Welcome, all ye, to the second chronicle in the "Days of the Old Republic" series! First off, in order to understand what's going on in this series, it is recommended that you read "Dark Desires: an Old Republic Story", followed by "Days of the Old Republic I: Shalanna". Once you've done that, you're good to go. Hope you enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I own most of the characters in this story. Any names of planets or other characters are owned by Lucararts and Bioware.
Days of the Old Republic II: Bindo
Chapter 1:
Tranquility had always been a staple of the planet Dantooine. Even after the Sith invasion three centuries before, Dantooine had always been a home for the peace-loving. As such, the Jedi Order had once made an enclave there, and it was in the ruins of that enclave that some of the scattered Jedi were trained.
A Miraluka with short brown hair sat in the archives, a datapad in his hand. Although his bare eye sockets were covered by a stitched blindfold, he nonetheless had a method of sight: the Force. Miraluka were naturally strong with the Force, as it allowed them the ability to see, which this Miraluka in particular was attempting to do.
While he was born under the name Telonus Raykon, he often preferred to be addressed by the name "Bindo". Many questioned his choice in nickname, but he always responded that the man whose name he took—Jolee Bindo—was to be respected, despite his rather irreverent view of the Jedi Code.
"You're starting to spend almost as much time in here as I do," a voice came.
Bindo smirked and turned his head. A somewhat pale-skinned Zabrak with spiky brown hair came up to him, also smirking.
"Hello, Garmon," Bindo said.
"Hello to you as well," Garmon said. "I take it you still find the tales of the Jedi Civil War fascinating, solely because they contain one man?"
"Not necessarily one man," Bindo replied. "It wasn't just Jolee Bindo that ended the war. Revan appears to have done most of the work."
"True," Garmon nodded. "Revan and his ten companions were the only reason the Republic won that war."
"Ten?" Bindo repeated. "I thought he only had nine companions."
"You seem to miss Trask Ulgo," Garmon said. "His sacrifice was instrumental in Revan's escape from the Endar Spire as well as his landing on Taris."
"So it would seem," Bindo chuckled. "I guess I spent more time researching Revan's time on Kashyyyk than the rest of his journey."
"Why exactly are you so fascinated with Jolee, anyway?" Garmon asked, leaning on the table at which Bindo sat.
"I find him to be one of the greatest Jedi the galaxy has ever known," Bindo replied.
"But, was it not Revan who infiltrated the Star Forge and slew Darth Malak, thereby ending the war?" Garmon asked.
"It's true that Revan was a powerful Force-user," Bindo nodded. "But Jolee's greatness comes from his morality."
"You're awfully proud of your Miraluka heritage," Garmon observed.
"I find it difficult to discard my people's culture in favor of an unrealistic substitute," Bindo replied. "No offense."
"None taken," Garmon chuckled. "So, when did the name change come about?"
"I decided that I could not let Jolee's personal code fade into history," Bindo said. "I wanted to set an example for all Miraluka, to let them know that they don't have to blindly follow the Jedi Code."
"Is it true that the Miraluka are not the only ones you have set an example for?" Garmon asked.
Bindo smiled. At that point, two women—a human with blonde hair tied into buns and a red-skinned Twi'lek with intimidating patterns on her lekku and face—entered. The Twi'lek immediately looked over to them with her purple eyes.
"Is someone talking about us?" she asked.
"Good to see you, Xyna," Bindo said to the Twi'lek before turning his gaze to the human. "You, too, Shalanna."
"Greetings, Telo—Bindo," Shalanna stammered, nearly relapsing into her habit of using Bindo's true name. "I'm sorry, I still have to get used to calling you that."
"It's fine," Bindo nodded. "It's better than your calling me by my birth name like you used to."
"Yes…I believe so," Shalanna said.
"So," Xyna said, walking past Bindo and going over to Garmon, "are you single?"
"Uh…what?" Garmon stuttered.
"I see she's still as forward as ever," Bindo chuckled.
"At least she has stopped outright asking men if they wanted to make children with her," Shalanna said. "The week she spent under your tutelage has done well for her. I mean no offense, but I never thought you were capable of such wisdom."
"None taken," Bindo said. "The problem is that you were so obsessed with the Jedi Code that you never took the time to know other people. I've been teaching Xyna that she has to get to know someone before she decides if she wants to become intimate with them…although you could probably benefit from such teachings as well."
"Me?" Shalanna sputtered. "But—"
"Listen, Shalanna," Bindo said, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "It's been about a week since Master Zeeloss fell to the Dark Side, and I know that you've been his Padawan for a long time, but you must forge your own path. You can't let the Code decide everything for you. You must let your heart have some say in your choices."
"I-I…I…I understand," Shalanna said slowly. "But what if…what if my decisions break the Code?"
"Are you asking me about falling in love?" Bindo asked.
Shalanna slowly nodded.
"You mustn't be afraid of love, no matter what any other Jedi says," Bindo said. "What do you know about Revan?"
"I know some things," Shalanna said. "I know that he was a former Dark Lord who was turned to the light, and I know that he engaged in a relationship with one of his fellow Jedi."
"Let me tell you something I found in my readings," Bindo said. "The Jedi who became Revan's lover—Bastila Shan—had at one point been turned to the Dark Side by Darth Malak. Malak made her his apprentice, and sent her to fight Revan. She was determined to destroy him by any means necessary."
"But…she didn't, correct?" Shalanna asked. "Did Revan kill her?"
"Of course not," Bindo said, as if the notion was ridiculous. "He redeemed her. He drew on the bond their love had created, and that love was what brought Bastila back from the Dark Side. It was as Jolee Bindo himself once said…'love will save you, not condemn you'."
"Then…love will not lead to the Dark Side?" Shalanna asked, as if she were a toddler asking for clarification.
"That depends on how you go about it," Bindo said. "You have a good heart, Shalanna. If you listen to it more often, you'll no doubt find happiness with someone you care about."
"Perhaps…I will," Shalanna said. "You're right…I must forge my own path. I no longer wish to be in the shadow of Master Zeeloss."
"Could I have some help here?" Garmon exclaimed, trying to resist Xyna's attempt at charms. "I think she just tried to mark me as her territory!"
"It seems we have to leave. I hope to see you again…Bindo," Shalanna said with a rare smile before approaching Xyna. "Xyna, enough. What have I told you about marking people with your—"
"Come on, you have to admit he's hot!" Xyna protested.
Bindo smiled and shook his head.
"Never a dull moment," he said to himself.
In another area of Dantooine, a pack of white-furred canines sporting crimson-furred heads trudged across the plains. This group of kath hounds had been without food as of late, and had turned rather savage, their hunger motivating them to attack everything in sight. Some Jedi trainees had even become victims.
That was to change today.
A lone figure stood before the kath hounds, a silver cylinder in his hand. With a click, a blue lightsaber blade emerged with a mighty hiss. The kath hounds snarled, gnashing their teeth at this intruder. One charged.
It was promptly sliced down the middle.
This sight alone was enough to discourage the remaining kath hounds. They turned and fled, but the mysterious Jedi would have none of it. He flung his lightsaber at them, and with use of the Force, steered it in their direction. Every single one of the kath hounds was struck down ruthlessly.
The lightsaber returned to the hand of its owner, who gripped his weapon tightly. His normally clean-shaven face saw the beginnings of a stubble due to his wandering the wilderness for a week. His grey hair had turned even more so under his stress. But he knew what he must do.
Ovan Zeeloss would avenge himself, and prove that his way was right.