Chapter 24: Taris: The Sith Base

~Phoenix~

"Hey – you can't come in here! This is a restricted area! You better tell me what you're doing or I'm going to hit the alarm!

I looked at the Twi'lek receptionist. "Please don't. I'll pay you fifty credits not to hit that alarm." I dug out fifty credits from my pouch and put them on the receptionist's table.

"50 credits? You've got a deal! The Sith have made my life a living hell ever since they took over this base."

The woman took the credits and pocketed them. "You know, it's about time someone stood up to these Sith! Just do me a favor and wait until I'm out of here before you start blasting the place up."

I nodded as the woman bolted out the same doorway we came in. I looked at T3. "T3, download a map of the complex from this woman's console we need to find the main complex to the facility."

T3 beeped::Of course, Phoenix.::

The droid rolled over to the receptionist desk.

I grinned. "So far so good."

Bastila shook her head. "We've hardly started and already you are getting too sure of yourself."

I frowned. "Bastila, I prefer to keep upbeat. I can't….well I can't think of defeat. I can only think of the victory. I'd rather think of the moment of our success. I can't admit the possibility of failure that would drag me down."

Carth nodded. "I get what Phoenix is trying to say, Bastila. Better to think like we've already won than consider defeat."

Bastila sighed. "Very well….I just don't want us to be over confident."

T3 beeped:: I've downloaded the map.:: There was a pause followed by more beeping::You didn't ask but I've found additional security protocols as well as access to various power conduits, security cameras etc. Would you like me to access them?::

I smiled. "Sure go ahead T3, the more Intel the better."

I waited as T3 cycled through the computer and it's database.

T3 beeped.:: There are several guards in several of the rooms near power conduits, do you wish me to overload the conduits? It will most assuredly kill them. I also found some blaster turrets that need to be turned off so they do not harm us, would you like me to switch those off?::

I thought that over, it would give us an advantage. "Go ahead T3, the less Sith and Sith defenses we deal with the better."

I heard a whirl as T3 proceeded to cycle through security settings. He beeped::Done. I have nothing more to go through on this computer, Phoenix::

"Okay, T3. Unplug yourself."

The droid unplugged from the computer and then beeped::What is our objective? I'd like to know In case all of you are incapacitated. I would then complete your mission, it must be important to you because you bribed the receptionist..::

I raised an eyebrow; yep this droid was starting to exhibit signs of individualism. It thinks it can complete the task on its own. Independently from all of us, Geeze, how self assured can one get?

I shook my head not sure what to think of this, Carth frowned. "What? What did that droid say?"

"It thinks it can complete the mission if we are disabled."

Bastila interjected. "What a stuck up…conceited…."

I chuckled; I had to admit that I had the same thoughts about Bastila at times.

Carth frowned and interrupted Bastila. "Listen here droid; we are perfectly capable of completing the mission on our own."

T3 beeped.::I only wish to be backup. I didn't ask for you both to be rude.::

I laughed. and Carth and Bastila frowned and both said together, "What?"

"T3 said you are being rude and only wishes to be backup."

Carth looked at the droid. "Maybe getting this droid was a mistake."

I laughed. "Well it is getting a bit self assured, isn't it? But it might not be a bad idea to give it our objective just in case we are separated, injured, or worse."

I turned to T3. "T3 we are seeking the departure codes from the Sith base. We need them so we can escape the Taris quarantine. It is imperative beyond all costs that we access those codes. If something happens to us in the process, download them and get them to Mission Vao and her wookiee, Zaalbar. She will know what to do with them and know what to do regarding us."

I plugged my data pad into T3. "Here's the info on Mission and her wookiee, Zaalbar, in case the worst happens."

Bastila shook her head. "You seem to be putting a lot of trust in that droid."

I shrugged. "Well Bastila, I'd rather be prepared for the worst case scenario, just in case."

T3 spat out the data pad as it took the info from it.

T3 beeped::Thank you for putting trust in me, Phoenix. I won't forget it.::

"Yea only if you're not memory wiped first, you cheeky little droid."

T3 then suddenly stated. dwooooooo, as it considered the thought that I might memory wipe him.

I laughed. "Yea, you're only as good as the human you trust, but don't worry I don't think I'll memory wipe you."

T3 beeped back::Thank you, Phoenix. I like you.::

I shook my head; this droid was an odd sort of being. The more I talked to it, the more it seemed to be asserting a personality that it shouldn't have.

I shouldered my weapon. "Come along. Let's go kick some Sith all the way back to Korriban."

T3 beeped::My weapons are primed and ready, but how does one kick the Sith from Taris to Korriban when the planet is quarantined?::

I suddenly laughed. "You know I think I am beginning to like this little droid."

~Bastila~

Phoenix's emotional level was way too high for me to like. It threatened to overwhelm me. She needed Jedi discipline and Jedi control. Her boisterous laughter, her eagerness for combat. I sighed and tried to shield myself. Hoping beyond hope that it would block a lot of the emotional ties I felt streaming from her. Yet, I knew that it would take a good amount of Force to keep myself blocked from Phoenix's unintentional psychic backlash. I knew sadly I could not keep that type of shield up forever. I would have to fight and I couldn't block out Phoenix and fight at the same time. Yet, the relief I felt in blocking Phoenix out made me feel almost better.

We walked down hallways carefully; I was still wearing that stupid disguise that Phoenix had made for me. I had had it; I carefully took the fake mustache off and the cape that Phoenix put with my disguise. Phoenix shook her head. "You act like you're planning on going up against Malak."

I shook my head."No, just tired of hiding, Phoenix. I don't plan on wearing it anymore. Besides if the Sith see me with a lightsaber, it's not as if they are not going to know who I am."

Phoenix grinned. "That's a pity, I thought it suited you."

"What! Are you saying you made me wear this disguise because you liked it."

Phoenix shook her head."Geeze Bastila get a grip, remember where we're at."

Carth then scolded her, "Phoenix, stop teasing Bastila, this isn't exactly the time for it."

Phoenix nodded, "I know that….it's just….well I thought she could handle…." She then sighed, "I am sorry…..I am just...I am nervous that's all and I can't help but joke when I am nervous."

I bowed my head a bit and then patted Phoenix on the shoulder suddenly feeling for the woman. "It's alright. I understand. Come on."

We walked through mazes of hallways and rooms and we quickly cleared them of Sith soldiers and combat droids.

We entered a room with Force Cages and found a Duros in one of the Force Cages, I didn't recognize him but he spoke to Phoenix and Carth.

"You there – human. Remember me? You helped me once before when the Sith were trying to arrest me. Outside you apartment. Do you remember?"

Phoenix look thoughtful, "Yea, I remember you. I nearly…." She turned beet red, "I almost hurt you."

"I am in need of your help once again. The Sith are going to execute me for removing the Sith corpse from your apartment complex. Please, help me out of this cage."

~Phoenix~

I looked at the Duros in the cell as he begged and pleaded for help. "We're not really here to rescue you."

Carth but a hand on my shoulder, "But he did help us, Phoenix."

I sighed and chewed a bit on the inside of my lip pondering if the risk of freeing him was worth it and if freeing him would harm our overall mission. The Force Cage humming away in the quiet room. I decided that the Duros wasn't a real risk to our overall mission after all, "How do we free you?"

"Switch all the panels on the wall to the red "off" position and I will be released. It is not as simple as it sounds – switching a panel will also switch the panel beside it. You must be careful as you do this, human. If you set all the panels to the green "on" position my cell's termination program will engage and I will be executed. "

"I see…." I barked out an order to T3-M4, "T3, free the Duros from the Force cage, but be careful. No Green markings on the panels."

T3 beeped and went over to the panels and carefully switched them off. The Force Cage faded away leaving the Duros free.

"Thank you, human. I do not know what you are doing inside this military base, but I am grateful. Once again I owe you a debt I can never repay. Now I must leave this place before the Sith discover I have escaped. If you are wise, you will do the same. If the Sith capture you I doubt anyone else will come by to set you free."

I sighed. "I wish we could leave, but we can't…..but maybe you can help us."

The Duros looked intrigued. "How sentient?"

"If something happens to us, T3 has been told to abandon us and get help. However, our contact for T3 is in the Lower City and it is unlikely that a droid will be allowed on its own into the Lower City. You, however….."

The Duros nodded. "I see. I take the droid to your contact in the Lower…."

Bastila interrupted. "How can we trust him? He might memory wipe T3 and keep him for his own or….sell him. It's too much of a risk."

Carth nodded. "I agree."

"You guys have any better ideas?"

Bastila shook her head negatively. "No, I do not, but to put our trust in an alien you've only met once before."

"I agree with you Bastila and hopefully the Force willing we won't need his help, but I'd like to have a backup plan."

The Duros nodded. "I understand if you don't trust me….."

"But desperation makes trust where there is normally none. I'll give you a try. I doubt we will even need you."

I glared at the Duros, my normally calm face hardened and my face became as cold as ferrocrete, as I handed him my datapad

"Enter your contact information and I will give it to T3 to memorize. If you do not come through in 2 standard hours. I will tell the Sith everything regarding you. A planet under quarantine is not an easy place to hide, you cannot leave the planet, you escaped once, and you will not escape again."

Bastila glared at me. "Phoenix….."

I raised my hand. "If we burn Bastila….we burn together."

The Duros shuddered. "Such a threat, sentient, but I accept your concern." He sighed. "For saving my life you will have my cooperation."

He wrote down his info into the data pad and I looked it over and committed it to memory. I then popped it into T3 who took the data. The data pad out and I deleted the information.

"Good bye…..if T3 comes to you, then you know you have two hours." The Duros nodded and took off.

Carth glared at me. "That was harsh, Phoenix."

Bastila nodded quietly. "I agree, with Carth.

"All right….I get it. But you said it yourselves we couldn't trust him. The only way to bind his cooperation was to sell him out to the Sith. I am not happy with it either, but hopefully we won't need him."

I turned quietly, and opened the doors that lead out of this cell, I didn't feel like talking about it. I felt guilty. I looked at the map, T3 downloaded. T3 bumped into me and beeped::You did what you had to do. Strategically, your decision was sound, Phoenix.::

"Yea it was, but…."

T3 beeped::But?::

"You're a droid, you wouldn't get it. Sentients are not supposed to turn on each other like kath hounds."

T3's beeping turned into questioning beeps::I don't understand. You are not kath hounds.::

I chuckled lightly, the droid's statement made me feel slightly better. "Exactly T3. Exactly."

The map ended up leading us to an elevator. I tried to open it and found it needed a code to be opened; we had to be getting closer to where we needed to be.

"T3 slice the elevator open."

T3 beeped::Of course, Phoenix.:: It took a few moments but the elevator opened and all us entered.

The doors closed and I pointed to the camera I saw in the elevator. "Carth…..the camera!"

Carth nodded and took his blaster out and he blasted the camera away, he sighed. "I am not sure if that's going to do much good, Phoenix. I am pretty sure the Sith know we are here."

"Yea, but why give them our picture!"

The elevator opened and we were at a doorway and Bastila shivered. "I can feel much evil here."

I paused a moment and closed my eyes, hoping I could feel or even sense what Bastila felt. Nothing. Wait….my body felt cold and icy. Is that what the Dark side felt like?

I opened the door and there in the room was a man in armor, his skin looked pale and icy. His eyes looked dead and hollow. His gaze suddenly rested upon me, and I felt like his gaze bore into me.

"Who dares to break my meditation? You will pay for interrupting my… wait. I sense the Force is strong with you. Very strong. Who would have thought a Force Adept could be found on this insignificant planet? But your talent is no match for a disciple of the dark side!"

I snorted. "The Dark side in the end will lead to your destruction, turn away from it before it is too late."

The man laughed. "Spoken like a true drone of the Jedi Council. We Sith, however, have learned to embrace the potential of the dark side. It is what gives us strength!"

He grabbed up a duel blade. "This meeting is a stroke of luck for me – my master will surely reward me with my lightsaber once I kill you!"

I rushed at him but suddenly couldn't move my body. He started raising his blade against me. I was paralyzed and couldn't move. Bastila rushed over to protect me. She suddenly spoke in my mind,

:: It is a Force power, found among the Jedi and the Sith, it paralyzes you so you cannot move. Be patient Phoenix, it does not last forever.::

Carth shot away at him with his blasters and T3 rolled over and electrocuted the man.

Slowly I felt movement restored to my limbs and I finally was able to fight and I swung my blade at him. Suddenly pain ripped through my body and I felt weakened, my body drained of it's energy. What the frack was that? More Force powers? "Enough of this….." I snarled. I swung my blade at his head and my blade cut through his head. His head rolled off his shoulders and onto the floor while his body dropped to the floor.

I breathed in and out exhausted. "T3….the codes…..get the codes….."

T3 beeped and rolled over to the computer and began to download the codes. Bastila came over to me. "Are you alright, Phoenix?"

"No….that was unsettling, I felt helpless. I had no idea the Force could do that."

I clinched my weapon, my knuckles turning white, I vowed I'd never wanted to feel that helpless again and Bastila said calmly. "I am not immune to the effects of those Force powers either, Phoenix."

"Yes, but can you block them out or prevent how long they affect you?"

"Sometimes. Sometimes I cannot. If I am tired or weakened in combat and unable to concentrate, I cannot."

I snorted. "Then I will try to get stronger so I never feel helpless again."

Bastila said softly. "But helplessness is a feeling. You can be strong all you wish, but if you still feel helpless what good is it?"

I sighed. "Perhaps you are right, but I don't want to be caught off guard like that ever again."

Carth's voice interjected. "T3 has the codes, come on let's get out of here."

~Bastila~

I felt Phoenix's rage after the fight, a sense of helplessness and frustration. I would have thought that I would have felt the same taint of Darkness from Phoenix that I had during the Death Match fight with Bendak Starkiller. However, this time I did not. This was purely and simply Phoenix's own frustration and rage coming through. I had to stop it, had to push it down and for the most part I did. Yet, it seemed now only to simmer and she vowed never to be caught off guard ever again.

We left the Sith base and picked up Mission and Zaalbar as we went to the Cantina. We walked up to Canderous, a big grin on his face as he ushered us all into a private room that Zak, the bounty hunter officer kept for private meetings. Meetings that undoubtedly were used for Davik's Exchange business.

The room was tacky at best, done all in Red Onderonian skills and gold inlays. Obviously Davik wanted to show whoever he met with that he was a rich and powerful individual.

Canderous offered us seats and we sat down around a table.

~Canderous~

I grinned at Phoenix. "Welcome back to the land of the living kid. I saw your fight against Bendak, truly a great battle. You shocked him during the end, pulling out that hold out blaster like you did."

Phoenix seemed a bit lackluster over it. "Truthfully Canderous, I can't really remember all that happened. It must been what, like 20 seconds. All I remember was I was scared and had to act. It was all a blur, really."

I frowned and looked around and I saw that damn Jedi Bastila giving Phoenix a death glare. Jedi were a true paradox, all peace one moment and lightsabers blazing the next. I had little respect for them, their powers basically equated to cheating. The only Jedi I ever had any respect for was sadly dead and he had proven his worth, despite his powers, a million times over. I had a feeling that Phoenix was giving me the condensed version of her Bendak fight because of that damn Jedi wench. I'd talk to her later about it, alone.

"Now, I know the Sith military base had a break in. I know it was you. I know you've got those departure codes I need. So what do you say? We join forces and I can get you inside Davik's base – and right to the Ebon Hawk. We can go right now."

Phoenix grinned a bit. "Sure thing Canderous, we can go now but just one thing, won't Davik suspect something?"

"Davik's always looking to recruit new talent. I'll tell him how you won that swoop race and mention that you're interested in working for the Exchange. I'll say I brought you in so he could check you out. He'll have you stay at his estate for a couple days while he runs some background checks on you – that's standard procedure."

Suddenly that damn Jedi wench spoke up. "This is too risky. We should find another way."

"You got another plan, sister? Or are you just objecting 'cause you didn't think of it?"

"No, I... don't have another plan. I would rather not place my life in your hands, however."

I laughed. "I can say the same about you. That makes us even. Fortunately we both want to get off this rock, right? "

She was suddenly quiet.

I held up my hand. "Thing is I can't take all of you, if I did Davik would get suspicious. So you choose Phoenix, Three of you can come with me.

Phoenix chewed on the inside of her lip. I chuckled at the move, it was cute as well as the actions of a leader, as she seemed to be contemplating who to take and who to leave behind.

"Bastila…..I think we need your skills and Carth, I would never go anywhere without the most handsome pilot in the galaxy."

Bastila nodded quietly and Carth chuckled. "Of course Phoenix, with that comment how could I refuse."

She turned to Mission and Zaalbar. "Go back to our old hideout, it should be okay. The Sith are going to be swarming over their base. Keep yourselves low key. Watch after T3. We can't take him with us since it is technically Davik's droid and he knows way too much to be surrendered to Davik."

Mission nodded. "Okay, Nix."

"Okay….so I have a speeder parked out front, we should go now."