'Pleased to meet you,' Qui-Gon responded. 'I am Qui-Gon Jinn and this is Obi-Wan Kenobi.'
'Tourists?'
'We're here on business,' Qui-Gon answered.
'Lots of business here on Telos,' Den said. 'I'm a tech worker, so I've been fired from the best of them.' He flashed them a cheerful grin.
'Have you ever worked for UniFy?' Qui-Gon asked.
'Sure, who hasn't? They're the biggest employer on Telos. They hire contract workers all the time. Is that why you're here?'
'No,' Qui-Gon said carefully. 'We just have a meeting there.'
Den nodded. 'They're a powerful company.' He waved his arm to indicate the giant screens around them that flashed images of the global parks and natural beauties of Telos. 'UniFy is restoring our natural parks. Most of the proceeds from Katharsis are used for maintaining and preserving the land. The government set it up when the people protested our high taxes. Now we pay hardly any taxes at all. Katharsis saved us from that. Not to mention that it makes us all rich beyond our dreams.'
'But only if you win,' Qui-Gon pointed out.
'Oh, but all of us here plan to win,' Den said, lifting an ironic eyebrow. 'Take me. I'm sure this is my lucky day.'
They turned toward the smaller center ring of the dome, where a platform was rising up through the floor into the air, creating a dais. A tall white-haired man stood on it, raising his arms to the crowd.
'That's the treasurer of Telos, Vox Chun,' Den told them over the roar of the crowd.
A chill passed through Obi-Wan, and he exchanged a quick glance with Qui-Gon. Vox Chun was the father of the student who had fought with Obi-Wan and plunged to his death. Bruck Chun had been a Jedi student who had fallen under the influence of Xanatos. Obi-Wan had battled him, trying to save his friend Bant. Bruck had lost his balance and fallen. Obi-Wan had reached for him and grabbed empty air. The fall had broken Bruck's neck. Obi- Wan closed his eyes, remembering the shock of that moment. When he opened them, Qui-Gon was looking at him with compassion.
'The games can't begin without some big-head getting up and droning on about his own accomplishments,' Den continued. 'It's a good time to take a nap.'
Quickly, Obi-Wan returned his attention to the present. He did not mean to forget the past, but he could not let it distract him. 'Welcome, Telosians and friends from the galaxy!' Vox Chun shouted. A roar answered him. He waited it out, smiling, then held up a hand. 'Thanks to each one of you, the natural beauties of our beloved Telos are being preserved!'
Another roar erupted, this one more deafening than the last. Music swelled from the speakers, and a message flashed against a stunning picture of steam eruptions along a glittering blue shore: KATHARSIS PROTECTS OUR SACRED SPACES.
'If there is no winner today, at the next Katharsis the grand lottery prize will be the largest ever awarded on Telos!' Chun continued. He waited out the cheers and held up a hand. 'In honor of this event, the first citizen of Telos will present the prize. Our great good friend, our most beloved benefactor, the most trusted man on Telos? Xanatos!'
Qui-Gon gave a start as the dome erupted in loud cheers. Den watched it all, his lips curving in the ironic smile he seemed to wear at all times. Spotlights played over the dome and then centered on a front floating box. A tall man stood and waved.
It was Xanatos.
Qui-Gon watched in disbelief as the crowd stamped its feet and thundered, 'XANATOS, XANATOS!' over and over.
Qui-Gon had thought he'd prepared for any twist, any sudden reversal. He had not prepared for this. Xanatos was not in hiding. He didn't need to be. It was obvious that he was loved by the people of Telos.
But why? Qui-Gon wondered. Xanatos had been a traitor. Less than ten years before, he had conspired with his father to drain the planet's treasury. He had schemed to involve Telos in a needless, destructive war with a neighboring planet. The people must have been manipulated or lied to, for how could they ignore how he had schemed to plunge them into war?
He felt Obi-Wan stir by his side. The boy was just as shocked as he was. He admired how Obi-Wan kept his voice steady and his expression only mildly curious as he turned to Den.
'Who is this Xanatos?' he asked.
'Our most beloved benefactor,' Den mimicked, then shrugged. 'He's done a lot for Telos.'
'I think I've heard of his father, Crion,' Qui-Gon remarked casually. 'Wasn't he governor of Telos once?'
Den nodded. 'He was involved in a scandal. His enemies claimed he was trying to start a war with a neighboring planet in order to enrich himself. But Xanatos investigated and proved it wasn't true. Most Telosians consider both of them heroes.'
Den turned back to the central ring as Vox Chun entered a floating box and the first contest began. The contestants ringed the interior space of the dome. All of them rode swoops.
'The first game is called Obstacle,' Den explained. 'Holograms of obstacles are hurtled at the swoops in an escalating pattern. The object is to avoid them? and the other contestants. It takes superior flying skills. Do you want to place a bet?'
Qui-Gon shook his head. 'I think we'll just watch for today, Den.'
'Just like I said before,' Den muttered, already placing his bet. 'You guys are smart.'
Qui-Gon was startled at the ferocity of the contests. The crowd seemed happiest when the contestants were in great danger. When two swoops collided, a dark energy swirled inside the giant dome. When one contestant
