Disclaimer: All characters belong to Bioware and LucasArts, I didn't create the Star Wars universe, it's just where I daydream.
This is my take/twist on the background or between the lines story from a great game.
Chapter 14
Journey Interrupted
As ship's evening approached Trin wandered to the common area and sat near Canderous. He smiled at her unasked question and said, "Since about the fifth week on Dantooine."
She shook her head. "You've been watching over me for a month."
Canderous shrugged.
She said solemnly, "Thank you."
They sat in silence for a while. "Tell me more about the Mandalorian wars."
Canderous nodded. He said slowly, "The war we had with the Republic was supposed to be the most glorious battle of our history, but—it was a very costly one. I guess we didn't think of how much we could lose in it."
"There must not have been many of you left."
He shook his head solemnly. "There weren't. Mandalore himself was killed at the hands of the Jedi Revan. The best of us could not defeat her! After that last battle, those of us that survived were stripped of our weapons, our armour, and our Basilisk war droids. The Republic's forces destroyed them while we were forced to watch."
"Why?"
Canderous shrugged. "It was necessary. We lost, they disarmed us and there was never any illusion that we could recover our equipment; we knew it was gone. Those who hadn't fled earlier were left with nothing to call their own: no weapons, no armour—only the honour of having fought in the battle we just lost. For many this was not enough. While the rest of us were sent into exile on the Outer Rim, they tried to relive the old days—raiding worlds. They're nothing more than bandits now."
"And you eventually came to Taris."
"Yeah, I came to Taris. Working for Davik was like driving a spike through the side of your head— Sure you get something new in there, but in the end, you've lost something as well. Beating up people who wouldn't—or couldn't —pay, strong-arming his competitors, killing who he said. It was busy work, nothing decent. I sought worthy challenges, but the best that Taris could offer were nothing to me."
"And now?"
Canderous looked at Trin. "I think now—with you—I may finally find opponents worth fighting."
Trin patted the back of Canderous' hand. "Canderous, you are a worthy companion."
The ship suddenly lurched. Trin and Canderous sprinted for the cockpit.
Trin gasped, "What happened? What's going on?"
Carth replied tersely, "Sith Interdictor ship."
Bastila said from behind Trin, "They must have been waiting for us on the hyperspace route. We're caught in their tractor beam."
Trin asked, "Do you recognize the ship?"
Carth replied grimly, "It's the Leviathan. Saul Karath's vessel. My old mentor."
"Come on we don't have much time," Trin said, "Let's get everyone into the common area. We need a plan."
Carth described their capturer. "Admiral Karath taught me everything I know about being a soldier. He was a legend in the Republic fleet, and a hero to me. Until he betrayed us. When the Sith attacked my home world, the Leviathan—which is Saul Karath's flagship—was at the head of the fleet. My family was destroyed that day and my wife died in the Sith bombardment."
Trin cautioned, "Don't do anything you'll regret, Carth."
Carth nodded. "I'm not going to do anything stupid. I won't throw our lives away in some mad quest for vengeance. But if I get a chance to kill Saul during our escape, nobody better get in my way."
Bastila said, "Talk of an escape is somewhat premature, don't you think? We don't even have a plan to get out of this mess yet!"
"I'll admit it won't be easy." Carth shook his head. "Saul's no fool and he won't underestimate us either. You can count on plenty of guards watching every move we make."
Bastila offered, "Maybe Admiral Karath doesn't know how many of us there are on board. We all have special talents; talents we could exploit so that one of us could stage a rescue. We just have to figure out who has the best chance to avoid capture so that they can come and rescue us later. It's a long shot, but it's our only hope."
Carth said urgently, "Well, if we're going to pick someone to save our skins we better do it quick. In another minute we're going to have Sith troops marching up our loading ramp!"
Trin gestured to herself, Carth and Bastila, "Admiral Karath will be watching the three of us very closely. One of the others is going to have to save us."
Canderous volunteered, "You could give me a shot to delay my healing mods from kicking in. A small incendiary grenade will leave burn marks that look like I was injured while making repairs to the ship. Make my wounds bad enough and the Sith'll drag me off to the morgue or the medical facility to die. When my healing mods kick in I'll come save the rest of you."
Trin sighed. "Okay Canderous, go for it. But be careful not to overdo it."
Canderous replied, "I'll go into the Ebon Hawk's armoury and give myself that shot right now. The plating on the doors back there will keep the rest of you safe from the grenade explosion."
Carth said, "Here we go! They're dragging us into the docking bridge!"
Once the ship was in the docking bay a Sith boarding party flooded the Hawk with sleeping gas.
Two Sith junior officers reported to their commander.
"We found an injured Mandalorian in the back. Looks like he was trying to rig the ship's engines to break free of our tractor beam when something exploded."
"Admiral Karath wants us to question all the prisoners. Did you get any information from him?"
"He's unconscious right now. I don't think he's going to make it. He's burned pretty bad."
The commander said cannily, "Dump the Mandalorian in the medical bay. Let them take the blame if he dies before the Admiral has a chance to interrogate him."
Bastila, Carth and Trin woke in the detention centre's torture room. Each of them had been stripped of their gear and placed in a torture field. Soldiers buzzed about the equipment ignoring them.
An older man in a Sith Fleet Admiral's uniform marched in. "Carth, it has been far too long since we last spoke. I see the recent years have not been kind in your case. I barely recognized you."
Carth replied coolly, "But I recognized you, Saul. I see your face every night even as I promise myself I will kill you for what you did to my home world."
Saul sneered, "Did you learn nothing in your time under me? As a soldier you should understand that casualties were unavoidable. It was an act of war."
"It was a cowardly act of betrayal! Your fleet bombed a civilian target into oblivion without warning or provocation." Carth's voice reflected all his spite. "And the blood of those innocent people is on your hands!"
"In war even the innocent must die. The Sith would not accept me until I proved I had truly turned my back on the Republic by bombing the planet."
"My wife died in that attack, Saul. And for that, I swear I'll kill you."
"You used to be a man of action, not of empty words. Cling to your lust for revenge if you must, but spare me your tired threats. I've heard them all before. You are an insignificant part of these events, anyway." He then pivotted to face the two Jedi."Lord Malak is far more interested in your Jedi companions. He has great plans for them."
Bastila met Saul's insolently intimate perusal with cold fury. "We will never serve Malak or the dark side! The Sith will be destroyed, Admiral Karath—as will you if you don't turn away from this path."
Saul chuckled. "Your words are brave, Bastila, but the lure of the dark side is hard to resist—or so I've been told. I wonder if your companion is as devoted to the light as you are?"
Trin frowned, "You're wasting your time, Saul. I'll never betray the Jedi!"
Saul grinned. "You're defiant. I'm certain Malak will find your loyalty to the Jedi amusing. The Dark Lord would probably reward me if I just killed you once and for all. But he may want to question you given the trouble you've caused him—and the history between you."
Trin was confused. She blurted out, "What do you mean?"
Saul's head swivelled to examine Trin more closely. "You mean—oh, this can't be true, can it? You really don't know what's going on here, do you? Well, I won't be the one to deprive Malak of the pleasure of telling you himself," he smiled coldly and then continued, "The Dark Lord will no doubt torture you for information and for his own twisted pleasure. Eventually you will tell him everything. The Sith can be very persuasive. However, Lord Malak is in another sector. It may be some time before he arrives, so I suppose I will have to fill in for him until then. Activate the torture fields."
A neural current passed through each of the torture fields causing every nerve ending to send pain signals to their weary brains.
Saul barked, "Keep an eye on those vitals, I don't want them to pass out before I question them. Malak will appreciate any information I can give him when he arrives."
Carth recovered first and said defiantly, "Don't waste your breath, Saul! We won't answer any of your questions."
Saul smirked. "I'm sure you won't. However, we both know your friend's loyalties have proven in the past to be somewhat—flexible."
Trin shouted, "My loyalty is as true as Carth's!"
Saul stood at ease with his hands clasped behind his back. "It is time to put your loyalty to the test. I doubt torturing you will gain me your true co-operation. Your will is too strong to be broken that way." He nodded to one of the technicians. "However, even the strongest of heroes has trouble watching those they care about suffering. The interrogation will begin now. Each time you refuse to answer or give me a false answer, Carth will suffer."
Trin shuddered; she whispered, "No, don't hurt him!"
Carth said sharply, "My pain is meaningless! Tell him nothing!"
Saul spoke abruptly, "I tire of these games—now I want answers! On what planet is the Jedi Academy at which you were trained?"
Trin said solemnly, "Jedi Academy? I have no idea what you're talking about."
Saul smirked. "Very well. This is the price of your resistance."
Carth's body shuddered and shook, screams ripped involuntarily from his throat.
Saul gestured sharply to the soldier. "Enough!" He said, "You see what happens when you try to defy me?" He smiled venomously, "This first question was a test. Malak knew the Academy was on Dantooine, and it has since been destroyed by our fleet! Dantooine is an empty graveyard now. Nothing remains but a smoking ruin and the charred remains of your former Masters!"
Trin said in horror, "No, you're lying!"
Saul continued, "It doesn't matter whether you believe me or not. The fact remains that the Jedi on Dantooine have been eradicated, along with any hope of someone coming to rescue you! Now— tell me your mission. How were the Jedi planning on using you to stop Lord Malak and our Sith armada?"
Trin said tearfully, "I will not betray the Republic, even to save Carth."
Saul signalled a soldier, "Perhaps you need a reminder of the consequences of refusing to co-operate."
Carth was still panting from the last treatment when new agonies bathed his body in flames. He screamed despairingly, "NO!" His head snapped back and forth as he howled, "The pain—THE PAIN!"
Saul said with mock sympathy, "Listen, can you not hear him suffering? You can spare him further pain by simply answering my questions. Now, I will ask again—on what mission did the Jedi Council send you?"
Trin gazed at Carth's shaking form sadly. Tears coursed down her cheeks. Carth lifted his head and tried to smile at her. She said without turning her head, "You are a sick and evil man, Saul Karath."
Saul shook his head as he signalled the soldier yet again, "Perhaps another lesson is in order?"
Once again Carth's body jerked and shuddered within the confines of the torture field. He screamed, "No! I beg you— mercy!!! NO!!!" Trin closed her eyes and concentrated, she focused on Carth. Suddenly he slumped down, mercifully unconscious.
Saul shot a scowl at a soldier. Then covered saying, "I am surprised he did not pass out sooner. Rarely have I seen someone withstand such punishment and remain conscious."
Saul turned to Bastila. "Perhaps the torture of your fellow Jedi will elicit more of a response."
As Bastila jerked about in pain Trin concentrated and she too passed into unconsciousness.
Saul's eyes narrowed, he stepped back and consulted with the soldiers.
Trin relaxed and Bastila regained consciousness.
Saul commented, "I see I am wasting my time here. When Malak arrives you will learn my interrogation techniques are considered merciful among the Sith. I will leave you here in your cell with a small taste of the horrors you will suffer when Lord Malak arrives."
As the pain began to bathe her body Trin vaguely heard one of the soldiers say, "Sir, there's something you should see here."
Carth came to with a start. The sharp tang in the back of his throat indicated someone had jabbed him with a stim stick. Every muscle in his body burned. He glanced over at the other torture fields. Bastila hung motionless. Trin whimpered and twitched convulsively as the torture field crackled around her unconscious body. Carth looked towards the soldiers. They were gone—only Saul remained.
Saul grinned viciously and gestured to Trin."Congratulations." Saul turned off the neural current. He continued conversationally, "They tell me it's a girl. Have you been discussing names?"
Carth's voice was hoarse after his torture. He said evenly, "What do you want, Saul?"
Saul grinned, "Why Carth, I want you."
Carth was surprised. "You're insane, Saul."
Saul strolled over to Trin's force cage. He turned off the power, caught her deftly and lowered her to the floor. Saul sat on the platform holding Trin's head on his lap. As he spoke he stroked her hair. "She's very pretty, Carth. But you never did have any problem attracting beautiful partners. Just think, you could have put your sad past behind you and start anew with her. But here you are, in my hands."
Carth clenched his fists in impotent rage as Saul touched Trin.
Saul continued as he gazed down and the unconscious woman. "What has your loyalty bought you, Carth? Where was the Republic when you needed them, where are they now? Your child would have been beautiful, too. You'd have been such a handsome family." Saul sighed dramatically and looked up at Carth. "You still could be. You, Carth, you can buy the safety of this woman and your child."
Carth looked away. He knew what was coming.
Saul said, "Join me, Carth. Your knowledge of the Republic could buy you an influential post. I promise, your ladylove and child would be safe. Officers are provided with comfortable housing planet-side."
Carth choked out, "Forget it, Saul. I know what your promises are worth."
Saul smiled coldly and looked back down at Trin's recumbent form. He cupped one of her breasts. "There are other options, I'm sure some of my troops would find her amusing."
Carth almost lost control. He said carefully, "I know that nothing I say to you will change our fates."
Saul shook his head regretfully, "I would rather have you by my side, Carth. There isn't much time before Malak arrives. If you agree to join the Sith, I will guarantee her safety."
Carth stated flatly, "You could save Trin, but for Bastila, nothing. I'm not that stupid Saul. I heard what you said to Trin earlier; Malak has some interest in her."
Saul dumped Trin back into her containment field. "Think about it, Carth." Then the admiral strode out of the room, leaving Carth to his thoughts.
Within a few minutes Bastila woke. She groaned.
Carth said, "We're alone here, for now."
Bastila looked at Carth then turned to look at Trin. She frowned, "What happened? Why is Trin still out?"
Carth answered, "They just stopped torturing her. He—they kept at it even—even after she passed out."
Trin groaned.
Bastila said to her, "Don't try to move too quickly, you might not be fully recovered yet. Admiral Karath had his guards continue to torture you even after you passed out."
Carth added, "They tortured all of us, though you got the worst of it by far. Saul wanted them to make us suffer. He's become some sort of sadistic monster."
Bastila said righteously, "The dark side has perverted him, Carth. Once you start down the tainted path it leads you ever further into the depths of evil. I fear he is forever lost."
Trin responded, "No one is without hope of redemption, Bastila."
Bastila admitted, "Yes, hmm, I suppose you are correct. Sometimes it is easy to lose sight of that hope in the face of such unbridled cruelty, but you speak the truth." She sighed. "I suppose I'm taking the news of Dantooine's destruction quite hard. First Taris, now the Academy—is there no end to the killing?"
Trin suggested, "Maybe Admiral Karath was lying."
Bastila shook her head, "I'd like to believe that Saul was lying to us, but even as he said the words I knew they were true. The Academy is gone. We should have felt a disturbance in the Force when the attack came. The fact that we did not is a bad sign. I fear the dark side is growing stronger, casting shadows our vision cannot pierce. I can only hope that some of the Jedi escaped. Vrook, Vandar, Zhar—I cannot imagine all of them being gone. In any case, we have lost our one place of refuge in the galaxy."
Trin said, hard faced, "And any hope of learning what's really going on. I don't know what to do, now."
Carth reminded them, "None of this will matter if we don't get out of this prison before Saul gets back! Saul mentioned that Lord Malak was on his way. I think the Admiral left to prepare for his arrival—and to report the results of our interrogation."
Bastila commented, "It is fortunate you were able to resist the Admiral's questioning. The fate of the galaxy could be changed by revealing the slightest piece of vital information."
Carth said hesitantly, "I—I have to confess something. There was a—there was a moment—just a moment—when part of me was hoping that you would tell him what he wanted to know. Just to make the horrible pain stop."
Trin said sorrowfully, "I'm sorry, Carth. Watching you suffer tore me apart."
Carth replied reassuringly, "No, I know you wouldn't ever do anything to intentionally cause me pain. But you had no other choice. You couldn't betray our cause." Then in a haunted voice he admitted, "I— I don't honestly know if I could have been as strong in your position. To watch you suffer like that I— I might have cracked."
Bastila said abruptly, "Did you feel that? A disturbance in the Force. The Admiral has sent his message, the Dark Lord knows we are here now. Malak is coming."
"Well, then we better hope Canderous busts us out of here before he arrives," Carth said grimly.
Canderous awoke undressed on a cold medical table. The detention centre's infirmary was deserted. He found his equipment dumped in a nearby storage cube. He dressed, equipped and stocked up on medical supplies before heading for the door. A vicous grin lit his face. This is going to be fun.
Carth, Bastila and Trin waited impatiently; they were tired and sore. Without warning the force fields dropped and the door to the room slid open. Canderous grinned at them from a console in the main room.
Carth had never been happier to see the Mandalorian, blood spattered armour and all. He said merrily, "Nice job, Canderous. You keep getting us out of jams like this and there might be a medal for you, even if you are a Mandalorian!" He continued more calmly, "If I remember the layout of this ship our equipment should be in a storage chamber just through the north doors. After we grab our stuff we need to get to the main bridge controls. It's the only place we can open the docking gates of the hangar where they've got the Ebon Hawk. We have to open those gates before we can fly out of here!"
Bastila commented, "We better get moving. I can feel the darkness of Malak's presence approaching, and I don't want to be here when he arrives."
Trin said quickly, "We need some type of plan."
Bastila mused, "Surprise and secrecy will serve us best. A small group might have a better chance of sneaking onto the bridge undetected while the others make their way down to the Ebon Hawk."
Carth said sternly, "Count me in then, I've got a score to settle with the Admiral before we get off this ship, and I have a feeling I'm gonna find him on the Leviathan's bridge!"
Trin said firmly, "I'm coming too!"
Bastila supported Trin, "That's a good idea. The others can get to the Ebon Hawk on their own, but Carth and I might need your help. The three of us will get our equipment and make our way to the bridge. The rest of you head down to the docking hangar where they've got the Ebon Hawk. You'll have to find a way to deal with guards."
Canderous assured them, "Don't you worry about that. I know how to deal with the guards. They won't know what hit them!"
Trin replied, "Good. Get to the equipment room, grab what you need, and get going."
Bastila said to Canderous, "We'll meet you there as soon as we get those docking bay doors open. Just make sure the Hawk is ready to fly when we get there. And may the Force be with you."
Canderous pulled Trin aside. He looked at her seriously, "Face the struggle as you always do."
Trin allowed some of the desperation she was feeling to surface on her face. "How did you know?"
Canderous smiled slightly, "I know you. The only way you can protect your child is by facing the struggle and surviving. Your courage is still your best ally. Do not back down or change, you must trust your instincts."
Trin reached up and kissed Canderous' cheek. "I'll see you in the hangar."
Canderous growled, "You better."
Juhani gazed at Bastila with disquiet. Something—something intangible in Bastila's attitude or some hint from the force made Juhani nervous. "Be careful, Bastila, be vary careful."
Bastila looked agitatedly at Juhani. She snapped, "Of course."
Juhani said solemnly, "May the Force be with you." She turned and left.
Bastila whispered the sentiment in return. "May the Force be with us all."
Mission hugged Trin wordlessly—then she and the others followed Canderous to the elevator.
As they marched to the elevator Canderous issued orders. "Zaalbar, HK and I will take point."
Zaalbar roared his approval.
He turned to the two Jedi. "Jolee and Juhani, I want you to reserve your Force powers for dealing with Dark Sith and keeping our crew alive."
Jolee nodded. Juhani murmured her assent.
Canderous continued, "Mission and T3 hang back, we'll be counting on the pair of you to get us through any locked doors and past other security measures. Mission I know T3 can"
Mission interrupted, "Hey, I don't need no babysitter." She drew her blaster pistol and waved it in Canderous' face. "I can take care of myself and help."
Canderous grabbed Mission's arm, "Stop!" He commanded. "This is not a request. You will protect T3. If we encounter a large group of the enemy, target their commanders with your sharp shooting but stay near T3."
Mission shrank back from Canderous' vehemence. She said in a surely voice, "Fine."
Juhani removed Mission's arm from Canderous' grasp. "She knows what to do." Juhani assured Canderous.
Canderous started the elevator towards the hangar level.
Juhani whispered to Mission, "A team must have a leader and must act together Mission. You are an important part of this team. Canderous is counting on you being ready to slice through any security doors just as he's counting on T3 to slice into any computer panels we encounter. If you rush forward, distract Zaalbar or get yourself shot"
Mission nodded shame faced. "I get it, I get it."
T3 interfaced with the panel in the elevator. He whistled and beeped to HK. HK swivelled his head to look at Canderous. "Translation: The Ebon Hawk is still in the entrance hangar. The most direct route is down the hall to the hangar area, straight through the control room to the starboard bays."
Canderous, HK and Zaalbar stood by the doors. Mission and T3 hung back and to the right, Jolee and Juhani took the left. The elevator door slid open to reveal an empty corridor. They crept forward. There were large doors to the right and left Canderous stood by the left door and Zaalbar the right as HK led everyone else onward.
At the end of the corridor there was a heavy blast hatch. Canderous said quietly, "So far we've been lucky but only because the general alarm has not yet been sounded."
HK47 said, "Statement: My superior auditory sensors detect activity beyond this hatch."
Canderous snapped, "Numbers?"
HK47 responded, "Estimation: I believe there are fifteen to twenty meatbags waiting to be blasted beyond this hatch."
Canderous looked back at everyone to make sure they were ready then popped the hatch and they entered firing. There were two guards at each of the three entrances. Zaalbar sliced the head off the guard to the right with Bacca's blade. While HK blasted the guard to the left. Canderous' heavy repeating blaster thundered, holes appeared in the chest's of the Sith soldiers guarding the hatch directly across the room. Someone in one of the control pits hit an alarm as the last two guards turned on their energy shields and raced forward to repel the invaders.
Canderous slung his blaster across his back and drew his vibroblades. HK ran to the edge of the first control pit and jumped down to deal with the soldiers at the controls. Two Sith leapt out of the far control pit, lightsabers in hand. Juhani and Jolee ran forward to engage the dark Jedi bringing their lightsabers to life. Canderous trotted unhurriedly towards the shielded guards. Zaalbar followed. The Sith soldiers pulled their blades and attacked. Canderous blocked a blow with his left blade—then slammed his right blade home through the overmatched soldier's chest. Zaalbar traded blows with the other soldier.
Canderous pointed to the left hatch and bellowed, "Mission, get up here and jam this door." He casually dropped the dead guard off his blade then he leaped, somersaulted forward in the air and landed with cat like grace in the far control pit. He used his momentum to slice one of the soldiers from shoulder to crotch. The soldiers quailed at the sight of the grinning Mandalorian as he mowed through their ranks.
Mission ran forward, security spikes in hand, dodging and weaving around the three pairs of combatants. Juhani's opponent flung out an arm intending to put the young Twi'lek in stasis, instead he provided Juhani with the opening she needed to finish him off. Jolee's dispatched his opponent with the same casual efficiency that he handled the wild beasts of Kahsyyyk.
Zaalbar's superior strength and stamina were wearing his opponent down. Three bloody gashes on Zaalbar's arm bore testimony to the enemy's skill but his motions were becoming more desperate. Zaalbar used his superior strength to beat past the tiring soldier's defence finally killing him with a slashing blow to the throat. He fell to the floor with a meaty thud.
HK47 and Canderous emerged from the now silent control pits. Canderous asked, "Mission is that door secure?"
Mission piped up, "Yep, they're going to have to cut their way through that baby."
Canderous nodded, "Good. Everyone stay back from that observation window, no need to draw the guards out of the hangar. T3, you go take a look."
T3 rolled forward to the window—then drew back whistling and beeping his findings.
HK stated, "Translation: There are twenty-three personnel visible from the window. Comment: I deem it probable there are at least that many outside of T3's sensor range."
Canderous grunted in response.
Carth, Bastila and Trin were stepping off the elevator on the bridge level when the general alarm sounded.
Trin grimaced, "This isn't going to be easy with everything locked down. We need to find a computer panel."
The short corridor leading away from the elevator ended in a T intersection They dispatched the two guards patrolling the hall and headed to a hatch down the hall to the right. As the door slid open, Bastila leaped through and rushed in to face the fire of three battle droids. Carth dove after her and Trin scrambled to keep up. They bested the droids easily.
Trin turned to Bastila, "What was that all about?"
Bastila answered calmly, "I am taking point."
Trin protested, "Bastila"
Bastila shook her head and interrupted Trin. "I'm not asking, it is the least I can do. 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— I am glad you are with us."
Trin smiled, "Is that a compliment? From you?"
Bastila said severely, "I am trying to be sincere, here. It occurred to me that I may have been too critical of you. Too demanding, at times. 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. I spent all my years being hounded by my instructors. Being told so often how gifted and important I was until I was sick of it. I remember when I was younger I used to swear that I would never become as self-absorbed and stodgy as the Jedi Masters. It's ironic, really."
Trin shook her head. "Nonsense. You're not self-absorbed or stodgy."
Bastila shrugged, "Being controlled has kept everyone around me at an arm's length; even those like yourself who are most in need of my understanding and compassion. But maybe it's time to change that. You deserve to know how much I respect and admire you. I thought—I just thought I should tell you."
Trin smiled again, "Thank you, Bastila. But I thought you were disappointed in me."
Carth stepped closer to Trin. It seemed to Bastila he wanted to protect Trin from Bastila's disapproval.
Bastila smiled sadly. "Are you referring to your pregnancy? I was shocked. Jolee is correct she's definitely there, a little spark of life. I—I don't know what to think but I do know that your daughter deserves to live. I will brave the front. Let's go."
They opened a door to the left to reveal a long room that contained a computer panel. Trin immediately sliced in to the system; she shook her head. "Everything is locked up tight. We'll never get through the bridge doors. There are three barracks on this level, each hallway is guarded by a pair of soldiers and there are two Dark Jedi assigned to this area."
Carth said sarcastically, "And now for the bad news."
Trin continued to root around in the Sith files. "Now this could be handy, a repair crew was working in the area. I think we can gain access to the bridge by taking a short space walk." Trin pointed out the route on the area schematic. "We'll have to deal with the Dark Jedi but I think we can avoid all the barracks."
Carth and Bastila nodded.
Trin unlocked all the security doors and downloaded the area schematic. "Let's go." She said.
Canderous issued new orders, "Mission and Juhani use your stealth fields to sneak onto the Hawk. T3 will use the defence system to fire on the auxiliary entrance to the hangar and create a distraction. Mission disable the Sith machinery T3 says they've installed in the cockpit. Juhani take out any soldiers on board. Once you two have secured the Hawk close the boarding ramp and use the Hawk's blaster cannon to herd the Sith soldiers towards the entrance hatch. Once they're inside T3 will gas them then we'll come in and mop up the rest."
The other's nodded. T3 rolled over to the nearest computer panel and sliced in. Mission and Juhani activated their stealth fields, disappeared from view and made their way down the access corridor to the Hawk.
Zaalbar paced; he was unhappy. Waiting did not suit his temperament.
Jolee said in Shyriiwook, "/Relax Zaalbar. They'll be fine./"
Before long the loading ramp of the Hawk went up and the blaster cannon started firing. Most of the soldiers were herded into the entrance where T3 gassed them. However a group of about fifteen were pinned by the destroyed auxiliary entrance. Canderous, Zaalbar, HK and Jolee ran down to dispatch them before they could find a way to communicate with any other area. The fight was short and brutal. The demoralized Sith soldiers were overmatched.
Canderous sent Mission to scan the communications bands for any news of their own or their friend's activities then he sat down and said wearily, "Now, we wait."
Carth, Bastila and Trin gripped their weapons. They'd bested the Dark Jedi, found space suits, broken into the bridge area and fought their way through a troop of soldiers to arrive here. Bastila nodded; Trin flipped the door release and they walked out onto the bridge.
Admiral Saul Karath said calmly to Carth, "Very resourceful. I assume you had some part in this; you taught you well."
Carth replied coldly, "The only thing you taught me was betrayal and death, Saul."
The Admiral said, "Don't be a fool. I am giving you and your companions a chance to surrender—a chance to live. Carth don't throw this chance away. Darth Malak himself is on his way, he will be arriving any moment."
Bastila confirmed bleakly, "He speaks the truth, Carth. I can feel the Dark Lord's presence approaching."
The Admiral continued, "Malak will destroy you, but if you throw down your weapons now I will ask my Master to be merciful."
Carth said bitterly, "I've seen enough of Sith mercy!"
The Admiral shook his head, "You always did like to do things the hard way. Lord Malak would have preferred live prisoners, but corpses will have to do."
With that the battle began. Bastila ran forward to engage one of the Dark Jedi. Carth and Trin stood back to back they cleared the entrance of soldiers—then began advancing through the Sith forces towards the Dark Jedi and Admiral Saul Karath. Soon only a few soldiers and one Dark Jedi stood between them and Saul.
Trin said over her shoulder, "Now, Carth—go. Bastila and I can handle the rest—go deal with Saul."
Carth looked over at Saul. The rage he'd been suppressing surged to his face. He growled and ran towards Saul unmindful of anybody between them. Trin followed; she guarded Carth's back. Please survive this Carth.
Bastila came forward and stood back to back with Trin. The two women mowed down the remaining soldiers—then tiredly faced the last Dark Jedi. Trin didn't dare glance back to see how Carth and Saul were faring.
Carth attacked unconcerned with his own safety. Saul shot at the charging man, he missed twice with his blaster before he dropped it and pulled a vibrosword. Carth's mighty blows were too powerful to be blocked. Saul dodged desperately trying to find time to retaliate against the furious onslaught. As the Admiral scrambled backward he tripped and Carth stabbed down into his hated enemy's chest cavity. Carth glanced back at the others in time to see the Dark Jedi manage to put both women in stasis. Carth abandonned the vanquished Admiral and charged the Dark Jedi running him through from behind. He stood panting in the aftermath of the battle. How do I feel? As the stasis wore off freeing Bastila and Trin, a voice sounded weakly behind him.
Saul called, "Carth, Carth."
Bastila hissed in horror, "The Admiral, he's still alive!"
Carth turned implacably towards his old mentor, "It's time to finish this."
Trin watched him sadly. She protested, "No, Carth, not like this! Do not give in to the hate."
Carth yelled hoarsely, "Don't you understand what this man has done to my life? Do you know the pain he's brought me?"
Bastila stated, "Killing him won't ease the pain, Carth. Do not become what you despise."
Trin moved to the computer console purposely putting her back to the painful scene. I can't watch him make this mistake. Please Carth, don't kill him, leave here with a clean conscience. She accessed the main controls, disabled the tractor beam and opened the hangar door.
Saul coughed weakly and said, "Carth—must tell you—must tell you something—come closer." Carth walked over and leaned down to listen to the dying man's last words. Saul whispered something to Carth then laughed cruelly. "You didn't know, did you? Remember my dying words. Remember them whenever— whenever you look at those you thought were your friends—whenever your daughter smiles at you."
Carth stood abruptly his face filled with rage. "He's gone. He said—it can't be true, can it? No. No— no—it can't! Damn you, Saul! Damn you!" He turned to look at Bastila, the look on her face confirmed Saul's claim. He yelled, "Bastila—it is true, isn't it? And—and you knew! You and the whole damn Jedi Council. You knew the whole time!"
Bastila said pleadingly, "Carth, it's not what you think. We had no other choice! Please, you don't understand."
Carth demanded, "So make me understand!"
Bastila said desperately, "Not here, Carth. Please—there's no time. Malak is coming. This isn't the place. Please, Carth, I'm asking you to trust me. For just a little while longer."
Trin frowned worriedly. She asked anxiously, "What did he say, Carth?"
He glanced coldly at Trin.
His look chilled her to the bone.
Carth looked away from her familiar face. She doesn't know. He shook his head as though he were trying to clear it. "I'll trust you, Bastila but as soon as we're off this ship I expect some answers!"
Bastila said in a placating manner, "Of course, Carth. As soon as we get to the Ebon Hawk I'll explain everything. To both of you. I promise."
Trin eyed both of them warily. She sensed their unease but it was overshadowed by a growing dark presence. I can sense Malak. I know it is him. He is coming to me for a reason. Is he the dark shadow in my nightmares?
As the fought their way back to the elevator Trin struggled to control her fear. She focused on the battle but the ominous presence grew. In the elevator Trin slumped against the wall.
Carth stood with his back to her staring resolutely at the door.
Trin stared bewildered at his back; his unreasoning anger was another source of torment. What could Saul have said? What did he know? He mentioned my history with Malak.
Bastila kneeled by her side, "Trin, what is it? What is wrong?"
Trin covered her face with her shaking hands. "Bastila, something terrible is happening."
Bastila looked helplessly at the shaking woman. Trin's normal self-sufficiency had been torn away. Bastila could feel the waves of terror and anger pounding through their bond. Trin's terror but whose anger? Carth's or Malak's?
Carth spoke as though the words were being dragged from him against his will, "You were like this on Taris before the bombardment. It's probably just Malak's proximity."
Trin shook her head. She whispered, "That was a premonition of destruction. This is very personal—something terrible is about to happen to me. For the first time in my life I want to run away, if I could I would run right now."
Bastila hesitantly stroked Trin's head. "You are strong, you can face this."
Carth turned and saw Bastila awkwardly attempting to comfort Trin.
Trin raised her tear stained face, "Now, I know the meaning of fear." She saw Carth's face over Bastila's shoulder, he turned away and said evenly, "We've reached the hangar level."
Bastila helped Trin to her feet.
Trin schooled her face and pulled her lightsabers. The green glow from the blades lit her face eerily.
Bastila brought her own dual yellow bladed lightsaber to life.
Carth adjusted his grip on his vibroblades.
The elevator doors opened the trio marched grimly forward.
Trin's communicator beeped. "It's Canderous. We took care of the guards and the hangar bay doors have opened. We're inside the Ebon Hawk and all systems are go. As soon as you guys join us we can get out of here."
Trin responded, "We should be there soon Canderous."
They fought their way through more troops, to reach the hangar control room. Where they found and destroyed Darth Malak's reception committee. Trin ran behind Bastila. She felt like a puppet dancing on a string, an urgent beat ruled her thoughts and movements. Don't be here. Don't be here. Don't be here. Don't be here. Don't be here. The dark presence was directly ahead. Bastila's urgency and Carth's coldness were undetectable this close to the source of malice. The hatch in front of them slid open and Darth Malak loomed before them.
Bastila stated with barely suppressed anger, "Darth Malak."
Carth's blaster was in his hand and he fired without any thought. "Down you go!" he shouted.
Malak laughed as he blocked the blaster bolts with his lightsaber—then force pushed Carth to the floor.
The Dark Lord laughed as he spoke, "I hope you weren't thinking of leaving so soon, Bastila. I've spent far too much energy hunting down you and your companions to let you get away from me now. Besides, I had to see for myself if it was true. Even now I can hardly believe my eyes." He stared entranced at Trin. "You look so young, and your face—your face is untouched." He took a deep breath. "Tell me, why did the Jedi spare you? Is it vengeance you seek at this reunion?"
Trin was overwhelmed by the twisted feelings that were flowing directly from Darth Malak to her—curiosity, jealousy, awe, bewilderment and deep anger. She said fuzzily, "Reunion? What are you talking about?"
Malak laughed, his humour was chilling. He exclaimed, "What? You mean you don't know?" He sneered. "All this time, and you still haven't figured it out? I wonder how long you would have stayed blind to the truth? Surely some of what you once were must have surfaced by now. Even the combined power of the Jedi Council couldn't keep your true identity buried forever, could it?"
Trin was assailed by flashbacks, it was as though Malak was reaching into her mind and pulling out all the clues she'd missed. All the hints of her real identity.
She saw Carth on Taris, "They say the force can do some terrible things to a mind. It can wipe away your memories and destroy your very identity."
Next she saw Bastila on Dantooine, "What greater weapon is there than to turn an enemy to your cause? To use their own knowledge against them?"
She remembered Master Vrook speaking as she came out of a daze, "— Revan is truly dead? What if we undertake to train this one, and the Dark Lord should return?"
He was followed by a vision of Master Zhar, "Traditionally the Jedi do not accept adults for training, though there are rare exceptions in the history of our Order. But you are a special case."
Carth's face when he looked at her on the bridge. Master Vrook's distrust. The ease with which she learned to work with the Force. The ancient computer's comments on Kashyyyk. The dreams—the dark shadow that preceded me everywhere in my dreams.
Finally she saw a black cloaked figure on a precipice removing a mask. The face behind the mask was pale and disfigured but undoubtedly hers. I was Darth Revan? I was Darth REVAN! No!
Trin screamed in horror, heat rose in her face, blood vessels in her eyes broke and pain rushed to her head; still she screamed.
Malak reached out with the force and smacked her.
Trin tumbled to the ground and held her face in her hands.
Malak said menacingly, "You cannot hide from what you once were, Revan! Recognize that you were once the Dark Lord—and know that I have taken your place!"
Trin stood slowly; her nose was bloodied. "No— this is some type of trick! A Sith lie!"
Malak savoured her horror. "You do not yet remember, Revan? The Jedi set a trap. They lured us into battle against a small Republic fleet. During the attack a team of Jedi knights boarded your ship. The Jedi strike team captured you and the Council used the Force to reprogram your mind; they wiped away your identity and turned you against your own followers."
Trin stared at Malak in disbelief. "How can this be?" She looked back and forth between Carth and Bastila pleadingly.
Carth could not look away from her, his expression alternated between revulsion and pity. Bastila displayed only regret.
Malak continued inexorably, "You must have seen flashes of your old life in your dreams, Revan; memories bubbling up to the surface? Surely you must remember the battle in which you were captured?"
Trin looked to Bastila and pleaded, "Why didn't the Jedi simply kill me?"
Malak replied, "The Jedi are fools; they do not believe in executing prisoners. Originally I assumed you had died in the battle. Imagine my surprise when I found out you were still alive, Revan."
Trin shook. She asked, "How—how did this happen?"
"I helped them, Revan." He answered, "I always knew that one day the title of Dark Lord would be mine! When the Jedi strike team boarded your vessel I saw my day had come. I ordered my own ships to fire on your bridge. I thought I could destroy all my enemies with a single glorious victory! I never dreamed the Jedi would take you alive from the wreckage. How you survived the final battle is a mystery to me. Perhaps you should ask Bastila; after all, she was part of the Jedi strike team that captured you!"
Trin looked desperately at her friend, "Bastila, is this true?"
Bastila nodded sadly, she spoke resolutely, "It's true. I was part of the team sent to capture Revan—to capture you. When Malak fired on the ship you were badly injured. We thought you were dead. Your mind was destroyed, but I used the Force to preserve the flicker of life in your body. I brought you to the Jedi Council. They were the ones who healed your damaged mind."
Trin asked her, "Why don't I remember being the Revan?"
Malak answered, "The Jedi Council didn't restore your wounded mind, Revan! They merely programmed it with a new identity—one loyal to the Republic! They tried to make you their slave!"
Trin looked down at her feet. She took a deep breath and pushed Malak's presence out of her mind. She suddenly realized that she had a link with this man. That she had links with many people. It was through these bonds she had perceived the others' emotions. I was the Revan, but I am not the Revan now. This is Bastila's gift to me.
She stepped over to Bastila and put a hand on her shoulder. "I understand, Bastila. You had no other choice. Thank you for saving me."
Bastila smiled in relief. Trin's forgiveness had lifted a huge weight from the young woman. Carth stood in awe for a moment. He could not mistake her sincerity, she forgave so much so easily. I cannot be so giving.
Malak realized he'd lost his inlet into her mind. She was still very strong-willed. He snarled, "Forgiveness, Revan? You are weak; I was right to betray you. You are not fit to rule the Sith! A small part of me has always regretted betraying you from afar. I always knew there were some who would think I acted out of fear, that I did not want to face you. But now fate has given me a second chance to prove myself. Once I defeat you in combat no one will question my claim to the Sith throne; my triumph will be complete!"
Trin drew herself up, "Your power is no match for the light!"
Malak growled, "We shall finish this alone in the ancient Sith tradition: master against apprentice, as it was meant to be!" He waved his hands negligently at Carth and Bastila placing them in stasis.
Trin put her Force blocks in place then attacked Malak with a sudden flurry of blows.
Malak was only able to block one of her furious attacks. "You are strong Revan. I see the Jedi restored your face and your body. But it will take more than muscle to defeat me, my old master." Malak's lightsaber flicked under Trin's defence deeply scoring her leg.
She ignored the pain and stung Malak several more times with another flurry of blows.
Malak attempted to draw some of Trin's life force from her but was frustrated by her Force shields.
Trin leaped up and over the Dark Lord. Her foot caught his head on the way over opening a cut on his forehead.
Blood obscured Malak's vision, he flung out a hand breaking through the remaining tatters of Trin's Force shield he managed to send her twirling away. Malak ran; he closed a blast door behind him. The Dark Lord patched up his head a prepared for his old mentor's next move.
When the whirlwind released her Trin landed lightly on the floor. Carth and Bastila showed no signs of escaping the stasis field soon. Trin muttered aloud, "Damn, I must stop him."
Trin healed herself—then raced around the corridors until she found another door to Malak's refuge. She triggered the door open and found Malak waiting for her. He gestured for her to attack. She accommodated him with another flurry of blows. This time he blocked all but one.
Malak asked spitefully, "Do you wonder what made you turn last time?"
Trin did not answer. He was obviously better prepared to fight this time. She missed over and over again.
Malak continued, "I know. I was there for the Republic's betrayal. I was there when they sacrificed us, Revan."
Trin was vaguely aware that Malak triggered a door release with the force. As they spun around she saw Carth and Bastila stuck on the far side of a force field watching them battle.
Malak stepped back and said almost intimately, "They will witness you turn again."
Trin said defiantly, "Never."
Malak's superior smile did not slip as he blocked her wild attacks. He said intensely, "I hear you are carrying a soldier's child. Will you keep this baby or abort the pregnancy."
Trin stopped fighting, she seemed to be having a seizure of some sort. Malak stretched an arm out towards her, he was concentrating. She fell to the floor with a sickening thud. Her back arched and her limbs flailed, her face was frozen in a rictus of horror and animal like whimpers of despair tumbled from her lips.
Trin was in a white room; sitting on a bed holding a new-born, "What are you naming her?" asked a female voice over and over again endlessly repeating. Trin clutched the baby and realized she didn't know the baby, she didn't know the baby's name, the baby's face was turning blue. Waves of horror buffeted Trin as the voice droned on, "What are you naming her?" "What are you naming her?" "What are you naming her?"
A man's voice overlaid the woman's voice, "In spite I return a piece of our shared past to you." With that Malak opened the door to his memories: to the Jedi's betrayal on Coruscant and the Republic's betrayal on Deralia.
Carth watched the battle numbly. Bastila frantically tried to find a way through the force field. They heard Malak's threats and Trin's defiant response.
Malak asked her, "Will you keep the baby or abort the pregnancy?"
Carth watched in disbelief as Trin toppled onto the floor. He couldn't imagine what horror she was seeing.
Bastila ran through the corridors to the other door. I must stop him, I can't let him have another Force sensitive child to train. She stood defiantly beyond the threshold and shouted, "This isn't over, Malak!"
Malak straightened. Trin continued to shake on the floor. Malak glanced down at her shuddering form, "Your friends do not give up easily, Revan; you always could inspire loyalty."
Bastila threw her lightsaber at Malak. He dove backwards to dodge the deadly spinning projectile.
As Malak ran at her, she yelled, "I'll hold Malak off. Get her out of here! Find the Star Forge!"
Carth yelled, "No, Bastila, he's too strong!"
Bastila caught her lightsaber and yelled, "For the Jedi!"
Carth screamed, "NO!!" as the door closed and locked. He turned to look at Trin still rolling on the floor. He said wearily "Liera."
The shuddering stopped Trin clesed her eyes and swallowed. Carth grabbed her by the shoulder and shook her. She looked up at him, her eyes were haunted. She whispered, "Carth?" Then as reality came crashing in she said urgently, "Carth! Where's Malak?"
He said flatly, "On the other side of that door, with Bastila."
She lurched to her feet.
Carth put a hand on her shoulder to hold her back, "The door's sealed, we can't get past! Come on, we have to get to the Ebon Hawk!"
Trin said hoarsely, "What about Bastila? We have to help her!"
Carth shook his head and said grimly, "Bastila doesn't stand a chance against Malak, but we can't help her. Not here. We have to get off this ship and find the Star Forge. That's the key to beating the Dark Lord! Bastila sacrificed herself so we could get away. We can't let her sacrifice be in vain! Come on!"
Trin followed Carth reluctantly. They ran out to the hangar and dashed on board the Ebon Hawk.
Carth bellowed, "Canderous get us out of here!"
The boarding ramp closed and the Ebon Hawk lifted off.
Trin collapsed in a seat. Canderous and Mission had already manned the gun turrets and Jolee was flying, he raced to the proper co-ordinates and jumped into hyperspace. In short order they were safely away.
They gathered in the common area.
Jolee asked grimly, "Where is Bastila? What happened on that ship?"
Carth answered morosely, "We ran into Malak. He would have killed us, but Bastila sacrificed herself so we could get away."
Mission whispered horrified, "You mean she's— she's dead?"
Jolee snorted, "Bah. Malak won't kill her, don't be foolish. He'll want to use her battle meditation against the Republic. Turn her to the dark side and the Sith will always be victorious."
Trin spoke as loudly as her punished vocal cords would allow. "We can't help Bastila—not unless we find the Star Forge first."
Carth raised a hand, "Not so fast. We've got a bigger issue to deal with here. They deserve to know the truth about you. Do you want to tell them what Malak said, or should I?"
Trin shook her head. She clenched her jaw and swallowed a couple of times as she tried to control the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. She said hopelessly, "I don't care what Malak said; I'm not Darth Revan, I'm Trin Lenstar."
Mission exclaimed, "The Revan? What—what are you talking about? Is this some kind of joke?"
Carth responded in a controlled even tone of voice, "No, it's no joke. The Jedi Council captured the Revan and erased her mind, programming in a new identity. Saul Karath told me on the Leviathan and Bastila confirmed it!"
Mission said amazed, "You're Darth Revan? This is—this is big. Do you—do you remember anything about being the Dark Lord?"
Trin responded tiredly, "Yes and no. There are small bits. A few strange dreams and visions."
Mission said, "Just a few flashes? That's it? Nothing more?" She shrugged. "Then I don't think there's a problem. It seems to me that if you don't really remember anything about being the Revan, then it doesn't really matter anymore. You are who you are now, right?"
Carth protested, "Of course it still matters! How do we know more memories won't come flooding back? How do we know Revan won't suddenly turn on us? The whole time we've been chasing after Malak we've had his old Sith Master right at our side; listening to our secrets; hearing our plans!"
Tears slid silently down Trin's face. "I'm sorry, Carth— I wish this wasn't true."
Mission countered, "Hey—you've got nothing to be sorry about! You didn't ask for this. Besides, I know you—you're not the Revan anymore. Whatever you used to be, you're one of us now! Big Z and I will stick by you. We owe you our lives; we won't desert you now!"
Zaalbar said, "/I agree with Mission. I swore a life debt to the person you are, not to the person you were./"
Carth said angrily, "How can you say that, Mission? The Sith bombed my home world! The Revan took away my family and destroyed my life!"
Canderous rebutted, "Everyone knows it was Malak who gave the order to attack your people, Carth. You can't blame the Revan for that."
Carth shook his head, he spoke slowly, "I suppose you've proven yourself to be a friend of the Republic by your actions so far—Revan. But can I trust you? Can any of us?"
Trin sighed, she looked around at the people she'd counted as friends. "I have to continue this mission now, no matter what the cost. If you'd rather I left you—I understand." She started with the person that seemed safest. "What do you think, Canderous?" she croaked.
Canderous spoke seriously, "You defeated the Mandalore clans in the war, Revan. You were the only one in the galaxy who could best us. We had never met one like you before, and never since. How can you even ask if I will follow you? Whatever you are fighting, it will be worthy of my skill. I'm your man until the end, Revan, no matter how this plays out."
Trin sighed, "Canderous, I am not the Revan. I'm more like—her heir." She turned to face the old Jedi from Kashyyyk and rasped, "What about you, Jolee? Do you think I'm safe to trust?"
Jolee shrugged. "Safe—Trin or Revan you were never safe. I already knew who you were, though it wasn't my place to tell you. Better off that you know, if you ask me. Does it change anything? I'm not here to judge you. You'll do what you have to, and I'll help if I can."
Trin asked, "Juhani, where do you stand?"
Juhani said, "I judge you by your actions, and as long as we have been together I have seen you act as a servant of the light."
Trin finally turned to face him. She said in a quiet, serious voice, "Well, Carth—will you stand with me against Malak?"
Carth did not meet Trin's gaze. He said slowly, "Well, the others seem to trust you—and I don't see any other way that we can stop the Sith. And I suppose that Malak is the real enemy here—I really don't have any other choice, do I?"
Trin said firmly, "I'm not the Revan anymore, Carth. You have to believe that."
Carth lifted his head and finally met her eyes, "I want to believe you. You've proven yourself time and time again during our mission, but this is a little much for me to wrap my mind around."
Trin gazed at him sadly, "How do you think I feel?"
Carth's eyes lost their cold edge and his face filled with compassion, "This must be even more of a shock to you—I don't know how you even keep going. I guess we both just have to find a way—to push forward." Then he pulled his gaze away and his face hardened. It was though he'd stepped back over a line again and she had ceased to be a person. "Don't worry—I won't let my personal feelings get in the way of my assignments or this mission. But don't forget: I've sworn an oath to defend the Republic! As long as this mission stays on course I'll stick with you. But I won't let you betray the Republic under any circumstances!"
Trin snapped hoarsely, "I swore the same oath, Carth."
He replied, "Did you?"
Trin's face filled with despair. My life—gone, no past, I have no past. She came back to the present and gritted her teeth.
Carth watched the emotion wash over her face. I hurt her, I can't let go of the past—and hers isn't real. Her response surprised him.
She said firmly in her raspy voice. "Very well, let's not leave it to chance."
"What do you mean?"
"You are an officer. Witness my vow." She stood at attention and said solemnly, "I, Trin Yerda Lenstar, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Republic against all enemies; I take this obligation freely, without any reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of my position." Then she saluted Carth.
Carth reluctantly returned the salute. No one spoke and the silence grew until Carth found it unbearable. He said, "So I guess that's it—then we keep going. We've still got one more Star Map to uncover if we're going to find that Star Forge and save Bastila, so let's do it before it's too late."
Carth left for the cockpit, Mission and Zaalbar wandered away, Canderous went to the swoop hanger to use the workbench.
Trin spoke wearily, "Where are we headed, Jolee?"
Jolee smirked, "Manaan."
Trin nodded, "Of course." Then she glanced sadly at the hall to the cockpit and said, "I'm going to get some sleep."