had been certain he would lose his calm.
But Qui-Gon knew that Obi-Wan was still too blindly guided by ambition and anger. Those were the two qualities that had led to Xanatos' undoing. Qui-Gon couldn't get involved in such a situation again. He knew how treacherous it could be to rely on an apprentice.
So he would keep his distance from young Kenobi. Soon Obi-Wan would be sent to observe the Agricultural Corps work on the planet. Thanks to mining, Bandomeer had been stripped of many natural resources. The great mines took up many square kilometers; when the land was depleted, the mine was closed and left the area barren. It was no longer useful for farming. Food was shipped in from other worlds.
It was a precarious situation that the local government was working to change. It had plans to restore and reclaim the land and vast ocean. The Agri-Corps was helping in the endeavor by replanting large areas and enclosing them to form what the government called 'Enrichment Zones.' Obi-Wan would be sent to the largest zone to help.
Qui-Gon's mission was less clear-cut. He had been called on by the Jedi Council to act as a Guardian of Peace at the local government's request. Qui-Gon still wasn't certain of the specifics. Most of the people on Bandomeer were imported to work the mines. They worked, saving as much as they could in order to transport off-planet as soon as possible. That was why the government on Bandomeer had such trouble instituting change. Everyone, even the natives, wanted to leave the planet as soon as they were able. No one truly cared what happened the Bandomeer.
But recently, that had begun the change. The Meerians had become partners with the immigrant Arconans. The two groups had formed a cooperative mine. All of the profits were shared equally.
Some miners had already switched over from the main mines, owned by the mighty Offworld Corporation. Qui-Gon had a feeling that the reason he'd been called by the Bandomeer government was because of this. Offworld never took well to those who encroached on its turf.
The landscape outside was lighter now. Streaks of deep orange sun licked at the tall mining towers like tongues of flame. Still fighting the grip of his nightmare, Qui-Gon watched Bandor come to life. Lights came on in the narrow streets. Workers headed for the mines. Night workers wearily trudged home. Qui-Gon's thoughts returned to Xanatos' surprise message:
I have been looking forward to this day.
The message had included a small drawing of a broken circle next to Xanatos' name — there was a gap where the ends should meet.
It was a reminder to Qui-Gon. A taunt. Xanatos had a scar on his cheek in that form. Qui-Gon meditated on the message again, letting all the possible implications come to him. He could be walking into a trap. Or Xanatos could be playing a game with him. He could be galaxies away right now, smiling at the idea the he made his former Master shudder in fear at the sight of his name.
That would be something Xanatos would do: confuse Qui-Gon, slow him down, make him interpret a situation badly, all because Qui-Gon assumed Xanatos was involved. Xanatos was clever, and often used that cleverness to concoct cruel games.
Suddenly. Qui-Gon wished the message had been a game. A childish taunt.
He did not ever want to meet Xanatos face-to-face again.
Chapter 3
Obi-Wan Kenobi woke, but did not stir. Keeping his eyelids almost closed, he stole a glance at Qui-Gon. The Jedi Master stood at the window. His back was to Obi-Wan, but the boy could tell by the tension in his muscular stance that Qui-Gon was brooding again.
Obi-Wan itched to ask what Qui-Gon was thinking. His mind had been jumping with questions since they'd landed on Bandomeer. What had changed Qui-Gon's mood from serenity to agitation? Was Qui-Gon going to include him on the Jedi's mission as Guardian of the Peace? Had Obi-Wan proved himself a worthy candidate for Qui-Gon's apprentice?
Since leaving the Temple only a few days before, Obi-Wan had been shot at with blasters and strangled by a Hutt. He had tangled with Togorian pirates, fought off giant flying draigons, and piloted a huge transport vessel through heavy laser cannon fire. But apparently, he had not done enough to impress Qui-Gon.
If only he could hold on to the serenity he had been taught at the Temple. He knew that as a Jedi pupil, he should accept what life offered him with calm. But his position was so maddening! He had completed his Temple training, but no Jedi Knight had chosen him as an apprentice. On his thirteenth birthday, it would be too late. And that was only three weeks away!
It seemed that his destiny was to be a farmer, not a warrior or a peacekeeper. Obi-Wan had thought he had begun to accept this, but it was hard. He couldn't help but feel a different path was his destiny.
Obviously, Qui-Gon didn't think so. Although Obi-Wan had saved the Jedi Knight's life, Qui-Gon acted as though Obi-Wan had merely done him a friendly gesture, like helping him fix a broken lock. Obi-Wan's loyalty and dedication were received by Qui-Gon with polite acceptance, nothing more.
Qui-Gon turned slightly, and Obi-Wan studied his profile. The Jedi Knight's worry and preoccupation filled the room along with the growing light. It had begun after Qui-Gon had received the note. Qui-Gon had passed it off as a greeting from an old acquaintance. But Obi-Wan didn't believe him.
Still gazing out the window, Qui-Gon suddenly spoke. 'You should dress. It's almost time for the meeting.'
Obi-Wan sighed as he threw back the light blanket. He hadn't moved one muscle, yet Qui-Gon had known he was awake. The Jedi Knight was always at least two steps ahead of him.
Why didn't Qui-Gon tell him what was wrong? Was it the message, or was Qui-Gon tired of Obi-Wan?
Obi-Wan wanted to blurt out the question. But one of the Jedi's most serious rules was not to cross-examine a Master. Truth can hold great power. Therefore the decision to share it must be weighed. Only the Master could decide on revelation or concealment, according to the greater good.
For once, Obi-Wan was glad of a rule that restrained him. He was afraid of the answer to the question he
