Ok, here it is: my first fanfic. hope you like it! i'm not sure about continuing... dunno if it's good enough, but the more good comments i get the more i'll write! Basic story about stuff after KOTOR 1 & 2... the jedi want people to stop chasing Revan and the Exile into the unknown regions, like a certain smuggler and loveable medic/jedi we all know and love did.
Anyway please R&R!!! thanks!!
Disclaimer: yawn... i do not own KOTOR 1 OR 2... or any of the characters... i regret to say i deffinately do not own Carth Onasi and his loveable orange jacket:(
"Master… I fear we must discuss this now. The situation has gotten worse. In the last week admiral Onasi has signed papers for temporary leave. He's going after her too. We can't let these three put their lives in danger for one woman! I-" "Master Egan, I am well aware that if the situation is left alone it will most likely get out of hand, as am I fully aware how vital Carth Onasi is to the Republic…but this situation is clouded, and unless you have a plan, I fear it may remain that way for some time. And further more, Master Egan, the other two didn't follow Revan… but another woman… the Exile." The silence that followed Vandar's words filled the whole of the Dantooine enclave. But it was suddenly broken; "Master… there is still one option we haven't considered. I think it may be necessary now." Vandar sighed at these words, "I fear you may be right, my old padawan…"
"Mical! get away from the galaxy map before I hurt you, and appoint the tin-can here my new co-pilot!"
Atton's rants were followed by the disapproving 'beep's and 'boop's of T3-M4. Mical turned around to face Atton with such a perplexed expression on his face that Atton found it hard not to laugh.
"It just seems strange that almost the minute we re-enter the system we get called straight to Telos… almost like we were-"
"Expected?!" Atton finished, "No we weren't expected… maybe by the Jedi, a little, but my guesses tell me they've been scanning space for our ship for quite some time. It was just our miserable luck they actually caught us… what I wanna know is 'why'?"
Mical suddenly darted his eyes over to the back of the pilot's chair where Atton sat silently, secretly praying,
"Please… don't say it…" he pleaded, but Atton rose from his chair, turned to face Mical and said those dreaded words,
"I've got a bad feeling about this…"
Mical groaned and fell into the co-pilot's seat. He was experienced enough to know by that Atton's 'feelings' were usually quite accurate. They both sat there in silence just staring at the swirling blue of hyperspace, silently daring the other to ask the question they had both been thinking but were too proud to ask. Then it came, "Inquisition: What are we to do now, meatbag pilot?"
Atton sighed. It was not easy being in charge.
"We're almost at Telos. I'm preparing the Hawk to re-enter the atmosphere." Atton called back to anyone, or anything that was listening.
There was a familiar bang and yelp from Mical to be heard that forced a smile on Atton's face. Mical always tripped over T3 these days. But Atton's smile quickly vanished at the sight of the maniac droid beside him.
"Query: Meatbag, will you be requiring my assistance for the landing of this craft… as usual?" Atton snorted before answering
"Reply: Oh yes, my tin-can assassin, I do believe, now that the doctoring meatbag is temporarily out of commission I will be in need of you're mediocre piloting skills." He mocked smirking to himself and avoiding eye contact with HK for full emphasis.
"Veiled Threat: You are lucky my master left me with distinct orders not to harm you, meatbag…" At that HK turned and marched out of the cockpit,
"That threat wasn't so veiled!" Atton shouted after him, crazy droid, he turned back and continued to work on the ship's controls.
He loved taking advantage of HK in his current state. HK was not to far away co-piloting and, Atton could have sworn, cursing silently.
HK had just finished his work when Mical bellowed for him, boy Blondie can roar!
Atton could almost swear the droid actually sighed before getting up and leaving Atton alone to his thoughts.
I miss you…we've searched everywhere. Still nothing… where are you? He played with the chain around his neck gently, sighing, I'm not giving up on you… you're out there... you have to be! You can't be…' It was too unbearable even to think
Atton remembered a 'chat' he had had with a hated mandalorian on their way home form Malachore V.
Flash Back
"She's gonna be fine, kid. Relax already, she's tough! Yeesh! What is it with you pilot's worrying about your Jedi?"
Atton found that comment curious but was too worried to press further into the matter. She was hurt… the exile… Izabella, (Izzy) Kino. She left the Ebon Hawk and her crew on Malachore V expecting not to return… and yet she didn't even say goodbye. Mandalore broke their silence with a long sigh,
"You should get used to her not being around, you know…"
At that comment Atton looked up at the helmet, he felt his breath catch,
"Why?" he managed to choke out.
Mandalore snorted at his response, it was obviously expected,
"why?" Atton asked again, this time louder.
"Look, I'm not gonna ruin the surprise on you… and if it's anything like the one Republic got I really wouldn't want to…"
Atton didn't appreciate him beating around the bush. Atton just stared at him,
"Explain." He demanded.
Mandalore looked down at the pilot. His hair was darker, his eyes much different, but he had that same face. The anxious, annoyed face that only Canderous Ordo could get Carth Onasi to pull.
'You still got it Ordo,' he thought to himself.
"Heh, look I'm all for surprises, but I'll tell you this; I know where she's going… just like I didn't know where Revan was going." He said smirking from inside his helmet.
'Wait for it…' Mandalore thought to himself, 'There's that face.'
This was another face apparently both pilots had in common: confusion. Atton thought long and hard for a moment before what Mandalore said had clicked. He stared up wide-eyed at Mandalore,
"You knew… Revan?"
End Flash Back
That memory was coming up a lot lately, along with Atton's thoughts on what he'd do to that filthy mandalorian given the chance. Son of a kath hound… wouldn't even warn me! And who in force name was 'Republic'?
Way too many questions on top of Atton's original suspicions which got much worse when he saw a republic ship waiting to escort him to the citadel station landing docks, Just in and out, Rand. Then it's back to the unknown regions for Izzy! These days Atton hated being thrown off schedule.
Mical came into the cockpit.
"Ready?" he asked. Atton looked up from the controls;
"About as ready as I'll ever be since you took my homicidal co-pilot. Why do you keep taking him away anyway?"
Suddenly Atton was looking at the embarrassed and guilt ridden face of Mical staring back at him.
"I-I just s-set up s-s-some…"
"Spit it out Mical!"
Mical looked down at the floor before continuing. Atton raised an eyebrow, I still freak him out… Score!
"I decided to… trust… your instincts. That feeling about this being some sort of trap. So I programmed HK-47 to shut down."
Atton snorted, "Load of good that'll do."
Mical looked taken aback but continued, "His start up control is voice locked so his memory can't be rearranged, copied or wiped."
Atton hated this but he was actually impressed with Blondie. It must have shown because Mical started grinning,
"Atton… only you can open the voice lock now."
Atton stared up at him in shock, "Me? why?"
Mical sighed, "Because my Jedi trained mind would be too vulnerable to being opened… and I will most likely have my identity and my memory warped after the events I remember from our journeys with the exile. Say her name already! Atton thought, but Mical continued,
"If this is the case then I will be pretty useless…"
Atton snorted, but Mical continued, "HK has been programmed to ask you a question that only you could answer correctly. The Exile must have expected this because she already had a question programmed into HK for you, I was unable to access it though.
"Upon opening it there will be a brief Holo played. It will explain what I think is necessary to know. Atton, odds are the Jedi will give you the Ebon Hawk, because of both you're known smuggling histories, just…without anything you may hold valuable at the moment."
Mical looked down at the chain around Atton's neck. Atton looked down.
"They can pry it from my stone dead body." He spat venomously.
There was a slight rumbling throughout the Ebon Hawk as it re-entered the atmosphere and Mical stood still looking at Atton sympathetically.
He then held out his hand, "Give it to me, Atton."
Atton shot his gaze up, his eyes widening disbelief before focusing on Mical in pure rage.
His voice was shaken as he spoke, "Like I said; 'pry it from my stone dead body."
Mical's eyes were full of understanding as he smiled down, this only agitated Atton further.
"Atton," he began, "I know there isn't enough time for full details, but I'm trying to help. Trust me. the Jedi are going to put you in a deep sleep, and when you wake up you won't remember anything to do with me, the droids, our journeys… or Izzy."
Atton's eyes widened, there's no possible way I could ever forget Izzy! I'd go mad! This is all some Jedi trick… or is it?"So when you wake up, Atton. You're going to need something to remember her by. Trust me and that chain will come back to you."
For the first time since he'd met Mical over a year ago, Atton did trust Mical.
He let out a long, pained sigh and gingerly pulled the chain off over his head, reading the words that had been carved into it before handing it over.
It was part of a two piece set of charms that when joined together read out the full phrase. Izzy had given it to him back on Nar Shadda
Flash Back
Atton sat alone in the cockpit. Izzy was working on her lightsaber in the garage.
'She's going on yet another suicide mission for yet another stupid Jedi master.'Atton sighed,
'And this time… she was going alone…'
They had been given the invitation for Izzy to meet with him alone over an hour ago. She seemed to be taking a lone time working on her lightsaber.
'She's stalling… she's worried.'
Atton got up from the pilot's chair and decided to go check on her. He was exhausted from putting up emotional blocks around her all day, but if she was scared he should go comfort her.
She was in the garage as expected… but not working on her lightsaber.
"You Ok?" Atton asked as he walked over to where she sat.
She was leaning against the wall curled up with her arms wrapped around her legs. 'Now I know she's scared.' He thought to himself.
He sat down beside her and they both basked in eachother's silence for a few minutes. It wasn't uncomfortable, far from it; they usually just sat down without sharing a word between them. Just to let the other know that they were there if they wanted someone to talk.
"I'd…I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared." She suddenly whispered.
Her voice was hoarse as if she'd been crying for the past hour. Then Atton finally looked at her face and realised that she probably was.
Atton did the only thing he could do, he pursued her fear. He was going to chase it down, corner it and get rid of it altogether.
"Why?" he asked gently and with his thumb he pushed a stray piece of hair from her brow.
"I don't know. Being alone is something I'm used to…from being in exile. I've had to face much scarier things in my life on my own… but not since," she sighed, "Not since Peragus… not since I met you…"
Atton wrapped his arm around his waist and pulled her closer to him. In turn she rested her head against his chest and began to play with the fingers on his free hand.
"Hey… I don't care what that squid head says! If you want me to come with you, I will." He said soothingly.
Izzy looked up at him and smiled before cuddling her self up to him again, "Thank you, but you know that can't happen."
Atton saw a tear fall down her face and reached up to wipe it away with his thumb before giving his hand back to Izzy.
"Well then, I think the only way I can help is by a promise…" he said playfully.
Izzy looked up at him curiously, "What kinda promise?"
"The kind a padawan gives his master. The kind a guy gives to a girl," He nudged her head gently before continuing, "When the girl gets worried about nothing."
He gave a lopsided grin to Izzy making her laugh.
"Ok then… what is this promise of yours?" she asked, the colour slowly coming back to her face.
"I, Atton Rand, promise you, 'Izabella Kino but-everybody-calls-me-Izzy', that I will keep a look out for you and make to come after you if you get into any trouble. Ok?"
Izzy beamed up at him and nodded. They both got up, Izzy reminded Atton of his promise before rushing out of the Ebon Hawk.
Rand… I dunno what to say to you. You talked her back into going on her suicide mission yet you're happy she's happy! You are going soft.'
Atton mentally slapped himself and went to leave the room before noticing she'd left something behind
,
"Oh… Frack!"
She was just about to head to the docks when Atton called out to her. She turned around and waited for him to catch up,
"I just wanted to say; be careful. I'm not going to be able to contact you via the comlink and I bet that squid-head knows it."
Izzy smiled, "I'll be careful, I promise Atton."
She smiled that smile that made him want to take her in his arms and make her his. He fought off the urge,
"Look take these, if your suit gets breached you'll need to inject these to prevent the seizures. And trust me once those start you'll be dead."
Izzy looked a little scared, but she gave him a half smile, "Alright, thanks Atton."
Atton went to leave but she called him back.
"Yeah?"
"I have something for you too," she said playfully.
"Oh yeah? Well do I get to decide which cheek I get it on." He asked giving her one of his million credit smiles
Izzy snorted, Atton pretended to be hurt, she laughed.
She's got the cutest laugh.' He thought.
"Anyway… do you want it or not?" she asked eventually.
"How could I say no to you angel."
That made her blush bright pink. She quickly calmed herself, "Alright close your eyes… no peeking!"
Atton laughed as she placed something in his hand and closed it.
"Ok, now don't look at it until I'm gone Ok?" she winked at him,
"Sure thing babe," this time she went crimson.
"Alright well I'll see you later, and remember your promise!" she closed the space between them and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek,
"That's so I know you won't forget your promise."
"What promise?" he joked as she turned around and ran off towards the docks.
Atton opened his hand once she was out of sight. A half heart shaped charm hung from a gold chain. The charm was smooth and made from what seemed to be a lightsaber crystal. The piece Atton had in his hands had the words; Always with you Atton, engraved on it. There was a note too, in Izzy's handwriting, Atton read it;
'I know it's corny… but I split the heart in half. And I'm keeping one piece! Hehe. Just so you know I care! The full heart when put together reads "I'll be always here with you playing pazaak Atton", I hope you like it. anyway you can thank me when your saving me from Visquis… I'll be waiting, love Izzy!'
And the rest… was history…
End Flash Back
That was six months ago, when life was remotely simple. He hadn't taken it of since, until now. Mical smiled a caring smile. On the back of Atton's piece read
'There is emotion,'
Atton smiled remembering that when the pieces were put together it said
'There is emotion, and with it peace.'
Mical disappeared with the chain and Atton suddenly felt like he was actually alone.
The ship landed with a gentle thud and Atton got up, secretly saying his last farewell to the ship and it's memories as he stepped out onto the docks, where he was facing what he thought was an over sized Gizka with a glow stick beside General Grenn until Mical bowed and acknowledged the gerbil as
"Master Vandar."
They made there way down familiar corridors until they reached a large hall. There were a few people Atton didn't recognise, and then the others he recognised immediately; Bao-Dur, Visas Marr, Mira and-
"Mandalore!"
Atton shouted lunging himself at the armoured git. He heard gasps as both men fell to the floor. Atton trying to kill the god-forsaken mandalorian while he just casually held him at arms length. Then there was the opening of doors and suddenly an man in a strange orange jacket was pulling Atton off Mandalore, but not before Atton gave one swift kick at his head knocking his helmet off and revealing,
"Canderous!" Atton heard the strange man hiss behind him.