Tatooine
"Coming up on Tatooine" Jolee's voice comes over the speaker waking me. I sit up, rubbing my eyes and not very happy as my sleep was disturbed by another vision. I look over at Bastila to see that she had the vision also. She had not long finished her shift and lay down to get some sleep. Discussing it we decide that it must be in a cave, as it would have to be in a sheltered position to remain 'intact' due to Tatooine's conditions. Also considering that it could be in some sort of creature's Lair - knowing our luck. Both of us get dressed and as I'm pulling my boots on I get the feeling that Bastila wishes to discuss something else. Looking up I ask her what the matter is.
"I don't mean to lecture you again but I am concerned about the relationship you have with Carth. We Jedi cannot afford to have emotional attachments and I fear for where you and Carth are heading." She tells me, not pulling any punches.
"If this is about last night, I can't go into what our conversation was about, that is for Carth to share, not I. I assume you felt something through our bond?" I look questioningly at her.
"Yes I did. What I felt was strong emotions, I can't tell if it was just from you or from both of you" She has a very puzzled look on her face as she states this.
"All I will tell you is that he was in need of comfort. We all know he has been hiding his pain for a long time now. Well the dam burst last night. I think he is now on a healing path. If it helps him to open up to me, I'll be there for him. We are friends and friends stand by each other. I do have to question that part of the code though. How can you not form relationships? Especially with people you have to trust, to rely on? Everyone needs someone even the Masters - you cannot tell me that they don't. I can understand the need to control your emotions but I can't see why you have to neglect those around you. Isn't showing compassion using your emotions?"
"We must trust in the wisdom of the Jedi Council," she states, getting up and walking out. I guess that means she doesn't want to answer my questions. I follow her out, stopping at the galley to get a mug of caffa before heading towards the cockpit. Carth is now back in the pilot's chair, with Jolee in the co-pilot's.
"Carth, What do you know about Revan and Malak?" He glances up at me then turns his attention back to the controls before answering.
"To think that I once looked up to those two as the best that humanity had to offer. Now I'd like nothing more than to put a blaster to both of their heads. Although I suppose only Malak is left now isn't he? Turned on his own Master, not that Revan didn't have it coming. Heh, typical of their kind I guess."
The way he says it I feel I have to question him. "You knew them personally?"
"No not personally. They aided the Republic during the Mandalorean Wars. They were heroes. Without them the Mandalorean's would have finished us for certain. In the Fleet we didn't see much of the Jedi. I only met Malak once, but I was impressed by him. I guess that just shows how much the dark side can change someone."
"How did they get away with all of this?"
"Well... when they returned from where ever they went, they had an entire fleet with them. Nobody knows where they got the ships. They had a lot of them and as the years have passed there seems to be more and more... while our forces dwindle. Did they really get away with it though? Revan was betrayed by Malak... and Malak hasn't won. In the end the dark side won't help him."
[I cock my head to one side] "What do you know about the Dark Side?"
"I, uh...I used to think it was a fancy name for something I see every day. Corruption is everywhere. People are greedy and stupid and do horrible things. I'm starting to think that it is different for the Jedi, however. That there's this evil watching them, waiting for it's chance. You have so much courage and strength in you... yet somehow I have no trouble imagining it differently. Like the flip side of a coin. It's not just you, it's Bastila as well. She's so... intense. I don't pretend to know much about the Force, but I know evil."
Puzzled I ask "You think Bastila and I are evil?"
"No, of course not. All I'm saying is that when you have so much power, the stakes are higher. I can only imagine the kind of conflict that goes on inside you. Nor you or Bastila are fully trained on how to handle your power. I'm just concerned at what might come."
Grinning mischievously at him I reply "That's sweet, I didn't know you cared"
Carth glances up at me, flushes slightly and stammers "Well, that's not what I ... I mean ... I wouldn't want to see you hurt. Either of you." Turning back to the controls again he continues "I suppose finding the Star Maps is more important than your training... and your safety. I just hope there isn't a price for you to pay."
I look at Jolee who has been observing the interaction between Carth and myself with interest. I'd tried several times to have a decent conversation with him but all I get are stories that avoid the original topic of conversation. I know there is a lot he is not telling me but try as I might, I can't get any answers. Giving him a saucy smile I turn to go and get my gear ready for once we have landed.
Once again we are confronted by a representative of Czerka Corporation regarding docking fees. Another 100 credits exchange hands. We are hardly out of the docking area when a Twi'lek woman comes over to speak with Bastila. She tells us that Bastila's mother, Helena, is on Tatooine and that she had been trying to get in touch with her for a quite some time as she is ill. I see a shocked look cross Bastila's face, before she composes herself and asks if her mother had said anything about her father. The answer is negative and the Twi'lek moves off, having delivered her message. I turn to Bastila to ask if she is alright to see that her mind is elsewhere. I sense a lot of confusion through our bond and send comforting thoughts to her, telling her that we will find her mother while we are here.
Our next stop is the Czerka office where I find out that I need a hunting license to go outside of Anchorhead. Normally they cost 200 credits but they do not want to give anymore out. The Sand People are causing too much trouble for them and I make a deal with Czerka to 'deal' with them. I am told that they will pay a bounty for the Gaffi sticks, and if I happen to bring them the Chieftain's Gaffi Stick it will be considerably more. I also ask about Mission's brother Griff. Mission and I had talked things through and she agrees she may have been harsh with Lena and that her brother may not be the man she thought he was. The woman in the Czerka office tries to cover up any knowledge of Griff but with a little force persuasion I manage to get her to tell me that she thinks he had been taken prisoner by the Sand People. She's not impressed by him as he is lazy and tries his hardest to get out of working.
Leaving there we head into the Hunting Lodge. Before entering I speak with a woman who has a look of desperation about her. Sharina can't sell her wraid plate without a license and her dead husband had that. I agree to buy it from her and instead of just paying the 500 credits she says it is worth, I give her an extra 200.
"700 credits! Oh thank you! It is more than generous of you. I don't know what to say. I just don't"
Carth looks at me, smiles, briefly shakes his head and says, "I'm glad to see we're still the good guys here. Sometimes I think we forget that"
"Thankyou for helping this woman. It may not seem like such a great thing to you but you are making a difference." Bastila comments to me.
With a wide smile of gratitude Sharina says, "For whatever it means, May the Force be with you. You've saved us," as she moves off.
Going inside the Hunting Lodge I see the proprietor and sell the wraid plate, getting 500 for it. We decide to speak to a few of the hunters to see if I can get some information, Bastila going to one side of the room and myself the other. Carth stays talking to the proprietor.
Moving over to speak with one guy and instantly feel dislike towards him. He's a sleazy, slimy type who would come on to any female in sight. He makes a snide remark about his wife sending me to speak with him over credits or something which makes me what to slap him across the face. I feel myself tense up and try to ignore my base emotions, instead asking if he minds answering a few questions.
"Well of course darling, whatever Tanis Venn could do. You know, very few human females come to Tatooine ..."
Carth, having seen what was going on, moves closer then putting his arm around me possessively, "Hey! You talk to her with a bit of respect in your voice or you'll end this conversation minus a few teeth! Got it?"
I feel 'safe' with his arm around me and relax against him, tension leaving me as I do. Looking around I catch Bastila's eye. She raises one eyebrow at me enquiringly and I shake my head slightly, then look up to smile at Carth. He looks down into my eyes and my heart gives a little flutter before I turn my attention once again to Tanis.
Seeing the way Carth looked at me and assuming that I am 'his woman' Tanis puts both his hands up "Hey, hey hey, let's calm down shall we? No offence was meant. You just go ahead and ask your questions."
I give him a disgusted look telling him that I changed my mind about asking him anything. With that Carth and I move over to where Bastila is, hearing Tanis comment "You hurry back any old time darling, anytime." I feel myself shudder with disgust and Carth squeezes my shoulders comfortingly. I can't help but snuggle against his side, unwittingly encouraging him and feel him sigh as he pulls me into his arms, cuddling me close. I allow myself to enjoy the moment, resting my head against his chest. Reality kicks in then as I feel disapproval through the bond along with Bastila's "Ahem." I move out of Carth's embrace.
"Thanks Carth. I owe you one. He's such a sleaze"
He clears his throat before replying "Anytime beautiful"
I catch the intended meaning Bastila is sending my way though the bond as referring to our earlier conversation about Carth and where the relationship was headed. Before she can say anything aloud I indicate we should head to the cantina to find her mother, effectively shutting her up as her thoughts turn to the confrontation she is sure to have with her.
When we find Helena the tension in the air thickens so that you could cut it with a knife. Bastila radiates a lot of hurt and mistrust where it comes to her mother and I try my best to diffuse the situation. Carth wanders over to the bar wanting nothing to do with the conflict in the corner. Helena tells Bastila that her father was killed while out hunting a Krayt Dragon and would like his holocron if she should happen to find it. Bastila's anger is bubbling just under the surface as she struggles to keep hold of her emotions and I place a hand on her arm to steady her, sending her calming thoughts through the bond as I lead her outside the cantina, catching Carth's eye as we go so that he will follow us out.
Turning to her I ask "Why didn't you ask her about her sickness?"
"I have my doubts to whether she is actually sick." She states.
Knowing that she needs to talk about this for her own good I continue to question her.
"Why would she lie about it?"
"Mother used to lie about many things to get her way. She is a selfish woman who pushed my father into what she wished."
"You sound so bitter Bastila"
"Yes ... I thought I'd let go of that anger. All my training and it comes back so quickly ... I don't want to talk about this anymore. Lets keep going." She moves off in the direction of the droid shop.
We had been told that we could purchase a droid that could speak the sand people dialect and as it is one of the few languages I don't understand I feel it will be a handy asset to have. The proprietor is very anxious to get rid of this droid and tells us what he can about HK-47. He hasn't been able to memory wipe it, nor has he found the droid very co-operative. I look HK over and for some unknown reason am drawn to him. I manage to get the price down to 4000 credits and go to take charge of HK.
Once outside I ask about his programming and am shocked when he admits to having an assassin program. "Shh don't tell anyone Master. I would hate to be turned to scrap." He exclaims.
"Uh ... ok HK I won't tell anyone." I am shocked into saying. I'm very intrigued by him though and find his tendency for calling us all 'meatbags' amusing. I nearly laughed aloud when he called Bastila one – the look on her face was priceless.
I send Bastila back to the ship, asking her to take care of resupply with Jolee and Juhani and that Carth, HK and I would go and see what we could work out with the Sand People. At the gate I am drawn to speak to a Jawa standing off to the side. I ask what it wants of me.
"Iziz. I am. Leader of the tribe that is mine. You are the same in kind. A leader that stands before your tribe?"
Carth laughs and digs me in the ribs "Leader of our tribe. Heh. That's a new one."
I shoot him an amused look knowing full well that I haven't heard the last about this and controlling my own laughter turn back to Iziz.
"There are troubles that we have. The giants made of sand are horned ghosts who take us away."
He speaks in riddles but I think I understand him without having HK translate anything. "Giants made of sand ... Sand People?"
He goes on to ask us if we will try and save some of his people who have been taken captive by the Sand People. As we are going to try and save Griff from them anyway, I tell him that we will do our best to secure their release. He is grateful and says that he shall offer trade with us upon our return.
The gate guard confronts us and once our papers have been checked out he unlocks and lets us out. Standing outside the gate is a woman with a sadistic smile on her face. Looking me over she decides that I must be one of her husband's 'playthings'. At that moment I am not sure who she is talking about but soon realise that she means the sleazy guy from the Lodge. She tells us that if we see her husband that she hopes he enjoys his anniversary present. I don't really want to know about this but get the feeling that she means to put him out of her life for good. She also makes mention that she will be on the first transport off the planet.
Looking around we see that Czerka has laid markers down to prevent people from getting lost. In the distance we see a large sand crawler that looks as though it has been attacked. We make our way in its direction and come across none other than the jerk from the Hunting Lodge, Tanis. He is surrounded by malfunctioning Battle Droids and I can't help but laugh at his predicament. HK makes the comment that I should let him take care of the meatbag so not to cause me any trouble and while tempted my conscious won't let me. He makes a comment that his wife must have got at my droid also and then begs us to help him and I'm not sure that I really want to, especially when he pulls some of his lines on me again, but Carth talks me into it and I go around all the droids, disabling the malicious program his wife had made. After getting him to promise not to use his battle droids for hunting again, we leave him to his own devices and head towards the sand crawler.
There are a few miners around the base of the large machine and after speaking with their Captain we are attacked by the Sand People. We just seem to defeat one group when another attacks and we are kept fighting for quite a while. Finally we finish off the stragglers and its med packs all round. Turning to the miners again they thank us for our help and give us some information on where to find the Sand Peoples Enclave. We know we will have a battle to get there and that we will also have to disguise ourselves in the Sand People's garb to get there so head off in the indicated direction.
We come across a few desert wraids and dispatch them thinking we can get some credits for the plates before coming across the entrance to the sand people's territory. We have a major battle on our hands and Carth, HK and I raise our shields and get our grenades. I use my force powers to freeze some of the sand people in stasis and use force whirlwind against some others while Carth and HK fire on them from behind me. I use my lightsabers to deflect the laser bolts fired in our direction also. We come out on top of this battle and are little worse for wear. I use force heal on Carth and myself and hand over a repair kit to HK. Carth and I pick up a set of the sand people's garb and change into it before heading into their territory.
We make our way up to their enclave unchallenged although HK does create a bit of interest. Getting inside was no problem but as soon as we pass the inner gates we are challenged. Quickly I get HK to tell them that we come in peace and that we would like to speak with their Chieftain. We are stripped and taken to their leader. I am very embarrassed by this as my underwear is very brief and while I am partially covered, it doesn't leave much to the imagination. I notice that Carth is in full-length, skin-tight, soldier issue and am slightly disappointed that I don't see more of him, even if it does show off his muscular body. I do notice him 'checking me out' though and covertly do the same to him until he catches my eye and I blush bright red.
The Chieftain doesn't trust us but I get HK to explain that we mean them no harm. Through our discussion I find out that to gain his trust we are to return with some moisture vaporators. I promise that we will return with them and we are escorted outside, our clothing returned to us. Grabbing the pack and dragging out our clothing, I quickly put my shirt on to cover up throwing Carth his gear and getting the rest of mine out to put on. I hear Carth sigh and looking up notice him watching me, also that his body had responded to my near nakedness. I blush again and am relieved to see that he has a pink tinge about his face also. We head back to Anchorhead to get the Vaporators. I sell the wraid plates at the Hunting Lodge and then at the Czerka store, some of the gaffi sticks to get some more credits before purchasing the moisture vaporators and heading back to see the sand people once more.
This time we are allowed within the enclave without having to disguise ourselves – or being stripped - and are taken straight to the chieftain. He is surprised that we have brought him the moisture vaporators and agrees not attack the miners or the people of Anchorhead, also giving me his Gaffi Stick in good faith. I also enquire about the prisoners he has. He agrees to release the Jawa's and also Griff. We are allowed to wander around the compound and go in search of the prisoners to tell them that they are now free to return to Anchorhead. Finding the Jawa's first I tell them that it is now safe for them to return and send them on their way. Next we release Griff and I see that my instincts towards him were correct and added up to what Lena had said about him. I tell him that his sister Mission is waiting for him back at Anchorhead and send him on his way. He makes a crack about not having transport to return by and Carth has to stop me from wiping the stupid grin off his face, then we have to stop HK from wanting to blast him... he high-tails it out of there.
We are given the directions on where we can find the Krayt Dragon's Lair as that is where we think the Star Map might be and head off to find it. We come across one of the other hunters when we get there. He says that he could use our help in culling the dragon as it has gotten too large and would reduce the bantha numbers too much. He says that normally he would do so in a more sporting manner that is 'fair' to the prey as well but seeing as this one is too large and too close to Anchorhead he has had to employ other means. He had laid mines and we had to supply the bait, Bantha's being the main prey of the dragon. As we had already gotten some fodder from the sand people's enclave we backtrack to where we saw some. We have to fight of a few of the sand people before we can return with them, getting them into place and moving out of the range of the dragon. The plan goes off perfectly with the large creature lumbering out and into the minefield. It is over in short order and we are given the dragon pearl. We go into the cave and find the Star Map in the back, we also see various bodies scattered around and search them, coming across a holocron and assume that it is from Bastila's father. Task completed we head back to Anchorhead
Iziz is very pleased that we have returned his people to him and even though I say no reward is necessary he gives us one anyway, also telling us that if we need anything he will do us a good deal. On our way back to our ship we call in to finalise our business with Czerka, not telling them that the Sand People had been spared but showing the Chieftains Gaffi Stick and getting the reward from it, fattening our credit balance again.
We head back to the Ebon Hawk to tell Mission about her brother only to find a confrontation taking place between them. Mission questioning Griff about why he left her on Taris and Griff trying to talk his way out of it. She really lays into him about leaving her and even goes as far as saying that Lena was right about him as she turns and storms back onto the Ebon Hawk. Griff turns to me then and I don't want to bother with him either, instead following Mission inside to see if she is ok, finding her in the bunkroom. After a while she calms down and I head back to the common room to find Bastila. I show her the holocron and suggest we go and see her mother again, counselling her to stay calm.
Back at the cantina we go and see Helena once more. She isn't about to back down either so I suggest to Bastila that she make the first move. With a lot of encouragement she does, and both mother and daughter forgive each other and reunite. Carth and Canderous had followed us to the cantina and were watching us from the bar. Carth shakes his head at me and I hear Canderous make a comment about wondering how I did it again. Bastila gives her mother some credits for her to see a doctor on Coruscant and in turn Helena tells Bastila to keep the holocron. They both agree to meet up again once we have completed our mission.
On our way back to the Hawk, we run into an old friend of Carth's by the name of Jordo who gives Carth his sympathies over what happened at Telos, then tells Carth that his son Dustil is alive and on Korriban training to be a Sith in their academy. This comes as a shock and we agree to go there next to get him away from the Sith's clutches. Jordo asks Carth why he's 'grounded' and not up on some ship somewhere. When Carth admits to having 'crashed' Jordo gives him a sly look adding that it must be because of his pretty friend, indicating me. I feel myself blush, but come forward to shake his hand and introduce myself. After chatting for a short while we head our separate ways with Jordo wishing Carth luck in 'retrieving' his son.
Back inside the ship we let everyone else know that we have found out that Carth's son, Dustil Onasi, is alive and well and in the Sith's Academy on Korriban. That this is going to be our next destination and that we will try and save Dustil from their grasp. All of us knowing that if Carth Onasi's son became a full blown Sith, how demoralising that would be to the Republic, having the son of Hero of the Republic a tool of the Sith. Heading to the cockpit Carth and I set the course for Korriban and make plans to find and rescue his son. In the back of our minds knowing that the Sith would have told him so many lies over the years that they have had him that it will take some talking to get him out of there.
"Coming up on Tatooine" Jolee's voice comes over the speaker waking me. I sit up, rubbing my eyes and not very happy as my sleep was disturbed by another vision. I look over at Bastila to see that she had the vision also. She had not long finished her shift and lay down to get some sleep. Discussing it we decide that it must be in a cave, as it would have to be in a sheltered position to remain 'intact' due to Tatooine's conditions. Also considering that it could be in some sort of creature's Lair - knowing our luck. Both of us get dressed and as I'm pulling my boots on I get the feeling that Bastila wishes to discuss something else. Looking up I ask her what the matter is.
"I don't mean to lecture you again but I am concerned about the relationship you have with Carth. We Jedi cannot afford to have emotional attachments and I fear for where you and Carth are heading." She tells me, not pulling any punches.
"If this is about last night, I can't go into what our conversation was about, that is for Carth to share, not I. I assume you felt something through our bond?" I look questioningly at her.
"Yes I did. What I felt was strong emotions, I can't tell if it was just from you or from both of you" She has a very puzzled look on her face as she states this.
"All I will tell you is that he was in need of comfort. We all know he has been hiding his pain for a long time now. Well the dam burst last night. I think he is now on a healing path. If it helps him to open up to me, I'll be there for him. We are friends and friends stand by each other. I do have to question that part of the code though. How can you not form relationships? Especially with people you have to trust, to rely on? Everyone needs someone even the Masters - you cannot tell me that they don't. I can understand the need to control your emotions but I can't see why you have to neglect those around you. Isn't showing compassion using your emotions?"
"We must trust in the wisdom of the Jedi Council," she states, getting up and walking out. I guess that means she doesn't want to answer my questions. I follow her out, stopping at the galley to get a mug of caffa before heading towards the cockpit. Carth is now back in the pilot's chair, with Jolee in the co-pilot's.
"Carth, What do you know about Revan and Malak?" He glances up at me then turns his attention back to the controls before answering.
"To think that I once looked up to those two as the best that humanity had to offer. Now I'd like nothing more than to put a blaster to both of their heads. Although I suppose only Malak is left now isn't he? Turned on his own Master, not that Revan didn't have it coming. Heh, typical of their kind I guess."
The way he says it I feel I have to question him. "You knew them personally?"
"No not personally. They aided the Republic during the Mandalorean Wars. They were heroes. Without them the Mandalorean's would have finished us for certain. In the Fleet we didn't see much of the Jedi. I only met Malak once, but I was impressed by him. I guess that just shows how much the dark side can change someone."
"How did they get away with all of this?"
"Well... when they returned from where ever they went, they had an entire fleet with them. Nobody knows where they got the ships. They had a lot of them and as the years have passed there seems to be more and more... while our forces dwindle. Did they really get away with it though? Revan was betrayed by Malak... and Malak hasn't won. In the end the dark side won't help him."
[I cock my head to one side] "What do you know about the Dark Side?"
"I, uh...I used to think it was a fancy name for something I see every day. Corruption is everywhere. People are greedy and stupid and do horrible things. I'm starting to think that it is different for the Jedi, however. That there's this evil watching them, waiting for it's chance. You have so much courage and strength in you... yet somehow I have no trouble imagining it differently. Like the flip side of a coin. It's not just you, it's Bastila as well. She's so... intense. I don't pretend to know much about the Force, but I know evil."
Puzzled I ask "You think Bastila and I are evil?"
"No, of course not. All I'm saying is that when you have so much power, the stakes are higher. I can only imagine the kind of conflict that goes on inside you. Nor you or Bastila are fully trained on how to handle your power. I'm just concerned at what might come."
Grinning mischievously at him I reply "That's sweet, I didn't know you cared"
Carth glances up at me, flushes slightly and stammers "Well, that's not what I ... I mean ... I wouldn't want to see you hurt. Either of you." Turning back to the controls again he continues "I suppose finding the Star Maps is more important than your training... and your safety. I just hope there isn't a price for you to pay."
I look at Jolee who has been observing the interaction between Carth and myself with interest. I'd tried several times to have a decent conversation with him but all I get are stories that avoid the original topic of conversation. I know there is a lot he is not telling me but try as I might, I can't get any answers. Giving him a saucy smile I turn to go and get my gear ready for once we have landed.
Once again we are confronted by a representative of Czerka Corporation regarding docking fees. Another 100 credits exchange hands. We are hardly out of the docking area when a Twi'lek woman comes over to speak with Bastila. She tells us that Bastila's mother, Helena, is on Tatooine and that she had been trying to get in touch with her for a quite some time as she is ill. I see a shocked look cross Bastila's face, before she composes herself and asks if her mother had said anything about her father. The answer is negative and the Twi'lek moves off, having delivered her message. I turn to Bastila to ask if she is alright to see that her mind is elsewhere. I sense a lot of confusion through our bond and send comforting thoughts to her, telling her that we will find her mother while we are here.
Our next stop is the Czerka office where I find out that I need a hunting license to go outside of Anchorhead. Normally they cost 200 credits but they do not want to give anymore out. The Sand People are causing too much trouble for them and I make a deal with Czerka to 'deal' with them. I am told that they will pay a bounty for the Gaffi sticks, and if I happen to bring them the Chieftain's Gaffi Stick it will be considerably more. I also ask about Mission's brother Griff. Mission and I had talked things through and she agrees she may have been harsh with Lena and that her brother may not be the man she thought he was. The woman in the Czerka office tries to cover up any knowledge of Griff but with a little force persuasion I manage to get her to tell me that she thinks he had been taken prisoner by the Sand People. She's not impressed by him as he is lazy and tries his hardest to get out of working.
Leaving there we head into the Hunting Lodge. Before entering I speak with a woman who has a look of desperation about her. Sharina can't sell her wraid plate without a license and her dead husband had that. I agree to buy it from her and instead of just paying the 500 credits she says it is worth, I give her an extra 200.
"700 credits! Oh thank you! It is more than generous of you. I don't know what to say. I just don't"
Carth looks at me, smiles, briefly shakes his head and says, "I'm glad to see we're still the good guys here. Sometimes I think we forget that"
"Thankyou for helping this woman. It may not seem like such a great thing to you but you are making a difference." Bastila comments to me.
With a wide smile of gratitude Sharina says, "For whatever it means, May the Force be with you. You've saved us," as she moves off.
Going inside the Hunting Lodge I see the proprietor and sell the wraid plate, getting 500 for it. We decide to speak to a few of the hunters to see if I can get some information, Bastila going to one side of the room and myself the other. Carth stays talking to the proprietor.
Moving over to speak with one guy and instantly feel dislike towards him. He's a sleazy, slimy type who would come on to any female in sight. He makes a snide remark about his wife sending me to speak with him over credits or something which makes me what to slap him across the face. I feel myself tense up and try to ignore my base emotions, instead asking if he minds answering a few questions.
"Well of course darling, whatever Tanis Venn could do. You know, very few human females come to Tatooine ..."
Carth, having seen what was going on, moves closer then putting his arm around me possessively, "Hey! You talk to her with a bit of respect in your voice or you'll end this conversation minus a few teeth! Got it?"
I feel 'safe' with his arm around me and relax against him, tension leaving me as I do. Looking around I catch Bastila's eye. She raises one eyebrow at me enquiringly and I shake my head slightly, then look up to smile at Carth. He looks down into my eyes and my heart gives a little flutter before I turn my attention once again to Tanis.
Seeing the way Carth looked at me and assuming that I am 'his woman' Tanis puts both his hands up "Hey, hey hey, let's calm down shall we? No offence was meant. You just go ahead and ask your questions."
I give him a disgusted look telling him that I changed my mind about asking him anything. With that Carth and I move over to where Bastila is, hearing Tanis comment "You hurry back any old time darling, anytime." I feel myself shudder with disgust and Carth squeezes my shoulders comfortingly. I can't help but snuggle against his side, unwittingly encouraging him and feel him sigh as he pulls me into his arms, cuddling me close. I allow myself to enjoy the moment, resting my head against his chest. Reality kicks in then as I feel disapproval through the bond along with Bastila's "Ahem." I move out of Carth's embrace.
"Thanks Carth. I owe you one. He's such a sleaze"
He clears his throat before replying "Anytime beautiful"
I catch the intended meaning Bastila is sending my way though the bond as referring to our earlier conversation about Carth and where the relationship was headed. Before she can say anything aloud I indicate we should head to the cantina to find her mother, effectively shutting her up as her thoughts turn to the confrontation she is sure to have with her.
When we find Helena the tension in the air thickens so that you could cut it with a knife. Bastila radiates a lot of hurt and mistrust where it comes to her mother and I try my best to diffuse the situation. Carth wanders over to the bar wanting nothing to do with the conflict in the corner. Helena tells Bastila that her father was killed while out hunting a Krayt Dragon and would like his holocron if she should happen to find it. Bastila's anger is bubbling just under the surface as she struggles to keep hold of her emotions and I place a hand on her arm to steady her, sending her calming thoughts through the bond as I lead her outside the cantina, catching Carth's eye as we go so that he will follow us out.
Turning to her I ask "Why didn't you ask her about her sickness?"
"I have my doubts to whether she is actually sick." She states.
Knowing that she needs to talk about this for her own good I continue to question her.
"Why would she lie about it?"
"Mother used to lie about many things to get her way. She is a selfish woman who pushed my father into what she wished."
"You sound so bitter Bastila"
"Yes ... I thought I'd let go of that anger. All my training and it comes back so quickly ... I don't want to talk about this anymore. Lets keep going." She moves off in the direction of the droid shop.
We had been told that we could purchase a droid that could speak the sand people dialect and as it is one of the few languages I don't understand I feel it will be a handy asset to have. The proprietor is very anxious to get rid of this droid and tells us what he can about HK-47. He hasn't been able to memory wipe it, nor has he found the droid very co-operative. I look HK over and for some unknown reason am drawn to him. I manage to get the price down to 4000 credits and go to take charge of HK.
Once outside I ask about his programming and am shocked when he admits to having an assassin program. "Shh don't tell anyone Master. I would hate to be turned to scrap." He exclaims.
"Uh ... ok HK I won't tell anyone." I am shocked into saying. I'm very intrigued by him though and find his tendency for calling us all 'meatbags' amusing. I nearly laughed aloud when he called Bastila one – the look on her face was priceless.
I send Bastila back to the ship, asking her to take care of resupply with Jolee and Juhani and that Carth, HK and I would go and see what we could work out with the Sand People. At the gate I am drawn to speak to a Jawa standing off to the side. I ask what it wants of me.
"Iziz. I am. Leader of the tribe that is mine. You are the same in kind. A leader that stands before your tribe?"
Carth laughs and digs me in the ribs "Leader of our tribe. Heh. That's a new one."
I shoot him an amused look knowing full well that I haven't heard the last about this and controlling my own laughter turn back to Iziz.
"There are troubles that we have. The giants made of sand are horned ghosts who take us away."
He speaks in riddles but I think I understand him without having HK translate anything. "Giants made of sand ... Sand People?"
He goes on to ask us if we will try and save some of his people who have been taken captive by the Sand People. As we are going to try and save Griff from them anyway, I tell him that we will do our best to secure their release. He is grateful and says that he shall offer trade with us upon our return.
The gate guard confronts us and once our papers have been checked out he unlocks and lets us out. Standing outside the gate is a woman with a sadistic smile on her face. Looking me over she decides that I must be one of her husband's 'playthings'. At that moment I am not sure who she is talking about but soon realise that she means the sleazy guy from the Lodge. She tells us that if we see her husband that she hopes he enjoys his anniversary present. I don't really want to know about this but get the feeling that she means to put him out of her life for good. She also makes mention that she will be on the first transport off the planet.
Looking around we see that Czerka has laid markers down to prevent people from getting lost. In the distance we see a large sand crawler that looks as though it has been attacked. We make our way in its direction and come across none other than the jerk from the Hunting Lodge, Tanis. He is surrounded by malfunctioning Battle Droids and I can't help but laugh at his predicament. HK makes the comment that I should let him take care of the meatbag so not to cause me any trouble and while tempted my conscious won't let me. He makes a comment that his wife must have got at my droid also and then begs us to help him and I'm not sure that I really want to, especially when he pulls some of his lines on me again, but Carth talks me into it and I go around all the droids, disabling the malicious program his wife had made. After getting him to promise not to use his battle droids for hunting again, we leave him to his own devices and head towards the sand crawler.
There are a few miners around the base of the large machine and after speaking with their Captain we are attacked by the Sand People. We just seem to defeat one group when another attacks and we are kept fighting for quite a while. Finally we finish off the stragglers and its med packs all round. Turning to the miners again they thank us for our help and give us some information on where to find the Sand Peoples Enclave. We know we will have a battle to get there and that we will also have to disguise ourselves in the Sand People's garb to get there so head off in the indicated direction.
We come across a few desert wraids and dispatch them thinking we can get some credits for the plates before coming across the entrance to the sand people's territory. We have a major battle on our hands and Carth, HK and I raise our shields and get our grenades. I use my force powers to freeze some of the sand people in stasis and use force whirlwind against some others while Carth and HK fire on them from behind me. I use my lightsabers to deflect the laser bolts fired in our direction also. We come out on top of this battle and are little worse for wear. I use force heal on Carth and myself and hand over a repair kit to HK. Carth and I pick up a set of the sand people's garb and change into it before heading into their territory.
We make our way up to their enclave unchallenged although HK does create a bit of interest. Getting inside was no problem but as soon as we pass the inner gates we are challenged. Quickly I get HK to tell them that we come in peace and that we would like to speak with their Chieftain. We are stripped and taken to their leader. I am very embarrassed by this as my underwear is very brief and while I am partially covered, it doesn't leave much to the imagination. I notice that Carth is in full-length, skin-tight, soldier issue and am slightly disappointed that I don't see more of him, even if it does show off his muscular body. I do notice him 'checking me out' though and covertly do the same to him until he catches my eye and I blush bright red.
The Chieftain doesn't trust us but I get HK to explain that we mean them no harm. Through our discussion I find out that to gain his trust we are to return with some moisture vaporators. I promise that we will return with them and we are escorted outside, our clothing returned to us. Grabbing the pack and dragging out our clothing, I quickly put my shirt on to cover up throwing Carth his gear and getting the rest of mine out to put on. I hear Carth sigh and looking up notice him watching me, also that his body had responded to my near nakedness. I blush again and am relieved to see that he has a pink tinge about his face also. We head back to Anchorhead to get the Vaporators. I sell the wraid plates at the Hunting Lodge and then at the Czerka store, some of the gaffi sticks to get some more credits before purchasing the moisture vaporators and heading back to see the sand people once more.
This time we are allowed within the enclave without having to disguise ourselves – or being stripped - and are taken straight to the chieftain. He is surprised that we have brought him the moisture vaporators and agrees not attack the miners or the people of Anchorhead, also giving me his Gaffi Stick in good faith. I also enquire about the prisoners he has. He agrees to release the Jawa's and also Griff. We are allowed to wander around the compound and go in search of the prisoners to tell them that they are now free to return to Anchorhead. Finding the Jawa's first I tell them that it is now safe for them to return and send them on their way. Next we release Griff and I see that my instincts towards him were correct and added up to what Lena had said about him. I tell him that his sister Mission is waiting for him back at Anchorhead and send him on his way. He makes a crack about not having transport to return by and Carth has to stop me from wiping the stupid grin off his face, then we have to stop HK from wanting to blast him... he high-tails it out of there.
We are given the directions on where we can find the Krayt Dragon's Lair as that is where we think the Star Map might be and head off to find it. We come across one of the other hunters when we get there. He says that he could use our help in culling the dragon as it has gotten too large and would reduce the bantha numbers too much. He says that normally he would do so in a more sporting manner that is 'fair' to the prey as well but seeing as this one is too large and too close to Anchorhead he has had to employ other means. He had laid mines and we had to supply the bait, Bantha's being the main prey of the dragon. As we had already gotten some fodder from the sand people's enclave we backtrack to where we saw some. We have to fight of a few of the sand people before we can return with them, getting them into place and moving out of the range of the dragon. The plan goes off perfectly with the large creature lumbering out and into the minefield. It is over in short order and we are given the dragon pearl. We go into the cave and find the Star Map in the back, we also see various bodies scattered around and search them, coming across a holocron and assume that it is from Bastila's father. Task completed we head back to Anchorhead
Iziz is very pleased that we have returned his people to him and even though I say no reward is necessary he gives us one anyway, also telling us that if we need anything he will do us a good deal. On our way back to our ship we call in to finalise our business with Czerka, not telling them that the Sand People had been spared but showing the Chieftains Gaffi Stick and getting the reward from it, fattening our credit balance again.
We head back to the Ebon Hawk to tell Mission about her brother only to find a confrontation taking place between them. Mission questioning Griff about why he left her on Taris and Griff trying to talk his way out of it. She really lays into him about leaving her and even goes as far as saying that Lena was right about him as she turns and storms back onto the Ebon Hawk. Griff turns to me then and I don't want to bother with him either, instead following Mission inside to see if she is ok, finding her in the bunkroom. After a while she calms down and I head back to the common room to find Bastila. I show her the holocron and suggest we go and see her mother again, counselling her to stay calm.
Back at the cantina we go and see Helena once more. She isn't about to back down either so I suggest to Bastila that she make the first move. With a lot of encouragement she does, and both mother and daughter forgive each other and reunite. Carth and Canderous had followed us to the cantina and were watching us from the bar. Carth shakes his head at me and I hear Canderous make a comment about wondering how I did it again. Bastila gives her mother some credits for her to see a doctor on Coruscant and in turn Helena tells Bastila to keep the holocron. They both agree to meet up again once we have completed our mission.
On our way back to the Hawk, we run into an old friend of Carth's by the name of Jordo who gives Carth his sympathies over what happened at Telos, then tells Carth that his son Dustil is alive and on Korriban training to be a Sith in their academy. This comes as a shock and we agree to go there next to get him away from the Sith's clutches. Jordo asks Carth why he's 'grounded' and not up on some ship somewhere. When Carth admits to having 'crashed' Jordo gives him a sly look adding that it must be because of his pretty friend, indicating me. I feel myself blush, but come forward to shake his hand and introduce myself. After chatting for a short while we head our separate ways with Jordo wishing Carth luck in 'retrieving' his son.
Back inside the ship we let everyone else know that we have found out that Carth's son, Dustil Onasi, is alive and well and in the Sith's Academy on Korriban. That this is going to be our next destination and that we will try and save Dustil from their grasp. All of us knowing that if Carth Onasi's son became a full blown Sith, how demoralising that would be to the Republic, having the son of Hero of the Republic a tool of the Sith. Heading to the cockpit Carth and I set the course for Korriban and make plans to find and rescue his son. In the back of our minds knowing that the Sith would have told him so many lies over the years that they have had him that it will take some talking to get him out of there.