Desperate Measures

- Jen Sahara -

What do you do, when you are surrounded by enemies? I couldn't trust anyone, that was sure. I can trust Mission. Well, maybe, but the last thing I wanted to do was drag the young girl into danger. And the Genoharadan are nasty people.

Had I had dealings with them in the past? When that stranger had confronted me on Tatooine, I'd put the datapad away until I was alone. The message itself was compelling, enigmatic:

The Genoharadan wish to offer you the opportunity of your life. You have twelve days to hear our offer. Prove your worth by finding one of the contacts below:

Ja'taya. Dusty's Courtyard. Coronet City. Corellia.
Hulas. The Southeast Quadrant. Ahto City. Manaan.
Terrian. Alamein's Watch. Tarenon. Sleheyron.

An instant after I'd read it, the message vanished.

I understood the format. Name, place, city, planet. The Genoharadan... I'd been on the verge of yet another flashback when I read the words, but my memories withered away; the more I'd pushed to recall my past, the more it evaded my grasp. One thought, however, struck me with blinding clarity. Ah, that shadowy assassination order. They might be useful. And after watching the rerun of Bastila's betrayal, some deep, subconscious thought sat up and begged for attention. The Genoharadan are powerful enough to get me off Manaan quickly. Maybe I had potential allies in other places. All I needed was a way to leave the Ebon Hawk before it landed in the thick of Carth's Republic contacts and Bastila's friendly master.

I'd known what HK's first suggestion was going to be. I can easily dispose of everybody on board if you want to be alone, master. No, I didn't wish to kill anyone. Not even Bastila? No! I just needed to get away. But surely Canderous would be an asset? I could let him in on our plan, I'm sure the Mandalorian could make himself useful... No, I couldn't trust anyone. HK-47 was programmed to serve his master – me - but trusting a sentient was baring your back for the dagger to find its way home. If I don't trust anyone, then I'll never care for anyone.

I scowled, and stamped down on my chaotic thoughts. These days I couldn't always pick the difference between Street Kid and Evil Bitch, but I knew which one was the more powerful. Hatred and rage fuel the Force. One of these days, when I finally could use the Force predictably, I was going to track down whatever Jedi had screwed with my mind and have a few words. At the end of a lightsaber.

"Exiting hyperspace," Carth's voice rang over the ship's speakers. I felt the queer sensation ripple through my body as the ship slowed back into realspace. It's almost time. HK had assured me that he was skilled enough to make sure no one would be hurt in the upcoming explosion, though he had sounded disapproving.

I stood, and wandered through the Ebon Hawk's corridors, lounging just outside the cockpit. Bastila had re-taken her seat as co-pilot; I wasn't interested in picking another fight. Between planning my escape and hiding my rage from Bastila, I'd had more than enough mental strain to cope with.

I watched as an incoming transmission bleeped on one of the consoles. Carth leaned over to activate it, and I wondered briefly what his reaction would be after I had successfully escaped; away from them all, at last. He'd never trust me again. Well, it's not like he ever trusted me in the first place.

"This is Manaan Spaceport Control. Identify yourself," a crackly voice streamed from the transmission, followed by an interpretation in a low, garbled language. I stiffened a little when I realized I could understand the words. That's Selkath! Is there any language I don't understand? Thus far, the Sand People dialect had been the only one.

"This is Captain Onasi of the Ebon Hawk, requesting clearance to land," Carth answered succinctly.

"State your reasons for entering Manaan airspace, Captain Onasi," the voice shot back.

"I thought you said we were expected, Carth," Bastila interrupted. Carth glanced at her in brief irritation, and then responded.

"We are rendezvousing with the Republic embassy in Ahto City."

A pause, and then the crackly voice responded, "you are expected, Captain Onasi. Transmitting your atmospheric entry code and landing coordinates. You have been assigned a Republic docking bay by the request of the Republic Commander Wann."

I slouched in the open doorway as Carth flicked off the communications channel. No doubt the hangar will be lined with Republic officers. And Bastila's little friend. But I kept the thought small; I was not going to let her have an inkling of my plans. Not yet.

She must have sensed something then, for she turned her head sharply. Her aristocratic face dissolved into a fake, forced smile. I sent one just as genuine back to her.

The large blue planet of Manaan dominated the view out of the cockpit, and I realized I'd better sit down. Things would be getting interesting very soon.

"Jen, sit down and buckle up, would you?" Carth said, echoing my thoughts.

I rolled my eyes and sat in the small, undersized chair behind Carth and Bastila. "As you wish, Captain flyboy," I said sweetly. He turned to shoot me a dry look, but his attention was taken again by the incoming transmission of landing coordinates.

Bastila sighed softly, her dark head resting back on the co-pilot's chair. Black space slowly dissolved into the dark blue of the outer atmosphere. "I will be glad to land," she murmured softly.

I just bet you will, you lying traitor.

Jen? She hadn't heard me, but she'd sensed something. I needed to keep control of myself.

I said, so will I, I answered within the confines of our bond.

I saw Carth reach over to flick to the repulsorlift engines as we entered the atmosphere, and I braced myself in readiness. A loud explosion boomed through the ship, and I was slung sideways as the Ebon Hawk shuddered at the impact. A myriad of blinking, glaring lights dotted the consoles, punctuated by the piercing wail of warning sirens. Bastila screamed in shock, and I felt my stomach rise as the ship began to plummet.

"Damn, the engines!" Carth yelled, his hands moving instinctively over various dials and warning lights.

I could hear Mission screaming in fright from the common room.

"What's going on?" Bastila gasped, leaning forward as Carth struggled to find the cause.

"Some sort of explosion! It's taken out two thirds of the repulsorlifts!" Carth frantically flicked over several of the dials. "I'm switching back to the sublight drive!"

I fervently hoped HK was as good as he'd assured me. He'd sworn he could disable the ship well enough to force a landing in water, but not too badly so anyone would get hurt in the process. You'd better be telling the truth, you psychotic bucket of bolts. Otherwise I'll pull you apart and smelt you piece by piece.

Carth hurriedly initiated the faster ion engines, and the whir of the Ebon Hawk's twin turbine compressors built steadily to a high-pitched scream, but did nothing to alleviate our rapid fall.

"What the-?" Carth shouted in surprise, "I've got no power!"

"Why? What's going on?!" Bastila gasped, terror colouring her tone.

"Sithspit! The particle accelerator's offline!"

The ship was shuddering under the outward pressure of our descent, and I clutched tightly onto the arms of my chair. What have I done? Am I truly insane? Carth swore further when he realized the backup accelerator was also down, rendering the engine useless. The small, perfectly placed explosives HK had organized had certainly done their job. He may not be an expert at slicing into computers, but he sure knows how to disable a ship.

The dark blue Manaan sky was slowly growing a lighter colour as we plummeted further into the depths of the atmosphere. I could hear Canderous calling Carth a few choice names from further back in the ship. Carth flicked back to the repulsorlifts, and the few engines still functional struggled against the Ebon Hawk's mass, as he desperately dragged upwards on the steering column. I did, however, notice a decrease in our rapid downwards acceleration.

"We'll have to make a forced landing in the ocean, Ahto City is too far away!" Carth immediately opened a communications channel to request help. It was time for me to get ready.

I unbuckled myself and stood up, stumbling against the wall as the ship shuddered. The persistent whine of overworking repulsorlifts thrummed weakly underneath my feet. HK had assured me there would be enough power to make a relatively safe crash landing in the ocean, but not enough for the Ebon Hawk to reach Ahto City.

"Jen?! Where are you going?" Bastila shrieked as I careened through the doorway.

"Going to get Teethree and see if he can figure out what's going on!" I yelled back, hoping Bastila wouldn't realize that T3 was probably already doing that. As quickly as I could, I exited the room.

"Hold tight!" Carth's voice shot over the ship's intercom, and the Ebon Hawk lurched to the side. I slammed my head into the corridor wall, and cursed the flyboy underneath my breath. No doubt he was trying to maneuver for the safest landing position, but it certainly made it hard to walk.

I deliberately avoided the common room, heading straight towards the back of the ship. HK was there, waiting for me.

"Statement: Everything is going according to plan, master. The Ebon Hawk should be landing some twenty miles outside Ahto City."

The ship rocked again, and Carth warned us over the speakers to brace for landing. Loose tools and gadgets were rolling on the dull durasteel floor, and I struggled to keep from tripping over them. It's time. HK had opened one of the tiny escape pods in preparation, and I clambered into it.

"You know what to do next, HK?" I reiterated as I buckled myself in tightly. Why do they have to make these things so small?

"Answer: Yes, master. This escape pod should eject directly towards Ahto City. I will fire off the other escape pods simultaneously, using the last one for myself. Suggestion: Please take care of your weak watery shell, master. I am beginning to like you." The intense red glare of HK's robotic eyes stared at me eerily, and he pulled the door closed. Of course he likes me. I've just ordered him to sabotage a ship. He'd probably love me if I allowed him to kill someone in the process.

My insides threatened to slam into my throat as the Ebon Hawk crashed into the ocean, and my bones almost seemed to creak in the process. The ship lifted upwards, partly due to a rebound effect and partially to the power of the remaining engines, and I had a brief, vivid vision of a rock skimming across a lake. HK activated the escape pod, and the sudden sideways acceleration yanked my head to the side of the pod, slamming it fiercely into the metal. Not again...

…

The wind lifted my hair, and brought the familiar smell of decaying, rotting rubbish to my nostrils. A muddy brown lake of what once may have been called water stretched out in front of me, and I idly stared as a small stone skimmed off the surface.

"Told ya I was better," I said smugly, clenching my fist full of flat stones and cylindrical credit chips that had been phased out years ago in favour of the plastic electronic type.

"No fair, I've only had three goes and you've had about five." A boy was standing next to me, scowling sulkily at his defeat. He was perhaps thirteen or fourteen years old, and grime matted his spiky dark hair to his skull.

"Sore loser." I stuck my tongue out at him. "You jus' can't admit that I'm better at everything."

"Man, how many times have I heard that tripe?"

"Oh yeah? Prove that it's tripe then! Bet you can't catch me!" I challenged, and turned to sprint away, dropping the stones in my haste. The lake, a rotten pool of sewerage, drained from the richer parts of the city behind the controlled walls that separated it from the Western Underground, the forgotten slum where the Uncitizens lived. Echoing footsteps chased me as I turned into an alley between crumbling, abandoned warehouses. I knew all the routes, gave them names in my head. Right into Sunrider's Way. Jump the ledge down to Exar's gutter. Shimmy my way down to Corellia's tunnel. Through there, and I'd have a bunch of choices as it opened up into a maze of alleys I called the Spider.

Gaunt faces stared as me as I sprinted through littered steets, where poverty trapped me within its confines. Altizir was one of many cities on Talshion, but I'd never left it. The homeless were herded and trapped within the confines of the Western Underground. I'd always dreamed of leaving Talshion, to fly amongst the stars. One day, I would. That was a promise I repeated on those nights when there was no food other than grubs to be found, and I lay listening to old man Freeflight's fantastical stories about battles long gone and dreams of the future.

Jen?

I turned into a lightless, murky tunnel, which Freeflight told me used to be a transport lane back when Altizir was a young city. I leaned against the wall, and contained my heaving breaths. I couldn't hear footsteps anymore, and a wry smile curved my lips in the darkness. I can still outrun him, even now. Outrun and out-steal him. Though we always worked better as a team.

I was yanked abruptly forward, and landed with a thud against someone's chest, gasping in surprise.

"Gotcha!" His tone was victorious, and he held me tightly. My gut burned in surprise, and I was sharply reminded of all the forbidden thoughts I'd been having lately. No. We are friends. That's all!

"You forget, little gal, that I know all your hiding places."

"Don't call me that, you know I hate it," I said automatically, struggling to escape. His arms tightened around me, and I wished desperately for some light in the abandoned tunnel. He's gonna tickle me, dammit! Something touched my mouth then, and I stiffened in shock when I realized it was his lips.

"Wha-what are you doing?" I gasped, pulling back slightly.

Jen? Wake up! Where are you?

"It's always been us against the world." His voice was low, soft. A finger was tracing my cheek gently. "This is only natural. We've always had each other's back. You and me - we fit together. Tell me you feel it too."

"Miss? Are you alright?"

"But-" I wanted this, didn't I?

"She's out cold. Help me out; we'll have to get her back to base before the blasted Selkath get here."

The finger trailed under my chin, and lifted it. My lips parted in surprise, before his gently covered mine.

Jen, curse you! How could you do this to us?

"She's moaning, sir. I think she might be waking."

…

Someone nudged against my torso, and agony blossomed throughout my skull. Where am I? My eyes flew open, and painful sunlight sparked into my vision, causing me to abruptly close them again.

"Miss?" a strong, male voice repeated, and full awareness slammed into me. Kath crap! I've got to get away from whoever these guys are! "It's alright Miss, we're Republic officers. You're safe now."

Damn, I really don't have much luck with escape pods. I hesitantly opened my eyes again, and forced a nervous, scared look on my face. My vision slowly righted itself, and I noticed I was still strapped into the escape pod. The bright blue Manaan sky glared cheerfully from behind the wholesome Republic soldier who was leaning over me, checking me for injuries.

"Ugh, where am I?" I said in a groggy voice, keeping up the helpless act for now. The fierce pounding in my head receded marginally, but it still felt as though a fusioncutter was drilling a hole into my skull.

"You've landed on the shore outside the Ahto City dome, miss. We're going to bring you to safety now." Oh really? His voice was helpful yet slightly authoritative, and brooked no arguments – particularly from injured damsels in distress. I curbed a strong desire to Force push him into the depths of the Manaan Ocean.

Jen? Are you awake? What have you done?

I had to act quickly. My hands flew to unbuckle my body, and I jerked upwards, staring out around me. My escape pod had made it to the rocky shores that bordered Ahto City. The large dome City itself rose impressively near my landing, miles high into the sky. Various openings of the dome allowed interstellar traffic as well as local ocean explorers access to the rest of the planet, which was merely miles of fish-infested saltwater. Two Republic officers, who'd obviously tracked my landing and hastened to rescue me – or capture me? – were standing over me with concerned expressions.

I noticed their speeders parked nearby on the stony beach. No, these aren't normal landspeeders. I looked closely at the relatively small vehicles, and realized they had been designed to travel over vast distances of water. Rescue bikes of some description. Considering HK had fired off all the escape pods, Republic soldiers were probably using these contraptions to track them all down. I'm surprised the Selkath didn't get here first. Carth must have got an emergency transmission off to his base.

I looked the first officer straight in the eye. "This escape pod was empty when you found it," I said clearly, succinctly, wrapping the Force around my words tightly as I climbed out of the capsule. This, at least, was one trick I could now do consistently. I felt the power wrap around the second soldier also.

"The, uh, escape pod was empty," the man mumbled at me, and I turned to face the second soldier.

"Your speeder broke down, and is inoperable. You are forced to travel double on your comrade's speeder." I kept the Force tightly interleaved with my words, and Bastila's seething anger grew within the bond.

You are ignoring me! And using the Force! If you think I am going to let you just waltz away like that- curse you!

The soldier blinked at me like a stunned gizka, his mouth working slowly. "My, uh, speeder's broken. I, uh, guess I'd better ride double on yours, Stirwin."

Quickly, I whirled around and grabbed items out of the escape pod. HK had done his best to store what he termed meatbag necessities into the tiny pod, and the backpack full of protein bars, credits, grenades and a spare blaster would definitely be useful. My two ex-Sith lightsabers still hung at my sides, reassuringly. I took a step towards the closest rescue bike, and then faced the soldiers once more.

"You'd better go and report to – to whoever you need to report to. The pod was empty, and one of your speeders broke down." I slammed the Force harder into my words, pointing towards one of the rescue bikes.

"We should report back to Captain Gilies," one of them mumbled.

"Uh, yeah, he should know the escape pod was empty. Let's go."

I smirked to myself smugly as I mounted the closest speeder.

Answer me! Bastila's latest mental shriek rang through my head, and then my senses dulled. My vision lost sharpness, and the tang of salt from the sea became a touch more faint. The piercing throb from my bruised skull, however, increased in severity. With a sense of horror and mounting rage, I realized just what she had done.

You think you can cut me off from the Force, you traitorous, lying scow? I physically snarled as I punched the ignition, the roaring engine of the speeder as it hummed to life echoing the pounding in my head. The two soldiers were staring blankly, dazedly, at the escape pod, and I briefly wondered if I'd used too strong a dose on them.

You said you would not run! You- you endangered us all, you could have killed us with that crazy stunt! You cannot be trusted to wield the Force!

A fierce, burning fury grew deep inside me. I should have ordered HK to kill that schutta. I slammed defiantly against her mental walls, but they wouldn't budge. I wondered whether I could sense a faint sensation of satisfaction emanating from her mental presence, and my rage intensified. No time to try and break Bastila's hold. I don't need the Force now, I need to get away! I will not let her make me lose control, sod it all! Focus! I needed to get into Ahto City and meet Hulas before anyone else found me. In retaliation, I kicked her out of my mind and closed the metaphorical door. Maybe she can cut me off from the Force for now, but I refuse to listen to anymore of her incessant shrieking.

I sped away from the crash site, glad this bike was more solid and stable than a swoop. It wasn't my favourite way of travelling, I knew, as I turned it towards the gleaming jewel of Ahto City. Gleaming jewel, hah. This place was a pacifistic slime pit the last time I came here. The last time? Salt stung my eyes as the bike whipped over sand and stone, and I wondered just which identity had travelled to Manaan.

Well, that dream I just had was definitely Street Kid. Had her favourite boyfriend in it yet again, and I was getting a little sick of the reruns. It's not like I have all day to reflect on the sentimental ramblings of Street Kid. I wondered if that part of me was getting as pathetic as Jen was. There's nothing pathetic about feeling for someone. It makes you stronger, it makes you a better person. I scowled, and wished I could push out all the voices in my head, along with Bastila's.

The translucent dome of Ahto City dominated my sight as I flew closer. Almost there. Now all I have to do is find this Hulas, and get off this hole of a planet.

xXx