Mission ran directly to her bunk; Jace turned to Zaalbar. "Make sure she's okay." The Wookiee nodded and followed her. Jace continued into the main hold to find Carth in a heated argument with Canderous.

"Another Mandalorian atrocity!" Carth snarled. "And you say you are proud to be a Mandalorian warrior. Well, I'm a soldier. I don't kill helpless civilians, I protect people-usually from warriors!"

Canderous shook his head. "Not anymore."

Carth wasn't finished. "Sith and Mandalorians, you're all the same, you just want blood, you don't care where you get it!"

Canderous held up his hands. "Not anymore."

Carth stuck a finger in Canderous' face. "You were part of this, once. You were a Neo-Crusader."

"I know," Canderous snapped. He dropped into a chair. "I know." He looked up. "Mandalorians have to fight; it's part of what we are." He turned to Jace. "I found a cause in keeping people safe from the rakghouls, but I still needed to eat, so I worked for Davik. Now I have a real fight on my hands, and something worth fighting for."

Juhani nodded vigorously. "I feel the same way. War is in the Cathar nature; it's why the Mandalorians struck our worlds."

Canderous stood and squared his shoulders. "I still want to bring the clans back together. If they have a cause, a real one, there'll be fewer mercenaries and bandit clans terrorizing the Rim." He faced Carth. "But for now, let's stop the Sith." Canderous offered his hand; Carth hesitated, then shook it.

Jace nodded, satisfied. "Let's go pick up Komad. If the Star Forge is guarded by a krayt dragon, we'll need an expert hunter."

Carth flew the Ebon Hawk back to Anchorhead. Canderous had called ahead; the Twi'lek hunter was waiting on the landing pad when they arrived. He had his own airspeeder loaded with several crates of mines and other supplies.

Carth looked surprised. "I thought you'd be hunting the dragon, not laying a military-style ambush."

Komad shook his head sadly. "Indeed, I would like to stalk the noble creature as my father once did, but this dragon is too aggressive, and too close to inhabited areas. It poses a threat to the locals and the people of Anchorhead." Komad held up a small vial. "This is the pheromones of a female dragon in heat. It will lure the bull into our minefield." He looked at the Jedi. "I assume the usual split on the pearls?"

Jace cocked his head. "Pearls?"

Komad nodded. "Krayt dragons swallow small stones, which they hold in the last chamber of their gizzard. Over time, they become polished by grinding against each other. They are valuable, and," he looked up at Jace, "they can be used as focusing crystals in blasters and lightsabers. Hunters who bring down a dragon usually place the pearls in their rifles as a functional trophy." Komad paused. "A dragon usually has between four and seven pearls. Normally the guide gets one-third of the take, and the hunting party split two-thirds."

Jace looked at Bastila, who shrugged. "We aren't hunting for trophies."

"We'll keep one pearl," said Jace, looking Komad right in the eye. "Consider the rest payment for flying home as soon as the dragon is dead, and not asking us why we are searching the cave."

Komad bowed. "I have no wish to be involved in Jedi business." The hunter mounted his speeder; Jace and the rest boarded the Hawk. The smaller speeder followed the freighter into the eastern Dune Sea. Jace took a moment on the short flight to check on Mission. He found her sitting on her bunk, swinging her legs back and forth. Carth and Zaalbar were sitting on other bunks; all three looked up as he walked in.

"Hi, Mission," said Jace. "I wanted to see how you were doing."

"So did they," said the young Twi'lek, gesturing to the others. "Thank you for helping me with Griff. You… you did everything you could for my brother. More than most people would have." She looked up at Jace. "I know it looks like it all ended badly-all those people dead. But we tried to settle things without bloodshed-we would have, if Lorso hadn't betrayed us." Mission sighed. "Again, in my case."

"Don't give up on him, Mission, he could still change," Jace said. "And when he told you he didn't know what Lorso would do, he was telling the truth."

Mission nodded. "I know people can change no matter how bad they were. But I'm not holding my breath. None of us is perfect, but I've come to realize that Griff is a little less perfect than most." She sighed. "My brother is what he is, but I've learned to deal with that. I'll never forget that he looked after me when I was just a little kid, but I don't feel like I owe him anything anymore." She was lost in thought a moment. "If I see him again, I'll give him another chance, but there are more important things to deal with right now."


The crew was resting on the flight to the Dune Sea ruin. Bastila sat in the comm room, reading her father's notes. They contained the location of the cave; the description of the structure within was a match to the Infinite Empire ruin they had explored on Dantooine. Revan came in and dropped into a seat at the console, brooding.

"I can feel how upset you are," Bastila said, "do you need to talk, Jace?"

Revan looked at the deck plates. "Yes," he sighed. "I need to work on my Sentinel skills. I didn't pick up any deception from Jana Lorso."

You don't sense my deceit either, thank the Force. Bastila shook her head. "I don't think she was misleading us. I believe she did not know of Griff's plan, and the Rodian told her after we left for the camp. Griff was honestly surprised by her betrayal. Now, when he told Mission he was trying to return to her, he was lying, of course."

"I knew that without the Force," Revan grunted. "And he really hurt Mission. I'm worried about her."

Bastila smiled. "Don't. She is hurting now, but she is quite resilient. I was far more worried that she would murder her brother. Such an act could have damaged her beyond repair; now, she has a chance to heal someday."

Revan scratched his chin. "Speaking of family and healing, how are you doing?"

Bastila winced. I am torn apart. I never stopped missing him. "I know it is foolish, but I feel like as long as I have not found the holocron, my father is not truly dead."

Revan smiled gently. "I felt that way when I lost men in my squad. It wasn't real until I was sitting in my bunk, writing the letter to their families." He stared into the past. "Writing the letters helped me say my goodbyes and move on. I think this mission will be good for you."

Bastila met Revan's eyes. "I had hoped to just move on, never deal with my family again-that is the Jedi way, a complete separation from the life you had before you joined the Order."

Revan frowned. "That does not appear to be an option. As always, I'm here if you need me." He walked back to the cockpit.


Carth guided the Ebon Hawk to a landing a few kilometers from the cave entrance. Komad had warned them that the dragon might hear the ship and be alert. They didn't want to fight the creature in the open desert, where its size and speed could prove deadly. The hike to the cave mouth was tiring in the intense heat; they rested before setting their trap. Komad had a stealth belt; he, Mission and Juhani approached the cave mouth unseen. They quickly planted frag and stun mines at the opening, then retreated. Komad had loaded the pheromones into a spray canister-basically, a modified smoke grenade. He checked that everyone was clear, then pulled the pin and threw the canister. It popped and released a fine mist. A massive roar echoed out of the cave.

"What sort of kriffing monster is that?" cried Canderous.

The dragon came charging out. Jace felt a surge of fear; the lizard was beyond huge. Jace estimated it at fully sixty meters from nose to tail. It sniffed the air and sprinted forward, showing unbelievable speed for a creature its size. Mines detonated underneath its belly as it advanced, but the behemoth did not stop.

Komad unslung a large blaster rifle. "Fire!" he cried. "Aim for the throat, the hide is a little thinner." The crew began firing their blasters. Jace, Bastila, and Juhani threw their lightsabers; the spinning blades gashed the dragon's front legs. It limped closer. Juhani ran towards it; the dragon tracked her with its head and snapped at her. The Cathar deftly leapt aside and slashed its throat with one of her sabers. The dragon fell dead.

Komad sighed sadly. "It is truly a shame to kill something so magnificent in such a dishonorable way." He drew a vibroblade and began cutting into the belly. In a moment, he came up with a grey organ the size of a human torso. He sliced it open and withdrew five small round objects. Komad rinsed them off; they shone like gems. "Jedi, choose a pearl." Jace motioned to Bastila, who held the pearls up to the light one by one. The fourth was pink, like the inside of a shell, and reflected light with a yellow hue similar to her lightsaber. She held it up and nodded.

Komad placed the other pearls into a pouch on his belt. "Thank you, Jedi, for your generosity. I will leave you to your business."

"Wait," said Canderous, "What about the hide and skeleton?"

Komad shook his head. "The Sand People need the resources." He began hiking back to his speeder. The group headed into the cave. Jace felt the dark side, but much less so than the Dantooine temple. The tunnel turned a corner, and the Star Map stood before them. Jace and Bastila approached it. The prongs slid open, and the image of the galaxy appeared in the air; Jace recorded the new data.

Carth turned to Bastila. "First we find murderous droids, then a giant lizard! Will any of the Star Maps be somewhere easy, or will they all be surrounded by danger and monsters?"

Bastila looked thoughtful. "The Star Map is an artifact of the dark side. The krayt dragon may have been lured here by its dark power, only to be enslaved by it."

Carth rolled his eyes. "That's a no. It'll always be deadly peril. At least I won't be bored."

The image vanished; the Star map shut with a loud rumble. The vibrations shook the cave, and a pile of rock shifted. A tattered knapsack fell from the niche it had been wedged in. Bastila caught her breath as a fist-sized cube bounced out of a hole in the pack and began to glow. A golden yellow, life-size holographic image of a tall, handsome man appeared in the air above the data holocron, facing directly toward Bastila. The man beamed, raised a hand in greeting, then faded out. Bastila turned to Jace, smiling through her tears. "Thank you, Jace."

He smiled back. "We are done here. Let's go see your mother again." Bastila's smile vanished.

"Come on now, Bastila," said Jace, "you have to get some closure or your heart will be weighed down all your life." Bastila nodded, but her face was clouded. She retrieved the holocron and wrapped it carefully in a piece of cloth from the pack. The group turned to leave.

As the crew came back around the corner on their way out of the cave, they found three speeders at the cave mouth. A group of armed people was waiting for them. A short man wearing a blue coat and turban stepped out from behind a tall Weequay. "I have to give you credit… you've led me on quite a chase. But nobody gets away from Calo Nord in the end!"

"How in the damned void are you not dead, you midget?" roared Canderous.

"You got lucky on Taris," replied the bounty hunter, "the Sith attack saved you from a quick and gruesome death. You won't be that lucky a second time."

"Neither will you," Canderous shot back, "Are you worried, Calo? I see you brought back-up."

Calo Nord smiled dangerously, drawing his pistols. "You don't know the half of it."

Three figures in black robes and hoods stepped out from one of the speeders. One pointed directly at Jace. "Lord Malak was most displeased when he learned you had escaped Taris alive! He has promised a great reward to whoever destroys you."

Jace swore. "I knew it wouldn't be that easy. Jedi, with me. We'll take the Sith. The rest of you, keep the shooters out of our fight." Canderous nodded and began firing his repeater. Carth threw a frag grenade which Jace guided into the middle of the group. Everyone opened fire. Jace turned to Bastila. "Sandstorm!" He waved his arms, sending a pulse of Force energy toward the ground. The blast stirred up a huge cloud of sand, allowing Carth and the other shooters to seek cover in the cave. Jace, Bastila and Juhani drew their sabers and charged. They burst out of the sand cloud, running hard toward the three Sith. Juhani leapt ahead, slashing downward with her long and short blue sabers onto her adversary's double-blade. Bastila threw hers at the second Sith, who blocked it with a pair of short sabers. That left Jace with the Sith leader, who was charging in swinging a single lightsaber.

Mission and Carth fired from cover, alternatively popping out high and low from the corner as they traded fire with three thugs. Calo Nord and his thugs ducked behind their speeders and returned fire. HK-47 dashed to the far side of the cave and got behind a statue. The droid leaned out with his sniper rifle and shot a thug in the head. Canderous moved to a fallen pillar in the center of the cave. The big Mandalorian braced his gun on top of the column and laid down a withering suppressive fire. Mission and Carth moved to niches at the mouth of the cave and resumed shooting. Zaalbar took their position and blew a gaping hole in a speeder's side panel. HK killed a Nikto with his next shot. He drew a large amount of fire as the thugs recognized him as a major threat. Carth tossed another grenade; it blasted one of the speeders apart. Calo shouted an order; riflemen popped up on the crest of a dune and poured fire into the cave. Mission and Carth were forced to retreat as the niches did not provide enough cover. Calo and several of the mercs behind the speeders ran to the cave mouth and began firing from cover at the sides of the entrance.

"Taunt: stupid meatbags," HK drawled, "they're up on that dune like iriaz on a ridgeline. Request: Squad mate Zaalbar, your assistance please." The droid and the Wookiee leaned out of cover and picked off the riflemen atop the dune. Mission and Carth tried to move back up, but were driven back by blaster fire from the entrance. Calo Nord threw a grenade which exploded in the center of the tunnel. Canderous screamed in pain and went down. The bounty hunter laughed; he and several mercenaries charged. Canderous leapt up from behind his pillar; Carth swung out from the side. The two soldiers swept the entire cave mouth with blaster fire. Calo Nord and his men had no chance; Canderous and Carth shot them to pieces.

Carth looked at Canderous and grinned. "I can't believe the great Calo Nord fell for the oldest trick in the book!"

Canderous chuckled. "I guess he just came up short."

Zaalbar slid a fresh quarrel pack into his bowcaster. "Let's get to Jace."

Mission shook her head. "That's a Jedi fight. We'd just get in the way."

Jace blocked the Sith's attack desperately. The fight had gone on for what seemed like an hour without Jace being able to get in an attack. The Sith was relentless, feinting and slicing. Jace was completely on the defensive. To his left, he saw Juhani forcing her opponent back with powerful strikes. Jace spun his saber underhand, knocking his attacker's saber up and to the side. He swept a kick into his enemy's ribs, then followed up with an overhand slash. The Sith blocked high; Jace knew the steps to this dance. He jumped over the slash and kicked the Sith in the head. The Sith staggered back and blasted Jace with a Force push. Bastila had dispatched her Sith; she ran to help. The Sith cartwheeled and struck at her; Bastila was forced to stop and parry. The Sith leapt again, landing near the man Bastila had killed. He angled his saber defensively and laughed. The dead Sith's short lightsabers ignited as the Sith leader lifted them with the Force. The Sith moved to an offensive stance; all three sabers swung threateningly. Jace turned to Bastila. "Oh, come on," he howled, "three sabers at once? That has got to be against the rules!"

The Sith cackled. "Silly, weak Jedi. The Sith are without limitations!" Jace and Bastila raised their sabers defensively and waited. The two hovering lightsabers whirled and spun towards them. The two Jedi parried as the Sith approached, saber in hand. He jumped high in the air, trying to land behind them. Bastila shot a hand out and shifted the sand as the Sith landed; he fell flat on his back. Bastila slashed through one hovering saber's hilt and attacked as the Sith regained his feet. He pulled the remaining short saber into his off hand and attacked once more, hacking and dodging between Jace and Bastila. The two pressed their attack and the Sith was forced to blast them back with Force push again. He threw his short saber at Jace. Jace cut the saber handle in two, but could not block the bolt of Force lightning immediately after. Electricity surged up and down his body; Jace fell, twitching.

"Jace!" cried Bastila. She stepped in with upward slashes and the Sith was back on the defensive. Juhani and the third Sith crashed into the fight; the two Sith spread wide, forcing the Jedi almost back to back. As the Sith attacked, Bastila and Juhani suddenly switched sides. Bastila now dueled the junior Sith in a match of double-blades, while Juhani faced one saber with two. The Sith facing Juhani was caught off-guard and she was able to knock him back and create some space. Bastila drove her opponent back even further; she was clearly the more skilled fighter. The lead Sith tried to get between Juhani's blades; the Cathar was not fooled and stopped the Sith strike with crossed sabers. Jace got to his feet and rejoined the fight. The leader tried to shock him again. Jace jumped out of the way instead of trying to block; the Force lightning struck the ground where he had been standing and blasted a meter radius to glass. Jace and Juhani circled the Sith, trying for an opening. The second Sith screamed as Bastila cut him down; she moved to get behind the last Sith standing. He sent a weak Force push at Bastila; she stood her ground.

Then Jace saw the danger. "Behind you!"

Bastila turned in time to block the dead Sith's double-blade as it scythed through the air toward her. The Sith caught it. Unbelievably, he took a stance with a double-blade saber in his left hand and a standard lightsaber in his right. Juhani went on the attack; the Sith whirled the double-blade defensively and struck at the Cathar with his single-blade. Juhani was able to block, but he advanced, slashing at her, and gained running room. He dashed out of the encirclement and turned to face the Jedi once more. The women spread out wide to flank the Sith.

Jace thought a moment. "Bastila, Juhani, back off." They looked at Jace incredulously. Jace jerked his head at the Sith. "He's letting us get in each other's way. We can't get really aggressive as long as we might hit each other. Just keep him from retreating." Juhani nodded and leapt over the Sith in a Force-fueled jump, landing several meters behind him. Bastila dropped back behind Jace, who stepped up and took a ready stance.

The Sith smiled. "Maybe you're not a complete fool after all."

He threw the double-blade at Jace. It was not an attack, more an insult; Jace dodged it easily. The Sith made no effort to pull the saber from behind Jace; instead he raised his saber overhead, blade pointing directly at Jace's eyes. He charged and brought the sizzling red blade around. Jace blocked once, twice, then the Sith slashed overhead at the hilt between Jace's hands. Jace stopped the strike with the phrik alloy hilt, catching his opponent completely off-guard. The Sith was fully extended with both arms high; Jace kicked him in the stomach, whirled and decapitated him. Jace doused his saber and collapsed, exhausted.

Bastila ran up to him. "That was excellent, Jace!" she exulted, "well done, especially for your first duel!" Jace stood, but was unsteady on his feet. The rest of the crew ran out of the cave, whooping and cheering. Mission crashed into him with a powerful hug, and Carth and Canderous kept clapping him on the back.

"That'll show Malak," laughed Carth.

"Yeah," said Canderous, rolling his eyes, "three Sith down, ten million to go."

Carth took a breath. "So what's next, boss?"

"Kashyyyk," Jace replied, "after a little more business in Anchorhead."


Jace followed Bastila into the cantina. Helena looked up as they sat down at her table. "Bastila, you're safe! How did it go? Have you got the holocron? Did you find him?"

Bastila nodded stiffly. "I have the holocron, Mother. I'm just not sure I want to give it to you." Jace closed his eyes and frowned down at the table.

"And why not?" Helena asked with a pained look on her face, "would you deny me even that?"

Bastila shook her head slowly. "I've never denied you anything, Mother. You may think I don't remember what it was like before I left for the Order, but I do." She pointed an accusing finger at Helena. "You were the one who pushed Father to go on one treasure hunt after the other. You loved living in wealth. You think I don't remember the fights?" Bastila glared at her mother. "You were eager to send me to the Jedi, even though I didn't want to go. You took Father away from me, and now this holocron is all I have of him."

Helena came out of her seat. "Fool girl! You have a strange way of remembering things. That wasn't-"

"No," Bastila interrupted. I don't wish to argue with you any more, Mother. It's time we parted ways, now, for both our benefit."

Jace shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Maybe you should listen to what she has to say."

Bastila crossed her arms. "You don't know her. My mother is notoriously deceptive when she wants something. Why should she have the holocron?"

Helena sighed. "Is it too difficult to believe that I am a dying woman who simply wishes to see her husband one last time?"

Bastila looked down. "I find it difficult to believe anything you say, Mother."

Jace raised his eyebrows. "Maybe one of you should be the first to give the other a break?"

Bastila took a deep breath, then closed her eyes as she let it out. "You're right. It shames me, but I just… find it difficult to let go of the past. I'm… sorry, Mother."

Helena held her forehead in both hands, elbows propped on the table. "I was hard on you, dear. I wasn't a very good mother to you, I know that." She looked up at Bastila. "Your father loved you so. He wanted you to be just like him… he wanted to take you on his hunts, but I said they were too dangerous. It was a reckless life we led, always moving… I didn't want that for you."

Bastila gasped. "So that's why you gave me to the Order?"

Helena smiled sadly. "What do your father and I have to show for all those years of hunting? Nothing. That was no life for anyone, especially not for someone as gifted as you." Tears filled Helena's eyes. "Your father… he spent all his last years trying to pay for my treatments. That's why he went for the pearls. I begged him not to, but…"

Bastila's head snapped around. "Your treatments."

Helena nodded. "I'm dying, Bastila. I did not lie about that. It's been a long time in the coming, and I'm in the final stages." Helena shrugged. "I told your father to let me go, but you know how he was. Stubborn," she smiled at her daughter, "like you."

Bastila was barely holding herself together. "I'm so sorry, Mother. I don't know what to say."

"Keep the holocron, Bastila," Helena said quietly, "it would do me good to know you have it. This-talking to you-this is what I really needed before I…"

"I know, Mother," Bastila finished. "Thank you. I'm glad we talked, too."

Helena patted Bastila on the arm. "Your father was so proud of you. We didn't know what you looked like, but we certainly knew about you. I spent the last year or so in hospital, and there were always Republic soldiers recovering from their wounds. The tales your father and I heard! Bastila Shan, the 'Battle Maiden.' Shield of the fleet. They were always sure they'd be safe if you were around, little one. Your father would strut so to hear their stories." Bastila was laughing and crying at the same time. "Well, now," Helena said, "you said you had important business, and you were never one to mince words." She turned to Jace. "You there… you take care of my daughter, you hear me?"

Jace scoffed. "As if she'd let me!"

Helena turned serious. "You make her let you. She's too much like her father in that respect. I'll feel a lot better knowing there's someone to watch her."

Bastila turned to her mother. "Where are you going to go?"

Helena smiled. "It doesn't matter, dear. Don't you worry about me."

"Here," Bastila pulled the dragon pearl out of its pouch. "Take this, it's all I have. Go to Coruscant and find a doctor. I'll meet you there after… after what I have to do. I… want to see you again, when we can talk."

Helena shook her head. "There is nothing a doctor can do anymore. I'm going to see your father again." She grabbed Bastila's hand crushingly tight. "I expect you to keep me waiting a good, long time before we get together and talk." Bastila nodded and the two women embraced, then she followed Jace out of the cantina.

As they walked down the street toward the landing pad, Jace turned to Bastila. "So, did that help, Battle Maiden?" She whirled and punched him in the shoulder. Jace chuckled as he rubbed the sore spot.

Bastila sat in the pilot's seat, taking her shift at the helm on the way out of the Tatoo system. She was expecting Revan any minute, and she was both looking forward to the conversation and dreading it. She found their talks helpful, even healing, but each time they spoke alone her feelings for Revan got stronger. She was having trouble reminding herself that Jace Kilraen was a constructed identity. He certainly seemed as real as anyone else on the ship.

Sure enough, Revan walked in and sat in the copilot's seat to her right. "Feeling better?"

"Yes, that brought me a lot of peace, more than I thought it would have," answered Bastila. She glanced over at him. "Thank you for urging me towards it. After all my training, I would have thought it would have been easier." She sighed. "Apparently I still have much to learn."

Revan examined her face closely. "You look like you have something more to say."

"I do," replied Bastila. "I have been trying to come up with the best way to say this for some time, but I suppose I should just come out and say it." She took a breath. "The truth is, I have come to depend on you. Not just for the sake of the mission, but for my own sake as well. I am… glad you are with us."

Revan tilted his head. "You made that sound very painful for you to admit."

"Did I?" asked Bastila. "I am trying to be sincere, here. It occurred to me that I may have been too critical of you. Too demanding, at times."

"Thank you," said Revan, "I appreciate the gesture."

Bastila watched the stars, trying to frame her words. "I know my manner can be a bit taciturn. I know you must be getting sick of my lectures about the dark side and… and everything else."

Revan shook his head. "You're wrong. I find your knowledge helpful."

Bastila blushed. "That's kind of you to say, but I know for myself that it's not really true. Being controlled has kept everyone around me at arm's length; even those like yourself who are most in need of my understanding and compassion." She looked back at Revan. "But maybe it's time to change that. You deserve to know how much I respect and admire you. I had to tell you how much I care for you." Bastila fidgeted in her seat. "As a friend, of course."

Revan smiled. "I'm glad you did."

Bastila took a breath and let it out in a sharp puff of air. "Well, that was not nearly so difficult as I had feared. Thank you for hearing me out. I feel… I feel much better."

Revan seemed to be considering. "I have a thought. While you are feeling so peaceful, you should meditate and try to tune that dragon pearl. I'll take the helm."

Bastila nodded and headed to the medical bay. She sat cross-legged on the bed, breathing slowly and keeping her mind clear. Bastila held the pearl between the palms of her hands, pressed together as if in prayer. Over time, it felt warm, like a rock which had been sitting in the sun for hours. Bastila opened her eyes; Revan was leaning against the doorframe. "I felt your meditation break," he explained.

Bastila stood and stretched. "How long?"

"Eight hours," he replied, "we are in hyperspace en route to Kashyyyk. Were you successful?" Bastila held the pearl in the palm of her hand. It had changed from pink to a translucent golden-yellow with swirls of bronze. "You know what that means," said Revan. "What will you name it?"

Bastila smiled and held the pearl up to the light. The refractions on the walls were the exact same color as the holocron image. "I call it the True Treasure."