Ok, you asked for a bit longer chapter...

Mahalo to Kenshin, SDD, Brazilian, Otaku, Thug, Bjrn, Vanilla, Phantom, Padawan, Reb, Pops, and DC. Thanks so much for reading and for your input. It's great writing with you, Kenshin, you have such original ideas.

We're hoping the fight is visceral and bone jarring, the romance is stimulating, and the humor is whimsical.

I'm off to somewhere freaky next week, so see you on the flip side.

Knights of the Old Republic

Kashyyyk – The Outskirts of the Wookiee Village

Towering above his human enemies, Chuundar roared, shaking Bastila in his massive hand. The Wookiee was fearsome in his growing rage, sending Mission and Cal Starmaker running for cover.

Jon drew his lightsaber and began a Force Leap at the corrupt chief, but Chuundar was just as fast and flung Bastila like a doll into Jon. The crunch of muscles and bones impacting resonated in the trees along with the crashing of the lake's waves.

The two Jedi tumbled into the tall grass and were sprawled about. Dazed, Jon crawled a few paces, his head spinning while Bastila groaned weakly, holding her broken leg.

Chuudar crashed through the underbrush and launched Jon into the air with a solid kick to the midsection. The Jedi flew through bush and branch to land hard on the sandy shore. Cracked ribs grated against bruised flesh within the Jedi's chest and he spat up blood amid rasping breaths.

Lying on his back, Jon's vision blurred with pain until he could focus on a massive, furry foot poised above his head. With what little strength he had remaining, Jon rolled aside as Chuundar stomped the sand, throwing grains into the air.

Jon quickly staggered to his feet and powered his weapon, letting the blade of the lightsaber shimmer in front of him. Chuundar seemed undeterred however, as the sight of a bloody, wheezing, limping Jedi did little to intimidate him.

Then, nearby, the sounds of battle grew more intense. Fresh Wookiees rushed from the forest onto the rocky shore, accompanied by Republic forces; they bore Freyyr's banner.

Ignoring Jon, Chuundar shouted to his Wookiees to counterattack and his troops charged at the new enemy with a rare and fearsome rage.

As expected, Freyyr led his force in a mad dash with Zaalbar at his side. The two Wookiees bared their fangs with fierce howls as the two sides collided like juggernauts. Almost feral, Freyyr slashed a Wookiee from shoulder to groin and then picked the body up to hurl it into the ranks of the enemy. Zaalbar followed, ramming the point of Bacca's Blade through, not one, but three Wookiees, pinning them to a Wroshyr Tree.

Chuundar's forces were not so easily defeated however, and they still held the advantage of numbers. Despite their ferocity, Freyyr and Zaalbar were driven back with many wounds.

The evil chief, Chuundar, roared with satisfaction. "Pursue and destroy them!" he cried, waving his Czerka-forged glaive.

With wild abandon, Chuundar's Wookiees and Czerka men charged ahead, cutting down any who stood in their way.

Until the real trap was sprung.

Zaalbar fled in seeming panic around a Wroshyr Tree, chased by three Wookiees, intent on eliminating their chief's rival. As the pursuers rounded the giant trunk, the sight of Jolee and Juhani caught their final seconds of attention.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Nearby, Freyyr led his pursuers into a kill zone set up by Carth and Canderous. Wookiees entered the narrow clearing and men opened up with deadly accuracy, hurling bolts of charged particles into flesh and bone. From behind cover, Mission and Cal took careful aim to make every shot count.

The young Twi'lek pressed the trigger and a flash emanated from the muzzle of her pistol, sending a bolt slicing into the head of a Wookiee. The giant spun and then toppled over in a heap to be shot by Mission again.

"Die already!" she shouted impatiently, bringing a look of concern to young Cal's face.

"You're pretty bloodthirsty. Mission," she stated nervously.

The Twi'lek merely gave him a girlish grin. She glanced behind them to see the boy, Tankios, huddled with Sasha. Mission then pulled a large leaf over the childrens' faces and kissed Cal on the cheek.

"Thanks for noticing," she replied sweetly.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Chuundar's expression soon went from glee to horror as his forces routed past him, pressed by Freyyr's furious counterattack. In a rage, he returned to where Jon was standing on the shoreline. The huge Wookiee's feet sloshed through the lapping water, spraying drops with each footfall.

This time, Chuundar was confronted by two opponents.

Jon stood, knee deep in water, his left arm holding his shattered rib cage, his right pointing a shaky lightsaber at his enemy. Bastila hobbled nearby, struggling on her broken leg. Unable to make full use of her dynamic Makashi Form, she elected to power only one of her sun-colored blades.

Chuundar let loose a coarse gurgle that could only be construed as a contemptuous laugh.

Standing together, the two Jedi waited bravely for the Wookiee's assault. Bastila took a moment to wipe the blood from Jon's nose and mouth with tender hands. A bittersweet smile escaped her lips and a tear rolled down her cheek.

"R…Jon, there is so much I have to tell you and there is no time. You have to know."

Her words were cut short by the sounds of Chuundar's fury.

The Wookiee's blade cut downward, forcing the Jedi to leap painfully aside. Jon landed hard, his broken ribs tearing his inner flesh. He struggled to get up, his face twisted in pain. He assumed a weak guard stance, expecting Chuundar's next strike, but the Wookiee seemed distracted.

Chuundar's eyes followed something that moved with blurring speed. His mouth fell open as Seja appeared before him like a gnat before a giant. The massive Wookiee delivered a crushing blow to the image of Seja, but his blade only cut air.

The evil chief's eyes narrowed with confusion as several likenesses of Seja appeared. The Wookiee turned about several times, unable to decide which one to attack.

As Chuundar flailed about, Zaalbar rushed in.

"You have plagued our people long enough!" roared the exiled Wookiee.

Chuundar refocused his eyes on his brother and coiled like a snake for a strike. As he unleashed his attack, the sound of a lightsaber sizzling through flesh cut through the air.

Chuundar's expression changed to one of horror. He staggered three steps forward before collapsing in a heap to reveal Seja standing behind him.

With his face twisted in near madness, the Jedi unpowered his weapon. Chuundar struggled at Zaalbar's feet, barely moving. The former exile reached down and picked the hilts of Bacca's Sword from Chuundar's broken body and presented it to his father. Freyyr shook his head.

"Zaalbar, you are my true heir. It is yours."

With a groan, Chuundar reached out his hand weakly. "Kill me, Father…let me die like a hunter."

Freyyr was about to answer when Seja stepped in. "No, leave him to the forest. Let the beasts have him."

The old chief nodded; it was just.

As they began to walk away from the crippled Chuundar, the corrupt Wookiee cried out, "No!"

But his pleas fell on deaf ears.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

On the lift ride back up from the Shadolands, Jon sat with Bastila nuzzled on his shoulder. Tired as he was, he smiled as he held her – it felt so natural…so right.

After the battle, Republic relief forces descended on the planet to bring aid to the oppressed Wookiees.

On the lift, Republic Doctor Meg Tani splinted Bastila's leg, causing her to wince. Jon pulled Bastila in tightly, but looked on with a pained expression as the doctor worked her science.

Meg looked up to notice Jon's dark look. "Don't get comfortable, Seward, you're next."

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Summary – After recuperating in the village, Jon led the group back to the Shadowlands, where they found the Star Map. They bid farewell to the Wookiees and assembled the on the landing pad. They were met by Doctor Tani, who insisted on joining the mission.

Carth was about to protest when Meg pushed her way past the Captain. Exasperated, he followed her down the corridor to the galley, where Jon and Jolee were fixing a messy snack prior to departure.

Meg looked around, appalled by the sloppy state of the dining facility. "You're all lucky I'm here. You especially, Onasi. This place needs a woman's touch."

Carth groaned audibly. "Can't we just get to Manaan?"