Hello everyone !
I've got the next one, unexpectedly enough. True, it's a short one, but it's also an experimental one. And then after the last chapter, they will all appear short.
It seems I have only one reviewer to thank :
-allias : Only one dramatic beheading. I believe with all the NPC fighting happening all around there had to be some critical hits. But yeah, besides that, Wookies are pacific...and yes, of course Bastila would be evasive about anything regarding the bond. She doesn't want Firefly figuring out how to use it to its full potential. And lastly, you'll notice that Firefly had no reason to be wary of his pills, since he made them himself, and he felt as though he had always done so without getting in any kind of trouble. Even if, from an objective point of view, you're right, a truly paranoid man would indeed check his pills every time he wants to use one, if only because someone could have switched them. But that would be tedious.
Good thinking though, you're awarded an XP bonus.
Anyway, enjoy, and if you've got an opinion on this experiment - particularly if it bores you to death - feel free to leave me a message.
Oh, and Darth Morgoth, I'm glad to see you put this in your favorites. Thanks for the support !
disclaimer[35]
Chapter 35 :
You've got mail
Bastila's preliminary report on the events on Kashyyk, [in code]
Masters,
Our journey to Kashyyk was a success; we are now in possession of another piece. We are currently on our way to the next one. I regret to inform you that we shall not stop by the Enclave, as numbers overruled my wishes.
We met with a former Jedi padawan called Jolee Bindo, who had been living on the planet for years. He proposed to help us on our quest, and he already did. Thus I allowed him to accompany us. However I would like to have your opinion on the matter, as well as confirmation of his identity. I am hereby sending a picture of him.
Eidan is achieving his purpose brilliantly, although the strain on my own inner peace is great. Indeed he is restless and not easily controlled. Moreover he is definitely suspecting; he has already attempted to investigate my own mind through the bond. Fortunately he is still clumsy when it comes to Force scrying, so I believe he reached nothing important.
His skills in battle are weak. He is stubbornly avoiding melee combat, and rightly so since his swordsmanship is very poor. Yet his command of the Force is increasing. I know not what to think about it, for his intentions are clearly less than honourable. I fear he may use his newfound powers to slip away from our grasp. Besides if his instincts are returning to him, then perhaps his memory may be too. Masters I need your guidance.
Moreover and on another topic, I am growing restless myself. Sometimes I share Eidan's dreams and visions of course, and he is having nightmares regularly; but I am starting to have some as well. I cannot describe them here in detail; hopefully we shall come after the next step.
May the Force be with you,
Padawan Shan.
Mission's recorder, entry 23 :
Well, we're off ! And we saved Big Z's village, how cool is that ?
So Firefly thought Zaalbar would want to stay, as he's a hero now and stuff, but he's not like that. He swore his life-debt to the guy, well he's gonna stick with him. 'Sides he'd get bored to death back there; I mean it's cool 'n all, but it don't beat adventurin' across the universe, that's for sure !
After that smashing succes we're gonna kick some Sith asses right in their hidin' place. Korriban, yeah. Three days from here. I dunno why everyone's so skittish 'bout it, I mean sure there are unpleasant people there, but they're still people right ? And people can be suckered.
Carth's worryin' me a bit. Usually he's calm and collected, he don't fly off the handle just like that. But he's nervous these days. Started yesterday actually, when his buddy Jordo turned up. Bastila told me he fought with Firefly at the party. Too bad I didn't see it. I think I was knocked out at the time. That's why I woke up with the mother of all headaches this mornin'.
Firefly's behavin' strangely too as a matter of fact. But then that's normal with him. He locked himself in the lab as soon as we took off, and he's still in there doin' who knows what. Maybe that's why Carth's so uptight.
Oh hey, speakin' of surprises...well I wasn't speakin' of surprises, but it don't matter. Anyway, Firefly disguised himself on Kashyyk 'cause there was a bunch of assassins after him, right ? So he was, like, dark-skinned, with brown hair and brown eyes and wearin' some sort of big coat with a cloak. Well he took it all off before he went to the lab, see ? And then he met Carth, Jolee and Jordo in the corridor. You've gotta remember that the last two had never seen him without the disguise. Well, they stopped short and they were wonderin' who the hell that guy was.
He gave 'em a hard time guessin' of course. Until Carth went and spoiled it all. And ya know what Jolee said ? He said 'guess now I know why they call you Firefly'. It ain't that funny now that I think 'bout it, but at the time I was laughin' real hard. I guess you just had to be there. Jordo was lookin' uncomfortable with it. It don't take much, for a guy who went to the military and all.
Well, that's it for now I guess.
T-3M4 black box [translated from binary]
Current time : 15:31
Status report : all systems 100% operational
Running programs : Piloting system A-89Zx / Awareness K2 / Goliath 3.2
Active orders : «get outta my way» [avoiding human male Firefly's path]; «check the shields» [running tests on ship defense functions then reporting to human male Carth]
Current activity : on the way to main hold.
Observations : occurrences when called «cute» in current cycle : 6.
Current time : 16:04
Status report : restrained visibilty. Cause : human food on main camera.
Running programs : Piloting system A-89Zx / Awareness K2 / Goliath 3.2 / Sys-Manov4
Active orders : «hey, watch it !» [not approaching human male Firefly while he is manipulating object 'food']; «get outta my way» [avoiding human male Firefly's path]; «fix the shields» [repairing ship defense functions then reporting to human male Carth].
Current activity : wiping off human food from main camera.
Observations : human male Firefly manipulating object 'food synthesizer' and speaking to himself. Occurrences when called «cute» in current cycle : 6
Current time : 16:26
Status report : all systems 100% operational
Running programs : Piloting system A-89Zx / Awareness K2 / Goliath 3.2 / Daele 1.0
Active orders : «hey, watch it !» [not approaching human male Firefly while he is manipulating object 'food']; «get outta my way» [avoiding human male Firefly's path]; «fix the shields» [repairing ship defense functions then reporting to human male Carth]; «go bother someone else» [no communication with human male Firefly until attempt to communicate with someone else is achieved].
Current activity : replacing energy cells fueling ship shields.
Observations : human male Firefly pulling faces after eating a spoonful of human food from the synthesizer. Occurrences when called «cute» in current cycle : 7
Canderous' thoughts
So we're under attack again, huh ? How many times do I have to take 'em down for them to understand the Hawk's too hard a target ? Bah, it's not like I had anything better to do anyway.
I like them turrets on this ship, they're smooth, accurate and powerful. It takes no more than one hit to destroy the interdictors sent after us. But then they're crap. Sith crap. And their pilots are rookies. Nobody flies in a bee-line towards a turret and expects to live. Though it's kinda funny to see 'em blowing up.
The Princess is manning the other turret. She's not all bad, but she's clearly not experienced. Guess she makes up for that with that Force of hers. At least she's not criticizing...for now.
Mission's recorder, entry 24 :
It's the end of our first day of traveling. Everythin' is fine, we fought off a couple of Sith suckers who thought they had a chance. But not on Candy's watch, no way. He took 'em out like they were bugs, I saw it happenin' from the cockpit. I was there 'cause Carth was showin' me the controls a bit. Maybe one day Big Z and I will have a ship of our own, and we're gonna do some real hardcore adventurin' across the whole universe ! Explorin' and helping out where we can. Sounds like fun.
On another topic, Firefly's oddly silent. Maybe that's because he got plastered yesterday or somethin', but I think it's more because of what he found, or didn't find, in the lab this mornin'. I tried to get it out of him, but he wouldn't tell me. He's immune to puppy eyes, the bastard. And the 'pleasepleaseplease' barrage ain't doin' much good either now. He just had Chip drown me out. I wonder what he's up to.
Big Z ain't in high spirits either. He's...pen-sive, yeah that's the word. But then again his world just toppled over. I told him I was there for him, but I don't think he wants to discuss it with me. So I told him he made the right decision, and that I'll always be on his side. I'm sure it made him feel better. A bit at least.
I dunno what to think of Jolee. I mean he's cool, like an older Firefly. Really older. I mean when you look at the both of them, they're really sili...similar. For one, neither looks like he gives a damn 'bout anythin' that goes down. Then they're both very good at bantering, and they're both creepy sometimes. Though Jolee wins the contest hands down. I'm sure if I told Firefly he'd flip out.
Juhani's givin' Bastila the willies. And it's true that the way she fights is way past scary. However I know she's a good person. She's all shy and tryin' to fit in when she's with us. Well, she don't like Candyman, nor Bastila for that matter, but with the rest of us she's pretty nice. 'sides she decided to help us out, even though she could've stayed on Kashyyk where she was havin' a lot of fun.
There's also that Jordo guy. I know he's Carth's friend, but even so I don't like him very much. It's like he's tryin' too hard, you know ? And he's patronising me, the nerve ! I know, Carth started like that when we met, but he stopped fast. With Jordo, no matter how many times I tell him, he just chuckles and pats me on the head and calls me 'cute'. If he wasn't Carth's buddy I'd have already kicked him where it counts. Though you should've seen his face when I told him exactly where he could go, Taris style. Made him blush, that's what.
He's nervous 'round Big Z, but that's normal, 'cause he was workin' for Czerka. Serves him right. Canderous don't respect him either, says he's a Republic pushover, Bastila's polite enough in that cold way of hers, Jolee's not takin' him seriously, and Firefly creeps him out. Especially since he's in a bad mood.
I'm thinkin' he'd be an ideal target for some well-meant pranking. He needs to loosen up a bit.
Well, I think that's all there is to tell. I've got some serious plotting to do. G'night !
Bastila's report to the Council : [in code]
Masters,
Strange events are taking place on board. Misplaced items, incongruous sounds, and periodic machine malfunctions. Naturally Eidan must be involved although I can not see how. His Force presence is the same, his behaviour, despite it being highly irritating, is not unusual, and overall he does not seem guilty at all. One must admit though that he is a skilled liar.
Furthermore it seems my authority over the group is weakening. Eidan of all people is the one being answered to. I do not question it, he was appointed with the task after all, yet I do question the wisdom of thusly placed loyalty. I fear one day he shall succeed in taking over completely, and then nothing will be able to stop him. It goes without saying that I will do my best to keep him in line; nevertheless I have to warn you that I seem to be losing this battle so far.
However I am not writing to you merely to complain about petty pranks. Indeed I am sensing ill fate awaiting us, I cannot determine how soon it will happen nor why, or how. I only know that it will be greatly dangerous, to whom I know sadly not. I am worried Masters. Have you sensed such a thing yourselves ?
May the Force be with you,
Padawan Shan.
Carth's report to Admiral Dodonna [in code]
Admiral,
The mission was successful so far, we're moving on to Korriban. No casualties to deplore, we took on a stray ex-Jedi called Jolee Bindo. He claims he fought in the Exar Kun wars. However I don't trust him, he could be a spy. I suggest an extensive background check. Currently on board is also Jordo Simmings, a long-time friend and former member of the Telos military. He works for Czerka. While I'm reluctant to admit it, I would also suggest a background check on him, especially the last few years. You never know.
The Jedi, in the person of Bastila Shan, are not keen on sharing information. Although I haven't been restricted from the events since leaving Dantooine, I still have the distinct impression there's a much larger scheme at work here put in place by the Order. And I think Eidan Hopkick is unwillingly part of it.
I'll do my best to keep them honest, but they can all be very tight-lipped as you well know.
Best of luck on the front,
Commander Onasi.
Zaalbar's thoughts :
It's been two days and I'm starting to calm down. Finally. Peace of mind is long overdue. I was rehabilitated. No longer a disgrace in the eyes of my people...of my father. I still can't believe it. And to think I had to kill my own brother for it. What a waste.
But Mission's right. I'm right where I belong for the time being. I have friends, a purpose, and my honor back. Time to stop brooding.
There's something different about the ship now. A new smell. Or perhaps I had never noticed it before. But I'll watch out all the same. Especially since there are assassins after Firefly.
I was pleasantly surprised by the man's behaviour on Kashyyk. True, he acted as if it were all indifferent to him, yet I have the feeling he was lying. He's a free spirit, and I don't think he could stand idly by and watch slavers do their dirty work. Even if he didn't realize it. Mission agrees. Even though she points out that he's a 'sick cold-hearted bastard all the same'.
Jolee Bindo is an interesting person. He's the first human I saw taking actual interest in our people, in our culture. He knows it very well. He must have, for he befriended my father in the Shadowlands. He is undeniably deserving of my respect.
Canderous' thoughts
What did that crazy catwoman put in her head now ? She's been glaring at me all day, like it was my fault she woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I didn't even talk to her this time ! I swear there are too many emotional women here. First the blue Twi'lek, then Bastila and her preaching, and now her. The difference is, Juhani's a worthy opponent; the rest of them are sissies.
Well I ain't gonna try to understand where she's comin' from, that's for sure. But I'm keepin' my cannon handy.
T-3M4 black box : [translated from binary]
Current time : 17:33
Status report : all systems 100% operational
Running programs : Piloting system A-89Zx / Awareness K2 / Goliath 3.2
Active orders : «go check the starboard thruster, would you ?» [running tests on starboard propulsion system then reporting to human male Carth]
Current activity : on the way to starboard ship area.
Observations : obstacle on the way. Human shape lying on the ground. Facial recognition : human male Firefly. Occurrences when called «cute» in current cycle : 2
Decisions prompted by observations : engage conversation with human male Firefly.
Current time : 17:34
Status report : all systems 100% operational
Running programs : Piloting system A-89Zx / Awareness K2 / Goliath 3.2 / Sys-Manov4
Active orders : «go check the starboard thruster, would you ?» [running tests on starboard propulsion system then reporting to human male Carth]
Current activity : removing obstacle human male Firefly from the path to starboard ship area.
Observations : Human male Firefly not responding to communication, limpness of his body. Said body heavier than originally estimated. Conjecture : human male Firefly not 100% operational.
Decisions prompted by observations : set down human male Firefly's body and fetch the closest organic being.
Mission's recorder, entry 26 :
MISSION, restless : Oh my gosh, something terrible has happened ! Ya see T-3 found Firefly sprawled on the ground in the corridor, unconscious and really sick or somethin'. Jolee took him in medbay but he said he didn't know what the matter was with him. He ran all sorts of tests, then he told us he may have internal bleedin' or something. Needless to say he can't do nothin' 'bout it. Of course not, it's not like he's a Jedi or somethin', right ?
BASTILA, annoyed : Jedi are not omnipotent contrary to common belief. Jolee is wise enough not to rush his decision; he may be missing something very important.
MISSION, sarcastic : Yeah, like you guys were wise not to get involved in the Mandalorian Wars, right ?
BASTILA, exasperated : You have been spending far too much time with Eidan. Or Carth perhaps.
MISSION, insulted : Hey ! I can make up my own opinions !
BASTILA, weary : Do we have to fight in such an occasion ?
MISSION, childish : Well you started it.
BASTILA : It matters not. I shall leave now.
MISSION, clears her throat : Well, it looks like we're goin' to Dantooine after all. Ain't no chance we get access to a decent hospital on Korriban, and it's not that far anyways. Jolee says he can sustain Firefly long enough for the journey. Bastila's very nervous 'bout the whole thing. There may be somethin' goin' on between the two of them. Not the old guy and her I mean; Firefly and her.
Of course neither would admit it. Idiots. But I know better !
BASTILA, patronising, from a distance : If you are quite done pointlessly speculating about highly improbable pairings within our group, perhaps you could go assist Zaalbar in the engine room.
MISSION, mocking : 'Highly improbable pairings'. Pfyeah, right. But if Big Z needs me, I'm goin'. I'm gonna take this up later then.
Bastila's report to the Council, [in code] :
Masters,
Eidan is seriously ill. We are coming back to Dantooine. Jolee says it's internal bleeding, but I suspect a slightly different matter. He may be experiencing withdrawal, and therefore, rejection. If he stopped taking his medication long enough for this to happen, I doubt administrating it now would help at all.
More worryingly, it means that he indeed is questioning his identity to the very core. If he could do it this early on, I am skeptical about the whole operation. But of course the decision is yours.
We should be there in a day and a half, perhaps less if the crew manages to push the ship beyond its normal capacities.
May the Force be with you,
Padawan Shan.
Mission's recorder, entry 27 :
MISSION, enthusiastic : Hey, ya know what I found ? I found Chip, that's what. Yeah, I was wonderin' why he didn't raise the alarm when, you know, Firefly was hurt. Well he was rechargin' at the time. I told him what had happened, but he can't explain it either.
CHIP, defensive : That is not accurate. I proposed many possible explanations, yet you chose to rule them all out. And on what grounds I ask you ? You judged them to be too unlikely. After this I am appalled that you'd have the nerve to blame your ignorance on me !
MISSION : Hey, you've gotta admit, a lost beam of an energy drainin' ray of doom randomly hittin' your friend through the hull of the ship is very unlikely.
CHIP : Yet not impossible.
MISSION : Are you like this all the time ?
CHIP, cheeky : Do you mean to ask about my strictness as regards precision ? If so, then yes, I am. I do not see the point of talking if it is to exchange inaccurate information, let alone no information at all.
MISSION, ironic : Wow, that explains a lot.
CHIP, cheerful : Thank you, I do try !
MISSION : Whatever. Anyways as you can see-
CHIP : Dear Mission, you are only recording a soundtrack. As the name implies, all that is recorded is an audio track. Therefore those who will listen to it will have no possibility to 'see' anything that is happening.
MISSION, angry : Okay ! Look, I'm the one recordin' here, so shut up please ! Jeez, and I thought Firefly was bad !
CHIP, amused : I am beginning to comprehend what Firefly meant when he referred to you as 'emotionally unstable'.
MISSION : He said WHAT ?!
CHIP : …
MISSION : I asked you a question, I'm waitin' !
CHIP : …
MISSION : Well ? Oh wait, what are you writin'…oh, ha ha, very clever. Just so we're clear, when I ask you a question, you're allowed to answer, okay ?
CHIP, mischievous : If you say so.
MISSION, unconvinced : Right. Now where was I…
CHIP : I believe your last question was, «okay ?».
MISSION : Thanks, smartass, that wasn't what I wanted to know. Anyway, as I was sayin', I've got Chip with me now, until Firefly's okay again. But I think it's gonna be far less fun than I thought at first, what with him bein' almost as much of an ass as Firefly himself. But that's strange, 'cause he's always been so nice to me. What changed ?
Well, perhaps he's worried. Everyone's on edge as a matter of fact. Zaalbar would never forgive himself if the guy died on his watch; Carth really looks like he didn't need that on top of all his troubles - which I still know nothin' about - Bastila's locked in the dormitory or medbay half the time, meditatin' away, and Canderous...well, he is still cool 'bout it all. Or at least that's what he comes off as. He's always keepin' busy though.
Haven't seen Juhani lately. And when I did she looked busy too. That's odd, last time we travelled she slept through the whole journey. But I don't think she can be up to anythin' bad...or can she ?
CHIP, hopeful : Is that a question ?
MISSION : Just a figure of speech.
CHIP, disappointed : Awww.
MISSION : Why, did you have anythin' helpful to say ?
CHIP, perking up : This was a question ! Yes, I did. Juhani can actually be up to something 'bad' as you put it, although judging from her psychological profile it would not be on purpose. However in this occasion, I happen to know what is going on.
MISSION : Really ? Tell me then !
CHIP : Yes, really. But I shall not tell you, for you did not ask me very nicely, and I am not yours to boss around.
MISSION, put out : Right, only Firefly is allowed to do that, isn't he ?
CHIP, patient : No, I do not take well to being ordered at all; Firefly, as my creator, has of course the highest authority over me in the form of an override procedure. As it stands, he does not abuse of his power, and he always treats me with respect and friendship, which makes cooperation on my part far easier and even pleasant. You, on the other hand, are behaving quite inappropriatedly towards me, hence my reluctance to indulge you.
MISSION : Guess you've got a point there. Alright, I'm sorry Chip, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Could you please tell me what Juhani's doin' ?
CHIP : Now, this was much better. Your apology is accepted, even though I must point out to you that I am not inflicted with your organic feelings and thus you could not have hurt them. Regardless, I will tell you since you are asking so nicely provided you assure me of your discretion on the matter. Do we have a deal ?
MISSION : You bet !
CHIP, confused : What do I bet ?
MISSION : Just a figure of speech, it means sure.
CHIP : Excellent. Our Cathar friend discovered a stowaway on board. A little human girl barely six years old, who speaks in a strange derivative of the Mandalorian language. Juhani is taking care of her. She established that the girl is called Sasha, and that she was in all probability abducted from her parents by Mandalorians. Hence her recent renewed hostility towards Canderous.
MISSION, abashed : Really ? Well, why didn't she ask for help ? I would've been happy to help her !
CHIP : I can only speculate that Juhani would not expect you to. She is not a very good judge of character.
MISSION, determined : Well I'll go help her !
CHIP, indifferent : If you must. You may want to shut down your recording device first.
MISSION : Oh, right.
Carth's report to Admiral Dodonna [in code] :
Admiral,
There's been an unusual development. Something's the matter with Eidan Hopkick, he appears to be injured. Internal bleeding according to Jolee Bindo. However I believe there's more to it than that. Bastila's skittish about it in particular. Maybe he's suffering from a Force-induced illness. Well, there's little use in speculating without information to back it up.
In any case we're headed back to Dantooine so that he recieves medical attention. I'll try to gather more intel there. We should arrive in a day or so.
Good luck with the war effort
Commander Onasi.
Canderous' thoughts :
So, the kid's down, eh ? Didn't take him long, that's for sure. Though I'd have expected him to die in battle, or because he pissed off the wrong crowd, not as he was leavin' the bathroom. That's a lousy way to go. Especially for someone like him. He's a weak coward, but at the same time he's got that spunk in him that makes him less borin' than the rest of these people.
Plus we had an ongoin' bet, and I'd like to get paid someday.
But he's a resilient one, I'm sure he'll pull through okay. What I'd really like to know is what happened, and I'm fairly sure Bastila had a hand in it. Or that Force bond crap they've got goin' on. 'Cause she's behavin' really guiltily. Always swoonin' over him and doing that meditation-prayer thing.
Hm, even if she didn't do anythin', it sure looks like she needs him, badly, to get well. Now, why would that be ? Mission thinks it's because she's got a thing for Firefly. I'm not so sure. It reeks of a ploy to me, and I've gotta admit my curiosity is piqued.
In any case, I'm keepin' out of those things. Let's see where this is going. That's the good part of being a mercenary : no matter how this plays out, provided my boss makes it through, I still get paid. And I doubt very much that the whole Council will get wiped out before payday.