill after her rescue, thin and drawn. Now her extraordinary green-and-gold striped eyes were sightless, but they gleamed against the dark honey tones of her skin.
"Nothing yet," she said by way of greeting. "Who is with you, Qui-Gon?"
She paused. "It's Obi-Wan, isn't it?"
"Yes," Obi-Wan said hesitantly. He was worried about her reaction to his presence. After all, in order to blow up deflection towers for the Young, he'd stolen the transport intended to spirit her off the planet.
Would she hold a grudge? But relief flooded him as her face broke into a smile.
"Good. I'm glad." She made a wry face. "You have a knack for rescuing me. It could come in handy. No luck here, I'm afraid."
"I have news," Qui-Gon said crisply. Quickly, he outlined his suspicions about Xanatos.
Obi-Wan could see as Qui-Gon spoke that Tahl was dubious about this supposition. Even as Qui-Gon was finishing, she was slowly shaking her head.
"You're basing much on a leap of logic, my friend," she said.
"It is a fact that Xanatos was known for his technological genius,"
Qui-Gon argued.
She waved a hand. "As are countless others in the galaxy."
"None as good as a Jedi," Qui-Gon pointed out. "Except one who was a Jedi. We must look into Xanatos' recent whereabouts. There could be a clue there."
"I'm not saying you're wrong, Qui-Gon. But what if you are? If we concentrate on one suspect, we could waste time."
The indicator light over Tahl's door went on, a
"Yes, who is it?" she asked brusquely.
Obi-Wan was surprised to see that the visitor was Siri.
"I was told by Miro Daroon that Qui-Gon Ji
"Obi-Wan told me to contact you if I remembered anything strange about Bruck."
"Yes?" Qui-Gon asked kindly. "Anything could help."
Siri took a step into the room. "It could be nothing… but a few months ago, I had a strange conversation with Bruck. He told me about his father."
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon exchanged a startled glance. Those who were chosen by the Jedi gave up their birthright. The Temple became their home. That way, their loyalties could not be divided or exploited in any way. They committed themselves to the larger, deeper co
"I didn't understand how he knew about his father, or why he was so interested," Siri went on. "I asked him why he felt this new compulsion. The Temple is our home, the Jedi are family. These are the bonds we renew day by day. By now they are the strongest things in our lives. But not only was the mention of his father strange, his attitude was as well." Siri hesitated.
"Yes?" Tahl prompted gently.
"It seemed to me that it wasn't so much that he felt a need for a father, or wanted to contact him in any way. He just wanted to brag about him. Bruck discovered — and I don't know how, because he wouldn't say — that his father had become a powerful person on another planet."
"Which planet?" Tahl asked. "Can you remember?"
"One I never heard of," Siri answered. "Telos."
Tahl stiffened. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon exchanged another glance. Qui-Gon had his proof. Telos was Xanatos' home.
Yet satisfaction did not register on the Jedi's rugged face. Only disquiet.
"Thank you, Siri," Qui-Gon said. "You have been of more help than you know."
"I am glad to hear it." Siri gave Obi-Wan a quick glance, but he couldn't tell if it was a challenge or apology. She left, the door hissing behind her.
"Well, I should know better by now than to doubt you," Tahl said to Qui-Gon. She let out a long breath. "Xanatos."
"No wonder the student records were stolen," Qui-Gon said thoughtfully.
"Any changes in the status of students' families are recorded in their files. Somehow, Xanatos got to Bruck through his father. He most likely intrigued the boy, planting longings for power in his head, working on Bruck's anger and aggression until he turned him to the dark side. The same thing," Qui-Gon murmured, "that Xanatos' own father had done to him."
"And most likely Xanatos taught Bruck how to conceal the dark side as well," Obi-Wan added. He remembered during his own meeting with Xanatos how Qui-Gon's powerful enemy could manipulate the truth. His silky ma
"True, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon nodded. "Bruck would have to be practiced at concealment. Because he was a senior student, he was given more freedom. That helped him, too."