34
Carth was the first awake, the room dim as usual and the sheet across the entrance to Anna's cubby shuddering in the dull breeze that seemed to rumble down every corridor in the mountain. Anna was sprawled across his chest, sheet nearly off her bare back. She was still deeply asleep, the occasional small snuffle breaking the otherwise still morning.
He lay there for a while, shock taking over as he slowly woke up. He looked down at the mop of blonde hair spread across his chest, the color beginning to fade back to red with time and washings. She looked — was — beautiful in sleep, her face uncreased by worry and focus, looking even younger than he was used to. Unable to resist he drug a finger down her spine, her skin strangely warm in the chill air. Her eyelids flickered with early wakefulness, and he braced himself.
She moved as if preparing herself for a stretch, then froze. With a gasp she rocketed up and away from him, clutching the sheet up to her chest before she paused and looked down at it.
"I suppose you saw everything already," she said with a shrug, though by now she looked cold and wrapped the sheet around her for warmth. He chuckled. "Carth, I — I'm sorry, last night, the energy here — I don't want you to think that I was—"
"You said you'd been waiting for that since Taris," he replied quietly. Anna blinked.
"Be that as it may. I just . . ." She cleared her throat. "If, you know . . . I'm not holding you to anything, just so you understand. After all there's the whole 'no attachments' thing and —"
He leaned forward and kissed her, letting his lips stop her protest. "Stop. We'll talk about what it did or didn't mean later."
"Okay." She nodded. "I'll stop."
"You've got a big couple of days ahead of you. You should get ready."
She grinned, beginning to swing herself out of bed and sticking her hand out to pull her clothes towards her. "Oh, I think I'm ready." He swung out of bed on the other side, pulling his own clothes on. When he looked back she'd settled on the bed, brushing out the hair he'd messed up the night before. "Mind getting me breakfast?"
"Not at all." He reached over and squeezed her shoulder, grinning as he disappeared. She let the brush fall to the bed and rubbed her eyes with her palms.
What the hell had she been thinking?
She didn't regret it, in so much that it'd been amazing, but she wasn't Anna the Smuggler anymore. She was Anna the Jedi, supposed to be a protector of the galaxy and an upholder of strict moral standards — even though she often laughed at that. But hadn't she once said that she and Carth would never get to this point? Bastila was going to have a heart attack if she ever found out, and if Anna's hunch was correct that meant the Council would find out as well, and then she'd really be in for it.
Unless she could run from it, convince herself that it was just a one-night thing, an incident that would never be repeated and just a byproduct of the energy on Korriban that insidiously encouraged them to explore that area of their psyche.
Even as the thought occurred to her, she quashed it. Firstly she owed Carth more than that, and she would never let it be said that she was a woman who cast a lover aside with no second thought. But secondly, she suspected that only her inhibitions had been lowered from fatigue, due to resisting the call of the dark side that inhabited every corner and rock of Korriban. She doubted that energy had helped either, in that regards . . . but all it would have done is exacerbate feelings she may have for him, and lower her ability to resist those feelings. She frowned.
Did she have feelings for him?
Anna quickly picked up the brush and brushed out her hair, twisting it onto her head as she mused over the question. It was just in time because Carth returned with their trays, settling one on her lap and sitting down next to her. "Thanks," she said, putting her brush aside and picking it up her fork.
"Well, wouldn't want to stop our system from this whole month." She grinned as they both dug into the tasteless mush they served the prospectives.
"No, not at all." She studied him as she ate, trying to watch his body language. He sat close to her, their knees touching. One of his hands had fallen inches from hers on the bed and as a test she moved so that her fingers rested the smallest bit on top of his, trying to look casual as she gauged his reaction. He didn't really seem to react negatively but he glanced up, smiled lightly at her, and twined their fingers together.
Okay, so it didn't seem to be a "fling" for him either.
"You look like something's on your mind."
Anna shrugged, chewing a mouthful of food. "No more than usual."
"Something different." He squinted. "You know, it doesn't take Jedi powers to read a woman sometimes either."
She glanced up. "Oh?"
"Anna . . ." He ended her name in a sigh. "Look. About last night, it —"
"We're just going to have to talk about it, back on the ship." She smiled. "We'll have plenty of time on the way to Dantooine to figure it out."
"True enough. And you don't need to worry about it while you're off getting the Map." He set his tray aside and started to stand. "I—"
"Carth." She grabbed his hand, and he sank back down. "Look, I need to tell you something."
He nodded. "All right. Hit me with it."
"All right." She took a deep breath. "I just want to tell you —" Her brain added in case something happens, but she kept that to herself. "—that I . . . I'm glad you're still here. I'm glad the fleet didn't recall you. I don't know what we would have done without you, you know? I'm, ah . . . Anyway, I don't know what we would have done without you."
"Right. Well . . ." He nodded. "I'm glad I didn't leave either. When did you have to meet Uthar?"
"Uh . . ." Anna squinted at her chrono and stood. "Now." She hefted the bedroll and her bag over her shoulder. "Can you take care of the dishes?"
He nodded, then took a step forward. "Be careful?"
She nodded back. "I will be." She reached out and touched his cheek. "Keep your head down, all right? Don't do anything stupid. I'd hate to come back to find you dead."
They stood frozen for a second, gazes locked. Carth started to open his mouth.
HK paced into the room. "Query: Master, isn't it time for your meeting with the lead meatbag?"
They took a quick step away from each other. "Yes. Thank you, HK." Anna nodded at Carth. "Take care."
"You too."
HK's head rotated between the two of them. "Analysis: Master, I must warn you that continuing these actions will lead to increased exposure to unsatisfactory health conditions. I would not want to see you made infirm."
Anna flushed and stalked past him. "Stay here," she barked at HK as she passed. "Guard my room."
Carth glared at the droid. "Was that really necessary?"
"Condescending justification: Yes, it was, meatbag."
#
"We are being recalled to Coruscant."
Bastila had not been called back to Dantooine to hear this news; she'd been called back to discuss Anna's current state and progress since Taris over something that did not require twelve levels of encryption and seven Astromech droids. But they would be preparing to leave rather shortly, the next morning, in order to push the Hawk through another day-long trip back to Korriban. She had been in with them all day, being debriefed on Anna's entire experience on Korriban, and they were preparing to let her leave.
Canderous had "talked" Zaalbar into going out with him, hunting for the huge, bad-tempered creatures he'd spent most of Anna's training looking for. Mission had gone to visit Sasha and see how she was doing, and T3 was working with Jolee on the synthesizer. In another day or so she suspected they would have it completely cleaned out. And Juhani had gone to visit friends. That left only Bastila, on official Jedi business on the world.
Hearing that the Council was leaving.
"Why?" she inquired.
"The High Council is requesting an in-person analysis of Anna's state." Zhar did not mince words. "From what you've told us her progress has been better than expected, with no truly threatening slips into Revan's former personality, but they want to hear it for themselves. We recognize that we cannot pull you from your mission, however — so we are the next best thing."
Bastila could only imagine how Vrook's report would sound.
"This is why it was imperative for you to return quickly," Vandar explained. "This cannot wait. They are concerned that her extended exposure to Korriban may have adverse effects."
"You believe her memory will return?" she asked.
"It is a . . . possibility." The small green Jedi glanced at his fellow Council members. "You will still be required to report to us regularly, and we will attempt to return in time to debrief her in person when you return from Korriban. Now, Bastila, make your report so you may return quickly."
Bastila took a deep breath, and began.
#
::Our fleet is in position around Dantooine. The freighter that Lord Malak is interested in has taken off from the planet.:: The rear admiral said, lowering his hand from his salute. ::Are we to engage?::
"No," Karath said. "The Ebon Hawk is to be allowed to continue its flightpath — I know its destination, and I will deal with it myself. As soon as it is clear . . ." Karath straightened the smallest bit. "Your orders are to enter the sector and bomb the Jedi Enclave."
::Sir . . . :: The admiral looked concerned, glancing away from the projector that was sending his image across known space. ::Sir, you want us to perform an aerial strike on so small a target?::
"No," he replied. "Lord Malak wants you to perform the strike and if you do not, you will answer directly to him for your insubordination. I have given you an order, Admiral, I expect you to follow it."
The admiral still looked dubious, but saluted. ::Y-yes, sir. Do you expect the Jedi to resist?::
Karath scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. Dismissed." The image wavered, and he turned to his aide. "Prepare the tractor beam and the high security cells, and send the team to Korriban. We will be having some honored guests soon."
The aide saluted and hurried off, and Karath folded his hands behind his back as he stared at the distant form of Korriban far distant from their position outside its hyperspace lane.
#
Anna switched off her lightsaber as the last terentatek fell, panting. She caught herself on the wall, breathing heavily.
"Who the hell," she murmured, panting as she slid to her knees to catch her breath. "Puts two terentateks in one room?"
She closed her eyes, focusing on the Force. She had slash wounds across her body from the creatures, and she focused on knitting the skin back together. The rest of her focus went to trying to restore some of her energy.
Behind this door, there had to be a way to get past that acid pool.
She finally stood, pulling the lever by the door and opening it. There were two pillars, each of which bore a grenade. She'd already covered half the tomb the night before, ending up in the corner of one massive room and spending a restless night. The tomb was huge — no wonder it was so difficult for prospectives — and she regretted giving Carth a two-day deadline. It was already late afternoon, and taking down the terentateks had sapped most of her energy.
She made her way back to the acid pool, the sickly green liquid slowly eating through the stone floor. She kept the fire grenade in a pocket, and carefully threw the cold one. It exploded, flash-freezing the pool solid.
With a sigh of relief, Anna quickly walked across it. She was close.
She sliced through the door to the inner sanctum of the tomb, and it opened.
There it was.
As she walked towards it, the Star Map opened. She inserted her datapad, one hand running through the map's holographic surface.
One more down. One more to go. And then Malak would be finished, and the Republic would emerge victorious. Or so she hoped.
She clicked out the datapad, and fetched the lightsaber. Taking another moment to center herself through her exhaustion, she adjusted her torn black robes and started back towards the exit.
To her surprise, Uthar and Yuthura were waiting for her at the still-frozen acid pool. She frowned, drawing to a stop.
"So. You've returned to us with the lightsaber, as I knew you would." She nodded, and tossed it to him. He likely didn't realize that the night before, when she was attempting to sleep, she had replaced the red crystals in her lightsaber with the yellow and silver ones that she favored. She wouldn't hopefully reveal it.
She would have changed her robes if she didn't need to get through the Academy later.
"The Force has served you well," Yuthura added.
"You took a great risk in aquiring this artifact. You used your mind and your power — no peaceful meditation, no pacifism."
If only he knew, Anna thought.
"Sometimes you must fight to achieve greatness. This gives you passion, which gives you strength. This makes you superior. That is the lesson you were to learn here. Do you understand?"
"So, the puzzle, the tuk'ata, the wraid, the terentateks," she started. "Oh, and the clever little acid pool here . . . You're saying that a Jedi couldn't have gotten past those?"
"A Jedi acts with skill, true. But the Jedi teach that strength is only found in peace. That passion is counter-productive." Anna swallowed. Well, that just reminded her that she needed to keep certain things out of her report to the Jedi. "Did you not feel a moment of excitement in the tomb? Did your passions not flow and make you feel stronger and more alive?"
Not really, Anna thought. If anything they were just making her tired. She just wanted to go home to the Hawk and take a nap on the way to Dantooine.
"What purpose would be served by restricting yourself? I would say only the purposes of the Jedi. Through this they control you, and restrict your potential."
"I don't feel superior or anything."
"If you came here, you must have felt the lure of the dark side. But I can only show you the path that will lead to power and superiority. You have followed it thus far — now it is for you to decide."
"You know what, I think I've got it," Anna said. If she tried to turn back, she'd be killed. They were Sith, after all.
"Good. The last part of your test will now commence. Here you will learn the lesson of competition. All life competes in order to flourish — such is the way of the universe. To stand still is to die, to move forward is to survive." She nodded, her eyes flicking to Yuthura. The Twi'lek hadn't seemed to figure out where he was going with this. Anna had — it was clear. She'd been the best recruit in years . . . It would only make sense to be rid of her and accept Anna as his new underling. "So is it the same amongst the Sith. Compete or die. Mercy is irrelevant. So it is for your benefit, in this final test, to strike down one you are familiar with only to prove your superiority."
"You want me to kill Yuthura, and then assume her position."
He nodded.
Yuthura took a step back. "This is what you had planned all along?! You wished me killed!"
"Indeed. You have become too ambitious. It is time for you to die and someone more talented to take your place."
Yuthura glanced at Anna, and then back at Uthar. "You are not the only one with plans in place," she spat. "My pupil will stand with me."
"Oh?" Uthar turned back to her. "Is this true, young one? You wish to join Yuthura in her foolish scheme?"
Anna's lip twitched. "I have to say I'm with her on this."
"Do you hear that, my master? That is the sound of a new leader rising to replace you."
Uthar didn't waste time with speaking. He drew his lightsaber, the red blade reflecting off the frozen acid. Anna brought up her shield, diving and rolling backwards to avoid his first strike. As Yuthura tried to engage his blade she threw her own lightsaber towards him, guiding it with the parried it, sending it ricocheting back to her and requiring a quick manipulation to make sure it landed in her hand rather than through it. She — and apparently Uthar — could sense that Yuthura hadn't shielded herself, and he arched his hand to let lightning fall off it towards the Twi'lek. Anna dodged beneath his blades, throwing her hand out in a push. Uthar flew across the room, crashing into the wall, and Anna reached into her pocket for a grenade. Her hand latched onto the tomb's fire grenade rather than the plasma one she'd been looking for, and she had an idea.
She reached out and grabbed Yuthura, pulling her off the acid pool and pushing her into the hallway as Uthar stood and arched his hand towards them. Anna sensed the attack coming, a drawing up of lightning — what is it with Sith and lightning anyway? — and deflected it with her on-hand blade, sending the attack back towards him. Turning off her blade, she sprinted off the acid and into the hallway, throwing the grenade behind her. With the Force, she grabbed for the door and slammed it closed.
An explosion rocked the tomb, knocking both Yuthura and Anna off their feet. They lay there for a few seconds, panting, and Yuthura started laughing. Anna glanced over at her, and let a laugh escape her as well.
"Well, that went well," Anna said, getting to her feet. She held out her hand to Yuthura, helping her up.
"You changed the colors of your blades."
Anna froze, then glanced down at them. "I like these colors better," she lied.
"It doesn't matter," she admitted. "Uthar is dead and the Academy has entered a new era. And while I do like you, truly, I'm afraid I cannot share power with anyone. Not even you."
Anna shrugged. "I don't want it. Take it. Knock yourself out."
"If only I could believe you." She seemed sad as she ignited her lightsaber. "Let's get this over with. Quickly."
Anna sighed. She was tired, she was still aching from the terentateks throwing her about the room, and she did not want to kill her. Despite the fact that she was a Sith, she'd grown fond of her.
Before Yuthura could move, she reached her arm out and picked Yuthura off he ground, sending her flying. She followed it with her lightsaber, slicing it through Yuthura's thigh — enough to hurt, but not enough to kill her or even sever the limb. She raised her lightsaber and Anna smacked it out of her hand.
"Enough!" Anna shouted, her voice echoing. "Gods-damn it, stop."
"Fine," Yuthura panted, still collapsed against the wall. "I yield." She lowered her head. "Please. Finish it quickly. I'm at your mercy."
"Never thought I'd hear a Sith asking for mercy."
"I suppose I am. Something tells me that you are not like the other students. I-I don't know why. I was right when we first met — there is something different about you. More so than I suspected."
"I never intended to be a Sith," Anna admitted. "But I got what I came for."
"I didn't think you were here to train. I should have realized that sooner. So will you show mercy? Will you . . . just let me leave?"
"Why did you try to kill me?"
Yuthura frowned. "I had no choice. You reminded me too much of a time before I became a Sith — I didn't want to think about that. I didn't want to see my reflection in you."
"Perhaps you should think about it then. I'll let you leave." Anna knelt down, handing Yuthura back her lightsaber. "On one condition."
"Name it."
"You leave this place," she said. "You rethink your life. And the next time I see you, that blade needs to be a different color. What would the slaves who made you pursue this say, if they were to know that you threw away their freedom in exchange for promises of power? That you sacrificed your dream for the quick road?"
Yuthura was quiet.
"The Sith will never help you free them," Anna added. "The condition is that you seek out the Jedi and then use your training to free those slaves."
She ducked her head again. "All the things I wanted to do, all the wrongs I intended to right . . . They just got further away from my mind."
"As you fell," Anna said gently. "And if you climb back towards them you'll be able to reach them."
The Twi'lek nodded, bowing her head in defeat again. "I . . . You are right. This isn't the person I was."
"Then change it."
She nodded. "I don't know if I can go back to the Jedi . . . But my place is certainly not here. You have a destiny, my friend, and if I helped you achieve it, then perhaps I've done something."
"We'll rest here tonight. I'll see what I can do for your wounds," Anna said, helping prop Yuthura up against the wall. "And we'll talk about how you can help me get my friend and I out of the Academy alive when they realize that Uthar is dead."
She nodded. "He isn't your slave either?" Anna shook her head. "Pity. I was going to ask about buying him."
Anna gave her a small grin. "Yeah. I don't think he'd appreciate me trying to sell him. Besides, I think I want to keep him around for a while."
#
Carth had grown so used to waking up next to Anna that it was hard to sleep, even with HK standing guard (and partially because HK might take the opportunity to kill him in his sleep). He spent most of his time in Anna's cell, since the Hawk was gone and he didn't trust someone to not try and kill him. He just didn't trust someone to not kill him just for wandering the halls.
It gave him time to sort out his thoughts — mostly about Anna, a few about other things. By the end of the second day he'd completely outlined every revelation he'd had about her and the often tumultuous relationship between them, everything he'd discovered that he loved about her and how he felt about this insanity. He waited with rapt anticipation, pacing the room and waiting for the sound of the door to the valley opening.
By the morning of the third day, when there'd been no sign of her, he was close to panicking.
She'd said two days. The Hawk would be back at any time, and they needed to be ready to leave. But where was she? She couldn't have . . . he wouldn't let himself believe that she'd been killed.
His nervous self finally left her room, pacing by the valley door. He had half a mind to go after her, and the other half wanted to send HK after her.
He had just about decided to send the droid, around midday, when the door opened to admit Yuthura and Anna. Both looked exhausted, and Yuthura was limping. Carth wanted to run and embrace his once-friend-now-something-unknown, but he remembered his role as soon as he took a step forward and bowed instead. Yuthura murmured something to her, and Anna nodded to Carth before striding for her room. He fell into step beside her.
"We need to get HK and the bags," she said quietly and hurriedly. "Yuthura can only guarantee us a half hour of safety."
"What happened?"
"Uthar's dead and she's gone to the light side. She suspects she has a half-hour before people start asking questions about Uthar. She's going to 'run' the academy in the meantie but secretly undermine the Sith actions. She'll leave if it gets too hot."
"How? Is she going to be able to?"
Anna gave him the look. "She worked for a Hutt once, I think she knows the ropes. Now come on."