"So, I think it's obvious what our next move is."

I said this while watching the roaring firepit of our cabin. Our dinner hissed on the grill—some strange Kashyyyk delicacy. The team didn't rush to comment as if they had forgotten what I'd told them about Chuundar and his slimy dealings. Bastila and Juhani sat due to their leg injuries. Everyone else encircled the fire with me or leaned against the wooden bark of the walls.

When no one spoke, I looked away from the fire.

Carth crossed his arms. "Obviously not, care to enlighten us?"

"We have no choice but ignore Chuundar's stupid deal and start the Wookiee rebellion."

Bastila huffed. "You still haven't let that go?"

"You didn't see it?" I pursed my lips when no one nodded. "Oh, right, guess you wouldn't have gotten the context due to the language barrier. But I saw it. Even if we help find this mole, Chuundar is going to double-cross us. Believe me."

"And you thought I was paranoid..." Carth muttered.

"You are. I'm surprised you aren't paranoid in this instance."

"Because in this instance I don't see why Chuundar would do that. And we really don't have a choice but to do what he says."

I snorted. "So, you'll give up just like that, Carth? Really?"

"Give up?" Bastila shook her head. "Give up on your reckless crusade? Yes. Give up on Chuundar's deal? No. We'll talk to the Wookiees, find the spy, and get to the Shadowlands."

"We?" A smirk drifted on my face. "You mean Mission and I? Because only we can understand the Wookiees here."

"Unfortunately," Bastila muttered.

Verena stopped leaning against the wall and met my gaze. "Thyrsian, Mando'a, Shyriiwook...how many languages do you know?"

I shrugged. "A lot."

"How did you learn Shyriiwook though? A bit random."

"You learn a lot of random things being raised in the Outer Rim."

"Wait, 'raised in the Outer Rim?' But...weren't you raised as a Jedi?"

I rolled my eyes at the ceiling. "It's a long story—is it really important right now?" Before the Echani could ask more annoying, unrelated questions, I began to pace. "The one who led us here, Jaarak, thought I was lying when I told them that their chieftain was enslaving them. All we need to do in order to stop this injustice is to prove the contrary. We bring proof to the Wookiee Council about Chuundar's crimes and they'll have no choice but to fight against Czerka. Once they all come to their senses, we can go to the Shadowlands. Zaalbar is saved. Everyone is happy—well, except for Czerka."

Mission sighed. "You make it sound so easy, Wes."

"It will be once we find proof."

"Will it?" Bastila raised her brow. "Or will it only end up with Chuundar discovering our intentions? Because once he realizes we're trying to start a rebellion, it's over."

"Which is why we have to be subtle about our snooping, sunshine." I stopped pacing. "Tomorrow, Chuundar is expecting me to talk to the Councilors. Unfortunately, I have to in order to keep up the act. But they don't know that Mission understands the Wookiees. She can eavesdrop around the Chuundar's lackies without worrying about being discovered. They must have slipped up somewhere—"

"Enough."

Bastila's face tightened and her eyes glazed. That frustration and slight fear tingled within the bond. Fear? Why was she afraid? Force, why didn't she see how perfect of a plan this was? It got us both what we wanted in the end. I was going to say something. Convince her.

But there was no convincing her. Not really.

Juhani lifted her head and faced the other Jedi. "Bastila...I can see the merits of Gale's plan. If he's right and Chuundar does intend to double-cross us...then it would be foolish to play into his hands, wouldn't it?"

Canderous nodded. "Cathar's got a point."

Well...at least I had some people on my side.

Bastila hesitated. "Yes...but we don't even know if Chuundar is going to betray us. If we assume he will and he isn't— "

"Then we make sure he doesn't know that we suspected him in the first place," I interrupted.

She studied my face. Before she could think of something else, Mission spoke from across the fire.

"I mean...I don't think it's a problem, Bas, especially if it's for Big Z. I can snoop around without running into trouble. I've done it before."

"It doesn't matter if you've done it before. It's still dangerous."

Carth sighed. "I hate to admit it, but if Wes is right and Chuundar does plan to betray us then it wouldn't hurt to have a backup plan."

I smiled at the pilot. "Knew you'd come around."

"A backup plan," Carth insisted. "Not the plan."

But I knew he'd actually meant to agree with me.

Verena shrugged—which meant she didn't care either way. Only Bastila had to be convinced. And since everyone else was on my side, it was only a matter of time.

I raised my brow at the Jedi. "So, you in, Bondy?"

"I cannot believe this…"

"Can't believe what? That we're fighting against the slavers instead of helping them? I know, it's incredible."

"Wes, we are Jedi . And as Jedi we aren't supposed to be passionate."

"Passionate?" I snorted. "What, exactly, am I being passionate about?"

"To this . To—" She interrupted herself with a sigh. "To a cause."

I made eye contact with everyone in the room. But they didn't provide me any answers as to what was she going on about.

"And what's wrong with being passionate about helping the Wookiees, exactly? It's a good cause."

Because it's a cause you are personally invested in .

I froze after hearing Bastila's thoughts. Images of the cages. Not the Czerka cages. Mandalorian ones. I stuck my hand in my pocket and brushed the metal. With the cool sensation of the coin, the memory faded.

Everyone looked at each other, probably confused as to why I'd grown serious.

Guilt rushed through the bond. Bastila closed her eyes. I...sorry. I didn't want to remind you. But it's gone on long enough.

What?

You don't actually believe Chuundar is going to betray us, do you?

No, he is—

Don't lie to me. There is no passion, there is serenity. I've sensed your distress over the state of the Wookiees. You want to fight for them because of what happened to you.

I narrowed my eyes. This has nothing to do with that. I've moved on—

Did you really?

I've moved on, Bastila. End of story.

You are good at pretending like you did.

"..."

In the bond, there was a hot intensity as if she was so sure about that. Even though she was wrong. Pretending? Why would I do that? I was always true to myself. I'd thought her of all people would know that given the bond. Yet I couldn't ask how she came to that stupid conclusion.

Mission interrupted our mind-battle by clearing her throat.

"Uh...are you guys alright? You've been staring at each other for a long time..."

Before either I or Bastila could answer, the door to the cabin slammed open and a stark mechanical sound of hydraulic parts hissed behind me.

Oh, don't tell me.. .

HK-47 stopped when I turned. "Relieved Statement: Finally . You have no idea how much I loathed traveling through this hairy, meatbag-infested tree, Master. Oh , I was so tempted to blast—"

"What the hell!" I waved my free left hand. "Stupid droid! I told you to watch the ship!"

HK's red eyes blinked...and I swear it looked like it was experiencing vindictive joy at my expense.

"Affirmative: Yes, Master , you told me to watch the ship for anything suspicious and to let you know about it."

"How…" Carth stuttered, "how did it even get in here without running into the Wookiees?"

"Statement: I am an assassin droid, annoying, orange meatbag." He gave a mechanical sigh. "It is a given."

Before Carth could snap back at HK, I stepped between them. "You still haven't told me why you're here and not watching the ship."

"Assertion: I tried to let you know about the suspicious behavior, Master, but for some reason, you switched off your communication device. Due to both your threat and my programming, I had no choice but to continue to watch the behavior. It just so happened to lead me here."

"Just so happened? Really ?"

"Indignation: The stupid astromech tried to convince me that hadn't been your orders, but the T3 unit doesn't know you like myself, Master. Once I discovered you were here, I made sure to proceed with your intended orders to inform you of the...suspicious activity."

His red light blinked as if daring me to argue.

The stunned silence was cut by Verena. "I thought you said you would fix it?"

I ignored the Echani and sunk down next to Juhani.

"So, Czerka has full control of the Ebon Hawk now. Great. Just Great."

"Astonishment: You read my memory core without a plug, Master! Your foresight truly is remarkable!"

Mission hid her laughter with a fist while the rest of us let out a variety of groans. I leaned forward and rubbed my face. Well, at least there was the answer to how Czerka was able to take Zaalbar without a fight. It just so happened that I had the most stubborn droid in the galaxy.

While eating, I sat in complete silence. Contemplating, really. Not over what Bastila said. No, of course not. Why would I waste time doing that? I was contemplating our next move. We still needed a lead on where to find proof of Chuundar's misdeeds. And it had to be proof that no one could deny.

We all sat and ate around the fire—some on the floor, others in chairs. The war veterans were chatting about something or another. Probably about more war and battles. Mission and Juhani sat in silence along with me. Bastila caught my gaze over the smoke of the fire. I had expected it to be accusing like it had been whenever I mentioned helping the Wookiees or doing something she considered "reckless." Yet it was cool. In the bond, it was just as frigid.

"So...Wes?" Mission interrupted my introspection. "What should I look for?"

I dropped my empty plank of wood aside (Wookiees considered those plates, I guess).

"Chuundar mentioned he had 'climbers' watching Czerka. It's how he knew about us. Obviously, they know what is actually going on. They might know more about this deal."

I glanced at Bastila—waiting for her to challenge that idea. She responded by pushing some food around with her wooden fork.

HK stood behind me and a mechanical sound marked his occasional head swivels.

"Oh, right! HK?"

The assassin droid paused its scanning. "Yes, Master?"

"Do you know Shyriiwook?"

"Affirmative."

I nodded then faced Mission again. "Go with HK. He'll protect you. If any Wookiees try to talk, say it's a battle-droid—it doesn't understand."

Mission stuck out her thumb.

"Roger!"

The war veterans had stopped talking when they heard Mission and I speaking. Carth narrowed his eyes.

"Uh...you sure that's a good idea?"

"It saved her life once," I said. "It'll do it again."

"I suppose..." Carth glanced at everyone else. "What about the rest of us? Are we just going to sit here doing nothing while you go talk to the Wookiees?"

"Actually…" I glanced at Bastila again. She still hadn't moved or opened her mouth to argue. "There is Dehno and his gang. I wouldn't be surprised if those idiots had a lead of some sort. Go snoop around them and report your findings."

Carth snorted then gave me a mock salute. "Yes, sir ."

I narrowed my eyes at the pilot's sass. Before I could say something extra sassy back, Bastila finally moved.

"I'm going with you."

She looked at me when she said that. For some reason.

"But…" I muttered. "You don't understand the Wookiees."

"So? You can just translate what they say to me using our bond."

"Wait, you can do that?" Verena blinked. "How? Can you read each other's minds or something with the Force?"

"Sort of." Bastila crossed her arms. "It's more like...telepathic communication."

"Wait, that's a thing?" Carth cut in. "That's...really weird."

"So, you could just be talking smack about us behind our back, eh?" Canderous muttered with a devilish grin.

I felt my face growing warm. You know, I'd thought that would have been too embarrassing for her to admit to anyone. But apparently, Bastila didn't respect either her privacy or my privacy. Shocker.

Mission clapped her hands together. "Oh! Is that why you always stare at each other like you're lovesick or something?"

The Jedi flinched. " What! We do not—"

"Bastila." I interrupted with a hiss. "Was it really necessary to tell them that embarrassing detail?"

She collected herself with a sigh. "They should know as much as they can about our bond for the sake of the mission. Embarrassing or no."

"I guess...but—"

"Anyway, since we can communicate over the bond, I'm going with you to make sure you don't get us into trouble. Again."

My left hand balled into a fist. My burnt right hand started throbbing with pain. Sweat leaked down my forehead. Probably due to the heat of the fire. I nodded, defeated by her. Again.

I really hope that wasn't going to become a pattern.

The early morning bugs hummed and the tachs howled past the thick bark walls of the tree. The hammock swung as I sat up, rubbing my face. More dreams...visions...all of them blurry. The Force was trying to tell me something. For some reason, it was having difficulties communicating that message. Annoying.

I stumbled out of the room and down the steps. The fire had long been put out—the only light came from the hole in the ceiling. HK-47 stood motionless in the corner. Juhani and Bastila followed soon after. They still had a limp from that fight, but since they were both Jedi they could walk through the pain with no problem. I'd taken off the sling and my right hand was free to move once more.

It was a good thing really. I had a feeling today was going to be just as agonizing.

The humid Kashyyyk air hit me like a 500-ton warship. Mission skipped off towards the defensive-looking towers and I ordered HK to follow (this time I made sure to be very specific with my orders). Carth and Canderous went one way—towards the Czerka outpost where Dehno and his gang hung out—while Verena and Juhani made for the steel storage units.

Which meant I was left with Bastila.

Time for our crime holodrama "investigation." Hopefully, we didn't solve the case.

Jaarak met us at the top of the steps. Chuundar and his guards were gone and the branchy throne laid empty. The Wookiee scout led us down the steps into the heart of the tree. Apparently, he'd been assigned as our guide. And he didn't sound too pleased about it.

There were five councilors—including the chieftain himself. Most clans only had the chieftain make decisions, but Chuundar's clan adopted a more representative approach. Each councilor had a "branch" or oversaw a particular field. All of it was way more complicated than I expected it to be for a Wookiee settlement.

Jaarak first led us to Worrroznor—the "Holder of Laws." He sounded like a judge of some sort but the Holder didn't have the final say in trials. That was for the Council to agree on together. No, the Holder was like a living datapad or holocron—they memorized the laws of their clan and aided the Council with that knowledge.

And Holder Worrro-snore made us snore like he was a boring datapad. Maybe that was how he earned his name? The old Wookiee went on and on...Bastila insisted that I translate everything. I humored her, but after the fifth story about Worrroznor's adventurous youth, she told me to stop.

But I didn't stop. She deserved to sit through it too, after all.

The only thing of note of the old Wookiee's ramblings was the details of the attack on the Czerka traders.

Worroznor rocked in his large chair. His old misty eyes swirled. "They captured a few of Chorrawl's climbers. Chuundar asked me to interrogate them. Of course, none of them said a word about how they figured out the schedule before they were banished. Only those on the Council would know when Rorworr set up the supply lines."

I tilted my head. "Rorworr?"

"Ah, he oversees our trade with Czerka and other clans. Though, I doubt he let Chorrawl know about his own trade lines. That wook values his goods more than his own life at times. Did I ever tell you the story..."

And as Worroznor went on about Rorworr, I translated what I could to Bastila over the bond. The Jedi tilted her head.

"Who do you think betrayed the clan?" she interrupted.

Worroznor glanced over at Jaarak who stood back—he'd given up listening in to the conversation. Didn't blame him, really.

The old Wookiee sighed. "Honestly? Woorwill. He organizes community events. He's a smart wook, but...he is also young, naive, and easily influenced. If one of Chorrawl's warriors told him stories...then I wouldn't be surprised if he acted on it."

He then began to tell a story about how Woorwill hunted a giant Anakkona against his father's wishes. Fortunately, we didn't have to hear the end of that particular story. We got all the information we came for.

The next councilor, Rorworr, was found at one of the towers near the storage platform—close to the Czerka outpost. Jaarak had to call out to the Wookiee in order for him to notice us on the ground. The trader growled under his breath as he climbed down the rope ladder.

"What is it this time, Jaarak? I don't have time for your complaining, we're on a tight schedule."

Our Wookiee guide flinched at Rorworr's tone. Jaarak's hairy shoulders tightened and I sensed...hatred. Bastila probably sensed it too.

"These outsiders are here to talk to you about the ambush. Chuundar's orders. Not mine."

Rorworr grumbled. "Why am I being interrogated? I'm am the least suspicious wook on the Council."

" Yes ," Jaarak growled. "But you might know some useful information for the outsiders."

"Alright, alright!" Rorworr waved his wooly claws at me. "What do you want to know?"

I cleared my throat. "So...what exactly were you...transporting?"

The Wookiee glanced to the side towards the Shadowlands. "The usual. Weapons. Ammunition. Droids—"

"Slaves?"

Bastila narrowed her eyes at me even though she didn't know what the subject had been.

Rorworr grumbled a laugh though through the Force I sensed...discomfort.

"You're from Czerka? Then you know . The usual."

Hmm...so, Rorworr knew what Chuundar was doing to the Wookiees. Which wasn't surprising given that he oversaw the trades.

The Wookiee waved an arm. "Can I get back to work now, Jaarak?"

"Why don't you tell me about the attack. From your perspective," I said, crossing my arms.

"What's the point?"

"Were they doing anything in particular to the...goods you were transporting?"

Rorworr glanced from me to Jaarak then back to me. The greedy Wookiee huffed. "They were throwing everything that was... Czerka produced ...into the Shadowlands. They hate outsider technology and want to live as Bacca once lived. Anything that was from...here, they stole."

So, Chorrawl's warriors were freeing the slaves. I nodded. If I cared to find the mole, it had to be someone who knew about the plight of the Wookiees. What other motivation would there be to join another clan?

I translated my findings to Bastila as Jaarak led us to the third Wookiee councilor.

Woorwill was found near the covered platform throwing spears at practice dummies. Jaarak hailed the younger councilor who put his spear down.

"Who are these outsiders, big brother?"

"Big brother?" I glanced up at the Wookiees. "You're related?"

Jaarak nodded. "Yes…"

"So, wait, your younger brother is on the Council, but you're not?" I asked. "I thought Wookiees respected age above all else?"

Woorwill tilted his head. "Jaarak...do these outsiders not know you're on the Council?"

"Wait, you're on the Council?"

Huh, made sense. But why would Jaarak hide that fact? Bastila looked between both of the Wookiees, confused. I didn't translate yet though.

Jaarak waved a claw. "I didn't think it was important at the moment." Jaarak faced me and Bastila. "I am also on the Council, outsider. I lead the hunters down to the Shadowlands." The Wookiee nodded at his brother. "But we're here to speak to Woorwill now."

Okay.

I crossed my arms at the younger Wookiee. "Make your case."

Woorwill's shoulders fell. "I know what they say...that I'm naive, easily swayed. And they would be right...but I would never join Chorrawl's clan." The Wookiee threw a spear at the dummy. "A few years back, our father was killed in one of their raids. Jaarak was there too. He barely escaped alive. Why would I want to join the clan that murdered our father and harmed my brother? I will tell you who is suspicious though." Woorwill threw another spear. "Rorworr says those raids go against his interests...but if he was on their side, he wouldn't want us to benefit from the trade deals at all, right?"

Right.

But...

I spat out the next question without thinking. "Why would R-Rorworr—" Kriff these Wookiee names. "—join Chorrawl though?" I asked. "He told us they throw the weapons to the Shadowlands. Seems like a waste."

Woorwill glanced towards his older brother then threw another spear. "Do they? It's Rorworr word against ours. For all we know, he lies about what happens to the caravan. As for why? Opportunity. Rorworr and I were...friends once. But now he always wants to get ahead. Even at a friend's expense. It is the same for the clan."

The Wookiee did have a point.

An interesting point.

Jaarak led us back to our cabin—so far, our "interrogations" didn't give us much to go off of. The councilors pointed fingers at each other with flimsy evidence at best. And, honestly? Good. We didn't need to find who blabbed to Chorrawl. Bastila insisted that we help Chuundar, but how could we contradict our own morals as Jedi for the sake of the mission? If we helped slavers, we'd be no better than the Sith.

If we did find the mole, I'd rather help that Wookiee.

If we found the mole...of course.

Bastila had a thoughtful, tight expression on her face. I peered down into the shadows of the trees. We hadn't spoken much, and if we did speak it was for me to "translate." Even then, there was still a frigid distance between us.

"Well, outsiders?" Jaarak stopped and faced us on the platform near our cabin. "Were you able to find the traitor with your powers?"

"Nope," I said, smiling. "Nothing."

"I see…" Jaarak rubbed his hairy chin. "How do your powers work, exactly?"

"Well, we can't read people's minds. It's more of a...sensation. We need to concentrate to sense that sensation."

Jaarak's shoulders lifted.

"I see…" He shook his head. "Chuundar won't be pleased. He may ask you to speak to the councilors again."

"Again?" I groaned. "Can't you just tell him this is pointless?"

"I wish I could, outsider, but this problem has consumed our chieftain. He refuses to hold a Council meeting until the traitor has been discovered."

"What about you, Jaarak?" Bastila asked—despite having no idea what we were talking about. "Who do you think betrayed Chuundar?"

The Wookiee glanced off into the trees. "I'm of the same opinion as my younger brother. Chorrawl's clan killed our father. I would never join them."

...had that answered the question?

I translated Jaarak's response. Bastila crossed her arms. "How is that enough to clear you both? Families betray each other all the time."

"How dare you suggest I killed my own father, outsider!" Jaarak roared. "To kill one's own brethren is the worst crime a Wookiee could commit."

I winced. "He's mad for obvious reasons."

Bastila sighed. "I apologize, Jaarak."

The Wookiee's tense shoulders relaxed again.

"Do you at least have a suspect?"

I was about to say no , but Bastila glared at me. Ugh...more translations. After I told her what Jaarak said, she nodded.

"The only one who has motivation would be the trader—Rorworr."

It did seem that way. Even though Rorworr worked for Chuundar, perhaps he didn't like doing it. He had the best position and the most information on the trade routes. And when we spoke to him, he didn't seem to like the idea of being interrogated.

Yet.

Jaarak nodded. "I told Chuundar of my suspicions, but he holds Rorworr with high esteem. If you accuse him, you will need proof."

"Okay…" I rubbed my chin. "And if we wanted to find proof, then what would you suggest?"

"Me?"

"Surely you have some ideas."

Jaarak glanced out into the wild jungle. "If...we give him false information..." He nodded. "He's about to send a group over to Czerka this afternoon. I could tell him that my scouts saw an infestation on the Great Walkway. If Clan Chorrawl attacks the intended route, then Rorworr is innocent. If they attack the new route, then Rorworr is the traitor. That would be enough proof."

A soft whistle echoed from the treetops.

Jaarak glanced up. "My hunters have returned." He pointed to our cabin door. "Rest and wait for now. I will...speak to Rorworr." The Wookiee pulled a thin reed from a cord and blew. The whistle copied the one in the trees. A great katarn slithered up the side of the branch and the Wookiee scout climbed onto it, disappearing into the foliage.

The fires crackled and turned the Kashyyyk wood into charcoal. I rubbed the top portion of my lip. The warmth of the cabin lulled me into a relaxed state.

Bastila sighed after I told her of Jaarak's plan.

"That wouldn't be enough proof in normal circumstances. But it may be enough for Chuundar…"

For once, I didn't comment either out loud or through the bond. I stared into the fire. Thinking.

A sensation of anxiety wavered.

"Wes?"

"What?"

She shifted. "You've been...quiet."

The flames consumed another dark plank. A minute passed...

"What are you thinking?" she asked.

I raised a brow but didn't look away from the flames.

"Why? Can't read my mind anymore?"

"I can't it's...numb." I heard another shift in front of me. "You've blocked the bond. Or your own thoughts. I can't tell..." More anxiety. "You're hiding something."

I smirked. "Isn't that exactly what you wanted, sunshine? For me to block the bond? For me not to be distracted?"

"Well, yes—but—"

I finally looked away from the fire and glared at her. "So when you can't sense my emotions and thoughts when you want to, it's a problem? Interesting."

"That isn't—"

Clank, clank, clank .

The door burst open and Mission skipped in.

"Oh! Hey, guys! Back already?"

HK-47 gave a mechanical sigh before parking himself in the corner again. Mission ignored the annoyed droid and collapsed in the chair next to me.

"I found something!"

I tilted my head at the Twi'lek's excitement. "Oh?"

"As you guessed, Chuundar's climbers all know what's going on...the slimeballs. Anyways, they were saying that the guy who decides on the deals...Roar-Roar—"

"Ror worr ?" Bastila corrected.

"Yeah, that one, whatever. They were saying that Chorrawl's warriors always escape when the hunters set up an ambush. See...they always use Rorworr's trade caravans as bait." Mission snickered. "Maybe Rorworr let them know about the ambush?"

"Maybe…" I said.

Bastila glared. "Maybe? That sounds like damning evidence to me."

"Fine, yes, that makes Rorworr look bad, alright?" I pursed my lips. "But it's not the type of proof we want."

Frustration vibrated the air. I ignored the bond again.

Mission frowned. "Yeah...but we could try to speak to Rorworr and get him on our side, right? He might be able to convince the rest of the Council that Chuundar's betrayed the clan—like you said."

The flames danced and I closed my eyes. Thinking. Before I could say something—or come up with a plan—the door to the cabin opened again.

Carth and Canderous marched in. Both were glaring at each other. The Mando rolled his eyes and collapsed next to Bastila.

"Sorry, pipsqueak, we found nothing. The Czerka idiot guards his information like his life depended on it."

Carth narrowed his eyes. "Like? His life did depend on it. You threatened to kill him!"

"Details...details..." Canderous shrugged. "We also couldn't find anything around the Czerka station."

"Well, maybe we would have found something if you weren't being so obvious about it."

"Quiet, flyboy, I was hardly being obvious."

" Right . Opening crates and inspecting their rifles right in front of their faces was so subtle."

Before the Mando could argue with Carth some more, Verena and Juhani made their entrance. The Cathar crossed her arms appearing very disturbed and guarded around the Echani. Verena's scar curved as she smiled up at Juhani's discomfort.

"You Jedi...always so preachy..." Verena muttered.

"Preachy!" The young Jedi shouted. "I have a right to preach! You killed someone then threw his body to the Shadowlands. We were just supposed to look into the Czerka storage units!"

I sat up. "Wait, what?"

Verena rolled her eyes. "She's exaggerating. I didn't kill the guard. I just...pushed him over—him dying was an accident. Though, if he lived, he would have given our position away."

"So it was intentional!" Juhani's body tightened.

"Okay…" Carth frowned. "Care to explain what the hell happened?"

Verena shook her head. "We broke into the storage units without any issues. We were able to hack into one of the computers. Turns out that only one Wookiee, Rorworr, has a keycard to access the 'secured area.' So, I decided the next thing to do would be to find out where Rorworr lives. But we were being...careless. When we left, one of Czerka's guards found us. I did what I had to."

Bastila waved at her while glaring at me. "This is exactly why I thought this was a bad idea."

"Rorworr has a keycard to a 'secured area?'" I asked, ignoring Bastila.

Verena nodded. "Yes. So, we broke into the Wookiee's house—carefully of course. We didn't find anything. I think Rorworr always has the key on him. Would make sense."

Which made getting proof almost next to impossible without catching Rorworr unaware…

I sensed more anxiety in the bond as I crossed my arms and sat back. "Jaarak, our Wookiee guide, said he suspected Rorworr of betraying the clan to Chorrawl. And I'm thinking...more and more that he's right."

Everyone nodded—each had their evidence. Each had some kind of proof that Rorworr was hiding something.

Bastila took over after I finished speaking. "And Jaarak has come up with a plan to catch Rorworr and bring proof of his betrayal to Chuundar."

Mission glanced between us. "But...I thought we were going to try and bring proof to the Council that Chuundar is selling out his clan!"

"That was the backup plan, Mission," Bastila insisted. "And Wes' plan. Remember, our first priority is to get to the Shadowlands to find the Star Map."

The Twi'lek dipped her head and her lekku drooped. "I guess…"

Bastila nodded. "For now, we wait for news from Jaarak. If we're lucky, he will do all the work for us."

She stood and walked to the other end of the cabin then sat in a meditative position. For once, I listened to Bastila and sat back, staring up into the smoke from the fire. The rest of the group relaxed as we once again waited in anticipation.

It was fortunate that I brought along that hydrospanner in case we had to mess with droids. While we waited, I fiddled around with HK's components and connected him to my datapad for a...diagnostic. Occasionally, I glanced over at Bastila. She meditated silently in the corner though I could still sense that anxiety. Anxiety over the fact that she had no idea what I was thinking. As if she deserved to know what I was thinking.

Everyone else mingled about—most having small conversations. The droid twitched as I made my repairs, red lights blinking.

Mission looked over my shoulder. "Whatcha doing?"

The hydrospanner buzzed.

"Making sure HK didn't get harmed during his little adventure."

The teen nodded. I returned to my small project. A few minutes passed—long enough for Mission to get bored.

"So...how did you learn Shyriiwook anyway? Did you meet a Wookiee? It isn't an easy language to learn without one, what with all the growls and howls. Big Z told me the whole point was to make it difficult for outsiders to understand."

"Hmm…"

I sat back and searched the crevices of my mind for an answer. Honestly, I couldn't remember why I'd learned the language. I knew so many that the specifics or the reasons as to why I had to learn some were a blur. Didn't help that I might have learned some while drunk out of my mind.

So, I shrugged. "Don't know. Guess I was bored one day."

I returned to HK—unhooking one wire near the communication receptors...

"You...learned Shyriiwook...because you were bored?"

"Maybe?" I stopped my repairs after noticing Mission's horrified expression. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"A-Are you a genius or something? It took me two years to understand Big Z! And you learned it 'one day!' How!?"

"Genius?" I snorted. "No, Mission, it's just one of my many talents."

" Talents! Learning a language in one day is more than just a talent!"

"What can I say?" I waved the hydrospanner around. "They didn't all call me 'sponge' for nothing."

Her blue finger stabbed close to my face.

"It's not fair! Not fair I tell you!"

I chuckled as Mission's face twisted with rage. Before I could rub it in further, Jaarak crashed through the door. His Wookiee expression appeared grim.

"Outsiders."

Thankfully, I'd finished my repairs in time. I gave Bastila one last look as I quickly screwed the panel back onto the case. HK's lights blinked on.

We all gathered around the Wookiee and waited for the Wookiee to continue.

"We were right," Jaarak growled. "Rorworr...is the traitor."

I translated the news. And Bastila faced the Wookiee.

"Is he…?"

"Yes, I've taken him into custody. He will stand trial tomorrow for his crimes."

When I finished translating that, Bastila sighed. "I...see."

"Chuundar will allow you down to the Shadowlands tomorrow depending on the result of the trial, outsiders." His shoulders lifted. "But I have high hopes."

Jaarak left after that. Everyone was distracted by the news. So distracted, they didn't notice the clank, clank, clank that followed the Wookiee scout. Or that HK-47 had disappeared once again for some reason. That droid really did seem to have a mind of his own. Never listened to my orders. I mean, why would that stupid droid follow Jaarak? It wasn't as if he was suspicious or anything.

I stared into the fire once more.

A smirk marked my lips.

Wookiee politics are definitely as much of a pain as real-world politics, heh. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! We'll be going to the Shadowlands soon—can't wait to delve into that...

See you next week!