"Lies have a way of growing." Obi-Wan's murmur was subdued, almost lost in the quiet of the small cabin but Qui-Gon nodded in agreement.

Working intently as they tried to uncover the truth about the accusations of murder, the two men had said little since Atel had fled their quarters. They knew that they could do nothing to help the Padawan. She would have to come to terms with that nexu's nest of lies in her own way and in her own time. Her steadfast belief in a system so riddled with deception had been sorely tested. Only she could accept the truth; it could not be forced on her unwilling. If they tried, the backlash could be disastrous. So they ignored it - for the moment.

But Obi-Wan was sure that Atel would make the right decision when her meditation was done. She had to. There could be no room for doubt, not when so many things hung in the balance.

He, too, would have to deal with the revelations. Obi-Wan understood that, even though the problem must be rooted out, discovering the vast network of deceit and fabrication at the Temple was the first step towards vanquishing the darkness and turning those affected by it back to the light. Yes, he would have to solve this dilemma... eventually. But not now. Not when time was fast slipping away. There were more immediate concerns than one confused Learner and her distorted view of the past.

"The truth will emerge, Padawan. Of that, I have no doubt." Qui-Gon sent him a brief smile and then turned away, back to the problem at hand.

Answering his Master's warmth with his own sunbright grin, Obi-Wan let out a quiet sigh and relaxed. Watching the man who had once meant everything to him, enjoying the stillness of the moment, he shook his head in wonderment. Acceptance and hope in a simple smile. How he had missed his Master's companionship - especially in those first few months at the Temple. Long ago, a lifetime ago and yet here he was. Alive and well and....

Qui-Gon looked up then, unasked questions in his eyes. Shrugging sheepishly, Obi-Wan chased away the memories and got down to business.

The investigation's list of times and ships and movement was a weighty knot. It seemed straightforward enough once the threads began to untangle. According to the manifests, Qui-Gon's ship had docked on Telos a dozen times in the past two years and, in each case, the Bendu Champion was listed as pilot/owner.

And yet his Master insisted that he had not returned to that planet since Xanatos had died. Not once.

There were too many answers and not enough questions.

"Obi-Wan, this is impossible." Pointing to the datapad in disbelief, weary frustration colored Qui-Gon's voice. But his protests did not erase the lies that continued to blaze across the datascreen, mocking him. "I know that I did not murder anyone. If these men have died as claimed, then it is obvious that we need to find the person who killed them. Or else prove somehow that I was not there."

"Something that we may not be able to do, Master. The data is clear and since the Council refuses to send an investigator to Telos..."

"It appears to be more difficult than I had anticipated," Qui-Gon admitted reluctantly. "But there must be a way."

Obi-Wan sent his old Master a look of exasperation. "Perhaps we should look at it from a different point of view."

The Bendu frowned at that. This day had been full of discoveries and it was not over yet. "Meaning...."

Sighing, Obi-Wan picked up the pad and scrolled through the information once more. Gazing at the data, he tried to think of how to attack the problem, how to break through the web of secrets he held in his hand. Finally, stymied, he laid the datapad back onto the table. "I don't know. The problem is that all we have are electronic reports. Mind control, you and your ship on Telos, the murders, all these accusations are unproven. Only lies in a database. No concrete evidence at all."

Qui-Gon pointed out, "It is true that databases are only as good as the information they contain." Concern deepened the lines in his face, abruptly aging him into greys and apprehension. "It would be easy enough to substitute my name for another. Any slicer could do it and a good one would make it impossible to trace."

"Quite so." Obi-Wan rubbed his eyes, the headache he had held at bay threatening to return. He hesitated. Something was wrong beyond the obvious false accusations. "But it's more than that. It's put together too neatly, almost manufactured. With any murder, there are always unresolved questions and with four..."

"Are you saying there aren't enough loose ends?" If the situation wasn't so serious, it would be almost amusing. A light comedy to please the masses and everything right in the end. But this was no Holonet entertainment and the consequences could be deadly for one former Jedi Master.

"No... I don't know." Leaning back, Obi-Wan sighed once more. Crossing his arms tightly about his chest, he sank into thought, puzzling out just what had troubled him so. Qui-Gon waited patiently. In this, his Padawan could not be rushed.

A few moments later, Obi-Wan offered another wildly-unorthodox suggestion. "It's too neat. I wonder if... there is no real proof that anyone has been murdered. Only what is in the database. And if it is corrupted," he paused, abruptly sick at the thought but feeling the rightness of his words, "there may be no murders at all."

"So you think that perhaps....perhaps, it is all a lie, everything?" The utter astonishment in Qui-Gon's voice morphed into quiet deliberation. "It would make sense."

Jade-green eyes met those of stormy blue. It made perfect sense.

Obi-Wan's mouth flattened in distaste. "Very effective, too. The investigation complete and you eliminated for good."

"But why me?"

The Jedi spread his hands wide. The answer to that question was probably hidden somewhere in the datapad's electronic puzzle but there were other possibilities. "Master, even in the short time I was on Naboo, it was clear that the Bendu was a powerful organization and one with increasing prestige. You head the group and that makes you a target. Besides, I'm sure you've acquired a few enemies since you left the Jedi."

Qui-Gon shook his head, pointing out the fallacy in that logic. "Mace, Adi and even Siri play more important roles in the Bendu group than I do." When Obi-Wan moved to protest, he continued, "Oh, I agree that our influence is growing in this sector, much as we try to downplay it. Our activities do occasionally bring us into the public light but we are dedicated to serving the greater good."

Nodding, Obi-Wan argued, "Some would say that your greater good is interfering with... profit. And you must admit that you've brought a few individuals to justice in recent years."

But Qui-Gon just shook his head. "None with this kind of expertise or the money to buy it." He hesitated, watching his old Padawan as he said, "But whoever did this must realize that the truth would come out eventually. As soon as a security officer interviewed any of the witnesses..."

"Master, that is not going to happen. The Council will not change their opinion. They have rejected any suggestion that the murder charges be investigated on Telos and they are insisting that this data alone is sufficient." Obi-Wan tapped on the datapad screen, as if to emphasize his concern.

Qui-Gon nodded thoughtfully. His old relationships with certain Council members may have been in the past but the long-ago often comes back to haunt the present.

"The lies might be uncovered eventually but it would be too late for you." Obi-Wan's voice took on new urgency. "Somehow, we must prove your innocence and quickly."

"How do you......"

The snap-click of an opening cabin door interrupted their conversation. Shuffling quietly into the room, a subdued Padawan stopped before her Master, bowed slightly and then, still shrouded in silence, moved past them to stand by the porthole. Folding her arms about her as if for warmth, she ignored the two men.

But the pulsed etherlight of Hyperspace drew her profile in lines of disquiet.

As Atel said nothing, as the uneasy stillness grew, Obi-Wan became increasingly concerned. He had expected her to be in meditation for some time. There had been much to ponder and it should not have been an easy task. But instead she had been gone an hour - so short a time that Qui-Gon and he had only begun to delve into the evidence gleaned from the Naboo and Republic databases. It disturbed him to see her looking so forlorn. It was clear that she was deeply troubled.

He glanced at Qui-Gon for a brief moment and then moved quickly to her side. Laying a warm hand on her shoulder, he said, "Padawan, are you alright? What happened?"

Her violet eyes flicked briefly towards Jinn before she turned away once more. But, in that instant, Obi-Wan could see that she was haunted by something still unspoken.

Abruptly she shrugged off his touch and replied flatly, "Yes, of course. I'm fine." Atel twisted out of reach, looking about the cabin for something, some reason to elude his questions. She spied the errant sewing that had been tucked into a small corner when the meal had arrived. As she sauntered too-casually towards Obi-Wan's torn tunic, she tried to side-step his concern, "Nothing happened. Nothing at all."

Obi-Wan did not like that answer nor the fact that she would not meet his eyes. There was a lie here and he would get to the bottom of it.

"Atel, you should know..."

But his reply was roughly cut-off as she interrupted with a "Master, please don't."

Startled, the shock of her unexpected defiance bled into his voice. "Do not put me off again, Padawan. I will know what you are hiding."

Ignoring his unspoken question, she sat down and, picking up the tattered garment, began to turn it over and over in her hands. Unconsciously tugging at the unraveling threads, Atel said quietly, "I'm not hiding anything." Looking up then, her eyes were blank; the stoic mask had slipped into place. "Master, just leave it. I promise that when I've come to a conclusion, I will let you know."

Frustration and the knowledge that time was growing ever shorter drove him to say, "No, no more. We haven't got the luxury of waiting for the right moment to be honest with each other. It must begin here and now, Padawan."

He stood there in silence, towering over her, watching steadily as she began to pull the shredding fabric into pieces. His arms crossed about his chest, it seemed almost as if he were an inexorable force, as if he was willing to wait an eternity for her explanation. And he would not be moved.

Finally, Atel bent her head and looked down at her hands still busy with destruction. With an audible sigh, she stopped, then smoothed the cloth in small, sweeping strokes as though in apology. Looking away, her eyes fixed on blank oblivion, she began to speak. "I... I had a vision."

"It troubles you."

She nodded, hesitant, still not meeting his gaze. "Yes, Master."

When she said nothing else, when it was clear that she would not, Obi-Wan pressed the point. He knew that she must face her fears. Only then would she be able to see beyond them. "Tell me."

She looked up then, staring at her Master for a moment before her cutting gaze snapped toward Jinn and back again, lazerwhip fast. Her mouth hardened with distaste as she hissed, "Not here. Not with him here."

"We are in this together, Atel, whether you approve or not." His reply was sharp.

Sending a blasterbolt stare towards Jinn before turning her head away, she insisted, "You won't like what I've seen."

Obi-Wan's patience was wearing dangerously thin. "Padawan, now!"

With that, she nodded. Her hand trembled on the fraying fabric for a moment and, then realizing what she was doing, stilled them, pressed both palms down flat. She refused to look at Obi-Wan as she began to speak but the desolation in her voice was enough.

"I saw.. I saw blackness, the color of the Dark spreading outward through the Force. It seemed to..." She glanced up at him then, her eyes liquid with regret. "It covered everything, everyone. I tried to see my way clear, to fight it but then I heard..." She hesitated, "I saw... Master, you were in such pain. Your voice was filled with such anguish that I couldn't bear it."

Obi-Wan knelt down next to her, covering the whitened hands in his own. Quietly, trying not to unsettle her more, he said, "Atel, Padawan, let it out, release your fear and let it flow from you so that you may be at peace."

One shuddering breath. "I'm trying, Master but it was... you were... so much grief. So much anger."

"What else did you see?" Gently said and she seemed to accept that she must finish what she had begun.

Atel sent another penetrating stare at Jinn and the hesitant voice grew space cold. "He was there. He told you to stop. I couldn't see much else except...." Gathering courage, determined now to make Obi-Wan see the truth, she spat out, "You accused him of betrayal, Master. You said that it could not be and he told you to stop and then you said that he was a liar and that he betrayed you."

Obi-Wan stood up, away from her venom. "It's not possible."

"I know what I saw, Master." A hardened, cutting reply and she stared straight at the Bendu, daring him to protest. But Qui-Gon said nothing, merely stood there watching her with bewildered eyes.

"Are you sure?" Her Master's stern voice brought her back to face him.

"I... it was all Dark, Master. A few images and they were all jumbled up. But you were with him and then, in the next moment, you accused him of betrayal." She grabbed his hand, jostling Obi-Wan slightly as she tried to draw him into understanding the reality of the situation. "Master, please. We can't trust him, please."

"Always in motion is the future. This may be one path of many."

"But...."

He stepped back, pulling out of her reach. "Atel, you know the Order's stand on this; the Code is clear. Visions can deceive as well as inform. Be aware of what the Force has shown you but do not assume that it is true."

"Master, I.... I know the Code." Frowning, she needed to remind him of his own actions. "Forgive me but I must point out that you do not ignore them and haven't in all the years I've known you."

"No, I don't. But I also don't act rashly based on visions alone. If you follow them blindly, the cost may be great, greater than you are willing to pay. Don't allow your fears of the future to overwhelm you."

She stood up, carelessly flinging the tunic to one side in frustration. "I cannot just dismiss everything that the Force has shown me." She nodded sharply towards the silent Bendu. "He is dangerous, to you, to this mission...."

"Enough, Padawan. Your fear has blinded you."

Atel shot back, unthinking, "And your love has blinded you."

When her caustic remark hit home, his face went white with outrage. And she knew that she had said just the wrong thing.

The sight of his angry eyes shook her even as she recoiled back. Blinking away unshed tears, she pleaded for understanding. "Master, please. I know that you don't believe me." Atel poured everything that she was, all the love and respect that she had for Obi-Wan into her words. "I know that I can't convince you but please, if nothing else, please be careful. I don't want to lose you, Master."

The abject misery in her voice did much to soften his ire. With a heavy sigh and deliberate nod, he reassured her, "Padawan....be at peace. I know you meant well." Looking briefly at Qui-Gon with questions still unanswered in his eyes, he turned back to his apprentice. "I promise to be vigilant and I will think on what you have said. Will that suffice?"

Atel visibly relaxed. Smiling tentatively, she murmured, "Yes, Master, thank you."

Even as the three, Padawan, Master and Bendu, turned back to the problems of the moment, the possibilities of spreading Darkness loomed large. Vigilance was key but would it be enough? Only time would tell and it was growing short.

For a few moments, the two men stood by the portal, talking softly. Atel watched as Jinn muttered rumbling assurances that he was not troubled by her visions; Obi-Wan offered his support of the rogue. But all the while, the solidifying dynamics of the pair continued to trouble the young Padawan. And there was little she could do about it. In fact, her continued dissension seemed to push her Master further away.

In one thing, however, Atel could breathe a sigh of relief. At least now Master Obi-Wan was aware of the potential for danger. Her dark vision may have been clouded and confusing but it had given both of them some insight into the future. Of course, her interpretation differed from his. How could it not? Jinn standing there listening to their argument did not help the matter. But her Master had accepted that she had seen something, for good or ill, and it put him on his guard. She would have to be content with that.

She had no doubt that truth would win out in the end.

As for helping Jinn with his case, perhaps it would be best to let the two men go over the evidence without her. Any input she might have could be construed as interference and she had had enough of arguing with her Master. Better just to stay out of their path

With that thought in mind, she turned away from the pair. Spying her Master's cast-off tunic lying in a crumpled heap, Atel leaned over and gingerly picked it up. She gazed at the rapidly-fraying cloth, running her fingers over the stains and worn spots and shaking her head in annoyance. These last few minutes had done more damage that she could have imagined; her anxious hands had almost pulled the garment into pieces.

She began to look for the sewing kit so that she could go about repairing the sleeve when Obi-Wan interrupted her. "Leave the tunic for now, Padawan. Until we can see our way clear on this, I want you to help with the murder investigation."

She looked at him with astonished eyes. "Are you sure, Master? I thought that you might prefer me to do something .... else."

He gave one wearied sigh and shook his head. "We need your help. You were the one to find the accusations of mind control and murder. And you may have more insight into the details of the homicides since you have already studied them a great deal."

It made sense but she wasn't sure that she could be much use if he expected her to help clear Jinn's name. It just wasn't possible with all the evidence against the rogue. But her Master had asked her to do this and so she would try her best.

Gently, she put the tattered garment aside and sat down. She knew it would be a long night of delving into the intricacies of investigation. Taking a deep much-needed breath to center herself, she looked up at Obi-Wan, and then, trying to be as impartial as possible in this difficult situation, she replied, "Where would you like me to start, Master? With the murders themselves? The evidence is clear-cut but I can go back over the data to see what we can do about mitigating circumstances. They might go easy on former Master Jinn if ..."

Obi-Wan hastily interrupted her with a dour "No, that's not quite what I had in mind". When she blinked in confusion, he pushed forward, gesturing toward his old Master. "Qui-Gon and I have come to the conclusion that the database contains false records, deliberately placed there."

She must have heard him wrong because it was all just too ludicrous. "What?"

"We believe that there are no murders and.... "

Shock stripped away her fragile calm. Slicing across his words with razored astonishment, she spat out, "That's absurd, Master. Of course there were."

But he kept talking as if she had said nothing. "And that we have to find a way to prove that."

Blinking at him, she sat there, stunned. It appeared that, even though her misgivings for the rogue were backed with solid evidence, Obi-Wan could not or would not agree. Apparently he did not need the truth. He only wanted her assistance in finding what he insisted was there - even when it wasn't.

She took another deep, cleansing breath. It was clear that her Master had lost all reason in this. Speaking slowly as if to a lost child, she said, "That's.... Master, forgive me but what you propose, it's just.... it is insane."

His face hardened at her objection and there was a moment of silence as he seemed to ponder her words. Finally, when he spoke again, his voice was unyielding as stone. "Whether you agree or not, you have said that you would help. I ask that you do your best to find any anomalies in the data. Is that clear?"

Sitting there, she started to point out the absurdity of this command; after all, the evidence was indisputable. But she stopped suddenly and thought about what he was instructing her to do. It was obvious that he was blind and deaf to all reason in this and would not see beyond it, not without clear proof of Jinn's guilt. Arguing was useless.

"Master, I... yes, of course, Master." For the moment she would agree to do as he requested. There would be time enough for the harsh reality to sink in.

Obi-Wan recognized her capitulation and was grateful for it. He knew that she did not approve of many of his actions on this mission. This latest quarrel was probably not the last disagreement they would have; he realized it was part of learning to think independently and was necessary to her growth into a Jedi Knight but their arguments had weighed heavily on his mind.

Nodding, he handed her the one of the datapads. "Good. I believe that you should begin correlating the Telosian records with any information on Master Jinn's ship, Serenity. Repair files and docking charges will also have dates and length of time in port. Flight plans filed with the Naboo Space Authority over the past year would be of use as well."

"Master, I have done this before." Even as she turned on the 'pad and began to scroll through the information, she could not keep the exasperation out of her voice.

"I know you have, Padawan." A heavy sigh and he gentled his tone. "I am sure you will do your best. Let us know when you have found something."

Her eyes grew wide at the 'when' in that statement. She was convinced that it should rather be 'if'. There was no guarantee that she would find anything to corroborate Jinn's story or to prove that he hadn't been on Telos at the time of the murders. But the subtle undercurrent of pleading in Obi-Wan's voice tore at her. She hoped, for his sake, that he was right.

She bowed her head in acceptance. "Yes, Master."

Atel watched him as he moved to Jinn's side and began a low, rumbling conversation. Shrugging in silent protest, she turned again to the datapad. The sooner she started, the sooner it would all be settled. Focusing on the murder details, she began to correlate the ship's movements with the times that Jinn was known to be on Telos. But, under it all, her senses caught at the quiet discourse between her Master and the rogue.

Obi-Wan sent her a questing glance before he turned back to Qui-Gon. "I am at a loss as to how to proceed. The Council will not listen to mere accusations of tampering. We will need proof or counter-evidence."

"What would they accept?"

Deep concern laced Obi-Wan's reply. "If we had clear evidence that you were elsewhere during the same periods and that you could not have traveled to Telos at the alleged times, it might suffice. The databases are a good start. Atel has had quite a bit of experience in information gathering."

The Padawan looked up at that. Praise from her Master was always welcome, even here, even now. But as she turned back to her work, he continued, "It may be enough if she can uncover some anomalies. I just don't know."

She said nothing but she knew that her Master was showing her a great deal of trust. She was determined to help him, even if it were to find nothing wrong. With added purpose, she looked once more into the intricacies of flights and dates.

It was complex work. The Naboo listing of shipping schedules was very thorough and seemed to agree with the Telosian findings. Of course, time differences were to be factored in if any realistic appraisals could be done. Atel dove into the records with increased fervor. She couldn't seem to find anything odd or misaligned from the databases. The flight plans matched perfectly. Sighing, she moved deeper into the codes. There might be something there.

Obi-Wan was scrolling through his own information, looking for dates. When he found the correct listing, he turned the datapad over to Qui-Gon. "Master Windu indicated that you were actually on Naboo when two of the murders took place. But the Council will not listen to friends or members of the Bendu. They must have impartial evidence or beings with impeccable credentials."

"I agree that it will be difficult for them to accept the truth. My past confrontations have already labeled me as rogue." Qui-Gon shrugged in half-hearted acquiescence. "It would take little to transform that into villain."

"From what Atel has told us, those in the Temple may already see you painted as corrupt, a base schemer lurking beyond the shadows. We will need to be careful." Obi-Wan's declaration hinted at the bleak beginnings of regret.

"Obi-Wan, it is as the Force wills." Qui-Gon grasped the younger man's arm with his own large hand. A slight shake, gentle chiding in his touch, and then he let him go. "Don't center on..."

"Your anxieties?" The interruption was almost amusing and the wry grin on Obi-Wan's face lightened it further. "Yes, Master, I know."

They shared a brief moment of understanding. Too short a time but then Qui-Gon gestured toward the 'pad; it was back to the work at hand. "Two months ago, on that date, I was teaching advanced lightpike techniques at the Sanctuary. I was seen by dozens of Bendu and several townspeople including Governor Antilles."

Obi-Wan did not sound optimistic. "Unfortunately, Antilles would not be considered an impartial witness. He's related to your wife. And the Bendu would have the same problem since they have a vested interest in your return."

"Much as I would like it to be otherwise, I agree with you. The Council would likely discard the information."

Qui-Gon's fingers jabbed at the dataset, setting the records in motion once more. A soft grunt as the entries scrolled past, his eyes following the motion as he read through it quickly. He stopped again. "At this time, five months ago, I was on Melida/Daan with Mace on a business venture. We had just sold some of my biologicals to a pharmacea consortium." He nodded toward the 'pad. "They would have records of our transactions. Plus we used my ship for transport. My manifest would show this as well as the Naboo flight records. Perhaps Padawan Sl'etah will be able to match it with the Melida/Daan logs."

As her name was mentioned, Atel's attention glided into the now. She had only paid small note of the men's conversation. The quiet murmur of business agreements held little interest for her and she knew that Master Obi-Wan would focus on those issues with Jinn. No need for her to jump into that nexu's nest... thankfully.

And, quite frankly, she was a bit frustrated. The flight coding was proving to be difficult and there were some strong security walls that she was finding hard to breach. It was odd because downloaded files should not be that much of an obstacle.

"Atel, have you made any progress yet?" The question startled her out of reverie; she had drifted off for a moment, still trying to puzzle out the dilemma with the recalcitrant files.

"No, Master." Blinking rapidly, she shook her head and then frowned at the datapad. "The codes are giving me some problems."

"I will be checking on Qui-Gon's trade dealings when we reach Coruscant. The records there will be more complete than what we were able to download on Naboo." He nodded toward her 'pad. "In the meantime, look through the flight files for multiple entries. If there were deliberate changes made to the system, it might show up, especially if the information indicates that the ship was in two places at once."

Atel was painstakingly polite. "Master, I've already checked that possibility and found nothing." She hesitated, uncertain of his reaction. "There have been no indications that Master Jinn went to Melida/Daan during that time-period. His ship schedule shows him going to Telos instead."

She watched as a troubled frown began to burrow into his skin. "Master, any slicer putting in false records of this depth would have to have been a leading expert in computer file manipulation and very thorough."

Hoping to stave off any further disappointment, she was quick to offer, "But I will look again if you think it necessary."

"No, Atel, I'm sure you are doing your best." Obi-Wan's attention slid away, gnawing on other possibilities. "Perhaps this approach is all wrong. If the flight records always showed Telos as a destination, alternate paths of investigation may be more enlightening."

Qui-Gon nodded once in agreement. He had understood that it might be difficult to prove his innocence. But, more than that, the Learner could be right. The expertise of one who could pull off such a persistent string of lies was considerable. Another approach might be best after all.

"Padawan Sl'etah, eight months ago when one of the alleged murders took place, my ship, Serenity, was in for repair. The hyperdrive was acting up and it needed an overhaul. I don't know if your files go into that much depth. The docking facility records should show the repairs, however and the dates."

Her mouth flattened for just a moment. The thought of another womprat chase through blocked files was not appealing, especially since she was sure there would be no repair record. She tried to keep the sarcasm out of her voice as she muttered, "Of course, Master Jinn. I'll do my best to find that information."

Obi-Wan sent her a quelling look but said nothing. But Atel knew he was unhappy with her; she could feel the temperature in the cabin lower several degrees with his icy stare.

Gritting her teeth, she ground out, "Sorry, Master. I'll go through the records now." She turned quickly away and began to scroll through the datefiles, looking for the repair logs of Jinn's ship. Better to just get the fool's errand over with.

Worry pulled at Obi-Wan, etching his face in lines of sharp frustration. "I don't like that she hasn't been able to crack the shipping codes yet. Usually, Atel is much quicker."

"This should be a relatively quick search. A few moments at most." Qui-Gon sounded certain. "In the meantime, this first murder accusation is easily proved false. Because I remember the date very well. It was my son's birthday party." His eyes lit up, a brilliant blue glowing at the memories. "Four years old and already showing signs of the Jinn stubbornness. He's quite a handful, especially around those not trained in the Jedi arts. Le'orath sometimes despairs that he will ever be..."

Atel's disgusted whisper broke through the gentle remembrances. "I don't believe it."

"You found something?" The ever-present frown smoothed into eagerness as Obi-Wan moved to look over her shoulder. She reluctantly pointed to the entry. There, in bold letters, were the repair records of one starship, Serenity, the dates exactly as Jinn had said.

Confused by the discovery, she muttered, "He's right. The.... Master Jinn is right. The logs do show that the Serenity was in drydock during the time of the second murder."

Obi-Wan's relief was palpable. "At last, a break in the web of lies."

Atel hesitated to say anything. Her Master seemed so happy about the repair entry but it wasn't enough. "It's all rather... Master, it proves nothing."

Obi-Wan turned puzzled grey eyes toward her. "What do you mean, Padawan?"

She looked away. It was hard to get out - oh it would hurt him to hear it - but it must be said. "It's convenient, isn't it? All the flight logs show that he was on Telos at the time and yet, here is a piece of data showing that his ship was on Naboo. It's possible that the datafiles are corrupt... or perhaps Master Jinn was on Telos and later used fake repair records to cover his tracks."

"Atel, don't do this."

She flinched to hear the glacial cold in Obi-Wan's voice but she was even more surprised when Master Jinn spoke up.

"No, Obi-Wan, she is right." Both Jedi turned in astonishment. Jinn stood there by the window, arms folded in contemplation or perhaps defense, but he nodded grimly toward the young one. "Padawan Sl'etah is right to bring up the alternative solution. After all, the Council will ask the same question. She is merely pointing out the fallacy in all of this."

Eyes turned to durasteel as Obi-Wan reluctantly agreed. "Perhaps." The frown had returned, cutting his face into sharp-edged planes of disquiet. "Very well. Atel, note the discrepancy and then return to the flight schedule codings. I hope you will find something more to your liking there."

She could not ignore the subtle sarcasm in his voice or the disappointment. Acknowledging her Master's unspoken reproach, she turned back to the recalcitrant files. There was still a puzzle to be solved. And she would be the one to solve it; she would not fail again.

As an uneasy silence settled into the cramped space, Qui-Gon twisted away. Leaning back against the cool metal wall, his arms still folded against his chest almost as if he were shielding his heart, he closed his weary eyes for a moment. He appeared to be deep in thought. At the Bendu's side, Obi-Wan stood, supporting him without words. Behind them both, the cabin window framed a flickering bouquet of smeared Hyperspace stars; the random pulses of brilliance ran a frantic counterpoint to the stillness within.

At last, Qui-Gon seemed to rouse himself, shaking off his pensive contemplation even as he murmured to Obi-Wan, "Your Learner may be able to crack the codes but let's be realistic. Without a defense witness to stand before the Council or Jedi investigators with solid proof of my innocence in hand, it is unlikely that I will escape this trap. Whoever it is, they have woven it well."

"Is there no one with Republic influence that could appear in your defense?"

At the question, Qui-Gon let out a quiet grunt of satisfaction. "Padme might."

When the younger man looked at him in confusion, the Bendu explained. "Padme Amidala, the Senator from Naboo. She was at Ben's party. She was visiting the Lake District that day and dropped by to see Anakin." A small smile began to tease at his mouth. "Ben's party was in full swing when she arrived. She stayed until quite late, discussing the current Republic situation with the Separatists with me and several others. She should be able to verify that I was there."

"Are you certain she will testify?"

The Bendu's nod was almost relieved. "We've been friends for a long time and Padme is often at my farm when she is on planet. In fact, I was in her service when we were defending Naboo against the Trade Federation invasion. I am sure that she would be glad to do this."

A wide grin blossomed on Obi-Wan's face. "Qui-Gon, that's wonderful news. She's the Head of the Loyalist Party and a well-known advocate of Republic peace-keeping initiatives. The Council would not be able to reject any testimony of such an esteemed member of the Senate."

"One problem remains, however. I believe she is currently on route back to Coruscant but she was going to stop at a few neighboring systems to garner support for her stand against the Military Creation Act."

"I will contact her office once we reach Coruscant. I am sure that the Council will want to hear her testimony before passing judgment." Obi-Wan's grey eyes were alight with conviction. "I have no doubt that she will be of great help in this."

Qui-Gon's smile grew to match Obi-Wan's own. This was a small victory but the tension caused by the past few days seemed to melt away; the old Master could almost see the relief flow through them both, bright currents of luminous energy dancing across their skin.

"Now, if my Padawan could just...." Obi-Wan began to turn towards Atel when he was interrupted by her explosive "What the...".

His head snapped in her direction, instantly recognizing the thunderous frown on his young Learner's face as indignation. She was staring, narrow-eyed, at the datapad and grumbling furiously. "That can't be right."

"Padawan?" In one fluid moment, Obi-Wan was by her side, hunching over her shoulder to watch as her fingers punched frantically at the keys.

"Blasted datafiles. If I ever find who this damn slicer is, I will either congratulate him on a brilliant piece of work or I will flay him alive." As her hands darted over the 'pad, her voice growled in sharp counterpoint to the click of furiously-battered keys.

"Is there a problem, Padawan?" His inquiry was gently-phrased. He had only experienced that particular tone in her voice once before and the ferocity behind it had lasted for days.

"Not now, Master. I'm trying to.... Damn." And the snick-snick-snick of flying fingers tamping feverously at the keypad only increased in volume and speed.

Qui-Gon sent a silent question into the now-tense atmosphere but the Knight merely raised his hand to wait. She would be done soon enough.

The minutes ticked by, with only the low curses and piercing click of keys to fill the silence.

"This had better work." And with one final punch at the 'pad, Atel leaned back and folded her arms across her chest, almost as if she wanted to tear the system apart with her bare hands and was using every ounce of strength to keep her annoyance at bay.

"Do you want to tell us what is going on, Padawan?"

A resigned and frustrated sigh escaped from the furiously-frowning young woman. But she did not look up, merely continued to stare at the scrolling information on the screen. "Master, this is one of the most intricate and damnable pieces of poodoo I've ever come across." One feminine hand unwound itself from the nest of twisted tunic to point at the screen for a moment before returning back to Atel's rumpled sleeve in protest.

"I was checking the coding to see if I could find any flaws in the data. An encrypted execution subset seemed oddly out of place so I investigated further. When I tried to deconvolute it, the datasystem suddenly went wild. All that work. I wasted hours and it just vanished; the data sets began to change randomly and I couldn't stop it."

"All of it?" Obi-Wan was appalled. Atel's strength lay in the Unifying Force and she was one of the best system analysts in the Order. For this to happen was almost unheard of.

"All of it." Another frustrated sigh. "I'm waiting now to see if my feeble attempts to stop the cascade will work. I don't know if I can do anything else but start over. Luckily, our 'pads were not linked at the time or else your information would have gone with it."

"When will you know?"

She didn't answer for a moment. Intently staring at the numbers and notations as they slowed to a crawl and then stopped, she finally nodded toward the information. "Now."

"Will you have to start again?" When she said nothing but continued to glare at the screen, he tried another "Padawan?"

"I don't believe it." Her appalled reply dropped like a careening asteroid into the waiting silence. Turning to gaze at Obi-Wan with absolute incredulity, her dark eyes seemed impossibly huge in a face pinched white with astonishment. "I don't believe it."

Fearing that all the work of the last few days had disappeared, he breathed frustration into the cabin. "Is there nothing you can do?"

She let out a great bark of laughter at that; her mouth twisted in sarcastic denial. Shaking her head, she stabbed at the screen. "I don't think you are going to want me to do anything."

Frowning at her cryptic words, he leaned forward and stared at the datafiles. There, before him, were the listings of the past year's flight plans for the starship, Serenity, and its Bendu pilot, Qui-Gon Jinn. Entry after entry of schedules and dates and destinations, and, nowhere, nowhere was Telos listed.

Qui-Gon had been telling the truth all along.

--------------------------------------------------------

Obi-Wan straightened up, a delighted grin wreathing his face, lines of worry smoothing into joy. "Excellent work, Padawan." He turned toward his old Master, and pointed at the glowing information. "She's done it, Qui-Gon. She's found the key."

"Master, I... it was nothing." She shrugged slightly, trying to stave off his undeserved praise. Half-ashamed, she turned back towards the files and began to follow the scrolling information, gazing at the inescapable truth. She could not deny the turnabout in the datastream. However, the swift changes has left her off-kilter, skidding into confusion.

"Has she found the source of the deception?"

Qui-Gon's brief query was hushed. He had not wanted to disturb Atel, certainly not while she was attempting to uncover something so important. But just as Obi-Wan was about to reply, the Learner grumbled, "No, I haven't, Master Jinn."

The Jedi and his old Master shared a long look of amused exasperation. Her hearing was sharper than they had realized and, while they wanted to know what was going on with the files, they knew better than to disrupt her concentration at this critical juncture. Without a word, they retreated to the far corner of the tiny cabin, giving her a quiet space to work.

Even as she continued to probe the records, searching for answers, Atel could feel their withdrawal. One part of her understood that they honored her with their trust. But she was annoyed as well, both at herself and at the two men standing there patiently waiting. The emotional turmoil of this day had only set her fragile balance into chaos. And she kept making mistakes, kept assuming things that turned to dust beneath her fingertips.

The unsureness of it all was driving her mad with doubt. In the wasteland of lies and hidden agendas, the shifting sands of false leads and jumbled truths, her certainty had been twisted into bewilderment, disorder... errors in judgment. Mistakes...

She could not deny one thing, however much she might wish that it was not so. Deep down, in the most secret recesses of her heart, she blamed Qui-Gon Jinn. It was not right to feel this way, it was not just but it was there.

A frustrated growl rumbled deep in her chest. She needed to move beyond this; she needed to release her anger; she needed to see her way clear. She desperately needed to surrender to the deep peace that the Force could bring. But for now, she only wanted for it to be over, to get past this and find balance once more.

Atel took one deep breath and then another, trying and failing to find her calm center. A swift glance toward her Master showed that he was still waiting for an explanation. Seeking serenity, she took one more anxious breath before she finally admitted defeat. Apparently, peace would continue to elude her for now.

At least she should answer Obi-Wan's unspoken question. Her rapidly-moving hands unconsciously reflecting her mindset, she hurried to explain. "Tracing the source can wait for the moment. It's more important to make sure the records do not reset back to our original findings. Some slicer codes can be very persistent."

"Will that be a problem?"

Frowning in pained concentration, Atel grumbled, "Not if I have anything to say about it."

She stumbled on, nodding toward the datapad as if that would help Master Obi-Wan understand the complexities of this task. "And I need to make sure that the murder accusations on file with the Telosian government are also false. If it's by the same slicer, there should be a signature program but it will take time to find." She paused for a moment, sending a questioning gaze toward the two men. "Unless you want me to stop..."

"No, Padawan. Do what you think is necessary."

His faith in her only strengthened her resolve to solve this puzzle. "I will do what I can, Master." She put aside her own disquiet and returned to the task at hand. The tumbled chaos of just-opened files now demanded her full attention.

As Atel turned away, Obi-Wan drew his Master aside. "It may take some time. But I believe we can safely put that issue to rest." His relief was a tangible thing, swirling around him in radiant currents of almost-light.

Qui-Gon, too, seemed to relax into the moment. The false accusations of murder had weighed heavily on his mind. Nodding, his gaze strayed to the young woman working her magic so diligently on the datapad keys. "I see that your Padawan is quite good with computer systems. Has she always been adept with the Unifying Force?"

The Knight nodded, "Apparently so. I became aware of her gift when she was first assigned to me as Padawan. I've encouraged her abilities whenever possible." Memories of the child's wide eyes and bludgeoning trust in those first few months were treasures that Obi-Wan would always keep close to his heart. "It is difficult with our constant missions but I believe she will be one of the foremost analysts in the Order someday."

Qui-Gon's own memories of a young apprentice with exuberant grey eyes led him to rumbled approval, "You've trained her well, Padawan."

He shrugged away the compliment. "In some areas, her abilities are quite beyond me. In others..."

"That is true with all Learners, my Learner. When the Padawan teaches the teacher..."

Obi-Wan sent his old Master an amused glare, almost playful. The argument was old and very comfortable. "The pairing is right. Yes, I know." Glancing toward his furiously-working apprentice, he turned thoughtful, the beginnings of a frown creasing his skin. "Still, I am concerned with certain aspects of her training. I often wished I could have asked for your help but it wasn't to be."

The Bendu quieted for a moment. The fleeting guilt was tempered by the reality of the situation. Much as he would want to change the past, he could not. "Did you have no one, then?"

A soft sigh told the tale of long nights and loneliness. "No. Master Tharten would often try to interfere - with my development as a Knight and as a Master. She wanted to make sure that I knew my place in the Order but I was too much of a rogue for her tastes and we often disagreed. Unfortunately, because of her 'interest', none of the other Masters would offer me their guidance." The younger man shrugged, "I stumbled along as best I could."

"I'm sorry, Obi-Wan." Sympathy and understanding painted the air.

"It is the past. I cannot undo it."

A brief grumble from his scowling Padawan caught Obi-Wan's attention. When Atel did not look up but continued her frenzied foray across the datapad, he turned back to the Bendu. "Tell me of your own apprentice. Has Anakin given you much trouble in the years since you took him on?"

Qui-Gon's mouth quirked upward in amusement. "Le'orath calls him my wild child." One quick chuckle and then he shrugged off the obvious pride but the love shone through. "She may be right but his abilities exceed all my expectations." His eyes flicked lightening-quick toward Atel before settling on Obi-Wan's dubious face. Shrugging off Kenobi's wry look, he admitted, "Anakin has much to learn about controlling his temper and we were working to overcome this. But I believe, with time, he will be among the best of the Bendu. Just as you are among the best of the Jedi Order."

Obi-Wan's sardonic snicker was much as Qui-Gon had remembered of his favorite Padawan. He pointed out the obvious. "Master, you seem to have your hands full each time you choose an apprentice."

"That I do, my Padawan. But the challenge of training a bright young mind is also very satisfying." Qui-Gon's slight smile broadened into a wide grin at the look of droll irony Obi-Wan sent his way.

The Jedi only shook his head at his Master's sly reminder of their common past. He had missed the give-and-take of their conversations... and Qui-Gon's dry wit.

"Speaking of challenges, how is Miera? My Padawan sister must be proud of ..... Qui-Gon, what is it?"

"Miera...." All of the amused sparkle in Qui-Gon's eyes had vanished with that innocent query. Skin turned ashen as lines of grief began to dig into the Bendu's face. "She's dead."

"Qui-Gon, I'm so sorry. I didn't know." The younger man reached forward and, for just a moment, put one sympathetic hand on his old Master's arm. Obi-Wan had met the Knight a couple of times but only briefly and between missions. Her own assignments were always long-term and often undercover but he knew that Qui-Gon kept in touch over the years.

Nodding once, Qui-Gon turned away, his shoulders slumping in pain as his mind's eye relived the unbearable past. "She was murdered nine years ago - before we had established the Bendu, before we could help her." He looked out into the infinite night and murmured, "The Jedi Order dismissed her during the second wave of terminations. They didn't even let her come back to Coruscant to say goodbye to her friends. Just threw her away like week-old garbage." The first corrosive wash of anger began to flux through his voice, low murmurs turning into acid. "I found out much later that she had struggled along for six months and, as soon as the Council took their greedy little eyes off her, she was killed. "

Obi-Wan frowned at that. Something did not make sense. Her skills had been formidable, even among the Order. "How is that possible? She was almost your equal with the blade."

The acid had turned to bitter regret. "I don't know but they found her body mutilated and one hand cut off. Cauterized at the wrist. The Jedi..."

"But the Jedi would not do that." The Knight protested, cutting through Qui-Gon's statement with all the surety that Obi-Wan could muster. He could not believe that the Jedi, no matter how weakened by cost-cutting and the back-stabbing machinations of the Senate, would kill their own.

Qui-Gon shot back, "Who else has that kind of weaponry?"

But, when Obi-Wan looked at him with hurt disbelief, he relented. The deep loss of his first Padawan had continued to cut him to the bone even to this day but he also knew that his third Padawan was right.

"No, I don't believe it either. There have been rumors of a dark warrior who uses a double-bladed lightsaber." The Jedi was taken aback at this revelation but Qui-Gon hurried to explain, "Not a Bendu blade but red in color. And the warrior's face in a demon mask of red and black."

When Obi-Wan pointed out that the Bendu should have been able to trace someone so distinctive, Qui-Gon agreed. "We've been searching for him for some months without success."

"You think that there is a connection between this dark warrior and the deaths?"

The Bendu turned back toward the pulsing radiance of Hyperspace. But the luminous cacophony of starlines gave him little comfort, reminding him instead of the vastness of space and the difficulty of finding one being among trillions. "Yes, I am positive. But it is more than that." His voice hardened into stone. "The discarded Jedi have been hunted for ten years, ever since the first wave of dismissals. The killings increase dramatically as soon as the Order turns away from spying on their former members. Someone must know exactly when this will occur."

All the air seemed to evaporate as Obi-Wan struggled to breathe. This.... this news was overwhelming. He knew that the Jedi were uninterested in helping those who had been forced out; his argument with the Council had only cemented his belief in their complacency. But to think that someone would send out information on the dismissed ones so that they might be hunted. The enormity of his old Master's implications drove him into shock. It was unbelievable and yet it made perfect sense. "You think someone within the Jedi is giving out information of this magnitude?"

Qui-Gon nodded once. It hurt him to speak of such desecration from his once beloved Order but it must be said. "It seems likely."

"Master..." The Knight hesitated. Could he offer any real hope of a resolution? Councilor Sle'fey's command for him to join the Order's bureaucracy studying the deaths might well be a trick, to use the quaking sands of half-truth to deflect any real progress. But perhaps not. Only time would tell.

"Master, I have been offered a place on the Temple committee investigating the murders. But I'm not sure. It may well be a ruse to keep me from discovering the truth."

"Take it, Obi-Wan. When this is all done, push them to do what is right."

The intensity of his old Master's trust almost broke his heart. "How can one man make so much of a difference with the whole of the Order against him? I begin to wonder if it will ever be right." Cutting through the ever-increasing decay that was the Jedi Order would need more than one individual, more than one solitary Knight.

Qui-Gon glanced toward the still-frantically working apprentice but she appeared to be ignoring them in her quest to break the code. Leaning forward to catch Obi-Wan's attention, he lowered his voice to a mere thready murmur, "Padawan, you are not alone in this."

"What?" The younger man could not believe what he was hearing. But he was quickly hushed even as he stood there, blinking in astonishment.

"It isn't common knowledge but there may be a Bendu sympathizer within the Jedi ranks."

More bewilderment in a long day filled with surprises. He leaned forward again, "Have you any idea of who it might be?"

Shaking his head, Qui-Gon's whispering response hardly moved the still air. "No, but about two years ago, we started to get lists of the dismissed and their likely location. The identity of this benefactor could not be traced but the information continues to come on a regular basis."

There had been much debate about whether to believe the data but the Bendu could not ignore the welcome treasure that kept pouring into their hands. "It has been of enormous help. And, more importantly, the murder rate dropped swiftly once we were able to contact the former Jedi and bring them under our protection."

"Do you think...." Even as Obi-Wan straightened up, nodding at the news, his eye caught the abortive movement of his young apprentice. She had been sitting there, looking at them both, her face pinched white in surprise. But as he gazed at her, she turned swiftly away, shame warring with regret.

"Atel, are you alight?" His Padawan looked so lost, sitting there alone.

She just shrugged, then started to rub her hand across her forehead almost as if to ease pain that might linger. "Yes, I'm fine." With that, her hand fluttered down toward the datapad. "I was just resting a bit. Those codes are not easy to crack."

He gave her one sharp look, wondering if she were just trying to ease his concern or if something else was troubling her. "Have you?"

Atel sent him back a tentative smile. "Yes, Master. It's good news. I was able to break the encryption coding for the Telosian government records." She pointed to the data files, one slim fingertip following the stream of bright symbols even as Obi-Wan leaned down to peer at the information. Looking up to find Jinn staring at her with questions in his midnight-blue eyes, she bowed slightly. One deep breath later, she said, "There were no murders."

"Are you certain about this?" Obi-Wan wanted to be very sure; it was too important for mistakes now.

Nodding, she tapped at the screen. "See here and here, Master? You and Master Jinn were correct. The entire thing was a hoax."

Both Jinn and her Master gathered in close, gazing at the glowing letters. The palpable tension began to ease as they realized that she had indeed broken the code - that Jinn was as innocent as he had claimed and, more importantly, she could prove it.

"There it is, Master Obi-Wan. The proof that Master Jinn was telling the truth. No mine owners exist with the names listed in our original findings. And there is no record of any person being murdered at the Sacred Pools since the deCrion incident some twenty years ago." Rubbing her face once more to relieve the pressure of these last few hours, she said, "The encryption codes had the same signature as the flight files. So it is likely that one slicer did both sets."

She angled back, twisting her torso slightly to loosen up cramped muscles. She needed to move about, perhaps work on that difficult kata that she had begun so many days ago. Maybe later but, for right now, she knew that they had to focus on Jinn's defense. Blast, she was tired. But at least, this time, she was sure she had found the truth about Jinn.

As she watched, an exuberant grin blossomed on Obi-Wan's face. Matching the spirited smile with one of his own, Jinn grasped both hands with his old Padawan. Warmth and the satisfaction of this news seemed to pass between the two men as they shared a silent moment of relief.

Stepping back, Obi-Wan turned to Atel, elation staining his eyes a bright grey-green. He took her shoulders between his hands and gave her a little shake. He sent her such a warm look that she began to smile herself. "Then, we've won this round. This is wonderful, Padawan. Good job."

The Knight gestured toward the door. "We should celebrate. Even though it is growing late, this ship must have a place that serves food and drink."

Atel frowned at that. She didn't want to point out the obvious but he needed to understand that their work was not done yet. "Master, are you sure? There is still much to do."

"I believe that you have earned it, young Padawan. Come."

He gathered up his tunic and shrugged it on, ragged sleeves and all. As Obi-Wan began to lead the way out, Jinn followed with the ease of long acquaintance. They seemed to move in accord, almost as a single unit, silently contented in the bonds of affection between them.

It was beautiful to watch and yet, in that instant, Atel realized the true depth of her jealousy. Hanging back, she could only shake her head and try to fight such foolishness before it destroyed her.

From the very beginning of this mission, she believed that her actions were right and just. After all, she followed the rules of the Jedi Order and the example of her Master in all things. It should have been enough. But it was not. But that certainty had been torn away and she was left with nothing but the lies she had believed in.

It was time to change all that before it was too late.

She spoke up at that moment, just as the two approached the door. "Wait."

They stopped, puzzled as they glanced back at her. Her Master stood there, his contented look starting to glide into wariness; the Bendu was carefully vigilant as they waited for her to speak. She realized that they expected her to argue with them and it hurt her to admit it. But she had had enough of argument to last a lifetime and beyond.

She took two steps forward and, bowing her head in penitence, went down on one knee before Jinn. The sharp intake of air echoed in the cramped quarters. It was clear that her action was completely unexpected.

A whisper of sorrow laced her voice as she began, "I wish...." She looked up then, into the face of an astonished Bendu Champion. "Master Jinn, I wish to apologize. I believed that you were... a danger to my Master and I acted accordingly. I am truly sorry."

The blue eyes of Qui-Gon Jinn flicked towards Obi-Wan's own startled grey ones before he turned back to the contrite apprentice. He stood there for a moment watching her face, looking to see if this were some trick or ruse to lower his guard, waiting for the strike. But he saw nothing, felt nothing but a sincere wish to make amends.

Reaching down, he took her hands in his and raised her up. "Padawan Sl'etah, there is no need. I understand that you wanted to protect your Master. I cannot fault you for your devotion." Letting go, he stood back and bowed slightly, "Be at peace. I accept your apology."

And suddenly she could breathe again. "Thank you, Master Jinn."

Obi-Wan angled past his old Master and gave her a quick, sharp hug. "Thank you, Padawan. You have given me a great gift in this." Then clutching her small hand in his comforting one, he tugged her out into the corridor. "Now, let's really celebrate. Come."