The Captive Temple(11)

“Good. I’m glad.” She made a wry face. “You have a knack for rescuing me. It could come in handy. No luck here, I’m afraid.”

“I have news,” Qui-Gon said crisply. Quickly, he outlined

his suspicions about Xanatos.

Obi-Wan could see as Qui-Gon spoke that Tahl was dubious about this supposition. Even as Qui-Gon was finishing, she was slowly shaking her head.

“You’re basing much on a leap of logic, my friend,” she said.

“It is a fact that Xanatos was known for his technological genius,” Qui-Gon argued.

She waved a hand. “As are countless others in the galaxy.”

“None as good as a Jedi,” Qui-Gon pointed out. “Except one who was a Jedi. We must look into Xanatos’ recent whereabouts. There could be a clue there.”

“I’m not saying you’re wrong, Qui-Gon. But what if you are? If we concentrate on one suspect, we could waste time.”

The indicator light over Tahl’s door went on, announcing a visitor. At the same time, a muted bell sounded. Impatiently, Tahl stabbed at the door access that was at the keyboard on her desk. The door hissed open.

“Yes, who is it?” she asked brusquely.

Obi-Wan was surprised to see that the visitor was Siri.

“I was told by Miro Daroon that Qui-Gon Jinn would be here,” Siri said. “Obi-Wan told me to contact you if I remembered anything strange about Bruck.”

“Yes?” Qui-Gon asked kindly. “Anything could help.”

Siri took a step into the room. “It could be nothing … but a few months ago, I had a strange conversation with Bruck. He told me about his father.”

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon exchanged a startled glance. Those who were chosen by the Jedi

gave up their birthright. The Temple became their home. That way, their loyalties could not be divided or exploited in any way. They committed themselves to the larger, deeper connection, the Force. It was highly unusual for a Jedi student to mention - or even think of - a parent, especially at Bruck’s age.

“I didn’t understand how he knew about his father, or why he was so interested,” Siri went on. “I asked him why he felt this new compulsion. The Temple is our home, the Jedi are family. These are the bonds we renew day by day. By now they are the strongest things in our lives. But not only was the mention of his father strange, his attitude was as well.” Siri hesitated.

“Yes?” Tahl prompted gently.

“It seemed to me that it wasn’t so much that he felt a need for a father, or wanted to contact him in any way. He just wanted to brag about him. Bruck discovered - and I don’t know how, because he wouldn’t say - that his father had become a powerful person on another planet.”

“Which planet?” Tahl asked. “Can you remember?”

“One I never heard of,” Siri answered. “Telos.”

Tahl stiffened. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon exchanged another glance. Qui-Gon had his proof. Telos was Xanatos’ home.

Yet satisfaction did not register on the Jedi’s rugged face. Only disquiet.

“Thank you, Siri,” Qui-Gon said. “You have been of more help than you know.”

“I am glad to hear it.” Siri gave Obi-Wan a quick glance, but he couldn’t tell if it was a challenge or apology. She left, the door hissing behind her.

“Well, I should know better by now than to doubt you,” Tahl said to Qui-Gon. She let out a long breath. “Xanatos.”

“No wonder the student records were stolen,” Qui-Gon said thoughtfully. “Any changes in the status of students’ families are recorded in their files. Somehow, Xanatos got to Bruck through his father. He most likely intrigued the boy, planting longings for power in his head, working on Bruck’s anger and aggression until he turned him to the dark side. The same thing,” Qui-Gon murmured, “that Xanatos’ own father had done to him.”

“And most likely Xanatos taught Bruck how to conceal the dark side as well,” Obi-Wan added. He remembered during his own meeting with Xanatos how Qui-Gon’s powerful enemy could manipulate the truth. His silky manner hid a devious purpose. He had placed doubt in Obi-Wan’s mind about Qui-Gon.

“True, Obi-Wan.” Qui-Gon nodded. “Bruck

would have to be practiced at concealment. Because he was a senior student, he was given more freedom. That helped him, too.”

“So now we know our intruder,” Tahl said.

“I suggest we divide the investigation into two parts,” Qui-Gon stated. “Obi-Wan and I must discover where Xanatos and Bruck are hiding.”

So he would be included! Obi-Wan felt a surge of quiet satisfaction.