Just a quick update to keep the ball rolling.

Korriban - The Ebon Hawk

Jon

The skids of the small ship settled onto the metallic grille of Dresdae's docking port. Steam floated up around the ship as ground crew approached, dragging hoses along to refuel her. Jon sat in the cockpit of the ship, looking grim, his face set in stone. He took a look out of the forward viewing port and saw the arid, depressing landscape around the dock.

Without a word, Carth rose and walked away, leaving Jon and Zaalbar to stew. Jon looked at the Wookiee and expected to see hate and mistrust, but he saw none of that. Maybe I'm just misreading their expressions, he thought.

Unexpectedly, Zaalbar warbled in a friendly tone. He looked Jon in the eyes and put a furry hand on Jon's shoulder. Jon thought he saw empathy and even…understanding in those deep dark pools.

"Yes, Z, we better get going. We can't let Bastila down."

Together, they grabbed their gear and headed for the exit ramp.

At the security station, Carth and Sano were already talking to the port official. It seemed that a few extra credits went a long way in having their ship removed from any city manifest. Jon approached them and the Twi'lek security officer's face lit up and his lekku swayed with joy.

"Ohhhh, aren't you the Manaan Swoop bike champion. Yes, it is you. I followed your exploits."

Jon turned a bit red, embarrassed at the attention. "Well, um. Thanks…."

The Twi'lek stepped out from behind the console and clapped Jon on the shoulder. "Well, for you…I'll make sure your ship is safe and refueled. Don't worry about a thing. Also, go and visit my cousin, B'Ree. He'll give you great rates on stims and medpacs. Tell him Shulas sent you."

Jon forced a smile, even though he could not think of anything but saving Bastila. "Thanks Shulas."

"I'll bet you're here to join the Sith Academy…am I right? Well, almost every new visitor is here to join the Academy…or die trying. Well, I think a sizzling hot Swoop biker like yourself will get in easy."

"Sith Academy? Why yes. What can you tell me about how to get in?"

Shulas shuddered for a moment. "Oh, better you than me. That place gives me the creeps. If you want to get in, I'd suggest you speak to Yuthura Ban. She's one of the Sith Masters. You will need to get her endorsement if you want to get in."

"How do you win her favor?"

Shulas made a face that showed he was nervous about the whole topic. "It seems that you have to kill a few people or do something…to get her attention. Thing is…she'll just as soon fry you as look at you…so I've heard."

Jon nodded and then dug his Swoop jacket out of his pack. He handed it to Shulas, who leapt for joy and then hugged Jon.

"Don't worry about nothing! I got you covered," the Twi'lek cried as he programmed some droids to begin refueling the ship.

Seemingly impatient, Sano stomped out of the hangar and turned down the hall, followed closely by Carth and Jon. Jon took a quick look back to see the rest of the team straggling after them. About halfway down the hall, a Twi'lek in a red space suit waved him down.

"Hey, you must be owner of ship…named Ebon Hawk. I waiting long time for delivery. You keep Hutt waiting too. Not good for healthy living."

Jon stopped and narrowed his eyebrows. "What are you talking about?"

The Twi'lek stopped for a moment. "You mean, you don't know. There is shipment in Ebon Hawk. Valuable shipment. I have payment from Hutt…Two Thousand credits."

"Well, I recently…acquired the ship. If you tell me what it is and where I can find it, I can get it for you."

The Twi'lek pursed his long lips and one of his green eyes got big. "It shipment of spice. You go get and give me. Shipment is in cargo bay on bulkhead. You find and put in this code," he said and handed Jon a data pad. "You bring back right away."

Jon shrugged and looked over to Sano. "Hey, I'll be right back. You guys move on. Try to find Yuthura."

The big brawler returned the look and nodded silently.

Sano

What are we doing on this forsaken planet? There is nothing but dust and scrub here. I don't understand what the big deal is with the Star Maps…we should just find the Leviathan and take Malak head on. I almost had him. I have learned much in a short time and my technique is the most powerful it has ever been. We've been wasting too much time.

The brawler snorted out through his nose and stopped in front of an emporium of equipment with a sign that read 'B'Ree's'. The Twi'lek owner was busy replacing a pane of glass and looked up at the approach of the group. He sighed and placed the pane gently back on the ground. "Can I help you or are you just here to break things," he said with an edge to his voice.

At first, Sano stepped back and he struggled with a tinge of anger that coursed through his veins. But he looked over to his friends for reassurance and his irritation diminished. "We're friends of Shulas'. He said you would be able to sell us some goods that would help us explore this world."

B'Ree's expression changed and a smile came across his face. "Ohhh, so sorry. Had I known, I would have been much more polite." Then, his brow furrowed and his lekku swayed in agitation. "It's those damn Sith Academy wannabes. They run around, menacing everyone and trashing the place to try and impress Yuthura Ban. They have no respect for anyone…just raw power and arrogance."

Sano nodded at the Twi'lek dealer. "What can you tell me about the Academy?"

"Oh, that. Well, it was designed to be the counterbalance to the Jedi Academy. Many former Jedi come here because they are disenchanted with the stogy Jedi culture. They want change and they want it quickly."

Seja, who stood to the side, stepped forward. "It's true. Many Jedi were impatient…just look at…Revan."

B'Ree gave him an acknowledging look with his eyes and continued. "Rumor has it that Yuthura Ban was one of those Jedi, but I don't want to know anything more about that woman. The place is run with an iron hand by Master Uthar Wynn. Most of the wannabes that get into the Academy don't survive or they run screaming back home to their mamas."

"It's that tough, huh?" asked Sano gruffly.

The Twi'lek nodded seriously, his expression fixed on his green face. "It's really a survival of the fittest environment. Why just the other day one of the wannabes, Lashowe, stole the entry medallion from one of the other Sith. The medallion gives you entry into the Academy and the masters don't care how you got it. In fact, they encourage infighting…say it makes them stronger. I say it's bad for business."

"So, why do you stay?"

B'Ree shrugged. "I suppose I make enough here. Czerka subsidizes my emporium and I don't plan on staying her forever. The deal here is if you're not a Sith, you're not anybody. I want to make my fortune and then retire back to Ryloth."

"Thanks, can we see what you have for sale?"

"Why certainly. I just got in a shipment of blaster packs and mines. If you're part of the valley expedition, you're going to need some firepower – the Shyrack infest all the caves and hungry Tuk'atas roam in ravenous packs. I might also suggest you purchase a lot of water and provisions. It's mighty hot and dry out there."

Jon

Jon returned with the shipment of spice and was given a handsome reward for little effort. He hurried down the drab stone hallways to catch up with his friends…or were they his friends now that his true nature was exposed. I just know what they are thinking. Mission and Zaalbar will always be my supporters. They don't know what I've done. They didn't experience the horror and carnage that I brought to the galaxy. HK, well, he and Tee Three don't care one way or the other. Canderous…I suspect he'll go where the action is, following that 'Way of Mandalore.'

It's Carth that I'm worried about. I don't know what he'll do. He nearly lost it on the Leviathan with Saul. I hope it won't come to blows, but I have to consider the group first.

Sano…Seja…I still find them perplexing. We'll just have to see.

Jon turned a corner and saw a dark haired man in a gray uniform pointing at three people.

"No no no no noooo!" the man shouted at them. The two men and the woman cowered before the wagging finger. "How many times do I have to tell you this before you'll listen to me?"

One of the males, an Aqualish in an orange jumpsuit, put his hands out in a gesture of apology. "We were confused. Please give us another chance. We can be good Sith…truly."

The man in the gray uniform snorted. "Weaklings, more like it." He was about to continue when he saw Jon standing there. "What? Do you want to join this wretched group? Get in line," he said with his chin turned up.

Jon raised an eyebrow, but remained where he was. "No, I was merely passing by. What are you doing?"

The man returned an incredulous look with his eyes narrowed and his mouth open. "You mean…you don't know who I am? Shaardan of the Sith Academy? Why, everyone here knows my wrath and fears me. I am trying to teach these lowlifes how they might enter the cold halls of Sith learning, but they refuse to listen."

Jon paused for a moment before answering. "So, how do you enter the halls of learning?"

Shaardan smirked, letting the expression twist his face. "So, you do want to join this mob. I thought as much…everyone here does. Well, I'll let you decide the fate of these miscreants. I think I shall destroy them with a wave of my hand. They deserve no less."

The female Twi'lek of the group fell to her knees and put her hands together. "Nooo, mercy…please!"

Shaardan raised his hand, but Jon stepped in front of him.

"They're not worth your time and energy. Why don't you just teach them a small lesson and be done with it," Jon said while cocking his head to the side.

The Sith wannabe hesitated for a moment, looking first angry, then intrigued. "Ohhh, that sounds delightful. I like your style." Moving past Jon, he brought the Force to bear and tore off their clothing. Then, he shot bolts of electricity into them, chasing them screaming down the hall.

Jon watched them run down the hall and disappear around a corner. He shook his head and sighed. "This place will corrupt your soul if you let it."