Prologue
He would not lose Xanatos now. No doubt he was heading somewhere he would be safe, or perhaps toward transport off-planet. Xanatos always had an escape route.
--Jedi Apprentice: Day of Reckoning Page 119
However much Qui-Gon wished they had taken his former Padawan by surprise it was not enough of a surprise to capture Xanatos that day. He had fled safely to a small shuttle that he had hurriedly piloted off Telos. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had been given permission by the council to track Xanatos. This time they were on the trail to find the headquarters of Offworld Mining Corp. A former Offworld worker had given up what he knew about the company to be granted leniency for charges on contract violations and corrupt business practices. So far they had checked up on three leads. They felt like they were getting closer each time and each location proved to give them more clues, but in the two months since the meeting on Telos there had been no sign of Xanatos.
"Master, the Council wants a mission update in an hour's time," Obi-Wan said disrupting Qui-Gon's musings on their situation. They were currently on a small resort moon where Offworld owned an as yet undeveloped mineral mine. The government officials had been shocked by what the two Jedi had told them of Xanatos' prior record. Evidently they had not done the proper research on Offworld. Xanatos had simply sweet-talked them into the deal, promising untold wealth from a properly developed mine.
Upon finding out the truth the owner of the resort and the Republic appointed Magistrate had allowed Qui-Gon full access to what information they knew about Xanatos. The information that had been the most useful had been the financial transactions. The bank accounts could be traced. Normally Offworld used throwaway accounts that showed up as dead ends in investigations, but these accounts were still active because mining workers and supplies were supposed to be arriving in a few days. The transactions were tied to an account under the name of a Mr. Crix of Graamin, a mostly agricultural planet that preferred to remain isolated. They were not a member of the Republic but had favorable diplomatic ties with it. They were planning on leaving for Graamin in a few hours.
Qui-Gon nodded to Obi-Wan. They had regularly reported to the Council since the beginning of the mission both as a matter of routine and for the Council to evaluate Obi-Wan. The young man was still on probation. However, after what had happened on Telos, Qui-Gon had finally decided he would accept Obi-Wan back as his Padawan and had made no secret of it to either Obi-Wan or the Council.
The only reason Obi-Wan had been allowed to continue on this mission instead of returning to the temple was because Qui-Gon had asked the council to allow him to remain. Obi-Wan was communicating on a daily basis with members of the council and was following a precisely worked out schedule of meditation and study designed to help him, Qui-Gon and the Council all find out if his commitment to the Jedi was true, whether it was the path he wanted to walk.
Deep down Obi-Wan was surer than ever that his place was with the Jedi. He had spoken with Qui-Gon about his new found dedication but he had confessed his fears as well that the Council might not recognize the depth of his commitment and not allow him to remain with the Jedi. Qui-Gon had helped him to see that the Council was only doing their duty to make sure this was truly where Obi-Wan's desire lay. They had to be firm and unyielding to test his allegiance. When Obi-Wan had spoken these same fears in a conversation with Yoda the venerable master had simply asked him, "Want to be a Jedi you do?"
"Yes," Obi-Wan had replied fervently.
"Then what we say matters not. Be a Jedi."
Obi-Wan had come away from that conversation with a renewed hope that he would eventually be reinstated. Even Qui-Gon had been impressed with Obi-Wan's efforts in meditation and the peace of mind he had achieved with respect to his current status. Obi-Wan had truly let his fears go and was centering himself admirably.
"Obi-Wan, who did you speak with today?" Qui-Gon asked as Obi-Wan settled down in a chair to read whatever information had been assigned to him.
"Master Yoda spoke to me again. He asked me what I had learned since I last spoke to him. I told him I had let my fears go because I realized that my probation was more about proving to myself I belong with the Jedi than it was about proving it to them or even to you." Obi-Wan flushed a little looking at the Master. Qui-Gon, however, smiled and nodded, "I am glad you recognize that, Padawan. Many Knights never understand that principle. A Jedi is not about proving anything to others, indeed it is not about proving at all, it is about being. Your probation is simply a time to examine and prove to yourself what you want to be. What did Yoda say?"
"'Learning you are and a better Jedi you will be for your lesson.'" Obi-Wan flashed Qui-Gon a faint grin and then returned to his studying.
Shortly thereafter Qui-Gon's comm signaled him and he moved to the holoreceiver to answer. Mace Windu's face shown before him.
"What is the newest information you have?"
"The bank accounts are still active, they have been traced to Graamin under the name of Crix."
"How many false names did it go through to get to that one?"
"It was threaded through six other identities, three individuals, two corporate and one charity. I think there may be a few more layers to go through, but we can go no further without going to Graamin. We have transportation scheduled for this evening to travel there."
Mace nodded, responding, "We have learned that Xanatos may have gotten a hold of some information that dates back to Veeshas Tuwan."
Qui-Gon started at that, "The Sith Library that was on Arkania? But that was destroyed five thousand years ago."
"True, but information has a way of surviving despite all attempts to destroy it. Xanatos has been doing heavy research into the Sith histories. He grows stronger in the Dark side of the Force. Go to Graamin with all possible speed and notify us of your findings. Go as civilian travelers. The Graam would not look kindly into an investigation by the Jedi on their planet under the best of circumstances, if Xanatos has influenced them it would be an even worse reaction"
Qui-Gon nodded, accepting the recommendation as Mace continued, "And are you and Obi-Wan prepared to encounter Xanatos again?"
"Yes, we are." Qui-Gon answered firmly.
"Very well then. This mission will be your top priority. You may adjust Obi-Wan's meditation and study schedule as you see fit. As well, Obi-Wan is not required to speak to a council member daily any longer. We will expect to speak with him once every thirty-six hours if your mission permits it. Do not endanger yourselves for such a communication though. When you return from this mission we will interview Obi-Wan and make a final decision on his status. May the Force be with you"
"And with you." Qui-Gon replied and the communication ended.
Qui-Gon turned to Obi-Wan who had stopped his reading to listen to the conversation. The Master raised his eyebrows in silent question. Obi-Wan sighed, "I think he said that just to see how I would handle this mission with that hanging over my head."
"And how will you handle it?" Qui-Gon asked softly.
Obi-Wan was silent contemplating for a moment and then he looked into Qui-Gon's eyes and said, "Master will you help me to meditate so that I can focus on this mission"
Qui-Gon nodded and both Master and Apprentice prepared to center themselves in the Force.