Knights of the Old Republic
Yavin IV – An Orbital Space Station
As the fast smuggler ship made its way to the Yavin System, Seja settled in with the crew. As the artificial day gave way to night, the newcomer offered to cook a meal for the Republic force as a way of thanking them for the rescue.
"I am a rather decent chef," voiced Seja as he examined the pots and pans in the small galley.
Jon, not fully trusting the newcomer, raised an eyebrow, as did Canderous.
"Well, I'm hungry!" blurted Mission, seconded by the boy, Tankios. "Get moving," the Twi'lek added, slapping a pot into Seja's hands.
Bastila seemed famished too. She had lost weight during the Tatooine ordeal and looked haggard after the encounter with her mother and the discovery of her father's remains. Her hands were cupped as if she were holding something in her imagination; the holocron of her father's last days.
Jon roused her from her vision. "You look famished. I think you need to eat something."
"No, I'll be fine, Padawan. We just need to get on with this mission."
Jon grasped her shoulder more forcefully. "No, you really need to eat and then get some rest."
The female Jedi inhaled a long breath, but nodded reluctantly. As Seja brought steaming platters of Galactic delicacies to the stainless steel dining table, Bastila took a heap of one of the noodle dishes. The aroma of hot food wafted up into her nostrils and she set aside all proper conventions and began shoveling gobs of noodles into her mouth.
She stopped only briefly to slurp down a drink before noticing how everyone was watching her with surprise and even horror.
"What? I'm hungry."
Jon gave her a gently nudge with his shoulder and Bastila wrinkled her nose before diving back in.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
The Ebon Hawk had docked at the space station that Seja had informed the crew about. The ship settled onto the metal deck plates as thrusters shot steam onto the ground.
Soon, the main egress hatch opened with a hiss letting Canderous lead a team from the ship. The big mercenary moved ahead with his weapon pointed forward. Jon, Carth, and Bastila followed him out, flanking the Mandalorian for cover. The mysterious Jedi, Seja, came down the ramp at a leisurely pace, serene despite the tension in the landing bay.
"Do not worry, my friends. I have someone here that I know," announced Seja confidently as he strode to the access panel and opened the door. He led them down a long, narrow corridor, filled with pipes and vents. At the end of the corridor, another blast door greeted them.
"Grunda will be surprised to see me," Seja said with a smile.
The blast door shot open to reveal a snarling Transdosian, who unleashed a closed fist into Seja's face. The surprised Jedi flew into the far bulkhead and staggered as he grasped his nose.
A shot rang out as more Transodians poured into the corridor, wielding blasters. The blaster bolt, intended for Jon, grazed his shoulder and splattered on the far wall. Jon cried out in pain and surprise, but his weapon leapt to his hand and he powered it straight into an assailant's face. The blade snapped from the emitter and slid easily through the Transdosian's head.
Jon had not time to gloat, however, as two attackers grappled him to the ground amid the whine of blaster fire.
The three fell in a heap to the deck, the, metal plates clanging with their fall. Jon smashed one in the face with his free fist, drawing thick, Transdosian blood. The assailant growled in its reptilian voice while his partner head butted Jon.
Jon's world became hot, white pain as stars floated in his vision. He could smell and taste blood in his mouth and he tried to let the Force in to guide him. He was answered by a knee in his gut.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Seja wiped blood from his nose and shook his head quickly. His eyes focused on the muzzle of a blaster just at the moment a flash appeared. The world moved in slow motion as the Jedi was filled with the Force.
He flung his body sideways with a desperation that was previously unknown to him as the bolts impacted on the durasteel wall behind him. At the same time, he launched a kick at the side of the Transdosian's knee that landed with bone-crushing force.
The lizard collapsed in a heap, snarling while holding his knee. Seja took a quick breath and rolled past the fallen attacker like a ball. In a handstand, he brought both of his feet down upon the head of another Transdosian, smashing his heels into its skull.
The beast fell, unconscious and Seja reached out with the Force to find his next opponent. He glanced down at the fallen lizard and smirked; Seja's life mandate was not to kill if he could help it and all of his techniques reflected his ideals.
However, his momentary lapse of focus got the better of him and the flat of a vibrosword creased him along the temple. Seja howled as waves of pain flooded his head. The non-lethal blow had stunned him and he rolled on the deck, holding his face.
Xoxoxoxoxoxo
As the whine and sizzle of blaster bolts sliced the air, Bastila dodged under a particle beam that hissed by, charging the air with ions. With a grunt, the Jedi hurled her lightsaber in the air, letting the long, silver cylinder twirl through the space between she and her enemies. When the weapon arrived in the midst of the Transdosians, the Force powered the golden beams, and hot, lethal blades sprang forth.
Five Transdosians glanced up at the spinning rod as energy spat from the emitters. Like a blender, the lightsaber nearly liquefied the bunch in a circular blur of yellow flame.
Bastila recalled the lightsaber to her waiting hand and unpowered it. She quickly glanced about to see Carth and Canderous emerging from cover while Jon subdued his opponent.
The Mandalorian raised an eyebrow at Bastila while Jon got to his feet. "Not bad for a Shien user…." Jon quipped.
At that, Seja rushed into the space station's command center. "Grunda!" he yelled, looking for his friends.
There, in the corner, lay the dead Rodian, slain by hired assassins. Seja shook his friend in vain, anguished over the meaningless death.
Then, he sat back and closed his eyes.
Carth picked up a data pad from one of the captured Transdosians. As he read it, his eyes grew big and he looked at Jon and Bastila.
"Malak knows we're here. We have to leave…now!"
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Writers' notes - We want to thank Son Kenshin, our co-author. Mahalo to Alan, VL, Thug, Padawan Mage, Brazilian, and SDD. I want to thank the producers and the the key grips. Even the best boy...let the credits roll.
