Saviour, Conqueror, Hero, Villain

by VMorticia

HUGE SPOILER WARNINGS FOR KOTOR! Evil PC character! And it's finished, alternate ending and all. Read, review, and I'll be eternally grateful.

4. Air

Saviour, Conqueror, Hero, Villain.

Author's Notes: I found it incredibly unrealistic that Calo Nord would get Wookiees to help kill you on Kashyyyk, when the Wookiee leader gave you a mission to complete. Also, the Force power mentioned here that isn't in the game - and it's a NIGHTMARE to use in Jedi Academy - it all but killed my character, the one time I tried it!

Lord Valentai: Thank you. I hate the bullying-thug image, and I wanted to make Revan a real evil-genius.

Krazed Kaioshin Fangirl: I actually haven't exactly decided which ending to use. I've written to chapter 8 (and I'm thinking of making 10 instead of 9) and I still haven't decided on the ending!

Ozziegrl: Thanks, glad you like it.

darth poop: heh heh, glad you liked that. If she'd left the planet, we'd not have the whole Star Map quest thing going on... Revan would probably have done a Kill Bill skit, hunting down Malak, most likely with a yellow lightsaber just for the hell of it.

thesamonthemoon: mwahahahahaha... good to know I can write evil well - it's not easy when I have a conscience. Oh... you know something, you're right about the Mandalorian armour... um... well, I suppose, if she kicked hard enough... let's just say she severely dented his armour... which would have had a similar effect, right?

Noop-Ni: Thanks.

Data: Glad you like it.

Darth Jenrai: Gotta say, that's my favourite line in this fic, and I'm glad other people like it too.

ProcrastinatingMonkey: Hmmm... what's to describe about Dantooine, though? It's just fields, right? I'll try to do better, though. About her hair, however... she wears it loose, most of the time... when she ties it back, she'll mention it specifically, because it's unusual for her.

snackfiend101: Manaan.

NathanPostmark: Well, I hope you didn't have to wait too long for this chapter.

The Holy Beergut: Glad you like it.

RollingSkull: Surreal, huh? I thought so too, when I attained DS mastery in the game, by Dantooine, lied blatantly to the Jedi Masters, and they still let me run the show... they really have no other choice - they need her. Why don't you believe she's "possessed by the dark side", though? I agree with you about the Force powers... I like to think that the likes of Force Grip are names given to that particular use of the telekinetic element of Force use. The game does oversimplify it... you can't even levitate, outside of the Dantooine training cut-scene! And have you ever played Jedi Academy? After using level 3 Force jump in that, who wants to go back to KotOR's game engine, where you can't even jump at all? Not to mention the lightsaber duels are so much more interactive/realistic (sorry, I'm ranting, now). I only returned to KotOR after that, for the compelling story-line.

x x x

Chapter 4 - Air

The Jedi Masters insisted that I be supervised. Bastila and a Jedi Knight were to accompany me. I was most surprised to find the Jedi Knight who had volunteered was the Cathar who I had spoken to in the courtyard. Turns out I give good anger management advice, and because of it, she passed her trials to become a Knight in the first place.

As soon as we left Dantooine, Onasi contacted Republic HQ, who told him to keep an eye on this mission, but they wouldn't tell him why. It's obvious some of the 'Republic representatives' the Jedi Council made a deal with had a hand in those orders.

"All right, then." I said brightly, as we prepared for hyperspace, "Next stop, Korriban."

"No way!" Bastila snapped, "We're going to... Kashyyyk, first!" the hesitation made it clear she hadn't decided which of the other three planets to pick until the last second. Just so long as it wasn't Korriban, anyway.

"Spoil my fun, why don't you." I muttered sulkily, "We will have to go to Korriban eventually, you know."

"And I plan to put it off as long as possible." she retorted.

"Good for you." I said flatly, "You do that." she glared at me, and I grinned infuriatingly.

"Can we not argue too much, please? I am already too tempted to throw you out the nearest airlock, as it is, Kira." Onasi muttered.

"Who's arguing? I agreed with her." I said, a hint of a whine in my tone.

He sighed, "Fine, whatever."

x x x

The journey to Kashyyyk was boring beyond belief. I never was a fan of long-haul hyperspace journeys, and Kashyyyk was the furthest distance we had to travel in this little adventure. I did the calculations that once we got the map on Kashyyyk, Tatooine would be the closest to go to next. Onasi agreed with me, noting, "And Bastila'll be happy that you're not keen to go to Korriban next."

"She probably will. But here's the flight plan. Kashyyyk-" I pointed to it on the map, "-Tatooine-" I drew a straight line with my finger that showed that it was the shortest distance, "-Manaan's closest to Tatooine-" I drew another line, "-then Korriban's not too far from Manaan."

"You've got it all worked out."

"Bastila wasn't stupid when she picked Kashyyyk." I noted.

"You're admitting the Jedi is smart?"

"You got a problem with that?"

"I think Hoth melted." he muttered. I laughed.

Then I felt something... in the back of my mind. A nagging feeling. "I... I have to go." I left the cockpit and made my way through the ship. Mission and Zaalbar were at the table in the common area. Mission was playing with her Pazaak deck, and Zaalbar was massacring the food supply.

I passed them, without a word, and made my way through to the female sleeping quarters.

Bastila was sitting on her bunk, examining a datapad as if it was fascinating... but her eyes weren't focused on it, and she seemed to be in a little world of her own.

"Hey, Jedi. What's got you so miserable? I could sense it from the other side of the ship."

She was startled, and looked up at me, "I... I was just thinking... about our mission."

"Which one? The maps? Or the blue one?"

"That is not funny." she said coldly.

I grinned, "I thought it was."

"You are incorrigible."

"Thank you." I said brightly.

She sighed, "I am worried about you, if you must know."

"I'm flattered at your concern." I said sarcastically, "I can take care of myself, you know, Jedi."

"It's not your well-being I am worried about." she hissed, "It's your... attitude. You are incredibly volatile. I do not think I wish to be... connected to you."

"You're talking about this Force-bond, aren't you?" I asked.

"Yes. I am."

"How did this bond come to be, exactly?" I asked, sitting next to her, "I know well enough that it takes a deep connection to form one."

"I saved your life, on the bridge of your ship." she said quietly, "You almost died in Malak's attack. I preserved the flicker of life in you. It is a miracle that you didn't suffer permanent brain-damage."

"I'm resilient. But I suppose I should be grateful to you." I said distantly. I didn't actually say I was grateful. Just that I knew I should be. "Why did you save me?"

"I... I do not entirely know." she said, distantly.

A shadow flitted through her aura, and I said quietly, "You were drawn to the darkness in me."

She started at that, "No!" then she frowned, "I suppose in a way, I could have been. But I am a Jedi! I shall not give in to the lure of the dark side!"

I rolled my eyes, and all but laughed, "It's nothing to be ashamed of. I've lured plenty of people to the dark side. You'd not be the first."

"You have not turned me." she hissed.

"No, but I've tempted you." I retorted. I smiled darkly, "Don't be afraid. I won't turn you if you don't want me to."

"What is that supposed to mean?!"

"Only that if you change your mind, I'll be here for you." I said softly, "I'm more yours than you're mine, in this bond."

She shivered, "That is a frightening thought." she whispered.

"It is the truth. I owe you my life." I frowned at that thought. It unsettled me, but I knew it was true.

"If... if you're... mine." she sneered at the way I had worded it, but she clearly couldn't find a better way to say it herself, "Then surely you should defer to my judgement. Allow me to make the moral decisions?"

"If I don't disagree too strongly." I said flatly, "I'm not your pet kath pup, Jedi. And I'm certainly not trained." I grinned viciously, "And don't think you'll get away without your furniture shredded, either."

"Funny analogy..." the hesitation implied she was unsure what name to use for me.

"In a ship full of people who don't know who I am... I suggest you use my alias." I said calmly.

"Indeed... Kira." she said, smiling, "Who knows who's eavesdropping on this ship?"

"I'd bet on Mission, nosey child - Canderous, career trouble - and Onasi, suspicious git." I said calmly, "That's a lot of curious ears."

"I suppose we should not discuss your... past, and identity, too thoroughly?" she said, making it sound like a question.

"For now, anyway." I said flatly, "Anyway... I won't kill anyone without your permission. Fair? But I will dish out torture and insults without your consent, whenever I consider it necessary... or fun."

"I suppose that is... fair enough." she said, frowning, "I cannot expect much more from you, considering who and what you are."

"Feel better now? You may have saved several lives just by agreeing to that." I noted.

"That is... some comfort."

I smiled, "Good. I can't shield against your emotions, no matter how hard I tried. I don't need your baggage weighing me down." I grinned at her disapproving look, then stood up and left her alone.

x x x

Finally, we made it to Kashyyyk, and I eagerly leapt down the loading ramp of the Hawk and out of the recycled air. The aura of life from the planet called to me from space, and I had to get out into the wild. The Shadowlands were far below, but the danger sang to me, even from that distance.

Harmony in the danger. I understood what the Wookiees saw in it. I eagerly looked forward to returning to Korriban, but Bastila couldn't have picked a better temporary substitute for me.

Until... [Greetings to you.] said an Ithorian, whose aura radiated a sliminess that made me instantly wary. His aura wasn't dark, though... closer to neutral, but still self-serving and back-stabbing, [Err... while I am pleased to welcome you to planet G5-623, I do not see your ship on my docking schedule. The Czerka Corporation will see to your needs, of course, but there will be a one hundred credit docking fee. In advance, I fear.]

G5-623? I did the mental calculation. Yes, that's the numerical designation of Kashyyyk... but no one uses numerical planet names on named worlds, except pompous bureaucrats. But the immediate problem this pompous bureaucrat presented was that he wanted my money. "Docking fee? Why do I need to pay that?" I asked coldly.

[This outpost is remote and expensive to maintain. The hundred credits given will ensure that it remains here... for your use, of course.] he explained, [Upon collection of the correct fees, I will extend what resources the Czerka Corporation can offer. I'm sure you understand.]

"Oh, I understand." I said coldly, fixing him with my best intimidating glare, "And I don't need to pay the docking fee." I growled, adding Force to my words, not to mention inspiring fear in his mind, through the Force. Grovel at my feet, little slime-ball.

[Perhaps you don't need to pay the docking fee.] he said, his voice wavering slightly, [Any services you need will more than make up for it. You are welcome on Edean, trade designation G5-623. Czerka Corporation welcomes your business. We should discuss your interests in my office. We will also arrange for translation services, for a nominal fee, of course. You'll be encountering a number of Wookiees while here.]

"I don't need a translator." I sneered at him, "I understand more than you can know."

[Er... very well.] he said warily, [It is no concern of mine. I will simply assume you are one of the rare sort that take to languages easily.] I snorted at that, but didn't respond. [Now then, please follow me to our information centre. I will answer any further questions there.]

I rolled my eyes, and started walking along the creaking path towards the exit of the docking facility. With luck, I could get away from the ship before the Jedi followed me, and then I would be able to play in the Shadowlands without any morals to distract me.

On the way, I spotted a small stall selling various items. Poor quality, and relatively cheap... mostly. There was a decent energy shield which was in excellent condition, a cyber implant, and a set of high grade armour. But other than that the merchandise was barely worth a second glance. "So, new spacers have come to wild Kashyyyk? Please, look well upon the wares of Eli Gand. I live to serve your needs." the salesman said slimily.

The young mechanic sitting nearby, who was tinkering with a broken droid the salesman had acquired, looked up at me as I examined the relatively pathetic merchandise, "Just be sure to pay cash." he warned me, "The interest on his loans will drain you like a Deluvian fatworm on a Hutt's backside."

The stall owner turned to the young man, with a look of half-amusement, half-veiled-threat, "First off, Hutts are ALL backside." he said smarmily, "Secondly, I don't much like the comparison. No need to get personal. It's just business." he turned to me, radiating dishonesty in near tangible waves, "Poor fellow, he's been waiting for his friends to return with my money for a standard month now. Ah, but you don't need to hear of this. What can I get you?"

"Do you always enslave your debtors?" I asked, not really caring but for the fact I knew the man was hiding something.

"Enslave? I resent that." the man said, insulted, "Simply fair business. This man's fellows left without settling their debts, so he must make up the difference."

"I know, I know, it's standard trading rules." the younger man retorted, "I just want to know where my crew went. I was only gone for two days. This isn't like them."

"Yes, very sad that they would abandon you, especially while you were doing me a favour and helping repair one of my freighters." the salesman said, his tone showing that he clearly didn't believe there was anything 'sad' about it, "You think you know someone, and they turn out to be a cheat. Oh, not like you, Matton. You honour your deals. A word is a bond in trade."

"I never implied I saw anything wrong with the concept of enslaving your debtors." I said calmly, "I just wondered if you did it often, that's all."

"Oh, it's happened once before." the man said casually, "Took almost a full cycle for them to pay me back."

"I see." I said, nodding. "Well... I like this armour." I indicated the expensive item.

"That's a top quality piece, that." the man noted, "Ten thousand credits."

"What's so special about it?" I asked.

"It reputedly belonged to Jamoh Hogra. He was a Zabrak mercenary who feared for his life after a raid on a Sith dreadnaught. He spent a fortune on his personal armour, only to be killed while in the bath." the man said brightly.

"Uh huh." I said, sceptically, "Maybe later." I turned and left the stall. I didn't have that many credits, though I would never admit it to the shopkeeper.

Footsteps trotting behind me drew my attention to Mission scurrying towards me, bubbling and bouncing with eagerness. More sedately, following her at a walk, was Zaalbar, whose aura radiated reluctance and fear. "Hey, Kira!" Mission cheered, "You're gonna want someone who knows the lay of the land with you, right? And plus, I've always wanted to see where Zaalbar used to live, so can we come with you?"

"I don't see a problem with that." I said, smiling, "Just so long as you don't get yourselves killed by anything."

"Oh, don't worry. We won't." Mission said, grinning.

I turned and led the two of them off towards the gates to the Great Walkway. A Czerka guard tried to cause trouble for me because Zaalbar was with me, but I used the Force to make him forget I was ever here. No point shooting a Czerka officer point blank. I'd have to kill them all, and while I knew I could, it would be messy, and Bastila'd surely pitch a fit.

On the Great Walkway, however, was another matter. First, the three Cerka, with a fresh stench of death on them and a Wookiee corpse to show for it at their feet, got smeared across the wooden floor of the walkway, by my lightsaber, Mission's blaster and Zaalbar's sword. Then a short walk further, three Sith were daft enough to challenge me, and ended up as smoking corpses, thanks to a ridiculously strong dose of Force lightening.

Zaalbar intervened when I tried to use a similar tactic on the Wookiee that denied me access to the Shadowlands. And when we got to the Wookiee village to ask permission to go visit the surface of their planet, I met a nasty surprise. A Wookiee named Chuundar, who thought he was better than me.

[Step forward and address mighty and wise Chuundar, outsider. I don't often allow visitors of your kind.] the black furred Wookiee growled. I've seen Terentatek with more light in their auras. His fur matched his soul perfectly.

[You are flanked by Czerka slavers! Are they not outsiders? Or have you sold all of Kashyyyk to them!] Zaalbar snarled in response.

[Ah, brother Zaalbar. You've been exiled a long time. You shouldn't speak in that tone. Things are different now.] the black Wookiee replied. This Wookiee was Zaalbar's brother? Interesting. No wonder he left home. [You are a mad-claw without honour. You have no voice among your own people. I, on the other hand, am Chieftain.]

"Is there a point to this?" I asked impatiently, "If this will only lead to a fight, I'd like to get to it."

Mission and Zaalbar both shot me startled looks, but Chuundar practically laughed at me, [There will be no fight. You wouldn't survive. The village believes in me. They would rise to kill you. I also have the protection of Czerka Corporation guards as well. No, you have no chance while I am unopposed.]

I growled, and for added effect said in the Wookiee's own language, [I'm no weakling.] my hand hovering over my lightsaber, the fingers of my other hand curled almost claw-like.

Chuundar actually did laugh, and a slight hand gesture from him told two of the six Czerka guards in the room to attack me, while several other Wookiees restrained Mission and Zaalbar, so I was effectively alone and outnumbered.

Screw lightsabers. I spun around to kick one guard in the side of the face so hard his neck snapped. I then turned and grabbed the second guard by the arm, twisting it so sharply that I literally ripped his arm off before knocking him to the ground and crushing his throat with the heel of my boot.

I turned to face Chuundar with a victorious (and vicious) grin. "I told you so." I said brightly. Zaalbar chuffed with laughter at Chuundar's foolish mistake. Chuundar now looked afraid of me. "And that's without weapons, too." I added altogether too cheerfully.

Chuundar took in the fact the weapon I wore was a lightsaber, meaning I had not only forsaken one of the most powerful bladed weapons in the galaxy for a barehanded fight... but I also hadn't bothered to use the Force powers I must have at my disposal to even be able to carry such a weapon in the first place. Now I think he was terrified of me. Good. He knows his place, now.

"Now since you didn't want a fight, in the first place... what did you want, exactly?" I asked brightly.

[I haven't killed Zaalbar because he is my brother, and I hoped he and I could come to an agreement. You are irrelevant.]

I snarled. What a human would call feral. And even a Wookiee would call it a hostile tone, [Hey, fur ball, watch who you're calling 'irrelevant'!] lightening sparked between my fingertips, in my anger, and I bared my teeth in a gesture that only humans seem to be daft enough not to consider a threat.

The fact I had now made two separate outbursts in Shyriiwook was not making the Czerka guards any more comfortable in my presence, I'll tell you that. But I always did find that saying something to any alien species in their own language tends to make more of an impression than saying it in Basic.

[You are irrelevant to this particular scenario, human. I would neither know nor care of matters outside my domain. And you may be as relevant as you wish there.] Chuundar snapped.

I laughed, "Very well. Fair enough. But you're not killing Zaalbar." I waded through sewers to find that Wookiee. I went within smelling range of Gammoreans for him. I sure as hell wasn't about to be handed a lifedebt on a silver platter just for the life in question to only last another few weeks. Zaalbar's life was mine, and Chuundar sure as hell wasn't getting it.

Chuundar snorted, [We shall see.] he replied, [I need some time to speak with my brother in private. Perhaps, as you are so skilled a fighter, you may be able to assist me with a task?]

"Such as...?" I asked warily

[A simple thing. Another Wookiee has suffered the same fate as Zaalbar, gone mad and been exiled. He now lurks the Shadowlands.] Chuundar explained, [More importantly, he's pestering my Czerka allies during their Shadowland expeditions. It is not good for business.]

"I can only imagine how heartbroken you must feel about that." I said sarcastically.

Chuundar gave me a vicious glare, [We only enter the Shadowlands for ritual hunting. I'd leave the troublemaker down there but he has proven too good at surviving. He has managed to linger a number of years, cowering in his madness and shame. You are expendable. You will remove him. I'll allow you access to the Shadowlands. You will track and kill this insane Wookiee, and maybe then you will earn my favour.]

"Like I need or want your favour." I said acidly, "I don't take orders from over-inflated windbags in fur coats. I'll go to the Shadowlands. If I see anything that tries to kill me, I'll kill it first... though whether I get your Wookiee in the process or not is an entirely different matter. I have other reasons to be down there."

[That is acceptable. Though I shall only allow Zaalbar to leave here when the troublemaker is dead.] Chuundar replied.

I nodded curtly, "I'll be leaving, then." I turned and stalked out of the chieftain's hall, Mission hot on my heels and livid at Chuundar. She was ranting a series of expletives that would make the Sith's best generals blush, and I specifically noted the lack of any insult regarding Chuundar's parentage. Interesting that such a young girl knew so much creative profanity. And is it even possible to do that with a Bantha?

It was late. I was going back to the Hawk for the night.

x x x

I awoke to find Bastila looming over me, "Wake up, Kira!" she snapped.

I groaned and shoved her away, sitting up and rubbing my eyes, "I'm not a morning person, Bastila." I hissed, "I'm evil. We're nocturnal."

She rolled her eyes, "I am going with you to the surface. When do you suggest we leave?"

"After breakfast." I replied flatly, "And are you sure you want to go?"

"The Jedi sent me to supervise you. So that is what I shall do." Bastila retorted.

I sighed, "Fine. Just don't cramp my style too much."

We ate breakfast together. The entire Ebon Hawk crew were seated around the small circular table, eating synthesised gunk from the ship's food dispenser. The two Jedi were the only ones who didn't express disgust at the flavour and texture of the 'food'.

After breakfast, Juhani took me aside to speak to me privately, before I left, "I wanted to thank you." she said quietly, "For your advice on how to deal with my anger."

"It worked, then?" I asked innocently.

"I spoke to my Master, Quatra. She said it is not a commonly practiced technique, and does not work for everyone, but if I wished to try it, it would not hurt." Juhani explained, "It worked quite well. My Master tested my control a few days after you gave me that advice, and I managed not to lash out as she had thought I might. She was most impressed with my progress, and advised the Masters that I should graduate to the rank of Jedi Knight."

I smiled. It would have been a warm smile if it had reached my eyes, "Good for you."

"I would not have expected a Sith to offer such advice to a Jedi willingly." she noted.

"Like I said, I like you." I said calmly, "And please, don't mention what I am in front of anyone else on this ship. Bastila's the only other one who knows." I added in a whisper.

"Ah. Very well." she said, nodding, "I shall let you go, now. May the Force be with you."

I smiled darkly, "That is how you say it. We say 'may the Force serve you well'."

Her lip twitched. An odd half smile that seemed both bemused and wary, "Well you will have to make do with the Jedi platitude. For I do not believe the Force serves anyone."

I half laughed, "Very well, Juhani. Thank you."

x x x

Bastila was not pleased when I let Canderous come with us to the Shadowlands. She was even less pleased when Canderous insisted on being kitted out with his heavy repeating blaster canon, two large vibroswords, and crimson Mandalorian armour (that looked suspiciously like the armour Sherruk had been wearing), the engraved clan symbol of which had been viciously scored off and replace by an ink serpent symbol to signify Ordo clan.

Meanwhile, I had taken possession of a set of Sith robes, the former owners of which probably still lay smoking on the Great Walkway. This displeased Bastila even more, which I found amusing until the emotions wormed their way into my head, and I had to find a way to get her to think about something else, "Tell me about yourself, Bastila." I said suddenly, as we descended towards the forest floor, "I hardly know you, really. Yet you surely read up on my case-file before this mission."

She smiled slightly. 'Of course I read up on her, the Masters insisted' the thought flitted through my mind so clear it took a couple of seconds before I realised it was hers. I blinked at it, but didn't say anything, "Yes, I suppose I can understand your curiosity, given the bond that connects us. Very well, I'll tell you a bit about myself." she said, her voice calm and measured, "I was found to be strong with the Force at a young age, as most Padawans are. As a girl I was given to the Order to be trained. When I joined the Order I left my family on Talravin, as all Padawans do. My family is still there, the last that I heard. I have had little contact with them, as it is discouraged."

"Stupid rule." I muttered.

"Relationships with family members are fraught with powerful emotions." Bastila answered immediately, "Such extremes are to be avoided. Anger and hate are the worst, but even love can lead to folly. Like all who join the Order, I have learned to embrace the life I have chosen. I had to let go of my attachments to my family."

"And they call the Sith evil when the Jedi are the ones taking children from their parents."

She gave me a sharp look, "For one thing, the Sith do worse, when they murder the parents and leave the children to fend for themselves." she hissed, "Besides, a child is too young to understand the sacrifices that must be made. It is better if they have no contact with their family once they are removed. Once I was older I realized the wisdom of this policy. A Jedi must do what is needed, personal desires notwithstanding. Love can only obscure and confuse the matter."

"You're quoting the Jedi textbook, Bastila. Like you've memorised a speech. If you actually believed a word you were saying, it wouldn't sound so monotone." I said coldly.

She sighed, "Some sacrifices are... harder than others." Her emotional pain hit me. Like a strangled child deep in her psyche was screaming out. One word. 'Daddy'.

"You miss your father." it was a statement, not a question.

She looked at me, startled, "How did you-?"

"I can all but read your mind, Jedi." I said brightly, "If you try, I'm sure you could do the same right back at me."

"I see." she said coldly, "Well perhaps you should learn to keep out of my thoughts. It is an invasion of privacy."

"I don't do it deliberately." I snapped, "What you hide from the rest of the world practically gets thrown at me through the bond."

She frowned, "Well, you are correct about my father. I was only a little girl when I left my family, but I still remember him fondly. He was kind and gentle and doted on me. My mother, however, was different. She pushed my father into treasure hunting. I spent all my young life on ships travelling from one false lead to the next."

"Treasure hunting's not that bad, surely."

"It is when you are a small child not allowed to see what is going on and only aware that your father is putting himself in danger every other week, and it is your mother's fault." she said coldly. I shrugged, not wanting to argue with her. "She whittled away my father's entire fortune, and I hated her for it. I think she was relieved to give me to the Jedi, but my father was heartbroken."

"And you haven't heard from him since?" I asked.

"Communication with family is discouraged-"

"I know, I know." I interrupted before she could quote more of the textbook at me. I sighed slightly, and was grateful to be distracted from the conversation by the basket jolting to a halt in the Shadowlands.

x x x

We had barely walked a few feet out of sight of the basket, when we were surrounded by a group of thugs of various species. Led by a runt in a white hat, "I have to give you credit... you've led me on quite a chase. But nobody gets away from Calo Nord in the end!"

"I see you brought some back up, Calo." Canderous said, smirking darkly, "Realized we were a bit much to handle on your own, eh?"

Calo snorted, "You got lucky on Taris; the Sith attack saved you from a quick and gruesome death. But I promise you, the Sith won't be getting in my way this time!"

"If the Sith bombing got between you and I fighting, Calo." I said calmly, "Then you owe Malak, big time, for the few weeks of extra life you gleaned from it."

"Oh, considering our history, friend." the sarcasm on the word 'friend' was extreme, "I think it's your days that were numbered."

"History?" Bastila asked.

"Long story short. Coruscant, seven years ago." I said flatly, "I stopped him from killing one of his victims. He holds a grudge well."

"I got that target in the end." Calo said tonelessly, "As I shall get you, too."

"Savour these last seconds of your life, Calo." I hissed.

"Let's go, boys... it's show time!" Calo drew a pair of heavy blasters and started firing at us.

Canderous and Bastila were quick to react. Canderous powered up an energy shield and returned fire with his heavy repeater. Bastila cast a Force shield around herself and tried (and failed) to cast a Force stun on Calo Nord.

I reached out for the dark side of the Force, wrapped it around me like a shield, and gave in to it willingly. I literally saw red. I was aware of what I was doing, but wouldn't have been able to stop if I'd wanted. I charged Calo, taking several blaster bolts to the chest but the darkness protected me. As I reached Calo, I grabbed both his wrists, and snapped them before he could react. A knee to the groin, then an elbow to the back of his neck. He was on the ground and I kicked him several times before the presence of mind to use a lightsaber flickered into my thoughts. I removed his head with my blade.

As I slowly regained my control, I crouched down on the ground to regain my composure as well. I noticed Canderous had slaughtered Calo's cronies, and Bastila was holding her head as if it hurt. She walked over to me and growled, "What did you just do?!"

"It's a dark side skill called Rage." I said, still slightly out of breath, "It... it makes you invulnerable for a short period of time. Though at the price of rational thought. All you can think about is the kill. When you taste death on the Force, you get a fraction of a second coherent thought, the opportunity to choose to stop... or not. If you choose not to stop, you have to kill again."

She shivered, disgust clear in her aura and expression, "That is absolutely horrible!"

"It's practical." I said flatly, "I'm not exactly certain how many blaster bolts I took, but I couldn't have taken them without the protection the Rage afforded me. And we did want him dead, didn't we?"

"I suppose so." she said, sighing, "But please. Do not do that again. The... the psychic overflow through the bond paralysed me."

I stared at her for a few seconds, beating down the self-disgust and horror that I could have hurt my bond-mate, before I said, "I... I didn't know it... it would affect you. I... I'll not use it again."

She seemed both surprised and grateful at this, "Thank you."

I looted Calo's blasters, then examined the body. There were deep gashes on his face that I didn't remember causing. But they hadn't been there before. And when I looked at my fingernails, there was skin and blood under them. "Madclaw." I whispered so quietly I'm surprised the other two heard me.

"Phht. Wookiees don't know what honour is." Canderous retorted.

"Their honour values familial bonds in preference to battle, though still values both." I said coldly, "That is the only major difference between your two cultures, Mandalorian."

Canderous snorted and folded his arms, "What matter the tactics? If your claws are a better weapon than his blasters, use them."

I glared at him, "I have used Rage many times in the past. I even used it on Taris to wipe out a group of Vulkars. But I have never forsaken lightsabers for claws. And I respect the Wookiee belief, even if you don't." I stared at Calo's decapitated corpse, 'Of all the times... if I'd used claws then, instead of today... instead of my lightsaber...'

Bastila stared at me... clearly she heard that thought... though she acted as if she hadn't... she respected my privacy, "Honour can be restored to a Madclaw if they do enough of worth."

"And what would be considered worthy?" I asked acidly.

"Perhaps to refrain from using the Rage, as you have already promised." she suggested.

"Takes more than that. Wookiees are benevolent warriors. I would have to... help someone in need, prove I am no mindless killer, to restore my honour."

"You're doomed to remain a Madclaw." Bastila said flatly. Though I could sense she meant it as a challenge. She wanted me to prove her wrong.

We walked deeper into the Shadowlands. I knew the way well enough from last time, and hence I took the lead. Bastila a step behind and to my right. Canderous two steps behind me, to my left.

The life around me felt... out of balance. There was a new predator down here. One that was upsetting the harmony of this chaotic world. If I find this beast that should not be here, I will kill it. The life cycle of Kashyyyk depends on balance. Predators and prey. Death is a neutral word in this place. As unjudged a word as water or breeze. It is essential, rarely sought, and yet gratefully embraced. Like love. But the new predator would feel the blade of a greater predator - me - and will let the cycle of life and death return to the way it should be.

I sent feelers of the Force out around me, seeking the threat that did not belong. I couldn't find any great malevolence. Nothing besides the deep black essence of the beast I knew had dwelt here for eons. It must be something that either does not know that it damages the balance... or does not care.

As I sensed for it, I found something else nearby. Force flowing through sentience, working in harmony. A Jedi. Or a Sith. Near impossible to tell. Clouded grey, neither light nor dark. Flickers of green power and compassion - a healer, possibly a Consular class Jedi. But near equal flashes of red power and resentment - betrayed, possibly an Assassin class Sith.

"Bastila. Do you sense it?"

"A Force-strong presence. Yes." she answered, "I cannot identify their alignment, however."

"Neither can I. But I'd guess at Jedi."

"Why?" she asked, surprised.

"I sense compassion." I said, frowning, and trying not to remember Zhar's first test, "But the power in the presence leans to either Jedi Consular or Sith Assassin. No Assassin has compassion so readable."

"I see." she said flatly, "We should be cautious, in case you are wrong."

"Agreed." I said. Canderous clearly didn't follow the conversation. Though he picked up on the possibility of an assassin, and was instantly on his guard.

I led the way further. The presence was on our path. Or at least near it. It is impossible to tell gender from such a sense in the Force. In spite of all stereotypes that believe men and women are psychologically different, it's not so. The basic aura and essence is the same for both. I could tell it was human, however. No two species' minds work the same way.

I could sense wisdom as I focused on it, stubbornness, and not a drop of fear anywhere near it. Realistic attitude, but no true bitterness. Only an echo of bitterness, like this person long ago made peace with the source of that emotion. Great strength of personality, and a wicked sense of humour - a person who takes glee in infuriating people. But not in true malice. The more I read from this person, the more I was certain it would be a Jedi. A most unorthodox Jedi, but a Jedi nonetheless. Possibly even a Jedi I wouldn't loathe and resent on sight.

I sensed a returning probe reach my mind, 'What, you think you're the only one can snoop, eh?'

'Snoop away. I doubt you'll like what you find.' I thought, calmly.

Benign laughter in my mind, and the other presence took a few minutes to reply, 'Keep your bond-mate on a leash, kid.' addressing Bastila.

Bastila laughed, and I gave her an indignant look, "That is not funny!"

"What the-?" Canderous asked.

"Telepathy." I answered, "It takes a Force-bond or a strong mind to use such a skill. And the presence we sensed clearly has a strong mind."

"Clearly." Bastila said, trying not to laugh again at the leash comment.

'So, are you going to stand around yapping among yourselves, or could an old man have some company?'

'We were going in your direction, anyway.' I thought back. I also have a strong mind, 'We'll see you soon.'

x x x

When we eventually found the 'old man', he was sitting on a small (by Kashyyyk standards) tree stump, outside a hut that appeared to be built into a fallen log. It was quaint, but well kept. "Ah, I half expected you to be a man. No one really does know much about you. Thanks for keeping your name so far to the front of your mind." he glanced at Canderous, and the knowing look that I saw on the old man told me he knew to show tact.

"Most of my shipmates call me Kira." I said pointedly.

"And my name's Jolee Bindo." the old man replied, gesturing with a wave of his hand to the door of his hut, "Would you like to come in and try some local tea? It's not the best drink in the galaxy, but it's not bad."

"We're in no real hurry, are we?" I asked, glancing at Bastila, "Saving the galaxy can wait five minutes while we rest. I'm still tired after that last fight."

"I'll bet." Bastila muttered, "I still have a headache, too."

"I have some herbs'll fix up a headache no problem." Jolee offered.

He led us into his small hut. It was very modest, with just what the man needed to get by in the Shadowlands. He had slices of small Wroshyr branches making a table and a couple of chairs. There was an uncomfortable-looking bed, several cupboards, and a grate with a pot hung over it.

"Sit down, make yourselves at home." Jolee said, as he rooted in a cupboard for a jar of something. Then he made his way to the pot in the grate, and added some of the contents of the jar to it. He then used the Force to summon fire under the pot - it was something so small and insignificant, something a true Jedi would never do because it's too trivial a use of the Force, something a Sith would never stoop to the level of doing as it's too menial.

While the pot heated, he found four mugs, hand-made out of wood, from one of his cupboards, and brought them over. He then ladled some of the contents of the pot into the mugs, and helped himself to one of them. Bastila took another, but didn't drink yet. Canderous and I didn't move a muscle. Jolee took a sip from his mug, proving it wasn't poisoned, and Canderous took the third mug, leaving me to snatch the last.

I settled on one of the chairs. Canderous chose to stand. Bastila took the other chair, and Jolee was sitting on the bed, which was close enough that we could still talk comfortably, "So, Jolee. How long have you been here? I don't recognise you." I said casually. What he'd read from my mind included the fact I had been here before.

"I was keen to avoid you, the last time I saw you." he said calmly, "You weren't on a leash then, remember?"

"Right." I said coldly. He was trying to push me. I had seen that he liked to drive people to distraction, and I wasn't going to give him that satisfaction, "You haven't answered my question. How long have you been down here?"

"Oh, a decade or two." he said nonchalantly, shrugging, "Who's counting?"

"So you must be familiar with the natural order here?"

"Oh, I could talk for hours about it." he said.

"Please don't." I interrupted. The false hurt look he gave me almost made me laugh. "I just wondered because something felt off balance when I arrived down here. I appreciate the danger, the death, and the way this place works. I wouldn't want something to mess with it."

"Of course. You would appreciate death, wouldn't you?" he asked, smirking slightly, "Well I can tell you exactly what's causing the problem. And I was actually going to ask you to help get rid of them."

"I'd be only too happy to oblige." I said brightly, "What is it?"

"I have a deal for you."

I rolled my eyes, "Figures it's never so simple as I want it to be. What's the deal, old man?"

"You're here to find the same thing as before, am I correct?"

"That's right. Yes." I said flatly.

"You must do a task for me, and then allow me to join with you. I will then remove certain barriers in your path." Jolee said calmly.

"Barriers?" I asked.

"I'm sure you'll figure that out for yourself if you try to go without my help." he said smugly.

I rolled my eyes, "Fine, fine. Now what's this task?"

"Since they began expanding in the Shadowlands, the Czerka have left me alone, for the most part. Until recently, anyway." he said calmly, "A group of them set up camp not far from here. Poachers is all they are. I'd like them removed from this place."

"Poachers?" I asked, "These are the new predators that have been upsetting the balance?"

"That's right." Jolee said, "The Captain of the lot is the one that earned my ire. Mishandle my garden, will he? Hmph!"

I laughed, "I'll get rid of them." I said, "Where are they?"

"Their camp is in the far northeast. Now remember, if I wanted them dead, I'd have done it myself. Find a better way."

I scowled, "Oh, spoil my fun, why don't you?" I muttered. I finished my tea and saw that Bastila and Canderous had already finished their drinks, "Fine, I'll go get rid of them."

"Good. Return to me here and we will see how you have done. Shoo. Shoo!"

x x x

As we left the hut, I turned to Bastila, "Can I kill the Czerka poachers? Please? Can I?"

"I would rather we attempt to find a non-violent solution, as Jolee Bindo suggested." she replied, "Though if there is no alternative, I will allow you to have your fun. Do try to find another way, first, however."

"All right. That's a fair compromise." I said, nodding.

As we approached the Czerka, I sent a signal in Mandalorian battle code (hand signals used to give orders to troops) to Canderous, telling him to flank the Cerka from the ridge to the right and wait there in case there was a fight. He did as I signalled. Bastila and I walked over to the Czerka captain.

"Who are you, another civil merchant like that coro-slime up on the docking ring? This is my territory." the man snapped.

"Are you going to stop me? I go where I want." I said flatly.

"Look, I don't care if you want to play tourist down here, but you behave yourself or we'll have a problem." the man said coldly, "I've got a job to do, and I won't be gentle if you get in my way, understand?" I examined his aura closely. He knew perfectly well that he was screwing over the environmental balance, and he didn't care. His aura was dark, but not strongly so.

"You've been killing, down here." I said flatly. I stated it as a fact, not an accusation, "What, exactly?"

"We are hunting the little simians, the tach." he explained. My matter-of-fact tone seemed to lull him into a false sense that I was on his side, "They have a gland that acts as a stimulant when powdered. I figure I've got two or three wealthy years to butcher the lot of them. You want in before I make them extinct?"

"If the tach were to become extinct, the katarn and kinrath would starve." I said coldly, "Then the Terentatek and carnivorous plants would have no food. The trees would wither without the nutrients the carnivorous plants give them. The planet itself would die. This world is a dark beauty. Its ecosystem is unique. Don't you care that you would be destroying it?"

"Uh, no. I'll be rich by then, and won't need to do it anymore. I don't have to worry about it." the man said, shrugging.

I growled, "The natural order of this place is death. I should maintain that with yours."

"Kira." Bastila said warningly, "Don't start a fight."

I glared at Bastila, but backed off from the man, "Fine. I won't." I said to her, still glaring at him.

"I don't need this kind of garbage from you. Watch your mouth. I'm the only law there is down here." he said warningly.

"The only law down here is nature. Kill or be killed. Survival of the fittest. Not Czerka." I said coldly.

"But Czerka are the fittest, down here. We rule." the man said smugly.

"That is what you think." my hand went for my lightsaber, but the recrimination entered my mind, and I stopped. I shot another glare at Bastila for it, though. "How do you keep from being eaten? You're as bull-headed as a katarn, and as venomous as a kinrath. The carnivorous plants, and the Terentatek, would just love to snap you up."

'Terentatek? Here?' Bastila thought, stunned.

'I mentioned it earlier in my rant. Didn't you notice?' I retorted in my mind.

She started at that, but didn't respond.

The Czerka man seemed immensely smug, as he told me, "Head office installed repulsor fields to keep the big predators out. Permanent placements too. We'll be fine for years."

"Riiiight." I said, "And what if I told you I wanted you to leave?" I asked.

"Is that old hermit Jolee trying to talk you into doing his dirty work?" the man asked, "We've spent too much on setting up just to walk away."

"I'm not doing this because of Jolee." I said coldly, "I'm doing this because you're upsetting the natural balance. This place thrives on death, but not extinction. Leave now, and no one gets hurt." I growled, the Force backing up my words, and projecting fear to him.

"All right, I'm done talking with you." he snapped, going for his blaster, "You've got under my skin one too many times! I'll bury you down here!"

Bastila sighed.

'I tried.' I thought, hoping she would hear it. Then I sent the Czerka man flying with a wave of the Force. Repeating blaster fire rained down on the guards who had raised their weapons to aid their leader. I stalked up to the leader, and gripped his throat with the Force, lifting him off the ground and holding him suspended in thin air, "I warned you. This was your choice, not mine." I told him. He coughed and choked and tried to respond, but couldn't.

He passed out soon after I said it, but I continued to choke him until I felt him join the Force. Then I dropped him. I looked around to see two of the other four Czerka were lying dead, and the other two had gone. "Where did they go?" Bastila asked, voicing the question I'd been thinking.

"Ran off. Cowards." Canderous muttered sulkily, as he rejoined us.

"Good. At least they did not all die for their leader's mistake." Bastila said, seemingly exasperated.

"Let's just go back to the old coot and see if he'll still help us get past the Czerka repulsor field." I said.

"How do you know that is the barrier he spoke of?" Bastila asked.

"Because it's to the east... which is the direction we want to go." I explained, "And it's to keep out 'larger predators', as in the Terentatek, which I know for a fact lives very close to the Map."

Bastila sighed, "Very well. I only hope Jolee Bindo is not too mad at us for disobeying his instructions."

x x x

"Welcome back. I wonder, have you had much luck? Have you done as I asked?" Jolee asked. He was, once again, sitting on the tree stump outside his small home, as we approached him.

"Yes. They're gone." I said flatly.

"Yes, I heard the fuss of it." Jolee said calmly, "I told you I wanted a non-violent solution, and I had my reasons for it. You should have thought about that. Czerka Corporation will find the bodies and blame the Wookiees. This may cause more troops to be deployed. That means more disruption."

"Wookiees don't use Mandalorian blasters and the Force." I said flatly.

He gave me an odd look, "Who's to say Force choke can't be mistaken for just plain old strangulation, eh?" I blinked. How did he know I'd used Force choke, specifically? "And Wookiees use what weapons they have. If a Mandalorian blaster came into their possession, they wouldn't be averse to it, though they would prefer their bowcasters. Still, Czerka wouldn't care for that deep a logic, either way. I'm not pleased, but what's done is done and I'm not here to judge you. Hopefully you'll take care of that yourself."

"I kill what I want. Don't argue with me, old man." I snapped. Bastila coughed pointedly, and I tried to send her a mental image of an extremely rude hand gesture. She squeaked indignantly, and I sniggered.

"Oh, go bark up a tree." Jolee said dismissively, "You'll get the same response out of me. Besides, I'm not about to get in the habit of grading you."

"Funny, I don't picture you as the 'disapproving master' type." I noted, smirking slightly.

"You're pretty much right, really. Truth be known, I won't judge how you fared... as long as you can LIVE WITH YOURSELF!" his voice raised to almost ear-splitting volume as he shouted the last three words. I hadn't thought such an old man could yell so loudly. After a brief pause, which gave my ears time to stop ringing, he asked, "Was that convincing? It's been a while since I've been in the company of someone that needed that kind of babysitting."

I snorted, "I don't need babysitting, old man. I was just saying I didn't picture you in that context. No need to prove me wrong." then I thought for a second, "Wait a minute. If you didn't care about the outcome, why have me do this?"

"You were here and it needed doing." he said, shrugging, "Besides, dealing with the Czerka is dirty business. I hope you washed your hands."

"I didn't get my hands dirty." I said flatly, "You seem to already know I used the Force to choke him, not my own hands."

"Eh, well you need to wash your hands anyway." he noted, eyeing the blood under my fingernails.

I examined them carefully, "Yeah... you're probably right." I focused through the Force, carefully and deliberately detaching the particles of blood and skin from my own skin, letting them fall to the ground, until my hand was clean again.

He almost chuckled at that, "Well, now." he said, "Let's get moving. I noticed the old paths some time ago. There's also a Czerka repulsor field blocking the way, past the poacher camp in the east. I saw it when it was installed, so I know how to pass it." he explained. I gave Bastila an 'I told you so' look. "And on the other side... ancient answers. And perhaps a Wookiee you were seeking. I hope he's in the mood for visitors."

"How did you know of the Wookiee we were looking for?" Bastila asked sharply.

Jolee shrugged, "Your bond-mate left her mind open for me to read. I wasn't going to ignore the reason she was allowed down here, now was I?"

"Honestly, I could care less about the Wookiee. I'm after the Map. That's it." I said coldly.

"Why do you choose to come with us, Mr Bindo?" Bastila asked, "If you have seen my... companion's mind, you surely know the dangers-"

"You presumably have a ship." he said, shrugging, "I've seen all I wish to here. Isn't that enough? I mean, I'm really sick of the trees." he then looked at me with a calculating gaze, "And perhaps your destiny might show me something new. You never know."

"Well we're going back to our ship for the night." I noted, "We've been down here for a while, and the journey up again takes an hour."

"Mind if I tag along?" Jolee asked amicably.

"Sure, why not?" I asked. I turned to leave, when I tripped over something metallic. I landed face-first, unceremoniously, on the dirt ground, and when I picked myself up I realised the offending item was the severed head of a droid. "What the-?" I asked.

Bastila picked up the droid head, and examined it, "Multiple blaster impacts." she muttered, "There's a recording here..." she pressed a button, and the droid head made a fritzing noise before voices emanated from it.

"Playback: 'I don't get it. That merchant said there was salvage down here. We need Matton to work the sensors.' ... 'When he gets back we'll... wait... I'm getting something. Oh, it's Eli. Good. Maybe he'll point us in the right direction.' ... 'Eli! What the... ! But you got your money, you double-crossing snake! We had a deal...'" then the sound of blasters firing.

"My goodness." Bastila whispered, "This droid witnessed a murder."

"Three." I said quietly. There had been three voices on that recording. I sensed around, "But there's no echo of sentient death on the Force here. It was some time ago."

"We should inform the authorities of this." Bastila noted.

"What authorities?" Jolee asked bluntly, "The Wookiees aren't interested in outsider politics. And the Czerka could care less what happens to people they don't own."

"Eli..." I said quietly, "I met him. He runs the shop on the docking ring."

"Who?" Bastila asked.

"Eli. The name mentioned on that recording." I said flatly.

"We should tell someone about him!" Bastila persisted.

"The mechanic working for him is named Matton." I said calmly, "That name was mentioned in the recording too. If you want to tell anyone, tell him. Eli's holding him to a debt these friends of his seem to have already paid. Not to mention the fact Eli killed Matton's friends."

"You're right." Bastila said, pocketing the droid head, "We shall tell Matton, when we return to the docking ring."

x x x

As we walked back towards the ship, I pointed out Eli and Matton's stall to Bastila. They were just packing up for the evening. I approached the stall, with Bastila, while Jolee and Canderous stood back, just within earshot, "Hello again. What can I do for you, most valued customer?" Eli asked.

"Valued until you can't pay." Matton noted coldly, "Watch your credits."

"You hurt me, Matton. It is the debt of your crew that keeps you here, not me." Eli noted, his dishonesty showing only in his aura.

"I don't appreciate litter, Eli." I said flatly.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, genuinely confused.

"I tripped over this droid head in the Shadowlands." I said, as Bastila presented the object for them to see, "Look at my face. I'm going to have to shower." I said acidly.

"Where? Ah, you mean the lower forest?" Eli said, too-casually. His tone attempted to belie the fear I sensed in his aura, "I don't pay attention to what these Wookiees call it. That doesn't look like any-"

"Droid head? On Kashyyyk? Let me see that!" Matton took the droid head from Bastila, and examined it.

"It is nothing, I'm certain. Eh... just garbage from the forest floor." Eli said desperately.

"Mere garbage? It's D-A02, the repair droid from my ship! What was this doing in the forest?" Matton demanded.

"Tripping me up." I snapped, "And it's Eli's fault I fell face-first in the dirt, too! There's a recording on it says he had the droid and its owners killed."

'You self-centred Hutt-hearted nerf-herder!' Bastila thought, shooting a glare at me.

'Oh, surely you can think of a better insult than that, Jedi.' I retorted mentally.

She glared at me, and blocked me out of her mind quite forcefully.

"Eli, you snake! You said my crew jacked the ship without paying the repair bill!" Matton shouted, anger flaring strongly in his aura.

"Well... that is... eh... it's not how it looks." Eli said, backing nervously away from Matton, "You see, a good mechanic is hard to find and..."

"And what?" Matton demanded, "I thought I owed you! You tricked them into the Shadowlands and killed them all while I fixed your freighter in orbit!"

"Now keep your head, Matton. It was just business." Eli pleaded.

"This is business?" Matton asked, disgusted. "Maybe in Hutt Space, but not here! Not with me!"

"Kill him, Matton! You know he deserves it!" I goaded. He was on a knife edge, it only took the slightest push either way.

Matton went for his blaster. Eli tried to run. It happened too fast for Bastila to try to stop it. And Eli was dead.

"You have taken a good and honest man and twisted him into a bitter, hateful creature. You must be so proud of yourself." Bastila hissed at me.

"Yes. Yes, I am." I said brightly.

"That Thaylian bog-slime. Do you know that I have been here thirty-six days, slaving to pay a debt in good faith?" Matton asked us, "All for nothing. He killed my crew... who knows where my ship is. Well, there's your pay, Eli. Blaster fire, and keep the change." the hatred was gone from his aura now. Bitterness and anger remained, but vengeance was sated.

"Did you have to kill him?" Bastila asked plaintively. The wish that he hadn't done so was clear in her tone.

"Well, I could have shot out his legs and let him crawl around for a while, but I consider this far more merciful." Matton said. I agreed with that, but didn't comment. Mercy is weakness, and I had no plans on voicing my opinions on that too publicly. "What did you expect I'd do? Besides, he'd have killed me. He couldn't have risked me telling everyone he was a cheat. He'd have no business."

"What are you going to do now?" I asked.

Matton shrugged, "Well, there's not much for me to do but stay here. I've no ship, so I may as well make a few credits." he said. Uncertainty wavered in his aura as he continued, "It'll probably take a while to convince Eli's suppliers that I'm the new boss, but eventually I'll buy my way off this rock."

"You do that." I said flatly, in a totally non-committal tone that implied I didn't give a damn.

x x x

The next day, Jolee, Canderous, Bastila and I returned to the Shadowlands.

The Czerka repulsor field wasn't hard to find. It stood out like a flower garden on Korriban. A vivid purple barrier of light, blocking the path to the east.

"There, you see? Beautifully subtle, isn't it?" Jolee said brightly, "At least, compared to other Czerka equipment dumped down here. It's only been here a short while, or the Wookiees would have disabled it. They wouldn't have had an easy time of it, though."

"Whatever. Just shut it down." I said flatly.

"You aren't going to ask about it? A repulsor field in the woods and you have no interest?" Jolee prodded. I knew he was trying to bait me again, but this time I would play along. Let's see how long the old coot lives, if he really pisses off Darth Revan.

"Very well. Why did Czerka put this here?" I asked.

"There are others, each blocking similar points on certain paths." Jolee explained, "It is all very calculated. Very precise. It would have been effective if it hadn't relied on the creatures to be walking. Climbers don't have much trouble getting around it. I think it was an attempt to block the more dangerous carnivores from wandering freely, but it's not very effective. It limits us non-climbers, but the creatures of Kashyyyk are very adaptable."

"All right. Now deactivate it." I said coldly.

"I can manipulate it for a moment. Let me see... how did the Czerka engineers do it..." he opened a concealed panel in the field generator, and began fiddling with the wiring, "Ahh, there we go. Now keep moving. These are the most dangerous depths of Kashyyyk. A few surprises wait for us, I'll wager." he warned, before leading the way through the barrier.

It flickered to life again a few seconds after we had all passed through it.

We walked deeper into the eastern Shadowlands. I knew the paths here well enough, but I let Jolee lead, to give the old man the delusion that he was relevant or important. Soon enough, we came across a battle.

"More bloody Katzof." Canderous muttered, as he recognised the crest on the armour of the Mandalorians who were fighting a lone Wookiee, and had him outnumbered three to one.

I snarled, and charged the Mandalorians, igniting my lightsabers as I ran. A flicker in the back of my mind reminded me not to use the Rage. It was Bastila's thought, not mine. But I wasn't planning on using it, anyway. Canderous opened fire on one of the Mandalorians, and I quickly dispatched the other two with my lighsabers. The red and green look so good together. Such a beautiful contrast.

When the three Mandalorians were on the ground, I noticed so was the Wookiee. But he wasn't dead yet. He roared weakly, [Great Bacca, let this outsider be different than the slavers... I beg you... can you heal my wounds?]

"Why should I help you?" I asked.

[An attack... from nowhere. Please, I need to be healed. Can you?] the Wookiee begged.

'Help him, Madclaw.' Bastila thought. I knew she did it deliberately. She damned well knew that word would make me help someone. Just that one word - she didn't need to tell me to help him, she just needed to think the word. I glared at her, but then set about rooting out a medpac. I injected the kolto into the Wookiee's arm, and waited for it to work.

The Wookiee slowly sat up, recovering his strength quite well, [I... I thank you. I would not have expected an outsider to aid me. Perhaps... perhaps you will help again? My hunting party, all of them, killed without honour. I barely survived. I want the murderers to suffer the same.]

"Let me guess. Mandalorians? Like those we just killed?" I asked.

The Wookiee nodded, [They followed us for a long while. We found bodies to the southwest, and then again further south after the west branch of the path. Their speed was amazing. They became camouflaged as I watched. What kind of creature can blend so naturally with the background? They were like ghosts.]

"Stealth technology." I said quietly.

"Bloody cowards." Canderous muttered, "Sneaking up on an opponent they outnumber. There is no honour in such a fight."

"I agree, Canderous." I said, nodding.

[They fought like outsiders, waiting until we were unarmed.] the Wookiee told us, [They would not attack until we had put our weapons away! They strike like cowards!]

"I will find these honourless bastards, and kill them for you." I vowed. The word 'bastard' is a great insult to both Mandalorians and Wookiees, as is the word 'honourless'.

[I thank you.] the Wookiee said gratefully, [I will wait here. I am too weak to fight them again, but I refuse to leave the Shadowlands unless vengeance is sated.]

"Jolee." I said sharply.

"Yes?" the old man asked warily.

"Could you stay with this Wookiee?" I asked, "He is still weak, and I would not wish our quarry to sneak up on him as soon as we leave."

"All right, then. I assume you kids can kill a few more people on your own. You're so good at it, after all." he muttered, settling next to the Wookiee.

As we left, I overheard Jolee start a conversation with the Wookiee, about the hunting in the upper Shadowlands this time of year.

We soon found the Wookiee corpses that signified the first attack location. I reached out with the Force, specifically looking for someone trying to hide. Three auras sang with malice nearby. Surrounding us, or at least trying to.

'Bastila. Can you sense them?'

'Barely.'

'You take the one on your left. I'll take the other two. We can't afford to warn Canderous, because that would warn them.'

'Very well. Besides, Canderous can take care of himself.'

'One... two... three!' We both lashed out in the directions we had planned. Bastila's double blade meeting invisible armour, and eliciting a curdled scream. My crimson blade removed a helmet, complete with the head still in it, while my emerald blade only grazed the stealth unit of the Mandalorian I was trying to dissect with it. The unit failed, and Canderous blasted him with his heavy repeater, before the unfortunate Mandalorian could realise what was going on.

"How did you two do that?" Canderous asked, as I looted one of the three corpses.

"We could sense their presence in the Force, even though we could not see them. Also, we coordinated our attack telepathically." Bastila explained.

"Ah. Force mumbo-jumbo." Canderous said, as if that was all we had needed to say.

"Some cool weapons, but nothing interesting." I concluded, having examined all three corpses.

We continued in this direction, and soon encountered another ambush. We used the same tactic as before, but this time Canderous was expecting it, and we had even less trouble killing off the three enemies.

This time, we found a homing beacon for a swoop bike, on one of the corpses.

Further down the same path, we found the swoop bike it was for. "Guess we activate this thing?" I suggested.

"That'll summon their leader here." Canderous noted, "So yes. Do that."

Bastila walked over to the edge of the clearing, and hid behind a Wroshyr root. Canderous stood with his back to mine, vibroblades drawn, as I activated the homing device.

Soon, three more Mandalorians, all bearing the Katzof clan insignia, appeared out of thin air, "You have interrupted our hunt, interloper." the one wearing crimson armour said, "The inhabitants of this world could do little against us, but you appear to be a threat."

"More than a threat enough for you!" Canderous snarled.

"Another Mandalore, is it?" the leader jeered, "Will you draw arms against those you would serve? We'll see who lives this day!"

"No honourable warrior would serve a coward, Katzof." I hissed, before Canderous could retort.

"And who are you?" the Katzof asked.

I grinned ferally, and drew my lightsabers, "I'm the angel of death." I hissed. The black robes, crimson and green sabers, and my near-trademark fighting stance were close enough to my image during the war - missing only a mask, really - that the Katzof backed away a step before he caught himself. And Canderous did a double-take.

I didn't need Canderous and Bastila's help. Though Canderous did take apart one of the lower ranking Mandalorians without much difficulty, and Bastila's lightsaber made short work of the other lackey. I retracted the emerald blade in my left hand, and 'duelled' the leader. Though the duel more resembled a predator toying with its prey before moving in for the kill. I slew Mandalore, and this man wasn't even close to half the fighter Mandalore had been. But I was giving him the illusion of a fighting chance, just for fun.

Bastila moved to help me fight, but Canderous stopped her, "Can't you tell she doesn't need help?" he asked in an undertone I wasn't supposed to hear.

Bastila frowned, and stood back and watched the duel. I was practically dancing with him. I saw dozens of openings in his defences that I could take, but I just circled him, blocking his every attack with ease.

'I thought Sith fought with passion?' the fascinated thought was Bastila's, but I heard it, 'Yet I sense no anger in her.'

I shot her a brief smile, not enough to distract me from the fight, 'Remind me to give you a lesson in Sith precepts, Jedi.'

She gave me an indignant look, but didn't reply. I started to back the Mandalorian into a corner, now on the offensive, but I made no feints, which afforded him the chance to block my attacks, until he tripped over a tree root and scrambled backwards into the corner I had backed him towards.

I walked slowly towards him, and held the crimson blade near the Mandalorian's throat, lazily, "Give up?" I asked tauntingly. He was clearly terrified, and had dropped his vibroblade when he fell. To surrender like this would be the most dishonourable thing he could do. I didn't expect it, and I actually hoped he wouldn't give up.

"Never." he hissed, lashing out with his foot, and hitting my ankle sharply. I had been ready for the attack, but it still hurt. I fell back, but managed to drop into a roll, and come back to my feet easily. I grinned ferally and waited for him to have the chance to grab his vibroblade before I attacked.

Our swords locked, and I pushed him back against a giant Wroshyr root, [You may not have lived with honour.] I hissed in Mandalorian, [But at least you shall die with honour.]

Fear shone brightly in his aura, and he whispered, [Who are you? Really.]

I wrapped the Force around us, blocking us off from everything else, so no one would hear me but him, [I am the one who slew Mandalore.]

[Revan?] he whispered, awed and terrified. He believed it.

I grinned darkly, [I told you I was the angel of death, didn't I?]

He pushed me back, which broke my Force shields, and the fight resumed. He fought with all his strength to try to beat me back, but I blocked him, even when he tried to feint and trick me. Then, as his desperation grew, his fighting became sloppy, and I got bored. The next gap in his defence let me run my blade through his heart. He fell to his knees, and I removed his head with my lightsaber before his body collapsed to the ground.

I felt him join the Force, the taste of death replacing the weak adrenaline of the fight with a genuine high. I picked up the Mandalorian's severed head, and looked at it.

"You fight well." Canderous noted, "I have only ever seen skill like that once before."

I looked up at him. Gave him a calculating look. Canderous' aura had been familiar from the moment I first met him. I wondered if my fighting style was just as familiar to him. It's not like I killed every Mandalorian I saw, during the war. Many were let live, much that they tried to fight to the death. It's not inconceivable that we faced each other in combat.

"He was no challenge." I stood, still holding the Katzof leader's head, "I was toying with him."

"I noticed." Canderous said, smirking, "I am amazed you let him die fighting, when you had disarmed him. He attacked unarmed opponents, and had no honour. Why give him an honourable death?"

I looked at Canderous for a couple of minutes, just looked into those steely eyes, before I answered carefully, "Had he surrendered, I would have gladly given him a dishonourable execution. He would have deserved it then. To recognise the greater foe and still refuse defeat until his last breath. That deserves an honourable death."

Canderous returned my stare for a few more seconds, before nodding agreement, "You are right." a faint smile, "I had never thought I would hear a lesson in Mandalorian honour from one who was not my own kind."

I smiled, "I believe in several different forms of honour." I held up the head of the Katzof leader, "And Wookiee honour dictates the murder's head be presented to the surviving victims."

"That is quite disgusting." Bastila said.

"You just don't want to get blood on your robes, Jedi." I said, smirking, "Why do you think Sith robes are black? Doesn't show stains so easily."

Canderous laughed at that, and I smiled. Bastila glared.

I returned to the where Jolee and the Wookiee were waiting for us, [You return... have you found them?] the Wookiee asked, [Did you kill them all? They were animals in armour, with no honour among them.]

"The Mandalorian hunters are dead. I killed them all." I said, presenting the severed head to the Wookiee as proof.

[Yes... yes I see the trophy helmet from the one that gave orders. Their bodies will not last long in the Shadowlands. I am glad.] he said, gratitude radiating from him, [The taint of them, their cowardice... the forest will consume it all. I hope this gives my hunting brethren peace.]

"I would have killed them anyway." I said flatly.

[Yes, they attacked you as well, didn't they?] the Wookiee asked, [I never thought I would be on the same side as an outsider. It is a strange feeling. You have acted as a fellow Wookiee would have. Here, take this. It is the symbol of my hunting clan. You served them, so you deserve it.] he handed me a ceremonial blade. I looked at it for a moment, curiously. There was a symbol engraved on it in the Wookiee language, which was meant to bring luck to the hunt. The blade was old, but well maintained, and strong.

"Thank you." I whispered, "I am honoured." 'And my honour is restored.'

'Damn, I could have used that Madclaw thing against her.'

'Hey! I heard that!'

Silence.

[When you look at it, remember that we reward respect, even from outsiders.] the Wookiee said, solemnly.

I nodded, "Again, I thank you."

x x x

The Star Map was not much further into the Shadowlands. "Yes, there's the thing. Obstinate machine." Jolee said blithely. "I've no doubt it holds what you seek, but good luck getting it operational."

"Life forms detected. Determining parameters. Initiating neural recognition. Primary neural recognition complete. Preliminary match found." the computer terminal announced. I was suddenly worried that it would announce my identity, too. I programmed it, after all. But I hadn't expected to be concealing my identity if I ever returned to it.

"Match found...? What the... it always muttered something about 'rejected patterns' for me." Jolee grumbled. I sniggered at his irritation.

"Begin socialized interface. Neural scan indicates positive identification of subje-"

"Silence!" I snapped at it. It ceased speaking, "Positive identification means I get to see the Map. No need for names to be thrown around." I gave a wary look to Canderous, who raised a curious eyebrow at me.

"Got something to hide, do you?" Jolee asked tauntingly.

"I'm not afraid of the Mandalorian's reaction. I just don't trust him to keep his mouth shut." I said flatly.

"Heh heh, and you trust me, do you?" Jolee asked.

"I don't have much choice in that matter, do I?" I asked flatly.

"Can we just get the Map and go?" Bastila asked edgily. The darkness in this place seemed to be irritating her, making her skin crawl.

"In a minute." I turned to the computer, and asked, "Who else had tried to access the Map in the last five years, besides me?"

"Sorting by identity. Three attempts by the Wookiee Freyyr, all denied. One hundred and fifty-two attempts by human Jolee Bindo, all denied." the computer answered.

Jolee grinned, "Heh... call me stubborn, I guess. Heh. There wasn't much else to do around here."

"I'll bet." I said flatly, "Must be so boring, with all the katarn attacks, wild kinrath, rogue Mandalorians, Czerka nuisances, and the Terentatek down here."

The beady look Jolee gave me for that almost made me laugh. I turned back to the computer again, and ordered it to show me the Map.

Once we had obtained the coordinates from the Map, we began our trek back towards the elevator. I didn't fancy spending the night down here. The list I had given Jolee was a fairly impressive string of predators, really. I may be able to handle myself, but I certainly had no intention of sleeping in this place.

As we walked briskly towards the Czerka repulsor field, I suddenly sensed eyes watching me. Sentience, though no control of the Force. It could be the Wookiee I helped earlier. Or more Mandalorian's. Bastila and Jolee were both alert to it, too. Canderous seemed to have sensed something, as well, though not through the Force as we had.

It was by a mutual and silent agreement that all four of us slowly went for our weapons. I didn't break my stride, and the other three kept close behind me, ready for an ambush, should it come.

'I sense no malevolence in it.' Bastila thought.

'Nor do I.' I thought, distantly, 'Strange.'

It took me by surprise when the trap was sprung. A primitive trap that consisted simply of a rope around my ankle pulling me up into the air. It was more a shock than anything else. "How the-?"

"How did we fail to sense it?" Bastila asked, looking for the source of the rope, but it appeared to be too high up for her to reach.

The presence we sensed moved rapidly towards us, now. "Maybe because there was no malicious intent. Only defence." I said sharply. A Wookiee emerged from the underbrush nearby, lunging for Bastila, "Look out!"

I used the Force to levitate up, so I could reach the rope, and cut it with my lightsaber. Meanwhile, the Wookiee - the presence we had been sensing - had attacked Bastila. Canderous tried to defend her, but the Wookiee was focused on her. I jumped down from the rope, onto the Wookiee's back, and wrapped a length of the rope around his throat. It wouldn't be fatal unless I held it for several minutes after the Wookiee passed out, and it didn't look like he was going to pass out any time soon. It did subdue him, though.

[I... I am beaten.] he whined, as the lack of oxygen weakened him enough for me to be able to pin him, [Take my head, Czerka filth. You won't get another chance. So swears Freyyr of Kashyyyk.]

"I'm no Czerka." I hissed.

"He is almost feral after all this time." Jolee said, concern emanating from his aura in spite of his couldn't-care-less attitude, "Calm yourself, Freyyr. We are friends. Don't you remember me?"

"Friends?" I asked sceptically, "Speak for yourself, old man. He called me a Czerka - I take that as an insult. And nobody insults me and lives to tell about it." I hissed.

"Please." Bastila said, "Give him a chance."

I growled quietly, then loosened my grip on the rope just enough to let the Wookiee breathe, not enough to let him get away, "A chance, Freyyr." I whispered, "Don't waste it."

I read his aura more closely, now. The thought hit me at the same time that Bastila asked, "Do you know Zaalbar and Chuundar?" the hereditary element of his aura was so similar to them.

[What? Those are my sons. Why do you speak their names? Tell me!] Freyyr demanded.

Warily, I stood up, allowing him to stand also, "Chuundar sent me to kill you." I said flatly.

Freyyr snorted, [Did he? I'm surprised it took him this long. Very well, do your worst!]

"Wait! I came here with Zaalbar." I said, holding up my hands to say I wasn't a threat at that exact moment.

[To my shame, Zaalbar was exiled and enslaved. Do you dare claim to be my son's owner, outsider?] Freyyr asked coldly.

"Zaalbar follows me because of a lifedebt. No other bond could make him serve anyone." I said tilting my chin back, in an arrogant way, "You must not think very highly of your son if you think a slaver could control him."

The Wookiee snorted, [They seem to control my other son quite efficiently.]

"True, I suppose." I said flatly, "But Zaalbar swore a lifedebt to me. That is why he follows me."

[Is it?] Freyyr pondered this fact for a moment, before he spoke warily, [Then he sees something of worth in you. I will listen... cautiously. Gullibility has harmed me in the past. If I had seen the lies of Chuundar, he would have been exposed as a slaver. Zaalbar would not have been exiled... I did not believe Zaalbar's claims; I believed the elder boy, as tradition dictated. The shame of Zaalbar's attack blinded me.]

"What, exactly, happened to cause Zaalbar's exile?" I asked.

[Zaalbar saw it first.] Freyyr said sadly, [He learned that Chuundar was dealing with the Czerka, leading them to our hunting parties. Chuundar would blame disappearances on the dangers of the Shadowlands. Zaalbar was crazed when he found out.] Freyyr shook his head sadly. The memories seemed to hurt him, [He attacked Chuundar with his claws. I thought he had gone mad... shed his honour. I was bound by the old ways.]

"But if the attack is wholly justified, and no weapons are to be found, a Madclaw's honour is not necessarily lost." I said quietly.

Freyyr gave me a startled look at that, [You know our ways. How is this possible from an outsider?]

"I know a lot of things. And I believe in Wookiee honour." I said quietly.

[I am still wary of you, outsider.] Freyyr told me, [But I cannot help but feel some respect if you have made the effort to learn our ways, and claim to believe in them.]

"What happens now?" I asked, "As I said earlier, Chuundar sent me to kill you. But I don't much like jumping through hoops for self-important wannabie-tyrants."

[What happens next would depend on you. You will either kill me or decide that I may yet benefit my people.] Freyyr said, [There is a way I might challenge Chuundar, but it would take a lot to convince people they have been lied to. He has a strong web of lies, but if I appeal to the traditions of my people, I might be able to gather support.]

"I hope you will make the right choice, here." Bastila whispered to me.

"How could you appeal to your people's traditions?" I asked warily, "You sound like you have a plan."

Knowing that I claimed to know his people's traditions, Freyyr simply said two words, [Bacca's blade.]

I frowned, thinking carefully, "That was lost some time ago, though, wasn't it?"

[Bacca's sword was damaged a generation ago in ritual battle.] Freyyr explained, clearly pleased that I knew of the legend, [The blade is in the hide of the Great Beast. Our tales say it was taken because we had become undeserving. The hilt is still in the court of our chieftain... with Chuundar. If the blade could be found, tradition could cast doubt on his rule.]

I nodded, "You're asking me to help you incite a bloody revolution." I said flatly, "There's no way this could be resolved without blood. Chuundar is intoxicated by the power of leadership, he would not give it up. The Wookiees would be split on who to follow, and the Czerka would surely try to stop you."

"You make it sound like the status quo is a good thing." Jolee grumped, making it clear he thought that kicking out Czerka was the way to go.

"You are also saying we would need to retrieve Bacca's blade from the side of the Terentatek." I noted.

Bastila squeaked, "We cannot help you. It would be suicide to face a Terentatek!"

I glared at her, "Stay and be a coward if you want, Jedi." I hissed, "I'll help him."

x x x

The Terentatek was not an easy thing to kill. It was a powerful and vicious beast, resistant to the Force, with a very thick hide. Bastila cowered from it, Jolee stood back and tried throwing his lightsaber at it from a safe distance. It took Canderous and I charging with vibroblades and lightsabers to actually kill it. I took out the beast's legs as I ducked and rolled under it. It tried to follow me, as I was strongest in the Force, and Canderous used the distraction I posed to take off the beast's head. I just managed to roll out from under it before it collapsed.

I picked myself up and grinned at the Mandalorian, "Good kill." I said. I was giving him a compliment.

"Good fight." Canderous replied, returning the compliment.

The two Jedi exchanged a look, "Anyone'd think she was a Mandalorian." Jolee muttered, barely audibly.

Bastila coughed slightly, "Well considering her battle history, and their laws..." she said quietly. Jolee nodded knowingly.

Canderous gave them both an odd look, "That's four, now." he said quietly.

"Four what?" I asked innocently.

"Nothing." he said quickly, "I was just thinking out loud."

"Uh huh." he sure was thinking. That Mandalorian is smarter than he's given credit for. His aura radiated suspicion tainted with disbelief. He was clearly trying to work out something. Most likely who I was.

I removed the blade from the Terentatek's side, and examined its corpse. I had never seen one of these beasts killed before. I had seen this one once before, but even on Korriban where they practically run rampant, I had never seen one dead. Never had the chance to examine it so closely, as alive it is too dangerous to get a close look at.

It looked like a spiny rancour. Its teeth were coated in venom not too dissimilar in colour and consistency to the rakghoul venom. Its claws looked almost metallic, and were serrated to tear rather than cut cleanly. Its thick leathery hide was pitch black, and it looked like it could camouflage well into any shadows. It felt almost eerie to look at it. The beast's essence had joined the Force when it had died, and the darkness it created in its wake was oppressive.

I found a diary lodged behind one of its spines. How it had gotten there, I was unsure, but it belonged to a Jedi who had been a part of the Great Hunt. I showed it to Bastila, and she immediately claimed possession of the diary, saying, "I shall give this to the Jedi Masters as soon as our mission is completed."

We returned to the Wookiee Freyyr, who was waiting where we had first met. [I greet you again. I am humble, hoping you have found the blade of Bacca's sword. Imagine... Chieftain Freyyr... humble.]

"I have the blade." I said calmly. I noticed the auras of my companions flicker with emotion - idle curiosity: what's she up to? from Canderous - much less idle interest in my scheming mind, from Jolee - and downright confusion from Bastila.

[You have? Please let me see it. I must be sure!] I handed him the blade without a word, and he examined it reverently, [It... it is! It may not look like much... but it is a very important relic of my people. Tradition dictates that it be respected.] hope radiated from his aura in palpable waves. It was making me nauseous. [I didn't think I was worthy to search for it, but I realize that was selfish despair. I should have challenged Chuundar long ago. I will make amends now. I have new hope. You have led me to this. Perhaps that is what the Great Beast wanted. I will climb to the surface as quickly as possible and try to gather support. You will have to follow on the paths as soon as you can.]

I nodded. I wouldn't miss this family reunion for anything.

[When you arrive, we will confront Chuundar in the throne room. My people will no longer be slaves.] Freyyr turned and started to climb up the tree in front of me. I was awed by his climbing skills, and more than a little jealous.

I smirked darkly. I had my own way to reach the upper branches. "You three catch up with us." I said brightly, before focusing through the Force, and jumping up to one of the lowest branches. Guiding myself through the Force, and using the Force to increase the height I could jump, I eventually caught up with Freyyr close to the Great Walkway.

To say I startled him is an understatement. [I did not know humans could be such proficient climbers.]

"I'm not your typical human." I replied calmly. I leaped for a branch just above where he clung to the bough, somersaulting as I leapt, and looked down at him.

[So I see.] Freyyr replied, [You truly are unique, among outsiders.]

"I'll take that as a compliment." I glanced up above us, to see the Great Walkway wasn't too far away, "Race you to the top." I said, in a most immature burst of childish competitively.

The old Wookiee laughed, a benign laugh that said he accepted the challenge in good nature, and with a massive leap he was two jumps ahead of me. My jaw dropped in half surprise half outrage at his overtaking me, as he began to climb further up the tree he had leapt to, using his claws to find foothold where I never could.

I leapt up to the next branch I could reach, then up again, to a broken off end of a branch, that was only just long enough to hold. From there, I swung around to a slightly higher branch, and leapt with the Force to a much higher branch. Freyyr was still ahead of me, but not by much. Another Force leap brought me within jumping distance of the Great Walkway.

Freyyr leapt from the tree he had been climbing up, towards the walkway. I leapt at the same time, and we landed together, side by side, both a little out of breath.

The older Wookiee roared his approval of me, and gave me a gentle (by Wookiee standards) clap on the shoulder, that nearly knocked me over. [I like you, human. I must learn your name.]

I looked at the floor, "My friends call me Kira Lunari." I said quietly.

He gave me a quizzical look, [You say that as if it is not your name?] he asked.

"It's not." I said flatly, "And I don't mean to be rude, Freyyr, but you don't want to know my name."

The Wookiee shrugged, [As you wish. I shall call you by the name you have given me, Kira Lunari.]

I smiled, "Thank you."

x x x

We reached the gates of Rwookrrorro, only to be stopped by the gate guard, [Freyyr? What are you doing here? You were exiled!] he roared.

[Chuundar betrayed and lied to all of us. I have come to challenge his right to rule.] Freyyr announced.

The Wookiee guard glared, [You lie! Chuundar is our unquestioned leader!]

"Well guess what." I said coldly, "Someone's questioning him."

The guard roared at me, [This is none of your concern, outsider!] then to Freyyr, [Leave now, Freyyr. I do not wish to harm you.]

[Let me pass. I wish only to be speak to my sons.] Freyyr pleaded.

[I have orders from our chieftain. You are not to enter this village.] the guard growled.

[We demand an audience with him. You cannot deny us!] Freyyr growled, warning in his tone.

[Chuundar gave orders that you were never to return to the village, Freyyr.] the guard snarled, his paw on the hilt of his weapon, in a warning of his own.

I rolled my eyes, this argument could go on for days, or it could end now, "Last warning, let us pass. Don't make me hurt you." I said coldly.

The guard laughed at me, [As if you could, outsider!]

"I did warn you." I said coldly. A wave of the Force sent him crashing through the village gates, into an unconscious heap on the ground, and opening the gates for us at the same time. Freyyr gave me a wary look. "He's not dead." I said flatly, "And did you want to hang around arguing with one of your son's lackeys all day, or worse still, be injured fighting the lackey before you even get to confront Chuundar?"

[Your point is valid. Though I would have preferred non-violent means.] Freyyr said, leading the way into the village. No one dared stand in our way after that dramatic entrance.

"I doubt Chuundar will allow us to get away without some violence." I said pointedly, as we walked, "And it is for the greater good, is it not?"

[True.] he answered, as we reached the entrance to the chieftain's hall, [Should we await your friends?]

"Eh, they'll take too long. Let's do this now." I said.

Freyyr pushed open the doors to the chieftain's hall, making another dramatic entrance, and stepped into the hall, [Chuundar!] he roared.

The black Wookiee had been seated on his throne, holding court with Zaalbar and four other Wookiees, flanked by four Czerka guards. He looked up at Freyyr, and a wave of horror, fear and near-panic flashed across his aura... quickly replaced by rage, anger and hatred.

Light footsteps behind me, and three familiar auras, told me Onasi, Mission and Juhani were here. As soon as I thought this, I heard, Bastila's thoughts in my mind, 'I told them to come. I thought you might need some help.'

'Where are you?'

'Still ascending in this interminably slow elevator.'

'You're going to miss all the fun, Jedi.'

Chuundar signalled to two of the Czerka guards, and the doors slammed behind us, locking us in the hall. I sensed the room for anything hidden, but all the threats were in plain sight.

[Oh, that's just great! Everyone is here now! It's a reunion!] Chuundar growled.

[Yes, son. By the blade of Bacca's sword, I've come to end your treachery! No more will you sell your own people!] Freyyr replied, his aura radiated the sort of calm that takes either great wisdom, or a Jedi, to produce. I could do it when I choose to, but for a Force-blind, it really is a major achievement.

Two of the Wookiees in the room started speaking to each other in undertones, and I saw uncertainty waver in them. They may yet side with us.

[You have Bacca's blade? So what!] Chuundar demanded, [I have the hilt, held by each true Chieftain in recent memory! Even you claimed it was all-important! We both have our ancient trinkets, so who will the people follow now? You? You are old and weak!]

The other two Wookiees in the room nodded in agreement with this. They were young and impetuous types, who would follow the young blood rather than the wise leader. I respected that, but they would be on the wrong side today.

[Shut up! Both of you! This ends today! I... I will not see Rwookrrorro suffer any more!] Zaalbar roared.

"You tell 'em, Zaalbar!" Mission cheered, before realising how hostile a situation she was in. She clapped her hands over her mouth and hid behind Onasi.

Zaalbar looked at us, [I... I don't know what to do, Kira. Chuundar has been telling me things... he makes sense... I think. I don't know.]

"Side with Freyyr. He is the honourable one." I replied immediately.

"Who are you, and what have you done with Kira?" Onasi whispered in my ear. I glanced over my shoulder and shot him an evil grin that scared him enough that he knew I really was myself.

[Are you sure?] Zaalbar asked, his aura flickering on a knife-edge. I could tell that he recognised to kill his own brother would bring him closer to darkness. But either choice would result in such a change.

"Yes, I am sure." I said, "Chuundar is a traitor, a slaver, and a liar." I replied. The three words had the desired effect. Onasi reacted to the word 'traitor'. Juhani and Zaalbar reacted to the word 'slaver'. And Mission reacted to the word 'liar' as badly as I would have.

[Then there is no other way.] Zaalbar said, a hint of sadness flashed through his aura before he set his shoulders in determination, and stood to his father's right, as I stood to Freyyr's left, [Chuundar! You have betrayed our people! You must pay!]

[That's my boy!] Freyyr roared proudly, patting Zaalbar's shoulder.

Chuundar snarled, [You're too weak to fight, old wook, and I still have Czerka support! We'll see who dies today!]

Chuundar drew his sword, as did Freyyr. The four other Wookiees did the same, facing off against each other. One of Mission's vibroblades found its way to Zaalbar's paw so seamlessly you know those two have fought like this before. The four Czerka guards raised their blaster rifles.

Mission vanished, literally. Onasi started shooting at one of the Czerka guards. Juhani leapt at another Czerka guard, with her lightsaber. I sent a flash of lightening at yet another Czerka guard, killing him instantly.

Chuundar was fighting both Zaalbar and Freyyr, at the same time. And holding his ground well.

The fourth Czerka guard got off one shot (which hit Juhani's shoulder, and stunned her - Onasi started shooting at the guard Juhani had been fighting, just in time to distract him from finishing her off), before his head went rolling. Mission stood behind him as he fell, holding her other vibroblade, and wearing a victorious grin.

I watched in fascination as her aura changed colours. Flickers of darker shades of blue replacing some of the blinding innocence. Her first kill. She vanished again, but I saw her aura creeping towards the Czerka guard Juhani had been fighting.

The two Wookiees who had sided with Chuundar were now dead, but the two who had sided with Freyyr had been badly wounded by the Czerka guards. Carth was engaged in a fruitless blaster duel with a Cerka guard, when both wore decent energy shields.

Juhani was unconscious on the ground. Mission was fighting the other Czerka guard, who had spotted her in time to block her attack. She was not faring well, but she managed to block his attacks... barely.

About a dozen more Czerka guards appeared in the doorway. The guard duelling Onasi signalled them to take out Zaalbar and Freyyr. It seemed clear he was the one who had called them, in the first place.

I felt something crackle and spark in the Force around me. Juhani's eyes opened suddenly, and she jumped to her feet in time to stop the Czerka guard she had been fighting from finishing off Mission, by slicing the unfortunate guard in two with her lightsaber. Onasi didn't even interrupt his rapid-fire assault on the Czerka guard he was shooting at, to elbow one of the other Czerka in the face, knocking him unconscious.

The Force practically made me turn to face the three Wookiees. The other Czerka reinforcements had attacked Zaalbar and Freyyr. Chuundar drew back his blade to go in for the kill. The Force guided my hand as I used it to summon Chuundar's blade, and send it flying with enough force that it imbedded hilt-deep in the wooden wall.

Chuundar turned on me with a feral snarl, [You fool!] he growled at me, [You have doomed our people. At least with my alliance, we had some protection!]

"You're the fool if you think Czerka wouldn't turn on you the second you could no longer serve their interests." I said, unafraid of him.

He stalked towards me, [I should kill you where you stand, outsider!] he snarled.

A million potential courses of action flashed through my mind. A thousand ways to kill him, all of them brutally efficient and in no way my usual cruel style. I could so easily beat him. But instead, I curled my lip in a disdainful smirk that effectively dared him to try.

He lunged at me, pinning me to the wall with a heavy paw pressing so hard against my collarbone that I heard a distinct crack. In spite of the pain, I just glared at him. I used the Force to hold his paw back from crushing my shoulder any further. When he realised he couldn't hurt me that way, he snarled again, and I felt another searing pain in my shoulder.

I shrieked, and fell to the floor, clutching my bleeding shoulder in agony. I instinctively reached out to the Force, but it wouldn't heal me and it wouldn't stop the pain. I couldn't touch the light when I needed it. I looked up at Chuundar. It was an effort to even breathe through the pain. But the sparkling Force around me wouldn't let me give up if I'd ever even wanted to. As my gaze slowly travelled up from the great feet to the Wookiee's too-smug face, I couldn't miss the blood dripping from his claws.

"Die with dishonour." I hissed. A Mandalorian curse, but it was just as meaningful to a Wookiee. I held up my right hand, as my left hand was still clutched to my wounded shoulder, and reached through the dark side to his soul, and stole the Force energy from him, drained his life to restore my own strength. If the light wouldn't help me, the dark would.

Flashes of brilliant red light flew from Chuundar, and into me, revitalising me. It could only be seen by someone who can read auras, though. He fell to his knees, and I felt his aura lighten slightly before he became one with the Force. That sort of weakness is common among so many petty thugs. They think they're so evil, but they see the light at the last second. It makes me sick.

I looked up and watched as Onasi, Juhani, Freyyr and Zaalbar eliminated the last of the Czerka reinforcements. It must have been some battle, for the four of them to have defeated a dozen Czerka, so quickly. Mission was on the ground, wounded. But she had still managed to get out her blaster, and help shoot a few Czerka.

Juhani hurried to Mission's side, and injected her with a kolto shot, as soon as the Czerka were gone. I felt the Force settle, again. As if it had done what needed to be done, now. I frowned. It felt like... I had never experienced it from the positive side before, but... Battle Meditation?

'Bastila?'

'You guessed, did you?'

'Well, when you tried to make me fight, when I wanted to taunt him, it became obvious.'

'Oops?' the tone was too innocent, as if to say she was truly unrepentant for that.

Freyyr approached me, concern evident in his eyes and his aura. He offered me a hand to help me stand, but I shook my head and picked myself up. The claw-marks on my shirt were evident as I dropped my left hand to my side.

Freyyr glanced from my shoulder to Chuundar's corpse, and back again, then shook his head sadly, [We have done it... I am saddened that it had to come to this, but I couldn't let it continue.] he said as quietly as a Wookiee can speak... which isn't very quiet, really. Zaalbar joined us, also silently acknowledging the claw-marks on my shirt and the blood on Chuundar's claws. Freyyr turned to face his son, [Zaalbar, my son. I am truly sorry. You have suffered a great shame. I was blind. I have no excuse.]

[I can forgive, father. I have learned a lot over the years.] Zaalbar replied, [Returning home has lifted a great weight from my mind... but it has been painful as well.]

[You have a place by my side, Zaalbar. I would be honoured if you would take it.] Freyyr offered.

[I... I can't. Not yet.] Zaalbar said, shaking his head slightly, [I'm just getting used to being free... and not just from the slavers. And I have a life-debt. Now that my life is truly my own again, honouring that agreement is all the more important.] I smiled as he said that.

[Listen to my son! His insight humbles me.] Freyyr said proudly, [Take that good judgment with you and all the planets will come to revere Wookiee wisdom.]

"What of Czerka?" I asked, "They surely won't be pleased."

[We will fight them.] Freyyr declared, [It will be difficult, but I swear they won't take another one of my people without bloodshed. I'll send quick-climbers to other villages and try to rally a defence. We must guard against this ever happening again.] as he said this, I nodded in agreement. [You will be the last outsider welcome here for a very long time. That is a change for the better, I think.]

"Yes, I think so." I said quietly. Mission, Juhani and Onasi were now standing nearby, listening to the conversation, though I could tell Onasi couldn't understand a word of it. I could sense confusion from all three of them. None of them expected me to take this course of action, clearly. I suppose they'd have expected me to side with Chuundar.

[Before you go, Kira Lunari, I must see to your reward.] Freyyr said, [You have done us a great service. Kashyyyk will remember you well past your lifetime. Because of you, I am reinstated as Chieftain. We will return to the old ways, when honour and trust of kin ruled above all else. I'm not sure there is a reward that accurately reflects the value of what you have done. Our world is changed because of you.]

[I have a request, father.] Zaalbar said cautiously, [I have thought about it a great deal. I would like Bacca's Sword.]

I raised an eyebrow at that. But in my opinion, Zaalbar had every right to ask for this. I remained silent.

[Well... That is quite a request.] Freyyr said, [I am tempted to say no but... perhaps I should consider it an investment. Zaalbar, do you understand what this will mean? It is the legacy of our people, held by chieftains... and future chieftains.]

[I understand. I want this, father. I'll bring it back one day.] Zaalbar promised, smiling in gratitude that his request had been granted.

[I have no doubt.] Freyyr took the blade from his belt, and walked slowly over to the wall where the hilt of Bacca's sword was displayed. He took it down and held the two together. [Let the two halves of the blade be made one.] They fit together perfectly, with an audible click. The blade hummed as the energy cell in the hilt activated, [My son shall hold Bacca's Sword.] he handed the weapon to Zaalbar, who accepted the gift reverently.

Mission was grinning like a maniac. Juhani smiled distantly. Onasi was giving me suspicious looks. Go figure.

Freyyr left to put his battle plans into motion, and I led my... friends... out of the village.

x x x

"That was so cool." Mission was cheering, "Did you see how I got that Czerka creep? Did ya?"

"Yes, I saw." I said, "Very impressive, kid."

She stuck her tongue out at me, and I smiled indulgently at her childish behaviour.

"Why did you side with Freyyr?" Onasi asked bluntly, "I mean, it's what I would have done. I'm amazed you did the right thing."

"Think on my level for a second, Onasi." I said. He pulled a face. "Which is more fun? Killing one Wookiee. Or inciting a bloody revolution in which at least three Wookiees and a dozen Czerka guards have already died?"

"You're sick." he said flatly.

"Thank you." I said brightly.

We met up with Bastila, Jolee and Canderous near the docking port, and walked the short distance there together. Bastila, Canderous and I raided the Czerka office while the Czerka employees were all too preoccupied being wiped out by the Wookiees to bother guarding their stuff.

I found various cool weapons, several medpacs, a lot of credits, and a jar of what looked like animal parts. "Why the hell do they have this here?" I asked, pointing to the jar.

"Tach glands." Canderous answered, "Remember the Czerka in the Shadowlands said they were collecting organs to make stims."

"Nice." I said flatly, "Might find someone willing to buy these." I stole the jar.

As the Ebon Hawk took off, there was an air of death around the Czerka port that made Bastila nauseous. I was loving it.

x x x