Chapter 10

Thann was busy at work slicing past the terminals security features with each new file he gained access to but when he arrived at the last file it was heavily encrypted and password protected with a grade of security that he was not skilled in so he did what could and downloaded the encrypted file hoping that someone at the temple might be able to crack the password and find out what is on the file in hopes it lead to more leads in figuring out who it was they encountered. While Thann was working on the terminal Quinlan was going through anything that might be of interest using his abilities of psychometry to try and identify their attacker with this ability but still to no avail and but what information he did get he knew it would shock not only the High Council but the Republic Senate itself but he knew that he'd more than just his abilities and began looking for anything that would provide written proof but he didn't find anything. "Thann I hope you've got more than enough data from that terminal since I wasn't able to find anything else that might help with our investigation." Thann gave Quinlan a small knowing smirk which the older man saw right before it disappeared off the young Jedi's face answering his question about more information.

Both Thann and Quinlan regrouped with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan who were with the guild leaders family reassuring them that they were not with the group that had kidnapped them but apart of the rescue party requested by the head of their family which Qui-Gon was able to do so smoothly using the force to soothe the families emotions which were in great turmoil due to their previous situation but stood no match to Qui-Gons ability. While Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan led the family back to the safety of the upper levels while and Quinlan continued their investigation in hopes of finding more evidence that might help. "Have you found anything else?" Vos asked Thann as they both exited the last rooms at the front of the hallway near the entrance to which Thann shook his head and said " no such luck, what about you?" to which Vos shook his head and said " negative." Both men knew that if they couldn't gather anything else then it was time to leave.

Both men began to run using the force to increase their speed so as not to be caught by anything that might give them a hard time getting back to the upper levels but luck was not on their side as soon as they got near the lift going back to the upper levels they ran into a terentatek was standing near the entry to the lift waiting as if it was expecting someone to arrive and causing the jedi to suddenly stop in their tracks far enough so that the creature wouldn't be able to sense them in the force but it was to late just as they stopped the foul beast turned it's head looking in their immediate direction and began to run full speed in that direction. Thann and Quinlan immediately began drawing on the force and waited till the right moment as the creature was at the right range and combined their force push to throw the creature far enough and began to make a mad dash for the lift with Vos reaching it first and Thann just right behind him keeping his eye out for the monster and his hand on his lightsaber hoping it wouldn't be necessary, and luckily it wasn't as they made a clean escape without any further issues.

Once they had reached upper levels they started walking in the direction of where their ship was located discussing on how they should go about presenting their findings to the high council as well as Quinlan explaining what he saw exactly with his ability since if he did not give a strong explanation it could be written off and so he and Thann decided it might as well be best to leave that part out till they had further concrete evidence. Obi-Wan was waiting for them when they finally arrived and had questions of his own especially regarding Thanns personal choice of lightsaber skill which for most Jedi was a complete no no himself included since his former master had made sure that the council would deny his request if he asked to learn, but now that he was on his own and he knew someone that knew the style he could possibly ask that person to teach him and that was what he hoped to accomplish with Thann, " so how did your search go of the compound, did you find anything useful after we left?" Thann shook his head and recounted what had happened after they had left the building and their run in with the terentatek on the forest floor which by then Qui-Gon had joined them hearing the last bit of the story.

" You and Quinlan are lucky to have made it back in one piece." Qui-Gon stated with finality remembering what his Master Dooku had told him about his masters encounter with the same creature and how it had almost ended very badly but thankfully Master Yoda knew was no greenhorn and quickly bested the creature which also caused him to reflect on the duel with the man clad in black as he demonstrated skill in his former masters chosen style with almost the same proficiency but he knew that rushing to this conclusion would not be wise so he kept his thoughts to himself hoping that he he could soon get an answer for himself. Thann noticed that the older jedi went into deep thought and could not be disturbed from his chain of thoughts causing the younger jedi to go back to his ship and discuss with Quinlan what their next steps would be after he gave another full report to the council who he was on the holo communicator when he arrived at the main area of the ship and heard these words coming from Master Windu " Don't linger for much longer there on Kashyyyk we will here your full report when you comeback to the Jedi Temple." " Yes master," Quinlan said to Master Windu's command.

Thann was a little disappointed that they had to head back to Coruscant so soon since he wanted to spend a little time with Anakin whom he bonded with real well back on Naboo and wanted to make sure the youngster had been acclimating well to his new life not knowing that the little boy had some inner turmoil going on but Quinlan could see through Thann and knew what the young man was feeling and so he made a decision to stay a few days longer and told Thann " We'll be staying for a few days so go and help Qui-Gon with his new apprentice." Thann was more than happy that Quinlan had read his mind and realized he needed to work harder at covering his emotions.

Qui-Gon was glad to receive help from a fellow jedi who saw Anakin as person more than the chosen one which they little boy was but Thann kept it light and did what most jedi would've considered a childish use of the force when he started levitating the boy for fun allowing him to fly in the sky and then bring him back down again, Qui-Gon watched on as things continued and began to wonder if it would be better if Anakin would do well under Thann but that soon passed quickly when he saw Thann give the boy his lightsaber which Qui-Gon was about immediately say something but stopped when he heard what Thann was saying to the young Padawan " The lightsaber is more than just a weapon it is the physical symbol of the Jedi Order and should only be used in the most dire of situations, what we should rely on more than anything is the force which we build a connection with every day that is the greatest form of protection more so than any lightsaber." Qui-Gon knew what the young man said was true but he knew that he would have to temper that philosophy with life experience.

Within the few days that extra that Thann and Quinlan stayed over both Thann and Obi-Wan had a rematch duel seeing how far the other had come along in their lightsaber skills with both Qui-Gon and Vos betting on their respective charge. Obi-Wan and Thann saluted one another and then began to run at each other and soon were about to clash and then it happened. Thann began using the force to slow himself down allowing himself to see what the other Jedi would do down to microsecond which gave him a slight advantage over the form four user. Obi-Wan was amazed at how his every move was countered at every turn and seemed to have no answer for Thinn's stalwart defense and then when Obi-Wan had worn himself out Thann began his own attack which quickly overwhelmed Kenobi who was soon disarmed by his younger opponent.