Hello everyone !
Since last time you (well, those who voiced an opinion) seemed to like this format, here's another chapter using that one. I hope you like it, and if you don't, please tell me what I did wrong.
For my reviewers :
-Tactus101st : I'm so glad I made you laugh with the taco thing. I had great fun imagining the scene but I was worried I couldn't communicate it. Guess the word "taco" isn't funny just for me. Hope you like this chapter as well, although I don't think I managed to put a similarly amusing scene. But you gotta offer variations I guess.
-alllias : well, to answer your double question...keep in mind Bastila's talking, and as far as old cryptical Jedi go, she's pretty much overwhelmed by their sheer mystical presence. With that being said, Jolee gave them the hint about Sith painting on walls to guide their apprentices or something, and there was a big part of the exploration Firefly was a witness to. Although it's certainly unlikely that Jolee went as far as making an effort, it goes against...I wouldn't call it a code of honor, but let's say against the image he's trying to build of himself. More likely he said something weird which Bastila over-interpreted and it ended up helping them out. Glad you liked the last chapters, and I wish this trend will not change for the next ones.
Special thanks to Apeman342 and Michaelwi600 for favoriting, and to Paulerro for taking an interest and following.
Also thanks to insatiablecuriosity who offers support and valuable insight via PM.
Enjoy !
disclaimer[48]
Chapter 48 :
Curiosity strikes again ?
Bastila's preliminary report on the events on Korriban [in code] :
Masters,
First and foremost, I have been advised that Eidan has a tendency to eavesdrop on my transmissions, hence the following message destined to him : Eidan go get yourself a haircut.
I apologize Masters for the language, however I have found that sometimes it is all he ever answers to.
Our mission was successful inasmuch as we recovered the data we came for. Nevertheless we have encountered difficulties, in the person of Darth Bandon, the Sith Lord's apprentice. He is now dead, vanquished by none other than Eidan. While these news may come as a surprise, and perhaps a good one for Master Zhar, it is my regrettable duty to inform you that he has succumbed to the Dark Side's temptation in order to achieve this feat.
He claims to be recovered as of now, thanks to Juhani's and Dustil Onasi's swift intervention. However I am not so certain. He still appears to be troubled, if not downright secretive. The bond is kept tightly shut most of the time, and he will not speak to me, not about anything serious anyway.
He is also reluctant to return to the Enclave. Perhaps he fears he will have to face reality if he meets with you. Or perhaps he genuinely feels it is a waste of time. Unfortunately he managed to get the crew on his side, so we are headed to our next mark instead of base.
Nonetheless I believe remote communication with him would be advisable, as I am afraid I cannot get through to him. As we are now in hyperspace direct communication is out of the question, however I shall contact you when we arrive at destination.
As I mentioned before, we encountered Dustil Onasi, son of Carth Onasi. He was studying at the Sith Academy on Korriban and was as I understand it very proficient, however he has been convinced to discontinue his training and to go off-planet, to Nar-Shadaa on board Bandon's ship. That is not to say that he would be interested in Jedi training, not at the moment in any case, and I believe he would be difficult to convince otherwise. Due to his connection to Commander Onasi and the fact that the Dark Lord is aware of it, perhaps it would be advisable to keep an eye on him.
I shall endeavour to reason with Eidan, in the meantime may the Force be with you,
- Padawan Shan.
Bastila's holocron, Centaxday Sunreturn 26th, year 21,095
I am tired. Tired and weary of it all. But worst of all : I am doubting. It is the first time I'm doubting the Council, about anything serious that is.
It has been some time since I have last felt peace. On Korriban I have not been able to meditate, so I thought it was due to the lack of exercise, to Korriban's foul stench.
I was wrong.
Perhaps it is my connection with Eidan and his recent taint that is so straining on me. But how can he be so carefree and jovial while I cannot find respite ? Surely were his fall to blame he would be more affected than I ?
Another, more worrying thought has occurred to me. What if the Council is wrong ? The very notion is chilling me to my bone. It has never happened before…has it ? The Masters are the wisest of us, they are attuned to the Force and know best how to listen to it, do they not ?
Then why do I feel that everything is wrong ?
My discussion with Eidan…shook me more than I believed it could. He is very perceptive, too perceptive even. He knows that something is amiss, has known for too long for us to uproot his suspicions. Even his mental conditioning isn't sufficient to contain him !
What is more, I saw what that conditioning implies…I have witnessed Master Vrook at work, I have even been obligated to participate. I swore to myself I wouldn't expose him to that again, it is…it is simply wrong, against all principles we hold dear !
And then to my shame I used that conditioning myself. I did not know what to do, I was…I was scared. Scared of him becoming…that man again. Scared of releasing the mad genius onto the galaxy.
Scared of unleashing Revan.
Yet…at what cost am I postponing the inevitable ? For I believe the secret will be out eventually, if only when Malak meets him. I am certain the Dark Lord of the Sith is aware of Eidan's identity, hence his apprentice's demand to have him instead of me. Maybe it would be better if I told Eidan, warned him ?
But what if he decided to be on his way ? To join Malak in his conquest ? What if that made his memory recovery easier, faster ?
And besides, I am under strict orders not to tell anyone, least of all Eidan. Not to mention that he cannot acknowledge his identity, not with his conditioning…can he ?
As I said, I am confused. The fact that Firefly is making so much sense is not helping any. His views regarding the Force are…well, they seem logical, from a certain point of view. Completely misled of course, he is after all making up his own set of very convenient rules. And yet he is not looking worse for wear. Juhani is not either, having just undergone Sith training and from what I've heard, she was not the most compassionate classmate. Furthermore, one look at Dustil told me he was a good man at heart, despite the hardships he was put through and the life he led on Korriban, which was a far cry from the Light path.
It is unfair. I am the only one true to the Jedi Code here…and yet I am the one who is punished the most. At least, for my actions. I was surprised to see that I pity Eidan…that I do not wish him to go through the trials that he was set up against unbeknownst to him. He may be an irritating, annoyingly cheerful and infuriatingly smart pain in the backside, I find I have grown…accustomed to him, and perhaps in a small measure fond of him. He is amusing, often upbeat and he has yet to let us down, despite his numerous protests and claims that he is out only for himself.
He was the first to see that I was facing a terrible dilemma. He saw it before I did. Or maybe it was he who put it in my head ? If he did…he has a twisted sense of irony.
Will I as he said always choose the Council over him ? It is the right thing to do, is it not ? I should like to think I will always choose the Force over any other thing or person. But can I rely on my senses ? On my now wavering convictions ?
Who can I rely on ?
Mission's recorder, entry 28 :
Mission here, hi. So we're done here, movin' on to another planet. Can't say I'll miss it here. Maybe there weren't many hitches in the overall plan, and I'll admit it was kinda fun workin' all together for once and Firefly went in as a woman ! That was hilarious ! But in the end…that last backstab was painful in more ways than one.
I'll explain if ya want. Ya see there was this bad guy, Bandon his name was, bald and ugly, Malak's apprentice. Well, he took Carth's son hostage. It blew my mind too to know the geezer had a son…and that that son was a Sith ! He was there the whole time, right under our noses, and I never suspected anythin' !
That explains why he was so stressed out here I guess. I dunno the whole story and I doubt Carth will want to tell me anyway. Maybe Firefly might.
Although he's just as likely to feed me false info just for kicks. He's like that. But c'mon, that's only funny when you prank someone else !
What was I talkin' about again ? Oh, yeah. Bandon. Well, he took Carth's son hostage to exchange him for Firefly. I thought that was odd, since Bastila's the one who's runnin' from Malak and Firefly's basically the guy who got mixed up in all this by accident. Unless there's some sort of reason given by the Force or somethin'. Or maybe that was a way to bait Bastila into pursuin' the whole shebang all the way into a trap. I dunno. Anyway it didn't work for them, so there.
The thing is, we couldn't just tell 'em to stuff it, 'cause it was Carth's son bein' threatened, so Firefly hatched a plan : he'd get captured, we'd get Dustil back, but Juhani'd infiltrate Bandon's ship to free Firefly so that they could attack the Sith from the inside of the ship while the Hawk attacked from the outside, jammed communications, and so on. Oh, and Bastila'd do that Meditation thing she's so good at to help us and weaken them.
Simple and sound, right ?
Well for starters the body we got wasn't Dustil's, but it sure looked like him and it was dead. So Carth was devastated. But Bastila got him to do his job okay, so that at least didn't go wrong.
But Firefly decided to leave me back on the Hawk, even though I was good enough to go with Juhani. I can slice into computers and pick locks and she can't ! I would've been a more logical choice !
So I went along regardless. I burrowed Firefly's stealth field gen because frankly it's a lot better than mine, and also 'cause I was a bit spiteful I'll admit. I know, a childish thing to do, blah blah, but hey if you were in my place you'd have done the same ! Plus I was going to give it back, honest ! I ain't no thief !
Okay, maybe I am, but I don't steal from friends !
Anyway I figured I'd go and sabotage their hyperdrive so that Bandon couldn't just wave his hand and disappear leavin' us high and dry and lookin' stupid. Gettin' in was easy, findin' the engine too. I pushed the stop button and got to the thing, but that's when I realized I didn't know nothin' 'bout that kind of thing.
And that's when Firefly came in. He did exactly what I did, though he was puzzled when he saw it was stopped already. He went to the engine, I didn't see what he did next but as I wanted to get closer and take a look he jumped me and immobilized me with a knife ! And man, he's short and says he's weak but he's got a heck of a grip ! Plus he's heavier than he looks.
He was mad. 'Cause I disobeyed his orders. Didn't figure he would be angry 'cause of that, I mean he practically lives to break rules and be reckless ! 'Sides it shows initiative, right ? And I was only tryin' to help !
He was disappointed too, I could see it in his eyes. That was horrible. I felt so guilty I would've wanted to disappear into thin air there and then. And then he started lecturin'. The guy who can hide for a week in a cramped compartment on the Hawk just to avoid one of Bastila's lectures, who gets bored when someone says more than three sentences in one go, and who's about as responsible as a two-year-old. The nerve !
But it wasn't just a lecture 'bout how my actions were bad. He basically said that okay, I could do what I wanted, but that I'd get punished every time and to be ready for that. He was so scary, I'd never seen him like that ! Sometimes he snapped at me, even looked angry, but furious like that, never. He really looked like he wanted to hurt me bad, and that he'd enjoy it.
And then he kicked me in the face and I blacked out.
I woke up with the mother of all headaches, just in time to see Juhani comin' for me. She looked rattled, like she'd been through one hell of a fight, which they told me she had. Didn't talk 'bout it though, she just said we had won and that she came to see me back to the Hawk. I let her. On my way I saw Firefly. He looked fearsome, standin' tall (as tall as he can anyway) in the main hold lookin' like he was in charge. But there was somethin' fierce in his eyes, somethin' not okay. That same evil I saw when he threatened me. I got scared and ran to Big Z who was waitin' for me.
I got a glimpse of Dustil too. Dressed like a Sith student, lightsaber 'n all, not apologetic or embarrassed or anythin'. He was talkin' to his dad, and had the upper hand too. Said somethin' 'bout meetin' Carth after all that.
Gotta say he's a handsome guy. And smart it seems, resourceful and lively.
But a Sith. It's odd. He didn't look evil or anythin'.
Anyway I was pretty shaken at the time. Firefly showed his madman face ! I knew he was a pain in the ass very often, and that he wasn't really nice or moral, but I thought it was limited to him not carin' 'bout people ! But what he did to me, and what I heard he did afterwards, which is killin' Bandon in the most cruel way possible, that was just wrong ! So far from the guy I thought I knew !
Did he really manage to hide his true self from me for so long ? Usually I'm right 'bout people bein' good or evil, but this time was I really that off the mark ?
Or maybe that was some Force thing again ?
'Cause when he came and talked to me later he was…well, tired, but pretty much back to normal. He was more serious. And a whole lot nicer. He promised he'd help me get Griff back ! With his help, I'm sure we'll find him safe and sound ! I hope he wasn't lyin' though, he'd be capable of that.
But that's not all he said. He talked 'bout Taris and what happened back at the ship, and I think he's right on both accounts : I'm right to be sad and not gettin' over it right now isn't an issue, and maybe I did make a mistake and he was just teachin' me not to do that again.
Doesn't mean it's okay.
And I think the mistake wasn't doin' what I did, but gettin' caught. Ain't happenin' again.
There's somethin' else he said, and maybe that's why I'm startin' to get it. He showed me two of his scars and how he got 'em. I thought they came from what he told me on Korriban : accidents and fights. Turns out he was tortured or physci…physli…treated bad. Not an easy life. And he was all alone from day one on a nasty planet. I had Griff, then Big Z to watch my back. His only friend is a computer he built himself.
But c'mon, that shouldn't mean he can push us all away like that ! He's finally got an opportunity to have decent people carin' 'bout him ! Why can't he see that ?
For all his talks 'bout bein' a genius he can sure be as dumb as a rock.
So I'm forgivin' him. At least tryin' to. And I'm so pesterin' Carth to tell me all 'bout Tocoya when I get the chance !
On another topic, I think I found a way to make some money on the side. That's always a good thing. There was this Rodian on Korriban who wanted me to get a package to a Hutt on Tatooine, Motta his name is, in a settlement called Anchorhead. Easy peesy. Says there's two thousand creds in it for me, that the Hutt'd pay me. Two thousand ! That's one heck of a step forward if I want to have a my own ship eventually ! Or if Griff needs a bailout…again.
He mentioned he was lookin' for spice on board too, but I checked, there wasn't anythin'. And 'sides I ain't really into that sort of smugglin'. I mean I saw addicts on Taris, they've got it real rough and so I ain't helpin' out people who make 'em suffer in the first place.
But that Rodian bloke seemed alright, he's just a middleman I think, and when I said I didn't deal in that he said ok, he's got a job that ain't in the grey moral zone.
I took a look at the thing, it's some sort of black pyramid with engravings on it, it looks nice. It can be opened too I think, but the man said I shouldn't look inside for my own sake, and that if I did I wouldn't get paid.
So I didn't. But I'm thinking real hard on doin' it.
What's the worst that could happen anyway ?
Carth's report to Admiral Dodonna : [in code]
Admiral,
The mission is going well, we're currently en route to Tatooine. No new additions to the crew, no casualties.
We were however confronted with Darth Malak's apprentice, Darth Bandon. Through a hostage situation he managed to get ahold of the person he came to retrieve, however briefly. The situation has been resolved, and the apprentice killed. But the thing is, it wasn't Bastila Shan he came for, it was Eidan Hopkick. Which is very strange, considering his apparent lack of involvement with the war altogether, and while he was deemed powerful by the Council on Dantooine, he can't compare with Shan's Meditation.
Obviously Malak knows something we don't, and I suspect the Jedi know it too. Perhaps Hopkick knows as well, but I'm not sure. He doesn't act like it, that's for certain. Although he's a very skilled conman so his deceiving all of us isn't a possibility to rule out.
In any case I suggest an extensive background check on him, to see whether his identity holds up. Moreover research into Malak's past could be pertinent as well, to pinpoint all the people he associated with and whom he could be interested in recovering, and compare them to Hopkick.
I'll keep my eye on all of them as always, maybe they'll let something slip.
Best of luck on the front,
-Commander Onasi.
T-3M4 black box : [translated from binary]
Current time : 08:17
Status report : all systems 100% operational
Running programs : Piloting system A-89Zx / Awareness K2 / Goliath 3.3
Active orders : « stop preaching about what I should or shouldn't have done » [not breaching the subject of human male Firefly's behaviour]
Current activity : on the way to engine room.
Observations : occurrences when called « cute » in current cycle : 0
Decisions prompted by observations : approach Twi'lek female Mission or human female Bastila.
—
Current time : 09:22
Status report : all systems 100% operational
Running programs : Piloting system A-89Zx / Awareness K2 / Goliath 3.3
Active orders : « stop preaching about what I should or shouldn't have done » [not breaching the subject of human male Firefly's behaviour]; « go take a look at the synthesizer » [assessing the status of meal synthesizing unit]
Current activity : locating synthesizing unit in main hold.
Observations : new addition to main hold's cargo. Occurrences when called « cute » in current cycle : 2
Decisions prompted by observations : approach new addition to main hold's cargo and determine purpose or potential danger.
—
Current time : 09:26
Status report : all systems 100% operational
Running programs : Piloting system A-89Zx / Awareness K2 / Goliath 3.3 / Sys-Manov4 / Prospector W-37c
Active orders : « stop preaching about what I should or shouldn't have done » [not breaching the subject of human male Firefly's behaviour]; « go take a look at the synthesizer » [assessing the status of meal synthesizing unit]
Current activity : examining new addition to main hold's cargo.
Observations : addition to main hold's cargo is of pyramidal form, 67.21 centimeters in height and 40.86 centimeters in width, material used has the properties of metal but isn't available in database. Traces of internal undetermined activity. Failure to open despite structure indicating that it is possible. Occurrences when called « cute » in current cycle : 2.
Decisions prompted by observations : Failure to identify object and its purpose. Bring this to the attention of ship captain. Other orders postponed.
Canderous' thoughts :
The kid sure hides his cards well. Didn't figure him for a guy capable of taking down that Sith. Sure, he does incredible things with that Force of his, but that's when he's at a safe distance from danger and when he actually decides to participate in battle. Pushover prefers sitting back and watching us do the work. Not that I need him on the field. It's his loss : fighting is fun and the only real thing worth the time. That's when you find out who you really are.
What I don't have trouble believing at all is that he makes a mean drink. Doesn't have much flavor, but who cares. I came damn near to being drunk after the first batch. And I have a regenerative implant ! He sure can hold his liquor. It's impressive, for a lightweight like him. Or he's good at pretending he's sober. Anyway we got through four batches before he was completely plastered, as in he couldn't tell the wall from the door and was talking gibberish at the stool with a passion.
Dropped him off at his bunk, least I could do. Besides I got to keep the last batch. He did say he wanted to finish the reserve after all.
I don't know if he's right about the bug in the body we got for our troubles, but I agree that you never know. Bandon could've put something else in there too, like a bomb or some other sneaky way to get rid of us.
Not to mention that jettisoning that body in space is kinda appropriate. I mean we don't know who he was, for all we knew he didn't have a homeworld anyway, and not everyone has the same burial traditions. Only in space are we pretty much equals, anonymous.
He had no defensive wounds. I don't know if he died out of loyalty like some pussy sacrificial lamb, or if he was backstabbed so fast he never knew what hit him. In the first case, while devotion is a nice sentiment, he should've defended himself. The second one…I guess I pity him a bit. He was robbed of the opportunity to die honourably.
Not that I'm sympathetic or anything, that's more Firefly's domaine right now. What's going on I don't know, but he's sure making a lot of effort to get into Mission's good books. I suppose he's got an agenda, being nice isn't him at all. Or I hope it isn't, otherwise he's just as lame as the other goody-two-shoes on this bucket.
But I think he's just putting up an act. Or maybe several.
In any case, he's always been respectful of my culture, and I think he understands it too…up to a point. He seems to enjoy my stories, his eyes positively shine like a young warrior's should when I tell them. It's a nice feeling, inspiring him like that. Despite him being a sneaky honourless bastard.
The prissy Princess on the other hand isn't handling things so well. She may think I'm just a stupid brute (and I'm not going to tell her otherwise), I noticed that she's nervous as hell. She was far too eager to go to that farmer world of hers for it to have been innocent. She creeps around the ship in the middle of the night and most of the time she can't even snap a good comeback at me when I poke at her. Hope she's not about to break in hysterics.
But then again, maybe the Republic would finally realize exactly how cowardly they really are, hiding behind a nineteen-year-old teenage girl.
Anyway my liking or disliking the crew or situation isn't part of the job description. I do things right, and I get paid for them, period.
Nevertheless I'm getting bored. Maybe it's time to go pick a fight with someone.
Carth's thoughts :
I hope the worst is behind us now. Well, aside from whatever climax this whole mess is headed to. But Korriban should've been the most dangerous planet, right ? It wasn't easy, that's for sure. And not merely because Dustil was there and…well, at least it all turned out pretty okay. No need to dwell on that right now.
Wasn't easy because of my position at the time, too. I mean, being Juhani's slave ? I got nothing against the Cathar, she's polite and dedicated to our cause to the point of blindness, but what she did back there…what a waste. Okay, most of them had it coming, what with them being bullies who couldn't recognize a good sentiment if it smacked them upside the head, but still…they were young. Well, old enough to know better, sure, but then again, if they were being indoctrinated since childhood maybe they weren't bad people to the core.
Still, they were enemies and we're at war. What's done is done, and a man who makes five people stand on the porch to the Academy until they drop dead for his own amusement can't have a conscience. The world's probably better off without them.
But what worried me was that Juhani was enjoying the killing a bit too much. She was ruthless in all regards, she treated everyone like they weren't even worthy of licking muck off her shoes, and I saw her rip Lashowe's head off with her bare hands.
For an ex-Jedi it seemed a bit extreme. I tried to confront her about that. She always said it was in the interest of the mission.
And I have to say we were successful. Juhani seems calm now, meditating and sleeping a lot…much like cats do as a matter of fact. Maybe it was all an act. In which case Firefly's got a serious competitor when it comes to playing a role to perfection.
I still can't believe he pulled it off by the way. Him as a girl ? Now that I have time to think about it, I can't help but laugh. But I'm damn sure the scoundrel did, in fact, flirt a lot with Dustil…and that Dustil wasn't lagging behind. I just hope he didn't scar my son for life…but I doubt it. He's stronger than that. And if he made sure Firefly would remember the lesson, all the better.
Otherwise things are coming back to normal. Which means we get to be all trapped in the ship and be the butt of juvenile pranks. Anything to fend off boredom, right ?
If only I weren't a mark of choice. I swear I'm making more security checks when I walk into a room than I used to do on the Endar Spire ! And I was charged with escorting Bastila through a highly dangerous zone of her choice !
…
Okay, I'll admit, Bastila's face when she tasted that spiked tea was hilarious. And the glare she gave everyone in the room too before storming off to change her drenched clothes. I don't know where Firefly is, but he's in it very deep right now.
Bastila's thoughts :
I will murder him. Key or no key factor to the galaxy, putting spice in my tea is the straw that broke the fambaa's back ! I'm surprised however that he wasn't there to savor his petty prank. Oh, I can picture him well, leaning back in his chair looking at me with that smug smirk of his, and when questioned he would widen his eyes just so to make his best innocent face !
I will probably get to enjoy those theatrics once I manage to find him. Which will be a short game of hide-and-seek indeed, once I locate him through the bond !
Although…the bond…I…how ? He is not…there.
How is this possible ?
T-3M4 black box : [translated from binary]
Current time : 16:47
Status report : all systems 100% operational
Running programs : Piloting system A-89Zx / Awareness K2 / Goliath 3.3 / Sys-Manov4
Active orders : « stop preaching about what I should or shouldn't have done » [not breaching the subject of human male Firefly's behaviour]; « if I'm not back within two hours, dispatch a rescue team » [should human male Firefly not report to this unit one hour twelve minutes and thirty seconds from now, informing human male Carth Onasi of human male Firefly's disappearance]; « get the synthesizer working if you please » [repairing meal synthesizing unit then reporting to human male Carth Onasi].
Current activity : repairing meal synthesizing unit.
Observations : new addition to main hold's cargo weakly radiating light; human female Bastila Shan's behaviour inconsistent with usual pattern. Occurrences when called « cute » in current cycle : 5.
Decisions prompted by observations : As soon as this unit's task is done, research into human female Bastila Shan's distress will be initiated.
Canderous' thoughts :
Now Bastila's going berserk. What the hell is going on ? Is it whatever the kid slipped in her drink ? Should teach her not to drink that boiled water with leaves in it. Ain't no drink for people supposed to save a big chunk of the galaxy.
But if Firefly is to blame for that, and if it doesn't stop soon, I'll have a few words with him myself. Ain't normal to make us all suffer just so that he can annoy the Princess.
Bastila's report to the Jedi Masters on Dantooine : [more heavily encrypted]
Masters,
I am uncertain whether this is of any consequence, however I suspect that if it is, the repercussions could be devastating. I cannot feel Eidan through the bond anymore, not to mention that I cannot find him anywhere. It has been an hour and a half, and still no sign of him or of any relevant piece of evidence. All his things are gone, but then again he carries everything on him. I believe he is still somewhere on this ship, there is no way he could have gotten off without us knowing about it - not to mention the lack of ejectable modules on the Hawk - but perhaps he found a way to block my access to his mind entirely and is hiding in one of the smuggler's compartments.
Masters, not even I with my considerable training advantage could dissociate myself entirely from the bond ! Either something terrible has happened, or he regained another considerable chunk of his infamous abilities. If he is indeed recovering far more than he should be…I am afraid I will not be able to contain him much longer. Already I am showing signs of weariness, and I am becoming more and more restless no matter how many hours I spend meditating. Please Masters I need your guidance.
May the Force be with you,
- Padawan Shan.
Mission's recorder, entry 29 :
I'm in trouble. As in, big trouble. And I dunno what to do.
I can't tell Big Z, he'd have a heart attack. I can't tell Bastila, she's already stressed out enough as it is. Carth's got other things to worry 'bout, and the other ones won't be of much help. 'sides if I did tell them…there'd be hell to pay, and I'd be the one holdin' the paycheck.
I think I got Firefly killed.
Killed as in vaporized, vanished into thin air, disintegrated, not there anymore. Remember when I told you I had found a way to make some money ? 'Bout that thingy I was supposed to bring to Tatooine without lookin' in it ?
He found it and looked in it. I saw it but it was too late. He…he just vanished ! Instead of him there was a cloud of sand or somethin' that got sucked into the pyramid.
And I was just standin' there with my mouth open watchin' it happen. I'm such an idiot ! Why didn't I do somethin' ?
Why didn't I warn him ?
Maybe I won't ever get to see him again ! I mean, he's impossible and mean and a lot of other bad things, but he's my friend ! He saved Big Z, he treats me like an adult, he's a street kid like me, and he promised he'd help me get Griff back ! He's cool and funny and imaginative and he acts like he'll always be there no matter what, that even if death itself went to get him he'd slip between its fingers with a sarcastic one-liner and disappear in a backup ship he'd have prepared 'cause he'd have seen it all comin' a mile away.
But no. His end was a stupid mistake made by a stupid wannabe kid. I wish I'd never accepted that job ! I don't even want to think about doin' it now, knowin' the cost. What's two thousand creds when compared to a friend's life ? Absolutely nothin' ! I'd have given away double that price just to hear another smartass comment from him !
Or…I dunno, maybe not, depends on the comment.
I really don't have a clue what to do. Maybe…if I pray to the Force or somethin'…maybe I'll get some piece of advice ? It works for Bastila and Juhani doesn't it ? It even worked for Firefly !
Well it can't harm anythin', right ?
Zaalbar's thoughts :
What did Firefly do to her ?! I thought he had made things better as per his promise, but if it was all a cheap scam to make her suffer more…!
She hasn't said anything. She's simply crying as I'm holding her, feeling utterly helpless. What changed ? Back on Taris we used to tell each other everything, at least everything of consequence ! I can't look out for her if she doesn't tell me what's wrong !
Firefly changed that. When she got back from the Relentless was the only occurrence when she refused to confide in me. This must be his handiwork as well.
Just he wait until I get my hands on him.
T-3M4 black box : [translated from binary]
Current time : 18:05
Status report : all systems 100% operational
Running programs : Piloting system A-89Zx / Awareness K2 / Goliath 3.3
Active orders : « stop preaching about what I should or shouldn't have done » [not breaching the subject of human male Firefly's behaviour]; « aw crap, follow me » [following human male Carth Onasi].
Current activity : following human male Carth Onasi.
Observations : human male Carth Onasi is headed towards women's dormitory. Occurrences when called « cute » in current cycle : 5
Decisions prompted by observations : none.
—
Current time : 18:09
Status report : all systems 100% operational
Running programs : Piloting system A-89Zx / Awareness K2 / Goliath 3.3
Active orders : « stop preaching about what I should or shouldn't have done » [not breaching the subject of human male Firefly's behaviour]; « oh crap, follow me » [following human male Carth Onasi].
Current activity : waiting for human male Carth Onasi to make a move.
Observations : human male Carth Onasi relaying my information regarding human male Firefly's whereabouts to human female Bastila Shan. Human female Bastila Shan's reaction consistent with this unit's diagnosis regarding the reasons for her distress. Occurrences when called « cute » in current cycle : 5.
Decisions prompted by observations : This unit is entitled to congratulate itself on a job well handled.
Mission's recorder, entry 30 :
He ain't dead ! I knew he couldn't be dead ! He's Firefly, he don't die like that !
Turns out he was only inside the thing I'm supposed to get to Tatooine. For the last three hours or so.
We were all there in the main hold, tryin' to figure out what exactly happened. Turns out T-3 knew Firefly was gonna fumble 'round with the thing, and that he was ordered to tell Carth if he didn't resurface within two hours. Carth then told Bastila, and they bumped into us and told us and we went from there.
I was relieved that the secret was out…but I didn't tell 'em that it was I who brought it in. Didn't have the courage, and they were all there, and I didn't want to tell everyone just yet…Bastila was frantic, she really cares far more than she lets on. Carth was worried too I think, but he wasn't gonna let it show 'cause he was too busy tryin' to figure it out. They went to ask Jolee, but as usual he wasn't much help.
I don't want to get old like him. Ever. Although I suspect he's exaggeratin' just for kicks. As I said, he's like an older Firefly. A kinder Firefly too.
But I think he sent me a knowin' glance, you know, that irritatin' Jedi look that tells you they know what you did and are just waitin' to see if you're gonna piss yourself and talk, and if so, what moment you'll choose.
Or maybe that's me over-imaginin' things…but I ain't in the habit of that.
Anyway, before we knew it the pyramid started glowin' again, then it opened up a bit and spat him out. Firefly I mean. Seems that even old artifacts can't stand him, as Jolee remarked dryly.
Firefly stood up and tried to play it off casually. He dusted his sleeves off and noted « So many to make sure I'm truly gone ? Why, I'm flattered. But don't hold your breath, you won't be rid of me that easily. »
That of course triggered a lot of reactions. Bastila just sniffed as usual keepin' her face completely emotionless apart from that condescendin' raisin' of the eyebrow, Carth laughed in relief and muttered somethin' like « Right, I should've known », T-3 beeped happily and Big Z growled a greetin'. Though he didn't sound really happy to see him, more like unsure what to think. I'll find out what's bugging him.
As for me I ran to him and hugged him tightly, that's how glad I was that he wasn't dead. He stiffened as always, and he didn't return the hug but I didn't expect him to (he's too proud to show affection the idiot). But it's okay, that's him after all and if he did I'd be far more worried.
That's when Chip manifested. « Did anyone miss me by any chance ? » he asked soundin' a bit sad. I laughed and told him I did, even though I gotta admit I didn't think too much 'bout him but I think it's true. Firefly without Chip just ain't the same. 'Sides Chip's a whole lot nicer.
Carth said we all felt his absence cruelly when we were tryin' to figure out what that thing was, 'cause you know, Chip's always got all the answers. I swear, he knows everythin' ! I could ask 'im who won the spitting championship on Backwateria three thousand and two years ago and he'd tell me the guy's name, surname, nickname, describe his genealogical tree and explain his biography, and then he'd apologize that some of the data isn't available 'cause it wasn't filed at the time.
Anyway, that seemed to make him feel better, he thanked us and Firefly remarked that « See ? I told you you were the most popular of us amongst this crew. Not that I envy you, mind you. »
They started walkin' out, Chip was commentin' but I didn't hear what he said 'cause he wasn't speakin' loud enough, but Carth stopped them by puttin' a hand on Firefly's arm. « Hey, we go through all that effort and we don't get any answers ? Doesn't seem fair, does it ? » he complained. « I agree, it doesn't ». Typical Firefly. If you want somethin', you can't use polite figures of speech unless you want to hear a lame-ass deadpan like that first. « So what happened ? » I asked directly. He smirked. « Why don't we get something to drink and I'll tell you all about it. » he said. « Sounds like a plan » Carth concluded.
We did just that. We all gathered in the common room 'round the table. We even got Juhani and Candy-man, 'cause Firefly said he didn't want to have to repeat himself. And then he started. I can't quote him, 'cause even my memory's got limits, but I can explain what he said in…es-sence, that's the word. Heard it from Bastila. It sounds cool.
Well, he told us that that thing I brought in is a jail. An ancient jail, where an alien has been locked up for thousands of years. He described him as a species that looks like the interface on Kashyyk, you know, the one Revan installed on the old computer s'posed to look after the planet's agriculture. Anyway, he skipped on the details, just said that the alien wanted his body to get out of there and leave 'im there high 'n dry. I mean that apparently the alien's mind could get transferred somehow into Firefly's body then use it to run around free. But he needed Firefly's go-ahead to do it.
And as Firefly says : « I'd sooner agree to adopting Mission and taking a desk job working for the Republic than letting that sorry excuse for a squishy punching-ball even have a taste of what my perfectly groomed body is capable of. » That hurt a bit, but I see where he's comin' from.
But the thing is, Firefly couldn't get out either unless the guy showed him how.
And so they agreed to settle who'd get the body through a game of riddles. Firefly said he was « sorely disappointed by what the alien managed to put together in thousands of years' worth of reflection ». I dunno if he's just boastin' or if he really did laminate him like he said.
Then he asked if anyone had any idea how that thing came into our possession. Nobody said they did. I didn't want to either, not in front of everyone. I think Juhani looked at me a bit funny, maybe she sensed my unease, but she was very discreet and didn't tell anyone. And Bastila didn't react. Maybe she was too distracted to notice.
Firefly…I dunno. He looked at all of us suspiciously, but he didn't comment. Then he took his leave. I stayed with Big Z, Carth, Canderous and Juhani to play a hand of Pazaak. T-3 was the referee. Bastila hesitated, then walked away too.
Haven't seen much of her since. I think she's calmed down a bit and I hope she's restin'. She's been lookin' tired in the last couple of days. I'll look in on her later.
Had a talk with Big Z too. Turns out he thought Firefly was to blame for my earlier outburst. So I told him the truth. He was disappointed I hadn't told him sooner, but he was glad to hear I was alright now. Though he told me not to do that again, the smugglin' suspicious things on board without tellin' anyone I mean. I promised I wouldn't, 'cause now I know it could've been much, much worse. And he said there was no way I was goin' to see that Hutt on my own.
I wouldn't have gone on my own anyway. I ain't stupid. But I feel better now knowin' that Big Z's gonna help me. And that I don't have to keep a secret from him anymore.
Question is, what will the others do with the prison thing ?
Bastila's report to the Jedi Masters on Dantooine [in code] :
Masters,
The troubles I advised you of have been explained. Eidan was trapped in an ancient sort of jail, based on a technology capable of dissociating the spirit from the body. His soul was literally imprisoned in the object on the pictures I'm sending along with this. He described its contents as blindingly white space with a floor of the same color, inhabited by a humanoid creature covered in scales, with an ovoid, hairless head on which the forehead is dominant in size. It has also two eyes on each side, on supple antennas. It was definitely sentient. Have you any idea what species it could be ? From Eidan's words, it is apparently roughly as ancient as the ruins on Dantooine.
What do you think we should do with that object Masters ? Would you like us to ship it to you when we are done with the next assignment ?
May the Force be with you,
-Padawan Shan.
T-3M4 black box : [translated from binary]
Current time : 22:43
Status report : all systems 100% operational
Running programs : Piloting system A-89Zx / Awareness K2 / Goliath 3.3
Active orders : « stop preaching about what I should or shouldn't have done » [not breaching the subject of human male Firefly's behaviour]; « keep on eye on things, would you ? » [overseeing the ship's welfare]
Current activity : passing through main hold on the way to cockpit.
Observations : human male Firefly arguing with human female Bastila Shan and human male Carth Onasi. Human male Canderous Ordo snickering by human male Firefly's bike. Twi'lek female Mission Vao's and Wookie male Zaalbar's footsteps approaching. Human male Jolee Bindo and Cathar female Juhani nowhere in sight. Occurrences when called « cute » in current cycle : 6.
Decisions prompted by observations : initiating wistful whistling, for everything is back to normal.
