Chapter 09 Manaan
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.
Awareness slowly returns to me. It has been two days since I entered my meditations and I have only come out of it for short 'breaks', either to get a meal or to go to the refresher, then returning to my meditations once again. I received another vision during this time. The next Star Map seems to be at the bottom of the ocean on Manaan. I only cease my 'exiled state' when I feel a presence within the hold. Jolee walks over to me, sitting calmly beside me on the mats and gently asks if I am ok. I give him a sad smile. He had kept the others from disturbing me, knowing that I had a lot to come to terms with. Through my meditations I am more at peace but I still feel the guilt of losing Bastila to Malak, and the weight of all those lives lost when I was Revan, the Dark Lord of the Sith. I have accepted the fact that I was once that person but have resolved never to become 'Revan' ever again. I will keep using the name Skye Organa, lightside Jedi Padawaan. I tell him that I'd sensed and communicated with Bastila and she was still ok, that Malak hadn't done anything to her as yet... like he was waiting for the right moment to begin her torture or something. I feel Jolee testing me through the Force and see him smile, obviously satisfied with what he finds.
"He will come around you know. Everyone else supports you, he will too." Then he looks deeply into my eyes and I feel him mind probe me again. This time his face briefly registers surprise before becoming a mask of calm again, but he refuses to enlighten me when I ask what he found, muttering that he couldn't be sure of it anyway, which puzzles me further. He convinces me to join the others and leads the way back to the common room. There is no sign of Carth. Looking around at my friends I feel their unconditional support and am grateful for it, taking strength from their friendship. We strap in for landing, Canderous going to the cockpit and taking the co-pilot's position.
Once docked, I unstrap and head to the bunkroom. Getting out the now cleaned robes of Qel Droma and putting them on. I figured that if I had any darkness within me I would not have been able to wear them. I had shown them to Jolee before I had cleaned them and he had told us all that because of how they were created, only one who truly walks the path of the light could wear them. He had gone on to tell us of the story of Qel Droma and how these robes had been created for Cay Qel Droma during the war against Exar Kun. How Cay had fought his brother Ulic Qel Droma, who had fallen to the darkside. Cay had been slain but his death had lead to Ulic's redemption. The robes had been passed down to Cay's cousin, Duron Qel Droma, who had disappeared during the great hunt. I had found his remains and datapad in the Terentatek's den on Korriban.
I make my way silently out to the swoop hold to use the workbench there. Taking out one of the double-bladed lightsabers I'd retrieved from a dark jedi, I quickly modify it to my needs, taking out the red crystal and replacing it with a green one, also adding a Solari and a Damind crystal into the hilt. Testing it I am satisfied with my modifications and shutting it down, I clip it onto my belt, slinging my pack over my shoulder, and making my way back to the common room. Canderous, Mission and Zaalbar are to resupply our ship while Juhani remains onboard with the droids – there is no way I want HK threatening to blast 'meatbags' left, right and centre so he has to stay behind, of Carth there is no sign. I ask Jolee if he will accompany me while on Manaan. He nods in agreement and then his smile widens as he recognises my robes, commenting as Carth comes into the room that the Qel Droma robes suit me well as we turn to head off.
"Not so fast, I'm not letting you out of my site." Carth tells me, grabbing my arm and turning me to face him. He hasn't registered the significance of the robes I am wearing.
Serenely I look up at him, Jedi mask in place although my heart is aching "As you wish" I reply before removing his arm and walking out.
Jolee catches his arm and whispers to him to take a closer look at my robes, pointing out that they are the Qel Droma robes that only a person of the light can wear. Carth looks at my retreating back before moving to follow me. Strangely he can notice a slight white aura around me and asks Jolee what it means. Jolee almost stumbles in surprise and looks intensely at Carth, probing him he registers a flicker of the Force within him. Knowing Carth's opinion of Jedi, he doesn't say a thing about suspecting he is a Force Adept, keeping this information to himself and palming off his noticing the aura as that I was meant to be wearing the robes.
They catch up with me as I stand witnessing a Sith goading a Republic soldier, trying to provoke a fight. The Selkath have been trying to remain neutral due to the fact they are the only producer of kolto and that they supply both sides and have an anti violence policy – they will come down harshly on anyone who breaks their laws. The sith soldier has one last parting shot before wandering off, the Republic soldier swearing under his breath as he goes. Looking up he apologises when he sees me, mistakenly calling me Master Jedi, I let it slide because of my robes. He glances at my companions and his eyes widen slightly when he sees Commander Carth Onasi. He quickly stands to attention, saluting him. Carth returns it and the three of us move off further.
We decide to head towards the cantina – always a good place to find out what the local gossip is. Along the way we see several altercations between Sith and Republic soldiers, our presence breaks up one of these between three of each. I tell one Republic soldier not to let his anger get the better of him because that is what leads to the darkside and then ask why he let the Sith get to him so much. He tells me that they are always trying to stir trouble for them, provoke them into throwing the first punch or fire the first shot so that they are the one's who get into trouble from the Selkath. With a few more words of caution we move off again.
Getting to the cantina, Carth heads over to speak with some other Republic soldiers while Jolee and I get our drinks and sit at one of the tables. I've been trying to find out more about Jolee and have been getting information about his past by drips and drabs. He'd told me that he had been an adventurer in his younger days, had even been a smuggler. He told me that he'd only gotten caught the once – that is when he had met his wife. He'd told me to drop the subject then and had wandered off, lost in his thoughts. I figure, while we are waiting for Carth to dig up some information that now would be a good time to continue the previous conversation.
"You mentioned something about your wife before?"
"I don't want to talk about that." He says flatly.
"I don't mean to pry, but..." I feel this is the best way to get him talking and I'm right, well kind of anyway.
"Yes you do. You may mean well enough, but my private affairs are just that: private. Let me tell you something. Once you've lived as many years as I have, you'll have yourself a long, long list of memories. If you're lucky, most of them will be good. If your not, some will be bad. If you're really unlucky, some will be so bad you never want to be reminded of them again... ever. [He looks meaningfully at me and I wince from my own painful memories] You'll go far away to a place that doesn't hold any memories at all. And there you'll be happy just to forget and be forgotten."
With a flash of insight I gently ask, "Is that why you went to Kashyyyk?"
"Heh. Partly, maybe. I doubt I could ever explain it to you fully, even if I wanted to. Let me ask you this: have you ever been in love? Truly in love, I mean, and not simple infatuation." [Carth had moved closer to us so that he could hear our conversation and while Jolee sees him, I do not.]
"Well..." I start hesitantly.
"Exactly. You're still at the beginning of your life. There will be men in your life... perhaps many men... but if you're fortunate you'll find love once. [His eyes indicate the direction of a certain person] The Jedi, with their damnable sense of over-caution, would tell you love is something to avoid. Thankfully, anyone who's even partially alive knows that's not true."
"That's what I've always thought" I say softly, partly in answer and partly to myself as I remember the conversations I'd had with both Bastila and then Carth [thinking of the one with Carth I feel myself blush as I also remember what happened after that conversation]
"Love doesn't lead to the darkside. Passion can lead to rage and fear, and can be controlled... but passion is not the same thing as love. Controlling your passions while being in love... that's what they should teach you to beware. But love, itself, can save you... not condemn you. Ahhhh, but listen to me go on as if I had all the answers. What do I know about love anymore? I'm just a lonely old man who isn't even a Jedi."
"Not even a Jedi? You mean not anymore, right?"
"Nope, never was. Technically I never rose above the rank of Padawan. For various reasons. Does that surprise you?"
"Not the way you describe your past, no" I answer him honestly.
"Heh, I suppose I'm not prone to live my life like most of the Jedi Masters do, that's true. My opinions on love are no different. Love causes pain, certainly. Inevitably love is going to lead to as much sorrow and regret as it does joy. I suppose there are perfect, eternal loves out there... but I haven't seen any. How you deal with the bad part of love is what determines your character, what decides the dark side's hold over you."
"So what happened between you and your wife then?" I think I'm pushing my luck with this one...
"I haven't changed my mind. I'm still not going to talk about it. You go and find your own love if you want to know so badly. I'll tell you one thing: sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you and the one you love, simply aren't meant to be together. The trick is to know when that is, to know when it's time to fight and when it's time to part ways. Hmph... there I go waxing philosophically again. Somebody blast me already! Lets get going before I start talking in riddles, dammit!"
It is only then, when I get up from the table, that I catch sight of Carth standing behind me and wonder just how long he had been there. Thinking back over the conversation I feel he must have been there for most of it if I am to read Jolee's body language the right way and if I am to guess correctly it I think it must have been when he started talking of love, as several times he had made comments that could have referred to the pair of us.
Leaving the cantina Jolee runs into Elora, the wife of an old friend of his, who tells him that Sunry has been locked up in prison, pending trial for murder. Finding out that we can be made arbiters for his trial we head back to the Hawk to make some new plans. We contact the Republic Embassy and find that we can get accommodation there for the duration of our stay. The three of us pack some clothing etc, and arrange for Canderous to take the rest of the crew back to Tatooine so that Mission can deal with her brother - and try and get some of the 'promised' credits out of him - and also for them to take a mysterious box to Motta the Hutt that we had been talked into delivering by someone on Korriban. T3-M4 is to slice in and change the registry of the Hawk for the duration of their trip, for safety's sake and they are to try and be back within two weeks. That should give us enough time to deal with the trial and to get the information from the Star Map. They are also to 'check in' twice daily so we know that everything is going ok.
That done we head towards the embassy to drop off our belongings and begin our research for the trial. We are shown to a suite that has three single rooms, a luxury bathroom and a kitchenette. I take one of the end rooms, seeing that Jolee takes the other, which leaves the middle one to Carth. He still hasn't spoken to me and the silent treatment is starting to get to me. Quickly I drop off my bag and have a quick recon of the suite, my eyes lighting up at the thought of having a soak in the huge bathtub when I see it, mentally making a note to get some aromatic bubble bath. It has been a long time since I have taken 'time out' for me to feel feminine again. I look into the kitchenette, finding that we need to stock up on food and drinks also.
Ready to go, we now head back to the courtroom to speak with the judges to find out what their opinions are on the case. Each have their own opinions about it and we try and see who is for the Republic and who is against. It's pretty evenly matched. We head out to find out what we can at the hotel, wanting to interview the witnesses, also to speak with Sunry to find out his version of events. Sunry was another Republic war hero, who had been decorated for his heroics. His medal had been found in the hand of the victim, who happened to be a sith. He had also been seen running from the room after a blaster shot had been heard, although everyone we spoke to is quick to mention that he was crippled from an old war injury.
There are lots of inconsistencies surrounding this case. Over the next few days we split up to speak with the various witnesses. Carth, true to his word, doesn't let me out of his site. Speaking with one of the witnesses, we find out that he had been paid by the Sith to plant the medallion on the body. The other witness knows something but won't talk, even with me trying to use force persuasion on him. That same evening after leaving the hotel where the murder took place, we are approached by a man who is acting quite mysterious. He doesn't give his name and he talks in riddles that remind me of Jolee at his worst. He suggests we search both the Sith and Republic bases for more information in regards to the trial, before turning and doing a disappearing act. I look at Carth and he says that it is worth a try.
We had also been asked by Roland Wann to do a small task for him. He needs someone to break into the Sith Embassy to retrieve the data module from a droid they had sent down to the ocean floor. The droid had malfunctioned and the Sith got to it before the Republic could salvage it. We have access to the Republic computers so I slice in while Carth stands guard. I soon find some relevant information to the trial and am shocked by what I have found. Quickly I download the information to my datapad to show both Carth and Jolee back at our room. We head back there to meet up with Jolee. Carth is still giving me the silent treatment, only speaking to me when he has to but I can sense conflict within him. Jolee comes in from speaking with Sunry again and tells us he had found out that Sunry and Elassa had been having an affair, that his cover story of meeting with her to make her a double agent was not necessarily true.
I show both Carth and Jolee the information on my datapad and they are both shocked by what it exposes. Sunry had gone into Elassa's room and had shot her when she was in bed asleep. He had murdered her in cold blood. We head back to the prison to speak with Sunry, informing him of the evidence we had found. He looks defeated that we now know the truth but says he will deny it all. The position of the Republic is too fragile on this planet to rock the boat too much. We head back to the room for the night. Sitting around the table having our evening meal and discussing the case I make the suggestion that Carth and I break into the Sith base while Jolee defends Sunry in the trial, if we come up with any further information we will tell him of it over the communicator, but as we already know the truth of the matter, nothing else we could turn up would change the fact that he was in fact guilty of the crime.
Nothing further to discuss, and feeling Carth watching me, I head for a quick shower and then turn in for the night – still promising myself that I will have a long hot bath once I get the chance to. We had agreed to be up at 0400 to break into the base, using the pass card for the transport to go round to the other entrance of the base. Before falling asleep my thoughts go over how well Carth and I still work together, even with his silent treatment of me. A tear slides down my face as I can't help but think of how much I long to be in his arms again. I miss our friendly banter and feel the loss of what was becoming a close relationship. Sighing I roll over and try to sleep, using meditative deep breaths in an effort to calm my emotions. Eventually it works and I drop into a dreamless sleep.
"Wake up Skye, it was your idea to be up this early" a familiar voice says in my ear as I feel a hand on my shoulder, shaking me.
"Hmmm... what time is it?" My heart missing a beat with the sound of his voice and I slowly open my eyes to see Carth leaning over me.
"It's 0345 and if you want to have a cup of caffa before we go I suggest you get up now"
I stretch out and notice that he is watching me with a hungry look of desire in his eye. I hide a smile behind my hand as I pretend to yawn, then swing the covers back and sit up, grabbing for my robes that are at the foot of my bed. He clears his throat and turns, heading out the door. I let myself smile, having noticed that he was not unaffected by the site of seeing me in bed and think to myself that maybe he hasn't totally gone cold on me after all. Once I'm dressed I head out to meet him. He hands me a cup of caffa and starts going over what our plan of action is: 1. Get to the docking bay. 2. Access the transport. 3. Break into the base. 4. Get data module and 5. Get out without causing too much trouble. We head out the door.
The first steps are incredibly easy and we gain access to the base unnoticed. I find the nearest computer terminal and slice into it, downloading the layout of the base and also searching for any relevant information for the trial – there is none to be found, so we contact Jolee and inform him of this. Finding where the droid is being kept, we sneak through the base and only come up against a couple of sentry droids guarding the stolen Republic droid. I quickly call the Force to me and stun the droids, not having mastered the art of destroying them right out as yet. Carth stands guard while I grab the data module and we move further through the base.
I tell Carth that I'd like to check out the training facility and see if there is anything there about the missing Selkath youth that I had been told about. Moving quietly as to not wake any of the Sith troops, we get to the training section undetected. It is only once in there that we run into trouble in the form of a dark jedi. I freeze him before he can alert anyone and take him out with my lightsaber. Carth has his vibroblade drawn and ready. We move off and seeing their medical facility, I slip inside. I am horrified at what I find. Carth rushes in when he hears me draw a deep breath, seeing some dying Selkath just lying on the floor. One of them tries to look up, a friendship pin dropping out of his hand as he says something about Sith lies and tell her about them. I pick up the pin and go in search of the apprentice barracks. Inside there are several Selkath youth. One of them, a female named Shasa, confronts me. I find out that she is the daughter of Shaelas, the one who had told me of the missing youth. I ask her if she knows anything about the pin I had picked up and she recognises it straight away, asking where I got it. I tell her the truth and she doesn't want to believe me. I try and tell her how evil the sith are and she want's proof. This all sounds familiar and I look over at Carth, remembering all we had to go through with his son, Dustil. He acknowledges me with a nod and I tell them we will be back soon.
We head further into the training annex and come across a Dark Jedi Master with a couple of the apprentices. He recognises us immediately and tells us – again – that Malak has a price on our heads. His apprentices are eager and are quick to jump into the fight but are no match against Force stasis. Carth takes care of them quickly and efficiently then stands back watchful, leaving me to concentrate on the Master. I dance around the him, testing for his weaknesses and choosing the right moment to strike out. I surprise him by Force pushing him back then leaping forward, my blade slashing across him. He only just manages to deflect and struggles to bring his blade up defensively.
My battle against Malak gave me more experience than I expected and I find that I am stronger than I had first thought, then think of course I am, I was Revan after all. Seeing that the Master has left his side open I feint the other direction spinning quickly and bringing my blade round in a mortal blow. He didn't see it coming. Carth makes a comment on how impressive it looked watching me fight also mentioning how much I'd improved my style since Taris. Usually he is too busy with his own battles to see me in action these days. We go through and search the Master's room and I find another datapad full of 'proof' of the Sith's plans. We backtrack to the apprentice barracks and show them the datapad, convincing them to leave the Sith and I also give them a warning about how to use the powers they had been taught. They are not to use their gifts the wrong way but instead should follow a light path. We then part ways.
Making our way back to the main reception area we are confronted by a Sith Security Officer. My force persuasion doesn't work and she hits the alarm. Another fight follows and I use a stasis field to neutralise the enemy, then concentrate on the droids, while Carth takes out the others. We quickly take the elevator up but are arrested as we leave the base. I am considered the 'leader' and therefore am the one to be placed on trial, Carth is released on a technicality.
I ask what I have been charged with and they tell me unlawful entry. I tell them I had authorisation to enter, after all, I had entered using one of their pass cards. I tell them I also had no prior associations with the Sith on this planet. They take me into the courtroom and I tell them I wish to dismiss my Arbiter, I wish to defend myself. They allow me that and I plead not guilty, telling them that I was there for diplomatic negotiations. I also produce the datapad with the information regarding the Sith's plans for their planet, using the Selkath youth. The judges are very concerned by this information and wish to deliberate further. I am returned to the holding cell while they discuss it, being called back two hours later. They dismiss the case and I am allowed to go free.
Carth and Jolee meet me out the front of the courtroom and we head back to the Republic Embassy. I hand over the information Roland had sent us into the base for and he thanks us. I ask him if he knows anything about the Star Map and he admits he might be able to help us out. Once again we have to do something for him first. We have to go down to Hrakert Station, which has been built on the ocean floor and is what the droid had been sent down for. There had been a loss of communication between the base and the embassy and they have been sending mercenaries down to find out what has gone on. So far none had returned. He thinks that we might have a better chance in finding out what is going on. We agree to this as the only way we can get down there to find the Star Map. Agreement made and pass cards given, we return to our suite, deciding that we will go down below in the morning.
I flop down onto one of the lounge chairs and ask Jolee how Sunry's trial went. He tells us that he couldn't get him off. That he was given a life- term in the Ahto City Prison. He said that the Sith Diplomat had objected strongly as he was hoping for the death penalty and had been berated for it by the judges. He goes on to tell is that the Republic will likely appeal the matter and eventually Sunry will be free. He changes the subject then and asks what happened in the Sith base. Carth tells him about the Selkath youth and about the battles we had against the Dark Jedi. I leave them to it and go to prepare something for the evening meal. I hear Jolee telling Carth that Juhani had checked in while we had been 'out' and that all were well. Mission had confronted her brother again and was in the process of getting the credits from him. Canderous had delivered the box to Motta and had received 3000 credits for that. They would be leaving Tatooine in another day's time and would be back by the end of the week.
I serve up a simple meal of protein and vegetables and we sit around in companionable silence. The smell of the meat cooking seems to turn my stomach slightly but I ignore it, not thinking anymore about it. After the meal I go to clear up the dishes but am waved aside by the men. I decide to take the opportunity to take a luxury bath and disappear first to my room where I get my bubble bath and clothes, then to the bathroom where I run a nice hot bath. I pour a small amount into the tub watching the bubbles foam up and breath in the scents of rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang as the scent rises up with the steam. I step into the tub and lower myself down, sighing with pleasure and sink below the water for a moment before settling into a comfortable position, my head supported by a headrest on the edge of the tub. I close my eyes and begin a meditation, breathing in the aromatics and relaxing totally. I am disturbed half an hour later by a knock at the door, before it is opened up and an anxious voice calls out if I'm alright.
"Carth! Can't I have a bath in peace? I'm fine, leave me be for once!"
Hearing him chuckle and comment that I'd be as wrinkled as a prune if I stayed in there any longer. It makes me smile that he is coming around again now. Gathering that half an hour is all I'm going to get I decide to get out. Quickly getting dressed I peak out the door to see where the men are, then sneak back into my room, quietly closing the door behind me and slipping into bed. I lie there for a while thinking before falling asleep. A couple of times he'd smiled at me today, I guess that's progress.
Morning comes around and I'm awake early. Getting up and dressed I head into the lounge area. I stand at the window and admire the view for a time until I hear movement behind me. The men both come out of their rooms and look over to see what I'm up to. We all sit down for breakfast and then head out towards the submarine bay. It is cramped in the submarine and as I'm the smallest I have to sit in the middle, Carth having the controls. He takes us down to Hrakert Station and as we near it, we see some of the damage, wondering what could have caused it. Inside the docking bay we see another submarine that had been damaged but no sign of what might have done it either. Moving cautiously around we open one of the doors to find a Twi'lek mercenary in a very nervous state. He quickly locks the door behind us and tells us that insane Selkath had killed the others he had come down with. He is amazed that we got down to the station in one piece, as there was a lot of firaxan sharks about when he and his companions made the trip. He refuses to come with us so we head out and down the empty corridors of the station. Along one of the walkways we look out to see firaxan sharks hovering as if they were watching us. Further along we encounter a few of the guard droids, having to destroy them before we can move on. Going through another door we come across several insane Selkath. There is no reasoning with them so between Jolee and myself, we freeze them in stasis before putting them out of their misery. Carth checking the footlockers as we go along.
We find some useful information on a datapad regarding the use of a sonic device that is suppose to repel the sharks. Useful information to keep in mind. We come across more insane Selkath as we move through the building, finally reaching an airlock. As we have only found the one pressure suit I tell the others that I will go on further. Carth tries to talk me out of it saying he still doesn't want me out of his sight but I appeal to Jolee who convinces him to let me. I don the suit and head out of the lock. Moving though the darkened corridors I come across another survivor. He is another of the mercenaries and tells me that if he can get to the harvesting machine he might have a chance of getting back to the surface. Let hurries off ahead of me. I follow behind him carefully looking around as I go. When I get to the exit, I see him get taken by a shark. Not a pretty sight. Carefully I look to see where I have to get to before moving out. I have to use the sonic repeller several times as I make my way to the next building.
Once inside I run into two scientists who have a force field in place. They hit the depressurisation button and nearly suffocate me, but I manage to convince them that I am not a threat and they hit the button again, lowering the shield for me. They tell me of the giant firaxan shark and how the machinery had 'woken it'. It had been the reason for the Selkath going insane and it also caused most of the damage sustained. There are two options for me to choose between. I could either poison the water, hoping that that would kill the shark or I could destroy the harvesting machine. I choose the later. Going out the next airlock I make my way over to the control panel to set the machine for destruction. Moving back to a safe location I watch while it blows. From my position I can make out what looks to be the Star Map and once the coast is clear I head that direction. I have to go past the giant shark but with the machinery destroyed it doesn't worry about me.
I had seen the Star Map and now move to get the information from it, recording it on my datapad then making my way back to the scientists. They had watched my actions on the monitor in regards to destroying the machinery. Sami was the one who had suggested that course of action and is pleased that I had taken her advice. They tell me that they will wait the Republic's official rescue team and I move off to where I had left Carth and Jolee. Meeting back up with them I suggest we get back up to the surface. Roland Wann meets us in the docking bay and is anxious to know what had happened. We inform him that the machinery had woken up a giant firaxan shark and that the shark had driven the Selkath insane. The insane Selkath had then killed most of the scientists but there were some survivors.
Leaving him there we head back to the suite. I head straight to my room, getting out my civilian clothes as they are the only other change of clothes I have with me and head straight for the shower – I need to be clean. Dressed again I clip my lightsaber back onto my belt and tell the men that I have to speak with Nilko Bwaas near the mercenary's enclave. They tell me to wait for them to change and then we head out of the Republic Embassy. On leaving the building I am again arrested. Looking back at Jolee and Carth I shrug my shoulders and tell the Selkath that I will go with them peacefully. I am taken to the courtroom and questioned about the explosions on the ocean floor as I was seen getting into a submarine. I tell them that the constructions at Hrakert Station (that both their government and the Republic had built) woke up a giant firaxan shark that drove all the Selkath insane. Some of the judges were unaware of the station's existence and they argue amongst themselves. The head judge calls for their silence saying that he knew of this information, then turns to me asking if I had killed the shark. I honestly tell him that I destroyed the machinery to save the shark. They deliberate for only a short period of time before they release me.
I walk out of the courtroom, looking to see where Jolee and Carth are. Jolee is over talking to another traveller and Carth is on one of the private balconies overlooking the ocean. Catching Jolee's eye, I indicate that I will be back soon and make my way to the mercenary's enclave and to Nilko. I tell him of the reasons for the Republic hiring so many mercenaries and he thanks me for the information. I turn and head back to where Carth is standing facing the ocean. He takes one look at my face and asks, "Yes? What's on your mind?"
"I think it's time we talked about me being Revan, don't you?" I confront him, a determined look on my face.
"If you're ready to talk, then yes... so am I." He admits.
"And?" [I hold my breath, despairing what he will say.]
He looks into my eyes and for the first time in two and a half weeks the ice cold mask is gone. "I can't hate you. I tried... I wanted to hold you responsible for all the things you've done. For my... for my wife, for Telos... for Dustil. But I can't."
I release the breath I'd been holding. "Why can't you?"
"I got the revenge I always wanted when Saul died, but it hasn't brought me the peace I thought it would. [He turns to face me fully] All I can think of now is the promise I made to protect you from what is going to come. It's given me a reason to look beyond simple revenge. Despite whatever part of Revan is inside you, the... the darkness that must surely be there, it isn't who you are. That's why I can't hate you, why I don't want any more revenge. You don't have to be Revan, you can be so much more. Whatever the Jedi did to you, they gave you that chance. You have this huge destiny waiting for you, I just fear that if you're alone it could swallow you whole. I mean, is there room in there for me? Will you let me help you?" His voice is full of emotion and his eyes are pleading with me.
"I don't want you to get hurt protecting me, Carth." My heart skips a beat and my eyes water slightly.
"I think I would be hurt worse if I didn't try." He quietly states.
I'm almost afraid to ask, "What do you mean?"
"Whatever's happened until this point, there's going to come a time very soon where you're going to have to make a choice. And there won't be any turning back. I want you to make the right choice. I want to give you a reason to."
My voice quiver's slightly as I ask, "What sort of reason?"
"You gave me a future. I want to give you a future, too... with me. I think I could love you, if you give me a chance." The expression on his face has turned very intense as he waits for my answer.
I close my eyes, hearing his words of love echoing in my mind. "I can't see into the future, I don't know what's going to happen." I open them again to look into his eyes. He places his hands on my shoulders gently.
"Neither do I. But does that really matter if we love each other?"
My heart starts to flutter in my chest as his words sink in, he loves me... Carth loves me. With a very light heart and my love for him shining in my eyes I answer, "I guess not. I think I could love you too"
It is his turn to release the breath he has been holding, his lop-sided grin returning. "Well then, I'm... I'm glad. Let's... let's face the future together, then... there's still a lot to do." With that he pulls me gently into his embrace, holding me close. I rest my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. He clears his throat and I pull back slightly to look up at him. He returns my gaze for a moment before lowering his lips to claim mine, gently at first, then deepening the kiss.
Jolee interrupts our reunion, telling us that we should go behind closed doors, even though I am not in my robes plenty of the general public have seen me in them and would not be impressed by seeing a Jedi a compromising position, even if it is with a Hero of the Republic. Shyly I look up at Carth and he releases me, stepping back and indicating that we should go back to the suite. We both agree with Jolee in this case. The general public all know of the Jedi Code, that it forbids emotional attachments so if we are seen to be doing just that there will be more problems arise. As we head back Jolee says how pleased he is to see that we have finally made up. He was beginning to think we never would. This just confirms my guess that his 'love lectures' were aimed in our way.
Just before the door to our suite, Jolee tells us that he will go and find Elora and see how she is... that should give us some 'privacy' for the evening, seeing as the others will be back the next day. I blush furiously and hear Carth chuckle. We move inside and close the door. Now we can relax and Carth is quick to take advantage of the situation, leading me into my bedroom.
"Now where were we?" he murmurs, drawing me into his embrace and kissing me passionately. We decide to make the most of our time alone and our clothing is soon shed as we adjourn to the bed. This time our lovemaking feels different. It is more loving and gentle. I feel my heart opening up to him as he skilfully brings me to pitch over and over again before reaching the edge himself. Lying in each other's arms afterwards we talk again about what we know of my past. I honestly tell him that I still can't remember anything much except the few visions I had shared with Bastila. He gently caresses some of the scars on my shoulder. I snuggle up against him and we both fall asleep. Waking up in the morning I notice that he is already awake and has been lying there watching me sleeping. It feels good to wake up next to him and I smile up at him, cuddling close.
"Morning beautiful" he says as he leans over to kiss me. This starts something and an hour later we decide we had better get up and face the new day. I slip a bathrobe on and head to the bathroom, noticing there is no sign of Jolee. I duck inside to have my shower, surprised as Carth follows me in. What was going to only be a quick shower turns into more of a leisurely and sensual one. Finally we head into the lounge area to find Jolee sitting at the table, he has breakfast ready for us and asks how we 'enjoyed' our night. I blush bright red and Carth mutters that it was none of his business. Happy that he has gotten a reaction from both of us he sits back watching us for a moment, then tells us that the rest of the crew should be back anytime now. Canderous had radioed in an hour before and told Jolee that they would be landing at around 1030. Looking at the time I discover that it is almost that now. Finishing breakfast we each head to our respective rooms to pack up our belongings and make our way to the docking bay.
Mission comes flying down the Ebon Hawk's ramp and catches hold of Carth and I, almost swinging us off balance in her enthusiasm, before turning and dragging us into the Hawk. It is with a considerably lighter heart that I re-enter the ship and I smile at Carth as we head into the common room. We all quickly catch up with each other's news and I tell them that I was successful in getting the last Star Map co-ordinates. We now know how to get to the Star Forge. Mission tells us that she is disgusted with her brother Griff – he had run out on her again, even after she had given him the tach gland to make the Tarisian Ale. He had stuffed the recipe up and had run off before the Exchange could catch up with him. Canderous had had no difficulties delivering the mysterious box to Motta and had gotten 2000 credits for the trouble – he couldn't get the 3000 from him as we were hoping.
Juhani looks carefully from Carth and myself to Jolee and is aware of something that has changed between us. I return her look with a shy smile before following Carth to the cockpit. We set the course for the Star Forge system, telling everyone to strap in and get ready for take off. A few hours later Canderous and Zaalbar come in to take over from Carth and me. I'm feeling quite tired and know that I will be busy again soon enough so decide that I'll rest up for a while, heading to the women's bunkroom. Carth catches my hand before I can disappear down the corridor and looking round to make sure no-one is watching, gives me a quick kiss and cuddle before releasing me. We head to our respective bunkrooms.
It doesn't take me long to fall asleep and I find myself dreaming about Bastila. She is being tortured by Malak. I reach to her through the bond, trying to give her strength only to have it abruptly severed. I wake with a start, sitting up and hugging myself as tears well up in my eyes. I know without a doubt that Bastila has been turned and that I will have to face her sometime soon, though I know not when.
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.
Awareness slowly returns to me. It has been two days since I entered my meditations and I have only come out of it for short 'breaks', either to get a meal or to go to the refresher, then returning to my meditations once again. I received another vision during this time. The next Star Map seems to be at the bottom of the ocean on Manaan. I only cease my 'exiled state' when I feel a presence within the hold. Jolee walks over to me, sitting calmly beside me on the mats and gently asks if I am ok. I give him a sad smile. He had kept the others from disturbing me, knowing that I had a lot to come to terms with. Through my meditations I am more at peace but I still feel the guilt of losing Bastila to Malak, and the weight of all those lives lost when I was Revan, the Dark Lord of the Sith. I have accepted the fact that I was once that person but have resolved never to become 'Revan' ever again. I will keep using the name Skye Organa, lightside Jedi Padawaan. I tell him that I'd sensed and communicated with Bastila and she was still ok, that Malak hadn't done anything to her as yet... like he was waiting for the right moment to begin her torture or something. I feel Jolee testing me through the Force and see him smile, obviously satisfied with what he finds.
"He will come around you know. Everyone else supports you, he will too." Then he looks deeply into my eyes and I feel him mind probe me again. This time his face briefly registers surprise before becoming a mask of calm again, but he refuses to enlighten me when I ask what he found, muttering that he couldn't be sure of it anyway, which puzzles me further. He convinces me to join the others and leads the way back to the common room. There is no sign of Carth. Looking around at my friends I feel their unconditional support and am grateful for it, taking strength from their friendship. We strap in for landing, Canderous going to the cockpit and taking the co-pilot's position.
Once docked, I unstrap and head to the bunkroom. Getting out the now cleaned robes of Qel Droma and putting them on. I figured that if I had any darkness within me I would not have been able to wear them. I had shown them to Jolee before I had cleaned them and he had told us all that because of how they were created, only one who truly walks the path of the light could wear them. He had gone on to tell us of the story of Qel Droma and how these robes had been created for Cay Qel Droma during the war against Exar Kun. How Cay had fought his brother Ulic Qel Droma, who had fallen to the darkside. Cay had been slain but his death had lead to Ulic's redemption. The robes had been passed down to Cay's cousin, Duron Qel Droma, who had disappeared during the great hunt. I had found his remains and datapad in the Terentatek's den on Korriban.
I make my way silently out to the swoop hold to use the workbench there. Taking out one of the double-bladed lightsabers I'd retrieved from a dark jedi, I quickly modify it to my needs, taking out the red crystal and replacing it with a green one, also adding a Solari and a Damind crystal into the hilt. Testing it I am satisfied with my modifications and shutting it down, I clip it onto my belt, slinging my pack over my shoulder, and making my way back to the common room. Canderous, Mission and Zaalbar are to resupply our ship while Juhani remains onboard with the droids – there is no way I want HK threatening to blast 'meatbags' left, right and centre so he has to stay behind, of Carth there is no sign. I ask Jolee if he will accompany me while on Manaan. He nods in agreement and then his smile widens as he recognises my robes, commenting as Carth comes into the room that the Qel Droma robes suit me well as we turn to head off.
"Not so fast, I'm not letting you out of my site." Carth tells me, grabbing my arm and turning me to face him. He hasn't registered the significance of the robes I am wearing.
Serenely I look up at him, Jedi mask in place although my heart is aching "As you wish" I reply before removing his arm and walking out.
Jolee catches his arm and whispers to him to take a closer look at my robes, pointing out that they are the Qel Droma robes that only a person of the light can wear. Carth looks at my retreating back before moving to follow me. Strangely he can notice a slight white aura around me and asks Jolee what it means. Jolee almost stumbles in surprise and looks intensely at Carth, probing him he registers a flicker of the Force within him. Knowing Carth's opinion of Jedi, he doesn't say a thing about suspecting he is a Force Adept, keeping this information to himself and palming off his noticing the aura as that I was meant to be wearing the robes.
They catch up with me as I stand witnessing a Sith goading a Republic soldier, trying to provoke a fight. The Selkath have been trying to remain neutral due to the fact they are the only producer of kolto and that they supply both sides and have an anti violence policy – they will come down harshly on anyone who breaks their laws. The sith soldier has one last parting shot before wandering off, the Republic soldier swearing under his breath as he goes. Looking up he apologises when he sees me, mistakenly calling me Master Jedi, I let it slide because of my robes. He glances at my companions and his eyes widen slightly when he sees Commander Carth Onasi. He quickly stands to attention, saluting him. Carth returns it and the three of us move off further.
We decide to head towards the cantina – always a good place to find out what the local gossip is. Along the way we see several altercations between Sith and Republic soldiers, our presence breaks up one of these between three of each. I tell one Republic soldier not to let his anger get the better of him because that is what leads to the darkside and then ask why he let the Sith get to him so much. He tells me that they are always trying to stir trouble for them, provoke them into throwing the first punch or fire the first shot so that they are the one's who get into trouble from the Selkath. With a few more words of caution we move off again.
Getting to the cantina, Carth heads over to speak with some other Republic soldiers while Jolee and I get our drinks and sit at one of the tables. I've been trying to find out more about Jolee and have been getting information about his past by drips and drabs. He'd told me that he had been an adventurer in his younger days, had even been a smuggler. He told me that he'd only gotten caught the once – that is when he had met his wife. He'd told me to drop the subject then and had wandered off, lost in his thoughts. I figure, while we are waiting for Carth to dig up some information that now would be a good time to continue the previous conversation.
"You mentioned something about your wife before?"
"I don't want to talk about that." He says flatly.
"I don't mean to pry, but..." I feel this is the best way to get him talking and I'm right, well kind of anyway.
"Yes you do. You may mean well enough, but my private affairs are just that: private. Let me tell you something. Once you've lived as many years as I have, you'll have yourself a long, long list of memories. If you're lucky, most of them will be good. If your not, some will be bad. If you're really unlucky, some will be so bad you never want to be reminded of them again... ever. [He looks meaningfully at me and I wince from my own painful memories] You'll go far away to a place that doesn't hold any memories at all. And there you'll be happy just to forget and be forgotten."
With a flash of insight I gently ask, "Is that why you went to Kashyyyk?"
"Heh. Partly, maybe. I doubt I could ever explain it to you fully, even if I wanted to. Let me ask you this: have you ever been in love? Truly in love, I mean, and not simple infatuation." [Carth had moved closer to us so that he could hear our conversation and while Jolee sees him, I do not.]
"Well..." I start hesitantly.
"Exactly. You're still at the beginning of your life. There will be men in your life... perhaps many men... but if you're fortunate you'll find love once. [His eyes indicate the direction of a certain person] The Jedi, with their damnable sense of over-caution, would tell you love is something to avoid. Thankfully, anyone who's even partially alive knows that's not true."
"That's what I've always thought" I say softly, partly in answer and partly to myself as I remember the conversations I'd had with both Bastila and then Carth [thinking of the one with Carth I feel myself blush as I also remember what happened after that conversation]
"Love doesn't lead to the darkside. Passion can lead to rage and fear, and can be controlled... but passion is not the same thing as love. Controlling your passions while being in love... that's what they should teach you to beware. But love, itself, can save you... not condemn you. Ahhhh, but listen to me go on as if I had all the answers. What do I know about love anymore? I'm just a lonely old man who isn't even a Jedi."
"Not even a Jedi? You mean not anymore, right?"
"Nope, never was. Technically I never rose above the rank of Padawan. For various reasons. Does that surprise you?"
"Not the way you describe your past, no" I answer him honestly.
"Heh, I suppose I'm not prone to live my life like most of the Jedi Masters do, that's true. My opinions on love are no different. Love causes pain, certainly. Inevitably love is going to lead to as much sorrow and regret as it does joy. I suppose there are perfect, eternal loves out there... but I haven't seen any. How you deal with the bad part of love is what determines your character, what decides the dark side's hold over you."
"So what happened between you and your wife then?" I think I'm pushing my luck with this one...
"I haven't changed my mind. I'm still not going to talk about it. You go and find your own love if you want to know so badly. I'll tell you one thing: sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you and the one you love, simply aren't meant to be together. The trick is to know when that is, to know when it's time to fight and when it's time to part ways. Hmph... there I go waxing philosophically again. Somebody blast me already! Lets get going before I start talking in riddles, dammit!"
It is only then, when I get up from the table, that I catch sight of Carth standing behind me and wonder just how long he had been there. Thinking back over the conversation I feel he must have been there for most of it if I am to read Jolee's body language the right way and if I am to guess correctly it I think it must have been when he started talking of love, as several times he had made comments that could have referred to the pair of us.
Leaving the cantina Jolee runs into Elora, the wife of an old friend of his, who tells him that Sunry has been locked up in prison, pending trial for murder. Finding out that we can be made arbiters for his trial we head back to the Hawk to make some new plans. We contact the Republic Embassy and find that we can get accommodation there for the duration of our stay. The three of us pack some clothing etc, and arrange for Canderous to take the rest of the crew back to Tatooine so that Mission can deal with her brother - and try and get some of the 'promised' credits out of him - and also for them to take a mysterious box to Motta the Hutt that we had been talked into delivering by someone on Korriban. T3-M4 is to slice in and change the registry of the Hawk for the duration of their trip, for safety's sake and they are to try and be back within two weeks. That should give us enough time to deal with the trial and to get the information from the Star Map. They are also to 'check in' twice daily so we know that everything is going ok.
That done we head towards the embassy to drop off our belongings and begin our research for the trial. We are shown to a suite that has three single rooms, a luxury bathroom and a kitchenette. I take one of the end rooms, seeing that Jolee takes the other, which leaves the middle one to Carth. He still hasn't spoken to me and the silent treatment is starting to get to me. Quickly I drop off my bag and have a quick recon of the suite, my eyes lighting up at the thought of having a soak in the huge bathtub when I see it, mentally making a note to get some aromatic bubble bath. It has been a long time since I have taken 'time out' for me to feel feminine again. I look into the kitchenette, finding that we need to stock up on food and drinks also.
Ready to go, we now head back to the courtroom to speak with the judges to find out what their opinions are on the case. Each have their own opinions about it and we try and see who is for the Republic and who is against. It's pretty evenly matched. We head out to find out what we can at the hotel, wanting to interview the witnesses, also to speak with Sunry to find out his version of events. Sunry was another Republic war hero, who had been decorated for his heroics. His medal had been found in the hand of the victim, who happened to be a sith. He had also been seen running from the room after a blaster shot had been heard, although everyone we spoke to is quick to mention that he was crippled from an old war injury.
There are lots of inconsistencies surrounding this case. Over the next few days we split up to speak with the various witnesses. Carth, true to his word, doesn't let me out of his site. Speaking with one of the witnesses, we find out that he had been paid by the Sith to plant the medallion on the body. The other witness knows something but won't talk, even with me trying to use force persuasion on him. That same evening after leaving the hotel where the murder took place, we are approached by a man who is acting quite mysterious. He doesn't give his name and he talks in riddles that remind me of Jolee at his worst. He suggests we search both the Sith and Republic bases for more information in regards to the trial, before turning and doing a disappearing act. I look at Carth and he says that it is worth a try.
We had also been asked by Roland Wann to do a small task for him. He needs someone to break into the Sith Embassy to retrieve the data module from a droid they had sent down to the ocean floor. The droid had malfunctioned and the Sith got to it before the Republic could salvage it. We have access to the Republic computers so I slice in while Carth stands guard. I soon find some relevant information to the trial and am shocked by what I have found. Quickly I download the information to my datapad to show both Carth and Jolee back at our room. We head back there to meet up with Jolee. Carth is still giving me the silent treatment, only speaking to me when he has to but I can sense conflict within him. Jolee comes in from speaking with Sunry again and tells us he had found out that Sunry and Elassa had been having an affair, that his cover story of meeting with her to make her a double agent was not necessarily true.
I show both Carth and Jolee the information on my datapad and they are both shocked by what it exposes. Sunry had gone into Elassa's room and had shot her when she was in bed asleep. He had murdered her in cold blood. We head back to the prison to speak with Sunry, informing him of the evidence we had found. He looks defeated that we now know the truth but says he will deny it all. The position of the Republic is too fragile on this planet to rock the boat too much. We head back to the room for the night. Sitting around the table having our evening meal and discussing the case I make the suggestion that Carth and I break into the Sith base while Jolee defends Sunry in the trial, if we come up with any further information we will tell him of it over the communicator, but as we already know the truth of the matter, nothing else we could turn up would change the fact that he was in fact guilty of the crime.
Nothing further to discuss, and feeling Carth watching me, I head for a quick shower and then turn in for the night – still promising myself that I will have a long hot bath once I get the chance to. We had agreed to be up at 0400 to break into the base, using the pass card for the transport to go round to the other entrance of the base. Before falling asleep my thoughts go over how well Carth and I still work together, even with his silent treatment of me. A tear slides down my face as I can't help but think of how much I long to be in his arms again. I miss our friendly banter and feel the loss of what was becoming a close relationship. Sighing I roll over and try to sleep, using meditative deep breaths in an effort to calm my emotions. Eventually it works and I drop into a dreamless sleep.
"Wake up Skye, it was your idea to be up this early" a familiar voice says in my ear as I feel a hand on my shoulder, shaking me.
"Hmmm... what time is it?" My heart missing a beat with the sound of his voice and I slowly open my eyes to see Carth leaning over me.
"It's 0345 and if you want to have a cup of caffa before we go I suggest you get up now"
I stretch out and notice that he is watching me with a hungry look of desire in his eye. I hide a smile behind my hand as I pretend to yawn, then swing the covers back and sit up, grabbing for my robes that are at the foot of my bed. He clears his throat and turns, heading out the door. I let myself smile, having noticed that he was not unaffected by the site of seeing me in bed and think to myself that maybe he hasn't totally gone cold on me after all. Once I'm dressed I head out to meet him. He hands me a cup of caffa and starts going over what our plan of action is: 1. Get to the docking bay. 2. Access the transport. 3. Break into the base. 4. Get data module and 5. Get out without causing too much trouble. We head out the door.
The first steps are incredibly easy and we gain access to the base unnoticed. I find the nearest computer terminal and slice into it, downloading the layout of the base and also searching for any relevant information for the trial – there is none to be found, so we contact Jolee and inform him of this. Finding where the droid is being kept, we sneak through the base and only come up against a couple of sentry droids guarding the stolen Republic droid. I quickly call the Force to me and stun the droids, not having mastered the art of destroying them right out as yet. Carth stands guard while I grab the data module and we move further through the base.
I tell Carth that I'd like to check out the training facility and see if there is anything there about the missing Selkath youth that I had been told about. Moving quietly as to not wake any of the Sith troops, we get to the training section undetected. It is only once in there that we run into trouble in the form of a dark jedi. I freeze him before he can alert anyone and take him out with my lightsaber. Carth has his vibroblade drawn and ready. We move off and seeing their medical facility, I slip inside. I am horrified at what I find. Carth rushes in when he hears me draw a deep breath, seeing some dying Selkath just lying on the floor. One of them tries to look up, a friendship pin dropping out of his hand as he says something about Sith lies and tell her about them. I pick up the pin and go in search of the apprentice barracks. Inside there are several Selkath youth. One of them, a female named Shasa, confronts me. I find out that she is the daughter of Shaelas, the one who had told me of the missing youth. I ask her if she knows anything about the pin I had picked up and she recognises it straight away, asking where I got it. I tell her the truth and she doesn't want to believe me. I try and tell her how evil the sith are and she want's proof. This all sounds familiar and I look over at Carth, remembering all we had to go through with his son, Dustil. He acknowledges me with a nod and I tell them we will be back soon.
We head further into the training annex and come across a Dark Jedi Master with a couple of the apprentices. He recognises us immediately and tells us – again – that Malak has a price on our heads. His apprentices are eager and are quick to jump into the fight but are no match against Force stasis. Carth takes care of them quickly and efficiently then stands back watchful, leaving me to concentrate on the Master. I dance around the him, testing for his weaknesses and choosing the right moment to strike out. I surprise him by Force pushing him back then leaping forward, my blade slashing across him. He only just manages to deflect and struggles to bring his blade up defensively.
My battle against Malak gave me more experience than I expected and I find that I am stronger than I had first thought, then think of course I am, I was Revan after all. Seeing that the Master has left his side open I feint the other direction spinning quickly and bringing my blade round in a mortal blow. He didn't see it coming. Carth makes a comment on how impressive it looked watching me fight also mentioning how much I'd improved my style since Taris. Usually he is too busy with his own battles to see me in action these days. We go through and search the Master's room and I find another datapad full of 'proof' of the Sith's plans. We backtrack to the apprentice barracks and show them the datapad, convincing them to leave the Sith and I also give them a warning about how to use the powers they had been taught. They are not to use their gifts the wrong way but instead should follow a light path. We then part ways.
Making our way back to the main reception area we are confronted by a Sith Security Officer. My force persuasion doesn't work and she hits the alarm. Another fight follows and I use a stasis field to neutralise the enemy, then concentrate on the droids, while Carth takes out the others. We quickly take the elevator up but are arrested as we leave the base. I am considered the 'leader' and therefore am the one to be placed on trial, Carth is released on a technicality.
I ask what I have been charged with and they tell me unlawful entry. I tell them I had authorisation to enter, after all, I had entered using one of their pass cards. I tell them I also had no prior associations with the Sith on this planet. They take me into the courtroom and I tell them I wish to dismiss my Arbiter, I wish to defend myself. They allow me that and I plead not guilty, telling them that I was there for diplomatic negotiations. I also produce the datapad with the information regarding the Sith's plans for their planet, using the Selkath youth. The judges are very concerned by this information and wish to deliberate further. I am returned to the holding cell while they discuss it, being called back two hours later. They dismiss the case and I am allowed to go free.
Carth and Jolee meet me out the front of the courtroom and we head back to the Republic Embassy. I hand over the information Roland had sent us into the base for and he thanks us. I ask him if he knows anything about the Star Map and he admits he might be able to help us out. Once again we have to do something for him first. We have to go down to Hrakert Station, which has been built on the ocean floor and is what the droid had been sent down for. There had been a loss of communication between the base and the embassy and they have been sending mercenaries down to find out what has gone on. So far none had returned. He thinks that we might have a better chance in finding out what is going on. We agree to this as the only way we can get down there to find the Star Map. Agreement made and pass cards given, we return to our suite, deciding that we will go down below in the morning.
I flop down onto one of the lounge chairs and ask Jolee how Sunry's trial went. He tells us that he couldn't get him off. That he was given a life- term in the Ahto City Prison. He said that the Sith Diplomat had objected strongly as he was hoping for the death penalty and had been berated for it by the judges. He goes on to tell is that the Republic will likely appeal the matter and eventually Sunry will be free. He changes the subject then and asks what happened in the Sith base. Carth tells him about the Selkath youth and about the battles we had against the Dark Jedi. I leave them to it and go to prepare something for the evening meal. I hear Jolee telling Carth that Juhani had checked in while we had been 'out' and that all were well. Mission had confronted her brother again and was in the process of getting the credits from him. Canderous had delivered the box to Motta and had received 3000 credits for that. They would be leaving Tatooine in another day's time and would be back by the end of the week.
I serve up a simple meal of protein and vegetables and we sit around in companionable silence. The smell of the meat cooking seems to turn my stomach slightly but I ignore it, not thinking anymore about it. After the meal I go to clear up the dishes but am waved aside by the men. I decide to take the opportunity to take a luxury bath and disappear first to my room where I get my bubble bath and clothes, then to the bathroom where I run a nice hot bath. I pour a small amount into the tub watching the bubbles foam up and breath in the scents of rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang as the scent rises up with the steam. I step into the tub and lower myself down, sighing with pleasure and sink below the water for a moment before settling into a comfortable position, my head supported by a headrest on the edge of the tub. I close my eyes and begin a meditation, breathing in the aromatics and relaxing totally. I am disturbed half an hour later by a knock at the door, before it is opened up and an anxious voice calls out if I'm alright.
"Carth! Can't I have a bath in peace? I'm fine, leave me be for once!"
Hearing him chuckle and comment that I'd be as wrinkled as a prune if I stayed in there any longer. It makes me smile that he is coming around again now. Gathering that half an hour is all I'm going to get I decide to get out. Quickly getting dressed I peak out the door to see where the men are, then sneak back into my room, quietly closing the door behind me and slipping into bed. I lie there for a while thinking before falling asleep. A couple of times he'd smiled at me today, I guess that's progress.
Morning comes around and I'm awake early. Getting up and dressed I head into the lounge area. I stand at the window and admire the view for a time until I hear movement behind me. The men both come out of their rooms and look over to see what I'm up to. We all sit down for breakfast and then head out towards the submarine bay. It is cramped in the submarine and as I'm the smallest I have to sit in the middle, Carth having the controls. He takes us down to Hrakert Station and as we near it, we see some of the damage, wondering what could have caused it. Inside the docking bay we see another submarine that had been damaged but no sign of what might have done it either. Moving cautiously around we open one of the doors to find a Twi'lek mercenary in a very nervous state. He quickly locks the door behind us and tells us that insane Selkath had killed the others he had come down with. He is amazed that we got down to the station in one piece, as there was a lot of firaxan sharks about when he and his companions made the trip. He refuses to come with us so we head out and down the empty corridors of the station. Along one of the walkways we look out to see firaxan sharks hovering as if they were watching us. Further along we encounter a few of the guard droids, having to destroy them before we can move on. Going through another door we come across several insane Selkath. There is no reasoning with them so between Jolee and myself, we freeze them in stasis before putting them out of their misery. Carth checking the footlockers as we go along.
We find some useful information on a datapad regarding the use of a sonic device that is suppose to repel the sharks. Useful information to keep in mind. We come across more insane Selkath as we move through the building, finally reaching an airlock. As we have only found the one pressure suit I tell the others that I will go on further. Carth tries to talk me out of it saying he still doesn't want me out of his sight but I appeal to Jolee who convinces him to let me. I don the suit and head out of the lock. Moving though the darkened corridors I come across another survivor. He is another of the mercenaries and tells me that if he can get to the harvesting machine he might have a chance of getting back to the surface. Let hurries off ahead of me. I follow behind him carefully looking around as I go. When I get to the exit, I see him get taken by a shark. Not a pretty sight. Carefully I look to see where I have to get to before moving out. I have to use the sonic repeller several times as I make my way to the next building.
Once inside I run into two scientists who have a force field in place. They hit the depressurisation button and nearly suffocate me, but I manage to convince them that I am not a threat and they hit the button again, lowering the shield for me. They tell me of the giant firaxan shark and how the machinery had 'woken it'. It had been the reason for the Selkath going insane and it also caused most of the damage sustained. There are two options for me to choose between. I could either poison the water, hoping that that would kill the shark or I could destroy the harvesting machine. I choose the later. Going out the next airlock I make my way over to the control panel to set the machine for destruction. Moving back to a safe location I watch while it blows. From my position I can make out what looks to be the Star Map and once the coast is clear I head that direction. I have to go past the giant shark but with the machinery destroyed it doesn't worry about me.
I had seen the Star Map and now move to get the information from it, recording it on my datapad then making my way back to the scientists. They had watched my actions on the monitor in regards to destroying the machinery. Sami was the one who had suggested that course of action and is pleased that I had taken her advice. They tell me that they will wait the Republic's official rescue team and I move off to where I had left Carth and Jolee. Meeting back up with them I suggest we get back up to the surface. Roland Wann meets us in the docking bay and is anxious to know what had happened. We inform him that the machinery had woken up a giant firaxan shark and that the shark had driven the Selkath insane. The insane Selkath had then killed most of the scientists but there were some survivors.
Leaving him there we head back to the suite. I head straight to my room, getting out my civilian clothes as they are the only other change of clothes I have with me and head straight for the shower – I need to be clean. Dressed again I clip my lightsaber back onto my belt and tell the men that I have to speak with Nilko Bwaas near the mercenary's enclave. They tell me to wait for them to change and then we head out of the Republic Embassy. On leaving the building I am again arrested. Looking back at Jolee and Carth I shrug my shoulders and tell the Selkath that I will go with them peacefully. I am taken to the courtroom and questioned about the explosions on the ocean floor as I was seen getting into a submarine. I tell them that the constructions at Hrakert Station (that both their government and the Republic had built) woke up a giant firaxan shark that drove all the Selkath insane. Some of the judges were unaware of the station's existence and they argue amongst themselves. The head judge calls for their silence saying that he knew of this information, then turns to me asking if I had killed the shark. I honestly tell him that I destroyed the machinery to save the shark. They deliberate for only a short period of time before they release me.
I walk out of the courtroom, looking to see where Jolee and Carth are. Jolee is over talking to another traveller and Carth is on one of the private balconies overlooking the ocean. Catching Jolee's eye, I indicate that I will be back soon and make my way to the mercenary's enclave and to Nilko. I tell him of the reasons for the Republic hiring so many mercenaries and he thanks me for the information. I turn and head back to where Carth is standing facing the ocean. He takes one look at my face and asks, "Yes? What's on your mind?"
"I think it's time we talked about me being Revan, don't you?" I confront him, a determined look on my face.
"If you're ready to talk, then yes... so am I." He admits.
"And?" [I hold my breath, despairing what he will say.]
He looks into my eyes and for the first time in two and a half weeks the ice cold mask is gone. "I can't hate you. I tried... I wanted to hold you responsible for all the things you've done. For my... for my wife, for Telos... for Dustil. But I can't."
I release the breath I'd been holding. "Why can't you?"
"I got the revenge I always wanted when Saul died, but it hasn't brought me the peace I thought it would. [He turns to face me fully] All I can think of now is the promise I made to protect you from what is going to come. It's given me a reason to look beyond simple revenge. Despite whatever part of Revan is inside you, the... the darkness that must surely be there, it isn't who you are. That's why I can't hate you, why I don't want any more revenge. You don't have to be Revan, you can be so much more. Whatever the Jedi did to you, they gave you that chance. You have this huge destiny waiting for you, I just fear that if you're alone it could swallow you whole. I mean, is there room in there for me? Will you let me help you?" His voice is full of emotion and his eyes are pleading with me.
"I don't want you to get hurt protecting me, Carth." My heart skips a beat and my eyes water slightly.
"I think I would be hurt worse if I didn't try." He quietly states.
I'm almost afraid to ask, "What do you mean?"
"Whatever's happened until this point, there's going to come a time very soon where you're going to have to make a choice. And there won't be any turning back. I want you to make the right choice. I want to give you a reason to."
My voice quiver's slightly as I ask, "What sort of reason?"
"You gave me a future. I want to give you a future, too... with me. I think I could love you, if you give me a chance." The expression on his face has turned very intense as he waits for my answer.
I close my eyes, hearing his words of love echoing in my mind. "I can't see into the future, I don't know what's going to happen." I open them again to look into his eyes. He places his hands on my shoulders gently.
"Neither do I. But does that really matter if we love each other?"
My heart starts to flutter in my chest as his words sink in, he loves me... Carth loves me. With a very light heart and my love for him shining in my eyes I answer, "I guess not. I think I could love you too"
It is his turn to release the breath he has been holding, his lop-sided grin returning. "Well then, I'm... I'm glad. Let's... let's face the future together, then... there's still a lot to do." With that he pulls me gently into his embrace, holding me close. I rest my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. He clears his throat and I pull back slightly to look up at him. He returns my gaze for a moment before lowering his lips to claim mine, gently at first, then deepening the kiss.
Jolee interrupts our reunion, telling us that we should go behind closed doors, even though I am not in my robes plenty of the general public have seen me in them and would not be impressed by seeing a Jedi a compromising position, even if it is with a Hero of the Republic. Shyly I look up at Carth and he releases me, stepping back and indicating that we should go back to the suite. We both agree with Jolee in this case. The general public all know of the Jedi Code, that it forbids emotional attachments so if we are seen to be doing just that there will be more problems arise. As we head back Jolee says how pleased he is to see that we have finally made up. He was beginning to think we never would. This just confirms my guess that his 'love lectures' were aimed in our way.
Just before the door to our suite, Jolee tells us that he will go and find Elora and see how she is... that should give us some 'privacy' for the evening, seeing as the others will be back the next day. I blush furiously and hear Carth chuckle. We move inside and close the door. Now we can relax and Carth is quick to take advantage of the situation, leading me into my bedroom.
"Now where were we?" he murmurs, drawing me into his embrace and kissing me passionately. We decide to make the most of our time alone and our clothing is soon shed as we adjourn to the bed. This time our lovemaking feels different. It is more loving and gentle. I feel my heart opening up to him as he skilfully brings me to pitch over and over again before reaching the edge himself. Lying in each other's arms afterwards we talk again about what we know of my past. I honestly tell him that I still can't remember anything much except the few visions I had shared with Bastila. He gently caresses some of the scars on my shoulder. I snuggle up against him and we both fall asleep. Waking up in the morning I notice that he is already awake and has been lying there watching me sleeping. It feels good to wake up next to him and I smile up at him, cuddling close.
"Morning beautiful" he says as he leans over to kiss me. This starts something and an hour later we decide we had better get up and face the new day. I slip a bathrobe on and head to the bathroom, noticing there is no sign of Jolee. I duck inside to have my shower, surprised as Carth follows me in. What was going to only be a quick shower turns into more of a leisurely and sensual one. Finally we head into the lounge area to find Jolee sitting at the table, he has breakfast ready for us and asks how we 'enjoyed' our night. I blush bright red and Carth mutters that it was none of his business. Happy that he has gotten a reaction from both of us he sits back watching us for a moment, then tells us that the rest of the crew should be back anytime now. Canderous had radioed in an hour before and told Jolee that they would be landing at around 1030. Looking at the time I discover that it is almost that now. Finishing breakfast we each head to our respective rooms to pack up our belongings and make our way to the docking bay.
Mission comes flying down the Ebon Hawk's ramp and catches hold of Carth and I, almost swinging us off balance in her enthusiasm, before turning and dragging us into the Hawk. It is with a considerably lighter heart that I re-enter the ship and I smile at Carth as we head into the common room. We all quickly catch up with each other's news and I tell them that I was successful in getting the last Star Map co-ordinates. We now know how to get to the Star Forge. Mission tells us that she is disgusted with her brother Griff – he had run out on her again, even after she had given him the tach gland to make the Tarisian Ale. He had stuffed the recipe up and had run off before the Exchange could catch up with him. Canderous had had no difficulties delivering the mysterious box to Motta and had gotten 2000 credits for the trouble – he couldn't get the 3000 from him as we were hoping.
Juhani looks carefully from Carth and myself to Jolee and is aware of something that has changed between us. I return her look with a shy smile before following Carth to the cockpit. We set the course for the Star Forge system, telling everyone to strap in and get ready for take off. A few hours later Canderous and Zaalbar come in to take over from Carth and me. I'm feeling quite tired and know that I will be busy again soon enough so decide that I'll rest up for a while, heading to the women's bunkroom. Carth catches my hand before I can disappear down the corridor and looking round to make sure no-one is watching, gives me a quick kiss and cuddle before releasing me. We head to our respective bunkrooms.
It doesn't take me long to fall asleep and I find myself dreaming about Bastila. She is being tortured by Malak. I reach to her through the bond, trying to give her strength only to have it abruptly severed. I wake with a start, sitting up and hugging myself as tears well up in my eyes. I know without a doubt that Bastila has been turned and that I will have to face her sometime soon, though I know not when.