This is the revised version of chapter three, with a little extra. The extra is actually chapter four, which was too short. So I stuck it on here. Try and enjoy.
Revan & Malak
The Trandoshan corvette, now under new management, flew through space in the direction of a light green colored planet. Sickly colored yellowish clouds surrounded parts of the planet. Large mountain ranges and sparse bodies of water could be seen dotting around the planet, including black blemishes on the surface that could only be its cities. The ship traveled downward into the planet at an angle, aimed for one of the larger dark splotches. The ship glowed red with intense heat as it entered the atmosphere, eventually breaking it. They entered one of the yellow clouds, vision all but obscured before passing through it. The city of Carshana could now be seen. It sat inside a truly gigantic almost circular shaped canyon, nearly filling it up with its black structures. Factories could be seen as the vast majority of buildings inside the city, each billowing pitch black smog from their many stacks. But the buildings that struck the most attention, were the spaceport, and the dam. The spaceport, which was shaped like some kind of huge dome, looked busy even from the far away position of the corvette. Ships were leaving and arriving, each exporting and importing various materials and freshly manufactured goods and metals from the many factories. The dam, which was practically inside the city itself, was the largest structure in the city, towering over any of its buildings. Rising high to the top of each side of the canyon walls, it was holding back a river. Which was now an overflowing lake that was flooding the outlying grasslands, turning them into swamps, unsuitable for building upon. It all looked troubling to Revan, the entire city was sitting on the edge of destruction, while it slowly destroyed it's own planet.
The ship flew over the city, headed to the spaceport. Flying until it found an open air landing bay suitable for its size, it landed. With a huge clunk and the sounds of the landing pads creaking and grinding to support the vast weight of the ship. All was silent as a Czerka Corp. officer wearily approached the heavily armed and intimidating vessel. The docking ramp activated and it slowly lowered as he stood in front of it, not knowing what might come out. Three hooded figures stepped out, walking down the loading ramp. Their faces covered in darkness by their hoods. They stopped in front of the officer, he knew right away that they were Jedi, but what they wanted and their business in Carshana he did not know.
"Greetings from Carshana master Jedis, before any business may be taken place…there is a fee for docking of a vessel this…large." The Czerka officer stumbled about with his words, trying to choose them carefully as not to anger the Jedi. He knew what happens to angry Jedi, they start wars and kill millions. "There is a docking fee of 500 credits."
"500 hundred credits? What for?" Revan said, taking a few steps from Shandar's left. She removed her hood. The air smelled vile to her, it must have been the pollution she though, or the spaceport.
"For maintenance fees of course. And there is an extra fee for docking larger vessels in our larger ports. You must understand, your vessel is larger than ordinary." He explained to her.
"Just pay the man Revan, there's no need for a hassle." Shandar advised to her.
"Fine fine." Revan fished into her pocket, pulling out a handful of credits. Separating what was 500 credits from the mess in her hand, she gave it to the Czerka officer. Who gladly grabbed it from her hand. He took a good look at them, inspecting them over.
"I can't accept these." He said, rather bluntly.
"What?! Why not?!" Revan said, practically screaming at the officer.
"Er…well because they're Republic credits, and this isn't the Republic you should know." Said the Czerka lackey.
"Yes we do know that, but why can't you accept them. Surely you could have them exchanged into whatever currency is good around these parts." Shandar said to the officer.
"We would do that if anyone or any bank in this sector would accept to the exchange them at all. I'm sorry, but I cannot accept these credits from you." The officer explained to Shandar and told Revan yet again. Thoughts raced through Revan's head, we don't have any other kinds of credits with us. What are we going to do. Damn. One bad thing after another, first the Trandoshans and now these money grubbing pirates too. Suddenly as if a light bulb had appeared over Revan's head, an idea entered her mind.
"You WILL accept Republic credits." Revan said, along with a wave of her hand before the officer. Shandar and Malak knew what she was doing and turned worrying glances towards her, although Shandar's was more severe.
"But…they aren't good around here…I…" The Czerka officer's mind was being clouded, reason was leaving him.
"Republic credits WILL do fine." Revan said again.
"On second thought, Republic credits will do fine. Now, is there anything else I can do for you?" The mind trick had worked, as Revan let out a sigh of relief.
"No I think that will be all, thank you." Shandar replied.
"Good then, enjoy your stay on Monasis." After saying his peace the officer left the Jedi to themselves.
"I don't like that you had to do that but good thinking. At least it got us out of that mess." Said Shandar to Revan.
"I didn't think it was going to work for a moment there…" Revan said, sounding relieved.
"Shouldn't we be finding this Zsar Haleif man so we can eventually get off this dreadful planet. The smell here is making me ill." Malak said, sounding disgusted with the planets current odor.
"Yes indeed we should." Said Shandar. Revan donned her hood back on as they left the docking port. They entered a vast hallway that connected several of the various ports. The hallway was curved like a crescent from what they could see, and was busy with workers and droids loading a unloading shipments from vessels and crafts of all shapes and sizes. In front of each docking port door there was another door just as large that led to the humongous dome shaped center of the spaceport, the dome being made almost entirely out of a glass like material. Giving a nice view of the Monasis sky. The group made their way past the busy workers into the even busier spaceport center. So many sounds and noises filled they're senses, from the teaming humanoids and aliens to loud announcements made by a serenely monotone female voice over the terminals various broadcasting levels. To fit almost every sentient ear in the galaxy, that Czerka knew of.
"Can anyone see Zsar?" Revan asked.
"No." Malak answered, like it was a real question.
"Does anyone know what he's supposed to even look like, or that he's even humanoid?" Revan asked again.
"Maybe he'll know us." Malak answered yet again to Revan's questions.
"I suggest that we stay here and let him find us. Rather than look for him and get lost in this place." Shandar said. He was right, it probably couldn't be to hard to get lost in this place.
"Ah the Jedi at last!" They're direction of attention turned to the man who just announced they're arrival, most loudly. His most prominent feature was the large tan colored trench coat that he wore open, followed only by the set of large goggles that pushed his tussled blonde hair back. He stepped over to them with a delighted smile.
" Ha ha! You are the Jedi yes?" The man spoke with a thick accent from his in badly need of a shave face. His teeth were yellowed and the rest of him hadn't looked like it had gotten in a wash for some time now. Malak looked almost repulsed under his hood but Shandar looked happy, Revan was just trying to sort everything out.
"Zsar Haleif?" Was all Shandar could say.
"Yes that is I. You must be the Jedi then. Indeed I am Zsar Haleif, but please do not speak that name so loudly here, there are many ears in this spaceport, and not all can be seen so easily…" Zsar said the last bit with a hushed tone. Shandar lowered his hood, and Revan and Malak followed.
"I am master Shandar of the Jedi, these are my two padawans. Revan and Malak." Shandar introduced himself to Zsar and Revan and Malak as well.
"A pleasure to finally meet you all." Zsar bowed to both Shandar and Malak. "And an added pleasure to meet you my dear madam." Zsar bowed especially low in front of Revan.
"The pleasure is all yours I am sure." Revan said, biting Zsar's head off.
"Revan! Please forgive my student Zsar. Sometimes she can be a little hot headed you know." Shandar apologized to Zsar. The steam could now be seen coming out of Revan's ears. She gritted her teeth in frustration. There is no emotion, there is peace. She repeated over and over inside her head.
"Don't give it another worry, come. I will take you to my speeder, there we shall conduct business." Zsar said, before leading them on through the spaceport. Zsar seemed to know his way intimately through the winding passages and corridors. At last they made their way outside to the busy street of Carshana. Roads connecting with huge highways that were raised so far into the air that they towered above some of the smaller buildings. It all look so complex, and very overwhelming. Zsar guided them to a trashy looking speeder, Shandar sat himself in the front passenger seat while Revan and Malak sat in the back. Zsar himself sat in the pilots seat of course. Revving up the engine they kicked off into the street, the back of the speeder screeching across the ground as they sharply turned, sending sparks behind them everywhere. Going from zero to God knows what.
"So what's the deal with the resistance and Czerka?" Revan asked Zsar over the noise.
"The deal you say? These Czerka core rats come to my home, buy off my land, my people, and my lively hood. They ruin and pollute my beloved Monasis, and for what? Filthy credits in their pockets. I fight for the independence of my planet. Not out of hate. The Czerka call us terrorists and blame us as such. But all they care about is stripping this planet dry of all it has, then moving on to the next and the one after that. That is the deal, that is why I must fight." Zsar's voice was full of a passion Revan couldn't describe. She sat there thinking to herself, this isn't just another mission to these people. This was what they lived and died for. The resistance she thought. Now she understood the meaning of that word a little better now.
The speeder zoomed in and out of traffic along the highway, the sights of Carshana could be clearly seen now. But there wasn't much to see except factory after factory. With the occasional ratty looking apartment here and there as they passed by. Off in the distance, at the center of the city, was a large building. Third only to the spaceport and the dam, it stood clean and well kept among the black and gritty buildings it was near. It must have been the Czerka headquarters.
"Is that the Czerka headquarters?" Revan asked, vaguely pointing off into its direction.
"Yes that is the scum den you speak of. But more on that we will speak of later, do not worry, we are getting close now." Zsar's words were true, they came off of the highway and down into the lower streets. Eventually they came in front of an abandoned looking building, Zsar parked his speeder at the curb.
"This is the place. Everybody out." Zsar told to them as he disembarked from the speeder. Everyone followed in suit.
"And this is…?" Malak asked, probably to Zsar.
"This is the secret location of our base, you never would guessed would you? No you wouldn't have." Zsar informed Malak.
"Right…" Malak trailed off, mumbling to himself. He already didn't like this Zsar guy.
"Follow me." He said. And follow him they did, going inside of the apartment. It was dirty and trash was left in heaping piles in various corners, it probably was abandoned. "This way." Zsar led them down a hallway and to a broken down elevator. At the end of the hallway was a large window, Revan could see into the backyard of a families home through it. The yard was much cleaner than its surroundings and Revan could the see the home's family. Sitting outside, was the husband, the wife, the children, and the life they had managed to create in this urban hell. Revan was brought back to where she was by the sound of Zsar prying the door open with his bare hands, pushing them aside. "Get in." He said, not wanting to argue the Jedi entered the elevator, followed by Zsar.
"Here is the tricky part." Zsar proclaimed, as he took an old metal key out of his coat. "Ancient technology, but we have used it to our advantage yes?" Finding the lock in the dimly lit elevator, he slid the key in. Once he turned it, the elevator rumbled, and instead of going up like it should have, it went down. Down deep. At last the elevator stopped. "This is our stop." Zsar exited he elevator, follow by Shandar, Malak, then Revan. Suddenly their surroundings had changed, what was once old and gritty was now new and slightly less gritty. The metal walls were lined with crates and boxes of all kinds, weapons and equipment most likely Revan thought. "This is our base, we try to keep it a little more clean than how Czerka keep this city. Normally I would love to give you a tour, but there are more pressing matters at hand, come this way." Zsar led them further into the base, past the durasteel doors and into the main hall. (Authors note: Just think the Hidden Bek base if you know what I mean) People looked to them with now cheerful faces, mostly likely due to the sight of the Jedi. They were led into a control room full of resistance members. " My friends, the Jedi are here." Zsar proudly introduced them to his allies.
"I am mast-" Shandar tried to speak.
"So the Jedi have come to save us at last." The woman who had just cut Shandar off stepped forward. "Or should say, the Republic has come to save us." Her words were filled with hate, and Revan didn't really like her tone.
"Please miss Macen, we need all the help we can get. They should not be turned away so quickly." Zsar said to the woman.
"It's Mayla Zsar, don't forget that. You are right though, we do need all the help we can get, especially for our next undertaking." Mayla said.
"That's what we've been rather curious about. You see…we don't really know what you want us to do." Shandar said to her.
"We need your…help…in getting inside the Czerka headquarters." Mayla explained.
"Wait a minute, you want us to help you break into a base? That's what you requested us for? I thought this was going to be a diplomatic mission." Shandar looked rather shocked.
"Zsar what did you tell the Jedi?" Mayla asked to Zsar.
"I told them we needed their help, nothing beyond that." Zsar answered, innocently.
"Well whatever you think you were supposed to do it doesn't matter, this is what we need you to do for us." Mayla said to the Jedi.
"The JedI are not common mercenaries. We are diplomats, this is totally unacceptable." Shandar looked furious.
"I thought this would happen…and I have prepared for it…the resistance of Monasis is prepared to make a donation to the Jedi of 10,000 credits…" Zsar said, Shandar looked absolutely infuriated.
"Bribery?! The JedI are not guns for sale Zsar, we refuse to do this!" Shandar yelled, for the first time in a long time in Revan's recent memory.
"And what do you suppose we do? Head on back to Coruscant and let these people suffer?" Revan added her own opinion. "I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to free these people, even if it does take breaking into the Czerka headquarters."
"I would like to see these people free as much as you do but this is not why we are here!" Shandar continued to argue.
"Czerka won't listen to reason Shandar! Look at this planet! The only way to drive them off of here is through bloodshed! But if you aren't prepared to do that, then I guess we can just go home and leave these people to die without us!" Revan practically screamed at Shandar, as the resistance members watched master and student squabble among each other.
"Revan…" Shandar said, sounding almost hurt.
"Revan is right master, action must be taken." Malak said, calmly, unlike Revan.
"I…don't like this…not one bit…I'll do it, but you can keep your credits. We don't need it." Shandar finally agreed. Revan sighed, feeling sick with herself for getting so angry. Malak didn't look very happy either. His frown worse than usual.
"Then you are going to help us?" Zsar asked.
"Yes, we will help you." Shandar answered.
"Good." Said Zsar. He and Mayla then described the plan to the Jedi. Apparently they were able to receive a few vital security codes from a recent hack job into the Czerka mainframe in the headquarters. Although they did not get what they sought, the Czerka master codes, they did however get those ones. The plan was for two groups to split up, one with Zsar, master Shandar, and two other resistance members. The other with Mayla, Revan, and Malak. Team one with Zsar would sneak through a secret back way they had discovered not too long ago. While team two with Mayla would break into the main doors. Zsar and Mayla each have the security codes to get past the doors and other obstacles that would be in there way. The goal apparently was to reach the Czerka mainframe computer, and to get the master codes.
"What exactly are these master codes you keep talking about?" Shandar asked, sounding like he was in a better mood now.
"The codes to access every single Czerka computer on the planet. If we had those codes, we could make life very, very hard for Czerka on Monasis." Mayla answered.
"I see." Shandar said.
"I see the interest you would have in such codes." Malak added.
"Exactly, it might be the key to getting Czerka off this planet." Mayla said.
"Wouldn't Czerka just change the codes after we steal them?" Revan asked.
"Not if we change them first." Mayla said, laughing slightly.
"The plan in itself is simple as you can see, and with the help of the Jedi it will be all the more easier." Zsar said.
"Alright, everyone get ready we're moving out now." Mayla said to the other members.
The team had mobilized. Zsar was piloting a speeder with Shandar to his right, while Revan and Malak were in the second speeder. Revan sat in the back with Mayla as Malak was rested in the passenger seat next to an unknown resistance member Revan had not been introduced to. It's not as if she really cared though. But then her thoughts strayed back to what she had said to Shandar. Was I really willing to fight for these people? I've only been on this planet for a few hours, maybe even less, and I'm already going off to fight for these people. They aren't even in the Republic, why should the Jedi care about what happens to this planet. Maybe Shandar was right, maybe we shouldn't get involved in this. Czerka needs to be stopped though, and these people need help. I can't just abandon them, I won't. Even if it means disobeying Shandar, and the Jedi council too. Revan thought on this as they sped through the city to the ominous Czerka headquarters in the distance. Revan turned a glance to Mayla, her face was stern and cold. She looks so intense Revan thought. I wonder how long she'd been in this "war". It was in Revan's best interest not ask Mayla though, whether it was out of fear or respect, it didn't really matter anyway. The two speeders stayed in close proximity with each other, it would have been easy to get cut off from one another. Revan felt like apologizing to Shandar for the way she acted, but it was a little too late for that right now. Unless she wanted to take the chance of yelling over the sound of the wind and other speeders to tell him how she feels. She didn't mean to get angry, it's just that Shandar can get so…frustrating sometimes. Revan's thoughts lied on the matter during the rest of the trip to the Czerka building, until they came around a corner. At the end of the street, was the Czerka Headquarters. It was basically, or at least it seemed to Revan, a giant glass box. Its mirrored windows lined across almost the entire building, giving an eerie reflection of its surroundings. Revan saw the huge Czerka Corp. symbol that was made with careful placing of orange colored glass, forming it perfectly. Czerka wasn't really known for any military might so Revan, and Malak, weren't worried about facing anything truly life threatening. But what was eating the two in the back of their minds was the thought of how the council was going to judge them. Shandar would never say Revan or Malak were bad students. Revan may be a little hot headed, and maybe a bit too quick to get involved in any conflict. And maybe Malak was a bit too overconfident, and could get too carried away when it came to more…physical confrontations. Would the order banish them, could they, had the thought even crossed their minds? If it did, would they actually consider it? These thoughts were unbecoming, and the Czerka building drew ever closer. They're was less traffic here, hardly any at all, and nearly no one was in sight walking anywhere near the glass monstrosity. Like it was some overbearing monster the people were afraid to go near, like it might suddenly swallow them up at any moment. The speeders eventually came to a stop at the building's maw. There was a circular shaped set of stone steps that elegantly made their way up to a set of glass double doors. The tinted windows only shown the outside, nothing of what was waiting within. Revan and Malak disembarked from their seats, shortly followed by Mayla. The resistance member who had been piloting the speeder wished them luck and left. It seemed that Zsar's speeder didn't stop to say goodbye, and they had already gone on to the "secret entrance".
"You Jedi don't need luck right? You've go the force..hmph…" Mayla spoke, with a good amount of spite in her words.
"There is no luck miss Macen, there is only the force." Revan stabbed back, just as spiteful.
"We have no time to waste, standing out here in the open might not be good for our health, and our mission." Malak said, his words making clear sense to Revan.
"Your friends right, we should get moving." Mayla agreed, and so did Revan. They took to the flight of steps up to the main double doors. Revan looked across them, seeing a small sign, it read: Sorry, we are closed right now. Czerka Corp. open hours twelve to five, Republic standard.
"They're closed." Revan said plainly.
"So it would seem, shall I do the honors Revan?" Malak asked to Revan.
"Feel free." Revan replied. Mayla looked puzzled, with "what honors?" on the tip of her tongue. But before it could go any further Malak placed his palm firmly on the glass of the door, then letting out a pulse of force energy. The glass cracked and began to fall into pieces before them, now there was an open door before them.
"Handy trick." Was all Mayla could say. Malak gave her a cold glance before entering through the door. Mayla entered afterwards, and Revan brought up the rear. The architecture suddenly changed, what was once sickly shades of green, yellow and black, were now vibrant colors of red, gold, and silver. Tapestries and banners hung the walls all around them, each one proudly displaying the Czerka Corp. symbol. Along the walls were pillars of something that resembled marbled, extending high to the ceiling in the extravagantly huge lobby.
"Czerka spared no expense here…" Revan said in a low tone, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the lobby.
"No sense waiting around here to get caught, come on." Mayla hurried the two Jedi along. The three hurried across the room over to where a few dozen elevators were located, all in working order. There didn't seem to be anyone here, the perfect time to break in. A bright red carpet was laid out before the elevators, it felt soft even through Revan's thick boots and made hardly any sound as she stomped all about them with dirty feet. Mayla pressed the "up" button on one of the nearby elevators, shortly after with a chimed ding the elevator doors slid apart. Having gone through this routine earlier today, Revan and Malak entered with Mayla right behind them. Mayla seemed to know where they were headed, as she immediately hit one of the buttons for a floor. The elevator began its ascent, climbing higher and higher. Finally stopping at one of the top floors. They stepped out, revealing yet another abandoned room. Revan wondered where everyone was.
"This way…" Mayla spoke quietly. They strolled just as quietly through the halls of the headquarters, passing by doors mark with various numbers and names. Offices and rooms of all sorts pass them by. Mayla stopped outside the door at the end of the hallway. "This is it, the Czerka mainframe should be in here…" Mayla said before slowly opening the door. They entered. The room was larger than they expected, it was dimly lit and the shadows of another level that overlooked the floor they were on could be seen. Revan could barely make out some kind of overhanging balcony through the darkness.
"This doesn't strike me as the place I would house a mainframe…" Revan spoke. They continued deeper into the room, slowly making there way through. Revan and Malak could sense something was wrong now. Their senses had served them well, a blinding light erupted the room, all was then visible.
Revan & Malak
The Trandoshan corvette, now under new management, flew through space in the direction of a light green colored planet. Sickly colored yellowish clouds surrounded parts of the planet. Large mountain ranges and sparse bodies of water could be seen dotting around the planet, including black blemishes on the surface that could only be its cities. The ship traveled downward into the planet at an angle, aimed for one of the larger dark splotches. The ship glowed red with intense heat as it entered the atmosphere, eventually breaking it. They entered one of the yellow clouds, vision all but obscured before passing through it. The city of Carshana could now be seen. It sat inside a truly gigantic almost circular shaped canyon, nearly filling it up with its black structures. Factories could be seen as the vast majority of buildings inside the city, each billowing pitch black smog from their many stacks. But the buildings that struck the most attention, were the spaceport, and the dam. The spaceport, which was shaped like some kind of huge dome, looked busy even from the far away position of the corvette. Ships were leaving and arriving, each exporting and importing various materials and freshly manufactured goods and metals from the many factories. The dam, which was practically inside the city itself, was the largest structure in the city, towering over any of its buildings. Rising high to the top of each side of the canyon walls, it was holding back a river. Which was now an overflowing lake that was flooding the outlying grasslands, turning them into swamps, unsuitable for building upon. It all looked troubling to Revan, the entire city was sitting on the edge of destruction, while it slowly destroyed it's own planet.
The ship flew over the city, headed to the spaceport. Flying until it found an open air landing bay suitable for its size, it landed. With a huge clunk and the sounds of the landing pads creaking and grinding to support the vast weight of the ship. All was silent as a Czerka Corp. officer wearily approached the heavily armed and intimidating vessel. The docking ramp activated and it slowly lowered as he stood in front of it, not knowing what might come out. Three hooded figures stepped out, walking down the loading ramp. Their faces covered in darkness by their hoods. They stopped in front of the officer, he knew right away that they were Jedi, but what they wanted and their business in Carshana he did not know.
"Greetings from Carshana master Jedis, before any business may be taken place…there is a fee for docking of a vessel this…large." The Czerka officer stumbled about with his words, trying to choose them carefully as not to anger the Jedi. He knew what happens to angry Jedi, they start wars and kill millions. "There is a docking fee of 500 credits."
"500 hundred credits? What for?" Revan said, taking a few steps from Shandar's left. She removed her hood. The air smelled vile to her, it must have been the pollution she though, or the spaceport.
"For maintenance fees of course. And there is an extra fee for docking larger vessels in our larger ports. You must understand, your vessel is larger than ordinary." He explained to her.
"Just pay the man Revan, there's no need for a hassle." Shandar advised to her.
"Fine fine." Revan fished into her pocket, pulling out a handful of credits. Separating what was 500 credits from the mess in her hand, she gave it to the Czerka officer. Who gladly grabbed it from her hand. He took a good look at them, inspecting them over.
"I can't accept these." He said, rather bluntly.
"What?! Why not?!" Revan said, practically screaming at the officer.
"Er…well because they're Republic credits, and this isn't the Republic you should know." Said the Czerka lackey.
"Yes we do know that, but why can't you accept them. Surely you could have them exchanged into whatever currency is good around these parts." Shandar said to the officer.
"We would do that if anyone or any bank in this sector would accept to the exchange them at all. I'm sorry, but I cannot accept these credits from you." The officer explained to Shandar and told Revan yet again. Thoughts raced through Revan's head, we don't have any other kinds of credits with us. What are we going to do. Damn. One bad thing after another, first the Trandoshans and now these money grubbing pirates too. Suddenly as if a light bulb had appeared over Revan's head, an idea entered her mind.
"You WILL accept Republic credits." Revan said, along with a wave of her hand before the officer. Shandar and Malak knew what she was doing and turned worrying glances towards her, although Shandar's was more severe.
"But…they aren't good around here…I…" The Czerka officer's mind was being clouded, reason was leaving him.
"Republic credits WILL do fine." Revan said again.
"On second thought, Republic credits will do fine. Now, is there anything else I can do for you?" The mind trick had worked, as Revan let out a sigh of relief.
"No I think that will be all, thank you." Shandar replied.
"Good then, enjoy your stay on Monasis." After saying his peace the officer left the Jedi to themselves.
"I don't like that you had to do that but good thinking. At least it got us out of that mess." Said Shandar to Revan.
"I didn't think it was going to work for a moment there…" Revan said, sounding relieved.
"Shouldn't we be finding this Zsar Haleif man so we can eventually get off this dreadful planet. The smell here is making me ill." Malak said, sounding disgusted with the planets current odor.
"Yes indeed we should." Said Shandar. Revan donned her hood back on as they left the docking port. They entered a vast hallway that connected several of the various ports. The hallway was curved like a crescent from what they could see, and was busy with workers and droids loading a unloading shipments from vessels and crafts of all shapes and sizes. In front of each docking port door there was another door just as large that led to the humongous dome shaped center of the spaceport, the dome being made almost entirely out of a glass like material. Giving a nice view of the Monasis sky. The group made their way past the busy workers into the even busier spaceport center. So many sounds and noises filled they're senses, from the teaming humanoids and aliens to loud announcements made by a serenely monotone female voice over the terminals various broadcasting levels. To fit almost every sentient ear in the galaxy, that Czerka knew of.
"Can anyone see Zsar?" Revan asked.
"No." Malak answered, like it was a real question.
"Does anyone know what he's supposed to even look like, or that he's even humanoid?" Revan asked again.
"Maybe he'll know us." Malak answered yet again to Revan's questions.
"I suggest that we stay here and let him find us. Rather than look for him and get lost in this place." Shandar said. He was right, it probably couldn't be to hard to get lost in this place.
"Ah the Jedi at last!" They're direction of attention turned to the man who just announced they're arrival, most loudly. His most prominent feature was the large tan colored trench coat that he wore open, followed only by the set of large goggles that pushed his tussled blonde hair back. He stepped over to them with a delighted smile.
" Ha ha! You are the Jedi yes?" The man spoke with a thick accent from his in badly need of a shave face. His teeth were yellowed and the rest of him hadn't looked like it had gotten in a wash for some time now. Malak looked almost repulsed under his hood but Shandar looked happy, Revan was just trying to sort everything out.
"Zsar Haleif?" Was all Shandar could say.
"Yes that is I. You must be the Jedi then. Indeed I am Zsar Haleif, but please do not speak that name so loudly here, there are many ears in this spaceport, and not all can be seen so easily…" Zsar said the last bit with a hushed tone. Shandar lowered his hood, and Revan and Malak followed.
"I am master Shandar of the Jedi, these are my two padawans. Revan and Malak." Shandar introduced himself to Zsar and Revan and Malak as well.
"A pleasure to finally meet you all." Zsar bowed to both Shandar and Malak. "And an added pleasure to meet you my dear madam." Zsar bowed especially low in front of Revan.
"The pleasure is all yours I am sure." Revan said, biting Zsar's head off.
"Revan! Please forgive my student Zsar. Sometimes she can be a little hot headed you know." Shandar apologized to Zsar. The steam could now be seen coming out of Revan's ears. She gritted her teeth in frustration. There is no emotion, there is peace. She repeated over and over inside her head.
"Don't give it another worry, come. I will take you to my speeder, there we shall conduct business." Zsar said, before leading them on through the spaceport. Zsar seemed to know his way intimately through the winding passages and corridors. At last they made their way outside to the busy street of Carshana. Roads connecting with huge highways that were raised so far into the air that they towered above some of the smaller buildings. It all look so complex, and very overwhelming. Zsar guided them to a trashy looking speeder, Shandar sat himself in the front passenger seat while Revan and Malak sat in the back. Zsar himself sat in the pilots seat of course. Revving up the engine they kicked off into the street, the back of the speeder screeching across the ground as they sharply turned, sending sparks behind them everywhere. Going from zero to God knows what.
"So what's the deal with the resistance and Czerka?" Revan asked Zsar over the noise.
"The deal you say? These Czerka core rats come to my home, buy off my land, my people, and my lively hood. They ruin and pollute my beloved Monasis, and for what? Filthy credits in their pockets. I fight for the independence of my planet. Not out of hate. The Czerka call us terrorists and blame us as such. But all they care about is stripping this planet dry of all it has, then moving on to the next and the one after that. That is the deal, that is why I must fight." Zsar's voice was full of a passion Revan couldn't describe. She sat there thinking to herself, this isn't just another mission to these people. This was what they lived and died for. The resistance she thought. Now she understood the meaning of that word a little better now.
The speeder zoomed in and out of traffic along the highway, the sights of Carshana could be clearly seen now. But there wasn't much to see except factory after factory. With the occasional ratty looking apartment here and there as they passed by. Off in the distance, at the center of the city, was a large building. Third only to the spaceport and the dam, it stood clean and well kept among the black and gritty buildings it was near. It must have been the Czerka headquarters.
"Is that the Czerka headquarters?" Revan asked, vaguely pointing off into its direction.
"Yes that is the scum den you speak of. But more on that we will speak of later, do not worry, we are getting close now." Zsar's words were true, they came off of the highway and down into the lower streets. Eventually they came in front of an abandoned looking building, Zsar parked his speeder at the curb.
"This is the place. Everybody out." Zsar told to them as he disembarked from the speeder. Everyone followed in suit.
"And this is…?" Malak asked, probably to Zsar.
"This is the secret location of our base, you never would guessed would you? No you wouldn't have." Zsar informed Malak.
"Right…" Malak trailed off, mumbling to himself. He already didn't like this Zsar guy.
"Follow me." He said. And follow him they did, going inside of the apartment. It was dirty and trash was left in heaping piles in various corners, it probably was abandoned. "This way." Zsar led them down a hallway and to a broken down elevator. At the end of the hallway was a large window, Revan could see into the backyard of a families home through it. The yard was much cleaner than its surroundings and Revan could the see the home's family. Sitting outside, was the husband, the wife, the children, and the life they had managed to create in this urban hell. Revan was brought back to where she was by the sound of Zsar prying the door open with his bare hands, pushing them aside. "Get in." He said, not wanting to argue the Jedi entered the elevator, followed by Zsar.
"Here is the tricky part." Zsar proclaimed, as he took an old metal key out of his coat. "Ancient technology, but we have used it to our advantage yes?" Finding the lock in the dimly lit elevator, he slid the key in. Once he turned it, the elevator rumbled, and instead of going up like it should have, it went down. Down deep. At last the elevator stopped. "This is our stop." Zsar exited he elevator, follow by Shandar, Malak, then Revan. Suddenly their surroundings had changed, what was once old and gritty was now new and slightly less gritty. The metal walls were lined with crates and boxes of all kinds, weapons and equipment most likely Revan thought. "This is our base, we try to keep it a little more clean than how Czerka keep this city. Normally I would love to give you a tour, but there are more pressing matters at hand, come this way." Zsar led them further into the base, past the durasteel doors and into the main hall. (Authors note: Just think the Hidden Bek base if you know what I mean) People looked to them with now cheerful faces, mostly likely due to the sight of the Jedi. They were led into a control room full of resistance members. " My friends, the Jedi are here." Zsar proudly introduced them to his allies.
"I am mast-" Shandar tried to speak.
"So the Jedi have come to save us at last." The woman who had just cut Shandar off stepped forward. "Or should say, the Republic has come to save us." Her words were filled with hate, and Revan didn't really like her tone.
"Please miss Macen, we need all the help we can get. They should not be turned away so quickly." Zsar said to the woman.
"It's Mayla Zsar, don't forget that. You are right though, we do need all the help we can get, especially for our next undertaking." Mayla said.
"That's what we've been rather curious about. You see…we don't really know what you want us to do." Shandar said to her.
"We need your…help…in getting inside the Czerka headquarters." Mayla explained.
"Wait a minute, you want us to help you break into a base? That's what you requested us for? I thought this was going to be a diplomatic mission." Shandar looked rather shocked.
"Zsar what did you tell the Jedi?" Mayla asked to Zsar.
"I told them we needed their help, nothing beyond that." Zsar answered, innocently.
"Well whatever you think you were supposed to do it doesn't matter, this is what we need you to do for us." Mayla said to the Jedi.
"The JedI are not common mercenaries. We are diplomats, this is totally unacceptable." Shandar looked furious.
"I thought this would happen…and I have prepared for it…the resistance of Monasis is prepared to make a donation to the Jedi of 10,000 credits…" Zsar said, Shandar looked absolutely infuriated.
"Bribery?! The JedI are not guns for sale Zsar, we refuse to do this!" Shandar yelled, for the first time in a long time in Revan's recent memory.
"And what do you suppose we do? Head on back to Coruscant and let these people suffer?" Revan added her own opinion. "I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to free these people, even if it does take breaking into the Czerka headquarters."
"I would like to see these people free as much as you do but this is not why we are here!" Shandar continued to argue.
"Czerka won't listen to reason Shandar! Look at this planet! The only way to drive them off of here is through bloodshed! But if you aren't prepared to do that, then I guess we can just go home and leave these people to die without us!" Revan practically screamed at Shandar, as the resistance members watched master and student squabble among each other.
"Revan…" Shandar said, sounding almost hurt.
"Revan is right master, action must be taken." Malak said, calmly, unlike Revan.
"I…don't like this…not one bit…I'll do it, but you can keep your credits. We don't need it." Shandar finally agreed. Revan sighed, feeling sick with herself for getting so angry. Malak didn't look very happy either. His frown worse than usual.
"Then you are going to help us?" Zsar asked.
"Yes, we will help you." Shandar answered.
"Good." Said Zsar. He and Mayla then described the plan to the Jedi. Apparently they were able to receive a few vital security codes from a recent hack job into the Czerka mainframe in the headquarters. Although they did not get what they sought, the Czerka master codes, they did however get those ones. The plan was for two groups to split up, one with Zsar, master Shandar, and two other resistance members. The other with Mayla, Revan, and Malak. Team one with Zsar would sneak through a secret back way they had discovered not too long ago. While team two with Mayla would break into the main doors. Zsar and Mayla each have the security codes to get past the doors and other obstacles that would be in there way. The goal apparently was to reach the Czerka mainframe computer, and to get the master codes.
"What exactly are these master codes you keep talking about?" Shandar asked, sounding like he was in a better mood now.
"The codes to access every single Czerka computer on the planet. If we had those codes, we could make life very, very hard for Czerka on Monasis." Mayla answered.
"I see." Shandar said.
"I see the interest you would have in such codes." Malak added.
"Exactly, it might be the key to getting Czerka off this planet." Mayla said.
"Wouldn't Czerka just change the codes after we steal them?" Revan asked.
"Not if we change them first." Mayla said, laughing slightly.
"The plan in itself is simple as you can see, and with the help of the Jedi it will be all the more easier." Zsar said.
"Alright, everyone get ready we're moving out now." Mayla said to the other members.
The team had mobilized. Zsar was piloting a speeder with Shandar to his right, while Revan and Malak were in the second speeder. Revan sat in the back with Mayla as Malak was rested in the passenger seat next to an unknown resistance member Revan had not been introduced to. It's not as if she really cared though. But then her thoughts strayed back to what she had said to Shandar. Was I really willing to fight for these people? I've only been on this planet for a few hours, maybe even less, and I'm already going off to fight for these people. They aren't even in the Republic, why should the Jedi care about what happens to this planet. Maybe Shandar was right, maybe we shouldn't get involved in this. Czerka needs to be stopped though, and these people need help. I can't just abandon them, I won't. Even if it means disobeying Shandar, and the Jedi council too. Revan thought on this as they sped through the city to the ominous Czerka headquarters in the distance. Revan turned a glance to Mayla, her face was stern and cold. She looks so intense Revan thought. I wonder how long she'd been in this "war". It was in Revan's best interest not ask Mayla though, whether it was out of fear or respect, it didn't really matter anyway. The two speeders stayed in close proximity with each other, it would have been easy to get cut off from one another. Revan felt like apologizing to Shandar for the way she acted, but it was a little too late for that right now. Unless she wanted to take the chance of yelling over the sound of the wind and other speeders to tell him how she feels. She didn't mean to get angry, it's just that Shandar can get so…frustrating sometimes. Revan's thoughts lied on the matter during the rest of the trip to the Czerka building, until they came around a corner. At the end of the street, was the Czerka Headquarters. It was basically, or at least it seemed to Revan, a giant glass box. Its mirrored windows lined across almost the entire building, giving an eerie reflection of its surroundings. Revan saw the huge Czerka Corp. symbol that was made with careful placing of orange colored glass, forming it perfectly. Czerka wasn't really known for any military might so Revan, and Malak, weren't worried about facing anything truly life threatening. But what was eating the two in the back of their minds was the thought of how the council was going to judge them. Shandar would never say Revan or Malak were bad students. Revan may be a little hot headed, and maybe a bit too quick to get involved in any conflict. And maybe Malak was a bit too overconfident, and could get too carried away when it came to more…physical confrontations. Would the order banish them, could they, had the thought even crossed their minds? If it did, would they actually consider it? These thoughts were unbecoming, and the Czerka building drew ever closer. They're was less traffic here, hardly any at all, and nearly no one was in sight walking anywhere near the glass monstrosity. Like it was some overbearing monster the people were afraid to go near, like it might suddenly swallow them up at any moment. The speeders eventually came to a stop at the building's maw. There was a circular shaped set of stone steps that elegantly made their way up to a set of glass double doors. The tinted windows only shown the outside, nothing of what was waiting within. Revan and Malak disembarked from their seats, shortly followed by Mayla. The resistance member who had been piloting the speeder wished them luck and left. It seemed that Zsar's speeder didn't stop to say goodbye, and they had already gone on to the "secret entrance".
"You Jedi don't need luck right? You've go the force..hmph…" Mayla spoke, with a good amount of spite in her words.
"There is no luck miss Macen, there is only the force." Revan stabbed back, just as spiteful.
"We have no time to waste, standing out here in the open might not be good for our health, and our mission." Malak said, his words making clear sense to Revan.
"Your friends right, we should get moving." Mayla agreed, and so did Revan. They took to the flight of steps up to the main double doors. Revan looked across them, seeing a small sign, it read: Sorry, we are closed right now. Czerka Corp. open hours twelve to five, Republic standard.
"They're closed." Revan said plainly.
"So it would seem, shall I do the honors Revan?" Malak asked to Revan.
"Feel free." Revan replied. Mayla looked puzzled, with "what honors?" on the tip of her tongue. But before it could go any further Malak placed his palm firmly on the glass of the door, then letting out a pulse of force energy. The glass cracked and began to fall into pieces before them, now there was an open door before them.
"Handy trick." Was all Mayla could say. Malak gave her a cold glance before entering through the door. Mayla entered afterwards, and Revan brought up the rear. The architecture suddenly changed, what was once sickly shades of green, yellow and black, were now vibrant colors of red, gold, and silver. Tapestries and banners hung the walls all around them, each one proudly displaying the Czerka Corp. symbol. Along the walls were pillars of something that resembled marbled, extending high to the ceiling in the extravagantly huge lobby.
"Czerka spared no expense here…" Revan said in a low tone, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the lobby.
"No sense waiting around here to get caught, come on." Mayla hurried the two Jedi along. The three hurried across the room over to where a few dozen elevators were located, all in working order. There didn't seem to be anyone here, the perfect time to break in. A bright red carpet was laid out before the elevators, it felt soft even through Revan's thick boots and made hardly any sound as she stomped all about them with dirty feet. Mayla pressed the "up" button on one of the nearby elevators, shortly after with a chimed ding the elevator doors slid apart. Having gone through this routine earlier today, Revan and Malak entered with Mayla right behind them. Mayla seemed to know where they were headed, as she immediately hit one of the buttons for a floor. The elevator began its ascent, climbing higher and higher. Finally stopping at one of the top floors. They stepped out, revealing yet another abandoned room. Revan wondered where everyone was.
"This way…" Mayla spoke quietly. They strolled just as quietly through the halls of the headquarters, passing by doors mark with various numbers and names. Offices and rooms of all sorts pass them by. Mayla stopped outside the door at the end of the hallway. "This is it, the Czerka mainframe should be in here…" Mayla said before slowly opening the door. They entered. The room was larger than they expected, it was dimly lit and the shadows of another level that overlooked the floor they were on could be seen. Revan could barely make out some kind of overhanging balcony through the darkness.
"This doesn't strike me as the place I would house a mainframe…" Revan spoke. They continued deeper into the room, slowly making there way through. Revan and Malak could sense something was wrong now. Their senses had served them well, a blinding light erupted the room, all was then visible.