AUTHOR NOTE: Sorry the chapter was so late in getting up, the next chapter shouldn't take as long I hope. To all of my loyal reviewers thank you very much, and enjoy!
The Ebon Hawk crew stood in the Main hold where a holo-projection of Nar Shaddaa hung luminously in the room. Rann, Kreia, the Handmaiden, T3, and Bao Dur watched Atton as he described the "Smuggler's moon."
"This is Nar Shaddaa. They call it the Smuggler's moon because the scum of the universe gravitates from there." Atton began his delineation of the planet. "I can see why a Jedi Master would pick it. It has to be one of the only places in the galaxy where you can go and not be found. I've used it a couple of times myself during the wars. Things could get pretty hot in certain areas of the galaxy."
"So what can we expect to find on this moon?" The Handmaiden asked. Atton gave her a smug look before replying.
"Crooks, murders, rapists. If you wanted to commit a crime, you'd come here to do it. Bounty Hunters galore stake this planet out, because the most wanted come here to hide."
"Who runs the place?" Bao asked silently.
"There is a gang war going on for the possession right now, between Vogga and GO TO. Vogga is a Hutt, and GO TO is the leader of the Exchange. Word is that they've been fighting it out for a decade now. So if we're going to go to this planet, we'd better be ready to deal with the exchange. Word travels fast on such a big and populated moon. I guarantee that they'll know we're there soon enough."
"And since the Exchange has a bounty on my head, once word spreads all of the bounty hunters will come out of the wood work looking for me, right?" Rann asked.
"That's basically the basis of it. Now I'd suggest we don't all go once we land. I think some of us should stay aboard the ship, so that no one gets the opportunity to steal it." Atton expressed his concerns.
"If you'd like. I can stay with the ship. I can continue repairs on it while you are out and about. Plus, I can pilot this thing out of here if necessary." Bao offered.
"And I will be of no use to you here. I would merely be a nuisance." Kreia admitted. "Perhaps having me stay behind, like we did on Peragus and giving you clues through the force may help."
"It sounds like a plan." Atton spoke. "What do you think, Rann? Who's going with you off of this ship?"
"Atton, you're coming with me because I need a guide to carry me through the planet. The other I want to bring is the Handmaiden. I have sparred with her, and her abilities are above fair. She would be a great asset to me on a planet full of fighters and murderers." Rann stated to no one's liking. "Look, I know a lot of you don't like it, but I can't leave her here on the ship. For all I know Kreia will try and kill her."
"I will not." Kreia cursed. "If she is important to you, I will do no such thing, our bond does not allow it."
"That's a load of garbage." Atton said. "You could do whatever you like. Why you're using that lame excuse of a Force bond to stick with us when you're a crippled goes beyond me."
"A lot goes beyond your intelligence." Kreia retorted.
"Enough!" Rann stopped them both. "Now I'm really glad that I've decided to separate you two. If I left you two on the ship, I wouldn't have a pilot. No offence Bao."
"None taken, General." Bao replied to the apology.
"Now when we get down there, I am taking the Handmaiden and Atton with me. Whoever doesn't like it, can leave. I do not need a rebel onboard this ship. The fate of the galaxy is in our hands people. I am not going to take any chances." Rann spoke.
"Exile, please. How do you know such things? How can our actions possibly decide the fate of the galaxy." The Handmaiden spoke from her corner.
"I'm not sure, Handmaiden. But I have this feeling that just doesn't seem to want to go away. All I know is that we're going to be tested in the next few months beyond anything we've felt before. I need you all right now to make a pact with me. That you will stick by me, and follow my directions until this is over. Then you can settle your differences if need be. Do we understand?"
A chorus of "Yes!" was the reply.
"Good, now we land in a few minutes. Those who are coming with me, I want to start preparing now. Atton don't take the ship down until I give the word. We're going to do this right. We're going into enemy territory. I don't want what happened on Telos to happen here. We can do this people. We just have to believe."
"Believe in what? The Force?" Atton asked.
"No, Atton. Something stronger then the Force. We need to believe in ourselves. If we do that, nothing will stand in our way." Rann let a smile light his face. He felt free and whole leading his troops into battle. The feeling of anticipation had almost over taken him already, but if he was to keep a level head on the planet below, he would need to center himself.
Atton went off to the cockpit to make final preparations for the upcoming landing. Kreia went back to her room to orchestrate enough power for her to keep a constant vigil on the field team. Bao took the T3 unit with him to help him on repairs of the ship. The Handmaiden went to her little area to prepare herself. Rann went to the medbay.
Lifting his sith cloak, he looked at the wounds he had suffered within the past couple of days. There was still some marks, but the wounds would all heal. He looked at his mental self. It was stable for the first time, he felt the Force, still fresh but he felt it growing. He was getting stronger by the hour. Sure he might not be able to shoot lightning out of his fingertips for another few months, but he would get there. If he had to kill someone to do it, he would. He would never fail again.