'We'll have to find a way to remove it on the mainland,' Qui-Gon said.
'That's where the transmission signal is,' Guerra explained. 'The guards in the security office on the Bandor loading dock carry the transmitter.'
Qui-Gon brought the Force to bear on Guerra's collar but wheeled suddenly. Behind him, the lift tube opened. Blaster fire zinged past his ear.
'You'll be needing this,' he said to Obi-Wan and tossed him his lightsaber.
Two lightsabers hummed in unison as they turned to face the guards. The four Imbats hesitated. They had never seen such weapons. But, still infuriated at Obi-Wan's escape, they rushed forward.
Qui-Gon leaped onto the railing, somersaulted in the air, and landed behind them. Obi-Wan charged from the front. They moved in a graceful duet, advancing, retreating, forcing the guards back toward the lift tube and deflecting blaster fire with ease.
'More guards coming, Obawan!' Guerra yelled.
Fifteen guards shot out of the stairwell at the far end of the platform, firing as they ran.
'Time to go,' Qui-Gon told Obi-Wan.
With a cry, Guerra crumpled, hit by blaster fire. He looked up at Obi-Wan. 'Just a graze,' he said. 'Go. I'll hold them off for you.'
Obi-Wan pressed a blaster in his hand. 'No, you go. Up the stairwell. And hide. In an hour, your collar will be deactivated for good. Trust me.'
Guerra smiled weakly. 'I… trust… no one,' he said softly. But as Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon deflected blaster fire, he managed to limp to the stairs. Guerra turned. 'Not so, Obawan! I trust you.'
Obi-Wan vaulted over the fallen guards, climbed onto the rail, and jumped toward the rope. He slid down and landed in the hydrocraft.
Qui-Gon followed. He gunned the motor. With blaster fire raining over their heads, they made for the open sea.
Chapter 15
As soon s they were out of reach of blaster fire. Qui-Gon set a course for Bandor. Obi-Wan sat at his side, looking ahead. He did not know what to ask first.
'You said you hoped I would come,' Qui-Gon remarked quietly. 'Not knew, but hoped.'
Obi-Wan didn't speak for a moment. 'I need to know about Xanatos,' he said finally. 'He told me you betrayed him. That he was your apprentice, and he trusted you.'
'Did you believe him?' Qui-Gon asked.
Obi-Wan paused. The wind blew his hair back from his face. 'I don't think you would betray a Padawan,' he said at last. 'But I don't understand why he hates you so. Does he have cause, Qui-Gon? Did Xanatos arrange to have me imprisoned on the mining platform just to get back at you?'
The Jedi Master nodded grimly. 'Yes I believe so. It's time I told you about him. I should have told you before.'
Mist had begun to rise on the sea. Obi-Wan could taste the droplets on his lips. Gray surrounded him in a whirling circle, silver-gray mist above, dull gray sea below. Qui-Gon's words seemed to come at Obi-Wan from a past as misty as the surroundings, as far away.
'Each Jedi apprentice brings something unique to the Temple,' Qui-Gon began. 'Even at a young age, Xanatos stood out. His intelligence was fierce and quick and agile. He was a leader. I thought he was the most promising boy to come to the Temple in may years. So did Yoda.'
Qui-Gon paused. He made a small correction to the steering of the boat. 'Yet Yoda had questions. As Xanatos grew and I took him as my apprentice, I resented Yoda's hesitations. I thought Yoda was questioning my judgement. Of course, he was questioning the boy. He saw something that I did not. When Yoda suggested one last mission, I was glad. At last, I thought, I can prove to Yoda that I was right. Xanatos will prove himself, prove what I'd seen all along.'
Qui-Gon turned to Obi-Wan. 'You see my failing here.' It wasn't a question.
Obi-wan nodded. 'I think so. What you could prove. What you wanted.'
'So it was a test for me, too,' Qui-Gon said. 'I didn't know that at the time. I let my ego and pride take over. My need to be right. It's important that you know this, Obi-Wan. Even a Jedi Knight is still a living being, with the same failings.'
'We are not saints, but seekers,' Obi-Wan said, repeating a Jedi saying.
Yoda sent us to Telos, the home planet of Xanatos. Xanatos had not seen his father Crion in many years. In that time, Crion had grown in power. Telos is noted for its scientific research. Telosian scientists are brilliant innovators. Crion used their discoveries to create great wealth for the planet. And for himself. He built on his power and ruled the planet as governor. Yet he did not rely on advisors or his Senate. He ruled alone. Xanatos saw how powerful his father was. Hoe luxurious a life he led. All of the riches of the galaxies were at Crion's fingertips. Xanatos saw this, and a hunger began to grow in him. An anger. He saw that in taking him away, we had deprived him of a different kind of power. I had deprived him. He hated the Jedi for that.'
Qui-Gon stared at the mist, 'We give up many things when we choose this life, Obi-Wan. We are destined to have no home, no measurable power. Xanatos had these things in his grasp. Crion saw his son weaken. He had come to regret his decision to let Xanatos go. He was an old man and had driven away every friend, every ally. So Crion urged Xanatos to join him in his great plans. I saw that Yoda sensed this would happen, that this was the last, great test.'
Qui-Gon sighed. 'I did not doubt Yoda's wisdom. I did what I knew I should. I stepped back. I did not attempt
