The Dark Rival(5)

“I’m glad I caught up with you,” she told him. “We’ve changed the location of the meeting. I think it’s better for both parties if we meet in a neutral place. Maybe if there’s an official tone to the proceedings, everyone will be more polite.” SonTag grimaced. “At least that’s what I hope.”

“I hope the same,” Qui-Gon agreed. He shortened his long stride to match SonTag’s.

In the receiving room, VeerTa stood waiting. She was wearing the gray-blue unisuit of a miner, along with an impatient look.

“This meeting is a waste of time,” she told Qui-Gon brusquely. “Offworld will make us pretty promises and then break them.”

“I’m here to ensure that they don’t,” Qui-Gon answered. He liked the fiery VeerTa. He hoped the meeting would go well for her sake, and for Bandomeer’s.

The door opened, and Clat’Ha, the Human manager of the Arconan Harvest mining operation, entered. Qui-Gon greeted her with a bow. She returned it, he vivid green eyes giving him a warm glance. They had been allies on the ship to Bandomeer; he hoped they would remain so here.

They waited for several minutes, but the Offworld representative didn’t show up.

Sine Jemba the Hutt was killed during the journey to Bandomeer, nobody knew who the new representative would be. Offworld’s power structure was clouded in mystery. No one even knew who its leader was.

Finally, an annoyed SonTag gestured at the cushions.

“We might as well start the meeting,” she said. “If they’re trying to intimidate us, I’m not going to fall for it.”

Everyone took their seats. The cushions made height adjustments so that everyone was at eye level. Clat’Ha and VeerTa began to brief SonTag on progress at the mine. Qui-Gon heard their words, but he was distracrated by something more important. There was a disturbance in the Force. He tuned into the disturbance, unsure of what it meant. The dark ripples were a warning, but of what?

The door suddenly flew open. A young man stood in the doorway. His shiny black cape was lined in a blue so deep it was almost black as well. A broken circle scar marked his cheek.

Qui-Gon’s gaze locked with the intruder’s. The moment hung suspended in the air. Then, to Qui-Gon’s surprise, Xanatos broke into a delighted grin.

“Old friend! So you are here. I hardly dared to hope.” Xanatos strode forward, handsome and commanding. His black hair flowed to his shoulders, and his dark blue eyes matched the lining on his cape. He gave the Meerian sign of greeting to SonTag, then bowed.

“Governor, I must apologize for my lateness. My transport was held up in an ion storm. Nothing was more important to me than getting here on time. I am Xanatos, the representative of Offworld.”

SonTag greeted him, palms up. “I see that you already know Qui-Gon.”

“Yes, I have had that good fortune. But I haven’t seen him in many years.”

Xanatos turned to Qui-Gon. He bowed.

There was no mockery in the bow, Qui-Gon noted. Just respect. Yet he did not trust it.

“I got your message on my arrival,” he said neutrally.

“Yes, I had heard you were dispatched from Coruscant,” Xanatos answered. “Since I had just been appointed Offworld’s representative, I knew we would meet.

Nothing gave me more satisfaction.”

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.”