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To all those who care; Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I was in hospital... and kinda going through a bit of writers block with this story.

By the way, I'm not sure if people are still interested in the story. I don't seem to be getting any feed back from readers. Please if you want me to comtinue with this story R&R. Cause I love writing... but only if people want to read it!

SOOO Please R&R! or I'm afraid I'm going to just mark this story as dead.

Thanks to all those who have left me comments by the way! You rock!

Aisybaby

Carth couldn't contain himself. Mission stared in wonder as the grown man continued to laugh in both anticipation and sheer nervousness. "Jeez Carth, you think you can hold out until we actually get there?"

Carth looked over at Mission in amusement, "I'll try!"

Atton walked down to the main hold, interrupting their little conversation with some bad news, "Ah, Carth, I think you might like to see this…" He gestured Carth to follow him back into the cockpit. Carth did so without another word.

Once the two had reached the cockpit, it was clear what Atton had called him for. Carth stared at the planet below, awestruck, "It's… just like Taris."

The planet before them was on fire. It seemed to glow with death. Atton could feel the pain streaming out from below. It was overwhelming, he found himself on his knees just trying to block it out. Carth offered him a hand and he quickly regained his footing, "So ah… what do we do?"

Carth continued to stare down on the planet, "They're down there Atton. She's down there…" He turned and walked towards the door. Atton followed him with his eyes, "So what do we do?"

Carth stopped and turned around once more, "Now… we give everyone a choice. Leave… or fight." He turned and left. Atton watched him until he was out of sight. He then turned to face the burning world,

Carth re-entered the main hold only to be confronted by an interrogation. Mission was the first to push questions, "Carth! What's going on?"

Carth walked forward, keeping his eyes on all of the crew, he then stopped and sighed, "We knew there was a war. We knew it wouldn't be pretty. We knew! But I am telling you all this before you decide to look out those windows. I am telling you that that image… of that planet," he paused looking around for a moment before continuing, "Is going to haunt my sleep for the rest of my living days."

The crew were all speechless. Even Canderous didn't seem too keen on taking a peek on the planet. Mission had been staring at her feet for some time, but she was the first out of all of them to speak, "So… what does this mean?"

Carth tuned his attention to the Twi'lek in front of him. To him she would never be a 19-year-old woman, but a 14-year-old girl, with intelligence way beyond even her own understanding. He gently shook his head, "I'm staying. I'm fighting. I am going to find Revan!" He stopped, closing his eyes and letting out a long breath, "But That's all I can do. I can't tell any of you to come with me. I… I can't ask it of you. But I can give you all a choice; stay, and fight! Or once you drop me and Rand off… leave here, and don't look back, ever!" He made sure that last part was directed on a strong-headed Mission.

The crew stayed silent. No one dared breathe amongst so much tension. The room was filled with confusion, doubt, hope and most of all…fear. Carth wasn't expecting anyone to want to do this. He didn't even want to do this. In fact if Revan wasn't down there, he wouldn't be anywhere near this planet.

Canderous suddenly looked up from the floor, "Well I'm in!"

Mira and Bao Dur hadn't said much since leaving Deralia, but what they said then meant more than any conversation before, "Us too."

Carth nodded and looked to Mission. She was just looking down at her feet. She suddenly jolted her head up, wearing a confused expression, "What? You mean you actually have to ask me? Of course I'm in you nerfherder!"

Carth smiled, but just below the surface feelings he held unimaginable doubt. 'They shouldn't. Just look at them! How many of them are going to die? You could die! Mission… she's so young. She's too young!' And just then, almost as if she had been reading his mind Mission said, "I'm still old enough to make my own decisions." Carth looked up. That was the inconvenient truth.

Canderous clapped his hands together and grinned, "Right! How many people here have been faced with excruciating pain?"

Carth was amazed to see all their hands go up. Canderous' grin grew wider, "Good… I think we might just have a chance."

Atton sat in the cockpit just staring. Staring at a planet that held so much death, yet… in all those alive, so much hope. There were millions of hopefuls down there still… but one stood out. One soul shone brighter than any other. Atton could almost reach out and touch the power streaming off them. He was so absorbed; he didn't hear someone come in.

"You can feel her… can't you?" A female voice came from behind. Atton looked around to see Mira. She was shocked, even horrified by the sight below, but even she hid it well.

"That… power. It's so… innocent, pure…"

"Izzy." Mira breathed.

"You feel it too?"

Mira walked over and sat in the co-pilot's chair, "Of course. You weren't the only one she trained you know."

Atton nodded and returned his gaze to outside, "I can almost feel her, you know?" he looked back at Mira, "I can almost see her again… and then, nothing. Just like that, gone." He closed his eyes for a moment, turning away again, "What… what was she like?"

Mira looked over curiously for a moment, "Was?! I can tell you what she is like. She's tough… but very soft when it comes to people in need. She's strong. I don't think I've ever seen her cry, only after Malachor V." She paused, "She was serious but… not around you."

At that Atton looked over at the bounty hunter. Mira sensed this and smiled, "With you… almost everything was a joke. You were the only person she seemed… totally relaxed around. You both fit. Like two halves!"

Atton reached up and brushed his fingers over the chain that dangled around this neck. 'Two halves…'

Mira shook her head, "I pity you Rand. All that history, and not a single memory," she got up and turned for the door, "But I'll tell you this; it's just like you to get up and find her… no matter what the cost. That part of you hasn't changed. And I think that once you realize that much… you two will be together again. Making weird personal jokes and… just being happy. You'll remember her… just give yourself a chance."

Atton nodded thanks and Mira left. Atton sat back in his chair and just reached out to that power. The one that made him feel… whole.

Carth was in the dormitories upgrading his pistol, when Mission walked in, "Oh… sorry. I didn't think anyone was in here."

Carth looked up and smiled, "S'Ok Mish! You can come in."

Mission walked in and sat down beside Carth on the floor. Watching over his work silently. After a while Carth spoke, "So, why did you decide to stay?"

Mission scoffed, "You honestly expected otherwise?"

Carth gave a small shrug. Mission let out a long breath, "You're family."

Carth stopped what he was doing. He put down the blaster and looked over at Mission. She ran a hand along one of her headtails and continued, "You and Revan… you're all I've got. Even before Taris was destroyed, all I had was Zaalbar really, and he was just a best friend. The kinda person who went with you everywhere. No complaints. That's great but…" she turned to look at Carth, "Then you two came along, and set up rules. And I really hate to admit it but… they were better! You set up rules, and you watched everything I did! You guys were…are my parents. You're all I've got… you're my family."

Carth was speechless. Here was the same girl who, five years ago, would kill him for being so dramatic. He couldn't help but smile at the irony. He pulled Mission into a hug, "I've always thought of you as a daughter. Nothing less."

Mission stifled a sob, "Thanks."

Carth smiled, "Anytime."

They group all clambered into the main hold. Carth immediately went on to the comm. link, "This is Admiral Onasi, pilot of the Ebon Hawk. Does anybody read me, over?"

There was nothing but static. Carth repeated the message, "This is Carth Onasi, pilot of the Ebon Hawk, can anybody hear me? Over."

There was static again. After a moment a female voice was heard, "Did you say 'Carth Onasi?'"

Carth pounded the button, "Yes. I repeat, Carth Onasi, pilot of the Ebon Hawk. Who am I communicating with?"

"Naomi Talia, rebel group delta."

Carth looked around at the crew. Each face held the same amount of anxiety, "Carth Onasi and the Ebon Hawk requesting permission to land."

There was a pause. The crew looked over at Carth, who was just as confused as the rest of them. Then, "Permission granted," Atton let out a roar of delight and headed for the cockpit. The woman spoke again, "Sending our position to you. Over and out."

Mission ran over and gave Carth a hug. Mira, Bao Dur and Canderous looked prepared for anything, the droids stood idly by and Carth… words couldn't describe how he felt just then. Once Mission let him go he walked on up to the cockpit to help Atton with the landing. He just couldn't believe… any of this. He passed the crew and saw just how ready they were, and he was proud.

While Atton found landing pretty easy. The spot seemed strange.

"This is the middle of nowhere! What are we doing here?!"

Carth looked out at the dense forest, "Maybe you read the Co-ordinates wrong…"

"Shut up!"

Carth laughed. Mission entered, "Hey guys. We just picked up something on the comm.."

They filed into the main hold. Carth went over to the comm., "This is Carth Onasi, does anybody read me?"

The woman, Naomi, answered again, "Ah Carth, good to see you landed safely."

"Thanks. How do we find your base from here?"

He heard the woman give out a small laugh before answering, "Admiral, you're already here."

Carth suddenly heard Mission calling him from the other room. He ran out to her. He looked out the window and was awestruck by the sight before him.

The forest clearing was slowly turning into a covert rebel base. The clearing itself was transforming into a docking bay. Mission stared in amazement, "Wow… holo-camouflage."

Carth heard Canderous whisper the word, "Amazing." Under his breath. He turned to face the crew, "Alright, let's go out there… but I want to see every one of you carrying a weapon. We don't know who we can trust at the moment."

"Typical." Chimed Mission. At that the crew left the Ebon Hawk.

Thanks!