The Day of Reckoning

  Obi-Wan followed Qui-Gon as they eased their way past the bettors in the row. When they reached the aisle they picked up their pace, climbing steadily past the next section, and the next. Behind them, the security officers continued to climb, their eyes sweeping the crowd.

  "We'll have to circle around down to an exit level," Qui-Gon told Obi-Wan over the roar of applause.

  Obi-Wan scanned the area ahead for the blue-lighted exit signs. He saw one ahead and pointed it out to Qui-Gon. But when they reached it, they saw that it had been blocked off. If the door opened, an alarm would sound.

  Qui-Gon turned back the way they had come, but the security police were now cruising the rows next to them. Any moment they would spot the Jedi.

  "I don't know if they're pursuing us, or looking for those escaped criminals," Qui-Gon said, frowning. "I guess we're going to have to find out. I'll use the Force to bluff our way through."

  At that moment, one of the security officers looked over the heads of the crowd and spotted them. He nudged his companion and they started toward the Jedi, moving swiftly and quietly so as not to attract attention.

  Suddenly, a friendly voice came from behind them. "You two need some seats? I've got plenty of room in my box."

  They looked over. A young man sat in one of the luxury floating boxes. It was still anchored to the side. His dark eyes beamed at them in a friendly way and his sandy hair was rumpled as though he passed his hands through it frequently.

  "Care to join me?" he asked.

  "Thank you. We'd be honored to accept," Qui-Gon responded, stepping into the box. Without seeming to hurry, he motioned for Obi-Wan to do the same.

  Obi-Wan eased into the box with the same swiftness. Their new com panion pressed a lever, and the box suddenly detached from the floor and zoomed out into the center of the dome. "Thank you again," Qui-Gon said politely. "It was hard for us to find a place to sit."

  "Sure." Their rescuer gave them a shrewd look. "Especially when you're being chased by security police. If you think you're safe with me, you're crazy."

  Chapter 3

  The young man burst out laughing before they could respond. "Joke!" he cried. "If you ask me, the security police don't have enough to do. We don't have much of a crime problem here on Telos, so they run after you if you toss away a muja pit. Even innocent folks like me get stopped all the time. I ask you, do I look like a bad guy?" He shrugged and pointed to his chest, smiling.

  "No," Obi-Wan said politely, even though he had learned in his limited experience that evil came in many forms.

  Their companion laughed again and turned to Qui-Gon. "Your companion lies well. That's a good skill."

  "He did not lie," Qui-Gon answered. "You don't appear to be bad, it's true. But neither do you appear to be good. Our acquaintance is too short to make such a judgment."

  Their rescuer looked from Qui-Gon to Obi-Wan, a delighted grin on his face. "Whoa, did I hit the jackpot. What a couple of smart guys. Do you know how to bet against the odds?"

  "No," Qui-Gon said with a smile. "We're too smart for that."

  This time, their rescuer roared with laughter. "Joke! Do I know how to pick friends, I ask you? By the way, my name is Denetrus. You can call me Den."

  "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 was carried out on a stretcher, the crowd screamed in delight. It was a disturbing event.

  Telos had been a peaceful planet, renowned for its innovative tech industry and its interest in culture and the arts. Qui-Gon wondered what had happened. Had Katharsis changed them, or had their years of prosperity dulled their senses and made them long for more bloodthirsty, pulse-pounding pleasures?

  Den seemed unmoved by the commotion around him. He carried a small datapad and entered numbers, constantly watching the odds. Qui-Gon could see he was a serious gambler, yet he placed very small bets.

  At last a break was called. The third round of the contest consisted of a vibroblade duel as the contestants were strung from tension cords. The vibroblades did not cut but carried a small electrical charge. The duel had been a free-for-all. Three more contestants had dropped out. One had been seriously injured. The remaining group looked exhausted and drained. Yet after the break they would have to undergo another grueling set of contests.

  "Hungry? We can head to the food stalls," Den said, activating the floating box to return to the stadium platform.

  "Thank you, but I think we'll move on," Qui-Gon said politely. "We must tend to our business. Can you direct us to UniFy?"

  "You can't miss it - just keep heading down the main boulevard. It's on your left. Good luck," Den told them.

  They bowed and joined the sea of beings heading for the food stalls in the middle tier of the dome. The security police were nowhere in sight. Qui-Gon hoped they'd given up at last. As the crowd surged toward the tempting food, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan headed toward the blue-lighted exit.

  As they passed by the vast arching struts that held up the dome, Qui-Gon felt a sudden surge in the dark side of the Force. Alarmed, he stopped and faded back into the shadow of a thick durasteel strut. Obi-Wan had felt the surge as well and moved with him.

  Qui-Gon gave his surroundings a sweeping glance. He knew what he was looking for.

  A black shape detached from a shadowy passageway entrance. Xanatos strode across the empty space, the deep blue lining of his dark cape swirling around him, his black hair flowing to his shoulders. Suddenly, he stopped.

  As a former Jedi, Xanatos was also Force-sensitive. He had stopped so abruptly that Qui-Gon had no doubt that he had felt the presence of the two Jedi. But would he interpret what he felt to mean that Qui-Gon was near?

  Xanatos stood in the harsh overhead light. The scar that formed a half-circle on his cheek stood out, whiter than his pale, translucent skin. He surveyed the crowd a few meters away as they surged toward the food stalls. His gaze moved slowly over each form. Then he stopped and turned. His eyes swept the empty space, the arching struts, the corridors leading out in all directions.

  Qui-Gon did not move. He did not even breathe. Obi-Wan was trying to be just as still beside him. Not with the flicker of an eyelash would they disturb the deep shadows.

  Xanatos did not see them. But a slow smile spread over his face.

  Qui-Gon knew what the smile meant. Xanatos knew they were here.

  The battle had begun.

  Chapter 4

  Chuckling, Xanatos swiveled and strode back into the central dome.

  "He knows we're here," Obi-Wan said quietly.

  "Yes," Qui-Gon agreed. "Let's find UniFy. We must move as quickly as we can."

  They left the dome and started down the main boulevard. The streets were strangely deserted. Qui-Gon imagined that most of the population was in the Katharsis Dome. Did they suspend work during Katharsis days?

  He and Obi-Won passed a large, impressive building with blue-veined stone columns in front. A silver plaque read the xanatos institute for healing.

  "He has certainly made his mark," Qui-Gon murmured.

  "Look at the library across the street," Obi-Wan said, pointing. "He funded that, too."

  "The problem will not be finding him, obviously," Qui-Gon said. "The challenge will be to expose him for what he really is. The people love him. He has made sure of that. He has protected himself better by staying in the open than by hiding."

  Obi-Wan scanned a sign that announced that Xanatos was providing the funds to restore a large city park. "He must have a reason behind all this," he observed.

  "He always has a reason," Qui-Gon agreed. "Naturally he wants to exert influence on Telos. But that is too broad a goal for him. We shall have to discover exactly what he intends."

  "Hey, genius guys!"

  They turned to see Den heading for them. "I thought you might need help finding UniFy," he said. "I realized that there's no sign on the building."

  "What about the lottery?" Obi-Wan asked. "Isn't today your lucky day?"

  "All my days are lucky, kid," Den said, falling into step next to them. "But I don't get a chance to do a good deed often enough."

  "We were just noticing all the buildings Xanatos has built in Thani," Qui-Gon remarked. "He has been a true benefactor."

  Den waved an arm. "In the past few years he's supported parks, libraries, med centers, the big healing institute - he's made a fortune in mining throughout the galaxy, but he doesn't hoard it. He spreads it around. That's more than any of those lottery winners will do, let me tell you."

  They passed one of the pale blue information kiosks. Qui-Gon glanced at the information board on the front. To his shock, he saw his own face.

  "Is this the main park in Thani?" he asked Den, sweeping an arm to the opposite side of the street, where a path beckoned beneath spreading trees.

  Den turned away, as Qui-Gon had hoped he would. "No, it's one of the smaller ones. The largest is on the east side of the city."

  The diversion gave Qui-Gon enough time to study the notice on the wall. After his picture faded on the screen, Obi-Wan's appeared. Wanted. Galactic criminals. Reward. He read the words in a flash.

  So that was why the security police hadn't given up!

  There could be only one explanation Xanatos. He had arranged this. Now Qui-Gon understood his smile. He knew that it was only a matter of time before Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were captured.

  Even as he walked and exchanged conversation with Den, Qui-Gon's mind sifted through his options. Being on the street was not safe. Luckily, most people were in the Katharsis Dome, or they would have run the risk of being recognized. They needed to find somewhere safe, and then find a way to disguise themselves.

  Qui-Gon raised his hood. It would conceal his face somewhat. "It's getting chilly," he remarked.

  "We're almost there," Den replied.

  He led them a few blocks on. A tall gray tower was surrounded by a high polished gate of bronze metal.

  "Well, here we are. Do you have an appointment?" Den asked. "They won't let you in without an ID tag. It's top security."

  Qui-Gon eyed the sleek facade of the building. There were no windows and there appeared to be only one entrance. Once they got in, they would have to get out the same way.

  "Our appointment is for tomorrow," he said. "We just wanted to see where it was."

  "Do you have a place to stay tonight?" Den asked. "I live in a place where you can rent guest rooms. It's close to here."

  Qui-Gon hesitated. It had not slipped his notice that Den seemed to appear whenever they needed help. He did not sense danger from him, but he was still wary.

  But an uneasiness that had nothing to do with De
n had been ticking away inside him. Obi-Wan was now a wanted criminal. They had barely been on Telos an hour, and already the situation had escalated out of control. Qui-Gon had felt sure back on Coruscant that if events got out of hand, he would be able to order Obi-Wan back to the Temple. Now the boy was trapped on the planet. He would not be able to pass through security in order to leave.

  He had brought the boy into danger. He had done it with his eyes open. Guilt pierced him. He had to protect Obi-Wan now. He could not let his passion for bringing Xanatos to justice interfere with the boy's safety.

  "Well, come along and have a look, at least," Den urged in a friendly way. "I'm only a few blocks away."

  Qui-Gon nodded. He could see that Obi-Wan looked tired, and suddenly reflected that the boy had not eaten a bite since breakfast. Obi-Wan needed rest and food. He could find that for him at least.

  He would trust his instincts. Den might be a gambler, but he didn't seem like such a bad character.

  Den turned off the main road and led them down an alley that twisted behind the tall buildings. The structures grew more modest as they entered a residential area. Den led them to a shabby building painted in various shades of green, blue, and red.

  "My landlady is paying me to paint the place, but she can't decide on a color," he explained with a grin.

  He opened the door and ushered them into a small anteroom. "Riva?" he called toward the back of the house. "I brought guests. Paying guests." He leaned in closer to them. "That will bring her on the run."

  As if on cue, Qui-Gon heard the soft sound of running feet.

  Den grinned broadly. "See what I mean?"

  "That's coming from outside." Qui-Gon strode to the window and moved the curtain a fraction to look at the street outside.

  Security police were racing silently down the street. An officer signaled for them to surround the building.

  Qui-Gon's hand fell onto the hilt of his light-saber. His instincts had been off. Den had betrayed them. He had led them into a trap.

  Chapter 5

  As soon as Obi-Wan saw Qui-Gon reach for his lightsaber, he activated his own. The two weapons glowed pale blue and green in the dim light of the room.