Chapter 13
Damned Hormones
3963BBY
Space…
Space…
The ship's captain was calm, cool, and collected. His ship was his home, and the bridge his recliner in the living room. Fayt had grown accustomed to standing near the large figure of Captain Sota on the bridge itself while he barked out orders. However, at this point in time the man was merely rubbing at his temples. They had recently arrived at Serroco. Apparently an order from the recently promoted Saul Karath
News of the revanchist's and Suurja had long since reached his ears. He had been devastated, stunned, horrified, and sleepless for at least a week. His Master could have been one of those captured on the planet like so many other Revanchist. He knew so little at that time, and desired to know so much more. The Captain had all but locked him up in his room after a failed attempt to take one of the shuttles on the ship down to Ralltiir so he could go find her. It was probably a good thing he had done so. Fayt didn't have a single clue on where to even start searching for her. He had allowed emotion to cloud his judgment and not for the first time when it came to the woman.
It had been a week later that he learned she was not in fact on Suurja at the time and had rather still been with Revan… wherever she was. Alek… wasn't so lucky and was apparently one of the Mandalorian's captives. Fayt felt bad for the man… though he knew absolutely NOTHING about what was happening at this point in time.
He had so many questions that merely ate at him since his own discovery of his Master's whereabouts. Why had she not contacted him? Why had she not come to pick him up, or see him? Was there some dark reason or secret that he wasn't privy too? 'The wheel weaves as the wheel wills...' Fayt thought, or in terminology relevant to his current situation… the force works in mysterious ways.
The captain had him on the bridge currently because they would be departing shortly to meet someone, and then move on to see Rear Admiral Karath. The man's promotion had come after managing to get their section of the Republic fleet out of Tarisian Space. Fayt… wasn't so impressed, but that may have been due his dislike of the man from foreknowledge. The man would eventually lead the devastating war fleet of Revan, and then the following one of Malak Metal Jaw.
The problem wasn't the person they were going to mee, but rather the one who was coming to meet HIM. Perhaps things would be better if he didn't know something about this person as well. Meetra Surik or as she would later be known 'the Jedi Exile'. After learning to feel the force the thought of being cut off from it was… appalling, and perhaps a bit frightening. Knowing the future and trying to alter it without saying anything to anyone was… annoying.
What could the girl possibly want with him? She was a Revanchist, so Fayt had some… ideas. To deliver a message from his master – possibly. To take him back with her – hopefully. To meet him for some random illogical reason – doubtfully.
"Sir, the shuttle has docked and the passengers are boarding." One female voice from his left… to Fayt's dismay he still didn't know too many crew member names. Why? Because he didn't actually still want to be there. He WANTED to be with his Master, Revan, and the other Revanchist.
"Understood, Come on Fayt let's go and see what this fellow you know wants." The man said smoothly. Of course there was that annoying bounty on all Revanchist still. He wasn't really sure if the thing ever actually would be lifted during or after the war. Had that ever really been discussed? No… the Bounty had been a surprise to him as well.
So no one aside from he and the captain knew who was coming for a visit, or meeting… or whatever it was. As they walked Fayt and the captain were both silent. He brushed a Raven lock of hair from his head annoyed. There shouldn't be ANY white hair, but there was without the hair dye he was using. He had been lucky and managed to acquire the stuff on Raaltiir.
For the first week after the retreat from Tarisian Space the captain had stared at him oddly. The first half of the second week had been filled incessant questions while the second half comments on his slightly altered appearance. He had NO idea why it was like that, and Captain Sota had finally understood. His inability to fix his eyes without those annoying contact's kept him from attempting that one. Sure the things were handy, but his eyes were hardly as noticeable as strange snowy patches in otherwise raven hair.
When they arrived at the location the captain had designated beforehand he was… astonished. The young girl sitting in a chair across from them with her eyes closed was… beautiful. Or perhaps that was his irrational hormones kicking in. Since when did he view a girl who was probably… seventeen or eighteen as beautiful?
The young girl was pale of skin, white hair that fell loosely just past her shoulder blades, and wore dark brown leather clothing that said anything but Jedi. It clung tightly in all the right places and veered low in the front revealing… perhaps more than she should be. Fayt found himself wanting to know what color her eyes were. (heh…)
He didn't have to wait long to discover captivating light blue orbs. The girl stared at the two of them before Captain Sota started. Fayt was having a hard time speaking… to his embarrassment. "You must be Mrs. Surik come to see Padawan Ariolus."
"Indeed I am." The girl said with a smile as she moved slowly to her feet. She observed him in the militaryesque uniform he wore with a smirk. Was that a good smirk or bad smirk, approval or not? "You must be Captain Sota." The girl said while shifting her gaze from Fayt to the man beside him.
"Yes, I am." Sota said then paused. Fayt's gaze finally tore away from Meetra (somehow) and peered up at the captain beside him. The dark hazel eyed man looked back at him then smirked. "I'll be leaving you two alone. Please note that Fayt and I have to meet with the Rear Admiral in two hours." The man said then ruffled the raven hair atop Fayt's head still smiling that annoying almost knowing smile, turned then left.
Great… he was alone with her now. He fought down embarrassment of all things. Come on… he was nearly thirty six, had enough life experience to be her father, and had a fiancé at one time … Damn hormones! "H… Hi." He said with a forced smile.
The girl quirked an eyebrow while smiling back. "You're master has told me a lot about you," she started off strong with a gut wrencher.
Fayt cringed as embarrassment was forgotten for a moment. He… hoped they were good things. He was sure from past experiences they weren't, but he could always hope. "Really?" He said finally able to get his mind right…ish. "Like what?"
The girl's smile took on an obvious impish quality and dread settled over Fayt's inner workings. "You are impulsive, overtly curious, do not follow instructions well, are too interested in books-" She would have kept going had Fayt not cut her off.
"Alright I get it, I get it." He said silently cursing the woman for blabbing things around like that. Wait… how long was that list anyways? No… no best not to wonder or speculate.
"I suppose we should get down to business then." The girl said as her smile vanished. Fayt wanted it back… if only for the fact that it made her cuter… 'DAMNIT! THINK STRAIGHT!' he thought while silently kicking himself.
Why did he want himself to look good in front of this girl? She was just some teenager… who would later save the galaxy, but for the moment… just some Jedi Teenager. "Ok." He said and took a seat opposite her in the room.
"I was sent here by Revan to deliver a message." The girl started, and Fayt immediately wondered why Revan and not his Master. "Or rather… a request for your aid in an… endeavor."
"Ok." He said sure of the fact he sounded like an idiot… saying 'ok' all the time.
"There's a boy being held captive on the courageous. A renegade Padawan named Zayne Carrick, Revan wants us to try to… err… liberate him." The girl said as if doubtful on the method.
"Who is Zayne Carrick?" The name sounded… familiar, but he really couldn't place it.
Meetra sighed and looked at him blandly. Great… he'd now made a fool of himself. "Master Mir was right when she said you weren't interested in much outside of a book." Fayt immediately opened his mouth to interject… but she beat him to it. "And that you defend yourself vehemently."
So he sat there… fuming a little at how well his master seemed to spread his tendencies around. "So… what exactly are you proposing?" He queried. Exactly… he needed to come off as the cool confident type… he should be able to turn things around from here. Damnit! Why did he care what the girl thought of him?
Space…
Space…
AN: This chapter was short… the force was not with my writing ability… (heh stupid corny jokes.) But, Fayt get's to meet Meetra, and… what be this? The fabled love at first sight perhaps? … Maybe.
I really don't know too much about the whole 'Zayne Carrick' story line… but it makes for an interesting insert into this one. We'll see how often he gets used… or if Fayt ever manages to meet him. As I stated all my information comes from the infernal Wookie, and digging takes hours sometimes. I refuse to go and read the whole… whatever it is that Zayne Carrick appears in just to satiate your appetites for true non AU…ness. O.o *throws tantrum*
Space…
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Star Wars… The line wasn't actually "Luke, I am your father" you know… in case you didn't know that…
Space…
REVIEWS: Please note that I am open to ANY FORM of review! Criticism is highly appreciated. Offerings of cake… acceptable.
A: YourWorstNightmare421: why must you crush my dreams of the zombie apocalypse? WHY!? Thanks for the review, and the 'epic story' comment.