Qui-Gon studied the young man. Sincerity rang in every word. What was going on?
'I see you mistrust me,' Xanatos said. His midnight-blue eyes beamed a keen look at Qui-Gon. 'Your sense of caution hadn't changed. But surely other Jedi apprentices have left the path of the Jedi without your mistrust?'
'Every apprentice is free to leave at any time. You know that,' Qui-Gon said evenly. 'If they leave honorably, there is no mistrust.'
'And so I left. It was best for me, and for the Jedi,' Xanatos said quietly. 'I failed to lead that life. Yet it isn't a source of regret. I was not meant to lead the life of a Jedi.' Suddenly, he flashed a smile at SonTag, Clat'Ha, and VeerTa. 'I value my training as a Jedi, but it didn't prepare me for the shock of reentry. I must confess that I went astray for a few years. That's the last time that Qui-Gon knew me.'
Astray? Qui-Gon wondered. Is that how Xanatos thought of that time?
'But I've changed. Offworld has given me that chance.'
Xanatos leaned forward, his gaze on VeerTa. 'That's why I admire you, VeerTa. Offworld sent me to tell you that the company will not interfere with your project. A richer, more secure, Bandomeer is better for all of us.' Xanatos touched his chest. 'I admire your leadership, because I love my home planet, too. Telos is always in my heart.'
He turned to SonTag. 'Perhaps if Offworld donated ten percent of its profits to the Bandomeer reclamation effort, it would convince you of our sincerity?'
SonTag looked flustered. Qui-Gon knew that even ten percent of Offworld's profits was an enormous sum. Offworld had never given away any profits to a charitable cause.
The offer must be a trick. Qui-Gon didn't trust it. But he could see that Xanatos had reached SonTag and VeerTa. Only Clat'Ha still looked wary. But then, she had more reason to doubt Offworld. She had tangled with them recently.
Xanatos seemed to pick up on Clat'Ha's mistrust. He turned his penetrating blue gaze on her. 'When I took my position with Offworld, it was with the understanding that certain policies would change. I do not believe in plundering planets and leaving them behind when we have gotten everything out that we want. Our actions on Bandomeer will be the first demonstration of our new policy.'
SonTag nodded. 'It's a wise course. And Bandomeer will be grateful for your help — '
Suddenly a huge explosion rocked the room. VeerTa was knocked to the floor. Before the others could react, Qui-Gon was on his feet, lightsaber in hand.
Qui-Gon sensed the explosion had occurred outside the palace. He hurried to the window. VeerTa struggled to her feet and followed him.
At first, a large black cloud completely enveloped the view of the city below. Then the wind picked up, clearing the view.
A plume of smoke rose from a mineyard. Qui-Gon could see the rubble of a large building. One of the mine towers was down, and the other leaned dangerously. As they watched, it slowly tipped and fell, demolishing a shabby building, probably worker housing. Qui-Gon saw figures stumbling, running away from the disaster. There would be others trapped inside, he knew.
The sirens began, high-pitched and wailing. Beside him, VeerTa swayed, then gripped the sill to keep herself upright. 'It's the Home Planet Mine,' she whispered.
Chapter 5
'I didn't start it.' Xanatos would say whenever a fight broke out between him and another apprentice. His blue eyes would blaze with sincerity and sorrow.
Like a father, Qui-Gon would always try to believe him.
VeerTa's hand curled into fists. She let out a choked roar and threw herself at Xanatos.
Without seeming to move, Qui-Gon was suddenly between the two of them, holding VeerTa off. It would do no good to attack Xanatos. Qui-Gon knew firsthand hoe fierce and volatile a fighter he was.
VeerTa struggled against Qui-Gon's iron grip. 'You did this!' she spat at Xanatos. 'You'll pay for it!'
Clat'Ha moved to stand beside VeerTa. Outwardly she was calmer, but her eyes betrayed the same rage. 'Of course they did it,' she said contemptuously. 'It's just their style. Cowards!'
Xanatos looked pale. 'I assure you, Offworld had nothing to do with this. I'm confident that the facts will prove this — '
'Enough of your lies!' VeerTa shouted. She tried to spring at him again.
'Let us be calm,' SonTag said urgently. 'VeerTa, we must go to the mine. They'll need help.'
'Yes, the miners — ' VeerTa said. She rushed out.
Qui-Gon had seen the effects of explosions before. They were always terrible. Lives were lost, bodies maimed, spirits broken. Blood mixed with ashes and tears. He did not know why this tragedy seemed worse to him. Perhaps because the miners had carved the mine out of rock and earth. They had worked with no money and little hope to build a future they had struggled to even imagine.
They stacked bodies in the yard. Qui-Gon worked tirelessly to carry victims from the wreckage. Forty miners were trapped below ground. Rescuing them was a painstaking and dangerous process.
The explosion had been touched off in one of the tunnels. The main administration building was completely destroyed, as well as the dwellings surrounding the mine. It was dark before Qui-Gon and the others had finished evacuating the wounded to med centers.
At last, there was nothing more for them to do. Clat'Ha called him to one of the untouched buildings for food and rest. He joined VeerTa and Clat'Ha at the table, but they were too exhausted and sorrowful to touch the food.
