ZAALBAR:
It is quiet on the ship in ways I have not known before. On my home world, there is the soft fall of rain or the faint cries of beasts. The Lower City knew no peace - the hum of machines and people a constant, even as Mission and I took turns sleeping in a makeshift next of blankets in a cave of permacrete.
When I was called a madclaw, I had been so alone. My brother's Czerka "allies" grabbed me and sent me to Taris to be an exotic "pet" for some collector. I should regret killing my captors in a fit of rage, but I don't.
Escaping into the warrens of the Lower City, I lived in the sewers like a beast. I believed that I was a beast - a shame to my people and reduced to hiding away, grubbing my food from the trash and attacking anyone who came near.
I do not recall how long I lived as a beast. I do not care to.
Six men in Vulkar colors tried to grab me, thinking that hunting the "beast" in the sewers would be a good amusement. I had tried to fight them off, but not kill them. I didn't want trouble with their gang, I wanted to be left alone. That day, I heard the words that changed my life forever.
"Back off, you creeps!"
She was a small Twi'lek girl, no more than twelve summers. Heedless of her own safety, she ran up to them to try and protect me, even thought I didn't need it. One of the Vulkars hit her, sending her to the ground, dazed. I did not act to protect myself, then. I acted to protect the brave little girl who thought I needed help. I scared them off, and thought she would run off as well. She didn't. Instead, she thanked me for helping, and tried to speak to me. She left me so stunned, I could not reply. She was not talking to me as though I was a beast, and she was not frightened. She also would not leave me alone, insisting that I could use her help.
She learned to understand my language and I learned the ways of Taris. Mission has the soul of a Wookiee cub in her tiny Twi'lek body. Despite her teasing and trickery, she has courage and honor as true and strong as a wroshyr tree's branches. I care for her like I would a member of my own clan. Twi'leks are also vulnerable to slavers, I know, especially pretty young girls. This is why I shouted for her to run far and fast when those slavers ambushed us. I was a madclaw and a beast, but Mission was not.
I was resigned to my fate as a slave when I heard a great noise outside. The creaky door to my prison opened and Mission flew to my side, throwing her arms around my waist. She talked so fast, I could barely understand her.
"This is Seeira, Big Z. She fought off those slavers and led me right to you."
That was when I saw them for the first time. The human man, Carth, had the look of a warrior. The human woman, Seeira, was smaller than Mission. She walked up to me and handed me back my bowcaster. When I thanked her, I had expected Mission to translate as she usually needed to.
"When your friend told me of your situation, it was the least I could do."
She understood me! Mission and the human man were amazed. If she knew my words, then she also would have to know the only thing I could do in return - swear my life to hers. In her own way, Mission did the same to the human woman. We have followed her since.
Not only did she save me from the slavers on Taris, but she has become a hero to my people as well. We returned to my home, my village, and confronted my corrupted brother. She braved the Shadowlands and returned with my father and the Sword of Bacca. She and the rest of our party fought hard to drive the slavers from Kashyyk, lightsabers and blasters besides our blades and bowcasters. Indeed, Mission is not the only Wookiee warrior spirit to be misplaced into a near-hairless body!
It does not matter whether the name is Seeira or Revan. Aside from honor my debt, I can do so little for the human that does so much. When she told the crew of her past, there was no question of loyalty - nothing pays a life-debt save death, and she had given me no questions as to her honor. I have seen the spirit that glows in her like metal in the forge - tempered, true, and strong. May I live to bring her epic tale back to my people, and may she be honored for all time in song and story.
