Blood duel

- Jen Sahara -


Dreshdae was smaller than I'd expected, and mostly overrun with Czerka traders and desperate mercenaries searching for work. Soldiers in Sith uniform were also prevalent, but I'd yet to spot a Dark Jedi. I found my curiosity about the place was overriding my caution; I'd spent the last week fearing our arrival to Korriban, and now I was impatient to shake that useless feeling off.

Fear is for the weak.

It might be one of the few times I agreed with Evil Bitch, but even so, I breathed in deep and pushed the voice away, focussing on a calm that Juhani had me practising daily. I am at peace; I am resolute. If I hadn't been the one to find her, I never would have guessed that mere weeks ago Juhani had been rampaging out in the wilderness.

But her serenity and determination inspired me, and never had it been more crucial to rein in Revan's violent thoughts and inhumane emotions than on Korriban, training ground for the Sith.

I didn't enjoy even thinking her name in the privacy of my own head, but it was becoming second nature - and Canderous bloody Ordo wasn't helping any.

Our spars were useful. Despite what I believed was mild disapproval radiating from the Cathar, I actually felt more relaxed and at peace with myself afterward, not to mention that the practice seemed to be re-honing skills I'd once had. Either that, or I'm a fast learner. Regardless, I was already able to hit Canderous harder and more effectively.

The Mandalorian, however, seemed determined to distract me with war stories – and he certainly had quite a few. While interesting, informative, and occasionally appalling, it did make it difficult to stay focussed on the fight, and then my speed would be compromised. And he seems to have a penchant for bringing up Darth Revan. He'd obviously deduced it was a trigger of mine, and gleefully abused it for victory.

Her voice in my head had been quieter of late, less frequent, and I dearly hoped that was a sign of things to come. Carth's revelation had left me more than uneasy; I'd known something had happened on Deralia, but the implication here was torture. Jen, tortured because of Revan. I shivered, feeling like the edges of my soul were fraying. And then, what? Jen, killed by Revan or her followers? And of course Revan, killed by Bastila's strike force. But I had no memory from either side here; and just how I - Street Kid - fit into all of this was anybody's guess. I'd been a Jedi, once. Is it possible I agreed to this psychic minefield for some reason I don't yet remember?

But I most certainly didn't have the answers, so I'd thrown myself into training, both Force and combat alike. Since the devastating flashback on Rii'shn, I'd finally understood just how high the stakes were – just how shatteringly bad things could go if I let her take over.

And that was where the fear trickled back in. While my abilities with the Force were definitely improving, they were nothing to the power that Evil Bitch could draw on. Whether it was her experience or simply the dark side of the Force I didn't know, but I'd be dead many times over if it wasn't for her. Tatooine, against the Sand People. Rii'shn. Kylah.

Which swung me right back to my bond sister. Bastila, presumably, didn't know about Kylah yet. I'd had few conversations with her, and even during the last one she'd been uncharacteristically quiet.

"Does no one else think this is a bad idea?" Carth was demanding. We were due to exit hyperspace outside the Korriban system in little over an hour; a good time for us to regroup and confirm our plan of action. "Sending out just Jen and Juhani – the two who recently were slaughtering everything out in the Tatooine desert?"

"Look, I'm not saying it's a great idea. I'm saying it's the best one we've got," I explained, sighing. "Bastila can't leave the ship. Even you can't leave the ship, you're too… too-"

"Too what?" He frowned at me.

"Too Republic!" I snapped. I heard a snicker from Canderous. Bastila, leaning against Juhani on a tattered bench in the common room, had yet to offer any opinion on the matter.

"She's right," Canderous added in his gravelly voice. "Anyone looking at you can see you're a soldier, Onasi, and I don't reckon you'd do well playing at being on the Sith side."

"Aren't you a war hero yourself, Carth?" Mission piped in. "I mean, isn't there a chance you might get recognized by someone who follows all the boring HoloNet news?"

His shoulders dropped in defeat, and he sighed in capitulation. That's one down, I thought drily.

"(What you say makes sense, Jen Sahara. I shall travel with you, of course, and guard your back.)" Zaalbar said, as solemnly as a Wookiee could.

I shook my head. "Not a good idea. Teethree may have succeeded in changing the ship's signature, but there'll be reports of our crew make up. And a seven foot Wookiee isn't exactly subtle. Look – we're going to need people staying in the ship – as guards. Think about the repercussions if some little Sithling snuck onboard and discovered Bastila Shan was on Korriban."

"I could come with you and help," Mission said brightly. "Like, I could pretend to be your slave or something. I bet those Sith scum will buy that. And you know how sneaky I can be."

I stared at her in silence, while Zaalbar howled in protest. There was no way I could let Mission near the Sith Academy, but I also understood her character, and that the wrong words would merely spur her to reckless behaviour.

"(Absolutely not, Mission!)" Zaalbar growled. "(Not if I have to truss-)"

"Zaalbar," I snapped, and the Wookiee quietened. Mission's headtails were already twitching in petulant protest and her eyes sparking with temper. I noticed absently that Bastila had closed hers. "Mission," I said in a calm voice. "It would be suicide for you to go anywhere near the Sith Academy. No matter if you are unseen and unheard - it won't stop Force users from sensing you. And if we were somehow separated, and other Dark Jedi thought you were a slave…"

"Slavery is an abhorrent practice," Juhani hissed suddenly. "I do not think I could pretend to have one."

Mission still looked mulish, and I sighed. "Look, I'd feel better if I knew you were still on the 'Hawk. Dreshdae is Czerka controlled, and I don't trust them not to go snooping around docked ships."

"Fine," Mission said sulkily. "I'll stay behind then."

My eyes swung to the Mandalorian, and he lifted a brow at me. He hadn't been forthright regarding his plans, and whether they included our quest or not. I loathed the idea of him leaving with full knowledge of what we were embarking upon, but then I also didn't believe he'd betray me. Not without reason, anyway.

"What about you, Canderous?" I asked finally. "Are you with us?"

He stared at me for some time before finally answering. "Truthfully, I haven't decided yet. There are things I haven't quite worked out," he said slowly, more cryptically than was customary from him. "I'm a mercenary these days, and other than the one job from Karon, I haven't seen any credits. I remember Bastila promising me payment back on Tatooine."

At her name, Bastila stirred, opening her eyes and sending Canderous an astringent look. "I believe I said the Masters would pay you well for your services, Canderous, and they shall. When we encounter them."

"I don't have anything to pay you," I added. "Your assistance would be useful, although I don't know how well a Mandalorian would fit in a Dark Jedi training facility…"

Canderous grunted. "I'll check out Dreshdae, and go talk to some of the mercs. If you need my help, ask and we'll talk. If I decide to go my own way, you'll know."

I looked at the large warrior, appraising him as I silently mulled over his words. He'd been generous with his time, and scathing with his insults. Definitely a self-centred man but with his own code of honour that I respected. I found myself hoping he'd stay.

"So, just you two then," Carth was muttering "I suppose you're right Jen, it's the best option – but I don't like it."

"I'll have Bastila as well," I responded quietly, and she turned to look at me then, eyes as dark and silent as our bond had been of late. "I'm counting on your guidance to get through this, Bastila."

She nodded, and a moment after I heard the words.

I will aid you the best I can.

A day later, and we were trudging through the plasteel tunnels of the Czerka colony. From the little I knew of Korriban, most of the planet was a dead rock, and Dreshdae the only actual settlement if you didn't count the Academy. While it had a breathable atmosphere, Korriban was cold and sulphuric, so most sentients did not leave Dreshdae unless they had to.

I'd left the 'Hawk outfitted with an alloy mesh armour Zaalbar had patched up, and a standard issue vibroblade visible on my hip. For our first foray into Dreshdae I thought it sensible to appear as mercenaries; by mutual consent, Juhani and I had both concealed our 'sabers. She had, however, eschewed any form of armour despite the Wookiee's growing collection.

As always, the local cantina was our first destination as a starting point for information and, therefore, Canderous joined us. He was on the outlook for a weapons trader; he'd lost his highly modified repeating blaster to the Selkath on Manaan, and we were all a bit sick of his grumbling regarding the fragilities of the Echani weaponry he was wielding.

After auto-printing the appropriate forms and paying the exorbitant docking fee to an officious Czerka employee, we moved out of the spaceport area of Dreshdae and towards the commercial sector, sparse and small though it may be. A cluster of uniformed Sith soldiers were chatting animatedly to each other at the turn of the corrider, but they quietened as we approached. The apparent leader, a young male human, eyed us over derogatively.

"Well, well, another group of worn out mercenaries come begging for a job," he drawled to his followers.

Juhani tensed but Canderous seemed unfazed, treating them to one of his unimpressed stares. "That's the very definition of mercenaries, ain't it. We go looking for jobs."

"Oh great, a Mandalorian," he muttered. "I'm sick of you lot crowding out the cantina. Why don't you go find another war to lose?" The other soldiers snickered as the first sneered at Canderous. The Mandalorian looked at them disparagingly but stalked on; in another place, I'd doubt Canderous would allow such taunts without repercussion.

I shot him a questioning look as we left them behind.

"Kids playing with guns," he drawled at me. "All bollocks and no brains. I'm not so old that I don't remember being that cocky."

I snorted. "Honestly, Canderous, I don't think you've mellowed that much with age."

He shot me a feral grin as we rounded a corner and the tunnel widened into a circular plaza, with numerous exits leading off to various retailers. The grubby beige walls were rounded outwards, marred with numerous vents that kept the air conditioned within the colony. Various holo-pictures were tacked up in a disorganized fashion, advertising products or services available throughout Dreshdae. Most of them were stamped with the Czerka emblem, the conglomerate that owned a fair whack of the galaxy's commerce.

On Korriban, however, I wondered whether bounties and merc jobs were more prevalent than retail. Somehow, I can't see people haggling over the price of the latest hygiene product to come from Alderaan. The scalp of some unfortunate – yes. That seems more likely.

The plaza was meant to be the central point of the colony, and I found it to be a bit of an ugly eyesore. The cantina's entrance was immediately visible, and the three of us walked in cautiously. The décor was stark and bare in contrast to the plaza, immediately making me conclude that this place, at least, wasn't run by a Czerka affiliate. The room itself was elongated and rectangular, split into two sides around a prominent bar that gleamed silver until artificial lighting.

Thick cigarra smoke clung to the vented ceiling, the source being a group of Mandalorian mercenaries drinking around a large table. Canderous' attention was caught, and he strode over to them with a swagger in his step.

Juhani shot me a questioning look, and I shrugged my shoulders; at this stage, I didn't have a better place to go as the rest of the cantina looked mostly deserted, so I wandered slowly after Canderous.

"Canderous Ordo!" the nearest Mandalorian hollered, catching sight of our motley group and standing in greeting. With amusement, I spotted five guns on his immediate person, and idly wondered how many more were concealed. Mandalorians.

"Ergeron Jangar," Canderous replied. He sounded pleasantly surprised, an emotion relatively unfamiliar from the brawny Mandalorian. It briefly occurred to me that right here might be where we parted ways.

"I haven't see you since Malachor," the one called Ergeron commented. The other residents had turned to face Canderous appraisingly.

"You're well decked out," Canderous said. "Been adding guns to your collection?"

Losing interest, I surveyed the room again, this time my eye landing on a Twi'lek lounging in the opposite corner. One of the few other beings in the room had just placed a colourful drink on her table, and scurried off via a dismissive motion from her.

A tingle of premonition tickled me and I left Canderous, sauntering around the other side of the bar. The server was busy pouring another drink for the human who'd scuttled away. I felt the comforting presence of Juhani behind me and I paused for a moment, observing, while the same human tottered back to the corner, this time with a grotesque purple concoction clutched in his hands.

The Twi'lek, outfitted in a skimpy leather costume that left little to the imagination, appeared decidedly unimpressed. Her attire would have me picking her for a slave had it not been for her confident expression and obvious authority over the younger human, who'd slumped in dejection.

Tattoos inked over the top of violet lekku, and her sultry lips had been darkened to black. Her eyes… shot up swiftly to meet my appraisal, and I recognized them as an unnatural violent purple. Dark Jedi. Powerful, if her eyes have turned. I didn't want to dwell on where that thought had originated.

I strode forward again, this time with forced confidence, and the Twi'lek once more shooed away the drink giver.

"Go away," she said to him, pleasantly but firmly. Her striking eyes swung back to me. "And what do I have here, hmm? A couple of Force-sensitive mercenaries, loitering in Dreshdae."

Her voice was sultry, melodious, and along with her attire oozed sexuality. With a start I realized I could sense the Force swirling around her and, by Juhani's tense presence at my back, she had too.

Exercise caution, Bastila murmured. I hadn't realized she was paying attention as the bond was still insubstantial and faded. The few times I'd seen her awake, Bastila had appeared as weak as a day old ash-rabbit. She may not be hostile, but a Dark Jedi of this power will not tolerate any insubordination.

"I am Ness Jonohl," I introduced, a fake name spontaneously slipping from my tongue. "This is my friend Staria."

"And you want to join the Sith," the Twi'lek replied, her dark lips twisting in amusement.

I wanted access to the valley, the one the public HoloNet listed as the area of excavations and Force-sensitive tombs. But the Czerka officials in the docking bay had also informed me that only Sith students or associated personnel were permitted access.

I inclined my head at her, not quite willing to answer. She quirked an eyebrow at that, her smirk deepening.

"Not so apparently desperate as most others, I see," she murmured. "Have a seat, Ness, and we'll talk. Your friend Staria can buy me a Corellian whiskey."

I looked questioningly at the two colourful cocktails placed in front of her, and a tinkling laugh met my unspoken question. "Dear Shaardan is still trying to guess my drink of choice. I suppose I should give him an indication of my preferences, but his eagerness to please is very amusing. You can have one, if you like."

I shook my head in dismissal, not willing to trust drinks of unknown origin. "Can you get us both a whiskey, Staria?" I asked quietly over my shoulder.

I sensed the faint humming of disapproval through the bond. Be careful, Jen. You do not want to impair your judgement in front of a Dark Jedi master.

Her caution annoyed me as always, but now, perhaps, I could forgive her for it, better understanding the demon that lurked in my mind.

But I do need to ingratiate myself with her I suspect. First impressions are important.

There was a pause before she replied: Fair point.

I sat in a proffered chair, and the Twi'lek smiled at me, but her unnatural eyes were watchful, intent. "So," she said at last. "I am Yuthura Ban, but I suspect you know that already if you're here."

I smiled in what I hoped was agreement, unwilling to disabuse her.

"You and your friend are either powerful, or already trained in the Force, either of which intrigues me," she continued on. "Or I suppose you could be both. We get plenty of turned Jedi here, but normally they dress the part." She looked down at my armour disparagingly, before eyeing over my face. I was uncomfortably aware of the swollen bruising still prevalent from my sparring. "If you wish to join our Academy, you need to prove your worth."

Oh great. A little Sith initiation scheme no doubts. "And how do we do that?"

The amusement faded from her relaxed expression, chased by something akin to disappointment. "We Sith encourage independent thinking, but if you must have a little pointer, I will tell you thus: Open the Academy door yourself, and you will be admitted into our ranks."

Juhani was back, placing our drinks down and taking a seat. She looked awkward and tense, and had not ordered a drink herself. Somehow, I had the feeling she generally abstained, being in the company of Dark Jedi notwithstanding. Yuthura glanced back at the Cathar, and once more appeared diverted.

"Of course, you could perform a little task for me, and I would then sponsor your application myself," she said breezily.

I eyed over the two garish cocktails. The first had turned a murky green colour and appeared to be bubbling. "Let me guess, I have to order your favourite dinner?" I replied drily.

Yuthura laughed merrily, sounding genuinely entertained. "I think I can employ your talents a little more productively. Are you interested, Ness Jonohl?"

I paused at that, eyeing over the Twi'lek measuringly. There was no denying she held raw power and seemed content with her career choices, at least outwardly. Although Yuthura didn't appear to be overtly evil, as such, there was no denying the Dark Side had corrupted her – at least, in a physical sense, if her eyes were anything to go by. Curiously, I wondered what her desires and motivations were.

"Why would I want to join the Sith?" I asked slowly.

Jen. This is a dangerous line of inquiry.

Yuthura looked surprised. "An interesting question," she murmured, "and not one I hear often. For, after all, Force-sensitives on Dreshdae are usually here because they already know the benefits. But perhaps you are undecided. In the end, you will either embrace ultimate power or run in cowardice."

"Ultimate power," I said sceptically. Not every little Sithling wields ultimate power. Some run. Some hide. Some go insane, as Evil Bitch so often showcases.

Her face turned contemplative, almost rapturous as she elaborated. "There is nothing as glorious as bending the Force to your will. It rewards the cunning and the mighty – we, who have been gifted and set above the rest." Her eyes snapped back to mine, piercing in their luminescence. "So, what is it to be? I desire a truthful answer. Are you here to be a Sith or not?"

"What are your tasks?" I riposted. I picked up my glass and took a cautious sip. The liquid burned a slow, welcoming fire deep in my belly.

A responding smile curved her full, dark lips. "There is a… very important visitor hiding out in the private Czerka suites. She is one of us, but she has not made herself known to either myself or my master. It would be… intriguing if someone could unearth her reasons for hiding out on Korriban. I would proceed with caution, however." Yuthura tapped long fingers on the tables. I sensed rather than saw Juhani shift in uneasiness. "Alternatively, you could eliminate a group of runaways from the Academy. Last seen heading to the shyrack caves – although I do suggest you research those first. Force sensitives rarely, if ever, return from there, and I imagine Thalia May and her friends have long since perished. Proof of that would suffice." Yuthura looked me over again. "If none of those appeal to you, human, then you shall just have to find another way of impressing me."

"You left us to die!" a voice roared from behind us, and I twisted around to see one of Mandalorian mercenaries shake an armoured fist threateningly at Canderous.

"Mercenaries," Yuthura muttered derisively. "Arguing over the size of their vibroblades, no doubt."

"I did what was necessary at the time," Canderous bellowed back. "If I had not done it, the battle would have-"

"The battle would have been won anyway!" the other man snarled.

"Excuse me, I'll think about what you said," I muttered absently and left the Twi'lek, who shot me a startled, perhaps even offended, glance. Juhani scrabbled to her feet to follow me.

"I will have my vengeance – for the men who died at Althir. I challenge you to a blood duel, Canderous of clan Ordo!" The angry words rang out clearly though the cantina.

I froze halfway back to the mercenaries, who had all fallen silent, warily watching Canderous and the other Mandalorian face each other. They both wore identical expressions of rage. A blood duel? A dazed vertigo assailed me briefly; I shook my head irritably and it dispersed.

"I did what was expedient, and for the greater glory of Mand'alor, Jagi," Canderous countered in a low, furious tone. "I'll not hesitate to fight you, but for the sake of our history I'll give you one last chance to back out."

Jagi, darker-skinned and slighter in build, threw back his head and laughed mockingly. It was an angry sound. "It was for the greater glory of Canderous Ordo! Are you so without honour that you refuse to accept? You bring shame onto your clan-"

"Shut your mouth!" Canderous thundered. His jaw was set. "I accept, Jagi of clan Bala. It will be your end."

"You will not win," Jagi's voice had dropped, his eyes narrowing in unconcealed fury. "Not when the debt of honour is so great. In fact- I call upon a second! Allen of clan Bala, will you guard my back and fight for my honour, should I be no more than a battle song?"

One of the other warriors who had been at the back of the pack, out of sight, stepped forward to face Canderous. He was dark haired and skinned, with the same wiry build and long face as Jagi. Brothers, I bet.

"Allen-" Canderous started in surprise.

The man's lips twisted. "Yeah, I survived too. Only a handful of us got out alive – the rest were slaughtered for your glory. Jagi, I accept!"

Canderous swung his attention back to Jagi, and his eyes had turned flinty grey. His rugged face could have been carved from permacrete. "Very honourable, Jagi, to challenge me away from my clan," he drawled sarcastically.

"If you can't find a second, Canderous, that's your problem. You'll just have to go through both of us if you want to gain a shred of dignity back." Jagi crossed his arms, a smug look of righteous superiority gaining precedence on his weathered face.

Canderous must have glanced towards Ergeron, for I spotted his friend shake his head ever so slightly.

"I need time to contact my allies," Canderous bit out. "You cannot deny-"

"Three days," Jagi spat. "I have waited years to repay you in kind. I shall not give you the chance to run away. I challenge you to reclaim your honour outside the shyrack caves, at dawn in three days time! My choice of weapons is vibroblades."

There was an undercurrent of murmuring at that, and I saw a look of distaste cross Canderous' face. "Vibroblades?" he countered derisively.

A scowl twisted Jagi's long face. "Not so good with those, are you, Canderous? Vibroblades may not be traditional, but they will do. I will reclaim my honour!" Jagi's voice had the ring of righteous fury towards the end.

The wooziness returned, and with it, a memory...

An older man, heavily muscled and highly armoured, faced me across a dusty clearing that was smattered with corpses and limbs and broken weaponry. His face was pierced and tattooed; his eyes dark and watchful. Dozens of heavyset Mandalorian warriors stood some way back, weaponless and mostly injured. Near all had markings on their face. Clan leaders.

Surrounding them was a mass of Republic soldiers that stretched deep into the distance, swamping clusters of unarmed Mandalorian foot soldiers. Plumes of smoke decorated the landscape, and here and there was the shine of a lightsaber announcing the presence of a Jedi.

"Dereck of clan Takal has accepted," the man stated, his eyes never leaving mine. He wore an ornate horned helmet; ostentatiously visible and marking him as supreme leader. "This battlefield may be the end of our offensive, but I will reclaim my honour by striking you, the leader of my enemy, down first!"

"You don't have to do this," a voice muttered behind me. It sounded furious. "It's insane, even for you."

The older man continued taunting. "Dereck of clan Takal will fight for my honour should I be no more than a battle song on the lips of my clan. Is there no one who will stand as your second, Jedi Revan Freeflight? Is there no one who believes in your honour?"

An overwhelming nausea threatened to overwhelm me as I struggled to push the vision away. My stomach heaved. Just when I thought that bitch was quiet, memories of her past had to overrun my present.

Jen?

Did you see that? I fired through the bond, as the vertigo assailing me slowly melted away. I felt Juhani's hand on my arm, anchoring me to the present.

I cannot see through your eyes, Jen.

"As I thought," Jagi taunted mockingly. "No one here is willing to stand up for your honour."

Canderous will lose face, even should he win, I realized with sudden clarity.

My head shot up and I strode forward to Canderous' side. I could see him shaking with fury. The words tumbled out, clear and loud and fierce. "I will stand for Canderous of clan Ordo. I, Jen of clan Sahara, will guard his back and fight for his honour should he be no more than a battle song on the lips of his clan!"

Canderous jerked his head to face me, intense and severe, but I found myself unable to read his expression.

Jen, what are you doing?

Jagi scoffed mockingly as he glanced at me in derision. "An outsider, Canderous? Really?"

"Says the one duelling with vibroblades," I snapped. "Outsiders are allowed, even if it is unorthodox. Didn't your Mandalore fight Darth Revan in a blood duel?"

For some reason Canderous choked, appearing visibly startled as he continued to stare at me. Jagi, on the other hand, just looked annoyed. "Big words from such a small human. This does not concern you."

"I accept, Jen of clan Sahara." Canderous said, his voice strong and sure, his eyes still never leaving mine.

"Fine, so be it," Jagi spat. "I'll spread the word, Canderous, so if you don't show you'll be known far and wide as the disgraced coward you are!"

"I will be there, Jagi!" Canderous snarled, swinging back to face his old comrade. "See that you are!"

This is unwise, Jen. This is not what we are here on Korriban for.

Canderous is one of us, I shot back.

Is he?

Jagi and his presumed brother Allen stalked past us and out of the cantina. I spotted Canderous' old friend Ergeron edge away towards the bar.

Well, I daresay he will be after this duel.

"Thank you, Jen Sahara," Canderous muttered. "You don't understand what this means to a Mando'ade. Or- maybe you do. I dunno," he scowled. "I need to be on my own for a bit. Jagi was a good friend and a fellow warrior, once. I'll- I guess you have some questions, and you have a right to them. But give me some time. I'll see you back at the 'Hawk tomorrow."

With a nod, more respectful than I'd seen from him before, he turned and left the cantina. The remaining mercenaries looked away from us, murmuring amongst themselves. I turned around, back towards the Twi'lek Dark Jedi, but some time during the ensuing confrontation Yuthura had left.

"That was unexpected," Juhani said softly, her slanted eyes holding mine as if in question. A blood duel, I wondered. Unexpected is not the word. And another flashback from the insane villain in my head. Bastila had told me, back on Tatooine, that I'd been a Jedi once and followed Darth Revan into the Mandalorian Wars and subsequently the Dark Side. I shivered. If that was true – and I didn't entirely trust Bastila's honesty – then perhaps I'd actually seen that famous duel.

I'd have one up on Canderous then, ha.

What do you mean?

And there was my bond-sister once more. Bastila had thought more words to me in the previous hour than we'd spoken since we first entered Manaan airspace. My thoughts were whirling from this unexpected Mandalorian business, but more pressing were the words that needed to be said between us. I'd vowed to stop running, and that meant facing up to Bastila.

We need to talk, Bastila. I pushed the thought out decisively before I could change my mind. I found something out on Rii'shn.

She paused before replying. Something that made you return?

Yes. Something that made me realize I couldn't keep running.

There was another silence. I felt like we were stepping on eggshells around each other, both wary and trying to keep a peace that neither was sure would last. Our track record hadn't exactly been promising. I idly wondered if the Jedi Order had ever had two such ill-matched people bond together.

"Jen, are you okay?" Juhani queried. I nodded briefly at her, vaguely aware that I was standing still in the middle of the cantina, staring blindly at a side wall. I stalked over to the nearest chair and sat, with Juhani following me in puzzlement.

"Just having a conversation with Bastila," I explained.

Very well. Bastila's mental voice sounded weary, and fainter than before. Say what you will.

I would prefer to talk in person. I needed to see her face. She had the upper edge with the bond - I did not underestimate Bastila's mental aptitude with the Force. I had to see her expressions, indicators that would give her away. Our inconvenient mind-link was too easy to hide in.

If you must. But may I suggest you pay a visit to the Academy first. It would be a good idea to orientate yourself even if you cannot get past the door.

See what we're up against, huh. It shouldn't take long, and wasn't a bad idea. Judging from Yuthura's description, I was willing to bet some sort of dark Force power was required to get in. It's one way of proving yourself a Sith. I didn't really fancy sucking up to Yuthura – tracking down Dark Jedi, runaway or otherwise, wasn't appealing and likely to end in bloodshed. Bloodshed – the very thing I was trying to avoid. On Korriban, of all places.

Okay. We'll go see what's so special about this sodding door. Then I'll come back and we'll talk.

xXx

Outside the colony the air tasted sharp and stung irritably in my eyes. The landscape was bleak; dusty moors stretching into rocky outcrops on either side. One sun radiated a harsh light that reflected glaringly from all sides. I squinted in annoyance and wished for a visor of some description.

"If you embrace the Force it aids somewhat," Juhani murmured quietly. "And perhaps it is prudent to be prepared in a place such as this."

It was relatively deserted outside; I'd spotted a group of traders and their droids head towards the west, following a beaten path that led towards the nearby cliffs. The shyrack caves, I mused, remembering a detailed holo-map of the area transmitted on the side of our docking bay. From what Yuthura implied, that area is safer for non Force users. I wonder why.

My attention swung back the other way, towards a wide ferracrete path inlaid deep into the stone ground. Blocks of varying shades of grey had been placed in a pleasing pattern, forming a sort of road that twisted towards the nearby mountains. From here, I could see where it ended – in a distant archway etched into the side of the nearest peak.

"That's the academy," I said softly. "It's dug deep into the rock. There's an exit on the other side of the peak and that grants access to the Sith tombs. There's at least six different Sith lords laid to rest there, in tombs riddled with traps and archaeological mysteries."

Juhani turned to stare at me in surprise. "How do you know all that, Jen?" she whispered.

"It's amazing what you find on the HoloNet," I answered wryly, taking a breath and starting the short journey to the Academy. "Although, granted, there wasn't much about Korriban." Certainly I didn't find anything on the Star Map, but being an ancient Force relic it was a logical conclusion that its location was with a dead Sith Lord. Dark Force users were attracted to power, after all. I grimaced.

We lapsed into a comfortable silence, trudging along the strikingly decorative path as the dusty planet echoed an emptiness all around us. The road was surprisingly quiet, and I found myself curious about my Cathar friend. Although we'd spent a lot of time together recently, it had mostly revolved around Force discussions and meditation.

"What made you decide to join the Jedi, Juhani?" I asked, breaking the silence at last.

She glanced at me, her slanted eyes widening in deep surprise. To my astonishment, her cheeks turned a faint red. Juhani… blushing?

Jen. Are you prying? Bastila's tone was sharp, and yet she still felt incorporate, weak. I ignored her.

"You don't have to talk, if you don't want to," I said mildly, but I was curious. "I mean, I'm certainly interested, but your secrets are your own, my friend."

She breathed in sharply at that, as if I'd shocked her once more. Then a genuine, warm, smile curved her face. "Thank you, Jen Sahara," Juhani said softly. "We Cathar do not make friends easily. Your manner and respect means a lot to me."

I smiled back, feeling lighter. Juhani had been the only one not to question me about Rii'shn, and my actions on the 'Hawk prior. She simply accepted that it had been a struggle with the Dark Side, and that now, I was back on the right track. I didn't really know how I'd come to deserve the Cathar's regard.

I expected the conversation to be over, so was surprised when Juhani spoke again.

"The Mandalorians slaughtered most of my people on Cathar. I was but a kit, then, and the Republic didn't yet acknowledge them as a threat – they were still busy rebuilding after Exar Kun." She paused, her eyes tawny and thoughtful in the harsh Korriban sunlight. "My parents were refugees, and they found sanctuary on Taris."

"Taris," I said blankly. "Taris? As in, the scum infested hole flyboy and I crashed on?"

She smiled, but it was sad, almost tormented. I recalled suddenly how non-humans were persecuted on that planet. "Yes. My father lasted three months before lashing out against a member of the aristocracy – he was jailed, and my mother never saw him again. I believe that is when she truly began to struggle, a non-human refugee on Taris, trying to raise a young daughter on her own."

Juhani trailed off, and we walked for minutes in silence. Jen Sahara's childhood was, despite her oppressive father, peaceful and happy. Street Kid's – mine – well, I'd only had glimpses of it. While the poverty could likely compare to Juhani's, somehow I felt I'd been luckier, or coped better. Or had the advantage of a strong friend at my back. The bitter melancholy I sensed from my friend touched on a childhood fraught with pain.

Juhani breathed in deeply and continued her story. "I will not wallow in memories, but suffice to say – my mother died in debt to the Exchange, and I was taken as payment. Then, a group of Jedi came, and changed everything."

There was no elaboration at first. The path was steeper now, climbing up the rocky outcrop. We'd turned a sharp bend, and the deep archway was hidden from view, but it couldn't be far, now.

"They rescued you?"

"They shut down the child slave trade, and set up schools and orphanages. One of them spoke to me, told me I had Force sensitivity, and that I could pursue training should I wish. I… I was enamoured, and it became a burning drive to emulate these heroes and follow in their footsteps. It was an end to the nightmare that had been Taris, and not long after I was on Dantooine, making my dream a reality."

It sounded lovely, and had altered life drastically for Juhani, but Taris hadn't seemed any better when I'd visited it. "The Exchange were still running a slave trade not so long ago. I didn't see any services for orphans, and discrimination was rampant. The Jedi-"

"Saved my life, and that of many others," Juhani cut in sharply, fire flashing in her eyes. "You do not know the torment I suffered through on Taris. You have no idea what it is like to be bound like a beast and treated as such!"

"I don't dispute that Juhani. Just whether the Jedi made any lasting difference on Taris."

She sighed, a look of defeat passing her eyes as her anger faded. "Perhaps you are right. They left, to fight the Mandalorians, and I expect Taris went back to the way it always had been. It… it was a rat-hole, a festering warren… but as much as I hated it, it was still home. I grieved when I heard of the orbital bombardment."

I mulled over the timing in my head. "You would have been with us then."

Juhani nodded in assent. "I overheard Mission speaking of it, on the Ebon Hawk after we left Tatooine. I didn't want to believe it. This is the first I have spoken of it."

Juhani was an intensely private person, I realized as I looked at her sideways. Dressed plainly, she strode with a sinewy grace, and her very build right to the warriors tail at the back of her head calmly stated that this was not someone to be trifled with. We were lucky to have her with us.

We'd rounded another bend, and the Academy entrance suddenly loomed into view, tall pillars carved deep into a stark cliff face. The arch of the inset entrance was higher than I thought, grand and imposing. Foreign symbols were etched on either side of expansive double doors that appeared to be made out of a dark form of ferracrystal.

I shivered. I felt a cloying, hungry feeling all around me, and hoped like frell that Evil Bitch hadn't been here before. Who am I kidding. Of course she sodding well has. She probably tortured all sorts of budding lil Sithlings.

And found the Star Map.

I stopped in the middle of the path, some distance away from the structure, where I could make out three figures hanging about the entrance. I didn't know who'd found the Star Maps. Bastila had said that Malak – and presumably Evil Bitch before him – was believed to be using whatever the maps pointed to, to power their expansive armada.

Yet Street Kid had found the one on Tatooine, I remembered that much. I don't want to believe that I followed them down into depravity, down into the Dark Side. Maybe Bastila had only said that to explain the murderous anger in my head, without divulging Revan's presence. How else could she explain it away? My eyes narrowed, as my thoughts spun wildly. Then maybe I'd been on this same quest – to stop Malak and Revan before. Before… before whatever happened at Deralia to me and Jen and Darth Evil Bitch. Before she tortured Jen.

Or maybe… maybe I really did turn dark, and I found the Star Map on Revan's orders.

No… I didn't want to think that… couldn't think that. Street Kid was good, dammit, she had a good heart and strength of character and was everything I wanted to be. She'd loved a good man, and that love was returned, from the little I had seen.

I wonder what happened to him. Intense sadness assailed me, for surely there was no answer, other than death, to that question. Otherwise, where was he now?

Well, I thought with finality. Maybe I did fight in the Mandalorian Wars, but that doesn't mean I followed the same path of corruption. Surely not every Jedi who fought to protect the Republic would have turned around and betrayed it. Surely I wouldn't have. I had a feeling that the strength of the Republic had been important to Street Kid. I won't believe I fell. Not until Bastila gives me a name I can 'Net search for myself.

I noticed Juhani looking at me measuringly, waiting with patience in the middle of the dusty road. She probably assumed I was once more chatting with my bond sister, and I gave her a brief nod. I need to think towards the solution. I'm involved in this quest because I've found at least one of the maps before. I may have been exceedingly unhelpful on Tatooine and Manaan, but dammit – that's changing now. Surely either Evil Bitch or Street Kid have been to the Korriban Star Map before.

I idly wondered if there was a way to force flashbacks, before realizing how dangerously unpalatable that would be should it provoke Revan. I'd be happy if I never heard her again.

Bastila, I pushed out through the bond. Who found the Korriban Star Map before?

There was no answer. I nudged slightly against our psychic link, and it provided little resistance – Bastila, I believed, had fallen into a deep sleep. I sighed, and strode forward. Yet again, it seemed my answers would have to wait.

As we neared, it became obvious that a human man dressed in plain dark clothes was in charge, and having a great deal of enjoyment berating the other two - a young Bothan and a slightly older human, both of whom were standing to attention.

"You moved! True Sith show dedication, Jorso," the first man mocked, twirling a deactivated lightsaber in his hands. "After eighteen hours, I expect you to be better, not worse!"

Our footsteps slowed, and the Dark Jedi human turned to sneer at us. "I think you took the wrong turn, mercenaries, unless you're hungry for a little lightsaber action. So get lost, unless you want me to teach you a lesson."

I felt my eyebrows lift. "Wow. And I'd heard the Sith were so polite," I drawled. Juhani shifted next to me into a battle ready pose.

A curious, calculating look crossed the man's face and he strode over to us, leaving the other two standing prone at the entrance of the great Academy.

"We can be, if it's in our interests. You must be hopefuls, dressed as common mercs. Well, you can always join them." The man jerked his head sharply towards the two behind him a cruel smile on his lips.

"What are you doing to them?" Juhani asked, her voice quietly intense. She was getting upset, although in truth the Bothan and older human didn't look to be in pain of any sort.

The man smirked. "It's simple, really. I'll let in whoever remains standing the longest. If I'm in a good mood."

Juhani's eyes flashed fire. "You should not toy with people's lives! That's disgusting and barbaric."

The man gave her a decidedly unimpressed glare. "I'm sorry, did you think we were in a nursery?" he sneered.

I snorted, strode past him and up to the looming doors. The two hopefuls refused to meet my eye, and now that I was next to them I saw the human was pale and sweating. The Bothan looked a little better, but his fur was probably concealing his true condition. I took a step closer to the door and pushed.

It was as ineffectual as I expected, and I heard a snicker behind me. I forced my weight behind it, pushing harder, to no avail. Sighing, I drew slightly on the Force, tasting its life and sweetness and tempting power, and then released it in a focussed punch at the door.

"That didn't frelling work either," I muttered.

"You must be very sharp to possess such an astute sense of perception!" the Dark Jedi called out mockingly from behind. I sighed again, turned, and strode back to him and Juhani. "Obviously deaf, however, since I asked you to leave."

I ignored that, and stared the human straight in the face. Angry blue eyes under a shock of black hair met mine dead on – he was handsome and young, in his late teens or early twenties. Much younger than me.

With a start, I realized I didn't know my own age. Jen Sahara was twenty-six galactic years. I knew, somehow, that I was years older.

"I'll leave," I answered, aware my silence had been nonplussing him. "After you've told me what sort of Force is required to open the door." It'd be something dark, a twisted application of the living energy all around us.

"You think I would tell you?" he snapped back, his mouth contorting. "Have my brains started dribbling out of my nose, or something?"

Juhani shifted again, and he eyed her over, still scowling. The sun winked behind the cliffs as late afternoon shadow threw the entrance into dusk.

"Look, if you two want to be admitted, go and see Yuthura in Dreshdae like the rest of the rabble." He smiled, and it was a cruel sight. "Tell her Mekel sent you. Unless, of course, you want to join Jorso and Drel."

"You won't let either of them in, will you," Juhani whispered. "You would let them die out here of exposure first."

"Idiot," he sneered at her. "A Sith is not a bantha, all endurance and no brains. If these rotgrubs are as stupid as they seem then they deserve their fate."

I looked the human man up and down, considering my options silently. If I challenged Mekel, I was pretty confident I could force my way into the Academy. But I wasn't ready to resort to violence, not yet, not if there was another way. The evil presence in my head hamstrung me. Maybe I do need to investigate Yuthura's tasks first. I wasn't naive enough to believe we could find the map without any violence – not here, not on Korriban – but I didn't exactly want to rush into it. Pain and anger were the two guaranteed ways to wake up Revan.

And I liked having my head back to myself.

I sighed. "Let's go back, for now." I nodded at Mekel, or whoever he was. "I'll see you again."

"Jen," Juhani hissed after I'd taken a few steps. I stopped, raising a quizzical eyebrow. "Are we just going to leave those poor men there in the hands of that… Sith?"

I looked back at the Academy. Mekel had turned to saunter back to the others, who were still standing immobile, desperation blinding them to the obvious. Empathy was something I aspired to, especially now, now with the shattering knowledge I'd acquired on Rii'shn. But there was a time and a place, and honestly – we had more vital things to be concerned about. "I highly doubt they'll perish, Juhani," I said slowly. "Persuading them to leave will draw Mekel's attention more than I'd like to at the moment. They are here by their own choice, and we simply cannot afford the risk of convincing them otherwise."

She looked at me for a long time before nodding reluctantly. "I hope you are right, Jen. For I believe if we have the opportunity to redeem someone, we should grasp it wholeheartedly."

We started walking back, and a chill swept me as the light slowly faded. Redemption… While I admired Juhani's righteous drive, I only had to look inside my own head to see that for some, redemption was simply not an option.

xXx