Greetings readers of mine ! I'm a little new at this so...I realize now that I forgot the famous 'disclaimer' routine. So here it is :
Disclaimer : I own neither Kotor nor Firefly, the former because I'm not from Lucas Arts, the latter because NOBODY PWNS FIREFLY !
On an unrelated topic, many thanks to my first reviewer ever, jediavatar, and worry not, I shall keep it up for as long as I can !
And now for the main attraction. May your sight live long and prosper.
Chapter 2 : On board
It's been two days, and I withdraw all my misgivings about this mission. This is fun ! Not the official part, that is, but when I'm off-duty...let's say that security around here isn't very tight. Except when the Jedi are around, but they're easy to locate. I also met a strange man with a high enough rank not to be forced to wear the uniform. Though he seems to have gotten infected with the virus of bad taste. Years in the military will do that to you. I gathered that his name is Commander Carth Onasi, a war hero whose role here is only as a consultant. A consultant ! Poor guy. He has to obey an unexperienced Jedi padawan and all he can do is try to talk her out of the most blatant errors she sets her mind to make. I don't know that from him personally, it's a combination of gossip, overheard conversations and my own imagination.
The rhythm isn't hard at all. By that, I mean I'm accustomed to much, much worse. Here we're fed thrice a day with some - granted - unappealing but edible mush. All the others find it disgusting, but I don't. Because I don't eat it. Digestion slows me down. Still, we have beds to sleep in. We can shower every day ! Doesn't mean I'm doing it, I don't like water. Plus I fear I'm going to get soft if I keep this up.
Chip's mission went well as far as I know. I saw the modifications he made in my file, I'm very satisfied. Somebody from human resources noticed the problem and I could just roll on the floor laughing my head off at the panicked recruits from security. Oh yeah, he's good. He left them with a virus to spice it up a little. They don't stand a chance.
Unfortunately, I got caught making bets with another crewman on Pazaak, which apparently is frowned upon, and I was sent to the brig for disrespect. I'll admit that some of my arguments as to why forbidding such an innocent hobby is downright stupid may have hurt some people's feelings, but hey, they shouldn't have hired pussies in the first place !
And so here I am, bored out of my mind, sitting on the floor of my cell. Chip won't talk to me, he's sulking because he was looking forward to seeing the game but didn't get the chance. It's probably for the best, I don't want to have him confiscated. Then I'd be bored AND alone !
Suddenly, the ship is shaken to its very core and explosions ring out from everywhere. I'm thrust forward and bump my head on the wall. Ow.
«Well then, seems we're under attack. The day just got very interesting ! I rejoice. Chip, stop sulking, there's action underway.
-I am not sulking ! he protests rather vehemently.
-Whatever, if this gets bad, and I'm almost positive it will, we'll have to slice our way through these doors then get our things and the hell out. So prepare yourself.
-I trust you already located the escape pods ?
-Naturally, who do you think I am ?
-Firefly, who else ?
-That's the spirit.»
As soon as I get ready to do some hardcore lock-picking the door swishes open and I find myself in front of Trask Ulgo, Lord of the Obvious. He's my roommate so I did my research. He's an idealist, that I can respect, and he's a fairly good fighter if service records are (well, were) anything to go by. Not much experience in combat, and he tends to rant when he's nervous. An annoying trait in situations like this one.
«We're under attack ! he shouts. A Sith ambush, we're outnumbered ! We have to go find Bastila and protect her !»
You don't say. Wait, what ?
«Hey, you may not know it, but I'm not security so she's not my responsibility, got it ? I'm out of here and if you have two functioning brain cells you'll do the same.
-You swore an oath like everyone else did ! he objects, outraged. You have to do your duty, and it consists of protecting the Republic's only hope !»
An oath ? Funny, I don't remember swearing one. I must've been drunk or something. Doesn't mean I can't drive one Trask Ulgo crazy because of it.
«Oh, aren't you cute ! I coo. You still believe in oaths...well I know better, thanks for opening the door for me !»
Now he looks as if he's ready to explode. I told you, idealist. But when I want to go past him, he blocks my way.
«How about like this, he sneers. I have the gun, so I tell you what you'll do.
-Good, you're learning ! I praise. That's how you get results. Alright then, let's go and find Bastila, thus saving our precious Republic from an almost certain downfall !
-Smartass» he mutters and I grin.
On the bright side, he steps away and I can get out.
«You stuff's in that footlocker. Hurry and gear up ! he says.
-Relax, it's not far to the escape pods from here.
-But Bastila...
-Will be there if she doesn't have a death wish. Think, man, that's the key to victory.
-Shut up.»
I chuckle and sprint through the next door, surprising poor Trask by my velocity. I let him catch up with me and we run through the corridor while I set Chip in position.
«I hope you're armed, Trask tells me.
-You'll be disappointed, I state.
-What ?!
-As I said, I'm comm, not security. I don't have a weapon ! All I have is a fork and a pocket knife.
-Just my luck, he sighs. Fine, stay behind me.
-Two living beings behind that door, Chip chimes in. I'd say enemies, but do check before you do anything stupid, will you ?
-Me ? Stupid ? I ask innocently.
-Who else ? he retorts.
-Trask, would you mind...?»
Trask, blaster pistol in hand, opens the door with his security code and stands in front of me. I must admit, he's no coward.
Chip was right, the two persons are not allies. I watch in disbelief as both miss Trask by at least a meter. The Republic soldier doesn't fare much better. It just makes me want to crawl in a hole an weep for humanity.
«Chip, what have we gotten ourselves into ? I depress.
-A stalemate it seems, he answers loyally. There are two ways to escape this impasse : get out or tip the balance.
-Yeah I know, and as much as it repulses me, I'll have to go with the second choice.
-I figured» he states smugly.
Alright, throwing time. Fork armed and ready...now ! And that's a headshot ! I would celebrate but then my surprise attack would be wasted. I spring in front of Trask, stunned like the others. I seize the opportunity to cover the short distance that separates me from my enemies and get a good punch in one's face, then kick him in the stomach and finish him off by shoving him into the wall. By the time the other one recovers, I'm already facing him. I can see in his eyes that he's panicking. Obviously, he's just a greenhorn, like Trask over there. Too bad, I'm not. I punch him in the chin and he's out like a light. I pick up my fork, their weapons and medkits. That's all they have of interest, so I quickly get going.
«Come on Trask, we have a Jedi to save ! I mock. And close your mouth, the fish look doesn't suit you.»
Just when he puts himself together our communicators give a shrilling ring. I knew I didn't like those toys. I answer nonetheless, if only so that it shuts up. A hoarse voice cracks from it with a background of blaster shots and battle cries.
«This is Carth Onasi, need backup on the bridge. Get in here, fast ! Out.»
We put the communicator down. Trask looks at me with newfound determination.
«That was Carth Onasi, a war hero from the Mandalorian wars ! he deems important to inform me. If he says it's bad, then it is. We have to get there and help him !
-No, really ? And here I thought that guy was the Selkath Prime minister and that everything was all well and good - after all, we're only losing the battle for our ship, no biggie.
-I think I hate you.
-Don't worry, I suspected it for quite some time.
-Shut up. Let's go.»
Reluctantly I follow him to the bridge.
«Anything Chip ? I ask.
-Five humanoid creatures in the next room, he says. They are firing at each other. There is also a utility droid in the corner.
-Thanks, could you help with the shooting please ?
-I could try, but it would be better with the motion sensor you promised me !
-I haven't forgotten, don't worry. Please ?
-I'll do my best.»
Trask is looking at me as if I'd grown another head. I must look like I'm talking to myself, so I suppose it's understandable. I put a pair of glasses on, which are in fact screens where Chip can point out dangers or targets to me. Chip himself is attached to my left shoulder and activates his energy shield. Just in case.
«Ready ? Go !»
Trask and I go around the corner that leads to the next room. Out of the five people only three are still standing, and all three are unfortunately against us. Trask shoots one in the arm, I take aim from my corner. Chip shows me their sensitive points and I hit one in the artery, the other one in the eye. This is bound to get messy. The last one surrenders so he gets to live. We take their weapons, the survivor runs away. I warn him that if we see him again, I'll kill him. I think he got the message. The door on the right leads to the bridge.
«No living beings over there, Chip informs me. They're either dead or elsewhere.
-Maybe there's loot, I figure. Let's check it out while we're here.
-Loot ? What are you talking about ? Trask shouts, scandalized. We're here to help commander Onasi !
-Well he's not in there anymore so let's grab everything useful and get to the pods» I reply a little annoyed at the boy's borderline fanatism.
I open the door to help my case. Indeed there are several corpses of both sides. But I especially notice the officers' footlocker which doesn't seem to have been emptied. I shoot the lock and open it. Medkits, some armor, look at that ! And a beautiful vibroblade, well balanced, sharp and dent-less. Trask is disappointed but I don't really care. We decide to head directly to the escape pods, speeding up when the impacts on the ship start again with renewed force. For about ten seconds we aren't able to walk straight, then it calms down somewhat and we run for our lives.
«Status report ? I ask Chip.
-The ship won't take much more hits. At this rate, I think you have about five minutes before she explodes.
-That's reassuring, thank you.
-You work better under pressure anyway.
-Yeah, right.»
I accelerate again before I realise that Trask isn't following. He's just that slow. Guess he never really had to make a hasty retreat. I did on multiple occasions so I know the drill. With the right motivation I could outrun a speeder. I wait for him and decide to encourage him.
«Alright Trask, come on ! It's time to run, you can't allow yourself to think ! One goal : get out as fast as possible. You can do it, it's written in your genes ! Repeat yourself that, or sing in your head, whatever, just run !»
He doesn't answer, I don't expect him to. But it works as he catches up with me and we continue at a reasonable speed to the exit.
«Lightsaber duel up ahead, Chip warns me.
-Got it.»
I tell Trask and I can feel him opening his mouth to give me some obvious advice.
«That fight's too much for us, we shouldn't get involved !» he says.
I simply nod : no matter how hard I try this guy will never learn. Well, like I said, he's nervous. The sound of the battle reaches my ears before we get to see it. A Jedi and a Sith, slashing at each other with their glow sticks without even making an effort to make it nice to watch. So far no one has scored a hit, they're merely demonstrating their skill with the blade. I recognise some of the maneuvers; after all I've seen more than my fair share of fights, but I don't see any 'Force powers' come in action. I'm a little disappointed. I spot a weakness in the Sith's defense - a gaping hole actually. I'm not going to fire from my pistol, that would just be idiotic, but I might score with my knife. It's been made out of the same material as vibroblades, it shouldn't get cut if he tries to block it with his lightsaber. Now, aim...and throw !
Somehow he senses the danger and draws his blade up to parry my attack. But that opens another breach in his swordplay and the Jedi is more than happy to take advantage of it. The Sith dies like any other human - which proves that they aren't that superior after all. The Jedi throws me back my knife and nods in appreciation. I grin. Trask facepalms but says nothing.
«DON'T MOVE ! Chip yells at me. INCOMING ENEMY FIRE !»
I brace myself and want to warn the others but I don't get the chance. There's an explosion and the ceiling falls on the poor Jedi who gives only a surprised 'eep' before she goes down. I release my breath.
«That was close, thanks bud, I owe you one !
-Nothing personal, I don't want to die either. But I will collect in time.
-Right.»
And off we go. For an invaded ship, this one is pretty empty. I suppose you take the time to evacuate your troops before you blast your target into pathetic little particles of dust. This means that, one way or the other, Bastila's off the ship. Turn left, jumps over some debris, pick up a backpack from the corpse of an officer. There's a door on the right but we are interested in the corridor right in front of us. Well, should be. Trask decides to check the door out. Before I have the time to tell him off, he uses his security codes and in a swoosh, there's a dark clad figure turning to face us.
«Another dark Jedi ! Trask exclaims. I'll try to hold him off, you get to the escape pods ! Go !»
Whaaaaa...? He locks the door behind him. I hear him shouting 'for the Republic !' and a lightsaber coming to life. Well I won't stay around to see the results. I'm out of here.
«Do you know what his chances of survival are ? Chip humors me.
-Absolutely none, I answer. He didn't even take a vibro with him.
-Correct ! he applauds. And do you know our chances of survival ?
-High enough, I don't need more than that.
-There was a time when you tolerated only precise figures as an answer, he remarks.
-That was when I WASN'T RUNNING FOR MY LIFE YOU DUMBASS !
-No need to be rude, I was merely stating a fact. Anyway, you may be interested to know that your communicator's ringing.»
I curse. Still running I grip the comm and answer.
«Firefly here.
-This is Carth again. I'm tracking your position through the Endar Spire's life-support system.
-How is that relevant ?!
-Never mind. Bottom line, Bastila escaped and you're the only one I could locate that's still alive. There's one pod left, I'm waiting for you, hurry up ! Carth out.»
The nerve of that guy ! First, he gets me away from the pods to go help him with a battle that finished long before I got there, and now he tells me to hurry to the pods ? Nevertheless, it's nice to see that he waited at least. I run past a very surprised Sith trooper and arrive to the room before the one with the pods. My comm chimes at the same time as Chip.
«Well, what do you know, you escaped approximately 63% of the death scenarios I had imagined for you so far !» my computer announces cheerfully.
That settles it, I'm answering my comm.
«Be careful, Carth's voice whispers. The next room is full of Sith soldiers so a frontal assault would be near suicide - unless you're a crack shot, but I doubt it.
-Yeah well what am I supposed to...hey, I know, don't worry. I'll be in there shortly. Out.»
There's a terminal in here ! And that my friends is my ticket to freedom ! I get in very quickly - seriously 'fotheRepublic9876', what kind of password is that ? I give the order to overload the circuits and watch on the security footage fry the bastards who stood in my way. Serves them right. I open the door, loot the bodies and get to the escape pods. I run into Carth, sending him on the floor. I disregard him, he's a war hero, he'll be all right, and jump in the pod. He joins me shortly and shoots me a dirty look. Then he punches in the launch sequence while I strap myself in.
«Did you know that 32,4% of the Republic escape pods are faulty and that in 81 % of those pods the problem turns out deadly for the users ? Chip comments happily.
-Surprisingly enough I didn't, I reply dryly. Thanks though, it gives me a perfect opportunity to, you know, FREAK THE HELL OUT !
-You are very welcome as always, he says unfazed by my outburst. But I would appreciate it if you secured me a little better. For instance, you could put me back in the compartment in your belt.
-I'll do it if you shut up.
-Deal.»
I try to ignore my shaking hands as I do as Chip asked me. When I'm finished I notice Carth's pointed look.
«What ? I don't trust this metallic hull with my precious life, that's all ! Don't tell me you've never seen something like that before.
-Can't say that, he chuckles. Do you always talk to yourself ?
-Sometimes I do, but hey, who doesn't ? Besides I was talking to my friend Chip. He's in my belt now.
-The...datapad ?
-He does look a little like one, but no, he's really much more than that.
-Riight. Brace yourself now, we're entering the atmosphere of Taris. The landing'll be hard.»
I decide to follow his lead, he's got much more experience in that area than I. It's getting really warm in here and the whole thing is shaking. I close my eyes and recite poetry in my head in order to remain calm.
Then I hear a crash, cloth being ripped, I feel something give way and myself flying into a hard object.
Then I black out.