CHAPTER 1: ALTERATIONS

"Would you stop your pacing? It ain't helping anything." Atton Rand had momentarily stopped drawing in the Korribani sand with his finger to look at the Disciple, Mical. He was pacing back and forth with a concerned look on his face. "You remind me of a gizka I once saw on Tatooine," Atton laughed. "It was just hopping around, looking so confused, and-"

"How could you possibly be joking in a moment such as this?!" Mical said, suddenly stopping his pacing to give Atton an angry glare. "We should have gone in with her..." He continued, "Who knows what horrors she's facing." Mical looked down at the smuggler with a concerned look. "Do you- do you think she's all right?"

"Look, blondie," Atton said sternly, "if you don't think I'm worried about her you're out of your damn mind. In case you've forgotten, I've been with her since the beginning. I'm one who helped her get off Peragus. And, don't forget," he said, pointing at Mical, "We're the ones who let you tag along when we happened to run into you on Dantooine."

"That doesn't matter right-"

"BUT to answer your question," Atton said, paying no attention to what the Disciple had to say, "yes, I do think she's all right. She's one hell of a fighter. If anything, we would have slowed her down." He laughed. "A couple of new Jedi wouldn't be much help to one of her experience, right?"

Mical nodded slowly, yet still unconvinced. "I suppose. Even so, she has been in there for quite some time."

"Yeah, and even so," he said mockingly, "she explicitly told us she had to go in and face whatever the hell's in there by herself."

"Didn't Kreia tell her that?"

Atton paused, thinking. "Maybe," he said, continuing to draw in the sand. "I don't get their magical link or whatever."

"Nor I. Perhaps..." Mical trailed off with his thoughts.

"Perhaps what?"

"Well, do you particularly trust Kreia?" Mical asked hesitantly.

"Oh, hell no!" Atton responded, laughing out loud. "I mean, have you met her?"

The Disciple looked confused. "Of course I have; I've aided you on this journey for quite some time."

"Would you lighten up, for one pfassking second?" Atton stared at the soldier. "It was a joke. Sarcasm. You know what that is?"

"Now look," Mical said, getting closer to Atton, "this is no time for-" He suddenly paused, diverting his attention elsewhere. "Wait, do you hear that?"

Atton stood up and walked closer to the mouth of the cave, listening for whatever Mical had thought he heard. "Footsteps," he breathed. "Coming this way. Sounds like running..."

"Draw your weapon," Mical whispered, igniting his blue lightsaber. "Just in case."

The sound of footsteps grew louder.

"Get ready." Mical whispered sternly.

Atton hesitantly reached for the hilt his lightsaber, prepared for an enemy. Finally, the sound was close enough to where they would see whoever was running... they just had to come around the bend of the cave...

"ZANNA!" Atton exclaimed, running to meet his companion, as Mical turned off his lightsaber and ran to greet her as well.

Zanna Hal was undoubtedly out of breath. She slowed to a walk once she saw her friends, wiping the beads of sweat off of her forehead and immediately closing her eyes. Atton embraced her tightly as Mical joined them. The young Jedi was gasping for air in Atton's arms, her eyes still shut tight.

"What's wrong?" Mical asked. "Are you alright?"

Atton grabbed her by the shoulders and looked at Zanna's face, looking stunned. "Z, you okay?"

Zanna shook her head, starting to cry. "I... It... Was so..." she stammered through her sobs, "I can't..."

Mical came closer to the two, obviously worried. "Zanna, what is it? Are you alright?"

Zanna's breathing became quick, and Atton felt her begin to shake. "Hal!" He yelled, her tiny figure trembling in his grip, "What's wrong?"

She felt herself losing her strength, sliding involuntarily onto her knees. Atton, still holding her, went down with her. "Z, you're scaring me," he said, the worry evident in his voice.

Mical immediately knelt down and put the back of his hand onto her forehead. "Her temperature is extremely high," he whispered.

Zanna suddenly began to see specks of white flickering against the black of her vision, eyes still closed. Her breathing began to slow, yet she knew she was slipping. "H-Help..." she whispered.

Atton cupped the side of her face with his hand. "Dammit, Hal, stay with me! We can't do this without you!"

"Zanna, just breathe. Just breathe. Focus." Mical ordered.

She slowly opened her eyes to look at the two, her breathing becoming heavier. "P-please," she begged. She caught a glimpse of Atton looking into her eyes, and then suddenly, all was black.

Zanna awoke, feeling extremely cold. Where the hell am I?

She flickered her eyes open, lying on her side and slightly shivering. Metal walls surrounded her, with a familiar looking footlocker on the floor. I'm back on the Ebon Hawk... she realized, sitting up in her bed. She looked around at her quarters on the ship, feeling confused. Wait... I was on Korriban... What happened?

She put her hand to her head, which was throbbing with pain. "Force," she mumbled to herself, "I need a medpack..." She got up from her bed and walked to the footlocker, unlocking it. Some robes, armor... "Ah hah! Medpack." She took the medpack and used it, instantly easing the pain from her head. She looked down at herself and discovered she was still wearing the Padawan robes from Dantooine. Gross, she thought to herself, and rummaged through the footlocker to find some clothes, which she did.

She made her way to the refresher, both eager to change into some clean clothes, while also nervous as to what she might look like. She wasn't sure how long she had been unconscious, but she was certain she had been running around and sweating.

Entering the refresher, Zanna set the clothes down to look into the mirror. "Oh my gods!" She screamed. Paying no attention to her messy hair (which was still somewhat in a braid, yet there were strands loose everywhere, some sticking to her face from previous sweat), she was stunned to see a near completely different person. Her skin was pale, yet it had a lavender tone to it, and her eyes, once blue, had become a piercing yellow. She stared, repulsed at herself, and stumbled backwards, falling over and onto her back in shock.

Footsteps soon were heard outside the refresher door, and three quick knocks followed. "Zan, you in there?"

"Yeah," she said, sitting up , "Yeah, Mira, I'm in here."

"Can I come in?"

"I guess."

The door opened and Mira walked in. Her short red hair had been slicked back, and she wasn't wearing her usual headband. The bounty hunter knelt down besides the Jedi, who was now sitting against the toilet, and stared at her.

After a few seconds of silence, Zanna broke it. "Can I help you?"

"No." Mira replied, sighing. "I actually came here to see if you needed anything."

"Maybe some answers," Zanna said sharply. "How long have I looked like this?"

"Since puberty, I imagine," Mira said sarcastically.

Zanna stared at her. "Wow, that helps. Thank you so much."

"Geez, sorry for trying to lighten the mood." Mira said, defensively. "But as for the eyes? It started since you came back to the Hawk from Korriban, which was three days ago." Mira said. "Atton and Mical said you came out, looking like this, and then swiftly passed out. They carried you from the hellish cave you came out from through the rest of the shyrack caves, through the Valley of the Dark Lords and back to the Hawk." Zanna remained quiet. "Look, it's not that bad." Mira smiled. "In fact, it makes you look pretty badass. And I doubt that both of those guys won't still be protective kath hounds for you." She snickered. "In fact, they haven't stopped talking about you this whole time."

Zanna stared at her, confused. "What, since I passed out?"

Mira laughed. "No, not at all. I mean, this actual whole time."

"What?"

"Oh, c'mon. Don't tell me you haven't noticed it. Those guys practically worship you."

Zanna sat there in silence, a puzzled expression on her face. Suddenly she shook her head. "That's not important right now. Look, not that I don't enjoy your company, but would it be okay if I had a sec to change and get myself together?"

Mira smiled, standing up. "Sure thing, Jedi. Let me know if you need anything."

"Thanks." Zanna continued to sit on the floor. So I was really on Korriban. All those things in the cave... They happened...

She shivered, then stood up. Let's just get cleaned up first, Hal... She decided to take care of the sweat and the tangled hair by a quick hop in the shower. She put on the flowy white tunic and brown pants she grabbed from the footlocker and brushed out her matted hair, looking into the mirror. Force, I am a mess. She continued staring at herself. How the hells did I get this way? She leaned in closer, her face inches away from her reflection, to braid her (now brushed) black hair. As she did so, her trip to Korriban and the shyrack caves came into her mind.

"Well, this doesn't look like it could be bad."
"Yeah, looks absolutely peachy."
Zanna and Atton had arrived at the mouth of a strange looking cave, at the request of Kreia.
Atton groaned. "That old witch better know what she's talking about..." He told her.
Suddenly Mical came into sight, exiting the left mouth of the main shyrack caves.
Zanna yelled out to him, "What took you so long?"
"I was told to go to the left when we arrived," he called back.
"You told him to go left?!" Zanna asked Atton angrily, who was holding back laughter. "I told YOU to tell HIM we were going right!"
"Hey, it 'left him an opening'," he replied, mocking the Disciple's oft quoted phrase.
"He had to fight off all those shyrack and those other Tuk'ata by HIMSELF?!"
"Hey," Atton said with a smirk, "He's a soldier-turned-Jedi, it looks like he did fine."
"Asshole!" Zanna muttered as Mical came up to them.
The three turned back toward the foreign looking cave.
"The valley we just came from was filled with dark energy, but this cave is darker still," Mical mused as he regained his breath.
"Yeah, you can see it. Look." Atton pointed on the ground, where a rich purple color tainted the sand.
"Well it's a good thing we're all force-sensitive or you wouldn't be able to," She told them.
'Zanna!' came a familiar voice. 'Listen to me.'
Zanna exhaled and closed her eyes, focusing on her mind, where her mentor Kreia was reaching out to her.
'Yes, what is it?' She responded telepathically.

'The power I felt coming through the cave is just ahead.'
Yeah, I figured,' Zanna responded.
I believe you are strong enough to explore the tomb ahead.'
'Wait, this is a tomb? What else are you not telling me?'
'There is great power and dark energy within this cave..." Kreia stated..
Zanna exhaled in annoyance. 'Yeah, I figured that much out myself.'

'There's something else.'
"What is it now, woman?'
'You will have to face the challenges of this tomb alone. I will not guide you, nor will your... friends... be able to aide you as go forward. Do you understand?'
"What?!" Zanna cried, audibly.
"What is it?" Mical asked her.
She turned to face them. "I've... just been informed I need to go forward- alone."
"That's ludicrous!" The Disciple exclaimed. "We will not stand idle." His stance shifted, soldier's instincts kicking in.
"Hate to agree with blondie, but he's right, Z." Atton said. "We're not gonna just sit here."
"I have to."
"Says who?" Atton sneered. "That schutta of a woman? I don't think so."
'FOOLS!' Kreia bellowed within Zanna's mind. 'If you do not enter alone, you will most certainly regret it.'
"Guys," Zanna finally said, "I appreciate your help, but I have to do this alone."
"But-" Both men said in unison.
"No 'but's." She quickly looked at both of them, then ignited both of her silver lightsabers. "I'll be back." She turned and faced the entrance of the tomb, taking a step forward into the purple energy. Immediately, she could feel her anger boiling up inside her, as well as the power the energy presented. "Focus Hal..." she told herself, "You can do this." She looked back at her friends, who were looking nervous. She turned her attention forward and walked towards whatever Kreia knew was lurking beyond.

After one final look in the mirror, Zanna opened the door of the refresher and immediately ran into someone. "Dammit, Atton!" she cried, hand on her chest. "You scared me half to death."

"Well it's good it was just half, because we still need you for the rest of this trip." He said with a smirk.

"Oh, be quiet," She muttered, pushing her way past him.

He looked at her as she made her way back to her quarters. "Yeah, good to see you, too!" He cried out to her sarcastically. "Oh, it was my pleasure saving you! No need to thank me".

She turned back to him, a smile on her face, and bowed. "Thank you, Atton." She gave him a sincere smile before going back into her quarters.

Atton leaned against the door frame of the refresher, a crooked smile emerging on his face.

"BOOP-BEEP-DOP!"

"Pfassk!" Atton jumped, turning to see T3 standing behind him.

"BEEP-DWOOP-DEEP!" The droid snickered.

"Yeah, haha, very funny." Atton mumbled as he entered the refresher. "Trash compactor." He made his way to the refresher, eager to rinse his face off- being a scoundrel required minimum hygiene; washing one's scruffy face was the bare minimum, which he had acquiesced to doing every day at the request of Zanna. He had barely finished washing his face in the sink when the door flung open. "Geez!" He exclaimed, dabbing his scruffy face with a nearby towel. He saw Mira, arms crossed, and looking sour. "How unlucky of you," he said with a smirk on his face. "One minute earlier and you would've been here to see the-"

"Save it." Mira snapped, hand up as a gesture to stop. "I honestly do not care. About that, anyway." She turned around and swiftly shut the door again.

"Uh, look, Red," Atton said, flushed, "I get it. Like most women I encounter, you're drawn to me."

"Excuse me?"

"And I'm flattered." He shrugged, still smirking. "However, I'm just not into red-heads."

"Oh, get over yourself, you ass." Mira hissed, hands on her hips. "I'm here to talk to you about the Exile."

Atton glared at her, confused. "Are we still calling her 'The Exile'? I thought we were over this after Nar Shaddaa."

"Okay, then let's call her what everyone in the galaxy is calling her- The Bounty."

He laughed. "Red, just because you were hunting her doesn't mean-"

"You know damn well Goto isn't the only one who was eager to send masses of bounty hunters out to get her." She glowered at him. "And you better thank the Force that I was the one who found you all first."

"Could you just get to the point?"

Mira huffed. "The point, you nerfherder, is that you and the Disciple haven't let her be alone for two seconds this whole time. And-" she added, seeing how Atton was about to make an excuse, "I'm not just talking about since he came aboard the last stop. I'm talking about you. Ever since I came aboard, you've been watching her like a kath hound."

"Can you blame me?!" Atton replied defensively. "Like you said so yourself, Red, she's probably got masses of other bounty hunters after her- not to mention the Sith assassins we've already faced on Peragus AND being attacked on Telos AND those damn mercenaries on its restoration zone." They looked at each other in silence, yet the air was filled with tension. He took a step closer towards the bounty hunter, and with a quieter voice, said, "So you bet your little lady ass I'm worried something's gonna happen to her. Especially with that creepy old woman lurking around."

Mira, unafraid of the man towering over her, took a step closer to him. "I'm not here to pick a fight, Rand. All I'm saying is both you and Mical need to cool it." She looked down and mumbled, "Especially since Korriban."

Atton groaned. "Fine. Fine." He stepped aside towards the refresher door. With one final smug look, he added, "I'm still not convinced you don't want this though," gesturing to himself.

"Oh my god. Stop it." She laughed.

"Just trying to lighten the mood, Red!" He called, his voice trailing off.

Zanna sat on her bed, resting her head against the wall behind her. She kept bringing her arms up into her view to check if they were still a ghastly pale color- they were.

Hearing three quick knocks on the door of her quarters, she called out, "Come in!"

The long, slim figure of Visas Marr opened the door so it was slightly ajar. "May I enter?" She asked calmly.

Zanna smiled. "Of course, Visas." As her friend shut the door behind her, she explained, "You know, you don't have to ask for my permission on everything."

"It is... difficult for me, I have not had such kindness shown to me for a long time." Visas' calm voice held a note of sadness. "But thank you, Exile."

"And also, you can call me Zanna."

"Of course."

Zanna stared at Visas, whose eyes were covered by a magenta-toned headdress she always wore. Zanna knew that she was a Miraluka, a race from the destroyed planet of Katarr. The only way she had been allowed to see was through her force sensitivity, which had been how she was able to find Zanna and her companions while on Nar Shaddaa. She was led to believe, however, that Visas wasn't completely blind- at least in a physical sense. "Is everything alright, Visas?"

"Sort of," she replied, sitting down on the bed besides Zanna. "I have felt a change in the force. A change within you."

"Well, I guess I changed a little bit... I mean I look completely different."

Visas looked alarmed. "Different how?"

"My skin, for starters- I look like an albino kath hound," She explained, trying not to sound too sad about it. "And then my eyes..."

"What about them?"

"Well, they're sort of yellow now. I don't know what-"

"Do you realize what this means? What has happened?"

"What- No? I-"

"Zanna, this is the change I mentioned. Acts influenced by the dark side can corrupt your very appearance. The strange thing..." She trailed off.

"What's the strange thing?!" Zanna cried.

Visas looked like she didn't want to talk. Yet she did. "The strange thing is that, usually, such extreme changes in one's physical appearance only occurs after an extremely powerful and dark deed."

Zanna face drained to an even paler white.

Visas faced her companion. "Zanna, what exactly did you experience within that cave?"

"I..I..." Zanna's breathing began to become rapid once again. She quickly stood up. "I have to go." Running out of the room (nearly knocking over T3-M4 in the process: "DEE-DWOOOOP!" he shouted angrily), tears began to flow down her face as she made her way to the exit ramp of the Ebon Hawk. She repeatedly pressed the button to let down the ramp, as if pressing it over and over again would make it go faster. Come on... Come on...

"Zan?" Said a voice from behind her.

"Oh GODS!" She jumped in surprise at the voice, wheeling around to see Atton.

"Why're you leaving?" He asked slowly.

Tears still flowing, she merely shook her head.

"Don't do that. Come on, let's go back to your room."

"V...Visas..." She choked.

"She left. I saw her leave when I came outta the cockpit." He said calmly.

"What's going on?" Bao-Dur had appeared from the workshop, where he usually worked all day. "General! It's good to see you up and well again," he said, spotting Zanna. Bao-Dur and Zanna Hal had both served together during the Mandalorian Wars a few years back. While he was just a tech and she a general, their paths had crossed once again while she, Atton, and Kreia had crash-landed into Telos' restoration zone three weeks prior. The Iridonian/Zabrak alien had helped them escape during that time, and had been with the three the longest.

Regaining composure, Zanna inhaled. "Good to see you too, Bao-Dur."

Atton patted her on the back. "Why don't you go back to your quarters? I'll meet up with you in a second."

She nodded, then walked toward the main hold and entered her quarters. Atton craned his neck to make sure that the door was sealed. "Can I get your opinion on something?" He asked the Iridonian in a hushed tone.

Bao-Dur groaned. "I'm a little busy here. What is it?"

"It won't take more than a minute," Atton assured him.

"All right," Bao-Dur replied, walking back into the garage, "I'll work while you talk."

Atton rubbed his hands together nervously. "Look, your friend, the Jedi- you know her from way back, don't you? How much do you know about her, really?"

Bao-Dur looked up from the workbench he was using. "Zanna? The General? Yeah, during the war, if that's what you mean by way back. Can't say I know too much about her though." He returned his attention to the workbench.

"Better than anyone else on this ship." Atton laughed. "Just... give me your opinion, okay?" And, pointing a finger at his companion, added, "And don't laugh."

"I'm trying to work here, Atton." Bao-Dur mumbled, focused on his repairs.

"I was just wondering if you thought... maybe... she and I might..." He trailed off, still rubbing his hands together in a nervous fit.

Bao-Dur stopped his repairs and looked back at Atton. "You're being serious."

Atton pointed at him again. "You said you wouldn't laugh." He said defensively.

"You are being serious," Bao-Dur said in disbelief. Laughing, he continued. "Atton, she was a general, I was just a tech. Your guess is about as good as mine."

"Well, what's your guess then?"

"I'm getting back to work." Bao-Dur mumbled, shaking his head.

"Hey! I'm being serious here."

Atton hadn't noticed that T3-M4 had made his way once again behind him. A hint of mockery within his whistles and beeps, he exclaimed, "BEEP-BEREEEEEP DEEP!"

"You're laughing at me?" Atton cried in disbelief. "I'll put you on the scrap heap, you rolling tin can!" As he walked away, he could hear Bao-Dur chuckling in the garage.