Ch. 10

I lay awake, Promise fast asleep at the foot of my bed. Face soft, snoring quietly. Though that was not the reason for my lack of sleep. I was shocked. Utterly. I had not anticipated this new development. She turned far quicker than I would have thought. No beating. No torture. All I had to do was save her life. Oh, and smile. She seemed to enjoy that. For just that she threw away her title of Jedi padawan. Breaking all bonds and ties to the Jedi order. Pledging herself completely and utterly to my service. Forever.

'I am disappointed. It was too easy.' I thought in despair but I contented myself with the thought that Bastila will be much harder. Most likely involving torture. She is a stubborn one.

Carth's reaction was extremely satisfying. Too say the least. It was truly a wonderful sight, face red with anger, eyes bugling in fury. He got a hold of himself after a time but it was still fun. Yes, yes. Fun. Those were my thoughts as I slipped silently into darkness.

*Early morning*

Bleary-eyed, maneuvering myself skillfully around Promises still form to the bathroom, door closing behind me. I locked it as I quickly splashed water onto my face, eyes focusing onto my pale features; my face set in a slight grimace. I swiftly went through my morning ritual. Showering first, thoroughly scrubbing my body. Feeling unclean from having to wear that disgusting Republic uniform. Drying myself off afterwards, standing naked as I brushed my teeth, having to really dig in because of my sharp teeth. Not bothering with my hair as I finished with a quick wash of my hands. After I dressed, weapons attached, I proceeded to wake Ira'lin. Her freckled face scrunching up in annoyance at my sudden disturbance. Her hand trying to swat my hand away as it shook her. At first softly but then violently when she did not immediately wake up.

'Troublesome woman.' I thought in anger, fire red eyes glaring at her fidgeting form.

Green eyes finally opening to spy upon my tall form, currently kneeling at their side, angrily. Jumping in freight, away from me she, at first, did nothing. Breathing heavily. As she got a hold of herself, face turning a bright shade of red she sprung upward to kneel to my now standing form. Towering, her face facing the floor in front of her toes.

Sighing at my apprentices' wacky antics, I just told her, stone-faced with a nod to the bathroom. "Get ready. We're leaving in fifteen minutes. There are clothes on the bed. I will be waiting at the entrance. Do not be late."

Nodding her head at my words, she responded, still kneeling before me. "Yes, my master."

As she ran, almost sprinting, to the bathroom, I left the room to check on Carth. To see if he has even risen from his sleep yet. I found him dressed at a table, food arrayed out before him, eating. To pass the time of having to wait for Ira'lin, I tried to eat some. Completely ignoring Carths presence as I ate until he broke the silence.

"Where's your little lackey?" He asked snidely, a sneer adorning his face.

"Now, now. No need to be rude. I am eating." I chided him calmly, adding as afterthought. "Ira'lin will be here when she comes. Patience."

Face hardening he turned away, walking to the other side of the room, back stiff. Although I enjoy tormenting and angering Carth, it just wouldn't do. We need to work together to escape from this planet and find Bastila. Fighting like this could prove disasters. Most likely resulting in our painful and gruesome deaths. And that just will not do. Not at all. So before Ira'lin arrives I must make a sort of, make peace with him. For now.

So with a hefty heart I rose from where I had sat and walked quietly to Carths side, clearing my throat to alert him to my presence. He turned his head, mouth opening for what I knew to be angry response but I cut him off before he could begin.

"Not that our little squabbles have not been fun and everything but this needs to stop. Before it escalades into something nasty." I told him casually, looking into his shocked gaze.

"That is…surprising." He said at first but then he continued with. "But I completely understand. It could have turned ugly and that would have ruined our mission. So…what happens now? Go on as comrades?"

Tilting my head to the side as I looked at him, I responded. "Of course not. I will lead. All else will follow. Understand?"

Grimacing and narrowing his eyes at me but he did nod with a sigh. "Alright, Shiva. We'll do things your way. Until we find Bastila and she takes command anyway."

Smiling without humor, I told him firmly. "I don't take orders from Jedi. Especially not from naïve, arrogant padawans. That will not do, not at all. I will be calling the shots, even then."

Carth looked at me, clearly doubting that's how it will happen but I didn't let that bother me. He will see. As he opened his mouth to respond the door to my room squealed it's protect of being opened. We both looked up to see my apprentice, Ira'lin Promise. Her freckled face calm, red hair tied back out of the way. Wearing some of my old clothes, black of color, clearly not made for her; far too large for her small frame. My spare customized Mandalorian blaster holstered on her belt, to her side. She zeroed in on the food immediately, showing her hunger. Ah, but she did not rush in like an idiot. No, she looked to me first. Her face clearly showing her question. Asking my permission for her to par take in said grub. Tilting my head in thought, pretending to think I mean, I finally nodded my head. Her face brightened and with a pulled up chair, she dug in.

We sat in silence, a comfortable silence. I used that time to think over my next move with young Ira'lin. Having thought of something to do but not quite certain if I should do it just yet. Or certain if I should do it in front Carth. But it came to me suddenly. Yes, yes its perfect. He has to be witness to this. Now what shall I rename her. What shall she be? Become. It has to be a Mandalorian name but what? Raking my brain, searching through my native language to find the perfect representation of what she is now and what she will soon be when I have finished molding her.

"Ira'lin." I said suddenly, surprising those at the table with me. Said person turning her gaze to mine, swallowing before she responded. "Yes?"

"I have something for you." I told her simply.

Her face lit up and she leaned forward as she asked. "Really? What is it?"

"A name. Your new name to be precise." Was my answer. Carth looked in on our interaction, curious.

Puzzle-faced, Promise asked me softly. "I…need a new name? I guess but don't make it anything stupid, okay?"

Smiling at her in reassurance, I just picked a Mando'a word at random. "Jate. That will be your name."

Confusion poured from her through the force but she smiled at me, showing that she liked it but that she did not know what it meant. Not surprising. Few outside the Mando knew our language and fewer were aware we had one. So I was more than happy to enlighten her on the subject as well as Onasi over there. I could feel his confusion too.

"It is Mandalorian, from my native language of Mando'a." I told them both patiently. Their faces showing that they understood so I continued my explanation. "Jate is the Mando word for 'good'. More or less. It is appropriate I think, yes?"

Nodding her head, the newly annotated Jate smiled and blushed a blight shade of red and Carth sat back shocked. I could clearly hear his (he was that shocked, broadcasting his thoughts like that.); 'She just accepted it. Just like that. That's…that seems weird.'

Chuckling to myself I turned to Carth as he asked. "Your Mandalorian? I did not see that on your service records. Why are you helping the Republic?"

With a shrug I casually lied to him. "They pay good." At his sudden scowl I bit off sarcastically. "Don't give me that look. We Mandalore don't hold grudges. You won, we lost. Doesn't matter to us, as long it was a good fight. Honor full. If the battle has meaning, then honor is gained. Besides we do not much care who we work for as long as the credits are good and we have something to kill."

Still grimacing but Carth finally conceded with a nod so I turned from him to look upon Jate and she was watching me intently, green eyes shining brightly. It seems she is very interested in my past. Of what has made me who I am. Curious. Now time to stop the speculation. She will find out who I am soon enough. So I clapped my hands together and rose from my chair, turning from them and heading to the entrance of our temporary base of operations. Feeling that they were not following, I stopped and turned my head back to them, face blank. "Come, come we can't keep young Bastila waiting now can we. She has a temper that one."

Smiling brightly, Jate hurried after me and surprisingly so did Carth, a small grin on his face. At my puzzled look he merely shrugged. "Hey, you're the boss."

I nodded and thus our journey truly began. 'I will be Darth again. They fooled themselves. The Jedi council. Malak. They truly believe me dead. I will rise from the ashes of my defeat and come back far more powerful than before. They'll see. I'll show them.'

*Bastila*

Blurred gray images, moving back and forth along my vision. For a time that was all I saw. All that I was aware of, then the pain came and I shamefully embraced it. Sensing that it was the dark side I was tapping into. If only faintly. To help clear my mind somewhat and see that I were in a cage. A prison of sorts with a powerful neural disruptor attached to my forehead. Making sure that I was cut off from the force. Not be able to concentrate and escape.

'How…how did I come to be here?' I asked myself. Trying furiously to remember what has happened to me.

We were under attack by the Sith. There were far to many to fight off or kill. It was all I could do to hold them off with my Battle Meditation long enough for as many as I could and myself to get away in the escape pods. Mine crashed. Yes, it crashed in the Undercity. My lightsaber was gone, the powers drained I was no match for them. Now I'm their prisoner. Biker gang scum. Bloody Black Vulkars.

My concentration gone and I was lost. Back to the blurred images and the pain…

*Revan*

Of course the second we left our apartment, trouble was occurring. 'By the force I attract the crazies.'

A dark-skinned human Sith officer, traditional uniform flanked by two Sith battle droids, rifles at their sides. The human stood before two male Duros and he was yelling at them. "Okay you alien scum, everybody get up against the wall! This is raid."

A brave Duros tried to argue against him in his native language. ["There was a patrol here just yesterday, and they found nothing! Why do you Sith keep bothering us?"]

Holstering his blaster rifle and aiming the Sith officer fired and killed the brave and now dead, Duros and the officer seemed smug in his response. "That's how we Sith deal with smart mouth aliens! Now the rest of you get up against the wall before I loose my temper again!"

Turning suddenly the officer just now noticed that we were there, watching and he actually recognized us for what we were. "Hey, what's this? Humans hiding out with aliens? They're Republic fugitives! Attack!"

Moving, short vibroblade in hand I flowed at him. His blaster bolts completely missing their target destination; namely myself. My blade finding itself deep in the Sith officer gut, producing out the other side. Killing him instantly and with ease pulling it from its rooted position and turning to see that both battle droids taken care of by Jate and Carth; blasters drawn. Jate's eyes wide in wonder and disbelief and I wondered at it. Until it hit me and I mentally smacked myself over the head. 'I used the force. Right in front of her and she felt it!' I will have to tell her sooner than I thought. Or at least a form of the truth but not here. Later. Not in front of Carth. So with a dark glare at her that went unnoticed from Carth I tried to envoy that.

Jate nodded her head and turned to the Duros that we had saved as he began to speak. ["Poor Ixgil. He should never have talked back to that Sith. Thankfully you were here to step in and help us, human. This isn't the first time the Sith have come in here to cause trouble for us, but hopefully it will be the last."]

"Won't someone come searching for this patrol?" I asked him.

["Don't worry about the bodies. I will move them so it looks like they were killed elsewhere. That should throw the Sith off the track With any luck, they won't be bothering us again for a while."] He finished with a nod to us and I just shrugged and moved on. Maneuvering around the inhabitants of the apartments, all different kinds of aliens. Moving about their business, only stopping to stare at a weird sight; humans in these apartments but only for a moment and then we were ignored. Okay for me. I confidently strode through them and the elevator. Out of there and up the streets of Uppercity. Jate and Carth not far behind me.

We arrived, the bright sun barring down on us, hundreds of small builds in the distance. Only humans walking along these shiny streets, Sith trooper patrols moving among them. Their armor shinning brightly from the sun overhead, rifles at the ready. Passing by them, we moving forward too an open store. In need of more information. Finding a dark-skinned human woman behind a counter.

She happily began before I could speak. "Hello there. I haven't seen you in my shop before…allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kebla Yurt. Welcome to the Equipment Emporium. You looking to buy some supplies? My shop's the largest one in all pf Upper Taris. Best selection on the planet. Whatever you need, I've got. Well, mostly."

Carth's curiosity piqued. "Mostly? What do you mean by that?"

She hurryingly explained. "The Sith confiscated all my heavy weapons. And they impounded all my swoop bikes. But I've still got a real nice selection, if you're interested."

Not needing any weapons right now, and not having the credits even if I did need it, I got to my questions. "Do you know anything about those escape pods that crashed here on Taris?"

"I heard a couple of pods crashed down in the Undercity. I bet the crash sites have already been stripped clean by the Sith though – unless the swoop gangs or Daviks men got there first."

Getting somewhere I dug deeper. "Swoop gangs? What can you tell me about them?"

"I don't have anything good to say about the swoop gangs; zooming around on their swoop bikes, terrorizing the Lower City like a bunch of animals. Things weren't so bad when the Hidden Beks were running the show, but ever since the rise of the Black Vulkar gang the Lower City has been nothing short of a war zone! The Sith haven't even bothered trying to maintain order down there, and I heard a rumor that Davik's own people are having problems with the Black Vulkars now" Kebla told me.

Nodding my head as she finished I fished some more. "What do you know of Davik?"

Sitting down in her chair, shrugging her shoulders she answered. "Oh, Daviks a legitimate businessman, if you get my drift; smuggling, slaving, extortion. Uh huh. They say he's a member of the Exchange – you know, the big intergalactic criminal organization."

Face thoughtful, Carth said. "I've heard of the Exchange. Bad organization to cross. If anyone has blockade ships, however, it's them."

Grimacing slightly she told us. "I have to pay him protection fee every month, but it's reasonable. And I get most of my inventory through Davik and his suppliers – I'm just smart enough not to ask where it came from, you understand?"

Nodding to her in thanks, I turned from her and walked away, both behind me.

"Now what?" Carth asked.

"Its simple. Either the swoop gangs have her or Davik Kang does. Since we have no knowledge of where we might find him we should seek a way to get into the Lower City to check the swoop gangs. If they do not have Bastila we will move on Davik. Hopefully more knowledgeable then we are now." I stated simply and headed through the flow of people to the perfect place to ask around; the cantina. Stopping before the doors and turning to them both, something just accruing to me. "Carth, Jate. Both of you head to the local med station and stock up on supplies. Here take these credits and obtain what we can."

Passing the credits to Carth, he asked me. "And where are you going?"

Laughing softly I informed him. "For a drink."

Nodding his head, I turned from them into the cantina. Not looking where Jate stood. I could feel her sadness from our separation but I put that out of my mind I need to find a way into the Lower City. Walking into the cantina I was soon stopped by an old human man, his face wrinkled from age. "Hello there, youngster. You interested in buying the Pazaak deck of an old man looking to get out of the gambling game? Just fifty credits and I'll sell you all my cards. I'll even throw in an free lesson to boot. It's a great deal, if you can afford it."

Thinking it over, knowing that could be a good way to get some money I accepted his offer. "Sure, I'll buy your deck,"

He smiled slightly and responded. "Glad to see you're interested in the grand old game. The rules are pretty simple. Good luck; I hope the games as good to you as it was to me. Now, is there anything else I can do for you?"

Turning away from him, tucking his deck in my jacket pocket, I moved on with a shake of my head. Finding myself watching two spectators of what I think are duels talk to each other and then focus all their attention to the view screen. Moving to see if anything exciting was going on. I spied upon two men standing across from each other in a large ring, blasters holstered as the a booming voice announced them and started the fairly short duel. The older of the two men dropping his blaster as the match began while the other took advantage and shot him. Knocking the older unconscious. Hilarious sight indeed but it did give me a brilliant idea. I could enter, beat them all and collect the prize money. Simple.

Moving to the fat slug that obviously ran the duels and kicking its tail to get its attention. ["I'm sorry human – the betting window's is closed. No more fights right now. People are sick of seeing the same duelists all the time. It's bad for business. Unless… My name is Ajuur. I organize the duels here. We need a new face in the dueling game, human. Maybe you want step into the duel ring? It can be a highly profitable venture."]

Titling my head, I told him. "I might be interested – what's in it for me?"

["I can arrange for you to fight in the duel ring. If you win, you get the standard contract; 10% of all wagers. And don't worry, nobody dies in the duel ring anymore. Death matches are illegal now."] Ajuur said in his native tongue.

Slightly disappointed over that fact I used Force Persuasion. "I'll do it but I want more than ten percent."

Laughing Ajuur nodded his head and told me. ["You are tough, human. 20% it is. That's my final offer."]

"Okay, I'll do it." I told him my mind racing. 'I'll do two fights now then come back when money becomes tight.'

["Good – new blood for the ring! But you need a nickname, like Ice or Deadeye or twitch. Good nicknames make people bet more. Hmmm… What's a good name for you? You're an off-worlder. You're new here, people won't recognize you…I know! From now on in the duel ring you'll be the Mysterious Stranger!"] He wiggled all over in excitement, a most disgusting display.

"Good. Whatever." I firmly told him, not caring in the slightest.

["The Mysterious Stranger is the perfect name for you. You've got no past, no history… it makes you seem like you have some big, dark secret. People like that. Makes them bet more. You want to step into the ring now? Are you ready to prove yourself against the best duelists on Taris."] He seemed so excited.

Nodding my head 'yes', I was escorted to the ring, waiting a few hours for the fight to become known, tickets to be bought and more importantly bets to be made and then I stood in the ring and tore Deadeye Duncan apart. I defeat him by, as soon as the announcer had begun the fight, flowed at him and hit him in the head with the bud of my vibroblade, knocking him immediately unconscious. To the laughter of many from the crowd. After that I was paid two hundred credits and then I challenged Gerlon Two-fingers to a duel. The process repeated over again with the fight slightly harder for Gerlon got a shot of, a wide shot, and was out soon after; collecting three hundred credits after that. It was much more enjoyable than I thought it would be.

As I was leaving the duel room I was stopped by one of the spectators I saw earlier. A human female, starting with; "Hey – you're one of the duelists! The one they call the Mysterious Stranger – sure, I know you!" And ending with her asking for my autoprint. I was surprised but I freely gave it out. 'This place may be dar' yaim but it is sort of quaint from time to time.' I thought to myself as I left the room into the center of the cantina, finally remembering that Carth and Jate have not returned and it has been hours. But I shrugged my shoulders and moved to get that drink I told Carth I would and then to sit for a while. Seeing a female off duty Sith trooper, I steered towards her lonely form. I have the perfect opportunity to get past the guards at the door to the Lower city.

As I sat down beside her, my face featuring a small smile for which she smiled back we began our conversation. Brown hair moved from her equally brown eyes she told me. "Hi there – I haven't seen you around before. Of course they don't give us Sith officers from the military base much time off…"

"You're from the military base? You don't look like one of the Sith." I stated simply.

"I'm off duty right now, so I'm not in uniform. My name is Sarna – junior officer first class with the Sith occupation force." She told me stiffly, proudly.

"Nice to meet you, Sarna. I'm Vas." Giving her my nickname that Brea gave me duing my time on the Endar Spire.

Sarna's face showed her surprise by my warm greetings, as was her response. " I'm actually a little surprised you're talking to me at al…most of the people here on Taris can't stand us Sith. It can get really lonely." Holding herself tightly, clearly now beginning to flirt with me. 'All too easy…'

Moving closer I reassured her. "You're just doing your job, right? I don't hold that against you."

Sarna smiled up at me brightly, her voice now light and playful. "That's true but people don't appreciate what we've done for the. We could have a curfew on this whole planet but we didn't. You know, it's like everyone on this backwater planet is in permanent bad mood. Don't they know we have to make the best of things?"

Adding my two creds. "You've got a pretty positive attitude."

Smile widening, taking my hands into her, she moved closer as she continued. "Exactly! It's all about attitude. I didn't ask to be assigned to this backwater planet but I try to make the best of it! It's pretty easy to get depressed on an assignment like this but we do what we can to keep our spirits up."

Nodding my head softly I responded. "You need to blow off some steam once and a while."

Giggling with a nod she agreed. "That's true. It's nice to meet someone who understands what I'm going through. It's good to talk about this stuff – it gets pretty lonely up at the military base. I have to get going soon – I've got a shift at the military base. But some of us junior Sith officers are having a party tonight to blow off some steam. I'd really like to see you again. Why don't you drop by the party? I'll show you where it is on your map."

Sarna looked up at me, her eyes clearly pleading for a yes so I agreed. "Sounds good. I'll be there."

Gripping my hands tighter she told me. "Don't be late. We're starting right after our shifts end. Most of us won't even be going back to the base to lock up our uniforms. I look forward to seeing you there."

Swiftly kissing my check, she was off. Sprinting out of the cantina, spots of red burning her face. Shaking my head with a deep-throated chuckle I sat down to drink my ignored drink, waiting for Jate and Carth to return. Whistling to myself. 'Soon. Soon I will be one step closer.'