Chapter 6: Tatooine

A pair of former Jedi Knights on speeder bikes rode through the relentless heat of Tatooine's twin suns. Revan looked down at the GPS system ingrained into her military issue bike. Seeing that they were approaching their destination she signaled Malak to slow down and stop.

Revan dismounted from her bike and felt the heat hit her like a physical thing. Fortunately for her the suit of armor she wore contained an integrated cooling system, but even with that it was still hot.

Lifting a gloved hand, "In there," the Sith Lord pointed to enormous cave. However even from this far away Revan and Malak could see and feel that the cave was not empty. It was currently the home of a very large sleeping bull Krayt Dragon.

As they moved closer the creature's gigantic size became even more evident and Malak moved to unhook his saber from his belt but Revan placed her hand on his arm to deter him, "Watch," she said confidently.

Moving slowly Revan approached the sleeping creature and when she steeped within ten feet the dragons eyes flicked opened and like the overgrow lizard it was its tongue flicked out and back into its mouth.

Undeterred Revan reached out with the Force and touched the creatures mind issuing a command to fall into a deep sleep. The dragon sat for several moments unmoving before its eyes fell shut and it drifted back to sleep.

Turning back to Malak, Revan motioned him forward. He took a look at the dragon and drew his saber intent on killing the dragon but Revan stopped him, "What," he growled.

Revan felt anger flare within her at the tone he took, "It's more useful alive as a guardian then as a corpse and never forget who's in charge here," she said with venom in her voice and Malak properly shrunk back cowed for now.

Navigating their way past the sleeping monster Revan found what she was looking for. In the back of the cave flanked by two crumbling statues of creatures that Revan had never before encounter sat the Star Map and they approached it split in threes to reveal its secrets.

XXX

"Oh frack," Rachel said as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. These dreams were getting to her. They were helpful but they were still getting to her. Washing her face and she left the lavatory intent on getting some breakfast.

"Padawan Skirta," came as voice from behind her.

Rachel turned and saw Juhani, "Its Rachel… just call me Rachel," she said slightly annoyed. For the entire three day trip Juhani had been annoyingly formal and it was starting to grate on her, "What is it."

"Captain Onasi wants you up in the cockpit," the Cathar said relaying the information, "we're getting ready to enter the atmosphere."

Rachel nodded in acknowledgement and headed towards the cockpit.

XXX

After an hour to land and bribe the guards the Ebon Hawk was docked in one of Tatooine's two ports, Anchorage. Finishing her chat with the dockmaster Rachel turned back to her party. The only people she was truly worried about was Bastila and Juhani who looked out of place in the spacers' outfit Rachel had put them in.

"So Rach what's the game plan," Mission asked curiously; anxious to find her brother.

"Juhani, Bastila, Zaalbar and Carth," she said speaking to the two Jedi, the Wookiee and her pilot, "head over to the Cantina and see what you can dig up."

"The Cantina," Bastila asked the question clear in her voice, "You want to head to a bar? What use will that be?"

"It helped us rescue you," Carth said shrugging.

"Well yes," Bastila stammered crossing her arms over her chest. She was still sore about the rescue part, "Well while we spend time gallivanting with the dregs of galactic society what will you be doing."

"I'll be taking Canderous and Mission to shakedown the Czerka office and see if they know anything," Rachel paused then continued, "Plus a promised Mission I'd look for her brother."

Turning around she said, "Mission, Canderous your with me," then turning back she smirked, "Carth keep I eye on them, we know what a party girl Bastila is," she winked and headed off ignoring spluttering indignation.

XXX

The Black Hand assassin in the nondescript clothes gave a savage twist and the Dark Jedi's neck snapped like a dry twig and the Force-User's lifeless body fell two the ground with a thump. Then the assassin carefully removed dead man's ID and lightsaber to remove any signs that this man had been a follower of Darth Malak.

Exiting the alley the man gave a long around to make sure no one had witnessed his act and then lifted his hand to his ear, "Three to one, over," he called out.

"One here," came the voice in his ear.

"Target neutralized," he said deadpan, "Requesting further orders."

"Standby, main objective has landed need eyes on objective, one out."

'Three' nodded and killed the uplink with 'one.' He didn't know exactly who he was protecting expect that Malak had been worried enough two send a trio of Dark Jedi Knights to eliminate the problem.

Most people thought killing Jedi was hard, but that wasn't true. What was key was you had to surprise them, no sudden bursts of emotion or charging at them with a blaster pistol. You had to be smart and well trained in martial and mental arts. The Black Hand's elite operatives had been active since even before the official opening of the war, hunting Jedi had become an art.

XXX

The Czerka planetary headquarters office was what Rachel would have expected lavish and gaudy, "I'm sorry but were not issuing hunting licenses right now," the Czerka rep said without even looking up.

"Hunting license," Rachel asked slightly confused, "what do we need a hunting license for."

The rep looked up and sighed, "A hunting license is required to leave anchorage Do to the increasing violence and frequency of Tusken raids, Czerka has decided that no one will be allowed outside the walls," the rep said as if she was reading from the company release statement. However when she looked up a calculating gleam came to her eyes when she saw the two armed and armored Mandalorians and Twi'lek girl, "However we might be able to come to an agreement."

Rachel crossed her arms and scowled that last thing she wanted to do was jump through hoops from some Czerka flunky, "What do you want," Rachel growled in her most intimidating voice.

To Rachel's pleasure several beads of sweat appeared on the woman's face and she visibly gulped, "Well as I said before the Tusken Raiders are becoming a very large problem for us and are cutting in on our profits. If things don't start improving the main office with close this operation down."

"Why not simply get the Sith to kill'em," Canderous said voicing Rachel's own opinion.

"Because the Sith do not care about this rock, they're too busy with the Republic to bother and the Tuskens aren't enough of a problem for them to siphon men off the line. So," she said splaying he hands out in front of her, "this is the deal. In exchange for the hunting license I will appreciate it if by chance in your travels you come across the raider if you could… neutralize them. I would be willing to pay a bounty for each of Gaffi Staff… say a hundred credits?"

"You'd pay a hundred credits for a staff," Mission asked confused.

The rep frowned, "Each staff is unique to the warrior and they would never separate from it unless they were dead. Each one is proof of a dead Tusken."

Rachel weighed her options, everything she had heard of these raiders depicted them as mindless savages and she didn't have a choice, "We have a deal with one extra condition. I want information on a certain Twi'lek," she said trailing off.

Mission immediately picked up where Rachel left off, "He's a Rutian Twi'lek like me, he's about one-point seven meters, about sixty kilos and his name's Griff."

The rep clicked a few buttons on her terminal before looking back up and saying, "I'm sorry we don't have anyone of that description working for us here."

The moment her mouth closed Rachel new she was lying as she felt a tug from the Force. Faster than the human eyes could follow Rachel reached across the desk and grabbed her by her collar and yanked her across the desk knocking off all the assorted papers and knick-knacks on the desk.

"I don't like it when people lie to my face," Rachel growled holding the frighten Czerka rep inches from her face, "now about the Twi'lek."

"I don't," the woman started but was silenced when Rachel drew her vibro blade from its hip sheath, "Oh… yes Griff I remember," she said in a hurry eyes wide and glued to the gleaming knife.

"Good," Rachel said dropping her.

The Czerka rep stood and hastily fixed her ruffled clothing attempting to regain some shred of dignity, "Griff… wasn't a very good worker, altering work cards, sleeping on duty and though we couldn't prove it we think he's been stealing supplies from the store."

Mission let out a little sigh of disappointment, "Yeah that sounds like Griff. So where is he."

The Czerka rep hesitated before Canderous gave her a look, taking a gulp she continued, "Eight days ago… uhm he was working with a sandcrawler out in the dune sea when they were attacked by Raiders… his body was never found at the scene so we assume he is still alive and was brought to the Tusken Camp.

Misssion's eyes went wide with horror has she heard this, "Oh gods," she yelled turning to Rachel, "We have to find him."

"Don't worry," Rachel said placing her hand reassuringly on Mission's shoulder, "We'll find him," she finished as she took the license from the rep.

As they exited the building they were met by a very angry Duros, "You can't do this you can just kill them, they're not animals."

"What are you ranting about fool," Canderous rumbled.

"The sandpeople… Tuskens," The Duros exclaimed, "If you could talk to them I'm sure you could come to some kind of agreement." At Rachel skeptical look he continued, "They're only defending their land. How would you feel if someone came into your lands and started drilling?"

Rachel rubbed her eyes thinking before she said, "Can you speak to them."

The Duro pursed his lips before admitting, "No, I don't know of anyone who can speak Tusken, but… " he said pursing his lips, "the Ithroian Yuka Laka has a droid in his shop that can speak it. I'm sure of it.

"Huh fine I'll look into it," Rachel said dismissively. The Duros said a quick thank you and moved off apparently pleased with himself.

"Now what," Canderous said as he pulled out a cigar out, light it and gave a big puff.

"We go visit this Irthorian. Then we'll meet back up with Bastila and the others."

XXX

Rachel stepped into the droid shop, leaving Mission and Canderous waiting outside, and was immediately greeted by an Ithorian, also called 'hammerheads' because of their head's distinctive shape, "Greeting sentient," the creature rambled in his own tongue, one Rachel had also found hard to understand, "Welcome to Yuka's droid emporium. If you see anything you like we make good deal, yes."

Rachel looked around the shop that was litter with droid parts in large crates and deactivated droids resting up against the wall. Rachel gaze in particular was drawn to the large humanoid copper colored droid standing against the far back wall.

"I'm looking for a droid that can speak the language of the Tusken Raiders," she paused before adding, "A Duros said you had one."

The creatures large head bobbed up and down, "Yes, yes Yuka has what you need," he said pointing over to the somehow familiar copper droid, "That one is the one you seek. HK-47"

Rachel looked again at the droid. There were several Corporations that used the initials HK but done of them she knew of mad droids. The only thing she could think that it stood for was Hunter-Killer, "What's the HK stand for.

The shopkeeper hesitated before answering, "Honestly don't know. Its designated HK-47 but doesn't match any standard model," he said confirming the droid's mysterious origins.

Rachel, by herself, walked over to the droid, reached out and activated the droid via the restraining bolt. A faint hum could be heard from inside the droid as it powered up and its eyes glowed a deep blood red before fading to lingering gold.

"Introductionary Statement: Greetings perspective master I am HK-47," droid said cheerfully, then its voice dropped greatly in volume, "Perhaps you'd care to purchase this unit from that incompetent Yuka Laka."

Rachel's felt her eyebrow rise up, "Does he know you talk about him like that?"

"Statement: of course not," the droid replied in a matter of fact tone.

Rachel was intrigued, a droid that could keep secrets, "What are your functions," she asked.

"Informative Statement: My official functions are protocol, translation, as well as combat operations," the droid responded.

"Combat," Rachel asked skeptically looking the droid, "You're a battle droid?"

"Correction," the copper droid added sound somewhat offended, "This unit is no common battle droid; though impossible to determine exactly what my combat functions are as I cannot access my central memory core. Though through observations I have collected suggest I may have specialized in the removal of specified individuals."

That truly intrigued Rachel, "An Assassination droid," she said quietly, extremely deadly and highly illegal. Then something struck her, "What do you mean you can't access your core are you damaged?"

"Unsure Response: It may be that the restraining bolt or it could be I have been damaged… slightly. I can assure you i can still fight," droid said and Rachel swore she could see its eyes glow in anticipation.

Rachel nodded and headed back to the shopkeeper, "How much do you want for it," she asked the Ithorian who looked positively pleased that the prospect of a sale.

The Ithorian tilted his head trying to feel out how much he could take her for, "The droid was collateral to cover a very large debt so… ten thousand credits."

Rachel narrowed her eyes, if the droid truly was an assassin droid then the price would be worth it but Rachel was sure he didn't know that, "Ten thousand that a ridiculous amount for a protocol droid. Plus…," she said gesturing at the droid, "it's beat up and rusted. I'll give you two."

The Ithorian shook his massive head, "No, no that won't recover the cost of the debt, but my first price may have been a little high. Never know if someone will bite on the first try," he paused, "Eight thousand."

"Four thousand," Rachel said crossing her arms, "that is my final offer not a credit more."

When the Ithorian hesitated Rachel turned to leave but the creature stooped her, "Alright deal, four thousand." Rachel nodded and pulled out a credit chip which had access to a discrete account set up by the Jedi Council for this mission. After checking that it was good he handed it back and said, "Droid's all yours."

Rachel went back to HK-47 and removed the restraining bolt, "Come with me."

As she stepped outside her ears were suddenly assaulted by a high pitched drone and felt something tug on her pant leg. Looking down Rachel saw a Jawa in their traditional brown cloaks peaking rapidly.

"What's the little stain want," Canderous growled.

"Don't know,' Rachel said with a shrug, "Don't speak Jawa," then turning to her knew droid she asked, "HK, translation."

"Translation: Ninety-eight percent chance that the miniature meatbag wants your help to locate several missing members of his tribe," the droid reported deadpan

Ninety-eight," Rachel echoed, "What's the other two percent?"

To Rachel it seemed that HK actually became excited, "Two percent probability that miniature meatbag is looking trouble and needs to be blasted. Though that may be wishful thinking on my part."

Looking down at the Jawa Rachel shook her head, "I'm sor…," but then mid sentence trailed off. Rachel suddenly realized that the Jawa's knew Tattooine better than anyone else. Getting down on one knee so she could look the yellow-eyed creature in the eyes she asked, "Do you know anything about a Star Map. It would be very old."

The Jawa's nodded up and down very quickly and rattled something off; HK translated, "The meatbag knows of what you speak and says that if you rescue his clansmen he will tell you what he knows."

"Deal," Rachel said standing back up.

As they turned and started to head to the Cantina, Mission suddenly spoke out, "Meatbag?"

XXX

On board the Sith Flagship Leviathan Malak paced angrily through his quarters pausing once and again to look out the observation window. The Dark Lord of the Sith was angry and pissed, well he was always angry so he was just pissed.

To make matters worse Malak was sure exactly why he was so pissed. He had received word from Calo Nord that he had just arrived on Tatooine and the assignation attempt was underway. Hopefully Revan would soon be dead and all his fears would be dead with her.

Perhaps he felt like a coward for first firing on her ship in the middle of a pitched battle and then hiring an assassin to kill her instead of following the ancient tradition of the Sith and claim the title of Dark Lord through combat. Despite his reputation Malak was no fool. He knew he would not survive in a fight with Revan she was power; Revan had a strength he knew he could never match.

Slamming his fist into the wall with such ferocity that the durasteel buckled. Malak roared in rage at the situation, why couldn't have she just died the first time. If Calo failed and in all probability he would Malak would have to come up with another plan. In the deepest portions of his mind that small part of him that had not been consumed by the Darkside silently wondered how had it come to this?

How had he come to betray his only childhood friend, the woman he had once loved so dearly? He still remembered the way her golden hair fell round her head, the way the corner of her lip twitched when she was trying not to laugh and the wonderful sounds she made when they made love.

For a second the Dark Lord's heart softened but quickly hardened again as the Darkside reasserted its hold over him. Cursing himself for his weakness Malak set back to the task at hand destroying Revan and increasing his power. Like a flash of lighting a thought, a horrible, terrible idea came to him.

For he knew in his heart of hearts that he would have to fight Revan before this tale was through and he wanted to skew the odds in his favor as far as he could get them.

XXX

The cantina Rachel and her team entered was to Rachel's disbelief was even sleazier than the one on Taris. Along the sides of the walls there were scantily stripper and probably part time whores dancing vulgarly on their poles while intoxicated men of many different species drunkenly cheered. In the center was a long bar which served any type of intoxicant it whether legal or illegal.

Rachel opened here mouth to suggest that this wasn't the place for someone of Mission young age to be, but she shut her mouth as quickly as she opened it. Mission had probably seen worst than this in her young life.

Rachel was bumped by and elder lady as she attempted to leave the Cantina, "Sorry," the woman said as she headed out the door.

"No problem," Rachel said frowning and watching the woman as she left, there was something familiar about her put she just couldn't place.

Shaking it off Rachel scanned the bar and found Carth sitting nursing a drink while the rest of his team sat at a corner booth in the back, "Canderous get a drink, Mission-"

"I'm going head over and see Zaalbar," she said dashing off to talk to her furry friend while Canderous grunted and headed over to the bar to find something to drink.

Rachel turned to her new assassin droid, "HK watch Mission and if anyone tries to hurt her blast them, understood," she said dead series about protecting Mission.

"Joyful statement," the droid said is eyes glowing red as it hefted the new blaster rifle Rachel bought for it, "I hope I get to kill something." The killing machine clumped through the crowed who early got out of the demonic droid's way.

Rachel shook her head as she headed over to the bar to take a seat next to Carth, but was interrupted as a large drunk human man placed himself between her and the bar, "Hey babe looking for a good time," he slurred as he attempted to grope her apparently to drunk not to even frightened by the Mandalorian armor.

Rachel looked at the drunk with disgust, "If you know what's good for you you'll leave right now," Revan threatened in a voice that would cause most sane men to piss themselves.

The man however was too drunk or too stupid to care, "Come on you whor-"was all he got before Rachel slugged him in the face with a vicious right-hook.

The punch was followed by a sick cracking sound and a 'thump' as the body it the floor. Taking a seat on the stool next to Carth she dug a coin out of her pocket and tossed it to the barkeep, "Sorry for the mess."

Rachel noticed Carth had had his hand resting on the butt of his right sidearm the whole time. He apparently wasn't going to let anything happen to his lover, "Is he dead," the pilot questioned.

"No," Rachel shrugged rubbing her hand, "I just broke his jaw, the bastard should learn to be more fracking polite," she finished smiling at the last part. Reaching out she playfully snatched his drink away and took a gulp, ignoring Carth's protest.

Carth laughed as Rachel nearly gagged as the liquid burned it's way down her throat, "Damn," she coughed, "We could run the Hawk on this stuff."

Carth reached over and took the drink away from and took a small sip from the glass wincing as it burned its way down, "Baby sips," she said then added tilting his head towards the copper droid, "What's with the droid."

"HK? Bought him," she said rubbing her throat, "He speaks Tusken, plus he's an assassin droid thought he might be useful."

"An assassin droid… aren't those illegal," Carth said casting a worried look over towards the machine.

"No," Rachel said shaking her head, "They're highly illegal," she said finished with a smile pulling at the corners of her mouth.

"What's the difference," he asked, his eyebrow rose curiously.

"Ten years hard labor," she said with a shrug and a smile, "or that's what HK said at least. So," she added on, "Learn anything interesting."

Carth let loose a sigh and waved for his glass to be refilled. The bartender came over a refilled the glass with a clear green liquid. Carth took a deep swig from the glass wincing as it went down, "Nothing about any Star Map, but we met Bastila's mother."

"Her mother," Rachel said surprised and she quickly thought back to the woman who bumped her on the way out. Titling her head in the direction of the door, "The older woman who was leaving as we came in," she questioned.

"Yeah that's her," he said taking another drink.

"Didn't go well I take it?"

Raising his glass in a mock salute Carth nodded, "Yep got into a big fight," she said then a light smirk touched his face, "Never seen the Princess lose her cool before."

Ordering her own drink from the bar, Corellian scotch, "What'd they fight about," she asked, she might not of like Bastila but it didn't mean she didn't care.

The smirk fell from Carth's face and he let out another sigh, "Her dad died killed by a Krayt Dragon. From they way Bastila talked about him she must have bee a great guy. Anyway the mother wants us to look for his holo-journal."

Rachel's eyes went wide, "Do we have any idea were it might be, this is a big planet after all," she asked confounded, what did she want them to do… search the entire planet?

"Nope," Carth said with a shake of his head reflecting Rachel's dismay, "So how'd your search go, better than ours hopefully."

Rachel didn't answer right away as her shot glass arrived. Reaching out she took the glass and downed the shot in a single gulp savoring the taste as it went down her throat, doing much to relieve the burn sensations Carth's drink had caused.

After slamming her shot glass down on the table she spoke saying, "We definitely had better luck then you we found a Jawa leader who said that if we rescued three members of his clan who were taken prisoner by the Tusken Raiders then he would tell us the location of the Star Map."

"You believe him," Carth questioned skeptically as it was in his nature to mistrust people.

Rachel shrugged once more, "The Jawas have been on this Force forsaken rock longer than anyone," she paused the reconsidered, "Except maybe the Tuskens but sure as hell aren't gonna talk."

"So let me get this straight were gonna take on an entire tribe of Tuskens just the seven of us. Do we even know how many of them there are," Carth asked concered about the numbers.

Rachel had to give him that the odds certainly weren't in there favor, "I doubt there could be more than a few hundred of them," she said tongue-in-cheek and had the pleasure of watching Carth choke on his drink, "besides," she continued more somberly, "They have Mission's brother and I'd promised her we'd rescue him."

"If he's still alive… the Tuskens from what I hear aren't know to be merciful," Carth said grimly.

"Yeah if he's still alive," she echoed casting a significant glance a the young blue Twi'lek she had maternal instincts for, "I don't want her coming on the mission… just in case."

Carth nodded in agreement.

Digging in her pocket Rachel slammed the credits on the table to pay for her shot and said, "Come on we've got planning to do."

XXX

It took the better part of the day to come up with an acceptable plan and gather two landspeeders that they would use to taker them across the dune sea. The plan entailed the crew splitting up into three teams, Rachel and Carth would take the first speeder, while Bastila, Juhani and HK-47 took the second landspeeder. Canderous, T3-M4 and Mission, the latter of which only agreed to stay behind after nearly a half hour of arguing, would stay behind and guard the ship.

Rachel smiled as she pressed the accelerator hard into the floor of the speeder causing the machine to accelerate even faster, "Carth how long till we reach the camp," she yelled over the roar of the engine. It was already getting dark and she didn't feel like hitting anything.

"About eighty kilometers," he yelled from the passenger seat where he held on for dear life.

Looking down Rachel saw she was doing in and around a hundred and fifty kph, they should be their in about a half hour she started to saw something when Juhani's accented voice came over the comm., "Rachel," she had finally started to call the new Jedi by her first name, "Do so see that smoke ahead?"

Rachel squinted and sure enough saw the smoke as they approached she realized that iot was coming from one of Czerka's massive Sandcrawlers used for mining on the desert world. As they approached they realized that the miner had been severely damaged with large gaping holes blown in its superstructure.

Rachel ordered the tea, to stop and get out, which they did and were immediately assaulted by the smell of burning and rotting flesh. Bastila who was far from accustomed to the smells and sights of battle threw her hand over her mouth in a failed attempt to keep her lunch down. Juhani with a Cathar's heightened sense of smell didn't fare to well either. Carth being a naval officer fared better than the two young Jedi but still found still himself sick to his stomach. Rachel fared the best of all being a former Republic Commando.

The source of the smell was perhaps even worse then the smell. The bodies of the crawler's crew and mining team, human and alien alike, and been horrible mutilated. Some had been nailed to the crawler's massive treads while others had be staked and left to rot in the scorching sun. By this point even Rachel had to cover her nose.

"By the Force," Bastila whispered shocked, "Who would do such a horrid thing."

Rachel didn't answer right away and instead headed towards a glint she saw from piece of metal half buried in sand. Reaching down she pulled a Gafi stick from the sand and held it in both hands, "I think we have our answer," she said her voice tinged with rage.

Suddenly her Force senses flared in warning, "Everyone down," she shouted as she dropped to the ground.

Bursting from the ground was a bouncing mine, it leapt up about a meter and then exploded showering the area with shrapnel. Fortunately the team followed her orders and hit the deck so no permanent damaged was caused beyond superficial scars on HK's body.

Rachel head snapped up as she heard a savage war cry and a horde of maybe twenty to thirty Tusken raiders rose from the sand like ghosts and swarmed down upon them. Rachel along with Bastila and Juhani pulled her lightsabers and assumed a defensive stance; while Carth and HK-47 hefted their weapons and fired, cutting down the merciless raiders.

The ferocious horde of Tusken raiders wielding their crude gafi sticks charged at Rachel and her team. Rachel waited till the last second before springing into action dodging the first raiders swing and allowing his attack to sail past her before slashing at his back. Spinning back around she quickly decapitated two more raiders.

A quick glance at Bastila and Juhani confirmed they were reeking carnage on the Tusken raiders swiftly cutting through the savages. Rachel called the Force to her and let loose a powerful wave of the Force that slammed into half a dozen raiders killing them instantly. Though even that didn't deter the rest, they just kept coming and Rachel, Bastila Juhani, Carth and HK just kept cutting them down.

Finally the surviving two raiders broke and started to run back across the desert, Rachel bit her lip she knew if they made it back they would alert the camp making their mission that much harder, "HK," she said getting the droids attention, "Take them out."

The assassin droid wordlessly raised its rifle and it spoke twice sending two ruby red bolts streaming across the field that slammed into the back of the fleeing raiders.

"Rachel," Bastila snapped, "What are you doing they were fleeing… they weren't a threat anymore. This is not the Jedi way," her eyes filled with loathing as she glared at Rachel, "Jedi do not kill unless we have no other choice."

Rachel sighed rubbing her eyes and Bastila's naivety, "If they survived they would have alerted the camp to our presence then we'd never rescue Mission's brother and the Jawas, therefore never finding the star map and Malak could very well win this war, is that what you want," she finished hotly.

Bastila held Rachel's glare for several more seconds before bowing her head in submission, "I… see your point… I don't like it but I understand."

Rachel decided that she had to make Bastila understand and understand know she couldn't afford to have her question her orders in the field. Reaching out she grabbed Bastila by the collar and yanked her close.

"Heh," Carth said shocked while at the same tome Juhani shouted, "Padawan!"

Not paying attention to them she focused on Bastila who had gone white as a sheet, "Now listen to me princess, we're at war you understand that, right?"

Bastila nodded.

"We," she started slowly like she was talking to a child, "outnumbered, outgunned and surrounded, I'm no idiot. I know the Republic is on its last leg and growing desperate, we wouldn't be out here otherwise. In order to have a hope in hell of surviving we need to be willing to do some…," she paused searching for the right word, "unpleasant things or the Jedi and Republic can kiss their collective asses goodbye," then she continued in a low growl, "Your damn council brought me in because they needed me so we do things my way."

Rachel let go and Bastila fell to the sand with a thump, "I can be a bitch I know that but we need to do this. Now get in the landspeeder."

Bastila nodded and stood red faced and upset but didn't argue and headed back to the speeder. Juhani gave Rachel a calculating stare but didn't say anything as she too returned to the speeder.

HK-47's head followed the two female Jedi as they headed back to the speeder before snapping back to Rachel, "Disappointment: I was hoping for some bloodshed," the droid said as he too went back to the vehicle.

Carth looked at Rachel frowning and said, "Wow I didn't know you could be that scary…" he paused, "I hope your never that angry with me."

"Never gonna happen," she said smirking as she planted a light kiss on his lips, "Now lets go."

XXX

"Tell me what I wish to know and I can make this stop," the General of the Black Hand said with faux sympathy as towered over his prisoner a Duros male and Admiral Dodona's aide-de-camp. It had be a small coup to get the man out of Republic Admiralty on Couralag and behind the lines.

The Duros was badly beaten and bloodied with bright orange blood seeping from his mouth and numerous wounds all over his body. Working his mouth he ground out, "Go to hell," and spit in the face of the Black Hand leader.

Jaster Skirta was not amused as he wiped the salvia from his face. Giving a signal the interrogator pressed a button on the wall near the door and the chair on which the Duros was strapped too light up like an exploding warship. The poor creature screamed in torment until Jatser finally gave the signal for the torture to stop, "Now lets try this again, what do you know about Revan, what did the Jedi do to her, what are they after."

"I don't know," the Duros lied and Jaster backhanded across the face for it. The Duros spat blood and started at the General with hateful eyes.

"I grow tried of this," Jaster said wearily as he pulled a long thin dagger from his boot and waved it in front of the Duros's eyes which followed it fearfully, "This is the last time I will ask before permanent damage will be caused."

So far all the suffering inflicted on the officer could be easily repaired. The Duros licked his dried out lips and said once more, "Go to hell you Sith bastard."

Jaster didn't even hesitate and plunged the tip of the dagger into the Duros's left eye and slowly pulled the eye from its socket as the Republic officer screamed in agony. Finally with a sickly pop the eye came free and Jaster held it up in front of the alien's one still good eye for him to see.

The screaming got even louder.

"Now," Jaster said his voice ice cold, "Shall I take the other eye or can we talk."

"Alright, alright, alright," the Duros said pleadingly, "I'll tell you what I know just please stop," he sobbed.

Jaster nodded and scrapped the eye off his dagger, wiped it down and slid the dagger back in his boot, "Very good, now start."

"Darth Revan was… was captured not killed at the Rhen Var… as was commonly believe," he said gritting his teeth in pain, "In the ambush she was grievously injured and as a result the Jedi Bastila was able to capture her."

"Then what," Jaster asked impatiently, he already this.

"The reports…," the he started obviously pained, whether from the psychical pain for the pain of his betrayal was unknown, "stated that the Jedi council did something to her… to her mind. They were supposed to mine her unconscious mind for information about the Sith."

"That seems like an inordinate risk to take," Jaster mused, "Darth Revan is one of if not the most powerful Force-users in the galaxy. Its foolish to think you can control her."

"The Jedi thought they could contain her. The Endar Spire was supposed to serve as the interrogation facility, the thought was keeping it mobile would lessen the chance of you… you guys finding it," he laughed slightly, "but the Spire was pressed into he hit and fade attack on Taris and everything went to hell after that."

"How so?"

"Despite the objections of Republic Central Command the Jedi Council went a put Revan on their own assignment. The sent her after something called the Star Forge," the Duros licked his lips, "That's all I know I swear," he finished pleadingly.

General eye the alien plead stare before finally say, "I believe you Major," and stood up as he exited the cell he gave the guard a discrete nod.

Waiting for him outside the cell was the aristocratic intelligence officer Reinhardt, "Very good General if not a bit…crude," he said grudgingly crossing his arms.

The General shrugged uncaring, "It gets the job done."

The reverberating echo of a blaster shot

XXX

Rachel and her whole team minus Canderous, Mission and T3-M4 who were back protecting the ship laid on looking over the crest of a sand dune at the large Tusken encampment below.

"Must be hundreds of them," Carth whispered and he handed over the macro-binoculars to Rachel.

Taking them she looked down at encampment seeing watch Carth saw and sure hundreds of the raider milling about in the camp, men women and children. Those were only the ones she could see, "So a straight fight's out of the question" as she handed the glasses over.

"Perhaps we could sneak in under the cover of night," Juhani purred as she looked through the macro-binoculars.

Looking up at the fact the one of Tatooine's twin suns were still up she added, "Will have to wait till the sun goes down before its safe to start."

Rachel nodded, "HK how long till the second sun goes down"

The droid was silent for a second as it computed, "Answer: Seven hours, twenty-nine minutes and fifty-four seconds. Then we have less than three hours before the first sun comes back up."

Rachel let out a ragged breath, "Alright we'll set up watches. I'll take up the first one."

The she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked over and saw Carth with a concerned look on his face, "Rachel I'll take first watch you look beat."

Rachel smiled, "Thanks Carth," she said turning on her back and sliding down the dune. Hoping back into the landspeeder she rested her head against the head rest and closed her eyes.

XXX

Malak lay on his back his hand held up his hand in attempt to warn off harm. Over him Revan stood the tip of her right-hand saber at his throat and held her other saber at her side, "Yield," she in a voice that was cold as the frozen tundra of Hoth.

Malak nodded and winced gingerly touching his face where Revan had hit him hard during their supposedly 'friendly' duel. When he removed his hand he found it slick with blood, "Revan I know your pissed," he said softly, "I don't think I can survive much more of this."

Revan's expression softened as she looked at herb eaten friend, deactivating her sabers she helped him up, "I'm sorry Malak. It's just…," she sighed as she began to pace about the training room, "Mandalore…," she paused, "my father," she almost sobbed, "is killing millions of innocents in the Outer Rim and the Republic does NOTHING," she snarled.

With the last out burst she through a powerful Force blast into the rack of training weapon, shattering the rack, sending the weapons flying in every direction and cracking a significant part of the wall.

"Revan you need to calm down," Malak said the fear for and of his friend showing freely on his face.

"Calm down," she shouts with a mix of disbelief and rage, "Millions are dying or being enslaved on the Outer-Rim and the Republic and the Jedi sit and do nothing saying 'if we leave them along they won't bother us, but that a load of bull!"

"I know it is," an eerie sounding voice came from behind them.

Malak actually jumped as Kreia spoke from behind him. He'd never liked Revan's master and found her extremely freighting.

Revan whirled, "And what are you doing about it, master," she snarled, "You know that the Republic will be my father's next target. Once he finished with the Outer-Rim, once he's absorbs it resources and populations into his war-machine, he'll be ready to attack the Republic proper."

The old woman mouth twitched, "Tis not for me to do anything Revan, this is your time."

"What do to want of me," Revan queried.

"You are still a padawan," the old Jedi Master started, "Even an extraordinary padawan such of yourself cannot challenge the council, however," she paused, "a knight can. In two weeks time you will undergo your trails and you will pass them. What you do then on is up to you."

Kreia turned and made to leave but before exciting the room she paused and without turning around spoke, "Remember my earliest lessons Revan. Anger is a tool like any other like the Force itself. Though anger is a two-edged sword you can use it to fuel your power but it is a living thing master it do not let it master you. If it does then you are useless to me and to the galaxy at large."

Revan knew here master was right and set about making her own plans.

XXX

"Rachel wake up," came the voice of her lover, "wake up."

Rachel's eyes snapped open as she reached for her sabers before relaxing, "What's it's," she said groggily waking up.

"Sun's down, time to go," Carth said.

Rachel eyed Carth annoyed, "You were supposed to wake me up to relieve you."

"Whoops," Carth lied unconvincingly, "Now time to get up."

Rachel slowly got out of the speeder stretching her muscles. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes she threw back the tarp covering the back of the speeder revealing a large grey crate. Calling HK, Bastila and Juhani over to them she pried off the top revealing a single projectile rifle, two small compact sub-machine guns with a suppressor attachment and several pounds of explosives.

She took out the rifle and handed it to HK-47, "Pleased observation: Czerka manufactured seven-point-seven-six millimeter projectile sniper rifle… ten round detachable box magazine with attachable suppressor… very nice," the droid his eyes glowing as he looked over the rifle.

Next she took one of the SMGs and handed it to Carth who looked over the unfamiliar weapon, "Slug-throwers," he asked using the slang name for projectile weaponry, "Why these?"

Taking the last SMG for herself she cleared the breach then looked down the sights, "You can silence slug-throwers, you can't silence blasters. We need to be quick and quite." Commando team had often used slug-throwers on their ops for that reason.

"Alright here's the plan Bastila and I," she true a glance at the still smarting young Jedi, "is team one. Our job will be to find the prisoners and free them, Cart-"

"Wait a second," Carth interrupted, "flaw in the plan. How will you two find the prisoners, we have no idea where they are," he finished looked incredibly pleased with himself for picking up on that fact.

Rachel and Bastila looked at each other and it was Bastila who said, "We're Jedi.'

"Yeah," he said not following.

"They'll be the once that don't feel like the others in the Force," Rachel jumped in explaining.

"Oh yeah," Carth said sheepishly rubbing the back of his head, "Sorry."

"So with no further interruptions," Rachel started again, "Carth and Juhani will take the explosives to the opposite end of the camp and plant them, then after Bastila and I find the prisoners we'll set off the charges to cover are escape." HK's job," she said pointing towards the assassin droid, "is to provide fire support if this shit hits the fan. Remember keep your comlinks on one tap to tell you want to talk and too back to give the all clear, roger that?"

One by one the nodded their heads and grabbed there equipment. Once they were ready the assembled at the top of the hill, "Good look," she told Carth and Juhani before placing a kiss on Carth's lips. Carth responded by grabbing the sides of her head and pulling her to him and deepened the kiss.

"Ahem," Bastila said hands on her hips, she still didn't approve of their relationship.

Juhani who by this point was blushing could be seen even underneath her fur said, "May the Force be with you."

Looking at Bastila, Rachel said, "Alright lets go," and she jumped off the crest of the dune, sliding down on her back till she reached the bottom. Bastila and the others was more reluctant and carefully made their way down the hill.

The camp was surrounded by a wall of animal hide and scarps of metal, Rachel was the first to the wall and using the Force to make sure no one was within sight or hearing difference she ignited her saber and cut a hole in the wall.

Reaching out with the Force she found the only different sentient life was at the south end of the camp. Turn quickly to Carth and Juhani she whispered, "You two go north."

Carth gave a quick thumps up.

Rachel raised her SMG and entered the breach and Bastila quickly followed. The pair moved like wraiths through the camp, stooping several times when the detected life to let the Tuskens pass them unnoticed, A few times even called for the use of the Force to turn their interest away from the pair.

After several tense minutes they arrived at the location of the prisoners. Rachel quickly looked around the corner and saw three guards protecting the 'cells.' Letting Bastila know what was going on she tap her comlink once and waited for the reply. Seconds later the reply came two taps back.

"Carth you planted the charges yet," she whispered the question over the comm.

"Roger that," Carth said, "We're on our way out."

Rachel breathed deeply and exhaled for a calming effect. Hefting her SMG she rounded the corner and fired three short bursts into the raiders who quickly went down. Advancing slowly she made sure the raiders were dead.

Laying down her rifle she pulled out her knife and jimmied the crude lock on the door while Bastila did the same on the other 'cell' door. With a snap she broke the lock and swung the door open revealing a dirty beaten blue Twi'lek , "Oh thank the Force you're here," the Twi'lek said shakily getting to his feat, "I'm… I'm a high ranking executive for the Czerka Corporation. Surely you've heard of the great reward promised for my safe return?"

"You're lying Griff," Rachel whispered deadpan but before he could say another word she slapped her hand over his mouth and commanded, "Don't speak just follow."

Pulling her hand away Rachel made a 'follow me' motion and led the Twi'lek out of his makeshift prison. Looking over she saw Bastila leading the three jawas out as well. Reaching for her comlink she ordered, "Carth light it up, HK get ready to provide fire support."

"Roger," was all Carth said… and the back of the camp blew up.

"Move," Rachel shouted at her companions as she started running towards the extraction point. The Tusken camp was in chaos as the explosions had caused raging fires, death and destruction. With most of the warriors heading towards the explosion it allowed the team to make it swiftly out of the camp and back up onto the hill.

Upon reaching the top of the hill Rachel turned back and scanned the slope with her SMG looking for targets finding none she sighed in relief and slung the weapon back over her shoulder.

Moments latter Carth and Juhani catapulted themselves over the bluff and landed next to Rachel and the rescued prisoners, "Were clear," Carth said huffing and puffing.

"Should work and your cardio," Rachel said tongue-in-cheek trying not to laugh. Being a Naval Captain Carth probably didn't have to do this very often.

"Shut… up," he said panting,

Rachel shook her head, "Alright mount up," and when Griff made to open his mouth Rachel glared at it him, "Shut up Griff don't say a word," she threatened and the blue Twi'lek immediately closed his mouth with a audible snap.

As she entered the landspeeder she could just hear Griff ask Bastila, "What's her problem?"

XXX

Calo Nord stepped off the ramp of his TY-296 Space runner a small sleek ship dagger like ship manufactured by the Kuat Drive Yards. It was a small ship capable of carrying two to three men comfortably but it made up for its lack of space in speed and armaments; boasting two military grade lasercannons on the bow and a under-slung proton torpedo launcher.

After issuing a large bribe to the port authority to make sure his arrival 'stayed off the books,' the galaxy most feared bounty hunter head towards Chorca's Den; a seedy bar known to be a rest stop for some of the galaxies worst cutthroats, murderers, mercenaries, assassins and bounty hunters as well as the local scum.

Resting his hands on the butt of his handguns Nord entered the Tavern. The moment he did all the conversation in the bar stopped as everyone trained their eyes on the newcomer before losing interest and returning to their drinks and disreputable company. One man in the crowd, however let out a surprised gasp, "Hot damn that's Calo Nord."

Suddenly the crowd became far more interested in the new arrival, one man a wanted criminal with a sizeable bounty on his head pulled his handgun but before the barrel could clear its holster Calo had shot him dead through the heart.

"Easy now," the bounty hunter said pointing his pistols in the direction of but not quite at the crowd, "I not here for any of you. In fact," he continued twirling his pistols in a lavish fashion before returning them to his holsters, "I have a job for all of you… and the pay is extravagant."

The Dark Lord's Black Hand written by an unknown author serving in the Senate Intelligence service

Throughout the Jedi Civil War there was never an organization less understood then the shadowy Dark Lord's Black Hand henceforth referred to as simply the Black Hand. It is not known the exact date when the Black Hand was founded but it was suspected to have been formed of surrendered Mandalorian soldiers who swore fealty to Dark Lord Revan.

Revan commanded a great deal of loyalty from the line forces of the Sith Empire, but the ferocious loyalty the Black Hand gave to her was never quite understood by Republic Intelligence of the time.

It wasn't until nearly a hundred-fifty years after the end of the war did the reason for the Black Hand's loyalty become clear. Their loyalty was a result of Mandalorian tradition and the fact that Revan herself was born a Mandalorian. When Revan challenged Mandalore at the Battle of Malachor she wasn't simply trying to kill the leader of the enemy forces she was challenging Mandalore's ability to lead them.

When she slew Mandalore the Ultimate she took his mask for herself. At the time it was believed that the mask was a trophy of war, but no one in the Republic understood what the mask truly was. When she placed the Mask upon her face she was declaring herself Mandalore and considering the skill with which she had waged war against them they were only too glad to serve her.

Through the entirety of the war the Black Hand was commanded by a man named Jaster Skirta. Little is known about the man personally except that he served as a high ranking officer in the Mandalorian Supercommando's and was believed responsible for the bombing of the Senate Hall in the closing days of the Mandalorian Wars.

General Jaster Skirta like the Black Hand itself was an enigma. During the Jedi Civil War the general would command the Black Hand in Revan's name and was constantly at odds with Darth Malak. His loyalty to Revan is a matter of open debate even among scholars today. Some have suggested that it was the simple loyalty of a Mando'a to Mand'alor, but others have disagreed. Recent theories have suggested that Revan and her General were in fact lovers, but such theories disregard the fact that is was common knowledge even among the rank and file that before his betrayal Revan and Malak had shared a bed. Perhaps the Mandalorians themselves know the true reason but it is unlikely the warrior race would ever divulge such information.

Organizationally the Black Hand was split into two main groups: Covert Operations/ Intelligence Gathering and its Combat Legions. Blank Hand Covert Operations were responsible for some of the most surgical attacks against the Jedi Order and the Republic of the war.

Darth Revan had personally assisted in the training of a cadre specialized assassins to hunt, kill or capture Jedi. These assassins were reportedly responsible for the deaths or disappearance of nearly a fourth of the Jedi Order; a remarkable achievement. Sith Covert Operations teams formed with training that combined the elements from Republic Commandos and Mandalorian Supercommandos making them a truly dangerous force to be reckoned with.

Black Hand Legions would fight in nearly ever major battle in the war and would contribute nearly a hundred divisions' worth of soldiers to the Sith War effort. (Considering the Sith Army contained over ten thousand Divisions it wasn't an enormous force but still sizable.) The Legions would develop a well deserved reputation for ferocity, brutality and a near suicidal bravery. They served as shock troops and fire brigades for the regular army taking the most difficult assignments.

The Black Hand was also reported to have a small fleet of Capital Ships but the intelligence units at the time could never confirm that.