Chapter27

Chit Happens

Calling In The Chit

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep."

- RobertFrost


The tension was thicker than a bantha's hide on board the Ebon Hawk. The lights, lowered to the night time setting, did nothing to ease the strain everyone felt. They'd pushed the hyperdrive as hard as it would go, getting them to Korriban's atmosphere unbelievably fast. Everyone was busy with preparing for the mission. Canderous and Carth were both on the bridge; Mission was as well, wanting to see if her 'masterpiece' worked. She was pretty sure she'd successfully tampered with and changed the ship's ID code. She wouldn't know for certain until they used it. This was going to be a hell of a test run. If it didn't work - well it wouldn't go well on a planet full of Sith soldiers and dark Jedi.

Traviata's soft footsteps could barely be heard as she walked into the cargo bay. She was looking for a place she could be alone when she had the vision that would no doubt come when they landed. The soldier had been having a disturbing nightmare again of Darth Malak, once again feeling as if he was trying some sort of mind trick- it was dark and twisted, that much she was sure of. She'd awoken abruptly, in her usual state of panic, breathless and nauseous after one of her nightmares. There was one difference, this time she felt she'd blocked him, stopped him – somehow. Jolee had been working with her on shielding her thoughts, but since Tatooine she'd avoided him and that meant no more lessons as well. She'd been training on her own, but without a partner to practice with it was difficult to judge her progress. The Jedi had been thinking about it and perhaps it was time to try reaching out and sense Malak. Turn the tables and reach into his head for a change. Any information would be helpful at this point. She'd go easy at first.

Traviata went to the aft hold knowing that Zaalbar would be in the other. She crept carefully; the only lights on were the emergency lighting and she wanted to keep it that way. She reached the farthest, blackest, out of the way space she could find.

"Funny thing about darkness – you can't see a damn thing," Jolee noted suddenly, bringing out a glow rod that illuminated the area.

Traviata jumped as he spoke, glad she'd left her lightsaber in her room. "Damn it – you scared me half to death, Jolee," she exclaimed, her hand over her heart.

"You didn't sense my presence?" Jolee queried, sitting cross legged, arching an eyebrow.

"No - I was preoccupied- nightmares – Malak," she defended.

Traviata's comlink began to buzz. It was Carth. She held the device up to her mouth. "Hey there."

"We're going to be landing in twenty minutes. I want to be with you, when you know, it happens. I don't-"

"Carth, it's okay," she interrupted. "You need to be on the bridge and I want to be somewhere private," she said eyeing Jolee. "I understand, don't worry about it. I'll come up when we land."

"Come up?" Carth's voice sounded disturbed. "Where are you now?"

"I'm getting ready to head to our quarters- I just misspoke. I'm stretching my legs," Traviata offered, hoping he'd just let it go.

Surprisingly he did just that. "Oh, okay – I love you," he said blandly. "I'll see you soon then."

Traviata mouthed a silent thank you. "I love you, and May the Force be with you. With all of us in fact."

Traviata returned her attention to Jolee. "Don't start- he'd have had a million questions and just worried if he'd known I was down here. He's got enough on his mind right now."

"Hmmm, yes. Don't we all though. I'm wondering what's on yours," Jolee asked patting the cold steel in front of him. "Let's have that chat."

"Jolee, I was hoping for some time alone before we begin this task," Traviata said pointedly. "Can't we talk later?"

"Of course – but also now," Jolee shot back.

"I don't have much time," she replied with a sigh.

"Then I suggest you get talking and tell me what's been going on with you," Jolee instructed, his eyes set with determination.

Traviata let go a long breath. "Okay, but it's got to be fast. There's something I want to try before I get that vision."

Traviata met his eyes and then nodded slightly. She laid it all out for him, a quick abbreviated version of everything she thought happened in the cave and subsequently, finishing with her latest experience just before coming to the hold.

"Hmmm, so you believe Malak is putting all this in your head?" Jolee asked, his astute eyes watching her.

"Yes, what else could it be? Who else?" Traviata asked.

"It's getting worse?" Jolee quizzed.

"Yes," she answered, checking her chrono.

"What exactly is it that you want to try?" Jolee said, his eyes drifting off into the distance before closing them.

"What I'd mentioned before, I want to try to reach out with the Force and see if I can sense Malak. Maybe even find out what he's thinking," Traviata answered.

Silence.

"You have nothing to say? That's a first," Traviata commented.

"No – but I'm sure he does," Jolee said, opening his eyes that were focused just behind Traviata.

She turned sensing their new arrival too late. She'd been so caught up in remembering her nightmares that she'd become blind to all else.

"Carth – I – how did you know where I was?" Traviata stammered.

"You're a lousy liar, remember? I checked your comlink signal," he replied, his face tight and his voice deathly quiet.

"Excuse me," Jolee murmured slipping quickly away. "Think I left a pot boiling."

"What did you hear?" Traviata asked.

"Everything from describing your nightmares – your crazy idea about Malak. Why? Is there more I don't know about?" Carth ground out.

"No, that about covers it," Traviata responded.

"When were you going to tell me? Or were you?" Carth asked, a muscle twitching on the side of his face.

"I didn't want you to worry and we were so happy. I didn't want to ruin it, I just wanted to enjoy being with you," she explained, coming closer to him.

"You think I don't see what's happening to you? I know what's going on with your nightmares, I hear them every night. That will end when I end Malak, you will have peace then, I believe that," Carth said angrily.

"I hope you're right," Traviata responded.

"We're on approach now, Carth. We'll be putting down in the next few minutes."

"Roger that. Keep me informed," Carth said, holding his earpiece as he spoke.

"You still don't know when to ease off the throttle- you almost died- I thought you'd learned," Carth noted brusquely.

"I did, but this is different. This could-"

"Destroy you and me and all of us. It's no different. Damn it, you won't get it through your frakin' head," Carth yelled, pounding his fist into a nearby crate, not satisfied he hit it once more. "It's a matter of you not realizing when you are outgunned – you don't understand the power of Malak. He's like nothing you've ever seen. The idea of you trying to..." Carth pinched the bridge of his nose. He looked at his wife, dark circles under her eyes, sallow complexion and a fierce determination to take on the Dark Lord of the Sith.

"Traviata, I can't worry about you trying to do this crazy thing. Especially now. We're about to infiltrate a Sith base that's on a Sith planet and try to find Dustil and a Star Map. Oh yeah, and try to make sure everyone makes it out in one piece," Carth said quietly.

"I didn't plan on you..."

"Finding out?" Carth swore, walking away and then back again, taking her by both arms. He let go a long breath, it was time to play his ace.

"You made me a promise once. On Dantooine, I told you there would come a time when I would give you an order and you would follow it, without question. It was the condition you agreed to when I allowed Juhani to come along. You gave me your word," he said tersely. "Do you remember?"

"Of course," she answered, knowing what was coming next. "Carth, let me just say one thing before-"

"NO. There's no more discussion about this, no debate and no more thoughts about it. It's not an option. You will not pursue this insane idea of trying to see what's in Malak's head, not in any way. And I mean ever,I don't care what the circumstance is. I want you to do everything to stay as far away from him as possible," he said in his Commander's voice and then paused. "That's an order, not a request. Do you understand?"

Traviata stared at him; she'd given her word- if that meant anything there was no way out. She stood fuming as her mind raced trying to find a loophole.

Carth waited for her response, watching her. He knew she was looking for a way around it and that there wasn't one. He knew she wouldn't go back on her promise, not one as big as this at least.

"Well, if it's an order - I don't really have the option to say no, since you made me agree to that ridiculous-"

"Enough, Viata. I have no time and even less patience right now. Yes or no?" Carth asked soberly.

"Fine, yes – it's not really a choice."

Carth's eyes held hers, searching them and then he nodded. "Good- thank you."

"You don't have to thank me, I gave you my word. The last thing I want is our relationship to be filled with broken promises. You can go, I wanted to be alone anyway," Traviata offered, taking a step back, breaking his grip on her. "That's why I came down here to begin with. To be alone."

"I came down here to be with you, I'm not leaving you to have another one of those visions by yourself," Carth said approaching her, placing a hand on her arm, which she quickly shrugged off, taking a step further back.

"Hey, come on, don't be like that," Carth said mildly. "I know you're upset with me-"

"Upset? That's an understatement," Traviata said with a snort, her eyes meeting his.

"Why? Because I held you to our agreement?" Carth shot back.

"Yes, it was a leveraged agreement. Unfair and unworthy of you," she returned, fire in her eyes, placing her hands on hips.

"Oh come on, Beautiful, you know I don't fight fair. I fight smart and to win, especially when the stakes are high," he paused, his fingers tentatively tucking some hair behind her ear. "Your welfare? Well the stakes don't get any higher for me," he finished huskily.

"Stop it," she protested, moving her head slightly out of his reach, her eyes unable to meet his. He was not making it easy to stay angry at him.

Traviata's gaze drifted off, the room's edges began to darken and get blurry, her ears buzzing. Then she collapsed, Carth barely catching her before she hit the floor.

"Well, the ID worked… I guess. There isn't a platoon of Sith soldiers to greet us at least. Anyway, we've landed," Canderous boomed into Carth's earpiece.

"Yeah, acknowledged. I'm going to be a few- keep us ready to bug out quickly. Just in case," Carth instructed, holding Traviata's writhing form in his lap, or he was trying to. Another vision, he thought grimly.

"Roger that," Canderous paused. He could hear noise in the background, didn't take him long to figure out what was going on. Everyone on board knew about the visions and Traviata's nightmares. "Take your time, Fleet. I've got everything up here in hand," he added, his tone sober.

"Copy that, and uh, thanks, Canderous," Carth offered distractedly, his attention on Traviata.

The Commander watched her, the expressions on her face, mumbling mostly unintelligible bits of conversation. She'd turned cold, like before when he'd seen her after her visions. He looked around, there was nothing to try to keep her warm with, so he quickly shrugged off his flight jacket, wrapping her in it, he held her tightly to him. Then it was over, she awoke- her eyes snapping open. Carth saw those same fear stricken eyes as before her body now shivering violently, she scooted out of his lap, moving just out of his reach.

"Hey, it's me, Carth. I would never hurt you, you're safe," Carth assured her. "Traviata?"

She nodded, unable to speak.

"C'mon, let's get you warmed up," Carth said, retrieving his jacket, now lying on the floor, putting it on Traviata and zipping it up. "Let's go- you're freezing."

"Wa-it, fffirst," she paused trying to control her chattering teeth. "Let me- tell yyou- what I saw."

Carth engulfed her in his arms, his hands rubbing her back trying to bring up her temperature. "Okay, go ahead."

"They found the star map in a cave," she struggled to speak clearly.

"A cave again, figures- any idea where on Korriban?" Carth asked, his brow furrowed, his mind running through the holo-maps he'd been studying. There were a lot of places caves could be on Korriban, it was basically just a big rock floating in space.

"Yes- the Valley of the Sith Lords - it's near the academy," Traviata said shakily.

"Yeah, it's very close according to the intel. That's pretty exact for one of your visions," Carth said pulling back so he could see her face.

"Yes- the vision was- very detailed," she trailed off, laying her head on his chest. "I don't want to talk about the rest right now."

Carth kissed the top of her head and held her to him. "Then don't and how about no caves for you this time."

She didn't have the strength to disagree at the moment. They could fight about it later, when she wasn't feeling quite so vulnerable.

"Let's go, I know you're anxious to begin our search for Dustil. I am too," she said, trying to shake off the dark thoughts filling her mind.

"I have to figure out a way into the Academy. I've gone over the schematics, I'm not sure how I'm going to penetrate it, but I'll find a way. Even if I have to blow a hole in the door," Carth said wrapping his arm around her as they walked slowly toward the access ladder.

"The Force will show us the way, it has so far," Traviata offered. "If he's here, we'll find him."


Less than an hour later everyone was assembled in the main hold, Carth laid it all out for them, everything they'd face on Korriban. It was a planet full of Sith who were looking for them, some in the Sith military and probably dark Jedi. They all had one thing in common; they wanted them captured or dead.

"The star map is in the Valley of the Sith Lords, the only way to access that is through the Sith Academy. My son may be there- presumably a prisoner," Carth paused, his eyes filled with tightly controlled emotion. He stood at the large circular table dressed in black from head to toe, not his typical brown flight pants and button down shirt. Wearing black cargo style pants, black long sleeve tee, a black jacket laying neatly in a nearby chair, he looked ready to blend in with the populace of a Sith world.

"I've decided, given the situation, that this will have to be a completely covert operation. I'm going to lead a small recon team at first, see what we're facing," Carth hesitated. "Strict radio silence at all times. Mission's working on some hi-tech encryption that will hopefully make coms feasible- but for now, that's not possible."

"Those of you left on the ship, first sign of trouble, you leave," he held a hand up at the protests. "That's an order. If they discover our identity or what we're up to then there will be nothing you can do for us anyway." Carth said in his Captain's voice, his gaze traveling to Canderous.

"Don't worry, Fleet. I understand- don't like it, but I'll do it if I have to," Canderous iterated from where he was standing, leaning on the entry to the hold.

Carth nodded. "Canderous is the best pilot with the most experience- after me. He'll stay on board just in case."

"Hey, I don't know about after," Canderous protested.

Carth rolled his eyes. "Fine, with as much experience as me."

Canderous shrugged, "Still not accurate, but it'll do for now."

"We'll be back within six hours at the latest," Carth informed them, pushing a timer on his chrono.

"Remember, no more coms. Not even within the ship," Carth reminded them, before heading over to Jolee. "You ready?"

"Yes, Sonny. Let's get this over with, it's sure to be most unpleasant," Jolee answered.

"I want to grab my pack," Traviata said, unwrapping herself from the thermal blanket wrapped around her. She walked up to Carth and Jolee, placing a hand on Carth's arm. "I probably should change too, not sure if I own that much black, Captain," she added, her eyes surveying his outfit.

"I'm ready, Commander," Juhani said, before heading to the loading ramp.

"I'll be there in a few minutes. Just wait outside the ship, Juhani," Carth instructed.

"You're not going," he held up a hand when she opened her mouth. "Don't argue with me."

"You're kidding right?" she said with an arched eyebrow. "You really think I'm staying here on the ship while you go explore a Sith base alone?" Traviata's gaze went from Jolee to Juhani's retreating form. "You had this planned all along? What the hell, Carth?"

"Oh, here we go," he crossed both arms over his chest, preparing himself for the inevitable battle. "I guess it was too much to hope that you'd be reasonable about this."

"Absolutely," she returned, crossing her arms in front of her. "I'm not staying. No way."

"Yes you are. It's not a debate," his tone crisp and official. "You're not well; you need to get over this vision and rest. Plus you're still not a hundred percent after – Tatooine. Anyway, it's just a little walk in the park recon mission," Carth offered. "We'll be back before you know it."

"No, Carth. That's bullshit. If it were that benign you'd let me go. There's danger-"

"This entire mission is dangerous. Listen, Viata. I love you, I love that you want to go. You're staying put though for now," Carth interrupted, his tone still all business. "That's not just coming from your husband, but from your C.O.."

"I'm the most qualified; I was trained for this exact type of incursion. I'm the only other Republic soldier here, it makes no sense. Anyway, you're the ranking officer, I should go and you should stay. You know, if we're trying to follow the regs," Traviata argued, pulling out her last bit of ammo.

Carth glanced at his chrono. "You're quoting me S.O.P.? Well if you want to go by the book in this situation, I'd declare you unfit for duty at the moment. Listen, I don't have time for this, I need to go," he said coming closer to her.

"I know you hate this, but it's not just for your benefit. I can't do what I need to if I'm worried about you- you're not well, you need to sit this one out. I'll be back soon," Carth offered.

"You're right, I do hate this," Traviata ran an agitated hand through her hair. How was she going to stay on board, she wondered.

"I know you do, but you'll live to get over it," Carth acknowledged, taking her chin between his thumb and forefinger. "I love you," he said softly and kissed her on the mouth.

"I love you too," she acknowledged, wrapping him into a tight hug.

"I'll be back soon," Carth said, breaking the embrace, he leaned over and grabbed his jacket. She handled it better than he'd thought she would actually. Maybe she was even more out of it than he realized.

"Hey, do me a favor and try to sleep some. We'll be gone for a few hours," he shrugged on his jacket quickly and picked up a nearby bag from a chair, swinging it easily across his shoulders. "I'm worried about you," he said running a light finger under her eyes and then his hand caressed her cheek.

"You worry too much," she caught his hand up in hers. "I don't know how to do this. I don't know how to be the one who stays behind – I don't like this."

Carth nodded and then kissed the top of her head. "I know," he said starting to head toward the loading ramp.

"Hey, Handsome," Traviata called after him.

He turned, his shoulders stiffening, bracing for a continued struggle. She didn't call him that often, but whenever she did, it made his heart beat faster. It was usually when they were alone. Though, he could get used to her calling him Handsome much more often. His eyebrows arched slightly. "Yes?"

"Juhani? You chose Juhani to come on a mission with you?" she raised her hands up, her voice surprised. "I almost fainted - what the hell did I miss?" Traviata asked.

She had noticed he didn't seem to glare at Juhani anymore, or leave the room the minute she entered whenever possible. She'd hoped he was softened toward Juhani, but this was not something she saw coming. He trusted her to cover his six on a Sith base, on a Sith world? Was it possible Carth actually made peace with Juhani?

Clearly she needed to meditate and try to clear her head. She wasn't nearly aware enough of what was going on around her if she'd missed Carth's more accepting attitude toward Juhani. It had been what she'd been hoping and working for weeks and weeks. And you were totally oblivious to it genius, she reprimanded herself inwardly. Her head was too full of Revan and Malak and their memories lately. No doubt courtesy of Malak, she thought. She was finding a way to put that to an end somehow.

Carth shrugged slightly, shifting his bag on his shoulder. "We found some common ground on Tatooine- I guess I made a peace of sorts with her," Carth explained. "Anyway, she's a damn good fighter and looks fierce as hell. She'll be good cover here."

"Peace with, Juhani?" Traviata broke into a smile. "I know it couldn't have been easy for you. Very Jedi like."

"Lets not get carried away," Carth shot back with a frown, dismay in his voice.

"Hey, Canderous," Carth called over louder to him.

He'd been hovering on the edge of the room, still leaning nonchalantly against the entry, listening to their entire exchange. Everyone else had discreetly cleared the room when Carth had finished his debriefing, giving the couple some privacy. Everyone that was but Canderous.

Carth knew he was standing by to see the fireworks when Carth told Traviata she wasn't part of the recon team. He was probably hoping to see a real show. Carth didn't think Canderous would try anything with Traviata. He did believe that Canderous still harbored some serious affection for her though. It made the Commander green with jealousy, wanting to punch him in the face. At the same time though, it made him the perfect protective Mandalorian watch dog over Traviata.

"No one leaves the ship, and I do mean noone," Carth said sternly.

"Roger that," Canderous replied blandly. Carth's steady gaze made it clear he was looking for more.

"What? I've got it. No one leaves. It's a simple order," Canderous repeated, his eyes locking with Carth's. "Not my first swoop race, Fleet. I've been in charge of much more than a crew and ship this size before."

"Damn it, Canderous. I know- just make sure," Carth barked, his eyes unflinching, waiting for a response.

"I said I've got it. No one leaves- Will you just go already? Damn how I hate long ass goodbyes," Canderous said gruffly, standing his full height now.

Carth's eyes found Traviata one more time and he was gone.

Traviata looked at Canderous and then in the direction of the inner loading door. It took everything she had not to bolt for it. Instead she slammed both her hands down on the chair in front of her swearing loudly. Canderous raised an eyebrow at her actions.

Traviata met his gaze and then stormed wordlessly from the room.


The Sith base was clean, modern and filled with activity. There were Czerka employees, various types of ilk that were no doubt smugglers or bounty hunters, and a plethora of Sith students in uniform roaming about. Carth's careful gaze examined every one of them, none of them were Dustil though.

"There's not much intel on this base. The Academy was reopened by Revan and Malak after the Mandalorian Wars. There's no recent information on the interior. There's no telling what modifications they made," Carth said quietly as the pair stood nonchalantly against a wall in the main corridor of the facility.

"I can feel the evil here, it's everywhere," Juhani said, her bright yellow eyes wide.

"You okay? I mean you can go back to the ship," Carth offered, his eyes scanning the Cathar. He'd wondered what affect this planet would have on the Jedi.

"No, I am fine, Commander," Juhani said in her heavily accented delicate sounding basic. Her voice and her appearance were divergent.

Carth hesitated and then nodded. "Keep me apprised- I'd rather you go back to the ship than you have a- uh, relapse," he met her eyes briefly and then turned his attention to Jolee.

He was hoping Jolee's foresight and great insight into others would help him in his quest. "Well, where do you think we should head?"

"Hmmm, to the bar. Just up ahead," Jolee replied.

"Why? What's in there?" Carth asked, his eyes narrowing. The cantina would be a logical place to start for information.

"A drink for starters, Sonny. I think we could all use one about now," Jolee supplied, patting Carth on the arm before stepping quickly to the bar.

Carth's eyes followed the cryptic old Jedi. He found himself longing for the discipline, structure and normalcy of the military. Here he was on a Sith planet with two Jedi. If the Admiral could see him now, he wouldn't believe it. Carth glanced at his chrono; just over five hours left.

The bar smelled like old ale and antiseptic; it was filled with Sith uniforms. Carth's hand went instinctively to his side as he entered the establishment.

"Over here," Jolee said motioning the pair over to a tall table.

Carth slid into a chair and let go a heavy breath. "Why are we really here?"

"As good a place to wait as any," Jolee offered. "You know a better place to wait?" he asked.

"What are we waiting for?" Carth asked, with strained patience.

"Not what, who- a dark Jedi. A teacher at the Academy. At least I think, the dark side here makes it difficult to see clearly," Jolee explained, his tone and expression guarded.

"Great. Anyway, how will that help us?" Carth asked, his voice rising slightly.

"Bah, you ask too many questions. Just trust me, trust the Force. We need to just wait right here," Jolee said, his gaze lighting up when a waitress appeared.

"Three whiskeys and a sandwich," Jolee ordered.

The waitress nodded and left without a word.

Carth tried to tamp down his anger and frustration, but it was a losing battle. "We're wasting time. I should be looking for a way in to the Academy," Carth said curtly. Sit around and do nothing while his son could be captive here, Carth thought. No frakin way.

Jolee let go a long breath. "Fine, Sonny. You run on along to the Academy if you want. We'll be waiting right here for you. There's time, but don't stay gone too long. You'll want to be here when she comes," Jolee warned.

Carth's eyes studied Jolee, he could try to press the old man for answers, but he wouldn't get any. He knew Jolee well enough by now to know he only gave out the information he wanted to, when he wanted to. If he said it was all blurry, it could be true, or he could just be deflecting. He did seem confident in their course of action; Carth wished he could as well.

"I'll be back in no more than two hours," Carth said coming to his feet, checking his chrono. "I just want to check out the perimeter of the Academy."

"Fine, you do that, Sonny," Jolee acknowledged.

Carth made his way through the winding corridors of the pristine facility. Revan and Malak had certainly spared no expense modernizing and repairing the base. He exited the building, putting on his sunglasses at the bright sun bearing down on him. His eyes surveyed the area; he'd never imagined he'd be on Korriban one day. The area was actually pretty in a way, if you liked rocky barren terrain. He walked over to a nearby bridge, acting like he was just observing the scenery. There it was, the entrance to the Sith Academy. He held up his comlink and pretended like he was talking while he secretly took pictures of the facility. It looked heavily fortified, banked by turrets and then flanked by guards as well, who now seemed to be taking an interest in him.

"Time to go," he murmured under his breath. He made his way back to the port entrance and looked back once. Dustil could be alive and in there, captured and injured, he thought. He hesitated at the door,

"If you're in there, son, I'll be back soon to get you. You have my word," he promised quietly and then disappeared back into the facility.

By the time Carth returned to the bar they had less than three hours before they were due to report back to the Hawk. His eyes narrowed as he approached the table, finding only Jolee there.

"Where's Juhani?" Carth asked.

"Back at the ship. She wasn't feeling well. She'll be okay," Jolee explained. "Apparently the local cuisine didn't- um- sit well with her..." he trailed off. "So I suggested she go back to the ship," Jolee added.

"Oh," was all Carth said sitting down. Her presence wouldn't really make any difference at this point anyway. Hopefully. "Is there anything else?" Carth asked pointedly. Something about Jolee's manner was putting him on edge, he felt like he was keeping something from him.

Jolee's eyes met Carth's. "This reminds me of my smuggling days. Oh I could tell you stories- well, I might as well while we're waiting. There was this one time when-"

"I meant about Juhani," Carth interrupted, his eyes narrowing. Jolee was definitely up to something.

"You still on that, Sonny?" Jolee said with consternation. "Nothing more to say, I sent her back to the ship and she was sick," he said with a shake of his head. "Now, as I was saying..."

Carth motioned to the bar tender for a drink, his eyes scanning the room, sitting back in his chair. He wasn't listening to Jolee, his attention was on their surroundings and his thoughts on Traviata, Dustil and how the hell they were going to access that academy.


"I thought the two of us might have a talk. We haven't had time for much of that on this mission," Bastilla commented, her tone unusually tentative, standing at the now open door of Traviata's and Carth's quarters.

Traviata stared at Bastilla, she'd been in silent meditation since Carth left the ship, trying to clear her mind and settle her thoughts. The memories of her nightmares of Malak and Revan had been in her mind too much, distracting her. She was trying to regain focus; it was difficult with all the darkness around them though. More like impossible, she thought sighing inwardly. She rose and walked to the woman. May as well let Bastilla in and find out what her agenda was, she always had one she'd come to realize.

"Sure, come in. I was just meditating," Traviata stood aside so Bastilla could enter.

"I see. How's that going," Bastilla asked, silently gliding into the room, her eyes taking inventory of its contents.

"Not that well actually," Traviata said with a grimace, punching the controller for the door, allowing for some privacy.

Bastilla nodded, "That's not unexpected considering where we are."

Silence.

"How have you been feeling? You know since the incident on Tatooine? Back to normal?" Bastilla asked walking over to a nearby chair, gracefully sitting, the folds of her dress lying perfectly about her.

Great, she was settled in. This was going to be a long talk.

"I'm fine. You know a little tired still. Having some trouble with focusing at times," Traviata said, coming to sit across from her in the matching arm chair in the well appointed Captain's cabin.

"Anything else? How about your nightmares? Are they worse or better?" Bastilla asked, watching her closely.

"The same actually," Traviata lied. She didn't know if it was Carth's many warnings not to trust her or what, but she didn't want to share that with her.

"Well, they're not worse. That's something anyway, especially here. It's wearing, even for me," Bastilla responded, her voice sounding tired.

Traviata studied the young woman; she looked fatigued, appeared to have lost weight and aged by at least five years. This mission was taking a toll on all of them. She felt terrible she hadn't noticed before now, so caught up in her own problems.

"I'm sorry. You seem tired – troubled by something," Traviata apologized.

"Troubled? Well, yes, I suppose I am. This mission is so important, so much hangs in the balance. I feel the weight of it pressing on me more and more. If I fail," she stopped shaking her head.

"You're not in this alone. We're all here, working together. It's not all on you Bastilla. You don't need to carry this burden on your shoulders alone," Traviata said leaning forward as she spoke. She felt bad for Bastilla. She wasn't her favorite person, but she'd had a tremendous responsibility dumped on her, especially for someone so young.

"You have a real gift you know- with people," Bastilla said eyeing Traviata. "When you say those words, I really believe you."

"It's the truth. We are going to stop Malak and the Sith, together. I know it," Traviata affirmed, taking Bastilla's hand in hers.

Bastilla nodded and stood, extracting her hand immediately from Traviata's touch.

"Yes, well I don't want to take up too much of your time. The Commander should be back in a few hours," Bastilla said walking to the door.

Traviata stood, somewhat at a loss for the woman's rather odd behavior. "Two hours and ten minutes," she corrected, following her.

When they reached the door, Bastilla turned to Traviata. "Have you felt any affects from being here on Korriban? Feeling emotional, dark thoughts..."

"I haven't been able to completely get warm since we landed," Traviata paused thinking. Would her display of anger when Carth ordered her to stay behind count? She shook off the idea; it was just a normal response from her at the situation. It would have been the same anywhere. "Oh, and like I said, meaningful meditation is eluding me. Other than that, nothing," she said with a shrug.

"It would not be unexpected to experience those things while here. It only means we must be vigilant," she informed her. "The evil is everywhere, it calls to us like a melancholy song," she added with a faraway look.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Traviata asked, placing a hand on her arm.

Bastilla backed away, punching the controller for the door. "You needn't worry about me. I just wanted to make sure you knew what you might expect while here. Good day Traviata and thank you for the talk," she said and moved swiftly out the door.

Traviata stood there in the doorway staring after Bastilla's quickly disappearing form.

"What the hell was that?" she whispered to herself.

Just then the loading bay door opened and Juhani appeared, but she was alone.

Traviata quickly reached out with the Force, making sure Carth was okay, her heart suddenly racing. Certainly she'd feel if something was wrong with him. She let go a sigh of relief, he was fine, physically at least.

Traviata rushed to Juhani's side. "What's going on?"

"I wasn't feeling well. Jolee sent me back- Carth was doing some scouting," Juhani supplied.

"You're ill? Why didn't Jolee just heal you?" Traviata asked.

Juhani's eyes narrowed as she concentrated, apparently trying to remember. Her stern face looking confused. "I- I'm not sure. That's a good question."

Traviata nodded, "Okay. Well why don't you go see Bastilla, she'll heal you."

Traviata turned, moving toward her quarters and came out carrying a pack less than ten seconds later.

"Hey, I just saw Juhani board alone on the monitors. What's happening?" Canderous asked, rushing in to the room. His eyes went immediately to the bag in her hand.

"Going somewhere?" he asked with an arched eyebrow.


"Well, it wasn't exactly stealing that we did. I don't want you to get the wrong idea. It was more like a tax on the rich. Anyway, we were shot down and that's how I met my wife," Jolee finished, taking a sip of his drink.

Carth glanced at his chrono, less than two hours left now. He looked around the room; it was just the same refuse that filtered in and out of the place as when they came in. He was trying to keep his emotions in check, but it was tough. He was used to taking action, or at least planning an action. Just sitting and waiting wasn't in his genetic makeup.

"Speaking of wives, did I ever tell you that yours reminds me of Nomi Sunrider?" Jolee asked, his eyes watching the Commander.

Carth had only been half way listening to the old man, but the mention of Traviata caught his attention. "My wife? Yeah, I do seem to remember something about that. Sunrider was a famous Jedi, involved in the Great Sith War."

"Yes, she came to the Force late, like your wife. Also, she was very powerful. But perhaps the biggest thing is that she was guided by her intense emotions, like your wife," Jolee said.

"I can't argue that point, her emotions are intense. There's no stopping her when she feels strongly about something," Carth agreed, his eyes still on the doorway.

"Yes, Nomi used those intense emotions and ended up permanently severing Qel-Droma from the Force. Her actions brought about the end of the Great Sith War," Jolee informed him.

"You're saying what exactly? You like to beat around the bush more than a Coruscant politician," Carth commented, his vision fixed on the entry. Whoever they were waiting for better walk in soon.

"What I'm saying is that I believe this war with the Sith can be ended too. Malak's rule ended- by your wife," Jolee supplied.

"My wife?" he asked his tone and expression relayed his horrified shock, his eyes temporarily going to Jolee before returning to the door.

"Son of a bitch. My wife," he said darkly, as he watched the newest addition to the bar walk in.