Disclaimer: I own none of it. Except Damien - he's mine. This fanfic was constructed from my memory of playing the XBox version of the game, and the dialog.tlk file from the PC version. It may have some mistakes... probably got continuity errors too... but add the fact the character's not acting like he should anyway, and it doesn't really matter, does it?
Author's note: You've got to play to your strengths, right? So naturally, I'm writing from the point of view of an attractive male blonde anti-hero with a conscience who knows more than he should. Although, the male blonde (and the female blonde, for that matter) faces available in KotOR are not suitable for this character, so his appearance is also MINE!
* * *
Chapter 1 - Gravity Is A Myth, Taris Sucks
I woke up, to find myself in an unfamiliar apartment, with a man I didn't recognise sitting nearby, reading a datapad - or should I say scowling at a datapad. It was daylight outside, and my head hurt.
What was my name, again? Damien? Revan? Now I was confused. I vaguely remembered staggering out of my quarters on the Endar Spire, and running into my roommate, who had then played the martyr to help me get to the escape pods. I also remembered several conflicting pieces of information.
I was born on Corusant - no, Deralia. My parents died when I was ten - no, I knew they were still alive, but I hadn't seen them since I was five. I was a smuggler - no, a Jedi - no, a Sith. This was getting me nowhere.
I sat up, holding my head, and the man sitting nearby looked up at me, startled, "Good to see you up, instead of thrashing around in your sleep." the man said, setting the datapad down next to him, "You must have been having one hell of a nightmare. I was wondering if you were ever going to wake up. I'm Carth, one of the Republic soldiers from the Endar Spire. I was with you on the escape pod, do you remember?"
No. "Where am I? How did I get here?" I asked.
"Well, you've been slipping in and out of consciousness for a couple of days now, so I imagine you're pretty confused about things." that's an understatement, "Try not to worry. We're safe... at least for the moment. We're in an abandoned apartment on the planet of Taris. You were banged up pretty bad when our escape pod crashed, but luckily I wasn't seriously hurt. I was able to drag you away from our crash site in all the confusion, and I stumbled onto this abandoned apartment. By the time the Sith arrived on the scene we were long gone."
"The Sith?" I asked. Finally, something I recognised. Even though the word almost literally tasted foul.
"Taris is under Sith control. Their fleet is orbiting the planet, they've declared martial law and they've imposed a planet-wide quarantine. But I've been in worse spots. I saw on your service records that you understand a remarkable number of alien languages. That's pretty rare in a raw recruit, but it should come in handy while we're stranded on a foreign world. There's no way the Republic will be able to get anyone through the Sith blockade to help us. If we're going to find Bastila and get off this planet, we can't rely on anybody but ourselves." when Carth finished talking, I took a few minutes to think about and process that information.
Then I asked, "Bastila? She's the one from the Endar Spire, right?"
"That smack to your head did more damage than I thought." Carth said, half smirking at my confusion, half scowling, "Bastila's a Jedi. She was with the strike team that killed Darth Revan, Malak's Sith master."
Killed Revan, did she? Funny, my memories of the incident - I do have them - were of her just standing there, and I was struck from behind, felt like an electrical discharge. But I didn't comment on that to Carth.
"Bastila is the key to the whole Republic war effort. The Sith must have found out she was on the Endar Spire and set an ambush for us in this system. I believe Bastila was on one of the escape pods that crashed down here on Taris. For the sake of the Republic war effort, we have to try and find her."
I frowned, and thought about that one, too. So I was on a Republic ship, which was ambushed by the Sith. This Republic officer wants my help to find a Jedi who is the only hope of the Republic. I didn't think I wanted to get involved in this sort of thing, either way - certainly not before I got my thoughts straightened out. "If Bastila's a Jedi, she can probably look after herself." I said, in as diplomatic a tone as I could.
"Bastila's going to need our help." Carth said determinedly, "Many of Darth Malak's followers have mastered the dark side of the Force, and the Sith have already killed more than their share of Jedi in this war." You noticed, huh? I was starting to think they were being too subtle. Note, that's sarcasm. "I doubt anyone's specifically looking for us anymore: we're not that important." Speak for yourself. "But if we're careful we can move about the planet without attracting notice; a luxury Bastila won't have. She's going to have half the Sith fleet looking for her. They know how vital she is to the war effort."
So you're going to rope me into helping you if you have to blackmail, threaten and torture me? Fine, I give, I couldn't be bothered arguing... yet. "Any idea where we should start looking for Bastila?"
"While you were out I did some scouting around. There are reports of a couple escape pods crashing down into the Undercity. That's probably a good place to start. But the Undercity is a dangerous place. We don't want to go in there unprepared. It won't do Bastila any good if we go and get ourselves killed." how much do you want to bet on that? No, let's not bother - I don't plan on getting myself killed just to prove a point.
"Come on." I said, standing up - I was still wearing the combat suit I had worn on the Endar Spire - and picking up a nearby vibroblade. Can't be too careful on a strange planet. "I want to scout this planet out a bit."
"Good idea. We can use this abandoned apartment as a base, and we can probably get some equipment and supplies here in the Upper City. Just remember to keep a low profile. I've heard some grim stories about the Dark Jedi interrogation techniques. They say the Force can do terrible things to a mind. It can wipe away your memories and destroy your very identity!" hmmm... I've done it before... I think. And it seems like someone must have tried it on me - why don't I know who I am? "But I figure if we don't do anything stupid we should be okay."
"Define 'stupid'." I muttered.
"I mean, after all, they're... they're looking for Bastila, not a couple of grunts like us. Alright, soldier, let's move out."
"Call me 'soldier' again, and I'll hurt you." I growled, "I was not recruited for my military discipline, y'know."
Carth raised an eyebrow curiously, "What were you recruited for?"
No memory came to mind. But the flat fact was there, "Knowledge."
"I see." he said, folding his arms, "Well, whatever your reasons for being here, I think I outrank you."
I idly picked up the datapad he had been looking at, and read it. 'Damien Nox: junior intelligence officer, first class... highly skilled in linguistics, psychology, and tactical warfare... has a history of insubordination... is to be isolated from the ship's Jedi envoys.' So my name's Damien, is it?
"Well, if you've bothered to read this, you'll know I don't do well with superior officers." I flashed a smile at him, "But I could be convinced to work together with you, rather than either of us trying to take control of the situation?" I suggested.
"I guess that works. As long as we find Bastila." Carth said, nodding.
I pocketed the datapad, and made for the door.
* * *
I walked out the door, and straight into a Sith interrogation... sort of. A Sith officer was tormenting a - most likely innocent - pair of Duros. Then shot one of them. Carth took this as an insult, and started shooting at the Sith.
I quickly drew my vibroblade, and took apart the two droids the Sith had been accompanied by. "I thought you said you didn't want to attract attention?" I asked.
"Well, no one'll find the bodies, will they?" Carth asked, smirking.
"Right." I muttered. I sheathed my vibroblade behind my back, knelt next to the Sith corpse, and rooted through his pockets. I produced a medpac and a handful of credits. "You call that 'aiming'?" I asked, standing up and waving a ruined ten-credit chip under Carth's nose.
"Hey, I killed him, didn't I?" Carth protested.
"Yeah, well you get the burnt chip." I said, splitting the credits between us. I then turned my attention to the surviving alien, [Are you all right?] I asked - humans who can speak Duros do so with a horrendous accent at the best of times, but I know I spoke intelligibly enough.
[I am uninjured. I thank you, human. I can dispose of the bodies for you, if you wish? I do not wish Sith attention any more than you may.] he answered.
[I would be grateful.] I replied, nodding. The Duros made short work of gathering up the evidence and leaving the crime scene, without another word.
"What did you say to him?" Carth asked.
"I just asked him if he was ok, and he offered to get rid of the body for us. Nice species, Duros - always helpful, if you're polite." I said, "Now, we were about to go exploring, weren't we? Put a safety catch on that trigger-finger of yours before we see any more Sith, would you?"
Carth glared, "Don't tell me you would have just sit back and watched that?" he demanded.
"If that Sith didn't bother me, I wouldn't have bothered him... not in this situation." I said, shrugging, "We're in enemy territory, we want to blend in with the oppressed locals. Shooting the oppressors will only get you shot yourself, here."
Carth sighed, and put his blaster away in an inside pocket where it was still easily accessible, but now concealed, "Alright - happy now?"
"Relatively." I said, leading the way out of the apartment block. Without asking anyone how to find it, I made a beeline for the Upper City cantina.
* * *
"Where did you get those clothes - a trash compactor in the Lower City? And where are those drinks we ordered?" a voice demanded haughtily, as I walked past a pair of women, on my way to the bar.
I looked to see that one of them was glaring pointedly at me. I scowled, "Order? I have no clue what you're talking about."
"Why is the help here so incompetent? One word from Daddy and I could get you fired!" she persisted.
"I don't even work here!" I snapped at her.
"How dare you speak to me like that! Daddy's going to hear about this!" she ran off, then. I have no clue what that was about.
"What was that about?" Carth asked, having finally convinced the Pazaak groupie that he was not famous, and no he didn't even play Pazaak, nor did he have any desire to.
"Damned if I know." I said, shrugging. "Now, where do you suppose we could get some easy money here?"
"Not Pazaak - the only player here's a shark." Carth informed me.
"Pazaak it is, then." I said cheerfully.
Half an hour later, I was one hundred and twenty credits richer, and had been falsely accused of cheating at Pazaak.
"Now we have money. Good. Now, we need somewhere to spend it on useful things." I said, looking around and trying to think.
"We passed a shop on the way to the cantina." Carth said, grouchily - he was annoyed that I had ignored his advice about Pazaak, and even more annoyed that I had been right to do so.
"Hmm... I'll go there in a minute." I said, now distracted. A few Sith officers had entered the bar - their clothes, their posture, and the fact the locals were giving them a wide berth was a dead giveaway. "I'll be right back. Stay here." I said to Carth, and then I made my way over to a young female Sith officer.
"Hi there." she said, cheerfully enough, as I approached her, "I haven't seen you around before. Of course they don't give us Sith officers from the military base much time off..."
I feigned confusion, "You're from the military base? You don't look like one of the Sith."
"I'm off duty right now, so I'm not in uniform." she explained, "My name is Sarna - junior officer first class with the Sith occupation force."
"My name's Damien, it's a pleasure to meet you, fair lady." I said, turning on the charm, and half-bowing to her.
She blushed, and smiled, "I'm actually a little surprised you're talking to me at all... most of the people here on Taris can't stand us Sith. It can make this a pretty lonely job." she said, seeming quite relieved that I hadn't turned tail and run away screaming.
I shook my head, half-laughing now, "Oh, I'm not actually from Taris. I'm just stuck here until the quarantine ends."
"You're an off-worlder?" she asked, her eyebrows raised now, "Huh, I figured you'd be even more angry, being stuck on a foreign planet and all."
I shrugged, "Being stuck on Taris isn't so bad..." I then leaned in, conspiratorially - partly because there were several Tairsian nobles nearby - and added quietly, "but the locals aren't much fun."
She laughed, nodding in agreement, "You know, it's like everyone on this backwater planet is in a permanent bad mood. Don't they know they have to make the best of things?"
"You're just doing your job, right?" I said, sympathetically, "I don't hold that against you."
"That's true, but people don't appreciate what we've done for them." she said, also leaning in conspiratorially - I smelled a faint hint of alcohol on her breath, but not much, "We could have slapped a curfew on this whole planet, but we didn't."
I nodded as if this was the greatest kindness I'd heard of, "You've got a pretty positive attitude."
"Exactly! It's all about attitude." she said, nodding enthusiastically, "I didn't ask to be assigned to this backwater planet, but I try to make the best of it!" she sighed slightly, "It's pretty easy to get depressed on an assignment like this, but we do what we can to keep our spirits up."
I put on my sympathetic act again, as I noted, "It must be tough, being stationed on a hostile world."
"That's true." she said, lapping up my act, "It's nice to meet someone who understands what I'm going through. It's good to talk about this stuff - it gets pretty lonely up at the military base." she sighed, and when I didn't answer, she spoke again, "I have to get going soon - I've got a shift at the military base. But some of us junior Sith officers are having a party tonight to blow off some steam. I'd really like to see you again. Why don't you drop by the party? It's in the Northern apartment complex."
"Sounds good. I'll be there." I said, smiling.
"Don't worry - you won't be the only civilian there. A few of the locals who don't hate us are going to show up, too. I hope to see you there." she assured me, before hurrying away.
"What was that all about? Wasting time to flirt with the locals?" Carth asked as I returned to where I had abandoned him.
"She's not a local. She's an off-duty Sith." I said flatly.
"Even worse." Carth snapped.
"No, it's not. I got invited to a party. Sith party, plus alcohol, equals loose tongued Sith. Information. That's always a good thing." I explained as if he was a small child, "I'm not an intelligence officer for nothing, y'know."
"Right. Well, it better be worth it." Carth growled, "I don't want us getting caught just so you could go to a Sith party."
"Carth, this is Taris. They'll be too drunk to catch us." I said tiredly, "Only Tarisians and Mandalorians can handle Tarisian ale, you numbskull. Everyone knows that."
"You sure think you know everything, don't you?" Carth asked.
"Far from it. I know I don't know enough." I said, smirking.
* * *
As we headed for the supplies shop, we were accosted by two thugs with vibroblades, apparently working for the brat who had thought I was her waiter, "You need a lesson on how to treat your social betters. Maybe you'll think twice before mocking me next time!" she said, in the same haughty voice.
I had barely drawn my own vibroblade before Carth had shot both thugs in the head. I blinked at that, "You're dangerous, y'know that, don't you, Carth?"
Carth just shrugged and smirked. The woman stared at her dead cronies, then shrieked, "Help! Daddy!" and made a run for it. I followed her. I know I was running too fast - I shouldn't have been able to run that fast. I caught her by the arm, and she screamed again, "Help, somebody!"
"Shut up, a second, you spoiled brat!" I snapped.
The woman cringed, "What do you want with me?"
"I want to know why you wasted two thugs on me." I said calmly.
"You were rude to me." she snapped.
"So you just try to kill people who annoy you?" I asked, "Who are you? How do you get away with that?"
"I'm Davik Kang's daughter, that's who. I thought everyone on Taris knew that?" she said coldly.
"Who's Davik Kang?" I asked, as Carth caught up with us.
"Davik's the local crime lord on Taris." Carth explained, "And if that's his daughter, you'll want to let her go before he finds out who you are."
The woman grinned evilly, "Someone has some sense, even if he did shoot my bodyguards."
"Those thugs were useless, if they're supposed to be bodyguards." I said flatly, letting go of her arm, "And I am sorry for insulting you, m'am. I had no idea who you were." I added, bowing to her as if she were royalty.
She smirked haughtily, "So you should be."
"Once again, I apologise." I said, respectfully. She nodded snootily, and left.
"Ok, that was... interesting." Carth muttered.
"How so?" I asked.
"Are you actually capable of charming credits out of a Hutt?" he asked.
"There's one way to find out." I said, marching straight back into the Upper City cantina.
I failed to charm credits out of that cantina's resident Hutt, but I did get three hundred credits worth of prizes for duelling, before Ice beat me.
* * *
"Tell me again why you don't want me there?" Carth hissed.
"You? In a roomful of Sith? I don't want this party to turn into a bloodbath, Carth." I said coldly.
"Hey, I'm not that bad!" Carth protested.
I sighed dramatically, "Look, we can't afford to waste a whole evening just for this. You need to find a way down to the Lower and Undercities." I said, "I'll work on finding a way past the Sith blockade, ok?"
"I guess. Just don't leave without me." Carth said, resigned.
I found the right apartment easily enough - all I had to do was follow the sound of heavy music and the smell of Tarisian ale.
"Hey, you made it! I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show! The party's in full swing - come on in." Sarna said, as I peered into the apartment.
I smiled, and walked over to her, "Hey, this really is a great party you've got going here." I said, quite loudly to be heard over the music at all.
"Yeah. You have to try this Tarisian ale - it's fantastic! We should have conquered this planet ages ago!" she said, clearly having some trouble standing.
"Careful, Sarna. That wine's got quite the kick. A couple more bottles and we'll all be passed out on the floor!" a man said from nearby.
She gave him a rude hand gesture, "Who cares? We're not on duty tomorrow - let's live a little! Come on - drink up!" she said, determinedly opening another bottle, and taking a drink. She almost collapsed on top of me. I held her up, and smiled at her, "Hey, it's not every day a pretty lady falls into my arms like this." I said, turning on the charm.
"Oh, you." she hit my chest lightly, and fell into a fit of giggles, "Hey, y'know. I heard if you drink enough of this stuff, you feel like you're walking on air." she said, her voice wavering, "Y'know what, it's true."
I laughed lightly, "I'm sure it is, Sarna." I said, guiding her to a couch, and sitting down with her next to me. She leaned against me, and her hands wandered a bit too much... but I didn't try to stop her.
"Hey, you!" the man who had told Sarna to be careful snapped at me, "Get your hands off my sister."
"I'm not sixteen anymore, Yun." Sarna said, glaring at him, and wrapping her arms around me, as if she were a child defending a precious toy.
"Hey, I didn't mean any harm." I said defensively.
"Yeah right." Yun said, glaring at me, his eyes slightly out of focus.
I sighed, "If you want me to leave, I will." I said, in a dejected tone, "But the party was just getting good." I noted, indicating the makeshift dance floor and the bottle of Tarisian ale.
Yun glared at me, "I think you should let go of my sister."
"Whatever you say." I said, trying to pry Sarna's hands from around my neck - the girl had a hell of a grip, and I didn't want to hurt her.
As soon as I pried Sarna off me, Yun grabbed me by the collar and took a swing at me. He missed, but it was clear that he was asking for a fight.
"Hey, I don't want any trouble." I said, holding up my hands defensively, "I was invited, but I'm sorry. If you don't want me here, I'll just leave."
"Ha, fat chance." Yun snarled, taking another swing at me. I blocked this one, because it had better aim, "I'm a Sith, remember?" he snarled, "And we Sith do whatever we want. I want to punch your face in." he said, taking another swing at me - his clumsy attacks were weak enough that I had no trouble blocking him, but he just kept trying.
"Yun, leave it!" Sarna snapped, trying to stand, but the alcohol had affected her too much. Her words went unnoticed, though - the other Sith had surrounded us, and were chanting for a fight. I held Yun off for a while, but then he passed out from the Tarisian ale he'd been drinking... and the other Sith did not take kindly to that. He passed out while fighting me - I was guilty, in their eyes. Oh shit.
The following fight lasted a few minutes, and unlike Yun's drunken attack, these Sith were actually more dangerous - not all of them were so intoxicated. But soon the whole population of the party was unconscious at my feet, for one reason or another. I sighed, "So much for intelligent gathering." I muttered.
My commlink beeped. I answered it, "Damien? You there?"
"Yes, I'm here. What is it?" I asked.
"I found a way to the Lower City, but I've got a problem." Carth informed me.
"Such as?"
"Such as they're only letting Sith and authorised personnel use the elevator." Carth said, sighing, "The Sith on guard there was very pissy with me."
"I wonder why." I muttered, "You don't exactly stand out as Sith-friendly, do you?"
"And where are you?"
"I'm at the party."
"And you're talking openly?!" he demanded.
"Yes. But only because they're all unconscious." I answered.
There was a long pause, then he asked, "What did you do?"
"Me? What makes you think it was my fault? Half of them passed out because of the Tarisian ale!" I said, defensively.
"Only half of them?" Carth asked sceptically.
"Long story. Not important. I could nick their uniforms, would that work?" I said, trying to change the subject.
"That's a good idea."
After nicking the uniforms (I wasn't sure of Carth's size, so I nicked three uniforms - one fits me, one'll probably be too big for him, the other too small) I returned to the 'hideout' apartment, where I found Carth reading over a datapad. I glanced over his shoulder, just long enough to see that it was a tourist information datapad, and lost interest. I shook my head and dumped the uniforms on the table, "We go down to the Lower City tomorrow. I need sleep." with that, I walked over to the bed and collapsed.
* * *
I woke up to the horrific sound of snoring, at three in the morning, Taris local time. I glared at Carth, who was out for the count, on the other bed. I sat up, still glaring, and threw the tourist information datapad at him - it had no effect. I stood up and stalked into the bathroom, slamming the door - the snoring persisted, even through the supposedly soundproofed door.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror - my hair was a mess, and I looked like I hadn't slept in a week. Funny how one can look like that when they've only just woken up. I brushed my hair and tied it back.
My memory was still pretty messed up, but there was a constant - my appearance. In both memories, I had the same looks - long white-blonde hair, ice-grey eyes, pale skin, and high cheekbones. As Revan, I always knew I was good looking, but my memories as Damien have no reference to my being attractive, beyond the simple facts that that was what I looked like.
If I'm Damien, why do I have Revan's memories? And if I'm Revan, why do I have Damien's memories? Why do both personalities look alike? Even identical twins have some defining feature. Unless. Unless one of them isn't real? 'The Force can do terrible things to a mind. It can wipe away your memories and destroy your very identity'. When he said it, the thought crossed my mind. What if someone planted the knowledge in my mind? Or tried to suppress who I was? Well, whoever I am, it didn't work.
The more I thought about it, the more I came to realise. Revan is too - too well known, too real - to be fake. And memories of Revan's life were... more real to me. I actually remembered being sent to the Jedi, and trained in their ways. I simply had a string of facts regarding Damien's life in my head as well - Damien was a smuggler, but it was as if I had only read this from a datapad, for all the emotion and reality the identity had. I could not remember how this knowledge came to me, but the fact that I remembered it in the first person sent alarms off in my mind - it was something I SHOULD be, even if it wasn't what I was.
So I would act as Damien - I would wait until I knew why this 'identity' had been given to me, before reacting as Revan. The new identity came with a few 'morals', although they were as artificial as the memories, and I did know my own mind well enough to know I had the same morals without this new identity. I had simply forgotten them for a time.
I am Revan.
Seems far-fetched, really. I mean, Dark Lord of the Sith. Hmph. Somehow, it just seems so... ridiculous. I mean, the very idea is preposterous - that must be why I fell in the first place. I remember thinking those exact words before I left for the Mandalorian Wars:
'Revan, be careful. I fear this may lead to the Dark Side.'
'Pah, the very idea is preposterous!'
'You should not be so self-assured - overconfidence leads to the Dark Side.'
So does ignoring good advice, it seems.
I think everything can lead to the Dark Side. Love. Hate. Is there anything that doesn't? Even peace - it creates an illusion of safety that leaves you vulnerable. I sighed slightly. This sort of deep and meaningful crap is not my style. I don't like it that much. I should just continue with the mission. Bastila can help me undo some of the damage.
I know now that I made a mistake - I think part of the solution is admitting there was ever a problem.
* * *
It wasn't difficult to locate the Jedi Princess. Everyone on Taris knew about the big swoop race, and that she was offered as the Black Vulkars' share of the prize. What was difficult was getting into said swoop race. There were two obvious options.
Option one: help the Hidden Beks steal from the Vulkars, and get Bek sponsorship. Option two: side with the Black Vulkars against the Beks, and get Vulkar sponsorship. Or, in theory only, option three: wait for the race and kill anything that moves, at the swoop track, until there's only you and the Jedi left standing.
Naturally, as my luck would have it, option four presented itself.
Carth had gone down to the Undercity to look for the Twi'lek - Mission - for the Beks' plan. I had refused to go. The Rakghouls scare me - they scare me enough for me to admit it, and that's saying something.
"Oh, you again." Davik's spawn said, as she passed me in Upper City cantina.
She gave me a disdainful look, and was about to move on, when I asked, "I never did find out your name?"
"My name is Avril." she said haughtily, "And you already know who my father is."
"Yes, of course." I said, bowing, "I wondered if you could help me, m'lady?" I asked, in my best grovelling tone. Yes, the Dark Lord of the Sith knows how to grovel when he wants to - go figure.
"Why would I want to?" she asked snootily.
"I wiped the boards on Manaan's swoop racing, a few years ago." I said - well, as Revan, I did. "I wanted to enter the Taris season opener, but getting sponsorship is a nightmare. I promise, if Davik were to sponsor me, he would not be disappointed."
"I guess it couldn't hurt." she muttered, "Daddy would be very pleased to enter the race at all - his best swoop racer died on the track last year, and he hasn't a chance of winning this year's race as it is. It's a toss-up between the Beks and the Vulkars at the moment."
I grinned evilly, "Tell him he'll want to check the Vulkars out for cheating. They have an illegal accelerator."
Her eyes lit up, "How would you know?"
"The Beks told me - they were trying to steal it, to get it away from the Vulkars." I said, honestly.
Avril smirked evilly, "I will tell daddy about this." she said, "And we will contact you."
She left quickly, and it was mere minutes before I heard a voice shouting, "Damien!" I looked up to see a blur of blue rushing towards me, "Trouble. Capital T." Mission gasped, out of breath.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"That guy you were with in Javyar's cantina - Carth - said to find you - said you'd know what to do." she said quickly. She then lowered her voice to a whisper, "He's been bitten."
"Don't tell me - a Rakghoul?" I asked, the blood draining from my face.
She nodded.
"Shit." I don't like the man, but after hearing about it, I wouldn't wish the Rakghoul disease on anyone. I stood up and bolted out of the cantina. She followed quickly.
* * *
We got to the Undercity, "Where is he?" I asked.
"The Outcasts locked him up." Mission said, pointing to a cage.
I rushed to the cage, but the Outcast healer wouldn't let me open the gate. "I told you this was a bad idea, now look." I said, sighing.
"Yeah, I don't know what's worse - the pain from the wound, the thought of what it'll do to me, or the fact the others have been here longer and will probably kill me before I turn." he said sadly - he was slouched against the wall, "Only thing I regret is not getting my revenge."
"Don't talk like that. You're not dead yet, you moron!" I snapped.
"I'm as good as." he said sadly, "I'd rather a blaster bolt through the head than be shredded by Rakghouls, though."
I sighed, "I'll see what I can do." I said, taking out a blaster.
"Hey, wait a second!" he said, standing up straight and backing away from me.
I laughed, "I'm not going to shoot you, you idiot. I'm going to go out there, shoot a lot of Rakghoul, probably a few Sith, and find some of that Serum the stupid doctor said the Sith had."
Carth sighed, "I hate you."
"I hate you too, but you're not dying on my watch." I replied tonelessly.
It didn't take long to find some Sith. It took less time to talk them out of one dose of antidote - bribery works wonders.
"I hate Rakghouls, I hate Rakghouls, I hate Rakghouls." I muttered. I had avoided the Rakghouls outside the villiage, by using a stealth field. But now, I had to go into that cage, and half the people there were already convulsing.
"They took away my blasters, Damien. Hurry up, or I'm dead." Carth hissed.
"Shut up. I can't help that I've got a phobia, here." I snarled.
"I'm just saying, hurry the hell up!" he snapped.
I glared at him, but an inhuman snarl from one of the other inmates of the cage drew my attention. I opened the door, and stepped into the cage - the gate slammed very quickly behind me. I threw two blasters at Carth - he caught them both, and started shooting at the brand new Rakghouls - there were three of them. I decapitated one with my vibroblade, but another took a swipe at me, and I tripped in my haste to avoid its teeth.
"You're being clumsy today, Damien - I thought you fought better than that?" Carth asked, shooting the offending Rakghoul - that was three out of three dead.
I quickly gave the antidote to the other inmates, then to Carth, as they had been there longer and I didn't want to risk them transforming while I dealt with him. "I told you already - I'm bloody terrified of those damned Rakghouls!" I snapped at him.
"Uh huh. Well, get over it." he said coldly.
"I just did." I snapped right back. Then I sighed, "Look, we're both alive - I think we ought to leave the Undercity before we tempt fate anymore."
"Right. And just how do we plan to get Bastila back if we don't get into that Vulkar base?" Carth asked, folding his arms.
"I have a plan."
* * *
Avril came through for us, in the end.
"So, this is the swoop racer you told me about?" Davik asked, sceptically.
"Yes, daddy." Avril said, nodding, "I've done a background check, like you taught me, and an unnamed rider exactly matching his description did indeed win the swoop championships on Manaan, five years ago."
"Very well, then." Davik said, giving me an evaluating look, "What sort of payment were you looking for, for this?"
"I just want the Vulkar's share of the prize." I said simply.
"The slave girl?" Davik asked, then he shrugged, "I suppose one slave is a fair price for a decent racer. If you're a decent racer, that is."
"Oh, I'm better than just 'decent'." I said, smirking.
"You had better be."
* * *
The Vulkars got disqualified from the swoop race. The Beks got a huge lead in the gang war. Davik got a heap of credits. We got Bastila. I think we got the short end of the stick.
"Bastila - you're alive!" Carth said, as we returned from the swoop race, "Finally, things are looking up. Now we just need to figure out a way to get off this planet."
"You mean you don't have a plan to get off Taris yet? What have you been doing all this time?"
"I was working on the getting-off-Taris plan, but the Sith are most uncooperative." I snapped at her, "And I don't like your attitude." I added.
"My attitude? It strikes me that you're the one in sore need of an attitude adjustment. I happen to be in charge of this mission, if you'll recall." she said haughtily.
"Oh, get over yourself, Princess." I said, dismissively, "Avril's polite compared to you."
"Ouch." Mission muttered, "That's an insult. And just when are we going to rescue Zaalbar?"
"Be patient." I muttered to her. She sulked.
Bastila folded her arms and glared at me, "I see." she said pointedly, "Now that I'm back in charge of this mission, perhaps we can start doing things properly. Hopefully our escape from Taris will go more smoothly than when you 'rescued' me from Brejik."
"I know you're new at this, Bastila," Carth said, trying to sound diplomatic, "but a leader doesn't berate her troops just because things aren't going as planned. Don't let your ego get in the way of the real issues here."
"That hardly strikes me as an appropriate way of addressing your commander, Carth." Bastila hissed, "I am a member of the Jedi Order and this is my mission. Don't forget that! My Battle Meditation ability has helped the Republic many times in this war, and it will serve us well here I am sure."
"Full of yourself, aren't you?" I asked coldly.
"Your talents might win us a few battles, but that doesn't make you a good leader!" Carth snapped, "A good leader would at least listen to the advice of those who have seen more combat than she ever will! You know, I had my doubts about this mission but I figured the Jedi Council wouldn't put you in charge if you weren't prepared. But here you are, acting like a spoiled child!"
"He's right." I said, grudgingly agreeing with Carth because I disliked this Jedi brat even more, "You aren't showing much leadership ability right now, Bastila."
"I see." Bastila said tetchily, folding her arms defensively, "It's true I that don't have much military experience; perhaps I should not be so quick to judge. Very well, Carth: what do you suggest we do?"
Carth seemed relieved that that argument had been cut short, "First off we can't get hung up on who's in charge; we all need to work together if we want to get off this rock. The answer's out there, we just have to find it."
"Well said, Carth." Bastila agreed reluctantly. "And the sooner we start looking the better; I've already been a prisoner of the Vulkars and I don't plan on being captured by the Sith."
"I know where to start." I said, smirking.
* * *
Carth and I left the apartment - Bastila would attract too much attention, and the two non-humans weren't particularly welcomed by the humans in Upper Taris.
I walked straight to the Upper City cantina, and nearly ran into a wall. Well, it wasn't exactly a wall, but he was built solidly enough to pass for one. I looked up at the Mandalorian, "I knew I'd find you here." he said.
"Me? What do you want with me?" I asked innocently. Carth's hand moved to the pocket in which his blaster usually resided.
"I saw you in the swoop race. Very impressive." the Mandalorian said - he clearly saw Carth going for the blaster, and folded his arms in what was clearly an 'I'm not here to pick a fight, but don't push your luck' gesture. Surprisingly, Carth took the hint. "You seem like you know how to get results. That's just the kind of person I'm looking for."
"What are you talking about?" I asked warily.
"I'm Canderous Ordo." the Mandalorian said, "I work for Davik Kang and the Exchange; the hours aren't great, but they promised me a fortune to work for them. Mandalorian mercs like me are in high demand."
"I'll bet." Carth muttered, "Since they're almost extinct."
"Shut up, Carth." I hissed.
"But lately Davik ain't paying me what he promised. I don't like getting cheated, so I figure it's time for me to break the Sith quarantine and get off this backwater planet." Canderous explained.
"How do you plan to do that?" I asked.
"I've got a plan to escape Taris, but I can't do it alone." he said, "I need someone I know can get the job done to help me. That's where you come in. I saw you win that swoop race, and I started thinking. Anyone crazy enough to race like that is probably crazy enough to break into the Sith military base. I need someone to steal the Sith launch codes from the base. Without those codes any ship leaving the atmosphere will be disintegrated by the Sith fleet's auto-targeting cannons."
"You want me to steal those codes? How do I know I can trust you?"
"You don't have much choice. You want off this planet as much as I do, I'd wager. Here's the deal: you bring me those launch codes and I can provide the vehicle to get off the planet - Davik's flagship, the Ebon Hawk."
"How are you going to manage that?" I asked warily.
"Uh-uh. Not yet. First, you bring me the launch codes. Then I'll tell you the rest of my plan." he said.
"How am I supposed to get inside the military base?" I asked.
"Getting in won't be easy: the Sith base is protected by an encrypted security system." Canderous explained calmly, "It would take a top of the line astromech droid to slice through it. Lucky for you I know just the place to get a droid like that. Davik was having one custom built by Janice Nall."
I thought for a few seconds - he wasn't lying. "Okay, Canderous - you've got a deal."
"Careful. Mercs like this haven't a lick of conscience... they'll betray you in a heartbeat. This could be a trap." Carth said quietly.
"I ain't talking to you. I'm talking to your friend, aren't I? I'm going to wait in Javyar's cantina. You come find me when you've got those launch codes and I'll make sure we both get off this rock."
* * *
"All right. Ready?" I asked.
"I hate this plan." Carth said flatly.
"How else are we supposed to get into the military base without the Jedi brat for backup?" I asked coldly, "Shooting our way in will only get us killed."
"Doesn't mean I have to like this." Carth growled.
T3-M4, the astromech droid Canderous had told us about, was picking the lock on the Sith base. I was wearing the Sith armour I had stolen. Carth was wearing handcuffs and a deactivated restraining collar.
"It'll work. Trust me." I said, sighing.
T3-M4 beeped a few times, and the door opened. "Good work, T3." I said, smirking.
I dragged Carth into the base - he dragged his feet, and put on a good 'unconscious' act, as if the restraining collar had been turned on. T3-M4 rolled in behind me.
[What are you here for?] the Twi'lek receptionist asked in - here's a surprise - Twi'leki.
"Got a prisoner for interrogation." I said.
[Prisoners usually come in in body-bags.] the Twi'lek said coldly.
"This one's to be interrogated by the base commander himself." I replied smoothly, "Don't you know who this is?" I asked.
[Not really. Nor do I much care.] the Twi'lek said coldly.
"This is Carth Onasi." I said, "He's a Republic hero. The commander's gonna want to interrogate this one personally - he'll probably know where Bastila is."
The Twi'lek sighed, [Fine, then. Go on in.] she said.
I dragged Carth through the base - the security droids let us pass. And when we got into the elevator to the base commander's office, I removed the handcuffs and restraining collar from Carth, and handed him a pair of blasters. "I'm sure I don't have to tell you how to shoot a Sith?" I asked calmly.
"Not really." Carth said, smirking.
The elevator door opened. "Who dares to break my meditation?" the base commander demanded, turning to face me. He was your typical bald/butt-ugly Sith-wannabe, "You will pay for interrupting my... wait. I sense the Force is strong with you. Very strong."
"No kidding." I said sarcastically.
"Who would have thought a Force Adept could be found on this insignificant planet?" he said, surprised, "But your talent is no match for a disciple of the dark side!"
"I'm going to enjoy gutting you." I said coldly.
"Ah, yes... feed the hatred and anger within yourself! Call upon the power of the dark side! But not even that can save you now."
"Dark Side, my ass." I snapped.
Carth and T3-M4 both started shooting, but the blaster-bolts were simply absorbed by the Sith's energy shield. I sighed dramatically, "It's calls a shield disruptor, you trigger-happy droid. Use it!" I said, before giving up on the idea of letting Carth shoot the Sith, and lunging at said Sith with my vibroblade. I cut him in half, fairly cleanly, at the waist, before he had time to realise what I was doing. "I hate to say this, but thanks."
"For what, exactly?" Carth asked, putting his personal blaster away.
"For distracting him." I said, smirking, "He didn't know what hit him." I rooted through the Sith's pockets, and found a datapad containing launch codes for the Sith blockade. "This is what we want." I said, pocketing the codes.
"Now, do we have a plan to get out of here?" Carth asked, folding his arms.
"Yeah." I said, walking over to the base commander's desk. I fidgeted with the computer screen, "Here we are." I said, pressing a button, and an alarm sounded.
"What did you do?!" Carth demanded.
"I set off the fire alarm - put on the spare Sith armour, and let's get out of here before someone realises it's a false alarm." I said, going to the elevator. Carth reluctantly did as he was told.
We made it out of the base unquestioned, in the confusion. We then slipped off into the Lower City, donated our uniforms to the Hidden Beks, and made our way to the cantina.
* * *
"I figured you'd be back." Canderous said when we walked into the cantina, "Neither one of us is getting off this planet unless we work together. But we've got a small problem. I haven't heard about anyone breaking into the military base yet, so I know you don't have those departure codes."
"You obviously don't recognise my M.O." I said calmly, taking out the datapad with the codes on it, "It's called tact."
"It's called a fire alarm." Carth said coldly.
"Well, that helped." I muttered. "I have the launch codes right here."
"Oh really?" Canderous said, surprised, "I'm impressed. So here's the deal: Davik knows you well enough that getting him to hire you will be easy enough. I'll take you to him, and while he's conducting the standard thorough background check, we'll take the Ebon Hawk off his hands."
"Nice plan." I said, folding my arms, "But I want one more thing before I give you those codes."
"What might that be?" Canderous asked, also folding his arms.
"You work for Davik, you've got connections, I'm sure." I said, "I want a specific Wookiee - he was taken by Gammorean slavers in the Undercity, and I'm not suicidal enough to go up against the Rakghouls down there."
"That could be difficult - Davik doesn't usually deal with the Gammoreans." Canderous considered this, "But I think I could arrange something. Why this Wookiee, though?"
"It's for a friend." I said, slightly distantly.
I like the little blue Twi'lek. I talked to her about her Wookiee friend earlier - she had told me he was fleeing some kind of trouble on Kashyyyk, but she hadn't asked - she cared about him for 'what he is, not what he was'. That one comment kind of strikes me as... well, someone I'd like to know, and with her skills she'd be handy to have around. I wanted to help her, because she would most likely be grateful, and having a friend like her would... would be a good thing, at least.
"Meet me here tomorrow, and I'll take you to Davik's estate. I'll have the Wookiee for you then." Canderous said, and he left the cantina before I could respond to that.
"You're pushing it, you know." Carth muttered.
"I am?" I asked, innocently.
"Asking him to get that Wookiee for you? I would have either gone to get him ourselves, or told the Twi'lek we couldn't help her. Not blackmailed a crime boss's flunkie." Carth said sceptically.
"Hey, it worked. And if you didn't notice, I did talk Zax out of extra credits for Selven's bounty." I said, smirking.
Carth shook his head, "You scare me."
"Thank you." I said, cheerfully.
"No, I mean your attitude scares me. Going to Sith parties, bribing troublemakers to avoid a fight, making deals with Mandalorians. You use people for your own agenda, and I have no idea what that agenda even is!" Carth sighed, "You're a manipulative, sneaky bastard, and I don't like it."
"Again: thank you." I said, smirking.
* * *
When we got back to the hideout/apartment, that evening, I was attacked by a furious blue Twi'lek. "You liar!" she yelled, hitting my chest ineffectively with her fists, "You promised you'd help me!"
"Whoa, calm down, Mission. What's wrong?" I asked, grabbing her wrists to stop her hitting me again.
"You - you mean, cruel - you evil - I..." she was in tears, I realised, "You - you promised you'd help me find Zaalbar. I just heard on one of the unofficial comm channels that Davik's bought him!" she yelled, struggling to try and hit me again.
"Calm down, Mission. Don't worry." I said soothingly, "Trust me, I will get him back for you."
Carth glared at me, "You'd better explain your plan to her." he said coldly.
I sighed, "I made a deal with one of Davik's rebellious minions, to get us off the planet. One of the things I asked for was Zaalbar - I think Davik's going to give him to us as a 'good-will gesture', or something like that... and then we'll steal Davik's ship."
Mission blinked a few times, "That's really sneaky. I like it." she said, brightening up a little, "Zaalbar'll not be happy, though - I should go with you to make sure he knows you're friendly."
"That is a very good idea, yes." I said, letting go of her wrists, "And I'm sorry for not explaining my plan to you, but I had to be sure it would work - plan B was always to brave the Rakghouls and rescue him personally, but I prefer the 'diplomatic' approach when at all possible."
"You mean you prefer to avoid the Rakghouls like a coward?" Carth asked, smirking.
"I admit I'm afraid of them, but you proved yourself how bloody dangerous they are." I said coldly, turning to glare at him.
"So I got bitten. I'm still alive, aren't I?" Carth asked.
"Don't make light of it." I snapped, "You were bitten by an infectious and dangerous creature - Mission and I saved your life, you moron. If it hadn't been for her quick thinking and my bribing a random Sith, you'd be dead by now. Be bloody grateful, and be more careful next time!"
"Damien!" Bastila snapped, "Do calm down. Your temper does no one any good. Anger leads to -"
"I don't need lectures about the Dark Side from a Jedi Princess who can't control her own ego!" I snapped. Bastila huffed angrily.
Carth scowled, "I'll admit, you saved me. And I am grateful, but -"
"No buts!" I snapped, "Know what you're dealing with before going in with guns blazing, next time, fool! If you're fighting a contagious foe, don't let it get within biting range! Know your bloody enemy and they'll have a lot more trouble killing you!"
Carth sighed, "All right, all right! You win this argument." he said sulkily.
I nodded pointedly, "Damn right, I do."
* * *
"So, Canderous - I see you have brought someone with you. Most intriguing, if I do say so myself. You usually travel alone." Davik said, giving me the sort of calculating look that tells you if you make one wrong move he'll see you dead.
"It's not like you to take on partners, Canderous. You're getting soft." said the short man with more of a shooting-people fetish than Carth (I saw him in the Lower City Cantina).
"Watch yourself, Calo." Canderous said warningly, "You may be the newest kath hound in the pack, but you aren't top dog yet!"
"Enough!" Davik interrupted, "I won't have my top two men killing each other - that's not good business. I'm sure Canderous has an explanation as to why he's not working solo anymore."
"This is a special case, Davik." Canderous said calmly, "I'm sure you recognise him. He did win the Season Opener for you."
"Ah, yes. I remember that." Davik said, nodding in a 'go on, and make it good' way.
"He's looking for work in the Exchange." Canderous said flatly.
"Hmm. Well, with a recommendation from Canderous - and a thorough background check - you could easily become part of the Exchange. Many would kill to prove themselves worthy of this honour." I am sure he means that literally.
"Your offer intrigues me, Davik." I said, in the tone I usually reserve for smooth-talking stuffy bureaucrats.
"Very good." Davik said, nodding, "Come with me - I will give you a tour of my operations. I'm certain you'll be most impressed."
After the guided tour, Davik showed us to a room in the east wing, "These will be your accommodations. The slave quarters are just down the hall. If you need anything during your stay - food, a massage - feel free to call upon their services." he said, in such a friendly way you know he's really being hostile, "If all goes well with your background check you will be invited to join the Exchange. I'd advise you to accept the offer when it comes - or suffer the dire consequences of refusal." Another poorly veiled threat - this man has no tact - I think that may be deliberate, though.
"Am I a prisoner here?" I asked warily.
"You will stay in these rooms as my guest for the next few days; I will not accept no for an answer." translation: yes, I am a prisoner here. "Feel free to visit the slave quarters at any time during your stay. I must warn you that if you are found anywhere outside the guest wing during your stay - or if you bother my other guests - my security forces will deal with you most harshly. I will return after the investigation into your background is complete. Until then, make yourself comfortable. Come, Calo, let us leave our guests in peace."
Yes, Calo, be a good little trained-Kath-pup, and heel.
As soon as the door closed behind Davik, "Okay, we're inside." Canderous said, "Now all we have to do is pick up your Wookiee, then figure out a way to get past the Ebon Hawk's security system and we can get the rest of your group and get off this planet!"
"Where is Zaalbar, anyway?" Mission asked, rooting through the locker in the room, and helping herself to the medpacs that she found there.
"In one of the holding cells near the slave quarters. I made sure he'd not be guarded, so he'd be no trouble for you to get to." Canderous explained.
"Good, let's go then." I said, peering out of the door to see the corridor was deserted. I walked down the corridor, and found the 'holding cell' (read: cage) Canderous had mentioned.
Mission, who was close behind me, rushed to Zaalbar, "Hey, Big Z!" she said, examining the lock on the cage.
[Mission? You are a sight for sore eyes.] the Wookiee growled, [But what are you doing here?]
"We came to rescue you, Big Z. You didn't think I'd forget about you, did you? Mission and Zaalbar, together forever!" she said, picking the lock.
[Who's that with you?] Zaalbar asked.
"These are my new friends, Big Z. Without them I never could have got you out." Mission said, cheerfully opening the cage and letting the Wookiee step out.
"And don't ask me why, because it was his stupid idea." Canderous said. Then after a few seconds, "Actually, don't talk to me at all, because I don't understand Wookiee."
Zaalbar gave Canderous an odd look, then turned to me, [Why did you help me, human?]
"My name's Damien Nox. Mission asked for my help." I said, shrugging, "Although, technically, I'm stealing Davik's property, so... could you talk quietly until we escape. I don't want his guards to shoot at me unless it's unavoidable."
The Wookiee gave me a critical look, [You have saved me from a life of servitude and slavery. There is only one way I can ever repay such an act: I will swear a lifedebt to you.] he growled, much more quietly.
I smiled faintly, "You really don't have to."
[But I choose to.]
"No." I said quickly, "I appreciate, and am honoured by your offer, but you do not have to -"
[I choose to.] he repeated - louder and sharper - almost a snarl. I winced slightly - I wasn't going to talk him out of it.
"A lifedebt? Are you sure about that, Big Z? Think about it carefully. You better be sure about this." Mission said warily.
[I am sure, Mission.] he answered, [This is an issue of great importance to me. Because of our great physical strength, Wookiees are being used as slave labour on our own homeworld. They see us as brutes and animals to be exploited. Over the years slavers have taken many of my people; we must always be on guard against raids against our villages. When the Gamorreans captured me, I thought I was doomed to a life of servitude. Moreso when I was sold to Davik. I have been saved from such a fate, and the only way I can repay that is through a lifedebt.]
Mission let out a low whistle, "Big Z swearing a Wookiee lifedebt to you. Wow - this is major. Do you realize what this means?"
"I know exactly what it means." I said quietly, "I've met Wookiees before, although the last one I met didn't think highly of the lifedebt, he did explain its meaning to me."
[Few of my people dishonour the lifedebt. The Wookiee you met must have been truly without honour.] Zaalbar growled.
"I think he was, yes." I said, nodding. You don't get much less honourable than allying with Czerka, for any species. Yes, I know the irony - the Sith allied with Czerka... but you should know that happened AFTER I was captured!
[In the presence of you all I swear my lifedebt. Forever after I will be by your side, Damien Nox. May my vow be as strong as the roots of the great Wroshyr trees of Kashyyyk.] Zaalbar said, even Canderous seemed taken aback by the reverent tone in the Wookiee's growl.
I sighed slightly - no way to get out of that one, now, "I am honoured to accept this vow." I said, smiling weakly.
After a moment's pause, Mission spoke up, "I guess this means you're stuck with me too. Wherever Big Z goes, I'm going. I almost lost him once - it's not going to happen again."
This time I smiled a genuine smile for the girl, "I'm glad to have you aboard, Mission." I said. She grinned.
"We should get going." Canderous said, breaking the moment, "We need to get the hell off the planet before something bad happens."
"And whatever it is, I can feel it's close." I added. I knew something - something wrong - was in the air already. The Force was warning us, and it must be seriously bad if even the Force-blind Mandalorian picked up on it.
I sweet-talked one of the slaves, bribing her with good reports to Davik, to find out how to get the security codes for the Ebon Hawk. Then we acquired said codes - a Wookiee and a Mandalorian are really useful fighters to have - I handed them each a pair of vibroblades, and Davik's guards didn't stand a change against them.
In the hangar, we encountered two serious problems (three if you count Calo - which I don't). The Sith began bombing the planet, a bit too close to our current location for comfort. And Davik was already there.
"Damn those Sith - they're bombing the whole planet! I knew they'd turn on us sooner or... well, look what we got here! Thieves in the hangar." Davik also happened to notice we were there. "So, you figured you'd just steal my ship for your get-away and leave me high and dry while the Sith turn the planet into dust? Sorry, but that ain't going to happen!"
"I'll take care of them, Davik." Calo said calmly, "I've been looking forward to this for a long time!"
"Make it quick, Calo. The Sith mean business. If we don't get to our ships and find somewhere safe, the bombs they're dropping will kill us all." Davik said, almost-but-not-quite panicking.
Canderous dropped the two vibroblades, and opened fire with that repeating blaster of his - that blaster is one nasty peice of work - I think he could take down the Sith flagship with it if he had good enough aim. As it was, he hit Davik in the forehead, and Calo in the leg. Ok, so he probably does have good enough aim.
Calo panicked, "You may have me outnumbered and outgunned, but if I'm going down I'm taking all you with me! This thermal detonator will blow us all to bits!" he shouted to us.
You have to say one thing for the Sith - their timing is impeccable. A blast shattered the window behind Calo. "Damn those Sith! They'll bring this whole hangar down around our ears!" Then the ceiling above Calo collapsed - bringing half the hangar down around his ears - burying him.
"Let's get the hell out of here." I said, running for the Hawk - the others followed close behind me. I stood at the embarkation ramp, and pressed the button on my commlink to summon Carth and Bastila - they had been waiting in Canderous' swoopbike, outside the estate, and it took all of five minutes for them to get to the Hawk.
"Hurry up!" I shouted as they climbed onto the ship, "We've got to get off this rock before it's turned to space dust!"
Carth dragged Bastila onto the ship, and T3-M4 beeped cheerfully as it rolled in after them.
"You're enjoying the excitement, aren't you, droid?" I asked, sealing the ship, "Let's go, guys!" I shouted. Less than a minute later, we were in the air.
Sith fighter pilots are pathetic. 'Nuff said.
* * *
Author's note: You've got to play to your strengths, right? So naturally, I'm writing from the point of view of an attractive male blonde anti-hero with a conscience who knows more than he should. Although, the male blonde (and the female blonde, for that matter) faces available in KotOR are not suitable for this character, so his appearance is also MINE!
* * *
Chapter 1 - Gravity Is A Myth, Taris Sucks
I woke up, to find myself in an unfamiliar apartment, with a man I didn't recognise sitting nearby, reading a datapad - or should I say scowling at a datapad. It was daylight outside, and my head hurt.
What was my name, again? Damien? Revan? Now I was confused. I vaguely remembered staggering out of my quarters on the Endar Spire, and running into my roommate, who had then played the martyr to help me get to the escape pods. I also remembered several conflicting pieces of information.
I was born on Corusant - no, Deralia. My parents died when I was ten - no, I knew they were still alive, but I hadn't seen them since I was five. I was a smuggler - no, a Jedi - no, a Sith. This was getting me nowhere.
I sat up, holding my head, and the man sitting nearby looked up at me, startled, "Good to see you up, instead of thrashing around in your sleep." the man said, setting the datapad down next to him, "You must have been having one hell of a nightmare. I was wondering if you were ever going to wake up. I'm Carth, one of the Republic soldiers from the Endar Spire. I was with you on the escape pod, do you remember?"
No. "Where am I? How did I get here?" I asked.
"Well, you've been slipping in and out of consciousness for a couple of days now, so I imagine you're pretty confused about things." that's an understatement, "Try not to worry. We're safe... at least for the moment. We're in an abandoned apartment on the planet of Taris. You were banged up pretty bad when our escape pod crashed, but luckily I wasn't seriously hurt. I was able to drag you away from our crash site in all the confusion, and I stumbled onto this abandoned apartment. By the time the Sith arrived on the scene we were long gone."
"The Sith?" I asked. Finally, something I recognised. Even though the word almost literally tasted foul.
"Taris is under Sith control. Their fleet is orbiting the planet, they've declared martial law and they've imposed a planet-wide quarantine. But I've been in worse spots. I saw on your service records that you understand a remarkable number of alien languages. That's pretty rare in a raw recruit, but it should come in handy while we're stranded on a foreign world. There's no way the Republic will be able to get anyone through the Sith blockade to help us. If we're going to find Bastila and get off this planet, we can't rely on anybody but ourselves." when Carth finished talking, I took a few minutes to think about and process that information.
Then I asked, "Bastila? She's the one from the Endar Spire, right?"
"That smack to your head did more damage than I thought." Carth said, half smirking at my confusion, half scowling, "Bastila's a Jedi. She was with the strike team that killed Darth Revan, Malak's Sith master."
Killed Revan, did she? Funny, my memories of the incident - I do have them - were of her just standing there, and I was struck from behind, felt like an electrical discharge. But I didn't comment on that to Carth.
"Bastila is the key to the whole Republic war effort. The Sith must have found out she was on the Endar Spire and set an ambush for us in this system. I believe Bastila was on one of the escape pods that crashed down here on Taris. For the sake of the Republic war effort, we have to try and find her."
I frowned, and thought about that one, too. So I was on a Republic ship, which was ambushed by the Sith. This Republic officer wants my help to find a Jedi who is the only hope of the Republic. I didn't think I wanted to get involved in this sort of thing, either way - certainly not before I got my thoughts straightened out. "If Bastila's a Jedi, she can probably look after herself." I said, in as diplomatic a tone as I could.
"Bastila's going to need our help." Carth said determinedly, "Many of Darth Malak's followers have mastered the dark side of the Force, and the Sith have already killed more than their share of Jedi in this war." You noticed, huh? I was starting to think they were being too subtle. Note, that's sarcasm. "I doubt anyone's specifically looking for us anymore: we're not that important." Speak for yourself. "But if we're careful we can move about the planet without attracting notice; a luxury Bastila won't have. She's going to have half the Sith fleet looking for her. They know how vital she is to the war effort."
So you're going to rope me into helping you if you have to blackmail, threaten and torture me? Fine, I give, I couldn't be bothered arguing... yet. "Any idea where we should start looking for Bastila?"
"While you were out I did some scouting around. There are reports of a couple escape pods crashing down into the Undercity. That's probably a good place to start. But the Undercity is a dangerous place. We don't want to go in there unprepared. It won't do Bastila any good if we go and get ourselves killed." how much do you want to bet on that? No, let's not bother - I don't plan on getting myself killed just to prove a point.
"Come on." I said, standing up - I was still wearing the combat suit I had worn on the Endar Spire - and picking up a nearby vibroblade. Can't be too careful on a strange planet. "I want to scout this planet out a bit."
"Good idea. We can use this abandoned apartment as a base, and we can probably get some equipment and supplies here in the Upper City. Just remember to keep a low profile. I've heard some grim stories about the Dark Jedi interrogation techniques. They say the Force can do terrible things to a mind. It can wipe away your memories and destroy your very identity!" hmmm... I've done it before... I think. And it seems like someone must have tried it on me - why don't I know who I am? "But I figure if we don't do anything stupid we should be okay."
"Define 'stupid'." I muttered.
"I mean, after all, they're... they're looking for Bastila, not a couple of grunts like us. Alright, soldier, let's move out."
"Call me 'soldier' again, and I'll hurt you." I growled, "I was not recruited for my military discipline, y'know."
Carth raised an eyebrow curiously, "What were you recruited for?"
No memory came to mind. But the flat fact was there, "Knowledge."
"I see." he said, folding his arms, "Well, whatever your reasons for being here, I think I outrank you."
I idly picked up the datapad he had been looking at, and read it. 'Damien Nox: junior intelligence officer, first class... highly skilled in linguistics, psychology, and tactical warfare... has a history of insubordination... is to be isolated from the ship's Jedi envoys.' So my name's Damien, is it?
"Well, if you've bothered to read this, you'll know I don't do well with superior officers." I flashed a smile at him, "But I could be convinced to work together with you, rather than either of us trying to take control of the situation?" I suggested.
"I guess that works. As long as we find Bastila." Carth said, nodding.
I pocketed the datapad, and made for the door.
* * *
I walked out the door, and straight into a Sith interrogation... sort of. A Sith officer was tormenting a - most likely innocent - pair of Duros. Then shot one of them. Carth took this as an insult, and started shooting at the Sith.
I quickly drew my vibroblade, and took apart the two droids the Sith had been accompanied by. "I thought you said you didn't want to attract attention?" I asked.
"Well, no one'll find the bodies, will they?" Carth asked, smirking.
"Right." I muttered. I sheathed my vibroblade behind my back, knelt next to the Sith corpse, and rooted through his pockets. I produced a medpac and a handful of credits. "You call that 'aiming'?" I asked, standing up and waving a ruined ten-credit chip under Carth's nose.
"Hey, I killed him, didn't I?" Carth protested.
"Yeah, well you get the burnt chip." I said, splitting the credits between us. I then turned my attention to the surviving alien, [Are you all right?] I asked - humans who can speak Duros do so with a horrendous accent at the best of times, but I know I spoke intelligibly enough.
[I am uninjured. I thank you, human. I can dispose of the bodies for you, if you wish? I do not wish Sith attention any more than you may.] he answered.
[I would be grateful.] I replied, nodding. The Duros made short work of gathering up the evidence and leaving the crime scene, without another word.
"What did you say to him?" Carth asked.
"I just asked him if he was ok, and he offered to get rid of the body for us. Nice species, Duros - always helpful, if you're polite." I said, "Now, we were about to go exploring, weren't we? Put a safety catch on that trigger-finger of yours before we see any more Sith, would you?"
Carth glared, "Don't tell me you would have just sit back and watched that?" he demanded.
"If that Sith didn't bother me, I wouldn't have bothered him... not in this situation." I said, shrugging, "We're in enemy territory, we want to blend in with the oppressed locals. Shooting the oppressors will only get you shot yourself, here."
Carth sighed, and put his blaster away in an inside pocket where it was still easily accessible, but now concealed, "Alright - happy now?"
"Relatively." I said, leading the way out of the apartment block. Without asking anyone how to find it, I made a beeline for the Upper City cantina.
* * *
"Where did you get those clothes - a trash compactor in the Lower City? And where are those drinks we ordered?" a voice demanded haughtily, as I walked past a pair of women, on my way to the bar.
I looked to see that one of them was glaring pointedly at me. I scowled, "Order? I have no clue what you're talking about."
"Why is the help here so incompetent? One word from Daddy and I could get you fired!" she persisted.
"I don't even work here!" I snapped at her.
"How dare you speak to me like that! Daddy's going to hear about this!" she ran off, then. I have no clue what that was about.
"What was that about?" Carth asked, having finally convinced the Pazaak groupie that he was not famous, and no he didn't even play Pazaak, nor did he have any desire to.
"Damned if I know." I said, shrugging. "Now, where do you suppose we could get some easy money here?"
"Not Pazaak - the only player here's a shark." Carth informed me.
"Pazaak it is, then." I said cheerfully.
Half an hour later, I was one hundred and twenty credits richer, and had been falsely accused of cheating at Pazaak.
"Now we have money. Good. Now, we need somewhere to spend it on useful things." I said, looking around and trying to think.
"We passed a shop on the way to the cantina." Carth said, grouchily - he was annoyed that I had ignored his advice about Pazaak, and even more annoyed that I had been right to do so.
"Hmm... I'll go there in a minute." I said, now distracted. A few Sith officers had entered the bar - their clothes, their posture, and the fact the locals were giving them a wide berth was a dead giveaway. "I'll be right back. Stay here." I said to Carth, and then I made my way over to a young female Sith officer.
"Hi there." she said, cheerfully enough, as I approached her, "I haven't seen you around before. Of course they don't give us Sith officers from the military base much time off..."
I feigned confusion, "You're from the military base? You don't look like one of the Sith."
"I'm off duty right now, so I'm not in uniform." she explained, "My name is Sarna - junior officer first class with the Sith occupation force."
"My name's Damien, it's a pleasure to meet you, fair lady." I said, turning on the charm, and half-bowing to her.
She blushed, and smiled, "I'm actually a little surprised you're talking to me at all... most of the people here on Taris can't stand us Sith. It can make this a pretty lonely job." she said, seeming quite relieved that I hadn't turned tail and run away screaming.
I shook my head, half-laughing now, "Oh, I'm not actually from Taris. I'm just stuck here until the quarantine ends."
"You're an off-worlder?" she asked, her eyebrows raised now, "Huh, I figured you'd be even more angry, being stuck on a foreign planet and all."
I shrugged, "Being stuck on Taris isn't so bad..." I then leaned in, conspiratorially - partly because there were several Tairsian nobles nearby - and added quietly, "but the locals aren't much fun."
She laughed, nodding in agreement, "You know, it's like everyone on this backwater planet is in a permanent bad mood. Don't they know they have to make the best of things?"
"You're just doing your job, right?" I said, sympathetically, "I don't hold that against you."
"That's true, but people don't appreciate what we've done for them." she said, also leaning in conspiratorially - I smelled a faint hint of alcohol on her breath, but not much, "We could have slapped a curfew on this whole planet, but we didn't."
I nodded as if this was the greatest kindness I'd heard of, "You've got a pretty positive attitude."
"Exactly! It's all about attitude." she said, nodding enthusiastically, "I didn't ask to be assigned to this backwater planet, but I try to make the best of it!" she sighed slightly, "It's pretty easy to get depressed on an assignment like this, but we do what we can to keep our spirits up."
I put on my sympathetic act again, as I noted, "It must be tough, being stationed on a hostile world."
"That's true." she said, lapping up my act, "It's nice to meet someone who understands what I'm going through. It's good to talk about this stuff - it gets pretty lonely up at the military base." she sighed, and when I didn't answer, she spoke again, "I have to get going soon - I've got a shift at the military base. But some of us junior Sith officers are having a party tonight to blow off some steam. I'd really like to see you again. Why don't you drop by the party? It's in the Northern apartment complex."
"Sounds good. I'll be there." I said, smiling.
"Don't worry - you won't be the only civilian there. A few of the locals who don't hate us are going to show up, too. I hope to see you there." she assured me, before hurrying away.
"What was that all about? Wasting time to flirt with the locals?" Carth asked as I returned to where I had abandoned him.
"She's not a local. She's an off-duty Sith." I said flatly.
"Even worse." Carth snapped.
"No, it's not. I got invited to a party. Sith party, plus alcohol, equals loose tongued Sith. Information. That's always a good thing." I explained as if he was a small child, "I'm not an intelligence officer for nothing, y'know."
"Right. Well, it better be worth it." Carth growled, "I don't want us getting caught just so you could go to a Sith party."
"Carth, this is Taris. They'll be too drunk to catch us." I said tiredly, "Only Tarisians and Mandalorians can handle Tarisian ale, you numbskull. Everyone knows that."
"You sure think you know everything, don't you?" Carth asked.
"Far from it. I know I don't know enough." I said, smirking.
* * *
As we headed for the supplies shop, we were accosted by two thugs with vibroblades, apparently working for the brat who had thought I was her waiter, "You need a lesson on how to treat your social betters. Maybe you'll think twice before mocking me next time!" she said, in the same haughty voice.
I had barely drawn my own vibroblade before Carth had shot both thugs in the head. I blinked at that, "You're dangerous, y'know that, don't you, Carth?"
Carth just shrugged and smirked. The woman stared at her dead cronies, then shrieked, "Help! Daddy!" and made a run for it. I followed her. I know I was running too fast - I shouldn't have been able to run that fast. I caught her by the arm, and she screamed again, "Help, somebody!"
"Shut up, a second, you spoiled brat!" I snapped.
The woman cringed, "What do you want with me?"
"I want to know why you wasted two thugs on me." I said calmly.
"You were rude to me." she snapped.
"So you just try to kill people who annoy you?" I asked, "Who are you? How do you get away with that?"
"I'm Davik Kang's daughter, that's who. I thought everyone on Taris knew that?" she said coldly.
"Who's Davik Kang?" I asked, as Carth caught up with us.
"Davik's the local crime lord on Taris." Carth explained, "And if that's his daughter, you'll want to let her go before he finds out who you are."
The woman grinned evilly, "Someone has some sense, even if he did shoot my bodyguards."
"Those thugs were useless, if they're supposed to be bodyguards." I said flatly, letting go of her arm, "And I am sorry for insulting you, m'am. I had no idea who you were." I added, bowing to her as if she were royalty.
She smirked haughtily, "So you should be."
"Once again, I apologise." I said, respectfully. She nodded snootily, and left.
"Ok, that was... interesting." Carth muttered.
"How so?" I asked.
"Are you actually capable of charming credits out of a Hutt?" he asked.
"There's one way to find out." I said, marching straight back into the Upper City cantina.
I failed to charm credits out of that cantina's resident Hutt, but I did get three hundred credits worth of prizes for duelling, before Ice beat me.
* * *
"Tell me again why you don't want me there?" Carth hissed.
"You? In a roomful of Sith? I don't want this party to turn into a bloodbath, Carth." I said coldly.
"Hey, I'm not that bad!" Carth protested.
I sighed dramatically, "Look, we can't afford to waste a whole evening just for this. You need to find a way down to the Lower and Undercities." I said, "I'll work on finding a way past the Sith blockade, ok?"
"I guess. Just don't leave without me." Carth said, resigned.
I found the right apartment easily enough - all I had to do was follow the sound of heavy music and the smell of Tarisian ale.
"Hey, you made it! I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show! The party's in full swing - come on in." Sarna said, as I peered into the apartment.
I smiled, and walked over to her, "Hey, this really is a great party you've got going here." I said, quite loudly to be heard over the music at all.
"Yeah. You have to try this Tarisian ale - it's fantastic! We should have conquered this planet ages ago!" she said, clearly having some trouble standing.
"Careful, Sarna. That wine's got quite the kick. A couple more bottles and we'll all be passed out on the floor!" a man said from nearby.
She gave him a rude hand gesture, "Who cares? We're not on duty tomorrow - let's live a little! Come on - drink up!" she said, determinedly opening another bottle, and taking a drink. She almost collapsed on top of me. I held her up, and smiled at her, "Hey, it's not every day a pretty lady falls into my arms like this." I said, turning on the charm.
"Oh, you." she hit my chest lightly, and fell into a fit of giggles, "Hey, y'know. I heard if you drink enough of this stuff, you feel like you're walking on air." she said, her voice wavering, "Y'know what, it's true."
I laughed lightly, "I'm sure it is, Sarna." I said, guiding her to a couch, and sitting down with her next to me. She leaned against me, and her hands wandered a bit too much... but I didn't try to stop her.
"Hey, you!" the man who had told Sarna to be careful snapped at me, "Get your hands off my sister."
"I'm not sixteen anymore, Yun." Sarna said, glaring at him, and wrapping her arms around me, as if she were a child defending a precious toy.
"Hey, I didn't mean any harm." I said defensively.
"Yeah right." Yun said, glaring at me, his eyes slightly out of focus.
I sighed, "If you want me to leave, I will." I said, in a dejected tone, "But the party was just getting good." I noted, indicating the makeshift dance floor and the bottle of Tarisian ale.
Yun glared at me, "I think you should let go of my sister."
"Whatever you say." I said, trying to pry Sarna's hands from around my neck - the girl had a hell of a grip, and I didn't want to hurt her.
As soon as I pried Sarna off me, Yun grabbed me by the collar and took a swing at me. He missed, but it was clear that he was asking for a fight.
"Hey, I don't want any trouble." I said, holding up my hands defensively, "I was invited, but I'm sorry. If you don't want me here, I'll just leave."
"Ha, fat chance." Yun snarled, taking another swing at me. I blocked this one, because it had better aim, "I'm a Sith, remember?" he snarled, "And we Sith do whatever we want. I want to punch your face in." he said, taking another swing at me - his clumsy attacks were weak enough that I had no trouble blocking him, but he just kept trying.
"Yun, leave it!" Sarna snapped, trying to stand, but the alcohol had affected her too much. Her words went unnoticed, though - the other Sith had surrounded us, and were chanting for a fight. I held Yun off for a while, but then he passed out from the Tarisian ale he'd been drinking... and the other Sith did not take kindly to that. He passed out while fighting me - I was guilty, in their eyes. Oh shit.
The following fight lasted a few minutes, and unlike Yun's drunken attack, these Sith were actually more dangerous - not all of them were so intoxicated. But soon the whole population of the party was unconscious at my feet, for one reason or another. I sighed, "So much for intelligent gathering." I muttered.
My commlink beeped. I answered it, "Damien? You there?"
"Yes, I'm here. What is it?" I asked.
"I found a way to the Lower City, but I've got a problem." Carth informed me.
"Such as?"
"Such as they're only letting Sith and authorised personnel use the elevator." Carth said, sighing, "The Sith on guard there was very pissy with me."
"I wonder why." I muttered, "You don't exactly stand out as Sith-friendly, do you?"
"And where are you?"
"I'm at the party."
"And you're talking openly?!" he demanded.
"Yes. But only because they're all unconscious." I answered.
There was a long pause, then he asked, "What did you do?"
"Me? What makes you think it was my fault? Half of them passed out because of the Tarisian ale!" I said, defensively.
"Only half of them?" Carth asked sceptically.
"Long story. Not important. I could nick their uniforms, would that work?" I said, trying to change the subject.
"That's a good idea."
After nicking the uniforms (I wasn't sure of Carth's size, so I nicked three uniforms - one fits me, one'll probably be too big for him, the other too small) I returned to the 'hideout' apartment, where I found Carth reading over a datapad. I glanced over his shoulder, just long enough to see that it was a tourist information datapad, and lost interest. I shook my head and dumped the uniforms on the table, "We go down to the Lower City tomorrow. I need sleep." with that, I walked over to the bed and collapsed.
* * *
I woke up to the horrific sound of snoring, at three in the morning, Taris local time. I glared at Carth, who was out for the count, on the other bed. I sat up, still glaring, and threw the tourist information datapad at him - it had no effect. I stood up and stalked into the bathroom, slamming the door - the snoring persisted, even through the supposedly soundproofed door.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror - my hair was a mess, and I looked like I hadn't slept in a week. Funny how one can look like that when they've only just woken up. I brushed my hair and tied it back.
My memory was still pretty messed up, but there was a constant - my appearance. In both memories, I had the same looks - long white-blonde hair, ice-grey eyes, pale skin, and high cheekbones. As Revan, I always knew I was good looking, but my memories as Damien have no reference to my being attractive, beyond the simple facts that that was what I looked like.
If I'm Damien, why do I have Revan's memories? And if I'm Revan, why do I have Damien's memories? Why do both personalities look alike? Even identical twins have some defining feature. Unless. Unless one of them isn't real? 'The Force can do terrible things to a mind. It can wipe away your memories and destroy your very identity'. When he said it, the thought crossed my mind. What if someone planted the knowledge in my mind? Or tried to suppress who I was? Well, whoever I am, it didn't work.
The more I thought about it, the more I came to realise. Revan is too - too well known, too real - to be fake. And memories of Revan's life were... more real to me. I actually remembered being sent to the Jedi, and trained in their ways. I simply had a string of facts regarding Damien's life in my head as well - Damien was a smuggler, but it was as if I had only read this from a datapad, for all the emotion and reality the identity had. I could not remember how this knowledge came to me, but the fact that I remembered it in the first person sent alarms off in my mind - it was something I SHOULD be, even if it wasn't what I was.
So I would act as Damien - I would wait until I knew why this 'identity' had been given to me, before reacting as Revan. The new identity came with a few 'morals', although they were as artificial as the memories, and I did know my own mind well enough to know I had the same morals without this new identity. I had simply forgotten them for a time.
I am Revan.
Seems far-fetched, really. I mean, Dark Lord of the Sith. Hmph. Somehow, it just seems so... ridiculous. I mean, the very idea is preposterous - that must be why I fell in the first place. I remember thinking those exact words before I left for the Mandalorian Wars:
'Revan, be careful. I fear this may lead to the Dark Side.'
'Pah, the very idea is preposterous!'
'You should not be so self-assured - overconfidence leads to the Dark Side.'
So does ignoring good advice, it seems.
I think everything can lead to the Dark Side. Love. Hate. Is there anything that doesn't? Even peace - it creates an illusion of safety that leaves you vulnerable. I sighed slightly. This sort of deep and meaningful crap is not my style. I don't like it that much. I should just continue with the mission. Bastila can help me undo some of the damage.
I know now that I made a mistake - I think part of the solution is admitting there was ever a problem.
* * *
It wasn't difficult to locate the Jedi Princess. Everyone on Taris knew about the big swoop race, and that she was offered as the Black Vulkars' share of the prize. What was difficult was getting into said swoop race. There were two obvious options.
Option one: help the Hidden Beks steal from the Vulkars, and get Bek sponsorship. Option two: side with the Black Vulkars against the Beks, and get Vulkar sponsorship. Or, in theory only, option three: wait for the race and kill anything that moves, at the swoop track, until there's only you and the Jedi left standing.
Naturally, as my luck would have it, option four presented itself.
Carth had gone down to the Undercity to look for the Twi'lek - Mission - for the Beks' plan. I had refused to go. The Rakghouls scare me - they scare me enough for me to admit it, and that's saying something.
"Oh, you again." Davik's spawn said, as she passed me in Upper City cantina.
She gave me a disdainful look, and was about to move on, when I asked, "I never did find out your name?"
"My name is Avril." she said haughtily, "And you already know who my father is."
"Yes, of course." I said, bowing, "I wondered if you could help me, m'lady?" I asked, in my best grovelling tone. Yes, the Dark Lord of the Sith knows how to grovel when he wants to - go figure.
"Why would I want to?" she asked snootily.
"I wiped the boards on Manaan's swoop racing, a few years ago." I said - well, as Revan, I did. "I wanted to enter the Taris season opener, but getting sponsorship is a nightmare. I promise, if Davik were to sponsor me, he would not be disappointed."
"I guess it couldn't hurt." she muttered, "Daddy would be very pleased to enter the race at all - his best swoop racer died on the track last year, and he hasn't a chance of winning this year's race as it is. It's a toss-up between the Beks and the Vulkars at the moment."
I grinned evilly, "Tell him he'll want to check the Vulkars out for cheating. They have an illegal accelerator."
Her eyes lit up, "How would you know?"
"The Beks told me - they were trying to steal it, to get it away from the Vulkars." I said, honestly.
Avril smirked evilly, "I will tell daddy about this." she said, "And we will contact you."
She left quickly, and it was mere minutes before I heard a voice shouting, "Damien!" I looked up to see a blur of blue rushing towards me, "Trouble. Capital T." Mission gasped, out of breath.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"That guy you were with in Javyar's cantina - Carth - said to find you - said you'd know what to do." she said quickly. She then lowered her voice to a whisper, "He's been bitten."
"Don't tell me - a Rakghoul?" I asked, the blood draining from my face.
She nodded.
"Shit." I don't like the man, but after hearing about it, I wouldn't wish the Rakghoul disease on anyone. I stood up and bolted out of the cantina. She followed quickly.
* * *
We got to the Undercity, "Where is he?" I asked.
"The Outcasts locked him up." Mission said, pointing to a cage.
I rushed to the cage, but the Outcast healer wouldn't let me open the gate. "I told you this was a bad idea, now look." I said, sighing.
"Yeah, I don't know what's worse - the pain from the wound, the thought of what it'll do to me, or the fact the others have been here longer and will probably kill me before I turn." he said sadly - he was slouched against the wall, "Only thing I regret is not getting my revenge."
"Don't talk like that. You're not dead yet, you moron!" I snapped.
"I'm as good as." he said sadly, "I'd rather a blaster bolt through the head than be shredded by Rakghouls, though."
I sighed, "I'll see what I can do." I said, taking out a blaster.
"Hey, wait a second!" he said, standing up straight and backing away from me.
I laughed, "I'm not going to shoot you, you idiot. I'm going to go out there, shoot a lot of Rakghoul, probably a few Sith, and find some of that Serum the stupid doctor said the Sith had."
Carth sighed, "I hate you."
"I hate you too, but you're not dying on my watch." I replied tonelessly.
It didn't take long to find some Sith. It took less time to talk them out of one dose of antidote - bribery works wonders.
"I hate Rakghouls, I hate Rakghouls, I hate Rakghouls." I muttered. I had avoided the Rakghouls outside the villiage, by using a stealth field. But now, I had to go into that cage, and half the people there were already convulsing.
"They took away my blasters, Damien. Hurry up, or I'm dead." Carth hissed.
"Shut up. I can't help that I've got a phobia, here." I snarled.
"I'm just saying, hurry the hell up!" he snapped.
I glared at him, but an inhuman snarl from one of the other inmates of the cage drew my attention. I opened the door, and stepped into the cage - the gate slammed very quickly behind me. I threw two blasters at Carth - he caught them both, and started shooting at the brand new Rakghouls - there were three of them. I decapitated one with my vibroblade, but another took a swipe at me, and I tripped in my haste to avoid its teeth.
"You're being clumsy today, Damien - I thought you fought better than that?" Carth asked, shooting the offending Rakghoul - that was three out of three dead.
I quickly gave the antidote to the other inmates, then to Carth, as they had been there longer and I didn't want to risk them transforming while I dealt with him. "I told you already - I'm bloody terrified of those damned Rakghouls!" I snapped at him.
"Uh huh. Well, get over it." he said coldly.
"I just did." I snapped right back. Then I sighed, "Look, we're both alive - I think we ought to leave the Undercity before we tempt fate anymore."
"Right. And just how do we plan to get Bastila back if we don't get into that Vulkar base?" Carth asked, folding his arms.
"I have a plan."
* * *
Avril came through for us, in the end.
"So, this is the swoop racer you told me about?" Davik asked, sceptically.
"Yes, daddy." Avril said, nodding, "I've done a background check, like you taught me, and an unnamed rider exactly matching his description did indeed win the swoop championships on Manaan, five years ago."
"Very well, then." Davik said, giving me an evaluating look, "What sort of payment were you looking for, for this?"
"I just want the Vulkar's share of the prize." I said simply.
"The slave girl?" Davik asked, then he shrugged, "I suppose one slave is a fair price for a decent racer. If you're a decent racer, that is."
"Oh, I'm better than just 'decent'." I said, smirking.
"You had better be."
* * *
The Vulkars got disqualified from the swoop race. The Beks got a huge lead in the gang war. Davik got a heap of credits. We got Bastila. I think we got the short end of the stick.
"Bastila - you're alive!" Carth said, as we returned from the swoop race, "Finally, things are looking up. Now we just need to figure out a way to get off this planet."
"You mean you don't have a plan to get off Taris yet? What have you been doing all this time?"
"I was working on the getting-off-Taris plan, but the Sith are most uncooperative." I snapped at her, "And I don't like your attitude." I added.
"My attitude? It strikes me that you're the one in sore need of an attitude adjustment. I happen to be in charge of this mission, if you'll recall." she said haughtily.
"Oh, get over yourself, Princess." I said, dismissively, "Avril's polite compared to you."
"Ouch." Mission muttered, "That's an insult. And just when are we going to rescue Zaalbar?"
"Be patient." I muttered to her. She sulked.
Bastila folded her arms and glared at me, "I see." she said pointedly, "Now that I'm back in charge of this mission, perhaps we can start doing things properly. Hopefully our escape from Taris will go more smoothly than when you 'rescued' me from Brejik."
"I know you're new at this, Bastila," Carth said, trying to sound diplomatic, "but a leader doesn't berate her troops just because things aren't going as planned. Don't let your ego get in the way of the real issues here."
"That hardly strikes me as an appropriate way of addressing your commander, Carth." Bastila hissed, "I am a member of the Jedi Order and this is my mission. Don't forget that! My Battle Meditation ability has helped the Republic many times in this war, and it will serve us well here I am sure."
"Full of yourself, aren't you?" I asked coldly.
"Your talents might win us a few battles, but that doesn't make you a good leader!" Carth snapped, "A good leader would at least listen to the advice of those who have seen more combat than she ever will! You know, I had my doubts about this mission but I figured the Jedi Council wouldn't put you in charge if you weren't prepared. But here you are, acting like a spoiled child!"
"He's right." I said, grudgingly agreeing with Carth because I disliked this Jedi brat even more, "You aren't showing much leadership ability right now, Bastila."
"I see." Bastila said tetchily, folding her arms defensively, "It's true I that don't have much military experience; perhaps I should not be so quick to judge. Very well, Carth: what do you suggest we do?"
Carth seemed relieved that that argument had been cut short, "First off we can't get hung up on who's in charge; we all need to work together if we want to get off this rock. The answer's out there, we just have to find it."
"Well said, Carth." Bastila agreed reluctantly. "And the sooner we start looking the better; I've already been a prisoner of the Vulkars and I don't plan on being captured by the Sith."
"I know where to start." I said, smirking.
* * *
Carth and I left the apartment - Bastila would attract too much attention, and the two non-humans weren't particularly welcomed by the humans in Upper Taris.
I walked straight to the Upper City cantina, and nearly ran into a wall. Well, it wasn't exactly a wall, but he was built solidly enough to pass for one. I looked up at the Mandalorian, "I knew I'd find you here." he said.
"Me? What do you want with me?" I asked innocently. Carth's hand moved to the pocket in which his blaster usually resided.
"I saw you in the swoop race. Very impressive." the Mandalorian said - he clearly saw Carth going for the blaster, and folded his arms in what was clearly an 'I'm not here to pick a fight, but don't push your luck' gesture. Surprisingly, Carth took the hint. "You seem like you know how to get results. That's just the kind of person I'm looking for."
"What are you talking about?" I asked warily.
"I'm Canderous Ordo." the Mandalorian said, "I work for Davik Kang and the Exchange; the hours aren't great, but they promised me a fortune to work for them. Mandalorian mercs like me are in high demand."
"I'll bet." Carth muttered, "Since they're almost extinct."
"Shut up, Carth." I hissed.
"But lately Davik ain't paying me what he promised. I don't like getting cheated, so I figure it's time for me to break the Sith quarantine and get off this backwater planet." Canderous explained.
"How do you plan to do that?" I asked.
"I've got a plan to escape Taris, but I can't do it alone." he said, "I need someone I know can get the job done to help me. That's where you come in. I saw you win that swoop race, and I started thinking. Anyone crazy enough to race like that is probably crazy enough to break into the Sith military base. I need someone to steal the Sith launch codes from the base. Without those codes any ship leaving the atmosphere will be disintegrated by the Sith fleet's auto-targeting cannons."
"You want me to steal those codes? How do I know I can trust you?"
"You don't have much choice. You want off this planet as much as I do, I'd wager. Here's the deal: you bring me those launch codes and I can provide the vehicle to get off the planet - Davik's flagship, the Ebon Hawk."
"How are you going to manage that?" I asked warily.
"Uh-uh. Not yet. First, you bring me the launch codes. Then I'll tell you the rest of my plan." he said.
"How am I supposed to get inside the military base?" I asked.
"Getting in won't be easy: the Sith base is protected by an encrypted security system." Canderous explained calmly, "It would take a top of the line astromech droid to slice through it. Lucky for you I know just the place to get a droid like that. Davik was having one custom built by Janice Nall."
I thought for a few seconds - he wasn't lying. "Okay, Canderous - you've got a deal."
"Careful. Mercs like this haven't a lick of conscience... they'll betray you in a heartbeat. This could be a trap." Carth said quietly.
"I ain't talking to you. I'm talking to your friend, aren't I? I'm going to wait in Javyar's cantina. You come find me when you've got those launch codes and I'll make sure we both get off this rock."
* * *
"All right. Ready?" I asked.
"I hate this plan." Carth said flatly.
"How else are we supposed to get into the military base without the Jedi brat for backup?" I asked coldly, "Shooting our way in will only get us killed."
"Doesn't mean I have to like this." Carth growled.
T3-M4, the astromech droid Canderous had told us about, was picking the lock on the Sith base. I was wearing the Sith armour I had stolen. Carth was wearing handcuffs and a deactivated restraining collar.
"It'll work. Trust me." I said, sighing.
T3-M4 beeped a few times, and the door opened. "Good work, T3." I said, smirking.
I dragged Carth into the base - he dragged his feet, and put on a good 'unconscious' act, as if the restraining collar had been turned on. T3-M4 rolled in behind me.
[What are you here for?] the Twi'lek receptionist asked in - here's a surprise - Twi'leki.
"Got a prisoner for interrogation." I said.
[Prisoners usually come in in body-bags.] the Twi'lek said coldly.
"This one's to be interrogated by the base commander himself." I replied smoothly, "Don't you know who this is?" I asked.
[Not really. Nor do I much care.] the Twi'lek said coldly.
"This is Carth Onasi." I said, "He's a Republic hero. The commander's gonna want to interrogate this one personally - he'll probably know where Bastila is."
The Twi'lek sighed, [Fine, then. Go on in.] she said.
I dragged Carth through the base - the security droids let us pass. And when we got into the elevator to the base commander's office, I removed the handcuffs and restraining collar from Carth, and handed him a pair of blasters. "I'm sure I don't have to tell you how to shoot a Sith?" I asked calmly.
"Not really." Carth said, smirking.
The elevator door opened. "Who dares to break my meditation?" the base commander demanded, turning to face me. He was your typical bald/butt-ugly Sith-wannabe, "You will pay for interrupting my... wait. I sense the Force is strong with you. Very strong."
"No kidding." I said sarcastically.
"Who would have thought a Force Adept could be found on this insignificant planet?" he said, surprised, "But your talent is no match for a disciple of the dark side!"
"I'm going to enjoy gutting you." I said coldly.
"Ah, yes... feed the hatred and anger within yourself! Call upon the power of the dark side! But not even that can save you now."
"Dark Side, my ass." I snapped.
Carth and T3-M4 both started shooting, but the blaster-bolts were simply absorbed by the Sith's energy shield. I sighed dramatically, "It's calls a shield disruptor, you trigger-happy droid. Use it!" I said, before giving up on the idea of letting Carth shoot the Sith, and lunging at said Sith with my vibroblade. I cut him in half, fairly cleanly, at the waist, before he had time to realise what I was doing. "I hate to say this, but thanks."
"For what, exactly?" Carth asked, putting his personal blaster away.
"For distracting him." I said, smirking, "He didn't know what hit him." I rooted through the Sith's pockets, and found a datapad containing launch codes for the Sith blockade. "This is what we want." I said, pocketing the codes.
"Now, do we have a plan to get out of here?" Carth asked, folding his arms.
"Yeah." I said, walking over to the base commander's desk. I fidgeted with the computer screen, "Here we are." I said, pressing a button, and an alarm sounded.
"What did you do?!" Carth demanded.
"I set off the fire alarm - put on the spare Sith armour, and let's get out of here before someone realises it's a false alarm." I said, going to the elevator. Carth reluctantly did as he was told.
We made it out of the base unquestioned, in the confusion. We then slipped off into the Lower City, donated our uniforms to the Hidden Beks, and made our way to the cantina.
* * *
"I figured you'd be back." Canderous said when we walked into the cantina, "Neither one of us is getting off this planet unless we work together. But we've got a small problem. I haven't heard about anyone breaking into the military base yet, so I know you don't have those departure codes."
"You obviously don't recognise my M.O." I said calmly, taking out the datapad with the codes on it, "It's called tact."
"It's called a fire alarm." Carth said coldly.
"Well, that helped." I muttered. "I have the launch codes right here."
"Oh really?" Canderous said, surprised, "I'm impressed. So here's the deal: Davik knows you well enough that getting him to hire you will be easy enough. I'll take you to him, and while he's conducting the standard thorough background check, we'll take the Ebon Hawk off his hands."
"Nice plan." I said, folding my arms, "But I want one more thing before I give you those codes."
"What might that be?" Canderous asked, also folding his arms.
"You work for Davik, you've got connections, I'm sure." I said, "I want a specific Wookiee - he was taken by Gammorean slavers in the Undercity, and I'm not suicidal enough to go up against the Rakghouls down there."
"That could be difficult - Davik doesn't usually deal with the Gammoreans." Canderous considered this, "But I think I could arrange something. Why this Wookiee, though?"
"It's for a friend." I said, slightly distantly.
I like the little blue Twi'lek. I talked to her about her Wookiee friend earlier - she had told me he was fleeing some kind of trouble on Kashyyyk, but she hadn't asked - she cared about him for 'what he is, not what he was'. That one comment kind of strikes me as... well, someone I'd like to know, and with her skills she'd be handy to have around. I wanted to help her, because she would most likely be grateful, and having a friend like her would... would be a good thing, at least.
"Meet me here tomorrow, and I'll take you to Davik's estate. I'll have the Wookiee for you then." Canderous said, and he left the cantina before I could respond to that.
"You're pushing it, you know." Carth muttered.
"I am?" I asked, innocently.
"Asking him to get that Wookiee for you? I would have either gone to get him ourselves, or told the Twi'lek we couldn't help her. Not blackmailed a crime boss's flunkie." Carth said sceptically.
"Hey, it worked. And if you didn't notice, I did talk Zax out of extra credits for Selven's bounty." I said, smirking.
Carth shook his head, "You scare me."
"Thank you." I said, cheerfully.
"No, I mean your attitude scares me. Going to Sith parties, bribing troublemakers to avoid a fight, making deals with Mandalorians. You use people for your own agenda, and I have no idea what that agenda even is!" Carth sighed, "You're a manipulative, sneaky bastard, and I don't like it."
"Again: thank you." I said, smirking.
* * *
When we got back to the hideout/apartment, that evening, I was attacked by a furious blue Twi'lek. "You liar!" she yelled, hitting my chest ineffectively with her fists, "You promised you'd help me!"
"Whoa, calm down, Mission. What's wrong?" I asked, grabbing her wrists to stop her hitting me again.
"You - you mean, cruel - you evil - I..." she was in tears, I realised, "You - you promised you'd help me find Zaalbar. I just heard on one of the unofficial comm channels that Davik's bought him!" she yelled, struggling to try and hit me again.
"Calm down, Mission. Don't worry." I said soothingly, "Trust me, I will get him back for you."
Carth glared at me, "You'd better explain your plan to her." he said coldly.
I sighed, "I made a deal with one of Davik's rebellious minions, to get us off the planet. One of the things I asked for was Zaalbar - I think Davik's going to give him to us as a 'good-will gesture', or something like that... and then we'll steal Davik's ship."
Mission blinked a few times, "That's really sneaky. I like it." she said, brightening up a little, "Zaalbar'll not be happy, though - I should go with you to make sure he knows you're friendly."
"That is a very good idea, yes." I said, letting go of her wrists, "And I'm sorry for not explaining my plan to you, but I had to be sure it would work - plan B was always to brave the Rakghouls and rescue him personally, but I prefer the 'diplomatic' approach when at all possible."
"You mean you prefer to avoid the Rakghouls like a coward?" Carth asked, smirking.
"I admit I'm afraid of them, but you proved yourself how bloody dangerous they are." I said coldly, turning to glare at him.
"So I got bitten. I'm still alive, aren't I?" Carth asked.
"Don't make light of it." I snapped, "You were bitten by an infectious and dangerous creature - Mission and I saved your life, you moron. If it hadn't been for her quick thinking and my bribing a random Sith, you'd be dead by now. Be bloody grateful, and be more careful next time!"
"Damien!" Bastila snapped, "Do calm down. Your temper does no one any good. Anger leads to -"
"I don't need lectures about the Dark Side from a Jedi Princess who can't control her own ego!" I snapped. Bastila huffed angrily.
Carth scowled, "I'll admit, you saved me. And I am grateful, but -"
"No buts!" I snapped, "Know what you're dealing with before going in with guns blazing, next time, fool! If you're fighting a contagious foe, don't let it get within biting range! Know your bloody enemy and they'll have a lot more trouble killing you!"
Carth sighed, "All right, all right! You win this argument." he said sulkily.
I nodded pointedly, "Damn right, I do."
* * *
"So, Canderous - I see you have brought someone with you. Most intriguing, if I do say so myself. You usually travel alone." Davik said, giving me the sort of calculating look that tells you if you make one wrong move he'll see you dead.
"It's not like you to take on partners, Canderous. You're getting soft." said the short man with more of a shooting-people fetish than Carth (I saw him in the Lower City Cantina).
"Watch yourself, Calo." Canderous said warningly, "You may be the newest kath hound in the pack, but you aren't top dog yet!"
"Enough!" Davik interrupted, "I won't have my top two men killing each other - that's not good business. I'm sure Canderous has an explanation as to why he's not working solo anymore."
"This is a special case, Davik." Canderous said calmly, "I'm sure you recognise him. He did win the Season Opener for you."
"Ah, yes. I remember that." Davik said, nodding in a 'go on, and make it good' way.
"He's looking for work in the Exchange." Canderous said flatly.
"Hmm. Well, with a recommendation from Canderous - and a thorough background check - you could easily become part of the Exchange. Many would kill to prove themselves worthy of this honour." I am sure he means that literally.
"Your offer intrigues me, Davik." I said, in the tone I usually reserve for smooth-talking stuffy bureaucrats.
"Very good." Davik said, nodding, "Come with me - I will give you a tour of my operations. I'm certain you'll be most impressed."
After the guided tour, Davik showed us to a room in the east wing, "These will be your accommodations. The slave quarters are just down the hall. If you need anything during your stay - food, a massage - feel free to call upon their services." he said, in such a friendly way you know he's really being hostile, "If all goes well with your background check you will be invited to join the Exchange. I'd advise you to accept the offer when it comes - or suffer the dire consequences of refusal." Another poorly veiled threat - this man has no tact - I think that may be deliberate, though.
"Am I a prisoner here?" I asked warily.
"You will stay in these rooms as my guest for the next few days; I will not accept no for an answer." translation: yes, I am a prisoner here. "Feel free to visit the slave quarters at any time during your stay. I must warn you that if you are found anywhere outside the guest wing during your stay - or if you bother my other guests - my security forces will deal with you most harshly. I will return after the investigation into your background is complete. Until then, make yourself comfortable. Come, Calo, let us leave our guests in peace."
Yes, Calo, be a good little trained-Kath-pup, and heel.
As soon as the door closed behind Davik, "Okay, we're inside." Canderous said, "Now all we have to do is pick up your Wookiee, then figure out a way to get past the Ebon Hawk's security system and we can get the rest of your group and get off this planet!"
"Where is Zaalbar, anyway?" Mission asked, rooting through the locker in the room, and helping herself to the medpacs that she found there.
"In one of the holding cells near the slave quarters. I made sure he'd not be guarded, so he'd be no trouble for you to get to." Canderous explained.
"Good, let's go then." I said, peering out of the door to see the corridor was deserted. I walked down the corridor, and found the 'holding cell' (read: cage) Canderous had mentioned.
Mission, who was close behind me, rushed to Zaalbar, "Hey, Big Z!" she said, examining the lock on the cage.
[Mission? You are a sight for sore eyes.] the Wookiee growled, [But what are you doing here?]
"We came to rescue you, Big Z. You didn't think I'd forget about you, did you? Mission and Zaalbar, together forever!" she said, picking the lock.
[Who's that with you?] Zaalbar asked.
"These are my new friends, Big Z. Without them I never could have got you out." Mission said, cheerfully opening the cage and letting the Wookiee step out.
"And don't ask me why, because it was his stupid idea." Canderous said. Then after a few seconds, "Actually, don't talk to me at all, because I don't understand Wookiee."
Zaalbar gave Canderous an odd look, then turned to me, [Why did you help me, human?]
"My name's Damien Nox. Mission asked for my help." I said, shrugging, "Although, technically, I'm stealing Davik's property, so... could you talk quietly until we escape. I don't want his guards to shoot at me unless it's unavoidable."
The Wookiee gave me a critical look, [You have saved me from a life of servitude and slavery. There is only one way I can ever repay such an act: I will swear a lifedebt to you.] he growled, much more quietly.
I smiled faintly, "You really don't have to."
[But I choose to.]
"No." I said quickly, "I appreciate, and am honoured by your offer, but you do not have to -"
[I choose to.] he repeated - louder and sharper - almost a snarl. I winced slightly - I wasn't going to talk him out of it.
"A lifedebt? Are you sure about that, Big Z? Think about it carefully. You better be sure about this." Mission said warily.
[I am sure, Mission.] he answered, [This is an issue of great importance to me. Because of our great physical strength, Wookiees are being used as slave labour on our own homeworld. They see us as brutes and animals to be exploited. Over the years slavers have taken many of my people; we must always be on guard against raids against our villages. When the Gamorreans captured me, I thought I was doomed to a life of servitude. Moreso when I was sold to Davik. I have been saved from such a fate, and the only way I can repay that is through a lifedebt.]
Mission let out a low whistle, "Big Z swearing a Wookiee lifedebt to you. Wow - this is major. Do you realize what this means?"
"I know exactly what it means." I said quietly, "I've met Wookiees before, although the last one I met didn't think highly of the lifedebt, he did explain its meaning to me."
[Few of my people dishonour the lifedebt. The Wookiee you met must have been truly without honour.] Zaalbar growled.
"I think he was, yes." I said, nodding. You don't get much less honourable than allying with Czerka, for any species. Yes, I know the irony - the Sith allied with Czerka... but you should know that happened AFTER I was captured!
[In the presence of you all I swear my lifedebt. Forever after I will be by your side, Damien Nox. May my vow be as strong as the roots of the great Wroshyr trees of Kashyyyk.] Zaalbar said, even Canderous seemed taken aback by the reverent tone in the Wookiee's growl.
I sighed slightly - no way to get out of that one, now, "I am honoured to accept this vow." I said, smiling weakly.
After a moment's pause, Mission spoke up, "I guess this means you're stuck with me too. Wherever Big Z goes, I'm going. I almost lost him once - it's not going to happen again."
This time I smiled a genuine smile for the girl, "I'm glad to have you aboard, Mission." I said. She grinned.
"We should get going." Canderous said, breaking the moment, "We need to get the hell off the planet before something bad happens."
"And whatever it is, I can feel it's close." I added. I knew something - something wrong - was in the air already. The Force was warning us, and it must be seriously bad if even the Force-blind Mandalorian picked up on it.
I sweet-talked one of the slaves, bribing her with good reports to Davik, to find out how to get the security codes for the Ebon Hawk. Then we acquired said codes - a Wookiee and a Mandalorian are really useful fighters to have - I handed them each a pair of vibroblades, and Davik's guards didn't stand a change against them.
In the hangar, we encountered two serious problems (three if you count Calo - which I don't). The Sith began bombing the planet, a bit too close to our current location for comfort. And Davik was already there.
"Damn those Sith - they're bombing the whole planet! I knew they'd turn on us sooner or... well, look what we got here! Thieves in the hangar." Davik also happened to notice we were there. "So, you figured you'd just steal my ship for your get-away and leave me high and dry while the Sith turn the planet into dust? Sorry, but that ain't going to happen!"
"I'll take care of them, Davik." Calo said calmly, "I've been looking forward to this for a long time!"
"Make it quick, Calo. The Sith mean business. If we don't get to our ships and find somewhere safe, the bombs they're dropping will kill us all." Davik said, almost-but-not-quite panicking.
Canderous dropped the two vibroblades, and opened fire with that repeating blaster of his - that blaster is one nasty peice of work - I think he could take down the Sith flagship with it if he had good enough aim. As it was, he hit Davik in the forehead, and Calo in the leg. Ok, so he probably does have good enough aim.
Calo panicked, "You may have me outnumbered and outgunned, but if I'm going down I'm taking all you with me! This thermal detonator will blow us all to bits!" he shouted to us.
You have to say one thing for the Sith - their timing is impeccable. A blast shattered the window behind Calo. "Damn those Sith! They'll bring this whole hangar down around our ears!" Then the ceiling above Calo collapsed - bringing half the hangar down around his ears - burying him.
"Let's get the hell out of here." I said, running for the Hawk - the others followed close behind me. I stood at the embarkation ramp, and pressed the button on my commlink to summon Carth and Bastila - they had been waiting in Canderous' swoopbike, outside the estate, and it took all of five minutes for them to get to the Hawk.
"Hurry up!" I shouted as they climbed onto the ship, "We've got to get off this rock before it's turned to space dust!"
Carth dragged Bastila onto the ship, and T3-M4 beeped cheerfully as it rolled in after them.
"You're enjoying the excitement, aren't you, droid?" I asked, sealing the ship, "Let's go, guys!" I shouted. Less than a minute later, we were in the air.
Sith fighter pilots are pathetic. 'Nuff said.
* * *