Disclaimer: Do I really need to say this? (sigh) No, I still don't own anything Star Wars.
Author's notes: Well, the Undercity is quite a long part of the game, with the sewers and all. So here's the rest of the scary and spooky, creepy and… (Adams family theme – you get the idea) Tarisian underground. If anyone is interested in hearing this, I'm currently writing the Tatooine interlude… which is turning out quite long. I had to catch up with the interludes – I mean, I'm already writing Manaan (the 3rd Star Map), but I barely have an interlude for Dantooine! So, expect some background on Revan´s childhood soon.
MilenaSkywalker – Shaardan and those other weaklings at the Academy? Hah! Revan is nothing of the sort! I mean, I do Lashowe´s sidequest every time just to get the pleasure of killing her! Those brats are a disgrace. All LS, eh? I must say, I was once, too. Before my true identity was revealed. And before I… well, you'll find that out on Tatooine. All hail Darth Revan, Lord and Master of the Sith! (cheering in the background, calls of: "All hail Lord Revan!")
Dark Lord Daishi - You won't have to wait much longer… the swoop race is up next. The Revan/Carth romance will get spicy… but the big twist is yet to be revealed. (evil grin)
X X X
"The Promised Land
always lies on the other side of a wilderness."
Henry Havelock Ellis
X X X X
Chapter 5 – From the ashes
X X X X
The group wandered around the sewers for a while, occasionally finding rakghouls, Gammoreans and corpses. Two of the corpses had journals with them, diaries that spoke of the Promised Land. Revan didn't want to help the Outcasts – it would be merciful to give them the datapads – but she didn't want to break her promise, either. That meant returning to the village for the night and also (because of Mission's constant babbling about what a good thing to do it might be) giving the Outcasts some rakghoul serum.
They eventually returned to the village and continued to the area holding the infected ones. Revan drew her vibroblade. Zaalbar placed a paw on her shoulder to stop her, but she shook her head slightly. The three others remained behind her, blasters and bowcaster at the ready.
"Please, help us!" an infected Outcast cried. "We are infected with the rakghoul disease. At any moment we could… unh!" the three Outcasts clutched their heads in pain. "NO! This cannot be! Nooo!" and with a snapping sound, they morphed into slimy, one-eyed beasts.
Revan tapped into the Force to speed up and charged into the group, swinging the sword in her right hand. She ducked a claw and swung at their torsos, slicing the creatures in half with a single sweep.
"Please… you have to help us." The remaining two Outcasts begged. "We beg you. We don't want to end up like the others. Please help us. We can't end up like them."
Revan took out the vial. "I have brought you a serum to cure the rakghoul disease."
"You… you have a cure? Please, give it to me. Please. Quickly, before it's too late."
"I have enough for both of you." She injected it into the Outcast's arm.
"Yes! I can feel the
disease burning away! It's a miracle! Thank you, up-worlder. You
have saved us from a fate worse than death. I only wish I had
something to give you as a reward."
Revan smiled a warm smile,
which could never touch the coldness of her icy eyes as the Outcasts
thanked her once again.
The entire village was standing outside the gates and cheered for Revan when she came out, Gendar and Shaleena in the front.
"You have done a great thing for my village, up-worlder." Gendar thanked her. "Few from the surface would bother to cure an Outcast of the rakghoul disease, as you have done. My only regret is that I have no reward to give you for your aid, save my thanks and the thanks of my people."
"I would not wish the rakghoul disease on anyone."
Shaleena approached Revan, very nervously, when the crowd thinned. "I saw you talking to Rukil. It's nice of you to help him; though I don't want to get my hopes up. I mean, the Promised Land… could it be true? It's just that sometimes Rukil seems so certain. And then you show up, just like the up-world savior from the legends… if Rukil´s right this could be a whole new life for the village!" she sighed, dreamily gazing into space. "No more rakghoul attacks, no more starvation… I shouldn't get my hopes up. Not yet. But… but I wish you good luck, on behalf of the entire village."
When she hastily departed, Gendar offered the group shelter during the night when they told him they would be returning the next day. It wasn't exactly a luxurious settlement, but it was surprisingly comfortable, considering how miserable the village seemed.
Revan woke up in the morning, according to her chronometer, even though it was always dark in the Undercity.
"I saw you talking with Rukil." a sly voice said from behind her. Her hand immediately touched the hilt of her vibroblade. She turned around to see a greedy-looking little man. Igear. "He told you his legends about the Promised Land, didn't he? He told you all about his missing apprentice and the other lost explorers, right?"
"What do you want?" Revan asked coldly.
"You know, most people don't believe his stories - they figure he's nothing but an old kook. But I think there might be some truth in what he's saying. That's why I want to stop him!"
"Your point being?"
"Oh, don't worry, I'll make this quick." he said defensively, "I've got an offer that might be worth your while."
Revan arched an eyebrow, but nodded curtly, "Go on."
"For an Outcast, I've got things pretty good." he explained, "The village relies on me to bring in food and supplies - I'm an important man. If it wasn't for Gendar I'd be running this place. But if Rukil ever finds his Promised Land, I'm sunk. People won't need to rely on me anymore. I'll just be another nobody like all the rest of the villagers. I won't let that happen! The two explorers who went searching for the Promised Land might have found something." he said, "They might have found clues or evidence - just like Rukil's apprentice! They would have recorded that information in their journals. I'll pay you if you bring all three journals to me - the two from the explorers and the one from Rukil's apprentice. Then I can destroy the evidence and make sure nobody ever finds the Promised Land! I've saved up enough credits from my business here to make it worth your while if you help me."
"You mentioned salvage?" Revan asked, slightly curiously. Igear nodded. "Show me."
He quickly took out several adrenastims, weapon upgrades and some weapons. "It ain´t the best stuff, but the prices are right." He noted when Revan examined it. There were some good things there, obviously salvaged from the upper levels or escape pods.
"I'll take it." Revan coldly said.
"Oh, good." Igear seemed really happy. "So, we've got a deal with those journals? We can talk price right now…" Revan once again arched an eyebrow at him. Before he could understand what she was going to do, Revan swung the vibroblade she was examining and her own weapon at his head, effectively decapitating him.
"I said, 'I'll take it.'"
She threw some rags on the body after she looted his belongings, mainly the salvage. Then she went to find Rukil.
"Welcome back, up-worlder." The old man greeted her, excited. "How goes your quest? Have you found the journals of my father and grandfather?"
"The quest you speak of is over – here are your journals." She said, handing them to him.
His eyes lit up, "Can it be true? Is it possible that at long last the dream of my father and grandfather before him will be fulfilled? I... I can hardly bear to look." Then he read through them, "Hmmm... yes. Yes! Of course! Now I understand - it all makes sense! Now I see why the Promised Land has been so hard to find! It is so obvious!" Rukil finally raised his gaze from the journals, eyes shining. "You have done a great thing, up-worlder - a selfless act that will bring great joy to all the people of this village! I must take this to Gendar right away!" And he quickly went to find him, Revan quietly following.
"Rukil? What do you want now?" the Gendar asked as they approached him, "Have you more fables of a hidden paradise just waiting for us to find it?"
"You may not think these are fables after you see what I have brought you, Gendar! Look at these journals!" Rukil said, handing Gendar the journals almost smugly.
Gendar's eyes widened when he read the information. "What... no. It can't be! Are these real, Rukil? Is this information accurate?" he asked, stunned.
"I swear to you everything in these journals is true, Gendar. The Promised Land - I told you I would find it!" Rukil said.
"The entrance is far from here, Rukil." Gendar noted, "It will take us weeks to get there... perhaps even months. And we will have to cross many rakghoul infested areas."
"I do not deny the journey will be hard, Gendar. But surely it is better than the miserable life we have here!" Rukil retorted.
"Wise words, Rukil." Gendar agreed, "Our supplies are high right now - we could leave by nightfall! I will tell the others to prepare for the journey."
"Thank you once again, up-worlder." Rukil said, beaming, "But we must part ways now. I sense your destiny is yet to be decided, somewhere we cannot follow. The destiny of my people is at the end of the long journey ahead of us.''
Revan arched an eyebrow at him, ''There is nothing left to decide. My destiny is already chosen.''
But Rukil merely smiled. ''The future is always in motion, unpredictable. But I wish you luck in your quest. Perhaps you will also see that the obvious answer was close the entire time. Just as I have, thanks to you.''
Revan shook her head and left the Outcasts to their discussion. She really disliked the old kook now.
X X X
They returned to the sewers after Mission managed to wake Zaalbar (though with considerable effort). Fortunately, they entered from the entrance closer to the village and discovered that the force shield was only two doors away from them. It shimmered an electric blue and violet color. The only more advanced piece of technology nearby was a computer console. Mission proceeded directly to it.
"You won't be able to get that computer to lower the energy field unless you know the proper codes. Lucky for you, I've got them. I picked them off the pocket of a Black Vulkar who had a little too much to drink in the cantina one night." She explained, grinning. "Here, let me get that energy shield down for you." She typed in a few commands and the shield immediately disappeared. "Piece o´ cake." The group passed to the next section of sewers.
This part of the sewers was pretty straightforward, there were dead ends on the other routes. Mission lost count how many Gammoreans were decapitated or dismembered by Revan´s vibroblade. When she thought about it, the lady never used a blaster, even when it would be safer and easier to shoot the piglets from afar. It struck her as strange, but then she assumed that since Carth was the one who never seemed to use a vibroblade, they were a good pair for this mission. She grinned to herself at that, but didn't hesitate to whip out an ion blaster to shoot a malfunctioning droid that attacked them when they were close to the base. She spotted a gas mine and moved to deactivate it while Zaalbar was standing nearby, covering her.
Revan cleansed the circular chamber of Gammoreans and returned to Mission. She was just pocketing the gas mine, when she suddenly made a disgusted face.
"Hey, Big Z, we've got to do something about your breath. I didn't want to say anything, but it's bad. Worse than usual, which is hard to believe." She paused, thinking about it for a moment. "In fact, now that I think about it, your breath has been pretty rancid ever since we rescued you from those Gammorean slavers. What did they feed you, buddy?"
"They didn't." Zaalbar flatly admitted. "I wasn't their guest, Mission. I was a prisoner. I don't think they cared much what happened to me."
"Oh, Zaalbar, that's terrible! I know how grouchy you get if you don't get your eight square meals a day. I'm amazed you didn't pass out from hunger." Mission noted.
"I did manage to take a chunk out of the arm of a guard that wandered too close to my cage." Zaalbar noted, grinning slightly. "But it tasted awful, so I spit it out."
"Ewww! No wonder your breath is so bad, Big Z. Gammoreans smell like bantha poo-doo!" Mission mimed gagging and vomiting. "We'll have to pick you up a toothbrush to clean that stench off your choppers."
"Wookiees do not brush their teeth, Mission. It… it just isn't done! What humiliation will you use on me next? A comb?" Zaalbar asked, obviously horror-struck.
"Okay, relax. No toothbrush. Sheesh. Just try to eat something else to cover up that smell, okay? Stay away from anything that's smart enough to lock you in a cage this time." Mission suggested.
Zaalbar sighed, but nodded. "I'll take care of it as soon as I can, Mission. For now, let's stay focused on the task at hand."
The scoundrel nodded and literally hopped several feet ahead of the Wookiee, just to be sure she couldn't smell his breath. They found Carth standing near a door leading to a large arena, several dead Gammoreans behind him. He turned sharply, but lowered his blasters when he saw them.
"There's no way we're getting past that thing." He said with a sigh, pointing outside the door. Revan sensed the beast through the Force. It was really huge, as big as a krayt dragon, if not bigger. And while she and Mission might be able to sneak past it, she didn't want to risk the lives of the others. There would yet be other battles. She bit her lip, her gaze scanning the surroundings for inspiration.
"Something smells really bad here." Zaalbar noted. "And it's not the rancor." Revan´s eyes darted into the spot where the Wookiee was looking. A severed arm and a datapad… and some weird liquid in a vial.
"Eww!" Mission made a face and turned away from the smell. "What's that?" Revan was already reading the datapad. Synthesized odor. Now that's an idea. She looked at Mission, a grin spreading through her face.
"Kid, this is an essence of a rancor's favorite meal." She took out a plasma grenade. "Lunch's being served." Realization hit Mission. She grinned, nodded and took both items.
"No one's gonna see this Mission!" she said and disappeared into thin air. Revan was the only one who saw her, but only because she knew how to look.
Meanwhile, Mission sneaked to the rather large corpse pile behind the rancor and planted the grenade. Then, she poured the odor on top of it and ran like hell back to the door, which caused the stealth to weaken a bit, making her slightly visible. The rancor slowly turned around, obviously smelling the odor. And it took the bait, since the crushing steps of two extremely heavy paws were heard. Then sounds of fangs, an explosion combined with a bright white light, the rancor roared in pain and with a loud impact, it dropped to the ground, obviously lifeless.
Mission was the first one to run into the arena and examine the corpse. It seemed as if she was about to squeal "This is soooo cool!", but the two Vulkar guards that came out of the only other door in the arena silenced that. She bolted behind the corpse to hide from the blaster fire. Revan quickly rolled next to her, drawing her vibroblade in the process.
Carth and Zaalbar retreated back into the sewer door, also powering up their weapons. The Vulkar guards concentrated so much on them that they ignored Mission, who activated her stealth belt again and slowly went around the rancor body to attack them. Revan noticed that she was gone, but saw her aura move to the Vulkars. The realization that the kid was smart relieved her. She had been afraid that she would have to be looking after another brat. No sooner than she thought that, Mission appeared behind the guards, sliding one's throat. The other turned sharply, which gave Zaalbar a chance to blast him with his bowcaster. The group reunited at the entrance to the Vulkar Base.
"Not bad, kid." Carth commented. Mission smiled, but then bit her lip.
"Ummm… hey, Carth? Can I talk to you for a second?" she asked when they all stepped into the elevator, Zaalbar with slight problems.
"Are you ready to have a civil chat? Or is this going to be just another childish tantrum?" he asked. Mission's eyes narrowed in a dangerous manner.
"Tantrum?! I'm trying to apologize here, you nerf-herder!" she stopped, realizing she was making a scene, "Uh… I mean… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get mad at you. It's just that I'm sick of everyone treating me like I'm a helpless kid."
"Yeah, I know. And I'm sorry about what I said, too. I'm just a little on edge lately. Not surprising considering all we've been through. But I shouldn't take it out on you."
"It's about time you two made up." Revan commented coldly.
"Mission, you have to know that we don't think you're helpless." Carth explained slowly. "Look where we are, look at what we're doing. You're not just along for the ride. We need you." Mission smiled faintly.
"You really mean it, don't you? Nobody's ever said anything like that to me before, not even Big Z. He might think it, but he's not really one for words, you know." There wasn't any reaction coming from Zaalbar, so Revan assumed she was telling the truth. "Thanks, Carth."
He waved that off. "Ah, it's no big deal. I know how it is. Sometimes you just need to hear a few words of encouragement. Kids are like that." He added, not so quietly.
"Kids are like that??" Mission goggled. "Listen you… oh, I get it. Okay, you got me. You're pretty funny, Carth. For an old guy." She noted, smirking at his glare. "Come on, you geezer – let's get back to what we were doing."
"Anyone got a holoprojector? This is too cute." Revan noted, smirking. Mission stuck her tongue out at her.
And the elevator opened, revealing the corridor leading to the Black Vulkar Base.
"Okay, it'll be better if we split up. Mission, go there to the right. Seems like they have supplies that way. Take Zaalbar with you. I know you can handle yourself, but you can't shoot Vulkars and slice computers at the same time. Take this comlink and report if you find something. We'll go straight into the base."
The pair departed to the direction Revan gave them. "You go from the right, I'll take the left." She told Carth.
He nodded, blasters ready. The automatic door opened and Revan immediately killed a Duros that stood nearby. There had to be a central computer console somewhere in the base. She cast Force lightning on a droid that attacked her in the next room. A human woman in the corner whimpered in fear.
"Please don't hurt me – I just serve the food here, that's all! I'm not like these others – I'm not even a Black Vulkar! Please don't kill me!" she whimpered at Revan´s feet.
But Revan raised her blade and killed her. She couldn't afford to let anyone who was this weak slip and be captured and interrogated by the Sith. She changed direction and went more to the left, entering a grand hall. Two sentry droids were scrap after a sonic grenade hit them, because Carth also entered the hall from a different side.
"Alexa?" Mission's voice asked from the comlink.
"What's up, kid?"
"Well, there's a console to deactivate some sentry guns near the elevator leading to the swoop hangar here – I guess that's where the accelerator thingy is – but it's coded and I can't slice it with my spikes. Says it can only be overridden from the central console or you gotta have a passcard."
"We'll take care of that." Revan said, spotting the computer console nearby. She began slicing it, successfully. It had access to a camera system around the base. She figured that would be the best thing to start with and eliminate any possible enemies. And, of course, the barracks were crawling with Vulkars. Not after she blew up the electrical circuit in the room.
"One of those guys has got to have a passcard. I'll go check it out." Carth noted and left.
Revan left the computer and decided to explore the base a bit. The Vulkars were a powerful gang – there had to be something useful in their base. She looted the armory the two droids were guarding. A Twi´lek Vulkar attacked her in one of the other rooms, but when she threw him against the wall with a Force Push, he dropped his weapon and fell to his knees.
"I surrender! I surrender! Please, don't kill me." He begged in Twi´leki. "I'm not like the others. I'm not like Brejik and his new Vulkars!"
"What are you talking about? You're a Vulkar, aren't you?" Revan coldly retorted.
"I'm a Vulkar, but I was here long before Brejik took over. I was a Vulkar back when it meant something. Back when we had honor. Then Brejik and his followers took over and turned our gang into a bunch of violent thugs and bloodthirsty punks. Now they treat all us original Vulkars like second class citizens." He explained.
"Then tell me where the prototype swoop engine accelerator is!"
He nodded. "Right – that gadget Brejik stole from the Beks. He's got the accelerator in the basement garage. The only way down is by using the security elevator in the back of the base. But the security elevator is protected by auto-targeting laser cannons. You'll be vaporized before you ever get near it, unless you get your hands on a pass card." That was when Carth came in, waving a violet pass card at Revan when she turned around.
"Well… you seem like you can handle yourself and you hate the Vulkars. All right, get out of here before I change my mind!" The Vulkar thanked her and bolted out of the base. Carth arched an eyebrow as the Twi´lek pushed past him.
"You let him go? You, the most cold-hearted woman I've ever met?" he asked with disbelief.
"To what purpose would I kill him? I kill those I must kill. I'm not proud of it, but I do. And one who has enough courage to face death deserves to live." She stalked out of the room, locating Mission and Zaalbar near the computer console. Carth used the pass card. The sentry guns let them pass further into the Base.
X X X
Revan didn't say a word when they entered the swoop hangar – Mission began repairing a junkpile droid to help her and Big Z in case they would run into overwhelming numbers. Carth went to secure the loading dock. She went straight into the heart of the base, killing several Vulkars on the way. There were three doors in the corridor she reached. Two of the rooms were relatively unsecured, the blast from the central hangar and the smell of death in the Force made her realize Mission must have rigged the swoop bikes to explode and the Vulkars were dumb enough to go there once the alarm sounded. But the remaining door was locked tight.
"Kid?" Revan called over the communicator.
"Yeah?"
"Open the security doors through the computer you used to override the swoop bike."
"How d'you know I did that?" The shocked reply came.
"I hear things. Now open the doors." No reply came, except for a mechanical beep and the sound of automatic doors opening. There were four people in the room, a green Twi´lek man in a military suit, a yellow Twi´lek woman in a bodyguard's garb and two other Vulkars. The door slammed shut when Revan entered.
"Looks like we have a visitor – a lackey conned by Gadon Thek into trying to steal Brejik´s swoop engine accelerator, I bet!" The Twi´lek man, obviously their leader, said. "Well I didn't go to all the trouble of acquiring this prototype just so you could steal it back for that old fool!"
"Would you like me to dispose of this Bek spy, Kandon?" The Twi´lek woman asked hopefully. Hah. As if you could, sweetie.
"No – hold on a second. I see you aren't wearing the Hidden Bek colors, so I'm guessing you aren't part of that feeble old man's gang. You must be a freelance mercenary." The Twi´lek man noted, obviously interested in that fact.
"Enough yapping. Hand over that accelerator." Revan repeated.
"Instead of stealing the prototype for the Beks, you don't you come work for us? The Black Vulkars could use someone like you." The man – Kandon – suggested, obviously eying her up. "Be smart; Gadon Thek is old news! He's a blind fool in more ways than one! Brejik is a visionary – soon he'll control the entire Lower City. Don't shackle yourself to a loosing team!"
"I'm not shackling myself to any team. I'm here for the woman you captured, nothing else."
"We could offer her to you." Kandon suggested.
"You'd just give her to me?" Revan´s tone implied she would believe that when the High Jedi Council would join the Sith.
"Well… we can't just hand her over to you. Not after Brejik officially promised her as a prize. But we can do the next best thing." Kandon quickly added. "You could race for the Black Vulkars."
"So you could cross me when I finish. Now hand over that accelerator."
"I can see there's not much chance of convincing you to come work for us after all. Most unfortunate." Kandon said with a sigh.
"Now can I kill her, Kandon?" The Twi´lek woman asked.
Kandon nodded. "Yes, darling. Kill her."
Revan drew the crimson lightsaber she was hiding, holding it in an offensive position. She deflected the shots fired at her and then fried the woman with a heavy dose of Force Lightning. The two other bodyguards were wimps and died thanks to a Force Wave. Kandon was the only survivor, but he was deprived of his weapons. Revan didn't even bother using Force Grip – with remarkable strength for her slender form, she grabbed him by the throat and lifted him from the ground.
"Now tell me where the Jedi is. Bastila." She commanded, cold as ever..
"J-Jedi?" Kandon stuttered, shocked. "We… we did not know what she was…"
"Where is she?" Revan persisted, her grip tightening. A nasty crack and Kandon winced.
"I-I have no authority to give her to you! Brejik has her hidden – only he knows where she is!" Kandon whimpered.
Deliberately slowly, she asked: "Where. Is. Brejik?"
"He- he would kill me if I told you!" Kandon whimpered again.
"Not as painfully as I will. You don't want to piss off a Sith Lord, Vulkar, trust me." Revan hissed.
"S-Sith Lord?" Kandon stuttered.
"Never believe someone is dead unless you see their corpse. I am Darth Revan. A great displeasure, Kandon."
Kandon´s eyes widened, but he shook his head, though it obviously brought him pain – he was still in Revan´s grip. He believed what she said.
"I…I cannot tell you. I beg you, Dark Lord, don't make me suffer." Revan´s eyes narrowed at that. She didn't respond, instead, she tightened her grip and snapped his throat. Then, she threw the corpse at the wall. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself. It didn't work – she sent a blast of lightning, triggering the mine protecting the swoop accelerator. The device was surprisingly heavy when she took it. Levitation would be her preferred approach with the thing, but she had to carry it. The locked door in the room was suddenly opened, revealing Mission crouching there, slicing the lock.
"There you are!" She ran to Revan. "Took quite a while to slice that lock – sorry we couldn't be of help, ya know?" she apologized. Revan immediately handed Zaalbar the accelerator. Mission led the way back to the Bek Base.
X X X
"You have returned. Do you have the prototype swoop engine accelerator with you?" Gadon asked them. Zaalbar put the device on Gadon´s console instead of a reply.
"I was beginning to wonder if you would make it. The race is tomorrow and my mechanics need time to install the prototype into the swoop engine of your bike." He noted.
"Not so fast. I lived up to my end of the deal. Now you better come through."
Gadon smiled. "Don't worry, I'm a man of my word. I promised you could ride in the swoop race under the Hidden Bek banner, and I'm still going to let you do that. And I'm even going to go one better – I'm going to let you ride the swoop bike with the prototype accelerator installed on it. without if, you won't stand a chance."
"Gadon! You can't be serious!" Zaerdra, a.k.a the pissy Twi´lek bodyguard, whined. "We need one of our best riders on that bike! We need one of out best riders on that bike! We can't let some rookie take the prototype engine into the race!"
"I raced on Manaan before, under a different name. I'm no rookie." Revan snapped coldly.
"But why are you doing this, Gadon?"
Gadon seemed a bit embarrassed when he explained. "I have to be honest with you – there's a reason I'm letting you take the prototype engine. The accelerator isn't stable; there's a good chance it could explode during the race."
"Explode?" Carth repeated, shocked. "Are you kidding?"
"I can't ask one of my own riders to do it – they'll be riding unmodified swoops. If you can complete the track before the accelerator overheats, then you'll win for the Beks. If you die, then one of my other riders could still come through for me." Gadon added as if Carth hadn't said anything.
"Sounds like you've got all your bases covered." Revan noted.
"You don't get to be leader of a swoop gang if you don't know how to work all the angles." He replied with a small smile.
"How many heats can the engine take?" Revan asked.
"Four or five, no less."
"That's fine, then. All right. I'll race."
"You can stay here tonight. The mechanics need time to install the accelerator on the engine, so you won't be able to practice your riding. Just try to relax and tomorrow we'll take you to the swoop track."
