Disclaimer: I have no claim to the Star Wars world, only an enjoyment of
what George Lucus and Bioware have created. This story is set in transit
between planets and the only character I can lay any claim to is Skye
Organa, my PC.
I lie there listening to everyone else sleeping, finding it difficult to fall asleep myself. My mind keeps replaying over and over the sparring match with Carth. I can even feel the weight of his hard body on mine, the feel of his lips as he kissed me, his tongue dancing with mine. I'd never before felt the sensations he caused me to feel and I can't help the feeling of wanting more. I know this is wrong but I just can't help it. I moan softly and roll over, trying to get comfortable so that I can sleep, eventually drifting off.
A few hours later I wake up feeling cold. Looking up I see that Bastila is disturbed also. We had shared yet another vision agreeing that because of the cold, closed in feeling that it must be in a tomb. I head straight for the refresher unit and have it blast me with hot water, trying to shake the remainder of that cold feeling. Once dressed, I head into the galley for a strong caffa. Sipping at it I make my way over to Bastila and sit beside her telling her that I don't think it would be a good idea for her to be seen on Korriban. She is the target they are looking for and we don't want to take any chances of her being captured while we are there. Carth hears this and before I can tell him that he would also be at risk of being recognized he butts in, telling me that he is going and there's nothing I can do to stop him. Dustil is there and he needs to help him.
I know how much this means to him so we find something to disguise him from the casual observer. Canderous heads out and does a quick recon of the area coming back with some information, he had to pay Czerka the usual docking fee before he could go anywhere. If I want to get into the Sith Academy with my companions we are going to have to come up with a cover story to do so. Juhani puts the suggestion forward that who ever goes with me should act as slaves. She can't believe she is suggesting it as she had been saved from that fate by the Jedi years before. I decide to take Juhani with me as well as Carth, knowing that she will help and support me from falling under the dark side's influence, she had felt it before and would be able to help me the most. Warning the rest of the crew to be careful and not attract any attention we move out.
Dreshdae is full of potential sith, smugglers, Czerka and dark characters. Making our way down the hallway and come across one of the academy students giving some of the 'potentials' a hard time. Turning his attention to me he asks what he should do to them. I can't believe what his suggestions are and tell him to just let them go. He laughs sadistically but lets them go, stalking off in the direction of the academy. The potentials run off the other direction and I hope that they will leave altogether. Further down we enter a lobby and are again accosted by academy students looking for a power trip. One of the female students decides to confront us as we try and make our way past.
"Look here, my dear friends. We have some newcomers to the colony... led by a Jedi no less. I don't believe I've seen any of them before, have you?" She asks her companions.
"I hate Jedi... and these fallen ones are worse! They always get into the academy and they think they're better than the rest of us!"
Carth can't help himself "Great, just what we needed. Some punks come to steal our lunch credits."
"Ha-ha! Smart-mouthed newcomers to boot!" she adds.
"Looks pretty fresh to me Lashowe"
She turns to her friend saying "That's what I thought" before turning back to us with "Well stranger, I don't know if you're aware of this or not, but here on Korriban the sith do as they please. And we are Sith. Quite literally, whether you live or die depends upon our whim. What do you think of that hmmm?"
Looking her in the eye and letting her know that she would have her work cut out if she took me on I tell her that I don't think there is any need for hostilities.
She backs down "Oh, neither do I. I simply stated a fact. Do you know how many sith are in Dreshdae?"
Carth again can't stop himself "Is this a raffle, how many guesses do we get?"
I have trouble keeping a straight face and I hear Juhani whisper, "Do not provoke them Carth"
One of her compatriots looks ready for a fight "Enough to crush this fool! Lets do it Lashowe!"
Looking at me she tells her friend "Now, now. Lets not be hasty. Perhaps our friend here could yet offer up some amusement. What do you say? Amuse us. Make us laugh and we may consider letting you live."
I stare at her and coldly state, "I'm not looking for trouble, but I'm not here to amuse you"
"Oh? I see. We'll just have to see about that, won't we," Lashowe answers, getting ready to fight.
Another of her friends, looking at the three of us and deciding we might be more trouble than they can handle diffuses the situation "Ha-ha! Looks like this one is not afraid of you at all, Lashowe."
Turning to glare at him she hauntily says, "Are you going to let us be insulted?"
"Oh get over yourself already. I'm tired of this." He replies.
Another of her mates agrees, "Yeah this one's got some backbone, at least. Let's go"
Glaring at them than at me she states "Fine. I'll deal with 'you' later," as she turns and stalks off.
Once they are gone I turn to Carth, shaking my head at him and telling him to control himself. We could have had to fight them, which could have caused us more trouble than we need right now. Juhani agreeing whole- heartedly with me. We head towards the cantina, stopping to speak with several of the prospective sith along the way, trying to convert them to the Jedi cause with not much luck. We head out towards the academy, scouting around as we go, finding out where everything is. Another sith student, Mekel, tells us that he is 'testing' these men and that he is thoroughly enjoying himself. I think it looks more like he is harassing them but get out of him that to gain entry to the academy I'd have to speak with Yuthara Ban and that we should be able to find her at the cantina.
Carth leans close, placing a hand on my shoulder and whispers in my ear "Oh, what a sweet guy. He should get the sith congeniality medal." A delicious shiver passes though me at his nearness and I face an internal battle, my body craving his embrace. Mentally shaking myself I step away from Carth and turn my attention back to Mekel, convincing him to leave ... he agrees as he is feeling hungry and wants some lunch. Once he has gone I go to the men he was 'testing', telling them that Mekel had no intention of putting in a good word for their entry to the academy and managing to save one of the men. Another collapses after saying that he had done all this for nothing and the other won't listen. We head back towards the Cantina and have another run in with some sith thugs. A fight ensues this time and searching the bodies afterwards I find a sith medallion. Thinking that this could be handy I pocket it and head to the cantina for a well deserved drink and to see if Yuthara Ban is there. She is. It takes some quick talking on my part as she is suspicious of my motives. She notices the medallion and asks where I got it so I admit to 'taking' it from a student. She is impressed by my initiative and says she can feel how strong I am with the Force. When I say to her that I am 'interested' in becoming a sith she looks at me thoughtfully.
"Ah. Good. Exactly the sort of answer I was looking for. I will take you to the academy and we shall see if you are ready to join the ranks of the sith. I only have one other question." She looks over Carth and Juhani "These ... companions of yours? They will not be coming with you I presume?"
"They are slaves. Do not worry about them" I answer with our 'cover story' and see her wince. I'm curious as to why and file it away to make a point of finding out why at a later time.
Juhani feels she has to say something "I ... yes ... we are only servants to the ...master."
Yuthara looks over Carth with appreciation then dismissing him as a 'joy- boy' but looks carefully at Juhani before dismissing her also. "There is ... something odd about this servant of yours... No matter. Make sure they don't disturb your training or cause trouble. You are responsible for them. Now... are you ready to come to the academy?"
"Yes I am," I answer as she turns to lead us into the academy. Master Uthar Wynn greets us and asks Yuthara about her latest recruit – me. She tells him how I am very strong in the Force. Lashowe pipes up with a comment about meeting me up at the colony and how unworthy she thinks I might be. Uthar dismisses her jealousy and turns to look me over, asking me what I know of the Sith. I decide to play dumb and say that I don't know much about the sith.
"An honest but evasive answer. Likely it is more true than you realize. Allow me to speak of the deeper matters at hand." He continues to tell us how the Jedi equate the light with goodness and strength and the dark with weakness and evil. He spins a tale about how the Sith treat the force as a gift, a thing to be celebrated, using it to acquire power and generally spinning a web of lies and deception. He goes around the group then asking Lashowe, Mekel and Shaardan if they are ready to join the ranks of the sith. Then he turns to me. I have to ask what will happen to my companions during my 'training'.
"Your slaves? They are irrelevant. They may accompany you as long as they do not interfere with us, or your training. Are you ready or not young one?"
Diplomatically I answer that I am ready to learn. He then goes on to tell us that only one of us will make it though and become a sith. The others will either not be around still or will have to wait until the next year. Yuthara is to be our 'teacher' and goes on to tell us that we need to gain much prestige to gain entry to the final trial. We are told that the first of us to learn the code of the Sith will be the first to gain some prestige. With that we are dismissed and led to our rooms.
I look around the allocated room, noticing only a single bed, a footlocker, desk and chair. There is no door to the room. Juhani and I look at each other and sit on the bed. Carth moves over, sitting on my other side. I'm very aware of him and not sure what to do. We had noticed the guards patrolling the hallways and now see one look in on us, seeing him grin when Carth drapes an arm around my shoulders. Carth gives a soft laugh at the impression he just gave the guard and says that with only one bed that we will either have to take turns or fit two at a time with the third keeping watch, sleeping in shifts. His words trigger an attack of butterflies in my stomach and I look to Juhani for advice. She says that because of the impression Carth has been giving as the 'love-slave' [she grins at this] that he and I should share the bed. Checking the footlocker we discover extra blankets, which she lays on the floor next to the bed saying that she will sleep there. Both she and I can feel the darkness pulsing in the air around us, seeping out of the walls and wonder if we will be able to sleep at all in this place.
"Well, we had best do some exploring and try to find and rescue your son Carth." I say. We head out of the room and come across Yuthara in the next room. She tells me that I am her favorite prospect and am most likely to succeed. Also that she will ensure that I will, needing me to perform a special task for her. She asks if I wish to hear it. Thinking that this is a great chance to get a foot in I say 'Absolutely'.
"Good. I so adore someone who is willing to take a chance. As I said, you are most likely to be the one that Uthar chooses to become a sith. With my help of course. Once that occurs, he will take you into the Valley of the Dark Lords to the tomb of Naga Sadow to administer the final test. There you and I will be alone with him. The perfect time to, shall we say, arrange in a change of the academy's leadership."
"What's so important about this tomb?" I have my suspicions but want her to give me as much information as I can.
"The tomb is an ancient ruin on the surface which was visited years ago by Darth Revan and Darth Malak. They discovered a Star Map there of great importance."
Carth steps up close behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders and seductively caressing my arms, saying in a husky voice, "Darth Malak went there? Very interesting ... isn't it, Master," before kissing my neck and winking at Yuthara, giving her the impression that the name 'Darth Malak' would turn me on. I'm finding it hard to concentrate with his actions, my neck tingling where he kissed me and I get the impression that he is enjoying making me feel uncomfortable. I'm also sure my face has turned a delicate shade of pink.
His ploy works though as her gaze drops to his hands on my arms and she licks her lips before continuing. "Reaching that map, as they did, is part of the final test. At any rate, it is not the tomb that is important. That Uthar will be alone is what is important. We will destroy Master Uthar together and I take his place... and you take your place at my side. A beautiful plan in its simplicity."
"What's to stop me telling him about this?"
"I suppose you could do that. Even the hint of betrayal from his pupil and Uthar will move to eliminate me. But this is a very good opportunity for you... you can start off your sith career as the right hand of the academy: me. Uthar will not offer you that."
She goes on to tell us that Uthar would probably be aware of this anyway and I can tell him what I will. It makes no difference to her. Luckily with Carth's moves, distracting as they are, had taken her mind off suspecting us for more than what we appear to be. Once I agree with her plan she teaches me the Sith Code.
Peace is a lie – there is only Passion. Through Passion I gain Strength Through Strength I gain Power Through Power I gain Victory Through Victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall set me free.
This will give me the first level of prestige. She suggests I speak with some of the other students about gaining more. When asked if I have any questions regarding the code I have to query 'Peace is a lie- there is only Passion'. Carth moving his body closer to me as I ask this, causing my breath to catch in my throat as I feel him against me. I dare not look at Juhani. Yuthara tells me that our passion, hate and desire fuel the force. Giving us a knowing look when she says the word desire.
When I tell her I think I have it, she says, "I am not surprised. The Force is strong with you... master it and it will serve you well"
I ask her about herself and she finds herself telling me that she was a slave to Omeesh, the Hutt. That explained her expression when we used the 'slave' cover story.
We move off down the corridor. Once out of her hearing I turn to Carth. "Did you have to do that?" rubbing my arms, my voice strained with the effect he has had on me and I visibly shiver. He moves to pull me into his arms and I back up a few steps, shaking my head at him. "Your making this hard for me." He gives me a lop-sided grin and comments that that's not the only thing that's been made hard. Juhani laughs at his comment and I tell him that if I had a bucket of cold water I'd throw it over him. I let some more tension go as I begin to laugh also. Recovering I indicate we should explore abit more and try and find his son.
We go past Mekel's room and come across an angry looking young man. There is no mistaking him for Carth's son. He looks up at me, his eyes raking over me before spitting out "You take a wrong turn somewhere?"
At the sound of his voice Carth rushes round the corner "Dustil, is that you?"
"Oh lovely, It's Father. Figures you'd show up after all this time. How did you manage to get inside the academy?"
Being flip and trying to diffuse some of the tension I sense building I say "Through the front door"
He looks at me coldly before verbally attacking his father, "Cute. I wonder how interested Master Uthar would be to know just who he has in his web. Unless you've switched sides Father, but I doubt that. Just why are you here, Father? Not for me, I hope. Couldn't you have gotten yourself blown up on some ship and spared us this reunion?"
"Dustil... what? What are you talking about? I... I thought you were dead."
"Too bad you still didn't think that. Or did you really think I would be happy to see you? Look everyone. It's Father, come to rescue me at long last! Sure, he may have left Mother and I to die on Telos, but that doesn't matter!"
Both men are hurting badly and making eye contact with Juhani she feels it also. Both of us try to radiate calm towards them, trying to calm them down.
""No, I didn't abandon you! The task force just arrived too late. Telos was in ruins, and your mother... I held her while... But I looked for you. I swear I looked everywhere..."
"Ah save it. You abandoned us long before. We were alone all during the wars, and even once you came back, you still didn't stay."
"I didn't have a choice! I was needed..."
"Yeah? Well you were needed at home too. You were needed when the bombing started and I got captured. You know what. It doesn't matter, not anymore. I have a new family now. A family that cares about me. I don't need you."
"The Sith? You can't mean that! No, the Sith killed your mother! The Sith destroyed Telos!"
"So? You're the soldier, Father. How many mothers have you killed?"
"No! You've been brainwashed. The son I knew would never..."
"You never knew me. You weren't even there to know me, so don't even presume to tell me what I would or wouldn't do!"
"I don't know what's been done to you, but your coming with me, out of here now!"
"Touch me, old man, and I'll kill you! Get out! Get out of here before I tell the Sith you're here!"
I can't let this go on any longer. I step in front of Carth and hold my hand out to Dustil. "Calm down Dustil. Carth is only trying to protect you"
He turns on me then "I don't need his protection! Not anymore. The Sith gave me everything I need"
Carth takes a deep breath and tries pleading with him again "You can't mean that! The Sith are... they're evil. They're the dark side. They... took me away from you and your mother. They're... they're what took you from me"
"No, They're not evil! They're not! The dark side is superior... and you were at war long before they came along!" Dustil denying everything.
"The Sith war to conquer, to rule the helpless. I went to war for you, Dustil. For your freedom, for your future!"
"Heh. I ... don't believe you"
"If I failed you, son, then it's my failure. Please don't add to it by becoming part of something evil."
Finally it starts sinking in, there is still a lot of hurt between the two of them but Dustil calms down. "Prove it. Prove that the Sith are so evil and I'll ... I'll think about it."
'How can we prove something like this' I think to myself that if it isn't obvious by now, we can only hope to find written proof somewhere of where Dustil may have been wronged.
"I'll stay right here. I won't tell anyone you're here... for now. You find some 'proof' and bring it to me. If I hear you asking any questions about me or doing a single thing to jeopardize my position in the Sith, I swear I'll tell everyone what you're up to. You got that Father? You prove what you're saying is true. I'm not going anywhere otherwise."
"I... got it, Dustil. I'll be back I swear."
Juhani and Carth head back to our room and I go and seek Master Uthar. I figure I will play one against the other and see what happens. I tell him the code first, then after he tells me that he thinks I understand it I tell him of Yuthara's plan. As I had guessed, he already knew of her plans. He tells me that if I were to gain enough prestige, I would be facing her in the final test. He gives me some poison in which to give to Adrenas to put in her bath also telling me that I have pleased him and have earned more prestige. I turn to go and instead head back to Yuthara and tell her of Uthar's plans. I tell her of Uthar's plans and she tells me that she respects my dangerous decision to play the both sides against each other. She gives me a pass card to Uthar's room and tells me to plant the poison in his bed. Access to his room is just what I'd been wanting so I hurry to do her bidding, turning up an interesting datapad in the process. It tells me that Dustil's friend Selene was 'disposed' of when it was found she was hindering his progress.
I head back to my room to speak with Juhani and Carth. Juhani tells me that she will go in search of some food for us. None of us wish to eat at the academy mess hall so she will bring some back to us. After she leaves I turn to Carth and ask him what the matter is, I know he is worried about Dustil but I wish to find out what else is bothering him besides that.
"Oh ... it's nothing, Sorry."
Thinking that I will have to shock him out of his mood I say "Out with it Carth. I won't have you moping."
"Moping? I wasn't moping! I... okay fine, maybe I was moping alittle, but you're very pushy, you know that? I told you my wife died four years ago. I... I've just been trying to remember what she looked like. It shouldn't be so difficult. I can remember things about her... things she did. The way she smiled, what her hair smelled like, our last fight... just not her face. I try and hold it in my head but it's gone. Is... that strange? Maybe I shouldn't be talking to you about this."
I sit down next to him, placing my hand on his arm supportively. "No, it's not strange, Carth. You remember the important things" My earlier discomfort of being this physically close to him forgotten for the time being.
"But I should be able to remember her face. It's frustrating. I... feel like I'm losing her." Looking up at me he adds "I, uh... it must look really strange for me to be obsessing like this, still. You must think I'm incredibly stupid."
"What I think shouldn't matter, Carth"
"Maybe, it can't be worse than what I tell myself sometimes. The only thing that's kept me going since she died is the need to find Saul and kill him. It's better to think about that than... anything else. If I can do that, than maybe I can let her go. Let it all go. If we encounter Saul... if we ever have the chance, promise me that I will be the one to kill him. I have to settle this... I need to."
"That's not going to help anything Carth."
"Whether it does or not, that's the way it has to be. I... guess there's no need to discuss it until then."
Juhani comes back in then with our dinner and we all sit around eating in companionable silence. She breaks the silence by telling me that none of the other 'recruits' have been successful in gaining prestige as yet so I am clearly in the lead. After we finish dinner she says she will return the dishes to the mess hall and see what else she can find out. Looking at me she sends a silent message to follow her a short way. She tells me that she understands the need to get Carth talking and confiding in someone. Seeing as I've been the only one he has spoken to she lets me know that I should continue. She heads off to the mess hall and I return to the room to speak again with Carth.
"So tell me, what happens when you get your revenge on Saul?"
"You mean if I kill him?"
"Yes what happens afterwards?"
"I... never thought about it. I suppose I assumed that I would be dead once Saul was."
"Why? What sort of risks do you plan on taking" I figure it is best to get these matters out in the open.
He sighs and turns to look at me, indicating I should sit beside him. "Understand that when I envisioned taking on Saul in the past, it was always as the captain of my own ship... or alone. In those cases I would risk everything. I'm not in the same situation now. I wouldn't risk hurting you... or the others."
My heart skips a beat and recovering I splutter "I would certainly hope not."
"You don't think I'd throw away everything we're doing here, do you?"
"I don't know. What wouldn't you stop at to kill Saul?" I feel this question needs to be asked.
"I would like to think that I wouldn't put you in danger. That I wouldn't forget that there's more behind Saul that needs to be stopped. If I saw Saul, however... if I had the chance... I don't know what I would do. I really don't. I mean his death has been my entire focus for so long."
"Well, you'll have to find something else to focus on." I tell him.
"Well, that's easier said than done, but I know you mean well. I promise you I'll see this thing through. No matter what. As for what comes afterwards... well lets just wait to see if I'm around to see it." He takes hold of my hand and caresses it as a guard walks by, looking in on us. He gives Carth a knowing grin before moving off again. His touch starts to do strange things to me again so I remove my hand and stand up saying that as soon as Juhani comes back we will go and see Dustil to show him the datapad. We meet her out in the corridor and head towards Dustil's room.
"Back already? So tell me, father, where's this 'proof' you promised?"
"I have a datapad I want you to look at. You knew someone named Selene?"
"Selene? She's the one who convinced me to come to the academy with her. Why? Where did you get this?" His face registers shock.
"Look at it. It belongs to Master Uthar doesn't it?"
"Yes... it's his. But... he told me... he, he said she'd been lost on a mission in the Valley. This, this says they..."
"Killed her because she was hindering your progress. Superiority at any cost, Dustil. There's your evil. Or can you live with that?"
"No, no I can't. I... had no idea... they lied to me."
"Well there's the son I remember. Now will you leave here?"
"I... no. You go do whatever you have to, father. I... I have some other friends here. I have to warn them what's going on. And maybe I can, you know, look around here and find out some more information. From the inside. Something that might help you."
"I... don't suppose there's any way I could talk you out of that, is there? I mean your not going to do anything half way. Sound's familiar."
"I... guess it does" Dustil smiles at his father as he realizes he is more like him than he thought he was.
"I'm proud of you Dustil. You aren't hanging onto a lie after you see it for what it is. Not everyone could do that."
"Maybe... after this is over, we can... talk. I'm still not sure about... us, but I'll listen. Maybe we can get back to where we should have been."
"I'd like that" Carth answers.
"I'll go back to Telos when this is over. You can find me there. Goodbye father."
"Goodbye son. Good luck."
All of us leave the room, Dustil going to find his friends and we retire to our room. It is getting late and I'm finding the day has been wearing.
"Do you think you'll see Dustil again?" I ask Carth once we were in the room.
"I think so. If he's anything like he used to be. Dustil hates to be tricked. There's no way he'll let the Sith trick him again. As for whether or not he'll be my son again... I don't know. He's so full of anger and hate... I wasn't expecting him to be like this. Maybe we can work it out. I hope so. I guess I'll have to wait and see. Thanks, by the way... for all your help."
Juhani heads down to the refresher block and I turn around to face Carth, noticing him watching me - again.
"You've been watching me very closely as of late, why is that?"
"Oh? I hadn't thought you'd noticed..."
"If you were any more obvious, your eyes would fall out of your head."
"Err... I'm not that bad am I?" he says looking sheepish.
"Relax Carth, I'm teasing you"
"Damn it, woman, if you keep hounding me I'm going to put you over my knee and teach you a lesson!"
With mischief dancing in my eyes I answer, "Is that a promise?"
"Oh, no, I'm not even going to go there, sister. At any rate, I wasn't ogling you. I've just been admiring you. I've been watching you in action. Your, your skills... you have a natural talent that is incredible. Not that, ah, all I do is watch you or anything. I don't mean anything by it."
"It's alright. I don't mind if you watch me." I smile shyly at him and blushing slightly.
"Ha! Why didn't you tell me that sooner? You would have saved me a lot of trouble. I will say one thing, however. We've come a long way with your help. Whether it's the Force, or fate or just dumb luck... I'm glad you're here. We probably would never have made it this far without you. I... should have said this long before, instead of doubting you. I, ah, hope you can forgive me."
"You already apologized once, Carth."
"And you accepted it... but it doesn't mean I'm forgiven. I'd like to be," he smiles appealing to me.
Very curious I ask, "Why would you need my forgiveness, anyway?"
"Because you're an impressive and beautiful woman. In some ways... good ways... you remind me of my wife and I'd like to make things right between us." He admits.
I look at him, stunned for a moment and blushing bright red, "You think I'm beautiful?" Sure he'd called me beautiful before now but that had always been when he was teasing me, this time he looks serious... very serious.
"I'll, ah, take that as a yes. I'm glad that's settled. Shall we... shall we get back to what we were doing?"
Juhani comes back in then and notices me blushing. She looks curiously between the two of us, wondering what has gone on now. Carth glances at Juhani who indicates the guard is heading our way again. He times his actions well, taking me into his arms and holding me close just as the guard rounds the corner. "Time for bed Master" he teases with a cheeky grin back on his face. We all hear the guards comment of 'humph, half his luck' as he pauses to watch us for a moment then retraces his steps back down the corridor. I feel my face getting hotter as Carth leads me to the bed, turning down the covers and smirking at me. Juhani turns the lights off then settles down onto her blankets on the floor and I sink down onto the bed, leaning forward to take my boots off. Carth sits beside me and removes his own boots, before lying down and pulling me down with him, grabbing the blankets and covering us over in one smooth movement. I'm very nervous about sharing a bed with him and turn on my side so that my back is to him. Juhani smiles up at me [she is on my side of the bed] and takes my hand to offer me some support, whispering that this is only for show and that Carth wouldn't do anything to me, especially not when she is right next to me. I smile back at her and try and settle myself for sleep, feeling Carth getting himself comfortable behind me.
Sometime in the early hours of the morning I wake up to find that I'm face to face with Carth and that he is cuddled up to me, his arms around me and his legs are entwined with mine effectively locking my body against his. My heart rate increases and my breathing becomes shallow as I realize the aroused state of his body, not to mention the answering response of mine. I hear a voice inside my head telling me to give in to desire, give in to passion and while it is so tempting, my Jedi instincts think the dark side is at work. I try and move away from him and when that doesn't work I whisper softly in his ear for him to turn over only to hear him murmur my name and snuggle closer to me, pressing his aroused self against me causing tingling sensations to course though my body. I don't know what to do. I've never been intimate with anyone, his kiss during that sparring match had been my first - strangely enough at 33. I'd never been interested in men 'that way' before, except as friends, sure I'd flirted but nothing physical, even the sparring matches during training were 'innocent' matches, with no intimate results. I still don't remember anything from before my military training and the Endar Spire, which confuses me greatly. I lie still for a moment more, straining my mind to remember details of my past, before giving up.
I try turning over a little more forcefully and manage to turn onto my back. I turn my head to look down at Juhani. She is sound asleep... hmmm no help there. My attention is turned back to Carth as I feel him moving. As he wakes he rolls over, catching me by surprise by pulling me into his arms again and kissing me passionately. My breath catching in my throat at the intense look in his eyes before he moves to claim my lips again.
"Mmm... morning beautiful" he murmurs smiling, "what a way to wake up." He stretches out then cuddles up to me and I feel him hard against me.
"Umm Carth... I... umm ... need to get up. I... can't do this." I stutter, flushing with embarrassment and trying to move out of his arms. Reluctantly he lets me go and I get up, pull my boots on and head towards the refresher block. Washing my hands and face I look into the mirror, hardly recognizing the face looking back at me. 'What am I doing? Bastila's going to go off her rocker if she hears about this one. All those warnings and this still happens' I say to myself, 'not that I'll tell her.' I figure it must be something to do with the darkness of the place as I'm having a lot of trouble controlling my emotions, especially when it comes to Carth. Desire wants to take hold as I want nothing more to be back in bed with him and for him to be doing more than just kiss me.
Looking into the mirror I see Carth come up behind me. Turning to him I see a concerned look on his face as he asks me what is wrong. He also tells me that Juhani was heading to the academy library looking for information that might help us out. Looking back at him I decide that honesty is the best policy.
"We need to get out of this place as soon as possible. I can't handle being inside these walls. The... the power of the darkside... it is quite overwhelming. I ..." I pause, trying to get the words straight in my mind before trying again "You once told me not to trust you, Bastila or even myself, especially not myself. Well ... in here I don't trust myself. I..." I look down at the floor "I don't trust myself to... share a bed... with you ... and have nothing happen. [This comes out in a rush.] Waking up in your arms this morning... I... umm... wanted you so bad it almost hurt. It's like I have this voice constantly on replay in my mind saying for me to give in to passion, give in to my desires.... I've never felt like this before... I've never been with anyone before." I quietly admit looking back up into his eyes and seeing a smoldering look in them.
"There's nothing wrong with two people wanting each other. That's not the darkside." He moves closer to me, bringing me gently into his arms "I won't deny I want you Skye. I want to make love to you."
"I... we..." I take a deep breath, "I am a Jedi Carth, and Jedi aren't allowed emotional attachments. There is no Passion... there is Serenity." [Breathe in, hold it, breathe out... calm yourself]
"That is Bastila talking, not you. I remember you saying that you didn't think you could live like that." He takes my hand and leads me to a small room that he has discovered in his explorations. There is a bed made up on the floor and I gathered that it is a place the students have set aside for 'privacy'. Leading me inside he closes the door behind us and takes me into his arms.
"Carth, we... I... we... can't... do ... this..." My nervous protests are smothered as his lips claim mine, softly at first then more demanding. I feel his hard body pressing urgently against me and I feel desire flare up inside me, overwhelming me in it's intensity. I want him like I have never wanted anyone.
"Shh, you protest to much woman. I know you want me as much as I want you, and while this isn't the most 'romantic' location, it is better than our allocated room." Carth gently lays me down, covering my body with his, his mouth on mine, his hands exploring me. Piece by piece our clothing comes off, Carth trailing hot kisses over each bit of skin he exposes, making me feel like my body is on fire. He sits up removing his remaining clothing and I see him in his full glory. My eyes raking over him hungrily before he lowers himself to me once more. Very gently he enters me and I feel just the slightest hint of pain before ecstasy takes hold. I cling to him as he starts thrusting slowly at first, then faster as the urgency overcomes him. Our lips meet in another passionate kiss, our tongues dancing as the passion intensifies. I feel him climax and a delicious sensation floods though me as he tips me over the edge of ecstasy. For a long while afterwards we lay there, savoring the moment and I feel strangely at peace.
"You were telling the truth weren't you? When you said you'd never been with anyone before." Carth softly says as he nibbles my ear. Seeing me nod he adds, "I'm glad it was with me. Are you satisfied or shall I try again?"
My eyes widen as I feel him rising to the occasion again. "Oh Carth" I exhale; "umm... maybe you could try that again" I smile shyly up at him as he rolls on top of me once more. I know what to expect this time and feeling more comfortable with our intimacy. I explore his body, running my hands over his chest then his smooth muscular back. I arch up to meet him as he enters me this time, wrapping my legs around him, holding him tighter to me as we move in a rhythmic dance of passion, finally reaching climax together. Lying in his arms, in the afterglow I tell him honestly that I've never felt like that before. Most of the tension I had been feeling before has eased and I'm feeling more relaxed than I have since our mad flight from the Endar Spire.
As much as I would love to stay in his arms, duty calls – I still want to get out of this place as quickly as possible. Both dressed again, we share another lingering kiss before leaving the room and heading to the refresher block to 'freshen' up, then heading to the library to find Juhani. She looks at me strangely for a moment then says something has changed, that I seem more at peace now. I blush and refuse to look in Carth's direction. Changing the subject I ask her what she has found out. She has enquired about more ways to gather prestige, being told about a bunch of renegade students that are holed up in some caves. Also hearing about Ajuna Pall's sword, a malfunctioning droid and a crazy old hermit. We decide to head for the renegade students first. I have a hunch that they are rebelling against the sith way of life.
As we leave the academy we run into some trouble. We face Darth Bandon and two of his flunkies and I recognize him immediately – he was the Dark Jedi who Trask faced to let me escape. Feeling the pain of loss and anger build inside me I tell him that he will pay for what he did that day. Juhani quickly stepping to my side, telling me to control my anger and hurt. I recite the jedi code with her quickly and then the fight is on. Carth firing at the flunkies from a distance and lobbing grenades their direction while Juhani and I ignite our lightsabers and attack, concentrating mostly on Bandon, using our force powers to freeze them in stasis or catching them in force whirlwinds. Juhani using her powers to slow them down also. The fight is quite a long one but we eventually defeat Bandon and his followers, searching them we find a large amount of credits, figuring that they were also on the same pay roll as Calo Nord – and now I know that Malak is after me also. Darth Bandon had taunted me before our battle began and had practically ignored Carth and Juhani. I had been his main focus. The thought makes me shudder.
Carth comes up, placing his hands on my shoulders and I give him a quick smile before turning to Juhani to thank her.
"The darkside is strong in this place but you are coping well against it. You follow the light which is important."
Juhani had told me that Taris was her homeworld and had vented on me some of her anger regarding her time there. I had supported her and we had broken down another hold the darkside had on her, forming a firm friendship in its place. We turn and head to the caves. Cautiously entering them and battling the creatures within even coming across another Terentatek across a bridge. Knowing what we do about them we plot a course of action to take it out. I creep over the bridge and lay a few mines before backing back across the bridge and catching the beast's attention. Carth giving ranged covering fire while Juhani and I throw our lightsabers at it, all the while keeping our distance. It is a drawn out battle – our norm for the day it seems – but we finally defeat it and we head across to see if there is anything else over there. I find the body of a fallen jedi and collect the robes and a datapad before we turn and head further through the caves. We come across the renegade students and after finding out that they wish to leave the academy but are barred from the only other exit by a strange beast, tell them that the way is now clear and that they should consider joining the Jedi instead. They let us know that they will consider it and make their way out to freedom.
That task completed, we head down into the Valley of the Dark Lords. I stop to ask one of the other students about the area and get another surprise. Juhani and this Dak Vesser know each other. He tells us about the tombs, what we can expect to find in them and then runs off saying that he doesn't want to be around when we finish what we are doing here. He recognised us for being Jedi and doesn't want to be around when the trouble starts. After he leaves I question Juhani and find out that they knew each other from Dantooine. That Dak had asked her to leave with him as he had told her that he loved her. She had not felt the same way and had tried to let him down gently but he had left anyway. Now that we were here, he had decided the Sith weren't for him either.
We head towards the tomb of Ajuna Pall. There are a few obstacles in our way but we manage to get into the tomb without much trouble. On retrieving the swords from his tomb we turn to leave but feel a heavy dark presence come over us, even Carth feels it. Turning around I come face to face with his ghost. Strangely I feel some sympathy for him and talking to him follow his instructions of placing his sword in his statue's hand. That completed I ask him if there is any reason he needs to stay here, that the Light would forgive him his past wrong doings. He considers this but says he has done too much in the past for that to happen but he thanks me for my kindness before fading from view. Carth shakes his head at me at my attempt to convert a ghost to the lightside, laughing as he says 'there is no doubt about me'. On our way out we are confronted by Shaardan, who had been waiting for someone else to do the hard work of retrieving the sword. I tell him in no uncertain terms that he will not be getting it from me and a fight follows. We defeat him easily and continue on our way.
Next we head to into the tomb of Tulak Hord. After defeating a few of the lurking creatures we come across a computer console, which unlocks another door. Going through it we are all overcome by a nerve agent, none of us escaping it, the crazy old hermit having laid his trap well. Coming to I find I am in a force restraint, as are Carth and Juhani. Looking around I see that Mekel is contained also and doesn't look to be in very good shape, I feel sympathy for him. The crazy old man comes into view having noticed I have woken up. He tells me that I will have to pass his 'test' successfully to be allowed to go free and that Mekel hasn't had much luck. He had already tested him. If I answer correctly Mekel gets hit with a shock of force lightning, if I answer incorrectly I will get hit. Knowing that I am stronger than Mekel, I refuse to answer any of his questions. The pain is intense but at least both of us live. Mekel fights back by using the force to free us and we fight the old man, defeating him. Mekel is astounded that I had saved him, having thought he would surely have been killed. I tell him that no one deserves to die like that and convince him to turn aside his dark ways and move towards the light, that the Jedi will accept him if he would consider joining them. He is doubtful, having done so many bad things but he is willing to give it a try. We all walk out of the tomb and into the late afternoon sunshine, heading back to the academy before parting ways.
I head to Master Uthar and tell him about the students, the old hermit and the sword. I have now gained enough prestige for the final test. I am told to rest up and to come to him first thing in the morning to begin the last test. I am to complete this one alone.
We head to the mess hall for a meal and we see Dustil with a group of his mates, Mekel is among them. They both briefly look our way with a slight nod but otherwise does not indicate that they know us. Juhani and Carth both look concerned at me, asking if I am ok after all the shocks I had taken in the last tomb. I tell them I am very tired but otherwise I'm fine. We finish our meal and head back to our room. Mekel catches up to us at the door and hands me a datapad before heading off in the opposite direction. I wait until we are back at the room before looking at it. Carth and Juhani looking over my shoulder as we read it. It is a message from Dustil stating that he and his mates will be taking the next transport off the planet which leaves at 2200 that night and that some of them will be heading to the join the Jedi. All of us are relieved by this news. Juhani and I head to the refresher block for showers and once back in the room I take my boots off and lie down, falling into a dreamless sleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, it had been an extremely long day.
Morning comes around too soon for me and I wake feeling stiff and sore from all the exertions from the previous day – from the fighting, the lightning shocks as well as the intimate encounter. I am sore in places that I never expected to be sore in. I look at Carth to see he is awake and watching me. He leans over and kisses me gently on the lips before asking how I feel this morning, a blush rising to my face as I admit to feeling sore. He smiles as he realizes what the blush means, telling me he can't do anything about that soreness but he can fix my shoulders and back. He tells me to turn over and he begins massaging away my aches and pains. His touch is so soothing he almost sends me back to sleep again. Once he has finished I sit up, thanking him as I can now move my shoulders about without too much discomfort. I have a feeling I am going to need all my wits about me for this final test. I see Juhani watching us closely and look enquiringly at her. Carth tells me that he will go and get us all some breakfast and for us to stay here till he returns.
"What is going on between you and Carth," she asks me as soon as he is out of earshot. I look at her not knowing how to answer. "You seem more comfortable around him now. Before there was uneasiness there but now it is different. Before you were uneasy when he touched you. Has something happened between you?" She feels that I am uncomfortable with her questioning and adds, "Do not get me wrong, this feels like a good thing. I noticed during our battles yesterday that you both seemed to know where the other was at all times, that you were working as a very effective duo, like there was a connection or bond between you both."
I look puzzled at her over this and ask if she meant something like the bond I have with Bastila. "Speaking of which, I haven't felt anything through that bond while we have been in here, do you think it could be because of all the darkness here?" She agrees that it is possible for both. That I could have developed a bond with Carth and that the one I have with Bastila might be blocked by the darkside of this place. I am saved from any further conversation by Carth's return with our breakfast. She has given me food for thought and I covertly watch Carth during our meal, wondering if our 'bond' was forged during our lovemaking. Shaking my head I mentally prepare myself for the upcoming trials.
Presenting myself to Master Uthar I am led to the Tomb of Naga Sadow. Here I must gain access to the inner tomb where the Star Map is. I am to retrieve a lightsaber that has been placed there for me. Master Uthar and Yuthara will wait for me to complete my trial. I go though the doorway and head down the corridor till I get to a junction. Here I find the path straight ahead is blocked by a pool of acid. That is where I need to get. I head off to the right. The door at the base of the slope opens up to a large hall. Down the other end are two Terentatek's. I notice that one of them is in front of a lever and guess that I must get to it to be able to go though the door down that end of the hall. Creeping up as close as I dare I take them both by surprise and am able to freeze them in stasis. Something I wasn't sure I would be able to do. As I know I won't be able to hold them for long I dash to the lever, activating the door release and make my way though the door just as the first of the Terentatek are free from the stasis. I am 'safe' from their attack in this room as they are too large to fit though the door. I scout around the room and find a special grenade of fire and another of ice. Thinking that the ice grenade might do the trick at the pool of acid I place them into my backpack.
Now for the Terentatek's. I stand beyond their reach inside the room and throw my lightsabers at them over and over again eventually killing the beasts without harm to myself, only having drained my force powers alittle. I search the hall and find the remains of another of the Jedi from the great hunt. I place her datapad in my backpack also and make my way to the acid pool. I throw the ice grenade and find it works a treat, allowing me to walk across it in safety. There are no other obstacles here and I retrieve the lightsaber as well as the information from the star map before turning and heading back the way I came. I find Master Uthar and Yuthara on the frozen acid pool and am congratulated on making it this far. Uthar then says to me that I have to fight Yuthara but as we had agreed an alliance both of us turn on Uthar instead. I let her take him on mostly and conserve my force powers, only attacking with my duel lightsabers when I see openings.
We defeat Uthar and she turns on me, telling me that she will not share her power with me and that I will not live to stand at her side. I tell her I don't wish for any power, which she doesn't believe. I am glad that I conserved my force powers, as I need them now. I have more left than she does and am far stronger than she realises quickly overcoming her. She expects me to strike her down but I let her go. Surprised she asks why and then doesn't want to know, instead saying that she thought something was different about me when I first showed up at the academy. She hopes I got what I came for and limps off. I make my way past her and head back to where Carth and Juhani are waiting for me. I give them a nod and we head back to the Ebon Hawk to get right away from Korriban before Yuthara decides to change her mind.
I lie there listening to everyone else sleeping, finding it difficult to fall asleep myself. My mind keeps replaying over and over the sparring match with Carth. I can even feel the weight of his hard body on mine, the feel of his lips as he kissed me, his tongue dancing with mine. I'd never before felt the sensations he caused me to feel and I can't help the feeling of wanting more. I know this is wrong but I just can't help it. I moan softly and roll over, trying to get comfortable so that I can sleep, eventually drifting off.
A few hours later I wake up feeling cold. Looking up I see that Bastila is disturbed also. We had shared yet another vision agreeing that because of the cold, closed in feeling that it must be in a tomb. I head straight for the refresher unit and have it blast me with hot water, trying to shake the remainder of that cold feeling. Once dressed, I head into the galley for a strong caffa. Sipping at it I make my way over to Bastila and sit beside her telling her that I don't think it would be a good idea for her to be seen on Korriban. She is the target they are looking for and we don't want to take any chances of her being captured while we are there. Carth hears this and before I can tell him that he would also be at risk of being recognized he butts in, telling me that he is going and there's nothing I can do to stop him. Dustil is there and he needs to help him.
I know how much this means to him so we find something to disguise him from the casual observer. Canderous heads out and does a quick recon of the area coming back with some information, he had to pay Czerka the usual docking fee before he could go anywhere. If I want to get into the Sith Academy with my companions we are going to have to come up with a cover story to do so. Juhani puts the suggestion forward that who ever goes with me should act as slaves. She can't believe she is suggesting it as she had been saved from that fate by the Jedi years before. I decide to take Juhani with me as well as Carth, knowing that she will help and support me from falling under the dark side's influence, she had felt it before and would be able to help me the most. Warning the rest of the crew to be careful and not attract any attention we move out.
Dreshdae is full of potential sith, smugglers, Czerka and dark characters. Making our way down the hallway and come across one of the academy students giving some of the 'potentials' a hard time. Turning his attention to me he asks what he should do to them. I can't believe what his suggestions are and tell him to just let them go. He laughs sadistically but lets them go, stalking off in the direction of the academy. The potentials run off the other direction and I hope that they will leave altogether. Further down we enter a lobby and are again accosted by academy students looking for a power trip. One of the female students decides to confront us as we try and make our way past.
"Look here, my dear friends. We have some newcomers to the colony... led by a Jedi no less. I don't believe I've seen any of them before, have you?" She asks her companions.
"I hate Jedi... and these fallen ones are worse! They always get into the academy and they think they're better than the rest of us!"
Carth can't help himself "Great, just what we needed. Some punks come to steal our lunch credits."
"Ha-ha! Smart-mouthed newcomers to boot!" she adds.
"Looks pretty fresh to me Lashowe"
She turns to her friend saying "That's what I thought" before turning back to us with "Well stranger, I don't know if you're aware of this or not, but here on Korriban the sith do as they please. And we are Sith. Quite literally, whether you live or die depends upon our whim. What do you think of that hmmm?"
Looking her in the eye and letting her know that she would have her work cut out if she took me on I tell her that I don't think there is any need for hostilities.
She backs down "Oh, neither do I. I simply stated a fact. Do you know how many sith are in Dreshdae?"
Carth again can't stop himself "Is this a raffle, how many guesses do we get?"
I have trouble keeping a straight face and I hear Juhani whisper, "Do not provoke them Carth"
One of her compatriots looks ready for a fight "Enough to crush this fool! Lets do it Lashowe!"
Looking at me she tells her friend "Now, now. Lets not be hasty. Perhaps our friend here could yet offer up some amusement. What do you say? Amuse us. Make us laugh and we may consider letting you live."
I stare at her and coldly state, "I'm not looking for trouble, but I'm not here to amuse you"
"Oh? I see. We'll just have to see about that, won't we," Lashowe answers, getting ready to fight.
Another of her friends, looking at the three of us and deciding we might be more trouble than they can handle diffuses the situation "Ha-ha! Looks like this one is not afraid of you at all, Lashowe."
Turning to glare at him she hauntily says, "Are you going to let us be insulted?"
"Oh get over yourself already. I'm tired of this." He replies.
Another of her mates agrees, "Yeah this one's got some backbone, at least. Let's go"
Glaring at them than at me she states "Fine. I'll deal with 'you' later," as she turns and stalks off.
Once they are gone I turn to Carth, shaking my head at him and telling him to control himself. We could have had to fight them, which could have caused us more trouble than we need right now. Juhani agreeing whole- heartedly with me. We head towards the cantina, stopping to speak with several of the prospective sith along the way, trying to convert them to the Jedi cause with not much luck. We head out towards the academy, scouting around as we go, finding out where everything is. Another sith student, Mekel, tells us that he is 'testing' these men and that he is thoroughly enjoying himself. I think it looks more like he is harassing them but get out of him that to gain entry to the academy I'd have to speak with Yuthara Ban and that we should be able to find her at the cantina.
Carth leans close, placing a hand on my shoulder and whispers in my ear "Oh, what a sweet guy. He should get the sith congeniality medal." A delicious shiver passes though me at his nearness and I face an internal battle, my body craving his embrace. Mentally shaking myself I step away from Carth and turn my attention back to Mekel, convincing him to leave ... he agrees as he is feeling hungry and wants some lunch. Once he has gone I go to the men he was 'testing', telling them that Mekel had no intention of putting in a good word for their entry to the academy and managing to save one of the men. Another collapses after saying that he had done all this for nothing and the other won't listen. We head back towards the Cantina and have another run in with some sith thugs. A fight ensues this time and searching the bodies afterwards I find a sith medallion. Thinking that this could be handy I pocket it and head to the cantina for a well deserved drink and to see if Yuthara Ban is there. She is. It takes some quick talking on my part as she is suspicious of my motives. She notices the medallion and asks where I got it so I admit to 'taking' it from a student. She is impressed by my initiative and says she can feel how strong I am with the Force. When I say to her that I am 'interested' in becoming a sith she looks at me thoughtfully.
"Ah. Good. Exactly the sort of answer I was looking for. I will take you to the academy and we shall see if you are ready to join the ranks of the sith. I only have one other question." She looks over Carth and Juhani "These ... companions of yours? They will not be coming with you I presume?"
"They are slaves. Do not worry about them" I answer with our 'cover story' and see her wince. I'm curious as to why and file it away to make a point of finding out why at a later time.
Juhani feels she has to say something "I ... yes ... we are only servants to the ...master."
Yuthara looks over Carth with appreciation then dismissing him as a 'joy- boy' but looks carefully at Juhani before dismissing her also. "There is ... something odd about this servant of yours... No matter. Make sure they don't disturb your training or cause trouble. You are responsible for them. Now... are you ready to come to the academy?"
"Yes I am," I answer as she turns to lead us into the academy. Master Uthar Wynn greets us and asks Yuthara about her latest recruit – me. She tells him how I am very strong in the Force. Lashowe pipes up with a comment about meeting me up at the colony and how unworthy she thinks I might be. Uthar dismisses her jealousy and turns to look me over, asking me what I know of the Sith. I decide to play dumb and say that I don't know much about the sith.
"An honest but evasive answer. Likely it is more true than you realize. Allow me to speak of the deeper matters at hand." He continues to tell us how the Jedi equate the light with goodness and strength and the dark with weakness and evil. He spins a tale about how the Sith treat the force as a gift, a thing to be celebrated, using it to acquire power and generally spinning a web of lies and deception. He goes around the group then asking Lashowe, Mekel and Shaardan if they are ready to join the ranks of the sith. Then he turns to me. I have to ask what will happen to my companions during my 'training'.
"Your slaves? They are irrelevant. They may accompany you as long as they do not interfere with us, or your training. Are you ready or not young one?"
Diplomatically I answer that I am ready to learn. He then goes on to tell us that only one of us will make it though and become a sith. The others will either not be around still or will have to wait until the next year. Yuthara is to be our 'teacher' and goes on to tell us that we need to gain much prestige to gain entry to the final trial. We are told that the first of us to learn the code of the Sith will be the first to gain some prestige. With that we are dismissed and led to our rooms.
I look around the allocated room, noticing only a single bed, a footlocker, desk and chair. There is no door to the room. Juhani and I look at each other and sit on the bed. Carth moves over, sitting on my other side. I'm very aware of him and not sure what to do. We had noticed the guards patrolling the hallways and now see one look in on us, seeing him grin when Carth drapes an arm around my shoulders. Carth gives a soft laugh at the impression he just gave the guard and says that with only one bed that we will either have to take turns or fit two at a time with the third keeping watch, sleeping in shifts. His words trigger an attack of butterflies in my stomach and I look to Juhani for advice. She says that because of the impression Carth has been giving as the 'love-slave' [she grins at this] that he and I should share the bed. Checking the footlocker we discover extra blankets, which she lays on the floor next to the bed saying that she will sleep there. Both she and I can feel the darkness pulsing in the air around us, seeping out of the walls and wonder if we will be able to sleep at all in this place.
"Well, we had best do some exploring and try to find and rescue your son Carth." I say. We head out of the room and come across Yuthara in the next room. She tells me that I am her favorite prospect and am most likely to succeed. Also that she will ensure that I will, needing me to perform a special task for her. She asks if I wish to hear it. Thinking that this is a great chance to get a foot in I say 'Absolutely'.
"Good. I so adore someone who is willing to take a chance. As I said, you are most likely to be the one that Uthar chooses to become a sith. With my help of course. Once that occurs, he will take you into the Valley of the Dark Lords to the tomb of Naga Sadow to administer the final test. There you and I will be alone with him. The perfect time to, shall we say, arrange in a change of the academy's leadership."
"What's so important about this tomb?" I have my suspicions but want her to give me as much information as I can.
"The tomb is an ancient ruin on the surface which was visited years ago by Darth Revan and Darth Malak. They discovered a Star Map there of great importance."
Carth steps up close behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders and seductively caressing my arms, saying in a husky voice, "Darth Malak went there? Very interesting ... isn't it, Master," before kissing my neck and winking at Yuthara, giving her the impression that the name 'Darth Malak' would turn me on. I'm finding it hard to concentrate with his actions, my neck tingling where he kissed me and I get the impression that he is enjoying making me feel uncomfortable. I'm also sure my face has turned a delicate shade of pink.
His ploy works though as her gaze drops to his hands on my arms and she licks her lips before continuing. "Reaching that map, as they did, is part of the final test. At any rate, it is not the tomb that is important. That Uthar will be alone is what is important. We will destroy Master Uthar together and I take his place... and you take your place at my side. A beautiful plan in its simplicity."
"What's to stop me telling him about this?"
"I suppose you could do that. Even the hint of betrayal from his pupil and Uthar will move to eliminate me. But this is a very good opportunity for you... you can start off your sith career as the right hand of the academy: me. Uthar will not offer you that."
She goes on to tell us that Uthar would probably be aware of this anyway and I can tell him what I will. It makes no difference to her. Luckily with Carth's moves, distracting as they are, had taken her mind off suspecting us for more than what we appear to be. Once I agree with her plan she teaches me the Sith Code.
Peace is a lie – there is only Passion. Through Passion I gain Strength Through Strength I gain Power Through Power I gain Victory Through Victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall set me free.
This will give me the first level of prestige. She suggests I speak with some of the other students about gaining more. When asked if I have any questions regarding the code I have to query 'Peace is a lie- there is only Passion'. Carth moving his body closer to me as I ask this, causing my breath to catch in my throat as I feel him against me. I dare not look at Juhani. Yuthara tells me that our passion, hate and desire fuel the force. Giving us a knowing look when she says the word desire.
When I tell her I think I have it, she says, "I am not surprised. The Force is strong with you... master it and it will serve you well"
I ask her about herself and she finds herself telling me that she was a slave to Omeesh, the Hutt. That explained her expression when we used the 'slave' cover story.
We move off down the corridor. Once out of her hearing I turn to Carth. "Did you have to do that?" rubbing my arms, my voice strained with the effect he has had on me and I visibly shiver. He moves to pull me into his arms and I back up a few steps, shaking my head at him. "Your making this hard for me." He gives me a lop-sided grin and comments that that's not the only thing that's been made hard. Juhani laughs at his comment and I tell him that if I had a bucket of cold water I'd throw it over him. I let some more tension go as I begin to laugh also. Recovering I indicate we should explore abit more and try and find his son.
We go past Mekel's room and come across an angry looking young man. There is no mistaking him for Carth's son. He looks up at me, his eyes raking over me before spitting out "You take a wrong turn somewhere?"
At the sound of his voice Carth rushes round the corner "Dustil, is that you?"
"Oh lovely, It's Father. Figures you'd show up after all this time. How did you manage to get inside the academy?"
Being flip and trying to diffuse some of the tension I sense building I say "Through the front door"
He looks at me coldly before verbally attacking his father, "Cute. I wonder how interested Master Uthar would be to know just who he has in his web. Unless you've switched sides Father, but I doubt that. Just why are you here, Father? Not for me, I hope. Couldn't you have gotten yourself blown up on some ship and spared us this reunion?"
"Dustil... what? What are you talking about? I... I thought you were dead."
"Too bad you still didn't think that. Or did you really think I would be happy to see you? Look everyone. It's Father, come to rescue me at long last! Sure, he may have left Mother and I to die on Telos, but that doesn't matter!"
Both men are hurting badly and making eye contact with Juhani she feels it also. Both of us try to radiate calm towards them, trying to calm them down.
""No, I didn't abandon you! The task force just arrived too late. Telos was in ruins, and your mother... I held her while... But I looked for you. I swear I looked everywhere..."
"Ah save it. You abandoned us long before. We were alone all during the wars, and even once you came back, you still didn't stay."
"I didn't have a choice! I was needed..."
"Yeah? Well you were needed at home too. You were needed when the bombing started and I got captured. You know what. It doesn't matter, not anymore. I have a new family now. A family that cares about me. I don't need you."
"The Sith? You can't mean that! No, the Sith killed your mother! The Sith destroyed Telos!"
"So? You're the soldier, Father. How many mothers have you killed?"
"No! You've been brainwashed. The son I knew would never..."
"You never knew me. You weren't even there to know me, so don't even presume to tell me what I would or wouldn't do!"
"I don't know what's been done to you, but your coming with me, out of here now!"
"Touch me, old man, and I'll kill you! Get out! Get out of here before I tell the Sith you're here!"
I can't let this go on any longer. I step in front of Carth and hold my hand out to Dustil. "Calm down Dustil. Carth is only trying to protect you"
He turns on me then "I don't need his protection! Not anymore. The Sith gave me everything I need"
Carth takes a deep breath and tries pleading with him again "You can't mean that! The Sith are... they're evil. They're the dark side. They... took me away from you and your mother. They're... they're what took you from me"
"No, They're not evil! They're not! The dark side is superior... and you were at war long before they came along!" Dustil denying everything.
"The Sith war to conquer, to rule the helpless. I went to war for you, Dustil. For your freedom, for your future!"
"Heh. I ... don't believe you"
"If I failed you, son, then it's my failure. Please don't add to it by becoming part of something evil."
Finally it starts sinking in, there is still a lot of hurt between the two of them but Dustil calms down. "Prove it. Prove that the Sith are so evil and I'll ... I'll think about it."
'How can we prove something like this' I think to myself that if it isn't obvious by now, we can only hope to find written proof somewhere of where Dustil may have been wronged.
"I'll stay right here. I won't tell anyone you're here... for now. You find some 'proof' and bring it to me. If I hear you asking any questions about me or doing a single thing to jeopardize my position in the Sith, I swear I'll tell everyone what you're up to. You got that Father? You prove what you're saying is true. I'm not going anywhere otherwise."
"I... got it, Dustil. I'll be back I swear."
Juhani and Carth head back to our room and I go and seek Master Uthar. I figure I will play one against the other and see what happens. I tell him the code first, then after he tells me that he thinks I understand it I tell him of Yuthara's plan. As I had guessed, he already knew of her plans. He tells me that if I were to gain enough prestige, I would be facing her in the final test. He gives me some poison in which to give to Adrenas to put in her bath also telling me that I have pleased him and have earned more prestige. I turn to go and instead head back to Yuthara and tell her of Uthar's plans. I tell her of Uthar's plans and she tells me that she respects my dangerous decision to play the both sides against each other. She gives me a pass card to Uthar's room and tells me to plant the poison in his bed. Access to his room is just what I'd been wanting so I hurry to do her bidding, turning up an interesting datapad in the process. It tells me that Dustil's friend Selene was 'disposed' of when it was found she was hindering his progress.
I head back to my room to speak with Juhani and Carth. Juhani tells me that she will go in search of some food for us. None of us wish to eat at the academy mess hall so she will bring some back to us. After she leaves I turn to Carth and ask him what the matter is, I know he is worried about Dustil but I wish to find out what else is bothering him besides that.
"Oh ... it's nothing, Sorry."
Thinking that I will have to shock him out of his mood I say "Out with it Carth. I won't have you moping."
"Moping? I wasn't moping! I... okay fine, maybe I was moping alittle, but you're very pushy, you know that? I told you my wife died four years ago. I... I've just been trying to remember what she looked like. It shouldn't be so difficult. I can remember things about her... things she did. The way she smiled, what her hair smelled like, our last fight... just not her face. I try and hold it in my head but it's gone. Is... that strange? Maybe I shouldn't be talking to you about this."
I sit down next to him, placing my hand on his arm supportively. "No, it's not strange, Carth. You remember the important things" My earlier discomfort of being this physically close to him forgotten for the time being.
"But I should be able to remember her face. It's frustrating. I... feel like I'm losing her." Looking up at me he adds "I, uh... it must look really strange for me to be obsessing like this, still. You must think I'm incredibly stupid."
"What I think shouldn't matter, Carth"
"Maybe, it can't be worse than what I tell myself sometimes. The only thing that's kept me going since she died is the need to find Saul and kill him. It's better to think about that than... anything else. If I can do that, than maybe I can let her go. Let it all go. If we encounter Saul... if we ever have the chance, promise me that I will be the one to kill him. I have to settle this... I need to."
"That's not going to help anything Carth."
"Whether it does or not, that's the way it has to be. I... guess there's no need to discuss it until then."
Juhani comes back in then with our dinner and we all sit around eating in companionable silence. She breaks the silence by telling me that none of the other 'recruits' have been successful in gaining prestige as yet so I am clearly in the lead. After we finish dinner she says she will return the dishes to the mess hall and see what else she can find out. Looking at me she sends a silent message to follow her a short way. She tells me that she understands the need to get Carth talking and confiding in someone. Seeing as I've been the only one he has spoken to she lets me know that I should continue. She heads off to the mess hall and I return to the room to speak again with Carth.
"So tell me, what happens when you get your revenge on Saul?"
"You mean if I kill him?"
"Yes what happens afterwards?"
"I... never thought about it. I suppose I assumed that I would be dead once Saul was."
"Why? What sort of risks do you plan on taking" I figure it is best to get these matters out in the open.
He sighs and turns to look at me, indicating I should sit beside him. "Understand that when I envisioned taking on Saul in the past, it was always as the captain of my own ship... or alone. In those cases I would risk everything. I'm not in the same situation now. I wouldn't risk hurting you... or the others."
My heart skips a beat and recovering I splutter "I would certainly hope not."
"You don't think I'd throw away everything we're doing here, do you?"
"I don't know. What wouldn't you stop at to kill Saul?" I feel this question needs to be asked.
"I would like to think that I wouldn't put you in danger. That I wouldn't forget that there's more behind Saul that needs to be stopped. If I saw Saul, however... if I had the chance... I don't know what I would do. I really don't. I mean his death has been my entire focus for so long."
"Well, you'll have to find something else to focus on." I tell him.
"Well, that's easier said than done, but I know you mean well. I promise you I'll see this thing through. No matter what. As for what comes afterwards... well lets just wait to see if I'm around to see it." He takes hold of my hand and caresses it as a guard walks by, looking in on us. He gives Carth a knowing grin before moving off again. His touch starts to do strange things to me again so I remove my hand and stand up saying that as soon as Juhani comes back we will go and see Dustil to show him the datapad. We meet her out in the corridor and head towards Dustil's room.
"Back already? So tell me, father, where's this 'proof' you promised?"
"I have a datapad I want you to look at. You knew someone named Selene?"
"Selene? She's the one who convinced me to come to the academy with her. Why? Where did you get this?" His face registers shock.
"Look at it. It belongs to Master Uthar doesn't it?"
"Yes... it's his. But... he told me... he, he said she'd been lost on a mission in the Valley. This, this says they..."
"Killed her because she was hindering your progress. Superiority at any cost, Dustil. There's your evil. Or can you live with that?"
"No, no I can't. I... had no idea... they lied to me."
"Well there's the son I remember. Now will you leave here?"
"I... no. You go do whatever you have to, father. I... I have some other friends here. I have to warn them what's going on. And maybe I can, you know, look around here and find out some more information. From the inside. Something that might help you."
"I... don't suppose there's any way I could talk you out of that, is there? I mean your not going to do anything half way. Sound's familiar."
"I... guess it does" Dustil smiles at his father as he realizes he is more like him than he thought he was.
"I'm proud of you Dustil. You aren't hanging onto a lie after you see it for what it is. Not everyone could do that."
"Maybe... after this is over, we can... talk. I'm still not sure about... us, but I'll listen. Maybe we can get back to where we should have been."
"I'd like that" Carth answers.
"I'll go back to Telos when this is over. You can find me there. Goodbye father."
"Goodbye son. Good luck."
All of us leave the room, Dustil going to find his friends and we retire to our room. It is getting late and I'm finding the day has been wearing.
"Do you think you'll see Dustil again?" I ask Carth once we were in the room.
"I think so. If he's anything like he used to be. Dustil hates to be tricked. There's no way he'll let the Sith trick him again. As for whether or not he'll be my son again... I don't know. He's so full of anger and hate... I wasn't expecting him to be like this. Maybe we can work it out. I hope so. I guess I'll have to wait and see. Thanks, by the way... for all your help."
Juhani heads down to the refresher block and I turn around to face Carth, noticing him watching me - again.
"You've been watching me very closely as of late, why is that?"
"Oh? I hadn't thought you'd noticed..."
"If you were any more obvious, your eyes would fall out of your head."
"Err... I'm not that bad am I?" he says looking sheepish.
"Relax Carth, I'm teasing you"
"Damn it, woman, if you keep hounding me I'm going to put you over my knee and teach you a lesson!"
With mischief dancing in my eyes I answer, "Is that a promise?"
"Oh, no, I'm not even going to go there, sister. At any rate, I wasn't ogling you. I've just been admiring you. I've been watching you in action. Your, your skills... you have a natural talent that is incredible. Not that, ah, all I do is watch you or anything. I don't mean anything by it."
"It's alright. I don't mind if you watch me." I smile shyly at him and blushing slightly.
"Ha! Why didn't you tell me that sooner? You would have saved me a lot of trouble. I will say one thing, however. We've come a long way with your help. Whether it's the Force, or fate or just dumb luck... I'm glad you're here. We probably would never have made it this far without you. I... should have said this long before, instead of doubting you. I, ah, hope you can forgive me."
"You already apologized once, Carth."
"And you accepted it... but it doesn't mean I'm forgiven. I'd like to be," he smiles appealing to me.
Very curious I ask, "Why would you need my forgiveness, anyway?"
"Because you're an impressive and beautiful woman. In some ways... good ways... you remind me of my wife and I'd like to make things right between us." He admits.
I look at him, stunned for a moment and blushing bright red, "You think I'm beautiful?" Sure he'd called me beautiful before now but that had always been when he was teasing me, this time he looks serious... very serious.
"I'll, ah, take that as a yes. I'm glad that's settled. Shall we... shall we get back to what we were doing?"
Juhani comes back in then and notices me blushing. She looks curiously between the two of us, wondering what has gone on now. Carth glances at Juhani who indicates the guard is heading our way again. He times his actions well, taking me into his arms and holding me close just as the guard rounds the corner. "Time for bed Master" he teases with a cheeky grin back on his face. We all hear the guards comment of 'humph, half his luck' as he pauses to watch us for a moment then retraces his steps back down the corridor. I feel my face getting hotter as Carth leads me to the bed, turning down the covers and smirking at me. Juhani turns the lights off then settles down onto her blankets on the floor and I sink down onto the bed, leaning forward to take my boots off. Carth sits beside me and removes his own boots, before lying down and pulling me down with him, grabbing the blankets and covering us over in one smooth movement. I'm very nervous about sharing a bed with him and turn on my side so that my back is to him. Juhani smiles up at me [she is on my side of the bed] and takes my hand to offer me some support, whispering that this is only for show and that Carth wouldn't do anything to me, especially not when she is right next to me. I smile back at her and try and settle myself for sleep, feeling Carth getting himself comfortable behind me.
Sometime in the early hours of the morning I wake up to find that I'm face to face with Carth and that he is cuddled up to me, his arms around me and his legs are entwined with mine effectively locking my body against his. My heart rate increases and my breathing becomes shallow as I realize the aroused state of his body, not to mention the answering response of mine. I hear a voice inside my head telling me to give in to desire, give in to passion and while it is so tempting, my Jedi instincts think the dark side is at work. I try and move away from him and when that doesn't work I whisper softly in his ear for him to turn over only to hear him murmur my name and snuggle closer to me, pressing his aroused self against me causing tingling sensations to course though my body. I don't know what to do. I've never been intimate with anyone, his kiss during that sparring match had been my first - strangely enough at 33. I'd never been interested in men 'that way' before, except as friends, sure I'd flirted but nothing physical, even the sparring matches during training were 'innocent' matches, with no intimate results. I still don't remember anything from before my military training and the Endar Spire, which confuses me greatly. I lie still for a moment more, straining my mind to remember details of my past, before giving up.
I try turning over a little more forcefully and manage to turn onto my back. I turn my head to look down at Juhani. She is sound asleep... hmmm no help there. My attention is turned back to Carth as I feel him moving. As he wakes he rolls over, catching me by surprise by pulling me into his arms again and kissing me passionately. My breath catching in my throat at the intense look in his eyes before he moves to claim my lips again.
"Mmm... morning beautiful" he murmurs smiling, "what a way to wake up." He stretches out then cuddles up to me and I feel him hard against me.
"Umm Carth... I... umm ... need to get up. I... can't do this." I stutter, flushing with embarrassment and trying to move out of his arms. Reluctantly he lets me go and I get up, pull my boots on and head towards the refresher block. Washing my hands and face I look into the mirror, hardly recognizing the face looking back at me. 'What am I doing? Bastila's going to go off her rocker if she hears about this one. All those warnings and this still happens' I say to myself, 'not that I'll tell her.' I figure it must be something to do with the darkness of the place as I'm having a lot of trouble controlling my emotions, especially when it comes to Carth. Desire wants to take hold as I want nothing more to be back in bed with him and for him to be doing more than just kiss me.
Looking into the mirror I see Carth come up behind me. Turning to him I see a concerned look on his face as he asks me what is wrong. He also tells me that Juhani was heading to the academy library looking for information that might help us out. Looking back at him I decide that honesty is the best policy.
"We need to get out of this place as soon as possible. I can't handle being inside these walls. The... the power of the darkside... it is quite overwhelming. I ..." I pause, trying to get the words straight in my mind before trying again "You once told me not to trust you, Bastila or even myself, especially not myself. Well ... in here I don't trust myself. I..." I look down at the floor "I don't trust myself to... share a bed... with you ... and have nothing happen. [This comes out in a rush.] Waking up in your arms this morning... I... umm... wanted you so bad it almost hurt. It's like I have this voice constantly on replay in my mind saying for me to give in to passion, give in to my desires.... I've never felt like this before... I've never been with anyone before." I quietly admit looking back up into his eyes and seeing a smoldering look in them.
"There's nothing wrong with two people wanting each other. That's not the darkside." He moves closer to me, bringing me gently into his arms "I won't deny I want you Skye. I want to make love to you."
"I... we..." I take a deep breath, "I am a Jedi Carth, and Jedi aren't allowed emotional attachments. There is no Passion... there is Serenity." [Breathe in, hold it, breathe out... calm yourself]
"That is Bastila talking, not you. I remember you saying that you didn't think you could live like that." He takes my hand and leads me to a small room that he has discovered in his explorations. There is a bed made up on the floor and I gathered that it is a place the students have set aside for 'privacy'. Leading me inside he closes the door behind us and takes me into his arms.
"Carth, we... I... we... can't... do ... this..." My nervous protests are smothered as his lips claim mine, softly at first then more demanding. I feel his hard body pressing urgently against me and I feel desire flare up inside me, overwhelming me in it's intensity. I want him like I have never wanted anyone.
"Shh, you protest to much woman. I know you want me as much as I want you, and while this isn't the most 'romantic' location, it is better than our allocated room." Carth gently lays me down, covering my body with his, his mouth on mine, his hands exploring me. Piece by piece our clothing comes off, Carth trailing hot kisses over each bit of skin he exposes, making me feel like my body is on fire. He sits up removing his remaining clothing and I see him in his full glory. My eyes raking over him hungrily before he lowers himself to me once more. Very gently he enters me and I feel just the slightest hint of pain before ecstasy takes hold. I cling to him as he starts thrusting slowly at first, then faster as the urgency overcomes him. Our lips meet in another passionate kiss, our tongues dancing as the passion intensifies. I feel him climax and a delicious sensation floods though me as he tips me over the edge of ecstasy. For a long while afterwards we lay there, savoring the moment and I feel strangely at peace.
"You were telling the truth weren't you? When you said you'd never been with anyone before." Carth softly says as he nibbles my ear. Seeing me nod he adds, "I'm glad it was with me. Are you satisfied or shall I try again?"
My eyes widen as I feel him rising to the occasion again. "Oh Carth" I exhale; "umm... maybe you could try that again" I smile shyly up at him as he rolls on top of me once more. I know what to expect this time and feeling more comfortable with our intimacy. I explore his body, running my hands over his chest then his smooth muscular back. I arch up to meet him as he enters me this time, wrapping my legs around him, holding him tighter to me as we move in a rhythmic dance of passion, finally reaching climax together. Lying in his arms, in the afterglow I tell him honestly that I've never felt like that before. Most of the tension I had been feeling before has eased and I'm feeling more relaxed than I have since our mad flight from the Endar Spire.
As much as I would love to stay in his arms, duty calls – I still want to get out of this place as quickly as possible. Both dressed again, we share another lingering kiss before leaving the room and heading to the refresher block to 'freshen' up, then heading to the library to find Juhani. She looks at me strangely for a moment then says something has changed, that I seem more at peace now. I blush and refuse to look in Carth's direction. Changing the subject I ask her what she has found out. She has enquired about more ways to gather prestige, being told about a bunch of renegade students that are holed up in some caves. Also hearing about Ajuna Pall's sword, a malfunctioning droid and a crazy old hermit. We decide to head for the renegade students first. I have a hunch that they are rebelling against the sith way of life.
As we leave the academy we run into some trouble. We face Darth Bandon and two of his flunkies and I recognize him immediately – he was the Dark Jedi who Trask faced to let me escape. Feeling the pain of loss and anger build inside me I tell him that he will pay for what he did that day. Juhani quickly stepping to my side, telling me to control my anger and hurt. I recite the jedi code with her quickly and then the fight is on. Carth firing at the flunkies from a distance and lobbing grenades their direction while Juhani and I ignite our lightsabers and attack, concentrating mostly on Bandon, using our force powers to freeze them in stasis or catching them in force whirlwinds. Juhani using her powers to slow them down also. The fight is quite a long one but we eventually defeat Bandon and his followers, searching them we find a large amount of credits, figuring that they were also on the same pay roll as Calo Nord – and now I know that Malak is after me also. Darth Bandon had taunted me before our battle began and had practically ignored Carth and Juhani. I had been his main focus. The thought makes me shudder.
Carth comes up, placing his hands on my shoulders and I give him a quick smile before turning to Juhani to thank her.
"The darkside is strong in this place but you are coping well against it. You follow the light which is important."
Juhani had told me that Taris was her homeworld and had vented on me some of her anger regarding her time there. I had supported her and we had broken down another hold the darkside had on her, forming a firm friendship in its place. We turn and head to the caves. Cautiously entering them and battling the creatures within even coming across another Terentatek across a bridge. Knowing what we do about them we plot a course of action to take it out. I creep over the bridge and lay a few mines before backing back across the bridge and catching the beast's attention. Carth giving ranged covering fire while Juhani and I throw our lightsabers at it, all the while keeping our distance. It is a drawn out battle – our norm for the day it seems – but we finally defeat it and we head across to see if there is anything else over there. I find the body of a fallen jedi and collect the robes and a datapad before we turn and head further through the caves. We come across the renegade students and after finding out that they wish to leave the academy but are barred from the only other exit by a strange beast, tell them that the way is now clear and that they should consider joining the Jedi instead. They let us know that they will consider it and make their way out to freedom.
That task completed, we head down into the Valley of the Dark Lords. I stop to ask one of the other students about the area and get another surprise. Juhani and this Dak Vesser know each other. He tells us about the tombs, what we can expect to find in them and then runs off saying that he doesn't want to be around when we finish what we are doing here. He recognised us for being Jedi and doesn't want to be around when the trouble starts. After he leaves I question Juhani and find out that they knew each other from Dantooine. That Dak had asked her to leave with him as he had told her that he loved her. She had not felt the same way and had tried to let him down gently but he had left anyway. Now that we were here, he had decided the Sith weren't for him either.
We head towards the tomb of Ajuna Pall. There are a few obstacles in our way but we manage to get into the tomb without much trouble. On retrieving the swords from his tomb we turn to leave but feel a heavy dark presence come over us, even Carth feels it. Turning around I come face to face with his ghost. Strangely I feel some sympathy for him and talking to him follow his instructions of placing his sword in his statue's hand. That completed I ask him if there is any reason he needs to stay here, that the Light would forgive him his past wrong doings. He considers this but says he has done too much in the past for that to happen but he thanks me for my kindness before fading from view. Carth shakes his head at me at my attempt to convert a ghost to the lightside, laughing as he says 'there is no doubt about me'. On our way out we are confronted by Shaardan, who had been waiting for someone else to do the hard work of retrieving the sword. I tell him in no uncertain terms that he will not be getting it from me and a fight follows. We defeat him easily and continue on our way.
Next we head to into the tomb of Tulak Hord. After defeating a few of the lurking creatures we come across a computer console, which unlocks another door. Going through it we are all overcome by a nerve agent, none of us escaping it, the crazy old hermit having laid his trap well. Coming to I find I am in a force restraint, as are Carth and Juhani. Looking around I see that Mekel is contained also and doesn't look to be in very good shape, I feel sympathy for him. The crazy old man comes into view having noticed I have woken up. He tells me that I will have to pass his 'test' successfully to be allowed to go free and that Mekel hasn't had much luck. He had already tested him. If I answer correctly Mekel gets hit with a shock of force lightning, if I answer incorrectly I will get hit. Knowing that I am stronger than Mekel, I refuse to answer any of his questions. The pain is intense but at least both of us live. Mekel fights back by using the force to free us and we fight the old man, defeating him. Mekel is astounded that I had saved him, having thought he would surely have been killed. I tell him that no one deserves to die like that and convince him to turn aside his dark ways and move towards the light, that the Jedi will accept him if he would consider joining them. He is doubtful, having done so many bad things but he is willing to give it a try. We all walk out of the tomb and into the late afternoon sunshine, heading back to the academy before parting ways.
I head to Master Uthar and tell him about the students, the old hermit and the sword. I have now gained enough prestige for the final test. I am told to rest up and to come to him first thing in the morning to begin the last test. I am to complete this one alone.
We head to the mess hall for a meal and we see Dustil with a group of his mates, Mekel is among them. They both briefly look our way with a slight nod but otherwise does not indicate that they know us. Juhani and Carth both look concerned at me, asking if I am ok after all the shocks I had taken in the last tomb. I tell them I am very tired but otherwise I'm fine. We finish our meal and head back to our room. Mekel catches up to us at the door and hands me a datapad before heading off in the opposite direction. I wait until we are back at the room before looking at it. Carth and Juhani looking over my shoulder as we read it. It is a message from Dustil stating that he and his mates will be taking the next transport off the planet which leaves at 2200 that night and that some of them will be heading to the join the Jedi. All of us are relieved by this news. Juhani and I head to the refresher block for showers and once back in the room I take my boots off and lie down, falling into a dreamless sleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, it had been an extremely long day.
Morning comes around too soon for me and I wake feeling stiff and sore from all the exertions from the previous day – from the fighting, the lightning shocks as well as the intimate encounter. I am sore in places that I never expected to be sore in. I look at Carth to see he is awake and watching me. He leans over and kisses me gently on the lips before asking how I feel this morning, a blush rising to my face as I admit to feeling sore. He smiles as he realizes what the blush means, telling me he can't do anything about that soreness but he can fix my shoulders and back. He tells me to turn over and he begins massaging away my aches and pains. His touch is so soothing he almost sends me back to sleep again. Once he has finished I sit up, thanking him as I can now move my shoulders about without too much discomfort. I have a feeling I am going to need all my wits about me for this final test. I see Juhani watching us closely and look enquiringly at her. Carth tells me that he will go and get us all some breakfast and for us to stay here till he returns.
"What is going on between you and Carth," she asks me as soon as he is out of earshot. I look at her not knowing how to answer. "You seem more comfortable around him now. Before there was uneasiness there but now it is different. Before you were uneasy when he touched you. Has something happened between you?" She feels that I am uncomfortable with her questioning and adds, "Do not get me wrong, this feels like a good thing. I noticed during our battles yesterday that you both seemed to know where the other was at all times, that you were working as a very effective duo, like there was a connection or bond between you both."
I look puzzled at her over this and ask if she meant something like the bond I have with Bastila. "Speaking of which, I haven't felt anything through that bond while we have been in here, do you think it could be because of all the darkness here?" She agrees that it is possible for both. That I could have developed a bond with Carth and that the one I have with Bastila might be blocked by the darkside of this place. I am saved from any further conversation by Carth's return with our breakfast. She has given me food for thought and I covertly watch Carth during our meal, wondering if our 'bond' was forged during our lovemaking. Shaking my head I mentally prepare myself for the upcoming trials.
Presenting myself to Master Uthar I am led to the Tomb of Naga Sadow. Here I must gain access to the inner tomb where the Star Map is. I am to retrieve a lightsaber that has been placed there for me. Master Uthar and Yuthara will wait for me to complete my trial. I go though the doorway and head down the corridor till I get to a junction. Here I find the path straight ahead is blocked by a pool of acid. That is where I need to get. I head off to the right. The door at the base of the slope opens up to a large hall. Down the other end are two Terentatek's. I notice that one of them is in front of a lever and guess that I must get to it to be able to go though the door down that end of the hall. Creeping up as close as I dare I take them both by surprise and am able to freeze them in stasis. Something I wasn't sure I would be able to do. As I know I won't be able to hold them for long I dash to the lever, activating the door release and make my way though the door just as the first of the Terentatek are free from the stasis. I am 'safe' from their attack in this room as they are too large to fit though the door. I scout around the room and find a special grenade of fire and another of ice. Thinking that the ice grenade might do the trick at the pool of acid I place them into my backpack.
Now for the Terentatek's. I stand beyond their reach inside the room and throw my lightsabers at them over and over again eventually killing the beasts without harm to myself, only having drained my force powers alittle. I search the hall and find the remains of another of the Jedi from the great hunt. I place her datapad in my backpack also and make my way to the acid pool. I throw the ice grenade and find it works a treat, allowing me to walk across it in safety. There are no other obstacles here and I retrieve the lightsaber as well as the information from the star map before turning and heading back the way I came. I find Master Uthar and Yuthara on the frozen acid pool and am congratulated on making it this far. Uthar then says to me that I have to fight Yuthara but as we had agreed an alliance both of us turn on Uthar instead. I let her take him on mostly and conserve my force powers, only attacking with my duel lightsabers when I see openings.
We defeat Uthar and she turns on me, telling me that she will not share her power with me and that I will not live to stand at her side. I tell her I don't wish for any power, which she doesn't believe. I am glad that I conserved my force powers, as I need them now. I have more left than she does and am far stronger than she realises quickly overcoming her. She expects me to strike her down but I let her go. Surprised she asks why and then doesn't want to know, instead saying that she thought something was different about me when I first showed up at the academy. She hopes I got what I came for and limps off. I make my way past her and head back to where Carth and Juhani are waiting for me. I give them a nod and we head back to the Ebon Hawk to get right away from Korriban before Yuthara decides to change her mind.