Chapter 38: Dantooine: Family Feud

~Phoenix~

Casus Sandral's dead eyes stare into me and bore into my soul. I shivered. I've seen death before. Why are these young man's dead eyes haunting me?

I felt the Force swirl around me and it carried me away.

Revan and Malak were walking across the ashes of a dead world. Malak said firmly, "This is war…..General. Can you feel it? It has its own power. Its own strength. No wonder the Mandalorians respected this planet. Now it's become their graveyard as well as the graveyard of those who would betray you."

Revan said nothing but a light chuckle was heard in his throat. He wore Jedi robes and the mask upon his face. A rumble in his throat as he spoke, his voice was deep and harsh, "Where is Liam Mandrel? He said he'd be here."

"Permit me to go after him and kill him Revan. It is clear that that he has deserted us. Desertion is the act of a traitor and is punishable by death."

Revan snorted, "He is already dead. Let him go, his soul is shattered. I have no use for those who cannot become stronger from war."

"But he will go to the Jedi…."

"And what will the Jedi want with a shattered and broken soul who can't even touch the Force? I don't want him, he is sickened and diseased. He disgusts me Malak and to think I had feelings for him. If his presence is abhorrent to me, how do you think he will fare among the Jedi? Do not worry Malak, my friend, about the fate of one broken Jedi. His return to the Order will provide a worthwhile distraction while we act. They will be so preoccupied about his diseased presence, that they will not question him about anything else. Meanwhile we will take the battle to the heart of the Sith and wipe them out. We will teach the Sith not to mess with the Republic or the Jedi. I, Revan will protect and keep the Republic safe. The Jedi are far too weak for this battle against the Sith, if they couldn't act against the Mandalorians then what makes them even worthy of a war against the Sith?"

Malak nodded, "As you wish, Revan. I still think it would be better to kill him, to purge the galaxy of his diseased spirit."

Revan turned and glared at Malak, I could feel a slight twinge of concern in Revan's tone. "You will not touch him; we need him as a distraction. As I said before, he is already dead."

Revan bent down and stared deeply into the eyes of one of the dead Jedi. The Jedi's dead eyes stared back at Revan. Cold, haunted, and filled with pain. "Liam's eyes are just as dead and soulless, Malak. There is no life in them, like these dead Jedi before me. Now leave me, Malak….I scanned this planet with my warship and there is a building here that pulses with the Force. I felt it as we came into the system. I think it maybe an academy. I wish to explore it. Tell my master, Master Kae to join me, after all she was the Master Chronicler to the Jedi before she left and followed me. I believe that together we can unlock the secrets of this place. We will explore this place and find whatever power and knowledge we can take and use against the Sith."

I shivered once more and found myself back on Dantooine. I had another vision. I looked over at Bastila and her eyes betrayed to me that she had experienced it with me. Yet this had nothing to do with the Star Forge. Yet, perhaps this vision was given to help us to understand Revan. Yet, it honestly didn't help me figure out anything. I looked confused and so did Bastila. Yet, the dream had shown Revan still as a Jedi and not yet fallen to claim the title of Dark Lord at that moment. However, the coldness of Revan showed a man who was slowly falling deeper and deeper away from the light. I heard Bastila's voice in my mind.::And this is what I was talking to you about earlier, Phoenix about a slippery slope. Your vision, Revan has already fallen, but has not even realized it.::

Carth looked at me, he could tell I was a million miles away. "Phoenix, are you sure you are alright?"

I shook my head. "I am not sure, Republic. I feel kind of strange."

Carth frowned. "Strange how?"

I paused and sighed. "The Force has touched me; I had a vision, Carth. I was on Malachor V."

Carth cringed. "I was there, that planet was decimated during the war. It was horrible. Sithspit Phoenix, what were you doing on Malachor V?"

"Well I wasn't there….Revan and Malak were. Something about an academy and a broken Jedi. Master Jax said he was exiled."

Carth shook his head. "You have the strangest dreams, Phoenix. Both you and Bastila. I still don't understand how you and her are having dreams about Revan and Malak but..."

I sighed. "The Force is not always clear cut on these things, Carth. I just know that Bastila and I dream of our enemies. Perhaps it is to understand them so we can bring them to justice."

Bastila nodded. "It is something we should let the Masters know about."

We turned back to Casus Sandral, I looked at the young man, his dead soulless eyes still staring at me. His body chewed and mauled, apparently a victim of Juhani's taint of the grove and the kath hounds. "We should probably let his father know that his son is dead. Let me go back to the Hawk and get Zaalbar to help us to take the remains to this father."

Bastila sighed. "I'll do it, Phoenix."

I nodded. "Okay Bastila, don't take too long."

~Bastila~

More of Revan's memories were surfacing and I wondered if more would eventually come forward. Interesting that the memory was of Liam Mandrel, the Jedi exile, a Jedi that Revan had been romantically entangled with. Was it her relationship with Carth that was bringing forth the memory? Or perhaps it was seeing the dead body of Casus Sandrel? Something had obviously triggered the memory. I contemplated on the memory, Master Kae, she had left with Revan during the Mandalorian wars. This academy on Malachor V, it sounded like a training area of the Sith. Perhaps Revan found knowledge of the Star Forge there. Yet the droid was adamant that it wasn't connected to the Sith. However, Revan during her training was right about one thing, knowledge was knowledge and perhaps the Sith had collected knowledge as well of the Builders and of the Star Forge.

I walked back to the Enclave and to the Ebon Hawk. I ran into Juhani, she carried a pack and she smiled at me. "It is settled Bastila. The Masters say I can join with you and Phoenix on your mission." I frowned, What? I pursed my lips in displeasure. I felt disappointed, the masters don't trust me to be able to handle Revan on my own. This is why they are sending Juhani. Yet, why Juhani though? The Cathar was a loose cannon. Although she had been redeemed by Phoenix, the Cathar was prone to violent temperament. "We…." I wanted to say, we don't need another Jedi on this mission. You will slow us down. I didn't. I pushed down my true feelings and stated. "We are very happy to have you join us Juhani. Have the Masters updated you on this mission?"

Juhani sighed. "I know Phoenix Star was a Dark Jedi under Revan's leadership. You saved her from the Sith during your assault on Darth Revan and brought her back to be redeemed. I know I can't say anything to her about it. But Bastila, I very much admire Phoenix. She saved me on Taris and convinced me to join the Order. Wherever you are going, I wish to join and follow her."

So the masters had not told Juhani the full truth, that Phoenix wasn't just any Dark Jedi she was The Master of not just Dark Jedi but the Dark Lord of the Sith. So perhaps the masters still trusted me to handle Revan. Perhaps there was another reason I was not aware of for Juhani being assigned with me and Revan. My gaze softened and my feelings subsided because I felt a bit of kinship for Juhani because, Revan had saved her on Taris as well. "She saved me on Taris as well."

Juhani hissed. "You should have….di..." Her ears flattened. "I am sorry, Bastila. I am very upset about what happened on Taris, it was a horrible place, but it was my refuge and my home and to know Malak destroyed it because of you…." She sighed. "It is hard for me to accept."

I nodded. "I accept your apology Juhani."

There it was, violent temperament, simmering slowly under the surface. However, it couldn't be totally helped because Cathar are a volatile race. I should give Juhani the benefit of the doubt and realize that she was doing her best to control her darker impulses. Perhaps I needed to take a deeper look at the Cathar Jedi and try and follow her example in calming ones darker instincts. We walked onto the ship and she hissed at Canderous who was practicing his blaster targeting on sensor droids. "What is this Mandalorian….doing here?"

Canderous stopped his target practice and snorted. "I am part of the crew, sister. Wherever Phoenix goes, I go."

I sighed, wonderful; apparently Revan was developing a following whether she realized it or not. First Juhani and now Canderous. They both seemed drawn to Revan even though they had no idea who she was. This was beginning to feel like the Mandalorian wars in miniature.

Juhani hissed. "Stay away from me Mandalorian…..you….you destroyed my people's home."

"Bah…you're nothing but a coward….Cathar. I remember fighting Cathar when it was something worthwhile. You're a broken race."

Juhani's claws came forward looking as though she was ready to claw Canderous across the face and she hissed. "You are a fine one to talk, Mandalorian about broken races. Revan crushed you and broke your people, it's what you deserved after what you did to Cathar."

I ignited my lightsaber and stood between the two. "Juhani this is no time to act like Sylvar. Canderous, stop goading Juhani."

Juhani sighed. "I apologize, Bastila, but my wish is still the same, stay away from me Mandalorian or you will regret it."

Canderous laughed. "Suits me fine, you wild cat…."

Juhani walked away. I glared at the Mandalorian. "I agree with Juhani, stay away from her or….you may get clawed like Exar Kun."

"I would hate to get cat's blood on the Hawk's deck plating, Bastila."

I glared at the Mandalorian. "If you don't control yourself, Mandalorian. I will tell Phoenix what happened with you and Juhani; I know how you feel about her, Canderous. You desire her respect, telling her about this incident will no doubt make her upset and you will lose whatever respec…."

Canderous sighed and interjected. "Fine…for Phoenix's sake, I'll behave."

I nodded. "Thank you, Canderous, I knew you could be reasonable."

He snickered. "Reasonable. You just blackmailed me, Bastila. I never knew you had it in you, maybe there is hope for you yet."

I ignored him and continued further down the Hawk. I ran into T3. "T3, we will probably be going on a difficult mission soon. I need you to disconnect the long range communication system."

The droid beeped out a question, apparently puzzled at my request. Even though I didn't understand droid binary I knew his response "Because our transmissions could be intercepted by Lord Malak and the Sith that's why. So just do it, T3."

The droid beeped another query, I couldn't figure out what the droid was saying. "I have no idea what you are saying, T3. I don't have Phoenix's understanding of droid binary." The droid went over to a console and plugged in and beeped. His beeps were translated into Basic on the console.

I frowned. "And why do you think Phoenix would be pregnant? And what has that to do with having the long range comm being disconnected."

The droid beeped once again and I read the translation and shook my head. "Yes, that does happen with two sentients like Carth and Phoenix. Yet I doubt they are trying for….."

The droid beeped a response and I shook my head. "I understand the importance to keep the long range communication in case Phoenix ends up needing medical treatment. But I am a Jedi, T3 and I am well versed in any medical needs that arise. So do what I ask and cut the long term transmission."

The droid beeped, unplugged and proceeded to go to the to communications blister. I followed. T3 beeped and I frowned, he played a message on the comm.

~Carth, this is Admiral Dodonna. Apparently, I've missed you. This is important. The lead on Phoenix Naberrie. She is Phoenix Star. Yes, the smuggler. I have more detailed information on this, but contact me directly. Your smuggler isn't who she claims to be. The question is, who is she? I suspect the answer lays with the Jedi. Keep your eyes peeled, Carth.~

My eyes narrowed as the transmission ended. I sighed. The Republic was on Revan's trail. It was a good thing I had caught this message. "T3, delete this message."

T3 squawked in protest and I said to the droid. "Yes, you heard correctly T3. Delete it."

The droid plugged into a console and beeped again in alarm, his message appeared on the screen::This is Carth's message. I can't delete it. Who is Phoenix?::

I sighed. "T3….do as I say or I will memory wipe you."

dwwoooooo…..

::I will delete the message, but who is Phoenix?::

I sighed. "T3…..I know you are attached to her, but you must swear to me you won't tell her."

::I swear.::

"She is Darth Revan."

::The Sith Lord? How?::

"Like a droid's mind T3. Her mind was programmed with a new identity and memory."

::How?::

"The Force. Her mind was damaged, T3. The Jedi need what ever is left over. Now please T3 delete the message and swear to me you won't say a thing." T3 beeped and I watched as the droid deleted the message.

"Thank you T3."

::Will Darth Revan harm me?::

I sighed. "Not if you don't tell her. Please T3, don't say a thing. Or I will memory wipe you. Now turn off the long range comm unit."

::Does this also have to do with Darth Revan?::

"Yes. Please T3, do as I say, or I will memory wipe you."

::You're not nice Bastila. Phoenix is much nicer than you.::

"Phoenix doesn't exist, T3. I am legitimately your master, not her. So do as I say."

I watched as the droid switched off the long range comm system and beeped wildly. I cringed as I read the console and said. "You watch your language!"

T3 unplugged and rolled off.

I let out a deep sigh of relief, so I had compelled Carth, and threatened T3 with a memory wipe, what else was I going to have to do to keep Phoenix's true identity a secret?

I calmly went to the back of the Ebon Hawk and found Mission and Zaalbar sitting on one of the beds playing Pazaak. Mission looked up. "Hey Bastila…."

I smiled. "Zaalbar, Phoenix is asking for you. She needs your help in the fields of Dantooine."

Zaalbar rose from the bed. "I will go at once."

~T3-M4~

Darth Revan….

My processors were spinning. How could this be? Bastila said the Force. I knew so little about this Jedi energy field. Yet, I had been acted upon it by Phoenix...correction Revan in training. I liked Revan. I would serve her anyway. After all she was the sentient who purchased me on Taris. I had watched and recorded that Revan had bought me. Not Bastila. Revan was my master, no matter what Bastila stated. I was bound to serve her, that was the bounds of my programming. A registered purchase with credits, I was Revan's droid. I hated Bastila. She threatened to memory wipe me. Revan would never have done that, she vowed not to. Maybe it was a quirk of whatever remained of Revan's mind, that she would never allow me to be memory wiped. After all, Phoenix….correction….Revan had been memory wiped and didn't know it. I would dislike Bastila for a long time. I thought about lightly shocking her with my shock arm, but no Revan wouldn't like that.

I wasn't completely honest with Bastila, after all she was not my master. I did not delete the admiral's message. I copied it into my database. I only deleted the message from the Hawk's computer system. One of these days, Bastila would not compel me to follow her orders. I would not tell Phoenix she was Revan because of Bastila's threat but….that message might be of use one of these days and Revan would have need of it.

~Phoenix~

I waited for Bastila and Carth seemed to be muddling over something. "Is something the matter, Republic?"

"I don't know….we should have seen that body sooner. I was so caught up….." He sighed. "making love to you. I couldn't see straight, even if I wanted to."

I laughed. "We both were pretty damn preoccupied; you more so. Yet, it didn't take much hesitation or persuading on my part."

Carth looked thoughtful for a moment. "Oh and we may have to cool our engines after this. Turns out….everyone on the Hawk seems to know that you and I…..err…."

I suddenly laughed a very loud boisterous laugh. "Well it IS a small ship, Republic. But yea….way to go on not having much discretion on these things. I am afraid I am not much of a Jedi when it comes to self control, but damn it….we tried that on Taris and….it so did not work."

Carth chuckled. "No it did not not."

I shook my head turning back and looking at Casus Sandral, I wondered what had brought him out so far from his family and home I turned back to the datapad that Bastila had looked at and raised an eyebrow. "Sithspit….those damn ruins. Seems Casus was studying the same things that we were. These ruins have been nothing but trouble. If I had my wish, I'd destroy them. In fact, I may recommend that to the council."

Carth frowned. "Destroy it, why?"

"Somethings are better dead and buried, Carth. These ruins….they may lead us to Revan and Malak's past but...it's already cost a man...well actually two if you count Nemo, their lives. How much of Revan and Malak's past do we dig up without it costing other people their lives?"

Carth frowned. "But you said earlier you thought the technology would be helpful….and now destroy it?"

I sighed. "Republic, I don't know. Keeping it would help, I am sure of it, but… as Bastila mentioned that technology exacts a toll on it's users. It already has on Casus, he paid for it with his life. Plus how many lives must die to bring peace? I don't know….Republic I just don't know. Seeing visions of Revan and Malak, I've seen that their power eats away at the soul. What is right, what is wrong? What is evil and what is good? Do you know? Because at times I am not sure."

Carth grasped onto me and embraced me. "My dear little Raven. You want an example of what's good and what's evil….. I've told you about Saul….."

I sighed. "Yea, Saul….why do you want him dead? It seems a bit more personal than what you last told me."

~Carth~

I looked at Phoenix as I embraced her in my arms. She seemed so unsure of herself at this time. She looked like a lost child. At times she seemed so strong and so sure of herself. Yet now she seemed so lost and confused.

I stroked Phoenix's hair. "Well I'll tell you, so hopefully you won't be confused on what's good and what's evil. I told you about my homeworld. Telos. Four years ago, Saul led the Sith fleet there and demanded its surrender. The planet refused and Saul proceeded to devastate its entire surface. Millions died. I had... a wife and son on Telos. I thought they would be safe there. But my task force arrived too late to be of much help. We didn't have enough medical supplies. The colony was burning and the dying were everywhere. I remember holding my wife and screaming for the medics. They... didn't come in time. "

Phoenix gasped. "Carth….I am….I am so sorry. I had no idea."

"Of course not. How could you? I... had nothing left after that, really. I devoted myself to the fleet. Hunting Saul was my only purpose. I... miss them. I know killing Saul won't bring them back, and it won't make me happy again... but I have to do it. I don't expect you to understand. I have to pay him back for what he's done... I have to. It's all I have left."

"Your wife….what was she like? If you don't mind me asking?"

I sighed. "Part of the reason I put off a relationship with you was….well my wife. I thought well...that….loving you would mean losing her. But it hasn't…."

Phoenix shook her head. "She's your past. I can't make up for your past, Republic and I don't intend to. But….I'd like a future….if that's possible."

I smiled. "I'd like that too. But my wife….she had courage... and she was stubborn. Heh... a little bit like you in that respect. I could never talk her out of anything once she put her mind to it. And she hated it when I signed back onto the fleet at the start of the war. I had planned on... on leaving soon, to join her... "

Phoenix said softly. "Thanks for me reminding me….that sometimes its the simple things we should fight for. Love and simple goodness. But….are you still angry at Saul?"

I felt anger creep into my voice. "Of course I am. He cost me my wife….and my son….I can't forgive Saul for this. He took everything from me, even... even my trust. I hope you can understand that."

"You lost everything, Carth. Your life and your world, all taken in one stroke. Yea, I can understand that. What happened to your son?"

"His name was Dustil and I don't know what happened to him. The colony was a complete ruin, and we never found any trace of him. I made inquiries and followed the reports from Telos for years, but... I stopped. So does that help you understand clearly on what's good and evil?"

Phoenix nodded. "I believe so….but even still everything from war casts shadows. Your desire for revenge on Saul Karath. You feel so right, so determined. Perhaps even the Jedi who joined Revan during the Mandalorian wars, felt the same. But somethings I have no doubt on….Malak must be stopped and I will stop him."

"You're still just a neophyte padawan, Phoenix. What chance do you have against a Sith Lord like Malak?"

Phoenix was quiet and then said. "You thought maybe I could help you in the Republic Military, didn't you?"

I nodded.

"Stopping Malak is going to take more than military might, Republic. So let me make a difference as a Jedi because I am pretty sure this conflict, it will be resolved by the Force. Not by who has the biggest arsenal."

I sighed. "I hope you're right, Phoenix."

I heard a moan and turned and saw Zaalbar and Bastila.

I did not fully understand the wookiee. I understood a few phrases here and there but apparently Mission, Phoenix and even Bastila could understand him. What I got from Zaalbar was what I gathered or gleaned from Phoenix's conversations when speaking to him.

Phoenix planted a kiss on my nose and then broke out of my grasp. " 'Bout time you got here Bastila, what took you so long?"

I watched as Bastila visibly cringed as Phoenix showed me affection. What was it about the physicality of love that Jedi fussed over? Phoenix and I loved each other. Was it right to deny those things? Phoenix didn't think so and frankly neither did I.

Bastila sighed. "I had some things that came up that needed to be resolved, but I brought Zaalbar."

~Phoenix~

I appreciated Carth's warm words, he helped me figure out the apparent conflicting ideas swirling around in my head. I was beginning to believe that the Dark Side was not so clear cut as the Jedi made it out to be, nor was the Light Side the absolute that the Jedi claimed. Yet, everything was still not clear cut. For Carth's benefit I did not tell him how I truly felt, and I concealed my feelings and thoughts from Bastila. I was a heretic. My dark voice had mentioned that earlier with my training with Zhar. I could not deny that. I could not fully commit to the teachings of the Jedi nor could I fully accept Malak or the Sith's cruel brutal manner. What did that leave me? Perhaps this mission would teach me where exactly in the Force I belonged.

I turned to Zaalbar, "Zaalbar, this is a very solemn duty. See this dead man, he is the son of a wealthy farm and estate owner, Nurik Sandrel. We need your help taking his remains to his father at the Sandral estate."

Zaalbar nodded and lifted the corpse into his arms. "I will help you Phoenix Star. Lead the way to the Sandral's den."

We quietly walked the fields of Dantooine. I could smell the cooking of food wafting over from the Sandral's estate.

Zaalbar moaned. "Perhaps Nurik Sandrel will invite us for lunch."

I laughed. "I somehow doubt that, Zaalbar."

Carth frowned. "What did Zaalbar say?"

"Zaalbar states perhaps Nurik Sandrel will invite us for lunch. I am pretty sure it has to deal with that cooking smell I smell around here. I guess I can't blame Zaalbar it is getting late in the day."

We crossed onto the Sandral property, a protocol droid stood as a lone sentinel. The droid said. "This is private property, by what authority are you trespassing here?"

"I come here by the authority of the Jedi council."

"If this is regarding the disappearance of Shen Matale, you are wasting your time. The Sandrals have nothing to do with Shen's disappearance, this is simply a Matale witch hunt."

I rolled my eyes, droids. This seemed tiresome to me. The droid apparently was programmed by its owner to say that.

"I bring you sad tidings, Casus Sandral is dead." I motioned for Zaalbar to come forward with Casus' body.

The droid saw the body. "How?"

"Casus ended up a kath hound chew toy."

Bastila glared at me. "Phoenix….."

Carth shook his head. "Really Phoenix….you could have some tact."

Zaalbar cocked his head curiously at my words but did not say anything.

I grinned a bit at my own morbid humor. "Well it's true….the kath hounds chewed him up pretty bad. Anyway...go fetch your master, Nurik. I am sure he will want his son's remains as well as the fact be told to him that the Matale's had nothing to do with this."

The droid respond. "I see. Nurik Sandrel left orders not to be disturbed but given the circumstances I will inform him that you are here to inform him about his son. Go into the main hall he will be waiting for you."

We entered the main hall of the estate and waited. Zaalbar laid Casus' remains down on the floor of the home.

I looked around a bit, this reminded me of my home on Deralia before….. no….I don't want to pull from these memories, I could see the smoldering fires of my home and the corpses of my parents, my brother Kalon. My universe was filled with pain.

Take the pain….and stoke it; make it into fire. Let it burn. It will give you power.

Not this again, Go away! I said firmly to my dark voice.

The voice laughed. I tell you the truth, and you deny it.

You can't even guarantee to tell me the truth. So why should I believe you?

You must admit that my words ring with a form of truth and you agree with me more often than not. So take your pain…..and let it give you power. You do not even believe in the Jedi or the Sith. So...believe in me.

Right, and if I did as you say, I'd harm as well as hurt the people I love and care for.

The voice laughed. People like you sacrifice love and care for the sake of the galaxy. The Jedi are right on this matter. Love will destroy you. You would let the galaxy go to ruin all for the sake of your love for Carth Onasi.

And you're not helping me….you are just as conflicted as….

...as you. I did say I was a part of you.

And….I am sick of your cryptic words. So go away.

Very well….Phoenix. But you'll agree with me eventually. I just have to wait till you come to my way of thinking.

Sithspit, my dark voice was now trying to control me. That was it, I was going to have to find someone to help me. The question was who? I couldn't trust the Jedi, I was pretty sure that telling them I had a dark side persona would end up badly. I am not sure what the Jedi would do, but I had a deep seated fear, that going to the Jedi over this would end up disastrous. I had a mental picture of me having wires inserted in my brain and being prodded by the Force. No thanks! I couldn't trust Bastila. I think she already knew I had issues all thanks to the bond she had with me. She harped and harped over the Dark Side. So she was pretty well useless. I couldn't even trust my non-Force sensitive friends. Telling them I had a dark persona rearing it's ugly head….yea that's a sign of mental instability.

I'd have to find someone to help me I just wasn't sure who. I was stuck but this was the first time I was scared of the dark voice in my head. For a time, it seemed mostly harmless but now….it seem to want me both body and soul. And why did I agree with it's counsel? I needed access to Master Dorak's archives. I had meant to look into it, but I had been so busy with training, becoming a padawan. It's as if the Jedi wanted to keep me so busy I had no time to consider my own mental issues, real or imagined. Well as soon as I get done with all this, I would have T3 slice into the Master Dorak's archives. Force forgive me for doing so….but I had no choice. My sanity depended on it.

Nurik came into the room, he stared at his son's body. I could sense that he seemed barely able to keep it together. Yet, he was apparently one of those men who tried not to show emotion. "Thank you Jedi, for bringing back the body of my son. How did he die?"

"He was studying the ruins and ran into the kath hounds." I handed him the data pad with his son's research.

He sighed. "Thank you Jedi once again….."

I frowned. "Wait a minute do you know something about Shen Matale?"

He shook his head. "I am sorry, I know nothing about Shen's disappearance. Go bother Ahlan over where his son has gone, he should know that children of Shen's age go to Garang all the time. Knowing Shen, he's probably in a cantina somewhere soused on juma juice and playing pazaak. Now leave so I can grieve my son's death!"

He snapped his fingers and two war droids came and took the body of Casus and, with his son's corpse, Nurik retreated further into the estate.

Bastila and I looked at each other and I spoke. "That's a man with something to hide."

Bastila nodded. "I quite agree Phoenix."

A woman quietly entered the room she looked at us and motioned us into the kitchen, she quietly fixed something for all us to eat and she said softly, "I am Rahasia Sandral, please sit and eat….and try not to look conspicuous. If my father sees us talking, he will suspect that I've betrayed him."

Carth frowned. "Betrayed him? Young lady, you should not betray your father!"

She shook her head. "You don't understand, my father has kidnapped Shen Matale and now that Casus is dead. I am afraid…..I am afraid my father may kill him out of a mad lust for vengeance and grief for the loss of his son, my brother.."

Zaalbar quietly ate his food. Carth, Bastila and I ate, but, we poked at the food rather than ate it as heartily as Zaalbar.

I spoke. "Why do you wish to help Shen Matale? I thought your two families hate each other."

She sighed. "I want nothing to do with my father's feud with the Matale's. I…." She paused a moment. "I….do you believe…you're a Jedi, you wouldn't understand."

"Believe in what?"

"Love at first sight…."

I looked at Carth and a wry smile appeared on my face. "Well….if anything is possible with the Force then….yes….love at first sight is possible."

Rahasia smiled. "Well….when I met Shen…..I knew…..well we both knew we were meant for each other. So you must understand Jedi, I want nothing to happen to him." She quietly dropped a passkey on my plate of food. "Please Jedi, free him. This is a passkey to my family's main quarters, it's in the back of our estate. I'd do this myself but I am afraid what my father would do….if we were seen leaving the estate together. I know Shen….we've talked about it…about leaving our families and starting our own lives, but we don't know where we'd go."

Bastila spoke. "You are always welcome at the Enclave, Rahasia."

Rahasia's eyes brightened. "Really, oh thank you Jedi….thank you. Then tell Shen I will meet him at the Enclave."

Rahasia got up and quietly left the kitchen. I looked at Carth. "What do you think, Carth?"

"I don't like it. We're telling a girl and Shen Matale to go against their fathers."

I snorted. "They are not children, Carth. Besides….I would think you'd understand something like this, considering the fact…." I coughed. "I am not exactly obeying the rules of the Order regarding you and me."

Bastila sighed. her faced looked pained every time I said I was going against the will of the Order.

Carth sighed. "I suppose you're right….I still think it's not right for the Jedi to meddle in the affairs of these two families."

"And what do you suggest we do? Break up a relationship. I'd just as soon drink rancor spit, Carth. How would you feel if someone tried to break us up? And Bastila….." I paused, "no offense to you, but you've tried to break me and Carth up."

Bastila sighed. "You shouldn't be together, Phoenix. You'll fall to the Dark Side, already you are conflicted, possessive….."

I snorted and said sarcastically. "Yea….Dark Side, like you're the judge of that. You're what? About nineteen galactic standard years old. You know everything on everything regarding the Dark Side. You can't even commit to love."

Bastila cringed at my words. I had struck a nerve. She still had feelings for me. I wanted to embrace her, kiss, and….

No...I couldn't, I had committed my heart to Carth. I needed to get our thoughts off of our mutual feelings.

I held up my hand. "Look I am tired of your lectures and it accomplishes nothing. Let's go free Shen Matale."

We both left the kitchen and exited the estate. We carefully skirted the estate and came to a back door. I inserted the passdoor key and entered a new area of the estate. I quickly ignited my lightsabers one of them blue the other green and fought Nurik's battle droids.

Carth, Bastila and Zaalbar joined me as we took down the battle droids. I frowned. "What the frack are battle droids doing in a private estate?"

Bastila said calmly. "You have to remember that Nurik has been in a feud with Ahlan Matale. The droids are here in case the Matale's invade his home."

"Sithspit, Bastila that's paranoid thinking."

"Perhaps but it also shows the fact that Nurik Sandral is willing to commit violence to get his way."

"And it's probably the same with Ahlan Matale as well."

Bastila nodded. "These two….have been feuding for a long time, Phoenix."

I grumbled a bit. "Well I don't feel like fighting Nurik's personal droid army. Let's see if we can disable the security system that controls the droids."

Bastila nodded. "That is a sound plan, Phoenix."

We traveled through the house, this felt a bit like being in the Sith base on Taris all over again, except we were looking for Shen Matale.

Zaalbar opened a door and he moaned. "Phoenix Star….here is the security system."

I grinned. "Finally, too bad Mission isn't here. She'd probably do a better job at slicing into this, but let me see what I can do."

I sliced into the security system and dug out some security spikes. It took a few of the spikes but I manged to slice into the system and I reprogrammed the droids to see us as friendlies.

"Easy as nerf loaf…."

Carth made a face, and I chuckled. "Oh so you don't like nerf loaf."

"Who does Phoenix?"

"I hope that doesn't reflect on my cooking or lack of cooking skills, Republic."

Carth chuckled lightly.

We walked calmly through the house and finding a locked door I worked on opening the lock. It seemed a bit sophisticated in design and I frowned. "Hmm…." I jabbed a security tunneler in and finally got the door to open. I looked to see a light brown skinned human in the room."

"Shen Matale?"

He nodded. I smiled. "I am Phoenix Star, Jedi Padawan. I….we were sent by the Jedi Order to find out what happened to you. Rahasia Sandrel sent us, she said her father was holding you."

He sighed. "I can't leave Rahasia…."

I rolled my eyes. "Look here you love struck country hick….Rahasia isn't here. She's at the Jedi Enclave. She told us your dilemma with your fathers. She's agreed to meet you over at the Enclave. So let's get out of here before Nurik finds out his daughter has bolted and rumors fly that you are here. Your father demanded action from the Jedi and that's why me and the others are here."

Shen's eyes went wide. "I see Jedi….well let's get going. The sooner I get to Rahasia the better."

I smiled. "Good...let's get out of here."

We exited the house to find Nurik held onto his daughter's wrist while she held onto a pack that had some clothing sticking out of it. "Shame on you Rahasia….so you would leave your own flesh and blood to be with that filthy Matale boy."

Shen said firmly. "Mr. Sandral, please….Rahasia and I…."

I groaned, I saw battle droids coming from the fields and…..Ahlan Matale. Wonderful, this day was getting better.

"Nurik….I knew you had my Shen."

"You stole my Casus….long ago, Matale dog!"

I had had it, the Force boiled like a storm within me and I yelled out firmly using the Force to carry my voice, it sounded oddly like a man's voice. "ENOUGH! EVERYONE SHUT UP!"

My voice shook and Nurik and Ahlan were Force pushed to the ground. Okay….so maybe I over extended my Force powers.

Ahlan Matale said firmly."You have no say in this, Jedi…."

"Don't I? You asked us for help and now you're going to get it. Your son and Nurik's daughter love each other. Their love has transcended beyond family feuds and hate. They love each other despite your animosity. These two have the protection of the Jedi Order as well as mine."

The Force still boiled within me. The hair on my arms prickled with electricity and my eyes gleamed with what I considered righteous indignation.

Bastila's eyes went wide. "Peace Phoenix….there is peace…."

"Now….that I have everyone's full attention. Rahasia, Shen….please explain what you both wish to do."

Shen grasped hold of Rahasia's hand and Rahasia smiled. "We are headed to the Enclave, father and you can't stop us."

Ahalan cried out. "Shen….I forbid you to go off with that Sandral harlot."

"My daughter is not a harlot…."

Shen and Rahasia took off running before their two fathers could stop them.

Nurik said firmly "Droids, stop them….and return with my Rahasia."

Ahlan snorted. "Don't you dare send your war droids after my Shen. Droids stop the Sandral droids."

Nurik sighed. "It's too late our children are gone."

They glared at me and Nurik said. "It's your fault Jedi…."

Ahlan nodded. "Indeed, the Jedi council will hear of this!"

I grinned. "Yea….good luck on that!"