I don't own Kotor, Bioware does.

I woke up to the sound of alarm. At first I had no idea where I was or what the hell was happening. Then it hit the home and I literally jumped out of the bed. From the large window I could see sith fighters and flashes of laser beams around the ship.

"Sith?" I whispered, but not actually heard myself over the alarm. An explosion rang in my ears and I saw a pile of ignited debris swept by the window, getting closer to the Endire Spire. Another loud blast sounded through the ship as it shook violently.

The door opened. I turned around, half-expecting to see a soldier in golden uniform. I couldn't hide my relief when I stood face to face with Trask. He was rather pale though and his brow was bleeding. I noticed his left elbow was burnt, probably by blaster bolt. Apart from that he seemed to be alright. "You're awake! Why aren't you dressed yet? No, we have no time for that. The Sith have boarded the ship, we have to go to the bridge to help Bastila!"

"Wait, Trask, what ha…"

"No time!" he repeated as he shoved one of his blasters into my hands. "Take this and let's go."

Confused and almost half-naked as I was only in shorts and an old tank-top I hurried after him. "I thought we were in hyperspace, what happened?" I asked, not actually paying attention to where we were going.

Fortunately Trask wasn't as careless as me. He stretched his arm to stop me before I heedlessly jumped right in front of barrels of two Sith soldiers. He opened fire at them, hiding behind the corner. He proved to be skilled shooter as he took both soldiers down before I noticed. Then he turned back to me.

"What was that? You just almost got yourself killed!"

"If you had told me how bad the situation is, I would have been more careful!"

Another explosion shot through the corridors and we could hear remote sounds of battle. "What happened?" persisted.

"Didn't you hear Carth? He contacted every member of the crew."

"I was sleeping!"

"It was a trap. We were lured into battle and outmatched. Now the only thing we can do is to defend this ship long enough for Bastila to get to the escape pods."

I nodded. "Getting there won't be easy. Lead the way."

Without other delays we started to make our way to the bridge. As I said, it was difficult. We had to shot our way through as there were more Sith soldiers then those of the republic. Actually every our soldier we met was either dead or ended up dead. The battle for the Endire Spire was nearing to its end, and we were not victorious.

"Hell, there's so many of them," I grunted as I ripped off part of my shirt to wrap it around Trask's arm.

"You don't have to do that. It's just a scratch," he protested.

"Yeah, pretty deep scratch. We need to be at our best if we want to get through this. But if you prefer to bleed to death…" I shrugged. A ghost of smile appeared on his face as he looked around. We were hiding in one of the lounges near the bridge. Probably it used to be pretty nice place to relax after one's duty was over. Before we tossed a frag grenade inside it had a comfortable sofa and few armchairs, the walls had been white and there had been huge aquarium in the middle of the room. The water was now covering the floor and fish were dead. As well as any Sith inside.

"We don't have time for that."

"The evacuation was not ordered yet. They still hold the bridge," I opposed as I finished patching him up. "There, it should do."

But when I finished the sentence we heard that soldier again, Carth Onasi, informing us to immediately get out of the ship.

"Were you saying, honey?" Trask asked with broad smile as we both rose to our feet.

"Where are the closest escape pods?"

Despite the odds we managed to get to the bridge in one piece. As we expected, Bastila was gone and everyone who'd stayed was slaughtered. Since we had the element of surprise it was easy to take down the handful of soldiers that were supposed to guard it here.

"Two headshots? I wouldn't want to stand in a fight against you, sister," Trask stated as we entered the bridge. "What are you doing?" he asked. Instead of heading towards the other door leading to the escape pods I knelt beside one of the corpses. "We have no time for that. With Bastila gone, there's nothing to stop them from blowing Spire into galactic dust!"

"This wound, it's from the lightsaber," I said.

"Of course, we saw a dark Jedi on our way here, don't you remember? Come on, we have to get out of here!"

"I don't think they sent only one dark Jedi. And since I see no corpse of other apprentice here, this one had to follow Bastila as she retreated."

"What of it, we have to move!"

"There's only one way to the escape pods from here. What if she didn't kill him? He might still be there. We will run into him."

"Perhaps we will. But we'll die anyway if we won't move now. We'll worry about the Sith later." He didn't wait for me and ran towards the doors leading to the escape pods.

"Better save than sorry," I said and pulled a vibroblade from the hand of a nearby dead Sith.

We were almost there. We had to get through only few more corridors before we could finally get out of here. But it wasn't meant for us to leave. At least not for the both of us.

"You were right," Trask murmured as we stopped in our tracks only to look at another dark Jedi standing in the the middle of the corridor.

"We don't have to pass him by, the pods are this way," I looked at the door at our left.

"We'll never make it there. They are fast," Trask opposed me and watched the Sith getting closer.

"I know," I answered and tightened the grip on the vibroblade. "Maybe I can hold him off, I…"

He looked at me. "Never." That was the last thing he ever said. He wrestled the blade out of my hand and shoved me towards the door. It opened on its own accord and so I had nothing to stop me. When I managed to turn around, the door was closed again and locked. "Trask!" I screamed and hit the door few times with my fist as if it could unlock it. "Trask, you idiot! He'll kill you! Open the damn…!" Sparkles burst out as the Sith's lightsaber cut right through the substantial iron door burning my left wrist in the process. I immediately sprung back clutching the hand to my chest.

"Trask…" I murmured and only watched in horror as the red blade started to move downwards. Then I turned around and headed on the other side of the corridor. I tried to ignore the throbbing pain in my hand as I opened another door and went on. I crossed the last room between me and freedom, overstepping dead bodies without as much as a blink. The kills were fresh, but I had no time to worry about it.

I heard a sound as if something heavy hit the floor. Fast steps were echoing through the silent ship as the Sith followed me.

The door in front of me opened and revealed a small room with empty pod stations on its left side. "Finally! I was beginning to fear you'd never make it!" a man in orange vest greeted me. I recognized him. We met in the communication room only mere hours ago. He mistook me for some "Ana".

I nodded. "Yeah, I was thinking that too for a second. Let's go, we're running out of time before that Sith storms in here," I said blankly and headed to the last escape pod, Carth followed me. As soon as the pod closed it was ejected into the space. Everything went silent.

I leaned in and closed my eyes. Until it gets blown up. So much for a routine mission, hell! And now we'll end up on Taris… "We're screwed, Carth," I said silently. "Taris is under Sith quarantine. There's no way we can get out of the planet without help."

He frowned slowly, taking his time before he answered. "How do you know that?"

The pod began to tremble as it entered the atmosphere. "There are hundreds of Sith down there, not to mention the blockade. Oh…crap that hurts…" I clenched my teeth.

"Did they shoot you?"

"It was the dark Jedi," was all I said. And it was the last thing I remembered before the pod landed on the surface.

The ship was dark and quiet. The utter opposite of the hell outside. I stood on the bridge, waiting. I had sensed their presence the minute they boarded my ship. The idea was clever, but they highly underestimated me. To think I would be too preoccupied with the battle outside to notice them…wishful thinking.

I had ordered my guards not to attack them, so they would have clean path. I was afraid they would find that suspicious. But they fell for it. And when I heard them behind me, I had to shake my head in disbelieve.

"You cannot win, Revan!" I heard a familiar voice. I turned around slowly, both lightsabers in my hands, to greet my former friend. She was paler than usual and I could sense her fear.

There were only three of them, naïve.

The youngest of the Jedi pointed her yellow lightsaber at me as if it could threaten me.

"I'll give you one more chance, Bastila. Turn around and leave. Your death is not what I seek," I said loudly.

"There's no turning back and you kno…" the rest of her sentence was drown in sound of an explosion somewhere on lower decks.

"What happened?"

"It's Predator, sir! She's firing at…"

Everything disappeared in a flash of bright light.

My head…was killing me. I moaned softly and touched my brow. I felt bondages under my palm. What the…? I opened my eyes and saw my hand, it was patched too!

What…where am I? I looked around. I was lying on the bed in a room I had never seen before. The window was dirty and the light which came through was dim, it barely lighted the room.

On the other side I saw another bed (empty but recently used), ordinary plastic table and several old armchairs. Three doors led from the room and I suspected the largest one to be the front door. It looked like some kind of cheap flat.

I sat up and swung my legs off the bed, very slowly. Every muscle in my body protested and hurt as I did so. I felt a sharp pain from my right hip, it was bandaged too. I was cold; someone stripped me to my underwear. I tried to remember what happened or how I got there. "I was on the ship…" I whispered. My voice sounded strange to my ears and was hoarse as if wasn't speaking for quite some time.

"Ah, finally you're awake," I hear a soft voice. I looked up. In one of the doors a man around his late thirties appeared. He wore dark trousers and a black T-shirt and had an orange vest over his shoulder. I noticed two holsters with blasters at his waist as he was slowly getting closer.

Who is that? I never met him. That was sure. I would remember him otherwise. He had a dark brown hair and eyes, stubble on his face and a slight smile. His figure was athletic. If the circumstances were different I might consider him handsome.

"You must be pretty confused," he stated and as he passed by one of the armchairs he left his vest over its backrest. "These past few days you kept waking up and falling unconscious again. You had to have terrible nightmares too, you were trashing wildly in your sleep. I was afraid you'd hurt yourself," he went on. He sounded familiar. "Do you remember any of what happened?"

I shook my head; my neck hurt too, hell. I touched it with my right hand. "I remember the ship."

"Yeah, well, do you remember the escape pod? We crashed here, on the planet's surface. Your seatbelts split and you hit your head," he shrugged and pointed at me. "You were unconscious but fortunately I was uninjured. I managed to get us out of there before the Sith arrived. I was lucky I stumbled upon this empty apartment. When I considered it save to leave you alone for a while, I got you a doctor and something clean to wear."

Then I finally started to remember. "Carth Onasi," I said slowly. "The decorated war hero of the Mandalorian wars. You got a medal for saving more than half of Serroco's population."

"So you do remember," he asked looking rather relieved.

"Yes, I…thanks. I think I owe you my life."

"Keep your thanks. I have never left anyone behind, nor I ever will," he said curtly. "How are you feeling?" he added, his tone and expression were much softer this time.

Dead… "Fine, really. I'm fine."

"Great," he smiled and pointed at a pile of clothes at the bed-foot. "Get dressed then. We have to find Bastila and some way off this planet. The sooner we start the better."

"Bastila?" I asked as I reached for the clothes. Simple black pants and a grey long-sleeved T-shirt. But everything was better than running around in my underwear. "That Jedi," I remembered. "She was in my dream."

"What?"

"Nothing," I shook my head. And regretted it the minute I did so. I could literally feel my brain floating in my skull. "Do you have any slightest idea of her whereabouts?" I asked instead and started to dress myself. Carth stood with his back to me to give me some privacy.

"Sort of. While you were out I was scouting. Some pods landed in the Undercity, so maybe we should start our search there."

"How can you know she's still alive?"

"If we survived, she should have too. She's a Jedi, remember?"

"And if Sith has captured her?"

"We're screwed." Short and accurate. "If someone can help us to get out of here, it's her. She had this…ability called battle meditation. Using the Force she can help change the course of battles. She's very important in the war against Malak and the Sith."

"Okay, you can turn back now." I was dressed, finally. It took me about twice as long as usually. I'm useless with only one hand.

"Great," he smiled and beckoned me to move closer. He put a belt with two holsters around my waist and helped me to fasten it.

"Where did you get the guns?" I asked.

He shook his head and took on his orange vest. "We have to be careful. The Sith forces are looking for us, so we have to keep low profile. Especially if we meet some dark Jedi. I heard the Force can do terrible things to the mind. Like wipe away your memories and destroy your very identity."

I looked at him, frowning a little. "Come on, you're just pulling my leg right now. That sounds impossible."

He shrugged and put his hands in his pockets. "That's what I heard."
"Then you heard wrong. That's not how the Force works. It can wipe away your memories and make you do something you'd never do otherwise, true. But it cannot change your personality, at least not entirely. It wouldn't change the way you think, speak or move. You'd still have the same priorities." His expression was changing during my speech. At first he looked surprised, then he frowned slowly and utter disbelief was what I could read in his face. Something else was there too, but wasn't sure what it meant. "How do you know all these things?"

I bit my lips when the realization hit me. "Some Jedi told me during the war. We discussed it over our meals. Strange, I know, but surely you remember what it used to be like back there. We tried to talk about everything that came to our minds just the forget what was happening around us," I shrugged

It was a lie, utter and complete lie. I had no idea where this knowledge came from or when. It wasn't during the war for I never talked to any of the Jedi. I stick to hanging out with other soldiers.

"Strange indeed," was all he said as he headed towards front doors.

Well…he didn't fell for that, I thought and followed him. I was limping because of the wound on my hip. He noticed that and slowed down a little, waited for me to catch him up. "You said you were okay."

I nodded slightly. "I'm not about to faint or something. I just can't move that fast," I retorted. We were walking down the corridor of this building and I didn't fail to notice we were the only humans here.

"Good to know, Raven," he answered blankly.

I looked at him curiously. "How do you know my name? I haven't…"

"I read your service records back on the ship, pretty impressive by the way. With records like that you could have had any position on any ship you'd wanted. Why the Endire Spire?"

"They wanted me, not the other way around," I shrugged. "Although I have no idea why. Where did you say we were going?" I asked to change the topic.

"Doctor. He wanted to see you after you woke up."

The sun was setting as we walked out of the apartment building. It casted long shadows over Upper City's platforms but in spite of that the air was still pleasantly warm. The shadows together with majestic skyscrapers made this place look gracefully and nobly. One might even call it romantic, but not me. I was far too well aware of its true nature to think that. I'd never been to Taris before, but Gurnay made the image crystal clear to me when we last talked.

"It's this way, just across this platform on the right," Carth instructed me.

"How long was I out by the way?" I asked.

"Four days," he said.

I stopped watching people around me and looked at him. "What?" I gasped. "Whole four days?" I touched the bandage on my head. "That must have been hell of a landing."

Carth stopped me and pointed at the other side of the platform. I could recognize a remaining of something that probably used to be an escape pod. It was guarded by two armed sith soldiers. "Oh…that's a pretty pile of debris," I whispered faintly.

"Exactly," he nodded. He caught my elbow to get me moving again as he led me inside building on our right. After he opened the door we appeared in a dark narrow corridor with seats alongside its walls. It ended in large room with a door on its right side which had "staff only" written on it. The examination table and several colto tanks were on our left, which was where doctor and his assistant were right now as well. Carth went to speak to the doctor immediately while I went to the young boy with short blond hair and grey eyes.

"You'll get yourself killed one day if you keep this up," Gurnay greeted me with sad expressions in his eyes, but then he smiled and carefully took me in his arms. I smelled the typical hospital scent on him.

Carth, even though he was still talking to the doctor, glanced our way with cautious gleam in his eyes.

"That's not my fault this time, I swear," I smiled and still refused to let him go. It felt so good to be that close to somebody I know. If there was anyone on this planet I could trust it was Gurnay.

"I know. I heard about the battle and the escaped pods, everyone did actually," he mused. "They're looking for you. They've searched this place twice already since then."

"Then we shouldn't be here. We could get you into trouble," I frowned and looked over my shoulder to see what Carth was doing. I saw him disappear in the corridor which had led us here.

"Nonsense, Miss," the doctor said, moving towards me and Gurnay. "We are here to help people no matter who their boss is."

I smiled and looked at the man. He was much older than me, with dark skin, hair and eyes. "That's nice of you to say, but I don't think you should spread this motto of yours."

He chuckled and nodded. "True, true. How are you feeling?"

"Great," I smiled.

"You told that to your friend. He doesn't seem to believe you tough."

"He doesn't seem to believe anything I say," I rolled my eyes.

"Raven," Gurnay gave a reproachful look. "She was limping," he addressed the doctor.

I sighed in defeat. "Okay, I can't walk properly, I've got a headache and my hand," I raised it in the air, "as well as every single muscle in my body hurts like hell. Not to mention that hip. What would you recommend me, doctor? A rest? A few days without any strain or stress? I cannot afford it. The whole planet is looking for me and my comrade and sooner or later the will find us unless we get out of here, real fast."

To my surprise, Gurnay grinned and looked at the doctor. "I told you so."

"So?" Carth asked as soon as I left the doctor's office.
"The head's okay. He gave me a madpack so that I could at least walk normally, but the hand's still little out of use," I said as we left the buildings looking at the mentioned limb wrapped in a clean dressing.

"Good, I'll need you at your best."

I grunted. "Hm, thanks for your compassion," I murmured. "Where are we going now?"

"A canteen. We need more intel before we can actually do anything. Besides the Sith guard every way leading into the Lower City. We need a way to bypass them somehow. I was thinking about getting ourselves a Sith uniforms maybe."

"I'd punch the guard in the face. That always works."

Corners of his mouth slightly perked up. "You think there would be only one of them?"

I shook my head. "Nope, two. One for me, the other for you."

He chuckled and shook his head. "I wish it was that easy."

That sight was a bit surprising. He looked differently when he wasn't grooming and frowning. "That's great. You should do that more often," I said as I looked at him.

My words confused him. "What do you mean?"

"Smile. It becomes you," I answered. The look he gave me…it was full of sadness and pain. I was just trying to be nice and yet somehow I achieved the exact opposite. "Carth?"

Whatever I saw in his face was gone within a heartbeat. "You should focus more on the task at hand and less on me," he retorted.

Great job, Raven.

I really had to upset him. He was lost in his thoughts for the rest of the journey. Why did he react that way? Maybe it was this place. He was there longer than me as I was unconscious and perhaps it took its toll. True, it was beautiful. But the beauty was hollow. Taris was like a juicy red and apple with an ugly worm inside. After all, I don't think I would be extremely happy after four days on my own on such a place, especially while being wanted like a criminal.

I shot a worried glance over him. His was tensed. His face was unreadable and his eyes were focused on the way in front of him.

Or maybe it was me. I would never forget that strange expression he wore on his face when we first met. And the way he called me; Ana. He said he'd mistaken me for her. Does that mean I look like her? Hm…who are you, Ana? Maybe someone he cared for. Someone he lost, perhaps. And if this is the case he now sees me as a painful reminder of her.

I sighed and looked at his back as he walked few steps ahead of me. I really shouldn't think about it, it's none of my business.

Anyhow, he didn't spoke a single word to me unless we were finally in the canteen.

It was loud, dirty place full of smoke and smell of sweat and alcohol. I had troubles hear the music, made by some local band, over the shouting from one corner, where bunch of Pazaak players wanted to lose all of their salaries. The game never interested me that much; I was always more of a Dejarik fan.

People around were absorbed in eating, drinking and cheerful talking. Those who wouldn't fit in any of the categories were here to simply watch half-naked Twi'leck dancers, who were sensually shaking what they've got on the stage.

Carth looked around, completely ignoring the dancers which genuinely took me by surprise. "We should split."

"Split?" I repeated. I had to shout. "I don't think I like the idea!"

"We'll cover larger area that way. Try not to stand out and you'll be okay!" was all he said before he headed from me.

"You'll be okay, ha! Easy for him to say. No one will grope his ass."

Carth was trying to make his way through the crowd and as he went past a young black-haired waitress she couldn't help but look back at him. And I definitely doubt she was admiring his haircut. "Or would they?" I added with a sly smile. Not bad…ah, come on, Raven, focus.

I shook my head to get rid off the image as I went to search the place for…well…I had no idea what I was supposed to look for exactly. Okay, I could hide at the bar for some time and than dupe Carth into believing I was trying to gather some information, but failed. Hm…I only hope he'll fall for it this time.

I didn't to want to drink, I just wanted to sit down and rest a little, perhaps chat with regulars. I knew I should have been looking around for possible clues, but I had no desire to do so.

Besides I don't think he's looking for anything right now either, I continued my inner monologue. I bet he's drinking. Maybe it'll loosen him up a bit. That would be great. It would be easier to lie to him. But who knows? Perhaps I won't have to lie. Maybe a Sith will come to talk to me and after a minute or two he'll reveal all of their little secrets…heh, not likely!, I chuckled.

"A credit for your thoughts?" The voice belonged to a man about the same age as me who sat down on the bar stool right beside me. He was dressed casually and had a glass filled with some blue liquid in his hand.

I pulled away from him slightly. "Excuse me?"

"Sorry, I was watching you from the other side of the bar and saw you smiling and then was like: My got, she must be thinking about something really great. Or somebody maybe. And my curiosity got the better of me so I had to ask," he spilled out. "I'm Yum, by the way," he stretched his hand towards me.

I looked at it. "Eh, Yum…" I was about to decline his obvious offer to chat, but one thing stopped me. On his hand there was a comlink…win a sith emblem on it! "I'm Raven, pleased to meet you," I changed my tune and accepted his hand. I tried so hard not to, but I had to start laughing. It was incredibly absurd!

"What's the matter?"

"Oh, nothing, really," I smiled and combed my hair with my fingers. "I was just thinking how great it would be if I had someone to talk to and here you are."

"I aim to please," he chuckled.

He was a little naïve kind of guy. After I ensured him that I have absolutely nothing against the Sith, he practically told me everything about him, local Sith base and its day-to-day. And he told me about the escape pods. The good news was: they hadn't capture Bastila. When they had gotten to the crash side, everybody had been long gone. That meant Bastila was still somewhere in the Under City. But apart from that he was boring.

"Hey, I had a great time talking to you, but I have yet some things to do. I gotta go now," I shrugged and stood up.

"Um...wait, Raven? Don't you…I mean…What are you doing tonight?" he stuttered.

Wait a minute…no, thanks. "Tonight? Well…"

"You know some of my friends are throwing a party and I'd really like you to come. It starts at ten in the evening right after our schifts are over. Which is funny because we'd have to come straight from the base to get there in time. It will be the first time I'd go to any party in my uniform," he laughed.

That changed my mind. "I'd love to come."

End of chapter 2, thanks for reading :)