Griff had abandoned Mission on Taris, that much was clear. I think Mission spoke with Zaalbar about it. I was almost surprised she didn't come to me, but they've been together far longer than they've been with me... though I get the impression there's more to it than that. Well, I don't want to push. I'd been nudging Carth repeatedly during our stint on Taris, and now he and I barely speak. I'm not going to try again until that particular frown leaves his face. I bet if we took off the beard, eyebrows and hair - and any other hair he might have - he really would look like a hairless Wookiee. Even though I'm starting to think he has a point about the Jedi and their secrets, I'm not about to risk him blowing up at me again out in the desert. HK was also disappointed that I didn't want to take him along this time, but I promised to have another go at his memory core when I got back.
I took Bastila and Canderous with me to find the cave and face the krayt dragon. Both are hunters in some fashion. The 'Jedi princess' had been fathered by one, and she has a personal stake in this. Canderous may have spent more time butchering people than animals, but the Mandalorians have always been big on heavy firepower, and I figure we could use someone who thought big when it came to something like this. The potential bonus was that they might have another argument... except Bastila probably knows I'm hoping for it, even without the bond between us. Canderous gave her the occasional look after we left the Hawk, he was obviously up for another round; but everyone knew about her father by now, and he was being surprisingly thoughtful about not starting something. At least he's thinking before he acts, now. I don't know how Mandalorians handle grief, but I imagine there's a big fight, party and/or ceremony involved.
Canderous is the most familiar with desert terrain, so he led the way whenever he wasn't taking the opportunity to bring down another desert wraid with the prototype vibroblade I no longer used. I spoke quietly with Bastila every now and then, asking about what she wanted to do when we found her father's holocron. At first she would seem almost willing to talk, then her sadness or resentment would rise up and she'd lock it down immediately and change the subject. We'd often talked before, but it had often been about the ways of the Jedi, or the task we had set ourselves, or the mission we were on. Now she told me about her childhood, her life before her abilities had been discovered and the Jedi took her in. It was comforting to know that she had started off as a mere mortal like the rest of us.
I wish she would let herself hurt. I'm sure she felt something big when Taris was blasted to planetwide rubble, but I don't remember her showing any emotion about it at all.
On top of everything else, Bastila's worried about me. Not that she isn't always worried, with my lack of training and the temptation of the dark side, blah blah blah... I know she lectures because she cares... and not just about herself, though I'm sure she fears I could drag her down with me if I went bad. She must know what I said last night isn't necessarily true. I knew it as soon as I said it; it is possible to take pleasure in someone's death. I feel sure now that I have, though I can't remember any details. Could this be the bond talking? Did Bastila enjoy killing someone during the mission to capture Darth Revan? Can I not remember the specifics because they aren't my memories? If so, is she trying to block them from me, or from herself? I hope what I said applied specifically to her, and she was merely confused by her feelings about it.
The deeper this bond gets, the more confusing it can be. I try to keep these things out of my mind when it's important not to be distracted, but the rest of the time... it's difficult. I'm worrying about Bastila too. I hope finding her father's holocron will bring her some peace. This cave is in the direction her mother mentioned, but there's no proof this is the krayt dragon that killed Bastila's father. Yet I'm certain we'll find his holocron in there along with the starmap. Did I sense it during our shared vision as we approached the planet? Or did Bastila sense a connection with the cave she could not explain before learning of her father's death, and I'm picking up on that? Perhaps it's just fate, plain and simple. Maybe I should just blame the Force for everything and stop worrying about it.
Rumour in the hunter's lodge is a Jedi knight already tried to remove the threat of this krayt dragon, and was never seen again. I'm glad I'm not doing this alone.
The twin suns seemed locked high in the sky for hours, and they had yet to find the cave housing both the starmap and the krayt dragon. The distance had been so great that they had hired a pair of speederbikes, Canderous on one, Obtena and Bastila on the other. The Mandalorian had grinned widely as Bastila clambered on and wrapped her arms around Obtena's waist, but a frown from Obtena kept him from making any chauvanistic remarks. Now the pair watched silently as he took on three desert wraid at once. They were causing the brute some damage, but his regeneration implant was bound to keep him on his feet long enough to finish them all off.
Obtena fiddled with the planetary position device one more time then gave up. "I'm pretty sure this thing isn't working properly," she grumbled, refusing to believe a former scout could get them so lost.
"We'd probably have found the cave by now if we did not allow the Mandalorian to slaughter every animal we come across along the way," Bastila huffed. She was still sitting snugly behind Obtena on their speeder, but leaning back on her elbows. Obtena tried not to notice how gorgeous Bastila looked, loose hairs clinging to the sweat on her face, the way she licked her lips...
"He's the meatbag version of HK. He gets too grumpy if he doesn't get to kill something every now and then." A pause as a thought struck the padawan. "Hm, I wonder if HK is a Mandalorian droid designation..."
"Mandalorians are violent, simple-minded butchers. I doubt they would build an assassin droid, just battle droids and basilisks."
"You're probably right. About the droids I mean. After helping that desperate woman sell her wraid headbone, I figure we can let Canderous have his way and make a profit at the same time."
"The only reason you need so many credits is because you spend so many credits," Bastila opined. "And on what? Weapons, armour..."
"Mission did not look good in that second-hand combat suit..."
"...and yet you won't buy the gizka poison."
"You're just complaining because the gizka start crowding you whenever you begin to meditate." A reply was not forthcoming, so Obtena continued. "Meditation opens you up to the Force. The Force is in all living things. I think they're aware that you're not about to feed them, so maybe they feel it when you meditate. Maybe they like you."
"Maybe you should meditate, then they can flock around you for a change."
"Or maybe they just think you're the cutest. You know, right now I'm thinking you could model for some swoop ads..." Obtena reached back and squeezed a thigh. Bastila sighed and twisted herself off the speeder, walking around in small circles to stretch her legs. Obtena dismounted as well. "Bet you won't be complaining about our excess of funds when you spot the next hot ensemble you like."
"One is enough."
"As Canderous might say, we're women; one is never enough."
"Misogynistic twoddle! I do not dress to indulge the base passions of men!"
"You dress to feel good. The outfit, the matching lipstick... the eyes, the elaborate hair. Looking good makes you feel good, doesn't it?"
Bastila considered this. "I suppose," she finally admitted.
"On the other hand, Jedi have an honoured position in society. Maybe being one and not dressing like one says you wish you were ordinary."
"Nonsense!"
"If you hadn't been brought up by the Jedi, your social skills wouldn't be so underdeveloped, I imagine. No one to talk to but fellow students and grumpy old teachers."
Bastila looked at Obtena for a moment. "It's not just skill. You have... a way with people. Charisma. You've brought a Mandalorian into a group with a Republic soldier, a Cathar into a group with a Mandalorian; and none of them have tried to kill each other yet because they're too busy following you wherever you care to take them. You are a natural leader..." she paused suddenly.
"Was that a compliment, or just a statement of fact?" Obtena asked with a smirk. When Bastila didn't reply, she turned to see her with her head cocked and eyes narrowed. Obtena went still and turned her attention to their surroundings as well.
"How big can this dragon of yours be, Komad?" a man's voice carried over the next dune.
"Komad Fortuna is the name of the Twi'lek hunter," Bastila said. "It seems we've arrived at a precipitious time." She waved Canderous over to them, then she and Obtena climbed the dune. They reached the top in time to see Komad's human companion sneak forward into the shadow of the cave. The orange Twi'lek paused, not willing to approach any closer despite his attempts to stop him. A moment later, there was a horrendous roar and a scream. Komad's shoulders sagged and he shook his head sadly.
Obtena and the others walked down to him. Komad saw them coming, and recognised them as they approached. "Greetings to you, Humans. I remember you from the hunter's lodge. I thought I would see you on the dunes... will you help me? I have tracked a very special beast to its lair: a krayt dragon, the largest of the Tatooine desert predators. It is an honoured creature to hunt, although we must use unorthadox methods today."
Canderous grunted. "If it's such an honour, why do you want our help?"
"A valid question. This is a very critical fight. Bull dragons are rare to see. Rarer still is the apparent size of this one. It is larger than the one my father felled a decade ago, but he is too far out of his territory and must be dealt with. I might not prevail alone, but I must try."
Obtena shrugged and said, "Well, we were planning to kill this beast anyway. What are your reasons? And why do you want our help instead of some other hunters?"
"The natural cycle on Tatooine spans hundreds of years, but there are complications that must be addressed. Complications from our presence. Krayt dragons feed on banthas. If the number of either species fall, the other grows too numerous, and unbalances the cycle. Now settlers use banthas, there are less for dragons to eat. This one is moving closer to Anchorhead. Perhaps there will be more, but he is the threat tonight.
"As for why you? You are here, the other hunters are not. I also didn't know the size of my quarry until I began tracking him. And perhaps there are... other reasons. I tried to get the help of one other, but you probably saw him die in the lair just now. He lacked experience and, more importantly, patience. I usually hunt for the skill of it, but must make an exception today. I want newcomers to understand the proper intent behind the hunt, no matter what methods we use."
Obtena looked to the others. Bastila was staring into the cave. Canderous shrugged; he could not feel the power of the dark side of the Force radiating from inside, but he was also correct in thinking Bastila's thoughts were focused on the krayt dragon. "Alright, we'll help," Obtena told Komad. "What's your plan?"
"We must bait the great beast outside and ambush him swiftly. There is no room to engage him in the lair, and his hide will repel blaster fire...well, most blaster fire..." Komad paused, taking a moment to eye Canderous' heavy weapon. "I will place mines around the mouth of the cave. We must coax him out, but this is the end of his season of hibernation. It will take much to rouse him. The food of a beast this size is almost exclusively banthas... and foolish hunters. To lure him out, we must lure his food to tempt him."
"Mines? Not very sporting," Canderous grumbled.
"That is true, and I regret it. I tracked this beast for many days and hoped to face him fairly, but there are other concerns than my honour. It may seem like he is isolated, but the range of his territory extends deep into settled areas. We must kill him for the safety of others, and blasters alone will not do the job. We must lead the banthas here using fodder like the Sand People do. The mines will deal with the dragon as it emerges to feed. Not exactly a glorious hunt, but it wil ensure the safety of the region."
"If it were that simple, you would have done it yourself." Obtena frowned at Canderous' argumentative behaviour, but his voice held no disrespect. She figured he was seeing this as a conversation between two honourable men. Komad nodded in response to his statement.
"There is an added threat. The Sand People regard banthas as sacred. Attempting to feed the herd in this area will likely lead to an attack. We are far from the weakened tribes around Anchorhead. The Sand People of this region are strong, fierce, and will think nothing of killing you. Be careful. When you return, the dragon will fall. I wish it could be under more sporting circumstances, but we must do what the circumstances call for. I had hoped for a mirror of my father's expedition, but that will have to wait."
Komad pointed out the direction in which the banthas were to be found, and the trio set off in that direction. As the hunter had warned, the local Sand People did not take kindly to their presence as they approached the bantha herd, but despite their ambush tactics, there were not enough of them to pose a serious threat. Unfortunately, searching their bodies brought up an unexpected problem.
Stowing his heavy repeater, Canderous picked up a gaffi stick and swung it back and forth experimentally in one hand. "So, what now? If these natives have any fodder, they've buried it in the sand, who knows where." He glanced over to the women as they observed the herd, and sighed. "I'm playing slave boy again, aren't I. Fine, give me some credits and I'll ride back to Anchorhead."
"That won't be necessary," Obtena told him, then shot him a look as he opened his mouth, prompting him to close it without voicing the obvious question. Instead he tossed the gaffi stick aside and crossed his arms with an annoyed grunt, watching as the pair spoke to each other in low voices.
"You ever try this before?" the padawan asked her companion.
"Only with solitary brith, back on Dantooine," Bastila answered. "The larger ones don't like to fly so close to the ground, but I've been able to attract the younger ones close enough to reach up and touch them. Perhaps we should've brought Juhani..."
"Kath hounds are canrivorous pack animals, not... well, perhaps pulling the same trick with a docile herd would have done her some good..."
"It's not a trick, Obtena."
"People call it a 'mind trick' when we do it to sentients, you know."
"I suggest we focus on the task at hand," the brunette in blue muttered with a hint of exasperation.
"Sorry," Obtena said sincerely. "Stretching feelings now."
Bastila blinked at how strongly the Force began to flow from the padawan with the simple turn of a phrase, before taking a deep breath and focusing her will to the same purpose.
Canderous watched as the Jedi fell silent, staring at the herd. His attention turned to the animals as a bantha let out a low call, stopped shuffling along with the rest and looked about itself. Then another did the same. And another... more... the Mandalorian's eyes widened as the whole herd came to a halt, swung around and started heading in their direction instead. He was familiar with how the Jedi used their powers in battle, but this was a first.
Obtena looked back to him and spoke with a voice of contentment he had never heard from her before. "Lead us back, Canderous."
This time he knew not to ask, and turned back the way they had come.
