It was the night before Christmas, and all through the house.
Funny how the old life creeps up on you. It can be anything really, In this case while I am up late perusing the archives. Not that the Temple has off-hours given the different circadian rhythms of various species.
"What are you searching for?" says Kae behind me.
Of course, this is Kae's favourite time to be out too. Mainly, it's because she doesn't like other beings, but also because, hello? Darth Traya.
"Karbakar. Stargates. Near-instant travel from one planet. To another. The Rakata had a Galactic network." I say.
"I see," says Kae.
And there it is. Kae understands intellectually at least what an advantage such a travel network is.
"Why not just ask the machines on Kashyyyk?" asks Kae.
Because I had forgotten? Because I was trying to avoid the damn plot points like a good boy? Because this is why friends, followers and allies are such a damn force multiplier?
"I did want confirmation that some of these sites are still standing and where they are now." I say.
"Good, good. What have you found?" asks Kae.
"There is mention of 'The Path of the Gods' in Huttese. It was always thought to be a reference to whatever vile code of ethics those creatures share since following or choosing the Path is what makes all Hutts strong." I say.
"You think differently." says Kae.
"What if it isn't an ethical or religious code but the ancient Rakata network? It would help explain why the Hutts are an extremely resilient polity unto themselves yet have never meaningfully expanded since their first dynasties." I say.
"Interesting. How do you propose to test your theory?" asks Kae.
I smile. "Go to Kashyyyk and travel to Hutt Space via the Karbakar," I say.
Getting approval to travel to Kashyyyk was easy. A routine checkup on the progenitor ruins. Make sure nothing stupid has been done. There are a few hiccups though.
"Kashyyyk." says Alana flatly at the entrance to my quarters. Her tone indicates she is not impressed with finding out via the rumour network where I am going.
"Yes, this is extremely perilous what I am undertaking. So the people I have come to care about can't come." I say.
"You care about me?" Alana says the hope evident in every word.
"Yes, Alana. I do. You're a valuable friend and vital to what we're doing here. As such it is critical that you remain here. The Counter Slavery Fleet won't organise itself." I say.
Alana deflates a little but then rallies. "Of course Revan. It's just... I am of the Force and the Force is with me." she says.
"I am of the Force and the Force is with me," I reply.
Alana nods and then departs. Whew.
I then go meet with Pal Manx. He nods as I enter the bar he seems to have planted himself in.
"Jedi." is all he says.
"I would speak of the time we struck at the very heart of our enemies from an unexpected angle," I say.
Got to love Mando'a. The language makes ordering breakfast sound heroic. Actual heroics? It's like starring in the Illiad.
"Yes, that is most glorious, tell me of its beginning." Sat's Manx as he stands up. He then sees to his tab and leaves with me.
Growl, growl, argh, roar, roar exclaims Sesqual as we alight back onto crazy giant tree house land. Again, the thick atmosphere along with the Dark calling from the surface conspire to give a heady feeling. This time, however, I am forewarned. Can't do much about the evil artefacts, but a breather helps a bit with other matters.
Growl, growl, argle, growl I reply.
Growl, cough, growl asks Sesqual.
Why yes, I was coming to that. Growl, argle, growlargh, argle, argle, argle I say by way of explanation and indicate my two companions, Manx and HK.
Roar, growl, roar, roar, growlargh points out my friend.
Growl, growl, roar I say insistently.
New, growl, growlargh concedes Sesqual and leads us to a way down to the surface.
A few days later and we are at the actual site. Some judicious work with blaster and flamer and it's clear. I look about the vast dais, easily the size of a stadium.
"Well, here goes nothing," I say as I concentrate, drawing on the energies that permeate this place.
It would be nice to say there was a wrenching, then some special effects hinting at our transit across the Galaxy.
Even a bright flash would be nice. Instead, everything just changes. Where the dais is overgrown, the foliage involved, even the atmosphere itself. Most striking is the change in the Force. Gone is the savage, primaeval fury of Kashyyyk. It is replaced by oppression as if something is attempting to smother any attempt of free will. Harsh, cruel, dominating.
Growl, growl, mew.
"You said it. Where are we?" says Manx.
"Accessing local comms. All encrypted, ah yes. Congratulations master. We are at Nal Hutta. Shall I proceed master?"
I nod. "Certainly HK, find us our target."
"At once master," says HK.
The droid is silent for a minute or so.
"Target acquired master," it says eventually.
"Lead the way. Okay everyone, let's go, and be careful, for here be dragons."
With HK in front, we head off, moving through corridors pocked with rust and with mist swirling about. The lighting is dim. All of this reminds me that I am somewhere ruled by beings with very different sensibilities. Big, powerful beings who won't hesitate to crush us should our element of surprise be lost. Because that's our only advantage. They don't know we're here. So we follow HKthough corridors, up ramps, downstairs and, at one point detour round an area which had collapsed. Twice we cross inhabited areas. The first looked like a rest area for shackled slaves, all tethered to a wall and too tired to notice anything. A quick flash and the coffee is separated from the wall. I detail Sesqual to lead them back to the gate. The next one has posted a guard. They are unkempt and their blaster has seen better times and owners as well. Currently, they are standing at a door and looking nervously up and down the corridor.
"Any way past?" I ask HK
"Negative master, I suggest we terminate them," says HK.
"Tempting, but we don't know when they'll be missed," I say.
"hat do you suggest Jedi," says Manx.
"Another way," I say and step round.
The guard notices me and raises their blaster "Who are you, this is..." they begin.
I raise my hand "No one important. Just passing through. Not even worth mentioning." I say reaching out with the Force.
The guard just looks at me and then relaxes, "Nah, you're not important and just passing through." I wave the others along. The guard's eyes widen as two obviously dangerous beings walk past, but I maintain eye contact and they remain quiet. I depart with a "We weren't really here, just a noise in the mist.", The guard nods and we press on.
Now we are banging up against our target. Our passage is abruptly blocked by a wall. No mucking about with a door that could be sliced or blown. Just shove a wall in to make clear where people are not allowed. Fortunately, I have a 'key'. I switch on my lightsabre and plunge it into the wall. A foot of metal is no barrier to the weapon and quickly we slice open an entrance. We proceed into the Dragon's den.
Following HK we make our way to the slave quarters and our quarry. There is a guard at the entrance. No time for mind tricks, speed now is our ally. I motion to Manx and the Mandalorian walks up, bold as brass and knocks out the guard with two quick strikes.
"Keep watch," I say. Manx nods. Another flash and the door is opened and HK and I enter. The first thing that strikes me is despair, this is truly a place where you abandon all hope. Four women stir, their eyes full of fear. "Alright, get moving, this is a rescue."
The women look doubtful but obey, rising. As we get to the door one of them pauses. "Kalan, you must get Kalan," she says.
"We don't have time," stresses Manx.
"Please, she's new. You just can't leave her here." pleads the woman.
There is a pull, a prompting from the Force. Okay, hint taken, this Kalan is important.
"Alright, Manx, HK get these women to safety. I'll get Kalan. Where is she?" I say, the last to the woman.
"Turok and his men took her. To break her," she says.
"Where.." I pause, no time, in fact, we are probably out. I place my hands about the woman's temples and stagger. That is another telepathic experience I will want buried.
"Okay go. I'll be right after you with Kalan." I say and dart down a corridor. The others run for our makeshift exit.
As I run I become aware of a dull warbling sound. Finally, someone has realised all is not well and set off the alarm. Part of me wonders why it is so slow and ululating before I realise that I am moving and reacting faster than is possible. This impromptu rescue needs to be done in record time so the Force has granted me record reflexes and speed to match. I am a blur retracing the slave's reluctant steps to Turok's quarters. I reach the door just as it is closing and slam through, throwing the thug who was closing it flat. The other three turn, apparently slowly, tossing a red-hued girl onto a bed. She's strikingly beautiful, no surprises there, but what really catches my attention are the delicate tendrils on her chin and sharp features. An actual Sith. I'm rescuing an honest to god, actual Sith. The shock knocks me out of whatever speed trance I was in and I tumble over another thug going to the floor with a crash. The remaining two draw their blasters.
I grab the thug I am lying on and throw him at one of the others, then my lightsabre is on and just in time, deflecting the other's blaster shot. I lunge forwards and impale them before swinging to catch the other two before they disentangle themselves. Then, with blood everywhere and dripping off bits of furniture, I turn to the Sith girl.
"Let's get out of here," I say. She nods and we leave.
Now we are running for the gate, a large number of beings in pursuit. One mistake, I forgot about the collapsed section. With a shriek, Kalan stops inches from falling in. I stop too. Behind we can hear our pursuers catching up. We are cut off. Except, no! Luke had a grapple thingy for some reason in his belt.
I pause, breathe, concentrate. And I, have the Force.
"What are you doing?" screams Kalan.
I ignore her and back up. A bolt zips past me as the vanguard clears the corner. I run, scoop up Kalan and leap, clearing the chasm. Behind us, there are some wild shots as they stop and instructions to go round. It will be in vain, our lead is now enough. We soon reach the gate and an instant later we are all in the relative safety of Kashyyyk. A few hours though it's exciting hellscape and we are mostly, actually safe.
Growl, growl,mrowl, argh asks Sesqual.
Growl, roar, growl I reply. Yeah, pretty normal, all things considered.