You Might Die Trying
by: Sam Lincoln
Rating: PG
Summary: In a rebuilding galaxy a disparate band of adventurers try to solve the ultimate mystery. Where is Revan?
Spoilers: Both Kotor games will be gleefully spoiled
You Might Die Trying: Chapter Twelve
After their escape from the Sith there was an unspoken agreement that the best course of action was to hide. Which was why the Errant Vow found itself perched on an asteroid in the Anoat system. While Bastila examined the Sith navigation logs the rest of the crew had busied themselves by searching for any tracking devices the Sith might have planted. When Bastila finally emerged from her cabin she found the rest of the crew sitting in ship's common area.
"Well?" Cheyn asked. "You figure out where we gotta go yet?"
"Yes I have," Bastila replied. "But you are not going to like it."
"It's a planet crawling with Sith, of course we're not going to like it." Colm said.
"Ziost," Bastila said simply.
"Ziost?" Skyre exclaimed. "That's just a legend."
"Wait, what's Ziost?" Gwyn asked.
"Ziost was a major Sith stronghold around the time of Naga Sadow," Jolee explained. "Since then its dropped off the galactic radar and all sorts of silly rumors surrounding it have popped up."
"They say any ship that gets too close, its crew goes mad," Skyre said.
"Way I heard it folks find ships where the whole crew's done slaughtered themselves," Cheyn added. "That's what Ziost does to a person."
"I thought Mandalorians weren't afraid of anything," Mira said to Cheyn.
"I ain't afraid of nobody, but a planet that drives you bonkers? That I steer clear of."
"The coordinates of Ziost have been lost for centuries," Mical said. "Are you sure that's where these Sith came from?"
"I am positive. The logs do not mention the planet by name, but it agrees with the location speculated at by Jedi historians. Besides where else would the 'True Sith' have their base of operations?"
"But what about the crazy making?" Skyre asked.
"Assuming that particular fable is true," Bastila replied. "I think I know how it is possible. It could be the case that the Sith have shrouded the planet, or even the entire system, in a sort of Dark Side force field. Try to pass through the barrier with the proper safeguards and the Dark Side energy will drive you mad."
"Is such a device even possible?" Mical asked.
'It could even be some relic from the Rakatan Empire," Bastila theorized.
"The who?" Cheyn asked.
"The race that built the Star Forge," Bastila replied. "Their technology was often powered by the Dark Side."
"I don't know how they're doing it, but I know it's real," Mira said. "I ran into it when I was trying to track Revan on Telos."
"So short of getting our hands on a Sith and asking him real polite like, how do we get through?" Colm asked.
"It should be possible for myself, Jolee, and Mira to shield the ship from the deleterious effects of the Sith barrier."
"You can?" Colm asked.
"We can?" Mira echoed.
"In theory Bastila's right," Jolee said. "But there's only one way to be sure."
"Oh this sounds like it's going to be loads of fun," Skyre observed.
"So what's the plan?" Colm asked Bastila.
"That's the part I haven't quite worked out yet," Bastila admitted.
"If I may make a small suggestion?" Mical asked. "Why don't we call Admiral Onasi? He would have the entire Republic fleet on the Sith's doorstep in an instant."
"That's a good idea, but you're forgetting that barrier," Mira said. "All you'd wind up with is a fleet full of crazies."
"Alright, then maybe we pretend we're a cargo ship," Skyre suggested.
"If I may make an observation," Bastila said. "We are venturing into the Dark Lord's domain. No amount of subterfuge will keep us hidden."
"So you're saying we go in guns blazing?" Cheyn asked. "I like it."
"Of course you would Mandalorian," Mical said with disdain.
"You got a problem with that boy?" Cheyn demanded.
"Not at all, simply observing that you don't care for subtlety."
"Alright, that's enough!" Colm snapped. "We're flying more than a little blind on this one, and that's bound to make us irritable. Jolee, you've been awfully quiet, what do you think?"
"What do I think? I think I have more questions than answers. Like why exactly have these Sith spent all this time hiding? The Republic is still in disarray, but the Sith aren't taking any overt military action?"
"Perhaps they lack the military resources Revan and Malak possessed?" Bastila theorized.
Jolee shrugged, "Maybe, or maybe they're waiting for something."
"We're liable to go mad just sitting here guessing," Colm said. "What I'm worried about most is finding Revan when we get there/"
"That won't be a problem," Bastila replied. "I will be able to find him."
"In that case what are we waiting for? We can figure out what to do next when we get there." Colm looked around the room. "No matter what happens, it's been an interesting ride."
"No need to get all mushy," Cheyn said. "I ain't dyin' 'til after I get paid."
"I don't plan on dyin' period," Gwyn added.
Skyre shrugged, "Either way it beats mining spice."
"Then it's settled," Bastila declared. "Now I recommend we all get some rest. We'll want to be at out best when we reach Ziost."
"Boss lady's right, no sense dallying. Tom lay in a course that'll leave us just outside the system. Gwyn, go check the engines and make sure they're purring. We'll like as not need them before we're in the clear. Mical, get the medbay ready," Colm ordered.
"What about me?" Cheyn asked.
"Cheyn, go...polish your blasters or something. Now get to work people!"
"I notice rest wasn't a part of those orders," Mira observed as the rest of the crew dispersed.
"It's a long trip there, better they having something to keep their minds from dwelling on what we might find when we get to Ziost. Besides, my commanders always told me to get some sleep before a big fight, and I never could catch a wink."
"So what about me?"
Colm smiled, "You're a Jedi. Go meditate."
-------
Mira lay on her bunk and sighed in frustration. She had been trying to meditate for several hours with little success. The sound of her doorbell chiming broke what little concentration she had remaining.
"Come in!" She called out harshly. The door slid open to reveal Jolee standing in the hall.
"Am I interrupting anything?" Jolee asked.
"Not really no," Mira replied as she swung herself into a sitting position.
"Having a bit of trouble meditating?"
"You sense that through the Force?"
Jolee chuckled, "No, but I could hear you thrashing around in here. What's up?"
Mira shrugged. "I don't know, I just can't seem to focus."
"And it wouldn't have anything to do with the certain doom we're flying to now wouldn't it?"
Mira shook her head, "No, I've done the certain doom thing before, it's overrated." She paused and looked at Jolee. "No, it's not that."
Jolee held up his hands, "I didn't say anything."
"But you were going to. It had nothing to do with him."
"Well if you're nervous over meeting the Exile again then I think you're getting a little ahead of yourself," Jolee said with a chuckle.
"I am not nervous!" Mira snapped.
"No, of course not, but I do think you're worried about measuring up to his expectations when you do meet him again."
"Don't be ridiculous. It's not like he's my father or anything," she protested.
"No, Dacen Graff is something worse, your teacher."
"Stop it, you're embarrassing yourself. I came along with Bastila so I could find Dacen. Why should I be apprehensive about finishing the job?"
Jolee scratched his chin. "Hmmm, you know something, you're right."
"Damn straight I'm right, and another thing, why do you keep insisting on poking your nose into my business?"
Jolee shrugged, "Because somebody has to? Just answer me this. What are you going to after we rescue Revan and Dacen?"
"That assumes we make it out alive."
"Consider me an optimist."
"I see where this is going and no, I have no idea what I'm going to do next."
"Then may I make a suggestion?"
"What, join Brianna and the others on Coruscant?"
"I was going to say stay on this ship. I'm sure Colm won't mind having a not-Jedi as a member of the crew, and it would do you some good to get out and see more of the galaxy. Who knows, you might even help some people along the way."
"That's...actually not a half bad idea," Mira admitted. "I'll think about it." She paused. "Thanks."
"No need to thank me, I was just trying to get some sleep myself and you were keeping me up."
"I hate you old man," Mira said without malice.
"That what they all say," Jolee replied as he walked towards the door. "Now get some rest."
Mira waited until Jolee had left the room before she walked over to her storage locker and removed her duffel bag. She tossed the duffel on her bunk and stared at it for a long moment.
"Oh to hell with it!" She exclaimed before opening the bag.
-------
Colm walked onto the Errant Vow's bridge carrying a mug of caff. He found Gwyn sitting in the copilots seat staring out at hyperspace.
"Shouldn't you be asleep?" He asked his engineer.
Gwyn gave a little start then turned to face Colm. "Oh Captain, you startled me. No I couldn't sleep, so I came up here. Never seen anything like this before."
"It's quite a sight," Colm agreed as he slid into the pilot's seat. "So is the ship ready?"
"Everything's in tip-top shape Cap'n. She won't let you down."
Colm smiled, "I didn't have any doubts. How's about you though? Things are liable to get a mite bit hot. You ready for that?"
Gwyn shrugged. "I made it through that Sith ship didn't I?"
"And you were a big help too, but there's a world o' difference between escaping from a ship and assaulting the Sith home world."
"Well when you put it that way," Gwyn said in a forced attempt at humor.
"Don't worry, we'll all be right here with you," Colm said. "Won't be nothing but a walk in the park...with a whole mess of Sith."
"Cap'n."
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad I'm here. We're doing something. Back home I was just sitting around repairing farm droids."
"Ain't no shame there, that's good honest work, people got a powerful need to eat after all."
"I know that, it's just, well could you ever see yourself being a farmer?"
"There have been times I've thought it wouldn't be so bad to be a farmer. Usually when people are shooting at me."
"But a farmer don't get to see this," Gwyn motioned to indicate the view outside the ship. "I seen more since I came aboard then I have my whole life at home! There ain't no way I want to give that up."
"This galaxy is full of wonder, no doubt about that," Colm agreed.
"What I'm trying to say is that I ain't nervous, or scared about what might happen when we get to this Ziost place cause this is where I want to be."
"That's good to hear cause I'm glad you're here too," Colm said.
"But Captain?"
"Yeah?"
"I am scared, just a little."
"Just means you're human Gwyn."
The pair sat in silence for a long moment. "So what do you think of Mical?" Gwyn eventually asked Colm.
"Oh I dunno, he seems like a decent fellow, for a spy. Why do you ask, taken a fancy to him?"
"He is easy on the eyes, that's for sure, and no offense Captain, but all the others guys on this ship are old."
"I reckon that's so. He seems like a decent enough fellow, for a spy that is."
"You think an educated guy like him and a girl like me..."
"I think you shouldn't be investing too much into this crush of yours. I can't promise how much longer he'll be with us."
"Aw, but can't he stay on after we free the Jedi?"
"Darlin' I don't know if we want a Republic agent on this boat. Could be bad for business. Plus, who's to say he wants to stay?" Colm's expression softened when he saw Gwyn's face fall. "Tell you what, if he wants to stay on I'll consider it, ok? Ship could use a medic, especially once all these Jedi leave."
Gwyn leaned over and hugged Colm. "Oh thank-you, you're the best captain in the whole galaxy!"
"Now you should be getting some shut-eye. We've got a big day tomorrow, what with the certain death and all," Colm ordered Gwyn.
"What about you Captain?"
"Oh I'll be along in a moment. There's some captaining stuff I have to see to first."
Gwyn nodded and left the cockpit. Colm leaned back in his seat and stared out into the swirling turbulence of hyperspace.
-------
Bastila was practicing lightsaber forms in the ship's cargo hold when she felt another presence enter the room. "Hello Mical," she said as she turned off her lightsaber.
"Pardon my intrusion Jedi Shan, I heard your lightsaber and I wanted to observe your training."
"I'm sure you've seen someone use a lightsaber before," Bastila replied.
"But never someone as skilled as you, especially with the double-bladed lightsaber. I thought they were more by Dark Side followers."
"A lightsaber is just a tool," Bastila snapped. "It is how a person uses that tool that is important, not the tool itself."
Mical bowed his head, "Of course, my apologies Jedi Shan."
Bastila sighed. "No I should apologize. I didn't mean to be that harsh, and please call me Bastila, there's no need for formalities out here."
Mical nodded, "Very well, Bastila. If I may ask, what form were you just using? I did not recognize it."
"Oh so you're an expert of Jedi fighting styles in addition to being a spy?" Bastila asked archly.
"Jedi lore is something of a hobby of mine," Mical confessed.
"There's more to it that that, I can sense you have some small affinity with the Force. Let me guess, you were a failed apprentice?"
"Something like that, I was preparing to become a Padawan when the Mandalorian Wars broke out and in all the confusion I slipped through the cracks."
"Why didn't you resume your training after the war?"
"It seems that without constant training and oversight, my connection to the Force atrophied. By the time I could be trained I wasn't strong enough to be trained."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Bastila said.
"Don't be, I served as a medic during the Jedi Civil War, which was rewarding in its own right, and then I found myself on Admiral Onasi's staff. I do regret not being able to finish my Jedi training, but I am content with out my life turned out."
Bastila stared at Mical contemplatively. She knew that if it wasn't for her unique talent at Battle Meditation Mical's story could very well be hers. "During the wars a great many prospective Jedi were turned away due to a lack of trainers," she said. "Would you be interested in trying to restore your connection to the Force and finish your training? Jedi are on very short supply right now after all."
"Aren't I too old to finish my training?" Mical asked.
Bastila shook her heard, "Not really, look at Mira, she only became a Jedi a short while ago."
"It is a tempting offer, but no, I am content as who I am. Thank-you though."
"Just remember that no door is ever completely shut. If you change your mind let me know."
"Actually that is partially why I am here."
"You were going to train with Revan, or the Exile, is that it?"
"Yes, I was going to study with Dacen Graff, but then he left with Revan. I would very much like to meet him again. Who knows, it might inspire me to resume my training."
"I have heard he can be very persuasive."
"Although recently I have started to wonder if I shouldn't just stay on this ship," Mical said.
"Oh, and that wouldn't have anything to do with a certain mechanic would it?" Bastila asked impishly.
"Partially," Mical admitted. "But mostly because I have spent the better part of my life in service to the Republic and I would like a break."
"I'm not sure how much of a vacation working on this ship will be," Bastila said, "but I'm sure it won't be doing much service to the Republic."
"You are probably right about that," Mical said with a rueful chuckle.
"Still, what you say has merit. It's good to see how the proverbial other half lives after all."
"What about you?" Mical asked. "Assuming we succeed what will you do next?"
"Ideally find a quiet planet on the Rim and live there with Revan, but we will see what the Force has in store. Though it probably does not matter. In all likelihood this is a fool's errand that will be the death of us all."
"In that case it's good that this is a ship of fools," Mical observed.
Bastila laughed, "Yes that is true. At any rate I would very much like to see Revan again."
"As would a great many others in the Republic, including Admiral Onasi."
"And I am glad Carth ignored my request and sent you to join us. It is comforting to know he is thinking of us." Bastila glanced down at her lightsaber. "I think that was all the practice I needed for tonight. I believe I will go meditate until we arrive at Ziost."
Mical nodded, "Certainly, and thank-you for the counsel."
"You are most welcome, and by the way, if you ever feel like it, there are some practice swords in that storage locker. In case you want to work on any forms you might remember."
"Then I suppose I'll have to see how rusty I am," Mical replied. "Good night."
"Good night," Bastila replied as she walked out of the cargo hold. As she returned to her cabin she ran her hand along the ship's bulkheads. "Bring me to Revan please," she told the ship.
"They say talkin' to yourself is the first sign of madness," Colm said. "I didn't realize you were still up Bastila."
"I was just going to bed, and you?"
"I was heading that way myself, big day tomorrow."
"I suppose that is true."
"That's right, I forgot you Jedi don't get jittery."
Bastila sighed, "Captain Abrik can we please be civil for one night?"
"Civil? I'm civil, in fact I am a model of civility."
"We both know that's hardly the truth. In any case Captain Abrik, Colm, I wanted to thank you for your assistance. If all goes well this time tomorrow the ship will be yours and I will be out of your hair."
"And not to be uncivil, but I'll be glad when that happens. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind poking the Sith in the eye from time to time. I just don't aim to make a habit of it."
"I understand your aims are less than altruistic, but still I would not have gotten this far without your help."
"That's awfully kind of you to say," Colm said. "And truth be told flying with you hasn't been all that bad, beats Morishim at any rate."
"You are very much like him," Bastila observed.
"Who, Revan? No so sure I know how to take that."
"As a compliment."
"Can't say I've ever been told to take being compared to a Sith Lord as a compliment," Colm dryly noted.
"You both have the air of the Rogue about you, but in the end you always do what's right."
"Oh now I get it. You've got a thing for the bad boys, is that it?"
"Just one Captain, just one. Sleep well Captain Abrik," Bastila brushed past Colm and into his cabin.
"Revan is one lucky man," Colm said mostly to himself before continuing on to his cabin. Along his way he walked past Cheyn and Skyre's cabins where it seemed the pilot and Mandalorian were holding a snoring competition. "This is a good ship," he said mostly to himself, "She'll hold together."
-to be continued-
Author's Notes: Fun fact, this chapter was written in accordance with the old ways, pen on paper. Now, while this is something I don't normally do, I would like to address a criticism that the story is too Whedon-esque. I guess my flippant response would be that's kind of the point. To the extent that this is a Star Wars story with a few characters that draw heavily on Whedon. And even if that wasn't the case I'm sure some bits of Firefly would creep into the narrative; such references are something of a hallmark of my writing. Besides, unlike Lucas, and most EU authors, Whedon's dialogue pops; I'd much rather be accused of aping Joss than George "I don't like sand." Lucas.
In any event, the last three(?) chapters will be written when I figure out what happens in them. Thanks for the reads and reviews -- good and bad.
-sam