Knights of the Old Republic 3: The Final Chapters
Chapter 11: New destination.
Hey guys, back with chapter 11. Before we start, I was wondering if anyone of you were interested, would check out my YouTube channel. I mainly do machinima GTA vids. The title is "TheAnimator727" with the link on my page. Without anymore thoughts, enjoy.
As the night continued to cover the planet in darkness, Meetra and her team had not yet slept. 3:00 AM and they were all still wide awake. There had been no word from the medical droid since he attended to Bastila hours ago. The local authorities arrived shortly after the attack ended and helped clean up the area.
The only one who had slept after this whole ideal was Vaner, the son of Bastila. Being five-years-old, this was not too surprising. He slept in his room under the watchful eye of C2. In the meantime, everyone gathered in the living room to pass time. Meetra meditated, Carth and Mission played pazaak, Zaalbar was making some adjustments to his crossbow and Juhani sat on her own.
"Stick on ninteen," Mission said as she placed down her cards.
Carth took a risk to rise from his 14 to a 20. One card was placed down, but unfortunately, it had landed on 22, leaving him bust. "You win again."
"You sure like your pazaak," Meetra noted with a smile. "You and Atton would get along like a house on fire."
"I could do with a challenge," Mission admitted, her comment causing Carth to playfully shove her. Losing five games in a row, Carth decided to catch up on the news. Mission, eager to continue, called out towards the cathar sitting on the far side of the room. "Want to play, Juhani?"
"No thank you," Juhani politely declined. Her tone indicated something was on her mind, but no one said otherwise.
Except for Meetra that was. Though the force she sensed something on Juhani's mind, something of guilt and disappointment. Curious, Meetra stood and sat beside the cathar out of the other's hearing range.
"Juhani, is something wrong?" Meetra inquired. "Something's been on your mind since the attack."
Knowing she was caught, Juhani let out a long sigh before replying. "In the attack, I engaged combat with a trandoshan warrior. He was strong, skilled and almost defeated me in combat. He would have killed me had I not thought fast."
Meetra raised an eyebrow, unsure on the exact problem. "I don't understand, Juhani."
"He almost killed me, Meetra," Juhani responded, her voice slightly raising. "Me, a Jedi of the order, was almost killed by a mere trandoshan."
"Their species are of a strong and warrior race," Meetra reminded to see the bright side of the situation.
Juhani did not share her enthusiasm. "That is no excuse for a Jedi to have been beaten so easily. We are trained as guardians of peace, to defeat the evil and restore order. If the stories are true and Revan is out there fighting the Sith right now, how am I to help when I cannot even defeat a mere pirate? I feel useless, weak. I am no Jedi, I am just a pathetic excuse of a cathar holding a lightsaber."
Her now louder tone had attracted the other's attention. Before they could, Meetra held out her hand to assure them she could handle this. Carth nodded and returned to his duties as before.
Meetra placed one hand upon Juhani's shoulder to which she had almost shrugged off. "Juhani, I understand what you are feeling. The thought of not being able to help others use to leave me terrified. That's why I followed Revan to war years ago. All I wanted to do was protect people. After the war, after Malachor, I was cut off from the force. It was gone, it was like I had gone deaf."
Juhani widened her eyes in surprise. "You were cut off from the force? I did not believe such feat was possible."
Meetra nodded. "It was scary, I felt alone as I traveled the galaxy from planet to planet with no destination in mind. It wasn't until I finished my exile that I felt the force again. I use to believe the council had did this to me, but no. I was a wound in the force, caused by my fight in Malchor. It's a feeling I never want to experience again."
As she concluded, Juhani was quite surprising after hearing her story. Here she was feeling pity on herself just from losing one fight, but here, the woman sitting beside her she barely knew had lost more than no-one could imagine. To live without the force was an experience she never wanted to endure. "I...We...I see. I understand now. I am sorry for my self-doubt. I am more pathetic than I realize."
"No, you're not," Meetra disagreed. "We can be the best warriors, but we'll still lose at times. You're part of my team now. I'll help you to with sparing. I could do with a new partner to train my own skills."
For the first time since they met, Juhani raised a small smile. "Thank you, Meetra Surik. You are a perfect example of what we Jedi should truly be."
Meetra only nodded, happy to help however she could. It was what she was good at. At that moment, the door to the medical bay opened and out emerged the medical droid. Everyone stood to hear the news.
"How is she?" Carth inquired.
"Miss Shan is now in stable condition," Y2 assured, causing everyone's worries to ease. "Her leg will recover in time. She will need a power chair to get around long distances. As long as she rests and not push any pressure on her leg, she'll recover within a month or two. You are welcome to see her if you wish."
Without hesitation, everyone pushed past the medical droid to visit her.
"You're welcome, by the way," Y2 replied with a hint of sarcasm.
Everyone gathered around the bed Bastila rested, a bandage now wrapped around her leg. She now wore a medical robe as her current clothing needed cleaning from the battle.
"I am glad to see everyone is well," Bastila admitted in relief. "How is Vaner?"
"He's good," Carth assured. "He's sleeping with C2 watching over him. How are you feeling, Bastilla?"
"Well, let's just say getting stabbed isn't exactly fun," Bastila answered with a sense of humour, a first for some to witness. She narrowed her eyes towards the exile standing to her left. "Meetra."
The former exile stepped forward. "Yes?"
"Find Revan," Bastila pleaded, reaching out one hand towards her. "Find him and bring him home. End the threat of the Sith once and for all. Restore order to the galaxy. Can you do it?"
It was a lot to ask for, much Meetra had on her mind since the start of her journey. With a nod, Meetra took Bastila's hand and looked her deep into the eyes with a firm look. "I promise. I will find Revan and bring him back."
Bastila nodded. "Good. T3, allow me to enter the rest of your code."
The astromech droid happily rolled over with his still exposed memory core. Using her other hand, Bastila entered the remaining code. In a matter of seconds, T3's memory was restored to maximum as he beeped and rolled around excitedly.
"What's he saying?" Carth inquired.
Meetra waited until he finished his exciting behaviour and spoke quietly. "He says five years ago, he accompanied Revan to find the Sith until they were shot down in the Hawk...On Dromund Kaas. That planet rings a bell."
"It should," Bastila agreed. "It is located in the Esstran sector, in the Sith Worlds System, forgette in the Unknown Regions. The Republic and the Jedi defeated the Sith in the Great Hyperspace War. I did not expect them to have relocated there."
"And that is why it is the perfect place," Juhani spoke up with her arms crossed. "Now we know where Revan is, we can get going as soon as possible."
Bastila spoke up before any of them could agree. "It is late and you all look exhausted. Please, spend the night before you depart. There are two guest rooms, more than enough room to fit all of you."
Meetra nodded. "We thank for your hospitality, Bastila. Is everyone up for spending the night?"
There were a group of answers, each one in agreement.
"I guess we better call it a night," Carth agreed as a yawn escaped his mouth. "Sleep well, Bastilla. Come everyone."
The others gathered and left the room one by one. Meetra and T3 were the last to leave, but that was until Bastila had called them back.
"Meetra, T3, wait," Bastila requested. "I need you both to do a favour for me."
Meetra nodded, closing the door behind them for privacy. She joined the former Jedi knight beside her. "Something I can help you with?"
"Yes," Bastila nodded. "You may remember my husband as stubborn, always refused to back down from a fight. I fear he may not wish to return. I want T3 to record a message tomorrow morning once I am back on my feet.. When you find Revan, show it to him. I want him to remember that I have not forgotten about him after all of these years, I want him to know about his son. Will you do that for me?"
Without hesitation, Meetra nodded as T3 beeped. "Of course, Bastilla. First thing in the morning."
"Thank you," Bastila thanked. "Revan is lucky to have a friend like you. As am I."
"Get some rest, Bastila," Meetra instructed. "You've earned it."
With the conflict at an end and the location of Revan discovered, Meetra retreated to one of the guest rooms, knowing she could sleep easy for the night with so much off her mind. It would not be long now until they found him.
Meetra could only hope the dark side had not corrupted him a second time.
Morning came quite earlier than expected. Meetra had almost forgotten what it was like to wake within a peaceful environment. While the ship usually served for such occasion, it felt more comforting resting on a planet. With a small stretch, she stepped from her bed, donned her Jal shey armor and left the guest room she had shared with Juhani that night.
The cathar was still resting within her own bed a few feet apart. Judging by her motionless position, she wouldn't be waking up anytime soon. Leaving, Meetra entered the living room and was surprised to see Carth, Bastila and Vaner already awake, the second more surprisingly. T3 accompanied them, pacing around them for entertainment.
"Morning," Carth greeted, holding a holocron in one hand with coffee in another.
"To you too," Meetra agreed with a nod. She took a seat on the other couch as she inspected Bastila's condition. "How you feeling?"
"Better, surprisingly," Bastila answered, raising her injured leg. "The damage was not as severe as I was led to believe. With some exercise, I'll make it to full strength. While at it, I should retrain some of my forms. Last night I was a little off my guard."
This was turning into a repeat of Juhani's situation the previous night. Meetra replied, "You did good, very skill for one as a sentinel. That mandalorian certainly learned so. He should have quit while he was a head."
Carth softly chuckled to her rather dark yet humorous joke. It was refreshing to see a different side of her as opposed to her usual calm and almost motionless speech.
While she had only just woke up, Bastila was eager to fulfill last night's request. "Meetra, is it all right if we start the message now?"
"Of course," Meetra nodded and turned towards the small astromech droid. "T3, prepare to record."
T3 beeped, a small hatch on the side of his head opened. A blue light emerged as he begun to record mother and son together.
With a strong exhale, Bastila begun. "Revan my love. I am unsure if you will one day see this, but I never doubted you would return someday. And I also thought it was best to see how fast your son is growing," she placed one arm over Vaner. "Say hello to your father, Vaner."
"H-H-Hello, father," Vaner trailed off nervously, unsure of what exactly was occurring.
There was a brief silence until Bastila continued. "I am sorry you weren't here to agree on a name with me. I want him to understand who you are, i want him to understand you are apart of him."
"Mother talks about you, father," Vaner added. "Will you be home soon?"
Bastila only smiled as she held her son closer towards her, making certain Revan would get to see him full. "Revan, if you are out there, if you are still alive...Please...Come homeā¦" her voice was beginning to break, overwhelmed with emotion. She held back tears as she whispered: "Goodbye Revan."
With a signal from Meetra, T3 finished the recording.
Bastila gathered herself, getting back to her usual self.
Meetra placed one hand upon her shoulder for comfort. "Rest well, Bastila. I promise we will find Revan and bring him back to you."
Once everyone was awake and ready to go, Meetra gathered the small group as they prepared to leave. Bastila, able to walk under her own strength despite the medical droid's warnings, joined them outside to bid them farewell for now.
Carth shook hands with Bastila as they bid the other goodbye. "We'll see you soon, Bastila."
"Take care, Carth," Bastila agreed before turning her attention towards Meetra. "Before you leave, there is something I must give you. Here."
Meetra accepted the small object in one hand that was covered with a rag. Unwrapping the clothing, her eyes widened upon recognizing a familiar object, one she had not witnessed in years. "Is that-"
"Revan's mask," Bastila confirmed. "After we captured Revan, I kept the mask hidden from the council for all these years. I am not sure as to why, but I feel that it must be returned to it's rightful owner. When you find Revan, please give this to him. It may be the key to answering why he had travelled to the unknown regions in the first place."
The mask brought back memories that had Meetra locked her thoughts for a moment until she came to her sense. "I promise, I will get this to him."
Bastila offered her hand out towards the former exile. "I will see you soon. May the force be with you."
Meetra accepted her hand shake. "To you as well, Bastila."
Without another word, the group of six reboarded their speeders and drifted away from her home, setting course for the Ebon Hawk as fast as they could. They finally had a destination to being their search for Revan.
As Bastila watched them depart, her son accompanied her as his new friends became dots in the distance.
"Is father coming back now?" Vaner inquired.
Bastila raised a small smile as she placed a hand upon her son.
"Yes Vaner. Revan is coming soon."
The second they returned the speeders back to their rightful owner, Meetra and team made haste to get back to the Ebon hawk. Upon arriving, they note the others waiting for them outside and judging by their faces, something had occurred while they were away.
"What's going on?" Meetra questioned, sensing their distress through the force.
"We got a little problem," Atton replied, placing an emphasis on the 'little'.
"That academy on Telos, one of the Handmaidens boarded the ship last night," Bao-Dur explained. "She wanted you, claimed you killed her master and sisters."
Meetra crossed her arms, now intrigued yet concerned for this possible new threat. As if she didn't have enough on her mind to worry about. "Where is she now?"
"We got her locked up in the cargo hold," Atton answered. "Not sure what you wanted us to do with her and not like you needed to know while you were finding Bastila."
Meetra nodded as a gesture of thanks. "I'll deal with her. Everyone get on board and prepare for take off."
"What about the Handmaiden?" Carth questioned, slightly nervous to be flying with a possible killer in their midst.
"We're already on a tight schedule, we cannot afford to waste anymore time," Meetra replied. "Let's get going."
The crew boarded with Mical doing a quick headcount to make certain no one was missing. Everyone spreaded out to prepare for hyperspace. As for Meetra, she wanted to meet their new guest. Working her way to the cargo hold, there was the Handmaiden, locked in a force cage with HK-47 guarding her outside.
"Greeting: hello master," HK-47 greeted, his blaster aimed towards the Handmaiden. "Statement: your historian ally requested that I remain here and guard our new guest. Request: if you agree, I could modify this force cage to end her existence right now."
Meetra shook her head with a sigh. "That won't be necessary, HK. Go to your duties."
HK-47 sighed, his programming beginning to process why he bothered asking. He retreated elsewhere as the ship's engines could be heard powering up.
Now alone, Meetra stood in front of the force cage to question their new guest. "Hello. May I ask your name?"
The Handmaiden did not reply, staring towards the exile with look of displeasure.
"Okay," Meetra answered slowly, knowing her previous question was not going to get an answer. "Can I least ask why you're here?"
This time the Handmaiden replied. "I sought you for answers. Once my knowledge is fullfilled, your fate will be decided."
Meetra raised an eyebrow, confused. Was that a threat? Shaking her head, she sat down to match Handmaiden's current height. "I don't want to keep you locked away like this, but my crew informs me you attacked them, to get to me. Why?"
Raising her hand, the Handmaiden removed her hood, revealing her full face and short, white hair. "You and my mistress were former allies. I was sent on a mission during the attack on Telos. When I returned, my mistress and my sisters were dead. I sought you for answers. My main believe is that you killed them, but now that I have had time to center myself, I am willing to hear from your side."
Although she did not show it, Meetra was surprised. Atris dead? Last time she saw the former Jedi council member, she had defeated her after Atris was corrupted by Kreia. "I am sorry for your loss, but I give you my word I had no involvement in your sisters' or Atris' death."
"They were impaled by that of a force pike," Handmaiden added. "And I can see from here you wield a lightsaber."
"Sith," Meetra replied almost immediately. "Nihilus had an army of Sith at his disposal. They may have been the ones who murdered them."
"That it is as I feared," the Handmaiden replied with a small sigh. "My seeking you out for revenge, I have become the very thing my mistress taught me against. Kill me. You would be revealing me of a great burden."
This was certainly getting more strange by the second. This Handmaiden clearly had no intention of living by the circumstances. By now, the ship had reached space and no doubt Carth and Atton were punching in the hyperspace coordinates for the Unknown Regions.
"I won't kill you in cold blood," Meetra refused as she stood. "Handmaiden, I am truly sorry for what has happened and I thank you for trusting my word, but that does not mean you should give up. Your sisters and mistress live on through the force, they will always be with you."
The Handmaiden remained silent. Instead, she watched as Meetra deactivated her force cargo. She stood and stepped out from her small prison.
"You take such a risk freeing me," Handmaiden noted. "How do you know I won't try and kill you?"
"Because you have nowhere to run if you do," Meetra replied as she turned her back, approaching a storage compartment to retrieve her staff. "We're about to enter hyperspace. As soon as we find Revan, we can-"
"Revan?" the Handmaiden interrupted. "The former dark lord and redeemed Revan is alive?"
"Yes," Meetra confirmed, tossing Handmaiden's staff towards her. "We can drop you off somewhere if you like. Feel free to explore the ship, but don't be surprised if they don't give a warm welcome. Nothing personal."
The Handmaiden was no doubt surprised by her kindness, even knowing she was risking her own life by doing so. This almost left her speechless. "I..Uh...I thank you, but I will remain here out of everyone's way."
Meetra only nodded as she left to go and join Carth and Atton. She passed the others along the way, informing them of the Handmaiden's current role. While others had doubts, they did not question Meetra's decision and agreed to not cause any hostilities. Or try to at the least.
"How are we doing?" Meetra inquired as she entered the cockpit.
"Just getting ready to launch now," Carth replied. "It'll be a long journey, the Unknown Regions are far. We may need to stop at Manaan along the way to refuel."
"I'll leave it with you guys," Meetra assured.
"How's our new guest?" Atton inquired, spinning in his chair to face her. "She plotting to kill us now or when we're asleep?"
"We talked and it was just a misunderstanding for the most part," Meetra explained. "She'll be staying with us for now. Next time we stop at a planet, she can leave. It'll be fine."
Atton raised an eyebrow to her decision. Nevertheless, he turned around and continued with his piloting duties. "If you say so. If I catch her charging towards me, can't promise I won't shoot."
Meetra nodded. She took a seat as the pilots finished entering the coordinates. Within seconds, the familiar portal of blue light appeared before them as they entered hyperspace, course set for Manaan and then to the Unknown Regions.
And that brings us to the end of this chapter, ladies and gentlemen. The crew were now getting course for Dromund Kaas, home planet of the Sith. Stay tuned for chapter 12 and don't forget to review.
